A melting pot of upcoming food-centric events to put on your calendar:

Dining Out for Life, TONIGHT, April 24
This is a national fundraiser for CARES--Center for AIDS Research, Education, & Services. Each of the participating restaurants will donate a portion of their night's proceeds to CARES, so get out there and eat for a cause. To see the list of restaurants to choose from, including Mulvaney's, Dragonfly, and 58 Degrees, visit the CARES site.

Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children, April 26, 1 to 2 p.m., $5, Whole Foods Sacramento
With guest chef and author Ann Cooper (The Renegade Lunch Lady)
This is a lecture and discussion class; open to all ages (and especially parents!). Chef Ann will discuss and educate you on the state of America’s school lunch programs, how to improve children’s meals, and share strategies for parents to become engaged with issues around school food. Learn about the Healthy Kids Meal Wheel, Lap-Top Lunches, and healthy, kid-friendly recipes that can be made at home to ensure your child has wholesome, nutritious, delicious food at school! Chef Ann’s book latest book, Lunch Lessons, will be available for viewing and purchase. She will make delicious smoothies for participants to enjoy during the discussion.

The Stockton Asparagus Festival, April 25 to 27, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., $5 to $10, Downtown Stockton
It's time again for asparitas (that would be asparagus margaritas, of course)! The 23rd annual festival celebrates all things asparagus, and this year all things in eighties music as well. Choose from live shows by the Greg Kihn Band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, or War. Chef Martin Yan will appear each day for a celebrity cooking demo and the World Deep-Fried Asparagus-Eating Competition will be held on Saturday. This is an actual competitive event, with appearances by nationally ranked eating champions like Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas. Get the details on schedule, maps, and Asparagus Alley offerings here.

Scottish Games and Festival, April 26 and 27, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Yolo County Fairgrounds
This year is the 132nd anniversary of this event! It's not specifically a food event, but with a whisky seminar and tasting event and haggis hurling contest, it seems like a fun time. Put your kilt on (even if it's a utilikilt) and dance to the bagpipes. More info here on schedule and location.

Feria 2008: A Night in Spain, April 26, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., $50, St. Francis Church
This benefit for St. Francis elementary school will feature tapas from local restaurants, a paella demonstration, a Spanish wine tasting and no-host bar, flamenco dancing, and desserts by the International Culinary Academy. Get the details at the Feria site.

The Sushi Masters State Finals, June 10, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sacramento Convention Center (Not for 6 weeks, but buy your tickets now)
A celebration of culture and cuisine with artistry and fast-paced competition, this competition features six chefs who have won regional competitions in Sacramento, SF, and LA. This has been organized annually by the California Rice Commission since 2005. The $65 admission price includes event and competition entry, sushi sampling, sake tasting, and cultural entertainment. Ticket and event information can be found at the Sushi Masters Web site. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony Project, which seeks to acquire historic property considered California¹s first Japanese colony, and transition it to a state historical park and interpretive facility that pays tribute to these first colonists and the contributions that Japanese Americans have made to the state.