Local Food: With the celebration of Passover in mind, Steven prepares a dish of chicken liver that takes off from flavors and textures inspired by the Seder plate. Starting with sautéed liver from chickens raised at Pete's Greens, Steven adds a sauce that combines horseradish, cider vinegar from Square Deal Farm, maple syrup from Sweet Stone Maple Farm, and Empire apples from Champlain Orchards in a variation on the bitter herbs and sweet charoset that recall the signficance of the holiday. The tender morsels of liver are served over polenta and then topped with our housemade pickled ramps that suggest karpas, which is celery dipped in vinegar or salt water. Matzoh bread from Patchwork Farms provides the final note.

Around the Galaxy: Baron Wormser, former Poet Laureate of Maine and now our neighbor, kicks off the 2011 event series at Galaxy on Tuesday, April 19th at 7pm. He will read from his new volume of poetry, Impenitent Notes. Celebrate National Poetry Month and Baron Wormser at Galaxy on April 19th.

Music Notes: Dan Haley is Mister Casual will perform the "world's most beautiful songs" on Thursday, April 14 at 7:30. Check out their 100% original chord garden of acoustic/electric art-pop with clever lyrics, innovative harmonies and tuxedo shirts.

Local Events: Registration for 2011 Hardwick Community Garden plots is now open. Plots are 20 x 30 and cost $20. A potluck meeting for new and returning gardeners is Wednesday, April 20 at 6:00 at the Center for an Agricultural Economy. Contact Elena at center@hardwickagriculture.org for more information.

Democracy Matters & the Office of Sustainability at St. Mike's College host a panel discussion on local food movements on Tuesday, April 12 at 7:00. Hardwick area panelists include Ben Hewitt, author of The Town that Food Saved, and Mike Bosia, St. Mike's political science professor and Claire's co-owner.

On Thursday, April 14th area residents can learn more about and help shape Hardwick's e-Vermont projects at a forum at the Town House at 7PM. To find out more about the meeting, contact Lisa Sammet at the Jeudevine Memorial Library at 472-5948 or by email at jeudevine@hotmail.com.

Reminders: We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. Claire's is closed every Wednesday. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check- credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!