Are you already in the Holiday spirit? The retail stores and TV commercials certainly want you to be. Here's a list of the holiday events planned for Huntsville this Christmas season. Now you can start marking your calendar and planning your strategy to get the most out of the holiday season...even if money is a little tight this year.

If you love opera, you can go to the movies and see some great opera & ballet. The "Opera in Cinema" fall series brings landmark works such as performances from Russia's legendary Mariinsky Ballet Company (formerly Kirov) with the classic Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Don't miss this Christmas favorite. Tickets are $20 each.

Here's the remaining schedule with times:

Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky--Sun, Nov 15, 1:00 pm
The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky--Thu, Nov 19, 7:00 pm & Sun, Nov 22, 1:00 pm
Cosi Fan Tutte, Mozart--Thu, Dec 17, 7:00 pm & Sun, Dec 27, 1:00 pm

When you think of wine country, most people think of France, Italy or California...but there are 10 family owned wineries in Alabama. Alabama is known for its muscadine grapes, which have five times the antioxidants than other grapes, according to recent research. Check out these vineyards and enjoy a winery tour, wine-tastings or a festival...all in Alabama.

Here's a bunch of events & happenings for you to check out in the Huntsville area: Quilt Challenge '09 -- Florence, Huntsville Dragway, Theater Huntsville Presents: "Christmas Belles," Half Marathon & Heroes' 5K Races, 2009 Collinsville Historic Turkey Trot -- Collinsville, Christmas In Cullman Open House, W.C. Handy Birthday Celebration -- Florence, Harrison Brothers Hardware Christmas Open House, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder -- Decatur, Salvation Army "Angel Tree" Kickoff at Parkway Place Mall, plus more. Details on the events calendar.

Carissa is the "Dog of the Week" for Huntsville Animal Services. Carissa is a one year old Wheaton Terrier. She is playful and very friendly. She loves kids and other dogs; the shelter doesn't know about cats. Carissa would make a wonderful addition to any family. She's already spayed and ready to go home with you just as soon as you come down to the shelter on Johnson Road to meet and fall in love with her.
Mopsy is the "Rabbit of the Week" for Huntsville Animal Services. Mopsy came to the shelter with two other bunnies--Flopsy and Pumpkin, where their owner lost her job and could no longer afford to keep them. Mopsy is shy at first, but has a great personality when he warms up to you. He's a nine month old Dutch boy with unusual orange and white fur. Won't you give him a home? He's working on using the litterbox.

Here's some things I learned in Huntsville this week:

• Huntsville is listed as #8 of the Best-Performing Cities 2009: Where America's Jobs Are Created and Sustained. Austin TX is #1.
• If you've got some time on your hands, you might find this site interesting: My Parents Were Awesome.
• You can view Coffee Tree Books & Brew's newsletter online to find out all the things going on there.
• Gov. Bob Riley is a strong supporter of Alabama's progress in creating a statewide trauma system. Seventy percent of the state is now covered by Alabama's trauma system. Read more...

Five of the 105 eating places in this week's Huntsville/Madison County Health Dept. report, failed to make a passing grade of 85, while four had perfect scores of 100. Some of the restaurants receiving a visit from inspectors were Barnhill's Buffet, Main Street Cafe, Dragon Garden, G's County Kitchen, Popeye's Fried Chicken, Fresh Market, Crackers, David Gibson's Bar-B-Q #2, Mezza Luna, Lawlers Barbeque, Grille 29, plus more. Read the full report.

MONTGOMERY--As Alabama continues experiencing widespread influenza, the Alabama Department of Public Health is expanding the target group of individuals eligible for novel H1N1 influenza vaccination.

Limited quantities of the novel H1N1 vaccine will be available for the following groups:

• Pregnant women
• Household and caregiver contacts of children younger than 6 months of age (parents, siblings and child care providers)
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel
• Persons from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Individuals aged 25 through 64 years with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of flu complications (such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, HIV and certain types of arthritis)

Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, said, "We have been able to provide some novel H1N1 influenza vaccine to providers in both the private and public sectors, and with the ongoing delivery of vaccine we are now beginning another phase of our strategy to expand coverage to the broader target groups. Read more...

The Alabama Veterans Museum in Athens, Alabama has over 2,000 artifacts, medals, uniforms and wartime equipment on display from the Revolutionary War until present day. There is also over 1,000 books and 200 videos in their library. There is also an educational program that the Museum encourages school children to tour and learn about the fight for our freedom. Alabama Veterans Museum also has a gift shop in the 100-year old L&N Freight Depot where the museum is located on 100 W. Pryor Street in Athens. Use the comment link below to tell us about a special veteran in your life.

Madison Christian Church has honored the Veterans of Madison County for the last four years with a Free Steak and Potato Dinner. This year from 1800 to 2100 (that is 6 to 9 PM) on Sunday November 8th, 2009 all Veterans and Active Duty personnel are invited to the 5th Annual Veterans Dinner.

All Veterans and Active Duty personnel dinners are Free and will include a ¾ lb New York Strip Steak, Baked Potato, Broccoli or Green Bean Casserole, rolls & butter, and Desert. Madison Christian Church is located at 1400 Hughes Road, Madison AL. If you are a non-veteran and want to attend to show your support for Our Veterans - You are welcome. Donations will be accepted and children under 8 also eat for free. If you have any questions or want more information on this Free Event, please call Jim at 256-509-0508.