“Living Downstream” Sunday, Oct. 17, 7pm Hoogland Center for the Arts 420 South Sixth St. 523-2787 $8

FILM | Inspiring investigation

A 90-minute documentary on the connectedness between human health and the wellness of the environment, “Living Downstream” takes a scientific look at the distribution of three chemicals – atrazine, chlorine and PCBs – into the North American air, water and land and their possible link to cancer. Based on a book by Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., Illinois native, ecologist and cancer survivor, the film maps her story and the environment’s, some right here in Illinois. Steingraber and filmmaker Chevannes take audience questions after the screening, followed by a book signing. Sponsored by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Sustainable Springfield, Inc. and Pesticide Action Network North America.

THE CALENDAR

Submit calendar listings at www.illinoistimes.com or e-mail to calendar@illinoistimes.com or send them to:

Calendar P.O. Box 5256 Springfield, IL 62705 Deadline is Friday at noon prior to when the paper comes out on newsstands. Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending the event.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Auburn Haunted House Oct 15-16, 22-23, 7pm Fri, 6pm Sat, Blood on the Bayou. This haunt is not for young children. $6. Auburn Masonic Lodge, 217 N. Fifth St, Auburn, 217- 553-1848.

Boo Crew Haunted House Oct 15-17, 22-24, 29-30, 6:30pm, Gigantic high-tech theatrical haunted house with three levels of scare. $8. Kids open house Oct. 23, 4-6 p.m. boocrew.com. Cooper Township Facitlity, 6500 Jett Rd, Rochester.

Classically Scared Oct 15, 6-8:30pm, Readings of classical literature in an old Victorian home. Reservations only, 524- 0901, leave a call-back number. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Extreme Haunted Hayride Oct 15-16, 22-23, 7pm, Travel along the river, through the woods, pulled by a 1968 Cadillac Hearse. Presented by Riverside Stables. Scary. $8, $13 front of line ticket. Riverside Park, 4105 Sand Hill Rd.

Halloween Costume Party Downtown Oct 23, 9:30pm-3am, Free Halloween Party with DJ Blake and Star Talent Events Entertainment. Cash prize costume contest. 528-5100. The State House Inn, 101 E. Adams St, 217-528- 5100.

Halloween Poetry Masque & Stories from the Darkside Oct 23, 2-4pm, Free open mic reading of poems to make you shiver and stories that will go bump in the night as Springfield Poets and Writers gather in Halloween garb in the costume area to enchant, amuse, and yes, scare you. All ages welcome, but not a children’s event. The Party Tree, 3425 Freedom Drive, 217-793-5030.

Haunted Hay Rack Ride Oct 16, 23, 7-11pm, Twenty-five minute ride through the campground with scares along the way. Concessions available. $7. 217-502-0975, 217-891- 4228 or 309-208-6936. NSPOA Campground, 19168 Jellystone Rd, Petersburg.

Haunted Nights of History Oct 21-22, 7-9pm, Bring the family to Edwards Place after nightfall for some spooky fun with a historic twist. Tours begin every 15 minutes. $4. 523-2631. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Oct 15-16, 6-9:30pm, Stroll through display of 2010 illuminated hand-carved jack-o-lanterns. (Park at Sacred-Heart Griffin West Campus and ride free bus to and from park.) $5 adults, $3 4-11 years. Washington Park Rees Memorial Carillon, Fayette Rd, 753-6219.

Raising the Dead Haunted House/Hayride Oct 22-23, 8-11pm, Haunted house and hayride at the historic old stagecoach stop. Friendly haunts for kids on Oct. 23 and 30 5-7 p.m. $5. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains.

Spfld. Jaycees Haunted House Oct 14-27, 6:30-9pm weekdays, 6:30- 11pm wee, Oct 9-31, Grandstand. Free parking. $6. (Kids Days on Sat-Sun 12-3 p.m. $3 kids $1 adults.) Advance tickets at Sunrise Cafe, Recycled Records and Qik N EZs. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Springfield Illinois Zombie Walk Oct 23, 5-8pm, Dress in your best undead attire and win awards and prizes offered in many categories. Free registration. All ages encouraged to attend, first 100 registrants win a free twinkie. Adult Zombie pub crawl to follow. Proceeds to benefit United Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy Resource Center. Park Gazebo. For more info e-mail lizrd98@yahoo.com. Washington Park, South Grand and MacArthur.

Terror on the Square Oct 15-17, 22-24, 29-31 7pm, Weekends through October. Unique professional haunted house with Disneystyle ghost illusions and ghost holograms set in 1930s funeral home. Ranked 3rd best haunt in Illinois. $8 adults, $7 kids. Petersburg Square, N. Seventh St at W. Douglas Ave, Petersburg.

The Haunted Dead Walk Oct 15-16, 22-23, 7-10pm, Walking tour of Springfield sites that many believe are haunted. 2 1/2 hours for mature audiences only. Reservations and admission required. 502-8687. Springfield Walks HQ, 113 N. Sixth St.

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