Big Week: March 17-24 - Riverside Brookfield Landmark

One landscape for all

The Chicago Zoological Society will host the final entry in its virtual lecture series on Wednesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. with “Connecting One Landscape for Wildlife and People.”

Ryan Lutey, executive director for Vital Ground Foundation, and Mitch Doherty, conservation program manager for Vital Ground Foundation, will give an overview on the organization’s efforts to protect and restore North America’s grizzly bear populations by conserving wildlife habitat and encouraging ways to reduce conflicts between bears and humans.

Online reservations are required and can be made at the Brookfield Zoo’s website.

The stories statues tell

If statues could talk, what stories would they tell? Join Brookfield Public Library on Zoom for “Talking Statues of Chicago” to discover the unique stories of Chicago’s spectacular public art collection.

The Zoom program is on Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m. and is presented Beth Sair, volunteer at the Chicago Architecture Center and member of the Chicago Tour Guides Professional Association.

Registration required by phone at 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or at the library’s online events calendar.

Travel the world from home

North Riverside Public Library invites you to travel the world from the comfort of your living room during “Armchair Travel Tours,” a special Zoom program on Monday, March 22 at 1 p.m.

Go on a tour through the wonders of the world and wherever you want to go through the magic of Google Earth.

RSVP to bodenl@northriversidelibrary.org or visit the library’s online events calendar for adult Zoom meeting access info.

Register for Riverside egg hunt or egg drop

Riverside Parks and Recreation will host an Egg Hunt on the morning of Saturday, March 27, but you need to register to participate.

Each registration counts for up to five family members or friends. Space is limited and the deadline to register is March 19 at 9 a.m. You will be emailed a time slot, location and details. If spots fill call 708-442-7025 to be placed on a waitlist.

If you are not up for an in-person event, sign up for an Egg Basket Drop. Parks and Rec will drop off supplies so you can host your own hunt.

Find a link to register at the village of Riverside’s website.

TWS presents ‘Story Slam’

The Theatre of Western Springs presents “Story Slam,” two separate online programs of five stories each. Ten storytellers, all from TWS, each tells a personal story that changed his or her life in some big or small way.

The first program of five stories will be released Friday, March 19. The second program takes place starting Friday March 26. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with $10 per viewer recommended. One ticket covers both shows.

The shows will be streamed on Vimeo, so an internet connection is all that is required. For more information, go to theatre’s website.

And more

Anderson Music Studio, which offers Suzuki violin lessons in Riverside, will host a free open house on March 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointments are required. Contact info@andersonmusic.studio to make a reservation.
The men’s Holy Name Society of Mater Christi Parish in North Riverside will host their first-ever Easter Basket Raffle on March 28 at 3 p.m. Twenty-five baskets containing treats and more will be raffled. There will also be a split-the-pot with cash prizes. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the church’s website. The deadline for entries is March 27 at noon.
The Lyons Township High School Peaceable Schools Initiative (PSI) Club is filling holiday baskets for needy children at the Off the Streets Club, Chicago’s oldest boys and girls club. Drop off baskets/buckets, small toys, books, art supplies, juice boxes, snacks. Pre-assembled baskets and monetary donations also accepted. Items may be dropped off at either campus main entrance by March 29.
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 DIY Décor Tuesdays on March 23 at 5:30 p.m. on Facebook Live and Game Night Wednesdays on March 24 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

There’s also Writer’s Group Online Meeting via Zoom on March 18 at 6 p.m. and Library Bingo on March 20 at 11 a.m. via Zoom.

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 18 at 11 a.m. and Food for Your Brain on March 24 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Nutritional coach Ann Terry shares ways to maintain brain health by eating common foods that help the brain’s optimal function.

Visit the library’s online calendar to register for Zoom programs.

Riverside Public Library will host Zoom events in the coming week, including a Family Game Night on March 19 at 6 p.m. and Lyric Opera Book Club on March 21 at 2 p.m. Join to discuss “Mozart’s Women” by Jane Glover.

For kids in grades K-3 there’s Book Discussion: Wordless Books on March 23 at 3 p.m. Join to dissect “Chalk” by Bill Thomson and “Bow-Wow Bugs a Bug” by Mark Newgarden.