Give it up: brownies {thanks, stock.xchng}

Self-deprivation time! Lent, the popular observance (No. 501 on stuffchristianslike.net!) where people give up something for 40 days, starts Wednesday.

To, uh, “celebrate,” we tried to contact a Lent expert/guide. In the process, we’ve decided that for Lent, we’re giving up finding a Lentpert.

So instead, we researched the top things people eschew for Lent and present a guide to cope.

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{thanks, The Baltimore Sun}

The b staff was having a very earnest, heartfelt discussion recently on Super Bowl parties … specifically, what to serve. The menu item everyone’s looking forward to is Buffalo chicken dip. I guess you no longer have to endure the messiness of wings to enjoy the spicy/bleu-cheesy goodness.

So, we had to ask: What are you serving (or bringing)? And do you have a recipe to share? We want to know. Or, actually, freelancer Kristy MacKaben wants to know for an upcoming story.

Tell her of your favorite Super Bowl menu items and recipes — especially delcious dips. E-mail her at kmackaben@yahoo.com.

This sexy anonymous couple is similar to what you’ll see during Restaurant Week. Maybe. {thanks, istock}

1. Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week
By now you know the drill: Nearly 100 Baltimore restaurants offer special three-course menus for $20.10 (lunch) or $35.10 (dinner). But the winter incarnation holds a special place, as it warms the f—ing freezing cockles of our hearts. Starts Friday, runs through Feb. 7. Check out the list of participating restaurants at baltimorerestaurantweek.com. JORDAN BARTEL, B

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mmm ... rainbow roll {thanks, THE BALTIMORE SUN}

What expensive meal or dish do you think is worth the cost?

{Photo illustration by iStockphoto and Aubrey Fornwalt, b}

Parkville resident Nancy Kaskel, 24, is expecting about 12 family members when she hosts her first Thanksgiving this year. She’s never cooked a turkey before, so the nervousness is starting to set in.“I’m hoping people will help me as much as possible,” said Kaskel, who started planning three weeks out. “I love having the family over and having everyone get together. But I think big meals can be stressful to plan.”

No sweat, say the experts.

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Leaving so soon? “Mad Men” season 3 is preparing to wrap {thanks, AMC}

1. ‘Mad Men’ season finale
Non-“Mad Men” fans must really be sick of hearing the rest of us obsess over every little nuance of AMC’s flagship drama. But this is TV’s best show since “The Wire,” so spare us the eyerolls. Season 3 ends this Sunday, and with all of the recent plot twists and turns, who knows what will happen to the Drapers, the Brits or Sterling Cooper? We don’t, but count on us watching, sweat-drenched and eyes popped out of our skulls. And no, that’s not hyperbole. 10 p.m. WESLEY CASE, B

2. Ravens @ Bengals
The Bengals got the best of the Ravens last month in Baltimore. Now the Ravens travel to Cincinnati to get a little revenge. 1 p.m. Sunday, WJZ-23 CBS, 98 Rock. MATT VENSEL, B

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thanks, stock.xchng

What one meal or recipe is your specialty?

A Pigtown Festival pig says hello {thanks, The Baltimore Sun}

Festival central
Head to Washington Village by 11 a.m. Saturday so you can grab a morning beer, get settled in and catch the Pigtown Festival’s first Running of the Pigs at 11:30. Then you’ll still have time to head to HampdenFest on the Avenue and High Zero at Theatre Project. What a Saturday. Anne Tallent, b

‘9’
There’s something creepy and yet stylistically awesome about this movie. From what I’ve seen in the trailer, the Tim Burton-produced “9” promises a host of fantasy, intrigue and action. Protect the future in a theater near you Wednesday. Tim Wong, b

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Autumn leaves are a’comin’ {thanks, stock.xchng}

Fall’s Top 5’s: Our favorite events, sports and concerts this season

FESTIVALS/EVENTS
Baltimore Book Festival
Take a look, because this year’s annual ode to tome love features celebri-authors such as Buzz Aldrin, Ralph Nader and Maureen McCormick (Marcia Brady!). Plus, there are loads of local authors, book sales and readings on topics ranging from cooking to hip-hop. Noon-8 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26, noon-7 p.m. Sept. 27 // Mount Vernon Place, 600 block of North Charles Street // Free // baltimorebookfestival.org

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We love us some Swifty Swine Swimming Pigs at the Maryland State Fair {thanks, Maryland State Fair}

August kind of blows.

The days (and nights) are often sticky-hot. It’s the only month with no federal holiday (Congress, if you can’t work out health care reform, give this a shot). And Baltimore’s summer festival season is waning.

So the Maryland State Fair comes at just the right time. The 128th (!) year of the 11-day fair in Timonium will, as always, feature thousands of arts and agriculture exhibits, barnfuls of lively livestock and as much rides and food as your stomach can handle. Plus, Boyz II Men! Really!!

Check out our favorite fair attractions (swimming pigs!) — and a few guilty pleasures (cow milking!):

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