Are You a Dim Sum Enthusiast? Indeed, I AM!

LEFT-OVER of our Dim Sum Lunch ( mostly vegetable dishes) last month in San Ramon, CA 

Last Month, Dinah, Alix, Brendan and I were in the Mall at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, enjoying a late Dim Sum lunch. Besides the basic Seafood(Shrimp and Crab) and Meat (Pork and Chicken) offerings, this was my first time I enjoyed vegetable dishes prepared and served the Dim Sum way.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-sunday-escapade-from-my-gilded-cage.html

While talking to some of my co-residents here at THD, I was surprise that a few of them are not familiar with this gastronomic delight that I really enjoyed.  So this is the reason for this posting.

Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal made up of small plates of dumplings and other snack dishes and is usually accompanied by tea. Similar to the way that the Spanish eat tapas, the dishes are shared among family and friends. Typically dim sum is consumed during brunch hours — late morning to  lunchtime. During the weekend, the best Dim Sum restaurants are usually crowded. So be patient and enjoy your meal in spite of the noise and huge crowds.  Do not forget to order your favorite tea. 

Photo Credit: Carlos Avila_His Favorite-Baked Pork Barbecue Buns, Shumai and Dumplings

If you want to try this gastronomic adventure for the first time, here is the basic and popular Dim Sum dishes. I suggest you try.  

Dim sum dishes include an assortment of seafood, meat, and vegetable dishes that are prepared in various ways: steamed, fried, or baked.

Here’s a list of some of the most popular dishes to get you started:

Shumai (siu mai, shao mai)—These are thin, round wrappers in a cup shape and hold a filling — usually of pork, shrimp, or a combination of the two — and often a small amount of vegetables like bamboo shoots, black mushrooms, and water chestnuts.  (Jessica Spengler/ Flickr)

Shrimp dumpling (har gow, xia jiao)— One of the most popular dishes at dim sum, these are chunks of shrimp encased in a thin translucent dumpling wrapper and served in a bamboo steamer. (Charles Haynes/ Flickr)

Soup dumplings (xiaolong bao) — Commonly referred to as ‘soup dumplings,’ these delicate items are filled with hot broth and pork and are served in a bamboo steamer. Though these are originally from Shanghai, their national popularity has secured their status as a dim sum staple. (Ted Murphy/Flickr)

BBQ pork buns (charsiu bao, chashao bao)— These are fluffy, bready white buns stuffed with sticky and sweet barbecue seasoned pork and served in a bamboo steamer. (Kate Hopkins/Flickr)

For complete details visit this site:

https://asiasociety.org/reference/what-dim-sum-beginners-guide-south-chinas-traditional-brunch-meal

Here's a list of the Best Dimsum Restaurant in Walnut Creek 

  best dim sum walnut creek

 My Recommended Dish for first timer from Modern China Cafe is their DIM SUM PLATTER / $16

(Two of Each: Siu Mai, Har Gow, BBQ Pork Bun, Vegetable Dumpling)

Location: 1525 North Main St., Walnut Creek, Ca 94596. Tel # 925-988-8008

Here's the difference between, dumplings, Momos and Dim sums. Dumplings are balls of flour filled with a stuffing. Momos are also dumplings that contain some form of filling, be it vegetarian or meat. Dim sums are small snacks in Chinese cuisine that are eaten for lunch. They too have fillings covered with dough, but the dough is semi- or completely transparent. 1525 N. Main St.BonB

Walnut Creek, CA 94596

925-988-8008

Today is the 82nd Year Anniversary of the Bombing of Pearl Harbor

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/12/82nd-year-anniversary-of-bombing-of.html

Travel with Me to Belfast, North Ireland via Ditas Photos

Ditas at Queen's University, Belfast, North Ireland

Last week, Ditas was in Belfast, North Ireland to visit Carenna doing her Fall Semester Scholarship Term from Queens University.  Before going back to the US, Ditas had taken a few days to visit some of the tourist spots of Belfast and surrounding areas. Later Ditas will fly to India for another 2 weeks of vacation prior to their return to Washington DC, while Carenna is finishing her Fall term at Queens University.  Here are some photos they took around Belfast for your viewing pleasure. 

    

Meanwhile the Meet and Greet Event yesterday from Hillendale Home Care Partnership with THD yielded a few gifts as follows:

This partnership insures that THD residents home care needs is meet without moving into another assisted-living community. 

The Three New Members of the THD Management Team

The last few months, THD had hired  three new employees in the Management Staff. The first one hired was Teresa Nudo. She was hired to assist Jenny Shively in Leasing. Just recently with the departure of Lisa Bellini, Teresa has now two titles as Resident Liaison /Leasing Assistant.  

The second employee hired by THD is Deanna de los Reyes Ramos. She was hired as Barbara Simpson, (THD Director),  Administrative Assistant. Deanne originally resided from the Philippines, so she is my former country mate. Welcome to THD, Deanna.

The most recent hired is Galen Corson.  She was hired as Activity Director working with Karen Koff. 

The biographies of Teresa, Deanna and Galen will be posted in my blogs in the near future.

The three new employees have joined the THD Team headed by Barbara Simpson. They are dedicated to providing senior residents with the best possible quality of life. According to Simpson Message in the  Recent Newsletter, THD mission is to help its residents stay healthy, active, and engaged through activities and programs that promote physical fitness and mental well-being. 

Barbara wrote in her message, that with the help of her THD management team, she hope she can create an environment where senior residents can enjoy social interaction while still exercising their independence by participating in activities they love. 

On November 20, The Heritage Downtown was thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Hillendale Home Care, a top-rated leader in home health care! This alliance allows THD to bring professional, compassionate, and personalized health care directly into the comfortable surroundings of an active senior living community. This partnership will enhance the residents' quality of life while encouraging and supporting their independence.

This Tuesday at 2PM you are all invited to Meet and Greet Hillendale Home Care Employees  Here at THD.

Speaking of An Activity that improves the Quality of Life here at THD, last night Hanukkah Celebration is an excellent example of that event that indeed improved the residents well-being. The beautiful baritone voice of Dick Botton singing the Impossible Dream evokes pleasant memories of my younger years. The Latke and donuts with jelly fillings served were authentic jewish delicacy added to the joyous atmosphere of the event. Invite me Dick to your next event, if you sing Impossible Dream again. Thank You Dick and Linda Botton and your Family for sponsoring a beautiful and joyful Hanukkah Celebration here at THD.  Shalom!!! Peace, Love and Light!

Here are some Photos taken by Karen K at the Hanukkah Celebration:

 

 

 

   

Introducing a US Congressman with Filipino Ancestry

Ditas, my youngest daughter and Congressman Bobby Scott of Virginia

Some time ago, a neighbor from Fair Oaks, CA asked me if I know of any members of the US congress who has filipino ancestry. A similar question was asked of me here at THD the other day. By some rare coincidence, Ditas my youngest daughter who works for the Bureau of Census 💥in Washington DC, send me recently her photo with Congressman Bobby Scott from Virginia. ( see photo above).
💥https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/ditas-katague-appointed-associate-director-communications.html.

Here's what Congressman Bobby Scott said last year during the Celebration Of Filipino American History Month  

“As the only currently serving member of Congress with Filipino ancestry and co-chair of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to celebrate Filipino American History Month,” said Congressman Bobby Scott.

Here's also an excerptfrom his biography mentioning his Filipino heritage. 

Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott has represented Virginia's third congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993. Prior to his service in Congress, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1978 to 1983 and in the Senate of Virginia from 1983 to 1993. 

During his tenure in the Virginia General Assembly, Congressman Scott successfully sponsored laws critical to Virginians in education, employment, health care, social services, economic development, crime prevention and consumer protection. His legislative successes in the General Assembly included laws that increased Virginia's minimum wage, created the Governor's Employment and Training Council and improved health care benefits for women, infants and children.

His 1992 election to Congress gave Congressman Scott the distinction of being the first African-American elected to Congress from Virginia since John Mercer Langston’s election more than 100 years earlier during the Reconstruction era.💥 Having a maternal grandfather of Filipino ancestry also gives him the distinction of being the first American with Filipino ancestry to serve as a voting member of Congress.

In the 118th Congress, Congressman Scott serves as the Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce—his fifth term as the Committee’s Democratic leader. Throughout his tenure, he has advanced legislation that improves equity in education, frees students from the burdens of debt, protects and expands access to affordable health care, ensures workers have a safe workplace where they can earn a living wage free from discrimination, and guarantees seniors have a secure and dignified retirement. Congressman Scott also serves on the Committee on the Budget where he is a leading voice on fiscal policy. 

During the 116th and 117th Congresses (2019-2023), Congressman Scott served as Chairman of what was then called the Committee on Education and Labor. As Chairman, Congressman Scott spearheaded critical parts of Congress’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through several COVID-19 packages—including the American Rescue Plan Act—Congressman Scott’s efforts saved the pensions of over one million workers and retirees; reduced the number of uninsured Americans to record lows; significantly reduced child hunger across the nation; and delivered the single largest investment to K-12 schools in U.S. history to help schools reopen safely and make up for lost learning time. Notably, Congressman Scott has championed several other landmark bills in the House of Representatives—including the Every Student Succeeds Act, the Raise the Wage Act, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, theEquity Inclusion and Enforcement Act, and theJuvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017, which included key components of Congressman Scott’s Youth PROMISE Act. 

Congressman Scott has also served on the Committee on the Judiciary, and he remains a leading voice in Congress on the Constitution and reforming our nation’s criminal justice system. 

During his tenure as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, Congressman Scott authored several bills to improve and reform our nation's criminal justice system. He sponsored the Death in Custody Reporting Act, which enhances transparency and accountability for law enforcement by requiring state and local law enforcement agencies to report to the U.S. Department of Justice data on how many individuals die annually in custody or during arrest. In 2010, Congressman Scott successfully led efforts in the House to pass the Fair Sentencing Act, one of the first successful reductions in a federal mandatory minimum sentence in decades that reduced the unfair sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. In 2015, he worked across the aisle to sponsor theSafe, Accountable, Fair, and Effective (SAFE) Justice Act, of which several important provisions were included in the bipartisan First Step Act signed into law by President Trump in 2018 .💥

Do you know of anyone else in the US Congress who claims to have Filipino Ancestry? I will be glad to hear from you. 

Meanwhile I am reminding you of two special events this Afternoon::

1:25 PM 49er' s vs Eagle NFL. Fox

4:00 PM Hanukkah Celebration Newton's THD.  

Related Article:

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/12/04/opinion/columns/fresh-off-the-vote/1922678

Welcome December -Hanukkah Celebration Here at THD

Today is December- Month of My Birth, Christmas and Hanukkah Holidays. Welcome, December!!  This coming Sunday, December 3, at 4PM I sign up to attend my first Hanukkah Celebration in my almost 89 years here in Planet Earth ( see Flyer Above). THD Staff send me a Christmas Card that I receive this morning, Thank you, THD Staff and Management for your birthday Greetings.  The Birthday Celebrants for December are listed below:

Now with the Hanukkah Celebration:   It will be hosted by a co-resident and loyal reader and commentator of my blogs, Cantor/Rabbi Richard Botton. There will be music accompaniment by Charlie Barreda. Latkes and wines will be served. Looking forward for the event. 

Latkes are type of potato pancake or fritter in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine that is traditionally prepared to celebrate Hanukkah. Latkes can be made with ingredients other than potatoes such as cheese, onion, and zucchini.    I am a Roman Catholic, so I am not familiar with Jewish Holidays and Celebration. This event will be my first experience of a Hnukkah Celebration and I eagerly looking forward to attending it.

For those of you who are not familiar with the word Hanukkah, here's a definition from Wikipedia.  

Hanukkah, (Hebrew: “Dedication”) is Jewish festival that begins on Kislev 25 (usually in December, according to the Gregorian calendar) and is celebrated for eight days. Hanukkah reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival. Although not mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, Hanukkah came to be widely celebrated and remains one of the most popular Jewish religious observances. The following are the eight traditions during the Festival of Lights during the Eight Days of Hanukkah. Giving of Gifts is similar to the Christian Christmas Celebration of Giving Gifts. 

What is the story of Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is a joyous Jewish holiday that recalls an ancient miracle after a hard-fought victory over religious oppression. The historic event sparked Hanukkah traditions that last to this day.

In the first century B.C.E., Greek rulers banned Judaism. They tortured and persecuted those who dared practice and desecrated the holy Second Temple in Jerusalem, even sacrificing a pig and installing a statue of Zeus inside. A small band of Jewish warriors, led by Judah Maccabee, rebelled. When the battle was won, the Maccabees set out to rededicate the temple, which involved lighting candles on a menorah (a branched candelabra) that would burn continuously. Though they scoured the Second Temple, they found only enough oil to burn for one night. Miraculously, it burned for eight nights, which gave the Maccabees time to find more so they could keep the temple holy.

Today, Hanukkah celebrates that miracle and, by extension, the triumph of light over darkness. Those themes are evident in many of the most beloved Hanukkah traditions and in the giving of Hanukkah gifts.

Eating potato pancakes and jelly donuts

If you accidentally walk into a Jewish kitchen during Hanukkah and you’re likely to inhale the delicious aroma of latkes, aka potato-and-onion pancakes fried in oil. If you’re especially lucky, sufganiyot, or jelly-filled doughnuts, will also be on offer. These decadent Jewish delicacies—along with other fried foods and Hanukkah desserts—symbolize the miracle of the oil. While latkes are more traditional, sufganiyot only became popular in the 20th century, when Israel promoted them as part of the country’s official Hanukkah celebration. Beginning in the 1970s, American Jews began adopting the delicious Hanukkah tradition.

For Complete Details of the 8 Hanukkah Traditions read💥

💥https://www.rd.com/article/hanukkah-traditions/

Meanwhile, Today is also RENT DAY!  Write your Checks and Stay Another Happy Month Here at THD- The Place with many Fun Activities and Good Food! Advance Merry Christmas to All!