Oh Lord, do we like hearing about things like this: a new company called The Special E functions solely to salvage leftovers from special events like weddings or conferences, often rescuing mighty amounts of food and other event leavings from getting tossed in the trash. The for-profit “green” organization, which services 30 major metropolitan areas, has already been hired for half a dozen Chicago events, including Ameriprise Financial's recent national conference at the Field Museum. more ›

Gas prices continue to rise and food prices are right behind, riding the bumper. As a result, not only is the move toward fresh, local ingredients (which require less transport) becoming more important but food banks are finding themselves in short supply. America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization, is teaming with Epicurious.com to sponsor an event that will not only raise money for hunger relief, but also give attendees a taste of farm-fresh ingredients prepared by MK Restaurant's Chef Michael Kornick and Pastry Chef Amy Sampson. (See our review of MK here.) more ›

Next week is UNICEF World Water Week, and even though there may or may not be trace levels of sex hormones and pharmaceuticals in our drinking water, at least we don't run the risk of catching dysentery every time we turn on the faucet. The lack of clean and accessible drinking water is the second leading killer of children under five years of age. more ›