HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

A-Maze-Ing Corn Maze

Sep 24-25, Oct 1-2, 11am-6pm Sat,

12-6pm Sun. Four acres with miles of paths. $5. auburn-umc.org. Auburn United Methodist Church, 14100 State Route 4, Auburn, 438-3126.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

American Hauntings Fall Festival

Sep 24, 12-5pm Sat. Presentations on ghosts, spirits, true-life encounters, macabre history and hauntings in America. Free. prairieghosts.com. Nichols Park, 319 Holken Brink Dr., Jacksonville.

Craft and Food Festival

Sep 24, 8:30am-2pm Sat. Handmade items including purses, barn quilts, kitchen items, Christmas and fall decorations. Bake sale, lunch, more. Free. 217-553-5256. Chatham Community Center, 109 W. Mulberry St., Chatham, 483-2488.

Fall Festival

Sep 24, 11am-3pm Sat. Pumpkin decorating, hayrack ride, magician, petting zoo, DJ, food and more. Free. Hope School, 15 E. Hazel Dell Lane.

International Route 66 Mother Road Festival

Sep 23-25, 6-10pm Fri, 11am-10pm Sat, 11am-2pm Sun. More than 1,000 cool cars, live music and entertainment, performance marketplace, family fun area, food, more. Free admission. route66fest.com. 866-783-6645. Downtown Springfi eld.

Prairie Land Heritage Museum Steam Show

Sep 24-26, 8am-5pm Sat-Mon. See horse powered equipment, antique tractors, gas and steam engines, demonstrations on bailing, blacksmithing, more. Train rides, large fl ea market, food. $5. prairielandheritage.com. 217-243-5678. Prairie Land Heritage Museum, 1005 W. Michigan Ave., 243-7262.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Banned Books Reading

Sep 28, 12-1pm. Students, staff and faculty read from challenged and banned texts and discuss the importance of freedom of information and anti-censorship activism. Free. A. Lincoln Commons, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, Springfi eld, 786-2200.

General John Borling

Sep 22, 6pm Thu. Former Air Force fi ghter pilot, retired major general and author John Borling shares his perspectives on life and leadership. Book signing at 6; presentation at 6:30pm. Free. PresidentLincoln.illinois. gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

THEATER & COMEDY

Basetrack Live

Sep 28, 7:30pm Wed. Show by En Garde Arts features a magnetic electro-acoustic score and provides an intimate portrait of military families during deployment and after. Tickets. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206- 6160.

Bleacher Bums

Sep 25-24, 2-3:45pm Sun, 7:30- 9:15pm Thu-Sat. A Cubs/Cardinals comedy presented in nine innings. $10. playhouseonthesquare.net. Playhouse on the Square, 68 E. Central Park, Jacksonville, 491-3977. Peter and the Starcatcher

Sep 23-25, Oct 1-2, 8pm Fri, 2pm Sat-Sun. Author Dave Barry’s take on the meeting of Peter Pan and Captain Hook. $20-25. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Steve Caminiti

Sep 24, 8:30pm Sat. Heard on the “Bob and Tom Show,” featured in Rolling Stone magazine and voted funniest comic in Ohio. $12, $14. donniebscomedyclub.com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

Bookstock

Oct 1, 10am-5pm Sat. All-day musical event features fi ve critically acclaimed roots/folk acts. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave., Jacksonville, 243-5435.

City Wide Hymn Fest

Sep 25, 3:30pm Sun. Interdenominational hymn sing open to all who enjoy singing along with or listening to traditional hymns. Hosted by Grace Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran churches along with The Rees Carillon. Free. springfi eldparks.org. Washington Park, 1501 S. Grand Ave. W., 544-1751.

Jane Hartman Trio with Dewaine Ellis

Sep 25, 4pm Sun. Jazz performance. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

DANCE

Salsa Nights

Sep 24, 9-12:45pm Sat. Dance Salsa, a mixture of Rumba, Mambo, Latin, Jazz and other genres. Also dance Merengue and Bachata. $3 cover. Omar’s Latin Fusion Restaraunt, 6901 Preston Dr., 415-5568.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Color with Friends

Sep 27, 6-8pm Tue. Boones Saloon, 301 W. Edwards St., 679-3752.

Creative Pathways Exhibition

Sep 22-24, Sep 29-Oct 1, 12-7pm Thu-Fri. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 544- 2787.

How to Loiter

Sep 22, 5:30pm Thu. Collaboration with artist Paul Shortt. Explore alternative ways of loitering and discuss the issues surrounding loitering and how it affects public space and individuality. Free. uis.edu/ speakerseries. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

Paint Nite

Sep 26, Oct 3, 7-9pm Mon. No experience necessary. All supplies provided. $25-45. paintnite.com. Omar’s Latin Fusion Restaraunt, 6901 Preston Dr., 415-5568.

Paint Nite

Sep 28, 7-9pm Wed. No experience necessary. Ages 21+ only. All supplies provided. $25-45. Registration required, paintnite.com. Fire and Ale, 35 Illini Boulevard, Sherman, 496- 2236.

Paint Nite

Sep 22, 29, 7-7pm Thu. No experience necessary. Ages 21+ only. All supplies provided. $25-45. Registration required, paintnite.com. Arlington’s, 210 Broadway St., 528-1563.

Reserved For Loitering

Sep 22, 26-29, Oct 3-5, 11am-6pm Mon-Thu. Multi-media exhibition by Paul Shortt that attempts to recontextualize the act of loitering. Free. uis.edu/ visualarts/gallery. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 206- 6506.

Trutter: Black and White

Sep 30, 5-7pm Fri. Photo exhibit featuring seven photographers capturing Springfi eld and other subjects. llccfoundation.org. 217-786-2217. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

FILM & TELEVISION

Beetlejuice

Sep 30, 8pm Fri. Film showing. $5. lincolnsquaretheatre.com. Lincoln Square Theatre, 141 N. Main, Decatur, 706-5229.

Reza

Sep 25, 6pm Sun. A Las Vegaslike magic show by Reza, one of the world’s top illusionists. Tickets. lincolnsquaretheatre.com. Lincoln Square Theatre, 141 N. Main, Decatur, 706- 5229.

Through a Different Lens Film Series

Sep 22, 6-9pm Thu. Unique fi lms and discussion. Free. llccfoundation.org. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Birds of Prey

Sep 22, 6-7pm Thu. Raptor 101 presentation. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330.

Celebration of Play Family Event

Sep 24, 11am-3pm Sat. Celebration honors the life of Mary Ann MacLean and the ISM’s children’s play museum exhibit that bears her name. Admission. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 217-782-5993. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Healthy Kids Running Series

Sep 25, Oct 2, 4:30pm Sun. A positive, educational and fun introduction into the world of running for kids in Pre-K through 8th grade. 50-yard dash, 1/4- mile and 1-mile options available by age. Registration, healthykidsrunningseries. org. Williamsville Park, Williamsville.

Monarchs and Me

Sep 24, 10am-12pm Sat. Children ages 8-10 learn about the monarch butterfl y. Free. Registration required. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

SCIENCE

Friday Night Star Parties Sep 23, 30, 8-10pm Fri. Hosted by John Martin. Presentation and viewing of skies. Enter observatory from southeast corner, Brookens Library. Free. Weather questions, 206-8342 at 7pm or UIS Observatory on Twitter. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206-6073.

Introduction to Photovoltaics

Sep 24, 9am-5pm Sat. Learn to understand solar electric systems and the basics of PV site assessment via lectures and classroom activities. Registration, illinoissolar.org. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

NATURE

Fall Bird Hikes

Sep 24, Oct 1, 8-9:30am Sat. Hike through the Garden and search for migratory birds with Kevin Veara. Free. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Leaf ID and Collection Hikes

Sep 24, 10am-12pm Sat. Fun, educational way to collect more than 50 leaves. Geared towards school-age children with leaf collection projects. $5 per student. springfi eldparks.org. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116.

Leaf ID Hike

Sep 25, 1:30-3pm Sun. Garden naturalists identify and distribute leaves of at least 25 tree species. Hikes geared toward students with leaf collection projects. $5 per person; free to members. Reservations. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

ENVIRONMENT

About Gear Forward Sep 27, 6:30-8pm Tue. Hosted by the Sangamon Valley Group of the Sierra Club. Free. gearforward.org. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 753-4900.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

Breakfast Optimist Club

Sep 23, 30, 7am Fri. Every Friday. Visitors welcome. 217-546-5021. Atonement Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646.

Computer Optimization and Repair Seminar

Sep 22, 6-9:30pm Thu. Learn about the tools and techniques that computer experts use to fi x and optimize computers. $285 per person. llcc.edu. 217-524-6749. Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason, 782-1086.

GriefShare

Sep 27, Oct 4, 6:30-8:30pm Tue. 14- week program utilizes video seminar series, workbook and sharing time as participants work through their stages of grief. Register, 899-9418 or j.oest@ att.net. griefshare.org. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787-2323.

GriefShare

Sep 28, Oct 5, 6:30pm Wed. 13-week grief recovery program utilizes video seminars, a support group and a workbook. Registration, 414-0126 or griefshare.org. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

Overeaters Anonymous

Sep 26, Oct 3, 5:30pm Mon. 12-step meeting. Mondays. 217-369-0386. Unity of Springfi eld, 417 Cordelia, 523-5897.

Overeaters Anonymous

Sep 24, Oct 1, 10am Sat. 12-step meeting. Saturdays. 217-369-0386. First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 793-9760.

Retired State Employees Association Meeting

Sep 28, 1:30pm Wed. Monthly meeting provides information and updates on topics important to state retirees. Speaker Michael Mannion, Benefi ts Administrator of Central Management Services. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St., 793-3933.

Single and Parenting

Sep 28, Oct 5, 5:30pm Wed. 13-week program uses video presentations, group discussions and personal Bible study on relationships and parenting. Registration, 685-8099. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787-2323.

Springfield ICON Monthly Meeting

Sep 26, 6:30-8:30pm Mon. Topics to be announced. SpringfieldICON.org. 217-528-9803. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 523-5212.

Springfield Social Club

Sep 28, 5:30-8:30pm Wed. Requested donations are soaps, shampoos and deodorants for Mary Bryant Home for the Blind. Coz’s Pizza and Pub, 4441 Ash Grove Dr., 726-7700.

BULLETIN BOARD

APL Pet Adoptions

Sep 24. Cats available 11am- 4pm. Dogs available 12-3pm. apl-shelter.org. 217-544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.

APL Pet Adoptions

Sep 25. Cats available from 12- 4pm. Dogs available 12-3pm. apl-shelter.org. 217-544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.

APL’s Remember Me Thursday Dog Walk

Sep 22, 7-8:30pm Thu. Pet candle-lighting ceremonies to honor the millions of pets who have lost lives without a loving home and the millions of healthy pets still awaiting adoption. Registration. apl-shelter.org. 217-544-7387. Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 753-0702.

Land of Lincoln Water Gardening and Koi Society Monthly Meeting

Sep 22, 6:30-8:30pm Thu. Monthly program is “Winterizing your pond or water feature.” Free. 217-726-8216. Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church, 501 S. Douglas Ave., 546-4631.

Signs from the Past

Sep 22, 5:30-7:30pm Thu. Food stations, free museum tours, live music by the Frank Trompeter Quartet. Proceeds support the Illinois Symphony Guild of Springfi eld. Tickets, ilsymphony. org. Ace Sign Co., 2540 S. First St., 522-8417.

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live

Sep 24, 9am-4:30pm Sat. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 217-782-5993. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

The Journey Fashion Show

Sep 24, 8pm Sat. In support of the African-American History Museum. Dress code is evening stylish. $10. African- American History Museum, 1440 Monument Ave., 877-757-2246.

Voting Registration Event

Sep 28, 10am Wed. Volunteers from the Macoupin County Democrats and the Macoupin County Republicans help individuals register to vote. Free. macoupinvotes.com. Pleasant Hill Village, 1010 W. North St., Girard, 627-2181.

FOOD

Grow Springfield Garden Education Program

Sep 26, 5:30-6:30pm Mon. Family friendly program titled “Putting the Garden to Bed.” Unearth simple ways to winterize your garden and minimize work in the spring. Free. growspringfi eld.org. 217-528- 1563. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Harvest Celebration

Sep 25, 5-9pm Sun. Illinois Stewardship Alliance hosts meal made by nine local chefs. 217-528-1563. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 753-0702.

Illinois Products Farmers’ Market

Sep 22, 29, 4-7pm Thu. Every Thursday. Shopping, health and wellness information, special focuses and more in a street-party atmosphere. SNAP cards accepted. Free. illinoisproductmarket.com. Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave.

New Berlin Farmer’s Market

Sep 22, 4-7pm Thu. Second and fourth Thursday of each month from May through Oct 13. Free admission. nbacdl.org. Wabash Park, New Berlin, 717-4408.

Old Capitol Farmers Market

Sep 24, 28, Oct 1, 5, 8am- 12:30pm. Shop local produce, meats, cheeses, more. Entertainment on Saturdays includes chef demonstrations, live performances, activities, more. Free admission. downtownspringfi eld.org. Downtown Springfi eld, Inc., 3 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544- 1723.

POLITICS

Presidential Debate Viewing Party #1

Sep 26, 7-10pm Mon. View the presidential debate alongside the NPR Illinois political team of Amanda Vinicky, Brian Mackey and Jamey Dunn. Free. nprillinois. org. 217-206-6543. Balen’s Bar and Grill, 217 S. 5th St., 679- 0678.

HISTORY

Ulysses S. Grant Portrayal

Sep 23, 3:30pm-4:30am Fri. First-person presentation of Ulysses S. Grant as portrayed by Kenneth J. Serfass. Free. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-9363.

Kenneth J. Serfass

Sep 23, 5:30-6:30pm Fri. Nationally-renowned Ulysses S. Grant presenter Kenneth J. Serfass interacts with and reviews a contingent of Civil War soldier re-enactors. Free. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-9363.

AUDITIONS

Capital City Men’s Chorus

Sep 25, Oct 2, 5:30-7pm Sun. Open fall rehearsals for men’s chorus. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 S. Grand Ave. W., 525-1866.

Macbeth Open Auditions

Sep 30, 7-10pm Fri. Crew interviews at 6pm; cold reading auditions at 7pm. uis.edu/theatre. 217-206-6613. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza, 206-6160.

HEALTH

AKA 5K Walk/Run

Sep 24, 9am-12pm Sat. Supports education and screenings for senior citizens regarding Alzheimer’s and other mental health conditions. $25 ages 16-and-up; $5 ages 15-and-under. getmeregistered. com/AKA5K. 217-741-8375. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.

Divine Love: The Answer to Universal Health

Sep 24, 2pm. Talk by Joe De Dios Mata. Free. 652-3648. Douglas Park, 400 N. Macarthur Blvd, Springfi eld.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Sep 24, 8:30am Sat. 5K walk helps raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, research. act.alz.org. 217-801-9352. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 753-0702.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

Old-Fashioned Revival

Sep 25-30, 7pm Sun-Fri. Nightly revival led by Evangelist Steven Wease. Salisbury Baptist Church, Byron Street, Pleasant Plains, 544-3207.

Soft and Hard Blessings

Sep 25, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Presentation by Rev. Martin Woulfe. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

SPORTS & FITNESS

Jr. Blues Opening Night

Sep 30, 7:05-9:30pm Fri. Ice hockey season opener. Springfi eld Jr. Blues take on the Minnesota Wilderness. Advance: $8 adults, $5 ages 12 and under. At door: $12 adults, $8 ages 12 and under. jrblues.com. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.

MMRD/CCH Fresh Meat Program

Sep 27, Oct 4, 7-9pm Tue. New skaters practice with Mayhem and Hooligan roller derby skaters every Tuesday night, allowing them to learn quickly about the sport plus roller derby culture and community. Bring mouthguard. MidStateMayhemRollerDerby. com. $5 admission; gear rental for $5. Skateland South, 1500 Recreation Dr., 546-4543.

Moonlight Marathon

Sep 24, 5pm-1am Sat. Run in the moonlight and shadows of Lincon’s Tomb. Choose from ultra marathon, full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay. Registration, triharderpromotions. com. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave., 789-2340.

Run, Walk, Bike, Skate Club

Sep 22, 29, 5:45-6:45pm Thu. All levels of riders, walkers, runners, skaters welcome. Free. scheels. com/events. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330.

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