Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and we’ll all gather around the dinner table with family and friends, sharing gratitude, happiness, and highlights from the past year. Other families may struggle to put a meal on the table for the holidays or may be barely scraping by this season.
Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd) and Stuffed Love are collecting Thanksgiving food for families in need through Nov. 20 as part of her annual food drive. Consider donating the following non-perishable foods: gravy, stuffing, cans of corn, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, cans of green beans, a bag of marshmallows, or cans of sweet potatoes. Any other Thanksgiving foods are welcome.
Drop donations at either 23rd Ward office:
- West Lawn, 3954 W. 63rd St.: Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Garfield Ridge, 5680 S. Archer Ave., Suite 100: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
Midway Chamber of Commerce
The Midway Chamber of Commerce is still accepting applications for the Midway Retail Market Portable Sheds, a new small business incubator located at Archer and Narragansett. This program is designed to help local entrepreneurs test their business ideas, build a customer base, and grow into a permanent storefront within the Midway community. Applications are open for artisan and handmade goods, apparel & retail brands, pre-packaged food vendors, and unique small business concepts.
Veterans/Military Pole Banners are back! The Midway Chamber of Commerce is again honoring active military, ROTC, or veterans with a personalized photo pole banner. The banners will be displayed on Archer Avenue or 63rd Street! The Chamber’s goal is to have them installed before Veterans Day and keep them up for the remainder of the year.
Looking for a night of fun, friends, and great drinks? Join the chamber for their annual pub crawl! It’s on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 7-10:30 p.m. The meeting location is Twisted Shamrock. Drink packages start at $65 for 5 beer tickets or $70 for 5 mixed drink tickets. Drink Packages: one drink ticket for each bar stop (5 total), custom crawl T-shirt by Timeless Tattoos Chicago, and bus transportation. For more information and registration, check out the chamber’s website.
Join the Midway Chamber of Commerce for their annual Cookie Walk on Saturday, Nov. 14! This year marks their sixth annual Cookie Walk on Archer Avenue and their second annual Cookie Walk on 63rd Street! Stroll through the neighborhood, visit participating local businesses, collect delicious cookies, and discover all that our small business community has to offer. For registration information, check out the chamber’s website.
Kick off the holiday season with the chamber at the Midway Merry Market on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Midway Marketplace! Shop small and enjoy a festive morning featuring local businesses, artisans, food vendors, bakers, boutiques, holiday gifts, sweet treats, and more.
Santa & Mrs. Claus stop at the Biz Hub, 6422 W. Archer Ave., on Saturday, Dec. 12. The chamber is continuing its longtime holiday tradition with a new location and a new format this year. Stop by for a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, receive a special holiday gift, and continue with your Christmas festivities! This is a free event. Time and additional details coming soon!
Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center
Cooking with Chef Gloria D. Hafer is on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. The first 25 to sign up on the day of class (you will get a ticket) are guaranteed tastings. Sign-up is required for everyone to take part in class.
Crafts Seniors is on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m. Seniors can paint a ceramic pumpkin bank.
Advance registration and a $2 fee are required.
Second Friday Bingo and Coffee is on Friday, Nov. 13, at 9:30 a.m. The coffee and baked goods are free. Bingo cards are 50 cents each.
Veterans Day: The Senior Center is closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Bingocize with Pamela Hollis, MSW starts Friday, Nov. 13! Bingocize is a 10-week program that will meet twice per week, on Wednesdays and Fridays. Get ready for a fun group exercise class combining bingo, movement, health education, and prizes! To Sign up, call 312-745-4255.
Jingle Bell Rock Bingo Party is on Friday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Advance ticket purchase required; $20 per person. Ticket purchase includes admission, two free bingo cards to play through 10 games of bingo with gift card prizes, morning snack, lunch, a chance in the Guessing Game, and a chance for the door prize. There will be a raffle (tickets: one for $1 or six for $5), and the pot will be split.
Chicago Parks
Senior Talent Show at Hale Park on Friday, Dec. 11, from 6:30-9 p.m. Seniors are invited to showcase their talent at Rutherford Sayre Park. Talents can be dancing, singing, telling jokes, etc. Neighborhood residents are invited to come cheer on their neighbors and enjoy a show!
Hot Cocoa with Santa at Valley Forge on Monday, Dec. 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Event includes holiday crafts, games, cookies and hot cocoa, arm painting, and a photo opportunity with Santa. Register only for a $10 fee.
Hot Cocoa and Toy Giveaway at LeClaire-Hearst is on Saturday, Dec. 19, noon to 3 p.m. Join the park for hot chocolate, holiday-themed crafts and games, piñata, and music for the whole family. There will also be a toy giveaway!
Community Parishes
St. Symphrosa’s upcoming school fundraiser is on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Hall, 6148 S. Mason Ave. The theme is Trivia Night with Fr. Kevin. Gather your team of 6-8 people, pick a team theme, and get ready to outsmart Fr. Kevin as he puts his trivia skills to the test. Team tables must be reserved by Nov. 10. Email schoolboard@stsymsschool.org for purchases or additional questions.