Don’t Be Blue… Welcome to another weekly journ(al)ey through the morass. (I really don’t entirely know what that word means and am not going to look it up, I just like the way it sounds, feels and applies to this sentence, irrespective of its previously appointed use by others who may or may not have had my future needs in mind.) My mind brings with it certain built-in quarks – crosses between quirks and sparks, no relation to actual quark particles – some obvious, some less so, such as the disparity between what atmospheric, stratospheric and ecospheric conditions exist as I sit here unleashing this storm and those that happen to be moving your world around at the moment you are reading it.

The reason for the above ramble has to do with the beautiful day I am observing from my office window. Clear, cloudless, Tarheel-blue skies (If God is not a Tarheel, why is the sky Carolina blue?) contain crisp, fresh, ocean-misted, lung-restorative air, elevating both the body and the soul. I have no way of knowing exactly what your day is like this moment, as you read this. I can only present to you the experience of my moment as I write this and hope that it is enough. If not, there is always the horoscope to fall back on.

Star Turn… Astro-culinarilogically speaking, Jeff Rogers, executive chef at Quail Lodge, is a star. This weekend the Earthbound Farm and the Lifestyle Academy at Quail Lodge, in support of the Eco-Farm Conference and the Farmers Exchange Alliance’s mission, present “For the Love of Food – A Week in Umbria,” featuring two unique dining experiences reflecting the culinary traditions of Umbria. Thursday, Jan. 24, Covey Chef de Cuisine Matt Bolton will offer an intimate, five-course Umbrian-influenced dinner paired with limited-production, hand-harvested Italian wines presented by wine expert Doug “Bianco Grande” McCall. The menu will feature organic sustainable produce, as well as artisanal products. The reception begins at 6:45pm, dinner at 7:30pm.

On Jan. 26, as part of the Farmers Exchange Alliance’s aim to create ongoing relationships between farmers and chefs, Quail Lodge will host leading chefs from the Central Coast to collaborate on a six-course tasting menu for the evening featuring 12 Umbrian farmers as guests of honor. Chefs include Craig von Foerster of Sierra Mar, Brandon Miller of Stokes Adobe, Rick Edge of Lattitudes, Jérôme Veil of Will’s Fargo, Anne Parker-Johnson and Yann Lusseau of Parker-Lusseau Pastries, Bolton of The Covey and Neil Dunn, executive sous chef of Quail Lodge. Contact 620-8820 or quaillodge.com/lifestyle, vai, avanti.

Taq To Me… About seven years ago, I reviewed Taqueria del Mar, a little storefront place on Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey. Back then, it was at the behest of my boy Scott “Almost a Daddy” Thomasen, who has since emigrated to Miami. Taqueria del Mar was good then. It’s still good. I’ve been hearing about it from many different people and it reminds me to get over there to remember it well.

New Guy… Peter Steiner is the GM of the incoming Citronelle at Carmel Valley Ranch. You may remember him from his last stint at Bouchée. He’s a great guy – knowledgeable, patient, mature and wise, all the requirements to oversee a high-profile property. Looking forward to catching the vibe there.

The Fishwife Seafood Restaurants and Turtle Bay Taquerias are offering $7,000 in scholarships to local public high school students from Carmel, Monterey, Seaside and Pacific Grove. The $4,000 New Millennium Scholarship will go to one senior along with four $750 honorary scholarships. Since its inception in 1999, $56,000 has been awarded by Fishwife Restaurants and Turtle Bay. Restauratuer Jefferson Seay continues an eight-year tradition and personal commitment to assist students who may not have the means, but who have the vision and self-discipline to further their education. Applicants must be a seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA (that would have left me out), actively involved in the local community and have overcome hardship and adverse challenges to achieve their goals in life. Applications are available at all Fishwife and Turtle Bay locations and may be obtained from high school counselors. Deadline is March 15. Contact Dale at 375-7108.

Professional Amateurs… Memoirs of the Crosby Clambake showcases the memories of a young Suzanne McCourt, whose father was the renowned amateur golfer Dick Yost. In the 1950s-70s, Yost was a sought-after invitational player, excelling at the Crosby Clambake at Pebble Beach, the Masters, and other top-tier tournaments. Yost and local artist Hank Ketcham, beloved creator of Dennis the Menace, became golfing friends and McCourt and Ketcham ended up in the same Asilomar art class 30 years later. McCourt was well versed in watercolors, Ketcham in figures, and they shared art and ideas as pen pals until Ketcham’s death in 2001. Phillips Gallery is located at the southwest corner of Ocean Avenue and Mission Street in Camel-by-the-Sea. For more information, collectors may contact Phillips Gallery, 626-1617, phillipsgalleries.com.

The Crosby Clambake is right around the corner. I love to hear the old stories about what life was like during those times – and I’d love to hear more (take a swing at ray@mcweekly.com). Think of how cool it must be to be able to invite a huge group of your friends along with a bunch of golf professionals and throw a big weekend tournament/party across Pebble, Spyglass and Cypress… like my man Bing sings in White Christmas: “and I fall asleep, counting my blessings.”