St. Jude Valentine Dinner Dance Feb 11, 6-11:30pm, Dinner, drinks, entertainment and dancing. Benefits St.Jude Children’s Hospital. Gymnasium. Little Flower School, 900 Stevenson Drive, 217-341-2048.

Art & Architecture

2nd Third Thursday Art Show Feb 16, 9pm-3am, New artists and musicians share their trade. Over age 21. Stella Blue, 221 S. Fifth St, 217-789-8988.

3T: Where is the Love?! Feb 16, 6pm-12:45am, Art and music by locals. Free, over 21. Donations to Sangamon County Relay for Life Team, Cure Crusaders. Floyd’s Thirst Parlor, 210 S. Fifth St, 217-691-1301.

Call for Entry Art Exhibition Juried show featuring work of over 20 local artists. Reception Feb. 11, 1-3 p.m. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham.

Images of Illinois Amateur Photography Contest Submissions being accepted for Images of Illinois Amateur Photography contest. All ages. Details prairieart.org. Deadline Mar. 1.

Summer In The French-Italian Riviera Feb 09-10, 14-17, 21-22, 10am-2pm Tue-Fri, Through March 30, photo exhibit by students who studied abroad. Robert Morris Gallery, 607 E. Adams, 522-8977.

That’s Love, Baby - Allison Lacher Feb 09, 13-16, 20-22, 11am- 6pm Mon-Thu, Feb 2-Mar 8, sculptural and installationbased works by UIS Professor of Visual Arts and Gallery Manager. Reception Feb. 9 from 5:30-8 p.m. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217- 206-6506 .

Film & Television

Molly Schlich Film Series Feb 19, 21, 1pm and 4pm Sun, 7pm Tue, American film, “Beginners,” directed by Mike Mills. $8-$4. AMC Parkway 8, 3025 Lindbergh Boulevard.

The Met: Gotterdammerung Feb 11, 11am, Six hour epic “Twilight of the Gods.” Movietickets.com. AMC Showplace Springfield 12, 3141 Mercantile Dr.

Children’s Corner

Super Saturdays at the Museum Feb 11, 11am-3pm, “Get the Beat! African-American Musicians.” Free, thematic activities especially recommended for children ages 4-8. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782- 6044.

Valentine Party Feb 11, 11am, Games, crafts and fun for kids 2-6. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-5435.

Nature

Central IL Daylily Society Meeting Feb 10, 7pm, Guy Sternberg of Starhill Arboretum. Rochester Community Room, 1 Community Dr, Rochester, 217/652-4503.

Frog Watch Volunteer Training Feb 09, 6-8pm, Learning session to help with research program held two Mondays. (Second session Feb. 19 and 26 from 4-6 p.m.) Phone, 753-6217. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-753-6217.

Prairie State Orchid Society Display and Sale Feb 11-12, 12-4pm Sat, 3pm Sun, Exotic tropical orchids displayed in juried competition. Buy and learn from orchid experts. Free admission. 753-6228. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave.

Project Feederwatch Feb 10, 9am-12pm, Join Master Naturalists as they conduct bird count surveys sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544- 2473.

Environment

Central Illinois Composting Symposium Feb 15, 12-5pm, “Composting for a Sustainable Community: From Backyards to Farms.” $25-30, students free. 786- 2407. llcc.edu/greencenter. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786- 2200.

Lectures & Meetings

Bike Kitchen Informational Meeting Feb 13, 7-8pm, Learn about the new Bike Kitchen, a volunteer run non-profit bike shop for the underprivileged. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St, 528-4311.

ECCE Speakers Series Feb 15, ‘The Controversies of Female Genital Mutilation’ with Dr. Isatou Touray. (‘Are We Colored Struck,’ LRH Great Room, 9:30 p.m.), UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217- 206-6073.

Power of Women’s Vote in 2012 Elections Feb 16, 7pm, Learn about the role and experiences of women seeking public office from panel of current public officials. American Lung Association, 3000 Kelly Lane, 652-1966.

Springfield Bicycle Club Information Meeting Feb 16, 6:30pm, Learn about the club’s local and out-of-town rides and events. All skill levels welcome. Hope Presbyterian Church, 2211 Wabash Ave, 793-9622.

Bulletin Board

A High Tea Feb 12, 3pm, Elegant and prepared by finest bakers and chefs in town. $25-$20. RSVP by Feb. 6 to 727-7223, ext. 18 or [email protected]. Temple B’rith Sholom, 1004 S. Fourth St, 525-1360.

African-American Food and Vendor Day Feb 22, 10am-2pm, Free samples and displays. Also, “Saxophone and African-American Poetry Improvisations” and African drum presentation. A. Lincoln Commons. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200.

Craft Art Show Feb 12, 6-10pm, Live music, bar menu, art, beer and cocktails and great Valentine’s Day gifts, American Harvest Eatery, 3241 W. Iles.

Ethnic Heritage Day Feb 14, 12-1pm, Presentation and tasting of African-American foods, Pearson Museum, second floor. (Also, Feb. 15, 12-2 p.m. Birth of Nation, film. South Auditorium.) 545-7334. SIU School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge, 545-2155.

Inaugural Campaign Foodraiser Feb 10, 4-6pm, Food Drive-Thru in far left lane of Sixth Street. Occupy Springfield collects food for local pantries. Old State Capitol Plaza, Between Sixth and Fifth Sts at Adams, 217-487-4948.

Keys to My Heart Feb 11, 6pm, Robert and Sara “Not Your Mom’s Dueling Pianos.” Elegant buffet dinner and silent auction. Hamilton’s, 110 N. East St, Jacksonville, 479-2300.

Lincoln-Douglas Banquet Feb 12, 2:45pm, Hosted by the NAACP. Tickets, 789-2721. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

PechaKucha Night Feb 09, 7:20pm, 6:20 doors open, Local creatives make six-minute, 40-second presentations (20 slides, 20 seconds each) on creative topics. Tickets, [email protected]. 789- 2377. City Nights Theater, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

SHG Black & Gold Mardi Gras Feb 11, 7pm, Live mice Races, Live & silent auctions, DJ, photo booth, cash bar and more. SHG West Campus, Springfield , 787-9732.

Singing Valentines Feb 14, 8am-8pm, For your sweetie, a rose and two songs sung by a tuxedoed quartet from Land of Lincoln Chorus. Various locations, 217-953-0225.

Valentines Dinner/Dance Feb 10, 5:30pm, Cash bar, dinner, dancing to Big Shake Daddies Band, auctions. Advance reservations required. $30. jacksonvillerotary.org, 371-1541. Hamilton’s, 110 N. East St, Jacksonville.

Vigil for Peace Feb 11, 18, 12pm, Each Saturday at noon on corner of Sixth and Monroe, outside Federal Building. All are welcome. 544-3997.

History

A Moment in Black History Feb 15, 12-1pm, Richard Bowen Jr. retired LLCC department chair of Business and Public Service, highlights history of local World War II soldier Emmitt Robinson and his Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. Robert H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200.

Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday Feb 11, 10am-4pm, Period music, tours, Brian ‘Fox’ Ellis speaking at 10:30, 11:30, 1 and 2:30 p.m. Abraham Lincoln Scavenger Hunt. www.abe66.com. Postville Courthouse State Historic Site, 914 Fifth St, Lincoln, 217-732-8930.

Celebrate Lincoln’s B-Day Feb 11, 10am-3pm, Children’s activities all day. Bob Church presents Lincoln the Surveyor at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. National Museum of Surveying, Inc. 521 E. Washington, 217-523-3130.

HER Story, African-American Female History Feb 16, 6pm, Kamau Kemayo, UIS professor of African-American studies. Dirksen Conference Room. 545-7334. SIU School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge, 545-2155.

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