Dear Friends and Family,

Day 14
It’s Day 14 for the missing jumbo jet as the (fiction-esque) mystery continues. 26 countries are aiding in the search and now the focus is on the southern part Indian Ocean. Hopefully info will emerge soon.

30 years
An early morning earthquake shook Los Angeles this week reminding residents to be prepared as geologist predict with 99% accuracy that a major quake will hit the area within the next 30 years.  I’m sticking with my blustery Winter.

97%
A divided peoplehood inhabit a single country, though now Russiahas annexed the Crimea Region after last week’s “elections” where 97% of citizens voted to join Russia.  They obviously align with Russia and have aspired to be reconnected since they were given to the Ukraine in 1954.  You’d think a choice between modern western Europe and overbearing bias Russia would be easy, but roots seem to run deep in that region and good riddance if they want Putin as their leader.

3/31/14
Russian Roulette is the game young people are playing when they don’t sign up for Health Care.  Some think that they’ll pay less yearly by paying for doctors visits when needed.  Maybe…but what if they break an arm while playing basketball or get in a car accident (pu, pu, pu).  The game is up and their bank accounts will suffer.  Plus, God-willing, they’ll be old one day and will need young people to help lower health insurance rates for ALL, and not to mention its the LAW with financial penalties for delinquents. Here’s a cute video of famous Moms (of Adam Levine, Jonah Hill…) encouraging millenniums to sign up before the approaching March 31st deadline: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPMsZYyesRE

$250 Million
Without their normal weapons of riffles and handguns but with political pressure alone and an annual budget of $250 million, the NRA effectively killed our potential Surgeon General BECAUSE believes in gun control and apparently would lose confirmation votes by Senators (on both sides of the aisle) with mid-term elections in gun loving States.  Sadly our messy and skewed democratic game has sabotaged an excellent Surgeon General candidate . By the way, his top priority would have been focusing on our deadliest epidemic of obesity. AND Gun Control laws wouldn’t be on his docket anyway.  It’s like saying a top military general shouldn’t be promoted for his pro-choice views.

Dr. Murthy-nominee

March 22nd
This Saturday would have been the 21st birthday of George Orley (of blessed memory).  George was a kind soul with a huge heart and a passion for our City of Detroit. Honoring his memory with an act of loving kindness, a Mitzvah, a good deed, a prayer or paying it forward will help keep his spirit alive.  Hugs to all who loved George and who will be toasting his memory on Saturday. He will always be remembered in our hearts.

30
Bravo to the 30 Senators who pulled an all-nighter last week to spotlight the latest information on climate change. Hopefully this session will bring about much needed legislation to help protect our environment and our (only) home, planet Earth.

78
David Brenner, a writer, director, comedian and producer passed away this week at age 78.  His contributions to the field of entertainment were vast and will be greatly missed.  His grandfather was a rabbi who objected to his son’s entertainment career when it conflicted with Shabbat but David was able to maintain his Jewish identity while succeeding in his career.

David Brenner 1936-2014

80,000
Bravo to Andy Levin and Mary Freeman on the efforts (though this week’s Free Press article) to encourage the (more environmental) deconstruction of our (nearly 80,000) Detroit blighted properties rather than straight demolition of the buildings. Though deconstruction is more timely and costly, in the long run it will save our landfills from excessive (valuable) material, prevent (air and soil) pollution with the proper removal of toxins (lead and asbestos), provide future homes with antique fixtures and floors and provide training and jobs to unskilled laborers.  This is a win-win for all and I hope the powers-to-be take notice.

Blight to Renewal

Lisa