Jazzy dining

Sip pinot noir, nibble an appetizer and unwind to the sounds of Noir, which will play live jazz at Opus in Bangor from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 10 and 24. Also, the deck is open, which means you can enjoy freshly made mojitos and halibut ceviche with plantain chips under the stars. For information, call 945-5100.

Milk money

The historic Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft, the Game Loft in Belfast, and a traditional dance outreach project in Lewiston have been named semifinalists in Garelick Farms’ Over the Moon Milk Dream Big contest. The contest will award $25,000 for the dreamer who shows the most creative way to make their community a better place. To vote for any of these projects, visit http://www.overthemoonmilk.com/contest/entries.php. Individuals can submit one vote per day through June 15th. The grand prize winner will be announced at the end of June.

Cooking contenders

Dine in style – for a good cause – at the Lion’s Den Restaurant at Penobscot Job Corps Center in Bangor. At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 16, a fund-raising dinner will be held to help send three students to the SkillsUSA 2005 National Championship in Kansas City, Mo., the week of June 20. The students aim to raise more than $2,000 to send Cory Farnum, 21, of Peru, Maine; Diego Palmeras, 25, of Meriden, Conn.; and Eric Allen, 22, of Winchester, N.H. to compete in the categories of welding, promotional bulletin boards and technical computer application, respectively. The menu will include a choice of grilled, spice rubbed, semi-boneless chicken, served with toasted pecan stuffing, chicken demiglace, and Tennessee-style corn bread, or crab stuffed flounder with lobster Newburgh sauce. Tickets cost $10 each and are available by calling Mike Jellison at 1-800-949-1937 ext. 196. Seating is limited.

A bottle (or four) of red

Feeling inspired by “Sideways”? Check out the Pinot Noir Dinner at New Moon in Bangor, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 13. Among the menu highlights are pan-seared pepper-crusted tuna on a bed of “pomegranate glee” paired with a 2000 Calera Central Coast pinot noir; Pacific salmon gravlax with dill sour cream, capers, sea salt and lemon oil, paired with a 2000 Elk Cove Willamette River Valley pinot noir; pinot noir sorbet; and a pan-seared duck breast with caramelized shallots, phyllo and mushroom cigar, and red wine jus paired with a 2001 Domaine Roulot Monthelie Burgundy. Dinner costs $75 per person. For information or reservations, call 990-2233.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.