To the true Elvis fan, there are two times of the year that are considered sacred. January, the month in which The King of Rock & Roll was born, and August, when The King passed away to that great big hotel in the sky.

And when I say "fan" I'm not talking about those people who look at Elvis with the sort of sneering, hipster, oh-so-cool post-modernism that's become so prevalent in recent times. You know who I'm talking about...people that hopped on the exotica and bachelor pad music bandwagon the moment Incredibly Strange Music came out. Or those who watch 80s slasher flicks because SCREAM made it cool to.

Nor am I talking about the dangerous wackos that entertain thoughts of The King working at a Dearborn, MI Burger King or dress up in Elvis garb for their wedding to their cousin Lulu May.

No, I'm talking about "fans," people who can appreciate Elvis not only for his contribution to the music world, but also for his importance in the realm of popular culture. Before The Beatles, before The Simpsons, before Hanson, Elvis was one of the first popular icons bought, sold, and traded like so much cattle. And, in the wake of his death, The King has risen to new levels of pop-culture worship, from his birthplace in Tupelo to his mansion at Graceland. From books about his films, to books about his eating habits.

Perhaps the best celebrations of Elvis come from those true fans I was speaking about. Like the editor's of DEVIL'S ELBOW, a thoroughly excellent publication billed as "The Travel Zine with a Pure Beef Heart," just the way The King would've wanted it.

DE #7 -- which I recently picked up on a zine-buying excursion to the Big City -- is an excellent read courtesy of John Minkoff and Lori Robbins. Stories in the issue include a look at what to do when you're stuck in Mississippi and updates on information from previous issues. But, it's the stellar 13-page guide to "The Wide Wide World of Elvis" that thoroughly rocked my world.

Free from that sneering cynicism mentioned above, the editors do a great job of conveying what made Elvis great while touring us through his birthplace and final resting place. I blew through the issue one evening after a harrowing business trip, and it relaxed me quite thoroughly. Check it out by sending $2 to L. Robbins/J. Minkoff, 119 Chestnut St., Box 6, Oxford, MS 38655. You can also e-mail them or visit their web site for various articles from previous issues.

While we're on the subject of The King, this week's recipe comes straight from Are You Hungry Tonight? Elvis' Favorite Recipes (which you can purchase directly from Amazon.com by following this link). We all know that The King liked, scratch that, LOVED to eat, and he wasn't exactly the most health-conscious rock and roller on the planet. If he had been he might be around today to kick the ass of surly little punks like Eddie Vedder and the Gallaghers.

The recipe that follows is probably one of the most famous concoctions whipped up in the Graceland kitchen, sure to stop your heart while you're sittin' on the can...

1 small ripe banana
2 slices white bread
3 tbsp. peanut butter
2 tbsp. butter

In a small bowl, mash the banana with the back of a spoon. Toast the bread lightly. Spread the peanut butter on one piece of toast and the mashed banana on the other. Fry the sandwich in melted butter until each side is golden brown. Cut diagonally and serve hot.

Makes 1 sandwich.