By William S. Bike
HOST EXCHANGE STUDENT
AFS-USA provides opportunities to host foreign exchange students. Call (646) 381-3315 or email [email protected].
AFSCME NEWS
Workers at the Museum of Science and Industry officially formed a union with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 via a union election in June.
The AFSCME Bargaining Committee and State of Illinois reached an agreement on a new contract that covers more than 30,000 State workers.
Members of the 13 AFSCME local unions in Cook County government won a one-year contract extension with significant wage increases and enhanced parental leave.
For more information, log on to www.afscme.org.
A KID MARKET
Antique Taco,1000 W. 35th St.,will host a Kid Market on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market allows youngsters ages five through 12 to have a booth to showcase things they have made. Log on to https://forms.gle/cQ7hedurqg9rpwWo7.
MILLION DOLLAR ARM
Mary Bartelme Park will show the movie Million Dollar Arm on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 8:45 p.m. The park is at 115 S. Sangamon St.
ROCK THE BLOCK
Bridgeport Catholic Academy will host Rock the Block, a fun family day with carnival rides, games, food, a beer garden, and music, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 1 to 10 p.m. BCA is located at 3700 S. Lowe Ave. Call (773) 376-6223 or log on to www.bcachicago.org.
STORY TIME
The Canaryville Library,642 W. 43rd St., hosts story time for youngsters age five and younger and their caregivers on Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call (312) 747-0644.
HEALTHTEXT INVITE
If you have a health-related issue you would like Gazette Chicago to cover as part of its Chicago HealthText series of articles, text (773) 969-9443 and let us know what you want us to write about.
INTERNATIONAL DOWNTOWN MEET
Chicago Loop Alliance will co-host the 2023 International Downtown Association Conference and Marketplace at the Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe St., Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 4 through 6. The conference will gather more than 1,000 downtown leaders in urban place management, placemaking, marketing and communications, and economic development to discuss emerging trends and solutions applicable to cities across the globe. Chicago Loop Alliance currently is seeking volunteers for the conference. For more information, log on to https://loopchicago.com/events/international-downtown-association-annual-conference-in-chicago/.
KEEP FIT
Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens is hosting Hulatics fitness classes Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. through March 24, 2024. Log on to www.hulatics.com. Jazzercise classes are Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Log on to https://www.jazzercise.com/location/chicago-women-s-park-garden.The park is at 1801 S. Indiana Ave.
SONG RECITALS
Song of Myself , the Collaborative Works Festival of the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago,will feature two song recitals at Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave., at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6, and Friday, Sept. 8. Log on to www.caichicago.org/2023-festival.html.
SUMMERDANCE
Chicago SummerDance runs select dates through Sunday, Sept. 10, in Millennium Park and at parks throughout the city. Dancers of all ages and skill levels are invited to enjoy introductory dance lessons by professional instructors, followed by live music and dancing. For exact dates, music and venues, go to www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_summerdance.html.
CAREER AND RESOURCE FAIR
Commissioner John Daley and Alderwoman Nicole Lee will host an 11th Ward Career and Resource Fair Tuesday, Sept. 26, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W. 35th St. For information, call (773) 254-6677.
BE PREPARED
Stop by the Cook County Racial Equity Week table to meet members of the Office of the Cook County Board president during Cook County’s annual disaster preparedness fair. Officials will be available to answer questions and share resources Wednesday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in person on Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.
DE LA SALLE NEWS
De La Salle Institute will hold its alumni weekend on Friday, Sept. 22, with a 5 p.m. pre-game tailgate party and 7 p.m. football game as well as events throughout the day, on Saturday, Sept. 23, including an 11:30 a.m. alumni brunch.
De La Salle is at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 842-7355 or log on to dls.org.
FARMERS MARKETS
Farmer at the Green 320,320 S. Canal St., https://thegreenat320southcanal.com/, 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, through Oct. 24. Green City Market West Loop,115 S. Sangamon St., 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through Nov. 18. Growing Solutions Farm,2200 W. Campbell Park Dr., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and 2 to 6 p.m. Fridays, through Oct. 10. Illinois Tech Farmer’s Market, 3421 S. State St., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 21. Maxwell Street Market,800 S. Desplaines St., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 29. Pilsen Community Market,1821 S. Blue Island Ave., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 30. South Loop Farmers Market Grant Park,1201 S. Michigan Ave., 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, through Sept. 28. South Loop Farmers Market Printers Row,1201 S. Michigan Ave., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 14.
HELLO TO SOBEK
After a public vote, the new Spinosaurus at the Field Museum now has a name, Sobek. Also the name of an ancient Egyptian god with the head of a crocodile, the museum proposed it because river-dwelling Spinosaurus had crocodile-like jaws and was first discovered in Egypt. The Field Museum is at 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Log on to www.fieldmuseum.org.
GLESSNER HOUSE NEWS
Glessner House, 1800 S. Prairie Ave., will present a salon concert on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m. featuring violinist Sara Su Jones and pianist Dennis Miller; tickets are $50. On Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m., author Laurie Peterson will present an online talk exploring the history of Chicago’s lakefront; tickets are $15. Jazz singer Elaine Dame will headline the final courtyard concert of the season on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m.; tickets are $15. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.glessnerhouse.org.
LSC TRAINING
The Lugenia Burns Hope Center will offer free online training on how to be a local school council member at 6 p.m. on the Thursdays of Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, and Dec. 21. Log on to https://tinyurl.com/LGBHCLSC.
GALA AND AWARD DINNER
The Italian American Chamber of Commerce Chicago Midwest will hold its gala and award dinner Saturday, Oct. 21, at CineCity Studios, 2429 W. 14th St., at 6 p.m. The event will honor Joe Perillo, owner of the Perillo Auto Group, and Bill Terlato, president and CEO of Terlato Wines International. Call (312) 553-9137, ext. 105.
FLYING DUTCHMAN
Lyric Opera of Chicago,20 N. Wacker Dr., will perform The Flying Dutchman from Saturday, Sept. 23, through Saturday, Oct. 7. For information call (312) 827-5600 or log on to lyricopera.org.
MONASTERY NEWS
Monastery of the Holy Cross,3111 S. Aberdeen St., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 5:15 p.m. will host Solemn Vespers featuring traditional Gregorian chants with music by Schola Laudis. For more information, see: https://chicagomonk.org/solemn-vespers/solemn-vespers-for-the-twenty-fourth-sunday-in-ordinary-time/.
MOZART REQUIEM
Music of the Baroque will perform the Mozart Requiem on Monday, Sept. 18, at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 551-1414 or log on to baroque.org.
HELLENIC HEADS
The National Hellenic Museum is presenting the exhibition Hellenic Heads, a series of busts by sculptor George Petrides. The museum is at 333 S. Halsted St. and is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, visit nationalhellenicmuseum.org or call (312) 655-1234.
OBSERVANCES AND HOLIDAYS
September observances and holidays are: Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4; Grandparents Day, Sunday, Sept. 10; Patriot Day, Monday, Sept. 11; Rosh Hashanah, Friday, Sept. 15; Citizenship Day, Sunday, Sept. 17; Native American Day, Friday, Sept. 22; Autumn Equinox, Saturday, Sept. 23; Yom Kippur, Sunday, Sept. 24; and beginning of Sukkot, Friday, Sept. 29.
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, and 6 p.m. in English (the evening Mass is in the parish garden and leashed pets are welcome. This Mass will be held through early- to mid-September), as well as a Saturday evening Anticipatory Mass at 5 p.m. in English.
Mass is held at 6 p.m. in the church on Mondays followed by the Holy Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and Confessions. 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.
TAX INTEREST CUT
A new State law originally proposed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will help Cook County property owners who fall behind on their taxes by slashing in half interest rates on late payments—from 18% to 9% per year. The reduction will save homeowners and businesses $25 million to $35 million a year. For more information, log on to www.cookcountytreasurer.com.
AMBASSADOG NAMED
Peoples Gas named Kevin, a two-year-old English cream golden retriever, as the company’s new safe digging “ambassadog.” After thousands of votes were cast, Kevin became top dog. For the next year, Peoples Gas will feature Kevin in promotional campaigns to raise awareness about safe digging and the importance of dialing 811 at least 48 hours before starting any digging project.
WORKER PROTECTION
Temporary workers now have increased safety, transparency, and recourse thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-13th). The Day and Temporary Labor Services Act requires staffing agencies to provide transportation and safety equipment to workers, provide an itemized list of wages due to workers, and maintain records related to third party clients. For information, call (708) 730-4283.
PARK CLEANUP
Ping Tom Memorial Park,1700 S. Wentworth Ave.,is seeking volunteers to help pull weeds and pick up trash from 10 a.m. to noon on the Saturdays of Sept. 9 and Oct. 14. Email [email protected] for more information.
LIT FEST
The 38th Printer’s Row Lit Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in historic Printers Row on South Dearborn Street, between Ida B. Wells Drive and Polk Street. For a list of 2023 authors, artists, and performers, see https://printersrowlitfest.org.
RANDOLPH ST. MARKET
The Randolph Street Market will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23 and 24, at 1341 W. Randolph St. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Log on to randolphstreetmarket.com.
HEALTH FAIR HELD
Sinai Chicago hosted a health fair at Mount Sinai Hospital on Aug. 8. The day included informational sessions focused on health and support services offered by Sinai Chicago for Medicare patients. Health professionals provided free blood pressure, diabetes, glucose, and cholesterol screenings. The hospital is at 1500 S. Fairfield Ave. Call (773) 542-2000.
SAINT ANTHONY NEWS
Saint Anthony Hospital, 2875 W. 19th St., has added video conferencing technology in each patient room in the maternity center to connect families to new mothers. An app on a mobile phone is all that is required for in-town or out-of-town family members to communicate and see their loved ones. Video calls transmit through a large screen TV in the mother’s room, special software ensures conversations are encrypted and secure. For more information, log on to www.sahchicago.org or call (773) 484-1000.
SAINT IGNATIUS NEWS
Saint Ignatius College Prep student Charlie Tracy qualified for the 2024 Olympic trials in the 400-meter individual swimming medley.
The school’s soccer program recently celebrated its more than five decades of operation with alumni soccer games.
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 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.
Tour the church’s farm and walk its prayer labyrinth at 2938 S. Wabash Ave. as the church celebrates the Season of Creation on Sunday, Sept. 10, from noon to midnight.
St. James also will host a prayer service in the style of Taize on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. in church. All are welcome.
Visit the website at www.stjameswabash.org, email apellettiere@stjameswabash.org, or call (312) 896-1910 for more information.
ST. MARY’S REUNION
The St. Mary High School Alumnae 33rd All Class Reunion Luncheon will be held Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Carlisle in Lombard, IL at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $45. Sister Jean BVM will be this year’s honorary guest. Call (312) 543-9267 or [email protected]. St. Mary was an all-girls Catholic high school located on the West Side that closed in 1980. The luncheon benefits the BVMs who taught at the school.
SAN MIGUEL NEWS
San Miguel School will hold its Magic in Monaco Casino Night on Friday, Oct. 20, 7 to 11 p.m. at Venue West, 221 N. Paulina St. Enjoy cocktails, food, music, dancing, and a raffle. Tickets are $250 each, and all proceeds go to the school. Log on to sanmiguelchicago.org/magicinmonaco.
The school, located at 1954 W. 48th St., graduated 26 students, all of whom will attend college prep high schools, including Acero, De La Salle, Garcia, Mansueto, Muchin, and UIC College Prep. Five will attend selective enrollment programs at Jones, Whitney Young, and Lindbloom high schools. Log on to https://sanmiguelchicago.org/.
RUMMAGE SALE
Senior Suites of Bridgeport will hold its fall 2023 rummage sale Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. both days in the community room. Senior Suites is located at 2825 S. Halsted St. Admission to the sale is free.
SHRINE NEWS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii is hosting a food drive. Drop off food pantry items prior to Sunday Masses on Sept. 10. Donated food will go to Our Lady of the Holy Family Parish Food Pantry.
For information, email [email protected] or call (312) 421-3757, ext. 310. The shrine is at 1224 W. Lexington St.
COUNTY, STATE HONORED
Site Selection magazine named Cook County the second best county in the country for economic development projects and Illinois the ninth best state in the country in terms of sustainable development/being green. For information see www.siteselection.com.
UNION PARK NEWS
Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., will host the ARC Music Festival Labor Day weekend, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 1 to 3, with house music and a new immersive dance music event. Log on to http://arcmusicfestival.com for the artist lineup.
UNITING VOICES NEWS
Uniting Voices Chicago will launch its 2023-24 season with Canto Latino Creando Mole, a celebration of Mexican song, dance, food, and history, in Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood St., on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 3 to 6 p.m. in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Admission will be free. For information, call (773) 497-9647.
WCA NEWS
The West Central Association and other groups are sponsoring a Clean the Street Walk Saturday, Sept. 9, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. beginning at the Fifth Third Arena parking lot, 1801 W. Jackson Blvd.
WCA will host a networking event Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Puttery, 832 W. Randolph St.
Call (312) 902-4922 for more information.
DOME AT WNDR
Chicago artist Shani Crowe’s Dome, a multi-sensory exhibit of light, sound, and video, runs through Monday, Sept. 18, at the WNDR Museum, 1130 W. Monroe St. The museum opens every day at 10 a.m. except Tuesday and Wednesday, when it opens at noon, and closes at 8 p.m. every day except Friday and Saturday, when it closes at 10 p.m. Crowe uses the materials and techniques of African braiding in her sculptures, performance, and installation art. Log on to www.wndrmuseum.com.
PEOPLE
Wentworth Institute in Boston named local resident Nikola Rosich to the dean’s list.
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].
SEND INFO FOR ATN
Local schools, churches, and institutions are welcome and encouraged to send information to Gazette Chicago for inclusion in the Around the Neighborhood section free of charge. News of upcoming events; student, faculty, staff, and parishioner accomplishments; and photos of events that have occurred are welcome. Please send information to [email protected] in the month preceding the event—for example, news promoting October events should be sent to Gazette Chicago in September. The next deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 20, for the October 6 issue.