• Celebrate the shortest day of the year with the Pennsy Solstice Walk and Celebration on Friday, Dec. 20 at 5:30 p.m. Light the night by decorating a lantern of your own making (or purchase) at Coal Yard Coffee, 4334 Bonna Ave., while sipping hot chocolate or coffee. Participants are encouraged to get creative, but no real fire (candles) should be used. at 6 p.m., the parade of lanterns will take off from Coal Yard Coffee and journey down the trail to Red Barn Arts Collective for the Winter Solstice Celebration that will include food, drink, music, and solstice-related crafts and activities for the whole family. Register in advance at bit.ly/pennsysolsticewalk
• The 6th annual Rivoli Park Winter Solstice event will be happening at the Rivoli Park Labyrinth on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. The Rivoli Park Labyrinth is located at 943 N Kealing Ave. Please park in the back of the lot off the alley which can be accessed via Kealing Ave. This free, family friendly Winter Solstice celebration will have refreshments, song, dance, and an activity to honor the solstice in which we “welcome in and let go.” You may also walk the labyrinth if you wish. The event will be outdoors, so dress appropriately.
• The Alternative Gift Fair will be open on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Irving Theatre, 5505 E. Washington. There are lots of local artisans and craftspeople at this nice holiday fair.
• The entire community is invited to attend the naturalization ceremony at Central Library’s Clowes Auditorium on Wednesday, ec. 18 at 10 a.m. Individuals will be taking the Oath of Allegiance to become naturalized citizens of the United States. Help welcome our newest citizens!
• Upcoming neighborhood meetings: Spades Park meets Monday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Spades Park Library, 1801 Nowland Ave.). Little Flower meets Tuesday, Dec. 17 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Little Flower Church, 4720 E. 13th St. Emerson Heights meets Thursday, Dec. 19 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Wallace United Methodist, 4805 E. 10th St. Otterbein meets Thursday, Dec. 19 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Otterbein UMC, 5009 E. 21st.
• Did you know that there is a Career Explorer Cafe every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the Boner Fitness and Learning Center, 727 N. Oriental St.? Residents can explore options for a career, college, and service. Dinner will be served from 5:00-6:30 p.m. and exploration activity will be held afterwards. The program is free.
• Eligible teachers can shop at the pop-up Teachers’ Treasures at Creston Intermediate & Middle School, 10925 E. Prospect St. on Dec. 17-19 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. The Teachers’ Treasures on East 10th St. is temporarily closed for renovations but will reopen on Jan. 6 at :30 p.m.
• Congratulations to Naomi Schoff from Arsenal Tech for placing third in the 2019 IPS Holiday Art Contest! Naomi’s mom Becky Wilson teaches art, so it must be in the genes!