Proposed cultural arts venue lingers on Bartlett agenda
A cultural arts center in Bartlett would provide a forum for all kinds of community theater. And residents are already getting a taste of one potential genre: drama.
The quibbling amongst village trustees continued this week as they discussed a consultant's analysis of whether residents would support a facility like that. The numbers say they will, but some trustees' guts say they won't.
The paid consultant, who says he's not trying to sway the village either way, claims booking 156 performances is a "very realistic, if not even conservative" number.
Some snickered, but Arts in Bartlett founder Cecilia Green says if you build it, they will come. Poetry slams, garage bands and movies would be big draws for teens, she said.
But they won't help the bottom line. A 99-seat theater will cost more than $5 million to build and operate at a $250,000 shortfall each year, it's estimated. It was clear the board won't approve the project should the village have to pick up the tab.
"Let's get creative with funding," said Trustee Dennis Nolan. "We knew this was never going to be money-generating thing."
It was suggested forming something similar to the Bartlett Veterans Memorial Foundation, which is privately raising money to construct a monument. It's been a slow process.
Trustee T.L. Arends proposed the board "fish, or cut bait" before the process goes any further. Most voted to fish, if only to explore alternative funding ideas, so the idea of a cultural arts center in Bartlett is still treading water. For now.
King soul food, food drive: One of Martin Luther King Jr.'s many legacies was the concept of turning community concerns into citizen action. Hanover Township will take action from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to celebrate King's life -- and help a local food pantry in the process.
Astor Avenue Community Center, 7431 Astor Ave., Hanover Park, will host a free soul food dinner and encourages residents to bring in an item for the Hanover Township Food Pantry.
Both young and old can benefit from the evening. Highlights from King's "I Have a Dream" speech will be shown, and adults will discuss change and share their own memories and experiences from the civil rights movement. Children will learn about fairness, prejudice and peaceful solutions by creating their own book about King and taking part in other interactive activities.
For more information, call (630) 540-9085 or send e-mail to astor@htonline.info.
Valentine's Day getaway: Valentine's Day falls on a Thursday this year, but the Streamwood Park District wants to help parents get away for the evening the Saturday before by looking after the kids for them.
From 6 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 9, park district will host a pizza dinner and night of games and activities for kids ages 3 to 12.
The evening will take place in the preschool wing of the Park Place Family Recreation Center, 550 S. Park Blvd., Streamwood. The program costs $16 for residents and $24 for nonresidents, with a registration deadline of Feb. 4.
The pizza dinner at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by an evening of Valentine's Day crafts, treats, games, gym activities and more.
Kids may be dropped off or picked up by their parents at any time throughout the program, which is open to a maximum of 30 kids.
To register, call (630) 483-3025 or print a registration form from the Web site at streamwoodparkdistrict.org.