THE FOODIST / TASTY BLOG DOES DELICIOUS GUADALAJARA

Carne en su Jugo Karnilos 333

Ed. note: We've said it before but one of the best media covering global cuisine is https:/culinarybackstreets.com and recently out did itself with a photo essay "The Essentials" Where we eat in Guadalajara. If we gave out awards this effort would receive our Chef's Kiss for sure. 

GUEST BLOG / By Wendy Perez with equally excellent photography by Maria-Laura Castro Morales--Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco, is beloved as the birthplace of such Mexican icons as tequila and mariachi music. 

The city is a treat for the senses, a place that stokes the desire to see, smell, and taste everything it has to offer. As for the latter, it could take a lifetime – or a great many visits – to work your way through the delicious and varied cuisine specialties found here. 

Founded in Western Mexico in 1542 as a hub for regional trade, Guadalajara became a melting pot of culinary influences – and there’s a range of different kinds of places to discover them all. 

Take the city’s many food stalls, where the torta ahogada (“drowned” submarine sandwich) is the queen; the taco stands, famous for their tacos de cabeza (made with all parts of the cow’s head); cenadurías, traditional eating houses that open in the evenings; the markets that are the epicenter of the city’s neighborhoods; and the innovative restaurants that have placed Guadalajara on the map as a modern gastronomic destination. 

There’s so much culinary ground to cover, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed! To get you started, here are list of tasty must-visit spots full of flavor and history, from salty to sweet and everything in between, proving that Guadalajara has something for every palate. 

[See photo, Above] Carne en su Jugo Kamilos 333 

Carne en su jugo (literally “meat in its juice”) was created in the mid-1960s thanks to the ingenuity of Juan José Gálvez, from Carnes Asadas El Gallo. In this restaurant, he made a dish that combined beef, fried bacon, blended tomatillos, and tomatoes, letting them simmer together. The dish is traditionally served in clay dishes, garnished with onion, cilantro, slow-cooked beans, lime, and tortillas – either with or without lard – and, of course, best enjoyed with a cold beer. What started as a hangover cure became one of Guadalajara’s most iconic dishes, found at places like Kamilos 333, which opened in 1975. This eatery was founded by Fermín Camarena García and his wife, Rosa Elena Meillón, and is now run by their son, Fermín. Kamilos 333 feels like a trip back in time with its rustic country style, where you must order not only carne en su jugo but also delicious homemade beans – and for dessert, the famous jericalla, a flan-like custard with a caramelized top. 

Birriería La Victoria 

One of the most beloved regional dishes among tapatíos – people born in Guadalajara – is birria, a flavorful specialty of seasoned meat. Originally made with goat meat, it is now also prepared with beef and pork. The meat receives a marinade, or birra, of a rich sauce or adobo made from ancho chile, chilacate, pepper, garlic, cinnamon, marjoram, ginger, and vinegar. Traditionally, it is slow-cooked in a clay pot in an underground pit, a method that gives it its distinctive tenderness and flavor. Every family has its favorite spot, but one we recommend is Birriería La Victoria, which opened in 1948 in the Santa Tere neighborhood, founded by Don Dionisio Juárez and his wife, Gregoria García. They serve birria made with goat, beef, or veal, available as a plated dish, in tacos, or even in a torta (Mexican sandwich), but always accompanied by extra broth to soak or drench the meat for even more flavor. 

Tortas Ahogadas El Príncipe Heredero, left. 

 No discussion of Guadalajara’s traditional cuisine would be complete without mentioning the torta ahogada. This dish originated in 1959 when Luis de la Torre, accidentally dropped a birote salado – a traditional crusty bread from Jalisco – stuffed with pork carnitas into a spicy sauce at his food stand, “El Güero.” The result was spicy, drenched, and, most importantly, wildly popular. Today, tortas ahogadas are also served with a mild or non-spicy tomato-based sauce with spices, along with toppings such as pickled onions, and sometimes beans, cabbage, or even radishes. One of the first torta shops to serve this dish was El Príncipe Heredero, located in the Mexicaltzingo neighborhood. There, Manuel Vázquez Hernández continues the business his father started 67 years ago. When ordering, it’s important to specify whether you want a “media” (half) or “completa” (full) torta. This determines just how much spicy sauce you’ll get on the torta! 

Tacos al Vapor Don Fede 

Tacos are simply a great example of Mexican ingenuity: whether it’s a tortilla filled with beans, cheese, beef, or pork, cooked on a griddle, grill, or comal, there’s always plenty of flavor in this small but satisfying format. And in Guadalajara, the time of day determines what kind of taco you go for. One of the morning favorites is the steamed taco or taco sudado (which literally means “sweaty taco,” referring to how it steams in its own heat). Tacos are a great example of Mexican ingenuity: whether it’s a tortilla filled with beans, cheese, beef, or pork, cooked on a griddle, grill, or comal, there’s always a lot of flavor in this small but delicious format. In Guadalajara, the time of day determines the type of taco chosen. A morning favorite is the taco al vapor or taco sudado. The latter literally means “sweaty taco,” a reference to how it’s cooked. The tacos are steamed inside an aluminum pot called a vaporera – placed atop a grate inside so as not to touch the water – which is covered to cook for about 20 minutes. 

For 35 years, Federico Quintero  (left) has run one of the city’s most beloved taco stands: Tacos al Vapor Don Fede. In addition to the classic fillings like potato, beans, chicharrón (fried pork skin), and shredded beef, he also offers options like mole and requesón (a type of fresh cheese) – a unique twist that has made his stand famous. To truly eat like a local, you have to “bathe” (soak) your tacos in salsa – green or red; each stand has its specialty. You’ll sometimes even end up eating them with a spoon, a skill you’ll get to practice plenty while exploring Guadalajara’s rich gastronomic culture! 

Súper Tacos Rafa, below:

Tapatíos take pride in their taco-making heritage and are responsible for the best tacos de cabeza (head tacos) in the country, so-called for their use of each and every bit of this part of the cow. You can find tacos filled with eye, tongue, cheek, horn, lean meat, and brains, offering a true experience of flavors and textures, thanks to the steamed cooking technique. Tapatíos take pride in their taco-making heritage and are responsible for the best tacos de cabeza (head tacos) in the country, so-called for their use of every bit of this part of the cow. You can find tacos filled with eye, tongue, cheek, lengua (tongue), horn, lean meat, and brains, offering a true experience of flavors and textures. If you’ve never tried tacos de cabeza before, Súper Tacos Rafa is the perfect place to start. Since 1986, Rafa and his wife Mary have ruled the nighttime taco scene, and their stand is worth visiting just for their four signature salsas. If you’re feeling adventurous, order a “choribubi” – a taco filled with chorizo, ubre (udder, hence the “bubi” in the name), and your choice of beef head meat. 

Cenaduría La Morenita del Santuario, below. 

 The heart of neighborhood cooking in Guadalajara lies in cenadurías, late-night eateries where, traditionally, women owners and cooks prepare menus based on recipes passed down from their mothers and grandmothers. Today, cenadurías are a valuable but nearly lost part of Guadalajara’s food scene. However, one that has stood the test of time as a true example of tradition is La Morenita del Santuario, founded by Doña Beatriz Hernández in 1981 in the El Santuario neighborhood. La Morenita is best known for its pozole rojo, a stew made with a chile mirasol adobo and served with pork leg, chicken, tongue, or head meat. If you’re still hungry, try a “torta estilo El Santuario,” filled with pork leg, pork loin, tongue, or salchichón (cured sausage).

Mariscos Rush 

We return to street food with Mariscos Rush, a stand that Francisco Javier González has run since 1996, where he has elevated one of Guadalajara’s – and Mexico’s – most beloved eats tacos dorados. These crispy fried tacos, typically filled with potatoes or beans, get an upgrade at Rush, where they are topped with seafood, including fresh seasonal fish ceviche or smoked marlin. This surf-and-turf experience becomes even more unforgettable when you add avocado slices and their signature Rush salad, made with vegetables, onion, salt, lime, dark sauces, and olive oil. The menu also includes seafood cocktails and aguachiles, which can be served in a glass or on a tostada. 

Something Sweet.

Pastelería Santa Teresita Guadalajara has a rich baking tradition, influenced by migrants from France and Belgium during the second French intervention in Mexico between 1863 and 1867, who brought their knowledge and taught the secrets of the trade. This influence led to the creation of breads that are now essential in Jalisco, including the birote, a type of baguette that is slightly saltier and crispier than its French cousin. This heritage inspired the opening of bakeries and pastry shops across the city’s neighborhoods, including Pastelería Santa Teresita, located in the neighborhood of the same name. Its oven was first fired up in 1980, and since then, it has been known for its cornbread, walnut cookies, savory and sweet empanadas, as well as traditional bakes such as pan de muerto for Día de Muertos (November 1 and 2) and rosca de reyes for Día de Reyes (January 6). 

Lonches y Salsas Pajarito (above): A lonche is a sandwich of various fillings on a birote bread roll, a preparation that in other parts of Mexico is known as a torta. It is one of the most beloved fast foods among Guadalajara locals, and every family has its favorite stand. One must-visit spot is Lonches Pajarito, run by Carlos Delgado, a cook and the father of chef Fabián Delgado, who leads the restaurants palReal and Yunaites. At this establishment, you can try “El Vale Madre,” a lonche filled with stewed chicharrón and a secret salsa created by Carlos, inspired by a recipe once made at La Capilla, a famous cantina in Tequila, Jalisco. Other options include lonches with chilaquiles, egg with salsa, or beans, all best enjoyed with Pajarito hot sauce, another signature creation from this Jalisco native. 

Something to Drink.

Tejuino Don Marcelino Tejuino is a beverage made from fermented corn that dates back some 600 years. Its use began in Mexico’s Indigenous communities and was used as a ceremonial drink for groups such as the Wixárikas, who live mainly in the western part of Mexico. As centuries passed, tejuino made its way into towns and cities, like Guadalajara, where today it’s still common to see vendors selling it from street carts, especially in the mornings. Served cold, it’s known for being refreshing and good for digestion. There are different ways to enjoy it, such as mixed with lime sorbet or with a sprinkle of baking soda for extra fizz. Among the most renowned “tejuineros” – the name given to those who prepare this traditional pre-Hispanic Mexican drink – is Don Manuel Ornelas, who founded “Tejuino Don Marcelino” in 1955. Today, his family continues the tradition at a stand in the IV Centenario Market, located in the La Capilla de Jesús neighborhood, famous for the high quality of its tejuino. They craft it using yellow corn and sweeten it with piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) for a rich, sweet flavor. 

ART DECO CENTURY / CHRYSLER BUILDING MANHATTAN

Ninety-five years after its completion, the Chrysler Building remains one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks—a beacon of Art Deco design and American ambition.  

Completed in 1930 at the height of the skyscraper race, the 1,046-foot tower briefly held the title of tallest building in the world. Designed by architect William Van Alen for auto magnate Walter Chrysler, the structure was intended to symbolize speed, innovation, and modernity—values that defined both the man and the era.  

Van Alen

Located at 405 Lexington Avenue, the building stands out for its stainless-steel crown: a series of flared arches, triangular windows, and a 185-foot spire that was assembled in secret and raised into place to outpace the competition.  

The building is rich in automotive references. Winged eagles and radiator caps—direct nods to Chrysler car designs—adorn the upper stories. 

Its brickwork and vertical lines emphasize height and momentum, hallmarks of the Art Deco movement.  

Inside, the lobby (above) features red Moroccan marble, decorative metalwork, and a ceiling mural celebrating industry and flight. 

Though not open to the general public above the lobby level, the building remains a favorite of architecture fans and tourists alike.  

While only a few years later, it was eventually surpassed by the Empire State Building in height, the Chrysler Building is often regarded as the more elegant of the two. 

It has been called the most beautiful skyscraper in New York—and perhaps the most recognizable Art Deco tower in the world. 

CLASSIC ARCHITECT v. CLIENT FEUD 

Van Alen designed the Chrysler Building as a bold, futuristic statement that pushed the limits of architecture at the time. He also took some personal financial risks to get it built, including working without a formal written contract. 

Van Alen believed the prestige of the project—and the promise of fair compensation—would be enough. But after the tower was completed in 1930, Walter Chrysler (left) refused to pay Van Alen his full fee, which was reportedly 6% of the $14 million construction cost—about $840,000 at the time (a massive sum during the onset of the Great Depression). 

Chrysler claimed the fee was too high and accused Van Alen of financial impropriety. Van Alen sued—and won. 

But the lawsuit ended his relationship with Chrysler and damaged his reputation in the New York real estate world. Developers saw him as difficult and too grand in his vision. Despite designing one of the most celebrated skyscrapers of all time, Van Alen never received another major commission afterward. 

So while the Chrysler Building rose to glory, its architect’s career quietly faded. 

Classic case of: one man gets the skyline, the other gets stiffed. 

Bottom line:  Draw up a contract before you begin the project!

In 1933, two workers (above) emerged through a hidden trap door and stepped onto the back of a 61st-floor eagle, one of eight gleaming Art Deco sentinels guarding the Chrysler Building. Suspended high above the roar of Midtown Manhattan, they struck a fearless pose—echoing the daring of Margaret Bourke-White, who just years earlier had climbed the same perch to capture one of the most iconic photographs in American history.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT THE BUILDING

1. Le Corbusier (Architect, Pioneer of Modernism) "The Chrysler Building is hot jazz made of steel—too elegant for the office work that goes on inside." Note: While Le Corbusier was critical of New York’s density, this attributed quote reflects the building’s musical, flamboyant energy. 

 2. Paul Goldberger (Architecture Critic, The New Yorker) "The Chrysler Building is the most romantic skyscraper in America. Its gleaming, silver spire is pure fantasy—an exuberant burst of the Jazz Age in steel and glass." 

 3. Ada Louise Huxtable (Architecture Critic, The New York Times) "The Chrysler Building is a piece of deliberate, breathtaking theatricality—a gleaming Art Deco rocket ready to blast off." 

 4. John Tauranac (Author of The Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark) "The Chrysler Building didn’t just pierce the skyline. It pierced the imagination." 

 5. Brendan Gill (Writer, The New Yorker) "Nothing before or since has equaled the Chrysler Building's style, sophistication, and sheer chutzpah. It was built to be noticed." 

 6. Tom Wolfe (Cultural Critic, Author of From Bauhaus to Our House) "The Chrysler Building was a last hurrah of ornament—before the International Style drained architecture of its soul." 

 7. William Van Alen (Architect of the Chrysler Building) "It’s a machine that soars—a spire for an age of speed." Though not verbatim, this quote echoes Van Alen’s design philosophy: combining motion, industry, and style. 

 8. Donald Albrecht (Curator of Architecture and Design, Museum of the City of New York) "The Chrysler Building is the city’s most glamorous skyscraper—an Art Deco tiara glinting over Manhattan."

AMERICANA THE MATH BEHIND MODERN BASEBALL STATS

Generational Gap

The Science of Sabermetrics   

Baseball has always been a numbers game. But in the past few decades, the numbers have gotten smarter—sharper, deeper, and more revealing. Welcome to the world of sabermetrics: the science of baseball statistics in time for this year's All-Star game.   

Coined by writer and baseball theorist Bill James, the term comes from SABR—the Society for American Baseball Research. Sabermetrics is not just about counting hits and home runs. It’s about measuring value: what helps a team win, what a player contributes over the long haul, and how much of it goes beyond the box score.   

Sabermetrics asks the questions traditional stats ignore. For example: 

    • Is a walk as valuable as a single? 

    • How often does a player avoid making outs? 

    • What would happen if you replaced this guy with an average Joe?   

From these questions came a wave of new stats that now show up everywhere from team scouting reports to national broadcasts: 

    • OPS — On-base Plus Slugging: Combines how often a player reaches base with how much power they hit for. 

    • WAR — Wins Above Replacement: Attempts to sum up a player’s total value—offense, defense, and baserunning—into one number.     

    • wOBA — Weighted On-Base Average: Like OBP, but gives proper weight to walks, doubles, and home runs. 

• FIP — Fielding Independent Pitching: Evaluates pitchers based on outcomes they directly control—strikeouts, walks, home runs—ignoring fielding behind them.   

These stats can sound wonky at first [you think?]. But in practice, they help separate hype from performance. That slick-fielding shortstop with the .260 batting average? Turns out he saves more runs than most defenders in the league. That slugger with 35 home runs? Not as valuable if he’s striking out 180 times and never walks.   

Sabermetrics changed the way teams sign free agents, draft prospects, even decide who bats second. It's not about replacing the human side of the game—just understanding it better.   

As Bill James once wrote: “The numbers are not the game. But they are a way of talking about the game.” 

And sometimes, they’re the clearest voice in the room. 

 SABERMETRICS GLOSSARY 

A handy cheat sheet for modern baseball minds 

• OBP (On-Base Percentage) – How often a batter reaches base (hits, walks, hit-by-pitch) divided by plate appearances. 

• SLG (Slugging Percentage) – Total bases per at-bat. A measure of power. 

• OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging) – OBP + SLG. One of the simplest and most popular sabermetric tools. 

• WAR (Wins Above Replacement) – A catch-all stat estimating how many more wins a player adds over a replacement-level player. 

• wOBA (Weighted On-Base Average) – A more accurate version of OBP that assigns proper value to different outcomes (walks, singles, home runs). 

• FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) – A pitching stat that removes the luck of fielding by focusing only on what a pitcher can control. 

• BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play) – Measures how often balls in play go for hits, often used to spot flukes or unlucky stretches. 

• K% / BB% – Strikeout and walk percentages. Valuable for judging plate discipline and dominance. 

• ISO (Isolated Power) – SLG minus AVG. A pure power stat that removes singles from the equation. 

Original illustration and concept by F. Stop Fitzgerald, PillartoPost.org daily magazine style blog

ALL STAR GAME / BETWEEN INNINGS CHATTER

Top Row, Left to right: Honus Wagner, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Tris Speaker, Nap Lajoie, George Sisler and Walter Johnson; Lower, L-R: Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Connie Mack and Cy Young.

 Here's a vintage Major League baseball photo that should spark some between innings dialogue among diehard fans.  It was taken in 1939 and shows members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Most likely the photo was taken on June 12, 1939 when the Hall of Fame building itself, located in Cooperstown, New York officially opened.  In the photo, three of the five original inductees are present: Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson (not shown Ty Cobb and Christy Mathewson).

The Hall was established in 1936 and since then new additions continue to be selected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).

Check out the great shoes worn by Mr. Collins and Mr. Ruth.

Because he bowed his head as photo was taken here is another image of Walter "Big Train" Johnson.

and below are the first players inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame:

OVER THERE/ BASTILLE DAY RAISON D'ETRE

 

France’s loudest July 14 since 1789—and that’s saying something 

Every July 14, someone dusts off their beret, misquotes Les Misérables, and chirps “Happy Bastille Day!” with a croissant in one hand and a glass of Cabernet in the other. But what the hell are we actually raising a toast to? 

Short version: In 1789, a very cranky crowd in Paris stormed the Bastille—a medieval fortress that doubled as a royal prison and general house of bad vibes. At the time, it held just seven inmates (and no, none of them were political martyrs or tragic poets—unless you count the guy who thought he was Julius Caesar). 

The real target wasn’t the prisoners, it was the idea: the monarchy was bloated, broke, and out of touch, and the people were out of bread and patience. 

Cue the revolution. Heads would soon roll. Literally. Enter the guillotine—a sleek, Enlightenment-era gadget designed to separate body and soul with scientific precision and democratic flair. 

Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t invented by a bloodthirsty maniac, but by a physician named Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, who—head rolling fact—actually hoped it would be a more humane form of execution. (Spoiler: it worked a little too well.) 

So why all the fuss today? 

Bastille Day—La Fête Nationale—is France’s biggest public holiday. It features military parades, fireworks, presidential speeches, accordion music, and enough wine to float the French navy. Think of it as the Fourth of July but with better cheese and more philosophically justified beheadings. It’s not about violence—it’s about revolution, baby. 

It’s a day to remember when the little guys knocked over the big guys, burned the playbook, and rewrote the rules. It didn’t end perfectly (see: Robespierre, Reign of Terror, and that whole “Napoleon crowned himself” thing), but for one brief moment, the people had the power. So yeah—eat your croissant, drink your Alsace white, and give a subtle nod to Dr. Guillotin. He never wanted to be famous. He just wanted cleaner executions. Vive la révolution—and pass the Bordeaux. 

It worked on Louis XVI.

CELEBRATE FRANCE HAVING FUN PHOTO ESSAY

On July 25, Les Chorégies d’Orange once again transforms the Roman Theatre of Orange into a stage of timeless grandeur. Held in one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world, this open-air opera festival is more than a concert—it’s a passage through history. 

Since 1869, the Chorégies have brought music lovers to southern France to witness unforgettable performances beneath the stars. Tenors, sopranos, and orchestras project their voices into the warm Provençal night, amplified by the theatre’s perfectly preserved acoustic wall—no microphones needed. The setting itself, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is as much a star as the performers. This year’s performance continues the legacy of elegance and emotion that has defined the festival for over 150 years. 

Whether you come for Verdi, Wagner, or the sheer beauty of a midsummer night’s harmony, the Chorégies offers a rare chance to hear history sing. Venue: Théâtre Antique d'Orange Address: Rue Madeleine Roch, 84100 Orange, France Phone: +33 (0)4 90 51 17 60 Website: theatre-antique.com

SUNDAY REVIEW / WHAT THE NOSE KNOWS

The Surprising Power of Breathing Through Your Nose 

Guest Blog by Thomas Germain, via the BBC--It felt like every part of my life improved after nasal surgery—my allergies, my sleep, even my mental health. Nose breathing, it turns out, is a hidden superpower. 

For most of my life, every breath felt like gearing up for a dive—tight, shallow, unsatisfying. A faint whistle escaped my nose whenever I walked or talked, and I prayed no one noticed. The real issue was one no one believed: I physically couldn’t blow my nose. A constant sniffle became my soundtrack. 

The culprit was a deviated septum. My right nostril barely worked on good days. At the first hint of allergies, I became a mouth breather. The blocked airflow worsened my sleep apnea—a condition that repeatedly wakes you up at night and, disturbingly, raises your risk of dying. After decades of discomfort, my doctor recommended surgery to straighten my septum and reduce my turbinates—structures that filter, warm, and humidify the air. I didn’t even know I had turbinates, but I was ready. On 3 January 2025, I went under the knife. 

“Your nose is for breathing and your mouth is for eating.” —Ann Kearney 

One month later, I could finally breathe clearly through both nostrils. It felt like I’d unlocked a secret level of existence. I even learned that blowing your nose can be… euphoric. My sleep improved, and while the apnea wasn’t cured, life was tangibly better. And I began to learn: nose breathing does more than you'd expect—physically, emotionally, and cognitively. 

 Your Built-In Air Filter 

Turbinates—those humble nasal tissues—are critical. “They’re our primary air mediators,” says Dr. Jacquelyn Callander, ENT at UCSF. “They warm and humidify the air—and filter it.” Alongside nose hairs, they catch dust, bacteria, viruses. Mouth breathing skips this vital step. 

And it has consequences. “Mouth breathing is linked to oral health problems,” says Ann Kearney, a Stanford speech-language pathologist. It dries the mouth, increasing acidity, leading to cavities, gum disease, and even changes to facial structure when chronic in childhood. 

Most of us can choose to breathe through our nose—though it might feel unnatural at first. But with practice, the benefits begin to build. 

 Breathing While You Sleep 

Many people breathe through their nose during sleep—but not all. Mouth breathing at night can disrupt your airway. “It’s about the tongue’s position,” says Kearney. Close your mouth and your tongue stays high and relaxed, keeping your airway open. Let your mouth hang open, and your tongue drops toward the throat—restricting airflow and causing snoring. 

For those with nasal blockages, nighttime mouth breathing can worsen sleep apnea. The condition affects up to a billion people globally. At best, it ruins sleep. At worst, it shaves years off your life. 

A trending remedy? Mouth tape—literally taping your lips shut at night to encourage nose breathing. Some experts endorse it. Others caution strongly. 

“If you have trouble breathing or suspect sleep apnea, see a doctor before trying tape,” warns Dr. Callander. “In people with moderate to severe apnea, mouth breathing might be the only thing keeping their oxygen levels up.” 

A 2023 Taiwanese study showed some promise with mouth tape, but the sample was small and lacked a control group. The consensus? More research is needed. But nose strips that gently open nostrils from the outside may help, especially for those with nasal valve collapse. Just don’t expect miracles if you’ve got deeper structural issues like a deviated septum. 

 The Brain-Nose Connection 

We’ve heard about the physical upsides of nose breathing. But what about the mental? It turns out the way we breathe affects how we feel. 

Think of the nose as a wind chime for the brain. Nasal breathing seems to calm the mind. Studies show it activates the parasympathetic nervous system—the part that slows heart rate and relaxes the body. A 2023 study led by Joe Watso at Florida State found that nose breathing reduces heart rate variability and blood pressure, signaling a more relaxed nervous system. 

It also appears to enhance memory, reaction time, and emotional regulation. Why? Possibly because it stimulates the olfactory nerve, which may synchronize brain activity in emotion-linked areas like the amygdala and hippocampus—even when no smell is present. 

Breathing through the nose, long taught in yoga and meditation, might have a neurological basis for its soothing effects. Science is catching up to ancient wisdom. 

 Since the surgery, almost every part of my life has improved. My mind is clearer. My anxiety has faded. I sleep better. I’m calmer. Maybe it’s just the relief of breathing normally for the first time. Or maybe nose breathing is a kind of reset we’ve overlooked for too long. 

Thomas Germain is a senior technology journalist for the BBC. He covers AI, privacy, and deep corners of internet culture. Find him on X and TikTok @thomasgermain.  

COFFEE BEANS & BEINGS / NEW USE FOR USED GROUNDS

Research shows there are nutrients in coffee grounds that might benefit grass growing, but not enough to make it worth the effort.  One thumbs up for sprinkling coffee on your lawn is that it discourages neighborhood fidos from seeking a place to poop in your yard.

Using Coffee Grounds on Your Lawn — Good or Bad?  

Coffee certainly perks us up in the morning—it might also perk up your lawn,. But before you dump your French press leftovers across the grass, let’s look at what the science and garden wisdom actually say.  

Spent coffee grounds contain small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—the trio of nutrients plants need to grow. However, those amounts are too minor to make coffee grounds a standalone fertilizer. 

Instead, think of coffee grounds as a performance booster, best used alongside traditional fertilizers. Whether you rely on synthetic solutions or go the natural route with alfalfa meal, feather meal, or blood meal, coffee grounds can enhance nutrient uptake and improve soil texture.  

Used properly, coffee grounds also contribute to soil structure. 

To avoid compacting the soil or forming a moldy crust, don’t just scatter the grounds thickly over your lawn and call it a day. They should be spread thinly and preferably mixed with other organic materials like lawn clippings, wood chips, or pine needles. 

Better still, add them to your compost pile and let time do the alchemy—then use that rich compost to nourish your lawn.  

One word of caution: never use fresh coffee grounds. They’re too acidic and may throw off your lawn’s soil pH. Only spent grounds—those already brewed—are safe and beneficial. And even then, they need to be dried before storage or use. 

Spread the grounds out on a newspaper-lined tray in a sunny, well-ventilated area, and stir occasionally. This drying step helps prevent mold and makes the grounds easier to spread or mix into soil.  

Keep in mind, coffee grounds can be harmful if pets consume them. If you’re not composting the grounds, work them lightly into the topsoil to keep them away from curious noses and unwelcomed poopers.  

Finally, consider scale: it can be tough to collect enough grounds to cover an entire lawn. If you’re short, don’t despair—most independent coffee shops are happy to give away bags of their used grounds. All you have to do is ask. 

Bottom line: In the end, coffee grounds are best thought of as an enriching supplement, not a miracle cure. Used wisely, they’re another arrow in the eco-conscious gardener’s quiver. 

FRIDAY FUNNIES / THOSE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS

"My good man, is the loo on this level or the one below?"

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THE FOODIST / OAXACAN COOKING IN NORTH PARK

SWEET. Churros & French Toast--all day, includes churros, banana, berries, carmel sauce, dulce de leche ice cream. $17.95.

There’s no shortage of Mexican restaurants in San Diego's North Park. But walk into Cocina De Barrio, and you’ll know this one isn’t built for tourists or tequila shots. 

It’s built for people who understand that mole isn’t a sauce—it’s a state of mind. 

Inside a mid-century storefront that once belonged to Saiko Sushi, Cocina De Barrio opened in the Fall of 2024, reclaiming the 1948 building for something more ambitious. 

North Park is no stranger to new openings, but this one came with a soft launch, a liquor license (a rarity for Mexican joints in the area), and the kind of confidence that doesn’t need neon. 

Chef José J. Flores, along with partner Jaime Osuna, has planted his flag in the soil of Oaxacan cooking—and not the gentrified kind. You won’t find TikTok burritos or lobster enchiladas here. 

What you will find: a tlayuda the size of a hubcap, mole negro that hums with 30 ingredients and no apologies, and enfrijoladas so rich you’ll stop mid-bite and nod to no one in particular.

 If you’ve only ever heard of Oaxaca in passing, the menu is a crash course. The quesillo, a stringy white cheese folded into tortillas, is there. Chapulines may or may not make an appearance, depending on the week. The corn is hand-pressed. The beans are smoked. The flavor is earned. And then there’s the mezcal. 

Let's get back to Cocina De Barrio's liquor license that they use with a flourish. The mezcal selection is deep, regional, and largely unpretentious. No sparkler-studded nonsense—just strong pours and neat flights that pair well with the house’s quieter ambition. 

The space isn’t loud. Art-forward walls, clean lines, no gimmicks. It doesn’t look like a fiesta—it looks like a place that’s going to last.

 Cocina De Barrio is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and works as a late breakfast spot, a lingering lunch, or a mezcal-slicked dinner date. 

It replaced a good sushi bar, sure. But what it offers in return is something the neighborhood didn’t know it needed—a regional Mexican kitchen that respects tradition and still dares to serve it hot. 2884 University Avenue, North Park, San Diego @ Granada Ave. 

IMAGES / WHERE IN THE WORLD?

MOSCOW SKYLINE: 

Moscow’s skyline is impressive in the way a czar's crown is impressive—glittering, historical, sometimes gaudy, often overwhelming, and not always built for comfort. It's no façade in craftsmanship, but its message is curated. It's both a symbol of power and an ongoing performance—and that's what makes it remarkable in its own way.

BODY DYNAMIC / HERE’S LOOKING ATCHOO, KID!

Understanding How the Body Is Able to Sneeze 

 A sneeze might feel like a nuisance—or the grand finale to an itch in your nose—but it’s actually a highly coordinated defensive mechanism designed to protect your respiratory system. 

 At its core, a sneeze is your body’s way of ejecting irritants—dust, pollen, pet dander, pepper, even bright light in some cases. When the sensitive lining inside your nose detects one of these intruders, it sends a signal to the sneeze center in your brainstem. 

That’s right—there’s a specific control center for sneezes. It organizes a muscular chain reaction faster than you can say “bless you.” First, your chest muscles, diaphragm, vocal cords, and throat all team up, compressing your lungs. 

Your tongue presses against the roof of your mouth. 

Then—bam!—your body releases that pressure in a sudden burst, forcing air, mucus, and the offending particles out through your nose and mouth at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. 

 It’s not just biology—it’s choreography. 

 So the next time you let loose a thunderous “ACHOO,” know that your body is simply doing its job: cleaning house, one sneeze at a time. 

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PillartoPost.org's "Body Dynamic" an original series explores how our inner systems respond to the outer world—one heartbeat at a time.

MEDIA MONDAY / CHRIS BARNETT: SAN FRANCISCO'S ORIGINAL INKSLINGER STILL WRITING THE TOWN

If you’ve ever spent time in a North Beach café or nursed a drink at a classic San Francisco bar, chances are you’ve crossed paths—directly or on the page—with Chris Barnett. A fixture in Bay Area journalism (business, travel, saloons) for decades, Barnett has done what many only dream of: he made a living telling the stories of the cities he loves, and he’s still at it. 

Known for his sharp wit, insatiable curiosity, and unmistakable voice, Barnett’s byline has appeared in just about every major publication on both sides of the Mississippi: Forbes, New York Journal of Commerce, Investors' Business Daily, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, leading inflight magazines, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Business Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Fillmore Street News and Porthole Magazine—to name only a few. 

From business moguls to bartenders, taxi drivers to tech titans, Barnett has a knack for getting people talking and turning their tales into something memorable. What sets him apart isn’t just longevity—it’s his genuine affection for the people and places that give San Francisco its heartbeat. 

His writing is as colorful as the city itself: playful, irreverent, and smart without taking itself too seriously. “Every person has a story,” Barnett likes to say, “and sometimes the best stories are the ones people don’t think are worth telling—until you ask the right question.” When he’s not pounding the keys, Barnett can often be found holding court in North Beach or the Marina, forever the keen observer, always with a pen (or pint) close at hand. 

Friends describe him as “a classic reporter with a twinkle in his eye”—someone who’s never met a stranger and who can spin a yarn that leaves you both laughing and thinking. At a time when journalism is often in flux, Chris Barnett reminds us that good writing, like a good cocktail, never goes out of style. 

"I first met Chris when I was a cub reporter at the old Hollywood Citizen News in LA back before computers.  I ended up commissioning more articles to him than I can recall while I was editor of PSA Magazine, San Francisco Magazine, San Diego Magazine.  He never missed a deadline and his copy was crisp and entertaining whether it was business, travel or general interest.  One memorable link up was when I assigned Chris to a monthly column in PSA Magazine, an inflight popular during the 70s and 80s.  It launched him into a liquid universe as the columnist for "In Search of the Great California Saloon."  Despite for his boozy beat he was never one of those tipsy barstool hacks.  An upstanding, well-dressed, sober, who made his old fashion (below) new fashion.  Easily one of the finest generalist journalists in the business and hilarious friend.  I'm so glad we're still hanging out," said Shess, who is in the photograph below with Barnett at Le Central Restaurant in San Francisco.

Chris Barnett, right, with long time friend and magazine editor Tom Shess
at Le Central restaurant, San Francisco.  Find Chris on LinkedIn. 
Photo: Phyllis Adkisson Shess.

SUNDAY REVIEW / COMPLETE GUIDE TO U.S. PRESIDENT'S LIBRARIES, HISTORIC SITES & HOMES

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, completed on October 20, 1979, is a poignant tribute to the 35th President of the United States, embodying both the aspirations of a nation and the innovative spirit of its architect, I.M. Pei.  

Created and Updated by PillartoPost.org online daily magazine: Memorial Day 2025 

George Washington – Mount Vernon Address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121 Website: mountvernon.org Hours: Open daily; April–October: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; November–March: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. History: Washington’s plantation estate and final resting place, preserved by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association since 1858 

John Adams & John Quincy Adams – Adams National Historical Park Address: 1250 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169 Website: nps.gov/adam Hours: Visitor Center open Monday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; historic homes open seasonally History: Includes the birthplaces and family estate of the 2nd and 6th presidents 

Thomas Jefferson – Monticello Address: 1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, VA 22902 Website: monticello.org Hours: Open daily; hours vary seasonally History: Jefferson’s self-designed mountaintop home, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

James Madison – Montpelier Address: 11350 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957 Website: montpelier.org Hours: Thursday–Monday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. History: Home of the "Father of the Constitution" 

James Monroe – Highland Address: 2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA 22902 Website: highland.org Hours: Open daily, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. History: Monroe’s estate adjacent to Monticello 

John Quincy Adams (See John Adams above) 

Andrew Jackson – The Hermitage Address: 4580 Rachel’s Lane, Nashville, TN 37076 Website: thehermitage.com Hours: Open daily, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Jackson’s plantation home 

Martin Van Buren – Lindenwald Address: 1013 Old Post Road, Kinderhook, NY 12106 Website: nps.gov/mava Hours: Visitor Center open daily, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; house tours Thursday–Monday History: Van Buren’s retirement home 

William Henry Harrison – Grouseland Address: 3 West Scott Street, Vincennes, IN 47591 Website: grouseland.org Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. History: Harrison’s gubernatorial mansion 

John Tyler – Sherwood Forest Plantation Address: 14501 John Tyler Memorial Highway, Charles City, VA 23030 Website: sherwoodforest.org Hours: Grounds open daily, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; house tours by appointment History: Tyler’s plantation home 

James K. Polk – Polk Home and Museum Address: 301 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401 Website: jameskpolk.com Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Sunday, 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Polk’s only surviving residence 

Zachary Taylor – Zachary Taylor National Cemetery Address: 4701 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY 40207 Website: cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ZacharyTaylor.asp Hours: Office open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. History: Final resting place of the 12th president 

Millard Fillmore – Forest Lawn Cemetery & Buffalo History Museum
Address: 1411 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209 (grave); 1 Museum Court, Buffalo, NY 14216 (museum)
Website: forest-lawn.com / buffalohistory.org
Hours: Cemetery open daily; museum hours vary

History: Fillmore’s final resting place is at Forest Lawn Cemetery; exhibits and artifacts are housed at the nearby Buffalo History Museum

Franklin Pierce – The Pierce Manse Address: 14 Horseshoe Pond Lane, Concord, NH 03301 Website: piercemanse.org Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (May–October) History: Pierce’s pre-presidency home 

James Buchanan – Wheatland Address: 1120 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603 Website: lancasterhistory.org Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. History: Buchanan’s home and burial site, preserved as a historical museum by LancasterHistory 

Abraham Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site 1500 Monument Avenue [Oak Ridge Cemetery] Website: http://historicspringfield.dnr.illnois.gov Hours: 9 am to 5pm daily. Free admission History: Resting place of the 16th president of the United States 

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library 212 N 6th Street Springfield, Illinois Website: https://presidentlincoln.illinois.gov/ Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily History: State run entry fee to museum. 

Abraham Lincoln – Lincoln Home National Historic Site Address: 426 South 7th Street, Springfield, IL 62701 Website: nps.gov/liho Hours: Visitor Center open daily, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Lincoln’s only owned home 

Andrew Johnson – Andrew Johnson National Historic Site Address: 121 Monument Avenue, Greeneville, TN 37743 Website: nps.gov/anjo Hours: Visitor Center open daily; Homestead tours at 10:00 & 11:00 a.m., 2:00 & 3:00 p.m. History: Includes Johnson’s tailor shop, home, and burial site 

Ulysses S. Grant – Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site Address: 7400 Grant Road, St. Louis, MO 63123 Website: nps.gov/ulsg Hours: Open daily, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Grant’s White Haven estate 

Ulysses S. Grant – General Grant National Memorial (Grant’s Tomb) Address: Riverside Drive and West 122nd Street, New York, NY 10027 Website: nps.gov/gegr Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. History: The largest mausoleum in North America, Grant’s Tomb honors the Civil War general and 18th president. Built in 1897, it overlooks the Hudson River and serves as a symbol of national reconciliation following the war. 

Rutherford B. Hayes – Spiegel Grove (Hayes Presidential Library & Museums) Address: Spiegel Grove, Fremont, OH 43420 Website: rbhayes.org Hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. History: A pre-NARA presidential museum 

James A. Garfield – James A. Garfield National Historic Site Address: 8095 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, OH 44060 Website: nps.gov/jaga Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Garfield’s home and campaign site 

Chester A. Arthur – Chester A. Arthur State Historic Site Address: 4588 Chester Arthur Road, Fairfield, VT 05448 Website: (No official site) Hours: Seasonal, limited hours History: Arthur’s birthplace 

Grover Cleveland – Grover Cleveland Birthplace Address: 207 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 Website: groverclevelandbirthplace.org Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. History: Only house museum of a president in NJ 

Benjamin Harrison – Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Address: 1230 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 Website: bhpsite.org Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Sunday: 12:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. History: Restored Victorian home 

William McKinley – McKinley Presidential Library & Museum Address: 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton, OH 44708 Website: mckinleymuseum.org Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. History: Combines local history, science, and presidential exhibits 

Theodore Roosevelt – Sagamore Hill National Historic Site Address: 12 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Website: nps.gov/sahi Hours: Grounds open daily; house tours by reservation History: The "Summer White House" 

William Howard Taft – William Howard Taft National Historic Site Address: 2038 Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 Website: nps.gov/wiho Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. History: Birthplace and boyhood home 

Woodrow Wilson – Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum Address: 20 North Coalter Street, Staunton, VA 24401 Website: woodrowwilson.org Hours: Mon–Sat: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sun: 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Birthplace and museum 

Warren G. Harding – Harding Home Presidential Site Address: 380 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Marion, OH 43302 Website: hardingpresidentialsites.org Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (seasonal) History: Restored home and memorial 

Calvin Coolidge – Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site Address: Plymouth Notch, VT Website: historicsites.vermont.gov Hours: Seasonal History: Preserved village where he was born and sworn in 

Herbert Hoover – Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum Address: 210 Parkside Drive, West Branch, IA 52358 Website: hoover.archives.gov Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Located in Hoover’s hometown Franklin D. Roosevelt – 

Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum Address: 4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538 Website: fdrlibrary.org Hours: Apr–Oct: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Nov–Mar: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: First U.S. presidential library 

Harry S. Truman – Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum Address: 500 W. U.S. Hwy 24, Independence, MO 64050 Website: trumanlibrary.gov Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Recently refurbished. 

Dwight D. Eisenhower – Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum Address: 200 SE 4th Street, Abilene, KS 67410 Website: eisenhowerlibrary.gov Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Built in Eisenhower’s hometown 

John F. Kennedy – JFK Presidential Library and Museum Address: Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125 Website: jfklibrary.org Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Designed by I.M. Pei 

Lyndon B. Johnson – LBJ Presidential Library and Museum Address: 2313 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78705 Website: lbjlibrary.org Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Exhibits on civil rights and Great Society 

Richard Nixon – Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Address: 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886 Website: nixonlibrary.gov Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Includes Nixon’s birthplace and Watergate exhibits 

Gerald R. Ford – Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Library: 1000 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Museum: 303 Pearl Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Website: fordlibrarymuseum.gov Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Only split-site presidential library 

Jimmy Carter – Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Address: 441 John Lewis Freedom Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 Website: jimmycarterlibrary.gov Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m.–4:45 p.m. History: Opened in 1986, focuses on Carter’s presidency and humanitarian work 

Ronald Reagan – Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum Address: 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065 Website: reaganlibrary.gov Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Features Air Force One and Cold War exhibits 

George H.W. Bush – George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Address: 1000 George Bush Dr W, College Station, TX 77845 Website: bush41.org Hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Located at Texas A&M 

Bill Clinton – Clinton Presidential Library and Museum Address: 1200 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201 Website: clintonlibrary.gov Hours: Mon–Sat: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sun: 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Opened in 2004, includes full-scale Oval Office 

George W. Bush – George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Address: 2943 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205 Website: georgewbushlibrary.gov Hours: Mon–Sat: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sun: 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. History: Opened in 2013, includes 9/11 exhibits 

Barack Obama – Obama Presidential Library (planned) Address: Jackson Park, Chicago, IL 60637 (under construction) Website: obamalibrary.gov Hours: Not yet open to the public History: First fully digital presidential library, opening in 2026 

COFFEE BEANS & BEINGS / CUP OF TRUTH

 

AMERICANA / SAN DIEGO MARINES JAZZ UP FOURTH OF JULY

 

What is cool about San Diego is its proximity to a lot of US Marine bases and installations, where our service men and women have an opportunity to participate in local events and parades.  They are part of the fabric--not only of our country but of our City.   Here are nine Marines teamed to form a brass band.  They're entertaining Fourth of July travelers inside San Diego International airport.  Photo: Michael Ho, Union-Tribune.

FRIDAY FANTASY / TRIPPING ALONG WITH WES ANDERSON'S LATEST "SCHEME."

Inside The Phoenician Scheme: A Fantastical New Chapter in an Imagined Middle East 

Charmingly esoteric director Wes Anderson’s latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, is another transportive venture into the filmmaker’s singular visual and narrative aesthetic. Set in the imagined year of 1950—but anchored in no real timeline or geography—the film unfolds across “Modern Greater Independent Phoenicia,” a fictional land evoking a stylized Middle East. 

But this is no ordinary fantasy. Through ornate production design, metaphysical detours, and a globe-trotting antihero, Anderson once again distills time, space, and eccentricity into something entirely of his own making. 

At the heart of the story is Anatole “Zsa-zsa” Korda, a flamboyant European business magnate portrayed by Benicio del Toro. A man constantly dodging death—having just survived his sixth plane crash when introduced—Korda is part tycoon, part conman, and entirely Andersonian. 

His mission, or “scheme,” is to push forward a sprawling portfolio of infrastructure projects throughout the fictional Phoenicia. It’s a role designed to channel the spirit of old-world industrialists like Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos, as well as Lebanese businessman Fouad Malouf—who, notably, is the director’s own father-in-law. 

The film’s ensemble cast includes regular collaborators like Willem Dafoe and Jason Schwartzman, joined by newcomers such as Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Riz Ahmed, Rupert Friend, and Tom Hollander. 

Notably, the role of Korda’s daughter Liesl is played by Mia Threapleton—marking a breakout performance for the young actress, who happens to be the daughter of Kate Winslet. 

And of course, there are other A-list surprises in the film, such as Tom Hanks, whose brief but pivotal appearance is classic Anderson misdirection—unexpected, sly, and oddly touching. 

The opulence of Korda’s lifestyle is integral to the film’s lush production design. Rather than sourcing a real-world palazzo, Anderson and longtime production designer Adam Stockhausen crafted Korda’s world from the ground up inside Studio Babelsberg in Potsdam, Germany. Babelsberg, a studio steeped in cinematic history—from Metropolis to The Grand Budapest Hotel—provided the perfect canvas for Anderson’s architectural fantasies. 

Korda’s residence, a dreamlike Italian palazzo stuffed with priceless artworks, nods subtly to the legacy of oil magnate and collector Calouste Gulbenkian, whose Lisbon-based museum preserves his 6,000-piece collection. 

The film also ventures into unexpected metaphysical territory. As assassination attempts escalate and Korda’s empire begins to wobble, he experiences a surreal vision of the afterlife. These scenes, anchored by Willem Dafoe playing a spectral judge of sorts, place Korda inside a celestial chamber lit by a greenhouse roof—one of several ethereal sets designed to play with the idea of “heaven” without resorting to clichés. 

This luminous sanctuary, constructed on a Babelsberg soundstage, reinforces Anderson’s desire to let the theatricality of filmmaking remain visible. 

Back on Earth, Liesl—a sharp-eyed nun played by Threapleton—serves as the film’s moral compass, confronting her father’s shady dealings with quiet urgency. Her presence grounds the otherwise operatic tale in emotional terms, hinting at redemption even as her father’s empire teeters on collapse. Anderson’s dedication to constructed environments—combined with carefully choreographed camera work and dense visual metaphors—keeps The Phoenician Scheme rooted in his signature style. 

From an overhead bathing scene inspired by Brian De Palma to the barely contained chaos of high-stakes diplomacy in Phoenicia’s gilded halls, every frame reflects the obsessive craftsmanship that fans have come to expect. Though set in an unreal place, the film resonates with our very real fascination with ambition, moral ambiguity, and the global titans who reshape history while escaping accountability. 

In The Phoenician Scheme, Anderson doesn’t just create a new world—he builds a fable out of the ruins of several. 

And, oh did we mention also in the film are Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend and Hope Davis. 

The Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEuMnPl2WI4 

CIVIL WAR'S LITTLE KNOWN HISTORY / ANTI CONFEDERACY REBELLION IN MISSISSIPPI, 1862

Scene from the 2015 film "The Free State of Jones" starring Matthew McConaughey as Newton Knight.  

A Beginner’s Guide to the Free State of Jones 

In the shadow of America’s Civil War, among the foggy pinewoods and swamps of Mississippi, an unlikely rebellion took root—one that challenged not only the Confederacy but the very idea of who the war was meant to serve. 

This was the Free State of Jones, a ragtag breakaway movement led by a poor farmer named Newton Knight. 

Who Was Newton Knight?   

Newton Knight, left, was no plantation owner. 

Born in Jones County, Mississippi, in 1829, Knight was a poor white farmer, a former Confederate soldier turned rebel—against the Confederacy. After seeing how the war favored the wealthy (who could buy their sons out of service), Knight became disillusioned. 

When the Confederacy began confiscating crops and livestock from poor Southern families, that was the last straw. 

What Sparked the Rebellion?   

Knight deserted the Confederate Army around 1862. Hiding in the swamps with a small group of fellow deserters and escaped enslaved people, Knight began organizing resistance. This band—known as the Knight Company—ambushed Confederate tax agents, disrupted supply lines, and protected the local population from raids.   

At its height, the movement declared Jones County and parts of neighboring counties a free state—loyal not to the Confederacy, nor exactly to the Union, but to their own fiercely independent code. 

Was It Really a “Free State”?   

The term Free State of Jones was mostly symbolic. There was no official secession or government, but the defiance was real. For a time, Confederate control all but evaporated in the region. Knight’s rebellion exposed deep fractures within the South—not every Southerner supported the war or the cause of slavery. 

What Happened After the War?   

Knight continued to live in Jones County after the war, scandalizing many by openly living with Rachel, a formerly enslaved woman he had helped free. Their mixed-race community became a point of social controversy in postwar Mississippi. Newton Knight’s legacy was complicated—hero to some, traitor to others, and an uncomfortable reminder of the South’s internal divisions. 

Why Does It Matter?   

The Free State of Jones matters because it challenges the myth of a unified Confederacy. It also offers a rare window into how class, race, and rebellion overlapped during America’s most brutal conflict. It asks: what happens when the common folk realize they’re dying in someone else’s war? 

Pop Culture Note   

In 2016, the story received renewed attention with the film Free State of Jones starring Matthew McConaughey as Newton Knight. While dramatized, the movie brought this little-known chapter of American history to a broader audience.