ROOTS ROCK... A wonderful story Sparky''s Fresh Draft Root Beer is (homage to Yoda). A onetime restaurant dog like me, Kevin Knox was an avid home brewer who was looking for a way to keep on brewing without excluding the kids. He worked and worked on many different formulas until he fine-tuned the delicious recipe for old-style, craft-brewed root beer that has become Sparky''s.

It is a premium quality, full-flavored root beer brewed from birch root (every root beer needs a root--seriously), pure cane sugar (this is key since most commercial everything uses corn syrup or some other ratty tasting sugar), honey and spices (bet we can''t torture those out of them). Oh yeah, the them is the husband and wife duo of Kevin and Carol, and they''ve been doing this now for ten years. Sparky''s is all over the place, so if you haven''t yet tried it, shame on you. Check out their Web site: sparkysrootbeer.com.

COOKIN'' NEWS... The Favaloros, long-time restaurateurs in PG at the base of the Holman Building on Lighthouse Avenue have opened a great-looking Italian style cafe. Cafe Ariana (more than likely not named after the former gubernatorial candidate) opens at 7am and serves a nice lineup of fresh assorted pastries, Italian-style coffees and other delectables. In addition, sandwich selections like Caprese, Sicilian Veggie, Pork Loin, Pesto Chicken and more will tantalize you at lunch. Stop in for an espresso and a little dolce and say hello; 373-1220, or visitfavaloros.com/cafe.

FRUIT OF THE WINE... Another thing to check out that is really getting me excited is my good buddy Katherine Fallis'' new Internet wine series. Katherine, a Master Sommelier and former writer for the Weekly, launched a great instructional e-newsletter that combines a bit of text, a nice photo and a soothing, melodious voice message by her alter ego Grape Goddess. If I don''t get my dose of the Goddess every day, I get down right irritable. Sign up for it at localwineevents.com.

Remember to hit Club Pavona on Saturday afternoon for the "Autumn Soiree for Singles" out on 1645 River Rd. along the winery trail. From 4 to 8pm you can taste wine, eat hors d''oeuvres, listen to music, make a little music with a fellow wine lover and just dig the fresh air, beautiful scenery and, of course, Richard Kanakaris. It was all I could do to remind Sweet Thing that she''s not single anymore. Check it out, 646-1506.