On Fridays from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 5-9 p.m., through December 22, take a Carriage Ride through the festively decorated El Dorado Hills Town Center. Rides are $15 per couple, $20 for three, or $25 for a family of four or more; proceeds benefit Hands4Hope and 3Strands Global Foundation.

Congrats to Curtis Gaesser, music teacher at Folsom High School, who was named a semifinalist by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum for the national Music Educator Award. The finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, in addition to a matching grant for their school, and the winner will pick up a $10,000 personal honorarium. For more info on Gaesser and FHS’s award-winning music program, visit folsommusic.org.

Bring an unwrapped toy to any participating business at the El Dorado Hills Town Center through December 11 for a chance to win a $500 Town Center gift card through the Toys for Tots Holiday Gift Drive. For a list of participating businesses and contest rules, visit edhtowncenter.com.

Congrats to six-year-old Swasti Raizada for winning the Coloring Contest—and a $25 gift card to Toys R Us—at Folsom’s Healthy Halloween on October 29. The free, all-ages event—presented by Revolutions Naturopathic, Style Magazine, Rotary Club of Folsom and The Greater Folsom Partnership—included princess makeovers, an inflatable obstacle course and bounce house, carnival games and prizes, a costume contest, roaming magician and more.

Local public safety agencies, including Folsom’s, have partnered to have a state-of-the-art community emergency notification system, SAC Region Citizen Alert, to alert residents about emergency events and other important public safety information. To subscribe for notifications and receive information on potential safety hazards or concerns, visit sacramento-alert.org.

A new Tot Land has been installed at the Crocker Art Museum and will offer a world of exploration for children ages 0-5. For more info, visit crockerart.org/exhibitions/art-spot.

The Gallery at 48 Natoma’s new exhibit, Teaching Art Inside, runs through January 18 and features paintings, prints and other art by former arts-in-correction artist/teacher Jim Carlson and a selection of incarcerated artists from the Arts-In-Corrections Program at California State Prison, Sacramento. A special bonus display includes a selection of Johnny Cash memorabilia from the John R. Cash Revocable Trust. For gallery hours and more info, visit facebook.com/thegalleryat48natoma.

Fairytale Town is hosting a Free Admission Day on December 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting. Regular winter hours (through February 28) are Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, visit fairytaletown.org.

The Folsom Historic District Ice Rink, the “coolest place in town,” is open through January 16 from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (session times vary). Those celebrating a birthday or other gathering can avail of the “party tent,” which overlooks the rink and includes tables and chairs. For more info, visit folsomicerink.com.

At Lakeside Church on December 9, Powerhouse Ministries, Twin Lakes Food Bank and other churches and civic groups will partner together to host Christmas Around Towne, where hundreds of local families in need are provided with a holiday experience—complete with brunch, games, songs, a message and a shopping voucher. Those in crisis looking to apply can do so in person at Powerhouse Ministries. To volunteer at the event, be a financial sponsor or donate, email [email protected]. For more info, visit phmfolsom.org/annual/christmas-around-towne-2017.

A fast-casual, slightly upscale pizza restaurant with 41 taps (27 of them self pour), Boulevard 41, is set to open this coming March at the El Dorado Hills Town Center (near Hop House and Bistro 33).

Discover the flavors of Italy by signing up for a cooking class at The Murer House and Learning Center. This month’s offerings include “Italian Candied Citrus for Holiday Gifts” on December 2 from 10 a.m. to noon, a “Brie Aperitif Minis Cheese-Making Workshop” on December 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and “Italian Holiday Meal: A Celebration Dinner” on December 15 from noon to 4 p.m. For more info and to register, visit murerhouse.org/cooking_classes.

The Amgen Tour of California—America’s premier cycling stage race—is returning to Folsom on May 18. In addition to watching for free along the route, residents can also take advantage of an all-inclusive hospitality tent for a VIP experience. For more info, visit amgentourofcalifornia.com.

Support the Harris Center Youth Arts Education Programs, which help make the arts experience an accessible and inspirational part of children’s lives, by purchasing a raffle ticket ($10 each or three for $25) at the Harris Center lobby before performances or during intermission. The grand prize is a $3,000 United Vacations certificate, and the drawing will be held on January 22. For more info, visit harriscenter.net.

Head to the El Dorado Hills Senior Center the last Thursday of each month (December 28) from 10:30 a.m. to noon for My Time El Dorado Hills, a gathering for family caregivers. For more info, call 530-621-6180.

In the “Oops, We’re Only Human” department, we apologize for listing the incorrect contact info for last month’s Introducing, Full STEAM Academy. The correct website is fsachildrensacademy.com.

by Megan Camponovo