In the news this week & San Diego local food events not to be missed

Here's what they're talking about in the local news. (Scroll down to the bottom for upcoming local food events!)

School’s market will sell students’ produce: Escondido High’s agriculture program, the second largest in the nation, is opening up its own farm stand, Cougar Market, to sell their students’ organic produce, flowers, and eggs (from free-range hens). The students will be running the stand, making the decisions, and collecting about half the revenues. Next year they will also be selling fruit from the school’s orchard. Shop at the market on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. between the football and baseball fields off of Broadway on the north side of campus.

Nationally Known: “Ariana Johnson, the creative head bartender and co-owner of Modus Supper Club in Banker's Hill was featured on Playboy.com as one of America's Top 10 Bartenders. The article touted her cleverly named libations that feature seasonal ingredients plucked from the farmers market and unusual spirits.”

Animal welfare groups start Calif. push to restrict confinement of chickens, pigs, calves: "Animal welfare groups plan this week to start collecting the nearly 434,000 signatures they will need by Feb. 28 to qualify the initiative for the November 2008 ballot. The measure would force farmers to change current practices that keep most egg-laying hens, veal calves and pregnant pigs in small cages or boxes for most of their lives. It would require that enclosures be big enough for the animals to fully extend their wings or legs, lie down, stand up and turn around." While a couple of those quoted – chicken farmers and a writer of industry guidelines – were adamantly against any change in how chickens or other animals are housed, the article did not pussy-foot around the horrendous conditions in which most animals live. Unfortunately, there is nowhere online to sign the petition. This is old style. Go here to learn more.

California begins new water year for measuring precipitation: October marks the beginning of a new water year. “Predictions of a lower than average Sierra snowpack and continued dry weather in Southern California make a wet winter crucial to water supplies...The Department of Water Resources will measure rain and snow in the Northern Sierra and other key watersheds. They'll use those measurements to forecast how much water will be available for the spring and summer - the heaviest months of water use.”

Upcoming Events:

Alice Waters Book Signing: October 14, 12-3:00 p.m. Alice Waters will be at The Book Works in Del Mar for a book signing of her latest cookbook “The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution.” This event will also feature a wine tasting by The Wine Connection and a cheese tasting by Venissimo Cheese.

Fall Grilling Culinary Class: October 16, from 6-9:00 p.m., attend the Fall Grilling workshop offered by Delyte’s catering. They will be grilling with local, seasonal foods and pairing it all with local Stone Brewing Company beer.

Harvest Festival at La Milpa Organica: November 3, all day. La Milpa Organica is sponsoring a harvest festival all day the first Saturday of November. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to visit this wonderful farm!