Practice safe grilling

Just as the grills are getting stoked for prime cookout season, the American Institute for Cancer Research has issued its annual warning: Grilled foods may raise the risk of cancer.

I was tempted to chuck the news release in the trash and continue with my blissful charbroiled ignorance, but there is some good information in the brochure about limiting your exposure to potential health hazards.

The good news: You don’t have to give up grilling.

Muscle meats (including poultry and fish) are the highest concern; grilled vegetables and fruits present a much lower risk. One of the most effective ways to potential cancer-causing compounds is to marinate meat or vegetables before grilling. According to the AICR studies, it can reduce the formation of cancer-causing compounds by some 92 to 99 percent.

Here are some of the AICR’s other tips for “safe” grilling:

• Grill veggies instead of meat. Or, try veggie burgers, pizza, tofu or grilled fruit.

• Pre-cook meats in the microwave, then grill briefly for flavor.

• Keep meat portions small so they cook quickly. Skewered kebabs grill the fastest.

• Flip frequently. Research shows it can help prevent the formation of potential cancer-causing substances.

• Remove all charred or burnt portions of food before eating.

For more information or to read the brochure “The Facts About Grilling” go to www.aicr.org. You can order a single free copy by calling (800) 843-8114.

Savor the sunset

If you’ve forgotten how beautiful the Spokane River looks in light cast by the setting sun, pencil in a picnic at Arbor Crest Cellars this summer or early in the fall. Starting Sunday, Arbor Crest opens its exquisite grounds for picnics and sunset concerts. Arbor Crest provides the venue and the music. You buy wine from the tasting room and bring the picnic fixings. (No outside alcohol or anyone under 21 is allowed.)

The music begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at sunset each Sunday through Sept. 25 (except on Aug. 21 when there won’t be a concert because of the Glass on the Grass event).

After that live music continues inside the tasting room. A schedule of the music can be found online at www.arborcrest.com or watch the weekly event listings in The Spokesman-Review’s 7 section on Fridays for more details.

Summer winery tours

Grande Ronde Cellars and Mountain Dome winery will be open for tours and tastings 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays for the rest of the summer.

The wineries have a tasting room in downtown Spokane and usually are open by appointment only and during special events. The wineries are located at 16315 E. Temple Road. Call 928-2788 for directions.

The tasting room, called the Wine Cellar, is in the Lincoln Center at the corner of Lincoln Street and Second Avenue. It’s open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.