Tidbites | Week of August 21, 2014

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SEED SCHOOL 

Biopiracy. No, it’s not the title of a late summer blockbuster, but a term that refers to the commercialization of products based on natural resources, like seeds. Ever heard of Monsanto? You know, that giant international corporation that genetically engineers seeds, places patents on them and then sues farmers for patent infringement when the wind or bugs carry GMO seeds onto their farms? Yeah, those guys are biopirates. But you can learn how to fight biopiracy through a one-day crash course in the history, art, craft and science of seeds at the Dairy Center for the Arts Saturday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seed School in a Day will cover why you should save seeds, a bit about seed biology, terminology, basic seed saving, seed cleaning and storage as well as seed enterprises such as exchanges, libraries and businesses. The $75 course will include hands-on and interactive activities as well as a locally sourced, organic lunch.

For tickets visit https://tickets.thedairy.org/ Online/rmsa

SPICY BEER 

Also this Saturday, Aug. 23 — perhaps after you learn how to swashbuckle biopirates — you can head on over to Left Hand Brewing Company to knock back a Jalapeno Cream Ale. This concoction is the Longmont-based brewery’s submission for this year’s Great American Beer Festival Pro-Am competition. The contest allows a professional craft brewery to scale up and brew a batch of an awardwinning recipe from an American

Homebrewers Association member. Emily Armstrong, the marketing and PR coordinator for Left Hand, says they’ll be adding 80 peppers total to the brewery’s 60-barrel batch.

Kegs will be tapped at noon with 12-ounce pours selling for $5.25 and growlers going for $14. And as if this wasn’t enough fun, there’s a food pairing contest — attendees may bring a homemade dish to pair with the Jalapeno Cream Ale. Bartenders must receive dishes by 5 p.m. on Saturday for hopeful cooks to be eligible to win. The prize? A ticket to a Saturday, Oct. 4 evening session at the Great American Beer Fest in Denver. The fest is sold out, so you may want to get cracking on a killer recipe if you wanna get in on all that foamy fun.

For event info visit www.lefthandbrewing.com/events/pro-release-party-jalapenocream-ale/

ALES4FEMALES 

Monday, Aug. 25 it’s ladies only at Left Hand Brewing with the Ales4Females event, where women get together for an evening of beer education and discussion. Members of the brewing industry delivery a holy message about the nectar of the gods while attendees enjoy tasty grub paired with a craft beer from Left Hand.

This Monday, attendees will get to hear Ro Guenzel, Left Hand’s head brewer, talk about the history and traditions of Germany’s Oktoberfest while enjoying pints of the brewery’s fall seasonal, Oktoberfest Märzen Lager.

Lori’s Cuisine will be appropriately serving up Obatzda and Schnitzel, with vegetarian options available. Tickets are $12 and available online at www.lefthandbrewing.com/ event/ales-for-females/

LONGMONT LUCKY’S COMMUNITY SUMMIT 

To celebrate their first anniversary at their Longmont location, Lucky’s Market will be holding a Community Summit on Aug. 22 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Xilinx Summit Retreat Building at 3100 Logic Drive in Longmont.

Participants from Longmont’s nonprofit community will receive resources to aid their organization’s efforts. Training and other demonstrations will be held for attendees so they can more effectively serve the community and make an impact.

More than 75 CEOs, executive directors and staff from nonprofit organizations in Longmont are expected to attend, including Bo Sharon, the CEO of Lucky’s, Eric Hozempa, executive director of the Longmont Community Foundation, and Kathy Weber- Harding, president and CEO of the Longmont

Area Chamber of Commerce.

— Caitlin Rockett