Portlandia: 2021

   The fabled city of Portland, Oregon, has been the focus of intense media coverage for over a year.  It is well deserved as the city has become the poster child of a dysfunctional municipal operation.   What began as protests over the police killing in Minnessota(a large midwest city few from the West Coast would even think of visiting-think Prairie Home Companion) turned into an ongoing anarchy that rolled out  of control in no time.  The staggering incompetence of Mayor Ted Wheeler was on view from the beginning.  His monumental leadership failure will grace the pages of Public Administration textbooks for generations.  This particular Democrat has made every effort to placate even the most outrageous demand from critics and involved citizens.

     And then: the locals reelected him.  And now they want him to change into something he will never be: a competent leader.  Poor Portland.   How will the city recover?  Hmmmm.  Will it ever?   Average citizens recognize the changing situation and the poor results of efforts to corral anarchy in their midst.   Average citizens are selling their homes and moving.  Nearby residents in the state of Washington are laughing outloud at the situation and watching closely for spillover into their communities.  The federal system that allows freedom of movement between and among the states has been one reason that Portland has lost control.  Perhaps the time has arrived for internal passports to control anarchy.(just kidding!)  Our trading partner, Communist China, is a textbook example of internal movement control.  Want to live somewhere else?  Want to move?  Ask your provincial population committee, and apply using the rules established in Beijing.  Maybe rules established by Washington are necessary to control the spread of anarchy.  Hmmm.

      Portland needs help; it can't, obviously help itself.

Last Snow:4"

      After a night of high winds across the lake,  the next night provided a late look at winter's last gasp.  About 4" of powder blanketed the basin, creating the usual visuals for the residents.  It's always a magnificent sight: waking up to a landscape of powdered sugar as far as the eye can see.  On top of that, the morning broke clear without a cloud in the sky, and hardly a ripple across the lake surface.  Glassy patches of water reflected the azure sky above capturing a view that makes it all worthwhile to live inside the Basin.

       Visitors numbers will continue their downward trend as Covid rules and policies begin to change.  California leads the nation in percentages of lower infection rates.  This bodes well for a local economic rebound.  Perhaps indoor dining will undergo rebirth, but it is not known if the public will respond to the 'new' normal of social interactions.  Time will tell.

El Dorado County Covid Status

        Residents of El Dorado county live in a "high risk" county.   Infections are still too high to change the status to a lower risk level.    The location of most new infections are on the west down slope portion of the county and not in the Tahoe basin section.  However, people are advised to exercise caution when indoors among strangers/non-family members.

       Where your masks.

Late Winter Storm to Arrive Tonight

      A last gasp storm will arrive tonight and dump a tad of snow.   No snow tires?  Chains might be required about I-80.   Food supplies adequate?   Shop early today.   POssible power failures?  Batteries needed.  

    Prepare this morning.

Alexei Navalny Ends Hunger Strike

        Russyan opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, ended a self-imposed hunger strike in prison after treatment by civilian doctors.   The hunger strike, which lasted 26 days, sent a message to his followers that he was prepared to die in prison where he was sent after a "show trial" held in Moskova by State police sentencing him to 2 years in prison alleging he violated his parole when he went to Berlin after being poisoned by FSB agents who followed him to Siberia and administered Novochuk nerve agent which almost did the job.

        Doctors noted extreme conditions of his status, and Navalny took their advice and terminated the situation on his own.   His followers were greaty relieved, especially those followers who took to the streets around the country to protest his incarceration by Putin's regime.  

      Meanwhile, world leaders noted that Mad Vlad pulled his troops back from the Ukraine border where they staged a military demonstration to scare the West.  Mad Vlad theater was a joyful celebration of Putin's ability to play mind games with European leadership and Ukraine's president.  After moving into Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014 and taking over ground in eastern Ukraine(known as Donbass), Putin is feeling his oats.  However, sanctions imposed on Russya continue to sting the economy, and coupled with the Covid pandemic have made life across the largest country in the world more difficult than it has been in years.

      Welcome back, Alexei, to Putin's World of Street Theater.

Governor Gruesom Declares Water Emergency in Two Counties

       With a backdrop of low water levels in a Mendocino County reservoir, Gov. Gavin told a press group of his emergency declaration of drought conditions in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.  He acknowledged that climate change was real and the situation reflects this reality.  What?  Drought?  We live in a semi-arid climate zone: seasonal changes in precipitation are: read: N-O-R-M-A-L.  Rain doesn't fall on any average, it falls in various amounts annually.  Numbers crunchers like to cite averages as a method of interpretation current conditions.  Ok,  I get it.  But Gavin the Poor Man.  I won't pick on him because of his limited capabilities, but, really-standing on the cracked ground of a depleted reservoir a 150 miles from Sacramento?  Well, he will face a recall election here shortly, so it's a stump speech/photo op.     He'll be stmping for awhile as his lackeys pester cell phone users with annoying pleas to support this fake politician who runs a one party government in the country's most expensive state.

       As he copes with pandemic-related health issues,  the man never seems to get it:  govern, Gavin; stop the perpetual campaign.  Voters are tired of the constant plea for more donations, higher taxes, more spending on "programs",  more attacks on all businesses (excepting those that contribute to Dem Party coffers) (read Big Tech).   The inland empire is becoming more red by the day,and Gavin is the reason.   Dem party folks are nervous not only about the recall, but the 2022 midterm elections.

California: Going to Pot Will Cost You

       Well, we knew that when the state voters passed a proposition to finally legalize pot, that the pols in Sacramento would be hard-pressed NOT to tax the daylights out of the users who would flock to the state-controlled/certified retail outlets sprinkled around at the discretion of counties and chartered cities.  It reminds one of the lottery arguments of years past when supporters(contractors assigned to run the machinery) cheered the stat's recognition of reality: people like to use marijuana.  So, the brain trust in Sacramento put their respective pea-brains to work and put out all the rules for getting the new tax source up and running.   Well, where are we today?  Let's have a look.

       Other states have also legalized marijuana, with their own rules, their own tax rates, and their own outcomes after years of operations.  a recently published list in national media indicates that states joined the band wagon of high taxes on this formerly illegal(still illegal under federal law) vegetable substance.  In the never ending quest for more, more, and more funds(it's never enough because those sitters have nothing else to do except think up how to spend more of your hard earned funds),  the pols figured that given the "demand", consumers would pay any price for their preferred 'smoke'.  The discussion also looks at the Canadian experience.

       Our near neighbor to the north jumped in with both feet.  Corporate investment surged.  Old green houses were bought up and refurbished into marijuana production facilities.  They have winters in Canada-good ones or 'cold' ones if you prefer.   The pols heralded the investment and touted the new tax source that would benefit the masses.(promises, promises).  Corporations were formed; stocks were listed and the investors piled in to reap the benefits of early run-ups of the stock prices.  And then: reality arrived.  Hmmmmmmm.   It costs money to keep those green houses up to temp during a Canadian winter(duh?).   Several companies saw their stock prices plummet.

         Meanwhile,  in California, home to the "Emerald Triangle", the one party government in Sacramento saw a new 'Golden Goose' among the pot farming community:  "Let's go,"  they chortled.  Time to cash in on another new legal substance.  First, they need ground rules.  The law specified that would take about 12 months or so to codify.   Done.  Rules were allowed to be set locally so county pols would feel invested in the new process of legal sales based on state regs.  Each county was allowed to then formulate methods and restrictions to be followed by growers, wholesalers, and retailers.  Counties were also allowed to add local taxes on top of the State's tax rate.   California now has an effective rate of:

                         37%  That's right.  You've read it correctly: 37%  Not 8%, not 5%, not 8.5%, not 9%, but 37% !   Hmmmmmm.  How do folks react?  They buy from underground sources that have a long-established marketing network.   NO TAXES.   What a bargain!   Put that in your one party system, Gov. Gruesom.

Celtics Versus Warriors

         Last night's contest in Boston between the home team and the visiting Golden State Warriors was a classic contest between great teams.  It also showcased the talent(s) of two of the best players in the league, namely Stephen Curry of the Warriors and Jayson Tatum of the Celtics.  The veteran Curry displayed his well known moves that continue to amaze fans whenever or wherever he plays.  He makes shots and moves that seem other-worldly, impossible to defend against, and always beautiful in execution in the face of opponents.   His 47-point effort came up a little short, even as they gave away a 16-point advantage early in the first half.   His 3-point shooting was a marvel as he put the ball up from every arc on the court.  The defense could hardly protect against his efforts even as they tried again and again to double team his role as point guard.   Fully knowing his practiced moves and stunning accuracy, the Celtics were unable to stop his efforts.   

      For the Celtics, 23-years old Jayson Tatum had a 44 point effort that was crucial to their ultimate victory as the lead disappeared into one tie game after another.  In the last couple of minutes, the Warriors' could not sink a basket and the Bostonians lead took hold at 1, then 3, then 6 points and the Golden State team had to settle for a loss in a great effort.   Team members congratulated each other at the end, acknowledging a great contest that could have gone either way.   Curry appears to have injured his ankle in the 4th quarter, but continued to play.  Another player, in an attempt to save a ball, vaulted over the scorers' table and wacked his head and had to leave with an apparent head injury.   Both events served to raise the tension  among the few fans allowed into the stadium(social distancing).   Watching the game on a big screen in high definition is about as good as it gets.  Under the circumstances of the pandemic, it is the best way to watch these athletes perform.   It's great entertainment, too.

Goodbye Afghanistan

         So long to one of the "Stans", one of the many countries whose global name ends in the suffix '-stan', or more to the point "-land".  Or again, "The Land of the Afghani".    This land-locked desert, replete with valleys, canyons, snow-capped peaks that somehow lead to the knot of blended mountains we call the Himalayas, is hardly a "Shangri La" or heaven on earth.   So long to the black hole of American investment that pays no dividends, supports no future, digests careers and lives simultaneously as US armed forces rotate through the harsh landscape that offers no shelter from anything, not even daydreams.

        President Joe Biden, our new/old President made the announcement that, yes, there is an end to the sad name of "The Endless War".   September 11, 2021 is the day which will mark the terminal point after 20 years of fruitless pursuit of undefined, unattainable, mythical "goals" established by our "thinking" leaders who put us there in the first place.  In a perverse sense, our soldiers performed well, did their duty, and went back many times during careers that spanned those 20 years, but never saw tangible results that even came close to success, no matter the measure.  How could Congress and the Pentagon think it was a good thing to send troops back again, and again, and again with a change in results?   Perhaps none of these "thinkers" can recall Vietnam.  Perhaps none has a son or a daughter(like Joe Biden) who was serving or served in a combat zone.  Joe Biden is the 1st president in 40 years who had a son who served in a combat zone.   (Who was that last president?).

        Have we learned anything?   Hmmmm.  Good question.   How will we measure the test results?  Perhaps the budget of the military will now be slashed to a useful point: no more trillions down the sinkhole of a foreign revenge mission.  Looking back over recent adventures abroad in the Middle East, we see two vivid results:1)  Saddam Hussein was captured in a gopher hole, tried and executed, 2) Osama bin Laden was uncovered in his temporary home in Pakistan and killed by US Navy Seals.  Since those events, the military can only point to a few well-publicized assassinations of military leaders known to lead forces against American units in the combat zone(s).   Our "professional" military forces have been stretched to the breaking point(actually, they are breaking-ask the VA).  Repeated deployments without any visible progress is mentally crippling for those on the ground-those infantry soldiers who are the tip of that old spear.  They survive, come home, return and wait for their "luck" to run out as infantrymen.  It is a sad testimony to the heartlessness of the generals who have the "mission" in mind at all costs.

       So, we Americans, at home with our Covid-19 virus and our next-to-zero interest rates, and our record-breaking stock market, and our high unemployment, and our immigration disaster on the southern border, and our education system on the internet, and our economy led by corporations that somehow pay no income taxes, and our banks recording record profits while paying no interest on the bank accounts of the little guy, and a rush to the polar opposites of political positions, and gun laws that make no sense in a nation of laws, so we Americans look for improvements as we leave the "Graveyard of Nations".

Kremlin Gets New Sanctions

    President Joe Biden announced new sanctions against the Rus this week.  He added that he has suggested a July meeting to discuss recent covert /cyber operations that have been directed against United States' institutions.   One of the first sanctions was directed to the diplomatic service: 10 Rus diplomats were ordered out of the US.   This will be followed by naming certain individuals held responsible for  targeting US government operations with hacks.  Then the next sanctions were established to increase economic pressure on the Kremlin.  US institutions were banned from buying Russyan bond debt.  This is most significant and will spread throughout the West and have a huge impact on Russya' ability to finance everything by being shut off from the band market.

      Oh, Russya says they will certainly resspond in kind.  What a laugh!  The Dictator knows there's a new man in the White House and he's not looking to make friends like the Trumpster, now in Florida.   Joe actually listens to his advisors.   This does not bode well for the Kremlin.  Oh, you want to do some saber rattling down south near Sochi?  or Don Bass?  or Crimea?  Little Green Men on the move?  Hmmm.  Get ready for more sanctions.   Who you gonna call?  Mr. Xi?  Ha.  Good luck.

Ukraine Update

        So, what's going on in the vicinity of the Don Bass region of eastern Ukraine?   Hmmm.  The better question might be: "What's Mr. Putin, dictator of the largest country in the world, doing now?"  Is he on the verge of ordering more "Little Green Men" into the ongoing conflict?   Or maybe he's going to put up this pretense as he manuevers  on the international scene with his "Sputnik" vaccine and offer some sort of bribe ala Beijing to an African country that has been unable to pony up the necessary rubles to pay the ransom fees asked by the Kremlin?

       When dealing with Russkies, it's important to understand their tired old Czarist/Stalinist games that consist of reactionary attitudes to the West's perception of the Rus culture as generally backward and primitive and hardly ready to assume a significant role around the globe.  Unlike its near neighbor to the south, the Rus can't seem to arrive at a comfortable position relative to the modern world.  At once confused by the harsh light of democracy in action,  the recent past with Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in charge, has subjected the citizenry to more paranoia on a mass scale similar to the Stalinist era, now long gone.   What are the goals of the Rus in Ukraine?   Do they need more lebensraum?  Hardly.  As its role as the largest country in the world, Russya hardly needs more acreage to manage.  Siberia alone is enough to give any dictator a headache.   Where is the Pacific Ocean in the mind of the Kremlin?  Out there, somewhere, maybe east.   The Communists in Beijing know precisely where the Pacific Ocean is, and those in Beijing have the Western Pacific region in its 'crosshairs', again.

        Maybe the Kremlin will order the Little green Men to march west again, into the Ukraine abyss.  Then, more sanctions, to be sure.  Maybe the West will finally oust Russya from the international payments system, stifling the economy and the Kremlin's ability to pay its debts...  Or maybe all international flights out of Russya will no longer have landing rights anywhere in the West, excepting Kaliningrad.

      What to do?  mr. Biden in the White House has a lot on his 1st 100 Day list; but he has had a bit of experience with Vlad, and knows the territory, to be sure.

      Keep watching the Don Bass Region.

Curry Scores Big-53 Points

       Well, if you're a fan of Stephen Curry, just watching him play is pure pleasure.  Watching him play ina game when he is "on" borders on ecstasy.  In last night's contest, Mr. Curry was "on" it, hitting big numbers early in the contest against the Denver Nuggets(gold nuggets?)  Mr. Curry's prowess from beyond the arc is unmatched.  His explosive talent rivets one's attention whenever he's on the court.  He can fire those 3-pointers from anywhere, anytime.  His ability to juke the defender is amazing to watch.  He catches so many opponents off guard that it makes defenders anxious whenever he has his hand on the ball.  His ball handling is legendary; his movements are other-worldly; his accuracy uncanny.  All of his athletic ability is on view for all, and watching him during a game is worth all the time and effort to sit and watch.

      The vast numbers of Warrior fans have not attended Warrior games in-person:  not enough tickets, too much demand.  However, the fans are just as happy to watch him play from the comfort of their living rooms and the High definition TV.  What a world of entertainment!.

      Scoring 53 points in a single contest is an amazing feat.  His opponents on the Nuggets embraced him after the game to congratulate his achievement which helps the entire NBA league capture the support of fans everywhere who appreciate a good effort, or in this case an extraordinary effort.

     Don't stop, Mr, Curry.  Keep going.

The Numbers Game In Russya

         How do dictators deal with numbers?   Well, theories vary, but the bottom line is they produce their own numbers to fit their goals to manipulate the masses.  In Russya today as the country tries to cope with the Coronavirus, the Kremlin produces numbers that tell many stories related to the deaths caused by the covid virus and its mutant offspring.

        Deaths are recorded across the country and each is labelled by cause.   Sounds simple enough.  But when assigned a cause, that assignment can be made based on a number of factors, as we know.  Without going into the all the possibilities,  demographers have been looking at "excess" deaths during the pandemic period.  That is, they've been looking at the number of deaths above average during a time period(weeks,months,years).

        When the Kremlin released numbers of deaths for last year: 102,649, the World health Organization noted the number is far lower than those from the United States and most of Western Europe.   Hmmm. How can this be?  Mr. Putin, not well known for speaking the truth, noted that the country had a lockdown early on.  However, the official Russyan state agency-Rosstat, said the country experienced excess deaths from all causes during the time period April 2020 through December to be 360,000.  The latest figures from Rosstat show figures for January and February to bring totals well above 400,000.   In the United States which has twice the population of Russya, deaths numbered 1 in every 600 people.  In Russya, the virus killed 1 in every 400 people, or in a word the virus was much more lethal in Russya.

       Alexei Raksha, an independent demographer, said "It's hard to find a worse developed country" in terms of covid mortality.  "The government is doing all it can to avoid highlighting these facts."

For the Kremlin, it's business as usual.

Where's Alexei Navalny? Where's HIs Wife?

        Media reports have suggested that Mr. Putin's No.1 Headache is on a hunger strike in prison.   He is protesting in this manner against his inhumane treatment by the Little Dictator who runs the Largest Country in the World that spans 6 times zones across Asia stretching from the BAltic Sea across Siberia to the Pacific Ocean.

      Where's Mrs. Navalny?   Why does the Kremlin care about either of these two Russyans?  The usual issues: Anti-Kremlin power.   Hmmmmm.   Does Putin really care?  Or is it basically a publicity campaign to keep the throngs entertained as they trudge through their sad Russyan lives from cradle to cemetery?  Can you imagine living in Siberia?  Compare living in Vladivostok and living in Crimea/Sochi- no comparison.   And to think that Putin wanted this real estate so he could get a little beach time with all those Russyan babes who love to flaunt their assets on the beach at the Black Sea shore.

More later

Ski Season: 2020-21: Final Weekend

       Well ski fans, I hope you've had your fill of of winter thrills.  This weekend marks the end of this year's ski season at Homewood Ski Resort.  It's been interesting, that's for sure.   With a dirth of storms and the snow that didn't arrive, locals had to do with man-made snow most of the time.  Not ideal, but, we made it work.   Now heap Covid-19 on top of the season and one has to believe that any ski days were good days.

         Crowd controls were dictated by a higher authority- generally by the doofuss in the Governor's seat, Governor Nuisance.   He worked with federal orders from the C.D.C. and the two often issued confusing, conflicting, and sometimes with changes made on the fly:  closed, somewhat closed, maybe open, not so open, limited open, masks required, 6' distancing, etc.   It's enough to make your head spin off.  Oh well, there will be a next year.

       Did you get your vaccination yet?   Good idea if you like living.  The MAyor has been vaccinated, and ALL of his staff.  The MAyor will not do business with anyone who has not been vaccinated and that policy will be followed to the letter for the foreseeable future.  Like it or lump it.

The South China Sea- How Goes It?

    Well, now.  what's happening down there, west of the Phillipines, east of Vietnam, north of Borneo.  Seems like the Chinese government is continuing its aggressive policies in the maritime setting that has stirred nationalistic sentiments in the recent past.   This comes as the Beijing Communists insist that the South China Sea is actually an extension of the sovereign territory of the mainland government.  Hmmmm.  Most recently, Beijing has ordered ships into the area of low lying reefs where these vessels drop anchor.  They are found to "cluster" together in "reefs" of ships: congregating over these rocks creating in essence another 'island', if you will.   Hence, they give the impression(seen in aerial photos) that there's some spot available to anchor.   In response to the question(s)"what are you doing there?", Beijing responds with the dubious claim that these fishing vessels are operating in home waters.  This claim has been refuted by various international bodies which in turn have given truth to the Communist lies.  In other words, its business as usual for the Chinese in their various efforts to expand influence around the globe, like their brothers in the Kremlin who seek deliverance from the world view that they are , in fact, second rate countries inept in global moves, and unable to construct a reasonable domestic environment for citizens of their nations.

The End of March Madness

       So, all good things come to an end.  In this case the truncated season of 2020/2021 college basketball season ended last night.  Baylor University won its first ever NCAA National title, defeating top-seeded Gonzaga University from Spokane, WA.  It was not the expected "Battle of the Titans" but a steamroller wipeout of a pretender to the throne.  The Zags had come off a win against a threat to their unbeaten status by the UCLA Bruins who needed to be beaten by the miraculous buzzer-beater at the end of overtime by freshman, Jalen Suggs.  The 40 foot jump shot arced its way to the backboard glass as the last 2+ seconds timed its fateful journey.  Suggs celebrated appropriately, jumping to the top of the courtside pavilin section.  The Zags were emotionally relieved to win but could not duplicate the effort against Baylor, the determined Texans looking to make school history.

        The game soon was out of hand, the Zags falling behind early and never threatening  again.  Baylor's overwhelming defense made up for offensive efforts, and Gonzaga couldn't fine a suitable response.  Time and again Baylor leaped out to a 20-point lead and the disheartened crew from Spokane limped along without much aggressiveness needed to match the Bears.   Coach Mark Few from Gonzaga had a season to be proud of, going undefeated until the title game.  Yes, being undefeated is a rarity, but most often only a dream, a hope, and hardly a goal of its own.   Maybe next year.

         And the Women's NCAA Title

Stanford U.'s team did it- winning their first title since 1992.  Coach Tara Van Deveer put herself into the record books with her win.   It was a close contest, the Cardinal winning by only one point : 54-53.  Doesn't get much closer.

A Classic Clock

 

Atmos Perpetual Clock-Le Coultre

Atmos Perpetual Clock

         The Swiss watch and clock industry is always looking to the market.  Currently, complications are a focus for high end buyers and makers.  Who wants to spend $25,000 or higher on a wristwatch?  More than enough of those with money to burn cherish a special piece of fine engineering that comes in the form of a multi-functioning time piece designed to be worn at the wrist.  In mid-century 1900's, post World War II, clock makers at Le Coultre company thought the market  was ready for an affordable mantle clock that was 1) very attractive to the observer, 2) was the color of gold(=expensive in appearance), 3) appealed to the upper economic strata of the population, 4) operated in a unique manner of engineering(a conversation piece!).

       The designers came up with the Atmos Perpetual clock.  A modern marvel, based on a very unusual mechanism: a system that was driven by a change in the weather, ie. a change in atmospheric barometric pressure.  Looking at the second picture above one sees A large drum to the rear of the clock works.  This drum houses the drive spring coil, a coil of metal that is about 25 mm in diameter and coiled about 5 times on itself and connects to a chain that connects to a drive wheel that connects to the hands on the face that connect with the drive wheel pendulum(not a pendulum) that rotates on itself.  Hmmmmm.  Yes, it's complicated.   A Google search or a Youtube search will yield a number of better explanations, but the essentials are here.

        basically, the coiled spring expands and contracts at a set rate, depending on atmospheric pressure changes.  This auto winds the drive chain and moves the hands, simply put.  It is ingenious.   The works are gold plated with 18k gold and a portion of the facets on the wheel are highly polished to give a lively appearance as it rotates, changing direction about every 30 seconds.  It is fascinating to watch, and makes an attractive addition to the decor of any room in which it is placed.  The Mayor has this attractive marvel in a room that gets lots of traffic.  It is always available for a good look.

        Are they rare?  No, they are found all over the world.  Hundreds of thousands were made and bought and sold in many affluent regions of the globe.   The trick is finding one that runs well as per design; and if not, finding someone who knows how to repair the main unit.  Not many of those capable craftsmen still around.   But there are some even in the USA.   Switzerland, of course. 

A Buzzer Beater: Undefeated Zags Over UCLA in Overtime

         Why do we watch sports?  Why do we play sports?   What's the payoff for the faithful fans?  If you watched last night's contest between undefeated Gonzaga U. v. UCLA, you get it.   Gonzaga is the No. 1 seed and UCLA was seeded No. 11-a perfect set up for the classic "Cinderella" match.  The Bruins had been upsetting higher seeds since the beginning of the NCAA Tournament, known as "March Madness".  (Only for the men's division).   

        It has been years since UCLA has advanced so far, struggling over the years against reigning East coast power houses like Duke, North Carolina, Georgetown, and the like.  Playing in the PAC-12 was not the stepping stone to a high level tournament position.  But, 2020/21 is like no other.  Top this off with the "1-and Done" attitude of some college players and the grasping of the NBA, top talent doesn't linger any more at even the best schools: 'show me the money' is too great a draw.  The NCAA is also under pressure from many corners to start paying their players, a response to critics who continue to note the vast amount of money being accumulated by the private organization.  By the way, it's about time that this obvious exploitation comes to an end, especially given the "holier than thou" attitude among most of these prestigious institutions.

And to the Game

          Gonzaga is one game away from an undefeated season-a sports rarity sure.   While they have demonstrated greatness, they had never been seriously challenged by their opponents.   This game was different.  From the get go, UCLA was at the top of its game.  Defense was shutting down the Zags 3-point shooters; they were working the boards, cashing in offensive rebounds; and they were making many of their own.   The lead changed back and forth many times.  Late in the 4th qtr, in looked like the Zags were going down.  The Men in Blue were maintaining pressure across the court, taking a lead in the final minutes.   Fouls came with increasing frequency, and fate came to the foul line.  UCLA missed a shot, and the game went to overtime- 5 more minutes of nail biting tension for players, coaches, and the few fans allowed.

        The Zags went ahead early, scoring on layups and a few 3 pointers.  The South Coast team faltered, but did not roll over.  They persisted, and tied the game with 3.3 seconds to go, and the ball went to Gonzaga to put in play at the far end of the court.  It certainly looked like another overtime period would have to be endured.  The inbound pass went to their young star, Jalen Suggs who turned and dribbled across midcourt to a spot 40' away from glory and launched a missile with a high arc that took its own time in the air.  As the buzzer sounded, red light of the backboard rim lit up, and  the ball hit the backboard and ricocheted through the net for a 3-pointer and the win.  Game over.  93-90.

     On to the final on Monday:  Gonzaga v. Baylor.  Don't miss it.

Homewood Resort: USASA RAil Jam Tomorrow-April 4

       Homewood Ski Resort will host a snow  board event tomorrow, April 4th, Easter Sunday.  This event is one of many on the USASA winter season calendar for 2020-21 year.   The specialized event will takeover only a small section of the resort that has been set aside for the participants.  It seems the owners of Homewood have made the effort to bring outside events to the lakefront site to stimulate business and expose the area to a wider audience.  This bodes well for the West Shore/North Shore of the California side of Lake Tahoe.

        Needless to say, the pandemic of 2020-2021 has not been good for vacation destination sites anywhere.  It has been especially so for those destinations requiring serious effort to make the trip, eg.-checking the weather forecasts,  arranging accommodations,  arranging transportation(4-wheel drive cap, cable chains, cold weather clothes, etc).  Lake Tahoe is a wonderful location for all outdoor activities, but some preparation is essential during the winter months.

       Locals know all of this, but new visitors and even some frequent guests have to relearn the basics again, and again, and again.  Trekking into the Sierra on I-80, then on to State route 89, or 88, can be difficult.   Stories abound every winter of sad tales.