It could be somebody's basement. People are relaxing on a couch; others sit at a table. There's even a foosball table. It is Songwriters' Night, so a band has assembled, and a woman starts singing India Arie's "I Choose."

Start onstage at The Hideout during the Funny Ha Ha Show with a live presentation of Mark Bazer's humorous musings from a regular column in RedEye, a free Chicago daily print publication at the time.

When boxes and bags of donations come in, no one really knows what treasures lie within until volunteers begin to sort and price the items, which are put onto the shelves of the 2nd Chance Thrift Shop as quickly as the same day. 

The community is rich with holiday performances this time of year, but no one puts on a Christmas celebration quite like the one at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park.