This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Wednesday, December 14
The Slow Food UW Café has been going strong for lunch on Wednesdays all semester. Today marks the last café for the season, and special collaborators are folks from the The Crossing, 1127 University Ave., 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., $4. Call 257-1039 for more info.
Friday, December 16
While the term "carrotmob" may prompt a vision of pre-school age kids storming the doors at a Carrot Top appearance, it's actually a social media-driven consumption for change. Carrotmob today, with 50% of its profits from a four-hour period going to help the business become more environmentally sustainable. The ice cream shop is devoting its funds to multiple projects, including purchasing biodegradable cups and spoons, implementing composting and efficient refrigeration, improving water drainage, and donating to the Madison Area Grow Coalition. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, 468 State Street, 4-8 p.m. See Facebook and call 255-5454 for more info.
More events this week
Tuesday, December 13
Eastside Farmers' Market, with a book signing of the Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 4-7 p.m. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Wednesday, December 14
Gluten-Free Cooking Group with Judy Haight: Cookies class, with students preparing three different recipes of vegan soy-free cookies. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Susan Troller book reading, with the author discussing her new book Cluck: From Jungle Fowl to City Chicks about the backyard chicken movement. Memorial United Church of Christ, 5705 Lacy Rd., Fitchburg, 6:30 p.m., free. Call 273-1008 for more info.
Thursday, December 15
Gingerbread Cookie Fun, a family event with stories, games, and cookies. Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave., 4-5:30 p.m., free. Call 246-4547 to register and for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 4:30-6 p.m., $10. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Gluten-Free Seasonal Desserts class, with instructor Hallie Klecker of the blog Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Friday, December 16
Gingerbread Cookie Fun, a family event with stories, games, and cookies. Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd., 10:30 a.m.-noon, free. Call 266-6385 to register and for more info.
Mount Horeb Gingerbread House Display, an annual holiday benefit for the , for kids ages 6-12, with instructors preparing a menu of hot cocoa cookies, candy cane cookies, and marshmallow reindeer pops. Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 4:30-6 p.m., $10. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Winter Solstice Celebration, an annual family festival at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 300 Femrite Dr., 6:30 p.m., $6 person and $20 family for members and $7 person and $25 family for non-members. Call 221-0404 to register and for more info.
Saturday, December 17
Dane County Farmers' Market, in its 39th year of Madison Senior Center on January 7. Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., 7:30 a.m.-noon. Call 455-1999 for more info.
MadWest Farmers' Market, a new market organized through the Lussier Community Education Center, 55 S. Gammon Rd., 8-11:30 a.m. Call 772-4461 for more info.
McFarland Farmers' Market, concludes its indoor edition for the 2011 harvest season. McFarland Municipal Center, 5915 Milwaukee St., McFarland, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 873-9443 for more info.
Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Gingerbread Cookie Fun, a family event with stories, games, and cookies. Meadowridge Library, 5470 Raymond Rd., 1:30-3 p.m., free. Call 288-6160 to register and for more info.
Madrigal Dinner, an annual Renaissance-themed two-night benefit for the Middleton High School, 2100 Bristol St., 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $41. Please RSVP by December 13, and call 576-5297 for more info.
Sunday, December 18
Northside Winter Farmers' Market, the self-proclaimed Northside Town Center, intersection of Northport Dr. and Sherman Ave., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 695-0946 for more info.
Savory Sunday, with volunteers need to prepare and serve a fresh, hot meal for the hungry, now serving once again in the Wisconsin Capitol cafeteria. Lutheran Campus Center, 5 N. Mills St., 11 a.m. Call 233-6967 for more info.
