The Five Minute Read
Living the Dream nominations
LOWELL >> The Living the Dream committee is seeking nominations by Friday, Dec. 22, at noon, for the “Living the Dream Award,” which recognizes an individual, organization or community activity working to promote peace, unity and antiracism.
Nominees should meet one or more of the following criteria: Performs exemplary deeds of service in the Greater Lowell area; helps individuals and/or their community through one or more extraordinary acts; promotes peace, unity and diversity; works to combat racism and/or longterm, persistent problems that impact entire communities. Applications must include a brief nomination essay detailing how the nominee meets the criteria, and why they should be recognized at the annual Living the Dream Celebration. To apply, visit middlesex. mass.edu/foundation/ downloads/ltdnomform. pdf.
The annual Living the Dream Celebration, memorializing Martin Luther King Jr., will take place on King’s birthday, Monday, Jan. 15, from
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Tafetta, 122 Western Ave., No. 162. This year’s theme is “Change Starts with Us.”
For information, email mccormacks@middlesex. mass.edu.
Holiday Toy Drive
LOWELL >> The Lowell Police Department’s Holiday Toy Drive runs until Wednesday, Dec. 13, 50 Arcand Drive. Donations must be new, unused and unwrapped gifts, which will be given as holiday gifts to Lowell Public Schools students in need. Stuffed animals or plush toys can not be accepted. For more information, call 978-937-3200.
Holiday marketplace
LOWELL >> For shoppers with a slightly offbeat, goofy and strange holiday list, stop by the Holiday Oddity Marketplace on Saturday, Dec. 9, from noon to 4 p.m., at Mill
No. 5, 250 Jackson St. Shops will feature “weird gifts for weird people” curated for this event from their inventory.
The Real Krampus will be available for holiday pictures from from 2 to 4 p.m. on the fifth floor. Families with small children should note that the Real Krampus is not a family-friendly style Santa Claus.
The Shops at Mill No. 5 are open daily at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for regular hours and items.
Get moving on Wiggly Wednesday
LOWELL >> Children and grownups are welcome to shake, wiggle, jump and dance on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., in the Ground Floor Community Meeting Room of the Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St. Space is limited, and registration is required at bit. ly/47nk1ff or call 978674-1529.
Concert finale to Lowell Chamber Orchestra’s fall season
LOWELL >> The Lowell Chamber Orchestra closes its sixth season on Friday Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m., at the Richard and Nancy Donahue Academic Arts Center, 240 Central St. The LCO will perform a variety of works from the late 19th century until the present century, including “Verklärte Nacht” by Arnold Schoenberg, “Symphony No. 3” by American composer Charles Ives, “Mayibuyé” by South African composer Bongani Ndodana-breen, and “Aria Antigua” by Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo.
All the concerts are free and open to the public and are part of the Middlesex Community College’s “A World of Music Concert Series.” In addition to street parking, the nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage on 135 Middlesex St.
For information, visit lowellchamberorchestra. org.