Celebrate the season with the annual Parade of Lights

In the Spotlight 16th Annual Parade of Lights, Sat., Dec. 13, parade viewing time is 7:45- 8:15 p.m. at Dutch Gap Boat Landing, 441 Coxendale Road, and 8-8:30 p.m. at the bluff at Henricus Historical Park, 251 Henricus Park Road. Other viewing locations are available in Richmond and Henrico County. There will be additional entertainment at Henricus starting at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. Watch as brightly decorated boats travel down the James River. This year's theme is "Saluting Our Military on the Historic James." Sponsored by the James River Advisory Council. For more information and directions, visit www.jamesriveradvisorycouncil.com or call 717-6681.

Thurs., Dec. 11

Huguenot Little League spring online registration, through Feb. 18. Register early to ensure placement for baseball, softball, tee ball and challenger divisions. For more information, visit www.hllball.org.

Gardening for Winter Interest, 2-4 p.m., Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Drive. The landscape can be just as appealing in winter as in other seasons. This program will provide great ideas for winter garden gazing. Sponsored by the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Free, but registration is required. For more information or to register, call 751- 4401.

Books & Bites Book Discussion Group, 10:30-11:30 a.m., LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Road. "New England White" by Stephen L. Carter will be discussed. For more information, call 276-7755.

Holiday concert, 7 p.m., Matoaca High School, 17700 Longhouse Lane. The jazz band, concert band, five choirs, guitar ensemble and orchestra will perform. Tickets are $5. For more information, call Brad Berkley at 590-3108 ext. 258.

Holiday concert, 7 p.m., Thomas Dale High School, 3626 W. Hundred Road. The Performing Arts Department will present a winter choral and orchestra concert. Tickets are $5. For more information, call 768-6245.

Creating Holiday Crafts with Greenery from the Garden, 7-9 p.m., Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Drive. Decorating resources are right in your backyard! Includes a small-craft demo on ways to use greenery for holiday décor. Sponsored by the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Free, but registration is required. For more information or to register, call 751-4401.

Motivators Toastmasters, 7:15-8:30 p.m., Central Library, 9501 Lori Road. Develop and improve your communication and leadership skills. For more information, e-mail info@motivators.freetoasthost.com or call Paul at 605-1317.

Fri., Dec. 12

Bon Air Rotary weekly meeting, 7:30- 8:30 a.m., Joe's Inn at Bon Air, 6212 Buford Rd. For more information, call Cora Huitt, 339-3826.

Home Staging: Preparing to Sell Your Home, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Chester Library, 11800 Centre Street. This class will feature ways for sellers to prepare and show a home for sale. Cost is $50. For more information, call Jackie Maclin at 748-1123.

Alcoholics Anonymous weekly meeting, 1 p.m., CJW Medical Center, Johnston-Willis campus, 1401 Johnston-Willis Drive, Atrium Conference Room. A program for people who want to stop drinking or need support on the road to recovery. For information, call 330- 2000.

Holiday concert, 7 p.m., Chester Presbyterian Church, 3424 W. Hundred Road. The Clover Hill High School chorus will perform. Tickets are $5. For more information, call 739-6230.

Holiday concert, 7:30 p.m., Cosby High School, 14300 Fox Club Parkway. The Titan Band, percussion and jazz ensembles will perform. Tickets are $5. For more information, call 639-8340 ext. 8421.

Sat., Dec. 13

Let's Make a Hiking Stick, 10-11:30 a.m., Pocahontas State Park Nature Center, 10301 State Park Road. Enjoy a guided nature hike and craft a personalized hiking stick. Cost is $3/person or $8/family. Registration required. For more information, call 796-4255.

Santa Paws - Chesterfield Humane, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., PetSmart, 12264 Chattanooga Plaza (in the Wal-Mart shopping center on Hull Street Road). Come and have your pet's picture taken with Santa. Benefits the Chesterfield Humane Society.

Holiday Happening, 7 p.m., Brandermill Church, 4500 Millridge Parkway. This Virginia Arts Partners annual event features actors, dancers and musicians from Swift Creek Academy of the Performing Arts. There will be fun door prizes to benefit the scholarship fund. Tickets are $10/adults, $8/seniors (60+), $5/children (12 and under).Tickets are on sale at Swift Creek Academy of the Performing Arts and also will be available at the door. For more information, call 744-2801.

Holiday Spectacular, 7 p.m., Chesterfield Towne Center Food Court, Midlothian Turnpike and Huguenot Road. This holiday concert and sing-a-long features the Central Virginia Wind Symphony, comprised of high school musicians under the direction of Mike Goldberg. Guest soloist is Al Regni, principal saxophonist of the New York Philharmonic and adjunct professor of saxophone at Virginia Commonwealth University. Free. For more information, call Don Talley at 342-8797 or e-mail cvawindsymphony@gmail.com.

Sun., Dec. 14

Whitewater kayak rolling clinic, 8-11 a.m., YMCA Manchester, 7540 Hull Street Road. Learn and practice kayak rolling during the off season. Minimum age is 13. Previous kayaking instruction is required. Cost is $35 ($40 with rental). Sponsored by Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, call Greg Velzy at 748- 1124.

Santa Paws - Chesterfield Humane. See listing under Dec. 13.

Santa Paws - Richmond Animal League, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., PetSmart, 1276 CarMia Way. Have a pet's picture taken with Santa. Richmond Animal League receives a donation for every photo package sold. For more information, call 379-0046.

Christmas parade, 2 p.m., Route 10 starting at Chester YMCA up to Chester Village Green. This year's theme is "Up on the Housetop." This annual event is sponsored by the Chester Kiwanis. For more information, visit www.chesterkiwanis.org.

Mon., Dec. 15

Christmas Celebration Potluck, noon-2 p.m., Bensley Community Building, 2900 Drewry's Bluff Road. Celebrate the sounds of the season and bring a favorite dish to share. Free. Sponsored by Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, call David Potter at 275-5321.

Chester Kiwanis weekly meeting, 6:30-8 p.m., RiteAid Drug Store's Community Conference Room, 4408 W. Hundred Road. For more information, contact Dixon Handwerk, 748-3690, or e-mail webmaster@chesterkiwanis.org.

Chesterfield Toastmasters meeting, 6:30- 8 p.m., LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Road. Toastmasters International teaches public speaking and leadership skills. For more information, contact Janet Fox, 519-1008, or visit www.district66.org.

Chick Lit Book Discussion Group, 7-8 p.m., LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Road. "Ask Again Later" by Jill A. Davis will be discussed. For more information, call 276-7755.

Tues., Dec. 16

Rotary Club of Midlothian meeting, 7:30 a.m., Holiday Inn Select, 1021 Koger Center Blvd. For more information, call Jeff Martin, 869-3435.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) Open House, 9:45 a.m., Bethia United Methodist Church, 10700 Winterpock Road. MOPS is a program for stay-at-home mothers of preschoolers. Childcare is provided at meetings. For more information, call 347-9901.

Holiday music program, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Chester Library, 11800 Centre St. Celebrate the sounds of the season as the Joy Singers entertain with traditional holiday music. Refreshments will be served, and registration is not required. Part of the Get in the Know series for adults ages 55 and older. Sponsored by the Friends of Chesterfield County Public Library and the Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, call 717-6381.

Book discussion group, 11 a.m.-noon, Enon Library, 1801 Enon Church Road. "March" by Geraldine Brooks will be discussed. For more information, call 530-3403.

Kiwanis Club of Chesterfield weekly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Independence Golf Club, 600 Founders Bridge Blvd. The mission of the Kiwanis Club is to serve the community, primarily focusing on children and youth. For more information, visit www.kiwanisofchesterfield.org.

Planning commission meeting, 7 p.m., County Administration Building, 10001 Iron Bridge Road, Public Meeting Room. For information, call 748-1050.

Compiled by Anne Dalton

Have a special event coming up? Please e-mail your calendar items to calendar@chesterfieldobserver.com, mail them to P.O. Box 1616, Midlothian VA 23113, or fax them to 744-3269. Please include a contact name and number with your announcements.