C
M
Y
K
B-2 Peninsula Clarion, Wednesday, July 23, 2014
. . . Dogs Continued from page B-1
ering a pleasing crunchy pop. This is Michael Anderson’s hot dog stand, a mobile feast beneath a big green umbrella near the corner of Fourth Avenue and F Street, parked outside the Federal Building. He’s been selling dogs downtown for 22 years during Alaska’s summer tourist season, even on the rainiest days, and he’s such a draw that an adjacent competitor started using a green umbrella too. Just remember: Anderson has been called the “hot dog Nazi” more than once, a reference to the “soup Nazi” on the old “Seinfeld” TV series. The soup Nazi was a cranky soup vendor with lots of arbitrary rules, and Anderson has his own rules of engagement posted on a sign: End all cellphone talk at the counter, end all conversations with other diners when it’s your turn, wait to order until “the wienie behind the stand asks for it,” and finally, step to the right “and pay for this abuse.” Signed: “XX00. M.A.” In other words, there’s no time for indecision when you
‘If you think I’m mean, that’s fine because it’ll get you through the line quicker. Then they can get their food and go back to work.’ — Michael Anderson, hot dog vendor deal with this no-nonsense proprietor. Local customers probably make up 80 percent of Anderson’s clientele as they grab a dog for lunch while taking a break from downtown office jobs, and they’ll warn tourists what to expect. But many locals also think his is the best of several carts on the avenue, precisely because of his antics. “If you think I’m mean, that’s fine because it’ll get you through the line quicker,” Anderson said. “Then they can get their food and go back to work.” He’s also known for playing games. On Maybe Mondays, maybe he’ll be there or maybe he won’t, giving Facebook followers an early heads-up about absences. If he’s not working, people who show up will see a sign saying he’s gone fishing. Toppings Tuesday will offer regular
customers a surprise garnish. Sauteed garlic and bell peppers were a recent offering. And on Fridays, you can expect to see him in a kilt. Besides the reindeer dogs, he offers beef, Polish, Italian sausage, Louisiana hotlinks, bratwurst and chicken linguica, a type of smoke-cured sausage. One of his specialty toppings is onions caramelized in Coke. Meal combos with chips and a drink are $7.75; the dogs alone are $6. There are no tables, but there’s plenty of room to stand around, plus steps and planters to sit on. There’s even a real dog at the hot dog stand: Vivo, a 16-month-old lab-shepherd mix. He gets one beef dog a day, reminding Anderson with a little bark if he forgets. AP Photo/Rachel D’Oro Anderson has a suggestion box, too — or at least that’s In this photo taken July 14, Michael Anderson, left, operates his popular hot dog stand, M.A.’s what it says on the nearby Gourmet Dogs, where spicy reindeer dogs are the hands-down crowd favorite in downtown Anchorage. Anderson has been selling dogs for 22 years during Alaska’s summer tourist season. trashcan.
California firm issues nationwide fruit recall CUTLER, Calif. (AP) — A Central California company is recalling specific lots of its fresh peaches, plums, nectarines and pluots sold nationwide over concerns of possible listeria contamination. Wawona Packing Co. President Brent Smittcamp said in a statement that he is not aware of any illnesses caused by the fruit, and the voluntary recall was announced after consulting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “By taking the precautionary step of recalling product, we will minimize even the slightest risk to public health,” Smittcamp said. The recalled fruit was packed and shipped to retailers including Costco Wholesale Corp. and Trader Joe’s from June 1 through July 12, Wawona Packing said. The recall came after internal testing at the company’s packing house in Cutler, a community in Tulare County. Anybody who has the recalled fruit should discard it, the company said, adding that it wasn’t known where the contamination originated. The recalled fruit was shipped directly to retailers and wholesalers, who resell the products. The company issued the recall because it doesn’t know all of the companies that bought fruit from its wholesalers. More information including lot codes, labels and pictures to identify the possibly contaminated fruit, is at Wawona’s website, http://www.wawonapacking.com . Consumers can also call 888-232-9912. Listeria can cause serious illness and even death for sensitive groups, such as children, the frail and the elderly. Healthy people may suffer flu-like symptoms, such as high fever, headache, nausea and diarrhea. It can cause miscarriage and stillbirth for pregnant women, the company warned. After discovering the contamination, Wawona said it shut down its packing lines, retrofitted some equipment and sanitized the facility. Subsequent tests have been negative for the bacteria. Clovis-based Wawona Frozen Foods is a separate company and is not involved in the recall.
‘Drink Up’ more water By STACY A. ANDERSON Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama is expanding her push for America to drink more water, as the White House claims partial responsibility for helping to boost nearly $1 million in bottled water sales among consumers since the national “Drink Up” campaign launched in September. C
M
Y
K
C
M
Y
K