GRUB CRAWL

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12, Art on the Ave community festival journeys through 10 blocks of Tacoma's 6th Avenue District offering rows of artisan vendors and live music with the culinary arts getting a nod too in the annual Grub Crawl. Participating restaurants will offer delectable, portable nibbles for attendees to nosh for a cool six bones. These joints are in competition to be proclaimed AoA Grub Crawl royalty and will be judged by a group of celebrity judges who will be sampling the eats and deciding which is the most delicious, locally sourced, mobile meal. Participating restaurants include Jazzbones, O'Malleys, Dirty Oscar's Annex, Gateway to India, Southern Exposures, Asado, Legendary Doughnuts, Ice Cream Social, Cork and North China Garden. Whew, fueling a day celebrating the arts community will be no sweat.

WINE DINNER

Wednesday, July 16, Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge (454 St Helens Ave., Tacoma) will host a Winemaker's Dinner with Va Piano Winery. Enjoy five courses, each paired with a wine, such as seared duck breast with braised fig, fennel risotto and butter poached asparagus complemented with Va Piano Syrah. Dinner is $85 and begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required at 253.683.4115.