1. Every Thursday & Friday, 9-10:30p.m., Fernbank Science Center Observatory -- Now that the warm-weather smog is gone, consider driving into Atlanta to go to the Fernbank Science Center. The Observatory has the largest telescope in the Southeast. Dress warmly, because the line that forms is outside. There's a planetarium show at 8pm inside for $4, but the Observatory is FREE. Submitted by Jan Hudson


2. Saturday, Nov. 7, 9a.m.-4p.m. Sandy Creek Nature Center - Rock and Gem Show Annual event featuring gem and mineral collections from local enthusiasts. No registration required. Free, some activities may charge.


3. Sunday, Nov. 15, 4p.m., The Classic Center - The Athens Symphony opens its 32nd year of FREE community performances with an all orchestral performance including pieces by Tchaikovsky, Gounod and Schubert. Tickets are needed, but are free. Call 706-357-4444.


4. Sunday, Nov. 15, 4 p.m., Ebenezer Baptist Church West, 205 North Chase Street -- FREE! Choral Ensemble Fall Concert UGA's African American Choral Ensemble performs!


5. Saturday, Nov. 21, 10-11 a.m., Sandy Creek Nature Center - Naturalist’s Walk Look for butterflies in the garden, listen for frogs at the pond and search for salamanders in the woods. Bring your camera and/or binoculars. All Ages (Under 13 accompanied by adult). No registration required. Free!

First Friday Fun Films Dessert:
Rice Krispies Style Treats
Prepared by Rachel Parnell

Frittata (Eggs & potatoes are cheap!)

6 large eggs
2 tablespoons whole milk
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon butter
1 small onion, diced
4 small red potatoes, diced
1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon (optional)
1/2 cup grated cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Melt butter in a cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the onion and potatoes and cook thoroughly. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, bacon, milk, salt, and pepper.  Pour the eggs over the mixture. Pull the edges away from the sides of the pan with a spatula so the eggs flow to the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes until puffed and golden. Top with grated cheese. Yields 4 servings.

V8 Leftovers Vegetable Soup
Submitted by Kat Leache

In a large soup pot or crock pot, simmer together:

1 jug Spicy Hot V8 (or regular if you don't like it hot)
1 or 2 15 oz cans veggie/chicken/beef broth

Eggplant Salad
Submitted by Marilyn Healey

1 large eggplants cut in half lengthwise
1/2 onion chopped fine
3-4 cloves of garlic finely minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 fresh lemon
1 tsp dill weed, fresh or dried
2 ripe tomatoes chopped
Salt and pepper
2 cups plain yogurt

Place on greased baking sheet skin side up, pierce with a knife in the center of each half. Bake in 425 degree oven for 1/2 hour or until it has started to shrink away from the skin. It will smell sweet and slightly burnt. Let the eggplant cool in the pan. When cooled, peel off the skin completely and discard. Then slice the eggplant into 1 inch pieces. Combine with raw onion, garlic and tomatoes, sprinkle with olive oil and lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the dill weed and mix all ingredients together. Serve warm or chill. This salad can be served with French bread or as a topping for pasta or rice with the yogurt on the side or on top. Yields 4 servings.

Yellow Rice and Beans
Submitted by Jan Hudson

1 bag Mahatma Yellow Rice
1 16-oz can Kidney Beans
1 lb. Ground Beef

Cook rice by following package directions, but check it after 15 minutes. While rice is cooking, brown ground beef in large skillet. When ground beef is cooked, drain excess grease, add kidney beans (do not drain can), cover and reduce heat to lowest setting. When rice is done, add to beef and bean mixture, stirring thoroughly. Yields 4-6 servings.

Homemade Microwave Popcorn
Submitted by Viki Timian

1/3 cup popping corn (buy in bulk for even more savings)
1 brown paper lunch bag (heavy duty holds up better and can even be used more than once)

Put your corn in the bag and fold the top about ½ inch and then fold it again.  Make sure your folds are as tight as possible. Cook in microwave. The time will vary with the power of your microwave (mine for example takes 3min 10sec).  Listen closely for when the popping starts to slow down. 

Stephanie Weaver, certified esthetician, is offering 15% off of facials for UGA faculty and staff on Fridays. Need a treat to help you shake your furlough blues? See her at Classic Hair and Spa on Prince Avenue (www.classichairandspa.com) for a"Furlough Friday" special. Submitted by Julie Dyles.

Georgia Center's Savannah Room Restaurant: Early Evening Specials — Available nightly from 5-6:30 p.m. Dinner specials $9.95.

Papa John's: Every Tuesday, large pizzas with 1 topping are only $5.

Big Lots sells brand-name breads like Arnold's for around $1.20 per loaf compared to the average grocery store price of $2.50! The bread truck comes on M, T, TH and FR between 2-3:30 pm.

The University Health Center's new Vision Clinic is open to faculty/staff. Eye exams start at $30. Glasses range from $60 to $400. Faculty/staff qualify for a 15% discount on glasses and a 5% discount on contacts. For an appointment, call 706-542-5617.

I buy the Dollar Store's brand of Oxi Clean. It's a lot cheaper and works just fine. Submitted by Diane Trap.