Concludes Sunday, Dec. 2
If you’ve yet to see Price Tower Arts Center’s latest exhibit, this weekend is your last chance to see Marco Sassone: Architecture and Nature. The work of the Tuscan-born artist known for his urban landscapes and concern for social causes is modern expressionist in oil and watercolor. What you’ll see at the arts center is exemplary of a career made in images of city nightlife illuminated with the energy of people, but you’ll also see urban portraits in the natural light of day. This sampling from Sassone’s 50-year career is a great primer for the art novice and is one that will not be forgotten soon. Price Tower Arts Center is located at 510 Dewey Ave. in Bartlesville. Gallery hours are 10 a.m-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday with gallery admission free to ages 18 and under, $5-$6 for adults. For more, go to www.pricetower.org.

Sunday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m.
Just because we live in the day of freakish gift-shopping sales and endless ads telling us to buy more doesn’t mean that we’ve moved away from the traditions of Christmas. With Baroque Christmas, the Canterbury Choral Society performs with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic to bring two music favorites to the stage at the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., Oklahoma City. Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Magnificat, born of the ornate Baroque period, celebrate humanity and spirituality with a majesty that begs to be heard live. And here is that opportunity. The performance is at 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $30-$55 each, available at www.canterburyokc.com. After the concert, stick around for the holiday reception in the center’s lobby.

2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2
Tulsa Symphony, the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus and local high school musicians and singers will take the stage of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s Chapman Music Hall – at the same time. Although they made this kind of magic happen last year, you must consider how new the experience is to the students benefiting from this educational program. Student musicians and singers receive coaching and valuable rehearsal and instruction to prepare for the performance. You don’t have to be a student’s parent to be proud of this effort to expand the city’s cultural experience. At 2 p.m. Sunday, you’ll hear the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah and “Gloria” from Vivaldi in a program titled The Colors of the Season in the Chapman Music Hall at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. 101 E. Third St. Tickets are $20, available at www.myticketoffice.com.

Monday, Dec. 5, at 8:30 a.m.
No matter how many times the duo of Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner visit Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa cannot get enough of Ghostland Observatory. The electric-rock-dance duo from Austin continues to mesmerize crowds across the country with their sound, Behren’s cat-like moves and that fearless originality that makes them fascinating and welcome at any venue. Think of it as Christmas-come-early for music fans. Ghostland Observatory returns to Cain’s, 423 N. Main St., Tulsa, Monday, Dec. 5. Doors open at 7 p.m., and showtime is at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30-$40, available at Cain’s Ballroom’s box office and online at www.cainsballroom.com.

Friday, Nov. 30, to Sunday, Dec. 2
If you see a tall, elderly chap with a long white beard wearing a long cloak in the vicinity of South 15th Street and Lewis Avenue, be especially kind. It could be Father Christmas on his way to the German-American Society of Tulsa’s Christkindlmarkt 2012, Friday-Sunday. Modeled on the famous outdoor Christmas market held in Nuremburg since the 17th century, Christkindlmarkt will have vendors of holiday items imported from Germany, ornaments, gifts, baked goods, delicious German food and other wares for sale inside the GAST building, 2301 E. 15th St. Also look for children’s events, such as puppet shows, and appearances by Germany’s St. Nikolaus and others. Admission is free. More information is available at www.gastulsa.org.

Saturday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m.
Cowboy Santa doesn’t need reindeer when he’s driving longhorn cattle through the streets of Oklahoma City. A Cowboy Christmas Parade is back with 100 head of steer, rodeo cowboys, antique cars, Native American dancers and other attractions in Oklahoma City’s Stockyards City main street. Children like to watch for the horses, steer and other animals that are always a part of this annual event, but they also get to visit with Cowboy Santa at trail’s end, the Centennial Rodeo Opry, 2221 Exchange Ave., in this historic district. Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, but don’t forget about the tree lighting event at 5:30 p.m. Saturday (the night before). For more, go online to www.stockyardscity.org.

Just like building a snowman, holiday decorating and baking cookies, taking in a performance of The Nutcracker is one of those activities on the holiday checklist many of us look forward to every year. With so many groups, from schools to professional companies, scheduling renditions of the classic story, the Mabee Center in Tulsa has brought back the Moscow Ballet to present its 20th annual U.S. tour of soldiers, mice and fairy princesses under the Christmas tree on Dec. 4. From the land of Tchaikovsky, the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker features the sparkle of elaborate sets, sumptuous costumes, silk puppetry and an attention to lavishness making this vision of the Nutcracker Prince especially rich in tradition and beautiful to watch. Tickets are $33-$76, available at the Mabee Center box office and online at www.mabeecenter.com.

Tiny cranberries play a big part in holiday meals. Although those tart, ruby red berries fit perfectly into the season’s color scheme because of their vibrant red hue, they aren’t just for the holidays. Full of antioxidants and other disease-fighting properties, this superfood should be part of our diets year round.

Cranberries contain special antioxidant compounds called proanthocyanidins, or PACs, that help prevent harmful bacteria from adhering to cells in the body, particularly in the stomach, mouth and bladder. While it has not been proven that cranberry juice can treat an active infection, it is helpful in preventing not only bladder infections, but also stomach ulcers and dental diseases.

Because they are so rich in antioxidants, cranberries have been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers, including breast, lung, prostate and colon cancer as well as other chronic conditions.

Cranberries are also a good source of vitamins C and K, plus phosphorus and fiber. Another notable health benefit includes lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) while raising the good (HDL). Keeping cholesterol in check can also lessen the risk of heart attacks or strokes.

So go ahead and enjoy cranberries this holiday season and in the year to come. Your body will thank you.

Cranberry Salsa

1 (12 oz.) bag fresh cranberries
1 tbsp. minced purple onion
2 serrano peppers, seeded and minced
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 c. agave or honey
2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
Grated zest of 1 large orange

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.