Reptile Roadshows
A pair of local libraries will bring reptile roadshows to town this week, providing an opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with a variety of reptiles.
The Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., will host Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles on June 17 from 11 a.m. to noon on the outdoor plaza.
North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents Ali’s Reptile Den on June 20 from 4 to 5 p.m. Don’t miss the 10-foot albino Burmese python “Starburst.”
The shows are designed to be both educational and entertaining.
Register online to attend the North Riverside program by calling 708-447-0869, or by visiting the Youth Services desk.
Outdoor concerts are back
Brookfield and Riverside kick off their free Summer Concert Series this week with performances on June 16 at 7 p.m.
Head to the bandshell in Kiwanis Park, Arden and Brookfield avenues in Brookfield, to catch the blues-tinged rock of Crawfords Daughter. Bring your coolers, blankets and chairs.
Or, you might want to head over to Big Ball Park, at the intersection of Longcommon and Delaplaine Roads in Riverside, and enjoy food, refreshments and the company of friends while listening to 1980s sounds of The Jolly Ringwalds.
Movie under the stars
Families are invited to bring their coolers, have a picnic and enjoy an evening under the stars during the Brookfield Parks & Recreation Department’s first Outdoor Movie Night on June 17 at Ehlert Park, Elm and Congress Park avenues in Brookfield.
Activities start at 7 p.m., with the 2017 feature film “The Greatest Showman” starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Michelle Williams starting at dusk.
Fishing Derby for Kids
Riverside Park & Rec invites kids ages 5-12 to register for its Fishing Derby on June 17 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Swan Pond Park, down the hill from Burling Road in Riverside.
Participants must register in advance to participate at the rec office at 43 E. Quincy St. or online where you can also get all the details. Space is limited.
Declutter this spring
Join Brookfield Aging Well for the special home care and spring decluttering program “Learn How to Make Your Home More Organized, Cleaner and Greener” on June 23 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the lower-level meeting room of the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave.
Come share your success stories, suggestions and disappointments. The program is free, but you must register at least three days before the event. Call 708-485-1527.
RBHS tennis tourney fundraiser
The Riverside-Brookfield High School tennis team will host its annual tournament fundraiser, open to all members of the community, this summer with singles, mixed doubles and doubles tournaments, based on number of participants.
The cost to participate is $35 for singles and $30 for each doubles player (students 8-18 receive a discount) and all proceeds benefit the RBHS tennis program. The tourneys will be double elimination, guaranteeing everyone at least two matches. Prizes awarded to the top three places.
Doubles weekend is June 23-25, while singles weekend will be July 28-30 at the high school, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside.
Register online participate. Email coach Sam Weiss at weisss@rbhs208.net with questions.
And more
- Loca Mocha, 8858 Burlington Ave. in Brookfield (inside the Metra station), welcomes back troubadour Mark Dvorak to the Maria’s Morning Coffee House Series on June 20 at 10 a.m. Free. Donations accepted, CDs and books available for purchase.
- The Riverside Farmers Market operates each Wednesday through Oct. 4 from 2:30 to 7 p.m. in Centennial Park, at Forest Avenue and Longcommon Road. The Brookfield Farmers Market returns every Saturday through Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave.
- Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., hosts “Introspective Dream Assembly,” paintings and mixed-media art by Ryan Burns and Ari Norris, and “Reflection of a Community as It Is,” large-scale drawings by Jesse Howard, through June 24. Gallery hours are Thurs.-Sat. 1-5 p.m.
There’s also “Everything Fades,” featuring the paintings of Natalie Shugailo at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road in Riverside through June 30. The township hall is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit riversideartscenter.com for more.
- North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents Pokemon Super Fans Club (8-under w/adult) on June 16 at 4:30 p.m., a Videogame Tournament (grades 6-12) on June 17 at 1:30 p.m., Big and Little Storytime (children w/adult) on June 19 at 10:30 a.m., Chicago’s Sweet Bakeries Remembered on June 19 at 6:30 p.m., Safari ABCs (child w/adult, every other week in Spanish) on June 21 at 10:30 a.m. and Tai Chi presented by Age Options on June 21 at 2:30 p.m. Register for programs online.
- Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., presents Fairytale Storytime (all ages w/caregiver) on June 15 at 10:30 a.m., Craft Craze: Sun Butter Bird Feeders (grades 1-5) on June 15 at 4 p.m., Live on the Plaza: Music with Katie Kostner on June 17 at 3 p.m.; Chair Yoga (virtual) on June 19 at 11 a.m., Cards & Coffee on June 20 at 10:30 a.m. and Storytime Stars (ages 2-3 w/caregiver) on June 20 at 10:30 a.m. Call 708-485-6917 or visit online to register for programs.
- Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Mindful Chair Yoga on June 15 at 11 a.m., Boost Your Brain and Memory on June 15 at 6 p.m., Friday Outdoor Storytime on June 16 at 10 a.m., Family Play Time on June 17 at 10 a.m., Little Hands Activity Time on June 20 at 10 a.m. and a Virtual Author Talk with Robin Wall Kimmerer on June 21 at 7 p.m. To register for programs, visit online.
- 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.
