Baby, it's not cold inside

Yelp, the digital equivalent of the bully pulpit for anyone who wants to review restaurants, bars, shopping services and more, is hosting Yelp du Nord, a 21+ event from 8-10 p.m. Feb. 22 at the American Swedish Institute's new Nelson Cultural Center, 2600 Park Av. S., Minneapolis. More than 30 local businesses will provide samples of food and drink, Bittercube's Nick Kosevich will be mixing Gamle Ode aquavit cocktails, St. Croix Chocolate will provide a smorgasbord of s'mores and Illumination Fire Troupe will be entertaining with flames. The event is free with an RSVP on Yelp, but attendees are encouraged to contribute at least $5 for One Heartland. Visit www.yelp.com/events/minneapolis-yelp-du-nord.

It's Super-Julia!

In all the coverage of Julia Child over the years, we don't recall seeing her in comic book form. Until now. "Female Force: Julia Child" debuted this month as part of a female empowerment series called "Female Force" that showcases women who have made a difference in the world. The comic covers Julia's days in Paris, where she learned to cook at Le Cordon Bleu, how she wrote "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," and her days on her popular TV show. Written by Michael Troy with art by Nathan Girtin, the 32-page comic book will be sold in print as well as digitally. Print copies of "Female Force: Julia Child" can be ordered exclusively for $3.99 at Comic Flea Market: bit.ly/XmAd01.

Right tools, right foods

If your ethnic group tends toward the Scandinavian, your menus may have gotten more interesting, but for better or worse, you've likely made do with the utensils on hand. No one's going to give up fajitas, though, so little wonder that ethnic housewares have become a growing trend. Target now is dedicating shelf space to a range of Hispanic and Asian cookware such as paella pans, woks, bamboo steamers, granite molcajete, cast-iron skillets with a wooden base for tableside fajitas, tamale steamers and more.

KIM ODE