Jim Bizzelle, Briana Reyes, Becky Graham, Olive-Anne Haase, Tom Mitchell, Susie Sheeler & Denise Tomey

No one would confuse Pardee's VP of community development, Jim Bizzelle, for Santa - which is not to say that Jim can't get his jolly on. Bizzelle, along with Director of Land Development Tom Mitchell and Susie Sheeler, played the vital roles of Santa's Helpers at Carousel Ranch's Santa Day.

This is the second year that Pardee has sponsored the family-friendly event, which also, incidentally, features lots of face time with The Big Guy himself. Over 100 Ranch kids (and their crew) were invited to play in fresh snow, make crafts and unwrap just-for-them gifts. As for the adults, we unwrapped gifts of our own... Mini cheesecakes, cupcakes, cookies and more from Babe's Dessert Bar. (If you could eat the celestial rays of Heaven, this is what they would taste like.)

Dale & Tamara Donohoe

December also saw the much-anticipated opening of Bridgeport Marketplace in Valencia. Local builder Dale Donohoe, president of Intertex Companies (and one half of Henry Mayo's "Sweetheart Couple" - with wife Tamara - for the hospital's upcoming Gala), was all smiles as locals appreciatively examined his company's handiwork. Owners and staff of new SCV mom-and-pop businesses like Bella Jewelers, Simplese, Visiting Angels, Threads Boutique and cardiogirl happily mingled, despite the cold temperatures.

Gary Spindt

2008's festivities didn't end with elves and grand openings, though. Instead, it went out with a pop (thanks to a balloon drop) at LETMESAIL's New Year's Eve Bon Voyage Ball. The nonprofit's founder, Gary Spindt, was joined by hundreds of his closest friends as the clock struck midnight.