More than 2 million twinkling LED lights are on display at Brookfield Zoo during Holiday Magic. See the Holiday Happenings listing on Page 34 for details. (photo provided)
ARTFULLY DONE
Painting Wooden Ornaments with Acrylics
Dec. 14
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 719-2468
Learn techniques for painting natural subjects on wood using acrylics and create personal hand-painted wooden ornaments. The workshop is for the intermediate or advanced art student 16 and older. Time: 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: $49. RR, MD
Drawing Workshop
Dec. 15
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St.
http://www.thecommunityhouse.org
(630) 323-7500
This supportive workshop for beginners and experienced artists will focus on fundamental concepts such as measurement and proportion, shading and value. Supplies are included. Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $72. RR, MD
Origami - Folding in the New Year
Jan. 4
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
Learn from the Chicago Area Origami Society the basic folds of origami to transform flat paper into 3-D masterpieces. Finish the program with a paper crane origami which represents luck, health and peace. Time: 2 to 4 p.m. RR
Coffee at the Gallery
Every Wednesday
Celestial Art Curation Gallery
9 E. First St. Suite 2
http://www.celestialartcuration.com/
Stop by the gallery and enjoy coffee from Cafe La Fortuna. Time: 10 a.m. to noon.
FOR A CAUSE
Bernie's Book Bank Drive
Through Jan. 7
http://www.berniesbookbank.org
Donate new or gently used children's books to increase book ownership among underserved children throughout Chicagoland. Hinsdale drop-off locations are 400 Pamela Circle, 608 E. First St., Hinsdale Bank & Trust at 25 E. First St. and CorePower Yoga at 34 S. Vine St.
GAME ON
Jodie Harrison Registration
Ongoing
The Community House
415 E. Eighth St.
http://www.thecommunityhouse.org
(630) 323-7500
Sign up for the Jodie Harrison recreational youth basketball league for kids in second through eighth grades, emphasizing instruction and helping kids learn and enjoy the game of basketball. Practices begin the week of Jan. 6, and games begin Jan. 18; there will be one weekday practice and one weekend game per week. Cost: $335. RR, MD
GREAT OUTDOORS
Winter Ecology
Dec. 15
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Gather around the fire under a full moon for a discussion about the important role that winter plays in the survival of plants and animals. Time: 5 p.m. RR
Winter Solstice Celebration
Dec. 21
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Celebrate the longest night of the year with a bonfire and self-guided walk along the Farm Pond Trail. S'mores and hot cocoa will be provided. Time: 5 to 7 p.m. RR
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Clinical Trials 101
Dec. 17
Wellness House
131 N. County Line Road
(630) 323-5150
Dr. Akhil Chawla of Northwestern Medicine will discuss the basics about clinical trials, how to find clinical trials and important questions to ask before deciding to participate. Time: 6:30-8 p.m. RR
Managing Stress Around the Holidays
Dec. 18
Nevada Bennett, Wellness House oncology support and family counselor, will lead this online program to teach strategies for managing stress and employing self-care this time of year. Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. RR
Spring Rock Parkrun
Every Saturday
4400 Central Ave., Western Springs
http://www.parkrun.us/springrock/
Sign up for this at-your-pace 5K run organized entirely by volunteers. Just register with parkrun once, and bring a scannable copy of the barcode to the run in order to receive a time. Join the group for a post-run coffee at Starbucks. The course is available at the website above, and run results and reports will posted a day or two after each event. Time: 8 a.m.
JUST FOR KIDS
Beginner Crochet
Dec. 17
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
Kids in grades three through five can learn how to crochet using different techniques and patterns. Supplies will be provided. Time: 4 to 4:45 p.m.
DIY Snow
Jan. 6
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
Elementary-age kids are invited to create their own snow and build a miniature winter wonderland. Time 4 to 5 p.m. RR
NOTEWORTHY
Lee Murdock with the Dock Wallopers
Dec. 14
Unitarian Church of Hinsdale
11 W. Maple St.
(630) 941-7797
Murdock combines ragtime, Irish, blues and folk styles with this flair for storytelling in songs. His music is grounded in the work song tradition, and the concert will feature the song of the ship that brought Christmas trees to Chicago for many years. Streaming tickets are also available. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $20
ON STAGE
'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr.'
Fridays to Sundays through Dec 15
Theatre of Western Springs
4384 Hampton Ave.
http://www.theatreofwesternsprings.com
(708) 246-3380
The Children's Theatre of Western Springs presents this beloved stage adaptation of Dahl's classic story, promising a delightful experience for audiences of all ages. An ASL performance will be included at the 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, performance, and a special sensory-friendly performance will be staged at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. Times: 7 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $17, $13 for ages 18 and under.
'Disney's The Little Mermaid'
Through Jan. 12
Drury Lane Theatre
100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace
http://www.drurylanetheatre.com/the-little-mermaid
(630) 530-0111
Dive beneath the waves with Ariel, a young mermaid with a captivating voice and an insatiable curiosity, as she defies her father and makes a daring deal for the chance to create the world of her dreams on land. Enjoy the beautiful score including favorites like "Under the Sea," "Part of Your World," and "Kiss the Girl." Times: 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Thursdays, 7 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: start at $52.95.
STEPPING BACK
Nature Study Explorers
Dec. 14
Kline Creek Farm
1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago
http://www.facebook.com/klinecreekfarm
(630) 876-5900
Explore nature through an 1890s lens and learn from the Nature Study movement of the late Victorian era. Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cost: Free, suggested admission donation of $5 per person ages 3 and up.
TEENS & TWEENS
Finals Prep with P.A.S.S.
Dec. 14-18
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
High schoolers can kick start their finals prep with help from P.A.S.S. tutors, Hinsdale Central students providing peer study groups and one-to-one academic support in core content areas. Sessions will be available in calculus, trigonometry, precalculus, integrated math, algebra, chemistry, biology, physics and Spanish. Visit the website above for the schedule of tutor availability. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. RR
Teen Art Workshop
Dec. 16
Hinsdale Public Library
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
Join an open art hour to create art with peers. Each week the library will supply various art supplies along with new ideas and techniques to try. Time: 5 to 6 p.m. RR
Teen Self-Defense Workshop
Jan. 5
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St.
http://www.thecommunityhouse.org
(630) 323-7500
Ages 11-17 will participate in a series of discussions and be introduced to basic physical self-defense skills and techniques focusing on mindset, skill set and planning. Attendees must have a signed electronic waiver on file in advance of the event. Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: $47. RR, MD
WINTER BREAK
Winter Break Camp
Weekdays Dec. 23-Jan. 3
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St.
http://www.thecommunityhouse.org
(630) 323-7500
Kids in kindergarten through middle school will enjoy arts and crafts, group games, cooking projects and STEM activities along with a field trip on Wednesday of each week. No camp Dec. 24, 25, 31 or Jan. 1. Register for one day or all seven. Extended care is available for an additional fee. Time: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $90 per day, $510 for all six days. RR. MD
Chicago Elite Volleyball Winter Break Clinic
Dec. 23
The Community House
415 E. Eighth St.
http://www.thecommunityhouse.org
(630) 323-7500
Youth ages 8-14 will be both introduced to the game of volleyball and encouraged to improve their individual skill development in passing, setting, attacking, blocking, serving, defense and movement. Players will be divided according to skill level and age and challenged accordingly. Time: 10 a.m. to noon. Cost: $60. RR, MD
5 Star Winter Soccer Camp
Jan. 2-3
Hinsdale Central Fieldhouse
5500 S. Grant St.
http://www.thecommunityhouse.org
(630) 323-7500
This co-ed program for ages 5-12 presents a curriculum focused on developing fundamental technique while creating an atmosphere that unlocks the game within each child. T-shirts are included, and participants should bring a ball. Time: 1 to 4 p.m. Cost: $114, RR, MD
Key
RR - registration required
MD - member discount
