Sidewalk Scenes September 2025

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*** Update on 2019 ‘Planetary Health Diet’ Report Coming Up *** Change of Featured Posts (Summary of Former Feature: ‘Reduce Waste’) *** Soup & Stew Season is OPEN *** Closing in on the Third Edition of 2025 – Next Post on Monday, October 13th (about the 2025 Berlin ‘House of Food’) *** Next Episode of Salty & Cara: The Apple Paradigm 3 ***

Here’s the Outlook

  1. The 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission will launch at the Stockholm Food Forum on October 3rd, and present their findings on how to feed a growing global population while ensuring justice and equity in the transformation of food systems. It is an update to the 2019 report on the “Planetary Health Diet.” I will keep you posted.
  2. The featured posts focus changes at the end of September 25 from ‘Reduce Waste’ to ‘Food Traditions & Food Culture’ (October 25 – January 26). If you want to take a look at all the posts that have been part of the “Reduce Waste” feature, check out the post [“Thank you, I’m Good”]. It has a list of the previously featured posts on the topic.
  3. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer is coming to an end. Which is the official opening of the soup and stew season. And yes, there are some more soup recipes coming your way.
  4. As this quarter is coming to an end, we will take a short break. As usual. The next post — and thereby the start of the Autumn Edition 2025 — will break the usual pattern, though, and come online on Monday, October 13. The reasons for that are, for one, that there will be some technical and design improvements to the site. So, there might be a short break at the beginning of October. Also, I will be at the Berlin Food Week on the second weekend of October. The Berlin Food Week takes place from October 6th to October 12th this year in different locations all over Berlin. I am going to be taking a closer look at the House of Food. You can read more about that on Monday, 13th.
  5. Below, you find the new episode of the fifth Salty & Cara adventure: “The Apple Paradigm”. A juicy fable set in a world inhabited by fruits and vegetables. Love and crime, uncooked, but served hot.

By Mag M. Schaper

Salty & Cara – The Apple Paradigm 3

Fifth Story, Third Episode: The Mayor of New Valley gets a mysterious note. And the big fruits start rolling.

What to Do?

Normally, Mayor Anacuta looked forward to the regular meetings with his chief of police. Maxwell Calabaza was a humorous and smart fellow, and their professional talks were always fruitful, no matter the serious background they handled. Crime was a constant problem in New Valley.

This time, it was different. When the big pumpkin in the thick uniform coat entered his office, the Mayor was standing in front of his window, a crumbled note in his hand. Chief Calabaza had known the leading apple of the valley long enough to know he was very upset.

“What’s wrong, Adam?”

The large apple just handed him the note. It read: “You are to call off the upcoming meeting between New Valley, Big Valley, and Purple Peak immediately. It is not in our interest. You will receive further instructions shortly. Should you fail to comply, bad things will happen. It was easy to get to your daughter. Maybe next time, we will take out another one that is close to you.” It was signed ‘The Council’.

“Do you know who they are?” Maxwell Calabaza intentionally skipped the evidence, that Bosca Anacuta obviously had been murdered, not been a victim of an unfortunate accident. He did not want to deepen the pain of the father any further.

“I have heard of them. They are a bunch of ‘honorable’ High-Trees. Mainly from New Valley, but there are some fruits from Big Valley involved as well.”

“Who told you that?”

“Hanano, or rather, Sir Lanceolato Fitzalani XII.”

“You knew?”

“Yes, we ran into each other some time ago, on one of his missions here in New Valley. He told me who he really was because he needed inside information. I’m quite glad he did; he is an extraordinary fruit, and I am lucky to have been calling him a friend. I also encouraged him to settle down here in town when he decided on his temporary leave from the secret service of King and Queen of Big Valley.”

Maxwell smiled: “And you did not think that information would have been valuable for New Valley’s police?”

The mayor turned and looked at him: “This information is not for the New Valley police, Max. This is for you only. We both know that Don Tomatoni, and the Nightshade clans that are working for him, have very good connections into our police.”

“The Don is usually very cooperative, as long as it does not harm his business interests.”

“I know. He comes and tells me things, as well. Nobody finds our little meetings suspicious, because a crime lord, of course, needs good connections with the political leaders of his territory. The information I get, I pass on to Hanano.”

“What do you need a police for, Adam, may I ask?” Max was wearing a broad grin now.

“Oh, common, don’t be such a blossom. I know that you know that I get information that has to be handled delicately. You are doing just the same.”

“Very well informed, old friend, as always. Speaking of such: I had gotten intel that there was going to be a secret meeting of ‘The Mincing Five’ down in Old Valley. So, I sent one of my usual snitches.”

“What did he find out?”

“What was left of him – two big chunks, basically; they cut the melon in half – spoke the clear language that we are onto something. Besides that, the owner of that bar gave me a description of five figures that met there. That description fits pretty much what we know about ‘The Mincing Five’. Also, I have heard some rumors about your ‘Council’ as well. They are preparing something. Nobody will say anything, but it’s going to be big.”

“Yes, I got the same impression. Don Tomatoni brought my favorite nutrient to one of our last meetings, and he made it urgent that I should warn Quentin Cumberman and his lovely starfruit, Cara. They both are getting too close to something. Also, the tomato confided in me that someone had wanted him to perform two assassinations some time ago, which he refused.”

“That must have been Rocko Ouerbeck and Cara Mabola.”

“Hanano talks to you, too, I see?” This time, it was the mayor grinning.

“Actually, it was Joe Bas, Hananos friend and former colleague, who told me. He is staying in New Valley right now to keep a lookout. I understand that Hanano, aka Sir Fitzalani, is needed at the royal court of Big Valley at the time.”

“Hm, that cannot be by mere chance. Something big really is up if the situation is getting serious in both valleys at the same time.”

“That would work well with the note you got.” The chief of police handed back the sheet to the head apple, who had taken a seat behind his desk. His expression darkened as he reread the lines.

“I’m sorry, Adam. It was a terrible thing that happened to Bosca. I promise you, we will get to whoever is responsible for that.”

Adam Anacuta nodded. Then, he regained his posture: “I think it’s time we involved our smartest detective in town.”

“I know you are not referring to one of my officers, but that’s okay. I will call his office. You send him all the info you have got. Use a courier you can absolutely trust. Because we do not really know who is involved here.”

“That’s the best move. Now, I am reminded again why I am mayor and you are chief of police.”

“It’s because I am not good at being diplomatic, and you are very bad at controlling your temper when someone gets mean.” They both laughed.

… Don Tomatoni brought my favorite nutrient to one of our last meetings, and he made it urgent that I should warn Quentin Cumberman and his lovely starfruit, Cara. They both are getting too close to something. Also, the tomato confided in me that someone had wanted him to perform two assassinations some time ago, which he refused.”

Side Notes:

Needless to say, the stories about Salty and Cara are pure figments of my imagination. No resemblance to any person or place – present or past – is intended. But I am sure you have already figured that out 😉

The “Salty & Cara” adventures were invented and written by Mag M. Schaper (copyright 2022 – 2025). All images and content are copyrighted. All rights reserved. For more information, see the Legal Notice.