Hello, Friends.
I am posting an infrequent Sunday note because I just read that National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant approval and administration are believed to be changing. While I wait for Big Bit to drag my soapbox out of the closet, I want to share my outstanding haircut experience yesterday.
After a bit of research, I located La Barberia Barbershop and Social Club. They are located 1.6 miles from our apartment. On a good day, I can walk that far.
When I arrived for my appointment, I knew I had found my place. La Barberia Barbershop and Social Club is multiethnic any way you look at it. There are twelve stations in the clean and brightly lit shop. The shop has a New York vibe. On Saturday, there were about six barbers working. Of those six, one was a woman. There might have been six different ethnicities represented.
The clients also represented several different ethnicities. I think I was the oldest client, and the youngest looked about five. There were many kids getting haircuts while I was there.
Krisco was my barber. As we chatted, I learned that he is 20 years old and a new father. After we became comfortable with each other, I asked him if barbershops are still segregated as they were when I grew up in South Carolina. He explained that, for the most part, they are. I told him I was excited to be getting a haircut from a Black man at La Barberia Barbershop and Social Club. Something about the experience felt like I was blazing a new trail.
I learned that Krisco has only been cutting “straight hair” for a few months. My thick hair definitely presented a challenge for him.
At La Barberia Barbershop and Social Club, you get more than just a quick haircut. The best part of my experience was the hot towel treatment. I think Krisco left the towel on my face for ten minutes. I recommend it for all Alzheimer’s patients. Not only that, but I was so relaxed I almost fell asleep.
My haircut and beard trim met my expectations. When I told Krisco I was pleased, his smile was spectacular. My hair is a little shorter than I like. It grows fast, though. On my next visit, I will suggest that a more experienced barber work alongside Krisco so he can learn how to deal with hair like mine.
If you find yourself in the Triad region of North Carolina, I highly recommend La Barberia Barbershop and Social Club. They have locations in Winston-Salem and Greensboro. It is a family-owned and operated small business.
Big Bit has my soapbox waiting for me.
I read this afternoon that an executive order is being drafted that would place NIH grants under review by an outside panel under the control of the White House. The move would give President Trump control of billions of dollars in scientific grants funded by the NIH. Apparently, this external committee would have the power to veto grant awards that do not conform to Trump’s political agenda.
The NIH has always had scientific autonomy as it reviews research grant applications and awards funds to labs across the United States. The grants fund research in areas such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Traditionally, the NIH funds projects based on their scientific merit.
At a high-stakes meeting Friday, Russell Vought (the director of the Office of Management and Budget) and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (the NIH director) butted heads over a difference of opinion. Mr. Vought wants to impose greater political control over NIH grant approvals, and Dr. Bhattacharya would like to keep the decisions science-based. During the Friday meeting, Mr. Vought accused the NIH director of funding projects that supported research related to diversity and equity.
Mr. Trump has argued the government has been funding “woke” liberal priorities.
What the hell is “woke,” and when did diversity become a bad thing?
This effort by the White House seems to mesh with the recent cancellation of grants to the University of Pittsburgh and Emory University. Both of the grants were studying why Black Americans are twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s disease as white people.
I am certain I, along with millions of other American citizens, would be considered “woke” by Mr. Trump. Many of us “woke” citizens need scientific research to stay alive. Why am I being deprived? I suppose I best not tell Mr. Trump about my haircut at La Barberia Barbershop and Social Club.
My sources for this report are the Washington Post and the New York Times. I will keep you updated as this story progresses.
In closing, I walked nearly four miles today. I had to go to the Home Depot twice as we continued hanging shelves, art, photos, etc. Our apartment is located roughly one mile from the Home Depot. I had to nap between my trips. Alzheimer’s disease frequently causes extreme tiredness, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue as the condition progresses. I suppose my AD is progressing because I am currently tired, sleepy, and fatigued.
Thanks for your continued support.
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