Community Briefs

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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:06AM

By Feb. 15: PADS’
Board nominees

Nominations are being accepted for the West Suburban PADS Board of Directors — a diverse group whose passion and advocacy help hundreds of people transition out of — or avoid — homelessness every year.

Board members work collaboratively with staff, partners and supporters on committee and agency-level programming. They participate in PADS’ resource development strategy and fund-raising events and make personally meaningful financial contributions.

This is an exciting and engaging time to be a part of West Suburban PADS’ vision of ending homelessness. If you or someone you know are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for a three-year term, beginning in May of this year, submit a request for application to Bill Clark, Chair, Governance and Nominating Committee at wmc63@comcast.net by Feb. 15.

All nominees are welcome. In addition, PADS’ staff is looking for members who have a background in organizational development, business and human resources and/or candidates who live or work in Maywood, Berwyn or Cicero.

West Suburban PADS 14th annual “Have-a-Heart Gala” will be held Saturday, Feb. 11, at the River Forest Country Club, 15W468 Grand Ave., in Elmhurst.

Visit online at www.westsuburbanpads.org; on Facebook at West Suburban PADS and on Twitter at WestSubPADS.

West Suburban PADS exists to serve individuals who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, with dignity and respect, through shelter, housing, preventive and supportive services.

Concerto contest
deadline March 15

The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest’s eighth annual Concerto Competition takes place on Saturday, March 24, and is open to all instrumental musicians who have not completed their high school senior year as of the time of the competition and whose primary residence is within 10 miles of Oak Park. The application deadline is March 15. The winner will receive $500 and will perform with the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest at its May 13 concert.

For more details g-mail thesymphonyoprf@gmail.com; call Beth Hoover Gavriel, general manager (and English Horn), at (708) 218-2648; or wisit www.symphonyoprf.com.

Grapentine hosts
Handel fest Feb. 12

Nationally-known WFMT-FM radio host Carl Grapentine returns to kick off Oak Park’s Handel Week Festival with a free lecture at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at the main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., in Oak Park. The title of his lecture is “The Magnificent Mr. Handel featuring ‘The Oratorio, Semele.’ “

Handel Week 2012 concerts begin Sunday, Feb. 19. On Sunday, March 4, “The Oratorio Semele” HWV 58, will be presented. Tickets for all three concerts are $35 person. Free admission for children and teens between the ages of 8-18. Order tickets at www.handelweek.com.

Grapentine is the beloved early-morning host of WFMT’s 5:58 club heard by thousands of classical music listeners between 5:58 and 10 a.m. weekdays.

Free parking is available for two hours at the underground parking lot at the library.

The Handel Week Festival 2012 will include three concerts performed at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St., in Oak Park. They include:

Concert I: “The Grand Handel: Music of the Soul,” pre-concert lecture 2:30 p.m.; concert 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19.

Concert II: “Sing and Play in Dulcet Tone: The Intimate Handel - Music for Soprano, Recorder & Basso Continuo,” 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Pre-concert lectures begin at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively.

Concert III: “The Oratorio Semele” HWV 58, pre-concert lecture 2:30 p.m.; concert 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4.

The Handel Week concerts feature:

• Music in one of the most acoustically perfect venues in the area;

• Free pre-concert lectures and post-concert receptions with the artists;

• Free lighted parking in adjacent lot.

French Creole music and tea free Feb. 13

At 1:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association presents musician Dennis Stroughmatt in “Mardi Gras: The 300-Year-Old French Creole Tradition,” at the historic clubhouse at 178 Forest Ave., in Oak Park.

Stroughmatt, an authority on French Creole music and the culture of “Upper Louisiana,” aka southern Illinois and Missouri, discusses the western European and Celtic nature of Mardi Gras and performs Illinois French Creole songs on his fiddle and guitar. The Mardi Gras festival and traditional songs are cherished cultural treasures that have been practiced by Creoles in “Upper Louisiana” for more than three centuries.

The program will be followed by a tea.

This Road Scholar program is free and open to the public. It is made possible in part by an award from the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Illinois General Assembly.

At 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at clubhouse the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association continues its tradition of evening programs with “Oak Park: The Evolution of a Village.” Art historian and author David Sokol describes his home village, which has neither major waterways or dramatic vistas, but does have important historical figures and also the largest concentration of Prairie School buildings. He will discuss how Oak Park has adapted and met new challenges during the past 150 years of its history.

Suggested donation for the program is $10. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, call (708) 386-2729 or go to www.19thcenturyclub.com.