There's plenty of fresh air at the TMA's annual Holiday Craft Market.

It’s almost time for Thanksgiving, which means…it’s time to think about holiday shopping—two words that have become dirty, but not for any fun reasons. Searching for those gifts, most of us end up trolling the mall for hours on end. We eat too much Panda Express, get frustrated by the slowest-moving humans ever and buy things because we have to, not necessarily because they’re the perfect gift for that special someone on the list. By the time it’s all over, the fresh air outside seems foreign and wrong.

Bah humbug.

It doesn’t have to be that way. It won’t be that way, thanks to a number of local shopping events where you’ll find wares that are handcrafted and options that are unique. Added bonus: The exits are close and the sanity-level reasonable.

Feast's winter squash stew is on its Thanksgiving to go menu.

As you eat the rest of that Halloween candy (if you have any…mine’s long gone), it’s time to turn culinary thoughts to Thanksgiving. And if you don’t want to spend the day in the kitchen, it’s time to think about making a reservation at one of the many places around town offering to do the cooking for you.

This being Tucson, some places are still making plans, but plenty others know exactly what they’re doing. Our Thanksgiving meals story has the when, the where and the what you’ll get.

Photos from the 20th annual All Souls Procession, which started on Fourth Avenue and snaked downtown.

GWAR

Looking at the concert calendar for Nov. 9-15, it’s hard to see past the towering theater of metal that is GWAR. If you like your rock dressed up—really dressed up, beyond those easy-to-put-on masks Slipknot wears—well, you’ll agree. If Kiss were in town, my head might explode. Although, if you’re not drawn to music that’s turned up to 11, there’s room for everyone in this big ole musical world. Tucson has plenty of shows to consider giving your dollars to this week, and all of our picks are in the weekly Tucson Concerts.

Photo by Andi Berlin/Special to Metromix

Always on the lookout for dining deals in the Old Pueblo, our latest story is on the happy hour at elle, a good choice for many reasons. Here are two: Not only is their happy hour daily, but it finds all items on the bar food menu half-off. And, as we found out, that includes the well-stocked cheese plates…

The Ketch's favorite cheeseburger. (Andi Berlin/Special to Metromix)

Yes, the name isn’t so savory (check the urban dictionary if you’re not familiar with what “gooch” refers to), but the new UA eatery Gooch’s Grill has one darn good chili-cheese dog. It’s also in a prime location for grabbing a bite before or after a football game.

For all of your walkable options, we’ve put together a roundup of restaurants within one mile of Arizona Stadium.

Metromix is giving away 20 admit-two passes to the Michael Jackson doc “This Is It,” which was filmed April through June. The film chronicles Jackson’s prep for the 50 sold-out shows that would have happened in London in August.

Enter to win a pass to a 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27 sneak preview of the film at the Harkins Spectrum. The deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday.

And, on the topic of free stuff, we’re also giving away pairs of tickets to Nightmare on Congress Street, the annual Halloween party at Club Congress. This year, it’s on Devil’s Night and features two stages, seven bands and costume contests. Enter to win tickets to the Nightmare by 5 p.m. Oct. 27.

Good luck!

Vine St.'s G-Ari (Metromix)

As usual, we come at you with our picks for the best Tucson concerts this week. Gogol Bordello, Brother Ali, Digital Leather…and more.

Also, several locals have CD release parties coming up, including Chris Holiman (tonight) and Vine St. (Wednesday).

Beyond Bread's pumpkin cheesecake. (Andi Berlin/Special to Metromix)

We visit five restaurants creating delicious treats with the favored fall ingredient. Some are sweet, some are savory, and all are photogenic.

Tucson Citizen

There is no scarcity of events in Tucson inspired by Dîa de los Muertos. And while some are more traditional, the vast majority draw outside the lines. We can thank our area artists for that – THANK YOU! They’re the impetus behind such great celebrations as the All Souls Procession and the full weekend of events surrounding it – a photo exhibit, poetry reading, display of altars. We have a film fest, concert with Calexico, and much more.

Again, thank you Tucson artists!