Eva Liang and LeeVonn Overton, De La Salle’s award-winning writing students.
By William S. Bike
STARS FOR FREE
The Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., will have free admission days Feb. 5-7, 12-14, 18-21, and 26-28. Log on to www.adlerplanetarium.org.
AA MEETINGS
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held every Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, in the basement at 1220 W. Lexington St. The meetings are closed format, meaning they are for people with drinking problems or AA members only, and not for family members. Call (773) 346-1475 for more information.
BENTON HOUSE INFO
At Benton House, 3052 S. Gratten Ave., find out about public benefits such as supplemental nutrition assistance and citizenship application help. Food pantry hours are noon to 2 p.m. Fridays. Enjoy movies most Mondays at 7 p.m., senior exercise Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., yoga on Tuesdays at 8 p.m., and open basketball games Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Call (773) 927-6420 or email [email protected].
BOULEVARD NEWS
The Boulevard of Chicago at 3456 W. Franklin Blvd. provides medical respite care and housing services for homeless adults discharged from area hospitals. Call (773) 533-6013 or log on to www.blvd.org.
GROUNDBREAKING
The John Buck Co., Lendlease, and Intercontinental have broken ground on a new building slated for 845 W. Madison St.
MENTORS SOUGHT
Catholic Charities Youth Mentorship Program seeks mentors to work with boys in eighth through tenth grade in the Back of the Yards and New City communities. Individuals who can serve as positive role models and encourage good decision making are welcome. Call (630) 229-5335.
C.A.P.S. MEETINGS
Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (C.A.P.S.) meetings in the 1st, 2nd, 9th, 10th, and 12th districts, areas covered by Gazette Chicago, are as follows.
1st District: Beat 114, Thurs., Feb. 14, 130 N. Garland Ct., condo building, 6:30 p.m.; 10th Sector business meeting, Thurs., Feb. 28, 175 N. State St., Chicago Theater, 2 p.m.; 20th Sector residential meeting, Wed., Feb. 13, 525 S. State St., University Center, 6:30 p.m.; Beats 131/132, Tues., Feb. 19, 1718 S. State St., 1st District Station, 6:30 p.m.; Beat 133, Wed., Feb. 20, 2901 S. Martin Luther King Dr., Prairie Shores, 6:30 p.m. Call (312) 745-4381.
2nd District: Beat 211, Mon. Feb. 11, 3240 S. Indiana Ave., Illinois College of Optometry, 6:30 p.m.; Beats 212/214, Tues., Feb. 5, 3858 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Mandrake Park Field House, 6:30 p.m.; Beats 213/215/224, Tues., Feb. 26, 4058 S. Michigan Ave., St. Elizabeth Church, 6:30 p.m.; Beats 221/223, Tues., Feb. 19, 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave., King Center, 6:30 p.m.; Beat 222, Mon. Feb. 4, 4434 S. Lake Park Ave., Kennicott Park, 6:30 p.m.; Beats 225/232, Thurs., Feb. 14, 5627 S. Michigan Ave., Coppin A.M.E. Church, 6:30 p.m.; Beats 231/233/234/235, Thurs., Feb. 7, 5531 S. King Dr., Washington Park, 6:30 p.m. Call (312) 747-8366.
9th District: Beats 911/921, Wed., Feb. 6, 3050 W. 39th St., Davis School Annex, 7 p.m.; Beat 912, Wed., Feb. 13, 3625 S. Hoyne Ave., St. Maurice Church Hall, 7 p.m.; Beats 913/915, Tues., Feb. 12, 2859 S. Throop St., St. Barbara Church, 6:30 p.m.; Beat 914, Wed., Feb. 27, 2100 S. Wentworth Ave., Chinatown Library, 6:30 p.m.; Beat 922, Tues., Feb. 26, 2611 W. 48th St., Shields Middle School, 6 p.m.; Beat 923, Tues., Feb. 26, 5157 S. California Ave., St. Simon Church Hall, 7 p.m.; Beat 924, Tues., Feb. 5, 4430 S. Marshfield Ave., Davis Square Park, 6 p.m.; Beat 925, Wed., Feb. 20, 4500 S. Wallace St., St. Gabriel Church, 6 p.m.; Beats 931/933, Thurs., Feb. 14, 1809 W. 50th St., Cornell Square Park, 6 p.m.; Beats 932/934/935, Tues., Feb. 19, 1301 W. 52nd St., Sherman Park 6 p.m. Call (312) 747-3501.
10th District: Beat 1022, Thurs., Feb. 7, 3030 W. 21st Pl., Albany Terrace, 6 p.m.; Beats 1023/1024, Thurs., Feb. 14, 2730 W. 15th Pl., Mt. Sinai Hospital, 6 p.m.; Beats 1031/1032, Wed., Feb. 20, 2708 S. Pulaski Rd., Toman Library, 6 p.m.; Beat 1034, Tues., Feb. 5, 2700 S. Western Ave., YMCA-Rauner, 6 p.m. Call (312) 747-7190.
12th District: Beats 1211/1212, Wed., Feb. 6, 2347 W. Augusta Blvd., St. Helen’s Church basement, 7 p.m.; Beats 1224/1231, Wed., Feb. 13, 1300 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago Police Academy, 7 p.m.; Beats 1232/1233, Wed., Feb. 27, 1412 S. Blue Island Ave., 12th District Station, 7 p.m.; Beats 1234/1235, Wed., Feb. 20, 1919 S. Ashland Ave., St. Pius V Church basement, 7 p.m. Call (312) 746-8306.
To learn more about C.A.P.S. programs, visit the Chicago Police Districts website: home.chicagopolice.org/community/districts/, tab: Get Involved with C.A.P.S.
Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Dr., will present Verdi’s La Traviata from Saturday, Feb. 16, through Friday, March 22.
ARTIST GRANTS
The Chicago Artists Coalition has begun the SPARK Microgrant program for artists who are Asian, Latinx, Arab, African, Native American, have a disability, or are self-taught. For information, email [email protected] or call (312) 491-8888 x 1004.
GALLERY NIGHT
The Chicago Arts District Second Fridays gallery night happens every second Friday of the month from 6 to 10 p.m. This walking tour of 25 Pilsen galleries and art spots includes performance art and shopping opportunities. Admission is free. Begin your tour at 1945 S. Halsted St. For more information, call (312) 738-8000.
NURSE CONSORTIUM NEWS
The Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium helps foreign-educated nurses attain licensure in Illinois.
National Council Licensure Examination predictor tests are available to demonstrate probability of passing the nursing exam.
The organization’s website at www.chicagobilingualnurse.org also lists jobs available for nurses. For more information, call (312) 567-2065.
GREEK HERITAGE NIGHT
The Chicago Blackhawks will host Greek American Heritage Night on Monday, March 18, for businesses, residents, and fans of Greektown. The game is against the Vancouver Canucks and starts at 7:30 p.m. Log on to www.nhl.com/blackhawks/tickets/groupnights and enter the code Greek.
BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection offers free business education workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall. For more information, call (312) 744-2086 or email [email protected].
NAVY PIER FLYOVER
People biking, walking, and running on the Lakefront Trail no longer have to deal with vehicular traffic at Illinois Street and at Grand Avenue as the Navy Pier Flyover now features a sidewalk, constructed by the Chicago Department of Transportation, allowing pedestrians and bicyclists to bypass those streets.
SOCCER PROGRAMS
Chicago KICS hosts soccer programs at the Mercy Soccer Center at 226 S. Aberdeen St. and Chicago Indoor Sports at 3900 S. Ashland Ave. Log on to kicsunited.org.
LIBRARY OPENS
The Chicago Public Library (CPL) West Loop Branch opened on Jan. 17. The library is located at 122 N. Aberdeen St. For more information, log on to www.chipublib.org.
CHICAGO THEATRE WEEK
Chicago Theatre Week is an annual celebration of theatre-going in Chicago, during which visitors and residents can access value-priced tickets, all priced at $30, $15, or less. Chicago Theatre Week runs from Thursday, Feb. 7, through Sunday, Feb 17. Go to ChicagoTheatreWeek.com.
HR MASTERMIND
The Chicago HR Mastermind is a free monthly meetup of more than 1,100 human resources practitioners, service providers, students, and Chicago-area professionals in job transition who come together to expand networks and solve problems. Arrive eager to be of service, and leave ready to make an impact. Visit www.HRHotSeat.com for a calendar of upcoming events.
WOMEN’S PARK NEWS
Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens hosts adult fitness, early childhood, and youth programs. Log on to http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Chicago-Womens-Park-and-Gardens.
Fit4Mom Stroller Strides offer a workout moms can do with their babies at the park Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m. Log on to chicagoloop.fit4mom.com.
The park will host its Fire and Ice Festival on Friday, Feb. 1, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy indoor skating in socks, arts and crafts, ice bowling, and roasted marshmallows.
Youngsters can play in the indoor playground at the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, which features a climbing wall, playhouse, spinner, and Imagination Playground set.
Prenatal fitness classes are scheduled on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 10:15 to 11 a.m., and Tuesday, March 5, from 7 to 7:45 a.m.
Park Advisory Council meetings will be held at 6:45 p.m. the Tuesdays of Feb. 5, March 12, April 23, June 11, July 23, Aug. 20, Oct. 8, and Dec. 3.
The park is at 1801 S. Indiana Ave. Call (312) 742-PLAY.
CHICAGO IS NOT BROKE
Editor Tom Tresser of CivicLab, who published the book Chicago Is Not Broke, is asking people to host a “book meeting in a box” at their homes. He will send ten books to you plus a discussion guide. You invite people to your home and either give or sell them the book. He supplies a link to a pre-recorded personalized video introduction that you play for the attendees. If you bring those folks back together after they read the book, Tresser will join that gathering via a live video chat.
Contact Tresser at (312) 804-3230 or [email protected].
Current Mount Carmel High School students and administrators greeted eighth graders who took the school’s entrance examination.
DEPAUL EVENTS
DePaul University Alumni Relations will host a tasting and tour at Intelligentsia Coffee Roasting Works, 1850 W. Fulton St., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9. Cost is $15.
DePaul will host an ice skating outing at MB Arena, 1801 W. Jackson Blvd., on Sunday, Feb. 24, 11:40 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. Cost is $25.
Join DePaul alumni for an evening of service at Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly at 355 N. Ashland Ave. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. to help make lap blankets and candy favors. All materials will be provided.
Those registering must be DePaul alumni, who may bring non-alumni guests. Call (800) 437-1898 or email [email protected].
DE LA SALLE NEWS
De La Salle Institute is one of only 138 U.S. educational institutions to receive a Regional Challenge Program Growth grant from NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration). The grant allows De La Salle teams to travel to regional robotics events.
Eva Liang and LeeVon Overton won the school’s Academic Writing Contest.
Seven students were chosen to the 2018 All-Chicago Catholic League Green Division First Team: Ronald Anderson, Tom Coates (Canaryville), Jim Guttillo, Steven Hawthorne, Jason Moore (Near West Side), Robert Simental (Canaryville), and Daniel White.
Principal Diane Brown recently earned her doctorate in educational administration for teaching and learning.
Call (312) 842-7355 or log on to www.dls.org.
FREE MONTH
The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., will have free admission throughout February. Log on to www.fieldmuseum.org.
LEGAL DEFENSE
First Defense Legal Aid, 5100 W. Harrison St., provides representation to people in custody, informs people of their rights, and organizes volunteers to help.
For more information, call (773) 434-4162.
ASHES ON ASHLAND
On Ash Wednesday, March 6, First Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1124 S. Ashland Ave., will offer Ashes on Ashland, providing ashes and blessings during the morning rush, 6 to 8:30 a.m. Anyone is welcome, whether on foot or in traffic. For those who wish, deacons will be available for individual prayer and blessing both outside and inside the sanctuary. Call (773) 357-5305.
DONATIONS WELCOME
First Trinity Chicago Lutheran Church Community Center welcomes donations of clothing, shoes, and hygiene items. Volunteers accept donations on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. The church is located at 643 W. 31st St. Call (312) 842-7390.
LICNA NEWS
Galileo Scholastic Academy of Math and Science and Smyth Elementary School each received $2,500 checks at the Jan. 6 meeting of the Little Italy Chicago Neighborhood Association (LICNA), paid from profits made at last year’s Festa Italiana. This year’s fest will run Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 15 through 8, on Taylor Street. The association will start a community membership drive soon.
GOODMAN PLAYS
Goodman Theatre presents How to Catch Creation, a portrait of three artist/intellectual couples exploring life, children, and marriage, from now through Sunday, Feb. 24.
It also will stage Twilight Bowl, a play about six women struggling for success, from Friday, Feb. 8, to Sunday, March 10.
The theatre is at 170 N. Dearborn St. Call (312) 443-3800. See www.goodmantheatre.org.
Members of the Taylor-Lauridsen Pinochle Club include (from left to right, back row) Ken Wicherek, John Perseghin, Jack Keane, John Gronkowski, Elaine Mitchell, Rich Bertoni, Jackie Delgadillo, and Jennie Scuderi, and (left to right, front row) Marlene Chodor, and Ruth Czarnecki.
GWTP JOB TRAINING
Greater West Town Partnership, 500 N. Sacramento Blvd., offers job placement and training programs in wood products manufacturing and shipping and receiving. Call (312) 563-9570.
GREEKTOWN NEWS
Greektown SSA #16 has implemented a security rebate program, installed LED lighting, and hired a professional security company to patrol the community. For more information, log on to https://greektownchicago.org/about/ssa-16/.
The West Central Association, along with representatives from the State’s Attorney’s office and 12th District CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) recently visited with Greektown area businesses to learn about their concerns and improving security in the community. Call (312) 902-4922 for more information.
Greektown offers complimentary Lyft rides from Greektown to the United Center for Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks games. Pick up Lyft cards at participating Greektown restaurants.
LA TRAVIATA
Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Dr., will present Verdi’s La Traviata from Saturday, Feb. 16, through Friday, March 22. Call (312) 827-5600.
TOUR TIME
Join the hour long Instagreeter free tours that highlight downtown, Millennium Park, and the Magnificent Mile, which are available year round, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sun., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. No registration required, and all tours depart on the half hour from the Chicago Cultural Center visitor center at 77 E. Randolph St. Call (312) 945- 4231 or visit www.chicagogreeter.com.
MARKET NEWS
Maxwell Street Market, Des-plaines and Taylor Streets, is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sundays, year round. It offers many types of merchandise including tools, clothing, furniture, collectables, and food. Parking is free on Desplaines from Harrison to Polk Streets and from Taylor Street to Roosevelt Road.
MCKINLEY PARK NEWS
The McKinley Park Dog Park Committee meets the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. in the McKinley Park Fieldhouse. Email [email protected].
The park is at 37th Street and Archer Avenue.
NORTHERLY ISLAND NEWS
Polar Adventure Days will be held at Northerly Island on Saturday, Feb. 23, from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy outdoor and indoor events featuring animals, crafts, and winter activities.
Snowtrekking, a walk around Northerly Island while wearing snowshoes, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Saturdays of Feb. 2, 9, and 16; and March 2.
Family Prairie Prowls will be held the Wednesdays of Feb. 6 (bonfire), and March 6 (bird hike).
Dress appropriately for weather conditions. Northerly Island Park is at 1521 S. Linn White Dr. Call (312) 742-7529. Call (312) 742-PLAY (7529) for a schedule of activities.
MOUNT CARMEL NEWS
Mount Carmel High School hosted 212 eighth graders at its entrance exam in December. This is the third straight year Mount Carmel has attracted more than 200 students for the exam. Information on admissions, enrollment, and scholarships can be found at mchs.org/scholarships or contact director of admissions and enrollment Craig Ferguson at [email protected] or (773) 324-9235, ext. 290.
Fourteen students from the Class of 2019 have been named Illinois State Scholars: Kieran Conjar, John Curtin, Thomas Dart, Kevan Fleming, Anthony Kubik, Owen Madrigal, Michael McKenna, Timothy Sullivan, Alexander Tracy, Nicola Vitiritti, William Walsh, Jason Wendling, Brett Wiseman, and Anthony Zralka.
Students of the Month were freshman Patrick Sullivan, sophomore Kenenna Odeluga, junior Charlie Chappetto, and senior Liam Walsh.
The school is located at 6410 S. Dante Ave.
Sarah Chew (right), an editor and writer for the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, recently visited St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS
Overeaters Anonymous meets every Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 3528 S. Hermitage Ave. Call (773) 523-3917.
HELP FOR SENIORS
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said seniors whose annual household income is $55,000 or less can apply to the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program for loans to cover property tax payments. Download the application from cookcountytreasurer.com.
MARKET AND TOURS
The Plant, a facility home to farm and food-producing businesses, hosts an indoor farmers market at 1400 W. 46th St. the first Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Go on tours of the Plant at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. For information, log on to PlantChicago.org/market.
INTERNET COURSES
Public Narrative, 600 S. Michigan Ave., offers courses in various locations on topics including social media, communication plans, podcasting, search engine optimization, and analytics. Call (312) 369-6400.
RUSH GENERATIONS
Rush Generations, a health and aging program, offers classes, screenings, and programs for older adults and caregivers. Want to learn simple mindfulness skills to improve self-awareness and help manage stress? Join Rush for Mindfulness 101 on Thursdays, Feb. 8 through March 21, at the Johnston R. Bowman Health Center, 710 S. Paulina St. Cost: $20. Looking for a support group to help you or a loved one better understand and cope with a Lupus diagnosis? Join Rush at the Learn about Lupus Support Group on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Tower Resource Center, 1620 W Harrison St., 4th floor, suite 04547. The Friends and Family of People With Memory Loss group is held the second Monday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the AB Dick Conference Room, 1620 W. Harrison St., suite 03519. For more information or to reserve your spot, call (888) 352-RUSH (7874).
SAINT IGNATIUS NEWS
For online tours of Saint Ignatius College Prep, log on to https://tour.lcp360.com/nocache/stignatius/tour/.
Saint Ignatius is located at 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. Call (312) 421-5900 or log on to www.ignatius.org.
SHRINE NEWS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii coordinates an annual $1,000 scholarship in the name of the late parishioner Antoinette “Toni” DiFiore, established by her nephew, Dr. Vincent Arpino. The scholarship is awarded to a neighborhood resident attending a Catholic high school. To apply for the scholarship, entrants must write a 500-word essay, double spaced, on the person who has most influenced their lives. Mail the essay by Monday, Feb. 28, to Mary Beth Howard, Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, 1224 W. Lexington St., Chicago, IL 60607.
Log on to ourladyofpompeii.org or call (312) 421-3757.
ST. MATTHEW NEWS
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 2108 W. 21st St., (773) 847-6458, offers family counseling including pre-marriage classes and marriage counseling. The soup kitchen welcomes gifts of cups, paper products, plates, silverware, napkins, paper towels, and toilet paper. Call (773) 847-6458.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN NEWS
Second Presbyterian Church, 1936 S. Michigan Ave. is hosting its annual winter coat drive through February and will distribute donations of warm clothes, sweat shirts, hoodies, sweaters, coats, gloves, caps, scarves, and mittens to those in need. Bring donations Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Call (312) 225-4951.
SIXTH GRACE NEWS
Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, 600 E. 35th St., holds Overeaters Anonymous meetings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Pastor David B. Thornton co-facilitates.
Call (312) 225-5300.
SOUTH LOOP ENTREPRENEURS
South Loop Entrepreneurs meets the second Tuesday of the month. Each evening features a presentation by a South Loop entrepreneur, followed by breakouts in smaller groups to consider questions and full group sharing to benefit from collective wisdom. For more information, follow South Loop Entrepreneurs on Facebook.
DISCOUNT TICKETS
The Spirit of Harmony Foundation, led by rock star Todd Rundgren and dedicated to encouraging youngsters to play music, offers discount tickets to see Blue Man Group, with some of the proceeds going to the foundation. Call (773) 348-4000 and mention code SOHF.
PINOCHLE CLUB AT TAYLOR-LAURIDSEN
Taylor-Lauridsen Park, 704 W. 42nd St., seeks new members for the pinochle club, which meets Thursdays at 10 a.m. New or experienced players welcome.
The club recently held a tournament, won by John Gronkowski.
For more information, call the park at (312) 747-6729.
UIC INFO
The University of Illinois at Chicago has received a $1.1 million, five-year grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Astrobiology Institute to identify biosignatures of life on Titan—Saturn’s largest moon—from either currently living or long extinct life. Scientists believe Titan’s ocean, which sits below a thick ice layer, has conditions favorable to life.
The UIC Pavilion is now Credit Union 1 Arena as part of a 15-year agreement with the university valued at $9.3 million. Credit Union 1 also will contribute $750,000 toward scholarships at UIC.
The St. John Paul II Newman Center at UIC recently took 112 UIC students, alumni, and others to the Fellowship of Catholic University Students’ SEEK 2019 Conference in Indianapolis, IN. At this conference, more than 17,000 college students, young adults, campus ministers, and parish/diocesan leaders learned how to grow in their own spirituality and build community with others. For more information, visit www.focus.org.
UIC and Credit Union 1 officials celebrated the dedication of the Credit Union 1 Arena. The company also will provide scholarships for UIC students.
TRAUMA HELPLINE
The toll-free TURN Trauma Counseling Helpline, (833) TURN123, operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. TURN stands for The Urban Resilience Network, and the helpline assists those experiencing trauma caused by exposure to violence. The organization also provides trained ambassadors to visit community events and schools to educate about trauma.
WOMAN MADE NEWS
Woman Made Gallery will host an exhibition of feminist protest art, Refreshing Feminism, from Friday, Feb. 22, through Saturday, March 16. The gallery is at 2150 S. Canalport Ave. Call (312) 738-0400 or log on to https://womanmade.org/.
SAFE ZONE
Meeting online buyers or sellers in person now is a little safer for both UIC personnel and the general public, thanks to the University of Illinois at Chicago Police. The department opened its district station front lobby to the public as a Safe Exchange Zone, where people can carry out legal swaps, sales, or purchases on campus as well as make child custody exchanges. Open 24 hours, the area has video surveillance and a seating area. The station is located at 943 W. Maxwell St., and parking is available.