Persian Cuisine at Alborz, Walnut Creek

Continuing Our Food Adventure Ditas, Carenna And I Had Dinner At Alborz, Persian Restaurant A Few Blocks From THD Last Tuesday, May 26. This Was Also A Celebration Of Carenna Return To Washington DC For Her Summer Job At DOT. In Fall, She Will Start Her Master's Degree At UPenn, Philadelphia, PA. 

This Was My First Time To Indulge On Upscale Persian Food. I Love It. 

From Alborz 

Since 1988, Alborz has been sharing the rich flavors of Persian cuisine with the Bay Area, starting from our roots in East Bay Fremont. Now in Walnut Creek, we continue to honor our heritage with a menu that masterfully blends tradition and innovation. Every dish is thoughtfully crafted using the finest ingredients and cherished family recipes passed down through generations. From tender, marinated kebabs to delicately spiced stews and fragrant saffron rice, each plate reflects our unwavering commitment to authentic Persian flavors and culinary excellence.

Our elegant and welcoming atmosphere is designed to enhance your dining experience, making it ideal for both intimate dinners and grand celebrations. We pride ourselves on delivering impeccable service, ensuring that each guest feels valued and immersed in the warmth of Persian hospitality. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a loyal patron, Alborz promises a memorable journey through the flavors and traditions of Persian gastronomy.

https://alborzrestaurants.com/

Ditas and I took some photos. We ordered 2 Kabob Dishes ( beef and salmon), soup, eggplant appetizer and a dessert. Ditas and I had tea and Carenna had the Turkish Coffee.   

The Beef Kabob was so tender, it melts in my mouth    

. 

The food was delicious but my favorite was the Eggplant Appetizer

We went to an early dinner on a week day, and we were the only patrons on the main dining area. Later on a couple came in in the Patio Area of the restaurant. However on weekends I am sure the restaurant is busy.  

Lastly, My Photo of the Day: Whole Fish Pompano Ditas and I Ordered from Andaman Thai Restaurant Just Recently

In Garlic Sauce- Yummy, indeed! 

Lastly, here are five major news items from today’s top U.S. headlines:

1. Trump’s White House health memo says he remains in excellent health.

2. A federal judge temporarily blocked the administration’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund.

3. Texas was cleared to enforce key parts of its migrant arrest law.

4. SpaceX won a $4.16 billion U.S. Space Force contract for airborne threat tracking.

5. A chain-reaction bus crash in Virginia killed 5 people and injured more than 40.

   
   

Trump Administration Races to Put Nuclear Reactor on Moon by 2030

Trump administration races to put nuclear reactor on moon by 2030

The Trump administration is accelerating plans to place a nuclear reactor on the 

moon by 2030, marking a dramatic shift toward a more ambitious timeline as the

 United States races to establish lunar dominance ahead of China and Russia. 

Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy issued a directive in July calling for a 

100-kilowatt nuclear reactor capable of powering a sustained human presence on 

the lunar surface.

The plan represents a substantial upgrade from NASA's existing Fission Surface

 Power project, which previously targeted a smaller 40-kilowatt reactor for 

deployment in the early 2030s. Under Duffy's directive, NASA must appoint a 

program leader within 30 days and solicit industry proposals within 60 days 

for the more powerful reactor.

iflscience.com

Strategic Competition Drives Urgency

The accelerated timeline stems from concerns that China and Russia could claim

 strategic lunar territory first. Both nations have announced plans for their own

 nuclear-powered lunar base by the mid-2030s. "There's a certain part of the

 moon that everyone knows is the best. We have ice there. We have sunlight there.

 We want to get there first and claim that for America," Duffy said during a press 

conference.

NASA officials warn that whichever nation deploys the first lunar reactor could

 establish "keep-out zones" around valuable resources like ice and minerals, 

potentially limiting access for other countries. The moon's south pole region, 

rich in water ice and receiving near-constant sunlight, represents particularly

 coveted real estate for future bases.

6 sources

Nuclear Power: A Lunar Necessity

Solar power alone cannot sustain long-term lunar operations due to the moon's 

extended day-night cycle, where darkness lasts two weeks. According to Roger 

Myers, an expert on space-based nuclear power, "The sun sets on the moon for 

two weeks. You have to have another source of energy: The sun and batteries do

 not work. We're going to have to have nuclear power".

The proposed 100-kilowatt reactor would generate enough electricity to power 

approximately 70-80 homes and support critical lunar infrastructure including life

 support systems, communications equipment, and potential mining operations.

4 sources

Technical and Financial Challenges

Despite the ambitious timeline, experts express skepticism about the 2030 target. 

Dr. Kathryn Huff, a nuclear engineering professor and former Department of Energy

 official, called the timeline "very aggressive, frankly unrealistic". The project faces

 additional hurdles from proposed NASA budget cuts of 24%, from nearly $25 billion

 to $19 billion, though recent legislation provides some additional funding through 

2032.

Former NASA officials estimate the reactor development would cost approximately 

$3 billion over five years. Currently, at least 20% of NASA's workforce has departed

 through voluntary buyout programs, potentially complicating project execution.

The initiative highlights the evolving nature of space exploration, where establishing

 permanent infrastructure takes precedence over symbolic achievements. As one

 space policy expert noted, "The first space race was about flags and footprints.

Now, decades later, landing on the Moon is old news.The new race

 is to build there".

Meanwhile, Did you know that....

A massive DNA study by National Geographic’s Genographic Project (2008–2009), 

which tested 80,000 Filipinos, revealed that the average Filipino’s genes are about

53% Southeast Asia & Oceania and 36% East Asian.

The strongest genetic links? Malaysia and Indonesia—showing that Filipinos are 

most closely related to our neighbors in maritime Southeast Asia. This reflects

centuries of migration, trade, and shared ancestry long before colonial borders 

divided the region.

Lastly, my Own $100 Dollar Bill-courtesy of AI