You know it’s the holidays when Rob Mathes takes the stage and performs his annual Rob Mathes Christmas Concert! Rob and his beloved brand of holiday musical magic is back for an 18th year with three shows presented at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, at 8:00 p.m., on Friday, December 16, and Saturday, December 17, and at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, December 18. Tickets are available at The Performing Arts Center Box Office, http://www.artscenter.org or 914-251-6200, or through The Music Source in Greenwich, Conn., at http://www.themusicsource.org or 203-698-0444.

The days of the Welcome Wagon may be over, but if you’re new in town there’s a place to get the lay of the land in Fairfield — the Welcome Club of Fairfield and Easton.

Get your kids, the dog and your picnic basket ready. Celebrate the start of a new school year Saturday, September 24th at the Welcome Club of Fairfield and Easton Annual Fall Family Kick-Off Party. This year’s party is at Lt. Owen Fish Park starting at 11 AM until 2 PM. There will be plenty of complimentary hot dogs and condiments for all and an ice cream truck with all your favorite treats, so don’t forget your wallet! The fall kick off party marks the beginning of the club season, which runs September through June with some events and groups meeting over the summer. This free event is open to the public and will also have face painting, games and interactive music performances.

Primarily a social organization, the Welcome Club helps new residents by helping them become acclimated quickly. As soon as a new member joins, they receive a welcome phone call and a newsletter, and their membership status is shared with existing Club members.

Monthly events range from “Neighborhood Coffee” to “Men’s Poker Night” and provide opportunities to meet other members. The Welcome Club also has many active book groups and playgroups as well as monthly children’s and family events. Many activities introduce members to businesses and resources in the area (children’s facilities, restaurants, nature centers, etc.). In addition to social activities, the Welcome Club organizes fundraisers, community service projects and provides a monthly meal to the Operation Hope Shelter.

For more information about The Welcome Club of Fairfield and Easton, go to http://www.welcomeclub.org or send an email to info@welcomeclub.org.

Mathes, often lovingly referred to as “Mr. Christmas” by fans and fellow musicians for his nearly two-decades of performances of one of our region’s “can’t miss” holiday traditions, will once again be joined by his all-star band, featuring bassist Will Lee of David Letterman’s famed “CBS Orchestra” and longtime Mathes’ guitarist Billy Masters; the 30+ member Choir of Saints and Friends; award-winning vocalists including James “D-Train” Williams, and others. The set list will be full of what fans have come to expect from Mathes – a seasonal mix of original holiday compositions alongside imaginative and entertaining re-workings of holiday classics – all spanning the worlds of R&B, pop, jazz, classical and then some.

Just in time for families to start planning their holiday travels “The Mom’s Guide to Traveling with Kids” offers tips and tricks to make traveling with the family a breeze. The Mom’s Guide is a mom-to-mom guide (excuse the cliche – dad and grandparents of course will benefit too!) that will empower you to have what you need to travel with your kids and have fun doing it. This 155-page book is jam-packed with tips and stories from the author and other frequent-flier moms. You will learn new ideas to use for every stage of your travels. Careful planning for each part of the trip will take you from thinking “Am I crazy?” to “That’s the best thing I ever did!.”

Come by with or without the kids (there will be a treat for them!)