Corned Beef

There's an old adage in the prognostication game: "Never trust someone who is always smiling. " It's usually the sign that we aficionados of big stakes and cheesesteaks know means not to go near that person for one of three reasons: They are lying; They are holding out; They just had gastric relief. So, it struck me the other day when I read about all the work that researchers are doing on the Mona Lisa. They are worried about goofy things, like what house paint Leonardo da Vinci used and the code he used in his color-by-number set. I wanted to know what was really going on with that photo.

It's often said that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day. And that's no blarney. From the wearing of leprechaun hats to the consumption of green beer and corned beef, people of all ancestral backgrounds have embraced the holiday with open arms. Virtually every American city throws some semblance of a party to celebrate March 17. Chicago dyes its river green, New York and Boston compete for the best parade and Kansas City, Mo., starts the day with an Irish Mass, followed by a grand procession through the streets and an annual food drive called "Go for the Green.

The following food service establishments were inspected by the Washington County Health Department in May and found to have critical violations that needed to be corrected immediately: Cafe del Sol , 1481 Salem Ave. - * sandwich prep unit containing ham, feta cheese, deli meats, lettuce and tomatoes out of temperature (corrected, all food less than two hours old removed and cooled in walk-in cooler, no food was discarded); french fries and ciabatta panini observed on floor of walk-in freezer (corrected)

Money isn't everything To the editor: In The Morning Herald, the well-written article about the six rescued miners who fired their lawyer over movie money disturbed me. It makes me sick to think of how these miners can only think of money after they had recently had their lives at risk. For three days they were trapped 240 feet underground with nothing more than a corned beef sandwich. I would've thought that after that life-altering experience the miners might've discovered what's really important in life.

Editor's note: This is part of an occasional series of profiles of local restaurant chefs. Catrice Davis-Ford loves to cook. She cooks as chef at Vegetarian's Pursuit Cafe south of Hagerstown. And after work, she happily cooks at home for her husband and youngest son. Davis-Ford, a Seventh-day Adventist, cooks strictly vegetarian and also prepares dishes for vegans. For some people, vegetarian food is strange and foreign. But Davis-Ford pointed out that some meatless dishes are pretty familiar.

Happy anniversary!! I'd like to extend very happy wedding anniversary wishes to Frank and Betty Getz of Hagerstown, a wonderful couple who recently celebrated 38 years of marriage. Congratulations, Frank and Betty - may you have a very special anniversary and year! Women's Club The club's Annual Spring Bargain Sale will be held at the Club Building at 31 S. Prospect St. on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Baked goods, gently used clothes and household items, jewelry, and soups and sandwiches will be available for purchase.

Club meetings Tri-State Singles Today, 6 p.m., AMVETS Post 10, 707 Frederick St., Hagerstown. For information about the group, call Dick, 301-824-5200, or Virginia, 301-739-8990. Women's Aglow MYERSVILLE, Md. - Today, 7 to 9 p.m., Wolfsville Community Lighthouse, Easterday Road. The organization is a nondenominational Christian outreach whose mission is to provide an opportunity for Christian women to grow in their faith and minister to others. Kelly Blickenstaff will speak.

Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren , Pastor Rachel Black will preach on the Power of the Cross at the 10 a.m. service Sunday. Madison Gaines will be the worship leader. Sunday school for all ages at 9 a.m. A chicken-and-waffle, sausage-gravy and biscuit meal will follow the service. Bible study Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Benevola United Methodist Church , Boonsboro, Becky Hein will speak on Haiti: Two Years after the Earthquake at 9 a.m. Sunday. The cherub and youth choirs will sing.