Say "American Cheeses"! Come by Tuesday evening to meet author and James Beard Foundation Inductee Clark Wolf, in celebration of his book American Cheeses. The reception includes a cheese tasting that Steven has prepared with some of the most intriguing selections juxtaposing Vermont producers with other Americans, and Clark will include anecdotes and insights from his book about the cheeses. At 7 pm, Clark will be at the Galaxy Bookshop to discuss his book in greater detail and sign copies. The cheese tasting at Claire’s is $10 at the door, and the talk at the Galaxy is free.

Watch for our cheese quiz today and tomorrow on twitter - twitter.com/clairesvt - and find out about the tasting selection

Local Food: Head up to the Rural Heritage Institute at Sterling College Tuesday-Thursday for Food, Farms, and Community: Rural American’s Local Food Renaissance. Participants include local and national leaders in the local food movement, with discussions, field trips, and workshops. Steven joins Eric Warnstedt from Hen of the Wood, Jeff Egan from the Bee’s Knees, and Elena Gustavson from Sterling for a chefs’ panel on local food Wednesday evening. The panel starts at 7:15, after the 6 pm local foods banquet in Simpson Hall. The talk is free, and the dinner is $30. For more information, visit the Sterling College website.

Music Thursday: Local back porch music favorites Copper Kettle will join us this week, offering what they describe as an “almost all girl band with influences from Gillian Welch, The Biscuit Burners and others.”

Reminders: For CSR holders, don’t forget to pick up your new cards – they start this month. And we’re now open on Tuesdays.