The Buffalo News : Life

Several weeks ago we reviewed some inexpensive wines and asked our readers to offer their own recent discoveries. You responded! (Updated: 03/21/10 6:40 AM )

“The Empty Chair: Love and Loss in the Wake of Flight 3407,” edited by Gunilla Kester and Gary Earl Ross: 164 pages, $12; available online at www.lulu.com or in local stories including Talking Leaves and Borders’ Galleria location. Hear Kester read an excerpt at www.buffalonews.com . Proceeds go to the 3407 memorial fund. “You Are Beauty,”by Sheri Whalen: Available to download at www.cdbaby.com for $8, with proceeds going to 3407 memorial fund; search Whalen’s name to order the full song or to listen to a 30-second sample for free. “3407,”by Mark Weber: Video version available on YouTube, by searching Weber’s name and the title; also available in video form and as a $2 download on Weber’s Web site, www.meetmarkweber.com . “Love Knows No Boundaries,” by Christina Abt, Noa Bursie, et al.: Contact Abt for a copy of the CD, at christinaabt@hotmail.com . Proceeds go to the 3407 memorial fund. “Message from Maddy,”by Andy Rajeckas: For more information and to buy a $1 download, see www.messagefrommaddy.org . Proceeds benefit a scholarship fund in Maddy Loftus’ name. “Sail On Angel,”by Tom Hoolihan: May be heard live during Hoolihan’s performances at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, alternating Mondays from 11 a. m. to noon; also, watch for his forthcoming CD, “Beyond,” which will include the track. Hoolihan donates proceeds from his music to the 3407 memorial fund and pediatric cancer patients. He may be reached directly at hoolihans@roadrunner.com . (Updated: 03/21/10 6:40 AM )

Women in Western New York are a special breed. We are tough, and we have wonderful lessons and wisdom to share. That's why we put out a call to local women to share with us their experiences and life lessons—what they have learned, and are learning. These personal essays will deal with everything from experiencing grief to getting your kids to brush their teeth! (Updated: 03/20/10 9:51 AM )

I’ve been dating around for some time now, and I’m wondering when you think the appropriate time is for a first kiss? J. P.—Cheektowaga (Updated: 03/20/10 9:52 AM )

Along with crocuses and daffodils comes another sign of spring: florals in fashion. (Updated: 03/19/10 7:06 AM )

It's a long, unlikely road from death row in a Louisiana dog pound to being one of the founding members of the local branch of Dog Scouts of America. (Updated: 03/17/10 2:52 PM )

"The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" movie, starring middle school schemer Greg Heffley, hits theaters this Friday. Will the millions of fans of Jeff Kinney's best-selling books want to see a kid named Zach Gordon playing their favorite annoying cartoon character? How will Kinney's hilarious cartoon diaries play out on the big screen? (Updated: 03/17/10 2:23 PM )

CRAFTS (Updated: 03/18/10 11:51 AM )

White pepper doesn't get nearly the attention of its black cousin, whose ground form has become nearly as ubiquitous as salt. (Updated: 03/16/10 9:39 PM )

Family Sunday Take it easy and serve the family a precooked baked ham today. Add mashed sweet potatoes, broccoli, a spinach salad and cornbread (from a mix) to accompany the ham. (Updated: 03/17/10 6:53 AM )

A card-shark friend of mine insisted she come over to teach me the ins and outs of Texas Hold ’Em, so a poker night was in order. I asked some regular players what foods they enjoy at the card table, and every response was the same. (Updated: 03/17/10 6:33 AM )

Brownies may be delicious on their own, but sometimes you want one that’s more than just a brownie. So we decided to see what would happen if we pushed brownies over the top. (Updated: 03/17/10 6:33 AM )

In Argentina, where beef is king, chimichurri is the crown. When the Spanish arrived, they found rolling, untilled plains and quickly came back with cattle. (Updated: 03/17/10 6:33 AM )

Some days you come home from work and just want something, anything, fast to eat for dinner. (Updated: 03/17/10 6:33 AM )

WASHINGTON — Patrick Kennedy wants to talk. He leads the way through the corridors of the Cannon House Office Building, polished and empty at 10 at night, and unlocks Suite 407, the office of the senior member of the Rhode Island congressional delegation. He is 42 and has been in Congress for 16 years, but this space won’t be his for much longer. (Updated: 03/16/10 8:20 AM )