Morro Bay in Bloom is bringing to town, Evelyn Alemanni, a judge for America in Bloom, for a presentation on “Civic Improvement as an Investment in the Future,” from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce office corner of Piney Way and harbor street. Free and open to the public.
Thinking about going back to college? Hundreds of classes are being offered at the Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria for next spring semester. Many begin the week of Jan. 20. Registration is under way now and continues through Jan. 19, with many so-called “fast track” classes (eight weeks) starting later in the term. To checkout all spring classes, see the Hancock website at: www.hancockcollege.edu and click the “Class Search” link on the homepage. Search options include subject, location, instructor, number of credits, and more. For registration information, call (805) 922-6966 or toll free at: 1-866-342-5242 Ext. 3248.
Minister Dr. Neal Carlson has started a special worship service for local teenagers. Called, “Sunday Worship on Wednesday Night,” the services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Morro Bay High School, Rm. 304, 235 Atascadero Rd. The worship service will include guest speakers and musicians. Carlson also has “The Internet Church in the Son,” an online ministry at: www.internetchurchintheson.com. Email to: or call (805) 995 1177 for more information.
Join friends and neighbors, make merry, and give back at holiday festivities hosted by The San Luis Obispo Collection. Nestled around the Mission and Downtown SLO, the SLO Collection brings together shopping, local restaurants, retail shops, art galleries and theatre. Upcoming events are:
• Dec. 13, noon-3 p.m. “Kids Day on the Terrace,” Court Street Terrace, Osos and Monterey Streets. Holiday music with Truth About Seafood, Jim the Juggler, and refreshments by Powell’s Sweet Shoppe and Splash Seafood & Grill. At 2:30 is a stylish, Mommy & Me, fashion show produced by White House/Black Market and Merry-Go-Round Boutique, inside the White House/Black Market, 1074 Court St.
Also, jackets, shoes, and food for the Dambly Fund for Homeless Children will be collected at Court Street and at the Downtown Centre throughout the day.
• Dec. 19, 6-8 p.m. Jingle Belles will be caroling throughout The San Luis Obispo Collection.
• Dec. 20, noon-3 p.m. Me & Bob will be rocking the Court Street Terrace with holiday music.
• Dec. 21, noon-3 p.m. a seasonal favorite, Atalanta Running (shown here), will be performing for the fifth straight year on the Court Street Terrace.
For more information, visit www.sanluisobispocollection.com or find them on Facebook.
The JCC Federation of San Luis Obispo is hosting its Annual Hannukah Downtown celebration, starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17. The evening includes a candle-lighting ceremony above the steps at the Old Mission, with songs, klezmer music, and storytelling. Immediately following will be a Hannukah party at the end of Mission Plaza with a kids’ play and schmooze zone. Candle lighting continues through the eight nights of Hannukah until Dec. 23. All nights begin at 5, except Saturday starts at 6:45. Each night is sponsored by a different local Jewish organization.
The Arroyo Grande Recreation Services Department is sponsoring a Holiday Decorating Contest for businesses and residences throughout the City. Businesses will be judged on December 17th and residences will be judged the evening of December 18. Ribbons for first, second and third will be awarded in the following categories: Most Festive, Best Use of Lighting, Most Spirited, Best Holiday Display, Most Creative, Most Traditional (Residences only), and Best Window Painting (Businesses only). A Best Overall ribbon will be awarded to one participant in the business division and one in the residential division. Anyone interested in entering the contest should contact the Recreation Services office at 473-5474.
Ice skating is returning to San Luis Obispo. “Winter Wonder SLO,” a 4,500 square foot, real-ice skating rink, returns to the Alex Madonna Expo Center beginning Friday, Dec. 19 and will open daily through Jan. 5. Back for a third year, the rink this time will carry a “Frozen,” theme and décor. The rink will be open daily including holidays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Season passes are $100 and good for 17 sessions, including skate rental. See: at www.winterwonderslo.com to buy online. Daily tickets are $9 for ages 12-under; $13 for 13-and up (price includes skate rental), are also available online. They will also sell tickets at the door if available. The Madonna Expo Center is located on the hill behind the Madonna In.
It’s time to festive-up the town and Morro Bay Beautiful is gearing up for its annual Christmas Lights Contest for residences and businesses. The judging will take place Dec. 12-13 touring town and picking the winners in five categories: Traditional/Religious, Best use of lights, Commercial , Children’s Delight, and Best Animation. Awards will be handed out Dec. 16 with the traditional Trolley tour to the various winners. A list of the winners’ addresses will be printed in The Bay News for everyone to drive around and admire. Call Ann Reisner at 772-8117 with nominees for the awards. They are looking for “exceptionally” decorated homes.
Seven Sisters Gallery in Morro Bay will celebrate the Holiday Artwalk from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. Free and refreshments will be served. The new show features wearable art by Susan Terese, Rone Prinz, Rochelle Niemerow, and Elizabeth Ngo, copper sculptures by Trudi Gilliam and ceramic pieces by Janice Stone (shown here). Show ends Jan. 8. Seven Sisters is at 601 Embarcadero, Ste. 8 in Marina Square. Call 772-9955 for more information.
Everyone is invited to the 12th Annual “Away in the Manger” at Calvary Lutheran Church, 480 Monterey Ave., Morro Bay is set for 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. This event will feature more than 250 Nativity sets and scenes from all over the world. Live music and refreshments will be provided. Pianist, Ina Davenport, will play piano and organ at 1:30 followed by Christmas Carols and songs lead by the Church’s Spirit’s Voice worship team, at 2:30. Free admission. Call the church office at 722-8457 for more information.
The Morro Bay Merchant’s Association, SLO Womenade, and The Circle of Friends will be holding a teenager clothing drive to help restock the Pirates’ Closet, in Los Osos. From 2-5 p.m. every Saturday, during the Morro Bay Farmer’s Market on Main Street, volunteers will be collecting pre-teen and teen clothing, accessories, and other items teens need and enjoy. The collection barrels will be at Grandma’s Frozen Yogurt & Waffle shop, 307 Morro Bay Blvd. Collection dates are Dec. 13 and 20. Call Beverly at 704-9866 for more information.
There will be a free Christmas Breakfast on Dec. 25 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on the corner of Pismo & Nipomo St. in Downtown San Luis Obispo. Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausages and more. D
