The Los Altos Village Association sponsors half-hour carriage rides around downtown Los Altos Thursdays through Sundays, through Dec. 19. The turn-of-the-century carriages meet modern safety requirements and comfortably seat four-to-six adult passengers. For more information, call 949-5282.
Downtown caroling from Aurora Singers
The Aurora Singers, led by John Reed and The Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers, will stroll Los Altos downtown streets and perform on corners and in front of shops during the holiday season. Costumed in Victorian attire, the Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers present new arrangements to carols and songs as well as holiday favorites.
New Year's Eve bell ringing celebration
The City of Mountain View invites revelers to ring in the new millennium at a unique New Year's Eve Bell Ringing Celebration at Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St.
Festivities begin at 1l:15 p.m., and include a performance by the Bay Bells bell choir, a big screen broadcast of the official Times Square countdown, a community bell-ringing celebration at midnight and refreshments.
The celebration is a non-alcoholic event sponsored by the city of Mountain View and is open to everyone.
Santa appearances at Rancho
Santa is taking lists from good girls and boys, and posing for photos from his Santa House at Rancho Shopping Center, Springer Road and Foothill Expressway, Los Altos. Santa will make appearances 1-4 p.m. weekdays, and noon to 4 p.m. weekends. On Dec. 20-24, Santa will appear noon to 4 p.m. daily.
Rancho Travel gathers Toys for Tots
All Horizons Rancho Travel will provide a drop-off point for Toys for Tots again this year.
Toys for Tots collects unwrapped toys, books, games, and other sources of children's entertainment for the U.S. Marine Corps to distribute to needy children for Christmas.
Bring donations to All Horizons Rancho Travel, 640 Los Altos Rancho on Foothill Expressway and Springer Road, 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays.
For more information, call 941-5810.
The Humane Society seeks blankets
Make a difference in the life of a homeless animal of this holiday season. The shelter animals at the Humane Society of Santa Clara County depend on blankets and towels for warmth and comfort.
Bring the donations to the shelter at 2530 Lafayette St., Santa Clara. For more information, call (408) 727-3383, ext. 854.