arts and entertainment
music
Jazz music “Chanteuse Tuesday” featuring Lesley Byers, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., 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
“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.

“Bye Bye Birdie” auditions Orland Park Theatre Troupe, 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, and 7 to 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Orland Park’s Old Village Hall, 14413 S. Beacon Ave. For more audition information, call the Village of Orland Park Recreation and Parks Department at (708) 403-7275.

art
Art opening 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, Salt Creek Wine Bar, 8900 Fairview Ave., Brookfield. Features the artwork of Mary Ellen Ponsford. Complimentary hors d’ouevres. (708) 387-2432, www.saltcreekwinebar.com.

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.

Writer’s Workshop Friends of the Library, 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd. For writers of poetry or prose. New members welcome. Register at (708) 485-6917, www.brookfieldpubliclibrary.info.

“A Movie While You Munch Your Lunch” 11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, North Riverside Public Library, 2400 S. DesPlaines Ave. Bring lunch and watch “Open Season 2.” Juice and dessert will be provided. Register at (708) 447-0869.

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.

Introduction to Microsoft Excel 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd. Adults. Learn basic computer skills. Register at (708) 485-6917, www.brookfieldpubliclibrary.info.

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
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Chicago Zoological Society, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Brookfield Zoo, Discovery Center, 3300 Golf Road. Guest speaker is Lewis Diuguid. Admission to zoo is free. For more information, visit www.CZS.org.

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.

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.

Senior lunch “Forever Young Activities,” Pleasant Dale Park District, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, Panera Bread. Cost is $6 for residents and $8 for non-residents. For more information or to register, call Chris at (630) 662-6220.

Seagull Swim Club membership Pleasant Dale Park District’s Chalet Seagull group is currently accepting memberships for those who enjoy socializing and engaging in water exercises. The group meets every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Chalet, 8300 S. Wolf Road, Willow Springs. Membership is free with a Chalet membership or Swim club membership. For more information, call (708) 246-4030.

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
Newcomers and Neighbors La Grange area play group, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Mondays, First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 150 S. Ashland Ave. $3 per family. (708) 482-0042.

Tower Chorale 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Mondays, Grand Center, 4211 Grand Ave., Western Springs. www.towerchorale.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.

Suburban Garden Club 7:30 to 9 p.m. every third Monday, First Methodist Church in Western Springs, 4300 Howard Ave. (708) 447-4649.

LaGrange Park Women’s Club 1 p.m. every third Monday, September through May, Village Church, 1150 Meadowcrest Road, LaGrange Park. Call Folle Cantone, (708) 354-6741.

Village Vocal Chords Women’s barbershop chorus, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 47th Street and Brainard Avenue, La Grange. (708) 275-8329, villagevocalchords.com.

Western Springs Rotary Club 7 a.m. Tuesdays, First United Methodist Church, 4300 Howard Ave. (708) 482-6666.

Business Network International 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Blueberry Hill Cafe, La Grange Road and Harris Avenue, La Grange. Contact Anthony Lumpkin, (708) 344-4334, drlumpkindds12@msn.com.

Brookfield-Riverside Rotary Club Noon Tuesdays, Paisans Restaurant, 3720 Grand Blvd., Brookfield. (708) 485-9224.

Willow Springs Senior Club 10:30 a.m. every third Tuesday, Senior/Community Center, 8156 Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Call Maria Barsevich, (708) 839-8717, or Dolores Nedved, (708) 839-5696.

Old Glory Lodge 7 p.m. every first and third Tuesday, Westchester Masonic Temple, 10210 Canterbury St.

Rotary Club of Countryside 7 a.m. Wednesdays, William Tell Banquets, 6201 W. Joliet Road, Countryside.

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.

Support groups
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 9:30 a.m. Mondays, St. John’s United Church of Christ, 4500 Prescott Ave., Lyons.

Families Anonymous 7:45 to 9:15 p.m. Mondays, Dixon Education Center at Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, 5101 S. Willow Springs Road. (708) 606-4599, fa-lagrange@comcast.net.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Riverside chapter, 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road. (708) 442-7944.

Eight Corners Al-Anon 10 a.m. Tuesdays, First Congregational Church of Brookfield, 9146 Lincoln Ave.

Tuesday morning Al-Anon 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, Graham Charter Room, 5250 Wolf Road. (708) 246-5220.

1 Day At A Time-ers Al-Anon Family group, 9:30 a.m.  Wednesdays, St. Barbara’s Rectory, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Brookfield Chapter, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, First Congregational Church of Christ, 9146 Lincoln Ave. (708) 352-0890.

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.

Mental illness caregiver group 10 a.m. every first and third Wednesday, Southwest Suburban Center on Aging, 111 W. Harris Ave., La Grange. Register at (708) 354-1323.

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.

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.

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.

Yoga Detox 10:30 a.m. to noon, Sunday, Jan. 18, 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 from Jan. 19 to 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.

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
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 classes available. For more information on classes or reservations, call (708) 354-0858.


Religion
Service of Christian Unity 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, Westchester Community Church, 1840 Westchester Blvd. Service is part of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. For more information, call (708) 865-1282.

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.