Community calendar

November 27

Canal Winchester Chamber of Commerce Island Holiday Dinner and Auction, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Nov 27, Pope John XXIII (5170 Winchester Southern Rd.), Full dinner, live and silent auction! Live music by Winchester Steel Co! Cash bar! Order tickets online at: http://conta.cc/Rfkbps.

November 29

Westerville Area Chamber Women in Business Holiday Mixer, 5 to 7 p.m., Nov. 29, Cantina Laredo (8791 Lyra Dr.), enjoy light appetizers and discounts on wine and margaritas ($3.00 glasses of wine, $4.00 margaritas). $18 for members, $25 for the general public, register at www.westervillechamber.com or contact (614) 882-8917.

December 1

The Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1, in downtown Columbus in front of the Crowne Plaza. Registration and festivities begin at 8 a.m., and the 5K will start at 10 a.m. Awards and entertainment will continue at the intersection of Nationwide Boulevard and High Street.

All proceeds will benefit the Arthritis Foundation, Great Lakes Region, Central Ohio. Runners and walkers are urged to form teams to cover the 3.1-mile distance. Participants can wear holiday attire and tie jingle bells to their shoelaces. A children’s Snowflake Run and photos with Santa will be included; food from Max & Erma’s, Great Harvest Bread and First Watch will be available after the race.

This year’s race honoree is Victoria Chellis, a fourth-grader who was diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age 6. Thanks to a weekly shot, Victoria can take part in all of the activities she loves, including drawing and running.

All proceeds from the Jingle Bell Run/Walk will benefit the Arthritis Foundation, Great Lakes Region, Central Ohio, and help Victoria and others who struggle with arthritis. For more information, email mthomas@arthritis.org.

Hilliard Hollyfest Arts & Crafts Show. This is the premiere show in central Ohio featuring 118 craftspeople. The hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hilliard Davidson High School, 5100 Davidson Road, Hilliard, Ohio. Admission is $4, Golden Buckeye Card Holders $2 and students 12 and under are free.

 

December 6

Very Merry Chamber Business After Hours, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6, KEMBA Financial Credit Union (622 N. State St.), includes delicious food from Monaco’s Palace and Catering, adult beverages, networking and door prizes! Bring plenty of business cards! Help a family in need this holiday season. Bring an item with you to be donated to the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM), FREE for member and $5 for the general public, register at www.westervillechamber.com or contact (614) 882-8917.

December 7

The Arts Castle Holiday Dance & Music Recital, 7 p.m., Dec. 7, Willis Middle School Auditorium (West William St), if you’ve ever wondered what The Arts Castle’s dance and music programs are all about, now is the perfect time to bring the family and watch our young performers shine., admission is free (we ask that each person bring a non-perishable canned or boxed food item which will be donated to People In Need during this upcoming holiday season), www.artscastle.org.

Christmas in the Village, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 8, Historic Downtown Canal Winchester, roving carolers, Santa visits, horse-drawn carriage rides, hay rides pulled by antique tractors, ice sculptures, kids activities, & much much more return to kick off the holiday season during Canal Winchester’s annual storybook Christmas celebration! Activities will take place on the sidewalks and streets as well as inside several business establishments around the city’s municipal office building at 36 S. High St.. All activities at the event are free and open to everyone. For more information go to: http://www.destinationcw.org/CITV.html.

Olde Village Holiday Gathering (Sponsored by OPVBA and City of Pickerington Parks and Recreation), 5 to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 7, Olde Pickerington Village, Experience a magical evening with the 3rd Annual Olde Village Lighting Contest, Plaza of Lights, luminaria lining Columbus Street, carriage rides, carolers, shopping, dining, a visit from Santa, children’s crafts and the lighting of the City’s Christmas Tree in Gazebo Park, tree lighting will begin at 7:30 p.m. near the Gazebo in the Olde Village, admission is FREE, For more information call the Recreation Department at (614) 833-2211.

December 8

Holiday Character Breakfast: Seating available between 8:20 a.m. and noon on Dec. 8. Join us for the 6th Annual Holiday Character Breakfast at the Olde Gahanna Sanctuary, live show and delicious all-you-can-eat pancakes from Katie’s Cakes. Tickets are $6 in advance, $8 at the door (if available). For tickets and more information go to VisitGahanna.com or call the Gahanna Convention and Visitors’ Bureau at (614) 418-9114.

December 9

Brunch with Santa, 11a.m. to 2p.m., Dec. 9, Arts Castle (190 West Winter St.), pancakes by Chris Cakes, art activity for wee ones, a visit with the Jolly old elf himself! $5 per person, children 4 and under free, Call (740) 369-2787 or go on www.artscastle.org to register.

December 10

Westerville Area Chamber Quarterly Membership Meeting featuring Congressman Pat Tiberi, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Dec. 10, The Medallion Club (5000 Club Dr.), $25 for members, $35 for general public, register at www.westervillechamber.com or contact (614) 882-8917. Register early! Seats go fast!

December 29

Winter Recital, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., Dec. 29, Graves Piano & Organ (5798 Karl Rd.), call First Choice Music Studio for details at 614-314-1678 or visit their website at firstchoicemusicstudio.com.

Ongoing

Visit Santa at Oakland Nursery, noon to 4 p.m., Nov. 24 - December 16 (Saturdays & Sundays only), all Oakland locations – Columbus, Delaware, Dublin, New Albany, while visiting Santa, enjoy the unique Santa Wonderland at our Columbus and Delaware store locations where you can experience lights, music, and plush characters.  Only at Oakland Nurseries can you truly experience the season!

Winter Wonderland presented by AEP Ohio® hosted by Gahanna Parks and Recreation will be illuminated 6 p.m. on Nov. 10 and last through Jan. 3, 2013. Holiday activities, entertainment and fun will take place throughout the season thanks to the shops, restaurants and businesses in Olde Gahanna. Activities and schedules can be found at www.ohioherbfoundationcenter.org.

Visit with Santa, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 8, or 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 1, 15 or 22 at the Ohio Herb Education Center, 110 Mill St. Picture taking and wish-making opportunities available with the Jolly Old Elf himself! An express North Pole mailbox will be available for letters. For more information about Gahanna Holiday Lights! Parade and Season go to VisitGahanna.com or call (614) 418-9114.

Upper Arlington Chamber’s Best Gift Ideas, throughout the holiday season visit uachamber.org or call (614) 843-1608 for the best local offers. Find unique gift items, wonderful dining and amazing savings.