For area residents who were lucky enough to attend some of Alba Carbonaro Johnson's cooking demonstrations at Westwood Antiques, in Glenelg, during the past year, news of Johnson's brand new cookbook couldn't be better.

Just in time for the holidays comes Alba's beautifully photographed cookbook, "La Cucina Semplice." You don't have to be a student of the Italian language to figure out that the name of the cookbook translates to "The Simple Kitchen."

The cookbook is a collection of recipes from southern Italy and north Africa. Personal chef, cooking instructor and now author, Johnson is a resident of West Friendship.

Alba will be on hand Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a book signing of the new cookbook at Westwood Antiques at 13554 Triadelphia Road, in Glenelg (even though the mailing address is Ellicott City).

Refreshments and culinary conversation are part of the event. Ten percent of the profits from sales on Dec. 5 will go to the American Cancer Society.

The book is being published by Peggy Johnson, also of West Friendship, and is photographed by Howard County resident Maureen Cogan.

The book is truly a perfect gift for anyone who loves the culinary arts. Chock full of simple, rustic dishes, which call for fresh and simple ingredients.

The cookbook, which is 100 pages and contains gorgeous color photographs, also boasts dozens of vegetarian dishes.

With a middle name like Carbonaro, Johnson's book is sure to be a winner. Stop by Westwood and avoid being mauled at the mall. Questions on this holiday event? Call Peggy at 443-831-7904. Buon Appetito!

Holiday Mart. That's the name of Howard County's juried arts and crafts show which is celebrating 37 years of quality crafts and artisan products this year.

The show, which features more than 125 vendors, is in a new location this year. The Holiday Mart 2009 will be held at the Glenwood Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville. The craft show will be held Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Several local artists are participating in the Holiday Mart, including photographers Roger and Judith Roark as well as children's author Ellen Nibali.

West Friendship Elementary teacher Elsa Fawcett has done it again. The teacher who is synonymous with adventure when it comes to her students at West Friendship Elementary has her students involved in sending monarch butterflies to space.

Whether its planting a garden of native species plants or teaching the kids the perils of polluting the Chesapeake, with Fawcett learning is fun.

Now she has her gifted and talented students immersed in a new project. On Nov. 16 the space shuttle Atlantis carried three fourth instar monarch caterpillars to the International Space Station in a small rearing chamber. This chamber was placed in an incubator onboard the International Space Station where the developing monarchs will be monitored.

Still and video cameras will continually capture images which will be made available on line. One of the participating classrooms in this unique and exceptional science projects is Fawcett's students at West Friendship Elementary. Thank you, Elsa, for all the opportunities you present to our elementary students.

Don't forget that Eyre Tour and Travel will once again act as a local host venue for "Toys for Tots." This beloved and long traditional holiday giving effort begun by the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1947, is alive and well.

The first toy donated back in 1947 was a Raggedy Ann doll handcrafted by the wife of Toys for Tots founder Col. Bill Hendricks. Bring your new toys and games to the lobby of Eyre's offices up until Dec. 18

More holiday happenings in our region than our calendars have room for. The holiday season hums with the musical strains of April Vega and her seasonal harp music over at Greenbridge Pottery in Dayton Saturday, Dec. 5, noon to 2 p.m.

Hot mulled cider and refreshments are always on the buffet. The December weekend schedule at Greenbridge Pottery will include musical guests and refreshments, in addition to Rebecca Moy and Evan Behre's signature pottery and ceramics, through to the end of the year.

Questions? Call Greenbridge at 410-531-5920 or go to the colorful Web site at www.greenbridgepottery.com for the full line up of winter festivities. The pottery barns are open most weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Pink Cabbage, at the corner of Route 144 and Triadelphia Road, will hold an Open House Sunday, Dec. 6. The community is invited to stop in for desserts, wine, cheese, appetizers and a shop filled with holiday delights.

The fourth annual Holiday Open House is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bring a new toy for Toys for Tots and the "Cabbagers" will offer a 15-percent discount on any regularly priced item. The shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours at the shop each Friday through Dec. 18 when the shop will remain open until 7 p.m. Questions on anything "Pink Cabbage?" Call 410-531-7953.

Never been to the West Friendship Farm Museum? Now's the chance and in particular when the Hebb House portion of the museum is decked out in holiday splendor. The Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum's Hebb House will be the setting for a holiday open house Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6, noon to 4 p.m.

This is an excellent opportunity to view the local farm museum, a dream that has come true for the members of the Howard County Antique Farm Machine Club. Virginia and John Frank and all the committees have worked tirelessly for several years now to see the fruition of this local museum which is dedicated to life in simpler times. There is no admission, though donations are gratefully accepted.

The open house will feature a train garden, antique displays, live music and refreshments. Virginia notes that the motif will be one of holiday seasons from years past.

Hebb House is at 12985 Frederick Road (Route 144), just across the street from the Howard County fairgrounds.

Questions? Call 410-531-2569 or go to the club Web site at www.farmheritage.org.

Don't forget, St. Nicholas is headed to Glenwood. Breakfast with St. Nicholas is set for Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, on Route 97. This holiday event is also including craft and gift sales vendors and tables laden with holiday goodies.

Questions? Call Lynne Quinn at 410-442-5445.

St. James United Methodist will also host a live nativity Dec. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the church, 12470 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in West Friendship. Refreshments and hot drinks will be offered to guests who come to experience the living manger scene complete with live animals.

Local songbirds Larry La Guardia, Sharon Stewart, Bonnie Catalano, Sara Cronk, Carol Anne Bucher, Dianne Kvech and Jeanne McCulley are raising the roof with song as they prepare for the Columbia Pro Cantare's stirring annual rendition of Handel's "Messiah."

The holiday favorite will be performed at The Jim Rouse Theatre Sunday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, call 410-799-9231 or go to www.procantare.org.

If December has you yearning for a spring garden, then this just might be the perfect time to sign on with Georgia Eacker's popular Master Gardener training sessions which begin Jan. 27.

The classes for this training,, which is offered by the Howard County branch of the Maryland Cooperative Extension office, meet from 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Extension office, in Ellicott City.

Classes will run from late January until late March of 2010. If you would like to become a Master Gardener, contact the office at 410-313-2707 for a registration packet.

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