By Vivian Malli 
 

PHOTOS SOUGHT

Near West Sider Peter N. Pero is seeking photographs and information about Italian-Americans at work from 1890 to 1970 for Work, Labor, and the Italian Community, a book he is writing in cooperation with the Italian Cultural Center/Casa Italia and the Italian American Labor Council for publication by Arcadia Publishing. It will feature more than 200 photos. Call Pero at (773) 972-2057 or e-mail him at Ppero40@hotmail.com.

 

CATHOLIC CHARITIES FUNDRAISER

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago will hold the 18th annual Spirit of Saint Nicholas Ball to benefit ongoing children’s programs on Friday, Dec. 7. A black tie reception starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and dancing from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Chicago Hilton, 720 S. Michigan Ave. Cost is $400 to $1,200 per person. Call (312) 655-7907.

 

CAF ROUND-UP

The Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan Ave., is hosting several free exhibitions and programs.

The Chicago: You Are Here exhibit includes a scale model of downtown Chicago along with images, artifacts, and video presentations. Intersections: Views Across Chicago runs through Saturday, Jan. 5, and showcases Chicago’s major intersections during the 1930s as it captures hundreds of neighborhood scenes and downtown streetscapes.

A free lunchtime lecture series from 12:15 to 1 p.m. Wednesdays features authors with book signings to follow. Learn about Downtown Chicago in Transition with authors Eric Bronsky and Neal Samors on Dec. 5. David Stone discusses his book Chicago's Classical Architecture: The Legacy of the White City on Dec. 12. Join architect Peter Exley to hear about his book Design for Kids on Dec. 19.

The free Green Home and Garden lunchtime series from 12:15 to 1 p.m. will host Seth Reimer of the City of Chicago Department of Environment for Weatherizing Your Home on Thursday, Dec. 6, and Growing Green Neighborhoods: Inside the LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System on Wednesday, Dec. 11, presented by architect Doug Farr and environmental attorney Susan Mudd.

December features a variety of downtown walking tours, which run for two hours and meet at the Archicenter Shop in the Santa Fe Building, 224 S. Michigan Ave. Cost is $15, $12 for seniors and students, free for members.         Call (312) 922-3432 for more information on tours and other events.

 

LIBRARY ROUND-UP

The Chicago Public Library will hold several events in December that require registration. Also, a parent or adult caregiver must accompany children up to age eight. 

            The Positive Change! Tour, which helps teens become active in their communities, will present author Justina Chen Headley and Olympic snowboard athlete Hannah Teter on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St. Call (312) 745-3941.

             The lap-sit program Toddlers & Twos combines picture books and flannel board stories with songs, finger plays, and action rhymes for children ages 18 to 36 months on Wednesdays, Dec. 5 and 12, at 10:30 a.m. at the Roosevelt Branch,1101 W. Taylor St. Call (312) 746-5656.

            Come discuss Dairy Queen on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. at the Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch, 1701 N. Milwaukee Ave. Call (312) 744-6011.

            Join a teen book discussion of The Black Sheep on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 3:30 p.m. at the Roosevelt Branch. Copies of the book will be available for check out; limit one copy per teen.

            The Rudy Lozano Branch, 1805 S. Loomis St., will hold a book discussion of Huge on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. Call (312) 746-4329.

            Learn The Rules of Survival at a book discussion at the McKinley Park Branch, 1915 W. 35th St., on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 3:30 p.m. Call (312) 747-6082.

            Join the Read & Romp! circle time for stories, songs, and finger plays for children up to five years old on Fridays, Dec. 7 and 14, at 10 a.m. at the Roosevelt Branch.

            Hello, Baby! story time features board books, rhymes, and creative play for children up to 18 months on Monday, Dec. 10, at 9:30 a.m. at the Roosevelt Branch.

            The Positively Preschool story time features picture books, flannel board stories, songs, finger plays, action rhymes, and crafts for children ages 3 to 5 years on Monday, Dec. 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Roosevelt Branch.

            Children ages 7 to 14 years can learn how to make ornaments and gifts for this holiday season at the Holiday Crafts workshop at the Roosevelt Branch on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 3:30 p.m.

            Come one, come all to the Winter Wonderfest! celebration at the Roosevelt Branch on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. This party for the whole family will be filled with festive stories, delicious treats, and unique crafts to make and give.

 

PARK ROUND-UP
 

The Chicago Park District’s outdoor ice skating rinks are open through Friday, Feb. 29, weather permitting. Call (312) 742-PLAY or visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.     

            Daley Bicentennial Park/Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St. is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., senior skate from 9 to 10 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. Skate rental is $5. Hot chocolate is offered by vending machine. Call (312) 742-7650.

            McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd., is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free admission. Skate rental is $5. (312) 747-5992. 

            Midway Plaisance Park, 1130 Midway Plaisance North (east 59th St. at Woodlawn Ave.), is open Monday through Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.; Friday noon to 4:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.; Saturday 1 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Skate rental is $3. Admission is $4 for children, $5 for adults. Food concessions are available. (312) 745-2470.

Icicle lights are on display daily through Feb. 12 at the following parks: Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park; Humboldt Park, 1440 N. Sacramento Ave.; Seward Park, 375 W. Elm St.; and Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St.

 

EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

The City of Chicago Mayor's Office of Workforce Development recently created a transitional job program, Customized Work Services, that enables ex-offenders to gain work experience through temporary work assignments with several City of Chicago departments. For information, call Susan DeGrane at (312) 746-7111.

 

DE LA SALLE ROUND-UP

De La Salle Institute recently was nominated for a 2007 Chicago Innovation Award for its tablet PC program in which students use computers that have preloaded software and textbooks.

               The Institute (Wabash Ave.) Campus has appointed ten seniors and five juniors as peer mediators. The seniors are Andrew Harris, Joseph Medina, Ricky Mlinarcik, Felipe Ponce, John Sullivan, Peter Szujewski, Dominique Thomas, John Villa, William Watson, and Joe Wojcik; juniors are Mike Lucio, Scott Mestan, Kristen Powell, Mike Spalla, and Devin Stewart.  For information, call (312) 842-7355.
 

NEW MEDIA ARTS COLLEGE

Flashpoint Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, 28 N. Clark St., has opened as Chicago’s first digital media arts college and offers two-year programs in game development, visual effects and animation, film, and recording arts using real-world tools and techniques, the latest technical developments and trends, and hands-on experience in every class. Call (312) 332-0707 or visit www.flashpointacademy.com.

 

ART EXHIBIT

East Meets West on Paper, an exhibit of watercolors and pastels by Susan Fong, will be on display through Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St. Call (312) 942-9938.

KENNICOTT & GARFIELD PARKS CAMPAIGN

Staples, the Chicago Park District, and the Chicago Bears have teamed up for the Staples Dream Park Challenge, a park improvement initiative involving Chicago parks, including local parks Kennicott (4434 S. Lake Park Ave.) and Garfield (100 N. Central Park Ave.). Vote online at www.StaplesDreamPark.com until Monday, Dec. 31. Residents can vote once a day or go to a Staples store to pick up a Power Card worth ten votes. The park attracting the most votes wins $25,000; second place gets $10,000; and third place receives $5,000 to help with park improvements. Voters are automatically entered in a drawing to be one of five fans to meet Charles Tillman of the Bears at Soldier Field for the announcement of the Dream Park Challenge winner in early 2008.
 

HALL OF FAME

Several individuals were inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 3: Geno Auriemma, Tom Barrasso, Fred Couples, Jean Cione, Dave Ferraro, Johnny Musso, Penny Marshall, Mary Lou Palermo, Robin Romeo, Mike Scioscia, and Dick Vermeil. Athlete of the Year was Marco Andretti. Sportsman of the Year was Anthony Basile, President, Chicago Diversified Foods Corp. Founders Award Recipient was Richard Parrillo, CEO, United Automobile Insurance Co. The hall is located at 1431 W. Taylor St.

 

SINGLE MOMS CELEBRATE

The Nielsen Company and www.singlemamahood.com will recognize ten outstanding single mothers at the second annual Sweet Singlemamahood Holiday High Tea, a free event for 225 single mothers to be held Sunday, Dec. 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Parkway Ballroom, 4455 S. King Dr. Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, will be named the nation’s first Single Mama of the Year. To attend or for more information, e-mail jewel@singlemamahood.com.

 

BREAST CANCER STUDY

Seema Khan, MD, surgical oncologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, is recruiting women for a study on soy’s possible role in reducing a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Eligible women must be from 25 to 65 years old and be at increased risk for breast cancer, either with a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer, having had breast cancer herself in the past, or having other risk factors. Call (312) 695-4772 or visit www.soystudy.org.

 

Spertus Round-up

The Spertus Museum, 610 S. Michigan Ave., will feature Thomas Friedman, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of The World is Flat, in the new Center for Public Dialogue on Issues of the Day lecture series on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $30, $25 for members. Advance tickets required. Call (312) 322-1773.

Members and alumni are invited to enjoy a Hanukkah tea time with live music and tours of the new facility on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m.           

The annual Something Else! family festival will feature craft projects, puppet shows, inflatables, exhibition tours, a mini-chess tournament, and a live performance by folk-pop musician Rabbi Rav Shmuel on Tuesday, Dec. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  While admission is free, visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Ezra Multi-Service Center food pantry, which serves needy families. Volunteers are needed. Call (312) 322-1729.
 

UIC BASKETBALL         

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Flames men’s basketball team will play home games Saturday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. vs. the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay; Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. vs. Toledo; and Saturday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m. vs. Howard. The team plays at the UIC Pavilion at Harrison St. and Racine Ave. Call (312) 413-UIC1.

 

RUSH ROUND-UP

Shaun O’Leary, MD, of Rush University Medical Center is the first credentialed consultant to use ImPACT, a new neurocognitive screening tool to help athletes know how severe a concussion is and when it is safe to return to contact sports. Call (888) 352-RUSH.

Dean L. and Rosemarie Buntrock have given $2 million to the Rush NeuroBehavioral Center to help it launch the Social-Emotional Learning Initiative to benefit children with social-emotional learning disorders.

Urologists Laurence Levine, MD, and Shahid Ekbal, MD, urge men with diabetes and erectile dysfunction to be screened for cardiovascular disease. Call (877) 433-2873 or visit www.rush.edu.

The U.S. Department of Labor gave Rush its 2007 Exemplary Voluntary Efforts Award, which recognizes federal contractors for exceptional efforts to increase employment opportunities for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Rush is the first Chicago-area organization to receive the award in more than a decade.
Rush is located at 1653 W. Congress Pkwy.
 

TUBERCULOSIS STUDY

The Respiratory Heath Association Metropolitan Chicago’s ongoing Tuberculosis Initiative has won a three-year, $128,000 contract from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to examine the effectiveness of a new blood test called Quanti-FERON-TB Gold, which was designed to identify TB-exposed individuals more quickly than other tests to permit faster treatment and prevent continued spread of the disease. Call (312) 243-2000.

 

ST. RITA ROUND-UP

Marquette Bank has donated $25,000 to St. Rita of Cascia High School’s scholarship fund to supplement tuition for 12 Rita men from the class of 2011 for their entire high school career.

            Junior Darius Fleming was selected to play in the eighth annual 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 5, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. The game will be televised live on NBC at noon and feature the nation’s top 84 high school football players.

For information about St. Rita, located at 7740 S. Western Ave., call (773) 925-6600.

 

FREE COMPUTER TRAINING

The Westside Health Authority offers free ten-week classes in Introduction to Computers/Typing and Microsoft Office at its Computer Technology Center, 5417 W. Division St. Call (773) 378-1878, ext. 18, or e-mail www.kroach@healthauthority.org.

 

PEOPLE

Ronald Grzywinski, cofounder and Chairman of ShoreBank Corp., has been named to Affordable Housing Finance magazine’s Housing Hall of Fame.

            State Representative Elga Jefferies (D-Chicago) co-sponsored legislation that created the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Fund, which earmarks $5 million in State grants to expand access to affordable and reliable high speed Internet services for all Illinois residents and businesses.  

Media and Theatre teacher Anna Reynes received the 2007-08 Heart of the School Award for her passion for teaching fine arts and her commitment to Queen of Peace High School students.

            Romanucci & Blandin LLC, a law firm run by West Loop resident and attorney Antonio M. Romanucci, was named among top 12 injury law firms with the largest settlements for its clients in Illinois, according to Chicago Lawyer magazine. Call (312) 458-1000 or visit www.randblaw.com.

Sophomore Christy Taugner is the first girl in Saint Ignatius College Prep history to advance to the Illinois High School Association Girls' Golf State Championships.

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