Becoming Anthony Bourdain | Inquirer South Jersey
And the mystery of the missing weakfish.
Good morning, South Jersey. If you were hoping to be outside this weekend, it might be a good idea to have a backup plan. ☂️
The new biopic Tony condenses the story of Anthony Bourdain’s formative years into one summer as he falls in love with restaurant life, with Cherry Hill native Dominic Sessa starring in the title role.
And the sleepy town of Fortescue used to be the “weakfish capital of the world,” and no one seems to agree on why that’s no longer the case.
Plus, three exceptional athletes from South Jersey made our regional list of the best under the age of 25, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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Instead of attempting to encompass Anthony Bourdain’s entire life, Tony takes a more concentrated approach on his adolescence.
Before Bourdain was a chef, writer, and television personality, he was a disgruntled college student from New Jersey who found a love for the culinary world after stumbling into a job washing dishes at a seafood restaurant in Provincetown, Mass.
Cherry Hill native Dominic Sessa stars as 19-year-old Bourdain in this coming-of-age story, out nationwide today.
The movie draws from the beginning portions of Bourdain’s memoir Kitchen Confidential and memories he shared in a 2014 Parts Unknown episode.
The Inquirer’s Michael Klein shares his review.
There was a time when weakfish were abundant in Fortescue.
But these days, they might as well be unicorns. “Tide runners” are hard to find on the coasts of New Jersey and Delaware along the Delaware Bay.
So, where did they go?
Fishermen have various theories. They point to dolphins, nuclear power plants, offshore seafood trawlers — and themselves.
Follow Inquirer reporter Jason Nark as he hunts for the answer.
What to know today
Olympic figure skater Isabeau Levito of Mount Laurel, four-time world junior swimming champion Audrey Derivaux from Haddonfield, and NASCAR driver Lavar Scott from Carneys Point made the Inquirer’s 25 under 25, our first roundup of the best athletes in the region under the age of 25.
Camden City School District Superintendent Alfonso Q. Llano Jr. spent his Thursday morning encouraging families to enroll their children and advocating for strong attendance, 6abc reports.
Johnson & Johnson provided $300,000 to Rutgers-Camden’s nursing program. Its simulation facilities will be renamed the Johnson & Johnson Nursing Simulation Lab.
According to 6abc, a family from Sewell said a delivery driver allegedly stole $16,000 worth of their belongings from their driveway soon after they got home and unloaded their car.
Beginning tomorrow at 7 p.m., Route 130 through Gloucester City will be closed in both directions at Klemm Avenue for railroad crossing repairs through Sunday at 7 p.m. Be aware of detours.
Gouldsburger’s, a popular burger and cheesesteak chain, will open its latest location in Glassboro today, according to 42 Freeway. The South Jersey based company’s original location is in Haddonfield.
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🧠 Trivia time
The Pub in Pennsauken is for sale but is not closing. The landmark restaurant opened in what year?
A) 1942
B) 1951
C) 1975
D) 2000
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
🥁 Catching: Two-time Grammy winner Will Calhoun playing at a free concert next week in Camden to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Miles Davis’ birthday.
🏀 Replaying: The first look at LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown on the court together.
🍷 Pairing: Red wine with barbecue.
🏖️ Down the Shore
This feature appears as part of our weekly summertime series from Shore reporter Amy S. Rosenberg. Subscribe to her free Down the Shore newsletter here.
Through The Shore line text group, Rosenberg asked readers on how to fix problems such as parking, costs, and public access.
Here are a few of the responses:
“I think that there should be a ‘beach tag’ for cars. Or some type of ‘congestion pricing’ for bringing your car onto the island. I have a rental property that has four bedrooms. The tenants this week brought seven cars.”
“Make townships responsible for providing public parking and public restrooms with outdoor showers and changing rooms. Start working toward zoning that requires new development to include affordable public accommodations (motels, campgrounds, public beach facilities). Get creative about linking our barrier islands with alternative modes of transportation. Go car free in designated areas.”
“Maybe either a lane or certain streets to use golf carts. It is horrifying the way people pack kids in them and drive in traffic. Many do not drive safely either. Toddlers sitting on someone’s lap or just on a seat!”
Have your own ideas? Share your solutions at downtheshore@inquirer.com.
📸 Photo of the week
🎉 One last festive thing: Relive the Dominican Restoration Day parade and waterfront community party in Camden held at the start of this week.
Enjoy your weekend! I’ll be on vacation next week and will be back at the end of August. My wonderful colleagues Julie Zeglen and Ellen Dunkel will be stepping in to provide your daily dose of news. See you soon. 📧
Clarification: Yesterday’s newsletter featured a story about the future of Collingswood’s liquor license ban. The ban is more than a century old.
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