Special events

Today

• Garden plant sale benefiting the Yolo County Historical Museum. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 512 Gibson Road, Woodland. (530) 666-1045.

• Learn how gardeners are preparing the University of California, Davis, Arboretum's Ruth Risdon Storer Garden – a drought-tolerant landscape for the winter – during a guided tour. 2-3:30 p.m. Ruth Risdon Storer Garden, Garrod Drive, UC Davis. Free. (530) 752-4880.

Today-Sunday

• Smyers Glassblowers Studio Open House and Sale. Glassblowers will explain their techniques as they work. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Smyers Glass Studio, 675 East H St., Benecia. Free. (707) 745-2614.

Today-Sunday

• Five decorated homes in east Sacramento's historic Fabulous 40s neighborhood will be open for the 39th annual Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tours. The walking tour includes a holiday boutique and cafe at Sacred Heart Parish School, 39th and H streets, Sacramento. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25 advance; $30 day of event. (916) 556-5050.

Today-Sunday

• The Assistance League of the Sierra Foothills presents Homes for the Holidays Tour, a charity event benefiting people in need within El Dorado county, featuring six homes dressed up for the holidays. Three homes and one model home are inside the gates of the Serrano Country Club. Two area businesses, Pottery World in El Dorado Hills and Grapes and Ivy in Old Town Folsom, will offer holiday decorating demonstrations both days. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. today, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. $20 general, $10 children. (916) 358-3700.

Sunday

• Lodi's Omega Nu annual Holiday Home Tour offers visitors the opportunity to tour five Lodi homes; a visit to Oak Farm Vineyards (23627 N. DeVries Road, Lodi) for a glass of Lodi's award-winning wine, sampling of gourmet cheeses, artisan breads, desserts, a holiday boutique showcasing local vendors and products; and a stop at Voila, a gift and home décor store. All proceeds from the Omega Nu Holiday Home Tour will benefit Lodi area nonprofits. Tickets are $25. Noon-5 p.m. (559) 269-9559.

Friday-next Saturday

• The Historic Folsom Holiday Home 2012 Tour features seven historic sites decorated for the holidays. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Folsom History Museum, 823 Sutter St., Folsom. $15 . (916) 985-2707.

Next Saturday

• The eighth annual Loomis Basin Holiday Home Tour will feature six homes decorated for the holidays, a free holiday boutique, and gourmet buffet luncheon (held at H. Clarke Power Elementary School, 3296 Humphrey Road, Loomis, $15). 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $25 advance, $30 day of tour. Tickets available at www.lbef.net. (916) 806-2115.

• The Camellia City Rug Hookers Guild Hook-in. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Traditional Rug Hooking Exhibit, 890 57th St., Sacramento. (916) 208-0019.

Next Saturday-Dec. 9

• Sebastopol Holiday Home Tour features six historic homes displaying collections of holiday artifacts and family traditions. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Pleasant Hill Christian School, 1782 Pleasant Hill, Sebastopol. $30 general; $10 children. (707) 829-1729.

Dec. 12

• Warren Roberts, superintendent emeritus of the UC Davis Arboretum will lead a walk through the West End Gardens. Noon-1 p.m. Meet at the Gazebo, UC Davis. (530) 752-4880.

Dec. 15

• Explore evergreens of the University of California, Davis, Arboretum in the Arboretum conifer collection during a guided tour. 2-3:30 p.m. Tour leaves from Arboretum headquarters on La Rue Road, UC Davis. Free. (530) 752-4880.

• Eight decorated homes will participate in the Vacaville Museum Guild's Holiday Home and Hearth Tour's fundraiser. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $25. (707) 447-4513.

Classes and workshops

Today

• Tree pruning clinics , discussion on various pruning tools and a walk on library grounds to look at tree structure, presented by the Sacramento Tree Foundation and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. 10:30-noon. Carmichael Library, 5606 Marconi Ave., Sacramento. Free; registration suggested. (916) 974-4333.

• The Placer County master gardeners will be on hand at Ask an Expert Day, a gardening workshop offered through the Utility Exploration Center. 10 a.m.- noon. Utility Exploration Center, 1501 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville. Free; register at (916) 746-1550.

• Historic Rose Garden volunteers and propagators will conduct a hands-on rose pruning class. Learn the art of rose pruning using techniques for various types of roses, with information on tools, gloves, fertilizer and more. 10 a.m. Historic City Cemetery, 1000 Broadway, Sacramento. Free. (916) 264-7839.

Next Saturday

• Food Preservation Public Demonstration: Step by step basic introduction to safe water bath canning techniques. 10 a.m.-noon. Sacramento Cooperative Extension Office, 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento. Free. (916) 875-6913.

Helping others

• Jensen Garden workday volunteers needed, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. next Saturday. All skill levels welcome. Bring work gloves. Lunch will be provided. 8520 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael. (916) 485-5322.

Craft fairs

Today

• Shrine Ladies Holiday Bazaar, a craft bazaar for Shriners Transportation Fund featuring more than 100 tables of crafts, holiday decorations, home baked goodies, fresh crop fruits and nuts, Christmas tree silent auction and photos with Santa. 8:30-12:30 p.m. Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H St., Sacramento. Free. (916) 682-7089.

• Holiday Faire benefiting Reopen Galt School Libraries and the Galt Historical Society featuring local artisans' decorations and gifts; collectible Santas; arts and crafts; refreshments; light parade. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The Rae House Museum, 204 Oak Ave, Galt. Free. (209) 744-9530.

• Handmade crafts as well as baked goods offered by the the Florin United Methodist Church women. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Florin United Methodist Church, 7560 Florin Road, Florin. (916) 421-1876.

• East Parkway Church Holiday Craft Boutique. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. East Parkway Bible Church, 4700 E. Roseville Parkway, Granite Bay. (916) 967-9295.

• First Christian Church hosts its annual craft fair. A benefit for area women's ministries and Hurricane Sandy relief, it will offer everything from jewelry, scarves and hand-painted clothing to artisan soaps, jams and jellies. 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. 3901 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento. (916) 452-7661.

• The Sacramento Country Day School Parents' Association's Handmade Hoiday Faire, featuring kids crafts such as cupcake ornaments, custom cookie making, vintage paper holiday trees, tile trivets, custom leather bookmarks; and artisans including painters, watercolorists, photographers, jewelers, handbag designers and sculptors. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Country Day School gymnasium, 2636 Latham Drive, Sacramento. (916) 481-8811.

• Northminster Presbyterian Church hosts its "Make It and Take It" craft event to help children prepare for Christmas with Christmas gifts and decorations. There will be a variety of free crafts, including beaded bracelets, Christmas tags, gingerbread houses, wreaths; a gift boutique featuring handmade items made by the Northminster Quilters and Nimble Thimbles with purchases to support the summer camp programs; and a light lunch. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 3235 Pope Ave., Sacramento. (916) 487-5192.

Today-Sunday

• Craft boutique, with turned-wood items from bowls and platters to pens, kitchen utensils and duck calls; photography; jewelry; hand- painted ornaments; Hawaiian purses; scrapbooks; collectables; antiques and artifacts. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. 1500 Stoneywood Way, Penryn. (916) 663-4440.

Sunday

• Specialty vendors, door prizes, hot cider and cookies at the third annual Chateau on Capitol Avenue Holiday Boutique. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Chateau on Capitol Avenue, 2701 Capitol Ave., Sacramento. (916) 447-4444.

Next Saturday

• Camellia Waldorf School's 24th annual Winter Faire features a children's-only gift shop, crafts, candle-dipping, gingerbread workshop, a soup competition, artists and craftspeople. 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. 5701 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento. (916) 427-8287.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Order Reprint