Submissions to the community calendar need to be in writing and arrive or be brought into The Mount Airy News office before 5 p.m. at least five days before the event should appear in the newspaper. Be sure to include the full name and address of the event; the time, day and date of the event; and a contact phone number in case our staff has any questions. Information may be mailed to: The Mount Airy News, 319 N. Renfro St., Mount Airy, NC 27030; faxed to 789-2816; or emailed to aeldridge@mtairynews.com.

Ongoing

n Dobson Rescue Squad Inc. hosts bingo with cash prizes every Saturday night starting in January. The bingo is at the Dobson Rescue Squad at U.S. 601 and Rockford Road. Early birds start at 5 p.m. Regular pack begins at 7 p.m. The late bingo depends on the number of players. The regular pack is nine games for $20. The players game is $5. A child pack, for children 13 and under, is $5. Concessions are sold on site by Dobson Rescue. For more information, call 374-4100.

n Jamming in Jamsburg in Lambsburg, Va., is held every Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Community Center. Bluegrass, old-time, gospel and other types of music will be playing. Situated at the foot of the Sugar Loaf Mountain and surrounded by the mountains makes a beautiful backdrop for the jam. There’s plenty of space indoors and outdoors. There are concessions with the clean entertainment for the whole family. All musicians and music lovers are invited to come play, dance or just listen and enjoy. Admission is free, and concessions are available.

n The Surry Arts Council presents free fiddle, guitar and banjo lessons for kids downstairs at the Andy Griffith Playhouse every Thursday evening. Master musician Jim Vipperman teaches fiddle at 5:30 p.m., and guitar and banjo at 6:15 p.m. No sign-up required, instruments are available for use during the lessons. For more information, call 786-7998.

n A Jam Session will be held every Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m., free at the Andy Griffith Playhouse.

n A Jam Session will be held every Saturday from 9 to 11 am, free at the Downtown Cinema Theater.

n WPAQ 740 AM presents a live radio broadcast every Saturday from 11 am to 1:30 p.m. at the Downtown Cinema Theater.

n Every Thursday evening, the American Legion Post 123 hosts Bingo at the American Legion Hall at Veterans Park, 691 W. Lebanon St. in Mount Airy. Cash prizes total up to $2,400 being paid. Early Birds start at 6:30 p.m. and regular games start at 7 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Free coffee is offered and drinks and snacks are sold. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 710-7322.

n If you or a family member is struggling with substance abuse, help is a phone call away. Twin City Area Narcotics Anonymous Helpline is available 24 hours a day at (800) 365-1035 or at www.teana.org. Call or visit the Web site for meeting schedules and additional information. This is a 12-step recovery program.

n Catch a tribute to “The King” on the second Saturday of each month at the Andy Griffith Playhouse. Professional tribute artist Jimmy W. Johnson brings a unique Elvis performance. Showtime is 3 p.m. Prices for the shows are as follows: first 10 rows are $25, last 10 rows are $20, balcony seats are $15. Contact the Surry Arts Council to reserve tickets at 786-7998.

n The Ararat Ruritan Club, Va., has dances every Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is $5. Children under 12 are free. On Dec. 31, 2 Young 2 Old and Jerry George and Snow Creek will be performing. For more information, call (276) 251-5436.

n The Disabled American Veterans meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the National Guard Armory in Mount Airy at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to all members and their families.

n Join the Foothills Arts Council for The Artists Forum on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. This is an informal artists group for anyone interested in exploring their creative side. These discussions are presented free at the FAC building, 129 Church St., Elkin. For more information, call 835-2025.

n The Woman’s Club of Mount Airy meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The club is seeking new members. The Woman’s Club of Mount Airy is a member of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs of North Carolina. It is a service organization which gives back to the community in many ways including scholarships for local students and projects around Surry County. Anyone interested in attending a meeting should contact Wendy at 786-5747.

n Clayworks is having open studio for ceramics in Elkin on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon on Front Street. This is for adults who would like studio time to work on their own projects with or without instruction. The cost is $145 for 12 sessions. Start any date, work on the project of your choosing. To register, call the Yadkin Valley Craft Guild at 835-2717. For more information, visit www.yadkinvalleycraftguild.org.

n Every Thursday, the Mount Airy Public Library will have Game Night at 6 p.m. The library will have games like Scrabble, Boggle, Uno, Life, Sorry, Yahtzee, Trivial Pursuit and other games available to play.

n The Beulah Ruritan Club will have a dance every Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $5. Children under the age of 12 are free. For more information, call 352-3383.

n Meetings will be held each Thursday at Bojangles from 6 to 8 p.m. for those healing from a broken marriage.

n Jam sessions will be held every Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Willis Gap Community Center. Jammers of all skill levels are invited to attend. Enjoy a night of fun, food, friends and fellowship while hearing bluegrass, old-time, country and gospel music. Admission is free.

n The Wings of Glory Christian Bikers Ministry will meet the first Monday night of each month at Prime Sirloin in Mount Airy. Fellowship will begin at 6 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7 p.m. Anyone who rides a motorcycle or who would like to join with helping is invited to attend. For more information, call Wayne Todd at (336) 200-0359 or Patsy Payne at 648-5055.

n The Conservatory of Dance & Theatre in downtown Galax, Va., will present its fifth annual production of “The Nutcracker” at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10 and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Galax High School Auditorium. Tickets are on sale. Reserved tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 13 and younger. General admission is $1 for adults and $4 for children. Discounts are available for civic, church and school groups of 10 or more.

n The Mount Airy Public Library will have “Wii Wednesdays” beginning at 3:30 p.m. each Wednesday. In order to play, players will have to have a library card in good standing.

n The Mount Airy Public Library is holding a Gingerbread House Contest. Bring a decorated Gingerbread House to the library for display on Dec. 14. Patrons will vote on their favorite and a $50 Wal-Mart card will be awarded to the winner during the Christmas Storytelling on Dec. 22. Be creative and help put the library in the Christmas mood.

n Through Jan. 11, 2010, the Mount Airy Art League has artwork for sale at the Mount Airy Public Library. For more information, call (276) 755-3040.

n Bring children ages 4 to 8 to the new Hands On Children’s Gallery at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History for holiday crafts, stories and activities. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Limited to the first 20 registrants. The cost is $10 per child. For more information or to make a reservation, call the museum at 786-4478 ext. 229.

n “Eating Great When Money Ain’t” is a four-week program that teaches how to prepare easy, healthy, low cost meals. Physical activity will be included each week along with tasting of recipes. Classes will start Jan. 5 and be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office, 210 N. Main St., Dobson. Parents or caregivers in Surry County who are eligible for or receive Food Stamps are encouraged to attend. This program is free, but participants must register. For more information and to register, call 401-8025.

Dec. 15

n MAHS will have a fine arts Christmas celebration at 7 p.m. in the MAHS auditorium. There will be refreshments, performances by the middle school, high school and girls chorus, theater students and art students. There will also be a visit from Santa and a sing-along.

n The Senior Centers of Surry County will be hosting a trip to the Tanglewood Festival of Lights and dinner at K&W. Pick-up in Mount Airy will be at 3:30 p.m., and pick-up in Pilot Mountain will be at 4 p.m. The cost is $15 and it covers transportation and the entrance fee to Tanglewood Park. Dinner at K&W is up to participants. Seats will be reserved once payment is paid in full. For more information and to sign-up, call Annalisa Davis at 786-6155 ext. 255 or Shirley Key at 368-2012 ext. 203.

Dec. 17

n The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History will be holding a history talk on N.C. Women in the Civil War starting at 6:30 p.m. Local writer, actor and storyteller Terri Ingalls will tell a story of three women caught up in the war. This program is free to the public, but donations are accepted.

Dec. 18

n The Surry Arts Council presents The Embers in their seasonal holiday show “Christmas with the Embers” at the Andy Griffith Playhouse. An entertaining evening full of inspirational Christmas pieces and classic holiday sing-alongs, The Embers Christmas Show is sure to bring a festive spirit, the warmth of the holidays and family traditions to Mount Airy. The performance begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. For more information and for tickets, contact the Surry Arts Council at 786-7998 or visit www.surryarts.org.

Dec. 18 and 19

n The NoneSuch Playmakers present “The Gift of the Magi” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the L.H. Jones Auditorium, Jones School Road. Admission is $5.

Dec. 19

n Children of all ages will enjoy meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History’s new Hands-On Children’s Gallery from 10 a.m. to noon. Milk and cookies will be served. There is no cost for this event and reservations are not required. The museum will also be holding its fifth annual free Christmas Open House from noon to 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served, and holiday music will be played.

n Shoeboxes will be given out to local people in need from 2 to 4 p.m. in Sonic’s parking lot. There will be free hot chocolate, cookies and Christmas carols.

Dec. 22

n Have milk and cookies with Santa and give him any last-minute wishes during the Christmas Storytelling at the Mount Airy Public Library at 3:30 p.m. Hear stories of the season, just before Santa begins his annual trek around the world. This event is free to the public.

Jan. 11 and 12

n The Surry Arts Players present the play “Gideon,” which explores the relationship of an ordinary man with God through the story of Gideon, a judge in the Old Testament. The director is looking for 18 men, six women, and one boy to fill roles for the play. There will also be opportunities for those interested in doing behind-the-scenes work. Auditions for actors as well as those wishing to be stage hands will be held at the Andy Griffith Playhouse at 6:30 p.m. Those auditioning will read an excerpt from the script and do not need to have anything prepared beforehand. Performances of “Gideon” will be on April 9-11, 2010. For more information, contact the director of the play, Riley Fillingame, at 368-2689 or the Surry Arts Council at 786-7998.

Jan. 12

n The Lambsburg Community Center, Va., will start a college class on the Book of Romas through Foothills Christian College at 6 p.m. For more information, call 648-2078 or email pberrier@hughes.net.