THE CALENDAR

Santa House Dec 16-23, 5-7pm Mon-Fri, 1-6pm Sat-Sun, Through Dec 23, Springfield Park District hosts free visit and candy cane. Pictures $5. 753-0700. Robin Roberts Stadium, Lanphier Park, N. Grand Ave and Michigan Ave.

Santa at White Oaks Mall Dec 16-24, 12pm , Visit with Santa through Christmas Eve, December 24. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave, (217) 787- 0110.

Santa’s House Dec 16-18, 21-24, 4-6:30pm Thu-Fri, 2-4pm Sat, Dec 09-11, 16-18, 21-24, Bring the kids to visit Santa. 243-5678. Jacksonville square, 200 E. State, Jacksonville.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

ABATE Chapter Meeting Dec 16, 7pm, ABATE Lincoln Land Monthly Chapter Meeting. All motorcycle enthusiasts welcome. Third Thursday of every month. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-836- 3336.

Association of Information Technology Professionals Dec 21, 5:30-8:30pm, Chapter Elections. Lakepointe Grill, 1386 Toronto Rd, 628-3697.

Central Illinois Referral Network Dec 22, 7:45am, Every Wed, Little over an hour gathering for referrals and new business opportunities discussion. The Real Estate Group, 3701 West Wabash Ave.

Springfield Area Disability Activists Dec 21, 5:30-6:45pm, Meets every third Tuesday of month. IL Network of Centers for Independent Living, Fifth and Washington St, Cilla 341-4459 or Mike 971-4802.

BULLETIN BOARD

APL Pet Adoptions Dec 18, 11am-2pm, Dogs for adoption. APL also offers pet photos with Santa for a nominal charge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 18-19 at PetSmart. Ace Hardware, 1600 Wabash Ave, 217-787-5100.

Third Thursday Holiday Art Show December 16-18, 6:00pm- 12:00am. Holiday fun, music & art by local artists. Hosted by Michael J. Mayosky. Top of the Hilton - 29th floor.

Angel Tree: Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery Dec 16-17, 20-22, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, Through Dec. 22, Place donation under decorated Beanie Baby Bears tree and you can take a bear home. List of needed items online in our calendar. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 North Sixth St.

Central Illinois Foodbank’s Facebook Fan Drive Dec 16-17, 20-24, Become a Central Illinois Foodbank Facebook fan and your participation will donate one dollar to the foodbank thanks to Arizona Tile.

Community Outreach Program Dec 18, 10-11:30am, Third Saturday of each month, CoPCC assists families in need of personal care items such as: paper towels, toilet paper, bath soap, deodorant and toothpaste. Those in need invited. Must be 18 or older, show valid ID, and show proof of how many in household. Cathedral of Praise Christian Center, 2039 E. Capitol Ave, 528- 9800.

Springfield Chess Club Dec 29, 6:30-9pm, Weekly meetings on Wednesdays at White Oaks Mall food court. Also, twice a month meetings at Barnes and Noble. 726-2584. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave.

Youth Night Dec 24, 6-9pm, Second and fourth Friday of each month open mic, table games and a variety of other fun stuff. Holy Ground Coffeehouse, 304 W. Allen, (217) 306-2592.

“Christmas Cat” Clinic Dec 16-17, 20-23, Have your cat spayed or neutered. $25. Reservations required, must mention “Christmas Cat” promotion. 789-7729. Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd.

POLITICS

Drinking Coffee Liberally Dec 18, 9am, First and third Saturday. Have coffee, breakfast and conversation with fellow progressives. springfieldil@drinkingliberally.org. Trout Lily Cafe, 218 S. Sixth St.

Drinking Liberally Dec 16, 23, 6:30pm, Every Thursday, informal political discussion and socializing with fellow progressives.springfieldil@drinkingliberally.org. Bar None, 245 S. Fifth St.

Holiday Antiwar Cafe/Fundraiser Dec 19, 4 pm, Hosted by Iraq Veterans Against the War. Music, performances, readings of poetry and short stories. Coffee and baked goods galore!, Home of Peter and Meg Lazare, 854 S. Lincoln Ave. 217-816-2918.

HISTORY

A Fair to Remember Exhibit Dec 16-17, 20-24, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, View for free, artifacts from various fairs around the country. presidentlincoln.org, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 North Sixth St.

Team Of Rivals Dec 16-29, 9am-5pm daily, Through Aug 15, 2011, One-of-akind temporary Civil War Sesquicentennial exhibition that takes you inside the highest levels of the government as Abraham Lincoln and his cabinet struggle with the momentous issue of war. Museum admission. 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St.

HEALTH

Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance of Central Illinois Dec 21, 28, 6:30-8:30pm, Every Tuesday. Support group for anyone affected by a mood disorder, including friends/family. 414- 7368. Stevenson Room, 4th floor, 801 N. Rutledge St.

GROW Mental Health Support Group Dec 16, 23, 7:15-9:15pm, Free 12-step for those with mental health issues, emotional problems, addictions or difficulties coping. Anonymous, confidential. 622-7953. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave W.

GROW in IL Mental Health Support Group Dec 21, 28, 5:45pm, 12-step meetings on Tuesdays for anyone with mental health issues, emotional problems, addictions or difficulties coping. Anonymous, confidential. First United Pentecostal Church, 600 W. Mason, 622- 7953.

GROW in Illinois Mental Health Support Group Dec 16, 23, 4-6pm, Free weekly 12-step for those with mental health issues, emotional problems, addictions or difficulties coping. Anonymous, confidential. 622-7953. People’s Church, 1109 E. Ash St.

Overeaters Anonymous Dec 16, 20, 5:15-6:15pm Mon, 5:30-6:30pm Th, Every Monday and Thursday, 12-step program open to all. No registration required. 787-2326, 544-2255. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

Annual Childrens’ Christmas Pageant Dec 19, 10:30am, The children of ALUUC present “A Christmas Spirit: The Conversion of Mrs. Scrooge.” Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 585-9550.

A Christmas Concert Dec 19, 3-4pm, Christmas Benefit Concert with organist Betty L. Schien, pianist Rachel Fechtman and the St. Katharine Drexel Parish Choir and Soloists. Free Will Donation to benefit the Church Restoration Fund. St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 730 S 12th St. 523-4501.

Candle Light Service Dec 19, 6:30pm, Enjoy a metaphysical interpretation of the Christmas story at Unity. Special performances by U4ia, Unity Choir and Don Schneider. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia, 217- 523-5897.

Holy Ground Dec 18, 7-10pm, Every first and third of the month. Fellowship, music, prayer, open mic, food, drinks and more. 306-2592. Holy Ground Coffeehouse, 304 W. Allen.

Labyrinth Walk Dec 17, 7-9:30pm, A meditative walk, with Oneness blessing. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 585-9550.

The Best Place to Celebrate Christmas Dec 19, 10:30am, A musical tour of Christmas around the world featuring all the FCC youth and choirs. A potluck follows with a special appearance by Santa. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth Street. 528-3407.

Xmas Eve, Candles & Carols Dec 24, 7pm, A festive celebration of Xmas Eve, featuring candles and carols. Refreshments afterward. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 585-9550.

SPORTS & FITNESS

Junior Blues Games Dec 17-18, 7pm, The Jr. Blues take on St. Louis Friday and Saturday. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St.

Sangamon Table Tennis Club

More events, more details in our online calendar at illinoistimes.com.

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