Holiday Calendar 2003

ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW AT BEROZKINA GALLERY

The gallery's monthlong holiday expo features paintings, glass, ceramics, and other media from artists near and far. Expect a nice assortment of local creators as well as a national and overseas contingent. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Thurs.; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Through Sun., Dec. 7. Free admission. Berozkina Gallery, 9 Lake St., 425-803-5032. KIRKLAND

COUGAR MOUNTAIN ZOO REINDEER FESTIVAL

This is probably as close as Seattleites can get to the North Pole without leaving Washington state. The Cougar Mountain Zoo allows children (of all ages) to meet Santa's reindeer, hear an elf read stories, sit in Santa's sleigh, and write a letter to Santa and drop it in his mailbox. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Through Tues., Dec. 23. $6.50-$9.50. Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 S.E. 54th St., 425-391-5508. ISSAQUAH

CHRISTMAS TREE SALE AT ISSAQUAH CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Some people object to Christmas trees, thinking they cause deforestation (though they're crops just like cabbages are crops). ICC gives ambivalent do-gooders an out by making their tree sale a fund-raiser for house-building projects in Mexicolike Habitat for Humanity, only without the secular part. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun. Through Wed., Dec. 24. Free admission, tree prices vary. Issaquah Christian Church, 10328 Issaquah-Hobart Rd. S.E., 425-392-5848. ISSAQUAH

CHOOSE & CUT GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS

If you think one Christmas tree lot is like the next, you're living in a dream world. Luckily, the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association (who knew?) has assembled a scarily authoritative list of U-Cut tree farms in our lovely state. Now you can flex some muscle and use the money you save (by cutting down your own tree) to purchase a nice wreath. Needless to say, hot chocolate is provided at many of these tree farms, but check to make sure before you go. Through Thurs., Dec. 25. Hours and prices vary. PNWCTA, www.nwtrees.com, 503-364-2942. WASHINGTON STATE

HOLIDAY ANGELS TOY DRIVE

Despite its status as the Holy Roman Empire of coffeehouse franchises, Starbucks is still in touch with the little peopleliterally, since its Holiday Angels Toy Drive benefits children with critical illnesses (through the Starlight Children's Foundation). At any Starbucks location, customers may choose "gift tags" representing toyslike books, movies, and video gamesand donate accordingly to provide hospitalized young people with a welcome distraction from the business of being sick. Also, 10 cents from every peppermint mocha purchase will help the kids. Various donation levels. Through Thurs., Dec. 25. Starbucks locations across North America, 425-861-7827 (for more information). NORTH AMERICA

A CHRISTMAS CAROL AT ACT THEATRE

When ACT sells its 500,000th Christmas Carol ticket during this season's run of the show, Charles Dickens will surely look down from his clouda cloud notably devoid of Dickensian sufferingand smile. Showtimes vary; consult www.acttheatre.com for details. Through Sat., Dec. 27. $14-$36. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 206-292-7676. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE

THE STARDUST CAVALCADE

Set in 1943, Cavalcade re-creates those magical times when the country was at war and the only thing that could really inspire our men in uniform was "a toe-tappin', finger-snappin' revue of song, dance, and comedy." Your uncle Ernie might appreciate this re-enactment of a USO tour, with its "radio skits" and "great swing combo," but anyone under 70 is advised to avoid it. 8 p.m. (weekend matinees at 2 p.m.) Through Sat., Dec. 27. $21-$29. State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., 360-786-0151. OLYMPIA

SHERATON GINGERBREAD VILLAGE

The eight massive gingerbread houses erected yearly at the downtown Sheraton require mind-boggling quantities of baking ingredients. Check this out: 1,200 pounds of dough, 600 pounds of icing, 100 pounds of almond paste (that's "marzipan" to you), and an unholy 500 pounds of candy. Though admission to the gingerbread village is free, the event is intended as a fund-raiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Through Fri., Dec. 26. Free admission, donations accepted. Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers, 1400 Sixth Ave., 206-621-9000. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE

A HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS

Giving pets as presents can be risky business. Just make sure your family is ready for the responsibility of a furry compadre who may not always do what he's told. With that in mind, consider Seattle Animal Shelter's holiday adoption campaign as a possible source of canine or feline companionship. Last year "Home" sent over 20,000 animals barking or purring into the exuberant arms of petless people, and this year could be even more successful. All adoption packages include vaccinations, a free exam, and all the other basics (spaying or neutering, licensing, etc.). Open noon-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-4 p.m. Sun. Through Wed., Dec. 31. $72-$115. Seattle Animal Shelter, 2061 15th Ave. W., 206-386-PETS. BALLARD

HOLIDAY CAROUSEL

Show us a person who hates carousels, and we'll show you a malformed individual. For the 18th time in as many years, an antique merry-go-round from 1906 will appear, as if by magic, at Westlake Park. How it gets there, no one knows. (Actually, it's sponsored by Qwest and hauled in on flatbed trucks, but knowing that might spoil the magic.) 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. Through Wed., Dec. 31. $2 suggested donation. Westlake Park, Fourth Avenue and Pine Street, 206-623-0340. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE