GET READY…Well, I’m starting to return to this solar system now that the Masters of Food and Wine has passed. I’m telling you, next year I’m getting a room at Highlands Inn and I’m attending every single event. Right now, I’ve got to hunker down (that’ll be the only way I’m ever associated with any variation of the word hunk) with the planning of Around The World In 80 Wines for March 23.

It’s been a really interesting experience as Jeff Moses and I go through the step-by-step process. I’ve never been around a better community of folks ready and willing to apply their energy and resources to help when they sense a good idea. Always first came the support of family and friends. Then came the Hyatt, with Mac Gregory really pushing to make this happen. Next, we got great cooperation from the chefs; Greg Grohowski, Andre Legecher, Alberto Bonatelli, Lloyd Morrison, Julio Ramirez, Kerry Loutas, Jon Magnusson, Tracy Griffith, Jeffrey Jake. Plus the wine folks who ply their trade on the Peninsula: Cheryl Warner, Scott Thomasen, Keith Lindstrom, Lester Lopez, Dan Warner (glad to hear your Dad’s OK), Jim Knight, Sidney Irving, Tom Hlasny, and a bunch of importers and other folks. I hope we have enough wine…it’s hard to know how many people to expect. The list of helpful folks keeps growing each day…I’ll keep you posted on how it comes along.

PAVONA AND HAHN…Go to Pavona Wines tasting room, over on River Road, this Saturday, March 6, and find out how Richard Kanakaris has progressed. He and Gil Tortolani of Gil’s Gourmet Gallery will be hosting the first annual Wine & Olive Festival. The event will include both wine and olive tastings along with light hors d’oeuvres, barrel tastings and musical entertainment by Russ Guarino’s Lighthouse Jazz Band. Call 646-1506 or check pavonawines.com.

Further down River Road at Hahn Estates, ole’ Nicky Hahn’s gang is knockin’ ‘em dead around the world. In Dusseldorf (I think that’s somewhere in Europe) at the Prowein trade show wine competition, the Hahn Meritage and the Smith and Hook Santa Lucia Highlands Cabernet Sauvignon both kicked a little international bootie by scoring one-two out of 1,500 other red wines. Plus, winemaker Adam LaZarre got to be there in person to collect the hardware. I thought Europe banned him years ago, especially the Eastern bloc countries. Congrats to all the maniacs atop Hahn Hill… keep up the good work.

MONEY FOR KIDS…Hey, all you worthy high school seniors and the people who know them. Deadline is March 15 to get in your New Millenium Scholarship requests to either Fishwife or Turtle Bay restaurants. A 3.0 GPA, active involvement in the community, have good goals, you know the kind of person they want. Get a leg up, check with your counselor, the restaurants, or call Dale at 375-7108. Do it.

CARMEL AND THE VALLEY…Just got the new schedule of Summerhouse Restaurant’s opera dinners. They’re happening Friday, March 5, and again March 19, April 9 and 18, and May 7 and 16. Call 659-5020 and book one or more. The last dinners sold out so fast I set up a sausage cart outside and sang a few show tunes—made a killing from the spillover. This is pure fun.

Got an email from L.B. in Pebble Beach…”Hey! I have feedback for you on Mulligan’s Pub in Carmel. Been there three times so far—we love it. Comfortable, cozy pub, owners on the floor and friendly and funny. We missed the ol’ Bully III and now something else is there with familiar faces that is fantastic! We’re so glad it’s open. Try it out!” Thanks L.B. Next time put in your whole name so the folks don’t think I’m making this stuff up.

SHOTGUN STYLE…Go talk to Vincenzo down at Pagrovia in PG on Lighthouse. Check out his food, his art and his heart, you’ll be happy you did…Gilroy is doing sushi. Kyong (Chris) Chung has brought a fresh, creative approach to sushi with a focus on taste, textures and spices. Call (408) 847-8855 to find out about it…Had lunch at Serendipity on Alvarado across from the Mucky Duck. Very delicious, homemade stuff, nice ambiance…Check it out.