This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Wednesday, February 1
Vanilla, it doesn't come from a bottle. It comes from a flower -- an orchid. Orchid expert Ken Cameron, associate professor of botany and director of the "Vanilla, Orchids & Evolution" -- the latest installment of the Wednesday Nite at the Lab series at UW-Madison. DIYers, take note: methods for bean harvest, curing, and processing will be covered for you to try it at home. UW Biotechnology Center Auditorium, 425 Henry Mall, 7 p.m., free. Call 265-2420 for more info.
Thursday, February 2 and Saturday, February 4
Forget Punxatawney Phil. Sun Prairie has its own weather-predicting star, big snowstorm like last year, but there will also be a Groundhog Day celebration on Saturday morning. Meet Jimmy. Have a piece of cake. There will also be chili. It will not be made out of groundhogs. Northeast YMCA, 1470 Don Simon Dr., Sun Prairie, 7 a.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Call 837-4547 for more info.
Saturday, February 4
Souper Bowl XVI, a fundraiser hosted by the dinner, with a mix of vegetarian and meat soups. Marigold Kitchen and Cheeseburger in Paradise are providing salad; breads are from Nature's Bakery, Tutto Pasta, Madison Sourdough, Colonial Bakery, Einstein Bros., and Silly Yak (gluten-free). Desserts are by community volunteers and Hubbard Street Diner. To ease parking, a shuttle bus will run from UW Lot 60. West High School, 30 Ash St., 2-8 p.m., $15 individual or $35 family. Call 255-1549 for more info.
Sunday, February 5
On the actual game day, a Super Bowl Brunch fundraiser at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Marion Hall, 4913 Schofield St., Monona, 8 a.m.-noon, $8.50 and $5 kids 5-10. Call 221-1777 for more info.
More events this week
Tuesday, January 31
Kitchen Chemist, a session for kids to make ice cream and learn about the science of freezing and melting. Madison Children's Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., noon, free with $8 admission. Call 256-6445 for more info.
Wednesday, February 1
Slow Food UW Café, reopening for the spring 2012 semester, with an opening week menu of apple and gouda cheese with bacon jam and greens on a pretzel roll, lemon chickpea salad with feta and spinach, turnip salad with leeks and squash, beet salad with orange and fennel, farro and carrot and mushroom soups, and parsnip cake with spiced cream cheese frosting. The Crossing, 1127 University Ave., 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $3-5. Call 257-1039 for more info.
Rooftop Seedlings, a weekly session for kids to explore gardening, composting, and cooking. Madison Children's Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., 3:30 p.m., free with $8 admission. Call 256-6445 for more info.
CHEW meeting, a monthly gathering hosted by Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St., 7:15 p.m., free. Call 241-1574 for more info.
Thursday, February 2
All About Fondue, a class that covers the preparation of multiple fondues, including Swiss, Stilton, and chocolate, each accompanied by wines. Fromagination, 12 S. Carroll St., 6:30-8:30 p.m., $55. Call 255-2430 for more info.
Green Thursdays, an educational series organized by The Dark Side of Chocolate, a 2010 documentary by Miki Mistrati and U. Roberto Romano about the use of child labor on cocoa plantations in West Africa. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 7 p.m., free. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Friday, February 3
Boy Scout Troop 29 Chili Supper, an annual fundraiser in support of Boy Scout Troop 29 at Bashford United Methodist Church, 329 North St., 4-7 p.m., $7.50 adults and $4 kids 11 and under, with nonperishable food donations encouraged. Call 249-9222 for more info.
Scandihoovian Winter Festival, an annual three-day seasonal festival, featuring a pizza party and pancake breakfast, outdoor recreational activities, a bonfire, children's activities, more. Facebook, and call 608-444-7009 for more info.
Saturday, February 4
"Taste of the Market" breakfast at the preparing a menu of bacon with egg and cheese biscuit sandwiches, hash brown patty, homemade apple pie pockets, and spinach salad. Madison Senior Center, 330 West Mifflin St., 8 a.m.-noon, $8 adults and $4 kids and smaller portions. Call 455-1999 for more info.
Markets & Meals for Hope, a farmers' market and breakfast that benefits the Harvest of Hope Fund for Wisconsin farm families facing distress. First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Dr., 9 a.m.-2 p.m., $10 donation for meal. Call 839-4758 for more info.
Cedarburg Winter Festival, an annual two-day seasonal celebration, with a theme of Grimm's Fairy Tales, featuring cupcake and chili contests, the Cool Brew beer tasting, a pancake breakfast, ice carving, outdoor recreational activities, a parade, live music, children's activities, more. Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Blizzard Blast, an annual benefit organized by the , featuring food and drinks, casino games, a raffle, live music, children's activities, more. Red Mouse, 3738 Hwy. P, Pine Bluff, 4-11 p.m., $20. Call 237-1370 for more info.
Sunday, February 5
Savory Sunday, with volunteers need to prepare and serve a fresh, hot meal for the hungry. Lutheran Campus Center, 325 N. Mills St., 11 a.m. Call 233-6967 for more info.
Monday, February 6
Family Dinner Night, a weekly meal hosted by The Crossing, 1127 University Ave., 6:30 p.m., $5. Call 257-1039 for more info.
Friendly Supper Club, a monthly dinner for people of all colors and ages. Northside Family Restaurant, 1201 N. Sherman Ave., 6:30 p.m. Call 249-5979 for more info.
Save the date
Tuesday, February 7
Desiging and Installing a Food Forest class, with instructor Kate Heiber-Cobb of the Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., 6:30 p.m., $15. Please RSVP by January 31, and call 246-4550 for more info.
Saturday, February 11
Taste Traditions of Wisconsin, a monthly lecture and dinner series that features author Ed Janus discussing the history of dairying in Wisconsin, along with Wisconsin Historical Museum, 30 North Carroll St., noon-2 p.m., $10. Please RSVP by February 3, and call 264-6563 for more info.
Friday, February 17
Small Batch Bourbon Dinner, with a five-course menu and paired bourbons selected from Willett Pot Still Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon, Rowan's Creek Small Batch Boutique Bourbon, Johnny Drum Private Stock Bourbon Whiskey, Noah's Mill Small Batch Boutique Bourbon, Willett Family Estate Rye Whiskey, Pure Kentucky Bourbon, Old Bardstown Bourbon, and Vintage 17 Bourbon. Harvest, 21 N. Pinckney St., 6 p.m., $55. Call 255-6075 for more info.Saturday, February 18
Death By Chocolate Bake-Off, the seventh annual baking contest hosted by the Mount Horeb Public Library, 105 Perimeter Rd., Mount Horeb, 6:30 p.m., free. Call 608-437-5021 for more info.
