Tidbits

Are you game?

Highlighting its commitment to the practice of safe, responsible hunting, Unity College will hold its second annual Sportsmen’s Conference 4-10 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts at 42 Depot St., Unity. The conference this year honors the work of Safari Club International, a hunting advocacy organization, for its role in championing wise conservation practices. In the spirit of that organization, the conference will offer an organic wild game dinner from 5 to 7 p.m., also at the Unity Centre. The menu features a menagerie of meats, including elk bologna and sausage, venison cheddar pies, caribou bourguignon, caribou quesadillas, bear meatloaf, moose steaks stuffed with apples and shallots, duck shish kabob and goose marmalade, as well as a few surprises. Tickets are $25 for the entire conference; $20 for the dinner and accompanying seminar. The event also includes an art show, featuring bronze sculptures and fully mounted animals from all over the world. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 948-SHOW.

Farm fresh

Fisher Farm in Winterport is now accepting new members for the 2008 growing season. For $560, you can either pick up (or for $40 more have delivered to Bangor) enough locally grown, fresh organic produce and flowers to feed you and your entire family for the whole week, and then some. Sure, you’re paying upfront, but in return you get quality and taste unrivaled by any store-bought vegetables. And you’re supporting local agriculture. What a deal! Fisher Farm also raises cattle, poultry and pigs, so eggs, dairy and meat are also available, separately from the produce. To sign up for a spring and summer’s worth of delicious veggies, call 478-4803, or visit www.fisherfarmcsa.com.

Ch-ch-ch-chia!

A recent study by University of Toronto researchers has shown that chia, the seed best known for sprouting on ceramic models of dogs, cats and Homer Simpson’s head, is a bona fide superfood. Chia, a grain native to Central and South America, reportedly contains more omega-3 fatty acids than flaxseed, more fiber than bran and more protein than soy. One 3.5-ounce serving gives you as much calcium as three cups of milk, has as much omega-3 fatty acids as 28 ounces of salmon and is higher in antioxidants than blueberries. So not only does it make a delightful holiday gift, but it’s one-stop-eating for extreme nutrition. No wonder it was a staple of the diets of the ancient Aztecs and Mayans. Unfortunately, chia isn’t readily available in grocery stores, though you can buy it at the Natural Living Center in Bangor and at other health food stores in the area. It is not recommended, however, that you buy a Chia Pet and eat the seeds out of the box.