SOUTH BAY

Animal Arts Craft Faire. Find gifts and products for your pets, as well as animal-themed gifts for humans, at the Humane Society Silicon Valley's first-ever crafts sale. Items range from leashes and collars to holiday cards and artwork. Also: Pictures with "Santa Paws," children's activities, food and music. Free admission. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 5 at the new Animal Community Center, 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas. 408-262-2133, www.hssv.org.

Eco-Friendly Holiday Workshop. Learn "green" tips, from creating homemade gifts to fashioning wrapping paper out of recycled materials. This second-annual workshop is sponsored by Our City Forest, a nonprofit group devoted to the urban forest. Free admission, supplies and refreshments. Reservations mandatory. 4-6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Our City Forest offices, 151 W. Mission St., Suite 151, San Jose. To reserve a spot, call 408-99-TREES or send e-mail to greenandhealthy@ourcityforest.org.

Centerpiece workshop. Master gardeners will present two centerpiece workshops as part of History San Jose's Heritage Holiday event. All supplies will be provided. Workshops are ongoing from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5. History Park at Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Road, San José. $3 per person or $10 per family. 408-282-3105, www.mastergardeners.org.

Ceramics show and sale. At San Jose City College's annual ceramics show and sale, find decorative and functional pottery, including Ikebana-style vases, teapots and dinnerware. Proceeds benefit the college arts program. Noon-6 p.m. Dec. 6; noon-8 p.m. Dec. 7; and noon-6 p.m. Dec. 8. Admission is free. San Jose City College Ceramics Lab, Room 311, 2100 Moorpark Ave., San Jose. (408) 298-2181, ext. 3816, www.sjcc.edu.

PENINSULA

Native succulents. Find out which native Californian succulents are suitable for the garden and get tips on propagation. 7 p.m. Dec. 3. San Carlos Library, 610 Elm St., San Carlos. Free. www.cnps-scv.org.

Bare-root planting. Master gardeners will discuss selecting, purchasing and planting bare-root fruit trees, roses and other shrubs and perennial vegetables. 10 a.m. Dec. 5. Master Gardeners Palo Alto Demonstration Garden, 851 Center Drive. Free. 408-282-3105, www.mastergardeners.org.

All about soil. Learn about the beneficial micro and macro organisms responsible for nutrient cycling, soil production and immune system boosting within the garden. 10:30 a.m. Dec. 5. Common Ground Organic Garden Supply and Education Center, 559 College Ave., Palo Alto. Cost, $30. 650-493-6072, www.commongroundinpaloalto.org.