Southeastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour (self-guided), on Friday November 27th and Saturday November 28th, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. 19 artists' studios throughout Southeastern Sussex County will be open and artists will demonstrate or display their crafts. Tour includes a raffle with a work donated by each artist with a value of more than $5,000. Raffle tickets are available for $10; $25 for three tickets. All proceeds to benefit the art departments at local schools. For more details and to get your free downloadable map to the studioes, visit www.artstudiotour.com.

Community Unity Spaghetti Dinner, 4-7pm at the Convention Center, presented by Rehoboth Beach Main Street and provided by the Nicola's Pizza. It's a fantastic meal, featuring spaghetti, meatballs, a salad bar, beverages and awesome desserts. There is entertainment by the Tim Laushey Trio plus a Santa for kids of all ages. Tickets are $8, with seniors at $5. Kids under 12 eat FREE. Also at Community Unity, Main Street bestows its Citizen of the Year Award. Come dine with us! See www.dowrntownrehoboth.com for more downtown holiday event information, or call 302-227-2772 for details.

On Sunday February 1st 2009 The Annual Polar Bear Plunge will take place in Rehoboth Beach to benefit Special Oympics. Registration and details at www.pungede.org

Rehoboth Beach Christmas Parade starts at 6 PM and the World AIDS Day Candle Light Vigil begins at 6:30 in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

On Thursday evening December 4th from 6 to 9 pm the Downtown Lewes Merchants (on Second Street and surrounding areas) will host their Annual Hospitality Night. On this night, each store and gallery will offer Lewes visitors refreshments and discounts. Bring your friends along for this festive night! Typically, the holiday shoppers will enjoy serenades by carolers or some other musical entertainment along Second Street. A tip for those driving to Lewes - You won't be able to get your car anywhere near Second Street. Yes it's that popular. There are actually lines to get into the Lewes' quaint little shops and galleries sometimes (especially the ones on Second Street). Even the small public parking lot on the Lewes Canal will fill early. If you live in-town, you should definitely hoof it. If not, you may find a parking space on Savannah Rd or Kings Highway near the Zwaanandael Museum. Even the lovely Spa by the Sea on Savannah Road jumps into the spirit, offering refreshments, discount coupons, and tours of their beautiful Victorian House decorated for the holidays. You won't see much advertising for Lewes Hospitality Night. I'm guessing they don't need it. If I were feeling exceptionally generous today, I'd tell you which Lewes Gift Shop typically offers the most delicious hors-d'ouevres or which Lewes Toy Store offers the best discounts, but I'm not going to share my "Lewes insider" expertise this time....You'll have to explore on your own. See you there. -Lee Ann

This past Saturday morning began with a major thunderstorm, dampening the beach obligingly for the sand castle contestants. By 3 p.m. the judges were patrolling the beach to choose the best entries in several categories. Our favorite was the sleeping dog "Ruff Day". The Sand Castle contest is held every year at the North end of the boardwalk in Rehoboth in front of the Henlopen Hotel. [caption id="attachment_236" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Dog Sand Sculpture Rehoboth BeachW"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_255" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Rehoboth Beach Sand Castle "][/caption]