Guest Blogger: The World's Fare

This week's guest blogger, Diane at "The World's Fare," precedes her latest (and very informative) entry on the noble rutabaga with this quote from Garrison Keillor, whose enthusiasm for our favorite root vegetable is unsurpassed anywhere on the planet: 

"So many people confuse rutabagas with turnips. They're not alike at all. Rutabagas have a pleasant yellow-orange color, large friendly-looking leaves, and a smooth dense texture. Turnips are fish-belly white and purple on top like a bad bruise and have hairy leaves and taste brackish, like swamp water. Rutabagas are the root crop that any sensible person would prefer."

— Garrison Keillor on "Prairie Home Companion"

Finally, ARSI takes long-delayed pleasure in announcing that The Oregonian, via Diane's blog and its own OregonLive website, has finally recognized Forest Grove as the Rutabaga Capital of the World Since 1951.

We look forward to joining Diane and The Oregonian in getting out the word on all the festivities that are planned for the International Year of the Rutabaga.

[Painting by John Cummings especially for ARSI, ©2010]

President for Life MacAroon returns to ARSI's expedition in Chile

In honor of the safe return of ARSI President for Life Obie MacAroon III to his expedition in the Chilean highlands, the Board of the Advanced Rutabaga Studies Institute (ARSI) has declared:

INTERNATIONAL RUTABAGA MONTH - AUGUST, 2009

Last week President MacAroon was released from jail in Pintodos after being taken into custody on a fugitive warrant from the U.S. based on allegations of tax fraud that his team of Chilean lawyers described as "completely bogus." The release was effected as soon as cash payments could be arranged for certain "routine fees" to local officials.

While the human-rights community awaits additional details concerning this unfortunate misunderstanding, we are pleased to report that the ARSI expedition will immediately resume its intensive search for the legendary tropical rutabaga (Brassica napobrassica tropicales).

PHOTO: Police and curious onlookers outside the Pintodos jail await Obie MacAroon III's release.