jalbright@journalnet.com

    POCATELLO — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and it’s not because of all the snow and ice around! There are plenty of Christmasy and holiday activities coming up this weekend that you and your family can enjoy. Check out these possibilities:

    On Dec. 13, 14 and 21 general admission tickets and select reserved seating are still available for this year’s performances of the Rotary Club of Pocatello’s “The Nutcracker” ballet, produced by Brindusa-Moore Ballet Academy. This year’s performance dates and times are Dec. 13, 7 p.m.; Dec. 14, 2 and 7 p.m.; and Dec. 21, 2 and 7 p.m. All performances are in the Diane and Chick Bilyeu Theater inside Frazier Auditorium at Idaho State University.

    General admission tickets prices are $12 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under. Reserved seating is $18. Tickets can be purchased at Maag Prescription and Medical Supply, 333 W. Center St., Idaho Unlimited, 215 E. Cedar St., and at the Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce, 324 S. Main St.

    The Marshall Public Library, 113 S. Garfield Ave., Pocatello, will host a teen holiday party with book exchange. Wrap a new one, used one, fun one, cool one — just bring a book you can part with and play a fun gift exchange game. They’ll also build a unique Christmas tree of canned food (to donate to the Idaho Foodbank). Bring a favorite goody to share, and we’ll end the evening with the viewing of the movie, “A Christmas Carol” (PG 96 min.) starring Jim Carrey. This after-hours party is open to youth in sixth through 12th grades and will be held on Dec. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.

    The Symphonic Band Concert at ISU will be 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Stephens Performing Arts Center. This is prelude to the Idaho State Civic Symphony event, which will present “Joy to the World, an ISU Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. inside the Jensen Grand Concert Hall at the Stephens Performing Arts Center on Dec. 13 and 14.

    With 150 singers and 80 instrumentalists, more than 200 musicians will take the stage. The concert is under the direction of George Adams, Idaho State-Civic Symphony conductor, and Scott Anderson, ISU choral director. Anderson, Adams and ISU director of bands Patrick Brooks will prepare community and ISU student musicians for a multifaceted eclectic performance of Christmas music.

    Members of the ISU Symphonic Band will present pre-concert music under the direction of Brooks, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Stephens Performing Art Center Rotunda. Desserts and beverages will be available for purchase.

    Tickets for the event are $32 for adults and $17 for pre-college students. Concert tickets are free for ISU students with a valid Bengal ID card. Visit the ISU Box Office in the Stephens Performing Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or call (208) 282-3595 to purchase tickets or for more information. Tickets can also be purchased at www.isu.edu/tickets or at Vickers Western Stores.

    Rocky Mountain Ministries, 845 Hyde Ave., Pocatello, will present their fourth annual “Rockin’ Christmas Celebration” at 7 p.m. — performances are scheduled on Dec. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m., Dec. 15 at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon and Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. This year CDs, DVDs and T-shirts will be available at the concerts and the show will be broadcast in its entirety on Public TV Channel 12 after Thanksgiving Day. Admission is free and the public is invited.

    The Virginia Theater presents “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens, adapted for stage by Ronnie Krebs, to be held Dec. 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21 and 23 at the theater, 186 S. State St., Shelley. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. Special price for groups night is Dec. 17. Cost is $7 adults, $6 for children/seniors and $6 for family/group rate of six or more. Tickets available at the door or online at www.virginiatheater.org or call Ronnie at 208-569-7906.

    “Share the Love” adoption event will be Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Phil Meador Subaru, 1540 Yellowstone Ave., Pocatello. All animals will be ready for immediate adoption this day with special adoption rates for a spay/neuter, basic health check, at least one set of shots, feline leukemia and FIV testing, rabies vaccination, microchipping, a collar, leash or travel box, blanket and Christmas stocking stuffed with toys and treats. Raffle tickets will be sold to win an Aaron Rogers football jersey or another jersey of your choice. Please bring pet food or new pet toy to help stuff a Subaru.

    The Lutheran Church cookie sale will be Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the church, 1110 Parkway Drive, Blackfoot.

    Dec. 14 at 10 a.m., at Mountain View Cemetery in Pocatello, members of the Civil Air Patrol, Pocatello C-site Squadron invite the public to sponsor remembrance wreaths for placement on the graves of veterans on Dec. 14 to honor those who served America as well as current military members. Sponsors can even designate where the wreaths will be laid in the local community. The squadron’s efforts coincide with tributes occurring simultaneously across the nation during Wreaths Across America observances. For more information on how to sponsor wreaths in your area, contact Lt. Webster at 208-540-0971, jhwebster010@gmail.com.

    Holy Spirit Catholic Community, 524 N. Seventh Ave., Pocatello, will have an Advent Day of Reflection Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Included will be a Mass, adoration and reconciliation. A free lunch will be offered. For more information, call 232-1196.

    Festival of Lights will be held Dec. 15 at 4 p.m., with music beginning at 3:45 p.m., with the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. This is an interfaith event and a feast will be presented as well.