Holiday

Animal Protective League (APL) 1001 Taintor Road  (217) 544-7387http://www.apl-shelter.org/DotNetNuke/ The Animal Protective League (APL) is a private, not-for-profit animal welfare organization, funded by donations. It operates an animal shelter, a low-cost spay/neuter clinic and maintains numerous programs that benefit members of the community. APL services individuals and other animal welfare groups and animal control facilities […]

A hint of peppercorns; the sweet-tart tang of a Meyer lemon. That’s right. The before-dinner drinks are headed to the dining room table. Pairing food with mixed drinks is this season’s holiday trend, according to Colin Cowie, expert on wedding and event planning. Why cocktails and courses? “It’s fun, different and can be creative,” says […]

Lend a hand to these central Illinois organizations this holiday season. Thank you to all of the organizations who participated! Sojourn Shelter and Services, Inc. 1800 Westchester Blvd., 726-5100 (office), 726-5200 (24-hour hotline) Sojourn Shelter and Services, Inc. was founded in 1975 with a goal to provide a safe place to help victims of domestic […]

For the music lovers on your gift list, let them know concerts are never expensive when they’re being watched from the comfort of the sofa and music videos don’t have to be a forgotten thing of the past. This year, treat the music lover in your life to one of these documentaries, live performances and […]

Home Alone (1990): Young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is left behind as his family rushes to make a flight to Paris for their winter vacation. Mayhem ensues when a couple of bumbling burglars try to break into the McCallister house, but Kevin’s booby traps prove better than any state-of-the-art alarm system. Son-in-Law (1993): South Dakota […]

Lend a hand to these central Illinois organizations this holiday season. Check Illinois Times next week for more local wish lists. Send lists to holidaywishlist@illinoistimes.com Forever Home Feline Ranch3600 Persimmon Dr., 679-1593 Forever Home Feline Ranch is an organization created to provide a “forever home” to every cat in need. The ranch is a sanctuary […]

The inventor of the standard holiday red-and-green color scheme was probably colorblind – no one with good vision would want to decorate with two colors opposite each other on the color wheel. Escaping color condemnation is tough when aisles are stuffed with fake green boughs and gleaming red plastic berries. “People don’t decorate because it […]

This year, give them a great story told two ways. First, let them dive into a great read. Then, let them sit back and enjoy the show. Here are six of the best book/film adaptations of the past year that will have all the bookworms and movie buffs on your list thanking you twice. Harry […]

{image-6790} Lend a hand to these central Illinois organizations this holiday season. Check Illinois Times next week for more local wish lists. Send lists to holidaywishlist@illinoistimes.com Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County1514 West Jefferson, 523-2710 Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County is a community-driven nonprofit organization that develops working partnerships with local businesses, churches, community […]

Have a pine tree in the backyard? Use cuttings from an evergreen to make wreaths and swags. Stick holly cuttings into a foam ball. Add a length of ribbon and loop the flower arrangement over a door handle. Host an ornament-making party. Stock up on ornaments from a craft store and pull out glue, fabric […]

Springfield YMCA701 South 4th St., 544-9846 The Springfield YMCA was established in 1874 and has continuously served the Springfield area for 135 years. It began as an organization serving boys and young men, but over the years has broadened its services and target population to meet the changing needs of the community. The Springfield YMCA […]

Tired of the same old bird for the holidays? Give your turkey an extreme makeover by taking the cooking – and the party – outside. “A turkey smoke-roasted on the grill tastes better, thanks to the smoke flavor,” says Steve Raichlen, author of The Barbecue Bible and How to Grill and host of the PBS […]