THRESHOLD MINISTRIES presents the sixth annual Christmas Mission Market, raising money for missions across the world on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Orcutt Presbyterian Church, 993 Patterson Road, Santa Maria. Info: 938-5882.
SANTA MARIA VALLEY WINE COUNTRY presents a Wine Christmas passport weekend featuring access to 11 local wineries Dec. 5 and 6 from 11 a.m. to close. Cost is $30. Info: smvwines.com/WineChristmas.
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH presents trees from around the world and nativity scenes on Dec. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church on 624 E. Camino Collegio, Santa Maria. Info: 938-7477.
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA presents the 13th annual 2009 Lights, Sights, and Holiday Nights Decoration Contest, accepting nominations through Dec. 6 with judging taking place Dec. 7 through 9 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 984, or 922-8835.
THE ADDAMO TASTING ROOM AND BISTRO presents its annual Girls Night Out—Holiday Bazaar, featuring wine tasting, appetizers, shopping, and raffle prizes on Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the tasting room and bistro at 400 E. Clark Ave., suite A, Old Town Orcutt. Info: 937-6400.
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE presents the 2009 Christmas Luncheon on Dec. 9 at noon at the Elks’ Lodge in Santa Maria. Suggested donation is $25. Info: 928-7559 or marcy@santamaria.com.
THE GUADALUPE DUNES CENTER presents a Trees of the Season Holiday Gala and Open House on Dec. 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes Center, 1055 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. Info: 343-2455 or dunescenter.org.
THE ALTRUSA CLUB OF THE CENTRAL COAST FOUNDATION presents its “Festival of Trees” through Dec. 12 at the Santa Maria Town Center, Santa Maria. Cost is $1 for a single ticket, $6 for five tickets. Info: 937-0222.
WORTH THE DRIVE
THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents, as part of its “First Thursday” event series, a lecture/conversation with artists about the “California Calling” exhibit from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., a family “Holiday Cards and Ornaments” making class from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and a concert by the Santa Barbara Quire of Voyces from 6:30 to 7 p.m.—all on Dec. 3 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. A “Sundae Sculpting School Ice Cream Social” is Dec. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the museum in Santa Barbara. Info: 884-6430 or kcarl@sbma.net.
SOLVANG presents its annual Julefest celebration featuring a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 4, the annual Julefest parade on Dec. 5 at 11 a.m., a nativity pageant on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., and a winter solstice party on Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. in Solvang. Info: 688-6144 or SolvangUSA.com.
MOROVINO WINERY presents a First Friday event featuring wines paired with soups on Dec. 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the tasting room, 550 1st St., Avila Beach. Cost is $12. Info: 627-1443.
LOS ALAMOS’ BELL STREET hosts a “Holiday Stroll,” featuring a tea party and trunk show at the C Gallery, carolers, refreshments, and open shops on Dec. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. Info: 344-3807.
THE WILDLING ART MUSEUM presents a screening of The Bear as part of its free Friday flicks on Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the museum. A lecture and book signing by woodcut artist Tom Killion is Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. at 2928 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos. Cost is $10, $8 for members. Info: 688-1082 or wildlingmuseum.org.
WESTMONT COLLEGE presents the Westmont Christmas Festival, featuring three live performances by the Westmont College Choir, Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorale, Men’s Chorale, and New Sounds Singers and Orchestra: Dec. 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at the college in Santa Barbara. Info: 565-7140 or Westmont.edu/christmasfestival.
THE SAN LUIS OBISPO MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION and the South County Historical Society present Christmas Trains in the Village, featuring model trains, holiday festivities, storytelling, movies, raffles, and gifts Dec. 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the historic Odd Fellows Lodge, 128 Bridge St., Arroyo Grande. Cost is $2. Info: 773-4173 or slomra.org.
THE EXPLORATION STATION and the Girl Scouts present a Secret Santa Store on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Exploration Station, corner of 9th and Ramona Avenue, Grover Beach. Info: 473-1421 or youth@explorationstation.org.
THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents a trunk show
featuring jeweler Gerry Stinn on Dec. 5 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Info: 884-6430 or kcarl@sbma.net.
HOSPICE OF SANTA BARBARA, INC. presents Light Up a Life, a
benefit event featuring a memorial tree lighting Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the Camino Real Marketplace, Goleta, and Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lobero Theater’s front lawn, Santa Barbara. Cost is $10. Info: 563-8820 or hospiceofsantabarbara.org.
HOPEDANCE FILMS hosts a screening of No Impact Man on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo Public Library, Osos and Palm streets, SLO. Info: hopedance.org.
This article appears in Dec 3-10, 2009.