Amid concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, many local organizations have turned to virtual events. Here are this week’s top picks.
West Zone: July 16-22
July 16
Darien
Online – Baby Book Bees Storytime
Indian Prairie Library
July 16, 9:30-10 a.m.
https://ippl.libcal.com/event/6807795
For children birth – 17 months with a caregiver. We are kicking off Baby Book Bees – a new reading initiative for babies. Get started by joining us via Zoom for stories, songs, and rhymes with your baby. Registration is required with a working email account to receive the Zoom login information. You will receive an email with this information when registration closes 24 hours before the program begins. If you miss the deadline, you can still join! Contact Lexy Twidell at [email protected] [email protected] for the Zoom login information up to one hour before the program starts.
Wheaton
Wheaton Architectural Walking Tour
DuPage County Historical Museum
102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton, IL 60187
7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday
Tour is 60 minutes and covers 1.5 miles of walking. To plan your tour, register through Eventbrite and [email protected] to reserve your time. Bring masks to wear when social distancing guidelines cannot be followed. Groups of 8 or less per time slot. Unlimited slots open. Social distancing practices apply. Questions? Contact Michelle Podkowa, DuPage County Historical Museum Manager ([email protected]).
630-510-4041
Hillside
SEL Leaders Network
West 40 Intermediate Service Center No. 2
4413 W Roosevelt Road, Suite 104, Hillside, IL 60162
July 16, 8:30-10 a.m.
For those who support social-emotional learning in the area: the West40 SEL Network will meet monthly to explore the world of social-emotional learning in education. Members discuss best practices, share ideas, and identify professional learning needs for themselves and their school staff.
River Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History
738 Thatcher Ave, River Forest, IL 60305
July 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
An in-person program for children aged 3-9, with an adult. Come on a short walk and read a story along the way. Afterwards, you will be given an activity bag so you can start your own adventure with crafts and activities. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing. Registration required: call Trailside at 708-366-6530.
Elmhurst
Full Steam Ahead! (In person classes)
The Center for Gifted-Elmhurst Branch
533 W. North Ave., Ste #30, Elmhurst, IL.
July 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$220-$420, Half and Full days offered (weekly price)
The Center for Gifted offers bright, and talented children and teens, a wide variety of classes which are challenging, creative and fun! Applicants need NOT be tested, or identified as gifted-just bright, motivated, and hungry for new challenges. Masks, hand sanitizer required, and social distancing enforced. One-week sessions at the Elmhurst site through Aug.14. Apply online. Email us at: [email protected] or call 847-901-0173.
Darien
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STEM in the Prairie Patch
Indian Prairie Public Library
401 Plainfield Rd, Darien, IL 60561
July 16, 9:15-11 a.m.
Register at ippl.info/opc. There are two different time slots available – sign up for one. You must register at the link provided at least 24 hours in advance. These are in-person events. If you’re having trouble or want to register within 24 hours of the program, visit our website at ippl.info and use the online chat service. Look for the green, “we are here.” — Grades 3 – 6. Hands on science fun exploring the Prairie Patch garden plants, soil, pollinators, and the environment. Registration is required. Face masks are required, and social distancing will be maintained during this program.
Lombard
Breaking Free: Finding Resilience in an Era of Collective Trauma (Webinar)
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
July 16, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center: will present Breaking Free: Finding Resilience in an Era of Collective Trauma in an online format. This 90-minute webinar will explore the issue of trauma in the current context of both the Corvid-19 virus and the public killing of George Floyd. Grounded in Family Systems Theory, the webinar will help participants identify the impact of trauma on themselves and others and discuss strategies to break free from trauma and find resilience. A Zoom link to this webinar will be sent to all registrants no later than Wednesday, July 15 at 9 a.m. Registration fee is $30. Contact LMPC at 630-627-0507 or [email protected] with questions or concerns.
Darien
Online – First Chapter Chats – 2021 Bluestems
Indian Prairie Public Library
July 16, 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
https://ippl.libcal.com/event/6800507
Grades 3 -5. We will be reading aloud the first chapter of three 2021 Bluestem nominees; you can read along by downloading the books through the Indian Prairie web page on Hoople or Libby/Overdrive. Registration is required with a working email account to receive the Zoom login information. You will receive an email with this information when registration closes 24 hours before the program begins.
Western Springs
Virtual Nailed it! Improv Edition
Thomas Ford Memorial Library
July 16, 1-3 p.m.
https://fordlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/virtual-nailed-it-improv-edition
Using whatever ingredients/food you have on hand; you will have 2 hours to recreate the image that we have chosen. The image you must recreate will be posted on Instagram and on our website at 1p.m. Email a picture of your creations to [email protected] by 3 p.m. The most “Instagram worthy” creations will receive an E-gift card!
La Grange
Virtual Caregiver Grief Support Group
La Grange Public Library
July 16, 1:30 p.m.
The Caregiver Grief Support Group will give participants the opportunity to share issues and concerns, and to provide and receive emotional support from others experiencing similar challenges. Groups are facilitated by a Caregiver Specialist from Aging Care Connections of La Grange, IL. Registration is required for this online program. https://lagrangelibrary.evanced.info/signup
Oak Brook
Concert: Pearls Mahone
Oak Brook Park District
1500 Forest Gate Rd, Oak Brook, IL
July 16, 7 p.m.
https://www.obparks.org/special-events/concert-pearls-mahone
$30-$40
Pearls Mahone is pure vintage Americana! Born to sing and bound to roam, Pearls Mahone is part hard luck crooner and part gospel firebrand. With a firm foundation in traditional church music, she truly sings with spirit. From deep roots she built her repertoire from an early age into a seamless marriage of Hot Jazz, Rockabilly, and Country-Western. Pre-registration required for each concert.
July 17
Oak Park
Mutt Strut Virtual 5k Run/Walk
Animal Care League
July 17-19
http://animalcareleague.org/2020-mutt-strut
$20
Register online for Mutt Strut, set up your personal fundraising page, collect donations from friends and family, and then July 17-19 run or walk 3.1 miles in a lace near you! We’ll also be sharing fitness challenges leading up to Mutt Strut weekend, July 17-19, on our social media, so make sure you follow us and click going on the Mutt Strut Facebook event. We’ll also be holding social media contests each day of Mutt Strut weekend with prizes for the winners! Contact Quinn Lentz, 708-848-8155. Run or walk 3.1 miles in a place near you to the benefit homeless animals of Animal Care League! Register now: muttstrut5k.itsyourrace.com/register/
Wheaton
Virtual Library Time: Preschool
Wheaton Public Library
July 17, 11 a.m.
Join us for a virtual library time via Zoom! Preschool Library Time is geared for 3-5 years. Friday’s class is the same as Monday’s class Enter your e-mail address for instructions and connection details.
Oak Park
Virtual- Wine with Wini
Zoom link will be sent by 5 p.m. on the day of.
228 S. East Ave, 2, Oak Park, IL 60302
July 17, 7-7:20 p.m.
$0-$50
Forest Park
The Buzz: Future Lounge Leaders Chat (Ages 11-13)
July 17, 4-5 p.m.
https://fppl.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=17444&backTo=Calendar&startDate=2020/07/10
Forest Park Public Library
Offsite
Have a serious case of FOMO? Reconnect with old friends and talk to us about what kind of virtual programs you want to see. This meeting is all about positive energy. What has cheered you up lately? Come ready to share your favorite cute or funny animal gif or video. This online event is invitation-only so registration is a must. Make sure you register with a valid email address. Invitations will be sent to that email the day of the program.
Oak Park
2020 Friday@Hemingway’s
Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum
339 North Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302
July 17, 7-9 p.m.
$5-10
This ongoing social community engagement event takes place the third Friday of each month (May-November), and has an emphasis on the arts, including literature, performance, and the visual.
July 18
Libertyville
Charlie Foxtrot Dance Night at Mickey Finn’s
Mickey Finn’s Brewery
345 N. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048
July 18, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
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Mix Tape Night presented by Charlie Foxtrot brings you back– to give you a fix of Dance Music, 80’s, 90’s, Country, 2000 -Today? Got it. Re-experience the first soundtracks of your lives and the glory days of the mix tape.
Go Ape Chicago Grand Re-Opening
Go Ape Bemis Woods
1100 Ogden Ave., Western Springs, IL
July 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
https://www.goape.com/book-now/
$29-$59
Go Ape Chicago is getting you back outside this summer. Go Ape Treetop Adventure and Journey courses offer an unparalleled outdoor experience, with over 40 suspended obstacles, thrilling ziplines, and an unbeatable view of the Bemis Woods Forest Preserves. For more information and to reserve your tree-time at Go Ape Chicago, visit https://www.goape.com/location/illinois-chicago/. Call 412-302-5101.
Wheaton
Virtual Fish-O-Rama
Wheaton Park District- Northside Park
July 18-July 19
https://www.facebook.com/events/northside-park/virtual-fish-o-rama/552481012092761/
Tickets are $5 at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-fish-o-rama-tickets-109841121752
Youngsters ages 3-15 can fish anytime, anyplace between 6 a.m. Saturday, July 18 through 5 p.m. Sunday, July 19 and submit a photo of your largest catch!
Prizes are awarded for largest in age groups 3-7, 8-12 and 13-15. Anglers will receive a ticket the day prior to the contest unique to their age bracket.
Anglers will submit a photo of the fish with their ticket and email it to [email protected]. Virtual judging will take place and winners will be notified the week of July 20. Registration is required for all persons wanting to enter the contest by July 16. Social distancing requirements apply. For questions, contact Terra Johnson, Lincoln Marsh Program Manager ([email protected]) or Matthew Wrobel ([email protected]).
July 19
Western Springs
Virtual Read to a Therapaws Pet
Thomas Ford Memorial Library
July 19, 10-11 a.m.
https://fordlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/virtual-read-therapaws-pet-1
Beginning or independent readers can practice reading aloud to one of the pets from the Hinsdale Humane Society’s Therapaws Pet Therapy because it’s pressure-free! Reading time will be a one-on-one experience on Zoom with the therapy animal. Call Christine Ricker, 708-246-0520.
Elmhurst
(Virtual) Kids’ Online Chess
Elmhurst Public Library
July 19, 3-4 p.m.
https://elmhurstpubliclibrary.evanced.info/signup/eventdetails?eventid=35275&lib=0
Chess master Jeff DiOrio teaches winning strategies to improve your game. Players must know all basic rules to join. Register to get the Zoom link.
July 20
Oak Park
Giving Artfully
Belmont Village Senior Living Oak Park
1035 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302
July 20-24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Children kindergarten through 7th grade can register at: www.givingartfullykids.com/classes/summercamp
Free
Giving Artfully Kids and Belmont Village partner to create a memorable intergenerational summer camp. Belmont Village seniors and children from the community will work together to craft items to help others and spread kindness. Contact: Leanna McKenzie, [email protected], (708) 848-7200.
Oak Park
Casting an Historic Vote – A ZOOM webinar
The Nineteenth Century Club
July 20, 1:30 p.m.
https://www.nineteenthcentury.org/
Prior to 1920, American women were denied the vote in most elections. Despite what people today believe to be a straightforward goal, the path to women’s suffrage was infused with competing ideologies and widely diverse stakeholders. Jeanne Schultz Angel is a historian, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar and the former Executive Director of The Nineteenth. Visit our website to register for this webinar.
July 21
Chamber Membership Breakfast
Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce
Salt Creek Park, 574 W. Second St., Elmhurst, IL 60126
July 22, 8-9 a.m.
http://chambermaster.elmhurstchamber.org/events/details/chamber-membership-breakfast-16024
This month’s Chamber Membership Breakfast will be hosted by the Elmhurst Park District. Attendance is limited to 50 and one representative per member under Restore Illinois Phase 4 guidelines.
Wheaton
Virtual Design Challenge
Wheaton Public Library
July 21, 11-11:30 a.m.
http://www.wheatonlibrary.org/events/2020-07-10-130000-2020-07-10-133000/virtual-design-challenge
Grades K-6 Have paper, pencils, craft supplies, and your imagination ready as we take on a design challenge together. The design challenge will remain a secret until the program starts. Will it be an invention for the future? What about creating the ultimate tree house? Register to find out! Each design challenge program will feature a new activity. Please enter your e-mail address for instructions and connection details.
Lemont
Show and Tell
Lemont Public Library
July 21, 2-2:30
https://www.facebook.com/events/lemont-public-library/show-and-tell/288939698788281/
Stop by for our virtual show and tell! We want to see your cool stuff and we’ll have some fun things to share too. Registration is required for all events, so register as usual and you will be sent the information for accessing the program from home.
River Forest
Memory Cafe on Zoom, Adult
River Forest Public Library
July 21, 2-4 p.m.
https://riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/memory-cafe-zoom-1
A Memory Cafe is a welcoming place for individuals living with memory changes along with their families and friends. Join for conversation and enjoyable activities in an informal setting. This program is sponsored by Senior Services of Oak Park and River Forest Townships, with support from the River Forest Library. Registered participants will receive an email with the zoom link.
July 22
Virtual- DIY Lip Scrubs
Thomas Ford Memorial Library
July 22, 1-1:15 p.m.
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https://fordlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/diy-lip-scrubs
Tweens, Teens and Adults: Learn how to make DIY lip scrubs with common household ingredients! Check the Library’s Facebook page for our instructional video.
To submit your own events, email [email protected].