Five Things: Holiday Stroll, A Festivus Pary

Holiday Main Street Stroll: Tonight is the third holiday stroll, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Main Street. Shop local and find some great shops!

Parents’ Night Out: Sometimes you just need a few hours without your children to get some errands done or spend some quality time with your spouse or some friends. The Children's Workshop – 934 Main St. – wants to help. They are offering another Parents’ Night Out tonight. Get some holiday shopping done or enjoy dinner out while they watch the kids. Food and fun will be included – this is a FREE event open to all TCW Families and community members. Please RSVP by calling (401-884-0440) or emailing (EGreenwich@childrensworkshop.com). Visit www.childrensworkshop.com to see all their locations.

Author signing at Symposium: Local author Padma Venkatraman will be at Symposium Books today from 6 to 8 p.m. signing copies of her new book, Island’s End. The acclaimed author of Climbing the Stairs offers a fascinating story set on a remote island untouched by time. When Uido's little brother falls deathly ill, she must cross the ocean and seek help. Drawing on firsthand experience from her travels to the Andaman Islands, Padma Venkatraman was inspired to write this story after meeting natives who survived the 2004 tsunami.

TwentyOver40 Festivus Party: That’s right, a Festivus party! Hurricane Sandy foiled the group’s plans for an awesome November Tailgate Party, so Twenty40 – a networking group for people under 40 – is going all out for December. Bring your grievances and your strength for Twenty40's Festivus Party this December. Air your grievances with the local business climate in Rhode Island during our Airing of Grievances. (Constructive, comical and/or kooky grievances are all encouraged.) Learn how to do “Feats of Strength” right in your workplace with the help of Laid-Back Fitness’ Ryan McGowan. To get even more in the Festivus spirit, the ladies at The Pink Chair are setting up a Costanza-like section for our festivities – complete with plastic-wrapped furniture in the name of authenticity. The Chamber will also be accepting donations for the North Kingstown Food Pantry. Any non-perishable foods, gift cards to grocery stores, etc. will be appreciated. Admission is $10 and includes food and a drink ticket.

Holiday Spotlights: EG Patch is featuring “Holiday Spotlights” up to Dec. 24, short articles highlighting a good gift idea you can buy in East Greenwich (or very nearby). To check out all the spotlights we’ve run so far, check out the Holiday Spotlight landing page here. To be spotlighted, send me an email describing the gift idea (it can be a good or a service) and at least one photo.

Patch’s ‘Deck the House’ contest: We’re looking for the most decorated houses in town to participate in the second annual Patch Deck the House Contest and so far EG’s got one house in the running. Let’s vote for Stanley’s house – click here! The overall winner brings $100,000 to their school district and up to $500 back on their electricity bill. Runners’ up get electricity money back too. If you’ve got a house all decked out for the holidays, upload a picture or video here. Or vote. If you have any questions, contact me (elizabeth.mcnamara@patch.com).