By Vivian Malli

 

ACTIVISTS UNITE

The Adler Institute on Social Exclusion and the Jane Addams Hull House Association are hosting a conference for activists, Disrupting the Status Quo: Exposing Bias, Building Community, on Friday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gleacher Center, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr. Cost is $50. Call (312) 201-5900.

 

BOOK TOUR

Authors Julia Bachrach and Jo Ann Nathan will discuss their book, Inspired By Nature: the Garfield Park Conservatory and Chicago’s West Side, at the following venues and times: the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Thursday, April 17, noon; the Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan Ave., the Thursdays of April 10 and 17, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday, April 23, noon.

 

BRONZEVILLE TOUR

Visit one of the nation’s most influential African-American communities of the 20th century to explore Bronzeville’s history and modern-day renaissance. The Bronzeville Neighborhood Tour on Saturday, April 19, will stop at the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center, Gallery Guichard, and the Bronzeville Visitors Center. Cost including refreshments is $25, $20 for seniors and students. Tours depart by motorcoach from the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. at Michigan Ave., at 10 a.m. (check in at 9:30 a.m.) and return either at 2 or 2:30 p.m. Call (312) 742-1190. 

JOBS ONLINE

The Chicago Christian Industrial League, 2750 W. Roosevelt Rd., offers free access to Careers, the city’s new online application system, which allows job candidates to search for city employment opportunities and apply for multiple positions using an online profile. Call (773) 435-8300 or log on to www.ccilworks.org.  

NEIGHBORHOOD EXPO

The Chicago Department of Housing kicks off its 2008 Affordable Neighborhood Expo series on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a program at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., followed by an expo on Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Side Technical Institute, 2800 S. Western Ave. The series will feature workshops for first-time homebuyer programs, home maintenance, and credit counseling. Call 311.
 
LAKE ST. ROADWORK

The Chicago Department of Transportation is upgrading Lake St. between Damen and Western Aves. with ornamental lighting for streets and sidewalks, parkway trees, rebuilt pavement, and modernized traffic signals at Western Ave., Oakley Blvd., and Leavitt St. The upgraded roadway will maintain the current configuration of one travel lane and one parking lane in each direction. Traffic on Lake Ave. is affected during construction, with only one eastbound lane and westbound traffic detoured two blocks south to Washington St. Parking on Lake is prohibited during construction. Traffic on Western also is affected with reduction to one lane in each direction at Lake; on Damen, where westbound turns onto Lake are prohibited; Oakley, which is one-way southbound at Lake; and Leavitt, which is one-way northbound at Lake. Lake St. reopens to two-way traffic in November. 

 

GREEN VOLUNTEERS

The Chicago Green Festival is seeking volunteers to assist with outreach and recruitment over the next 2 months for its upcoming festival on Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, at Navy Pier. Volunteers receive free admission, a t-shirt, and a 10% discount coupon for the Global Exchange Store. Visit www.sevenstarvolunteers.com or call (828) 236-0324, x122.

 

CLAIM JAZZ

Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM) will host its annual jazz benefit on Friday, April 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Fizz Bar & Grill, 3220 N. Lincoln Ave. The benefit features hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, silent auction, and poetry by Mama Brenda Matthews. CLAIM will award the inaugural Wenona Thompson Memorial Award for Youth Advocacy and other community service awards. Children admitted if accompanied by parents or guardians. Cost is $75 at the door. Call (312) 675-0912.

 

LIBRARY ROUND-UP

The Chicago Public Library’s Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., will celebrate the late Harold Washington’s birthday at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12,  the date marking the 25th anniversary of Washington’s election as mayor, with a symposium featuring CBS Channel 2 reporter Derrick Blakley and Gary Rivlin, author of Fire on the Prairie: Chicago’s Harold Washington and the Politics of Race. The library also will offer Law at the Library: Employment Law on Monday, April 28, at 12:15 p.m.

 

NEW MAGNET SCHOOL

The Chicago Public Schools will open a new neighborhood magnet school, LaSalle II Magnet, at 1148 N. Honore St. to replace Andersen Elementary in fall 2008. LaSalle II will provide a world language program allowing students to learn one of four languages and initially will serve students in grades kindergarten through two. A new grade level will be added each year to serve grades kindergarten through eight. Call (773) 553-2060.

 

ROCK AND RIDE EARTH DAY

Chicagoland Bicycle Federation (CBF) and Sophic Records will host the Rock and Ride Earth Day Benefit Concert, which will feature local musicians, on Sunday, April 20, at the Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave. Cost is $10, $8 for CBF members. All  proceeds benefit CBF. Call (312) 427-3325.

 

ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE

Daystar, a Christian elementary school which serves grades kindergarten through eight at 1550 S. State St., will host an open house on Sunday, April 6, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Free parking. Call (312) 791-0001.

 

DE LA SALLE ROUND-UP

The De La Salle Institute girls' varsity volleyball team received the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Team Academic Achievement Award, since the 15 young women of the Meteors roster achieved a 3.36 cumulative team grade-point average.

      Students Justina Baker and Angel Brooks have been chosen to the 2007-08 All-Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Blue Basketball Team.

               Students T.J. Hanes, Victor Velazquez, and Christian Respeto achieved the school’s best IHSA Chess Tournament finish in several years after ranking 49th in the 121-team field, which was the second-highest from their conference.

               Students Stefanie Chavez, Corinne Coates, Marissa De Hoyos, Riean Knight, Jacqueline Martinez, Valeria Ramirez, and Sarah Therriault recently have been honored as Illinois State Scholars.

            De La Salle is located at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. and 1040 W. 32nd Pl. Call (312) 842-7355.

 

DINNER DANCE

Dvorak Park, 1119 W. Cullerton St., will kick off its 100th anniversary celebration with a dinner/dance on Saturday, April 5, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the National Museum of Mexican Arts, 1852 W. 19th St. Call (312) 746-5083.

 

MONEY SMART WEEK

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has designated the week of April 20 to 26 as Money Smart Week to help consumers learn to make good choices with their money. Money Smart events include the following.

            The Federal Reserve is sponsoring free financial literacy workshops in the Chicago Public Libraries. The Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St, (312) 747-4300, will offer  Money Smart: Financial Planning with Terry Savage on Monday, April 21, at noon; Homebuyer Workshop presented by Harris Bank on Thursday, April 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; EFFAK: The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit presented by Operation HOPE on Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m.; Understanding the Reverse Mortgage presented by Wells Fargo on Wednesday, April 23 at noon; and a financial awareness workshop for teens, Teens Mean Business! on Thursday, April 24, at 4:30 p.m. The Canaryville branch library, 642 W. 43rd St., will offer Understanding Your Money and Credit on Monday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m.

            Lakeside Bank offers two free Money Smart events. Learn from the Wealth Warriors, an elite group of aggressive investors in the Ujamaa Junior Investment Club (members are boys and girls ages 12 to18), who will share with youth the importance of saving and investing at The Wealth Warriors on Youth & Investing on Thursday, April 24, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Valentine Boys and Girls Club, 3400 S. Emerald Ave. Call (312) 567-1011.         

            Lakeside has partnered with the Chinese American Service League (CASL) to offer the workshop Paying for Your College Education on Friday, April 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at CASL, 2141 S. Tan Ct. Learn about college financial aid, grants and scholarship opportunities, many of which are geared specifically toward Asian Americans. Enjoy free pizza. Call (312) 791-0418 x 3601.

 

FENWICK ROUND-UP

The Fenwick High School Mothers’ Club will host “Pretty in Pink,” its their Annual Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show on Thursday, April 17, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Boutique shopping begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and the show at 11:30 a.m. Prizes include a raffle for a $5,000 diamond necklace. Cost is $55. Call (708)366-3809 or (630) 325-3911.

            Fenwick High School junior Chris Mayor recently was awarded the Chicago Park District’s Junior Citizen Award for demonstrating community leadership.

 

FIORETTI ROUND-UP

In Let's Read 2nd Ward, Alderman Bob Fioretti will read stories to children ages three through six on Saturday, April 5, from 11 a.m. to noon at Mable Manning Library, 6 S. Hoyne Ave. Call (312) 746-6800.

            Fioretti and the Near West Side Community Development Corporation will participate in the Clean and Green cleanup Saturday, April 19. Call (312) 263-9273.

 

VISIONWALK FUNDRAISER

The Chicago chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness will host a free kick-off luncheon on Saturday, April 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Harry Caray’s, 33 W. Kinzie St., to discuss walk day details and team fundraising goals for the annual Vision Walk on Sunday, June 8. Proceeds will go towards research for a cure of several causes of blindness. Call (866)782-7330.

 

ADDICTION WORKSHOP

The Haymarket Center, 932 W. Washington St., will offer a professional workshop for addiction counselors, Motherhood and Substance Use: The Relationships Women Have With Their Children, on Saturday, April 19. Five continuing education credits will be awarded. Cost is $95 per workshop with lunch and parking included. Discounts are available for groups, students, seniors, or when you attend three or more workshops. Call (312) 226-7984 ext. 314.

 

HD TECH FORUM

HD Expo opens registration this month for an educational workshop and network event for professionals in high definition and future technology to be held on Thursday, Jun. 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Call (818) 842-6611. Attendees get a special HD Expo room rate of $289 per night at the W Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr., (312) 943-9200, by calling before Friday, May 16.

 

SACRED GREEK ART

The Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center, 801 W. Adams St. fourth floor, has opened a new exhibit, Sacred Art, which features icons, manuscripts, liturgical vestments, and sacred objects of the Greek Orthodox tradition. Call (312) 655-1234.

 

LINCOLN ESSAYS

The Illinois Secretary of State office is co-sponsoring Essays About Lincoln, a statewide essay contest celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday for students in grades five through 12. Winning essays will be a modern day version of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, reflecting students’ personal thoughts and dreams about where America is as a nation, and their ideals for freedom, democracy, and equal opportunity. Winners will read their essays at the Feb. 2009 awards ceremony, tour the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, receive a plaque and cash award, and have their essays published in the 2009 Handbook of Illinois Government. Submit essays by Saturday, May 31. Call (217) 558-2065 or visit www.illinoiscenterforthebook.org.

 

LAKESIDE CONCERT

The Lakeside Singers, featuring soloist Josie Falbo, cantor at Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, will perform their spring concert of classical music on Saturday, April 19, at 8 p.m. followed by a live band and a sing-a-long at the Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St. Cost is $30 for adults, $20 for seniors or students and $10 for children under 12. Call (847) 382-5085. 
 

FOSTER ADOPTION

Learn about children waiting for homes when the Little City Foundation, 700 N. Sacramento Blvd., Suite 220, offers Foster and Adoptive Parent Orientation on Wednesday, April 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. Call (773) 265-1539 ext. 230. 
 

ANTIQUES FAIR

The 11th Annual Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair will debut with a special preview party buffet benefiting the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) on Thursday, April 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. Party tickets start at $150. Call (312) 238-6023. The fair will open to the public on Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Monday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $20 for a day pass and $25 for a multi-day pass. Discounts are available for groups, students, and seniors. Tickets also provide entry to Artropolis, Chicago’s celebration of art, antiques and culture. Call (800) 677-6728.

ONE BOOK, ONE CHICAGO

Film-noir screenplay writer and crime novelist Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye is the Spring 2008 selection for the citywide book club, One Book, One Chicago (OBOC).  The following OBOC programs inspired by Chandler’s work are open to the public and free of charge. Call (312) 747-8191.         

            OBOC at the Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St., includes the Teen Volume Crime Writing Workshop on Saturday, April 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for teens ages 14 and up in the Multi-Purpose Rooms; Noir Novelists in Hollywood: An Overview with Film Scholar James Naremore, on Thursday, April 10, at 6 p.m.; Judith Freeman – The Long Embrace: Raymond Chandler and the Woman He Loved, on Monday, April 14, at 6 p.m.; and Chandler’s Influence: A Panel Discussion, on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m.

            OBOC at Harold Washington College, 30 E. Lake St., explores The Long Goodbye through classes on the following dates: Mondays and Wednesdays, April 14, 16, 21, and 23 from 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. in Room 605; Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 15, 17, 22, and 24 from 2 to 3:20 p.m. in Room 605 and from 5:30 to 6:50 p.m. in Room 621. Call (312) 553-5883.  

            OBOC at Shimer College, 3424 S. State St., includes a live dramatic production of Trouble Is My Business on Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m. and Tuesday, April 29, 2 p.m. and a film screening and discussion of Double Indemnity on Wednesday, April 23, at 6 p.m. Book discussions will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 8 and 9, and Wednesday, April 30. Call (312) 235-3529.

            Teens ages 14 and up can join the Teen Volume Book Discussion of The Long Goodbye at the Daley Branch, 3400 S. Halsted St., on Wednesday, April 23, at 4:30 p.m. Call (312) 747-8990.

            Learn about what local writers think of The Long Goodbye when the Outfit Collective, a group of noted Chicago-based crime fiction authors, posts blogs online from Monday, April 14, through Monday, April 28, at http://theoutfitcollective.blogspot.com.

 

POET RESIDENCY

The Poetry Center of Chicago will award one poet a 2008 Summer Residency, which comes with a $1,000 stipend and housing from Monday, June 30, through Monday, July 28. Submissions are due by Friday, May 9. To apply, visit www.poetrycenter.org or call (312) 899-1229.

 

PRITZKER SHINES

Varsity cheerleaders and the varsity girls’ basketball team at A.N. Pritzker Elementary School, 2009 W. Schiller St., won the regional competitions of the City Tournament. Call (773) 534-4415.

 

FREE TAX SERVICE

Accounting students at Robert Morris College, 401 S. State St., are offering free tax preparation on Tuesdays from noon to 6 p.m. at the college library on the 2nd floor, Room 211. All student preparers have passed the exam administered by the Internal Revenue Service, which qualifies them to prepare individual taxes. All returns are reviewed by qualified instructors before they are filed on Tuesday, April 15. Call (312) 935-4822.

 

ROOSEVELT ROUND-UP

Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts will present its annual gala concert, Vivid ’08, on Monday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. Cost is $25 to $100 per ticket, which can be purchased at the theater box office or www.ticketmaster.com (search for CCPA:RU). Call (312) 902-1500.

            Roosevelt's Mansfield Institute for Social Justice and Transformation has received a $300,000 grant from the Albert & Anne Mansfield Foundation that will enable it to integrate social justice coursework into the university’s curriculum.

            Roosevelt's Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate received the 2008 Education Award from the Chicago ACE Mentor Program, which recognizes the institute for providing educational funding resources to the disadvantaged and for expanding industry opportunities to minorities and the disadvantaged.

            Call (312) 341-3500.

 

RUSH ROUND-UP

Rush University Medical Center is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate whether taking Cerefolin NAC could be a possible treatment to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The six-month study seeks 100 participants over age 60 with memory concerns. Participants must not have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, or a dementia. Call (312) 942-8264.

               Rush is seeking patients to study an experimental Alzheimer's disease vaccine through the first-in-human, Phase I clinical trial of a vaccine against beta-amyloid (Ab), a peptide that appears to be involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Participants must be at least 55 years of age and have a diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer's. Call (312) 942-8264.

               Rush's mechanical circulatory support and heart transplant team led by Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, is preparing to be one of a select group of medical centers in the nation and the only center in Illinois to offer the CardioWest Temporary Total Artificial Heart, which is approved to keep people alive in the hospital while they are awaiting a heart transplant. Further FDA approval will allow Rush to discharge artificial heart patients home for their recovery.

 

STUDENT ART FAIR

St. Barbara Elementary School, 2867 S. Throop St., will be exhibiting Exploring Art of the Americas: Honoring Native American Traditions at its Annual Student Art Fair on Tuesday, April 8, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call (312) 326-6243.

 

JAZZIN' AT JAMES

Vocalist and jazz guitarist Frank D'Rone, pianist Bobby Schiff, bassist John Whitfield, and drummer Pete Castronova will be the entertainment at a fundraiser for St. James Catholic Church's food pantry, Saturday, April 5, from 8 to 11 p.m., 2930 S. Wabash Ave. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, and parking. Cost is $35 per person or purchase a $100 ticket for a $5,000 raffle and receive two free admissions. Call (312) 330-0101. 

 

UIC ROUND-UP

Two teams of University of Illinois at Chicago MBA students won first place and second place at the Cardinal Challenge Business Plan Competition. HeartSounds Inc., founded by Liautaud Graduate School of Business MBA students Amir Bastawrous, Matthew Norris, and Michael McCoy, took the $15,000 first place and earned a berth in the 2008 Global Moot Corp Business Plan Competition.

               UIC neurosurgeon Fady Charbel, MD, recently performed the first laser brain bypass surgery in the Midwest.

            Carmel Chiswick, UIC professor of economics, has published a new book The Economics of American Judaism (Routledge, 2008), a social-scientific study of how the practice of Judaism has changed in response to changes in our contemporary economic society.             

 

PEOPLE

The fomer 12th District Police Commander, Ronald Sodini, recently presented an award to University Village Association (UVA) Executive Director Chris Provenzano on behalf of the Illinois Association Chiefs of Police to acknowledge his contributions to the 12th District and the community.

            Local band Facing Forward recently helped raise more than $225,000 for the Station Family Fund at the fifth anniversary benefit concert, Phoenix Rising! Musicians United to Benefit Station Nightclub Fire Victims. Facing Forward will release its first full-length album in late 2008. Visit http://www.myspace.com/facingforward for song samples and updated show schedule.

            State Senator Rickey Hendon recently was honored for his pro-environment voting record in 2007 by the Illinois Environmental Council, which gave Hendon a score of 86% in its annual Environmental Scorecard publication released last month. 

            Alaka Wali of the Field Museum, Christine Wu of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, and Jinhong Zhu of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources were be honored by the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce as being three outstanding Illinois Asian American Women in Science and Technology 2008.