18 hours ago
Community news: Area events generate $1M for Muscular Dystrophy Association, more
It was a record-breaking year for CITGO Lemont Refinery, which raised just over $1 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association with two fundraising events.
Driving for a Cure Golf Outing, which drew 375 golfers on all four courses at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, also brought in donations from 130 companies. A new addition to the Shamrock Bowl gala with more than 450 guests highlighted inspiring speeches from MDA families, including its national ambassador, Lily Sander.
'The progress of MDA medical breakthroughs is made possible because of events like our outing and the outstanding support from CITGO employees, marketers, Retailers, vendors and contractors,' the refinery's vice president and general manager, Jim Cristman, shared in a news release. 'We're incredibly grateful for the passion that people have for our MDA partnership.'
The MDA, created 75 years ago to support people living with muscular dystrophy, ALG and more than 300 other neuromuscular conditions, uses donations for advancing care, research and advocating support and inclusion of families affected by neuromuscular diseases.
Several libraries in the 39th District are scheduled to receive a total of nearly $340,000 for programming and library services.
More than 600 libraries statewide will receive nearly $18 million from the Illinois Secretary of State's Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants program. Funds can be used for such things as capital expenditures, personnel, public programming, books and e-books, online resources and internet access.
Elmwood Park's library will receive $36,168; Franklin Park's, $27,375; Oak Park's, $80,510; and River Forest's, $17,283.
'Libraries are invaluable in our communities, serving as a resource for everyone from ages 1 to 100,' Senate President Don Harmond, D-Oak Park, shared in a news release. 'These grants are an investment in lifelong learning.
An international accordion virtuoso will perform at 7:30 p.m. July 21 in the Normandy Room of the Elmhurst American Legion Post, 310 W. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst.
Tickets for 'An Evening With Cory Pesaturo,' presented by the Chicago Accordion Club, cost $14 for members and $17 for nonmembers and will be sold at the door. The public is invited.
Pesaturo 'is the only person to win World Championships on acoustic, digital and jazz accordion. Also, he is the only accordion graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston,' according to a news release from the club.
He's given master classes at universities in Europe and the United States, performed for the Clintons at the White House, played with the Boston Pops and Boston Symphony Orchestra and appeared on television.
Club information is found at
Antiques dealer Rex Newell comes to the River Forest Public Library to appraise antiques from 2 to 3 p.m. July 19 in the Barbara Hall Meeting Room at the library, 735 Lathrop Ave.
Reservations are required, and participants should bring no more than one item. Those with items to be appraised should arrive before 2 p.m. The program is in partnership with River Forest Township.
Most items are welcome, although Newell will not appraise firearms of any kind, Native American antiques or Asian antiques.
Sign up online or call 708-366-5205.
A French-inspired cultural celebration for the whole family takes place during 'Voyage en France,' planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 20 at Cantigny Park, 15151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.
Attendees can shop in a French market, roam the gardens and watch En Plein Air artists work on their craft in the Visitor Center lounge. Art-focused family activities, the chance to play the French sport petanque with the Chicago Petanque Club, and French scientific discoveries will be highlighted.
Musical performances and dancers performing ballet and the cancan will be scattered throughout the park, and photo stations will be set up, including a replica of the Eiffel Tower. For an extra fee, Toast of France features a curated tasting of bites paired with wine from the Bordeaux, Loire Valley and Burgundy regions of the country.
Tickets cost $15 for adults in advance or $20 that day; children 15 and younger are admitted free. Toast to France tickets cost an additional $35 in advance of $40 that day.
Details and tickets are at 630-668-5161 or
Reading is going to the dogs at the LaGrange Public Library when children get the chance to read to a specially trained dog.
Children in kindergarten to sixth grade are invited to read to the dog for 15 minutes from 7 to 8 p.m. July 21 in the Tyler Duelm Activity Room at the library, 10 W. Cossitt Ave.
Advance registration is not necessary but participants should stop by the Children's Services desk at 6:45 that night to choose a time slot. Information is at 708-215-3200.
