Sweets With A Lot Of Heart
This Valentine’s Day, before you eat your heart out, be sure to read it first.
After all it, might say “Hello,” or “Awesome,” or even “e-Mail Me.”
Those are among the half-dozen new messages on the little candy Valentine hearts manufactured by the New England Confectionary Co., better known as Necco, the New York Times reports.
“Page Me” and “e-Mail Me” follow in the footsteps of last year’s most celebrated new saying, “Fax Me.” Among the other additions for 1997: “Excuse Me” and “I Don’t Think So” (think “Seinfeld”) - both sentiments after our own heart. (Among those that didn’t make the cut: “Safe Sex.”)
Being retired from active duty, although you still might spot some leftovers floating around: “Buzz Off,” “Stop,” “Try Me,” “Bad Boy,” “Hot Stuff” and “Say Yes.”
And if you have some heartfelt thoughts that aren’t among the 125 current aphorisms, yes, Necco does special orders - with a 3,600-pound minimum, that is.
Oat-worthy
Buoyed by an FDA finding that whole oat products help keep real hearts healthy (and can say so on their labels), Quaker is offering a new brochure full of tips and recipes. For a free copy, send your name and address to Oatmeal: Lots of Ways Every Day For a Healthy Heart, P.O. Box 487, Dept. N, Chicago, IL 60690-0487.
Separates check
Valentine’s Day, of course, is one of the most popular occasions for couples to eat out, with more than one in five people saying they do so in a National Restaurant Association survey.
But if you’re the type who typically dines alone, don’t feel neglected - Marya Charles Alexander would like to hear from you.
Alexander, author of the restaurant industry handbook “150-Plus Tips on How to Attract and Keep Solo Diners,” is sponsoring a contest to find “Star” (friendly) or “Stinker” (unfriendly) restaurants for lone noshers.
“Stars” will receive certificates, while “Stinkers” will be urged to clean up their act. And four winners from a drawing of everyone who submits nominations will receive $100 gift certificates to the restaurant of their choice.
Nominations must include restaurant name and location (address and telephone if possible), approximate date of visit, a detailed explanation of why it’s a “Star” or “Stinker” and your name, address and phone/fax/e-mail.
Send nominations to C-C, P.O. Box 1025, So. Pasadena, CA 91031, fax to (213) 257-0049 or e-mail to solodining@aol.com. Entries must be received by March 1.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
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