Save Appalachia’s Blair Mountain From Destruction

Posted on February 22, 2013 by alyssa

One of Appalachia’s most important historic landmarks Blair Mountain, is at risk of being destroyed due to mountaintop coal mining initiatives. In fact, mining companies plan to demolish the largest organized armed uprising in American labor history.

Blair Mountain commemorates the brave men and women who risked their lives for a movement that has brought Americans the labor laws relevant today. In 1921, the largest labor insurrection in US History ensued at this site when 10,000 coal miners fought for five days against a coal-operator backed military army.

Five different surface mining permits currently threaten Blair Mountain and national banks continue to fund mining companies planning the destruction of the battlefield and surrounding communities. Mountaintop removal mining is the most destructive form of coal mining and has been referred to as ‘strip mining on steroids’. This practice will not only wipe out a historic landmark for future generations, but it will also annihilate the region’s ecosystems and exterminate the plants and animals native to the region.

Efforts to protect this beautiful mountainous region are spearheaded by the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. This worthwhile cause needs your support to urge West Virginia’s government and the coal mining industries that the destruction of Blair Mountain is irresponsible and unacceptable.

Photo credit: Bob Peace

Stop Costa Rica From Destroying Howler Monkey Habitats

Posted on February 21, 2013 by alyssa

The tourism industry is booming in Costa Rica, which is great for the economy but devastating for howler monkeys native to the region. Construction of new all-inclusive resorts and gated-community condominiums requires bulldozing of rare rain forest leaves, fruit, and flowers that these monkeys depend upon for food.

Unlike most other monkeys, howlers stay in a central location with their community of 12-15 individuals rather than moving long distances throughout the jungle. This makes the endangered species very susceptible to habitat destruction. Howlers are arboreal creatures that spend their entire lives in treetops. If their treetops are replaced with high rises and power lines, the will have no chance of survival.

Howler monkeys have no other option but to relocate to unsafe city streets and cocoa plantations when their forests are destroyed. This also creates a long term ecological effect because howlers play a key role in the regeneration of plant life. The monkeys disperse seeds in their dung, which is an important resource for beetles that recycle these nutrients back into the soil.

Additional rain forest destruction in this region is senseless and unnecessary. As with many tourist areas, restaurants, bars, and hotels come and go as businesses are mismanaged and infrastructure collapses. Countless vacant buildings and empty lots currently line the streets of the most popular cities and coastal towns. New businesses could easily utilize these unused and wasted spaces, which have already undergone natural destruction, to rebuild upon and pursue new businesses.

You can read more about the howler monkeys and their habitat here. We need to urge the Costa Rican government to utilize existing vacant and unused spaces to simultaneously improve the tourism industry while also avoiding the destruction of new land at the expense of the howler monkeys.

*Please sign the petition on Force Change.

Experience the 11th Annual Cabaret Festival in Orlando

Posted on February 20, 2013 by alyssa

With over 40 jazz, pop, Broadway, and comedy performances, the Orlando Cabaret Festival celebrates its 11^th year in the city. Cabaret is entertainment featuring music, comedy, song, dance, recitation or drama distinguished by the performance venue in a restaurant, pub or nightclub. Many of Central Florida’s favorites, as well as New York’s stars are featured in this celebration of all things cabaret.

Performances take place from April 25 to May 12, 2013 at the Orlando’s Mad Cow Theater. The theater is an intimate complex with two stages in Downtown Orlando. Tickets to the festival are available for sale on February 26^th and information about the featured artists can be found on the festival website. Affordable ticket packages are also available for guests who would like to experience two, three, or even more cabaret shows.

During the festival, 7:00pm and 8:15pm shows are scheduled every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sundays, shows are scheduled at 2:00pm, 3:15pm, and 5:00pm. A relatively new and increasing popular festival option features the “Lunchtime Cabaret” shows. Downtown workers and visitors seeking daytime entertainment can see shows every weekday at 12:00pm. The theater encourages patrons to bring their lunch of purchase one of their boxed lunches while checking out these 45-minute shows.

A parking garage is available for public use and discounted by the Mad Cow Theater on Central Boulevard between Orange Avenue and the train tracks. Several convenient hotel options are in walking distance of the theater as well including the Grand Bohemian, Embassy Suites, and Eo Inn. By utilizing a car rental from the Orlando Airport, visitors can easily find their way to the festival and experience the culture that Orlando has to offer.

This year’s talented artists include sophisticated composer, Tony DeSare, Tony Award Nominee, Emily Skinner, and knockout comedy team, Mel and El. Broadway star, Shoshana Bean, graceful lyricist, Lee Lessack, and the multi-talented Michael Walters will be delivering stellar performances at the festival as well. Each seat in the Mad Cow is close to the stage, giving the audience a spectacular experience from the first through the last day of the festival!

McCormick Foundation Continues Support for Poverty-Stricken Children

Posted on February 19, 2013 by alyssa

Children born into poverty are unfairly disadvantaged because the first five years of a child’s life are so developmentally crucial. One of Chicago’s most respected philanthropic organizations, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, continues to help fund early childhood programs like the Ounce of Prevention Fund every year.

The McCormick Foundation was developed by long-time publisher and editor of the Chicago Tribune in 1955. The foundation, which is one of the nation’s largest foundations with more than $1 billion in assets, provides grants for various public service organizations in education, civics, veteran affairs, and journalism. McCormick contributed over $250,000 each year to the Ounce of Prevention Fund each year since 2007. These funds go towards the Fund’s leadership campaigns, general operating support, and public advocacy efforts.

In a June 18, 2012 press release, McCormick’s education program director, Sara Slaughter, stated, “These grants will help Illinois address critical areas, such as principal preparation and the achievement gaps for Latino and African American children.”

The Ounce of Prevention’s objective is to assist children born into poverty with early childhood development during the first five years of life. They directly serve over 4,000 children and families throughout Illinois, train over 3,000 early childhood professionals, and design educational models to prevent academic and social achievement gaps. Ounce relies upon private funding dollars to develop innovative early brain development programs and then leverage public funding to implement and regulate these essential programs.

According to a 2012 policy statement from the Academy of Pediatrics, the number of at-risk children is increasing dramatically. Ounce of Prevention’s president, Diana Rauner, noted that “…in partnership with the McCormick Foundation, we have been at the forefront of efforts to use state and new federal investments to improve and extend the impact of home visiting programs in Illinois.” Voluntary home visiting programs have shown to be one of the most effective methods to help young parents nurture and support their babies, while minimalizing environmental risks.

Robert R. McCormick was one of Chicago’s very first major philanthropists who helped shape the city he loved during his life and beyond. He willed his fortune and estate to the people of Illinois, also leaving behind a legacy of service and a determination to make his community a better place to live for our community’s children.

Destinations in India Best Reached by Train

Posted on February 12, 2013 by alyssa

Want to experience the rich culture and traditions of India, but unsure how to navigate this exotic land? Companies like Great Rail Journeys offer options for Rail Tours in India. Most of the rail tours visit the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, and Japur, but others also travel through southern India and the northern Himalayas.

These are just a few of the things you can see and do on a rail journey. Take the guesswork out of your vacation, relax, and be captivated by the breathtaking surroundings.

India’s Golden Triangle

A trip to India wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the Golden Triangle, which includes Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. This well-travelled route features many of India’s great cultural gems and provides a good spectrum of the country’s varied landscapes. Beautiful palaces, ornate gardens, and colorful markets, bring life to these cities. It’s easy to imagine the life of the Maharajas while marveling at the Taj Mahaj and other magnificent architectural strutures along the way

The Himalayan Mountain Range

The Himalayan range is home to over a hundred mountains and some of the planet’s highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest. It is amazing to experience a sunrise over the Himalayans, and one of the best vantage points it is from the mountain top of Sarangkot. As the sun rises, it creates a red-orange glow across the mountains while the valleys below emerge from the shadows. It is a truly breathtaking site.

India’s Natural Wildlife

Ranthambore National Park, one of Northern India’s largest parks, is home to tigers, leopards, and hyenas, crododiles, and sloth bears. Thanks to the efforts of Project Tiger, the park is one of the only places in India where tigers can still be found in the wild. Not to be overshadowed, the vast array of birds, flora, and fauna are unique to this region and some of the most beautiful in the world.

Kerala & Southern India

Emerse yourself in the charming tranquility of Kerala, located in the south-west region of India on the Malabar coast. The inviting sandy beaches separate the sea from the palm tree forests and provide a perfect place to relax. This diverse area offers a unique cultural experience through its festivals, art forms, and exotic cuisine.

Religious Traditions

Hindus flock to the Holy River Ganges at sunrise to cleanse themselves of their sins, creating one of the most spectacular sights in India. One of the world’s major Buddhist centers is located in Sarnath, which is seen as the place where the religion found its roots and where the Buddhist way of life began. By traveling through these areas, you can witness some of the world’s most influential spiritual beliefs first hand.

A Blues Garden in the Middle of the City

Posted on February 8, 2013 by alyssa

During the winter, you’d have to be pretty observant to notice the banners and silhouettes while riding the Michigan bus through Chicago’s south loop. However during the summertime, the corner of Michigan Avenue and 21st Street buzzes with the sounds of music and fans of the blues.

Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, located in the old Chess Records building, started a museum dedicated to blues legends of years ago. Grammy Award winner, bassist, guitarist, and vocalist Willie Dixon is credited as being one of the most influential artists to bridge the gap between blues and rock and roll after World War II. Willie started the foundation to help promote blues music and support blues artists. Additionally, he organized the first Chicago Blues Festival, the Blues in the Schools Program, and the Muddy Waters Scholarship foundation.

The museum on Michigan Avenue is open Monday to Friday from 11am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 12pm to 2pm. Admission to the museum is $10 and donations are also accepted on the foundation website. You can check out records, awards, performance outfits, and other memorabilia from your favorite blues artists as you peer through the glass cases.

The outdoor music garden is located next to the museum and hosts outdoor concerts on Thursday evenings in the summer. Both seasoned and aspiring blues musicians perform their interpretations of the blues on the outdoor stage. I had the pleasure of attending one of these concerts, which featured some great entertainment acts and was very well attended. There weren’t enough folding chairs set up in the small garden area so fans overflowed onto the sidewalk. Passersby would do a double-take to see where exactly the music was coming from and often stop to listen in as well.

There’s no denying that winters in Chicago are long and miserable, but people seem to stay for the amazing things that pop up when the mercury rises. Periodically check the foundation’s website for upcoming events and keep the Willie Dixon’s Blues Garden in mind for an evening of blues and history in the months ahead.

Tips on Biking in a Torrential Downpour

Posted on February 4, 2013 by alyssa

The day didn’t get off to a good start. Plans had been made to spend the gorgeous summer day embarking upon a day-long bike ride. Realizing that I had left my tire pump in my Jeep, I went downstairs to retrieve it.

To my shock and dismay, I found that the spare tire had been stolen off the back of my nearly brand new Jeep. And in case you wondered, Jeep tires are far from cheap.

“That’s it,” I proclaimed, “We’re going to the casino!”

The day’s bike route was quickly altered to include a stop to the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. Despite only minimal prior success playing blackjack, I was determined to win enough money to buy myself a new Jeep tire.

The route began in the South Loop of Chicago. After hopping on and off the Lakefront trail, the route went through the streets of some very “interesting” neighborhoods. Then a large interstate blocked the route, necessitating the need to improvise and explore even more interesting neighborhoods.

Not surprisingly, I did not hit the blackjack jackpot at the Horseshoe Casino. I got up about $100 and then started to lose repeatedly.After walking away with a measly $15 in winnings, the next logical stop was a drinking establishment. The bike trip continued with a stop to Three Floyds Brewery in Munster, Indiana.

However, these worthwhile plans were interrupted by a massive storm front moving in. Just a couple miles into the fifteen mile trek, rain drops began to fall. It was refreshing on a warm August afternoon. Then the lightning and thunder started, and the rain started coming down harder and harder.

The winds picked up and the booming thunder shook the ground beneath me. Lightning was striking the ground and making the electricity in the area go out. Without being able to see or move, we pulled the bikes under a gas station awning. The temperature had drastically. I was shivering, ringing out my t-shirt, and impatiently waiting for the storm to let up just a bit.

The brewery destination turned out to be an ultimate fail as well. Three Floyds, which is run by a less than pleasant staff, had an undetermined wait time and the only place to wait was out in the downpour.

Starving and cranky, a quick Yelp search advised that the closest place to pick up grub was a Red Lobster. Never before have cheddar biscuits and a Baileys & coffee tasted so delicious.

Still desperately in need of good beer and a train ride home, the next stop was Flossmor Station Restaurant and Brewery in Flossmoor, Illinois. The rain was still coming down, but it had let up to a more manageable level.

With this experience in mind, I offer you the following tips on biking in a torrential downpour (among other things):

DON’T expect to win back your stole goods at a casino.
DON’T pick a route that doesn’t have paved roads just because you’re a wannabe mountain biker.
DON’T pick a route through the ghetto just because it might be more interesting.
DO bring extra layers so you don’t catch pneumonia.
DO have backup plans in place for post-biking beer consumption.
DO pull over and seek shelter if lightning is striking things all around you.

If you would actually like legitimately helpful advice, check out James Schwartz’ article in The Urban Country and some of the posts on bikeforums.net. If you would like more stories of adventure mishaps, then you’re in the right place.

What Does “Half-Assed” Really Mean?

Posted on February 2, 2013 by alyssa

You hear the phrase being tossed around all the time…..”don’t just half ass it,” “she did such a half-ass job on that project.” But what exactly is a half ass?

Is it literally half of an ass? What would “full-assing” a job actually entail? These are the thoughts that keep me tossing and turning with fits of insomnia night after night.

By using some questionably reliable sources on the Interweb, my suspicions are confirmed that half assing does, in fact, mean to do something to less than one’s full ability. In 2006, a stranger in a forum explained the origin of this baffling term to the world.

Believe it or not, the term originated from “half-adz,” which is mid-19th century slang. An adz is a tool with a curved, axe-type blade for shaping wood. If you were wealthy and wanted a new fireplace, the mantle could be shaped using an adz to finish the front and back. But obviously, the back of a mantle isn’t visible. To save money, you could have only the front of the mantle shaped, leaving the back as rough and unfinished wood.

Over time, this woodworking term has slowly evolved into today’s “half-assed.” Our friendly companions in the UK tend to prefer the term, “half-arsed,” based on the incorrect assumption that the US equivalent term refers to the posterior of the human body.

So alas, our mystery has been solved and one more research item has been checked off the list. And now that my worry has subsided, I’m going to take a nap.

Prevent Radioactive Metals From Contaminating Recycling

Posted on February 1, 2013 by alyssa

Target: Secretary Steven Chu, U.S. Department of Energy

Goal: Convince the U.S. Department of Energy to make the ban on allowing radioactive metals into recycling permanent.

The U.S. Department of Energy plans to allow radioactive metal from nuclear weapons to contaminate recycling. If their plan succeeds, contaminated metal would be mixed with clean metals, which would be turned into common household products, such as zippers, frying pans, and baby strollers.

Because radiation levels would be low, they argue there would be no need for labels identifying the materials came from nuclear reactors or weapons facilities. Most low-level radioactive materials are disposed into government-licensed landfills. However, the volume of nuclear scrap metal has greatly increased as older reactors are decommissioned and former weapons plants are cleaned up. When radioactive material enters the recycling process and contaminates scrap metal, scrap collectors often mistake their findings for harmless bits of valuable metal. One of the best known examples occurred when three men burgled a radioactive waste store to steal scrap metal in Tammiku, Estonia. One of the men placed a metal pipe in his pocket, giving him a high localized dose of radiation in his leg. In a matter of days, the man died and also contaminated his wife, son, and dog.

There are proven alternatives to nuclear waste disposal that are being utilized around the world. Low-level and short-lived intermediate wastes from decommissioning reactors are best disposed of by compacting and incinerating before burial because radiation levels decrease over time. The international consensus is that long-lived intermediate wastes from fuel reprocessing and high-level wastes from burning of uranium fuel must be safely disposed of deep underground.

Help urge the Department of Energy to make the ban on allowing radioactive metals into recycling permanent. When it comes to substances as lethal as radiation, who can really draw the line between what is dangerous and what is safe?

A Tale of Two Breweries: Louisville Edition

Posted on January 24, 2013 by alyssa

It was a rainy December evening in Kentucky. We had road tripping for nearly six hours and I needed some good beer. With just a little Yelping, I was pleased to discover a lot of potential as we crossed the bridge into Louisville.

It was getting late and we had a long weekend ahead of us. With that in mind, we negotiated and settled on two breweries to check out: Against the Grain Brewing Company and Bluegrass Brewing Company.

AGAINST THE GRAIN BREWING

1. Atmosphere:

An upscale mess hall and a large open space
Abstract artwork and drawings of brewery supplies on painted brick walls
Moderately crowded for a Friday night

2. What we ordered:

Sampler of 6 beers, 4 oz each and two bonus seasonal beers
$15 Growler of the Malt

3. Favorites:

Whim – tastes like chips made with real vegetables; totally unique; light-bodied; spices of celery, carrots, and onions; would totally get again
Malt – sweet from start to finish; 8.4% and strongest tried so far; acidic and almost like vinegar; like cider but darker in color; would get again

4. Failures:

Session – skunky smell, but not every time; pretty standard; wouldn’t get again
Smoke – the smokiest beer I’ve ever tasted; it’s unique but I can’t taste anything beyond the smoke; much lighter color than most smoke beers; couldn’t drink a whole pint of this
Shart Pants – so hoppy I can’t even drink it; 9.1% but so not worth it; light in color

5. Meh:

Hop – sweet and bitter at the same time; pitched as really hoppy but not that much; buttery finish
Dark – more of a spiced ale than a pumpkin beer; nothing compared to the sweet malt of Pumpking; slight sweet pumpkin smell but not overwhelming

6. Grub:

The Fun Guy (veggie burger with mushrooms, rice, walnuts, smoked Parmesan, fried egg, and apricot) – Definitely one of the best veggie burgers I’ve ever had, and believe me – I’ve had a ton of ’em. The mushrooms were tender and flavorful and the fried egg really made it work. The only downside was that it was completely messy and egg and sauce dripped all over myself.

BLUEGRASS BREWING