You know the post-holiday lull is finally over when there are almost -- almost -- too many things going on. Not a bad thing, especially when you like a few eating options.
Today through Sunday, celebrate the Year of the Ox at Phoenix Chinese Week's Culture and Cuisine Festival. The food pavilion serves all kinds of Chinese treats -- dumplings, noodles, and even vegetarian items -- from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Check it out at the Chinese Cultural Center, 668 N. 44th Street (just south of the 202). The event is free, but parking is $5.
The Glendale Chocolate Affaire also takes place today through Sunday, with chocolates from three dozen purveyors, tours of Cerreta's candy factory, crafts, kids' activities, and live music. The free event also doubles as a symposium of romance novelists, so there will be book signings and a variety of writing workshops as well (there's even one called "Blogging 101"!). Everything happens in downtown Glendale's Murphy Park (58th Avenue and Glendale Avenue) until 10 p.m. tonight, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
And if you still haven't made the trek out to Queen Creek Olive Mill -- or just need an excuse to return -- check out the Olive Oil Festival, which runs through February 15. On Saturday, a lot will be going on between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.: live music, wine tastings, and displays of work by local artists. On Sunday, there will be live music from noon to 2 p.m. The Mill is located at 25062 S. Meridian Rd. in Queen Creek.
