* Send DATEBOOK items to the Huntington...

* Send DATEBOOK items to the Huntington Beach Independent, 18682

Beach Blvd., Suite 160, Huntington Beach, CA 92648; fax to (714)

965-7174; call (714) 965-7176 or e-mail hbindy@latimes.com.

Submissions must be received two weeks before publication.

TODAY

Golden West College will have a faculty art exhibition open for

the last day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: (714) 895-8356.

The Nutcracker Ballet, presented in a shortened 40-minute version

for the young audience and performed by Ballet Etudes, will bring the

stage to life with a holiday fantasy at the Central Library Cultural

Center Theater, 7111 Talbert Ave. at 7 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults

and $3 for children. Information: (714) 375-5107.

FRIDAY

Salon 218 presents “Meebe: Anything I Want,” an exhibit of

original inks and poetry today through Feb. 22. Artful and unique

gifts will be available at the opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on

Saturday. Salon 218 is at 301 Main St., Suite 108. Information: (714)

536-3340.

Mitch Cottrell of Electrosystems in Huntington Beach is offering

to purchase Christmas lights and install them at any home in need of

spirit brightening. The 12-year-old company, which serves the

electrical needs of commercial businesses, wants people who might

know of someone in need to notify Cottrell at (714) 848-5646.

The Nutcracker Ballet will be presented in its original,

full-length version at the Golden West College Mainstage Theater.

Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday and Dec. 19, 20

and 23 at 7 p.m., Sunday and Monday and Dec. 20, 21 at 2 p.m. and

Dec. 24 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $13 for general admission, $12 for

ASB/GWC Groups, $11 for Seniors and children under 12. Information: (714) 895-8150.

The Pier Plaza Art A-Faire

and Farmer’s Market will be held at the outdoor pier plaza next to

the Huntington Beach Pier, featuring California-grown fruits and

vegetables and fresh-cut flowers. The art fair features more than 50

vendors selling unique, hand-made gifts and crafts from noon to

sunset. Admission is free. Information: (714) 536-2213.

SATURDAY

Holiday crafts and a special visitor from the North Pole will

entertain children at a tree trimming party at Huntington Beach

Central Library at 11 a.m. The library is at 7111 Talbert Ave. The

cost is $3 per person, and children under 7 must be accompanied by an

adult. Information: (714) 375-5107.

Equestrians from a wide range of breeds and disciplines will

entertain the public at the annual Day of the Horse celebration from

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center, 18381

Goldenwest St. Attractions include demonstrations, art exhibits,

kids’ crafts, horse-bobbing for apples and vendors. Admission is

free. Information: (714) 206-9919.

The Huntington Beach Smooth Jazz Series will present Thom Rotella

and Roger Smith at the Central Library Cultural Center Theatre, at

7111 Talbert Ave. This special holiday concert and optional dinner is

sponsored by BBJazz Productions with proceeds to benefit children

with autism. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. The concert begins at

7:30 p.m. Location: The cost for dinner is $35, tickets range from

$50 - $100 each. Information: (714) 377-7574.

Pier Plaza Art A-Faire Weekends will be held at the outdoor Pier

Plaza adjacent to the Huntington Beach Pier. This craft fair features

more than 50 vendors selling unique, hand-made gifts and crafts. The

fair is open 10 a.m. to sunset o Saturday and Sunday. Cost: Admission

is free. Information: (714) 536-2213 or (714) 846-5509.

The 41st annual Huntington Harbour Boat Parade will feature

decorated and lighted boats winding through the waterways starting at

5:15 p.m. Boat owners can enter this event with the theme this year,

“Let Freedom Ring.” Commercial entries make a $300 donation and there

are no fees for others. Trophies are awarded for various categories.

Viewing areas are limited and traffic on the islands restricted

during this event. Lineup is 4:30 p.m., with a 5:15 p.m. start.

Information (714) 840-7542

The Holiday Skate Show, set to holiday music, will feature the

region’s finest skaters, ranging in age from 22 months to adult. The

show will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Skate Zone Ice & Roller Rink, 16091

Gothard. Admission is $3. Information: (714) 842-9143.

SUNDAY

An Art Space presents “Cubicle,” an art show about what you’re

really doing at work. The exhibition challenges 12 artists to work

out of their normal studio practices, using office supply materials

as their only medium of expression. The exhibition will be open

through Dec. 19 at 5122 Bolsa Ave., suite 110. Information: (714)

767-5861.

The Huntington Beach Concert Band will have its annual holiday

concert at 4:30 p.m. in the Huntington Central Library Theater.

Director Thomas Ridley will lead the 65-piece brass, wind and

percussion ensemble in a variety of favorite holiday carols. Tickets,

which are only available at the door, are $10 general admission and

$5 for seniors, students and children. Information: (714) 891-6856.

The Classy Collectibles Show held in the cobblestone streets of

Old World Village will be filled with antique and collector beer

steins, baseball cards, French ceramics and fabrics, tole painting,

liquor decanters, miniature doll furniture, Barbie dolls, action

Toys, German ashtrays, toy troops and much more! The show will be at

7561 Center Ave., and will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission

is free. Information: (714) 898-5151.

MONDAY

The Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee will present the

annual Cruise Of Lights through Dec. 23, which includes a 45-minute

narrated boat tour of the harbor that attracts more than 20,000

guests each year. Proceeds support the philharmonic society of Orange

County Music Concert and education programs for more than 200,000

children in kindergarten through 12th grade. Information: (714)

840-7542.

TUESDAY

The Huntington Beach Restaurant Assn. will continue its weekly

Tuesday night cooperative among its members called Locals Night Out.

Participating restaurants are Aloha Grill, Arriba, Beach Cafe, B.J.’s

Pizza and Grill, Chimayos at the Beach, Crabby’s Boat House, Duke’s,

Gallaghers, Hurricanes, Inka Grill, Lucci’s Restaurant, Momo’s

Margarita and Taco Bar, Pet Mallory’s Surf City Sunset Grille at the

Hyatt, Ruby Palace Chinese Cuisine and the Longboard. These

restaurants, along with others to be added, will participate by

offering a minimum 20% discount to residents with some going as high

as 40%. Huntington Beach residents are asked to show a valid driver’s

license. Information: (714) 570-2025.

The 11th annual Christmas Bash at Hurricane’s will offer patrons a

night of merriment that will include half price drink specials for

the over 21 crowd at 200 Main St. The bash begins at 6 p.m.

Information: (714) 374-0500.

WEDNESDAY

The 18-hole disc golf course in Central Park West offers league

competition every Wednesday at 4 p.m. All levels of players are

invited and are assigned handicaps before competition begins. All

registration fees are awarded in cash prizes. The course can be

accessed at the parking lot on the west side of Goldenwest Street

between Slater and Ellis streets. Registration is $6. Information:

(714) 425-9931.

DEC. 18

Bring your teddy bear, wear your PJ’s and listen to stories with

Miss Mary-Pat at Special December Family Evening Storytime. The

activity will be held at Tabby Storytime Theater in Central Library,

7111 Talbert Ave., and will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Information: (714) 375-5107.

DEC. 19

Dwyer Middle School will host “The Nazarene, A Christmas Musical,”

written by Moses Toth, at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20. The musical,

produced by Seaside Community Church, tells the story of Joseph and

Mary and the birth of Jesus. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for

children 12 and under. There will also be a 2 p.m. show on Dec. 20.

Information: (714) 949-654-4295.

DEC. 20

The film “Gremlins” will be screened at the Huntington Beach

Central Library Theatre, at 7111 Talbert Ave. The movie starts at 10

p.m. Tickets are $5 each. Information: (714) 842-4481

DEC. 31

The Huntington Beach Council on Aging will host its annual New

Year’s Eve Ballroom Dance at the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center

from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The evening will include live big band

music from the Jerry Holton Trio, a buffet dinner, beverages, dessert

and the “Grand Countdown Toast.” Tickets are available for $25. The

center is at 1706 Orange Ave. Information: (714) 536-9387.

Club 2004 will present The Boogie Knights, a gala party and dinner

with party hats, favors, dancing, a spectacular Balloon Drop at

midnight, two drink tickets per person and live music from the band

Boogie Knights. Dinner includes carving and pasta stations, grilled

seafood, creative salads and an extravagant dessert buffet. The party

will take place at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa,

21500 Pacific Coast Highway. The dinner and party go from 8 p.m. to 1

a.m. Party only is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Advance party and dinner

tickets are $150 per person, door price is $175. Party only: $99/person, $125 at the door. Information: (714) 845-4638.

New Year’s Eve Ballroom Dance featuring a Buffet Dinner, Countdown

Toast and Raffle Prizes and dancing to the music of Jerry Holton

Trio. The dancing takes place at the Rodgers Seniors’ Center, 1706

Orange Ave. The event begins at 8:30 p.m. and closes at 1 a.m.

Admission is $5. Information: (714) 536-9387.

New Year’s Eve Dinner Celebration with a scrumptious four-course

meal served in the beautiful Palm Court Restaurant will feature

music, champagne and the best dining on the coast. Courses include

Lobster Corn Chowder, Goat Cheese Salad, choice of Pan Seared

Halibut, Basil Roasted Beef Sirloin or Roasted Chicken Breast, plus a

heavenly Chocolate Celebration. The celebration will be held at the

Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway. Guests

will be seated at 7 p.m. The cost is $65 plus tax and gratuities.

Reservations are recommended. Information: (714) 960-7873 ext. 2211.

New Year’s Eve Bash with Rod & C. Funk features a free Champagne

Toast and Party Favors at Midnight! The bash will be located at

Hurricane’s Bar & Grill, 200 Main St., and will start at 8 p.m. The

cost is $15 per person. 21 and over only. Information: (714)

374-0500.

ONGOING

CHILDREN/LIBRARY

The Main Street Library Branch will accept book donations for the

Friends of Library book sales during normal library hours, 10 a.m. to

7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, at 525

Main St. (714) 375-5071.

Huntington Beach Central Library will host Books Art Storytime

every Saturday from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Children 5 through 9 are invited

to enjoy stories and related crafts at the library, at 7111 Talbert

Ave. Information: (714) 375-5107.

Saturday Sunrise Car

Cruisers, billed as the best free car show in the world, is a

15-year tradition that brings classic and hot rod car collectors,

known as the Donut Derelicts, to the parking lot near 9025 Adams

Ave., every Saturday from 6 to 9 a.m. Admission is free. Information:

Rodding Around at (714) 963-2928. https://www. river-road.net/oldcars.

The Huntington Beach Library’s popular Sandcastle story time

series is shown at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays on Time Warner Cable Channel

6. (714) 375-5107.

The Huntington Beach Children’s Library presents Folktale Story

Time, for kindergartners through fourth-graders, starting at 3 p.m.

Thursdays at 7111 Talbert Ave. Information: (714) 375-5107.

Enjoy stories, activities

and fun at a story time held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the

children’s section of Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 7777 Edinger Ave.

Pajamarama is held from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays and at 11 a.m.

Saturdays. (714) 897-8781.

The Huntington Beach

Library presents Laptime Storytime at 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays and

at 10 a.m. Saturdays at 7111 Talbert Ave. for children 18 months to 3

years old. The library’s Preschool Storytime for children 3 to 5 are

held at 10 and 11 a.m. Fridays. (714) 842-4481.

The Main Street Library presents a story time at 3 p.m. Fridays at

525 Main St. The library’s Preschool Storytime will be 10 and 11 a.m.

Wednesdays. (714) 375-5071.

The Tumble-N-Kids program

is offering gymnastics classes for children ages 10 months to 12

years old. Classes run for eight weeks. Three new classes have been

added: Teeny Tumblers, Tumble-N-Yoga and Kiddycise. Classes are held

at Murdy Community Center, 7000 Norma Drive, (714) 960-8895; Edison

Center, 21377 Magnolia St., (714) 960-8870; and City Gym and Pool,

1600 Palm Ave., (714) 960-8884. Class descriptions can be found in

the winter Sands publication. Information: Dayle Lusk, (714)

842-3586.