Go Magazine - Special Events

The Jingle Bell Walk in Boston on Sunday, December 6 at 10 a.m. (rain/snow date, Sunday, December 13), welcomes Greyhounds and their owners to raise awareness and funds to support canine cancer research and treatment. (submitted photo)

Holiday events

Gingerbread House Decorating Contest and Artisan Fair, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Artists Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston, R.I. Winners announced at 3 p.m. Sunday. New this year: advanced competition. To participate: $11 per house, $15 advanced competition. 401-490-9475.

Holiday Extravaganza, Dec. 11, 7 p.m., Bristol Community College Culinary Arts Program, Commonwealth College Center, Fall River. Cocktail reception at 7 p.m., open wine and beer bar. Music provided by Malloi. $45, available through Chef John Caressimo at 508-678-2811 x 2111. Order by Dec. 1.

Holiday Heritage Tour, Dec. 12, 9:30 to 6 p.m., Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, 175 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. Includes stops at Slater Mill, Hearthside House, lunch at The Lodge Pub and Eatery, St. Ann Art and Cultural Center, Vaillancourt Folk Art, and National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette. Advance reservations required. $39, includes transportation, lunch, tour guide, and all admissions. www.TourBlackstone.com/backyard.htm or 401-724-2200.

First Night Boston, Dec. 31, 1 p.m. to midnight, around Boston. Highlights include Kaiju Big Battel at the Hynes Convention Center, Anat Cohen at Berklee Performance Center, Shakespearean Cabaret at St. Paul's Cathedral, bands, and fireworks. $18 buttons, $15 on Web through Dec. 26. children under 4 free. www.firstnight.org.

The Resolution ball, Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., Top of the Hub Skywalk Level, 800 Boylston St., Boston. Also at Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston. 21 plus only. Black-tie option with cash bar. Most guests are professionals in 20s and 30s. 781-444-7771 or www.bostoneventguide.com.

Special events

Bodies Revealed, through Nov. 29, Foxwoods Casino, Conn. Extended. Visitors to exhibit will receive 20 percent off coupon to Mashantucket Pequot Museum.

AFL Turns 50, throughout 2009 season, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sun., The Hall at Patriot Place, Foxboro. Collection of AFL memorabilia available for viewing. $10 adults, $7 seniors and military, $5 children 5-12, children under 4 free. www.thehallatpatriotplace.com.

29th Annual Winter Carnival, Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Ann's Arts Center, 84 Cumberland St., Woonsocket, RI. Games, food, drinks, holiday shopping, holiday music. Free. riverfolk.org or 401-725-9272.

World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, 5 p.m., Providence. One of 9 cities joining (RED) in honor of the day, only one in New England. City, Providence Skating RInk, One Financial Plaza, and 111 Westminster Street will be illuminated. Mayor David Cicilline will offer a greeting at 111 Westminster Street at 5. Candlelight vigil follows at 6:15 at the skating rink.

Ladies Night Out: Mingle, Jingle, and Shop, Dec. 4, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, 201 Main St., Franklin.

Gems of Newport: A Holiday Hospitality Tour, Dec. 5, Newport, RI. Self-guided tours of six historic Bed and Breakfasts and luxury hotels decorated for the holiday season. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. Tours run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last check in at 2:30 p.m. Transportation not included. $30. 401-331-9302.

17th Annual House Tour and Tea, Dec. 6, 1 to 5 p.m., various houses in Mansfield. Tickets available at the Mansfield Bank. Tickets will say the houses on the tour. Start at any of the houses. Fresh pastries, desserts, coffee, and tea will be served at the Historical Society house on Rumford Ave., Mansfield. A raffle will be also be held. Benefits MA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, High School Community Service Scholarship, Mansfield Music and Arts Society, Animal Shelter, and New Hope. $25, includes 5 housrs. 508-339-8342 or email makadrew@aol.com.

The Rich Guzzi Psycho Hypnosis Show, Dec. 9, 8 p.m., Showcase Live, 23 Patriot Place, Foxboro. Comic, master hypnotist, motivational speaker. Known as the R-Rated Hypnotist. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner and best seat selection. $20. ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849.

2009 JBall - Rock Star Party, Dec. 24, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Whiskey Park, 64 Arlington St., Boston. Cocktail reception and complimentary hord s'oeuvres. 21 plus only. Mostly professional and Jewish Bostonians in 20s and 30s. $20 advance, $25 at door if available. www.tjcboston.com or 781-444-7771.

Blackstone Valley Explorer Cruise, every Sunday, departing from Central Falls Landing at the corner of Broad Street and Madeira Avenue. Tours depart on the hour at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Last Sunday of the month is free. $10 adults, $8 seniors, children 12 and under. www.tourblackstone.com or 401-724-2200.

Lectures/books

Humanities Forum, Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m., Huntington's main stage, Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave., Boston. Follows the 2 p.m. performance of "A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration." Forum is with Pulitzer Prize winners Paula Vogel and Doris Kearns Goodwin and is free.

5 Ways for Business Owners to Save Taxes in 2010, Dec. 8, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Rodman and Rodman, P.C., 25 Braintree Hill Office Park, Braintree. Free. Register with Jen Minor at 617-965-5959 or email jen@rodmancpa.com.

Capron Park Zoo Adult Programs, Dec. 10, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, 6-7:30 p.m., County Street, Attleboro. Nov. 17, Feast for the Beasts (feeding the animals); Dec. 10, Zoo in Review (history of zoo); Jan. 13, Genetics of Conservation; Feb. 10, Jungle Love. $5 members, $7 non-members. Pre-registration required. 774-203-1843.

Emmet Gowin: A Talk in Honor of Harry and Eleanor Callahan - My Own Life in Photography, March 24, 7 p.m., Remis Auditorium, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Highlights Gowin's years at a student of Harry Callahan, a photographer. $10 MFA members, seniors, students; $13 nonmembers. 617-369-3306.

Tell your story

Live Bait: Stories of Death, Nov. 27, 8 p.m., Perishable Theatre, 95 Empire St., Providence. Tell your story of death, near-death, and survival. This night there will be special guest storytellers, including Christopher Johnson on death in a gang, Kevin Broccoli on death during the holidays, and Priscilla Galligan on death in the ER. $5. 401-331-2695.

Outdoors

Bridgewater State College Observatory, through Dec. 8, 400 Summer St., Bridgewater. Open to the public every clear Wednesday starting at sunset. Closed week of Thanksgiving. 508-531-3275 or www.bridgew.edu/observatory.

Too Much Turkey! Fitness Hike, Nov. 27, 2 p.m., F. Gilbert Hills State Forest, 45 Mill St., Foxboro. Brisk hike to burn off some turkey dinner calories. Bring water and be prepared to cover about 3 miles of moderate trails. For adults and older children. Lasts 1.5 hours.

Festival of Lights Walk, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., LaSalette Shrine Cafeteria, Park St., Attleboro. Largest outdoor display of lights on the East Coast. Walk passes through conservation land, visits the Attleboro Industrial Museum and returns to the shrine. Choose between 6.8 or 3.1 mile routes. Sponsored by Walk 'n Mass Wolkssport Club. Email magoo249@aol.com or 508-222-1152.

5th Annual Jingle Bell Walk, Dec. 6, 10 a.m., Boston Public Garden/Boston Common. Greyhounds and their owners raise awareness and funds to support canine cancer research and treatment. Meet at the Swan Boat Dock. Lasts 1 hour. Festive holiday attire for hounds and owners encouraged. All donations benefit the Ohio State University Greyhound Health and Wellness Program. Rain date is Dec. 13.

Holiday Toy Drive and Mountain Bike Ride or Hike, Dec. 6, Houghton's Pond, 840 Hillside St., Milton. Toy drop and refreshments from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., bike ride at 10 a.m., hike at 1 p.m. Bring a new unwrapped toy, then go on a guided or self-guided ride or hike. All toys will be donated to Interfaith Social Services. Gifts for children ages 11-16 are most needed and appreciated. 617-698-1802 x212.

Winter Deer Discovery, Dec. 12, 1 p.m., Boderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., N. Easton. Meet at visitor center. Will spend some time indoors before going on brief walk. Dress appropriately. Ages 6 and up. Lasts 1 hour. $2 parking fee.

Photographing Caratunk, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to noon, Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave., Seekonk. In-the-field workshop. All levels welcome. $15/member, $20/non-member; ages: 14+. To register: 401-949-5454, ext. 3041 or programs@asri.org

Winter Beach Walk, Dec. 19, 9 a.m., South Cape Beach State Park off Great Oak Rd. Meet at Bayberry Lot, right before Mashpee Town Beach. One and a half to 2 mile hike along coastline. Two hours long.

Fire and Ice Hike, Dec. 27, 10 a.m., Myles Standish State Forest, 194 Cranberry Rd., South Carver. Three mile hike explores glacier history and forest fires in area. For adults and older children. Lasts 1.5 hours.

First Day Hikes 2010, Jan. 1, 1 p.m., Houghton's Pond, 840 Hillside St., Milton. Free hot and hearty soup at noon. Hike begins at 1 p.m. For all ages and abilities. 617-698-1802.

Winter Trail Day, Jan. 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Leo J. Martin Golf Course, 200 Park Rd., Weston. Try snowshoeing and cross country skiing at Weston Ski Track. Free demos, additional rentals for a fee. 781-891-6575 or skiboston.com.

Evergreens of Winter, Jan. 16, 1 p.m., Houghton's Pond, 840 Hillside St., Milton. Lasts 1.5 hours. Leisurely walk through stands of pine and hemlock looking at the hardy trees, shrubs and ground covers that stay green throughout the winter.

Bigfoot Stomp: A Snowshoe Hike, Jan. 24, 1 p.m. DCR Ranger and REI Outdoor Instructor will guide a romp through Blue Hills. REI will have limited number of adult size snowshoes to loan. No experience necessary. Lasts 1.5 hours. Call for registration and meeting place. 617-698-1802 x212.

Frozen Fun, Feb. 21, 2 to 4 p.m., Reilly Memorial Skating Rink, Cleveland Circle, Brighton. Ranger-led family winter hike from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Ice skating 2 to 3:50 p.m. Both free. Skate rentals available for fee.

Canines and Coffee, Feb. 28, 9 a.m., Houghton's Pond, 840 Hillside St., Milton. Team up with your favorite pooch and a cup of joe on this early morning ranger- led stroll around Houghton's Pond. Coffee provided. Dogs must be leashed. Lasts 1.5 hours.

Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., Easton/Sharon line. 508-238-6566 or www.mass.gov/dcr/events.htm.

Fall Guided Kayak Tours, Saturdays and Sundays, $60 per person; $55 13-17 years old; $45 senior, includes 3-hour tour of Norton Reservoir, kayak/gear rental, paddling lesson, safety instruction. Tours 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. 508-740-7728, info@nortonkayakco.com, www.nortonkayakco.com.

Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog, Behind Bass Pro Shops, Patriot Place, Foxboro. Half-mile scenic walking trail open daily from dawn till dusk. Trail features a wide variety and high concentration of wildlife and plant life. Free.

New Dawn Earth Center, 75 Wrentham Rd., Cumberland, RI. 270 acre of wooded open space, wetlands, ponds. 401-333-1341 or newdawnearthcenter.org.