By William S. Bike
Editor’s note: At press time, future events listed in Around the Neighborhood still were scheduled, but changes are happening on a daily basis due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Check websites or call before going out in case events have been postponed or canceled.
TAI CHI
Instructor Chad Koch of All in Motion offers tai chi every Sunday at 9 a.m. in Mary Bartelme Park, 115 S. Sangamon St. All in Motion is located at 112 S. Sangamon St. Log on to www.aimgymchicago.com.
ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES
Local resident Richard Alvarez has created an anti-racism resources website at https://antiracism-resources.com. You also can find his resource list at www.gazettechicago.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. 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.
GET HELP
The Catholic Charities call center helps callers with a variety of needs and connects them toprograms within Catholic Charities or other agencies.
The organization offers meals to go at St. Vincent Center, 721 N. LaSalle St., Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. No pre-registration required.
Catholic Charities operates several food pantries.
A counseling/support hotline is available at (312) 948-6951. Catholic Charities also offers professional counseling at (312) 644-7725.
Log on to cahtoliccharties.net, call (312) 655-7700, or email [email protected].
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 (773) 838-1870.
CCT NEWS
Chicago Children’s Theatre will turn its parking lot at 100 S. Racine Ave. into an outdoor drive-in to debut an all-new, outdoor, socially distanced production, Drive In Theatre: Beatrix Potter and Friends. Performances run Thursday through Saturday through Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at chicagochildrenstheatre.org at $45 per car (up to six people) or $45 for a socially distanced “pod” for families who prefer to arrive on foot with blankets or folding chairs. Space is limited to 17 cars and/or pods per show.
CCT also offers virtual theatre and learning for youngsters ages two through 13.
For information, call (773) 227-0180 or log on to chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
FAIR WORK WEEK bill
The Chicago City Council in September unanimously approved a bill requiring large Chicago employers to give workers at least two weeks’ advance notice of their schedules and compensate them for last-minute changes.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services reports that Community Services Block Grant Scholarships are available for those enrolled or planning to enroll in college or vocational training. Contact Jenny Schuler at [email protected] or (312) 746-7291.
HALSTED RESURFACING
The Chicago Department of Transportation will continue resurfacing Halsted Street from Archer Avenue to 16th Street through Monday, Nov. 30.
CITY NEWS
City of Chicago emergency rental assistance is available for people suffering financial hardship. Call 311 or use a search engine to find City of Chicago Family & Support Services online.
WINTER SPORTS
Sign up for winter sports at the ComEd Rec Center at 1434 S. Loomis St. There will be recreational indoor soccer for toddlers, boys, and girls, and flag football, basketball, and floor hockey for boys and girls. For information, email [email protected].
GET ORGANIZED
Community Organizing and Family Issues,2245 S. Michigan Ave., (312) 226-5141, organizes and trains parents to win improvements in schools and communities and in how to create organizations and programs. See cofionline.org.
CMI RESOURCES
The Crisis Management Institute (CMI) works with schools and parents after a tragedy, such as a shooting or national event like the Sept. 11, 2001. To deal with issues related to coronavirus, the CMI launched several websites. One has resources for school counselors, counselors.cmionline.com; a second is for parents, parents.cmionline.com; and a third serves children and their parents, resources-for-kids-during-covid19. Parents can access several children’s books by Marla Koch to help children deal with quarantine by using the resources tab of the parents’ website. For more information, log on to www.cmionline.org or call (503) 585-3484.
DE LA SALLE ROUNDUP
De La Salle Institute recently received a $183,000 grant from the Bernard Heerey Family Foundation to provide financial assistance through the Multi-Student Scholarship Program and Presidential Scholarship Program for the 2020-21 academic year.
De La Salle is at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 842-7355 or log on to www.dls.org.
LEGAL AID
First Defense Legal Aid, located at 5100 W. Harrison St., provides representation to people in custody, informs people of their rights, and organizes volunteers to help.For more information, call (800) 529-7374.
FOOD PANTRIES
The following food pantries provide groceries and meals to those who need them.
Chosen Tabernacle Full Gospel, 4310 S. Champlain Ave., Thursday, 1 to 3 p.m., (888) 834-9414.
Church of St. Paul and the Redeemer, 4945 S. Dorchester Ave., Wednesday, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., (773) 624-3185.
Hyde Park SDA Soup Kitchen, 4608 S. Drexel Blvd., Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., (773) 373-2909.
Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, 4242 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., (773) 548-7500.
Kenwood UCC Soup Kitchen, 4608 S. Greenwood Ave., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:30 to 10 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m., (773) 373-2861.
Operation Pull Grant Memorial, 4017 S. Drexel Blvd., Tuesday, 1 to 3 p.m., (773) 285-5819.
GLESSNER HOUSE NEWS
Glessner House is at 1800 S. Prairie Ave. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., curator William Tyre will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Chicago’s designating Glessner and Clarke Houses as the city’s first landmarks with a presentation on Chicago landmarking and these two South Loop buildings’ preservation history. Advance tickets are required and are $10 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.glessnerhouse.org.
GBMA HELP
Greater Bridgeport Mutual Aid, a network of more than 150 volunteers, has organized to provide free grocery delivery, direct people to resources and information through a telephone hotline, provide digital enrichment for students during remote learning, and do neighbor support check-ins. The network serves the Bridgeport, Chinatown, Armour Square, and Canaryville neighborhoods. Services are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Request services on the group’s website at www.gbmachicago.org or by calling or texting the group’s hotline at (312) 818-1393. Donations are welcome by emailing GBMA through the organization’s website.
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.
HR HOTSEAT
HRHotSeat Chicagois a free monthly online meetup of more than 1,600 human resources practitioners, service providers, students, and Chicago-area professionals in job transition who come together to expand networks and solve problems. Visit www.HRHotSeat.com or email info @hrhotseat.com for a calendar of upcoming events.
14 ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
Fourteen arts organizations from Bridgeport, Bronzeville, West Town, Heart of Chicago, Pilsen, and the South Loop are part of an exhibition at Hyde Park Art Center, Artist Run Chicago 2.0, on display now through Sunday, Nov. 1. This is the art center’s first exhibition after reopening. The 14 organizations are: from Bridgeport, 062 Gallery and Co-Prosperity Sphere; from Bronzeville: Blanc Gallery, from West Town, Document; from Heart of Chicago: AMFM, Prairie, Slow, and Western Pole; from Pilsen: ACRE Projects, Annas, Chicago Art Department, Rootwork Gallery, and Tiger Strikes Asteroid; and from the South Loop, D Gallery. Other arts organizations from other neighborhoods also are represented. Log on to www.hydeparkart.org or call (773) 324-5520. The center is located at 5050 S. Cornell Ave.
MAMMOGRAM RUN/WALK
The Hyde Park Beyond a Mammogram Virtual 5K Run/Walk benefits early detection of and research on breast cancer. Participate any time between now and Saturday, Oct. 24. Register for free and log on to www.hydepark5k.org.
ADAMS BRIDGE
The Illinois Department of Transportation has closed Adams Street Bridge over the Kennedy Expressway, and the expressway ramps leading to and from it, for repairs until 2022 as part of the Jane Byrne Interchange project.
LOW-COST INTERNET
Internet Essentials makes it possible for people receiving public assistance to qualify for low-cost internet service. Log on to internetessentials.com.
IEDC HONORS PETERS
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its Lifetime Environmental Scorecard, chronicling the average score of all votes cast on bills affecting the environment by each legislator over the course of his or her legislative career. The IEC honored Senator Robert Peters (D-13th) for his perfect voting record and Senator Mattie Hunter (D-3rd) for her 90.1% voting record. For information, call (217) 544-5954.
LADIES OF VIRTUE
Ladies of Virtue,1245 S. Michigan Ave., (877) 565-7121, provides mentoring and leadership and empowering experiences, including help with school applications, for girls ages nine through 18 from underserved communities. Log on to lovchicago.org.
LATINO UNION
Latino Union of Chicago collaborates with low-income workers to improve their social and economic conditions through employment opportunities. Log on to latinounion.org or call (312) 491-9044. For those looking to hire workers, call (773) 588-2641.
RENTERS’ SERVICES
The Lawyers Committee for Better Housing provides eligible renters with supportive services and free legal aid. The LCBH also offers Rennie the Chatbot at rentervention.com to help with people’s housing problems. The LCBH is located at 33 N. LaSalle St. Call (312) 347-7600 or log on to www.lcbh.org.
MERCY NEWS
With the Chicago Marathon canceled, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls is seeking people to run or do another sporting event in October to raise money for the home. See https://marathon.mercyhome.org/heroes-challenge/.
Call (312) 738-7560 or log on to www.mercyhome.org.
LAWN OPEN
The Millennium Park great lawn reopened with social distancing circles painted on the grass that will help groups and individuals stay six feet apart. The park is accessible from the entrance at Michigan Avenue and Madison Street from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
EMPOWERING LATINAS
Mujeres Latinas en Accion empowers Latinas through service and advocacy. Their domestic violence crisis hotline is (312) 738-5358 and their rape crisis hotline is (888) 293-2080. Mujeres is located at 2124 W. 21st Pl. Call (773) 890-7676.
NEWMAN CENTER ANNIVERSARY
St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 22. The center needs a new roof, boiler, and air conditioning unit, for which management hopes to raise $40,000. To make a contribution, go to www.givecentral.org/location/464/event/12008. For information, call (312) 226-1880.
MENTAL HEALTH
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago offers support groups and other resources for individuals who may need help. Call (833) 626-4244 or visit www.namichicago.org.
FREE DAYS
Shedd Aquarium will be open free to all Illinois residents every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in October. The aquarium is at 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr. Registration for tickets ahead of time for entry is mandatory at sheddaquarium.org or call (312) 939-2438.
SOCIAL HEALTH INITIATIVE
The Pilsen Social Health Initiative at 1850 S. Throop St. offers a food pantry, thrift store, and onsite social worker. See www.pilsensocialhealthinitiative.com/. Call (773) 812-3150.
RAOUL ROUNDUP
Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a multistate coalition in filing a lawsuit challenging the Federal government’s unlawful final rule curtailing requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The rule undercuts NEPA’s requirement that Federal agencies review and assess their actions’ impact on the environment. The final rule also limits public participation in the review process, robbing residents of vulnerable communities of the opportunity to be heard on actions that likely have adverse environmental and health effects. For information, call (217) 524-4173.
SHRINE NEWS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii will host its fall spirituality seriesvia Zoom, led by the Rev. Richard N. Fragomeni, rector. EntitledFrom All Saints to Fourteen Holy Helpers, it will cover protectors from the past and intercessors for today on the Thursdays of Nov. 5, 12, and 19, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Attend an Advent day of reflection virtual retreat on Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to noon, led by Terry Nelson-Johnson.
To register, contact Cathy Lentz at [email protected] or call (312) 421-3757. Freewill donations accepted.
The shrine is at 1224 W. Lexington St. Call (312) 421-3757.
SAINT IGNATIUS NEWS
The Saint Ignatius College Prep model United Nations team participated in Stevenson High School’s model UN conference on Sept. 12, with several students recognized for exceptional dramatic skills: Will Anderson, George Barkidjija, Kayla Bruckert, Natalie Bruckert, Annabelle Graham, Jack Greenwalt, Scarlett McGuire, and Padraig Troy.
The school is located at 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. Log on to www.ignatius.org or call (312) 421-5900.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION
The State of Illinois has suspended enforcement of vehicle registration until Monday, Nov. 2, due to the coronavirus.
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.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
If your business has experienced substantial economic injury due to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Association is authorized to issue assistance through a small business economic injury disaster loan program. This program can provide low interest loans of up to $2 million to businesses and private non-profits. See https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
UIC INFORMATION
The University of Illinois Chicago will lead Crossing Latinidades, a new consortium of 16 Hispanic-serving institutions that rank as top tier doctoral universities with very high research activity, with support from a $150,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to UIC’s Department of Latin American and Latino studies and its Office of Diversity.
UIC received a $2.5 million grant to improve primary care physicians’ preparation to treat substance use disorders and mental health conditions in rural and urban underserved populations.
UIC researchers have found associations among disrupted sleep, elevated blood pressure, and changes in the gut microbiome.
VIOLET TAKES FLIGHT
Chicago based children’s book author Kenyatta Scott has written the Violet Book Series for children in kindergarten through fourth grade to make doing the right thing fun and build self-esteem in children of color. The series combats the stereotype that fathers are not present in communities of color by having Violet and her brother, Derek, learn life lessons in each book as taught to them by their dad. The latest book is Violet Takes Flight, and Scott launched it at O’Hare Airport with Tammera L. Holmes, CEO of AeroStar Avion Institute. They were the first Black women invited to hold a children’s book reading and launch at O’Hare. To buy books or for more information, log on to www.thevioletbookseries.com or contact Scott at (773) 709-2045 or [email protected].
Send news of events 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 [email protected].