The 11th annual Parma Peanut Butter Drive continues through Dec. 31. (Carol Kovach/special to cleveland.com)

PARMA, Ohio – Every year at this time, the Parma Peanut Butter Drive takes place to benefit All Faiths Pantry in Parma. This is the 11th year for the initiative, which runs through Dec. 31.

Parma City Council President Sean Brennan, an avid runner and experienced marathoner, is running a half-marathon on Dec. 12 to help draw attention to the drive and to encourage donations for it. People can sponsor him at $1 per mile ($13 total for the half-marathon), $2 per mile ($26 for a case of peanut butter), $3 per mile ($39 total) or a donation of their choice.

“Any amount helps,” Brennan said.

His run will begin and end in Anthony Zielinski Park on West Ridgewood Drive in Parma. All are invited to join him at 10 a.m. at the finish line for coffee, cocoa and cookies.

For more information on All Faiths Pantry, visit allfaithspantry.org.

Christmas is coming: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Parma’s Polish Village neighborhood.

In fact, Polish Village Christmas Lights, a new community event, is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Dec. 11 along Ridge Road between Pearl and Snow roads. People are invited to visit merchants in the area for lots of seasonal fun, including raffle baskets, music, giveaways for the family, refreshments, children’s crafts and fun, a visit from St. Nick and more.

Mr. Jingeling will visit Rudy’s Strudel & Bakery, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Santa Claus will be driving through Ward 2 that day, also.

Visitors are encouraged to park on side streets in the area and walk through Polish Village to experience the Christmas lights and decorations.

Sounds of the season: If you’re in the mood for some Christmas cheer, stop by the Parma Heights gazebo 6-7 p.m. Dec. 9 for Christmas Caroling with the Cub Scouts.

Lights galore: The third annual citywide Parma Heights Holiday Lights Contest is under way.

It’s not too late to join in the fun. Residents can participate in three categories: classic Christmas, Christmas vacation or best in show.

Entering is easy. Just put up your outdoor lights and decorations and leave them lit until 3 a.m. As police officers cruise through the city, they’ll watch for the displays and will select the top five finalists during the week ending Dec. 18. Voting for the winners will be during the following week and winners will be announced the evening of Dec. 23.

Yorktown Service Plaza is sponsoring this year’s contest and they provided a $25 gift card (for Valero gas station) to the three category winners.

And in Brooklyn, residents can send a photo of their decorated homes to holidaylights@brooklynohio.gov by Dec. 20 in order to enter the city’s holiday lighting contest.

The top five houses chosen from submitted entries will receive prizes. Winners will be announced on Dec. 21.

Orange barrel alert: Drivers who use Memphis Road in Brooklyn are reminded that intermittent lane closures will continue through Dec. 10 because of the City Center construction project. The affected area is between Brookway and North Amber Drive, in front of St. Elias Church.

He’s coming: Santa Claus will be traveling through Brooklyn this weekend. Starting about noon on Dec. 11, his sleigh will travel from Tiedeman Road to Biddulph Road, towards Ridge Road and will visit homes sough of Biddulph, Brooklyn Acres and streets east of Ridge. On Dec. 12, also beginning about noon, he’ll be back on the road in the Taunton and Hammond area, heading north of Memphis near City Hall, around the St. Thomas More Church area, Westbrook Village Apartments, onto to Tiedeman, then to Biddulph and the homes north of Biddulph.

More holiday fun: Independence residents are invited to submit their holiday photos by email to IndyImages1@gmail.com for possible publication in the city newsletter.

Also, the city is offering a holiday office decorating contest. Submit photos of your office (in Independence) to EconomicDevelooment@IndependenceOhio.org by Dec. 20. The winner will receive a pizza lunch (limit of two sheet pizzas) to be delivered in 2022.

Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. in Brooklyn, Independence, Parma, Parma Heights and Seven Hills for the Sun Postings column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to carolkovach@hotmail.com.

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