Community Events Calendar

(630) 323-7500

Participants bring the wine, and all other supplies are provided at this fun gathering. From first-timers to experienced painters, all are welcome to enjoy creating a uniquely themed project to take home, with guidance from an instructor. Time: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $78. RR, MD

Drawing Workshop

Dec. 15

The Community House

415 W. Eighth St.

http://www.celestialartcuration.com/

(630) 323-7500

This supportive workshop for beginners and experienced artists will focus on fundamental concepts such as measurement and proportion, shading and value. Supplies are included. Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $72. RR, MD

'Creating Peace'

Through November

Celestial Art Curation Gallery

9 E. First St. Suite 2

The public is invited to "Creating Peace: The Power of Art to Calm & Uplift," a solo exhibition of original artworks by Western Springs artist Jen Diver.

FAITH COMMUNITIES

GriefShare

Tuesdays through Dec. 10

Hinsdale United Methodist Church

945 S. Garfield St.

This support group provides care for those grieving the loss of a loved one through the use of videos featuring leading grief recovery experts, small group discussion, and journaling and personal study exercises. Workbooks will be provided. To enroll or for more information, contact Pastor Lisa Capozzoli at [email protected]. Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m.

FAMILY FUN

Grand Times with Grandparents

Nov. 30

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

(630) 986-1976

Drop in any time to play classic and new games, experience the Curiosity Kits collection and enjoy other activities and snacks. Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Grandparent & Me Yoga

Dec. 12

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.berniesbookbank.org/

(630) 986-1976

Bring a mat or towel to practice breathing techniques, mindfulness and gentle yoga stretches with your grandparent. Chairs will be incorporated into the practice. Time: 4 to 5 p.m. RR

FOR A CAUSE

Bernie's Book Bank Drive

Through Jan. 7

Donate new or gently used children's books to increase book ownership among underserved children throughout Chicagoland. Hinsdale drop-off locations are 400 Pamela Circle, 608 E. First St., Hinsdale Bank & Trust at 25 E. First St. and CorePower Yoga at 34 S. Vine St.

GAME ON

Jodie Harrison registration

Ongoing

The Community House

415 E. Eighth St.

(630) 323-7500

Sign up for the Jodie Harrison recreational youth basketball league for kids in second through eighth grades, emphasizing instruction and helping kids learn and enjoy the game of basketball. Practices begin the week of Jan. 6, and games begin Jan. 18; there will be one weekday practice and one weekend game per week. Cost: $319 through Nov. 30, then $335. RR, MD

GREAT OUTDOORS

Serenity Walk Under the New Moon

Dec. 1

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs

(708) 839-6897

Take a 2-mile walk in the world's largest Urban Night Sky Place. The program is for ages 14 and up and is dependent upon trail conditions. Time: 5:30 p.m. RR

Winter Tree Identification

Dec. 3 & 6 or 6 & 14

Morton Arboretum

4100 Route 53, Lisle

http://www.mortonarb.org

(630) 719-2468

Learn how to recognize winter trees using buds, fruits, bark and branching patterns. This program includes a self-paced online lesson followed by an in-person field session for practical application of the skills learned. Options are access to self-paced online components Dec. 3 and on-site session from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 6; or access to online components Dec. 6 and on-site session from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 14. Cost: $65. RR, MD

Wilderness Survival

Dec. 7

Camp Bullfrog Lake

9600 Wolf Road, Willow Springs

Ages 8 and up will learn 10 essentials tailored to the local terrain in order to navigate confidently, find shelter and overcome challenges. The program is presented by REI. Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. RR

Fire Basics

Dec. 7

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs

(708) 839-6897

Learn the basics of fire building and the different types of campfires. S'mores will be provided. Time: 1 p.m. RR

Cross-Country Ski Seminar

Dec. 7

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center

12545 W. 111th St., Lemont

http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr

(630) 257-2045

Learn the basics of cross-country ski equipment and how to prepare for your first cross-country skiing experience. We'll cover skis, boots, and poles – including classic, skating and telemark equipment. Time: 1 p.m. RR

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Tai Chi

Dec. 2-30

Westmont Community Center

75 E. Richmond Ave.

(630) 789-7090

Experience the ancient art of Chi Gung and Tai Chi Chuan, with focus for both the beginner and the advanced. The training will help enhance physical balance, cultivate relaxation, develop sound posture and skeletal alignments and more. Classes meet twice a week; sign up for either the Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday sessions. Time: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Cost: $84. RR

Cancer after 65

Dec. 3

Wellness House

131 N. County Line Road

http://www.wellnesshouse.org

(630) 323-5150

UChicago Medicine geriatric oncologist James Wallace will discuss what is evaluated in a comprehensive geriatric evaluation to optimize cancer treatment and overall management. Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m. RR

Making Sense of Nutrition Headlines

Dec. 9

http://www.wellnesshouse.org

(630) 323-5150

In this online program, oncology dietitian Emily Guzman will distinguish reliable science from misinformation in the media, put headlines into the context of existing evidence and build confidence in identifying trustworthy sources of cancer nutrition information. Time: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. RR

Yoga Flow

Thursdays, Dec. 12-Jan. 30

The Community House

415 W. Eighth St.

http://www.parkrun.us/springrock/

(630) 323-7500

Practice Vinyasa-style yoga designed to foster and grow flexibility, balance, strength and mindfulness. Participants should bring a mat, water and yoga blocks, if available. No class Dec. 26 or Jan. 2. Time: 9 to 10 a.m. Cost: $90. RR, MD

Spring Rock Parkrun

Every Saturday

4400 Central Ave., Western Springs

Sign up for this at-your-pace 5K run organized entirely by volunteers. Just register with parkrun once, and bring a scannable copy of the barcode to the run in order to receive a time. Join the group for a post-run coffee at Starbucks. The course is available at the website above, and run results and reports will posted a day or two after each event. Time: 8 a.m.

LISTEN & LEARN

Proactive Tax Planning Strategies

Dec. 2

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

(630) 986-1976

Learn how to harness different financial tools to reduce one's tax burden from Hinsdale resident Charlie Russ, president of Russ Financial Group and member of the village's finance commission. Time: 7 to 8 p.m. RR

Wrap It Green!

Dec. 10

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

(630) 986-1976

Learn creative and sustainable ways to wrap gifts for the holidays or any other special occasion, including creating custom gift wrap by transforming common household items into beautiful wrapping paper, embellishments and gift tags. Time: 7 to 8 p.m.

Book Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Dec. 12

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.acousticren.com

(630) 986-1976

Discover a curated selection of must-read books that enlighten, entertain or inspire. Time: 7 to 8 p.m. RR

NOTEWORTHY

DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble

Dec. 6

McAninch Arts Center

College of DuPage

425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

http://www.atthemac.org

(630) 942-4000

Join director Matt Shevitz, guest artist saxophonist Vincent Herring and artists-in-residence saxophonist Jim Buennig, trumpeter Constantine Alexander, trombonist Henry Sparks and guitarist Scott Hesse for a concert featuring two big bands playing songs by Monika Herzig, Bob Mintzer, Quincy Jones and Herring himself. Time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $7.

The Four Phantoms

Dec. 7

McAninch Arts Center

College of DuPage

425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

http://www.atthemac.org

(630) 942-4000

This quartet of Phantoms from "The Phantom of the Opera" – Brent Barrett, John Cudia, Franc D'Ambrosio and Ciarán Sheehan - will be joined in this celebration of the iconic musical by special guest Kaley Ann Voorhees, one of the youngest sopranos to play the role of Christine on Broadway. Time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $59-$76.

Lee Murdock with the Dock Wallopers

Dec. 14

Unitarian Church of Hinsdale

11 W. Maple St.

(630) 941-7797

Murdock combines ragtime, Irish, blues and folk styles with this flair for storytelling in songs. His music is grounded in the work song tradition, and the concert will feature the song of the ship that brought Christmas trees to Chicago for many years. Streaming tickets are also available. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $20

ON STAGE

'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr.'

Fridays to Sundays, Dec. 6-15

Theatre of Western Springs

4384 Hampton Ave.

http://www.theatreofwesternsprings.com

(708) 246-3380

The Children's Theatre of Western Springs presents this beloved stage adaptation of Dahl's classic story, promising a delightful experience for audiences of all ages. An ASL performance will be included at the 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, performance, and a special sensory-friendly performance will be staged at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. Times: 7 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $17, $13 for ages 18 and under.

'A Year with Frog and Toad'

Dec. 8

Nazareth Academy

1209 W. Ogden, LaGrange Park

http://www.nazarethacademy.com

(708) 354-0061

Based on Arnold Lobel's well-loved books, this Naz Drama children's play tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the seasons as cheerful Frog and rather grumpy Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. Time: noon. Tickets: $5, available at the door.

'Disney's The Little Mermaid'

Through Jan. 12

Drury Lane Theatre

100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace

http://www.drurylanetheatre.com/the-little-mermaid

(630) 530-0111

Dive beneath the waves with Ariel, a young mermaid with a captivating voice and an insatiable curiosity, as she defies her father and makes a daring deal for the chance to create the world of her dreams on land. Enjoy favorites like "Under the Sea," "Part of Your World," and "Kiss the Girl." Times: 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Thursdays, 7 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: start at $52.95.

American Writers Museum & Lunch

Dec. 3

Leave from The Community House

415 E. Eighth St.

(630) 323-7500

Enjoy a visit to the American Writers Museum in Chicago, an interactive, inspirational and surprising world of American writing of all genres, including the current exhibit, 'Twas the Night Before: A Holiday Tour, highlighting the tales and cherished traditions that have shaped holiday celebrations through the power of words. Then enjoy a boxed lunch from a local restaurant. Coach bus transportation included. Registration ends 10 days prior to the event. Time: 9:45 a.m. departure, 1:45 p.m. return. Cost: $100. RR, MD

Board Game Night

Dec. 3

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

(630) 986-1976

Learn to play the award-winning game Azul with library game masters, or bring friends or family to play another game in the collection. Adults and youth 14 and up are welcome. Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. RR

TEENS & TWEENS

Finals Prep with P.A.S.S.

Dec. 1, 8 & 14-18

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.