Gadget Geeks and Digital Disasters Welcome

In these pictures New York Times Technology columnist David Pogue and I are trying to figure out how to launch our shuttle in the Challenger Learning Center at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport. But it wasn't until we put on our proper space suits that we were able to figure out the process.

Whether you are technically challenged, meaning that you still haven't figured out how to program your phone or TiVo, or if you're always looking to learn what is new and hot in the tech world, you will want to stop by the Consumer Tech Fest at the museum this weekend.

You can get your hands on the items David Pogue has reviewed for the New York Times. The Fest is Saturday and Sunday, September 30 - October 1, with a preview cocktail party and auction Friday night at 7:00 pm.

See exhibits and demonstrations of all the newest gadgets. Plus, the makers will be there to give you hands-on help. Exhbitors include Apple, Best Buy, Bose, Canon, Dell, Edge Lab, JVC, Lego, Nuance, Panasonic, Pentax, Plantronics, Sonos, Star 99.9, TiVo, Westport Magazine, XM Radio and more. Here is a list of the top 10 Hottest Hi-Tech items at the fair and in the live and silent auction Friday night.

Speaking of Friday night, David Pogue will serve as MC of the preview cocktail party. But like in real life, he'll have more than one role. You might know him as the Technology Correspondent for the New York Times who has a daily blog, a weekly column and email column, plus a weekly video review of a product. He is also currently shooting for his new series for the Discovery Channel called, "It's All Geek To Me."

Friday night not only will David lead the live auction, he'll give his advice on all the toys, plus entertain with his musical antics on the piano.

If only I spoke with David before getting my new phone!

I've had a thousand calories, but I haven't really EATEN yet!

After 45 minutes on the treadmill last April, I vowed to give up my favorite candy, Cadbury Creme Eggs.  The counter showed I had burned around 400 calories, still not enough to burn off the three chocolate covered, creamy centered seasonal savories. Three eggs have 510 calories, 18 grams of fat and 84 carbs. Plus I knew I'd eat a fourth one later on since they come in a box of four.

I gave that fourth one away and didn't buy any more even when they were on sale after Easter. But I started thinking about them again recently as Halloween candy has hit the shelves. I wonder when they'll make Cadbury Creme Eyeballs? I'm thinking I would have to forbid myself from eating those as well.

Most goodies like Creme Eggs come in packaging that tells you how many calories and carbs and grams of fat are in them. Fast food places have even started posting nutritional information. However, many restaurants still don't list such information on menus. As for the ones that do, like Red Lobster, do you really want to know?

Yes,  you can enjoy an entire Broiled Maine Lobster (no butter) for a mere 145 calories and two carbs. But don't touch any of those what they call "Cheddar Bay Biscuits." Each has 160 calories, nine grams of fat and 17 carbs. I usually eat three, inlcuding one to soak up all the blue cheese dressing in my salad.

If your favorite national chain doesn't list nutritional information, you can find it at CalorieKIng.com.

You can also search the website for information on specific food items like an an apple. 80 calories. Or traditionally prepared foods like meatloaf. 205 calories. (Hey- that's less than a chocolate cake donut at Dunkin and an Egg McMuffin, both have 290 calories.)

Now, find out how many calories you need to maintain, lose or gain weight.

Happy Eating! Oh, and this season's candy is nearly harmless. Candy corn doesn't have any fat and one serving only has 104 calories.

View my "What's Bugging You" on counting calories.

Dine Out Help Hunger

Like I need any incentive to eat out.

If you've read my blog in archives from May 22nd, you've seen my kitchen (not conducive to cooking; not even re-heating.)

However, you still have another week to try out some fine Fairfield dining while at the same time helping to end childhood hunger in America. The  5th annual Dine Out began last Monday the 18th. But it continues through this Friday. I've even drawn you a map to one of the participating restaurants, the newly re-opened Ralph 'n' Riches in Bridgeport. Take a look, then scroll down for the rest of the story. Click on the pinpoints for details of what they mark. Click on Map for streets and Hybrid for both streets and satellite. Click and hold anywhere on the map and you can scroll all around Fairfield County. You can even make your own maps for your blog.

At participating restaurants, you get a special three course prix fixe; $20.00 for lunch and $35.00 for dinner. You also get a bottle of S. Pellegrino or Acqua Panna. It's actually a nationwide project, with restaurants in Chicago and on the West Coast participating, as well as in Westchester and Fairfield counties. With each meal served, S. Pellegrino, which is a brand of Greenwich-based Nestle Waters, will donate $1.00 to Share Our Strength, the nation's leading non profit organization to fight childhood hunger in America.

The promotion began last Monday, September 18th, the same day Ralph 'n' Rich's reopened in its new location on Main street, across from the Barnum Museum. The original opened 16 years ago on Wall street. Owners Ralph Silano and Richard Ndini say despite warnings not to open in downtown back in 1990, they wanted to be a part of the restructuring of their hometown. Now they feel they are once again movers in the recent renaissance of Bridgeport.