Wine Anniversary
CataVinos will celebrate its first anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 6, with a grand wine tasting event from 4 to 8 p.m. Eight distributors will be on hand to pour tastes of 24 wines. The event is free, and attendees can purchase wine for $15 a bottle or less, along with accoutrements, at 3063 N. Alvernon Way; 323-3063.
Chinese Moon Festival
The Moon Festival (also called the Mooncake or Mid-Autumn festival) falls on Sunday, Sept. 14. It is the second-most-important Chinese festival and is celebrated around the world every year when the moon is at its maximum brightness. Chinese people celebrate with dancing, feasting, moon gazing and mooncakes, which are available at the 17th Street Market, located at 840 E. 17th St.; 792-2588.
Eat Local Challenge
Join the Eat Local America Challenge, presented by food co-ops around the country, including the Tucson Food Conspiracy Co-op. Participants are asked to eat 80 percent of their food from local sources, to add one local ingredient to each meal, or to try more local products every week. The Tucson challenge dates are from Sept. 15 through the end of the month. Learn more about the challenge at the Co-op Web site. Read my recent "Desert Locavore" article for more ideas.
Brunch Is Back
The blues, brews and BBQ brunch at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort returns on Sunday, Sept. 7, to the Canyon Café. Brunch kicks off with an updated interior, to the sounds of Arthur Migliazza, a fantastic boogie-woogie blues and jazz piano player. Enjoy slow-cooked ribs, locally brewed beers, skillet cornbread, a buffet of plenty and a fountain of chocolate. The cost is $32 for adults, $12.95 for children, and free for kids 6 and under; tax and gratuities are not included. Call 615-5496 for reservations; the brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 7000 N. Resort Drive.
Closed
Bar 58 and Bistro at 4280 N. Campbell Ave. in St. Philip's Plaza closed last week.According to an e-mail, Mona Lisa Corleone Restaurant at 6632 E. Tanque Verde Road closed Aug. 31. The bar and nightclub are open without food for another week; 751-7447.
