The 25th anniversary year of Walk and Knock, the community’s largest annual food drive, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, visit www.walkandknock.org or call 877-995-6625. <> Ruby Hill, an eclectic pop/rock band with a blues influence, will be playing from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Brickhouse Bar & Grill, 109 W 15th Street, to benefit many local charities. There will be happy hour prices and a random drawing for a gift basket. There is a $3 cover charge. All proceeds from the cover charge and a portion of sales on Ruby Hill CDs and t-shirts go to First Independent Giving Campaign recipient nonprofit organizations. To listen to Ruby Hill, visit www.myspace.com/rubyhillmusic. <> Fort Vancouver is having its Lantern Tours at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 1001 East 5th Street. Cost is $10 per adult and $7 for children under 15 years of age. Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call 816-6230. <> The 9th Annual Festival of Nativities exhibit is running today through Sunday, Dec. 6, noon to 9 p.m. each day, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10509 SE 5th Street. Admission is free. For more information on performances and directions, visit http://www.festivalofnativities.org/. <> Northwest Classical Ballets presents its world premiere of  The Nutcracker, with director Maricar Drilon, 7:30 p.m. tonight, Dec. 4, and 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in Prairie High School, 11500 NE 117th Avenue. Tickets cost $11 and can be purchased at The Aurora Gallery, 1004 Main Street, 696-0449, or at the. <> The Christmas Sojourn concert, featuring pianist Thomas Rheingans, with guest artist Nancy Wood, is at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets are $12 for matinee performances, $16 for evening performances, and $20 for Council for the Homeless benefit ticket. Admission includes dessert and beverages provided by Trader Joe’s. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/7674, by calling 800-838-3006, or at the door. Heritage High School Choirs, under the direction of Joel Karn, will also be featured in the evening concert. <> Poinsettias from the 2009 annual poinsettia sale benefiting Hospice Southwest can be purchased online by clicking here. For questions, call 696-5056. <> The Free Clinic Holiday Ball will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Royal Oaks Country Club, 8917 Northeast Fourth Plain Road. The event is black tie optional, and all proceeds benefit the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington. Call 256-1250 for more information. <> Friends of Three Creeks Community Library is hosting a holiday book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the community room of the library. Hundreds of like-new, recently published books of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books will be offered, as well as DVDs, most for only $3.00 each. Proceeds of the sale help support special library purchases and programming. For further information, contact Mary Stender, mljd.stender@gmail.com or at 573-2077. <> The 20th annual Battle Ground Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Celebration will start at 5 p.m. tonight, Dec. 4, Fairgrounds Park and the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 East Main Street. For more information, click here. <> Camas is celebrating its Hometown Holiday event from 5 to 9 p.m. tonight, Dec. 4, on the main streets of Downtown Camas. To find out more about this event, visit http://www.ci.camas.wa.us/. <> Port of Camas/Washougal’s annual Christmas Ship Parade is 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Port. <> Councilmember’s Pancake Breakfast to benefit the North County Community Food Bank will be from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 5, Battle Ground Community Center, 912 East Main Street. Cost is $5 or canned food donation. <> Battle Ground City Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, City Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd floor, 109 SW 1st Street. <> La Center Christmas Festival starts off with a holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in La Center High School, and Santa Makes House Calls from 5:30 to 9 p.m., both events on Saturday, Dec. 5, finishing with a tree lighting ceremony, fireworks, and Santa from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, 4th Street between Aspen and Birch. Those interested in the Santa Makes House Calls must schedule an appointment by clicking here. <> The City of Washougal Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is at 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Reflection Plaza, corner of Main Street and Pendleton Way. Click here for more information. <> Vancouver City Council meets for workshops from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, followed by a full council meeting at 7 p.m., Council chambers. Call 696-8211 for more information. <> Planning Commission is holding a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, City Hall, 214 E 4th Street, La Center.<> Washougal City Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7. <> Port of Camas/Washougal meets for an executive session at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, followed by an open meeting at 4 p.m. <> Holiday Pet Portraits with Santa is back at Humane Society for Southwest Washington, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 13501 NE 84th Street. Pictures cost $25 and includes a CD with 12 high resolution, digital images. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. For more information, call 693-4746.