Purim dinner
Saturday, March 11
The joyful holiday of Purim commemorates the triumph of Queen Esther (and her cousin Mordecai) thwarting Haman’s plot to massacre Jews in Persia. The menu will be all sweet and sour dishes. Wear a costume for a free dessert. Entree cost is $13; reservations, 608-216-4511. At Layla’s Persian Food, 141 S. Butler St., 5-9 pm.
CSA Open House
Sunday, March 12
Here’s your chance to meet over 30 CSA farmers and sign up for the season. Low-income families can apply for assistance to cover up to half the cost of a share. Samples will also be available from Salmon Shares, Creme de la Coulee, Origin Breads, Honey Bee Bakery, Mad Urban Bees, Kwee-Jack Fish Co., Sassy Cow Creamery, Willy Street Co-op and Monty’s Blue Plate Diner. There will also be cooking demos and a vegetable scavenger hunt. At Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Drive, noon-4 pm.
When Irish Guys Are Smiling Whiskey Sampler
Thursday, March 16
Kick off St. Patrick’s Day early with an all-Irish whiskey tasting. Flights ($18) include: Green Spot, Jameson Caskmates, Stout edition, John Powers’ John’s Lane 12-year, Red Breast 12-year, Teeling Batch and Tullamore Dew. At the Malt House, 2609 E. Washington Ave., 5:30-8 pm.
