Martin Manulis, a television, film and stage producer who created the classic, Emmy-winning program "Playhouse 90," has died. He was 92.

Manulis died Friday of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles, according to his son, John Bard Manulis.

Manulis was best known as the creator and original producer of "Playhouse 90," a live dramatic anthology series that took on serious subjects and won critical acclaim and a constant stream of Emmys.

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Manulis is survived by John Bard Manulis, daughters Laurie Harmon and Karen Manulis Cohen.

His wife, Katherine Bard, died in 1983.

Rest In Peace, Martin.

Topps Meat Co. on Saturday expanded a recall of ground beef from about 300,000 pounds to 21.7 million pounds, one of the largest meat recalls in U.S. history.

The recalled products are all ground beef patties with various brand names.

In a statement, the Elizabeth, New Jersey, company said the hamburger patties may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and cramps, as well as other complications.

A statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 25 illnesses are under investigation in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The ground beef products being recalled have a "sell by date" or a "best if used by date" between September 25, 2007, and September 25, 2008, Topps' statement said.

For more information, call Topps at (888) 734-0451.

[Source: CNN]

Lois Maxwell, who starred as Miss Moneypenny in 14 James Bond movies, has died, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported Sunday. She was 80.

The Canadian-born actress starred alongside Sean Connery in the first James Bond movie, "Dr. No," in 1962 as the secretary to M, the head of the secret service.

She died Saturday night at Fremantle Hospital near her home in Perth, Australia, the BBC cited a hospital official as saying.

Bond star Roger Moore said she was suffering from cancer.

Rest In Peace, Lois.

When I woke up today, I found the wife in the kitchen with three bowls like this one.

I ran to the store a bit ago, and when I walked in the door I could smell hot fresh apple pie. Too bad it was only a tease.

But we do have 21 quarts of apple pie filling, so when the mood strikes, the wife can whip up a delicious, hot, apple pie.

Oh hunny, I think the mood is striking…

Ingredients:

1 pound okra
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 cups self-rising cornmeal
vegetable oil

Preparation:

Wash okra and drain well. Remove tip and stem end; cut okra into 1/2 inch slices. Sprinkle okra with salt; add buttermilk, stirring until well coated. Let stand at least 15 minutes; then drain okra well. Dredge in corn meal. Deep fry okra in hot oil at 375F until golden brown; drain on paper towels.

This recipe serves 4 to 6.

Photo by Slobokan.