HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

First Night Dec 31, 6:30pm, Alcohol-free event for entire family featuring live music, dance and theatrical performances. 753-3519. Downtown locations including the, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523- 2787. First Night Civil War Ball Dec 31, 7-10pm, Authentically costumed ladies and gentlemen dance.

Some visitor participation. Free for First Night Springfield participants. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217- 785-9363. Grand Ballroom Bash Dec 31, Dinner, dancing, entertainment, morning breakfast or lunch and overnight stay. $319 couple. Hilton Springfield, 700 E. Adams.

Historic Christmas at the Mansion Dec 29, 31, Jan 03, 05, 07, 9:30- 11am Tue, Thu and Sat, and 2-3:30pm Tue, Thu, Features 21 unique trees decorated for the holiday. Illinois Executive Mansion, 410 E. Jackson.

Midnight in Paris Dec 31, 7pm-2am, French and American hors d’ourves. Music by KFD. Prizes, champagne toast. $30, $50 couple. 899-9517. Firefighters- Postal Lake Club, 940 W. Lake Shore Dr. New Year’s Eve Party Dec 31, 7pm Fri-9am Sat, Pere Marquette Lodge, 13653 Lodge Blvd, Grafton, 618-786-2331 ext 338. New Year’s Eve Party Dec 31, 8pm, Music of Robert Sampson. Free snacks and sandwiches. Drinks not included. Advance tickets only. $15, 635-9900.

(Reservations at River Bank Lodge, 10 min. away, 632-0202.), Hill Prairie Winery, 23753 Lounsberry Rd, Oakford.

The Yellow Wallpaper Dec 31, 7pm, Compelling 1892 drama starring Aasne Vigesaa, directed by Kevin Purcell. Part of First Night, reservations required, 524-0901.

Can leave voice mail. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS Eagle Festival Jan 08, 11am-3pm, See a live bald eagle up close. Pere Marquette Lodge, 13653 Lodge Blvd, Grafton, 619-786- 2331.

BOOKS & AUTHORS Classics Book Group Jan 09, 12-1pm, Meets October through May in the Bicentennial Room. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753-4900.

THEATER & COMEDY Chaser’s Comedy Showcase Dec 29, Jan 05, 12, 9pm, Every Thursday, Springfield’s best up-and-coming comedians. Hosted by Buddy Redman. Free. Chaser’s Iron Horse Saloon, 3036 N. Peoria Rd, 481-4754.

Chess Jan 13-15, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Jan. 13-15 & 20-22, Based off book by Richard Nelson, complex rock opera about romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super power politics and international intrigues. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.

Comedian Steve Kramer Dec 30, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri, Laugh hysterically at celebrity impressions, musical satire, improv, and audience participation that plays like a Vegasstyle variety show. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391-joke.

Comedian Steve Lott Dec 31, 7:15pm & 9:30pm, Opened shows for Steven Wright, Chicago and Bill Maher. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482- 5233.

New Year’s Eve Comedian Steve Kramer Dec 31, 6pm, 8pm, 10pm, Celebrity impressions, musical satire, improv and audience participation Vegas-style variety show. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391-5653.

Treasured Stories by Eric Carle Jan 13, 7pm, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s much-anticipated new production brings together three of Carle’s most beloved tales. Evocative music, stunning visual effects and innovative puppetry. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800- 207-6960.

UIS Class Acts Jan 13, 10am and 12:30pm, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. PreK-2. Teachers, administrators and home school parents reserve tickets by phone. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

Barton Theater Organ Concert by Mark Gifford Dec 31, 4:30pm, $5 admission or included with a First Night admission button. Springfield High School Schnirring Auditorium. Enter at Washington and Parker street. Springfield High School, 101 S. Lewis St.

Bret Michaels Get Your Rock On New Year’s Eve Extravaganza Dec 31, 8pm-1am, Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Elvis 77th Birthday Tribute Concert Jan 07, 7pm, Elvis Himselvis, Rick Dunham and his full band to benefit the Mary Bryant Home. $15. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217- 523-2787.

Todd Snider w/ Ashleigh Flynn  Jan 14, 8pm, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

DANCE

Central IL Singles/Couples Dance Dec 30, 8-11pm, Bobby Remack Band plays. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Country Open Dance Dec 30, 7-11pm, Large floating hardwood dance floor, music by request. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 217-428-1560.

Line Dance & Swing w/ DJ Marilyn Ferry Dec 29, Jan 05, 12, 8-10pm, Every Thursday open dancing. (Line dance lessons, 7-8 p.m.), The Doghouse, 2937 W.

White Oaks Drive, 836-1438.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

A Year in Review Jan 04, 06-07, Works of PAA, 25 years of history of First Night, and collages and posters from HCFA resident arts groups. H.D. Smith Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St.

Featured Artist - Judy Shutt Dec 29-31, Jan 02-04, 10am-5:30pm Mon-Sat, Floral arrangements. The Blue Door Gallery, 214 South 6th St, 217- 753-0262.

Gallery Hours Jan 09-10, 15, 17, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, 1- 3pm Sun, Sue Sommers Watercolors. Opening reception is January 7, 6-8 p.m. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-9390.

On and Of Paper: ISM Selections Dec 29-31, Jan 01-18, 8:30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 12-5pm Sun, Through April 2012, exhibit of all things paper. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St.

FILM & TELEVISION

Movie Geeks Club Dec 29, 7pm, Last Thursday each month, watch movies selected by voting. moviegeeksclub.blogspot.com.

Charley’s Club at Cafe Andiamo, 206 S. Sixth St, 303-2052.

SCIENCE

Paul Mickey Science Series Lecture Jan 11, 7-8:30pm, Dr. Jonathan Reyman, ISM Curator of Anthropology, “The End of Time: Maya, Aztec, Pawnee, and Pueblo Views of the “End of the World.” Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St, 785-0037.

NATURE

New Year’s Day Outing - Stone Soup Hike Jan 01, 10am, Join the Sierra Club for a hike and soup meal. Bring ingredients for soup pot (one for meat pot and one for veggie pot). Bring own bowl and silverware. Free. Carpenter Park Nature Preserve Pavillion, Cabin Smoke Trail at North Business Route 55, 217-544- 1751.

Winter Workshop Jan 08, 1-3pm, Wade Kammin, Wild Birds Unlimited, backyard bird feeding info and tips on winter bird identification. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544- 2473.

ENVIRONMENT

Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference Jan 11-13, 9am-5pm, Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 309-557-2107.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

Breakfast Optimist Club Dec 30, Jan 06, 7am, Every Friday. Visitors welcome. For more info 546- 5021. Atonement Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St.

Lincolnland Depression Era Glass Club Jan 09, 6-8pm, Program: Fenton Christmas Glass. Carnegie room. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 546-6795.

Starting Your Business in Illinois Jan 05, 6-8pm, Workshop includes preparing business plan, financing your business, legal forms (proprietorship, partnership, corporation), registering a business name, taxes and more. Call 544-7232 for required registration. Also held Jan. 18, 1:30-3:30 p.m. LLCC Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason, 217-786-2200.

BULLETIN BOARD

APL Pet Adoptions Dec 31, 11am-2pm, Dogs and cats available. Green Hyundai West (White Oaks Mall), W. Wabash.

BBBSWCI 50th Anniversary Gala Jan 13, 6-11pm, Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois “Casino Royale.” The Boulevard Band, silent auction, food and celebrity bartenders. All proceeds help children in West Central Illinois. Tickets atBBBS Jacksonville Office, Farmers State Bank, BoS of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, County Market. Hamilton’s, 110 N. East St, Jacksonville, 243-3821.

Couponing 101 Jan 08, 2pm, The myths, questions, how-to’s and more.

Admission. Space limited. Reservations 732-8687 or admin@abe66.com. Chad’s Blind, 1230 Fifth St, Lincoln.

First Fridays Downtown Jan 06, 5-8pm, Stroll, shop eat downtown.

Exhibitions, live music, great deals and fun surprises. Every first Friday. 544-1723. Downtown Springfield.

Giant Flea Market Jan 15, 8:30am-4:30pm, Indoor market. $1.25, age 12 and under free with adult. Illinois

Building. 529-6939. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-8886.

Greater Springfield Home & Builders Show Jan 13-15, 5-9pm Fri, 10am- 6pm Sat, 12-5pm , Orr Building. $5 adults. 515-491-4150. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

POLITICS

Drinking Coffee Liberally Dec 31, Jan 07, 14, 9am, Every Saturday. Have coffee, breakfast and conversation with fellow progressives. springfieldil@drinkingliberally.or g. Edgar’s Coffee House, 2001 Wabash Ave.

Drinking Liberally Dec 29, Jan 05, 12, 6:30pm, Every Thursday, informal political discussion and socializing with fellow progressives. springfieldil@drinkingliberally.or g. Bar None, 245 S. Fifth St.

HISTORY

Civil War Santa Dec 29, 10am-2pm, Lee Shafer portrays historic St. Nick. Available for photos. Museum admission required. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St.

Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society Jan 16, 6:30pm, Member and guests are asked to bring an heirloom, antique or an old item to share. Objects with unknown purpose or origin are welcome for discussion and possible identification. 114 North Chicago St. Downtown Lincoln, 1555 5th St, Lincoln.

Team Of Rivals Dec 29-31, Jan 01-16, 9am- 5pm daily, Through Jan 16, 2012, One-of-a-kind temporary Civil War Sesquicentennial exhibition that takes you inside the highest levels of the government. Museum admission.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 558- 8934.

HEALTH

Free Teleconference on Childhood Lupus Jan 12, 6:30pm, Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter presents with Linda Wagner-Weiner, MD, Pediatric Rheumatologist and LFAI Medical Advisory Board Member. Register and pre-submitted questions only by Thursday, Jan. 5, Sonya@lupusil.org or 542- 0004.

GROW in Illinois Mental Health Dec 29, Jan 05, 12, 6:30pm, Thursdays, 12-step support program for emotional, mental health issues, coping or addictions. Anonymous, free, confidential, open to all. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave W, 217-622- 7953.

Reiki for Cancer Patients Jan 03, 09, 16, By Appointment , Open to all cancer patients regardless of where they are treated. Register, 545-5408. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter.

Social Media Conference Jan 11, 8am-1pm, Social media in public health world for health administrators, educators, nurses and communicators.

Wedeberg Conference Center. $20. www.ipha.com. Memorial Medical Center, 701 N. First St, 217-522-5687.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

Burning Bowl Ceremony Jan 01, 10am, Literally set fire to unwanted habits, beliefs and thinking at Unity’s Sunday New Year’s Sunday Service of the burning bowl. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia, 217- 523-5897.

Invested in Happiness Jan 06, 5:30pm, Sam Fletcher teaches meditation techniques designed to led you to happiness and keep you there. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia, 217-523-5897.

Silent Meditation Group Dec 30, Jan 06, 13, 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.

SPORTS & FITNESS

Collegiate Wrestling National Duals Jan 07-08, 12-2pm, 64 top teams compete. $20-$40. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza.

Harlem Globetrotters 2012 World Tour Jan 06, 7pm, Eye-popping tricks, hilarious jokes on the basketball court. Also features first female in a generation - TNT Maddox. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 217-788-8800.

St. Louis Cardinals Caravan Jan 16, 6-8pm, Meet current players, alumni and broadcasters. Autographs for kids, prize drawings and more. $5, $3 kids up to age 12. Price includes hot dog, chips and soda. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.