He knows if you've been naughty, he knows if you're awake, he knows if you've been good or bad...and for a limited time only, you can deliver all that information in person to none other than Jolly Old St. Nick. Mr. Claus will be making appearances at two city-sponsored events during the month of December. On Saturday, Dec. 5, the city of Salinas sponsors Santa's Land for kids ages 2-12 at the Firehouse Recreation Center in Salinas. Santa's Land is a fun-filled life-size game, similar to CandyLand. Participants will get a chance to visit with Santa, receive a gift, take home some candy and enter a drawing for a free live tree. On Saturday, Dec. 12, the city of Monterey presents "Saturday Afternoon With Santa," where kids ages 3-6 will enjoy a story time, finger snacks and holiday crafts with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. Santa's Land, Dec. 5, 11am-3pm. Firehouse Recreation Center, 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. Admission: $4 (additional charges for additional game tickets and photos with Santa). 758-7900. Saturday Afternoon With Santa, Dec. 12, 2-4pm. Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. $15/Monterey residents, $20/other cities. Pre-register: 646-3866.

Sunday6

Tweens/Teens

Nutcracker!

Starring a cast of over 90 local kids and adults, DanceKids Nutcracker is a great way to kick off the holiday season and introduce even young patrons to classical music and ballet. The story of Clara, the little girl who gets a nutcracker doll for Christmas and dreams of a handsome prince and magical sweets, is a favorite in almost every city. What makes this production unique is that it's filled with friends, neighbors and yes, even politicos (like Carmel Mayor Ken White) you know. As always, the production is directed by Carol Benton and produced by Walt DeFaria. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2:30 and 7:30pm. Sunday, Dec. 6: 2:30pm. Sunset Center, San Carlos between 8th and 9th avenues, Carmel. Tickets: $15/adults, $8/children and seniors. 624-3729.

Tots.

P.G. Pre-school. 12/1 through 12/18. Mon.-Wed.-Fri. or Tues.-Thurs., 9-11:30am. Enroll your child (potty-trained and at least two years nine months) in this pre-school program emphasizing language, physical and social development, and self-esteem. Please pre-register in advance. Sessions last one month. Start any time. School will break this month for winter holiday recess. 515 Junipero Ave., Pacific Grove. Two days: $59 P.G. resident/$69 non-resident; three days: $82.50/resident, $98.50/non-resident. 648-3130.

Tiny Tots. 12/2 through 12/23. Mon.-Wed.-Fri., 9-11:30am. Pre-schoolers ages 3-5 can enjoy crafts, games and music at one of two sites staffed through the Salinas Recreation Department's Firehouse Recreation Center. El Dorado Park on El Dorado Drive or Central Park on Central Avenue. Pre-register two weeks in advance at Firehouse Rec. Center, 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. $35/per session. 758-7900.

Teenie Weenie Tot Time. 12/2 through 12/23. Mon., Weds., & Fri., 9-11:30am. An age-appropriate curriculum including special visitors, field trips and snacks is being offered at the Firehouse Recreation Center. Sessions start every month. 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. $35/session. 758-7900.

Twenty Toes. 12/4 through 12/18. Thursday 6-6:45pm, Monday 3-3:45pm or 4:45pm; Friday 10-10:45am. This parent-participation gym is designed to give parents and tots (from walking age to 3) a chance to explore elementary gymnastic skills through parachute games, creative dance and rhythm sticks. Pre-register at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department, 546 Dutra St., Monterey. 646-3866. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $24/Monterey residents, $31/non-residents. 646-3873.

Songs & Tales by MaryLee. 12/8 and 12/22. Alternating Tuesdays, 10am. The Children's Experimental Theatre of Carmel is offering to all tots (primarily ages 3-5) the opportunity to come and sing-a-long with MaryLee Sunseri. Join Marylee this month for "Christmas--The Singing Season," on Dec. 8 and 22. Indoor Forest Theatre at Santa Rita & Mt. View, Carmel. $5/person/show. 624-1531.

Tots/Tweens

Breakfast With Santa. 12/19. Saturday, 7:30-11am. Kids of all ages and their parents are invited to drop by the Firehouse Recreation Center and enjoy a breakfast of pancakes, sausages and beverages with Santa. 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. $3/adults, $1.50/kids. 758-7900.

Tweens.

Piano Lessons. Mondays, Wednesdays, various times. Individual instruction for beginning and intermediate level students ages 6 and older. Covers music reading and theory, scales, finger exercises, etc. Students must have a piano or keyboard to practice on. Casanova-Oak Knoll Park Center, 735 Ramona Ave., Monterey. $45/Monterey resident; $59/other city resident. 646-5665.

Create a Storybook. 12/2. Wednesday, 2:30pm. The life of children's author Virginia Lee Burton will be portrayed by Marlie Avant. Afterwards there will be a chance to create your own storybook. 1073 6th St., Monterey. $5. 372-6098.

Christmas Craft Creations. 12/3. Thursday, 3:15pm. Youngsters can make terrific gifts, ornaments and stocking stuffers at the Archer Park Center. 542 Archer St., Monterey. $15/Monterey resident, $20/other cities. 646-3870.

Christmas Children's Chorus. 12/4. 8pm. The Monterey Peninsula Choral Society's Children's Chorus presents its first-ever concert, "Christmas Comes Anew." Mayflower Presbyterian Church, 141 14th St., Pacific Grove. $7.50/adults, $5/kids under 12. 645-4728.

Kids Night Out. 12/4. Friday, 6pm. Children in grades K-6 can have a night out at the Salinas YMCA. Swimming, group games, live music, dancing and holiday fun. 117 Clay St., Salinas. $15. 758-3811.

Indoor Soccer League. 12/5 through 1/23. Saturday, 9:15am & 10:15am. The Monterey Sports Center is starting an eight-week session for children to learn to play indoor soccer. Two sessions will be held; 9:15am for kindergarten and first grade, 10:15am for 2nd and 3rd grades. 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey. $20/Monterey resident, $28/other cities. 646-3730.

Create a Snowflake!12/6. Saturday, 1-5pm. Parents, come drop your kid off at the Monterey Youth Museum's creation station in the Barnyard Community Center. There, they'll learn to make gorgeous snowflakes while you get a little shopping done. Best of all, your contribution benefits the MY Museum. Barnyard Community Center, Carmel Valley Road and Highway 1, Carmel. $3. 649-6444.

What's Cooking? 12/10. Thursday, 3:15pm. Come create Christmas goodies at Archer Park Center! Fun, friends and festive foods for youths 7-12 years old. 542 Archer St., Monterey. $15/Monterey resident, $20/other cities. 646-3870.

Make a Calendar. 12/12. Saturday, 10-11am. The Monterey Youth Museum sponsors this craft session designed to let kids ages 5-11 make a calendar for the new year. Reservations in advance, please. Monterey Youth Museum, 601 Wave St., Monterey. $4/child, plus admission to the museum if you stay after 11am. 649-6444.

Angels in Art. 12/21-12/23. Monday-Wednesday, 9:30am. Youths in grades four and up can create their own magical angels for the holidays by combining drawing, painting, poetry, storytelling and crafts in this three-day workshop at the Lyceum of Monterey County. 1073 6th St., Monterey. $36 for three classes. 372-6098.

Free Day Camp! 12/21-12/31. Monday-Friday, 1-5:30pm, excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day. Kids out of school? Give them to a chance to participate in outdoor games, swimming crafts, and excursions at this free Holiday Playland offered by the city of Seaside. Pre-register at Oldemeyer Center. 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Only the first 50 kids to register can go. Del Rey Woods School, Noche Buena Avenue, Seaside. Free. 899-6270.

Vacation Sports Camp. 12/21-12/31. Monday-Thursday, 9am. Sign your kids up for two one-week sessions at Sports Camp at the Monterey Sports Center. Youth, grades 3-6, can play basketball, football, tennis, swimming roller skating and more. 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey. $64/Monterey resident, $76/other cities. 646-3730.

Holiday Day Camp. 12/21-12/31. Weekdays, 7:45am-5:30pm, excluding Christmas eve and Christmas day and New Year's day. This camp at Seaside's Oldemeyer Center is filled with activities for kids ages 5-14 who are out on winter break. The fun will include age-appropriate outings, games and crafts. Please pre-register in advance at Oldemeyer. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. $50/Seaside residents, $60/non-residents. 899-6270.

Winter Day Camp. 12/21-1/8. Mon.-Fri., 9am. Children, grades K-8, can have fun at YMCA camp over the holidays. Crafts, swimming, games, songs and more! 4-day week: $85/week. 117 Clay St., Salinas. 758-3811.

Crafts, Cooking and Holiday Fun. 12/29-12/31. Tues.-Thurs., 8am. Monterey Recreation and Community Services is sponsoring a three-day program for children to take part in holiday activities. Three locations include Archer Park Center (646-3870), Casanova-Oak Knoll Park Center (646-5665), and Hilltop Park Center (646-3975), Monterey. $40/Monterey resident, $52/other cities.

New Year's Eve Party. 12/31-1/1. Thursday, 6pm. Celebrate the coming year at the Salinas YMCA. Kids in grades K-8 can stay over night and take part in games, bingo prizes, music, and dancing. 117 Clay St., Salinas. $45/YMCA member, $55/non-member. 758-3811.

Winterfest. 12/9-1/3. The Monterey Museum of Art presents a celebration of holiday traditions and art from several cultures. Family-oriented events take place on Saturday, Dec. 19, with songs, stories and art from Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Pueblo Indians, and Mexican backgrounds, from 1-3:30pm. Winterfest also includes an exhibit of miniatures, and a lecture on children's book illustration.

Teens.

Dance Dynamics. 12/4-12/18. Fridays, 4-5pm. This class for teens focuses on lyrical modern dance. Students will learn dance sequences and choreography as well as proper body alignment. Pre-register at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department, 546 Dutra St., Monterey. Monterey Youth Center Dance Studio, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $22/Monterey residents, $30/non-residents. 646-3873.