Too hot to cook? Make a meal of the delicacies at the St. George Greek Festival Aug. 21-22 on the grounds of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Av. in St. Paul. There will be dancing and singing and history tours of the church. But there also will be gyro sandwiches, Greek salad, spanakopita, tiropita and pastitsio as well as popular dinner-plate options with roast lamb, chicken, or souvlakia (shish kebab) served with rice, salad and bread. Still hungry? The bake sale will offer a wide variety of Greek pastries. Admission to the festival is free, but insiders know that it's smart to buy food tickets in advance online. Visit www.stgeorgegoc.org/ greekFestivalTickets.html. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Pots-on-a-stick
Yep. It's almost that time of year (that would be the Minnesota Great Get-Together, a k a Minnesota State Fair). Northern Clay Center has its own riff on fair food with a Pots on a Stick exhibition through Aug. 29, with an opening reception Aug. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests are invited to bring their own food-on-a-stick creations to compete for Best in Show. For more info, see www. northernclaycenter.org. The center is at 2424 E. Franklin Av.; 612-339-8007.
Plays at the plate Minnesota Twins players will be at the plate Aug. 15 at the Capital Grille in downtown Minneapolis for the fourth annual Grand Slam Twins Waiter fundraiser. Twins fielder Michael Cuddyer will greet guests, and many other players will serve as waiters. The benefit includes a cocktail reception, five-course meal and time to chat with players. Cost is $300 per guest, with all proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. For reservations, contact Diane Forsberg at the Capital Grille, 612-692-9000 or e-mail minneapolis@tcgdine.com.
It's black and white Seeking a simpler choice? Be Good to People offers housewares that come in black or white. That's it. "Because Being Good to People is that simple," according its website, www.begoodtopeople.com. The company, based in Eagle, Colo., was inspired when founder Kris Wittenberg had a rude experience while running errands that made her wonder, "Why can't people just be good to people?"
Already the owner of a promotional materials company, she found that the phrase was not trademarked and decided to promote goodness. Five percent of every purchase goes to a fund from which the company recognizes and rewards people who are being good to others. Most items are apparel, but some housewares items include coffee mugs and grocery totes. Locally, Patina stores carry some items from the line.
Not just for drinking You only drink coffee? Coffee.org, an Internet-based coffee company, shares five creative ways to use leftover coffee grounds and extra coffee beans.
• Remove odors from your hands by rubbing a few coffee beans in your palms; the oils released from the beans will absorb the foul smell.
