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Plenty To Do As Holiday Season Kicks Off

It's not too early to get in the spirit with pre-holiday events happening in Metro Detroit this weekend.

It's the season to give, and Lighthouse of Oakland County wants your help. The expenses of the holiday season can be an added burden to many families already struggling to afford food and basic necessities.

The Lighthouse Thanksgiving Program provides families the food necessary to prepare a Thanksgiving meal that can be shared by families no matter their economic situations.

There are many ways you can help put a smile on the faces of these individuals this Thanksgiving season:

Sponsor a Food DriveMake a Donation

Thanksgiving 2010 Volunteer Opportunities

The Mall at Partridge Creek will light up the holidays at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 13 – a perfect chance to get into the spirit of the season.  Santa, led by the Pistons drumline, will help transform the shopping center into a magical winter wonderland when he turns on the tree lights at the mall's annual tree lighting ceremony.

Guests will not only get a jump on holiday shopping, but may also take pictures with Santa inside Parisian (bring cameras, please) until 9 p.m. Take a break and get cozy near the Center Court's 30-foot fireplace and enjoy delicious apple cider and donuts provided by Nino Salvaggio (while supplies last).

A few local churches and schools have holiday craft shows going on:

The "Hope Alternative Christmas Fair" offers this season's most unique holiday shopping, with one-of-a-kind gifts that benefit a lineup of local non-denominational charities. This year's fair is Sunday Nov 13 at St. Fabian Church on 12-Mile Road, west of Orchard Lake in Farmington Hills

You can also support the schools at the 26th annual Christmas in Clawson craft show is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Clawson High School. Admission is $2. Children 13 and younger are free. All proceeds support the Clawson Public Schools PTAs. Call 248-288-1663.

Our Savior Parish, Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC) is hosting its annual Christmas Fair to be held on November 13 &14, 2010 at 610 N. Beech Daly Rd. Dearborn Heights, MI.

The fair will consist of crafts for sale made by parishioners and two outside vendors, Polish food and games for the entire family. In addition, on Sunday November 14, there will be a Polish Dinner served at Noon.

If you're in need of fun idea for Christmas cards, take the family including pet(s) to see Santa! Great Lakes Crossing is hosting Paws & Claus on Sunday, November 14 and Sunday, November 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will take place at the Ice Palace holiday set in District 7 of the shopping center, adjacent to AMC Theatres.  Well-behaved dogs and cats of all sizes are invited to take part this unique photo session with their loving owners and Santa Claus to capture a special holiday moment with the entire family.  Pets are allowed through Entry 6 after 6:30 p.m., anyone in line by 8 p.m. will be guaranteed to see Santa.

There is more animal fun at the 21st Tail Wagger's Bowl on Saturday, November 13th at Woodland Lanes in Livonia.  Squads are being held at 9:30 am, 1:00 pm, 4:30 pm and 8:00 pm, cost $25 per person (includes 3-games of bowling, lunch or dinner, commemorative gift, a lot of prizes and fun).

Children can become official Pet Cadets by participating in the 9:30 a.m. squad.  For only $10 per person, kids will get the same benefits as the adults but also receive a personalized Pet Cadet Membership Card which gives them a phone number to call to ask animal-related questions or to report animal cruelty.  Pet Cadets are featured on the website and can be proud of the fact they are stepping up to the plate on behalf of animals.  Scouting groups, youth groups, church groups and the like are all invited to attend this fun-filled morning.

For more information on Tail Wagger's 1990 visit the website at www.tailwaggers1990.org or to register to become a participant in the 21st Tail Wagger's Bowl

Kids will love celebrating Neighborhood Toy Store Day at The Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop in Berkley. Stop by the shop, Saturday, November 13, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., for fun games to play, crafts to make and toy demonstrations. There will also be prizes, goody bags for each family and refreshments served. Call (248) 543-3115 ext. 246 for more information on the event.

Since 1996, the Detroit Lions have hosted Think Detroit PAL's youth football championship. For 2010, more than 180 youth football players will participate in the event, which will take place Saturday November 13.

The stadium, located at 2000 Brush Street in downtown Detroit, will open to the public at 8am. The first of four games will begin at 9am with the D-Team challenge. The C-Team Championship starts at 12:30pm, followed by the B-Team Championship at 3pm. The games conclude with the A-Team Championship at 5:25pm.

The circus is in town! From Friday, November 12, to Sunday, November 14, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Zing Zang Zoom will be delighting audiences at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The show blends classic circus fun and magic performances.

Tickets are priced between $12.50 and $21.50, and are available for sale here.

Performance Schedule
Friday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The Women's Expo returns to Canton (46000 Summit Parkway) on Saturday, November 13 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.. Women of all ages are encouraged to attend a special day of shopping, delicious food and great products.

Mothers, daughters and friends will all enjoy this annual festive event featuring:  health screenings, continental breakfast, raffle prizes, goody bags, and great shopping!  Kick-start the holiday season with demos to help bring out the 'hostess' in everyone.  Special demonstrations will include holiday decorating by Keller and Stein and appetizers by Chef Paul.

Tickets are  $5 in advance or $10 if ticket is purchased at the door.  For more information on the 2010 Women's Expo and to view a complete list of participating vendors, visit www.cantonfun.org.
For more weekend ideas, visit www.digdowntown.com.

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