Got Plans at 1, discounted Taste tickets & free lunch

Grab your lunch early, kiddos. Early enough so that you can be back at your desks for Got Plans? time at 1 p.m. We've got good news for you. We're a sponsor of this year's Taste of the Nation and we're pleased to be able to give you a discount code to get 10 percent off tickets. For those who haven't been, Taste is a lot of fun. You get to swirl between cocktail tables nibbling on treats from some of the best restaurants in town. This Going Out Guide Lounge (check us out!) will feature cocktails by top mixologists Derek Brown of the Passenger, Gina Chersevani of PS 7's or Todd Thrasher of the PX. DJs Will Eastman and Lil'E will spin at the event. To buy tickets, visit this Web site and use the code GOG. It's valid all day today. Proceeds from ticket sales go to Share Our Stregngh, an organization dedicated to fighting childhood hunger.

If you *do* want to grab some lunch before the chat, let me suggest heading over to Urbana ASAP. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., the restaurant will be giving away 300 bagged lunches featuring items from a new lunch menu. The lucky 300 get a pulled-pork parmesan sandwich, dill pickle, chocolate chip cookie and a bottle of water. As with all things free around here, supplies go quickly. Also, a heads-up to the meat-free crowd, there is no vegetarian option.

We'll also be talking about outdoor patios, weekend events and those delicate pink blossoms down by the Tidal Basin. See you at 1 p.m.

-- Julia Beizer