Photos with Santa, FREE Hot Chocolate, S’Mores, Cookies, Brownies, Fresh Home Made Fudge and other Holiday Classics! Guests of the light show can also exclusively enjoy Adventure Park’s indoor attractions at discounted rates! Including: Laser Tag, Climbing Rock Wall, Ropes Course, Soft Play Tunnels (kiddie play area), Moon Bounce, and the Full Arcade!

Hours are dusk to 10PM and anyone bringing a Donation for Toys for Tots gets a $5.00 discount on admission.

The new store, located in the former 84 Lumber site at 101 Willowdale Drive, has more than 10,000 square feet of retail space.

The new store also has a drive-through donation area.

“People just pull up, we unload and they can scan their smartphone on the QR code and we email them a receipt,” Sauter said. “They don’t even have to get out of their car.”

The Goodwill store on East Church Street is now The Last Rack, where shoppers can find clothing at discount prices. There is also a store on Buckeystown Pike.

Find more information about area Goodwill Stores on the Goodwill of Monocacy Valley site. You can also follow them on Twitter.

Way Station, Inc. is a nationally recognized psychiatric rehabilitation center providing community services through advocacy, research, and education. We are a non-profit organization promoting health and community integration for persons with serious mental illness.

Last year Way Station, Inc. sponsored a 5k Run & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk on Thanksgiving Day to raise money to assist individuals who are living with mental illness achieve their personal and professional goals. We had over 2000 runners/walkers.

The 2011 5k Run & 1k Fun Run/Walk will take place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 24th , 2011.

You can register online.

I’m running the 5k (haha, running, more like walking interrupted by bouts of clumsy jogging). Say hi, if you’re there!

If you want to help out here is information about the celebration (.pdf).

“Smiling Charlie” was introduced to America in 1935 by Budweiser. He was dubbed the “Ambassador of Good Times” and was used to promote the sales of Budweiser after the ending of prohibition. The company tried to reintroduce him in 2005, but it was a flop. However, The Canal Bar & Grill thought he would be a perfect fit for them and requested permission from Budweiser to “adopt” Smiling Charlie. They agreed.

The Canal Bar & Grill has renovated and changed its overall business theme with an expanded menu, a new mascot (Smiling Charlie), and incorporating more local and craft beers into their offerings. So after over 60 years in business The Canal Bar & Grill is having a grand re-opening.

The re-opneing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th from 3PM to 9PM. The Chamber of Commerce will provide a ribbon cutting ceremony including elected officials as guests at 3PM.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Christmas Cash for Kids. WFMD will host a live broadcast from 3PM to 6PM to help generate funds for Christmas Cash for Kids and will auction off four club level tickets to the Ravens vs. Texans game.

A compilation of Canal’s vendors will also participate and provide a complimentary buffet and door prizes for guests. Drink and food specials will also be featured throughout the event.

I’ve drank many a beer and broke much bread at Canal over the years. I even played kickball for them waaaaay back in the day. I’ve always had a good time at Canal and wish them well.

You can also follow Canal Bar & Grill on Facebook.

Rushing Winds Farm is having an open house this Sunday, September 25th from 11am to 4pm. They are a non-profit horse rescue farm located in Frederick County who is opening their barns, fields, etc. to the community. Riding demonstrations, pony rides, horse adoptions, and more.

Generation Connect, a Frederick County Chamber of Commerce program for young professionals, will host its next bimonthly networking event at Frederick Indoor Sports Center (1845 Brookfield Ct., Frederick) from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22.

The event is open to Chamber members and non-members. Registration fee of $10 per person includes a drink and light appetizers. Frederick Indoor Sports Center (FISC) will offer classic lawn games, including a cornhole contest. Attendees may sign up in advance at www.frederickchamber.org or call 301.662.4164 x1. Registration will also be available the door.

Each Generation Connect event spotlights a different contributing organization, and this month’s table sponsor is Goodwill GoodGuides, a mentoring program for at-risk youth. Event attendees will be able to learn more about becoming a mentor for boys and girls ages 12 to 17.

Food, drinks, and cornhole for a good cause. Sounds like a good time. Learn more about the event on the Chamber’s website.

2011 JoAnn Garrett Classic

Here is some more info about FACKA and the event.

Tickets can be purchased for a 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, or 7:00pm seating. Diners will be seated European style. A maximum of 26 people will be included per time slot. The appetizer, salad and dinner courses include a glass of wine and/or beer. Coffee will be served with dessert. Diners will walk between the restaurants. This Progressive Dinner will be served mostly al fresco, weather permitting.

For more on menu and prices visit the Downtown Frederick Partnership website.

The Mud Dog Run is a fun, high intensity, obstacle course run around one of Frederick, Maryland’s most beautiful farms. Starting at Ceresville Mansion, the Mud Dog Run will encompass 5 Kilometers of tough terrain including Israel Creek and the Monocacy River. This race is not for the faint of heart. If you like a challenge and some food topped off with Flying Dog beer at the finish, then the Mud Dog Run is just your type of race.

A portion of the proceeds from the race will help start the FISC Foundation, whose purpose is to provide scholarships to local athletes of all ages.

Place and Time: Ceresville Mansion Meadow on April 16th at 11 AM for first wave and 11:30 for second wave. The Mud Dog party will begin with music, food and beer at 11 AM and will continue until 3 hours after the first finisher of the second wave.

Registration Fee: $55 for pre-registrants before April 1st. All registration after Midnight on April 10th will cost $65 (This includes race day registrants). Registration is limited so please don’t wait!

I just registered. I’ll be the one gasping for air and flailing around.