There’s so much to do in the Old Northwest Territory! Here’s a glimpse at what’s happening this fall. For more events, check out the Mind & Spirit Calendar widget, to the right.
October
Exhibit: Ice Age Mammals
October 2011-April 2012, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Traveling exhibit shows how these creatures were alike and different. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-3433, burpee.org.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Oct. 15, 8:30 a.m. Annual 5K walk to raise awareness and funds. Walkers secure pledges. Palmer Park, 2501 Palmer Dr., Janesville, (608)436-3928, ascevents.org.
22nd Annual Tender Loving Craft Show
Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Over 35 exhibitors with jewelry, crafts, doll clothes, baked goods, handmade quilts, specialty booths. All proceeds go to Missions. Free. Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road, Rockford, christumc.cc.
30th Anniversary Family Ball
Oct. 15, 5:30-10 p.m. Fundraiser and anniversary celebration for Discovery Center Museum. Dinner for children and adults; silent auction; balloon burst game; after-hours tour exhibits. Reservations: (815) 972-2839. Location: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
FAM: Carnivale des Arts
Oct. 15, 6 p.m. Annual fundraiser for Freeport Art Museum. Live art, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, dinner, art auction, at Freeport Country Club, 1614 S. Park Blvd., Freeport. Tickets: FAM, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport, (815) 235-9755, freeportartscenter.org.
“Tales From Beyond the Grave”
Oct. 15, 2 & 5 p.m. One-hour cemetery tour with costumed characters from Dixon’s past. Oakwood Cemetery, 416 S. Dement Ave., Dixon, Ill. (815) 652-3775.
Barbara Rinella Luncheon
Oct. 19, noon. This former teacher portrays a wide range of historical, fictional and public figures with humor and wit. Silent auction, raffle, book sale. Presented by Women’s Art Board. Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Info: (815) 968-2782, rockfordartmuseum.org.
“On the Path to the Presidency”
Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m. Fundraiser for Reagan Boyhood Home. Gourmet dinner, music, dancing, auctions, special speaker. $75. Brandywine Inn, 441 Ill. Rte. 2, Dixon, Ill. Info: (815) 288-5176, ronaldreaganhome.com.
Murder Mystery Lockdown
Oct. 22, 6 p.m. Pec Playhouse fundraiser. Dinner, dessert, silent auction, cash bar. Come as your favorite literary character. Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park. Info: pecplayhouse.org. Reservations: (815) 915-3100.
Introduction to Sacred Sound
Oct. 26, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Learn about Tibetan and crystal bowls and how relieve stress, with demonstrations and hands-on opportunities. Register by Oct. 24, Course No. WK11-6. Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford. (815) 877-0118, womanspace-rockford.org.
“To Write Love on Her Arms”
Oct. 26, 7 p.m. Jamie Tworkowski, founder of To Write Love on Her Arms, talks about this nonprofit organization which aims to present hope and find help for young people struggling with depression, self-injury, addiction and suicide. Maddox Theatre, Rockford College, rockford.edu.
November
Today’s Anti-Capitalist Movements
Nov. 1, 6 p.m. Dr. Robert D’Alonzo discusses the current anti-capitalist movements across the world. First Tuesday Lecture Series. Student Center Atrium, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, rockvalleycollege.edu.
Speaker: State of Illinois Charter Schools
Nov. 3, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Hear CEO of Illinois Network of Charter Schools. Program/lunch $12; program only $5. RSVP by Oct. 31 at (815) 962-4279 or [email protected]. Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rockford.
The Diva Sale for Healing Pathways
Nov. 9, 10.a.m.-7 p.m. Rockford retail diva “P.J.” Adelman spearheads this sale of new and gently used upscale coats, clothing, jewelry, scarves, purses and home décor items, to benefit Healing Pathways Cancer Resource Center. Briggs Mansion, 1244 E. State St., Rockford.
Andy Warhol & Pop Art
Nov. 10, noon-1:30 p.m. Dorothy Bock, MFA, talks about the life and work of this icon of pop art. Course No. AL11-3. Register by Nov. 8. $12; members $10. Womanspace, Rockford, (815) 877-0118, womanspace-rockford.org.
Dueling Pianos
Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m. Fundraiser for Oregon Trail Days Festival. Dueling pianists play audience requests from memory and donate 100 percent of their tips. $12 cover; cash bar. White Pines LaBranch, 610 S. Division, Oregon, Ill. Tickets: White Pines Inn, Mt. Morris; Merlin’s or Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. Info: whitepinesinn.com.
Elegant Farmer Giving Thanks Days
Nov. 12-13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For every pie 8 inches or larger sold on Giving Thanks Days, The Elegant Farmer will give a portion of the sales to local food pantries. The Elegant Farmer, 1545 Main St., Mukwonago, Wis. (262) 363-6770, elegantfarmer.com.
Behind the Scenes Tours
Nov. 13, 1, 2 & 3 p.m. Special small-group tours of Midway Village Museum archives and special storage areas. Registration req. 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, midwayvillage.com.
Neighborhood Development & Educational Outcomes
Nov. 14, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Speaker: Noel Castellanos, CEO of Christian Community Development Association. Program/lunch $12; program only $5. RSVP by Nov. 8 at (815) 962-4279 or [email protected]. Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rockford.
An Appreciation of “Peanuts”
Nov. 20, 2-3 p.m. Local cartoonist Bruce Quast explains the history of the comic strip and talks about how it evolved into an international media phenomenon. $10 includes museum admission. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
Report from Tiananmen Square
Nov. 29, 4 p.m. Dr. Jianli Yang, imprisoned by the Chinese government for his democratic activism, including his protests in Tiananmen Square during the massacre, talks of his experiences. Maddox Theatre, Rockford College, rockford.edu.
December
Taste of Chocolate Dinner
Dec. 2, 5-8 p.m. Sit-down dinner featuring sumptuous chocolate buffet for dessert. Fundraiser for Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, Wis. (608) 752-3885, rotarybotanicalgardens.org.
Dances & Etiquette of the American Civil War
Dec. 3, 2-3:30 p.m. The West Side Victorian Dancers, based in Wisconsin, will explain etiquette and perform dances of the American Civil War in costume, inviting the audience to participate. RPL, Main Branch, Rockford, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
Twilight Tours of Lincoln Tallman House
Dec. 3, 4-7 p.m. Luminaries light the path for tours of the Victorian-decorated house. Christmas carols, hors d’oeuvres, wassail, wine, desserts, photos with St. Nick. Rock County Historical Society Benefit. Tickets: Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center or K&W Greenery. Lincoln-Tallman House, 440 N. Jackson St., Janesville, Wis. (608) 756-4509.
RAM Evergreen Ball
Dec. 3, 6 p.m. Annual event to kick off the city’s philanthropic season. Dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2782, rockfordartmuseum.org.
The 2011 Revolutions in the Middle East:
Dec. 6, 6 p.m. Dr. Daniel Blumlo, history instructor, explores the reasons for the revolutions, their patterns and aftermath, and lessons we can learn. He answers the question, “Why Should We Care?” First Tuesday Lecture Series. Student Center Atrium, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, rockvalleycollege.edu.
Educational Outlook Luncheon
Dec. 8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Rockford Chamber of Commerce presents keynote speaker Dr. Geoffrey Canada, founder and CEO of the innovative Harlem Children’s Zone, which works to change the odds with a new model to end generational poverty. Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort, 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford. Registration/Info: rockfordchamber.com.
Holidays Around the World
Dec. 17, 3-4:30 p.m. Celebrate the season with a world tour of traditions, including a real live visit with Santa Claus. RPL, Main Branch, Rockford, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.