ouistiti!

Madison rated as 5th most bikeable city in US

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:29:00 -0500

Free Bacon on the Bike Path during Bike to Work Week 2010

This week is Bike to Work Week which is followed by Ride the Drive this weekend. A happy day for bikers in Madison.

The ranking puts Madison’s score (67) behind Minneapolis (79), Portland, Ore., (70), San Francisco (70) and Boston (69) in a grading system by Bike Score, which “is the only quantitative measure of ‘bikeability’ of location based on the availability of bike lanes and infrastructure, ‘hilliness,’ road connectivity, nearby amenities and the percent of people in the area who bike to work.”

"I'm a happy old man. I'll cry my way to the end."

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:17:26 -0500

A powerful collection of interviews between Terry Gross (NPR’s Fresh Air) and Maurice Sendak over the past 30 years.

Sendak said he never wanted children of his own. He lived for decades with his longtime partner, Eugene Glynn, who died in 2007. Sendak wrote his most recent book Bumble-ardy, while taking care of Glynn.

“When I did Bumble-ardy, I was so intensely aware of death,” he told Gross in 2011. “Eugene, my friend and partner, was dying here in the house when I did Bumble-ardy. I did Bumble-ardy to save myself. I did not want to die with him. I wanted to live, as any human being does. But there’s no question that the book was affected by what was going on here in the house. Bumble-ardy was a combination of the deepest pain and the wondrous feeling of coming into my own. And it took a long time. It took a very long time.”

You will be forever remembered, Maurice.

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:17:38 -0500

Not only famous for Where the Wild Things Are, but a local hero for his set design for Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker (by far the best I have ever seen).

Maurice Sendak

1928–2012

Whenever we come down with a cold or are just feeling under the...

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:38:55 -0500

Whenever we come down with a cold or are just feeling under the weather, we turn to our trusted recipe for Tom Ka Gai from our friend Bob (@hrbrmstr). Hopefully he wont mind me sharing it.

Tom Ka Gai (recipe by Bob Ruids)

16 oz chicken stock
1 tbsp peanut oil
4-5 kaffir lime leaves, shredded (substitute 1 lime zest if no kaffir)
4 or 5 2–inch pieces fresh lemongrass, bruised to release flavor
1 inch cube (or a bit more) galangal or ginger sliced thinly
4 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
4 oz chicken breast cut into smallish bite sized pieces
1 can of coconut milk
1 sliced red pepper (thin strips)
handful of mushrooms, quartered or some button mushrooms
1/2 onion thinly sliced
small red Thai chile peppers, slightly crushed (to taste)
coriander (cilantro) leaves to garnish

Note: Allow the coconut milk rest so you have think and thin separation (in essence, fat and actual “milk”).

Lightly sauté onion in peanut oil until translucent (3—4 min)

Add chicken, lime leaves or zest, ginger, lemongrass, fish sauce, mushrooms and do a quick sauté (1 min).

Add stock, lime juice and thin milk* from coconut milk.

Heat everything through until chicken cooks.

Add red pepper and thick cream from coconut milk.

Slowly mix through until pepper is heated (should still be crunchy).

Add chili peppers and garnish with cilantro.

If you have $5 and like good music, Rosie Thomas’ latest...

Tue, 01 May 2012 10:32:00 -0500

If you have $5 and like good music, Rosie Thomas’ latest album, With Love, is perfect.

Her new songs frame love as an action as well as a condition, sometimes ruefully and sometimes, as on “Over the Moon,” radiantly.

— NEW YORK TIMES

Otherwise, if you have a bit more to spend (on say a Mother’s Day gift) … I would highly recommend checking out it on vinyl.

Image from PRwatch Arthur Kohl-Riggs is running as a Republican...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:01:23 -0500

Image from PRwatch

Arthur Kohl-Riggs is running as a Republican in the Wisconsin recall election primary on May 8. dane101 interviewed the candidate on who he is, what he stands for, and how he is running his campaign:

I don’t think I know what’s best for the State of Wisconsin. I think the citizens of the State of Wisconsin know what’s best for the State of Wisconsin. I think what Walker has shown us in his governing is that he thinks he knows what’s best and he refuses to listen to anyone else. He has a vision and a plan and he will march steadfast towards that goal with no exceptions. He refuses to listen to opposing views. So as governor, I would encourage input from the citizenry. […] I would look for new ways for the citizens of Wisconsin to participate and have a voice in the decision-making of our state. I think inviting outside corporations and outside interests to solve those problems is a recipe for disaster. I think ALEC and the relationship it forms with legislators and corporate interests is a dangerous relationship. If fosters the interest and well-being of outside corporations rather than the well-being of the state, of the people.

More information about the candidate and his platform.

Today is Poem In Your Pocket Day! This Is Just To Say by...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:02:26 -0500

Today is Poem In Your Pocket Day!

This Is Just To Say

by William Carlos Williams

I have eaten
the plums
that were in the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

Just another reason why Wisconsin cows will always be...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:39:57 -0500

Just another reason why Wisconsin cows will always be superior!

A confirmed case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as Mad Cow disease, has been found in a dairy cow in Central California, John Clifford, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief veterinarian, told reporters in a briefing on Tuesday.

Clifford said that no meat from the cow has entered the human food supply, though some dairy cows are slaughtered as beef, and added that a full investigation is under way. Clifford said that the World Health Organization has conducted studies that show that humans are not at risk of contracting BSE from consuming milk.

“Milk is safe,” Clifford said.

Healthy cows come from Wisconsin!

"If this is not the time to speak, when is the time to speak?"

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:56:53 -0500

"If this is not the time to speak, when is the time to speak?":

Mona Eltahawy (center), a prominent Egyptian-born, U.S.-based columnist march in downtown Cairo to mark International Women’s Day in March.

I heard Mona Eltahawy being interviewed on NPR this morning about her essay, “Why Do They Hate Us?” which discusses the lack of women’s rights in Arab countries. After last year’s Arab Spring she is calling for the focus to shift onto the right’s of women in Arab countries. Among many disadvantages and discriminatory acts against women in these countries I was horrified (as was NPR’s Steve Inskeep) to hear that over 90% of married women in these countries have experienced a form of female genital mutilation. The author’s own mother and mother’s sisters were victims of this abuse. These issues need to be exposed in order for something to be done.

And we’re in the middle of a revolution in Egypt! It’s a revolution in which women have died, been beaten, shot at, and sexually assaulted fighting alongside men to rid our country of that uppercase Patriarch — Mubarak — yet so many lowercase patriarchs still oppress us. The Muslim Brotherhood, with almost half the total seats in our new revolutionary parliament, does not believe women (or Christians for that matter) can be president. The woman who heads the “women’s committee” of the Brotherhood’s political party said recently that women should not march or protest because it’s more “dignified” to let their husbands and brothers demonstrate for them.

In the NPR interview Mr. Inskeep asks Ms. Eltahawy why “Muslim religious conservatives obsess over women in this way.”

Eltahawy said women are “vectors” of culture and religion.

“Our wombs are the future,” Eltahawy said. “And if you don’t control the future by controlling women’s bodies, you’ve lost control generally.”

A sad truth. After our own struggle to achieve equal gender rights in the U.S. it seems only right that we should be helping our fellow women. It is not about imposing “Western values.” It is about human rights.

Give (Split) Peas A Chance

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:48:21 -0500

I had a bag of green split peas begging to be used. But I wasn’t in the mood for soup. But searching for split pea recipes left me a bit despondent. For non-soup recipe, twenty were for some version of split pea soup. But then I saw it: split pea hummus! And then (since we were out of bread-like items to dip in the hummus) a recipe for a quick flat bread. (We were also excited because it meant we could use our pizza stone!)

We were pleasantly surprised by the texture, flavors, and the color! (It also packs well for the next day’s lunch.)

Split Pea Hummus (adapted from myrecipes.com)

1 cup dried green split peas
4 garlics clove
1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
1/2 cup onion
1/4 cup olive oil (or more)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
freshly ground pepper, to taste

Bring 3 cups water to boil and add garlic and peas. Simmer for 30 min. Add 1/4 tsp salt and simmer for 10–-15 min longer, adding water as necessary to keep peas from sticking. When tender, drain excess water (if it looks like mush without too much excess water no need to drain). Transfer to food processor. Add remaining ingredients (except olive oil) and pulse several times (scraping down sides as necessary). With the motor running add oil in a slow stream until the mixture becomes creamy in appearance. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.

Makes about 2.5 cups

Rosemary Flatbread (slightly adapted from Eating Well)

1/2 cup white whole-wheat flour
1 cup bread flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
2 teaspoons finely chopped dried rosemary
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1 teaspoon coarsely cracked pepper
1/4 cup greek yoghurt mixed with 1/4 cup milk
1/2-3/4 cup warm water

Thoroughly combine flours, chopped rosemary, baking powder, salt and pepper in a bowl of stand mixer.

Pour yoghurt mixture over the flour mixture and quickly stir it in. While stirring, gradually add water until the dough begins to come together into a soft ball (it will be sticky). Knead gently into a ball adding flour if it becomes too sticky.

Cut the dough into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion of dough into a round and place on oiled plate. Drizzle olive oil on the tops of dough to prevent sticking to plastic wrap. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature for 30 min.

Meanwhile, place a pizza stone or large cast-iron skillet on the lowest oven rack; preheat to the highest bake setting (500-550°F).

Lightly flour a small work area (we used a pizza peel). Roll out dough into a round roughly 6 to 8 inches in diameter (about 1/4” thick), dusting with flour as needed. Place the round onto the hot pizza stone (or skillet). Cook until golden brown on the bottom and light brown patches appear on the top, 6—8 minutes. Remove and slide the flatbread between two pieces of foil to keep warm.

These can be frozen and reheated in a 250ºF oven or for 30 sec in a microwave.

Makes 4 6” flatbreads.

Look closely at this horse trailer. Does it remind you of...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:29:02 -0500

Look closely at this horse trailer.

Does it remind you of anything … familier?

Perhaps an antagonist in Star Wars?

OK, maybe it’s not identical. But when I saw the trailer in my rearview mirror I took a double take. I think the costume designer of Boba Fett hung out with horses.

Thursday Coffee Rain NPR Data...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:33:35 -0500

Thursday

Coffee

Rain

NPR

Data entry

A follow up to getting Americans to start walking [again]

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:12:12 -0500

A follow up to getting Americans to start walking [again]:

Walk [Your City] is a Kickstarter project which seeks to transforms cities into healthier communities by “changing perception” of pedestrians and making use of “way finding” (physical orientation and the time it takes to walk from point A to B):

It is our belief that everyone should have the choice to be a pedestrian in their community. Walking is not scary, but in some cities and places it can seem that way. Beyond the obvious personal health benefits, with more and more pedestrians on the street, the healthier our places become socially, economically and environmentally.

Now this is something I could back.

The science of a traffic ticket

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:07:00 -0500

Attention physicists, you can use math to help defend yourself in court:

After receiving a $400 ticket for allegedly running a stop sign, Dmitri Krioukov invoked the laws of physics to fight the charge. The University of California, San Diego physicist drafted a four-page paper in his defense, arguing that the police officer mistakenly thought he ran a stop sign due to a unique combination of effects.

What would happen if we stopped walking?

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:07:39 -0500

I grew up walking or biking most everywhere. I lived in small towns that were walkable and never owned a car. Yet, hearing that “Americans now walk the least of any industrialized nation in the world” I am not surprised. Compared with my trips in Europe where pedestrians outnumber cars, in the States walking as a form of commuting is rare.

“We’ve engineered walking out of our existence and everyday life,” Vanderbilt says. “I even tried to examine the word ‘pedestrian,’ and it’s always had sort of this negative connotation — that it was always better to be on a horse or something, if you could manage it.”

Though now I sometimes find myself looking for the easiest way to get from point A to point B. And apparently I am not alone.

And while Americans have cut down on walking, they’ve been putting on some pounds. A recent study found that about 35 percent of adult Americans are obese, as NPR’s Shots blog reported in January. That equals “more than 78 million adults and more than 12 million children.”

We are grateful to live in a very bikeable and walkable city. Whenever the weather permits we try to get most places without our car. It’s been a good practice for us to both save money and get some exercise.

Read more or listen to the story at NPR.

Don’t blink. (via Robb)

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:48:46 -0500

Don’t blink.

(via Robb)

John Stewart isn’t the only one concerned with Captain...

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:16:04 -0500

John Stewart isn’t the only one concerned with Captain Planet’s physique at the 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll. Perhaps the First Lady should have encouraged him to participate in The Biggest Looser.

For reference, this is the Captain Planet I grew up watching:

Every time I see the commercials for Titanic’s return to...

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:42:51 -0500

Every time I see the commercials for Titanic’s return to the theater, I cannot justify going because of these 4 ticket stubs from Jan/Feb 1998. (Taken with Instagram at Ticket Stub Diary)

New TOMS (Taken with instagram)

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:48:03 -0500

New TOMS (Taken with instagram)

Did you grow up with the Mr. Men and Little Miss series by Roger...

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:02:56 -0500

Did you grow up with the Mr. Men and Little Miss series by Roger Hargreaves? I came across this adorable font today and had to share. The site is in French, but near the bottom you can download the font for free by the name of “Monsieur et Madame.”