The CAP Agency is seeking volunteers. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or supervised by an adult to volunteer.For more info about volunteering with the CAP Agency, call Linda Shelton at (952) 402-9856.

Here are roles available to local volunteers:

Bountiful Basket Food Shelf: Sort food donations, stock shelves with food and help families shop for groceries and at this volunteer run community food shelf. Call Julie at (952) 960-9700

The South Metro Chorale will perform Handel’s “Messiah” at Christ Victorious Lutheran Church in Chaska at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 10.

For this performance, SMC will be accompanied by a 17-piece chamber orchestra. Directed by Loren Squires. Tickets are $12 for adults; $8 for students and seniors.

Get a first-hand glimpse of the Arboretum Auxiliary Holiday Sale, and early shopping privileges, when attending a special Preview Night Sale, with wine and hors d’oeuvres, on Thursday, Dec. 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Arboretum’s historic Snyder Building.

Tickets for the evening are $25 per person and may be reserved by calling Diana at (952) 448-1608. The actual Holiday Sale runs Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Snyder Building Auditorium.

Contact the Ridgeview Foundation by December 2010 for information about 2011 volunteer opportunities at (952) 442-6010 or [email protected].

There are new volunteer opportunities at Two Twelve Medical Center in Chaska or Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.

Opening Feb. 1, 2011, Two Twelve Medical Center brings primary and specialty care together in one location, in addition to 24/7 emergency and urgent care.

By Unsie Zuege

One of the best humorous Christmas stories of all time is “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” a novel by Barbara Robinson that pokes fun at the perennial church Christmas pageant.

There’s no better way to kick off the holiday season than to see the adaptation of it as presented by the Chaska Valley Family Theatre (CVFT), opening Friday, Nov. 26 at Chaska High School.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum hosts “Making Spirits Bright,” celebrating nature – indoors and out – and running from Nov. 26 through Jan. 2. In the Oswald Visitor Center, visitors will gaze upon the Great Hall of Trees, several lofty fir trees adorned with handmade natural ornaments, all created by Arboretum volunteers and gardeners.

Enter a coloring contest for a chance to win a wagon ride with Santa Claus to the annual tree lighting in City Square Park in downtown Chaska on Saturday, Dec. 4.

St. John’s Lutheran Church and Love INC host a Thanksgiving Community Meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no cost, and transportation is available if needed.

This is the fourth year St. John’s has hosted the event. Last year the church served about 250 people.

For more information, call (952) 448-2433. The church is located at Fourth and Oak streets in downtown Chaska.

Conservative talk show host Jason Lewis will be at Dunn Bros in Chaska on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Lewis, of "The Jason Lewis Show," will be signing copies of his new book “Power Divided is Power Checked,” between 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.