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Associated Press has reported that FEMA has been selling or/or donating the travel trailers reportedly leeching formaldehyde causing serious illness to occupants already at a loss from the disasters that put them there in the first place -
While FEMA claims to be "reviewing" is policy - "concerns about formaldehyde would not stop the agency from selling or donating surplus disaster trailers" -
Can't they make any decision that "helps" rather than "harms" -
Hot night - 87 degrees and humidity - cool room - refreshing - walk around tasting - 125 guests - plus wine people - plus staff - 7 tables - 19 wines - nice balance -
Most of the offerings were "OK" - a few rising above - one outright Star -
Sorin Mihailovici - Edmonton, Canada - wine enthusiast - student of TV production - has created two videos of interest -
How to Remove Red Wine Stains - and - Open a Bottle of Wine Without a Corkscrew -
While applauding the ingenuity of the corkscrew solution - as an urbanite - have to question - "sans corkscrew" would one have the implements necessary for the filmed solution -
Enjoy -
Last week we learned that FEMA was keeping (paying for) millions of pounds of ice beyond the expiration date - to "take care of the next hurricane....:
This week we learn that tens of thousands of FEMA trailers were leaching toxic formaldehyde and when confronted with complaints of probable poisoning FEMA's general counsel "advised that we not do testing, which would imply FEMA's ownership of the issue.''
What's in store for next week -
7.22.07 - DON"T ASK, DON'T TELL, DON"T BREATHE - FEMA preferred not to know if trailers were making people sick - Stephanie Grace - Times-Picayune
7.19.07 - GRILLING FEMA OVER ITS TOXIC TRAILERS - Gilbert Cruzwashington - TIME
7.22.07 - FEMA LAWYERS ETHICS DOUBTED IN TRAILERS MESS- Advising against toxics test would be wrong, experts say - Bob Egelko - San Francisco Chronicle -
Lobster Night at the friend's Club -
Raw bar - shrimp - crab - oysters - seafood gumbo - massive buffet - fried chicken - roast beef - potatoes - mac & cheese - green beans au gratin - salad - tomatoes - hearts of palm - i.e. you get the idea - lobsters - steamed - split in half - constantly rolling out of the kitchen -
What to drink - a few had hard liquor - for the rest of us -
Highfield Estates - Sauvignon Blanc - Marborough - NZ - 2005 -
Large - cutting - touch of grass - lots of fruit - the producer says lime - I'd leave it as citrus - enough acid to counter the richness on the plate (plates) - without turning it into "an acquired taste" wine - everyone who drank it - smiled - i.e. - perfect white for the evening -
Among the FEMA mismanagement blunders vis-a-vie Katrina - particularly New Orleans - the purchase of 85 million pounds of ice that never made it to the hurricane zone and has been stored at a cost of $12.5 million for two years - despite the fact that its only "good" for three months - when like food - it goes bad -
FEMA reasoned it could store the ice for the next "big one" in direct conflict with their own contract which sets the three month life span for each cube.
In a last ditch effort to be the good guy - FEMA tried to give it away - for free - surprise - no one stupid enough to take up the offer -
Read more - Wasted Ice -
Pre-July 4th BBQ - i.e. - cook outdoors - eat indoors - full blown table set up - no beer - no hearty burgundy - no super chilled two-buck-chuck -
Cos d' Estournel - 1993 - & - Feiler-Artinger Pinot Cuvee Ruster Ausbruch - 1998
Our hostess served Scallops wrapped in Bacon to nibble on - then Steak - Salad - Corn on the Cob - all at a formal table - thank you Steph -
Our host served - Cos d' Estournel - 1993 - wonderful St. Estephe - 60/40 Cab/Merlot - earthy as it should be - very subtle nose - decanted - opened slightly in the glass - smooth edges - mature - don't think I would let this one sit too much longer - very nice against the steak - thank you Gerry -
Desert was another plus - cheese cake - tart plum tart -
My contribution - Feiler-Artinger Pinot Cuveee Ruster Ausbruch - 1998 - pinot blanc/ newburger/ pinot grigio/ chardonnay - noble rot (botrytis) - rich amber in color - wonderful clean flavors - closed my eyes with each sip - regretting only that I did not have another bottle -
Someone suggested coffee - forgetaboutit -
Formal sit down tasting at friend's Club - White Shirt Tasting III - vertical Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2003 - against Chateau Decru-Beaucaillou - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2003 -
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