By William S. Bike
EQUINOX CELEBRATION
Celebrate the Autumn Equinox at Addams/Medill Park, 1301 W. 14th St., Saturday, Oct. 2, and Sunday, Oct. 3, with a wide variety of music acts. Log on to springawakeningfestival.org.
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.
CHICAGO A CAPPELLA
Chicago a cappellawill perform on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. at Venue West, 221 N. Paulina St., for the group’s annual fundraiser—an afternoon of music and celebration. The group’s founder, Jonathan Miller, will receive the Tribute Award, and the event will acknowledge Sandy Siegel Miller as Friend of the Year. Guests will enjoy a delicious Sunday family dinner. Tickets are priced from $175 to $250 per person. For reservations and additional information, visit: https://one.bidpal.net/cacfuture.
RIGHT TO RETURN
Former Chicago Housing Authority residents who were displaced by the CHA’s Plan for Transformation and who want to return to the CHA may receive help from Antwain Miller at the Lugenia Burns Hope Center.Call (773) 291-8621 or email [email protected]. The center is located at 710 E. 47th Street.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY
The Church of the Holy Family, 1080 W. Roosevelt Rd., will welcome guests of Open House Chicago on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16 and 17. The Chicago Architecture Center hosts Open House Chicago, a free annual festival, to offer indoor access to buildings of architectural, cultural, and historical significance. The Church of the Holy Family will participate in this festive open house event and will be open for self-guided tours on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9 to 11 a.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 17, from noon to 5 p.m. For more information about Open House Chicago, visit www.openhousechicago.org. For questions about tours at the Church of the Holy Family, contact Wendy McCarthy, development director, at [email protected] or (312) 492-8442.
The public is invited to celebrate Mass on the first Friday of every month at 8:10 a.m. See holyfamilychicago.org for updates, email [email protected], or call (312) 492-8442.
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 (800) 889-3931 or logging on to https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/.
DE LA SALLE NEWS
De La Salle Institute announced that the Rev. Paul Novak, OSM, will step down as president at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
Former minor league baseball player and De La Salle alumnus Keronn Walker now serves as the varsity baseball coach.
The schoolwill 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.
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.
Our Lady of the Holy Family, 1334 W. Flournoy St., Friday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., (312) 243-7400.
FREE VACCINATIONS
Urban Autism Solutions is partnering with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations at Growing Solutions Farm, 2200 W. Campbell Park Dr. Anyone who gets a vaccine will receive a $5 coupon to use at the non-profit’s on-site farm stand, which will be open during the vaccination event. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot will be offered. Pre-registration is not required. This event is free and open to the public and will be held Tuesday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.urbanautismsolutions.com.
GLESSNER HOUSE HALLOWEEN
Glessner House,1800 S. PrairieAve., on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29 and 30, will offer the Halloween-themed Shadows on the Street – Haunted Tours of Historic Prairie Avenue. Glessner will offer several one-hour tours each evening; tour tickets are $18 per person. On Saturday, Oct. 30, actors from Lifeline Theatre will perform readings of Edgar Allan Poe’s terrifying poems and stories at 5 and 8 p.m.; tickets to attend readings are $30 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit glessnerhouse.org.
IACC GALA
The Italian American Chamber of Commerce will host its Gala and Award Dinner Friday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. at the Bridgeport Art Center, Sculpture Garden Gallery, 1200 W. 35th St. Award recipients will be Franco Bianchi of Hayworth, Eugene F. Carpino of Augustus Global, Anthony Licata of Taft Law, and Carole Segal of Crate and Barrel. For information, email [email protected] or call (312) 553-9137, ext. 105.
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].
END OF LIFE WISDOM
The Benedictine monks of Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 30,from 10 a.m. to noon will offer A Happy Death: Monastic Wisdom for the End of Life, a morning of spiritual wisdom and practical counsel at the Monastery of the Holy Cross, 3111 S. Aberdeen St. As the liturgical year ends in November, the Catholic Church considers the Four Last Things, but confronting mortality remains difficult for many. This program offers wisdom on the art of dying well. Topics will include the Catholic Church’s teaching on the dignity of the human person, suffering and death, funerals, cremation, and burial. The event is free and open to all, but registration is required. To register, email [email protected].
NKFI GALA
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) will hold its 36th annual Gift of Life Gala: Bridging The Gap Towards Kidney Health event on Thursday, Oct. 28, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive. The evening will benefit NKFI’s mission to improve health and well-being for those at risk or affected by kidney disease. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Log on to www.nkfi.org/gala, email [email protected] or call (312) 321-1500.
HONORING THE DECEASED
The National Museum of Mexican Art will pay tribute to coronavirus victims during Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, with an artistic installation. The museum is looking for photos of people who died from the coronavirus for a COVID-19 memorial ofrenda, an altar honoring the deceased. The museum is at 1852 W. 19th St. Call (312) 738-1503 or log on to https://nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.
OUR LADY OF THE HOLY FAMILY NEWS
Our Lady of the Holy Family,1334 W. Flournoy St., 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.
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.
ST. BASIL NEWS
St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 733 S. Ashland Ave., on Sunday, Oct. 24. will hold a Pancake Breakfast to raise funds for its prison ministry. The breakfast starts at 11:30 a.m. in the church’s fellowship hall. Tickets are $10; children under ten are free. Call (312) 243-3738 for information.
St. Basil hosts Open Prayer Hours each Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. to provide area residents and staff and visitors of the Medical District a quiet place to pray, meditate, reflect, and light candles for their loved ones.
NEWMAN CENTER NEWS
The St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois Chicago recently held a welcome brunch, provided free hot dogs on the first day of school, and held a parking lot party. The center provides access to the sacraments, bible studies, spiritual direction, retreats, and Masses. The center is located at 700 S. Morgan St. Log on to jp2newman.org, or call (312) 226-1880.
SAINT IGNATIUS NEWS
Saint Ignatius College Prep will hold reunions for the Classes of 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011 on Saturday, Oct. 2, and for the Class of 1976 on Saturday, Oct. 16. Call the school or email [email protected] for information.
The school is located at 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. Log on to www.ignatius.org or call (312) 421-5900.
SAN MIGUEL FUNDRAISER
San Miguel School will hold a fundraiser at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, at Fitzgerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL. Enjoy beer, music, barbecue, and socializing. For more information, call (773) 890-1481 or log on to sanmiguelchicago.org. The school is located at 1954 W. 48th St.
SHRINE NEWS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii will present virtual autumn concerts. Enjoy L’Opera, a Chicago Lyric Opera performance, Sunday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. Omaggio a Sinatra will present the Metropolitan Jazz Quartet and Paul Marinaro performing Frank Sinatra favorites on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. Links will be live until Saturday, Oct. 23, for later viewing. Register by calling (312) 421-3757 or logging on to www.ourladyofpompeii.org.
Blessing of the Animals will be held Sunday, Oct. 3, after the 11 a.m. Mass, in Arrigo Park across from the shrine.
The shrine is at 1224 W. Lexington St.
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.
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.
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.
BUCKNER RESOURCES
Residents who want to share their thoughts or require assistance on any issue in the community can reach the office of State Rep Kam Buckner (D-26th) at (773) 924-1755 or by email at [email protected].
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 catholiccharities.net, call (312) 655-7700, or email [email protected].
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 based on unpaid debts, and residents who have defaulted on property tax payments or mortgage foreclosure payments. Learn more by visiting www.cookcountylegalaid.org/.
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.
For more information, go to www.1970chicagocubs.com.
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. Call (312) 747-0327.
GET VACCINATED
The Chicago Department of Public Health is hosting multiple coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination special events across the city. Anyone age 12 and older can get vaccinated. All COVID-19 vaccines are free, and no insurance or ID is required. See the full list of special vaccine events at www.chicago.gov/vaxcalendar.
CPS HOTLINES
The Chicago Public Schools administration has a Healthy CPS Hotline at (773) 533-KIDS (5437) and CPS Parent Tech Support Hotline at (773) 417-1060.
LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS
The following local 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.
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 [email protected] for a calendar of upcoming events.
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 Oct. 20. To register, go to www.facebook.com/ChicagoGPAC/?modal=admin_todo_tour.
GWTP JOB TRAINING
Greater West Town Training Partnership, 500 N. Sacramento Blvd.,offers job placement and training programs in wood products manufacturing and shipping and receiving. Call (312) 563-9570.
HARMONY NEWS
Harmony Community Church, 1908 S. Millard Ave., has a community center for youth programs and events. The church offers reading, tutoring, fine art, music, and dance programs. It also has a food pantry. Call (773) 762-9673.
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
BRIGHT STAR RESOURCES
Bright Star Community Outreach and Bright Star Church have a trauma helpline and provide professional development, emotional support, and child and family services. Log on to brightstarcommunityoutreach.com/. Donations welcome. The church is located at 4518 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
The toll-free Bright Star Community Outreachtrauma counseling helpline is(833) TURN123. The helpline assists those experiencing trauma caused by exposure to violence.
SEEKING YOUNG LEADERS
Chicago Votes offers the Civic Leaders Program, a leadership development program for young people who have experienced incarceration, training them to serve as leaders in the organization’s legislative advocacy, court watching, and voter registration efforts. Chicago Votes is located at 234 S. Wabash Ave. Log on to https://chicagovotes.com.
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.
FARMERS MARKETS
City of Chicago Farmers Markets are held throughout Chicago. Chicago City Markets sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products, and rare finds at Chicago’s longest running farmers market on Daley Plaza, the historic Maxwell Street Market, and a dozen more community markets in neighborhoods across Chicago. Enjoy a market for every day of the week; most run through the end of October. For locations, dates, and times, go to www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/markets.html.
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.
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.
ERC EXTENDED
The Internal Revenue Service extended the Employee Retention Tax Credit forall of 2021, and more businesses qualify under the eligibility requirements. ERC is a tax credit the IRS implemented last year as a temporary coronavirus relief provision to help businesses keep employees on the payroll. See www.irs.gov/coronavirus/employee-retention-credit.
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.
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.
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.
PARADE OF HEARTS
The LUV Institute recently facilitated restorative justice conversations in 11 South Side communities. LUV, which stands for Love, Unity, & Values, involved local artists, who reflected the conversations on five-foot, fiberglass heart sculptures, the Parade of Hearts, which are on display in each community. LUV Institute is located at 4659 S. Cottage Grove Ave. (773) 624-5200.
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.
MINSTREL VS. PUPPET
Minstrel vs. Puppet is a film that 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. To see it on YouTube, log on to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jgVEQbcT70.
VIVALDI & FRIENDS
Music of the Baroque will present Vivaldi & Friends Monday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Call (312) 551-1414 or log on to baroque.org.
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.
MEMORY CAFÉ
The South Loop Village Memory Café is a monthly social gathering for persons living with dementia and their families, friends, and care partners. A Halloween-themed meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 14, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall, 1936 S. Michigan Ave. For more information, log on to southloopvillage.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.
BACK TO BUSINESS
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have launched the $250 million Back to Business grant program to support small businesses’ continued recovery. See www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/B2B.aspx.
CONTACT ROBINSON
State Representative Lamont J. Robinson (D-5th) wants to hear what residents think are the most important issues in the community. Contact him at (773) 924-4614 or at his office at 5048 S. Indiana Ave.
AMERICAN MARIACHI
Theatre Goodman is presenting American Mariachi,about an all-female mariachi band, through Sunday, Oct. 24. The theatre is at 170 N. Dearborn St. Log on to GoodmanTheatre.org/Homecoming or call (312) 443-3800.
BEWARE FLOOD VEHICLES
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is warning consumers interested in purchasing used vehicles to beware of flood-damaged cars resulting from flooding caused by Hurricane Ida or other natural disasters. He encourages people to obtain a National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVITIS) vehicle history report by visiting https://vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov/. In addition, White said that CARFAX is providing a link to check for flood vehicles at www.carfax.com/flood. For White’s office, log on to ilsos.gov.