Trio Vargas

Seven-Year-Old

The candy issue of the Portland Mercury would not be complete without the voice of a true connoisseur like Trio. His recommendations are a welcome relief to the yammering banter of adults:

- Nerds (Strawberry/Grape Duo Pack): "Sometimes I suck on them so they last longer. I don't like the purple ones. I like the strawberry side."

- Red Vines/Super Ropes: "I like how they are twisted. I suck on these too, until they get really thin. Then I eat them."

- Push Pops: "I like how you can push it up with your finger. I usually prefer the red flavor, but I'll take green if there's no red ones left."

- Large Jawbreakers: "Not the biggest ones, though. I usually only finish half of it anyway. Then my mom makes me throw it away because it gets so gross. Sometimes there's gum in the middle."

- Panda Licorice: "This is the best black licorice, but Black Vines are still okay. I like the bits more than the bar. I like their little holes."

Kristi Hooton

From the Fresh Pot

4001 N Mississippi

Five reasons to buy a book this week: 1) Perfect gift for a relative you don't like and wish to edify. 2) The weather's too shitty to go out. 3) Airplane rides. 4) Airplane delays. 5) You won't fit in at the coffee shop. Try these:

- The Spell of the Sensuous, by David Abrams: "It's a beautifully written book about animism, phenomenology, language, and the nature of perception. I've read it seven times, and so should everyone else."

- Watership Down, by Richard Adams: "A folktale for the socially conscious--starring rabbits. I say, hell yeah!"

- American Primitive, by Mary Oliver: "Even if you hate poetry, this woman's writing will move you to sublime and soulful realms."

- The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov: "Satan comes to Moscow, raises hell."

- Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte: "Read this book before you go to bed, and it will give you freaky dreams."