EVENING OF COOKING: Master Chef Karousos of the International Institute of Culinary Arts will host an evening of cooking, tasting and laughter Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the school’s Abbey Grill, 100 Rock St. Tickets are $30 per person. For information, call (774) 526-3095 or (508) 675-9305.

—

THEATER PERFORMANCES: The Little Theatre of Fall River will present The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Dec. 4, 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. in The Firebarn, Prospect Street at Highland Avenue. Tickets are $16 each. Performances will also be held Dec. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m., Dec. 13 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. For information, call (508) 675-1852.

—

HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA DINNER: The Bristol Community College Culinary Arts program will offer a Holiday Extravaganza Dinner Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at the college’s Commonwealth Center, G-Building, 777 Elsbree St. The event will include the music of Malloi, a regional New England six piece band of Berklee educated musicians and vocalists that has been together for 20 years.

The annual event is put on by the students in the Culinary Arts degree programs. The students studying culinary and baking and pastry arts use the opportunity to showcase their skills. Handmade gingerbread houses, succulent desserts, and ice carvings will set the stage.

The menu begins with a hot and cold appetizer reception, with an open wine and beer bar. A multi-item hot buffet line will feature hand-carved prime rib of beef au jus. The meal ends with a dessert buffet, featuring cakes and pastries prepared by the baking and pastry arts students.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $45 per person and seating is limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance, no tickets will be available at the door. For information, contact the Culinary Arts program at Bristol Community College, (508) 678-2811, ext. 2111.

—

MUSICAL DRAMA: The Calvary Temple Choir will present its Christmas 2008 Musical Drama Journey to the Manger Dec. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. at the Calvary Temple Assembly of God, 4321 North Main St. Admission will be free. For information and directions, call (508) 676-3138.

—

REVIVAL MEETING: Leaders from GraceLife young adult/youth ministries at Grace Gospel Church will host an evangelical event Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Building G of Bristol Community College, 777 Elsbree St. This event will be open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and religious preferences. Pastors and teachers from local churches have been asked to speak on the following topics: the Holiness of God, the Love of God, Man’s Sinfulness, the Grace and Mercy of God and the Cross of Jesus Christ.

There will be five messages throughout the day and there will be worship music after and before each. The main objective of this event is to inform the public of the implication of man’s sinfulness, and what must occur in a man or woman’s life in order that they attain Salvation, or in other words, eternal life. This event is Bible centered, and will not only explain Salvation, but it will explore who God is; His attributes, and His purpose for humanity and His kingdom.

Those who you have never thought about who God is, are not satisfied their knowledge of God, or have been seeking to find answers to the meaning of life, are encouraged to attend. Attendees can come and go as they wish, and this event is free of charge, with refreshments available.

—

HOLIDAYS KICK-OFF: The city’s holiday celebration will kick-off Dec. 6 at 12:30 p.m. with the 24th annual Christmas Parade from Kennedy Park. The parade will proceed down South Main Street to Bank Street ending at CDRec, 72 Bank St.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Holiday House 2008 at Heritage State Park Visitors Center will offer the opportunity for children to shop for parents, grandparents and family members with a volunteer elf from Santa’s workshop. All gifts are $5 and under. There will also be free pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, ornament making, face painting, Christmas movies, Candy’s Petting Zoo and exhibits by Trustees of the Reservation, Fall River Fire Museum and Health First. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire truck at 11 a.m.

Children’s activities will also be offered at CDRec from 2 to 4 p.m. Included will be pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Santa’s workshop, caricaturist, cookie decorating, wagon rides, music and refreshments. There will be a free trolley and handicapped transportation between CDRec and Government Center between 2 and 6 p.m.

Art and music will be citywide between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. including the 32nd annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair at Durfee High School and open studios sponsored by the Store Front Artists Project at 18 Purchase St., 25 North Main St. and 45 North Main St.

A tree lighting ceremony will begin at 4:30 at Government Center, featuring holiday music by local school band and chorus, refreshments, short holiday movies and presents from Santa.

The Fall River Historical Society, 451 Rock St., will host a Victorian Holiday Open House from 1 to 5 p.m. and Justin Roberts and The Not Ready for Naptime Players will perform at 1 p.m. at the Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 the day of the show ( www.ncfta.org).

After dusk, holiday lights and decorations will be lit along Ponta Delgada Boulevard and at the Gates of the City monument.

Also, the Eileen Jewell Band will perform at 8 p.m. at the Narrows Center for the Arts ($13 in advance, $15 day of the show, www.ncfta.org) and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will be presented at the Little Theater Firebarn, 340 Prospect St. Visit www.littletheatre.net or call (508) 675-1852 for details.

In addition, the city will offer free two-hour parking at spaces with parking meters from Dec. 1 to 31. Citizens are reminded that vehicles parked longer than two hours will be ticketed. All other parking violations will still be enforced. Between Dec. 8 and 12, residents can pay any parking tickets without paying the overdue fees. By Massachusetts Medical Affairs State Law, handicapped violations will not be included in this amnesty program.

—

HOLIDAY TOUR: The Fall River Public Library and the Lafayette-Durfee House Inc. invite children and their families to take a step back in time with an exciting and educational Christmas holiday tour of the historic Lafayette-Durfee House, 94 Cherry St., Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. The House will be decorated in traditional greens and decorated fruit. To register to participate, call the Children’s Room of the Main Library, (508) 324-2700.

The Lafayette-Durfee House was probably built sometime before the birth of Thomas Durfee’s son, Joseph, in 1750. The famed Marquis de Lafayette (who served with Joseph Durfee in the Revolutionary War) stayed there several times. The house was originally located just south of the present Superior Courthouse on North Main Street.

There will also be a storytime and gingerbread man craft. Children will be able to decorate their own gingerbread man cookies in an authentic colonial kitchen. Those who have registered and confirmed their attendance will meet in front of the Lafayette-Durfee House at 11 a.m. the day of the tour.

—

CHRISTMAS ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR: The Fall River Scholarship Foundation will host its 32nd annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair Dec. 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Durfee High School. Featured will be 55 area craftsmen among the 200 crafters displaying and selling their handmade work. There is no admission charge and plenty of free parking adjacent to the field house, which is handicap accessible. Proceeds from the fair will be awarded in the form of scholarships to Fall River students next June.

—

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM POKER NIGHT: Our Lady of Light, 664 Quarry St., will hold a Texas Hold ‘em Poker Night Dec. 6 to benefit A Wish Come True and Citizens for Citizens Operation Christmas.

The event will feature a Vegas-like atmosphere created in conjunction with the Eastern Poker Tour. It will be a deep stack format - $100 per player for 10,000 chips. An initial donation of $10 can get players in for 2,000 chips. Players can also play in the early-bird satellite games, beginning at 2 p.m., for only $25. The top two players per table will advance to the Main Event at 6 p.m.

Sit ’N Go’s ($35, $65, $125) will be available all night. The Final Table pay out is $6000 plus, with $2000 plus going to the winner, based on a minimum 100-player participation. The champion will also receive a televised satellite seat for the World Series of Poker.

To register, call A Wish Come True, (401) 781-9199 to pay with your credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express accepted) or mail a check to: Texas Hold ’em Night, c/o Dimas Medeiros, 31 Cedar St., Fall River, Mass. 02720. Checks should be made payable to “Texas Hold ’em/CFC/AWCT.”

Players are encouraged to reserve early and avoid the registration line on the day of the tournament. Cash and credit card only will be accepted at the door.

—

ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON: St. Anne’s Alumnae Association will celebrate the holiday season Dec. 7 at 12:30 p.m. at McGovern’s Restaurant, Shove Street. Reservations must be made in advance by calling (508) 674-2154. The menu will include a choice of turkey or baked scrod. There will be a Yankee swap among attendees or a donation to a favorite charity will be accepted. Guests and new members are welcome.

—

AN AFTERNOON WITH CLARA: Spindle City Ballet will present “An Afternoon with Clara,” Dec. 7 from 3 to 4 p.m. at its studios, 288 Plymouth Ave., second floor. The event is for youngsters between 3- and 8-years-old who are invited to join Clara for an afternoonof dance, fun and special treats from The Land of Sweets. Prince and princess attire is encouraged. Tickets are $25 each and must be purchased in advance by calling (508) 536-6073. Information can also be found at www.Spindlecityballet.org.

—

HOLIDAY BREAKFAST: The Parents Advisory Council at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, 251 Stone Haven Rd., will hold its annual holiday breakfast in the school’s Tea Room, Dec. 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. The menu will include pancakes, eggs and sausage. Tickets, which will be sold at the door, will be $6 for adults, free for children under age 10. Also, donations of canned goods and a new toy for the baskets for the holidays will be collected.

—

CHRISTMAS CONCERT AND EXHIBIT: The Fall River Symphony Orchestra will perform its 14th annual Christmas concert Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. in the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College at 777 Elsbree St. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children.

This special Christmas Pops Concert is presented in conjunction with the BCC Grimshaw Gudewicz Gallery’s exhibit of Azorean nativity scenes and will feature traditional Portuguese Christmas music. The gallery will be open before and after the concert, starting at 1 p.m. This exhibit, free and open to the public, will display hundreds of handmade figurines and traditional Portuguese nativity scenes which depict rural life, sacred and mundane, in the Azores.

Two of the pieces are well-known in the Azores, however the others from Portugal and Madeira are rarely heard. Ann Danis, Conductor of the Fall River Symphony Orchestra, contracted Tim Girard from URI to arrange the choral pieces for a full symphony orchestra. Although there were originally five pieces, Girard chose to create one piece of music. Various sections include: Natal Africano, Natal (Alentejo), Natal Da Beira, Natal De Évora, Exultai em Cânticos, Ó Meu Menino, Ó Meu Menino Tão Lindo, Exultemos De Alegria, Que Estrela Tão Grande, Meia Noite Dada, and Um Pastor Vindo De Longe. What will be heard is the culmination of international effort on the part of professors from BCC, URI, and Portugal. The URI Concert Choir, under the direction of Mark Conley, will also perform with the Fall River Symphony.

The reception after the concert will feature more than 30 different kinds of home-baked cookies, recipes collected from around the world and old family favorites. In keeping with the emphasis on Portuguese culture, many of the cookies are from the Azores and Portugal.

Tickets are available by mail at GFRSS, PO Box 9034, Fall River, Mass. 02720, at all St. Anne’s Credit Union branch locations, LusoCentro at BCC, and at the door.

—

BENEFIT RAFFLE: Michael’s Fund is holding a benefit raffle for a one in 100 chance to win a vacation in an antique, private, stone house in the Umbertide, Citta di Castello area of Umbria, Italy ( www.casadoliva.com). A fundraiser and the drawing will be held Dec. 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mesa 21 Restaurant, 21 Lindsey St. Tickets are $100 each and the ticket winner need not be present to win.

To purchase a ticket, send checks payable to “Michael’s Fund” to Michael’s Fund, 966 Walnut St., Fall River, Mass. 02720.

Michael’s Fund is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization which functions solely through the efforts of dedicated volunteers. All monies raised are applied directly toward the funding of marrow donor recruitment drives.

—

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL PROGRAM: The Fall River Public Library will host “Christmas @ the Library with Mikey Maestro” Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Main Library, 104 No. Main St. Join musician extraordinaire, Mikey Maestro, and his off-the-wall sidekick, Miss Angela, for a holiday musical experience for children young and old. Sing along to such favorite holiday tunes as Jingle Bells, Rocking Around the Christmas Tree and more. Children and parents will have the opportunity to get up and move their feet to Miss Angela’s dance instruction or just sit back and tap their toes and clap their hands to the merry melodies.

Theodore, the Library’s lovable Christmas Bear, will also be on hand to meet and greet friends. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras to take pictures of their children posing with Theodore. Children will also have the opportunity to win one of several great door prizes at the conclusion of the program. Refreshments will be served.

For information, contact supervisor of Children’s Services David Mello or administrator Paula Costa Cullen, (508) 324-2700.

—

STAMP CLUB: The Fall River Stamp Club will meet Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in the conference room at Stop & Shop, Marianno Bishop Boulevard. The club meets the second Tuesday of every month at this location. All adult stamp collectors from the surrounding communities are welcome. Meetings include discussions on stamps, slide shows and swap sessions. For information, contact Bob Kitchen, 508 674-0230 or bobkitchen2@msn.com.

—

HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR: On Stage Theatrical Productions, Inc. will present Holiday Spectacular 2008 Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at Bristol Community College, Elsbree Street.

The production will include singers, dancers, musicians and a show-stopping troupe of tap dancing dolls, eye high kicks, precision choreography and show-stopping numbers that will delight the whole family. The presentation will also include an awe-inspiring Living Nativity.

Tickets are $16.50 and $10 for children under 12 years of age. Tickets can be obtained by calling On Stage, (508) 673-4880 or e-mail lindaonstage@aol.com.

—

HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR: The Preservation Society of Fall River will hold its annual Holiday House Tour Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain/snow date, Dec. 14). Included will be seven private historic homes and the Historical Society of Fall River, the La Fayette-Durfee House and the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast. The Society’s popular McWhirr’s Candy Store exhibit will also be open, as will the Easton Tea Room. The Tour will conclude in the Great Hall at the International Institute of Culinary Arts’ Abbey Grill, 100 Rock St., with a Holiday Concert by the Durfee String Orchestra from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Tickets, which are $17 in advance, are available at the New Boston Bakery, Fall River Historical Society and the Arts Cart. The Abbey Grill will also be the central location for the society on the day of the tour for ticket sales and program pick up. Tickets sold on the day of the tour will be $20. Call the Preservation Society for information, (508) 673-4841 or visit www.fallriverpreservation.org.

—

ART GALLERY SALE: The popular Bert Gallery Attic Sale is on exhibit at the Fall River Historical Society, Rock Street, for its Victorian Christmas celebration. In addition to the bertgallery.com online items the inventory has been expanded to include additional watercolors, drawings and sketches by estate artists.

The Bert Gallery Attic sale donates a percentage of the sale to the Fall River Historical Society to benefit its programs. Visitors can enjoy a visit to see the Victorian Christmas decorations at the Society as well as shop for estate and end of the year discounts on original works of art.

The Fall River Historical Society’s Christmas celebration is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. through Dec. 3. The Society is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and will close at noon on Christmas Eve.

—

BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR PROGRAM: Local seniors who might otherwise be forgotten this holiday season will receive gifts and companionship through the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care of North Dartmouth and offered through the Council on Aging, Adult Day Health and area WalMart stores.

Now through Dec. 10, shoppers can select ornaments from “Be a Santa to a Senior” trees at WalMart locations in Fall River, North Dartmouth and Fairhaven. Each ornament lists the first name of a senior in need, along with gift requests. Holiday shoppers can purchase gifts and return them unwrapped, along with the ornament, to the tree location. Gifts range from $5 to $25.

Home Instead Senior Care then enlists the volunteer help of the community and its staff to collect, wrap and distribute the gifts. A wrapping party is scheduled for the week of Dec. 8 and deliveries will take place the week of Dec. 15.

Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can contact Home Instead Senior Care at (508) 984-7900. Businesses are encouraged to adopt groups of seniors. For more information about the program, event partners, and tree locations, log on to www.beasantatoasenior.com.

—

HOLIDAY GIFTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED: St. Vincent’s, a residential treatment and special education center, is asking for donations of Christmas presents and contributions for its Children’s Holiday Festivities. This Christmas, over 120 children and youth, ages 4 to 21, separated from their families for various reasons, will wake up on Christmas morning at Saint Vincent’s. The center hopes that they wake up to brightly wrapped packages, boxes and bags, but, it cannot happen without the generosity of the community - local businesses, community organizations and caring individuals.

Each child at St. Vincent’s is asked to compose a “Wish List” and it’s St. Vincent’s job to make every effort to fulfill as many of the wishes as possible. Many children at the home have not experienced having a wish come true in their young lives.

Call (508) 235-3310 or (508) 235-3413 to inquire how to donate holiday gifts or make contributions to support St. Vincent’s youth-related activities and programs.