STILL Haven't Made New Year's Eve Plans?

There's still time to make plans!! NOT MUCH, THOUGH.

New Years Eve Party: The Whisky Prophets - Fion Bistro and Wine Bar, 107 S. Delaware Ave. Starts at 8pm.

New Years Eve Party (featuring Howl 2 Go By Howl At The Moon Dueling Pianos) - Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr. Clear Lake (641-357-6151). Enjoy an exciting night with the dueling pianos- which includes a drummer and a guitarist and guarantees a full night of dancing and fun!

Doors open at 8pm. Tickets: $20 Adv/ $25 Door. 

New Years Eve "Dress As A Decade" Party - Worth Brewing Co. in Northwood, with games and dessert, from 9:00-1:00.

Comedian: Mike Brody - Main Event, 112 Second St. S.E., (641-201-1060). Two shows 7:30pm & 9:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance (cash or check) at the Fox Studios, 201 N. Federal  Ave or $25 at the door. www.mikebrody.com

North Iowa Youth Center New Year's Eve Party - North Iowa Events Center, All Season Building, hwy 122 west, 3700 4^th St. SW. Family, youth oriented, friendly fun for everyone. Inflatables, music, food, games and more. Come out and enjoy all or part of you New Years Eve! Admission is $5 kids, $1 adults. Time: 5pm-12am

Live Music: The Mockingbirds - Rumorz's Bar and Grill, 1210 South Shore Drive, Clear Lake. Music starts at 8pm.

Happy Holidays From Central Park Dentistry!

Our Featured Author--Dennis R. Waller

Our featured author this month is Dennis R. Waller, whose journalism career of a half-century spans three states.  He's been writing his entire life, from copywriting at LOOK Magazine to weekly and daily newspapers with news stories, features, columns and editorials.  He recently redirected his focus from CEO of a communications company to writing for himself.  He lives in Crosslake, MN, where he is an avid outdoorsman.  

His latest book, "The Lollygagging Years: When The Student Ain't Ready" is a sequel to his memoir, "Walkin' Joe and the Midnight Marauders." It's available on Amazon, and from the author.

From his website--www.dennisrwaller.com:

One would imagine that back in the 1950's - absent all the digital, technical and social distractions - high school students safely tucked in the Heartland would focus on their educations. Not so with this group of pals bent on avoiding the boredom of the classroom and discomfort at home. Instead, their energies are devoted to creative mischief and hilarious adventures that will smoothly carry you from one quick escapade to another. Except for sports and accompanying unreal expectations, their only goal is to have a good time. You'll marvel not only at the level of mischief from over five decades ago, but at the storyteller's depth and degree of detail.
A fellow author and friend explains it: "A good read, but obviously author Waller didn't waste any brain cells on academia..." This is a lighthearted sequel to the journalist's grade school recollections - "Walkin' Joe and the Midnight Marauders" - rated five stars by Amazon readers. As the title suggests in "Lollygagging," the irreverent boys are a bit older, but not necessarily grown up. Join them as they sneakily frolic behind, beneath and in front of quirky teachers and administrators. The old adage that "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear," doesn't yet apply, but were there an honor roll for trouble-making, these interesting characters would be on it.

Now That Christmas Is Over......

December 27, 2016

Paint like Van Gogh - Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S 4th St, Clear Lake (641.357.1998). Join Christina Newton at the Clear Lake Arts Center for an evening of fun, friends and artistic expression, beginning at 6:30pm. Soft drink and light snacks will be served. Wine and beer will be available to purchase. Prices depending on size of canvas, $35 or $32.

December 27, 2016

Kids & Canvas - Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S 4th St, Clear Lake (641.357.1998). An adult and child paining party for families looking for something different to do over Christmas Break. Time:1:30, cost is $40 per parent & child.

December 28 & 29, 2016

Little Chefs Camps - Mason City Recreation Office, 326 4^th St. NE (641-421-3673). Tiny tot camp for 4-6 years old at 12:30pm, elementary camp for 7-10 years old at 2pm. Fee $20 for residents $22 for non-resident. Holiday treats will be on the agenda!

December 28-30, 2016

4-H Rocket Science Camp- Mason City Recreation Office, 326 4^th St. NE (641-421-3673). For 5^th - 8^th graders from 9am-11am. Fee: $30 for resident $32 for non-resident. Basic aerodynamic principles of flight. Explore how astronauts live in space. Construct a rocket!

December 28-30, 2016

Youth Basketball Camps - NIACC Recreational Center, 500  College Dr. (641-423-1264). Boys and girls 5 years of age to 6^th grade are welcomed to participate in NIACC Youth Basketball Camps. 5 years old to kindergarten at 9:00am, 1^st & 2^nd graders at 10am, 3^rd & 4^th graders at 11am and 5^th & 6^th graders at 1:15pm. Registration deadline is Tuesday, December 20. Fee: $15 for resident, $17 non-resident. $10/$12 if register for MC Recreational Basketball leagues. Call 641-421-3673 to register or more information.

December 28, 2016

Christmas Break at Lime Creek- Lime Creek Nature Center, 3501 Lime Creek Rd. (641-423-5309). It's time to get the kids out of the house for some fresh air! All ages are invited to join for a snowshoe hike in search of wildlife signs, followed by an animal tracks activity in the nature center. If there is no snow we'll take the hike without snowshoes. There will be a warm fire burning and hot chocolate will be served! Time: 1pm-3pm.  There is no charge but registration is required - call 641-423-5309. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

December 29, 2016

Winter Break - Arctic Animals - MacNider Art Museum, 303 Second St. SE (641-421-3666). Wintertime is here! Break the humdrums with some freezer-y fun! Sign up to make some Arctic Critters. Snacks provided. Recommended ages 5-12, 9am-12pm.

December 30, 2016

North Iowa Bulls Hockey vs. Rochester- North Iowa Ice Arena at North Iowa Events Center, Hwy 122 West, 3700 4th St SW (641-423-4625).  Starts: 7:30pm. Admission: $10 adults; child under 18 & seniors 65+ $6; military/college student (ID required) $8. For more information: www.northiowabulls.com 

December 31, 2016

New Years Eve Party (featuring Howl 2 Go By Howl At The Moon Dueling Pianos) - Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr. Clear Lake (641-357-6151). Enjoy an exciting night with the dueling pianos- which includes a drummer and a guitarist and guarantees a full night of dancing and fun! Doors open at 8pm. Tickets: $20 Adv/ $25 Door.

December 31, 2016

Comedian: Mike Brody - Main Event, 112 Second St. S.E., (641-201-1060). Two shows 7:30pm & 9:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance (cash or check) at the Fox Studios, 201 N. Federal  Ave or $25 at the door. www.mikebrody.com

December 31, 2016 - January 1, 2017

North Iowa Youth Center New Year's Eve Party - North Iowa Events Center, All Season Building, hwy 122 west, 3700 4^th St. SW. Family, youth oriented, friendly fun for everyone. Inflatables, music, food, games and more. Come out and enjoy all or part of you New Years Eve! Admission is $5 kids, $1 adults. Time: 5pm-12am

Here's What's Going On Around Here!

December 8, 2016

Holiday Wine & Cheese Reception - Robert E. McCoy Architectural Interpretive Center, 520 First St. N.E., (641-423-1923).  Open to RCSHP members and their guests. From 5-7:30, come meet and get to know other local RCSHP members and become more involved in the organization. Social hour at 5pm serving wine and hors d'oeuvres. Following, a film on FLW at 6:30PM. FREE admissions, donations appreciated. 

December 9, 2016

Cornerstone Assisted Living Choir - Willowbrook Mall, 1631 4th St SW (641-424-4002). Cornerstone assisted living choir will be at the mall 2pm singing Christmas carols.

December 9, 2016

Off the Clock Holiday Edition- MacNider Art Museum, 302 2^nd St. SE (641-421-3666).   Off the Clock is a free event and open to the public from 5pm to 7pm. Complimentary wine and appetizers are available throughout the event, in addition of live music by Sam Crosser. Visitors can mingle with friends and coworkers as they explore the galleries and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the MacNider. 

December 9, 2016

Live music: Craig Swalwell -  Lorados, 18 S. Federal Ave. (641-424-8060) . Live music - starts at 9pm.

December 9, 2016

Live Music: St. Stephen Simmons - Mason City Brewing, 28 E State St. Starts at 8pm.

December 9, 2016

Indoors Farmers Market - Willlowbrook Mall, 1631 4^th St. SW (641-424-4002). 10am-2pm, baked goods, frozen berries, rugs, jewelry, potholders, honey, eggs, homemade cleaners and more! For questions call Glenys Scloemer 641-530-0837

December 10, 2016

Memory Brothers - VFW Post 773, 1603 S. Monroe Ave. Public is welcomed - 7-11pm.

December 10, 2016

Denny's School of Dance Recital - Willlowbrook Mall, 1631 4^th St SW. Starts at 2pm.

December 10, 2016

FREE Pictures with Santa - Willlowbrook Mall, 1631 4^th St SW.  11am-1pm bring your cameras and get a FREE photo with Santa!

December 10, 2016

Craft Show : Holiday Shoppers Market - North Iowa Events Center,  Kinney Building, Hwy 122 West, 3700 4^th St. SW (641-423-4625).  Shop for your holiday gifts this year at the Holiday Shoppers Market from 9am-4pm in the Kinney Building at the North Iowa Events Center.

December 10, 2016

Holiday Open House - MacNider Art Museum, 302 2^nd St. SE  (641-421-3666).  Holiday open house is a fun and FREE family event! There will be children's activities from 1pm - 4pm - children will have the opportunity to meet with Santa Claus and be able to participate in a variety of make-and-take activities throughout the museum. This seasonal celebration provides entertainment for adults and children. 

December 10, 2016

Tuba Christmas - Southbridge Mall, 100 S. Federal Avenue (641-423-6688). The 31^st Annual Tube Christmas  concert will perform favorite Christmas carols with over 100 tubas, baritone, saxophone and euphonium musicians from across the state. Performances will begin at 1pm.

December 10, 2016

Holiday Pops - NIACC Auditorium, 500 College Drive (641-422-4188). From the creator of Candlelight Christmas  comes a new locally produced show for the holiday season. Enjoy music from pop to swing with large choral numbers! Shows at 2pm & 7pm. All tickets are $15.  Call or order online for tickets at www.niacc.edu/boxoffice

Christmas By The Lake