Holly Days are here again along with the Avante-Garde Art and Craft show to kick your holiday shopping into a high gear: Valley Views

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio – Can it ever be too early to start shopping for holiday gifts? If you are looking for unique, handmade gifts, check out the annual Holly Days Artisan Boutique 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 with 40 juried-in vendors inside the nature center and outside in tents. The goods typically include heirloom-quality ornaments and holiday décor, all-natural bath and beauty products, gourmet food and snacks, jewelry and accessories, functional pottery and glass and hand-turned wood items. A separate room with youth artisans features their work for sale in the Mistletoe Market.

Dress for the weather and bring your appetite for Manna Food Truck, Vivander Cookie Mobile and Crooked Kettle Popcorn food trucks. For a sneak-peak of participating artisans, they are listed at geaugaparkdistrict.org/activity/special-events-art-shows.

The West Woods Nature Center is located at 9465 Kinsman Rd. in Russell Township and fully wheelchair/stroller accessible. For more on Geauga Park District offerings, please call 440-286-9516.

Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show: From funky fashion to unique jewelry, inspiring home décor and handmade art, The Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show is looking to beguile you and help with your holiday shopping. The annual event featuring the work of local artisans will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Chagrin Valley Athletic Club. Admission is $3 for adults. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free of charge with an adult. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Sebastian’s Playgrounds. The club is located at 17260 Snyder Rd. in Bainbridge Township. Contact avantgardeshows.com.

Auburn Holiday Market: Cleveland Art and the team at Reithoffer’s are holding a Holiday Market 5-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at Reithoffer Gallery, 17711 Ravenna Rd. in Auburn Township. Featuring local musicians performing and live glass-blowing demonstrations a short walk from Reithoffer’s, the event offers a unique shopping opportunity with Auburn Township’s artistic community.

You can shop for gifts choosing from eclectic sculptures, jewelry and decorative items along with locally-produced maple syrup, baked items, soaps and beauty products, candles and vintage and antique goods. The Island City food truck will be on hand during the market hours. David Wolfhope will perform live music starting at 8 p.m. Friday while Jack Fiorille with perform starting at 8 p.m. Saturday. Contact events@clevelandart.com.

Congratulations students: University School and Laurel School both announced their area students recognized as semifinalists and commended students in the recent National Merit Scholarship competition. Ladies first: Laurel School’s semifinalists include Katie Izanec of Pepper Pike and Ella Witalec of Chagrin Falls along with commended student Cici Cao of Pepper Pike. University School’s semifinalists include Zain Anwar and Phineas Quigley of Moreland Hills, Theo Dengler of Solon, Vishwum Kapadia and Kingsten Lin of Orange, Aidan Krishnaney of Pepper Pike, Mark Scheeringa of Chagrin Falls and Aaron Velez of Pepper Pike. Of the 1.3 million students who entered the competition, 16,000 achieved semifinalist standing. Commended students include Zaid Ashruf of Solon, Danny Pikovskiy of Orange Village and Stephen Weinberger of Hunting Valley.

Questions on Gardening? Geauga County Master Gardener volunteers are available to answer your questions by emailing mggeauga@yahoo.com. They are also available to speak to your group on garden-related topics. Contact the speaker’s bureau at 440-834-4656. Ask a Geauga Master Gardener Volunteer.

Simple Gifts concert: Two women plus twelve instruments equal one good time when Simple Gifts takes the stage 7-8:35 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at The United Methodist Church of Chagrin Falls, 20 South Franklin Street. Drawing on an impressive variety of ethnic folk styles, this award-winning duo plays everything from lively Irish jigs and many more. A good-will offering of canned food will be accepted for the Chagrin Falls Park Community Park.

Sponsor a tree: The Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Chagrin Valley Jaycees for the annual Festival of Trees on display Nov. 24 through Jan 4 in Riverside Park. Participants are invited to bring their holiday spirit and creativity to the park by sponsoring and decorating a tree. You can showcase your business or build your brand while adding to the festivities in downtown Chagrin Falls. For details contact cvcc.org.

To post your news and events contact Rusek at jcooperrusek@gmail.com.