In an effort to draw more attention to the art venues on South Main Street, which are often outside the awareness of tourists and townies alike, the art businesses south of Correas Street have joined together to be known collectively as HMB SOMA Arts.

The mission of the Half Moon Bay South Main Arts or “HMB SOMA ARTS” group is to support and promote visual and performance artists on SOuth MAin Street in Half Moon Bay.

We will be holding our First Annual Holiday Art Walk on Sunday, December 11th from 2 - 5 p.m. There will be refreshments, raffles and music at most venues.

We invite visitors to stroll South Main Street and discover a wealth of art treasures and gifts. Most of the businesses will be offering gift certificates as a holiday shopping solution.

Coastside Children’s Programs’ annual Gingerbread House Contest and auction supports affordable childcare on the Coastside.

Beginning at 4:30 on Saturday, December 10, at the Ritz-Carlton, a remarkable collection of gingerbread houses will be on display. Later that evening, the Ritz’s annual tree lighting ceremony will light up the coast.

Kids will love the spectacular entries, created by both community kids and Bay Area chefs. If you haven’t been to the tree lighting, why not start this year? You will also have an opportunity to bid on dozens of donated items in CCP’s first annual online auction.

Come early, because the tree lighting draws a crowd every year. Admission is free, but there is a $5 fee for valet parking.

Cal Fire has declared a suspension of all open burning within areas where it provides fire services due to heightened fire danger.

Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a Cal Fire official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit. Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds, or in established facilities on private property, with permission of the landowner and jurisdictional authority. Persons doing burning under special permit must also check with their regional air quality management district for addition regulations and requirements.

Earlier this week, Coastside Children’s Programs launched its online auction.

Items avaialable include a Mexican vacation, A 3 hour party for 8 at Abundance ~ a skin care studio, at $250 gift card from La Costanera Restaurant in Montar, redwood canopy ziplining, and nearly 100 other great items and experiences.

Coastside Children’s Programs provides childcare services for pre-schoolers and school-age kids, in a fun and safe environment at each Coastside elementary school. CCP also provides subsidized programs for disadvantaged Coastside kids, enabling their parents to work full time.

This is a great program and the auction is a fun way to support it.

Full disclosure: I’m on the board of CCP.

Farallone View Elementary School’s holiday bazaar will be this Saturday, December 3, from 9am to 2pm.

There will be gifts, gift wrapping, cake walk, and crafts for the kids. It’s also a great opportunity for kids to shop for their parents.

Santa arrives at 10:30 on a fire truck. At noon Cunha’s Glee Club will perform.

Two juveniles escaped from Log Cabin Boys Ranch at about 8pm on Wednesday. They were picked up by waiting car that left “at a high rate of speed” according the the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies spotted the getaway car on their way to the ranch, caught up to it, and stopped it. The two juvenile males were charged with Minor Escape from Custody and Conspiracy. There were also three adult females in the car, who were cahrged with Aid and Abet an Escapee and Conspiracy.

Free public forum welcomes Pete Slosberg, beer pioneer and founder of Pete’s Wicked Ale, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company Brewmaster Kirk Hillyard and moderator Lenny Mendonca, beer aficionado and founder of the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company TONIGHT at 6 p.m.

Ever wonder about the craft brew industry and how it works? What’s the next big thing in beer? Curious how you can become a brewer yourself? What’s the secret to a great beer?

Come to Brews and Views this evening and find out. Our guest will be Pete Slosberg, the esteemed founder of Pete’s Brewing Company and Pete’s Wicked Ale. He’ll be joined by the Brewing Company’s own “brew crew,” Brewmaster Kirk Hillyard and Assistant Brewmaster John Olson, who will share how they created the 2011 Old Winter Soulstice Ale and give a sneak peek at the upcoming ALEction Ale. The panel will be moderated by Lenny Mendonca, beer aficionado and founder of Half Moon Bay Brewing Company.

Thursday, December 1st, 2011 6 to 8 p.m.

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company 390 Capistrano Road Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Cost: Admission and snacks are complimentary. Beer, wine, and other beverages will be available for sale at the event, including the just-released Old Winter Soulstice Ale. Ten percent of the proceeds from all dinner sales at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company for this event will be donated to the Cabrillo Education Foundation.

For More Information: Call 650-728-2739 or visit www.hmbbrewingco.com

The Midcoast Community Council will hold a special meeting tonight, November 30, at the Granada Sanitary District offices.

Topics for discussion will include the planning and building code, agenda for the upcoming meeting, the upcoming retreat for the incoming MCC members, and the MCC website project.

We invite teens (age 11+) to the new Teen Scene after school program. When? Thursdays from 3:15PM until 4:30PM December 1, 8, and 15. Enjoy movies, snacks, crafts, videogames, trivia, anime & manga and much more. It’s Free. Sign up at the Library Service desk to make sure you get a spot.