The Two Rivers Mothers of Preschoolers invite all expecting mothers and mothers of preschoolers to take a break from the holiday rush and join the merriment of a white elephant gift exchange from 9-11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at Mountain View Church by Buffalo Valley. Bring a gift to share and plan to stay for games as well. Child care is provided. The first meeting is free; additional meetings cost $5. Information: Jo, 876-1941.

The Women’s Auxiliary will host its annual holiday dinner and dance from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at the American Legion in Carbondale. Dinner will be served from 6-8 p.m. and live music by Rick Rock will follow at 8:30 p.m. Cost: $20 per couple, $12 per person, or $4 cover charge for music only. Information: 963-3262.

Children of all ages are invited to celebrate the holidays at Hallam Lake from 3:30-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17. Olaf the Elf will make his annual visit and bring holiday treats to the Hallam Lake critters. Enjoy refreshments while creating holiday crafts. Parents will have plenty of time to shop for gifts in the Den, ACES’ bookstore and gift shop that features books, toys, bird feeders, cards and more. Information: ACES, 925-5756.

Make a difference this Christmas by taking an angel from LIFT-UP’s Angel Tree, buying gifts for the children listed on it, and returning them in a gift bag by Friday, Dec. 17. Angels are waiting at the following locations: Abbey Carpet, Ace Hardware, Alexa’s Closet, Alpine Bank, American National Bank, Basalt Community Bank, City Market, Glenwood Springs Mall, Health Styles (collection point), Land Title, New Castle Family Fitness Center, Roaring Fork Co-Op, Roaring Fork Land Co., Roaring Fork Physicians, Safeway, U.S. Bank, Valley View Hospital, Wal-Mart, and Wells Fargo Bank. Holiday donations may be made securely online at http://www.liftup.org or sent to: LIFT-UP, P.O. Box 1213, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602.

The Basalt Fire Department will give Santa a ride on its ladder truck Friday, Dec. 17, in El Jebel, Sopris Village, Willits and Summit Drive; Saturday, Dec. 18, in Blue Lake; and Sunday, Dec. 19, through Elk Run, Southside and Old Town Basalt. The truck will leave the El Jebel station at 6 p.m. Information: 704-0675.

The Downtown Retail and Restaurant Committee will host a bake sale from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, in conjunction with other downtown holiday activities. Each Saturday in December, Santa will be in Centennial Park along with his helpers and carolers. Any service group or individual is invited to bring home-baked cookies, breads, candies, etc., to sell. There is no charge to be a vendor and all proceeds go back to the seller. Information: Cindy, 618-3650, 945-2877, or tsvatos@rof.net.

Join Aspen Expeditions’ AMGA professional mountain guides for two days of climbing frozen waterfalls during the “Locals Introduction to Ice Climbing” course Saturday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 19. The course teaches proper techniques for use of ice tools and crampons, movement on ice, belaying, rappelling and anchor theory and is recommended for anyone aspiring to learn basic ice climbing or as a foundation for technical alpine mountaineering skills. All technical ice climbing equipment (harness, boots, helmet, crampons, ice tools, etc.) included. Information: Amy Slabaugh, Aspen Expeditions, 925-ROCK (7625).

The Eagles Auxiliary Christmas party will take place Saturday, Dec. 18. Social hour is from 5-6 p.m., and dinner is from 6-7 p.m. A Christmas pageant and gift exchange will follow. The party is in lieu of the Dec. 24 meeting. All Auxiliary members must RSVP by Friday, Dec. 17. Information: 945-5506.