Big Week | Sept. 1-8

Gardening with succulents

Join master gardener Lorey Ford on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. and learn how to grow succulents during the North Riverside Public Library’s virtual Master Gardener Speakers Series.

Ford will give you the basics on what you need to grow and cultivate succulents, including propagating, dividing and the best watering and light strategies. She’ll also offer a variety of garden and design ideas involving succulents.

Visit the library’s online events calendar to register and obtain access information.

‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ at Grossdale Station

Brookfield Parks and Rec wraps up its series of special outdoor movie nights at the Grossdale Station, 8820½ Brookfield Ave., on Saturday Sept. 4 with a screening of the MGM classic musical “Meet Me in St. Louis,” starring Judy Garland, Mary Astor and Margaret O’Brien and directed by Vincente Minelli.

Garland plays one of four sisters reluctant to uproot their Midwestern lives to move to New York in an Academy Award-nominated film that features such songs as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Trolley Song.”

Bring your own chairs, blankets and food. Snacks available for purchase. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. Movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Enjoy live pre-show piano music and visit the Brookfield History Museum.

Tickets are $25 for residents ($35 non-residents) and can be reserved by clicking here.

WSSRA Bocce Ball Tournament fundraiser

Registration ends soon for the West Suburban Special Recreation Association/WSSRA Foundation’s Bocce Ball Tournament fundraiser on Saturday Sept. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Elmwood Park Recreation Center’s Centennial Park Bocce Courts.

Register your team of two to four players ($200 per team) to enter the 16-team tournament. Fee includes tournament play, box lunch, drink ticket and raffle ticket. Registration deadline is Sept. 3.

Visit website to register. Call 847-455-2100 for more info.

5K run at Brookfield Zoo

Runners of all ages and abilities can register now to participate in the Brookfield Zoo Run 5K, which will be held Sunday, Sept. 12 at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St.

The event features a chip-timed 5K race and a chip-timed 1-mile race for kids ages 4-13. The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. and costs $35-$45 depending on registration date. The 1-mile race follows at 9:30 a.m. and costs $25.

Bring family and friends in for free to cheer you on and visit the animals after the races. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Zoological Society’s Animal Care and Conservation Fund.

Visit the Brookfield Zoo’s website to register and for more info.

And more

• The Riverside Farmers Market continues every Wednesday from 2:30 to 7 p.m. at Centennial Park, 10 Pine Ave., in downtown Riverside. Social distancing encouraged. Face coverings are required for those who are not vaccinated and no pets are allowed.
• The Brookfield Farmers Market continues every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. for locally sourced fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods and artisan ware. Live music and a picnic area. Social distancing is encouraged and face coverings are required for non-vaccinated guests.
• North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites teens to Stickers, Iron-Ons, Oh My! in the Teen Spot on Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m.; adults can drop in on Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. for the Classic Games Club; while kids ages 4-up can choose either in-person or Zoom attendance for Story Safari on Sept. 8 at 10:30 a.m. and Builders Club 2.0 on Sept. 8 at 4 p.m.

Visit the North Riverside library’s online events calendar for more info.

• Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., 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/seniors, there’s Chair Yoga via Zoom on Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. and Computer Class: Intro to Email in person on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. Learn how to set up a Google account, type and send emails and attach files.

Call 708-485-6917, ext. 140 or visit the Brookfield library’s online events calendar to register for programs.

• Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites teens to watch a different movie or show each week in the Teen Room during Friday Flix at 3:30 p.m. Check social media for titles. Families are invited to First Saturday Storytime in the Programming Room on Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. and seniors can learn how to find and fund housing during the virtual event Senior Housing 101 with Rick Graffagna on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. URL will be sent after registration.

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

• Riverside Chess Club, open to anyone age 5 through adult, meets in person each Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Guthrie Park, Riverside and Bloomingbank roads in downtown Riverside. Players of all levels welcome. Children under 7 require caregiver over 13. Email sean@riversidechessclub.org for more info.
• The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo the second Sunday of every month. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts. Next bingo night is Sept. 12.