adult programs spring2023

Spring-Summer 2023

Please call 708.926.7024 to register for all programs (unless otherwise noted). 

May
June
July
August
Green Space
Technology Training
Memory Lab
Recurring monthly programs: Movies and Song Circle, AMPL Makerspace, Book Social

May

Memorial Day Wall of Remembrance
Wednesday, May 17 - May 30
Share names, dates and roles of special people who served in the military, and library staff will include them in a special display to honor their service. (You are invited to include pictures, but they are optional.)

Butter Board with Farmhouse Academy
Tuesday, May 23 at 7 pm
Butter boards are a fun new way to add flavor to your next gathering! Participants will learn the technique of creating a stunning butter board with a variety of toppings to customize their own board. Crackers will be served to enjoy with your finished board! Limit of 15. One registration per cardholder. Registration for AMPL cardholders starts March 1. Non-AMPL cardholders registration begins March 7.


June

Quilting with Carla (2 sessions)
Tuesday, June 6 & 13 @ 6:30 pm
Beginners and experienced quilters welcome. Chef Carla will demonstrate how to create a quilted drawstring bag. You will need to supply your own fabric. Please feel free to bring your own sewing machine and other supplies if you have them. Provide your email address when signing up to receive a list of necessary materials. Limit of 8 (same people for both sessions).

Strategies to Stop Overthinking
Wednesday, June 7 at 6:30 pm 
Counselor Zuica Donev will share research and our narratives that may cause overthinking, and strategies to help us eliminate it.

June Friday Night Special / Paint & Sip with Heaven Newsome
Friday, June 9 at 6:30 pm
Exercise your artistic muscles with this painting workshop of a Rainbow Desert. Enjoy light refreshments and a glass of wine while following along with local artist, Heaven Newsom. Create a colorful landscape and learn about balancing cool and warm tones and other acrylic painting techniques. Limit of 30. Sign up starts May 22 for AMPL cardholders. Non-AMPL cardholders registration starts June 1.

Cut the Cable
Tuesday, June 20 @ 6:30
Join Citizens Utility Board (CUB) to learn about your cable options and reducing robocalls! During the program, a CUB representative will discuss the different options in the TV market, ways to cut your cable costs and streaming services. CUB will also show how to avoid common robocall scams through call-blocking services and newly passed federal legislation laws to reduce robocalls.

Spy vs. Spy
Thursday, June 22 @ 6:30
This program will cover the most famous as well as the lesser known espionage efforts of World War 2. Join us as speaker Robert Mueller discusses German saboteurs landing on America’s East Coast, Japanese efforts against Pearl Harbor, Soviet penetration into the Atomic bombs Manhattan Project, British Enigma decrypts of German radio transmissions, and more.

Better Decision Making and Clearing the Clutter
Tuesday, June 27 @ 6:30
Clear the Clutter! Improve your life by getting the most from your stuff. Recognize and eliminate clutter, then maximize your stuff.  Save time and money, while regaining control of your home.


July

Take & Paint: Lemonade Signs
Starting Monday, July 10 @ 9 am
Choose from three different wood blank designs, while supplies last. Paint and paintbrushes included! Limit of 15.

Miniature Library in a Tin
Tuesday, July 11 @ 6:30 pm
To celebrate Summer Reading, design and bring to life a portable miniature version of your dream library complete with tiny snacks and plants for décor. Limit of 18

Grandma Goes to the Alaskan Wilderness
Tuesday, July 18 @ 6:30
Join Jeanne Roppolo, the grandmother who previously worked in Antarctica and toughed it out on a small remote island in the South Pacific for an evening of stories. She returns to Alsip to share her knowledge and survival skills from her last adventure wandering the desolate wilderness of America’s last frontier. Enjoy the company of free spirits who call this state home, while learning about its indigenous history and culture.

Puzzle Competition
Thursday, July 27 at 6:30 pm
Figure out which of your friends and family are the best jigsaw puzzlers and assemble your team! Face off against the toughest of competition to complete the same 300 piece puzzle in the quickest time! Signup is required for each person attending. Come prepared with ideas for your team name! Cash prize of $80 awarded to the top team. Light refreshments will be served. Ages 16+ to play. Limited to 8 teams.


August

Stuck in the Sixties Concert
Tuesday, August 1 at 2 pm
Located at Heritage 2 Clubhouse - 3715 W 123rd Place in Alsip

Don’t miss this fun concert as crowd favorite Tom Malouf performs some of the best songs from the 1960’s. Come prepared to sing along and enjoy a great trip down memory lane. Light refreshments will be provided.

Chicago’s Riverview Park with Leslie Goddard
Tuesday, August 8 @ 6:30 pm
Riverview was once the “world’s largest amusement park.” It boasted the world’s first suspended roller coaster and first parachute ride. Today, it’s merely one of Chicago’s best loved memories. The names alone evoke nostalgia: the Pair-O-Chutes, Aladdin’s Castle, Shoot the Chutes and of course, the Bobs rollercoaster. Join historian Leslie Goddard, Ph.D. for a look back at the history of Riverview, from its opening in 1904 to its sudden closing in 1967.

Movie Music Romance
Thursday, August 24 @ 6:30 pm
In this uplifting 75-minute presentation, watch familiar faces such as Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, and John Travolta dance and sing across the big screen. Join us for a compilation of 23 classic songs and dances from among the finest in film history that will warm your heart and bring back happy memories.

Beautiful Sounds with Gail Morales
Saturday, August 26 @ 11 am
Dating back as far as the 12th century, singing bowls have been used throughout Asia for meditation, ritual, and healing ceremonial purposes. Beautiful Sounds will feature Tibetan bowls, chimes, and gongs. This full-body listening experience will take you on a sonically guided meditative journey, as vibrations gently wash away stress and tension, opening up space for clarity, and expansive energy towards your goals.

Virtual Cooking with Chef Carla
Thursday, August 31 @ 6:00pm-8:00pm
Join us on Zoom for another fun live cooking session led by Chef Carla. She always comes up with the most delicious dishes with plenty of tips and tricks for cooks of all skill levels. Cook along or just watch! Recipes provided in advance.


Recurring Monthly Programs

AMPL Makerspace
Second Thursday of the month. Make a reservation or drop in.
Work with one of our librarians to create fantastic 3D prints, custom t-shirts, and more. Personal use only, 2 to 3 items per session at librarian discretion. Feel free to bring your own items to print or buy blank mugs and t-shirts from us for $5 each.
Thursday, June 8 – 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, July 13 – 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, August 10 – 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Tuesday Morning Movies 
Fourth Tuesday morning of each month at 9:30 am. Light refreshments provided. 
April 25 - Ticket to Paradise
May 30 - Till
 
June 27 - Chantilly Bridge
July 25 - 80 for Brady
August 29 – Blackberry

Book Social
Saturdays at 1 pm: June 10, July 15 and August 5
Come chat with us about your favorite books and shows, or just listen and build up your summer reading list. Following the one-hour book discussion and light refreshments, an optional movie will be shown. For registration and information about the monthly theme, contact us at 708.926.7024


Our Thursday night Game Night  program has been discontinued due to lack of participation.


Song Circle
May 15th from 6:30-8:30 pm
Making music together is magic! You don’t have to be a contestant on American Idol to enjoy playing, singing, and harmonizing. Bring instruments and songs to share, join in a chorus or two, or just come and listen!


Green Space 2023

Monday Evening Garden Workdays 6-8 pm

Have you ever wanted to try gardening but don't know where to begin? Or maybe you're an expert looking to swap tips and seeds? Come visit the Green Space Project this summer!
The Green Space Project is an experimental community garden sponsored by the library, the Alsip Park District and School District 126 located behind Prairie Junior High School. We meet every week June through August to tend our garden, socialize and enjoy crafts and other activities outdoors.

All ages are welcome! Every time you participate, your family will be entered into a drawing for prizes. All workdays take place at The Green Space Project behind (southwest corner) Prairie Junior High at 11910 S. Kostner Ave or in library meeting room 2 in case of inclement weather. Registration is not required. To get updates on upcoming garden programs, join our email list at bit.ly/ALSIPGSP.

Tai Chi in the Garden
Monday, June 5th from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Come practice tai chi with the Tai Chi Tao Center. Loose-fitting clothes recommended. Jewelry, including rings, discouraged.

Make a Fairy Garden
Monday, June 12th from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Create a magical fairy garden with miniatures.

An Evening with the Insect Asylum
Monday, June 19th from 6:00 - 8:00pm
The Insect Asylum’s resident entomologist will be giving a presentation on their work preserving insects and educating the public about these important creatures.

Cooking Outdoors: Pico de Gallo
Monday, June 26th from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Learn how to make Pico de Gallo with vegetables found in our community garden!

Painting in the Garden
Monday, July 10th from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Come paint with us in the garden! Sketch your own composition or use one of our pre-printed canvases. Paints and materials will be provided.

Illinois Native Plants
Monday, July 17th from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Join us to learn more about native Illinois plants, where to find them, and how to grow them. We

Cooking Outdoors: Kimchi and Banchan
Monday, July 24th from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Learn how to make three different Korean side dishes with vegetables you can find in the garden.

Plant Swap
Monday, July 31st from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Got plants to trade? Bring anything plant-related to trade with your fellow gardeners, including plants, seeds, cuttings, fertilizers, pots, tools, etc.

Yoga in the Garden
Monday, August 7th from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Come practice yoga outdoors with instructor Adela Alvarado.

Yarn Dyeing with TLD Designs
Monday, August 14th from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Tammy from TLD Designs will show us how to dye yarn, and you can bring home your own custom skein.

John Elliot of the Audubon Society
Monday, August 21st from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Learn more about the work of the Audubon Society and birding.

Harvest Potluck Party
Monday, August 28th from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Join us for a harvest celebrating the end of our growing season! Feel free to bring a dish to pass, just make sure to come hungry