Fear of the swine flu is no reason to be scared off of Halloween. Parents, children and neighbors can say “Boo!“ to the flu this Saturday if they use some simple hygiene measures, public health experts said. “People need to continue their activities and just be smart about it,“ said Virginia Commonwealth University’s Dr. Robin Foster.

There’s a world of choices for a lunch out in Richmond. And that’s just on one corner. Stretching a block south and a block west from the corner of 11th and Marshall streets, you can get Chinese, Indian, Jamaican, Mediterranean and Greek food, among other choices, from street-cart vendors. Take a walk around the corner, and you’ll find hot dogs, chicken salad and wraps, too.

It was easy to suffer sensory overload yesterday during the final day of the annual Festival of India. On the main stage at the front of the room inside the Greater Richmond Convention Center, there were the eyecatching movements of modern and classical Indian dance to rhythmic music. Off to one side, shoppers considered gold jewelry, silk saris and colorful tunics on sale by vendors.

No more chatter.  No more waiting.  The Richmond Folk Festival is ready to launch tomorrow with its eclectic lineup that will commandeer the downtown riverfront area for three days.  To make sure you’re fully prepared, we thought we’d break down the basics to help you navigate your time there. HOURS

Are your big dinner party plans clashing with your small budget? Consider keeping your plates small, too. Spanish-style tapas are by definition budget-friendly, since they are small plates of food traditionally served at bars. Most can be prepared quickly and using inexpensive ingredients, allowing you to serve a varied and flavorful menu while keeping costs down.

From heart-friendly margarines to sugary cereals that strengthen bones, once-demonized foods are being spiked with nutrients to give them a healthier glow—and consumers are biting, even on some that are little more than dressed-up junk food. A report to be released today finds that even in a weak economy, people will pay a premium for products seen as preventing a health problem or providing a good alternative to sodas and empty-calorie snacks. The report is from research firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Just because summer is winding down doesn’t mean entertaining outdoors has to. In fact, this is one of the best times of the year to whip up some seasonal cooking and enjoy it outside. As we slowly approach fall, steamy, mosquito-ridden evenings on the patio are replaced with cooler, nearly humid-free sunsets that arrive just a tad earlier, making for some downright pleasant conditions.

The best bet for stretching your food budget—use every bit of what you buy. Even stale bread. The Italians have understood this for a long time. Which explains their panzanella, or bread salad. This summery salad features stale bread, ripe tomatoes and almost anything else you have in your vegetable bin, including carrots, bell peppers, even diced avocado.

With so many fruits in peak season by July Fourth, summery desserts almost make themselves. Fruits are always a treat when eaten unadorned and out of hand, but they’re also the perfect starting place for an impressive variety of pies, cakes, bars, tarts and crumbles. For the Fourth, Kafka likes a classic strawberry shortcake.

Smart choices in the kitchen mean you can afford a big spread for a group. Make-ahead prep means time savings are big, too. So dig in! Three kinds of ribs, lemonade, two salads, an appetizer and a creative dessert add up to a memorable meal. Who’d guess on a budget?

For great grilled vegetables that are tender inside and crispy and smoky outside, moderate heat is key. Go too high and the outside will burn while the insides remain unpleasantly crunchy.

‘m not the biggest fan of weekend dining. Restaurants are crowded, chefs are overworked and servers are often in the weeds. It’s not the restaurants’ fault. Most people do their dining out on the weekend.  If you’re going to go all out, especially to a nicer restaurant, why have the annoyance of a workday hanging over your head?

You don’t have to be a fisherman or a hunter to go to Bass Pro Shops on Wednesday night. Just take your appetite. The fifth annual Taste of Hanover will be at the mega sporting-goods store, and all proceeds go to Hanover ARC and Hanover Community Support Services, said Pat Thacker, a co-chairwoman of the event and a representative of community support services.

At this stage of his career, chef Paul Elbling undoubtedly can prepare a crepe with his eyes closed and a spatula tied behind his back. On a recent evening at St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged, though, his primary task wasn’t to make crepes but to teach a small group of volunteers, including nuns, how to.

Everything you need to know about being a well-rounded Southern woman will be unveiled next weekend at the Richmond Raceway Complex. Fashion shows, smart shopping, creative cooking, healthy living—even a little beefcake—will be part of the 2009 Richmond Southern Women’s Show next Friday through April 19. First, the beefcake. The brave men of the Richmond Metro Area Firefighters will be back by popular demand for a fashion show and fundraiser next Friday at 5 p.m. Bring money and help fill their boots for the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.