ART

50th Annual Holiday Collection for “Artful Giving” will be held through Dec. 23 at the Valley Art Gallery. The new gift exhibition includes a wide variety of beautifully crafted, ceramic, wood and glass pieces, original designer jewelry, holiday decorations, small paintings and many other unique, one-of-a-kind gift items.  For info, visit www.valleyartgallery.org.

Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery presents “A Visual Feast” –  an exhibit featuring children’s book illustrators through Dec. 31. Original art, reproductions and children’s books for sale. For info, visit www.jenniferperlmuttergallery.com.

The Lafayette Art Gallery presents “Artful Gifting” and its holiday boutique, which runs through Dec. 26. For info, call (925) 284-2788 or visit www.lafayetteartgallery.com.

The Moraga Art Gallery’s new exhibit, “Yellowstone: Beauty, Beasts, and Boneyards,” features oil landscapes by Orinda’s Lisa Gunn, whose imaginative palette captures the primitive character and timelessness of Yellowstone National Park and its environs. Also featured is a boldly-hued collection of one-of-a-kind etched tableware, handmade by guest artist Lisa Neimeth. The show will run through Jan. 9. For more info, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

MUSIC

Audition for WomenSing by appointment on Jan. 5. All voice parts are welcome. Scholarships are available for qualified singers. Spring concerts will give voice to the variety of traditions that have shaped America and WomenSing, including works by William Billings, Aaron Copland, Alice Parker, Libby Larsen, and a world premiere by Marjorie Halloran. WomenSing will be touring Northern Italy June 21 through 28, 2016, participating in the Alta Pusteria International Choral Festival. For info, email audition@womensing.org, or go to womensing.org.

WomenSing presents Make Good Cheer, the first concert of our 50th season, celebrating the gift of choral music – singer to audience and back again from 8 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 at St. Mary’s Chapel, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. . Cost: $28 general; $10 under 18. For more info, visit http://womensing.org/concerts/current-season/holiday-concert/ or call (925) 798-4875 or email info@womensing.org.

Patti Leidecker will be singing and playing everyone’s favorite holiday songs at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 on the baby grand piano at the Rheem Theatre in Moraga. Leidecker has performed at Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch Inn in Carmel on Wednesday nights for the past eight years. Come sing along with Leidecker and get into the holiday spirit. Tickets: $15 general admission; $12 seniors and children, includes holiday cookies and punch. This will be a great event for the youngest and the young at heart.

THEATER

“Harvey” by Mary Chase presented by Town Hall Theatre will run through Dec. 19. Gather the whole family for the magical tale of Elwood P. Dowd and his best friend – a 6-foot, 3-and-a-half-inch tall invisible rabbit named Harvey. What better way to warm up your holiday season, than with this imaginative classic! For more details and to purchase tickets go to www.townhalltheatre.com.

A fairytale adventure of a mystical forest, two lost children, an enticing gingerbread house, and a wicked witch, Solo Opera’s “Hansel and Gretel” is a holiday “treat” for the entire family! The show runs at the Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18 and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19 and 20. Seating is reserved, group discounts are available. For info, call (925) 943-7469, visit the Lesher Center box office, or go to
https://lesherartscenter.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=411. Tickets: $25-$40.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

“Eyewitness Report on Syria and Venezuela” presented by Rick Sterling at a Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center potluck dinner event with dinner starting at 6 p.m. and the presentation at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17 at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek, California. Pre-registered: $10; $15 at the door; free for students and Center Members tickets are half price. Go to www.ourpeacecenter.org to register or call the Center office at (925) 933-7850.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Can’t make it to midnight? Welcome the New Year early at the Moraga Library from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31. Countdown to 1 p.m. with balloons, time zones resolutions, crafts and sparkling cider. The library is located at 1500 St. Mary’s Rd. Call (925) 37-6852 with any questions.

OTHER

Purrfect cats and kittens are waiting for you at Community Concern for Cats’ weekend adoptionfrom 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec 19 and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 at Pet Food Express in Lafayette. Pet Food Express in Pleasant Hill and PETCO in Walnut Creek also have similar adoption hours the same weekend. For more info, visit www.communityconcernforcats.org.

Daughters of the Goddess, a Bay Area women-only Goddess Temple, will be holding its annual Winter Solstice Ritual at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21. East Bay location given upon RSVP. Cost for newcomers: $15. For info, contact Kahuna Leilani at (925) 787-9247 or visit www.DaughtersoftheGoddess.com.

Join the National Park Service for a free winter solstice campfire program from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21 at John Muir National Historic Site at 4202 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez. The program begins at 3 p.m. with crafts and games in the park orchards and continues with a campfire from 5 to 7 p.m. Rangers will lead the group in songs, stories and activities. Reservations are not required. For more information, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/jomu or call (925) 228-8860.

5A Rent-A-Space Santa’s Secret Wrapping Room open to the public through Dec. 23, during business hours. This decorated area is set up with tables, chairs, wrapping paper, tape and ribbon – everything needed to get presents wrapped for free – especially handy if you need to wrap gifts without the watchful eyes of the recipients.

The first ever “Giving Tree” is being hosted by Community Concern for Cats’ volunteers at their Rescued Treasures Thrift Shop in Walnut Creek through Dec. 24. Their goal is to give the gift of life to as many homeless street cats as they can by providing needed medicines and medical procedures. Come down, buy a special ornament, and put it in the holiday window display. Rescued Treasures Thrift Shop is located at 1270 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek. For info, call (925) 937-3201.

SENIORS

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Programs (HICAP) provides free and objective counseling and advocacy services to Contra Costa Medicare beneficiaries and their families who need assistance with Medicare enrollment and issues involving Medicare and associated insurance programs, including prescription drug coverage. HICAP does not endorse or sell insurance products. For appointments, call Lafayette Senior Services at (925) 284-5050. Appointments are at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or noon on the first Wednesday and third Tuesday monthly in the Alder Room of the Lafayette Community Center.