Every Monday, we post The Five Best Things to enjoy in the upcoming week. These things are selected by the Plum TV staff and often times by you.

They range from humble to haute and include exciting events, festivals and performances as well as dining, shopping and playing at various treasured spots, shops and institutions.

This week we're looking forward to...

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PLAY

1) The Farmers Market has been THE place to go on Friday afternoons all summer, so come join us for the final farmer's market of the season, this Friday, October 16, from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. While the market has been shrinking in size due to the end of the harvest season, there are still great meats, baked goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, potatoes, arts, crafts, jewlery and live music to enjoy. So come say goodbye to summer and hellloooooo to winter!

- Perusing the Farmers Market (Watch Video)

- Pren Wilcox, the Convivial Crafter at the Market (Watch Video)

2) The Gondola is closing for the off-season on Sunday, October 18th! This may be your last chance to hop on and take a free ride from Telluride to Mountain Village. This public transit system is the only free gondola service of it's kind in North America, and has been running seasonally since November of 1996. The best part: whizzing out of the San Sophia mid station and dropping down over the town of Telluride, or spotting marmots on the grassy slopes below!

- The Telluride Gondola (Watch Video)

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EXPERIENCE

3) Head over to the Palm Theatre to watch the timeless children's tale, Cinderella at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. This wonderful fairytale comes to life in this special production of the work, with professional dancers from the State Street Ballet. They will be joined on the stage by our own local young ballet dancers from the Telluride Dance Academy in what is sure to be a beautiful show! Tickets are $35/Adults and $25/Students. Visit the website for more information.

- Telluride's Youngest Dance Stars (Watch Video)

- Backstage at the Nutcracker (Watch Video)

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SAVOR

4) For an incredible off-season dinner special, try Smuggler's Brew Pub on Monday, October 12 for their fantastic Burger Night! They have a signature $5.55 You Call The Burger Special, and between 3-6 p.m., Smugglers offers Off-Season Happy Hour, serving up $3 pints! All of Smuggler's handcrafted award winning ales & lagers are created in the brew house, located in the basement just below the restaurant. Get over to Smuggler's for some local specials that you just can't miss!

- Smuggler's Brew: How to Make Rocky Mountain Rye (Watch Video)

- Map & Directions for Smuggler's Brew Pub

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SEE

5) Check out The Telluride Cinematheque Film Festival on Monday, October 19th. This exciting event features screening that are all double-billed, meaning double the fun! Evenings begin at 6 p.m., and will include very special between-programs culinary experiences. Films in the program include Laura, The Hitch Hiker, and many others. At the Wilkinson Public Library.

- 2009 Telluride Film Fest: Jason Reitman (Watch Video)

- 2008 Telluride Film Festival (Watch Video)

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If you attend any of these events or activities, please report back to Plum with your thoughts on our suggestions and photos of your adventures! We want the good & the bad!

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Ideas for next week? e-mail Mike @ editors@plumtv.com