Stop the Presses, Exclusive Interview with a Green M&M

The latest publicist request landing in my in-box asks NBC17 to interview via satellite the “fabulous Ms. Green” — an animated M&M.

Seriously? You want our reporters to talk to pose questions to a cartoon character? Apparently so. Read this excerpt from the e-mail:

On Tuesday, February 12th, the flirtatious, sassy, and alluring live-animated Ms. Green (the first and only female M&M’S® spokescandy) will be available to talk LIVE about her special powers and get your viewers excited about the myths, rumors and innuendo surrounding green chocolate candies.

Here’s what the publicist says Ms. Green can speak about:

* How the sweet yet saucy Ms. Green celebrates Valentine’s Day and her tips for getting your mojo going
* Myths, rumors and innuendo surrounding green M&M’S
* Advice on how to channel your inner green, from having fun with friends and family to preparing for a romantic evening
* How viewers can get their green on and encourage their loved ones to support Ms. Green in her quest to make green the new color of love at www.mms.com

Just what I need, love advice from a piece of candy (although maybe I do, judging from the way things have been going lately). What would a reporter even ask an animated M&M?

Can Krispy Kremes Make You Puke?

I bet they can if you run two miles, eat a dozen, and then run another two miles.

It’s called the Krispy Kreme Challenge, and as of this writing, 592 people have registered for the race, which starts at the N.C. State Belltower. Last year, the race raised $10,300 for the N.C. Children’s Hospital, according to organizers.

Here’s how it works. Runners start at the belltower, run two miles to the Krispy Kreme on Peace Street, down a dozen donuts, and then run back. (In case you were wondering, there are 144 grams of fat in a dozen)

Organizers are planning ahead for pukers. Trash cans will be “strategically stationed for your conveinence,” according to the FAQ portion of the event’s Web site:

5) What if I throw up?
A: Remember, the Challenge is a personal one. We do not encourage
throwing up. In the original Challenge, throwing up was explicitly
forbidden. Now that the race has gotten so large, we can’t keep track
of the intestinal fortitude of every competitor, but we still
encourage you to keep them down. In short: try not to throw up, but if
you must, we will have trashcans strategically stationed for your
convenience.

But what’s strategic about picking where people are going to toss their donuts?

So what do you think, are you up for the challenge?

Discovering the Goodness that is Raleigh’s Farmers Market

I checked out the State Farmers Market today for the first time and walked away loaded with incredibly fresh, inexpensive fruits, veggies and cheeses. Several people have told me the market is ridiculously cheap and brimming with fresh goodies, so I knew the trip would be fruitful (insert rimshot here). Still, I couldn’t believe what I managed to snag:

• Strawberries that would make Strawberry Shortcake jealous for $4
• Goat cheese and jalapeno spread for $5 along with this friendly exchange: “Do you know what cerveza is? Well, what you’ll want to do is buy some tortilla chips and dip them in this here cheese and follow up with one of them there cervezas.”
• A pound of cherries for $2
• Cilantro for $1
• Avocados for 89 cents each
• And four gorgeous, plump tomatoes for $2-something

If you haven’t been to this place yet, you must check it out. In addition to fabulous deals, the people watching is amazing. The blend of cultures is almost as refreshing as my ripe strawberries. If you have been, how often do you go and what do you buy?

And if Raleigh’s too far to head for fresh goodness, there’s always the Durham Farmer’s Market, which is now open year round and has moved into its new digs under a pavilion downtown in Durham Central Park. I’m sure there are other markets around that I just haven’t found yet. If you know of any I haven’t mentioned, tell me about them.