Open Doors Arizona - August 2018 by Jonathan Himlin

CONTENTS | AUGUST | 2018

06 06

SPOTLIGHT

GOING PLACES

OUTDOOR SPACES

CRAFT

HAPPY HOUR

Pool Dangers and Drowning Prevention - When It’s Not Swimming Time

Vibrant Traditions Shine Against Germany’s Distinctive Backdrop

Decorate Outside Like A Pro S’mores Chocolate Bark On the Rise: Shuchu from Japan

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SPOTLIGHT

Pool Dangers and Drowning Prevention — When It’s Not Sw By the American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds.

Swimming pools can have a powerful pull on little children — even when it’s not swimming time. Those glistening turquoise-blue ripples may look especially inviting to an active toddler or an overly confident preschooler. Kids can slip away from the watchful eyes of adults in seconds. It happens every day. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in children between ages 1 and 4, according to federal statistics. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends several ways parents can help keep children safe around home swimming pools and hot tubs — all year long — in your own backyard, your neighbor’s, or on vacation.

Fact: Most Drownings in Kids 4 and Under Happen in Home Swimming Pools

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) studied drownings among children age 4 and under in Arizona, California, and Florida, where pools are especially common. It found that nearly 70% of the children were not expected to be at or in the pool, yet they were found in the water. In fact, 46% of the children were last seen in the house.

Pool Safety Precautions Not to Ignore

Pool fences are for above-ground pools that are portable as well as those that are permanent, inground pools, and hot tubs. Between 2013 and 2015, most (58%) drownings among children age 4 and under took place in a pool or spa at their own home. Most children drowned when they wander out of the house and fell into a swimming pool that was not fenced off from the house. They slipped out a door, climbed out a window, or even crawled through a doggy door to access the pool. >>>>

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wimming Time

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SPOTLIGHT

But, a family swimming pool isn’t the only one a child can get into unnoticed. More than a quarter (27%) of drownings among children age 4 and under took place at the home of a friend, relative or neighbor. Only some individual states and municipalities have laws requiring pool safety fences; there is no national pool fence law. Whenever your child will be in someone else’s home, always check for ways your child could access pools and other potential hazards.

Fences are the Most Effective, Proven Way to Prevent Drowning of Young Children

Pool fencing recommendations: • 4 feet, 4 sides. The pool fence should be at least 4 feet high and completely surround the pool, separating it from the house and the rest of the yard.

• Climb-proof. The fence shouldn’t have any footholds, handholds, or objects such as lawn furniture or play equipment for the child could use to climb over the fence. Chain-link fences are very easy to climb and are not recommended as pool fences. (If they are used, make sure openings are 1¾ inches or smaller in size).

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• Slat space. To ensure a small child can’t squeeze through the fence, make sure vertical slats have no more than 4 inches of space between them. This will also help keep small pets safe, too. • Latch height. The fence should have a self-closing and self-latching gate that only opens out, away from the pool area. The latch should be out of a child’s reach—at least 54 inches from the ground. • Gate locked, toy-free. When the pool is not in use, make sure the gate is locked. Keep toys out of the pool area when it is not in use.

A Child Drowning is Rarely Heard

Beyond a fence, additional layers of protection such as pool alarms, door and gate alarms, and pool covers can provide some added safety around a pool. Make sure alarms are in good shape with fresh batteries, and keep in mind none are substitutes for a properly installed pool fence. • Pool alarms. Children can drown within seconds, with barely a splash. Swimming pool alarms can detect waves on the water’s surface and sound off to attract attention when someone has fallen into the pool.

• Consider alarms on the pool fence gate and house doors. Door and gate alarms can be equipped with touchpads to let adults pass through without setting them off. House doors should be locked if a child could get to the pool through them. • Window guards. These can be especially helpful for windows on the house that face the pool.

A Word On Pool Covers

Pool covers should cover the entire pool securely enough that a child can’t slip under them. Make sure no standing water collects on top—children can drown in less than 2 inches of water. Power-operated covers are often the safest and easiest to use. Remember, floating solar and winter covers are not safety covers and can actually increase drowning risk. Because a floating cover makes the pool surface appear solid, a small child might try to retrieve a ball or other light toy that landed on it and quickly slip underneath—often trapped and hidden from view.

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SPOTLIGHT

What Else Can Parents Do?

Even with safety measures in place, parents should be prepared in case that their child gets into a swimming pool unseen. Some precautions that may help: • Designating a ‘water watcher.’ His or her job is to watch all children and adolescents swimming or playing in or NEAR water— such as on a backyard swing set — even if they know how to swim. This person should: 1) Have the skills, knowledge, and ability to recognize and rescue a swimmer in trouble or is able to immediately alert someone nearby who has that capability. 2) Not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol 3) Know CPR 4) Have a floating and/or reaching object that can be used in a rescue • Life jackets: Put your child in a properly fitted US Coast Guard approved life jacket when around or near water, such as when visiting a home with a pool. • Swim lessons. The AAP supports swimming lessons for most children 4 years and older. Children over age 1 may be at a lower risk of drowning if they have had some formal swimming instruction. However, there is no evidence that swimming lessons or water survival skills courses can prevent drowning in infants younger than 1 year of age.

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• CPR training. Parents, caregivers, and pool owners should know CPR and how to get emergency help. Keep equipment approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, such as life preservers and life jackets at poolside. • Check the water first. If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first. • Spread the word. Share this article on social media and with family, friends, and neighbors.

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GOING PLACES

Vibrant Traditions Shine Against Contributed by Ford’s World Travel with offices in Sun City and Sun City West. Ford’s Travel consultants have a combined 350 years of global expertise to help you plan your next vacation. Call: 623-933-8256 or visit: fordstravel.com.

From the wetlands of the North Sea coastline to the snow-covered Alps, amidst this beauty, the ability to effortlessly blend cultural customs with cosmopolitan edge makes Germany the consummate example of European sophistication. There are multiple means for uncovering this allure. Sip Beer has long been synonymous with Germany and stopping in at a bar for a stein of Hefeweizen or visiting a beer tent for a pale Weissbier at one of the many annual festivals is a must for any brew-loving traveler. All German beers are required to contain only barley, hops, water and yeast in accordance with the world’s oldest food law. Rivaling this foamy libation as one of Germany’s most prized exports is the wine industry. There are 13 wine regions in Germany flourishing in the mild climate, bearing light, fruity varietals. Perhaps most celebrated is the riesling grape and Germany is home to the world’s largest vineyard area devoted to its famed fermentation. Since the days of the Romans, wine has been produced along the Rhine and Mosel rivers. Hop from winery to winery via waterbus, one of the most popular forms of transit for exploring wine country. Picturesque vineyards decorate the sloped banks as far as the eye can see as you glide past storybook castles and medieval villages, perfectly pairing wine with quintessential Germany. Sample the finest varieties in one place at the Bremen Ratskeller, the historic restaurant’s vaulted cellar tucked away beneath the town hall. It boasts 650 German wines, but its most prized vintage is the Rüdesheim, dating back to 1653. While only the cellarmaster and the current mayor of Bremen are allowed a taste of this cask wine, you’re sure to find the perfect Schoppen, or glass, to order from the impressive menu. Unexpected Delight Sweet fruits and berries are also morphed into another libation in the west: the liquor called schnapps. The Black Forest region boasts more than 14,000 approved distilleries known for a cherry schnapps called Kirschwasser. To see how it’s made you can visit

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the Schnapps Museum or tour one of the many distilleries such as Burgunderhof Distillery in Baden-Württemberg, which offers tastings allowing you to appreciate this brandy’s subtlety of flavors. Or stop into Bavaria’s Gasthaus zum Sünfzen, where the chef distills apples from his own orchard into smooth and distinctive schnapps. Savor Home to more than 270 Michelin-starred restaurants, you’ll find no shortage of culinary musings throughout Germany. Even better, the country has hundreds of Bib Gourmand restaurants, offering three-course tasting menus starring traditional dishes at an affordable price. It’s difficult not to fill up on bread with Germany boasting 600 different types, but be sure to save room for dessert. In the lush mountain state of Baden-Württemberg one of Germany’s most unexpected delights is a staple on restaurant menus: Black Forest Cake. Rich chocolate, fruit and cream create a layered blend that adds decadence to each diversion.

Germany’s Distinctive Backdrop

Christmas country. It’s home to the famed wood-crafted angels, delicate carvings often painted with bright strokes of gold and white. Southwest lies the Black Forest, where cuckoo clocks adorn the walls of stores and are available in just about any design — from an intricately carved biergarten complete with merry drinkers to simple and sleek renditions. Other reminders of your time in Germany are the watches of A. Lange & Söhne, manufactured in the town of Glashütte since 1845.

Greet the sun during an early-morning visit to Germany’s largest seaport in Hamburg. The city’s local Fish Market gives you a taste of this trade center’s 300-year history while you stroll through stalls teeming with fish rolls and barrels of rollmop herring. We especially love the brunch held at the historic Auction Hall each Sunday, accompanied by live bands playing everything from jazz and blues to rock and country music. Unexpected Delight The magical Christmas Markets in Germany elevate holiday cheer to new levels. When perusing the stalls under twinkling lights in Saxony’s state capital of Dresden, give in to your sweet cravings and try traditional Christstollen. This icing-coated fruitcake dates back to the 1400s and is now ubiquitous as a Christmastime treat across the nation.

Opportunities to shop run the gamut in Germany and the nation’s capital city of Berlin is a wonderful place to start your spree. Boutiques, markets and bustling shopping areas can be found at every turn, including the largest department store in Europe — Kaufhaus des Westens, brimming with all of Germany’s top brands from Bogner sweaters to Hugo Boss suits. Within other famous city limits, you’re awarded just as many options. In Düsseldorf, meander the stately boulevard of Königsallee, or Kö, lined with top international fashion designers, restaurants and picturesque views of the eponymous canal. And just a 40-minute drive from there will deliver you to Cologne’s Belgian Quarter, boasting boutique labels housed within stunning historic buildings that decorate the main boulevards of Hohe Strasse and Schlindergasse. Unexpected Delight Gourmands will find their perfect souvenir in Solingen at WÜSTHOF or Zwilling J.A. Henckels, both premium knife producers committed to the finest quality. For a look back at their origins, make a trip to the Deutsches Klingenmuseum (Blade Museum), also in Solingen. Craft your über-exciting journey through Germany exploring all its many delights.

Shop Intricate details are at the heart of German handicrafts, passed on from generation to generation. Add to your family heirlooms after a visit to the Erzgebirge Mountains in Saxony, often deemed

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OUTDOOR SPACES

Decorate Outside Like A Pro By Anesia St. Clair Anesia is a licensed contractor and owns Pure Patio, a design center and retail store in Goodyear, Arizona.

In Arizona, our back yard is an extension of our home. If you want to go outside and dine, entertain, and relax, your back yard décor needs to get the same attention to detail that your kitchen and living room do. The layout needs to be planned with function and beauty in mind, and it needs to look and feel inviting. Decorate the outside like a pro with a few easy tips. Match the patio to the living room? The first question that often stumps homeowners before they begin is “Should the patio have the same color scheme as the living room?” The two areas are often separated by just a glass door. You can see one from the other, and if you have glass sliders that may be left wide open, it can feel like one room at times. The answer to whether or not to match the outdoors to the indoors is a little hazy. Because of how bright it is outside and the lack of ceilings and walls, you can take some liberties with color that you can’t inside. Dark colors look lighter, and bright colors go with flowers in the background. You can go much bolder on patterns because the overall space is larger. Consider coordinating the inside and outside if they are visible from one another, but they don’t need to be the same. Coordinating can mean you have something the same color that pulls the areas together in your peripheral vision, and it can mean the new areas simply don’t clash.

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Define spaces with purpose We often have an easier time decorating the inside of our homes because each room as a specific purpose. We know we’ll put a sofa and some chairs in the living room because we’ll be sitting there. Our kitchen has a table, and our bedroom has a bed. Define what you’ll be doing outside and create “rooms” accordingly. If you’ll be eating, you need a table and chairs. Establish a space for that. Cooking? Figure out where your grill and some work space will be. Socializing? You need chairs facing each other. Looking at a view or watching kids in the pool? You’ll want seating facing in the right direction. You can create these areas by grouping furniture together and having blank space between groupings. A rug can really define a space when the hardscape beneath is the same throughout the yard. >>>>

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OUTDOOR SPACES

Consider what time of day you’ll be outside for different reasons. If you like to go out for morning coffee, a simple bistro table and two chairs is perfect. It can fill a smaller space. Be aware of where the sun is in the morning and place your seating to fit your preference. Fire features are enjoyed at night. Will you be under the covered patio or a pergola near the house? Out in the distance under the stars? If you’ll be walking across the yard or along the pool to get to the fire, you’ll want lighting along the way. Establish a focal point When you walk outside, there should immediately be one element that you naturally look at. This can be something particularly colorful, large or tall, a sound (moving water), movement (a spinner), or something bright (lighting or fire). Situate seating so you can enjoy this focal point. When chairs are grouped around it, you create a welcoming message that everyone is invited to come closer. Choose a color scheme Outside is your chance to go bold if it fits your personality. You can choose red, blue, or green cushions. If you’re more conservative, then choose a more neutral base and one or two accent colors to accessorize with. Your accent color should make appearances in several places, near and far. Use it on pillows, a rug, umbrellas, your pool towels, a pot, even dishes. It’s really fantastic when the flowers on your shrubs match your color scheme as well. Avoid the temptation to use too many different colors. You run the risk of diluting each color and then your eye isn’t really drawn to anything.

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Our outdoor spaces tend to be heavy on flat, neutral surfaces and colors. We have our stucco house, hardscape on the ground, and a concrete perimeter wall. To make your space inviting, it needs to be softened with some texture and movement. Plants naturally do the trick! Be sure to include greenery high and low, and interject it nearby with pots or planting beds.

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OUTDOOR SPACES

You can accessorize with your accent color in a detail in one area and then use the same color on something much larger elsewhere. For example, your small throw pillows on a sofa could be the same bright color as the cushions on your chaise lounges by the pool. Two side chairs could be a bright color that matches pots over yonder. A row of bright yellow lantana could match your yellow umbrellas. Placemats on your dining table could be the color of the Adirondack chairs around your fire pit. Don’t forget the greenery Our outdoor spaces tend to be heavy on flat, neutral surfaces and colors. We have our stucco house, hardscape on the ground, and a concrete perimeter wall. To make your space inviting, it needs to be softened with some texture and movement. Plants naturally do the trick! Be sure to include greenery high and low, and interject it nearby with pots or planting beds. Trellis with well-chosen vines that thrive in radiant heat are great for providing height without width. Enough but not too much Space planning is key in designing your outdoor space. You need enough furniture to fill the space and serve your needs, but don’t overcrowd it. Too much furniture will result in clutter and confusion for your eyes. If you don’t have enough, it looks unfinished. We subconsciously question what blank spaces are for and get distracted. If your budget doesn’t allow you to fill all of your areas at once, choose furniture collections and fabrics that will still be available in a year or two.

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Remember to define your rooms. Group furniture together and leave gaps in between the vignettes for plenty of walking space. Furniture in conversation areas needs to be close together so you can talk to one another without shouting. Consider if you have noise to talk over – a water feature, pool equipment, or air conditioners. Locate your conversation areas accordingly and position pieces so you can see each other. A little planning before you buy anything will save you money in the long run. Give some thought to what you like to do outside and when you like to do it. Spend some time online looking for inspirational photos. Take screenshots with your phone so you can refer to them when you’re shopping. When you’re at someone’s house or on a nice patio at a hotel, notice what you like about it. Furnish for the number of people you’ll accommodate the majority of the time and have a plan for overflow when you entertain. Remember, we have great weather the majority of the year. Spending time in your own back yard is instant entertainment when it’s set up to enjoy!

CRAFT

S’mores Chocolate Bark By Vanessa Coppola Visit www.seevanessacraft.com for more crafts and recipes.

It’s summertime and s’mores are a summer staple around here. Don’t have a campfire handy? We’ve got you covered! Make this easy chocolate bark recipe to enjoy s’mores anywhere! As you are making the recipe, don’t stress if the white chocolate layer isn’t perfectly smooth. The imperfections will be hidden with chocolate bark toppings and mistakes aren’t possible with this deliciousness! INGREDIENTS 2 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER’S White Chocolate 1/2 cup marshmallow bits 2 graham crackers, broken into pieces 1 milk chocolate bar, broken into pieces

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INSTRUCTIONS Step 1: Cut the 2 bars of white chocolate into pieces and place in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds and stir. Microwave 30 more seconds and stir. Continue microwaving and stirring in 10 second increments until the chocolate is fully melted. Take care not to over melt. Step 2: Cover a 15 x 10 baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the melted white chocolate onto the parchment paper in a thin layer. Step 3: Before the chocolate hardens, sprinkle the broken graham cracker and chocolate bar pieces onto the white chocolate. Sprinkle Â˝ cup of marshmallow bits onto the chocolate. Step 4: Place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes or until the chocolate is hard. Break into pieces and enjoy!

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HAPPY HOUR

On the Rise: Shochu from Japan By Jim Clarke You can find more reviews from Jim Clarke and other talented writers at www.winereviewonline.com.

The growth of sake in the U.S. has, at least for wine drinkers, probably overshadowed the perhaps more surprising rise of another Japanese beverage, shochu. It makes sense. While “rice wine” is a misnomer, sake is diverse, relatively similar in strength and texture, and enjoyed without ice, added water, or mixers. But while sake has grown dramatically here, shochu is actually more popular back in Japan, and is growing rapidly in the States as well. A seminar this month given by educator Toshio Ueno at the Society of Wine Educators Conference showed why. Stateside, shochu’s popularity is driven more by cocktail culture than by culinary trends, so it’s easy to see how it might the wine community might overlook it. It is, after all, a spirit, though a relatively low alcohol one, often clocking on at 25% ABV or so. It’s also often consumed like other spirits are, neat, on the rocks, or more and more as a cocktail ingredient. While I normally wouldn’t consider writing about a spirit in this column, I think there are some good reasons to keep an eye on shochu. One is that low alcohol, and with that an unusual degree of food friendliness for a spirit -shochu is often drunk with a meal in Japan, just as sake is. Sake, traditionally, is mostly brewed on the more northerly islands of Japan; the cold winters helped keep brews hygienic and controlled, and the snowmelt provided pure, clean water for brewing. Shochu, on the other hand, is commonly found on Kyushu and further south. What they share in common they also share with several other Japanese culinary mainstays, including soy sauce and miso: They’re made with koji, a fermentation-enabling fungus. This fungus comes in a few different forms, and for our purposes its main role is to convert starches into fermentable sugars. Most shochus are made from starches -- rice, sweet potatoes, barley, buckwheat -- so this is an essential step. Even sugar cane or brown sugar shochus are required to have a koji component, else they would be considered rums instead. A starter of rice, ideal for cultivating koji, is typically used, then added to the other, primary ingredient.

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Unlike many Western spirits, wherein multiple distillations aim to create a pure, relatively flavorless product, shochu passes through a pot still but once, emerging at 45% ABV, tops, with a high proportion of its flavors intact. Some producers have adapted the vacuum stills used by perfumers to create a gentler product with heightened floral and fruity aromatics. As a white spirit, it’s not barrel-aged, and it’s usually then diluted down to 25% or so before bottling. While shochu’s popularity can be attributed to its character and flavor, it has to be said that there are social and economic reasons as well. In Japan, some reports have claimed that it contains enzymes that help break up blood clots and is good for blood pressure, instigating a popularity akin to the “French Paradox” that red wine enjoyed here. Perhaps it’s worth noting that Okinawa, the prefecture with the second highest number of shochu distilleries, is noted for the longevity of its inhabitants and large number of centenarians. Japan is also home to a great many small restaurants, where space is at a premium. Shochu is preferable to sake for these restauranteurs, since it doesn’t call for the cost and space of refrigeration that sake requires.

In the U.S., California law has created opportunities for shochu; thanks to its low alcohol (in most cases), it is one of the only spirits that restaurants with a beer and wine license can carry. Ueno says that 80% of California’s Japanese restaurants don’t carry liquor licenses, so this created an instant market for shochu importers, along with instant confusion. To exploit this loophole shochus also need to be labeled by the Korean name “soju.” Korean soju, however, is similar, but the laws governing its production allow a variety of additives such as sugar and glutamates, and industrial techniques. In other states, I’ve seen bartenders embrace shochu as a base for low-alcohol cocktails as well. I personally find it enjoyable it as a post-prandial spirit when I want neither the strength of a whiskey or brandy nor the sweetness of a port…or the cost of either, as a bottle of good shochu could be as little as $20. As a “wine-person” at heart, I lean toward sake much of the time, but I’m glad to have shochu on hand as an alternative. A Sampling of Shochus Ginrei Shiro (Kumamoto Prefecture): A great “first shochu,” as it’s made from rice, with vacuum distillation, creating a light, smooth, and floral character. Shows notes of pear, apricot, and wildflowers, with a medium body and only a slight alcoholic heat. Hana Shimauta (Okinawa Prefecture): This is an Awamori, Okinawa’s native style, which is distinct in two regards. First, it’s made with black koji, rather than the more common white; this lends it a deep umami, earthy funkiness. While this was a young example, in Okinawa it’s also traditional to age awamori in a solera-like system for decades. The Hana Shimada is rice-based, like the Kome, but couldn’t be more different with its power, weight, and depth of flavor. The funky and earthy touches carry the alcohol very well. Kuroban Iichiko (Ooitia Prefecture): Made with barley and white rice, again using a vacuum still. Little grain character; the vacuum extracts instead strong fruit notes of tangerine, apricot, peach, and plum, along with touches of violet. Full, with well-integrated alcohol. Jougo (Kagoshima Prefecture): Made with brown sugar and rice koji. Simple and fruity, with notes of peach and plum. Has a ripe, sweet quality, without truly being sugary, and a long finish. Kuradashi Genshu (Kagoshima Prefecture): This sweet potato shochu isn’t diluted, so comes in at 37% ABV, the strength that it came out of the still at. Funky, intense, and spicy. Medium-bodied, with a bit of warmth, as you’d expect. Towari (Miyazaki Prefecture): 100% buckwheat; in this case the koji is cultivated directly on the buckwheat rather than on a rice starter. Definitely shows its buckwheat roots, with umami, toasty, burnt popcorn notes and a slightly grainy texture. Medium-bodied, with little alcohol showing.

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