Be safe before paddling off
Before you know it, the weather will warm up and you’ll be itching to haul out the kayak and hit the river.
Whether you’re new to paddling or a seasoned veteran, you might brush up on dos and don’ts during a free virtual Paddle Craft Safety presentation via Zoom on Sunday, March 7 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, March 28 at 3 p.m.
The 90-minute presentation from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary covers such things as choosing the right craft, equipment you’ll need and recommendations for having a fun and safe experience.
To join, send an email to USCGAUX3725@gmail.com and specify which session you’d like to attend. You’ll receive a response with a Zoom link.
The Illinois Monarch Project
Learn more about Illinois’ state insect – the monarch butterfly – during the Chicago Zoological Society’s next winter virtual lecture on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m.
Find out what the state is doing and how the public can help protect the monarch butterfly during “The Illinois Monarch Project: Helping Pollinators, Empowering People” by two leaders of the project, Andre Copeland, interpretive programs manager for CZS, and Iris Caldwell, program manager for the Energy Resources Center at University of Illinois at Chicago.
They’ll share the statewide action plan to add 150 million milkweed stems to the Illinois landscape by 2038.
Online reservations are required and can be made by clicking here.
Explore TV’s early days
Riverside Public Library invites you to join author Evan Weiner for his Zoom presentation “The Early Days of Television” on Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m.
Weiner will dive into the beginning of television with a special focus on Chicago’s role as a major network hub and its contributions to the establishment of cable TV.
Register to attend the presentation by visiting online.
Create your own Cress Pets
Kids can take gardening to a fun level during Deep Seed Adventure, a special Facebook Live program from Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd., to be held Saturday, March 6 at 1 p.m.
Pick up a free Deep Seed Kit in advance and get ready to follow along online to learn about the seeds and our connections to nature and create your own Cress Pet with the library and Brookfield Zoo.
To request a kit, contact Youth Services at 708-485-6917, ext. 140 or at youthservices@brookfieldlibrary.info.
Radio Players recreate Shadow, Sam Spade
The Riverside Township Radio Players’ latest performance is now available on YouTube.
Visit the Riverside Township Radioplayers website or go to their YouTube channel to watch the troupe recreate two shows from the Golden Age of Radio, including “Isle of Fear” from mystery show “The Shadow” and “The Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail Caper” from the detective show “Adventures of Sam Spade.”
And more
- Nazareth Academy concludes itsParent Speaker Series on March 9 at 7 p.m. with the Zoom presentation “Parenting for Purity.” Jason Evert will assist parents in their task as the primary sex educators of their children. Register at the Nazareth Academy website under the Student/Parent tab.
- Boy Scout Troop 24 will host its annual pancake breakfast on March 6 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Riverside Presbyterian Church, 116 Barrypoint Road in Riverside. The event will be drive-thru, with customers remaining in their cars to present or purchase tickets and pick up their meals. Tickets are $6 each in advance or $7 at the tent. Kids under 5 eat free. For advance tickets and information click here.
- Through March 5, the Lyons Township High School Recycling Club will host a battery and old phone recycling drive. Drop used batteries and old cell phones in the labeled collection boxes in the lobby of the North Campus is at 100 S. Brainard Ave. in LaGrange or South Campus at 4900 S. Willow Springs Road in Western Springs. Spent A, AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt batteries will be accepted at no cost.
- Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., invites you “The Kitchen Sink,” a group show which runs through April 3 in the Freeark Gallery. The exhibition features the work of artists Bimbola Akinbola, Alex Bradley Cohen, Mari Eastman, Cassidy Early, Zehra Khan, Kelly Neibert and Sophie Treppendahl. Free. Appointments required. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Email info@riversideartscenter.com to schedule an appointment.
- North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., offers a number of virtual programs through Facebook Live, conference calls and the teleconferencing app Zoom. Programs include Game Night Wednesdays on March 10 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
There’s also NRPL Book Club via conference call (800-747-5150, code 1453322) discussing “An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones on March 9 at 6:45 p.m.
RSVP to bodenl@northriversidelibrary.org or visit the library’s online calendar for adult Zoom meeting access info.
- Brookfield Public Library offers virtual classes and programs for patrons of all ages throughout the week. Most youth activities will be presented live on the library’s Facebook page..
For adults, there’s Chair Yoga via Zoom on March 4 at 11 a.m. and Lunch and Learn: Here’s Where the Money Is with Melissa Duff Brown, director of Joseph Center Business Development in Forest Park, who will talk about federal programs to help businesses during the pandemic via Zoom on March 5 at noon.
Visit the library’s online calendar to register for Zoom programs.
