The Noise Level at Newton's Restaurant and Its Health Effects

The other day, I was reading an article ( see article at bottom of the Page) on the health effects of loud and excessive  Restaurant Noise from the Washington Post💚. It reminded me of our own restaurant- the Newtons here at THD. 

For the last year since I moved here at THD, I heard numerous complaints both from old and new residents that noise level at Newton's at Dinner Time is so loud we could barely hear each other. There has been numerous suggestion from residents how to improve the acoustic as well as the cooling system( arctic mode) of Newtons. But as of today, I do not foresee a solution to the problem.

Today, with more new residents checking in ( July and August months) the dining room is always full to capacity at dinner time. I estimated that the total THD residents should be around 115-120.  The capacity of Newtons restaurant is well below 100. Luckily a few residents prefer to eat in their apartments, but at Dinner Time Newton's inside is filled to capacity and the noise level is bad. A few residents have hearing problems, so they choose to eat alone in the corner tables. 

When the weather is nice and not too hot, about a dozen residents  avail themselves with outdoor dining( 2-tables for 4, and 1 table for 3) with no noise problem hearing dining conversations. However, in order to get these outdoor seats, one must be there by 4:45PM if not earlier. You can not reserved the seats unless you have an outside guest. 

Inside The Newton's Restaurant at Dinner Time- Filled to Full Capacity-Out Door Tables Available during Summer Months and Good Weather

Here's the summary of the article on restaurant noise and its bad health effects to both Patrons and Staff. 

From The Washington Post on the Noise Level from Restaurants:

"It’s still noisy out there( Restaurants) and Wang and other experts point to mounting evidence that excessive noise is more than a minor inconvenience. Our brains have a tough time sorting through the cacophony in crowded dining rooms, which can influence our behavior. Multiple studies show that prolonged exposure to noise has physical effects such as increased anxiety and fatigue. Taken together, these effects can make the restaurant experience more taxing than relaxing for patrons, and they can leave staff drained from a long day straining to offer service while risking permanent hearing damage.

Experts are advocating for standards that would not only alleviate customer complaints, but also protect the health of patrons and staff members. And with the number of people dining out slightly declining after a pandemic rebound, restaurateurs should have more motivation to try new technologies and materials to suppress noise and lure more diners to their tables.   For details visit:         

💚https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/interactive/2024/loud-restaurant-noise-health-effects/?media_type=image&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=acq-nat&utm_campaign=content_engage&utm_content=WAPO_DRX_CONTREM_COUSA_FB_SO_WTRF_CONTNTFEED_SITEV_30030DCPC_1PCD_XXXX_REGNSBEX4PV30_X1865_COUSA_AXXEN_FBIGOA_RNS1_CT_EN_PG_NFDYNDY&utm_id=6581145427827&utm_term=6581145428227&fbclid=IwY2xjawEQnn9leHRuA2FlbQEwAAEdm702kdeFLcCM5MY56ZwZOb-WComVXsGGkOtoI6XRu2tvxREjUbk1XPut_aem_JrYi2HxJzJ0XP5TtqVsMlw

The Coconut Trees of the Philippines and Kamala Harris Meme

The Dwarf Variety of the Coconut- I have 4 trees in my Gardens at Chateau Du Mer, Philippines

From Roots to Fruits: Endless Possibilities of the Coconut Tree

The coconut tree stands not only as a symbol of tropical beauty but it also serves a crucial role in the agricultural landscape of the Philippines. Accounting for over 70% of the world's production, this towering icon bears a staggering yield, with a single palm capable of producing anywhere from 20 to 150 mature fruits. Beyond providing lumber for shelter or firewood, the coconut's gratifying sweetness and freshness enrich the plates and livelihoods of countless Filipinos, weaving itself into the very fabric of their daily lives.

Source:

Philippine Statistics Authority. 2021. 2016-2020. Crops Statistics of the Philippines

#ExportExcellence #HealthyFood #TropicalFruit

A Yellow Variety of The Dwarf Coconut

The coconut tree is sometimes called the Tree of life. Why?

The coconut tree provides food, fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine and building materials, among many other uses. The inner flesh of the mature seed, as well as the coconut milk extracted from it, form a regular part of the diets of many people in the tropics and subtropics. Coconuts are distinct from other fruits because their endospermcontains a large quantity of clear liquid, called "coconut water" or "coconut juice". Mature, ripe coconuts can be used as edible seeds, or processed for oil and plant milk from the flesh, charcoal from the hard shell, and coirfrom the fibrous husk. 

Dried coconut flesh is called copra, and the oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking – frying in particular – as well as in soaps and cosmetics. Sweet coconut sap can be made into drinks or fermented into palm wine or coconut vinegar. The hard shells, fibrous husks and long pinnate leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decoration. 

The Standard Coconut tree is tall and only experienced Climbers Can Harvest the Nuts or sometimes they used a long bamboo poles with sharp knives attached to it to slash the nuts at the top of the tree.  Do you see any Face in the Photo? I do!

Meanwhile here's a video of Kamala Harris coconut tree-meme that has the Internet World on Fire. 

https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/kamala-harris-coconut-tree-meme-rcna163177

A Thing of Beauty is A Joy Forever

"When asked to reveal her beauty secrets, actress Audrey Hepburn wrote this poem, which was read at her funeral: 

1. "To have attractive lips, say kind words. 

2. To have beautiful eyes, look at what people have beautiful in them. 

3. To stay thin, share the meal with those who are hungry. 

4. To have beautiful hair, let a child run his hand through your hair every day.

5. To have a good expectation, to go knowing that you are never alone, but together with those who love you and have loved you. People, even more than objects, must be repaired, pampered, revived, reclaimed and saved: never reject anyone. Think about it: 

5. If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of every arm. As you grow older, you will realize that you have two hands, one to help yourself, the other to help those who need it.

6. A woman's beauty is not in the clothes she wears, her face or the way she does her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because they are the open door to her heart, the source of her love. The beauty of a woman is not in her makeup, but in the true beauty of her soul. It is the tenderness it gives, the love, the passion it expresses. A woman's beauty develops with the years." 

She was born on May 4, 1929 (d. 1993)" Source: Gabriela Manescu

Beauty Quotes

• Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ... 
• The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. ... 
• Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting. .. 
• Beauty is power; a smile is its sword.

Lastly, I attended, Jeff's Wessman 2nd Lecture on Awakening Joy for Seniors last night. It was great but what stuck in my mind is the Serenity Prayer that I am reposting for you today.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

When Jeff asked the audience of things we do that gave us joy, I blurted Writing Daily via my blogs. I was not surprised that Making a journal was listed as one of the things one can do to give us joy in the Moment!

Artificial Intelligence and Your Bridge Game

If you are a Bridge Player, Read This! If Not You don't have too. Anyway, Have a Good Day!  

Playing Party Bridge at the Sportsmen of Stanislaus County ( SOS) Country Club. Modesto, Ca-1970-1974. Me and Macrine (RIP) with Dr and Mrs. Richard LaVine.  

I found this article recently in my BBO E-mail box. I am excited to share it with my Bridge Friends Here at THD as well as all the Bridge Player in the World. At the bottom of the page is my posting why playing bridge is good for your brain and mental stimulation. 💚

Greetings, fellow enthusiasts of all things bridge. In the ongoing saga of AI versus human intellect, we've seen our silicon adversaries conquer chess grandmasters with the cold precision of a robotic guillotine. Yet, there's one game where the human spirit still holds strong against the binary onslaught: bridge.

 

­  ­

” Bridge is one of the last games in which the computer is not better. ­ - Bill Gates

Yes, you heard that right - AI hasn't quite cracked the code of this intricate game of incomplete information and subtle cooperation.   While supercomputers can churn through more permutations than there are atoms in the universe, bridge remains a realm where human intuition, communication, and the occasional bluff still reign supreme. Our brains, honed by millennia of evolution and countless social interactions (and maybe a few family dinners), excel at interpreting subtle facial cues, deciphering body language, and navigating the complex dance of partnership.   But wait a moment - before you start crafting statues in honor of human superiority, there's a twist in the tale. Recently, AI managed to steal a few wins against bridge champions - not in a direct head-to-head game, though.   So, what's the verdict? Can AI snatch the crown of bridge mastery from our unsuspecting hands? Will the next world bridge champion be a series of algorithms in a trench coat pretending to be human?   Maybe. But for now, let's revel in the fact that we still hold the cards! Our ability to strategize, empathize, and bluff keeps us at the forefront of this timeless game.   Until the next deal is shuffled and the next algorithm devised, let's keep playing, keep strategizing, and keep enjoying the unique blend of logic and creativity that makes bridge - and our human experience - so wonderfully unpredictable.   Here's to keeping AI on its toes and humans on their best game! From the BBO Weekly News: July 21, 2024 Pat Healy- One of My Favorite Bridge Partner Here at THD 💚https://marinduquemyislandparadise.blogspot.com/2014/11/i-play-bridge-daily-to-exercise-my-brain.html

Photo Framed Activity and the Chairs Back Pads

The above photo was taken by Cydney during the last July 4th Celebration Here at THD. Teresa and Cydney enlarged my photo and framed it ( see above).  They used an Apps from the Internet.  

Thank you Cydney and Teresa for this photo framed activity. The above photo with my newly purchased Hawaiian Shirt is now displayed in my apartment. The photo resolution is not perfect, but it is still a good photo memoir, that I will always treasure.  

Meanhile, here are some aging quotes sent to me by Jane Williams for your reading pleasure.   

https://www.ba-bamail.com/humor/these-quotes-prove-aging-can-be-hilarious/

Lastly some Good News: I talked to Rachel Ryan, THD CFO at dinner last night. She confirmed that the Back Pad for the Chairs at the New Activity Room has been ordered.  Thank You, Rachel!

THD Resident Art Festival and My Wood Carvings and Other Collections

Sixteen Artist and Collectors participated during yesterday THD Resident Arts Festival.  Paintings, Decoupage, Quilts and Residents Miscellaneous Collections of teapots, knives, poems, ceramics, drawings, embroideries, and jewelry and other collectibles were exhibited. The Yoga Room was a Kaleidoscope of Colors and filled with vibrant Art Work. The Art show was well attended.  Sangria and  light refreshments were served. Thanks Galen and Teresa for another Resident Activity that enhance our community sense of belonging.  

I was thinking of signing up to show my wood carvings collection from the Philippines, But I decided not to participate because I felt no energy transporting my collections to the Exhibit Room. Needless to say,  I am presenting my wood carvings collection if you read the site at the bottom of the Page💚 as well as my postings on my coin and Hawaiian/Mexican Shirts Collection. 

Some of my wood carving collections from the Philippines 

I was also thinking of also showing my Hawaiian and Mexican Shirt Collection as well as my Filipino Barong Collection, but it just too bulky for showing purposes. But for textiles color and beauty, My Hawaiian Shirts and Barong Collection is of Exhibition Quality ( see photo).

My More than a Dozen Hawaiian and Mexican Shirts in MY Collection.

 Meanwhile, here are some photos I took at the Residents Art Festival.  Enjoy!     

💚https://marinduqueonmymind.blogspot.com/2017/02/my-collection-of-wood-carvings-and.html

I also have a small coin and stamp collection as wells a few painting collection💟.  A resident told me after leaving the show, she felt inferior because she has no artistic Talent. I told her everyone has talent in one form or another, so NO ONE should feel inferior because she/he do not paint or collect art work and other collectibles. 

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2024/02/some-of-my-coin-collections.html

💟https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/05/santos-paintings-and-framed-photosart.html