"break" news and stories

Yesterday, NPR's All Things Considered featured a story about how current restrictions on flying with liquids is affecting Napa Valley tourists and wineries. Obviously, it's common to bring some wine back from the wineries you visit, but not being able to carry those bottles on-board a plane is posing a problem that has many wineries worried. The situation is especially troubling to small wineries that rely on sales directly to visitors, as opposed to distributors. Checking glass of any kind in one's luggage is a scary prospect, of course. So, some wineries are offering styrofoam wine carriers that they hope will protect checked wine. Others are offering free shipping on large enough purchases. The styrofoam box pictured here comes from Uline Shipping Supplies.

A woman in Michigan has created a line of flavored candy plates meant to be broken at wedding ceremonies, celebrations or if you're just pissed off. Judy Cerano, 57, debuted her Sweet Madness Plate to Break line this month at a candy store in White Lake, Michigan, according to an AP story in the Lansing State Journal. Flavors include banana cream, mint, root beer, piña colada, wintergreen and cherry. Each plate sells for around $10.

I recently received an email from CHOW Magazine informing me that, as a CHOW subscriber, I can expect to wait at least six months before I see another issue in my mailbox. Apparently CHOW is taking another hiatus. As the email explained, CHOW is taking a break for two reasons: 1) to develop a better online counterpart to their print magazine and 2) to drum up enough money to keep their publication going without further interruption. I don't see anything to that effect on their current website and, in fact, they still have their subscription form up.

Personally, I've enjoyed every issue so far and I hope they get back on their feet soon.