Gettin’ indie wit it

Black Friday is approaching. For me, this means staying the hell away from the mall, hiding from the onslaught of bad Christmas music and praying that my cash flow survives past New Year’s Eve.

For many, though, this day means celebrating capitalism, cramming into local malls and mega stores and quickly snatching up this year’s hottest products. Luckily, Sacramento has a bunch of pre-Black Friday events going down this week that will feature local, indie and secondhand goods. Check out the following “alternative” events for holiday shopping this week.

SPCA Fall Book Sale & Holiday Boutique

Help homeless animals with your holiday purchases at this nine-day shopping event. The book sale (November 14-18) features bargain books of all kinds. The holiday boutique sale (November 14-25) features decorations, crafts, clothing and more from the Sacramento SPCA Thrift Store. Book sale hours are November 14-17, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, November 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Boutique hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Free admission. Country Club Plaza, 2310 Watt Avenue; www.sspca.org/index.php/booksale.

Sacramento Harvest Festival

Hear music, browse arts-and-crafts booths, and watch kid-friendly entertainers at this three-day festival. Music will be provided by the Bad Catz and the Cash Tribute Show, and a kid zone will be run by Nature of Art for Kids. Friday and Saturday, November 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, November 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $4-$9; one ticket is good for all three days. Pavilion Hall at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Boulevard; (415) 447-3205; www.harvestfestival.com.

Sacramento State University’s Geology Club Rock Auction

This rock auction will have more than 150 rocks, gems and minerals for sale. Most rocks will be sold through a silent auction, but a few will be auctioned live. Proceeds benefit the Geology Club. Friday, November 16, at 6 p.m. Free. Sacramento State University Alumni Center, 6000 J Street; www.csus.edu/geology.

American River College Fall Plant Sale

The American River College Department of Horticulture hosts this fall plant sale featuring houseplants, vegetables, herbs and succulents—in addition to floral arrangements. Thursday, November 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free. American River College, Technical Education area, 4700 College Oak Drive; http://web.arc.losrios.edu/~hort/plant_sales.html.

Noël—A Holiday Vintage Market

The Olive and Rose, a vintage styling- and production-services company, holds a holiday-shopping event with 20 vintage and antique vendors selling gifts, home décor, jewelry books and more. Friday, November 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday, November 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10 for both days; $5 for Saturday only. Beatnik Studios, 2421 17th Street; (916) 206-9144; http://theoliveandrose.blogspot.com.

Getty Crafty Holiday Bazaar

Shop for handcrafted gifts, hear live music, donate toys to Shriners Hospitals for Children and take pictures with Santa at this holiday bazaar. Proceeds benefit the Getty Owl Foundation, whose mission is “helping families and fighting Spinal Muscular Atrophy.” Saturday, November 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5. Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, 818 I Street; (916) 476-3977; http://gettyowl.org/events/getty-crafty.