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* There's radicchio, and then there's Radicchio Rosso Precoce di Treviso IGP, Radicchio Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP and Radicchio Variegato di Castelfranco IGP, three varieties of the leafy, burgundy- and white-streaked veggie grown only in Italy's Venet

* There's radicchio, and then there's Radicchio Rosso Precoce di Treviso IGP, Radicchio Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP and Radicchio Variegato di Castelfranco IGP, three varieties of the leafy, burgundy- and white-streaked veggie grown only in Italy's Veneto region. John Vena Inc. is the sole Philly supplier of these tasty imports, whose season runs from November to early spring. Celebrate radicchio's arrival tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Iovine Bros. in Reading Terminal Market (12th and Arch streets, 215-922-2317) with free samples and more.

* Join Joe Sixpack, aka Daily News beer columnist Don Russell, in a civilized sampling of the world's best Christmas beers at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (3260 South St., 215-898-4000) from 6-9 p.m. tomorrow.

Among the liquid highlights: Barbar De Noël, Weyerbacher Winter, Jolly Pumpkin Noel De Calabaza, Mahr's Christmas Bock and Ridgeway's Bad, Very Bad, Seriously Bad, and Criminally Bad Elf(s). Tickets are $45 in advance, $55 at the door and $15 for designated drivers. Info at www.phillybeerfests.com.

* Thursdays in December, both Gypsy Saloon (128 Ford St., West Conshohocken, 610-828-8494) and Stella Blu (101 Ford St., West Conshohocken, 610-825-7060) will offer the Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian Christmas Eve tradition. Seven dishes served over four courses will include tuna, clams, baccalà, smelts, oysters, mussels and shrimp, plus complimentary carafes of Italian wine. $50 a person with a minimum of four guests; reservations required.

* It will take more than 3,000 latkes to mark the seventh annual Latkepalooza, 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Gershman Y (401 S. Broad St., 215-545-4400). Hanukkah begins Saturday, and the fried potato pancakes are a holiday tradition. Participating restaurants include: Marigold Kitchen, Snackbar, Zahav, Estia, Jones, Max and David's, Penne, Sabrina's Café, Singapore Chinese Kitchen, Whole Foods and more. $15 advance, $18 at the door; $10 and $13 for kids.

* Get out your blueprints and your baking pans for the 3rd Annual Gingerbread White House Contest at the National Constitution Center (525 Arch St., 215-409-6700) Dec. 22-28. It's part of the Majestic Winter Wonderland celebration for ages 14 and under. In a nod to the center's current exhibit, "Diana: A Celebration," kids can submit a gingerbread replica of Buckingham Palace instead. (My, what would the Founding Fathers say!) Preregister by Monday with Francesca Reynolds, 215-409-6647 or marketing@constitution

center.org. Entries must be submitted on Dec. 21.

* Hone your gingerbread-building skills from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday as Table 31 (1701 JFK Blvd., 215-567-7111) hosts a Gingerbread House-Making Party in the Comcast Center Lobby. $40 buys you a kit filled with all the candy, icing and other goodies you'll need to complete the job. "Building gingerbread houses is a favorite holiday tradition of mine," said Table 31 owner and executive chef Chris Scarduzio. Afterward, take in the 3-D "Holiday Spectacular" on the world's largest four-millimeter LED screen in the lobby.

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ConradL@ phillynews.

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