No doubt, you've been so busy worrying about the election and the drought that it comes as a big shock that the holidays are upon us. Since there are five Thursdays in this November, though, Thanksgiving does come earlier than usual. Feel free to panic, but take note if you are of such a persuasion that the Triangle Vegetarian Society is throwing a "gourmet vegan" spread for the occasion.

Seared wheat gluten ("seitan") is the un-turkey, and appears as well in a version of shepherd's pie with roots and mushrooms.

Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and wild rice add tradition to the menu, sharing space with grilled artichokes, smoked eggplant, hominy succotash, cornbread and, of course, pumpkin pie.

Date is Nov. 22, time is 12:30 p.m., place is Cafe Parizade, in the Wachovia building between West Main Street and Hillsborough Road. For reservations, call 265-9985 or see www.trianglevegsociety.org.

Sweet

Now that you're in the holiday mood, take note that Foster's Market on the U.S. 15-501 Business part of Chapel Hill Boulevard has "an excellent selection" of Hanukkah candy and gift boxes by the Elsa's Story cookie company in Israel.

Advent calendars, too, for the goyim, and Thanksgiving supplies.

Greetings

BookDabbler, on Hillandale Road in the Loehmann's Plaza shopping center, has season's greetings, too -- in the forms of greeting cards, 2008 calendars, locally made ornaments and jewelry. This month's book special is biography: buy one, get another half off.

Ho ho, hoss

Santa hits the malls next weekend. Saturday morning, the jolly old elf leads a parade and poses for pictures at Northgate. On Sunday he appears there again, this time in cowboy getup to greet a team of Clydesdale horses; tickets to ride their wagon benefit the Children's Miracle Network.