Celebrating Maria Callas
The Riverside Chapter of the Lyric Opera hosts “Callas by Callas,” a two-hour documentary on the renowned American-born soprano, on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room of the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road.
The film includes scenes accompanied by audio of Callas singing, speaking in interviews and dramatized text that had been spoken or written by her.
Lagers among the lions
Brookfield Zoo hosts its annual ZooBrew beer-tasting event on Saturday, Aug. 24, giving the 21-older crowd a chance to sample more than 80 lagers, ales, stouts, porters and malts while taking in wildlife and nature.
More than 16 national and Chicago area brewers will be present during three unique sessions – Full Session, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. ($55); VIP Session, allowing entry as early as 2:30 p.m. and access to VIP area ($90); and Half Session, from noon to 2 p.m. ($35).
Tickets to each session include admission to the zoo, parking and a free commemorative tasting glass. Lower cost designated driver options also available. Buy tickets and get more info at CZS.org/ZooBrew
Breastfeeding documentary and discussion
Join the La Leche League and North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., as they mark Black Breastfeeding Week on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. with a special screening and discussion of “Chocolate Milk,” a documentary film directed and produced by Elizabeth Bayne, which explores the racial divide in breastfeeding and how communities can support black mothers.
Explore the night sky
North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites families to come see the stars with astro-educator Michelle Nichols at “Astronomy Using Your Eyes” on Monday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Folks age 8 and older can learn to observe stars and planets like Jupiter and Saturn without a telescope.
VFW hosts open house
Joshua W. Harris Memorial VFW Post 2868, 8844 Ogden Ave. in Brookfield, will host an open house and free hot dog lunch on Sunday, Aug. 25 from noon to 3 p.m.
Members of the post will be on hand to talk about the many events the VFW hosts and participates in each year – from visits to Hines VA Hospital, to its annual Oktoberfest and Motorcycle Show, participation in village events, trivia nights and more. There will also be an American flag exchange (quantities limited).
Open to the public.
Assistant or spy?
Smart speakers and other smart home devices are the latest trend, but are they really worth the hype? You can learn more about the pros and cons of such devices at “Smart Speakers: Personal Assistant or Invasive Recorder” on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd.
Certain smart speakers will be on hand for attendees to use. Register to attend at 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or at brookfieldlibrary.info.
And more
νThe Frederick Law Olmsted Society continues its 2019 series of docent-led walking tours of Riverside on Aug. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. Enjoy a guided tour of the village south of the BNSF Railroad tracks. Meet at east platform of the Riverside train station. The cost is $20 per person ($15 for 62+ and Olmsted Society members). Call 708-447-7635 or email tours@olmstedsociety.org with questions.
νAging Care Connections continues its Seminar and a Snack Series on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. at Aging Care Connections, 111 W. Harris Ave. in LaGrange with “What’s Up with Falling Down?” Participate in a balance and stability class to help you become more educated in preventing falls. Free. Registration required. Contact Renata Vitali at 708-603-2277.
νThe Frederick Law Olmsted Society and village of Riverside will its next Landscape Workday on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon for weeding in Scottswood Common. Bring work gloves and a water bottle. All other supplies and snacks provided. Look for the public works dump truck.
νThe organizers of the Brookfield Fine Arts Festival, which takes place Sept. 21, has issued a call for artists who would like to display and sell their work at the event. Call Abby at 708-255-5335 or email at abbybsnow@gmail.com.
νThe Riverside Farmers Market continues its 2019 season on Aug. 21 and Aug. 28 from 2:30 to 7 p.m., and will run every Wednesday through Oct. 9 in Centennial Park at Longcommon Road and Forest Avenue.
νThe Brookfield Farmers Market continues its 2019 season on Aug. 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will run every Saturday through Oct. 12 in the parking lot of the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. Visit www.brookfieldfarmers.org for special events, vendor info and music lineups.
νCompassion Factory Art Gallery and Studio, 9210 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield, presents “Character Con,” featuring the work of Derail Howery, Jamie Primak, Josh Mettille, Naomi Martinez, Jeremy Johnson, Tony Smith and Travis Cakos through the month of August. Gallery hours are Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
νNorth Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., hosts a Senior Drop-in on Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Meeting Room. Play cards and socialize every Friday.
For adults and seniors there’s Crafterdarks: Button Art on Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.; Meditation and Stretching on Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m.; and Just Craftin’ Around: Floral Field in Acrylic on Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. To sign up for senior and adult events, call 708-447-0869 or visit www.northriversidelibrary.org/events. For kids there’s Drop-in Open Play on Aug. 22 and 27 at 10:30 a.m.
νAging Care Connections hosts a free Memory Café program through September on the second Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Young at Heart Adult Day Services Center, 6504 Joliet Road in Countryside and the third Tuesday of each month at Salerno’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar, 9301 W. 63rd St. in Hodgkins. Call 708-354-1323 for more information.
νThe 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.
