In your glass
West Point Market, 1711 W. Market St., Akron, will hold its annual Christmas Ale Tasting from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, featuring 35 holiday brews, including beers from Ohio brewers Hoppin’ Frog, Fat Head’s, Great Lakes, Rivertown, Thirsty Dog, the Brew Kettle, Elevator, Samuel Adams and Indigo Imp.
The cost is $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 330-864-2151, ext. 129.
For your kids
Have breakfast with Santa and help a good cause.
The event is 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1 at Hudson’s Restaurant, 3900 Medina Road, Copley Township. Cost is $12 for adults, $9 for children age 10 and younger. Professional photos will be taken.
Reservations are required; call 330-666-7777.
A portion of the proceeds will go to Blessings in a Backpack, which supplies backpacks filled with food to help needy children at the Helen Arnold Community Learning Center get through the weekend when they aren’t getting meals at school.
Get in the spirit
Get a glimpse of how some of Akron’s royalty celebrated Christmas during Deck the Hall, the annual holiday event at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.
The former estate of Goodyear co-founder F.A. Seiberling is all dressed up for the season. Visitors can see music-theme decorations in the Manor House, wander the lighted grounds and pay a visit to Mr. Jingeling.
Deck the Hall is open select evenings through Dec. 30 at 714 N. Portage Path. Admission is $17, with discounts for members and youth. 330-836-5533 or www.stanhywet.org.
Do a good deed
Those who are sick or elderly often feel bad if they are unable to do something for their loved ones during the holidays. But you, or the kids, can help.
Offer to go shopping for them, at the store or online. Including them in a search for bargains on the Internet can be fun, and they are sure to enjoy your company.
If money is tight, suggest that they dictate something to you for their friends and family, maybe a tale about how they celebrated Christmas when they were a child. Type the story on the computer for them, using a special design.
No amount of money can buy such a precious keepsake.
On stage
The popular Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is playing at Weathervane Community Playhouse in Akron. Sixteen performances are scheduled between today and Dec. 23; find a schedule at www.weathervaneplayhouse.com or call 330-836-2626. The theater also opens Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol on Saturday, continuing through Dec. 22.
On screen
The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque will show the classic Lonely Are the Brave at 8:30 tonight. Dalton Trumbo’s screenplay — adapted from Edward Abbey’s novel — follows a cowboy and his horse on the run in the increasingly urbanized present day; it’s one of Kirk Douglas’ best performances. For more information, see www.cia.edu/cinematheque.
