DATEBOOK

Huntington Beach Independent, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626; fax to (714) 965-7174; call (714) 965-7176 or e-mail hbindependent@latimes.com. Submissions must be received two weeks before publication.

TILL DEC. 15

The Fine Arts Gallery at Golden West College, 15744 Golden West St., Huntington Beach, is showing a collaborative photo exhibit from American photographers Lorena Turner and Roger Triana, and members of the community of La Boquilla, a poor fishing village outside of Colombia, South America. Admission is free. Call (714) 892-7711 ext. 51032.

DEC. 2

Huntington Beach author Chris Epting will be signing his book, “Images of Huntington Beach,” and his latest, “The Ruby Slippers, Madonna’s Bra and Einsteins’s Brain:The Location of America’s Pop Culture Artifacts,” from 2 to 4 p.m. at California Greetings Cards and Gifts, 301 Main Street, Suite 110, Huntington Beach. Epting will be joined by Orange County author Roberto Diaz, who will be signing his book, “My Surf Tricks.” For more information, call (714) 960-1688.

The Golden West College Chamber Singers and Early Music Ensemble will perform “Tis the Season,” featuring popular Christmas music and special guest performances at 8 p.m. at the college’s Mainstage Theater, 15744 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach. Tickets are $7; parking is free. Call (714) 895-8150 or go to www.gwctheater.com.

DEC. 2 - 16

The Annual Holiday Book Sale is at the Huntington Beach Main Library, 525 Main Street, with proceeds benefiting the library branch. Books will be offered at half-price Dec. 14 through 16. Call (714) 375-5071.

SUNDAY DEC. 3

Get in the holiday spirit from noon to 4 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Festival at Old World Village, 7561 Center Avenue, Huntington Beach, celebrating the season with Christmas lights and decorations. Visitors can take an old fashioned horse and carriage ride through the cobblestone streets, listen to Christmas carolers, and watch the nativity play and lantern parade. Kids can meet St. Nicholas and make gingerbread houses and ornaments at the Kids Kraft Korner. Call (714) 895-8020 or go to www.oldworldvillage.net.

Huntington Beach Pier will have its Holiday Celebration and Pier Lighting Ceremony, including a snowflake lighting and parade in downtown Huntington Beach, from 2 to 7 p.m. Festivities include live music and food at the pier, and Santa and Mrs. Claus in the parade. There will be a “Downtown Open House,” offering food tastings and raffle prizes. Main Street will be closed at 4:15 p.m. to allow the parade to pass through. Admission is free. Call (714) 960-9276.

DEC. 5

The Huntington Beach Art League will feature a lecture and demonstration by impressionist painter Ron McKee at 7:30 p.m. at their monthly meeting at Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center, 1706 Orange Avenue. Admission and parking are free. Call (714) 962-0263.

DEC. 9 - 10

Decorated boats will be cruising the water from 5 to 9 p.m. near the Peters Landing Marina, 16400 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach as the Huntington Harbor Philharmonic Boat Parade’s “Music for all Ages,” begins the start of the holiday season. Call (714) 840-7542.

DEC. 9 - 24

Golden West College’s Ballet Repertory Theater performs the traditional Christmas ballet “The Nutcracker” at the Mainstage Theater, 15744 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach. Tickets are $13; $12 students, seniors and groups; $11 children under 12. Call (714) 895-8150 for schedule or go to www.gwctheater.com.

LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS

The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, 411 Olive Ave., presents its newest exhibit “SurFin’, a Direction of the Sport,” the first time a collection of surfboard fins has been available for public viewing. Fins from 1953 to today are on display. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for students. Call (714) 960-3483.