Here’s What’s Happening (in order of appearance):

 Online Recording of December 15’s Chelsea Community Church Candlelight Carol Service / Menorah Lighting / Holiday Events at Verdi Cannabis / Down to Earth Farmers Market Chelsea / 

View the Recording of Chelsea Community Church’s Sunday, December 15 50th Annual Candlelight Carol Service: Available via the Chelsea Community Church Website| One of West Chelsea’s most eagerly antiipated holiday events has already happened–but it lives on in recorded form, ready to warm your heart any old time. Sure, you could wait for “Christmas in July” to see the service, but why? The lay-led, nondenominational Chelsea Community Church (CCC) has a way of curating their annual Candlelight Carol Service in a manner that fosters the Christmas Spirit among one and all.  The drive to lead a moral, ethical, decent life (with more than a little laughter and fun thrown into the mix) is at the heart of their weekly services and it’s certainly sunken into the Candlelight Carol Service over the years. As forthe content, there’s special music by the CCC Choir (John Thomas Fischer, Choir Director and Jeff Cubera, paino & organ) and a reading of A Visit From St. Nicholas, via special guest Karen Mason. Access the December 15, 2024 service by clicking here.

Menorah Lighting: Wednesday, December 25, 3pm at Clement Clarke Moore Park (10th Ave. & W. 22nd St.) | Celebrate the first night of Channuka  with this annual menorah lighting event. See the below flyer for details.

Holiday Events at Verdi Cannabis (158 W. 23rd St. btw. 6th & 7th Aves.)| Having opened in January, legal cannabis distributor Verdi Cannabis is making good on its vow to be a good neighbor and take an active interest in the community it’s become part of. Case (actually, “Cases”) in point, the following from Kenny Cunningham, co-curator of Verdi’s ongoing music and arts programming. This month, Cunningham notes, Verni s running three Donation Drives: “First, in partnership with Eaton Botanicals, we are running a Menstrual Products Drive–collecting tampons, pads, liners, etc. This will run through the end of December. Also, in partnership with Pax, we are running a Food Drive, with all collections to go to Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. Of particular need are flour, rice, dried beans, grape juice, cooking oil, peanut butter, non-perishables, & shelf-stable milk. For our third Drive, a clothing drive, all collections go to Holy Apostles. Of particular need are hats, hoodies, scarves, socks, jeans, gloves, & coats–especially men’s items.” Donations for all three drives are accepted during Verdi’s hours of operation (Mon-Fri, 9am-10pm; Sat/Sun. 11am-10pm). As for this month’s in-house events: Saturday, December 28, 2pm-5pm, The Green Room (Verdi’s live music and art installation series) presents the Minglewood Trio (sponsore by Rec Roots). Sunday, December 29, 2pm-5pm, NSA performs (sponsored by Fernway). Monday, December 30, 3pm-6pm, Silver Goat is in performance thanks to their sponsor, Pines. On Tuesday, December 31, OG’s Noise is on from 2pm to 4pm with a Grateful Dead set followed by a Phish set from 6pm to 9pm. As for the featured artists whose work can be found on Verdi’s walls: Stacy Cohen’s photography work was on view through December 20, at which point the photos of Scott Harris began its featured run–and now through January 1, 2025,  the work of artist Michael “Mitty” Matlick can also be seen. To keep up with what else is up with Verdi, click here to visit their website. To visit the EVENTS page of their website, click here.

Down to Earth Farmers Market Chelsea: Saturdays, 9am-2pm through December 2024 | Seasonal, local food by vendors you can rely on for the basics and trust when it comes to embracing new cuisine and ingredients is the great strength of this weekly Market that pops up Saturdays, 9am-2pm, on West 23rd Street Off of Ninth Ave. And they’ve been there, early spring to early winter, year in and year out for a full decade (an occasion celebrated at the October 12 Market). A tip worth taking: Click here to sign up for their newsletter, and every week you’ll get a preview of what’s so special about the next Market.  Also a source of food for thought in advance of each Saturday’s Market: A visit to its online presecce (click here to do so). A new addition for 2024: Textile Recycling! Bring your linens, old clothes, shoes, torn, stained, or new to recycle (look for the green bin). Also Note: Food Benefit Programs are welcome. Go to the Manager’s Tent to use your SNAP EBT card and get tokens to spend with the vendors. Matching Health Bucks are available ($2 for every $2 withdrawn, up to $10). FMNP vouchers can be used June-November. For a full explanation of benefits, visit this link. NYC residents who have questions about the FMNP program can dial 311.