• Eight wineries of the El Dorado Winery Association will be pouring Syrahs on Feb. 16 from 5:30-7:30pm at the El Dorado Hills California Welcome Center, 2085 Vine St., Ste. 105, El Dorado Hills.

• North Lake Tahoe Realtor Alison Elder was awarded 2011 Realtor of the Year by Chase International.

• Unity at the Lake’s silent meditation is each Tuesday and Friday at noon at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe (across from the rec center). Meet in the small chapel in the Annex.

• Another reason to be a vegetarian: Beef prices are expected to climb 10 percent in the next two years because the U.S. has the smallest cattle herd since the 1950s. According to the USDA, a pound of hamburger sold for $2.38 on average in December 2010 compared to $2.92 a year later – an increase of 23 percent.

• Carson City was named the country’s No. 3 Family Destination for its old west heritage, special events and value by away.com.