Kankakee Library News
Kankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant Street will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 20. Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, February 21, at 9 a.m.
Figure Drawing: Practice figure drawing in an encouraging and laid back atmosphere at the library on Wednesday, February 22, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Figure drawing improves hand-eye coordination and observational skills, no matter one’s art style. This is not a class but simply is a welcoming environment where participants will not need to share work unless they want to. A suggested donation of $3-$5 is requested.
It is recommended to bring a large pad of newsprint, additional charcoal, pencils, or pastels. Call 815-937-5444 for more information. Artists of all skill levels and mediums are welcome. It is recommended for ages 16 and up.
Soul Collections Book Discussion: Join with others at the free monthly Book Discussion – Soul Collections, which highlights black authors and themes. On Thursday, February 23, at 5:30 p.m., in the third floor meeting room, the group will meet to discuss thoughts on “The Nickel Boys,” by Colson Whitehead.
In this Pulitzer Prize-winning follow-up to his book “The Underground Railroad,” Colson Whitehead brilliantly dramatizes another strand of American history through the story of two boys unjustly sentenced to a hellish reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida.
For more information, visit the Kankakee Public Library’s Facebook page, check out its website at www.lions-online.org, or contact the library at 815-939-4564.
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Manteno Trivia: March 24
Spread the loveBy Melanie Holmes The odds are good that if your parents met at a soda fountain, bowling alley, or skating rink in town, you likely would be fascinated to know where those places once were located – especially if the building still exists. A case in point is the structure that used to…
Acting Out Theatre Holding ‘A Chorus Line’ Auditions
Spread the loveActing Out Theatre Co. will be holding auditions for “A Chorus Line” on Saturday, April 2. Visit actingouttheatreco.org to sign up for a time slot. Callbacks will be Sunday, April 3, at 1 p.m. Auditions will be held for cast, “cut dancers,” and pit singers. Auditions will be held at Kankakee High School…
Spring Cleaning: Is Your ‘Junk’ Worth a Fortune?
Spread the loveIf your family is like most, you have “junk” in your basement, garage, or attic, including sports cards, memorabilia, and toys. Before you toss them out during spring cleaning, consider that the prices of sports cards, games, and other ephemera are skyrocketing. How can you determine if your stuff is valuable and, if…
AAS Ruck Walk May 29; Register Now!
Spread the loveAdopt-a-Soldier is offering an alternative to its 22k this year. Bring family and friends, young and old, strollers and wheelchairs and join the battle to eliminate veteran suicide. Organizers encourage participants to gather pledges or donations to support their walk, with proceeds benefitting Adopt-a-Soldier. Stroll one lap or 10 around the Will County…
Dueling Pianos April 23
Spread the loveMark your calendars for Dueling Pianos, on Saturday, April 23, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall’s Cameo Room, 187 S. Indiana in Kankakee. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at www.ChildNetwork.org or on their Facebook page. Dueling Pianos is a high energy, all request, sing-a-long, clap-a-long, Rock ‘n…
Open Registration for My Piece in the Puzzle
Spread the loveThe My Piece in the Puzzle program to promote racial healing and equity will take place at the GROW Center (Central Christian Church), 310 Main Street NW, Bourbonnais, on Tuesdays between March 22 – April 12. Interested participants may register through Eventbrite or through the link on the Project SUN Facebook page. My…
Open Registration for My Piece in the Puzzle
Spread the loveThe My Piece in the Puzzle program to promote racial healing and equity will take place at the GROW Center (Central Christian Church), 310 Main Street NW, Bourbonnais, on Tuesdays between March 22 – April 12. Interested participants may register through Eventbrite or through the link on the Project SUN Facebook page. My…
Local Author to Address Women’s History
Spread the loveTo honor National Women’s History Month, the Kankakee County Museum will host award-winning author and Manteno native Melanie Holmes on Saturday, March 26, at noon, for a talk highlighting women’s history. Holmes’s presentation will be based on her newest book, The Secret Life of Postcards (released in 2021), which is sold exclusively through…
Area Youth to be Featured in KVTA’s ‘Mary Poppins JR.’
Spread the loveThe Kankakee Valley Theater Association (KVTA) will present “Mary Poppins JR.,” a musical featuring 48 very talented local youth, on April 8-10. Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins JR. is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, practically-perfect dance numbers, and magical elements including flying! The jack-of-all trades, Bert, played by Dalton…
Manteno Amends Snowfall Parking Ordinance
Spread the loveBy Stephen Nelson In a very brief routine business session on Monday, March 7, the Manteno Village Board voted to amend the parking ordinance for snowfall events of two inches or greater. In the past, on-street parking has been allowed on alternating days, on the sides of the streets – either odd or…
City of Kankakee Unanimously Approves Agreement with Kankakee Riverfront Society
Spread the loveThe Kankakee Riverfront Society (KRS), the not-for-profit organization spearheading The Currents of Kankakee and the transformation of the downtown Kankakee riverfront, received a unanimous vote of confidence from the City of Kankakee at their City Council meeting on March 7. Leaders from KRS, the City of Kankakee, and the Kankakee Valley Park District…
Manteno Trivia: March 17
Spread the loveBy Melanie Holmes When it comes to entertainment in Manteno, activities have come and gone. When a huge black grain elevator was still on Main Street, movies were projected onto the outside of it. From theaters (or nickelodeons) to dance halls, pool halls, and teen centers, activities to enrich the lives of the…
Local UIS Student Earns Leadership Role at Government Simulation
Spread the loveUniversity of Illinois-Springfield students earned awards and were elected to leadership roles during the Model Illinois Government (MIG) simulation held March 3-6, at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre. Participating this year was Cedric Birgans of Beecher, who was elected minority whip in the House and one-of-five students to hold a legislative position. The…