There is something to do for all interests this weekend in Chicago Southland. Whether you’re looking to thank a Veteran, take in the Fall outdoor weather or places to eat and drink, you will find it just beyond the city limits.

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Thank a Veteran

Saturday, November 7th
VETERANS DAY MEMORIAL SERVICE:THORNTON
Thornton Township Hall
333 East 162nd Street, South Holland
(708) 596-6040 ext. 3168
Information on Job Training Programs from South Suburban College and real estate taxes from the Thornton Township Assessor’s Office will be available. A light lunch will also be served. Special Guests include Diane Nowak from the National Committee Spirit of 1945.
10AM-2PM

Sunday, November 8th
LANSING VETERANS MEMORIAL CEREMONY
Lansing Municipal Airport
3250 Bob Malkas Drive, Lansing
(708) 474-3049
The service by the Lansing Veterans Memorial Ceremonial Honor Guard is dedicated to Comfort Dogs for Veterans, an organization that helps comfort Veterans still carrying the weight of war through their wounds both mentally and physically. In case of inclement weather, the service will be moved into the Historic Ford Hanger.
2PM

Sunday, November 8th
HELP A HERO BENEFIT
350 Brewing Company
7144 183rd Street, Tinley Park
(708) 518-2239
Join 350 Brew Masters for a special Sunday Detention release of "Going Commando" their Heroic Kolsch. All proceeds benefit Help-A-Hero and the local VFW. There will be raffle baskets, door prizes, split the pot, food specials and more.
2PM

Click here for more Veterans Day events and memorials throughout Chicago Southland.

Arts and Culture

Friday, November 6th-November 8th
REEFER MADNESS
Dorothy Menker Theater at Moraine Valley Community College Fine & Performing Arts Center
9000 West College Parkway, Palos Hills
(708) 974-5500
Inspired by the original 1936 film of the same name, this raucous musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral filled with evil jazz music, sex and violence. You won’t be able to resist the spoofy fun. This dynamic show will go straight to your head!
F-Sa 7:30PM; Su 3PM followed by a talk-back session

Saturday, November 7th-November 8th
THE NERD
Tinley Park Performing Arts Center
16801 80th Avenue, Tinley Park
(708) 342-4200
The Tinley Park Community Theater hits the stage this November with the hilarious production of “The Nerd” by Larry Shue. Set in Terre Haute, Indiana, “The Nerd” centers on the hilarious dilemma of a young architect, Willum Cubbert, who is visited by Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded. Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his thirty-fourth birthday party. However, Rick's awkward manner and inappropriate behavior throw the occasion into shambles as Rick overstays his welcome with a vengeance.
Sa 7PM; Su 3PM

Saturday, November 7th-Sunday, November 8th
RAY BRADBURY'S FAHRENHEIT 451
Governors State University Center for Performing Arts
1 University Parkway, University Park
(708) 235-2222
This powerful drama tells the story of the inner struggle of Guy Montag, a fireman. Montag has worked as a civil servant for ten years burning books, but lately he has become increasingly unsure about what he is doing. It is not until he meets 16-year-old Clarisse, who has strange ideas, that he is led into a dangerous and highly combustible situation. Now he must choose between his mundane existence and risking everything for the right to think.
Sa 7:30PM; Su 2PM

Saturday, November 7th
MCCORD'S ANNUAL BLACK & WHITE FUNDRAISER
Midlothian Country Club
5000 West 147th Street, Midlothian
(708) 388-0596
McCord’s major fundraiser to support this “welcoming home for the arts” will be held at Midlothian Country Club this year. You'll enjoy the silent and live auctions, great food and dancing to the tunes of the Nuclear Jazz Quartet. This will be a night to remember!
6-11PM

Saturday, November 7th
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR - INFORMAL PLAY READING
The Drama Group Studio Theatre
330 West 202nd Street, Chicago Heights
(708) 755-3444
Imagine a group of actors coming together to perform an entire Shakespeare play...without a single rehearsal! By utilizing techniques from "The Secrets of Acting Shakespeare" by Patrick Tucker, our actors will have all the confidence to perform Shakespeare in what will be reminiscent of the original Globe Theatre performances with surprising and hilarious results! Through a series of short workshops, actors will work with the "Unrehearsed" technique to prepare for a performance of one of the Bard's most beloved comedies: The Merry Wives of Windsor.
7:30PM

Sunday, November 8th
AVA LOGAN WITH THE SOUTHLAND JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Freedom Hall Nathan Manilow Theatre
410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest
(708) 747-0580
Hear the music of Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin and more! Featuring jazz vocalist Ava Logan backed by the big band sound of the Southland Jazz Ensemble! Ava Logan is an award winning singer-actress, a veterinarian by day and a jazz singer at night. She has performed around the world including portraying two of her idols, Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson, at the Black Ensemble Theater.
4PM

Eat, Drink and be Happy!

Friday, November 6th
FOOD TRUCKS, BEER & MUSIC
Hailstorm Brewing Co.
8060 186th Street, Tinley Park
(708) 247-3757
Enjoy Hailstorm Beer with BBQ from Bill's Grill Mobile BBQ food truck and the amazing Joe Orozce Acoustic Rock show.
5-9:30PM

Explore Nature

Saturday, November 7th
MORNING BIRD HIKE
Plum Creek Nature Center
27064 Dutton Road, Beecher
(708) 946-2216
Join us on our series of morning bird hikes as we explore the woods of Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in search of late migrants and winter residents. Each month will focus on a different bird group. Bring your binoculars and favorite bird field guide. Participants will enjoy a hike on natural surface trails across uneven terrain. Come dressed for the weather. Indoor viewing of birds is possible after the program or in unfavorable weather conditions.
8-10AM

Saturday, November 7th
WEE WONDERS: PUPPET SHOW
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Kids ages 3-6 are invited to their very own nature program. We'll explore a different seasonal subject each month.
10AM

Saturday, November 7th
THIS OLD TREE
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Estimate the age of a tree without counting the rings. Ages 10 & up with a limit of 20 participants.
10:30AM

Saturday, November 7th
LIVE HEALTHY, DISCOVER NATURE! HIKE
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Join our monthly hiking club. A naturalist will lead a two-mile hike on our trails.
1:30PM

Saturday, November 7th
COOK COUNTY CRITTERS
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Many animals call the nature center home. Meet one of these animals during a casual afternoon encounter. No registration required.
1:30PM

Family Fun

Sunday, November 8th
COLLECTIBLE TOY SHOW
Oak Forest Park District
15601 South Central Avenue, Oak Forest
(708) 752-8132
Find old collectible toys that you can never find anymore.
9AM-2PM

Learn Something New

Friday, November 6th-Sunday, November 8th
SCRAPBOOKING DAYS
Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens
7402 West Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights
(708) 361-1873
Feeling creative? Then why not join us for one (or all) of our scrapbooking events. We welcome everyone from skilled scrapbookers to complete beginners.
9AM-5PM

Ongoing
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: SELF MADE IN AMERICA
Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis
700 East Tri-State Tollway, South Holland
(708) 596-8300
Last year the exhibit, "Abraham Lincoln: Self Made in America" came to the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis. The traveling exhibit was created by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The exhibit features eight kiosks and covers Lincoln's childhood, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the 1860 Presidential election, the Civil War, the 13th Amendment and Emancipation Proclamation, his assassination and other important periods and events in his life. This is a temporary exhibit, so don't miss the opportunity to learn about a famous part of America's history!
Open 7 days a week

Shopping for Deals

Friday, November 6th
JERRY ROSSEN PUBLIC AUCTIONS
Will County Fairgrounds
710 West Street, Peotone
(708) 997-0245
Auctions will include antiques, collectibles, furniture and more!
6PM

Saturday, November 7th
INDOOR GARAGE SALE
Orland Park Civic Center
14750 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park
(708) 403-7275
Come out for a huge, indoor community garage sale! The event raises funds for the Special Recreation program.
9AM-1PM

Sports

Saturday, November 7th-Sunday, November 8th
LIVE HARNESS RACING
Balmoral Park Race Track
26435 South Dixie Highway, Crete
(708) 672-1414
View Live Harness racing, simulcast harness and thoroughbred racing from this newly remodeled rustic themed venue.
Sa-Su 7:10PM

Saturday, November 7th
CHAMPION SPIRIT GROUP CHEER FOR THE CURE
Tinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park
(708) 444-1100
All CSG One-Day Challenges feature a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. You can expect an event that runs on-time, with a friendly and knowledgeable staff that promotes fairness and sportsmanship to all teams. We always recognize every team, give parents a front-row view of their kids and allow coaches the time and space necessary to get their athletes ready for the best performance ever.
7:30AM

Saturday, November 7th
TURKEY SHOOT BASKETBALL COMPETITION
Central Park Building
15601 South Central Avenue, Oak Forest
(708) 752-8132
Adult/child teams, the best of 10 free throws each will count for one turkey per family.
6:30-8:15PM

If you’re planning further ahead, please check our calendar of events.