The streets will be lined with luminarias by Gary Gordon and Carolyn Mortole once again, and the C Gallery will have its artisans’ Trunk Show with homemade fig cakes and streudel, and the “One Foot at a Time” Small Works show on display. But there are many new, surprise visitors and activities, which the merchants and Men’s Club of Los Alamos are providing.

The holidays are one of my most favorite times of year in Win Country. There’s something special about walking through the quaint downtowns of our six communities in the crisp evening air, ogling the holiday decorations and listening to the whisper of quiet traffic in these sleepy towns.

One of the wonderful new changes in Win Country for 2012 is the implementation of Valley-wide themed weeks, thanks to our partners at Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association.

It seems at least two times a week I get wind of a local event or activity that makes me clasp my hands in excitement. Sometimes it’s a reoccurring event that I wasn’t aware of before (Pub Quiz Night, anyone?) and sometimes it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to tie together some of the best pieces of one of our towns together into one amazing day.

In Los Alamos the 2nd Annual Chair Faire is coming in just a few days. This year we’re expecting near 300 chairs to browse, or purchase. There will be judging of chairs in 5 categories: Most Pristine Antique; Best Hand Made Chair; Cutest Child’s Chair; Most Creative Art Chair; and the Chair With the Most Potential.