ETCETERA
THE Q & A
KIDDUSH CLUB
Our Country,
'Tis of Thee ... Best Drinks
hat better reason to throw a party than
our nation's birthday? You know, there's a
reason our Founding Fathers signed the
Declaration of Independence in July ... a backyard
bash in Michigan would suck in February!
We charged our members to seek out drinks
that will make your Independence Day party
squeal with delight, like the sound of that bottle
rocket your juvenile neighbors light off at 1:30 a.m.
And, while you wouldn't necessarily find these
drinks at the Kiddush Club (we're a staid lot), we
hope to score an invitation to your soiree so we
can try them out. Forget the rockets' red glare;
we'll expect some glazed-over red eyes after
knocking back a few of these puppies ... Happy
Birthday, America!
CHERRY BOMB
Ari Adler: Press Secretary and Cat Herder Extraordinaire
ii.
s the communications director for Michigan's Republican speaker of the house, media guru Ari Adler has the job of keep-
ing the message on point for his boss with the state's sometimes wily media corps. Like keeping lawyers in line, control-
ling reporters has been compared to herding cats. To that end, Adler, 43, has lassoed RT quite nicely.
Louis Pasteur might not approve, but
the active ingredient in this drink will
light up your night sky: 1 oz. Brandy, 1h
oz. Triple Sec, 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp. grenadine,
4 ice cubes. Combine all ingredients in a
shaker and get agitating. Strain into
some swanky glasses, garnish with a
maraschino cherry and serve.
FIRECRACKERS
RT: How did a nice Jewish boy from Waterford end up as
communications director for the Michigan speaker of the
house?
AA: I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor at weekly
and small daily papers throughout Michigan after gradu-
ating from MSU. One day in the mid-'90s, on the job as a
newspaper editor, apparently a frustrating day, I applied for a
position at the House Republican Communications Office on
a whim. I never expected to get a call, assuming they wanted
a PR person not a journalist. It turns out they wanted to hire
a journalist to beef up their media relations. Once you're in
state government, you tend to stay, and I did. Despite work-
ing for the House, MDOT (Michigan Department of Transpor-
tation), the Senate and now the House again, I have always
moved forward in my media-relations career.
RT: How"partisan"are you? (Would you ever consider
working for the other side?)
AA: I'm not as partisan as people might think. I see my
role in media relations as being a fountain of information,
a source for the media of all types to fulfill their role within
society. Certainly, I am more ideologically aligned with the
conservatives than the liberals. That's why I'd never feel I
could do a good job for Democrats, not that they'd probably
want me after all the years I've played the role of the enemy.
RT: Between the time you worked for Senate Majority
Leader Ken Sikkema (who served 2002-06) and now-Speaker
Jase Bolger, how has the way information is disseminated
changed?
AA: There is so much more information available for ev-
eryone to make educated decisions because of the Internet
in general and social media in particular. It's made my job
both easier and more difficult. It certainly has increased the
volume of work and the hours needed to accomplish my job.
RT: How does the mouthpiece for a politician unwind
when your words are always being monitored?
AA: It's difficult because of the constant attention and in-
terpretation of what I'm saying at work and on my own time.
Because of the 24-hour nature of social media, it's tougher to
strike a work-life balance. I tend to unwind only when I can
stop talking and tweeting so I enjoy the solitude of listening
to music while riding my bike or even just mowing the lawn.
RT: Has the business of politics (in Lansing) changed since
Rick Snyder became governor?
The attitude has changed and is much more positive.
It's not just because we have one party in charge. There's a
new feeling that the Legislature can take action and move
on, and that just because we have a whole year to pass a
bill, we don't have to take that long. It's the first time I can
remember when people are in awe of our speed because it's
so fast and not because it's so slow.
RT: What would you do if a "Weiner-gate" happened on
your watch?
AA: I've been pretty outspoken about [former N.Y.] Con-
gressman [Anthony] Weiner because I'm frustrated by the
media coverage of the incident. Social media isn't his issue,
integrity is. Politicians are human and they make mistakes.
People are willing to forgive human frailties but not dishon-
esty. In any public relations crisis, a quick and sincerely hon-
est reaction is key to surviving in the court of public opinion.
RT: Do you have any political aspirations of your own?
AA: I don't have any aspirations to hold office myself, but
I would like to continue advancing my career as a media-
relations professional. If I stay in politics that means moving
on to serve a governor. An office on Pennsylvania Avenue
might be nice, too.
— By Red Thread Staff
With a nod of gratitude to our South-
ern neighbors, we suggest refraining
from lighting this drink's namesake for
fear of injuring your mixing hand: 11/2
oz. tequila, cracked ice, tonic water, lime
wedge. Pour the tequila over the ice in
a highball glass. Fill with tonic, stir and
garnish with a lime wedge.
STAR-SPANGLED JELL-O SHOOTERS
Yes, we know many of our readers aren't in
college anymore, but that shouldn't stop you
from partying like a sophomore on occasion. How
psyched will your guests be when you offer them
Jell-O shots? Dare we say,"Very!": 4-cup package of
Jell-O, 2 cups of boiling water, 2 cups of vodka.
(Jell-O is a brand name but is not certified
kosher. Kosher gelatin brands include Kojel and
Kolatin. Any flavor vodka will do, but don't exceed
100 proof.)
Dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water and let
it cool. Add the liquor. Pour about 1/8- to 1/4-cup
into little plastic cups and chill. We trust you can
figure it out from here.
AMERICAN FLAG
Because the theme counts for
this holiday, serve up some Ameri-
can Flags. When prepared properly,
this shot will look red, white and
blue. (And, if it doesn't come out, it
will still taste quite lovely!) It's like a
liquid chocolate-covered cherry: 1/3
cup of grenadine, 1/3 cup of Creme
de Cacao, and 1/3 cup of Blue Cura-
cao. Mix in the aforementioned order and drink up.
OLD GLORY
A variation of the previous offering, this drink
should guarantee the color theme you may have
missed before: 1/2 oz. grenadine syrup, 1/2 oz. vodka
and 1/2 oz. Blue Curacao.
THE SCALLION: A SATIRE
INDEPENDENCE DAY PUNCH
Michigan House OKs Gun Bill for Toddlers
Reps seek to abolish age restrictions for concealed
weapons permits after passing similar legislation for hunting.
By Drew P. Hodensack
LANSING — Ceding to the clamor of prepubescent bloodlust,
the Michigan House of Representatives recently passed legisla-
tion allowing children under the age of 6 to carry a concealed
weapon — provided they promise not to shoot unless their life
— or milk money — is threatened.
"That government can dictate
when an American citizen is'old
enough'to own a gun is just
absurd,"said Peter Grey, regional
director of Michigan Friends of the
National Rifle Association."It's just
another example of how govern-
ment is the problem; the only
thing that calms my 6-month-
old grandbaby is the cold steel
barrel of my Smith & Wesson."
This latest bill was preceded by
approved legislation allowing children
less than 10 years old to obtain a hunt-
ing license. The hunting bill, which was
passed in an 85-23 vote by the House,
is now waiting for action by the state
Senate, which recently passed similar
legislation.
"We figured, why give playground
bullies the upper hand?" said Rep. Pe-
ter Pattalia (R-Presque Isle), sponsor
of the revised hunting bill. "If these
thugs know Johnny is packing, they'll
think twice before they try and grab his
lunch. And, after Johnny takes them out, he can go straight to
the woods and kill Bambi for dinner!' R./
There's something about a punch-
bowl that seems so nostalgically
American, we couldn't give you
suggestions without including a
classic punch recipe. Of course, this
punch also packs one so keep those
pesky kids away from this bowl:
26 oz. Rye, 2 bottles of
sherry (Kedem
and Tio Pepe
are kosher),
3 bottles of
ginger ale and
3 oranges, sliced.
Pour two bottles of ginger
ale into a bundt pan and add
two of the sliced oranges —
freeze to use as an ice ring in the
punchbowl, into which you've
poured the Rye and sherry. (It won't
dilute the punch as it melts.) Add the
third orange to the punch and have a
good time.
Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
— By Red Thread Staff
16 July 2011
I RED THREAD
www.redthreadmagazine.com
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