https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-01-08/california-wildfires-expose-a-458-billion-hole-in-home-insurance "The glut of homes in increasingly fire-prone places has created an insurance crisis in California, with many big insurers pulling out of the state to avoid more losses. Nearly 500,000 Californians have turned to the state’s insurer of last resort, the FAIR Plan, which has doubled in size over the past five years. The state is now... Continue Reading →
Check in on the nest
After Sunday and Monday's 4-6" of rain in LA basin, let's check in on that Big Bear Bald Eagle nest. Can you see Jackie as she protects her biggest brood ever (3 eggs!) - As a comparison here's the nest a few weeks ago: The mods assure us these eagles are well able to survive... Continue Reading →
Sweet Rice Thai (Gardena)
We've been to Sweet Rice twice now. Recommended by our LA foodie friends, it is delicious. I judge a Thai place by their Panang curry, and theirs is great. About $18. This is a place to try. Sweet Rice 1630 W Redondo Beach Blvd #4, Gardena, CA 90247 https://maps.app.goo.gl/6tKygFXBEUMD1rvN6
Pizzaria Mozza (Newport Beach)
Nancy Silverton and her bread empire have several pizza outposts in LA that we have meaning to go to for forever. Now that I'm part of the Cedars Sinai Long COVID study I have ample opportunity to check out ALL the SoCal restaurants as I trek back and forth to LA. Only open for lunch... Continue Reading →
Jackie and Shadow lay an egg
Our local Big Bear bald eagle celebrities, Jackie and Shadow, have laid the first egg of the season! Hatching expected in approx 35-39 days. Last year's eggs sadly were not fertilized and thus no chicks rewarded Jackie's epic egg sitting, literally up to her neck in snow in one of the coldest and snowiest winters... Continue Reading →
Insurance industry has nowhere to spread the risk
Next Door confirms that So Cal homeowners insurance is next to impossible to get now. Forget what was true a year ago. "Despite some concessions from regulators, insurers are bracing for a tough future. Allstate’s Wilson said that everywhere in the country is at some risk from increasingly severe weather. “There is no place that’s... Continue Reading →
Veterans Day: Star of India sails San Diego bay
Outstanding YouTube of the 160 year old Star of India setting sail and touring San Diego Harbor. With a little help from some tugs. Don't miss the sailors in the rigging pulling the sails back up. https://youtu.be/TXqysG4DpkE?si=LZmwxRhcNTX6VR1E
LA Tiki Bars
Mr Tiki Bar and I have been to 4 or 5 of these and they have all have extensive decor and craft drinks. A great place to meet friends! "The ultimate guide to tiki bars across Southern Californiahttps://www.latimes.com/food/list/best-tiki-bars-los-angeles-orange-county-san-diego-venturaFrom classic tiki haunts to new speakeasies, these are the best tiki bars and Polynesian-inspired restaurants in San... Continue Reading →
626 Night Market (OC Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa)
We have not been to an Asian food night market since the before times, and have very fond memories of the humongous 626 Night Market at Santa Anita and the huge FoodieLand festival in Del Mar. Then this weekends San Diego 626 Night Market was inexplicably cancelled today 1 hour before opening, so we hopped... Continue Reading →
Vintana (Escondido, CA)
2 drinks and an appetizer for $58 might seem outrageous, but I'm tired of paying $16 for a Old Fashioned only to have it taste nothing like an Old Fashioned, with dirty ice. And the Crab and Ahi tower was exquisite. You can almost forget you're on the 2nd floor of a Lexus Car dealer.
Teas around the world
Here's what I've been drinking lately - The black tea with the rose petals in the lower left corner is "Special Turkish Tea" from the markets outside of the Egyptian Market (Spice Market) in the Old City of Istanbul. We heard the prices in the Egyptian Market were out of this world (60 euro per... Continue Reading →
Yosemite Valley flooding, and 175″ of snow at Tioga Pass (April 2023)
Spring floods are beginning! The water level at Pohono Bridge is rising and the daily surge height is increasing every day. How high will it go? https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=pohc1&wfo=hnx April data. https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/11266500/#parameterCode=00065&period=P365D Mid June - 6 weeks later And if you want to understand why Tioga Pass is still closed... https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/QueryF?s=TES Wait...175 inches?? That is 4.8... Continue Reading →
Cocina 35 (San Diego)
Best Chilequiles in San Diego? Si! "Creamy habanero-cilantro salsa topped with Cochinita Pibil". Super thick crunchy chips, spicy, delicious citrusy shredded pork. Expect an hour wait unless you go at opening or closing. Come visit, because we're definitely taking out of town guests here. And huge portions... My take home container looks like a full... Continue Reading →
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