Saturday, March 23, 2024
Are you happy yet? It seems that if you are in Finland the answer is "I'm still happy."
Cold weather is a happiness incubator according to this survey, placing Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland in the top 10. Uncle Sam has taken a tumble to 23rd place, although my ossified generation is apparently much more content than youth busy seeking the next trend to follow mindlessly.
. . .
I am reading “None Is Too Many: Canada and the Jews of Europe 1933-1948.” The title comes from a reputed quote by a Canadian official regarding changes in immigration policy in light of Hitler’s increasing oppression of the Jews in the 1930s. The book argues convincingly that Canada did even less than other Western countries in ignoring the shameful plight of European Jews. Or were they just incipient genocidal colonialist racists?
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Last week, I cited some six-figure local parking spaces. By contrast, this weekend's real estate section looks at properties in Los Angeles. One location is faulted because "there was barely room outside for three vehicles," while another is credited with "parking for three cars."
Note that the source story involves a young couple with a 3-1/2 year old child, but that's Los Angeles. When I was in exile there, I noted that standard equipment for newlyweds was two cars, a motorcycle and a recreational vehicle. Reserving a spot for junior when he gets his learner's permit in 12 years seems prudent.
. . .
Last week, we also looked at people staying in their residence for the long haul. Of course, wear and tear will have to be addressed as well as boredom with your surroundings, especially the longer one stays put. In that case, it's interesting to compare home improvement costs.
The Chicago and New York metropolitan areas take eight of the top 10 most expensive slots, with San Francisco and San Jose rounding out the group. By contrast, the Sun Belt, with non-union labor and milder temperatures allowing work to continue throughout the year, is the cheapest location for home improvement, Texas and Florida holding three slots each.
Monday, March 25, 2024
In 1996, I collected over $11,000 from an account that I never knew existed. Every state has a missing financial property office and, while some folks search on their own behalf, professionals troll through the data looking to connect with the unknowing (like me).
I just looked at missingmoney.com, which covers the entire country. I came up empty, but found a handful of small accounts that belong to a deceased relative. Look for yourself. More interesting was the sheer number of Gotthelfs who seem to have lost track of their finances. There are 232 entries under that last name, involving about 90 different people. Who are these people?
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
For years I have raved about deep-fried gefilte fish, a variant on an emblematic Eastern European Jewish dish roughly akin to quenelles on a French menu. Can anyone explain why a fish dish came to be associated with a predominantly landlocked people?
In any case, I first enjoyed deep-fried gefilte fish at Aunt Judi’s bountiful table and credited her with its creation. She corrected me and directed me to Dovid’s Fresh Fish Market, 736 Chestnut Avenue, Englewood as the source. Now, Cindy Wilkinson McMullen, a latter day Scarlett O’Hara, has another reference, a recipe published in 2018 that seems to be exactly right. https://www.lucywaverman.
I’ll come over after you have tried it a few times.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
There were six of us at lunch today at Green Garden Village, 216 Grand Street, a shlumpy-looking place that produces some very good food. We had Fried Crispy Oysters ($21), Garlic Aromatic Crispy Chicken ($17), Singapore Rice Noodle ($14), Rack of Lamb (six lamb chops) ($28), Sauteed Beef with Scallion ($17) and all are worth your attention.
. . .
If you can’t move to Finland, you might consider these “best” places to reside closer to home. https://www.niche.com/places-
Fortunately, the inventory is computerized, able to indicate availability, although not necessarily location in the cavernous space. Of course, what I sought was unavailable, even though not particularly esoteric. Excuse me for being coy, because it is intended as a surprise house warming gift.
Best is determined by rating public schools, nightlife, crime and diversity among other components in a community. It’s a varied collection of locations all across the country, neighborhoods mainly, not large urban areas. I happen to know one family living just outside Colonial Village, Arlington, Virginia, the #1 location. They have been there about two decades, raised three great children. What more do you want?
Thursday, March 28, 2024
“A Republican state representative in Michigan, Rep. Matt Maddock, claimed on social media on Wednesday night that he had photo evidence of ‘illegal invaders’ arriving at Detroit Metro Airport.”
Wow! Thank you, Representative Maddox to alerting the public to the dangerous invasion of the Gonzaga University basketball team on the way to their NCAA Tournament game.
Friday, March 29, 2024
I went gift shopping at Philip Williams Posters, 127 Chambers Street, a/k/a Poster Museum because of its enormous inventory of posters of every category, travel, art, political, entertainment, commercial. The store is an entire city block deep with lots of tables piled with material.
Fortunately, the inventory is computerized, able to indicate availability, although not necessarily location in the cavernous space. Of course, what I sought was unavailable, even though not particularly esoteric. Excuse me for being coy, because it is intended as a surprise house warming gift.
The store is worth a visit, if only to browse if not to shop. If you’re a tourist, it’s only a few blocks north of the 9/11 site and 3/4 mile from Chinatown.
$63K for a 5x5 kitchen on the UWS. took 2 months!
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