See what’s happening this weekend and plan your upcoming week. Email sweditor@buglenewspapers.com to submit your event.
DECEMBER 4
Paws with Claus Pet Photos. 7 to 9 p.m. at Louis Joliet Mall, 3340 Mall Loop Drive, Joliet. While we all love celebrating every day with our pets, this is a special time of year for these furry family members (and their moms and dads). Well-mannered cats, dogs and other friendly pets are invited to spend time with Santa in Carson’s Court. Furry Babies will provide treats to your woof-tastic friends!
DECEMBER 5
5K Jingle Bell Race. 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. is pre-registration/packet pick-up. 9 a.m. race starts at Bluff Public Golf Club, 19433 Renwick Road, Crest Hill. The Jingle Bell 5K Race is certified and accurately marked and measured. The course features mostly rolling terrain with a few hills on paved roads and fairways, through scenic Prairie Bluff Golf Course. All participants will receive an official 5k race shirt and enjoy the post-race party including chili lunch and cookies. Cost: $25 pre-registration until Dec. 2, $30 day of event.
iPads for Seniors Workshop. 2 to 4 p.m. at White Oak Library Crest Hill Branch, 20670 Len Kubinski Drive. If you recently got an iPad, or have had one for a while and don’t quite know how to use it, this workshop will help you get comfortable using your iPad. This is a popular workshop that fills up fast! Please bring your iPad charged, unlocked, and ready to use. You will also need to bring your iCloud email address and password to the program. Registration is required. Register online, in person or by phone. For further information on this program, contact Andrew Susalla at the Crest Hill Branch at 815-552-4280, askalibrarian@whiteoaklibrary.org, or check the website under Events at www.whiteoaklibrary.org.
The Texas Tenors – Deep In The Heart of Christmas. 8 p.m. at Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. With their Emmy Award winning PBS special now airing across the country, and Billboard chart topping albums, it’s easy to see why The Texas Tenors are quickly becoming America’s favorite new tenors. Since their whirlwind debut five years ago on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, The Texas Tenors have accumulated a long list of achievements. Cost: Tickets: AAA $68.50; AA, A $49.50; B $39.50; C $29.50.
Holiday Nature Crafts. 10 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 3 p.m. at the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet. Participants will learn ways to deck the halls in a natural theme while sipping hot chocolate and listening to carols. All crafting abilities are welcome. Materials will be provided. The free program is for ages 5 and older. Registration is required; call 708-534-8499.
Trinity Christian School Christmas Craft & Vendor Fair. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Trinity Christian School, 901 Shorewood Drive, Shorewood. FREE admission! Shop hundreds of unique, homemade items, PLUS ready-to-gift items from your favorite direct sales vendors. More info at: www.trinitychristian.info/christmas-craftvendor-fair.
DECEMBER 6
Chanukah party. At the Joliet Jewish Congregation, 250 N. Midland Ave. Chanukah party will be during Sunday school hours. For more information and to RSVP, please call our office; 815-741-4600.
Regis Glass Art Holiday Event. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sue Regis Glass Art, 81 N. Chicago St., Joliet. Join Joliet Jewish Congregation and create a beautiful Chanukah gift during this artistic workshop. Cost is $25 per person and must be paid in advance. Reservations may be made with Beth by calling the office; questions may be directed to Robin English. Only individuals eight years or older may participate in the workshop portion, which will include flame work and having individuals working on the torch for themselves. For more information and to register, call 815-741-4600.
DECEMBER 7
Santa’s Workshop. 6 to 8 p.m. at Shorewood-Troy Public Library, 650 Deerwood Drive, Shorewood. Looking for that special something for your friends or relatives? Look no further! Come to the library for a very special craft night and make gifts for your family. There will be booths for 4 adorable crafts and a wrapping station for your gifts. Limit 1 craft per child per booth. Age 4-12 with a guardian. Registration is required. No drop-ins due to limited number of crafts available. For more information visit www.shorewood.lib.il.us.
Junior Explorers: Arctic Expedition. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at White Oak Library Crest Hill Branch, 20670 Len Kubinski Drive, Crest Hill. Discover our exciting world! The Junior Explorers learn all about science, animals, art, history, and more. Each expedition only has room for 25 explorers from ages 6 to 9 years of age, so registration is required. Register online, in person or by phone. For further information on this program, please contact Elizabeth Small at the Crest Hill Branch at 815-552-4290, esmall@whiteoaklibrary.org or check the website under Events at www.whiteoaklibrary.org.
DECEMBER 8
Lockport Holiday Open House. 3 to 7:30 p.m. at White Oak Library Lockport Branch, 121 E. Eighth St., Lockport. Drop in between 3 and 7:30 p.m. for all sorts of holiday fun including Make ‘n Take a Last Minute Holiday Gift from 3 to 5 p.m. for adults and teens. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at 6 p.m. for families. Decorate Holiday Cookies from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for older kids and teens. For more information visit www.whiteoaklibrary.org.
DECEMBER 9
A Christmas Story. 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., departs from Presence Inwood Athletic Club Lobby, 3000 W. Jefferson St., Joliet. Get in the Christmas spirit by attending this lunch and show. Based on the hit film, the musical tells the story of nine-year-old Ralphie Parker, who longs for a genuine Red Ryder BB gun. It is a wistful reminder of growing up in a simpler time and tribute to the elusive magic of Christmas, A Christmas Story is a heartwarming family tradition. Lunch, show admission and transportation is included. For more information, visit www.jolietpark.org.
Lunch Matinee Series: White Christmas. 11 a.m. at Jacob Henry Mansion Estate, 20 South Eastern Ave., Joliet. Join for the annual holiday celebration inspired by the classic film White Christmas. This spectacular holiday concert will take you on a musical journey from a World War II performance for the troops, to the glamour of a Florida nightclub and finally the charm and simple beauty of a New England town. For reservations/information call: 815-722-1420
Holiday Open House. 4 to 7 p.m. at White Oak Library Crest Hill Branch, 20670 Len Kubinski Drive, Crest Hill. All ages are welcome to stop by for a fun filled evening of crafts for kids, teens and adults, hot cocoa and cookies, performance by Richland Middle School’s Honors Choir, and a visit by the Jolly Old Elf himself – Santa! Bring your camera or smartphone to get pics.
DECEMBER 10
Tween Scene: Present Making. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at White Oak Library Crest Hill Branch, 20670 Len Kubinski Drive. Thursday is the day for creative kids between 9 and 12 to be at Crest Hill. Tween Scene sessions encourage discovery and imagination through silly science experiments, clever crafts and more! The holidays are fast approaching, do you still need to get a present of two for a special someone? Have no fear; come to this tween scene to make some great memorable gifts for the special people in your life. Register online, by phone or in person. For further information on this program, contact Ellen Fitzgerald at the Crest Hill Branch at 815-552-4290, efitzgerald@whiteoaklibrary.org or check the website under Events at www.whiteoaklibrary.org
DECEMBER 11
Dinner with Santa. 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Bird Haven Greenhouse, 225 N. Gougar Road, Joliet. Join the Joliet Park District for a magical evening with dinner, a visit with Santa and the greenhouses decorated and lit up just for you. Each child will receive a gift from Santa and crafts to take home. Make this your holiday go to! Everyone attending must sign up – no walk-ins. Ages 2 and under free, but must be registered. For more information, visit www.jolietpark.org.
It’s A Wonderful Life Live Radio Broadcast. 7 p.m. at the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. Be taken back in time as Digity presents a live radio broadcast and theatre performance of It’s A Wonderful Life. Take the kids and grandkids to this multi-generational nostalgic performance. Experience first-hand how live radio broadcasts used to be made, while watching one of your favorite Christmas classics come to life on stage. The performance will be broadcast live on 1340 WJOL. Tickets are $10.
Paws with Claus Pet Photos. 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Louis Joliet Mall, 3340 Mall Loop Drive, Joliet. While we all love celebrating every day with our pets, this is a special time of year for these furry family members (and their moms and dads). Well-mannered cats, dogs and other friendly pets are invited to spend time with Santa in Carson’s Court. Furry Babies will provide treats to your woof-tastic friends!
DECEMBER 12
Breakfast with Santa. 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Bird Haven Greenhouse, 225 N. Gougar Road, Joliet. Make this a holiday tradition! Enjoy a family friendly breakfast, a visit with Santa and crafts to take home. Each child will get a gift from Santa. Then go visit our greenhouses in all their holiday finery. Everyone attending must sign up – no walk-ins. Ages 2 and under are free, but must be registered. For more information, visit www.jolietpark.org
Brunch with Santa. 10:30 a.m. to noon at Bird Haven Greenhouse, 225 N. Gougar Road, Joliet. Looking for holiday happiness? Join the Joliet Park District for a family friendly brunch, a visit with Santa and the holiday beauty of the greenhouses. Each child will receive a gift from Santa and crafts to take home. Everyone attending must sign up – no walk-ins. Ages 2 and under are free, but must be registered. For more information, visit www.jolietpark.org.
Stories & Cookies with Claus. 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Louis Joliet Mall, 3340 Mall Loop Drive, Joliet. Cookies and Santa – before Christmas Eve? Now we know it’s the holidays! Join us at Carson’s Court and enjoy delicious cookies and story time read by Joliet Public Library and Santa.
Native American Games Workshop. 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E. Romeo Road. Learn the history of several Native American games and toys and how to make them. Participants may choose to make one or more crafts, including a toy buzzer, a corn husk doll, a ring-and-pin game and a dice game. The program is for ages 8 to 16. The cost is $10 per person. Registration is required; call 815-886-1467.
Holly Club 2015 Ball. Cocktails are at 6:15 p.m., dinner is at 7:15 p.m. at Joliet Country Club, 1009 Spencer Road, Joliet. Music by the High Society Orchestra. $175 per person, Black tie optional. Raffle: 18K gold cultured-pearl bracelet, courtesy of New Star Jewelers.
DECEMBER 13
Joliet American Legion Band- “The Sounds of Christmas.” 2 p.m. at the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. The award-winning Joliet American Legion Band presents, “Sounds of Christmas.” Enriched with tradition, military sharpness and musical integrity, these musicians are dedicated to bring you a quality performance with their tremendously rousing musical spirit. Cost: Canned good or other staple food item.
Joliet Area Community Hospice Lights of Love. 2 p.m. The award-winning Joliet American Legion Band presents, “Sounds of Christmas.” Enriched with tradition, military sharpness and musical integrity, these musicians are dedicated to bring you a quality performance with their tremendously rousing musical spirit. Cost: Canned good or other staple food item.
Living History Demonstration. Noon to 3 p.m. at the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E. Romeo Road. Watch Isle a la Cache Brigade volunteers re-enact an 18th century trading community as they portray musket shooters, cooks, seamstresses, voyageurs or craftsmen. Registration is not required for the free, all-ages program.
