"There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit." - President Ronald Reagan.

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Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Shooting Area

Above, the shooting area before the spools got smashed.by vandals. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I was shown the property I bought in the Whispering Cedars subdivision in Jamestown, New Mexico by the realtor, one of the things mentioned was that there was a shooting area near the community.

It is actually on Cibola National Forest property and set aside for target shooting. It is about a mile west of the community. It is accessible by dirt roads. It is not recommended to drive with low clearance vehicles. My Jeep and Larry Lucier's bus drive just fine on the roads.

Right now, it is likely the roads are too muddy to drive on from the rains and snow we've been getting.

When I first moved here, there were some large wooden spools that served as tables. Unfortunately, some idiot took it upon themselves to smash them. That led me to buy a portable table to use.

There is a tall hill that backs the shooting area. 

Below are two aerial views of the shooting area. The first shows its proximity to the community. The second shows a closer view.




Top 10 Camping Sites In Arizona

Above, Trailer Village at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Believe it or not, camping season is fast approaching. As the days (and nights) get warmer, more people will be venturing out in their RVs or tents. 

Forestry.com has posted a list of the top 10 camping sites in Arizona. 

They begin it with:

As we venture into 2024, it’s time to explore the top 10 camping sites in Arizona that promise unforgettable landscapes and experiences. From the iconic views of the Grand Canyon to the hidden gems in the Petrified Forest, prepare to embark on a journey through some of the most breathtaking outdoor destinations. Pack your gear and get ready to create lasting memories in the heart of the American Southwest.

To see what they are, go here.

Japan Picks 20 Areas As Models For Addressing Overtourism

Above, Nakamise Street in Asakusa, Tokyo is one model area selected. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is a bit weird that after many years of clamoring for more tourists to come to Japan, now that they have more tourists, they're complaining about overtourism.

The Japan Tourism Agency has selected 20 sites they say are "suffering" from overtouism. These sites will be "models" for dealing with the problem.

According to Nippon.com:

Tokyo, March 27 (Jiji Press)--The Japan Tourism Agency on Tuesday selected 20 areas to implement model projects aimed at addressing challenges related to overtourism, or a surge in tourists that negatively impacts the lives of local residents and the natural environment.

In the 20 areas, local government officials and residents will draw up plans in fiscal 2024, which starts on Monday, to ease traffic congestion and raise awareness about tourist manners.

The areas include Niseko in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, Tokyo’s Asakusa and Iriomote Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa.

To read more, go here

7 Top Things to Do in Key West 2024

Above, the Hemingway House & Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in April 2019, a friend and I took a cruise to Havana, Cuba. Along the way, we stopped in Key West, Florida for a few hours.

During the stop, I did some shopping, toured Hemingway Home & Museum and the Shipwreck Museum. 

I wanted to go back to Key West in 2020, but the pandemic nixed those plans.

Wyandotte Daily has posted an article on the seven top things to do in Key West in 2024.

They begin it with:

Key West, a charming island located at the southernmost point of the United States, has long captivated visitors with its alluring blend of history, culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. Steeped in history dating back to the 16th century, the island has been a melting pot of cultures, from Spanish explorers and Cuban immigrants to American conquerors. Today, Key West proudly showcases its rich past through its vibrant streets, historic landmarks, and unique local traditions.

To read more, go here

RV Dump Station Etiquette

Above, Malibu Creek State Park's dump station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As far as I can remember, there was only one time I had to wait an inordinate amount of time for a fellow to finish emptying his RV holding tanks at a dump station. He sure took his sweet time. I felt like using Rodney Dangerfield's line from Caddyshack, "Let's go while we're young!"

Normally, I empty mine at my campsite's sewer portal. But if I went dry camping with no hook-ups or dump station available, I would go to Malibu Creek State Park (when I lived in L.A.) or to Red Rock Park Campground and use theirs. They would charge a small ($5-10) fee.

RV Travel has posted an article on how long should it take for someone to empty his/her holding tanks at a dump station and proper etiquette for using one.

It begins with:

Someone recently asked: “How long is too long when others are waiting behind you at the dump station?”

This caused me to ponder an appropriate answer. How long is too long to occupy a dump station when others are patiently waiting?

“If you’re doing everything properly, you can get the job done in less than 15 minutes without even making a mess.” Says RV blogger Jessica Lipscomb.

I prefer to disperse camp (aka boondock) versus camp in developed campgrounds or RV parks that feature full hookups with sewer. Therefore, I am dependent on public dump stations along my route to dump my holding tanks. If potable freshwater is available, too, I will also refill my freshwater tank while I am there. I am never sure where the next opportunity to do so might present itself.

To read more, go here

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Prepping For RV Camping Season

Above, at the Holbrook (Arizona) KOA Kampground last August. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It'll be likely that I will get my motorhome out of the garage and begin prepping it for the RV season next month. I do have a camping trip already planning for May.

It is still too cold out to do anything. Once the nighttime temperatures go higher than freezing (32°), I will get the RV ready.

RV Travel has posted an article (with video) on things to do while prepping.

They begin it with:

If you stored your RV for the winter, the time has come to bring it out of hiding and start prepping for the RV season to come. In the video above, The Wayward Waggs have tips to help you get ready and “camp like a champ!”

The Waggs took a few months off from traveling over the winter, too, but they are back and getting ready for this season.

To read more and see the video, go here

Leonard Nimoy As Sherlock Holmes


Many on Facebook had noted the late Leonard Nimoy's birthday yesterday. 

I spotted a photo of Nimoy playing Sherlock Holmes in a rather campy stage play in 1976. Alan Sues (of Laugh-In fame) played Moriarty. I shared it. Some people weren't even aware Nimoy played Holmes upon seeing the photo (shown above).

My parents and I went to see the play at the now-gone Shubert Theater located at the ABC Entertainment Center in Century City in Los Angeles. Somewhere around here, I have the program from the show. 

Campy though it was, I found it entertaining nonetheless.

Here's a newspaper advertisement:


Here's the cover of the play's program:



One of these days, I should dig around to see if I can find my copy of the program.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

8 Scenic Desert Road Trips In Arizona

Above, interesting landscapes can be seen in Petrified Forest National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that we're in spring, it is time to think about doing some desert road trips. 

The state of Arizona has plenty of desert terrain to explore by car or RV. TheTravel has posted eight recommended routes.

They begin with:

Arizona’s delightfully diverse desert landscapes are a draw for visitors from all over the world. The expanse of arid terrain, gorgeous scenery, and year-round warm, sunny weather make the Grand Canyon State a road-tripper's paradise. The Sonoran Desert, the Mojave Desert, and the Chihuahuan Desert all cross within Arizona’s border, which gives lots of options for desert road trips through Arizona.

Whether planning one-day Arizona road trips or looking towards spending a longer amount of time on the road, at least one of these Arizona desert road trips will fit the bill and offer amazing scenery. Although the obvious challenge might seem like picking just one, why set limits? Try them all!

Fall and winter are ideal times to visit Arizona, especially when traveling from up north to escape colder weather. If traveling to Arizona during the summer, plan to spend most of your outdoor time very early in the morning to escape the grueling heat. 

To see what they are, go here

Tri-State Clampout At Rice Army Airfield

A few minutes ago, I paid my rub for the Spring Clampout to be held at the Rice Army Airfield in the Mojave Desert of California.

It will be a three-chapter clampout (Billy Holcomb, Lost Dutchman and Queho Posse).


It will be nice to see the gang of Billy Holcomb (Sid "El Mojave" Blumner, et al.) at the doins.

Above, A 1942 aerial view looking north at Rice AAF (courtesy San
Bernardino County Library, via Rick Jackson, enhanced by Bill Grasha).

From Wikipedia:

Rice Army Air Field is an abandoned World War II airfield in Rice Valley of the southern Mojave Desert, located 1-mile east-southeast of the community of Rice. The airfield is located in Riverside County just south of the San Bernardino county line and State Route 62.

Snow: Here We Go Again

Above, a very light dusting, so far. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My cat Sierra woke up a few minutes ago and she wanted me to go with her into the kitchen so she can eat. I also poured myself some coffee.

While there, I looked out the window and saw that we are getting some snow showers.  

I don't know how long they will last, but, hopefully, they will end before our Tuesday morning gathering at the Flying J.

According to the National Weather Service, the forecast for Jamestown today is as follows:

Today
Snow showers likely before 4pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 4pm and 5pm, then a chance of snow showers after 5pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. West wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tonight
A slight chance of snow showers, mixing with rain after 7pm, then gradually ending. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Gas Prices Jumped Sharply

Above, filling up at the Jamestown, New Mexico Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The national average price of gasoline jumped last week.

I noticed that the price for unleaded regular yesterday at the local Flying J was at $3.039/gallon. The last time I checked (last Friday), gasoline in Gallup (18 miles away) was $2.779/gallon. 

According to RV Travel, while demand has lessened, the price of oil is what's driving up gasoline prices.

They wrote:

The national average for a gallon of gas rose 11 cents since last week to $3.52. While demand for domestic gas has been lackluster, rising oil prices helped push pump prices higher. The Midwest may see a bit of a price reprieve, as the large BP Whiting refinery in Indiana is back up and running after being down since February 1.

“Gas prices are a lot like seasonal temperatures. They start to rise with the arrival of spring, said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “And the national average for gas is now higher than a year ago, which we have not seen since late December.”

To read more, go here

Monday, March 25, 2024

Lever-Action Rifle Spin-Cocking

In the meadow shootout scene above in True Grit, Wayne spin-cocked his rifle twice.

Gun experts say not to spin-cock a lever-action rifle because one is liable to shoot himself/herself in the process. It is best to do so with an unloaded rifle.

Owners of lever-action rifles probably won't admit to doing it, but many will try doing so at least once. No, I have not tried it with my Winchester 94.

John Wayne and Chuck Connors used to spin-cock lever-action rifles. Wayne, in Stagecoach (1939) and True Grit (1969) and Connors in the television show, The Rifleman.

Wayne primarily used a Winchester 1892 carbine with an extra large cocking lever loop in his movies.  

In the video below, J.  Wheeler shows how he spin-cocks his Winchester 1892:


Gun Owners of America Steps Into The Spotlight


The National Rifle Association may be in the midst of the biggest load of problems in its long history, but I wouldn't count the organization out just yet.

If the NRA enacts reforms that a recent article in Guns & Ammo advocates, the organization can fully recover.

In the meantime, another pro-Second Amendment organization is filling the void.

According to the Washington Examiner (some snippets):

A Virginia-based gun rights group that had operated in the shadow of the National Rifle Association is quickly rising in rank, growing to more than 2 million members and committed to taking down lawmakers who show any sign of compromise on gun control. 

The Gun Owners of America, which has been around since 1976, has seen a spike in membership following the NRA’s recent fall from grace. 

The NRA was the most powerful gun rights group in the nation for decades but lost hundreds of thousands of members following allegations of fraud and abuse. To deal with the mass exodus, the organization also cut programs that were popular with its members, such as gun training, which led to more people leaving.

On top of that, the organization and its longtime head, Wayne LaPierre, were found liable by a Manhattan jury in a civil case earlier this year. Jurors agreed LaPierre had “violated his statutory obligation to discharge the duties of his position in good faith” and that his actions cost the organization $5.4 million.  

“The NRA is little more than a shell of itself after hemorrhaging hundreds of millions in legal fees,” Joshua Powell, a former top NRA official who settled with the state before the trial, told the New York Times.

GOA waiting in the wings

The GOA proudly pitches itself as the “no compromise” gun group and spent more than $3 million last year on lobbying efforts. It has capitalized on the NRA’s financial and legal woes and emerged as a power player in politics. 

“Obviously, there is going to be overlap, but what I think is unique about Gun Owners of America is that we are the ‘no compromise’ lobby group in D.C.,” Erich Pratt, senior vice president for GOA, told the Washington Examiner. “We have never supported gun control, not even so-called ‘gun control-lite’ like other groups have. Whether we are fighting in the courts or lobbying in the halls of Congress, we are opposing all limitations on our Second Amendment rights. I think that’s what really makes us unique in this.”

To read the full article, go here

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist. 

To start of the week, we have a song has been described as by the "most-famous" one-hit-wonders of all time, Norman Greenbaum. It is "Spirit In The Sky" from 1969.

Greenbaum, a dairy farmer in the Petaluma area of Northern California is Jewish, but the song has "Christian themes".

The song was also the "most favorite" of a late friend, Wellington "Bill" Wilson. The lyrics are on his memorial pamphlet.

From Wikipedia:

Norman Joel Greenbaum (born November 20, 1942) is an American singer-songwriter, known for his 1969–1970 hit song "Spirit in the Sky". The song is one of the most famous and best-selling one hit-wonders of all time.

After the release in 1972 of his album Petulama (named after his home town in California) Greenbaum left the music business and returned to his dairy farm. He returned to the music industry as a manager and promoter in the mid-1980s. 

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Spring Snow Has Arrived

The spring snowstorm has arrived in New Mexico.

Minutes ago, when I headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, I looked out a window and saw that snow was falling outside. It is 32° outside, so it may stick on the ground for awhile.

So, it looks like I'll be spending the day indoors.

A couple of pictures:



Dogs and Carry Permits

This is why they're called "man's best friend".

 


Gallup Gun Show April 6-7

Above, the 2023 Gallup Gun Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Gallup Gun Show returns next month.

Blue Maverick Guns has posted that it will take place at the Community Service Center on April 6-7. A group of us went to the 2023 show and bought a few items. 


It will be worth going to before the New Mexico 7-day waiting period law for buying firearms goes into effect in July.

From GunShows-USA website
Buy, Sell, or Trade Guns, Knives, Ammunition, Optics, Collectibles, Jewelry, and Other Handcrafts Arts.

Spring Storm Moving In

Above, enjoying a brew on Friday.

It seems like every time we start getting more warmer weather, a storm makes its way into New Mexico. It was in the 60s on Friday and Saturday.

This pattern is happening this weekend as a spring storm is moving into the state. I was sprinkling outside what I woke up this morning.

According to KRQE:

Friday afternoon was one of the warmest days so far this year across New Mexico. High temperatures almost hit 70° in Albuquerque with the upper 70s and low 80s in southern New Mexico. Changes are on the way starting Saturday with an increase in cloud cover all across New Mexico. South and southwesterly winds will also pick up across the state. Temperatures will still be warm though despite the cloud cover.

An early spring storm system will move into New Mexico on Sunday. A strong cold front will sweep across the state from west to east Sunday morning. Rain and mountain snow will develop along and behind this cold front, but could skip out on the Rio Grande Valley Sunday morning. Scattered rain and snow showers will continue through the day Sunday with cooler temperatures. The biggest impacts from the snow will be above 8,000′ in the northern mountains. High winds develop Sunday afternoon with potentially damaging wind gusts across southern and eastern New Mexico where 60 to 70 mph wind gusts will be possible. ‘ High winds develop Sunday afternoon with potentially damaging wind gusts across southern and eastern New Mexico where 60 to 70 mph wind gusts will be possible.

To read more, go here

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Planning And Preparing For A National Park Trip

Above, North Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I was a teen of 14, I have been to numerous national parks over the years. Planning for a national vacation (usually camping) had become second nature and since I have a motorhome, I don't have to pack so much as most of what I need is already in the RV.

Planning and preparing for a national park trip is the topic of an article in National Park Traveler. It has many tips what are useful.

It begins with:

During my February visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado, I remember sitting in the rental car after braving that incessant, freezing winter wind, eating a snack and thawing out with hot coffee from a thermos. Scanning the parking area, I noticed a young couple in their 20s parked beside me preparing to explore the area. Unlike me, covered head to toe in wool and insulated down and looking like a colorful version of the Michelin Man, this young man wore flared jeans and a jean jacket over his hoodie. His travel partner wore a hoodie over her multi-colored Lycra tights. Both wore sneakers. Each threw a blanket over themselves before advancing into that wall of freezing wind. I’m not certain 10 minutes even passed before I saw those same two scurrying back to clamber into their vehicle and drive away. Were they just acting on a spontaneous whim to quickly check out Great Sand Dunes, or had they intended a further exploration, realizing too late they had not thoroughly planned for winter’s bone-chilling elements?

Nowadays, a visit to a unit of the National Park System requires at least a minimal amount of planning and preparation. Some park units require timed entry reservations, lodging and campsite spots fill up faster, tours sell out quickly, and available rental vehicles might be hard to come by for a specific date. Whether you fly, drive, cruise, or ride the rails, planning ahead for your national park travel avoids these above-mentioned issues and ensures a smoother, more enjoyable stay.

To read more, go here

Prime Rib Night At Fire Rock

Above, at Cheii's Restaurant at Fire Rock Navajo Casino.

Last evening, I was joined by the Luciers at Cheii's Restaurant at Fire Rock Navajo Casino outside of Gallup.

On Fridays, the restaurant has a prime rib special. As far as I know, Cheii's is the only place in the Gallup area with prime rib. 

I got there a little bit early. I noticed that the casino moved the table games. So I used the extra time to see where they were moved to. They are located near the food court on the west end of the casino.

After finding the table games, I headed over to Cheii's and the Luciers were already seated in the dining room.

All in all, it was an enjoyable evening.

Friday, March 22, 2024

Ye Preposterous Plate of Brasse

Above, Sir Francis Drake, by Nicholas Hilliard, 1581.

An internal joke between members of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus became, unintentionally, perhaps the greatest practical joke ever devised by the Order.

That was the forgery of the plate of brass by explorer Sir Francis Drake.

From Wikipedia:

The so-called Drake's Plate of Brass is a forgery that purports to be the brass plaque that Francis Drake posted upon landing in Northern California in 1579. The hoax was successful for 40 years, despite early doubts. After the plate came to public attention in 1936, historians raised questions regarding the plate's wording, spelling, and manufacture. The hoax's perpetrators attempted to apprise the plate's finders as to its origins. Many presumed the plate to be authentic after an early metallurgical study concluded it was genuine. In the late 1970s, scientists determined that the plate was a modern creation after it failed a battery of physical and chemical tests. Much of the mystery surrounding the plate continued until 2003, when historians advanced a theory about who created the plate and why, showing the plate to be a practical joke by local historians gone awry. The plate was acquired by and is often on display at the Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley.

The plate that came to light in the 1930s matched the description in the historical record in many ways. It was made of brass, with lettering that appeared to have been chiseled into its face. There was the hole for a sixpence coin, and the text contained all the content that Fletcher described:
BEE IT KNOWNE VNTO ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS.
IVNE.17.1579
BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND IN THE NAME OF HERR
MAIESTYQVEEN ELIZABETH OF ENGLAND AND HERR
SVCCESSORS FOREVER, I TAKE POSSESSION OF THIS
KINGDOME WHOSE KING AND PEOPLE FREELY RESIGNE
THEIR RIGHT AND TITLE IN THE WHOLE LAND VNTO HERR
MAIESTIEES KEEPEING. NOW NAMED BY ME AN TO BEE
KNOWNE V(N) TO ALL MEN AS NOVA ALBION.
G. FRANCIS DRAKE
(Hole for sixpence)

According to the 2002 account, the plate was intended to be a joke among members of a playful fraternity of California history enthusiasts, the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus ("ECV"). The ECV had originated during the 1849 California Gold Rush and was revived in the 1930s by Carl Wheat, George Ezra Dane, and Leon Whitsell as a fraternity of historians and Western lore enthusiasts. ECV describes itself as "dedicated to the erection of historical plaques, the protection of widows and orphans, especially the widows, and having a grand time while accomplishing these purposes." Pranks at fellow Clampers' expense were a regular part of the group's activities.

George Ezra Dane, an ECV leader, was blamed for initiating the hoax as a joke intended for fellow "Clamper" Herbert Bolton to find. The plate was likely made by George Clark in his workshop in 1917 working with Bolton's design.

Above, the Plate of Brass.

To read more, go here

True Grit Cafe To Get New Owner

Above, the True Grit Cafe. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During three trips to the Ridgway, Colorado area, I have dined at the True Grit Cafe in Ridgway. The restaurant was built next to a location of the movie True Grit (1969) where John Wayne unloaded a horse-drawn paddy wagon of prisoners and a painted sign is on a wall in the scene. 

Above, the scene from True Grit. The sign is at right in the background.

I was last there in September when I volunteered to help with the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's "Grit Series" marathon. I tried their salmon dinner, which was great.

Previously, I tried out their chili bowl and it was also great. 

Above, the painted wall sign from True Grit in the bar area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The restaurant is about to change ownership, but the traditions of it will remain the same.

From the restaurant's website:

RIDGWAY, Colo. (KREX) — The True Grit Cafe, built in 1985, has always been a tribute to John Wayne and his movie “True Grit,” filmed in Ouray, Ridgway, and Telluride. While they get ready to change ownership, the new owner says the name and traditions will stay the same.

A day before, I asked the current owner if it is true they are selling the restaurant and this was the reply:

Yes. The day to day operations. I will stay on as an employee managing the catering. This allows me more freedom to spend time with the Grandkids!
Above, Mitch Geriminsky and I at the True Grit Cafe in September 2020.

The True Grit Cafe is loaded with John Wayne movie memorabilia and they are worth walking in to see alone. The aforementioned painted wall of the movie can be seen in the bar area. In fact, the restaurant was built around the sign in order to preserve it.

Above, there's plenty of John Wayne movie memorabilia to see. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more information on the True Grit Cafe, go here

SS Dominator Shipwreck

Above, the SS Dominator wrecked at Rocky Point at Palos Verdes Peninsula, circa 1961.

Back in the first half of the 1960s, we used to go fishing with my grandfather. He had an Elgin outboard boat (from Sears). 

We would head out from either Norm's Landing near San Pedro or from King Harbor in Redondo Beach. When we headed out from King Harbor, we would head out near Palos Verdes Peninsula. While heading near Palos Verdes, we would go by the shipwreck of the SS Dominator.

Back on March 13, 1961 (definitely not a lucky day), the SS Dominator, a freighter, ran aground at Rocky Point at Palos Verdes Peninsula.

From Wikipedia:

SS Dominator, a freighter, ran ashore on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the South Bay area of California in 1961 due to a navigational error while lost in fog. Its remains can still be seen today and serves as a point of interest for hikers and kayakers.

Over the ensuing years, ocean waves pounded the wreck so that very little of it remains visible today. For several years after it ran aground, it could be seen from Redondo, Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches.

This blog post was prompted by the above photo posted on Facebook.

5 Reasons To Invest In Silver Bars and Coins

Above, 2024 American Silver Eagles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Despite the gaslighting news media and His Fraudulency Joe Biden say, the economy is not in great shape.

There is a way to hedge one's finances against inflation. That's buying silver.

At least that is what CBS News is saying in a new article.

They begin with:

Investors are facing a fair share of economic challenges right now, including persistent inflation and the high interest rates meant to temper it. And, there are other factors, like geopolitical conflicts and ballooning government deficits, that are further impacting the economy and the investing landscape. 

Today's unusual economic climate has, in turn, led many investors to look for ways to diversify their portfolios to protect their wealth and portfolio returns. One of the best ways to do that is to invest in safe-haven assets, like precious metals, to help offset losses from other investments. 

While gold historically takes center stage in terms of precious metal investing, silver can also offer a unique value proposition. That's because, like gold, silver has long been a hedge against economic turmoil — and there are other good reasons to consider adding it to your portfolio today, too.

To read more, go here.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Nice Day For Jeepin'

Above, after my drive today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since today is supposed to be clear out with only a few clouds and the temperatures in the 50s, I decided to go into Gallup this morning to do some grocery shopping.

After that was all done and unloaded at home, I switched vehicles and went down to the Flying J in the Jeep to get my mail. Afterwards, I cruised around the subdivision for awhile. 

It was nice driving around. Nandoh was out and about on his Harley. 

Tomorrow, the gang is supposed to meet up for dinner at Cheii's Restaurant at the Fire Rock Navajo Casino. On Fridays, they have their prime rib special. Everyone is looking forward to that. Had I known about their St. Patrick's Day Special of corned beef and cabbage, I would have headed there for that. I guess you can't win them all.

Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest will reopen to vehicles around 10 days from now. Lookng forward to it.

Illegal Aliens Have Second Amendment Rights, Judge Rules

The world is getting crazier and crazier.

A judge appointed by Barack Obama in Illinois ruled that illegal aliens have Second Amendment rights like U.S. Citizens. 

Since we all have to go through a background check when purchasing a firearm, how will illegals be checked for criminal histories? Does our system have access to criminal records of foreign countries?

Newsweek reported:

A judge this month dropped gun charges against an illegal migrant in Illinois, sparking further debate about the rights associated with the Second Amendment.

U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Coleman of the Northern District of Illinois referenced lower court rulings in dismissing firearm possession charges against Heriberto Carbajal-Flores, who was illegally or unlawfully in the United States when he possessed a handgun in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago on June 1, 2020.

"The Court finds that Carbajal-Flores' criminal record, containing no improper use of a weapon, as well as the non-violent circumstances of his arrest do not support a finding that he poses a risk to public safety such that he cannot be trusted to use a weapon responsibly and should be deprived of his Second Amendment right to bear arms in self-defense," Coleman, who was appointed under President Barack Obama, wrote in her eight-page ruling filed March 8.

To read more, go here

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Las Vegas Better Deal Under The Mob?

Above, looking south on the Las Vegas Strip. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've been catching up on 1990s movies in all genres.

The latest was the 1995 Martin Scorsese movie, Casino. It stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone and James Woods.

It is based on real-life events that led to the downfall of the Mafia's control of Las Vegas casinos.

The movie's synopsis:

In early-1970s Las Vegas, low-level mobster Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) gets tapped by his bosses to head the Tangiers Casino. At first, he's a great success in the job, but over the years, problems with his loose-cannon enforcer Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), his ex-hustler wife Ginger (Sharon Stone), her con-artist ex Lester Diamond (James Woods) and a handful of corrupt politicians put Sam in ever-increasing danger. Martin Scorsese directs this adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi's book.

The real-life hotel the Tangiers Casino was based on was the Stardust Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. It is quite entertaining. The senator in the movie (played by Dick Smothers) was based on Sen. Harry Reid (so I've been told). 

My grade on the movie: A-.

The movie got me thinking: Was Las Vegas better when it was run by the Mafia?

Back in 1973, two friends and I spent spring break in Las Vegas and I came home with half of what I brought with me. I did well at the Hacienda Hotel's roulette tables. Food was cheap. I have the feeling that others do that Las Vegas was a better deal when it was run by the mob than with the greedy corporations who run it now.

Here's some snippets on this from an article in the Las Vegas Sun:

Things were better when the Mob ran this town. We hear this often enough to make it almost a cliché, and with last week’s opening of the Mob Museum, er, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, it seems like an argument worth examining.

Also, think of the extreme irony of claiming there was less crime when the Mob ran the town. “They were out doing burglaries!” Green quipped, referring to the “Hole in the Wall Gang.”

As I learned at the museum, which opened Valentine’s Day on Stewart Avenue downtown, the skim at the Stardust was $7 million per year; at the Flamingo, it was $36 million from 1960 to 1967; at the Tropicana it was $150,000 per month. That money was stolen from the community and sent to criminal gangs back East.

(Given the events of the past few years, I can appreciate that, for many people, banks vs. organized crime is a close call.)

As Sloan notes, cocktail waitresses, bartenders and maître d’s made great money in Mob days, in part because the IRS wasn’t as rigorous about collecting taxes on tips. The casinos didn’t have to report when someone won a big jackpot, and let’s remember that there was no competition from Atlantic City or anywhere else.

As for the food? If you look hard, you can still find a $7 prime rib dinner, though I’m not sure why you would. Our food these days is more expensive, but it’s also far better.

From the Texarkana Gazette:

But over the years, the old guys died off and successful prosecutions ran off much of the hidden ownership of the gambling clubs.

And that's too bad-at least in my opinion. The mob knew how to run a casino.

They expected the casino to make money and didn't care if the rest of the place showed a loss. Give enough play at the tables and everything was free. But even the low-rollers who stuck to the nickel slots got a cheap room and cheaper meals. Drinks were free at the tables and machines and didn't cost much more at the bars.

Today, the odds of winning are worsening. One now has to bet more to win less.

From the Daily Mail (U.K.):

Gamblers are wagering more than ever in Las Vegas as casinos increase odds and reduce payouts in some of the most popular games.

Blackjack losses on the Strip were nearly $1 billion last year, according to official figures - the second highest on record after 2007.

The increase comes as casino bosses attempt to draw in 'higher value customers' while players with less cash to wager are priced out.

Roulette has also had odds increased in many places. The number of triple-zero tables - which add another slot to the wheel and increase the odds of hitting a chosen number - has increased.

Minimum bets are also rising, meaning players must risk more cash to play games.

The changes, reported in an analysis by the Wall Street Journal, also come as the overall price of a vacation to Las Vegas increases, with costs at hotels and restaurants also on the rise.

These days, I rarely go to Las Vegas. When I do, I don't gamble as I used to. I rarely go gambling at the local Red Rock Navajo Casino in Gallup. I just go there for their prime rib special on Fridays.

Visitors To Japan Surge In February

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Inbound tourism to Japan is still surging according to an article posted by Kyodo News.

They reported:

TOKYO - The number of foreign visitors to Japan rose 89.0 percent in February from a year earlier to about 2.79 million as it continued to rebound from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Tuesday, although visitors from mainland China only showed a limited recovery.

The figure represents a 7.1 percent rise from the same month in 2019 when there was no impact from the pandemic, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

The largest number of travelers came from South Korea at 818,500, up 14.3 percent from pre-pandemic levels, followed by those from Taiwan at 502,200, up 25.6 percent.

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