Two new studies may not be the final nails in the coffin of the hypothesis that a mouse retrovirus called XMRV causes chronic fatigue syndrome. But the hammering is certainly getting louder.

Chapter One

This year, the Ford Pinto turns 40 and fans of the much-maligned economy car are celebrating with a drive from Denver, Colo., to an auto show in Carlisle, Penn.

Leading the caravan this week are Norman and Louise Bagi. Louise will be behind the wheel of her 1976 Pinto Runabout. It has a V-6 engine and air conditioning, making it a top-of-the-line Pinto.

"The seats have the upgraded, blue and orange plaid," says Norman Bagi, "It's almost like the Brady Bunch threw up in that car, its wonderful!"

The space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday at 2:35 a.m. ET. STS-134, in which it delivered a Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the International Space Station, was the shuttle's final mission.

But astronauts aboard the International Space Station took a stunning parting shot on May 28, just before Endeavour detached from the space station one last time.

My first introduction to Nutella was under unpleasant circumstances. While the incident took place more than 30 years ago, the memory of it remains crystal clear.

Chef Santosh Tiptur heads the kitchen at Washington, D.C.'s only coffee and chocolate lounge, Co Co Sala. He shared a really fun recipe with me that my kids now love.

Makes up to 6 servings

4 tablespoons Nutella

2 8-inch flour tortillas (regular or whole wheat)

1 Rice Krispies Treats bar cut into 8 pieces (store-bought or homemade)

Dried cranberries, raisins, chopped nuts, M&Ms, sweetened coconut flakes, mini- marshmallows or other toppings (optional)

Sea salt

Melted butter

Language Advisory: This is a live concert recording, and may not contain language suitable for all audiences.

A young pop-rock group on the cusp of a promising journey beyond its Pacific Northwest home, The Globes just released a moody but spirited full-length debut called Future Self. Formed in Spokane while its members were still teenagers, the group moved to Seattle just a few years ago and hooked up with the Barsuk label, whose tradition of sweet, smart, propulsive pop music houses The Globes' sound comfortably.

Soma Rathore of www.ecurry.com makes these lovely swirls that my family is now addicted to. Her advice on handling puff pastry: Do not allow the sheets to get too soft, or it will be difficult to work with them. If they do get too soft, chill them in the refrigerator for a few minutes.

Makes about 12 swirls

3 sheets store-bought puff pastry (each strip/sheet approximately 2 1/2-by-12 inches)

3/4 cup Nutella

I am an avid reader of Sala Kannan's blog, Veggie Belly, and when she told me she had a recipe for Nutella ice cream, I just had to try it.

Makes about 3/4 quart

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup Nutella

Congress is gearing up for another show vote.

Last week, Democrats in the Senate forced Republicans to vote on a House GOP proposal that would make controversial changes to Medicare. On Tuesday, the Republicans who run the House are forcing Democrats to vote on raising the debt ceiling without addressing the deficit spending that drove up the debt.

That vote, too, is bound to fail — which is precisely what Republicans want.