Charlie pulls out the stops after award

There were big doin's at Adele's Restaurant and Lounge on Monday night. The restaurant, long recognized as a Carson City gem, recently received the Distinguished Restaurants of North America's "Award of Excellence."

Chef and co-owner Charlie Abowd was on hand to share the news, as were some of the finest foods this side of France. He served a stunning seven-course dinner to members of the media and friends, with wine expert from Capital Beverages Carl Ceccarelli serving as witty, impromptu master of ceremonies.

Abowd took advantage of the night to serve his guests samples of his new pizza menu, thin-crusted pizzas with oven-roasted peppers or artichoke hearts - tasty and not too heavy. Those shops serving thick-crusted, doughy pizzas better thin down before Adele's takes away their business. Abowd based his pizzas on a visit to Portofino and Santa Margharita, Italy, and as a former resident of Naples, Italy, I can testify that he got it right.

Eight outstanding wines were included for the night, including a Sobon Orange Muscat dessert wine that was fabulous. As always at Adele's, service was impeccable, and Abowd, a fourth-generation restaurateur of Lebanese background, was a charming if busy host. After all, he had a business to run.

And the seared-ahi tuna with tequila-lime marmalade reduction was a bold touch. Thanks, Charlie.

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Friday, you can get a close look at the east side of Carson City that you'd never get from wandering about alone. Members of the Charles W. Friend East Side Tour of Carson City, led by the Carson City Preservation Coalition, act as guides for this outing. I did it once and was stunned by the history all around us that we never notice in our daily rounds. We'll meet (I plan to be there) at 9:30 a.m. at the Capitol steps. A modest $5 per person (children free) includes the Charles W. Friend booklet. It'll take about 21Ú2 hours. Need to know more? Call 267-2557.

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Looking ahead, the fourth annual Harvesting Hope Fashion Show is coming up Nov. 7 at the friendly Carson Nugget. The event salutes cancer survivorship. Yes, it costs $40 per guest, but it's open seating so you can select a lively-looking partner and sit down. The festivities start off with a noon social hour then a healthy lunch (after all, this is sponsored by the Carson-Tahoe Hospital Foundation). Then comes the fashion show. Make your reservation by Monday at 883-3308.

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Jazz keeps happening at the Comma Coffee these days. The Mile High Jazz Band and vocalist Sheryl Adams will be joined b local poets for an evening of November Jazz and Poetry 8 to 10 p.m. Nov. 9.

"Poetry readings have captivated audiences at our previous Jazz and Poetry events," said David Bugli, leader and pianist for the 17-member Mile High Jazz Band. (He also does classical concerts.) "The poets choose poems that relate to the musical selections in interesting and sometimes unexpected ways. For the November event, we're going to add a new feature poetry and prose, inspired by the big-band music and created on the spot."

Now, that sounds interesting. I have a few old poems kicking around that might be fun to read at one of these affairs. I once won $75 with a poem at ol' Ohio University; wonder if it still makes sense. I know the woman who inspired it does.

Contact Sam Bauman at sbauman @nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.