Park Trails Chic Boutique — Nov. 6
Support Park Trails Elementary and get your holiday shopping done at the same time! The 5th Annual Chic Boutique will be held at the school in Parkland on Nov. 6 from 7-10pm. The cafeteria will be transformed into an exciting shopping mecca with tables filled with terrific merchandise, health items, home décor and so much more. Grab a friend or two and head over for the ultimate girls night out. For more information call 954.322.7800.

Boca Raton Garden Club’s Annual Holiday House Bazaar — Nov. 6-7
Looking for just the right gift for that special someone on your list? Look no further than the Boca Raton Garden Club’s Annual Holiday House Bazaar, Nov. 6 and 7 from 9am-3pm. Here you’ll find unique gifts handcrafted by club members including decorations for Thanksgiving, Christmas and year-round. You’ll also find amazing centerpieces and wreaths (many made from native materials) to decorate your home.

A giant plant sale with herbs, shrubs, perennials, trees, holiday arrangements and more, propagated and grown by club members, will be available. Club members will sell homemade goodies including sweets, savories and other delicious delicacies for the holidays. Yum! There’ll also be a raffle with prizes, gift baskets and other beautiful items.

The club’s annual commemorative ornament (this year featuring Mizner Park and its gazebo) will also be sold. Past years’ ornaments will be available as well so you can fill in any you’re missing in your collection.

The Boca Raton Garden Club maintains a garden and house at 4281 NW 3rd Ave. (north of Spanish River Blvd and south of Yamato). Call 561.395.9376 with any questions.

The Fun-tabulous, Warm & Fuzzy Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park Returns Nov. 25th
What would the holiday be without this hearfelt community event? The Holiday Fantasy of Lights is THE premier holiday event in South Florida. Started in 1993, with 13 successful seasons under it’s belt, it has been making people smile and get in the spirit every year since. Although the event was closed in 2005 because of Hurricane Wilma and in 2007 due to budget cuts, it made a dazzling comeback in 2008 with, we are proud to say, the help of the Life Family of Publications as the major media sponsor. The total attendance to date is over 450,000 cars and over 3.7 million people!

This year, through the generous efforts of Alzheimer’s Family Center, Brandano Displays, Broward County Parks Department, the City of Coconut Creek, LITE 101.5FM and Life Publications, the Holiday Fantasy of Lights kicks off Nov. 25 and will be lighting up nightly from 6-10pm through January 2, 2010. And every single vehicle through the park will be given a LIFE Publication upon entering! Hundreds of displays will awe and delight you and the kiddies, as you leisurely drive through Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek. And new this year is the opportunity to view the light show through 3-D glasses! It will knock your socks off and jump start your holidays. Entry is $12 per car; Value Nights are Mon., Tues. and Wed. for $9 per car. $35 flat-rate for all buses (15 passengers and over).

Another way to enjoy the Holiday Fantasy of Lights is during the fitness weekend, Nov. 21-22. On the 21st, a 5K Run/Walk will take place through the three-mile light show. The run begins at 6pm ($20) and the walk is at 7pm ($17). Register online at www.active.com. Then on the 22nd, a family bicycle ride will allow participants a leisurely ride throughout the millions of sparkling and glowing lights. (So cool!)

Volunteers are needed nightly for a variety of duties—everything from being a greeter, handing out materials (and Parkland Life, Coconut Creek Life & BocaDelray Life Magazines) to every vehicle, collecting entry fees, processing charge cards and traffic flow. Volunteers under the age of 18-years-old are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your friends and enjoy the fun and the fantasy; volunteer for any evening or every evening ... it’s a classic holiday attraction!
For the second year in a row, Life Publications has been CHOSEN as the local media sponsor for this prestigious event and as a thank you, the kooky “lifers” are hoping to cook up a “it’s a WONDERFUL LIFE” surprise night, so stay tuned next month for full details. For more info call Alzheimer’s Family Center at 954.971.7155, email alzfam@bellsouth.net or visit www.holidaylightsdrivethru.com.