The University of Chicago raised $12 million and then some on its giving day.
Details on the amount raised follow:
https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_personal/19d4b7f0a2939a2e
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
The University of Chicago Press is selling its last editions of a facsimile book of Japanese fans with poems conserved in Prague’s National Gallery. There are 120 poems in all in this 180 page book in the waka form.
Details about the book and purchase price follow:
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating DSoup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
University of Chicago Press books about creativity in times of chaos and turmoil look interesting.
Francophiles might be especially interested in the notebooks of Albert Camus, winner of the 1967 Nobel Prize in Literature. The notebooks have been translated into English.
Details on books and purchasing flow:
https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19d44887b6b026ba
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Hunan Chicken at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget
Hunan chicken at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California is not a secret menu item but almost. Basically, Hunan chicken is breaded and deep-fried chicken tenders. Then, the deep-fried tenders are coated in honey-soy sauce, which tastes like a barbecue sauce to me.
The Hunan aspect of this dish comes in with the Sichuan hot peppercorn sauce. Chinese cookbook writer Fuchsia Dunlop describes Sichuan hot peppercorns as numbing. This affect is diminished somewhat by the sweet honey sauce the fat in the bread coating in the Hunan chicken at Golden Star.
If you want the Vitamin C in the Sichuan hot peppercorns and the antioxidants without the chile pepper sting Hunan chicken might be for you. It has a pretty high calorie content, so dieters beware. For me, it is a once awhile treat.
For super healthy Hunanese Chinese food, check out Fuchsia Dunlop’s cookbook Revolutionary Chinese Cookbook: Recipes from Hunan Province. (Hunan is considered revolutionary, because Chairman Mao was born there.)
I have listed a link below to a recipe for Hunan chicken that is similar to what Golden Star offers by Nicki Borbishley:
https://www.kitchensanctuary.com/chinese-crispy-chicken-honey-garlic-sauce/
Barbecue lovers who would like to try something similar in Chinese food might enjoy the Hunan chicken at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California.
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
The following website on fine dining does a great job describing ingredients,?seasonings, and techniques used in China’s main regional cuisines - it’s great a mini work of cultural anthropology:
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Teen in China and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Farmers’ Markets Agritourism in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget
Market town Salinas, California has 5 Farmers’ Markets where locals and regional visitors can do some agritourism centered on the purchase of organic produce and prepared regional food dishes from food trucks and market stalls.
These markets include:
*Northridge Mall Night Market at Northridge Mall
-Wednesdays
-4 pm to 9 pm
Features local food vendors, taco trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities like pony rides and bounce houses.
*Oldtown Salinas Farmers’ Market held one block from the Steinbeck Center on Main Street
-Saturdays
-9 am to 2 pm
*Alisal Certified Farmers’ Market
-Tuesdays
-11 am to 4 pm
Near WIC office. Accepts EBT/WIC
*Natividad Certified Farmers’ Market on Constitution Boulevard at Natividad Medical Center
-Wednesdays
- 10 am to 2:30 pm
Accepts EBT/WIC
*Salinas Valley Health Certified Farmers’ Market on Romie Lane
-Fridays
-11:30 am to 4 pm
Accepts EBT/WIC
These are market hours and dates as of March 30, 2026. Check websites to verify dates and times as we head into spring and summer.
Salinas reminds me of the English town of Epping outside London that I visited on a trip to England. My blog about the town follows:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/08/touring-epping-london-suburb-uk-with.html?m=1
I am watching YouTube and TikTok videos by Luke Palladino and Giovanni Siracusa for ideas on how to use market purchases for Italian dishes.
Happy Marketing!
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
A Sampling of French Armchair Travel and Culture Games Created by Ruth Paget
Saintoge: The La Rochelle France Touring Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/saintoge-la-rochelle-france-touring.html?m=1
Majorelle: The Lorraine France Touring Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/05/majorelle.html?m=1
Ausone: The Bordeaux Region Touring Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/07/ausone-bordeaux-region-touring-game.html?m=1
Guigone de Salins: The Burgundy Touring Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/10/guigone-de-salins-burgundy-touring-game.html?m=1
Jean Vrolicq: The French Basque Country Travel Gale
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/08/jean-vrolicq-french-basque-country.html?m=1
Dukes of Brittany (France) Touring Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2019/01/dukes-of-brittany-touring-game-created.html?m=1
Bocuse: The Lyon France Touring Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/08/paul-bocuse-lyon-france-touring-game.html?m=1
Created by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games