The whole family is invited to the Babies and Booties winter hike Jan. 19 at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center. See the listing at right for details. (photo courtesy of the Cook County Forest Preserve District)
ARTFULLY DONE
Artist reception
Jan. 21
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 987-1976
Meet Darien's Laura Lein-Svencner, the library's winter featured artist, whose collage exhibit, "Sheltered Ideas, Home," is on display in the Quiet Reading Room. Originally from Downers Grove, the mom of four and grandmother of one (with two more on the way), also teaches collage, is a signature member of the National Collage Society and co-founder of the Midwest Collage Society. Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Glass Art Class: Painting in Reverse
Jan. 23
Mayslake Peabody Estate
1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook
(630) 206-9566
Turn a flat piece of glass into a beautiful work of art by learning basic techniques. The program is for ages 12 and up; those under age 18 must be with an adult. Time: 10 a.m. to noon. Cost: $75. RR
FAMILY FUN
Babies and Booties
Jan. 19
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Grab some boots and join this winter hike for the whole family. Time: 10 a.m. RR
Lunar New Year Festival
Jan. 25
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
Celebrate the Year of the Snake with crafts, games and performances for kids. Hours: 2 to 4 p.m.
GREAT OUTDOORS
Fridays in the Field: Winter Wildlife
Jan. 17
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
University of Illinois Extension certified master naturalists will connect visitors with nature through inquiry-based activities. Time: 10 a.m. to noon.
GREEN THUMB
Introduction to Native Landscape Design
Jan. 21
Join this virtual program to learn design principles and explore native plant selection to create beautiful, drought-resistant landscapes that benefit wildlife. Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m. RR
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Heart Saver CPR/AED
Jan. 25
Hinsdale Fire Department
121 Symonds Drive
http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr
(630) 789-7090
Taught by the members of the Hinsdale Fire Department, this course is for those 14 and older with little to no medical training and teaches how to perform CPR, use an AED and provide first aid, and covers medical, injury and environmental emergencies. Participants will receive an American Heart Association certificate. Time: 8 a.m. to noon. Cost: $50. RR
JUST FOR KIDS
School's Out Day
Jan. 20
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St.
http://www.thecommunityhouse.org
(630) 323-7500
Kids in kindergarten through sixth grade can enjoy the day off school with a field trip to Urban Air Trampoline Park. Extended hours are available from 3:30 to 6 p.m. for an additional $35. Time: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $90. RR, MD
Graphic Design
Wednesdays, Jan. 22-Feb. 26
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St.
http://www.thecommunityhouse.org
(630) 323-7500
Kids in fourth through sixth grade will learn how to make professional posters and art that people want to pay for, and ultimately design posters and ads for real organizations with good causes. Students will need a Chromebook or a laptop; iPads are OK but less functional. Time: 4 to 5 p.m. Cost: $187. RR, MD
Tumble/Gymnastics
Wednesdays, Jan. 22-March 5
Grand Avenue Gym
4211 Grand Ave., Western Springs
http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr
(630) 789-7090
Participants ages 6-10 can stretch, jump and tumble while progressing from somersaults to cartwheels and round offs in this fun and active class. Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cost: $123. RR
Gymnastics/Cheer
Wednesdays, Jan. 22-March 5
Grand Avenue Gym
4211 Grand Ave., Western Springs
http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr
(630) 789-7090
Participants ages 6-10 will learn three to four new cheers weekly, working on form, jumps, flexibility and tumbling and gymnastics skills. The final class will feature a short performance for parents. Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost: $123. RR
LISTEN & LEARN
Be a Better Birder
Jan. 23
Learn how to build a birding kit, how to start birding and where to find resources in this virtual event. This program is great for beginning birders. Time: 6 p.m. RR
A Conversation with Paul Lisnek
Jan. 28
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 323-8188
Join this virtual conversation with award-winning political analyst Paul Lisnek to hear his take on the presidential election and what to expect in the upcoming four years. Time: 7 to 8 p.m. RR
NOTEWORTHY
Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra
Jan. 19
First United Methodist Church
100 W. Cossitt Ave., La Grange
http://www.saltcreekchamberorchestra.com
(708) 252-3855
The chamber group will perform two Schumann works: Piano Concerto in A Minor featuring pianist Ji Hyun Kim, and Symphony No. 4 in D Minor. Time: 3 p.m. Tickets: $25, $20 for seniors.
'The Four Seasons'
Jan. 19
Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church
149 W. Brush Hill Road
http://www.elmhurstsymphony.org
(630) 941-0202
The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra will perform Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" featuring guest violinist Cynthia Freivogel, and Piazzolla's "The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires," featuring concertmaster Rika Seko. A pre-concert talk will be held at 1:45 p.m. Time: 3 p.m. Tickets: $35-$45 for adults, $32-$42 for seniors, $12 for students.
SENIOR SCENE
Hinsdale Memory Cafe
Jan. 22
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
Join this social gathering of individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Activities may include education, music, games and arts. The program is sponsored by The Birches. Time: 2 to 3 p.m. RR
SIGN UP NOW
Mandarin Conversation Group
Jan. 20
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
Connect with people looking to practice their Mandarin Chinese, facilitated by instructor Yvonne Mao. The program is for ages 14 and up, and participants should know basic Mandarin and be able to speak at least at a beginner level. Time: 7 to 8 p.m. RR
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast
Jan. 20
Drury Lane
100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace
http://www.dupagefoundation.org/news-events/upcoming-events.html
This second annual event will feature renowned civil rights attorney Fred Gray as the keynote speaker, Grammy-nominated singer Rev. Darius Brooks and the MLK Celebration Choir. All net proceeds go to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Fund of DuPage Foundation to augment annual grant awards in the areas of health, human services and educational programs serving people of color. Time: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tickets: $75. RR
Moms' Book Group
Jan. 21
The Cube at Standard Market
333 E. Ogden Ave., Westmont
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
Read "Very Bad Company" by Emma Rosenblum and chat with other moms of kids younger than 5 at this month's gathering. Books will be available for pick up on the library's "Book Club Holds" shelf and on the library's online platforms. Time: 7 to 9 p.m. RR
SPECIAL EVENTS
Craft Supply Swap
Jan. 18
Clarendon Hills Public Library
7 N. Prospect Ave.
http://www.clarendonhillslibrary.org
(630) 323-8188
The library's meeting room will be filled with gently-used art and craft supplies including fabric, specialty papers, supplies for drawing, painting, needlework and other crafts. People are invited to come, browse and take what they like. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
STEPPING BACK
A Bite of Chinatown History
Jan. 18
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
Yvonne Wolf, intercultural consultant, will discuss the dramatic history of San Francisco's Chinatown, the first in the U.S., starting with how Chinese immigrants were impelled to leave China in mid-1800s, how they skirted around The Chinese Exclusion Act after 1882 and what they contributed to the greater American cultural history. Time: 2 to 3 p.m. RR
Key
RR - registration required
MD - member discount
