See what’s happening this weekend and plan your upcoming week. Email nweditor@buglenewspapers.com to submit your event.
DECEMBER 5
Breakfast with Santa. 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Maine Park Leisure Center, 2701 W. Sibley St., Park Ridge. Hosted by the Park Ridge Park District. Ages: Ages 2 and up. R/NR: $15/$20. Join at Maine Park for a great breakfast buffet catered by All on the Road Catering. You have two seatings to choose from. Children can talk with Santa and have a professional photo taken. Before or after breakfast join us for some holiday shopping at our Candy Cane Lane Shoppe. Fee is per person and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone attending must be registered. Registration deadline: Nov. 26.
Niles Garden Club: Winter Container Project. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. Gardeners will create the annual winter arrangements for the library entrance containers and the underground window well. This is an “in the dirt” garden experience! Dress for the weather. For more information, visit www.nileslibrary.org/events.
Silver Bell Express Trip 1. 7:15 p.m. at Morton Grove Train Station. On Christmas Eve, many years ago, a young boy took a journey to a magical place. Travel with the park district as we venture on a memorable train ride. Santa awaits your arrival at the North Pole and will join us aboard the train for milk and cookies.
DECEMBER 6
Holiday Family Photos. 2 to 4 p.m. at the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. Bring your family and have your picture taken in the Creative Studio for a Holiday card. You will receive one print and the digital file. For more information, visit www.nileslibrary.org/events.
Holiday Open House. 2-4 p.m. at the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. Join the staff of the Niles Public Library District as they welcome the holiday season. From 2-3 p.m., Diva Montell will entertain with her voice and heart, performing holiday favorites and beautiful classics. Refreshments will be served. To register for the performance, go to nileslibrary.org or call 847-663-6606.
DECEMBER 8
Funniest, Heartwarming Moments in Christmas Movies. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. Come revisit some of the greatest moments from modern and classic holiday movies at this holiday season celebration. Be prepared to laugh (and cry?) as we view these nostalgic films. Steven Frenzel from Marquee Movie Presentations will be our narrator. For more information visit www.nileslibrary.org/events.
DECEMBER 9
Holiday and Winter Ornaments. 3 to 4 p.m. at the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. Make holiday and winter ornaments with the 3D Printer and Laser Cutter. For more information, visit www.nileslibrary.org/events.
English as a Second Language Conversation Group. 3 to 4 p.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. This is a group that will facilitate conversations in English in an informal and friendly setting. The group will discuss a variety of subjects relating to practical, everyday, and general interest topics.
Finals Study Cafe. 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. The library is setting aside a room to help high school students prep for finals. There will be food, drinks, and the correct atmosphere to dig into the books and prepare. The Teen Librarian will also be present to help with any questions.
DECEMBER 10
Financing a 4-Year College Degree. 6-7:30 p.m. at Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. Find out how obtaining a four-year college degree can be financially possible for you and your family. This presentation, sponsored by the Schuler Scholar Program in partnership with Maine East High School, will address high school academic planning, types of colleges and universities, financial aid options and community resources. All are welcome! Habla espanol.
The Frank Sinatra Centennial. 7:30 p.m. at Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge. Admission $10, $7 for seniors. The theatre will be honoring Frank Sinatra– two days before his actual birthday. They will be screening (on DCP) ON THE TOWN (1949). Also at the event will be special guests, a prize drawing and a short subject.
DECEMBER 11
Gingerbread House Decorating. 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Maine Park Leisure Center, 2701 W. Sibley St., Park Ridge. Ages 4-12. $27 for residents, $30 for non-residents. Decorate your very own gingerbread house. All the cookies, candy, and frosting is provided. Just bring your imagination! Registration required. Register online now at www.prparks.org.
DECEMBER 12
Breakfast With Santa. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Howard Leisure Center, 6676 Howard St., Niles. Join Santa for his annual breakfast buffet with Niles Park District. Every year, Santa makes a stop at the Howard Leisure Center, to enjoy breakfast, visit, and of course pictures with the children. It’s a jolly time. All adults and children in attendance must register for this event. Res $10, Non-Res $12. For more information, visit www.niles-parks.org.
Santa’s Holiday Express. 10:50 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ages 2 and up. R/NR: $21/$31. Join Santa and his holiday crew as they sing songs, talk with Santa, play games and enjoy face painting. Please bring a nut-free sack lunch to enjoy as Santa reads us a story. Ride on Santa’s Holiday Express train all the way to Santa’s barn (Harvard) where it turns around and heads back home to Park Ridge (Dee Rd.) station. Times are subject to change with Metra. Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in at the Dee Rd. Station. The Park Ridge Park District is not responsible for delayed, canceled or missed trains due to Metra’s scheduling.
Winter Card Making. 10 a.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. Age 13 and up. Using laying techniques, stamps, paper punches, and other fun embellishments to create fun and unique greeting cards! Material will be provided. Registration is required.
Meet Local Mystery Authors!: Mystery Author Panel and Book Signing. 1 p.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. Join for a discussion with three award-winning writers from the Chicagoland area – Lori Rader-Day (Little Pretty Things), Susanna Calkins (The Masque of a Murder), and Lynne Raimondo (Dante’s Dilemma) – and learn about their newest books and their writing process.
Teen Gingerbread Houses. 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. Teens design gingerbread houses using graham crackers for the holiday season. For more information visit www.nileslibrary.org/events.
Second Saturday Bingo Breakfast. 9:30-10:15 a.m. at Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. Kids and families are welcome to enjoy some breakfast treats as we play Bingo. Enjoy a kick start to your weekend with a morning of family fun at the library.
DECEMBER 13
Trinity Lutheran Church Fine Arts Series 2015. 3 to 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. The New Tradition Chorus. Each of the many colors in a stained glass window represent a unique point of reference that together create composition that presents a complete image. So it is with the church. To everything there is a season; a distinct color in the great tapestry of the life of the church. Come to experience and participate in the great song of the church.
Bel Sonore Holiday Concert. 2 p.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. The Bel Sonore Chamber Ensemble of flute, oboe, and bassoon with soprano voice will perform a repertoire ranging from early Baroque to Jazz Standards.
Holiday Exhibition. 4:40 to 8 p.m. at the Oakton Ice Arena, 2800 Oakton St., Park Ridge. All ages. Don’t miss this special exhibition featuring participants from Oakton Ice Arena’s Competitive Edge and Learn-to-Skate programs skating to Holiday themed music.
Skate with Santa. 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Oakton Ice Arena, 2800 Oakton St., Park Ridge. All ages. Join at Oakton Ice Arena to skate with Santa and his elves. Complimentary candy canes for all kids who attend. All skaters will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets to a Chicago Wolves hockey game. We encourage all to stay and watch some of Oakton’s finest skaters perform in our Holiday Exhibition immediately following Public Skate.
Grinch’s Candy Cane Hunt. 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Maine Park Leisure Center, 2701 W. Sibley St., Park Ridge. Ages: 3-10. Cost: $7. The Grinch discovered that Santa’s elves have hidden candy canes at one of their favorite places – Maine Park! The Grinch is planning to find all of Santa’s candy canes and turn them green. Event begins with the story “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” inside the Maine Park gym. Then head outside to find all the candy canes hidden in the park. The adventure concludes with a cup of hot chocolate and some yummy cookies, while the Grinch hands out prizes to those that found the special candy canes. Don’t forget to dress warm. Registration deadline: Dec. 1. Visit www.prparks.org.
Maine East Winter Concert. 2 p.m. at the Maine East High School Auditorium, 2601 Dempster St., Park Ridge. For more information, visit, http://east.maine207.org/events.
Second Sunday Family Program: Dance Around the World! 2-2:45 p.m. at Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to move with Chicago’s Dancing with Class, joining us for an interactive performance of dances from around the globe. Pick up free tickets in KidSpace 30 minutes ahead of time. Seating is limited.