Help Pete the Cat save Christmas in Petaluma. In conjunction with the latest “Pete the Cat” book, Copperfield’s Books hosts a holiday scavenger hunt – participants are challenged to find the sometimes elusive Pete in 40 local businesses. To find out more, call 762-0563 or pad on down to 140 Kentucky St. and sign up.
Hear the Sounds of the Season as the Petaluma Chorale, under the direction of Laila Schoenlein, recreates the fun of Christmases past when families listened to radio broadcasts. Two concerts are slated: at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Petaluma Valley Baptist Church, 580 Sonoma Mountain Parkway. Tickets are $10 to $14. Call 762-7170.
Into punk? Check out free Punk Sundays at Gale’s Central Club. This week’s bands include F—tards, Puke ‘n’ Rally, the Chicken Thieves and Wet and Reckless. The music starts at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at 106 Petaluma Blvd. North. Call 763-0118.
Light Up a Life at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the traditional community celebration of remembrance as the trees in Center Park are lit for the season. The event is free; a $10 donation to Hospice of Petaluma buys a light on the trees at 3 Petaluma Blvd. North. Go to seriousillness.org/sonoma-marin or call 778-6242.
It’s a magical evening as Clara’s nutcracker comes to life, opening the door to a fantasy wonderland in Petaluma City Ballet and Petaluma School of Ballet’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.” The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, with additional performances at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in Person Theater on the Sonoma State University campus, 1801 E. Cotati Ave. Tickets are $12-$25. Go to petalumaschoolofballet.com or call 762-3972 or 765-2660.
Meet Nancy Wilson, local author of “Queen of Speed: The Racy Life of Mary Petre Bruce,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Fifteen years ago in an obituary column, Wilson first read about the forgotten 1920s British daredevil racer and became intrigued. A decade and a half of research led to the book. The event will take place in the Putnam Community Room at the Petaluma Library, 100 Fairgrounds Drive. Visit queen-of-speed.com.
The Turning Basin glows with color and light on Saturday, Dec 8, when it’s time for the annual holiday Lighted Boat Parade. Boats dressed in their holiday best will glide into town at 6:30 p.m. in this free event. Go to visitpetaluma.com or call 769-0429.
All hands on deck – it’s time for community milling days at McEvoy Ranch from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. Growers with small quantities of fruit – from 1 to 400 pounds of olives – can have their fruit milled for oil. Cost is $1 per pound. Later, the ranch holds its holiday open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering music and light refreshments, including the newly-bottled 2012 Olio Nuovo, Meyer lemon marmalade and apple-lavender jelly. McEvoy Ranch is at 5935 Red Hill Road. Call (866) 617-6779 or go to mcevoyranch.com.
— Katie Watts
