Garnish

Alligator pear, poor man's butter, aguacate. Traditional names for avocado hardly do it justice. With a mildly nutty flavor and soothing, buttery texture, avocado is rich in unsaturated oil, making it a satisfying addition to sandwiches and salads.A tropical fruit that passes for a vegetable, avocado is also the prime ingredient in guacamole, a specialty of Mexican cuisine that serves as garnish, dip or salad.Soups offer yet another way to enjoy this delectable, versatile food. Sliced avocado adds luxurious richness to soups as a floating garnish.

Barbara Garnish, daughter of Jack and Kay Garnish of Eldersburg, has been named interim artistic director for the Bainbridge Performing Arts company on Bainbridge Island, Wash.The new position was effective Jan. 1.She was director of the lighting department before being named interim artistic director.Ms. Garnish, who grew up in Eldersburg and is a graduate of McDonogh School in Owings Mills, began at Bainbridge Performing Arts in 1992 as lighting designer for "Neverending Story." Her recent work as associate director for "Peter Pan" marked her 18th show with the company.

Nearly 200 people attended the Carroll County Women's Fair yesterday, leading organizers to deem their first effort a success."I feel it went very well," said Kay Garnish, who chaired the 28-member committee that organized the fair at Carroll Community College."

When a spectacular fire broke out at his Granite stump dump in February 1991, owner James Jett rented $41,539.84 worth of heavy earthmoving equipment from Potts and Callahan Inc. in a futile effort to put it out.Mr. Jett and the county have been duking it out in court ever since, and Mr. Jett landed the latest blow this week when he garnished the county's bank accounts to get the money to pay for the equipment he rented.Last month, a court told Mr. Jett to pay Potts and Callahan. The same court told the county to pay Mr. Jett.

WESTMINSTER -- Women of all ages will be invited to the Carroll County Women's Fair in March -- a daylong educational event designed to build esprit de corps among women."

Accessories this spring are a banquet. Flavors range from western chuck wagon to the hottest salsa with some light natural seasonings for tamer tastes. It's time to sample something new and exotic. And don't ignore the silver, gold and crystal.Here's a checklist of this season's garnishes.* THE TOPPERS: This is the year to become a hat person, and "hat hair" is no excuse. The baseball cap, whether emblazoned with a team logo or spiced with glitter, is a summer necessity. When hair won't obey, pull it back and don a cap at a jaunty angle.

WASHINGTON -- Calling debt-ridden federal workers "deadbeats," Rep. Andrew Jacobs Jr., D-Ind., urged support for a bill he has been proposing for 14 years: a measure to allow courts to garnishee the wages of government employees who haven't paid their bills.Since 1977, Jacobs said, he has been the "lone voice" complaining about sovereign immunity, the doctrine that protects federal workers from lawsuits. Now he's taking advantage of all the furor over recent controversies in Congress over bad-check writing and questionable perks.

Just about everyone loves the taste of fresh bananas. This easy recipe makes a delicious treat for any special occasion -- even if it's just dinner tonight.Very Easy Banana Pie1 large or 2 small bananas, peeled and sliced1 envelope plain gelatin1 cup water5 to 6 ice cubes1 0.9-ounce package sugar-free banana pudding1 teaspoon sugar1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon3/4 cup low-fat ricotta cheese1 Keebler chocolate-flavored ready-crust pie crustMint leaves for garnishExtra bananas for garnish2 squares semi-sweet chocolate for garnishPut gelatin in blender with two tablespoons water.

THE COMMONPLACE BECOMES extraordinary when seasonal melons are carved into tiny balls and flavored with a sweet liqueur.In addition to summer standards such as honeydews, be sure to try at least one unusual melon such as the Casaba, a moderately-sweet melon with pale yellow flesh or the Cranshaw, with pale orange flesh. Another choice would be the Canary melon with bright yellow flesh.Elegant Fruit SaladWatermelonCantaloupeHoneydewSweet liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand MarinerLemons, for garnishMint, for garnishUsing a melon baller, carefully make small spheres of fruit.