Holiday Happenings

Children’s Holiday Store Dec 20-23, 4-8pm Tue-Fri, 10am- 5:30pm Sat, 12-5pm Sun. Through Dec. 23, Kids shop with help of volunteers. Benefi ts Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery. Closed Mondays. Holiday Store, 3325 Robbins Road, 217-525-6800.

Dana-Thomas House Holiday Tours Dec 20-23, 26-30, Jan 02, 9am-4pm Wed-Sun, See famous Springfi eld landmark decorated for the holidays. Suggested donations $10, $15 family. Closed Christmas Day. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence, 217-782- 6776.

First Night Dec 31, 1-4pm and 6:30pm, Afternoon free activities for kids at Springfi eld High School. Evening live music, dance and theatrical performances. Downtown locations. springfi eldartsco.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523- 2787.

First Night Civil War Ball Dec 31, 7-10pm, Free. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-7960.

Ghosts of the Library Dec 20-31, Jan 01-02, Through Jan. 2, exhibit of 13 Santa Claus fi gures from around world. Museum admission. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Historic Christmas at the Mansion Dec 20, 22, 25, 27, 9:30-11am, 2-3:30pm Tue, Thu, 9:, Through Dec. 27, view 23 unique decorated trees. Illinois Executive Mansion, 410 E. Jackson . Holiday Interfaith Breakfast Dec 25, 8:30am-12pm, Public invited to Christmas breakfast of scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, pancakes, coffee, dessert and juice served to benefi t Habitat for Humanity. $6, 25 cents per year for children 12 and under at door. Temple B’rith Sholom, 1004 S. Fourth St, 525-1360.

Holiday Lights at the Zoo Dec 20-23, 5-8pm, Through Dec.

23, Walking tour of lights and displays. Santa visit. $3.25, $2 kids. Bring new, unwrapped toy, get in free. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-585-1821. 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.

Home for the Holidays Dec 20-23, 27-29, 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.

Luminaria Evening at Dana- Thomas House Dec 22, 4-8pm, 1000 candles in paper sacks line sidewalks and ledges. Candlelight silent tours with live music. Admission. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence, 217-782-6776.

Morning Star Reindeer Dec 21, 11am-6pm, Santa and his live reindeer. Photos and reindeer food available to purchase. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur , 217-726-6330. New Year’ Eve Maple Club Style Dec 31, Listen to musicians while served a scrumptious dinner, followed by dancing to Debbie Ross Band. Tickets, 415-7699. The Maple Club, 120 S. McLean, Lincoln.

New Year’s Eve Open House and

Party Dec 31, 7:30pm-1am, Restoration fundraiser. Reservations, 243-2001. Governor Duncan Mansion, 4 Duncan Pl, Jacksonville, 245-2626.

Old Capitol Holiday Walks Dec 22, 10am-2pm Sat. Unique shopping and dining, entertainment, horse-drawn trolley rides, Santa House and more. Downtown Springfi eld. Poinsettia Giveaway Dec 27, 12-3:30pm, Be sure to bring your own container to transport your new poinsettia in. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116.

Santa Claus at the Mall Dec 20-24, mall hours, Nov. 24 through Christmas Eve get your photo taken with Santa. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave, 217-787-8560. Santa House Dec 20-23, 5-7pm Mon-Fri, 1-6pm Sat-Sun, Through Dec 23, Springfi eld Park District hosts free visit. Pictures $5 or bring your camera. 753-0700. Robin Roberts Stadium, Lanphier Park, N. Grand Ave and Michigan Ave. Santa Visits Dec 22, Details on Santa’s schedule is at Main Street Lincoln on Facebook. 732-2929. Downtown Lincoln, Lincoln.

Winter Holiday Floral Show Dec 20-23, 12-4pm Mon-Fri, 12-5pm

Sat-Sun, Through Dec 23, Conservatory fi lled with poinsettias among the tropical collection. Free. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116. Xmas ARTicles Gift Shop Dec 20-22, 24-28, 8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm , Through Dec. 28, original art and fi ne crafts from over 50 artists. (Open 10am-2pm Christmas Eve.), Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water, Decatur, 217- 423-3189.

Books & Authors 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.

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 Jimmy McCugh Dec 28-29, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm Sat, Classic observational humor emphasized with unique vocal and facial expressions. $12.50-$13.50.

Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Jimmy McCugh Dec 31, 8pm, Classic observational humor with unique vocal and facial expressions. $12.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Mike Pace Dec 21-22, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri-Sat, Emmy nominee for HBO’s Comic Relief and known for Curb Your Enthusiasm. $13-$15. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-joke. Comedian Pat Kilbane Dec 21-22, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm and 9:30pm Sat, Mad TV cast and in movie with Eddie Murphy and Will Ferrell. $15. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

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. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 652-6868.

Sonnets from an Ungrafted Tree Dec 31, 5:30pm and 7pm, Free compelling original play based on sonnets by Edna St. Vincent Millay with actress Aasne Vigesaa. Reservations by phone. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901. Music: General Events

An Evening with Elvis Jan 05, 7:30pm, Elvis Himselvis, Steve Brandes and The Elvis Himselvis Band. Mary Bryant Home fundrasier. $20. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787. Millikin University Choir Jan 06, 3pm, Nationally recognized choir performing free concert. Goodwill offering accepted. Central Baptist Church, 501 S. Fourth St.

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

A Country Dance Dec 28, 7-10pm, New Year’s countdown. $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. A WCS Dance Jan 05, 7pm-12am, www.pldc. org. $5. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 217-428-1560. All About Country Dance Dec 28, 7-10pm, Line dancing, two step, waltz, swing. Free lesson at start of dance w/ DJ Marilyn Ferry. $6. Decatur Moose Lodge, 3190 N Woodford Street, Decatur, 217- 836-1438.

All About Dance Dec 26, Jan 02, 09, 7-10pm, Every Wed. hour line dance lessons with Marilyn Ferry before dance. $5. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 836-1438.

Dance Dec 28, 8pm, Kevin Turner playing 50s, 60s and 70s. Dances every last Friday of each month. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

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 20-21, 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 20-31, Jan 01-06, 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 20-31, Jan 01-09, 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.

Film & Television

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

Children’s Corner DSI Santa House Dec 22, 10am-2pm Sat, Free photo and candy cane. Old State Capitol Plaza, Between Sixth and Fifth Sts at Adams. Noon Year’s Eve Dec 31, 11am-1pm, Kids 5-12 count down to the new year. Games, crafts and lunch in this drop-off celebration. $10. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-585-1821.

Science

Paul Mickey Science Series Lecture Jan 09, 7-9:30pm, “The Science of Climate Change.” Dr. Eric Grimm, Curator and Chair of Botany, ISM. Thorne Deuel Auditorium. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-7386.

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.

Stone Soup Hike Jan 01, 10am, Join the Sierra Club. 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 Bird Feeding Jan 07, 9:15-11:30am, Wild Birds Unlimited presents info on how to attract more birds to your yard and identify them. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street, 217-522-4415.

Lectures & Meetings ABATE Chapter Meeting Dec 20, 7pm, ABATE Lincoln Land Monthly Chapter Meeting. All motorcycle enthusiasts welcome. Third Thursday of every month. Northender’s VFW, 2349 Stockyard Rd. Chatham Kiwanis Club Meeting Dec 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.

Lincolnland Depression Era Glass Club Meeting Jan 07, 6-8pm, Fenton Christmas Glass by Rich Karman. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 793-0565.

Mcbrian Lincoln Douglas Toastmasters Club 51 Dec 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 20, 24, 27, 7:30pm Mon and 6:30pm Thu, For those seeking freedom from addictive sexual behavior. Meeting info, springfi [email protected]. Confi dentiality assured. Various locations.

Bulletin Board APL Pet Adoptions Dec 22-23, 11am-4pm Sat, 12-3pm Sun, Dogs and cats. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091. Backgammon Club Dec 26, Jan 02, 09, 6pm, Every Wed. with Sangamon Valley Backgammon Association. 622- 9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave, 217-546-2111 .

Home for the Holidays Dec 22, 10am-3pm, Friends of Sangamon County Animal Control has adoptable dogs and cats at PetSmart on Veterans Parkway and Farm & Home Supply on Wabash Avenue. Various locations.

Out of the Darkness Community Walk Movers & Shakers Night Dec 20, 5-7pm, Guest bartenders. Bennigan’s, 700 E. Adams, 217-741-6063.

Pharmacy Open Dec 27, 7pm, Fourth Thursday of month, poetry, prose, song, stand-up and more. 6:30 p.m. sign-up. The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West, 217- 652-3273. Vigil for Peace Dec 22, 29, 12pm, Each Saturday at noon on corner of Sixth and Monroe, outside Federal Building. All are welcome. 544-3997. Downtown Springfi eld.

Food

Lions Pancake Breakfast Jan 06, 7am-1pm, Pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk and juice. $8. Proceeds for leader dog for local vision-impaired resident. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Rd, 971-9276.

History

Boys in Blue Exhibit Dec 20-21, 24-28, 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.

Emancipation Proclamation Dec 20-31, Jan 01-09, Through Jan. 2013, Museum admission required. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Freedom’s First Day Jan 01, 1pm, Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785- 7960.

Holiday Events Dec 22, 27-29, 11am-3pm, Civil War Santa available for photographs, and other holiday attractions. Museum admission may be required. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Meet a Boy in Blue Dec 29, 11am, 1pm and 3pm, The strategic situation at the midpoint of the war. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-7960.

Proclamation Signing and News Conference Jan 01, 1pm, Frederick Douglass and others will join President Lincoln for comments. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217- 785-9363.

To Kill and to Heal Exhibit Dec 20-29, 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.

Watch Night Service Dec 31, 8pm Mon, Recreation of the anticipation as emancipation neared. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street, 217-522-4415.

Faith & Philosophy Candlelight Service Dec 24, 6pm, 23 member Leonard Family, including Gospel Saxtherapist Tracy Leonard and recording artist Jessica Anderson. 415-3932. Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 3436 S. Douglas Ave, (217) 691-8968. Christmas Eve: Choirs, Carols and Candles Dec 24, 7pm, Features musical talents of Bonnie Ettinger and ALUUC choir. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 585-9550.

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.

Longest Night Service Dec 20, 7-8pm, Service for those facing a holiday after the death of a loved one or suffering through some other emotional trauma. Sponsored by the churches of Harvard Park Neighborhood. Free. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 523-5212.

Munchies and Movie Night Dec 22, 5:30pm, Family friendly evening. First Baptist Church, 301 South Grand Ave. West, (217) 523-7731. Questions and Answers Dec 30, 10:30am, Intern Minister Lynnda White answers questions from congregation. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 585-9550. Sing Along Jan 04, 7pm, If you love to sing, come and raise your voice. Unity of Springfi eld, 417 Cordelia, 523-5897.

The Christmas Story Dec 23, 6:30pm, Performance by members, choir, Don Schneider and U4ia during this candle-lighting service with emphasis on metaphysical meaning of Christmas. Unity of Springfi eld, 417 Cordelia, 523-5897.

Sports & Fitness

Drop-In Derby Dec 23, 30, Jan 06, 8-10pm, Every Sunday for ages 18 and up. Helmet required. $5, $3 skate rental. Skateland South, 1500 Recreation Dr, 546-4543.

Winter Baseball Camp Dec 27, 9-11:30am and 12- 2:30pm, For ages 8-11 in morning and 12 and older in afternoon. $100. 786-2426, ext. 62426. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200.