During the next few months:

"CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY CONINUES OVER THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!"
Place: Volcano Art Center, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, HI 96785, 967-7565
Date: 11/27/2008 through 11/29/2008
Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Special holiday celebrations include demonstrations and print and book signings by gallery artists, plus a fine selection of quality handcrafted decorations and gifts offered only during the holiday season. Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Free (Park entrance fees apply).

WAIMEA CENTER UPCOUNTRY CHRISTMAS FAIR

Dage: December 5, 2008
The town of Waimea fills with crowdsawaiting the "Twilight Parade". The Upcountry Christmas Fair features free live music, keiki "make and take" crafts, sidewalk sales, over 50 artists and crafters, and of course, Santa! Beautiful wreaths entered into the "Big Island Bounty Wreath Contest" will also be on display. The event starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. Info: (808) 933-9772 or email amooninfo@bigisland.com

11TH ANNUAL TRADITIONAL MOCHI (RICE CAKE) POUNDING FOR NEW YEAR
Place: 29-2091 Old Mamalahoa Hwy., Hakalau,, HI 96710, (808) 963-6422
Date: 12/28/2008
Plan a unique Christmas this year in Hawaii in our quiet little village of Wailea at Akiko's Buddhist Bed and Breakfast: join us for the Wailea Village 11th annual mochi-tsuki celebration in making traditional rice cakes the "old-fashioned" way. The oldtimers share their stories of plantation era times and everyone takes their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck. Fire building starts at 6 a.m. to steam the rice. Event goes from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. with hearty local style lunch for $5. Great Fun!! Call Miss Akiko @ (808) 963-6422 or email: msakiko@hawaii.rr.com for more information.

"KEY INGREDIENTS: AMERICA BY FOOD" AND "HAWAI'I BY FOOD" EXHIBITS - LYMAN MUSEUM, HILO

Date: Thru January 31
"Key Ingredients: America by Food", a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit, presents the entire landscape of America's past and present through food; its origins, production, distribution, uses, and significance. "Hawai'i by Food", developed by Kaiolani Community College, complements the exhibit with the historical development of Hawaii's distinct food culture due to the diversity of cultures here and the variety of foods they have introduced to Hawai'i. Sponsored by the Hawai'i Council for the Humanities. Time: 9:30a.m.-4:30p.m., Monday-Saturday at Lyman Museum, Hilo (276 Haili Street). Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $21 family, $3 children over 6. For more information, call (808) 935-5021 or email olivia@lymanmuseum.org or visit www.lymanmuseum.org