First Night State College 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 @ 12:00 AM: Downtown State College
Cost: $8 Button, plus $ for some events, some events are free
Category: Art;Concert;Family Friendly;For All;Outdoors;New Year's Eve;Holiday
Why would you ever want to park yourself in front of the tv or worse yet, go to a flop of a party just to have something "fun" to do to celebrate the coming new year when there's a better way and it's right here in your area? First Night State College is a family-friendly, alcohol-free alternative to the typical New Year's celebration. The event brings together the fragile beauty of ice sculpture, a wide variety of performing arts, and unique expressions of the holiday you simply won't find anywhere else. Click preview link for a review or visit their website for more information.
Website: http://www.firstnightstatecollege.com
Tickets: https://secure.homesteadgraphics.com/firstnight/
Preview: http://www.nittanyliving.net/features/first_night_state_college

Men's Basketball vs. Northwestern
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 @ 12:00 PM: Bryce Jordan Center
Category: Penn State;Sports
For more about the Nittany Lions visit GoPSUsports.com!
Website: http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/
Tickets: http://gopsusports.cstv.com/tickets/psu-tickets.html

Striking 12
Presented by Singing Onstage Studios
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 @ 3:00 PM: The State Theatre
Cost: $10/$5 for children 12 and under
Category: Theater
Singing Onstage Studios is proud to bring their first student production—“STRIKING 12”--to the State Theatre for two shows on New Years Eve 2008! What is "Striking 12”? Combine a tuneful pop/rock/jazz score written by the celebrated band GrooveLily, a witty and deeply moving script and Singing Onstage's reputation for excellent theatrical fare and you have a great, family-friendly way to spend 90 minutes on New Years Eve! On New Year's Eve, an over-worked and under-inspired single guy who's had enough of holiday cheer makes a resolution: to stay home and go to bed early. On another New Year's Eve, a continent away—and more than a century earlier—Hans Christian Andersen's Little Match Girl tries unsuccessfully to sell her matches in the snow. The two stories are brought together when a young woman selling special "full-spectrum holiday light bulbs" to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder shows up at the grumpy man's door. Though the man (who probably could use the bulbs) seems to enjoy the young woman's company, he sends her away. It's not until he reads "The Little Match Girl" that he is finally pulled out of his funk. Through simple, unpretentious theater created through the voices and instruments of the performers, “Striking 12” reminds us that "the world looks like new…on the first day of the year." Join Director Richard Biever, Choreographer Jill A. Brighton, a local cast of 14 very talented teenaged actors and a student band of 6 for a special afternoon or evening of entertainment!
Website: http://www.singingonstage.com/broadway_high_school.htm
Tickets: https://www.choicesecure01.net/mainapp/eventschedule.aspx?clientID=statepa

Fred Carson Day Food Bank Donations
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 @ 8:00 PM: State College
Category: For All;Fundraiser;Community Annc;New Year's Eve;Holiday
In memory of Fred Carson’s service to the waste industry and to the community, December 31 will be Fred Carson Day at the Centre County Solid Waste Authority’s Transfer Station. The Authority will be accepting donations that day from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for the State College Area Food Bank. The first 100 customers to bring a donation to the scale house will receive a Fred Carson commemorative ball cap. In addition, the Authority will donate $1 per pound of items collected to the Food Bank (up to 2,000 pounds). Visit the website in this lisitng for information on items needed by the Food Bank. The Authority would like to encourage all his current and past customers to come out and remember Fred and his generous demeanor by making a donation on December 31. For more information, call the Solid Waste Authority at (814) 238-6649.
Website: http://foodbank.centreconnect.org/index.html

Personal Training Classes
Wednesday, June 04, 2008 to Wednesday, December 31, 2008: State College YMCA
Category: For All
The State College YMCA offers several different personal training classes for everyone. Individual classes are available for $35 for members ($70 non-members), five classes with individual instruction are just $145 ($290 non-members), 10 individual classes are $225 ($450 non-members). Group instruction is also available. For a complete class listing and for more information, click the link in this listing.
Website: https://www.memberst.com/Programs/ProgramBrowser.aspx?id=080d7ee4-87d2-4def-b802-121b2da84aaa

Big Brothers Big Sisters Needed
Thursday, November 20, 2008 to Wednesday, December 31, 2008: State College
Category: For All;Community Annc
Have you thought about becoming a mentor for a child in your community? Right now in Centre County there are 80 children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister. You get to be a kid again, and your little brother or sister gets a friend. You enjoy activities together like playing games, cooking, or just hanging out. It's not about spending money; it's about spending time. Just a few hours a month is all it takes to make a difference in a child's life. Call Big Brothers Big Sisters at (814) 237-5731 or visit us on the web at the website in this listing.
Website: http://www.ccysb.com

GED Tutoring Sessions
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 to Wednesday, December 31, 2008: Bellefonte
Category: Educational;For All;Community Annc
GED Tutoring Sessions are available at the Bellefonte Family Resource Center. Prepare for the GED Test and Improve Reading Skills. For more information, please contact the Mid-State Literacy Council at (814) 238-1809.

Centre County Reads Discussion Group
Thursday, December 11, 2008 to Saturday, January 10, 2009: Bellefonte
Category: For All;Community Annc
The Centre County Reads Book discussion group begins in January 2009 at the Bellefonte Family Resource Center. To register and get a free copy of the book "Persepolis," call (814) 238-1809.

Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association Photography Exhibit
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 to Friday, January 16, 2009: Bellefonte
Category: Exhibit;Community Annc
The Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association is sponsoring an exhibition of photographs by 16 local photographers. The show is at the Gamble Mill Gallery in Bellefonte from September 20 through January 16th. The public is invited to attend a free reception to meet the photographers September 23 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

American Raiders Baton Corps Parade Registration
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 to Wednesday, December 31, 2008: State College
Cost: $20
Category: For Kids;Community Annc
The American Raiders Baton Corps is accepting registrations for the 2009 Parade Season. Baton and flag classes are being offered for children ages 4+. Registration is $20. For more information, please call (814) 355-8276.

Ethel Beaver Fund
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 to Wednesday, December 16, 2009: State College
Category: For All;Fundraiser;Community Annc;Christmas;Holiday
For 60 years, the Ethel Beaver Fund has been helping Centre County’s Foster children enjoy the little things in life that make a big difference to a child. From prom expenses to holiday gifts, this “Fun Fund” promotes the kids’ chances of creating memories to last a lifetime. Remember our area’s foster children this holiday season. 100% of the proceeds go to the fund and donations are accepted all year round. For more information or to donate to the Ethel Beaver Children’s Fund, contact the Centre County Children and Youth Services at (814) 355-6755 or visit the website in this listing.
Website: http://www.centrecountycf.org

OLLI at Penn State Winter Term
Thursday, December 18, 2008 to Monday, January 12, 2009: University Park Campus
Category: Educational;For All;Senior Citizen;Community Annc
OLLI at Penn State (formerly CALL, the Community Academy of Lifelong Learning) is having its winter term beginning January 12. To request a course catelog, call (814) 238-2368 or view the website in this listing.
Website: http://www.olli.psu.edu

State College Borough Holiday Trash/Recycling Schedule
Friday, December 19, 2008 to Thursday, January 01, 2009: State College
Category: For All;Community Annc
Due to the Christmas holiday there will be no refuse or recycling collection for State College Borough residents on December 25. Refuse and recycling normally collected that day will be collected December 24. Please note bulk and brush collection will NOT be collected the week of December 24th or the week of December 31st. If you have any questions regarding refuse collection, please contact the State College Borough Public Works Department at (814) 234-7135 or view the website in this listing.
Website: http://www.statecollegepa.us

Christmas Tree Recycling
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 to Friday, January 09, 2009: State College
Category: For All;Community Annc;Christmas;Holiday
Veolia Environmental Services customers in College, Ferguson, Harris and Patton Townships will be eligible for a free special collection of Christmas trees January 5-9 on your regularly scheduled collection day. The trees will be taken to state game lands to create animal habitats. No bags or decorations on trees. After January 9, trees will be included in normal trash pickup. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO STATE COLLEGE BOROUGH RESIDENTS.

Holiday Trash/Recycling Schedule Changes
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 to Sunday, January 04, 2009: State College
Category: For All;Community Annc
Veolia Environmental Services curbside customers in college, Ferguson, Harris and Patton Townships are advised that no collections will be made Christmas Day or New Years Day. Refuse and recycling collections will be delayed one day for Thursday and Friday customers, with a Saturday collection for regular Friday customers. Regular collection schedules will resume the week of January 5. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO STATE COLLEGE BOROUGH RESIDENTS.

Moshannon Valley Widow/Widowers Support Group January Dinner/Dance
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 to Thursday, January 15, 2009: Osceola Mills
Cost: $12
Category: Dining Event;For All;Senior Citizen;Community Annc
The Moshannon Valley Widow/Widowers Support Group is having their monthly dinner/dance January 16 at the Columia Fire Hall in Osceola Mills, starting at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $12 and the menu will consist of ham with raisin sauce or baked fish, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, cole slaw and ice cream. The DJ for the event is Ron Flango. Bring a non-perishable item for the food bank and an item for the chinese auction if you plan to attend. Reservations must be made by January 13 at Noon by calling Alberta at (814) 684-4542, Jean at (814) 342-2522, Sybal at (814) 765-4374, Ruby at (814) 378-7530, Patti at (814) 342-5449 or Irmgard at (814) 238-7189. Cancellations will be received until Noon on January 15 by calling Patti.