Community Corner
Ronnie's Awesome List For December Festivities In and Around Mill Valley
Here is a fantastic, comprehensive list of things to do in December by Ronnie Sharpe. From Winter Wildlife, to theatre, to trains and Santa, this is a MUST READ!
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
CHRISTMAS CAROL & OTHER HOLIDAY THEATRE
CHRISTMAS HOUSES | HANUKKAH | HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
HOLIDAY TEA | ICE SKATING | MUSIC | NEW YEARS |
NUTCRACKER | PARADES & FESTIVALS
PICTURES WITH SANTA | THEATRE FOR FAMILIES | TRAIN RIDES
DECEMBER 2013 (non-holiday)
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After months of being closed for restoration/construction, Muir Beach is scheduled to open December 14th according to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. A grand reopening celebration is planned for January.
Wishing you all a very magical December!
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Winter Wildlife Watch
Winter is an amazing season to watch wildlife. Rain or shine, the weather should not stop you and your kids from enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Bay Area as they embrace the wet season. Fortunately for us, we live in a prime spot for discovering amazing mammals, insects, birds, reptiles and more who also call the Bay Area home.
- Whales can be seen along the coast as they migrate to their winter breeding grounds in Baja California. There is an especially huge flurry of marine activity happening in Monterey Bay because of the unusually high number of anchovies attracting a variety ofwhales, dolphins and seals as well as other marine animals such asOrcas, Leatherback Sea Turtles andBasking Sharks. It’s an awesome marine safari!
- Elephant Seals breeding season starts at Año Nuevo State Reserve. Register for the Elephant Seal Guided Walking Tours before the book up.
- Salmon spawn along the creeks around Marin while herring spawn in the bay. Head to the Richardson Bay Audubon in Tiburon and look for the flocks of gulls and pelicans hovering and then crashing into the bay to feed as millions of herring eggs wash ashore.
- Marine animals such as the giant green sea anemones, purple sea urchins, red abalone, purple and ochre sea stars and more decorate the tide pools. Look up the NOAA timetables for low tide.
- Banana Slug will not be hard to stumble across. Marvel at these remarkable mollusks on your hike as they thrive in a moist environment.
- Newts emerge across paths at Lake Lagunitas and other Marin reservoirs.
- Ladybugs hibernate by the millions at Redwood Regional Park in the East Bay.
- Monarch Butterflies are clustered in the tree groves at Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary, Pacific Grove and Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz.
- Tule Elk herds thrive at The Tomales Point Park in Point Reyes.
Or visit a nature facility for an up close look at our local wildlife. Hours vary and some have indoor space in case you want to avoid the rain….if we see any this winter. Be sure to confirm when they are open.
- Richardson Audubon Center, Tiburon
- Wildcare, San Rafael
- Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito
- Palomarin Field Station, Bolinas
- Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
- Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco
- Randall Museum, San Francisco
- Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Walnut Creek
- CuriOdyssey, Coyote Point, San Mateo
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Petaluma Wildlife & Natural Science Museum
Just a few tips before venturing out. They say “There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.” If it does rain, do not let the weather stop you, dress appropriately. Avoid disturbing wildlife by keeping a safe distance and using binoculars or camera lens. Make sure to pick a hike suited to your child’s skill and endurance level. Have fun observing the abundant wildlife, plants, geology and cultural richness that make where we live unique in the world. Rain or shine, they are there waiting to meet you.
All events listed are subject to change without notice. Please confirm with event organizer.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
- 12/7 Sausalito Yacht Club, 8:30-11am
- 12/7 Corte Madera Community Center, 8am -10:30am
- 12/7 Applebee’s, 9-10am, Northgate, San Rafael
- 12/7 Tamalpias Valley Community Center, 9am, 10:30am & 12pm, Mill Valley
- 12/7 Breakfast with Santa, 9am & 10:30am, San Domenico School, San Anselmo
- 12/7-8, 14, 21 Sugar Plum Fairy Breakfasts with Santa, Westfield San Francisco Centre
- 12/8 Margaret Todd Senior Center, 9:30am-12pm, Novato
- 12/14 Cheesecake Factory, 9am – 10am, The Village at Corte Madera
- 12/14 Breakfast with Santa, 8am & 10am, Ross Valley Fire Station
- 12/14 Santa Claus is coming to town, 5-8pm, Stinson Beach Community Center
- 12/14 Belvedere Community Center, 9am – 10:30am
- Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Runs through December 22, Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley
- A Christmas Carol, 7:30pm, Drake Little Theater, 1327 Sir Francis Drake, San Anselmo, December 19-22
- Performing Arts Academy of Marin Holiday Spectacular, December 7, San Rafael
- The Best Christmas Pagent Ever, Novato Theatre Company, November 30 – December 15
- Marin Dance Theatre: Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop, 1pm and 5pm, Marin Civic Center, December 21
- Christmas Tableaux, 7pm & 8:15pm, admission is free, reservations call 258-1931, San Domenico, San Anselmo
- A Christmas Carol, ACT, San Francisco, December 6-28
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Curran Theatre, December 11-15
- Mittens and Mistletoe: A Winter Circus Cabaret, December 20-24
- Roustabout’s White Christmas, December 13-15, 21-22, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa
- Scrooge, The Musical, thru December 22, Spreckles Performing Arts Center, Rohnert Park
- It’s Christmas, Carole! , December 12-22, Creativity Theatre, San Francisco
CHRISTMAS HOUSES
- Rombeiro’s Christmas House, 34 Devonshire Dr., Novato
- Bear House, 383 Quietwood Drive, Marinwood
- Mickey Mouse Christmas House, 417 Blackstone Drive, Marinwood
- West End Nursery, San Rafael
- City Lights Driving Tour, pick up free self-guided tour at the Petaluma Visitors Center.
HANUKKAH
- 12/1 Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Festivities, 5pm, Chabad of Mill Valley, Village at Corte Madera
- 12/1 Hanukkah at the Museum, Contemporary Jewish Museum
- 12/1 Bill Graham Menorah Day, 4:30pm, Union Square, San Francisco
- 12/1 Family Hanukkah Celebration, JJC, San Francisco
- 12/4 Festival of Lights Workshop, 3-6pm, Poppy Store
- 12/4 Light Up the Night, 5pm, Chabad of Novato, Whole Foods Market, Novato
- 12/4 Yom Kehilah Hanukkah! 5-8pm, Kol Shofar, Tiburon
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
- 11/29 Tree Lighting Ceremony, Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco.
- 11/30 Holiday Cookie Decorating, 2-4pm, RSVP required, 444-0734, Panera Bread, Northgate Mall, San Rafael.
- 12/1 Celebrate at the Marin Country Mart, DIESEL: Jon Agee discusses & signs Little Santa, 4–6pm Complimentary Latkes, Larkspur
- 12/1 Grinch Day: Grow Your Heart Three Sizes! Barnes & Nobel, Corte Madera
- 12/1 Junior Academy: Family Nature Crafts, 10am, age 5-11, Snowman Greeting Card, California Academy of Science
- 12/2 Celebrate at the Marin Country Mart, Complimentary Angelina Hot Chocolate, and Latkes, topped with crème fraîche and applesauce or smoked salmon, El Huarache Loco: Holiday Churros, Larkspur
- 12/4 Celebrate at the Marin Country Mart, 3-6pm, Poppy: Festival of Lights Kids’ Art Workshop, Latkes, topped with crème fraîche and applesauce or smoked salmon, El Huarache Loco: Holiday Churros, Larkspur
- 12/4 Winter Craft Series – Make Greeting Cards, 2:30-4pm, Mill Valley Library
- 12/4 Music and Storytime With Youth in Arts, Barnes & Nobel, Corte Madera
- 2/4 The Elf On The Shelf Author Appearance, 11am-4pm, meet Carol Aebersold, Pottery Barn Kids, Village at Corte Madera
- 12/6 Holiday Party with Los Cenzontles, bring your appetites and holiday spirit because we have refreshments for all and gifts for the kids! Pickleweed Public Library
- 12/6 Tree Lighting Ceremony, 3pm holiday craft activities and don’t miss the lantern-lit evening forest walk at 6:15 pm, Presidio
- 12/7 Music and Storytime With Youth in Arts, Barnes & Nobel, Corte Madera
- 12/7 Snow Day, Tam Valley Community Center
- 12/7 Jingle and Jog, 9am, Strawberry Village, Mill Valley
- 12/7 Holiday Lighting Ceremony, 5pm – 6:30pm, Imagination Park, San Anselmo
- 12/7 Celebrate at the Marin Country Mart, Complimentary photos with Santa, Larkspur
- 12/7 Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Downtown Novato
- 12/7 Pixie Park Holiday Bake Sale and Photos with Santa, 10am-4pm, Marin Art & Garden Center
- 12/7 Wreath Making Workshop, 10am, Paradise Beach Park, Tiburon
- 12/7 Wreath Making Workshop, 1-3pm, San Francisco Botanical Garden
- 12/7 Holiday celebration and Tree Lighting, 4:40pm, Novato City Hall
- 12/7 Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Imagination Park, San Anselmo
- 12/7 Ornament Making with Santa’s Elves, 12-4pm, $5, pictures with Santa, Ark Row Center, Tiburon
- 12/7 Santa arrives via fire engine, 1-4pm, free photos.
- 12/7 Holiday Crafts Day, 10am-2pm, Randall Museum
- 12/7-8 Santa Claus & Santa’s Workshop, Japantown Peace Plaza, Post Street at Buchanan, San Francisco
- 12/8 Jingle Bell Run/Walk, Marin Fairgrounds, San Rafael
- 12/8 Holiday Cardmaking Sandbox, 1pm, ages 8+, San Rafael Public Library
- 12/8 Lighting of the Snowmen, 4pm, CornerStone, Sonoma
- 12/11 Kiddo! Fundraiser, pictures with Santa from 3:30-5pm, music by the Mill Valley Middle School Jazz band 5-5:30 and Redwood High Jazz Collective 5:45-6:30pm, 5% of the days sales will go to Kiddo! Whole Foods, Miller Avenue, Mill Valley.
- 12/11 Winter Craft Series – Make a Gift! 2:30-4pm, Mill Valley Library
- 12/11 Gingerbread Person Party, 3:30-4:15pm, Mill Valley Library
- 12/11 Ornament making, 3-6pm, Punch & Judy, 3:30-4pm & 5-5:30pm, in the traditional British-style Poppy Store, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
- 12/13 A Christmas Evening At The Patterson House, 5-8:45pm, Ardenwood Historic Farm
- 12/14 Christmas at Point Bonita, 12:30-2pm, learn more about life in the Victorian age and the emergence of a national Christmas tradition, including the origins of Santa Claus, holiday cards, the Christmas tree, and Christmas Day gift giving.
- 12/14 Origami Gift Workshop, 2pm, ages 8+, RSVP 924-6382, Corte Madera Library
- 12/14 Holiday Cookie Decorating, grades 5-8, Armida Scopazzi from Cake Art will demonstrate quick and easy decorating techniques, sugar cookies from Fat Angel Bakery along with tasty toppings and sprinkles, RSVP required, Fairfax Library
- 12/14 Holiday Festival at the Mart, 9am-2pm, write a letter to Santa, complimentary photos with Santa, children’s entertainment, holiday cookie decorating, pony rides, and face painting. Snack on festive holiday treats and beverages and more, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
- 12/14 Festive Holiday Wreath and Garland Making, 12-5pm, Pershing Square, Presidio Main Post
- 12/14 Christmas at Sea and Old Time Maritime Christmas, Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco
- 12/14-23 Fairy Winterland, Children’s Fairyland, Oakland
- 12/14-15 Santa Claus & Santa’s Workshop, Japantown Peace Plaza, Post Street at Buchanan, San Francisco
- 12/15 Tutu School’s Annual Holiday Party, enjoy sweet treats from Miette, crafts with Poppy Store, and ballerina photo-ops by the pink Christmas tree.
- 12/15 Celebrate the Season with the Cat in the Hat at the California Academy of Sciences! 10am, Indoor snow flurries and holiday music transport you to a winter wonderland, dance to holiday music, capture a special memory, and learn all about reindeer with your favorite Dr. Seuss character and take home your very own free Cat in the Hat striped hat to remember your adventures, California Academy of Science
- 12/15 Junior Academy: Family Nature Crafts, 10am, age 5-11, Recycled Ornaments, California Academy of Science
- 12/16 Gingerbread House Workshop, 5-7pm, RSVP 473-2050, Novato Library
- 12/18 Kids’ Holiday Crafts Workshop: Snowflake Making, 3-6pm, Poppy Store, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
- 12/18 Make a 3D Snowflake, 3-4:30pm, South Novato Library
- 12/19 Gingerbread House Workshop, 5-7pm, RSVP 506-3168, South Novato Library
- 12/19 Kids’ Holiday Crafts Workshop: Wrapping paper, 3-6pm, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
- 12/20 The North Pole Review with the Fratello Marionettes, 3:30pm, Larkspur Library, RSVP to library@cityoflarkspur.org or 927-5005
- 12/21 3D Snowflake, 5-7pm, RSVP 473-2050, Novato Library
- 12/21 Teen Holiday Party, 1:30-4pm, Novato Library
- 12/21 Holiday Gift Making, 1-4pm, Make a variety of holiday gifts to warm the heart and tummy. Make fleece hats and pillows, snowball soap, s’mores in a jar, and more, Schultz Museum.
- 12/21 & 12/23 Gingerbread Architecture Extravaganza, Bay Area Discovery Museum
- 12/22 Kids’ Holiday Crafts Workshop: Ornament making, 3-6pm, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
- 12/22 Junior Academy: Family Nature Crafts, 10am, age 5-11, Sparkling Snowflake Box, California Academy of Science
- 12/23 Winter Break Film Fest – Elf, 2:30pm, Mill Valley Library
- 12/23 Kids’ Holiday Crafts Workshop: Art Workshop for the whole family: Making Danish Hearts and Stars, with the Hot Chocolate Lady, 3:30-6pm, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
- 12/29 Junior Academy: Family Nature Crafts, 10am, age 5-11, Recycled Reindeer, California Academy of Science
HOLIDAY TEA
- Teddy Bear Tea, December 14-15, Belvedere Tiburon Library
- Teddy Bear Tea à la française, December 14, Un Thé au Petit Jardin, Red Hill Church, San Anselmo
- Magic Toy Box Tea Party, December 14-15, 12pm & 3pm, Falkirk Center, San Rafael
- Teddy Bear Tea, December 1, 6-8, 14-15, 20-24, 10am & 1pm, Ritz Carlton, San Francisco
- Gingerbread Tea & Holiday Prince & Princess Tea, Secret Garden Tea House, Golden Gate Park
- Teddy Bear Tea Party, December 14, Oakland Zoo
- Children’s Magical Tea, Top of the Mark, every Friday & Saturday in December, first 3 Saturdays are sold out
- Palace Santa Claus Tea, December 3-7, Palace Hotel, San Francisco
ICE SKATING
- Marin on Ice, thru January 12th, Northgate Mall, San Rafael
- Holiday Ice Rink, at Embarcadero Center
- Snoopy’s Home Ice, Santa Rosa
- Yerba Buena Ice Skating
- Union Square Holiday Ice Rink
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