To Javamancy fans in Virginia: In case you’ve been texting with your buddies about the latest posts here on Javamancy… please stop now.

Starting today, it is illegal to text (send and receive SMS/MMS/similar-formatted messages, including E-mails) while driving in the Commonwealth. While it is considered a secondary-type infraction, it is a ticketable offense that carries fines.

You’ve been warned, folks. Be safe, please.

Fuddruckers: The Setup

A few days ago (this past Thursday (6/26/2008, ‘kay?)), I went over to Fuddruckers to celebrate Tom’s birthday.

Several days before that (on 6/15/2008, in fact), we’d gone over to Fudd’s, only to find out that they had yanked their tomatoes, due to the Salmonellois outbreak. As we sat in our large circular booth, munching on tomato-free half-pounders, I wondered how long it would take for the restaurant biz would regroup and bring tomatoes back.

Fuddruckers: The Premise

Earlier, several restaurant chains have sought public approval by announcing their (temporary) stoppages of using raw tomatoes in their dishes.

Now, despite the major tomato-related Salmonellosis warning updates, restaurants and restaurant chains still need to earn your money, right? So, a lot of ‘chains have attempted to restock fresh, raw tomatoes, either nationwide or in select markets.

Fuddruckers has recently joined the roster of restaurants which have started to restore raw tomatoes to their lineup of fixin’s. A lot of franchisees have gone through the effort of confirming their supply originations to make sure that they’re not receiving suspicious produce.

Fuddruckers: The Action

As I sat contentedly munching on my tomato-adorned half-pounder on Tom’s birthday, I was wondering how much longer this Salmonellosis outbreak will last, and who is the culprit in this major infectious disease mystery.

In Other (but Related) News: McDonald’s

A lot of you definitely enjoy dining at McDonald’s, so the news I reported here (back on 6/19/2008) about the still-unavailable fresh tomato supply at McDonald’s was certainly disappointing. This is despite the recent (6/14/2008???) announcement by McDonald’s spokeswoman Danya Proud that sliced fresh tomatoes were expected back in restaurants in the 7-10 day timeframe.

While I haven’t confirmed firsthand that fresh, sliced tomatoes have truly migrated back into the local McDonald’s restaurants, other folks have mentioned that they have seen them on some sandwiches… but they themselves did not order any of those sandwiches.

If you have the opportunity to stop by a McDonald’s, get yourself a tomato-containing sandwich or burger, and let us know about your experience.