Restaurants and wineries alike offer a great selection of some fine fermented grapes. Whether you have a more refined taste and enjoy the dryness of a Cabernet or still have a sweet tooth, surely you can find a bottle or two to stock the wine rack.  

Jack Kerouac’s “Essentials of Spontaneous Prose,” instructed one to write “as a jazz musician drawing breath between out-blown phrases.” I like to imagine that jazz notes fit perfectly in-between the spaces of each of our inhales and exhales.  

November already ... it doesn't seem possible. On the plus side, this is the month of my favorite holiday, National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. Ostensibly designed to make room for your turkey, it also serves the valuable function of making all those coagulated condiments and remaining bottles of raspberry beer you really didn’t like go away. Nov. 15, people. Celebrate!  

Sure, there's a global recession imposing on many aspects of our lives, but the savvy diner can still get good eats on a budget. A number of local restaurants have responded to the recession with great deals for you. Now it's your turn to respond to those deals. Go out to eat — it's fun!