Crossfade Knows More Than You

So, people here seem to like this band called Crossfade. I'm more of an NPR listener, if my radio is on at all, so I confess to a decided lack of hipsterosity on this issue. I do know though, because I can search the Internet, that their 2006 album Falling Away peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard charts.

What am I getting at, you ask? Why bar trivia games, of course. To wit: trivia guru Jake Wendling is bringing Crossfade to Carolina Wings in the Vista on Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. to play trivia against you. Yes, you! Think you know more than Crossfade? Prove it, chum dumpsters.

Wise Wine Buys

Since few entities mingle more politely than alcohol and philanthropy, Mr. Friendly's is having a Wine for Charity night on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Seventy-five percent of the profits on all wines sold will go toward the Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands, an outstanding local organization aiding abused and assaulted women.

And while I'm on the subject of alcoholic grape juice, if you'd like to expand your knowledge of the ancient art of viniculture (wine residue has been found in jars dating from 6000 B.C. in the present-day country of Georgia), several opportunities exist in the coming days.

At Vino100, which is in the Sparkleberry Plaza next to Za's, you can go this Saturday from 1-5 p.m. for a tasting of Pure Love Estates Shiraz, an Australian product. The following Saturday, Jan. 20, Vino100 will explore the Andean Archer Chilean Wines. Times are the same for both events, as is the price: a meager $3 per person (or $1.50 for wine club members).

At Gervais & Vine, a tasting of the wines of Martine Saunier will be hosted on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. It's a little more expensive ($28), but the wines are first rate and G&V always throws together an impressive menu of food to accompany the wines properly. If you can't make that one, the following Wednesday (Jan. 24), G&V will host a tasting of the wines of Feudi di San Gregorio with a sure-to-be-fabulous three-course dinner for $45.

Cornpone Cash

I love the word cornpone, and I so rarely get to drop it into casual conversation. If you do as well, or at least you think you can cook a mean batch of Southern cornbread, well, there's a contest coming up just for you featuring fabulous prizes.

Personally, the best cornbread (or johnnycake, hoe cake, jonikin, battercake, or any other parochial idiom you prefer) I've had is a jalapeño cornbread recipe my mother used to make that will set your little world on fire at both ends, if you get my drift. Hayo!

The 2007 National Cornbread Festival is seeking recipes for the 2007 National Cornbread festival. To enter your original, main-dish recipe, email it to cornbread@dvl.com by midnight of March 2. Prizes include $4,000 in cash and a 30-inch stainless steel gas range ($2,500 value). All 10 finalists selected will receive $500 in travel money and are guaranteed at least a $100 prize.

Let us know what you think. Email food@free-times.com.