Breaking out of winter is pretty fun. I like looking at spring and summer fashions, packing away the coats, sweeping off the patio and revving up the iced tea maker.

There are risks, though, and they were succinctly pointed out in an e-mailed news release written by someone peddling light frozen yogurt who apparently has the tact of a hammer:

"Hi, Margi: Spring means an end to cold gray days but it also means that you won't be able to hide behind that bulky sweater for much longer!"

The releases announcing classes are rolling in and the classes are intriguing, if not short on calories.

Cafe Zao, at Theater Square on Penn Avenue in the Cultural District, has announced Summer School at Cafe Zao, featuring Chef Toni Pais. The Portuguese chef will prepare four dishes every second Monday, May through August, and participants will join him behind the scenes as he works. Classes are $50 per person, excluding gratuity. To register, call 412-325-7007.

Crate, 1960 Greentree Road, Scott, has been promoting its spring/summer schedule. Classes run the gamut from basics to specialties. Most intriguing for April? "Opera-Dinner-Wine," featuring mezzo-soprano Katherine Drago and baritone Jonathan Beyer, accompanied by Mark Trawka, director of musical studies and chorus master for the Pittsburgh Opera.

Angela McAteer will prepare food inspired by Italian regions: risi e bisi (risotto with peas) and cassata (sponge cake filled with ricotta, chocolate and dried fruit). To register for any Crate class, call 412-341-5700; www.cratecook.com.

McGinnis Sisters, Monroeville, will hold a "Tofu-licious Learn at Lunch" class from 11 to 1 p.m. tomorrow. Includes chocolate tofu cream pie. Fee: $15. Call 412-858-7000, ext. 7.

The 3rd annual International Children's Day Celebration will be held from 2:30 to 5 p.m. April 20 at Carnegie Library of Homestead Music Hall, 510 10th Ave., Munhall.

The event is sponsored by the Pittsburgh Dialogue Foundation at the University of Pittsburgh and Snowdrop Science Academy, Monroeville.

Children's groups representing Chinese, Italian, Indian and Turkish culture will perform, and there will be an international food sale, drawings and more.

Proceeds benefit The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh.

Tickets: Children under age 12 are free; adults $5. Visit www.proartstickets.org; call 412-394-3353 or e-mail ticket@pghdialogue.org. Alternate ticket pickup spots are available.

The American Liver Foundation will hold its second annual Flavors of Greensburg event beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mountain View Inn, featuring top chefs who will prepare a five-course gourmet meal at tableside. There also will be entertainment and auctions. Tickets: $150. Call 412-434-7044.

Winners of the Midwife Center for Birth and Women's Health Let Them Eat Cake fund-raiser on Saturday are:

Best overall taste, Prantl's Bakery, Burnt Almond Torte; Best Overall Decorating, Chrissy Cakes, Lambert (lamb-shaped cake).

People's Choice for Best Taste, Kezia Taylor, Who Cares He Dumped You Chocolate Cake; People's Choice for Best Decorating, Chrissy Cakes, Lambert.

Expert Judge Winners: Prantl's torte, professional taste; KatrinaCakes, professional birthday and novelty decorating; Kezia Taylor, amateur taste; Laura Yelon, The Great Blue Heron, amateur birthday decorating; and Chrissy Cakes, amateur novelty decorating. More than 250 attended the event at the Children's Museum, which raised $11,000.

Baskin-Robbins will hold its 31 Cent Scoop Night again this year from 5 to 10 p.m. on April 30. It donates $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and stores will also help raise money by having local firefighters collect donations. Taste your favorite B-R flavor for 31 cents and donate to support firefighters.