An e-Thanksgiving guidebook Thanksgiving is two weeks away, the earliest possible date, but there's still time for expert advice. Digital advice, to be exact. "Let's Talk Turkey" is an e-book designed to help you pull off Thanksgiving, or any holiday meal. Recipes are from Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Country Living and Woman's Day magazines. Tools cover everything from drafting calendars and checklists for holiday meal planning to recipes for turkey and all the fixings. There's also a troubleshooting section, all told with a reassuring tone. "Let's Talk Turkey" is available exclusively as an e-book, under $4 wherever Kindles, Nooks, etc., are sold. A twist on cookie swapsThe folks who brought us Chex Mix are suggesting a twist on the traditional holiday cookie exchange by hosting a Chex Party Mix-Change. Toward that end, they've developed five new snack mix recipes inspired by cookies, such as sweet pecan, chocolate macaroon or Black Forest mix. Curious? There will be samples, merch for sale and ideas for a party at a Chex Party Mix-Change at the Mall of America from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23 -- yes, Black Friday -- in the Sears Court. For recipes, visit www.chex.com/recipes/chexpartymixchange.aspx.

Baby, it's chili inside As the temps dip, it's time for the Midtown Global Market chefs to flex their spatulas at the sixth annual Global Chili Cookoff. Guests receive a wristband upon entering the cookoff, and each participating MGM vendor will provide chili samples at their respective restaurants. The top vote-getter gets the "people's choice award." The event is from noon to 2 p.m. Sat. at the market, 920 E. Lake St., Mpls. A $5 donation is suggested; proceeds benefit Perspectives, a local nonprofit benefiting homeless and at-risk families by providing transitional housing.

Winter markets on deck Just because the season has turned doesn't mean that farmers markets have closed shop. Many are moving into winter quarters, while some, like the Minneapolis Farmers Market, just ask you to bundle up! The Mill City Farmers Market vendors move their goods inside the Mill City Museum, open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every second Saturday of the month through April 13. At the St. Paul Farmers Market, some goods move inside the nearby Golden's Deli, in addition to the usual Wall Street offerings. The best place to see if your favorite market will remain open into the winter, even on an occasional basis, is the listing at the state Agriculture Department's website, www3.mda.state.mn.us/mngrown.

KIM ODE