No general theme to the column this week, just three wonderful food-related items I wanted to share. Actually, I guess there is a theme: all of these are local and home-grown in some way or another. Just some more examples of the great things around us - if we're willing to look for them, and then give them a chance. Please send me your foodie musings at tcfoodie@yahoo.com.

When one of Vero Beach's premiere restaurants, which gives you a wonderful dining experience at any price, offers a Summer Bistro menu, it's simply a shame not to take advantage of it. Owner/chef Leanne Kelleher and her staff serve their notable dinners in a dining room that's elegant, yet not intimidating. Don't ask me how that pull that unique atmosphere off, but they do!

There's no scrimping on the quality of the food - appetizers such as Calypso Conch Fritters are heavenly and the Pork Scaloppini Milanaise, one of a long list of entrees, is as lovingly prepared as the items on the regular menu. This is a wonderful addition to our Summer Specials and we thank Chef Leanne for brining it to our attention. The Tides is located at 3103 Cardinal Drive, Vero Beach, (772) 234-3966 or visit their website at www.tidesofvero.com.

Speaking of Vero, there's a store there guaranteed to make the heart of every foodie sing with joy. It's called "The Gifted Cook," located at 3231 Ocean Drive Patio and it's got just about every good thing you've ever imagined: up-to-date gadgets and old standbys, cookbooks, gourmet food items, cookware and bakeware, appliances, you name it. Everything is incredible, well-priced and there often are sales on sensational items, because they just love to make way for new inventory. I found mini-mini cleavers to use as cheese knives that are one of the best foodie items I've ever come across. And they were $4.50 each! Forget the cost of gas, if you're one of us, this is definitely worth the drive. Call them at (772) 231-6115 for directions and store hours.

Some food-related fund-raisers are fun, but there's none quite like "Mangia at the Blake!" This will be the fourth year for this brainchild of Connie Bass, one of the people that REALLY makes things happen at the Blake Library in Stuart. Everything about this annual event yells "foodie" and this year's version, scheduled for October 21 st, will be no exception. Mark your calendars now for this day long celebration that includes cooking demonstrations, celebrity cookbook authors, vendors, a marketplace and lots of fun for the whole family. This whole wonderful food extravaganza is FREE. This year's theme is "Mangia Goes Greek" and we'll have to see what interesting Hellenic surprises Connie and crew have up their sleeves. There will be more information as we get closer to the date, but you can always keep up-to-date on the Martin County Library's website: www.library.martin.fl.us.