Community briefs 12/2

GARDEN CLUB, Holiday program
The Waltham Garden Club holiday program, Balsam and Bling by Bill Graham, is Saturday, Dec. 6, noon to 2:30 p.m., at Robert Treat Paine Estate, 100 Robert Treat Paine Drive. There will be light refreshments and a raffle. Cost is $20.
Call Sandra at 781-861-8066 to reserve tickets, or visit http://gardencentral.org/gcfm/walthamgardenclub/.

PAL, Registration for basketball
The Police Athletic League will be holding registrations for its winter coed basketball programs for ages 7-18 on Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Waltham Police Station, 155 Lexington St. A parent or guardian signature is necessary on boys and girls under 18 years of age.
For further information, call Police Operations at 781-314-3600/

NEHRA, Less workforce
Northeast Human Resources Association is hosting a workshop, Reduction-in-force Planning, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Forefront Conference Center, 404 Wyman St. The current economic conditions have impacted the financial strength of large and small businesses throughout the Commonwealth and the country. The workshop is intended to help those organization's human resource managers and small business leaders to lead their organization through these difficult times. Cost is $50, $80 for non-members.
For more information and to register, visit www.nehra.com/events, call NEHRA at 781-239-8711, or e-mail vantonetti@nehra.com.

BLOOD DRIVE, At Children's Hospital
There will a blood drive at Children's Hospital Waltham, 9 Hope Ave., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Bloodmobile at the front entrance. All donors will be entered for a $100 gas card.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Monique at 781-216-1155.

WALTHAM LIBRARY, Children's holiday events
Celebrate the December holidays at the Waltham Public Library, 735 Main St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Families are invited to join in craft activities offered by the students from Bentley Circle K. They're will be face painting and Santa will be there to chat with and have pictures taken with. Drop in any time from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Waltham Public Library.
For a reservation, call the children's room at 781-314-3425, Ext. 4.

WALTHAM LIBRARY, Christmas tradition
Decorative holly, trees, and cards are the mainstays of our Christmastime, but did you know the most celebrated holiday of all was once banned by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony? Trace the traditional celebrations with noted local historian and author Anthony Sammarco in his, Christmas Traditions, on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m., at the Waltham Public Library, 735 Main St. The lavishly illustrated slide lecture takes a wry satirical approach to the origins of our shopping, decorating, and celebrating, from the Revolution-era birth of greens and holly to the first Christmas cards printed by Roxbury's Louis Prang.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Waltham Public Library, this event is free but seating is limited. Register online at waltham.lib.ma.us, Events Calendar link, or call 781-314-3425, Ext. 2.

EVERYDAY HEROES, Red Cross fundraiser
Everyday Heroes: Celebrating the American Red Cross is Wednesday, Dec. 3, 6 to 9 p.m., at DoubleTree Guest Suites, 550 Winter St. The holiday fundraiser will include an auction and music. Tickets are $25.
For more information or tickets, visit www.chenpr.com/index.htm, e-mail mmorris@chenpr.com or call 781-672-3132.

OMI SALON AND SPA, Food drive
OMI Salon and Spa, 251 Moody St., is sponsoring a food drive during December to benefit the Waltham Food Pantry. Bring in non-perishable food items, and receive 10 percent discount coupon for use on products and services. On Saturday, Dec. 6, 13, and 20, 10 a.m. to noon, Santa will be at the store.
For more information, call 781-893-8888 or e-mail admin@omisalons.com.

RASHI SCHOOL, Differential Instruction
Preschool teachers and directors are invited to, Differentiated Instruction in the Early Childhood Classroom, a free professional development workshop sponsored by The Rashi School, 15 Walnut Park, Newton, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Members of the Rashi faculty will lead local preschool directors and teachers in a hands-on exploration of ways that the Diffentiated Instruction method of teachng can be used to develop lessons that are engaging and motivating for a diverse group of children. Dinner will be included.
For more information, contact Anne Puchkoff at apuchkoff@rashi.org or 617-969-4444, Ext. 226, or go to www.rashi.org.

TEMPLE REYIM, What We Believe
Father Walter Cuenin, Catholic chaplain at Brandeis University, will be speaking at Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington St., on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m., as part of a series on, What We Believe. This series is designed to help us learn more about our neighbors beliefs in order to better understand our community. Rabbi Scott Rosenberg will serve as moderator for the evening. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, visit www.reyim.org or call 617-527-2410, Ext. 11.