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Published: Thursday, December 20, 2012 2:38 PM CST



Salvation Army offers smartphone giving, Online Red Kettle

This holiday season, The Salvation Army is giving people a new way to donate to its traditional red kettles at more than 400 locations across the DFW area. Through Christmas Eve, the red kettle stands will display two QR codes - one for a $5 donation and one for a $10 donation - that can be made by scanning the codes with a smartphone.

Also through Dec. 24, in a convenient way to make a community impact without leaving the comfort of home, anyone can raise donations for The Salvation Army by setting up their own Online Red Kettle at onlineredkettle.org.




Photos with 'The Big Guy'

The Big Guy can once again be found inside the warmth and comfort of a Real Bookstore at The Village at Fairview. Visiting hours are: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through Dec. 23, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 24. "The Big Guy" takes a break from 3-4 p.m. daily.

Shoppers may reserve a spot in the "virtual line" via website, via text message, or in person at the photo set. Once people are in the queue, they are given a return time so they can do some shopping or grab a bite to eat while they wait to visit The Big Guy. Text "SANTA" to 775-200-XMAS (9627), visit www.thevillageshopping.com, or stop by a Real Bookstore at 113 Prairie Road to reserve a place in the virtual line.




Free trolley rides, horse-drawn carriage rides

All aboard! Join us through Dec. 22 for a magical trolley ride around Watters Creek while taking in the spectacular holiday lights. Rides are free and on a first-come, first-served basis, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.

And what could be more charming than a cozy horse-drawn carriage ride through streets adorned with twinkling holiday decorations on a crisp winter evening? Bring the family or that someone special for a horse-drawn carriage ride around Watters Creek, 970 Garden Park Drive.

Carriages hold up to six passengers and are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Pick up is across the street from DSW. Rides are available, weather permitting, between 6 and 9 p.m. through Dec. 22; check with the concierge at 972-747-8000.




Free photos with Santa at Watters Creek

Watters Creek offers free visits with Santa for families to come have the opportunity to take their own photos at no charge. Times are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 20, 21 and 24, and noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 23.

Santa's workshop is across from The Blue Fish and Paciugo at Watters Creek, 970 Garden Park Drive. For information, visit watterscreek.com.




Enjoy a Christmas Eve open skate

Celebrate the holidays with the whole family at the Allen Community Ice Rink. From 1:30 to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24, enjoy various on-ice games and activities for everyone including pictures with Santa, chance drawings for a free Learn to Skate semester and much more.

Admission is $5 per person and skate rental is $3 per person. Come dressed in both green and red and receive free skate rental. All on-ice participants must wear skates.

The Allen Community Ice Rink is at Allen Event Center, 200 E. Stacy Road #1350.




O Come All Ye Faithful

Celebrate Christmas Eve in the English Tradition in story and song with "Lessons & Carols" at 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 24, at the historic Allen Christian Church in the Allen Heritage Village. The Allen Heritage Guild invites visitors to join them in gathering to hear glad tidings from the Scriptures and celebrate the Newborn King.

The Allen Christian Church is at 450 E. St. Mary's Drive.




Winter reading clubs under way

Children and teens can stop by the library and pick up their reading logs now for the Allen Public Library's winter reading clubs.

Teens ages 12-18 who read three books before Jan. 13 will earn a free book and be entered into a prize drawing for $25 gift cards to Cinemark, GameStop or Starbucks.

Kids ages 0-11, come "Soar with Books!" Younger readers who read 10 picture books or easy readers - and older readers who read three or more chapter books or non-fiction books - will get a free book when they return their reading logs by Jan. 13.

The Allen Public Library is at 300 N. Allen Drive.




Test-prep tool available through APL

Studying for the SATs? GREs? GED? Or another standardized test? LearningExpress Library can help.

LearningExpress Library contains practice tests, exercises, skill-building courses, ebooks and more. Call 214-509-4905 for login/password. Visit allenlibrary.org for information.




Weekly 6 a.m. social run

Gather at Luke's Locker every Thursday morning at 6 a.m. for a 45-minute social run. Out and back run, for all levels, bagels and coffee after at the store. Visit http://www.watterscreek.com/ for information.




Kaleidoscope of Dreams Light Show

Through Jan. 4 every night from 5-9 p.m., come see one of the largest holiday light shows in North Texas, with 250,000 sparking LED lights. The Village at Fairview, Macy's Fountain entrance.

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