The raspberry thumbprints, peanut butter brownies and savory bacon popovers were working their magic. Finally, after months of construction and regulatory delays, Nunyuns started serving up a.m. eats a few weeks ago in the space formerly occupied by Scrumptious, on the corner of North Champlain and North Streets in Burlington’s Old North End.... Read more

It’s a safe bet that when Scorpions rocked the clamoring masses like a, um . . . well, like a hurricane with the epic power ballad “Wind of Change,” they didn’t have President-elect Barack Obama in mind. For one thing, they were German. But check out these lyrics and see if they don’t send a cheese-metal shiver up your spine: “Take me to the magic of the moment / On a glory night / Where the children of tomorrow dream away / In the wind of change.” Dude.... Read more

Cheryl Herrick, daughter of the former owners of Five Spice Café, knows her fowl. Last week, she received a letter from the National Chicken Council informing her that her recipe for “Braised and Glazed Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables, Pears and Gruyère Crostini” will be representing Vermont in the 48th National Chicken Cooking Contest. The missive also included a $100 check.... Read more

The general store at Morristown Corners has always sold lottery tickets, cigarettes and “the coldest beer in town.” But its new incarnation, the Green Top Market, features a few surprises, too: as many local products as possible, including local meat, Vermont cheeses from Lazy Lady and Jasper Hill and microbrews.... Read more

Rabbit Hill Inn, in the tiny hamlet of Lower Waterford, has a long and illustrious history. Opened as the Samuel Hodby Tavern in 1795, the property changed names and owners several times before being dubbed Rabbit Hill in 1919. Current owners Brian and Leslie Mulcahy purchased it in 1997.... Read more

As he stepped onstage in Chicago’s Grant Park on election night, Barack Obama was already transformed from candidate to president. On display was his genius, the genius of leadership: He eloquently named the terrible situation — “two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century” — then instilled the courage to overcome it. The president-elect had nixed the planned fireworks. But he could not squelch his optimism.... Read more

Curses, Foiled Again After receiving a call from the manager of the Sunset Inn Motel in San Antonio, Texas, police found 15 newspaper vending machines inside a guest room. “All the newspapers are gone,” Officer Raul Gonzaba said. “All the change is gone.” The thief was gone, too, but Gonzaba foresaw a quick arrest because the suspect had reserved the room using his real name.... Read more

"Will you go to Jeffersonville?” asked the man standing at the curb in front of Junior’s downtown pizzeria.

“Jeez — lemme think about it,” I hedged, taking a moment to size up the guy. He looked about 30 and wore a maroon wool cap and checked flannel shirt, very rural Vermont-style. “It’s the busiest time of the night, is the only reason I’m hesitating,” I explained. “Where in Jeff?”

“No problem, I understand. Everyone’s got to make a buck. I live up the Mountain Road, not too far from Smuggs.”... Read more

Here's the weekly astrological forecast for November 12 - 19, 2008. What's your sign, baby? They're all here...... Read more

Curses, Foiled Again A robber approached a 36-year-old man in Warren, Mich., and demanded money. After getting $50, the robber tried to flee, but the victim tackled him, put him in a chokehold, and demanded his money back. Police Detective Michael Torey said the robber was so scared that he gave the victim his $50 plus another $30.... Read more