December Events
Hub for the holidays at Union Depot: Union Depot features the Outdoor Market, Bake Sale, Holiday Trains, Music and More for this Holiday Season. Holiday Tree Lighting takes place with live musical entertainment and fireworks, the opening of the festive, outdoor European Christmas Market (11/30-12/10), the free family holiday movie night with a showing of Elf, and other fun activities for all ages. Also include the popular Holiday Bake Sale (12/8, 10am-5pm), which for the first time will have free admission, and rides on the magical North Pole Express, (11/29-12/2 and 12/6-9). Nonprofit food shelf Keystone Community Services is the charitable partner for Hub for the Holidays this year. On 12/10 at 7pm, the festive Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will stop at Union Depot. Bring your monetary and/or heart-healthy food donation for Keystone’s local food shelf. Since 1999, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train stops have resulted in $13 million and 4 million pounds of food being donated to food shelves across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about Union Depot holiday events, please visit uniondepot.org/holiday.
Art at Ramsey at Ramsey Middle School: 12/1, 10am-5pm, 1700 Summit Ave. Art. A juried holiday fair of fine crafts and fine art in its 24th year, sponsored by St. Paul Public Schools Community Education in cooperation with Artists’ Circle, a nonprofit art organization promoting fine crafts. In addition, the 25th Annual Youth Art Fair, with local young artists ages 8-18, returns to Ramsey for the 13th year. 10am-4pm. Info: artistscircle.org.
“I’m New Here” — An Intro to the Gale Family Library: 12/1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 9:15-10:15am. Gale Family Library, Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd. Info: 651-259-3300 or reference@mnhs.org. All events are free.
Power-Up Legal Clinic: 12/6, 1-4pm at Walker West Music Academy, 760 Selby Ave. A free walk-in legal clinic dealing with any non-criminal law issue. Info: 651-894-6912, or interfaithaction.org/legalclinic.
Samba School — A Co-ed Beginning Samba Percussion Class: 12/7, 7-8:30pm, Women’s Drum Center, 2242 University Ave W., St. Paul, 651-206-7617. Instruments provided. $20. womensdrumcenter.org. A fun, exuberant class for all levels. No experience necessary. A nonprofit organization providing opportunities for women and girls to learn, teach, and play percussion together and to energize the community at large through performing.
Living with Chronic Disease: 12/13, 5:30-7pm at United Family Medicine first floor conference room, 1026 West 7th. A patient-facilitated support group for people living with chronic diseases such as diabetes, COPD, heart disease and others. Call 651-241-1000.
Shalom Baby Schmooze Monthly Play Group: 12/14, 10-11am at Newman School, 768 Hamline Ave. S. Parents invited to bring their small children to socialize and play with other children in a safe, stimulating environment while they enjoy connection and engagement with other parents. Free and open to all. Info: Jodi Saltzman, 651-313-6623 or jsaltzman@jfssp.org.
Paddy Wagon at Mancini’s One Night Only: 12/16, 8pm. Paddy Wagon — “Irish Music with a Twang” — is coming to Mancini’s with their high energy performance of classic and contemporary Irish music. Their fascinating mix of instruments — bass, tin whistle, spoons, trumpet, harmonica, guitar, mandolin, banjo, drums and heavy vocals — has gained the band a following in the Twin Cities..
The Great Minnesota Cookie Book: 12/16, 2pm at Common Good Books (38 Snelling Ave S, St Paul. Authors Lee Svitak Dean and Rick Nelson sign copies of their new cookbook. The book collects the best-loved recipes and baking lore from fifteen years of Star Tribune’s popular holiday cookie contest.
Mobile Menders: Every 3rd Monday (12/10) at West 7th Community Center, 5:30-7:30pm providing FREE mending services. You can bring up to 3 clean items that need mending.
Katie McMahon’s Celtic Christmas: 12/21, 7:30pm at The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul. Box Office: theoshaughnessy.com or 651-690-6700. Celebrating the longest night and shortest day, the rebirth of the sun and the promise of springtime, The O’Shaughnessy welcomes Katie, the Balkan sounds of special guest musicians Orkestar Bez Ime and the Corda Mor Irish Dancers as they perform festive songs from ancient traditions.
Christmas With Cantus Vocal Ensemble: 12/13-23 at various venues. Info: 612-435-0055 or cantussings.org. This year, Cantus presents a modern take on the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, re-imagined for today’s world, as well as many other Christmas offerings. St. Paul concerts: 12/20, 7:30pm at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas; 12/21, 7:30pm at the Ordway Concert Hall; 12/22, 7:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater; 12/23, 2pm at the Hamline United Methodist Church.
Beginner Square Dance Classes Return: Dakota Grand Squares, a St. Paul area square dance club, will be offering weekly beginner classes from 6:15-8pm on Mondays at the West 7th Community Center, 265 Oneida St. First two lessons free; thereafter, $5/class. No charge for children over nine when accompanied by an adult. Dress is casual. Pre-registration not required. Bring a partner or come alone. Info: 651 225-9709.
Free Saturday Morning Yoga Classes: 9-10am at Union Depot, North Plaza, taught by professionals from Studio925. In case of inclement weather, the classes will be held indoors in the Waiting Room or Head House. At this time, the Monday Night Sculpt and Tuesday Noon Yoga classes will continue to be held indoors. Reservations are not required for attendance. Participants are asked to bring a yoga mat, water, and towel.
Tuesday Pax Salons: 6:30-8:30pm. Info: 651-227-3228. Free; donations appreciated. Open discussions all month.
Caregiver Support Groups: Alton Memory Care, 1306 Alton St., third Wednesday of every month from 5-6 p.m. Contact Kristen Edson, 651-695-2384. Sholom Home East, 740 Kay, second and fourth Monday of every month, 3-4 p.m. Contact: Chris Rosenthal 651-690-8920.
E.C.F.E Baby FUNdamentals: Drop-in classes. To register for fall program go to ecfe.spps.org. Further information available at 651-793-5410.
St. Paul Central Library Saturday Live! Programs start at 11:15am. See sppl.org for details.
West End Enhancement Coalition: 12/6, 11am. Terrace Horticultural Books, 503 St. Clair. Items will be neighborhood beautification, transportation, issues of the day. Contact Kent at terrace@winternet.com or 651-222-5536. All welcome to this group dedicated to improving the West End.
Landmark Center programs and tours at 651-292-3225 or landmarkcenter.org — 75 Fifth St.
Drinking Problem? Alcoholics Anonymous: Contact aaminneapolis.org (952-922-0880) or aastpaul.org (651-227-5502). You may call 24/7.
Women for Sobriety: Meets every Monday, 10am, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church library, 1935 St. Clair Ave. For information, call Jill at 651-235-1935.
International Institute of Minnesota Programs: Citizenship classes; communication & computer English for work; Spanish language; English language. Call 651-647-0191 or see iimn.org for schedules & details.
Support Group Information
• Myasthenia Gravis (MG): 800-514-5454.
• Emotions Anonymous: 651-492-7100.
• Overeaters Anonymous: 612-888-0262. Do you worry about the way you eat? OA may have the answer for you. No dues, fees, or weigh-ins. Meetings every Friday 6:30pm at 900 Summit Ave.
