Route 66 International Film Festival Sep 18-19, 10am-11pm Sat, 10am-8pm Sun, See films from 19 states and seven countries, meet filmmakers and vote for favorites. Features shorts including student films and an Academy Award nominee. $10. $25 three session pass. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 220-0669.
CHILDREN’S CORNER
Fall into Biodiversity Sep 25, 11am-3pm, Free family event to learn how plants and animals prepare for winter through activities, games and displays. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-5993.
SCIENCE
Star Parties Sep 17, 24, 8-10pm, Through Oct, John Martin, assistant professor of astronomy/physics hosts this popular free observatory (SE corner) learn and look. 206- 8342. UIS Brookens Library, One University Plaza.
Star Parties for People with Disabilities Sep 19, 8pm, Short presentation and viewing of first-quarter moon and Venus. Reservations required. 206-8342 or [email protected]. UIS Brookens Library, One University Plaza.
NATURE
Bird Walks Sep 18, 25, 8am, Four Saturdays this fall, join bird expert Kevin Veara as he leads birders of all skill levels. Bring your own binoculars. Free. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr.
Birdhouse Building Contest Move-in-ready design judged for construction quality, originality and functionality. $5 entry fee includes admission to Indian Summer Festival. See online for categories. Deadline Oct 7, 4 p.m. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr.
Illinois Audubon Society Program Sep 16, 7-9pm, Photographer David Staff, Decatur, will present a program on Outdoor Illinois. [email protected]. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, Springfield , 544-2473.
River Canoe/Wolf Preserve Tour Sep 25, 9:30am or 10am, Join Friends of the Sangamon Valley. $35, $60 couples. Reservations required. Mail payment to Friends of the Sangamon Valley, PO Box 13352, Springfield, IL 62791. New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg.
Tree and Leaf Hike Sep 18, 26, 2pm, Here’s help for students with their leaf collections. $4. 529-1111. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr.
Volunteer Naturalists Training Sep 16, 9am-3pm, Adults are invited to train to assist school groups (primarily preschool to 4th grade) touring the Garden. Lunch provided. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111.
Water Gardening Society Sep 23, 6:30-8:30pm, Fish, turtles and other pond life topic of meeting. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 726-8216.
ENVIRONMENT
Sangamon River Cleanup Sep 18, 9am, Clean Hurie Park or the Sangamon River with The Friends of the Sangamon Valley and the Sangamon Valley Group of the Sierra Club. Free lunch, but RSVP required. 494-3957. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg.
LECTURES & MEETINGS
A “Green Jobs” Panel Sep 28, 6:30-8pm, The Sangamon Valley Group of the Sierra Club’s September meeting will feature a “Green Jobs Panel,” in co-ordination with Sustainable Springfield. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 753-4900.
A Conversation on Nonviolence Sep 20, 6:30-8pm, Panelists Kathy Kelly, Robert Blackwell and Professor Emeritus Proshanta Nandi. Carnegie North. Sponsored by Pax Christi Springfield and Springfield Society of Friends. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 753-4900.
ACLU Annual Dinner Sep 25, 6pm, Guest speaker is Professor Sheila Simon, lecturer at SIU College of Law and current candidate for Lieutenant Governor, speaking on open government in Illinois. Cash bar 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. $35. RSVP 789-1200 before noon Sept. 17. The State House Inn, 101 E. Adams St.
Khalaf Al Habtoor Lecture Sep 29, 7pm, ‘Disagreeing on Everything: A Debate on Attaining Peace in the Middle East’ with Anisa Mehdi and Michael Lame. Illinois College Sibert Theatre, McGaw Fine Arts Center, Jacksonville.
Thomas W. Ewing Lecture Sep 22, 7:30pm, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., visionary environmental business leader and advocate, is the featured speaker. His lecture is titled: ‘Green Gold Rush: A Vision for Energy Independence, Jobs and National Wealth’ Free and open to public. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St, Decatur, 424-6318.
BULLETIN BOARD
APL Bird Feeder Cleaning Sep 18, 10am-2pm, Bird feeders and baths are power washed by APL volunteers for a $3 donation per item. Wild Birds Unlimited, MacArthur Blvd, 544- 7387.
Constitution Day Lecture Sep 17, 7pm, U.S. District Judge John Jones of the Middle District of Pennsylvania presents free lecture, ‘Our Constitution’s Intelligent Design’ Illinois College Sibert Theatre, McGaw Fine Arts Center, Jacksonville.
Constitution Day Presentation Sep 17, 12pm, ‘Interpreting the Constitution: Original Intent or Living Document’ presented by John Vinzant,
Ph.D. and Chris McDonald, Ph.D. LLCC professors of political science. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200.
Dog Party Sep 18, 3-5pm, Social gathering of dogs and dog lovers to benefit APL with contests, vendors and more. 816-2556. Stuart Park, Winch Lane (north of Jefferson).
Freedom Expo Tattoo Convention Sep 17-19, 4-11pm Fri, 12-11pm Sat, 12-8pm , Single day ticket - $15, weekend pass - $25. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza.
Ghosts - True Tales From The Spirit World Sep 25, 7-9pm, Stories of real investigations into the world of strange, unusual and possibly paranormal hosted by Carl Jones. Trutter Center. $15, $12 in advance. 786-2292. llcc.edu/commed. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd.
Mother and Daughter Tea Sep 19, 1-3pm, formal Victorian tea for mothers and daughters. Advanced paid reservations required. $35. 788-9452. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence.
Worldwide Day of Play Sep 18, 10am-1pm, Springfield Park District, American Heart Association and Nickelodeon host a free fun day for families. Get your passport punched for a chance to win prizes. 753-2800. Lincoln Park, Fifth St and Sangamon Ave.
