REP. KOUTOUJIAN, Annual Holiday Party
State Rep. Peter Koutoujian is hosting his annual Holiday Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 3, 6 to 8 p.m., at The Skellig, 240 Moody St.
For more information, e-mail Rep.PeterKoutoujian@hou.state.ma.us.
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, Toys for Tots
The Courtyard by Marriott, 387 Winter St., once again is participating in the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Drop new, unwrapped toys in the box in the lobby.
For more information, call 866-419-0999.
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY, Jewish Women and Work
Jewish Women and Work: A Panel Discussion, on Thursday, Dec. 3, 7 to 9 p.m., at Liberman-Miller Lecture Hall, Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University, will highlight the landmark research in ``Gender and American Jews: Patterns in Work, Education & Family in Contemporary Life.'' The panel discussion will address how Jewish women juggle work, family, and Jewishness. Sylvia Barack Fishman will moderate.
For questions or to RSVP, e-mail hbi@brandeis.edu, call 781-736-2064 or visit www.brandeis.edu/hbi.
JOSE MATEO BALLET, `Nutcracker' at Brandeis
Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre will be performing The Nutcracker Dec. 4-20 at The Spingold Theatre at Brandeis University, 415 South St. Tickets are $15-50.
For more information, call 781-736-3400 www.BalletTheatre.oeg.
WALTHAM YMCA, Pay the day
If you join the Waltham YMCA, 725 Lexington St., during the month of December you will pay the day - join on Dec. 1 and pay $1; join Dec. 15, pay $15. When you join you will also get a month free membership gift certificate to give to a friend. Bring a friend if you are already a member and if they sign-up and stay you will receive a free month of membership. Tours available.
For more information, contact Jennifer Weller at 781-894-5295, Ext. 105, or e-mail jweller@ymcaboston.org.
AREA DAY SCHOOLS, Music Festival at Gann
Students will raise their voices to promote healing in the world at Kol HaNeshama, the Day School Music Festival, on Sunday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m., at Gann Academy, 333 Forest St. The event includes performances by Gann Academy, Jewish Community Day School, Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston, Rashi School and South Area Solomon Schechter Day School. Tickets are $10, $5 students, available at schools. Proceeds will benefit the trauma unit of the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.
For information, call 617-928-9100.
NONANTUM CHRISTMAS PARTY, At Coletti-Magni Park
The Nonantum Children's Christmas Party Association, Inc., the Nonantum annual Holiday Lighting at Coletti-Magni Park, Watertown Street, is Sunday, Dec. 6, 6:45 p.m. (Santa arrives), 7 p.m. (tree lighting). There will be hot chocolate, doughnuts and caroling.
For more information, call Tony at 617-861-1552.
DIALOGUES ON PEACE, Noam Chomsky at Eliot Church
Newton Dialogues on Peace and War presents peace activist and MIT professor Noam Chomsky, who will speak about the aftermath of the Israeli invasion and the current Gaza siege situation today, in, Gaza - One Year Later, on Sunday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m., at Church of the Good Shepherd, Mt. Auburn Street and Russell Avenue, Watertown. Nancy Murray will discuss the planned Gaza Freedom March. Donations to support the march will be welcome ($10 is suggested).
For more information, contact Peter Metz at 617-964-8447.
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY, `Van Gogh in Poems'
Carol Dine will be at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., for a look at the work of Vincent Van Gogh through the voice of Dine's poetic muse. Each poem in ``Van Gogh in Poems'' is named for the drawing or painting that inspired it. Written in Van Gogh's voice, Dine brings readers a holistic experience by interspersing fragments from Van Gogh's letters with lines of her poems.
For more information call the Newton Free Library at 617-796-1360. All programs are free and open to the public, parking is free. The Newton Free Library is handicap accessible.
COLLEGE AND ALLERGIES, Forum at hospital
Students with food allergies can learn about what to consider when visiting and choosing a college at a forum Wednesday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, 2014 Washington St. The program is a workshop for high school juniors and seniors and their parents. It is sponsored by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter. Topics to be discussed include: eating on campus, dorm and social life, and school health services.
There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is requested by phone, 781-444-7778, or e-mail aafane@aafane.org. For more information, visit www.asthmaandallergies.org.
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY, Manage money between jobs
The Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., presents, How to Manage Your Money Between Jobs, a program that will offer useful, practical and important information to help people plan for an uncertain future if they are currently out of work or are not secure in their present job situation. The seminar, on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., will cover emergency funds, developing a budget/cash flow statement, insurance issues, tax implications, and tax deductions.
For more information call the Newton Free Library at 617-796-1360. All programs are free and open to the public, parking is free. The Newton Free Library is handicap accessible.
DISCOVERING WHAT'S NEXT, Online dating
Discovering What's Next presents, Dale Koppel, PhD, for a discussion on everything women and men need to know in order to succeed in the daunting area of online dating, at the Discover Realities Meeting-Up on Thursday, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m., at the Auburndale Community Library, 375 Auburn St.
For more information or to register, visit www.discoveringwhatsnext.com, e-mail info@discoveringwhatsnext.com or call 617-796-1419.
NEWTON ART ASSOCIATION, Crist Filer at Senior Center
The Newton Art Association will present Crist N. Filer, who specializes in watercolor and pencil, at a free public demonstration and talk Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut St. He is an award-winning artist who portrays abstract and representational works. His work is strongly influenced by his scientific training
For more information, call 617-527-4553, Ext. 106.
TURTLE LANE, `Carousel'
Turtle Lane Players, 283 Melrose St., present Rodgers and Hammerstein's ``Carousel,'' Nov. 20-Dec. 6, with special holiday performances Dec. 27-30. Tickets are $27.50-$30. Cabaret seating, full bar.
For reservations or more information, visit www.turtlelane.org or call 617-244-0169.
