Help Us Showcase Our Neighborhood. Beverly/Morgan Park will be among the city neighborhoods to be featured on the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s prestigious Open House Chicago event this fall. It’s a huge, citywide event that will bring more than 1,000 visitors to tour several local sites on Sat., Oct. 13 and Sun., Oct. 14. BAPA is partnering with CAF to showcase the community and to help recruit volunteers to greet and count visitors at our Open House Chicago sites. We can’t do it without help from our neighbors. Learn more, see the great benefits that volunteers receive, and sign up online at openhousechicago.org/volunteer
BAPA Members Save on Tax Appeal Services. Xpress Tax Appeals, featured in last month’s edition of The Villager, is offering a 20% discount for property tax appeals for BAPA members. The discount is available through Aug. 31 at XpressTaxAppeals.com/BAPA. Beverly/Morgan Park residents are in Lake Township where the appeal window opened July 30. Residents will be receiving their Cook County triennial reassessment notice soon. Watch for it in the mail and don’t miss the window to appeal. Homeowners have the right to appeal their property taxes every year, as newly sold comparable properties or other changes in a neighborhood could provide another opportunity for a successful reduction. Xpress Tax Appeals navigates the complex appeal process, completing paperwork and meeting deadlines to ensure that assessed values remain as low as possible. Xpress Tax Appeals does not charge upfront fees for the service and there is no charge if the appeal is unsuccessful. Visit www.XpressTaxAppeals.com/BAPA by Aug. 31 to receive the BAPA Member discount. Xpress Tax Appeals was a sponsor of BAPA’s Beverly Hills Cycling Classic and is a BAPA Business Member.
Registration Open for Fall BAC Classes. Beverly Arts Center (BAC) School of the Arts fall class registration is now open. Classes for all ages and across a variety of performance and visual arts disciplines begin the week of Sept. 10. Sign up on Fri., Aug. 10 to receive a discount on tuition. Classes are held at the Center, 2407 W. 111 St. Class schedules, registration and info: 773-445-3838, beverlyartcenter.org and at the Center.
Neighborhood Residents Needed for Chicagoland Language Project. Researchers from Northwestern University’s Chicagoland Language Project are in Beverly/Morgan Park to conduct one-on-one interviews with native Chicagoans, especially life-long neighborhood residents, documenting area language and life. Interested in being a study volunteer? Contact Annette Donofrio, donofrio@northwestern.edu.
New Magazine Seeks Submissions. Variant, a new digital literary arts magazine, is accepting submissions of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, photos and original art until Sept. 1 for the first issue, set to debut in fall. Variant publishes original, previously unpublished work. Find submission guidelines at variantzine.com. Submissions and inquiries: variantzine@gmail.com.
Children’s Theater at BAC. Chicago Kids Company presents “The Ugly Duckling,” a one-hour musical based on the classic fairy tale, selected weekdays, 10:30 a.m. through Aug. 10, Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W.111th St.The play is geared to children ages 2 to 10 and will feature frequent audience participation. Tickets: $12. Info and tickets: www.chicagokidscompany.com
Gallery Exhibits Work by Pickering. Residents are invited to an opening reception for Ron Pickering’s Natural Motions, Sun., Aug. 5, 2 to 4 p.m. Simmerling Gallery, Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111 St. The exhibit will be display through Wed., Sept. 5 and features a variety of pieces that combine landscape and abstract styles. Free. Info 773-445-3838 or www.beverlyartcenter.org
Music at BAC. Beverly Arts Center (BAC), 2407 W.111 St., presents the 2nd Annual Battle of the Bands at Live Music Mondays Mon. Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m. $5 donation appreciated. Enjoy a performance by The Pettybreakers performing classics by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Fri., Aug. 24 at 8 p.m., tickets: $30 ($27 for BAC members). Tickets and info: 773-445-3838 or beverlyartscenter.org
A Discussion on Immigration. Daryce Nolan, Episcopal Deacon, will tell her personal story of traveling to LA to meet with immigrant families waiting for asylum Tues., Aug. 7, 7 p.m., BAPA Community Room, 11109 S. Longwood Dr. Nolan will share stories of how immigrants came to America to flee terrorist gangs and extreme poverty. Free. Info: Steve English artistbydesigns@yahoo.com
Support Group at Smith Village. Friends and family members of patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia are invited to a free support group, Tues., Aug. 7, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Smith Village, 2320 W. 113th Pl. Elizabeth Fronczek from Great Lakes Caring will speak about palliative and hospice care and coping with cognitive loss. Seating is limited; reservations required. Info and reservations: 773-474-7300 or familyandfriends@smithvillage.org
Open Mic Night at Smith Village. Singers, musicians, comedians and other entertainers are invited to perform at an Open Mic Night, Tues., Aug. 7, 7 to 10 p.m., Smith Village Community Hall, 2320 W. 113th Pl. Free. To sign up your act contact Debbie Parks, dahp2002@aol.com or 773-574-9727. Info: Megan Maple, 773-474-7300.
BACinema. BACinema presents will screen the following movies this month: “Dick Biondi,” a documentary about the Top 40 rock and roll rebel DJ, Wed., Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m.; and special screening of “Among Wolves,” a riveting documentary about a motorcycle club in post-war Bosnia, Herzegovina that has done inspiring work to heal themselves and others from the trauma of war, including a herd of wild horses, Sat., Aug. 25; Q&A with the director will follow film. All screenings 7:30 p.m. at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111 St., Tickets: $6 ($5 for BAC members). Tickets and info: 773-445-3838 or www.beverlyartscenter.org
CAPS Meetings. Area residents are encouraged to attend 22nd District Police CAPS meetings. Meetings this month include Court Advocacy Subcommittee, Wed., Aug. 8, 1:30 p.m. 22nd District Police Station; Beat 2213, Thurs., Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m. Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr.; Domestic Violence Subcommittee, Thurs., Aug. 23, 10:30 a.m. 22nd District Police Station. Info: CAPS Office, 22nd District Police Station, 1900 W. Monterey, 312-745-0620.
Church Hosts Events. Imago Dei, 10511 S. Oakley (south wing), invited Beverly/Morgan Park neighbors to join them around the firepit to celebrate National S’Mores Day, Fri., Aug. 10, 7 to 9 p.m. at the church, and to a Labor Day picnic, Mon., Sept. 3, 12 to 4 p.m., Kennedy Park, 11320 S. Western Ave., where hot dogs and burgers will be served. All are welcome. Info: Pastor Tom Kubiak, 773-609-3135 or tkubiak@imagodeichicago.org.
Youth Cooking Classes. Teens ages 14 to 17 are invited to learn basic cooking skills, kitchen safety, new recipes and team work, Mon., Aug. 13 through Fri., Aug. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Morgan Park Presbyterian Church, 2017 W. 110 Pl. Students will meet with chef Carla Ringo each day to prepare a new meal. The session will conclude with a meal for friends and family on Sun., Aug. 19 after worship. Free. Space limited to 15 students. Registration required: 773-779-3355.
Shakespeare in the Parks Presents an Enchanting Summer Comedy. Now in its 7th year, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks will be heading to Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr., with a 75-minute abridged production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Tues., Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m. Performances are free. On the night of the play, a specially equipped truck will roll into the park and unfold a stage unfold where a company of professional actors shares Shakespeare’s magical comedy with families and neighbors of all ages. Adapted and staged by Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks Artistic Director Barbara Gaines, this merry version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” tells the enchanting story of four young lovers who set out for the forest, in which an amateur theater troupe is rehearsing. When the Fairy Court discovers mortals in their midst, mischief ensues. The citywide tour is made possible by a renewed civic, cultural and corporate partnership between Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Boeing and BMO Harris Bank. Since the inception of the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program six years ago, more than 130,000 Chicagoans have taken advantage of free performances in their communities.
LSC Meetings. Morgan Park High School LSC meeting, Wed., Aug. 15, 7 to 9 p.m., School Library, 1744 W. Pryor, 773-535-2550; and Kellogg School LSC, Thurs., Sept. 6, 6 p.m., Kellogg School Library, 9241 S. Leavitt St., 773-535-2590.
Work Skills Workshops. The Church of Chicago, 10000 S. Kostner Ave., will host workshops in Microsoft Word Processing Software covering opening and saving files, page layout and more, Sat., Aug. 11, 8 to 10 a.m. and Resume Writing covering basic resume writing skills and etiquette, Sat., Aug. 18, 8 to 10 a.m. Open to all. $5 per workshop. Small class size; reservations required: 773-672-7230 or connect@churchofchicago.org.
“Let’s Go Rice!” Learn the fundamentals of competitive cheerleading from Brother Rice Varsity Cheerleaders, Sat., Aug. 11 and Sun., Aug. 12, 12 to 4 p.m., Brother Rice High School, 10001 S. Pulaski Rd. Campers will be split into age groups ranging from Pre-K to incoming 8th graders and will learn basic motions, jumps and safe stunting, along with cheers and dances. Camp will conclude with a performance Sun., Aug. 12, 3 p.m. $55 per child, $85 for two children of the same family. Registration and info: www.brotherricehighschool.com
A Midsummer Night’s Play. Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks presents Williams Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Tues., Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m., Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr. Admission is free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Info chicagoshakes.com/plays
Southwest Symphony Auditions. The Southwest Symphony Orchestra will hold auditions for 2018-2019 seasons Tues., Sept. 4, Trinity Christian College, Ozinga Chapel Auditorium, 6601 College Dr. All orchestra instrumentalists are invited to audition; orchestra is especially seeking strings. The SSO is mainly composed of community musicians. Reservations required. Info and scheduling: Shari Ebert, 708-802-0686 or southwestmanager@gmail.com.
