Subscribe now

Let Twinkies Inspire Your Video Artistry

Rick Bonino Food Editor

Twinkies may not be nominated for any Academy Awards this year, but they’ve certainly made their mark on the movie world.

The charismatic snack cakes have been featured in films ranging from “Steel Magnolias” to “Reality Bites” to “Die Hard” (both 1 and 2, no less).

Now it’s your turn to try to capture their star qualities on camera.

In honor of their 65th birthday, Hostess is sponsoring a “Fun with Twinkies” video contest. All you have to do is make a three-minute movie showing the role Twinkies play in your everyday life and send it to: Twinkies Video Contest, Box 5325, Norwalk, CT 06853-5325. Deadline is May 31.

Why bother? Well, first prize is $6,500. Two home theater systems will be awarded as second prizes, with another 200 entrants snaring some sort of loot.

By the way, if anyone actually does this, the Fresh Sheet would love to see a copy. (Don’t worry, we won’t play it at parties. Unless it’s really ridiculous.)

Noodling around

So you’ve been having a hankering for a nice, nutritious pasta primavera with frozen peas and peanuts?

No wonder. March is not only National Nutrition Month, and National Frozen Food Month, and National Peanut Month, but also National Noodle Month.

Now, you would think that would produce a plethora of fascinating pasta facts. But after wading through the oodles of press releases that arrived at our desk, we could only come up with two:

By law, a noodle must contain egg to be called a noodle. Everything else is just plain pasta.

The word noodle comes from the German “nudel,” which roughly translates to: “Ach! There’s eggs in mein pasta!”

Bitter with the sweet

This week, of course, is National Chocolate Week (funny how that comes during National Nutrition Month). And as far as we’re concerned, every week should be champagne week.

Which are just two of the reasons for attending the Spokane Sexual Assault Center’s annual Chocolate and Champagne Gala on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park.

Hedonism aside, the important thing is that proceeds go to programs to reduce sexual violence and help heal its victims - two-thirds of whom, at the Spokane center, are children.

Tickets are $25 per person in advance, or $30 at the door.

Semi-formal dress is encouraged. For information, call 747-8224.