Chef, caterer and cooking teacher Rania Harris will show how to prepare delicious diabetic foods at "Diabetes Awareness: A Health Fair and Healthy Holiday Cooking Demonstration," 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the SmartHealth Green Tree Outpatient Center, 969 Greentree Road.

Sponsored by the Mercy Diabetes Program, the event will also have diabetes-specific vendors and information tables. Space is limited; to register, call 1-800-232-5660 by Nov. 4.

Just Harvest event

The speaker at Just Harvest's 17th annual Harvest Celebration Dinner tonight at the Omni William Penn will be Eric Alterman, political and cultural columnist for The Nation and best-selling author of "What Liberal Media? The Truth About Bias and the News."

The event begins at 6 p.m. and includes a silent auction. Tickets are $40. For reservations, call 412-431-8960.

Apples in California

The United Methodist Church in California is having an old-fashioned Apple Fest tomorrow, noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. featuring apple pies (by the piece or whole), dumplings, cakes, muffins and cider, plus sandwiches and salads. For details, call 724-785-7950.

Halloween fun

Anyone in costume -- regardless of age -- will be treated to a free 6-ounce Italian ice between 5 and 7 p.m. on Halloween night at Rita's Ice in Squirrel Hill. Rita's is part of the Squirrel Hill Merchants Association "Safe Halloween" program.

Krispy Kreme will holdKreepy Kreme Carnivals at several of its stores, to benefit an employee whose family suffered a tragedy. The carnivals feature a costume contest, a bounce house, balloon animals, games and a tour of the store. Locations are Century III today and Robinson Town Centre tomorrow

Trans fats no more

Eat'n Park restaurants have shifted to trans fat-free cooking oil for French fries, chicken and other fried foods.

The move was made due to a growing number of health experts who are concerned over the link between trans fat and a higher risk of heart attacks and increased cholesterol levels.

Dried berries good for you

If you've ever wondered whether the freeze-dried berries in your cereal add any food value, rest assured that they do, according to Karen Collins in Nutrition Wise, newsletter of the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Studies show that the antioxidants in fresh fruit are retained at levels almost as high after freeze-drying. But choose cereals with sizeable amounts of fruit in them. Many contain too little fruit to count as a true serving.

New on the Market

Hershey -- Milk chocolate Kisses filled with peanut butter, an unbeatable combination -- try eating just one.

The last word

"An intensely chocolate dessert will activate any endorphin known to man." Grant Showley, American chef and restaurateur