Calendar: Events for early 2008 and beyond

CALIFORNIA

Wine tastings

The Los Olivos Cafe & Wine Merchant presents a series of wine-tasting events. The establishment in downtown Los Olivos has wine experts in the store on selected Tuesdays for “Understanding Your Palate”; on upcoming Wednesdays during “Evenings With the Winemaker,” area vintners pour five of their wines, and hors d’oeuvres are served.

When, where: 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and Feb. 6, 13, March 26 and May 7 at 2879 Grand Ave.

Cost: $15 per person; no reservations necessary.

Info: (888) 946-3748, www.losolivoscafe.com.

Frank Sinatra Countrywide Celebrity InvitationalThe Indian Wells golf tournament-fundraiser turns 20 this year, and some of its celebrity-sprinkled events are open to the public. At the Feb. 22 luncheon and fashion show, visitors can see the designs of Bill Blass, Kevan Hall, Ivonne de la Vega and others. “Frank’s Favorite Foods & Live Auction” that night includes entertainment by Jim Belushi and his band. Liza Minnelli performs at the black-tie gala on Feb. 23. The golfing is Feb. 22 and 23 at Indian Wells Country Club.

When, where: Feb. 22 and 23 at various locations in Indian Wells.

Cost: Tickets for the luncheon and fashion show are $150; live auction event, $100; black-tie gala, $1,000; to watch the golf tournament, $20 buys a spectator badge good for both days.

Info: (760) 674-8447, www.sinatragolf.org.

Chinese New Year Treasure HuntTeams have four hours to solve 16 clues leading to off-the- beaten-path San Francisco sites during this 18th annual hunt. Last year, more than 1,600 players took part; each received a map of the playing area and a street index in alphabetical order. Difficulty levels are broken into beginning, regular and master’s. The top three teams in each level receive a cake in the shape of a key, an award certificate and a bottle of bubbly. Meanwhile, the main event -- the Chinese New Year Parade, with its popping firecrackers and 200-foot-long Golden Dragon -- draws hundreds of thousands of spectators.

When, where: The treasure hunt is at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23; check-in is at 3:30 p.m. It begins at Justin Herman Plaza, at the foot of Market Street at the Embarcadero. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. on Market, heading toward Geary Street.

Cost: Tickets are $30 per person in advance until Feb. 9; from Feb. 10 to 18, $35 in advance.; $40, if available, cash only, at the event. The parade is free.

Info: (415) 564-9400, www.sftreasurehunts.com.

OREGON

2008 Art in the Garden

The Portland Japanese Garden kicks off a series of four art exhibitions that coincide with the four seasons. “Michihiro Kosuge: The Quiet Voice of Metal and Stone” is the first in the series, featuring the work of the West Coast sculptor. Each event includes a guest lecture and reception, and the artist will be on hand Feb. 10 to speak to art lovers and garden visitors. The other exhibitions in the series are: April’s “Northern Lights: Ceramic Art From Hokkaido,” a display of the work of 24 ceramic artists from the Hokkaido Pottery Society; the June event “Frozen Music: Japanese Glass,” showing work by artist Jun Kaneko; and in the fall, “Dream Weaver: The Bamboo Art of Jiro Yonezawa,” sculptures in bamboo.

When where: Feb. 9 to 24, April 11 to 30, June 14 to 30, and Nov. 15 to 30 at 611 S.W. Kingston Ave.

Cost: Exhibitions free with garden admission of $8, $5.25 ages 6 to 17, 5 and younger free; reception and lecture $15 per person, reservations required.

Info: (503) 542-0280, www.japanesegarden.com.

WASHINGTON

Festival Sundiata

The Seattle event (pronounced soon-JAH-tah) is billed as the Pacific Northwest’s largest African American festival celebrated during Black History Month. With a focus on culture and history, it showcases fine art, photography, food, music and more.

When, where: Feb. 15 to 18 at the Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle.

Cost: Free.

Info: (206) 329-8086, www.festivalsundiata.org.

itinerary@latimes.com