(Please send your updated status and any other listings information to the Listings Editor Katie Walenter at listingsedit@gambitweekly.com or fax to 830-3459.)

family

Tuesday 27

Cooking up Christmas family workshop. Hermann-Grima House, 820 St. Louis St., 525-5661; www.hgghh.org — The Hermann-Grima House presents a baking workshop focusing on 19th century Christmas traditions for kids ages 9-13. Children will also explore the decorated house. One parent/guardian per child. Dress to cook. Reservations required. Tickets $20 nonmembers, $15 members. 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Friday 30

Bayou Segnette Park event. 7777 Westbank Expwy., 736-7155 — The park screens a nature video and then offers a crafts or a nature walk. Call to reserve a spot. Admission $1 per person. 1 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Kenner christmas village. Kenner Veterans Century, Sentries Park, 1901 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7293 — Kenner Christmas Village is open 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday.

events

Tuesday 27

Uptown farmers market. Uptown Square, 200 Broadway St.; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org — Weekly Crescent City Farmers Market. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Louisiana's Hurricane Experiences Program. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., 838-1100; www.jefferson.lib.la.us — Jefferson Parish Library will hold a three-part weekly readings and discussions series on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting Jan. 17 and led by Gary Richards of UNO on the hurricane experiences of Louisiana. Pre-registration is required due to limited space. Books will be provided. Free admission.

Celebration in the oaks. City Park, Botanical Garden and Storyland; www.neworleanscitypark.com — City Park's holiday lights display opens as a walking tour only, featuring Mr. Bingle, a laser-light show, train garden, children's exhibits, Mid-City Art Market, music and more.Tickets $5, free admission for kids ages 3-under. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly, through Friday.

Kwanzaa Celebrations & Programs. Ashe Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha C. Haley Blvd., 242-8353 or 566-9070 — The African American Leadership Project and Ashé Cultural Arts Center presents Kwanzaa celebrations. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26-Saturday.; Programs about rebuilding our lives post-Katrina based on the principles of Kwanzaa will be held Wednesday-Friday. Call for times.

Small Business Roundtable. The Savvy Gourmet, 4519 Magazine St., 895-2665; www.savvygourmet.com — Open meeting led by Anthony Patton, chair of Mayor Nagin's Rebuild New Orleans Commission. Food available. BYOB. 6:30 p.m.

WILD LOTUS YOGA CLASSES. 48 Perrier St., 899-0047; www.wildlotusyoga.com — Wild Lotus Yoga offers a limited schedule of classes. Visit Web site for schedule.

Wednesday 28

Jim hession. National Historical Park, Vistor Center, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841; http://www.nps.gov/jazz/ — The National Park Service presents a classic jazz, blues and ragtime concert by pianist Jim Hession. Free admission. Noon to 1 p.m.

Lunchbox Lecture at D-Day. The National D-Day Museum, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012; www.ddaymusem.org — The National D-Day Museum presents "The Marshall Plan: The Rebuilding of Europe," a talk by Gunter Bischof about the large-scale rebuilding of Europe and Japan post-WWII. Bring lunch. Free admission. Noon to 1 p.m.

yoga & Pilates Classes. The Big Top, 1638 Clio St., 569-2700; www.3rcp.com — Jennifer Pearl teaches yoga and Pilates weekly. Call 258-5724 for details. 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday , 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Monday.

holiday concert. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, 522-5730 — The Rev. Lois J. Dejean presents a holiday concert. Free admission. 6 p.m.

OSWALD'S TOWN HALL MEETING. Oswald's Speakeasy, 1331 Decatur St., 218-5954 — Weekly meeting for residents and business owners in the French Quarter and surrounding areas. 8 p.m.

Thursday 29

Dragon Cafe. St. George's Episcopal Church, 4600 St. Charles Ave., 899-2811 — The Dragon Cafe in St. George's serves free meals to those in need. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday. Wi-Fi Internet access available. Volunteers needed for meal preparation and cleaning. Call Fr. Christopher McLaren for details.

Chanukah at the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk, Spanish Plaza, 866-5164 — Chabad-Lubavitch presents Chanukah at the Riverwalk with Jewish music, a Menorah lighting (5 p.m.) latkes, dreidels and gelt. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Comedy invasion's Last/Best Show Ever. Carrollton Station, 8140 Willow St., 865-9190; www.carrolltonstation.com or www.comedyinvasion.com — The members of Comedy Invasion present their last show before they disband to separate corners of the earth. The show features Seth Cockfield, Sean Patton, Neal Stastny and Chris Fontana. Tickets $7. 10 p.m.

Friday 30

free wine tasting. Sip Wine, 3119 Magazine St., 894-7071 — Sip Wine hosts its free weekly wine tasting. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

saturday 31

Noon Year's eve at audubon Zoo. Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., 861-2537; www.auduboninstitute.org or http://radio.disney.go.com/mystation/neworleans/ — Audubon Zoo and Radio Disney present a family celebration featuring live music by Amanda Shaw and a countdown to noon with an apple cider toast. Free with zoo admission ($12 general admission, $9 seniors, $7 kids). 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New Orleans Fashion Collaborative Sale. The Maple Leaf Bar, 8316 Oak St., 905-2830 — The New Orleans Fashion Collaborative holds its weekly sale featuring a wide range of designs, clothing, jewelry and accessories for men and women by local indepedent fashion designers. Free admission. 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Argentine tango dance classes. Club Silhouette, 3505 Hullen St., Metairie, 343-2406; www.clubsilhouette.net — Tango classes every Saturday. Call Fuad for details. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

treasure chest Casino's New Year's Eve. Treasure Chest Casino, 5050 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 443-8000; www.treasurechest.com — Treasure Chest Casino hosts its annual New Year's Eve celebration featuring music by Rockin' Dopsie Jr., Jay Zainey and Stormy and fireworks. Call for tickets. 4 p.m. to 3 a.m.

new year's eve in jackson square. Jackson Square (Decatur Street side); outside Jax Brewery (600 Decatur Street); the Mississippi River (985) 630-4604 — Celebrate New Year's Eve with live music in the Quarter across from Jackson Square and outside Jax Brewery to watch the gumbo pot drop. Fireworks at the river (midnight). Free admission. 8 p.m.-till

starry, Starry new year's eve. The Art House, 320 Columbia St., Covington(893) 892-8650 — St. Tammany Art Association presents its annual holiday fundraiser featuring food, drinks, music and a silent auction of paper maché stars decorated by artists. Tickets $50. 8 p.m.

Blaine Kern's New Year's Eve. Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, 233 Newton St., 366-0220 or 366-0214 — Celebrate New Year's Eve at Mardi Gras World with entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and open bar. Free parking and shuttle bus from Algiers Ferry. Tickets $30 in advance, $35 at door. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

New Year's eve on the steamboat Natchez. Toulouse Street Wharf (800) 233-2628 or 586-8777; www.neworleanssteamboat.com — The Steamboat Natchez hosts a two-hour New Year's Eve cruise down the Mississippi River. The cruise includes dinner, drinks, music by Ivy and a view of the fireworks. Holiday attire suggested. Reservations required. Tickets $50. 9:30 p.m. boarding, 10:30 to 12:30 p.m cruise.

New Year's eve Fireworks cruise. Canal Street Dock at Riverwalk, (800) 445-4109 or 524-0814; www.neworleanspaddlewheels.com or www.crescentship.com — New Orleans Paddlewheels offers a cruise on the Cajun Queen that include hors d'oeuvres, open bar, live entertainment and a view of the fireworks. Reservations required. Tickets $99 adults, $59 kids 6-12. 10 p.m. boarding, 11 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Lower Decatur New Year's Eve Toast. The Whirling Dervish (1135 Decatur St., 566-1338), Oswald's Speakeasy (1331 Decatur St., 218-5954) and other bars on lower Decatur Street — Bars on lower Decatur Street present a coordinated free champagne toast. Visit participating bars at 11:45 p.m. to receive champagne for midnight toast on Decatur Street. Sunday 1 trinity artist series. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 522-0276 or 670-2520; www.trinityc.net — Trinity presents a concert of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and other works performed by Robin Holtz Williams and Albinas Prizgintas. Free admission. 5 p.m.

call for volunteers

Tulane paint rally. 858-9055 — Tulane University's director of Community Service Hamilton Simons-Jones seeks volunteers to help paint, landscape, clean and fix up New Orleans public schools through June 2006. Supplies and tools welcomed. Call Hamilton for details and locations.