Getting brassy
The Illinois Brass Band, an organization modeled on the brass bands of the United Kingdom, will blast into Brookfield on Friday, July 27 at 7 p.m. as part of the village’s Summer Concert Series.
The band, whose repertoire ranges from brass band classics and to show tunes and jazz, features about 30 musicians playing everything from cornets to euphonium. They’ll be playing under the band shell at Kiwanis Park, which is next door to the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Food and drink will be available for purchase. The concert will be held inside the village hall in case of inclement weather.
Tax appeal seminar
Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak will hold a property tax appeal seminar in Riverside Township for those seeking to appeal their 2018 property tax assessments. The township is open for appeal at the Board of Review from Aug. 1 through Aug. 30.
The seminar, sponsored by Riverside Township Assessor Fran Sitkiewicz, will be held Monday, July 23 at 6 p.m. at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road in Riverside.
The hour-long session will teach you how to file a successful appeal, provide information on property tax exemptions and address why taxes increase even you receive a reduction. The event is free and open to the public. Bring a copy of you most recent tax bill.
Call 708-447-7700 for more information.
Bicentennial business
In celebration of Illinois bicentennial year, local libraries are hosting presentations to celebrate.
First, the Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd., can help you explore Illinois Landscape Painting, featuring artists who bring the state’s landscape to life, on July 23 at 7 p.m. Refreshments by Zoo City Treats. Register for the free event by calling 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or online at www.brookfieldlibrary.info.
Then, on Wednesday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m., head over to the North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., for “The 200-Year Transformation of Illinois” by geology professor Ray Wiggers.
The program is free, To sign up, call 708-447-0869 or visit online at www.northriversidelibrary.org/events.
Dance to dupage
North Riverside Parks and Rec continues its free outdoor summer concert series on Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m. with the sounds of dupage. The band plays a wide array of hits from classics to adult contemporary, from disco to Motown and everything in between.
Bring your friends and family as well as a blanket or lawn chair and dance along at the gazebo behind the Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave. Popcorn will be the concessions special, along with Jell-O shooters for adults.
Sign up for Cori’s Kids Triathlon
Do you love to swim, bike and run? If so, make sure you sign up for a spot in the 11th Annual Cori’s Kids Triathlon, which will be held Aug. 11 at the Riverside Swim Club, 100 Bloomingbank Road in Riverside.
For the first time ever, the triathlon is open to adults as well as kids 7 to 17. The triathlon is sponsored by the Cori Sikich Foundation to increase awareness concerning overall wellness and body image.
Age divisions are 7-10, 11-14, 15-17 and 18-up. No race day registration, so sign up early. Call 708-442-7025 or visit www.riverside.il.us /181/Coris-Kids-Triathlon-Youth-Adult for more info.
Summer Nights rock on
Brookfield Zoo’s Summer Nights concerts series continues this weekend with a pair of shows sure to bring back some memories. Summer Nights kick off at 4 p.m., with music starting at 7 p.m. on the East Mall of the zoo, 3300 Golf Road in Brookfield.
On Friday, July 20 relive the hits of the 1980s with Sixteen Candles, and party like it’s 1999 on Saturday, July 21 with Saved by the ’90s.
Concerts are free with regular zoo admission. For more information, visit www.CZS.org.
And more
• Compassion Factory art gallery, 9210 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield, continues its exhibition of work by Jenifer Ann Myers, Paul Filippi and Rebecca Moy through Aug. 4. Free and open to the public on Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and first Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m.
• The village of North Riverside will host a free short presentation on Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps thousands of seniors purchase healthy food, on July 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Village Commons 2401 Desplaines Ave. All adults are welcome to attend. Call 708-442-5515 to reserve a seat.
• Riverside Presbyterian Church, 116 Barrypoint Road, hosts a Strawberry Social on July 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. All ages are welcome for cake, ice cream with strawberries, live entertainment, raffles, games for kids, a photo booth and more. Admission is $5; 2-under free.
• Riverside Arts Center, 32 E, Quincy St. presents its annual Members Exhibition and RAC Kids Show in the Freeark Gallery and FlexSpace gallery through July 28. Also, Mara Baker’s show “A Mountain One Fence High – A Ribbon Two Yards Wide” is in the outdoor Sculpture Garden through July. Admission to gallery is free. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.
• The Riverside’s Farmers Market continues every Wednesday from 2:30 to 7 p.m. through Oct. 10, in Centennial Park, 10 Pine Ave. Weekly scavenger hunt for kids, live music and more.
• The Brookfield Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 13 in the parking lot of the village hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. Weekly special events and live music.
• Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd., hosts Empowerment for Girls, teaching girls ages 10 through high school self-nurturing and self-empowerment in a fun and welcoming environment on July 21 at 11 a.m. In honor of Illinois’ bicentennial explore Illinois Landscape Painting, featuring artists who bring the state’s landscape to life, on July 23 at 7 p.m. Refreshments by Zoo City Treats. Register by calling 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or online at www.brookfieldlibrary.info.
• North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., hosts a Senior Drop-in on July 20 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Meeting Room. Play cards and socialize every Friday. For kids, there’s; Stories & Play (through age 5) on July 12 at 10:30 a.m.; Love2Read (grades K-1) on July 21 at 2 p.m.; Bilingual Storytime (ages 2+) on July 25 at 10:30 a.m.; Book Treks (ages 2-5) on July 19 at 3:30 p.m.; Legos (grades 1 ) on July 13 at 3:30 p.m.; Mini Crafters (ages 3-6) on July 24 at 10:30 a.m. (tropical island scene); Mega Crafters (ages 7 ) on July 20 (constructing and creating); Wii Play Games and Watch Movies (teens/tweens) on July 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.; and Henna Party (teens/tweens) on July 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo every Monday night. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games start at 7 p.m. minimum cash payout of $2,275 a night, plus pull tabs, lightning, tic-tac and raffles.
