5 Things: Winn-Dixie merger, Avoid Christmas fires, Taste of Chanukah, Vigil and Elf

1. Can’t make it to the in Venice? Two related events will happen in Sarasota on Wednesday.

Steve Sundberg, author of Street Logic will read excerpts conduct a Q&A, and sell copies of his book. For every copy sold at this event, $5 will be donated to support the implementation of StepUp. The event is 3  to 4:30 p.m. at the Geldbart Auditorium.

A candlelight vigil will be held at 6 p.m. at in Sarasota when names of Manatee and Sarasota County men and women who died while homeless in 2001 will be read and remembered.

2. is Tuesday night at Selby Five Points Park downtown. The free event features ice sculptures, a Hanukah hula dance show, children's dress like a dreidel contest, children's choir, money grab machine, live music, food and more. The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m.

3. You perhaps know of The Sarasota Elf. He loves promotions — especially when it comes to downtown Sarasota. He loves it so much he’s not too keen on returning to the North Pole. Well, he’s had quite the season working, so he called in a day off in his newest video, Sarasota Elf’s Day Off and visits The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Though the music tells me I’m watching an early 1980s French film and am waiting for the subtitles to kick in. Your call. 

4. , a regional chain of grocery stores had its own news to share. Winn-Dixie is being sold to South Carolina-based Bi-Lo. No store closures are planned, and the stores will keep their names.

5. Don’t let yourself be a Christmas fire or burn victim. Reporter Stan Zimmerman catches up with the Sarasota County Fire Department to tell you what situations the county normally sees around the holidays and how you can avoid them.