Week Ahead: Gingerbread Contest; Stand-Up Improv; Bethlehem Express!

Monday, Dec. 16

• Senior Moments Holiday Mixer & Potluck Lunch - San Leandro Chamber of Commerce. San Leandro Senior Community Center. 11:30 a.m. Network, eat and enjoy, and finalize toy drive, and hear words of encouragement from Chaplin Betty Clark about chasing away the holiday blues.

• Holiday Event with Harmony Fusion Chorus. 7:30 p.m. Hayward. Free.

• Living Bethlehem. Live nativity scene with 140+ actors and animals. See  Merlin the camel. Walk through village as it was 2,000 years ago. Free.   3rd and Church streets, Livermore. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Five shows nightly. Performances every half hour; last about 20 minutes. 

• Entrepreneurs Business Forum. San Leandro Chamber of Commerce offices. 8:30 a.m. 

• Newark Soccer Club Spring 2014 Registrations. For spring 2014, Newark club will interleague with Hayward. 
  

• Family Fun Night: Holiday Puppet Show (Main Library). 7 p.m. Special holiday puppet show, the Fratello Marionettes' "North Pole Review" with Russian Trepak Dancers, graceful ice skater Crystal Chandelier, and dazzling acrobatic penguins. And don't miss a special appearance by Santa after the show.

• The Bethlehem Express Holiday Event. Catch the Bethlehem Express Holiday Train for crafts, carols, refreshments and the Christmas Story. Great for young and old. First train 6 p.m.; last train leaves the station at 7:15 p.m. 17200 Via Magdalena, San Lorenzo.

• Job Search Workshop: Job Search Strategies. Union City Library. 1 p.m.

• Niles Canyon Train of Lights. Brightly decorated holiday train, covered with thousands of lights, winds through Niles Canyon on 75-minute round-trip ride from Niles to Sunol and back. Departs 4:30 p.m. from Niles; 7:30 p.m. from Sunol. Tickets required.

• Gingerbread House Contest & Holiday High Tea Party. Carlton Plaza of San Leandro- 1000 E. 14th St. 1:30 p.m. Fun and free Gingerbread House Contest with prizes  including a $100 Grand Prize! Ingredients for houses will be provided, but feel free to bring your own candies, decor and creativitiy! 

• Hannibal Thompson & Friends . LYAO Standup Comedy Series at Curtain Call Performing Arts 999 E. 14th St., San Leandro. 8 p.m.
  

• Niles Canyon Train of Lights. Brightly decorated holiday train, covered with thousands of lights, winds through Niles Canyon on 75-minute round-trip ride. 

• Holiday Dance and Lunch. For adults 50 and up. Noon to 2 p.m. 13909 E. 14th St., San Leandro. Delicious catered lunch and dance to fabulous live music!
  

• Dunsmuir-Hellman Estates Holiday Traditions. Tours, teas, entertainment and Holiday shopping at the historic Oakland Estate. Noon to 4 p.m.

• Nature Detectives: Top Predators of the Marsh. Hayward shoreline. 10 a.m.

• A Time to be Jolly - Manor Branch, San Leandro Library. 10:30 a.m. Take a tour of Santa's Workshop and village with the Puppet Company’s colorful marionettes. Tickets needed.
  

• Niles Canyon Train of Lights. Brightly decorated holiday train, covered with thousands of lights, winds through Niles Canyon on 75-minute round-trip ride. Tickets required.
  

• GRAY MATTER & FRIENDS IMPROV. 8 p.m. Curtain Call Performing Arts, 999 E.14th St., San Leandro. 
  

• Praises of Zion Gospel Candlelight Musical. Praises of Zion Baptist Church, 1395 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro. 6 p.m. Free.
  

• Civic Arts Stage Company Presents Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr. Amador Theater. 2 p.m.

• The Nutcracker. Bankhead Theater, Livermore. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Leopard Shark Feeding Frenzy. Hayward shoreline. 2 p.m.

• Niles Canyon Train of Lights. Brightly decorated holiday train, covered with thousands of lights, winds through Niles Canyon on 75-minute round-trip ride. Tickets required.

•  Dunsmuir-Hellman Estates Holiday Traditions. Tours, teas, entertainment and Holiday shopping at the historic Oakland Estate. Noon to 4 p.m.