Keys to the kitchen

The Vinery, a piano bar and eatery in Blue Hill, is open for the season from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (the bar stays open till 10 or later). The Vinery serves light fare, such as Ming’s Asian Chicken Salad with cucumber, fresh pineapple, toasted cashews, and a zesty ginger-lime dressing; Tom’s special blackjack babyback ribs, finished with a splash of Jack Daniel’s; and fresh cod cakes with celery, scallions and herbs. There’s a full bar and nightly drink specials, and The Vinery features live entertainment most evenings. For information, visit www.arborvine.com or call 374-2441.

Summer sips at Sea Dog

What do blueberry beer and the Red Sox have in common? Both can help the Jimmy Fund. From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 30, The Sea Dog and Burby & Bates are teaming up for a cocktail and beer tasting at the Bangor restaurant?s banquet and conference center. Tickets cost $10 and all proceeds will benefit The Jimmy Fund, which supports the fight against cancer in children and adults through Boston?s Dana Farber Cancer Institute. For information or tickets, call the Sea Dog at 947-8009 or Burby & Bates at 866-2533.

Sprinkle, sprinkle little star

Want to make everything you eat a little healthier? Try Maine Sprinkles, an all-natural organic blend of ground flax, pumpkin seeds, whole oats and soy nuts developed by Deb Lindsay of West Enfield. Simply sprinkle it on yogurt or ice cream, add it to bread crumbs while making chicken or pork, or toss it in salads. To introduce the Sprinkles to the public, Lindsay is holding a recipe contest. Current users are encouraged to send their recipes or tips for incorporating sprinkles into their regular diet, along with their name, address and phone number, to: Maine Sprinkles, Recipe Contest, Dept. DL, 1607 Main Road, West Enfield, ME 04493 (deadline is June 30). An array of prizes, including a tub of sprinkles, tote bags, recipe cards, recipe booklets and aprons, will be awarded. For a free sample and recipe card, send a self-addressed business-size (No. 10) envelope with 83 cents postage to the above address. For information or store locations, visit www.mainesprinkles.com.

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.