THE CALENDAR - IllinoisTimes

Volunteer Training Aug 28, 3-5:30pm, Help at three events or more a semester and attend a mandatory training session. 206-8288. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207- 6960.

Food IL Products Farmers Market Aug 25, Sep 01, 4-7pm, Thursdays through Oct 20, local food, entertainment. Commodity Pavilion (Aug 11, 18 Fit Club parking lot, 2701 Sangamon Ave). 785-4873. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Old Capitol Farmers Market Aug 27, 31, Sep 03, 07, 8am- 12:30pm Wed and Sat, Through Oct 29. Chef demos, artisans and entertainment on Saturdays. Adams between Fifth and Second. 544-1723. Downtown Springfield.

Taylorville Farmers Market Aug 27, 9am-1pm, The Market celebrates Ag Day on its last day. Taylorville square, Taylorville.

Politics Drinking Liberally Aug 25, Sep 01, 6:30pm, Every Thursday, informal political discussion and socializing with fellow progressives. [email protected] . Bar None, 245 S. Fifth St.

History 1800s Craft Fair Aug 28, 10am-4pm, Meet Abe and Mary Lincoln, watch craftspeople demonstrate varietyof trades, live period music, tours and more. Free. Postville Courthouse State Historic Site, 914 Fifth St, Lincoln, 217-732- 8930.

Albanian Muslim Rescuers During the Holocaust Aug 28, 12-1:30pm Wed, 1:30- 3pm Sun, On exhibit through August, 30 black and white photographs by American photographer Norman Gershman. 525- 1360 x2. Temple B’rith Sholom, 1008 S. Fourth St.

Illinois Answers The Call: Boys In Blue Aug 25-31, Sep 01-07, 9am- 5pm, Through Labor Day, temporary exhibit illustrates Illinois’; early, initial response to Civil War. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 North Sixth St, 558-8844.

Auditions Christmas Carol Auditions Aug 31, Sep 01, 7pm, Newlyadapted and directed by Mark Hardiman, LLCC professor of theatre. Staged in December at New Salem. 786-4942 or [email protected]. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd.

I Hate Hamlet Auditions Aug 28-29, 7pm, Auditions open to anyone, with or without experience for Oct. and Nov. performances. Crew needed also. 206- 6613. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza.

Health Alcoholics Anonymous Aug 25-31, Sep 01-07, Meetings daily. For times and locations visit aaspringfield.org. 24-hour answering service 525-5795, 1- 866-525-5795. Various locations.

Cancer Support Groups Aug 25, 29-31, Sep 01, 05-07, Various times, Lung Cancer, second Tue 10am; Women Around You, fourth Wed 5:30pm; Survivors Brown Bag Lunch, Mon noon; Caregivers Support Group, Tue 11am; Parents of Children w/ Cancer, Wed 3:30pm; Cancer Support Group Thu 3pm. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter.

Community Health Fair Aug 27, 11am-3pm, Free School Physicals also Eye/Dental Screening. 544-7881. Monroe Street Christian Church, 1229 E. Monroe Street.

DBSA Central Illinois Aug 30, Sep 06, 6:30-8:30pm, Every Tuesday. For anyone affected by a mood disorder, including friends/family. Fellowship Hall (lower level). First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 414-7368.

GROW Mental Health Support Group Aug 25, 29, Sep 01, 05, 7-9pm, Monday and Thursday meetings. Free 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 Illinois Mental Health Support Group Aug 25, Sep 01, 6:30pm, Every Thursday, 12-step program for anyone with mental health issues, emotional problems, difficulties coping or addictions.

Anonymous, free, confidential and open to all. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave W, 217-622-7953.

GROW in Illinois Mental Health Support Group Aug 25, Sep 01, 3-5pm, 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.

HIV/Aids Testing Aug 25-26, 29-31, Sep 01-02, 05-07, 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, Testing throughout the week. 670-2259. Springfield Community Federation, #52 Brandon Drive.

Personal Assistant Employers Group Aug 30, 3-4:30pm, Support group for those with a disability who employ personal assistants. Springfield Center for Independent Living, 330 S. Grand Ave. West, 217 523-2587 v/tty.

Healing Crystal Bowl Meditation Sep 01, 6pm, Peggy Patty leads with healing sounds of Unity’s crystal bowls every first Thursday. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia, 217-523-5897.

Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person Aug 28, 10:30am, Explores notion that every human being has inherent worth and dignity. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 585-9550.

Silent Meditation Group Aug 26, Sep 02, 5:30pm, Every Friday, meditation focusing on the light and sound of God within. Randy Roller facilitates. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia, 217- 523-5897.

Union Baptist Church Women’s Day Aug 28, 10:45am, Sis Willa Barger. “Stepping Stones From The Past Foundations For the Future.” Union Baptist Church, 1405 E. Monroe St, 217-544-8115.

Women’s Day Luncheon Aug 27, 11am-2pm, Includes silent auction. Sis Theresa Davis, guest speaker. $10. Union Baptist Church, 1405 E. Monroe St, 217-544-8115.

Sports & Fitness Ag in the Classroom Bike Ride Sep 06-07, Lasting one, two or three days, Travel through a sixcounty area riding where Abe walked. Stop at schools to promote agriculture. Choose one, two or three-day rides. Hampton Inn, 3185 South Dirksen Parkway, 309-557-2230.

Bike and Hike Days Aug 28, Sep 04, 8am-5pm, Every Sunday through September, bike, hike, walk or run the 1.2 mile loop closed to vehicles. Washington Park, South Grand and MacArthur.

Fitness in the Park Aug 25, 30, Sep 01, 06, 6-7pm Tuedays and Thursdays, Walking program. Hosted by Andy Dickerson, CPT and Springfield Park District. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 414-7015.

IMDA Springfield Short Track Motorcycle Races Sep 02-04, TBA, Two popular races in the multi-purpose arena. $30. 753-8866. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Run for the Home Aug 28, 8am, 3.1-mile race to benefit Saint Joseph’s Home Holy Family Center. $20-$25. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Rd, 217-787-2360.

Springfield Mile Sep 04, 1pm, AMA pro racing national motorcycle races on the mile. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-753-8866.

Springfield Short Track Amateur Race Sep 02, 5-10:30pm, AMA Amateur Flat Track Motorcycle Racing. Enter gate 11. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-753-8866.

Springfield Short Track National Sep 03, 7pm, AMA pro racing nation flat track motorcycle racing. Enter Gate 11, Multi-Purpose Arena. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-753- 8866.

Ultimate Frisbee Pickup Game Aug 25, 28, 6pm Sun, 5:30pm Thu, Bring both white and dark shirt for making teams. Grant Middle School, 1800 W. Monroe St, 217-408-0091.