If you've ever wanted to be quoted in a "rave review" blurb, here's your chance. The growers group for SweeTango apples, developed in the University of Minnesota orchards, has a Juicy Details writing contest in which entrants describe in 50 or fewer words the sensation of biting into a SweeTango. The winning writer gets a grand prize of $5,000, a box of apples and their description featured in stores next year. Entry details are at www.sweetango.com. Don't dawdle -- entry deadline is Oct. 12.

Furi School fundraiser

Wosen Kifle has been a respected fixture in the Twin Cities hospitality industry for decades, far from his native Ethiopia. He retired several years ago to follow his dream of building a school and adult education center in his hometown of Furi. One hallmark will be a well to provide clean drinking water. This Sunday, his friends on the food scene are hosting a fundraiser for the Furi School Project, at 5 p.m. at the Grand Hotel in Minneapolis. Tim McKee of La Belle Vie, Robert Wohlfeil of the Oceanaire Seafood Room, Joseph Kaplan of Joe's Garage, Kris Koch of the Grand Hotel and Tim Scott of Macy's are collaborating on a five-course dinner. Wines are being donated by Haskell's Wines & Spirits. Cost is $125; order online at www.furischool.org or call 1-800-581-4460.

Diabetes Expo Diabetes now affects almost 26 million people in the United States, with a rise of more than 2 million in the past two years, according to the American Diabetes Association. The Minnesota chapter of the ADA is hosting its ninth Diabetes Expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The free event will feature cooking demonstrations, as well as recipes and tips for better health. Free health screenings will be available, along with the chance to talk with health care experts about medical and nutritional strategies. For details, including a schedule of speakers, visit www.diabetes.org/expominneapolis.

Fishy event at the zoo It's National Seafood Month, so the Minnesota Zoo is hosting its annual Fish Bites event at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday. Chefs from the Oceanaire Seafood Room, Sea Change, Masu Sushi and Robata, FireLake Grill House, Heidi's Minneapolis, Butcher & the Boar, Birdhouse, Luci Ancora, Ristorante Luci and Lancer Catering will prepare sustainable freshwater and ocean fish dishes, with sustainable wine from Lakeville Liquors. Sue Zelickson will receive the zoo's first Fish Smart Champion award for her support of the zoo and sustainable seafood initatives. Tickets are $50 at www.mnzoo.org. All funds go to the zoo's conservation efforts.

Enter in a Jif(fy) Oct. 11 is the deadline for a contest with a seriously great grand prize: a $25,000 college fund. The annual Jif Most Creative Sandwich Contest is seeking young chefs with inventive ideas for sandwiches that use at least two tablespoons of a Jif spread, whether it be peanut butter, chocolate-flavored hazelnut or mocha cappuccino-flavored hazelnut spread. (Who knew?) Parents can help their children submit their recipe online at www.jif.com by completing the contest entry form.

KIM ODE