Longtime folk/rock favorites Over the Rhine celebrate the holiday season and a new album with a special weekend of performances, including their annual "holiday homecoming" concert at the Taft Theatre. The band is offering a special VIP ticket package for events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. WNKU-FM is offering its own weekend packages.   

You would think that between the French’s love of American comedic genius Jerry Lewis, the U.K.’s hilariously awful cuisine and Europe’s running gag about how soccer is the world’s most popular sport, someone would have invited grand parody song master “Weird Al” Yankovic overseas to perform. Until now.  

It's easy to shun winter weather by hiding inside, drinking egg nog and watching 'A Charlie Brown Christmas Special.' Instead, celebrate the season by taking in a few local performances or events and mingling with your fellow man.  

Another Part of the Forest: Vinyl LPs, DVDsSpecializing in hard-to-find vinyl records and eclectic music, Another Part of the Forest offers more than 10,000 LPs ($1.50-$15), including a wide selection  

Colonel De Spice Store: Custom Gift BoxesSpice up the season with a stop to Colonel De’s spice store in Findlay Market, offering custom gift box choices full of spicy goodies. The Cincy Favorite  

Aglamesis Bros.: Tower of FavoritesIce cream might be considered a summer time treat, but in my family we crave it year round. That’s why we love an outing to Algamesis each season to taste thei  

Ambience Salon Spa: Togetherness PackageServices include a “purefecting” plant peel anti-aging facial ($135) and 90-minute deep tissue sports massage ($110) for those on the go. Or truly i  

The musical universe was in perfect order Thanksgiving week. Willie Nelson was busted on his tour bus for marijuana possession by U.S. Border Patrol in Texas. The cop said he smelled pot when the bus door opened (though, if fishing for reasonable cause for a search, he could have just gone with “It was Willie Nelson’s tour bus”).  

One of our (and your) favorite public radio stations, WNKU-FM, is hosting a one-day fund-raising drive Dec. 1. Dubbed One Day Wednesday, it's an opportunity for you to contribute before the end of the year and claim a last-minute tax deduction. Plus it would certainly help the station balance the 2010 books. And you can pick up a copy of the local holiday album 'Ring.'  

Check out this list of all the happenings in Cincinnati this holiday season. You'll find local events at your favorite places. Some of the best theater of the year will also be onstage. And our local museums are hosting some great holiday exhibitions.