At a glance: Enjoy a Caprese salad

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was born on March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Republic of Florence, Italy. Besides enjoying Caprese salads, the architect, painter, sculptor and poet was one of the most famous artists of the Italian Renaissance. The David and Pieta statues and the Sistine Chapel frescoes are among his most notable pieces.

 

Pasta and salad

The perfect place to enjoy a night of Italian food and some Italian influenced wine is PastaNello Night on Thursday, March 7 and 21 at Wedgewood Sequoia Mansion, 643 Bee St. in Placerville, from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests can stop at the Nello Olivo wine tasting room at Sequoia and sample the award-winning wines and even select one to go with the pasta. At PastaNello Night there is an all-you-can-eat salad and pasta bar with all kinds of yummy choices. To make a reservation call 530-409-5603.

 

Cash concert

On Friday, March 8 the Cameron Park Community Services District is presenting a Cash Tribute show, the second concert of the season at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive in Cameron Park. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. The concert will feature songs from the late great Johnny Cash. Tickets are available at the CPCSD district office, the Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce office, Bel Air, Walgreens, Station 89 and online at showclix.com. For more information call 530-677-2231.

 

Weed work

The American River Conservancy is asking for volunteers to help restore the natural beauty of the historical Gold Hill Ranch on Saturday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the morning help weed non-native plants, then have lunch by the lake, followed by a short hike. To sign up contact ARC’s AmeriCorps member Kristin Powell at 530-621-1224 or e-mail kristin@arconservancy.org.

 

Chili time

The big 13th annual Jack Herrmann Chili Cook-off  at the El Dorado Community Hall, 6139 Pleasant Valley Road in El Dorado, is Saturday, March 9. There is no entry fee for chili cooks and all entries must be there by 4 p.m. for judging. Social hour and judging starts at 5 p.m. The dinner of chili, cornbread and salad starts at 6 p.m. Cost is $8 per person for dinner (free for chili cooks) and $5 for children 12 and under. There are prizes for the top entries. There will also be prizes and fun for everyone. For more information on the event, amount of chili to bring, etc., call 530-622-9840. Proceeds go to help youth and the elderly in the El Dorado area.

 

Wine and cheese

Guests can Meet the Maitré de Chai at Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards, 8221 Stoney Creek Road in Fair Play, on Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m. Join Craig Unverferth, the maitré de chai, for a flight of seven wines paired with artisan cheeses. Cost is $19 per person and includes a bottle of wine to take home, Reservation are necessary and can be made by calling 530-620-3467. Don’t forget about Endless Pizza and Salad and live Maine lobsters on Friday nights from 5 to 9 p.m. at Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards. The pizza is wonderful and the lobster is fabulous, add some Mitchell wine and it is a spectacular time.

 

Get crackin’

There will be no crabby people at the Crab Feed and Dance presented by the Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills on Saturday, March 9. The feasting and fun are at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District gym, 1021 Harvard Way. The all-you-can-eat crab, no host bar, silent auction, prizes and dance music by DJ Anthony Avery start at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person in advance or $45 at the door. To attend go to edhcrabfeed.org.

 

 

Fenton Herriott Vineyards, 120 Jacquier Court in Placerville, is having its Winemaker Dinner in the Cellar on Saturday, March 9. This is a sumptuous dinner created to pair with the beautiful Fenton Herriott wines by Mike Pingree, executive chef and owner of A Bountiful Cuisine. The dining experience starts with an appetizer of grilled polenta topped with mushrooms, sausage, shallots, garlic, fresh herbs, cream and Parmesan cheese. The soup course is southwestern spiced butternut squash garnished with mint and cilantro chantilly. For salad enjoy romaine hearts sliced Fuji apples, goat cheese and fire dried pecans tossed with a cranberry citrus ginger vinaigrette. The main course is charbroiled petit filet mignon topped with a shitake mushroom sauce and jumbo sautéed prawns served with a fresh fruit salsa, served with a potato gratin and seasonal vegetables. To end the meal a chocolate bread pudding topped with a raspberry port sauce will be served. Cost is $59 per person. To order tickets go to fentonherriott.com.

 

Bunco for a cause

On Sunday, March 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friends of Animal Outreach will have a bunco event to raise funds at Animal Outreach, 6101 Enterprise Drive in Diamond Springs. This is a fun time for an important cause. Buy-in is $20 and there will be food, drinks, prizes and fun. Reservations are needed and can be made by calling Maryann at 530-903-9086. during the week to confirm your space.