Birding, shopping, Christmas light tours and eating are among the Joint Effort Leisure Ministry (JELM) Center 2007-08 trip schedule.

Registration for all trips may be made at the JELM Center, 129 S. Alister St. or by calling the center at 749-5321.

The trip with the earliest sign-up deadline is a shopping trip in Nuevo Progreso scheduled for Saturday Dec. 15. Registration is required by tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 9, and the cost is $38. The bus (with restroom) will leave at 7:30 a.m. A wide variety of shopping is available at the destination including clothes, pottery, art, pharmaceuticals and more. Proof of citizenship and driver's license are required. A minimum of 40 people is required to make the trip viable. Another Progreso trip is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 15.

The registration deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 13, for Christmas light tours and dinner in Corpus Christi slated for Thursday, Dec. 20, or Sunday, Dec. 23. The bus will leave at 6 p.m. and will view light displays for an hour, allowing people to depart at two locations. After dinner at Jason's Deli or Bubba's Ice House, the tour will continue for another hour and include hot chocolate and cookies. The trip is $20 not including the cost of your dinner.

Three separate birding field days will be held at the Welder Wildlife Refuge Birding Field Day Friday, Dec. 7; Thursday, Jan. 10; and Saturday, Feb. 9, courtesy of JELM and the refuge.

The cost is $50 for each trip and includes lunch. The field days at the 7,000-acre refuge north of Sinton begin with classroom instruction and end in the field identifying migratory birds. Sign up by Friday, Nov. 30.

Book a seat by Friday, Nov. 30, to attend Market Days in Goliad on Saturday, Dec. 8. A trading spot since the 1700s, the event features nearly 200 vendors selling a variety of wares and tours of historic sites. Cost is $20.

A two-day tour to Washington County to view painted churches and rolling hills must be booked by Tuesday, Dec. 4. The trip will be made Friday and Saturday, Jan. 11-12. The tour will include the site where Texas' Declaration of Independence was signed. Cost is $175 and includes lodging and more.

A trip to the San Marcos outlet malls will be Tuesday, Jan. 29. Registration by Saturday, Dec. 22 is required. The cost is $48. JELM is one of Port Aransassources for travel, education and exercise. All JELM activities are open to the public; however, trips require advance registration usually at least 30 days in advance of the travel date. The center uses proven charter bus lines that focus on passengers' comfort, safety and convenience. For a complete listing of JELM details, visit or call the JELM Center (361) 749-5321 or visit its Web site at www.jelmcenter.com. JELM is not-for-profit service of Community Presbyterian Church.