8 chapters across the catalog
White House Dog Sunny and President Obama's CNN Interview
President Barack Obama introduced a second Portuguese Water Dog named Sunny during a 45-minute CNN interview. The official narrative suggests the new puppy was acquired to keep the older dog, Bo, company while the Obama children are busy with school. Skeptics joke about the dog's behavior and the timing of the domestic animal news amidst global financial and military tensions.
Best Linguisa in the US, Product Recommendations
John Dvorak announces a quest to find the best linguisa (Portuguese sausage) in the United States, starting with a recommendation for Lopes Sausage in Newark, New Jersey. He invites producers to submit their own local favorites for a future webpage. The segment serves as a lighthearted break from the heavy geopolitical discussion.
Listener Donations, Phi Constant and John Foley's Birthday
The hosts acknowledge various listener donations, including a $161.80 contribution linked to the mathematical constant Phi. A donor from Oahu, Hawaii, sends $69.40 to celebrate her boyfriend John Foley's 40th birthday. The segment includes a discussion of "Portuguese sausage" and a humorous attempt at a synchronized birthday greeting over Skype.
Portuguese Linguiça Sausage and Regional Varieties
A discussion on linguiça, a Portuguese sausage, explores its availability in the United States and Brazil. John Dvorak requests listener recommendations for high-quality sausage factories, specifically mentioning Taylor's Sausage in Oregon. A suggestion is made to create a Twitter-based locator for the product.
A review of the L'Orangerie restaurant in Portugal highlights local delicacies such as pumpkin cream soup and octopus carpaccio. The hosts specifically discuss "Vida Nova," a wine produced by British singer Sir Cliff Richard at his estate in the Algarve. While the wine quality is praised, the pricing in local restaurants is debated.
Michelle Obama Media Appearances and White House Pets
Michelle Obama's interview on the entertainment show "Extra" is discussed, where she expressed being starstruck by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. The family's selection of a Portuguese Water Dog is mentioned as a distraction for the public.
Portuguese Linguiça, Santos Sausage Factory, Food Regulation
John C. Dvorak recounts the history of Portuguese linguiça sausage in Newark, California, and the closure of the Santos factory in San Leandro. The factory owner reportedly killed two health inspectors after being harassed over traditional curing processes. Dvorak discusses the difficulty of finding authentic, chunky linguiça that meets modern health standards.
Portuguese Language and European Television History
The linguistic challenges of Portuguese are discussed, noting that while the written language is accessible to Spanish speakers, the pronunciation is vastly different. One host recalls his time as a television personality on Europa Television and RTP-2 in the early 1980s, wondering if local residents over the age of forty still recognize him from his daily broadcasts.
