Go ahead, pig out

By JIM ROMANOFFThe Associated Press

Pork and fat often seem to go hand in hand, perhaps because bacon, sausage and barbecue are so popular. But don't let this keep you from considering pork as a healthy choice.

Something new on the top shelf: Acai

By JOSH L. DICKEYAssociated Press Writer

When a mysterious biblical philosopher wrote what would become Ecclesiastes 1:9, he may as well have been staring into the liquor cabinet: "What has been done will be done again," his thoughts roughly went. "There is nothing new under the sun."

For great Greek salad, use a knife, ditch the greens

Here's how to avoid getting stuck eating mostly lettuce when you share a Greek salad: Eliminate the leafy stuff.

You know how it happens; a big enticing plate is put on the table, but looks are deceiving. It's really just a small assortment of vegetables floating in a sea of chopped iceberg lettuce. I say empty the ocean.

Giving goodies a fancy flair

With three young children, Becca Bauer barely has time to indulge in one of her hobbies: baking. She's embarrassed to admit that she often "stoops" to making cakes from a box rather than from scratch.

But she recently discovered an easy way to add an extra homemade touch to any baked good.

A wine to try

2006 Folonari Riesling

Pavia, Italy

$9

Serve with: Seafood, spicy Asian cuisine

Tastings

Tastings

Amherst Wines & Spirits, 233 North Pleasant St., Amherst

Today, 2 to 5 p.m., Spain's unknown whites

Cooper's Corner, 31 Main St., Florence

State Street Fruit Store, Deli, Wines, & Spirits, 51 State St., Northampton

Fridays, 4 to 6 p.m., wine and cheese at both stores

Spirit Haus, 338 College St., Amherst

For the kids: Hummingbirds prepare to travel south

As the end of my summer approached over the last couple weeks I found myself preparing for getting back to school. I went out and bought pencils, paper, notebooks and other school supplies all with the knowledge that a big change was coming. This is the first week of actual classes so I wanted to make sure I was ready. Poor planning prevents perfect performance, after all.

River's mud attracts shorebirds

The Audubon Society has reported a variety of recent bird sightings in western Massachusetts.

Want a potbellied pig pet? Learn to care for it

By Denise FlaimNewsday

Lots of things peaked in the '80s, from leg warmers to big hair. Vietnamese potbellied pigs also were "hot" 20 years ago, and, like Michael Jackson, they have faded, but persist beyond their heyday.

Online job searches: As many dead ends as fast lanes

Recently I asked you to share which Web sites had become indispensable in your job searches - and which ones were driving you crazy.

Professional resume writer Wallace Holland's favorite site is also the one that frustrates him most often: USAJobs.gov, the federal government's primary job site.

Improve your pet portraiture

Ever feel like you've never been able to take a really great photo that captures the spirit of your dog?

Fall foliage season

By BETH J. HARPAZAssociated Press

New England's fall foliage typically peaks in late September and early October. But around the country, leaf-peeping season runs longer than you might think.

Last year, for example, trees in New York City's Central Park were still putting on a show the week before Thanksgiving.