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The Athens Area Humane Society will hold its fourth annual Charity Chili Cook-Off this Saturday, Nov. 23, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Terrapin Beer Co. (on Newton Bridge Road). The $22 tickets benefit AAHS, and competitors include 13 local charities (Dee’s Haven Parrot Rescue, Athens Community Council on Aging, Free IT Athens, BikeAthens, Learning Ally, Oconee Warrior Foundation, Humane Society of Morgan County, Georgia Equine Rescue League, Oconee Regional Humane Society, Casa de Amistad, Hope Haven, The Ark and Community Connection).

The charity that wins the most votes gets a $300 cash prize. Tickets are $10 for ages 13-21 and kids 12 and under get in free. Groovekid will supply music, and there will be adoptable dogs on hand to look at you with sad brown eyes.

The Athens Mellow Mushroom is participating, like many of its fellow locations, in Bootleg Bacon Fest, a limited-time menu of porkstuffs, through Saturday. Hashtag #mellowbacon (really). The menu (viewable here) includes a number of bacon-topped pizzas, sandwiches and some specialty drinks (the Call Me Pumpkin mixes Sailor Jerry rum, Monin pumpkin spice, agave sours and cinnamon sugar on the rim).

Patricia Moore-Pastides, author of Greek Revival from the Garden: Growing and Cooking for Life, will be leading an event called "Healthy Cooking for the Family" at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia on Wednesday from 6:30–8 p.m. It's $12 ($10.80 for members). Moore-Pastides will sign books, The Healthy Gourmet will supply wine and cheese and Slow Food Greater Athens will have tastes of food cooked from her recipes. Register here.

The National is offering a Hannukah dinner Dec. 3 and 4, with a three-course prix fixe for $29: matzoh ball soup or sweet potato latkes; roast chicken breast with bulgur and pomegranate salad or slow-cooked beef brisket with potatoes; and, for dessert, apple cider doughnut or pistachio rugelach. Call 706-549-3450 or email [email protected] to reserve a spot.