There is little to report this week, as there is still no confirmed Speaker of the House, without which nothing can happen. In a recent vote of the Republican caucus, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (LA) barely bested Rep. Jim Jordan (OH), who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. But it’s still not clear if … Read more

Rhode Island, known as the Ocean State, is not actually an island but might as well be in terms of the grape-friendly coastal climate and the Gulf Stream’s warming of Rhode Island Sound and the Sakonnet River. Because of this, tiny Rhode Island has the mildest climate in the east, with winter temperatures rarely plunging … Read more

DC Soap Opera The good news is that at the last minute a government shutdown was averted before midnight last Saturday. The bad news is that it’s good only for 45 days (right before Thanksgiving), when the process is likely to repeat itself, most likely with a new deadline right before the year-end holidays. The … Read more

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, also known as the Keystone State given its crucial role in holding everyone together during the American Revolution, has been a major wine state for a very long time. Around 1740, a vinifera-labrusca cross was discovered near Philadelphia, and was named Alexander after the gardener who found it. In 1786, Frenchman … Read more

Shutdown Devastation: A Partial List Here we go::Absent a miracle before midnight tomorrow, we’ll have an unnecessary government shutdown reflecting the political paralysis in Washington once again. In addition, a credible rumor has the far right House members seeking to dump Kevin McCartthy as Speaker next week, which would just prolong the pain. There’s plenty … Read more