Wine and Food Weekend (not yet!)

Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend 2012 has announced four area charities that will be its beneficiaries:

• The Council for Children’s Rights (Weekend funds will go to the individual advocacy pProgram, to help abused and neglected children);

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (funds will provide hundreds of backpacks with food to children in need for a school year);

• Charlotte Community Health Clinic (funds will pay for basic expenses including medicine and medical supplies); and

• Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center (the Weekend will partially fund the family advocates, who help children directly and offer after-hours emergency response for families in need).

The every-two-years Weekend holds its official kickoff for the 2012 season this April 16 (yes, 2011) at the NASCAR Hall of Fame with Randy Lewis of Lewis Cellars, a former race driver. But April 15 is a Lewis vintner dinner at Zebra. Tickets are available now at www.charlottewineandfood.org.