Wine Scandal; Chinese Food
With a piece by Jennifer Henry
Did you hear about all the Napa Valley winery owners getting subpoenaed by the FBI? WHY are all these millionaires in at least a little bit of trouble? Something has gone wrong. I bet it has to do with water.
Also! You know how Pekin Noodle Parlor in Butte, Montana was founded in either 1909 or 1911 and is called the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the country? WELL. There’s a Chinese restaurant in the suburbs of Sacramento, CA that apparently is even older: founded in 1903. It’s called Chicago Cafe and no one knows why. I hope Montana isn’t too mad about this!
And if you want more Chinese American history, here’s David Chan (one of my faves) on the history of the San Gabriel Valley, an area of Los Angeles County that happens to contain, by square foot, the greatest Chinese food in … the world. Yes. The world.
The Cod Chronicles: Massachusetts’ Fishing Legacy
by Jennifer Henry
New England has a legacy of honoring native species: apples in Vermont, wild blueberries in Maine, and seafood in coastal Massachusetts. Fishing was so crucial to the state’s identity at its inception that the “Sacred Cod,” a wooden carving, adorned the Colonial State House. A third rendition of this superstitious fish still hangs in Boston's House of Representatives.
The story of Massachusetts' seafood heritage traces back to Native American tribes such as the Wampanoag. They mastered fishing, catching cod, haddock, and striped bass from coastal waters, skills the colonizers adopted.
Coastal towns thrived on the sea's bounty, making fishing both a way of life and an economic cornerstone. The industry saw growth into the 19th and 20th centuries, supplying diverse fish species to local areas, evident in the proliferation of fish markets.
Legal Sea Foods stands out as a success story within this economic ecosystem. Founded in Cambridge in 1904 as a small grocery store, it evolved into a chain and a renowned brand. Legal Sea Foods' simple, quality-focused approach has made it a beloved institution in Massachusetts and beyond.
The state is known not only for fish but its fishing technology. However, environmental concerns have introduced challenges in recent years. Overfishing threatens the sustainability of various fish species; for example, the summer of 2023 saw the lobster industry grappling with disputes over conservation measures and regulations. Despite challenges, the industry's impact on culture and the economy cannot be overstated as the cod chronicles continue.
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Is this accurate on the Whole Foods side??? I haven’t been to Whole Foods in years because when I want junk food (which is what they both specialize in, let’s be real), I want the good stuff not the “sweetened with fruit juice” stuff.
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