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Do you ever have one of those days when you've finished some big projects and you just have a bunch of loose ends to address? I like to call those "odds and ends" days, and it helps when they fall on a Friday because they make for a much more casual day at work.
It is also an "odds and ends" day on this blog, because I've heard several comments from readers about various entries from the past week and I'd like to address them all in one place.
Debi jokingly berated me for not telling her where I found the tastiest bagels in Roanoke until my column comes out next week. And Pisces Girl predicts that they will end up being good bagels, but only by Roanoke standards.
I'll tell you something that might make you even more curious, Pisces-- two of my friends, Seth and Christina, are native New Yorkers and they have both put their stamp of approval on these bagels. Christina says they rival the bagels in New York. Seth just complains that the Roanoke place is closed on Sundays, which he finds a little ironic since bagels are standard Jewish fare and Sunday is a big eating day for the Jewish. I guess he has to go out on Saturday and pick up a few extra for the next day.
Anyway, I'm trying to keep this a secret only so you guys will read my print column. But I will say that it's pretty darn easy to figure out what I'm tallking about since there's really only one real bagel shop in Roanoke anyway.
On to peaches, or the lack thereof. That was the topic of yesterday's column.

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Well, I'm bummed out and my husband is thrilled that our peach tree has produced not a single peach this year. It was blooming beautifully when those killer frosts descended a few months ago, so I guess that literally nipped it in the bud. He won't have to pick up rotten, yellow jacket-infested peaches before he mows every week, but I won't be able to make any fresh peach cobbler.
Farmers down on the market have said much if not all of their peach and plum crops were ruined by the cold weather. By this point, it's pretty much old news, but I do think the results are having a bit of a ripple effect.
Today, I was working on an upcoming story about food exhibits at the Salem Fair when I found out that both fresh produce and canned produce entries are down this year. Some of that may be weather related and some may not. But coordinators Carolyn Bass and Darlene Brightwell said they usually see far more entries in both of those categories. This year, there wasn't a single tomato entered and only one cabbage. I didn't see any canned peaches or peach preserves at all, either.
Also, I just got a press release about the Peach Festival in Elmwood Park on Aug. 3 and 4 this year. In it, festival coordinator Lavette Powell wrote: "We had to make some changes to the event this year because of the weather and will possibly incur additional costs to put this fundraiser on."
I don't know where the peaches are coming from for this festival, but they say they'll still sell peach cobbler, peach shortcakes and peach milkshakes (hold me back.) They are taking advance orders for the peach cobbler with ice cream, which is $5 at the stand and $5.50 if delivered. They will only deliver orders of 10 or more to downtown Roanoke businesses. It's a good cause-- sales benefit the Northwest Child Development Center.
To place an advance order, go to the Web site at http://www.peachfestival.blogspot.com/

Whatever you do to remain calm-- whether it be breathing deeply, keeping up with your meds or shouting "Serenity now!"-- you should be prepared to do it if you head to Ukrop's today, their grand opening day.
I'm not trying to discourage anyone from going, I'm just warning that the wait for a parking space is reportedly about 10 minutes. I know I sat behind a line of cars filled with people trying to find spots in the underground parking garage for about that long when I ventured over this afternoon.
If you think it's annoying when a driver stops and waits in front of you for a car to pull out of the first space they see, just imagine what it's like when that happens in a parking garage. Not fun.
However, most folks seem to think it's worth the wait once they get inside the store.
Not since Fresh Market first opened have I seen grocery shoppers with such delighted expressions on their faces. They're standing patiently in line for free hot dogs, chili and cheese samples or just a look at the fresh meats and seafoods in the meat cases.
Kevin Hade, Ukrop's vice president for sales and operations, told me the bakery, sushi, meat and seafood cases had been the biggest draws throughout the day. The store had already run out of their signature White House rolls by about 2 p.m. and were expecting an emergency truck at any minute.
In addition, the store already had 10 orders for decorated cakes after only two hours of being open this morning. Perhaps the July 4 holiday and all the summer birthdays were keeping them hopping.
I watched many shoppers head back to their cars with no bags in hand, a sign that some folks ventured out just to get a look at what the store had to offer. But just as many were leaving with loaded carts, and Hade says the opening today could break records for the company.
I left with a small cup of broccoli-cheddar soup, which was a little on the bland side. A sample of the chili revealed that the kidney beans were slightly undercooked, but the flavor was good. I figure the chefs are still new to the store and deserve a little time to perfect their food production, just like any new restaurant needs a few weeks to work out the kinks.
From the look of the parking lot and the wide-eyed shoppers, it's going to take more than a couple of hard beans to ward Roanokers off Ukrop's. Especially when "courtesy clerks" will walk you out to your car in the rain with an umbrella.

This looks like a good summer dish:

Grilled Sweet Potato Salad

2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 3/8-inch thick
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 scallions, white and tender green parts sliced
3 Tbsp. orange, mango or pineapple juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Cilantro-Lime vinaigrette (recipe follows)

1. Prepare medium-low charcoal fire or preheat gas grill.
2. Make vinaigrette.
3. Add sweet potato slices to vinaigrette and let marinate about 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer potatoes to the grill. Turn occasionally, basting with the remaining vinaigrette. Cook until tender when pierced with a fork, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Return grilled potatoes to vinaigrette and add red pepper, scallions, juice, salt and pepper; toss gently. Serve immediately.

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette
1 tsp. grated or minced lime zest
3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt to taste

Combine lime zest, juice and vinegar in large bowl. Whisk in oil until completely blended. Stir in cilantro, garlic and salt.

Source: Vegetarian Times

I took advantage of Media Day at the new Ukrop's on Franklin Road today to get a sneak peek at the store and do a little comparison pricing between Ukrop's and the nearby Kroger at Tower's Mall.
While our business reporter, Jenny, did a very efficient job of interviewing Ukrop's personnel and shooting a video interview with Ukrop's president Bobby Ukrop, I basically wandered around the store, ogled the food and jotted down prices for a very unscientific comparison with the nearby Kroger.
When I left for Kroger, I had no preconceived notions about which store would be more affordable. I've already said that I think the two will match up pretty closely on typical grocery items, but Ukrop's will top Kroger's prepared foods in both quality and price.
Here's how my shopping list turned out. Keep in mind that these are REGULAR prices on everything and that both stores run weekly sales on certain items. I can't tell you whether one store puts more food on sale more often. I have bold-faced the winning store on each comparison:

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A few readers have written in about my bagel post yesterday, including Nathan, who says he bakes his own bagels at home because he has a hard time finding a good bagel in Southwest Virginia.
First he broils it, then boils it, then bakes it. He says it would be most convenient to have two ovens.
OK, this guy is incredibly motivated! I love bagels, but I'm not much of a breadmaker myself and the idea of making my own bagels from scratch at home seems so daunting. I'd much rather there were several shops in Roanoke that sell quality homemade bagels.
Anytime I travel to larger cities, such as Richmond or Washington, D.C. and thereabouts, I see bagel shops. Many are chains, granted, but at least they have a Chesapeake Bagel Co. or some other bagel shops to choose from. I've never even known there to be a chain bagel shop in Roanoke. But I've only been here for about 9 years now. Maybe we had one before and it didn't work out.
Keep those ideas and suggestions coming. And Nathan, you're the man.

The state of bagels in Roanoke has distressed me for some time. The simple truth is that it's just not easy to get your hands on a great bagel in these parts.
Having grown up in Alleghany County, I'm well aware that we live in the South and the South just isn't as fond of bagels as the North. We are biscuit bakers and biscuit eaters. But that doesn't mean that Southerners like me don't love a delicious, fresh-baked bagel once in a while.
I had what I would call a perfect bagel at H&H Bagels in New York City last October. Not only was it my favorite flavor-- sesame-- it was fresh out of the oven, soft on the inside and chewy on the outside. Mmmmmmmmmmm. Now THAT was a bagel.
Where do you look for great bagels in Roanoke? That's a question I will attempt to answer in my next column. They definitely must be properly made-- boiled first, then baked. Many bagels at chain establishments are simply baked from a frozen state.
I could order bagels from H&H and have them shipped to me, but that would be expensive and the bagels certainly would not be hot from the oven when they finally reached my doorstep several days later.
In next week's column, I'll be telling you about what became of Five Boro Bagels and where the Roanoke Bagel Co. out at Oak Grove Plaza fits into the picture now.
If you ever eat at Roanoke Bagel Co., I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. And if you think you know of a different source for delicious bagels, I'm begging you to please send me a comment. While you're at it, you might as well tell me what your favorite bagel flavor is and why. Do you think a person's favorite bagel says something about their personality? I hope not, because then I would just be seedy.

My sister used to throw hair picks at me in the bathroom because I was infringing on her hair- styling space. Now, she e-mails me from South Carolina to give me a figurative kick in the butt for not posting on my blog today.
It's been a busy day, and for that reason, I am totally and completely ready for quitting time to roll around so I can take advantage of a happy hour deal or two in downtown Roanoke.
But first, I will note a few restaurant rumors and observations from the latter part of this week.
The ethnic variety on the Roanoke food scene continues to expand with the addition of a Caribbean Creole restaurant at 5th Street and Campbell Avenue called Marie's. And a place called The Isaacs Restaurant has gone in at the old Kneadful Things spot on Memorial Avenue near the Grandin Theater. Isaacs serves Mediterranean cuisine like hummus and gyros. I'm going to check it out for lunch one day next week and let you know what I think.
On my way to an interview today, I also noticed a new restaurant at Lafayette Boulevard and 24th Street called The Venue. I know nothing about it other than the fact that it appears new and there's an ABC notice in the window. More on that later.
Also, in case you have not heard, the old Dolce location on Campbell Ave. will be the scene of a new bar and restaurant called Mix One 6 Club. Alan Devers, who used to tend bar at Awful Arthur's, will be the general manager. Alan is an acquaintance of mine who also DJs on the side. If it works out, I expect Mix One 6 could be a popular destination for dancing.
Interesting how many new restaurants around here have numbers in the name-- Mix One 6, 202 Market, Table 50, and Blue 5, which is supposed to go in at the old Noketown spot. That observation has absolutely no significance whatsoever, so I'll move on to cocktails.
In case you are interested in splurging a little bit this weekend, the Barefoot Bubbly champagne folks sent me a few delicious, summery recipes for champagne cocktails. So whip up a few appetizers, invite over a couple of friends and sip in style. Have a great weekend!

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This is my co-worker's banana peel. It is also a vehicle for an advertisement for Reese's dessert sauce.
Where will ads turn up next? Probably on your child's forehead.

I've added a few more links to the Fridge Magnet blog. If you scroll down and keep your eyes on the right side of the main page, you'll find easy access to a few of my favorite food blogs and recipe sites, as well as some other food-related endeavors from The Roanoke Times and its freelancers.
A mysterious local guy who only calls himself "Not Larry Bly" maintains Big Lick Restaurant Reviews, a well-written blog about the local restaurant scene. NLB and his significant other are regularly checking out new restaurants in the valley and posting their findings.
You might also want to check out the Dining Hall page at the Big Lick University Web site. BLU is a virtual Southwest Virginia college campus, and the Dining Hall page includes restaurant ratings and news.
A few of my favorite national food blogs, Slashfood and Serious Eats, are there for your clicking delight, as well. Slashfood never ceases to amaze me with the quirky, funny topics they take on.
I read an article recently that stated there are some 48,000 food bloggers on the internet these days. I don't think I can link to them all, but if you've got a favorite site I'm missing, please share it with us.