BENEFIT WITH WINE

It's a safe bet BMW Northwest isn't on local foodies' radar. After Thursday, May 22, that could change. BMW Northwest (4011 20th Street East, Fife) will host charity event "Cheers to Kids," with wineries in the house. The $60 ticket price includes a wine tasting with Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Genoa Cellars, Mercer Estates Winery, Scatter Creek and Stottle Winery, plus nibbles by El Gaucho. Wines sampled will be available for sale. A silent auction will be on site. For ticket information, email ellen-buffington@olivecrest.org or call 425.462.1612 ext 1352.

STEEL CREEK CHANGES

Steel Creek American Whiskey Co. (1114 Broadway, Tacoma) will no longer be open for lunch. The downtown Tacoma country music and whiskey bar will focus on its happy hour and dinner guests; opening at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Its American grill steakhouse style menu will be available until 10:30 p.m.

LADIES NIGHT

Thursday nights are for the ladies as far as the Melting Pot (2121 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma) is concerned. The downtown Tacoma fondue restaurant's Thursday Ladies Night festivities include happy hour drink prices all evening, as well as a cheese, salad and chocolate combo in the lounge for a cool 20 bones. It beats weeping into your glass of wine while the kids bang on the door and ask what you're doing in the bathtub any day of the week.