Weirdness Near Deterding

Aryan folks doing Aryan things:

CARMICHAEL, Calif. — Local and federal law enforcement officials are investigating recent reports of hate crimes in the Sacramento area, which include Aryan Brotherhood leaflets concealed in a bag of white rice being put on people's property, officials confirmed.

Residents in a Carmichael neighborhood first reported the incident Wednesday morning. It wasn't just residents being targeted, law enforcement officials said.

It appears schools in the area were also targeted. Deterding Elementary School Principal Melanie Allen released the following statement Wednesday afternoon to the community: 

"This week, several of our neighbors around Deterding reported finding sandwich bags filled with rice and a flyer containing racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic messages on their doorsteps. The messages contained in these bags are inappropriate, unacceptable, and unnerving, especially for the communities that are targeted.

On The History of Reggaeton

The LA Times has an interesting article on Reggaeton, which has come a long way in the past 20 years.

It is a thrilling recollection in the middle of a deeply researched production by Spotify Originals and Futuro Studios. “Loud,” which comes out with its 10th and final episode this week, has arguably set a new standard in Latin music-focused historical cultural podcasts, after last year’s WBUR hit “Anything for Selena.” It’s also breaking ground in its use of Spanish and Spanglish as the de facto lingua of the show, and the inspired choice of reggaeton original Ivy Queen as its host. 

The podcast charts the journey of this amalgamation of musical influences in a direct line from Jamaica, to Panama, to New York, to Puerto Rico, where it boomed, and now to Colombia and the world.

 

I like this song:

 

'Magic Man' Tent

This past weekend, I helped with setup for a theater group to play in an outdoor amphitheater. To my surprise, their first priority was setting up a 'Magic Man' pop-up canopy tent. 

I admired the 'Magic Man' tent in "Better Call Saul," and wondered how much time the set crew spent on assembly, weathering, and other fine details for the camera. They may have had a head start, though, since the theater folks say anyone can buy these tents on Amazon.

A Quick Look at the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Delta Variant surge is easing in most places, but is increasing in parts of eastern Europe, and in the Caribbean. Barbados now leads; Israeli and Botswanan levels are now much lower; UK levels remain stubbornly high, and U.S. rates are dropping as a whole (although rates remain high in the interior Pacific NW, the northern Rockies, North Dakota, Alaska, and West Virginia). The IMHE model results suggest U.S. rates will bottom out about Oct. 20 before increasing again as we head into the winter months.

"Into The Woods" - Hummingbird Theatre Co. - October 2, 2021

A Record (and Counting....)

 

Grant Takes A Stand - October 4, 2021

 

Hmm… Trespasser on roof of local auto garage lecturing the cops at 12:40 a.m. This was about a block from my house. The cops seemed unpersuaded. The question is, how to end the standoff without getting the guy hurt? 

Just as the cops were leaving - they decided they had higher priorities - I realized I know this guy. One of my newer Facebook friends. Talkative homeless guy in the neighborhood trying to fight off various conspiracies.  I tossed him some water, a soda, and a bit of fried chicken, plus an old blanket.

Opening Night Backstage at "Into The Woods" - Hummingbird Theatre Co. - October 1, 2021

Jasper's Buddy, Max

 

Lola + Jasper BF

Ever since Ladybug moved out of the neighborhood, Jasper has needed a new girl friend. Now, Lola....