What's Happening (12-15-11)

THURSDAY

MUSIC:

Open acoustic jam night. Thursdays at the Nelsonville Eagles Lodge bar.

Musicians Open Stage. Every Thursday at Donkey Coffee from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Maplewood Tavern holds an open stage every Thursday night at 9.

Every Thursday evening Zach Parkman & Jeremy Wright will be performing an acoustic set at Casa Lopez Mexican restaurant at 1017 E. State St. from 6-9 p.m.

Jackie O's will be closed to the public on Thursday, Dec. 15.

Gas House Gorillas. 8 p.m. Court Street Grill, Pomeroy.

ART:

"Photographic Images: A Local to Global Perspective on Critical Issues Affecting Our Planet and Its People." Kennedy Museum of Art. Through Dec. 22.

Starbrick Cooperative Gallery presents A Starbrick Alternative Holiday. The co-op artists of Starbrick will present new work with gift giving in mind. This show runs through Dec. 24. 5-10 p.m.

Hocking College Art Gallery presents Holiday Student Art Show featuring ceramic and glass art and gifts, and photography from the Hocking College art students. This show runs trough Dec. 17.

Spirit of an Appalachian Region: Contemporary Artists Reflect on Southeast Ohio. Majestic Galleries presents the second viewing of this show, formerly at the OSU Urban Arts Space in downtown Columbus. The show will close on Dec. 18.

"Another Language Altogether: Posters Celebrating the Poems of Wendy McVicker." Stuart's Opera House Gallery 1879. Through Jan. 17.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Supper: Weekly free supper sponsored by UCM: Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice. 5:30 p.m. at UCM, 18 N. College St. Open to everyone, no questions asked. 593-7301. (Volunteers are needed, and donations are welcome with advance notice.)

Free Food: The Nelsonville Community Center provides a free breakfast to anyone under 18 Monday through Friday at 9 a.m.

Childhood Immunizations: Every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-5:30 p.m. in Parks Hall room 014, OU. OU-COM Community Health Programs' Childhood Immunization Program. Free to all area children from birth through 18. Bring your child's previous shot records. 1-800-844-2654.

Holiday Trail of Lights: Annual event held at Lake Hope State Park and featuring 75,000 lights and animated displays, decorated trees, landscape lighting and holiday music, along with a quarter-mile trail near the park's nature center. The lights run every night through Dec. 31. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides 6-9 p.m. on Saturday. No reservation required but donations encouraged.

Food Drive: The Athens City Auditor's Office, the Athens Community Center and the Athens Local Professional Artists and Craftsmen Association (ALPACA) are coordinating the city's fifth annual food drive to benefit the local Salvation Army through Friday, Dec. 16. Drop-off bins are located in the Auditor's office, City Hall, the Community Center and the Code Enforcement office on Curran Drive, Athens. The Salvation Army is accepting all non-perishable food items; however, they are in need of the following: soups, canned tuna, pork 'n beans, canned vegetables, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, crackers, mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise. For info or for local pick-up, call Kathy Hecht, Athens City Auditor, at 592-3336.

NAMI Support group: For loved ones of those diagnosed with a mental illness. 6 p.m. at Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare.

Community Meal and Toy Giveaway: This year, Christ Community Wesleyan Church is offering families free toys. After six years of collecting gently used toys for local ministries, including Good Works, the church's Outreach Team will offer toys after its community meal. Parents may select a toy for each family member, and volunteers wrap the toys and add a gift tag. Families interested in selecting a toy may attend the community meal at 5:30 p.m. at Christ Community Wesleyan Church, Rt. 50/32, near Albany. 698-2292 for info.

FRIDAY

MUSIC:

Open Stage. Every Friday at 9 p.m. in the Front Room, OU.

Steve Zarate. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Rhapsody Restaurant in Nelsonville.

Zach Parkman & the Damaged Goods. 8 p.m. Smiling Skull Saloon.

Aquabear Legion Christmas at Casa Cantina with Weird Science, Bonzai, State Park, Weedghost. Small donation helps pay for 2012 Aquabear County Fair.

Roger's Stars of Illusions play a show at Abrio's Brick Oven. Featuring Lady Gaga, Lorrie Morgan and Cher, among others. 7:30 p.m. Donations will be collected for Appalachian photography program. For reservations call 594-8500.

Ultraviolet Hippo with Hellnaw. The Union.

Laura Nadeau Holiday Special. 8 p.m. Donkey Coffee.

George Hertzel. Jackie O's Public House.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Friday Night Life: A free community meal for people from all walks of life, especially including those in need. 5:30 p.m. every Friday. The meal is provided by churches and community groups who volunteer. For info, call Good Works at 594-3339.

Free Food: The Nelsonville Community Center has a free lunch open to the public every Friday from noon to 1 p.m.

Farmers Market: Trimble Township Farmers Market, every Friday. 4-6 p.m. Hosted by Community Food Initiatives and ACEnet. Info on being a vendor is available atmollyjocfi@frognet.net or 740-593-5971.

Holiday Puppet Show: A group of local actors and puppeteers are giving their time and talent this holiday season to the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery (OVMOD).  The group, Playful Puppets, is holding three performances of "Scrooge's Winter Tale" to benefit the museum. The show uses puppets from the museum's collection to present an original, secular version of "A Christmas Carol." The show is 15 minutes long and will be presented at the museum space in the Market on State (formerly the University Mall) on East State Street.  Performance times are Friday at 6 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. All ticket sales will benefit the museum.

Exhibit:  OVMOD is wrapping up its current exhibit, "Let's Dance to the Beat," on Saturday.  The museum is slated to re-open Jan. 14 with "Wise About Eyes," a traveling exhibit created by Prevent Blindness Ohio.

Grand Opening: For "Athens' newest fine-dining establishment." Nine Tables Restaurant, 9 N. Shafer St. (formerly Mistretta's). Also, Saturday evening. After the grand opening weekend, the next seatings will be Dec. 22-23 and a special Christmas Eve setting on Dec. 24. Menus can be reviewed on co-owner Bill Justice's or the restaurant's Facebook pages. Call 740-707-4966 for the required reservations.

SATURDAY

MUSIC:

Belly-dancing and music. Every Saturday. Restaurant Salaam.

Every Saturday through the end of the year Zach Parkman & Jeremy Wright will be performing an acoustic set at the Athens Farmers Market at 1000 E. State St. from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

John Rollin Porter. 8 p.m. Uncle Buck's Riding Stable and Dance Barn, New Marshfield.

O Holy Spicoli. Christmas jam. 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The Plains VFW 7174. Everyone welcome.

Steve Zarate. Cutler's in the OU Inn. 6-8:30 p.m.

Jess Kauffman and Kyle Martin, of Duke Jr. & the Smokey Boots. Shade Winery. 6 p.m.

The Federal Valley Resource Center will present Gay and Bruce Dalzell and their annual Christmas show. 7 p.m. Food and raffles at the old Stewart school at 8225 Ohio Rt. 329, Stewart. 740-662-3500.

The Revulvas with Dune and Dawgtooth. The Union.

Cory Love. 8 p.m. Donkey Coffee.

Smokestack Lightning and the Foothill Fury. Jackie O's Public House.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Athens Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every Saturday on East State Street at the Market on State (former University Mall). 132 E. State St., Athens.

Saturday Lunch: Weekly free meal sponsored by UCM: Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice. 1 p.m. at UCM, 18 N. College St. Open to everyone, no questions asked. 593-7301. (Volunteers are needed, and donations are welcome with advance notice.)

Weekly Auction: 6 p.m. at the Golden Wings C.B. Radio Club, on Rt. 13 just outside of Chauncey. Fishtail sandwiches and other good food. No auction on Christmas eve.

Kids Christmas Party: The American Legion Post 21 will host a kids Christmas party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 520 W. Union St., Athens. Pizza lunch, music, games, door prizes, treat bags and Santa.

Train Show: The Fossil Rock Raiders Model Train & Craft Barn presents its fifth annual Holiday Train Fest. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. Over 50 trains running throughout the barn, as well as hundreds on display. Railroad memorabilia and historical artifacts and crafts are displayed throughout the barn. Santa will be there to greet the kids both days. Free, with donations accepted. Only a 15-minute drive from Athens on U.S. Rt. 33 East. Call Ralph Calvert for more information: 740-591-1277.

Dog Fundraiser: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Donkey will donate 10 percent of all coffee and coffee drink sales to the Friends of the Shelter Dogs. Donkey will have a gift table full of stocking stuffers, handmade crate pads, T-shirts, tote bags and more for any last-minute gifts. Two-hour parking uptown is free in the parking garage this season (at bagged meters). The Friends of the Shelter Dogs (www.fosd.petfinder.com) welcome drop-off of collars, leashes, blankets, dog food, Wormer X, Advantage flea control, gift certificates at Abfall Veterinary Services.

Christmas Bazaar Extravaganza: Held by the Ohio University Fair Trade Group to benefit political victims in Egypt. The event features many unique Christmas gifts, as well as coffee, tea, incense and crafts. Noon to 5 p.m. on the first floor of OU's Baker Center.

Grand Opening: For "Athens' newest fine-dining establishment." Nine Tables Restaurant, 9 N. Shafer St. (formerly Mistretta's). Friday and Saturday evenings. After the grand opening weekend, the next seatings will be Dec. 22-23 and a special Christmas Eve setting on Dec. 24. Menus can be reviewed on co-owner Bill Justice's or the restaurant's Facebook pages. Call 740-707-4966 for the required reservations.

SUNDAY

MUSIC:

Hocking College music professor George Hertzel, a working studio and live musician for more than 25 years, is performing at 9:30 p.m. every Sunday at Casa Cantina. His solo shows will include "a stage with keyboard instruments everywhere." Free.

The Local Girls play their annual Community Christmas Concert. 3:30 p.m. ARTS/West, 132 W. State St., Athens. www.thelocalgirls.com.

Dave Borowski (of Wing Nuts, Realbilly Jive, etc. fame). 6 p.m. Restaurant Salaam.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Train Show: The Fossil Rock Raiders Model Train & Craft Barn presents its fifth annual Holiday Train Fest. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. Over 50 trains running throughout the barn, as well as hundreds on display. Railroad memorabilia and historical artifacts and crafts are displayed throughout the barn. Santa will be there to greet the kids both days. Free, with donations accepted. Only a 15-minute drive from Athens on U.S. Rt. 33 East. Call Ralph Calvert for more information: 740-591-1277.

Winter Solstice Potluck and Bonfire: 6 p.m. at the Susan B. Anthony Womyn's Land Trust. www.subamuh.com or 740-448-1017 for info.

MONDAY

MUSIC:

Open stage. 10 p.m. at Jackie O's. Junebug hosts.

Rattletrap Stringband. Most Mondays at the Casa Cantina.

Controlled Folly. Smiling Skull Saloon.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Free Clinic: The OU-COM Community Health Programs provides free health services for low-income adults, ages 18-64, who are without health insurance. 8-11:30 a.m. in Parks Hall, OU. Call 1-800-844-2654 or 593-2432 to see if you qualify and to make an appointment.

Free Lunch: Every Monday at the First United Methodist Church, 2 S. College St., Athens. Noon to 1 p.m. Free and open to all, no questions asked.

TUESDAY

MUSIC:

Celtic Night. Most Tuesdays at Jackie O's Public House.

Open stage with Dale Kulchar Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at the Court Street Grill, Pomeroy.

Open Stage. Tuesdays at The Union.

Open Stage at the Smiling Skull. Tuesdays at 9 p.m.

Live jazz by the Word of Mouth Jazz Band. 8-10 Tuesday evenings at Tony's Tavern. Players are invited to join in this semi-formal weekly event.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Community Meal: The Athens Church of Christ, 785 W. Union St., Athens; a free community meal every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Everyone welcome.

Spoken Word Open Stage: "Designated Space." Every Tuesday, 9 p.m. to midnight at Donkey Coffee.

WEDNESDAY

MUSIC:

Open stage. Every Wednesday. 10 p.m. Casa Cantina.

Karaoke. Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. at the Smiling Skull.

Karaoke every Wednesday from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Maplewood Inn.

Steve Zarate plays 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Oak Room.

Jackie O's presents Wednesdays with Jess & Kyle in Jackie O's Brewery every Wednesday night, starting at 9:30 p.m. Music provided by Jess Kauffman and Kyle Martin (of Duke Junior & the Smokey Boots). Free.

Every Wednesday through October, November and December Zach Parkman will perform a solo acoustic set at the Athens Farmers Market from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Athens Farmers Market: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday in the parking lot of The Market on State, East State Street.

Free Community Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, University Terrace. Every Wednesday.

Free Lunch and Food Pantry: The Friends & Neighbors Community Food Center Wednesday Soup Kitchen. Noon to 3 p.m. at the Lottridge Community Center, 2754 Lottridge Road. Everyone welcome. Choice pantry open for USDA income guidelines eligible people from 12:30-3 p.m. For info call 667-0684 or 592-3969.