Correction—A Sweet Afternoon: The Joys & Benefits of Lyla & Emmy Making & Baking Challah with Their Nonnie

Apologies: This was previously published with the wrong story and photos. See correction below!

Lyla and Emmy had Monday off from school on Monday due to a teacher parent conference and Cecile had promised Lyla and Emmy that she would bake with them in the afternoon.

Making challah with our toddler granddaughters can be a wonderful bonding experience, creating cherished memories together that will last a lifetime. I love being the audience and witness to these bake fests. While delicious outcomes are welcomed, Nonnie Cecile believes the most important ingredient in baking challah with Lyla and Emmy is that they have fun. It is also about teaching the importance of tradition, as it allows you to pass down the tradition of making challah, imparting cultural and religious significance to them. It is an educational experience, whereby Lyla and Emmy can learn the basic fundamentals of basic cooking skills such as measuring ingredients, kneading the dough, shaping the challah, whisking some eggs and brushing it on the challah dough.

Having been a 5th grade teacher in Chicago, Cecile knows this promotes their cognitive and motor skills development. It also encourages creativity and artistic expression with making braids and designs and adding sprinkles and in some cases, a bit of baking chocolate. It engages their senses through the tactile experience working with dough, while stimulating sensory development. Of course Lyla and Emmy love to dress-up in their aprons. Lyla particularly loves her chef’s hat. They learn patience and focus, waiting for the dough to rise and bake, teaching them value of delayed gratification. Finally, it fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment when they see the finished product and sit down at their little white dining table to sample the fruits of their labor. Yummy!

The Serene Symphony: Exploring the Benefits of Bike Riding in Nature

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding tranquility in the midst of chaos of worldly events becomes essential in maintaining my mental and physical well-being. One such avenue that offers a harmonious blend of exercise and immersion in nature is bike riding. As the wheels spin an and the breeze caresses our skin, the benefits of biking through natural landscapes becomes abundantly clear. Pedaling along scenic trails amidst towering trees, running creeks and lakes, or picturesque meadows, instills a sense of calm and tranquility. I especially love it before or after a rain, when the clouds are abundant and frames the sky in a more interesting and mesmerizing manner as many of the photos accompanying this post portrays.

The rhythmic motion of pedaling acts as a form of active meditation, alleviating stress and anxiety while improving mood and mental clarity. Cycling offers a profound opportunity to connect with the outdoors on a visceral level. One becomes immersed in the sights, sounds, and scents of the wilderness, and experiencing a heightened sense of awareness and appreciation for the natural world. Every pedal stroke deepens the bond between humanity and nature. Whether biking solo or with friends like Bill and other like-minded friends who share a passion for outdoor exploration fosters a sense of camaraderie, and belonging, enriching the overall biking experience. Riding along winding tails and open roads, allows us to embrace the symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations that nature has to offer, enriching our lives one bike ride at a time.

Postscript: In a letter to his son, Eduard dated February 5, 1930, Albert Einstein wrote “Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” No stranger to the inspirational power of riding a bike, Einstein was also said to have reported to have had his first thought of the "theory of relativity” while on two wheels. Ironically, he didn’t know how to drive a car.

Welcoming our New Grandson August (Nickname Gus) to His First Family Dinner at our Home

“The family table is the heart of the home, where love is served in generous portions."

It’s been about six weeks since our daughter Michelle gave birth to Gus, the new addition to our extended family and he pretty much slept blissfully through the whole thing. Fortunately, I blissfully held him in my arms through the appetizer hour while we watched a digital recording of Michelle playing “Annie” when she was a young girl in Redwood Middle School play in Saratoga. Cecile and Jane Gold were the producers under the outstanding, skillful, creative direction of Laurel Perelman-Cohen who gratefully casted this once shy little girl in the lead role. Lyla, 5 was rapt watching her mother on the screen, while Cecile and I and Michelle held back our nostalgic tears.

Cecile cooked an amazing dinner: Oven-baked Pasta with several types of mushrooms, onions, and dollops of mozzarella in a red Marinara sauce and the one-of-a-kind Schaub’s Fred’s Steak in Palo Alto, which is a heavily marinated steak from Schaub’s Meat, Fish & Poultry, that has always satisfied our guests. We also enjoyed a robust, delicious salad.

For dessert, we had an apple pie with house-made Breyer’s Vanilla ice cream and Neapolitan ice cream.

Cecile and I are so thankful for the new arrival of our grandson, August William Lewis and the opportunity we have had to slowly bonding with him. We look forward to celebrating on many more occasions through the coming years.

Our granddaughters, Lyla and Emmy were excited to have Uncle Jason visiting with us, and his dog Daisy who they are absolutely obsessed with petting her and feeding her treats.

Emmy, asked me if I would take her to my office (Papa’s room) to play. She opened my medical bag and hers’ and Lyla’s plastic medical bag and proceeded to pretend taking my blood pressure, give me an injection, and had me lay myself on my meditation pillows and pretended to cut my hair with "plastic "scissors—thank God:).

The End—of a perfect evening

A Romantic Valentine's Day Dinner at Parkside Los Gatos with Friends Susie & Nelson Bye

"It’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters.”—Unknown

This wonderful and bustling restaurant opened last Spring where the former Boulanger Restaurant with its iconic and historic facade at Main Street and Montebello used to be in downtown Los Gatos. While the interior underwent a major transformation, the facade was left largely intact. With its’ elaborate L-shape bar It has already become a popular destination drinks and dining spot.

Cecile and I had along with our friends Susie and Nelson Bye enjoyed Parkside Los Gatos' special 4-course menu offering by Executive Chef Noe Briseno with wine pairing. Our affable waiter, Bryce served us an Amuse Bouche (crab cake with avocado mousse) as a teaser appetizer. Since I’m allergic to crab, he brought me a Southern fried Hush Puppy (golden fritter). For our starters, Cecile, Nelson, and I had Roasted Baby Beet Salad while Susan had the Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna with soba noodles, pickled veggies, sweet soy & spicy aioli.

For our entrees, Cecile and Nelson had the Herb Crusted Halibut, with crushed fingerling potatoes, snap peas, cherry tomatoes, with citrus-saffron sauce, while Susan and I ordered the 12-ounce Bone-In Ribeye Steak.

Last but not least, for dessert Cecile and Nelson had Dulce De Leche Creme Brûlée with chocolate mousse, and almond biscotti, while Susan and I had Chocolate Fudge Cake with vanilla gelato and caramel sauce. The assistant manager that Nelson struck a camaraderie with threw in some New Orleans-style Beignets.

Accompanying the dessert was a Graham's 20 year Tawny Port.

Postscript: I bumped into Hadi Ghafouri (photo), a friend from Bay Club Courtside who is quite the success story. Hadi is in the top 1% of 65,000 nationwide Coldwell Banker Agents in Saratoga. He and his top producing team which includes Bobbie have racked up near a billion dollars in sales since 1990.

Our Little Butterfly: Emmy's Birthday Celebration at Jack Fisher Park with Family & Friends

“Beautiful and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable, butterflies lead you to the sunnyside of life. And everyone deserves a little sunshine.

—Jeffrey Glassberg

Thank you Emmy for bringing a little sunshine our way at your birthday party and every time we all get to be with you. You were having so much fun moving from one activity to another like a butterfly dancing from one flower to another. You climbed up the rope cables leading to the sliding pond as I hovered around you like a "Nervous Nelly," ready to grab you if you lost your balance. It would be inaccurate to say you are braver than you believe, because the consensus from all the grandpas and grandmas is that you are absolutely “fearless." Standing on that five foot cement retaining wall, smiling and insisting you wanted to make that jump onto the sand—on your own accord made my heart sink and Pop’s as well.

But you said what you always say: “Let me do it, Papa!” I had to plead with you the second time, to let me help you, fearful you might turn an ankle. Hesitant at first, then you went along with my wishes and by the looks of your smile—enjoyed it just as much. You are stronger than you seem, smarter than we know, and loved more than you could ever imagine. It was such a pleasure seeing you enjoy yourself at the park with your little friends and opening your birthday cards and presents at your mom and dad's home—with your big sister Lyla helping of course.

Kim, great idea setting up the "EMMY is 3,” sign. It was a good marker for the forty-plus parents and kids who attended and had a great time. And Michelle and Kyle, you organized a great party. We were lucky the weather cooperated after so many days of rain.

A Super Bowl Heartbreaking Moment for 49ers Losing to Kansas City Chiefs in Overtime Cliffhanger

Boy did Cecile and I choose a great Super Bowl (2024) to watch on our big screen TV. It was quite the cliff hanger.

While the San Francisco 49ers held a 10-3 lead at the end of the first half, due to what sportscasters called self-inflicted wounds that kept the Kansas City Chiefs off the score board for most of the opening two quarters, they wound up defeating

the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in an overtime victory.

It was the Chiefs third Super Bowl win in five years, and only the second overtime game in Super Bowl history. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes who has trailed by double digits in all four Super Bowl games he has played, stayed calm, cool, and collected as he rallied his team to victory with the help of defensive lineman Chris Jones who provided some exciting game-changing performance moves. Trailing by a field goal, Mahomes proved his worth once again by connecting with Mecole Hardman in the end zone.

In what was called a fairy-tale ending, Taylor Swift took the field at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to congratulate and celebrate boyfriend and star tight end, Travis Kelce’s big win with kisses and an affection hug. Swift has been a big supporter of Kelce throughout the Chiefs’ journey.

Postscript: Halftime Show headlined by R&B legend Usher, Alicia Keys, Reba McEntire, Post Malone and others.

Embracing the Elements: The Joy of Bike Riding in the Rain

Ordinarily, I never start out riding in pouring rain unless I happen to get stuck in one which happened the other night. I try to find that sweet spot in between the downpours, which of late has been more challenging to do, with recent storms and 30 MPH winds hitting Northern and Southern, CA. Today was calmer. Riding in the rain offers a unique and exhilarating experience. Those who embrace the elements discover a special kind of joy in the midst of it, especially when nature abounds. The heightened sensory experience and feeling of liberation is hard to pass up. There is a sense of being one with nature, and experiencing its raw power and beauty firsthand. It is a pleasant reminder that we are not separate from the natural world, but in fact, an integral part of it.

I hit the Los Gatos Creek Trails heading west and had to navigate around a detour sign since the trail was flooded. I proceed to Vasona Lake County Park which essentially is a reservoir. On the way, I stopped at the spillway which was roaring as it usually does when there are continuous days of rain during winter months. I took some photos close-up near the railing, and walked down an embankment further away from the spillway which is relatively safer and flatter—albeit a muddy trail. All the plants and grassy knolls were lush green.

I continued on the paved trail and saw a huge downed tree that was pulled out of from its roots and was cordoned off with yellow tape (photos). The trail was blocked with debris and I walked my bike around the tree and continued on. Before exiting the park I took a photo of a beautiful rainbow, and made my why to "Happy Hound" and ordered two hot dogs to go, securing it in my utility bag on the back of my bike rack, before headed back into the park again, accessing the same trail to head home. On the way, I took some photos of orange bluish clouds being lit up by the sunsetting setting. The rain was more of a drizzle at this point, and it was dark.

Riding in the rain feels like an act of rebellion at times, a reminder that like is meant to be lived fully, even when being faced with obstacles.

Dinner at Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant with 20th Century Self-Playing Musical Instruments for Entertainment

We had dinner with our friends Nelson and Susie Bye at Orchestria Palm Court in downtown San Jose that specializes in Continental Cuisine is housed in a rustic refurbished auto showroom from 1910. With its original roof, framing and skylights, it is reminiscent of the restaurant and bars of the early part of the 20th century. This period was largely defined by mechanical musical equipment. These machines, like the Coinola electric piano which plays the hits of the early 20th century represented the “high tech” of its time.

The mania to out-engineer and out-market its competitors was as fierce as today’s Silicon Valley’s high-tech industries. Engineer Mark Williams, the owner of Orchestria Palm Court, whom Nelson and I met behind the bar, collected a wide array of such machines over the years and are on display for patrons to enjoy. The restaurant also features two orchestrions, a machine that can mimic the sounds of an entire orchestra; electric pianos; two jukeboxes from the 1926 and 1928 era, and a Violano-Virtuoso Player Violin. The music ranges from bluesy jazz, catchy show tunes, operettas, clever novelty songs, and more.

Nelson brought a bottle of Hightower Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 from his wine collection to share. He and I had French Onion Soup with Gruyere cheese to start. For our entrees, Nelson, Susie and I had the Boeuf Bourguignon—the classic French braised natural beef with red wine sauce, with pearl onions, mushrooms, bacon, and carrots, served over roasted potatoes. Cecile and the Sustainable Sea Bass with Crayfish topping served on a bed of zucchini string salad with roasted potatoes. We all shared the Pesto Gnocchi with pesto sauce with fresh Parmesan cheese, and vegetable plate, and Cecile, Susie and Nelson shared the Shrimp Scampi on pasta—wild-caught Gulf shrimp, in garlic butter scampi sauce, with Farfalle (butterfly shaped) pasta, sun-dried tomato, and kale.

For dessert, Nelson and Susie shared a Traditional Banana Split and I had lemon and raspberry sorbet with strawberries.

Postscript: Orchestria Palm Court is located at 490 S 1st near the San Josie Stage Company, the South Bay’s leading professional theatre is open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:45 to 8:30 PM, and reservations are highly recommended.

Thank you Susie for this great find.

Visiting My Volunteer Locomotive Engineer Friend at the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad (BJWR) at Oak Meadow Park

Back Story: In the early 1950s, Walt Disney visited Billy Jones railroad on his 10-acre ranch in Los Gatos, CA. They established a long friendship between the families. On the opening day of Disneyland, Billy was given the honor of operating one of Walt’s steam locomotives that looped around the new park. Jones, a former engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad opened his miniature railroad in 1943, offering free rides. It became a popular attraction over the next twenty-five years.

After his death in 1968, a grass roots effort was undertaken to keep the railroad in the community. Fundraising efforts were held and a new non profit organization was used to purchase the equipment from the Jones family. Volunteers constructed a roundhouse station, turntable and a quarter mile of tack at the new location in the back part of Oak Meadow Park. In 1970, the Billy Jones Railroad officially opened averaging 100,000 riders annually, becoming a true Silicon Valley success story.

I stopped to take a photo of an engine, that a volunteer was working on. His name is Kelly and was very friendly. He said he used to be a payed employee, and after retiring he stayed on as a volunteer, making it over 50 years working on train locomotives. I asked him if my old friend Tony Hoffman was still volunteering. He said, “yes and he cooks for all the volunteers every Tuesday." He offered to escort us into the working garage and let Tony know I was asking for him. It had been a long time since Tony and I lost touch. We hugged and chatted for about ten minutes and agreed to have lunch together soon.

Tony, a successful real estate agent and investor, and I met around 1977 at an EST seminar, a two weekend Personal Transformational program founded by Werner Erhard in 1971. We became fast friends. We traveled to Kenya, taking a camera safari in the late 1990s. Cecile and I attended his and his wife Jane’s annual October Fest parties. I also went sailing with him on the San Francisco Bay. Afterwards, Bill and I then had lunch at The Happy Hound before making our way back home.

Postscript: If you live locally, it would be worth your while to ride the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad around the park with your young kids or grandkids. In the winter, their weekend hours are from 10-3 pm.

Source: Some of the historical info: K. Middlebrook

Dinner at Dan Izakaya Japanese Restaurant in San Jose with the Rothenbergs

"An izakaya in Tokyo made international news in 1962, when Robert F. Kennedy ate there during a meeting with Japanese labor leaders.”

—Wikipedia

Historically an izakaya is a type of casual Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks for after-work drinking similar to an English pub, a Spanish tapas bar, or an American saloon or tavern. Dan Izakaya is a full service restaurant in San Jose, CA., that serves cocktails, wine, beer and an array of sake. Izakaya-style establishments existed in Japan at the early 700s. Dan Izakaya presents itself with a warm inviting atmosphere and bright ceiling lamps.

Always open to try new places, Bill and Sarah recommended Dan Izakaya, a place they had eaten at once before. Bill and I shared a bottle of Sapporo Premium beer. For our appetizers we all shared a Sashimi Salad with avocado and tomato served over romaine, topped with sesame seeds, green onions and shredded seaweed, Miso soup; and Steamed Gyoza (little potstickers) stuffed with pork, chicken, and vegetables.

For our entrees, Sarah and Bill ordered the seared Salmon Meshi sashimi and flying fish roe on crunchy skillet of rice in a stone pot topped with green onions, sesame seeds, and shredded dried seaweed. Cecile had Salmon Teriyaki Don: grilled Salmon with teriyaki sauce on the side, with rice topped topped with green onions and and sesame seeds, and I had grilled Salmon & Beef Teriyaki Don prepared the same way. The food was excellent, our waiter was friendly and service was timely. Though the Yuzu Sherbert (100% Freshly squeezed and quickly frozen) sounded refreshing, we hit the Dairy Queen for dessert.

Computer Classroom Launched in Kenya in Loving Memory of My Niece Selina by Her Dad Joseph McAllister & Family

They say "it takes a village to raise a child," but sometimes it takes a person of vision and empathy to help a village and young minds to thrive under difficult circumstances. In this case, that person is my brother-in-law Joseph McAllister, who provided the financial backing to make it happen so that "Selina will forever live-on knowing they helped others in need and "making the world a better place for tomorrow."

Located three miles from Obama’s ancestral home in Kogelo, on the shores of Lake Victoria, is the Masogo Community and school with a surrounding population of under 10,000 people, and a student body of 223. After going on a camera safari in Kenya with Joseph and my late brother Michael in October 2006, Joe fell in love with the country. Years later, he returned with his beloved Selina as a gift for her graduating college. He hired the same guide named George that we had hired for our camera safari (photo).

When my niece and goddaughter Selina died on December 28, 2023 at the age of 40 of heart failure due to a deadly mix of prescription drugs, it dealt a devastating blow to her daughter Zaila—who had just turned 13 that very day—and the rest of the McAllister and Augustine families. Joseph described this life-altering event as an unimaginable loss and upheaval that left a hole in his and my sister Josephine's heart and soul.

Everyone deals with tragic events and grief in different ways. Joe decided to fund the Selina McAllister Computer Classroom at the Masogo School and community in Kenya in loving memory of Selina on behalf of him and his family. It was officially launched on February 15, by community council leader and Joe’s dear friend, Noel Olweny and his select committee from the school board. Thanks to Joe, it contains some of the best educational software available to maximize the potential to ensure full productivity for all ages and grades. “This is a game changer,” Olweny told Joseph,” and added, "I was just told that most classes were requesting to be in Selina’s Computer Class.”

Back History: Joseph had met Noel in Mount Kenya. He saw potential in his abilities to lead and decided to fund his post-graduate masters degree in land management at Everton University. Over the years Joe acted as an advisor to the Masogo community and helped fund the installation of bathrooms, fresh water wells, a playground for the children, and soccer uniforms and cleats for boys. He also provided funding to paint the entire school, install a new roof, and built a caretakers house equipped with five cows and ten sheep as compensation for a place for the caretaker to live while providing security.

Joe also recommended building a one-room home for the grandmother of a young boy named Edwin who lost his mom to AIDS, and was abandoned by his alcoholic father—as Joe had been in his youth. Moreover, once girls reached sexual maturity they were supplied with reusable AFRI-sanitary pads to avoid being absent 2.5 months of the school year, allowing them to be on par with the boys. Joe provided micro-financing to the grandmother allowing her to sell biscuits daily, which she has been running profitably for the past year. He and Noel also added WiFi to the building and hired a mason to replace the dirt floors with concrete slabs. Currently Joseph decided to add funding for a school food program to feed all of the children who were surviving on only one meal a day. They will enjoy an extra meal for the next 10 weeks school session.

Noel’s mama, the matriarch for the girls and her friend gave speeches. Coincidentally, mama and Selina share the same name. Mama expressed she how happy she was that Joe had the vision of coming up with this noble and significant history making idea that will change so many lives. The students parents were mesmerized.

You’ll notice that many of the posters in these photos say: "Asante Sana to Joseph McAllister and family,” which in East Africa means "thank you," or "I appreciate it." Mama who knew what it was like losing a family member, asked for a minute of silence for Selina. Everyone was teary-eyed after learning that Selina died on her daughter Zaila’s birthday. In the next minute there was great joy when Mama and her friend officially opened Selina's Computer Classroom with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Visiting the Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards-Winery & Horse Stables: The Highlight of our Bike Ride & How I Met Former 49er Coach Steve Mariucci

“The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and freedom.”—Sharon Ralls Lemon

Bill and I rode our bikes to Garrod Farms, family owned and operated since 1893, seeing some wild turkeys cross the road along the way. Garrod’s has 150 acres of vineyards and horse stables. Bill came up with the idea to ride around the Steven’s Creek Reservoir Lake, which we have done many times, and visit the Sunnyvale Rod and Gun Club including the Rifle-Pistol Range purely out of curiosity. Going to Garrod Farms was at first an afterthought. I suggested going there sometime and Bill responded, “Do you want to go now?" It turned out to be the highlight of our 22-mile round trip ride.

Garrod’s brought back some fond memories. One of the six generation of Garrod matriarchs—the late Jane Garrod—was a member of our Saratoga Community of Painters, a plain-air watercolor group back in the late 90s. Jane and her late husband Vince were kind enough to invite us to have our Christmas parties in their wine tasting room.

One experience that stands out is having met the affable Steve (the “Mooch”) Mariucci, the former football coach of the SF 49ers (1997-2002). His wife Gale was a member of our outdoor plein-air watercolor group. Gail invited us to their home one day to paint outdoors, and he had attended our Christmas party at Garrod's. During an elephant gift exchange, Steve and I playfully fought over a nude sculpture that looked like something you would find at an excavation site in Pompeii, Italy. Both of us being Italian, may have been the attraction. I won, and he was a good sport about it. kept the sculpture on the front ledge of our fireplace. I could hear the voice of my late dad, Frank, who was alive at the time, whispering in my ear that it would be worth money someday,” something he typically said about anything he collected:)

On our first order of business at Garrod's Vineyards, Bill and I purchased a bottle of "2017 Two Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon." We spent the rest of the time enjoying the view of the vineyards, overlooking Silicon Valley. From there we visited the gentle, beautiful horses in their stables. It was a very tranquil and calming experience that I have experienced many times throughout the years in other venues.

Postscript: This post is dedicated in memory to Jane Garrod (1918-2014), an artist, storyteller, role model, chef, healer, coach, gardener, conservationist, world traveler, friend to many, and lover of life.

Captivating Sunsets that Caught my Attention During Some Recent Bike Rides & Poets That Capture Their Essence

“Even after all this time, the Sun never says to the Earth

You owe me.” Look what happens with a love like that;

It lights up the whole sky.”

—Hafez, 14th century mystical Sufi poet from Persia

“Clouds come floating into my life,

No longer to carry rain or brings storms,

But to add color to my sunset sky.”

—Rabindranath Tagore

“I stand in silence, reaching with my eyes,

My God—you are beautifulI, love the way you fall

Softly losing space, I follow you down

As you paint the sky In your leaving

I wish we could so confidently follow our hearts

Leaving only ripples of light In our wake

My secret lover, I want you only for myself

How many times have I come here

With my sorrow, you lift me up in your fall

—Cindy Smith

Revisiting Teleferic Barcelona Restaurant in Los Gatos: Leave Your Passport Behind

Teleferic Barcelona is a family-owned authentic Spanish cuisine and innovative cocktails, and a variety of hand-crafted sangria. The Padrosa family, are pioneers in the art of ‘Pintxos,” the smaller Basque cousins of Spanish tapas, that justifies the phrase “haute cuisine in miniature.”

The food and lively ambiance creates a dining experience that transports its customers to the vibrant city in Barcelona, Spain without the need for a passport. Cecile and I made 5:15 PM reservations to beat the crowd, and the crowd beat us. We were surprised that the popular extensive outdoor seating with heat lamps were taken. That said, we were seated by the hostess at a cozy, romantic table in the corner away from the hustle-bustle of the main dining room. We were fortunate enough to have the affable Julio as our waiter again.

To start, Cecile ordered a glass of Barceloneta Sangria consisting of sparkling wine, lemonade prickly pear, honey, rosemary orange and mixed berries and I had a bottle of Estrella Mediterranean Pilsner Lager Beer. We ordered marinated Tuna Tacos with mashed avocado & crispy wonton shells; Pan con Tomato: Traditional toasted bread with tomato dressing and chorizo butter; and for our main Platos, we shared Prime Wellington consisting of juicy braised short ribs & Iberia ham encased in a flaky puff pastry roll, and Spanish-style potatoes. One of the server injected savory sauce in the pastry roll. Everything was prepared to perfection and in a timely manner. We were full enough to pass on dessert.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: As we Witness an Alarming Surge in Antisemitism

“For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing.”—Simon Wiesenthal

On Saturday, January 27, the United Nations General Assembly observes the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau as International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD), a time to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. As we witnessed Hamas’ deadliest attack of Jews since the the Holocaust referred to as Israel’s 9/11” or “Israel’s Pearl Harbor, what followed was an alarming rise of antisemitism around the world globe that was simmering below the surface.

The black-and-white iconic photograph taken by a rabbi’s wife depicts a brass menorah—a traditional Jewish candelabra—during the Jewish festival of Hanukah in 1932 positioned on a windowsill directly across the street from the Nazi party’s regional headquarters building upon which a large swastika flag is seen hanging menacingly from the facade. This marked one woman’s courageous defiance against one of the world’s most violent and oppressive regimes. On the back of the snapshot, Rachel Posner, wife of rabbi Dr. Akiva Posner, and taker of the photo wrote an inscription: “The flag says ‘death to Judaism,’ the light says “Judaism will live forever.’”

Akiva Baruch Mansback, a great-grandson of rabbi Akiva and Rachel Posner, told Greenbaum Davis, the writer of the Newsweek piece in 2019, that the lighting of the menorah "reminds him of the resilience of his ancestors and the continuity of Jewish history.” In over 80 years since the Holocaust, about 245,000 Jewish survivors across 90 countries are still alive. Around 49% living in Israel, 18% in Western Europe, 16% in the United States, and 12% in countries of the former Soviet Union.

The Holocaust was the genocide of European Jews during World War ll. Between 1941-1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews primarily through mass shootings and poison gas in several extermination camps. In over 80 years since the Holocaust, about 245,000 Jewish survivors across 90 countries are still alive. Around 49% living in Israel, 18% in Western Europe, 16% in the United States, and 12% in countries of the former Soviet Union.

Postscript: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier joined in the lighting ceremony of the Hanukkah menorah belonging to the Posners, A German Jewish family at Berlin’s Bellevue palace last December during the so-called Festival of Lights, filled him with deep gratitude and humility and above all, happiness.” (AFB, Times of Israel).

Lexington Reservoir An All Terrain Bicycling Adventure with Unexpected Radical Detours

“Sometimes the best [fun] things in life are unexpected.”—Faith Sullivan

Bill and I decided to go to the Lexington Reservoir in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We have done this ride a great number of times. At first in was pretty uneventful, that is until we got to "Road Closed" sign, except for deliveries. So we slipped through until we hit another road closed sign that at first glanced seemed more formidable due to a large collapsed road under repair. Bill found a narrow opening closer to the canyon below. The other option was lifting our bikes over the cement barrier and make our way to the far left where there was an unobstructed way to continue our ride. I just had a dental implant the day before, and the last question I asked my oral surgeon “Can I ride my bike.” He said "yes, but be careful not to fall!” I thought to myself, when he said yes, I don’t think he was envisioning this.

We chose the narrow path. It was a radical detour to be sure. Bill took the lead to show me it was doable. Looking back at the photos Bill took of me coming through, it is hard to imagine we actually made it. As they say it was all down hill from here. We were surrounded by beauty. We enjoyed that fresh mountain air and stunning views of the reservoir from up above and at the water’s edge below. The last section however, was a bit perilous. There is a narrow section near the water’s edge. Recent rains cause it to be muddy and it took more time to navigate. Though we took it slow, our bike tires were fishtailing back and forth as we slogged through the thick muddy terrain. In fact we had encounter variable terrain: paved, gravel, rock, dirt and mud. It was clear sailing from here. As we made our way back home along the Los Gatos Creek Trail, stopping briefly to view the Vasona Reservoir.

Postscript: The only creepy thing that happened was Bill pretending to eat a banana slug he found on a muddy surface behind the cement barrier of the closed off road and pretended he was going to eat it. The banana slug which happens to be the most common slug on campus is the mascot of UCSC.

Exploring The Guadalupe River Art Walk & Lunch at the San Pedro Square Market

During our 23-mile roundtrip ride to San Jose, what caught my eye in particular was the colorful mural that's called “We Are Still Here” by retired postal worker and muralist, Alphonso Salazar (2021), that dominates the wall along the Guadalupe River that flows through downtown San Jose. The mural recognizes the Muwekma Ohlone that were the first inhabitants of the region for around 10,000 years. It portrays the face of Ohlone Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh, adorned in a warrior eagle headpiece with a basket-weave pattern and a hummingbird warrior face mask, a tribute to the indigenous tribe's creation story. The river itself has been a major ancestral heritage site for approximately 2,000 year, which the tribe’s leadership has had oversight on since 2012 as part of their reclamation process.

Staying on the art theme, there has been a movement over the years to have murals commissioned by artists to paint the bland grey sides of downtown buildings. One in particular that I took a photo of is a beautiful mural that runs the entire length of the hotel’s west-facing wall of the Hotel De Anza known for its interior art deco design, featuring the image of a woman, surrounded by a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables painted by Jim Minor called “Life Abundant."

We paused at "Monopoly in the Park" to stretch a bit. Located on the California Discovery Meadow, near a children’s museum, the board is the largest permanent version of the game in the world. There’s even an immovable set of dice that you can sit on or do a yoga squat pose on—as I did.

There was a lot of activity at the FurCon Confusion, annual furry convention at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center with outside Mexican food stalls set up for the lunch crowd. What’s a furry, you might ask? These are often animal of animal-themed characters in movies, cartoons, books, or comic. Many people who attend create their own characters, and some attend in costume. Though I’m told you don’t have to be a furry to attend. Before heading back home, Bill and I ate a Chicken Banh Mi sandwich at the San Pedro Market, home to one of Spanish California’s last remaining structure from El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe.

Fists-up at the Olympic Black Power Statue at San Jose State University on MLK’s Birthday

Biking buddy Bill and I were surprised there were no activities scheduled in downtown San Jose in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday yesterday. We decided to cut through the San Jose State University (SJSU) campus and I had a “duh,” moment. Right before us, as Bill reminded me, was the bigger than life olympic medal awards podium that we have seen before. It is associated with a silent protest by two San Jose State University African-American track and field medal winners, Tommie Smith and John Carlos. At the 1968 summer games in Mexico City, Smith won the 200 meters track gold medal, and Carlos took the bronze.

As the Star Spangled Banner played, both athletes, standing shoeless, bowed their heads and raised their fists in a defiant black power salute until the music ended. They intended to place the world spotlight on human rights, particularly injustice and inequality for African Americans. Unfortunately it was perceived as an aggressive political act. They were booed by the stadium audiences, and ceremony etiquette experts around the world became enraged. The two sprinters were expelled from the games and received numerous death threats to boot.

It took decades for the fury to die down, and in 2005, SJSU unveiled a heroic sized tribute—a 23 ft. tall sculpture of that moment in history they stood on the medalist awards podium.

The university sculpture conspicuously leaves out the 2nd place medalist, Australian Peter Norman (see the black and white photograph), who was criticized for wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights pin, in solidarity with Smith and Carlos, who wore them. Norman declined to be depicted in the sculpture, which left the silver medal tier platform I was standing on—with Bill to my left open. Visitors are welcomed to pose and raise a fist. It so happened we met a friendly woman who was admiring the sculpture and offered to take our photograph with one of the most iconic images in world history.

An Ode to the Often Misunderstood Turkey Vulture I Encountered on the Way Back From a Bike Ride

“Let us praise the noble turkey vulture: No one envies him; he harms nobody; and he contemplates our little world from a most serene and noble height.”

—Edward Abbey

Have you even seen an old cowboy movie where a character is out in the desert, hot, lost, thirsty with an empty canteen looking up toward the sky to see circulating turkey vultures, worrying he was going to be their next meal. This is a myth or in modern day parlance "Fake News!” Vultures do not circle and follow dying animals and humans.

As I rode my bike on the block long tree-lined sidewalk leading to the entrance of our gated-community I saw what at first glance thought was a big crow. As I got closer I realized it was a turkey vulture. I had seen the tough fuchsia skin of its head, with a bone-white beak, and chestnut layered feathers that ended abruptly at its neck. They are typically not dangerous to humans or other animals. Despite a generally negative view from humans, they play an important role in the ecosystem by scavenging and cleaning up “carrion" which means dead animal flesh before it rots and poses a health risk.

In this case it appeared to be a dead squirrel. They possess an extraordinary keen sense of smell from a mile or two away. These peaceful animals that have a life span of up to 24 years pose no risk to your pets, children, or infants. I had to ride past the Turkey vulture and I knew it would probably slowly take flight as I got closer. I was prepared to take serial photos of its launch with my new i-phone 15 Pro. It was poetry in flight.

Postscript: It is interesting to note that there are dozens of stories in the Native American, Celtic, African, and Tibetan culture that praise the vulture as a beacon of spiritual renewal, cleansing, purification, and patience. In fact, Tibetan monks who believe in rebirth, say they want to return to earth as vultures in their next lifetime because they do not kill to survive. Perhaps, this is why the Cherokee refer to Turkey vultures as “Peace Eagles."

Recalling Martin Luther King and Visiting the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis & His Stand on Antisemitism

(short video clip link at end of post)

“Peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all your might to protect its right to exist, its territorial integrity and the right to use whatever sea lanes it needs. I see Israel…as one of the great outposts of democracy in the world, and a marvelous example of what can be done, how desert land can be transformed into an oasis of brotherhood and democracy.”

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the spring of 2018, Cecile and I and our friends Nelson and Susan Bye spent an emotional morning visiting the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the last stop on our riverboat cruise. 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination by James Earl Ray while King stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel which stood right before us. A funeral wreath of red and white carnations hung on the railing outside room 306, making it a symbol of the civil rights movement and becoming the first Civil Rights Museum in 1991.

In its’ day, the Lorraine Hotel hosted entertainers as Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, and B.B. King. The vintage cars in the parking lot represent the vehicles parked at the Lorraine Motel when Dr. King was killed. I was 13 when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., gave his historic “I have a dream” speech in 1963. The struggles of the civil rights movement during the 60s were hard to completely digest as a young teen. That said, I remember being moved by his inspiring and passionate oratory skills and courageous non-violent protests.

Sixty years ago, an estimated quarter of a million people assembled in front of the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Many American Jews were active participants and leaders in the march including

Arnie Aronson, a little-known gifted organizer; Rabbi Uri Miller who recited the opening prayer; and Rabbi Joachim Prinz who delivered a stirring speech just before King’s historic words.

As the great Civil Rights activist, Reverend King advocated for equality, and against hatred, poverty and bigotry of all kinds. He was outspoken for Israel and Jewish people and against antisemitism and made this abundantly clear in one of his speeches. He once said: “When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You’re talking anti-Semitism." As a preacher he certainly wouldn’t have favored war and the casualties of war; and certainly wouldn’t have approved of the Hamas hostage taking serial killers who crossed the Israeli border and beheaded babies, raped women, and slaughtered people including those who were simply attending a music peace festival.

Standing Tall an excerpt from Jamie McKenzie’s poem:

“Some kings rule their kingdoms sitting down

Surrounded by luxury, soft cushions and fans

But this King stood strong, stood proudly, stood tall…

Even in death Even today

Stands strong, stands proudly

Stands tall

And we remember

Video Clip link of Martin Luther King Jr., Against Antisemitism & Israel’s Right to Exist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gsDKjWxB-k