It’s time for the fifth annual Wine Cellars of Annapolis Feastival! On June 9th, WCA sets up its tents and serves up 30 wines from winemakers and distributors as well “small plates/tastes” from twenty restaurants, markets and culinarias (I made that word up) from across Annapolis. Tickets are $50 and they’re going fast. Proceeds benefit the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.

Event sold out? If you’re really into wine, you might prefer the Winemakers Tasting the night before, from 7 to 9 at Maryland Hall. It’s real one-on-one time with the winemakers coming in for the event, and your chance to try an extended selection of their wines. Tickets: $75. For more information, click here.

Calloo, callay! Driving home at 7:00 on a lovely May evening and what do I spy? Big red berries proudly beaming in the setting sun, at the produce stand up the road! The local strawberries are in, and the older couple who run the place are just tidying up the yard before calling it a night. "C'mon, Ma, my back is talkin' to me." They'd just put in the sweet potatoes and are already fussing about the corn. I love these people. The berries are everything you want them to be. Fully red, fully ripe, fully...full. As I intend to be soon. Come and get 'em — but not before I do. $3 for a brimming quart of perfection, right on Deep Landing Road. I normally wouldn't share this info, but the season invites abundance and generosity. God bless us, every one!

Last week, I was strolling around Trader Joe's in Annapolis, marveling at the products and prices they offer. Creme fraiche, grass-fed beef, goat brie, on and on, and thinking that if foodies didn't know about this place, they should. So I approached the customer service desk to see if I could schedule an interview. Whew! the iron curtain came down. They simply wouldn't talk to me, handed me a phone number for "corporate," and turned away. 

I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, but conversely, the next day, I visited with Craig Sewell of Cook's Cafe, who talked to me at length about a new project he's working on — reducing the carbon footprint of his restaurant. No fear. More about Craig later. Probably not much more about Trader Joe's later.

Note to self: First weekend in May means Cinco de Mayo.  Kentucky Derby. And bamboo picking! 

In the corner of the woods nearby, somebody, at some point, planted bamboo. Thick around, dense, green, exotic and actually gorgeous. Also -- quite invasive... that is, until we learned how to pick, cook and chow down on the young shoots. Even pickle them, which is fab. The bamboo shoots are up and ready for harvest this weekend. Article to come. But there's a lesson here in how to take a species from sinister to sustainable side-dish. If you can't beat them...um....eat them?