November 22, 2024

REMINDER: YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Overview for this week.

1. After attending the Dusk Festival and rave last week I was reminded of my cousin by marriage, Martyn Deijkers. He's a musician, producer, and DJ, and I'm bragging on him in Bragging Rights this week.

2. To help the flock prepare for Thanksgiving, I have an article with recipes for a full classic Thanksgiving meal. I've also pulled some posts from The Fock archives with some less conventional Thanksgiving recipes.

3. Get a head start on the calories this Thanksgiving by entering the annual Thanksgiving XC Classic 5k fun run at Reid Park on Thursday morning.

4. In Around Town, the pop-up ice skating rink in downtown Tucson is opening for the winter season this Sunday, November 24th.

5. The Reid Park Zoo has a new elephant, a 16-year-old male African elephant named Tsavo is the latest addition to the herd.

6. I'm starting a new Travel feature this week looking at the best options for celebrating the Christmas holiday season in major cities around the world. I'm starting this week with Delhi, London, and New York City. I'll be featuring new cities over the next month.

7. Tennis great Rafael Nadal played his final professional match on Tuesday when Spain lost to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup.

8. In Trekking, I have the story of a woman who stumbled upon the fossilized record of a 280-million-year-old tropical ecosystem while hiking in the Italian Alps.

Now, to this week's Flock.

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After covering and attending the Dusk Festival here in Tucson last week, I'd like to use this as an opportunity to brag on a cousin of mine by way of marriage, Martyn Deijkrers. Martyn is a very accomplished musician, producer, and DJ. Martyn was a pioneer in Europe's Electric Dance Music scene going back to the early 1990's. Along with creating his own original music, Martyn has mentored and produced other musicians and performed as a DJ at festivals and clubs worldwide. He is currently based in Washington, D.C. where he hosts a monthly radio program with a focus on Jazz, Martyn's Darkest Light, broadcast live over the online radio station NTS Radio.

As an explorer of several sonic palettes since the mid-90s, Martyn's aesthetic traces back to his roots in UK-originated hybrids of bass music with an added flavour of Detroit-influenced jazz. But these days, Martyn is more than just a DJ and producer. His work spans multiple projects, from mentoring emerging artists to platforming new producers through his 3024 label.

In 2007, he co-founded 3024 alongside Erosie. The duo have released a celebrated body of work from Jacques Greene, Leon Vynehall and Martyn himself, including Martyn's collaborations with Spaceape and OM Unit. Remixes supplied by Ben Klock and Flying Lotus have also left a stamp on the label's collection. Recently, 3024 has signed fresh talents, including Otik and TSVI / Anunaku.

Most 3024 signees stem from Martyn's Artist Mentoring Program on Patreon. Launched in 2020, he uses the Program to mentor producers at all stages by offering one-to-one lessons, group sessions and Q&As with renowned figures like Luke Slater, Skee Mask and dBridge. Martyn connects the Program with 3024 by releasing a selection of his student's work on V/A compilations.

Like his productions on Ostgut Ton, Brainfeeder and Intercept, Martyn's style of DJing is uncategorizable. He's performed worldwide and helms a residency at Panorama Bar in Berlin, and on the radio, his monthly 'Darkest Light' show on NTS offers a glimpse into his far-reaching world.

In past years, I've featured a variety of recipes for Thanksgiving including vegetarian and vegan options as well as South-Asian main dishes and sides. This year I found an article with recipes for a full classic Thanksgiving feast. I'm also including links to past Thanksgiving recipes from The Flock archives. Enjoy, and have a happy Thanksgiving!

From:Serious Eats, By: Niki Achitoff-Gray, November 12, 2024

Thanksgiving in my family isn't exactly predictable. A child of divorce, I alternate between my parents from year to year; hosts change frequently, and with them the guests around the table, the group dynamic, the quality of conversation. But a few things are guaranteed, no matter where I am or who I'm with: There will be turkey; there will be stuffing; there will be cranberry sauce, gravy, potatoes, and pie.

These aren't really dishes we eat year-round (or, in my case, on virtually any day other than Thanksgiving), so striking that balance of familiar and delicious is of paramount importance. From the best caramelized sweet potatoes you've ever tasted to a classic fluffy and moist sausage stuffing to a "pumpkin" pie made with deeply roasted butternut squash (which doesn't sound traditional, but it is!), here's how to do it right.

Thanksgiving menu (Indian + Classic)

From: Simmer to Slimmer, By: Anushree Shetty, April 22, 2022

Looking for something new to make this Thanksgiving? Try this interesting mix of South – Asian Inspired dishes as well as some classics for your dinner this year.

Indian Spiced Turkey

From: Nish Kitchen

Indian spiced turkey. Bring an instant wow to your Thanksgiving table with this Indian inspired roast turkey recipe. A perfect balance of aromatic spices, beautiful citrus and rosemary transforms your favorite holiday roast into a delicious centerpiece.

53 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes and No Jokes About Tofurkey

From: Bon Appétit, By: Mehreen Karim, October 21, 2023

Serving up an entire menu of vegan Thanksgiving recipes is an intimidating feat, especially when there’s a crowd to impress. But have no fear, no one will miss butter or cream (or whisper, “Where’s the turkey?”) when they’re scarfing down our best vegan Thanksgiving recipes.

55 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes to Fill Your Table

From: Food Network, October 13, 2023

Our Best Ideas for a Meatless Thanksgiving

When you’re planning your Thanksgiving dinner menu, make veggies shine in everything from the side dishes to the mains. Including vegetarian (and even vegan) favorites is sure to please everyone at the table.

What was on the Menuat the first Thanksgiving?

From: Smithsonian Magazine, By: Megan Gambino, November 21, 2011

Today, the traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes any number of dishes: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. But if one were to create a historically accurate feast, consisting of only those foods that historians are certain were served at the so-called “first Thanksgiving,” there would be slimmer pickings. “Wildfowl was there. Corn, in grain form for bread or for porridge, was there. Venison was there,” says Kathleen Wall. “These are absolutes.”

Why not start off your Thanksgiving Day by burning a few calories this year. The Southern Arizona Roadrunners are hosting a 5K cross-country fun run Thanksgiving morning at Tucson's Reid Park.

From: Southern Arizona Roadrunners

The Thanksgiving XC Classic (Tucson's Original Turkey Trot) offers a European style cross-country course with hay bales on grass, dirt, and a little asphalt. The 5K course will be two loops and the 1.5 mile course will be one loop. The course starts near Ramada #10 at the southwest corner of Reid Park, at 22nd St and Country Club Rd. Strollers are welcome although the course is hilly and mostly on grass and dirt. Lanes are provided to bypass the hay bales. Please, no dogs for their safety as well as the safety of all participants.

From: This is Tucson, By: Gloria Knott

Tucson’s pop-up ice skating rink is back for another holiday season.

The temporary outdoor rink, dubbed Tucson Holiday Ice, returns to downtown Tucson on Sunday, Nov. 24. The rink will be up until Jan. 5 outside of the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave.

Skate sessions, which run for 90 minutes, are priced at $22 for adults and $15 for kids under 12 years old. If you visit for the first session of the day, you’ll be able to pay a discounted price of $12 for adults and $8 for kids. Tickets can be purchased here. Times vary based on day. The rink will be closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Skates, which begin at size 8 for kids and go up to size 15 for men, are included in the admission price. Socks are required and gloves are recommended. Skate assists can be rented onsite for an additional $7.

Reid Park Zoo has added another new elephant to its herd. After the birth of 8-month-old Meru last March, Tsavo, a 16-year-old male African elephant is the second addition to the herd this year.

From: Reid Park Zoo,By: Chelo Grubb, October 25, 2024

Reid Park Zoo is excited to announce a big addition: Tsavo the African Elephant.

“Tsavo is a wonderful addition to Reid Park Zoo and we cannot wait to get to know him better as he makes our Zoo home,” said Nancy Kluge, Reid Park Zoo’s President & CEO.

savo is a 16-year-old male elephant known for his bold personality. He joins Reid Park Zoo’s herd of five female elephants on a recommendation from the AZA African Elephant Species Survival Plan ® (SSP). The SSP works cooperatively with other zoos to maximize the health, well-being, and genetic diversity of the species.

Moves such as this closely mimic the natural behavior of wild elephants where male elephants commonly move between herds while female elephants raise their calves in family groups.

Tsavo is doing well, settling into his new habitat, and getting to know his new care team. As he becomes more comfortable, he will begin to get to know the rest of the herd: Semba, mother to Nandi, Penzi and Meru, and Lungile, who acts as an allomother to the younger calves.

Delhi is the lead off city in my new feature on Christmas holiday destinations around the world. Keep an eye on this space for more cities in the coming weeks.

From: Ease My Trip

Delhi in December sees lots of opportunities for celebrations. Along with pleasant weather of the city, there is a substantial festivity in the air with everyone feeling happy about welcoming a new and fresh year. Markets and shopping malls are decorated with attractive decorative pieces and restaurants go more creative on their menus. The festive period in Delhi witnesses arrangements of many beautiful celebrations in month of December targeting Christmas Eve and New Year.

From: Get Your Guide, By: Lara Serlin, October 5, 2023

London transforms into a winter wonderland in December making it a magical place. Twinkling lights adorn the streets, cozy pubs buzz with festive cheer as friends gather for hearty Christmas dinners, while charming markets tempt with unique gifts and seasonal treats.

From: Condé Nast Traveler

Christmas in New York City is iconic. There are a million ways to spend the time—from the extremely touristic and seasonal, to the off-the-beaten path and unaffiliated—that are all imbued with a bit more golden luster given the time of year and atmosphere. If you're here or around for the holidays, there are tons of festive lights to see and foods to eat. There are places, like Rockefeller Center and Central Park's Wollman ice rink, that will be more crowded than usual, but are nevertheless worth seeing, if you can face the throngs. Other spots will be less-busy—and less turn-key, which matters not if you come with your own holiday cheer in tow: On Christmas Day, usually-bustling streets in the West Village and other such desirable neighborhoods may even be deserted, a sight with its own silent magic. 

From: ESPN, By: Tom Hamilton, November 19, 2024

MÁLAGA, Spain -- Rafael Nadal's incredible tennis career came to an end after Spain lost its Davis Cup quarterfinal against the Netherlands on Tuesday.

Nadal, 38, announced last month that this would be his final tournament, closing out a remarkable career that saw him win 22 men's Grand Slam titles. Nadal said Monday at a packed media conference that he could no longer reach the competitive level he felt was required to continue to challenge for some of the sport's biggest honors.

The hope of many was that Nadal would head into retirement having helped guide Spain to a Davis Cup triumph in front of home support in Málaga. But Spain ended up falling to the Netherlands 2-1.

Keep your eyes open, because you never know what you'll see when going for a hike.

From: Live Science, By: Sascha Pare, November 19, 2024

A woman hiking in the Italian Alps discovered a fragment of a 280 million-year-old ecosystem, complete with footprints, plant fossils and even the imprints of raindrops, researchers have confirmed.

Claudia Steffensen was walking behind her husband in the Valtellina Orobie Mountains Park in Lombardy in 2023 when she stepped on a rock that looked like a slab of cement, The Guardian reported. "I then noticed these strange circular designs with wavy lines," Steffensen told the newspaper. "I took a closer look and realized they were footprints."

Scientists analyzed the rock and found that the footprints belong to a prehistoric reptile, raising questions about what other clues beyond Steffensen's "rock zero" were hiding in these Alpine heights.

A large boulder with fossilized footprints of amphibians and reptiles aligned to form tracks.

Experts subsequently visited the site multiple times and found evidence of an entire ecosystem dating back to the Permian period (299 million to 252 million years ago). The Permian was characterized by a fast-warming climate and culminated in an extinction event known as the "Great Dying," which wiped out 90% of Earth's species.

Traces of this ecosystem consist of fossilized footprints from reptiles, amphibians, insects and arthropods that often align to form "tracks," according to a translated statement. Alongside these tracks, researchers found ancient traces of seeds, leaves and stems, as well as imprints of raindrops and waves that lapped at the shores of a prehistoric lake. Evidence of this ancient ecosystem was found up to 9,850 feet (3,000 meters) high in the mountains and down in the bottom of valleys, where landslides have deposited fossil-bearing rocks over the eons.

These Flock regulars are always here for you:

In coming weeks: we'll be sharing more investigative articles from our roving reporter William George, original writing from Flock favorite Dino DeConcini.

Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories!

I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our third year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story.

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