Community House ball draws 450
More than 450 guests were on hand for the annual holiday ball, Spark the Season: A Night to Shine, a Cause to Celebrate after the Spark Youth Development Initiative, a program of the Community House in Hinsdale.
This year’s event, led by Linda and Don Davis, Karen and Rick Eck, and Heather and Adam Linn, set a record for sponsorships, attendance and donations.
Guest speaker Jamie Thompson talked about the impact the Spark program has on families, and guests enjoyed sparkling decor, specialty cocktails and a display of fine watches in the CD Peacock Diamond Lounge. Live entertainment and a live auction contributed to the festive atmosphere.
Community House Executive Director Dan Janawick praised the holiday ball in a news release, calling it “much more than a beautiful event – it’s a reflection of the heart and spirit of our community. Seeing so many people come together to support the Spark Program reminds us how powerful community and connection can be in transforming lives.”
Franklin Park Ice Arena offers open skates
The Park District of Franklin Park offers public skating sessions at Franklin Park Ice Arena, 9711 Waveland Ave.
Hours are 11:30 to 1 p.m. Mondays to Fridays; 7:20 to 8:40 p.m. Wednesdays; 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; and 8:20 to 9:50 p.m. Saturdays.
Admission is $6 for residents and $8 for nonresidents. A season pass costs $75 for residents and $125 for nonresidents. Skate rental passes with 15 punches costs $45; daily rental rate is $4.
Times may vary. Call 847-671-4268 or visit www.fpparks.org.
Triton College baking student competing in contest
Luis “Edgar” Ki, of Maywood, a baking student at Triton College in River Forest, hopes his work leads him to win $10,000 and the chance to be featured in “Bake from Scratch” magazine.
He is competing for the title of Greatest Baker 2025, vying against bakers who live across the country in an online contest. Voters were able to cast one free vote each day or contribute other votes by making donations toward the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
Ki, who has been baking since he was 4, joined the college’s Hospitality, Industry and Administration program this summer. One of his signature dishes is a lemon pie in a shatter-crisp butter crust with lightly torched meringue.
He uses baking to express himself because, being deaf, communication with those who can hear isn’t easy. “But when I’m baking, it’s something that I can do with my hands and it doesn’t require communication,” he shared via a news release. “I can express myself through my baking, and that’s what I really love about it.
WIth his winnings, Ki plans to add professional tools to his home kitchen and invest in building a community-centered cake business with deaf employees, using captioning, basic American Sign Language, visual menus and eco-friendly packaging.
Kwanzaa, New Year’s party set for tots in Oak Park
Children can learn about Kwanzaa and join a New Year’s Eve celebration as part of holiday fun planned by the Park District of Oak Park.
Kwanzaa celebration is set for noon to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 26 on the upper level of the Stevenson Community Center, 49 W. Lake St. Children 12 months to 60 months old can explore crafts and traditions of the holiday. The fee is $16 to $21.
Dancing, crafts, a balloon drop and an apple juice toast in the indoor playground at the Stevenson Center are part of the fun at New Year’s Eve Bash, offered for children 12 months to 99 months old. A caregiver should attend with the child. The fee is $21 to $26 for both, with additional guests paying $9 to $12.
Register for either at pdop.org or 708-725-2000.
Explore star anise at Western Springs library
Star anise is the featured Spice of the Month on Dec. 30 at the Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St. in Western Springs.
Adults interested in trying new recipes or experimenting with a different spice are invited to pick up a kit, while supplies last, when the library is open, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Kits include the spice, a recipe and cookbook recommendations that feature that month’s theme.
Details are at 708-246-0520.
Metra offers New Year’s Eve rides
Traveling on New Year’s Eve will be a little less expensive, thanks to Metra offering Family Fares early in the day and free rides after 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
The free rides will be for all trains arriving at or leaving from Metra’s downtown stations; alcohol will be banned on all trains after 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Trains will operate on reduced schedules, although the last outbound trains from downtown on the BNSF, Metra Electric, Union Pacific West, Heritage Corridor and Rock Island lines will be held until after 1 a.m. The last Southwest Service train leaves downtown at 12:42 a.m.
In addition, Family Fares have been extended to all weekdays through Jan. 2 on all lines. The fares allow up to three children 11 and younger to ride free with each adult.
A special $7 pass on New Year’s Day will allow unlimited rides that day and can be bought from conductors, ticket vending machines and the Ventra app. Trains will run on Sunday schedules, which means no Southwest Service trains.
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