The St. Barnabas parish needs eight adult volunteers to continue the SPRED (special religious development) ministry. SPRED welcomes people who live with a developmental, intellectual or learning challenge to participate in the liturgical life of the parish. SPRED volunteers form a small faith community and meet with parishioners with special needs to grow together in friendship and faith. The SPRED team meets weekly, one week with the group of friends with special needs, and on alternate weeks with the team to grow in their faith and see the hand of God in their everyday lives. People who are interested in learning more are encouraged to attend a SPRED information gathering, Mon., Dec. 9, 7 p.m. at the St. Barnabas Rectory, 101st and Longwood Drive. For more information, call Elizabeth Sivek, 312-842-1039 ext. 220.
Smith Village hosts Open Mic Afternoon, Sun., Dec. 1, 4 p.m., Smith Village Community Hall, 2320 W. 113th Pl. Singers, musicians, comedians and other entertainers are welcome to perform. Free. To sign up your act, contact Debbie Parks, dahp2002@aol.com or 773-574-9727. Attendance info: Bridget Murphy, 773-474-7300.
Buddhist meditation led by Unitarian Universalist minister Marcia Curtis, Sundays, 7:30 p.m., Beverly Unitarian Church, 10244 S. Longwood Dr. Newcomers are welcome to attend the sessions which include intermittent instructions, calming meditation and a dharma talk.
Local School Council meetings are open to the community. Find out what’s happening at neighborhood schools. John H. Vanderpoel Humanities Academy LSC, Tues., Dec. 3 and Tues., Jan. 7, 5:30 p.m., 9510 S. Prospect Ave., 773-535-2690; Kellogg School LSC, Thurs., Dec. 5, 6 p.m., Library, 9241 S. Leavitt St., 773-535-2590; Barnard Elementary School LSC, Mon., Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m., Room 203, 10354 S. Charles St., 773-535-2625; Clissold School LSC, Mon., Dec. 16, 7 p.m., auditorium, 2350 W. 110th Pl., 773-535-2560; and Morgan Park High School LSC, Wed., Dec. 18, 6 p.m. Library, 1744 W. Pryor. 773-535-2550.
The League of Women Voters of Chicago-Far Southwest Side Group will meet Wed., Dec. 4, 7 p.m., 9904 S. Damen Ave., for a discussion of Local School Councils. The League is a non-partisan organization that provides informal discussion of current political, social and economic issues. Public welcome. Info: 312-939-5949, 773-233-1420 or my.lwv.org/illinois/chicago.
Families can enjoy playing music and exploring with natural materials in a new nature play space Thurs., Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m., Dan Ryan Woods Visitors Center, 87th and Western. Info: 708-386-4042 or experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov.
Area residents are encouraged to get involved in CAPS meetings. For information, call the 22nd District CAPS office, 312-745-0620, email at Caps.022District@ChicagoPolice.org, or stop by the 22nd District Police Station, 1900 W. Monterey. Beats 2211 and 2212, Thurs., Dec. 5, 6 p.m. 22nd District Police Station. Court Advocacy Subcommittee, Wed., Dec. 11, 1:30 p.m. 22nd District Police Station
Boy Scout Troop 607 invites the community to its annual Pancake Breakfast, Sat., Dec. 7, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fellowship Hall, Bethany Union Church, 1750 W. 103rd St. $7 per person. Funds raised through this event help meet the costs of the summer scout camp program.
19th Ward document shredding, Sat., Dec. 7, 9 to 11 a.m., Crosswinds Church, 10835 S. Pulaski Rd. Open to 19th Ward residents only; free. Documents must be loose; remove all staples or binders before you arrive.
Registration opens in mid-December for Saturday Drawing Classes at the Vanderpoel Art Association Gallery, Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr. Classes begin Jan. 4 for students in 4th through 8th grade, and cover basic drawing, cartooning and sequential art, such as graphic novels and comic books. Info/registration: vanderpoelartmuseum.org/classes.
Beverly Yoga Center, 1917 W. 103rd St., 2nd floor, offers classes for all ages and skill levels. This month’s schedule includes: Winter Well-Being, yoga, breathing and lifestyle practices that will ease some of the discomforts of this season, Sat., Dec. 7, 3 to 5 p.m., $35; and Learning to Breathe, a step-by-step approach to practice breathing in a yoga class or at home, Sun., Dec. 8, 3 to 5 p.m., $35. Complete schedule and registration: www.beverlyyogacenter.com.
People interested in learning more about a new Rotary Club forming in Beverly/Morgan Park are invited to a meeting Tues., Dec. 10, 6:15 p.m., BAPA Community Room,11109 S. Longwood Dr. RSVP and info: Mera Johnson, 630-800-9980.
Tai Chi-Qigong Classes for Seniors & All Abilities, every Tues., 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Immanuel United Church of Christ, 9815 S. Campbell. $10 per session. Info: annasyork@gmail.com or 630-234-5532.
Cherished Angel Perinatal Loss Support Group for parents who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death meets meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (Tues., Dec. 17), 7 to 8:30 p.m., Little Company of Mary Hospital, 2800 W. 95th St. led by Kathryn D. Gardner, LCPC, PMH-C, Specialist in Women’s Issues, the group is a place to share grief and discuss topics about emotions, relationships and coping. Free. Info: Gina Demas, RN, 708-229-5928 or Susie Schultz, Angel Mom, cherishedangelsupport@lcmh.org .
Beverly Therapists, 10725 S. Western, hosts the December Wellness Seminar, “Intentionally Creating Peace” led by Lisa Catania, LCSW, Sat., Dec. 14, 3 to 5 p.m. The seminar will lead participants to understand how we create from our intentions and beliefs for personal, community and world peace. Included are a collective meditation to amplify the intentions and creation of a community prayer flag, $10 per person. Info/registration: www.beverlytherapists.com.
The Great Connections presents Reason and Power, a week-long winter break program for people age 16 to 24 who want to hone their reasoning, learn writing from a professional and connect with passionate and principled young people from around the world, Sat., Jan. 4 through Sat., Jan. 11, The Great Connections, 11107 S. Longwood Dr., 2nd floor. The program will include readings by Machiavelli, Hayek, Montesquieu, and others, as well as thought-provoking discussions and outings downtown to learn more about the architecture and history of the city of Chicago. Info/applications: noelle@thegreatconnections.org.
