I hope you enjoyed your Passover Seders and for those who celebrate Easter, I hope it was a joyous Sunday. The prospect of Peace is the theme surrounding most holidays. And the prospect of normalized relations with Iran is the central theme of the minds of most World Leaders. Many feel this is impossible with the current diabolical Iranian leadership and their proxy global terrorism war while others are hopeful that allowing Iran to cautiously re-enter the Global economy, the Iranian population will enjoy their taste of integration and insist it continues by demanding their government avoid future sanctions. The deal is not confirmed till the details are hashed out before the June 30th deadline. But it looks like the Ayatollah may have killed any hopes of reaching that final deal with several demanding stipulations like the immediate lifting of sanctions as soon as (IF) the deal is finalized. No one knows what the future will hold but if you want a more comprehensive understanding of this Deal, please check out this article/interview/video from the Oval Office:
Peaceful Marble
Our Earth looks so peaceful from an astronaut’s viewpoint. Hope you enjoy this video of our “Blue Marble”
Necessities Inventions
From space, you would doubt that California could be experiencing the 4th year of a water draught. Our Earth’s surface is about 71% water yet, where we need it most, it is dry like a desert. For the first time in California’s history, Gov. Jerry Brown instituted required water restrictions which have fertilized the creative minds of residents. Landscapers are spray painting brown lawns a bright green hue while others are installing this creative device:
Hybrid Sink-Toilet
Collects your hand washing water to use when flushing.
Necessities Invention (part 2)
Speaking of toilets… for centuries our ancestors squatted over holes to “do their business”. Even today, some cultures still squat over holes. Aparently, this method is best for our colon’s health so necessity again has invented the hottest craze, called the Squatty Potty. It was first seen on Shark Tank and is now selling like Hot Cakes. Check out this video of The Doctorsexplaining and demonstrating the health benefits. It actually makes sense to me…see if you agree:
Presidential Duty
On another smelly topic, supposedly there is a growing movement that plans to request a Presidential pardon for our former Mayor and current convict, Kwame Kilpatrick. This sounds like a long shot to me and certainly undeserving of this presidential prerogative. We’ll see in two years, who will be on the Pardon List.
Jury’s decision
Now that the Boston Bomber was convicted on all 30 accounts, will the jury sentence him to death or life in prison. The bomber, in his own written words, was punishing America and inciting radical Islamist to rise and continue his fight. How do we combat those who have no value for life (theirs or anyone elses). How can religious leaders preach such evil. I assume he’d like to be put to death as that would make him a martyr. Maybe sitting in a cell the rest of his long life would be more punishing in this situation. The jury will continue their jobs next week when the trial continues regarding his punishment.
New Face
We will see in 5 years if a new face will be on the $20 bill. Scoot over Andrew Jackson; Your Facetime has expired. This is the hope of WomenOnThe20 who feel that it is about time for a woman to grace the center of the $20 and the year 2020 would be a perfect time to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. The top four choices are Eleanor Roosevelt, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and (Cherokee Nation Chief) Wilma Mankiller. To vote for your favorite choice, please click here:
Right Face, Wrong Quote
Another memorable face was gracing the national stage this week as Maya Angelou‘s new stamp was unveiled to much fanfare, yet with someone else’s quote. This Forever Stamp will forever remind us of our human imperfections of research. Yes, her famous book was “I know why the caged bird sings” but this answer of “why the bird sings” was attributed to author, Joan Walsh Anglund. To add insult to injury, the ceremony with dignitaries (Oprah, Michelle Obama, Roberta Flack…), was struck by the DC power outage leaving everyone in the dark. At least the stamp got lots of publicity.
Detroit Publicity
83 years ago Mexican artists (husband and wife)
Diego Rivera and
Frida Kahlo arrived in Detroit with their creative juices flowing. Rivera diligently painted the “Detroit Industry” on the courtyard walls of our Detroit Institute of Art while Kahlo finetuned her Mexican Folk Art though she struggled with her life in Detroit, experiencing hardship and a miscarriage. Their impression on our City is indelible and now on display at the DIA till July 12th. Its nice when Detroit makes the New York Times with a positive story:
http://tinyurl.com/DiegoFridaDIA
Frida and Diego
“Apples and Oranges”
Bravo to
Shinola and Chief Marketing Officer (friend
Bridget Russo-Gottlieb) on the creative launch of their new
RunwellWatch in comparison to the Apple Watch. According to Bridget, why not buy both watches… “They are apples and oranges”. This new watch company took a chance on Detroit when we were in the dumps and it’s paid off for both Shinola and Motown.
http://wwd.com/media-news/fashion-memopad/shinola-ribs-apple-watch-in-new-ads-10109399/
I am grateful to have both the blessing of Home and the ability to travel. Next week I’ll be travelling to Poland for the March of the Living then Germany and Italy so the upcoming Shabbat Shalom emails will be void of current events yet I will catch up when I return. Prior to my departure, I will write emails for the weeks of my travel. I will stocked them with info about my locations and they will be delivered to your inboxes each Friday morning via the magic of Constant Contact. I have yet to miss a Friday since starting these emails Nov. 2009 and don’t plan on breaking my writing streak.
Lisa
P.S. Please help spread the word to vote “YES” on Proposal 1 on May 5th to fund Road Repairs. It is right thing to do for our State.
P.P.S Warning! There is recall on Sabra brand Hummus (the only kind we buy) with a concern of Listeria contamination. 30,0000 cases are being recalled. The potential contamination was detected by our Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Please check this site and check your fridge: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm441863.htm
Rest in Peace, dear neighbor, Barbara Lutz z”l, wife to Joel and mother to Howard and Lori. Since 1970 the Lutz family were our next door neighbors in Farmington Hills. For nearly 10 years, Joel has lovingly cared for Barbara as Alzheimers stole her spirit. Barbara was a lovely women who with her husband raised a lovely family. May her memory and love bring comfort to those who grieve her passing.
Condolences to Miriam Starkman and her family on the passing of her beloved father, Henry Starkman z”l. As a Holocaust Survivor, he continued to bring justice and meaning to his life. May his love and spirit bring comfort to those who mourn his passing and may his memory live on and thrive through his descendants. Here is his story:
Condolences to Lenore (our favorite piano teacher) and Caleb Simon and their family on the passing of Caleb’s brotherSamuel Simon z’l. May Samuel’s memory and love bring comfort to those who mourn his passing.
Condolences to the family and friends of Sarah Brady, widow of James Brady, on her passing this week at the age of 73. Mrs. Brady was a stalwart spokesperson for the Gun Control movement after the 1981 shooting of her husband. May the Bradys memory, spirit and efforts continue to inspire the needed legislation to help keep our society safe from gun violence and accidents.
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Shabbat Shalom - שבת שלום 