SPOTLIGHT

GIANT MENORAH OF FREEDOM

At sundown tonight, people all over the globe will light the first

candle on their menorahs to mark the first day of Hanukkah. In Newport

Beach, a New York firefighter will have the honor of lighting the Giant

Menorah of Freedom at Fashion Island. The ceremony, sponsored by the

Chabad Jewish Center of Newport Beach, will include a children’s choir,

live music and entertainment.

Hanukkah celebrates the 165 BC miracle of the oil lamps in the temple,

which was reclaimed after the Jewish Maccabees won a victory against the

Syrians. The temple only had enough oil to kindle the lamps for one day,

but the lamps burned for eight days, giving enough time to make new oil.

The Chabad Jewish Center, lead by Rabbi Reuven Mintz, will be giving

away Hanukkah kits, which includes a menorah, candles and gelt.

Temple Bat Yahm, Temple Isaiah and the Jewish Federation of Orange

County also all have special Hanukkah events planned over the next few

days.

FYI

Where: Fashion Island, Bloomingdale’s courtyard, 905 Newport Center

Drive, Newport Beach

When: 4 p.m. today

Cost: Free

Contact: (949) 721-9800

A variety of acts to form yummy treat

‘A CHRISTMAS PUDDING’

The Balboa Performing Arts Theater will reap the benefits of “A

Christmas Pudding,” a musical variety show to be held Saturday. Created

by actor David Birney, the show will include music by The Christmas

Consort and readings from “Angela’s Ashes,” “A Christmas Carol” and other

literary treats.

FYI

Where: St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 2100 Mar Vista Drive, Newport

Beach

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $15, $10 for children younger than 16

Contact: (949) 673-0895

PLANNING AHEAD

BOAT PARADE

Get into the holiday spirit. A patriotic theme will be seen during the

92nd annual Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade.

Monday, Dec. 17

FRANKIE AVALON

You don’t need to be a beauty school drop-out to get a kick out of

Frankie Avalon. The crooner will find his way to Orange Coast College for

a one-night performance.

Saturday, Dec. 22

NUMERICALLY SPEAKING

1,500: The number of trees left Friday at Noonan’s Christmas tree

lot in Costa Mesa.