Nominations sought for 2011 Jim Cook Award

Food for Maine’s Future and the Crown of Maine Organic Cooperative are taking nominations for the 2011 Jim Cook Award, which honors food and farming entrepreneurs who reside in Maine.

The sponsors of the award say the award should go to someone with “a slight level of irreverence, an elevated sense of integrity, and above all, a commitment to the quality of the work they produce.”

Two recipients will be chosen for 2011 – one from Aroostook County and one statewide. They’ll each receive $200.

Each voter can nominate up to three people. Include the nominee’s full name and farm, business or other relevant affiliation. The deadline for nominations is April 29. Winners will be announced May 1.

Send nominations to: Jim Cook Award, P.O. Box 51, Sedgwick, ME 04676, or email bobstpeter@gmail.com.

PORTLAND

How sweet it would be to ease pain of Tax Day

There are just 10 days left to get your free “Tax Day Truffle” at Dean’s Sweets, 82 Middle St.

Every year, the chocolatier offers a free truffle to anyone who comes into the store anytime between April 1 and the end of the day April 15. No purchase is necessary.

Taxpayers who want to take their minds off what they’re paying Uncle Sam can choose from 22 different flavors, including rum, maple, blueberry, single-malt Scotch and tequila lime.

For more information, call 899-3664.

FREEPORT

Wine tastings to feature small Northwest labels

See what Northwest wines have to offer during a tasting Saturday at Freeport Cheese and Wine, 178 Lower Main St.

The event, which will run from 3:30 to 7 p.m., is being held by Wayne Clark, a former full-time Maine resident who now lives in Oregon but still has a home here. His ORWA wine brokerage will be bringing wines from small family wineries in Oregon and Washington to Maine, with distribution handled through Devenish Wines.

If you miss this wine tasting, there will be another one from 5 to 8 p.m. April 14 at Vic & Whit’s Sandwich Shop, 206 Main St., Saco.

For more information, visit the ORWA website at orwawine.com.

Baking class to reveal fine art of Fido dough

Want to make some cookies for your best friend? The Prep Kitchen, 491 U.S. Route 1, Suite 10, is offering a “Canine Cookie” cooking class from 6 to 7 p.m. today.

Can’t make it? Two more classes will be held 2 to 3 p.m. April 16 and 6 to 7 p.m. April 21.

Participants will make dough for two different kinds of dog treats to bake at home, and will take home some freshly baked treats along with the recipes needed to make the treats at home.

The class costs $18. Call 865-6377 to reserve a spot in one of the classes.

BRUNSWICK

Local eateries promise a savory Cuba Week

Celebrate Cuba Week with lots of Cuban food and music for 10 days beginning Friday.

Cuba Week is an annual event that Brunswick throws in honor of its sister city, Trinidad, Cuba. As part of the celebration, local restaurants feature Cuban dishes on their menus.

Participating restaurants this year include Frontier Cafe, Bacari, Back Street Bistro, Benchwarmers, Big Top Deli, El Camino, Flipside, the Gelato Fiasco, Henry & Marty Restaurant & Catering, Lilee’s Public House, the Little Dog Coffee Shop, Pedro O’Hara’s, Provisions, Scarlet Begonias, 10 Water St., Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe, and Wildflours Gluten Free Market & Bakery.

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