FOR PASSOVER

APRIL 19-20
ELLE WINE COUNTRY RESTAURANT: For Passover, which begins at sundown April 19, dine in or order takeout. When: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Where: 3048 E. Broadway Price: varies Info: 327-0500, www.ellerestaurant.com

APRIL 20
SABRA MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT: This kosher restaurant is offering a seven-course Seder dinner for Passover. The complete menu is on its Web site. Reservations required. When: Call for times Where: 4210 E. Speedway Blvd. Price: $34.95 Info: 795-6060, www.sabraaz.com

NORTHWEST PASSOVER SECOND NIGHT SEDER: Presented by Temple Emanu-El at El Conquistador Country Club, this traditional Passover Seder, led by Rabbi Benjamin Sharff and Cantorial Soloist Leona Mitchell, features an elegant dinner of Roasted Lamb, Potatoes Duchesse, Salmon Gefilte Fish and a Chocolate Marquise dessert. A vegetarian menu option is available. When: 6-8 p.m. Where: 10555 N. La Cañada Drive Price: $49 general, $36 temple members, $18 ages 6-12, $5 ages 5 and younger Info: 327-4501, www.templeemanueltucson.org

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

THROUGH MAY 5
SLEUTHING IN YOUR SUPERMARKET: On Mondays through May 5, Kitty Ufford-Chase, faith community coordinator for the Community Food Bank, will lead the five-session course Learning to Shop with a Conscience in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson’s awareness meeting room. Each session will address issues surrounding food and faith. Topics include supermarkets from middle-class and low-income perspectives. The fee for the class is to cover supplies. Scholarships are available. Any money left over will go to the food bank. Registration required. Payment may be made by credit card by calling Jean, 748-1551. When: 6:30-8 p.m. Where: 4831 E. 22nd St. Price: $15 Info: 326-8831, mike-greenbaum@qwestoffice.net

APRIL 16
DINE OUT FOR SAFETY: The 12th annual event supports the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. Participating restaurants donate as much as 20 percent of diners’ lunch and/or dinner bills to SACASA. Times and prices vary by restaurant. A list of restaurants, participating times and other details are at http://dineoutforsafety.com

APRIL 18
CAT’S MEOW FUNDRAISER: Muttropolis at La Encantada hosts this fundraiser for the The Hermitage Cat Shelter, with a live auction of more than 20 paintings by cats. Wine, hors d’oeuvres and music are included. When: 6-8 p.m. Where: 2905 E. Skyline Dr., Suite 168 Price: $50 Info: 571-7839

CELEBRATE CHILDREN 2008: This event in the St. Philip’s Plaza courtyard benefits Strength Building Partners. It features foods from Acacia, Blue House Catering, Blanco Tacos + Tequila, Bluepoint Kitchen, Chris’ Café, Claim Jumper Restaurants, Famous Sam’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Vivace, wines provided by Fox Restaurant Concepts, a silent auction and live music. Alan Michaels of KWFM (1450 AM) is master of ceremonies. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: 4280 N. Campbell Ave. Price: $50 Info: 546-9296, www.strengthbuilding.org

APRIL 18-19
NOCHE DE LAS ESTRELLAS: This event, presented by Sunnyside High School at its auditorium, begins April 18 with the “Reina y Rey de las Estrellas,” featuring a pageant and talent contest. Starting at 11 a.m. April 19 in Plaza Garibaldi. Students from Sunnyside Unified School District, the Southwest and Mexico showcase their talents. Booths with traditional food, drinks and carnival games are part of the festival. The event closes with the “Noche de las Estrellas – La … Poca de Oro” concert. When: 6-9 p.m. April 18 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 19 in Plaza Garibaldi; concert 6-10:30 p.m. April 19 Where: 1725 E. Bilby Road Price: Free admission to all events except for concert, which is $8 in advance and $10 at the door Info: 545-5427

APRIL 19
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION: Sustainable and environmentally friendly products and fresh cuisine from local vendors are part of this celebration at Wild Oats Market. Children’s activities include planting an organic herb garden to take home, raffles and a free earth toy. When: noon-3 p.m. Where: 3360 E. Speedway Blvd. Price: free Info: 795-9844, www.wholefoodsmarket.com

APRIL 24
MEET CHEF LANDEEN: Meet chef Jonathan Landeen of Jonathan’s Cork at Desert Sports & Fitness as he shares a few of his secrets for easy, healthy recipes. When: 1-2 p.m. Where: 2480 N. Pantano Road Price: free Info: 722-6300

APRIL 25
ARTWORKS ACADEMY BENEFIT: The music of American Indian flutist R. Carlos Nakai and a silent auction are part of this Tucson Museum of Art benefit for the ArtWORKS Academy, an alternative high school for at-risk teens talented in the visual arts. Hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and the auction open the festivities, followed by a performance by Nakai, a seven-time Grammy Award nominee. The highlight of the silent auction is an original work donated by award-winning Western landscape painter Dale Strong, valued at $25,000. Original paintings, prints, sculpture and glass art by Tucson artists such as Miles Conrad, Daniel Martin Diaz, Simon Donovan, Maurice Grossman, Joanne Kerrihard, Tom Philabaum, Joe Rebholz, Carrie Seid and David Tineo, plus art books and art-related items are in the auction. When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: 140 N. Main Ave. Price: $25 Info: 624-0595 Ext. 10, www.tucsonpimaartscouncil.org

CONSCIOUS GOODS ALLIANCE TOUR: This nationwide tour promoting conscious lifestyles stops at Wild Oats Market. The public is invited to come aboard the self-sustaining bus that runs on recycled vegetable oil for learning and tasting. When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: 3360 E. Speedway Blvd. Price: free Info: 795-9844, www.wholefoods.com

APRIL 26
JANOS WILDER COOKING CLASS IV: Wilder, chef-owner of Janos and J Bar at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, introduces “The Great Chiles Rellenos Cookbook” and demonstrates four recipes from it, each exploring different techniques and styles of chiles rellenos. He will sign copies of his book following the class. When: 1-3 p.m. Where: 3770 E. Sunrise Drive Price: $50 Info: 615-6100, www.janos.com

FESTIVAL OF THE SUN SOLAR POTLUCK & EXHIBITION: At Catalina State Park, eat solar-cooked food and experience solar-powered music, family activities, solar arts and discussions with community experts during this outdoor celebration. New this year is a food drive to benefit the Community Food Bank. Please bring a nonperishable item. The public is invited to bring their own ovens and join in the cooking or bring “solar” food to share (salad, watermelon, berries). Ice is always welcome. Bring your own eating utensils (plate, bowl, fork, spoons, etc.) and help make this a waste-free event. Wear comfortable shoes, a brimmed hat and sunscreen. When: 9:30 a.m. deadline for oven setup; 5 p.m. potluck begins Where: 11570 N. Oracle Road Price: Park entrance fee waived for this event Info: 749-3538, http://citizensforsolar.org Directions: From Tucson, go north on state Route 77 (Oracle Road) to Mile Marker 81and turn right at the park entrance

MEET THE AUTHOR: GARY PAUL NABHAN: At Antigone Books, Nabhan will discuss and sign copies of his new book, “Arab/American: Landscape, Culture, and Cuisine in Two Great Deserts,” which explores how the seemingly disparate Arab and American cultures are bound to each other in ways many may have never imagined. When: 7 p.m. Where: 411 N. Fourth Ave. Price: free Info: 792-3715, www.antigonebooks.com

MAY 2 DEADLINE

RESERVE NOW: “DINING IN THE DARK”: This May 10 inaugural event at Desert Diamond Casino Hotel benefits Sun Sounds Arizona and features an evening to allow sighted people the opportunity to experience dining without sight. Upon check-in, diners receive a gift bag and free drink ticket for the no-host bar. The event begins with music by harpist Joel Taylor and a silent auction. Around 6:30 p.m., guests will be given blindfolds and taken into the dining area by sighted guides, including local celebrities such as Joan Lee, Jeff Davis and Betsy Bruce, who will stay at the tables to help guests. Dinner will be served at 7, with the menu of an appetizer, entree and dessert revealed at the end of the evening. Free wine will be served. Cele Peterson is guest of honor and Gov. Janet Napolitano is scheduled to attend. Guides also will assist with purchasing drinks at the no-host bar. Anyone with food allergies should notify the casino. All proceeds benefit the local Sun Sounds of Arizona station. When: May 2 registration deadline; 6 p.m. May 10 event begins Where: 7350 S. Nogales Highway Price: $125 Info: 296-2400, www.dininginthedark.org

MAY 21-SEPT. 17
PRIMAVERA COOKS! 2008 SERIES: Primavera Foundation and Tucson Originals offer apprentice chefs the opportunity to work with a local chef in preparing a meal and wine list and serving it to a group of diners. It costs $250 to be an apprentice chef and $125 to dine. Dates and participating restaurants are: • May 21 Janos • June 2 Feast • June 11 Dakota Café • June 25 Acacia • July 16 Rio Cafe • Aug. 6 Pastiche Modern Eatery • Aug. 20 The Cup Café at Hotel Congress • Sept. 10 Cuvée World Bistro • Sept. 14 Kingfisher Bar & Grill (brunch) • Sept. 17 Jonathan’s Cork. Reservations, inquiries and payments can be made by calling David Elliot at Primavera (not restaurants) at 623-5111 Ext. 101. Proceeds from the event benefit programs at Primavera, which addresses issues of poverty and homelessness. Info: www.primavera.org/ events_cooks.php

APRIL 26
MY NANA’S SALSA CHALLENGE: This culinary event at Tempe Beach Park is a fundraiser for the Arizona Hemophilia Association and features restaurants, businesses and individuals competing to make the best salsa in various categories. Attendees can sample the salsa. The event also features live, local acts. Entry deadline is April 23. When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Where: 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe Price: $10, free for children 11 and younger Info: 602-955-3947, www.salsachallenge.com

MAY 2
CELEBRITY WAITERS DINNER: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society presents the 23rd annual BHP Copper-sponsored dinner to benefit the Pima County programs of patient aid, public education and research of LLS. At Doubletree Hotel Reid Park, the dinner is in memory of former University of Arizona football coach Larry Smith who recently lost his battle with leukemia. It includes a silent and live auction. When: 6 p.m. no-host cocktails begin, 7 p.m. dinner Where: 445 S. Alvernon Way Price: $60 advance, $75 at the door Info: 800-568-1372 Ext. 12

SPECIAL ONEG SHABBAT: This special celebration of Shabbat at Congregation Anshei Israel begins with a Mincha/Kabbalat service, followed by a catered Shabbat dinner and a presentation by Alex Nava, professor in the University of Arizona’s Religious Studies Program, titled “Religion and the Problem of Good and Evil.” When: 5:45-9 p.m. Where: 5550 E. Fifth St. Price: $18 adults, $15 ages 4-11 Info: 745-5550, www.caiaz.org

MAY 3
FLOWER POWER: This fundraiser at the Peter & Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic features tastings of flower-themed dishes created by Tucson original chefs, including Albert Hall of Acacia, Tom Mead of Terra Cotta and Jonathan Landeen of Jonathan’s Cork. Food and wine tastings and a silent auction are the warmup to the main event – a live auction featuring original works of art from some of the most accomplished artists in the region. Proceeds benefit the Fasseas Cancer Clinic. When: 6 p.m. Where: 3838 N. Campbell Ave. Price: $175 Info: 694-6599, www.umcfoundation.org

TASTES OF THE SANTA CRUZ VALLEY WORKSHOP: At this daylong workshop at Desert Diamond Casino, learn the food histories of the region and producers and retailers of heritage foods. Event organizers hope to foster stronger connections between producers, retailers and consumers. Participants include local food producers, restaurants, grocers, food banks and nonprofit groups. Scheduled presenters are Suzanne Nelson of Native Seeds/SEARCH, Carolyn Reyes of San Xavier Farmers’ Coop, Janos Wilder of Janos and J Bar, Gary Nabhan, director of the Southwest Center of the University of Arizona, Jesus Garcia of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, native foods and permaculture consultant Barbara Rose of Tucson and Jim Griffith, a research associate at the Southwest Center. The registration fee covers a lunch from the casino’s Agave restaurant, featuring heritage foods. When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. workshop, 3-5 p.m. exhibition Where: 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita Price: $25 Info: 520-429-1394, www.santacruzheritage.org/ foods/workshop

BIRTH MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON: Over Mother’s Day weekend, Christian Family Care Agency will recognize birth mothers who have placed their children for adoption. Please call to RSVP or for more information. When: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Where: El Parador Restaurant, 2744 E. Broadway Price: free admission Info: 296-8255

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Unless noted, no reservations are needed and prices are per person and do not include tax or tip.

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