Community Calendar

All calendar items submitted will run as space permits.

Cedar Hill

Saturday, Dec. 12

Researching Health Topics

This seminar will explain why it is important to evaluate health related web sites before making health decisions. It will provide a list of reliable web sites and walk you through using some of them. For more information, contact the library at 972-291-7323 ext. 1311. It will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Meeting Room at the Zula Wylie Library, 225 Cedar St. in Cedar Hill.

DeSoto

Wednesday, Dec. 16

Retired Teacher’s Meeting

The monthly meeting of South Dallas Retired School Personnel will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 16. The meeting will be at the Desoto Conference Center, 200 E. Beltline Rd., at 10 a.m. The program "Challenging Soul" will be presented by the Upswing Stage Band. Members are reminded to bring a covered dish and a toy for needy children. All retired school personnel are invited to attend. For further information please call 214-546-2504.

Ellis County

Dec. 21 - 31

Advantage Basketball camps

Advantage basketball camps is now excepting registration for winter camp/Christmas break 2009 camp for the local kids. Locate in multiple cities including Plano at Bowman Middle Schools Dec. 28 – 31; Lewisville at The MAC Dec. 21 – 23; Arlington at the Borton Academy Dec 28 – 31. Camps will run from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. For more information visit www.advantgebasketball.com or call 425-670-8877.

Ennis

Wednesday, Dec. 9

MAAG to meet

On Wednesday, Dec. 9 the MAAG will meet in Memorial Hall of First United Methodist Church in Ennis in celebration of Christmas. There will be a covered dish lunch served at 11:30 a.m., music presented by Kristi Copeland on her harp and a gift exchange between those who bring a gift costing no more than $5. So, bring a favorite salad, veggie or dessert, a gift costing no more than $5 and enjoy a MAAG Christmas. For more information call 972-875-7491 or 972-878-4069.

Saturday, Dec. 19

Book Signing

Ennis native, E.P. Garth, will hold a book signing for his book, Off the Air: A Pat Cassidy Novel, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., at the Kolache Depot Bakery, 114 W. Brown St. Copies of the book will also be available.

Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa will be hosted by the EHS Lionettes and Paw Power Booster Club from 8 – 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church Family Life center in Ennis. A pancake and sausage breakfast will be served. Tickets are $6 an adult and $4 for children. Santa will be present to take pictures with the children (cost of picture will be a separate fee) and Mrs. Claus will host storytelling. For tickets see any EHS Lionette. For more information please contact Elizabeth Wester at 972-935-7005.

Thursday, Dec. 31

Sokol New Year’s Eve Party & Dance

This New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. the music and festivities kick off at the Sokol activity center located at 2622 E Hwy 34 in Ennis. The admission is $10 per person, children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Come out and have a great time, while supporting the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. For reservations call 972-979-5987.

Parents Day Out

Parents Day Out hosted by the EHS Lionettes and Paw Power Booster Club from 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Ennis. Ages 3 and up are welcome. Cost is $20 per child and will include lunch, crafts, games, movies, snack and a ton of fun. For more information please contact Elizabeth Wester at 972-935-7005.

Midlothian

Every Tuesday

Cub Scout Pack 229 meeting

The Cub Scout Pack 229 is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Midlothian, 800 South 9^th Street and meet there every Tuesday at 7 p.m. For more information call Cubmaster David Barrington at 214-563-3726.

Red Oak

Every Wednesday

Red Oak Public Library Story Time

The Red Oak Public Library will hold Story Time every Wednesday of each month from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12

Santa Claus is coming to town

You are invited to the city of Red Oak parks and recreation’s Christmas Downtown Red Oak on Dec. 12. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. and will end in the Main St. Plaza. Activities in Main St. Plaza will follow afterwards. For more information contact Lauren Whatley at 469-218-1202.

Saturday, Jan. 2

Attention ROHS Soccer Alumni

Red Oak High School will be holding the annual Alumni Soccer games for both the men and women’s teams. The men will play on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 6:30 p.m. The women will play on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 7:15 p.m. All former players are invited to compete with the current Varisty Teams. For more information contact Coach Kutch at trent.kutch@redoakisd.org (for the men) or Dorothy.crawford@redoak isd.org (for the women).

Waxahachie

Friday, Dec. 11

Cowboy Santa

"Cowboy Santa" is at the Roger’s Hotel in historic downtown Waxahachie. Bring the kids by to get their pictures taken with Santa this Friday from 6 – 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 – 7 p.m. There will also be carriage rides each night.

Wednesday, Dec. 16

It’s a Party

Junior Teens, ages 11 – 12, will celebrate the holidays with a Grinch Gift Exchange on Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 4 – 5 p.m. If you wish to participate in the gift exchange please bring a wrapped $3 - $5 gift. You may also bring snacks for all to enjoy.

Thursday, Dec. 17

The Junior Teen Book Club at Sims Library meets on Thursday, Dec. 17, from 5 – 6 p.m. in the Teen Room. This month we are discussing Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. For ages 11 – 12. The Sims Library Teen Book Club is meeting on Thursday, Dec. 17 from 6 – 7 p.m. in the Teen Room. This month we are discussing the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. For ages 13 – 18.

Saturday, Dec. 19

Teen Movie Saturday at the Sims Library is Dec. 19 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, and Peter Gallagher star in this charming story of a lonely Chicago transit worker who rescues her dream man from certain death at the hands of a speeding train. Come enjoy popcorn and a movie to celebrate the holidays.

Wednesday, Dec. 23

Sims Library Teens, ages 13 – 18, will celebrate the holidays with a Grinch Gift Exchange on Wednesday, Dec. 23 from 4 – 5 p.m. If you wish to participate in the gift exchange please bring wrapped $3 - $5 gift. You may also bring snacks for all to enjoy.

Tuesday evenings

The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Explorers for youth 15-20 are meeting on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the Ellis County Sheriff’s office. Anyone who would like to know more call 972-921-4400.

Tuesdays

Story hour at Sims Library will be every Tuesday from 10 - 11 a.m. following the WISD schedule. Waxahachie Junior Service League volunteers share stories and crafts for children ages 2 and under. Check out www.simslib.org for November’s themes. Any questions please call 972-937-2671.

Wednesdays

Toddler Time at Sims Library will be every Wednesday from 10 - 10:20 a.m. following the WISD schedule. Waxahachie Junior Service League volunteers provide songs and stories for children ages 2 and under. Check out www.simslib.org for November’s themes. Any questions please call 972-937-2671.

Fridays

For several years, Sims Library has offered chess on Friday afternoons for area youth. They are now adding different game to this fun time at the library. Along with chess and checkers, participants will be able to play Sorry, Uno, Skip-bo and Boggle. If you have a favorite game, bring it along. Ages 10 and under play from 3 – 4 p.m. and ages 11 – 18 play from 4 – 5 p.m. every Friday afternoon.

Saturday, Dec. 12

Santa will be paying a visit to Sims on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Share stories and free Christmas treats! Children must be accompanied by adults and remember to dring your cameras. This free program is sponsored by the friends of the library, Any questions, please call 972-937-2671.