Arts and Entertainment

theater

“The Medium at Large” Through Nov. 23, Village Players Performing Arts Center, Mainstage Theater, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $25 adults, $20 students and seniors. For tickets, call ((866) 764-1010.

“The Murder Room” La Grange Repertory Theatre, Nov. 21 to 23, Plymouth Place, Dole Hall, 315 N. La Grange Road, La Grange Park. Performance times are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12 adults, $8 seniors. For more information and tickets, visit www.lagrangerepertorytheatre.com.

“At Large!” 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 20 to 22; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, Village Players Performing Arts Center, Blackbox Theater, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. One-woman show by playwright and actress, Keri Marcouillier. All tickets $20. For tickets, call (866) 764-1010.

Radio Players show 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, Riverside Township Hall Auditorium, 27 Riverside Road. Show features an episode from Father Knows Best titled, “The Housekeeper” and Mercury Theater’s “The Hitchhiker.” Free. For more information, call (708) 447-5117.

Musical revue “The Sparkle Sisters: Seven Secrets of Highly Effective Chicks,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, Village Players Performing Arts Center, Mainstage Theater, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. $25 adults, $20 students and seniors. For tickets, call (866) 764-1010.

music

Musical comedy performance 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, The Ashbary Coffee House, 8695 Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Comedian and singer-songwriter, Matt Griffo, will perform. He will perform for the Hot Cup of Comedy Showcase. (708) 839-6963.

“The Nutcracker” Midwest Ballet Theatre, 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov.22 and 23, Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Guest artists are Anne Milewski and Sean Stewart, soloists with American Ballet Theatre. Tickets 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. For information, call Jane Toftey at (630) 665-8387, www.choral-aires.org.

art

National juried ceramics exhibition Clay3, Through Nov. 22, IBEW Building, atrium, 28600 Bella Vista Parkway, Warrenville. First national ceramic show presented by ClaySpace Ceramics Arts Studio, a not-for-profit corporation. Show hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

“Opinion Pieces” exhibit Through Nov. 22, Riverside Arts Center, Freeark Gallery, 32 E.. Quincy, Riverside. Artist is Ruth Freeark, founder and president of the Riverside Arts Center. Made of images and words torn from newpapers and magazines, embellished with paint. (708) 442-6400.

Library

Preschool storytime 11:45 a.m. Tuesdays, through Nov. 25, North Riverside Public Library, 2400 S. DesPlaines Ave. Ages 3 to 5. (708) 447-0869.

Lapsit storytime 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, through Nov. 20, North Riverside Public Library, 2400 S. DesPlaines Ave. Ages 12 to 36 months. (708) 447-0869.

Thanksgiving craft 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, North Riverside Public Library, 2400 S. DesPlaines Ave. Grades preschool and up. Register at (708) 447-0869.

“Games Geeks Play” 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd. Science and adventure for grades 3 to 5 in the Geek Lab. Register at (708) 485-6917, www.brookfieldpubliclibrary.info.

The Reading Game 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd. Ages 9 to 12. Book and movie discussion group. Register at (708) 485-6917, www.brookfieldpubliclibrary.info.

Miscellaneous

Zumba fitness classes 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Brookfield Recreation Department, 8820 Brookfield Ave. All fitness levels welcome. Includes salsa, merengue and cha cha. Drop-in fee is $10. For more information, call (708) 369-0017.

Senior activities Pleasant Dale Park District’s “Forever Young” senior program, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, Park District, 7425 S. Wolf Road, Burr Ridge. Includes games and birthday celebrations featuring cupcakes and snacks for $2. For more information or to register, call Chris Yesutis, (630) 662-6220.

Weekly presentations and films Riverside Historical Museum is sponsoring a free weekly series of live presentations and films at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 18, at the Riverside Library, 1 Burling Road. “Historic Storytelling” series focuses on the early history of Chicago and the Riverside area. For more information and program schedule, visit www.riversidemuseum.net.

Theater and dinner trip SEASPAR, Saturday, Nov. 22, Marriott Lincolnshire. Play is “All Shook Up!” Transportation is provided from Denning Park, 4903 Gilbert Ave., LaGrange, at 1 p.m., returning at 7:30 p.m. Teens and adults. $95 per person. Pizza dinner after the play. SEASPAR provides year-round recreation services for individuals with disabilities. For more information and to register, call (630) 960-7600.

Actors with special needs play trip SEASPAR, Sunday, Nov. 23, Lyons Township High School Performing Arts Center, 4900 S. Willow Springs Road, Western Springs. Play is “Cinderella.”  $16 per person. Performance by the Lyons Township Continuing Education Program. SEASPAR provides year-round recreation services for individuals with disabilities. For more information and to register, call (630) 960-7600.

Seagull Swim Club membership Pleasant Dale Park District’s Chalet Seagull group is currently accepting memberships for those who enjoy socializing and engaging in water exercises. The group meets every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Chalet, 8300 S. Wolf Road, Willow Springs. Membership is free with a Chalet membership or Swim club membership. For more information, call (708) 246-4030.

Infant and child wellness checks Fimreite Chiropractic, 4727 Willow Springs Road, La Grange, offers free infant and child wellness checks. For an appointment, call (708) 352-3352, www.DrFimreite.com.

Weekly dances Swing dancing evening, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs.  The Outcast Jazz Band will perform. $12 adults, $10 students. (708) 839-1000, www.willowbrookballroom.com.

Clubs

Palacky Lodge Sponsoring a casino trip to Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Ind., on Saturday, Dec. 6. Bus leaves Palacky Odd Fellow/Rebekah Hall, 9234 Broadway, Brookfield, at 10 a.m. Cost of trip is $5. For reservations, call (708) 865-1432 or (708) 485-8429.

Brookfield Jazz Society 7 p.m. Thursdays, Cottage at Irish Times, 8869 Burlington Ave., Brookfield. $5 cover charge for non-members at live events. Regular meetings are free. Nov. 20 is jazz movie night. www.brookfieldjazz.org.

La Grange Kiwanis Club Noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursdays, Township of Lyons, first floor rear, 6404 Joliet Road. (708) 352-2992.

The Leisuretime Club Senior men’s bridge club, noon, Thursdays, Lyonsville Congregational Church, 6871 Joliet Road, Indian Head Park. All men of any bridge playing experience welcome. Club hosts three 8-week bridge tournaments a year. For more information, call Vern Kramer, (708) 246-8888, or Bob Terp, (708) 784-0921.

Broadview Rotary Club 12:15 p.m. Thursdays, Sawa’s Old Warsaw Restaurant, 9200 W. Cermak Road.

Chicago Suburban Radio Association 7:30 p.m. every third Thursday, Grace Lutheran Church, 1100 Manchester St., Westchester. www.csraham.com.

West Suburban Toastmasters 7 to 8:45 p.m. every first and third Thursday, La Grange Park Public Library, 555 N. La Grange Road. Contact Carol Markov, cmarkov@abelsontaylor.com.

Golden K Kiwanis Club 10 a.m. Fridays, King-Bruwaert House, 6101 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge. (630) 323-2250.

La Grange Rotary Club 12:15 p.m. Fridays, Café 36, 22 Calendar Ave. www.lagrangerotary.org.

BrookPark Sr. Social Club 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, Brookfield Municipal Building, Recreation Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. Call (708) 447-2214.

Support groups

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Countryside Chapter, 6 p.m. weigh-in, 6:30 p.m. meeting Thursdays, Countryside City Hall, 5550 East Ave. Call Donna, (708) 579-9633.

Al-Anon 10 to 11 a.m. Thursdays, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 203 S. Kensington Ave., La Grange.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly La Grange Chapter, 6:30 p.m. weigh-in, 6:40 p.m. meeting Thursdays, Grace Lutheran Church, 200 N. Catherine Ave. Call Meribeth, (708) 354-9126.

Overeaters Anonymous 9 to 10:30 a.m. Fridays and 7 to 8 p.m. Sundays, First Congregational Church, 100 S. 6th Ave., La Grange. Call Jane, (708) 579-1785.

Al-Anon Friday Morning Serenity Seekers, 9:30 a.m. Fridays, First United Church of Burr Ridge, 15W100 Plainfield Road.

Friday morning regulars Men’s group on aging issues, 9 a.m. Fridays, Southwest Suburban Center on Aging, 111 W. Harris Ave., La Grange. (708) 354-1323 Ext. 15.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, LaGrange Park Library, 555 N. LaGrange Road.

Seminars/classes

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.

Guided meditation 7:45 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Focus Yoga, 9047 Monroe Ave., Brookfield. (708) 471-0487, www.focusyogastudio.com.

Tai chi class 10:05 a.m. Fridays, Bethlehem Woods, 1571 W. Ogden Ave., La Grange Park. Held by ConfiCare Act II program for adults 50 and older. Free for members. (708) 245-8170.

Sitting Tall Meditation 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, Focus Yoga, 9047 Monroe Ave., Brookfield. Exploration of meditation postures and techniques for beginners. $14. Register at (708) 471-0487, www.focusyogastudio.com.

Small group fitness training Nine-week program, 3:30, 4:30 or 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, Professional Office Building, 1323 Memorial Drive. Open enrollment. $250. Contact Wayne Guccione, (708) 245-7930.

Health program Southwest Suburban Center on Aging, La Grange, “Take Charge of Your Health” program for people managing chronic illnesses, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, through Dec. 15, Center on Aging, 111 W. Harris Ave., La Grange. Topics covered include coping with fatigue, frustration, pain and isolation; exercising, flexibility and endurance; using medications; practicing good nutrition; and evaluating new treatment options. Free. Registration required at (708) 354-1323.

Fitness Fun Aerobics exercise group, 8 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8:30 a.m. Saturdays, Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, Dixon Education Center, 5101 S. Willow Springs Road, La Grange. Held by ConfiCare Act II program for adults 50 and older. $5 per session, $4 member discount. (708) 245-8170.

Abusive relationship support Groups for women and children, Constance Morris House, 6120 S. Archer Road, Summit. (708) 485-5254.
 
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

Food drive Hillgrove Family Chiropractic, 817 W. Hillgrove Ave., La Grange, is holding a food drive for the Greater Chicago Food Depository from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, through Nov. 26. Most needed canned items are vegetables, chili, soup, tuna, beans, pasta, rice and cereal. (708) 352-4866.

Wine celebration event 6th annual Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Celebration Event to benefit Child Link, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, dowtown La Grange. Wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Four restaurants include Bella Bacino’s, 36 S. La Grange Road; Emilio’s Sunflower Bistro, 30 S. La Grange Road; Marconi’s Ristorante, 14 Calendar Court; and Rocky Mountain Chocolate, 50 S. La Grange Road. Tickets are $40, available at www.childlnk.org.

Pancake breakfast and bake sale Boy Scout Troop 90 of La Grange Park and Brookfield, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, Brook Park School, 1214 Raymond Ave., La Grange Park. $4 for one adult or two children. Tickets at the door.

Country Store and Bake Sale Craft Show 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, La Grange Highlands Middle School gym, 1850 Plainfield Road, La Grange Highlands. Sponsored by the La Grange Highlands Woman’s club. Includes 50 crafters, bake sale, hot lunch and children’s and adults’ raffles. Proceeds benefit the Saturday Meals Program of La Grange. For more information, call (708) 784-0435.

Food drive, eyeglasses and flag collection Cub Scout Pack 73 and Boy Scout Troop 73, chartered by the Westchester Community Church, and Pack/Troop 172, chartered by Divine Infant Church, will hold their annual Scouting for Food drive on Saturday, Nov. 22. The Scouts will also collect used eyeglasses for the Lions clubs and flags that are no longer fit to be flown. On Saturday, Nov. 15, residents will receive a flyer at their home with details. Residents who receive a flyer can leave their donations on their front porch by 9 a.m. on Nov. 22. Anyone else wishing to make a donation can bring itmes to the Westchester Community Church, 1840 Westchester Blvd., by noon on Nov. 22. The drive accepts non-perishable food items and household/personal items such as soaps and toilet tissue. For more information, call Ed Colaianni at (708) 409-0865.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society donations Burlington Coat Factory, 2208 Harlem Ave., North Riverside, is encouraging shoppers to purchase a balloon icon now through Nov. 28 to support the society and its nationwide “Light the Night Walk” initiative. The balloon icons are a minimum of $1, but customers can donate more. For more information, call Kenneth Wolff at (708) 447-4855.

Entertainment coupon books Humanitarian Service Project’s Senior Citizen Project selling 2009 Entertainment coupon books for $20 each. Includes coupons for dining, travel, movies, groceries, entertainment, car rental and dry cleaning. Books can be picked up in La Grange or mail ordered. For more information or to order books, call Laura at (708) 354-4209.

Entertainment Discount Savings Books The Athletic Booster Club at SEASPAR is selling 2009 Entertainment Books to support its programs. $20 per book. Three Chicagoland editions available. Orders can be taken for other cities in other states. $5 per book purchased is tax-deductible. Call (630) 960-7600 to order or purchase books at SEASPAR office, 4500 Belmont Road, Downers Grove.

Food drive Fimreite Chiropractic will host a food drive from Nov. 19 to 26, at the office, 4727 Willow Springs Road, La Grange. Donate a small bag of non-perishable food or $20 and receive a full chiropractic exam and all necessary x-rays. For more information, call (708) 352-3352, www.DrFimreite.com.

Interest groups

Volunteers needed CatNap from the Heart, a non-profit animal shelter, is seeking volunteers to help with animal care and cage cleaning at the shelter, one to three hours any day of the week from 9 a.m. to noon. For an interview, call Bobbi, (708) 352-3914.

Volunteers wanted BEDS PLUS seeking volunteers to serve four-hour shifts once per month. Site volunteers and support volunteers (laundry and cook teams) are needed. Shelter sites are local. Orientation classes are Nov. 20 and Dec. 1. For more information or reservation, call (708) 354-0858.

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.

Lincoln Elementary School 63rd reunion Class of 1945. Plans being made. Looking for “lost classmates.” Call Lorraine Scott, (708) 352-7943.

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

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.

special events

School information night 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, St. Francis Xavier Day School, First Baptist Church building, 21 N. Catherine Ave., La Grange. Obtain information regarding the school and its programs for the 2009-10 school year. The pre-school and kindergarten classrooms will be open for tours. For more information, call (708) 352-1472.

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.

College fair 8th annual College and Post-High School Options Fair for Students with Special Needs, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, Holiday Inn-Countryside, 6201 Joliet Road. Sponsored by the La Grange Department of Special Education. Representatives from several colleges will be available. For more information, call (708) 482-1182.

Nickey Chicago Chevy Vettefest Presented by Bill Stasek Chevrolet, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22 and 23, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. For more information about the fest, call Championship Auto Shows, Inc. at (248) 373-1700 or visit www.chevyvettefest.net.

Holiday social Czechoslovakian Society of America Cultural Division, noon, Sunday, Dec. 7, Crystal Sky Banquets, 7941 W. 47th St., Lyons. Cash bar, dinner starts at 1 p.m. Entertainment includes the Moravian Dancers and the Half-and-Half Singers. $22 adults, $10 children age 9 and under. Reservations must be returned to Caroline Johnston, 3209 Park Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513 by Nov. 29. Make checks payable to CSA Cultural Division. Include names and lodge number of all attending and seating preferences. For more information, call Caroline at (708) 387-9423.

Religion

Moms prayer group Lyons Township High School group, 9 a.m. Fridays, at 11323 Hiawatha Lane, Indian Head Park. Call Suzanne, (708) 246-5774.

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.

Jazz concert “Jazz from Every Angle,” 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph Chapel, 1515 W. Ogden Ave., La Grange Park. Jazz vocalist, Janice Borla, will perform. A reception follows the performance. $21 adults, $15 seniors and students, in advance. $23 adults at the door. For tickets, call (708) 482-5054.

Choir practice Cherub Choir, ages 4 and 5, 11:30 a.m. Sundays; Crusader Choir, grades one to five, 4 p.m. Wednesdays; Sanctuary Choir, adults, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 150 S. Ashland Ave. New members welcome. (708) 354-0771, www.fpclg.org.

“Compassionate Communications” series Center for Spiritual Living, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 12, First United Church of Christ, 1000 Elgin Ave., Forest Park. Learn and practice conversation skills that promote respectful outcomes instead of conflict. Based on “Non-Violent Communications” by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. For more information, call (630) 532-1372.

Handbell choir practice  Handbells I, adults, 9 a.m. Wednesdays; Handbells II, adults, middle school and high school students, 6:45 p.m. Thursdays, First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 150 S. Ashland Ave. New members welcome. (708) 354-0771, www.fpclg.org.

Head Start donations The First Presbyterian Church of La Grange Women’s Group is collecting knit or fleece hats for 4- and 5-year-old Head Start children. Also seeking coloring books and crayons. Items may be dropped off at the church, 150 S. Ashland Ave., by Nov. 16. For more information, call (708) 354-0771.

Halloween candy collection The First Presbyterian Church of La Grange and the Cossitt School Girl Scouts are collecting excess Halloween candy which will be sorted and bagged for an inner-city soup kitchen. Candy will be sorted and bagged during the church’s monthly  mission night at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24. Extra candy may be dropped off at the church, 150 S. Ashland Ave., by Nov. 24. For more information, call (708) 354-0771.