A wonderful way to get yourself in the spirit of Christmas would be by attending A Crooner Christmas VII at the Alexandria Community Center from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, December 16. Todd Schafer with Todd Whitford and Jerry Moore will be performing Christmas songs and songs that were sung by your favorite crooners in years past. Plus there will be a surprise vocal guest and a special tribute to Schafer's father. Admission is free but donations will be accepted to be distributed to needy individuals and families in the area.

Todd Schafer has strong ties to our community through his grandparents John and Nellie Keith who were lifetime residents in Pendleton County. His parents, Lee and Joyce Schafer, also resided in Pendleton and Campbell counties.

While growing up Todd performed for many churches in the area as well as senior events. In the late 70's and early 80's he performed with Lawrence Welk on several occasions. He has performed for UK, U of L, and Xavier. For nearly a decade he has been dealing with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy. He lives with a 17 to 20% ejection factor and yet God allows him to perform this program year after year. Come hear your favorite crooner tunes and get your Christmas spirit brightened with a beautiful rendition of "Let It Snow" and "White Christmas."

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It's time once again to start thinking about Christmas. The Melvin Hart Memorial Toy Drive is available for families who need help during the holidays.

If you have an infant - 11 year old child and are not being helped through any other services such as the North or South Family Resource Centers, please contact Lisa Halcomb at 859-654-6905.

The following information will be required: child's name, sex, age, parent's name, phone number and the name of the person picking up the gifts.

Information must be provided no later than 5 p.m., Saturday, December 15. Absolutely no names will be taken after the cut-off date.

Gifts can be picked up from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, December 22 at the Falmouth Christian Church. Proof of residency will be required at the time of pick-up.

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It's time to start thinking about participating in Butler's Christmas Parade.

The parade will be December 15 with the line up beginning at 12:15 p.m. The parade will start at 1 p.m. from the Community Center at 110 Mill Street.

Santa will be riding on the city float so no other Santa's please.

We welcome organizations, people walking, bicycles, tractors, motorcycles, cars, fire trucks, horses and of course floats.

After the parade Santa will meet with the children at the Community Center. There will be cookies, coffee and hot chocolate for everyone to enjoy.

If you know of anyone that would be interested please pass this information on to them.

Come out and help us make this the best parade ever. The theme for this year is simple..."It's Christmas!"

Hope to see you on December 15.

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The Pendleton County Public Library will be closing early, at 4 p.m., Wednesday, December 12 for the library board and staff’s annual Christmas dinner. The library apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The book drop will be available for those who wish to return items at this time.

If you have any questions, please call the library at 859-654-8535.  Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

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Just in time for that New Year's resolution!

Tarhe Sports & Learning Center will be offering a weekly cardio and fitness workout class from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. beginning Friday, January 4. This class is for women only and is taught by a female instructor.

Classes will be held at the gym located at 578 U.S. 27 South in Falmouth.

The first class is free! Daily, weekly or monthly schedules are available.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call 859-654-TARHE (8274).

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Several disadvantaged children in Pendleton County get a chance to Shop With a Cop this Christmas. Law enforcement officers from the Pendleton Sheriff’s office, Kentucky State Police, Falmouth Police Department and Butler Police Department will accompany youngsters to local stores with a pre-determined amount of money for the child to purchase items for themselves or family members. Parents and guardians of disadvantaged children can enter their children's name, address, age, sex, parent’s name and daytime phone number on a 3x5 index card. Each child entered must be on a separate card. Cards should be taken or mailed to Pendleton County Sheriff, 202 Chapel Street, Falmouth, Ky. 41040. No names will be accepted after December 18. Names must be submitted by parents or guardians only. Children must be 8-12 years old and a resident of Pendleton County. The children chosen will be notified. The children will shop with a member of our local law enforcement at local businesses at 5 p.m., Thursday, December 20.

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To anyone that ordered a 2012 Pendleton County High School Graduation video, they are now available for pickup. Please see Kirt Prather or the Broadcasting Class at the high school.

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Santa Claus will be visiting the Northern Pendleton Fire District on December 15. He can come to your house to visit your children and pass out candy canes. If you would like to have Santa bring your children presents, you need to bring up a wrapped present to the firehouse by December 14, 2012. There will be staff at the firehouse between 6 a.m.-4 p.m. You must call and register your child for a home visit, (859) 472-5127. You must also live in the Northern Pendleton District to have Santa come visit your house.

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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) encourages motorists across the state to prepare their vehicles for holiday travel and winter weather.

“Motorist safety is our foremost concern,” said Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock. “Taking a few precautions now will help make holiday trips safer, and drivers will be better prepared should a cold weather emergency occur.”

Scammers are busy this time of the year! Whether it’s on the internet, at the stores, or even at your front door…they are ready to take your hard-earned cash! Here are some tips from the BBB on scams to look out for.

Internet Scams: Be on the lookout for fake websites offering bargain prices, especially on those hard to find gifts, or the hot gifts for 2012. These sites tout “too-good-to-be-true” prices on these items, with a professional looking website and testimonials from “happy customers.” The scam artists will take your money, won’t send you the merchandise! Don’t just trust a site – check it out at www.bbb.org. Also, when shopping online, use a credit card, not your debit card. Debit cards are directly linked to your bank account, and if you never get your merchandise or it isn’t what was promised, you can dispute the charges with your credit card company.