Saundra Mull (third from left), interim president of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber, is ready to draw the winning tickets in a raffle at the chamber’s 42nd annual Salute to Government Officials Dec. 3 at the National City Bank Building in Southgate. Looking on are Jeff Jones (left) of Apex Systems, incoming chairman of the chamber board; J.D. Purvis of BASF; and Sam Sobh, of TCI Energy, outgoing board chair-man. Some 500 government officials, chamber mem-bers and guests gathered at the event to network and partake of the Rhapsody restaurant’s specialties.
Candlelight advent concert is scheduled by symphony
A Christmas carol sing-along will be a highlight of the Southern Great Lakes Symphony’s annual Advent concert at 9 p.m. Dec. 19 at St. James Episcopal Church on Grosse Ile.
In addition, the orchestra will perform works by Purcell, Corelli and Brahms under the baton of music director Charles Greenwell.
Following the hour-long program, wassail, coffee and cookies will be served.
Tickets, $25, are available by calling (734) 246-2890 or going to www.sgls.org. Students are free if accompanied by an adult. Tickets will be available at the door if not sold out.
The church is at 25150 East River Road.
Art, craft sale is continuing
One-of-a-kind works by Downriver artists and handcrafters are featured at the Downriver Council for the Arts’ Annual Holiday Fine Arts and Fine Craft Sale, which continues through Saturday at the DCA’s temporary headquarters, 3003 Biddle, Wyandotte.
Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Among the artists offering their original works are Shirley Ciungan, Judy Nelms, Karen St. Martin and David Matt.
The organization’s Parlor Series continues from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17 with a program titled “The Beginning of Light.”
It will feature poets Pat Barnes, Mono D’Angelo, Marlene Howard, Dennis White, Bonnie Monger, Larry and Phyllis LeBlanc and music by The Madri-gals.
Events planned at Ford House
Special holiday events are scheduled at the El-eanor and Edsel Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, where Henry and Clara Ford annually joined the Edsel Fords at Christmas gatherings starting 80 years ago.
Among the events are candlelight tours of the es-tate from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 18 through 20 ($15 with dinner available for purchase); a holiday tea and a tour at 3 p.m. Dec. 19 ($35 per person, including a commemorative ornament); and a holiday dinner and tour at 5 p.m. Dec. 20 ($40 per person).
Two programs are planned for children: “Nut-cracker” teas with Santa on Dec. 14 through 17 ($15 per person) and Christmas story times at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 ($5 per person).
Reservations for the events (required) and more information are available at (313) 884-4222.
The estate is at 1100 Lakeshore Road.
Coming up . . .
Through Dec. 31 — Children’s film, “The Light Before Christmas”; in the Detroit Science Center’s IMAX Dome Theatre; tickets, $13.95, adults and $11.95, seniors and children, include museum admis-sion; for more information, go to www.detroitsciencecenter.org.
Dec. 17-Jan. 23 — Tony, Grammy and Oliver Award-winning hit musical “Jersey Boys,” the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons; at the Fisher Theatre; tickets beginning at $34, are available at all TicketMaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com and www.BroadwayinDetroit.com;
for more information, call (313) 872-1000.
Dec. 18 — Concert by Kenny Rogers, “Christmas & Hits Tour,” featuring live performances of holiday classics and many of his greatest hits; 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre; tickets, $38, $48 and $75, are avail-able at (800) 745-3000, www.OlympiaEntertainment.com, www.ticketmaster.com and all TicketMaster locations; for more information, call (313) 471-6611.
Dec. 22-27 — Musical xxtravaganza, “Cirque Dreams Holidaze,” featuring ornaments that come to life with performances by cast of acrobats, aerialists, singers, dancers and musicians; tickets, $30 to $65 (opening night, Dec. 22, $20 to $55); tickets are avail-able at all TicketMaster locations, or by calling (800) 745-3000 or going to www.TicketMaster.com; for more information, call (313) 471-6611.