December in the City... With its monuments and buildings awash in colored lights and its streets alive with holiday music and cheer, Baltimore has much to offer in the way of respites from the close-of-the-semester crunch. Many of these offerings are within short distance of Loyola College. Lights Enjoy an evening of music and festivity at the annual Washington Monument lighting at Mt. Vernon Place. This year's event, called "A Monumental Occasion," starts at 5:30 P.M. on Thursday, December 7th. Activities include historic tours, holiday concerts and a fireworks display. Want something more quirky? Travel to Hampden to see Baltimore's own "Miracle on 34th Street." While words can hardly capture this one-block spectacle of lights, folks say that satellite imaging can! Imagine what their electric bills must be! Music Come hear the sounds of the season at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Join Darin Atwater, conductor of the Soulful Symphony on Friday, December 8th at 8:00pm a "Soulful Celebration," featuring the works of Duke Ellington and Quincy Jones. On Saturday, December 9th, at the Meyerhoff, Edward Polochick will conduct the Baltimore Symphonic Chorale in Handel's Messiah at 7:30P.M. You won't have to travel to Radio City Music Hall to see a first-rate holiday extravaganza. Baltimore's own Holiday Spectacular with the BSO--complete with dancing Santas--runs from December 15th to 23rd at the Meyerhoff. Movies On Sunday, December 10th, you can help yourself and help others by going to the Senator Theatre for the 16th annual Maryland Food Bank Benefit. For an admission price of $5.00 or $5.00 of non-perishable food items, you can enjoy a double bill of "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Carol". Model Trains Christmas Gardens are a Baltimore tradition, and are virtually unknown outside of the area. A "Christmas Garden" is comprised of a platform on which the decorated Christmas Tree is the centerpiece surrounded by model trains that traverse through a minature village- complete with houses, cars and people-and has traditionally included a creche. Since 1956, Engine Company 45 in Northwest Baltimore has dedicated 4 months out of each year to assemble an outstanding example of what is now known as a "train garden". The firehouse is located at Cross Country Boulevard and Glen Avenue in Mt. Washington. The dispaly is open daily from December 2nd through January 7th from 10A.M. - 9P.M. The Holiday Festival of Trains is located in the B&O Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt Street. This display of model trains is free with paid admission. See the website for hours and admission price. Ice Skating If ice skating is your cup of hot cocao, Baltimore offers two great venues. Located in Mt. Washington, the Northwest Ice Rink offers lessons if you need them, and soft cushions if you think you don't. If you would rather be closer to nature, the Dominic "Mimi" DiPetro Family Ice Skating Rink in Patterson Park might suit your fancy. For more information and additional events, check out the sites for the Baltimore Sun and the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association. | 
