Triton College student sails the ocean doing research
Spending 12 days with the STEM Student Experiences Aboard Ships program in Alaska this summer conducting oceanic research was a dream come true for Triton College student Trinity Barrueta.
The North Riverside resident was one of 15 undergraduates chosen nationwide for the experience, using onboard science labs to perform oceanography and geoscience research. Students gained experience with virtual machines, fluorometers, planktoscopes and other devices.
“My group focused on the concentration of fluorescent light and how it correlates to the temperature and solidity of water,” Barrueta shared in a news release.
Her group also dropped a Sample Qiantitative Internal-Wave Distribution float that measured the water’s salinity and measured plankton with a plantoscope.
Barrueta was joined by Sheldon Turner, chairman of Triton College’s sciences department, who served as one of three faculty members on the expedition. Turner noted that more than 300 students applied for the program.
Elmhurst Library to host local authors this weekend
More than 50 authors will be on hand during the annual Local Author’s Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave.
Attendees can learn about new titles and buy signed copies of books by the authors, who will be spread throughout the library. Registration is not necessary for this event, which is free to attend.
Find a complete list of authors and links to their work at elmhurstpubliclibrary.org or call 630-297-8696
Reception set for Aug. 28 for artist at Moraine Valley
Watercolor paintings and ceramic objects by Ana Žanić will be featured through Sept. 21 in the Robert F. DeCaptrio Art Gallery in the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway in Palos Hills.
“Origin: Wondrous Worlds” reflects the artist’s experience of moving to the United States from Croatia as a young adult. She blends elements of nature in pieces that evoke undersea life, abandoned landscapes and other imaginative work.
Žanić, who has a master’s degree in fine arts and education from the Academy of Fine Arts at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, has shown her work in Croatia and the United States.
The free exhibit can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Information is at 708-974-5500.
La Grange residents recognized for leadership
Area residents were among 45 leaders named to Leadership Greater Chicago’s 2026 Class of Signature Fellows.
Leticia Reyes-Nash, managing principal at Health Management Associates, and Mark C. Spears, managing director at CIBS Bank US, represented the 41st class of the civic leadership development program. The La Grange resident spent 10 months in the civic leadership development fellowship.
The experience exposes leaders to the region’s civic landscape and helps them address critical socioeconomic issues, including homelessness, education, community safety and workforce and economic development, a news release stated.
Applications for the class of 2027 open in October. Details are at www.lgcchicago.org.
Ice cream social planned in Hinsdale
The Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Junior Board and UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale will host the 71st annual ice cream social from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 24 at Burlington Park, 30 E. Chicago Ave.
Participants will find fun and family-oriented activities such as ice cream, face painting, Simon Says, musical chairs, arts and crafts projects and live entertainment by Bubble Man.
Healthy living information will be distributed.
Pickle party puckers lips in Darien
Fans of pickles should mark their calendars for the fourth annual Darien Garden Club Sprouts Pickle Party, set for 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Sprouts Learning Garden at St. John Lutheran Church, 7214 S. Cass Ave., Darien.
All ages are welcome to the free event, although children must be with an adult. Attendees can taste pickles and tour the garden. The event will move to the church basement if the weather doesn’t allow outside activities.
Those who want to make pickles should bring a clean jar with a lid. Cucumbers, spices and pickling brine will be provided. A $5 donation per family is requested. Register in advance at dariengardenclub.com so enough supplies are on hand.
Golf outing to boost Chicago Hawks youth hockey
Fans of golf can hit the links and help a youth hockey club at the same time, thanks to the 2025 Chicago Hawks Golf Outing, set for Aug. 30 at Village Greens of Woodridge, 1575 75th St., Woodridge.
The outing is in an 18-hole scramble format, and has a shotgun start of noon. Lunch and dinner, as well as greens fees, cart, gift bag and prizes are included in the fee, which is $125 per player. Cost for dinner only is $35 per person. Registration and lunch are from 11 a.m. to noon, with dinner and awards at 5:30 p.m.
Children 12 and older may participate. Children 16 and older can make their own foursome; children 12 to 15 must be with an adult and no more than two children per foursome.
Participants may organize a foursome or sign up individually. Prizes will be given for best front 9, best back 9 and best 18-hole scores, as well as closest to the pin and longest drives.
Sign up via the events section of chicagohawkshockey.com.
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