Marinwood

It's the weekend after Christmas, and the holiday specials are off the TV, the all-Christmas-music radio stations have gone back to playing whatever they normally play, and those gifts that were under the tree are now scattered all over the house. Despite the big run-up of Christmas cheer, it's disappointing when the whole holiday train comes to a seemingly full and complete stop after December 25. While I feel a certain amount of relief that the holiday chaos is pretty much over, I'm also wishing that I had more time to slow down and savor the pleasures of the Christmas season.

Fortunately, I have good news for those of you out there who haven't yet had your fill of holiday cheer—the Christmas houses are still open! If you're still looking for that holiday spirit, head on down to one of our local decorated houses and take in the magic one last time (or two or three, even).

There are many people who really get into the holiday spirit in Marin, and of all places in the county I think that Marinwood, the small community sandwiched between Novato and San Rafael, has the most decorated holiday houses per capita!

It's only natural then that one of our favorite Christmas houses happens to be located in Marinwood: the Nisja's Bear house, which has been delighting Marin and Bay Area families for 30 years.

Our children's favorite decorated and lighted Christmas house is the Mize family's Mickey Mouse House (AKA "Mickey's Christmas House") in Marinwood. Visit it, and you'll see why it's so popular! The Mickey Mouse House, located at 417 Blackstone Drive (at Las Gallinas), looks to be just a regular lighted Christmas house at first glance. But get out of your car and walk up the short driveway and you'll see why it's worth a visit for kids of all ages. Every evening from 6 pm to 10 pm, the two-car garage is opened to reveal two galleries of what has to be every Disney toy, decoration, and gimgrack ever produced, all artfully arranged in two spectacular holiday displays.

Marin Waldorf School in San Rafael is offering a new Parent-Child program starting December 3. If you want to learn more about the Waldorf approach to parenting principles, this is a good way to try it out and get acquainted. These are warm and inviting gatherings, filled with a spirit of play, community, and love for the parenting journey.

Each meeting also includes open discussion about parenting and how Waldorf ideas can support parents and provide skills to nurture their relationship with their child.

• Special Season Session for Young Toddlers
  December 3, 10 and 17
  Thursdays 9 to 10:30 am
  Session fees: $75

• Pre-crawlers to Crawlers
  Thursdays, January 7–April 1 and April 22–June 10, 11:30 am to 1 pm

• Babies and Pregnancy, for Pregnancy and Infants
  Fridays, January 8–April 2 and April 23–June 11
  11 am to 12:30 pm
  Session fees: winter $275, spring $185
• Young Toddlers, walking up to 2 years of age.
  Fridays, January 8–April 2 and April 23–June 11, 9 am–10:30 am
  Session fees: winter $275 • spring $185
• Older Toddlers, 20 months to 3 ½ years.
  Thursdays, January 7–April 1 and April 22–June 10
  9 to 11 am or Saturdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am
  Session fees: winter $300, spring $200

For more info, call Barbra Rosen (415) 479.8190 ext. 147 or go to www.marinwaldorf.org.

On Wednesday, December 9, Marin Dance Theatre and Marinwood Recreation Department present a sneak preview of the popular holiday ballet Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop. From 1:15 to 2:15 pm, meet some of the characters from this beautiful ballet and watch them perform their dances. This event takes place at the Marinwood Community Center at 775 Miller Creek Road in San Rafael. The performance is free, but reservations are required. RSVP to hschulte@marinwood.org.

If you want to see the full-length version of Marin Dance Theatre's Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop, it will play at the Marin Civic Center on December 19 at 1 and 5 pm. It's a two-act children's ballet that features over 120 dancers plus professional guest artists. Adults $33, students and seniors $23. For more information, go to www.mdt.org or the Marin Center Box Office to purchase tickets.