What’s Happening: Black History Month events, job fairs, virtual talks in southwest IL
Noon Friday, Feb. 3, is the deadline to appear in next week’s What’s Happening. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions.
Due to the number of submissions received, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear the week before the event date.
Email: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: Lifestyle, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.
A Call for Fish!
With Lent quickly approaching (yes, already!) — Ash Wednesday is Feb. 22 — places to get some tasty fish will be in higher demand. If your organization is hosting fish fry events, add them to What’s Happening.
We’ll run these events starting Thursday, Feb. 16. The deadline to submit is noon Friday, Feb. 10. Email the name of the event, place (with address), dates and times, contact info, and any special features you want to include to us at lifestyle@bnd.com.
Events
▪ Butterfly House’s Morpho Mardi Gras — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays through Tuesday, Feb. 21. The Butterfly House, 15050 Faust Park, Chesterfield, Missouri. Escape the cold by visiting Morpho Mardi Gras: Bugs, Butterflies and Beads! Bring your Krewe to the carnival during the month of February. Join the party at our Bugs on Parade, make a masquerade mask, and immerse yourself in a sea of blue as the Butterfly House floods the tropical conservatory with thousands of Blue Morpho butterflies. With the sounds of jazz in the air, inaugurate the season with these and other majestic creatures. Included with admission. For additional information about or purchase tickets, visit butterflyhouse.org.
▪ Black History Month Celebration — Through February. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. 6th St., Springfield. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will celebrate Lincoln’s birthday and Black History Month with activities that include a read-a-thon, two days of free admission and a play about a daring escape from slavery. Black History Month festivities include performances of “Small Beginnings,” a short play about the amazing Robert Smalls. Enslaved from birth, Smalls commandeered a Confederate ship in Charleston Harbor and used it to take family and friends to freedom in 1862. He then piloted that ship for the U.S. Navy and was elected to Congress after the war. Performances are scheduled for Feb. 2 (Thursday), 3 (Friday), 6 (Monday), 7 (Tuesday), 15 (Wednesday), 16 (Thursday), 17 (Friday), 23 (Thursday) and 24 (Friday). All performances begin at 1 p.m. and are included in the regular admission price. For more information and other events, visit presidentlincoln.illinois.gov.
▪ Center for Racial Harmony Annual Meeting — 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Racial Harmony office, 207 N. 2nd St., Belleville. The meeting is open to the public. Voting is restricted to members on the active rolls as of the meeting date. Please contact our office by email at centerforracialharmony@yahoo.com if you are unsure of your membership status. 618-234-0508.
▪ Saint Louis Zoo Job Fair — 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 3; and 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 1. The Living World, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, St. Louis. The Saint Louis Zoo will host job fairs in The Living World at the Zoo’s North Entrance for those interested in part-time work at the Zoo. In addition to summer employees, the Zoo is seeking applicants who have immediate availability mid-spring. Energetic, responsible and service-oriented individuals are needed for part-time positions, including catering and food service personnel, attraction operators, education interpreters, security beats, retail, parking lot attendants and more. stlzoo.org/employment
▪ Square Dance — 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. Caseyville Township Senior Center, 10001 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. Dandy Dancers invites people to join an evening of fun and exercise. Want to learn? Ask about lessons. Contact Mike at 618-954-3487 or Kate at 618-566-8752. Next dance will be Friday, March 3.
▪ O’Fallon Garden Club: An Amazing Garage Sale — 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 4. O’Fallon Station, 105-111 S. Vine St., O’Fallon. Early Bird entry 7-8 a.m. for a $20 fee. Bag sale noon to 1 p.m. New and gently used items available will include house décor, jewelry, books, records, CDs, DVDs, pictures, mirrors, clean linens, gently worn clothing, toys and games, electronics in working order, hardware, small pieces of furniture, as well as local honey and a bake sale. All sales are cash only and no strollers or carts will be allowed. Donations (no large furniture) for the garage sale from the general public accepted noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at O’Fallon Station. For info: 618-632-8134 or dlhusted81347@gmail.com.
▪ Protest: Stop Killing Us! Justice for Tyre Nichols, Justice for All Stolen Lives — Noon Saturday, Feb. 4. St. Clair County Courthouse, 10 Public Square, Belleville. Join Empire 13, Respect Us and grassroots organizers to call for justice for Tyre Nichols and for all our fallen and for the United Nations to investigate the police violence in this country including individual cases and to enforce mandates and policies to fire all cops immediately when police violence occurs. facebook.com/events/934092754254899
▪ 375th Force Support Squadron Job Fair — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7. Cardinal Creek Golf Course, 1192 Golf Course Road, Scott AFB. Bring your resume for on-the-spot interviews. Open Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) positions include laborers, recreation aids, cooks, food service workers, child & youth program assistants, custodial workers, waiters, lifeguards, pool manager, tractor operator and more. Regular and flexible category positions, as well as temporary summer positions are available. NAF positions are open to active duty spouses/dependents, retirees, veterans and civilians. To apply, visit www.usajobs.gov. For additional information, call 618-256-3831. Want to attend the Job Fair but don’t have Base access? Call 618-256-2385 ext. 1.
▪ Classical Conversations Open House — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7. Center Grove Presbyterian Church, 6279 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville. The Classical Conversations community of Edwardsville is holding a free Open House for the community to come and observe a community day in action. Visitors can observe programs offered to ages 4-18, and children are more than welcome to sit in on the classes and participate. The Edwardsville community offers a Foundations morning program (ages 4-12), an Essentials program (English grammar, writing, math) for ages 9-12 and Challenge programs for middle school and freshman level ages. One exciting event being held this day is the annual Science Fair presentations offered by the Challenge A program students. 618-975-4878 or classicalconversations.com.
▪ Botanical Resonance Virtual Talk Series: Kevin Harris, ‘Welcome Home Habitat’ — 12:30-1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7. Online via Zoom. Join the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum to learn more from artists who created artworks for the “Botanical Resonance” exhibition in a special virtual speaker series. The exhibition showcases different plants used to create musical instruments in cultures around the world, as well as some plants make unique sounds throughout their life cycles in nature and in the Garden. For the species used to make instruments, many are threatened in their native environments due to the increasing production and demand for the desirable plant material. Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W2DZ2WxOQjW-gvZmjYlLJA
Games
▪ Euchre — 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6 p.m. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.
▪ Granite City Senior Social Club Bingo — 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5. Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Cost: $1 admission and $1 for four cards. 618-444-6771.
▪ Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge Sunday Night Bingo — 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Early Bird at 6:15 p.m. Cards sold at 5 p.m. Open to the public. Bring a canned good for one free card.
▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.
▪ Troy Senior Center Bingo — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. Tri-Township Park, Wiesemeyer Building, 410 Wickliffe St., Troy. Includes light snack, cash prizes. No cost to play, no RSVP required. 618-667-2022.
▪ Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School Purse Bingo — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9. Silver Creek Saloon, 2520 Mascoutah Ave., Belleville. Calling all ladies that love designer purses. Play 10 rounds of regular bingo. Your ticket is $35. Each round will have one person who wins a designer purse. Purchase additional bingo cards for $5 each. There will be three rounds of reverse bingo where you can win cash. Each round will be $5. For tickets and info: https://bit.ly/3RmePMO.
▪ Illinois Dyehards Senior Ladies Softball Team annual Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. Althoff High School Heritage Hall, 5401 W. Main St., Belleville. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Mulligans 10 for $10. Silent auction, scratch-off lottery board raffle, 50/50. Soda, water, ice and popcorn free. Cost: $120 per table, up to eight players. For reservations, call Peggy at 618-558-4601 or text Marla at 618-795-4223.
▪ Friends of the Belleville Public Library Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. Althoff High School Heritage Hall, 5401 W. Main St., Belleville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Great trivia questions – read by MC Roger Schlueter – cash prizes, mulligans, attendance prizes from Belleville businesses and more. BYO snacks. Soda available for purchase; no alcohol will be sold. Cost: $12 per person with 6-8 players per table. For reservations: friendsofthebellevillelibrary@gmail.com (confirmation by return email).
Theater/Concerts
▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ In Concert — 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, and Saturday, Feb. 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Light and dark. New and old. The Star Wars saga begins anew with Rey, Poe, Finn and Kylo Ren. The SLSO performs John Williams’ iconic score live to film as we travel to a galaxy far, far away …. slso.org
▪ Monroe Actors Stage Company presents ‘Unnecessary Farce’ — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, and Saturday, Feb. 4; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5. Capitol Theatre, 202 S. Main St., Waterloo. Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. GO! In a cheap motel room, an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant, while in the room next-door, two undercover cops wait to catch the meeting on videotape. But there’s some confusion as to who’s in which room, who’s being videotaped, who’s taken the money, who’s hired a hitman, and why the accountant keeps taking off her clothes. For tickets and additional performances: masctheatre.org.
▪ Blessed Assurance: The Evolution of the Negro Spiritual — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Experience the story of Black music in this showcase of spiritual music, which has shifted and grown from the fields of the Agrarian South all the way to the stage of Carnegie Hall. thehett.com
▪ Chamber Project Saint Louis 15th Anniversary Concert — 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5. The Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust St., St. Louis. Celebrating 15 years of music making with some of our favorite music, including Maurice Ravel, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, L.V. Beethoven, Valerie Coleman, Rebecca Clarke and more. Great local beer available for purchase in the venue before and after the concert. Dine before or after the concert downstairs in the dining room. General Admission tickets are $20; $5 for students. 314-401-0450 or chamberprojectstl.org.
Clubs & Support Groups
▪ Diabetes Support Group — 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Frisse Conference Room, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. Open to those with diabetes and their family members and/or caregivers. The group meets on the first Thursday of each month. Participants will be required to wear non-cloth, medical-grade masks, as masks are still required in health care facilities per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Registration is required. 618-526-5743 or lisa.ketchem@hshs.org to register or for more information.
▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Online via Zoom. Program: “History of Walnut Hill Cemetery (Belleville)” presented by Erin Conner, member of the Walnut Hill Cemetery Board for the City of Belleville. Learn about notable burials of the past and new things happening at this old city cemetery. The meeting is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/STCCGSIL.
▪ A Plethora of Pens (writing group) — 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. This is an open group, walk-ins are welcome, all writing levels, and all genres. Different topics every month. This is NOT a critique group, although there are occasional group critiques, mostly to improve the ability to critique others. glencarbonlibrary.org
▪ St. Clair County Garden Club — 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7. Crehan’s, 5500 North Belt West, Belleville. Speaker: Zach Ford of Walter Knoll Florists on House Plants of Steel. Design elements a la Groundhog Day should repeat, repeat, repeat. Hattie Hayes’ study is of Creeping Charlie, one of the weeds in our gardens.
▪ St. Luke’s Perpetual Help Sodality Luncheon & Card Party — Noon Tuesday, Feb. 7. St. Luke Parish Hall, 226 N. Church St., Belleville. Cards, bingo, games with prizes. Menu: Ham, German potato salad, applesauce, cake, coffee, hot tea, iced tea and water. Cost: $10 per person. Bring a canned food item for the food pantry. In case of bad weather, an announcement will be made on the parish website. 618-236-1124.
▪ Grief Share Seminar/Group — 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through April 4. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, lower level, 1300 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Weekly seminar and support group for those grieving the death of a loved one. Featuring practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts and others who experienced the death of a loved one. There will be 13 sessions that can be started any session. Fee: $20 for the workbook. For info or to register: 618-344-3151 or bklee54@yahoo.com.
▪ Belleville ‘Sounds of Harmony’ Barbershop Chorus — 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Men of all ages who like to sing are encouraged to attend. For info: Bob at 618-566-8674 or email RLCearnal@gmail.com.
▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Online via Zoom. The PAL group provides education, support and hope to family members and loved ones of someone who has an addiction of substance use disorder. Free and open to all. For info or to join the Zoom meeting, contact Craig at 618-567-6095. palgroup.org
▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. 618-210-8156 or ofallonsunriserotary.org
▪ National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Alvin G. Bohley Chapter 1019 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8. Ginger Buffet and Grill, 53 Ludwig Drive, Fairview Heights. Speaker TBD at noon, followed by meeting. All active and retired federal employees are welcome. Speakers/meetings held the second Wednesday of each month except for May and December socials. NARFE remains the go-to resource for the federal community. For information, contact James at jbflat2021@gmail.com or call 618-795-5174.
Food
▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, tilapia, catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239
▪ Swansea Fish Stand – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. Saturday: fried chicken. Open for carryout, call-in and dine-in orders. 618-222-7171. facebook.com/swanseafishstand
▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311. avistonlegion.com
▪ Okawville American Legion Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Dine in or carryout. Also serving lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday with a salad bar. Pizza made fresh and served every day. facebook.com/OkawvilleLegion
▪ Quail Club Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. Quail Club, 8303 Concordia Church Road, Belleville. Cod cut-ups, walleye, shrimp, burgers, sides and desserts. Carryout available. No phone orders.
Reservations Required
▪ AARP Tax Aide — 9-11:30 a.m. Fridays, Feb. 3, 10, 17 & 24 (by appointment). Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provides free tax preparation assistance to anyone. IRS-certified volunteers make filing taxes easy for you. Call 618-288-1212 to schedule an appointment during library hours. glencarbonlibrary.org
▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. Online via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga with instructor Sarah Hartwig. Space is limited. Registration required. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.
▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging: Heartstrings Scams — 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8. St. Clair County Office on Aging, 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Suzanne Phegley, an investigator with FCB Banks, will teach you how to spot a scam and overview steps to take if you are a victim. Reservations required and accepted until Monday, Feb. 6 or until capacity reached, 618-234-4410, ext. 7044. Registered attendees eligible for attendance prizes.
▪ Japan America Society of St. Louis: Free Webinar — 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9. Online via Zoom. Topic: The implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on geostrategic challenges the U.S. and Japan face in Asia. Dr. Phillip Lipscy (University of Toronto) and Dr. Kayo Takuma (Tokyo Metropolitan University) will offer their expertise regarding the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Japan and the U.S. In particular, they will discuss the role of global institutions in navigating these impacts. The discussion will be moderated by former United States Senator and Representative from Missouri Jim Talent. Register online at: https://bit.ly/3wDJITe.
▪ Granite City Senior Social Club Spring Dance — Sunday, March 26. Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City. Featuring: Frankie and the Houseshakers. Refreshments included. Advance tickets available now through March 19. Cost: $8 per person, $15 per couple or $10 per person at the door. For tickets and info: Diana, 618-444-6771; Marty, 618-797-6749; Granite City Township Office, 618-877-0513.
Worth the Drive
▪ Southern Illinois Pagan Alliance: Imbolc — 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. Gaia Interfaith Center, 913 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. Imbolc is the midwinter festival honoring Brigid, who among other things in Celtic tradition, is the Goddess of fire, poetry, healing, childbirth, and unity. Imbolc is the celebration of the returning light and the first stirrings of spring such as early budding leaves and the sprouting of jonquils and crocuses. During the festival, candles are lit to symbolize the returning sun. The Christianized version of Imbolc is known as Candlemas. Gathering starts at 6 p.m. with ritual at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more info: text Tara at 618-924-0263.
