Holiday Fest 2014 set for Dec. 5

All are invited to attend this year’s Holiday Fest 2014 celebration at Mill Creek Park in South Portland from 4:30-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.

Hosted by volunteers ranging from city employees to members of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Community Chamber of Commerce and the Waterfront Market Association, Holiday Fest is fun for all ages.

Enjoy pizza, hotdogs, popcorn and hot chocolate while listening to Christmas carols sung by the South Portland High School and middle school chorus students. Take the kids to visit Santa at City Hall or on a horse drawn carriage ride through the park, but don’t forget to stick around for the Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. The Master of Ceremonies for this year’s event will be Erin Ovalle and Meghan Torjussen from WMTW News 8.

Free to the public, Holiday Fest has been the city’s annual tradition for more than 20 years. For more information about the event, visit www.portlandregion.com.

Historical society offers Bug Light ornament

This year the South Portland Historical Society is offering a special Christmas ornament depicting the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, which is more affectionately known as Bug Light.

Each ornament is cast in a durable metal with a beautiful brass finish, and comes in a protective cloth bag with a card outlining the lighthouse’s history. The ornaments are $20 each and all proceeds benefit the historical society.

The ornaments are available at Broadway Variety or at the Cushing’s Point Museum, which is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Jolly Snowman Fair at Cape church

The Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church will hold its annual Jolly Snowman Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 6, and 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7.

The fair includes crafts, needlework, baked goods, attic treasures, wreaths, candy, novelty gifts, jewelry, candles and more. On Saturday lobster roll luncheon will be held, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The menu also includes hot dogs and vegetarian chili. To pre-order wreaths and lobster rolls, visit www.ceumc.org.

See www.pinterest.com/CEJollySnowman or call 799-8396 for more information about the fair.

Storm for a Cure holds can drive

On Saturday, Nov. 29, and Dec. 6, members of the Storm for a Cure Club at Scarborough High School will hold a bottle drive fundraiser.

All proceeds from this event will go to the Maine Cancer Foundation. To participate, just leave your returnables on your porch or in the driveway either day of the fundraiser. Call the high school at 730-5000 for more information.

CodeRED updated

The Scarborough Police Department has upgraded its CodeRED system. Residents wishing to take part in this emergency notification system should go online to https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/FD1429CD50B3 to sign up or for more information.

The CodeRED emergency calling system is a high-speed way to quickly notify residents and businesses in a geographic area of a potential hazardous situation, a missing or endangered person, evacuation notices and other important public safety notices like parking bans and school closings.

The system is capable of making 60,000 calls per hour. A town-wide alert may take 15 minutes and a localized one could take only a couple.

Pancake breakfast at Hiram Lodge

On Saturday, Dec. 6, 9-11 a.m., the Hiram Lodge in South Portland will host its monthly pancake breakfast. The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for kids under 12. All proceeds will benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation. The lodge is located at 29 E St.

Make handmade greeting cards

On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m., the South Portland Public Library will host the third program in its new Artsy Afternoons adult crafting program.

Attendees will learn to create beautiful cards out of arrangements of pressed leaves and flowers. These unique cards make great holidays gifts and can also be framed for permanent display. This two-hour craft session is free and open to the public and requires no experience and no materials.

Space is limited to 20 participants per workshop and pre-registration is required. Library cardholders will get priority. Registration is open one week prior to the program. Register online at http://southportlandlibrary.com, in person, or by calling 767-7660.

Financial aid night at SPHS

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m., South Portland High School will host a college financial aid information night in the lecture hall. The guest speaker is Michael Bartini, the director of student aid at Bowdoin College.

Bartini has more than 30 years of experience in financial aid including eight years as director of financial aid at Brown University and five years with The College Board.

This workshop is designed to provide information regarding the financial aid process and completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is a great opportunity for families who have never been through the college application process. Contact the guidance office at 767-7706 for more information.

Dog licensing required

All dog licenses in Maine expire on Dec. 31, so now’s the time to either register a new dog or renew the license for your canine companions.

All dogs need to be licensed upon reaching the age of 6 months in the town where the owner resides. The communities of Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and South Portland all offer online licensing at www1.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/dog_license/index.pl.

The licensing fees are used to support the work of local animal control officers and state humane agents, which include investigation of animal cruelty complaints and enforcement of animal welfare laws.

Those licensing their dogs will require a current rabies vaccination certificate issued by a Maine veterinarian, along with an accurate description of their dog, including the dog’s name, breed, sex and color.

The licensing fee is $11 for fertile dogs and $6 for dogs that have been spayed or neutered. Those renewing a dog license should also provide their current license number. Those who no longer have a dog should notify their local municipal clerk.

Chaya Studio to host holiday art sale

Local jewelry artist Chaya Caron, owner of Chaya Studio Jewelry, located at 22 Cottage Road in South Portland, will host a holiday art show Tuesday-Saturday, Dec. 5-23, from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

The show is meant to encourage sales of locally made art and support Portland’s creative economy. A portion of proceeds will support Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southern Maine.

Caron has teamed up with an array of well-known area artists, including Peter Turner (hand-crafted furniture), Lisa Ferreira Jones of Ember Grove (specialty lighting and handmade papers), Gryffon Ridge Spice Merchant (handcrafted spice blends), Heather Kelly of Nail It Art (mixed media art and Ts), and will transform her studio into a festive holiday art sale. Attendees will find carefully selected handmade items ranging from $5 to $500, making it a holiday shopping destination for locally produced gifts.

Sam Beal, director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine said, “Chaya Caron not only makes lovely jewelry, but also gives back every year by supporting mentors for kids facing adversity in our community.”

On Dec. 5 from 4:30-9 p.m., a kick-off reception is scheduled to coincide with the WinterFest tree lighting in South Portland. It will include exclusive event pricing, door prizes and a holiday raffle. Attendees also will enjoy treats, sweets and cocktails from event sponsors Shipyard Export, Little Bigs and Verbena Cafe and Catering.

For more information, call 221-6552.