Sweet

Sounds strange, I know. But I hope you never have reason to meet Dr. Noah Federman, who makes his living saving children's lives. Extraordinary guy. Take all the athletes I've met in more than 40 years and this is my hero, even though he has to admit, "Some see me coming and it's a visceral reaction; they put their heads in a trash can and throw up. "I'm not that ugly," he protests, and we argue for the next 10 minutes. I wear a hat with the name of the place where he works to every game as a reminder to athletes how lucky they have it. Most just look at it as a hat. It might be five years since I last saw Federman.

The Irvine Saturday farmers market is the largest and best in Orange County, but it's a mixed bag. It has some worthy local small farmers who come in person, along with more commercial farms, and even a few who have been sanctioned previously for cheating by agricultural authorities or other managers. Orange County Produce, owned by the family of the previous California agriculture secretary, A.G. Kawamura, farms on remnants of undeveloped local land, a bittersweet reminder of the county's past agricultural glory.

Perhaps you're thinking about sweets and Thursday's big event -- Valentine's Day. Well, it's possible to find romance even in the gloomy Pacific Northwest, especially when chocolate frosting is involved. Portland, Ore., has a reputation as a growing gastropolis, with foodies from around the country converging on newly opened gastropubs, communal-table style restaurants -- and bakeries . During a recent visit, it seemed as though a visitor could purchase pastries on every other corner.

I'm in my traditional Cupidian buying frenzy leading up to Valentine's Day, my major organs bursting with good intentions, not knowing quite where to turn, getting a little angry about it actually -- the frustrations of unbridled romance, bordering on malice, verging on angina. Is this what they call lovesick? Or is it that wad-nut of food still stuck in my gullet from the Super Bowl party? During the power outage, I washed down the perfect barbecue sandwich with a double dose of chili, chased by teriyaki meatballs and fistfuls of Lebanese chicken, topped by about 50 oatmeal cookies.

British director Alexander Mackendrick made memorable films on both sides of the pond. In Britain, Mackendrick was one of the star directors at the famed Ealing Studios thanks to his sharp, inventive comedies such as 1949's "Whisky Galore" and 1951's "The Man in the White Suit," and his 1955 masterwork, "The Ladykillers," with Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers. In Hollywood, Mackendrick is best known for the brilliant 1957 drama "Sweet Smell of Success" that starred Burt Lancaster as the ruthless gossip columnist J.J. Hunsecker and Tony Curtis as the ambitious press agent Sidney Falco.

This week's Culinary SOS request comes from Susan Hawkins in Beverly Hills: "Sweet Butter, in Sherman Oaks, uses shrimp in the freshest tasting and most flavorful ceviche I have ever tried. Can't stop thinking about it. Any chance of snagging the recipe?" Plump tiger shrimp are tossed with chopped onion, tomato and spicy habanero peppers, the flavors brightened with fresh lemon juice and a medley of spices. Sweet Butter was happy to share its take on this refreshing classic.

Gush City. Everyone loves everybody now. There were Lakers hugs all around, with fans at Staples Center on Sunday joining the party, getting rally towels and the feel of a playoff game. Happy 79th birthday, Jerry Buss , as Gush City flattens Oklahoma City and holds the top-scoring team in the NBA below 100 points. The Lakers not only bring back excitement to Staples but look as if they will never lose again while shooting guard Steve Nash sets sights on the NBA's scoring title.

Grilled pork chops with sweet lemon grass marinade Total time: 40 minutes, plus marinating time Servings: 6 Note: Adapted from "Vietnamese Home Cooking" by Charles Phan. 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 lemon grass stalk, finely chopped 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic 2 tablespoons minced shallot 1 Thai chile, stemmed and finely chopped 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 3 bone-in center-cut pork chops, each about 12 ounces and 1 inch thick 1. In a bowl, combine the sugar, fish sauce, lemon grass, garlic, shallot, chile and black pepper, and whisk until the sugar dissolves.

FALLBROOK - Jim Russell's macadamia orchard looks like a park, 3 acres of holly-like evergreens growing above closely cropped grass. A casual observer would never suspect that it represents a relic of a bygone boom, a source of uniquely delicious nuts and one man's triumph over paralysis. Macadamias are native to eastern Australia, where there are two edible species: integrifolia in warmer areas and tetraphylla in cooler. The kind brought to Hawaii in 1881, and first commercialized there, was integrifolia , which proved most productive and suitable for roasting.

The courtyard patio at the classic California Spanish house was ringed by camellia bushes. In the living room, the fireplace boasted genuine Malibu tile and in the dining room, the original thin-planked oak floors gleamed. Listed for sale at $2.6 million, the immaculately maintained, three-bedroom home - a blend of traditional and modern stylings in one of Santa Monica's toniest neighborhoods - could go either way: to a family who falls in love with its character. Or to a builder, as a teardown.