What’s going on today: Calendar of events for this weekend
December 15, 2011 4:38PM
Updated: January 17, 2012 8:12AM
‘Let It Be Christmas’: The smash hit by Epic Theatre Company returns this year to Community Christian Church’s Yellow Box for three more performances: Dec. 16, 17 and 18 at 1635 Emerson Lane. “Let It Be Christmas” is a rock opera nativity story told in one act through the music of The Beatles. Tickets are a suggested donation of $10 for adults and students, and $5 for kids ages 11 and younger. Buy tickets at www.epictheatrecompany.org or 630-328-8970.
Candy Cane Lane: The Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center in Naperville will be filled with holiday activities, including crafts, games, an indoor candy cane hunt, storytelling, face painting and a jump house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Pictures with Santa will not be a part of the event this year. Register children only; a reduced sibling rate is available when you register by phone at 630-848-5000 and in person. Siblings younger than 2 are welcome free of charge. Registration cannot be done online to get the sibling discount. Registration is due Dec. 9. $14 residents, $21 nonresidents. Visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Parents’ Night Out: Children ages 4 through 10 are invited to a night of crafts, gym games, pizza and a video from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cowlishaw School gym, 1212 Sanctuary Lane. Cost is $16 for residents; $24 nonresidents.
Hear world-class pianist: Brookdale Music presents pianist Pawel Checinski, performing “A Bicentennial Concert Celebrating the Music of Franz Liszt” at 7:30 p.m. in Pebblewood Plaza, 1550 N. Route 59, Naperville. Admission is $18; students $12. Order tickets at www.brookdalemusic.com or call 630-983-5100.
Toys for Tots: The Naperville Park Police program will take donations at six locations from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through today. Visit www.dupage-il.toysfortots.org for locations.
Historic Trolley Tour: The last Historic Trolley Tour of the year will take place at 11 a.m. at Jackson Avenue and Eagle Street. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 17, a penny for children younger than 4. Call 630-420-2223 or visit www.napervilletrolley.com.
Senior luncheon deadline: Sign up for the Naperville Park District and the Naperville YMCA’s annual Christmas lunch for seniors by today. The luncheon will take place at noon on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, in the Community Hall in the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave. Call Jenny Gardner at 630-527-4010 and leave a message with guests’ names and the total number of seniors in their party.
Santa House: The Park District’s Santa House, at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Webster Street, continues Dec. 16-18 and 19-23. Regular hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 5 to 8 p.m. weeknights, Dec. 15 and 19-22. Photos can be purchased for $8 each or two for $15.
We Grow Dreams Holiday Shoppe: Cookies and hand-crafted items will be for sale Dec. 16-18 at Freedom Commons, 1727 Freedom Drive. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Photos with Santa will be from 11 am. to 1 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.wegrowdreams.org or call 630-293-0100.
The Democratic Party of DuPage County: The party’s county organization will host its holiday party from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 150 S. Gary Ave., Carol Stream. Visit www.dupagedemocrats.com for ticket availability.
Saturday
Super Saturday: Come to downtown Naperville for a surprise gift with purchase (while supplies last). Visit www.downtownnaperville.com.
Angelina Ballerina Activity Day: Join Anderson’s Bookstores for a day of free silly activities and storytime fun at 10 a.m. at 123 W. Jefferson Ave. in Naperville. Activities celebrate the Angelina Ballerina books by Katharine Holabird. Call 630-355-2665.
Benedictine’s ‘Breakfast’: Santa Claus will enjoy breakfast with area children at Benedictine University at 10 a.m. on the second floor of the Krasa Student Center. The cost is $10 per person. Children younger than 2 admitted free. Call 630-829-6617.
Recycle holiday lights: Naperville residents can bring their used holiday lights to the Department of Public Works Recycling Drop-Off Center, 180 Fort Hill Drive. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This program is free.
Accepted lights include: mini-lights (Italian lights), C7, C9, rope, LED and extension cords. All colors and lengths will be accepted through March 30. Visit www.naperville.il.us/recyclecenter.aspx.
‘Beauty and the Beast Junior’: The Disney classic is running at Center Stage Theater, 1665 Quincy Ave., suite 131. Show times include: 2, 5, 8 p.m. Dec. 17; 1, 4, 7 p.m. Dec. 18; and 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and students, and $6 for children 10 and younger. For Tickets call 630-355-9212 or email kidzkabaret@sbcglobal.net.
Celtic Woman: North Central College presents the angelic voices of Irish music sensation Celtic Woman, accompanied by the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, in a concert titled “A Christmas Celebration — The Symphony Tour,” at 8 p.m. in the College’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. Tickets are $80, $70 and $65; call 630-637-7469 or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
Sunday
Hannukah party: Temple B’nai Israel is hosting a free Hannukah party from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at the temple, 400 N. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora. The Chickenfat Klezmer Orchestra will be appearing, along with a Latke Eating Contest. There is no charge for this event. RSVP at 630-892-2450.
Learn to pray: Christian speaker Elise Moore will give an hourlong talk, “The Possibilities of Prayer,” at 10:30 a.m.in the community room of Naperville’s Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson St., Naperville. Children are welcome and no reservations are necessary. Call 630-542-5551. This talk is sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist, Naperville.
Concert for Hesed House: Grace United Methodist Church will host a Christmas concert benefiting Hesed House in Aurora from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at 300 E. Gartner Road, Naperville. Tickets are $18 adults, $13 seniors, $7.50 students. Purchase tickets at peopleofgrace.tix.com or at the church office during business hours. Call 630-355-1748.
Lakeside Singers: North Central College presents the Lakeside Singers, a professional group of singers, composers and arrangers in a performance titled “I Heard the Bells” at 8 p.m. in the College’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for students and senior citizens, and $10 for children younger than 12. Call 630-637-7469 or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
Monday
Holiday concert: Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry and Naperville CARES will be among the beneficiaries of the Hope and Home for the Holidays Concert set for 7 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 West Brush Hill Road in Elmhurst. Sponsored by Community Housing Advocacy and Development, the event also will benefit the DuPage Homeownership Center and Senior Home Sharing. Tickets, at $20 each, are available through each organization, at www.chadhousing.org/news/holiday-concert, or at the door.
The Hope and Home for the Holidays Concert sponsored by Community Housing Advocacy and Development will start at 7 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road. The DuPage Homeownership Association, Loaves & Fishes, Naperville CARES, and Senior Home Sharing will also be part of the event. Tickets are $20 each, available through each organization, at www.chadhousing.org/news/holiday-concert, and at the door.
Tuesday
Purple Heart meeting: The Wheaton chapter, No. 144, of the Military Order of the Purple Heart will meet next at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Wheaton VFW, 0n731 Papworth St. in Wheaton. Those in attendance need to have a DD-214 or orders showing an award of the purple heart medal to apply. To learn more, call the Wheaton VFW at 630-668-8756.
Christmas carols in Lisle: St. Joan of Arc, DuPage AME, Trinity Lutheran, Faith United Methodist, St. Margaret Mary, Chicagoland CLC and Lisle Bible Church are joining forces for the third year to sing carols on Main Street from 7:30 until 9 p.m. Participants should bring a nonperishable food item for the Lisle Township Food Pantry. Gather in the parking lot just north of the Bank of America building.
Wednesday
‘Task Force Patriot’ book signing: The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park offers a free presentation at 7:30 p.m. by Lt. Col. Pat Proctor, an active-duty officer, who will discuss his recently released book, “Task Force Patriot and the End of Combat Operations in Iraq.” Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Admission and parking are complimentary. Call 630-260-8187. The event is part of the museum’s series, A Date with History. Visit FirstDivisionMuseum.org.
Friday
Food drive: The Naperville Public Library’s Food for Fines Drive in support of Loaves & Fishes ends today. The library will waive $1 of fines for every item of nonperishable food that is brought to a library building, up to a maximum of $10 per visit ($20 total). The drive is in support of Loaves and Fishes. The Library will also accept free-will donations at any of the three buildings: Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave.; Naper Boulevard Library, 2035 S. Naper Blvd.; and 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive.
Saturday, Dec. 31
Ringin’ in the New Year: A family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration will take place at 6 p.m. at the base of the Carillon at Rotary Hill in Naperville. A celebration downtown from noon to 5 p.m. will include roving merriment, scavenger hunts for prizes, sales and celebration. For details, visit www.downtownnaperville.com
Bubble Bash: Countdown to noon this New Year’s Eve at DuPage Children’s Museum’s annual family-fun event that begins 9 a.m. Live music, train-themed activities, light refreshments and an appearance from Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel. Reservations required. Register by Nov. 30: members $15, nonmembers $20. Register after Nov. 30: members $20, nonmembers $25. Registration is available now at www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org or by calling (630) 637-8000, ext. 0.
