Christmas concert

The Aiken Choral Society will perform its annual Christmas concert at 3 p.m. today at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 100 Cornerstone Drive, Aiken.

Tickets are $12, general admission; $8, students and seniors and free for ages 11 and under.

For more information, call (803) 648-2052.

Festival of music

The Masterworks Chorale Christmas Concert: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols will be at 5 p.m. today at St. John's United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St. N.W., Aiken

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for ages 62 and older and $5 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased at the Etherredge Center box office at the University of South Carolina Aiken. For more information, call (803) 641-3305.

Hopelands holiday

Christmas in Hopelands Gardens will be held 6 to 9 p.m. today through Tuesday, Thursday through Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 and 27 at 135 Dupree Place, Whiskey Road, Aiken.

Holiday concerts will be performed at 7 p.m. through Friday. Admission is free. A free shuttle service to the gardens is available at the parking lot in front of the Goodwill Emporium at 1400 Whiskey Road.

For more information, call (803) 642-7631.

Festival deadlines

Planning is under way for the 2009 Westobou Festival in Augusta. The primary performance disciplines are dance, music, visual arts and theater, although others will be considered.

Applicants seeking Westobou Festival Endorsement and Porter Fleming Foundation funding have until Monday to submit their application and supporting materials. The deadline for applicants seeking Westobou Festival Endorsement only is March 31.

Applications are available at <a href="http://www.westoboufestival.com">www.westoboufestival.com</a>. For more information, contact Kathi Dimmock at (706) 755-2878 or kathi@westobou <a href="http://festival.com">festival.com</a>.

Helping seniors

The nonprofit organization When Help Can't Wait is seeking donations for Adopt-a-Senior, which aims to deliver the gifts to nursing home residents during the holiday season.

Needed items include lotions, socks, gowns, body care products, men's baseball caps, hair brushes, hair accessories, playing cards, coloring books, jumbo crayons, pens, note pads and sugar-free candy.

Anyone donating gifts or money can go to the organization's office at 3643 Walton Way Ext., Suite 4.

All donationsare tax-deductible. For a complete list of acceptable items or for more information, call (706) 729-8991.

Funds applications

The St. Joseph Foundation is accepting applications for the 2009 St. Joseph Foundation Grants Program.

Applicants must be a nonprofit charitable organization and may apply for funding of programs in the following areas: health services education, medical uninsured, medical underinsured, hospice and homeless.

Applications must be submitted to The Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area by 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 30.

For a complete list of criteria or for more information, call (706) 724-1314 or visit <a href="http://www.cfcsra.org">www.cfcsra.org</a>.

Working for food

Golden Harvest Food Bank is seeking donations of canned meats and vegetables and other nonperishable food items. Take donations to 13 Enterprise Ave., Aiken, or 3310 Commerce Drive, Augusta.

The Aiken branch can be reached at (803) 648-0752. The Augusta office can be reached at (706) 736-1199.