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Wednesday, April 19, 2017

A Baseball Phenomenon on Kauai..." 'Glenn Mickens' (Kaua'i Island Watchdog)

Glenn Mickens has lived on Kauai  with his wife Ruth for the last 26 years. Born July 26, 1930 in Wilmar, California, USA) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched in four games (two of which were starts) for the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers. He also played for five years in Japan, from 1959 until 1963 for the Kintetsu Buffaloes. There, he compiled a record of 45–53 with a 2.54 ERA.  Glenn also  served in the Army for 2 years and coached baseball at UCLA for 25 years. 
Last but not least Glenn would really like to see Kaua'i give the county manager style of Government a chance.
Above photo of Glenn Mickens courtesy of Kauai Garden island news, used with permission...



A Baseball  Phenomenon   on Kaua'i
Mr. Mickens is locally known
as one of Kauai county's
political watchdogs
and Nitpickers...
Mahalos Glenn!
                 

I would like to bring up a phenomenon that happened here on Kauai in regards to my favorite sport(baseball) that has never happened before nor will it ever happen again. 

The odds of a baseball player---youth, high school, college or minor leaguer ever getting to the big leagues are extremely low. But amazingly enough Kauai had 2 brothers, Tyler
Tyler Yates pitching
for the N.Y. Mets.
Check out Tyler's profile
on his Wikipedia page;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Yates
and Kirby Yates from this tiny rock in the Pacific making it to the major leagues, truly unbelievable! The odds of this happening are probably in the millions or greater and, to my knowledge has never happened before nor will it ever happen again. 


And, another "first" for me was to see the 5'11"- 175 lb Kirby Yates put a 90 mph number on my "slow" radar gun whereas his brother, 6'4"- 235 lbTyler
Kirby Yates pitching for
Tampa Bay Rays.
Check out Kirby's profile
on his Wikipedia page;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby_Yates
at the same age put 87-mph on this gun. Of course with Pittsburgh Tyler was putting upper 90's on the gun but, to this day no one but Kirby has come close to throwing that hard on my gun.

Check out the KHON-TV story on the Yates brothers below;
http://khon2.com/2014/06/08/kauais-kirby-tyler-yates-talk-big-league-brotherhood/

Congratulations to Gary and Jonna Yates for raising two phenomenal young men who have made Kauai proud for their accomplishments and setting the standards for other young ball players here on Kauai. But, as my friend the legendary John Wooden always said, be the best you can be not matter if it is in sports or any other avenue of life. 


P.S.
Check out Glenn's Wikipedia page;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Mickens
Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...
Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen---Blogger-n-chief, dakinetalk blog---

Kapa'a  Sunrise
From my lanai
watching the Sunrise!
i-Phone photo by James "Kimo Rosen

Hana Hou, (Encore) 






Monday, April 17, 2017

"United's nightmare becomes the good doctors fantasy-Epilogue..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #180)


James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer
 and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
with his best friend and spiritual adviser
Photo above of James "Kimo"Rosen
at Chicago O'Hare Airport during a United Airlines
10 hour flight delay back in September 2015.
United only gave out meal vouchers. I wound
up missing my connection in Honolulu for Kauai
and was given a Hotel voucher but had to be back to the airport in
3 hours. They said I had to take the next available flight.
United was not very accommodating.
Finally on my connecting flight the following morning
a Hawaiian airlines jet with a rainbow.
I knew my day would be better!

Kimo's world #180~Blog #1924

Publishers note,
On April 10 I heard of a story on Facebook of a man being dragged by force
with blood  on his face from a United airlines flight. I thought it was fake news.
I  checked on many of the fact checking websites and found it to be true. Since then this story has gone viral world wide. It is a nice diversion from everything Trump. I hope you enjoy my take on this story.

http://www.snopes.com/2017/04/10/passenger-force-united-flight/
James "Kimo" Rosen
Publisher/Blogger-n-chief, dakinetalk blog




United's nightmare becomes the good doctors fantasy
An edited version of this blog appeared in the 4-14-17
edition of the Kauai Garden Island news;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-friday-april/article_af98ecb7-81c9-588f-8f03-02fd7569d90c.html




 Imagine prepaying for a meal at your favorite restaurant, already seated and then being asked to leave in favor of one of the restaurant's employees to be seated for a meal? If you don't leave the restaurant brings in security to pull you out?
https://www.facebook.com/TheConservativePunk/videos/vb.438987046299274/633961390135171/?type=2&theater      (United Airlines Training Video-Funny, check it out!)
A similar scenario recently happened on United airlines overbooked flight #3411 from Chicago to Louisville.
  

Dr. David Dao refused to leave when randomly picked after passengers were originally offered $400.00 to give up their seats which was later bumped to $800.00 and when there were no takers a final offer of $1,000.000 was offered to give up their seat to take a later flight and over night in a hotel and a meal voucher!
http://www.tmz.com/2017/04/10/united-airlines-yanks-passenger-from-flight/
I can't imagine passengers not willing to go on a later flight and be compensated $1,000 plus a  hotel room and  meal voucher  to leave the following morning.  This flight must had been full of affluent and wealthy people with the last name of Trump. I would had jumped on a deal like that.


None the less it looks like Dr.Dao  is going to have a huge pay day  thanks to the person who took the smart phone video that went viral. The good doctor is a poker player and it looks like his  poker move of resisting leaving his seat may have paid off in the millions. 



What becomes a nightmare for United Airlines has become a fantasy dream come true for the good  Dr.Dao. 

I am guessing this will settle out of court to avoid even more negative publicity with reporters at court every day with more headlines. Dr. Dao will probably be offered free airfares for life, stock and a good amount of cash. Good move Doc!

I sure hope the good doc tips the the person very generously who shot the video that went viral.

Now imagine the world without smart phones? What a boring world it would be. 



Epilogue; 
Back in the 1980's a good friend of mine was a travel agent, Herbert has since passed away. I would always book my flights with Herbert and would always ask Herbert to make my reservations on the most over-booked flights he could find.  When I would I get to the gate I would always ask the ticket agents if your looking for any volunteer denied boarders I am  your guy. They would thank me, take my name and call me should they have the need. 

Many times I got an upgrade to first class and there was a period of 3-4 years that I had acquired 7-8 round-trip bumped airfares to anywhere in the United stated including Alaska since most my flights had originated in Alaska.  

I was never offered money in those days. Now if you have the time and the way flights are being overbooked, and if you play your cards right you can make some good cash.

They are now talking about offering up to $10,000 to give up your seat!  I am willing to bet there will be many people playing the same game I played with Herbert back in the 1980's now that the perks have increased for giving up your seat. You can Thank the good Dr. Dao for that!

I only wish I was healthy enough to sit and stand for prolong periods of times, I'd be on the  next overbooked flight to somewhere flying high over the friendly  or even the unfriendly  skies!

An edited version of this blog appeared in the 4-14-17
edition of the Kauai Garden Island news;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-friday-april/article_af98ecb7-81c9-588f-8f03-02fd7569d90c.html
James "Kimo" Rosen
stressed out on United Airlines

September 2015 on a United
flight delayed 10 hours...

P.S.
Here is the footage of Dr. Dao being escorted of United flight #3411.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NFLvNMX2hY

Hana Hou, Encore!


Thursday, April 13, 2017

"A young ventriloquist at the White House..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source of comedy relief!)

Dakinetalk's favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)
Unc's really passionate about creating
 a National day To Help US Veterans
  and their families for their risks
 and sacrifices to keep America FREE . 
'Unc' currently resides on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu. 
He is a retired cinematographer,
 and  enjoys giving the politicians a bad time...

 A young ventriloquist at the White House 


A young ventriloquist is touring Washington DC , one night he's doing a show in the White House with his dummy on his knee, he starts going through his usual dumb blonde jokes,Suddenly a blonde woman in the fourth row stands on her chair and starts shouting, "I've heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes".

 What makes you think you can stereotype blondes that way? What does the color of a person's hair have to do with her worth as a human being? It's men like you who keep people  like me from being respected at work and in the community, and from reaching our full potential as people. It's people like you that make others think that all blondes are dumb !
You and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blondes, but fat people in general... pathetically all in the name of humor !"

The embarrassed ventriloquist begins to apologize, and the blonde yells : "You stay out of this ! I'm talking to that little shit on your lap"!!!

LOL,
Uncle C
PS~And we had two blondes campaign for US president and a blonde was appointed by the blondes of the Electoral College !!! "Oy Vey!" I cry for America   !!! 

Laughter is healing!~ Chester "Unc" Lau


 Hana Hou, (Encore)  Shared From Facebook...






Monday, April 10, 2017

"Why let politics destroy Friendships..?" 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo;s world #179)

James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer
 and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
with his best friend and spiritual adviser Ivanka-Obama Da Dog!
Ivanka is her first name and Obama is her last name
she is  a bipartisan dog!

Kimo's world's #179~Blog #1922


Why let politics destroy Friendships?

Last week I blogged about some of my doubts with President Trump and how I had drank the Trump Kool Aid and that my bromace (sic) was over.
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2017/04/i-drank-trumps-kool-aid-james-kimo.html



I have always had friends from both major political parties. I have always respected every President once elected into office whether I voted for them or not. I am an Independent and have voted both ways. I guess that makes me bi?

This created a frenzy with quite a few of my ex "friends" whom had unfriended me physically and on social media since I was a Trump supporter.  Now there are some whom want to
"kiss" and make up and be friends again?

 I have not replied to them yet, however if they are reading my blog-- I am excited and hope they are as excited for my answer as I was to hear from them?

You guys who called yourselves my friends, whom unfriended me because I had a difference of opinion than you-- without you ever even questioning me. Why? 

This would be like me saying, I can't be your friend because you are an atheist or agnostic because I am a believer in God and you must think like me. Friends that attack you for your political or religious beliefs were never your friends in the first place. It's a free country. (The beauty of America) 

A more profound example, I love watching NFL football and if you despise watching football we can't be friends. 

Your true colors shone,and by your example showed you must have never been my friend in the first place? That's the greatness of living in The United States, our democracy gives us the right to choose.

 I know Trump isn't perfect. I still like some of the things he stands for. I was vetting in my last weeks  blog, letting off steam. I don't need to be told, I told you so, as many seemed to rub it in.


Libs, Be happy I wrote what I did, however fact be told I still like the "The Donald".  Please no more, I told you so comments. I am well read politically and watch a lot of political TV both conservative and liberal-- and in case you were not aware I also publish a blog. I guess your aware if your reading this ;-)

I have always prided myself in having  fiends  from multiple  ethnicity's  and religions. After-all that's what America is, "The melting pot."

To those whom unfriended me for no other reason than a  difference  of a  Presidential  choice, I would like to quote Kevin O'Leary form The ABC TV show "Shark Tank, "You are dead to me!"  (Unless of course you buy me lunch at Costco!)
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2017/03/im-costco-junkie-james-kimo-rosen-kimos.html



To those friends whom remained friends during our differences, you are true fiends. I am proud to call you friend! Hope you feel likewise? 

To quote my father,"you are lucky to go through life and be able to count your true friends on one hand."

Hana Hou, Encore!





More dakinetalk reading on Donald Trump; (Great reading!)
(All Trump related  blogs by James "Kimo" Rosen unless otherwise indicated)
1-Trumped by "The Donald" 'Obama Da Dog' (Special political edition)
2-Trump supporters must come out of the closet! (Kimo's world #118)
3-Trump, the election and the Jewish connection...(Kimo's world #119)
4-Trump-fulling... (Kimo's world #120)
5-A poem about Donald J. Trump...
6- Trumps Failing businesses are his strengths...
7-Extra! Extra! Read All About It!--Trump Hijacks Republican party into Hell
8-Trump and the race for President, a nasty one fueled by the media (Carrie Eckert)
9-Win or Lose, Could Trump Be A Secret Agent For Hillary
10-Raccoon's and Trump~Larry Arruda~(Source)
11-Definition of Trump
12-Hillary and Donald Trump walk into a bakery
13-Kaepernick and Obama, trump this Kool-Aid
14-Hoping one thing will remain after the election
15-Undecided voters
16-Don't be surprised if Mr. Trump is hired
17-Biggest Hail Marry of all time, Obama Da Dog to change name to Ivanka
18-Mazol Tov Mr. Trump!
19-Just Give Trump a Chance
20-Wishing Hillary well and why all the protesting?
21-The election is over (and)Trump is our captain and is on our side..!
22-Trump's Political Chess
23-Who would you rather kiss goodnight, Obama or Ivanka..?
24-Bet you thought I was going to blog about Trump
25-Fake News~It's hard to believe the news these days
26-Heed the words of Michelle Obama
27-Trump era off to shaky start
28-It was a beautiful Inauguration yet I am scared for my country
29-Fasten your seat-belts for the Trump era
30-America's second civil war has begun
31-Immigrant ban and the real definition of civil war
32-TRUMP,The most charismatic man in the world

Friday, April 7, 2017

"The Power of the Kosher Deli..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Friday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York
( A suburb of Buffalo, N.Y.)
 and has worked in the ophthalmology
 field of medicine for nearly 40 years

The Power of the Kosher Deli


We always look forward to our trips to California; not only do we get to visit with our son, but we also get to delight in some delicious deli food. Here in Buffalo, the kosher-like deli has basically fallen by the wayside. Yes since the wonderful Mastmans' closed up many years ago, there has been nothing
like it to fill its shoes. Open from early am to late afternoon the soup was always “on”.
Judy and Steve enjoy
entertaining friends with
Jewish style deli 


I have begun to realize that even more than the great smells produced in the deli such as the half sour pickles and seasoned corned beef – it is the draw of the people who support the deli that is an even bigger draw.

Unlike Buffalo, Los Angeles still has the population to support many delis. At any given time of the day you will find people schmoozing in groups, families and elders gathering to enjoy the great food. It is the combination of “family” that frequent the deli with their stories and comradery  that make it such
Besides Deli, Judy enjoys visiting
with her son Joel during
her recent sojourn to
California.  We hear Joel
is doing great
after a recent heart attack.
Thank God!

an inviting place to eat. It is a common gathering place of the Jews to share stories and enjoy the old world recipes that awaken the feelings of the “good ole days” when life was simple and families were close and lived close by to each other. 

Jewish food, although not the healthiest food on earth, is comfort food in every sense of the word. Who doesn't long for a hot bowl of matzo ball soup filled with thin noodles and chicken scraps. Yes it may be clogging the arteries as it goes down but it warms the “heart and soul” in ways that cannot be replicated.
Judy was hungry and had to eat
part of that matzo ball
before photographing the bowl
of soup. Was it worth it, we asked?
She only gave us an
encouraging smile!

 Our mothers and grandmothers made chopped
liver as a staple to a Friday night dinner-no longer is this the case. Those Sabbath dinners were the culmination of a hard working week and brought warmth to the dinner table.

The smells of all those foods being prepared in the old Kosher delis as I walk in always bring a smile to my face and comfort to my soul. During this recent trip to California, we returned to our favorite deli Morts' that is still located in the town of Tarzana as it has been for the last 60 years.
 The same menu
Judy again was hungry and had to
take a bite of that corned beef
sandwich before photographing it.
Her husband Steve ate the other half
before she could get her iPhone
camera out.  ;-)

prevails and the portions still mega big; we feel we must split a sandwich – mostly because we can't eat the portions that we used to and also from the guilt of eating the heavy food. The smell of the fresh corned beef sandwich calls to me from the moment we walk in and I must have one.

To make matters worse- the deli is connected to a kosher bakery filled with delicacies beyond ones wildest dreams and I must stand in the middle of the place for a few minutes to take in the smells. A plate of Mandel bread samples call to me and I let it melt in my mouth as I chose what to buy for later to snack on.
If you are ever in Tarzana
California place a visit to
Morts Deli, tell em
Judy sent you! And
you read about them in
dakinetalk blog! ;-)


We couldn't leave without buying a loaf of corned rye bread to stuff in the suitcase; they don't make those in this area, as well as cake- like bagels.

Maybe it is just as well that these delis aren't that close by as I would find it hard to control myself and would visit too frequently. As I sparingly eat the food we brought back from our trip I will look forward to my summer trip to re-stock both my yearn for pickled food smells and the Jewish people kibitzing that make me feel at home.



Hana Hou, (Encore)





Thursday, April 6, 2017

" Until infrastructure is in place, no Hokua Place on Kauai..." 'Glenn Mickens' (Kaua'i county watchdog)


Glenn Mickens has lived on Kauai  with his wife Ruth for the last 26 years. Born July 26, 1930 in Wilmar, California, USA) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched in four games (two of which were starts) for the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers. He also played for five years in Japan, from 1959 until 1963 for the Kintetsu Buffaloes. There, he compiled a record of 45–53 with a 2.54 ERA.  Glenn also  served in the Army for 2 years and coached baseball at UCLA for 25 years. 
Last but not least Glenn would really like to see Kaua'i give the county manager style of Government a chance.
Above photo of Glenn Mickens courtesy of Kauai Garden island news, used with permission...

 Editor's note;
Enclosed is a news release that was sent out and Mr. Mickens responded;

Aloha Everyone,    The time is short if you wish to comment  on the proposed development HOKUA PLACE, just South of the Kapa`a Roundabout.  
Hokua Place would be a 769 dwelling subdivision (bigger than the House Lots), behind the Middle School in Kapaa, plus a commercial area, with stores, in an area that suffers from horrific traffic now. Over a hundred residents testified in prior GP hearings against up-zoning, which is necessary for the project to go forward. The Planning Dept. took action to keep the Agriculture Zoning intact in the GP Draft. However, that decision is being challenged by the Hokua Place developer again. We must be vigilant in our testimony in order to support that progressive action of the Planning Dept. Please testify “no up- zoning from Agriculture to Urban”. The development encompasses 14.3 acres, which means that an additional 82.7 acres would also be zoned Urban, meaning many more houses later. 

Publishers note;
My pal, Mr. Mickens was there to testify and was kind enough to supply dakinetalk blog with
a copy of his testimony. I don't know where Glenn get's all the energy to attend nearly every single County council meeting and almost every special meeting on new developments and zoning.   Mahalo Nui Loa Mr. Mickens. I appreciate all your hard work and know others do too. I only wish you would run for public office.    
After reading Mr. Micken's testimony and if you agree, I believe you can still send email testimony to; plankauai@kauai.gov     (Even though if it's late they still have record.)
James "Kimo" Rosen, 
Publisher/Blogger-n-chief, dakinetalk blog


 Until infrastructure is in place, no Hokua Place on Kauai

Mr. Mickens is locally known
as one of Kauai county's
political watchdogs
and Nitpickers...
Mahalos Glenn!
                 

I strongly oppose the rezoning of this agriculture land for commercial use. Sure we need low income housing but any common sense or an EA or EIS would prove that this is not the place to put it. With a potential of 1600 to 2000 more vehicles coming out of this development they only have 2 routes to go---Olohena to Kuhio highway or to the bypass to Kuhio Highway and we all know what a traffic mess these roads can be now at any time of the day.


Hopefully the leadership in our Administration and within the planning department (led by Mike Dehilig who I have a lot of respect for) will leave this area as Ag land and for solar farming which my friend, Kurt Bosart has done with some of this land---clean energy that we all need. 

We need wider roads on Kauai and making use of our cane haul roads like we did with the Kapaa by pass road. Vehicles are and will remain our major means of travel so we must plan for them---not for bikes, buses and walking. 
Until such time  as the infrastructure
is in place with new roads, Kauai
cannot afford a new community.
Our roads are already at capacity.


And, above all else, we desperately need to put a moratorium on ALL future large scale construction until the infrastructure is put in place to handle it. We must change our modus operandi and stop "ready, fire, aiming" which has caused the messes we are in today.

We can start today by making sure that this area is not rezoned. 



P.S.
Check out Glenn's Wikipedia page;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Mickens

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...
Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen---Blogger-n-chief, dakinetalk blog---

Kapa'a Sunrise from Kimo Rosen's Lanai
with use of the PIP App.

iPhone photo by James "Kimo" Rosen

Hana Hou, (Encore) 
Hawaiians and Kamaaina will get the humor