African-American Cinema Series Jan 21, 2pm, Within Our Gates, 1920 78minute silent film about schoolteacher’s struggle to keep a black Southern school from closing. Seating limited, free. Reservations required. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Molly Schlich Film Series Jan 22, 24, 1pm and 4pm Sun, 7pm Tue, American film, The Hammer, story of young deaf wrestler and how he works his way to National Collegiate Championship. $8-$4. AMC Parkway 8, 3025 Lindbergh Boulevard. 523-2636.

Springfield & Central Illinois Film Commission Jan 19, 6:30pm, Monthly meeting in deli area. Afterwards group heads to Quaker Steak & Lube for networking with filmmakers. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur, 217-725-1187.

The Goat Rodeo Sessions Jan 31, 6:30pm, In-theater concert event with Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan and Aoife O’Donovan. AMC Showplace Springfield 12, 3141 Mercantile Dr.

The Met: Live in HD Jan 21, 11:55am, The Enchanted Island opera combines two of Shakespeare’s best-known plays in a lighthearted ‘mashup’ AMC Showplace Springfield 12, 3141 Mercantile Dr. 1-888-AMC-4FUN.

CHILDREN’S CORNER NepTUNE into a Good Book Literacy Fair Jan 21, 10am-1pm, JLS hosts crafts, face painting, games, readings by local celebrities, book and solar system kit giveaways. Free. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 544-5557. Touch a Truck Jan 25, 4pm, This is your chance to get up close and personal with some big equipment. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 243- 5435.

SCIENCE

Raptor Focus Series Jan 19, 6-7pm, Three-part series Jan. 19, Feb. 16 and Mar. 15 presented by IL Raptor Center. $25. Space limited, reservations recommended. Phone, 544-2473. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave.

Science Program for Middle School Students Jan 28, 1-3pm, “Ready or Not: Preparing for Severe Weather & Disasters.” Students grades 6-8. Free with registration by Jan. 24. 782- 5993. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-5993.

ENVIRONMENT

Smart Energy Forum Jan 24, 6:30pm, Hosted by Sangamon Valley Group and Sustainable Springfield Inc. CWLP Energy Services Office. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753- 4900.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

ABATE Chapter Meeting Jan 19, 7pm, ABATE Lincoln Land Monthly Chapter Meeting. All motorcycle enthusiasts welcome. Third Thursday of every month. Northender’s VFW, 2349 Stockyard Rd.

Citizens Club of Springfield Policy Breakfast Jan 27, 7:30am coffee, 8am program, “The Impact on Springfield as a World Class Regional Healthcare Center.” Third floor club room. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523- 2787.

Get to Know YSPN Happy Hour Jan 20, 5-7pm, Learn about the Young Springfield Professionals Network. Floyd’s Thirst Parlor, 210 S. Fifth St, 525-1173.

Illinois Women in Leadership Jan 19, 11:30am, “Living a Dream” with Chris Daniels. $23-$18. Register by Jan. 13. iwil.biz. Sangamo Club, 227 E. Adams St, 544-1793.

Occupy Springfield Meetings Jan 19, 24, 26, 7pm, (Also, Saturdays at 1 p.m. at Gallina’s Restaurant, 432 E. Monroe Street.), AFSCME Council 31, 615 S. Second Street.

Sangamon Valley Group of Sierra Club Jan 24, 6pm, Film - “Dirty Business: Clean Coal and the Battle for our Energy Future.” Carnegie Room.

Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St.

Springfield Camera Club Jan 19, 7pm, Meets second and fourth Thursday each month. 546-5021. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St.

Springfield Social Club Jan 25, 5:30-9pm, Collecting cereal, breakfast bars and deodorant for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois. Mariah’s Restaurant, 3317 Robbins Rd, 217-793-1900.

Teach-in Jan 27, 7pm, AJ Segneri, activist/community organizer facilitates discussion “Growing Springfield:

How To Create A Better Community Through Local Economy.”, The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West, 217-487-4948.

BULLETIN BOARD

APL Pet Adoptions Jan 21-22, 11am-4pm, Dogs and cats Saturday. (Sunday, cats available until 3 p.m.), Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy.

Association of Information Technology Professionals Jan 24, 5:30-8pm, Kendra Lee and Rachael Spencer, Levi, Ray & Shoup, “Technical Recruiting.”, Lake Pointe Grill, 1386 Toronto Rd, 628-3697.

CMN Trivia Night Jan 28, 6-9pm, Benefits St. John’s Children’s Hospital. Dove Conference Center, Prairie Heart Institute, 619 E. Mason St, 544-6464 ext 45160.

Casino Night Jan 27, 7pm, 6:30pm doors open, Big Brothers Big Sisters. $35-$30 - hors d’oeurves, two drink tickets, $200 “play money” and comedy show. RSVP 753-1216. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391- JOKE.

Ethnic Heritage Day Jan 24, 12-1pm, Presentation about the Chinese New Year, cultural displays, food tasting. Pearson Museum. 545-7334. SIU School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge, 545-2155.

Exclusive Bridal Boutique Jan 21-22, 12pm-5pm, Hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails and wine tasting. Sangamon Prairie Reception Center, 201 S. Main Street, Chatham, 217-483-7999.

Paranormal Investigation Jan 28, 7pm-1am, Reservations, call 1-888-446-7859 or online at www.bumpinthenight.net. Jacksonville Theatre Guild, 210 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 245-1402.

Springfield Ski Club Trivia Night Jan 20, 7pm, 6pm doors open, Proceeds to benefit American Red Cross. $10. 544-5265. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Rd.

Theatre in the Park Trivia Night Jan 28, 6-10pm, Special Host DJ John Spalding from WFMB. Porta High School, 17651 Bluejay Road, Petersburg, 414-6918.

Westminister Co-operative Preschool Trivia Night Jan 27, 7pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street, 787-1744.

FOOD

Making Chocolate Truffles Jan 27-28, 6:30pm Fri and 9am Sat, Learn to make truffles in time for valentines Day. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Rd. 787-6927.

Social Time Brunch Jan 29, 12:30pm, Call for reservations and BOGO while they last. Rosewood Dining Room. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 217-544-1676.

POLITICS

Drinking Coffee Liberally Jan 21, 28, 9am, Every Saturday. Have coffee, breakfast and conversation with fellow progressives. [email protected]. Edgar’s Coffee House, 2001 Wabash Ave.

Drinking Liberally Jan 19, 26, 6:30pm, Every Thursday, informal political discussion and socializing with fellow progressives. [email protected]. Bar None, 245 S. Fifth St.

HISTORY

African-American History Month Finale Jan 29, 11am-1pm, ‘Tribute to Influential African-American Men.’ Includes John Crisp musical performance. A. Lincoln Commons. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200.

African-American History Month Kickoff Feb 01, 11am-1pm, Poetry and music by LLCC student Tebe Zalango and LLCC alum Kenneth Humble. A. Lincoln Commons.

Boys in Blue Exhibit Jan 19-20, 23-27, 30-31, Feb 01, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, New images and artifacts, including original Civil War battle flag. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 North Sixth St.

AUDITIONS

SVYS Auditions Jan 23, 3-7pm, Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony openings in stings, brass and woodwinds. $5 audition fee. Call 753-8000 for audition time. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Water and Fire Auditions Jan 28-29, 4-6pm, For March performance. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence. 782-6776.

HEALTH

DBSA Central Illinois Jan 19, 6:30-8:30pm, Every second Thursday for anyone affected by depression or bipolar disorder, including friends and family. Room B149.

Free. Memorial Medical Center, 701 N. First St, 414-7368.

Diabetes and Healthy Eating Feb 01, 5:30-6:30pm, SIU School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge, 217-545- 7989.

GROW in Illinois Mental Health Jan 19, 26, 6:30pm, Thursdays, 12step 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.

HPV Program Jan 31, 5:30pm, Pre-registration for free event encouraged by phone or siumed.edu/cancer. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 217-545- 3837.

New Year RENEWed You Jan 19, 7-8pm, Free seminar on how to look and feel younger wtih Dr. Thomas Rohde, hosted by The Medicine Shoppe Holistic Pharmacy. RSVP preferred. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St, 217- 525-0058.

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