*Now through Wednesday, Dec. 26, the Milwaukee Ballet will present its annual holiday performances of “The Nutcracker,” choreographed by Artistic Director Michael Pink. The performances run about two hours long with both matinees and evening shows at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. in Milwaukee. Tickets start at $30.62. For more information about show times and ticket prices, visit www.milwaukeeballet.org.
*Now through Monday, Dec. 31, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee are hosting an online toy drive, the “Click for St. Nick Online Toy Drive,” to benefit children throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Individuals can purchase holiday gifts to be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs members, and area businesses and organizations can purchase gifts or sponsor a Boys & Girls Club holiday party. For more information about the toy drive, visit http://www.boysgirlsclubs.org/toys.aspx. For more information about available sponsorships, contact Erin Hareng at erinh@boysgirlsclubs.org.
*Friday, Dec. 14, the Milwaukee Public Museum will unveil Real Pirates (ITALICS), a special exhibit created by National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International. The exhibit, focused on the Golden Age of Piracy, features relics from the pirate ship, the Whydah, and stories of those who lived and travelled on the ship. It also touches on the history of the Caribbean trade routes during the 18th century and explores the connection between the slave trade and piracy. The exhibit will be on display until May 27, 2013, at the museum, located at 800 W. Wells St. in downtown Milwaukee. For ticket prices, special discounts and more information about the exhibit, visit www.mpm.edu/pirates.
*Wednesday, Dec. 19, the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) of Milwaukee will host a holiday party at the Eatery, 2014 N. Farwell Ave. in Milwaukee. The party is part of YNPN’s monthly networking events, which are typically held on the third Wednesday of each month. The free event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will include food, prizes and a drawing for a Lakefront Brewery gift card, 2013 YNPN membership and more. For more information, visit www.ynpn.org/milwaukee.
*Friday, Dec. 21, the IBA-Wisconsin will present a seminar on the Affordable Care Act for businesses at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. The discussion will be led by Peter Frittitta, vice president of the Benefits Practice Group at R&R Insurance Services Inc., and attorney Robert Simandl, managing partner of Jackson Lewis LLP. Registration is available at http://www.ibaw.com/, and fees are $30 for IBA members and $40 for guests.
*Sunday, Jan. 6, Easter Seals and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Lady Panthers will present Box Out for Autism, a basketball clinic for kids with autism ages 3 to 18 and their siblings. The clinic will feature basketball drills and teamwork with additional support provided by staff members from Easter Seals’ autism department. The clinic will be held at UWM’s Klotsche Center, 3409 Downer Ave. in Milwaukee, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per child. Each participant will receive a T-shirt. Families must register by Dec. 26, and online registration is available at www.eastersealswise.com/basketball. For more information, contact Nitaro Collins at 414-604-5092 or nitaroc@eastersealswise.com.
*Tuesday, Jan. 8, BoardStar will host a workshop focused on Nonprofit Sustainability. The workshop will help board directors analyze their business model and make strategic decisions to ensure the sustainability of their nonprofit organization. The event will cover how to determine the value of programs useful for clients and programs that bring in revenue as well as how to create both mission impact and financial viability among other topics. The workshop will be held at Pathfinders, 4200 N. Holton, Suite 400 in Milwaukee, starting at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $35 for BoardStar members and $50 for nonmembers, and the event will include light appetizers. For more information or to register, visit www.boardstar.org or call 414-367-8270.
