DINING: New farmers’ market, free cake and Champagne and more

Good news for foodies across the valley: Local farmers’ markets continue to pop up like mushrooms after a spring rain. The newest is the Downtown3rd Farmers Market, a weekly indoor market that will make its debut from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday (March 9). It’s at 300 N. Casino Center Drive, in the old bus transfer center. On the menu: farm-fresh produce, cooking demonstrations, the Kids Craft Zone and more. ...

DiVine Cafe, 6380 S. Valley View Blvd., has launched a series of monthly dinners with beverage pairings. The monthly events — dubbed D*lish, a Society of Dining, Drinking and Well-Behaved Debauchery — will cover cooking tips and featured recipes. The inaugural event begins at 5:30 this evening (March 8). Tickets, which are $40, are available by calling 253-1400. ...

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Rampart Casino, 221 N. Rampart Blvd., will serve free cupcakes and Champagne from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday (March 14). The event is open to the public. ...

The monthly Cooking Fiesta at El Segundo Sol at the Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon March 31. The class will cover chips and roasted tomato-serrano salsa, Oaxacan Chicken in Mole Negro, quesadilla with mushroom, sweet corn and huitlacoche, chocolate-coconut flan, cucumber-mint margaritas and red sangria. It’s $25 plus tax and tip; to register, call 258-1211. ...

Easter’s on its way, which means the Easter collections at local candy stores are as well. See’s Candies is offering a variety of treats including an 11-ounce Bunny Family box filled with milk chocolate bunnies, a Scotchmallow Egg, marshmallow eggs and more for $12.65. The 5.4-ounce Bordeaux Egg, made with brown sugar buttercream, milk chocolate and chocolate sprinkles, is $5.60, and Orange Cream Lollypops are $5.35 for a box of eight.

Ethel M is offering egg-shaped boxes and keepsake tins, such as the Peanut Butter Truffle Box and the Fruit Truffle Egg Box, with ganache-filled chocolates including Key lime, strawberry, lemon and raspberry. Each box of eight pieces is $22. The 12-piece Keepsake Truffle Tins are $18.