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Whistle Blowing 101

September 22, 2014 — 4 Comments

IRS

IRS

The first and the only rule in whistle blowing is: Never stop!!!! The second rule that I have learned is: Contact the Department of the Treasury.   I have had to blow the same whistle about the same crimes being committed by the same people in the same place for over a  decade. Finally, I think I have reached an organization interested in enforcing the law. The United States Department of the Treasury has seen it all, and knows from experience how corrupt government can be. The Royal Canadian Mounties may always get their man, but the IRS always gets their (our) money. I have been frustrated that none of our public officials or law enforcement agencies is interested in stopping obvious crime, but I now have a more realistic view of what to expect from the people I pay to enforce the law. It is naive to think that intense corruption that obstructs justice and fails the public trust does not exist at every level of our government.

I have lived next door to a charity scam operated by our HOA board for more than 10 years. My first request for help was to the local city Council member, Karin Uhlich. She never responded to dozens of requests over more than 5 years. Her assistant, who lives around the corner from me and is a “neighborhood outreach” employee has never been able to respond to the many requests I made for her to look at the evidence. I contacted John McCain two or three times with no response. I called and e mailed Ron Barber to try to get some help for the crime situation in our neighborhood. His office had the nerve to ask me how I liked the customer service from his office when I contacted it. I said I gave them an F since they never responded at all. They never responded to that either.  The Tucson Police Department has willfully denied these crimes by creating a fake neighborhood watch comprised of only the criminals involved in the HOA board.  They then go ahead and ask for a grant from the Feds to willfully ignore federal crimes and call that neighborhood policing. Dozens of requests to the TPD have been willfully ignored until last spring when Lt Frank Hand begrudgingly admitted that charity scamming is criminal and gave me the correct form to contact the IRS to claim a reward and stop the crimes.  I had made attempts to tell the IRS many times, but Lt. Frank gave me the secret key to success…they only respond to the correct form.  I filed the form and within about 3 months I had a response.  This was heavenly after so many years.  If I had it to do again I would physically camp at the IRS until I had a chance to submit evidence.  I completely understand why Edward Snowden chose to tattle outside the country.  Doing so to the agency invested in the corruption can only end in heartache.

The neighbors here petitioned the mayor of Tucson, who is a lawyer and should be able to discern crime from charity, for two years before officer Frank called me.  The cops are not lawyers, so we think the mayor has responsibility to end obstruction of justice rather than participate in it.  The sad news is that our government is not open to hearing evidence that will show how unethical it is.  It will go to great lengths to deny reality if that reality includes crimes committed in broad daylight by our public officials.  It is a shared deluded consciousness that endangers our society.  Who knew you could be made so happy by a letter from the Internal Revenue Service???

Heirloom Farmers Markets-Tucson

September 14, 2014 — 2 Comments

In September Arizona agriculture is peaking with abundance. There are crops that grow well in serious heat, like melons and okra, that are finishing the season.  Many more crops enjoy the long slow slide into winter that we have and will be ready soon. The grapes for wine are soon to be harvested, the apples in Wilcox are being picked, and some date varieties are now starting to be ripe and ready to eat.  There are a large variety of squash being grown around Arizona that are never seen in regular grocery stores, and you can even get fresh squash blossoms to prepare.  More vendors come out in the cooler weather as more customers show up to shop and dine at the food trucks.  We like to go for unusual gourmet finds as well as for entertainment.  We see people we know and sometimes take the dog.  It makes a good outing and supports the local farmers in the process.  Today we came home with some very special smoked salsa homemade by smoking all the vegetables on mesquite wood before combining them.  We bought a baby blue Hubbard squash..a mini version of the giant winter squash with the rich flavor.  I got some cayenne, garlic  and some extra hot jalapeño chiles because our own chiles in the garden are ripe and ready to go to become salsa at home.  I will use the little green tomatoes, the garlic  and the chiles to round out the flavor and make different levels of picante for different tastes.  We are drinking fresh apple cider today from Wilcox. The little lemon cucumbers will make a sparkle in salads and the light colored pickling cucumbers are good straight up why themselves as a snack.  We did not get dates because I have a few I need to use from last season before I start on this year’s.  I don’t mind paying extra in order to put the mooney right into the hand of the person who grew or made it.

How is the farmers’ market scene where you live?  Are you able to get to one on a regular basis?  I like both the specialty prepared foods and the fresh produce.  They both serve the local farming community and let us have some extra special meals enhanced by products and produce not to be found at standard grocery shopping outlets.  When I travel I make it a point to attend a local market if at all possible.  I think they are growing in popularity and in variety of available products.  Some have musical entertainment.   It is fun to meet the farmer and know your food is as fresh as it can be.

Wild Garlic Grill in Tucson

August 25, 2014 — 5 Comments

We dined at the Wild Garlic Grill for the second time yesterday and vowed to go more frequently because it suits us perfectly.  The first time we ate there was on Easter when we were looking for something new and different.  Both times we have ordered from the daily special menu and have been mighty impressed with the cuisine.  The chef is skilled in creating contrasts with flavor, temperature, and surprise ingredients.  We remembered the cocktails because they are inventive and made with fresh ingredients.  Bob likes beer so he enjoyed a nut brown ale from a local brewery while I tried the fuzzy tini, a peach martini cocktail.

There is a vegetarian special all the time which revolves around sessional ingredients, so mine were very different from each other since the seasons had changed.  I think mine was the best bargain because it was so plentiful it came home and became a beautiful pasta salad to eat today.  Bob enjoyed his fish dish very much, reporting that  it was fresh and perfectly prepared.  We both had really cute yucca strips as garnish on top of our entrees.  Our portobello mushroom appetizer course filled us significantly because it was accompanied by warm french bread and a sauce that made us want to lick the plate.  It was made with mostly red peppers, I think.  When we asked for more bread the very accommodating server brought extra sauce as well.  Service was very well executed, which we remembered from our fist time.  You feel that your server is paying close attention to timing and making sure your needs are met without being intrusive.  In fact the whole operation suits us because attention is placed on high quality and good service instead of high overhead for the facility.  The bar is cozy and the kitchen open for viewing.  We like the local art work that includes portraits of stars of the horror genre.  The Wild Garlic Grill is a comfortable and delicious place to spend a happy hour, a brunch, or a dinner.  We will return often since it is close to home, and recommend it to anyone looking for a special individual dining experience.

Reflexology Rules

August 23, 2014 — 1 Comment

Reflexology is a powerful healing modality for the entire body. I recently made my feet very sore and wanted to recover as quickly as possible. I booked some sessions with Carol Crockett, who is an excellent therapist I had visited in the past.  My overall health as well as my aching feet benefit greatly from the treatments.  She provides an eye pillow and follows your lead about talking or observing silence.  I can be in the mood for either one because Carol also knows a lot about health and makes a very congenial conversationalist.  She worked as a hospital nurse before she took her training to work in reflexology.  This is really important in her work with cancer patients at the U of A Supportive Care for Healing department at the Cancer Center.  Since this treatment can be done without the luxury of the massage table she often goes upstairs to the chemo unit to give sessions for the patients who need her help.  She works at the hospital one day a week, but she also offers cancer patients a discount on services at her private practice, Footbliss Reflexology.

Carol has a great intuitive sense of healing and makes her client feel very comfortable by explaining what she is up to during the session.  Most people don’t want a play by play of their relaxing treatment, but if you have any questions she is very knowledgeable and expressive.  I sometimes discuss general health topics with her and am impressed with the depth and breadth of skill of her knowledge.  She is a champion of non invasive modalities for healing and enhancing health, but is, by no means, interested in doing any preaching or converting.  If you have never received any kind of body work or touch healing therapy I think starting with reflexology is a perfect way to get to know how to enjoy and benefit from professional massage therapy.   You remain clothed and it is very pleasant during the entire process.  Carol uses essential oils to enhance the whole experience.  For those of us with advanced tastes in body work she can offer facial reflexology as well as Tenzo, a combination of shiatsu style movements combined with reflexology which is also performed with the client fully clothed.   She sometimes substitute teaches the yoga classes at the hospital, and offers private instruction in yoga in her private practice.  If you are interested in improving your health and adding some pure bliss to your life I encourage you to try reflexology.  If you live in Tucson I highly recommend Carol’s variety of healing services.  She is talented and professional.

Cosmetic Acupuncture

August 11, 2014 — 1 Comment

cosmetic acupuncture

cosmetic acupuncture

I have just completed a series of acupuncture treatments to rejuvenate my face. Jessica Breton completed studies with Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture System to add to her skills and offerings but was not convinced of the efficacy of the treatment. She asked some of her friends to do a test as her models to look for results, and all reported looking and feeling better. Each person has a unique experience but everyone benefits in several ways.  Skin texture improves because the use of very superficial needles stimulates collagen and elastin to flow from within the body to the face.  Wrinkles smooth out for the same reason.  Cheeks lift and the jawline firms.  This is a gradual improvement that lasts for many months after completion.

The series includes 10 sessions with full body acupuncture to address personal state of health in general and an elaborate placement of many needles in the skin of the face.  One normally does two treatments a week until finished, but I took a couple of vacation weeks off with no ill effect. I decided to do it because my thermography indicated inflammation in my face, sinus, head area.  Acupuncture is powerfully good medicine to bring balance and better all around health.   I decided the face needles would surely address that inflammation I saw around my head that concerned me.  To be honest it is a little bit difficult to have those needles in your face without wiggling or itching or disturbing them, but the experience taught me more meditative patience and focus.  It doesn’t really hurt, but it requires some ability to chill and take your mind off the obvious (needles in your face).  The results are very good in terms of the look and feel of my face, but my over all health is the big winner. I followed through with a third session each week for my body as well, so I have had a lot of extra help balancing my chi.  Jessica told me several clients at Zylla Acupuncture have started as cosmetic clients and continued to come because they discovered the value of regular acupuncture treatment.    I am pleased that I decided to try the cosmetic side of her practice and would recommend it to anyone.

Invasive Species, Rhus Lancea

August 8, 2014 — 7 Comments

Invasive botanical species are like untended social problems. If they are ignored they will take over and eliminate the native species because they are powerful and destructive.  Rhus Lancea is an invasive species that is taking over midtown Tucson.  It was brought here as a landscape plant, but quickly got out of control.  It is a relative of poison ivy, and causes some people to have serious allergic reactions, either respiratory or as a skin rash.  It spreads by producing abundant seeds as well as by spreading underground by suckers.  If there is irrigation water, rhus lancea will be very likely to sprout and grow, taking nutrients and moisture from the native or landscape plants.  Since it develops such a network underground the tree is very difficult to kill.  Cutting it down will not kill it, but will encourage spreading through the roots.  It is like a street gang, very undesirable and hard to eliminate.

I have been thinking about how these invasive plants are like crime.  If everyone ignores crime like tagging, vandalism, and gang activity it sucks the nutrients and value out of the neighborhood.  If drug dealing and other crimes are tolerated they blend into the scene making the whole place less valuable and less safe.  With no awareness, or worse, willful blindness to criminal and anti social activity we can only expect the environment to fill with undesirable behaviors.  We have a vivid illustration of this right outside my front door.  We pay landscaping company to kill our landscaping plants and waste large amounts of water each day.  We (the owners of shares of our HOA)  have just paid to have what was described as a dying mesquite tree removed from our sidewalk.  Since it is not dying and is a rhus lancea, we have paid these gardeners to encourage the growth of all of the children of the tree, that have been left in place.  The stump will probably grow back again too.  If actions we take are based on ignorance we will not arrive at a better situation.  Can you think of situations like this that remind you of government?  Working against our own interests seems to be so common these days.

Fun from the Forge

June 18, 2014 — 1 Comment


It is always fascinating to watch Jerry W Harris work in his blacksmith shop.  The metal birds are so realistic, some even fly. His latest piece is a forged steel blue teal duck which is able to sway around on the metal mount, simulating flying.  He will add some plants to finish the sculpture.  I love the expression on the face of the duck, which looks happy to me.  It is a blast to experience his creative process.

Staycation on Earth

June 17, 2014 — 5 Comments

cheers

cheers

hotel dog

hotel dog

The earth appreciates that I need less travel in my life that I did when I was younger.  I was a carbon hog, flying all the time. I enjoyed it and will not regret it now that I like staying at home better than ever. I got while the getting was very good, and now I fly with much more selective purposes and goals in mind. I saw a lot of the world, and plan to see more of it. I also plan to concentrate on the wonderful options available in Arizona that require little time in transit.  I like the idea of maximum tourism time and minimum time on the road.  We have stayed at resorts around Tucson and in Scottsdale that make us happy for different reasons.  These days any hotel stay has to include our coon hound, Artemisia, who is a hotel fan.  A short get away with the dog that includes some dining and walking in nature works as a retreat for the whole family. I usually like to get in the water, but since I do that at home all the time it is not my first priority when looking for a weekend location near home.  There are many benefits the staycation offers the holiday maker as well as Mother Earth:

  • Save travel expenses
  • Save travel time
  • Overpack if you want, no penalty
  • Bring foods and drinks with you to suit your tastes
  • Invite local friends to join you for happy hour or a hike during your stay
  • Bring pets, no drama
  • Supports jobs in our own vicinity
  • Can introduce new restaurants or entertainment venues for future enjoyment

Consider a place near home that makes you want to get away, but not very far away.  You might find you will come back from holiday much more rested and perhaps in harmony with the earth.

Iron John’s Brewing Company in Tucson

June 15, 2014 — 1 Comment

For our Father’s Day fling I took Bob to Iron John’s Brewing Company for some beer and a tee shirt. His needs are simple, with craft beer and tee shirts always hitting the mark. We had tried some of the beers last week at pizza throw down and had agreed that Iron John was our favorite new discovery that intrigued us.  They hold free tastings each Saturday from 11-6pm in their small but very cool artisan brewery and bottle shop.  They are not opening a bar or a restaurant. They have a passion for the art of beer making, and are sticking to producing small batches of seasonally changing beers.  They sell in a few local restaurants, and are open at the brewery Thursday-Saturday for sales of the current line up.  Although I am not much of a beer drinker myself I liked all of the samples I tried.  They take great care to adjust each water source for each beer, sometimes adding minerals to distilled water to arrive at the perfect chemical balance.  They also buy small batches of brewing yeast and grow it themselves to assure quality.  I was impressed with the taste, the tour, and the dedication these folks are showing to making an excellent local product for local consumption.  I am always happy to support locals serving tasty treats to locals.  Bob has a beer collection to make his week a pleasant and delicious one. We recommend a visit  and a tour to anyone who likes beer.

Cafe Botanica at Tucson Botanical Gardens

May 29, 2014 — 1 Comment

I ate lunch today at my new favorite restaurant, Cafe Botanica. This charming restaurant is nestled into the  exotic greenery at Tucson Botanical Gardens.  I visit frequently and for no particular reason had never eaten there.  When I met a neighbor who works there as a server I decided to make a point to try the food.  To my great surprise the offerings are the most seasonal, the most creative, and for my personal taste, the most delightful plates in the city of Tucson.  The concept is to make use of every kind of local, organic, sustainable source of ingredients.  I think they go beyond any other restaurant to achieve this goal, but without the brilliance of Chef Cristopher and his wild creativity the concept would not be as smashing.  He combines ingredients I would not have thought of, including some I have never eaten, such as radish tops.  The result was exactly the kind of full flavor, gorgeous to see, plate of variety I want to eat all the time.  The great news is that I have a garden, and they will trade me prepared food for some of my extra produce.  This could become a serious habit…the kind with only positive effects!!!

New Summer hours will start on June 3, including a weekend brunch.  Dog membership also begins on June 3, and has expanded to inviting member dogs on both Tuesday and Thursday this year.  The innovative menu, and the fact that the gardens create a cooler micro climate for morning walks will be an exciting new addition to our neighborhood.  There will also be Thursday dinners this summer with BYOB wine.  This is a major upgrade for Tucson.  I highly recommend Cafe Botanica to anyone.  There is an air conditioned inside dining room for times when it is too hot.  The gourmet, homemade dishes are very reasonably priced, and there is no chef more caring, and into it, than Christopher.  Mandy, my friend and server, puts her heart into making guests feel right at home.