Kiddieland Remembered
From 80 years, Kiddieland in Melrose Park was one of Chicago’s favorite amusement parks. Relive the past with Cheryl Brown as she revisits the park with vintage photos and videos from a busy summer day during “Kiddieland Remembered 1929-2009,” a Zoom program from North Riverside Public Library on Thursday, May 6 at 7 p.m.
Learn why the park had to close, the final auction of the rides and where the rides are today.
Register to attend and obtain the Zoom link by visiting the library’s online events calendar.
Author visit by Alex Kotlowitz
Riverside Public Library will host a fireside chat, via Zoom, with author Alex Kotlowitz, moderated by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich, on Thursday, May 6 at 7 p.m.
A journalist, author and filmmaker, Kotlowitz has written “An American Summer: Love and Death in Chicago,” the award winning national bestseller “There Are No Children Here” and also has won an Emmy for the 2011 documentary “The Interrupters.”
Kotlowitz and Schmich will have a 45-minute wide ranging discussion followed by a roughly 15-minute question-and-answer session.
Registration is required by visiting the library’s online events calendar.
CZS virtual lecture on vet techs
The Chicago Zoological Society presents a virtual lecture “The Role of Veterinary technicians in Animal Health and Conservation” via Zoom on Wednesday, May 12 at 7 p.m.
Kate Sladek, a CZS veterinary technician, will share a behind-the-scenes look into the Brookfield Zoo Animal Hospital’s operations and the support she and other “vet techs” provide.
The lecture is free, though a $10 donation is appreciated. Online reservations are required and can be made by clicking here.
Bring native plants into your landscape
Dave Andrusyk, environmental interpreter with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, will help you dig into native plants that will make your landscape a pollinator paradise during “Native Plants and Pollinators for Our Local Landscape” a Zoom presentation from the Brookfield Public Library on Monday, May 10 at 6 p.m.
Call 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or visit the library’s online events calendar to register.
Umbrella art project at North Riverside Mall
North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, is looking for budding artists to decorate white paper parasols for their Umbrella Art Contest, which runs through the month of May.
Open to all ages. Just pick up an umbrella at the mall’s Customer Service Center (M-Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sun 11 a.m.-6 pm.), decorate it at home and return it by May 31. Umbrellas will be displayed throughout the month and shoppers will determine winners of gift cards ranging from $25 to $300 during voting in June.
Riverside recycling, shredding, hazard disposal event
The village of Riverside and Flood Brothers will host a household hazards disposal, recycling and shredding event on Saturday, May 8 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Riverside Public Works facility, 3860 Columbus Blvd. in Riverside Lawn.
Proof of Riverside residency is required and there will be a limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds per household. There’s also a limit of 10 fluorescent bulbs and no business waste will be accepted. Do not mix waste streams.
Visit the Riverside website for more information on items being accepted.
And more
- 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 Book Club Telephone Talk on May 11 at 6:45 p.m. via conference call (1-800-747-5150, code 1453322) to discuss “The Baker’s Secret” by Stephen Kiernan.
Register at the North Riverside 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 May 6 at 11 a.m. and the Zoom presentation Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body by the Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association on May 11 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, presents a Medicare Seminar on May 5 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom with Courtney Erb and Bill Scanlon and “The Grotesque 10,” a Zoom presentation on May 12 at 7 p.m. Presenter Mathew Duman traveled to 10 universities around the country, photographing grotesques and gargoyles on academic buildings, manifestations of the Collegiate Gothic style.
For more info visit the library’s online events calendar
