By Vivian Malli

REGGAE FESTIVAL
Air Jamaica and the Jamaica Tourist Board will host the second annual Chicago Reggae Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23, from noon to 10 p.m. at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. Performers include Bunny Wailer, the Itals, Kofi, and reggae deejays Slacky J of WLUW 88.7 FM, and DJ Lenky from Power 92.3 FM. Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Children ages 12 and under are free with a paid adult admission. Call (773) 868-3010.

 

ARTHRITIS SHINDIG
The Arthritis Foundation’s associate board will hold its third annual summer fundraiser, Summer in the City Shindig, on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 7 to 10 p.m. at NV Penthouse Lounge, 116 W. Hubbard St. Cost is $90, which includes open premium bar, catered hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, and a three-hour DJ party. Proceeds go toward juvenile arthritis and a weekend summer camp for local children with arthritis. Call (312) 372-2080.

 

STAY IN SCHOOL PICNIC
Alderman Walter Burnett (27th) and Chicago Neighbors United will host their annual Stay in School Picnic on Saturday, Aug 30, at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. School supplies will be provided to 5,000 children. Call (312) 432-1995 for information.

 

SUMMER CAMP
Camp Rosenthal in Michigan still has low-cost spaces available for inner-city youth. Sessions last for five to 11 days, and staffed buses take children to and from Chicago Youth Centers. Cost is $20 or less. Call (296) 424-5272.

 

second chance thrift
the Cathedral Shelter’s Second Chance Thrift store is celebrating its grand re-opening.  Store proceeds help fund Cathedral Shelter’s food pantry, supportive housing, an addiction recovery halfway house, and substance abuse counseling. Store hours are Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Donated items are accepted at the store or can be picked up at no charge. Call (312) 997-2222, ext. 221.

 

CANARYVILLE FOOTBALL
The Canaryville Lions, who have been Widget and Varsity champions in the Chicagoland Youth Football league, are seeking players interested in full-equipment, full- contact football this fall for its PeeWee team (grades two to four), Widget  team (grades five and six) and Varsity team (grades seven and eight). Cost is $75 for the entire season, which includes equipment and uniforms. Each team has 40 spots. Sign-up is Friday, Aug. 1, at 5:30 p.m. at McInenery Playlot, 4500 S. Halsted St. Practice runs every Monday through Friday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in August. Games last two hours on weekends in September and October, with playoffs and the championship game held in November. Call (312) 961-1806.

 

GET INFO, MAKE REPORTS
Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (C.A.P.S.) representatives encourage the community to use 311 for information such as street closings, to report safety hazards, to request services, and for all non-emergency police issues. They also suggest e-mailing 311info@cityofchicago.org to convey concerns or forward reports.

 

FREE YOUTH MEALS
The Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services has launched the 2008 Summer Nutrition Program (SNP), which provides free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack to young people up to age 18 through Thursday, Aug. 28, at 197 city locations, which include Chicago Housing Authority development sites, day camps, parks, and community and religious organizations. Call (312) 743-0300. Apply to become an SNP provider at www.cityofchicago.org/cys or at the King Center location, 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 

 

REEL POLITICS
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs will host the 2008 Reel Politics Outdoor Film Festival of election-themed movies on Thursdays in August at the Chicago Women’s Park & Garden, 1827 S. Indiana Ave. Films include Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (NR) on Aug. 7 at 8:30 p.m.; State of the Union (NR) on Aug. 14 at 8:15 p.m.; The Candidate (PG) on Aug. 21 at 8 pm.; and Bob Roberts (R) on Aug. 28 at 7:45 p.m. Admission is free. Come to the park an hour before the movie and take a free mini-tour of the Clarke House and the Glessner House Museums or come a half hour early and take a free mini-tour of one museum. Tours are limited to 15 people. No dogs are allowed in the park. Call (312) 745-0041.

 

USE 311
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation encourages the community to report potholes, non-functioning lights, and other problems by calling (312) 744-4611 or logging on to streetsandsanitation@cityofchicago.org. The department also recommends obtaining a tracking order to facilitate follow-up.

 

HOPE FUNDRAISER
ChicagoSporting.com is hosting the Purpose Driven Sports 2008 fundraiser to benefit Chicago Hope Academy on Sunday, Aug. 10, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the school, 2189 W. Bowler St. Festivities include gym events for youth and a silent auction with sports memorabilia autographed by local professional athletes. Cost is $20. Call (716) 912-3456.

 

PARK ROUND-UP
The Chicago Park District offers its Learn to Swim program, open swims, family swims, and lap swims at a variety of local parks: Armour Square Park, 3309 S. Shields Ave., (312) 747-6012; Douglas Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Blvd., (773) 762-2842; Dvorak Park, 1119 W. Cullerton St., (312) 746-5083; Eckhart Park, 1330 W. Chicago Ave., (312) 746-5490; Fosco Park, 1312 S. Racine St., (312) 746-5086; Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood St., (312) 746-5491; McGuane Park, 2901 S. Poplar St., (312) 747-6497; McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd.; National Teachers Academy Park, 55 W. Cermak Rd., (312) 747-1516; Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St., (312) 746-5369; Smith Park, 2526 W. Grand Ave., (312) 742-7534; Taylor Park-Bronzeville, 39 W. 47th St., (312) 747-6728; and Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., (312) 746-5494. Call numbers above for hours and programs. For more information, log on to www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.

            The Concerts in the Park series features free concerts for the whole family to enjoy. Groove to R& B at Fuller Park, 331 W. 45th St., on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m.; the blues at Touhy-Herbert Park, 2106 W. Adams St., on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 1 and 6 p.m.; big band tunes on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at McGuane Park and Ping Tom Memorial Park, 300 W. 19th St.; and jazz at Skinner Park, 1331 W. Adams St., on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 5:30 p.m. and Dunbar Park, 300 E. 31st St., on Sunday, Aug. 24, from 1 to 8 p.m. Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Ave., will host concerts on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring the Symphony Sounds String Quartet on Aug. 10 and the Ryan Cohan Jazz Trio on Aug. 17.

            Movies in the Park are free and start at 8:30 p.m. or dusk at the following parks: Surf’s Up (PG) at Wicker Park on Thursday, Aug. 7, and Sunday, Aug. 10; Erendira (NR) at Harrison Park on Wednesday, Aug. 6; The Great Debaters (PG-13) at Kennicott Park, 4434 S. Lake Park Ave., on Sunday, Aug. 10; Pride (PG) at Touhy-Herbert Park on Monday, Aug. 11; Shrek the Third (PG) at Union Park on Tuesday, Aug. 19, and Dunbar Park, 300 E. 31st St., on Wednesday, Aug. 27;  Field of Dreams (PG) at McGuane Park, on Thursday, Aug. 14; and Bee Movie (PG) at Skinner Park. See Transformers (PG-13) at three parks: Fosco Park on Friday, Aug. 8; Roosevelt Park, 62 W. Roosevelt Rd., on Saturday, Aug. 16; or John P. Wilson Park, 1122 W. 34th Pl., on Thursday, Aug. 28.

            Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynn White Dr., presents a nature story time and activities for tots at 10 a.m. on the Wednesdays of Aug. 6 and 13 in its fieldhouse; Stroller Struts workouts for ages three and younger on Thursday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m.; a nature treasure hunt for kids at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7; and a land art program for kids and adults at 10 a.m. on the Fridays of Aug. 8 and 15. Call (312) 742-5039.

 

BOOK DISCUSSION
The Chicago Public Library Harold Washington Center, 400 S. State St., will host a Chicago Matters book discussion of From the Bottom Up: One Man's Crusade to Clean America's Rivers by Chad Pregracke on Thursday, Aug. 28, at noon on the library’s fifth floor. Call (312) 747-4300.

 

ENTREPRENEUR CLASSES
The Chicago Urban League's Entrepreneurship Center, 4510 S. Michigan Ave., will present workshops from 6 to 8 p.m.: Tuesday, Aug. 5, Developing a Solid Marketing Strategy for Your Business; Tuesday, Aug. 12, Marketing on a Shoestring Budget; and Thursday, Aug. 14, Business Support Clinic. Cost for each workshop is $20 (free for members). Call (773) 624-8804.

 

BIKE VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer groups from schools, community organizations, and corporations can earn money for their group or their favorite charity by volunteering for the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s (CBF) 20th annual Boulevard Lakefront Tour on Sunday, Sept. 7. Eligible groups of ten volunteers can earn $200, and groups of 15 can earn $300. All volunteers (groups and individuals) will receive a Boulevard Lakefront Tour volunteer t-shirt, an exclusive volunteer pre-ride on Sunday, Aug. 24, complimentary lunch, entry in the volunteer raffle, and an invitation to the CBF’s annual volunteer appreciation party. Call (312) 427-3325.

 

DE LA SALLE ROUND-UP
De La Salle Institute (DLS) is looking for part-time and full-time school bus drivers for the 2008-09 school year. A CDL license is required, and training is provided. Call (312) 842-7355, ext. 112.

            The Brother J. Richard Rush FSC chapter of the National Honor Society inducted the following DLS students: Stephan Chmelovsky, Terry Clancy, Daniel Joyce, Tom Lally, Claire Moravec, Jessica Nelson, Michelle Plant, Kevin Popp, Kristen Powell, Annabel Ramirez, and Charles Salazar.

            The school bestowed Principal’s Awards recognizing academic excellence and school commitment to students Corinne Coates, Marissa De Hoyos, John Grubisich, Daniel Huicochea, and Rodriquez Wright.

            This year’s valedictorians, De Hoyos and Richard Mlinarcik, won the Bausch & Lomb Science Award and the Frank Oswald Math Award.

            Senior second baseman Brian Koronkowski made the 2008 All-Chicago Catholic League Baseball Team.

            At the 55th Annual Junior Citizen Awards Dinner, the Chicago Park District honored DLS students Briana Steffenhagen and Angelica Taylor for academic excellence and community service.

            Christopher Bandemier and Corinne Coates won the Br. I. Austin Award for academic and athletic excellence.

DLS student Briana Steffenhagen was a winner of the St. John Baptist de La Salle Award.

            Nick Bridich was named DLS head varsity baseball coach.

            The All-Catholic Honors Band chose the following DLS students: Gabrielle Humphrey, Sarah Therriault, Chandler Gilbert, Jesus Guzman, Joe Walthour, Dmitri Snyder, and David Therriault.

            Senior Zach Cline and junior Becky Medina shared the Band Spirit Award.

Sarah Therriault was named Senior Band Member of the Year, while senior John Sullivan won the John Phillip Sousa Award winner as the Best Musician.

            The National Society of High School Scholars recognized DLS student Lauren Huff for superior academic achievement.

 

2nd WARD ROUNDUP
Second Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti will form a 2nd Ward action group to bring the community’s civic, business, and religious leaders together to combat violence, build community spirit, and create opportunities for the area’s youth. A preliminary meeting or meetings will take place to create community working groups, a youth community council, and other groups with specific and defined purposes. For more information, contact the alderman’s office at (312) 263-9273.

            Fioretti told the gathering at one of his regularly scheduled town hall meetings that officials have requested 500 new trees for the ward. He added that services and attention to the west side of the ward now are on par with those provided in the east end of the ward.

 

TASTE OF GREECE
Celebrate all things Greek at the annual Taste of Greece celebration hosted by the Greektown Special Service Area on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23, from noon to 11 p.m. on Halsted Street between Monroe and Van Buren Streets. Festivities include two live music stages featuring Greek bands Linardakis and Hellas 2000, three Greek dance troupes, Greek dancing lessons, Greek acrobats, the Jesse White Tumblers, face painting, and prizes. Admission is free, but donations to the Hellenic Museum are appreciated. Call (847) 509-8050.

 

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT $
Haymarket Center has received $250,000 in federal funding for the Ann. F. Baum Family Enrichment Center, a workforce development program with a recovery plan for recovering drug addicts and ex-convicts.

 

HAYNES FUNDRAISER
Christopher Haynes, Bridgeport resident, husband, and father of three, suffered a fatal heart attack at age 45 on Dec. 22, 2007. He was a basketball, baseball, and volleyball coach. He had had served as president of the Bridgeport Catholic Academy Sports Committee, was co-founder and coach of the Bridgeport Bombers, and was a coach at the Mike White Basketball League. Residents can help Haynes’s family by attending a fundraising benefit on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 6 to 11 p.m. in Nativity of Our Lord Church Hall, 3700 S. Union Ave. Donations of money or prizes or sponsorships are welcome. Call Kevin Healy at (773) 386-8100 or Cheryl McKendrick at (312) 907-3032.

 

BACK TO SCHOOL FESTIVAL
Heart of Chicago Networking is hosting a free Back To School Festival on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on 21st Street between Damen and Hoyne Avenues. Proceeds benefit students of partner schools. Call (312) 738-2002.

 

GREEK CULTURE AND COCKTAILS
The Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center (HMCC) will host a young adult social networking event, Culture & Cocktails, on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. at the Athena Restaurant Garden, 212 S Halsted St. Cost is $20.  HMCC is located at 801 W. Adams St. Call (312) 655-1234.

 

PENNY SOCIAL
Holy Cross Ladies Aid Society, 3116 S. Racine Ave., will host a penny social on Sunday, Aug. 24, at noon in the Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church Assembly Hall. Offerings include raffles, light refreshments for sale, and a station where participants can make their own ice cream sundaes. Call (773) 523-3838.

 

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
JP Morgan Chase has launched the Bank on College program, a $2 million scholarship program aimed at raising college enrollment rates at Dunbar Career Academy, 3000 S. King Dr., (773) 534-9000 and Phillips Academy High School, 244 E. Pershing Rd., (773) 535-1603. Beginning this fall, students can earn up to $10,000 for college based on attendance, course choices, and grades.

 

UGANDAN CHOIR BENEFIT
The McCormick Chamber of Commerce (MCC) in Bronzeville is co-sponsoring the SIFA African Children’s Choir, which will perform a free concert on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 1 p.m. at the Bridgeview Catholic Academy, 3700 S. Lowe Ave. The Ugandan choir features 20 boys and girls who have been orphaned because of AIDS and other disasters. Proceeds go to help the poor and homeless in Africa. MCC is located on 641 E. Pershing Rd., Suite E. Call (773) 343-1752.

 

MILLENIUM EVENTS
The free Family Fun Festival at Millennium Park continues through Monday, Sept. 1, and includes Fast Fish Puppet Theater’s play A Rabbit’s Tale, featuring giant Bunraku-style puppets, with shows on the Wednesdays of Aug. 6 and 13 from 3 to 4 p.m. and the Sundays of Aug. 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 11 a.m. to noon.

            Enjoy fitness through Latin dance workouts led by Lisa La Boriqua at 10 a.m. on the Saturdays of Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. Arrive for an early tai chi workout on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 7 a.m. Families can join a yoga and creative movement workout on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m. in Jammin’ Journey with Bubbles Academy.

            The park will host the After School Matters Showcase on Sunday, Aug. 10, at 3 p.m. featuring teen performers in modern and jazz dance, ballet, opera, jazz, and musical theatre.

            For more information call (312) 742-1168.

           

WEST HAVEN DAY
The Near West Side Community Development Corp. (NWSCDC), 216 S. Hoyne Ave., will host West Haven Community Day on Saturday, Aug. 16. Call (312)738-2280.

            NWSCDC presents the West Haven Safe Summer 2008 Basketball Tournament on the Saturdays of Aug. 2, 9, and 16 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Crane High School, 2245 W. Jackson Blvd. Admission is free, but players must bring t-shirts, shorts, and gym shoes to the program.

 

FREE MEDICINE
Anyone without prescription drug coverage and who earns at or below two times the Federal Poverty Level ($20,800 for a single person household, $28,000 for two people, $35,200 for three people, $42,400 for a family of four) can get Pfizer prescription medicines for free from their doctor, at participating community health centers, and at qualifying hospitals. Call (866) 706-2400.

 

CTA SUMMIT
The Randolph/Fulton Market Association will host a Chicago Transit Authority Morgan/Lake Streets El Station Summit at Club Royale at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 9. All are welcome to attend. Call (312) 458-0789.

 

RUSH ROUND-UP
U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Rush University Medical Center among the top hospitals in the nation. Rush ranked 15th in neurology and neurosurgery, 21st in geriatrics, 23rd in kidney disease, 24th in urology, 29th in gastroenterology, 10th in orthopedics, and 45th in heart care and heart surgery.

            Rush’s College of Nursing has implemented a new master’s degree program, the Generalist Entry Master’s in Nursing (GEM), which prepares students for generalist practice and provides clinical leadership education not available in bachelor’s degree nursing programs. The seven-quarter, pre-licensure GEM program can enroll up to 72 students per summer and winter cycle each year and includes a quarter of immersion residency experience. Call (312) 942-7100.

            Rush has opened a new cardiac treatment facility that enables cardiac surgeons to collaborate with interventional cardiologists on complex heart problems for critically ill newborns, children, and adults. The new hybrid cardiac suite is one of only three facilities of its kind in the nation and the only one in Chicago.

            Rush cardiologist Annabelle S. Volgman has been appointed president of the Metro Chicago board of directors for the American Heart Association.

            Rush psychiatry professor Howard Kravitz has published a study in the journal Sleep that indicates menopausal women are more likely to have sleep difficulties, especially problems staying asleep

 

ST. MARY GARAGE SALE
The St. Mary of Perpetual Help World's Greatest Annual Summer Garage Sale will be held Saturday, Aug. 9, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the parish garage, 1039 W. 32nd St. Bring your donated items to the garage on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Items may include furniture, toys, electronics, appliances, and household items. Clothing and bedding cannot be accepted. Donated items also can be picked up at your home, with scheduling on a first-come, first-served basis. Rent garage sale booth space for $25. Get space rental forms from the church and submit by Monday, Aug. 4. Proceeds go to the church preservation fund. Call (773) 927-6646.

 

ST. RITA FOOTBALL
St. Rita of Cascia High School, 7740 S. Western Ave., will host its 2008 Football Jamboree on Sunday, Aug. 24 at noon. Call (773) 925-6600.

 

SHERWOOD OPEN HOUSE
Enjoy musical performances, try out instruments, and register for classes at the fall open house for the Sherwood Conservatory of Music, 1312 S. Michigan Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sherwood offers individual lesson and group classes for children, teens, and adults. Call (312) 427-6267.

 

SOLDIER FIELD ROUND-UP
Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Dr., will host Hoop-It-Up Basketball on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9 and 10, in the south parking lot and a high school football kick-off on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 10 a.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $6 for students. Call (312) 235-7000.

            Soldier Field will host a 12-hour yoga event featuring Bikram yoga founder Bikram Choudhury, who will lecture and present posture clinics and classes on Saturday, Aug. 2. Cost is $200, $225 for teacher certification. Call (312) 255-YOGA or visit www.bikramcitychicago.com.

 

SOUTH LOOP POOCHES
The South Loop DogPac will host two fundraisers to help maintain Grant Bark Park and Coliseum Park’s dog friendly area.
A DogPac dog wash will be held Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fountain Square Park , 700 S. Dearborn St., and a bake sale at the movie in Roosevelt Park is scheduled for Saturday, Aug 16. Volunteers are needed. Call (312) 264-5630 or visit www.southloopdogpac.com.

 

SOUTH LOOP PHOTOS
The ninth South Loop Neighbors photo show and contest runs during August at the Chicago Community Bank, Dearborn Station, 47 W. Polk St. Call (312) 859-6654 or visit www.southloopneighbors.org.

 

FESTA ITALIANA
Taylor Street will host Festa Italiana 2008, a street festival showcasing classic Italian cuisine, street performers, bocce ball courts, and live stage performances, on Friday, Aug. 8, 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 9, 3 to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 10, noon to 9 p.m. The fest will be held on Taylor Street between Loomis Street and Ashland Avenue. Cost is $10. Call (847) 795-1800.

 

PRESCRIPTION SAVINGS
Together Rx Access is a free prescription savings program for eligible individuals and families who lack prescription drug coverage and are not eligible for Medicare. More than 300 brand-name prescription products are included in the program. Visit www.TogetherRxAccess.com or call (800) 444-4106.

           

UIC ROUND-UP
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry named the University of Illinois at Chicago's Behavioral Health and Welfare Program, a part of UIC's Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Juvenile Research, as the 2008 recipient of the Rieger Service Program Award for Excellence. UIC assistant professor David Vaillancourt recently received a $1.3 million support grant from the National Institutes of Health for his team’s research on using robotic devices to help stroke or brain

injury patients retrain and rehabilitate the body's motor system.

            UIC’s Chicago Project for Violence Prevention has received $500,000 in federal funding to expand Ceasefire, an accelerated community-based prevention, intervention, treatment, and advocacy initiative.

            Head men’s basketball coach Jimmy Collins will continue to lead the Flames beyond the 2008-09 season, as athletic director Jim Schmidt announced a three-year contract extension (pending board of trustees approval) for the winningest basketball coach in school history.

            Dental professor Anne George has won the 2008 Distinguished

Scientist Award for Pulp Biology and Regeneration from the International Association for Dental Research for her work in cloning the dentin matrix protein genes from animals, which could lead to a new way of filling cavities.

            UIC researcher José Oberholzer’s team has received funding from the National Institutes of Health to become one of 11 centers in the world to test new approaches to islet transplantation for Type I diabetes.

Oral biologist Lin Tao has developed technology to block mother-to-child transmission of HIV in breastfeeding by creating a freeze-dried formula containing a special strain of lactobacillus, a beneficial bacteria that can capture and nullify the virus.

Donate funds to the UIC Lisa Corsini Memorial Scholarship as a way of celebrating Claudio “Fab” Corsini’s 3,000 mile cross-country bike ride in August to honor his late daughter Lisa, a UIC College of nursing student who died on Sept. 9, 2001, when she was hit by a car. Corsini’s tribute to his daughter is to raise $10,000 towards her nursing passion through a scholarship for the UIC College of Nursing Urbana Champaign Regional Program. Call (312) 996-1736.

Celebrate 20 years of the city’s grassroots school reform in the Chicago Quality Education Summit on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at UIC, 750 S. Halsted St., Illinois Room. LSC members get credit for lessons 7, 8 and 9. Call (773) 458-7500.

 

WALK THE TALK
Local nonprofit 10SW has launched Walk the Talk, a five-week regimen of health and fitness events in Chicago running through Thursday, Aug. 21. Proceeds benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and After School Matters. Cost is $15 for access to all events during the five weeks. Visit www.walkthetalkchicago.org. 

 

WBDC ROUND-UP
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), 8 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 400, is hosting business seminars, which require pre-registration. Call (312) 853-3477. 

            The following workshops cost $35 or are free with pre-registration for the Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference: Form Strategic Business Alliances to Increase Revenue Without Increasing Overhead on Monday, Aug. 4, from 7:30 to 9 a.m.; Get Them Talking About Your Company on Monday, Aug. 11, from 7:30 to 9 a.m.; How to Work a Trade Show on Monday, Aug. 18, from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

            WBDC will host two free workshops, Take the Mystery Out of Obtaining Financing for Your Business on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from noon to 1:30 p.m. and Is Certification Right for You? on Wednesday, Aug 13, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

            Business owners who make at least $50,000 in annual sales may attend the Business Exchange on Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 7:45 to 10 a.m. Cost is $150 for a one-year membership or $90 for six months. First session is $20, which can be applied to membership.

 

PEOPLE
            William L. Conaghan recently was appointed chairman of the board of directors at Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind or Visually Impaired, succeeding Joel Kaplan.

            Roosevelt University appointed Douglas Knerr to the newly created position of vice provost for faculty and academic administration.

            Judge Rita M. Novak in the Circuit Court of Cook County now is secretary of the Illinois Judges Association. She received her law degree from the DePaul College of Law, has been an adjunct faculty member at the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law, and lives in the South Loop.

            South loop resident Nina Owens has been named the 119th president for the  Union League Club of Chicago.

            Charles Whitsett, co-coordinator of Men's Detox Services at Haymarket Center, has been elected president of the Illinois Association of Extended Care.

 

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.