The Great Connections presents Reason and Power, a week-long seminar 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 Great Connections helps young people gain the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in education and careers. A limited number of scholarships are available for the seminar. Info: www.thegreatconnections.org or 773-677-6418.
Chicago Residential Shared Cost Sidewalk Program will begin taking applications Tues., Jan. 7, 6 a.m. Applications are first come, first served. Info/applications: call 311 or visit 311.chicago.gov.
Bethany Union Church, 1750 W. 103rd St., has announced that they received a 2019 Best of Chicago Award in the Community Churches category from the Chicago Award Program. Each year, the program recognizes companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in community and business categories. Winners are places that help to make Chicago a great place to live, work and play.
A free open forum discussion for caregivers and families of dependent older adults who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease will be held Tues., Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m., Smith Village, 2320 W. 113th Pl. Diane Morgan, Smith Village social service director of long-term care, will facilitate the exchange of ideas and questions meant to help caregivers navigate the sometime rough waters of caring for or visiting adults with either dementia or Alzheimer’s. Reservations: 773-474-7300 or familyandfriends@smithvillage.org.
Early Education Information Night for grades pre-K through 1 will be held, Thurs., Jan. 9, 6 p.m., Morgan Park Academy, 253 W. 111th St. Families interested in learning more about MPA are encouraged to attend. Info: 773-881-6700.
The Ostrega-Uhl Project will present a recital of Mozart and Musicals Sat., Jan. 11, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Beverly Branch Library, 1962 W. 95th St. The recital will feature Mozart’s famous “Piano Quartet in G” as well as string quartet arrangements of his famous operas from the 18th century, and string quartet arrangements of works from musicals of the 20th century, including selections from “The Sound of Music,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “West Side Story.” Performers include Brian Osrega, violin; Stephen Uhl, piano; and guest artists Don Galat, violin; Emma Strohbusch, viola; and Brian Gaoma, cello. Free and open to the public. Info: 312-747-9673.
As part of their monthly wellness seminar series, Beverly Therapists presents “For Couples: Shifting Communication Patterns,” Sat., Jan 11, 3 to 5 p.m., 10725 S. Western. Kanosha Leonard, LCPC will lead participants in an open discussion about communication in their relationships, define primary and secondary emotions, and learn an emotionally-focused approach to communication. $10 per person. Registration required: www.beverlytherapists.com.
The Beverly Morgan Park Community Choir is recruiting new members for the 2020 season. Music pick-up is Sun., Jan. 12, 3:15 to 5:15 p.m., Immanuel United Church of Christ, 9815 S. Campbell. Rehearsals begin the following week, and the 10-week season culminates with a concert Sun., Mar. 29. Now in its 21st season, the choir was founded by the Beverly Morgan Park Community of Churches and is composed of about 60 singers. No audition is required; male voices especially welcome. Info: bmpcchoir@gmail.com or www.bmpcc.org.
Longwood Writers Guild, a critique group for creative writers, will meet Mon., Jan. 13, 7 p.m., BAPA Community Room, 11109 S. Longwood Dr. Bring a piece in progress to read for productive input, or write from a prompt. For more information or to get the prompt, email longwoodwritersguild@gmail.com.
The new Rotary Club of Beverly/Morgan Park, Mt Greenwood will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, and invites interested people to attend and learn more. The Jan. 14 and 28 meetings will be held at 6:15 p.m., BAPA Community Room, 11109 S. Longwood Dr.
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the Dan Ryan Woods will be held Mon., Jan. 20, 12. To 3 p.m. Volunteers age 10 and up will meet at the visitor center, 87th and Western, and help on stewardship projects such as removing invasive plant species from the woodland habitat, as well as outdoor and indoor activities to make the day fun. Community groups, school groups, families and individuals are encouraged to participate. If weather permits, there will be snowshoes for people to try out, a fire outside to warm up with and hot chocolate. Groups of 5 or more people are asaked to register in advance, and waivers need to be signed, so minors must be accompanied with a group or their guardians. Info: https://fpdcc.com/event/m-l-k-jr-day-of-service/.
Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., is offering Winter Days Off School Arts Camps on days when CPS schools are closed: Dr. Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 20; End of Quarter 2 day, Jan. 31; and President’s Day, Feb. 17. Camps are open to children age 5 through 12, and activities include workshops in dance, music, theater and visual arts. Each camp is $42 per child ($38 for BAC members), with pre-camp and after care offered for additional fees. Info: 773-445-3838 or www.beverlyartcenter.org.
The League of Women Voters of Chicago-Far Southwest Side Group will meet Wed., Jan. 22, 7 p.m., 9904 S. Damen Ave., to discuss the Chicago City Budget. 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.
Mother McAuley High School senior Kathryn Alvarez has been awarded a Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship. Alvarez is a graduate of St. John Fisher elementary school and caddie at Ridge Country Club. At McAuley she is enrolled in honors and AP classes, and participates in the National Honors Society, Science National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. The Chick Evans Scholarship Foundation, sponsored by the Western Golf Association, has awarded nearly 11,000 scholarships for full tuition and housing college scholarships to hardworking caddies with limited financial means since 1930.
Congratulations to Tommy Harris of Beverly/Morgan Park, who was awarded a Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Bungalow Award for landscape design. His award-winning yard and gardens can be viewed on CBA’s website, www.chicagobungalow.org. The annual Awards were created in 2005 by the Chicago Bungalow Association, with the generous support of The Driehaus Foundation. The Driehaus Awards honor the creativity and efforts of homeowners for the work they’ve done in interior and exterior renovations, restoration, and landscape design.
Congratulations to Brother Rice High School class of 2020 students and Beverly/Morgan Park residents who have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars. The scholars and their elementary schools are Henry J. Barsch (St. Barnabas), John R. Dolan (St. Barnabas), John M. Eastman (St. John Fisher), Ryan J. Kopale (St. John Fisher), Michael P. Nelligan (St. John Fisher), and Jeremy J. Zemgulys (Sutherland).
