All eyes up
The planet Jupiter, the constellation Orion and the craters of the first-quarter moon will be in focus during a night of stargazing Friday at Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville.
Astronomer Steve Sands will lead the hunt that will also include the Orion Nebula, a cloud of gas from which stars are born. Bring binoculars if you have them.
The stargazing is from 6:30 to 8 p.m., weather permitting, at 1591 Tower Ave. It's free for Watershed members; $5 for non-members. Reservations are requested; call 618-692-7578.
Ethnic foods
"A Taste of Lincoln Place" will feature foods and pastries from Armenia, Macedonia, Italy, Hungary and Mexico from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar in Granite City.
The Lincoln Place Heritage Association is sponsoring the event, which also will include the Granite City Community Adult Swing Band playing music from the 1940s and '50s.
You can eat in or carry out. Admission is free. Ethnic foods will be available for purchase.
Home show
Tired of that old, scarred kitchen countertop? Embarrassed to have guests in you 1950s-era bathroom?
You'll find plenty of ideas on updating your home, plus information on landscaping, roofing, outdoor furniture, pools and much more at the Gateway Home Show this Friday through Sunday at Gateway Center in Collinsville. Hundreds of exhibitors under one roof will show and sell their latest products and offer expert advice for your projects.
Hours are 11 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 to 8 Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. It's sponsored by findapro.com.
Antique flea market
That antique or collectible you have been looking for is waiting for you at the Belleville Antique Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville.
There will be more than 400 vendors at 600 tables, featuring both old and new merchandise. Parking an admission are free.
Pokemon champs
Thousands of Pokemon Trading Card Game and video game players and Pokemon fans from around the Midwest will converge on the St. Charles Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday for the 2013 Pokemon Winter Regional Championships.
Players of all levels are encouraged to participate. They will be able to play in multiple rounds, no matter their won-loss records.
To learn more about the tournament rules, prizes and registration, go to www.pokemon.com/play.
Black Hawk's birthplace
The Winter Lecture Series at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site kicks off Sunday with a presentation on what was once the states largest Native American village.
Dr. Mark Wagner, of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will speak on "Revisiting the Crawford Farm Site: Black Hawk's 1790-1810 Village of Saukenauk."
In the early 1800s, Saukenauk was the largest Indian village in Illinois, with about 100 structures and 800-1,000 residents. Famed Sauk leader Black Hawk was born there.
The presentation is at 2 p.m. in the Cahokia Mounds Interpretive Center auditorium. Admission is free; a donation of $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $2 for students and $15 for families is suggested.
Calling all Divas
Shopping Divas will run the streets from 5 to 8 tonight in downtown Belleville.
Register at Christopher Mikal's Photography, 625 East Main St. It costs $5 to participate. Then roam the shops for deal, discounts, prizes and fun. The after party in includes the film "Mama Mia" at Lincoln Theatre, 103 E. Main St. It's sponsored by Belleville Main Street.
