Arts and Entertainment

Music

“WDCB’s Jazz Wednesdays” From 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays at Carlucci, 1801 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove. No cover. (630) 512-0990, www.CarlucciRestaurant.com.

“The Nutcracker” Midwest Ballet Theatre, 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov.15 and 16 and 22 and 23, Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Guest artists are Anne Milewski and Sean Stewart, soloists with American Ballet Theatre. Tickets for Nov. 15 and 16 are $12 adults, $11 seniors and students age 12 to 18, $10 children under 12. Tickets for Nov. 22 and 23 are $14 adults, $13 seniors and students age 12 to 18, $12 children under 12. For ticket information, call (630) 971-9751.

Holiday concert “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” Sweet Adelines chorus, Choral-Aires Chorus and the Brotherhood of Harmony Chorus, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Addison Trail High School, 213 N. Lombard Road. $18 adults, $15 seniors, children and groups. Tickets available at the door or in advance by contacting Connie Harr at ch1234@att.com.

Chorus seeks new members The Choral-Aires, an award-winning Sweet Adelines Chorus, invites local women who like to sing, to attend a series of guest nights to prepare for the group’s Dec. 13 Christmas show, “Let There be Peace on Earth,” presented with the Brotherhood of Harmony Chorus. Guest nights are held from 7 to 10 p.m. each Monday, through Dec. 8, at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 Spring Road. Community members are invited to join the chorus during its practice. For information, call Jane Toftey at (630) 665-8387, www.choral-aires.org.

theater

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Hinsdale UMC Theatre, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16, 945 S. Garfield, Hinsdale. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. $12 adults, $8 children 12 and under. For tickets, call (630) 325-1280, Ext. 14.

“A Christmas Carol” 10 a.m. Nov. 20 to 21, 24, 28 to 30, Dec. 1 to 4, 6, 9 to 12, and 15 to 20; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17, Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. All ages. Dinner or breakfast buffet offered before performances on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 10, 17 and 20. Show only tickets are $9. For tickets, call (630) 530-0111.

Museum

Fine artisan boutique “Christmas at the Mill,” Friday to Sunday, Nov. 21 to 23, Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 York Road, Oak Brook.  Handmade gifts, decorative items, strolling carolers and decorated Christmas trees. Friday features a wine and cheese preview party from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Admission is $6. Saturday and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with no admission charge. www.grauemill.org.

Museum tours Take a tour of the Hinsdale History Museum, 15 S. Clay St., during November and receive a free Hinsdale Historical Society cookbook. Museum hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

nature events

Wild Wednesday Walks Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesdays, Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Register at (630) 850-8110.

FullersBird Fridays hikes Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, 7:30 to 9 a.m. Fridays, Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Adults only. Register at (630) 850-8110.

“Going on a Gnome Hunt” 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 28, Morton Arboretum, Children’s Garden, Interstate 88 and Route 53, Lisle. Children can search for gnomes hiding among the trees. Free, drop-in activity. (630) 725-2066, www.mortonarb.org.

Miscellaneous

”Coffee and Crosswords” Drop-in program at the Clarendon Hills Public Library, 7 N. Prospect Ave., will be offered the first and third Mondays of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. The meeting room will be set up with puzzles, card and board games, coffee and treats. No registration necessary. For more information, call (630) 323-8188.

Indian classical dance program American Association of University Women, Hindsale/Oak Brook area chapter, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St. Bharat Natyam Indian classical dance program featuring young Indian dancers from the Nupur Dance Academy, under the direction of Sonia Aggarival. $10 for program and light refreshments. (630) 662-0242.

Theater show trip Clarendon Hills Park District’s Rainbow Club for Seniors will visit The Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis., for “Christmas in the Country” on Thursday, Dec. 4. Cost is $85. Register by Nov. 21 at the Community Center, 315 Chicago Ave. (630) 323-2626.

Movie showing 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, Clarendon Hills Public Library, 7 N. Prospect Ave. Movie is “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Refreshments will be served. Register at (630) 323-8188.

Library silent auction Friends of the Oak Brook Public Library holding a holiday silent auction of fine used and rare books through Dec. 7. Selections of books are being offered in themed lots, which can be viewed in the library’s lobby display cases, 600 Oak Brook Road. Books include architecture, chefs, flowers, holidays, hunting, investing, lyric, quilts and others. Instructions for bidding and a full listing of the books offered can be viewed online at www.oak-brook.lib.il.us. Bids will be accepted at the library and by e-mail until 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. Bidding is by a minimum of $1 increments. Bid status will be updated on the library’s Web site each week.

Clubs

Single Gourmet Club 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, Topaz Restaurant, 780 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge. $59. For reservations, call (773) 772-3535.

Toastmasters Club No. 7446 Noon to 1 p.m. Mondays, McDonald’s Corp. Headquarters, 2111 McDonald Drive, Oak Brook. Call Alex Pronove, (630) 337-0597.

Hinsdale Embroiderers Guild 9 a.m. every first and third Monday, September through May, Western Springs Baptist Church, 4475 Wolf Road. (630) 986-9480.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 80 7 p.m. every third Monday, Alexander Bradley Burns Post, 4000 Saratoga Ave., Downers Grove. Call Bonnie Wisbrock, (630) 963-6137.

Rotary Club of Downers Grove 12:15 p.m. Mondays. For meeting location, call Joe Kenny, (630) 334-2858.

Rotary Club of Darien 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Argonne National Laboratory Guest House, Cass Avenue, Darien. (630) 434-5075, www.darienrotaryclub.org.

Downers Grove Noon Lions Club Noon every first and third Tuesday, Emmett’s Ale House, 5200 Main St., Downers Grove. (630) 964-5892.

Hinsdale Toastmasters 7:15 p.m. every first and third Tuesdays, Washington Square, 10 N. Washington St., Hinsdale. Call Hugh Dunbar, (630) 789-2525, Ext. 238.

Woodland Aero Modelers 7:30 p.m. every first and third Tuesday, Downers Grove VFW Century Post, 5101 Belmont Road, Downers Grove. (630) 852-5831, www.woodlandaeromodelers.org.

Active Seniors Noon every third Tuesday, excluding December, Sportsplex, 451 Plainfield Road, Darien. Call Joan Hein, (630) 427-0282.

Oak Brook Speakers Toastmasters 5:30 to 6:35 p.m. Tuesdays, FOCUS, 430 W. 22nd St., Lombard. Call Bob, (312) 401-8614. Oakbrookspeakers@cs.com.

Chorus of DuPage All-male barbershop chorus, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 815 S. Washington St., Naperville. Call Jerry Broz, (630) 964-3139.

Kickstarters Toastmasters Club 6:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Panera Bread, 1400 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove. Call Bill, (630) 248-4099.

Timberlake Women’s Club 7 p.m. every third Wednesday except June, July and August, member’s home in the subdivision in unincorporated Downers Grove. Call Nancy Auriemma, (630) 794-9427.

Alpha Sigma Alpha West Suburban Alumnae, every third Wednesday, member’s homes. Call Joan, (630) 369-6648.

Alpha Omicron Pi Chicago West Suburban Alumnae Chapter, every third Wednesday, September through May. Call Karen, (630) 309-9046, or visit www.aoiicws.com.

Downers Grove Kiwanis Club 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1125 Franklin St., Downers Grove. Call Gloria Caracello, (630) 968-6300.

WHBCD Kiwanis Breakfast Club For Willowbrook, Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and Darien, 8 a.m. every second and fourth Wednesday, Holiday Inn-Willowbrook, 7800 Kingery Highway. Call Dorothy Catinella, (630) 887-7737.

Walking club Contours Express, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, 70 Ogden Ave., Downers Grove. Free. (630) 810-9777.

Hinsdale Music Club Classical music concert, Hinsdale and Western Springs music clubs joint program at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at The Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S. Garfield St. Includes classical music by local musicians playing flute, piano, cello and organ. For reservations, call Jacqueline Vasan, (708) 246-9373.

Leads Club of Oak Brook 7:30 a.m. Thursdays at DuPage Club, 1901 S. Meyers Road, Oakbrook Terrace. Call Jeff Wambold, (630) 573-8990, Ext. 304.

Naperville Networkers Business networking, 7:01 a.m. Thursdays, Big Apple Pancake House, 2799 Maple Ave., Lisle. Call Matt Ewald, (630) 678-1700.

Western Lights Chorus 7 p.m. Thursdays, Seventh Day Adventist Church Hall, 201 N. Oak St., Hinsdale. Guests welcome. (773) 631-2466, www.westernlightschorus.com.

Sales Professionals of Illinois Inc. 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Thursdays, Pancake Delight House, 75th Street and Fairview Avenue, Darien. Call Eve Dunn, (630) 852-0580.

Lodge Leads Organization Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce executives group, 7:15 a.m. Thursdays, First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Networking begins at 7 a.m. Call Keith Hoffman, (630) 306-5626.

Golden “K” Kiwanis Club 10 a.m. Fridays at King-Bruwaert House, 6101 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge. All seniors welcome. Call Bonnie Kohout, (630) 323-2250.

Hinsdale Rotary Club 12:15 p.m. Fridays at Oaks Hotel and Conference Center, County Line and Frontage roads, Burr Ridge. (630) 654-8045, www.hinsdalerotary.org.

Support groups

Depression & Bipolar Support For adults only, 1 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Oak Rooms near the cafeteria, 39th Street and Highland Avenue, Downers Grove. $2 suggested donation. (630) 415-1480.

Nar-Anon Family Group “Stepping into Serenity,” support for family and friends who are close to someone with a drug addiction problem, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays, Linden Oaks Hospital, Room 105, 852 S. West St., Naperville. For more information, call the NarAnon Helpline at (312) 409-0598.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly 6:30 p.m. Mondays, First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. (630) 964-2043.

Lactation/breastfeeding support group 11 a.m. to noon, Mondays, Antares Institute of Integrative Health, 545 Plainfield Road, Suite E, Willowbrook. (630) 321-2296.

National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders of Glen Ellyn Eating disorder support group, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 751 Roosevelt Road, Building 7, Suite 115, Glen Ellyn. Bilingual services offered. For more information, call Dana Castellano, (312) 882-0494, www.anad.org.

New Mothers Support Group 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. To register, call Advocate’s Health Advisor at (800) 323-8622 and ask for class code 4B10.

Breast Cancer Support Group 7 to 8:30 p.m. every third Tuesday, Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. To register, call Advocate’s Health Advisor at (800) 323-8622 and ask for class code 4C07.

Postpartum Depression Support Group 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. $15. To register, call the Health Advisor, (800) 323-8622, www.advocatehealth.com.

Al-Anon 8 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Faith United Methodist Church, 432 59th St., Downers Grove. Participants should enter the rear of the church and go to Room B-6.

Postpartum support group 11 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Antares Institute of Integrative Health, 545 Plainfield Road, Suite E, Willowbrook. (630) 321-2296.

Al-Anon family groups “Courage to Change,” 1 p.m. Wednesday, Community Presbyterian Church, Room 8, 39 N. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills.

Stroke Support Group 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every third Wednesday, Advocate Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Contact Sue Reilly, (630) 275-1110, sue.reilly@advocatehealth.com.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group 6 p.m. every third Wednesday, The Birches, 215 55th St., Clarendon Hills. Registration required by calling Jackie Schwab at (630) 789-1135.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Two Westmont chapters meet Thursdays, Park Federal Bank, 21 E. Ogden Ave., Westmont. Chapter 1748, 9 a.m. Call Lesa Hips, (630) 887-7725. Chapter 1855, 5:30 p.m. (630) 995-5036.

Overeaters Anonymous Newcomer/speaker meeting, 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. Thursdays, St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 3910 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. (630) 653-8608.

Garden Foundation Domestic violence support group, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St. Call Michelle Roty, (630) 379-9427.

Parents of Young Children Support group, 9:30 to 11 a.m. every third Thursday, First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Call Shelia Hallmann, (630) 968-7120, Ext. 111.

Depression and Bipolar Alliance Caregivers support group, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Oak Rooms of Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. $2 donation suggested. (630) 415-1480.

Mental illness support group National Alliance on Mental Illness, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, North Pavilion, Community Education Room, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Free. Call Susan Piasecki, (630) 752-0066.

Reformers Unanimous Addiction program, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays, Marquette Manor Baptist Church, 333 75th St., Downers Grove. Call Joel Dedic, (630) 800-6540.

AA/Alanon 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturdays, St. Andrews Church, 1125 Franklin St., Downers Grove. Call Bruce/Sharon, (630) 852-7142.

seminars/workshops

“Everything I Need to Know About the Divorce Process” workshop 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, Brown and Associates Counseling and Mediation, 102 S. Washington St., Hinsdale. $55. To register, call (630) 455-4655.

“First Holiday Season After a Loss” workshop 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, Brown and Associates Counseling and Mediation, 102 S. Washington St., Hinsdale. $55. To register, call (630) 455-4655.

Breastfeeding class 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, Antares Institute of Integrative Health, 545 Plainfield Road, Suite E, Willowbrook. Free. To register, call (630) 321-2296.

Managing stress workshop 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3, Kendall College, Wood Mode Auditorium, fifth floor, 900 N. North Branch St., Chicago. Topics include managing life, budgeting your money, protecting your savings and safeguarding your career. Free. For more information or reservations, visit www.discoverkendallcollege.com/workshops.

“Ethics and Medicine” seminar The Executives Breakfast Club, 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s campus, 2815 Jorie Blvd., Oak Brook. Discussion and question and answer session. Public invited. $50, $40 for guests of members. Members of the club are free. For more information or registration, visit www.ebctoday.com.

Expecting and new parent class “Beyond the Basics 102,” 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 22, Antares Institute of Integrative Health, 545 Plainfield Road, Suite E, Willowbrook. $30. To register, call (630) 321-2296.

Family Matters group classes Held on a weekly basis at Wellness House, 131 N. County Line Road, Hinsdale. Programming for families who are experiencing cancer in the family. To register, call Betsy Rubenstein at (630) 654-5118.

Cake decorating school Wilton School of Cake Decorating, 7511 Lemont Road, Darien, offers 50 courses throughout the year. Fees range from $75 to $950. (630) 985-6077, www.school.wilton.com.

fundraisers

Children’s Memorial Hospital fundraiser “A Miracle Day,” 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, RE/MAX Elite, 34 S. Vine St., Hinsdale. Features family entertainment and collection of toys and funds to benefit the hospital. Clown, fire trucks, ambulance, police cars. Bake sale and white elephant sale. Sponsored by Hinsdale and Darien offices of Re/MAX Elite. (630) 655-2300.

Trot for the Troops 5K run/walk Hinsdale Central High School will hold a 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at the school, 5500 S. Grant St. Invites members of the community in running or walking to support local troops. For more information or to register, visit www.trotforthetroops.com.

Luncheon and fashion show fundraiser “Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” Lisle-Naperville Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, Saturday, Nov. 22, Hilton Hotel, 3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for shopping in the “Sugar Plum Shops,” made up of a variety of crafters with jewelry, purses, clothing, candy, music boxes and books. Tickets are available from any member of the chapter, or by calling Marva Maxwell, (630) 964-4692.

special events

Stroke and osteoporosis screening Life Line Screening, Monday, Nov. 17, St. Isaac Jogues Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale. Appointments begin at 9 a.m. Wellness Package screening with heart rhythm is $199. For more information or appointment, call (800) 697-9721.

Exempt Our Elevators Advocate Group meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, United Methodist Church, 7970 Lake St., River Forest. Group is advocating exempting condominium elevators from state regulations that mandate expensive upgrades to existing elevators. Meeting open to condo owners and apartment dwellers. For more information, e-mail Al Popowits at algailpopowits@earthlink.net.

Open house 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, Kingswood Academy, 133 Plainfield Road, Darien. School is a co-educational grade school in the Catholic tradition. Reservations appreciated at (630) 887-1411.

Interest groups

St. Eulalia Elementary School reunion Class of 1971. Plans being made. If interested in attending, call Noreen Collins Kuenster, (708) 442-2628.

Harper High School 50th reunion Class of January and June 1959. Plans being made for summer of 2009. If interested in attending, call Cliff Gustafson, (815) 372-9937.

Morton East High School 33rd reunion Class of 1975, 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, Michael Anthony’s Restaurant, 6434 W. Ogden Ave., Berwyn. No cover. Cash food and bar. If interested, call Jeannie Mizerka Mikota at (708) 601-2248, jmikota@aol.com.

Bowen High School 40th reunion Class of 1969, 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans St., Chicago. $110 per person, $195 per couple may be purchased by sending a check to Phyllis Volk, 250 E. Pearson St., Unit 906, Chicago, IL 60611, payable to Phyllis Volk and indicate Bowen Reunion in the memo section. For more information and “lost classmates” addresses, visit www.freewebs.com/bowen1969reunion, or call Brett Weiss at (630) 248-5405.

Morton West High School 20th reunion Class of 1989. Plans being made. Looking for “lost classmates.” For more information or to register for the reunion, contact mortonwest89@gmail.com.

Downers Grove North High School 50th reunion Class of 1960. Plans being made for 2010. Send addresses to Rolfe Sick, 8003 Fairmont Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60516.

religion

Music conservatory Christ Church of Oak Brook hosts a music conservatory for students of all ages, preschool to adult. Openings in all areas of instruction for fall: voice, piano, flute, oboe, Suzuki and traditional violin, guitar and all brass instruments. All instructors go through an interview and background check process. For more information, call Susan Busch at (630) 321-3926, www.cc-ob.org.

Acoustic Renaissance concert 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, 11 W. Maple. Singer/songwriter, Claudia Schmidt, will perform. Guitarist, singer and songwriter, Greg Boerner, will open the show. $15 adults, $13 seniors and students. for more information, call (708) 802-0236, www.acousticren.com.

Pumpkins and Holly Craft Show and Bake Sale 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, St. Barbara’s Parish Center, 4015 S. Prairie Ave., Brookfield. Fifty crafters, homemade pastries, raffles and refreshments. Free.

World War II speaker 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, 11 W. Maple. Chemist and author, Wesley Adamczyk, will discuss his book, “When God Looked the Other Way,” about the forced exile of thousands of Poles by the Soviet government in the opening weeks of the war. (630) 323-2885.

“Caring for Aging Parents” 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, Christ Church of Oak Brook, Room 264, 31st St. and York Road. Discussion of the financial and psychological dimensions of choosing in-home assistance or an assisted care facility. For more information, call Lorri Winter, (630) 321-3936.

Movie screening and discussion 7:301 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, 11 W. Maple. Movie is “Children in Exile.” Special guests include Wesley Adamczyk and Christopher Swider, film’s director/producer. (630) 323-2885.