Carole Sesko Open Art Studioholiday show and saleSaturday and Sunday, Nov. 26 and 27, noon-4 p.m. and by appointment. A collection of art for the holiday season: mixed media paintings, embellished mirrors and boxes, small whimsical sculptures, art, jewelry and mobiles, 10326 High St., Downtown Truckee. Call the studio at 530-587-7750. Directions: from the Downtown Truckee roundabout, turn uphill onto High Street. First house on the left. Extra parking next door at Martis Outlook. Happy holidays!Tahoe Donner to kick off holiday seasonTree lighting, photos with Santa, Project MANA food drive, caroling, holiday crafts. Tahoe Donner will host its annual Light up the Night event Saturday, Nov. 26, 5-8 p.m. at The Lodge Restaurant andamp; Pub. andamp;#8220;Once you’ve had enough turkey on Thanksgiving, get ready for Santa’s arrival at Light up the Night on Saturday,andamp;#8221; said recreation coordinator Mariah McCloskey. andamp;#8220;We will have tons of holiday cheer, music, games, crafts, hot chocolate, s’mores and an opportunity to give back to the community.andamp;#8221;One of the highlights of the evening is the lighting of the tree at 6 p.m. From 5-5:45 p.m. each child in attendance will receive a special ticket. One lucky winner will be selected at 5:55 p.m. to flip the switch and light the tree. Kids will enjoy storytelling by Mrs. Claus, Santa’s arts and crafts workshop, plus caroling while waiting for Santa’s arrival at 6:30 p.m. Photos with Santa are free, so bring your camera! Give back to the community by bringing non-perishable dry and canned foods for a Project MANA food drive. There will also be a holiday raffle, with a variety of Tahoe Donner prizes and all proceeds going directly to Project MANA. Raffle winners will be announced at 7 p.m. and must be present to win. Victorian Faire, meet the new Executive DirectorNorth Tahoe Arts (NTA) welcomes Kellie Cutler their new executive director. Cutler is stepping into a very challenging position but is optimistic about the future for NTA. Cutler brings 15 years of nonprofit arts organization experience to the position and will be working with the Board of Directors to set the 2012 strategic priorities. Come and meet Kellie first hand Friday, Dec. 2, 5-7 p.m. at the opening reception for the second half of the Victorian Holiday Faire in the Corrison Loft Gallery, 380 N. Lake Blvd. Tahoe City. Many artisans are participating and you’ll find something special for someone special at the event. Call 530-581-2787, info@northtahoearts.com, http://www.northtahoearts.com.Truckee Downtown FestivalDec. 2 will be a big night in downtown Truckee. The Annual Downtown Holiday Festival andamp; Tree Lighting Ceremony in combination with First Friday will be a night not to be missed. The Truckee Downtown Merchants Association, Truckee Rotary, and TDPUD have partnered this year to combine the events. The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. when Truckeeandamp;#8217;s elementary school children will decorate the Christmas trees, a 20-year tradition. At 4:30 p.m., Santa will arrive and the Bud Fish Tree Lighting Ceremony is slated for 5:15 in the new train depot. The Rotarians will provide hot chocolate and the Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada will sing Christmas carols. InnerRythms Dance Theatre will perform throughout the evening.The TDPUD will have energy efficient LED lights for the public. Bring a strand of old lights and your TDPUD bill. Call 530-582-3931. Dec. 2 is also First Friday and the TDMA is inviting the public inside for andamp;#8220;Toddies and Treats,andamp;#8221; 4-8 p.m. Pick up a andamp;#8220;Passport to Savingsandamp;#8221; from stores and restaurants, collect stamps from participating merchants in each of the five downtown districts for a chance to win great raffle prizes. Complimentary art, food, drink, music, music by Emily Tessmer, Ben Jamminandamp;#8217;, Brian Hess and more. Look for the yellow and orange First Friday flags. Free parking fter 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2.Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony Please join Santa and Mrs. Claus for the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the North Tahoe Event Center located at 8318 North Lake Blvd., in Kings Beach Dec. 2, 5-7 p.m. The annual community event will include photos with Santa, a cookie swap, craft stations for the kids, hot cocoa, candy canes, homemade soup and more. Sponsored by the North Tahoe PUD and the Event Center, the North Tahoe Business Association, and the Boys andamp; Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe. For more information, call 530-546-9000.Holly-Days Jubilee 2011Join the Downtown Tahoe City Holly-Days Jubliee. Friday, Dec. 2, 5-7 p.m. Santa will light the tree, and there will be community caroling. Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Photos with Santa. Bring the whole family for a photo with Santa on the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe. Seatings start at 11 a.m. and cost $15 per three. Holiday cards can be purchased from Barifot Photo and pictures will be available for pickup the same day. These events will be held at Heritage Plaza, 550 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, visit http://www.visittahoecity.org.Glenshire Elementary School Santa’s BreakfastGlenshire Elementary School PTO presents Santa’s Breakfast Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 a.m.-noon. The pancake breakfast is $6 per person or $20 per family of four. Includes a full breakfast, a craft for children, photos with Santa, and entertainment by GES chorus, Inner Rhythms and Sierra Strings. Additional tickets can be purchased for $1 each to play carnival games, crafts, dreidel game, and face painting. Other activities include: Paint pottery with T Pots Pottery; family photos by a professional photographer; support the fifth grade classes in their silent auction fundraiser; Glenshire Eco Kids coat exchange and Book Fair. Bring your family and friends for this fun community event and support Glenshire Elementary School.New Tahoe City Breakfast with SantaJoin the TCPUD Recreation Department and the Rotary Club of Tahoe City in a festive morning which will include a pancake breakfast, letters to Santa, creative holiday crafts and, of course, Mr. Claus himself! Children and parents of all ages are welcome. The breakfast is Saturday, Dec. 3, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Rideout Community center, 740 Timberland Lane, Tahoe City. The cost is $5 for adults, $9 for kids which includes the crafts, and children under 3 are free. Pre-registration is required by noon Dec. 2., 530-583-3440, x10 Rock N Roll Winter Break Camp, two weeks of camp over the holiday break, including arts and crafts, games, snow play, field trips and much more. The dates are Dec. 19-22 and 27-30 and the cost is $135/$115 per session. Sign up now as both weeks are already starting to fill up, 530-583-3440, x10, Tahoe City PUD, 221 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City, CA 96145Family Winter Welcome Party at the River RanchHoliday Concert and Toys for Tots FundraiserThe River Ranch Restaurant and Lodge will be hosting the 3rd annual Family Winter Welcome/Toys for Tots party on Tuesday, Dec. 6.This is an event for the community with and evening of casual fun, food and music for all. The North Tahoe High School Jazz Ensemble led by Todd Holway will perform a free concert with traditional holiday music starting at 6:30 p.m. There will be free s’mores on the patio for kids and holiday cookies for everyone. The River Ranch’s $6 Happy Hour menu will be available until 6:30 p.m. and Chef Julia will be offering at $13.95 lasagna special starting at 6:00 p.m.There will be a collection for Toys for Tots so please bring a new unwrapped toy to help out kids in need in the community. The River Ranch is located at the corner of Highway 89 and Alpine Meadows Road. Call 530-583-4264 for more information.Holiday Mixer at Tahoe BiltmoreGet into the spirit and celebrate the season at the annual Holiday Mixer on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Tahoe Biltmore Lodge andamp; Casino, Nevada Room. The North Tahoe Business Association and the Tahoe Biltmore host the mixer. There will be business-to-business networking, food and beverage, a holiday sweater contest, a raffle and plenty of holiday cheer! For more information, call 530-546-9000.Sing ChristmasTruckee Tahoe Community Chorus ConcertThe Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus of Sierra College presents its holiday concert, andamp;#8220;Sing Christmasandamp;#8221; at The Resort at Squaw Creek, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. andamp;#8220;Sing Christmasandamp;#8221; is an eclectic array of delightful, celebratory seasonal music, spanning the globe as well as the centuries. You will hear a little gospel, Latino, baroque, and contemporary arrangements sure to please most anyone’s palate. Tune up for the ever popular sing-a-long. The 50-member chorus is directed by Susan Horst, Chris Nelson and Tom Acord, and accompanied by a Reno/Tahoe string ensemble. Tickets: $15 general admission via http://www.singttcc.org, from chorus members, or at the door. Students and children are admitted free of charge. Group rates are also available.Santa’s Sledding PartySanta arrives at Granlibakken Ski Hill in Tahoe City on his fire truck. All children from preschool to 9 years are invited for a day of free sledding (snow permitting) and play at the Tahoe City Rotary Club’s 12th annual Santa’s Family Play Day. Hot chocolate, cider, cookies and hot dogs will be served. North Tahoe High School Jazz Band will play Christmas music and there will be Christmas caroling. Sled provided by Granlibakken.For more information, call John Eichhorn at 530-546-5650.