THE SIGNAL from David Katznelson
“No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality.”― Shirley Jackson
Tonight is the 5th night of Hanukkah, and for the last five years, that means instead of giving presents, around our family menorah, we each decide to give money to organizations we love. This was partly driven by the fact that celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas in the house, cutting down on the onslaught of gifts just seems like a good idea. But our fifth night has become a way for us to teach our children about philanthropy…what it means, what it does.
I am not sure about you, but we get tons of letters this time of year from organizations looking for last-minute end-of-year donations. Hell, for the organization I run, Reboot, we do the same (and feel free to give to Reboot here. It would be appreciated!). I collect the letters and curate the ones I think the kids might be interested in. After we light up the menorah, we talk about what we want to support. Asher has given to the SPCA since he was four…and they know it and send him personal cards.
This year, my fifth night gift is being given to my favorite governmental institution: the Library Of Congress—directed to the great Todd Harvey and his work at the Folklore Center—which means I will be able to talk to the kids about the work done there during tonight’s conversation.
My night 4 gift was Solomon Burke’s Rock ‘n Soul…an original pressing. It sounds soooooo good.
Dolly Parton: “The Library That Dolly Built”
Dolly Parton’s documentary about her world-class book giveaway program for young children debuted on Facebook this week, highlighting her Imagination Library’s 25-year history and its ties to the great Library of Congress.
Isaac Newton Thought the Great Pyramid Held the Key to the Apocalypse
In figuring out the theory of gravitation, it seems like Newton dabbled in the occult and ancient mysteries surrounding the pyramids. This article paints him like an Indiana Jones character, trying to unlock mythical mysteries…the secrets….to help him understand the scientific problems he was trying to solve.
THE ARTISTS’ ARTISTS 23 Artists Reflect on 2020
This is pretty awesome: To take stock of the past year, Artforum asked an international group of artists to select a single exhibition or event that most memorably caught their attention in 2020.
Jimmy Page demands fair pay for musicians from streaming companies
Thank you Jimmy Page (for everything, including this). Musicians need to get a fairer royalty from the Spotifys of the world. Period.
My ugly but delicious Sweet Potato/Zucchini Latke recipe
(it is not too late to make the ugliest but tastiest latkes this season)
2 cups zucchini, shredded
2 cups sweet potato, shredded
1 onion, shredded
¼-1/3 cup flour
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 -1 teaspoon of pepper
OLIVE OIL IN FRYPAN
-mix all the ingredients together
-heat up the olive oil in a frypan
-spoon the batter into the frypan
-Cook for roughly 4-6 minutes a side (everyone’s frypan will vary in temperature)
-THEY MIGHT NOT SEEM DONE….they might not even seem presentable….but they ARE. Take them off and blow the minds of the ones you love.
