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The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is in full swing, but don't forget to plan for the following December events:

Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Advocates for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail expansion can show their support at Thursday's meeting of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners.

The board will decide whether to spend $2.6 million in previously approved open-space bonds to purchase 250 acres. This land would help extend the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through the city's watershed region to Haw River State Park.

If approved, the county would apply for more than $1 million in state grants to help offset the cost of the land purchase. State officials already have agreed to purchase a neighboring property for $2.8 million.

The board starts its meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Old Courthouse.

Green business grants

Small businesses can soon apply for the second round of green business grants.

North Carolina has set aside $950,000 and will award up to $100,000 each to companies that employ fewer than 100 people.

The funds will target the following areas: development and commercialization of green industries; attraction and leverage of private sector investments; and entrepreneurial growth in clean technology and renewable energy products.

The solicitation will be available in mid-December.

Representatives of Triad companies can attend a grant-writing workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Western Wake Technical Community College. Register for the free workshop by contacting caroix@waketech.edu.

For more information, contact R.V. Rikard at rvrikard@nccommerce.com or (919) 716-0110.

Learn and socialize

Tonight: UNCG students will present a performance examining topics related to the environment, including food production, wildlife conservation and a look at the practice of corporate "greenwashing."

The 30-minute performance takes place in the auditorium of the Ferguson Building at Spring Garden Street and Highland Avenue.

Thursday: Join Temple Emanuel at 7 p.m. for its monthly environmental movie night. The synagogue will feature two short films showing affordable home upgrades that increase energy efficiency.

The synagogue is at 201 Oakwood Drive in Winston-Salem, near Thruway Shopping Center. For more information, call 985-6022.

Saturday: Guilford Solar Communities will offer a free presentation on "Cooling Effectively and Efficiently" by consultant Michiel VanderSommen.

It will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Barn Kitchen meeting room of the Guilford County Agricultural Center, 3309 Burlington Road in Greensboro.

VanderSommen will discuss the use of shrubbery and shading among other things.

For more information, call 375-5876.

More green news? Visit www.goGreenTriad.com. Contact Morgan Josey Glover at 373-7078 or morgan.josey@news-record.com.