It's nearly Thanksgiving, which means the long weekend is creeping up quickly, and if you're celebrating the holiday you'll have three whole days to enjoy turkey – or Tofurky or Turducken if that's more your style – and figure out ways to avoid going up a pant size. If you're around town for the next portion of the week, here are some things to do in and around Vancouver:

Thursday, October 9 – Global Warming: The Scale Of The Problem And The Path To The Solution

It may not be a lighthearted evening pre-long weekend, but issue: hear Dr. Andrew J. Weaver talking about his new book, Keeping Our Cool: Canada in a Warming World, part of the Ting Series on Understanding Climate Change. Admission is free for the presentation at the SFU Harbour Centre campus (515 West Hastings) and it starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science.

Friday, October 10 –Cats

Cats plays at The Centre:
cast not as shown

See the famed Broadway play that has opened all across Canada before it finishes on the 12th.Based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, Cats features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. There are two views on Cats: one is that it's an impressive musical with great special effects and design, and is deserving of all the awards and praise it's been given. The opposite view: it lacks substance and has a shaky storyline - the actors-as-cats introduce themselves, they sing and dance, you go home. Either way, tickets start at $46.50 plus fees and service charges at www.ticketmaster.ca. (Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts at 777 Homer).

Saturday, October 11 – Hayden

Hayden has been touring and performing for almost 15 years, and with his folky mix of low key love songs and melodic tunes he's sort of like an old time Bright Eyes, only with more mumbling and less nasally- delivered agnst. Hayden,whose success grew in the mid 1990's with the release of his debut album Everything I Long For, has also been compared to Neil Young (who plays Vancouver Oct. 22) countless times in album reviews, as well as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, and Bob Dylan. Also, he may or may not be the object of a certain Vancouver.com editor's indie-rock affections. Hayden will be performing songs from his latest record, In Field & Town at the Vogue Theatre (918 Granville) tonight at 8 p.m. You can find tickets online at www.ticketmaster.ca, or at Zulu and Red Cat Records ($25).

Sunday, October 12 – Vancouver Whitecaps Soccer

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC battle the Puerto Rico Islanders for the United Soccer Leagues first division championship at Swangard Stadium (3883 Imperial St., Burnaby). Tickets start at $21 at www.ticketmaster.ca, and the game starts at 4 p.m. Get more information at www.whitecapsfc.com.

Monday, October 13 – Sweet Dreams: Slovenian Cinema

If you haven't ever seen a Slovenian film, you should know that directors from this small country have emerged as some of the best filmmakers of our time. If you have no idea where the country is located, it borders Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Austria. The country's cinema is getting more international attention with films that are winning numerous festival awards and proving to be incredibly popular with audiences. Check out the Pacific 's(1131 Howe St.) website at www.cinematheque.bc.ca for showtimes and information.

Tuesday, October 14 – Stanley Park Halloween Ghost Train

It's time again for the ghost train, a spooky adventure through Stanley Park on the miniature railway. This year until Nov. 1 the Mortal Coil Performance Society presents a pirate-themed train tour with actors, dancers, and info at www.vancouverparks.ca, and buy tickets for $9/5.50 at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Wednesday, October 15 – Taste of Yaletown

Not the Taste of Yaletown

Until October 26 you can enjoy an evening of fabulous wine and food from some of Yaletown's finest restaurants. Over 20 Yaletown restaurants are participating, but you should book asap as lots of Vancouverites jump at the chance to get a fine meal at a non-Yaletown price.Not only will you get a great dining experience for $25, $35 or $45, you'll also be helping out the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, which gets a portion of the proceeds. Find all participating restaurants and menus at www.tasteofyaletown.com.