Which U.S. Airports Have the Shortest Security Lines?

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Frequent travelers will know that while security lines are a necessary evil, it’s preferable to spend the least possible amount of time standing in them. There are even apps designed to help people avoid long security lines—but these aren’t always effective. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of three United States airports with comparatively short wait times, so you can get through security and on your way faster.

Tampa

Somewhat surprisingly, this tourist destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast typically provides travelers with short waits at security. This is largely due to the fact that the airport’s unique layout necessitates four separate security checkpoints, thereby allowing for better crowd distribution. Be forewarned, however, that in certain circumstances (such as the government shutdown in early 2019), the lines may be just as long—if not longer—than the ones at most major metropolitan airports. The same principles would likely apply to any airport, but it’s best to be aware that no one is exempt in these situations.

San Diego

Considering its proximity to top tourist destinations—not to mention its stand-alone appeal—the security line situation in San Diego is a cut above its closest competitors. If you were planning on renting a car to explore southern California anyway, flying into San Diego instead of LAX could end up saving you a lot of time and hassle. Who wouldn’t prefer to spend their time driving along the Pacific coast rather than standing in a crowded line? One caveat: This rule doesn’t apply during busy holiday periods when the airport can sometimes be short-handed.

Long Beach

Long Beach represents another, closer alternative for LA travelers. This small community airport can be found three miles northeast of downtown Long Beach and is serviced by several major airlines. There is a catch, though. The airport is located right off the 405, which is world-famous for its traffic jams. If you’re planning on flying out of Long Beach, avoid rush hour at all costs. The shorter lines won’t be worth the time you’ll spend sitting in gridlocked traffic.

If you’re traveling to one of the areas mentioned here, put these airports on your short list when making your plans, and see if you can work the trip around them. The time you’ll save standing in line will free up precious time that could be better spent doing almost anything else.

Here is a great article talking about some of the best food found in the San Francisco airport!

Pizzagaina vs Ham Pie.. it’s all good

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Its spring and that means its time for me to make the Pizzagaina or “Meat Pie”.

Which in itself is no small task. It takes planning, shopping and lots of prep. I wrote about this in the past here.

So last night after work and while doing some recording, I started the baking the batches. I had already prepped the meat and cheese earlier in the week and did the dough the night before.

Now, this isn’t your standard hand pie. This is the Italian older cousin. It’s dense, rich with eggs and cheese and full of dried and cured meats. Think “cheesecake meets quiche” but without the jiggle.  You will hear this called by many names from including; Easter Ham Pie, Pizzagaina, Pizza Rustica but they all mean essentially the same thing.

I have several versions but as I’ve written before this is my favorite basic version recipe. You should feel free to swap out the meats for what you can find locally to you. I also started to try out doing them as mini loaves as they freeze and are great house gifts for pals

 

Top 3 Seafood Restaurants in Alabama

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Alabama has the highest number of inland waterways among the 50 U.S. states as well as a few beaches. You can find great seafood in this state, although it’s not commonly thought of as a place for seafood. Three of the top seafood restaurants in Alabama are Sunset Pointe, Big Fish, and Shrimp Basket Gulf Shores. These restaurants have high customer ratings and serve excellent seafood. Whether you’re a couple, a single traveler, or a family, you can enjoy eating at one of these seafood restaurants.

Sunset Pointe – Fairhope, AL

Sunset Pointe, a famous seafood restaurant owned by Pete Blohme, features outdoor waterfront dining and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Blohme has been on numerous food shows, such as Sweet Home Alabama, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Guy’s Big Bite. Sunset Pointe has high customer ratings for the quality of its food, good customer service, and stunning views of the marina. Popular items on the menu include crab meatballs, BBQ shrimp, lettuce wraps, snapper throats, and bouillabaisse. If you eat at the restaurant during sunset, you’ll have a beautiful view of the water. Sunset Pointe also has a full bar, a television, vegan options, highchairs, and available takeout.

Big Fish – Orange Beach, Alabama

Big Fish is just one of many restaurants in Orange Beach but is probably the most elegant you’ll find around. It has sophisticated decor, an open kitchen, a full bar, and award-winning service. There’s an outdoor seating area too. Big Fish serves fresh seafood and premium steaks. Pasta and sandwiches are additional options on the menu. Big Fish has excellent sushi, crab cakes, red snapper, and halibut. Jasmine rice is served with some of the dishes, such as the Holy Shrimp, Big Fish Style – Sautéed Fish, and Big Stir Fry.

Shrimp Basket Gulf Shores – Gulf Shores, Alabama

Shrimp Basket Gulf Shores has an oyster bar, fried seafood dishes, and other delicious seafood options. Portion sizes are large, and the restaurant is known for good customer service. It sometimes runs specials like all-you-can-eat steamed shrimp and all-you-can-eat fried fish. Shrimp Basket Gulf Shores has conveniently located two blocks from the beach if you want to spend the day there. It’s also a family-friendly restaurant. Shrimp Basket Gulf Shores has a welcoming atmosphere and casual decor.
Sunset Pointe, Big Fish, and Shrimp Basket Gulf Shores are the top seafood restaurants in Alabama. They’re three restaurants you’ll want to try if you love seafood. These restaurants have many positive customer ratings and a pleasant atmosphere for dining. The food is of excellent quality as well.

Here are a couple more travel related articles we think you’ll enjoy!

 

 

 

3 Fantastic Food Experiences in Anaheim, California

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As the nation’s first theme park destination, Anaheim has built a reputation as a family-friendly vacation spot. What many people do not realize is that Anaheim is also one of California’s dining hot spots. From premium dining experiences to whimsical character options to convenient and quick meals, Anaheim’s food selections can complement any vacation style. Here are three of the most fantastic food experience to consider while enjoying this Southern California gem.

The Historic District

This charming district is a peaceful respite away from the hustle and bustle of the Anaheim theme park scene. This district boasts many dining opportunities that are designed to please every taste and budget. The new Sweetbird eatery specializes in fried chicken sandwiches served up with two choices of slaw and its signature smashed fried potatoes. Those looking for a casual dining experience can choose to dine al fresco at The Hummus and Pita, noshing on gyros, kebobs, falafels, and pitas. Twelve Springs explains that there are several options for unique food experiences like making your own popsicles at Pop Bar, health-conscious eateries like Healthy Junk, and even get a haircut while enjoying a nice beer at Barbeer Cut and Beer. This vibrant neighborhood always has something new going on, making it a fun place to grab a bite to eat while enjoying the California sunshine.

Amusement Parks

Theme park food has never tasted so good. There are many types of Disneyland food experiences, each curated to deliver a unique and delicious meal. Park Savers explains that Disneyland provides a fantastic option for a dining adventure called character dining where you can interact with your favorite Disney characters while you eat. There are many food options for all sorts of budgets in downtown Disney. Or, you can choose a more upscale dining experience at the Carthay Circle located inside of the California Adventure theme park or grab a reservation for a seat at the exclusive chef’s table at the Napa Rose, located inside of the gorgeous Grand Californian Hotel. If you are having too much fun to sit down, you cannot go wrong with a grab-and-go corn dog and churro, two of Disneyland’s most popular food items.

Roscoe’s House Chicken and Waffles

Roscoe’s is the quintessential Southern California dining experience. Billing itself as the original fried chicken and waffle house, Roscoe’s is an Anaheim institution. Its location on Harbor Boulevard is a short jaunt from the Disneyland Resort. Guests can choose to enjoy the traditional chicken and waffles combination plate or choose from a variety of breakfast foods, creamy macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and more.

While most people are drawn to Anaheim for its family-friendly adventures, be sure to leave plenty of time to explore the delightful food options. Your taste buds will surely thank you.

Here are a couple of other articles we think you’ll enjoy!

 

 

 

In praise of ‘scruffy hospitality’ hits the nail on the head in my house

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In praise of ‘scruffy hospitality‘

Now in my world “scruff” means so many other things when associated with being social – but this wasn’t one of them until now.

Yup- that’s me!

“Your home doesn’t need to be picture-perfect to invite people over,” says this recent quote from Robin Shreeves’s recent post that has been making the rounds on social media platforms and I can see why. It’s a welcome and heartfelt reminder of what is important when we gather and they, in the end, it isn’t about the artifacts of the room.

 

I love this idea for hospitality

Sure I can go all out for the special occasions and yea even I fall into the “vision” of the night and try to create some sensational times with the decorations, and flowers etc. These occasional meals of formality, while a good time can also be a place of such stress. Trying to make a “silk purse from a elephants ear” comes to mind.

Find the calm in hospitality

But I when I calm down and remember what the joining of people over a meal is all about for me, I remember that some of my best times with people growing up and as an adult has been the “take me as I am and as my kitchen is” variety. From a hasty last-minute New Years Eve Dinner to an annual open house while it might not be anything fancy –  it will have plenty of good people and simple food the deeds the belly and the heart. Recipes that often come from the books my Mom and others used before me.

One pull quote they use in the articles sums it up great:

Hospitality –  in the end

it doesn’t matter how perfect the place looks, and sometimes not everything has to taste perfect. On many a night 9 out of 10 things were great, but i could have derailed myself over the one item that didn’t come out right.

People won’t remember the room,

what they will remember is being welcomed, fed and loved.

My January At A Glance

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Its February already and I can’t believe how behind I have with these activities that I actually enjoy doing. Suffice it to say – it will be a January recap at best.

With my new role as an “Editor” of some association with the Health Promotion and Practice Journal (@TheHPPJournal), I have been working with several young MPH interns to assist with the social media push of the journal under its new Editor In Chief. While its been fun having time with students first hand again – its also means lots more reading and meetings to add on.  

With all the weather, unusual for San Francisco, has been causes for quite the series of humorous images. From the local mini walks with Dino, to a few more substantial hikes explore San Bruno Mountain and other local park areas new to me.

 

Had some time in at not one but two of the Bawdy Storytelling shows, when I did a last minute favor for the Host Dixie La Tour and filled in at the beginning of the month and then got a chance to attend a Storytelling Roast of author, speaker and longtime friend Dossie Easton which also got me to reconnect with another longtime pal and author Janet Hardy.

Dixie and I also got to hit the studio at KQED and meet and listen to the Podcaster Earlonne Woods from the Ear Hustle podcast.

As we rolled into February proper I have a new True Passion; The Root of Evil

As a kid, I was fascinated with the case of Elizabeth Short, which back when I was 11 or 12, I happened to come across an early tv show about her and the unsolved case they called the “Black Dahlia”. Even then, and the many books that were written since, have captivated me.

So it was no surprise that TNT’s newest “ I Am The Night” would end up on my real-time watch list. Instead of my traditional way to wait till the season was over and binge watch. 

But what makes it even better is my current day fascination with unsolved case files via podcasts ( blame my buddy in Atlanta, Rachel Kfor that) comes full circle on February 13th when the Root Of Evil podcast begins. Exploring its associations with the myth and mysteries of the Hodel family. Which should make for some interesting listening is that they are including participation from the family of Dr. Hodel.

Speaking of podcasts, I am listening to several new ones and am finally in the prep stage to start recording several of my own. More to come on that!

 

Xmas Recipes 2019

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Here they are

I figured it was easier to post the links in one place for folks than trying to constantly add links to the recipes on Facebook. Since many of you asked about the recipes for the South African Chocolate Pepper Cookies and the Polenta Parmesan Cookies I mentioned on an earlier this week, I will start with them.

Black Pepper Chocolate Cookies

This recipe is pretty easy and I recommend you read the instructions a few times first. The Author also suggests starting with the minimum amount of black pepper and then ramp up. I think when I make a new batch I will increase the black pepper up a 1/2 tablespoon. I think you might also be able to swap out the pepper for other types you might have handy as well.

The recipe link is from the website Food52 and was reposted according to the author notes: Text and recipe from Where Flavor Where Flavor Was Born by Andreas Viestad Born by Andreas Viestad (Chronicle, 2007).

Polenta Parmesan Cookies

This recipe was in the December 2018 issue of Food Network Magazine on page 84. The recipe itself is pretty basic and already I am thinking adaptions. Such as making them a bit thicker and turning them into “thumb” print cookies and topping with pepper jelly or a tomato bacon relish. To the taste, they read both sweet and savory so I imagine I could also top with Lemon Rind Jelly.  Just a note on this one – it does need to time to chill. I made mine the night before and sliced and cooked them the next day.

The recipe link is Polenta-Polenta-Parmesan Cookies on Food Network Magazine

 

Hallmark Hell

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Even Gay People Do It

As some of you who follows me on social media (@FVSTRONA on that Twitter thing) know I tend to comment about the Hallmark Channels lack of LGBT diversity representation. 

But given that my world is a bit crazed and working as I do in the government – both Paul and I tend to come home pretty stressed. So Lifetime and Hallmarks’ annual holiday overboard on the methodologic and campy “holiday love” stories do serve as a great escape from political commentary and faux leaders trying to pretend that they actually care.

It was this in mind, that when Paul mentioned a trip back east, I conspired to turn the front rooms of the house into our own “Hallmark” style, over the top version of a bnb called “EverQueer”. 

Without telling him, I went through years of collected holiday decorations, managed to hit on a one day 70% off sale at Micheals,  and rummaged through a few pals storage units. I even got to repurpose some ornaments that I rarely get to use now that we put up the slim line tree most years. The end result was precious and we couldn’t wait for Paul’s reaction! I think he may rethink traveling before Christmas any more… This also means I get to bring out some old favorites like angel tree topper that’s been in my family for over 50 years or the diorama I picked up a few years back.

 

 

 

While it was all for fun – it still doesn’t account they Hallmark refuses to address its lack of LGBT holiday love – short of it’s either afraid of its “mom and pop” conservative viewership or its simply run by folks with an overly conservative, homophobic streak. Gee, I wonder if they would respond if people started to hashtag #LGBTCelebrateTooHallmark with pictures of the loving and holiday celebrations we have. Just saying..

Yup.. $5 on clearance at Micheals and I even found a “custom lightboard”

It was a book club that Sunday and I went big

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Because book club discussions aren’t always just about talk.

Our monthly book club is also about what foods we bring; what reading the book inspires us to bring and share. Many of us choose to find a way to bring an authentic or reinterpreted version of something mentioned in the book or from the time period.

Since this month we read David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. 

My take on the book was positive as a read. Finding it a well-balanced collection of research and storytelling that manages to remind the reader of the historical narrative of racism and white privilege at the heart of so many of this countries moments. But the subject did give me several layers of emotions.

But back to the food

I opted for a Bourbon Pecan Cornmeal cake with an edible gingerbread oil rig and chocolate “oil”. My unique challenge was that I have never made a gingerbread oil rig or any structure before. So choosing the right recipe and the structural challenges were quite the experience. But in the end, it all worked out.

I won’t even mention the stress of moving it in two parts then topping the cake with its “rig” caused.

The cake itself was great.

I liked to cornmeal texture with the nuts. It is one I would remake. The recipe for the cake was from http://eclecticrecipes.com and used walnuts, but I had pecans laying around begging to be used.