Support a soldier with gingerbread

• 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, John Hersey High School, 1900 E. Thomas St., Arlington Heights. A Soldier’s Journey Home is building a house for a hero. Bring your team and join in the holiday competition. Your $5 per teammate donation will help build SPC Tony Chobanov and his family a new home.

Remembering Richard J. Daley

• 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane, Rolling Meadows. Historian Jim Gibbons brings his program on the mayor who made Chicago “the city that works.” Free; register online at www.rmlib.org or call (847) 259-6050.

Hot dogs With Santa

• 3-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Attendees will have the opportunity to take pictures with Santa Claus and Boomers mascot Coop, enjoy a free hot dog, plus milk and cookies.

Family movie in

Arlington Heights

• 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Grab your blankie, put on your pjs and come watch “Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws,” rated G. Register at ahml.info.

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’

• 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, Improv Playhouse Theater, 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Improv Playhouse Radio Theatre presents an evening of radio drama from yesteryear. Tickets are $20 adults; $15 seniors/military; and $5 students. Recommended for ages 7 and older. Order tickets at (847) 968-4529 or www.improvplayhouse.com.

See suburban skaters

• 5-7:50 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, Glenview Ice Center, 1860 Landwehr Road, Glenview. Winter Holiday Figure Skating Exhibition. Figure skating students and synchronized skating teams perform their competitive programs. Call (847) 724-5670. Free for spectators.