What's happening this week in news, sports and entertainment
TODAY
Party with Mrs. Claus at the Crystal Lake Library
A “Holiday Party with Mrs. Claus” will take place at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 W. Paddock St.
Mrs. Claus, along with her special helpers, will share stories, songs and holiday fun.
This program is for children up to 8 years old. Registration is required at the Youth Services Desk.
For information, call 815-459-1687.
TUESDAY
Remembrance event planned in Crystal Lake
“Tree of Lights ... A Celebration of Remembrance” will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake.
This free annual celebration of light and love, hosted by Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois, is for all ages and features reflection, inspirational music, children’s activities and more.
For information, call 224-770-2273 or visit www.hospiceanswers.org.
Harvard library talk to focus on poorhouses, poor farms
Dr. Rochelle Lurie, owner and president of Midwest Archaeological Research Services Inc., will present a program on “Poorhouses and Poor Farms” at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Harvard Diggins Library, 900 E. McKinley St.
She will draw on work done at the Cook County Poor Farm in Cook County, Oak Forest, Ill., and will provide comments on other county poor farms, as well.
This event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required. Refreshments will be served.
For information, call 815-943-4671.
WEDNESDAY
Learn low-cost gift-wrapping techniques at library
“It’s a Wrap!” will be offered from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Cary Area Public Library, 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary.
Stunning, yet low-cost gift wrap can be made using recycled papers, ribbons, and boxes found at home. The Prairie Godmothers will demonstrate the art of low-budget, spectacular gift presentation.
Registration is required. Registration may be done in person, online at www.caryarealibrary.info or by phone at 847-639-4210.
THURSDAY
Learn how to decorate gingerbread houses at event
“Gingerbread House Decorating” will be offered at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Marengo-Union Library, 200 S. State St., Marengo.
Attendees just need to bring their imagination and a cookie sheet on which to bring their creations home.
This program is for those ages 12 to 20. Registration is required.
For information, call 815-568-8236 or visit www.muld.org.
Holiday windows to be subject of library program
“Marshall Field’s Holiday Windows” will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Algonquin Area Public Library, 2600 Harnish Drive.
Amy Meadows, former director of windows and marketing events for Marshall Field’s and Macy’s, will be at the library to provide a sneak peek into the design and execution of the famed animated windows.
Registration is required. To register, visit www.aapld.org or sign up at the library.
McHenry library to host cupcake decorating demonstration
“Cupcake Decorating” will be offered from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the McHenry Public Library, 809 N. Front St., McHenry.
Attendees can sample some bakery goodies and watch as Kim from Kiera Confections demonstrates easy holiday cupcake designs.
There is a $5 nonrefundable fee due at registration. Registration is required at the Questions Desk.
For information, call 815-385-0036 or visit www.mchenrylibrary.org.
FRIDAY
‘Playing for Keeps’ stars Butler, Biel, Quaid
“Playing for Keeps,” staring Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel and Dennis Quaid, opens in theaters.
In the film, a former sports star who’s fallen on hard times starts coaching his son’s soccer team in an attempt to get his life together.
The film is rated PG-13 for some sexual situations, language and a brief intense image.
Thriller ‘Deadfall’ tells story of botched casino heist
“Deadfall,” starring Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde and Charlie Hunnam, opens in theaters.
The thriller follows two siblings who decide to fend for themselves in the wake of a botched casino heist, and their unlikely reunion during another family’s Thanksgiving celebration.
The film is rated R for strong violence, language and sexuality.
‘Lay the Favorite’ teams Vaughn, Willis, Zeta-Jones
“Lay the Favorite,” starring Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, Vince Vaughn and Catherine Zeta-Jones, opens in theaters.
Beth, a Las Vegas cocktail waitress, falls in with Dink, a sports gambler who swoons for her as she proves to be something of a gambling prodigy, earning the initial ire of Dink’s wife, Tulip.
The film is rated R for language throughout, some sexual content, brief drug use and nudity.
Holiday events planned at Dole Mansion
An afternoon Ladies Holiday Soiree will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake.
Tickets cost $35 and includes a holiday bazaar, a Chef Culinary Showcase, live music, art sales and a festive tree-lighting ceremony.
The second event, “Celebrate Me Home,” is a holiday performance by Cassandra Vohs-Demann and John Hegner at 8 p.m. in the newly opened Listening Room.
Tickets cost $20 a person with limited seating.
Tickets are available by contacting the box office at 815-455-8000 or by visiting www.lakesidelegacy.org.
CL Park District to host ‘Christmas Bedtime Stories’
“Christmas Bedtime Stories” will run from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Rotary Building, 431 N. Walkup Road, Crystal Lake.
The event, hosted by the Crystal Lake Park District, features Christmas songs and stories with Mrs. Claus. Bedtime stories also are available at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 14.
The cost is $13 for residents and $19 for nonresidents.
Register online at www.crystallakeparks.org or in person at Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, 1 E. Crystal Lake Ave.
For information, call 815-459-0680, ext. 213.
Lake in the Hills to host Festival of Trees
The Lake in the Hills Festival of Trees and Santa Ride-in will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate.
Santa will light the trees in front of Village Hall. Spectators can cast their vote for their favorite tree by placing nonperishable food donations under the tree for local food pantries. There also will be music, crafts and snacks.
For information, call 847-960-7460 or visit www.lith.org.
Holiday Pops Concert set at Raue Center
A Holiday Pops Concert will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake.
The concert will be presented by the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets start at $43. For tickets and information, call 815-356-9212 or visit www.rauecenter.org.
After Hours Chick Games Night planned in Marengo
An After Hours Chick Games Night will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Marengo-Union Library, 200 S. State St.
The group will play Wii Sports upstairs, as well as an assortment of board games downstairs at the library.
This program is intended for women 21 and older, and registration is required.
For information, call 815-568-8236 or visit www.muld.org.
SATURDAY
Illinois Railway Museum to host Happy Holiday Railway
The Happy Holiday Railway will run from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, as well as Dec. 15 and 16, at the Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, east of Union.
Attendees will embark on a magical train ride through the winter countryside on their way to visit with Santa Claus. Mrs. Claus’ cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
Tickets cost $12 per person.
For information, call 815-923-4000 or 800-BIG-RAIL or visit www.irm.org.
Holocaust survivor to speak at Huntley library
“How I Survived the Holocaust,” an author presentation and book signing, will run from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Huntley Area Public Library, 11000 Ruth Road, Huntley.
Huntley resident Maria Rybarcyk and her family were imprisoned in hard labor camps in Poland and Germany during World War II. She will share what sustained her and her family during those years.
Registration is required by calling 847-669-5386, ext. 21.
SUNDAY
‘Sing-along Messiah’ to soar at Raue Center
“Sing-Along Messiah” will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake.
It will be presented by Voices in Harmony and the McHenry County College Choir.
Tickets cost $15 and $18.
Tickets and information are available by calling 815-356-9212 or visiting www.rauecenter.org.
