The holiday atmosphere is upon us — even the traffic lights are blinking red and green as Cardiff-by-the-Sea gears up for December happenings.

At 10:30 a.m. Dec. 1, we will gather at the library to bid a fond farewell to our beloved Torrey pine trees that have reached the end of their life. Plans for a lovely garden in the area are being formulated.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8, the Friends of the Library will hold its annual Book/Bake Sale in the courtyard of Cardiff Seaside Market at 2087 San Elijo Avenue. Books in gift-giving condition plus the usual delicious baked goods will be available for the holiday shoppers.

Proceeds from this sale puts current titles in our library, assists with the children’s programs, brings you interesting entertainment at the First Wednesdays program and gives a $1,000 scholarship to four students each year. The applications for graduating seniors and continuing college students will be available at our sale in the Book Nook in the library and at www.friendscardiff library.org. We urge students to apply early.

For your listening pleasure, our Dec. 6 First Wednesday program will be Allie & the Cats, a live, eclectic jazzy experience combining favorite music from the past and present from around the globe. Seating for the 6:30 to 7:30 feature is limited so we encourage you to arrive early.

December offers exciting children’s programs at 10:30 each Saturday morning. Linda Boddye will kick off the month Dec. 1 with a holiday craft, storyteller Judith Beumann will offer holiday stories Dec. 8, and Dec. 15, the Gingerbread Boy puppet show presented by Laurie and Erica Bretall will be followed by a visit from that special, red-suited one, Santa Claus. He will have candy canes and will listen to your Christmas list so kids, have your mom and dad bring a camera and take your picture seated on his lap.

The Dec. 20 Teen Program will be T-shirt decorating. A T-shirt makes a great gift. The program will take place in the library community room at 3 p.m.

The Book Nook continues to offer quality reading material at bargain prices and we urge you to visit soon and often during our 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours.

We encourage donations of books in good condition — no textbooks please. Donations should be brought to the library during library hours. Current magazines are also accepted but due to limited space we ask that they be no older than four months.

Friends of the Library and Cardiff 101 Chamber wish you a happy holiday season as we begin another year in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, this wonderful jewel we love to call home.