DINING: Good news for tomato lovers

  One of the challenges related to finding good, fresh tomatoes in the Las Vegas Valley is that most of them are shipped in from so far away, they're by necessity picked before they're ripe so they won't be squishy by the time they get here. As a result, they tend to have all the appeal of a red-tinted softball.
  Good news, then, comes from Village Cheese & Wine, 1770 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson, which is selling tomatoes from Quail Hollow Farm in the Moapa Valley. The tomatoes are grown with no chemical herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers, according to the folks at Village. As you might expect, the supply tends to run out quickly, so call before you go: 341-8191.
  In other tomato news: The Gilcrease Orchard at 7810 N. Tenaya Way in the opposite end of the valley is offering tomatoes (grown right there at the orchard) for 50 cents a pound on every Tuesday through the end of the season (regular price is 65 cents a pound). And every Thursday is Senior Thursday, with seniors 60 and older (with valid ID) getting free admission. Normal orchard admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children.
  Upcoming crops include cantaloupe and figs (now through November), peaches and pomegranates (through September), watermelon (through November), butternut and acorn squash (summer and fall), pears (August through December) and pumpkins (September and October). For more information on current crops, hours, etc., call 645-1126.