California Corner

SAN LUIS OBISPO--Prepare to lick your chops March 2 at the Rib Cook-Off. The contest to determine the best recipe for beef and pork ribs will be part of the Farmers Market. Higuera and Garden streets. 6-9 p.m. Free; tastes $1-$1.50. (805) 541-0286.

SANGER--Food and music top the Blossom Days Festival March 4 and 5. Downtown. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 4; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 5. Free. (559) 875-4575.

NEVADA CITY--The Joe Cain Celebration is a Mardi Gras-style event slated for March 4 and 5. A masquerade ball ($20) will be held 8 p.m.-midnight March 4 at the Miners Foundry. A parade through downtown begins at 2 p.m. March 5. A street fair, with crafts and Cajun foods, will be on Pine Street. Noon-5 p.m. Free. (800) 655-6569.

MENDOCINO--Music, wine and clam-chowder tasting and whale-watching walks at Headlands State Park will be part of the Mendocino Whale Festival, March 4 and 5. Whale-watching cruises are also available at Noyo Harbor. Throughout the village. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; noon-3 p.m. Sunday. $20 for wineglass with unlimited tastings; $5 for four chowder tastes (Saturday only). Free. (800) 726-2780.

SAN DIEGO--The 52nd annual Kiwanis Ocean Beach Kite Festival is March 4. Kids can make kites 9 a.m.-noon. Kite judging will follow, noon-2:30 p.m. Ocean Beach Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (619) 224-0189.

Schenden’s e-mail address is lkschenden@msn.com.