Classic holiday tales at Ruth Page Theater
Chicago
Chicago's wind in the willows
Try a different kind of holiday concert that will lighten your mood on the darkest of winter nights: "Midwinter's Tales" performed by Shaw Chicago. The show is a collection of stories and songs handed down over generations from many cultures and featuring authors such as Emma Lazarus, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Robert Lewis Stevenson, Mark Twain and Bernard Shaw. Stories include Kenneth Grahame's "Wind in the Willows" and the fable "The Tale of Aaron and Zlateh." The concert reading will be accompanied by guitar and violin.
Info: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21; and 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, at Ruth Page Theater, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Tickets cost $22 with discounts for seniors, students and groups. (312) 587-7390 or shawchicago.org
Santa paws is coming to town
Bring your animals to Kimpton's Hotel Allegro for some free festive fun with Santa Paws. Santa will pose for photos with pets including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds and rabbits, but leave the insects, reptiles and rodents at home. Furry friends can also enjoy treats in the hotel's living room-style lobby. All human companions will also receive a special holiday treat: a $20 gift certificate toward an overnight stay at the Hotel Allegro. Owners need to register for photos upon arrival and bring cameras to capture their pet in Santa's lap.
Info: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, in the lobby of Kimpton's Hotel Allegro, 171 W. Randolph, Chicago. (312) 236-0123.
Peace, love, shop
Take advantage of the Peace, Love & Shop package at the James Chicago Hotel and you will give to others while getting a lot in return. Guests receive a $50 gift to The 900 Shops on Michigan Avenue; complimentary car service in the James' Audi to The 900 Shops; a massage or facial at the Spa by ASHA; a travel mug and choice of complimentary coffee, tea or hot chocolate from King Café & Go; exclusive gift bag and offers; and in-room breakfast for two. Ten percent of the Peace, Love & Shop package proceeds benefit Common Threads, an organization that educates children on the importance of nutrition and physical well-being.
Through Dec. 31 at the James Chicago Hotel, 55 E. Ontario, Chicago. Rates begin at $339. The offer is valid for reservations booked by Wednesday, Dec. 30. You'll need at least 24-hour advance reservations and to mention the promotion code SHOP when making a reservation through the Customer Call Centers. (312) 337-1000 or jameshotels.com
Midwest
Warm getaway
The charm of the first snows will wear off soon enough and the family will be asking for a trip to the beach. Save the airfare and head to one of the CoCo Key Water Resorts in Illinois, Ohio, Missouri or Nebraska for the "Stay the Night, Splash for Free" holiday campaign. Midweek guests lodging in the adjoining hotel to any CoCo Key Water Resort will receive an "All-Access" pass to the indoor water park for the duration of their stay. The promotion includes standard accommodations in an overnight guest room and full access to the indoor water park starting on the day of check-in for up to four people per room.
Through Wednesday, Dec. 23, for check-in Monday through Thursday at CoCo Key Water Resort properties in Arlington Heights; Rockford; Omaha, Neb.; Kansas City, Mo.; Cincinnati or Columbus, Ohio. cocokeywaterresort.com.
On eagle's wings
Southern Illinois plays host to a large number of bald eagles making their annual southern migration from Canada to the unfrozen waters near the Mississippi River. Attend Bald Eagle Days at Père Marquette State Park for informative programs about our national symbol of freedom, learn to distinguish between immature and mature bald eagles, and find out what eagles eat, why they spend winter months in the area and much more. You'll see a short video presentation followed by an observational drive to view the wintering bald eagles. Be sure to dress for the weather and have a full tank of gas. All programs begin at the park's visitor center and reservations are required.
Info: 8:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 28-29, at Père Marquette State Park, Route 100 and Great River Road, Grafton, Ill. (618) 786-3323. For lodging, visit visitalton.com
Come on, baby, light my fireworks
Balloons and confetti are nice, but a raucous fireworks display is the way to welcome in 2010. Consider the presentation kicking off from atop Granddad Bluff in La Crosse, Wis., a New Year's Eve tradition since 1929. The longest running community-sponsored fireworks display in the U.S. takes place twice in the Mississippi River town at 6 p.m. for families and another at midnight. The early-bird show is a tradition from the 1950s for young revelers and those who want to enjoy a celebration at an earlier time, and the midnight show has been broadcast on radio since 1957 and TV since 1985.
Info: 6 p.m. and midnight Thursday, Dec. 31, near Cass Street and Losey Boulevard in La Crosse. Wis. For lodging information, contact the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 658-9424 or explorelacrosse.com.
Worth the trip
Triple Creek Ranch, a lodge and resort in Montana, offers a new series of nine three-, four- or five-night winter "weekends," each designed to celebrate the snowy season in a different way. Choose a New Year's Weekend, a five-night stay from Wednesday, Dec. 30, to Monday, Jan. 4, where gourmet meals and fine wines await after horseback riding, snowshoeing and wildlife viewing; Western Horsemanship Weekends, Thursday to Sunday, Jan. 7-10 and 28-31, when you'll learn the skills it takes to ford icy streams, ride horses up steep slopes and drive cattle; or Nature Lover's Birding Weekends, Thursday to Sunday, Jan. 14-18 and Feb. 18-21, when some 250 species including eagles, hawks, swans and crossbills are among the winter visitors. Other weekends include Cooking School, Super Bowl and Valentine's weekends. Accommodations are luxury log cabins with fireplace (most with private hot tub). Activities, events and epicurean highlights of each themed weekend are complimentary.
All-inclusive rates start at $650 per couple, per night, for all winter dates. (800) 654-2943 or triplecreekranch.com.