CHRISTMAS GIVING

JUST a reminder that Coast Shelter provides more than 150 meals each day, including Christmas Day, at its Community Centre at

346 Mann St, North Gosford. Guests range from those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness due to loss of employment, family breakdown, mental health issues, drug and alcohol issues, to those who are socially isolated. You can help support the Christmas lunch by donating food through the Everyday Hero Christmas account, or brighten someone's Christmas by donating unwrapped gifts for kids, teens and adults by Friday, December 7. Whether you need help, or can give it, phone 02 4325 3540 or go to coastshelter.org.au.

NEW KEN DUNCAN

PHOTOGRAPHER Ken Duncan's new exhibition World of Light is jaw- droppingly beautiful. Images stretch "from the dawn stillness of the remote outback, to the glorious spectacle of Aurora Borealis in Norway, to magnificent wildlife in Africa and the Arctic”. Entry is free at his Erina Heights Gallery from 10am-5pm. Phone 02 4367 6701.

LAPIDARY SALE DAY

LAPIDARY is all about finding, polishing, cutting and presenting stones and gems. Central Coast Lapidary Club will present a large selection of cut rocks, faceted stones, cabochons and gemstones and jewellery in silver, copper or brass at their sale day on Saturday, December 1. The event runs 9am-2pm, with free entry at the club rooms, 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd, Ourimbah. Phone Jenny on 0458 651 111.

LUMINOUS CHRISTMAS

THIS 30-day LED light show with animated Christmas stories and sound effects is a first, so well worth a look from 8.30-10.30pm nightly at Waterfront Plaza at The Entrance. Schools and bands will also perform. The big launch night is Saturday, December 1, and a party is planned from 5.30pm, with stilt walking, candy canes, giant bouncy elves, live entertainment and, of course, Santa. The light show will be switched on for the first time at 8.30pm.

MT PENANG CHRISTMAS FAIR

ALWAYS a favourite, the Mt Penang Christmas Fair is back for its 11th year on Sunday, December 2 at Mt Penang Gardens and Event Park, Kariong. It's gold coin entry to more than 150 hand-picked local arts and crafts stalls, international food zones, local businesses, produce areas, sweets, wines and more. There's free live music all day and parking is free. (Easiest entry is through Kangoo Rd.) More than 10,000 people attend each year. Phone 0416 923 655.

BIRD TALK

GEORGE Adams speaks about his new book The Complete Guide to Australian Birds and his concept of creating living gardens that help preserve ecological biodiversity. The book has more than 1400 photographs by some of Australia's best wildlife photographers. It's on from 10-11.30am at Kincumber Library on Tuesday, December 4. Book on (02) 4304 7641.

AUTHOR DOUBLE

UMINA Beach Library is hosting an evening with suspense author Sarah Barrie and historical fiction author Tea Cooper on Wednesday, December 5 from 6-8pm. Tea's book The Woman in the Green Dress is set between the Hawkesbury River and London and will be released on December 17, so this is a sneak peek. Sarah's new book Blood Tree River is set against the Tasmanian mountains. Booking is essential. Phone 02 4304 7333.

RIDING THE WAVES CONCERT

RIDING the Waves is something a little different. Described as a concert for harp, guitar and choir, it will feature Michael Johnson (harp), Evripides Evripidou (guitar) and the four-part harmonies of Coastal a Cappella. It's on Saturday, December 8 at 3pm at Erina Community Baptist Church on Entrance Rd. Tickets are $25. Phone Michael on 0407 302 771.

GREEN LIVING CHRISTMAS

THESE workshops, held at Erina Library (Saturday, December 8 at 9-11.30am) and Tuggerah Library (Thursday, December 13 at 9.30am-12pm), are your chance to learn some simple Christmas money-saving tips for at home and gifts. Call Erina on 02 4304 7650 or Tuggerah on 02 4350 1560. Booking is essential.

A TASTE OF IRISH CHRISTMAS

THE story of two star-crossed lovers who dance beneath the mistletoe, A Taste or Irish Christmas promises to "transport the audience to a time and place where music and dance are the cornerstones of celebration”. Featuring a cast of world, alongside traditional musicians and singers from around the globe, the concert is at Central Coast Leagues Club at 2.30pm on Sunday, December 9. Cost is $39. Phone 02 4325 9888.

CAROLS IN THE PARK

JOIN in singing all your favourite carols on Christmas Eve at Memorial Park at The Entrance. The carols, including the Tuggerah Lakes Show Band, are from 6-8pm, with Santa at 7pm, then the Waterfront Plaza Luminous Christmas light show.

EXPRESS YOURSELF EXHIBIT AND TALK

DRAWN from the National Portrait Gallery's contemporary collection, Express Yourself celebrates portraits of Australian notables.

The exhibition runs at Gosford Regional Gallery from Saturday, December 1 to Sunday, February 3 and starts with a floor talk by National Portrait Gallery senior curator Christopher Chapman.

Dr Chapman has worked with artists, written about art, developed exhibitions and presented talks since the late 1980s. His presentation is 11am-12pm on December 1. The exhibition includes more than 30 photographs, drawings and digital works "celebrating Australians whose unique life experiences symbolise social and cultural themes”. RSVP to the gallery on 02 4304 7550.