No Coast Craft-o-rama

• Friday, December 4, 2009 (3 pm to 8 pm)
• Saturday, December 5, 2009 (9 am to 5 pm)
• Midtown Global Exchange building (2901 Chicago Avenue S.)

The No Coast Craft-o-rama features a variety of designers, artists, crafters and other talented creators of unique handmade goods. Last year Tom and I were able to find a lot of great gifts at No Coast. I hope the same is true this year! A complete list of vendors is available at the Crafter’s Local 612 website.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Tamale Festival

• Saturday, December 5, 2009
• 4pm to 9pm
• Ascension Catholic Church (1723 Bryant Ave N)

Learn how to make authentic savory and sweet tamales (!) in Ascension’s cafeteria on Saturday. Or, enjoy the tamales during hospitality after the Basilica’s Sunday afternoon Mass (4:30pm) in the cafeteria, located in the southwest corner of the parking lot between the church and school. All are welcome. For more on this weekend’s festivities, see the Basilica’s calendar for Saturday and Sunday.

Reindeer Day

• Saturday, December 5, 2009
• 10am to 2pm
• Linden Hills

Shop Linden Hills for special sales and enjoy these events throughout the morning and afternoon: Live Reindeer (free!) at 43rd and Upton from 10:30 to 1:30; Reindeer drawn sleigh rides (free!) outside Great Harvest from 10:30 to 1:30; Horse-drawn wagon rides at the Famous Dave’s parking lot from 10:30 to 1:30; Reindeer run starting at the Lake Harriet Band Shell at 9:00; Four Seasons barbershop quartet will be caroling from 11:00 to 1:00; Santa will be visiting from 11:00 to 1:00

For more information, visit the Linden Hills Business Assocation’s site.

British Television Advertising Awards

• December 4, 2009 through January 2, 2010
• Walker Art Center (1750 Hennepin Avenue)
• $10 ($8 Walker members)

This weekend the Walker kicks off The British Television Advertising Awards, an event that been selling out quickly for 21 years. According to the Walker’s website, the program this year includes dancing marionettes, monkeys, and nudists as well as American celebrities Snoop Dogg, Rob Lowe, and Anjelica Huston hawking products to UK audiences. 2009, video, 80 minutes. Friday and Sunday’s shows are already sold out, but there are still tickets available on Saturday for the 4pm and 9pm showings. More on the Walker calendar and on the film & video events page.

Member Double-Discount Shopping Days at the Walker

• Friday, December 4, 2009 (11am to 9pm)
• Saturday, December 5, 2009 (10am to 9pm)
• Sunday, December 6, 2009 (11am to 6pm)
• Members receive free parking with purchase

Members save 20% on all purchases this weekend at the Walker—it’s a perfect time to get your shopping out of the way! In addition to the offerings in the museum shop, The Walker will be hosting a Local Artist Gift Mart from 11 noon to 4pm daily. B.T. McElrath will also be back for another chocolate tasting on Saturday from 12 noon to 4pm. Details at walkerart.org.

Do It Green! Annual Green Gifts Fair

• Saturday, November 21st, 2009
• 10am to 5pm
• Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis on Lake St. & Chicago. Ave.
• FREE entrance (vendors accepting cash or check only, though, so come prepared!)

Do It Green! Minnesota’s Green Gifts Fair takes place this Saturday, conveniently before the crazed post-Thanksgiving shopping. Organizers envision the event as an introduction to green giving and low impact ideas to celebrate the holidays with over 70 vendors to explore. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bags and coffee mugs. If you plan to eat at Midtown while you shop, consider bringing silverware and a reusable napkin as well. Those who bike, bus, or carpool will receive a free gift at the event. More information doitgreen.org.

Gastro Non Grata: A Salute to Comfort Food and Cans

• Sunday, November 22, 2009
• Doors at 6pm
• 21+
• At the TRIPLE ROCK, 629 Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis
• $5 at the door, additional donations help Craig & Jeff break even.

Beer, food, and music! What more could you want? Northern Brewer will start the night with a Lambic tasting and chef Landon Schoenfeld will present three sample courses as the night goes on. The beer guest for the night is 21st Amendment Brewery. Music by Falcon Crest, Arctic Universe, School of Rock, Cadillac Kolstad, Cornbread Harris, and The Annandale Cardinals. As before, Clancey’s Meat and Fish will provide meat door prizes as only they can. More info at Gastro Non Grata’s blog.

Midtown Farmers’ Market‘s Thanksgiving Market

• Wednesday, November 25, 2009
• 1pm to 4pm
• Lake Street and 22nd Ave S near the Light Rail in Minneapolis

Meat, vegetables, apples, bread, chocolates, and canned goods will all be available. Weather permitting there may be crafts as well. Real Bread bread will be available by advanced order: contact Brett at brettlaidlaw (at) eckmeier (dot) com for options. Hilltop Pastures will be at the market as well. According to the market website, they have a waiting list for turkeys, but they’ll be dropping off orders and selling other products on Wednesday. Thanks to midtownfarmersmarket.org for the details!

No exclamation points were harmed in the writing of this post!