monster of monterey: GO! For Kids

ART

· ONGOING

Kids' art. 3:30p.m. ongoing Wednesdays for grades first through fifth at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. $45 for city residents/$56 for non-city residents. Each session is four weeks. 899-6805.

· ONGOING

Youth Arts Collective. The YAC is accepting applicants for its after school arts program for students ages 14-22 at YAC studio at 472 Calle Principal, Monterey. The studio is open from 3-7p.m. Tuesday-Friday and noon-4p.m. Saturdays. Potential members are asked to submit a portfolio of their current work. 375-9922 or e-mail: info@yacstudios.org.

· ONGOING

Mask Making Class. 3-6p.m. ongoing Thursdays for ages 6-17 at the Hebbron Family Center, 683 Fremont St., Salinas. Creating and decorating plaster and paper plate masks with instructor Linda Hevern. Free. Rudy at 775-4232.

CLASSES

· THROUGH DEC. 17

City of Seaside tumbling classes. The City of Seaside will offer a wide range of tumbling classes for youth, ages 4-14 in four-week sessions (on Mondays and Wednesdays) through Dec. 17. For a full schedule and information, call 899-6805 or visit the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby St., Seaside.

· ONGOING

City of Seaside Kids' Club 2:30-5:30p.m. Monday through Friday at Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby St., Seaside. Homework assistance, craft projects, outdoor games and special projects. Cost: $20 per month for residents, $27 per month for nonresidents. Register at the Oldemeyer Center or at 899-6805.

DANCE

· DEC. 12-13

Smuin Ballet's 2008 Holiday Show. 8p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, and 2 and 8p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Sunset Center, San Carlos and Ninth St., Carmel. Classic and contemporary holiday musical selections set to dance. Tickets: $40-$55 at 620-2048, www.sunsetcenter.org. Meet and take photos with Santa and company dancers following the Dec. 13 matinee show.

· DEC. 13

Annual SpectorDance holiday performance and silent auction. Shows at 2 and 7p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at SpectorDance, 3343 Paul Davis Drive, Marina. SpectorDance Company and guest dancers performing Erica Jeffrey's "Bits of Brahms," Fran Spector Atkins' "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "Ocean...Bird....Sky...," a piece inspired by the poetry of Robinson Jeffers. Tickets: $20 general, $15 children (under 12) and seniors (over 65). Group discounts available. 384-1050, www.spectordance.org.

· DEC. 19-20

CSU-Monterey Bay's World Theater presents ODC Dance performing "The Velveteen Rabbit." 7:30p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; 1 and 7:30p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at CSU-Monterey Bay's World Theater, Sixth Avenue, Seaside. Tickets: $8-$40 at the World Theater Box Office at 582-4580 or www.csumb.org.

· DEC. 20-21

Ballet Fantasque's "Nutcracker." Ballet Fantasque of the Monterey Peninsula will present the full-length "Nutcracker" at 7p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 and 2p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Santa Catalina School Performing Arts Center, 1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey. Tickets: $18 general, $15 seniors/military/students, $12 children 12 and younger. Buy one child ticket and get a second free. Tickets available at the Bookmark in Pacific Grove, Joy-Per's Shoes in Salinas, Thinker Toys in Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey (cash or check only) or online at www.balletfantasque.org. 372-0388.

FILMS

· DEC. 12 & 19

"Seasons of Light." 7p.m. Fridays, Dec. 12 and 19, at J. Frederic Ching Planetarium, Hartnell College, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. Full dome holiday program exploring different cultural traditions and belief systems relating to the winter solstice. Reservations recommended. Cost: $6 general, $4 students, youth and seniors. Doors open at 6:45p.m. RSVP at 755-6800, www.hartnell.edu/planetarium.

FOR FUN

· THROUGH DEC. 14

Monterey Bay Aquarium's annual Community Open House. Free admission for Monterey County residents through Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. Includes all aquarium exhibits and programs, including the renovated "Splash Zone: Ocean Homes" family exhibit. Ends with a Community Day on Sunday, Dec. 14, featuring representatives from local conservation organizations, a special bilingual sea otter feed show at 3:30p.m. and a bilingual kelp forest dive show at 4p.m. 648-4800, www.mbayaq.org.

· THROUGH DEC. 24

Visits with Santa at Del Monte Shopping Center. Visit with Santa from 10a.m.-6p.m. Fridays and Sundays and 10a.m.-8p.m. Saturdays, through Dec. 24, at Del Monte Shopping Center, Highway 1 and Munras Avenue, Monterey. See www.shopdelmonte.com. for a schedule of additional designated "Santa Days." Photos with Santa and free candy canes for children. Free. Charity gift wrap available for a donation at Santa's Workshop through Dec. 24, benefitting local nonprofits. 888-474-6736, www.shopdelmonte.com.

· THROUGH JAN. 4

Ice Skating by the Bay. Noon-10p.m. Monday through Friday and 10a.m.-10p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Jan. 4 at Custom House Plaza, Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey. Ice skating. Cost: $12 general, $10 children (ages 12 and younger). Skate rentals available. Holiday hours: noon-8p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 10a.m.-11p.m. New Year's Eve and noon-8p.m. on New Year's Day. 649-6545.

· DEC. 11 & 13

"Christmas in the Adobes." 5-9p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 13, at 20 of Monterey's historic adobes, including Custom House, Casa Soberanes and the Lara-Soto Adobe in Monterey. Each adobe will have music, refreshments, period Christmas decorations and staff on hand to discuss the building. Fandango dancing will be held at Custom House. Tickets: $20 adults, $2 children (6-17 years old). Free parking included. 649-7118.

· DEC. 12

City of Seaside's "Holiday Fantasy." 4:30-8p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at Seaside City Hall, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. Family holiday event with sing-along hay rides, snow, a petting zoo, bounce houses, performances from youth choirs and dance groups, a visit from Santa and a tree lighting ceremony at 6p.m. Free. 899-6805.

· DEC. 12-14

YuleFest at Gardiner's Resort. Various events Friday through Sunday, Dec. 12-14, at Gardiner's Resort, 114 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Three-day holiday festival featuring music, a tree lighting, five-course gourmet dinners, demonstrations, readings of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" and more. All-inclusive tickets: $333. Individual events tickets: $20-$125. Dinner tickets: $113. Full schedule at www.yulefestcv.com. 659-6426, 800-453-6225. Benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County.

· DEC. 12 & 19

"Friday Night Lights" in Pacific Grove. 5-8p.m. Fridays, Dec. 12 and 19, in downtown Pacific Grove. Decorated shop windows, visits from Santa, live music, dancing, raffle drawings, face painting, shopping discounts, free samples and more. Free. 648-1725.

· DEC. 12-27

Christmas Tours at Wild Things. Tour dates: 6:30-8:30p.m. on Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 26 and 27 at Wild Things and Vision Quest, 400 River Road, Salinas. Tours of the ranch and the exotic animals that live there. Perks include photos with a real reindeer (1 per group of 4), visits from Santa and refreshments after the tour. Tickets: $15 adults, $13 kids (14 and younger) when using coupon code CCEM1208. 455-1901 ext. 3.

· DEC. 13

La Posada. Procession begins at 6:30p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Seaside City Hall, 440 Harcount Street, Seaside. Followed by a family celebration featuring Mariachi de Eleazar Cortes, a candlelight procession led by Father Jose Alberto Vasquez Martinez, dancing, piñatas and refreshments at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Street, Seaside. Free. Sponsored by the City of Seaside and St. Francis Xavier Church. 899-6805.

· DEC. 13

The 50th annual Carmel Valley Santa's Fly-In. Santa arrives in a helicopter at 10:30a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, landing at the Carmel Valley Airfield. Followed by a parade through Carmel Valley Village and visits with Santa at the Carmel Valley Community Center. Free. 601-6518.

· DEC. 13

Christmas Tea at the Steinbeck House. 1-3p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Steinbeck House, 132 Central Ave., Salinas. Cost: $20 (includes tax). Reservations (required) at 424-2735.

· DEC. 13

The Barnyard's "Deck the Howls." 2-5p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Barnyard Shopping Village, Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel. A holiday festival and SPCA benefit rolled into one, with pet adoptions, Cima Collina's "Howlin Good Red" wine sampling, carriage rides, festive refreshments and holiday carolers. Holiday photos available from noon-5p.m. ($12 per photo). Cost: $10 suggested donation. The Barnyard will also collect pet food for needy animals throughout the month of December at the Barnyard Management office. 624-8886, www.thebarnyard.com.

· DEC. 13-14

G&D Operators Model Railroad Club of Monterey's annual Model Railroad Show. 10a.m.-5p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14, at the American Tin Cannery, 125 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove. Model train layouts of all sizes, with displays and trains for kids to operate. Free. 372-8193.

· DEC. 13-21

First Presbyterian Church presents "Christmas on Main Street." Performances at 7p.m. Saturdays and Sunday, Dec. 13, 14 and 20; additional shows at 4p.m. and 7p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at First Presbyterian Church's Auditorium, 1044 S. Main St., Salinas. A holiday show featuring live music, a high-tech set and illusionist Curt Anderson. Tickets: $5 adults, $3 children. Free childcare provided for children 5 and younger. www.fpcsalinas.com.

· DEC. 15-MARCH

City of Seaside's Pee Wee Basketball League Registration open for Pee Wee Basketball, beginning Dec. 15 and running through March at King School on Broadway Avenue, Seaside. For children 5-7 years old. Emphasis on fun, fundamentals, teamwork and sportsmanship. Registration: $25 residents, $31.25 nonresidents at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby St., Seaside. 899-6805.

· DEC. 15-MARCH

City of Seaside's Youth Basketball League Registration open for Youth Basketball, beginning Dec. 15 and running through March at King School on Broadway Avenue, Seaside. For children 8-11 years old. Emphasis on fun, fundamentals, teamwork and sportsmanship. Registration: $25 residents, $31.25 nonresidents at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby St., Seaside. 899-6805.

· ONGOING

Harrison Memorial Library Youth Knitting Club. From 5-6p.m. Tuesdays at the Park Branch at Sixth and Mission, Carmel. Murya McBride from Knitting-by-the-Sea will be on hand to give advice. Bring yarn and needles. 624-4664.

· ONGOING

Little Chefs in the Kitchen. 4-6p.m. Wednesdays at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby, Seaside. Children will learn how to make fresh fruit pastries, Chinese spring rolls, mummy wraps and monster cupcakes. Each session is four weeks. $47 for city residents/$58 for nonresidents. For ages 7-12. Register: 899-6805.

· ONGOING

Learn how to sail. 5:30-7:30p.m. ongoing Wednesdays at the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. Monterey Bay Sailing will offer sailing lessons for $25. Students will learn sailing basics such as getting underway, points of sail, sail trim and docking. More advanced topics will be covered also. Ongoing Wednesdays. Ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations: 372-7245 or e-mail: capt.dutch@montereysailing.com.

· ONGOING

Kids' Club. After-school program from 2:30-5:30p.m. Monday-Friday at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. The center will provide homework help, craft projects, outdoor games and other activities. $17 per month for city residents/$23 for nonresidents. Register at 899-6805.

LITERARY

EVENTS

· DEADLINE DEC. 31

Accepting entries for Save The Whales Children's Poetry Contest. Children, ages 13 and younger, are invited to submit an original poem to the Save The Whales Childrens Poetry Contest. E-mail entries to Maris Sidenstecker at m1sid@earthlink.net or mail to: Save The Whales ÐÐ Poem Entry, 1192 Waring St., Seaside, CA 93955. Include name, age, address, phone number, e-mail address and the poem title on each entry. For more information, see www.savethewhales.org.

· DEC. 13

Puppetart Theatre presents "A Holiday Version of Little Red Riding Hood." 1:30p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Harrison Memorial Library Park Branch, Sixth and Mission in Carmel. Free. 624-4664.

· JAN. 10

Read to A Dog. 1:30-2:30p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Harrison Memorial Library, Park Branch, Sixth and Mission in Carmel. Children of all ages are invited to read to Samoyed therapy dogs Maggie and Kasey. Free. 624-4664.

· ONGOING THURSDAYS

Storytime at Harrison Memorial Library-Park Branch. 11a.m. ongoing Thursdays for preschool children (ages 3-5) with Miss Grace at Sixth and Mission in Carmel. Free. 624-4664.

· ONGOING THURSDAYS

Storytime at the Marina Library. Thursdays at 10:15 and 11:15a.m. for preschoolers and Saturdays at 11a.m. for caregivers and children 24 months or younger at 190 Seaside Circle, Marina. 883-7507.

· ONGOING THURSDAYS

Storytime at Pacific Grove library. 10:30a.m. for ages up to 2 at 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-5760.

· ONGOING TUESDAYS

The Monterey Public Library storytime. Tuesdays at 10:15a.m. for ages 18-36 months; 11a.m. Tuesdays for children ages 3-5. Baby and Me Rhymetime for babies takes place on the second and fourth Friday of each month at 10:30a.m. All story hours are free, but groups need to call ahead for reservations. 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. Karen Brown at 646-3744 or www.monterey.org/library.

· ONGOING WEDNESDAYS

Storytime at Harrison Memorial Library-Park Branch. 11a.m. baby and toddler storytime ongoing Wednesdays for children under 3 years old with Miss Grace at Sixth and Mission in Carmel. Free. 624-4664.

· ONGOING WEDNESDAYS

Storytime at Pacific Grove library. Wednesdays at 10:30a.m. for ages 2-5; 3:45p.m. for ages 3 and up at 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-5760.

MUSIC

· THROUGH DECEMBER

"Marina Sings!" free choral instruction for kids. Meets from 6:30-7:30p.m. Thursdays, through December, at Epiphany Church, 425 Carmel Ave., Marina. Free choral instruction for children, ages 7-13, followed by a free dinner for children and parents served after each class. 682-8016, marinasings@sbcglobal.net.

· DEADLINE JAN. 23

Monterey Jazz Festival's Next Generation Festival now accepting applications for the Next Generation Festival Jazz Competition. Accepting applications for the Next Generation Festival Jazz Competition, April 3-5, at the Monterey Conference Center. Middle school, high school and college bands and individual musicians are invited to compete for trophies, scholarships, cash prizes and the opportunity to perform at the 52nd annual Monterey Jazz Festival Sept. 18-20. Information and applications at montereyjazzfestival.org.

· DEC. 29-JAN. 26

City of Monterey's Beginning and Intermediate Guitar Instruction. Half-an-hour individual lessons beginning at 5:15p.m. on Mondays, Dec. 29-Jan. 26 (no class Jan. 19), with Vladimir Mylnikov at Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center, 735 Ramona Ave., Monterey. For children 8 and older. Cost: $75 Monterey city residents, $98 nonresidents. Preregister at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department Office, 546 Dutra St., Monterey or at 646-3866.

·ONGOING

JazzMasters workshops. 7-8:30p.m. Mondays at the Carmel Youth Center, Fourth and Torres, Carmel; 3-4p.m. Wednesdays at Captain Cooper School, Highway 1, Big Sur. All sessions are free to students on a drop-in basis. Information: www.jazzmastersworkshop.org.

·ONGOING

"Youth Pipe Band Demos." 9-10a.m. every Sunday morning in the music building at York School, 9501 York Road, Monterey. Free bagpipe and drum lessons offered by the Monterey Celtic Arts Academy for kids 8-17 interested in the Monterey Bay Youth Bagpipe and Drum Band. Reservations required. Wendy Brickman at 633-4444 or brickman@brickmanmarketing.com.

ONSTAGE

· DEC. 15-19

Ariel Theatrical's Winter Break Theatre Camp. 9a.m.-3p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 15-19, at the Wilson Children's Theater, 320 Main St., Salinas. Teaches youth, ages 6-12, performance skill building (acting, improvisation, dance and music), set design, theatre education, mask making, make-up design and more. Snacks provided. Campers must bring a bagged lunch. Cost: $150. Craft supplies included in tuition. Register at 775-0976. www.arieltheatrical.org.

·ONGOING

The Western Stage musical theater workshops. Ongoing five-week programs in theater arts (acting, singing, movement, improvisations, painting props) for ages 9 and up at the Main Stage, Hartnell College, 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. 755-6987, 755-6988, www.westernstage.org.

·ONGOING

Pacific Repertory's SoDA (School of Dramatic Arts) musical theater classes. Classes for babies, tots, children, teens and adults with showcases in fall and spring. Baby-Toddler Music Play with Mary Lee Sunseri at 11a.m. Mondays. Also offered: Stage Fighting for Fun class at 3:45p.m. Mondays and adults at 5:30p.m. Mondays; Let's Put on a Play at 3:45p.m. Tuesdays; Pre Musical Theatre (ages 4-6) 2:45p.m. Wednesdays; Sing! Dance! Act! at 3:45p.m. Wednesdays; Audio Plays (ages 8-13) at 3:45p.m. Thursdays; Teen Work at 3:45p.m. Thursdays; Make a Play (ages 8-13) at 3:45p.m. Fridays. All classes at Seccombe Hall, All Saints Church, Lincoln and Ninth, Carmel. Details: www.pacrep.org/soda., 656-9730.

·ONGOING

PacRep's School of Dramatic Arts (SoDA). Performance opportunities and classes in all aspects of theatre for all ages. Program held at All Saints Church Seccombe Hall, Lincoln and Ninth, Carmel. Call Maryann Rousseau at 656-9730 or www.pacrep.org.GO.!


Source: montereyherald.com