Denrael

I was fortunate enough to take a class today on Contemporary Southwest Cuisine at the Santa Fe School of Cooking.  I’ve long felt that the key to understanding a culture is through its food, and this class totally reinforced that theory. The class was over three hours in length, taught by Rocky Durham who made me re-evaluate everything I thought I knew about cooking classes and a lot about teaching in general. He is a native of Santa Fe who has worked around the world before returning home. The class was filled with loads of information on technique, and some of the history and culture that make up the basis for New Mexico Cuisine. Below is what today’s class covered.

Santa Fe’s unique cuisine melds the region’s rich cultural traditions with new ideas to create a contemporary style of Southwestern fare. You can experience this unique cuisine in depth, including the techniques of master chefs, regional lore and fabulous food: Smoked Pork Tenderloin with Red Chile Cider Glaze, Apple-Pinon Chutney, Tumbleweed of Sweet Potato, Braised Swiss Chard, Chipotle Corn Flan, and Mexican Chocolate Bistro Cake with Fresh Whipped Cream and Toasted Almonds.

If anyone is planning a trip to Santa Fe, I highly recommend taking whatever class is offered. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.

Had dinner last night with a good friend of mine, MF at Rioja in Denver. The restaurant is in the Lodo district on Larimer, and the chef/owner is Jennifer Jasinski. I’ve posted a few pictures up here of the food, and suffice it to say that it’s a must visit if you are in Denver. We had the Rioja Picnic, the Artichoke Ravioli and the Big Eye Tuna with Halibut Ceviche. The flavors were deep and delicious. We chose to eat at the bar which was comfortable and welcoming. The staff there knows the menu extremely well, and did not disappoint. When you are in Denver, make sure and stop by.

Recently I read about Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota, wanting to introduce a Milage Tax.

Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., said he believes the technology exists to implement a mileage tax. He said he sees no point in waiting years for the results of pilot programs since such a tax system is inevitable as federal gasoline tax revenues decline.

 The goal of this tax is increased revenues for the government. Currently Minnesota receives 20 cents per gallon, in addition to the 18.4 cents per gallon that the US Government receives. So, why the increase? People are driving less. As gas costs increased, people found ways to reduce their driving. As the economy has tanked, people have not had work commutes and have driven less. People have switched to more fuel efficient vehicles. What the democrats have been asking for is happening. Consumption is down. Unfortunately that also means that revenue is down for the government. A Milage tax is a way to recoup some of that revenue as opposed to the more sane (and much harder) approach of finding ways to reduce expenditures. While there is talk about a ‘migration’ to a milage tax, I am will ing to bet here and now that you would see this as an addition. When has a tax in place ever gone away. End result is consumers will pay more. More to drive, more for goods transported  over the roads, etc.

So, how would this ‘milage tax’ be implemented. Reading further we see it would be done by implementing GPS technology in the cars. Essentially government surveillance of our driving habits. Already today, black boxes in cars are being used to prosecute drivers. Does anyone believe for an instant that information like this would not be used for programs beyond the ‘milage tax’?

James Oberstar is not concerned with your privacy. He is concerned with replacing the revenue lost from the drop in consumption. When asked about pilot programs to introduce concepts and work out privacy issues, he responded:

“I’m at a point of impatience with more studies,” Oberstar said. He suggested that Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., chairman of the highways and transit subcommittee, set up a meeting of transportation experts and members of Congress to figure out how it could be done.

I urge you to pay attention to what your representatives are doing with your money and your freedoms in Washington. The time to tell them that enough is enough is now. If you are in Minnesota, I urge you to vote with your ballot against people such as James Oberstar who clearly do not have your welfare or freedoms as their core vision.

January 2, and I’m off to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Flying Platinum now which got me the upgrade on Northwest. It was painful doing the mileage runs at the end of last year, but hopefully they will pay off in upgrades and mileage bonuses this year.

Airport Updates.

MSP - Great facilities. I recommend eating at Ike’s in the main terminal. Also, the food court has plenty of workspace with power provided. MSP is a Boingo airport.

MKE - D Concourse, home of Midwest has workstations with power throughout the airport. MKE is a Boingo airport.