Jazz It Up

Shake off the winter doldrums on Friday (Jan. 27) when the music faculty of Oakton Community College and Loyola  Academy Jazz Band perform jazz favorites together. Listen for the classics from Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie at the 8 p.m. concert in the Footlik Theater on the Oakton campus (1600 E. Golf Rd., DP). Tickets are $5 for general admission and $3 for students and seniors. For more information, call 847/635-1900.

Celebrating India

Learn about India's freedom fighters on Saturday (Jan. 28) at 2 p.m. when Indian Trails Public Library (355 S. Schoenbeck Rd. WHEELING), hosts India's Republican Day. Students of Balodyan School will present plays and speeches in Hindi and Marathi. Indian refreshments will also be served. Registration is required. For more information, visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org or call 847/459-4100.

Beethoven and More

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra is back on Sunday (Jan. 29) for a 3:30 p.m. concert in the Theater of Maine West High School (1755 S. Wolf Rd. DP). Oboe soloist Michael Henoch performs Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's "Idillio." Beethoven's "Pastoral" and Mussorgsky's "A Night on Bald Mountain" are also part of the program. A pre-concert commentary by Carolyn Paulin, program host at WFMT 98.7 Chicago,  begins at 2:30 p.m. Concert tickets range from $10 to $20 and are available at the door.

Heroes Eat Free

EMT's, Firefighters and Police Officers are invited to a First Responder Buffet on Monday (Jan. 30) at River's Cassino (3000 S. River Rd., DP). Participants must present a first responder badge or other proof of position for the complimentary buffet. For more information, call 888/307-0777.

Chocolate for a Cause

Indulge your chocolate cravings and support the MPPL Foundation at the same time! Come to the Library (10 S. Emerson St. MP) beginning Wednesday (Feb. 1) when tickets go on sale for 12 baskets full of chocolate goodies. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. The proceeds from this popular annual event benefit the Library Foundation, which raises funds for special programming and events at the Library. The drawing for winners (who need not be present),  begins on Sunday (Feb. 12) at 2 p.m. For more information, call 847/253-5675.

Classic 500 Fundraiser

The Mount Prospect/Prospect Heights Noon Rotary Club invite you to a fundraiser on Wednesday (Feb.1) at Bristol Court Banquets (828 E. Rand Rd., MP). The 5:30 p.m program includes a buffet dinner and complimentary full service bar for a ticket fee of $100. Only 200 tickets will be sold. Incentives include a Grand prize of $5,000, plus 20 consolation prizes worth at least $100 each. Proceeds go toward local and international service projects including support for local school literacy programs, scholarships and eradicating polio worldwide. For more information, call Jim Uszler at 224/659-9030.

Riding the Rails

Metra is raising fares beginning Wednesday (Feb. 1). Ten ride and one-way tickets purchased through Jan. 31 are valid only through Feb. 29. Monthly passes will increase by 29 percent and 10-ride tickets will jump by 30 percent. Formore info, go to www.metrarail.com .

Valentine Tea

That special day is fast approaching! Ladies, make it a special one for the little one in your life on Saturday (Feb. 11) when a Mommy & Me Valentine Tea takes place 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.  at Rob Roy Golf Course Clubhouse (505 E. Camp McDonald Rd., PH). The deadline for registration is Tuesday (Feb. 2). The cost for this fun afternoon is $9/Residents and $10.80/NR per person. This event is for sweeties ages 2-7 with Mom, Grandma or Aunt.For more info/registration, call 847/255-1200.

Help for Memory Loss

"Making Sense of Memory Loss", a five-week educational program designed to assist family members caring for loved ones in the early stages of memory loss begins Thursday (Feb. 2) 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Addolorata Villa (555 McHenry Rd., WHEELING). Classes meet Tuesdays for five consecutive weeks. Lunch is provided during the meetings. Topics include an overview of memory loss, communication strategies, making decisions, and planning for the future. For more details, or to register, contact C.J. Stahl at Catholic Charities Northwest Senior Services at 847/253-5500, ext. 379.

Give Blood

Plan to participate in the Mount Prospect Community Blood Drive on Thursday (Feb. 2) from 3-8 p.m. at Village Hall (50 S. Emerson St. MP). To schedule an appointment, contact LifeSource at 877/543-3768 or register online at www.lifesource.org and use sponsor code MP98. Donors are encouraged to prepare by eating well and staying hydrated. Walk-ins are welcome, but all must provide a valid ID to donate.

Income Tax Assistance

Beginning Tuesday (Feb. 2), seniors over age 60 can receive free income tax assistance through the Human Services Department of the Village of Mount Prospect. Trained volunteer counselors will assist in preparing standard Federal and State tax forms. Individuals with very technical tax situations are advised to seek the assistance of a professional preparer. No Illinois Cares RX applications (formerly known as the Circuit Breaker Grant Program) will be completed at this time. Appointments are required and can be made by calling the Human Services Department at 847/870-5680.

Mother and Son Luau

Get out of the cold and take your little guy (ages 4-8) for an evening in the tropics at the Mother & Son Luau on Friday (Feb. 3) from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Lions Recreation Center (411 S. Maple).  $30 for first child/$10 for each additional child. Food, games, crafts, and even the limbo will be part of the evening's fun.  For more info/registration, call847-640-1000.

Celestial Deadline

Time is running out for you to purchase your tickets to the Village's 2012 Celestial Celebration, "Prom Night With the Stars." The event will be held on Saturday (Feb. 4) at Bristol Court (828 E. Rand Rd. MP). Don't miss this popular event honoring Mount Prospect's Shining Stars. For more info, call 847/506-4949 or visit www.mountprospect.org .

Board Position

Elementary School Dist. 59 is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on their school board.  To be eligible, applicants must live within Dist. 59 boundaries, be at least 18 years of age, be a registered voter and U.S. citizen.  Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Feb. 9, 2012 at the Administration Center, 2123 S. Arlington Hts. Rd., AH 60005.  For more information, call 847/593-4300.

Candle Safety

While they add serenity to a room, candles are also a cause of home fires and home fire deaths. The Mount Prospect Fire Chief reminds residents to never leave candles unattended.

Nearby Happenings

---GREAT OUTDOORS: The Chicago Outdoor Sportsmen Show will be held Thursday through Sunday at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. See Brody, the 1,400 pound Kodiak Bear, learn to fish, and see the latest in outdoor gear all for the price of a $10 (online)/$12 at the door ticket.  For more info, go to www.chicagosportsmenshow.com .

---SNOW MUCH FUN: Visit Navy Pier's Gateway Park (600 E. Grand Ave., CHICAGO) on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 27-28/11 a.m. - 8 p.m.) and Sunday (Jan. 29/ 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.) for Snow Days. The three-day event will feature snow sculptures created by teams of professional sculptors from around the world. Watch dog-sled racing, weight-pulling demonstrations, and  a snowboard rail jam. Kids activities include ice bowling, basketball, hockey, football and snow painting. Admission is free! For details, visit www.navypier.com  or call 312/595-PIER.

---YEAR OF THE DRAGON: Celebrate the year 4710 by attending the annual Lunar New Year Parade in Chicago's Chinatown on Sunday (Jan. 29) from 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. You'll see marching bands, floats, lion teams and a mystical dragon dance. The parade also  kicks off celebrations of the Chinatown Centennial 1912-2012. The parade route starts at Wentworth Aveue from Cermak Road to 24th Place, Chicago. For more information, visit www.chicagochinatown.org or call 773/868-3010.

---MUSH! Check out the dog sled teams at the Husky Heroes event at the Morton Arboretum (4100 Rte. 53, Lisle) on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Regular Arboretum admission let's you see the Siberian Huskies as the go through their paces.  The event is sponsored by the Adopt A Husky rescue organization. For more info, go to www.mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074.

News You Can't Use

The movie (d) Road House (DVD ROAD) ended with the line "a polar bear fell on me."

What television series ended with the line "Oh, I went ahead and ordered someting for the table"?
a) Seinfeld            b) The Sopranos            c) Entourage          d) Cheers