This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Tuesday, March 9
Jeff Glazer of have organized a beer and cheese tasting this evening as a fundraiser for Literacy 24/7, the weeklong celebration of reading that runs through Saturday. Both food writers will discuss the background of and local bounty of artisanal cheeses and craft beers, with fine Wisconsin-made examples of each donated for the event. Potential pairings include Marieke Aged Gouda with O'so Dominator Dopplebock, Marieke Foenegreek Gouda with Furthermore Knot Stock APA, Uplands Cheese Pleasant Ridge Reserve with Central Waters Peruvian Morning Imperial Coffee Stout, and Saxon Creamery Saxony with Tyranena Bitter Woman IPA or Potosi Snake Hollow IPA. Everything is free, but attendees are encouraged to donate $5, $10, or even more, all of which will go to the Literacy Network. The Malt House, 2609 E. Washington Ave., 6-9 p.m., free but a generous donation is requested. Call 204-2658 for more info.
Regional food writer and Isthmus contributor The Flavor of Wisconsin: An Informal History of Food and Eating in Wisconsin, the essential culinary culture-spanning cookbook by Harva Hatchen originally published a quarter-century ago. First, the lecture and discussion as part of its Book Bites local author series. Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St., 1 p.m., free. Call 266-6581 for more info. Later, the presentation and recipe sampling, which will feature some of the recipes detailed in the book. Fitchburg Community Center, 5510 Lacy Rd., 7 p.m., free. Call 273-0846 for more info.
Will Allen will lead a discussion about urban gardening and agriculture as part of the Ethical Eats lecture series at the First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Dr., 7 p.m., $10. Call 233-9774 for more info.
The , returning to Madison this evening for a screening of seven short films. Programmed to educate and inspire viewers on behalf of the natural world, the fes will feature Get Up, Stand Up by David Gonzales, Secret Life of Paper by Mark Sugg and Loch Phillipps, Garbage Angels by Pierre Trudeau, A Simple Question: The Story of S.T.R.A.W. by Kevin White and David Donnenfield, The New Species by Evalds Lacis and Maris Putnins, Ascending the Giants by John Waller, and Big River by Curt Ellis and Aaron Woolf. This latter and headlining title addressing the "ecological consequences of industrial agriculture" was created as a companion to the documentary King Corn; a review was published in last week's Isthmus. The screening will be followed by a ticketed cocktail party, which includes a one-year membership to the River Alliance. Majestic Theatre, 115 King St., 7 p.m., $10 or $25 for the post-screening party. Tickets can be purchased in advance at online. Call 257-2424 x.114 for more info.
Wednesday, March 10
Chef Sabi returns to the Taste the Magic of Morocco culinary tour. Along with a presentation by Moroccan tour guide Richard Bunk about the culture, history, and sights of the North African nation, participants will be able to sample zitoun (olives), khobz (a whole-wheat flatbread), Harira Be-Karawia (caraway and coriander soup with lamb, chickpeas, and lentils), a seven vegetables couscous, kefta, harbel (honeyed wheat pudding), dates and almonds, Moroccan mint tea, and Tamar Hindi (a sweet and sour beverage made with tamarind dates). The food will be paired with French wines selected by Star Liquor manager Adam Casey. Willy Street Co-op, 1221 Williamson St., 6-8 p.m., $15 for owners and $25 for all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Nearly all of seats have already been claimed at a craft beer dinner presented by Chef Derek Rowe of , their last in a series of four over the winter. The meal will feature the beers of Harvest, 21 N. Pinckney St., 6 p.m., $45. Call 255-6075 for reservations.
Thursday, March 11
The year-long screening of UW Memorial Library, 728 State St., 5 p.m., free. Call 262-2387 for more info.
Slow Food UW and screening of the acclaimed film review of the filmduring its original theatrical run in Madison last summer. The Crossing, 1127 University Ave., 7:30 p.m., free. Call 257-1039 for more info.
Saturday, March 13
The pancake breakfast fundraiser this morning. Along with all-you-can-eat flapjacks, the meal will include eggs, sausage, applesauce, milk, orange juice, and coffee. Song and dance are also on the menu, as the Stoughton High School, 600 Lincoln Ave., Stoughton, 7:30-11 a.m., $6 adults and $4 for ages 6-12 with kids 5 and under free. Call 608-877-8724 for more info.
Chef Tory Miller of L'Etoile and Cafe Soleil returns to the Taste of the Market breakfast at the Dane County Farmers' Market for the third time this winter, and is working with students from Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St., 8 a.m.-noon, $7.50 adults and $3.75 kids. Call 455-1999 for more info about the market.
pysanka, better known as a Ukranian Easter egg. The gift shop also invites both children and adults to enter an egg art contest, which is open to raw or blown chicken eggs decorated in the Ukrainian style or using batik, watercolor, natural dyes, paper wrapping, and other methods. The deadline for entrants is March 27, with all entries to be displayed during Holy Week and Easter weekend. Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Monroe St., 1-3 p.m., free. Call 255-8211 for more info.
Two floors of craft beer selections will be on tap at the third annual FestivAle, a benefit for the tasting also features a raffle, games, and live music by Bob Rocks. FestivAle sold out in 2009, so advance ticket purchases are suggested. East Side Club, 3735 Monona Dr., 12-1 p.m. special session and 1-4 p.m. open tasting, $20 advance registration, $45 special session registration, $100 six-pack registration with $25 multiplier for special session, $10 designated driver registration, and $25 at the door. Call 222-9131 for more info.
chili supper benefit this evening for Schumacher Farm park in Westport. The meal features chili, dessert, and beverages, and attendees will also be able to enter a raffle for a handmade quilt. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 209 South St., Waunakee, 4:30-6:30 p.m., $3.50. Call 608-231-2104 for more info.
Sunday, March 14
open house today, linking farmers offering CSA shares with families and local food fanatics seeking a long season of fresh veggies. Moving to a larger location this year in reflection of the growing consumer interest in local foods, the event will feature nearly 40 community supported agriculture farms from around the region offering shares of this year's harvests. Visitors to the open house will also find a trio of workshops, a raffle benefit for the MACSAC Partner Shares Program, live music, and kids' activities, and samples of farm-fresh eats. Sign up now to get your pick of the season. Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., 1-4 p.m., free. Call 226-0300 for more info.
fundraiser dinner this evening in support of its staff trip to New York City for a special Farm to Table dinner on April 6. Invited for a second time by the Harvest, 21 N. Pinckney St., 5 p.m., $25. Call 255-6075 for reservations.
Monday, March 15
The Home Health United Meals on Wheels program is holding an information open house about its delivery service to senior and disabled residents of Madison, Middleton, and Monona. Prospective volunteers will be able to learn how to "help deliver nutrition, provide a safety check and allow people to remain independent in their own homes," not to mention provide a friendly greeting to recipients. Delivery routs are available seven days a week. Food for Haiti earthquake relief drive is wrapping up in anticipation of sending a shipping container full of essential items to the Caribbean nation via Growing and Using Culinary Herbs class taught by Lauri Lee and Susan Churchill of the Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., 1 p.m., $45. RSVPs must be made by March 11. Call 246-4550 for more info.
Sunday, March 21
A Taste of Heaven author Madeline Scherb about the monastic brewing tradition. "Trappist monk Thomas Merton was a bridge-builder between Eastern and Western faith traditions, so it fits the east-west theme of The Haze," reads an announcement from the restaurant about the 40-seat dinner. The Haze, 106 King St, $65. Call 260-2680 for reservations and more information.
Saturday, April 10
Madison will play host to the second annual raw milk in Wisconsin and the growing ranks of both producers and consumers who support it. "We feel the climate in Wisconsin is creating the perfect backdrop for our work at this conference," says symposium chairman Tim Wightman, a dairy farmer from northern Wisconsin and now based in Ohio. "It's a perfect time for us to come together. As farmers and consumers, we know there is strength in diversity, and we recognize the fine line between diversity and divisiveness." Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 703-208-3276 for more info.
