Bill Kurtis Rooted in Changing the Planet. The Garden Club of Morgan-Park Beverly presents “Deep Roots: How The Prairie Can Change The Planet,” a program by Environmentalists and producers Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra, Wed., Sept. 7, Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. Kurtis and LaPietra will discuss how they have transformed 65 acres of land around their home in Mettawa, Ill. For 30 years, they have worked to not only create breathtaking formal garden rooms, but also to restore the native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie and oak hickory forests and attract pollinators. Their passion for the regenerated environment has led them to use some of the land they steward as a laboratory for alternative agriculture. Doors open at 9 a.m. and the presentation begins at 9:45. Info: gardenclubmpb@gmail.com.
Learn about your community’s history! The Ridge Historical Society, 10621 S. Seeley Ave., is open Tuesdays and Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. Stop in to see the Hetherington Design Dynasty exhibit about three generations of Hetherington architects and the works of artist Mildred Lyons Hetherington. Admission is free. Info: 773-881-1675 or ridgehistory@hotmail.com.
The Margarita Mile – a celebration of artisanal margaritas co-hosted by BAPA and the Morgan Park Beverly Hills Business Association – continues through Sept. 5 at Americanos, Barney Callaghan’s, Cork & Kerry, Franconello’s, Horse Thief Hollow, Ken’s, Nicky’s, and Open Outcry Brewing Co. Pick up a “passport” from a participating location then visit at least six locations to receive a souvenir item and enter a gift card raffle. Details www.mpbhba.org.
Local School Council meetings: John H. Vanderpoel Humanities Academy LSC, Tues., Sept. 6, 5:30 p.m., 773-535-2690, VHAelementary.org; Morgan Park High School LSC, Weds., Sept. 21, 6 p.m., 773-535-2550, MorganParkCPS.org. Call the school or visit their website for more information.
22nd District Police CAPS meetings: Beat 2221, Tues., Sept. 6 and Oct. 4, 6 p.m. Zoom Access. ID: 821 3728 9000, Passcode: 699643; Beat 2213, Thurs., Sept. 8, 6 p.m. Zoom Access. ID: 894 0551 1095, Passcode: 324206; Beats 2211 and 2212, Thurs., Oct. 6, 6 p.m. Zoom Access. ID: 832 2660 9985, Passcode: 581013. Dial-in option for all meetings: 312-626-679. Info: 22nd District CAPS office, 312-745-0620, Caps.022District@ChicagoPolice.org, or stop by the station, 1900 W. Monterey. Area residents are encouraged to get involved in CAPS.
Turpin Cares, a local not-for-profit organization that provides relief items for people in need, will continue to operate the twice-a-month Free Store that distributes essential products for personal hygiene, household cleaning, and basic first aid for area neighbors. The Free Store is open on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, 3 to 4:30 p.m., at Morgan Park Presbyterian Church, 2017 W. 110th Pl. For more information, visit turpincares@gmail.com.
Mercy Home Seeks Volunteer Tutors. The Mercy Home for Boys & Girls is recruiting volunteer tutors for the Walsh Campus at 116th and Longwood Drive as well as the location in the West Loop. Tutors may choose virtual or in-person sessions; for in-person tutoring volunteers will be required to having up to date vaccinations or proof of negative COVID test each week, wellness screening prior to entry, masking and distancing to the extent possible while tutoring a youthAccording to the Mercy Home website, “just 60 minutes with volunteer tutors can help Mercy Home’s young people catch up in school, build their confidence and fulfill their academic potential.”Tutors commit to an hour each week during the school year, helping students with homework and encouraging positive academic habits and to problem-solve when the material may be difficult.Volunteer tutors must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma; be available the same night each week, Sept. – June, for the one-hour sessions; feel comfortable directing a student to stay on-task; have a personal computer or phone with access to the internet if tutoring virtually; be knowledgeable in multiple subject areas; commit to completing projects with youth on time; and be at-ease working with at-risk young people. For more information and tutor applications, visit mercyhome.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/tutoring/.
The Renaissance Academy is a collegial association of retired and semi-retired men and women who meet to experience intellectual growth in an environment that is open to all who believe in the importance of pursuing lifelong learning opportunities returns with a variety of classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Saint Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd St., and online on Wednesdays. Renaissance Academy participants are willing to contribute to the common goals through active participation in the programs and to benefit from lives improved through social interaction and learning. Registration continued through Wed., Sept. 7. Info: sxu.edu/community/renaissance-academy.aspx
Wintrust Platinum Adventures hosts the following events for members and non-members in September: Apple picking at Kuipers Farm in Maple Park, Fri., Sept. 9, departing at 8:15 a.m.; music, songs and stories about famous Italian singers from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, Thurs., Sept. 22, 10 a.m., First National Bank of Evergreen Park, 3960 W. 95th St.; and P. T. Barnum’s Weird and Wacky Big Top, by Terry Lynch of HFK Presents, Tues., Sept. 27, 10 a.m., First National Bank of Evergreen Park. Info/reservations: Margie O’Connell, 773-298-4712 or moconnell@thebeverlybank.com.
Prescription drug drop off and on-site document shredding for 19th Ward residents, Sat., Sept. 10, 9 to 11 a.m., Cross Winds Church, 10835 S. Pulaski. Unused or expired household prescription medications in original containers or sealed plastic bags will be accepted for safe disposal. Only loose papers with staples and binders removed can be accepted for shredding.
Friends of the Forest Preserves volunteers work to remove invasive species and more at the Dan Ryan Woods Sept. 10 (second Saturday of every month), meeting at 10 a.m. in the parking lot north of the 91st Street Metra station. Volunteers welcome! Wear long pants and appropriate footwear. Info at facebook.com/DanRyanWoods.
Human | Mother | Black, an exhibit of works by Ashley January, continues through Sept. 10 in the Simmerling Gallery, Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. According to the artist’s statement, the exhibit addresses the Black maternal mortal and morbidity crisis in American through painting and multi-media. Admission is free. Info/hours: 773-445-3838 or thebeverlyartscenter.com.
19th Ward Telephone Town Hall meeting hosted by Ald. Matt O’Shea and featuring 22nd District Police Commander Sean Joyce, Dt. Jennifer Seo from the Chicago Department of Public Health, and representatives from other City of Chicago Departments providing important updates, Tues., Sept. 13, 7 p.m. To participate, sign up at the19thward.com and look for a phone call at the time of the event.
Beverly Branch Library, 1962 W. 95th St., offers programs for all ages: How to Draw Comics for ages 6 to 13, Wed., Sept. 14, 3 to 4 p.m., comics will be exhibited at Beverly Art Walk; kids 5 to 13 are invited to add their artistic flair to the Beverly Art Walk mural, Sat., Sept. 17, 12 to 4:30 p.m.; hang out, play games, and make fun stuff at Makers & Gamers for ages 10 and up, Mon. through Thurs.. 3 to 5 p.m., Sept. 19 – Nov. 17; Falling for Story time for kids up to age five and their caregivers, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. starting Sept. 20; adult book discussions, third Wednesday of each month, 2 to 3 p.m., starting Sept. 21 with “Of Women and Sale” by Gabriela Garcia; Graphic Novel Book Club for ages 8 to 10, Wed., Sept. 28, 4 to 5 p.m.; and Beverly Teen Kickback for youth in grades 9-12, Fri., Sept. 30, 5 to 8 p.m. Info/registration: 312-747-9673.
Father Perez Knights of Columbus Council #1444 volunteers will flood intersections Fri. Sept. 16 and Sat., Sept. 17 for the annual Tootsie Roll fund drive, which supports local programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The Beverly Art Walk will host art and music packed day celebrating the neighborhood’s unique cultural assets with works by more than 100 artists, Sat., Sept, 17. Locations include the Beverly Arts Center, Vanderpoel Art Association Gallery, Ridge Historical Society, 95th Street Branch Chicago Public Library, Paul and Jean Harris House, and a diverse selection of local artists’ home studios and art environments throughout the neighborhood. The Uprising Craft Market will return, and the Family Fun Park will be held at Sutherland in conjunction with Sutherland’s I Madonnari street painting festival, a food court, and live public art activations. Free.
Bethany Union Invites You to Come Back to Church. Back to Church Sunday, a national movement of churches, will be held Sun., Sept. 18, 10:30 a.m., Bethany Union Church, 1750 W. 103rd St. The special worship service will feature exquisite music and inspiring messages of hope, and is open to all. The national Back to Church Sunday movement was launched in 2009 to unite and equip churches to reach out to people who are waiting for an invitation to visit church. This year’s Back to Church Sunday theme is Hope Happens Here, addressing the past two years of isolation and strife in communities, and inviting people to come together and fine authentic community and hope for a better world. The day offers a perfect time for people to rejoin or try a local church. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Cameron, the 12th Seated Pastor of the historic Bethany Union Church, teaches, “Intentional gatherings of Christ’s followers and disciples are more important than ever in these chaotic and violent times. If we don’t gather, there is no church. When we do gather, the Holy One is present.” An interdenominational church, Bethany Union recently celebrated 150 years of ministering to Beverly/Morgan Park and surrounding communities.
For more information, call 773-779-0123 or visit bethanyunion.com.
The 19th Ward Office will host two flu shot clinics in the 19th Ward Community Room 10402 S. Western. On Sun., Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to noon, Walgreens in Mount Greenwood will co-host the clinic. Participants are asked to bring photo ID and insurance cards; insurance will be billed for people with coverage, and people without insurance coverage will not be billed. The Chicago Department of Health will host the clinic on Sat., Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; bring photo ID. Reservations are recommended and can be made at the19thward.com.
The Citizen’s Utility Board (CUB) and Ald. Matt O’Shea will host virtual seminars, Navigating Solar Options, Tues., Sept. 20, 1 p.m., covering the benefits solar, access information, and tips; and Understanding Cable Options and Reducing Robocalls, Thurs., Sept. 22, 6 p.m. Free. Reserve a spot at the19thward.com.
19th Ward families have a lot of choices when it comes to selecting a high school. Parents of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are invited to learn more about searching for the right high school at High School 101: A Seminar for Parents, Wed., Sept. 21, 7 p.m., via Zoom. A representative from Chicago Public Schools will explain the application process for selective enrollment high schools, and the principals of Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences and Morgan Park High School will share information and answer questions. The webinar is free.
St. Barnabas School is partnering with the Maple Morgan Park Food Pantry to collect donations of non-perishable food items and persona; hygiene/first aid products Wed., Sept. 28, 12 to 3 p.m., in the pantry parking lot at 11030 S. Longwood Dr. Monetary donations help with discounted and tax-exempt bulk food purchases; done online at maplemorganparkfoodpantry.org
