By William S. Bike
AMERICAN BALLET
American Ballet Theatre will perform at the Auditorium Theatre Friday, April 14, through Sunday, April 16. For more information, log on to auditoriumtheatre.com or call (312) 341-2300. The theatre is at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.
NEW SPEED CAMERA
The Chicago Department of Transportation has installed a new speed camera on Wallace Street between 35th and 36th Streets. This traffic-slowing measure fulfills requests by the McClellan School community and area neighbors, given their concerns following numerous traffic incidents in the area, including one a year ago in which a car struck a parent. Enforcement will start Sunday, April 16.
PARK DISTRICT PROGRAMS
The public now can view Chicago Park District spring programs at chicagoparkdistrict.com/spring-2023-programs. All are invited to participate in a variety of programs which will run from Monday, April 10, through Friday, June 9.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY NEWS
Church of the Holy Family, 1080 W. Roosevelt Rd., will have palm distribution on Monday, April 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Stations of the Cross Wednesday, April 5, at 8:10 a.m. On Holy Thursday, April 6, from 6 to 10:30 p.m., the church will be open for those who wish to visit and pray. First Friday Mass will be May 5 at 8:10 a.m. Register for the stations and First Friday Mass at [email protected] or call (312) 492-8442, ext. 3. For more information, log on to www.holyfamilychicago.org.
CITY COLLEGES SCHOLARSHIP
The City Colleges of Chicago recently created the Timuel D. Black Jr. Scholarship and Fellowship program, named for a late City Colleges professor. The program will support 20 City Colleges students who are emerging community leaders as they complete their studies and hone their community change leadership skills and knowledge of Chicago social movements and local history. The deadline to apply is Saturday, April 15. For more information, to apply, or to donate, visit www.ccc.edu/tbfellows.
HOME REPAIRS FOR VETERANS
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is seeking applications for the County’s Department of Veterans Affairs home repair program. In partnership with Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago, the county has allocated $1.25 million to complete repairs to at least 15 veteran-owned homes each year for the next two years. This free program is available to Cook County veteran homeowners, dependent spouses, or caretakers who provide housing for a veteran. Applications close Monday, May 1. To apply, visit www.cookcountyil.gov/service/veteran-home-repair-program.
DIANE GEERS HONORED
De La Salle Institute media director Diane Geers, a Bridgeport resident and volunteer in the community, was honored by Cook County Commissioner John P. Daley (11th District) and former 19th Ward Alderman and 11th District Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues Commissioner Ginger Rugai with the Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroine Award, given to recognize a woman in each Cook County Board District for her vital contributions to the community. Geers is currently the media center director at De La Salle Institute and an active volunteer in the community.
De La Salle is at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. Log on to www.dls.org.
NEW CHAIR
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center announced Patrick McGee’s appointment as the museum’s new board of trustees chair. McGee is vice president and relationship manager for PNC Commercial Banking in Chicago. The museum is at 740 E. 56th Pl. Call (773) 947-0600.
SEE THE EASTER BUNNY
The Easter Bunny will hop over to the Goddard School for Early Childhood Development Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, 776 W. Quincy St. The event also features art and crafts and games and is free for families to enjoy. Call (312) 625-8866 for a reservation.
LITTLE MERMAID
The Joffrey Ballet closes its 67th season with the Chicago premiere of the Little Mermaid at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Upper Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago, in ten performances only, from Wednesday, April 19, to Sunday, April 30. Single tickets start at $36 and are available for purchase at Lyric Opera Box Office, by telephone at (312) 386-8905, or online at joffrey.org.
END OF LIFE MONASTIC WISDOM
The Benedictine monks of Chicago at Monastery of the Holy Cross, 3111 S. Aberdeen St. invite all to a morning of spiritual wisdom and practical counsel to confront the difficult question of our own mortality in the program A Happy Death: Monastic Wisdom for the End of Life. Topics will include the Catholic Church’s teachings on the dignity of the human person, suffering and death, funerals, and burial. The event will be held Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to noon. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2u632z5s.
MEMBERS HONORED
Morning Star Baptist Church of Chicago honored dedicated members Joyce Franklin, Jean McMiller, Inez Davis, Jean Helen Black, Ethel Coe, and Mildred J. Baskin during its recent Mission Benevolence Anniversary “for their service to God and community.” Each has belonged to the church for decades, ranging from 51 to 77 years. The church, at 3993 S. King Dr., has served the community for more than 105 years. Call (773) 285-8111 or log on to www.morningstarbcofchicago.org.
PHOTO EXHIBIT
The National Hellenic Museum in Greektown has extended Prince Nikolaos’s North American exhibition debut, Resilience, through Sunday, April 16. Resilience presents 19 photographs exploring Greece’s relationship with nature and the importance of environmental preservation. The museum also will present new works by him from Thursday, April 13, through Sunday, April 16, at Navy Pier as part of Expo Chicago. NHM, at 333 S. Halsted St., is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit nationalhellenicmuseum.org or call (312) 655-1234.
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 11:30 a.m. in Spanish.
Mass is held at 6 p.m. in the church on Mondays followed by the Holy Rosary at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday Masses are at 8 a.m. in the chapel at 1335 W. Harrison St. On Friday, Mass is held in the church at 6 p.m., followed by Adoration and Confessions.
OLHF offers a Friday Food Pantry for area residents facing food shortages. Contact the parish office or just come to the pantry, located behind the church at 1334 W. Flournoy St., from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.
During Lent there will be 6 p.m. Masses Monday and Friday in the church; 6:30 p.m. Rosary and 7 p.m. Lenten scripture study on Monday; and 8 a.m. Masses celebrated in the House Chapel Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Holy Thursday, April 6, there will be a 7 p.m. Mass and adoration until midnight. On Good Friday, April 7, there will be a service in English at 3 p.m. and in Spanish at 7 p.m. On Holy Saturday, April 8, the Easter vigil will be at 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 9, Masses will be at 9 a.m. in English and 11:30 a.m. in Spanish.
Call (312) 243-7400, email [email protected], or log on to www.olhfchi.org.
RUSH, UIC ARE FOLLOWING LAW
PatientRightsAdvocate.org released a report alleging that a majority of hospitals are continuing to hide the cost of care from consumers two years after the Federal government enacted a law requiring them to post their real prices online. The group alleges that 37 Illinois hospitals still are not compliant. Hospitals in this community are generally compliant, however, including Rush University Medical Center and the University of Illinois Medical Center, which are fully compliant and posting prices as they are supposed to.
LADIES OF VIRTUE LEADER HONORED
The PepsiCo Foundation and Doritos Solid Black announced 16 nonprofit leaders from across the country selected for the Black Changemakers program, One is Jamila Trimuel of Ladies of Virtue, which integrates culture, one-on-one and group mentoring, leadership development, and mental health support specifically for the needs of Black girls. Each Black Changemaker will receive a $50,000 grant and leadership development training from Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy as well as one-on-one fundraising coaching, software, and technical assistance from Network for Good. Ladies of Virtue is at 1245 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 149. Log on to www.lovchicago.org/.
EASTER EGG HUNT
The South Loop Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance, on Saturday, April 8, from noon to 2 p.m. will feature prizes including Chicago White Sox tickets, a hunt for more than 15,000 eggs, an animal petting zoo, face painters, fun games and activities, and visits from White Sox mascot Southpaw and the Easter Bunny. It will be held in Chicago Women’s Park on 18th Street between Prairie and Indiana Avenues. Log on to SouthLoopEasterEggHunt.com or call (312) 401-2688.
ENDANGERED BUILDINGS
Preservation Chicago has released its list of Chicago’s most endangered buildings, and five of the eight are in this community: the Warehouse Building at 206 S. Jefferson St.; Taft Hall at the University of Illinois at Chicago; Continental Can Co. at 3815 S. Ashland Ave; the grain silos at 2860 S. Damen Ave.; and the Fisk Power Station at 1111 W. Cermak Rd. For more information, log on to https://www.preservationchicago.org/.
SAINT BASIL NEWS
St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 733 S. Ashland Ave., celebrates an abundance of services leading up to the Orthodox Great and Holy Pascha (Easter), Sunday, April 16. Everyone is welcome to services conducted in English and Greek. Saturday of Lazarus, April 8, orthros 8:30 a.m., divine liturgy 9:45 a.m., Palm Sunday vespers 6 p.m. Palm Sunday, April 9, orthros 8:15 a.m., divine liturgy 9:45 a.m., bridegroom orthros 6 p.m. Holy Monday, April 10, bridegroom orthros 6 p.m. Holy Tuesday, April 11, bridegroom orthros 6 p.m. Holy Wednesday, April 12, holy unction 3 p.m., orthros of Holy Thursday 6 p.m., followed by anointing with Holy Unction. Holy Thursday, April 13, vesperal liturgy of the mystical supper 8 a.m., passion service reading of 12 Gospels 7 p.m. Holy Friday, April 14, great and royal hours 9 a.m., Apokatheilosis/unnailing vespers 3 p.m., lamentations orthros 7 p.m. Holy Saturday, April 15, vesperal divine liturgy 8 a.m., pre-resurrection vigil 11 p.m. Great and Holy Pascha/Easter Sunday, April 16, orthros and divine liturgy midnight, agape vespers 11 a.m. For more information, call (312) 243-3738.
SAINT IGNATIUS NEWS
Saint Ignatius College Prep held its Gloriam 2023 event March 4 to raise money for the school’s Tuition Assistance program and raised a record $3.5 million.
The school is at 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. Call (312) 421-5900 or log on to www.ignatius.org.
ST. JAMES NEWS
St. James Catholic Church, 2907 S. Wabash Ave., celebrates Sunday Mass at 9:30 a.m. in the church at 21 E. 29th St. Daily Mass Monday through Friday is celebrated at 7:30 a.m. in the Tolton Chapel at the rectory at 2942 S. Wabash Ave. All Masses are available both in person and on Zoom. Eucharistic adoration and reconciliation are offered on the first Friday of every month from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. in the rectory. Stations of the Cross are prayed on Fridays during Lent at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom (see website for link).
Visit the website at www.stjameswabash.org, email apellettiere@stjameswabash.org, or call (312) 896-1910 for more information.
SEVEN LAST WORDS
Second Presbyterian Church will present the Seven Last Words of Christ by Theodore Dubois on Friday, April 7, at 3 p.m. This solemn Good Friday service remembers the final words uttered by Jesus from the cross with scripture lessons interspersed with solos and anthems performed by the Second Church Quartet and guests. All are welcome to this concert. For more information, see www.2ndpresbyterian.org. The church is at 1936 S. Michigan Ave.
UNDERWATER BEAUTY
Shedd Aquarium’s Underwater Beauty exhibit will close on Monday, April 17. Presented by Citadel, Underwater Beauty features more than 1,000 aquatic animals representing 100 species from across the globe. See www.sheddaquarium.org/exhibits/underwater-beauty-exhibit.
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL REGISTRATION
Sheridan McGuane Baseball and Softball is open to players of all abilities, with all-star divisions for more advanced players. Sunday, April 23, is opening day and games are played at Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St., as well as McGuane Park, 2901 S. Poplar Ave. Nearly 600 players participated last year in a league based on building character and leadership in youth. The league offers scholarships for any family needing financial support. All-star teams compete in the Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth national tournaments. Register at: https://sheridanmcguanebaseball.com/registration/.
SHRINE NEWS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii will host Palm Sunday Masses at 8:30 and 11 a.m. on April 2; a Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m. in person and livestreamed April 6, with the shrine open until midnight; the Lord’s passion at noon and Stations of the Cross in person and livestreamed at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 7; a Holy Saturday Easter vigil at 9 p.m. with reception to follow on April 8; and Easter Sunday Masses, along with a food drive, at 8:30 and 11 a.m. on April 9, with the 11 a.m. Mass livestreamed. The shrine is at 1224 W. Lexington St. Call (312) 421-3757.
SLN NEWS
South Loop Neighbors will host an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 1, at 10 a.m. at Cotton Tail Park, 15th Street at Plymouth Court. Plastic eggs will have candy or a prize inside. There will be different egg hunts for different age groups of children up to age 12. The event is free.
SLN, the Grant Park Advisory Council, and the Rotary Club will host an Earth Day cleanup at Grant Park on Saturday, April 22, at 10 a.m., with volunteers meeting at Buckingham Fountain.
For more information log on to www.southloopneighbors.org.
WESTINGHOUSE REUNION
The Westinghouse High School Class of 1973 50th year reunion will be held Friday, June 23, at the Four Points by Sheridan at O’Hare, 10249 W. Irving Park Rd., Schiller Park, IL. Reception starts at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $100 per person. The next day, enjoy a picnic Saturday, June 24, at 9 a.m. For information on how to sign up, call Freda Madison at (773) 516-3782, Kevin Madison at (773) 983-2373, Susan Anderson-Lucas at (630) 740-6935, or Carol Ward at (312) 545-1972.
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].