Calendar of Events for Dec. 2012

through Dec. 24, Giving Tree at ACE Hardware, 4104 Jefferson Ave., Wellington, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Trim the tree with cash to help buy gifts for children in the Wellington area who would otherwise have nothing at all under their tree this year. Info: 970-488-6634.
through Dec. 24, Santa Claus in Old Town Square, Santa’s Workshop, Fort Collins, noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday through Dec. 9; every day Dec. 11-23, noon to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Santa speaks English, Spanish and Sign Language — and plays a little harmonica and concertina on the side — so everyone can share their holiday wishes.
through Dec. 30, “Almost, Maine,” Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine St., Fort Collins, Thursdays 6:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2:30 p.m., tickets online at wwwbasbleu.org or 970-498-8949.
through Dec. 31, Gardens of Light, The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., Fort Collins, 5-9 p.m., suggested donation $2. Tens of thousands of twinkling LEDs lights decorate the Garden, with local musicians and carolers and Santa in attendance on the weekends, when hot cider and cupcakes will also be available. Info: fcgov.com/gardens.
through Jan. 5, 2013, Nativities from Around the World and Native American Art of the Four Corners, Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, 200 W. Mountain Ave., Fort Collins, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, admission to both exhibits $5 adults, $3 seniors and students, $1 children. Over 100 folk art Nativity sets from 50 countries, including India, Palestine, Argentina and Russia, depict the birth of Jesus in painstaking and colorful detail. Indigenous art from Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah includes traditional and modern pottery, jewelry, Kachina dolls, fetishes, baskets and woven rugs crafted by artists from the Apache, Hopi, Navajo, Pueblo, Ute and Zuni nations. Info: 970-221-4600, globalvillagemuseum.com.
Dec. 1, December in Wellington: Food and Toys for Tots Drive in the Town Hall parking lot, 8 a.m.-noon; Eyestone Elementary Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wellington Parade of Lights, Cleveland Avenue, 5 p.m.; Annual Chili Supper, Wellington Community Church, 4-9 p.m. $4 adults, $2.50 kids, 3 and under free. Info: 970-568-3381.
Dec. 1, Stove Prairie Winter Festival, Stove Prairie Elementary School, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The 36th annual fundraiser features a craft fair, bake sale, silent auction, country store, kids corner, food and drinks, and the ever-popular quilt raffle. Info: 970-493-7029.
Dec. 1-2, Greening of Red Feather, Village of Red Feather Lakes, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Holiday craft fair with over 30 booths, food, drinks, bake sale, holiday decorations and treats and more. Santa arrives at the library at noon on Saturday. Sponsored by the Red Feather Historical Society. Info: 970-495-0560.
Dec. 1-9, Christmas tree cutting near Red Feather Lakes, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Permits required. Info: 970-295-6700.
Dec. 1, 15 & 22, BeLocal Northern Colorado Winter Farmers Market, Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 970-219-3382, www.belocalnc.org.
Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, Alcoholics Anonymous Freedom Riders Group, Chapel in the Pines, County Road 74E (Red Feather Lakes Road), Red Feather Lakes, 7 p.m. Info: 970-881-3500.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, Breakfast at American Legion Post No. 4, 2124 County Road 54G (Hwy. 287), LaPorte, open to the public, 8-10 a.m. Info: 970-484-0418.
Dec. 2, Folsom Society, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2000 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins, 2-4 p.m. Info: 970-482-0025.
Dec. 3, Civil War Roundtable, Harmony Presbyterian Church, 400 E. Boardwalk, Fort Collins, 1-3 p.m., free. Info: 970-225-2767.
Dec. 4, Front Range PC Users Group, Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, Fort Collins, 7-9 p.m. Info: www.frpcug.org.
Dec. 4 & 18, Wellington Food Bank, Wellington Community Church, 8445 Third St., 2-3 p.m. Bring proof of income and address. Info: 970-568-9301 (Zion Lutheran Church) or 970-568-9220.
Dec. 4, 11, 18 & 25, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Filling Station, Cleveland Avenue and Fourth Street in Wellington, 7 p.m. Info: 970-568-0040.
Dec. 5, Pathways Hospice on Our Own, 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, 6:30-8 p.m., no fee, no registration required. Practical guidance and hope for families facing the loss of a loved one, facilitated by Lani Hickman and co-sponsored by Lutheran Family Services. Info: 970-663-3500, pathways-care.org.
Dec. 5, 12, 19 & 26, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Peace With Christ Lutheran Church, 1412 W. Swallow Road, 8:45 a.m. Info: 970-449-9800.
Dec. 5, 12 & 19, “Dirt to Drapes” rebuilding educational series, Bellvue Grange, 6:30 p.m., free. Local builders, architects, designers and tradespeople discuss issues surrounding rebuilding a home after the High Park fire, sponsored by the NoCo Rebuilding Network. Schedule of topics and info: nocorebuilding.org.
Dec. 6, Red Feather Lakes Planning Advisory Committee, firehouse meeting room, 1:30 p.m. Info: 970-498-7683. Agenda: larimer.org/boards/minutes/rfpac.htm.
Dec. 6, CSU Women’s Association Holiday Tea, Rockwell Hall on the Colorado State University Campus, 2-4 p.m. Info: csuwa.colostate.edu.
Dec. 6-9, “The Nutcracker,” Canyon Concert Ballet with the Fort Collins Symphony, Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins, 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, plus 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday, tickets $20-$30. Info: lctix.com, 970-221-6730.
Dec. 7-8, Children’s Christmas Shoppe, LaPorte Presbyterian Church, 3820 W. County Road 54G, 3:30-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday. Info: 970-484-0921.
Dec. 8, Goodtimes Dance Club monthly ballroom dance with live big band music, Fort Collins Senor Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, Fort Collins, 8-11 p.m., $16 per couple, $9 single, reservations required. Info: 970-667-9398, goodtimesdanceclub.com.
Dec. 8-9, Holiday Open House, Avery House, 328 W. Mountain Ave., 11 a.m.–4 p.m., free admission. Special musical performances, antique decorations, and sale of homemade gift items and baked goods. Info: 970-221-0533.
Dec. 8-16, Hanukkah.
Dec. 10, Northern Larimer County Habitat Partnership Program, DOW office on Prospect Road, 4 p.m. Info: 970-493-3535 or nlchpp.com.
Dec. 10, Wellington Lions Club, Zion Lutheran Church, Second Street and Garfield Avenue, 7 p.m. Info: 970-568-3946, wellingtonlionsclub.org.
Dec. 11, Wellington Republicans Breakfast Club, Wellington Housing Authority, 3914 Roosevelt Ave., 7 a.m. No membership fee, no RSVP required. Info: wellingtonrepublicans.org.
Dec. 11, “Larimer County Through the Decades,” Cache La Poudre Elementary School, 3511 W. County Road 54G, LaPorte, 4-5:30 p.m. How has Larimer County evolved since its beginnings as one of the original 17 counties in Colorado? This presentation by local historian Wayne Sundburg, sponsored by the Poudre River Library District, will explore the county’s history through stories and historical photos. Library staff will also demonstrate how to access free historical information through Fort Collins History Connection. No registration required.
Dec. 11, Holiday Open House, Avery House, 328 W. Mountain Ave., 5–7 p.m., free admission. Special musical performances, antique decorations, and the sale of homemade gift items and baked goods. Info: 970-221-0533.
Dec. 11, Poudre School District Board of Education regular meeting, 2407 Laporte Ave., Fort Collins, 6:30 p.m. Info: 970-490-3607.
Dec. 11, Wellington Town Board, Leeper Center, 7:30 p.m. Agenda: townofwellington.com. Info: 970-568-3381.
Dec. 15, Franklin Taggart, local singer songwriter, Bellvue Bean, 5023 Rist Canyon Road, Bellvue, 6:30 p.m., $40 per couple, $22 single, all tickets include dinner. Info: bellvuebean.com, 970-484-0511.
Dec. 16, Mission Rocks: A LaPorte Youth Group sponsored by LaPorte Presbyterian Church, 3820 W. County Road 54G, 3 p.m. Children of all ages invited to attend. Info: 970-484-0921.
Dec. 17, Holiday Stocking concert by Rocky Mountain High School Performing Arts students, Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins, 7 p.m., tickets $5-$10. Info: lctix.com, 970-221-6730.
Dec. 17-Jan. 21, 2013, Winter Break for Colorado State University.
Dec. 18, LaPorte Area Planning Advisory Committee, West Fort Collins Water District, 7 p.m. LAPAC is a volunteer citizen committee that deals with land use and community issues. Public invited. Info: 970-498-7683. Agenda: larimer.org/boards/minutes/lapacagenda.htm.
Dec. 20, Fort Collins Mac Users Club, 4926 Northern Lights Drive, 6:45 p.m. Info: fortmac.org.
Dec. 21, Winter solstice, end of Baktun 13 in the Mayan Calendar.
Dec. 21-23, “A Musical Christmas Carol,” la-de-da performing arts, Magnolia Theater at Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, plus 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday, tickets $8-$10. Info: lctix.com, 970-221-6730.
Dec. 24-Jan. 4, 2013, Winter Break for Poudre School District.
Dec. 25, Christmas Day. North Forty News offices closed.
Dec. 26, Waverly Advisory Committee monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m., Turning Point at Waverly School, 10431 N. County Road 15, Info: 970-568-9818, www.waverlycommunity.org.
Dec. 30, Ponderosa Promenaders dance, Livermore Community Hall, potluck at 1:30 p.m., dancing at 2:15 p.m. Info: 970-482-8261.
Dec. 31, 28th annual Resolution Run, a New Year’s Eve 5K to benefit community radio station KRFC, start and finish at the Clark Building on CSU campus, 6 p.m., $25 pre-registration, $30 race day, $5 12 and under. Info: krfcfm.org.
Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve at the Chapel in the Pines, County Road 74E, Red Feather Lakes, 8:30 p.m.-midnight. Board games, family movies, crafts and conversation help neighbors share in welcoming the new year, with a brief interfaith services at midnight. Bring a snack and a favorite game to share; cocoa, soft drinks, tea, coffee and sparkling cider to toast 2013 will be provided. Info: [email protected].
Dec. 31, Goodtimes Dance Club New Year’s Eve Dance with the Kings of Swing, Fort Collins Senor Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, Fort Collins, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., reservations required. Info: 970-667-9398, goodtimesdanceclub.com.
Mondays and Thursdays, Vinyasa Flow Yoga classes, Bellvue Grange, 5:45-7 p.m., all levels welcome, instructor Pamela Fleming. Cost: $15 pre-registered, $20 drop-in. Info: 970-215-7907, [email protected], wix.com/bellvueyoga/bellvueyoga.
Daily: Narcotics Anonymous, meetings in Larimer and Weld counties, open to addicts and nonaddicts. Info: 970-282-8079.

Looking ahead
Jan. 5-Feb. 2, “Bullshot Crummond,” OpenStage Theater, Magnolia Theater at Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins, Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m., tickets $14-$27. Info: lctix.com, 970-221-6730.