A GOOD TIME FOR A GOOD CAUSE, PT. 1: This Sunday is an important event at the Beach Club in Pebble Beach. Jeffrey Jake, executive chef for Pebble Beach, will oversee this year''s Feast For AIDS. This yearly fundraiser, put on by the Monterey County AIDS Project, is one of the many essential elements of MCAP''s tireless efforts in helping HIV and AIDS victims and their families to face the financial as well as emotional burdens levied by those afflictions.

Wayne Johnson, executive director of MCAP, is a beloved figure in this community as all who have interacted with him can attest. His Herculean efforts along with many volunteers and supporters keep MCAP functioning as a beacon of hope providing services like free HIV testing, support housing, food programs, transportation, outreach and education.

For this special event, Chef Jake has assembled a stellar lineup of local chefs, each volunteering his/her time and creativity so that diners will dig deep into their donation funds to help MCAP continue it mission. The roster of chefs reads like a who''s who of local talent: Elias Lopez, Craig Von Foerster, Boris Ilabaca, Cal Stamenov, Ingrid Rohrer, Jerauld Regester, R. Kent Torrey, Benjamin Brown. Each chef will prepare a separate segment of the dinner, with Maestro Jake orchestrating everything.

The particulars are as follows: Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Beach and Tennis Club in Pebble Beach on the eve of World AIDS Day. Tickets are $195 per person and all proceeds go directly to MCAP since all the food wine and services are donated. There will be live and silent auctions, dancing and a champagne reception. Everything gets under way at 6pm and black tie is an option. To reserve your place, contact Wayne Johnson at 394-4747 ext 18 or email him, wayne@mcap.org. If you cannot attend, send donations regularly to this important and noble organization.

A GOOD TIME FOR A GOOD CAUSE, PT. 2: JR Brewski''s, in Gilroy, will be kicking off its drive to assist Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose. Beginning on Friday, Nov. 28 until Sunday, Dec. 22, JR Brewski''s will donate one dollar of the purchase price for each of its special Cream Cheese Chocolate Decadence sold. Second Harvest Food Bank assists people who are hungry in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. For each dollar donated, Second Harvest will be able to provide two meals. Please stop by JR Brewski''s and buy a boatload of that dessert or call them at (408) 847-9024 to find out how to help.

HOLIDAY WINE TRAIL: With the harvest and crush finished, wineries in Steinbeck country are settling down to the long, beautiful winter season. But don''t think they''re not planning activities. Check out Paraiso Vineyards and the great Holiday Boutique where you can find an assortment of gift ideas for all your family and friends, taste delicious wines and hang out in one of the most beautiful places around. In fact, hit the whole wine trail throughout our territories and sample the fun and tastes of all the wineries. Check out steinbeckcountrywineries.com for more details.

WAKE UP CALL: It''s not always easy facing a deadline. Last night was one of those "I need to act like a madman" kinda nights--actually, it began at lunch and sort of went straight through. I don''t know what happens, sometimes I just get mental. So now it''s 5 o''clock in the morning, I haven''t had enough sleep and the sleep I did have wasn''t restful, and I''m thinking about blowing off this deadline altogether and filing late...or, hanging in there and finishing now, then going back to sleep for a couple of hours before I have to go to my day job (I know, I know, I won''t be quitting). I think I''ll go to sleep now and file tomorrow...talk to you then.

It''s actually tonight. As luck would have it I''ve got to grind it out and do this before bed--too much to do in the morning. It could be worse, I could be a baker and have to get up in 20 minutes to start baking the bread. I wonder what life is like down in Big Sur Bakery during the early morning hours. Must smell really great. Speaking of Big Sur, if you haven''t yet eaten at The Roadhouse, you''re missing the boat. Great little joint put on by a couple of former Sierra Mar employees who got their chance at ownership. Wonderful food, in a casual, fun setting by committed folks with integrity. Check it out.

BLEEP ESPRESSO MACHINES: Don''t mean to end on a sour note but I was reminded the other day about my number-one pet (like a saber toothed tiger is a pet) peeve in the restaurant business--Espresso machines behind the bar. I am going to organize a "tear out the bleepin'' machines and throw them out onto the dining room floor" protest among all the area''s bartenders. I''m serious. I''m gonna do it. Adios.