Remote Surveillance Trailer in Springfield, OR

Just before the FourOneSeven crew split for our winter break, there was a lot of chatter in the office about how everyone would spend our week off after the holidays. For many of us, it is a time to refresh and plan for the year ahead: filling our calendars with oh-so-many plans, setting intentions, choosing a “word of the year” for 2026 or deciding what to pick for (and how to accomplish!) our New Year’s resolutions. Our publisher, Logan Aguirre, has a beloved daily planner that she swears by—and it’s much more than just an agenda. It’s a place to journal, scheme, set goals and forge ahead with confidence. I take a slightly less structured approach (because I’ve yet to find a journal I consider The One), but I still love using this period of quiet and calm to imagine what I want my year ahead to look like—and work on figuring out how to make it happen.

If you’re looking ahead this week as well, this edition of Datebook might be helpful to you. It’s full of chill activities that can play perfectly into your plan if learning a new skill is one of your goals. Check out those events plus a few more below.

Oh, one more thing! If you want to explore a red hot social trend this year, may we suggest mahjong? Although this tile-based game originated in China in the mid-1800s, the American variation is currently experiencing a bit of an explosion in the Ozarks. So of course, we just had to write about it! Read about where and when you can play—and how to get your hands on the beautifully designed and aesthetically pleasing tiles the game is famous for.

Downtown Springfield

See art by local and regional artists as you stroll through Downtown Springfield galleries and shops, like Missouri State University’s Brick City Gallery, the Creamery Arts Center, Fresh Gallery, Obelisk Home and lots more. Don’t let the brisk January air scare you off from exploring downtown Springfield; this is a walk that’s worth it.

Springfield Comedy Club

If you were a Saturday Night Live fan in the 1990s, then you’re probably familiar with a lot of former SNL cast member Chris Kattan’s characters. See him on stage this month at Springfield Comedy Club.

The Workshop at Finley Farms

Bring your kiddo who loves to cook, and learn something new together: making gnocchi from scratch. You can upgrade your ticket to include fun extras, like a beech wood gnocchi board or a child’s apron. This workshop is for ages 8 and older.

Worman House at Big Cedar Lodge

Throughout January and February, Big Cedar Lodge’s annual Celebration of Tastes festival features several wine-centric events. Among them is the Winter Wine Series, which highlights different wines paired with a multicourse meal.

MaMa Jean’s Natural Market

Mix and mingle with local wellness vendors at this afternoon event. It’s the perfect kickstarter for all your health-and-wellness-related New Year’s resolutions.

History Museum on the Square

To mark History Museum on the Square’s 50th anniversary, this special exhibit honors 50 events, people and places that have impacted the Springfield community.

Pickwick & Cherry

Grab your date or your bestie for a hands-on cookie class where you’ll learn to make homemade tortillas, pico de gallo, guacamole, elote street corn, tacos de birria, carnitas tacos and tres leches cake.

Wonders of Wildlife

At this creative class led by seasoned instructors, guests learn to paint glowing jellyfish. And the setting adds to the magic and inspiration: The event takes place right outside the jellyfish tanks.

Silver Dollar City

The number of holiday lights covering the buildings at Silver Dollar City is astounding. It’s an unbeatably cheerful glow. There’s also a huge Christmas tree, holiday seasonal treats and lots more.

We’re always looking for new photos, and you can help! Whether you’re at home or abroad, submit your snaps of where you're reading 417 Magazine and you could see yourself in a future issue.

Need to know more about what's going on in 417-land right now? Check out the calendar for local resources. Visit our Events & Promotions page to stay up to date on the latest 417 events, contests, promotions and more!

I’m Katie Pollock Estes, and I’m 417’s Editorial Director. I’ve been here almost 19 years, spending my workdays hunting for the best things to do and people to know in the Ozarks—and working with writers to share it all with you. Got a tip? Email me your story ideas for Datebook and 417 Magazine!

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Black Friday is almost here. And those looking to accomplish their holiday shopping in Eugene or Springfield Nov. 28 will have almost all day to do it with the earliest stores opening at 5 a.m. and the last ones closing at midnight.

If you're looking for a tamer, more artisan experience, the Holiday Market at the Lane Events Center will open for its second weekend Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For those aiming to get discounts from Eugene, Springfield and Cottage Grove's malls or big box stores here are those hours.

All four of the malls in Eugene and Springfield have minimum hours where all stores are expected to be open. Many individual stores within those malls choose to be open longer on Black Friday.

Those looking to get their Black Friday discounts at the big box stores in the area also will have plenty of options.

What are Valley River Center's Black Friday hours?

Stores in Valley River Center will all be open by 8 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Doors will open at 5 a.m., which is also when the earliest stores within the mall will open. JC Penny's will open at at 5, and Macy's and Bath and Body Works will open at 6.

What are Gateway mall Black Friday hours?

The Shoppes at Gateway has minimum hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Many of the stores plan to open earlier and/or close later, with many opening at 6 or 7 a.m. A sampling of Black Friday hours at Gateway include:

What are Oakway Center's Black Friday hours?

At Oakway Center, the minimum hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The biggest stores plan to open earlier and close later. Nordstrom and DSW will both be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Old Navy will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. J Crew will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What are 5th Street Market hours on Black Friday?

The 5th Street Market has minimum hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the retailers who spoke to The Register-Guard don't plan to go beyond that for Black Friday. The market's tree lighting ceremony will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

When is Target open on Black Friday?

Both Target locations will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight.

When is Walmart open on Black Friday?

Walmart's West 11th location will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The other four Lane County locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

When is Lowe's open on Black Friday?

The Eugene Lowe's will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

When is Jerry's open on Black Friday?

For those hoping to instead do their hardware shopping locally, both Jerry's locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Is REI open on Black Friday?

REI famously closes on Black Friday, including at its Eugene location. Instead REI encourages its customers to "#OptOutside."

Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached byemail at atorres@registerguard.com, on X @alanfryetorres or on Reddit at u/AlfrytRG.

Resting between the United States's pulsing coasts and among its inland cities-du-jour (lookin' at you, Austin, Texas), lies an embarrassment of bite-sized riches. Small, intimate locales that offer a counterweight to New York City's megawatt pulse, or San Francisco's erudite cool. Places like Monticello, a cozy Illinois city with a lively Main Street that may be the exact opposite of the Instagram-worthy destinations drawing masses of visitors. Sandwiched between Springfield and Indianapolis, the small city of about 6,000 instead offers a big dose of small-town charm and humility.

Monticello holds an underappreciated place in history. Abraham Lincoln, still a young lawyer, spent time in the local Tenbrook Hotel as he traveled the Eighth Judicial Circuit, cutting his teeth as an aspiring legal mind. He also had a knack for turning social events inside out. One infamous scene involved Honest Abe persuading children to heat an inflated pig's bladder in a fireplace. The ensuing explosion sent hot coals all over the room, with Lincoln setting a broom on fire trying to clean up the mess.

You won't find any bouncy pig bladders or flaming brooms, but his time in the area is commemorated with "Looking for Lincoln" plaques scattered at places he frequented during his time there and the rest of Illinois. Monticello gladly embraces its history, offering a perfect counterbalance to Urbana-Champaign, a trendy college town with thriving arts and vibrant culture that's 30 minutes away. It's an idyllic weekend getaway for travelers tired of slapping hashtags on everything.

Check out Main Street, dine, and ride the rails

The cozy city offers a Baby Bear's porridge version of a big-ticket destination: not so overwhelming that the average traveler burns out from the heat, yet also not so chill that it leaves visitors twiddling their thumbs. The town's downtown area, which orbits around Main Street, gives visitors a chance to see the small city's best offerings and spend a little cash. There's No Place Like Home, just off Washington Street, has a delightful collection of antiques, jewelry, and upcycled tchotchkes that make splurging a guilt-free exercise. Mary, Maude & Me, an antique store just two blocks away in a charming little brick house, has a similarly eclectic, well-curated inventory of vintage wares. Next, it's time to chug along to the town's biggest draw.

Any visit must include a stop at the Monitcello Railway Museum. Its weekend train rides offer a time portal back to an era when rails and steam engines helped small towns like Monticello expand. Bookended by two depots, the museum's dozens of historic trains reward passengers with a sense they're on the set of a "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Afterward, your stomach will likely grumble. Thankfully, Monticello offers plenty of dining options.

The smattering of small eateries covers a wide breadth of humble food options, sans white tablecloths. Hankering for some Mexican? Casa Real and Las Marias have you covered. Those in more of a lunch pail and hard hat mood can hit the Brown Bag Deli. Its mix of wraps, sandwiches, and full-on meals will satiate exactly the ravenous hunger one feels after spending time on a railroad.

The ins and outs of visiting Monticello

No matter where you're traveling from, you'll need a car to reach the city. Despite its proximity to several larger metropolises, Monticello's closest airport is the University of Illinois Willard Airport, a comparatively small hub that often requires a transfer at Chicago O'Hare to reach. The closest major transit hub, Indianapolis International Airport, unfortunately, is two hours away. The drive in, however, offers plenty of worthwhile pit stops. About halfway between the airport and Monticello, you'll find Danville, an underrated Illinois city that's a peaceful lakeside retreat.

Monticello's diminutive size limits your available accommodations. A single chain hotel and a smaller inn are the only available options, costing between $75 and $200. Decatur, itself an underrated Midwest gem with trails, public art, and a zoo, sits about half an hour away and offers some more places to overnight.

While there's no wrong time to visit Monticello, the muggy summers and chilly winters mean the weather's most pleasant during the shoulder season. If you're in town between June and October, include a stop at the city's farmers' market. Local vendors offer everything from baked goods to flowers, along with the usual smattering of fresh produce. No inflated pig bladders, though.