On The Fly

In this episode, The Art of the Possible . . . Politics is The Art of The Possible. My first introduction to that statement during a Philosophy class was The Prince, by Niccolò Machiavelli. Machiavelli's The Prince , published in 1532, is a political treatise that offers rulers advice on gaining and maintaining power. It is often considered a controversial work due to its candid exploration of the tactics and strategies that can be employed to achieve political success. Three key themes in The Prince include: The nature of power: Machiavelli argues that power is essential for political stability and that rulers must be willing to use force and deception to maintain their authority. The importance of virtue: While Machiavelli acknowledges the importance of virtue, he also emphasizes that rulers must be willing to compromise their moral principles to achieve their goals. The role of fortune: Machiavelli believed that while human action is essential, fortune also significantly determ...

In this episode, Fire Trucks & Donut Holes: California Summit Celebrates Independence Day! Dateline: July 4th, 2024. Welcome back to On the Fly , your neighborhood news on the go! Today, we're celebrating the spirit of community with a recap of this year’s fantastic California Summit Neighborhood 4th of July parade! The 5th annual parade was a resounding success! Over 60 residents, representing the diverse fabric of our community, celebrated our nation's birthday with a festive walkathon (parade). Families of all ages and backgrounds joined in, from energetic youngsters on bikes, electric scooters, and skateboards to families strolling with little ones. It was a true community effort, with everyone walking about a mile and 1/2 together. This year's parade had a Grand Marshal who rode in an electric golf cart. A group of happy kids followed closely behind on their decorated bikes, trikes, and scooters, as well as on foot. The mood was set by playing classic July 4th tune...

In this episode – Let’s Talk Pickleball . . . Welcome back to On the Fly , your weekly dose of everything fun and active! This week, we're serving a fresh take on a sport sweeping the nation – pickleball! It's not just for bored kids in the 60s anymore, folks. Pickleball is exploding in popularity, especially among older adults, and for good reason; whether you're a seasoned athlete or just looking for a fun way to move your body, grab your paddle and listen up! (Sound of a pickleball game – ball hitting paddles, laughter) First things first, what exactly is pickleball? Imagine a paddle sport combining badminton, tennis, and table tennis elements. Played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net, pickleball uses paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Points are scored like in tennis, but a unique "no-volley zone" near the net adds a strategic twist. That no-volley zone, or "kitchen" as it's called, prevents players from overpower...