Local events as of January 31st

Maine Events Calendar: February 2009
There are many February flings going on this month in Maine. Lots of hearts, valentines, and chocolate! This is a great month to try out a cooking class, make plans for that garden (yes, spring is coming!), or attend a canine cocktail party. Try something on our events calendar to relieve that cabin fever. Less than 50 days until spring!
As always, if you have an event you'd like posted, email us at blog@mainefoodandlifestyle.com

Stone Turtle Baking and Cooking School Breakfast Breads Class- February 1 10am-4pmLearn the art of baking bagels, English muffins, and scones!
Chocolate Extravaganza! Sunday, February 1 12-4pm
Kennebunk Town Hall, 1 Summer St. Kennebunk www.winafreewedding.com will be at the Feb 1st 2009 Chocolate Extravaganza passing out mini engagement rings to all the little girls that want to grow up and be brides one day! They will be passing out mini chocolate ice cream cones to the public as part of the festival. Winafreewedding.com is hosting a huge event for a lucky couple to be married in the Kennebunks with the cost of the wedding entirely free. Details will be given out at the Chocolate Extravaganza!
Thai Culinary Retreat Camden Harbour Inn Monday, February 2 83 Bayview Street CamdenFor those who can’t make it to Southeast Asia this winter, the Camden Harbour Inn and its award-winning restaurant Natalie’s are preparing to spice up winter with a Thai culinary retreat. For information or reservations, visit www.camdenharbourinn.com, or call 207-236-4200.
Do It Yourself Series: Bake Your Own Sourdough Bread Class Tuesday, February 3 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wolfe's Neck Farm, 10 Burnett Rd. FreeportCome learn how to make your own sourdough bread at home.
Garden Lecture Series- Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at noon Merryspring Nature Park, 30 Conway Road Camden. Come dream your garden!
Animal Welfare Society at the Maine Home Show Saturday, February 7
Cumberland County Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Square PortlandEighth Annual Chocolate Fest and Silent Auction February 7 from 7-10 p.m. at Skidompha LibraryOnce again, Damariscotta River Grill is supporting the annual Chocolate Fest and Silent Auction, an event to support Healthy Kids!, a program to prevent child abuse and neglect in Lincoln County. The event will feature live music, a silent auction, champagne, and chocolate treats from Hirsch’s restaurant and other area participating restaurants. Tickets are available at Maine Coast Books, Stars Fine Jewelry, and Skidompha Library. In support of the event, Damariscotta River Grill is offering a 10 percent discount to pre-event dinner guests who present their Chocolate Fest tickets. For more information about ChocolateFest, contact Healthy Kids! at 207-563-1818. Romantic Dinner for 2: Hartstone Inn Cooking Class February 7 & 8 Chef Michael Salmon will help you learn the art of a romantic dinner for your sweetheart.Portland, ME – The 19th annual “Maine Home, Remodeling & Garden Show”” will take place Feb 7-8 this year at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland. This year’s event will feature over 170 diverse vendors, displays and artisans, over a dozen live demonstrations by well-known Maine chefs and confectioners, and several home seminars with a focus on Green and money-saving strategies. This year’s “Meet the Chefs” series, a popular component of the Maine Home, Remodeling & Garden Show in recent years, will take place throughout both event days. Scheduled chefs and sous-chefs include Bryan Dame from the Inn at Ocean’s Edge (Lincolnville), Esau Crosby from Solo Bistro (Bath), Chris Geer from Vignola and Cinque Terre (Portland), Rick Hirsch from Damariscotta River Grill (Damariscotta), and Dave French from Gritty McDuff’s (Portland). Barbeque master Dennis Sherman, creator of authentic, Texas-style barbeque sauces and rubs from “DennyMike’s ’Cue Stuff” in Maine, will share barbeque tips for both indoor and outdoor grilling. Margaret Salt McLellan, winner of the 2008 Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition, will be featured, as well.Attend a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fair Sunday, February 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. in your community and learn about CSAs, become acquainted with local seasonal foods, buy a sharein a farm's weekly harvest, and discover how you can grow a relationship with a Maine farm. Community Supported Fisheries (CSF) will also be represented in some locations. For more information, contact MOFGA Organic Marketing Coordinator Melissa White Pillsbury, 207-568-4142, melissa@mofga.org
Cellar Door Vineyard's Valentine Chocolates Class with Nutmeg Foods February 8 11am-2pm In this cooking class, you will learn the art of making everyone's favorite food (chocolate of course!) from Maine's own Nutmeg Foods (makers of fabulously fine chocolates and truffles). This class will be held at the Vineyard, Sunday February 8, 2009 from 11am-2pm. Call 763-4478 to reserve your spot in this delicious class!
Flavors of Freeport Sunday, February 8 various locations in Freeport cuisine tastings, dance lessons, a wellness fair, music performance and more; benefits the American Heart Association.
“Meet the Artists” event during the 6th annual “Chocolate Bash” February 11 6:30-7:30 pm Freeport Community Library, Freeport The Freeport Art Club will exhibit artwork for viewing and for sale at the Freeport Community Library from February 2 through February 28, 2009. The club will hold a “Meet the Artists” event during the 6th annual “Chocolate Bash” evening program on Wednesday February 11. The evening program includes live music, chocolate tasting and a dessert raffle.
4th Annual Dine Around the World Food & Wine Tasting Extravaganza Thursday, February 12
Holiday Inn By the Bay, 88 Spring Street PortlandBring your appetite for food and fun to the Holiday Inn by the Bay for the 4th Annual Dine Around the World Food & Wine Tasting Extravaganza!
Shannon Moss, of WMTW News Channel 8, will host the evening and several local culinary experts will be on hand. Seventeen of the area’s finest establishments from Freeport to the Kennebunks will offer samples of their hearty hors d’oeuvres, tasty international entrees and decadent desserts. Test your palette with a sampling of various wines, place your bids on auction items, dance to local favorite band A Taste of Lace. Cast your vote for the “Taste Bud Awards” in five different categories.
Meet Michael Gagne, Maine Restaurant Chef of the Year 2008, and owner of the five-star Robinhood Free Meetinghouse in Georgetown, Maine. All proceeds from the event will be benefit Gary’s House, a non-profit hospitality home. For tickets, restaurant registration or more information, call Lana Wescott-Plourde at (207) 400-7169 or e-mail WescottL@MercyMe.com.
Valentine's Day Canine Cocktail Party and Dog Kissing Contest 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 12 Planet Dog Company Store, 211 Marginal Way PortlandGeary’s Pint Night February 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.Damariscotta River Grill hosts Rick St. Peter of Geary’s Brewing, who will pour Geary’s excellent Wee Heavy and flagship Pale Ale. Buy a pint and keep the glass!
Free Valentine’s Day Workshop Saturday, February 14 10am to 1pm
Artascope Studios, 352 Cottage Road South PortlandGet crafty and celebrate Valentine's Day with Artascope Studios.Inn on Peaks Island Dining Series Saturday, February 14 7pm The Inn on Peaks Island proudly presents the 2009 Island Dining Series: Valentine's Getaway. A romantic table with Champagne will be waiting for you while Chef Gordon prepares a gourmet meal your Valentine simply won't forget. Gourmet meal and try an award-winning selection of Shipyard Brewing Company beers. www.innonpeaks.comLove at First Sip Saturday, February 14 6 to 8 p.m.
The Freeport Cabaret, 5 Depot Street FreeportWine tasting and live music performances to benefit Hour Exchange Portland
Red, White and Chocolate 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2009
William Fogg Library, 1 Old Road Eliot. Sale of Valentine-suitable items, candies and baked goods; benefits the library.
Valentine’s Day Tea Party February 14 2 p.m.
Children's Museum of Maine, 142 Free St. PortlandCreate the perfect card, decorate yummy cookies, enjoy sweets and sip pink lemonade while listening to a heart-warming Valentine’s story. Reservations required. Valentine’s Day by Candlelight Damariscotta River Grill February 14Enjoy Damariscotta’s most romantic evening. The restaurant is offering a prix fix three-course menu featuring appetizer, entrée and dessert. The full a la carte menu will also be available.
Do It Yourself Series: Blueberry Jam Making Class February 17 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Wolfe's Neck Farm, 10 Burnett Rd. FreeportLearn how to make your own blueberry jam at home!
Gardening workshop February 21 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.Skillins Greenhouse, Route 88 FalmouthLearn about Windowsill Gardening; registration required.
Artisan Bread Making Stone Turtle Baking and Cooking School February 21 10-4pmLearn how to care, feed, and bake off the most basic leavening: sourdough.Lily Bistro Paté Demonstration with Owners Bob and Lynette February 22 1-3pmCome see how they make their famous patés!
Italian Cooking Class: A Journey form Land to Sea February 23 5 to 9pm
Sponsored by the Institute for Italian Studies, Portland“Art at the Grill” Opens Photography Show February 25 4-6 p.m. Marks the opening reception for the latest Art at the Grill show at Damariscotta River Grill. The show will feature photography from David Higgins and Steve Dunn, two local artists with well-deserved, sterling reputations. Higgins’s and Dunn’s photography will be shown through April 6."Everyday Gourmet" Wine Dinner February 25 Classic dinners prepared with a gourmet twist prepared at the Foreside Tavern. Wines to best complement dishes will be served.
Mardi Gras Festivities Damariscotta River Grill February 26Celebrate “Fat Tuesday”. In addition to a zesty Creole and Cajun buffet, Damariscotta River Grill will be serving up Zydeco music from Smokey & Carter, and there will be giveaways throughout the evening. Laissez le bon temps rouler!
The Good Table Cooking Demonstration February 28Karen Ruth, owner of the popular Trillium Caterers, will be doing a special demonstration on Saturday, where you'll learn how to make scrumptious food and dessert items.
“Wine and Tapas Wednesdays” are Back Damariscotta River GrillWednesdays this winter mark the return of popular tapas at Damariscotta River Grill. A special selection of delicious menu items are served at approximately 1/3 portions for 1/3 the price, and make for easy sampling and sharing. Flexible dining at its best: order what you want, when you want it, to suit your appetite.
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