Add some Peruvian flavor to New Year’s Eve

My husband, a 4-year-old imprisoned in an adult body, gets so excited when he eats grapes, it’s like every time is a revelation – the very first time ever.

When we were contemplating marriage, I figured that was a reasonably good sign he wouldn’t easily tire of me.

Given this particular fruit enthusiasm, I think I’ve found the perfect New Year’s Eve activity for him.

At Andina, a Peruvian restaurant in Portland, matriarch Mama Doris will guide guests through the Peruvian tradition of eating 12 grapes starting at the stroke of midnight.

Each grape represents one month of the year to come, and I’m guessing Tom can symbolically eat his way through 2008 in about 10 seconds flat.

Peruvians also mark the holiday by dressing in yellow and carrying an empty suitcase around the block to signify future travel and adventure. Mama Doris will happily lend you her luggage if you’d like to give the custom a try.

Andina’s chef, Hernan Castañeda, will do his part with prix fixe menus throughout the night.

If you show up for an early seating (between 5:30 and 6:30), you’ll feast on a three-course dinner accompanied by gypsy jazz. Your meal, and half a bottle of wine or champagne, will ring in at $75 to $185 per person.

Later (8:30 or after) you can spend a little bit more while listening to the Toshi Onizuka Trio. The same three-course, half-bottle shtick runs between $85 and $195.

But special guest Luciana Proaño will dance in traditional costume from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Can you really put a price on that?

To learn more, visit www.andinarestaurant.com. Or you can just go ahead and make your reservations at (503) 228-9535.

Come see Wenatchee

Wenatchee really, really wants to see you.

And to entice you, they’ve compiled a list of upcoming events, hoping something, anything, will strike your fancy.

I’ll dutifully lay out your options, and the rest is up to you.

Here goes:

The Flake Festival welcomes the first day of December with a chance to “enjoy Wenatchee’s winter beauty.” Organizers pass out hot chocolate and apple cider during the evening parade, which concludes with the lighting of the town Christmas tree.

For more information, try www.cityofwenatchee.com or (509) 664-3392.

Moving forward to Feb. 23, the oddly named Hog Loppet Ski Trek takes center stage.

The Wenatchee folks claim that “Loppet” is Swedish for “high country ski trek,” so I guess the name of their event is really “Hog High Country Ski Trek Ski Trek.”

Regardless, the 21-mile cross-country ski adventure will take you from the top of Mission Ridge to Blewett Pass.

According to the optimistic organizers, “Intermediate or better Nordic skiers will enjoy the camaraderie and the challenge.” They further reassure you that you’ll find the terrain generally level with a long descent into the pass.

To get in on the action, call (509) 548-6217 or check www.skileavenworth.com.

Finally, in the planning ahead department, we have the Mariachi Northwest Festival, ostensibly June 18 to 21.

(You may want to check the Web address provided below before you pack the whole family into the car, as the festival organizers appear to be making this thing up as they go along – and the dates could change.)

The festival’s stated purpose is the promotion of cultural awareness, so they’ve programmed an educational component, in the form of three day’s worth of workshops.

These promise “an excellent opportunity to learn mariachi music in a fun and interactive atmosphere that facilitates creativity, learning and a lifelong appreciation of music.”

But if that’s too much work and you’re just looking for a good time, you can attend the two gala concerts, marvel at the stunt rope stylists from Mexico and the United States, or browse through booths offering music, posters, food and cultural items.

To get additional information, go to http://whs.wsd.wednet.edu/faculty/mariachi/ or call (509) 662-9634, ext. 315.

Regional events

•Festival of Trees, Nov. 28-Dec. 2, Billings. The town rolls out decorated Christmas trees for your viewing pleasure, along with Santa’s workshop, a holiday boutique and a craft fair. (www.visitmt.com/406-252-9799)

•17th Annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair, Dec. 1, Livingston, Mont. Billed as “family fun day,” the fair offers holiday shopping, “home style” food, “country crafting” and more. (www.visitmt.com/406-222-4185)

•Winter Garden Aglow, Dec. 7-Jan. 5, Boise. The Idaho Botanical Gardens get all dressed up with a “spectacular” display of light and color. (www.idahobotanicalgarden.org/208-343-8649)