Ice-skating at Howard ParkHours can be found at: www.sbpark.org/skate/iceskate.htmSure, it's fun to skate in the Joyce Center whenever the rink's open, cruising along the ice with your friends and dormmates. Why not give it a try off-campus? South Bend's park system deserves a second look, especially this time of year, when Howard Park offers an outdoor skating rink for wintertime fun. Practice your figure eights and smooth moves at this local park - it's less than two miles from campus, so you've got no excuse. Admission costs $4 with a skate rental included. If you've got your own pair of skates, the rink will sharpen them for $4.Christmas at the MoviesThis holiday season should prove like any other at the movies, with a slew of holiday fare hitting the big screen. "Four Christmases," starring comedy high-roller Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, took the top spot at the box office last weekend. Another Christmas release, "Nothing Like the Holidays," is due in theaters Dec. 12, and should also prove to be a welcome holiday distraction from the joys of finals week. "A Christmas Story" at the South Bend Civic Theater Performances continue to December 20th.The South Bend Civic Theater has brought this 1983 classic Christmas film to life on the stage. Join this local theater community in celebrating one of the holiday season's more unconventional stories as 11 year-old Ralphie Parker dreams of a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Even if you'll "shoot your eye out," you can't pass up this Christmastime production. The story, which takes place in Indiana, was first brought to the stage in 2000.South Bend Symphony Orchestra performs "Home for the Holidays" Sunday Dec. 7, 3 p.m. If you're in the mood for some holiday cheer, check out the South Bend Symphony Orchestra this Sunday at the Morris Performing Arts Center. In addition to the orchestra itself, this popular concert will feature performances by soprano Diane Penning and the South Bend High School Festival Choir, a group comprised of students from Adams, Riley, Clay and Washington High Schools. Supposedly Kris Kringle himself will make an appearance at the show, so you better watch out!"The Nutcracker" at the Morris Performing Arts CenterDec. 13 at 2 p.m, and 7 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.Christmas in South Bend wouldn't be the same without the local production of this beloved holiday tradition. Watch and wonder as young Clara experiences a night of enchantment, drama and mystery, scored by Tchaikovsky's beautiful music and performed by a local dance company, the Southold Dance Theater.Glee Club Christmas Concert at the DeBartolo Performing Arts CenterDec. 13 at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m,An absolute must, this annual concert is one of the Glee Club's finest offerings each academic year. The men of the Glee Club will perform a variety of holiday tunes, traditional carols, contemporary selections and more. "Kathy Mattea's Christmas" at the DeBartolo Performing Arts CenterDec. 14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.This country artist has two Grammy Awards and three Country Music Association Awards under her belt, and will be coming to the Leighton Concert Hall for a unique Christmastime performance. Called "one of Nashville's most spiritual singers" by USA Today, Mattea will perform Christmas standards as well as some of her own holiday tracks, including "Mary, Did You Know?"
