By William S. Bike
ENGLISH LITERACY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Help adult immigrants learn English at Aquinas Literacy Center. Volunteer as a one-on-one tutor for just 90 minutes per week at 1751 W. 35th St. You do not have to speak another language; all tutoring is in English. The next tutor workshop is Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Register in advance at [email protected] or (773) 927-0512.
AUDITORIUM THEATRE NEWS
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre will perform at the Auditorium Theater, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., Wednesday, March 8, through Sunday, March 12. See AuditoriumTheatre.org or call (312) 341-2300.
SHAMROCK SHUFFLE
The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle will feature a festival, 8K run, and two-mile walk. Dates are Friday, March 24, through Sunday, March 26. Use code GAZETTE for $10 off the 8K run through Wednesday, March 15, or while the offer lasts. Go to www.shamrockshuffle.com/.
PAINT THE CITY
Chicago Loop Alliance invited artists to spruce up 20 windows along the LaSalle Corridor from Madison Street to Jackson Boulevard. More than 30 artists with Paint the City participated in the unique art installations, backlit by dramatic lighting and on display through Friday, March 31. The installation is made possible through the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Small Business Storefront Activation Program. View full details at LoopChicago.com/LaSalleAglow.
STUDENTS EXCEL
Several Chicago Public Schools high schools earned the 2022 College Board Advanced Placement Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in Advanced Placement computer science courses, including Back of the Yards High School and Jones College Prep. For more information, log on to http://www.cps.edu.
COMMUNITY POLICING
Chicago Police Community Policing meetings will be held in the 1st, 2nd, 9th, 10th, and 12th districts:
1st District: Beat 121, Wed., Mar. 8, location TBD, 5:30 p.m.; Beat 123, Wed., Mar. 8, virtual meeting, 3 p.m.; Beat 131, Wed., Mar. 15, location TBD, 5:30 p.m.; Beat 133, Wed., Mar. 15, virtual meeting, 3 p.m.; Beat 112, Wed., Apr. 5, location TBD, 5:30 p.m.; Beat 114, Wed., Apr. 5, virtual meeting, 3 p.m. Call (312) 745-4381. In-person meeting locations announced weekly via [email protected].
2nd District, all meetings virtual: Beat 211, Mon., Mar. 13, 6 p.m.; Beat 213, Tues., Mar. 21, 6 p.m.; Beat 221, Tues., Mar. 14, 6 p.m.; Beat 222, Tues., Mar. 7, 6 p.m.; Beat 224, Thurs., Mar. 23, 6 p.m.; Beat 231, Thurs., Mar. 16, 6 p.m.; Beat 234, Thurs., Mar. 9, 6 p.m.; Beat 214, Tues., Apr. 4, 6 p.m.; Beat 232, Thurs., Apr. 6, 6 p.m. Call (312) 747-8366.
9th District: Beat 912, Wed., Mar. 8, 2210 W. Pershing Rd., McKinley Park, 6:15 p.m.; Beats 913/915, Tues., Mar. 14, 3400 S. Halsted St., Richard J. Daley Library, 6:30 p.m.; Beat 914, Wed., Mar. 22, 2100 S. Wentworth Ave., Chinatown Library, 6:30 p.m.; Beat 923, Tues., Mar. 28, 3120 S. Halsted St., 9th District station, 4 p.m.; Beats 924/931/933, 2111 W. 47th St., Back of the Yards Library, 6 p.m.; Beat 925, Wed., Mar. 15, 704 W. 42nd St., Taylor Lauridsen Park, 6 p.m.; Beats 932/934/935, Tues., Mar. 21, 1301 W. 52nd St., Sherman Park, 6:30 p.m. Call (312) 747-3501.
10th District: Beat 1011, Tues., Mar. 21, 4041 W. Roosevelt Rd., Sankofa Safe Child, 6 p.m.; Beat 1023, Wed., Mar. 8, 3315 W. Ogden Ave., 10th District station, 6 p.m.; Beat 1024, Tues., Mar. 14, 3315 W. Ogden Ave., 10th District station, 6 p.m.; Beat 1031, Wed., Mar. 22, 2708 S. Pulaski Rd., Toman Library, 6 p.m.; Beat 1032, Tues., Mar. 28, 2658 S. Central Park Ave., St. Agnes, 6 p.m.; Beat 1033, Tues., Mar. 7, 2311 S. Kedzie Ave., Little Village Library, 6 p.m.; Beat 1034, Wed., Mar. 15, 2700 S. Western Ave., YMCA-Rauner, 6 p.m.; Beat 1011, Tues., Apr. 4, 4041 W Roosevelt Rd., Sankofa Safe Child, 6 p.m. Call (312) 747-7190.
12th District: Beat 1211, Wed., Mar. 8, 1118 N. Noble St., Holy Trinity Church, 6 p.m.; Beat 1212, Wed., Mar. 8, 1118 N. Noble St., Holy Trinity Church, 7 p.m.; Beat 1213, Wed., Mar. 15, 1118 N. Noble St., Holy Trinity Church, 6 p.m.; Beat 1214, Wed., Mar. 15, 1118 N. Noble St., Holy Trinity Church, 7 p.m.; Beat 1215, Wed., Mar. 22, 1118 N. Noble St., Holy Trinity Church, 6 p.m.; Beat 1221, Wed., Mar. 29, 2189 W. Bowler St., Chicago Hope Academy, 6 p.m.; Beat 1222, Wed., Mar. 29, 2189 W. Bowler St., Chicago Hope Academy, 7 p.m.; Beat 1223, Wed., Apr. 5, 2189 W. Bowler St., Chicago Hope Academy, 6 p.m.; Beat 1224, Wed., Apr. 5, 2189 W. Bowler St., Chicago Hope Academy, 7 p.m. Call (312) 746-8306.
To learn more about Community Policing programs, visit the Chicago Police Districts website: home.chicagopolice.org/community/districts/, tab: Get Involved with C.A.P.S.
ELECTRIC BILL HELP
For people facing difficulty paying their electric bill, ComEd offers these assistance programs: the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a deferred payment arrangement; budget billing; flexible payment options; high-usage alerts; community solar; and energy efficiency offerings. Call ComEd at (800) 334-7661 (800-EDISON1), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
TAX BILLS COMING
The Office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced Cook County property tax bills are available online. Monday, April 3, is the new due date. The treasurer’s office is mailing bills, but online versions are available right now at cookcountytreasurer.com for payment or viewing.
DE LA SALLE NEWS
The De La Salle Institute Mock Trial Team won first place in the Niles North Competition Feb. 11. Peter Brennan and Kira Tepper were named most outstanding attorneys, and Janielle Kemp France won the most outstanding witness award.
De La Salle is at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. Log on to www.dls.org.
COVID NEWS
The Federal Department of Health and Human Services provides free COVID test kits. Log on to COVIDtests.gov or call (800) 232-0233. City of Chicago COVID booster shots can be obtained by logging on to www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid19-vaccine/home.html.
I LOVE A PARADE
The Federation of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois will host the Greek Independence Day Parade on Sunday, March 26, beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Halsted Street in Greektown.
FIND FOOD
A Greater Chicago Food Depository website provides the hours, locations, and information for all Chicago area food pantries, meal programs, and distribution partners. Log on to www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/.
DISCOUNTS ON LICENSE PLATES
The Illinois Department on Aging and the Illinois Secretary of State have announced that low-income seniors and the disabled may be eligible for a discount on Illinois license plates. To apply visit https://ilaging.illinois.gov/benefitsaccess.html.
MALCOLM X NEWS
City Colleges of Chicago recently held a symposium titled Building Towards Equity in Higher Education at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. The symposium brought together education leaders from around the country.
Achieving the Dream, a reform network of 300 community colleges across the nation, selected Malcolm X College to participate in the Accelerating Equitable Outcomes cohort. The group aims to implement comprehensive strategies to help more students, especially Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and students of color and from high poverty backgrounds, earn postsecondary credentials, including occupational certificates and degrees and create pathways to jobs with living-sustaining wages, benefits, and potential for upward mobility.
For more information, log on to www.ccc.edu.
SHAMROCK’N THE BLOCK
Shamrock’n the Block by Old St. Patrick’s Church will feature live music, Irish pub grub, Guinness beer, and Irish dancing as well as activities for youngsters on Saturday, March 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in a heated tent with an outdoor beer garden featuring fiddles, flutes, and Irish music. The location is 700 W. Adams St., and parking is available. For more information, log on to www.oldstpats.org.
MARCH FOR KIDS
Mercy Home’s March for Kids will feature a family-friendly party at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave., on Saturday, March 11, from 1:30 to 5 p.m. after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The event will offer live music, dancing, food and beverages, and children’s activities. See https://donate.mercyhome.org/page/120589/event/1 for information. A week earlier, Saturday, March 4, enjoy a party and fundraiser at Butch McGuire’s, 20 W. Division St., from 3 to 6 p.m. Log on to https://donate.mercyhome.org/page/120880/event/1. Any financial contributions to mercyhome.org from now until Friday, March 31, will be matched by a generous donor. Mercy Home is at 1140 W. Jackson Blvd.
SAINT IGNATIUS NEWS
Saint Ignatius College Prep and BSN Sports have announced a five-year partnership to outfit Saint Ignatius athletic teams with Nike uniforms, apparel, and equipment for each of the school’s Illinois High School Association programs beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.
The school is at 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. Call (312) 421-5900 or log on to www.ignatius.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 11:30 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.
Call (312) 243-7400, email [email protected], or log on to www.olhfchi.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).
St. James also is hosting a prayer service in the style of Taize (a prayerful form of music) on Wednesday, March 8, at 7 p.m. in the church.
Fr. John Edmunds will offer a three-week Bible study of the Scrutiny Gospels on Zoom on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. beginning March 15.
Visit the website at www.stjameswabash.org, email apellettiere@stjameswabash.org, or call (312) 896-1910 for more information.
ST. JOSEPH’S TABLE
St. Jerome Croatian Parish, 2823 S. Princeton Ave., will host a St. Joseph’s table on Sunday, March 19. Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m., and then participants will go to the Old Neighborhood Italian American Club at 3030 S. Shields Ave. for blessing of the table. Food service will begin after the blessing. There is no entrance fee, but contributions welcome. Call (312) 842-1871 for more information.
SHARE THE FEAST
The St. Joseph Club invites people to celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph Saturday, March 18, Noon to 4 p.m., 2724 S. Union Ave. Call (312) 326-1826.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN NEWS
Second Presbyterian Church hosts its annual winter coat drive during March. The church will distribute donations of new or gently used clothes, socks, sweatshirts, hoodies, sweaters, coats, gloves, caps, scarves, and mittens at its Lunch Bag Program and to neighbors who are in need.
For more information, visit the church website at: 2ndpresbyterian.org or call (312) 225-4951. The church is at 1936 S. Michigan Ave.
RITMO DEL MAR
Join Shedd Aquarium for the inaugural Ritmo del Mar after-hours event to enjoy a night of music, cuisine, and culture within an aquatic backdrop. All present are welcome to dance to the sounds of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and Latin jazz, with special performances by Projecto 7 and Carpacho y Su Super Combo. Costs run from $14.95 to $39.95 and includes all aquarium exhibits and entertainment. Food and beverages are available for purchase. The event will be Saturday, March 25, 7 to 11 p.m. Log on to www.sheddaquarium.org/programs-and-events/ritmo-del-mar.
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, 1224 W. Lexington St., will host a St. Joseph’s Table, Sunday, March 19. There will be seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Reservations required by Monday, March 13. No reservations are required for the Masses at 8:30 and 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Free will donations accepted. For information, contact Marcia Piemonte at [email protected] or (312) 421-3757, ext. 310. Log on to https://ourladyofpompeii.org/sjd1/ for a reservation.
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].