HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

21st Century Program Kids Holiday Store Dec 17, 3-6:30pm Mon-Tue, New and previously owned jewelry, home decor, oil burners, candles, dishes, toys, baby items and more. Benefi ts education fi eld-trip for 60 children. Black Hawk Elementary School, 2500 S. College Street, 217-553-4993. Bernies & Bettys Pizza Holiday Art Show and Toys for Tots Drive Dec 18, 4-9pm, Art on display and toy donations taken Dec. 11-18 during business hours. Discounts on art Dec. 18 with a toy donation. Bernies & Bettys Pizza and Fine Food, 1101 S. Spring St. 522-1821 general info, 416-9229 .

Holiday Decorating Seminars Dec 15, 10am, “Holiday Tablescapes.” GreenView Nursery, 3000 W. Jefferson, (217) 787-4700.

Holiday Gift Wrapping for Habitat Dec 15, 12-4pm, Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County ReStore, 1514 West Jefferson, 523-2710.

Holiday Meals Dec 25, 9am or later, Help package and deliver meals to home-bound citizens. No reservation needed, just show up to help. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 523-5212.

Holiday Stories with Santa Dec 14, 5:30-7:30pm, Family event with holiday crafts, games and stories. Wear your holiday pajamas. $10 per family by Dec. 12, 525-1825. Underground garage available until 9 p.m. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-7960.

Home for the Holidays Dec 13-16, 20-23, Joyous revue of music, comedy and audience participation during this dinner theater event. $34-$38. Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theater, 1451 Timberline Rd, Goodfi eld, 309-965-2545. IWIL Holiday Social Dec 13, 5:30-8:30pm, $35. Reservations iwil.biz by Dec. 7. Secret Recipes Reception Center, 3086 Normandy Rd, 217-528-2323.

Miracle on 5th Street Toy Drive Dec 14-16, 2-6pm Fri, 10am-1pm and 4-7pm Sat, Bring new, unwrapped toy, meet radio personalities, local celebrities and hear music of The Shenanigans, The Station and Hey Brother. Downtown Studio on Fifth Street, 210 S. Fifth St..

Santa Visits Dec 15, 22, Details on Santa’s schedule is at Main Street Lincoln on Facebook. 732-2929. Downtown Lincoln, Lincoln.

Soldiers’ Aid Society Dec 15, 9am-5pm, Making New Year baskets for Camp Butler. Old State Capitol, 785-7960.

BOOKS & AUTHORS Book Signing

Dec 15, 11am-2pm, Maureen Hughes, “Sins of the South: (Murder in Small Town Illinois).” Books on the Square, 153 East Jackson, Virden, 217-965- 5443. Contemporary Fiction Group Dec 26, 6-7pm, Group discusses popular fi ction and nonfi ction meets fourth Wednesday of month in Carnegie Room South. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753-4900.

Open Mic Dec 19, 6-8pm, Hosted by Springfi eld Poets and Writers. Bring poetry or words on the holidays, or end of the world to share. Robbie’s, Old State Capitol Plaza. 725-1901.

THEATER & COMEDY A Very Hoogland Christmas Dec 20-23, 7pm Thu-Fri, 2pm Sat-Sun, Old-fashioned Christmas revue featuring talents of local performers. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Comedian Chris Boom Boom Johnson Dec 14-15, 7:30pm and 9:30pm, Energetic, fast-paced delivery. $15-$13. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-joke.

Comedian Johnny Kavanaugh Dec 14-15, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm and 9:30pm Sat, Honest laughs faithful to nuclear-family humor, but enough to jolt. $12.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club,

114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Open Mic Dec 19, 7pm, Register by 6:30 p.m. Free to public. Donnie B’s Den, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 679-5620. End of the World Comedy Showcase Dec 20, 8:30pm, Central Illinois comics Derek Bennett, Rodney Hood, Jesse Tuttle, Chad Errio, Scotty Harris, Jeff Govednik, Shane Torres and Brandon Judd. $3. Bar None, 245 S. Fifth Street, 652-6868. The Nutcracker Dec 15-16, 2pm and 7pm Sat, 2pm Sun, Classic holiday stage production presented by The Summer Repertory Theatre at Blackburn College. $10. Bothwell Auditorium, Blackburn College, 700 College Ave, Carlinville, 854- 5518.

MUSIC:

GENERAL EVENTS

Christmas Choral Cantata with Orchestra Dec 16, 8:30am and 11am, Free concert. First United Methodist Church, 2941 S Koke Mill Rd, 793-9760.

Sangamon Valley Youth

Symphony Winter Concert Dec 17, 7pm, Local youth perform in auditorium. $10 cash or check. Springfi eld High School, 101 S. Lewis St, 217-753-8000. Soup & Song Dec 19, 12pm, Soup/dessert luncheon. Entertainment by Jane Hartman Trio. $5 donation. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St, 793-3933.

DANCE A Ballroom Dance Dec 15, 7-11pm, Cha Cha lesson fi rst hour. $5. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 428-1560. A Country Dance Dec 14, 7-11pm, CANSgiving Party - Bring non-perishable food. $5. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 428-1560. A Country Dance Dec 19, 7-10pm, No lessons. $5. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 428-1560.

A Country Dance Dec 21, 7-10pm, $5. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 428-1560.

A Country Dance Dec 26, 7-10pm, No lesson. $5. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 428-1560. All About Country Dance Dec 14, 7:30-11pm, Free lesson at start. DJ Marilyn Ferry. $6. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 836-1438. All About Dance Dec 19, 26, 7-10pm, Every Wed. hour line dance lessons with Marilyn Ferry before dance. $5. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 836-1438.

P.O.L.K. of A. Dance Dec 16, 2-5:30pm, Barefoot Becky. $13. illinoischapterpolkofa. org. Riverton KC Hall, 401 S. Fourth St, Riverton.

Art & Architecture 3T: The End of the World Dec 20, 6pm-12am, All ages art show and sale with live music. Donnie’s Homespun, 107 West Cook Road, 217-691-1301. Gallery Exhibit Dec 13-16, 18-21, 4-6pm Tue- Sat, 1-3pm Sun, Marla Helton & Stu Fabe - fi ne art gourds. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-9390.

Luminous Ground: Artists with Histories Dec 13-26, 8:30am-5pm Mon- Sat, 12-5pm Sun, Through Jan. 2013, view the work of eleven older Illinois artists, ages 78 through 90. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217- 782-7386. Reflections from Salisbury Dec 13-26, 8am-9pm Mon-Thu, 8am-4pm Fri, 12, Through Jan. 31, Pastel drawings by acclaimed local artist, George Colin. Charles E. Becker Library. Closed for Christmas break. Benedictine University at Springfi eld.

Silent Art Auction Benefit Dec 13, 11am-6pm, High caliber works by local, state and national artists. Closing reception with festive music and fi nal bidding, Dec. 13, 5:30-7 p.m. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217-206-6506.

The Life and Legacy of Jim Murray Dec 13-14, 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, Show in honor of Jim Murray. LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, Upper level, Menard Hall, 217- 786-2219.

FILM & TELEVISION Central Illinois Film Commission Meeting Dec 20, 7pm, Third Thursdays in Highland room. 725-1187. Hilton Springfi eld, 700 E. Adams.

Henry Rollins, Matthew Schultz Dec 13-14, 11pm Mon, Wed, Fri, 7am Tue, Access Magazine Show No. 3 looks at punk icon and local artist. Access-4 Public Access Station, 691-1301.

CHILDREN’S CORNER Breakfast with Santa Dec 15, 9-11am, Bring your camera for pictures with Santa! Free. Sponsored by Heart of Jacksonville. Elk’s Club. 370- 3208. Jacksonville.

DSI Santa House Dec 15, 19, 22, 10am-2pm Sat, 5-8pm Wed, Free photo and candy cane. Old State Capitol Plaza, Between Sixth and Fifth Sts at Adams.

Decorate a Cookie Dec 17, 6pm, Kids Klub event for ages 4-12. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur , 217-726-6330.

Kids’ Art Club Holiday Party Dec 15, 5:30-7:30pm, Kids enjoy dinner, holiday crafts and music. The Imagine Foundation At the Asa Talcott House, 859 Grove St, Jacksonville, 473-2726.

NATURE Christmas Bird Count Dec 23, 1-3pm, Volunteers needed to help count outside on trails and indoors at feeders. Holiday cookies and warm beverages provided. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544-2473.

Springfield Audubon Society Program Dec 18, 7-8pm, Vern LaGesse talks about history and work at Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, Washington Park, Wolf Preserve and Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary perserves. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544-2473.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

Chatham Kiwanis Club Meeting Dec 13, 20, 6:15pm, Civic organization meets every Thursday. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 725-6467.

Citizens Club of Springfield Policy Breakfast Dec 21, 7:30am coffee, 8am program, TIFs with Ben Schwarm, Mike Farmer and Susan White. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787. Heads Up Group Dec 16, 1-3pm, Call Dave Munroe to RSVP and get location, 523- 2587 v/tty by Thurs. 13, 4 p.m. Various locations, 217 523-2587 v/tty. Mcbrian Lincoln Douglas Toastmasters Club 51 Dec 13, 20, 6-7:30pm, Thursdays in the conference room. Public invited. Guests, members welcome. Our Savior’s Lutheran School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Rd, 217-546-4531.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Dec 13, 17, 20, 24, 7:30pm Mon and 6:30pm Thu, For those seeking freedom from addictive sexual behavior. Meeting info, springfi eldsaa@gmail.com. Confi dentiality assured. Various locations.

Springfield African-American History Museum Advisory Board Dec 19, 1:30pm, Third Wed. of month at Springfi eld African- American History Museum Offi ce. Second fl oor. 698-6339. National Museum of Surveying, Inc. 521 E. Washington, 217- 523-3130.

Springfield Camera Club Dec 13, 7pm, Meets second and fourth Thursday each month. 546-5021. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217- 528-3407.

Springfield Social Club Dec 19, 5:30-8:30pm, Country rock band Cocked and Loaded. Collecting cans and non-perishable food items for Central Illinois Food Bank. Floyd’s Thirst Parlor, 210 S. Fifth St, 217-522-2020.

BULLETIN BOARD APL Holiday Pet Portrait Dec 15-16, 11am-4pm, Santa, children, adults and family pets. $10. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091. APL Pet Adoptions Dec 22-23, 11am-4pm Sat, 12-3pm Sun, Dogs and cats. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091. APL Pet Adoptions Dec 15-16, 11am-4pm Sat, 12-3pm Sun, Dogs and cats available for adoption. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217- 698-3091.

APL Tree of Lights Dec 16, 12-5:30pm, Honor loved one, animal or human with memorial light. $5. Register online. Ceremony 5:30 p.m.

Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd, 544-7387.

Adopt-A-Pet Adoptions Dec 16, 12-3:30pm, Rescued dogs and cats, spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated. 835-2538. Petco, 2721 S. Veterans Parkway, 217- 793-7387. Association of Information Technology Professionals Dec 18, 5:30-8pm, Yearly social meeting. $23. Lakepointe Grill, 1386 Toronto Rd, 628-3697. Backgammon Club Dec 19, 26, 6pm, Every Wed. with Sangamon Valley Backgammon Association. 622- 9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave, 217-546-2111 .

JTG Christmas Gala Fundraiser Dec 15, 9pm, Wine tasting, food, entertainment and silent auction. $15. Jacksonville Theatre Guild, 210 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 245-1402. Local First Holiday Party Dec 13, 6-8pm, $25. RSVP by Dec. 7. localfi rstspringfi eld.com. National Museum of Surveying, Inc. 521 E. Washington, 217- 523-3130.

Red Cross Volunteer Orientation

Dec 13, 5:30-6:30pm, American Red Cross, 1045 Outer Park Dr # 1, 217-787-7602. Vigil for Peace Dec 15, 22, 12pm, Each Saturday at noon on corner of Sixth and Monroe, outside Federal Building. All are welcome. 544-3997. Downtown Springfi eld. Warm Our Warriors Dec 13-17, Though Dec. 17, Helping military families in Illinois by donating winter clothing. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785- 9363.

FOOD

Holiday Farmers Market Dec 15, 9am-1pm, Everything you need for your holiday dinner. Artisan’s Building. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 528-1563.

HISTORY Battle of Fredericksburg Dec 13, 7pm, Historian Dr.

Mark DePue. Union Theater. Reservations requested, 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764. Boys in Blue Exhibit Dec 13-14, 17-21, 24-26, 9am- 5pm Mon-Fri, New images and artifacts, including original Civil War battle fl ag. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 North Sixth St, 217-558-8844. Different Perspective of Korean War Dec 15, 1pm, Mike Zimmerman, former 7th Infantry Division company commander. Reservations encouraged. Korean War National Museum Denis J. Healy Freedom Center, 9 South Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-523-7230.

Emancipation Proclamation Dec 13-26, Through Jan. 2013, Museum admission required. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217- 782-5764.

To Kill and to Heal Exhibit Dec 13-26, 9am-5pm, Through 2013, “Weapons and Medicine of the Civil War.” $12 adults, $6 kids. ($5 to visit display only.), Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217- 782-5764.

HEALTH Connection Support Group Dec 19, 7-8:30pm, Third Wednesday. National Alliance on Mental Illness Support Group for persons who have a mental illness. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 891-5570. DBSA Central Illinois Dec 18, 6:30-8:30pm, Tuesdays. For those affected by mood disorder, friends/family. Fellowship Hall, lower level. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 414-7368. NAMI Support Group Dec 19, 7-8:30pm, Third Wed. National Alliance on Mental Illness for family and friends of persons with mental illness. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 891-5570. Reiki for Cancer Patients
Dec 17, By Appointment, Open to all cancer patients regardless of where they are treated. Register phone. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 217- 545-5408.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY Advent Dinner and Devotions Dec 19, 6pm, Public invited to share dinner and the joy of the season. 522-3965. Grace Lutheran Church, 714 East Capitol Ave, 217-891-1680.

Court Madonna Meeting Dec 20, 6:30pm, Christmas party.

Collecting food and donations. 528-4582. St. Agnes Church, 245 N. Amos St, 217-793-1330. Learning From Children at Christmas Dec 23, 10:30am, Remembering the child in all of us. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 585-9550. Munchies and Movie Night Dec 22, 5:30pm, Family friendly evening. First Baptist Church, 301 South Grand Ave. West, (217) 523-7731. The Christmas Story Dec 23, 6:30pm, Performance by members, choir, Don Schneider and U4ia during this candlelighting service with emphasis on metaphysical meaning of Christmas. Unity of Springfi eld,

417 Cordelia, 523-5897.

SPORTS & FITNESS

5K Run/Walk Dec 15, 10am, Washington and Cooke check in. For family of fallen State Trooper Kyle Deatherage. $10. 217-962-1055. Mt. Pulaski Courthouse, 113 S Washington St, Mount Pulaski. Drop-In Derby Dec 16, 23, 8-10pm, Every Sunday for ages 18 and up. Helmet required. $5, $3 skate rental. Skateland South, 1500 Recreation Dr, 546-4543.

Springfield Junior Blues Game Dec 13-14, 7pm, Jr. Blues vs Kalamazoo. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St, 217-525-2589.

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

See more holiday events in our Holiday Events calendar, pp. 18-19.