BETHESDA FINE ARTS FESTIVAL, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

This isn't exactly what it sounds like, so don't start running the other direction, thinking you'll need a masters in Fine Art to enjoy this festival.

Instead, "Old Town" Bethesda becomes a market of sorts along Norfolk, Auburn and Cordell Avenues.

That means you'll be able to meet artists, and buy their creations, such as paintings, photos, furniture and jewelry.  Some of these folks have traveled from across the country to be here.

In addition to engaging in cultural pursuits, there will be fabulous food from BlackFinn, Haagen-Dazs, Hard Times Cafe, Mamma Lucia and Yamas Grill (if Yamas has gyros or lamb burgers, grab one!).

There will also be live music.

The hours are 10-6 today, and 10-5 Sunday.

Broaden your mind, and shrink your wallet, at this annual fine art experience in downtown Bethesda.

OUTHIP YOUR HIPSTER

FRIENDS AT THE

BCC SERVICES CENTER

THIS SUNDAY

Next time you're comparing notes with fellow "foodies" in the DC area, you'll be able to one-up them, if you follow my advice. Score bragging rights by heading to the Bethesda/Chevy Chase Regional Services Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane in downtown Bethesda) at 2:30 PM Sunday, for a special, FREE event.

After your friends tell you of their latest culinary adventures, you can amaze them with your new and vast knowledge of "Food and Drink in Medieval Cyprus." That's because you'll have attended the presentation of the same name by food historian William Woys Weaver, from 2:30 to 4:30 Sunday.

Just what sorts of food might one find in medieval Cyprus? Well, according to Weaver's previous tome, Food and Drink in Medieval Poland (I sense a theme here, folks), rare spices and sugar were two major ingredients in Cypriot cuisine. In fact, he writes, sugar came to us from Cyprus, who were introduced to it by the Egyptians.

Those eccentric spices? Labdanum, a resin thought to ward off the bubonic plague, and Monk's pepper, agnia seeds added to monastic dishes.

What else does Weaver tell us?

Forks came from Byzantium to Cyprus. Having taken a course in Byzantine history, this isn't surprising. For the uninitiated, Byzantium was the eastern half of the Roman Empire, and ultimately all that remained of it.

So while Europe in the Dark Ages was pretty much a backward continent of Conan and King Arthur types fighting, monks praying and peasants toiling, Byzantium was living large and benefitting intellectually, culturally and otherwise from its proximity to the Middle East and Asia.

Great books and art were preserved by the Byzantines, and they were able to pass this knowledge, culture, science, and... forks on to us.

And now Weaver will pass it on to you this Sunday, right here in downtown Bethesda.

TAYLOR GOURMET

IS GIVING HOAGIES

AWAY TODAY AT

BETHESDA ROW!!!

Taylor Gourmet! Hoagies!

FREE!!!

What more do you need to know?

From 11 AM-8 PM, the Bethesda Row location of Taylor Gourmet will be giving away FREE 6" hoagies to anyone who comes in.

There will be a raffle and prizes given away, including Washington Capitals tickets. Speaking of tickets, one lucky winner will get their Bethesda parking ticket paid by Taylor Gourmet.