If you’re headed to a picnic or you’re cooking out this weekend, watch out.

Kroger Co. said Friday the grocery chain was recalling its store-brand “Southern-Style” and “Mustard” potato salads because of concerns they have been tainted with E. coli bacteria, according to state agricultural officials.

Cincinnati-based Kroger has stores in 31 states, many under different banners. Spokeswoman Meghan Glynn said potato salads sold in Ralphs, Fred Meyer, and QFC stores weren’t affected. Those stores are mainly in western states.

[Source: 11 Alive News]

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Alfred Peet, the Dutch immigrant who opened his first store 41 years ago in Berkeley and is credited with kindling the nation’s gourmet coffee fervor, died today at his home in Ashland, Ore. He was 87.

The death was announced by Peet’s Coffee & Tea Inc., the company he retired from in 1983.

…

Peet’s did not release information on the cause of death.

He is survived by a sister, a daughter and two grandchildren.

Rest In Peace, Alfred.

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[Hat Tip: Shadowscope]

Cross posted at TinselTown Trash.

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After Kurt Busch’s victory at Michigan, Dale Earnhardt Jr. knew he would have to answer with a strong finish at Bristol to stay in contention for the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

He did just that — finishing fifth on the challenging 0.533-mile track.

Unfortunately for Earnhardt, Busch finished right behind him, in sixth, to maintain a lead of 158 points with two races remaining in the Race to the Chase.

So what do you think? Will Jr. make the Chase? Ninth to 14th places are super close, who will make it and who won’t? I’d love to see Kurt, Ryan Newman and Jr. all make it.

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With all the work in our garden this year, I am developing some very rough skin on my hands and my feet, and let’s not even talk about the effects of standing out in the sun for hours at a time. I need to find some good skin care products and start taking care of this stuff before I start looking like I’m 90 years old. Shut up.

Name of Product: Imaginarium Wooden Coloring Cases

Importer / Retailer: Toys “R” Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J.

Hazard: The printed ink on the outer packaging of the wood case contains lead. Also, some of the black watercolor paint contains excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard.

Description: The recall involves the Imaginarium brand 213 Piece Wooden Coloring Case which includes crayons, pastels, colored pencils, fiber pens, paintbrush, pencil, water colors, palette, white paint, ruler and pencil sharpener in a light tan wooden carrying case. The case measures about 14 inches high by 19 inches wide.

Manufactured in: China

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Toys “R” Us at (800) TOYSRUS/869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, or visit the company’s Web site at www.toysrus.com

For more information and pictures, visit the CPSC website.

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I am a strong believer in the power of the subconscious mind. Many years ago my aunt Margie gave me a book for my birthday that just happened to be on that very topic. I loved that book, so much so, that I just recently purchased it again, because I had given my copy away a few years ago.

Tonight I discovered Subliminal-CD’s.com and let me tell you, I love that site. They have over 120 different subliminal CDs designed to help you by sending messages directly to your subconscious mind. I have been reading through that book of mine trying to improve my focus. I have a lot of pans on the fire lately and I would love nothing more than to be able and stay focused on each task as needed and Subliminal-CD’s.com just happens to have a “Laser-Sharp Focus” recording that I am planning to purchase.

All of their recordings are offered on CD as well as in MP3 format for downloading, which makes it perfect for loading onto my iPod, so I can listen to it before I go to sleep each night. I highly recommend visiting their site at www.subliminal-cds.com to see if they have something you might be interested in. I, for one, will be spending a lot of time at their site, that’s for sure.

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Jose Luis de Vilallonga, an author, aristocrat and actor who shared the silver screen with Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” died Thursday at his home on the island of Mallorca. He was 87.

A colorful character in Spain’s high society, Vilallonga worked as a journalist for the national press agency EFE and for the magazines Paris-Match, Marie-Claire and Vogue. He wrote an official biography of Spain’s King Juan Carlos that was published in 1993.

A high point in his acting career came when he starred as Jose da Silva Pereira, the dashing Brazilian multimillionaire who Holly Golightly planned to marry in Blake Edwards’ 1961 classic movie.

…

He is survived by children John and Carmen from his first marriage and an adopted son Fabricio.

Rest In Peace, Jose.

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When I get to working in my garage it gets hot. With all my lathe, grinder, scroll saw, and woodburning tools, you’d think we had a furnace powered up out there. The guy who used to live next door was a metal worker and he had a equipment, plasma cutter in his garage. It had to be hot as hell in there, yes?