Archive for June, 2010
Elena Kagan, the Supreme Court, Jews, Chinese Restaurants, and Christmas
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010There was an fun exchange about Chinese restaurants in today’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing of Elena Kagan, whose mom was my fifth grade teacher and whose brother taught in my high school. SEN. GRAHAM: And I think you would tell me if you thought he was wrong. So I’m going to assume you thought he […]
American Chop Suey, Available at Whole Foods
Sunday, June 27th, 2010Photo of American Chop Suey at Whole Foods sent to me by Elisa Mala. I’ve long been perplexed by this dish, which is essentially macaroni, ground beef and tomato paste (plus some other stuff thrown in). It’s a fairly popular dish, based on how many people cook it. How did this become American chop suey? […]
Las Vegas “Chinatown,” Giant Mall Developments For Miles on End
Sunday, June 13th, 2010I finally witnessed the famed Las Vegas “Chinatown” for the first time — which is a series of very large strip malls with Chinese and assorted other Asian businesses on Spring Mountain Road. The original called Chinatown Plaza (pictured above), which is anchored by a Ranch 99. The strip mall was conceived by Taiwanese American developer […]
Jon Karp Leaves Twelve to Head Simon and Schuster
Friday, June 4th, 2010My editor Jonathan Karp is leaving Twelve to head Simon and Schuster — which is startling for everyone because Karp is, in many eyes, synonymous Twelve. I remember when my book was being sold, I asked my agent, Well what if he leaves Twelve? (knowing that editors often leave books when they leave houses). But back […]