By Vivian Mali | December 2008

BIKETOWN BASH
Party with the 2008 Bike Town Bash, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s annual fundraising party, on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Epiphany Episcopal Church, 201 S. Ashland Ave. Come for food, drinks, entertainment, a raffle, and a recycled auction. Cost is $25. Call (312) 427-3325.

NEW SCHOOL UPDATE
The Chicago Board of Education has approved the following local schools:

Two Noble Street Charter School campuses will open next fall. Muchin College Prep will be located at the former Carson Pirie Scott store on 1 N. State St., (773) 899-2732, and will have Kimberly Neal as principal. The campus location for Chicago Bulls College Prep (CBCP) is yet to be determined. Tyson Kane will serve as principal and is available at the CBCP office, 1454 W. Superior St., (773) 899-3266.

Chicago Hope Academy, 2189 W. Bowler St., may move its proposed opening date from 2009 to 2010. Chicago Hope was founded in 2004 as a private school.

Two proposed schools in East Garfield Park have locations yet to be determined. Urban Prep Academy for Young Men in East Garfield Park will be the first new school based on the existing model at Urban Prep Charter Academy, the district’s first allboys school. Garfield Park Preparatory Academy will serve grades K-8 and will be operated by the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, which proposes a whole child curriculum that would integrate a research-based approach to instruction known as Accelerated Independent Learner from Columbia University.

PARK ROUND-UP
The Chicago Park District’s outdoor ice skating rinks will be open through Saturday, Feb. 28, weather permitting.

McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd., (312) 747-5992, offers ice skating Wednesday through Sunday, from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. Skate rental is $5. Admission is free. No food concessions are available.

The ice rink at Daley Bicentennial Park, Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., (312) 742-7650, is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Senior skate runs from 9 to 10 a.m. weekdays. Skate rental is $5. Admission is free. Hot chocolate is available by vending machine.

Midway Plaisance Park, 1130 Midway Plaisance North (east 59th Street at Woodlawn Avenue), (312) 745-2470, offers ice skating Monday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.; Friday from noon to 4:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. Skate rental is $3. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children. Food concessions are available.

The fourth annual Polar Adventure Day will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, from noon to 4 p.m. at Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynn White Dr., on the museum campus. Admission is free. Come face-to-face with live animals, watch ice sculpture carvings, and create nature-inspired crafts. The first 500 visitors receive a complimentary Polar Adventure Day mug filled with hot chocolate. Limit one per person. If there is snow, explore the island with a free snowshoe rental.

Northerly Island will host a free bird watching workshop led by Lifebird Nature Tours on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m.

Pulaski Park, 1419 W. Blackhawk St., is one of five Chicago Park District sites competing for a grand prize of $25,000 for park improvements in the second annual Staples Dream Park Challenge with the Chicago Bears. Help pick this year’s winner by voting online. Visit www.staples-dreampark.com. Parkways Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the Chicago Park District, raised more than $700,000 in private funds to build a state-of-the-art playground at Washington Park, 5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.

LIBRARY ROUND-UP
All Chicago Public Library locations will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 24 and 25, and on Wednesday, Dec. 31. All library events require adult caregivers for children younger than eight years old.

The Roosevelt branch, 1101 W. Taylor St., (312) 746-5656, will host a family board game competition every Monday at 1:30 p.m. Children ages nine through 12 can join the Order of the Owl: Pre-Teen Book Club on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 3:30 p.m.; limited to ten pre-teens. Children ages 8 and older can create holiday-themed crafts on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 3:30 p.m.; limited to ten children.

The Chinatown branch, 2353 S. Wentworth Ave., (312) 747-8013, will host Give Yourself a Hand! puppet theater workshops for children ages six through nine on Saturdays this month from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Enjoy holiday storytime and activities for Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa at A Jolly Holidaze! on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Celebrate National Roots Day with a family story time and craft event on Tuesday, Dec. 23, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

The Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., (312) 747-4200, will host a variety of events. Children ages three through nine can enjoy Melikin Puppet’s performance of Fractured Fairytales on Monday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. Noon-time holiday concerts will be held throughout the month and include performances by the Jones College Prep Concert Choir on Monday, Dec. 8; the De Minimus Brass and the Ad Hoc Carolers on Thursday, Dec. 11; the Morgan Park High School Concert Choir on Friday, Dec. 12; the Locke Elementary School Symphonic Band on Monday, Dec. 15; the Hawthorne Scholastic Academy Chorus on Wednesday, Dec. 17; the Lincoln Park High School Concert Choir on Thursday, Dec. 18; and the Schurz High School Advanced Mixed Chorus on Friday, Dec. 19.

Author Neil Harris will discuss his soon-to-be-released book, The Chicagoan: A Lost Magazine of the Jazz Age, on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m.

A teen book discussion will review Un Lun Dun by China Mieville on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Children ages nine through 12 can join the Pre-Teen Book Club on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. to discuss The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

Nationally known family entertainer Chris Fascione will present Juggling Funny Stories! on Monday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m.

Tobi Abrams will present Crafting in a Winter Wonderland on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m.

CHINATOWN CHRISTMAS
Enjoy dinner, karaoke, dancing, a silent auction, and door prizes at the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce 2008 Christmas celebration on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Furama Seafood Restaurant, 2828 S. Wentworth Ave. Cost is $30. Call (312) 326-5320.

TEACHERS FOR ENERGY
ComEd and the National Energy Education Development Project will host a free science workshop on energy efficiency on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Chicago for teachers of grades K through 12. Breakfast and lunch are included. Participants will receive a free Science of Energy kit, which includes lesson plans for hands-on activities. Location and directions will be sent upon registration. Call (800) 875-5029.

DE LA SALLE ROUND-UP
De La Salle Institute students Steve Chmelovsky and Justin Cook made history during the recent golf season as they became the first Meteors in school history to reach sectional play.

Football player Peter G. Mulchrone, ‘78; basketball player Mark E. Niego, ‘85; baseball and football player Leslie M. Rogers, ‘78; and baseball, football, and hockey player Joseph E. Sarna, ‘64, were inducted into the De La Salle Sports Hall of Fame.

De La Salle raised $20,596 during the weekly mission collections held during the 2007-08 school year, which marks the 20th consecutive school year that De La Salle has surpassed the $10,000 mark in funds collected for the missions.

GET FLU SHOTS
Get your flu vaccination at the onsite flu clinic at your local Dominick’s pharmacy. Qualified Medicare part B participants get a free flu shot. Call (630) 891-5165.

EMPLOYER SUPPORT AWARDS
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, has opened the nomination season for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. National Guard and Reserve members and their families are encouraged to nominate employers who have gone above and beyond in their support of military employees. Nominations will be accepted at www.FreedomAward.mil until Monday, Jan. 19. The 2009 recipients will be announced in the spring and honored in Washington, D.C. at the 14th annual award ceremony on Sept. 17, 2009. Call (703) 380-9717.

HELLENIC ROUND-UP
The Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center (HMCC), 801 W. Adams St., No. 400, has a new exhibit, Rings of Fire, by Olympic artist Euripides “Rip” Kastaris, which runs through Sunday, Jan. 4. HMCC’s autumn gala raised $1 million, which includes support from board member Frank Kamberos, the Hellenic American Leadership Council, and Governor Rod Blagojevich’s Chief of Staff John Harris. Call (312) 655-1234.

MERCY GRANT
Mercy Home for Boys and Girls received a $200,000 grant from AT&T Foundation to help its youth improve math and reading skills while implementing a computerized learning tool, tutoring and individualized work in after-school math and reading labs. Mercy is located at 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. Call (877) 637-2955.

MILITARY LAW BOOK
The Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic at the John Marshall Law School has partnered with the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education to publish a new book, Military Service & The Law, to provide in-depth coverage of the complex legal issues faced by both active duty military personnel and veterans.

JONES DRIVING SAFETY PROGRAM
The Jones College Prep Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) will host a special program entitled “Dare to Prepare” on Friday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Jones cafeteria. The program, which is cosponsored by AAA, is aimed at helping parents become familiar with the special challenges of having a teen driver. Parents and students are welcome. Call (773) 534-8606. Jones is located at 606 S. State St.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH CONTEST
Middle school students who have hearing loss can participate in the third annual Mathcounts competition on Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4, 2009, at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, NY. Cash prizes of up to $100 are awarded to the top three places in both the individual and team competitions. Coaches and students can register online at www.rit.edu/ ntid/mathcounts until Monday, Dec. 15. Cost is $80 per team of four students or $20 for individual students.

MEDICARE PART D
The Medicare Rx Access Network of Illinois will have open enrollment for Medicare Part D open enrollment period through Wednesday, Dec. 31. Medicare Part D beneficiaries can now switch their prescription drug plan for a better plan. New enrollees are welcome. Call (800) 633-4227 or visit www.medicare.gov.

STUDENTS DISCOVER ITALY
The National Italian American Foundation will sponsor its ninth annual Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery program. This all-expenses-paid, ten day trip to Italy will take place between May and June 2009 and will include lectures; meetings with government officials and business leaders; and visits to government offices, international businesses, museums, and other cultural attractions. Participants must be of Italian heritage, between the ages of 18 and 23 at the time of travel (May 2009), and enrolled in a college for the semester preceding the trip (spring 2009). Application deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 6. Apply online at www.niaf.org/voyageofdiscovery.

PROS ARTS ANNIVERSARY
Pros Arts Studio will have its 30th anniversary dinner-dance at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Saturday, Dec. 13. There will be dinner, drinks, live music, a silent auction, and a video presentation in honor of retiring Executive Director Jean Paris. Tickets are $50. Call (312) 226-7767.

QUEEN OF PEACE ROUND-UP
Queen of Peace High School recognized Donna Gailus, ‘77; Sr. Mary O’Loughlin; and Dolores Baumgarten for their commitment and dedication to the Dominicans of Sinsinawa at the annual founder’s day celebration on Nov. 2. Board member Patricia Mulligan DeLeonardis, ‘66, won the Spirit of Peace Award for helping raise thousands of dollars for scholarships. Longtime employee Nancy Janachowski was inducted into the Peace Hall of Fame.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Dr., hosts its second annual four-star Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m. in the United Club for about 600 guests. Visit with Santa and his elves and with a Chicago Bears’ player. Children under age 12 can decorate a cookie to bring home. Families are encouraged to bring their own ornament to decorate the stadium tree, with prizes going to the top three handmade ornaments. Cost is $50, $25 for ages three to 12, and free for ages three and under. Reservations required. Call (312) 235-7096.

LEARN TANGO
TangoChicago, 408 S. Michigan Ave, is accepting new students for its new tango classes, which meet Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. Cost is $100 pre-paid for six classes. No partner, dancing ability, or prior dance experience necessary. Social dancing classes are held Tuesday and Friday, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $15 per class and $25 for a three-month membership. Call (312)788-3408.

UIC ROUND-UP
A surgical team led by Pier Cristoforo Giulianotti, MD, at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago has performed an innovative robotic-assisted procedure to remove parathyroid glands without an incision or scar on the patient’s neck.

UIC College Prep, a campus of Noble Street Charter School, recently celebrated its grand opening and offers a unique curriculum developed in partnership with UIC to prepare mostly minority and low-income students for college degrees in health science fields. The campus will serve 530 students in grades 9 through 12 when fully enrolled beginning in 2011. The school is located at 1231 S. Damen Ave. Call (312) 768-4858.

PEOPLE
John Podmajersky, 86, recently was honored at the 2008 Illinois Senior Hall of Fame with the Governor’s Unique Achievement Award for his accomplishments in building community life, including creating the Chicago Arts District and the annual Pilsen East Artist’s Open House, that have established lasting bonds among diverse socio-economic groups.

Send news of events to be held “around the neighborhood” by the 15th of the month before the month they are to occur to Vivian Malli, Around the Neighborhood, Gazette, 1335 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607-3318, fax (312) 243-4270, or e-mail to pr@gazettechicago.com.