Watertown

Every season, it seems, the Hopkinton and Marlborough High girls' volleyball teams are on a collision course in the Division 2 Central tournament. There is always a preseason scrimmage - which ended in a tie this year - and, in at least the last three years, a tourney showdown.

The Girrells, who live in Andover, are expecting their biggest year yet, with wish lists from 900 children to fulfill. Last year, the organization provided gifts for 688 children and more than 100 boxes of household goods to families in need, thanks to donations of toys, supplies and $6,600 in cash from area residents.

Storybook trees

A holiday service will be held by the nonprofit Visiting Nurse and Community Health organization's Hospice Care program Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Church of Our Saviour at 21 Marathon St. The service will include readings, music and the opportunity to light candles for a loved one. The service is designed particularly for those who are experiencing loss or other problems during the holiday season. The Arlington-based nonprofit agency is also raffling off a holiday quilt on Dec. 15 in remembrance of the home health, hospice and private-care patients it has served. Tickets for the raffle are $2, or $5 for three tickets, and can be obtained by contacting Lauren Shaughnessy at 781-643-6090, ext. 1206. - Brock Parker

Asking after your son's father isn't an unreasonable query; people naturally want to understand the family configurations of others. And they want to avoid making future faux pas - if you are a widow, cavalierly joking about the disease your husband died of; if you are a lesbian, assuming you are single because there is no man in your life; or if you have a baby sitter this Friday night, failing to set you up with their adorable new condo neighbor. Just because a question is one you'd rather not answer doesn't make it rude.

Asking after your son's father isn't an unreasonable query; people naturally want to understand the family configurations of others. And they want to avoid making future faux pas - if you are a widow, cavalierly joking about the disease your husband died of; if you are a lesbian, assuming you are single because there is no man in your life; or if you have a baby sitter this Friday night, failing to set you up with their adorable new condo neighbor. Just because a question is one you'd rather not answer doesn't make it rude.

BAY STATE (CAREY)

Melrose (8-3, 2-3 Middlesex Small) leads the series, 51-40-6, but Wakefield (9-2, 5-0) is headed to the playoffs, having locked up the first guaranteed playoff berth for the Middlesex Small with a 39-0 win over Watertown Nov. 11.

60 Spy Pond Lane Caryn L. Gillis and James M. Gillis to George W. Bell and Cedrine J. Bell, $650,000

Perry's Top 10 teams

This morning at 10, the trio will take the field as captains for their respective teams on the new turf at Victory Field in Watertown, Reynolds playing for Belmont, and McCusker and Ortiz for the host Red Raiders.

Watertown: In ``The New Jewish Culture, '' three young critics and activists explore how a new generation of Jewish artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and performers is sparking a cultural revolution Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m., in the Charles Mosesian Theater, Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St. $28, $45. www.newcenterboston.org.

It's part of a long-planned event called ``Turn Out the Lights,'' commemorating the 50-year-old high school's legacy on the eve of its demolition to make way for its successor.

Along with selling costumes, magic tricks, and high-grade stage makeup, Mr. Bertolino was a self-styled magician and comedian whose stage never extended past the front door. He created an oasis for budding performers looking for a little support, curious tourists drawn by the storefront, and professionals who wanted top-notch equipment.

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - A severe winter storm was driving across the upper Midwest on Sunday, dumping up to 15 inches of snow and causing white-out conditions in spots from the Dakotas through Minnesota and into Wisconsin.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - The south is starting to look like the far north this winter -- with Oklahoma digging out from up to 20 inches of snow that fell overnight, while Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama saw snow fall on Wednesday.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - The mid-south is starting to look like the far north this winter, with Oklahoma digging out from up to 20 inches of snow that fell overnight, and Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama getting hit on Wednesday.

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - South Dakota reopened late Thursday afternoon an interstate where up to 200 vehicles, some with small children inside, were stranded for hours by 5-foot snow drifts, officials said.

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Rescuers were still trying to clear on Thursday the last of about 200 vehicles, some with small children inside, stranded for hours by five-foot snow drifts on a South Dakota interstate, emergency officials said.

BOSTON (Reuters Life!) - For children in hospital over Christmas, a visit from Santa Claus -- especially a cool, virtual Santa beamed in from the North Pole -- is like a breath of fresh air.