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8 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | FEBRUARY 2020 By Dick Roppé, Resident When we rang in the new year and welcomed 2020, did we also celebrate the beginning of a new decade? There seems to be some controversy as to when a new decade begins. Does it begin at zero as many believe, or as fewer believe, at one? Many authoritative voices line up with this minority. They say that because there was no year zero when the current era began more than 2,000 years ago, all decades, centuries and millennia begin with year one. Take your pick! Most of us know about the crystal ball dropping in New York's Times Square. But there are other cites in the U.S. that have some really odd drops. How about a 600 pound Moon Pie in Mobile, Alabama? And in Plymouth, Wisconsin – why of course, a huge chunk of Sartori cheese. And close to home in Temecula - the heart of California wine country - they drop a 5 x 8 foot bunch of grapes made of 36 illuminated spheres and 48 sequined balls. My favorite… in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania they drop a 4½ foot tall, 400 pound, illuminated Peep. MORE "HUH?" STUFF (My comments in italics) • There is a McDonald's in every continent except Antarctica. Let's do the Mac-aréna! • Even though Froot Loops are different colors, they all have exactly the same flavor. And they contain no fruit! • The brain is our fattiest organ, being composed of nearly 60% fat. Fat-heads have significantly more! • Digging a hole to China is theoretically possible if you start in Argentina. That fact has kept me awake at night! • In September 2007, a guy named Kevin Shelley broke 46 wooden toilet seats with his head in one minute to create a world record. Talk about butting your head! • In the 1940s, shoe stores used X-Ray machines to measure shoe sizes before the risks of X-Rays were fully understood. I remember using one when I was about 10 at the Buster Brown shoe store in San Diego! How about some unusual names for groups of animals? We all know about a gaggle of geese or a pack of wolves. Here are a few you might not be aware of: elephants - a parade; zebras - a dazzle; eagles – a convocation; hummingbirds - a charm; owls – a parliament; crocodiles – a bask; butterflies – a kaleidoscope; jellyfish – a bloom. Last, but hardly least, what do you call a large group of Solerans gathered at the Lodge?… A party! "HUH?" By Sherrie Chaparro, Resident Nanami Sushi is located at 263 North Sanderson Avenue, in a strip mall at Sanderson and Esplanade, in the former location of Bread Bowl Bistro. If you are already a sushi fan, prepare for a real treat. Their offerings are creative, fresh and delicious, with evocative names like Crazy Boy, Crunchy Dragon and Torched Salmon. If you are not a fan, you could make a meal from appetizers (tempura, spring rolls, baked mussels, etc.), or standard entrees including fried rice, teriyaki (grilled, fried or breaded) and/or various noodle soups. The restaurant, including the ubiquitous sushi bar, is on the small side, with tables and booths available as well. We have always been seated quickly, and our order taken promptly. The atmosphere is pleasant and subdued, not too brightly lit or noisy. Prices are extremely reasonable, and wine and beer are available. The quality of the food exceeds that of many restaurants in Orange County, and I would dearly love this place to succeed. Too often in the past 10 years, I have seen new small restaurants come to Hemet, only to fade away after a year or two. We don't need to drive to Temecula for good dining experiences, we need to support our innovative local restaurants. Give Nanami Sushi a try – you'll be glad you did. The DV Diner

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