Now for the rest of the news chum, which seems to fit into the theme of doubles and singles — that is, we have a bunch of groupa-twos and a few singlets:
- Family History and Judaism, Intertwined. Two articles present some interesting stories of the juxtaposition of Judaism and families escaping the Holocaust: the first is the retirement of the original owners of Bel Air Camera, a long time institution in Westwood. I’ve known the store for ages; never knew the backstory. The second is the Jewish Community of Seattle, which is dealing with the question of whether to accept Spanish citizenship. The Seattle community was derived from the Spanish Jewish Community, and there’s a long tradition of Ladino there.
- Drought Impacts. First, have you ever through about the impact of letting lawns go gold on the gardners, mowers, and composters? Every winner has its losers. Second, even stronger shower head restrictions are about to go into effect.
- The Times They Are A’Changin’. Virtual car dealers are growing in popularity, while Columbia House files for bankruptcy.
- News Businesses of Interest. Cream opens in Northridge; Nudie’s granddaughter opens a coffeehouse in Newhall; O opens a shop on Etsy with neat stuff at the intersection of wine, wood, and candles; and JT is about to open a kilt store in Pasadena.
- Privilege. Why do men kill their families, as well as torture them in the divorce process. It’s another legacy of male privilege. All of this implied privilege is at the heart of so many societal problems. We’re all aware about the Ferguson case, but a recent This American Life looked at a different aspect. I disgree with the answer: it isn’t integration: it is the white and wealthy privilege that permits the schools in the white neighborhoods to have more, and to have more parental involvement.
- And Lastly: Bagels. Why you should cut your bagel the mathematically correct way.
