Saturday, August 29, 2009

World Music Company open house TODAY

World Music Company on 103rd Street is having an open house on Saturday 8/29 from noon to 4:30 p.m., featuring musical activities for kids and adults, live performances, and free refreshments. Stop by and check out this special place in the neighborhood.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Jazz at BAC on Monday night

The Pat Noland Group will play jazz in the courtyard, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. Bring picnic blankets or chairs. (In case of rain, concerts will move indoors.) Admission is free. 773-445-3838. This is their last BAC performance of the season.

Friday, August 21, 2009

funky Friday

Two great Chaka Khan versions of jazz classics...


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Ride Civil

Last Friday night we had a different kind of ride in the neighborhood. Ride Civil is a concept that started in Seattle (as far as I know). Nine of us rode on 99th St., Western, 111th, and back up Longwood to 99th, in a law-abiding cruise to raise the visibility of cyclists in the neighborhood. The group ranged in age from a toddler to a pair of senior citizens. Thanks for Mary Lynn Wilson for organizing and leading.

Her goal is to have a monthly ride on 2nd Friday of each month. I'll post info here when I hear about the next ride.

Thanks to Dat Donuts for staying open a little later than normal to welcome us. I've been meaning to try them out since they opened their new location on 111th St. near the Metra tracks. They have excellent donuts, coffee and frozen custard.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

caring for trees and planting new ones

Have you ever seen neglected trees in local parks and forest preserves and wished you could do something to help them? Or have you seen open spaces that really need some trees and wanted to plant some? Are you interested in habitat restoration in local forests and prairie preserves? Treekeepers could offer you an opportunity to help.

There's a new 7-week session of classes starting 9/12 at Humboldt Park. If you're interesting in the fall class session, check out the brochure here.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

what's happening at Blue Moon

This week at Blue Moon:

Thursday: foreign language night. It's been good to see folks representing Spanish, Italian and French on a regular basis. Come on down, and enjoy one of Caroline's tasty desserts. 7 p.m.

Friday: jazz by Emanon. 7 p.m.

Saturday: jazz by the Junta Ensemble. 7 p.m.

If you like this business and the stimulating variety of entertainment and activities it brings to our community, please help support it. Most events have no cover charge. If everyone buys at least one drink or cookie or pastry, it helps cover the cost of having the business open in the evening. If no one buys anything, Caroline might as well be home with her family. Please let her know that you appreciate the evening entertainment.

Monday, August 10, 2009

jazz in the parks

As a preview to our Labor Day weekend favorite, the Chicago Jazz Festival, you might want to check out Jazz in the Parks, happening throughout August at various locations around the city.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Thursday, August 6, 2009

a local film you should see

If you didn't catch "The Merry Gentleman" when it opened in commercial theaters in spring, it's playing at Beverly Arts Center tonight and Saturday at 7:30 pm.

Michael Keaton expresses more with eyes and body language than with words. The exquisitely subtle cinematography adds to the mood and complexity as the story develops. It was entirely filmed on location in Chicago (including interiors), and not in all the usual places. This independent film (also Michael Keaton's directorial debut) is a refreshing change from mainstream Hollywood flicks.

It was a fairly full house for last night's showing, followed by a Q&A with the executive producer and a couple of the actors. Check it out. It's well worth seeing.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

community meeting about 2016 Olympics

As part of its pledge to hold community meetings in all 50 wards, the Chicago 2016 Committee will hold a public hearing in the 19th Ward on Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, 8/5, 7:00 p.m. at Saint Xavier University, 2700 W 103rd St., in the Butler Reception Room. Members of the 2016 Olympic Committee will give a presentation, followed by time for questions and answers and comments from the community.

This is an opportunity to learn more about the 2016 Olympic proposal and express your views. If you can't attend this meeting, click here for a complete schedule of 2016 Olympic hearings. You can also share your views by sending e-mail to Alderman Ginger Rugai at vrugai @ cityofchicago.org or calling her office at 773-238-8766.