July 15: Bastille Day at Bar Tabac
If you've never played petanque, head on down to Smith Street for North America's largest petanque tournament -- the two block stretch betweeen Bergen and Pacific will be shut down and covered with sand just for the occasion. While your'e watching the action, enjoy special cocktails from Ricard and other drink specials ($5-6), nibble on grilled merguez and chicken sandwiches ($5) and groove to Jazz band Blue Orchid will provide the entertainment throughout the day. 11:30am - 8pm, free admission, sponsored by Bar Tabac, Robin des Bois, Ricard and the South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation. 128 Smith Street at Dean Street, 718-923-0918.

July 16-20 and July 23-27: NYC Restaurant Week
Get ready for $24.07 lunches and $35 dinners at some of the city's finest dining establishments. Over 200 restaurants are offering three course prix fixe meals, so make your reservations today. Visit the website for a full list of participating restaurants and make reservations on Open Table.

July 17: Knife Skills at the Brooklyn Kitchen
Join Chef Brendan McDermott for his intro to Knife work class, covering slicing, dicing and mincing. Learn how to maintain knives, and safely wield a kitchen knife and get started on some fantastic meals. You might get to hear some "Kitchen Confidential" horror stories and tips from behind the line. 7:00 pm, $25, BYOK (bring your own knife). 616 Lorimer Street, corner of Skillman Avenue, 718-389-2982

July 18: Beard on Books -- Nancy Harmon Jenkins
Nancy Harmon Jenkins, author of Cucina del Sole: A Celebration of Southern Italian Cooking, guides you through the foods and regions of Italy and shares the knowledge she has accumulated in her 30 years of exploring. 12 noon to 1 p.m., James Beard House 167 West 12 Street (between Sixth and Seventh Avenues). Free for students with a suggested donation of $20 for non-students. Illy caffè and Acqua Panna and S. Pellegrino waters will be served, and light refreshments will be provided by Nicola Marzovilla and I Trulli. Guests are also welcome to bring a brown bag lunch. Cucina del Sole will be available for sale by Mobile Libris. To RSVP please contact Colleen Vincent at 212.627.2308. For more information, visit .