City/area digest

Apply for police academy course

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Police Department is accepting applications for its annual 14-week Citizen’s Police Academy course through Friday, Dec. 19. Participants must be 19 years of age or older, live in the Columbus vicinity and have no criminal arrests or convictions.

Sessions will be held Wednesdays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 14 and running through April 22.

The course combines classroom training and hands-on experiences to familiarize participants with training law enforcement officers receive. It is accredited by Central Community College.

Applications are available at the Columbus Police Department, 2419 14th St., and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information contact Capt. Charles Sherer or Sgt. Alan Wilkins at the police department or call 564-3201.

Enter gingerbread house contest

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Area Arts Council and Joe and Al’s Grocery are sponsoring a Gingerbread House Contest Dec. 4-6 in the Columbus Art Gallery.

There will be youth and adult divisions and prizes awarded.

For more information or an entry form, call the Arts Council at 563-1016.

Holiday cards for military families

The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. have partnered to send holiday cards to members of the military and their families in the United States and around the world.

The public is invited to send holiday cards with their message of thanks and cheer to a special post office box through Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Holiday cards should be sent to Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456.

Adequate postage must be included and cards must be received no later than Dec. 10. To help speed the sorting and delivery process, mailers are encouraged to refrain from sending care packages, monetary gifts, using glitter or including any other inserts.

For a full list of recommended guidelines and best practices visit www.Red

cross.org/holidaymail. Cards are available to print out from the Web site.

Jaycees collecting toys for drive

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Jaycees will be collecting new and gently used toys for its annual toy drive.

Collection locations include Joe and Al’s, Ace Hardware, Super Saver, Hy-Vee, Wal-mart, Dollar Tree, and Tractor Supply. The toy distribution will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the National Armory.

It is open to all families with children who don’t have the ability to provide a nice Christmas this year. Monetary donations can be mailed to Columbus Jaycees, P.O. Box 74, Columbus, NE 68601. Any money received will be used to purchase toys.

Bloodmobile in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS -- A bloodmobile is scheduled to appear from noon-6 p.m. Wednesday at the Cedar Rapids Public School Multipurpose room. Walk-ins are accepted, or call (308) 358-0640 for reservations.

DivorceCare will meet tonight

COLUMBUS -- The next session of DivorceCare is scheduled for 7 tonight at Peace Lutheran Church.

The video will be on “Forgiveness,” and will focus on the dangers of not forgiving and how to know if you have forgiven.

Learn what forgiveness is, and is not. Those who are separated or divorced are invited to attend.

For more information, call Kathleen at (402) 276-2741.

Disabled vets Christmas meal

COLUMBUS -- Chapter 20 of the Disabled American Veterans will have its annual Christmas Dinner at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at the VFW Club.

Disabled veterans in the Columbus area are invited to attend with their spouse or a friend. For more information or to RSVP, contact Ray Wagner, commander, before Monday at 564-2098.

CCC-C winter concert Dec. 7

COLUMBUS -- Central Community College-Columbus will hold their winter concert beginning at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Columbus Campus Fine Arts Theater.

Music instructor Jeff Kitson will direct four ensembles in performing a wide range of music, including some holiday tunes.

The concert will include selections by Spectrum, the Columbus Campus Community Band, College Chorus, and Alethea, a new women’s vocal ensemble.

The public is invited to attend; free admission. A free-will donation will be accepted.

Historical Society meeting Dec. 7

COLUMBUS -- The Platte County Historical Society monthly meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 in the museum meeting room.

The Consonnaires, a women’s group that has sung three-part harmony for over 40 years, will present a program of Christmas music to help everyone get in the holiday spirit.

Admission is free to PCHS members and $3 for nonmembers.

St. Anthony’s ‘Parade of Homes’

COLUMBUS -- St. Anthony Church will be sponsoring a “Parade of Homes” from 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Tickets are $10 and include beverage and dessert at St. Anthony’s Social Hall, 1719 6th St. Snow date is Dec. 7.

To purchase tickets, call 564-3313, 564-5309 or 564-8421.

Care package items requested

COLUMBUS -- Area residents are encouraged to drop off a care package item at Columbus Physical Therapy, 3211 25th St., during business hours in November.

Suggested care package items can be found at www.columbusphysicalthera

py.com/Troop_XMAS.asp.

For more information, contact Sharon at 564-5456.

Pal’s Christmas party scheduled

COLUMBUS -- The Order of the Eastern Star will be holding a Christmas party for all members of Big Pals-Little Pals from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Masonic Lodge, 4722 28th St.

The event will include singing, dinner and a visit from Santa. All Big and Little Pals and children on the waiting list are encouraged to attend.

An RSVP is required before Tuesday by calling Roxanne at 563-1081.

Choir to present dinner concert

COLUMBUS -- Christ Lutheran Church Adult Choir will present their annual Christmas Dinner Concert at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, and Dec. 7 in the school gymnasium.

This year’s theme is “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” featuring a variety of Christmas songs by the choir as well as solos and small group performances.

Jill Goedeken is the director and Jo Grotelueschen is the accompanist.

A Windsor loin will be served for dinner. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 564-1280.

Annual Christmas dinner set Dec. 17

COLUMBUS -- Chapter 20 of the Disabled American Veterans will have its annual Christmas Dinner at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at the VFW Club.

Disabled veterans in the Columbus area are invited to attend with their spouse or a friend. For more information or to RSVP, contact Ray Wagner, commander, before Dec. 1 at 564-2098.

Christmas Unwrapped set

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Art Gallery, located on the lower level of the Columbus Public Library, is presenting “Christmas Unwrapped” from Dec. 1-Dec. 23.

There will be a variety of unique, handmade gifts from regional artists and craftsmen available for sale. Hours are Monday-Friday noon-5 p.m.; Saturday 1:30-4:30 p.m. and by appointment.

For more information, call the art gallery at 563-1016, or e-mail gallery@megavision.com.