Here in Healdsburg we had our tree-lighting ceremony in the Plaza last week, but they are getting around to it this Thursday up in Geyserville -- with not just one tree, but a Community of Trees.
Classrooms from three different schools have decorated trees that will be on display at the Francis Coppola Winery, starting with a festive lighting ceremony on Thursday at 7 p.m. (Some say the winery itself is lit up like a Christmas tree every night anyway.) The trees are all up for auction, and the funds go to support the participating schools.
This weekend is your last chance to see the art of Ronnie Wood, better known as a guitarist with the Rolling Stones. But like many great rockers of his time -- Mick Jagger, John Lennon, David Bowie, Pete Townsend -- Wood was an art student first, a rocker second.
His paintings are highly thought of by collectors, and they are making a local appearance at Just For You Gallery, 115 Plaza St., but only through Sunday, Dec. 2. Call 395-0322 for more info.
As well as devoting their current show to "the art of the giving season" with a handmade gift gallery of items from member and other artists, Healdsburg Center for the Arts is helping with a "Make your own holiday ornaments" workshop.
It will be held Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Felta School House from 1 to 5 p.m., and is a fulfilling way for parent and child to work together. You'll create ornaments from Fimo Clay, with artist and sculptor Robin Burgert. The $20 materials fee for parent and child seems like a great deal, so register soon by email as it's limited to 20 pairs of parent/child.
Also Saturday at about the same time, from 1 to 4 p.m., you can express your inner el jefe de cocina with chef and restaurateur Mark Stark in a tapas class at Relish Culinary Adventures. Stark's most recent restaurant is Bravas Bar de Tapas, so it's fitting for him to lead a small plates class at Relish. The emphasis is on Spanish tapas for the Holidays, and it's hands-on so you can expect the fullest sensory experience. Cost of $92 includes the resulting meal and wine; call 431-9999 to register.
The annual “Magical Toyland” Exhibit returns to the Healdsburg Museum from now through Jan. 13, with its reliable quaint charm and insight. The highlights of this year’s exhibit are an elaborate dollhouse all decked out for Christmas, a miniature winter wonderland, a Victorian-era child’s bedroom on “The Night Before Christmas,” as well as many other toys and games from the 1860s to the 1960s.
Last year at the Magical Toyland exhibit, I rediscovered a lost toy I didn't even remember having. It's that kind of show. The Museum is open Wednesday - Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you see Santa, tell him the Patch sent you.
