Mr. Shoe -- Is this place ever not having some sort of ridiculous sale that knocks a minimum of 50 percent off the already reasonable price? Sure, there's some weird stuff here to sift through (Is there really such a market for plastic go-go boots with a six-inch heel that it necessitates its own store section?), but the bulk of Mr. Shoe actually offers a decent selection of cute flats, trendy heels, strappy sandals and boots for the non-pole dancing set. -- Julie Lawrence
Moose Drool Brown Ale -- Created by Big Sky Brewing Co. in Montana, this tasty craft beer has a chocolate-cola color, a creamy texture and the perfect amount of malt. It's tasty and strong, too, with 4.2 percent alcohol by weight and 5.3 percent by volume. -- Drew Olson
"Gomorrah" by Roberto Saviano -- When this La Repubblica reporter, a native of the Naples suburbs, wrote "Gomorrah: A Personal Journey Into the Violent International Empire of Naples' Organized Crime System" (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $25), it was a smash hit, but it also meant that Saviano would need to live under police protection for a while. And that could be a long while, because as he explains in this detailed account of how organized crime runs things in suburban Naples, the Camorra has a long memory. In addition to countless financial details of the Camorra's economic control, Saviano also presents a mind-numbing array of murders, many carried out with such brutality and imagination that it boggles the mind and hardens the heart. But Saviano is from the area, so he can also explain why the Camorra -- which for many offers the only hope of a job -- has been able to achieve such hegemony. His book is powerful and his storytelling skills no less so. Read it yourself, but steel yourself in advance. -- Bobby Tanzilo
Time Warner Cable Channel 554/MPTV 10.5 -- MPTV Extra, channel 10.5 (554 on Time Warner), was added in 2001. It's a mix of soothing classical music plus rotating latest weather maps and traffic cams. If I'm doing work from home or just napping, I like classical music in the background. Since the iPod isn't fully loaded with the stuff and there's no radio station with it, this is an easy classical fix, relaxing too. -- Jeff Sherman
"Born Standing Up" by Steve Martin -- Actor, comedian, musician, genius. Martin has conquered almost every mountain in the entertainment industry and lived to write about it. This effort is much more compelling than "Cruel Shoes." -- D.O.
Rishi Tea's Sweet Matcha -- I admit it, it's become a mild afternoon addiction. This pure Japanese green tea is stone-ground into a fine powder and combined with milled sugar cane. It comes in three flavors: original, ginger and genmai (roasted brown rice). My favorite way to imbibe involves combining it with steamed soy milk, so as to make a latte out of it. I'm told that it also works as a nice sugar substitute for cookies and other bakery and well as in lemonade. No extra sugar or sweetener needed for this one, it's quite flavorful on its own. It's available at Whole Foods and Sendik's. -- J.L.
Getting take out from non-take out restaurants -- Most restaurants will do take out, even if they don't actively promote it. I like this. We got a lobster tail and a filet from Butch's the other night and Elsa's, even though you can't call in an order, is also a nice treat to go. There are many food options in town, so thinking a bit differently when you're hungry helps. Why settle for Chinese, pizza and fast food when you can "grab and go" from about anywhere? Just ask. -- J.S.
"Rescue Me" -- Take the gritty drama and well-drawn characters of "NYPD Blue," move them to a fire house and add the manically funny Dennis Leary. If you missed this show on cable, catch up on DVD. -- D.O.
NYT.com's Health section -- The New York Times has figured out the Web a bit better than most newspaper companies. The new Health section consolidates health content, tidbits, resources and more in one easy to use and interesting section. Consider it an upscale WebMD.com. -- J.S.
