Besides the guest of honor, the most important piece of any birthday celebration is just that . . . a piece of birthday cake. Whether it's a simply frosted creation or a more elaborate concoction, these celebratory cakes are instant memory makers.

The John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest will take birding and wildlife enthusiasts on 16 different excursions to view the flora and fauna of the Alabama Gulf Coast during the event's four-day run Oct. 16-19.

When it comes to workers' comp, here's a hand to double down on: a gathering of the nation's foremost experts on everything from claims management to return-to-work.

One day, while poking around on the Interweb, I came across a blog ( www.contrariwise.org ) devoted to literary tattoos -- photos that people have posted of their own little part in making sure that great writing endures.

It's becoming nearly impossible to attend a marketing trade show (and there are plenty of them) without someone making a comment about how Google is planning to overtake the industry.