Liquor Deregulation, Drunk Beard Nominees, and Other Food News

Food news of the world:

Bill to Loosen Wine, Beer Sales on Gov. Gregoire's Desk by Melissa Allison (Seattle Times): It's not everything that Costco sued for but it paves the way for saner regulation. Does that make me a deregulation fan? Am I going to find myself chanting "Drill, Baby, Drill!" next? How slippery is this slope?

Dr. Pepper Artifact May Reveal Soft Drink's Origin (AP): A proto-recipe for "D Pepper Pepsin Bitters," an herbal tonic containing mandrake root and sweet flag root, was discovered at an antique store in Texas. I say Dry Soda should come out with a rerelease.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Announces Funding for New Organics Initiative (thanks, Ethicurean!): Fifty million smackeroos, to be precise, to help bump up production of organic food. This may come at a particularly good time. Some market research studies say sales of organic produce are up, others say the recession has driven them down.

Asparagus' Breaking Point by Harold McGee (NY Times): Apparently snapping isn't all that reliable. Timely advice from the nation's foremost food scientist on how to get the most out of your asparagus without chewing on fibers. Fun fact: Asparagus keeps growing after it's picked. Just like fingernails on a corpse.

Marian Manners, Prudence Penny, the First Celebrity Cooks by Jenn Garbee (LA Times): Apparently, the Galloping Gourmet was just following in the footsteps of these pseudonymous cooking instructors. I'm a fan of the Prudence Penny (there were several) who used to be a crime reporter and advised readers to "keep a rum bottle handy while cooking in case 'you'd like to get a little glazed yourself.'"

Maria Hines, congrats on your Beard Award. Double congrats for not making national news with a stunt like this. Triple congrats to Tom Douglas for not joining in.