Montclarion: November 25, 2011

It’s the day after Thanksgiving. Do you know where your turkey is?

If you’re anything like me, your bird has been picked to pieces by now, with some of it simmering in a soup and the rest bubbling gently in an oven casserole.

Having grown up in Minnesota, I can say with great pride that I make a mean Turkey Noodle Doodah Casserole. One year I mentioned this on KCBS radio and had dozens of listeners requesting the recipe. I told them what I’ll tell you now — it’s all about the layering.

Take a layer of turkey and a layer of stuffing — a layer of cranberries and a layer of chips — then you cover it all with some gravy and shove it in the oven. You may want to make two casseroles and bring one to the neighbors, and they, in turn, will reward you with a fruitcake in December.

HOLIDAY STROLL: One of our sweetest “small town” events is the Montclair Holiday Stroll. Neighbors pop into shops to share Christmas cheer and each store is bedecked with baubles and lights for the season. This year’s stroll is next from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and will include performances by the Pacific Boys Choir, the Montera Middle School Orchestra and, of course, the tap dancing trees that shake their boughs to the beat of your favorite holiday songs. Oh, and there’s free parking in the Montclair Garage from 5 to 9 p.m. Check out www.montclairvillage.comif you want to know more.

EATERY OPENS: After almost three years of waiting, A Cote’s sister restaurant has opened in the Glenview. Rumbo al Sur (4239 Park Blvd.) is serving up the tequila and South American wines along with a menu of everything from baby back ribs with jicama slaw to grilled New York steak with collard greens and yucca fries. The restaurant is big — 160-plus seats — so parking will be harder to find than ever, but most folks seem happy the place is finally open.

EMAIL BAG: If you’re in the market for a Christmas tree, one place to go is Farmer Joe’s Markets in the Laurel and Dimond districts. Reader Judy Furuichi says the new Farmer Joe’s (3426 Fruitvale Ave.) is also in a great little shopping area with a Peets and a La Farine Bakery across the street. She also likes that it’s family-owned and has lots of organic and nonorganic fruits and vegetables, very fresh fish, meats and poultry and more.

ANIMAL TALES: You’ve heard of the movie “All Dogs go to Heaven”? Well, Bella is a cat that may make it there someday. I’m told that the Russian blue kitty, who lives in the rectory at Corpus Christi Church in Piedmont, pops in on the youth group meetings and has even wandered into the church during Mass. Now that’s a cat with conviction!