Arts and Entertainment

Theater

“The Medium at Large” Through Nov. 16, Village Players Performing Arts Center, Mainstage Theater, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $25 adults, $20 students and seniors. For tickets, call ((866) 764-1010.

Music

Jazz/rock/regaae music Frankie, female jazz vocalist, 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30; The Crown Vics, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31; Skapone!, 9 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Nov. 1, Salt Creek Wine Bar, 8900 Fairview Ave., Brookfield. (708) 387-2432, www.saltcreekwinebar.com.

Chorus seeks new members The Choral-Aires, an award-winning Sweet Adelines Chorus, invites local women who like to sing, to attend a series of guest nights to prepare for the group’s Dec. 13 Christmas show, “Let There be Peace on Earth,” presented with the Brotherhood of Harmony Chorus. Guest nights are held from 7 to 10 p.m. each Monday, through Dec. 8, at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 Spring Road. For information, call Jane Toftey at (630) 665-8387, www.choral-aires.org.

Art

National juried ceramics exhibition Clay3, Through Nov. 22, IBEW Building, atrium, 28600 Bella Vista Parkway, Warrenville. First national ceramic show presented by ClaySpace Ceramics Arts Studio, a not-for-profit corporation. Show hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

“Opinion Pieces” exhibit Through Nov. 22, Riverside Arts Center, Freeark Gallery, 32 E.. Quincy, Riverside. Artist is Ruth Freeark, founder and president of the Riverside Arts Center. Made of images and words torn from newpapers and magazines, embellished with paint. (708) 442-6400.

“The Two Carols” exhibit Through Oct. 31, La Grange Art League Gallery, 122 Calendar Ave. Featured artists include Carol Friedle and Carole Wilson. (708) 247-6968.

Library

Introduction to online genealogy 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd. A hands-on introduction to the library’s genealogy databases. Register at (708) 485-6917, Ext. 140.

Lapsit story time 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, through Oct. 30, North Riverside Public Library, 2400 S. DesPlaines Ave. Age 12 to 36 months with adult. Register at (708) 447-0869.

Home entertaining program 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St., Western Springs. Make your choice of invitations or name cards for place settings. Exchange ideas about themes and party stories. Refreshments will be served. $5 materials fee. Pre-registration required. Sign up at the Checkout Desk. (708) 246-0529.

Choral group concert 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, Lyons Public Library, 4209 Joliet Ave. The New Beginnings, a contemporary women’s choral group, will perform. (708) 447-3577.

Miscellaneous

Halloween swing dance and costume party 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, $13, Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. The Thomas Gunther Trio with guest vocalist Tammy  McCann will perform. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. (708) 839-1000, www.willowbrookballroom.com.

Zumba fitness classes 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Brookfield Recreation Department, 8820 Brookfield Ave. All fitness levels welcome. Includes salsa, merengue and cha cha. Drop-in fee is $10. For more information, call (708) 369-0017.

Haunted house 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, Divine Providence School, 2500 Mayfair Ave., Westchester. Children under 10 years of age should come between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Refreshments available for purchase. $5 admission. (708) 562-0184.

Board meeting Civic Center Authority Board of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, Heritage Corridor Visitor Center, 7800 W. 65th St., Bedford Park. Public invited. For more information, call (708) 458-9520.

Weekly presentations and films Riverside Historical Museum is sponsoring a free weekly series of live presentations and films at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 18, at the Riverside Library, 1 Burling Road. “Historic Storytelling” series focuses on the early history of Chicago and the Riverside area. For more information and program schedule, visit www.riversidemuseum.net.

“Reel and a movie” event Brookfield Recreation Department, 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Halloween movie will be shown in the Recreation Hall. No registration required. No admission charge for movie. An optional dinner will be available for purchase from a Brookfield restaurant. For more information, call (708) 485-1528.

Clubs

Brookfield Jazz Society  7 p.m. Thursdays, Cottage at Irish Times, 8869 Burlington Ave., Brookfield. $5 cover charge for non-members at live events. Oct. 30 is rare jazz radio transcriptions 2. Regular meetings are free.  www.brookfieldjazz.org.

La Grange Kiwanis Club Noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursdays, Township of Lyons, first floor rear, 6404 Joliet Road. (708) 352-2992.

Broadview Rotary Club 12:15 p.m. Thursdays, Sawa’s Old Warsaw Restaurant, 9200 W. Cermak Road.

Golden K Kiwanis Club 10 a.m. Fridays, King-Bruwaert House, 6101 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge. (630) 323-2250.

La Grange Rotary Club 12:15 p.m. Fridays, Café 36, 22 Calendar Ave. www.lagrangerotary.org.

BrookPark Sr. Social Club 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, Brookfield Municipal Building, Recreation Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. Call (708) 447-2214.

Support groups

Divorce support group 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, through Nov. 19, First United Methodist Church of La Grange, 100 W. Cossitt Ave. For men and women struggling with divorce. Different topic each week. $30 includes book and handouts. For more information or to register, call (708) 352-1250.

Depression and Bipolar Alliance Support group, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Conference Room 2 of MacNeal Hospital, 3249 S. Oak Park Ave. DBSA-berwyn@yahoo.com.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Countryside Chapter, 6 p.m. weigh-in, 6:30 p.m. meeting Thursdays, Countryside City Hall, 5550 East Ave. Call Donna, (708) 579-9633.

Al-Anon 10 to 11 a.m. Thursdays, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 203 S. Kensington Ave., La Grange.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly La Grange Chapter, 6:30 p.m. weigh-in, 6:40 p.m. meeting Thursdays, Grace Lutheran Church, 200 N. Catherine Ave. Call Meribeth, (708) 354-9126.

Grandparents raising grandchildren 10 to 11:30 a.m. every last Thursday, Summit Public Library, 6233 S. Archer Road. Call Mindy Jannenga Phillips, (708) 354-1323 Ext. 28.

Overeaters Anonymous 9 to 10:30 a.m. Fridays and 7 to 8 p.m. Sundays, First Congregational Church, 100 S. 6th Ave., La Grange. Call Jane, (708) 579-1785.

Al-Anon Friday Morning Serenity Seekers, 9:30 a.m. Fridays, First United Church of Burr Ridge, 15W100 Plainfield Road.

Friday morning regulars Men’s group on aging issues, 9 a.m. Fridays, Southwest Suburban Center on Aging, 111 W. Harris Ave., La Grange. (708) 354-1323 Ext. 15.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, LaGrange Park Library, 555 N. LaGrange Road.

Multiple Sclerosis support group 7 to 9 p.m. every first Monday, Forest Park Community Center, 7640 W. Jackson Blvd. Newly diagnosed and families welcome. For more information, call Linda, (708) 280-6789.

Seminars/classes

Guided meditation 7:45 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Focus Yoga, 9047 Monroe Ave., Brookfield. (708) 471-0487, www.focusyogastudio.com.

Veterans benefits lecture 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, Meadowbrook Manor, 339 S. Ninth Ave., La Grange. Attorney Bill Wilson will speak on veterans aid and attendance program benefits. Free. Reservations required at (708) 354-4660.

Tai chi class 10:05 a.m. Fridays, Bethlehem Woods, 1571 W. Ogden Ave., La Grange Park. Held by ConfiCare Act II program for adults 50 and older. Free for members. (708) 245-8170.

Oak tree program 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, Prairie House, 11225 Constitution Drive, Westchester. Edith Makra from the Morton Arboretum will speak on oak trees and their status in today’s natural and urban landscape. $5 adults, $3 seniors. Children are free. For more information, cal (708)0 354-5512.

Small group fitness training Nine-week program, 3:30, 4:30 or 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, Professional Office Building, 1323 Memorial Drive. Open enrollment. $250. Contact Wayne Guccione, (708) 245-7930.

Health program Southwest Suburban Center on Aging, La Grange, “Take Charge of Your Health” program for people managing chronic illnesses, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Nov. 10 to Dec. 15, Center on Aging, 111 W. Harris Ave., La Grange. Topics covered include coping with fatigue, frustration, pain and isolation; exercising, flexibility and endurance; using medications; practicing good nutrition; and evaluating new treatment options. Free. Registration required at (708) 354-1323.

“Ink to Print” program ConfiCare Act II’s creative writing program, 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Nov. 3 and 6, Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, Dixon Education Center, 5101 S. Willow Springs Road, La Grange. New members welcome. $35 for a six-week session. Reservations requested at (630) 856-7525.

Health seminar 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, Cafe 36, 22 Calendar Ave., La Grange. Free dinner and presentation on “Build Health and Maximize Your Life.” Topics include nutrition, ideal weight, energy, stress and longevity. Presented by Dr. Gordon Fimreite. Reservations required at (708) 352-3352.

Fitness Fun Aerobics exercise group, 8 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8:30 a.m. Saturdays, Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, Dixon Education Center, 5101 S. Willow Springs Road, La Grange. Held by ConfiCare Act II program for adults 50 and older. $5 per session, $4 member discount. (708) 245-8170.

“Feast and Flicks” program 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5. Held by ConfiCare Act II program for adults 50 and older. Meet for dinner in Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital cafeteria, 5101 S. Willow Springs Road. Followed by showing of a free movie, “The Visitor.” Reservations requested at (630) 856-7525.

Abusive relationship support Groups for women and children, Constance Morris House, 6120 S. Archer Road, Summit. (708) 485-5254.
 
Cake decorating school Wilton School of Cake Decorating, 7511 Lemont Road, Darien, offers 50 courses throughout the year. Fees range from $75 to $950. (630) 985-6077, www.school.wilton.com.

Fundraisers

Book sale donations Congress Park School is accepting donations of gently used books, VHS, DVD and computer games for their used book sale. Drop-off is 3:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30. Donations can be dropped off at the school, 9311 Shields Ave, Door 11, Brookfield. Donors will receive a free book coupon with each bag or box of donations. (708) 482-2430.

“You Ought to be in Pictures” fundraiser CatNap from the Heart, 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, Park Place of Countryside, 6240 Joliet Road. Dinner, silent auction, paddle auction, raffles and pet photo contest final voting. $80. Purchase tickets at the shelter, 1101 Beach St., La Grange Park. For more information, call Gaile at (312) 609-2803.

“Wine in the Wild” fundraiser Chicago Zoological Society’s Women’s Board, 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, Brookfield Zoo, Discovery Center, 3300 Golf Road. Sample over 80 international wines. Appetizers will be served. $100 includes wine tasting, zoo admission, parking and commemorative wine glass. To register, call (708) 688-8670.

Dinner show fundraiser “Blast from the Past,” 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, Lexington House, 7717 W. 95th St., Hickory Hills. Sponsored by the St. Laurence High School Mother’s Club. Dinner, show and cocktails. $40. Reservations by Nov. 5. For more information and reservations, call (708) 458-6900, Ext. 411.

Las Vegas Night fundraiser Willow Springs Lions Club, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, Royality West, 8675 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Casino games and cash prizes. Club members will be going house to house giving people an opportunity to make a donation of $5 to attend the event and/or buy raffle tickets. Can pick up tickets at the door. For more information and tickets, call Mike at (708) 839-5178.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society donations Burlington Coat Factory, 2208 Harlem Ave., North Riverside, is encouraging shoppers to purchase a balloon icon now through Nov. 28 to support the society and its nationwide “Light the Night Walk” initiative. The balloon icons are a minimum of $1, but customers can donate more. For more information, call Kenneth Wolff at (708) 447-4855.

Entertainment coupon books Humanitarian Service Project’s Senior Citizen Project selling 2009 Entertainment coupon books for $20 each. Includes coupons for dining, travel, movies, groceries, entertainment, car rental and dry cleaning. Books can be picked up in La Grange or mail ordered. For more information or to order books, call Laura at (708) 354-4209.

Entertainment Discount Savings Books The Athletic Booster Club at SEASPAR is selling 2009 Entertainment Books to support its programs. $20 per book. Three Chicagoland editions available. Orders can be taken for other cities in other states. $5 per book purchased is tax-deductible. Call (630) 960-7600 to order or purchase books at SEASPAR office, 4500 Belmont Road, Downers Grove.

Interest groups

Crafters/artists wanted Stagg High School, Palos Hills, Music Boosters art and craft show on Nov. 15 and 16. Cost is $95 per 80-square-feet booth space for both days. For more information or application, call (708) 974-7520 or (708) 361-8298.

Volunteers needed CatNap from the Heart, a non-profit animal shelter, is seeking volunteers to help with animal care and cage cleaning at the shelter, one to three hours any day of the week from 9 a.m. to noon. For an interview, call Bobbi, (708) 352-3914.

Morton East High School 25th reunion Class of 1983. Reunion previously scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, has been postponed until spring 2009. Current mail and e-mail addresses should still be sent to mehs1983@hotmail.com, or visit http://geocities.com/mehs1983reunion/.

Harrison Technical High School 50th reunion Class of 1958, Saturday, Nov. 8, Crystal Sky Banquets, 7941 W. 47th St., McCook. Call Steve Satek, (708) 246-1130, or Diane Thomas, (708) 749-7566.

Morton East High School 33rd reunion Class of 1975, 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, Michael Anthony’s Restaurant, 6434 W. Ogden Ave., Berwyn. No cover. Cash food and bar. If interested, call Jeannie Mizerka Mikota at (708) 601-2248, jmikota@aol.com.

Bowen High School 40th reunion Class of 1969, 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans St., Chicago. $110 per person, $195 per couple may be purchased by sending a check to Phyllis Volk, 250 E. Pearson St., Unit 906, Chicago, IL 60611, payable to Phyllis Volk and indicate Bowen Reunion in the memo section. For more information and “lost classmates” addresses, visit www.freewebs.com/bowen1969reunion, or call Brett Weiss at (630) 248-5405.

Lincoln Elementary School 63rd reunion Class of 1945. Plans being made. Looking for “lost classmates.” Call Lorraine Scott, (708) 352-7943.

St. Eulalia Elementary School reunion Class of 1971. Plans being made. If interested in attending, call Noreen Collins Kuenster, (708) 442-2628.

Morton West High School 20th reunion Class of 1989. Plans being made. Looking for “lost classmates.” For more information or to register for the reunion, contact mortonwest89@gmail.com.

Special events
 
Open house and flu shot clinic 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, La Grange Pointe, 51 E. Cossitt Ave. Open house for new senior living center and flu shot clinic by the Dominick’s pharmacy. Shots are free for qualified Medicare Part B participants and $20 for all others. Reservations required by calling (708) 354-7600.

Christmas in the Village Holiday Market Western Springs Historical Society and Vintage Cottage, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, Village Club of Western Springs, 4221 Lawn Ave. Includes antiques, holiday items, gifts and artist goods. Wine tasting and tea room. Tickets for the High Tea can be purchased in advance at Vintage Cottage, 917 Burlington Ave. or Village Gourmet, 23 S. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills. Admission is $5 per person. Tickets sold at the door or purchased in advance. For more information, call (708) 246-2034.

Model railroad club open house The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers will hold an open house from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Dole Learning Center, lower level, 255 Augusta Blvd., Oak Park. View multi-level HO model railroad. Operate train engines. For more information, call (708) 848-5716.

Junior Broadcaster contest Midwest Dairy Association, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, Jewel-Osco, 9350 W. 159th St., Orland Park.  Hosted by former Chicago Bears tackle, James “Big Cat” Williams. Open auditions for local children in grades 3 to 8. No pre-registration required. Scripts to interview Williams will be provided. Weekly winners will receive four tickets to a Bears game and all winners will be awarded the opportunity to conduct up to a 60-second interview with Chicago Bears players and coaches at Halas Hall, to air on both “The Bears Insider” on WBBM Newsradio 780 and the “Bears Blitz” on Comcast Sportsnet TV. For contest rules and information, visit www.juniorbroadcaster.com.

Religion

Haunted house Through Oct. 31, St. Louise de Marillac Church, 1112 Raymond Ave., La Grange Park. Hours are Mondays to Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30 to 10 p.m.; and Sundays, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Open on Halloween from 6 to 10 p.m. First hour each night is “lights on” for little children. Admission is $7 adults, $3 children age 6 to 11, $1 age 5 and under. Proceeds benefit the Youth Ministry program. For more information, call (708) 352-7388.

Moms prayer group Lyons Township High School group, 9 a.m. Fridays, at 11323 Hiawatha Lane, Indian Head Park. Call Suzanne, (708) 246-5774.

Bible survey class 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. Sundays, Grace Lutheran Church, 200 N. Catherine Ave., La Grange. The Rev. Said Ailabouni leads the discussion of the Bible, along with sharing stories from his personal experiences in Galilee and the Middle East. There is a charge for supplemental materials. Fourth-quarter classes run through Nov. 12. For more information, call (708) 352-0730.

Choir practice Cherub Choir, ages 4 and 5, 11:30 a.m. Sundays; Crusader Choir, grades one to five, 4 p.m. Wednesdays; Sanctuary Choir, adults, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 150 S. Ashland Ave. New members welcome. (708) 354-0771, www.fpclg.org.

Handbell choir practice  Handbells I, adults, 9 a.m. Wednesdays; Handbells II, adults, middle school and high school students, 6:45 p.m. Thursdays, First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 150 S. Ashland Ave. New members welcome. (708) 354-0771, www.fpclg.org.

Crafters wanted St. Pius X Church Council of Catholic Women seeking crafters for Holiday Craft Bazaar Nov. 9, at the church, 4300 Oak Park Ave., Stickney. For more information or application, call Jeanine at (708) 484-2401.