What's happening around Lancaster this week

Here are some of the events occurring in and around the City of Lancaster this week:

On Monday, November 24, there will be poetry reading by Oni Buchanan at 8:00 p.m. at the Philadelphia Alumni Writers House on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College. "Experimental poet Oni Buchanan holds an M.F.A. from the Iowa Writers Workshop and has published two volumes of poetry: What Animal, winner of the University of Georgia Press Contemporary Series Competition, and Spring, selected by Mark Doty as a winner of the 2007 National Poetry Series Open Competition. Her poems have been featured in several anthologies, including The Best American Poetry 2004, and in numerous journals, like Conduit, which maintains a Flash version of her kinetic poem, 'The Mandrake Verhicles,' on its website. This event is co-sponsored by the Dept. of English." This event is free and open to the public. The Philadelphia Alumni Writers House is located at 633 College Avenue.

From 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26 and 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving, it's "Thanksgiving Day All You Can Play!" laser tag at Laserdome in Manheim. "For tons of fun visit the family entertainment center and play unlimited lasertag, arcades, virtual arena featuring HALO 3 and see spectacular laser concerts. Visit website for more details." Tickets are $20 per person. For an additional $5, you get unlimited soda, popcorn, and two slices of pizza. Laserdome is located at 2050 Auction Road in Manheim. Take the first Mount Joy exit (230) from 283 West.

If you want to go out for a Thanksgiving meal, let the Bird-In-Hand Family Restaurant Serve. "We will be serving from our Grand Smorgasbord 11 am - 5 pm. We will also have a Family Style Meal in our banquet area, with two seatings at 12 & 2 pm." The price is $21.95 for the Grand Smorgasbord or $26.95 for the Family-Style Meal. Visit the website for further information. The Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant is located at 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike.

Continuing this week at Sight & Sound Theatre in Strasburg, is The Miracle of Christmas. "Presenting the lives of Mary and Joseph focusing on their relationship, experience of angelic visits, the disgrace of a "questionable" pregnancy in their culture and the miracle of their son's birth. The show culminates in a joyful celebration as kings, angels and shepherds converge to welcome the infant King." Tickets start at $40 for adults and $16 for children. Prices and showtimes vary. Visit the website for details.

Also continuing this week is the play Deck the Halls and Clean the Kitchen at the Paradise Dinner Theatre in Paradise. "Bring loved ones together and enjoy this tale, reminding us that the true gift of the holiday season is not decorations or presents, but family. Ticket prices and times vary; see website for details." The Rainbow Dinner Theatre is located on Route 30 East.

This weekend is "Downtown Lancaster for the Holidays" in the city. "Experience the city with a variety of events, activities and shopping, including visits with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides, holiday movies and storytelling, plus stop at 200+ specialty shops, galleries, museums and restaurants. Fri. 5-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sun. noon-4 p.m." For more information, visit http://www.downtownlancaster.com.

On Friday, Nov. 28, Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray will light the Christmas tree in Penn Square, to much fanfare and festivity between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. "Carolers and the infamous 'Tuba Christmas' lend to the festivities."

Friday, Nov. 28 is "Greek Day" at the Red Rose Restaurant in downtown Lancaster. "Greek Day... includes Greek specialties, including pastitsio, mousaka and spanakopita and desserts such as baklava and ravani. Specialty Greek drinks are included such as Socratini. Call 717-392-8620 for information." The Red Rose Restaurant is located at 101 East King St.

12:00 a.m. is "Midnight Madness" at Rockvale Outlets and Tanger Outlets on Route 30. Spend $250 from 12am to 6am on Black Friday at either outlet and get a free Christmas tree. Both outlets will also feature holiday-themed music and entertainment. Visit http://www.RockvaleOutletsLancaster.com and http://www.tangeroutlet.com for details, sales, and store directories.

The Planetarium at the North Museum of Natural History & Science has shows (astronomical and otherwise) on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday. Visit the website for tickets and details. The North Museum is located at 400 College Ave.

From 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, visit with St. Nicholas at the Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum at 37 Market Street.

On Saturday, Nov. 29, the shop Festoon is holding its Fifth Christmas Open House. "Please join us for this festive event loaded with lots of holiday spirit including give-aways, product demos, free drawings and great refreshments! Call 717-299-2232 for info." 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Festoon is located at 25 West King St.