New Farmers' Markets
The new El Pueblo Farmers' Market opens Saturday, Oct. 23, at El Pueblo Park (101 W. Irvington Road). The grand-opening celebration features performances, appearances by city and county officials and activities to distract the kids while the parents shop for local fruit, vegetables, honey, eggs and other items. The market—one of four operated by the Tucson Community Food Bank—will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Saturday. Call 622-0525, ext. 265, for more information.
The Food Bank has also started a small market at the Southwest El Rio Clinic (1500 W. Commerce Court) from noon to 2 p.m., the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Monica Garcia, the food bank's farmers' market outreach coordinator, says the market is part of a plan to increase access to locally grown food. Officials are also looking for other sites that could benefit from mini-markets.
Beer and Ice Cream
Austin Santos, co-owner and founder of 1702 at 1702 E. Speedway Blvd., expects to start brewing his own beer on the premises before long. Santos will brew two kegs at a time and plans to create collaborative beers with friends at Moylan's Brewery and Restaurant in California and Dogfish Head Brewing in Delaware.
1702 has also been dishing up some mean homemade ice cream lately. Santos donated 30 gallons of his Dogfish Head Brewing Punkin Ale ice cream to the Beer for Brains benefit in Scottsdale, and his habanero-brownie version was featured at last weekend's Great Tucson Beer Festival. Several flavors are currently available.
One Buck Per Shuck
Kingfisher Bar and Grill (2564 E. Grant Road; 323-7739) holds an oyster festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23. Oysters on the half shell will sell for $1 each, and there will be at least a dozen varieties to choose from. "Some say oysters are good for what ails you," reads a quote from Kingfisher's co-owner Jim Murphy. "Casanova reputedly ate 60 a day, and he did all right."
Noshing Notes
The BBQ Classic goes down on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29 and 30, at JW Marriot Starr Pass Resort and Spa (3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.), www.jwmarriottstarrpass.com. ... Tucson's second Red Velvet Cupcakery is open at La Encantada (2905 E. Skyline Drive). ... And the mighty Tucson Culinary Festival takes place from Thursday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Oct. 31; www.tucsonculinaryfestival.com.
