The Chicago Artists Coalition has begun the SPARK Microgrant program for artists seeking funding.
By William S. Bike
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.
SHAMROCK SHUFFLE
The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is scheduled for Sunday, March 24. The race starts and finishes in Grant Park and mirrors the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as it goes through River North, the Loop, and South Loop. Log on to https://register.hakuapp.com.
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 info@bentonhouse.org.
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
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.
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 adia@chicagoartistscoalition.org 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 BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org.
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.
TEEN OPPORTUNITY FAIR
The Chicago Park District will host a Teen Opportunity Fair on recreation, education, and job readiness on Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kennedy King College, U Building, 740 W. 63rd St. log on to www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com to register.
The Chicago HR Mastermind is a free monthly meetup of Chicago-area professionals in job transition who come together to expand networks and solve problems.
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.
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.
A prenatal fitness class is scheduled on 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 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 tom@civiclab.us.
DE LA SALLE NEWS
De La Salle Institute wrestlers Dominee Daniels, David Ortiz, and Mateo Portillo represented the school at the Illinois High School Association state finals at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
De La Salle will host its Spring Open House on Monday, April 15, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Youngsters can become a Meteor for a Day. Families can set up a day for their youngsters to explore De La Salle by visiting classes and facilities.
The school will host Grade School Summer Camps in June and July in music, sports, and art.
Call (312) 842-7355 or log on to www.dls.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, 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.
UNUSUAL PLANT
At the Garfield Park Conservatory,
300 N. Central Park Ave., an Agave Americana plant, which normally grows six feet tall and up to eight feet wide, recently sent up an unusual two-foot tall flower stalk. During one period, the stalk grew seven inches in 24 hours. The reason could be “a few slightly longer, warmer and sunny days, or it also could be entirely the plant’s own ‘decision,’ genetic disposition to start growing,” said Garfield Park Conservatory Horticulturalist Ray Jorgensen. For more information, call (312) 742-4798.
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.
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.
DIVERSITY JOB FAIR
Latin School of Chicago will hold a Diversity Job Fair for teachers, staff, and administrators interested in independent schools on Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to noon, 59 W. North Blvd. The event is sponsored by Latin School, Francis W. Parker School, and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Log on to latinschool.org/diversityjobfair.
LA TRAVIATA
Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Dr., will present Verdi’s La Traviata from now to Friday, March 22. Call (312) 827-5600.
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.
GRAND OPENING
McDonald’s will host a grand opening of its 2315 W. Ogden Ave. restaurant from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, with a ribbon cutting by Alderman Jason Ervin at 5 p.m. There also will be a live DJ and a free gift for the first 100 people who place an order on the kiosk between 2 and 6 p.m. that day.
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 mckinleydogpark@gmail.com.
The park is at 37th Street and Archer Avenue.
MERCY HOME NEWS
The Mercy Home March for Kids makes a difference in the lives of children who have suffered abuse and neglect. The home is seeking donations from now through Sunday, March 31, at https://www.mercyhome.org/giving/#.XFzEtlxKiM8. Mercy Home also seeks volunteers to collect donations at Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The parade will move down Columbus Drive from Balbo Street to Monroe Street. Mercy Home is at 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. Call (312) 738-7560.
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.
The Chicago Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Chicago will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 3.
SNIDER PRIZE
The Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) and Columbia College Chicago are seeking entrants for the Snider Prize competition for emerging artists in their final year of graduate study. The winner receives $2,000, and two honorable mentions each receive $500 toward the purchase of work to be added to the MoCP’s permanent collection. The prize is open to Master of Fine Arts students in their last year of an accredited program. See http://www.mocp.org/about/snider-prize.php. Submissions will be accepted through Friday, April 12.
MOUNT CARMEL NEWS
Mount Carmel High School will host its spring musical on Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23.
The school is located at 6410 S. Dante Ave. For information, call (773) 324-1020.
NATIVITY NEWS
Nativity of Our Lord Church, 653 W. 37th St., on Ash Wednesday, March 6, will hold Mass in the Chapel at 7 a.m. and in the Church at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; and a Prayer Service in the Chapel at 3 p.m. During Lent, Holy Hour and Adoration will be held every Friday from March 8 through April 12 at 6:30 p.m. Log on to www.nativitybridgeport.org.
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.
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 many classes, screenings, and programs for older adults and caregivers. Join Rush Generations for Art for Emotional Wellness, a free six-week class in which instructors will explore movement, music, photography, comedy, and more; it will take place on Thursdays, from 1 to 3 p.m., March 28 through May 2. On Tuesdays, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., March 5 through April 9, Rush Generations will offer Take Charge of Your Diabetes, a free workshop. A licensed physical therapist will perform free, 15-minute balance screenings on Tuesday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These programs will all take place on the Rush University Medical Center campus. To reserve your spots or for more information, call (888) 352-RUSH (7874).
POLAR PLUNGE
The Chicago Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Chicago will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 3, at North Avenue Beach. Register or donate at chicagopolarplunge.org, call (312) 527-3743, or email polarplunge@sochicago.org.
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.
Glessner House, 1800 S. Prairie Avenue, will host a series of events open to the public during Frances Glessner Lee Week.
ST. JOSEPH’S TABLES
Several area parishes will host St. Joseph’s Tables: Notre Dame de Chicago, 1336 W. Flournoy St., Sunday, March 24, after the 8:30 and 10 a.m. and noon Masses, (312) 243-7400; Santa Lucia/Santa Maria Incoronata Parish, 3022 S. Wells St., Sunday, March 17, after the 10 a.m. Mass, (312) 842-6115; St. Mary of Perpetual Help Church, 1039 W. 32nd St., Sunday, March 24, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass, (773) 927-6646; the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, 1224 W. Lexington St., Sunday, March 17, seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., (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.
GLESSNER HOUSE EVENTS
Glessner House, 1800 S. Prairie Avenue, will host special events during Frances Glessner Lee Week, Saturday, March 23, through Saturday, March 30. Lee is considered the mother of forensic science. The week begins with a dinner on Saturday, March 23, at 6:30 p.m.; tickets are $250 per person. On Monday, March 25, at 6 p.m. enjoy a birthday party and opening of her restored childhood bedroom; tickets are $75 per person. A lecture, Anatomy of a Restoration, will take place on Wednesday, March 27, at 7 p.m.; tickets are $25 per person. See the 1950 film noir classic, Mystery Street, on Friday, March 29, at 7 p.m.; tickets are $15 per person. The week concludes with Murder in a Nutshell-A Frances Glessner Lee Whodunit Event on Saturday, March 30; tickets are $25 per person. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.glessnerhouse.org or call (312) 326-1480.
SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL NEWS
San Miguel School, 1949 W. 48th St., recently received a gift of new gym shoes for the boys’ varsity basketball team from the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council and McDonald’s. Call (773) 890-1481.
SOCCER CAMPS
Sean Phillips Soccer will host day camps, goalkeeper camps, and college camps Monday, June 10, through Friday, July 19. Camps are held at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Register at www.seanphillipssoccer.com, or call (312) 848-6106.
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.
SHRINE NEWS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii will distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday, March 6, at 7:30 a.m. and noon at Liturgy of the Word events and at a 6 p.m. Mass.
Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday from March 8 through April 19 at noon.
There will be a Padre Pio Cenacle at 6 p.m. every Wednesday. The shrine also will host a food drive at 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 10.
A Lenten Day of Reflection and Reconciliation will be held Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The shrine is located at 1224 W. Lexington St., Chicago, IL 60607.
Log on to ourladyofpompeii.org or call (312) 421-3757.
Goodman Theatre is running the play Twilight Bowl about women struggling for success.
SIXTH GRACE NEWS
Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, 600 E. 35th St., and the Presbyterian Women’s group will host a Women’s Day worship service on Sunday, March 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fellowship will be held in Register Hall after the service.
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.
SLN NEWS
The South Loop Neighbors have elected 2019 officers: Jim Wales, president; Benjamin Cottrell, vice president; Dennis McClendon, vice president of planning and development; Dorothy Miaso, treasurer; Robert Degnan, secretary; and Christine Hunt and Roger Marsh, directors. See www.southloopneighbors.org.
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.
For more information, call the park at (312) 747-6729.
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.
UKRAINIAN INSTITUTE NEWS
The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art will host a benefit art auction Saturday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m.
Musicians Bria Blessing and the Shockolad band will perform on Saturday, March 9, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40. Email molokocompany@gmail.com for tickets.
The museum is at 2320 W. Chicago Ave. Call (773) 227-5522 or log on to www.uima-chicago.org.
GOODMAN PLAYS
Goodman Theatre is running the play Twilight Bowl, about women struggling for success, from now through Sunday, March 10.
It also will present the play Sweat from Saturday, March 9, through Sunday, April 14, and the play Lottery Day from Friday, March 29, through Sunday, April 28.
The theatre is at 170 N. Dearborn St. Call (312) 443-3800. See www.goodmantheatre.org.
UNICEF GALA
The Midwest Regional Office of UNICEF USA will host the twelfth annual UNICEF Gala Chicago at the Geraghty, 2520 S. Hoyne Ave, on Saturday, April 6, a6 6:30 p.m. The UNICEF Children First Award will be presented to Rotary International to honor their contribution for the betterment of children around the world. The evening also will feature interactive UNICEF installations, dinner, a live auction, and entertainment. Log on to www.unicefgalachi.org.
FREE ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry’s Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery Clinics will host free oral cancer screenings on Wednesday, April 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The clinic is in Room 110 at the UIC College of Dentistry, 801 S. Paulina St. Those wanting screenings may stop by any time between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. For more information, go to https://dentistry.uic.edu/.
Also, the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System will host screenings at Mile Square Health Centers. Mile Square South Shore is located at 7037 S. Stony Island Ave. and will have screenings on Monday, April 8. Call (312) 355-5590. Mile Square Humboldt Park is located at 3240 W. Division St. and will have screenings on Tuesday, April 9. Call (312) 413-7425. Mile Square Main is located at 1220 S. Wood St. and will have screenings on Wednesday, April 10. Call (312) 996-2000. Mile Square Back of the Yards is located at 4630 S. Bishop St. and will have screenings on Friday, April 12. Call (312) 996-2000.
WOMAN MADE NEWS
Woman Made Gallery will host an exhibition of feminist protest art, Refreshing Feminism, from now through Saturday, March 16. The gallery is at 2150 S. Canalport Ave. Call (312) 738-0400 or log on to https://womanmade.org/.
Send news of events to be held “around the neighborhood” by the 15th of the month before the month they are to occur to William S. Bike, Around the Neighborhood, Gazette Chicago, 1335 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607-3318, fax (312) 243-4270, or email pr@gazettechicago.com.