The St. Louis Woodworking Show will be held this weekend at the Gateway Center in Collinsville. (Photo courtesy of The Woodworking Shows)

FEB.  8

Quarter Auction Benefits Junior Service Club
Thursday, 7-10 p.m.
Collinsville VFW, 1234 Vandalia St.
$5 admission

Bring your quarters and bid on items from local direct sale vendors, local businesses and crafters. Admission includes one bidding paddle. For more information, call (618) 344-7195.

February Vets Connect
Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Suite 5, 4509 N. Illinois St., Swansea
Free

All veterans and military welcome to discuss challenges and opportunities. For more information, visit usvetsfoundation.org/.

FEB.   8-11

St. Louis Boat & Sportshow
Thur., 2-9 p.m.; Fri., noon-9 p.m..; Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m..; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
America’s Center Convention Complex, 701 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, Mo.
$12

In addition to water sports products on display, there will be the “Lumberjills” who will demonstrate log-rolling, chainsaw-carving, axe-throwing skills. Kids can catch-and-release trout and learn archery at the 3-D Archery Range. For more information, visit www.stlouisboatshow.com. 

FEB.   9

Library After Dark
Friday, 6:30-8 p.m.
O’Fallon Public Library, 120 Civic Plaza
Free

Adults over 21 will enjoy music, socializing and light refreshments kid-free. Jeremy Wright will provide the music. For more information, visit ofpl.info/events/library-after-dark for more information.

Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp in Winter Concert Series
Friday, 7-9 p.m.
The Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main St., Edwardsville
$9

French-speaking Creole fiddler and accordionist will entertain with mix of contemporary blues, swamp pop and traditional Cajun and zydeco dance tunes. For more information, call (618) 307-1750.

FEB.   9-10

Bernina Academy: Fear No Fabric
Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
1966 Vandalia St., Collinsville
$129.99

Bernina Educator led workshop to learn how to master any fabric with your Bernina presser feet. For more information, call (618) 345-3661.

Friends of Hayner Book Bag Sale
Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hayner Library, 327 State St., Alton
Free

Fill a bag with books, tapes, records, DVDs and VCR tapes for $3. For more information, call (618) 462-0677.

ALT: Who’s In Bed with the Butler?
Fri. & Sat., 7:30
Alton Little Theater, 2450 N. Henry St.
$17; students $10

Mad-capped hilarity with mile-a-minute dialogue and a very twisted plot. For more information, call (618) 462-3205.

FEB.   9-11

St. Louis Woodworking Show
Fri. noon-6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Dr., Collinsville
$14

Over 50 exhibitors offer every tool you’ll ever need, no matter your skill level. For more information, visit thewoodworkingshows.com/st.-louis.

FEB.   10

Dead of Winter Festival
Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mineral Springs Mall, 301 E. Broadway, Alton
Free

Celebrate winter ghosts, hauntings, and the macabre at the mysterious Mineral Springs Hotel in Alton. For more information, call (618) 465-3200.

Spay & Neuter Clinic in Edwardsville
Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Metro East Humane Society, 8495 State Rte. 143
Dogs $30; Cats $20

Madison County residents on Food stamps or Social Security Disability. Low income Illinois residents (single under $20,000/yr, married under $32,000) can have their pets neutered at the special low rate. Regular price is $95 per animal. Schedule an appointment by calling (618) 550-7647.

Family Sweetheart Dance
Saturday, 1-3 p.m.
Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main St.
Free with a canned good for the food pantry

The Junior Friends of the Glen Carbon Library are sponsoring the dance with a Star Wars Valentine’s Day theme. For more information, call (618) 288-1212.

Maple Tapping at the Oblates
Saturday, 1-3 p.m.
4350 Levis Lane, Godfrey
$10

Learn with a hands-on approach about the process for making maple syrup. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information, call (618) 466-9930.

Sonneborn Relay for Life Trivia Night & Dinner
Saturday, 5-10 p.m.
Carlinville Elks Lodge, 201 W. Main St.
Dinner $10; Trivia $10 per person

Menu includes chicken or pork chop dinner. Trivia starts at 7 p.m. The Macoupin County Relay for Life will benefit. For more information, call (217) 473-2165.

Mardi Gras Dinner & Dance
Saturday, 7-11 p.m.
Argosy Casino, 1 Piasa St., Alton
$40 per person

The YWCA is sponsoring a dinner that will feature Cajun Seafood Boil and music by Big George and NGK. Must be 21 or older to attend. For more information, call (618) 465-7774.

Old Town Market
Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon
Corner of S. Charles and East Washington in Belleville
Free

Vendors of homegrown produce, meats, preserves, soaps and art will be on hand. For more information, call (618) 233-2015.

Honor Guard Winter BBQ
Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
American Legion, 375 E. Locust St., Columbia
$4, $6, $8

BBQ plates and sandwiches with a variety of sides, pork steaks and brats. For more information, call (618) 281-5556.

FEB.   11

Valentine’s Tea Fundraiser
Sunday, 1-3 p.m.
Evangelical United Church of Christ, 1212 Homer Adams Pkwy., Godfrey
$35 per couple; $20 per person; child 3-10 $10

The Great Rivers Choral Society presents an afternoon of mini-tea sandwiches, desserts, song and fellowship. For more information, call (618) 401-1450.

64th Annual Sausage Supper
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Highland Masonic Lodge 583, 721 9th St.
$10

All you can eat Old Swiss Sausage Supper. For more information, call (618) 654-8000.

FEB.   12

Doktor Kaboom!
Monday, 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Hettehnausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon
$15; $10 student/child

David Epley teaches kids the fundamentals of science through the character Doktor Kaboom. Sponsored by Allison Cassens Early Childhood Development. For more information, call (618) 537-6863.

Look Good, Feel Better
Monday, 1-3 p.m.
Alton Memorial Hospital, 6 Memorial Dr., Alton
Free

The AMH Cancer Care Center presents a wig and makeup tips for women with cancer. Registration required by calling (618) 433-7979.

Ranken Technical College Information Night
Monday, 6-7 p.m.
Wood River Public Library, 326 E. Ferguson Ave.
Free

Among the topics addressed will be campus tours, financial aid and placement testing.  For more information, call (618) 254-4832.

FEB.   13

All You Can Eat Pancake & Sausage Supper
Tuesday, 4-7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 228 N. 6th St., Wood River
Adults $8; Children 6-10 $4

Dinner includes pancakes, sausage, applesauce and drinks. Proceeds benefit scholarship funds. For more information, call  (618) 254-6682.

FEB.  14

Skin Cancer Screening
Wednesday, 4:15-6:15 p.m.
Alton Memorial Hospital, 1 Memorial Dr.
Free

Dr. Noor Ahmed will perform free cancer screenings. Make an appointment by calling (800) 392-0936.

The Neverly Brothers at The Wildey
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
252 N. Main St., Edwardsville
$22.50-$25.50

A Celebration of love songs from The Golden Age of Rock n’ Roll. For more information, call (618) 307-1750.

Anti-Valentine’s Day Party
Wednesday, 4-6 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, 106 N. Metter
Free

Enjoy Anti-V-Day food, cards, and gifts and games all while listening to an Anti-V-Day music playlist. Recommended for teens. For more information, call (618) 281-4237.

–Metro East Calendar of Events Feb. 8 – Feb. 14–