Description: Virginia Beach City Public Schools is delighted to introduce the new Reading Bus to our community. The Reading Bus is an exciting and safe place for children, ages 2 – 5 years and their parents to participate in a wide selection of interactive reading activities. The Reading Bus is stocked with hundreds of volumes of books and fun activities. Its main purpose is to promote reading readiness to preschool children ages 2 – 5 years as it travels to various Virginia Beach communities. Parents board the bus and take part in Reading Bus activities.

Please see website for upcoming events

Event Details: Collectors will display two different types of model trains with tracks and landscapes for all ages to enjoy.

GLSE Model Railroads

Saturday, Nov. 7, 8:30 a.m – 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 8, 1- 5 p.m.

Model Railroad Association-Tidewater Division

Friday, Nov. 20 & Saturday, Nov. 21, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 22, 1 - 5 p.m.

Event Details: Festive fish, jumping dolphins, frolicking porpoises – all in bright, colored lights against the clear night-time sky, are the stars of McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach, presented by Ntelos Wireless, a nautical and holiday-themed light display at the Virginia Beach oceanfront! They are joined by Santa, elves, and a 40-foot tall Christmas tree erected on the beach and in the beautiful parks along the Virginia Beach boardwalk. It’s the only time of the year that cars get to drive right on the boardwalk! For over 30 blocks, almost 40,000 vehicles a year make the trek through this holiday wonderland.

Event Details: Help our community by bringing in needed items for area charities.  Check out the list of items that are needed on our website at www.vbgov.com/farmersmarket. Items will only be collected during the event.

Event Details: Get ready to dim the lights and raise the curtain. Mickey Mouse is in the house and he's setting the stage for fun! But first he'll need to find some amazing acts to put in his show. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald all head off on an adventure and find some great friends to help them out. You'll get to sing along to cool songs, jump out of your seat to dance to the beat and laugh out loud with Buzz and Woody from Toy Story, Cinderella, Tigger, and more of your Disney friends at this show-stopping, zany, on-stage adventure coming right to your hometown! Tickets can be purchased by calling 888-3-COXTIX. Tickets range from $16 to $47.

Event Details: Celebrate the harvest with stories and songs! Registration begins Nov. 9.

Event Details: Take a 40-minute cruise on Owls Creek with Santa and his crew!  Enjoy refreshments, games and a special craft while Santa greets his guests for a unique photo opportunity. Boat departs at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Fee*: $14 for members; $17 for non-members. *Kids 12 months and younger are free. Reservations required & can be made starting Nov 1, 2009.

Description:  This two-hour class for expectant and new parents will help navigate the first months of parenthood while learning how to soothe even the fussiest infant in minutes and help baby sleep longer. Parents will learn about the calming reflex, the cuddle cure and the “5 Ss.” All participants will receive “The Happiest Baby on the Block” DVD by Dr. Harvey Karp and a soothing sounds CD.

Event Details:  Every Who in Whoville is invited to join us for music, a reading of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a visit from Santa and light refreshments.  All ages.

Event Details: Holiday Open House starts the Holiday season by bringing Santa in by Monster Fire Truck at 11:00 am.  Join him in the Rural Heritage Center for relaxed visits and crafts. Shop for all your holiday needs at the market from trees to decorations, eggnog and special meats and treats. Remember that the Farmers Market is open year-round seven days a week. Join us throughout the winter months for all your shopping needs.

Event Details: The Advanced Technology Center will host an Open House for Middle and High School Students and their Families on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM. Families can visit all of our classes for tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students. Guests are encouraged to come early and attend a planning ahead session for future course selections.

Event Details: Looking to send a special holiday card? LuAnn Reed will teach you how to make a holiday card that you can take home. Age 16-up. Call to register.

Event Details:  If you have ever wished to play mahjong, this is your chance! Learn the rules, some tactics, and begin playing. No experience necessary. Adults. Call to register.

Event Details: No school? Kids (K-5) can enjoy a day at one of the 6 Virginia Beach Recreation Centers in fun, constructive, supervised programs. Get 'em out of the house, away from TV, and into recreation! Camp hours:  7 am - 6 pm. Camp cost: $35 per child per day ($25 per child per day for those enrolled in a Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation after school program). A valid Virginia Beach Recreation Center membership or day pass is required.

Bayside: 4500 First Court Road, 460-7540

Bow Creek: 3427 Club House Road, 431-3765

Great Neck: 2521 Shorehaven Drive, 496-6766

Kempsville: 800 Monmouth Lane, 474-8492

Princess Anne: 1400 Nimmo Parkway, 426-0022

Seatack: 141 S. Birdneck Road, 437-4858

Event Details: Registration for our weekly story time series opens today.  Winter 2010 storytimes will begin the week of January 11 and run for 10 weeks, ending on Friday, March 19, 2010. Contact your area library for information on registering for storytimes. Pre-registration is required; storytimes fill up fast. Register early. Walk-ins welcome if space is available.

Event Details: Series Storytimes for children age 6 months through age 5. These storytimes are a series and run for 10 weeks. Registration is required but walk-ins are welcome depending on space availability. Storytimes include:

Rhyme Time - 6 to 12 months

Onesies Rhyme Time - 12 to 24 months

Just 2s - 24 to 36 months

3s Please - 36 to 48 months

Combined Preschool Storytime - 3 to 5 years

On My Own Storytime - 4 to 5 years

Event Details: Based on the children's books by Tomie dePaola, Strega Nona is the musical tale of a friendly magical witch (with a funny name) who strives to cure the ills of her tiny Italian town of Calabria. The baker has bunions ("As big as an onion"), his daughter wishes for witchery, and the local single ladies are always unlucky in love. The town faces real problems when a local lug named Big Anthony sneaks a peek at Strega Nona's magic book and uses Strega Nona’s magical ways for selfish means. When Anthony fools with the magic pasta pot, and can't figure out how to turn it off, pasta threatens to engulf the whole town — unless Strega Nona can save the day. With an energetic and tuneful score by composer Aron Accurso, this fantastical tale teaches that witches can be good, and that and you can’t judge a pot by its pasta!

Tickets start at just $14. SAVE BIG with the Family 4-Pack! Package includes 4 orchestra-level tickets, 4 snacks, and 4 drinks for only $75. For tickets, call (757) 385-2787 or visit www.coxtix.com, ask for the Family 4-Pack.

Show times are 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.