Holiday Spirit

Fireworks lit up Mount Vernon Place, the sound of choirs echoed off townhouses and laser lights illuminated the chilly air Thursday evening for the 40th annual lighting of Baltimore's Washington Monument. "The fireworks this year were the best. They were really terrific," said Hunting Ridge resident Vicki Bringman, who has attended the event for more than a decade with her husband, Lew Bringman. "We couldn't see much other than kids' rear ends, up on their parents' shoulders, but it was wonderful.

Bridget Gregory loves many things about her cat, Curtis, but finds his feet among his funniest features. "Curtis is a polydactyl cat, meaning he has more than five toes on one paw," says the 11-year-old Towson resident. "He has six!" Bridget's family adopted Curtis the 24-toed cat from the animal shelter last year and say he's about a year and a half old. "Curtis is very, very friendly and likes being the center of attention," says Bridget. Given the chance, he meanders into neighbors' homes for a visit and loves meeting new people and being loved by family and friends.

Some were first-timers, others veterans. Under Baltimore's Washington Monument Thursday night, thousands gathered for carols, food truck carryout and a bit of light-hearted - if jam-packed - holiday camaraderie. At the 41st annual lighting of the monument, another winter season in Charm City was launched - kids and teens, young adults and older couples all looking skyward as the strings of lights were turned on, lasers shot patterns across Mount Vernon's trees and a finale of fireworks burst into the air, all to the accompaniment of holiday musical classics.

Some were first-timers, others veterans. Under Baltimore's Washington Monument Thursday night, thousands gathered for carols, food truck carryout and a bit of light-hearted - if jam-packed - holiday camaraderie. At the 41st annual lighting of the monument, another winter season in Charm City was launched - kids and teens, young adults and older couples all looking skyward as the strings of lights were turned on, lasers shot patterns across Mount Vernon's trees and a finale of fireworks burst into the air, all to the accompaniment of holiday musical classics.

Howard County Ballet will perform its inaugural show this weekend -- and despite the season, it won't be "The Nutcracker."Founder Kathi Ferguson has chosen to buck holiday orthodoxy by offering "The Snow Queen," her adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen tale, which the company will perform tomorrow and Sunday at Smith Theatre, Howard Community College.She hopes the performance will become a Christmas staple in the area, an alternative to a steady diet of "Nutcracker.""I picked 'The Snow Queen' because it has a beautiful ending, where the strength of prayer and beliefs overcome great odds.

THANKSGIVING is now over, but in a wink of an eye it will be Christmas. Before getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, take time to enjoy a community event this weekend, the "Candlelight Welcome" in Linthicum. It will put you in the holiday spirit.*Antique dolls, tours by docents, music by the Victorian Parlor Ensemble and refreshments will be featured at the Candlelight Welcome to be presented by the Ann Arrundell County Historical Society from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the society's headquarters in the Benson-Hammond House.

NOW THAT Thanksgiving is over, it's time to start thinking seriously about Christmas.We know how quickly the holiday sneaks up on us, so this weekend plan on attending two annual neighborhood functions that can help with preparations. They are also great occasions for getting us in the holiday spirit.Holly MartThe Holly Mart, sponsored by the Woman's Club of Linthicum Heights, has something for everyone: a luncheon, entertainment and bazaar items.The mart will be from 9: 30 a.m. to 2: 30 p.m. Friday at the Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church, 200 School Lane.

Thanksgiving is over, and Christmas is bearing down on us.What better way to catch our breath and get into the holiday spirit than to attend the free Christmas Concert presented by the Arundel Singers at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Brooklyn Heights United Methodist Church, 110 Townsend Ave.You will hear a wide variety of holiday music and enjoy the soothing melodies. Everyone is invited.The Brooklyn Park High School graduating class of 1978 hacompleted its plans for a 15-year reunion. The celebration will take place from 8 p.m. until midnight on May 15, at Council's on Patapsco Avenue.

She's watched it happen year after year. Still, for Gretchen Powell, the transformation of Ocean City from a quiet, hibernating summer resort into one of the biggest, most diverse Christmas celebrations in Maryland is simply amazing."

Poinsettias deck the lobby. A holiday-themed sweater adorns the receptionist. And you've just been invited to your company's annual shindig. 'Tis the season. Though the recent gains in the economy have not led many companies to stop pinching pennies, most Baltimore-area firms plan to spend a little something on holiday cheer for their employees this season. Whether it's full-blown affairs with champagne and tuxedos or sedate lunches out with the team, the local 9-to-5 world will find a way this month to punctuate the season -- even if it might not be as elaborate as in Christmases past.

New York City SantaCon 2012 It's that time of year to find your best Santa outfit and head to New York City to frolic, drink and be merry with thousands of other Santa look-alikes. The annual event, which originated in San Francisco in 1994, begins early and ends late, and will attract over 20,000 Santas to numerous bars and pubs throughout the city. Attendees should bring cash and canned food, as this holiday drinkfest raises money for Toys for Tots and also donates to New York City food banks.

Here's another example of why I love the Hereford Zone. Last month, I did a story on Robert Zerance's sky diving adventure. Everybody who shops at Graul's in Hereford knows Robert. He accompanies shoppers to their cars, helps them load their groceries, and brings their carts back to the store. Robert, 34, has some physical and neurological problems stemming from a car accident when he was just 4, but nothing stops him from working, enjoying life and challenging himself. Last week, I got an e-mail from a reader wondering if I still had a copy of the November North County News.

In need of getting into the holiday spirit? Baltimore singer-songwriters Victoria Vox and ellen cherry will play the Creative Alliance on Friday on a bill dubbed the "Not All Holiday Holiday Show!" The title may read more confusingly than it actually is: Vox and cherry will perform renditions of traditional holiday songs while also working in original material. It's not entirely clear whether the two will do separate sets, collaborate on stage or both, but the Creative Alliance's website alludes to special guests joining the fun, so things will get interesting either way. Last week, there were too many shows to squeeze in, and now, seven days later, the weekend's options are much more niche/nostalgia-based.

Fireworks lit up Mount Vernon Place, the sound of choirs echoed off townhouses and laser lights illuminated the chilly air Thursday evening for the 40th annual lighting of Baltimore's Washington Monument. "The fireworks this year were the best. They were really terrific," said Hunting Ridge resident Vicki Bringman, who has attended the event for more than a decade with her husband, Lew Bringman. "We couldn't see much other than kids' rear ends, up on their parents' shoulders, but it was wonderful.

Howard Magazine is getting into the holiday spirit. We asked three Howard County interior designers to offer inspiration and tips for dining room decor. What resulted is a feast for the eyes. Better yet, these Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas looks are easy to recreate. See the accompanying photo gallery for pictures of each holiday design. THANKSGIVING Jill Valeri, owner of The Welcome Home: Interior Design Solutions, capitalized on warm autumnal tones to create a friendly Thanksgiving table.

One of the best Christmas cards out there can be found at NotCafeHon, the Twitter feed created after cafe owner Denise Whiting trademarked the word "hon. " There's a photo of Whiting celebrating with the mayor who came to her rescue a little over a year ago when the restaurant's pink flamingo was imperiled. "Merry Christmas," the card reads, "from a disgraced woman who stole from Baltimore … and Sheila Dixon . " On the same topic, a Baltimorean posted on Facebook: "Just realized that the Boycott Cafe Hon Facebook Page is registered under the username ' Cafe Hon .' What a huge mistake on Cafe Hon 's part for not getting to it first.

Bridget Gregory loves many things about her cat, Curtis, but finds his feet among his funniest features. "Curtis is a polydactyl cat, meaning he has more than five toes on one paw," says the 11-year-old Towson resident. "He has six!" Bridget's family adopted Curtis the 24-toed cat from the animal shelter last year and say he's about a year and a half old. "Curtis is very, very friendly and likes being the center of attention," says Bridget. Given the chance, he meanders into neighbors' homes for a visit and loves meeting new people and being loved by family and friends.

Jack Kent Cooke for Marylander of the Year!A manic depressive is someone who cannot decide between Holiday Spirit and Seasonal Affective Disorder.The Canadian paranoia that the U.S. will use NAFTA to seize Canada's clean water is under study in Washington.Q. What does the comptroller do? A. Keep the rest of city government honest. Next question.

Carlos Woods went Christmas shopping on Wednesday. He bought a snowman headband, a piggy bank shaped like a hippopotamus and a birthday card. His $5 excursion through Baltimore's Mondawmin Mall ended with a handshake and a "God bless you" from Santa. A typical outing for most children But Carlos isn't just any child, and for him, this wasn't a typical outing. Carlos, who turns 12 the day before Christmas Eve, was hit in the head by a stray bullet in April 2001 as he retrieved a juice bottle from the doorway of his Chapel Street rowhouse.

It's the season of the Christmas album. They fill the racks at your neighborhood music store: Annie Lennox's "A Christmas Cornucopia," "Christmas with the Rat Pack," "Christmas with the Chipmunks. " Even Pink Martini has "Joy to the World," a nondenominational holiday album. Aaron Neville, for one, is avoiding them. "I don't hear a lot of the Christmas albums," he said. "There are too many. " The multiple-Grammy winner is in a position to know. In a career that spans five decades, he has recorded two of them, including one that went platinum.