Those of you new to Cape May will be surprised at the diversity of  November’s lineup of activities, but locals have come to expect that our small town is not one of those resorts that folds up its tent once fall leaves begin to appear on the trees. Cape May plays host to both the Cape May Jazz Festival (Nov.9-11) and the New Jersey State Film Festival (Nov. 15-18) in the month of November. And if you’re trying to escape cooking the traditional Thanksgiving Day meal, or trying to escape picking which in-law to spend the day with, come on down to Cape May. A number of our finer restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving. However, early reservations both at the restaurant and your favorite place to stay are strongly recommended.
   Among those restaurants open for Thanksgiving: The Merion Inn, Union Park Restaurant, Peter Shields Inn and Restaurant, The Ebbitt Room, Blue Pig and Aleathea’s. The Blue Pig, located in Congress Hall on Beach Avenue, will be serving Thanksgiving dinner from 1-7 p.m. The Merion Inn, located on Decatur Street, will be open 1-8 p.m. The Peter Shields Inn and Restaurant, located on the east end of Beach Avenue, will be serving their holiday fare from 2-7 p.m. as will The Ebbitt Room, located in the Virginia Hotel on Jackson Street. Union Park, located on Beach Avenue, in the Hotel Macomber, will be serving from 3-8 p.m. and Aleathea’s Restaurant, located at the Inn of Cape May on Ocean Street and Beach Avenue, will be serving from 2-8 p.m. As you can see, you have a wide selection of restaurants to choose from.
   If it’s music that you love, it doesn’t get any better than the Cape May Jazz Festival. Now in its 14^th year, this organization has brought some of the finest talent in the jazz world to Cape May. This 28^th festival’s theme is “Favorites Return.” Among the favorites – the Duke Ellington Orchestra appearing at Convention Hall November 9 for two shows at 8 p.m. and
10 p.m. and Pieces of a Dream, also appearing at Convention Hall Saturday night, for two shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. And speaking of favorites, the Cape May Jazz Festival will pay homage to one of Cape May’s most loved entertainers, Tim Eyermann, who died due to complications from surgery May 1, 2007. Tim was a regular at the old Shire Tavern on the Washington Street Mall where jazz began in Cape May. He was also an opener for the very first jazz festival in April 1994. A memorial service will be held at Convention Hall Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. For festival tickets or more information, visit www.capemayjazz.org or phone 877-7CMJAZZ.
   The New Jersey State Film Festival (NJSFF) is now in its sixth year and offers independent film makers of all ages the opportunity to premiere their films to a wide audience. The festival kicks off on Thursday with a day dedicated to young filmmakers offering free workshops with renowned filmmakers. South Jersey teens also have the opportunity to work one-on-one with seasoned film professionals and with professional equipment in a year round program of intensive workshops where they learn filmmaking from script to screen. One of the many highlights of the festival is the Opening Night Champagne Reception where a film artist is presented with the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Film in New Jersey. Past award recipients include Robert Prosky, Susan Sarandon, Billy Baldwin and Joey Pantoliano. But the curtain goes up Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. and continues into the evening with screenings from independent filmmakers. The Beach Theatre is scheduled to re-open with a fresh new look as one of the festival's venues on Saturday as well. For tickets visit www.njstatefilmfestival.com or phone 609-884-6700.
   One of the highlights of November (Nov. 16-18) is our Holiday Preview Weekend. Santa and his elves have been busy getting the Physick Estate ready so you can get a head start on the holiday season! This is your chance to enjoy a variety of special Christmas tours and events before the crowds arrive. The Physick Estate is a true Christmas fantasyland this year. The Carriage House Gallery exhibit, An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Holiday Traditions Through the Years, recreates holidays of years past with vintage Santas, model trains, trees, toys and more (through January 1, 2008). On Saturday evening, the Physick Estate will be open for free self-guided tours beginning at 6 pm. Santa himself arrives at the Physick Estate at 7 pm to throw the switch for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and light the thousands of twinkle lights adorning the estate. For kids, there are Santa’s Trolley Rides and a chance to visit with old St. Nick himself. For grown-ups, the Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides conjure up images of Scrooge, Marley and more.
   Most of the B&Bs gear up for this weekend as well and the historic districts, among them, Jackson Street, Columbia Avenue and Hughes Street light up like a scene out of a Dickens’ novel.
   Don’t think that November need only be devoted to touring, spirits and shopping. The 7th Annual South Jersey Big Bass Open will be held Nov. 2-4 at South Jersey Marina. Please visit www.sjmarina.com or call 609-884-2400 for more information.
   One of Cape May’s more popular “shoulder season” events is Sherlock Holmes Weekend (Nov. 2-4) and held again in March 7-8 in 2008. Join Arthur Conan Doyle’s master sleuth for a weekend of mystery and intrigue. Includes an opening reception in which the puzzle is presented, followed by a full weekend of activities including a Search for Clues tour, as well as dining events, contests, and prizes for those who unravel the mystery. Cost varies per activity. Weekend overnight packages are available. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
   In conjunction with the Sherlock Holmes Weekend is the Search for Clues Tour and Dinner on the Orient Express. From 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, travel from inn to inn in Victorian Cape May while you try to solve a murder mystery. Along the way you’ll encounter Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and a cast of characters. Tour begins and tickets are available at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth. On Sunday, Nov. 4, it’s all aboard the Orient Express. Enjoy a five-course dinner inspired by the menu served to passengers on this famous train and play along to solve the murder mystery. Period costume is highly encouraged. Prize for best costume and solving the mystery. 7:30 p.m. at the Mad Batter Restaurant, 19 Jackson St. Limited to 60. Admission $55. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Mad Batter. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
   For another pleasant diversion, East Lynne Theater is presenting Sherlock Holmes’ Adventure of the Speckled Band, on Fri. and Sat. (Nov. 2– 3) at 8:00 p.m. Based on one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s favorite stories and his rarely produced play The Stoner Case, adapted by Craig Wichman, this old-fashioned radio show is complete with commercials and live sound effects just like Sherlock Holmes’s radio series on NBC that premiered on Oct. 20, 1930.
   If you happen to be in Cape May Saturday, November 10, (2 to 3:30 p.m.) please stop by the Cape May City Library located at Ocean and Hughes streets for Joyride: A 10th Anniversary Celebration of Libby Demp Forrest and her Writing. This is a celebration of the writings of Ms. Forrest. Libby’s son Keith, a communication professor at Atlantic Cape Community College and the current writer of the “Joyride III” column, will lead the remembrance of his mother’s life and work. Libby was one of the most beloved writers in Cape May County for more than 20 years. Her “Joyride III” column appeared in the Cape May County Herald from 1984 until her death in 1997. Before that, “Joyride II” ran in the Gazette-Leader from 1975-1984. October marks the 10th anniversary of her death.
   The celebration will be a time for those who loved her writings to rediscover her work, and for a new generation to learn about her work. Attendees at the Joyride remembrance are encouraged to share their personal stories about Libby and to read from their favorite columns. For additional information, contact the Cape May City Library at 609-884-9568.
   And don’t think we’ve forgotten about you gourmands. There’s the Winery Cellar Tour & Tasting Saturday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. An afternoon at the award-winning Cape May Winery includes a tour of the vineyard to see how grapes are grown, an introduction to the winemaker’s art, and a barrel tasting with cheese, fruit, and a complimentary glass of wine.
   Or try a Spirited Cape May Weekend (Nov.16-18) Triple your enjoyment by combining a Wine Tasting Dinner, a Winery Cellar Tour and a Wine School Class for a weekend of total indulgence. The four-course Wine Tasting Dinner will be held 6 p.m., Friday, November 16, Washington Inn, 801 Washington St. Guests will be treated to individual attention by the wine steward. Enjoy a guided tour and tasting at the award-winning Cape May Winery, 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, November 17. Complete the experience 1-3 p.m., Sunday, November 18, with a Wine School Class at the Lucky Bones Backwater Grille, 1200 Route 9. The Spirited Cape May Weekend Package is $125 per person. Both events are sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and hosted by the Washington Inn. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
   For more tours and events please visit CapeMay.com’s Events Calendar. Gobble, gobble!