Northbrook Star

What does it mean when your pumpkin looks like Clooney?

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 16:44:00 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. Yoo-Hoo George, Yoo-Hoo Sigmund … The annual Northbrook Autumnfest takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at Meadowhill Park, 1479 Maple Ave. The free community event offers pumpkin-carving and costume contests, musical entertainment, golf challenges, inflatables, carnival games and food vendors. For more information, visit www.nbparks.org. Last Halloween, I carved a pumpkin that my daughter said looked just like George Clooney, which I hadn’t intended. Gee, pumpkin-carving and the subconscious – did Freud ever write about this phenomenon? Did George Clooney ever …

Hero and I jitterbug, son rolls eyes

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:03:14 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. Notice our saddle shoes. Come to the Jazz Film Forum at 1 p.m., and again at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 11 at the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane. The program features classic jazz performances for the 1940s on film, including Stan Kenton and popular big bands. Admission is free. To register, call (847) 272-6224. Big band music is so terrific -- my hero and I often jitterbug to the sounds of swing, while our son just rolls his eyes. However, at the thrilling conclusion …

Being a champion is state of mind

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:39:06 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. At least attractive. In a certain light. Do you have what it takes to be a champion? Sportsman’s Country Club, 3535 Dundee Road, hosts its annual Championship Week from Aug. 1 through Aug. 5, which includes a Junior Club Championship on Aug. 1; a two-day Ladies’ Club Championship on Aug. 2 and 3; and a two-day Men’s Club Championship on Aug. 4 and 5. The field is limited; to sign up, visit www.sportsmansgolf.com or call (847) 291-2351, extension 3. Dear Sportman’s staff: Do I …

Can I avoid falling if I skate fast enough?

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:23:00 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. Faster than Superman! A four-session speedskating class will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays, beginning July 20, for ages 7 and older to develop proper technique through fun drills, games and races at the Northbrook Sports Center, 1730 Pfingsten Road. All levels are welcome. Skaters can use figure, hockey or speedskates. The Northbrook Speedskating Club provides instruction. For more information visit www.nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2993. I also need this speedskating class so I can learn how to skate at the speed …

My scary circus folk would turn on each other

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 16:23:56 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. Judy never forgets. The film “Something Wicked This Way Comes” (95 minutes) will be shown at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. July 11 at the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane. In a small American town, a diabolical circus and its demonic proprietor prey on the townsfolk. For more information call (847) 272-6224. I would love to be a demonic proprietor running a diabolical circus — I’d get all the evil elephants to stomp on all the scary clowns and then rip down the …

Hey wait, this fairy tale is a little close to reality

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 06:24:17 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. Can I sue a sister Sue? Register now for a Hastey Pudding Puppet Company program for families from 10 to 11 a.m. July 7 at the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane. When an evil witch Cora steals the magic yellow ribbon from her sister Hermoine, the stage is set for a gripping drama. Admission is free. To register, call (847) 272-6224. This program is about an evil witch, Cora, who steals a ribbon from her good sister, Hermoine. Well, maybe Cora is confiscating …

Showing appreciation a tougher task than it seems

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:40:28 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. Works for us. The Northbrook Park District is hosting a Customer Appreciation Night from 6 to 9 p.m. June 22 at the Northbrook Sports Center Pool, 1730 Pfingsten Road, with games, raffles, giveaways and DJ entertainment. Customers can present a pool pass or purchase twilight admission to enter. For more information call (847) 291-2993. Last evening at the dinner table, my hero and I decided that we would enjoy a “Spouse Appreciation Night,” in which no petty tiffs would interfere. However, as we both …

Judy’s nature discovery is that she doesn’t do nature

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 18:26:37 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Glenview area, spiced with a little commentary. An outdoors person, I’m not. A Get Out & Go Nature Treasure Hunt for Families will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 10 at Gallery Park (behind Glenview Park Center), 2400 Chestnut Ave. Search for hidden clues while exploring the natural areas of Gallery Park and Fuller Air Station Prairie. Walk or ride bicycles, and earn points for answering questions about discoveries along the way. Check in at Park Center any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; REI will provide …

Bikinis are dampening my Olympics viewing

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:54:01 -0500

Ban that bikini! Extend kids’ summer fun with Awesome August, an extra week of camp starting Aug. 13 at the Northbrook Sports Center, 1730 Pfingsten Road. Children enjoy a variety of exciting experiences, as well as arts, crafts and games. For fees and to register, visit www.nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2993. I wanna attend the Awesome August camp. I wanna variety of exciting experiences. How about an adult camp for those of us (me) already moaning, “Please God, when, oh, when does school start?” I wanna … what? Stop whining? I’ll whine if I want to, it’s my only pleasure …

Judy plans to celebrate Memorial Day in verse

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:05:46 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. Or your ears. The annual Northbrook Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. May 28 from the corner of Cherry and Western and continues east on Cherry/Church to the Village Green, at Shermer and Meadow roads. Bands from local schools will be marching and performing. Following the parade, attend the traditional American Legion Memorial Day ceremony at the Village Green Park. “‘Don’t let the parade pass you by’/Ms. Barbra Streisand sings — oh me, oh my/, Do let the parade pass you by/ …

Judy’s life is too real to recreate as art

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:39:16 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. Creative genius at work. The Northbrook Arts Commission presents a two-day art workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (one hour for lunch) on May 19 and 20 at the Village Green Center, 1810 Walters Ave. The workshop, which is open to all levels of artists, will focus on contemporary realism drawing and painting, and will be taught by critically acclaimed artist David Jamieson. For fees and for more information, visit www.northbrookarts.org or call (847) 921-5239. I wonder if, as in writing, one should …

Art community unified in appraisal of my work

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:32:00 -0500

United against Judy! The annual Art in the Park Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 14, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15 on the Village Green in Northbrook. More than 65 artists will display their creations at the event, which includes live music, food and art activities. For more information visit www.nbparks.org. I am proud to say I am the only artist rejected for the Art in the Park event by all three sponsors — The Northbrook Art Commission, the Northbrook Park District and even the entire Village of Northbrook! Maybe I should …

Learn language young; you won’t do it later

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 09:25:00 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. 41, 57, 104? Registration continues for the many Northbrook Park District’s summer camps and workshops until programs fill. One of the offerings, Camp Curiosity, is for children ages 4.5 to 6 and features arts and crafts, Spanish lessons, group games, and nature and fitness activities. For more information, view the Camp Guide online at www.nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2995. They’re offering Spanish lessons to kids at this camp, which is terrific because recent research shows learning a second language promotes flexibility in the brain. …

Follow my lead, support North Suburban YMCA

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 11:30:56 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. Hooray! For the YMCA! The North Suburban YMCA in Northbrook hosts the sixth annual Strong Kids Dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m. May 16 at Allgauer’s Restaurant in the Hilton, Northbrook. The event features wonderful food, live entertainment, auctions, games and loads of surprises. All proceeds benefit the Strong Kids Fund, providing financial assistance toward Y programs for families in need. Tickets are $125.To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Barb Flanigan via e-mail at bflanigan@nsymca.org or call (847) 272-7250. The North Suburban …

Patriotic music can be a personal effort

Mon, 28 May 2012 08:42:57 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Glenview area, spiced with a little commentary. Yankee Doodle Judy. The community is invited to the following free program hosted by Covenant Village of Northbrook, at 2625 Techny Road. The Field School Singers, directed by Joani Heavey, will present a program of patriotic music at 10 a.m. April 27. To reserve a place, call (847) 412-7016. I have written the lyrics for my own patriotic song. I love it, although I possibly let my emotions rule towards the end. Here it is: “Yippee for America; hurrah red, white and blue/ I’ll …

Be careful what clothing you wish for, daughter

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:08:54 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. A harsh response. The North Suburban Genealogy Society will hold a meeting at 1 p.m. April 14 at the Northbrook History Museum, 1776 Walters Ave. The meeting will feature Ellie Carlson, curator of costume for the Winnetka Historical Society, and will focus on dating family photos through clothing. Guests are welcome. For more information call Linda Dooley at (847) 602-1120. “Dating family photos through clothing” — it’s impossible to date any of our family photos by looking at me, because I always end up …

Judy will try to contain herself during program

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 11:15:50 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. I’ll try not to, but … “Morbid Curiosity: The Richard Harris Collection” is the title of a program at 7 p.m. June 5 at the Northbrook Public Library, `1201 Cedar Lane. Retired antique print dealer Richard Harris will present information on his collection and exploring the iconography of death. Admission is free. For more information call (847) 272-6224. This program on exploring the iconography of death sounds fascinating, but kinda frightening. So if I cover my eyes occasionally to not see Mr. Harris’ scary …

Which ice princess are we talking about?

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:58:33 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Northbrook area, spiced with a little commentary. I’m Judy, and I approve this book. A book discussion of The Ice Princess will take place at 7 p.m. April 12 at the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane. Librarian Leah White will lead the discussion. Admission is free. For more information call (847) 272-6224. Hmmm. Three books titled “The Ice Princess,” have been published, and they are described thusly: (1) A grisly and mysterious death exposes the dark heart of a Scandinavian seaside village; (2) The parents of a young girl ban …