Our beloved Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera will join the governor and first lady at the 82nd Annual Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony today in Sacramento. Herrera will recite a new Christmas tree poem, and discuss the beautiful things he has encountered across the state in his role as Poet Laureate.

Every year, it's our privilege to choose an artist or arts organization to represent California by making ornaments for the National Christmas Tree display in President's Park in Washington, DC. This year's ornaments were created by Lux Art Institute in Encinitas. "It's very special for our class to do the ornaments representing California that are going to be on the National Tree. It's something I will remember forever," said Sofia Lopez, one of the third grade artists who created the ornaments.

The California Arts Council is looking for potential panelists to serve on 2014 and subsequent-year panels. We're looking for individuals who have in-depth, long-term and/or a variety of professional experiences in the arts, arts education, arts administration, arts in juvenile justice, and/or related fields.