by Noella Noelophile®
Twelfth Night has come and gone–and we still have the ornaments up.
Letting Christmas go, even if it is the second week of January, isn’t easy.
But, as we move forward into 2016, there are a number of “Christmas Keepers” we’ll be celebrating throughout the year. These are people with a sense of joy in being creative, and a giving spirit as they share their talents, “honoring Christmas in their hearts and keeping it all the year”–whether it’s December or mid-June!
Two of our favorites invite you to paint with them.
Gayle Fleury (l) and Regina Fernandez (r) are the proprietors of Seaside Studios, San Pedro. They offer art classes and open studio hours on weekends–and right now, they’re also supporting Empty Bowls San Pedro for the second year in a row.
How this works: this upcoming Saturday, January 16th, you can come by the studio to paint a bowl for free. Regina and Gayle will fire it in their kiln–and the bowls get used for a fundraiser ice cream social, in support of Harbor Interfaith Services, on Valentine’s weekend!
Seaside Studios San Pedro’s last public bowl painting session is from 10:30 till 2:00 this Saturday, January 16th, at 525 North Harbor Boulevard, #3, between Beacon and O’Farrell Streets (across from the dancing fountains!).
Another “Christmas Keeper” with the Christmas spirit in her heart all year? Author/entrepreneur Barbara Austin Lieberman, proprietor of Seeds of Inspiration. And she has a special event coming up this Saturday!
Barb releases her newest book, To Reap a Whirlwind, Saturday, January 16th at Sandpiper Books in Torrance. A talented lineup of local artists and authors will be joining her and displaying their work, throughout the day. You’re cordially invited to come out and enjoy their talents (and, admittedly, probably lose some sleep. I’ve made the mistake before of trying to read “just one chapter” of Barb’s earlier book To Miss the Stars or her novel Message on the Wind, in which she introduces readers to the McEwen family. But maybe you have better “reader’s discipline” than I do.).
Sandpiper Books hosts Barbara Austin Lieberman’s To Reap a Whirlwind Release Celebration on Saturday, January 16th from 11 am to 6 pm. Sandpiper Books is located at 4665 Torrance Boulevard, between Reynolds Drive and Anza Avenue, in Torrance.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be fair to use the sign at the beginning of our post without telling you where it came from –and giving you the heads-up on a volunteer opportunity!
The handsome gentleman in full Victorian dress is Kevin Patterson, Executive Director of Red Barn Productions. They’re the producers of the beloved Bay Area Christmas tradition, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. 2016 will mark their 38th year of taking attendees back to Christmas Eve in Charles Dickens’ London. And this “Christmas Keepers” sign is one we absolutely loved, when we had the opportunity to attend their 2014 edition!
Now, if you’re in the Bay Area and are willing to make a commitment for the 2016 Christmas season, they will need volunteers, later this year. Volunteers attend workshops and are registered as part of their “volunteer entertainment team”. Here’s the link for more information.
Why so early, when their workshops don’t start till October? Well, Dickens Fair volunteers are in full Victorian dress, and this gives you the opportunity to have fun creating and getting your costume approved.
Besides, we know a “Christmas Keeper” when we see one.