Happening at Claire's and around Hardwick

Local Food: Native Brown Trout have made their way over from Mount Foot Farm in Wheelock. Steven is grilling them whole from snout to tail, served with greens, sweet cherry tomatoes, zucchini and herbed brown butter.

Local Beverages: With Sunday’s new dinner hours, we’re bringing back Summer Sunday Specials on draft beer, cocktail, and wine. Monday bar specials will continue as well. Come down for a pint of Vermont’s finest or a cocktail shaken up from local ingredients. Until July 26, you can also follow the Tour de France or the Red Sox every day after 2:30 on our flatscreen TV while you enjoy your favorite thirst quencher.

Thursday Music: We are pleased to have East Hardwick favorite Jacob Clark back for a return engagement. You can preview his music and enjoy his hypnotic voice at www.myspace.com/jacobpclark.

Local Events: The Galaxy Bookshop welcomes novelist Jim Lynch on Friday, July 10, at 7 pm, to celebrate his new work, Border Songs. The Galaxy staff recommends this read as one of their all-time favorite books.

This Saturday, July 11, at 9:30, naturalist, artist, and teacher Susan Sawyer leads a “Non-flowering Plant Walk” along the Hardwick Trails. For more information, contact Norma Wiesen at 472 6517.

After you enjoy the lush foliage, head up to Craftsbury Common to walk among the Antiques and Uniques, and maybe pick up a few choice items. The 39^th Annual festival runs from 10-4, benefiting the fire department and local services for children and families.

Summer’s swinging. Is there a better way to end a busy weekend than with a cocktail or pint, and a bowl of calamari at Claire’s?