• Randy Owen stays busy in his Alabama home
KATHY KEMPRandy Owen's home is still in Alabama - in his hometown of Fort Payne, and in the country band that scored more than 40 No.1 hits in a career spanning three decades.

• The holiday must-haves for men and women
Birmingham fashion stylist Tracy Robinson of www.chicmadesimple.com offers the season's top holiday clothing must-haves for women and men. FOR WOMEN Look for a sassy short cocktail dress in a metallic color, in a dressy material such as thick satin, or something with a little sparkle or embellishment. The combination of a dressy fabric and a fun color say it's a special time of year. Invest in an evening coat or wrap, anything from a pashmina or knee-length brocade coat, to an evening trenchcoat or jacket with fur. To ensure the most versatility, choose a black or a metallic evening wrap or coat. Why an evening coat? Nothing ruins the look of a party dress more than throwing on your big bulky overcoat. What's an even worse look is when you're freezing and you have to borrow your date's suit jacket by the night's end. It just looks silly.

• The do's and don'ts of holiday dressing
Before you head to the party, check out a few of Birmingham fashion stylist Tracy Robinson's "do's" and "don'ts" for dressing, and advice to help you avoid any fashion faux pas.

• What's hot for the holidays at other Birmingham area shops
At Gus Mayer, update your black pants with a new holiday top. Try Marissa Baratelli's wrap blouses in various jewel tones, from $385 to $485. Or, try a silver Tibi sleeveless knot top for $195. Bedazzle your date with a little sparkle from a Nanette Lepore sunburst beaded skirt in black, $295. Or, consider a black sequin skirt, $200, from Plenty by Tracy Reese.

• Chicken Cook-Off inspires a meal
Last week, I judged two of the regional division finals for the National Chicken Cook-Off in Jackson, Miss. Our crew of three food writers and editors tasted chicken recipes for about six hours, critiquing state finalists from Michigan to Alabama. The winners rose to the top right away, but we had to give each one our best analytical shot. I did not complain one bit about sitting down and eating for the better part of a day - and they call what I do "work"?

• Dressed up for the holidays
Don't let the date fool ya. Just because you?ve been invited to a holiday party that won?t happen until mid-December, don?t think you have a lot of time to spare before you can start assembling your party outfit or even shopping for accessories. Fashion experts suggest that now is the time guests and even hostesses should be pulling together ensembles, whether it?s for an office Christmas party or New Year?s Eve shindig.

• Good Neighbors
Good Neighbors is a reader exchange column. Please include your name, address and telephone number and send to goodneighbors@bhamnews.com or Good Neighbors, The Birmingham News, P.O. Box 2553, Birmingham, AL 35202. ANSWERS

• Recipes from Donna Sibley
Lower fat cornbread dressing 1 large onion, chopped 4 large celery stalks, chopped 3 Tbs. olive oil 6 cups cornbread 6 slices whole grain bread, chopped fine 1 tsp. dried sage 1 tsp. dried thyme 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. coarse ground pepper 1 egg, beaten 2 cans chicken broth (29 oz. total) 2 cans Healthy Request Cream of Chicken soup Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

• You can beat the buffet
Here's how it usually goes on Thanksgiving: you promise not to go overboard, but then there it all is: the turkey, perfectly browned and moist, the glistening, buttery rolls, your aunt's amazing cornbread dressing, the sea of casseroles.

• Good Neighbors
Good Neighbors is a reader exchange column. Please include your name, address and telephone number and send to goodneighbors@bhamnews.com or Good Neighbors, The Birmingham News, P.O. Box 2553, Birmingham, AL 35202. ANSWERS

• Recipes, Please
Recipes, Please is a recipe exchange column which appears each Wednesday. The column is based on requests and responses sent in by News readers. All requests and responses are handled through the mail; none is taken by telephone. Please include your name, address and telephone number with each request and send them to Recipes, Please, The Birmingham News, P.O. Box 2553, Birmingham, AL 35202. You can also e-mail requests or responses to recipesplease@bhamnews.com

• 10 things you should talk about before you get married
You've asked enough questions of your photographer, caterer and florist that you feel pretty clear on what they should give you on your wedding day.

• Good Neighbors
Good Neighbors is a reader exchange column. Please include your name, address and telephone number and send to goodneighbors@bhamnews.com or Good Neighbors, The Birmingham News, P.O. Box 2553, Birmingham, AL 35202. ANSWERS

• Makeup artist Jestina Howard to share tips in Birmingham
Professional makeup artist Jestina Howard will discuss makeup trends for the holidays, and give beauty tips and techniques on Wednesday, from 5 to 7 p.m., at McCormick and Schmick's restaurant. Admission is $25 and includes food and beverage.

• Medicare plans changing - you might need to switch to save money, keep your drugs
Medicare patients beware: Don't assume the prescription drug plan you've had the last three years is going to be your best choice for 2009.

• CALENDAR OF ENROLLMENT EVENTS
Medicare patients should bring with them their list of medications and their Medicare card. Today-Nov. 26 Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens Services, 2601 Highland Ave. South, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday Western Health Center, 1700 Avenue E., Ensley, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• DISCOVERIES
NEW PRODUCT

• Good Neighbors
Good Neighbors is a reader exchange column. Please include your name, address and telephone number and send to goodneighbors@bhamnews.com or Good Neighbors, The Birmingham News, P.O. Box 2553, Birmingham, AL 35202. ANSWERS

• Health calendar
BLOOD DRIVESAmerican Red Cross, Blood Services, Alabama Region-Birmingham Ridge Park Donor Center, 1130 22nd St. South, Suite 1000, today and Tuesday, noon-6 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. Shelby County Donor Center, 4524 Southlake Parkway, Suite 5, Hoover, today, noon-6 p.m. Information: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. UAB Donor Center, North Pavilion, second floor, 1802 Sixth Ave. South, today, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday, 3-8 p.m. Information: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

• Frank Stitt celebrates 20 years of Bottega with new cookbook
Frank Stitt would pass by the stately limestone building on his way to Highlands Bar & Grill nearly every day, and he would think to himself, what a magnificent structure, what a gorgeous restaurant it would make.

• A very special night
What may have been the first-ever Hasidic Jewish wedding in Birmingham was held Tuesday at the Wynfrey Hotel for Chanie Posner of Mountain Brook and Laibel Berkowitz of Southfield, Mich.

• Home and Garden Calendar
Repotting Orchids Sun Petals from the Past, 16034 County Road 29, Jemison. Learn the basics of repotting orchids. Free admission. 646-0069.Benefit Exhibit & SALE 11/22 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 11/23 1-5 p.m. Aldridge Botenical Gardens, Aldridge Botanical Gardens, 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover. Nature prints. 682-8019. aldridgegardens.com

• Home and Garden Calendar
Repotting Orchids Sun Petals from the Past, 16034 County Road 29, Jemison. Learn the basics of repotting orchids. Free admission. 646-0069.Holiday Tablescapes Demonstration 11/22 10 a.m. Smith & Hawken, 201 Summit Blvd., Birmingham. Floral arrangements, lighting ideas. 969-5880.

• Rush of Fools has another contemporary Christian hit
Rush of Fools, a contemporary Christian band from Alabama, has another hit with its new single.

• Why are boxwood leaves turning yellow?
Q.I planted several boxwoods last spring and they have a lot of yellow leaves now. Do you have any ideas about what could be happening? A.Boxwoods can be grown throughout Alabama, but they can be a challenge to get established. However, when planted and maintained properly, they add beauty to both formal and informal landscape settings and in many cases, are considered an essential component of the traditional "Southern" home landscape.