Oak Park celebrates Arbor Day
Arborists and horticulturalists from local organizations recently joined with the Park District of Oak Park for an Arbor Day celebration at Field Park with residents and students at Mann School. Participants helped plant trees and made crafts.
A perennial pollinator plant sale started online May 1 and will be held in person May 29 and 30 at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St. in Oak Park. Greenhouses have top perennial options to create biodiversity in gardens.
A selection of heirloom perennials, native cultivars and native plants grown at the conservatory will be sold. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about plant selection and other concerns.
Order pickup is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 29-30. Details are at 708-725-2400 or oakparkdconservatory@pdop.org.
New documentary premieres May 13 in La Grange
The premiere for “Nasty,” a documentary starring the life of La Grange resident Lt. Col. Daniel Nash, who flew from Otis Air National Guard Base on September 11, 2001, to intercept American Airlines Flight 11, is set for 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m. May 13 at the La Grange Theater, 80 La Grange Road.
The film documents what the F-15 pilot experienced that day as well as how it affected the rest of his life. The 1984 graduate of Lyons Township High School died in 2021 and was honored during the 75th annual pet Parade by a float with high classmates.
John Scaletta of Motion Source Studio in Brookfield collaborated with more than 50 people including family, classmates, pilots, friends and camera and drone operators from Illinois and Massachusetts to make the film.
He hopes the film “not only honors Nash’s life but also helps raise awareness around PTSD and the lasting effects of service,” per a news release. The documentary also will be screened in late May at Lyons Township High School.
Libraries, theaters or organizations are invited to host a screening by submitting a request at nastyfilm.weebly.com.
Sing-along May 8 honors Pete Seeger’s music
Wesley’s Place Live Music Listening Room hosts folk singer and songwriter Mark Dvorak, who will perform “The Power of Song: a Sing Along Tribute to Pete Seeger” at 7 p.m. May 8 at First United Methodist Church of La Grange, 100 W. Cossitt Ave.
Seeger, who died at age 94 in 2014, was a folk singer known for his inspiring music and activism, including his work to preserve the Hudson River.
Dvorak, resident artist for the community group Music & Potlucks, performed with Seeger a few times, as well as playing in 38 states and in Canada and Europe, winning awards for journalism and children’s music. He earned the Woodstock Folk Festival Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and was named Chicago’s “official troubadour” in 2012 by WFMT Midnight Special host Rich Warren.
The show has a suggested donation of $20, with discounts for children. Make a reservation at www.wesleysplacemusic.com.
Weekend shops open for business May 8
Brookfield Shops at Progress Park hosts a ribbon cutting for the second season May 8 in the Eight Corners Business District. 9202 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield.
The shops, which feature six retail spaces operated by locally owned businesses, let artisans and vendors launch and grow their businesses, gain retail experience and connect with the community.
The schedule May 8 features live music at 11 a.m., remarks from Village President Michael Garvey and other project partners and introduction of this year’s vendors at noon, ribbon cutting at 12:45 p.m. and shopping from 1 to 5 p.m. This year’s vendors are Four Star Coffee, The Vulgar Began, The Shop Salon & Style House, Down to Earth Herban Infusions, 34Designed and Makrame Green.
The shops remain open through December, with hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Hernia screenings planned at Hinsdale center
Free hernia screenings will be offered from 5 to 7 p.m. May 14 at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Cancer Institute Hinsdale, 1 Salt Creek Lane in Hinsdale.
Those who have had pain in their pubic region while coughing, lifting objects or bending or who have noticed a bulge in their abdomen are encouraged to this screening and education event. Hernia repair specialists Dr. Stephan Wyers, Dr. Michelle Campbell and Dr. Isabelle Chu will perform the testing and answer questions.
Participants must be 18 or older; no insurance is needed. Register at bit.ly/4sDYFQ1
Painting event boosts American Legion 1941 Auxiliary
Spring Is in the Air Paint and Sip Party is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. May 14 at American Legion Post 1941, 900 S. La Grand Road in La Grange.
Participants in this fundraiser for the post’s auxiliary, who must be 18 or older, will paint a spring flower picture and can enjoy appetizers and desserts. All art supplies will be provided, and a cash bar will be available.
Tickets cost $40 plus a small service fee. Tickets are available at the post or online at www.al1941.org/. Get details at 708-354-3300.
Gala benefits work of NAMI DuPage
Area residents are invited to raise money to support mental health at Growing Hope Shine a Light Gala, set for May 16 at Marriott Chicago-Naperville, 1801 N. Naper Blvd. in Naperville.
The black tie optional event, benefits NAMI DuPage, which was “founded by a group of parents in 1985 as an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a nationwide mental health advocacy organization who were dedicated to improving the quality of lives of people affected by mental illness” and offering services for the children with mental illnesses, according to the organization’s website. It’s grown to have more than 1,000 members.
Proceeds from the gala will go toward its programs, educational workshops and support groups.
Check-in and cocktails start at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 7 p.m., followed by a program that highlights the impact of the organization and the lives touched by it. Dinner, dancing, live entertainment, a silent auction, live auction and raffles are planned. Tickets cost $200 per person.
Donors, auction donations, sponsors and advertisers and ticket buyers still are needed. Visit namidupage.org/gala or email benefit@namidupage.org.
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