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WhistlePig Happy Hour at TOWN Bar + Kitchen
Thursday, April 11, 5–7 pm
WhistlePig Whiskey will be offering $12 “Piglet Flights” and WhistlePig Rye “Pig-Hattans.” (A previous version of this article mentioned that real baby piglets would be making an appearance on the rooftop patio; however, this portion of the event has sadly since been cancelled.) If you can’t make Thursday night, there’s also an upcoming WhistlePig Dinner at TOWN on April 25, where creatively porcine courses will be paired with WhistlePig whiskies. Tickets for the April 25 dinner are $115 and available online. TOWN Bar + Kitchen, 80 Elm Street, Morristown; 973-889-8696
Pairing the Coasts: Atlantic Seafood & Oregon Wines
Saturday, April 13, 1–2 pm
Far Hills Seafood has been operating with a sustainable mentality for longer than most—the now Newark-based company opened its doors in 1982. Oregon’s biodynamic and organic Montinore Estate started in 1982 as well—and this Saturday they’re coming together at the NJ Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort for their “Pairing the Coasts” seminar. For $45 you’ll get an hour of fish, shellfish, and biodynamic wines to match. Get your tickets here. The Highlands Tent, Crystal Springs Resort, 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg; 866-348-0958
The Grand Tasting and After Party at the NJ Wine & Food Festival
Saturday, April 13, 7–10 pm
If there’s one event to prioritize on your Jersey foodie spring calendar, Saturday’s Grand Tasting at the NJ Wine & Food Festival might be it. Yes, it’s a hefty ticket price ($150), but that buys you access to prepared dishes and bites from more than 40 top-tier chefs, with wine, beer, and spirits to accompany the feasting. Chefs like Ariane Duarte (Ariane Kitchen + Bar), David Viana, Heather Bertinetti Rozzi (Stella Artisan Italian), Kevin Felice (40North), Leia Gaccione (South + Pine), Robbie Felice (Viaggio and Osteria Crescendo), Seadon Shouse (Halifax), and Sean Hutchinson (Crystal Tavern)—to name a few. No less than the 32-piece David Aaron Orchestra sets the mood. If you can’t make any of the festival events (it runs April 12 through April 14), here’s how to get the most of the gathered Garden State talent. Reserve your tickets online. Crystal Springs Resort, 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg; 866-348-0958
Donate Life Month with NJ Sharing Network
April 2019
For many New Jerseyans, typical pizza nights and casual trips to the movies will have special significance in the month of April. All month long, the NJ Sharing Network will be partnering with local pizzerias and cinemas during its SaveNJLives initiative to spread awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation. Pizzerias in New Jersey towns with the most residents on the organ and tissue donation waiting list will use special pizza delivery boxes to highlight the urgent needs of their very own communities (that includes places like Jersey City, Denville, Paterson, Forked River, Edison, Metuchen, Bayonne and East Orange). Also in communities of high need, the NJ Sharing Network will air a 30-second film among previews at area movie theaters to educate moviegoers on the subject. And area diners, coffee shops, bagel shops and 50-plus hospital partners will be using specially branded #SaveNJLives coffee sleeves during the month. The goal is not only to raise awareness but to encourage sign-ups by highlighting the close-to-home, in some cases very close-to-home, need.