NEVADA COUNTY

Come experience the life of a treasure hunter, looking for hidden treasures of gold while panning and sifting through the earth for sparkling gems, stones, and minerals...Fun for all ages! 17860 Cattle Drive. Costs money if you play. 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. 530-432-7383. Fundraiser for a nonprofit organization, Lifetime Foundation, providing services for woman and children in adoption.

Music in the Mountains Fall Festival, Nevada Co. Fairgrounds

Wine Tasting Benefit for Bitney College Prep High School. Sample a dozen award-winning California wines and delicious appetizers. Wines offered at discounted prices (cash/check only please). Raffle tickets available for fabulous $100 wine baskets. Event tickets are $25 and available thru advanced purchase only at BriarPatch, Fibers and Bitney College Prep office (477-1235). Presented by BCP Parent Council. Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains, 246 South Church Street, Grass Valley. 6:00-8:00p.m. Questions? Contact event coordinator Shari Phillips @ 265-6290 or shari-phillips@sbcglobal.net. More www.BitneyPrep.net

BANNER MOUNTAIN ARTISANS 5TH ANNUAL SALE, featuring 29 artisans, will be held at the Nevada City Elks Loge, 518 Hwy 49, Nevada City, Calif. on Sat. Nov. 8th and Sun. Nov. 9th from 10am to 4pm. Quality hand-craft ed items from local Nevada County artisans include: jewelry, fabric & fiber wearables, photography, candles, chocolates, soaps, woodworking, gourds, scrapbooking, hand-painted wood & glass and more. Enjoy the experience of talking with each artisan - many of whom are well known. Free to the public. For the list of artisans, photos of items for sale and map, go to www.BannerMountainArtisans.com Call (530) 272-4471 for more information.

Double Oak Harvest Open House ~ Fine Wine, Fine Art, Fine Crafts. Celebrating Double Oak’s 23rd Harvest & 12th Vintage.

For 23 years, the Country Christmas Fair at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, has marked the beginning of the Holiday Shopping Season. Come join us on Thanksgiving Weekend to enjoy the unique products that will be for sale by the fine artisans and craft vendors of Nevada County and beyond. Hammered Dulcimers, whimsical Garden Sculptures, Jewelry, Pottery, Stained Glass and Toys…

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, EMPIRE MINE STATE HISTORIC PARK. 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. $3.00 adults $1.00 children. The Bourn Cottage and Clubhouse will be decked out in holiday decorations. Volunteers in period dress will provide a warm glimpse of Christmas in the early 1900s. Cookies & cider will be served in the cottage kitchen. Local harpist, Kurtis Bershaw, will be performing holiday music in the Cottage. Santa & Mrs. Claus will greet children in the Clubhouse. Mine Yard volunteers portray workers of the past and enact a working day at the mine. The gift shop offers many heirloom roses and other plants plus various unique items for your holiday gift giving. (530) 272-1520.

Artisans Festival at Miners Foundry, Nevada City

42nd Annual Cornish Christmas. Recapture the spirit of Christmas past amid the charming surroundings of historic downtown Grass Valley, California during the annual Cornish Christmas Celebration. Mill and W. Main Streets are closed to motorized traffic and filled with the sights and sounds of an old fashioned Christmas; carolers, jugglers, musicians, the Grass Valley Cornish Carol Choir, Tommyknocker Cloggers and, of course, Santa Claus. Handmade arts and craft from artists throughout California are displayed on the streets. Delicious food and drink can be purchased from a number of restaurants and specialty food. Interested street vendors can call for more information 530-272-8315.