Spring cleaning inspires

I love spring: crocuses and warm breezes, Windbreakers and sidewalk chalk. I don't like spring cleaning.

But, of course, I do it and this week I focused on my pantry.

I approach the task as an archeologist approaches a dinosaur dig, eager to see what lies beyond each layer.

A can of salmon that was supposed to be turned into a holiday appetizer, two giant jars of applesauce for house guests with kids that never made it and a box of macaroni and cheese that's the wrong shape so my kindergartner won't eat it were all shoved behind the diced tomatoes, chicken broth and dinosaur-shaped noodles that are in constant rotation.

Instead of rearranging these neglected items in hopes of actually using them before their "best by" dates, I bagged them and dropped them at the food pantry.

The winter holidays are a traditional time to stock the shelves, but let's not forget people need to eat year round. With so many people hurting in this economy, local food pantries are struggling to feed more.

So when you clean your pantry this spring think about those items you're likely to use soon. If you're not sure when you'll use three cans of refried beans or that jar of apple butter, donate 'em. When you're at the store and spot super savings on staples, pick up a little extra to help those who can't help themselves just now. You can find a list of area food pantries on the Giving Garden site at dailyherald.com.

Speaking of Giving Garden, as the weather warms and you start planning your garden patch, don't forget to plant additional seeds for our annual produce-sharing effort. The Giving Garden program encourages gardeners to donate fresh produce to area food pantries. More details online.

Cyber spirits: It worked for music, but can it work for vodka?

In 2007 Radiohead released "In Rainbows" via the Internet. At the time, the only way to hear the songs was to download them, which reportedly happened 1.2 million times before the CD was eventually available in stores.

In a twist on that thinking, Silver Mustang Vodka is moving from the liquor store to the cyber store. Right now you could buy the ultra-premium spirit in local liquor stores. The vodka is crafted in eastern Poland from organically grown grains and artesian water with no chemical additives. But when shelves run dry, consumers will have to head online, making it the only spirit available exclusively via the Internet.

Silver Mustang Vodka has done well with ratings groups - the Chicago-based Beverage Tasting Institute called it "very smooth, polished, and flavorful" - but are consumers willing to plop down $99 (plus shipping) for something they could walk into Sam's Wines and Spirits and pick up for less than $30?

Pack your knives: If you've ever wanted to cook alongside celebrity chefs, you've got a chance April 4 at the True Child True Flavor Celebrity Cook-Off at The Chopping Block at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

Carla Hall and Stefan Richter, both contestants on the fifth season of Bravo's "Top Chef" reality series, will each head a team as they create a three-course meal in 35 minutes. A live auction will determine the sous-chefs. Oh, and you won't know the secret ingredient until moments before the timer starts ticking.

In addition to the celebrity cooking competition, the evening will feature raffles, a live auction, as well as a reception before the event. Tickets cost $150; order at truechildhood.org/trueflavors/.

- Deborah Pankey