Thanksgiving is often a time for reunions. Turkey Day may be reserved for family activities, but Turkey Eve is all about celebrating with friends who you may only see a few times a year.

Get everyone together at Red Door for the Spiral Entertainment Turkey Eve on Wednesday, November 25. There will be live music, DJs, drinks and lots of festive folks. The party extends outside under a huge, heated tent. $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Red Door Tavern is located on Roswell Road in Buckhead.

Ok, I know life is no fairy tale but this sounds like a super fun day for girls!

Walt Disney Pictures' The Princess and the Frog presents Georgia Aquarium Princess Day: A Benefit for Frog Conservation.

Girls 12 and under, in princess costumes, receive FREE general admission on Nov. 21, 2009 and are invited to stop by from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for parades, games and fairytale fun. Frog kissing is optional! B.Y.O.T (bring your own tiara) and help give frogs a happily ever after!

Note the following details: Offer valid for one free child with each paid adult or Annual Pass Member. Offer includes Georgia Aquarium general admission only.

One of my favorite Atlanta restaurants, Canoe, was forced to temporarily close after September's floods rushed the popular riverside restaurant. I'm happy to hear that Canoe will reopen the week of Novemer 23 (dinner service only) with old favorites and some brand new menu items. They will also be open on Thanksgiving to serve a three-course fixe prix menu on Thanksgiving Day.

This weekend the outdoor skating rink, an Atlanta holiday tradition, opened at Centennial Olympic Park. This a a fun, wallet-friendly attraction for all ages and it is really a unique opportunity for Southerners who don't often get the excitement of frozen lakes and outdoor skating.

The rink is open November 14, 2009 - January 31, 2010 with various operating hours throughou the season. The cost is $7 admission for 90 minutes plus $2 if you need to rent skates.

Missing the Braves already? This Friday, catch some of your favorite players.

Atlanta Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann and his wife Ashley; Braves All-Star Third Baseman Chipper Jones and his wife Sharon; and Jet Sports Management are proud to present the first ever Brian McCann Rally Celebrity Softball Game, taking place Friday, November 13 at Russ Chandler Stadium on the Georgia Tech campus. Gates open at 6:00 p.m., Home Run Derby begins at 7:00 p.m., and first pitch of the Celebrity Softball Game is set for 7:35 p.m.

With Brian McCann anchoring one team and teammate Chipper Jones leading the opposing squad, the first ever Rally Celebrity Softball Game will be a contest not to be missed.

Tickets for the Rally Celebrity Softball Game are FREE for children 12 and under, $5 for students and $10 for adults, with all proceeds benefitting the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research and their mission to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and cures for childhood cancer. Secure your tickets today or buy them the night of the game at Russ Chandler Stadium.

For those of you who don't want to cook dinner and aren't up for hosting a meal with a to-go option, don't worry, you can dine out for Thanksgiving at many local restaurants.

For fine dining or a buffet Turkey Day, check out some of our top picks for Thanksgiving meals in someone else's kitchen.

Midtown Shop and Dine Week returns with discounts at many of your favorite shops and restaurants. From November 13 - 22, 2009, get three-course, fine dining deals for $25, casual meals at 2 for $25 and great deals on shopping indulgences around Atlanta's midtown neighborhood. Participants include spots like El Taco, Tap and Ecco. Indulge and enjoy!

Last week  I talked about some upcoming holiday cooking classes. If you'd rather let someone else get messy in the kitchen, perhaps you'll be interested in ordering your Thanksgiving feast from one of these local restaurants instead.

Village Tavern Thanksgiving and Christmas Menu To Go
$125 serves four - $250 serves eight
Includes: Clam Chowder, Choice of Roast Turkey Breast or Honey Glazed Spiral Ham, Gravy, Corn Bread Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Soufflé, Cranberry Orange Relish, Choice of Pecan, Pumpkin or Apple Pie
Thanksgiving orders must be submitted by Monday, Nov. 23 and picked up on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Christmas orders must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 21 and picked on up Wednesday, Dec. 24 before 3 p.m. Orders can be placed by calling 770.777.6490.

Holidays from Alon's
Alon's offers a variety of holiday catering options with all the classics plus new-school favorites like Turducken. Locations in Virginia-Highlands and Dunwoody.

Star Provisions

Fresh, free-range, organic turkeys are available by the pound and can be purchased ready to cook or already prepared. Star Provisions also offers several delicious complements such as Yukon Gold Potato Puree, Sage and Apple Dressing, Sweet Potato Puree with Marshmallows, Green Beans with Wild Mushroom Cream and Fried Shallots, Braised Local Collard Greens with House Cured Hams and Thyme-Onion Rolls. For a sweet treat, Star Provisions also offers holiday cupcakes, traditional pies and specialty dessert items.

Call 404.365.0410 ext. 131 to place a Thanksgiving order. Thanksgiving orders must be placed by Saturday, November 21 at 5 p.m. Items will be available for pick-up on Wednesday, November 25, and must be picked up by 6 p.m. that day.

The Mercantile
Want to make your own turkey but let someone else worry about the details? The Mercantile has you covered. You can't get a bird to-go, but you can get delicious sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes and squash and apple soup. Don't forget to finish off the night with yummy pies or decadent chocolate cake. The last day for pre-order is Saturday, November 21, 8:00 p.m.. Call 404-378-0096 to order.

Need to brush up on your kitchen skills before guests start pouring in for the holidays? There are several Atlanta area cooking classes coming up that will help you create meals that shine this season.

11/6 - Stress Free Holiday Cocktail Party at Cook's Warehouse Midtown
Do-ahead stress-free ideas including Salted Toffee Almonds, Spicy-Sweet Walnuts, Chile Shrimp Bites, Andouille Sausage Puffs and more. You will also learn to make a couple of time saving party punches and a hot spiced cider that are real crowd pleasers. $45.

11/10 - Southern Favorites at Parish
Learn to make Pimento Cheese, Hickory "Smoked" Deviled Eggs and Curried Country Ham Salad. These fun southern dishes are sure to impress your out of town guests. Class includes a glass of bubbly. $40.

12/8 - Georgia Holiday Cheer at Parish
Make Million Dollar Eggnog, "Melted" Brie and Winter Fruits with Toasts, Creole Shrimp and Crab Dip. $40 for class and bubbly.

This Saturday, November 7, 2009, chili lovers will want to stop by Cabbagetown Chomp and Stomp. The outdoor festival has all the makings of a great fall afternoon - live music, an artists market and plenty of yummy chili to taste. Purchase a spoon and get there early - the best chili runs out quickly! Chili tasting starts at noon.

If you'd rather sip on something more refined, try the Decatur Wine Festival. From 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., stroll around Downtown Decatur and taste over 350 wines from all around the world. Tickets are $30 online and are also available at the Decatur Package Store at 1220 Clairmont Rd.