Eat All About It: Country Mercantile’s Richland store celebrating anniversary June 11

A popular Mid-Columbia grocer known for its focus on local produce and handmade products will celebrate the first year of operations for its Richland location on June 11 with a climb up Badger Mountain.

The first 200 people to reach the mountain’s summit via the Skyline Trail will get a free T-shirt from the Country Mercantile, a news release said. The store, 5015 Ava Way, will have gift basket giveaways, train rides and face painting to celebrate the location’s anniversary.

Customers will also be able to buy one ice cream cone and get another for free as a promotion, as well as a free fountain drink with a sandwich purchase.

Bookmobile to be on hand during Food Truck Friday

Do you keep forgetting to bring your book with you to Food Truck Friday for some lunch hour reading? Mid-Columbia Libraries will have you covered.

The library district’s bookmobile will be parked at the Pasco Farmers Market every Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in coordination with weekly food truck gathering organized by the Pasco Specialty Kitchen.

Library officials are calling the new offering Literary Lunch, and it will give those at Food Truck Friday an opportunity to peruse and check out books with their library card. There will also be storytime with library staff reading adult fiction and nonfiction titles such as The Girl on the Train, Me Before You and Food, A Love Story.

Food Truck Friday runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday through October at the farmers market at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Columbia Street.

Southridge loses Mexican chain, will gain a breakfast spot

Kennewick’s Southridge area has lost one restaurant but appears to be gaining another.

The sole Tri-City location for Baja Fresh closed suddenly a few weeks ago. The chain, known for its fresh take on Mexican food from its guacamole to its pork carnitas, opened less than a year ago.

It was not clear why the restaurant shut down.

However, a new breakfast-centered chain is working on opening a location in Southridge. The Original Pancake House has a sign up on land next to the new Hampton Inn announcing its plans.

The chain, which started as a Portland restaurant in the 1950s, has locations spread across the country, including six in Washington, but the Southridge location would be the first in the state east of the Cascades.

Original Pancake House’s website said it focuses on using the highest quality ingredients in all of its dishes. Signature items include the Apple Pancake, Dutch Baby, omelets and crepes.

Wine & Jazz Weekend coming to WSU Tri-Cities

If you love wine and want to support efforts to strengthen Washington’s wine industry, Washington State University Tri-Cities has the event for you.

The second annual Wine & Jazz Festival will take over the university’s north Richland campus, 2710 Crimson Way, on June 24-26, a new release said. The university is organizing the event in partnership with the Auction of Washington Wines, a nonprofit dedicated to wine research that also supports Seattle Children’s Hospital.

The event kicks off with the Vineyard Dinner Series on June 24, with a gourmet meal and wine pairings from Col Solare, Fidelitas and Hedges Family Estate, all Red Mountain wineries.

The Wine & Jazz Festival will start at 6 p.m. June 25 on the campus with jazz saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa as the headline act. Twenty-five Washington wineries will provide tastings, and food will also be on hand.

Brunch and Bubbles on June 26 at Bookwalter Winery, 894 Tulip Lane, Richland, will conclude the weekend’s activities.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $125 per person for the festival, with a $900 package for two that provides admission to the Vineyard Dinner Series. Tickets can be purchased here. Proceeds will go toward viticulture and enology research at WSU.

Those wishing to attend Brunch and Bubbles are encouraged to make their own reservations with Bookwalter.

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 3:02 PM with the headline "Eat All About It: Country Mercantile’s Richland store celebrating anniversary June 11."