North Shore Views

Archive for the 'Community Events' Category

Wilmette Junior High Gets a State-of-the-Art Recording Studio

WJHS and the District 39 Educational Foundation will host an open house at 6:15 this Friday evening, February 3^rd to dedicate a new state-of-the art recording studio to be used by students at the Junior High.

Funding for the studio was provided by the District 39 Educational Foundation’s Paul Tilley Music Fund, which was established by Cristina Tilley in memory of her husband. “ The recording studio seemed like the perfect way to honor Paul’s memory, “ said Ms. Tilley.  “He was an exceptionally creative person who loved music.  I wanted to do something that would celebrate music and encourage our kids to express their creativity.”

The Foundation’s grant of approximately $15,000 covered the cost of the engineering console, computer equipment, keyboard, soundproofing and a number of professional microphones designed specifically for individual recording tasks – voice, drums and so on.  The recording software will be “ProTools,” an advanced program that is also used at New Trier High School’s recording studios.

Equipping the studio was done under the guidance of Steve Pont, a professional audio consultant who designs studios for music and advertising professionals. Stan Xidas, a D39 parent, musician and contractor, donated his time and expertise to retrofit an unused office into a studio. Another D39 parent, Tim Scherman, customized a “studio window” that directs the sound waves for optimum sound quality in the room.

The dedication of the recording studio is directly before the annual Youth Connection “Battle of the Bands”, which will be held this Friday at 7:30 pm at the Junior High. The Youth Connection has been an enthusiastic supporter of the studio from its inception and will be taking a leadership role in developing extracurricular uses for the studio.

Tags: Battle of the Bands, District 39 Educational Foundation, Wilmette Junior High School

Winnetka Community House Birthday Bash

The Winnetka Community House is celebrating its 100th birthday with a big House Party this Friday and word has it that it’s going to be a blast.

The menu will include pizza from the Homemade Pizza Company and Finch’s beer, as well as wine.  Dance to live music from Molly’s Suite 7.

When: Friday, January 27from 7:00-11:00 pm

Where: at the Community House, of course (620 Lincoln Ave.)

Tickets are in $50 in advance, or $65 at the door. Visit winnetkacommunityhouse.org for tickets.

Tags: Winnetka Communtiy House

Where to Hear Christmas Music on the North Shore

Not yet tired of hearing holiday songs at the mall, on the radio and everywhere you go? If you just can’t get enough, here’s a guide to live performances of Christmas music on the North Shore.

An Irish Christmas

December 9 at 7:30 pm
Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette

Presented by tenor Paddy Homan and musicians Dennis Cahill and Maurice Lennon. $18. Call 847-251-7424 or visit www.wilmettetheatre.com

Bittersweet Christmas Band

December 10 at 8 pm
Ethical Humanist Society, 7574 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie

Folk musicians and singers Phil Cooper, Kate Early, Margaret Nelson and Susan Urban. $8 includes beverages and pastries.
Call 847-677-3334 or visit www.ethicalhuman.org

Holiday Delights

December 11 at 4 pm
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave., Evanston

Presented by Bella Voce a cappella chamber chorus. $30 and up; $15 students.
Call 877-755-6277 or visit www.bellavoce.org Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Christmas music, concerts

Woman’s Club of Wilmette’s 70th Annual Antiques Show

Can’t bear the thought of giving yet another sweater or scarf this holiday season? Here’s your chance to get something really unique for your loved ones while helping out those in need.

At the Woman’s Club of Wilmette’s 70th Annual Antiques Show and Sale you’ll find everything from furniture to maps, prints, books, linens, vintage jewelry, and more. Dealers returning this year include Ralph Spano Antiques, Neil Zuehlke Antiques, and T.S. Hotter Gallery. New dealers include Silver Acorn (miniature books and vintage jewelry), The Good Stuff (American Indian jewelry), Plain Tales (antique books), Maison Suzanne (textiles and tapestries), and Dovetail Joint Antiques (Americana and furniture).

You’ll also be able to shop for holiday foods and hostess gifts  at the Holiday Boutique.

Do you have damaged glass, china, or porcelain? Bring it to the show for on-site repair by Mary Lou’s Crystal Repair, a show long-term favorite. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Antiques, antiques show

Coldwell Banker Holiday Celebration

You’re invited!

Coldwell Banker Winnetka’s traditional holiday event is going to be even bigger and better than usual this year because we are holding it in our newly expanded, updated and upgraded office.

Here’s what planned for this year’s event:

• Horse and wagon rides through Winnetka
• Photos with Santa
• Craft-making for the kids
• Hot chocolate and treats
• Holiday songs performed by the New Trier Swing Choir

You can also try out our new interactive home search kiosk, which will be a permanent fixture in our new state-of-the-art office.

When: Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 to 1:00

Where: 568 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka (Winnetka Galleria Courtyard)

Hope to see you there! I’ll be serving hot chocolate.

Tags: holiday festivities, Santa

Seeing Santa on Chicago’s North Shore in 2011

My youngest has finally admitted that she no longer believes in Santa. It’s one of those milestones that makes me sad because I know that Christmas morning will never be quite the same again. But for those of you on the North Shore whose kids still believe, you’ll have lots of chances to enjoy their wonder and excitement as they meet Santa Claus and tell him what they want for Christmas. Here’s where you can see, talk to, have pictures taken and even eat with the jolly old guy.

Coldwell Banker Holiday Event

568 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka
December 3
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Have your picture taken with Santa at Coldwell Banker Winnetka’s annual holiday celebration.

Breakfast with Santa at Bravo in The Glen

Bravo Cucina Italiana, 2600 Navy Blvd., Glenview
December 3
8:30-10:30 am

Enjoy a buffet-style breakfast and take photos with Santa (Don’t forget your camera!). There will also be coloring activities and a holiday treat bag!
COST: $5.95 Children, $10.95 Adults
RSVP In advance at 847-724-8400 – Limited seating is available.

Story Time with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Book Market, 2651 Navy Blvd., Glenview
December 3
10:00-10:40

Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special visit to The Book Market at Hangar One where children can listen to holiday favorites read by Mrs. Claus and take pictures with Santa. Bring your camera to take pictures and enjoy a special holiday gift for attending. Free.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Santa Claus

It’s Pedal Power Time Again!

Last year I wrote about Pedal Power, an annual bike drive started four years ago by (then) 9 year old Nicole Basil of Wilmette.

The goal of Pedal Power is simple: to collect used bikes and scooters and donate them to needy children in the city of Chicago. In the first year Nicole focused her drive in Wilmette and hoped to collect 23-30 bikes. Last year she expanded beyond Wilmette to neighboring North Shore towns and collected 280 bikes.

This year Pedal Power takes place on Saturday, November 5 from 9 am to 12 pm.

If you have used but working bikes or scooters to donate, please bring them to one of three collection points:

• McKenzie Elementary School, 649 Prairie Ave, Wilmette
• George Garner Cyclery, 1111 Waukegan Rd., Northbrook
• Higher Gear, 1874 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park

You can get more information at Nicole’s web site: www.gopedalpower.com

Tags: Pedal Power

Wilmette Does Shakespeare

All the world’s a stage…or at least all Wilmette’s a stage right now because the Bard of Avon has come to town for a community-wide Shakespeare festival, courtesy of the District 39 Educational Foundation.

In the past the Foundation’s Fine Arts Fund has brought us performances by Second City, Broadway Ballyhoo and The Jubilate Children’s Choir. I asked Fine Arts Committee Co-chair Tim Scherman how they decided on a Shakespeare theme for this year. I suspected that Tim may have a slight bias given that he is an English professor, but he said that the real reason they chose Shakespeare is that they were looking to make a bigger impact than a single performance would allow, in order to bring more visibility to the Foundation and its work. A Shakespeare festival offered the opportunity to have a multi-faceted event, with readings, lectures, films and live theatre. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: D39 Educational Foundation, Shakespeare festival, Wilmette Does Shakespeare

The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival

There are Halloween fairs and festivals going on all over the North Shore right now, but probably the most eagerly anticipated is the Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival, a four day event taking place from October 19-22.

There will be all the usual activities like hayrides, pony rides, live music, costume contests and pie eating contests, as well as the more unique Giant Pumpkin Land Regatta, where huge pumpkins are propelled by human power in a 150 yard race. But what makes this festival really special is that this little town with a population of less than 5000 people will try to break the Guinness World Record for the most carved and lit Jack o’ Lanterns. The current record is 30,128 pumpkins set by the city of Boston in 2006.

Last year Highwood made a run at the record and got very close, with 26,287 pumpkins. This year they are pulling out all the stops. So, don’t miss this event. It’s just another thing that makes Chicago’s North Shore so special.

When: October 19-22

Where: City Hall, 17 Highwood Avenue, Highwood, IL

www.highwodpumpkinfest.com

You can go here to get the daily schedule of events and find out how you can get involved.

Tags: fairs and festivals, pumpkins

Halloween Fun on the North Shore

I know a lot of people don’t really like Halloween and some even disapprove of it. But here on the North Shore, we take Halloween pretty seriously judging  by the sheer number of events and activities taking place throughout the month of October. Consider this your definitive guide to Halloween fun for all ages.

Scarecrow Making Day

October 1 – 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Chalet Nursery, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette

Make your own scarecrow. Chalet will provide the heads and the straw. You bring your old clothes. Call 708-354-2854.

Storybook Mom’s “Somethin’ Pumpkin”

October 2 – 4:00-5:00 pm
Leoleno, 976 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka

Neli Yelin will read her favorite stories about fall and Halloween. Free. Call 847-446-1100 for info.

Scream Scene Haunted House

Tags: fall festivals, Halloween