Christmas Blood Bank Drive
The Hudson Valley Blood Bank will hold a Blood Bank Drive on Sunday, Dec.16 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the St. Brendan’s school cafeteria at 333 E. 206th St. and at Walton H.S., West 196th Street and Reservoir Avenue on Dec. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blood donors are required to know their Social Security number and bring in a picture ID. For further information, call the Rectory at (718) 547-6655.

Santa in Norwood
Santa Claus will be visiting North Fork Bank, 3159 Bainbridge Ave., on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to noon. The first 50 children to see Santa will receive a free gift and photo, and parents will receive special sale coupons for shopping in the area. The event is presented by Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, the Bronx Central Council for Economic Development and the North Bronx Merchants Association. For more information, call (718) 829-2020.

Free Computer Tutoring
From Dec. 17 to 20 (Monday to Thursday), Mosholu Preservation Corporation, 3400 Reservoir Oval East, is hosting free computer tutoring from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tutoring ranges from basic computer skills to navigating the Internet. All are welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (718) 324-4468.

Social Security Assistance
Representatives of the Social Security Administration will be at Congressman Eliot Engel’s Bronx Office, 3655 Johnson Ave., on Tuesday, Dec. 18 to assist people with questions and issues concerning Social Security. This service is available by appointment only, which can be made by calling Engel’s executive assistant Richard Fedderman at (718) 796-9700.

Holiday Arts Sale
The Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) will host its 2007 Student, Faculty, and Studio Artists Exhibition and Benefit Sale on Dec. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 1087 E. Tremont Ave. The event will open with a holiday party and feature a presentation of awards and certificates, refreshments, a raffle, and live music. Proceeds from sales will help keep quality art programs free or affordable to Bronx youth and community residents. The exhibition will be open to the public for viewing and purchasing through Dec. 22. For more information, call (718) 589-5819.

Free Marketing Workshop
Monroe College, 2468 Jerome Ave., hosts a free workshop on market research and marketing strategies on Wednesday, Dec. 19. The course will take place in Library Room 501 from noon to 3 p.m. Participation is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis. For more information, call (718) 960-8806.

ESL and GED Classes
Fordham Manor Reformed Church is offering free ESL and GED classes at its building at 2705 Reservoir Ave. The ESL classes will be held on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the GED classes are on Monday and Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The ESL class requires a 15-minute test for enrollment. A longer three-hour test is necessary to take part in the GED class. For more information, call (718) 796-4980 ext. 16.

MetroCard Van Coming
MTA MetroCard buses will make scheduled stops in the Bronx during December, including Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse on Dec. 14 and 28 from noon to 2 p.m.; Scott Tower (3400 Paul Ave., corner of West 205th Street) on Dec. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.; and in Van Cortlandt Village at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. on Dec. 14 and 28 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may apply for the Reduced Fare MetroCard and obtain applications from the vans. Senior citizens must present photo ID proving they are at least 65. For more information, call (212) METROCARD or visit MTA’s Web site, www.mta.info.

BRIO Awards Info
Applications and guidelines for the 2008 Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) Awards are currently available on-line. The BRIO awards support artists creating work in literary, media, performing, and visual arts. This year, 25 grants of $3,000 each will be given out at the awards ceremony in June 2008. An application assistance program will be held on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College. The application deadline is Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. For an on-line application, visit www.bronxarts.org. For more information, call (718) 931-9500 ext. 35.

Citizenship Test Preparation Course
Two Bronx High School of Science seniors and a student in the Macaulay Honors Program at Lehman College are offering a free Citizenship Test Preparation course. The course will be held in Room 131 of the Bronx High School of Science, 75 W. 205th St. on Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to sign up, call Andrew Levin at (917) 532-7727.

Adult ESL and Computer Classes
Now through June, PS 94 at 3530 Kings College Place is offering beginning and intermediate ESL classes as well as beginner computer classes. All classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information or to sign up, go to room 105 or call the parent coordinator, Ms. Seminario, at (347) 563-4772, (718) 405-6345 ext. 1050 or (718) 863-4057.  

St. Ann’s Festival Events
A Festival of Lessons and Carols by the Novena Choir will take place on Saturday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. at Saint Ann’s Church, 3519 Bainbridge Ave., at the corner of Gun Hill Road. Other events will be Misa de Gallo Filipino Tradition, Dec. 16 to 24 at 6 a.m.; Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Mass at 5 p.m., Christmas carols at 9:30 p.m. and Solemn Christmas Mass at 10 p.m.; and Dec. 25 Christmas Day English Mass at 10 a.m. and Spanish Mass at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call (718) 547-9350.

Free Assistance
National Student Partnerships provides no-cost help with job searches, housing searches, education, job training, resume-writing, childcare, legal services and much more.  There are no eligibility requirements, and all services are completely free.  NSP is located at 2715 Bainbridge Ave. at East 196th Street.  Please call (718) 733-3897 to set up an appointment.  You do not need to be a student to obtain services. Se habla espanol.

Little League Registration
The Fordham Bedford Little League is currently accepting applications for interested boys and girls from ages 5 to 18. For more information, call Pete at (917) 645-9514 or visit www.fbllnet.org.

Speech Center Program
The Mount Saint Ursula Speech Center is accepting applications for its fall program. The Center, at 2885 Marion Ave., has morning and afternoon openings for children ages 2 to 5 who are in need of speech and language services. Children can work in groups or individually. Some types of insurance are accepted. For more information, call (718) 584-7679.

Jewish Culture for Kids
The Mosholu Montefiore Community Center offers a free Hebrew School/Jewish Family Connection Program on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon for children in grades 2 through 6. The program offers a wide variety of activities and is open to all. For more information, call Abraham Rubin at (718) 882-4000.

50-Plus Yoga Class
The Norwood Triangle, the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center’s Adult Education Division, has added a “Yoga on the Go” class for adults ages 50 and up. The eight-session class will be offered on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 3450 DeKalb Ave. For more information, call (718) 882-4000.

Hanukah Celebration
On Sunday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m., Jake Shulman-ment, violinist, and Laura Berkson, accordionist, will perform klezmer, Yiddish and international music at the JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center, 3880 Sedgwick Ave. A festive holiday lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m. Suggested contribution for lunch and entertainment is $4. For more information, call (718) 549-4700.