Alec MacDonald

Nov 18, 2024 | nichibei.org | Alec MacDonald

SOUTH DOS PALOS, Calif. — The shiny silver silos at Koda Farms still contain a small amount of Kokuho Rose, the varietal of heirloom rice beloved by culinary professionals and home cooks everywhere. By January, however, those last remaining bushels will be gone, shipped out as the Koda family winds down agricultural operations at their Central Valley homestead.

May 15, 2024 | nichibei.org | Alec MacDonald

Don Wakamatsu’s baseball roots run deep. If you trace them back to their origins, you’ll find yourself at the Oakland Coliseum in the early 1970s, cheering on a dynastic Athletics team that captured three consecutive World Series titles. “You walk in there and it looks like a Greek amphitheater,” Wakamatsu said, summoning childhood memories of the massive stadium where he first attended major league games.

Apr 1, 2024 | nichibei.org | Alec MacDonald

BERKELEY, Calif. — Gardens are tranquil places where people can delight in the sweet fragrance of flowers and the melodic calls of songbirds. It seems a terrible shame to ruin this soothing atmosphere with an ear-splitting engine roar or the stench of gasoline exhaust, but that’s what happens when weed wackers, leaf blowers and chainsaws get used for yard work.

Mar 16, 2024 | nichibei.org | Alec MacDonald

Attention, expert gardeners: Are you looking to test your green thumb with an exciting new plant, an intriguing addition to your predictable rotation of backyard regulars? How about spicing up your repertoire with some wasabi? Yes, the sinus-scorching sushi condiment could bring a little zing to your horticultural hobby, as long as you have a lot of patience, a high tolerance for failure and a cool patch of shade.

Sep 28, 2023 | t.ly | Alec MacDonald

OAKLAND, Calif. — Sitting in the dining room of his Oakland sushi restaurant Yonsei Handrolls, chef Kyle Itani did something unexpected: He paused. He had spent the previous 40 minutes discussing his career, his family, and his relationship to food, fielding questions from Nichi Bei News with the lightning-quick response time of a quiz show champion.