The Pleasant Dale Park District will host introductory Irish dance for

ages 4 to 12 at the Pleasant Dale Park District Recreation Center, 7425 S.

Wolf Rd., Burr Ridge. Classes will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. beginning

Jan. 9 and ending March 27. the fee is $125 for residents and $145 for

non-residents. For more information call (630) 662-6220.

Dog training classes with certified dog trainer Gayle Cosentino will be

held at the Pleasant Dale Park District’s Recreation Center, 7425 S. Wolf

Rd., Burr Ridge beginning in January. Classes from Basic Dog Obedience to

Loose Leash Walking will be offered. Meet the trainer on Thurs., Jan 7,

from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Please to not bring your pets to this event. For more

information call (630) 662-6220.

South West Special Recreation Association (SWSRA) is looking for teens and

adults who would be interested in training for Paralympics sports.

Participating individuals must live in one of the following SWSRA member

district communities: Alsip, Blue Island, Merrionette Park, Midlothian,

Justice, Palos Heights, Posen, Summit or Worth. Contact Lori Chesna at

(708) 389-9423 if you or someone you know is interested or for more

information.

The sixth annual St. Laurence Viking Alumni Kickoff will be held Sat.,

Jan. 9, at Angie’s Restaurant, 8352 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, from 2 to 6

p.m. The $50 donation includes an open bar and buffet. Walk-ins are

welcome, although advance purchase is preferred. All proceeds will

directly benefit the students and families of the school through the

Financial Assistance Program. For more information or to purchase tickets

call Joe Faber at (708) 458-6900, ext. 253, or Jim Grannan, ext. 246. You

may also email Joe at jfaber@stlaurence.com.

St. Laurence High School will hold its entrance exam on Sat., Jan. 9, at 8

a.m. for eighth grade boys planning to pursue their secondary education at

the Burbank school located at 77th and Central. Students who are taking

the test should enter at the north end of the building, and then report to

the foyer area. Also, students should bring two #2 pencils, a calculator,

and a $25 testing fee. No prior registration fee is required. The testing

should be concluded by 11:30 a.m. More information is available by calling

(708) 458-6900, ext. 252.

Advantage Basketball camp is now accepting registration for winter

camp/Christmas break 2009 camp for local kids. Registration will be held

December 28-31 at the Lake Barrington Field House from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information visit www.advantagebasketball.com or call Thomas Laue

at (847) 387-1550 or (425) 670-8877.

Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce will host their 2010 Annual Dinner

“Educating Business to be its Best” Thurs., Feb. 4, at Chicago Gaelic

Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Join the

chamber to recognize the accomplishments of the 2009 Executive Committee

and Board of Directors and install the 2010 officers and directors. The

cost is $100 per person or $950 per table of 10. For more information call

(708) 957-6950 or visit www.chicagosouthland.com.

A $1,000 grand prize is being offered in a special poetry contest

sponsored by The Celestial Arts Society. The contest is open to poets of

any age. Fifty prizes totaling $5,000 will be awarded. Poems of 21 lines

or less on any subject and in any style will be accepted. Entries must be

received by Dec. 31 and may be submitted to: Free Poetry Contest, 584

James St., Talent OR 97540 or enter at www.freecontest.com. Your name and

address must appear on the page with the poem.

The Pleasant Dale Park District will  host Camp Frosty for ages 5 through

12 Monday through Thursday, Dec. 28-31 at the Pleasant Dale Park District

Recreation Center, 7425 S. Wolf Road, Burr Ridge. There will be trips,

games, crafts and activities. Extended day care is available. For more

information call (630) 662-6220.

Winter program registration is now being held through December 31 for

South West Special Recreation Association. SWSRA’s 2010 Winter brochure

contains programs, special events and trips that SWSRA will offer this

season along with the registration forms needed to participate in SWSRA

services. If you are on the mailing list and have not received a Winter

brochure or would like to be added to the mailing list call (708)

389-9423. For more information on any SWSRA services call the above

number.

More than 90 Christmas trees will be on display for the public to see this

holiday season at in the Office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.

Viewing will be held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Room

112 of the Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark, St., Chicago and will run

through Fri., Jan 8, 2010. For more information call (312) 603-5529 or

(312) 603-6237.

Do you know someone who has been deprived of their ability to walk due to

illness or disease? Wheels of Love helps seniors who suffer form

respiratory disorders, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, has a mobility

limitation and difficulty in propelling a standard wheelchair, to receive

a powerchair or scooter paid for by Medicare. For eligibility information

call (866) 631-3028.

BRIDGEVIEW AREA.

The Bridgeview Park District invites all girls’ basketball teams to join

their Girls’ Basketball League. Games will begin in January and run

through February with single elimination playoffs in March. The season

ranges from 8 to 10 games all played at the Bridgeview Park District

Sports Complex Gymnasium, 8100 S. Beloit. Team registration is a first

come, first served basis. Team divisions are: 4th through 6th grade and

7th through 8th grade. The league fee is $500 per person. For more

information call (708) 594-1818.

The Bridgeview Park District now offers an indoor track membership. For

$15 per year for residents and $30 for non-residents, they offer your

workout the convenience and ambiance of walking/running inside. Bridgeview

seniors can also take advantage of the Aging Well discounts available to

them. Proof of residency is required on all facility memberships. For more

information call (708) 594-1818.

BROOKFIELD AREA

Crafters are wanted for the Spring Fling Craft Show and Bake Sale to be

held Sat., March 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Barbara Parish Center,

4015 Prairie Avenue, Brookfield. Spaces are 9 feet wide by 8 feet deep and

are $25. Tables to rent are 8 feet wide by 2 feet deep and cost $10.

Electric hook up is $5. No vendors please. Call Jenny at (708) 485-1962

for an application.

The Brookfield Recreation Department is offering “Reel and a Meal,” movie

and dinner nights on the first and third Friday through March in the

Recreation Hall in the lower level of the Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield

Ave. The movie is free and an optional dinner will be available for

purchase. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and movies will be shown at 6:30 p.m.

For more information call (708) 485-1528.

Brookfield United Methodist Church is hosting their annual free vacation

bible school for a religious fun-filled time of activities. The church is

located at 3541 Park Ave. For more information and registration details

call (708) 485-3439. Registration is preferred however walk-ins will be

accepted.

Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center, a local non-profit organization

providing assistance to children and adults with disabilities, needs

volunteers to work in its Brookfield Thrift Shop at 3726 Grand Avenue.

People who are interested in retail are encouraged to contact the store by

calling (708) 485-2324. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through

Saturday with late hours to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.

JUSTICE AREA

The Justice Public Library hosts 1st through 3rd grade after school story

hour on Mondays from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. To register call the library at

(708) 496-1790.

Wii games for kids is held at the Justice Public Library on Wednesdays

from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for ages 6 to 11 and Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

for ages 12 and older. To register call the library at (708) 496-1790.

The Justice Seniors Club meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at the

Justice Village Hall All Purpose Room at 12 noon.

The Sterling Estates Senior Club invites seniors 55 years of age and older

to join their club. Interested persons must be a resident of Sterling

Estates Mobile Home Park or the village of Justice. The club meets the

first and third Monday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Clubhouse in

Sterling Estates. Each meeting will feature coffee and bingo.

LA GRANGE AREA

Medical billing assistance is available to members of ConfiCare ACT II (by

appointment only) presented by Blue Cross/Blue Shield and SHIP (State of

Illinois Health Insurance Program) in the Patient Care Center of Adventist

La Grange Memorial Hospital, 5101 S. Willow Springs Rd., La Grange. To

make an appointment call (630) 856-7525.

The ConfiCare Act II offers a health and fitness walking class on Mondays

and Wednesdays at 8:15 at the Western Springs Recreation Center, 1500

Walker St., Western Springs for an hour of walking and toning exercises.

To register call (630) 942-2700. The cost is $35 for a 5 week session.

ConfiCare ACT II escorted day trips are planned throughout the year and

many extended air and motorcoach trips are also available with membership

discounts through the ConfiCare ACT II office. For more information about

these trips call (708) 245-8170.

LYONS TOWNSHIP ARE

Lyons Township High School  will host their 4th annual Relay for Life

Winter Garage Sale. Drop off donations December 28 from 9 to 10 a.m.,

January 9 from 10 a.m. to noon and January 13, 14, and 15 from 1 to 4 p.m.

at the South Campus Corral 4940 S. Willow Springs Rd., Western Springs.

The sale will be held  Sat., Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the

Corral. Donations of small household items, gently used clothing, books,

toys and even large items will be accepted. Proceeds will go to support

the LTHS Relay for Life event in June.

Lyons Township High School will to host Barbara Coloroso, an

internationally recognized author and speaker in the areas of parenting,

teaching, positive school climate and nonviolent conflict resolution. Her

hour-long presentation, “Just Because It’s Not Wrong Doesn’t Make It Right

- From Toddlers to Teens, Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically,” is

geared for educators, parents/guardians, and community members and is

scheduled for Tues., January 19,  at 7 p.m., at the LTHS North Campus

Reber Center. Admission is free.

SUMMIT AREA

The Summit Park District, 5700 S. Archer Rd., in conjunction with the

Excel Clinic in Bedford Park, will be offering H1N1 flu shots Thurs., Jan.

21. The cost is $10. Cash is preferred but checks made payable to the

Excel Clinic will be accepted. This is free for seniors who must bring

their Medicare card with them. There will be a limited supply of 200

shots. The Summit Fire Department will be available for free blood

pressure and pulse readings. For more information call (708) 496-1012.

The Summit Park District winter/spring brochure is now available. If you

did not receive your copy in the mail and would like to have one, call the

park office at (708) 496-1012 and they will send you one.

The Summit Park District will offer a hip hop dance class beginning in

January. Classed start Jan. 11 and end March 10, at Walsh School, 5640 S.

75th Ave. The cost is $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Middle

school ages will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. and high school teens will meet

from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. For more information call (708) 496-7275.

The Summit Park District is planning a trip to Hollywood Park

Entertainment in Crestwood on Sun., Jan. 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The

cost is $14 for residents and $16 for non-residents and includes pizza,

tokens and more. For more information call (708) 496-7275.

The Summit Public Library District, 6233 S. Archer Rd., will hold its

first “Family Game Day” Sun., Jan. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. Families and

individuals can attend to play an assortment of board games and enjoy

refreshments as well. The event is free. To sign up call (708) 458-1545.

The Summit Public Library District, located at 6233 S. Archer Rd., is

seeking donations of board games to be used for their new and upcoming

Summit Public Library Game Days. Donations of all board games new and used

are accepted, even games with missing pieces. They are interested in

scheduling their first game day, but want to hear from individuals and

families in the community who are interested in participating. All those

interested should call Annette McClain, Program Director at (708)

458-1545.

South West Special Recreation Association (SWSRA) is starting Support

Group meetings at the Summit Public Library, 6233 S. Archer Rd., beginning

Mon., Dec. 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Each month, support group meetings will

include a new topic and speaker that would be of interest to parents or

caregivers of individuals with special needs. This month, Summit and

Justice invite parents or caregivers to enjoy a Christmas social. Snacks

and beverages will be included. The sign-up deadline is noon on Fri., Dec.

4. To register call (708) 997-2740.

WILLOW SPRINGS AREA

Willowbrook Ballroom will once again host Winter Dance Party — the

official tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper Jan.

15, at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Willowbrook Ballroom or by

calling (708) 839-1000. Grammy winner and original guitarist for Buddy

Holly Tommy Allsup will be the special guest. The WDP is a live, authentic

re-creation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper’s final

tour. Each live concert performance includes more than two hours of music.

Willowbrook Ballroom is located at 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs.

For more information visit www.willowbrookballroom.com or

www.winterdanceparty.com.

The Willow Springs Lioness Club meets every second Wednesday of the month

at the Willow Springs Community Center, 8156 South Archer Avenue. Board

meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and the regular meetings begin at 7 p.m. New

members are always welcome. For more information visit

http://willowsprgsil.lionwap.org/ or the club’s Facebook page under Willow

Springs Lioness Club.

The Willow Springs Historical Museum is open the 1st Saturday of every

month. The hours will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit and see their newest

exhibits.