Beef Value Cuts

The beef industry’s checkoff-funded New Products Initiative is dedicated to increasing the value of the chuck and round and stimulating the development and launch of new, innovative products containing beef and veal. The Beef Innovations Group is a team of experts who collaborate and conduct activities that provide the industry with product ideas and tools to make their new beef products successful. Members of the team represent more than 200 years of combined new products experience, including meat and food scientists, operations experts, marketers, chefs and culinary professionals who have worked in the meat packing, processing, packaged goods, foodservice and retail industries.

For information about how to use value cuts from the chuck and the round visit the beef innovations group website.

The Term 86'ed

Many years ago, Chumley's Restaurant, at 86 Bedford Street in Greenwich Village, New York City, had a custom of throwing rowdy customers out the back door. Chumley's building dates to the 1830s and was originally a blacksmithery. According to legend, in the pre-Civil War era it was a stop where escaped slaves could find a haven (there was a black community on nearby Gay Street). During Prohibition, Chumley's was a speakeasy owned by Leland Stanford Chumley. It also served as the headquarters and printing office of the International Workers of the World (or the "Wobblies") in New York. When the Wobblies held their meetings in the front room of the restaurant and the cops were on the way, someone would shout "86," and they would all exit through the back door.

Chumley's is probably the only major bar or restaurant in New York City that has never had a sign or marking of any sort on its exterior to mark its presence. Yet most Greenwich Villagers know where it is, officially 86 Bedford Street just north of Barrow, and most nights, it's packed.

Green wine?

With Boho Vineyards’ new line of popular wines in three-liter wine casks made from 95 percent recycled Kraft paper and using only soy-based inks, concerned consumers can give their favorite alcoholic beverage an eco-friendly upgrade. Available in vintage-dated Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot varietals, the wines will stay fresh up to six weeks after opening, as the Bag-in-Box packaging keeps harmful air out, according to San Francisco-based Boho, which is distributed by Underdog Wine Merchants, a division of The Wine Group, Inc. The suggested retail price for the nationally available wines is $24. For more information e-mail Patricia Schneider at patricia9@comcast.net.

Oldtown Salinas Farmers Market

The Oldtown Salinas Farmers Market will expand its operations to include a Wednesday evening market starting this week on the 200 block of Main Street. The market hours are 4 to 8 p.m., but the block will be closed to traffic from 3 to 9 p.m.

For the first week, the market will include seven farmers and street displays from Main Street boutiques. Hullabaloo Restaurant will also have a wine-tasting during the market.

Local artists will display their work on the street, and there will be tents set up for children's art projects, said Trish Sullivan of the First Fridays Art Walk, who is also helping coordinate the Wednesday Oldtown Farmers Market.

Heller Estate Organic Vineyards Takes 5 Medals At International Green Wine Competition

A gold medal was awarded to the 2004 Dancers' Meritage. A silver medal to the 2003 Estate Merlot and the 2007 Chenin Blanc; a bronze medal was earned by the 2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon as well as the 2006 Chardonnay at the event held in Santa Rosa.

The label, "Dances on Your Palate", has received acclaim throughout America and Europe. This label was inspired by the 15 foot high, bronze sculpture by Toby Heller, overlooking the vineyards. The label was designed by Toby Heller and Michael Bolton, and received the Jerry Mead Gold Medal Award in the New World International Wine Competition. The motto, "Magical Wines That Dance on Your Palate", was also inspired by this sculpture.

The Carmel Valley vineyard was certified organic in 1996. For information, see www.hellerestate.com or call 659-6220.