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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Christmas carols at museum Thursday
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Allen Magana, 8, is reflected in one of the glass display cases inside the Manteca Museum during the Manteca Historical Society holiday open house on Sunday. - photo by HIME ROMERO
Christmas carols – complete with a three-piece musical group – are part of Thursday’s monthly program at the Manteca Museum, 600 W. Yosemite Ave.

Manteca Historical Society Executive Director Evelyn Prouty noted there will also be a sing-a-long. The 7 p.m. program also includes free refreshments.

Lathrop tree lighting ceremony
Lathrop’s annual Tree Lighting event is at the Lathrop Community Center (15557 Fifth Street) on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m. Holiday songs and carols will be led by the Lathrop Elementary School Choir, the Lathrop High School Choir and the Lathrop Area Music Program. Refreshments will be served and Santa will come to visit the children. There is no cost for this event.

Drive-thru nativity scene
Sequoia Heights Baptist Church is staging its 20th annual living drive-thru nativity scene on Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the church parking lot at 1050 S. Union Road.

Admission is free.

SONdance performances  this Friday & Saturday
SONdance is staging “A Christmas to Remember” at the Ripon Christian High Performing Arts Center, 425 N. Maple Ave., in Ripon on Friday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. For tickets or more information go to www.sondance.org or call 823-1740.

Calvary Community Christmas musical opens on Friday
Calvary Community Church at 815 W. Lathrop Road is staging their annual Christmas production

The musical is a perennial full-house. This year’s original production “Christmas Dreamin’” takes place on Friday and  Saturday, Dec. 10 and 11, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.
For more information call the church at 239-1345.

Lathrop plans parade, breakfast, boutique, all on Saturday
The 2nd Annual Breakfast with Santa will take place at the Lathrop Community Center (15557 Fifth Street, Lathrop) from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. Santa and his elves will make a special appearance. Enjoy a hot breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage with fresh orange juice or hot chocolate. The breakfast will also include a picture of Santa with your kids. Santa’s elves will be handing out special treats.  Pricing includes: children 3 years and up $6, and adults $8.

Seating is limited. For more information, please call the Lathrop Community Center at 941-7370.

The 2010 Holiday Boutique will take place at the Lathrop Senior Center (15707 Fifth Street, Lathrop) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. Vendors will have tables set up to sell all kinds of goodies. Come browse for gifts and goodies for the holiday season and then attend the Lathrop Holiday parade. Hot chocolate, cider and much more will be for sale. Past vendors have included: Tupperware, homemade jewelry, cosmetics, and general arts and crafts.

For more information, call the Lathrop Senior Center at 941-7380.

The 2010 Lathrop Holiday Parade will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. This year’s theme is “The Joys of Holiday Toys.” After five years as an evening parade, the holiday parade is back to daytime. The parade awards will be presented in the Lathrop Community Center gym right after the parade.

For more information, or to participate in the parade, please call 941-7383.

Manteca community concert on Sunday
The following Sunday on Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. the Manteca Community Choir under the direction of Anne Talcott will be performing a Christmas cantata, “Hallelujah! Light Has Come” on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m.  Manteca Presbyterian Church will host the event. There are 60-plus members of the community choir plus guests from Stockton’s St. Paul’s Methodist Church.  There is no charge for this musical event although a free-will offering will be taken for future performances.

School concerts galore this week
New Haven and Joshua Cowell will have a Winter Concert tonight at 6:30 in the Manteca High Theatre. This performance will be conducted by Stephanie Rawls.

The Weston Ranch High Band, Jazz Band and Orchestra Winter Concert is tonight at 7 p.m. in the Weston Ranch theatre. Music groups performing are directed by Joe Barron. Admission is free.

The Sierra High Band concert will be Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.  A baked-potato dinner will be served starting at 5 p.m. E-mail band director Rick Hammarstrom at rhammarstrom@musd.net for tickets.

Stella Brockman and Veritas Elementary Schools will present their Winter Choir Concert, directed by Terri Richichi, on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Stella Brockman Gym. The choir consists of 4th-8th graders.

The George Komure Winter Concert will be held on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. in the gym.  It will feature the Advanced 7th-8th Grade Band and Violinists.  They are directed by Dana O’Dell.

Lathrop Elementary Winter Concert will be held on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Lathrop Gymnasium.

Lincoln School, directed by Miss Ehlen, will present their Winter Choir Concert on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln cafeteria. The choir features 4th-, 5th- and 6th-grade students.