Semla and Other Easter Treats

We were invited for Easter breakfast and again later for dinner. PM is a great cook, particularly a great baker. Here's what the table looked like for breakfast.

PM baked the semlor (plural I was told for semla).  Here's a snippet of what graphicgarden tells us about semlor.

The name "semla" originates from the Latin word "simila", which means fine wheat flour. They are big buns, divided into two and filled with whipped cream and almond paste. Many people like to eat them in a bowl of hot milk, which is the traditional way, while others (including me) prefer to eat them as they are.

 They also have a recipe on the site.

On the table above is a round cake called babka.  Robert Klose in the Christian Science Monitor writes:

Babka! The aromatic centerpiece of the Polish-American table for generations, ours not excepted. In the New Jersey town where I grew up, Tatarowicz's Polish Deli was the source of the manna. I recall Christmases and Easters when the line of eager, restless babka-eaters stretched out the door and down the street. Once inside, the smell was intoxicating, as was the sight of the lightly browned, round pillows of delight, heaped on the counter, warm out of the oven.

Here's a close up photo:

Here's the babka up close.

Juneau Springing

Dance Team is Big at Juneau Douglas High School

We went to see the Dance Team Performances at the JDHS Gym on Thursday night.  The dance team's history includes first place wins at National Competitions and an International Competition in Japan. 

They moved pretty fast, so my pictures aren't sharp as I'd like.

The light dancing in the dark is always impressive.

They went up.

And down.

And there were some performances by a Filipino dance group.

And even the Dad's had gotten pulled in and trained to do a dance routine.

And there was a Bollywood influence as well.

We're constantly amazed at what all goes on in Juneau. 

Juneau First Friday April

This was our third first Friday.  This is a activity we don't take part in at home in Anchorage because we can't just walk out the door and have four or five stops within easy walking distance.

I have to say the variety that we saw Friday was quite amazing for just three show.  Juneau really smart and talented folks.  It was Sue Kraft's "Familiar Places" at the State Museum. All the paintings were local spots.  And some very familiar to us.  Like Observatory Books.

And though we didn't know it as "Metcalfe Manor," this house is so close to where we live, the house we live in is in this picture as well. 

The State Museum even provided jazz for the evening.

 Brian Wallace had a great exhibit of musician photos, including a number which featured the same artist photographed years apart, and I believe most pictures were related to the Juneau folk festival which begins next week.

Then we walked over to the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council where they had a show of UAS students competition pieces.

 Then off to the Canvas. 

I couldn't help playing with the top set of knots once I got it on the computer.

Here's the artist MK MacNaughton.  She'll probably hate this post because I focused on the strings and paper knots instead of her pencil drawings.  Sorry.

Save Paper - Use Japanese Cloth Gift Wrapping

Furoshiki.com tells us that:

Furoshiki is a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that was frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. Although possibly dating back as far as the Nara period, the name, meaning "bath spread", derives from the Edo period practice of using them to bundle clothes while at the sento (public baths). Before becoming associated with public baths, furoshiki was known as hiradzutsumi, or flat folded bundle. Eventually, the furoshiki's usage extended to serve as a means for merchants to transport their wares or to protect and decorate a gift.

Makezine reports the Japanese government wants people to go back to traditional furoshiki  so people will not waste so much gift wrapping paper.  They even published this chart reminding people how to do it.  Not a bad idea.

And here, from StudyJapan , are more detailed instructions.

You can probably make your own furoshiki.  Or you can buy them online from about $10 (for a 27inchX27inch (68cmX68cm) squares up to $290 for larger silk squares at Jun-Gifts.

 Which raises the question of whether the recipient should keep the furoshiki or give it back to the giver?

TraditionsauJapon's quirky English version isn't completely clear:

Furoshiki Etiquette

In Japan it is considered rude to give a gift directly by hands. To avoid a social gaffe, the furoshiki serves to this useful purpose.

However, the Etiquette is a serious thing in Japan, and currently there is a debate about whether a gift wrapped in a furoshiki could not be interpreted as the recipient is then supposed to give back a gift to the original sender wrapped in the original furoshiki. . .

Today in Japan, most guests at a wedding present the gift to the wedding in a furoshiki, but leave at home with their furoshiki to avoid any possible misunderstanding.

 Worthpoint gives a more satisfying answer: 

Proper etiquette requires that the giver unwrap and remove the gift from the furoshiki in the presence of the recipient but without handing the furoshiki over to them. This allows the receiver of the gift to appreciate the beauty of the furoshiki (as well as your good taste in using a old fashioned wrapping cloth) while protecting them from any sense of obligation to give a gift in return should they open the furoshiki themselves and be left holding an empty wrapping cloth. 

But don't believe anything you read online 100%.

Pigeon Eggs, Wolves, and Animal Cruelty Bill

Warning:  This meanders a bit, but it gets there eventually.

HB 6 has passed through the House and is in the Senate Rules Committee, the last step before going to the Senate floor for a vote.  The bill is titled

"An Act relating to cruelty to animals; and relating to aggravating factors at  sentencing involving assaultive behavior and cruelty to animals."

Constitution Says Bill Titles Must Say What is in the Bill
I've learned this session that the Alaska Constitution requires that the names of bills be descriptive of what is in them.

Section 2.13 - Form of Bills.

Every bill shall be confined to one subject unless it is an appropriation bill or one codifying, revising, or rearranging existing laws. Bills for appropriations shall be confined to appropriations. The subject of each bill shall be expressed in the title. . .

One reason is to prevent legislators from adding things into the bill later that have nothing to do with the bill. If they do that, they would have to change the title as well, reflecting the change. And thus others would be alerted that the bill had been altered.



Existing Animal Cruelty Law
I mention this because there already exists a statute addressing animal cruelty and much of that is not changed, except for the penalties.  Here is what already exists: 

AS 11.61.140. Cruelty to Animals.

(a) A person commits cruelty to animals 

(1) if the person knowingly inflicts severe and prolonged physical pain or suffering on an animal;
(2) with criminal negligence, fails to care for an animal and, as a result, causes the death of the animal or causes severe physical pain or prolonged suffering to the animal;

(3) kills or injures an animal by the use of a decompression chamber; or

(4) intentionally kills or injures a pet or livestock by the use of poison.

(b) Each animal that is subject to cruelty to animals under (a)(1) - (4) of this section shall constitute a separate offense

(c) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that the conduct of the defendant

• (1) was part of scientific research governed by accepted standards;  
• (2) constituted the humane destruction of an animal;  
• (3) conformed to accepted veterinary or animal husbandry practices;  
• (4) was necessarily incidental to lawful fishing, hunting or trapping activities;  
• (5) conformed to professionally accepted training and discipline standards.

(d) In (a)(2) of this section, failure to provide the minimum standards of care for an animal under AS 03.55.100 is prima facie evidence of failure to care for an animal.

(e) This section does not apply to generally accepted dog mushing or pulling contests or practices or rodeos or stock contests.

New Language about Sexual Abuse of Animals

Here's the new proposed language (plus there are new penalties) - it should really be called "sexual conduct with an animal":

• (6) knowingly

(A) engages in sexual conduct with an animal; or (B) under circumstances not proscribed under AS 11.41.455, 

(i) photographs or films, for purposes of sexual gratification, a person engaged in sexual conduct with an animal; 

(ii) causes, induces, aids, or encourages another person to engage in sexual conduct with an animal;

(7) intentionally permits sexual conduct with an animal to be conducted on any premises under the person's control.

The Pigeon Eggs 
 So, today I learned that there are two pigeon eggs under the fourth floor stairwell grating at the Capitol Building.  Here's the issue.  The access to the eggs has been blocked by wire.  So there are two eggs which will not be kept warm enough to hatch.  And there are two pigeons that have been blocked from raising their young.   It seems to me that this comes close to: (a) A person commits cruelty to animals if the person knowingly inflicts severe and prolonged physical pain or suffering on an animal; (2) with criminal negligence, fails to care for an animal and, as a result, causes the death of the animal or causes severe physical pain or prolonged suffering to the animal;

So, it is ok to leave an animal with its foot caught in a trap if it is part of hunting.  But if it isn't part of hunting or trapping or science, it's bad.   I was ready to say "obviously" getting rid of animal pests, such as pigeons can become, is acceptable.  Though my animal rights philosopher friends would argue it's not necessarily 'obvious.' Other people feel that pigeons are flying rats.  You'd think here in Juneau with all the eagles around, pigeons wouldn't become that much of a problem.  Except maybe there's enough salmon that eagles don't deign to dine on mere pigeons. I guess the real problem here is that the eggs were left, visible, but unreachable by the parents or anyone else.  It just doesn't look good. 

Wolves
I'll let readers fill this part in themselves. But it does seem to me that "cruelty to animals" is a general concept which presumes that animals feel pain and suffering. If there is a moral imperative to not cause undue pain on animals, it seems that it should apply equally among all animals of an equal sentient level. And if we choose to eat animals for food, we should, as even the bible requires, kill those animals in the most humane way possible. Whether they are domesticated or wild animals. That's my take on it.

Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell is NOT Running for Lt. Governor

I just heard that Lt Gov. Craig Campbell has decided not to run to keep his office.  He did move into the office after former Gov. Palin resigned and Sean Parnell moved into the Governorship.  It also means that Rep. Jay Ramras has one less obstacle in his run for the Lt. Governor position.  He had already raised quite a bit more money than had Campbell.

The mainstream Republicans in Alaska and their oil company supporters that were so inconvenienced by Sarah Palin's 2006 primary and then general election victories (not to mention the FBI investigations,) have been sniping at Gov. Parnell all session apparently hoping to keep him from having any real programmatic victories to take into the 2010 election.  Now they've managed to peel away his Lt. Governor.  It's completely possible, of course, that his explanation - "to pursue other opportunities" - is accurate.  But who is offering those opportunities?  Future events may or may not make this all clear.

Tide's Changing And I'm Feeling Inadequate

Our Juneau sojourn is coming to a close before long.  We're staying until almost the end of the session.  But our daughter's in Berlin for six months and this is a good time to go see friends and relations on that side of the Atlantic, plus our son's in DC, and I have a conference at the end of May which is pushing us to have a much shorter stay at home than I would have planned.

I wandered off to some committees I don't normally go to yesterday and today and I'm a bit overwhelmed trying to write about them.  I went to Sen Resources yesterday and House Resources today.  I'm telling myself that no one can keep up with everything and to relax.  The video will give you a sense of what I listened to for over an hour.

  It's not as though I couldn't understand what they were saying, I just don't know the larger context and history in this area.  The man sitting to the right a Marcia Davis in the video is Acting Oil and Gas Division Director Kevin Banks who I know through the Alaska Returned Peace Corps Volunteers group.  He did say that the goals in setting up tax incentives are:
1.     To find incentives that will affect the behavior the way you want (to develop Alaska oil and gas)  AND
2.      To find the right level of incentive so you are[n't] giving away more than you have to.

Easier said than done, I'm sure.

I've been coming to believe that without the Legislative staff - both the Legislative Affairs Agency and Leg Legal as well as the legislators' individual staffers - and the career staff in the Executive Branch agencies, the state would be in deep trouble.   There are some very knowledgeable legislators and some that I have serious questions about.  But even if they were all good, the shear amount of work and the rapid pace preclude a lot of thoughtful review and analysis. 

I'm not in a position a judge how well the two bureaucrats who were testifying yesterday perform their jobs, but minimally, they know the regulations well.   I was impressed.  

Another incentive discussed was for gas storage.  Rep. Hawker testified on his bill that had just passed the House and was now being taken up by the Senate.  Fortunately, there are people far more knowledgeable on these things than I who are reporting.  Here's the beginning of Wesley Loy's piece in Petroleum News the other day:  

Gas storage bill passes

Alaska House votes 38-0 for act to encourage Cook Inlet gas storage, exploration

Wesley Loy

For Petroleum News

The Alaska House of Representatives on March 24 passed the Cook Inlet Recovery Act, which provides tax credits for construction of natural gas storage projects plus incentives for gas explorers.
The legislation, House Bill 280, could emerge as one as one of the state Legislature’s top energy initiatives for the session, which ends April 18.
The bill addresses a major and increasingly popular concern — a looming shortage of Cook Inlet gas, long the primary fuel for heating homes and businesses and for generating electricity for the state’s main population center including Anchorage.
The vote in favor of HB 280 was a resounding 38-0 with two House members absent. The prime sponsor was Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where similar legislation is pending, Senate Bill 203. Its sponsor is Anchorage Democrat Sen. Hollis French, who is part of the Senate’s bipartisan majority. [The rest of Loy's piece is here.]

Today I sat in the House Resources Committee.  While the topics overlapped somewhat, it was a very different presentation.  Consultant Mary Ann Pease presented a Commonwealth North Report on rail belt energy - particularly the declining natural gas production compared to the need and ways to be sure the need can be met.

This was in the Ramona Barnes Conference room and I sat below this 82 pound salmon.  

And this is just a tiny bit of what's happening.

Juneau Outside Art

Ski art.

Palin Announces Conversion

Boy was I surprised with this NY Times article:

Sarah Palin announced Thursday morning in Rome that she had converted to Roman Catholicism.  Flanked by the Pope and other Vatican officials, Palin spoke for three minutes and took no questions.   In her statement, Palin discussed the importance of tradition and ritual and the solemnity of the majestic robes worn by the clergy.  Vatican watchers were quick to speculate that this move might help to distract from the growing unrest about the Pope's possible  mishandling of pedophile priests.  Will Sarah Palin bring to the Catholic Church what she brought to the Republican Party? 

Palin followers were taken by surprise and some questioned how Palin had found the time to study Catholic doctrine and why she would make such a move just as her celebrity career was taking off.   Usually unreliable sources reported that she will spend the next three months at an unnamed convent.   A spokesman for the Wasilla Assembly of God did not respond to emails or voice messages.   A malleable source in the White House would only say that the President wished the best for Palin and no decisions had been reached on how to repay the Pope.  

Meanwhile,  a Palin Vanity Fair cover has appeared on the internet.