Frank Sinatra sang about Chicago, claiming he saw a stereotype-shattering scene: “a man who danced with his wife.” In a recent trip to the City of Big Shoulders, I saw two related but groundbreaking quests.

One, by Ecuador’s Chicago trade office, sought to inspire action by the U.S. Congress, that remote source of inspiration and action, to extend U.S.-Ecuador trade agreements. By July 31, no less. Otherwise, flowers from Ecuador will have a 6.8 percent tariff when they enter this country. A long shot, getting a trade pact through, but Colombia did it not long ago.

The New York Apple Association, based in Fishers, NY, announced industry veteran JULIA STEWART as the association’s spokesperson.

Ms. Stewart assumed spokesperson duties in March and has been supporting NYAA’s public relations activities since May 2012.

In her new role, Ms. Stewart’s responsibilities include planning and executing media outreach activities to promote New York apples, representing the association to consumer and trade media and providing strategic communications counsel to NYAA senior management.

MADERA, CA — Stellar Distributing introduced a new variety to its extensive California fig program several years ago.

The Tiger fig has striped green and yellow skin, a unique flavor and a bright red flesh that differentiate it from traditional figs.

Stellar is shipping figs with no break from now through mid-January due to volume from the southern California desert crop and central San Joaquin Valley crop.

The new Tiger variety will be available Aug. 1 during the main crop and will be the featured fig of the six varieties available.

L&M Cos.’ North Carolina crops got off to a bit of a challenging start this year.

Brock Christian, product manager for the Raleigh, NC-headquartered L&M, said that the company produces cucumbers, bell peppers, eggplant and squashes in Clinton, NC.

“The weather in the state has been cold, wet and overcast for the past two to three weeks,” he said May 6. “The forecast now predicts that warmer weather is coming this weekend, and it should bring on good growing conditions.”

Louis J. Acompora lost his life in March 2000 at age 14 while playing lacrosse for his high school team of Northport High School in Northport, NY. His death was caused by a syndrome known as Commotio Cordis. This occurs from blunt impact trauma during the critical cycle in the rhythm of the heart. In his position as goalie, Louis blocked what appeared to be a routine shot with his chest protector, took a few steps and collapsed. Paramedics arrived with a defibrillator almost 15 minutes later, but it was too late to save his life.

Kings Food Markets will continue to build on its tradition of bringing customers the freshest, highest-quality ingredients by launching its Local Fresh 24/7 program for the second year.

The program, which premiered last May and which begins this year on May 24, allows Kings customers to experience the benefits of a local farm stand in the convenience of their neighborhood food market by delivering locally grown, farm-fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs to its aisles within 24 hours of being hand-picked.