Little Italy becomes a winter wonderland for the holidays The Little Italy Association is transforming two of its city blocks into a Christmas village on Dec. 3 for a warm-hearted community celebration complete with a classic tree-lighting ceremony involving local elected officials, complimentary cider and cookies for guests, and a festive array of Little Italy Mercato merchants selling their handmade wares and artisan crafts. “The streets are decorated with holiday cheer, and it really looks like a Christmas village has come to life, complete with a main street, families bundled up to visit with Santa, shopping from merchants, [and] music,” said Little Italy resident Marianna Brunetto. “We look forward to it every year.” The free holiday festival will take place at Date and India streets adjacent to the Piazza Natale from 4 to 8 p.m. for Little Italy families and neighbors to come out and enjoy each others company during the intimate evening event. Jolly ole Saint Nick will, of course, visit the village from the North Pole for a photo opportunity atop Little Italy Fire Engine 3. Adding to the holiday cheer will be the musical talents of the Pizarro Brothers, the Washington Elementary School’s choir and ballroom dancing troupe, and Modern Glee club of San Diego with performances throughout the evening event. “The event is a terrific example of the community coming together to enjoy the winter season and Christmas celebration,” said Marco Li Mandri, chief executive administrator of the Little Italy Association. For more information, visit www.littleitalysd.com/events/little-italy-tree-lighting. Santa Paws checks on naughty and nice pups Santa Paws is coming to town for an event that pets and their owners will paw-sitively love at the pet-friendly Hotel Solamar on Dec. 10 and 11. The lobby of the hotel will be filled with holiday treats and décor, and one lucky hotel manager will don a Santa Claus suit to pose with neighborhood and out-of-town pets over the weekend from 2 to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the San Diego Animal Support Foundation — a nonprofit group dedicated to improving the welfare of animals in shelters and rescue facilities in San Diego. “Whether you’re a guest staying in our hotel or a neighborhood friend popping into our restaurant, there’s always an element of fun and a sense of playfulness around,” said Hotel Solamar’s general manager Mark Dibella. “We think Santa Paws adds an unexpected element of holiday cheer to see so many beloved family pets all groomed and excited and ready for their picture with Santa.” Although Santa Paws generally gets holiday visitors of the canine variety, the hotel invites pets of all sorts to take part in the holiday photo opportunity. Toys for Tots San Diego Self Storage (SDSS) facilities across San Diego are serving the community’s families in need this holiday season with a series of toy drive events to benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. SDSS will collect new, unwrapped toys for the program until Dec. 19 at all of its locations, and the storage facility will also conduct raffles for a $100 credit toward a tenant’s new or existing storage rental. The Marine kickoff event will take place aboard the USS Midway on Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with raffles, refreshments and prizes. Admission to the event is free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy, which will be distributed as Christmas gifts to children in the community who may not otherwise receive gifts. “We’re proud to sponsor this effort on behalf of the children within the communities we serve, and this drive marks our 13th consecutive year of participation,” said SDSS managing partner J. Terry Aston. “Our network of neighborhood self storage facilities makes it convenient for all San Diegans to get involved by dropping off toys at any of our locations located within close proximity to work or home.” The Toys for Tots programs hopes to spread the message of giving to children at a young age to motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. To participate in the effort, simply stop by any of SDSS’s locations throughout the county, bring in a new, unwrapped toy to drop off, and leave knowing a child in need will receive a gift even greater than what was contained in the holiday wrapper. Trees light up Balboa Park The San Diego Floral Society will make Balboa Park sparkle with 20 beautifully decorated trees contributed by garden clubs and societies throughout the county. All of the trees are decorated based on this year’s “Through the Eyes of the Children” theme and will later be donated to retirement and assisted-living facilities to spread holiday cheer for others’ enjoyment. The trees will be lit up and available for viewing on Dec. 2 from 5 to 10 p.m. and Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free refreshments will be provided in Room 101 in the Casa del Prado building, located at 1650 El Prado Ave., and floral designs, Protea stems and gingerbread cookies will be on sale to benefit the San Diego Floral Society’s projects.