ANYONE WHO BRINGS A TOY worth at least $10 for Toys for Tots to the Joe White Memorial Gymnasium Dec. 10 to 12 from 1 to 7 p.m. will get a voucher for the Allan Hancock College three-day basketball tournament. Cost without toy is $15. Info: hancockcollege.edu.
THE U.S. MARINE CORPS RESERVE TOYS FOR TOTS PROGRAM presents a Cruise Night and “Toys for Tots” benefit event Dec. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at JR’s Drive-In Burgers, 603 E. Main St., Santa Maria. Cost is one new toy worth at least $10. Info: 934-0739.
HEALTHY INSPIRATIONS holds a donation celebration for Toys for Tots Dec. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Healthy Inspirations, Nipomo. Info: 929-3555.
ROCKSTAR FITNESS presents a grand opening red carpet ceremony on Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Santa Maria Town Center, upstairs, Main and Broadway, Santa Maria. Info: 925-0800 or rockstarfitness.net.
THE HOLIDAY GIFT AND CRAFT FAIR features gifts, refreshments, and entertainment on Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nipomo Old Town Nursery, 323 W. Tefft St., Olde Towne Nipomo. Info: 458-1907.
THE DANA ADOBE NIPOMO AMIGOS holds its annual open house, “Christmas at the Dana Adobe,” featuring a re-creation of an 1850 California Christmas on Dec. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Dana Adobe, 671 South Oakglen, Nipomo. Admission is $5, or get three people in for $10. Info: 929-5670 or danadobe.org.
THE DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY holds its annual holiday party featuring dinner, music by a Santa Maria Philharmonic ensemble, and more on Dec. 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Santa Maria Terrace, 1405 E. Main St., Santa Maria. Cost is $25. Info: 349-2708.
WORTH THE DRIVE
TOM’S TOYS will be donating 20 percent of all of its sales from open to close on Dec. 10 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County. The store is at 682 Higuera St., SLO. Info: 781-3226 or slobigs.org.
SOLVANG presents its annual Julefest celebration featuring a gingerbread house workshop and cookie decorating class on Dec. 10 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Solvang Bakery, 460 Alisal Road, Solvang. The Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band performs a free concert on Dec. 11 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Solvang Park Gazebo at Mission Drive and First Street in Solvang. A Nativity Pageant is Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., and a Winter Solstice Party is Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. in Solvang. The Solvang Trolley and Carriage offers a Free Ride Day on Dec. 17. Info: 688-6144 or SolvangUSA.com.
THE KIDS NETWORK OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY presents the 2009 Awesome Kids Awards on Dec. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hotel Corque, 400 Alisal Road, Solvang. Cost is $25, $15 for students. Info: 346-8356 orcountyofsb.org./kidsnet.
THE NAACP 26TH ANNUAL FASHION SHOW benefiting the Scholarship Fund is Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, Santa Ynez. Info: 928-2100.
THE TRIBAL FUSION FAIRE, celebrating all tribes, features dancers, performers, artists, and more Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Arroyo Grande South County Regional Center, 800 Branch St., Arroyo Grande. Cost is $10. Info: 544-7662 or meddevi.com/traibalfusionfaire.
THE BURNETT FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE FARM presents a holiday event featuring Santa Claus, free hot chocolate and cider, pony rides, and barbecue Dec. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. and Dec. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the farm, 1475 W. Highway 246, Buellton. Info: 686-1490.
THE SONS OF NORWAY presents its annual Jultrefest Celebration and “traditional dishes and desserts” potluck dinner on Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Lodge, 520 Dana St., SLO. Info: 748-5674.
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS presents a live event titled “Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders LIVE with Elizabeth Vargas” on Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara. Cost is $12.50. Info: fathomevents.com/doctorswithoutborders or (310) 200-8388.
“MODERN DAY PATRIOTS” are invited to gather to celebrate the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Pismo Beach Pier, Pismo Beach. Info: 481-3434 or Criticus1776@aol.com.
This article appears in Dec 10-17, 2009.