Neighborhood Events – March 2020
Friends of the Dan Ryan Woods has been awarded a 3 to 1 matching grant by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation that can raise $21,000 to fund work to make the Dan Ryan Woods healthier and safer for people, plants and animals. The group is collecting donations through Go Fund Me at charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign.friends-of-dan-ryan-woods. An adult conservation corps crew from Friends of the Forest Preserves will be conducting the work that includes clearing 27 acres of brush. Keep with the Friends of the Dan Ryan Woods on Facebook at DanRyanWoods. Join volunteers for clearing and helping out at the woods on the second Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The group meets in the parking lot at 91st and Hermitage. Questions? Contact Benjamin Cox, benjamin@fotfp.org.
Opening reception for a new exhibit of original American Girl dolls and accessories, matched stories about women from the Ridge whose lives paralleled the fictional stories of the dolls, Sun., Mar. 1, 2 to 5 p.m., Ridge Historical Society, 10621 S. Seeley. Free. 773-881-1675 or ridgehistory@hotmail.com.
Smith Village, 2320 W. 113th Pl., hosts Open Mic Afternoon, Sun., Mar. 1, 4 p.m., in the Community Hall. Singers, musicians, comedians and other entertainers are welcome to perform. Free. Sign up an act with Debbie Parks, dahp2002@aol.com or 773-574-9727. Attendance info, Bridget Murphy, 773-474-7300.
Early voting for the Mar. 17 presidential primary and municipal elections for 19th Ward residents will be held at Mount Greenwood Park, 3721 W. 111th St. On the ballot are President, U.S. senator and congressmen, Cook County offices and several judges. Vote by mail applications must be received by the Chicago Board of Elections by Thurs., Mar. 12 and ballots must be received by Tues., Mar. 17. Early voting is Mon., through Sat., Mar. 2 through 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun., Mar. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Mon. through Fri., Mar. 9 through 13, 9 am. To 7 p.m.; Sat., Mar. 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun., Mar. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Mon., Mar. 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Polls at regular voting locations are open Tues., Mar. 17, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.chicagoelections.com.
Local School Council (LSC) meetings: John H. Vanderpoel Humanities Academy LSC, Tues., Mar. 3, 5:30 p.m., 9510 S. Prospect Ave., 773-535-2690; Kellogg School LSC, Thurs., Mar. 5 and Thurs., Apr. 2, 6 p.m., library, 9241 S. Leavitt St., 773-535-2590; Clissold School LSC, Mon., Mar. 16, 7 p.m., auditorium, 2350 W. 110th Pl., 773-535-2560; Sutherland School LSC, Tues., Mar. 17, 6:30 p.m., 10015 S. Leavitt St., 773-535-2580; and Morgan Park High School LSC, Wed., Mar. 18, 6 p.m., library, 1744 W. Pryor, 773-535-2550.
The Chicago Board of Elections is seeking people to serve as election judges administering election procedures in polling places for the municipal election Tues., Mar. 17. Election judges must be registered to vote in Cook County, not be a committeeman, precinct captain or candidate, be of good repute and character, and be able to speak, read and write English and perform basic math. www.chicagoelections.com.
Area residents who are caregivers for older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can attend a free memory care support group Tues., Mar. 3 6:30 p.m., Smith Village, 2320 W. 113th Pl. Social service director of long-term care Diane Morgan will lead an open topic discussion that will enable caregivers to ask about challenging behaviors and the disease process. Free. Reservation: 773-474-7300 or familyandfriends@smithvillage.org.
Area residents are encouraged to get involved in CAPS meetings. For information, call the 22nd District CAPS office, 312-745-0620, email Caps.022District@ChicagoPolice.org, or stop by the 22nd District Police Station, 1900 W. Monterey. Beat 2221, Tues., Mar. 3, 6:30 p.m., Christ the King, 9225 S. Hamilton. Beats 2211 and 2212, Thurs., Mar. 5, 6 p.m., 22nd District Police Station. Court Advocacy Subcommittee, Wed., Mar. 11, 1 p.m., 22nd District Police Station. Beat 2213, Thurs., Mar. 12, 6:30 p.m., Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr. Domestic Violence Subcommittee, Thurs., Mar. 26, 10:30 a.m., 22nd District Police Station.
An eight week “Mindfulness for Depression Group” begins Wed., Mar. 4, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Beverly Therapists, 10725 S. Western. Persons suffering from major depression or who simply want to find ways to alleviate depression’s effect on their lives will focus on strengthening the mind-body connection in order to live more effectively with symptoms. Info/registration: Ben Walker, LCSW, 630–674–2504 or www.beverlytherapists.com.
“Creating Personal Sacred Space for Healing,” a four week circle group, starts Sun., Mar. 8, Beverly Therapists, 10725 S. Western. Explore connection to one’s Higher Self and a personal manifestation of connection to Divine Love, and create meditative spiritual healing space. Info/registration: Lisa Catania, LCSW, 773-719-1751 or www.BeverlyTherapists.com.
Ald. Matt O’Shea’s Senior Citizen Corned Beef Luncheon for 19th Ward residents, Thurs., Mar. 12, noon, 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St. $5 includes family style luncheon. Also enjoy Senior Irish Soda Bread Contest, music by Liam Durkin and a performance by the Dennehy Irish Dancers. Reservations required. 773-238-8776 or margie@the19thward.com.
“How to Better Understand Your Teen and Strengthen Family Ties,” a wellness seminar for parents to reduce conflict with preteens and teens and deepen family relationships, Sat., Mar. 14, 3 to 5 p.m., Beverly Therapists, 10725 S. Western. $10. Info/registration: www.BeverlyTherapists.com.
March for Kids volunteers will be at the South Side Irish Parade Sun., Mar. 15, raising funds and awareness for Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Among the beneficiaries is Mercy Home’s Margaret Walsh Girls’ Campus in Beverly/Morgan Park. Donations to Mercy Home for Boys & Girls give at-risk children a safe place to live, therapy to heal from the trauma of abuse and neglect, and tools like education and job skills to help them build independence. People, businesses or groups interested in being Mercy Home March for Kids volunteers can sign up at www.mercyhome.org/marchforkids. For those not attending the parade, throughout the month of March, contributions to the campaign made on the website (www.mercyhome.org/marchforkids) will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous donor.
“Man Cave,” a 10 week therapy support group for men 18 and older begins Tues., Mar. 17, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Beverly Therapists, 10725 S. Western. The collaborative group is for men who are seeking support for their personal challenges and goals in a safe, non-judgmental and confidential setting. Info/registration: Ben Walker, LCSW, 630–674–2504 or www.beverlytherapists.com.
Learn about typica materials, mechanical systems and common maintenance issues at Bungalow Maintenance 101, Wed., Mar. 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Beverly Branch Library, 1962 W. 95th St. Hosted by the Chicago Bungalow Association, the seminar offers expert information on how to improve the value of your bungalow and prolong its life by reducing energy usage, completing simple repairs and regular maintenance tasks, and gaining a basic vocabulary for talking to contractors. Registration: chicagobungalow.org/seminars.
Throughout the Lenten season, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9401 S. Oakley Ave., will explore the idea of Turning Points during worship services and small group suppers open to all. Soup suppers begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Mar. 4 (Turning To See—Paul), Mar. 11 (Turning Toward Purpose—Jonah), Mar. 18 (Turning Toward Justice—Esther), Mar. 25 (Turning Toward Wholeness–the paralyzed man) and Apr. 1 (Returning Home — the Prodigal Son). Smallgroups meet on Sunday evenings, Wednesdays after worship and Thursdays at 9:30 am. An online option is also available. www.bethlehem-chicago.org/ or 773-445-7558.
The 19th Ward East Beverly Town Hall meeting will be held Wed., Mar. 25, 7 p.m., Graver Park, 1518 W.102nd Pl. Join in the discussion of community events and issues, and hear from representatives from various government agencies. Sponsored by 19th Ward Ald. Matt O’Shea, BAPA, 22nd District Police, Vanderpoel Improvement Association, East Beverly Association, State Sen. Bill Cunningham and State Rep. Fran Hurley.
The League of Women Voters of Chicago-Far Southwest Side Group will meet Wed., Mar. 25, 7 p.m., Beverly Unitarian Church, 10244 S. Longwood Dr., for a discussion about Electoral College Reform: Why We Should Abolish the Electoral College and How to Do It. The League is a non-partisan organization that provides informal discussion of current political, social and economic issues. Public welcome. 312-939-5949, 773-233-1420 or my.lwv.org/illinois/chicago.
Beverly Unitarian Church, 10244 S. Longwood Dr., invites area residents to Soup and Sharing, a community event that brings people together to share a simple meal, listen to one another and begin conversations about racial justice in our neighborhood, Thurs., Mar. 26 and Fri., Apr. 24, 6:30 p.m., in the upper hall. Sponsored by Southwest Chicago Diversity Collaborative, South Siders for Peace, Unity in Diversity and Beverly Unitarian Church.
Enjoy a classic film and support a great cause when the Morgan Park Junior Women’s Club hosts a special screening of “Chocolat,” Wed., Apr. 8, 7:30 p.m., Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. All proceeds from the event, including monetary donations, will go to the Maple Morgan Park Community Food Pantry. Tickets, $12 at www.beverlyartcenter.org.
Registration is open for the 2020 Ridge Park Art Fair & Festival on Sat., June 20 at Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr. The application deadline is Apr. 15 Register at https://ridgeparkartfair.org/sign-up-now/.
Info: Irene@vanderpoelartmuseum.org or 773-294-8311.
