Celebrating the season: There may be 12 days of Christmas, but we're told that there are five ways to celebrate the holiday season this year at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, at least according to a Maltz press release.
First, you can explore local and global Jewish history through the museum's current exhibit, "Israel: Then & Now." I've seen the exhibit, and it includes a combination of milestone moments, historic images, interactive media, film and more in telling the story of Israel, now and then, or -- if you prefer -- then and now.
Second, you can shop the museum store as part of a museum visit, or just to shop.
Third, you can donate an item to someone in need by dropping off a little something for use in Operation Warm Up. The Operation is a community collection of winter clothes for those in need, and is a project of the National Council of Jewish Women.
Needed items include adult waterproof winter coats; gloves and boots; new packaged socks, underwear and winter hats for men, women and children; and adult hoodies, sizes 2XL and up.
Fourth, you can light candles for Chanukah at 5 p.m. Dec. 5 when Cantor Richard Lawrence, along with violinist Lisa Martel, will lead a sing-along during a family, fun event.
Fifth, you can partake in "Give what you can, pay what you can" on Christmas Day. Bring a canned good donation or pay what you can toward museum admission and explore the building's offerings.
And, as it turns out, there's even more to do if you count the Thanksgiving holiday at the museum, 2929 Richmond Road in Beachwood. That's because the museum will be open for business between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving, and again the day after Thanksgiving -- that's Nov. 23 -- from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If all of the above is just too darn much to take in at once and you still need more information, call 216-593-0575 or visit maltzmuseum.org.
The holiday spirit: The first day of the Shaker Historical Society's Holiday Food Drive will be Nov. 23. If you bring a non-perishable food item for donation, you'll get in return a free admission pass for 2019.
The drive will continue through Dec. 23 at the SHS, which can be found at 16740 S. Park Blvd. in Shaker Heights.
Also from the SHS is news that the women's a capella singing group Nightingale will perform from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at the historical society. In addition to music, this holiday event will include light refreshments and a visit from Santa. Bring the entire family to enjoy some holiday cheer.
University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, left, took the opportunity to blow on his saxophone for a couple of numbers with the Mal Barron Quartet at the Nov. 14 University Heights Civic Awards dinner, held at John Carroll University. It was the first such awards ceremony the city has held since 2009. Residents, city workers and business owners were saluted for their contributions to the city.
You're invited: Here is your personal invitation to join the Heights Bicycle Coalition at its Annual Holiday Party, starting at 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at Nighttown, 12383 Cedar Road in Cleveland Heights.
The coalition's December meeting usually is used to salute "roll" models -- those who have made significant contributions toward making the Heights more bicycle friendly.
This year, those salutes will go to Sam Bell, who is spearheading an effort to develop robotic equipment to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of painting roadway stripes and symbols. Bell is working on the project with Case Western Reserve University professor Wyatt Newman and others.
Also being recognized is Chipper, the popular dog assistant helping after-school bike clubs at Cleveland Heights' Fairfax and Canterbury schools.
They say it's never good to follow an animal act, but after Chipper the dog is properly given his dues, the coalition will recognize Cleveland Heights Director of Planning Richard Wong. Wong, who has been instrumental in planning bicycle infrastructure and garnering implementation grants, will be thanked for his and the city's role in engineering a more bicycle-friendly community.
In addition, Heights Bicycle Coalition President Steve Reinhardt will give an overview of the organization's recent accomplishments and plans for the future.
Refreshments will be provided, and there will be a cash bar.
You can check the Heights Bicycle Coalition Facebook page and website on the day of the event for any weather-related changes that may occur.
Get yourself a deal: The Friends of Heights Libraries have been busy for months boxing books in preparation for the group's Semi-Annual MEGA Sale, which takes place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 at the Lee Road Library branch, 2345 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights.
Dig this -- all adult books, CDs and DVDs will cost just $1, with the exception of paperbacks, which will be a mere 10 books for $1. Children's and teens books will cost $1 for two. A wonderful selection of new "specials" will be individually priced.
Visitors can also expect a huge selection of books that have never before been offered.
That's right, you better be digging this sale, because it will have you digging through boxes and piles for some incredible deals.
There will be a special sneak preview held from 5 to 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, for Friends members only. Of course, you can get around that by buying at the door an instant new Friends membership for $10, then getting a head start on the best deals.
The sale will continue from Friday through Sunday during regular library hours.
And, while we're on the subject of the Heights Libraries, you can stop in from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the University Heights Library branch, 13866 Cedar Road, to take in a viewing of the documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor," about, you guessed it, Fred Rogers, the late star of "Mr. Rogers." The film is rated PG-13.
Diamonds Direct: I had been hearing lots of radio commercials about it -- the opening of Diamonds Direct at LaPlace in Beachwood -- and that opening finally took place Nov. 14.
According to a company press release, Diamonds Direct is a leading diamond importer, which allows for lower prices and a deeper selection.
The store also offers other "gift-centric" collections, including colored stones, bracelets, earrings and pendants.
Diamonds Direct states that it believes in significantly giving back to the markets it calls home, and that we should look for information soon for news as to how it plans to support Cleveland.
The business is located in the former Williams Sonoma space at LaPlace, at the corner of Cedar and Richmond roads. The company is based in Charlotte, N.C., and this is its first northeast Ohio location.
Award-winning writers: Six Cuyahoga County high school students, and one from Lake County, have been chosen for awards in Ursuline College's "Sew Me a Story" writing contest.
And, it should be no surprise that four of the winners have ties to our Sun Press coverage area.
"Sew Me a Story" was inspired by the exhibit that opened to the public Nov. 16 at the Pepper Pike college's Wasmer Gallery titled, "The Storytellers: African American Quilt and Doll Guild."
The exhibit features a diverse selection of handmade quilts and dolls created by members of this Northeast Ohio group. The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 28. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Ursuline College is located at 2550 Lander Road.
But, didn't we start this item talking about some writing contest? Yes, we did.
The first-place prize of $500 went to Shivangi Sengupta, a Lakewood resident who attends Laurel School in Shaker Heights. Her work was titled "Nothing Like Brocade."
Second place, and $250, was taken by Cleveland Heights' Mathilde Tomter, a Beaumont School student, for "The Motley Patches of My Family."
Among the four honorable mentions (who each won $100) were Kerrigan von Carlowitz, a Beaumont School student who lives in Painesville, and Fuchs Mizrachi School student Menachem Edelstein, of Beachwood.
In all, more than 100 students from 17 Cuyahoga County schools submitted entries. The students were invited to create prose or poetry describing what a quilt representing their family story might look like.
If you would like to see an item included in Press Run, send me an email, at least 12 days prior to an event, at jeff.piorkowski@att.net.