Ware Center Packed With Activities For December First Today, Today

The Ware Center is packed full of events, as usual, for December's First Friday: lectures, competitions, tastings, music and artwork and jewelry.

ENTREPRENEUR, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVIST & AUTHOR JUDY WICKS LECTURES & SIGNS HER BOOK

Judy Wicks is working to build a more compassionate, environmentally sustainable and locally based economy. Her memoir Good Morning, Beautiful Business: the Unexpected Journey of an Activist Entrepreneur and Local Economy Pioneer was published in March 2013. Judy is founder of Philadelphia's landMark White Dog Café known for its leadership in the local food movement, as well as community building and environmental stewardship.

She founded several non-profits including Fair Food Philly and the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, and cofounded the nationwide Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), a network of 30,000 local independent businesses in 80 communities. In 2009, Judy sold the White Dog through a unique agreement that preserves local, independent ownership and maintains sustainable business practices, including buying from local farmers and fair trade purveyors, composting and using renewable energy.

She speaks at 5 PM and signs her book after the speech. Tickets: $5 and may be reserved in advance by calling 717-872-3811.

"GLAD TIDINGS": MU'S HOLIDAY MUSIC GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY IN LYET LOBBY

MU Choral ensembles, soloists and MU Alumni present Holiday songs in the Lobby. Folks are invited to come enjoy the music and a warm cup of coffee - for FREE. Stay for the entire concert or just a portion of it. And, be prepared to sing-along.

SIXTH ANNUAL HEMPFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GINGER BREAD HOUSE SHOW

This annual show Show features beautifully decorated Gingerbread Houses created by Hempfield High School Baking students. The houses will be on display throughout the ground level of the Ware Center, from 6-8 PM on First Friday. The gingerbread houses remain on display through December 20th.

Students asked area businesses to sponsor their gingerbread houses. For their donation, the student group designs, bakes, builds and decorates a large gingerbread house frequently with lights, moving parts or dry ice effects. All of the money that the businesses donate goes directly to The Four Diamonds Fund.

Altogether there will be 12 to 15 Gingerbread Houses. The public is asked to vote for the ones they like by donating money in a bin beside each house. The house with the most money in it by the end of the evening will win the "People's Choice" Award. All the money from sponsors and voters is donated to The Four Diamonds Fund. Over the past 5 years, the Hempfield High School Baking students have helped raise $17,754 for The Four Diamonds Fund.

The Four Diamond Fund offsets the costs of cancer treatment that insurance does not cover, as well as expenses that may disrupt the welfare of the child, such as car repairs, rent, or household utilities. Any family with a child being treated for pediatric cancer at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital is automatically eligible for support. You can learn more about The Four Diamonds Fund at www.pennstatehershey.org/web/fourdiamonds/home.

BEAUTIFUL HAND-CRAFTED BY SUSAN GAROFOLA SEA-GLASS JEWELRY ON SALE

These pieces of jewelry are perfect gifts for the holiday season. Suzshells & Glass are one of a kind wearable art by Susan Garofola. Having grown up at the "beach," Susan has chosen to hand wrap sea glass and seashells, tumbled by the sea to be presented a gift from the beach. Each item is transformed into a unique piece of jewelry. The artist will be on hand First Friday from 6 - 8 PM to explain how her technique is unique and answer questions. Jewelry items are for sale and can be purchased on site with cash, a credit card or check.

Next to Susan's table will be a tasting from Season's featuring Holiday Olive oil and vinegar pairings. Come down for a free sample.

FOUR LOCAL ARTISTS SHOWCASE THEIR WORK - JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Contemporary artist Ann Lawson, realistic and surrealistic artist Jon Johnson, and wooden and metal sculptor Jeff George, join Gail Gray's modern art collection in a stunning display of collectible art. Nearly all the pieces are available for sale and are priced at $100 and up. There is no better gift than art - it's unique and continues to increase in value over time. Come shop for loved ones at the Ware Center Holiday Art Show. Admission is FREE. 6- 8 PM.

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