Lalah Hathaway, ZooLights, Kwanzaa Keep Spirits Bright

Besides walking around Lake Chabot a few times to burn off all those calories you consumed in the form of  and hitting up the after-Christmas sales, here are a few more things you could be doing in and around Castro Valley now that Christmas has come and gone. 

Ride the on its last two runs Dec. 26–27. It promises post-Christmas jolly aboard a brightly decorated train, covered with thousands of lights, as it winds through Niles Canyon on a 75-minute round-trip ride from Fremont to Sunol or from Sunol to Fremont.

Break out the kente cloth, handmade gifts and libations cup for a weeklong celebration of the African American observance known as . Celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, Kwanzaa was invented by activist Malauna Karenga in 1966 to inspire African Americans to learn their heritage. Observers practice a different principle each day starting with Umoja (unity) and ending with Imani (faith).

 is a family-friendly event featuring familiar festive music and a meadow light show that'll keep your holiday spirits high through New Year's. "Thousands of LED lights shine in the night sky in the form of animals, candy canes, lollipops and St. Nick," according to zoo staff. ZooLights will continue to twinkle from Dec. 26 through Jan. 2.

Need to get the kids out of the house after spending Christmas weekend indoors? Bring 'em to the Castro Valley Library on Dec. 27 for  They'll enjoy the critically acclaimed "How to Train Your Dragon." It's about "a hapless young Viking who aspires to hunt dragons," but ends up befriending one upon realizing the giant, winged lizards aren't all fire-breathing jerks. Also showing: "The Last Airbender" on Dec. 28 and "Despicable Me" on Dec. 29. All shows start at 1 p.m.

is teaming up with the Castro Valley Library Dec. 30 to welcome winter with story time and live animals. Two programs — one at 2 p.m. and one at 2:40 p.m. — allow kids to interact with creatures that many have only seen in their favorite books.

Songstress Lalah Hathaway (pronounced lay-luh), the daughter of legendary R&B singer Donny Hathaway, rings in the New Year with four nights of performances at Yoshi's in Oakland's Jack London Square. The runs from Dec. 30 through Jan. 2.

at Chabot Space and Science Center in the Oakland Hills will remind your kids to treat Mother Earth with kindness as they ring in 2011. On Dec. 31, youngsters will enjoy a daytime balloon drop celebration, featuring special prizes for making an effort to recycle. Kids up to age 12 can take part in one of three age-specific sessions. Registration is required. Visit Chabot's website for more details.

If there's a book you've been meaning to read over the holiday break, why not skip a trip to the bookstore in favor of visiting the Alameda County Library Bookmobile? This library on wheels roves the neighborhood every two weeks, inviting guests of all ages to check out books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and audio books. You can also snag a new library card. Check the schedule for dates, times and locations.

Of course, you can always spend time writing down your New Year's resolutions, such as joining a gym, eating more veggies or exchanging that hideous Christmas gift for, um, something else. Whatever your resolutions may be, Castro Valley Patch wishes you a happy and productive New Year!