“It was a dark and stormy night, suddenly, a turkey rang out!” Those are Charlie Brown’s words after Lucy told him to write a Thanksgiving novel. It’s been 44 years since A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving made its way to our TV screens, but it still reminds us of the true meaning of Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season.
Sure, turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie star on our gratefully plentiful holiday tables, but we all know it’s really our loved ones who make Thanksgiving special.
Here are our healthy and fresh choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to add more food, love, friends and generosity to your traditional November recipe:
3 Good grief, don’t miss out on the Denver Film Festival screening more than 200 titles including three red carpet galas at the Ellie, Nov. 1-12. Other events are at the Sie Film Center. Information: 720-381-0813.
3 Get in the holiday mood shopping the Colorado Country Gift Show with 450 booths in the Denver Mart, Nov. 3-5. Information: 800-521-7469.
3 Hip-hop over to the Buell Theatre for Breakin’ Convention, the big hip-hop dance festival with workshops, Nov. 4-5. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Embrace the holiday spirit by attending the Lowry Fall Wine Tasting in Eisenhower Chapel Nov. 10, 6-8:30 p.m. Information: 303-344-0481.
3 Enjoy Thanksgiving without cooking by feasting on the annual classic roast turkey spread at the Monaco Inn Restaurant, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. A half-dozen other scrumptious choices also offered. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Thanksgiving is the only holiday allowing a little shuteye mid-event. Hence, keep a happy-healthy home with better mattresses and better sleep from SleepNation with three Valley locations: Information: 720-443-4421.
3 Enjoy Epic Night with 12 bands, dancing, free food-drinks at Swallow Hill’s Tuft Theatre benefit Nov. 18, 7 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Join the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot at Wash Park to make the big meal satisfying Nov. 23, 10:15 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 303-433-8383.
3 Book your plans now for The Bookies Small Business Saturday in Glendale Nov. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. After two days off they’re throwing open the doors for the Author Showcase. Hear authors speak throughout the day as you shop and enjoy entertainment. Furthermore it’s a day to celebrate independent bookstores and the usual store discounts apply. On day after Thanksgiving it’s fun shopping. Information: 303-759-1117.
Your Thanksgiving menu likely won’t include toast, popcorn and candy, as was the case for the Charlie Brown TV special based on Charles M. Schultz’s Peanuts comic strip. Nevertheless, today the Peanuts comic strip is as synonymous with Thanksgiving as turkey, pumpkin pie and awkward family conversations about politics and religion.
In that TV special Lucy enticed Charlie Brown to kick the football because it was a Thanksgiving tradition. Now the NFL has ostensibly pulled the same trick on us.
A parade, big meal and mind-numbing football games highlight Thanksgiving. So why is it more appetizing than others? For many of us it delivers four days off. How awesome is that? It’s also universal, inclusive and nap friendly. Plus thankfulness makes us happy. Share your good fortune with food banks or soup kitchens and bon appetite!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
