Woke up to a spectacular view from the 16th floor. Tropical vegetation with an abundance of palm trees. The hotel is about 15 yards from the Pacific Ocean. In the Bay of Banderas with mountains on both sides of the bay. The water is rough and is fed by two muddy rivers. A very different breakfast of scrambled eggs, refried black beans and salsa. $4.50. Walked along gringo gulch into town. For half the 2 km walk there were no sidewalks so it is walk on the edge of the road and hope the good graces of drivers protect you. Our end of town seems poverty stricken and raunchy. The tail end of rural squatters? What a dichotomy between gringos and locals. There is no such thing as a local restaurant a tourist would feel comfortable eating at. There are no Mexicans at tourist restaurants except for staff. How could a local eat at such expensive restaurants? Took a rest along gringo gulch and sat on a bench where two rivers flow on either side. Had a snack of shrimp, guacamole and a beer. Back home and out to dinner to the reputable and highly recommended “Moby Dick” a name only a gringo could appreciate. And the gringos, mostly “Yankees” were lined up. Avocado stuffed with shrimp, seafood soup, red snapper filet and a glass of overly sweet “Hidalgo” wine. A whopping $12!
Michigan’s Attempt to Control Invasive Species
MDARD asks public to help prevent spread of invasive pests, protect plant health during national gardening week
LANSING – Summer weather has finally made its appearance, and many Michiganders are stocking up on new plants for their garden or landscape. With people headed to their local greenhouse or nursery, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is asking the public to help be on the lookout for invasive plants, pests, and diseases.
When selecting plants and flowers, homeowners and gardeners should keep in mind the impact those plants may have on other plants cultivated around their landscape or garden. Invasive, non-native plants have few or no natural predators in their non-native environments and can quickly spread—disrupting ecosystems by pushing out native species and reducing biological diversity.
Invasive plants are not the only problem. Many plants and flowers, including those native to Michigan, can be hosts to invasive plant pests and diseases. These invasives can hitch a ride on plants and be transported to homeowners’ yards and then quickly spread to the surrounding area. Warmer weather can magnify their impact, increasing the level of plant pest infestations and disease infections, allowing pests to produce more generations each year, and extending the suitable habitat for plant pests.
“People can unintentionally move pests around the state,” said Robin Rosenbaum, Plant Health Section Manager of MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division. “Many of the pests we are most concerned about can hide in or on untreated firewood, soil, seeds, and plants. Some pests such as spotted lanternfly can lay eggs on conveyances in an infested region and then be transported into Michigan.”
To help combat the spread of invasives pests and diseases, MDARD has implemented several plant pest quarantines. These legal documents issued by the department limit the movement of specific plant material within, into or out of the state of Michigan. The United States Department of Agriculture and other state’s quarantines help combat the movement of invasives such as spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth), Asian longhorned beetle and others. MDARD’s plant heath inspectors work throughout the summer months inspecting plant material and ensuring compliance with state and federal quarantines.
“Quarantines are a useful tool to control the spread of invasives, but we need help from the public to stop the spread of pests we’re most concerned about,” added Rosenbaum.
Michiganders interested in buying plant material online should also be aware that many websites and social media groups lack adequate information about state and federal quarantines and concerns about pest movement.is. Buying locally from an MDARD-licensed nursery is a great way to minimize risk as these firms are inspected annually and are aware of Michigan-specific laws, regulations, and pests.
Here are some simple steps you should take to help limit the spread of invasive species:
- Visit the Michigan Invasive Species website to learn how to spot invasive pests posing a threat to plants and agriculture in your area.
- Don’t move untreated firewood. Buy certified, heat-treated firewood or buy wood where you burn it and burn it all before you go home to avoid unintentionally spreading species that hide inside untreated firewood.
- When returning from international travel, declare food, plants and other agricultural items to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure these items are pest-free.
- Make sure seeds and plants you buy online are not invasive to your region.
- Report signs of invasive plant pests and diseases to MDARD through the Michigan Invasive Species website or at 800-292-3939.
For additional information about MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, visit www.michigan.gov/mdard/plant-pest.
RKS Wine: Tavel Rosé
The Château d’Aqueria Tavel is dark pink. Take it up a notch or two and you would have red wine. It’s dark colour doesn’t surprise me considering it is from the Rhône. Rhône wines are seldom dainty. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Clairette.
As far as aromatics go chock full of raspberry and strawberry. There are also generous waves of red cherry. Overall there is sweet red fruit ruling the roost. The palate presents the same combination and type of fruit that is on the nose but there is a twist of dark chocolate and white pepper at the end of the palate. Straightforward, simple and delicious. Perfect for sipping but with substance enough to handle wild caught salmon and rainbow trout filets topped with yogurt, mustard and tarragon sauce. It would also suit grilled chicken with a spice rub. While it won’t improve in the bottle this can be held until 2027.
(Château d’Aqueria Tavel 2021 AC Tavel, Jean Olivier, Tavel, France, $24.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 319368, 750 mL,14%, RKS Wine Rating 91/100).
“Travels to a Different Time” : 4September1983: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Pig Slop, Puking and a Near Passport Heart Attack
The flight from Montreal to Puerto Vallarta was delayed by one hour because one engine aboard the antique DC-8 did not start. That gives you a feeling of extreme confidence. We were delayed by an hour. Severe turbulence for the entire flight and the vomit bags were well used. I am sure the pig slop served on this AeroMexico flight exacerbated the puking. A very rough landing. Remind me not to travel on AeroMexico again. A Sunquest rep met several of us and a small group headed to a VW bus to a dearly expensive room at the Sheraton. I was miffed at being given a room on the ground floor with a flooded terrace. Complained to reception and was told to come on down for a room change. Upon approaching the reception area the clerk knew nothing about the room change but a few dollars in his hands reminded him about the the situation with a beautiful room overlooking the ocean the result. A few passengers were puking outside and a pool of vomit had settled nicely behind a potted plant in the lobby. As I was unpacking I realized I had left my passport under a pillow in the rejected room. A surly night clerk took me to the room where in a sigh of relief my passport was recovered. Crashed out to the delectable sell of sea air and the sound of pounding waves.
“Travels to a Different Time” : 27July1978: Torremolinos Good Riddance! On the Wrong Plane: Choking on Cheap Spanish Cigarettes on an Army Flight
I was swept up in a stampede to the flight to Madrid. Had I hesitated I would have been trampled. A brand-new Iberia DC-9 to Madrid then on to Lisbon. Unfortunately, I had been directed to the wrong plane but going to Madrid. They snooped me out and ejected me from the plane. Instead, a dingy Boeing 707 which was a charter flight to Madrid full of Spanish soldiers smoking cheap Spanish cigarettes. What a stench. At 4 a.m. in the morning finally back in Lisbon for the flight back to Montreal. A rough sleep at the airport and in the afternoon a flight on Air Portugal back to Montreal.
RKS Film: “Days of Daisy”: Something for Everybody!
“Days of Daisy” has its world premiere at Dances with Films indie festival on June 14th at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles and after that can be purchased through VOD.
It may appear to you initially as one of those “chick flicks” and as it concludes a film in the “warm and fuzzy” genre. But in between and throughout is some serious acting with nary a weak link. And the force of evil is social media obsessed teen Sadie (Sadie Fontenot) a bundle of sweet meanness up there with “Damien the Omen”. Behind Fontenot Daisy’s mother Camille (Cathie Choppin) is the mother from hell. Shout out to casting here by Lisa Marie Dupree and Jonnie Stapleton.
The film could have easily gone down the tubes had it not been for solid acting throughout. Daisy (Jency Griffin Hogan) and Jack Palmer (Bryan Langlitz) have some real magic between them.
Daisy is a school librarian approaching 40 and realizes her biological click is ticking in terms of giving birth and boyfriend Steven is not setting the clock as he admits children are a no go for him so Daisy says adieu and makes acquaintance with photographer Jack Palmer and the relationship stumbles along. Daisy enlists Jack to help her transition from librarian to art teacher and between them they inspire the class to put on an art show to showcase their talents and raise funds for art supplies.
The ending is warm and fuzzy and even Sadie and Camille prove their decency as human beings. So summing up there is something for everyone in the film. If this is indie filmmaking it shines here.
Filmed in Baton Rouge and Shreveport Louisiana. I can feel the warm breezes from the Gulf! You can see the trailer here https://vimeo.com/708723662
Directed by Alexander Jeffery.
“Travels to a Different Time” : 25July1978: Torremolinos, Spain: The Meagreness of Torremolinos: Gypsies vs Hustlers!
I could call Torremolinos a cesspool but being polite I will say it is a meagre place full of pasty and ill behaved Brits boozing it up and partying away drinking British beer of course. Just like home! Why would people cram into chartered jets and save all year to come to Miami Beach here? Hopped on a bus in search of a beach and it seemed most stunk of sewage. Crashed a hotel pool full of Scandinavians. Trudged home in the blazing heat and had a shower with water spilling out all over the place. What a pit this place is. Dinner at the Moroccan frequented Lanjaron restaurant for chicken with potatoes, soup, salad and mineral water for $3.75. Back home after an ice cream to an increasingly depressing room. It gives you great confidence to return and see a rat scurrying over your doorstep. And while at dinner there was a near gypsy riot in front of our table. There was a dispute amongst the gypsies and the hustlers. Begging is big business in Torremolinos.
RKS Wine: Dão Memories
My last media trip to a wine region was to the Dão in Portugal. You know those days prior to COVID. I must have visited over a dozen wineries all in beautiful settings. I think the star grape was Encruzado which makes a beguiling white wine. For what we see in Ontario the Douro leads the Portuguese pack followed by Alentejano. The Dão regrettably is way back.
This Evidência is a blend of Encruzado, Malvasia Fina and Bical. On the nose tangerine, apricot and guava kissed by minerality. On the palate a dry and smooth wine. Just when you might think it lacks character there is a sudden updraft of blood orange. A short finish. This would suit white fleshed ocean fish or grilled chicken breast that has been marinated in beer, smoked paprika, merquen and a hint of Saigon cinnamon. For vegheads an Umbrian Carbonara might do the trick or some Turkish green beans. A decent quaffer on those hot summer days and at $12.95 an inflation beater.
This a creature of stainless steel with no oak.
Parras is a huge producer of wines throughout Portugal. They have a 100% Encruzado so I can only hope we see it in Canada so you may be able to share my fascination with that grape all on its lonesome.
(Evidência 2020, DOC Dâo, Parras, Portugal, $12.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 25244, 750 mL, 13.5%, RKS Wine Rating 89/100).
“Travels to a Different Time” : 22July1978: Torremolinos, Spain: Eating That Stinky Smoked Ham and Cheese Sandwich on the Bus! Moroccans and The Tittering British Girl
There must be a horrific heat wave as woke up in a soggy sweat very lethargic. Took the bus to Fuengirola and Mijas. I made the mistake of eating a very stinky sandwich on the bus. Clear the decks. Mijas has changed drastically since my last visit 5 years ago. There seem to be a million tourist shops especially jewelry. The little American ex-pat hippie artistic community has morphed into a tourist trap. Went to the cheapo Moroccan frequented restaurant and hit the Piper’s Club discotheque which was busy but jammed when I left early in the morning. Stopped for some grilled shrimp and a beer. Upon returning home to Moroccans next to me were having a grand time with some tittering British girl. Dropped off to sleep amidst grunts and groans. I hope the poor lass survived.
“Travels to a Different Time” : 18July1978: Vila Real, Portugal & Seville & Torremolinos Spain: Drunk and Fornicating Brits and Moroccan Sexual Predators
Up early in the blazing heat and off to the market for yogurt, peaches, figs and wafer cookies. Off to the ferry for a ten-minute trip to Spain. The crowd was pushing and shoving like in a panic. In a tiny town in Spain found the bus station and booked passage to Seville at 16:30. Dropped off baggage at bus station and headed out for lunch with sweat rolling down. The bus to Seville was a milk run and finally arrived in Seville at 120 degrees. It was too late to make a connection to Malaga so ended up in a hostel pit. Had a great dinner although the waiter made a “mistake” and I ended up with a massive fish. Gringo rip off? A huge $9 dinner with a fish fit for two.
20July1978: Torremolinos Again! Sleazy Moroccans
Back in Torremolinos again. Was it 1972 I was here with Mom? It was raunchy and touristy then and it has declined since then. Many youths soaked in liquor and decadence mostly Brits. Immature and ignorant. Why leave England when you have British pubs and clubs in Torremolinos. Monkey’s playing about on chains and hey take a picture of it gringos. And lager ladies and gents puke all over the place when clubbing and fornicate in the streets. AH….the British Empire!
Staying in a meagre room very basic with sleazy Moroccans desperately cruising for European girls and a dream of escaping Morocco across the strait. It is sex and seduction for the Moroccan greasers. Money is running out so go where the Moroccans go. Like the Lanjoran Restaurant up the street for $3.00 chicken and a glass of wine. In addition to Moroccan sexual predators and pasty pissed Brits there are fat waddling tourists from God knows where. What a vulgar middle-class breed.
Photo: Daily Mirror
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