Assault With a Deadly Condiment

Two Vermont state troopers claim the eggs served to them at a Denny’s in Lebanon, N.H., Feb. 7 burned their mouths and upset one officer’s stomach. They say a witness will confirm that the breakfast cook, Michael Towne, maliciously added a heavy dose of Tabasco to the policemen’s order. Towne faces up to two years in jail and a $4,000 fine on charges of assault.

Who Loves Ya, Baby?

Earlier this year the M&M;/Mars candy company asked the public to vote on a new color for M&Ms--each; of the three proposed colors was represented by a cartoon character. The 10 million votes have been counted, and 32% went for purple (a sort of Yuppie M&M; with a cellular phone), 10% for pink (a Generation Xer with its cap on backward) and 54% for blue, an expansive type wearing dark glasses and a show-biz smile. Look for blue ones in your M&Ms; soon.

Recipes for Independence

The developmentally disabled have a hard time shopping, let alone cooking, for themselves. A well-thought-out book called “The Instant Chef” makes both activities as easy as possible for them.

The ingredient list for the 10 recipes--basic American stuff such as tuna casserole, meat loaf and chicken cacciatore--includes color photos of the ingredients required. The same photos appear on “shopping cards” that can be marked, taken to the store and matched to the labels on the shelves. The procedures are fully illustrated at every step, and each cooking instruction is accompanied by a photo of the relevant range or oven switch setting. Everything is printed on sturdy, plastic-sealed board.

The book was produced by Project Independence, a group of parents and advocates for the developmentally disabled that also provides classes on shopping and cooking to go with the book and in the beginning will send a coach along on shopping expeditions. Project Independence is based in Orange and Los Angeles counties, but the book is available to individuals and agencies nationwide. To order “The Instant Chef” ($12 plus $3 shipping), call (714) 549-3464.