Jell-O haiku contest

The deadline to enter The Salt Lake Tribune's third annual Jell-O Poetry Contest is Wednesday at 5 p.m. Write a haiku about your family's favorite holiday Jell-O salad. Be silly, funny or -- even better -- sarcastic. Upload the haiku to our system by finding the special box on our "taste" page at www.sltrib.com/taste. Or by going to this link directly. http://extras.sltrib.com/jellolimerick/index.php

A haiku is a three-line poem. The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven, and a third goes back to five. Submit as many poems as you like. Our favorites will be published Nov. 25. Cookbooks and other food prizes will be awarded for the best submissions.

Cheaper turkey day?

This year a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with roast turkey and all the trimmings will be nearly 4 percent cheaper than in 2008 because of falling milk and turkey costs, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. For a 10-person meal, the average cost will be $42.91. That's down from $44.61 last year, the federation said in a prepared statement.

That cost factors in the 12 items typically served at Thanksgiving, including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, vegetables, bread and pumpkin pie. Milk, which costs nearly $1 less than last year, was the single biggest contributor to the overall decrease, aided by lower turkey prices. This year, a 16-pound bird will cost an average of $18.65, or 3 cents less per pound than last year.

Distillery open house

The High West Distillery and Saloon in Park City, the only "ski-in gastro-distillery in the world," will hold an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. Live music begins at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m., free tours of the distillery will be available, where visitors can learn how whiskey and vodka are made. The distillery, which will include a full-service restaurant and general store, will open for business Nov. 27. It's located at the base of the town lift at 703 Park Ave. in the historic Ellsworth J. Beggs house and National Garage.

Bite into a donation

Eat at Wild Grape Bistro in Salt Lake City this week and 10 percent of your bill will be donated to the Utah Society for Environmental Education. To participate, bring in the fundraising coupon at www.USEE.org or mention USEE to your server. The offer continues through Nov. 22. Wild Grape Bistro is located at 481 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City.

Meet the cake doctor

Author Anne Byrn will sign copies of her new cookbook, The Cake Mix Doctor Returns , at 7 p.m. today at The Kings English Book Shop, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City. Just like the original published 10 years ago, Byrn's new book shows cooks how to take an ordinary store-bought cake mix and "doctor it up" with puddings, eggs, fruit, sour cream and flavorings.

Feast like a pilgrim

Step back in time to Colonial America during the annual "Eat Like a Pilgrim" feast at Lehi's Thanksgiving Point, at 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday. Diners will feast on a turkey dinner with homemade bread and warm cobbler, and true to the period, served with pewter spoons and knifes. Warm goat's milk, duck and raw oysters also will be available for tasting. At the dinner, actors from the Colonial Heritage Foundation will portray historical characters, including Gov. William Bradford, William Brewster and Edward Winslow. Guests can pet cows, goats and turkeys in the show barn and participate in a variety of activities, crafts and period games. Tickets, purchased in advance, are $25 ($15 for children ages 3--12; free for children under 2), $30 day of the event ($20 children). For tickets and information, visit www.ThanksgivingPoint.org.

It takes a gaffe to win

Have you ever done or said anything embarrassing at the office Christmas party and wished for a do-over? Here's your chance: Embassy Suites Hotels is asking professionals to share their most regrettable office party gaffes. The best "cringe-worthy" story will win a "do-over" party. Visit www.businessbalance.com/holidaycontest to enter. The site includes downloadable holiday-themed ornaments and other office party tools, and tips on navigating workplace social gatherings.