Annual tree lighting
The Chesapeake Arts Center will host its annual tree lighting event at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at 194 Hammonds Lane in Brooklyn Park. Celebrate the season with hot chocolate and an arts center favorite: hot Dr. Pepper with lemon. Santa Claus might even show up. All are invited. Information: 410-636-6597 or chesapeakearts.org.
Free parking
Two hours of free parking are available to Annapolis shoppers at all two-hour metered parking spots through Jan. 1. Spaces on Main Street, Francis Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, Prince George Street, City Dock and Market Space are available. Motorists are not allowed to leave their cars in one spot all day.
Donations needed
The Arundel House of Hope needs gloves, socks, hats and coats for its new program, Patriot House, for veterans transitioning back to independent living and for homeless adults served by the Winter Relief program. Donations may be dropped off from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays in Room 314 of the Careers Center classroom building on the Anne Arundel Community College Arnold campus, 101 College Parkway or in the lobby of at AACC's Arundel Mills classroom building, 7009 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover. Information: 410-777-7252.
Visit with Santa
Visit with Santa Claus at Arundel Mills, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover, through Dec. 24. For hours and information: 410-540-5100 or go to arundelmills.com.
Baysox packages
The Bowie Baysox are offering two ticket packages for the holidays. Each includes a Kevin Gausman bobblehead and eight undated tickets for the Baysox's 2015 season. The "Baysox Holiday Gift Pack" is $99.95 plus a $7.95 shipping and handling fee, and includes a baseball cap. "Home For The Holidays" package is $88 plus the same shipping and handling. Tickets packages are available at baysoxshop.com until Jan. 9. Information: 301-464-4880 or baysox.com.
Operation Paperback
This nonprofit collects used books nationwide and sends them to U.S. troops deployed overseas. Since 1999, more than 1 million books have been shipped to military personnel around the world. Organizing the effort in this area is Sandy Marron of Annapolis. She can be contacted at slmmuscles1@aol.com. Put "books" in the subject line. Information: operationpaperback.org.