There is a main thoroughfare through my hometown along which people gather on the Fourth of July to see the fireworks.

If you get the right spot, you can not only see our town's show but that of the neighboring town. We settled in to one of those spots this year.

The shows started simultaneously, and seemed to follow each other, blast after blast. Even if we missed seeing a few due to buildings and trees, it was spectacular in stereo.

As the finales began, I closed my eyes. For some reason, I just wanted to feel it. Booms to the left, booms to the right; they were in my chest, and all the way down to my toes. I peeked now and again, because you have to have that color, you know.

My soul soared on the thrill of it. For all sorts of reasons, the fireworks this year were, to me, symbolic. There come times in your life when you have to soar, change, feel the booms.

Since this a food column, I'll use this analogy: Sometimes you follow the directions, sometimes you spice it up. There's a risk in the latter, no doubt. Too much salt? Bad. Too much sugar? Equally bad.

The risk even may make us hesitate. Should I spend $6.40 on a half cup of chopped almonds, on a recipe I'm not sure will turn out?

Maybe not.

But dang, that cake looks good. Let's go for it.

I've reached one of those points professionally, for all sorts of reasons. As of today, I am no longer a full-time employee of the Post-Gazette, but I will continue writing Sauce as a freelancer.

I've followed the directions. It's time to spring for the almonds.

Rules for the Hershey's Cocoa Classic and other baking contests are now posted on the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs Web site, pafairs.org. Click on the link, "Special Baking Contest Rules."

Stinky fridge? Get a fresh fridge makeover courtesy of Daisy Brand cottage cheese. Go to freshenupyourfridge.com through Aug. 31 and tell, in 50 words or less, why your eating habits would improve with a fresher refrigerator (less mold, perhaps?)

The grand prize includes a year's supply of cottage cheese; a Whirlpool Latitude fridge, and an in-home visit by a registered dietician. More prizes, too. See the Web site for details.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood restaurants, Downtown and SouthSide Works, have blueberry shortcake on the menu through Aug. 31. They're made from orange-marinated highbush blueberries, topped with whipped cream and creme fraiche. For each purchased at $4.95, the chain will donate $1 to the American Heart Association.

Slow Food Pittsburgh will hold a sustainable fish dinner at 7 p.m. July 23. Place: Penn Avenue Fish Co., Strip District. $40 members; $50 nonmemwbers. Hosts: Henry Dewey, owner, Penn Avenue Fish Co., and Sara Pozonsky, owner, Wild Salmon Co. Menu includes wild-caught Alaska-style barbecue sockeye skewers over octopus and farmed mussel salad; also mixed grill, wild-caught King salmon and halibut. Email Marlene Parrish at marleneparrish@earthlink.net.

Slow Food is also collecting contributions to assist Henry and Najat Nazarian, whose Najat's Cuisine food preparation facility in East Pittsburgh was flooded during last month's severe storm. Make checks to Slow Food Pittsburgh, note Henry/Najat Fund on them, and send to the attention of Jack Neemes, 265 Morrison Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15216.

If you don't care about looking like a cow, dress up as one tomorrow and visit Chick-Fil-A, Waterfront location only, for Cow Appreciation Day. You'll get a free breakfast, lunch or dinner. Must be full cow regalia, "head to hoof," says a news release.

If you'd rather have fish, go to Long John Silver's until 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday for free Baja Fish Taco Day. No fins required.

North Side Farmers Market will hold a Fresh Fridays series, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., beginning tomorrow through Sept. 4. Guest chefs from North Side restaurants will demonstrate summer dishes from market ingredients and provide recipes to take home. Music and children's activities, too. Location: East Ohio Street and Cedar Avenue, across from Allegheny General Hospital. (Market hours, 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., through Nov. 20). Visit deutschtown.org.

At Giant Eagle Market District, Big Burger Bash from 4 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at Bethel Park and July 17 at the Shadyside store. Samples of grilled burgers and summer side dish faves, music, children's activities, giveaways and a Best Burger contest. Canned goods will be collected for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

In Butler County, food-related events abound. From 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, attend Beer Brewing 101, a class at Porter House Brew Shop in Portersville. porterhousebrewshop.com or 724-368-9771.

At 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Concerts to Munch By at the Butler County Symphony Office, 259 S. Main St., Butler, features a half-hour performance by the Butler Notables Barbershop Quartet. butlersymphony.org.

At 11 a.m. July 19, Soergel Orchards, 2573 Brandt School Road, Franklin Park, kicks off its summer corn roasts, which will continue on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. soergels.com or 724-935-1743. More corn at Trax Farms, Finleyville, which will hold a corn roast from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 25 and 26. traxfarms.com.

The 18th Fire on the Mountain Chili Cook-off will be held at Snowshoe Mountain resort, Snowshoe, W.Va., on Saturday and Sunday. More than 50 chili cooks will compete for the title of Regional Red Chili Champion and $12,000. Activities (a chili pepper eating contest!), music and food galore. For more details, go to snowshoemtn.com.