March certainly has come in like a lion, and we hope that by April we will be enjoying tulips and spring showers. Meanwhile we hope all of you are staying warm in these final days of winter.
Skyline Village Chicago, along with our partners, Replogle Center, National Council of Jewish Women and JourneyCare have planned Dying to Know, an exciting three part series about end-of-life issues. See the flyer below and sign up for one or all of these informative programs. Employing your suggestions, we have scheduled a sensational series of Friday Forums all the way through August!
This newsletter is packed with interesting articles from our members and friends. They have summarized the important information from our Friday Forums and described their fascinating trips. This is a place for us to share interesting moments in our lives and things we want to share with each other.
Finally, the results of the mayoral election were determined largely by voters like us -- older adults who care deeply about the future of our city. Watch for mayoral forums and ask Lori and Toni what their plans are for a livable Chicago for all ages. And don't forget to vote! Early voting runs
March 18-April 1 and the final is April 2.
PS-
If you haven't joined or renewed your membership yet, please do. Skyline Village Chicago needs your support to keep doing what we do.
Editor's Note:
If you can't see this newsletter all the way down to the Skyline Mission Statement, that means that your email server doesn't automatically download longer emails. When you read to the bottom, you should see a message to 'Download all'. Click on it to get all the information about the latest in SVC, news from our members and goings on in our vibrant neighborhood. We don't want you to miss anything!
Support Skyline Village Chicago with Your Amazon Purchases
SVC is registered as a supportable charity on Amazon Smiles
Go to
www.smile.amazon.com, log in, and select Skyline Village Chicago Inc as your charity. All of your Amazon info will carry over. That's all you have to do. A portion of any Amazon purchase you make will benefit SVC.
Good Times with Skyline Village Chicago
January's Friday Forum
Cannabis, What's It Got To Do With Old Age?
NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
by Regan Burke
NORML's Edie Moore and Tiffany Reynolds focused on medical marijuana, how to get it (ask your doctor) and how it helps. When the Adult Cannabis Law passes the Illinois legislature, medical marijuana patients will be able to obtain their cannabis at a lower price. Dispensaries will be required to serve medical marijuana patients first and always have stock on hand for them.Don't plan to use recreational marijuana for medical reasons. If you registered for medical marijuana use, keep renewing it. If you have need for medical marijuana, get approval from your doctor now. Don't wait for pot to be legalized.
Edie and Tiffany serve as advocates for cannabis consumers to assure they have access to high-quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable. Reach out to them if you have questions or concerns about marijuana use.
To be eligible for a "medical cannabis registry identification card" in Illinois you must be diagnosed with one of the following and get approval from your doctor: Agitation of Alzheimer's disease, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Arnold-Chiari malformation, Cancer, Causalgia, Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Crohn's disease, CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome Type II), Dystonia, Fibrous Dysplasia, Glaucoma, Hepatitis C, Hydrocephalus, Hydromyelia, Interstitial cystitis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Myasthenia Gravis, Myoclonus, Nail-patella syndrome, Neurofibromatosis, Parkinson's disease, Post-Concussion Syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, Residual limb pain, Rheumatoid arthritis, Seizures (including those characteristic of Epilepsy), Severe fibromyalgia, Sjogren's syndrome, Spinal cord disease (including but not limited to arachnoiditis), Spinal cord injury is damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, Spinocerebellar ataxia, Syringomyelia, Tarlov cysts, Tourette syndrome, Traumatic brain injury, Cachexia/wasting syndrome.
Notes from John McLees' presentation "The Moral Crisis of Mass Incarceration"
Friday Forum, February 2019
By Maggie Shreve
Because the numbers of incarcerated people are far in excess of historical norms today, we can consider the situation a "moral crisis." In Illinois there are more than 50,000 people incarcerated, when it used to be 10,000. Issues of cost and safety are at stake. Fundamental changes in our system are needed, including a shift away from the focus on punishment. The U.S. is at odds with other developed countries and their criminal justice systems.
Our system is corrupted at every stage, contributing to a never-ending cycle of crime. Ninety percent of Cook County Jail residents have not been convicted of a crime. They're there because they can't post cash bail. We have criminalized drug offenses and eliminated parole in Illinois, so everyone must serve their entire sentence. More and more resources are put into building prisons versus resolving issues that contribute to crime.
Does this come to us as a reaction to the civil rights movement of the 60s and 70s? Since that movement, the concern for "safety" has continuously risen. Now we use prisoners as free labor. (See the Netflix production of Thirteenth or read Locking Up Our Own about black law enforcement officers imprisoning other black people.)
Economic interests drive the building and maintenance of prisons. In southern Illinois prisons are the second largest employer. Bail bond and software companies, equippers and unions of police and law enforcement officers are all motivated by profit or income. Now we have e-incarceration. Racist systems produce more black or brown prisoners. (McLees told a great story about visitors from South Africa who toured the Cook County Jail and then asked where we keep our white prisoners!).
The system after arrest attests to these problems:
State law drives most of the process, but operationally, it is the counties who prosecute. We have more than 2,000 separate systems because of the ways in which county prosecutors function.
Suspects with mental health issues are often jailed, sometimes with counsel and sometimes without, then diverted to settle through a plea agreement and released to electronic monitoring (2,800 in Cook County now).
Once arrested, there are no diversions for treatment before sentencing, without parole.
Imprisonment is laden with problems associated with prison conditions, mental illness, no programs, and bad relationships.
The juvenile justice system is different. What is their system and flow?
All these symptoms operate as designed, which is something we rarely think about, but without coordination, goals or objectives.
Legal representation is inherently unequal. Public defenders are overworked and underpaid.
Prosecution is driven by bad incentives, including the need to get re-elected, economy-driven at the state level and not connected to the county.
We are looking at 150% occupancy in our prisons, with horrible conditions and no books. There is no plan for discharge and release; it's abrupt and doesn't equip the released prisoner for life outside the prison system. "Post release supervision" is the Illinois model, but it is not parole.
We engaged in table conversation after this introduction, then returned to key elements of McKees activism, along with Q&A. Here are some bullets of highlights:
Read Bryan Stephenson's Just Mercy
Check-out the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee and Appleseed
Some discussion about elimination of the "gang database" in Cook County
Advocacy for restoring the Pell Grants "second chance" program
Parole may be reinstated for juveniles
Bond reform and elimination of the "no cash bail" is a key issue
Check out Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and John Pfaff's Locked Up
"Safe Act" in Illinois being led by Paula Wolff of the Illinois Justice Project
Community Renewal Society visits Springfield every so often to advocate for reforms
"Witness slips" can be filed online to support or oppose draft legislation, but the turn-around time for doing so can be short
"Fair Housing Initiative" is being considered by the county commissioners; it would prohibit housing discrimination against felons and those and arrested
See Victory Garden's "Pipeline"
McKees gave everyone a resource notebook which is packed with great information and related references.
If you want to help plan events or have an idea for programs, please contact [email protected], or better yet -- join the Events Committee, which meets the first Monday of every month.
Did you enjoy one of SVC's events and want to tell us about it? Do you have some pictures to share? We'd love to have your reviews and your photos for the newsletter and website. Email to [email protected]
Be sure to include the event you attended and the names of the folks in the photos.
Skyliner Expeditions
Our snowbirds have been on the go, and several have shared their trips with Skyliner Expeditions. Should you be traveling now or soon, and want to share your trip with us for May-June, please send your article to (new address) [email protected].
Monticello, Home of the Once and Future President
By Regan Burke
During afternoon free time at a recent family reunion in Charlottesville, VA, some of us cousins wound our way up a forested valley road to Monticello, the mountaintop plantation of founding father Thomas Jefferson.
Up until the1950s this father figure came to us a hero, our third president, author of the Declaration of Independence, purchaser of the Louisiana Territory, and the guy who sent Lewis and Clark to Oregon by canoe. We began to hear about his slave ownership in 1960s periodicals. All accounts were accompanied by declarations that Jefferson hated slavery and tried to abolish it. So we still had our hero.
Sometime in the 1990s historians uncovered research documenting that even though Virginia had a strong free-slave movement in the early 1800s, Jefferson was not a part of it. He even built a new road to Monticello to hide his slave quarters from visiting abolitionists. We started to doubt our hero-father.
Then came Sally Hemings.
In 1998 DNA testing showed Thomas Jefferson fathered his slave's six children. The Sally Hemings exhibit at Monticello tells us the relationship started when fourteen-year old Sally lived in Paris with Jefferson and his daughter. The exhibit rightly asks the question, "Was it rape?"
And what of our hero now?
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Fun & Fitness Cruises
By Giulia Guidotti
I have already taken three cruises with Fun & Fitness, a travel club (http://www.fun-fitness.com/cruises/index.php). I am going again in June 2020. This next trip will be a 13-day Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Venice.
We enjoy traveling with this club. Fun & Fitness not only organizes the trip but also helps us from the time we pay the deposit (fully refundable) until we are back home. Participants have access to a personal host, Barb Batson, who is always available. She is happy to talk about the cruises; call her at 800-500-8905 if you are interested.
The first two cruises with Fun & Fitness were in the Caribbean; there, in the warm water of the Caribbean, I had my first and only experience of water shiatsu. I also became friends with Barb. After our Alaska cruise, she came to stay with us for a few days and visited my water aerobics classes.
We book well in advance to get a special needs stateroom, which makes cruising much easier for us. I am delighted to suggest you all check it out. Although Fun & Fitness specializes in fitness cruises for active adults, it will accept special needs adults with a companion to help. Talking of special needs, I was able to rent a reclining chair, and I know that wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters can be rented as well, before the cruise.
Happy cruising without worries.
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Tucson
By Beth Najberg
No, I'm not planning on moving, but of all the cities in the southern part of the United States that I've visited and that I'd consider moving to, Tucson has the most to offer me.
Tucson has about 500,000 residents, with the larger metropolitan area including about 900,000. Easy to get around, Tucson has less traffic than Chicago or Los Angeles. Gorgeous mountains in the north end of the city are visible everywhere.
Its basic economy relies on the University of Arizona and the Air Force base, which are stable and offer a lot to residents and visitors.There is so much to do! The University of Arizona has numerous continuing education programs. It also has wonderful arts programs, so there are reasonably priced stage and music programs virtually all the time. There are several art museums, which have excellent, albeit small, collections.
The Pima Air and Space Museum is a stunner. It's a private museum that houses over 300 aircraft. Enthusiastic docents narrate the tram ride that gives an overview of all the planes. Five warehouses house aircraft from different eras, mainly from WWII; there, too, are knowledgeable docents.
The desert climate is slightly different from Phoenix. You can explore that at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the Tucson Botanical Gardens.I was there during the famous gem show. One million consumers, vendors, and retailers attend the show-actually a number of shows in various locations. Amazing how many people attended, and how easy it is to be overwhelmed! Now I know how to see the shows next year.
The downtown area has lots to offer in dining and culture, including an art museum and a theater, where I saw Wilson's Two Trains Running.If you're interested in science, good hiking, and overviews of the area, go to the Santa Catalina Mountains, where there are several hiking areas. There are other mountain ranges nearby. I didn't try the Kartchner Caverns, but some people love it.
In all, a great visit!
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Patagonia and More
By Pam Woodward
I just returned from an amazing travel and discovery trip to Argentina and Chile, including Patagonia. My husband and I had been in South America only once on a trip to Peru, where we visited Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. We had traveled there with an Overseas Adventure Travel group of 15 people, and we were very impressed with the guides and activities provided for us. What a surprise to learn that the two countries we toured this month were so very different from Peru.
Because Argentina and Chile were settled primarily by Europeans, these countries seem very much like western Europe. Communities of Swiss, Germans, and Italians sprang up, and the traditions of the old countries are carried on. We had interesting visits with local families, one of which had horses that we rode out into the dry lands. Another family hosted us for a feast of curanto, an unusual preparation cooked outdoors in a concrete pit lined with hot stones. Into the pit went layers of food in a particular order: clams and mussels, then chicken, beef and potatoes. All of this was covered with enormous leaves of a plant similar to rhubarb, and the ingredients steamed underneath for an hour or so. We then enjoyed the mix of foods, followed by ice cream. Very interesting and delicious.
The Patagonia region spans parts of Argentina and Chile, countries that are quite competitive. While Argentina provides health care and education from kindergarten through college for all, Chile has neither. The terrain is also quite different, as Chile is very coastal and wet, where much of Argentina is hot and dry. Some areas support cattle and sheep, but there are vast expanses of the "steppe" terrain, which are dry and desert-like. Only in some places is wildlife plentiful and unique, with penguins, pelicans, flamingoes, and guanacos (similar to llamas).
As we traveled across the two countries, we had the privilege of talking with citizens and asking them questions about their daily lives and the unique customs and culture in their region. In Bariloche we had two speakers, one talking about the Nazi party members who entered Argentina after World War II and the other a Mapuche tribe member and activist who talked to us about the only surviving indigenous group in the country. They continue to fight government efforts to take the land that was designated for them. Discrimination against them has been similar to the plight of Native Americans in our country.
Highlights of the trip included learning about Eva Peron and seeing gauchos, beautiful lakes and mountains, many architectural styles, and visiting national parks such as Torres del Paine and Los Glaciers. Because of the great distances between points of interest, we had four flights with the group, leaving from and then returning to Buenos Aires, a fascinating city that has seen many tragic years. By far the most disturbing thing we did there was to visit the Museum of Memoria, a world-class holocaust-style museum that details what happened to individuals and society during the most recent military regime (from the mid-1970s and early 1980s). Many thousands of people were victims of state-sponsored torture and murder. There are still active prosecutions of those who perpetrated the terror, and there are still active groups searching to locate the "disappeared" persons.
Among the many other fascinating regions of the world, this part of South America ranks quite favorably. If you have the opportunity to explore it, I think you will find it very interesting.
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Did you take a trip this winter? Tell us about it! Where did you go? Did you have a favorite place? Favorite experience? Favorite piece of art? Memorable meal? Did something surprise you? Best experience? Or even the worst - because sometimes those make the best stories, don't they?
We are eager to share your adventure and photos!
Send them to Judy Karlov, [email protected]by mid-April for our May-June newsletter.
Skyline Village Chicago
Our Favorite Things
The Spice House
Submitted by Colby Krouse
Before we get clobbered with our next weather go-round, I suggest a trip into Old Town to the Spice House at 1512 N Wells. Once you have sampled their cinnamons, you will never be satisfied with the sandy stuff at the grocery store again. Taste tiny bits on the tip of your tongue and compare. So much rich flavor! I love cinnamon and always added extra, but have been sometimes disappointed when my baked goods get a bit of a powdery texture. With the good stuff, you get all the flavor without adding so much you get that sandy feel.
My very favorite is the Saigon - powdered or even cracked! Wonderful and worth every penny.
Another real treat - Vanilla bean paste. Between that and the double strength bourbon vanilla you will say to Heck with McCormick. Why did I ever use that stuff??
Try the vanilla paste in plain yogurt with fresh berries. Pure, simple and heavenly.
And great gifts!
Lots of fun stuff at The Spice House but those are my favorites. You can also order online at
www.thespicehouse.com but it's much more fun to go there in person, smell and taste the spices for yourself.
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Do you have a Favorite Thing you'd like to share with your fellow Skyliners? Send it to us at [email protected].
Please Note: The favorite things are the personal favorite things of the contributors. They are not endorsed or recommended by Skyline Village Chicago in any way.
This post I wrote was
published in the Easterseals National blogearlier this week (I work part-time moderating that blog). It occurred to me later that some of you Safe & Sound blog followers might find it worth a read, too, so here it is.
When sidewalks are covered in snow and ice, walking to work - or to school, or just to exercise - can be difficult. Or impossible.
Chicago is one of many American cities where the number of people walking or using public transportation to get to work outnumber the people who drive. Every winter here I find myself questioning why it is that when snow plows clear passage for cars, the snow mounds they leave at bus stops - on curb cuts and crosswalks - go unshoveled. What about the pedestrians? We appreciate you plowing the streets, but how are we supposed to get over those mounds of snow at the curb to cross to the other side? What better place to find information on all this than on a Minnesota web site. A site called
Minnesota Walkspoints out that
approximately one-third of the U.S. population does not drive, including:
Children
People with certain disabilities
People age 65 or better
Those who cannot afford a personal vehicle
A growing number of people who simply choose not to drive.
Sidewalks and crosswalks are necessary for those of us who don't drive to access destinations or public transit, and the Minnesota Walks site also points out that the "Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II Regulation §35.133 requires maintaining ADA-compliant access to walkways year-round, which includes snow and ice clearing."
For guide dogs, everything can look like a tunnel sometimes.
Those of you stuck at home in the aftermath of a snowstorm may want to use your time inside to communicate and educate transportation professionals and community leaders about snow removal and accessibility. Easter Seals' Project Action has developed
a guide related to transportation and snow removal . The 24-page booklet highlights innovative policies and strategies used by U.S. and Canadian communities to improve accessible pathways and transit stops during winter weather.
Happy reading, and hang in there - it's gotta melt
sometime.
Do you have something you'd like to share with your Skyline Village friends in the next newsletter? A news story, a poem, blog, piece of art, photo, a Favorite thing, a quote? We'd love to include you in upcoming newsletter and the website.
You may have noticed that Streeterville is virtually Graffiti free. This is due to the vigilance of a small team of residents who report it, the 311 system that coordinates these reports and an effective graffiti blaster program.
We are fortunate as residents of Chicago to have access to a system like 311. Although 311 does not deliver specific services like graffiti removal and street cleaning, it does link us as residents to the departments that do provide these services.
Since the system was introduced in 1998, there have only been two platform updates and there were many issues with the aging system. During 2018, the city hosted a number of community focus groups and hired a company to rewrite the system based on resident input. In the fall of 2018, review sessions were held to show beta users what had been developed. The new platform was introduced in December and will be updated quarterly to keep it current with technology.
Although there have been other third party applications like SeeClickFix, this will be the first city managed platform, available on smart phone, computer and dial in 311.
If you were frustrated by past 311 problems you might be interested to know about some of the improvements like: the elimination of "duplicate reports", addition of GPS, completed work must be verified, work transfers will no longer be titled as "closed", estimated completion dates and status reports will be real.
In addition, City service information and FAQ pages have been added and will be updated regularly and will allow resident feedback just like social media sites.Major work alerts, like street repaving, will be pushed to registered users.
The Home page of the website has an overview of the program and nine broad categories of service request areas such as Seniors, Health, Parks and Animals. Clicking "View-all" presents nearly one hundred specific issue topics like Graffiti, sidewalk snow removal, and a host of senior information services.
Check it out today by downloading the new mobile app. Search CHI 311 in the Apple Store or Google Play or visit the new website at www.311.chicago.gov. If you have questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Financial scams are considered the crime of the 21st century. Seniors are particularly targeted as they are perceived as having lots of cash, being technologically naive and disposed to "help.". Since it's tax season and there have been reforms, i have gotten several IRS and Medicare calls just in the last few weeks. When my father died this past summer, It was truly shocking how the scammer calls to my mother escalated.
Some Tips
If it is the real IRS or credit card of social security they will notify you in writing. That's the law. They won't call. If you feel you must follow up, then call your credit card company or whatever agency yourself, using the contact number on your card or statement.
If anyone calls and tells you your computer is infected and transmitting all your personal data, it's definitely a scam. If they know all your personal info because your computer is transmitting it, then why are they asking you for your personal information?
Never let anyone "take over your screen" to fix a problem unless it is a known IT person familiar to you AND you can sever the link. if you do use something like this, run a malware scan afterwards to make sure nothing was left behind.
Never donate to charities that call - and tell them so. Tell them to send you something in writing.
If buying tickets or merchandise by phone, you call them.
On the internet anything you didn't put in directly is probably junk -- so all those popups and side stuff should be ignored. Some of the big ones online are fake free virus scans that get you to download viruses.
If you get emails asking you to update your information,
It doesn't have your name or account number, it's fake
Look at the email address. There are emails that look like they are from Apple or Microsoft, Paypal or other companies and have real looking logos but if you look at the email address, it's something weird that bears little to no resemblance to the vendor's email from their own site and server.
Don't click the link in an email to update anything. It will take you to a fake site. If you suspect it might be true then go to your account on your own NOT and log in to your account. If something is needed, it will be there.
If something does happen, get help right away. Better to be a little embarrassed about being duped than let the scammers do any more damage. If you suspect you have been scammed, call your bank and your credit cards right away and freeze them while you investigate. There are resources on both sites above.
Be careful out there -- especially in Internet Land!
If you find something you think would be beneficial or interesting to fellow Skyliners, please email it with News We Can Use in the subject line.
In the heart of downtown Chicago, with the City's skyline as a backdrop, a ribbon of ice winds through a rolling landscape providing an ice skating experience unlike any other. The skating ribbon is dramatically different from typical civic ice rinks, creating a multi-sensory activity that is integrated into the landscape. Skaters can experience "alpine in the city" as they lace up their ice skates and follow a path twice the length of a lap around a traditional skating rink. Complementing the ribbon are places to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and rent skates. In the summertime, the Ribbon can be used to watch climbers on the climbing wall. Admission is free. Skates available for rental.
Better hurry though! The season wraps up March 10.
You can take an active role in helping the Chicago Police Department prevent crime in your neighborhood by attending your police district's Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meetings. If you need assistance from the Police Department, Fire Department, or an ambulance please call 911 immediately.
The 18th District serves residents east of the River and south of Fullerton Lincoln Park, Old Town, River North, Gold Coast and Streeterville.
Beats 1834 and 1833 meetings are held on the first Thursday of every odd-numbered month. Beat 1834, serving Streeterville south of Superior, and Beat 1833, serving Streeterville north of Superior, meet at 6:00 pm on the first Thursday of every odd-numbered month at Access Living, 115 W. Chicago.
To confirm/identify your District and Beat,
use this map.
For a full list of 18th District Events,
click here.
Encore Illinois
Combined Chorales
Thursday, May 2
2:00pm
Fourth Presbyterian Church, Buchanan Chapel
Gold Coast Chorale
Thursday, May 6
2:00pm
The Clare, 55 E. Pearson
Encore Illinois' Spring session is underway. The Gold Coast Chorale is rehearsing Mondays at The Clare from 12:00pm - 1:30pm. Combined Chorales will perform a program of show tunes May 2 at Fourth Presbyterian. The Gold Coast Chorale will perform for the residents of The Clare the following Thursday, May 6.
learn more about Encore Illinois and see videos of performances at
www.encoreillinois.org
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Encore's Good Memories Choir
Chicago's Gold Coast Good Memories Choir is getting lots of attention. A reporter's attendance at the choir's debut concert in December resulted in a wonderful article in the Washington Post. Here's a link to the article: bit.ly//GoodMemories12272018.
The Alzheimer's Association then came in with a large production crew to film the ladies of the choir singing a new tune by Ariana Grande. This will be featured in a national public service announcement (PSA) that is scheduled to air on International Women's Day (March 8), highlighting the higher incidence of Alzheimer's in women.
As recognition of Good Memories grows, so does its potential for more choirs in the Chicago area and Illinois.
Mark your calendars now for Good Memories' upcoming concerts:
Spring Fitness Sessions are beginning this week at Northwestern. Please check the schedule for the wellness classes. Participants who register late will be prorated for missed classes for fitness classes.
Please note classes this session are moved to the 6th floor Room 6-2303 from March 4 - April 21.
In Streeterville, we have a full line of fitness classes appropriate for Mature Adults including:
Gentle Yoga, Yoga for Osteoporosis, Zumba Gold {R}, Pilates, Line Dancing, Low-Impact Aerobics, Nia, Tai Chi, and Strength and Balance. Our classes are small and our instructors are well trained. We are able to offer individual modifications for a variety of physical and medical conditions as needed.
We also offer Wellness Classes on a rotating basis, including Fasting Diets, What's It All about; Detox, Cleansing and Rejuvenation; Food as Medicine; Going Gluten Free; Guided Mindful Meditation; and Meditation: Through Mindful Movement.
Call and ask about registering for a free trial fitness class today.
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Chicago Memory Cafe
3rd Tuesday of the month
March 19 and April 16
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Loyola University Chicago
Schreiber Center
16 E. Pearson, 9th Floor, Wintrust Hall
The Chicago Memory Café is a free monthly gathering for people living with dementia and their family, friends and care partners, providing support and social connection to those at any stage of the disease. People with dementia and their care partners often experience social disengagement and disconnection as they navigate disease progression, which can cause depression, health decline and other challenges. Social connection can help people maintain mental, emotional ad physical health.
The café meets monthly with an average attendance of 45. Structured programming has included chair yoga, scrapbooking, live performances and dance. Program evaluations indicated that participants enjoy meeting others, sharing similar experiences, trying something new and spending time together.
The cafe is free but registration is needed. Call 312.908 9023 or email [email protected]
Streeterville Neighborhood Advocates
Neighborhood walks resume in May.
For more information on upcoming walks and how we are working to bring more Public Art to Streeterville, write us, Streeterville Public Art Project at [email protected]
Perhaps you have seen recent news articles about the Historic buildings on Superior that are threatened with demolition. They recently received a temporary reprieve thanks to the efforts of Preservation Chicago.
If you think buildings like this add value to the fabric of our community, please follow the link to the Preservation website and sign the petition to Alderman Reilly to save them. A minute of your time could preserve a hundred and forty years of our city's history.
We experience ageism any time someone assumes that we're "too old" for something-instead of finding out who we are and what we're capable of.
Join us for this highly interactive discussion where we explore our own internalized biases about age, others' external behaviors, and how myths and stereotypes shape our lives. By sharing truths, vulnerabilities, and experiences, this event is designed to raise your awareness of the "ageless" opportunities available to you in this chapter of life.
Roni Buckley holds a doctorate in Adult Education. Her research explores the correlation between lifelong learning and the vibrant aging of women. She is currently a Core Faculty Member of DePaul's School for New Learning for Mature Students.
Joy Loverde is the author of the best-seller, The Complete Eldercare Planner and Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?
The Transition Network is an inclusive community of women, 50 and forward, whose changing life situations lead them to seek new connections, resources and opportunities. Through small group interactions, programs and workshops, members inspire and support each other to continue a life of learning, engagement and leadership in the world. The Transition Network is a voice for women who continue to change the rules.
Navigating the Behavioral Changes and Relationship Challenges in Persons with Dementia
Tuesday, April 2
5:30-7:00pm
Chicago Methodist Senior Services, Wesley Place
1415 W Foster Ave
Alzheimer's disease doesn't just affect the person with the diagnosis, it affects the entire family & everyone involved in their care. Learning how to connect on an emotional level, throughout the myriad behavioral changes and relationship challenges, will benefit not only the loved one with Alzheimer's, but the family and care partners, as well. Physician, mental health counselor and author, Dr. Edward G. Shaw will share a number of strategies to minimize barriers in relationships that can erode the emotional bond between the person with dementia and their family and care partners. Dr. Shaw is the co-author of Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer's Journey. Copies of this book will be available for purchase at the event.
"Age is no barrier. It's a limitation you put on your mind."
~Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Healthy Tip
Eat Foods with Vitamin B12
Up to 43% of older adults may be B12-deficient, which can contribute to depression, dementia, and increased confusion. Dairy foods, fish, and beef will help you reach your daily value.
Mather Lifeways
"Of all the self-fulfilling prophecies in our culture the assumption that aging means decline and poor health is probably the deadliest."
- Marilyn Ferguson
Baking Tips
Want to make cookies look fancy without all the time and the fuss? Look at these! Some are great hacks you can do with puff pastry or refrigerated dough and things like an apple corer, tupperware lid or the bottom of a glass.
"It annoys me when people say, 'Even if you're old, you can be young at heart!' Hiding inside this well-meaning phrase is a deep cultural assumption that old is bad and young is good. What's wrong with being old at heart, I'd like to know? Wouldn't you like to be loved by people whose hearts have practiced loving for a long time?"
- Susan Moon
If you have a tip or favorite quote to share, please send to
Join us for the third annual Villages Dining together event.
Due to extreme weather in January, we rescheduled for March. Let'shope the weather is a bit more cooperative!
$31 person includes Walnut Room Salad and choice of entree, coffee, tea and soft drinks, tax and gratuity.
Entree choices are:
Mrs. Herring's 1890 Original Chicken Pot Pie
Butternut Squash Tortellacci Pasta
Caramelized Salmon
Alcoholic beverages and dessert may be ordered and paid separately at the event.
Our evening will begin with a presentation from Sam Guard, of Chicago Hyde Park Village. A long time Hyde Parker, Sam is passionate about the history of Chicago landmark buildings.
This is Villages Dining Together is open to Village members, non-members, friends, and/or relatives.
Normally meets last Friday of the month. Some adjustments made for holidays and scheduling
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Mity Nice Grill
835 N. Michigan Avenue
SVC's Friday Forums are booked through August! Take a look at the exciting
programs coming up.
March 29
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Come hear formerly homeless youths and adults talk about their own lives and issues related to school access, housing and jobs, and developing opportunities for homeless and at-risk people to get back on their feet.
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is the only non-profit in Illinois dedicated to advocating for public policies that curb and can ultimately end homelessness. They lead strategic campaigns, community outreach, and public policy initiatives that target the lack of affordable housing in metropolitan Chicago and across Illinois.
Lisa Lee, Director The National Public Housing Museum.
The National Public Housing Museum is the only cultural institution devoted to telling the story of public housing in the United States. Formally organized in 2007 as a cultural initiative dedicated to advancing the belief that housing is a human right, the Museum is a site of conscience - a historically significant site that links the past with today's most urgent social issues. Its mission is to preserve, promote, and propel the right of all people to a place where they can live and prosper - a place to call home.
The Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy and Skyline Village Chicago Present: Community Health Equity: A Chicago Reader
Edited by Fernando De Maio, Raj Shah, John
Mazzeo, and David Ansell. In collaboration with
The Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy
No city offers more inspiring examples for action
to overcome social injustice in health than Chicago.
More than any other American city, Chicago has
been a center for the study of both urban history and economic inequity. Community Health Equity assembles a century of research to show the range of effects that Chicago's structural socioeconomic inequalities have had on patients and medical facilities alike. The work collected here makes clear that when a city is sharply divided by power, wealth, and race, the citizens who most need high-quality health care and social services have the greatest difficulty accessing them.
The Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy and Skyline Village Chicago Present:
City Crime on Your Mind?
The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
Nonviolence Chicago works toward building safe,
peaceful and just communities. They mobilize in three of Chicago's most violent neighborhoods to decrease shootings and homicides. Their services include training on the 6 steps and principles of Nonviolence. What are they? Come find out.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians has been a part of Chicago since its founding. Throughout the city's history, the Pokagon Potawatomi Indians have openly and aggressively expressed their r
efusal to be marginalized or forgotten-and in doing so, they have contributed to the fabric and history of the city.
Join us to hear Dr. John Low examine the ways some Pokagon Potawatomi tribal members have maintained a distinct Native identity, and ways in which experiences in Chicago have influenced the Pokagon Potawatomi.
If you'd like to read Dr. Low's book,
Imprints, before the Friday Forum, you can order here:
Gavin Van Horn reveals the stupendous diversity of species that can flourish in urban landscapes like Chicago. That isn't to say city living is without its challenges. Chicago has been altered dramatically over a relatively short timespan-its soils covered by concrete, its wetlands drained and refilled, its river diverted and made to flow in the opposite direction. The stories in The Way of Coyote occasionally lament lost abundance, but they also point toward incredible adaptability and resilience,such as that displayed by beavers plying the waters of human-constructed canals or peregrine falcons raising their young atop towering skyscrapers.
Gavin Van Horn is Director of Cultures of Conservation at the Center for Humans and Nature where he develops and directs interdisciplinary projects relevant to the resilience and restoration of human and natural communities in the Chicagoland region.
Lunch is Dutch Treat, plus $5 to cover the cost of our private room.
Dying to Know A 3-part Series on End-of Life Issues
Fourth Presbyterian Church
126 E. Chestnut
Join NCJW, Skyline Village Chicago, Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and JourneyCare for a series of life-affirming conversations about living and dying well.
All programs are on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30pm - 4:30pm.
Join fellow members for a lively discussion about what it means and how it feels to be an Aging Woman -- our hair, our outspokenness, our invisibility, our wisdom, our ...
Click links above or register by email at [email protected]with Women's Salon in the subject line.
SVC members and their guests only
SVC's Sticks & Strings
Sticks & Strings currently has no events scheduled. If you would like to join or host a gathering, please contact Mary Schulatz at
[email protected] or
773.935.9204.
Last Call for Donations
If anyone has hand knit caps or scarves, or new socks, or hotel toiletries they would like to donate, drop them off with the doorman, 200 E. Delaware Place on or before Friday, January 11th. Beth Najberg will be coordinating a time with Between Friends to bring our collection of donated items that will brighten the lives of families who are in crisis. Thank everyone who has already generously donated.
Skyline Diners
Do you miss Skyline Diners? Would you like Dining Group to start up again and explore restaurants in our neighborhood?
Contact Charlene Conarty to let her know if you are interested in getting together with old and new friends over a good meal.
Do you have a need or request to make of your fellow Skyliners? Do you need help with something and think an SVC member might have the answer? Or maybe you have a skill or talent you'd like to share with others. Could be computer skills, knitting or crafting, business knowledge....you name it. Just let us know and we'll connect you . Send to [email protected]for inclusion in the next newsletter!
Skyline Village Chicago, Inc is not responsible for the information contained in any bulletin announcements nor is SVC, Inc. in any way responsible for the accuracy of such announcements.
What Groups or Bulletin Boards Would You Like
to Have?
Do you miss Skyline Diners and Skyline BG? Maybe you would like to start a Bridge group -- or maybe your bridge game needs a substitute. Looking for fellow aficionados of movies, poetry, board games, walking or other activities?
Tell us what groups or bulletin boards you would like to see and if you would like to manage one.
Hey Apple Owners
Apple stores have events every day to teach you how to do all kinds of things with your Apple devices and software. Take advantage of the free classes and learn what your device can do for you.
Different classes and events daily
Beginner through advanced
The Art Institute has a full calendar of lectures, artist talks, gallery talks, art workshops for all ages, performances and guided tours. A few highlights are listed below. To see a full list of events and exhibitions,
click here.
Free Lecture Series: An Introduction to Performance Art in Four Parts-Histories
Fullerton Hall
From the grotesque to the political, the mundane to the playful, performance art has evolved to encompass a wide range of creative approaches and attitudes. This four-part lecture series invites you to consider key moments in the history of performance art and explore the work of artists who are continuing to blur boundaries and redefine artistic practice. This series coincides with the launch of Iterations, an initiative presenting newly commissioned works by a range of artists over the next three years.
March 15
3:00pm - 4;00pm
Fullerton Hall
In this first lecture of the series, Sampada Aranke, assistant professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, introduces foundational artists, terms, and issues that continue to influence performance art today.
Click here to register
March 22
3:00pm - 4;00pm
Fullerton Hall
In the second lecture of the series, assistant curator Jordan Carter highlights key players and moments of this highly influential group known as Fluxus that blurred the boundaries between artistic media, performer and audience, artwork and event.Click here to register
April 12
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Fullerton Hall
In the third lecture of the series, Dittmer Curator of Contemporary Art Hendrik Folkerts considers performance art in the 21st century, including the Art Institute's current performance series, Iterations.
Click here to register
Boshell Foundation Lecture: The Past Is Skin Deep-The Material History of Objects Revealed through Their Surfaces
March 27
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Fullerton Hall
Conservator Jerry Podany explores ancient artworks by focusing on their surfaces, relating exciting revelations and serendipitous discoveries, and highlighting the importance of collaboration between art historians, scientists, and conservators. Click here to register
Performance: Imani Uzuri Wild Cotton
March 28
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Griffin Court
Vocalist and composer Imani Uzuri's improvisational conceptual project, WILD COTTON explores the imagined, undocumented soundscapes of enslaved black American ancestors that still haunt us today. In response to Dawoud Bey's exhibition Night Coming Tenderly, Black
, Uzuri presents a specially curated immersive presentation of WILD COTTON. This performance will sonically illuminate the underlying theme of African American resistance reflected in Bey's series, adding a musical layer and aural context to the exhibition.
Lecture: Lecture: Secrets of the Collection-Pentimenti in the Paintings of Claude Monet
April 2
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Fullerton Hall
Associate research conservator Kimberley Muir shares a few of the most exciting discoveries she has made about Monet's paintings in the collection of the Art Institute. Muir delves beneath the surface of these paintings using state-of-the-art imaging techniques and analytical methods to reveal pentimenti
, or hidden changes, and explore how Monet's works evolved over time.
Lecture: Frank Lloyd Wright, the Art Institute, and the Robie House, 1908-1910
April 5
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Fullerton Hall
Frank Lloyd Wright had substantial ties to the Art Institute during the first decade of the 20th century when he created the Prairie style-the style that he debuted with the 1910 home in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, the Robie House. When that structure was slated for demolition in 1957, the Art Institute's director Daniel Catton Rich was among the city's leaders who spearheaded the campaign to save it. In this lecture, architectural historian and preservationist Kathryn Smith examines these connections among the architect, the museum, and the seminal structure. She discusses the exhibitions Wright organized and presented at the Art Institute and considers the ways in which these exhibitions articulated his seminal design philosophy and persuaded his detractors. Click here to register
Lecture: Interior Design in the 1930s-Making America Modern
April 11
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Morton Auditorium
The Ryerson and Burnham Libraries and the Chicago Art Deco Society invite you to join design historian Marilyn Friedman, author of
Making America Modern: Interior Design in the 1930s, for a lecture on the development of interior design in America during the 1930s as seen in exhibition displays, model homes, and private commissions.
Click here to register
Free Admission Thursday Evenings
The Art Institute is pleased to offer free admission Thursday evenings from 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Click here for a full calendar of events at the Art Institute of Chicago
Center for Life & Learning
Fourth Presbyterian Church
126 E. Chestnut
Fitness Membership
Mondays
10:30am - 11:15am - Toning Balls
2:30pm - 3:30pm - Yoga
T
uesdays
10:30am - 11:15am - Pilates Resistance Band
2:45pm - 3:30pm - Intermediate Tai Chi
Wednesdays
10:30am - 11:15am -
Zing! Total Fitness
Thursdays
10:30am - 11:15am - Range of Motion
2:45pm - 3:30pm - Intermediate Tai Chi
Classes are $55
Call 312.878.4570 to register or click here to register online
*************
Spring Film Series
Wednesdays, April 3 - May 8 1:45pm - 3:45pm
Free and open to all 60 and older; no RSVP necessary
An optional, facilitated discussion, lasting no more than thirty minutes, will follow each film.
April 3 Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)
Melissa McCarthy received glowing reviews for her role as best-selling celebrity biographer Lee Israel, who turned to literary forgery of letters and notes from the likes of Dorothy Parker, Lillian Hellman, and Noël Coward when she fell out of step with then-current tastes and was no longer able to get her own work published.
April 10 First Man (2018)
The riveting story of NASA's mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969, starring Ryan Gosling.
April 17 Tea with the Dames (2018)
Dames Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, and Maggie Smith let the cameras in on a friendship that goes back more than half a century. The four acting greats discuss their careers and reminisce about their humble beginnings in the theatre. A New York Times Critic's Pick.
April 24 Leave No Trace (2018)
After living off the grid in Oregon for years, a traumatized military veteran and his teenage daughter are forced to integrate into society. While the daughter begins to connect with others and thrive, the veteran struggles and attempts to avoid his demons by escaping back into the wild. The New York Times said, "(i)n its best moments, Leave No Trace invites you to simply be with its characters, to see and experience the world as they do. Empathy, the movie reminds you, is something that is too little asked of you either in life or in art."
May 1 Green Book (2018)
Based on a true story, this Oscar's Best Picture film follows a working-class Italian-American bouncer, played by Viggo Mortensen, who becomes the driver for an African-American classical pianist, played by Mahershala Ali, on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.
May 8 Vice (2018)
Christian Bale plays Dick Cheney in this film about the most powerful vice president in recent American history. The New York Times says, "staying close to the historical record (and drawing on books by the journalists Jane Mayer and Barton Gellman), (the film) propounds a negative great man theory of history, telling the story of an individual who was able, through a unique combination of discipline, guile and luck, to bend reality to his will."
These lectures are open to all 60 and older to enjoy, but registration for each is required.
Each lecture costs $5.00 for members and $10.00 for guests.
Click here f
or information or to register for noon-time lectures or contact
In an educational environment increasingly geared toward technology and career success, what is the role of a university education? Are the liberal arts a luxury our culture can no longer afford? Should a college experience prepare students pragmatically or holistically, or can these two strains exist in healthy tension?
Join Dr. David Livingston, president of Lewis University, to explore these questions and get a glimpse into what is happening on 21st century college campuses.
Dr. David J. Livingston currently serves as Lewis University's 10th President. He has more than 20 years of academic and leadership experience and previously served as President of Lourdes University in Toledo Ohio and as a tenured professor of Religious Studies at Mercyhurst University. A native of Dundee, he received his B.A. in Chemistry from Augustana College; his M.A. in Theology from Loyola University, and his Ph.D. in Theology from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Livingston's scholarship focuses on the theological and ethical aspects of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Last year, a rediscovered oil painting by Leonardo da Vinci was auctioned for $450.3 million, making it the most expensive artwork ever sold. Art is clearly one of the most valuable commodities of our time, but what's not clear is what makes it so valuable. This talk will demystify the complexities of the art market by asking: How and why have the values of certain artworks changed drastically over time? What are the criteria that make some artworks worth millions and others virtually worthless? And, most importantly, how can you sell your artwork for millions of dollars?
Harrison Sherrod manages a documentary film production company by day and teaches strange seminars by night, including courses on everything from metaphysical detectives and con games to Star Wars and Marxism. He holds a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College, and a M.A. from the University of Chicago.
Wednesday, March 20 1:00pm - 2:00pm Presented by Marcus Giron
This lecture will provide information on the main factors that lead to falls and what you can do to decrease your risk factors. We will explore several physiological components that negatively influence human balance, such as the vestibular system issues, peripheral neuropathy, and sarcopenia. You will be provided clinical guidance in preventive exercises for improved balance and where to find professional assistance.
Marcus Giron, M.S., is an exercise expert at Revolution Physical Therapy Weight Loss, with a focus in exercise physiology, neuromuscular reeducation, balance, and corrective exercise. For more than four years Marcus has been working with a multidisciplinary team of physical therapists, exercise physiologists, registered dietitians, and behavioral health specialists to give individualized care towards reduced orthopedic pain, metabolic disease control, weight loss, and improved mental health.
The Purpose of Aging: Aging with Purpose
Wednesday, April 10 1:00pm - 3:00pm Presented by Carol LaChapelle
In addition to writing, Carol LaChapelle has conducted writing and journal writing workshops for the past 30 years. Her newest offering, The Purpose of Aging: Aging with Purpose, encourages people to continue creating their lives as they age.
Inspired by the positive response to the workshop, Carol is focusing her second book on the topic of aging with purpose. She envisions it as both resource and guide to this most challenging and rewarding life transition.
In preparation for writing the book, Carol is offering this free program at Center for Life and Learning. It is an invitation to people 50 and beyond to share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings about aging. The conversation will explore what elements of mind, body, spirit, and story might help us move beyond mid-life with more intention and purpose.
Carol LaChapelle is a Chicago-based writer, teacher, and the author of
Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Stories (Marion Street Press, 2008). Her essays have appeared in America magazine, The Writing Group Book, and on www.nextavenue.org. She blogs about this "new" old age at
http://forboomersandbeyonders.blogspot.com
Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research
Monday, April 15 11:30am - 12:30pm Presented by Brittany Mabry
Offered through the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter
Healthy Living: For centuries, we've known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age.
Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.
Brittany Mabry is one of the Managers of Education and Outreach for the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter. She serves communities in Chicago, northern Cook County, Lake County, and Kane County. Brittany graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in sociology, concentration in crime and deviance, and minor in psychology. She has over a decade of experience working in non-profits spanning the spectrum from youth in crisis all the way up to senior services.
General admission is free to Illinois residents on the following dates in 2019:
April 2-4, 9-11, June 3-5, 10-13, September 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, October 7-9, 14-16, November 8, 11, December 2-3, 7, 12-13
Art Institute Of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago residents under the age of 18 can get into this museum for free any time. Children age 14 years and younger are always free.
Illinois residents of any age can also enjoy free admission year-round on Thursdays from 5-8 p.m.
Chicago Children's Museum
700 E. Grand Ave. - Downtown/Navy Pier
Admission is free for kids 15 and under all day on the first Sunday of every month.
Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark St. Children under 12 years old and Illinois residents under 18 years old are always free. Illinois residents of all ages are offered free admission every Tuesday excluding January 1, January 8, December 24 and December 31.
DePaul Art Museum
935 W. Fullerton Ave.
Admission is always free at the university's on-campus art museum!
DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E. 56th Pl.
Free admission every Tuesday, all year long. Children under 5 always get in free.
The Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Free days in 2019 are January 21, April 5 -7, May 2 and June 26 -28. The museum is also admission free for the entire month of February.
International Museum of Surgical Science
1524 N. Lake Shore Dr
Admission is waived on Tuesdays for Illinois residents, with proof of residency. However, donations are still accepted.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St.
Offers free admission 365 days a year.
Loyola University Museum of Art
820 Michigan Ave.
Free to the public every Tuesday.
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E. Chicago Ave.
Illinois residents can skip the admission fees every Tuesday, year round.
Museum of Contemporary Photography
600 S. Michigan Ave.
Free daily, but is closed when Columbia College is closed.
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.
MSI's 2019 free days (for Illinois residents) are as follows:
January 7-10, 14-17, 21-24 and 28-31, February 4-7, 11-14, 19-21, 25-28
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W. 19th St. - Pilsen
Free admission daily, all year long.
National Veterans Art Museum
4041 N. Milwaukee Ave. - Portage Park
Free daily.
The Oriental Institute Museum
1155 E. 58th St. - Hyde Park
Admission is free but there is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N. Cannon Dr.
Thursdays are free for Illinois residents but they are encouraged to make a donation upon entry.
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Free admission for Illinois residents offered on the following days:
January 17-21, February 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-28
Swedish American Museum
5211 N. Clark St. - Andersonville
Free admission offered on the second Tuesday of every month
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
3015 W. Division St. - Humboldt Park
Admission and parking are free year-round at this Humbolt Park cultural hub.
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St. - Loop
Admission is always free here. Plus, you can enjoy free building tours!
American Toby Jug Museum
910 Chicago Ave. - Evanston
Admission is free at this quirky museum! Free lectures from museum founder Steve Mullins and other experts are also offered. Call for more information.
Clarke House Museum
1827 S. Indiana Ave. - South Loop
Admission is always free at this museum, which gives a glimpse into pre-Civil War life in Chicago.
Glessner House Museum
1800 S. Prairie Ave. - South Loop
Admission is free to all on Wednesdays at this architectural and historic local highlight. There is never a charge for children under 5 years old.
Mary & Leigh Block Museum Of Art
40 Arts Circle Dr. - Evanston
Northwestern University's art museum offers free admission and parking daily.
Free admission for Illinois residents offered on the following days:
January 17-21, February 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-28
Chicago Cultural Center * Michigan Avenue Galleries, 1st Floor East
Furtive is a photography-based exhibition that explores the complexity of memory, both personal and collective. Through an examination of place, archive and the intersection of perception and knowing, artists Daniel Hojnacki, Karolis Usonis, and Krista Wortendyke ask us to reconsider what we think we know based on our past experiences, communal knowledge and memory. By using photography as a conceptual tool rather than an objective medium for documentation these artists are able to examine and question our collective use of photography in the making of both memories and histories.
Exhibition: Forgotten Forms
February 2 - April 7
Chicago Cultural Center * Michigan Avenue Galleries,
1st Floor East
Forgotten Forms is a collaborative exhibition between members of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture and the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. Investigating seemingly everyday objects to reveal a much greater story about neighborhood identity, placemaking and city life, the exhibition highlights the work of two emerging artists, both of whom explore structural elements of urban landscapes. Edra Soto revisits Puerto Rico's vernacular architecture through her GRAFT installations and architectural interventions, and Yhelena Hall touches on the history of Chicago and explores a marginal state of detritus becoming artifacts through her series Polished Remnants.
Exhibition: Chicago! The Play, The Movies, The Musical...The Murders
Through July 28
Randolph Lobby, 1st Floor North
The play Chicago originally premiered on the New York's Broadway stage in 1926. Since that time, it has been reshaped into three major motion pictures, and a long-running musical still popular on Broadway today. Lead characters Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly have become almost folkloric figures associated with the play's namesake city. Not as well-known is the fact that the characters were based on two real-life murderesses of 1920s Chicago, and that playwright Maurine Dallas Watkins based it on her experiences as a Chicago Tribune reporter. On display will be seldom-seen posters, photographs and original artifacts documenting the play's evolution over the past nine decades.
What did the Declaration of Independence mean to its first readers? Why have individuals and groups attached such different meanings to the document? And how should we interpret the document today? This talk explores changing understandings of the Declaration over time as well as conflicting interpretations at key moments in American history, from the divisions in the age of the American Revolution to our own divided time.
Presented by Eric Slauter, Associate Professor, Department of English, and Director, The Karla Scherer Center for the Study of American Culture
Dido and Aeneas, both founders of major cities, offer paradigms of leadership that revolve around care: the care they take for others and how they manage the cares they feel or suppress. Although perfectly matched, their tempestuous love affair results in Dido's destruction and the future destruction of Carthage, whereas Aeneas goes on to set Rome on a secure course. Or does he? The language of security and care in the Aeneid suggest that the city to come will never fully achieve peace of mind.
Presented by Michèle Lowrie, Andrew W. Mellon Professor, Classics and the College
Presenting live radio re-creations of classics from the Golden Age of Radio
Thursday, March 14
Free Admission 7:00m - 8:30pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater
A one hour radio script performed live on stage as they did it in the Golden Age of Radio. Wonderful plot line and characters. This is an all professional cast and it is FREE. They are accompanied by a sound effects crew which enhances the "theater of the mind".
Reverse Mortgages: Updates on What You Should Know to Make an Informed Decision
Topics to Include:
* Mechanics of a reverse mortgage
* Updates on program requirements of the federally-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) reverse mortgage loan
* The "pros" and "cons" of a reverse mortgage versus various financial alternatives
SPEAKER: Professor R. Dennis Smith The John Marshall Law School Thursday,
April 25
A Senior's Guide to Property Tax Savings: Are You Paying Too Much?
Topics to Include:
* Eligibility for various property tax exemptions and assessment freezes;
* Senior citizen tax deferral program, certificates of error, tax sale procedures and more.
SPEAKERS: Attorney Mark Hellner, Executive Director Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) Theresa Chandler Community Outreach Specialist - Cook County Assessor's Office
Friday, March 8 Jeff Brown, piano 12:10pm in Buchanan Chapel
Tuesday, March 12 Chicago Ensemble (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and piano) 7:30pm in Buchanan Chapel -Tickets available at www.thechicagoensemble.org or at the door-
Friday, March 15 Tres Belle trio, soprano trio 12:10pm in Buchanan Chapel
Friday, March 22 Thomas Heidenreich, organ 12:10pm in the Sanctuary
Friday, March 29 Jackson Borges, organ 12:10pm in the Sanctuary
Tuesday, April 9 A Concert Honoring the Life of Norman Pellegrini 5:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Friday, April 12 Robin Dinda, organ 12:10pm in the Sanctuary
Thursday, April 18 Chancel Choir singing Crucifixus Pro Nobis by Kenneth Leighton 7:30pm in the Sanctuary Maundy Thursday communion service
Friday, April 19 No Noonday Concert on April 19 (Good Friday)
Friday, April 19 Good Friday Choral Service with the Morning Choir 7:30pm in the Sanctuary The Passion According to St. John by Johann Sebastian Bach
Friday, April 26 John W.W. Sherer, organ 12:10pm in the Sanctuary
Friday, April 26 Lakeside Singers 7:30pm in the Sanctuary -Tickets available at www.lakesidesingers.com-
For a full list of concerts at Fourth Presbyterian,
click here
Lake View Music Society
Concerts: 2nd Tuesday of the month
1:00pm
New Music School
900 North Michigan Ave, 6th floor
March 12
Mary Beth Dietrick. Mary Beth got back into the piano world by bidding on, and winning, "Four Piano Lessons for an Adventurous Student" in a silent auction at a benefit for the CSO. The teacher was Fay Stopeck. The lessons started in July of 2010 - and they've never stopped! Mary Beth will play Haydn's Sonata in E minor and Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso.
Isabel Gallagher, our 2018 LVMS scholarship recipient. Isabel is currently finishing up her second year at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Isabel will play selections by Mozart, Gershwin, Debussy, and Schumann.
First concert is free. After that $40 for the full series is appreciated.
Lookingglass Theatre
Act(s) of God
February 13 - April 7
Three siblings, two parents, and one very unexpected dinner guest.
As a family gathers for an overdue dinner, a mysterious envelope arrives with astonishing news. They soon find themselves scrambling to welcome a visitor of cosmic proportion. Absurdity reigns as ancient fissures open wide, long-held certainties crumble, and sh*t gets real. Will this nuclear family explode?
Lookingglass Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy unleashes this existential dark comedy, directed by Artistic Director Heidi Stillman (Cascabel, Hard Times).
Lookingglass Young Ensemble
Cassandra
March 16 - March 30
This small, domestic story about family, joy, love, jealousy, humility, and loss becomes epic when told through the lens of the Trojan War.
Young Americans
March 23-April 6, 2019
America began with a "lively experiment": people can live side by side in harmonious co-existence even if they have different beliefs. But has that harmony turned into discord?
Spring Exhibitions Now OpenLUMA presents four new exhibitions this spring: Flash Forward: Luisa Dörr, Nina Röder, Nichole Sobecki, Jan Hoek and Duran Lantink with SistaazHood; David Lee Csicsko: Parade of Saints; Arrupe College: Bring It; and Yollocalli Arts Reach: Portraits of Little Village.
Curator - led Gallery Tour
March 12, 5:30-6:30pm
Friday, March 15, 1:00 - 2:00pm
Free to the Public
Join LUMA curator Dr. Natasha Ritsma for a gallery tour of our spring photography exhibition, Flash Forward.
Spring Exhibition Opening Reception
Friday, March 22
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Free to the public
Join LUMA members and staff to celebrate the opening of our spring exhibitions: Flash Forward: Luisa Dörr, Nina Röder, Nichole Sobecki, Jan Hoek and Duran Lantink with SistaazHood; David Lee Csicsko: Parade of Saints; Arrupe College: Bring It; and Yollocalli Arts Reach: Portraits of Little Village.
Flash Forward Tour with MaryAnn Camillieri
Saturday, March 23
1:00-2:00pm
Free to the Public
Founder and director of the nonprofit arts publishing house the Magenta Foundation, MaryAnn Camilleri, will lead a tour of the Flash Forward exhibition featuring photographs by Luisa Dörr, Nina Röder, Nichole Sobecki, Jan Hoek and Duran Lantink with SistaazHood.
Loyola University Dance Department Performance
Saturday, March 30
1:00 - 2:00pm
Free to the public
Join us for a dance performance inspired by the Flash Forward photography exhibition. Student dancers from Loyola's Department of Fine Arts will perform new dance work in the galleries.
Earth Day Workshop
Saturday, April 13
1:00 - 3:00pm
Free to the public
Celebrate Earth Day with a recycled crafting session at LUMA. Using vinyl street banners from past LUMA exhibitions, learn how to make place mats, plant pots, wallets, and more. All materials will be provided.
LUMA is pleased to offer free admission every day Sketching in the galleries every Tuesday from 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Experience Loop, a free, interactive art installation for all ages, in Polk Bros Park!
This illuminated musical installation, featuring a distinctive retro-futuristic look, uses cylinders two meters in diameter. Members of the public are invited to sit down inside and activate the mechanism, causing beautiful images inspired by 13 fairy tales to come to life. Loop is sure to spark children's imagination and revive their parents' childhood memories.Loop
is a cross between a music box, a zoetrope and a railway handcar - the pump-powered vehicles familiar from Bugs Bunny cartoons.
Navy Pier is proud to host Evening in Bloom, the charity preview benefit of the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. Evening in Bloom is reinventing itself as part of the 2019 Show theme FLOWERTALES - with new experiences aligning flowers, food and fashion.
An experience like no other... Upwards of 1,000 VIP attendees will behold the Midwest's iconic Chicago Flower & Garden Show in all its grandeur the evening before it opens to the public!
Navy Pier is proud to host the Chicago Flower & Garden Show.
The Second City. The Windy City. The City of Big Shoulders. Whatever the name or title, Chicago is much more than a headline or destination. It's the melting pot of the Midwest and where the Ferris wheel took its first spin. A place where skyscrapers make the view, improv shows reign and hotdogs are served ketchup-less. If you haven't caught our drift, we're saying that Chicago is unlike any other.
"FLOWERTALES: The Story Grows On," has the creators of Chicago Flower & Garden Show gardens interpreting the unique role of flowers, plants and gardens play in the stories of our lives and literature.
Click here for a full schedule of Navy Pier events and tickets as needed
Newberry Library
60 West Walton
The Newberry organizes and hosts programs illuminating topics in the humanities, through a variety of formats tailored to the subject at hand: lectures, staged readings, music and dance performances, panel discussions, workshops, and more.
For a full list of events, programs and exhibitions at the Newberry Library go to www.newberry.org
Free and Open to the Public
Landscapes of Hope: Nature and the Great Migration in Chicago
Meet the Author: Brian McCammack
Tuesday, March 5,
6:00pm
Ruggles Hall
Situated at the intersection of race and place in American history, Landscapes of Hope: Nature and the Great Migration in Chicago traces the contours of a black environmental consciousness that runs throughout the African American experience.
Pine Nuts: Indigenous Cultivation and "Colonial" Trade in North America
A Newberry Colloquium
Wednesday, March 6,
4:00pm
Towner Fellowes' Lounge
In this talk Tatiana Seijas discusses the expansion of the pine-nut trade in the seventeenth century to shed light on Indigenous economic activity in the US Southwest and Northern Mexico.
FNFVF: "#stillhere," "Nothing about Moccasins" and "Jane and the Wolf"
Saturday, March 9, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
#stillhere, Directed by Desmond Hessing (Oklahoma Choctaw) Short Video Art piece which challenges traditional representations of Indigenous people as being trapped in the past.
Second Saturday in March: Bowwow Powwow
Storytelling and drawing activity for Children, with Brenda Child and Steve Premo
Saturday, March 9, 10:00am - 11:00am
Baskes Boardroom
Dr. Brenda Child, author of Bowwow Powwow, and Steve Premo, Ojibwe artist and muralist, will lead children in traditional Ojibwe storytelling and a drawing activity
Chicago Studies Programs
Leopold, Loeb, and Darrow: A Story of Murder and Mercy
Clarence Darrow Symposium: Nina Barrett
Wednesday, March 13, 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Ruggles Hall
The 1924 murder of fourteen-year-old Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, and their defense by Clarence Darrow, raised profound and disturbing questions about social class, criminal psychology, morality, justice, and mercy.
Moby Dick-Rehearsed, A Play by Orson Welles
Staged Reading by the Shakespeare Project of Chicago
Saturday, March 16, 10:00am
Ruggles Hall
A Shakespearean company puts down their rehearsal sides of Lear and curiously take up those of a new play entitled Moby Dick.
Center for American Indian Studies Programs
The Past, Present, and Future of Indigenous Studies
Christine DeLucia and Holly Miowak Guise
Tuesday, March 19, 6:00pm
Ruggles Hall
Join us for a conversation between two emerging leaders in the field of Native American and Indigenous studies.Christine DeLucia and Holly Guise will discuss the ways in which scholars have approached the field, new trends developing in the 21st century, and the changing role places like the Newberry Library and the American Philosophical Society play in research.
Center for the History of Cartography Programs
Chicago Map Society's March Meeting
How Maps Reveal (and Conceal) History
Thursday, March 21, 5:30pm
Ruggles Hall
Please join us as we celebrate the publication of Susan Schulten's book, A History of America in 100 Maps. Across five centuries, America has been defined through maps. Whether handmaidens of diplomacy, tools of statecraft, instruments of reform, or advertisements, maps document particular moments in time but also shape the course of history.
Rudolph Ganz Festival 2019
Music by Rudolph Ganz and Friends
Saturday, March 23
2:30pm Recital, 4:00pm Reception
Ruggles Hall
To celebrate the musical legacy and contributions of Rudolph Ganz (1877-1972), a series of three concerts will take place in 2019. Each concert will have a different program, different performers, and a different location in order to reach new audiences.
Center for Renaissance Studies Programs
Leonardo's Books: New Light on Leonardo's Intellectual World
Tuesday, March 26, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Ruggles Hall
In our age, Leonardo da Vinci is regarded as an outstanding genius, the lonely forerunner of modern science and technology, able to read directly in the great Book of Nature without the mediation of culture or literacy.
Making Melville Legible
A Symposium Celebrating Completion of the Northwestern-Newberry Edition
Saturday, April 6
9:30am Coffee, 10:00am - 1:00pm Symposium
Baskes Boardroom
Editors recall 50 years of work on the 15-volume critical edition, The Writings of Herman Melville, and scholars reflect on its significance for textual editing and on Melville studies today. Schedule 9:30 am Coffee and Continental Breakfast in Rettinger Hall
Moby-Dick: An Expanding Operatic Tradition
Panel Discussion with Illustrative Arias, Chicago Opera Theater
Saturday, April 6, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Baskes Boardroom
Join the artists of Chicago Opera Theater's Moby-Dick and the Melville Society in celebrating the 200th birthday of author Herman Melville.
Two Books on Newspapers and the Making of Modern America
Meet the Author: Julia Guarneri and Michael Stamm
Thursday, April 11, 6:00pm
Ruggles Hall
Join us as authors Julia Guarneri and Michael Stamm discuss the rise and fall of the printed newspaper, in Chicago and nationwide.
Center for American Indian Studies Programs
FNFVF: "Our Sisters in Spirit," "Songs of the Blue Bird" and "Battles"
Saturday, April 13, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Rettinger Hall
Our Sisters in Spirit, Directed by Nick Printup (Onondaga & Algonquin) Our Sisters in Spirit explores the question of calling a national public inquiry into the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women & girls in Canada or whether there may be a better approach. Run time: 35 minutes
Indigenous Prosperity and American Conquest
Meet the Author: Susan Sleeper-Smith
Thursday, April 25, 6:00pm
Ruggles Hall
Indigenous Prosperity and American Conquest: Indian Women of the Ohio River Valley, 1690-1792, by Susan Sleeper-Smith, recovers the agrarian village world Indian women created in the lush lands of the Ohio Valley.
Exhibitions
The Legacy of Chicago Dance
Saturday, April 27- Saturday, July 6
Roger J. Trienens Galleries
What defines and distinguishes Chicago dance and the city's dance community? Many dance styles converge and coexist in Chicago, from ballet and flamenco to jazz, tap, contemporary/modern, house, and dances from around the world.
Center for American Indian Studies Programs
Circles and Squares: Natives and Colonists and Maps
Colonial History Lecture Series: Alan Shaw Taylor
Saturday, April 27, 10:00am - 11:30pm
Ruggles Hall
By examining a map made by natives of the Carolina backcountry in 1721, this presentation reveals efforts to understand and adapt to colonial trade and settlement.
Meet the Author
Conversation with Kenyatta
Wednesday, May 1, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Ruggles Hall
Genealogist Kenyatta D. Berry brings her series "Conversations with Kenyatta" to to the Newberry.
For more information or to register for one of the events above, click here.
Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being
126 E. Chestnut
Relationships 101
Saturday, March 30 1:00-4:00 p.m. Boyle Conference Room Registration fee: $30
(Registration closes Thursday, March 28)
Relationships take work, and successful relationships take work and a deep understanding of self. Communication, how we handle conflict, and expectations for relationships can be different from person to person.
Mondays
7:00pm - 8:15pm
Grief Support Group
Free and open to all
Those undergoing significant loss after the death of a loved one are invited to take part in a grief support group, which is designed to enable participants to help one another deal with grief. Two experienced counselors- Maureen Garvey, L.C.P.C., and Mary Jo Hubick, L.C.P.C.- lead the group. There is no fee.
In the midst of your busy life, take a few minutes on Tuesday mornings to find some stillness and experience silence. Take a break from the relentless pace and stress of daily life.
You don't have to be an experienced meditator to attend, and you're free to use the silence of our Sacred Pause in any way you like. We have resources to help you practice if you need help--poetry, readings, inspirational photography--but the format is simple and open: a greeting, a candle, a bell, twenty minutes of silence.
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The Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being is Fourth Presbyterian Church's response to the mental health needs of its congregation and community. The Center's unique blend of staff from a variety of disciplines enables it to respond to individuals concerns. This response is enhanced by the Center's role as a ministry of Fourth Church, which means that spiritual issues are valued and all religious orientations respected.
For more information, call the Replogle Center at 312.787.8425 or visit www.fourthchurch.org/rc
For more information or to express interest in adding your name to the list for the next group, please call 312.787.8425.
More Great Cultural, Education and Social Opportunities?
We know we didn't get them all in our calendar and newsletter!
Choose Chicago has an excellent event calendar in which you can search by the date, date range, category of event and location.
"Elderly people are like plants. Whereas some go to seed, or to pot, others blossom in the most wonderful ways. I believe beauty competitions should be held only for people over seventy years of age. When we are young, we have the face and figure God gave us. We did nothing to earn our good looks. But as we get older, character becomes etched on our face. Beautiful old people are works of art. Like a white candle in a holy place, so it the beauty of an aged face."
~James Simpson
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The Skyline Village Chicago community of older adults engages in cultural, educational and social programs. We are active, informed and connected advocates within our unique, vibrant high-rise neighborhoods.
