Peanut butter prices are going up already, but it looks like it's going to get far worse, which is unfortunate, since the spread is generally one of the cheaper forms of protein for the less wealthy. The Week Magazine breaks down the numbers behind the shortage:

3.46 billion
Pounds of peanuts that will be harvested this year, down 17 percent from 2010

30
Years since the United States has experienced a peanut harvest this bad. Blame "high heat, strong winds, and bone-dry conditions," say researchers from New Mexico State University.

$450
The cost of a ton of Runner peanuts in 2010

$1,150
The cost of a ton of Runner peanuts in 2011

30
Percentage increase in the price of Jif

35
Percentage increase in the price of Skippy

90
Percentage of U.S. households that consume peanut butter

Jason Anderson is a smart architect and designer. He's also one of the owners of the new restaurant Union Public House at St. Philip's Plaza. These things appear to be working well together.

Consider, for instance, this stainless steel bar that was just installed at the restaurant. Anderson has said it will include both built-in hooks to hang purses and coats on and outlets where one can recharge computers and cell phones. Like I said, Anderson is a smart designer and he's designed a smart bar and restaurant.

Other interesting details abound as well, such as reupholstered furniture from a Golden Corral; tables made of old-growth Douglas fir and alligator juniper; vintage gas lamps; the list goes on.

After talking with Anderson you realize quickly that the man loves what he does. "I call this 'old school industrial Western chic,'" he says with a smile, before launching into a description of the design for the bathrooms, which he has also paid immaculate attention to.

I can't really explain what he's up to inside that building - a listing of the design ingredients he's employing will not give it proper treatment - so let's just say that it is modern and comfortable, and the kind of place I can imagine spending time in.

So the restaurant is going to look nice, and there's going to be lots of different beers served at a cool modern bar, and one of the guys from Maynard's Market and Kitchen has been brought on as well as other top talent. They've also hired Chris Thompson as general manager (he used to manage Putney's and several resorts).

When you put all of this together and add in some floor-to-ceiling wine racks, an outdoor fireplace, extended patios and probably the best inaugural menu I've ever laid eyes on, you start to get excited, which I am. We hear the opening is expected to happen in the last week of October. It will not be easy to wait that long.

The Santa Cruz Heritage Dinner sounds like a fun way to check out some of the different local-food projects going on around town. It's a three-course progressive dinner that starts at an urban farm and finishes at a "restaurant in a historic building," although we're not sure what that restaurant is.

The event - which is conveniently located at locations accessible from a bike path - includes tours, a book-signing, cooking demonstrations and a reusable grocery bag from the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Association. All that for only $25, or $10 for ages 6 to 10.

There's more on the dinner over here. There are also only 40 tickets left, so if it sounds like your kind of thing you might want to act fast.

RA Sushi up at La Encantada is offering a special through the month of October to help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which works to save lives through early detection of breast cancer by providing mammograms for those who need them.

The special includes a glass of ONEHOPE California Chardonnay and a Signature Pink Roll, which is shrimp, kani kama crab mix and sriracha rolled with lettuce, avocado and cucumber. It comes with a pink strawberry sauce, too. The cost is $15, and 100 percent of the profits go to the NBCF.

(As for those who claim I have been "pinkwashed" by writing about these efforts to raise money for breast cancer, I thank you for your criticism. We're here to spur conversation and allow for the free flow of ideas between citizens, so your input is welcome. Still, I think breast cancer is a worthy cause, so I'm forging forward. That is all.)

It's official: The new Brushfire BBQ location in the old Blockbuster Video store buidling near the corner of 22nd Street and Kolb Road is open.

Did you know both Brushfire BBQ locations also serve beer now? Beer. Barbecue. Is this work day over yet?

There's a bit more on the new location over here.

This newish company called Cup Quequitos is totally tearing it up on the cupcake front. I will not belabor you with my thoughts on it, and am instead directing you straight to the website so you can drool all over your keyboard for a few minutes.

It also appears Cup Quequitos is holding some sort of a cupcake event this weekend on the patio of Little Cafe Poca Cosa. More on that over here.

Who knew that Chili's Facebook page would be the battleground over whether we should celebrate Columbus Day? And Kids Eat Free night. Simultaneously.

Let's just agree that their food is terrible and just get along.

A new breakfast joint called Bisbee Breakfast Club is opening in early November in the old Pizza Hut building at 4131 W. Ina Road.

I love places like this. The menu is long enough to be interesting, brief enough as to not overwhelm, and I'm a sucker for catchy names for meals like the Huckburger and Gooey Louie.

The Bisbee Breakfast Club also posts its daily specials on its website. That is a great idea, and I'm pretty sure diners would be pleased if more restaurants did the same.

(Special thanks to restaurant maven Rita Connelly for the tip!)

Rumors in the world of food writing are about as reliable as lunaception, but it’s fun to talk about them from time to time anyway.

The most recent rumor is that there is talk of bringing a location of Sam Fox’s restaurant True Food Kitchen to Tucson. I would like it if that would happen. While you’re at it, bring us a location of Culinary Dropout, too.

The other rumor is that another brewery is opening downtown. This is the sort of rumor with clout, being that it comes from a reliable rumor-spreader who happens to own a couple of downtown businesses. But I can’t talk about it yet, because, yes, it’s still a rumor.

There’s also a rumor that a new café is opening inside St. Phillip’s Plaza. We’re not sure about the name yet, but it’s locally owned and supposed to be quite nice.

And lastly, we heard yesterday that the new Brushfire BBQ location on the east side could open as early as next Monday. “That’s a best-case scenario, though,” said the person we talked to. So, yeah, that’s sort of rumorish, too.

JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa is hosting a cooking competition this weekend where teams and individual cooks will go head-to-head to try to make the best pork-and-beans. From the press release:

The event begins at 10:30 am. Watch BBQ teams and individuals compete for best in Pork and Beans while enjoying a game of pool or watching the day’s football action on our HDTVs. Plus, you can enjoy great food and drink specials. Enjoy complimentary taster samples of all the pork and bean entries. You can cast your vote for “Taster’s Choice” favorite for $1.00 per vote. After 4:00 pm, we will have live entertainment and dancing featuring music from a local Tucson band.

The event takes place Saturday, Oct. 8, and admission is free. Lunch and dinner reservations, however, are required.

Call 670-0444 for reservations.