Short Orders: Feast of Caring raises cash for the city's less fortunate
It goes without saying that times are tough right now. But for some, times are worse than tough.
To that end, Greensboro Urban Ministry's 17th annual Feast of Caring will be held Thursday at First Baptist Church (1000 West Friendly Ave., Greensboro).
Drop in between 5 and 7 p.m. for a simple meal of soup and bread. No reservations are necessary.
The event begins the annual operating fund campaign. When you make a pledge of $20 or more, you get a handcrafted pottery bowl donated by area potters or four Honor Cards -- prints of a painting by local artist William Mangum that can be filled out to "honor" someone.
Also, William Mangum's 2008 Honor Card titled "First Light" will be unveiled and made available.
More than 2,000 people attended last year's event, which raised $79,200.
For information, call Greensboro Urban Ministry at 271-5959.
Chick-fil-A (5901 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro; 854-5411) at Guilford College is celebrating 10 years with some specials.
Today, it's "Shake a Date" from 5 to 9 p.m. Buy two meals and get two milk shakes for free.
On Thursday, a brownie or a small ice cream comes with each meal.
All the stops are pulled out Saturday during a special event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children may enjoy horse rides, an inflatable slide, face painting and lots of giveaways.
Open house at bakery
See springerle cookies, gum paste "people" and other holiday goodies being made during an annual open house at Maxie B's (2403 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro; www.maxib.com) from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
In addition to samples of holiday confections (snowballs and sea-foam candy, Christmas cake, chocolate-dipped strawberries), children can decorate cupcakes or listen to stories while enjoying a chocolate-chip cookie and a glass of milk.
Wine-tasting benefit
Enjoy a beer- and wine-tasting while viewing art by students of Exceptional Friends Art Studio with a special event from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Earth Fare (2965 Battleground Ave., Greensboro; 369-0190).
The event is a benefit for the Family Support Network of North Carolina (http://fsnnc.med.unc.edu), which helps families of children with special needs.
Holiday outlets offered
What are the holidays without a glass of wine or mulled cider and a hunk of sharp cheddar cheese and a beef stick to go with it?
Hickory Farms once again has opened holiday retail outlets for shopping convenience. In Greensboro, stores are at Friendly Center and Four Seasons Town Centre. In Asheboro, you can find one at Randolph Mall (1437 E. Dixie Drive).
Hours for each location are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through December.
For information, call 852-5034 or visit www.hickoryfarms.com.
French wine in spotlight
On the third Thursday of November, the Beaujolais Nouveau, a light red wine made from gamay grapes, is released in France. Beaujolais Day is the celebration of the first wine of the new harvest.
On Thursday, in honor of this French tradition, Print Works Bistro (702 Green Valley Road, Greensboro; 379-0699) will be serving Beaujolais Nouveau and a few menu specials for lunch and dinner that pair well with the wine.
Visit www.printworksbistro.com.
Grab-and-go comfort food
Street food is comfort food. Whether it's a hot dog from a cart or a taco from a taqueria, there's just something about these grab-and-go goodies.
Jibaro Latin Café (401 Tate St., Greensboro; 273-9788) is offering some new street food items that include pasteles, a mashed green banana and plantain pie stuffed with pork; alcapurrias, fried taro and green banana croquettes filled with beef; and papas rellenas, deep-fried potato balls stuffed with beef and pork.
Jibaro also is offering holiday catering, including pavochon -- a Puerto Rican-style roasted turkey that just falls off the bone -- and roasted pork.
Visit www.jibarolatincafe.net for a menu.
Have restaurant news for Short Orders? Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or cwilson@news-record.com.
