Down and Out

The jobless rate continues to rise across the country, with the three biggest jumps in unemployment occurring in California.  El Centro has a 25.1 percent jobless rate - the highest in the nation - followed closely by Merced and Yuba with rates of 20.4 percent, and 19.5 percent, respectively.

The national unemployment rate reached a quarter-century high, in March - hitting 8.5 percent. The recession has been the main catalyst. Reports now claim that the Swine Flu may also be to blame for current and future economic woes, as movie theaters and other public attractions close; and flights are canceled, due to the potential spread of the virus. So far 91 cases have been reported in 10 states. 

According to the CDC, most people will not have immunity to this new virus strain (H1N1) and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.

The CDC offers tips to stay flu-free: 

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Wagging the Hog 

It all seems serious enough, but I can't help wonder: is this a real threat, or media hype? Will the Swine Flu decimate entire communities, killing 40 million people like the Spanish Flu in 1918?  Or is this a campaign to launch a new vaccine to combat the H1N1 strain, which is expected to be tested and released in the coming months? Certainly companies like Roche, Glaxosmithkline and Solvay Biologicals know what time it is.  Currently Tamiflu (Roche's antiviral drug) is being shipped en masse to areas where the outbreak has occurred all over the world. 

Here's a thought: does the U.S. government need us to stay put for awhile for some reason - i.e. recommending we limit travel unless it's necessary - so they can upload their new big brother GPS software that will keep tabs on all Americans going in/out of the country moving forward?  

Or quite simply: is this natural selection at work in our modern-day world?

What's scarier than a pandemic? You tell me.

Make Mine a Double Cheeseburger

Here's a new trend in restaurants across the country, particularly in Los Angeles: high-end dining establishments are going back to basics - cheap food and drinks - in order to stay afloat in today's economy.

Some restaurants are even reportedly "ripping out dining room tables in order to make more bar space," an area in which they've seen increased demand. I find this trend interesting, as many upscale L.A. restaurants for years have included "comfort" food - mainstays like french fries, mac-n-cheese, sliders and the like - as part of their menu; and have convinced diners to pay a premium for them. Now, these items are all part of the "bar menu?"

Come on. What's next? Instead of bread before a meal, offering bite-sized crackers under the guise of "appetizer?" No thanks.

Take a Dive

I've recently re-discovered and developed a deep appreciation for the Redondo Beach Pier. Just a stone's throw from the homogenous South Bay communities of Manhattan and Hermosa Beach, the Redondo Pier is a world all its own. It's a place where a variety of cultures, cuisines and customs fuse together.  Perhaps more importantly, it's home to some of the best dive bars in the city. Here's a sampling:

Naja's Place - hundreds of beers on tap, live music

Old Tony's - for an amazing 180 degree view of the Pacific and a proper drink (ask for the house special: the Firechief) 

Kilkenny's Irish Pub - lotsa' beers on tap. 40 plasma screens - great for sporting events

Starboard Attitude - three words: karaoke AND beer pong. 

The bars are all located within walking distance of one another, so there's no need for a car. They're nestled right on the water, so the views are spectacular. They have friendly, knowledgeable service staff, and sometimes the nightly entertainment's not bad either. This is L.A., after all. Even the amateur performers are good. 

I'm not suggesting taking a first date here, but when you want to kick back with good friends - it doesn't get any better than this.