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• Go alternative at the ThanksVegan Feast

Wednesday, November 25: Vino 100

Thanksgiving Tasting. If you're anything like me, you've put off holiday preparations until the last minute. There's still cleaning to be done and meals to plan, but at least you'll know which wine will grace your holiday table after attending this tasting that pairs perfect seasonal wines with a selection of Thanksgiving favorites, so you can choose your ideal combo. Free. 5-8 p.m., 5056 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-522-8466)

Wednesday, November 25: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Happy Holidays. Bern's is offering a bite of holiday cheer: buy any wine or spirit and take your same-day receipt to the Sidebern's bar for a complimentary Chef's Choice bite from the lounge menu. 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Thursday, November 26: Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

ThanksVegan Feast. Thanksgiving should be an opportunity for all sorts of folks to get together and stuff themselves without recrimination, unless you’re spending the holiday with your family. Why discriminate against people who shun the bird for more esoteric culinary fetishes? Join vegans, vegetarians, raw foodists and the veg-curious at the fourth annual ThanksVegan Feast. It’s a potluck, so you’ll need to bring a covered dish that’s free of animal products (even bacon), a massive appetite and a willingness to buck traditional foods while maintaining the true spirit of the season: gluttony, in all its cruelty-free glory. $5 (with a dish), $15 (without a dish). 1:30-5:30 p.m., 11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa, vegtampathanksgiving.com. —Brian Ries

Thursday, November 26: The NoHo Bistro

Thanksgiving: To Cook, or Not To Cook? Instead of worrying about undercooking the turkey, runny mashed potatoes, or burning the pumpkin pie, take time to relax with the family (or attempt to avoid them), watch the Macy's Parade, and scream/cheer at the football games while NoHo Bistro does the work for you. Just follow their cooking instructions and within minutes, you'll be digging into their scrumptious seasonal meal includes: whole roasted turkey with herbed butter chestnut-cranberry Stuffing; maple-cured bacon sweet potato souffle with marshmallow crust; honey-glazed butternut squash; creamed peas with baby onions; and pumpkin praline tart. This ain't no Swanson's Turkey Dinner! $26.95 per person. 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)

Many more events after the break:

Friday, November 27: Cork and Olive Carrollwood

Black Friday. Leave the insanity of the mall and Wal-Mart to a braver crew willing to arise before the dawn's even thinking about cracking: you'll be sleeping in and enjoying your own Black Friday deals and steals at Cork and Olive, which offers free (and much-needed) mimosas while you browse the can't-beat-it prices on wines -- many are going for up to 50 percent off, and if you spend $50, they'll throw in two sea salts; spend a cool hundreded you get two pieces of stemware; and if you find the perfect vino for everyone on your list and spend $150, you get a free Swedish massage from Relax Massage. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 10019 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-868-3733)

Friday – Saturday, November 27-28: Keel and Curley Winery

Uncorked After Hours Wine Bar. They call it “happy hour” for a reason, and it’s because few things aid post-workday cheer (and post-Thanksgiving stress) like cheap drinks — and Keel and Curley’s got just the ticket. Nosh on free appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m., accompanied by buy-one-get-one beer and wine specials. Unless Applebee’s is your idea of a hip after hours spot, you’ll rarely find a better bargain. 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Tampa (813-752-9100)

Saturday-Sunday, November 28-29: Snookers Grill

Beach Party Weekends. Once again, Floridians face an endless summer, so instead of blasting the AC to create faux-fall temps, the folks at Snookers embrace the weather with beach balls, hula hoops, and live Polynesian music by Charlie Ho, all while serving up fresh sushi and seafood selections. 606 N. Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs. (727-937-6665)

Monday, November 30: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

Bayou Basics. This three-week course reveals some of the secrets of Crescent City Cajun and Creole cooking, with a menu that includes: (Week 1) roast beef poboy; Creole-smothered okra and tomatoes; chicken sauce picante; calas; and gateau de sirop. (Week 2) crawfish pie; shrimp creole; gumbo z’herbes; rice and gravy; and pecan pralines. (Week 3) blackened redfish with beurre Creole; turtle soup; dirty rice; catfish court-bouillon; and persimmon cake. $150 three-week series. 10 a.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Tuesday, December 1: Whole Foods

The College Cafe. Bulls Radio DK Mike Ranon is on hand to rock while you learn to roll sushi. Today's Sushi 101 class is all about California dreamin': create the perfect California roll. Register in store lobby or by contacting Sherell White at sherell.white@wholefoods.com. Free. 6:30-8 p.m., 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-874-9435)

Wednesday, December 2: Cork and Olive Carrollwood

Wine and Sign. At most family outings, someone's bound to be bored, whether it's parents or kids. Not so at tonight's wine and sign, where parents partake in two for one house wines while kids are entertained by author Brenda Darnley Martin, who reads her new book, The Treasure Hunt Fish and Miss Bernadette's Wish, followed by a cookie-decorating sesh with the Nana of Nana's Cookie Jar. Free. 5:30-8 p.m., 10019 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-868-3733)

Wednesday, December 2: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping by for gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one pot wonder is lasagna arrabbiata with pork ragout, ricotta cheese and red chile. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Saturday, December 5: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Happy Holidays. Bern's is offering a bite of holiday cheer: buy any wine or spirit and take your same-day receipt to the Sidebern's bar for a complimentary Chef's Choice bite from the lounge menu. 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Monday, December 7: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

Bayou Basics. This three-week course reveals some of the secrets of Crescent City Cajun and Creole cooking, with a menu that includes: (Week 1) roast beef poboy; Creole-smothered okra and tomatoes; chicken sauce picante; calas; and gateau de sirop. (Week 2) crawfish pie; shrimp creole; gumbo z’herbes; rice and gravy; and pecan pralines. (Week 3) blackened redfish with beurre Creole; turtle soup; dirty rice; catfish court-bouillon; and persimmon cake. $150 three-week series. 10 a.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Wednesday, December 9: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping by for gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one pot wonder is Tuscan shrimp and grits, with soft polenta, rosemary and pancetta. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Saturday, December 12: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Happy Holidays. Bern's is offering a bite of holiday cheer: buy any wine or spirit and take your same-day receipt to the Sidebern's bar for a complimentary Chef's Choice bite from the lounge menu. 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Monday, December 14: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

Bayou Basics. This three-week course reveals some of the secrets of Crescent City Cajun and Creole cooking, with a menu that includes: (Week 1) roast beef poboy; Creole-smothered okra and tomatoes; chicken sauce picante; calas; and gateau de sirop. (Week 2) crawfish pie; shrimp creole; gumbo z’herbes; rice and gravy; and pecan pralines. (Week 3) blackened redfish with beurre Creole; turtle soup; dirty rice; catfish court-bouillon; and persimmon cake. $150 three-week series. 10 a.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Wednesday, December 16: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping by for gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one pot wonder is smoked meatloaf with potato puree, caramelized onion and a barbecue glaze $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Saturday, December 19: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Happy Holidays. Bern's is offering a bite of holiday cheer: buy any wine or spirit and take your same-day receipt to the Sidebern's bar for a complimentary Chef's Choice bite from the lounge menu. 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)