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Briefs: Ice cream fundraiser goes wild at Pittsburgh Zoo

Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Ice cream galore is the reward for the thousands who attend this weekend's Pressley Ridge Wild and Roaring Ice Cream Adventure at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Highland Park. It's the 14th anniversary of the event, which raises money for The Pressley Ridge Opportunity Fund. The fund provides $1 million each year in free care to troubled children and their families.

The event -- 6-10 p.m. Saturday -- features all of the donated Hagan Premium Ice Cream you can eat, paired with novel cookies from corporate sponsors. There will be a scavenger hunt with prizes, and patrons can build sundaes at the Ice Cream Sundae School. Live entertainment and other activities -- plus a visit to the animals -- are included. Ice cream flavors developed by Duquesne Light Co., Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, First Commonwealth Bank, H.G. Baynard & Co. Inc., and Kolbrener Inc. will be judged by a panel of food experts and celebrities.

Admission is $10 per person, $30 for four people. Children younger than 2 can attend free. Corporate sponsors include Hagan, National City Bank, Kolbrener Inc., J.V. Chujko Inc. and Trib Total Media.

A Beast Feast barbecue buffet -- $65 a person, $15 for children 12 and younger -- will be offered from 6-8:30 p.m., featuring live entertainment and visits from special animal friends. The price includes wine and beer for those 21 and older.

Details: 412-231-1662, www.pressleyridge.org

Tomatoes, garlic pair at Phipps fest

"Red, Ripe and Roasted" -- the annual Tomato & Garlic Festival at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens -- celebrates its third year from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Schenley Park. Admission is free with a donation of fresh produce to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank as part of Plant a Row for the Hungry, a national project of the Garden Writers of America. More than 1,500 pounds of produce were collected at last year's event.

The day includes a farmers market, cooking demonstrations by Big Burrito chefs, a salsa tasting, children's activities, garlic roasting and information about gardening and environmental issues. The public is welcome to enter homegrown tomatoes between 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. to be judged in one of three categories: biggest, best-tasting and ugliest. Guests are welcome to vote for the tastiest tomato from 12:30-3 p.m., with an award ceremony at 3:30 p.m.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is open from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission rates are $7, $6.50 for age 62 and older, $5.50 for students with ID, $4.50 for children ages 2-12, and free to children younger than 2 and to Phipps members.

Details: 412-622-6914, www.phipps.conservatory.org

Healthful eating classes set for Market District

Free "Food For Health" seminars have been announced at the two Giant Eagle Market District stores during August, September and October. All of them feature Judy Dodd, a registered dietitian and nutrition and food adviser for the supermarket corporation.

  • "The Gluten-Free Baker" spotlights cookbook author Lori Karavolis, who has developed ways to bake without wheat, rye and barley for those who suffer from celiac disease, a malabsorption disorder. Baked goods will be available for tasting and sampling while Dodd provides nutrition advice and a tour of the store for ingredients, pointing out some of the more than 270 gluten-free items throughout. Both classes are from 6:30-7:30 p.m., today at the Shadyside location, 5500 Centre Ave., Shadyside, and Thursday at the Bethel Park store, 7000 Oxford Drive.

  • "Flavor Up and Salt Down" looks at alternatives to higher-sodium ingredients, with recipe sampling and tips for reducing sodium without losing flavor; a store tour is available. Both classes are from 1-2:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Bethel Park and Sept. 10 in Shadyside.

  • "Meeting the Challenges of Gluten-Free and Food Allergies," offers recipes and tips, as well as a chance to taste products and finished dishes. Both classes are from 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Shadyside and Oct. 8 at Bethel Park.

Details: Shadyside, 412-681-1500; Bethel Park, 412-831-1480; driving directions and more information, www.marketdistrict.com

Mushroom Mania, events set by mushroom club

The Western PA Mushroom Club has announced these meetings and forays during September. All are free and open to the public, except where noted.



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