The Committee on the Shelterless hosts its annual free Thanksgiving meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at the Kitchen at the Mary Isaak Center, 900 Hopper St. Community members who would like to help local families have a Thanksgiving meal are welcome to donate money to COTS, in person or online at cots-homeless.org. Questions? E-mail judyh@cots-homeless.org or call 765-6530.
Donations for food boxes are being collected by the Salvation Army and may be dropped off at 721 S. McDowell Blvd. from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays. The Salvation Army also appreciates monetary donations. Questions? Call Capt. Rachel Johnson at 769-0716, ext.102.
The sixth annual Petaluma Turkey Trot starts at 8:30 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 22. The free event offers no registration, medals or t-shirts: just show up and run, trot or walk for the fun of it, not to mention health benefits and calorie burn. It starts and ends at McNear Park and there are 4-mile and 6-mile routes. There will be a donation barrel for the Redwood Empire Food Bank as well. Get all the info at madarc.com/turkeytrot.
Interested in checking out the dance exercise phenomenon that is Zumba? Contessi Ballet offers a basic class at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19 that’s designed for beginners. The workout can improve balance, strength, flexibility and stamina through dance moves from around the world. Cost is $5. Contessi Ballet is located at 1320 Industrial Ave, Suite A. Call 762-1306.
There’s more dancing in P-town Monday evening – a two-hour international folk dance class offers dances from around the world, including Rumania, Israel, Greece and Russia. Danced to an assortment of world music, classes are $7 each and are open to all, including beginners. No partner is needed. The music starts at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Hermann Sons Hall, 860Western Ave. Go to carolfriedmanfolkdance.blogspot.com.
Get set for toe shoes and tutus, dancing mice and sugar plum fairies in Contessi Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov.24 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 at Spreckels Performing Art Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. Tickets are $15 to $25. Go to nbpaccontessi-ballet.com.
Shop locally at the fourth annual Holiday Crafterino, offering a variety of handmade gifts and crafts from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24 at the Veterans Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. South. Admission is $1. Questions? E-mail petalumadowntowncraftmart@gmail.com.
Yes, the holidays are here and Petaluma starts its engines of fun at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24 when the season’s most popular couple, Mr. and Mrs. S. Claus pull into the Turning Basin on the tugboat Petaluma, offering hugs, smiles and candy canes. Go to visitpetaluma.com for more details or call 769-0429.
Attention gamers? Hobbytown USA’s Strategy Game Day begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24. Join and learn to play miniature battle strategy games with the North Bay Gaming Group. The featured game is Flames of War, a World War II battle strategy game, along with Warhammer 40K and World War II board games. There will be 4 tables of miniatures gaming and 2 tables for board games. Hobbytown is located at 171 N. McDowell Blvd. Call 762-2176 or go to htupetaluma.com.
Looking ahead:
‘Tis the season for holiday concerts. Chanticleer, the well-known Bay Area male chorus, performs its annual selection of joyous music of the season around the Bay Area, including two performances in Petaluma, at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 at St. Vincent’s Church, 35 Liberty St. Tickets are $35 to $65 and early purchase is advised. Visit chanticleer.org.
