Scatter shots

Oakland police today snuffed out Bambi right under the confused gaze of excited 'hood children. In East Oakland, where gun shots can resonate at any time of the day, the police cornered a dazed and confused fawn who had wandered through back yards and city streets and gunned it down like it was a rabid pit bull. Having no procedure in place, the officer drew his glock and fired 7 rounds into Thumper's best friend. WTF? It doesn't take the sharpest pencil in the box to suggest a tranquilizing dart. Hmmm. Let's all close our eyes and play the race card for a sec. Same scenario in wealthy white mansioned Piedmont? I think not.

Last week the colorful and business savvy Franklin Mieuli died. He was 89. Franklin was the majority partner of the NBA Warriors in 1975 when they won the only championship in their history. Over the years he also held different percentages of the SF Giants, and the 49ers. That is, the SF 49ers, when they were owned by the Morabito brothers, Tony and Vic, the original franchise owners. Those were the glory days of post game steaks at the Leopard Cafe and radio broadcasts sponsored in part by Burgermeister beer. One of my memories from the 50's, was a party at Franklin's house. We were tethered to the team because my father, and Godfather worked for the 49ers. It was a warm day; the barbecue was winding down when we all heard yelling and screaming. Running around the edge of the pool like a train about to jump tracks, was my little sister with a cream puff in hand, followed closely in hot pursuit by Franklin's salivating white terrier. Carmel remembers 2 great danes. But, that's probably the damaged version. Tears streaming down her face, it was the memory she and I took away from that party. One other Franklin Mieuli nugget. He loved fireworks. My dad often procured them for him probably from the trunk of a shady car in Chinatown.

Whatever it is that the citizens of South Okinawa are ingesting, I want. The oldest living woman, Kama Chinen died today. She was going to be 115 next week. With a diet rich in complex carbs, and high in fiber, the Okinawans strive to eat 7 servings of vegetables, fruit, and several servings of soy legumes, with a preference for fish over meat, and a high consumption of sweet potatoes. This particular area has the lowest rate of strokes, cancer and heart disease in the world. It should be noted that one of the key's to longevity might be the practice of eating only to 80% fullness, hara hachi bu. Ah. Super sizing doesn't live there.