I'm using category descriptions on some pages and I like it.  Would suggest to give the option to have another long description to displayed to be displayed on the button of the category page.  That way you can put catagory disclaimers on the botton of the page.  An example would be fire retardant party supplies, there you could put below that they may release toxic fumes.  Or warnings about usage of products within that category.  "Candles should never be burning unattended."  These are descriptions that you would not like to be on top of the page, but yet you like it to be there for liability purpose.  Another cute use would be on a cooking site.  You could add cookie recipes in the cookie cutter directory.  A recipe would be to long for the top, and as a result you may not see the products below.

Katharina