By Hayley Carlton 

CALLING ALL ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS
The American Society of Artists is looking for local artists and craftspeople to exhibit their work in the annual Arts & Crafts Expressions, a juried arts and crafts show. To enter, artists must send four slides or photographs of the work they wish to exhibit and one slide or photo of their display set-up along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope (business size, No. 10); sending a resume and show listing is encouraged. The show runs Thursday and Friday, July 26 and 27, at Canal and Madison Streets. For more information contact the American Society of Artists, P.O. Box 1326, Palatine, IL 60078, (312) 751-2500 or www.americansocietyofartists.org. 

@PROPERTIES AIDS DARFUR

Real estate brokerage firm @properties has donated $40,000 to aid humanitarian efforts in the war-stricken Darfur region of Sudan. The donation was made through Care, a humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. For more information, call (312) 491-0200 or log on to www.atproperties.com.
 

FREE BABY CARE BASICS CLASS
Want to learn more about baby care, choosing a pediatrician, and when to call the doctor? Attend a free class on Wednesday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Bridgeport Health Center, 3700 S  Wallace St. Susan Wilhelm, RN, certified childbirth educator, and Reeva Shulruff, MD, pediatrician, will cover breast and bottle feeding, bathing your baby, taking a temperature, what to expect of your newborn, and when to call the pediatrician. To register call (773) 247-1900. The class is open to new and expectant parents, grandparents, and other interested family and friends. Refreshments will be served.

FOOD SERVICE GRADUATES
The Chicago Christian Industrial League recently held a graduation for non-violent ex-felons who completed a ten-week kitchen training program. The program included six weeks of production service, a week of basic foodservice safety, a week of sanitation certification training, and two weeks of on-the-job training at designated Aramark facilities. Upon passing an exam, students become certified with the National Restaurant Association, which makes them eligible for certification with the State of Illinois and City of Chicago and makes them more marketable for employment. For information about the program, call (773) 435-8300. 

NEW CHA OFFICES
The Chicago Housing Authority has consolidated most of its administrative offices in a new location at 60 E. Van Buren St. For more information call (312) 742-8500.

LIBRARY ROUND UP
The book The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Secrstad will be the topic of discussion at the Chicago Public Library McKinley Park Branch Monday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at the McKinley Park Branch, 1915 W. 35th St. Call (312) 747-6082.

                The book An Immigrant Class by Jeff Libman will be the topic of discussion at the Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch, 1701 N. Milwaukee Ave., Saturday, May 12, at 11 a.m. Call (312) 744-6022.

                Sister Souljah’s The Coldest Winter will be discussed at the Roosevelt Branch, 1101 W. Taylor St., on Thursday, May 17, at 6:30 p.m. Call (312) 746-5656.

                The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith will be discussed on Saturday, May 19, at 11 a.m. at the Harold Washington Center, 400 S. State St. Call  (312) 747-4792.

Estate planning will be the topic of the May Law at the Library seminar at the Harold Washington Center Monday, May 21, at 12:15 p.m. on the seventh floor. For more information, call (312) 747-4300.

                The Chinatown Branch, 2353 S. Wentworth Ave., will hold a multimedia presentation about art along the Silk Road. Participants will make a travel journal in which they can record their experiences as they meet new people. It will be held Tuesday, May 29, at 6:30 p.m. Call (312) 747-8013.

TOUR UKRAINIAN VILLAGE
Chicago Neighborhood Tours will visit Ukrainian Village on Saturday, May 12. The tour will stop at the Ukrainian National Museum, the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church designed by Louis Sullivan in 1899, and Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Church. Cost is $25 ($20 for students and seniors) and includes refreshments. The tour leaves the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., at 10 a.m. and returns between 2 and 2:30 p.m. Call (312) 742-1190. 

POLICE WORK WITH SECRET SERVICE

The 9th District CAPS office hosted a meeting attended by Ninth Chicago Police District officers, CAPS representatives, and the U.S. Secret Service to discuss the recent rise in passing counterfeit currency. Special Agent Chris Bossowski of the Secret Service’s Chicago office showed how to spot the most current forms of counterfeit money, noting officers should look for telltale signs of phony bills including fake watermarks and security strips that do not glow the proper color under black lighting. 

KIDS AND KITES
The spring edition of Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Kids & Kites Festival takes place Saturday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the front lawn of the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. Free kits containing paper kites that can be decorated will be provided for people of all ages. Participants also can bring their own kites. The event also will present kite flying professionals, strolling entertainment, face painting, and activities provided by the Hyde Park Arts & Culture Tent. The festival is programmed and produced by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. For more information, call (312) 744-3370 or visit www.chicagokidsandkites.us. 

TREAT MOM TO A DAY IN THE PARK
The Chicago Park District will host Mother's Day celebrations at parks throughout the city Saturday, May 5, through Saturday, May 19. Events include a mini-spa, brunches, teas, dances, and a walk. Some programs are free or have small entrance fees to cover meals and snacks. Contact each park for additional information or visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.

                A Mother's Day walk will be held Saturday, May 5, from noon to 2 p.m. at Humboldt Park, 1440 N. Sacramento Ave., (312) 742-7549. Free admission; recommended for all ages. Enjoy some exercise on a healthful, scenic walk through Humboldt Park.

                A Mother's Day brunch will be held Saturday, May 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Kennicott Park, 4434 S. Lake Park Ave., (312) 747-7138. Admission is  $10, $5 for children 12 and younger. For all ages. Event includes performances, games, prizes, and food.

                A Mother's Day brunch is scheduled for Saturday, May 12, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Pulaski Park, 1419 W. Blackhawk St., (312) 742-7559. Free admission for all ages. Event includes continental breakfast, music, and crafts. 

MISS FRIENDSHIP AMBASSADOR PAGEANT
The Chinatown Chamber of Commerce is looking for contestants for the 2008 Miss Friendship Ambassador Pageant on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. The winner will represent the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago at the 2008 Miss Chinese International Pageant in Hong Kong. For the application form and more information about the competition, go to http://static.acon.org/gems/ccc/PageantApplicationForm07Chin.pdf or contact Daniel Li, associate director, Chicago's Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, at (312) 326-5320 or daniel@chicagochinatown.org.

CLARKE HOUSE MUSEUM
Clarke House Museum, 1827 S. Indiana Ave., holds ongoing tours Wednesday through Sunday at noon and at 1 and 2 p.m. Built in 1836, it is Chicago’s oldest house. Tours include a visit to the Glessner House just east on 18th Street. For more information call the Glessner House at (312) 326-1480 or visit www.clarkehousemuseum.org. Tickets cost $15, $12, and $8. On Sunday, May 19, in conjunction with the Cultural Center exhibition Stitched Together–Early American Samplers (sponsored in part by Clarke House), the Embroiderers’ Guild of America will host open sessions during which participants can bring in needlework projects to get advice. Space is limited to ten people each session; e-mail info@clarkehousemuseum.org to reserve a spot. Stitched Together features samplers and needlework dating from 1700 to 1862 and runs until Saturday, July 28. 

FIRE MUSEUM OPEN HOUSES
The Fire Museum of Greater Chicago will hold open houses for its library and displays at St. Gabriel School, 4500 S. Wallace St., on the Saturdays of May 5 and 19 from noon to 4 p.m. The Fire Museum is dedicated to establishing a museum honoring fallen firefighters and the history of area fire departments. Call (877) 225-7491.

FREE GREEN DESIGN LECTURE
Crandon Gustafson, an architect and the interior design department chair at Harrington College of Design, will show how Lloyd’s, a downtown eatery, was transformed into a gallery and educational space to learn about design and how its street level spaces were built to qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. Gustafson will lead a tour of the 82,000-square-foot learning environment on Friday, May 19, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Harrington College of Design, 200 W. Madison St., first floor gallery space; an optional follow-up at the new Lloyd’s restaurant a block away will offer a forum on Chicago’s forgotten modernists. The presentation is part of the Great Chicago Places and Spaces program; teachers grades kindergarten through 12 earn one continuing professional development unit credit for attending. The lecture and tour are free and open to the public. RSVP to nsears@harringtoncollege.com or call (312) 939-4975.

JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW
A spring trunk show featuring Chicago designer Deana Rose will be held Saturday, May 12, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Hazel, 921 S. Loomis St. Enjoy sweet treats and champagne cocktails while perusing the extended collection of Rose's handmade jewelry; 10% of the day's sales go to the Holy Family/Notre Dame Food Pantry. Bring a nonperishable food donation and receive a coupon good for 10% off your next purchase at Hazel during the month of May. Call (312) 733-2227 for more information. 

LOOPTOPIA ROUND-UP
Chicago will host Looptopia, a Loop-wide “evening and into the wee hours” celebration, on Friday, May 11. Many cultural and entertainment venues in the Loop and South Loop will participate, with the Chicago Theater, Goodman Theatre, Macy’s, and the Art Institute open all night. Windows at the former Carson Pirie Scott will showcase artistic competitions, the Harold Washington Library will sponsor a sleep over, and participants can enjoy silent dancing after midnight at Daley Plaza and a sunrise celebration in Millennium Park. For more information, call the Chicago Loop Alliance at (312) 782-9160.
                In honor of Looptopia, TangoChicago, 408 S. Michigan Ave., will be open overnight on May 11 starting at 6:30 p.m. for the Absolute Beginners class. Group Argentine tango instruction will be offered until 9:30 p.m. for dancers of all levels, followed by dancing and individual instruction as needed until Saturday, May 12, at 5 a.m., when dancers can breakfast in Grant Park courtesy of Looptopia. Cost is $25; advance registration and payment are required. Light refreshments are included. Call (312) 788-3408 to reserve your place.  

MONEY SMART WEEK
In honor of Money Smart Week, which runs through Saturday, May 5, Lakeside Bank is offering a host of free activities.

Through Friday, May 4, participate in A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned by visiting any Lakeside Bank location to guess how many pennies are in a jar. The person whose guess is closest to the actual number of pennies in the jar wins a $100 savings bond; one winner per location. Lakeside locations: 55 W. Wacker Dr., 141 W. Jackson St., 1055 W. Roosevelt Rd., 2141 S. Indiana Ave., 2200 S. Archer Ave., and 2800 N. Ashland Ave.

                 Saturday, May 5, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Lakeside will offer The Homebuying Process workshop at its 1055 W. Roosevelt Rd. branch. Lakeside mortgage loan consultants will explain the ins and outs of getting a mortgage and different types of mortgage programs. The presentation will be made in English and Spanish, and light refreshments will be served. To RSVP, contact rescanio@lakesidebank.com, (312) 808-5860, or nrodriguez@lakesidebank.com, (312) 789-3505.  

LEXINGTON COLLEGE ROUND-UP
Lexington College students have received first place for their paper, Art and Ethics: Happiness through Hospitality, which was presented at the 2007 Incontro Romano International Hospitality Conference in Rome. During the conference, Lexington students went on cultural tours, visited hospitality locations, and enjoyed cultural interchanges with college students from all over the world. They also met Pope Benedict XVI.

                Lexington College will host a five-day summer day camp Monday through Friday, June 25 through 29, for aspiring high school students. Attendees will learn basic culinary skills from Lexington chefs, explore event planning, tour restaurants, and visit the Green City Market. Cost is $375 and includes all seminars, supplies, faculty instruction, field trips, and lunches. For more information or to register, contact Catherine Kustner at (312) 226-6294, ext. 242, or ckustner@lexingtoncollege.edu.  

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CLASSES
The Business and Industry Services Department of Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren St., will offer several business development courses this spring. How to Write a Business Plan will be held Tuesday and Thursday, May 21 and 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75. International Trade: Import and Export will be held Saturday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $75. A free Home Ownership Program will be held Tuesdays through June 12, 6 to 8:30 p.m. June courses include How to Sell on E-Bay and Grant Writing. For more information and to register, call (312) 850-7310 or e-mail businessatmxc@ccc.edu   

ITALIAN LANGUAGE RESOURCE DIRECTORY AVAILABLE
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) has launched its latest online Italian Language Learning Resource Directories at www.niaf.org/research/online_italian_resources.asp. A free guide lists more than 33 ways to learn Italian through online language courses and includes links for Italian radio and television stations, newspapers, and magazines. The Study Abroad in Italy Directory lists programs for undergraduate and graduate students in 33 Italian cities sponsored by U.S. universities and colleges. The Resource Guide to Finding Internships, Volunteering, and Working in Italy lists companies, agencies, and resources that offer or help find such opportunities, while Scholarships for Italian Americans and Students of the Italian Language details scholarships available to Italian Americans and students of the Italian language through associations, colleges, universities, and societies.  For more information, contact Serena Cantoni, director of education and culture, at serena@niaf.org or call (202) 387-0600. 

20/20 RAFFLE
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii is wrapping up its 20/20 raffle. Tickets are $50 each. The drawing for grand prizes of $2,500 and $5,000 will be held Sunday, May 27, after the 11 a.m. Mass; a weekly drawing for a $50 prize will be held until May 27, with the winning ticket placed back in the spinner for additional chances to win. To buy tickets, go to www.ourladyofpompeii.org or call (312) 421-3756. 

AREA HOST FAMILIES NEEDED
Foreign high school students will arrive soon, and their sponsoring organization, Pacific Intercultural Exchange (PIE), needs a few more local host families. Students are all 15 to 18 years old, speak English, have their own spending money, carry accident and health insurance, and are anxious to share their cultural experiences with their new American families. PIE runs programs to match almost every family's needs, ranging in length from a semester to a full academic year, in which students attend local high schools. Area representatives match students with host families based on common interests and lifestyles. Host families are eligible to claim a $50 per month charitable deduction on their tax returns. Call PIE at (866) 546-1402. The agency also runs travel/study programs for American high school students and offers opportunities for community volunteers to work with host families, students, and schools. 

SUNDAYS AT SHERWOOD
The next Sundays at Sherwood concert takes place at Sherwood Conservatory of Music, 1312 S. Michigan Ave., Sunday, May 20, at 3 p.m. Sherwood faculty members Marija Bubanj (violin), Phyllis Calderon (violin), and others will perform; meet them at an informal reception following the concert. This event is free and open to the public. For more information call (312) 427-6267 or visit www.sherwoodmusic.org.  

QUICKBOOKS WORKSHOP
Hands-on QuickBooks training for beginners will be offered by the University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Urban Business on Thursday, May 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each participant will work on a computer using and learn how to manage sales, invoicing, paying bills, and tracking expenses. The class will be held at the Science and Engineering Lab, 905 S. Halsted St., computer lab room 2249F. Cost is $99 at the door. For more information call  (312) 996-4057 or email sbdc@uic.edu. To register and pay online visit http://www.123signup.com/calendar?Org=U-CFUB. More information about the Center for Urban Business can be found at https://web.cba.uic.edu/cub/index.asp. 

WEST LOOP MIXER
The West Loop Community Organization holds a social mixer for residents and businesses in the West Loop on the third Thursday of every month. This event is hosted by a restaurant or gallery and is an enjoyable way to see friends and meet neighbors. Complimentary for West Loop Organization members. For more information on this and other business networking mixers, visit www.westloop.org or call (312) 666-1090. 

WHITNEY YOUNG ROUNDUP
Registration has begun for day camp at Whitney Young High School, 210 S. Loomis St. The Tots Sports Camp will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon, for ten weeks. Space is limited. Family Fun Nights will run the second Thursdays of June, July, and August from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; they are held, weather permitting, at Skinner Park's fields. The school’s parents group is still working on the Tots Olympics and Parade. If you have suggestions or comments or need information, call (312) 746-5560.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

The Women’s Business Development Center, 8 S. Michigan Ave., will host several seminars of interest to entrepreneurs on topics such as market research, business plans, and government contracts. Call (312) 853-3477 to register and for information about other events this month.

PEOPLE

Sean P. Driscoll, an associate with Clifford Law Offices and a Near West Side resident, co-authored an article with Jeffrey J. Kroll for the February 2007 Illinois Bar Journal entitled The Incredible Expanding/Shrinking Right of Children to Sue 'Parents'. The article demonstrates how Illinois courts are protecting more parental authority figures after previously allowing greater opportunities for children to recover damages.

State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) was honored recently at a reception hosted by the Youth Connection Charter School for his work with alternate schools focused on helping at-risk youth succeed.

                De La Salle Institute announced staff member Janet Mitchell recently received a 2007 LaSallian Award. Mitchell, who has worked at De La Salle since 1993, has served as director of financial aid since 1997.

                Austin Bank of Chicago (ABC Bank) recently named Jacqueline Summerville its new branch manager and business development officer at its 1301 W. Taylor St. office.

                Christine Toh, a University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) student and resident of the 800 block of S. Miller Street, has won a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. She will graduate Phi Beta Kappa from UIC this month with a B.S. in chemistry.

                Secretary of State Jesse White recently received a Public Service Award from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for his office’s leadership role in strengthening Illinois’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) program and reducing teen driving crashes and fatalities. 

Send news of events to be held “around the neighborhood” by the 15th of the month before the month they are to occur to Hayley Carlton, Around the Neighborhood, Gazette, 1335 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607-3318, fax (312) 243-4270, or e-mail pr@nearwestgazette.com.