Maria, a server at Dad's Kitchen, was recently diagnosed with cancer in both her cervix and lymph nodes on either side of her uterus.

The treatment is 30 days of radiation with 5 rounds of chemo to start.

To help her out in her time of need, Dad's Kitchen in Land Park is hosting a fundraiser for her on Monday, Sept. 14.

For just $15, you'll get access to a taco bar and Dad's Kitchen's famous homemade mac & cheese.

The $15 will go directly to support Maria, and the bar will be open for you to purchase beer, wine or kombucha.

According to this Go Fund Me page, Maria "is the kindest, most hard working, and just happiest person on this planet. She has a three year old son, lives in a one bedroom apartment with him, her fiance, works at Dad's Kitchen in Sacramento, and doesn't have a car. Please help us Keep Maria Smiling!"

If you can't attend the event on Monday, you can still help by visiting her Go Fund Me page and donating. 

Click here for more information about the fundraiser.

Dad's Kitchen is located at 2968 Freeport Blvd., and can be found online at http://ilovedadskitchen.com/.

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California cocktail tax would spike end-of-session mix - The nickel-a-drink levy would be placed on any drink containing distilled spirits sold at bars and restaurants. Tax on beer and wine would remain the same. California has one the nation’s lowest taxes on beer, wine and distilled spirits, and the Legislature has not raised booze levies since 1991. Before 1991, California had not raised its taxes on wine and beer since the 1950s, nor on distilled spirits since 1967. Wholesalers pay the tax, and it is presumed that retailers roll the cost into the price of a drink. Jeremy White in the Sac Bee.

Dollar-Wise Gourmet: Cooking Teachers' Cheap Eats - It’s back-to-school time, prompting The Dollar-Wise Gourmet to go to straight to the classroom to ask cooking teachers for their favorite local spots for low-budget fare. Ready? Here’s where the pros go. Featuring Lalo's, Les Baux, Corti Brothers, Iron Grill and Serrano's Cafe. Cathy Cassinos-Carr in Sac Mag.

Feast Q&A: Corti Bros. chef keeps traditions alive - As chef for Corti Bros. Market, Andrew Cordaro has been the man behind the scenes for 30 years. He and his staff work in the store’s huge kitchen, a sanctum rarely seen by the multigenerational customers who have shopped at the east Sacramento institution since 1970. Most of what they prepare is displayed in the Cucina Pronta cold caseat the deli. “Everything is made in-house, from scratch,” Cordaro said. Allen Pierleoni in the Sac Bee.

Mobile food business opening first brick-and-mortar store - Less than a year after entering the mobile food scene, a local entrepreneur is opening his first brick-and-mortar location. Kit Syn is the owner and founder of Ben's Huli Huli Chicken, which last March started offering mobile cuisine at local events. On Monday, Syn will open a restaurant called Ben's Hawaiian Cafe in Folsom. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

The Rind’s a great Sacramento spot for great beer - That’s right, if you’re looking for a smart new beer experience, perhaps you’ve overlooked The Rind, assuming it was more about wine and cheese. While The Rind’s compact and affordable wine list is impressive, so is its inventory of beer. The selection changes often, includes six beers on draft, plenty in the bottles. The staff of 20 includes, among others, a Level 1 cicerone and a serious home brewer. They’re all adept at talking about beer in a way that’s fun and engaging. Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sac Bee.

Bob Simpson is a busy man.

In addition to being one of the men behind the new Malt & Mash Irish bar coming to 7th & K, he's also the driving force behind Rum Rok, a new tiki bar coming to 15th & H, reports Ben van der Meer in Sac Biz.

By year’s end, nightspot entrepreneur Bob Simpson plans to open a tiki-themed bar called Rum Rok in about 2,500 square feet at 15th and H...

But on a larger scale, Simpson said, he’s wants Rum Rok to be part of a Memorial Auditorium district of nightlife around the much-used edifice on J Street. In addition to Republic, there are plans for a new old-style beer hall concept at a former nightclub near the corner of J and 16th. There's also new housing in the works in three spots farther north on J, as well as at I and 15th streets. And a neighboring building to 805 15th, owned by the state, could become a state welcome center tied to the Governor’s Mansion on the same square block.

Read the entire story in Sac Biz Journal.

On its Web site, Rum Rok says it will have "drinks that will take you away. Tiki with 'tude. Rum Rok will bring you that tropical experience that will be like no other in Sacramento."

None of the previous night clubs at that location have been my scene. I'm excited to see what Simpson does with a tiki bar concept.

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Twelve Rounds Brewing opened on Saturday in East Sac - “We’ll only have a couple of beers on tap, a pale ale and a Hefeweizen,” said Dan Murphy. “We’ve got more beers fermenting. We’ve got an IPA fermenting and this week we’re going to be making a stout.” In the months ahead, Twelve Rounds will also start a barrel-aging program. The plan is to have 12 beers on tap, as in Twelve Rounds. Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sac Bee.

Feast Q&A: Ryan Dye, founder of Midtown Jerky Co. - Taking a relatively minuscule piece of the jerky market is Ryan Dye, who started Midtown Jerky Co. of Sacramento two years ago. His three flavors are sold in 3.25-ounce foil packages with an image of the Tower Bridge ($7 to $8). The company’s motto: “Freshness plus quality equals awesome.” “You really don’t need a hook to set yourself apart,” said Dye, 33, who previously worked in restaurant management. “You just need to do something better than everybody else.” Allen Pierleoni in the Sac Bee.

Southern and comfortable: Sarom’s Southern Kitchen - Overall, it’s best to stick to Sarom’s Southern food—especially the fried chicken and jambalaya. Though the other American dishes we tried might offer plenty of comfort for those who need it, they just didn’t have the technical flair or soulfulness of these two standout Southern staples. Jonathan Mendick in Sac News & Review.

Five things to know about Carmichael's Milagro Centre - What about The Rind? There was once speculation that The Rind, midtown Sacramento's artisan cheese-focused bar, would open a Milagro Centre location. It appears that won't happen. Sonya Sorich in the Sac Biz Journal.

Get your caffeine fix: Two new coffee shops to open soon - Good news for local caffeine addicts: Two additions to the local coffee scene plan to open in upcoming weeks. Temple Coffee's Davis location will hold its grand opening on Aug. 15. The store at 239 G St. is the fourth retail location for the locally owned company. Temple also has a store in the works at 22nd and K streets in midtown Sacramento. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Last Tuesday, visitors to Cafe Bernardo/KBAR were greeted with a sign saying the venue had been closed by the county health department.

At the time, the reason given for the closure was "insect/rodent infestation."

The county has since posted its report online detailing the violations.

OBSERVATIONS: Major - Closure

3 live German cockroaches on wall/ledge behind 2-door reach-in refrigerator in espresso area, 3 ive cockroaches on floor along crevice between wall and floor beneath server's station across from pass thru window, 1 dying cockroach on floor of bar near cash register, 25 dead cockroaches on floor and ledge behind and beneath 2-door reach-in refrigerator in espresso area, 7 dead cockroaches on floor beneath equipment (ice bin) in bar and 1 dead cockroach on floor of dining room. Eliminate all dead and live insects. Continue with professional pest service. Last date of service 7-15-15. Seal all cracks and crevices immediately.

Read the entire report at the county's Web site.

The following day, the restaurant was reinspected (per county records), the infestation had been resolved and the restaurant and bar reopened.

As I wrote last week, it's more common than you think for restaurants to be closed by the health inspector. However, more often than not, these are isolated occurrences. I've eaten at KBAR and I plan to do so again soon.

* Headline's been edited since it was originally posted.

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Craft beer shop opening soon in Lincoln - You don't have to wait much longer to visit a new craft beer venue that calls itself "the hoppiest place in Lincoln." Infusion Taproom will hold its grand opening on July 25. The business fills 1,954 square feet at 845 Twelve Bridges Drive in Lincoln. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Two Mexican restaurants shut their doors -- at least for now - It's a sad month for tacos and burritos in the Sacramento region. Two Mexican restaurants in the area have closed -- at least for now. Mas, a Mexican restaurant in Roseville, has shut its doors...Also, chain restaurant Baja Fresh has closed its location at 2100 Arden Way, but looks like it will be relocating shortly. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Surprise: Popeye’s shrimp ‘n’ chicken are on the leader board - Some weeks ago, a friend of ours confided that he breaks his vegetarian vows when it comes to Popeye’s fried chicken, calling it “the best in Sacramento.” Out of curiosity, we ordered a three-piece dark-meat combo and were shocked by how good it was. The non-greasy pieces were hot and juicy, with a touch of heat and salt, tastier than the Hushpuppy Butterfly Shrimp. Allen Pierleoni in the Sac Bee.

Beer Run: Rubicon stands up to newcomers on craft beer scene - Rubicon Brewing has been around so long that newcomers to the craft beer scene tend to overlook this 28-year-old local treasure. It’s not hip. It’s not trendy. And the crowds at its restaurant and pub on Capitol Avenue tend to be older. How a brewery like Rubicon continues to thrive in an era of tremendous craft beer growth? When all kinds of new breweries are opening in cool places and offering plenty of innovation? Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sac Bee.

Dollar-Wise Gourmet: Dinner Deals for Every Day of the Week - So you think all the Dollar-Wise bargains happen on weeknights, not weekends? Well, you’re partly right: The vast majority do. But as this little research experiment revealed, the local region offers some sweet savings every day of the week, even Fridays and Saturdays. Mark your calendar for these dinner deals, all under $20. Featuring Buckhorn Steakhouse, Cafe Eurpoa, Ten22, Danielle's Creperie, Rudy's Hideway, Revolution Wines and Sandra Dee's. Cathy Cassinos-Carr in Sac Mag.

Ramen House Raijin at 19th & S, opened two weekends ago.

The restaurant is the most recent effort by Sai Wong, who recently switched concepts for that location from Izakaya Daikoku.

Wong also owns nearby Ryujin Ramen House, located a half block away in the Safeway parking lot. He previously owned sushi restaurant Akebono in Land Park, but recently sold the business.

I ate at Raijin last weekend and found it to be surprisingly busy for a new restaurant without much publicity surrounding its opening.

They continued to serve okonomiyaki ($10), a savory Japanese pancake, but had new styles of ramen not served at Wong's other restaurants including a Spicy Champon ($10). This is what Wikipedia says about this style of ramen:

Champon, also known as Chanpon, is a noodle dish that is a regional cuisine of Nagasaki, Japan. Due to the inspiration from Chinese cuisine, it is also a form of Japanese Chinese cuisine. Champon is made by frying pork, seafood and vegetables with lard; a soup made with chicken and pig bones is added. Ramen noodles made especially for champon are added and then boiled. Unlike other ramen dishes, only one pan is needed as the noodles are boiled in the soup.

If you're a ramen aficionado, I'd definitely recommend checking the place out.

Ramen House Raijin is located at 1901 S Street.

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Small-Batch Food Stars - It must be something in the water. After all, how else do you explain the large and constantly expanding number of food entrepreneurs in Sacramento? The region is an incubator for all manner of homegrown food businesses, from small-batch whiskey distillers to artisanal beef jerky producers. Just call us the Silicon Valley of delicious startups. Meet our makers. Featuring Amador Distillery, Gold River Distillery, The Good Stuff preserved fruit, Tule's Cookies, Midtown Jerky, Ocean Beach Foods. Co curry and Fork Lifter Food Truck.  Marybeth Bizjak in Sac Mag.

The Chef’s Table - The Rocklin-based eatery is expanding. Earlier this month, it acquired the space next door that currently houses Kona Café, which owners Erick Johnson and Jon Irwin plan to turn into a new breakfast and bar area for the cozy eatery by fall. In Sactown Mag. (Fifth Item.)

Metro Kitchen + Drinkery - Metro Kitchen + Drinkery is putting a new spin on the juice “bar” in their space by serving mimosas, hard ciders, kombucha and healthful cocktails like the Mary Verde, made with Han Vodka and the drinkery's Leaves + Juice (which includes kale, spinach, bok choy, cucumber and lemon), as well as their cold-pressed juices. In Sactown Mag. (Third Item.)

Summer Food Events - What will you eat this summer? - The great thing about Sacramento is that we have food events all year long.  Our name of Farm-to-Fork Capitol is appropriate with everything from Baconfest to the Banana Festival. In fact, sometimes competition is fierce for your attention and your dollar. We are also blessed to be in the middle of so many destinations. With Napa, Tahoe, Reno, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey/Carmel, and Yosemite so close by, there are events to select from throughout Northern California. Below is the Foodie Calendar through September's Farm-to-Fork Festival. The ones with comments are my favorites that I return to year after year. Catherine Enfield on Munchie Musings.

Temple Coffee to Open in Davis - Temple Coffee will open its Davis doors on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the southwest corner of Third and G streets. Wendy Weitzel in the Davis Enterprise.

Insight Coffee and Sun & Soil Juice Company are now open at 16 Powerhouse, a new development at 16th & P Streets.

Joining the cafe soon will be Magpie Cafe, which will move from its current R Street location several blocks away, and Orchid Thai, the second outpost for a Lincoln-based Thai Restaurant.

Insight's 16 Powerhouse location, which they are calling the Fremont Cafe, is the fourth outpost for the local coffee chain, in addition to their original location at 8th & S, and their Capitol and Pavilions Cafe spots.

Insight Coffee and Magpie Cafe have been hit by protests by the local carpenters union over the labor practices of the developer of 16 Powerhouse. Even though the restaurants had no control over the developer and its contractors, the union continued to protest the small businesses for months.

Insight Coffee's Fremont Cafe will be open initially from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. It is located at 1615 16th St., and can be found online at http://www.insightcoffee.com/.

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Roseville business targets beer lovers, farm-to-fork fans - Here are two words that might excite people in the Roseville area: more beer. It will come courtesy of Porters House of Draft, a new bar and grill expected to open by next weekend. The beer-centered business fills about 1,500 square feet at 7456 Foothills Blvd. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Pick a pie: Custom pizza, Federalist Public House - Federalist Public House's menu boasts many specialties, but we recommend the custom option, which features a thin Neopolitan-styled crust with a choice of toppings, starting at $2 each. Rachel Leibrock in Sac News & Review.

Berryessa Brewing finds joy in getting canned - The craft brewery many see as the next big thing is about to take the next big step. Berryessa Brewing is in the final stages of getting its labels approved and will soon begin canning and bottling. Finally. Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sac Bee.

Public House Theater was forced to close the theater portion of its operations just before they celebrated their first anniversary, they announced on Facebook on Friday.

Sac News & Review's Janelle Bitker has more:

Someone anonymously tipped the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation that Public House was operating illegally, according to co-owner Norma Ward.

Ward said she had been trying to get the appropriate licenses for the past year, but “it’s been a process.”

Read the entire story in Sac News & Review.

However, fans of eating and drinking while dining still have other options while Public House Theater gets the proper permits. They can head out to Rocklin's Studio Movie Grill, which I found to be the most comfortable movie watching experience I've ever had, or wait a while for K Street's Crest Theater to serve food, which is planned after Empress opens.

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Insight Coffee, Magpie Café and others readying to open in new 16 Powerhouse building - As the construction of midtown’s 16 Powerhouse residential and retail complex nears completion after two years, the next several weeks will usher in a slew of business openings along the 16th Street corridor. Insight Coffee Roasters, Magpie Café, Sun & Soil Juice Company and Orchid Thai are building out their respective ground-floor spaces in the new building, which overlooks Fremont Park at the intersection of 16th and P streets. The projected April and May openings follow delayed debuts previously scheduled for December and January. Jessica Rine in Sactown Mag.

Craft beer comes to Fair Oaks - Options for craft beer fans in the Sacramento region continue to increase. One of the newest additions, Fair Oaks Brew Pub, officially opened Wednesday. Located at 7988 California Ave. in Old Fair Oaks Village, the brewery serves craft beer, wine and food. Its menu focuses on pizzas, salads and cured meats and cheeses. A full menu will be available. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

The Trade and its Blue Bottle coffee opens in Midtown - Famed Bay Area coffeehouse Blue Bottle can now be consumed in Midtown. Kind of. The Trade Coffee & Coworking, a coworking office space slash cafe, opened yesterday at 2220 K Street. And the cafe portion proudly carries Blue Bottle Coffee beans, with Blue Bottle-trained baristas. Janelle Bitker in Sac News & Review.

Egg-ceptional Easter brunches in and around Sacramento - Planning to gather the family and friends for Easter brunch? From croque Suzannes to French toast pies, we've got nine egg-cellent ways to celebrate the holiday on April 5. Featuring Fabian's Italian Bistro, The Firehouse, Formoli's Bistro, Grand Island Mansion, Grange, Hawks, Hyatt Sacramento, Original Pancake House and Ten 22. Jason Pham and Jessica Rine in Sactown Mag.

Looking for a unique outing over the next week? Check out the 4th annual Sacramento Food Film Festival, benefiting the Food Literacy Center.

The 10-day long event was run for the first three years by Catherine Enfield, a local food enthusiast who runs the blog Munchie Musings. Given the time requirements demanded by the growing festival, she's turned it over to Amber Stott and the Food Literacy Center.

With events costs ranging from free to $70, there's something for everyone and every price range.

A couple of the events that appealed to me include:

Thursday, March 19: Sac Food Film Fest Premiere at Goldfield Trading Post, featuring short folms and the cuisine of Michael Thiemann of Mother, Jay Veregge of Ten 22, Aimal Formoli of Formili's Bistro, Brian Mizner of Hook and Ladder and Hank Shaw, James Beard Award winning author. $45

Tuesday, March 24: Jose Builds a Bakery at Federalist Public House, featuring food by Chef Shannon McElroy, paired with beer from Berryessa Brewing Company, Bike Dog Brewing, Ruhstaller Brewery, Track 7 Brewery and Yolo Brewing Company. $30

Saturday, March 28: Sriracha, featuring a light brunch and complementary bloody mary's featuring Preservation & Co's award winning Bloody Mary Mix. $25

For more information, visit http://foodliteracycenter.org/2015/01/27/2015-sacramento-food-film-festival-3/.

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Sacramento Food Film Festival is back on the menu - The movies, menus and venues have been chosen, and organizers are poised to screen the fourth annual Sacramento Food Film Festival, March 19-29. The program will feature 11 food-related films, most of them paired with special meals (from bites to four-course dinners) at top restaurants and other venues. Look for plenty of food for thought, seguing to discussions. Some events are free, others range from $15 to $70. Allen Pierleoni in the Sac Bee.

Wine Time! - This may be the best time to go wine tasting, when the weather is just turning nice and before the region’s wineries are slammed with visitors. Here are five spots recommended by wine expert and radio personality Rick Kushman: Featuring Domaine Carneros, Wente Vineyards, Yorba, Skinner Vineyards & Cedarville Winery. Bob Shallit in Sac Mag.

Requested app makes its mark at big tech festival - Launching an app is stressful enough, but publicly unveiling it to thousands of people for instant feedback takes the experience to another level. That's what happened to one locally founded app, Requested, this week at Launch Festival in San Francisco. The app lets users name their own price at restaurants and see if venue owners accept the request. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Meet the produce maven of ‘Farm to Fork’ Sacramento - Much of what she produces isn’t regular fare for many people. Consider pretzel beans, lovage, agretti, wasabi leaves, Pakistani mulberries, thornless prickly pear, rapini, ice plant and purple sweet potatoes – very purple sweet potatoes. Look for her label, Del Rio Botanical, on menus at Sacramento restaurants such as Mulvaney’s B&L, Grange, Blackbird Kitchen Beer Gallery and Kru. Tom Adkinson on Travel World Radio Show.

Capitol City International BrewFest readies for Sacramento's next big beer showcase - It’s perennially beer season in Sacramento, and dozens of breweries from around the world are about to get into the act. They'll join a bevy of local breweries at the fourth annual Capitol City International BrewFest on Saturday, March 21. The brewery showcase invites beer lovers to taste unlimited sips of refreshing, rare and offbeat suds, from an arctic berry ale from Iceland’s Einstok Beer Company to a “cocoa mole” brew concocted by the globally-renowned New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, Colo. Local craft beermakers, including Sacramento-based Hoppy Brewing Company and Auburn’s Knee Deep Brewing, are also among the participating breweries that will serve their drinks in the festival’s 5-ounce souvenir glasses. Jason Pham in Sactown Mag.