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Mendocino County's annual Wine & Mushroom Festival has evolved into Wine & Mushroom Season for 2006, beginning with a flurry of events the second weekend in November and stretching through autumn's end. Mushroom dinners, wine- and beer-pairing workshops, musical performances, exhibits, and guided mushroom walks are among the activities scheduled. Many restaurants are celebrating the season with special mushroom dishes featured daily. Inns throughout the county are offering special packages with themed amenities. Events will take place throughout the county, from the coast to the inland valleys. A frequently updated list of Wine & Mushroom Season activities can be found at www.goMendo.com. At press time, the following events had already been scheduled; all contact phone numbers are in the 707 area code. All prices quoted are per person unless otherwise noted. THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER Baechtel Creek Inn & Spa Mushrooms, Wine & Spa Package - Where else can you get a mushroom mud and steam therapy body treatment? This package includes that, plus a bottle of Mendocino County wine to enjoy in your room, and two nights lodging. $348 per couple (one room). 459-9063 or 800-459-9911; 101 Gregory Lane, Willits; www.baechtelcreekinn.com. THURS.,
NOV. 9 8 p.m. Piaf: No Regrets - Chanterelle Cabaret by Opera Fresca - Sponsored by the Mendocino Hotel, the 5th annual Chanterelle Cabaret features mushroom delicacies by chef Shana Everhart paired with Parducci Wine Cellars wines, accompanied by beautiful, live music. Held at the Mendocino Hotel, 45080 Main Street, Mendocino. $45. Information: www.operafresca.com, 1-888-82-OPERA or 937-3646. FRI.,
NOV. 10 (Veteran's Day Holiday) SAT.,
NOV. 11 His weekly excursions to collect, identify and research wild plants soon focused more and more on fungi. He joined the Mycological Society of San Francisco, serving on the toxicology and taxonomy committees, and wrote articles on the chemistry of mushrooms. His State Park walks last between two and three hours. $10. 462-7417 or 866-466-3636. 2-5 p.m. Willits Red Wine & Mushroom Taste-Off -- Professional and amateur chefs alike will offer their prepared mushroom appetizers to the public, who will sample and vote on the best. Mendocino County wineries will pour red wine specially selected to enhance mushroom dishes, also for public vote. Willits Community Center, 111 E. Commercial Street in downtown Willits. No fee for participating chefs or wineries; space is limited. $20 per person to taste and vote. Information: Willits Chamber of Commerce, 459-7910; www.willits.org. 2-4 p.m. Romancing the Fungi and Wine Tasting - Join wine buyer John Sverko in the Little River Inn Dining Room for pairing of four Pinot Noirs and mushroom appetizers. $30. Call to register; limited seating. Proceeds benefit the Fort Bragg Food Bank. 7901 N. Highway One, Little River. 937-5942; 888-INN-LOVE; www.littleriverinn.com. 5:30 p.m. Wine & Mushroom Dinner at Brewery Gulch Inn - Savor an entire, exquisite menu emphasizing mushrooms by executive chef Charles Fore, presented with premium Anderson Valley wines. $95. Highway One just south of Mendocino. 937-4752 or 800-578-4454; www.brewerygulchinn.com. 6:30 p.m. Old Mill Farm Mushroom Dinner at Mendo Bistro - Menu featuring sustainably produced lamb, pork and registered organic produce from Old Mill Farm on the Mendocino Coast, a unique, late 19th century homestead. Chef Nicholas Petti will incorporate mushrooms gathered at the family-operated farm, where everything is grown without use of hormones, antibiotics or pesticides. $45. Call for reservations: 964-4974. 301 North Main St., Fort Bragg; www.mendobistro.com. 8 p.m. Piaf: No Regrets - Chanterelle Cabaret by Opera Fresca - Sponsored by the Mendocino Hotel, the 5th annual Chanterelle Cabaret features mushroom delicacies by chef Shana Everhart paired with Parducci Wine Cellars wines, accompanied by beautiful, live music. Held at the Mendocino Hotel, 45080 Main Street, Mendocino. $45. Information: www.operafresca.com, 1-888-82-OPERA or 937-3646. SUN.,
NOV. 12 6:30 p.m. Belgian Beer & Mushrooms Dinner at Little River Inn - Beer is to Belgium what wine is to France; the Belgian product is especially good with mushroom dishes. Enjoy a five-course dinner while you talk fungi with mushroom expert Eric Schramm. $60. Little River Inn, 7901 N. Highway One, Little River. 937-5942 or 888-INN-LOVE; www.littleriverinn.com. 8 p.m. Piaf: No Regrets - Chanterelle Cabaret by Opera Fresca - Sponsored by the Mendocino Hotel, the 5th annual Chanterelle Cabaret features mushroom delicacies by chef Shana Everhart paired with Parducci Wine Cellars wines, accompanied by beautiful, live music. Held at the Mendocino Hotel, 45080 Main Street, Mendocino. $45. Information: www.operafresca.com, 1-888-82-OPERA or 937-3646. MON.,
NOV. 13 SAT.,
NOV. 25 SAT.,
NOV. 18 & SUN., NOV. 19 SAT.,
DEC. 2 SAT.,
DEC. 9
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