7 concerts, 3 trivia nights, 8 fish fries and free chocolate in southwestern Illinois

Noon Thursday, Feb. 10, 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. For the week’s full list of events, visit bnd.com.

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.

Events

▪ COVID Vaccine Clinics — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, and Thursday, Feb. 17. SIHF Healthcare, 108 S. Third St., Suite 103, Belleville. The Pfizer vaccine will be available to Illinois residents ages 5 and older. Moderna vaccines available for ages 18 and older. Boosters also available. Bring ID and insurance information. No out-of-pocket costs to receive vaccine. No appointment required.

▪ Seed St. Louis: Jump Starting the Growing Season — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10. Virtual class. Discuss ways to get crops started earlier than normal and common and uncommon crops that can be planted earlier than March. Free and open to the public. Registration is required. facebook.com/events/451804253111252

▪ Metals & Electronics Recycle Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 12. Public Parking Lot, 227 W. Main St., Collinsville. Accepting office equipment, vehicles, electronics, batteries, appliances, machinery. Fees for TV/Monitor, CRT. No paper, glass, plastic, wood, cardboard or tires. 618-344-7232.

▪ Lebanon’s Chocolate Rendezvous — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Downtown Lebanon. Complimentary chocolate treats at participating shops, free prize raffles, unique shopping. lebanonil.us

▪ ‘Cram the Car’ Food Drive — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, main entrance canopy, O’Fallon. In recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care Illinois is holding their annual “Cram the Car” food drive this month for the Catholic Urban Program food pantry to help those struggling with food insecurity. Accepting non-perishable items. 217-685-0702 or Valerie.Engelbart@hshs.org.

▪ McKendree University annual Career Fair — 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. The Career Fair is free to everyone, and job seekers are not required to register before the event but are encouraged to do so through Handshake. Attendees may also get their photo taken if they wish to update their LinkedIn profile with a professional photo. Photos are taken by the University and will be provided to attendees free of charge. mckendree.edu/careerfair

▪ Monroe County Job Fair — 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. The Falls Reception & Conference Center, 300 Admiral Blvd., Columbia. Speak with 50 companies looking to fill positions. Job seekers are encouraged to dress for success and bring several copies of your resume. There will be a space for employers to conduct on site interviews; you could be hired on the spot. Attendees may enter a door prize drawing for a new iPad. Entry and parking for the event is free of charge. facebook.com/events/652484805772553

Games

▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 6 p.m. Thursdays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.

▪ Euchre — 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Partner night. Only store bought, individually wrapped items can be brought for snacks. Water and soda available for purchase. Masks required. Questions call 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.

▪ Friends of Belleville Public Library Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Althoff High Heritage Hall, West Main Street and Frank Scott Parkway, Belleville. Doors open at 6 p.m. MC: Roger Schlueter. Cash prizes, mulligans. Bring your own snacks. Soda available for purchase. No alcohol will be sold. Masks will be required. For reservations: 618-304-3938 or mgmurf@yahoo.com; leave name and number for confirmation call-back. Benefits the Belleville Public Library Children’s Reading Program.

▪ Illinois Dyehards Senior Ladies Softball Team annual Trivia Night — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19. Althoff Heritage Hall, 5401 W. Main St., Belleville. Doors open at 7 p.m. Silent auction, 50/50, scratch-off lottery board raffle, mulligans. Free soda, water, ice and popcorn. Cost: $120 per table (eight players max). To reserve a table: 618-558-4601 or 618-795-4223.

▪ The Scott Spouses’ Club presents A Night at the Oscars Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. Katy Cavins Community Center, 308 E. 5th St., O’Fallon. Doors open at 6 p.m. Silent auction, opportunity games, mulligans, bake sale. Cost is $20 per ticket of $160 per table of eight. BYO food/drink. For info or reservations: fundraising@scottspouseclub.com.

Theater/Concerts

▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Mendelssohn and Bach — 10:30 a.m. to Friday, Feb. 11, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Stéphane Denève explores the spiritual power of music, starting with two takes on J.S. Bach’s legendary prelude, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Joseph Haydn’s Sinfonia concertante responds with grace, then Richard Wagner searches for redemption in his last opera, “Parsifal.” Finally, Felix Mendelssohn’s “Reformation” Symphony stretches across time to joyful triumph. slso.org

▪ ROBERTNELSON — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ The Trophy Mules — 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Seven Restaurant & Lounge, 7 S. High St., Belleville. Corey Saathoff and Josh Kean perform acoustic. https://fb.me/e/8JW0Ncygl

▪ Shelby Ringdahl featuring Michael Dewar — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ Javier Mendoza and Julie Anne Mendoza — 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ Chamber Music Society of St. Louis presents ‘Lovefest is Forever’ — 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14. The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis. Celebrate Valentine’s Day in style with Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi. Virtual concert date: Tuesday, Feb. 22. For tickets and info: chambermusicstl.org/concerts/lovefest-is-forever.

▪ Janet Evra Valentine’s Day: Three-Course Dinner and a Show — 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets $65. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ Big George Brock Jr. and the NGK Band — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. The Commons, Lewis & Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey. A variety of Blues styles will be explained and performed. This event is part of L&C’s lineup celebrating Black History Month. lc.edu

▪ Mad River Theater Works: ‘Freedom Riders’ — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. This new play, with original songs and music, explores the valiant and courageous personalities behind one of the most critical chapters in the history of the Civil Rights movement. For tickets and information: thehett.com.

▪ Film Arts Series: Judas & the Black Messiah (2021) — 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Featuring ScreenTalk host Dr. Lauren Thompson, associate professor of history. Tickets are free. For tickets and information: thehett.com.

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) — 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. Online via Zoom. Virtual support meetings for family members and other caregivers of individuals with mental illness. A Zoom meeting may also be in-person. Registration is required in order to receive the link or location for these meetings. For more information or to register, contact Pat Rudloff at silverlining6@charter.net.

▪ 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

▪ Bible Study Fellowship — 9:30-11 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. St. Matthew Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville. Morning class includes classes for newborn through Pre-K. We will be studying the gospel of Matthew through April. 618-520-8357 or 618-593-4104.

▪ O’Fallon Senior Citizens Club — 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Business, birthdays, cash bingo, pay dues. Last sign up for Kiwanis Dinner. 618-401-7588.

▪ Grief Support Group — 10-11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21. PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Diana Cuddeback, LCSW, with Heartlinks Grief Support Center facilitates this peer grief support group for older adults who have lost a loved one. Grief is hard. Learning about the grief process and being with others who understand helps. This group meets on the third Monday of each month. Please call Susan at 618-234-4410, ext. 7044, with the St. Clair County Office on Aging to register for the class.

Food

▪ ‘Keeping Warm’ February — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in February. New Shining Light, 740 Broadway, Venice. Chili and soup. Dine in and carryout. Free to all. COVID restriction in place. Masks required. 618-530-2347 or 618-558-6143.

▪ O’Fallon K of C 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 available along with hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and additional side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229.

▪ 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

▪ Collinsville American Legion Fish Fry — 3-7:45 p.m. Fridays. Collinsville American Legion, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. Curbside delivery and dine-in. Cash or check only. Place a curbside order by calling 618-345-2508. facebook.com/legionpst365

▪ Highland Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Fridays. VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Fish, chicken, shrimp, sides. Carryout and limited indoor dining. Masks required for customers going through the serving line. No call-in orders. facebook.com/vfwpost5694

▪ Millstadt Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt VFW Post, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Eat in or carryout. Call ahead for carryout. 618-476-1180.

▪ Glen Carbon American Legion Post 435 Fish Fry — 4:30-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 435, 190 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Limited menu of dinners and sandwiches, catfish, cod, Alaskan white fish and chicken strips, slaw and fries. Dinners: $11, sandwiches: $8, sides: $2.50 each. Curbside/Carryout service. 618-288-7119.

▪ Shiloh Eagles Fish Fry — 5-7 p.m. Fridays. Shiloh Eagles 545, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and sides. Full menu. Dine-in or carryout available. For carryout, call 618-624-5412.

▪ Mascoutah Fish Fry — 5-11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. Mascoutah VFW Post 7682, 620 Donaphan St., Mascoutah. Call 618-566-2288 to order.

▪ Millstadt Township Senior Services annual BBQ Fundraiser — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Millstadt Senior Center, 102 S. Jefferson St., Millstadt. Pork steaks, brats, chicken, pulled pork, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, macaroni and cheese. Plates and sandwiches available. Carryout only. Baked goods also available. No pre-orders. Benefits Millstadt, Smithton and Freeburg Meals on Wheels. 618-476-3731.

Reservations Required

▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Online via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga with instructor Sarah Hartwig. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Exercise Classes — 10:30-11:45 a.m. Tuesdays. 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Tracie Renschen, who has a Masters in Kinesiology, (the study of mechanics of body movement) leads this exercise class to focus on strengthening the various muscles of the body, helping with balance and arthritis. Cost: $3 per class. Call 618-234-4410, Mary (ext. 7034) or Susan (ext. 7044) if you will be attending the class.

▪ Resurrection and the Afterlife in the New Testament Series — 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Feb. 15 and 22 and March 1 and 8. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Visitors Center, 442 S. DeMazenod Drive, Belleville. Catholics profess to believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, but what exactly does this mean? In this four-part course, you will explore the origin, context and meanings of the Christian beliefs about the afterlife. You will gain an understanding of the afterlife in the New Testament, exploring the words of Jesus, the Gospels, the Apostles Peter and Paul, and the Visions in the Apocalypse of John. Fee: $20 for series or $5 per session. Pre-registration is required. 618-394-6281 or snows.org/ministries/spiritual-programs.

▪ Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons Travelogue Program — 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15. PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville. The meeting will highlight two excursions: Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Western Frontiers – Aug. 3-11, 2022, and The American Riviera – Nov. 6-12, 2022. For more information or to reserve a seat to the Travelogue program, contact Group Travel Specialist Nancy Bauer at 618-234-4410, ext. 7020, or email at nancy.bauer@swic.edu.

▪ Neighbor Nights: Tree Pruning Basics — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15. Online event. Winter is the perfect time to prune your trees. Trees Forever Field Coordinator Emily Ehley will present the basics of tree care in a virtual webinar, perfect for homeowners, gardeners, land managers and anyone who is interested in supporting healthy tree growth. Registration is required. To register, visit https://conta.cc/3G0uUQT. A Zoom link will be emailed to participants the day of the event. For more information, 618-468-2875 or jenryoung@lc.edu.

▪ Underground Railroad Tour — 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. Campus Safety & Security, Lewis & Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey. Participants will tour various locations throughout the Riverbend area, where slaves sought refuge as they escaped the South. This year’s tour will visit Otterville – believed to be where the first integrated school originated – and the Cheney Mansion, maintained by the Jersey County Historical Society in Jerseyville. J.E. Robinson will provide the history and expertise, describing these noteworthy destinations. The tour is free, but reservations are required. RSVP by emailing jhenning@lc.edu. The coach bus will depart at 1 p.m. from the parking lot next to the Campus Safety building on the north entrance of L&C’s Godfrey Campus. lc.edu

▪ Adult Zumba w/ Aimee — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. Online via Zoom. Join us for an evening workout with our very own Zumba Fitness instructor. Come in comfortable exercise clothing and bring a water bottle. Requires registration. glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ Seed St. Louis: Dormant Fruit Tree Pruning — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. Virtual class. Come and learn the basics of how to prune them properly so you can keep your orchard growing strong. Free and open to the public. Registration is required. facebook.com/events/1767272520128624

▪ 2022 Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge — 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18. Collinsville Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1234 Vandalia, Collinsville. This winter, the metro-east community is invited to be bold and get cold by taking the Polar Plunge in Collinsville to support Special Olympics Illinois athletes. To register: bit.ly/CollinsvillePlunge. For information: Justin Dunning, at jdunning@soill.org or call 618-248-8558. More information is available at plungeillinois.com.

Blood Drives

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. Gibault Catholic High School, 501 Columbia Ave., Waterloo. Appointments are required. 800-747-5401 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Roberts Motors, 4350 N. Alby St., Alton. Appointments are required. 800-747-5401 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14. Anderson Hospital Platelet Drive, 6800 State Route 162, Maryville. Appointments are required. 800-747-5401 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 3-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. Edwardsville Knights of Columbua, 7132 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Appointments are required. 800-747-5401 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 8-11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. Madison County Admin. Building, 157 N. Main St., Edwardsville. Appointments are required. 800-747-5401 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

This story was originally published February 9, 2022 at 9:00 AM.