DECEMBER

1-21 The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, 11am-7pm, at the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, San Francisco. The Dickens Christmas Fair revives the tradition of an old English Victorian Christmas with theaters, a music hall, dance parties, taverns, shops, stalls, food, street vendors and period costumes. Saturdays and Sundays from 415-897-4555 Admission: $8-$20.

1-28 Nutcracker Ballet, performed by the San Francisco Ballet Company, America’s oldest ballet company, The Nutcracker Ballet is also being performed in Oakland and Marin for similar dates. Contact a Visitor’s Bureau and Convention Centers for the city nearest you.

1-1/4/04 Toying Around at the Exploratorium a series of special once-a-

week events and programs involving toys and other things that delight during the holidays. Includes a Physics of Toys workshop in November and December; the Geometricks workshop with Bob Burnside where students build their own 3-dimensional mathematical models; Toykestra (an orchestra performing solely on toy instruments); screenings of Dylan Thomas’ "A Child’s Christmas in Wales" and a week-long animation film festival.

2 Holiday Cruise on the Blue and Gold Ferry is an annual Boys and Girls Club fundraiser put on by the Chamber of Tiburon Peninsula. This event welcomes the public. Food, live music and dancing in an evening fun. 6:00pm - 10:00pm, Complimentary cocktails at Cafe Acri from 6:00pm to boat departure, $40 per person, RSVP 435-5633.

2-4 Music at Jack’s Bistro, Jack London Sq. 6-9:30pm Piano, jazz or guitar

 3 b.a.y. Fund Fun Raiser. The Bay Area Youth Fund for Education (b.a.y. Fund)

hosts a pre-party for its annual gala fundraiser, The Red Hot Ball, at EastsideWest Restaurant, 3154 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 5:30 – 8:30 PM. Stop in for complimentary hors d’oeuvres and happy hour drink specials. Funds raised by the Red Hot Ball support programs that provide students with mentoring, tutoring, internships, community service opportunities, skills workshops, college visits, application counseling and financial scholarships – to help young people be the first in their families to graduate from college.

The b.a.y. Fund’s annual fundraiser, The Red Hot Ball is Friday evening, February 27 at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio. Tickets are $70 if purchased in advance, and $85 at the door. For visit www.bayfund.org or contact executive director, Rozanne Junker, Ph.D. at rejunker@bayfund.org.

4 –7 Benicia Glass Studios Sale & Open House 10am – 5pm, 675 & 701 East H Street. Four days of continuous glassmaking demonstrations during Nourot, Smyers, and Zellique’s open house. Watching these artisans work with the red hot honey-like molten glass forming it into stunning art and practical pieces will give a true appreciation for this ancient art. These 4 days offer a special showing of completed works and shopping opportunity to purchase fine quality one of a kind contemporary handblown glass. This once a year Holiday event is a full showing of the many styles and uses for quality blown glass: Art glass pieces, stemware, plates to glass jewelry and tree ornaments at special direct prices. Pieces on display are for every taste and pocketbook. The Glass Studios of Benicia are sought after in fine department stores, galleries and by individuals world wide. Group tours and glass blowing classes can be arranged by special appointment. Highway 780 to East 5th Street exit, follow 5th towards water, turn left at East "H" Street. (707 745-5710) for details

5 Downtown Christmas Open House & Tree Lighting 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 6 p.m. tree lighting ceremony in front of restored Train and Ferry Depot at the bottom of First Street at the waterfront. Live entertainment, carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides along First Street. Downtown, First Friday on First Street all the stores are open with holiday cheer to fill the town. (707 745-9791) for details.

5-6 Music at Jack’s Bistro, Jack London Sq. 6-9:30pm Martin Franco Latin Jazz

5-6 Celebrity Chef, Sharon O’Connor: Menus & Music, CD & Books will be at Sur La Table, in Berkeley on the 5th, and at Ferry Market Plaza on the 6th, 3:00-5:00 pm. Bistro, Tasting Wine, Museum Cafes, Rock & Roll Diner and now her new gift box set Dining at Great American Lodges. Sharon O’Connor is a musician, cook, and author who combines her love of music, food, and travel in the Menus and Music series of cookbooks with music recordings. The recipes in each cookbook are from the best restaurants, inns, resorts and lodges in the world, from Venice to Hawaii. There will be book signing, music from her new CD and cooking demonstration with tasting samples from her newest book. For details call Phone 415 262-9970

6 Oakland Lighted Boat Parade  3-9 pm. Decorated sail and power boats, assembled and coordinated by Encinal Yacht Club,. The boats file by the Jack London Viewing Dock between Jack’s Bistro and Scott’s Restaurant. The beautiful site of the lighted and festive boats can be viewed all along both sides of this section of the Estuary. Jack London adds tons of fun for all ages from 3pm till the parade starts at 6:30pm.

6 Benicia Lighted Boat Parade 6:30 pm Decorated sail and power boats leave from the Benicia marina between 6:30-7:00 p.m. Holiday Light displays visible from all along the shore. Call the Benicia Harbor Master (707-745-2628).for details.

6 Family Holiday Celebration, Tiburon, 10:00am - 12 noon at the Boardwalk, 1:00pm - 4:00pm at Main Street. This is a festive occasion for the whole family.

6 Oakland Tribune Holiday Parade, Downtown Oakland/Broadway 2:00p.m

Enjoy a festive parade with a Fantasy Brigade of character balloons, marching bands, colorful floats lots of fun. 510-874-4800 www.oaklandholidayparade.com

7 Real Snowfall In Mill Valley At Piazza D’angelo’s 10th Annual Mill

Valley Winterfest Celebration 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Piazza D’Angelo kicks off the 10th Annual Holiday Event with Real Snow in the redwood grove of Mill Valley’s historic square, building a hill for kids to sled on. The traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony will set the square ablaze with hundreds of brilliant lights. Santa Claus will drop by in afternoon to visit with all. There will be refreshments and entertainment planned. 22 Miller Avenue in Mill Valley.

7,9-11 Music at Jack’s Bistro, Jack London Sq. 6-9:30pm Piano, jazz or guitar

12 Benicia Small Works Show & Sale 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at 991 Tyler Street, Suite 114. Fine arts and crafts show and sale (formerly Meet the Makers), 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Friday-Sunday Dec. 12-14, Arts Benicia Gallery. Free admission; call 707-747-0131 for more details.

12 A Victorian Night of Crafts and Carols in Old Oakland, 5:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. A festive holiday evening with carolers, craft booths, food sampling, and a horse drawn carriage among the restored Victorians in Old Oakland. 9th and Washington, Old Oakland(510) 444-CITYwww.oldoakland.com

13 Sausalito Light Boat Parade. 6pm – 9pm awards at SYC. Awards

include Power Boats 1st, 2nd, 3rd plus 1st 2nd and 3rd for Sail, Classic and Commercial/Working Boats. Finally there will be a peoples choice award for the best in show. Boats are judged at the Sausalito Yacht Club docks but can be seen from the Ferry dock to all the way to the Spinnaker Restaurant along the shore. Call (415 331-1213) for details.

13 Ghirardelli Jollyday, 12-4pm. A fun-filled family event for children of all ages featuring entertainment, storytelling, holiday music performances and free face painting. Santa will make an appearance.

13 Christmas at Sea, Hyde Street Pier, Maritime Park, San Francisco. The festivities begin at 2pm Santa in a rowboat? That’s the way he arrives at the Maritime Park. Kids activities, storytelling, holiday music and more. For details call 415-561-6662.

Sun, Tues - Thur Enjoyable listening Music

14,16-18Music at Jack’s Bistro, Jack London Sq. 6-9:30pm. Piano, guitar, jazz. Weekends are lively bands with R/B Jazz and blues from 9-12:30am

19 "Dave Mathews Blues"20 "Bobby Young Project" Galactic Jazz

4-27 11th Annual Kung Pao Kosher Comedy, New Asia Restaurant, 772

Pacific Avenue. $35-50 Kung Pao Kosher Comedy is one of the Bay Area’s largest Jewish events, offering a way for people of all persuasions to celebrate the holidays. Featuring comedians Judy Gold and Ed Crasnick. Showtimes vary. Call for details. 415-522-3737

24 Holiday Shopping Madness. If you need last minute presents, don’t’ forget to stop by the Ferry Market Plaza! And come see us at the Bay Crossings Store.

25 Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all and to all a Goodnight! 2003 Saw the opening of the renovated Ferry Building and the approval of more Ferries and Ferry bases for San Francisco Bay. Thank you, and bless you one and all in this month of Holidays.

31 Dance Party 2003 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, Five Embarcadero Center. General $75. VIP Lounge Access: $100, must be 21 or older. Ring in the New Year with disco legends The Village People at one of Northern California’s largest New Year celebrations. Live comedy, DJs, and Bay Area dance band Pride and Joy will also perform in the Hyatt Regency’s 17-story lobby before the midnight balloon drop. Doors open at 8pm. Option of a Buffet dinner at Eclipse restaurant, served until 11pm, is $38.50 including tax and gratuity. 415-675-6230

31 Music at Jack’s Bistro, Jack London Sq. 9-12:30am "Bobby Young Project" – Galactic Jazz

January 2004

1 Around the Island Sail. Three yacht clubs of Alameda, Encinal, Aeolian and Ballena Bay host those who can rally a crew to get out on the Bay the day after New Years Eve for varying fare at each stop. What a fun way to work off a fuzzy head, or if there is a designated driver-to get one, in fresh air, sailing and adventuring under 4 bridges and around Alameda island on the first day of 2004. Contact Encinal YC additional details. www.eyc.com

2 First Fridays on First St., Benicia  From 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm All along First Street in Benicia the doors are open. Bring the family and stroll First Street on the First Friday of the New Year. Merchants keep their doors open until 9 p.m. every First Friday of the month; enjoy live entertainment and more each month. For details call (707-745-9791)

24-25 Chinese New Year’s Bazaar Enjoy this rich cultural event featuring ongoing music, foods and arts and crafts. Oakland Chinatown (510) 893-8979