POWER CHECK…Well, it’s May and that means it’s almost summer. (Actually, it’s still April while I’m writing this, you know I can’t try to fool you—although many of you probably think that’s what I’ve been doing all along…but that’s another story.) You can tell the season’s approaching by the number of ads for restaurant and hospitality employees in the papers as local spots gear up for the vacation crowd. Hopefully the increased gas prices won’t deter travelers from visiting our magical corner of the world.

I wonder when the powers that be, whoever they are, will get hip to the fact that maybe it’s time to look for an alternative mode of transportation to this gas-powered auto. As a somewhat serious student of human behavior, I’ve always found it very interesting how arrogance keeps people blinded to various obvious realities. The people in control of the major resources in this world, who arrogantly manipulate everything to suit their own particular idiosyncrasies, seem to overlook the obvious fact that while they are disregarding the overall well-being of the planet, the end results will come down on their sorry souls too. We’re all in this thing together, like it or not.

‘Nuff preachin, time for teachin’. We ought to thank Quail Lodge. I get press releases all the time about happenings in and around these parts and it is obvious that Quail Lodge is the biggest player around when it comes to letting groups use their facility for tournaments, festivals, you name it. Now, I’m sure they get paid, it’s business after all, but the fact is Quail Lodge is open to allowing its beautiful facilities be used by outside groups. I say right on to the current administration for their application of Edgar Haber’s grand vision.

Quail events right around the corner include the American Institute of Wine & Food, Monterey Bay Chapter’s 8th Annual Gourmet Golf Tournament. It tees off on Monday, June 6 with an 11am registration, a gourmet appetizer luncheon with premium wines (oh yeah), a shotgun start at 12:45pm, games of skill and chance, then a sit-down dinner. There’ll be prizes, live and silent auctions, plus honored dinner guest Michel Escoffier of France (great grandson of legendary Auguste Escoffier, who is kind of like the original superstar chef and wrote the book on cooking that everyone still studies today).

Dinner will be prepared by Mark Ayers of Pacific’s Edge, Rick Edge of Club XIX, Beil Piferoen of Highlands Inn, Jeff Rogers of the Covey at Quail Lodge and Cal Stamenov of Marinus. Hello. The whole deal is $225 before May 7 or $250 after. Either way, it’s a bargain. If you’re not a golfer and want to just hit the dinner, it’s only $65. That’s like stealing. It helps the AIWF Monterey Bay Chapter’s scholarship fund so go, have fun, play golf and help a kid go to school. Call Mary Chamberlain at 624-0830 or Joanne Monroe, 625-3562.

LITTLE BIG FUN…Speaking of Rick Edge, he’ll be with Rich Pepe on May 11 at the Salud Lifestyle and Cooking classroom next to Whole Foods for the next “Pep Talk.” This is a great series that brings you right up close to important food and/or wine folks in a cool, intimate setting. Check out www.wholefoodsmarket.com for more info.

It’s almost here. Paraiso’s ultra cool day of wine, food and crazy flying machines is this Saturday, May 7. Don’t know if there are any tickets left but if there are, jump on them. Call Jennifer Murphy “Rodeo” Smith at 678-0300. Don’t waste time online at www.paraisovineyards.com, get a human working on it.

It’s only a month away. The fourth annual Monterey Beer Festival is moving to the Monterey Fairgrounds. We’ve already got commitments from over 50 breweries. We’re going back to the original intent of this event, which was to make it the best craft- and micro-brewery festival in this part of the country. With the move to the great lawn in the Fairgrounds, we can offer easier parking, more space, better facilities and most importantly—more breweries. I know you’ll love the selection of available beers from all over the world.

You can buy tickets online now on www.localwineevents.com; just scroll down to the date, June 4, and click on the link. Tickets will also be going on sale around here at Bay Books in Monterey, Zeph’s One-Stop in Salinas and Wild Thyme Deli in Marina in about a week. The price is 20 beans in advance, $22 online and $25 at the gate. That gets you your beer, entertainment and fun. Food is available for sale. Call 373-2843 for ticket updates or other info.

May 21 is the Steinbeck Country Wineries 12th Annual Spring Fest. Nine wineries will be hosting visitors from 11am to 4pm for this annual fun time for wine lovers. Many will feature complimentary appetizers and entertainment so call Jennifer Murphy “Grand Ole-Opry” Smith at 678-0300 or jmsmith@paraisovineyards.com.

Cooking for Solutions, the great weekend of foodies and winos dedicated to sustainable growing, fishing and living practices is set for May 20-21. Martin Yan and John Cleese are two of the heavy hitters this year. Find out more at www.montereybayaquarium.org or 648-4800.

IN OTHER BUSINESS…Karen Anne Murray, owner/chef/caterer/etc. of Eddison and Melrose in Sand City, has launched Karen Anne’s Granola. She makes them all fresh herself with great ingredients and in different flavors. Get it there or at Grove Market, 5th Avenue Deli, Monterey Produce, Clementine’s Kitchen (Hi Dave and Drew), the Farmer’s Market, Shopper’s Corner in Santa Cruz…go girl go. Call Eddison and Melrose at 393-9479 or visit eddisonandmelrose.com.

Locally owned C’oeur D’Olives has a new Web site, www.coeurdeolives.com. Check it out for info about their wonderful products or call Les Cooper at 625-1692.

See ya.