MAX7 MAX ZINN OLIVE GROWER

Friday and Saturday were the annual Olive Grower Symposium at the University of California-Davis. Max Zinn and Carlos Perez went, of course. The American Olive Growers was a sponsor of the Olive Institute of UC Davis, and they also used Dr. Louise Larkner, Henry Lopez, and Aura Martinez as consultants.  

Max presented their new state-of-the-art cold compressing facility for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)  As the only college in California with an Olive Institute and growing in stature compared to the University of Bari in Italy.  

The American Olive Growers - Max’s farm - worked towards the best EVOO in two years. The cold compressing facility used artificial intelligence to apply the best pressure without bruising or damaging the olives. Premium EVOO would get up to triple the price in the marketplace. 

The Olive Grower Symposium was the major olive symposium in the United States. Various vendors were there to show off their new equipment. American Olive Growers had purchased the top-of-the-line equipment from National Olive Supply and Equipment - a significant vendor at the show. Matt and Carlos spent time at their booth as users of their equipment.  

As a bonus, Robert Zinn from the American Branch of the Camposi Olive Organization was a keynote speaker on the significant growth of the olive business in the United States. (And, of course, Robert Zinn was Max’s dad).

Of academic institutions, the University of California at Davis, the University of Bari in Italy, and Texas A&M University were vendors as well - presenting their various certificates and programs. Louise Larkner was at the University of California at Davis Booth (despite her doctorate from Texas A&M).

Before dinner on Friday night, attendees could have cold coffee with olive oil or a variety of mixed drinks with alcohol and extra virgin olive oil.  

Max was at a table with Louise Larkner and hoped he could talk to her - and ask her out. Louise was sitting between Max and her graduate professor from Texas A&M University. They were across from the olive department chair from UC Davis. On the other side of Max was Maria Lisa Clodoveo, the chair from the University of Bari. So, again, Max was unable to gain Louise’s attention and spent most of the dinner talking in Italian to Maria. He thought, too bad, she is 50 years old, married with two children, and kind of dumpy looking. But she is a friend of the Camposi family. 

The program for the evening was a two-person show between Dr. Wilson Klumpf, MD, and an olive expert from the United States Department of Health and Human Services and Cynthia Chavez from the California Department of Agriculture. The show was funny as they poked fun at olives and other fruit.  

Dr. Kumpf started. “The mother takes an olive, puts it in her mouth, goes “mmmm,” the daughter tries one for the first time, goes “ew...”, the mother eats another, again, goes “mmmm...”, her daughter tries yet another, then begins to cry. Her mother asks, “why are you crying,” her daughter says “you’re getting all the good ones.”

Cindy Chavez retorted. “About 1,375 olives are pressed to make 1 liter of olive oil, 8,435 sunflower seeds to make a liter of sunflower oil. And don’t even get me started on how many babies it takes to make baby oil.”

Wilson replied, “A man walks into a bar. He orders a Martini, takes out the olive, puts it on the table, and drinks it. Then he calls another one, again taking out the olive and drinking the Martini. And again, and again, and again.

At the tenth Martini, the bartender becomes curious and asks: “Why are you always taking out the olive and putting it on the side?”

“Well, that is quite simple,” says the man. “My wife asked me to buy a jar of olives, but the store was closed.”

Cindy laughs and makes another joke. 

“Hey Wilson, If you combine Basil, Parmesan, Pinenuts, and Olive Oil, you get Pesto. What do you get when you mix Olive Oil, Spinach, and Sweet Peas?

Wilson answers, “I have no idea, Cindy.”

Cindy answers, “You get the comic and cartoon classic Popeye.”

Wilson rolls his eyes and groans.

Then, the two of them talked about the benefits of olive oil, like “Extra virgin olive oil is a rich source of monosaturated fat (aka - healthy fat), and according to a study by the American Heart Association, it reduces the risk of heart disease.

“Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E and Vitamin K, both essential for maintaining healthy skin and hair. Since extra virgin olive oil boasts a higher nutrient content than standard olive oil, drinking it daily is an excellent way to replenish damaged skin and hair. “

After five minutes, a student walks in front of the two, dressed as an olive. That was their cue to have a few more olive jokes and finish the program.

Wilson said, “Charles Dickens walks into a bar... and orders a martini. The bartender asks, “Olive or twist?”

Cindy finished with, “Why were the two olives fighting? They were pitted against each other.”

The olive growers loved the program and gave it a standing ovation.  

*****

The attendees stood up, and Max thought, maybe I can ask Louise for a date, but Cindy Chavez approached him and asked, “Hey Max, did they solve that murder on your olive farm?”

Max answered, “No, Cindy, unfortunately, they haven’t solved it yet. I think the Butte County Sheriff has some leads, but nothing they can go with you.”

And by the time Max finished talking with Cindy, Louise Larkner was gone.  

Max wondered if things were stacked against him.

******

Max, Robert, and Carlos stayed the night in the Embassy Suites in Davis, and Max had time with his Dad. 

Dad filled in Max about happenings with the family.

Max’s younger sister, Maria, was dating a graduate student in numerical analysis from MIT. Annalisa was in her senior year at Sacred Heart University. Dad’s sister, Marge, was having cancer treatments.   

Max asked, “How’s Mom?”

Robert Zinn hesitated, “Mom is in Italy and has been for four months and maybe longer.” Dad paused, “We’re having some marital troubles and trying a separation.”

That news took Max by surprise. “Really, what’s up, Dad?”

Robert answered slowly, “I guess we just fell out of love. We’re telling people she cares for her mother, which is partially true. But it’s not like Grandma Camposi is dying. She is just elderly and slowing down a bit.xz

Max wondered if either Dad or Mom was having an affair - or maybe both- but he knew that was an inappropriate question. He’d ask his sister Maria when he had a chance.

Max did comment, “I’m sorry, Dad.”

Robert answered, “Thank you, son.” 

Max did ask, “And you are staying on as President of Camposi Italian Products - USA?”

Robert answered, “Yes. Your Grandfather, Aldolfo, said he wants me to stay on. They are still very patriarchal in their views, so he wants a man to lead the American Branch. So, as far as I know, even though your mother and I are separated, the business will continue as it is.”

Dad was squirming in his chair and changed the topic. “So, did they solve the murder case in your orchard?”

Max said, “Not yet. The authorities did various tests, and the guy, a former employee, was high on drugs and alcohol. The bullet went into his forehead from close range, so we figured it was his partner in the plan to hurt the trees. They are arranging for a funeral Mass for him this coming week. He leaves a wife and a son. Seemingly, the wife was shocked by his murder. I thought about attending the funeral, but I’ve decided not to. I”

Dad asked, “You said, in the past, you were interested in that professor at the University of California Davis. Has that worked out?”

Max shook his head. “See doesn’t seem to be married, but she is aloof. After sitting next to her tonight, I’d hoped I get a chance to ask her out. But she was too busy talking to her friends.