Luigi's Slice, 20th Street's Brooklynesque pizza joint, celebrated its second anniversary by borrowing from a New York tradition - the eating contest. "It was the Fourth of July, and we were watching Joey Chestnut win the Coney Island hot dog-eating contest," Linda Brida, event organizer and wife of owner Greg Brida, explained. "Greg and I talked about how fun it would be to hold an eating contest for the second anniversary of Luigi's Slice; and six weeks later, we're here." The 'Luigi's Slice First Annual Pizza Eating Throw Down,' held at 6p.m. on Aug. 22, drew two dozen contestants ready to frantically eat their way to a $500 prize. A few challengers were seasoned eating contest veter

In the midst of Bordeauxs, chiantis, pinot noirs and chardonnays, merlot can be underappreciated in the world of wine, or at least that's what Napa Valley filmmaker Rudy McClain would argue. On Saturday, the crimson underdog will have a shot at glory as the Revolution Wines winery and the Sacramento Institute of Fun hosts a Sacramento premiere event for the screening of McClain's new documentary, Merlove. McClain's film includes interviews with merlot makers from around the world. A complimentary dinner will be provided at Revolution Wines, including pizza from Midtown's Luigi's Slice, and local merlot labels Black Hole and Route 3 prior to the film. The screening will be held at the nea

Every year, Davis radio station KDVS holds a record swap where local record labels, record collectors and record stores can trade thousands of records. It's likely that a few CDs, T-shirts and turntables will turn up as well. This year's event will be held Saturday in Luigi's Fun Garden, and music nerds, casual shoppers and passersby can get in for $3. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. people will be able to visit booths of more than a dozen vendors, including punk-rock labels Gearhead and Prank Records. KDVS, Midtown Monthly and the 'Zine Symposium held July 11 will also have tables, according to event co-coordinator Heather Klinger. Also a DJ at KDVS, she's been coordinating the event with Tim Mat