Focus region calendar of events
Thursday, Dec. 6
High tea and silent auction, 6-8:30 p.m. at the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, 6666 East River Road, Fridley. The event will kick off the art center’s handmade gifts sale, “A Gift for All Seasons,” which runs Dec. 6-22. Holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Info: banfill-locke.org.
Saturday, Dec. 8
Coffee Chat with the Columbia Heights-N.E. Minneapolis Women of Today, 11 a.m. to noon at The Coffee Shop N.E., 2852 Johnson St., Minneapolis. Find new ways to volunteer and meet other members of your community. The Columbia Heights-N.E. Minneapolis chapter of the Minnesota Women of Today is a community service and leadership training organization. Membership is open to those 18 years of age and older. Info: 763-789-4730 (Tracy).
Sunday, Dec. 9
“Songs of Joy” concert, 3 p.m. at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 8211 Red Oak Drive, Mounds View. The Mounds View High School Alumni Choir will present its final performance as an ensemble. The concert will feature secular and sacred holiday pieces.
Chorus Polaris – annual holiday concert, “Joy Shall Be Yours,” 4 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1555 40th Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights. The concert features carols and classic favorites, and also drumming, Gregorian chant, poetry and jazz. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Admission is free for those under 21 years old. Info: ChorusPolaris.org or 612 562-9495.
Christ the King Lutheran Church Christmas concert and Smorgasbord, 4 p.m. at the church, 1900 Seventh St. N.W., New Brighton. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $7.50 for ages 6-12, and free for those ages 5 and under. Info: lifeatctk.org.
Monday, Dec. 10
Community Dinner, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 950 Gould Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights. Community dinners, open to the public, are held on the second Monday of each month. Info: 763-788-9009 (church office).
Tuesday, Dec. 11
Community dinner, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, 825 51st Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights. Info: 763-571-9721.
Thursday, Dec. 13
Community Baby Shower, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Columbia Heights Family Center, 1460 49th Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights. This event for parents of children ages birth to 12 months or parents-to-be will include making a toy, circle time led by an infant early childhood educator, and free baby bags with books, toys and materials. Community resources will be available. Pre-registration is required by Dec. 6 for sibling care. Info: 763-528-4517.
Friday, Dec. 14
St. Anthony Civic Orchestra’s Christmas Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m. at the St Anthony Community Center, 3301 Silver Lake Road N.E., St. Anthony. Admission is free.
Saturday, Dec. 15
Cookie Walk fundraiser, 9 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 950 Gould Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights. Homemade Christmas cookies will be sold for $7 per pound. Info: 763-788-9009.
Sunday, Dec. 16
Camarata Brass Christmas concert, 3 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 950 Gould Ave., Columbia Heights. The concert will feature music by the church’s chancel and children’s choirs, the handbell choir, and a special feature by the Camarata Brass Ensemble. A donation of a nonperishable food item or cash will be accepted on behalf of the SACA food shelf (Southern Anoka Community Assistance).
Christ the King Lutheran Church singles group meeting: “Music of all ages, for people of all ages,” 5:30 p.m. at the church, 1900 Seventh St. N.W., New Brighton. Info: lifeatctk.org.
Monday, Dec. 17
Family Table meal, 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 61 Mississippi Way N.E., Fridley. The church serves a free meal, open to the public, the third Monday of the month at the Fridley campus. Info: redeemermn.org or 763-574-7445.
Tuesday, Dec. 18
Full Bloom presentation, 2 p.m. at Crest View Senior Communities, 4444 Reservoir Blvd. N.E., Columbia Heights. The event will be in the fellowship hall and is free and open to the public. This month’s theme is “Christmas Around the World.” Info: 763-782-1634 (Molly).
Saturday, Dec. 22
Grocery bagging fundraiser, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. p.m. at Cub Foods, 3930 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony. Members of the Patriots Marching Band from the St. Anthony-New Brighton School District will bag groceries as a fundraiser for the students’ summer trip in 2013. Donations and tips will be used to fund student accounts.
