South Suburbs Gear Up for End of Year

Brookfield

A wondrous world of a million lights continues through Dec. 31 at Brookfield Zoo, and yes, many of the animals are around to say "hello."

From their habitats, that is. Visitors might even catch Hudson, a 4-year-old polar bear, munching on an edible holiday ornament just as he is doing in the photo.

Brookfield Zoo is open every day of the year, including Christmas and New Year's Eve.

At 6 p.m. on the last day of the year, a Zoo Year's Eve Celebration for the entire family begins in the holiday glow of the breathtaking Holiday Magic scenery.

Festive music, games and prizes for all will be followed by an early countdown at 8 p.m. (Animals go to sleep early).

Brookfield Zoo is at 3300 W. Golf Road, off First Avenue between Interstates 55 and 290. More information is at www.CZS.org (Chicago Zoological Society) and at 708-688-8000.

Oak Forest

Chicago Gaelic Park celebrates New Year's Eve with a gala night, beginning with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 7:30. An elegant five-course dinner begins at 8:30 p.m. as Sean O'Donnell performs Irish melodies, traditional songs and many other numbers.

After dinner, guests will dance to their favorite tunes provided by Tone Productions, billed as the "premier DJ of the Southside."

Tickets for the entire evening, including a four-hour open bar, are $60 per person. Gaelic Park is at 6119 W.  147th St., Oak Lawn. Reservations and further information are at 708-687-9323 and at www.chicagogaelicpark.org.

Tinley Park

They want you, maybe need you and might love you if you rock in 2011 at Durbin's of Tinley Park, 17265 S. Oak Park Ave.

Joe "Elvis" Tirrito (http://www.joeelvis.com) brings Graceland to Tinley Park as he performs live throughout the gala evening.

Talk about gala, guests who live within a three-mile radius and who request transportation, will travel to and from the party in a luxury limousine.

Durbin's New Year's Eve party is an everything-you-could-want event with open bar, appetizers, prime rib dinner, and of course, glittery party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and continental breakfast before you leave.

All the excitement begins at 8 p.m. and continues until 1:30 a.m. By then, Elvis will have left the building.

Admission is $70 a person and a deposit is required in advance. Durbin's can be contacted at 708-429-1000. More details are at www.durbinspub.com.

Tinley Park

For those who prefer a less structured evening, Durbin's has that too at Party in the Pub in Tinley Park and Durbin's four other South suburban locations: Burbank, 5406 W. 79th St., 708-423-1523; Evergreen Park, 10240 S Kedzie Ave., 708-499-0022; Midlothian, 14753 S. Cicero Ave., 708-687-1700; and Palos Hills, 10154 Roberts Road, 708-598-8881.

An appetizer buffet, party favors and champagne to toast.

DJ dance music will heat up the celebration, and of course, the pub will be open late; closing time TBA.

Durbin's suggests reservations.

Oak Lawn

It's almost 2011, and anyone 21 and older can laugh it up on New Year's Eve at the Stony Creek Golf Club & Banquet Facility, 5860 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Admission to the 9:30 p.m. Funny Bones show is $25.

For those who want to dine before the entertainment, an 8 p.m. dinner with choice of steak or chicken and all the trimmings tacks an additional $10 to the ticket price.

A cash bar will be available and of course, everyone will hold up a glass of the bubbly for a toast to 2011.

Dinner reservations are due by Dec. 27 at 708-857-2433, ext. 2301, and at www.olparks.com.

Orland Park

Guests will wine, dine and dance to live music by at Silver Lake Country Club's New Year's Eve gala.

Three dance floors and a lavish dinner of shrimp, filet mignon and Eli's peppermint, cheesecake for dessert, to mention a few of the many scrumptious dishes, will definitely keep guests in a celebratory mood as midnight approaches.

The Dancing Noodles (www.TheDancingNoodles.com) will bring back favorite sounds of the 1950s through the '80s for a night of dancing, or just listening.

Tickets to this open-to-all celebration are $95 a person

Silver Lake Country Club is at 14700 S. 82nd Ave., Orland Park, 708-340-6949, extension 5. More details are at www.silverlakecc.com.

Tinley Park

Ed & Joe's Restaurant and Pizzeria (www.ednjoes.com), 17332 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Par, with its award-winning pizza as well as a full menu of Italian dishes and sandwiches, gears up for the last week of the year, casual style.

Patrick Spiroff hosts open mic music night from 8 to 11 p.m. Dec. 30.

Then on New Year's Eve, Chicagoland's Kingsnakes blues band (http://chicagokingsnakes.weebly.com) will take the stage from 8 p.m. on, in Ed & Joe's intimate surroundings.

The New Year's Eve cover charge? Zip. Special package deals? Zero.

Of course, everyone will welcome in 2011 with a toast.

That is, Ed & Joe's, customers can come in, dine and drink as usual and listen to music until the end of the evening.

There's no age minimum, no drink minimum. Same menu, same prices. More information is at 708 532-3051.

Tinley Park

Guests can go for gold or platinum at J.W. Hollstein Saloon (www.jwhollsteins.com), 17358 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, 708-429-7000.

With the $60 per person platinum package, starting at 8 p.m., guests will dine on filet mignon, stuffed chicken breast and enough salad and hot side dishes for a royal dinner.

The price includes a five-hour open bar, champagne toast at midnight, loads of party favors and coffee and dessert.

To round out the celebration, the Walk-Ins will keep the music going and the party at a New Year's pitch. Reservations are suggested.

The shiny Gold Package gala at $40 per person begins at 9 p.m. with an open bar and "heavy premium hors d'oeuvres -- no wings or cheese sticks tonight," a hostess said.

A champagne toast at midnight and dancing to the Walk-Ins (http://www.thewalk-ins.com) will round out the package.

Again, reservations are encouraged.

Tinley Park

Wondrous treasures often come in small packages and the current Dollhouse and Miniature Show at Vogt Visual Arts Center demonstrates the grandeur of tiny objects now through Dec. 31.

Many of the minute works reflect the skills of local artists.

"There's a miniature drive-in theater with itty bitty cars, individual little rooms including Santa's workshop and a log cabin where Santa's helpers sleep," Vogt volunteer guide Patrick Murphy said.

"The many minis in the exhibit will delight the young and not-quite-so young, Murphy said.

A number of Tinley Park's historic paintings and photos are also on view. One picture features the 1907 Tinley Park baseball team.

Vogt itself is an artistic treasure from the past, the home of Henry Vogt (1853-1932), Tinley Park's first mayor.

The Vogt (http://www.tinleyparkdistrict.org) is at 17420 S. 67th Street, 708-614-6503 and 708-309-4371. There is no admission fee. Hours are Tuesday 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.