Wednesday, October 31, 2012

State Proposition 30- Vote NO

   With the  election less than a week away, a closer look at some state propositions is in order.   Proposition 30 is the first that voters have to consider.  It is first in the voter handbook.  Recently, Gov. Jerry Brown has spent large amounts of money on TV ads, promoting passage of this proposition.  On the one hand, he states it will prevent the cutback in school funding if it passes.  On the other, he says it's a temporary tax on the wealthiest Californians who can afford to pay a little more.  (He must be talking about professional athletes, corporate farmers, and lottery winners).
     For the past several years, our state legislators have overspent in all areas of the budget, hoping that taxes would catch up and cover their profligacy.  With the Great Recession came a reduction in tax collection, in sales and use taxes,  property taxes, and income taxes.  This scenario has continued as monies flowing to the state have declined while obligations have increased or remained the same.  Results, tens of billions of dollars in deficits, and they continue to grow.
       Gov. Brown admits these new taxes will not cover the deficit, but they could slow the bleeding, allowing the state to catch up.  Sounds like wishful thinking to this taxpayer.  With one party politics the norm in Sacramento, it is unlikely that there is any incentive to reduce spending.  The Democrats solution-always-Raise taxes, obfuscate the take, spread the grab across the widest swath.   Nibble at the fringe.  This nibbling comes in the form of  1/4cent sales tax hike.   Hmmmm?  Do we not pay enough already?
NOTE:
    Residents pay 7.25% sales tax-the Highest in the country!!!!
    Residents pay $172.63 billions in taxes-Highest in the country
    Residents pay the 4th highest income taxes after the big payers in :New York, New Jersey, and
    Connecticut-not the best company, really.
Local counties often pay additional taxes, as in San Francisco and Marin counties where total sales taxes hover near 9%.  Shocking really.
    And now the old hippie, former governor, ex-mayor of Oakland, former Attorney General, former Presidential candidate, wants workers to pay more taxes, claiming "It's only temporary".  For shame, Jerry.  A man your age telling such fibs.
Vote No on Prop 30-Save billions for your own budget, not Sacramento's red ink disaster budget(s).  

Lake Tahoe Front Page News

 Halloween Wednesday featured a photo of the lake on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle.  The photo accompanied the article about efforts to rid the lake of the aquatic pest, the tiny Asian clam.  It's about the size of a large pebble(+/- inch), and lives just under the surface sand on the lake bottom.  Researchers say the clam has been here for at least a decade, and could overwhelm native animals in the food competition.
      The article, written by the paper's Peter Fimrite, describes the steps involved with plan designed by scientists at UC Davis research center in Incline Village.  The plan calls for rubber mats to be place in 10'x100' sections on the lake bottom in Emerald Bay.  The site will be monitored for a year, although tests indicate that the clams die off in 10-40days after placement.   While not the only pest in the lake environment, the clam could have the highest impact if not controlled immediately.
     Watch for updates or go to the UC Davis web site for info.   Photos include one of Dr. Geoffrey Schadlow of UCD.   Let's hope this project succeeds,too.  Who needs more clams, anyway?

Halloween Delight

   The Giants picked Halloween as the date for their celebration of World Series victory.  The parade, held in downtown San Francisco, featured all team members, staff, owners and executives, and probably close to a million adoring fans from all over the Bay Area.  Commuters had issues today as parade goers arrived early at commuter parking areas, hoping to get in early to find a choice seat near the city hall reviewing stand.  Rain threatened but held off until after 3pm.  Local news media featured player interviews during the event.   The thrill was still there as players recalled their feelings after recording the last out against the Tigers(pussy cats) of Detroit.  A memorable day, equal to the memorable day in 2010 when they won that World Series.  Orange and Black are the chosen colors of the day, even around  Tahoma and the West Shore.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Darth Vader Sold

      Lucas Film Company, producer of Star Wars, and others, announced today they have been sold to Disney Company for approx. $4 billion.  Details are not yet available, but the Skywalker Ranch in Lucas Valley of Marin county was not included in the sale. 
      As George Lucas approaches 70 years of age, he no doubt wants to ensure his life's work will continue in a proper environment with good stewards of the company.   His personal statement will be forthcoming.
       Darth Vader will be seen tomorrow night, Halloween, all over the world, I'm sure.

HMS Bounty Lost in Atlantic -Hurricane Sandy

      Hurricane Sandy claimed 2 more victims yesterday as the replica sailing ship, the 3 -masted ship known as HMS Bounty, a to-scale replica built in 1961 for the big Hollywood remake of the film by the same name.  The star of the movie was Marlon Brando, who was at the peak of his early career.
    The movie was done in spectacular fashion, with many scenes shot on the decks of the ship in and around Tahiti and French Polynesia.  The replica ship had 20' added to the original dimension to accommodate the film equipment and to install an engine room. 
    After the movie was filmed the ship returned to the USA and made several stops at West coast ports to promote the film.  One of those stops was at Fishermen's Wharf in San Francisco in 1962.  It was a thrill to view the ship up close, with the crew in period garb and the ship brightly painted in authentic colors.  It was an experience to walk the length of the ship and examine the details of her construction.
        Sadly, for unexplained reasons, the ship was sailing off the Mid Atlantic coast, apparently trying to avoid Hurricane Sandy without success.  As the ship took on more water, the pumps became over taxed and failed.  The crew took to life boats, but the captain and one crew member were washed overboard and were lost.  The Coast Guard recovered the body of one crew member, and airlifted the remainder off the lifeboats; and they were taken to Elizabeth City, NC.
     The ship sunk shortly thereafter, and no doubt will not be salvaged.  A little bit of history, gone forever.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Hurricane Sandy Misses Tahoma

         Nice to be in Tahoma as opposed to Manhattan, New Jersey, and Delaware.  Hurricane Sandy came ashore this evening creating havoc across the east coast as she turns north.  Flooding and heavy rain shut down just about all activity in these coastal states.  Power outages have affected 5.6 million people and several accidental deaths have been reported.  It could be days before anything resembling normal returns.  The NYSE is closed and will not reopen until power and transportation services are operating.  Mayor Bloomberg advised all citizens to stay put and stay out of their cars and off the streets.
       The mayor and his deputy had dinner with friends including a family(2 newspaper reporters) from Narragansett, Rhode Island.  They've been forced to cancel their return flights and extend their California vacation-good news.  Friends have reassured them all's well at this hour.
       This could be the October surprise that could actually affect the outcome of the election.  Obama and Romney have both had to change schedules to deal with storm activity.  Obama returned to Washington to keep his eye on things from the White House.
       The Minister of Latin American Affairs for Tahoma left DC Sunday morning for Lima, Peru.  So, he has missed all the activity related to Sandy along the Potomac.  Lucky him.  His reports will obviously include local weather at Lima.  A complete conference report will be filed later upon his return.
       Meanwhile, our weather is changing, again.  Look for a little rain or snow over the next 48 hours.

Giants Win It All!

      Yes, they did.  They went to the Motor City and confronted the usual hostilities directed at any visiting team.  The last team here was the pathetic New York Yankees who were handed a sweep defeat in 4 games.  And now, the Tigers faced the same embarrassing fate: 4 and done, fini, over.
     This game would be different:  it would go to extra innings, postponing the outcome as the clock edged toward midnight.  The lead changed 5 times: Giants 1-0; Tigers 2-1; Giants 3-2; game tied 3-3; Giants 4-3-final in 10 innings.  Home runs helped this seesaw contest.  Miguel Cabrera hit a 2 run shot;then Buster Posey hit a 2 run shot; then Delman Young hit a solo shot to tie.  But this cycle was broken when Ryan Theriot hit a single to right field off reliever Coke.  Theriot was pushed to 2nd by a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Crawford, fielded by Coke who threw to Fielder at first.  Then, Marco Scutaro came up.   While not swinging the hot bat of the NLCS, he was ready; and he delivered: an RBI single that brought Theriot home, 4-3 Giants!
      The bottom of the 10th featured the Giants closer, Sergio Romo, the man with the wicked slider. First batter, strike out; 2nd batter,strike out; 3rd batter-the triple crown winner, Miguel Cabrera, called strike 3.  Game over.  GIANTS ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS 2012.
      The sounds of victory cheers richochet over the Bay Area as loyal fans celebrated the final out.  It's is always a thrill, for new fans and all.  Game announcers Jon Miller and Dave Fleming voiced their collective joy  as the Giant fans in Detroit crowded around the dugout in Comerica Park.  Manager Bruce Bochy, he of the understatement, managed a smile and what passes for joy on his normally stoic face.
     As players prepare for their flight home, the nations' attention is on the east coast Hurricane Sandy as it prepares to roll over New England, creating havoc.  At least the World Series doesn't have to compete with Mother Nature for fan support.  

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Giants and Game IV World Serious

Can they do it?  In Detroit for GAME  4.   Giants pitching has been the major factor, holding the Tigers to only 3 runs late in Game 1.  So tonight, with their backs to the wall, the Tigers face elimination.  Only a win will prolong the series.  No team has ever come back from being down 0-3.
      The Giants have displayed remarkable resilience, after a mediocre season in a weak division, the Giants have peaked at the right time.  Bruce Bochy, Giants manager, has displayed a talent for mixing pitching assignments as choices ebb and flow with the progress of each game.  His biggest and most successful move has been with the assignment of Tim Lincecum to the role of middle relief, where he has performed brilliantly, holding the Tigers to one hit and 0 runs over 7 2/3 innings.  The Detroit lineup has simply been baffled at the amazing array of pitches they have been dealt.
     So, tonight could be the final night, but as often happens, the baseball gods take sadistic pleasure in extending the inevitable.
Watch and enjoy, as the Motor City watches the temperatures drop close to freezing.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Indian Summer 2012

   Now it is officially Indian Summer:  the first snow fall of the season has blanketed the mountains and the acorns are falling by the buckets full.  The weather is predicted to continue with mild daily temps and mostly sunny skies.  This is a great time for locals: easy parking everywhere, choice seats at all restaurants, relaxed business owners anticipating ski season possibilities.
     Down the hill, the Giants are on cloud 9 as they head for colder Detroit for Games 3,4, and maybe 5.  The Bay looked great for Game 2 as boats clustered in McCovey Cove in the channel south of the stadium.  Up in the north bay, the water was flat in a dead calm and the Brothers stood out, even though a mile away.  Ahhhh, October around the Bay!
Note to neighbors:

Buying WOOD?
         How big is a cord of wood? By the numbers: 4' X 4' X 8'=128 cubic feet!  Not 110 cu.ft., not 100 cu. ft.  not 111 cu. ft, but 128 cu.ft.!!!!!!
         That translates into 3 rows of 16" pieces, tightly stacked.  Usual practice is for the company to dump the load at a convenient spot on your property.  If they arrive w/o the wood stacked in their delivery vehicle, that's warning #1.  You should be able to measure the stack BEFORE DUMPING!  If not, stack right away and measure the result.  If not up to the above, call the company right back.  If they don't respond cancel the payment and demand they remove the load immediately.  They will respond.  Most companies in the basin and around Truckee buy their stock from brokers in the valley who pull out old almond orchards.  The wood is cut on site and brought to a central facility.  The rub in the business is to manage the cutting sizes in the field. The result is a range of sizes from 12" to 16"+.  It is a rarity to find a 16" piece among those of any load.  Consequently, the buyer must take some random samples from the load to assess the quality of the cuts.  I recommend 10 pieces out of a cord.  Measure each for length and add up the result.  Get an average, then do the math.  If the average is 5-10% less, then an adjustment is definitely required.
       Pay attention.  Basically, the brokers are loose with their measurements, but always loose to THEIR benefit.  Be business like and hold them to their word.  A cord is not a NOMINAL measure of volume, it is exact!!!!!!

Conference on Democracy 2012

    For the last 9 years, Marin Academy of San Rafael has hosted a conference on democracy, bringing in outside speakers to discuss important issues affecting our democracy here and abroad.  It is supported by an endowment from the Thacher Family Trust and the local community.
    This year's event began last night with a viewing of a new documentary film by photo journalist David Freidah, a journalist who writes for the Providence newspaper.  A former engineer turned photographer, David has produced an intense film chronicling the story of 4 soldiers who served in Iraq, one several times; only to return home to find their lives much different than the one they left behind.  Integrating footage from Iraq with recent footage from Rhode Island, Freidah tells the story as these veterans attempt to cope with the latent effects of their service in the Middle East.  The Veterans Administration Hospital features large in this film and it underscores the effort by the medical community to adjust its programs to the new reality of returning veterans: they often need more help than they know.
    The director's message is one of education.  Most Americans are unaffected at home by military affairs.  Most families do not have members serving anymore in the armed services.  Hence, it is easy to look away from any problems with returning combat veterans.  Unlike their Vietnam veteran brothers who were scorned, ridiculed, and avoided upon their return from Southeast Asia, the Iraq/Afghanistan veteran is welcomed, feted, and embraced upon his return.
    Apparently, the military and the Army in particular, has a ways to go in their mission of taking care of the troops.
    As part of the conference, author/reporter David Phillips, read from his book,"Lethal Warrior".  His story documents problems at Ft. Carson, Colorado Springs,CO., with soldiers returning from Iraq.  This in depth account follows the sad stories of crimes committed by some soldiers from one unit, the same unit noted in the WW II saga, Band of Brothers.   It's the 21st century version of the story, and its not pretty.  From 2005 through 2009,the murder rate exploded in the Springs, much of the rise attributed to combat veterans and drug and alcohol abuse.  His book was published in 2010.  He, the author is but 35 years old.  He was a runner up for the Pulitzer Prize.

World Serious-Part 2

  Holy Smokes!  The Gigantes are up 2 games to none.  Who can believe this improbable scenario?  All the pundits are having great fun with this surprising turn of events.  From the scary days in Cincinnati to the depressing climes of St. Louis, the Giants could hardly afford to look beyond the day. They could only hope and play as if there was no tomorrow, which is true if you are playing an elimination game.
     As the story goes, they won each elimination game: 6 of them.  Now, they're up two and only need 2 of 5 to bring home another trophy of World Series Champions.  The SF fans are salivating at the prospect.  Yes, they'd like to see a victory, but they'd like the team to lose a couple on the road so they could win it all at home in the City.
    Tomorrow night: game 3 in Detroit, the home of empty factories and abandoned buildings, high crime and economic stagnation.  Perhaps seeing their team win a few would boost the outlook.  Who knows?

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Boreal bound

     It always seems to get the first press.  Why does Boreal Ski Resort get so much press?  It's easy- Boreal can be seen from the freeway.  Just drive by on your way(home, to work, to coffee, to grandma's house, wherever) and there it is, all laid out in front of you.  There's the chairlift; there's the half pipe; there's the lodge; there's the parking lot(count the cars).
      So any reporter, blogger, editor, or writer can gaze over the landscape and read into what he sees in a matter of seconds.  So it goes:after a nice wet storm rolled over the summit on Monday and Tuesday, Boreal has their snowplows moving 3 feet of fresh snow, carefully placing it all in highly visible areas to stoke those primordial urges to dust off the boards, shake out the parkas, clean the goggles, and try on the old boots one more time.
      Could Halloween be the season opener?  It is unlikely, given that the World Series might still be going on:it is October, you know!  Maybe the new snow will quickly melt, and we'll all look forward to Thanksgiving as a possibility for our first run of the season.
 Stay tuned, but wax your skis anyway.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Election 2012 California

    Governor Jerry Brown is appearing in TV ads speaking in support of Proposition 30- the state income tax measure that will raise income taxes and sales taxes across the state.  Jerry Brown is fast taking California down the path of Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York State, the other high tax states.
      California already has the highest tax bill in the country: $172.63 BILLIONS OF DOLLARS!  That's right: $172.63 billion. It has the highest sales tax in the country at 7.25%(local taxes are often higher,see Marin and San Francisco).
      This comes on the heels of a decision by Jerry Brown to take the Justice Dept. banking settlement of $410 billions, designated as funds from banks that defrauded home owners with deceptive lending practices, and placing those funds in the State's general fund rather than helping home owners as it was intended.
       Proposition 30 flies in the face of economic reason as unemployment remains above the national average and job creation remains sluggish as we begin the 4th year of this anemic recovery.  The Democrats in Sacramento are wringing their hands as they wait for the election to come and go in 2 weeks.  Will they or won't they bail out the profligate spenders in the legislature?  Can we fool them again with a "smoke and mirrors" budget?
   Don't be fooled by the "Old Hippie".  Vote NO on Prop. 30, and its sister Proposition 38.
    Old Jerry should be ashamed of himself, trying to massage the voters while he leads them to the slaughterhouse of higher taxes, poor services, lack of business formation, depressed property values, and a general lack of investment from the business community.
     California has a long way to go to regain her leadership position; but Jerry Brown and his old Democratic machine politics(ala Willie Brown, John Burton, Diane Feinstein, and Barbara Boxer).  The liberal/socialist milieu that has given rise to rivers of red ink has reached the breaking point.  Jerry has promised severe budget cuts if his measure does  not pass.  But the reality is: the budget will not be cured even if the tax increase passes.  The day of reckoning will only be postponed unless the legislature cuts spending.  The re-election of Pres. Obama will not cure the state's ills.  If anything, the state's problems will be exacerbated by his reelection.
More to follow 

WORLD SERIOUS 2012

  After the big pennant  winning victory Monday night, pundits expected the Giants to receive a dose of reality from the Detroit Tigers with their all-everything ace Justin Verlander expected to put the Giants and lefty Barry Zito away easily.  But Barry and his wrecking crew had other ideas.  With Pablo Sandoval putting on a hitting clinic, hitting 3 round trippers and another base hit to cap a night for the record books.  Zito was masterful: mixing speeds and location as he baffled Detroit's hitters from the first inning until he left in the 6th.  He was followed by Tim Lincecum who struck out five while collecting 7 outs before turning the ball over to Kontos.  Affeldt finished as the Giants stunned the Tigers 8-3.  The sell out crowd went home happy for the second time in 3 days.
     More tomorrow night as Madison Bumgardner goes for the Giants.  Manager Bruce Bochy will sleep well tonight, perhaps for the first time since the season ended weeks ago.
October: the World Series at home!  This is the 3rd Series at AT&T since it opened in 2000.  The Gigantes are 1-1.  And on their way to 2-1.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Wild weather on the move

    So, sports fans, ready for the white stuff?  Here 'tis.  29" of snow forecast for Kingvale on 80.  5000' level with +12 inches lakeside- and it's only October!  Could be the beginning of a white winter.
GO GIANTS!
    The Giants, local faves, beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-0 tonight in San Francisco.  This victory capped 6 do -or-die games, beginning with the division series in Cincinnati.  They won 3 in a row with victories by Barry Zito in game 5; Ryan Vogelsong in Game 6,; and matt cain in Game 7, the first Game 7 played in SF since 1962, 50 years ago when they lost that game to the Yankees.  The final out came during a drenching downpour as the skies opened up on the victory dance after Marco Scudaro caught his nemesis ,Matt Holliday's pop fly to 2nd base.
    It was fun to be in the City during the game, even if it was only a mile up 3rd St.  We had a nice meal at Serpentine on 3rd @ 22nd St.  No TV!  Too bad.  Still good, though.
   Watch your driving, be prepared for more snow.
Tornadoes in the Valley
   Four tornadoes touched down around Chico this afternoon, doing little damage.  Funny how they've become a local phenom around seasonal changes.
Later

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Harvest time in Sonoma County

       Look out for trucks on 101, 116, 128, Highway 12, and all their connectors- the grapes are coming, the grapes are coming!  It's harvest time in the wine country.  With the first significant rain coming in on Monday, growers are scrambling to get their crop off the vine and into the crusher(s).  Heavily laden tractor trailers are everywhere, loaded with full bins of purple grapes.  Wine on wheels?  Exhausted workers are viewing the results of a years' worth of pruning, spraying, training, netting, plowing, de-leafing, trellising, fertilizing, testing and measuring brix, worrying about frost.  Soon the liquid results will be headed to the barrels for fermentation and aging and blending, according to the winemakers design.
      Sonoma county-home to one of the world's great wine making regions.  This vintage, 2012, could be the year of the negocient- that European import that seems to be popping up all over.  The negocient is the wine maker who owns no vineyards.  He buys from sources that provide the grape with the terroir that suits his "style' of wine design.  One of the more notable negocients is Christina Pallman of Santa Rosa.  With her extensive European training, she has developed her own style of wine design, using Sonoma County's vast variety to craft significant wines.  Another successful is Steven Vincent.
      Steve hailed from San Rafael where he was a wine salesman for many years.  He parlayed his knowledge of the industry into a successful business, marketing very drinkable product at $10/price points.  He has had his label added to Whole Food's shelves just to name one.  He's also at Andy's Local market in San Rafael.   Others are involved in this segment of the trade, and are known for buying boutique labels and consolidating product for their customers, both locally and nationally.  It could be a significant trend.
       Word on the 2012 vintage is spotty, but predictions include great potential because of below average rainfall throughout the state during winter 2011/2012.  With vines stressed because of the low moisture, flavors and sugars should be intense.  Time will tell.
Again, watch for trucks when driving to a tasting this weekend.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Roma at dawn

Rome is a fascinating world class city.  During the day, the streets are wild with traffic of all sorts: scooters, motorcycles, buses, bicycles, cabs, pedestrians, tourists lost and looking sideways.  Needless to say, it's dificult to enjoy the environment with all its joys.   So, get out before all the craziness begins- get out before the day begins.  Ahhhh, the streets of Rome w/o the noise.  Pax e luce.  A cappucino by yourself, the newspaper in tranquillo, clean streets.  A fine experience.
     Granted, one can't visit the wonderful museums, churches, palazzos, etc, all closed,; but the strreet views are great and well worth the effort.   Unfortunately, the experience is short lived for the Romani are soon at it again: getting their day going, having their first espresso of the day, greeting the neighbor, planning the schedule, and thinking of living in style as only a Roman can do.
Biennale Antichita
Stopped at the Palazzo Venezia yesterday to attend the big antique show at the famous palazzo.   The palazzo itself is worth a visit- it is the palazzo that Mussolini used as his home during his reign over Italian government and politics.  It is quite a building.  The grand salons on the upper floors are breath taking in their size and decoration.  And to think it is hundreds of years old.  The antique dealers displayed museum quality objects that were worth the price of admission, from pre Christian marbles to Renaissance paintings to modern art.  It was all there.  A great show.
more later

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Ahhhhhh, ROMA

What a great night: best night's sleep in a month!  Not easy some times on the road to score a good rest- hard beds, unfamiliar surroundings, skinny pillows,etc.  But our new hotel, the Adriano, had all the ingredients for a nice rest.
    We had a great meal in the 'hood, and walked around Piazza Navona for awhile, drinking in the atmosphere of our first night in the Eternal City.
More later

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Magna Grecia, Policoro, and Metaponto

Took a ride around the neighborhood of Matera yesterday, covering about 50 miles in total.  We drove down the hill toward the coast, the Ionian Sea coast or the Golfo Taranto.  The adjacent plain has been formed over millenia by the drainage of 5 rivers, descending from the mountains to the north.  All 5 rivers were well known sources of water by early Mediterrnean navigators.
    Some of the first settlers came from Asia Minor, or Persia, or modern day Turkey.  They were followed by Greeks from across the Adriatic.  They created a thriving series of small cities taking advantage of good soil, abundant water, and very mild winters.  Metaponto and Policoro, two modern replacements, have built museums to house the many artifacts discovered over the years, many in just the last 20 years.  These local sites are home to national and world treasures from the time of the Greek culture in ascendancy.
   The examples of art, jewelry, pottery, ceramics, and personal effects are stunning.  The museums themselves are well situated and well maintained.  Using state of the art lighting, climate control, and security, the Italians have ensured that these priceless objects will be seen for many years to come.

The highway along the coast is in great shape: smooth running all the way, to and from.  At this time of year, not much traffic.  We hear that summer on the south coast is jampacked.  We did not see anything resembling a crowd.  Quite the contrary.
   Today, the Mayor and deputy mayor will visit Puglia, and Lecce, and stop in Alberobello, a small town noted for its Trulli, the conical shaped houses tha are common to Puglia.  It should prove intersting after spending 4 nights i a cave in the Sassi of Matera.
Buona Giornata 

Monday, October 1, 2012

Carlo Levi - in his memory

Briefly, the Mayor and the deputy mayor find themselves in the Mezzogiorno- that part of Italy that occupies the southern third of the peninsula.  It is the rocky, barren, moutainous region that Rome and the rest seem to have forgotten.  It was here that Carlo Levi, the famous writer, doctor, politician was exiled by Mussolini during WWII.  His description of the people and the landscape became an indelible mark on the Italian people/culture.  More of an indelible blot or scar that remains to this day as a reminder of what benign neglect can do to a people, region, or culture. 
   WE WILL BE EXPLORING THIS REGION FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND RECORDING OUR IMPRESSIONS FOR OUR FOLLOWERS.
cIAO.
more soon

Book Review: The Wager, by David Grann, 2023

       The Age of Exploration, the Age of Discovery, the Age of Colonization, the Age of Pirates and Slaves, the Age of Wooden Ships and Iro...