Wondrous Wemby
Theo of Golden, Taqueria La Casita, Seals & Crofts, Victor Wembanyama, Padded Poise
Welcome to my 189th weekly newsletter. This issue includes the top five vote-getters for NBA MVP, a book that became widely popular due to word of mouth, our closest authentic taqueria, a musical duo who were outspoken advocates for the Baháʼí Faith, the best two-way NBA player, and some dry humor. I hope you like the picks and pics.
I took the above photo of my brother David standing in front of our former family home in Omaha, Nebraska. We visited there for David’s birthday in 2014, the first time he had returned since our family moved to St. Louis in 1963. We had moved into the home on 5115 Davenport in 1957.
Our sister Ann serendipitously noticed a more recent photo of the home in the April 1, 2026 issue of The New York Times. She had kept that issue around to read a different article, but she happened to notice the photo and, amazingly, recognized our home.
$650,000 Homes in Texas, Nebraska and Virginia by Angela Serratore
Omaha | $650,000: A two-story house built in 1911 and recently remodeled, on 0.3 acres
This four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom house is within walking distance of both Memorial Park, home to a playground and a rose garden, and of the campus of the University of Nebraska Omaha, which has around 12,000 undergraduates. A public elementary school is also within walking distance. (My note: Yes, it’s walking distance all right—directly across the street.)
Omaha’s riverfront is 15 minutes away by car and Council Bluffs, Iowa, is 20 minutes away.
Size: 2,546 square feet
Price per square foot: $255
Indoors:
The house has a mix of original details, like the floor tile in the foyer and the living room’s red brick fireplace surround, and elements added for character, like columns in the living room that were sourced from an architectural salvage business.
A formal dining room has original woodwork along the walls and ceiling. The kitchen, across the hall, has a butler’s pantry and a breakfast nook.
All four bedrooms are on the second floor. The primary bedroom has its own fireplace and space for a king-size bed. Its en suite bathroom gets ample natural light and has a glass-walled shower and two vanities. The three other bedrooms all have good-sized closets for a home of this vintage, and the second full bathroom has a combined tub and shower.
Outdoor space: An enclosed sunporch off the dining room has access to the backyard, and a detached two-car garage is at the end of a long driveway.
Until this month, my son-in-law Matt was Senior Director of Apeel Labs. The once promising startup with an inspiring mission suffered greatly from multiple online disinformation attacks. Here is the sad story of what happened.
This Company Was an American Success Story. Until MAHA Influencers Sank It by Laurie P. Cohen
All it took was two Facebook posts to turn an online mob against Apeel Sciences and its booming business of keeping food fresh longer.
The eureka moment for James Rogers arrived while driving past some California farmland in 2011. He was a doctoral student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, focusing on world hunger, and the drive got him thinking about a huge problem with fresh produce. Growing it wasn’t the problem. Keeping it fresh was.
Working out of his garage, Rogers devised a fix. He used materials found in the skins, peels, and seeds of fruits and vegetables—especially grapes—to create a protective covering that slowed down the water loss and oxidation that cause fresh produce to spoil after being harvested. The early results won him a $100,000 grant in 2012 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Rogers soon hired two classmates as employees and launched a company called Apeel Sciences.
What happened over the next decade was an only-in-America triumph of entrepreneurial ingenuity and hard-earned recognition among consumers and celebrities alike. Time hailed Apeel as one of its “Genius Companies” in 2018 for keeping fruits and vegetables fresh “two to three times longer.” Apeel-coated apples, avocados, lemons, limes, mangoes, and oranges were sold in thousands of supermarkets across the United States, from Kroger to Costco to Trader Joe’s. Germany’s largest supermarket chain, Edeka, found that spoilage of imported avocados from Chile and Peru fell 50 percent—and sales jumped 20 percent. Apeel raised over $640 million from huge investment firms. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Katy Perry also invested in the company.
“We got through seven years of demonstrating its value to retailers,” Rogers told me. Apeel-coated cucumbers were about to become the next big thing. Walmart had begun selling some that no longer had to be cocooned in plastic shrink-wrap to stay fresh.
And then came April 10, 2023. On that day, at exactly 10:21 a.m. ET, two Facebook posts falsely claimed that Apeel’s product “can’t be washed off” and warned viewers not to “eat anything with the Apeel sticker on it.” The posts linked to the ingredients of a floor cleaner also called Apeel but made by a UK company. Within hours, the posts ricocheted across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Telegram, Rumble, and Reddit.
The posts ignored the fact that the Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority had separately evaluated Apeel, and found no safety concerns. Or that most of the produce sold in stores is coated with a thin layer of wax. This was an online mob, wielding disinformation and threats. And no one could stop it.
Soon after those first two Facebook posts, which came from Canada, similarly baseless claims were repeated by Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) influencers, including some who saw the worst in Apeel’s connection to Bill Gates. For many in the MAHA movement, Gates is a bogeyman, often accused of using his wealth to unduly influence global health policies, favoring pharmaceutical interests over public well-being, and even controlling the food supply.
Typical of the online attacks was a 1,000-word post by Krysten Dornik, who runs a Substack newsletter called Krysten’s Kitchen, with the headline: “The Dangerous Chemical Bill Gates Is Coating Your Organic Produce With.” Bots helped the posts mushroom.
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Fave Five 189: Wondrous Wemby
Book on Bestowals (Theo of Golden), Tasty Tinga Taco (Taqueria La Casita), Diamond Girl Duo (Seals & Crofts), Sensational Spur (Victor Wembanyama), and Padded Poise.
Fave Five List: NBA MVP Voting Top 5
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP for the second straight year. When he was given the trophy on Monday, Victor Wembanyama watched and then unleashed a monster performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Wemby will likely win it many times in the future, perhaps starting next season.
Victor Wembanyama (this issue’s Sports Star)
Book Best Bet
This book was originally self-published. Through word of mouth, it became very popular with book clubs, and was later published by Atria Books. My wife Barb’s book club read it, so I picked it up after she finished it.
I have very mixed feelings about the book. Its themes of kindness and seeing the good in people are appealing. But the writing struck me as frequently overblown, sappy, and unrealistic. Nonetheless, I was quite touched by the ending.
I concur with this minority review by Amy, the Bossy Bookworm:
I feel Grinch-like panning this widely beloved story, but for me the sweetness was cloying; the tale slowed to a snail’s pace as Allen explored every thought, possibility, and detail; and the twist felt jarring and was revealed too late to carry emotional weight.
From Amazon: One spring morning, a stranger named Theo arrives in the small Southern city of Golden. He doesn't explain much about where he came from or why he's there—but when he visits the local coffeehouse, where pencil portraits of the people of Golden hang on the walls, he begins purchasing them, one at a time, and giving each portrait to the person depicted. In exchange, he asks only for the person's story. And so portrait by portrait, person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are profoundly altered.
A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is an unforgettable novel about the power of generosity, the importance of connection, and the quiet miracles that happen when we choose kindness and wonder.
Restaurant Recommendation
Taqueria La Casita 49070 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, MI 48393
This is the most authentic taqueria relatively close to our home (although it’s 8 miles away). We dined here on Mother’s Day, when Barb was generously given a red rose and a free dessert. There was a sign announcing the return of Taco Tuesday, at one time a regular reason we used to dine here. So when we returned last night, I asked about Taco Tuesday, only to be told that it was no longer offered. Nonetheless, our meal was still a bargain ($17 including tax and tip). And the food is delicious, especially the tinga taco. Pro tip: separate the two tortillas that come with each street taco, divide the filling between them, and ¡Ahí está!—you have four tasty tacos for the price of two.
Street Tacos (Al Pastor/Marinated Pork and Tinga/Spicy Chicken): Corn tortillas topped with onions and cilantro
Mexican Pizza: 10-inch flour tortilla, topped with beans, ground beef, melted cheese, green peppers, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, sour cream, and guacamole
Taco Placero: Corn tortilla, with pork cracklings, pico de gallo, and avocado
Chiles Rellenos: 2 Poblano peppers, stuffed with mozzarella cheese, topped with mild red sauce and served with rice and beans
From the restaurant: As a family owned business founded in 2010, we strive to maintain the original recipes and provide the flavors that have been passed down from generation to generation.
From our salsas to each exceptional dish, we give it that zest that brings back memories and transports you to a time and a place in Mexico. And if you haven’t been there, our food is a way of experiencing our culture and traditions.
As a proud family from Mexico City, we put time and care into every little detail, this allows us to provide that home cooked meal taste that everyone craves.
Our menu is just like the Mexican saying “COMO MEXICO NO HAY DOS” each dish is unique in its own way, but the one thing we can all agree on, is that Mexico city’s specialty are the “GARNACHAS” also known as “STREET FOOD” such as huaraches, gorditas, quesadillas, sopes, pambazos and of course tacos that just make your mouth water, this and more exquisite items are available at our restaurant.
Join us and experience the authentic flavors of Mexican food.
Marvelous Musicians
Seals & Crofts
Dash Crofts passed away on March 25, 2026—the day before my birthday. Jim Seals died on June 6, 2022—the day of our wedding anniversary. Seals & Crofts are #3 in my list of favorite male pop duos.
I heard “Summer Breeze” and “Hummingbird” in 1972 and loved both songs. I bought the Diamond Girl LP in 1973 and Greatest Hits in 1975. My favorite song of theirs is “We May Never Pass This Way (Again).” Trivia: They had been members of The Champs along with Glen Campbell.
From Wikipedia: Seals and Crofts were an American soft rock duo made up of James Eugene “Jim” Seals (born October 17, 1941 in Sidney, Texas; died June 6, 2022 in Nashville) and Darrell George “Dash” Crofts (born August 14, 1938 in Cisco, Texas; died March 25, 2026 in Austin). They are best known for their Hot 100 No. 6 hits “Summer Breeze” (1972), “Diamond Girl” (1973), and “Get Closer” (1976). Jim’ s brother Dan was “England” Dan Seals, of England Dan and John Ford Coley (#8 in my favorite male pop duos).
Summer Breeze
Diamond Girl
Hummingbird
We May Never Pass This Way Again
Dust on My Saddle (with Glen Campbell)
The Paper Chase Opening Theme
My Playlist
Sports Star
On Sunday, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wembanyama had 41 points, 24 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks, leading the Spurs to a 122–115 double-overtime win. At 22 years and 134 days old, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (46 points, 25 rebounds in Game 5 against the Sixers in 1970) as the youngest player in NBA history to put up at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game.
Victor Wembanyama’s astounding Game 1 masterpiece just tilted the NBA on its head
In this moment, the league tilted, more than slightly, revealing a clearer view of the NBA’s possible future. The anticipation of Wembanyama’s league domination elevated beyond speculative analysis. For most of his career, he lived in the space between rumor and reality. A phenomenon heard about but confined to conjecture.
Monday, the opening salvo of these West finals, became the unveiling of Wembanyama as real. A tangible force arrived on a stage large enough to shed its mythical properties. And then he posed, to give a good look, so his excellence could be examined, his moxie remembered, as he vies for the greatest in the world.
The beauty of Wembanyama’s performance lies not in the skill displayed, which still drips with novelty because of his height. The greatest implication to be grasped goes deeper than how he warps the landscape and sightlines with his uncanny dimensions. This night captured his will to win. Like a gilded frame, he enhanced this work of art with his insatiable drive and the sense of purpose with which he pursues the top.
Afterward, Wemby readily acknowledged coveting the Michael Jordan MVP Trophy that Gilgeous-Alexander received before the game. In honor of Jordan, Wembanyama took that personally. “I want to get that trophy many times in my career,” he said.
Victor Wembanyama watched SGA get MVP, then proved he’s best player in the world
As Gilgeous-Alexander received his trophy, Wembanyama sat on the bench, fixated on the court. It was the only place he had left to make his point. He peeked over briefly during the ceremony, then locked back in on the ground. Stephon Castle tried to crack a few jokes. Nothing. Wemby was on a mission.
Then the game started, and Wembanyama did what he does best: the things that nobody else can, and maybe nobody else ever has in one package. Fueled, not by something he needs to take away from his greatest competitor, but by a recognition he will have to earn every day, starting now.
From Wikipedia: Victor Nonga Wembanyama-de Fautereau-Vassel (born January 4, 2004 in Le Chesnay, France), nicknamed “Wemby” and “the Alien”, is a French professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected first overall by the Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft and is considered one of the best basketball prospects ever due to his rare combination of height, agility, and skills.
Wembanyama began his professional career at age 15 with Nanterre 92 of the LNB Pro A in 2019. Two years later, he moved to ASVEL and won the Pro A title in his only season with the team. In the 2022–23 season, Wembanyama signed with Metropolitans 92 and became the youngest player to win the Pro A MVP award, while earning Pro A Best Defender honors and leading the league in scoring, rebounds and blocks. He was unanimously named an LNB All-Star twice, winning the All-Star Game MVP once, and was a three-time Pro A Best Young Player.
Wembanyama also plays for the French national team, with whom he won a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics. At the youth level, he led his team to two silver medals, including at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, where he set the FIBA record for blocks per game in a single tournament.
Following a historic rookie season in the NBA in which he led the league in blocks per game, Wembanyama was unanimously named the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year, finished second in the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year voting to compatriot Rudy Gobert, and became the first rookie ever and youngest player ever to be named to the All-Defensive First Team. During the 2025–26 NBA season, Wembanyama won his first Defensive Player of the Year award, becoming the youngest and first unanimous winner of the award.
Wemby Dominates in Game 1 of WCF: 41 & 24 to lead Spurs over OKC in 2OT
Picture Pun
Time for a little dry humor.
