Break out the party hats and grab the birthday candles! It's almost time for the big 4-0!

That's right. Taste is turning 40, and of course we are celebrating.

You're invited. We would like you to join us in commemorating four decades of the publication that has kept us well-fed for several generations.

Next Thursday, Oct. 1, is the actual birthday, which we'll mark with a retrospective of the food section (including the words of a 97-year-old cook who has kept all the Taste sections over the years).

Then join the Taste staff at any of our public events:

• Oct. 1 -- Taste Night at the Heights, 7:30 p.m. The Heights Theatre and Taste will put on a showing of "Mildred Pierce," the 1945 Joan Crawford film noir that meshes mother love, restaurants and murder. Memorable line: "My mother, a common waitress!"

Get there early because Harvey Gustafson will be playing food songs on the theater's Wurlitzer organ before the movie begins. We'll also show old clips of TV food ads (courtesy of the Mill City Museum archive).

And there will be loads of door prizes (every birthday needs gifts!). $8 at the door or online (www. heightstheater.com); 3951 Central Av. NE, Columbia Heights, 763-788-9079.

• Oct. 2 -- The carillon bells of City Hall in downtown Minneapolis will ring at noon with a medley of food-related songs. Listen carefully -- then sing along, wherever you may be!

• Oct. 3 -- Birthday cake at the Mill City Farmers Market, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or as long as the cake lasts). Meet up with Taste staffers, past and present, and have a slice of birthday cake specially made by Michelle Gayer of the Salty Tart. The market is on the plaza at 2nd St. and Chicago Av. S., Mpls. (next to the Guthrie Theater).

And much more

Throughout October you can participate in our birthday celebration:

• Watch a slide show of original poster covers that illustrated the section for more than a decade, shown continuously at the Mill City Museum, 704 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis

• Show us your birthday cake creations in our online cake contest. It won't open until next Thursday, so get baking now (and get your camera ready). Judging will be done by viewers; there will be a $200 prize.

So mark your calendars. We'll give you more details next Thursday.

And no need to RSVP. We'll expect to see you!