THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA presents the 14th annual Lights, Sights, and Holiday Nights Holiday Decoration Contest with nominations being accepted through Dec. 5 and final judging taking place Dec. 8 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Santa Maria. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 984, ci,santa-maria.ca.us.
THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FOODBANK presents it annual Holiday Food Drive through Dec. 31. The Santa Maria warehouse is at 490 W Foster Road, Santa Maria. Info: 937-3422. The Santa Barbara warehouse is located at 4554 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara. More info: 967-5741.
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY offers “Free Movie Nights” featuring a screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas Dec. 5, White Christmas Dec. 15, and Scrooged Dec. 21 6:30 p.m., Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S McClelland St., Santa Maria. Free. More info: 925-0994, Ext. 117, dhildinger@ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents the Allan Hancock College Holiday Pottery Sale Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Allan Hancock College, 800 S College, Santa Maria. More info: 922-6966, Ext. 3764, hancockcollege.edu.
BENDELE BOOKS and the Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library present the annual “Books, Bauble, and Bags” featuring a gift sale, raffle, and book signing with Wendalin Van Draanen Dec. 4, noon to 4 p.m., Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S McClelland St., Santa Maria. More info: 925-7116, smlibraryfriends@gmail.com.
A HOLIDAY BAZAAR features Greek, Middle Eastern, Romanian, and Russian culinary specialties and various ethnic crafts and gifts Dec. 4 ,10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 877 Francine Lane, Santa Maria. More info: 543-2261, ohowe@ytc.com.
MAD BOMBERZ CAR CLUB presents a Toys for Tots benefit Car Show Dec. 5, noon, Skip Gibson’s BBQ, Town Center West, Santa Maria. Entry fee is one unwrapped toy. More info: madbomberz@comcast.net.
THE SANTA MARIA NOONTIME KIWANIS presents its annual December coat drive Dec. 5 through Dec. 15 at Rabobank, Santa Maria. More info: 934-0015 Ext. 18, sgeraci@santamariakiwanis.org.
DANIEL J. JOHNSON PLAQUE DEDICATION celebrates fallen airman Daniel J. Johnson with keynote speaker Bob Hatch Dec. 7, 10 a.m., 600 S McClelland St., Santa Maria. More info: 925-2403, Ext. 817, edc@santamaria.com.
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY DISCOVERY MUSEUM presents a holiday shopping event with proceeds going toward scholarships for Court Appointed Special Advocates children Dec. 8, 5 to 7:30 p.m., Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8414, smvdiscoverymuseum.org.
Worth The Drive
THE LOS ALAMOS HOLIDAY STROLL features art, food, antiques, gift items, and music Dec. 3, 5 to 8 p.m., Bell Street, Los Alamos. More info: 344-3807, connie@thecgallery.com.
GEM FAIRE features jewelry, gems, beads, crystals, silver, rocks, minerals, and more Dec. 3 from noon to 7 p.m., Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. $7 weekend pass. More info: 503-252-8300, yooy@gemfaire.com.
THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents artisan trunk shows Dec. 4, 11, and 18, noon to 5 p.m., Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. More info: 963-4364, kcarl@sbma.net, sbma.net.
THE EXPLORATION STATION and the Girl Scouts of America present a Secret Santa Store Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Exploration Station, 867 Ramona Ave., Grover Beach. More info: 473-1421, youth@explorationstation.org, explorationstation.org.
FIRST STREET LEATHER hosts the 20th annual Charity Fashion Show with all donations going toward the Santa Ynez Valley Friends of the Library Dec. 5, 4 p.m., Root 246 Ballroom, 420 Alisal Road, Solvang. More info: 688-5929, ceg@firststreetleather.com, firststreetleather.com.
This article appears in Dec 2-9, 2010.