ONGOING THIS WEEK

The Vero Beach Yacht Club, 3601 Rio Vista Blvd, is accepting donations of non perishable foods for Harvest Food and Outreach Center through December 17th and donations of small cuddly Teddy Bears (under 12”) for Indian River Medical Center’s Teddy Bear Drive through December 18th. Drop-off Tuesday – Saturday 11 am to 9 pm, 10 am to 1 pm on Sundays.

Thursday,  December 3

Christ Church Vero Beach, 923 Community Center, 923 14th Lane (behind Outback Steakhouse) is holding an Opening Reception on Thursday, December 3rd at 6:30 p.m. featuring the artwork of Carol Bennett.  Working with a variety of mediums, Carol produces landscapes, figure drawings,  people and animals.

Indian River Medical Center invites the community to its 25th anniversary of the Auxiliary’s Tree of Lights ceremony, Thursday, December 3rd  at 6 pm outside IRMC’s visitors’ entrance. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be provided.  Contributions for a light can be made in honor or in memory of a relative, friend or loved one.  Call Maureen Luther at (772) 567-4311, ext. 1133.

The Arc of Indian River County is holding a Grand Opening of its new Residential Group home,  2455, 5th Street SW on Thursday, December 3rd at 10 am.  Enjoy a continental breakfast and entertainment by the Arc choir.  RSVP 772-562-6854 Ext. 228.

Friday,  December 4

The Buzz TV Art Gallery, a new gallery in the studios of Buzz TV,  2345 14th Avenue, Suite 5 in Vero Beach is holding a Grand Opening & Reception for Carlos Perez Vidal‘s  “Solarium” exhibit from 6 to 9  pm on Friday, December 4th.  Each month a different local non-profit agency will benefit from the purchase of Art in the Gallery.

Here is a preview of the exhibition openings on Friday, December 4th from 5 to 8 pm in the galleries around and along 14th Avenue in Vero Beach:

Gallery 14 is excited to present their annual Our Beautiful Waters exhibit, which for the third year in a row will benefit the Environmental Learning Center of Vero Beach.  All the art focuses on concern for the ocean, rivers, lagoons, mangroves, and aquatic wildlife, reflecting the life found around the waters of Florida.

The Artists Guild Gallery features guest artist, Sarah Barnaby who captures a moment in time with a combination Old Master’s and Impressionistic style

Flametree Clay Gallery artists have created one of a kind, pet related art and functional pieces for “Pet Me” to benefit H.A.L.O Rescue.  Attendees are encouraged to bring a donation of pet food/supplies.

Main Street Studios’ guest artists are from the 34th Avenue Co-op, featuring works  by Carol Bennett, Carol Gridley and Kim Weissenborn.

Art on 18th Gallery, 1365 18th Street, presents “Wax & Whimsy” with artwork by Ginny Piech Street and Sharon Horton.

The City of Vero Beach’s Annual Boat Parade will be on Friday, December 4th beginning at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come out to watch the Boat Parade.  The best locations to see this fabulous Boat Parade are at Royal Palm Pointe and A.W. Young Park.  There will be between 20 to 25 boats participating in this year’s event. Visit the website at www.veroboatparade.com.

The 27th Annual Light Up Night will be held on Friday, December 4th from 5:30 to 8 pm with the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce.  Visit local businesses for holiday cheer including special sales, food and refreshments and prizes.  Download a  map at sebastianchamber.com.

The Garden Club of Indian River County, 2526 17th Avenue in Vero Beach will have a Holiday Boxwood Topiary Workshop on Friday, December 4th from 9 am to Noon. Easy to follow step-by-step instruction will be provided on the construction and decoration of your ‘living’ tree.  Bring clippers and a box to carry the tree.  Materials will be provided. The cost for workshop is $20. Call  the GCIRC office at 772-567-4602.

Friday & Saturday

Have a little fun this holiday season by shopping at the A.E. Backus Gallery & Museum, 500 Indian River Drive in Fort Pierce.  On Friday, December 4th from 5 to 8 pm, enjoy the Holiday Opening Reception & Sale followed by the Holiday Sale on Saturday, December 6th from  10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, December 7th from noon to 4 pm.  Enjoy free admission, 10% discount on purchases, and chance to win a Backus print.

Riverside Theatre presents Comedy Zone –Winter Nights on Friday & Saturday, December 4th & 5th.  Comedians are Janet Williams aka “the Tennessee Tramp”and Danny Niblock with shows at 7:30 and 9:30 pm.  Free outdoor concerts feature Wiley Nash on Friday and Blue Cypress Bluegrass on Saturday.  Visit RiversideTheatre.com

Saturday, December 5

J.M. Stringer Gallery’s annual holiday exhibition, ‘Tis the Season, will feature the recent paintings of Alan Fetterman and Joy Jackson (image at right). The opening reception will be held on Saturday, December 5th from 4 to 8 pm. Enjoy some holiday-inspired fare, lots of cheer, and grab a ringside seat to the Christmas Parade!

The 61st annual Christmas Tree Lane to benefit local charities will be held from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday, December 5th, at the new Christian Life Center at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, 520 Royal Palm Blvd. This popular event features a Christmas Boutique.  Free admission.

The Oceanside Business Association will hold its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, December 5th, at 6 pm, but festivities will begin early at 5:15 with the Candy Cane 3k Run (Call 772-569-7364).  The parade will run from Flamevine to Live Oak on Ocean Drive between 6 pm & 7:30 pm. Please bring a non-perishable food item to the parade for the Rotary Chuck Wagon to be collected by the Boy Scouts.

The Vero Beach Elks Lodge, 1350 26th Street, presents Dueling Pianos, Saturday, December 5th from 7-10 PM, featuring Johnny Nick and Kent Taylor Brown.  $15.  Reservations – 772-562-8450.

The Hibiscus Children’s Center’s La Soirée Fabuleuse Gala  will be held at 6:30 pm on Saturday, December 5th at the Moorings Yacht & Country Club.  Enjoy dinner, dancing to the sounds of Private Stock and participate in both a silent and live auction and raffle.  Raffle tickets are $25 each or five for $100.  Gala tickets are $250.  Call (772) 299-6011, ext. 313 or visit us at hibiscuschildrenscenter.org.

Sunday December 6

Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1850 6th Avenue in Vero Beach will have a service of Advent Lessons and Carols based on the Holy Family on Sunday December 6th at 7:00 p.m.  Carols and written reflections by the Rev. Dr. Fred Meuser will be centered around Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child.  Music will be provided by the choirs of Our Savior and feature Sara Diehl, Oboe and English Horn.

Brian Wilson co-founder of the Beach Boys and special guest Al Jardine will perform at the Sunrise Theatre on Sunday, December 6th at 7 pm.  Wilson and Jardine will perform songs from Wilson’s 11th solo album, No Pier Pressure, as well as hits and fan favorites. Tickets ($79/$89) visit SunriseTheatre.com.

Highlights next week

Toni Hill of Beachkarma Studio, in Village Square, 1101 US Hwy 1 in Sebastian, is holding computer workshops.  Getting Started with Digital Photography (using your phone or ipad) will be held on December 2nd from 6 to 8 pm ($42); Getting Started with Facebook will be held on December 9th from 6 to 8 pm ($42); Getting Started with Instagram will be held on December 16th from 6 to 8 pm ($42) or enroll for Getting Started with Photoshop Elements from January 7th to 28th from 2 to 4 pm ($100).  To register, call 772-584-2505 or visit beachkarmastudio.com.