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A cabal of Philly's plugged-in new-media types, dubbed the "Geeks Who Give," are kicking off the season with this food-raiser for Philabundance. The event, going down at National Mechanics, will include raffled prizes, from a $75 gift certificate to the Wine School of Philadelphia to a dinner with City Paper food critic David Snyder. ForkYou.tv will host its monthly cooking demo at 7 p.m. Bring five (or more!) nonperishable items at the door to get in. National Mechanics, 22 S. Third St., 215-701-4883, geekswhogive.org, twitter.com/geekswhogive.
Kensington is getting dolled up for the holiday season, and plenty of bars, haunts and restaurants are celebrating by donning lights of their own. Memphis Taproom, Johnny Brenda's, Greensgrow Farms, Philadelphia Brewing Co. and other area spots will play up festive displays all month long. Check out the shops in "Kristmas village" — Bambi Gallery and De Pinto Guitars, to name two — and get gifting out of the way early. Throughout Kensington, 215-427-2739, philadelphiabrewing.com.
Cooking instructor Fabrizia Lanza will be visiting Fork to pair offerings from her winery, Regaleali, with authentic Sicilian dishes, including eggplant timballe and Cornish game hen stuffed with veal and pistachios. Save room for blanc mange with cumin nougat for dessert. Reservations required. Fork, 306 Market St., 215-625-9425, forkrestaurant.com.
TJ's of Paoli is turning five and celebrating with some slightly younger brews, including the 2007 and '08 versions of Tröegs Mad Elf and '07's North Coast Old Stock. Sly Fox's gift to the bar — an amber-colored British Pale Ale (4.7 percent ABV) — will be featured on hand pump. A raffle benefiting St. Gabriel's Food Cupboard will provide one lucky drinker with a basket of cellar-aged beers. TJ's Everyday, 35 Paoli Plaza, Paoli, 610-725-0100, tjseveryday.com.