At a glance: To winter or not

Last year there was winter until June and this year it seems that winter has decided to take a break after over doing it last year. Some daffodils and freesias are even blooming. It is interesting that so mush time is spent on weather predicting and fretting about what to do if it is too cold or too hot. Maybe just enjoy the day rather than fixating on the negative.

Cool time 

No matter what the weather pattern is outside for Thursday, Feb. 23, there will cool sounds in Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St. in Placerville, with music by Larry Park and Val Pease. Both musicians have been on the music scene for a long time and they have a fabulous repertoire to heat things up. For more details call 530-626-1091.

Brewery dinner

El Dorado County brewers are kicking off Beer Week with the second annual Brewers Dinner at Sequoia, 643 Bee St. in Placerville, on Friday, Feb. 24. El Dorado Brewing Company, Gold Hill Brewery, Jack Russell Brewing Company, Old Hangtown Beer Works and the Placerville Brewing Company are taking part in this wonderful dinner created by David Bagley, of Sequoia. The six-course meal will start with grilled flat bread with a spicy chicken slaw and El Dorado Brewing Gold Rush Lager; the soup is a Tuscan white bean with green chili, olive and mushroom tapenade and Gold Hill 49er Red; a salad of butter lettuce with dried cherry dressing and California blue cheese will go with Old Hangtown Beer Works New Zealand Pale Ale; the intermezzo is frozen lime beer foam; an entrée of braised farm stew featuring a blend of beef, chicken and lamb braised in wort (pre-fermented beer) with potatoes and vegetables in a whole wheat bread bowl is paired with Jack Russell Brewing Co. London Porter; and dessert is a chocolate brownie with mocha ice cream and stout caramel sauce with Placerville Brewing Co. Vanilla Stout. The dinner is at  6:30 p.m. To make a reservation call Sequoia at 530-622-5222.

Mining day

The El Dorado County Museum, 104 Placerville Drive in Placerville, is hosting a Mining History Day on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be thousands of digitized mining photographs and historical mining information and maps to look at and volunteer researchers will be on hand to help with research. Call 530-621-5865 for more information.

Port month

Madroña Vineyards, 2560 High Hill Road in Camino, has been celebrating its New-World Port during February. This is the last weekend to enjoy vertical tastings, food pairings, recipes and fun facts at the winery focusing on New-World Port. Be sure to check out El Dorado County restaurants that are featuring both the 2002 and 2008 New-World Ports with heavenly desserts throughout the month. For more information call 530-644-5948.

Go for the gold

Oakstone Winery, 6440 Slug Gulch Road in Fair Play, invites everyone to celebrate its six gold medal winners in the 2012 Chronicle Wine Competition on Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 2009 Reserve Zinfandel from the Cardanini Vineyard and the 2009 Dolcetto from the estate DeCascabel Vineyard will be released as club selections, and the Slug Gulch Red, Lot No. 2009; Estate Zinfandel-West Side; 2009 Estate Reserve Petite Sirah; and 2009 Estate Meritage will also be available for tasting. The wines will be accompanied by Susan’s gourmet snacks. There is no charge to attend. To get more details call 530-620-5303.

Cuisine cruise

While out and about check out Cuisine on Carson on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eleven of the wineries along Carson Road between Placerville and Camino will be pouring their great wines and offering small bites. The event is free when you bring your own wine glass and there will be prizes for unique glasses.

FeBREWary

Gold Hill Vineyard and Brewery, 5660 Vineyard Lane, off Cold Springs Road, is having its first chili cook-off and beer festival on Saturday and Sunday, FeBREWary 25 and 26, from noon until 4 p.m. This is a competition between staff and management. For information and tickets call 530-626-6522 or by e-mailing events@goldhillvineyard.com.