Datebook

Submit Datebook items to pb******@*********er.com, or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed. Check out www.pressbanner.com to submit your own listings that will appear in our online Datebook.
Friday, Nov. 26
**Trail talk
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Sempervirens Room at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way, in Boulder Creek.
Details: Learn about activities and trails at the park.
Info: 338-8883
**Christmas tree lot opens
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Corner of Disc Drive and Scotts Valley Drive in Scotts Valley
Details: The lot, a fundraiser for the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation, will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays until trees sell out.
Info: www.svef.net
Saturday, Nov. 27
**Holiday sale, open house
When: Noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, 9341 Mill St., in Ben Lomond
Details: Shoppers can meet the artists as they browse jewelry, textiles, ceramics, glass, paintings, cards and more.
Info: 336-3513
Wednesday, Dec. 1
**SLV-Scotts Valley SIRs Luncheon
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Portuguese Hall in Santa Cruz, 216 Evergreen St., at Coral Street
Details: Sons in Retirement members and their wives are invited to this luncheon with wives invited. Entertainment will be provided by Three In A Chord a cappella singers
Cost: $15
Info: Dave, 336-8481
**Foster care, adoption orientation
When: 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Live Oak Sheriff’s Center, 870 17th Ave., in Santa Cruz
Info: 345-2700 or www.fostercare4kids.com
Friday, Dec. 3
**Fair-trade boutique
When: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Baymonte School, 5000-B Granite Creek Road, in Scotts Valley
Details: Items from third-world countries will be for sale. All proceeds will go to the artisans.
Info: 438-0100
**Brookdale Bluegrass Festival begins
When: 6 p.m.; also noon Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday
Where: Brookdale Inn & Spa, Scopazzi’s Restaurant, Joe’s Bar and Boulder Creek Brewery.
Details: This annual bluegrass festival returns to the San Lorenzo Valley with 21 acts.
Cost: Friday, $25; Saturday, $40; Sunday, free
Info: www.brookdalebluegrass.com
**Transition San Lorenzo Valley Film Series
When: 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: The Satellite, 6265 Highway 9, in Felton
Details: Transition SLV presents a screening of “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.”
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Info: www.transitionslv.ning.com/events
**Local in ‘Nutcracker’ ballet
When: 7 p.m.; also 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Mello Center, 250 E. Beach St., in Watsonville
Details: The International Academy of Dance in Santa Cruz will perform “The Nutcracker.” Among others, Scotts Valley’s Sadie Weaver plays the lead gingersnap in the performance.
Info: www.iadance.com
**Bethany University winter concert
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Christian Life Center, 1009 Mission St., in Santa Cruz
Details: The concert will feature Bethany’s choir, instrumental and hand-bell ensemble, the Bethany Ambassadors and more.
Cost: Free
Info: 438-3800
**First Friday contra dance
When: 7:40 p.m.
Where: Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9, in Felton
Details: No partner necessary; wear soft-soled shoes. No perfumes, please.
Cost: $10, $6 students
Info: Paul, 464-0877 or www.santacruzdance.org
Saturday, Dec. 4
**Community partnership day
When: All day
Where: Downtown Boulder Creek
Details: A portion of the proceeds from purchases at participating businesses in downtown Boulder Creek will benefit Boulder Creek Elementary School.
For information: Leslie Nicolett, Boulder Creek Elementary Parent Club, le*************@**.com
**Cub Scout benefit book sale
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Baymonte School, 5000 Granite Creek Road, in Scotts Valley
Details: Cub Scout Pack 604 will host its annual book sale to benefit Valley Churches United Missions. Call to donate books before the sale.
Info: Hilda Murray, 438-4707
**Children’s tree trimming
When: 4 p.m.
Where: San Lorenzo Valley Museum, 12547 Highway 9, in Boulder Creek
Details: Children age 3 and older can create Christmas ornaments, evergreen swags and cornhusk angels, decorate cookies and more.
Cost: $5 donation
Info: 338-8382
**Scotts Valley tree-lighting festival
When: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley.
Details: This annual Christmas season kickoff will feature hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, caroling and the tree lighting, with Santa Claus to arrive on a fire engine. The event also supports Valley Churches United Missions.
Wednesday, Dec. 8
**Red Cross retirement seminar
When: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: The Lodge at Montevalle, 552 Bean Creek Road, in Scotts Valley
Details: The American Red Cross will host a retirement seminar to help people plan for the transition to retirement years. Topics include health care and asset distribution tools.
Info: Chris Balthasar, 440-5232, or ch*******************@**sb.com
Thursday, Dec. 9
**Free stress-buster workshop
When: 6 to 7 p.m.
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., in Santa Cruz
Details: Craig Metz, licensed marriage and family therapist, presents a workshop on reducing stress during the holidays and beyond.
Info: 334-6515
Thursday, Dec. 16
**Ugly holiday sweater or vest party
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Bruno’s Barbecue, 230-G Mount Hermon Road, in Scotts Valley
Details: People are invited to wear their ugliest sweaters or vests as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Scotts Valley-San Lorenzo Valley. The night will include prizes, a raffle, food and fun.
Cost: Free; donations accepted
Sunday, Dec. 19
**‘Shadowbrook Stroll’ in Big Basin
When: Noon
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way, in Boulder Creek
Details: A four-mile, 3½ hour hike along Union Creek to Sempervirens Falls
Info: 338-8860