By William S. Bike
ADDICTION HOTLINES
AddictionResource.net lists drug and alcohol abuse hotlines available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and confidential. Log on to https://www.addictionresource.net/addiction-hotlines/ or call (844) 616-3400.
FESTIVAL OF LIFE
The African/Caribbean International Festival of Life will be held in Washington Park, 5531 S. King Dr., Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12. See internationalfestivaloflife.com.
PepsiCo partnered with Bronzeville restaurant Two Fish Crab Shack to offer a one-day Free Fried Shrimp Friday for the local community.
ART OF BANKSY
An exhibition of more than 80 of his works at 360 N. State St. is honoring street artist Banksy through Sunday, Oct. 31. Ticket prices start at $39.99. Log on to banksyexhibit.com for more information.
STUDENT LOAN EXTENSION
The Biden Administration has extended a pause on federal student loan payments to Monday, Jan. 31. The pause was set to expire on Thursday, Sept. 30. See www.studentaid.gov.
SCALABRINI WINDOW
Casa Italia, 1621 N. 39th Ave., Stone Park, IL, will unveil a stained-glass window of Bishop John Scalabrini at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24. Refreshments will be served. Attorney John J. Lag provided the window, which he bought at Festa Pasta Vino in the Heart of Chicago community; Paul P. Rubino, MD, is funding the window’s restoration. The window’s origin remains a mystery. After the unveiling, the window will go to the Scalabrini Museum in the Italian Cultural Center. Call (708) 345-5399 to reserve a spot at the Sept. 24 event or to provide information about the window’s history.
CUBS BOOK
Gazette Chicago associate editor William S. Bike has written a book about the 1970 Chicago Cubs season, The Forgotten 1970 Chicago Cubs: Go and Glow.
Meet the author at Madison Street Books,1127 W. Madison St., during a book signing from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26. The event includes an author talk, which will start at 2 p.m. Call (312) 929-4140.
For more information, go to www.1970chicagocubs.com.
EAT YOUR VEGGIES
Chicago Vegandale, a vegan food festival, will be held on Butler Field in Grant Park, south Lake Shore Drive at east Monroe Street, Saturday, Sept. 11, 1 to 9 p.m. See vegandalefest.com.
St. Gabriel Parish on Aug. 11 outside of the 9th District Chicago Police station held a rosary prayer vigil for deceased officer Ella French and her wounded partner, who were shot during a traffic stop.
PARK PROGRAMS
Chicago Women’s Park & Gardens will host Rise to Shine Yoga on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 9:15 a.m. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/154432280107.
Bridge Club for people age 60 and beyond will be held 1 to 3 p.m. on Fridays from Sept. 17 through Dec. 10.
Circuit training for ages 18 and up will be held on Tuesdays from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7 and Thursdays from Sept. 16 through Dec. 9.
Kiddie College for three- and four-year-olds will be held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., from Monday, Sept. 13, through Friday, Dec. 10; and for four- and five-year-olds those same dates from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sign up at https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/chicago-womens-park-and-gardens.
The park is at 1827 S. Indiana Ave.
RENTER AND LANDLORD HELP
If you are a renter having trouble paying your rent, utilities, or other housing costs, or if you are a landlord trying to stay afloat, help may be available. State and local programs are distributing dollars for such needs. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in rental assistance to help renters stay housed during the pandemic. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov to find programs.
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.
BRONZEVILLE PARTNERSHIP
PepsiCo partnered with Bronze-ville restaurant Two Fish Crab Shack,641 E. 47th St., to offer a one-day Free Fried Shrimp Friday for the local community on Aug. 13. At the event, PepsiCo presented a $15,000 donation to Chicago nonprofit organization Polished Pebbles,which seeks to eliminate the “hope gap” experienced by young Chicago women of color who are navigating structural barriers and community violence by providing supportive services, education, and employment opportunities. For information, call Jessica Ortiz at (312) 550-0102.
CORONAVIRUS VACCINATION
Any Chicagoan can request an in-home vaccination for coronavirus (COVID-19) by calling the City of Chicago at (312) 746-4835. Or, find out where to get vaccinated from the State of Illinois by calling (833) 621-1284 or logging on to https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/.
DE LA SALLE NEWS
De La Salle Institute will hold open houses on Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon. The school’s entrance exam is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4, at 8 a.m. Coffee with an administrator and a parent tour will be held at 8:30 a.m. the Thursdays of Oct. 7, Nov. 4, and 18, and Dec. 2.
The school is at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 842-7355 or log on to www.dls.org.
HOCUS POCUS
Donovan Playground Park, 3620 S. Lituanica Ave., will show the movie Hocus Pocus at dusk on Thursday, Sept. 9. Call (312) 742-7529.
FARMERS MARKETS
The following farmers markets are scheduled.
Green City Market, Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 30, 115 S. Sangamon St.
Plant Chicago, Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., through Nov. 13, 4430 S. Marshfield Ave.
Prairie District, Thursdays, 4 to 8 p.m., through Sept. 30, 1936 S. Michigan Ave.
Printers Row, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Sept. 25, 632 S. Dearborn St.
BIKE THE DRIVE
Fifth Third Bike the Drive, held by the Active Transportation Alliance, will offer nearly five hours of car-free biking on Lake Shore Drive on Sunday, Sept. 5. Register at 53bikethedrive.org.
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
Glessner House,1800 S. PrairieAve., has reopened for tours. Advance tickets are required. Tour dates are Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. and at 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Glessner House will host a display of fire trucks on the South 1800 block of Prairie Avenue on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. Chicago Fire Department personnel will bring equipment, and the Public Education Unit will distribute information on fire safety and free smoke detectors while supplies last. O’Leary’s Fire Truck Tours will provide complimentary rides through the neighborhood aboard a vintage fire truck. The event is free, with no reservations necessary.
For more information, visit www.glessnerhouse.org.
GPAC MEETINGS
Grant Park Advisory Council meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. This month’s meeting will be held Sept. 15. To register, go to www.facebook.com/ChicagoGPAC/?modal=admin_todo_tour.
BECOME A DOCENT
Friends of Historic Second Church/Second Presbyterian Church invites those interested to become a docent giving tours at Historic Second Church, 1936 S. Michigan Ave., by enrolling in 2021 docent training. Participants will learn about the art and architecture of Chicago’s only National Historic Landmark church. Training dates are the Wednesdays of Sept. 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon. Training takes place at the church. Fee is $10 for all five classes in the series. Get applications at www.historicsecondchurch.org/docents. Email questions to [email protected].
GIVE BLOOD
The Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers encourages people to give blood. Contact Vitalant at www.vitalant.org or (877) 258-4835 to schedule a donation time. For more information, log on to www.illlinoisbloodcenters.com.
$ FOR SMALL BUSINESS
The Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity provided $744,600 for the Cook County Small Business Assistance Program. In 2022, the program also will receive $500,000 from We Rise Together, a coalition of philanthropic, business, and community organizations. For more about the program, log on to www.cookcountysmallbiz.org.
ITALIAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER GALA
The Italian-American Chamber of Commerce will present its Humanitarian Award to Carole Segal, founder of Crate & Barrel, at the organization’s gala and award dinner Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at 6 p.m. at the Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W. 35th St. For information, log on to www.iacc-chicago.com/gala2021 or call (312) 553-9137.
LOZANO DAY
The Cook County Board of Commissioners named July 29 as Rodolfo “Rudy” Lozano Day in Cook County. Lozano fought for labor rights, unions, and the Pilsen community before a gang member murdered him June 8, 1983. Supporters believe he was assassinated for his labor and political activities. Lozano was a strong supporter and campaigner for the late Mayor Harold Washington. The City named the Chicago Public Library at 1805 S. Loomis St. for Rudy Lozano.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
It Takes A Village Family of Schools (ITAV), in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), has begun a COVID-19 testing initiative at ITAV schools around Chicago. ITAV is partnering with UIC to take on the challenge of preventing COVID-19 breakouts within schools and will be instrumental in helping UIC better understand factors associated with disparities in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, specifically in childcare centers. For more information, call Tara Shedor at (312) 868- 0588, ext. 5013, or email at [email protected].
FIGHT OPIOID ABUSE
Malcolm X College invites individuals to become community health workers to help fight the opioid crisis. Using a $2.1 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the college launched the Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program to bring care and relief to neighborhoods most affected by opioid use disorder. The University of Illinois Chicago Department of Disability and Human Development is partnering in this four-year initiative. Scholarships are available. For more information and to register for the program, visit www.ccc.edu/opioid.
MINSTREL VS. PUPPET
Attend a screening and panel discussion for the movie Minstrel vs. Puppet on Saturday, Sept. 18, from noon to 2 p.m. at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St. The film stars and was written and produced by Hannah Bonecutter, an actress, model, and poet who is working on a Master’s of Public Health degree at the University of Illinois Chicago. Bonecutter also serves as a student advisor at UIC. The film explores the internal conflicts many women feel concerning beauty, intelligence, and social acceptance. For tickets, log on to https://bit.ly/MinstrelVSPuppetCWC21.
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.
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.
PHOTO EXHIBIT
Resilience, a photography exhibit by Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark, will make its world premiere at the National Hellenic Museum (NHM) as it reopens in September. Resilience will present 20 photographic artworks, 19 never shown before and one exhibited in London earlier this year. NHM will preview the show Saturday, Sept. 25. NHM tickets, which include admission to the exhibit, are $10. The museum is located at 333 S. Halsted St. and will reopen Friday, Sept. 24. For information, visit www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org.
FAMILY FISHING
Northerly Island Park,1521 S. Linn White Dr., will host Family Fishing on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 4 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 18, 9 to 11 a.m.; and Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. Instruction available. Call (312) 859-2395.
MENTOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
One Million Degrees (OMD) is a nonprofit built to empower Chicago area community college students. OMD is looking for new volunteer coaches. For the 2021-22 academic year, coaching sessions will continue to take place virtually, with plans to incorporate some in-person opportunities in spring 2022. Applications are open for all seven City Colleges of Chicago and some suburban colleges. Learn more about coaching and apply at www.onemilliondegrees.org/coach. For questions about the program or applications, email [email protected].
OUR LADY OF THE HOLY FAMILY NEWS
Our Lady of the Holy Family,1334 W. Flournoy St., will offer a special dedication Mass the evening of Friday, Sept. 17.
The church holds Sunday Masses at 9 a.m. in English and 11 a.m. in Spanish. Saturday evening Mass is at 5 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, evening Mass is at 6 p.m.
New for the summer and fall is a special Sunday evening Mass at 6 p.m. in the parish’s garden.
Praying the Rosary begins at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays. Adoration/Holy Hour and Confessions begins at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays. Tuesday through Thursday Masses are at 8 a.m. in the chapel at 1335 W. Harrison St.
Reservations required for weekend services, or go online to participate in Masses virtually.
OLHF now offers a Friday Food Pantry for area residents facing food shortage challenges. Contact the parish office to register.
Call (312) 243-7400, email [email protected] or log on to www.olhfchi.org.
ANTI-INTIMIDATION LAW
A bill by State Senator Robert Peters (D-13th), signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker, prevents background checks on persons speaking at or participating in public meetings and hearings. In the past, law enforcement and public officials have used the threat of background checks to intimidate people and prevent their participation in public meetings and hearings. For more information, log on to www.senatorrobertpeters.com.
LEGAL AID
Cook County officials and partners run Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt, a county-wide initiative to help residents resolve eviction, foreclosure, debt, and tax deed issues. Services are provided pro bono for Cook County residents without legal representation and are offered to tenants facing eviction, landlords dealing with an eviction, debtors being sued for unpaid debts, creditors wishing to sue on the basis of unpaid debts, and residents who have defaulted on property tax payments or mortgage foreclosure payments. Learn more by visiting www.cookcountylegalaid.org/.
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.
PITCHFORK MUSIC
The Pitchfork Music Festival will be held in Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Friday through Sunday, Sept. 10 through 12. See pitchforkmusicfestival.com.