CORTLAND
Preschool Story Time
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday; next, Dec. 19
Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road
More information: 815-756-7274 or www.cortlandlibrary.com
For children 3 and older. No registration required.
First Grade & Up Story and Craft
Time: 4 p.m.
Date: Every Thursday; next, Dec. 20
Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road
More information: 815-756-7274 or www.cortlandlibrary.com
Registration required.
Lon Clark Paper Model Workshop
Time: 1 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 27
Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road
More information: 815-756-7274 or www.cortlandlibrary.com
DeKALB
Toddler Time
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 19
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568
Stories and songs for small children and their caregivers.
Teacher in the Library
Time: 4 p.m.
Date: Dec. 19
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568
A retired teacher will offer tutoring and homework help to DeKalb School District students in grades 3-5. Registration required.
Team Trivia
Time: 8 p.m.
Dates: Every Wednesday; next, Dec. 19
Place: O'Leary's Irish Pub & Grill, 260 E. Lincoln Highway
More information: 815-748-0000
Free team trivia competition.
Santa at the Library
Time: 10:45 – 11:30 a.m. Wednesday; 10:30 a.m. – noon Saturday
Dates: Dec. 19 and 22
Place: DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.
More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 260
Bring cameras and wish lists as children can visit with Santa in the youth services department.
Blood Drive
Time: 1 – 5 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 19
Place: Kishwaukee Community Hospital
Free Community Meal
Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Date: First, third and fifth Wednesdays of each month; next, Dec. 19
Place: DeKalb Community Center, 330 Grove St.
For transportation, call 815-758-6641. To volunteer, call 815-758-1678. To donate, call 815-758-3932. Dinner sponsors are especially needed. Dec. 19 menu is roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots and fruited gelatin.
DeKalb County's Largest Holiday Office Party
Time: 5 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 20
Place: Fatty's Pub & Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway
Free appetizer buffet, drink specials and live music from Back Country Roads. There will also be prizes, giveaways and an appearance by Santa.
Gift Wrapping at the Library
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 20
Place: DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.
More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 260
Free gift wrapping for small and medium-sized items. Freewill donations accepted.
Homework Help Nights
Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Dates: Every Tuesday and Thursday; next, Dec. 20
Place: Neighbors House, corner of Fifth and Pine streets
More information: 815-787-0600 or neighborshouse@frontier.com
Homework help and education enrichment activities for students in grades 4 through 12. No help nights during school breaks.
'Wired: The DeKalb Documentary'
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 20
Place: The Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.
Tickets: Adults $10, seniors and students $8, children 12 and younger $5
A compilation of humorous, historical and heartwarming stories as told by more than 50 residents of DeKalb representing every decade from ages 8 to 92.
'Parading With the Peanuts Gang'
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Friday, Dec. 21
Place: Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, Northern Illinois University Music Building
Tickets: Adults $10, seniors $5, children 13 and younger $3
More information: 815-899-7868 or www.studiom-dancecompany.com
StudioM Dance Company presents an original dance production featuring Charlie Brown and the rest of the characters in Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" gang.
Visit With Santa
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 22
Place: Santa's House in Van Buer Plaza, Second and Locust streets
Carriage Rides
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 22
Place: DeKalb Public Library
Free carriage rides around downtown DeKalb begin and end at the library. Rides are sponsored by NB&T and Re:New DeKalb.
Free Holiday Meal
Time: 4 – 7 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 23
Place: Flippin' Eggs, 831 S. Fourth St.
More information: 815-754-6900
Complimentary holiday meal for anyone in need, whether because of financial concerns or because they are alone on the holiday. The restaurant is seeking donations of wrapped gifts to distribute to guests. Any extra food and gifts are given to local charities.
Ax in Hand Student Show
Time: 4 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 23
Place: The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway
Students of Ax in Hand Guitars showcase their talents.
Free Holiday Meal
Time: 2 – 5 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 25
Place: Feed'em Soup, 122 S. First St.
Feed'em Soup will serve a pay-what-you-can meal of bottom round roast and baked ham. There will be holiday music and decorations, sweet treats and surprises. Families with children are welcome. All are invited, regardless of need.
Tales for Twos
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Dec. 26
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568
Story time geared toward 2-year-old children. Craft time after the story.
Free Community Meal
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Date: Second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays of every month; next, Dec. 26
Place: Feed'em Soup, 122 S. First St.
More information: www.feedemsoup.org
For transportation, call 815-293-7433.
Barb City Stompers
Time: 6 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 26
Place: The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway
Thank You Letter Help Lab
Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 27
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568
A workshop in how to write a thank-you note. For teens and tweens.
Intro to PowerPoint
Time: 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 27
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568
Sign up online, by phone or at the reference desk.
The Spoon Man Comedy Show
Time: 2 – 3 p.m.
Date: Friday, Dec. 28
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568
A hilarious interactive comedy performance for all ages.
Intro to Excel
Time: 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Date: Friday, Dec. 28
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568
Sign up by phone, online or at the reference desk.
St. George Community Worship
Time: 11 a.m.
Date: Last Saturday of each month; next, Dec. 29
Place: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 320 S. Second St.
More information: 815-758-5731
Service is in English and includes prayers, petitions, dialogue and discussion. The public is invited to experience the service regardless of religious background.
DeKalb Winter Chess Classic
Time: Noon – 4:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 29
Place: First Congregational United Church of Christ, 615 N. First St.
Cost: $6 to play
More information: registration@dekalbchess.com or www.dekalbchess.com
Four-round, non-elimination chess tournament for all ages. Sections to be determined. Everyone plays every round. Trophies or medals to all participants.
Intro to Microsoft Word
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 30
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568
Intro to Word I from 1:30 to 3 p.m., then Intro to Word II. Sign up for either or both by phone, online or at the reference desk.
The Duke of Uke and His Novelty Orchestra
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 2
Place: The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway
A seven-piece orchestral funk-pop ensemble featuring four-part vocal harmonies, ukulele, violin, tuba, saxophones, electric bass, rock drums and Latin percussion.
GENOA
Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Date: Wednesdays; next, Dec. 19
Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care
A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.
Retirement Party
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 20
Place: Resource Bank, 310 S. Route 23
An open house celebrating the retirement of Phil James.
Line Dancing
Time: 7 – 11:30 p.m.
Date: Third Friday of every month; next, Dec. 21
Place: Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St.
Cost: $5
Line dancing by dancers' request. Split floor for couple dances and line dances.
SYCAMORE
Bingo
Time: Card sales start at 6 p.m.; play begins at 7:15
Date: Every Wednesday; next, Dec. 19
Place: Sycamore Veterans Home, 121 S. California St.
'30 Minutes to Health'
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 19
Place: Sheedy Family Chiropractic, 920 W. Prairie Drive
More information: 815-895-3354
A 30-minute presentation on health, wellness and how to improve your lifestyle to reach an optimum level of health.
Visit With Santa
Time: 5 – 7 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. – noon Saturdays, noon – 2 p.m. Sundays
Dates: Dec. 21 – 23
Place: Santa's House, on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse
Free Holiday Movie
Time: 11 a.m.
Dates: Dec. 22 and 23
Place: Sycamore Theater, 420 W. State St.
A free screening of the 2000 holiday movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
Christmas Candlelight Service
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 23
Place: Federated Church, 612 W. State St.
More information: 815-895-2706 or sycamorefederatedchurch.org
Walter Hauswald and the chancel choir originally made the service popular in the 1940s. It was discontinued in the late 1970s and revived in 2011. The service features a reading of the Christmas story, candle lighting and music by the choir.
WATERMAN
Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Date: Thursdays; next, Dec. 20
Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care
A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.
Holiday Lights Train
Time: 5 – 9 p.m. Fridays, 2 – 9 p.m. Saturdays, 2 – 8 p.m. Sundays
Dates: Weekends through December; next, Dec. 21
Place: Lions Park
Take a free ride on the miniature train, past holiday displays featuring more than 250,000 lights. Free cocoa, popcorn and visits with Santa at the station.