Final week for RAC shows
Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., invites visitors to the final days of three exhibits in the Freeark, FlexSpace and Sculpture Garden galleries.
“Messengers” featuring the art of Liz Chilsen and “Obstacles and Intimacies” by Stephanie Brooks are part of the RAC Spotlight Exhibition series, which highlight artists who are part of the RAC community. The shows continue through Jan. 8.
An artist talk with Liz Chilsen will take place Jan. 8 at 2 p.m., followed from 3 to 6 p.m. by a closing reception.
There’s also “Vessels,” which continues through Dec. 31 and features the art of Tulika Ladsariya, Melissa Zeigler Monroe and Shawn Vincent. All are ceramic artists exploring multiple meanings of the vessel form.
Special holiday gallery hours are Dec. 29 and Dec. 30 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Dec. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Visit riversideartscenter.com for more.
Brookfield Zoo wraps up Holiday Magic
Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., will host its final days of the 40th Annual Holiday Magic festival of lights on Dec. 29-31 from 3 to 9 p.m. each day.
Walk through the 600-foot tunnel of lights, pose for photos in the illuminated gingerbread house or luminous 20-foot orb. The West Mall is a Sea of Lights measuring 1-mile long. A 41-foot-tall tree “dancing” to choreographed music is just inside the North Gate.
All visitors must purchase reserved-time admission (available in 20-minute increments) and parking tickets prior to arrival. Visit CZS.org/OnlineTicketing to buy tickets. Visit CZS.org/Events for more information.
Make your own custom tote bag
The Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., invites you to come on up to the Maker Studio in Adult and Teen Services and create your own custom tote bag on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m.
All materials will be provided. Register to attend by calling 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or visiting Brookfield library’s online event calendar.
Research your family tree
North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., will offer Ancestry Library Edition for in-house use only after Dec. 31.
Make an appointment to visit the Ancestry Help Desk on Fridays between 2 and 6 p.m. and learn how to use the genealogical resource, find out more about your family history and print/email your findings for free.
Call the library at 708-447-0869 and ask for the reference desk. Someone will get back to you within 48 hours.
And more
- North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites you to swing by Jan. 1-8 for a Take & Make Mini-Canvas with Easel. Supplies and instructions included. Registration encouraged. There’s also Crafterdarks: Pine Cone Trees in-person on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.; Pajama Storytime via Zoom on Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m. and Stretching and Meditation via conference call (800-747-5150, code 1453322) on Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Kids ages 4-up can choose either in-person or Zoom attendance for ABCs & 123s on Jan. 3 at 10:30 a.m.; Story Safari on Jan. 5 at 3:30 p.m.; and Silly Science, Crazy Construction & Stuff (in-person only) on Jan. 5 at 4 p.m.
Register for programs at the North Riverside library’s online event calendar.
- Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., invites you to Chair Yoga via Zoom on Dec. 30 at 11 a.m.; the Friends of the Library Writers’ Workshop (new members welcome) in Meeting Room 2 on Jan. 3 at 7 p.m.; a meeting of the Brookfield-Riverside Kiwanis Club in Meeting Room 2 on Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m.; Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club which will discuss “Leviathan” by Scott Westerfeld. Copies available for pickup or digitally in Meeting Room 2 on Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. Visit the Brookfield library’s online event calendar to register for programs.
- Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites kids to After School DIY on Jan. 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. Just drop by and see what this week’s project is.
Visit the Riverside library’s online event 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 Room 30 of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road. Players of all levels welcome. Children under 7 require caregiver over 13. Email sean@riversidechessclub.org for more info.
- Through March 25, 2022 the Lyons Township High School South Campus Fieldhouse indoor track, 4900 S. Willow Springs Road in Western Springs, will be open to the public from 6 to 7 a.m. on days LTHS is in session. There is no admission charge or fee to use the track. Please bring an ID and be prepared to sign in.
- 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.
