The Goblet and the Gobbler With holidays just around the corner, anxious hosts may be wondering which wine will best wash down their holiday fare. And with the interest in wine growing throughout the country — and here in Minnesota — it’s important for a host to know a little bit about wine. Clare Kennedy

Primary Colors OWATONNA — The galleries are full at the Owatonna Arts Center today, with the work of three separate artists who have only one thing in common. Color. Melissa Kaelin

Grace on Ice Wendy Reuer

Halloween costumes at prices that won’t frighten you As Halloween approaches with less than a week to go, some are still searching for the perfect costume. But, in today’s economy spending a wad of cash on a one-night ensemble might just be scariest part of the holiday. However, at the Steele County Salvation Army store, Halloween is a specialty. Wendy Reuer

From his Owatonna basement to the music charts MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Adam Young had never seen the ocean with his own eyes, but that didn’t stop him from writing and recording an album called “Ocean Eyes.” 2 opinions posted

Investigating the paranormal “One morning the owner came in and found a puddle of blood by the bar. She called the bartender who had worked the night before and asked what had happened,” said Nancy Vaillancourt, a local historian who is often approached by residents with a tale to tell. “The bartender said there hadn’t been any problems.” Clare Kennedy

Geocaching leads locals to captivating finds Geocaching is an outdoor activity that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to hide and seek out small containers other geocachers have left behind. Once found, the containers, called “geocaches” or “caches,” reveal a number of tiny treasures that have been hidden inside, along with a small writing log for geocachers to sign. Melissa Kaelin

Flower Power OWATONNA — Like the weather, leaves can also change in a Minnesota moment. Minnesota autumn is covered in golds, reds, and green, but the colors soon fade into the gray of winter. Wendy Reuer

When autumn leaves start to fall Leaves are just beginning to fall and there’s a crisp edge in the air: Fall is just around the corner. What could be better than a walk in the blazing colors of autumn? Clare Kennedy

Poet speaks to the Beat of a different drummer “Don’t listen to the lyrics.” That’s what Des Damona Ross, known across the world as Des Damona, would say to women everywhere. It also happens to be the title of one the performer’s recent poems, as she works to address women’s issues through her writing.