arts and entertainment
music
Jazz music Jazz Central, 8 to 11 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23, Salt Creek Wine Bar, 8900 Fairview Ave., Brookfield. (708) 387-2432, www.saltcreekwinebar.com.

Chorus seeks new members The Village Vocal Chords, an award-winning harmony chorus, seeks new members and invites local women who like to sing, to attend chorus practices at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at St. John’s Lutheran Church, lower level, 505 S. Park Road, La Grange. For information, call Michael Bogert at (708) 275-8329.

theater
Radio Players shows 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Riverside Township Hall Auditorium, 27 Riverside Road. Riverside Township Players will present Sherlock Holmes in “The Tolling Bell” and “Returning Christmas Presents” from the Baby Snooks’ show. Admission is free. For more information, call (708) 447-5117.

“The Enchanted April” Jan. 22 to Feb. 1, Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave. Performance times are 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, and Saturday, Jan. 31; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25. Tickets are $18 and $20, and are available by calling (708) 246-3380, www.theatreofwesternsprings.com.

“Cupid and Psyche” Weekends, through Jan. 31, Morton College, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 Central Ave., Cicero. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. This is the Chicago premiere production of the off-Broadway musical. Stars Laura Kirin of Westchester and directed by Eddie Sugarman of Western Springs. Tickets range from $8 to $15 and are available by calling (708) 656-1800, www.jpactheatre.com.

“Far From Freud” Village Players, weekends, through Jan. 25, Village Players Performing Arts Center, Playground Theater, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling (866) 764-1010, www.village-players.org.


LIBRARY
Winter reading program Brookfield Public Library’s winter reading program, “Book a New Adventure at Your Library,” runs through Feb. 23 at the library, 3609 Grand Blvd. Goal is to read three books. Prizes are given for beginning and completing the program. Register at (708) 485-6917.

Preschool storytime 11:45 a.m. Tuesdays, through Jan. 27, North Riverside Public Library, 2400 S. DesPlaines Ave. Children ages 3 to 5. For more information or registration, call (708) 447-0869.

After school storytime 3:30 p.m. alternating Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 21 and 26, North Riverside Public Library, 2400 S. DesPlaines Ave. Grades kindergarten and up. For more information or registration, call (708) 447-0869.

Lapsit storytime 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, through Jan. 29, North Riverside Public Library, 2400 S. DesPlaines Ave. Children ages 12 to 36 months and adult. For more information or registration, call (708) 447-0869.

Late Night at the Library 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd. Ages 12 to 18. Games and snacks. Register at (708) 485-6917, Ext. 140.

“The Reading Game” 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd. Book and movie discussion group for ages 9 to 12. Register at (708) 485-6917.

“Winnie-the-Pooh” performance 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, North Riverside Public Library, 2400 S. DesPlaines Ave.  For children and their parents. Performed by the Children’s Theatre of Western Springs. Register at (708) 447-0869.

Investing program 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd. David Hilpp will speak on “Everything You Wanted to Know About Investing But Never Asked.” Register at (708) 485-6917.

“Raising a Money Smart Child” program 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd. Mike McNeily will speak on children and money. Register at (708) 485-6917.

Group meeting 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd. First meeting of Brookfield’s new Voluntary Simplicity Group. For more information, call (708) 485-6917.

Chicago Wolves Hockey team reading program Children and teens reading program through April at North Riverside Public Library, 2400 S. DesPlaines Ave. Chances to win Chicago Wolves prizes. Record books read on reading chart to enter monthly drawings. For more information, call the Youth Services desk at (708) 447-0869.

Miscellaneous
Line dancing classes 7 p.m., beginning Monday, Feb. 2, Willow Springs Community Center, 8156 S. Archer Ave. For more information or to register, call Village Hall at (708) 467-3700.

“Start Smart Sports” program Pleasant Dale Park District, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Mondays, beginning Jan. 26, Recreation Center, 7425 S. Wolf Road, Burr Ridge. Ages 3 to 5. Learn basic skills of throwing, catching, kicking and batting. $39 residents, $45 non-residents. For more information or to register, call (630) 662-6220.

“Start Smart Football” program Pleasant Dale Park District, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, beginning Jan. 26, Recreation Center, 7425 S. Wolf Road, Burr Ridge. Ages 5 to 7. Learn basic skills necessary to play organized flag football. $55 residents, $65 non-residents. For more information or to register, call (630) 662-6220.

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.

Tumbling classes Pleasant Dale Park District is offering four different levels of tumbling for children ages 18 months to 12 years on Tuesdays, starting Jan. 27 at the Recreation Center, 7425 S. Wolf Road, Burr Ridge. Classes will include gymnastic skills and floor exercise moves. Cost varies between $29 and $45 for residents and $39 to $55 for non-residents. For more information on class times or to register, call (630) 662-6220.

“Soup Sampler” North Riverside Recreation Dept., 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Recreation Center, 2401 S. DesPlaines Ave. A variety of soups, breads and desserts will be served. $5 residents, $6 non-residents. To register, call (708) 442-5515.

“Start Smart Baseball” program Pleasant Dale Park District, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Jan. 29, Recreation Center, 7425 S. Wolf Road, Burr Ridge. Ages 3 to 5. Learn basic skills necessary to play organized baseball. $39 residents, $45 non-residents. For more information or to register, call (630) 662-6220.

Bus tour Suburban Travelers are scheduling a 7-day, 6-night bus tour to Savannah, Ga., Jekyll Island and Beaufort, S.C., from May 3 to 9. Bus departs from La Grange Park. For more information, call Janine at (708) 243-4887.

Infant and child wellness checks Fimreite Chiropractic, 4727 Willow Springs Road, La Grange, offers free infant and child wellness checks. For an appointment, call (708) 352-3352, www.DrFimreite.com.

Preschool registration La Grange Elementary School District 102 preschool programs for children ages 3 to 5 has open enrollment for the 2008-09 school year. Services are provided at no cost to families and children with special needs. For more information, call (708) 482-2430, Ext. 3047.

Clubs
Salt Creek Camera Club 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, Countryside City Hall, 5550 East Ave. Program is “General Print Critique.” Visitors welcome. Call Ron, (708) 562-1164.

Willow Springs Lions Club 6 p.m. every first and third Wednesday, Willow Crossing Tavern, 8524 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Call Mike Smigielski, (708) 839-5178, or Al Baines, (708) 839-0029.

Brookfield Jazz Society 7 p.m. Thursdays, Cottage at Irish Times, 8869 Burlington Ave., Brookfield. $5 cover charge for non-members at live events. Regular meetings are free.  Jan. 22 is “Free and Easy Night.” Bring a jazz CD or vinyl album and play a track or two for the other members. 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.

The Leisuretime Club Senior men’s bridge club, noon, Thursdays, Lyonsville Congregational Church, 6871 Joliet Road, Indian Head Park. All men of any bridge playing experience welcome. Club hosts three 8-week bridge tournaments a year. For more information, call Vern Kramer, (708) 246-8888, or Bob Terp, (708) 784-0921.

Sewing and Service Circle Women’s Club of First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 9:30 a.m. every fourth Thursday, Westminster Hall, 150 S. Ashland Ave., La Grange. (708) 354-0771.

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.

West Suburban Lapidary Club 8 p.m. every fourth Friday, The Abbey, 407 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. (708) 442-5452.

Support groups
Multiple sclerosis group La Grange/LaGrange Park area group, 7 p.m. every third Wednesday, LaGrange Park Library, 555 N. La Grange Road. Call Vivian, (708) 482-0477.

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.

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.

Seminars/classes
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.

Illinois Constitution lecture League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, La Grange Public Library, 10 W. Cossitt Ave. Speaker is Jim Broadway, who chaired the Illinois Democracy Project, a multi-year effort to amend the Illinois Constitution by adding provisions giving citizens greater opportunities to be engaged in the state policy process. Free. E-mail questions to lagrangearealwv@hotmail.com.

Banking seminar 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Southwest Suburban Center on Aging, 111 W. Harris Ave., La Grange. Topic is “Banking and Your Money/Investment Strategies,” presented by The Community Bank of Western Springs. To register, call (708) 354-1323.

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.

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

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District lecture West Suburban Senior Services group, 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, O.A.R.S. Center, 712 E. Elm St., La Grange Park. Commissioner Debra Shore will speak. (708) 547-5600.

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.

Morning meditation 8 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Focus Yoga, 9047 Monroe Ave., Brookfield. $14 or one class card punch. Register at (708) 471-0487, www.focusyogastudio.com.

Female hormone seminar 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, SoderWorld Healing Arts Center, 16W501 Nielson lane, Hinsdale. Dr. Margarite Melikian will speak on “Natural Solutions to Female Hormone Problems.” Free. Registration required at (630) 455-5885.

Massage basics class 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Garden of Yoga, 140 N. La Grange Road, Suite 17. Learn the ancient healing technique of Erawan, Thai Elephant Walking massage. Taught by Kathleen Wright. No prior training necessary. $100 full session fee. Practice session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25. To be a massage “receiver” on Sunday, the fee is $25. For more information and registration, call (708) 989-1329, www.gardenofyoga.net.

“The Low Back Link” 10:30 a.m. to noon, Sunday, Jan. 25, Focus Yoga, 9047 Monroe Ave., Brookfield. $15. Register at (708) 471-0487, www.focusyogastudio.com.


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
Clothing drive Fimreite Chiropractic, 4727 Willow Springs Road, La Grange, hosting a clothing drive through Jan. 23. Free exam, X-rays and consultation provided for donation of clothing items. Donation times are 8 to 10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and 3:30 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. For more information, call (708) 352-3352, www.DrFimreite.com.

Pillars Ball fundraiser 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, The Westin, 70 Yorktown Center, Lombard. Theme is “Vintage Vegas.” Casino-style gaming and cocktails, followed by dinner, entertainment, raffles and live auction. For more information and tickets, call Amy at (708) 698-5500, Ext. 205, or visit www.pillarscommunity.org.

Pancake breakfast fundraiser 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Divine Providence School, 2500 Mayfair Ave., Westchester. Hosted by the Athletic Association. $6 adults, $4 children. For more information, call Jeff at (708) 531-1001.

“Don Pasquale” fundraiser Hinsdale, Riverside and Northwest DuPage chapters of Lyric Opera of Chicago, 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Wyndham Drake Oak Brook Hotel, 2301 York Road. Cash bar and silent auction, followed by dinner and performance of the opera. $75. Call Deanne at (708) 447-8837.

Annual Kelly Mallecki Replenishment Drive LifeSource Blood Centers, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, Willow Springs Community Center, 8156 S. Archer Ave. If unable to donate on Feb. 7, can go to any LifeSource donation center and donate blood using Code 066C to credit Kelly Mallecki Drive. For appointments, call LifeSource at (847) 803-7943 or visit www.lifesource.org. Walk-ins welcome. For more information on the blood drive, visit www.caringforKelly.org.

Concert fundraiser 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, St. Louise de Marillac Parish Center, 31st St. and Harrison Ave., La Grange Park. American English, Beatles tribute band, will perform. All ages. Tickets on sale now at $30 each or $25 each for two or more tickets. For tickets, call (708) 352-2202, www.stlouisedemarillac.com.

INTEREST GROUPS
Stroke and osteoporosis screenings Life Line Screenings will offer $149 complete screening packages on Thursday, Jan. 22, at Pleasant Dale Park District Chalet, 8300 S. Wolf Road, Willow Springs. Appointments begin at 9 a.m. Pre-registration required. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (800) 697-9721 or visit www.lifelinescreening. com.

Relay for Life Kick-off event American Cancer Society Relay for Life of West Cook will hold a kick-off event on Thursday, Jan. 22, at Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, Dixon Room C, 5101 S. Willow Springs Road. Learn more about the Relay for Life event held June 19. Open to all interested parties. For more information, call Adam Wilt at the American Cancer Society, (708) 484-8542.

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.

Volunteers wanted BEDS PLUS seeking volunteers to serve four-hour shifts once per month. Site volunteers and support volunteers (laundry and cook teams) are needed. Shelter sites are local. Orientation class scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, at First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 150 S. Ashland Ave. For more information on classes or reservations, call (708) 354-0858, or e-mail volunteer@bedsonline.org.



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

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 Crafters needed for upcoming Spring Fling Craft Show and Bake Sale on Saturday, March 28, at St. Barbara Parish Center, 4015 S. Prairie Ave., Brookfield. Spaces are nine feet wide by eight feet deep and cost $25. Eight-foot tables rent for $10 and electric hook-up is $5. No vendors. For an application, call Jenny at (708) 485-1962.