By William S. Bike
AA MEETINGS
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held every Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, in the basement at 1220 W. Lexington St. The meetings are closed format, meaning they are for people with drinking problems or AA members only, and not for family members. Call (773) 346-1475 for more information.
DRIVER HONORED
The Illinois State Senate honored the life of the late William F. Bike, Gazette Chicago circulation driver, by Unanimous Consent in Senate Resolution No. 830.
BURNETT NEWS
Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. of the 27th Ward holds regular Ward Night meetings open to the community on Mondays at 1452 N. Sedgwick St. from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and on Thursdays at 4 N. Western Ave. from 7 to 9 p.m.
Call (312) 432-1995.
SPARK GRANT
Artists can apply to the Chicago Artists Coalition for a SPARK grant. Deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 18. Call (312) 491-8888 x 1004.
NURSE CONSORTIUM NEWS
The Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium helps foreign-educated nurses attain licensure in Illinois.
National Council Licensure Examination predictor tests are available to demonstrate probability of passing the nursing exam.
The organization’s website at www.chicagobilingualnurse.org also lists jobs available for nurses. For more information, call (312) 567-2065.
GALLERY NIGHT
The Chicago Arts District Second Fridays gallery night happens every second Friday of the month from 6 to 10 p.m. This walking tour of 25 Pilsen galleries and art spots includes performance art and shopping opportunities. Admission is free. Begin your tour at 1945 S. Halsted St. For more information, call (312) 738-8000.
BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection offers free business education workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall. For more information, call (312) 744-2086 or email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org.
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. Contact Jenny Schuler at jenny.schuler@cityofchicago.org or (312) 746-7291.
HR MASTERMIND
The Chicago HR Mastermind is a free monthly meetup of more than 1,100 human resources practitioners, service providers, students, and Chicago-area professionals in job transition who come together to expand networks and solve problems. Arrive eager to be of service, and leave ready to make an impact. Visit www.HRHotSeat.com for a calendar of upcoming events.
SUNDAY HOURS AT LIBRARY BRANCH
The Little Italy branch of the Chicago Public Library, 1336 W. Taylor St., now has Sunday hours. The library is open 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Call (312) 746-5656.
WOMEN’S PARK NEWS
Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens will host a candlelight yoga session on Friday, Feb. 7, from 7 to 8 p.m.
It will hold its sixth annual Fire and Ice Festival, Friday, Feb. 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy roasted marshmallows, indoor skating in socks, arts and crafts, face painting, and karaoke. Cost is $5 per child.
The park is located at 1801 S. Indiana Ave. Call (312) 328-0821.
COLUMBIA PLAY
Columbia College’s Studio 404, at72 E. 11th St., will perform the play Failure: A Love Story, a musical comedy, Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 12 through 22. Log on to http://tickets.colum.edu/.
BUSINESS GRANTS
The City of Chicago will take applications through the end of February for new business development grants (provided by its Neighborhood Opportunity Fund through the INVEST South/West program) to develop businesses and properties on the South and West Sides. Log on to https://neighborhoodopportunityfund.com/
CHICAGO IS NOT BROKE
Editor Tom Tresser of CivicLab, who published the book Chicago Is Not Broke,is asking people to host a “book meeting in a box” at their homes. He will send ten books to you plus a discussion guide. You invite people to your home and either give or sell them the book. He supplies a link to a pre-recorded personalized video introduction that you play for the attendees. If you bring those folks back together after they read the book, Tresser will join that gathering via a live video chat.
Contact Tresser at (312) 804-3230 or tom@civiclab.us.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces INVEST South/West, which provides grants for South Side and West Side businesses.
DE LA SALLE NEWS
Five De La Salle Institute students were chosen to the 2019 All-Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference Orange Division Football Team: wide receiver Matt Byrnes, defensive/offensive lineman Jamari Johnson, running back/wide receiver/defensive back Jason Moore, defensive/offensive lineman David Ortiz, and linebacker Aidan Ralph.
The school is located at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 842-7355.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE
Follow young Sasha as she explores her Brooklyn apartment building in the play Brooklyn Bridge, suitable for those age 7 and older, through Saturday, Feb. 22, at the DePaul University Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Dr. Call (312) 922-1999.
FREE FEBRUARY
The Field Museum will offer free admission to Illinois residents every day in February. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is located at 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. See www.fieldmuseum.org.
LEGAL DEFENSE
First Defense Legal Aid,5100 W. Harrison St., provides representation to people in custody, informs people of their rights, and organizes volunteers to help.
For more information, call (773) 434-4162.
GLESSNER HOUSE EVENTS
Glessner House, 1800 S. Prairie Ave., will host several February events. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m., curator William Tyre will speak about Chicago’s first 38 landmarks, designated in February 1960; tickets are $15. On Saturday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m., actress Lynn Rymarz will portray the Unsinkable Molly Brown, famed heroine of the Titanic; tickets are $25 and include a reception before the performance. On Sunday. Feb. 23, historian Christopher R. Reed will present the lecture Black Chicago Aspires for Residential Security: Battling the Restrictive Covenant, 1927-1948. This event will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 1936 S. Michigan Ave., in honor of Black History Month. For information or to register, visit www.glessnerhouse.org.
QUEEN OF SPADES
Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Dr.,will perform Tchai-kovsky’s Queen of Spades,a romantic thriller, starting Saturday, Feb. 15, and running through Sunday, March 1. See lyricopera.org.
MILLENNIUM PARK NEWS
The Millennium Park Ice Rinkremains open until Sunday, March 8. Skating is free. Skate rental, skate sharpening, and locker rentals are available for various charges. The rink is at 1 N. Michigan Ave.
MCKINLEY PARK NEWS
The McKinley Park Dog Park Committeemeets the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. in the McKinley Park Fieldhouse. Email mckinleydogpark@gmail.com.
The park is at 37th Street and Archer Avenue.
MERCY HOME NEWS
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls seeks adults to be mentors for youngsters. Learn more at MercyHome.org/ChicagoGazette. Sign up for the 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon through Mercy Home. Log on to www.MercyHome.org/Gaze.
PARENT CONFERENCE
The nonprofit organization Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club will host a parent conference at the Beasley Academic Center about navigating the public school system. The event runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 5255 S. State St. Tickets are $20 per person or family. Email Mr.dadsfathersclub@gmail.com.
BENEFIT CONCERT
Merit School of Music will host a benefit concert by Marquis Hill on Saturday, March 2, at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., to support equal access to music education. Tickets begin at $25. Merit is located at 38 S. Peoria St. Call (312) 786-9428 or log on to meritmusic.org/playon.
FILMING AT HIGH SCHOOL
The film crew from the NBC-TV series Chicago Fire recently came to the Mount Carmel High School campus for filming, where crew members converted the campus into the fictional “Stover Academy.” Mount Carmel is at 6410 S. Dante Ave. Call (773) 324-1020 or log on to www.mchs.com.
RIVAL DIVAS
Music of the Baroque will present Rival Divas Monday, Feb. 24, at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Call (312) 551-1414.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER AND PARTY
Nativity of Our Lord Parish will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Party, a 21 years or older event, on Saturday, March 7, at Nativity of Our Lord Church Hall at 653 W. 37th St. Doors open at 6 p.m.; dinner starts at 7 p.m. Tickets for $55 or tables of ten for $500 are available. There will be prizes, raffles, entertainment, cash bar, and catering by Harrington’s. Reservations are necessary. No coolers allowed. Post-dinner entry after 9 p.m. is $10; no RSVP necessary. For more information call (773) 927-6263 or log on to www.nativitybridgeport.org. Ad book opportunities also available.
NSPB MEETING
The Near South Planning Board will host its general membership meeting and luncheon on Friday, Feb. 14, at noon at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Hotel, 2233 S. King Dr. Maurice Cox, commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, will speak. Tickets are $75 for members and $95 for others. Log on to www.theNSPB.org.
POLAR ADVENTURE DAY
Enjoy a Polar Adventure Day Saturday, Feb. 29, from noon to 4 p.m. at Northerly Island Park, 1521 S. Linn White Dr., featuring a tour, Siberian huskies and other live animals, birds, snowshoeing, crafts, hot cocoa, and raffles. Call (312) 742-7529.
MARKET AND TOURS
The Plant, a facility home to farm and food-producing businesses,hosts an indoor farmers market at 1400 W. 46th St. the first Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Go on tours of the Plant at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. For information, log on to PlantChicago.org/market.
TREASURER NEWS
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has opened a part-time office at the JLM Abundant Life Community Center, 2622 W. Jackson Blvd., to help homeowners with property tax questions.
Property owners can use cookcountytreasurer.com to search for $79 million in available tax refunds and avoid paying fees to lawyers and refund recovery firms that charge for a simple task that people can do for themselves, Pappas said. That website also has an application for seniors with an income of $55,000 or less enabling them to apply for a loan to pay their property taxes.
Call (312) 603-6202.
DEPRIEST HOME RESTORED
Landmarks Illinois received a grant from the National Park Service to restore the home of the late Oscar DePriest, Chicago’s first Black alderman, at 4536-38 S. King Dr. The apartment building earned landmark status in 1975. DePriest also served on the Cook County Board and in Congress. For Landmarks Illinois, log on to www.landmarks.org.
RUSH GENERATIONS
Rush Generations, a health and aging program, offers classes, screenings, support groups, and other programs for older adults and caregivers. On Tuesdays and Fridays from Feb. 4 through 28, Rush’s free A Matter of Balance workshop can help reduce your risk of falls (and fear of falling). If you have fallen in the past, have concerns about falling, or limit your activity because you’re worried about falls, this workshop is for you. You also might enjoy Gentle Yoga sessions on Thursdays from Feb. 13 through April 2, with poses you can do while standing, sitting in a chair, or sitting on the floor. The cost is $40 for eight sessions. Stop in for a free hearing screening on Thursday, Feb. 13, between 9 a.m. and noon. All programs take place on the Rush University Medical Center campus. For more information, call (888) 352-RUSH (7874).
FREE DAYS
The Shedd Aquarium,1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, is offering free admission for Illinois residents every weekday in February. The aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17. Log on to www.sheddaquarium.org.
SHRINE NEWS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii will host its Winter Spirituality Series: Pilgrimage for the Planet on the Saturdays of Feb. 22 and March 28, 1:30 to 4 p.m.
It will hold a Valentine’s Day ’50s dance on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 6 to 11 p.m. Cost is $25 per person, with food and drink available, a DJ providing music, and a split the pot raffle; ’50s attire is optional.
Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, distribution of ashes and Mass will be held at 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., and a Liturgy of the Word and distribution of ashes will be held at noon.
Lenten Bible study will be held the Wednesdays of Feb. 26, March 11 and 25, and April 8 and 22 from 6:45 to 8 p.m.
Stations of the Cross are scheduled for Fridays in Lent, Feb. 28 through April 10, at noon.
The shrine is located at 1224 W. Lexington St. Call (312) 421-3757 or log on to www.ourladyofpompeii.org for more information.
SLED HILL
The Soldier Field Sled Hill is open just south of the stadium at 18th Street and Museum Campus/Waldron Drive for snow sledding. Bring a plastic sled. Admission is free.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Spertus College will host a panel of experts discussing climate change on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Enjoy drinks and appetizers from 5 to 6:15 p.m., with the discussion beginning at 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at spertus.edu/conversation. The College is at 610 S. Michigan Ave.
TAYLOR-LAURIDSEN NEWS
Taylor-Lauridsen Park, 704 W. 42nd St., seeks new members for the pinochle club, which meets Thursdays at 10 a.m. New or experienced players welcome.
For more information, call the park at (312) 747-6729.
BARIATRIC SURGERY
UI Health offers a bariatric surgery program. Learn more at Bariatric.UIHealth.care.
TRAUMA HELPLINE
The toll-free TURN Trauma Counseling Helpline,(833) TURN123, operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. TURN stands for The Urban Resilience Network, and the helpline assists those experiencing trauma caused by exposure to violence. The organization also provides trained ambassadors to visit community events and schools to educate about trauma.
SAFE ZONE
Meeting online buyers or sellers in person now is a little safer for both UICpersonnel and the general public, thanks to the University of Illinois at Chicago Police. The department opened its district station front lobby to the public as a Safe Exchange Zone, where people can carry out legal swaps, sales, or purchases on campus as well as make child custody exchanges. Open 24 hours, the area has video surveillance and a seating area. The station is located at 943 W. Maxwell St., and parking is available.
SUMMERLAB
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools will host Summer Lab, Monday, June 22, through Friday, July 31, featuring a day camp, theatre training, summer school, sports, dance, and recreation. Log on to SummerLab.org.
BLOOD NEEDED
Vitalant,the Chicago area’s largest blood center, is facing an emergency need for blood and platelets. To donate, visit vitalant.org or call (877) 258-4825.