Friday, Dec. 7

The American Legion Stallings-Williams Post 206 will host an informal dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, on Route 260 in Chesapeake Beach, in the lower-level dining room. Commander Jack will whip up one of his world-famous dinners with all the trimmings. Cost is $10 and includes salad and beverage. For more information, call 301-855-6466.

The American Chestnut Land Trust will host a greens sale prep day and wreath-making workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Warrior’s Rest Sanctuary in Port Republic. Pay $25 to make at least two wreaths, one of which can be taken home, or donate all handmade wreaths to the sale and join for free. Lunch is provided for all registered participants. Call 410-414-3400 to register.

Garden In Lights will start from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and run through Jan. 1, 2013, on scheduled nights at Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center. This award-winning outdoor light show features superheroes, wild animals, airplaines, pirates, princesses, dinosaurs, outer space and more, and includes entertainment, exhibits, the annual ornament show and sale, sweet treats, hot chocolate and coffee, special discounts, shopping opportunities and fun activities. Admission is free for members and children 4 and under, $6 for all others. It will be closed the evenings of Dec. 10, 11, 12, 24 and 25. For more information about special nights and nightly entertainment, go to www.annmariegarden.org, or call 410-326-4640.

The Solomons Christmas Walk will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8. Shop for the holidays at the Calvert Marine Museum store and enjoy live entertainment, crafts, refreshments and a visit from Santa and the otter. The event is free. CMM members save 20 percent all weekend, and the museum will be free and open to the public both days for an extended First Free Friday event.

Artwork by students at Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Solomons will be on display at the Calvert Marine Museum during the Solomons Christmas Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, and will be displayed in the museum lobby through Jan. 1. See works of watercolor, paper and collage.

Calvert Memorial Hospital and the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, in classrooms 1 and 2, which are located in the KeepWell Center in the basement of the hospital. There is a critical need for blood. To make a lifesaving donation, call 410-535-8233 or 301-855-1012, ext. 8233.

There will be a Small Business Resource Day from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 7, at the College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick Campus. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Baltimore District Office will hold an open house to showcase programs and services that can help with development and growth of local small businesses. The free event will feature local resource partners, and panelists will speak about business assistance programs. Afterward, there will be an information trade fair to provide an opportunity to learn more about individual organizations. The event is free, but space is limited. Advance online registration is recommended. For more information, contact Arnette Carter at 410-962-6195, ext. 338, or l.carter@sba.gov.

Get a free First Friday behind-the-scenes tour of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. Get up close and personal with conservators and collections. For more information, call 410-586-8501, or email jppm@mdp.state.md.us.

The College of Southern Maryland Connections Literary Series: Fall 2012 Connections Magazine Publication Reading will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the La Plata Campus Center for Business and Industry, Dr. John Sine Room BI-103-104. Contributors to the fall magazine issue will read and discuss their published works. Books are available at any CSM college store.

The College of Southern Maryland Jazz Ensemble Concert will start at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the La Plata Campus Fine Arts Center. Comprised of members of the community, professional musicians, high school and college students, Solid Brass will perform. Individual tickets are $5 in advance or $7 day of concert. Email BxOffc@csmd.edu, call 301-934-7828 or go to www.csmd.edu/Arts.

The Southern Maryland Audubon Society will host a field trip from 8 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Myrtle Point Park, St. Mary’s County. This annual event attempts to “call out” the resident owls at a local park. Meet in front of the park gates and attempt to attract owls by having them respond to recorded calls. Event is weather dependant; rain or high winds will result in cancellation. For more information, contact leader Bob Boxwell at 410-610-5124 or bobboxwell@hotmail.com.

Saturday, Dec. 8

F.U.E.L. Youth Rally, a free youth event for grades 8 through 12, will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Patuxent High School, sponsored by F.U.E.L., which stands for Fire, Unite, Empowerment and Leadership. This faith-based event will feature live music, speakers, pizza, door prizes and an opportunity for students to earn service learning credit hours. For more information, call 443-684-1704.

The third annual Artwalk in Prince Frederick will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, featuring live performances and special arts exhibits at local galleries, shopping and holiday fun. This event showcases businesses in Prince Frederick from Church Street to Main Street, on Duke Street and in the Prince Frederick Shopping Center. For more information, go to http://artwalkprincefrederick.org.

The Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis 5K will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Solomons Holiday Inn Conference Center and Marina. Runners may tie jingle bells to their shoes or wear a holiday costume.

There will be a country dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the American Legion Stallings-Williams Post 206 on Route 260 in Chesapeake Beach, in the upper level ballroom. Teachers will be available to give one-hour lessons starting at 7 p.m. Cost is $15 and includes soft drinks or draft beer and light munchies. For more information, call 301-855-6466.

Northern High School Music Booster’s annual Holiday Craft Fair will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at NHS. Fair includes a wide variety of unique crafts and gift items for the entire family from more than 60 vendors. Take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $3 per adult 18 years or older (includes two door prize raffle tickets), and free for anyone under 18. Concessions are available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the NHS instrumental music program.

The American Chestnut Land Trust will host a Greens Sale and Beach Hayride from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Purchase fresh cut evergreens for hoilday decorations, drink hot cider and take a hayride to the beach. The sale benefits Warrior’s Rest Sanctuary.

The Solomons Christmas Walk and Lighted Boat Parade will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Shop for the holidays at the Calvert Marine Museum store and enjoy live entertainment, crafts, refreshments and a visit from Santa and the otter. For the boat parade, all boats of any size, shape or make are welcome to decorate the starboard side and show off their holiday spirit. Prizes will be awarded. Go to www.solomonsmaryland.com for more information or to register.

All Saints’ Episcopal Church will host its sixth annual Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, on the corner of routes 2 and 4 in Sunderland. The event will feature two floors of craftspeople to help with Christmas shopping, baked goodies, gourmet cocoa and gluhwein. There is no admission cost, and the event will happen rain, snow or shine. Proceeds benefit the parish and community projects.

The Southern Maryland Mustang Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Kmart parking lot in Prince Frederick. The club will depart in a convoy of vehicles with a police escort at about 11:30 a.m. to the Toys for Tots delivery point at the American Legion in Chesapeake Beach. For more information, contact Paul Robeson at 301-997-3259 or robescope@comcast.net, or Tom Billings at 443-670-4213.

The CalvART Gallery will hold a holiday opening for “Gifts of a Lifetime” from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. It’s a show featuring small gifts just in time and just perfect for the holidays. A raffle basket full of gifts and stocking stuffers will be awarded to one lucky attendee. For more information, go to www.calvartgallery.org, or call 410-535-9252.

Waters Memorial United Methodist Church will hold its annual Christmas concert from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at 5400 Mackall Road, St. Leonard. It will feature The Unclouded Day, the choirs from Trinity UMC and Huntingtown UMC, Fathers & Sons, Shorty Kirby and Katie Trego, among others. Refreshments will follow in the Fellowship Hall. For more information, call 410-586-1716.

Volunteers are needed for the Point Farm Garden Restoration from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 8, at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. Point Farm was the country retreat of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Patterson. In 1983, Mrs. Patterson donated the property to the state in honor of her late husband, creating JPPM. Join the JPPM Garden Club to recreate the splendor of the main house gardens using original plans of noted landscape architect Rose Greely. For more information, call 410-586-8578, or email bseifert@mdp.state.md.us.

The Astronomy Club of Southern Maryland will meet at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum for discussions and night sky observations. For more information, call 301-602-5251, or email tom_dugan@hotmail.com.

The 36th annual Christmas Bazaar at the Deale Volunteer Fire Department will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at 6007 Drum Point Road, Deale. There will be vendors, crafters, baked goods, free coffee, door prizes and lunch featuring homemade soup and chili. Santa will arrive at noon with treats for kids. Table rentals are $25; contact Martha at 410-867-2439, or go to www.deale42.com.

The Chesapeake Choral Arts Society, COSMIC Symphony and guest soloist Jennifer Cooper will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Patuxent Presbyterian Church in California, Md. Maestro Michael Santana will conduct and, under the direction of Vladimir Lande, the chorus and musicians will perform “Gloria” and selections from Handel’s “Messiah.” Pay admission at the door.

The College of Southern Maryland Latin Ensemble Concert will start at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the La Plata Campus Fine Arts Center. Ritmo Caché, the CSM Latin Ensemble, will perform. The concert will feature a new composition by composer Brian Scott and will focus on the music of Latin pop stars Selena, Esquivel and Ruben Blades. Individual tickets are $5 in advance or $7 day of concert. Email BxOffc@csmd.edu, call 301-934-7828 or go to www.csmd.edu/Arts.

Sunday, Dec. 9

The Bayside Baptist Church Christmas Concert will start at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3009 East Chesapeake Beach Road, Chesapeake Beach. Celebrate the Christmas season with a special concert presentation by the Bayside Baptist Worship Choir, “And on Earth Peace.” For more information, call 410-257-0712, or go to www.baysidebaptist.com.

A bone marrow donor drive will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department for Adam Lumpkins, a 5 year old who has been fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia and who needs a bone marrow transplant and must find a donor. Be The Match is sponsoring the event and will test volunteers age 18 to 44. “Praying for Adam” shirts and baked goods will also be for sale to raise money for Adam. For more information, go to www.bethematch.org, or email ecaswell79@gmail.com.

There will be a free Children’s Christmas Party from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, in the upper level hall of the American Legion Stallings-Williams Post 206 in Chesapeake Beach, hosted by the Auxiliary. All are welcome. For more information, call 301-855-6466.

Join the American Chestnut Land Trust for a hiking trail maintenance day from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. Help work on the new Prince Frederick to the Bay Trail, connecting ACLT’s existing north side trails to St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Prince Frederick. Dress warm for the weather and bring work gloves. Call 410-414-3400 to register.

The Calvert Marine Museum invites members only to its Yule Party from noon to 4 p.m., featuring a visit from Santa and Squeak the otter, cookie decorating, good food and entertainment, including clowns Blondi and Bunky. The museum will be closed to the public, but the store will be open to all visitors from 10:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The Chesapeake Choral Arts Society, COSMIC Symphony and guest soloist Jennifer Cooper will perform at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at College of Southern Maryland La Plata Campus. Maestro Michael Santana will conduct and, under the direction of Vladimir Lande, the chorus and musicians will perform “Gloria” and selections from Handel’s “Messiah.” Pay admission at the door. Purchase tickets at the door, or call 301-642-0594.

Monday, Dec. 10

A Monday Memories Tour of Point Farm will be at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. All are welcome to enjoy the memories of Calvert County, the Patterson family, JPPM or those who once worked the land that is now JPPM. The public is welcome to share stories or listen to the memories of others. Point Farm was the country retreat of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Patterson. For more information, call 410-586-8501, or go to www.jefpat.org.

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau will host a holiday card class for girls of all ages from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10. Cost is $5. Sign up to create a few holiday cards and other gift items. Mothers and daughters, or girls of any age who want to get creative, are invited to sign up with Donda at dwaite@tcysb.org, or call 301-645-1837.

Tuesday, Dec. 11

Calvert County Parks and Recreation Northern Area will host a Reindeer Round Up from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Northeast Community Center. Fee is $3. For more information, call 410-257-2554.

The American Legion Stallings-Williams Post 206 will host a Casual Tuesday Dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, on Route 260 in Chesapeake Beach, in the lower-level dining room. Under the supervision of Chef Clarisse, the menu will include overstuffed sandwiches or subs and soup or beef stew. Cost is $10 and includes a beverage. For more information, call 301-855-6466.

The Calvert Marine Museum will present Sea Squirts-Terrific Turtles from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. The free drop-in program is for children 18 months to 3 years and their caregivers. The Discovery Room has lots of new reptilian residents, and program attendees will be introduced to several special turtles.

The Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch will host an ereader event, “Downloading Books using Overdrive” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. Librarians will explain how digital rights management works for library ebooks and will teach participants how to download those books to their devices. Call 301-855-1862 to register.

Wednesday, Dec. 12

Dinner with Santa will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Northeast Community Center. Cost is $5. Preregistration is required. For more information, call 410-257-2554.

Friendship United Methodist Church’s Senior Ministry will host a trip to see “A Christmas Carol” at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C., at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. Cost is $85. For more information, call 410-257-7133.