Shop 'til you drop for Holiday gifts, and other seasonal fare!

1). WAHA'S ANNUAL HOLIDAY HISTORIC HOMES TOUR & STREET FAIRE, IN ADAMS-NORMANDIE

Sunday, December 2
Noon to 3 p.m.

WAHA is celebrating "A Century of Holidays" in the West Acres Tract (a part of the Adams Normandie neighborhood), at the 21st Annual WAHA Holiday Historic Homes Tour on Sunday, December 2. The tour showcases five festively decorated residences, including a unique American Foursquare landmark, and several Craftsman and Victorian Transitional homes.

The Progressive Dinner tour has SOLD OUT, but we do still have space available on the Sunday afternoon Walking Tour -- the houses are just as festive, but there's no food. This year's takes place in a community whose homes have, one by one, been celebrating their 100th birthdays -- and 100 holiday seasons. With a nod to that milestone, we exploring a variety of holiday traditions that have warmed West Adams households over the past century.

Although the Walking Tour is self-guided, the start is also timed. Reservations are required (RSVP to WAHAholiday@aol.com). Cost: $30 per person. When you RSVP you will be directed to the check-in location.

PLUS: THE WAHA HOLIDAY WALKING TOUR INCLUDES A STREET FAIRE!

We are trying something new this year. During the walking tour portion (Sunday, from noon to 3) of the annual Holiday Tour there will be a Street Faire where you can do a bit of your holiday shopping on the 1600 block of 25th Street, just east of Normandie. Items for sale will include vintage jewelry, period-perfect custom carpetbags and purses, holiday cards, ornaments, and wood puzzles.

Hope you can drop by! (The Street Faire is free -- except, of course, for anything you might purchase.)

Now, as you have probably suspected, we also are calling for a few more volunteers! If you can lend your helping hands on either Saturday or Sunday, please contact tours@westadamsheritage.org.

2). STEVIE AND TOM'S "GARAGE" SALE

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
4621 W. Washington Blvd.

This estate sale takes place in a loft and, yes, garage in the Washington Boulevard Arts District (just west of West Boulevard.) Come early for the best choices. Among the antiques and collectibles offered are: oak furniture, vintage oil paintings, art books, old photographs, small tables, Bulova Arts & Crafts clock, oak mantel clock, old picture frames, hardcovers, ceramics, huge red couch, old working refrigerator, rocking chair, burtcher block, vintagewomen's clothing and accessories, old hotel prop sign, and more.

3). ART'S ART POTTERY SHOW AND SALE

Saturday, December 1, and Sunday, December 2 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2519 5th Avenue (West Adams Avenues)

West Adams artist Art Tobias is hosting another show and sale of his "fine pots" this weekend. He creates functional glazed stoneware made from recycled and locally available materials, and fires the pottery in a "really old" Geil gas downdraft kiln. Take an advance peek at: http://harvart.home.mindspring.com/pottery/index.htm

For more information, call 323-737-2120.

4). VENICE HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S HOLIDAY MERCHANDISE SALE

Sunday, December 9
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
@ the Mar Vista Farmer's Market, at Grandview and Venice Boulevards

The Venice Historical Society will be selling colorful and unique merchandise:
> Exclusive Holiday Greeting Cards with scenes of Venice
> Colorful Picture Postcard Tote Bags
> Venice Postcard Greeting Cards
> Wonderful Collection of History Books
> VHS t-shirts in many colorful designs
> NEW! A huge collection of old Hollywood books on sale.

SPECIAL! COME VIEW THE VHS PICTURE POSTCARD COLLECTION AND LEARN THE HISTORY OF POSTCARDS!
The Society has over 200 postcards for you to peruse. These are originals and will be on display for everyone to enjoy. Learn the fascinating history of how postcards originated.

For more information, call 310-967-5170 or visit www.venicehistoricalsociety.org.

5). WAHA'S ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY

Sunday, December 9
3 to 6 p.m.
The Historic Benjamin H. Hiss Residence, 215 S. Manhattan Place

WAHA is hosting our annual Holiday bash for members and volunteers at the historic Benjamin H. Hiss Residence, Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument No. 792. This expansive and eclectic home has a Mediterranean exterior, and an elegant "ultimate" Craftsman interior, with lavish, woodwork and a not-to-be-missed paneled dining room with great built-ins. The residence is owned by Rory Cunningham and David Pacheco, and was built in 1915 for B. A. Hiss, who had at one time served as the Mayor in Hermosa Beach (where the Hiss family owned extensive property.)

We are planning a swell party for the WAHA family! There will be a great spread and lots of good cheer! As always, we could use some helping hands. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact tours@westadamsheritage.org.

We also would appreciate your timely RSVP, so that we can plan a large enough repast. Please e-mail WAHAholiday@aol.com. (Please note: parking is limited, but we are arranging some offstreet parking. Once you RSVP, we will provide you information about where to park.)

6). WINTER CAMP AT THE SOUTH SEAS HOUSE

December 17 to January 4, 2008
South Seas House, 2301 West 24th St. (corner Arlington)

The South Seas House once again offers winter break fun for kids ages 6 to 12! There will be arts and crafts, free play in the park and organized activities in the park, and field trips to such places as Skating World on Wheels, Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm - and much, much more!

Hours and rates:
Regular care (and fun), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., $55 Extended care, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., $65

Contact: rap.southseashouse@lacity.org or 323-373-9483.

7). SUBMIT YOUR NEWS

We welcome your contributions to the WAHA E-News and West Adams Heritage Association's monthly publication, "West Adams Matters." Please understand that we do have deadlines. Material for the print newsletter should be submitted no later than the 1st of the prior month (i.e.: April 1 for the May issue). If your event is scheduled for early in a month, we suggest you request coverage for the prior month (i.e.: May issue for a June 3 event), because it's entirely possible that not all of our members will have received their newsletter by then (we do try hard.) We reserve the right to edit submitted material. For the WAHA E-News, we prefer to only send it out once or twice a month. Please don't wait until two days before an event to let us know about it. It may not be sent out.

EXCEPTION

If you suddenly hear of an important city hearing or other public meeting that is important to West Adams, we will endeavor to send out a special bulletin.

Submit your material to Laura Meyers, editor, lauramink@aol.com.