“Santa Claws” pet portraits are back

Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter, in coordination with PetSmart on Bald Hill Road here in Warwick, will be taking "Pet Pictures with Santa Claws" on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Photo packages are $9.95 with a PetPerks card and Pet parents receive one 4" x 6" digital photo of their pet(s) with Santa and an exclusive holiday frame. For every package sold, PetSmart will donate $5 to the Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter to help homeless animals in the shelter. No reservations are needed, so just head over with your dog, cat, ferret, bird –even your children! All animals must be leashed, harnessed or in an appropriate carrier. For more details, call Brenda Nordin at 401-467-2692. Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter is a nonprofit organization helping homeless animals in the Warwick Animal Shelter and in Warwick.

State House tree-lighting Friday

Governor Donald L. Carcieri and Mrs. Carcieri will host the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony in the Rotunda of the State House on Friday, at 5:30 p.m. All Rhode Islanders are invited to attend and see the 17-foot Douglas fir lit for the first time. Children's activities include free photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Refreshments will be offered, along with entertainment and sing-a-longs with the Governor's Own 88th Army Band. A craft area will be available to children, providing an opportunity to make an ornament to take home. A display of international holiday trees will reveal how the season is celebrated around the world. The exhibit of ethnic-themed trees will be located on the second floor of the State House in the halls surrounding the Rotunda. The evening's festivities also will include the lighting of the Heroes' Tree in the State Room. The tree will be adorned with ornaments and the governor and Mrs. Carcieri have invited family and friends of military veterans to create to commemorate individual military service. There is still time to bring ornaments to the State House at 82 Smith Street in Providence and leave them with the Capitol Police between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Heroes' Tree will stand in an honored place in the State Room throughout the holiday season. The State House tree, which will be illuminated with energy efficient LED lights, will remain lighted throughout the holiday season. The State House is open to the public on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The early bird gets the dough

A lucky Warwick man claimed the third $10,000 Early Bird winning ticket for the Rhode Island Lottery’s Million Dollar Raffle Game last week. The drawing took place on Nov. 19 and the winning number was 024580. The winning ticket was sold from Sunoco at 425 Quaker Lane, West Warwick. The winner plans to put the money in the bank and use some for Christmas shopping, saying there couldn’t have been a better time of year to win. There are two more Early Bird Drawings remaining, and then the Grand Prize Drawing taking place on New Year’s Eve. The next drawing for $10,000 will be held this Thursday, Dec. 3. To be entered into the Early Bird and Grand Prize Drawings, players need only purchase a Million Dollar Raffle Ticket.

Enjoy breakfast with Santa

Santa Claus is coming to town – to the Radisson Airport Hotel for breakfast, to be exact! On Saturday, Dec. 12, the hotel is offering a special Breakfast with Santa in the magically decorated University Ballroom, creating Christmas fantasies for children of all ages. Tickets for the breakfast, which will be held from 8 to 11 a.m., are $12 for adults and $9 for children (tax and gratuity included). The buffet will include Scrooge’s scrambled eggs, holiday home fries, Jack Frost French toast sticks, bacon and sausage, a fruit platter, Mrs. Claus’ sugar plum pastries and more. Children will also have the opportunity to decorate their own sugar cookies. Photos with Santa will be available for $2 each. Advance reservations are required, so call the Radisson at 401-739-3000 or visit their Web site at www.radisson.com/hotels/riproair/dinings/1.