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Food and Dining Briefs for April 28
Francesca's opens Italian deli: Francesca's Italian Kitchen, a 90-seat fine dining restaurant at 31165 Temecula Parkway in Temecula, has opened a 1,000-square-foot Italian deli next door to its 3-year-old restaurant. Co-owner Howard Seeagar said because Francesca's is only open for dinner (4-10 p.m. daily), the deli was added for lunch service. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, it offers $6.95 sandwiches made with imported Italian meats and cheeses and bread baked in-house, including focaccia, panini and gluten-free rolls. The deli also sells imported Italian pastas, olives, olive oils, cookies, soft drinks, coffee drinks and more. Call 951-303-3300.
Sprinkles goes Choco Loco: Sprinkles Cupcakes in La Jolla is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Choco Loco cupcakes, available Friday through May 5. The Belgian dark chocolate cake is topped with a bittersweet chocolate and Mexican cinnamon frosting. Go to sprinkles.com.
North County Tavern + Bowl opens: San Diego restaurateur Kevin Roberts has opened North County Tavern + Bowl at Westfield North County in Escondido. Menu items include Sweet Chili Wings and Sweet Heat Wings; go to www.tvrnbowl.com.
Terra American Bistro opens: After closing its Hillcrest location, Terra American Bistro is now open at 7091 El Cajon Blvd. in the East College District. The new restaurant features a chef's farm table, a stone bar, coffee bean-sack covered seat backs and bar stools, and more. Specials include Burger + Brewskie Night on Tuesdays (10-ounce Angus burger, housemade bistro fries and a 16-ounce draft beer for $14); Fish Taco Night on Wednesdays ($3 fish tacos); BBQ Night on Thursdays (house-smoked St. Louis-style ribs and two sides for $15); and Lobster Fest on Fridays (whole Maine lobster, corn on the cob for $19). Terra is closed Mondays, but open for breakfast from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Dinner is from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Breakfast items include Short Rib Hash, House Smoked Salmon Scramble, and Terra's Stuffed French Toast. Lunch items include Ginger Chicken Potstickers, Lobster Macaroni 'n Cheese, and Grilled Salmon. Dinner items include Salty Peppery Calamari, flatbread pizzas and a slider bar, Achiote Salmon, Karl Strauss Amber Lager Braised Pot Roast. Go to terrasd.com or call 619-293-7088.
Brockton Villa revives, expands supper service: La Jolla's Brockton Villa has relaunched its seasonal "Supper Service" and announced plans to extend dinner service year-round this year. During winter, Brockton Villa (which overlooks La Jolla Cove) is open only for breakfast and lunch, but on March 15 it reopened for dinner and plans to continue dinner service through the high and low seasons. Some of the new supper entrees are Summer Shrimp Lettuce Wraps With Mango Salsa, Ginger-Chili Glazed Natural Salmon With Coconut Cilantro Rice, Cioppino, and New York strip steak. The restaurant's famous breakfast French toast entree, Coast Toast, is also available on the dinner dessert menu with cinnamon or vanilla gelato. Brockton Villa is at 1235 Coast Blvd., La Jolla. Call 858-454-7393 or brocktonvilla.com.
Ciro's open in PB: Ciro's Pizzeria & Beerhouse has opened at 967 Garnet Ave. in Pacific Beach. The folks behind Ciro's Pizzeria in the Gaslamp Quarter teamed with PB's Olde City Grill to offer a menu of pizza and Italian dishes alongside Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks. There will also be a chalkboard beer menu detailing what's served out of 22 taps, a "beer of the month" and a Beer Gauntlet Beer Club. The beerhouse will be open from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Go to www.cirossd.com or call 858-483-4624.
AIRR Supper Club opens: AIRR Supper Club and Lounge has opened in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. The restaurant features a variety of lounges and a menu from chef Scott Leibfried to add to the social dining experience. Go to www.airr.us or call 619-546-8306.
San Diegan releases cookbook: Susan Russo of San Diego, author of "Recipes Every Man Should Know," released "The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches" this month. The book looks at more than 100 of the world's most famous sandwiches and includes recipes. Preorder on amazon.com.
Roy's offers spring prix-fixe: On Mondays this spring, Roy's Restaurants are offering a three-course prix-fixe menu for $35.95. Diners can order any appetizer, any entree and any dessert from the menu. Visit roysrestaurant.com.
Daphne's revamps: Carlsbad-based fast-food chain Daphne's Greek Cafe has changed its name to Daphne's California Greek to better represent the new California cuisine-inspired menu. All of the company's restaurants are undergoing a remodeling (the 4S Ranch location recently reopened under the rebrand) and the menu has been expanded to include under-700-calorie menu items and its first salad, the California Greek Salad. Visit daphnes.biz.
Counter opens in Del Mar: The Counter Custom Built Burgers has opened its second San Diego County location in Del Mar Highlands Town Center, 12873 El Camino Real. The 2,882-square-foot, build-your-own burger eatery has seating for 92 customers. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call 58-481-9821.
Bento Box returns: Roppongi Sushi Bar & Restaurant in La Jolla has brought back its Bento Box lunch special, which changes daily and ranges from $12.95 to $17.95. Sample boxes include Chicken Satay With Curried Peanut Sauce, Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi, and Grilled Portobello Mushroom. The boxes are available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily; go to www.roppongiusa.com or call 858-551-5252.
Karl Strauss introduces Blackball: Karl Strauss Brewing Co. has released the latest beer in its Coastal Reserve Series, the Blackball Belgian IPA. The beer is being distributed in Southern California in 22-oz. bottles and on draft. Go to www.karlstrauss.com.
Alchemy of the Hearth adds another chef: Alchemy of the Hearth has announced another chef to its lineup of instructors. Chef Salvatore Petrolino, executive chef and food services director for Major Market, will teach classes such as Classic American Cuisine and Exploring Wild Game With Sal. Go to www.alchemyofthehearth.com or call 760-233-2433.
Cafe 21 open for dinner: Cafe 21, which opened its Gaslamp Quarter location in January, is now open for dinner Tuesdays through Sundays at 750 Fifth Ave. Items include flatbread appetizers, The Strawberry Salad (with pistachios, goat cheese and raspberry vinaigrette), Apricot Tea Braised Lamb Shank, Spinach And Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast, Pomegranate Glazed Cornish Game Hen and more. Go to www.cafe-21.com or call 619-795-0721.
Suite & Tender adds lunch service: The restaurant at the Se San Diego Hotel in downtown San Diego is serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Starters are $4-$6; salads are $8-$10; entrees are $8-$11; desserts are $4-$6. Items include Korean beef tacos, burgers, soba noodles, Asian Cobb salad, and avocado mango salad with fried calamari and passion fruit. Visit sesandiegohotel.com.
Roppongi summer menu: Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar in La Jolla will add summer items to its menu starting May 1. Additions include Maine Lobster Summer Roll, Summer Gazpacho, Salmon Laulau (salmon steam-wrapped in luau leaves, with cucumber salad and brown rice), Grilled White Peaches (with fennel crust and Kaffir lime sorbet) and more. Drinks include the Kyoto Colada (rum, sake, coconut water and pineapple juice), Acai Cooler (acai spirit, soda water and blueberries) and Skinny Margarita (tequila, lime juice, agave and soda water). Go to www.roppongiusa.com or call 858-551-5252.
Buca express lunch: Buca di Beppo restaurants have introduced an express lunch service, available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lunch prices start at $6.95; lunches include three courses, starting with a choice of garlic bread, soup or salad. For entrees, selections include Chicken Limone, Spaghetti With Meat Sauce, Fettucine Supremo and more, including the new Italian Melts (Meatball Italian Melt and Caprese Italian Melt). Go to bucadibeppo.com.
McDonald's product, text campaign: With the launch of its new McCafe Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, San Diego McDonald's restaurants are supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego through a text-to-donate campaign. Diners can text RONALD to 20222 to donate $5 or more, and then can receive a mobile coupon for a free 12-oz. Frozen Strawberry Lemonade. Go to www.sdmcdonalds.com.
Home game happy hour: With the return of baseball to San Diego, the Gaslamp Strip Club (don't worry; it's a steak house) is offering Home Game Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. when the Padres play at home. For $10, diners have a choice of skirt steak, top sirloin or double chicken breast, plus a salad and garlic bread. Also, diners can get 2 pounds of wings and a pitcher of craft beer for $20; go to gaslampsteak.com or call 619-231-3140. Also, at La Jolla Strip Club, you'll find 16 flat-screen TVs and seven $7 appetizers during happy hour for those who want to avoid the crowds downtown. Go to lajollasteak.com or call 858-450-1400.
Karl Strauss pairings: Karl Strauss Brewery Restaurants have launched April beer and food pairings, featuring the recently released Blackball Belgian IPA. To pair with the brew, Belgian IPA Mussels ($12.95) feature Carlsbad mussels steamed in the IPA, garlic, bacon, shallots, herbs and fennel cream with grilled French bread. Also, starting May 1, the restaurant will feature The Daily Brews ---- a special menu item for each day of the week, available only that day. Specials include chop salad (Mondays), Sand & Salad Turkey Melt (Tuesday), meatloaf (Wednesdays), buffalo chicken Caesar wrap (Thursdays), Baja-style fish tacos (Fridays), chili burger (Saturdays) and flatbread (Sundays). Go to www.karlstrauss.com.
Cafe Vergnano coming: Cafe Vergnano 1882, Italy's oldest coffee manufacturing firm, will open its first U.S. location in Hillcrest in mid-April. The cafe will feature indoor and outdoor tables as well as take-out service; offerings include coffee and espresso drinks as well as breakfast, lunch and light dinner. Cafe Vergnano will be at 3850 Fifth Ave.; go to sandiego1882.com or call 619-255-1882.
Boudin adds salads: Boudin SF in San Marcos has added three salads, available through September. The salads are Lemony Couscous Salad ($7.99; couscous, spring mix, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, garbanzo beans, red onion, roasted red bell pepper, parsley, feta cheese and creamy lemon dressing); Beet & Goat Cheese Salad ($7.99; beets, goat cheese, spring mix, tarragon, spiced walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette); and Chicken, Citrus & Chipotle Salad ($8.29; chicken breast, butter leaf lettuce, oranges, red onion, cilantro, pumpkin seeds and citrus chipotle dressing). Call 760-761-1150.
Fleming's dinner for two: Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is offering a "Date Night for Two" meal through May 15 for $125. The three-course dinner includes Roasted Chateaubriand, Lobster En Fuego, spring salad, shared sides of French green beans and mashed potatoes, and Pineapple Tart for dessert. Go to www.flemingssteakhouse.com.
New at Arterra: Arterra at the Marriott Del Mar has two new specials for guests: Reggae Fridays and Primo Saturdays. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays, the restaurant will have poolside reggae music, signature cocktails and a full menu. And Saturdays, Arterra will offer a Hawaiian Style Primo menu with $4 Primo drafts or $5 Primo Bombucha with any sushi roll. There are also "bites" for $4 to $11, including Peking Duck Tacos and Lobster Kim Chee With Taro Chips. Go to www.arterrarestaurant.com.
Andres adds weekly tapas event: Andres Restaurant, which specializes in Cuban and Puerto Rican cuisine, introduces a weekly Wine & Tapas Bar program. From 4:30 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, the restaurant is offering small plates and specialty wines. Andres is at 1235 Morena Blvd. in San Diego.
Wine & Dine raises $100,000: ElderHelp's annual Wine & Dine fundraiser, featuring more than 50 restaurants, wineries and breweries, raised $100,000 to help provide services to help San Diego seniors live independently. Go to www.elderhelpofsandiego.org or call 619-284-9281.
Feeding America receives egg donation: Feeding America San Diego recently received a donation of more than 21,000 eggs from Hickman's Family Farms. Feeding America will donate the eggs to its 180 partner agencies, including North County Life Line, Salvation Army Escondido, Community Resource Center and more. Go to www.feedingamericasandiego.org or call 858-452-3663.
Ponte's spring menu: Chef Greg Stillman of Ponte Family Estate Winery in Temecula recently updated the restaurant's menu with seasonal fare. Items include Duck Leg Confit Salad, Handmade Fresh Pea Ravioli, Pancetta-Crusted Salmon, Lemon-Thyme Chicken Breast and more. The restaurant also updated its hours: It's open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.pontewinery.com or call 951-252-1770.
Royal India to open at UTC: Royal India Express will open Monday at La Jolla's Westfield UTC shopping mall. The outdoor food court location will offer fresh-based breads, meat and chicken kebabs, curry plates, vegetarian options and more. Go to www.royalindia.com/royalindiaexpress.
Zpizza celebrates Cinco de Mayo: Zpizza, which has several locations in San Diego County, will hand out samples of its Mexican and Santa Fe pizzas on May 5 to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The Mexican pizza is made with salsa, mozzarella, spicy lime chicken, scallions, red onions, avocado, sour cream and cilantro; the Santa Fe pizza is made with chipotle pesto, mozzarella, tomato rounds, red onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini and black olives. Also, tag Zpizza in a "Feliz Cinco de Mayo" post on Facebook to be entered to win one of five $20 Zpizza gift cards; the winners will be announced May 5. Go to zpizza.com.
Stamp Out Hunger: Campbell Soup Company and the National Association of Letter Carriers will team up for the 19th Stamp Out Hunger on May 14. On that day, participants are asked to leave a study bag with nonperishable foods next to their mailboxes before the regular mail delivery time; also, for every person who joins the Stamp Out Hunger cause on Facebook, Campbell will donate 1 pound of food. Go to www.facebook.com/stampouthunger. Food will be donated to Feeding America affiliated food banks; go to www.helpstampouthunger.com.
Smashburger to open East Village location: Smashburger will open its fourth San Diego County location in downtown's East Village on May 27. The restaurant, at 801 Market St., will serve items such as the Signature San Diego Smashburger (avocado, cilantro and onion, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and chipotle mayo on a torta roll), BBQ Ranch Smashchicken (grilled or crispy chicken breast, applewood smoked bacon, haystack onions, lettuce, tomato, barbecue sauce and ranch dressing on an egg bun), Sunset Smashsalad (garden greens, strips of grilled or crispy chicken, sliced marinated balsamic tomatoes, raisins, cranberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, blue cheese and balsamic vinaigrette dressing) and more. Go to www.smashburger.com.
American classics at Tango: Tango Restaurant & Lounge in Escondido has launched a new American Classics menu, with three courses for $30 available Mondays through Wednesdays. The selections include shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, clam chowder, chicken Kiev, T-bone steak, lobster Thermidor, apple pie a la mode, banana split, and cheesecake. Go to tangoongrand.com or call 760-747-5000.
New items at Sizzler: Sizzler restaurants are offering new menu items through May 29, including ribs, creamy potato soup and a BLT salad. A half rack of ribs with corn bread and sweet potato fries is $11.99 (with endless salad bar for an extra $2.99); go to www.sizzler.com.
Morton's wine and spirits: Morton's The Steakhouse is offering new wine and spirits selections, including an "Above Par" wine menu to celebrate the restaurants' selection as the Official Steakhouse of the PGA Tour. Morton's has also introduced the Double Cross "Mortini," garnished with a Chilean baby pear. Other new selections include Lindemans Raspberry Lambic, Orval Trappist Ale and more. Go to www.mortons.com.
School serves up salads: Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary in Encinitas recently announced that it is serving healthier lunches. Lets Move Salad Bars to School gave the school a grant, and Whole Foods Markets has signed on as a partner to help the school install a salad bar. More than 700 salads were served the first day, and the school also received a grant to create a vegetable garden on campus.
Searsucker launches Sunday champagne brunch: Searsucker, recently named the second "Hottest New Restaurant" by OpenTable, will launch its Sunday champagne brunch this weekend. Beginning at 9 a.m., diners can order eggs benedict variations, including Cajun mahi mahi, chipotle, bleu and crab; "McPUFFin" egg muffin sandwich; "Green Eggs & Ham" with "rustled" (scrambled) egg, pork belly, brioche and herbs; and more. Go to www.searsucker.com.
Pinnacle launches spring-summer menu: Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery in Temecula recently launched its spring-summer menu. Dishes include Spring Hummus Duet appetizer; Mediterranean Shrimp Salad; Cinnamon And Star Anise Chicken Wraps; Seared Center Cut Swordfish; Cilantro Panko Encrusted Ahi Tuna; and more. Go to www.falknerwinery.com or call 951-676-8231, ext. 1.
Flavor Del Mar news: Flavor Del Mar has two new specials and other new menu items for its customers. Beginning Monday, Flavor will offer Bloody Mondays, when diners can sip a Bloody Mary and eat grilled cheese for $15. Bloody Mary varieties include a Mexican Mary (garnished with jalapenos and roasted red peppers), an Asian Mary (garnished with green onion and sweet chile sauce) and a European Mary (made with scotch); grilled cheese varieties include Prime Beef Short Rib (with oven-roasted tomatoes and smoked cheddar on a brioche loaf) and Crab & Melted Brie (with wilted arugula and lemon creme fraiche on a country French loaf). There's also the $39 Burger, topped with seared Truffle Tremor goat cheese, house-cured bacon and seared Hudson Valley foie gras. Also starting in May, Flavor will offer a monthly three-course prix-fixe menu for $50 (add beverage pairings for $16). Sample specials: May, Long Island Duck & Cherries; June, Suckling Pig; July, Backyard BBQ; August, Chino Farms Heirloom Tomatoes and Sweet Corn. Last, new menu items include Roasted Spring Onion Soup; Chilled Calamari Salad & Local Sardines; and Local Halibut En Sous Vide. Go to www.flavordelmar.com.
Applebee's adds sizzling entrees: Applebee's restaurants have added five Sizzling Entrees, starting at $8.99. Entrees include Sizzling Smokehouse Chicken Stack, Sizzling Cajun Steak And Shrimp, Sizzling Asian Shrimp, Sizzling Steak & Cheese, and Chicken With Spicy Queso Blanco. Go to www.applebees.com.
Teas offered at farmers market: Sipndipatea is now selling its organic and fair trade loose teas at the Vista Farmers Market, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the courthouse parking lot. Teas include Live Long And Prosper (lemongrass and ginger), A Cup of Courage (coconut cocoa) and Glory on the Go (green tea and vanilla blossoms). Go to www.sipndipatea.com.
Grilled Cheese Night: Sessions Public is offering Grilled Cheese Nights on Tuesdays. For $10, diners receive a Gooey Grilled Cheese on soft Con Pane artisan bread with one topping and duck fat fries (additional toppings ---- tomato, bacon, avocado, fried egg or pickle ---- are $2 each). Go to www.sessionspublic.com or call 619-756-7715.
Island Divine: The Junior League of San Diego will host its 11th annual food and libations tasting and charity event, called Island Divine: La Isla Bonita, from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla Cove. Attendees will be able to sample food, beer, wine and spirits, listen to music and bid on auction items, all to raise funds for the Junior League of San Diego. Tickets are $80 for general admission or $125 for VIP; go to www.islanddivine.com.
Taste of Temecula Valley: The Temecula Valley Foundation for Excellence in Education, the Temecula Valley Unified School District, the city of Temecula and Riverside County will sponsor A Taste of Temecula Valley from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday at Town Square Park, 41000 Main St. in Old Town Temecula. The event will include more than 40 food, beer and wine-related participants. Admission is $10 (children 12 and younger free); proceeds benefit the district's art, science and technology programs. Go to www.tvfee.org.
"A Night of Discovery at Stone World Bistro & Gardens": San Diego Children's Discovery Museum (formerly Escondido Children's Museum) hosts a gala evening of food, beers, wines and music from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday at Stone World Bistro & Gardens, 1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido. The fundraising event, which celebrates the museum's new name and 10th anniversary, will feature gourmet tasting stations with beer and wine pairings, with live Brazilian jazz, bossa nova and pagode music on the Stone patio. Tickets are $150 ($185 at the door). Call sdcdm.org or stoneworldbistro.com.
Roppongi summer menu launch: To celebrate its new summer menu, Roppongi in La Jolla will host an event with La Jolla Sports Club, The Sporting Club and Sauvage Swimwear at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Guests can enjoy passed appetizers and discounted summer cocktails, while viewing the Sauvage spring/summer swimwear collection. And guests can sign up for memberships at La Jolla Sports Club and The Sporting Club; there will also be gift bags for the first 50 guests, plus door prizes. Menu additions include Maine Lobster Summer Roll, Summer Gazpacho, Salmon Laulau (salmon steam-wrapped in luau leaves, with cucumber salad and brown rice), Grilled White Peaches (with fennel crust and Kaffir lime sorbet) and more. Drinks include the Kyoto Colada (rum, sake, coconut water and pineapple juice), Acai Cooler (acai spirit, soda water and blueberries) and Skinny Margarita (tequila, lime juice, agave and soda water). Go to www.roppongiusa.com or call 858-551-5252.
Mama's Day: Mama's Kitchen hosts its 20th annual fundraiser from 6:30-9:30 p.m. May 6 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla Aventine. More than 50 chefs from San Diego restaurants, hotels and catering companies will serve samples from their menus. The event also includes a silent auction, live music and no-host bar. Tickets are $125 ($150 at the door). A $250 VIP ticket includes a party at the W Hotel on April 8. All proceeds benefit Mama's Kitchen, which delivers three meals daily to more than 300 San Diego County residents affected by AIDS and cancer. Order at mamaskitchen.org.
Chocolate Festival: The San Diego Botanic Garden will host its Chocolate Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7. The festival includes chocolate tastings, demonstrations, a chocolate fountain, children's activities and more. Vendors include Dallmann Chocolates, CC's Chocolates, Leucadia Pizzeria Bakery, Melting Pot, The Toffee Box and more. The festival is free with admission, but tasting and craft fees are extra; go to www.sdbgarden.org/chocolate.
Cinco de Mayo Chef & Brewer's Dinner: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery La Jolla will host a four-course Cinco de Mayo Chef & Brewer's Dinner at 6:30 p.m. May 7. The dinner is $38, and reservations are required. Courses include Ceviche, Pozole (traditional Mexican chicken soup), Birria de Puerco (marinated pork) and Helado Frito con Bunuelos (deep-fried chocolate ice cream with cinnamon crust). Call 858-450-9277.
Firefly events: Firefly Grill & Wine Bar in Encinitas hosts wine dinners and tastings at 251 N. El Camino Real, Suite B. Go to fireflygrillandwinebar.com or call 760-635-1066.
-- May 10: Clos Pegase Wine Dinner; $75
-- May 12: Sanford Wine Dinner; $75
-- May 18: Pineridge Wine Dinner; $75
-- June 14: Cakebread Cellars Wine Dinner; $89
Outstanding in the Field: Two local chefs will host a series of dinners that aims to reconnect diners with the origins of their meals. The "roving restaurant" hosts dinners at farms, gardens, mountaintops, sea caves and more. Chef Paul McCabe of Kitchen 1540 will host an event at 4 p.m. May 14 at Crow's Pass Farm in Temecula; and Chef Brian Malarkey or Searsucker will host an event at 4 p.m. May 15 at Olivewood Gardens in National City. Tickets are $200 and go on sale Sunday; go to outstandinginthefield.com.
Roll Out the Barrel: The third annual fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. May 14 at Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, 2441 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego. More than 20 restaurants and spirits makers including Whisknladle, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Donovan's, Wild Thyme and Costa Azul will offer menu samplings, and there will be live music, silent and live auctions and more. Tickets are $125-$200. Ages 21 and up only. Visit makeawishgala.com.
Brunch & Brewery Tour: Sessions Public will host its first Brunch & Brewery Tour from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 15 for $80 (cash) or $85 (credit); cost includes brunch, brewery tours and tastings, and a T-shirt. Start with brunch and mimosas at Sessions Public (choose from Breakfast Burger, Duck Fat Eggs Benedict and French Toast), then hop on a bus for Lost Abbey/Port Brewing Co., Green Flash Brewing Co., and Ballast Point Brewery. Reserve by May 1 to reserve a spot; go to www.sessionspublic.com or call 619-756-7715.
Taste of Cardiff: The tastings event will feature 18 Cardiff-area restaurants from 5 to 8 p.m. May 19. Participants include Bull Taco, Ki's, Las Olas, Rimel's, Sambazon, The Beach House, Trattoria Positano, VG Donuts, Zenbu and Wine Steals. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. Buy tickets at Cardiff 101 MainStreet, 124 Aberdeen Drive, Cardiff. Call 760-436-0431 or visit tasteofcardiff.com.
BBQ, wine and blues: Lorimar Vineyard in Temecula will host its second Wine and Blues Event from 3 to 8 p.m. May 21. The event features food from Smokin-n-Spicy KC BBQ, wines, entertainment and more on the Lorimar property (the winery recently signed papers to break ground on its estate on the vineyard property). Tickets are available at the tasting room, 42031 Main St., Suite C, in Temecula. Go to www.lorimarwinery.com.
Field to Fork: Slow Food Temecula Valley and Leonesse Cellars will host a Field to Fork wine, beer and food pairing event from 1 to 5 p.m. May 21 at the winery in Temecula. Local chefs will man tasting stations, including Bernard Guillas (The Marine Room), Alex Carballo (Stone Brewery), Mike Henry (Meritage), Michael McDonald (Top of the Market), Leah Di Bernardo (Delyte's Fine Foods) and Jeff Rossman (Terra). Eight wineries, two breweries and other food purveyors are also participating. Tickets are $50 and benefit local school garden programs. The event will close with Chef Fight, featuring Guillas. Go to www.slowfoodtv.org.
Rotary Club of Bonsall's 16th annual Wine, Brews & Blues Festival: The fundraising gala features live music on two stages, dozens of wineries and restaurant tastings and a silent auction from 5 to 10 p.m. May 21 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Tickets are $65 ($45 for designated drivers). Visit bonsallrotary.com.
18th Annual Sicilian Festival: San Diego's Little Italy community hosts its annual celebration of all things Sicilian from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 22. The event features food booths, a grape stomp, live entertainment on four stages, two beer-and-wine grottos, a pasta-eating contest and culinary demonstrations by Food Network's Chef Giada De Laurentiis. All events take place along India Street in San Diego and admission is free. Visit sicilianfestival.org.
Taste of Little Italy: The fourth annual Taste of Little Italy is scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. May 25 in the Little Italy neighborhood of San Diego. For $35 (in advance; $40 at the door), diners can sample fare from Anthology, Buon Appetito, Burger Lounge, Enoteca Style, Po Pazzo and more. Past samples include saffron arancini bites, fettucini Genovese, burgers, Risotto Pazzo and more. Go to www.tasteoflittleitalysd.com or call 619-615-1092.
Padres tailgate and chili cookoff: The 31st annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Padres Tailgate & Firefighters Chili Cookoff fundraiser is set for noon to 4:30 p.m. June 11 at the Embarcadero Marina Park South. More than 22 fire departments will participate in the cookoff; selections include Rack 'Em Up Chili, Double Over Head Chili, Round 'Em Up Chili and more. Guests can also enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwurst and snacks; beverages will be available from Karl Strauss Brewery, Stone Brewing Co., Coca Cola, Honest Tea and Monster Energy Drink. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children and include a ticket to the Padres game against the Washington Nationals that night. Call 858-492-9792.
San Diego Spirits Festival: The third annual San Diego Spirits Festival will be June 25-26 at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier in San Diego. The festival includes competitions, tastings, seminars and parties; leading to the festival, San Diego Cocktail Week (June 20-24) will highlight craft cocktails at local bars. Go to www.sandiegospiritsfestival.com.
333 Pacific, Oceanside: A three-course menu will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for $49.95 for adults and $12.95 for children 12 and younger. Menu selections, which also offers free champagne, include Coastal Clam Chowder; Crab, Shrimp And Lobster Cake; Pan Roasted Salmon; Veal Scalloppine Oscar; Blueberry And Lemon Mascarpone Tart; and more. Go to 333pacific.com or call 760-433-3333.
4240, San Diego Marriott La Jolla: California-inspired brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $39.95 per adult, $35.95 per senior, and $12 for children 12 and younger. Courses include Herb Crusted Pork Loin With Blackberry Glaze, Salmon Wellington With Truffle And Mushroom Bordelaise, Sweet Potato Gratin With Bleu Cheese And Asiago, and more. Guests will have a chance to win a "family style" dinner for eight in the private dining room. Go to www.marriott.com/sanlj or call 858-597-6319.
Arterra Restaurant, Marriott Del Mar: Buffet will be served for $49 for adults and $15 for children 12 and younger (5 and younger are free). Selections include chilled seafood salad, natural Brandt Beef New York strip, seasonal pastries and more; plus, a free long-stem rose is included. Go to www.arterrarestaurant.com or call 858-369-6032.
Bertrand at Mister A's, San Diego: A three-course menu will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $49.50. Selections include Classic Lobster Bisque; Fresh Maryland Blue Crab Cake; Gourmet Mushroom Strudel; Black Tiger Shrimp Pappardelle "Carbonara"; Grilled Prime Angus Beef Tenderloin; New York Steak And Egg "En Brioche"; Fresh Strawberry Shortcake; and more. Go to www.bertrandatmisteras.com or call 619-239-1377.
BO-beau Kitchen + Bar, Ocean Beach: A three-course menu offering free champagne, mimosa or bellini, will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $31.95 for adults and $12.95 for children 12 and younger. Menu selections include a basket of homemade croissants; Quiche Lorraine; Brioche French Toast; Lobster Mac n Cheese; Chocolate Souffle; and more. Go to dinecrg.com or call 619-224-2884.
Cafe Champagne, Thornton Winery, Temecula: Buffet brunch available from noon to 5 p.m. for $49.95 for adults, $19.95 for children and free for children under 5. Selections include Basil Pesto Penne Pasta Salad; Tomato Caprese Salad; BBQ Cured Salmon With Citrus Marmalade; Italian Chicken And Dumplings; Crab And Bay Shrimp Lasagna; mini cheesecake bites; and more. Go to www.thorntonwine.com or call 951-699-0099.
Cohn Restaurant Group: Three restaurants in the Cohn Restaurant Group will thank mothers with a free entree. Visit Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, Indigo Grill or Corvette Diner for a free entree with the purchase of two additional entrees. Go to www.dinecrg.com.
Courtyard by Marriott, Rancho Bernardo: Buffet seatings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. are $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 4 to 10. Offerings include made-to-order omelets, Belgian waffles, chilled shrimp cocktail, a carving station, salads and more. Go to www.marriott.com/sanbo or call 858-613-2007.
Cups, La Jolla: At 2:30 p.m. May 7, a fondant class will teach the basics of fondant and designs for a cake ($65 for parent and child; $15 for an additional child; $45 for a solo adult). And at 11 a.m. May 8, a hands-on cooking class on brunch will be followed by tea pairings from Teamotions Tea. Some brunch items the class will make (and eat) are waffles with chai syrup and rooibos-poached pear topping; crepes with cinnamon-sugar cream cheese filling and chamomile-apple and pear topping; Meyer lemon-glazed muffins; lavender and chocolate chip scones; and a fresh berry and orange tart. The class is $45 per person; go to cupslj.com.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: The La Jolla and San Diego locations will serve brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $32.95 per adult and $15.95 per child. Also, the Tickled Pink 99-calorie cocktail will be available all day for $6.95. The three-course brunch selections include Berry Stuffed French Toast, fresh fruit salad, Mushroom, Cheddar And Filet Mignon Frittata, Smoked Salmon And Toasted Bagel, Creme Brulee and more. Also, every mom will receive a $25 gift card for a future visit. Go to flemingssteakhouse.com.
The Grand Del Mar: There are three dining options, as well as tea and bubbly, available for the weekend. The Manchester Salon will serve brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $85 per adult and $30 per child. Buffet items include Slow-Roasted Pomegranate Beef Tenderloin With Parsnip Mash; Chile-Smoked Little Neck Clams, Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Mousse and more; call 858-314-2000. Amaya will serve a three-course brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $45 and a three-course dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. for $55 ($85 with wine pairings). Brunch items include Smoked Salmon Plate, Dungeness Crab Benedict, Striped Sea Bass Puttanesca, Pistachio-Orange Mousse Bar With Candied Pistachios and more; call 858-314-2727. Addison will serve three-, four-, seven- or 10-course menus featuring seasonal items from 5:30 to 9 p.m.; call 858-314-1900. Also, from 2 to 4 p.m. May 6-8, afternoon tea and bubbly will be offered in The Library, starting at $42; call 858-314-1988. Go to www.thegranddelmar.com.
Island Prime & C Level Lounge, Harbor Island: A three-course menu will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for $49.95 for adults and $12.95 for children 12 and younger. Menu selections, which also offers free champagne, include Lobster Bisque; Everything Crusted Ahi Tuna; Maples Glazed White Marble Farms Pork Chop; Brownie Cheesecake; and more. Go to dinecrg.com or call 619-298-6802.
Jeremy's on the Hill, Julian: A three-course brunch is available for $38; options include Spinach And Goat Cheese Quiche, Crab Cakes With Hearts Of Palm Salad, Five-Peppercorn Crusted Prime Rib, Chocolate-Orange Truffles. Go to jeremysonthehill.com or call 760-765-1587.
La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla: A buffet-style brunch will be available at the Mediterranean Room, the Whaling Bar & Grill, Ocean View Terrace or La Sala, with seatings from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 2 p.m. for $75 per adult and $32 per child. Offerings include Banana Pancakes; Snow Crab Claws; Prime Beef Rib Eye Au Jus; plus salads, sides, seafood and sweets. Call 858-551-3744.
Marie Callender's: Celebrate in the restaurant or at home: in-restaurant brunch will include a carving station, made-to-order omelets, a Belgian waffle bar, bakery treats and more. Or take home a brunch feast for $39.99; feast includes eight muffins, two breakfast quiches, fruit salad, and whipped topping (serves up to eight). Go to www.mcpies.com.
Mille Fleurs, Rancho Santa Fe: Special a la carte menu available from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with dishes ranging from $11 to $19. Selections include Fresh Lentil And Pasta Salad; Mille Fleurs Lobster Salad; Alaskan Wild Troll King Salmon; Spring Vegetable Frittata; Prime Filet And Steak Duo; Hazelnut Chocolate Torte; and more. Go to www.millefleurs.com or call 858-756-3085.
Monte de Oro Winery, Temecula: Brunch will be served at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. seatings for $59.95 ($19.95 for children ages 3 to 10). Go to www.montedeoro.com or call 951-491-6551.
Morton's The Steakhouse, San Diego: A special three-course dinner will be available from 3 to 9 p.m. for $59 per person (regular menu will also be available). Courses include Morton's Salad, Single-Cut Filet Mignon, Broiled Salmon Filet, Creme Brulee and more. Go to www.mortons.com or call 619-696-3369.
Pala Casino Spa & Resort: Choices the Buffet will serve special selections from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with brunch items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for $36. Selections include Carved Roasted Prime Rib, Steamed Alaskan King Crab, Crown Rack of Lamb, Whole Roasted Salmon, more than 80 desserts, and more. Go to www.palacasino.com or call 760-510-2299.
Ponte Family Winery, Temecula: Brunch is $55 per adult and $25 per child 12 and younger. Brunch also includes jazz music, wines and gourmet brunch buffet. Go to pontewinery.com or call 951-694-8855.
The Prado, Balboa Park: A buffet brunch menu will be available from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $59.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 6 to 12 (under 6 are free). Buffet selections, which also offers free champagne, include made-to-order omelets; cinnamon roll French toast; red wine braised beef short ribs; a dim sum station; a carving station; and more. Go to dinecrg.com or call 619-557-9441.
Red Marlin, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina: Seasonal brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $55 per person and $26 for ages 5 to 12 (ages 4 and younger are free). Brunch items include an omelet station; Yukon Gold potato hash; Lemon Poached Shrimp; Atlantic Salmon Wrapped In Phyllo, layered with goat cheese and spinach lemon dill sauce; Sliced Pork Loin with peach salsa; angel food cakes; and more. Go to www.redmarlinrestaurant.com or call 619-221-4868.
Alchemy of the Hearth: Cooking classes are offered at 960 Rancheros Drive, Suite L, San Marcos. Alchemy of the Hearth is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call for pricing; go to alchemyofthehearth.com or call 760-233-2433.
-- 10 a.m. Thursday: How to Start Your Own Food-Based Business
-- 6 p.m. Thursday: Chocolate for Beginners
-- 10 a.m. Friday: Calzone and Stromboli: The Stuffed Breads of Italy
-- 6 p.m. Friday: Exploring Wild Game with Sal
-- 10 a.m. Saturday: Tarts and Tartlets
-- 1:30 p.m. Saturday: Basic Thai Fruit and Vegetable Carving
-- 10 a.m. Monday: Phyllo Dough: Baking 101
-- 6 p.m. Monday: Sweet Rolls: Bread 101
-- 10 a.m. Tuesday: Chocolate for Beginners
-- 6 p.m. Tuesday: The Earth's Bounty: Vegetables and Fruit: Cooking 101
-- 10 a.m. Wednesday: Frostings, Icings, Glazes: The Elements of Cake Baking
-- 6 p.m. Wednesday: Mastering Technique: Stocks and Soups
-- 10 a.m. May 5: Chiffon and Angel Food Cakes: The Elements of Cake Baking
-- 6 p.m. May 5: The Healthy Vegetarian Life
Alta Vista Gardens: Mary Dralle offers cooking classes at Alta Vista Gardens, 1270 Vale Terrace Drive in Vista. Classes are $20 and include tastings and recipes; register to email@example.com.
-- 1:30 p.m. Saturday: Local Farm Foods
Cups Culinary: The cupcake lounge in La Jolla also offers classes at 7857 Girard Ave.; go to cupslj.com or call 858-459-2877 for prices and registration.
-- 2:30 p.m. Saturday: A Slimmer Cinco de Mayo
-- Noon Sunday: Farm-to-Table; $65
-- 2:30 p.m. May 7: Holiday Fondant; $65 for parent and child, $15 for additional child, $45 for solo adult
Franco's Home Chef Pizza Classes: Vista chef Frank Latino, a graduate of the International School of Pizza in San Francisco, is offering ongoing one- and two-day, hands-on classes in pizza-making for both wood-fired and gas-fired ovens. Seven- to eight-hour classes are limited to six and include lunch. For fees and locations, call 619-890-4984 or visit email@example.com.
Great News! Discount Cookware & Cooking School: The San Diego school hosts cooking classes at 1788 Garnet Ave. (in the Pacific Plaza at Garnet Avenue and Jewell Street); reserve to 858-270-1582, ext. 3, or go to www.great-news.com. Reserve early; classes fill quickly.
-- 10:30 a.m. Thursday: De-Mystifying Convection Cooking; $54
-- 6 p.m. Thursday: It's in the Farmers Market Bag
-- 6 p.m. Friday: New Approaches to Mexican Cooking; $69
-- 11 a.m. Saturday: Heart-Healthy Gourmet Entrees; $54
--11 a.m. Sunday: Everybody Loves Pho; $54
-- 6 p.m. Monday: Steaks, Steaks, Steaks; $59
-- 11:30 a.m. Tuesday: Quick and Easy Lunch: Mother's Day Celebration; $34
-- 6 p.m. Tuesday: Pressure Cooking: Family Favorites; $54
-- 6 p.m. Wednesday: Southwestern Cinco de Mayo Fiesta; $54
-- 10:30 a.m. May 5: Pucker Up! It's Summertime With Lemons; $59
-- 6 p.m. May 5: Hands-On Tamales; $69
Inspired Gourmet: Inspired Gourmet offers cooking classes at 11 a.m. Saturdays at 29373 Broken Arrow Way in Murrieta. Classes are $45; go to inspiredgourmetcooking.com or call 951-894-7551.
-- May 21: Spring Dining
-- June 11: Quick and Easy to Prepare
-- June 25: Lunch, Bridal Shower or Casual Dinner Fare
-- July 23: Casual Summer Food
-- Aug. 20: Asian Fare
Ro Z's Sweet Art Studio: Rosanne Zinniger's cake decorating shop and studio at 277 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos, offers classes in cake decorating. There is also a kids cake decorating club for children ages 7 to 11 on one Saturday of every month; go to the website for dates. The store is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Call 760-744-0447 or visit rozsweetartstudio.com.
-- 6:30 p.m. May 3-24: The Gourmet Cupcake Series (four-week class); $125, plus a $30 materials fee
-- 10 a.m. May 7-June 18: Cake Design en Espanol: Basics to Fondant (six-week course); $125, plus $30 kit fee
--5 p.m. May 20: A Very Sweet Trip Around the World (sugar flowers); $55
-- 8 a.m. May 21: Bling It Up! (edible jewels); $195
-- 2:30 p.m. May 21: Fantasy Flowers; $195
-- 8 a.m. May 22: Make Your Own Lace Molds; $250
-- 2:30 p.m. May 22: Roses; $195
-- 9:30 a.m. Aug. 20-21: Parrot Tulips, Peonies and Poppies; $495
Sur la Table: The Carlsbad location offers cooking classes at 1915 Calle Barcelona (in The Forum shops). Call 800-243-0851 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com:
-- 6:30 p.m. Thursday: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Spicy: The Flavors of Southeast Asia; $69
-- 6:30 p.m. Friday: Great Restaurant Recipes of New York; $79
-- 10:30 a.m. Saturday: Spring Pies and Tarts; $69
-- 3 p.m. Saturday: Spring to the Grill; $79
-- 11 a.m. Sunday: Do-Ahead Mother's Day Brunch; $79
-- 2 p.m. Sunday: SAVEUR Cooks: Great Tastes of Mexico; $69
-- 6:30 p.m. Monday: Essential Knife Skills; $59
-- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday: Easy Chinese at Home; $69
-- 6:30 p.m. Wednesday: Southeast Asian Street Foods; $69
-- 6:30 p.m. May 5: Homemade Sausage Workshop; $79
Thornton Winery: The Temecula winery's executive chef Steve Pickell hosts cooking classes at 32575 Rancho California Road. Reserve to 951-699-0099.
-- May 14: Seafood Delights
-- June 4: BBQ Class
Acqua Al 2: The Gaslamp Quarter restaurant hosts wine tastings during "Uncorked" the first Wednesday of every month at 322 Fifth Ave. in San Diego. For $20, guests taste four wine/spirit selections paired with four appetizers. Reservations are required; call 619-230-0382 or go to acquaal2.com.
Blue Door Winery: The 10-acre vineyard has opened a tasting room at 1255 Julian Orchards Drive in Julian. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Cost is $8 for five tastings. Bottled wines are $19 to $29. Call 760-765-0361 or bluedoorwinery.com.
Carlsbad Wine Merchants: Hosts tastings at 5 p.m. Fridays and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays for a fee at 5814 Van Allen Way, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Call 888-750-WINE or visit www.CarlsbadWineMerchants.com.
The Collective: Tasting lounge features one-of-a-kind, handmade boutique wines at 28544 Old Town Front Street in Temecula. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. Call 951-693-4567 or go to tvwinecollective.com.
ENO-Versity at the Hotel Del: ENO, the wine, cheese and chocolate tasting room at the Hotel del Coronado, has announced fall classes for ENO-Versity. Classes are $35 per person (unless noted) and start at 4 p.m.; call 619-522-8546 or go to hoteldel.com/ENO-wine. The Hotel Del is at 1500 Orange Ave. in Coronado.
Fifty Barrels Winery and Tasting Room: Hosts tastings from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays at 3800 Oceanic Drive, Suite 106, Oceanside. Call 760-696-2998 or go to carlsbadcoastal.com.
Harvest Ranch Market Del Mar: Wine tastings from 5-7:30 p.m. plus appetizers for $10-$20. The store is at 1555 Camino Del Mar, Suite 203, Del Mar. Call 858-847-0555.
Holiday Wine Cellar: Daily tastings from 5:30-7 p.m. at 302 W. Mission Ave., Escondido. Wine Down Mondays feature five wine tastes for $5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays, and "Hop Over the Hump Wednesdays" are weekly beer-tasting events for $5. Go to holidaywinecellar.com or call 760-745-1200.
-- 5 p.m. Monday: French Bargains; $5
-- 2 p.m. May 7: Champagne & Cupcakes; $10
-- 5 p.m. May 9: Dessert Wines; $5
-- 5 p.m. May 16: Chalone Winery; $5
-- 5 p.m. May 23: Zinfandels; $5
-- 5 p.m. May 30: Best Bargains: Wines Under $15; $5
La Costa Wine Co.: Tastings are held at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite D, Carlsbad. Go to lacostawineco.com or call 760-431-8455.
-- 5 p.m. Friday: Tobin James Tasting; $20
-- 5 p.m. May 13: Orin Swift Tasting; $25
La Valencia Hotel wine series: La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla has launched a wine program. La Valencia is at 1132 Prospect St.; go to www.lavalencia.com.
Miramonte Winery: The Temecula winery hosts VIBE once a month with music, food, wines, champagnes, beers and DJs; the winery also hosts "Just Us Girls" at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month. The event features wines, champagne cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and vendors. Go to miramontewinery.com or call 951-506-5500.
North County Wine Company: Brothers Jim and Bill Tobin have recently purchased North County Wine Company at 1099 W. San Marcos Blvd. in San Marcos. The wine bar and shop is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Friday Night Tastings are $10 and include seven wine tastings and snacks. Other weekly events include Tuesday Ladies Night, Meet the Winemaker Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, Friday Wine Tasting Six for Six Saturday and Silver Sunday Special. Call 760-744-2119 or visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com.
Stone Brewing Co.: The Escondido brewery and restaurant is hosting events at 1999 Citracado Parkway in Escondido. The bistro also hosts movies in its garden during warm-weather months. Call 760-471-4999 or go to www.stonebrew.com to check availability.
-- 7 p.m. May 16: Beer U: Inside the Craft Beer Industry; $25
Tango offers half-price Wednesdays: Escondido's Tango Restaurant & Lounge is offering half-price on all drinks and bottles of wine from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, as well as happy hour pricing all evening. Visit tangoongrand.com.
T&H Prime Meats & Sausage: The shop now offers tastings from 10 San Diego wineries from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays for $5, which includes four tastes and a San Diego Vintners Association souvenir wine glass, at 735 E. Mission Road, San Marcos. Call 760-471-9192.
Vino100: Wine tasting events are offered at 5 p.m. at 133 S. Las Posas Road in San Marcos. Call 760-591-9113 or go to vino100sanmarcos.com.
Vinz Wine Bar: Full restaurant menu with wide wine menu by the glass or bottle. Tastings are from $5-$10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and come with charcuterie and cheese. Live music on Saturdays. Vinz is at 201 E. Grand Ave., Escondido. Call 760-743-8466 or visit vinzwinebar.net.
WineRave: WineRave San Diego will come to FLUXX nightclub from 7 to 10 p.m. June 23 with 25 wineries, breweries and spirits purveyors. Tickets are $45 and include 20 tastings, appetizers, entertainment and discounted bar drinks. Go to www.wineravesd.com or call 619-312-1212.
Wine Smarties: The Wine Smarties presents internationally recognized WSET certification programs and other wine classes. The courses are ideal for enthusiasts, professionals or those looking to enter the industry. Call 619-955-8884 or go to winesmarties.com. Reservations required for all classes and events.
-- 6:30 p.m. Friday: Easter Chocolate Making and Wine Pairings; at Von Euw Chocolates, 8662 Avenida de la Fuente, Suite 15, San Diego
-- 3:30 p.m. Saturday: World of Wine 101; at La Costa Wine Co., 6986 El Camino Real, Carlsbad; $40
-- 6:30 p.m. May 6: Mother's Day Chocolate Making and Wine Pairings; at Von Euw Chocolates, 8662 Avenida de la Fuente, Suite 15, San Diego
-- 6:30 p.m. May 10: World of Wine 101; at 57 Degrees Wine Bar, 1735 Hancock St., San Diego; $40
-- 6:30 p.m. May 13: Mother's Day Chocolate Making and Wine Pairings; at Von Euw Chocolates, 8662 Avenida de la Fuente, Suite 15, San Diego
-- 3:30 p.m. May 14: Blind Tasting 101; at La Costa Wine Co., 6986 El Camino Real, Carlsbad; $40
-- 6:30 p.m. May 17: Sparkling Beginning and Sweet Endings; at Wine Steals Point Loma, 2970 Truxtun Road, San Diego; $30
-- 6:30 p.m. May 24: Blind Tasting 101; at 57 Degrees Wine Bar, 1735 Hancock St., San Diego; $40
-- 6:30 p.m. June 7: World of Wine 101; at 57 Degrees Wine Bar, 1735 Hancock St., San Diego; $40
-- 3:30 p.m. June 11: Blind Tasting 101; at La Costa Wine Co., 6986 El Camino Real, Carlsbad; $40
-- 6:30 p.m. June 21: Blind Tasting 101; at 57 Degrees Wine Bar, 1735 Hancock St., San Diego; $40
-- 3:30 p.m. June 25: World of Wine 101; at La Costa Wine Co., 6986 El Camino Real, Carlsbad; $40
-- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 8-July 10: WSET Level 3 (advanced), eight-week course, at 57 Degrees in San Diego; $1,200 (July 31 exam is an additional $150)
WineStyles: The Encinitas wine store offers wine, microbrews, cheese platters and panini after 5 p.m. and several specials each week. On Wednesdays, get a 1/2-price glass or flight of wine after 5 p.m.; Thursday is Ladies' Night; there is live music most Fridays and Saturdays; and there is a Super Six Wine Tasting on Saturday afternoons. WineStyles is open from noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.winestyles.net/encinitas or call 760-633-0057.
Send information about local food products, food events or classes to Food Editor Pam Kragen, North County Times, 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, CA 92025; fax to 760-745-3769, or e-mail to email@example.com.


text:
- Mar 27:
- Stanford's Dawkins says he deserved technical foul
- Purdy: Stanford can't keep up with Dayton in NCAA tournament
- Fouls hurt Stefan Nastic, Stanford in loss to Dayton in NCAA Sweet 16
- Stanford ousted by Dayton
- Stanford's cowbell kid enjoying his fame
- NCAA Tournament: Stanford in Final Four? You bet it's possible
- Mar 26:
- Purdy: Stanford's players, coaches evolved into a Sweet 16 team
- Stanford's 'Cowbell kid' makes 'Jimmy Kimmel' appearance
- Stanford leaning on starters in Sweet 16 matchup with Dayton
- Stanford's Johnny Dawkins answering the call
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Dwight Powell and his Stanford teammates only appear to be overnight sensations.
In fact, their journey to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, has been a long and sometimes difficult process.
Now the Cardinal is on the big stage, playing Thursday against another surprise team, Dayton, with the winner advancing to face either Florida or UCLA on Saturday for a berth in the Final Four. Powell, an enigmatic senior forward and generally acknowledged as the team's most talented player, is peaking at the right time.
In Sunday's 60-57 upset of No. 2 seed Kansas, Powell had 15 points and seven rebounds.
"He definitely rose to the level we needed him to against Kansas," said teammate Josh Huestis. "He's going to bring that for the rest of the tournament."
Coach Johnny Dawkins compares Powell to the most valuable and versatile piece in chess, saying playing without him is "like taking your queen off the chessboard. Anytime he's off the court, we miss him."
And yet they so often miss him, sometimes even when Powell is on the court. His performance in Stanford's first tournament game was a case in point. Powell took eight shots, missed all of them, and fouled out.
Then he starred in the upset against Kansas.
"It was a matter of him leaving it all out there on the line," guard Chasson Randle said. "I'm not saying he has not done that before. But we all know what is at stake."
As Powell puts it: "Somebody's going to win the tournament. We're in the tournament, so we have a chance to do that."
His low-key manner belies his passion. In the Kansas game, when Huestis blocked a shot to quell a late-half charge by the Jayhawks, he was greeted by Powell, shouting as he sprinted to give Huestis a chest-bump. Dawkins said that rare show of emotion was almost as valuable as Powell's points and rebounds.
"When your teammates are getting that kind of endorsement from one of your best players, it means more," he said.
Nate Vandersluis, who coached Powell for three years at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., said what Powell brought to the Kansas game has always been in him. "It's having the attitude match the moment," he said.
A 6-foot-10 native of Toronto, Powell is the top recruit Dawkins has landed in six years on the job. He twice has been named to the all-conference team. He ranks 12th all-time in scoring at Stanford (1,488 points). He's seventh in rebounds (844), 13 behind Mark Madsen. This season he led the team in steals and assists while ranking second in scoring (13.9) and rebounds (6.8).
And, still, there always seems to be more waiting to come out, if only he would let it.
Huestis said Powell is unselfish "almost to a fault. He sometimes forgets how talented he is. He has the ability to take over games, to completely change them."
Most often, Powell has been content to let others carry the scoring load. For a couple of years, Dawkins has tried convincing Powell the team needs him to contribute beyond the rebounds, assists and defense.
"His role for us has to be someone who does more than that," Dawkins said. "Even when he played at IMG, he was really a glue guy. We've moved him out of his comfort zone by needing him to score more."
Most young players expect a green light to shoot the ball. For Powell, it has always been a flashing yellow. "Becoming an assertive scorer was something I had to learn to do," he said. "It was just knowing sometimes the right play was for me to take the shot."
Stanford will take its best shot Thursday against Dayton, and Powell's teammates know they can count on their reluctant star.
"Absolutely," Huestis said. "He's really going to rise to the occasion."
Staff writer Elliott Almond contributed to this report.
South Regional Semifinals, at Memphis, Tenn.: No. 11 Dayton (25-10) vs. No. 10 Stanford (23-12), 4:15 p.m. CBS
Stanford: Defeated No. 7 seed
New Mexico 58-53; defeated
No. 2 seed Kansas 60-57
Dayton: Defeated No. 6 seed
Ohio State 60-59; defeated
No. 3 seed Syracuse 55-53
South Regional (Memphis, Tenn.)
Stanford vs. Dayton, 4:15 p.m. CBS
UCLA vs. Florida, 6:45 p.m. CBS
West Regional (Anaheim)
Baylor vs. Wisconsin, 4:47 p.m. TBS
San Diego St. vs. Arizona, 7:17 p.m. TBS

subset: commoncrawl


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SAN FRANCISCO -- The outing that preceded Ryan Vogelsong's gem Sunday is one he would just as soon forget. However, he gleaned enough from his poor showing to correct a glaring problem with his mechanics in time to sparkle in the Giants' 4-1 win over the Cleveland Indians.
Brandon Hicks' walk-off, three run home run with two outs in the ninth punctuated the Giants' three-game sweep.
Vogelsong said he spotted a "pretty major flaw" in his mechanics during a 11/3-inning outing -- the shortest of his Giants career -- against the Colorado Rockies on April 21.
The attention to detail showed Sunday, as Vogelsong limited the Indians to two hits and two walks in seven scoreless innings.
The Giants matched their season-high win streak with a fourth straight victory.
Vogelsong didn't go into specifics about the flaw that he detected on videotape, but he said it had a lot to do with his legs.
"I was out of there so quick (against the Rockies), there's really not a whole lot to digest," Vogelsong said. "I watched a couple of pitches; it was pretty apparent what I was doing wrong. I really tried to fix it this whole week."
Vogelsong fell behind in the count to batters most of the day. However, time and again he made quality pitches when he needed to most. His ERA dropped from 7.71 to 5.40 in the process.
Perhaps, most impressive, Vogelsong shut down an Indians lineup that featured eight left-handed hitters. Left-handed hitters batted .389 off Vogelsong in his first four starts.
"He used all his pitches," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He commanded well. He got behind at times, but he did a good job of getting back in the count. ... He did a great job of pitching."
And Hicks did an admirable job of capitalizing on the first fastball he received from hard-throwing Indians reliever Cody Allen.
Hicks watched the first pitch sail inside for a ball. He then guessed fastball, got just that and launched it over the left-field wall.
"You got to be ready for it when a guy is throwing like that," Hicks said. "That's why I was going up saying to myself when I went up for that at-bat, I want to be on time. I want to be ready for it, if and when he throws a fastball."
Bochy isn't surprised by much from Hicks these days. Hicks made the opening-day roster after he shined from the outset in spring training.
On Sunday, he made his presence felt in the field and at the plate. He started a double play in the third inning by snaring a Nick Swisher one-hop smash up the middle and flipping the ball to Brandon Crawford at second.
"When I came into the dugout, Buster (Posey, catcher) gave me a wow," Vogelsong said of the double play. "That kind of let me know just how good it was."
At this rate, Hicks is doing everything he can to make life without injured second baseman Marco Scutaro more palatable.
"He's getting some big hits for us," Bochy said. " ... To get a big hit like that, he'll always remember that because, two outs, you're trying to end that game in the ninth, it doesn't get any bigger than that."
"He's got to be frustrated," Bochy said. "As a hitter, you think you're right on it and you're swinging right through 'em. It's hard to get over that part of it. He's seeing the ball well. He feels like he's getting his swings off."
Bochy said he will speak with Belt before Monday's game against the Padres and see if a day off is something that might help him.
The Giants streak now is the third-longest streak ever. The Boston Red Sox (794) and Indians (455) hold the top two spots.
"Incredible, it really is," Bochy said. "I know that was quite a run that Philly had. For us to pass that is impressive.
"We're very grateful, thankful for the support that we get here. It is tremendous."
With his walk-off home run for the Giants on Sunday, Brandon Hicks now has hit a walk-off homer for both the Giants and A's. Here's a look at both blasts:
Team Date Opp. Pitcher Inning On base Final
Giants Sunday CLE Cody Allen 9th 2 4-1
A's July 18, 2012 TEX Michael Kirkman 9th 0 4-3


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An email Deerflesh sent me a lWHILE ago in regards to 9/11
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Sage Francis
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An email Deerflesh sent me a lWHILE ago in regards to 9/11
"it can't be left alone...i started out in the school of journalism here at indiana university, declared one of the best schools of journalism in the u.s...my first class taught us the history of journalism in america, but that was all too quickly torn apart when our teacher invited harry allen (of public enemy camp) to speak to our class...the hero who came out of our school of journalism was ernie pyle, a famous WWII journalist who died in the line of duty...Obviously WWII was not like the first great war...this was not a battle of trench warfare, it was now intense and highly organized blitz krieg attacks on the air and ground and on many major cities as well...it was going to be another war that left a generation of soldiers in silence once they returned to the states...that silence started with ernie pyle: a man paid to travel overseas in order to report back to the us about how the war was moving along...what americans would want to hear of a bloody war in which american lives were being lost on both fronts?...there, was the truth of war being painted black from the beginning...this real war was, of course, what he was supposed to silence...this amount of death by far surpassed patriotism on any level...and as he did his job, he helped create a generation of misunderstood men who would be welcomed back to the states, go back to work, and never have their true pain unmasked from under the american people's perceptions of war...ernie pyle was killed on the pacific front by what he was attempting to cover when he was shot in the head by enemy fire...this had no effect on his words...we have grown to accept the passive voice of the media...mistakes were made!...we just sit back and take it...they make the enemy and we love it...we trust them to the point to where hiroshima was made to be a no brainer and america would have demanded an explanation if we wouldn't have destroyed the world with our great invention...i know this is not WWII, but the parallels are too great and i think about it every day...i am going to graduate in a year with the title of a historian (i swear i am not bragging...all it means is i paid attention in class for a couple of years), but i will never be able to comprehend so many things; why we accept their enemy, why we kill, and why we are killed...(there is plenty more i won't know or comprehend as well)...back to harry allen...at the time he was a refreshing voice...he talked to us about black's representation in the media, he talked about the media having a vertical perception of the world never seeing things all the way across, and he made an extended metaphor about the show "change of heart" in talking about the trash we take into our heads...he was not a passive voice...his words seemed to be honest and reached all across the board...really, he was simply not a man with styled eyebrows behind a desk with a mic attached to his lapel...my brother was once interviewed for the news for a story about graffiti...they took a great interest in one of his webpages and were quite excited about the art form...come 5pm, their story had changed into a one sided tale of the destruction of our city as the reporter stood in front of a computer generated graphic of a swastika painted on a brick wall that now represented my brother and all of my relatives who were killed by the nazis in WWII...after talking to the reporter on the phone for over an hour, her apology to me (and my whole family...ha...i yelled at her for a while) still meant too little as she could not understand the depths to which her words shaped the world or at least kept it stagnant...on september 11, i appreciated tom brokaw...i needed to hear him and like the majority of america i watched the news for days just waiting to hear something, anything at all that would somehow help..."
Mon Jul 01, 2002 11:08 pm
Joined: 02 Jul 2002
Posts: 5
whip cream dollup
deerflesh was my roommate last year and i remember when he sent that to you. he sums up how i felt about 9/11 to a 'T'. i like dan rather more than brokaw, though. where you been, flesh?
Tue Jul 02, 2002 7:15 pm
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Hey New Mom! 7 Simple Ways to Keep Your Energy Up
If that venti Americano never seems to get the job done, read on. These tips work just as well as that full night's sleep you're not going to get any time soon
Mom energy advice: Be a better mom to yourself. "You'd never let your kids out of house with just coffee in the morning, or serve them low-quality food," Koff says. "Why not hold the same standards for yourself?" Rather than diet, focus on better quality nutrition. Shoot for a balanced combo of carbs, protein, and fat at every meal and snack -- it's your best shot at sustained energy. And remember, all calories are not created equal: A 100-calorie pack of sandwich creme cookies won't fuel you nearly as well as 150 calories' worth of low-fat Greek yogurt.
Older comments
9 hours of sleep a night really? most people dont get that even if they dont have kids
by kfloyd01 Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 08:37PM Report as inappropriate
I'm not a mom, but these are some great tips for people who have super busy schedules!
by ACClique Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 10:54AM Report as inappropriate
I really like this article and I am sure it will be one that I come back to. So many times as a mom I will take a 5 hour energy shot and then question myself on why I feel drained. The answer is that I need fuel all day! Thank you for the reminder!
by allison_rodriguez Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 11:24AM Report as inappropriate
Thanks for sharing. My friend just had twins! Will share what I've read with her
by EricaF123 Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 07:03AM Report as inappropriate
great tips, not sure that eating organic really makes that much of a difference though
by sportimonki13 Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 08:11PM Report as inappropriate
that sounds like good advice!
by LittleBunny Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 06:57PM Report as inappropriate
Yeah, not going to spend the extra $$$ on organic foods.
by kimihavens Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 12:25PM Report as inappropriate
Irrelevant, but that woman looks like she's wearing some sort of helmet with a furry black nose piece!
by schien Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 12:45AM Report as inappropriate
I knew some of these things but found the others very helpful! Getting ready for a new baby is scary but this advice makes sense :]
by Lamexicana1 Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 08:44PM Report as inappropriate
I think a lot of these things would be beneficial to people without kids also!
by Chris213 Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 07:26AM Report as inappropriate
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Arts & Life
Take a look at this $2.5M Arlington property that boasts a pond, a cabana, and a barn
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Couldn't help but enjoy Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turning down the Aston Villa job. They've held a place in my affections right next to the likes of Middlesbrough ever since a dark day in May 09 when they were far, far too pleased that we got relegated. They even took the trouble to make a couple of great big banners the night before the match, just to rub it in. Was there ever bad blood between Newcastle and Aston Villa up to that point? Not that I'm aware of.So. Villa. Who's your next messiah? Ant or Dec?
Gordon Strachan?Roy Keane?


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via Personal Recipe 1765125:
you could be a good mother!!!!
EVERYBODY LOVE IT TOO! I see Billie Joe in the background! It's my favorite picture! AND I FUCKING LOVE IT!
i love billie in the background. and that FABULOUS dress
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? Different is cool, I guess....... Nice hair?
that`s awsome!!! I love this


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Environment/Energy · Featured · Media · Science
New York Times Commits Rare Act of Objective Climate Journalism, Salon Pounces in Outrage
Attention, MSM climate reporters: Not only do you not understand the climate, you don't understand how or why you do not understand the climate. That's just one reason why you need to respect scientists such as climate "skeptic" John Christy, who at least has the humility to understand that. Confused? Then read on.


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Three Simple Tax-Savings Tips for Investors
MICHELLE PERRY HIGGINS: Most of us know with a fair amount of certainty that we will have to pay taxes in the future. The question is how much. By planning ahead, you may be able to lessen your investment-related tax burden by a considerable amount. Here are three simple tax-savings tips for investors with taxable accounts.
1. Mutual funds pay out capital gains and income, creating potential tax liability. Be tax efficient by putting different kinds of investments in different kinds of accounts. Consider index funds in your taxable accounts because they have very low turnover and therefore lower capital gains distributions. Position the tax-inefficient assets with high turnover ratios (e.g. real-estate investment trusts) or any interest or dividends that do not get favorable tax treatment to your retirement accounts.
2. Monitor and track your cost basis throughout the year. A wise investor will know their estimated capital gain or loss on each investment, enabling them to offset a capital gain on one investment by selling another at a loss, (i.e. tax loss harvesting).
3. Track your investment purchase dates. If you sell an investment before holding it for one year plus one day, it is considered a short-term capital gain. Short-term gains are treated as ordinary income, taxable at the taxpayer's highest marginal rate.
Michelle Perry Higgins (@RetirementMPH) is a financial planner and principal at California Financial Advisors.
Read the latest Investing in Funds & ETFs Report.


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Have spent 2 days testing dlna capabilities of the 2012 TVs from LG,Panasonic and Samsung.
(All btw could natively play (without transcoding) all test content through PS3 Media Server, MKV, High Profile H264, 40Mbitss, DTS 6 channel, 1080p, SBS 3D, Subtitle selection + off,Usable Seek FF/RW).
Decided on Series 7 Samsung for Web browser capability and sound.
But when a tv can support the content natively, what purpose do the individual renderers/.config files play?
I just manually put mkv in the manual overide section for 'do not transocde'....
Might i still want a specific config file for a series 7 samsung? and if so why?


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Beyond genetics: What the new fields of functional genomics and epigenetics are revealing about autism
Today's guest post comes to us from Valerie W. Hu, Ph.D. Dr. Valerie Hu is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at The George Washington University Medical Center as well as a mother of a son with ASD. She redirected her research focus towards autism about 5 years ago and has since published 6 papers on the genes and biological pathways associated with ASD. Dr. Hu received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Caltech and did her postdoctoral research in Membrane Biochemistry and Immunology at UCLA. More information about her research and papers can be obtained at: http://www.gwumc.edu/biochem/faculty_vhu.html
For many years, genetics has followed the traditional approach to identifying genes associated with various disorders, including autism. However, the wide diversity of symptoms and behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has posed a significant challenge to identifying mutations in one or a few genes that are reliably associated with ASD. More recent attention has focused on copy number variants (CNVs) which are submicroscopic regions of chromosomes that have been found to be lost or duplicated in some individuals with ASD. Together, these studies are making progress in identifying a number of genes that function at the synapse between nerve cells. Nevertheless, the combination of all known genetic mutations still does not account for the majority of autism cases or for the association of non-neurological symptoms observed in autistic individuals.
My laboratory at The George Washington University Medical Center has taken a functional genomics approach to studying genes that may be deregulated in autism. Rather than identify mutations in DNA, our goal has been to identify genes whose activity, as indicated by gene expression level, is altered in order to identify dysfunctional biochemical pathways and impaired cellular functions in autism. Thus, using a method known as DNA microarray analysis to profile gene expression in cells from identical twin pairs who are differentially diagnosed with autism (one autistic, the other not reaching the threshold for an autism diagnosis), sibling pairs where only one sibling is autistic, and unrelated case-controls, we identified many genes whose expression levels (activities) are different from non-autistic individuals. Furthermore, by subtyping the unrelated autistic individuals according to symptomatic severity across over 63 symptoms probed by a commonly used diagnostic assessment instrument (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised), we were able to identify gene "signatures" for each of 3 ASD subtypes studied. These signatures not only revealed genes unique to a given subtype of autism, but also overlapping genes that presumably control common symptoms of autism across subtypes. Interestingly, a set of genes that regulate the biological clock (that is, circadian rhythm) were found to be disrupted only in the subtype of ASD exhibiting severe language impairment.
These studies demonstrating different gene expression signatures between identical but differentially diagnosed twins as well as revealing differential expression of hundreds to thousands genes depending on ASD subtype suggest the involvement of "master switches" (or epigenetic mechanisms) in the control of gene expression. Two new studies by our laboratory, published in two different journals on Apr. 7, 2010, suggest that epigenetics may play a significant role in the regulation of gene expression in autism (read a blog from AS staff on epigenetics). In one study, published in the FASEB Journal, we identified chemical tags (called "methyl groups") on the DNA of individuals with autism that led to gene silencing. This mode of turning off a gene is potentially reversible with the proper drugs if the specific gene can be properly targeted. The second study, which was published in the journal Genome Medicine, reports on the differential expression of microRNA in autism. MicroRNA are recently discovered snippets of RNA (ribonucleic acid), each of which can inhibit the expression (and thus activity) of hundreds of genes. The effects of microRNA are also reversible by treatment with complementary "anti-sense" RNA. While methylation inhibits gene expression at the level of DNA, microRNA inhibits at the level of RNA. These two studies together illustrate two different "epigenetic" mechanisms controlling gene activity in autism that lie beyond genetic mutations.
In the study published in the FASEB Journal, we again used cell lines derived from identical twins and sibling pairs in which only one of the twins or siblings was diagnosed with autism to identify chemical changes on DNA. We then compared the genes that showed changes in DNA tagging (methylation) with a list of genes that showed different levels of expression from these same individuals. The amounts of protein produced by two of the genes that appear on both lists were then investigated in brain tissues from the cerebellum and frontal cortex of autistic and control subjects which were obtained through the Autism Tissue Program. We found that both selected proteins, RORA (retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-alpha) and BCL-2, as predicted by the observed increase in methylation, were reduced in the autistic brain. Although BCL-2 has previously been reported to be reduced in autistic brain, RORA is a novel gene which is relevant to many of the observed deficits in autism. Specifically, RORA is involved in several key processes negatively affect by autism, including Purkinje cell differentiation, cerebellar development, protection of neurons against oxidative stress, suppression of inflammation, and regulation of circadian rhythm.
These results suggest that blocking the chemical tagging of these genes may reverse some symptoms of autism if targeted removal of methyl groups from specific genes can be accomplished. Furthermore, this study, which links molecular alterations in blood-derived cells to brain pathobiology, demonstrates the feasibility of using more easily accessible cells from blood (or other non-brain tissues) for diagnostic screening.
This research is reported in the study, titled "Global methylation profiling of lymphoblastoid cell lines reveals epigenetic contributions to autism spectrum disorders and a novel autism candidate gene, RORA, whose protein product is reduced in autistic brain," which was recently published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal, and is available online at: http://www.fasebj.org.
In the study published in Genome Medicine, we identified changes in the profile of microRNAs between twins and sibling pairs, again discordant for diagnosis of autism. We discovered that, despite using cells derived originally from blood, brain-specific and brain-related microRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in the autistic samples, and that these microRNAs could potentially regulate genes that control many processes known to be disrupted in autism. For example, differentially expressed miRNAs were found to target genes highly involved in neurological functions and disorders in addition to genes involved in gastrointestinal diseases, circadian rhythm signaling, and steroid hormone metabolism. The study further shows that by treating the cells with antisense RNA antagonists (inhibitors) to specific microRNA or by employing mimics of a particular microRNA, one can reverse the pattern of expression of a given target gene regulated by that microRNA.
This study, titled "Investigation of post-transcriptional gene regulatory networks associated with autism spectrum disorders by microRNA expression profiling of lymphoblastoid cell lines" was highlighted as an "Editor's pick" in the journal Genome Medicine. It is available online at: http://genomemedicine.com/content/2/4/23.
By integrating both DNA methylation and miRNA expression studies with gene expression data, Dr. Hu and colleagues are applying a systems biology approach to understanding this complex disorder.
April 22, 2010 at 4:41 pm
The study of biology is good Science! Cells are fun, yes? I like to see all the good Dr.'s at work!
April 22, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Beyond genetics by Dr. Valerie Hu is very interesting.
I have a son who appeared to be the typical "all boy", until age four. It was then, that he became what was diagnosed as a mute and later a selective mute. Many pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, behavior specialists,family therapists and one hospitalization gave us nothing. He received a negative reputation in elementary school, began acting out to the point where I had to have space. He went to live with his dad, step-mom and their children. He was back and forth between homes, for almost four years. He went back into the same school system, he was in for elementary school. He was non-compliant. One day, he brought a tiny gun in his backpack. He was expelled, permanently. I was told, I had to find a school. Being a mute, his many evaluations didn't portray an accurate picture. When he was almost 21, he had another evaluation. He responded verbally, when necessary. Results were aspergers/ autistic tendencies. A little late to change his horrible childhood. Happy to finally have something to work with, though. Since then, my cousin's daughter was diagnosed with Autism. So far, my daughter is healthy. I apologize for the long e-mail. Guess I still need more healing. There is hope for people with Aspergers and Autism. Thank you.
April 22, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Thank you very much indeed for sharing this most informative and thought-provoking article. I am most impressed at the range and quality of research being published here, and am delighted to be able to access these cutting-edge developments through the Facebook group.
My eleven year-old son has severe regressive autism and developmental delay. His early accelerated development peaked around eighteen months, whereupon he regressed over the following three years into a profoundly autistic child with no functional speech and a very limited understanding of language and the world around him. As parents, the desire to ease the suffering and confusion our children encounter in their daily lives is always uppermost in our thoughts. It is comforting to have access to current research in an original, unsimplified form, allowing us the opportunity both to be kept informed, and treated with dignity.
This article does indeed seem to sow seeds of hope in the prospect of ameliorative treatments in the future, especially for children with speech-centre disruption. It is encouraging and comforting to know that work like this is ongoing.
Suzanne, I feel for you and your son. May our boys benefit from research such as this in the not too distant future.
April 23, 2010 at 12:48 am
Dr. Hu's research is amazing and offers hope in the horizon!
April 23, 2010 at 1:47 am
My thanks to Dr Hu for her wonderful work for autistics. It has been depressing reading about the thousands of genes involved in autism. I feel better now that a linking mechanism has been identified. My son is not dissimilar to Susan's son although much older.
Are there any indications on what the time frames are for any therapeutic intervention to become available?
April 23, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Simply, fantastic.
I won't bore you – with what I find the most interesting story on earth – every environmental hit (of all kinds) my son take (starting in his first trimester), his regressions (some mini, some major).
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
April 23, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Hmmm. One should check for sentence structure and verb tense before hitting send. LOL.
April 23, 2010 at 1:04 pm
This article sparked and interest. I have identical 9 year old twin nephews. One is autistic and the other not. My family has tried every medical and alternative method of treatment. I was wondering if there might be available an identical twin geneology study that can help our situation.
April 23, 2010 at 5:36 pm
extremely informative and interesting…and it fits in perfectly with other research I've read. Very hopeful for what will be done in the future…thanks to all the hard-working REAL scientists out there (so sick of hearing about the pseudo-science out there!).


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What To Say If Thanksgiving Talk Turns to Health Care
By Christopher Weaver
On this Thanksgiving Day, there may not be many Americans giving thanks for HealthCare.gov, but you can count on Obamacare's woes surfacing as a conversational centerpiece at plenty of Thanksgiving tables around the country. Show off your health-law chops for relatives with a little help from our cheat sheet.
Q: Why didn't HealthCare.gov work?
When the site launched on Oct. 1, nearly three million people swarmed to check it out. But, it only took a few hundred piling on for a key part of the site to crash. Obama administration officials initially said web traffic was the main problem, but it soon became clear major coding flaws, poor website design choices and years of bungled management led to problems that ran much deeper.
Q: Is it any better yet?
By late October, the administration acknowledged the problems, announced a "tech surge," appointed a single overseer of repair efforts and began improving the site. A month later, users are reporting much smoother experiences navigating the site, though hangups remain. Back-end problems like errors in enrollment data sent to insurance companies continue, the companies say.
Q: When is it going to be fixed?
Saturday is a big day for Affordable Care Act watchers: It's the self-imposed deadline for administration officials to repair the site. They've said it will work smoothly for "the vast majority" of customers, but an official acknowledged Wednesday in a call with reporters that the government still has a lot of work to do. Officials hope about 50,000 people will be able to use the site at once by Saturday. As of the end of last week, only 25,000 could do so.
Q: What's the administration's damage-control strategy?
In the last couple of weeks, the White House made some key changes to the law to minimize the fallout. After a wave of complaints that insurance policies were being canceled because they don't comply with new requirements under the law, President Barack Obama announced that insurers could let people keep old plans for an extra year. And last week, the officials said people could take an extra week to sign up for coverage that starts Jan. 1, pushing the deadline to Dec. 23 from Dec. 15.
Q: How many people have signed up so far?
About 100,000 people had obtained private insurance coverage through HealthCare.gov, which serves consumers in 36 states, as well as the 14 state-run exchanges, including in California and New York, as of Nov. 2. The White House goal for the first month had been 500,000 total enrollees. But, in a sign things are getting better, the federal site had cleared 40,000 enrollees by Nov. 8, up from 27,000 a week before.
Q: And what kind of people are enrolling?
The law's long-term success rides in large part on whether healthy young people can be wooed to sign up. That's because the law bars insurers from charging sicker people higher prices. If insurers don't sign up enough young people to help offset their costs, prices could rise next year for everyone who buys coverage in the exchanges. States running their own exchanges and some insurers reported their early enrollees were skewing old, but California reported a better mix last week.
Q: What about Grandma's Medicare?
Tell her not to panic: HealthCare.gov's problems don't matter for people who already have Medicare. Also, anyone covered by their employer can take a deep breath.
Q: Uncle Phil said he tried to use the website but it crashed. Now what?
People who want to buy coverage through the exchanges—from self-employed-consultant uncles to starving-artist cousins—can circumvent the balky website several ways. Some insurers can directly enroll them in new plans under the law, they can fill out paper forms, or they can get help from "navigators," nonprofit workers helping with the enrollment push.
There's a call center, too, that lets people apply for coverage over the phone. But don't try to call in to settle dinner-table disputes: The call center is closed Thursday for the holiday.


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Alabama signs No. 1 recruiting class
Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 9:51 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 9:51 p.m.
TUSCALOOSA | For those who make a living ranking high school recruits and projecting their futures as college football players, the University of Alabama picked up another crown Wednesday as Rivals.com's No. 1 signing class in the nation.
For those who making a living winning the crowns on the field, however, Wednesday was only the beginning of the evaluation process.
UA coach Nick Saban made that clear in some of his first remarks about the signees.
"Just like when you buy a stock today, you can't really verify where it's going to be two years from now. The character we talk about, the commitment to a standard of excellence, the work ethic, the relentless quest to improve that these guys need to be able to enhance their development is very important to this group becoming a great recruiting class," Saban said. "That gets determined by their performance and how they develop down the road, which we're responsible for. ... Just because you pick the puppy dog with the biggest feet doesn't mean it's going to grow up to be the biggest or best hunting dog."
Meanwhile, Rivals.com named Alabama recruiting national champions for the fifth time in six years. The Crimson Tide's class was punctuated by the signing day additions of defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson, a Rivals five-star prospect from Fort Worth, Texas, Muscle Shoals defensive lineman Dee Liner and Norcross, Ga., running back Alvin Kamara.
"It's another amazing class for Alabama from top to bottom hitting all their needs," Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell said. "The running backs headline the class and assure there will be no downgrade at that position in the future, and Robert Foster and O.J. Howard are keys to the passing game. They also reeled in a nice offensive line class and two heady quarterbacks."
Kamara was the fourth running back to join the class, along with Altee Tenpenny, Derrick Henry and Tyren Jones. Saban said Alabama's returning depth at running back isn't as strong as some think, with only one player returning with significant experience (T.J. Yeldon) and two others coming off serious injuries (Jalston Fowler and Dee Hart).
Alabama's 3,166 points in the Rivals.com scoring formula were the most it has compiled in the Saban era.
Overall the class includes 25 players. Seven of those — all offensive players — enrolled last month and will be eligible for spring drills. One of those was five-star tight end Howard, who took some credit for Liner's decision to switch from Auburn to Alabama.
"I went to a lot of camps this summer. Every one I went to, I tried to get guys to come. Dee Liner was one of the biggest guys I had an impact on. Dee is my boy. He's coming here, so I'm happy. I'm claiming him," Howard said. "He was trying to get me to come to Auburn for a long time, and I was like 'Man, let's just go to Bama.' ... He saw the big picture I guess, because he's coming this way."
On Monday night, one of the nation's most heavily-recruited linebackers — Reuben Foster of Auburn High — made his second and final commitment to Alabama. Foster, a five-star prospect, later apologized to fans on Twitter for being "a brat," likely referring to the fact that he committed to Alabama, then to Auburn, then back to Alabama.
"I think that he really felt bad in some ways maybe by the way he handled his recruiting. I also think that all the media attention sometimes can affect these guys in maybe not the most positive way," Saban said. "At the same time, I think Reuben would like to please everyone. I think that he learned in this process that that's very, very difficult and probably impossible to do."
Reach Chase Goodbread at firstname.lastname@example.com or at 205-722-0196.
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City's 'Business Friendliness' Keeps Customs Brokerage Firm In Long Beach
April 29, 2011 Leave a comment
by Tiffany Rider, Staff Writer
The head of a national customs brokerage firm said the company has made Long Beach its home for the past 15 years in part because of the city and port's business friendliness and its proximity to U.S. Customs and Border Protection service, freight cashiers and terminal operators.
Troy Clarke, president of CBT International, Inc., operates an office of eight employees, including two other licensed brokers, in the International City Bank building at 249 E. Ocean Blvd. Although Clarke says there was an exodus of brokers from Long Beach 20 years ago (due to better office rates in the South Bay and closer to LAX, while freight cashiers were leaving the state because of union issues), he chose to stay because of the frequent interactions with the freight cashiers, customs office and local facilities to get merchandise released.
"It's really important for me to be down here," Clarke says. "I moved from Wilmington on Anaheim Street to Long Beach because it was a friendlier business environment. . . . It's an international city and it recognizes itself as that. . . . It's business friendly because of the attitude and the culture of the politicians in Long Beach."


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The CDOT implemented recommendations from the Curb Lane Management Study on Tryon Street. So far, the new signage and designation of curb use has been a success. Next steps are to implement the recommendations on all Center City Streets. Staff will:
Prior to implementing the pilot project, a "pre-pilot" sign mock-up was tested for two days in December of 2011 on two blocks of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. There were 187 respondents. Participants were encouraged to drive along the street where temporary signs were installed and to take an online survey about on-street parking signs.Two different types of signs were tested. This test was critical in determining which type of signs should be installed for the official pilot test.Though the pilot includes three streets in Center City, the Tryon Street portion of the pilot project will bring the most changes, notably:


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$7.5 Million Psychosurgery Verdict
The patient, Mrs. Mary Lou Zimmerman, was 58 at the time of the surgery and suffered from persistent obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. In a single operation she was subjected to four lesions in her brain produced by heated electrodes inserted through her skull into her brain tissue. The lesions, approximately one-half inch in diameter, were placed two each in the anterior cingulum and the internal capsule of the brain. These areas contain large fiber tracts that connect nerve cells (neurons) throughout the brain. Damage and destruction in these pathways leads to neuronal cell death and dysfunction in the specific areas as well as multiple other areas throughout the brain through a process called retrograde degeneration. As a result of the surgery and a subsequent abscess in her brain, the patient developed dementia and became mute and emotionally disabled. The neurosurgeon was Dr. Gene Barnett.


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72" Factory Zinc & Cast Iron Rectangular Dining Table
$905 Final Sale
$814 Member
Modeled after the base of a Victorian-era sewing machine, our trestle table's legs are cast of iron, which splay into ogee curves at the bottom and are braced by slim stretchers. The broad metal-clad top has a hand-applied antiqued zinc finish that evokes the soft patina of aged zinc.
Show Details +
- 72"L x 34"W x 30"H


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text: Ever seen a wave tank? They're pretty cool, not just for recreation but also for research, which is why the city of Los Angeles is gearing up for a major construction project at a currently unused pier in San Pedro. Called AltaSea, it's projected to open in 2018, and when it does, it won't be just any old wave tank: it will be the world's largest, part of a massive marine research complex that aims to attract scientists from all over the world. See full article.