The Pullman National Monument and State Historic Site (Chicago’s only National Park!) celebrates its grand opening on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4 and 5, with family-friendly activities at the Monument and throughout the surrounding community. Info: Visitor Center, 11141 S. Cottage Grove, 773-468-9310.
Beverly Hills Junior Woman’s Club is collecting new/gently used Halloween costumes for homeless children at Margaret’s Village, a transitional housing program, through Sept. 24. All sizes/styles needed. Contact Carla Herr, 312-593-1129 for pick-up. Don’t have any costumes but still want to help? Margaret’s Village is always in need of laundry detergent, deodorant and toilet paper. Info: beverlyjuniors@gmail.com.
Local School Council meetings: Kellogg School LSC, Thurs., Sept. 2 and Oct. 7, 6 p.m., 773-535-2590, Kellogg.CPS.Edu; John H. Vanderpoel Humanities Academy LSC, Tues., Sept. 7 and Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m., 773-535-2690, VHAelementary.org; Morgan Park High School LSC, Wed., Sept. 15, 6 p.m., 773-535-2550, MorganParkCPS.org; Barnard School LSC, Mon., Sept. 20, 6:30 p.m., 773-535-2625, Barnard.CPS.edu; Clissold School LSC, Mon., Sept. 20, 7 p.m. 2350 W. 110th Pl. 773-535-2560. Clissold-School.org; Sutherland School LSC, Tues., Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m., 773-535-2580, Sutherland.CPS.Edu. Call the school or visit the website for information on in-person or virtual LSC meetings.
CAPS meetings. Beats 2211 and 2212, Thurs., Sept. 2 and Oct. 7, 6 p.m. Zoom Access. ID: 820 5330 0394, Passcode: 294135; Beat 2221, Tues., Sept. 7 and Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Access. ID: 825 2518 0840, Passcode: 050930; Beat 2213, Thurs., Sept. 9, 6 p.m. Zoom Access. ID: 884 3165 0628, Passcode: 935253. For all meetings, the call-in option is 312-626-6799. Info: 22nd District CAPS office, 312-745-0620, Caps.022District@ChicagoPolice.org, or stop by the station, 1900 W. Monterey.
Join the neighborhood Free Stores in celebrating the new location for the toiletries giveaways and the final distribution of emergency food at a party for Free Store volunteers and supporters Wed., Sept. 8, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Morgan Park Presbyterian Church, 11052 S. Longwood Dr. Food will be available for purchase from Fat Tommy’s, attendees can bring beer, wine or soft drinks, and music will be performed by the Mike Allemana Quartet. Although the last food distribution will be Sept. 8, 3 to 4:30 p.m., area families in need of toiletries and first aid items are encouraged to continue taking advantage of Free Store giveaways on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, 3 to 4:30 p.m., now located at Morgan Park Presbyterian Church. For more information, contact Turpin Cares, turpincares.org.
Mother McAuley Mothers Club hosts MAC Markets 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 11 and 25 in the high school parking lot, 3737 W. 99th St. Shop for fresh fruits and veggies and other market finds. Info: mcauleymothersclub@gmail.com.
Mount Carmel High School will offer personal tours for prospective students Wed., Sept. 15, 6 p.m. Shadow days can also be arranged. Info: mchs.org/admissions/visit-mount-carmel.
The I Madonnari Italian Street Art Festival will be held Sat., Sept. 18 at Sutherland School, 10015 S. Leavitt. This family event features sidewalk art, food and lots more, and is a fundraiser for the school. Parent and community volunteers are needed. Info: Nora Barr, norabarr@gmail.com
BAPA’s Porch Concert series presents Friendly Fire, Fri., Sept. 24, 6 to 8 p.m., 106th and Maplewood. Enjoy food, local brews and great music. Friendly Fire was forged in 2017 on the South side, performing new music with a familiar feel. Band members Tim Vail, Dominic Trnka, Justin Badar, Ryan Duffy, and Jack Jerozal have a play distinct sound that is 100% Fire: soulful vocals, complex rhythms, catchy melodies, meaningful lyrics, and anthemic solos. Their music will make you dance, rock, sway, or headbang — what else would you expect from a band in which every member is a singer, songwriter, and composer? Bring chairs and beverages; food available for purchase.
The Platinum Adventures Club offers interesting historical presentations this month at the First National Bank of Evergreen Park, 3960 W. 95th St. Learn how Betty Crocker was invented and why her cookbook has endured since the 1950s in a fun, illustrated lecture, Wed., Sept. 8, 10 a.m. Meet the Six Wives of Henry VIII in a program that reveals compelling truths about these remarkable women and a fascinating time in history, Wed., Sept. 15, 2 p.m. Learn about the theories surrounding the start of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 as well as the conflagration’s aftermath at The Great Chicago Fire: A Phoenix Rising, Tues., Sept. 28, 10 a.m. Info and reservations: Margie O’Connell, 773-298-4712 or moconnell@thebeverlybank.com.
Save the Dates:
The OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center hosts the OSF Beverly Breast Cancer Walk Sun., Oct. 3, 8 a.m., starting at Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr. A community tradition for more than 20 years, the three-mile walk raises funds for breast cancer treatment and services for area patients, survivors and families. Info/registration at give.lcmh.org.
Take a stroll through the 99th Street and 103rd Street shopping districts to see what’s trending and who’s spending at the Sip & Shop Girls Night Out, Thurs., Oct. 7, 6 to 9 p.m. The shops are pulling out the stops for a great evening including debuts of fall lines of clothing and jewelry, and some clever and cost-saving sales. Adding to the fun are demonstrations, specialty cocktail, beer and wine tastings, and a variety of delectable hors d’oeuvres and small bites. Keep the fun going at the Sip & Shop after-party featuring music and beverages, 9 to 11 p.m. Tickets: $20 in advance at bapa.org or $25 at the event covers the goodies, a gift (while supplies last), and the after-party. Check-in is at City Grange, 1818 W. 99th St. and the after-party will be at 103rd and Wood Street.
Get Ready for the Raffle!
BAPA’s 12 Weeks of Christmas Raffle showcasing amazing prize packages developed with and benefiting local businesses begins in October. Look for details as they become available at bapa.org, in The Villager, on social media and in BAPA’s weekly enews.
