HAITI RELIEF

Primo Grill, Crown Bar and McGavick Winery have partnered with Doctor Without Borders to raise funs for Haiti relief. Now through Feb 28, McGavick Winery will donate 100 percent of proceeds of wine sales to DWB, and Primo and Crown will donate $5 for every bottle of McGavick merlot sold.

ICE BLOCK PARTY AT VARSITY GRILL

Where there's beer, there's burping, and where there's beer burping, there's smiling. Beer enthusiasts from near and far will be gathering for the Varsity Grill's annual Ice Block Party Thursday, Jan. 21 from 5-8 p.m. A $10 pass nabs you winter beer samples from the likes of Red Hook Winterbrook, Alaskan Winter, Deschutes Jubelale, Pyramid Snow Cap, Widmer Brrr, Sam Adams Winter, Snoqualmie Avalanche, Rogue Mogul and New Belgium 2º Below. Live music and prizes are also on tap. The Varsity is at 114 Broadway in Tacoma.

HERE'S SOMETHING COOL

MIJAS Transitional Restaurant in Olympia (109 Legion Way SW) is a new social organization conceived by a group of Latina women wanting to help women in crisis of domestic violence. Through working and learning new job skills in a restaurant, titled Chica's Cafe, MIJAS helps empower and increase self-esteem. Currently, MIJAS is only hosting special dinners. The next one - a three-course traditional Mexican meal - will be Saturday, Jan. 23 from 3-9 p.m. For reservations, call 360.951.9982.

WINTER BREWERS DINNER

Salty's At Redondo Beach and Widmer Brothers Brewing Company present a Winter Brewers Dinner Friday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. The menu will be a collaboration of Chef Gabriel Cabrera's cuisine and Beverage Manager Scott McDowell's palate for pairing. They will discuss how and why they selected each pairing, and a brewmaster from Widmer will talk about the beers. Call 253.945.8248 for reservations. Attendees must be 21 or older. Cost is $59 per person.

BEER TASTING DINNER

The Pacific Grill hosts a five-course Chef Tasting Beer Dinner featuring dishes paired with Belgian Abbey beers Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. The cost is $65. Reserve your spot at 253.627.3541.

CRAB FEED

Saint Martin's University will hold its sixth annual "all you can eat" crab feed Friday, Jan. 29 from 5-9 p.m. in the Marcus Pavilion in Lacey. Tickets are $35 before Jan. 15, $40 after. Grab tickets at 360.486.8885.

THE CHEF AND I

Babblin' Babs Bistro will present another chef's dinner, this time featuring dishes Chef William came across when he studied under Chef Michael Foley in Chicago. The dinner is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 31 at 4:15 p.m.  Babs has changed the chef dinner format from European (shared table) to open seating (your own table). The cost is $75 plus tax and gratuity, per person. Reserve your space at 253.761.9099.

THE WAY WE EAT

Tacoma Community College hosts "You'll Never Look at Dinner the Same Way: A Symposium on the Way We Eat" Monday, Feb. 1 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event includes a screening of the documentary film Food, Inc., and will also consider Michael Pollan's book, The Omnivore's Dilemma. It will be held in Building 11 Student Center at 6501 S. 19th St. For more details, call 253.566.5000.