The coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Tuesday, September 7
fundraiser today for the food pantry at the Goodman Community Center. On the first Tuesday of every month, this campaign donates 10% of total food sales at selected restaurants. Monty's Blue Plate Diner, 2089 Atwood Ave., and Tex Tubb's Taco Palace, 2009 Atwood Ave., all day. Call 244-8505 for more info.
Safe and simple home canning is the focus of Preserving the Flavors of Summer, a popular end-of-the-season workshop at the Willy Street Co-op, 1221 Williamson St., 5:30-8:30 p.m., $15 members and $25 non-members. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Wednesday, September 8
Raw food is the focus of In the Kitchen with Cathy, a monthly series of classes this fall at the Willy Street Co-op, 1221 Williamson St., 6-8 p.m., $15 members and $25 non-members. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Beer and cheese, the two hallmark Wisconsin foodstuffs, will be celebrated today in a class at . They will be picking out and sharing their faves in this survey of craft brewing and artisan cheesemaking around the Badger State. Fromagination, 12 S. Carroll St., 6:30 p.m., $35. Call 255-2430 for more info.
Geneticist and Capsicum aficionado David Baumler will be discussing "The History & Evolution of Chili Peppers" this evening as the featured speaker at , a weekly science lecture series exploring research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "2010 is proving to be a great year for growing chili pepper plants in Wisconsin," reads the description for the talk "and Dr. Baumler will guide you through a descriptive photo journey of his personal collection of over 70 varieties including some of the most ancestral and hottest in the world." UW Biotechnology Center Auditorium, , Rm. 1111, 425 Henry Mall, 7 p.m., free. Call 265-2420 for more info.
Thursday, September 9
Jeanne Hansen will offer an introduction to apiculture this evening in a talk Bee Basics. She will cover the lifecycle of bees, their role in pollination, and the uses and health benefits of their products. Pinney Library, 204 Cottage Grove Rd., 7 p.m., free. Call 224-7100 for more info.
Friday, September 10
Summer is fading into autumn, but there is still plenty of time remaining for firing up the grills at outdoor festivals. The fun at Dane Oktoberfest this weekend includes a co-ed softball tournament, raffles, a "bouncy house" and other children's activities, pumpkin decorating, and plenty of burgers, brats, beer, and other tasty treats. The festival is a fundraiser organized by the Lake Melvin Yacht Club, the name of a charitable organization dedicated to assisting the indigent families living in Dane, Lodi, and Waunakee. Proceeds from this celebration will likewise go to support members of the community. Bert Deans Park, 120 Railroad St., Dane, 6-11 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, free admission. Call 608-798-1770 for more info.
Well over 100 wines from scores of vineyards will be served at the fourth annual Lake Geneva Wine Festival, a two-day series of tastings, culinary demonstrations, seminars, raffles, and auctions in the famed resort town. The Chef Robert Fedorko, emcee Chef Michael Feker, and chef competitors from Lake Geneva, Milwaukee, and elsewhere around southeastern Wisconsin, all dishes paired with a host of wines. The big event on Saturday is "The Grand Tasting," which features an international selection of wines paired with appetizers and other food samples prepared by restaurants and merchants around Lake Geneva. Proceeds from the even will go to benefit non-profit organizations in the community. welcomes the new season this weekend with its Fall Festival. Parishoners and community members are invited to join in the fun at this family-friendly celebration, which includes the Holy Cow 5K run and 2-mile walk, live music, bingo, a raffle, children's games and activities, the "Vendor Faire," and more. Food will be plentiful too, with a farmers' market and bake sale, a food court (with brats, hot dogs, chili dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, walking tacos, and ice cream on the menu), a beer tent, and a Sunday turkey and ham dinner. Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary, 221 Columbus St., Sun Prairie, 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, $8.50 admission for Sunday dinner. Call 837-7381 for more info.
The Backyard Food Forest: Permaculture in Action, a free talk and workshop led by Kate Heiber-Cobb. The morning talk will introduce the concept of food forests, a multi-level managed backyard woodland ecosystem devoted to producing a regular supply of fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, and other edible flora. An afternoon hands-on learning workshop centered on the installation of such a forest will follow. Land Trust renovated home, 1921 Beld St., 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11-3:30 p.m., free. Call 280-0131 for more info.
One of summer's most iconic treats gets a rousing send-off today at the 43rd annual Pardeeville Watermelon Festival, an all-day celebration centered on the U.S. Watermelon Speed-Eating and Seed-Spitting Championships. Competitive events include numerous categories for both speed eating and seed spitting, as well as others for carving and growing the largest melon by weight. The Pagan Pride Day, an all-day family-friendly celebration in Middleton. Events at the and Lakeview Park, 6300 Mendota Ave., Middleton, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., free. Call 852-4718 for more info.
Chili heads on a never-ending hunt for heat will find their quarry today at the 21st annual Chilimania in downtown Edgerton. The , or CASI, as well as a traditional chili cooking contest and a salsa contest. All competitors are required to make two or more gallons of their chili for a public tasting, with everybody admitted to the festival receiving a free tasting cup. Attendees will also find live music, children's activities, and food vendors. Chilimania Grounds, Henry St., Edgerton, 11 a.m.-midnight, $6 adults and kids under 12 free. See Facebook and Twitter for more details, or call 608-884-3358 for more info.
Some two dozen breweries from Wisconsin and around the nation will be serving more than 100 different beers today at the eighth annual Thirsty Troll Brew Fest in Mount Horeb. Participating breweries include Ale Asylum, Capital Brewery, Crispin Cider, Cross Plains Beer, Furthermore Beer, Galena Brewing, the Great Dane, Goose Island, the Grumpy Troll, Lakefront Brewery, Magic Hat, Minhas, New Belgium, New Glarus Brewing, O'so Brewing, Potosi Brewery, Pyramid, Sand Creek Brewery, the Stone Cellar, Summit, Tyranena Brewing, and Vintage Brewing. Attendees will also find food vendors, live music, and photo opportunities with Jorgen the Thirsty Troll. Grundahl Park, 400 Blue Mound St., Mount Horeb, 1-5 p.m., $35 or $30 adv. Call 888-765-5929 for more info.
Registration spaces filled up weeks ago for in support of its Partner Shares Program. However, supporters who are not participating in the ride can still attend the after party at the end of the day. The celebration will feature live music, "grilled delicacies," and beverages. Token Creek County Park, 6200 Hwy. 51, DeForest, 3-7 p.m., $30. Call 226-0300 for more info.
Sunday, September 12
Mexico is celebrating its national bicentennial this year, commemorating 200 years since the Grito de Dolores on September 16, 1810 marked the opening of its war of independence against Spanish colonial rule. South-central Wisconsin will be joining in the celebrations with Festival Viva México in Oregon. The party features live music, traditional dances, an "El Grito" contest, a folkloric dress contest, a jalapeño eating contest, and plenty of food and beverages. A car parade will depart from the Villager Mall at 10 a.m. and loop around the Capitol to kick off the festivities. Union Sports Club, 155 Braun Rd., Oregon, noon, free. Call 441-3763.
Monday, September 13
monthly meeting and membership drive this evening. Babes Grill & Bar, 5614 Schroeder Rd.. 7:30 p.m., free. Call 628-9806 for more info.
