Visit Pristine Patagonia
Brookfield Public Library invites you to join world traveler Brian Michalski as he takes you on a spellbinding five-week journey through the South American wilderness during “Pristine Patagonia,” a Zoom presentation on Thursday, April 29 at 7 p.m.
Call 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or visit the library’s online events calendar to register for Zoom programs.
Brookfield marks Arbor Day
Join the village of Brookfield and Village Arborist Victor Janusz as they host an Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 30 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., marking the village’s 40th year of earning the designation Tree City U.S.A.
The celebration will include a public tree planting near the Brookfield Fire Station at 9001 Shields Ave., just east of the Sunnyside Avenue parking lot by the north soccer goal between Sunnyside and Vernon.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has provided 30 oak tree saplings in one-gallon containers that will be handed out for anyone interested.
Home rain garden tips
The Frederick Law Olmsted Society and Riverside Public Library invite you to attend a virtual discussion panel on Home Rain Gardens on Thursday, April 29 at 7 p.m.
The discussion, which will take place via Zoom, will cover design, construction, plant selection and maintenance of rain gardens, which can act as a sponge, drain and filter for excess rainwater, which can harm your trees and plants and overwhelm sewer systems.
You can register to attend the meeting by visiting the Riverside Public Library website.
WSSRA hosts Virtual Derby Gala
West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) will host its Virtual Derby Gala on Saturday, May 1.
The gala includes a silent auction, raffle and paddle raise. The silent auction begins on April 28 at 5 p.m. and closes May 1 at 6:30 p.m. There will be a short video presentation from the Derby Steering Committee and WSSRA participants.
To become a sponsor, purchase raffle tickets and bid on auction items, visit bidpal.net/wssraderby2021.
For more info call 847-455-2100 or visit website.
Cinco de Mayo concert at North Riverside Mall
North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, invites the community to a Cinco de Mayo Concert on Saturday, May 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the mall’s center court, across from Finish Line.
Live music will be performed by the band Caliente with a dance performance by the Folkloric Dancers. The event is free to attend.
Zoo hosts ‘Virtu-Whirl’
The Chicago Zoological Society will host its 40th ‘Whirl’ fundraiser virtually on Saturday, May 1 at 7 p.m., so put away the formal gown and tux and enjoy it from the comfort of your own home.
The event will feature special programming highlighting the 100th anniversary of the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, and there will be a silent auction featuring an array of great items. Online bidding has already begun and closes at 9 p.m. on May 1. A live auction of select items starts at 7 p.m.
To register to attend the fundraiser visit website.
And more
- Aging Care Connections kicks off Older Americans Month with a free virtual celebratory kickoff via Zoom on May 3 from 1 to 2 p.m. You’ll have a chance to win prizes and hear speaker Robyn Golden, associate VP of social work and community health chair of the department of Social Work at Rush University Medical Center. A link to the event will be posted at agingcareconnections.org.
- The League of Women Voters of the LaGrange Area will host its annual Legislative Luncheon with guest Chris Welch, speaker of the Illinois House, on May 1 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. via Zoom. The public is encouraged to submit questions by emailing league@lagrangearealwv.org. Registration required, click here.
- The Frederick Law Olmsted Society and village of Riverside will its next Landscape Workday on Saturday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to noon along Riverside Road (exact spot TBD). RSVP required at least 24 hours in advance by emailing to workdays@olmstedsociety.org or calling 708-447-0226. Wear a face covering and bring work gloves and a water bottle. All other supplies and snacks provided. Look for the public works dump truck.
- Riverside Arts Center, 34 E. Quincy St., presents the Riverside-Brookfield High School Advance Placement Art Exhibition through May 15 in the Freeark Gallery. The gallery is open by appointment by emailing to info@riversideartscenter.com. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.
- North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., offers a number of virtual programs through Facebook Live, conference calls and the teleconferencing app Zoom.
For adults, there’s Cinco de Mayo Tin Napkin Rings via Zoom on May 1 at 1:30 p.m.; and Stretching and Meditation on May 3 at 6:30 p.m. via conference call (800-747-5150, code 1453322);
Register at the library’s online events calendar for Zoom access.
For kids there’s ABCs and 123s (ages 3+) via Zoom on Mondays at 10:30 a.m.; Story Safari (ages 3+) via Zoom on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; and Lego Builders Club (ages 5+) via Zoom on Thursdays at 4 p.m.
Call 708-447-0836, ext. 230, email youthservices@northriversidelibrary.org or visit the library’s online events calendar for 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 also Chair Yoga via Zoom on April 29 at 11 a.m.
Call 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or visit the library’s online events calendar to register for Zoom programs.
- Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites kids and parents to join them for Outdoor Storytime on Friday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 4 at 10 a.m. Stories will be repeated from Friday on Tuesday, so pick which day works better for you. Storytime will be canceled in the event of bad weather. For more info visit the library’s online events calendar.
