A friendship between the director of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and a California cattleman that blossomed over almonds led to today's announcement that the MIA is set to receive more than 1,600 pieces of Japanese art.  The windfall solidifies the MIA as one of the nation's most all-inclusive collections of Japanese art.   This new addition features many pieces from the Edo period, perhaps most associated with Kabuki theater and the art of woodblock printing.  The collector lacked the resources to continue his commitment to the $25 million interest.

Speaking of almonds, this is a highly informative piece about the current state of the almond industry.  Apparently, we're lookin' at a tight supply of the healthy nut for the next couple of years.