All my life in my native Pittsburgh, it's been the joke: When snow is forecast, watch out for the people rushing to the supermarket to get milk and bread.

I saw them when I (coincidentally) was getting milk on Friday. And toilet paper and a few other things. I was nonchalant in my shopping. As much as the pre-storm grocery rush is city lore, so is the fickle forecast: All our highly trained meteorologists aside, who knew what would happen Friday afternoon?

Who knew they'd be right? Who knew we'd get 21 inches of snow, and my power would go out Friday night and stay out for 17 hours, and I'd run out of milk and wouldn't be able to get out because my street wasn't plowed, and the stores were closed, anyway.

Such adventure.

Those of us with power are so grateful to the many people who helped restore it, and who are assisting those who are still struggling.

On Saturday, when an end seemed in sight to the wintry onslaught, we scraped together breakfast and lunch and, although power was restored by dinner, we decided to wander uptown, where the Chinese restaurant was open. "Wander" is the wrong word. Sidewalks along the main drag were knee-deep. My husband, daughter, son and I slogged along, thinking a few times maybe this was not such a good idea.

The restaurant was slammed. The takeout line was a block long. But goodwill and jocularity were equally represented, and we talked to people we hadn't seen in a while. We settled in to eat, telling our hard-working waitress not to rush. Our meal took a good hour and a half, but who cared? The conversation was witty, the dinner delicious.

Food, as usual, is the tie that binds when the chips are down.

Or the snow is heavy.

Our walk home went more quickly, since we chose to walk on the plowed street. Our neighborhood, against the star-lit sky, had been transformed into a blazing white wonderland, snow coating its abundant trees, bowing them into soft shapes.

Neighbors had even dragged out a fire pit and were huddled around it, in an impromptu block party. We talked a bit, then went home to our warm house, exercised, full, content.

Now, to work on that video my daughter suggested: "Shoveling for Weight Loss."

Former "Bachelorette" contestant and chef Robert Fair, right, will appear at Market District stores Friday and Saturday to demonstrate cooking for men, which might just translate into cooking for a valentine. He'll be at the Bethel Park store from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and at Shadyside from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Fire Escape Coffee & Tea shop, 7221 Church Avenue, Ben Avon, offers Valentine's Eve on Saturday with classical guitar, candelight and dessert specials. 412-772-8569

In a story on chocolate in its February issue, Fitness magazine says the theobromine in the sweet soothes coughs and may ("may," that is) strengthen teeth.

And speaking of chocolate: Order Valentine's treats from Edward Marc Chocolatier through Valentine's Day and 20 percent of what you spend will go to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia. Use code MAWP10 when ordering. Call 1-877-488-1808 or visit edwardmarc.com.

Eat'n Park offers heart-shaped Smiley cookies for Valentine's. They ought to develop one shaped like a snow blower.

Entry forms are now being accepted from professional and amateur bakers for the "Let Them Eat Cake" event, to be held on April 24. Theme this year is "Five to Grow On," in honor of The Midwife Center for Birth & Women's Health fifth contest. Decorate and bake cakes inspired by the number 5 and/or "new life and growth." Forms are at www.midwifecenter.org or call 412-321-6884. Deadline for submissions is March 8.

Not all at once.

Get a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes at IHOPs on Feb. 23, National Pancake Day, from 7 to 10 a.m. In exchange, donations are being sought that locally will benefit the Children's Miracle Network at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC.

The Shoppes at Northway will hold a Fire & Ice Festival and Chili Cookoff from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in the upper parking lot. Taste chili and vote for the best in the North Hills; watch the ice carving competition and show; get free "ice souvenirs." Call Heidi Hoffman at 412-364-7900 for more info.

The annual South Side Soup Contest, always a hit, will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 20. Limited to 1,200 "soup hoppers" who sample at participating stores. Reserve now, $12 plus a canned good, southsidepgh.com or 1-888-71-tickets. Benefits the Brashear Association Food Pantry.

As will so many other churches and social groups, Holy Trinity Cathedral will offer a lunch menu on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17) and lunch and dinners Fridays during Lent through March 26 at the American Serbian Club, 2524 Sarah St., South Side. Takeout: 412-431-9351. E-mail Bob Topich at topich1@verizon.net for details, or call 412-369-8382.

Church of the Resurrection, 455 Center Road, Monroeville, will hold its annual fish fry beginning on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays during Lent, except Good Friday. 4 to 7 p.m.; takeout, 412-372-9415.

Marcella Ogrodnik, a 2008 graduate of Upper St. Clair High School, was named Best Commis (sous chef) at the Bocuse d'Or USA Foundation competition last weekend in New York. Ms. Ogrodnik attends the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Although she was not part of the team selected to represent the United States next year in international competition, she did win a one-week trip to France to study the culinary art of foie gras. She was sous chef for Michael Clauss of the Daily Planet, Burlington, Vt. James Kent and his assistant, Tom Allan, won the competition. Both work at Eleven Madison Park in New York (bocusedorusa.org/team.html.)

It's nice to think of June. That's when Anthony Bourdain -- chef, author, TV host -- comes Heinz Hall. June 14. But tickets ($37.50, $47.50, $85 for VIPs) go on sale March 5. Heck, it's nice to think of March ...

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