EXOTIC FOODS AROUND THE WORLD

While here in Chicago I managed to view a show on TV centered on traveling around the world and eating various dietary delights and one episode which I have not been able to view was set in the Philippines and another in Sulawesi,etc. Of course, there are such shows as, MEN VS FOOD or whatever. While the rest of the world seems to starve it must be a great treat for those who can see such on TV in impoverished lands to see self-indulgent, over-fed and overstuffed 'Americans', "Westerners' and so forth expanding their waist lines and producing,not only a lot of 'green-house' gases but huge piles of shit,which viewers of such things seldom see. Man truly is a shit-making machines in numerous ways, especially from sweating, breathing, etc. Man's sole purpose for GREAT NATURE is to TRANSFORM things and serve GREAT NATURE'S purposes until such time as MANKIND is SACRIFICED and DESTROYED to release needed energies for THE GREAT UNIVERSE.

LAND VALUES IN CLAREMONT

Land values in Claremont should, and also elsewhere for that matter, be determined in part by the ratio of vacant lots,properties, and land held by the town as well as other factors,such as, lands held by churches,to establish 'REAL' value., and should not be the bloated values of real estate dealers, agencies,etc. that now influence and lobby the council and the state,etc. in their own peculiar interest which is NOT the PUBLIC interest. Mor on this another time.

THE PROPER VIEW AND PERSPECTIVE OF CLAREMONT

Somewhere in the old EAGLE TIMES, in letters- to- the editor, I once wrote that the council and Town Fathers and others need to get up over the town and take a look at how Claremont really looks from the air. I suggest that everyone else who can do so, take a flight over Claremont,either in a plane, but preferably in a helicopter, so they can see how things are and how things go. The best form of flight over the town is by hotair balloon, for which there is plenty of hotair avaliable in Claremont to power,especially that of bureacrats and politicians and 'the old guard'.

GREEN ACRES

One story the COMPASS had was on the closing of GREEN ACRES, which I visited only two or three times when it operated. As a meeting place and cafe/coffee shop, it had an atmosphere that might have appealed to many since it was also next to the bookstore,etc. That it was shut down and the owner evicted tells us something of the business atmosphere of Claremont. For one thing, the town government, despite all the hype and ballyhoo about improving the community and bringing in stores, companies,and businesses, actually does little for the SMALL business man,preferring it would seem the 'big-box' stores that draw in outsiders like magnets,etc. How long this atmosphere will prevail no one can predict but hopefully strong winds of change will come.

THE COMPASS

The COMPASS which was handed out free apparently around July 23,2009,is a newspaper that is attempting to fill the vacuum left by the defunct EAGLE TIMES. If you have seen a copy you can e-mail your comments and reaction to: Feedback@compasspaper.com and I am sure they will deeply appreciate such. Whether or not THE COMPASS in the wooing of the citizenry of Claremont will be convincing enough to be lucrative will depend on whether or not the paper becomes just an official mouthpiece of local government,i.e. town council, town bureaucrats, town politicians,etc. or if the paper can truly reflect the spirit of Claremont and the surrounding areas and admit all the people who wish to utilize it in their endeavors.

HAGGIS; THE NATIONAL DISH OF SCOTLAND

'Hunting the Haggis' is a stunt often foisted onto unsuspecting people(Non-Scots) in which Haggis is described as a peculiar animal,etc. Haggis is made from offal. Look up the word. However, it is now claimed by some that it is or was made by the English before it was by the Scotch(Scots). 'Scotch' is either a drink or a 'tape' ???!!! I hope that dirks will not be drawn over this bit of outrageous banter. Anyway, you can't get Haggis in this country, as the FDA,etc. bans it as not fit for human consumption, citing TB as a possible danger. Haggis apparently was made by the Romans and the Vikings or some form of it. Now, there is a 'vegetable' haggis but if such can be imported in the US or exported to the US, I do not know. You will recall the cases involving real salami from Italy and other foods attempted to be brought in by immigrants.

JELLY FISH

Scientists and biologists are now studying the effect that growing Jellyfish populations in the oceans have on a possible 'global' effect on the oceans. The theory based on observations has led to some interesting conjectures and conclusions that will need, as can be guessed, more research. HOWEVER, did you know that you can eat Jelly Fish? I have eaten them. They can also be picked live by hand if you know the method, but be cautious if you don't, as they do 'sting'. It is quite a trick to tread on the shores where jelly fish are washing up. One early cold 'spring' day,years ago, I was walking on the shores of a Connecticut beach and was amazed at the many 'corpses' of jellyfish washed up on the rocks and sands there.

CAMEL'S MILK

Soon, if all goes well, the importation of CAMEL'S MILK into the US from the NEAR EAST, namely , DUBAI, will begin. Camel's milk is nutritious, low in calories, has good properties for those who might be diabetic, and perhaps other benefits. The thought of drinking camel's milk may appear unappetizing to those reared on Cow's milk(sacred or otherwise) but remember that nowadays SOY MILK and products are found in US supermarkets and some of us like goat's milk. A rare few of us may well know that SHEEP'S MILK is the prime ingredient in the best PROVALONE (spelling?) CHEESE. For those familiar with cheeses and milk in the Philippines, the milk of the KALABAW, or CARABAO, is often used. I have eaten Carabao cheese and like it. I have also eaten sheep's milk cheese and, of course, goat's cheese. I am sure that there are other animal species whose milk is utilized in human diets from time to time. BON APPETIT!