Words of Connection: Supporting Communication in Dementia Care
2024-12-20 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Location: via Zoom
Members & guests: free.
Join us for an illuminating virtual presentation exploring how speech language pathologists can be powerful allies in supporting individuals living with dementia and memory disorders. In this dynamic one-hour session, our expert presenter will share innovative communication strategies, practical interventions, and compassionate approaches that can dramatically improve quality of life for patients and their families.
Learn how targeted speech and language techniques can:

Enhance meaningful communication
Reduce frustration
Support cognitive preservation
Strengthen connections between people living with memory impairment, caregivers, and loved ones

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, caregiver, family member, or simply passionate about supportive memory care, this presentation offers valuable insights into preserving dignity, understanding, and human connection in the face of memory challenges.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Treasyri (pronounced “treasure”) Williams Wood is the CEO and Founder of Willwood Consulting Services PLLC., a speech language pathology practice on the south side of Chicago. She graduated from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo with a Bachelor of Science degree in audiology and speech-language pathology and later earned a master of arts degree in communicative sciences and disorders from Hampton University in Virginia. Dr. Williams Wood then obtained a clinical doctorate in speech-language pathology (SLPD) from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She has earned a wealth of professional experience in acute, inpatient, outpatient and skilled nursing settings, including at Shirley Ryan AblityLab Hospital, the nation’s top Rehabilitation Institution.
Clinically, Dr. Williams Wood is passionate about developing person-centered interventions for individuals with aphasia, voice and cognitive-communication challenges as a result of neurogenic conditions and neurodegenerative disease. She specializes in teaching topics related to advocacy, neural basis of communication and cultural competency. Her research focuses on social determinants of health as they relate to individuals with neurogenic disorders of communication and their care partners. Dr. Williams Wood enjoys fostering partnerships to increase access among the under-served through holistic, culturally responsive care. She was elected to the American Speech and Hearing Association’s Board of Directors as member at large in 2021 and is serving a 2 year term.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies
2024-12-21 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Members & guests–free
Available to rent for $3.99 or buy for $9.99 on Amazon Prime. Also included with Amazon Prime subscription
Every Saturday afternoon, join fellow film aficionados of the Village for an in-depth discussion of films new and old, led by Village member Mel Washburn. Watch the selected film any time–or enjoy the discussion and be persuaded to view it after!
This week’s film is The Holiday (2006). Amanda lives in LA and is a movie trailer editor. Iris lives in Surrey and is a journalist. The two decide to swap houses for two weeks at Christmas – both trying to forget their troubled love lives, until love finds them anyways. Starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black.

Canceled: Art and Mindfulness: Get Out of Your Head and Into Making Art: Collage Making with Nancy Gordon
2024-12-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Village Office, 2502 N. Clark, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Location: The Village Office (2502 N Clark)
Members & guests: free.
Designed to introduce you to using collage as a visual tool to:

Connect with your creativity
Explore your inner world
Express thoughts and feelings
Manage stress and elicit positive emotions
Generate insights and ideas to move you forward in life

You’ll also learn mindfulness and grounding exercises to help quiet your mind and focus on the present moment, making collage creation more spontaneous and intuitive. This event is accessible.

Canceled for this week: Brain Spa
2024-12-24 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
Members & guests–free. To RSVP, please scroll down. The day before the event, a confirmation email will be sent to registered attendees with details to join via Zoom.
This is a virtual session held every other week, open to anyone who would like to get connected to others, practice skills and exercise their brain. Join us for brain games, storytelling and reminiscing in a comfortable and casual environment. These sessions will be an hour long and are meant to be fun and interactive. Drop in when you can make it, you do not need to attend every one to join.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies: In-person!
2024-12-28 13:30 | Landmark Century Theater, 2828 N. Clark, Chicago, IL, United States
Landmark Cinema (2828 North Clark Street)
Members & guests: $11.50 (click here to purchase)
Saturday Afternoon at the Movies is going to … the movies! Join the group for the 1:30 PM showing of A Complete Unknown (2024) at the Landmark Century Cinema. The Bob Dylan biopic with Timothee Chalamet as Dylan and others (some recognizable) playing other 1960s performers you’ll surely know. The film covers Dylan’s life from 1961-66. Chalamet’s performance, say many critics, is hypnotic. The 60s, the birth of folk rock, Ed Norton as Pete Seeger — how can you resist. After the film, the group will meet in the bar area of the theatre to discuss. No drink purchase required.

Canceled this week: Conversational Spanish
2024-12-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Village Office, 2502 N. Clark, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Conversational Spanish is on break for the holidays – join us on January 13!

Location: The Village Chicago office (2502 N Clark St)

Members & guests: free

Join member Ray Enriquez for a welcoming and informal Spanish conversation class. Various levels are welcome – this is a place to practice your spoken Spanish whether you are just beginning or more advanced. Space is limited – register now!

Cancelled: Exercise at Home with Jill Stein
2024-12-31 13:00 - 14:00 | IL
Members & guests–$15* per class. Click here to register and you will receive details to join the class via Zoom. To join your first session for FREE, please email celebrate@thevillagechicago.org.
Come move your body and have fun! Work on functional/full body strength,joint mobility, posture, balance, pairing movement with breath, and core strength. This one hour class starts with warm up movements, moves to balance, posture and resistance exercises, and finishes with seated core and stretching exercises.
Class is done standing, using a wall and seated. Any standing movements can be mimicked in a chair if needed. Modify as needed, or ask for alternative movements during demos.
For the class, have a stable chair (like a dining table chair), and two light hand weights (two water bottles or two cans) to use for resistance exercises. Wear athletic shoes that secure onto your feet and have water to drink. Dress in clothes you can move in comfortably and dress in layers that are easy to remove if you get warm.
About Jill Stein
Instructor Jill Stein is a veteran group exercise instructor and personal trainer with over 20 years of experience and over 15 years experience working with older adults.

Coffee Chat BYOC
2025-01-02 10:30 - 11:30 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Members only–free. To RSVP, please scroll down. The day before the discussion, a confirmation email will be sent to registered attendees with additional details to join via Zoom.
An informal ’round table’ morning coffee chat via Zoom with fellow Villagers to catch up on local issues, share your opinions, ideas, memories, have some laughs and increase your ‘people connections’ through laughter and fellowship. All are welcome!
OPEN TOPIC
Instead of selecting a predetermined topic, we invite members to pour yourself a cup, and let the conversation flow naturally! Registration required and space is limited.

Village Scrabble Group
2025-01-02 13:00 - 15:00 | IL
Thursday’s Bi-weekly
Location: Member’s Gold Coast Home
Members & guests: free.
New members welcome! Love scrabble? Join a group of Village members for a fun bi-weekly game at a member’s home. Various skill levels are welcome though players should be familiar with the game. RSVPs are required for each session and space is limited – claim your spot soon!

Short Story Intergenerational Discussions
2025-01-02 17:00 - 18:00 | IL
Members & guests–free. To RSVP, please scroll down. The day before each discussion, registered attendees will receive a confirmation email with a link to join via Zoom.
This week’s story is A Catalog of 21st Century Ghosts – Lightspeed Magazine. This is an ongoing discussion group. After you register, you will receive weekly emails with Zoom details and a link to that week’s story. While the group meets weekly, members and guests are welcome to drop in for one or all discussions.

Conversational French
2025-01-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Chicago Public Library – Lincoln Park Branch, 1150 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Members & guests: free

Join member Beverly Livingston for a welcoming and informal French conversation class. This is a place to practice your speaking skills and learn some colloquial French. Various levels are welcome, but some experience is suggested. Register now!

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies
2025-01-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Members & guests: free
Available on Netflix free with subscription
Every Saturday afternoon, join fellow film aficionados of the Village for an in-depth discussion of films new and old, led by Village member Mel Washburn. Watch the selected film any time–or enjoy the discussion and be persuaded to view it after!
This week’s film is The Six Triple Eight (2024)
The Six Triple Eight, the true story of the black female battalion tasked with the overwhelming backlog of undelivered mail during WWII, a task failed by many battalions before them, and with the added hurdles of sexism and racism. Think Hidden Figures and Glory meet Archie Bunker.
127min, Netflix

Exercise at Home with Jill Stein
2025-01-07 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-14 13:00 - 14:00 | IL

Men's Group
2025-01-08 11:00 - 12:30 | Belmont Village Lincoln Park, 700 West Fullerton, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Join the Men’s Group this January for their monthly meeting, hosted by Belmont Village in Lincoln Park. All are welcome!
In January the group will be discussing Community Solar. Going Solar without Rooftop Cells. Hal Sprague will present the benefits of getting your electricity from a Community Solar farm. If you don’t have a rooftop, or it points in the wrong direction. If you want to get clean electricity at a lower price than from ComEd, or you want to contribute to saving the planet, consider signing up for a Community Solar plan. No cost to entry, and easy exit. Guaranteed savings. Transferrable if you move. You can do it anywhere if you get an electric bill. Get a zero bill for ComEd for most of the year!

Online registration for this event has closed. Please email info@thevillagechicago.org if you would like to register.

Virtual Tai Chi
2025-01-08 13:00 - 14:00 | IL
RSVP below to register. This program will be held virtually via Zoom.
Tai Chi is a healing martial art characterized by slow, flowing movements that emphasize balance, flexibility, and coordination. It involves a series of gentle, continuous movements that engage the entire body, promoting strength and stability while calming the mind. Tai Chi is often described as “meditation in motion” due to its emphasis on mindful movement and breath. Benefits of Tai Chi:
1. Strength and Flexibility: Builds muscle strength, increases flexibility, and enhances mobility through slow, deliberate movements.
2. Balance and Coordination: Improves body coordination and balance, reducing the risk of falls.
3. Stress Relief: Calms the mind and relieves stress by focusing on controlled, meditative movements.
4. Mind-Body Connection: Strengthens awareness of the body and its movements, promoting mindfulness.
5. Mood and Energy Boost: Releases tension, elevates mood, and increases energy flow.
6. Joint Health and Circulation: Enhances circulation and supports healthy joints, easing stiffness and discomfort.
Qigong techniques in the Body & Brain class help amplify these benefits by focusing on energy flow (Qi), fostering both physical and mental well-being.
About the Instructor: Julia Chung, PhD, PCC, is a professional certified coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF), Sedona Health Coaching, and the ADD Coach Academy. Currently, she is the center manager and head instructor at the Body & Brain Center in Mt. Prospect, IL. Before devoting her life to coaching and holistic healing, she worked as a statistician in corporate America for over 10 years. Julia is passionate about sharing mindfulness with people in corporations who feel the need to reconnect with themselves to create a more purposeful work and personal life.

Health Hub: Things Get Hairy!
2025-01-09 14:00 - 15:00 | IL
Members & guests: free.
Location: via Zoom
Discover the intricate relationship between hair and aging, as we address common concerns such as thinning, dryness, and graying. Attendees will gain valuable insights into prevention, symptom management, and actionable strategies to protect and revitalize hair health. Together, we’ll delve into the influence of environmental factors, hormonal changes, oxidative stress, and other biological processes on aging hair.
Presented by Health Hub, this monthly program highlights groundbreaking advancements within the scientific community. Designed to provide a welcoming space for questions and curiosity, this program aims to enrich your understanding, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and nurture your wellbeing through the power of education.

Movement- Revolutionizing Balance, Confidence, and Neurological Health
2025-01-09 15:00 - 16:00 | IL
Registration for this event has closed. Please contact our office at 773-248-8700 for the Zoom information to access this event.
Join us for Movement Revolution, a part-education, part-exercise session for the Chicago Area Village Collaborative’s Aging Brain & Body series. In this session, we’ll explore the why and what behind specific movements and exercises to support neurological health, neuroplasticity, and overall brain function. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how movement can enhance balance, build strength, and improve mobility, followed by practical exercises that you can apply to boost balance and movement confidence in your everyday life. Whether you’re managing a condition or simply aiming to stay active and safe this winter, this class will leave you empowered with valuable knowledge and exercises to improve both your brain and body health at any fitness level.
Presented by Eric Johnson, CSCS, CIFT, NES, founder and CEO of Movement Revolution.

Short Story Intergenerational Discussions
2025-01-09 17:00 - 18:00 | IL
Members & guests–free. To RSVP, please scroll down. The day before each discussion, registered attendees will receive a confirmation email with a link to join via Zoom.
RSVP to Join! This is an ongoing discussion group. After you register, you will receive weekly emails with Zoom details and a link to that week’s story. While the group meets weekly, members and guests are welcome to drop in for one or all discussions.
This week’s story is Proof by Induction by José Pablo Iriarte – Uncanny Magazine

Brain Spa: In Person
2025-01-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Cubaneo, 2873 N Broadway Ave, Chicago, 60657, United States
Members & guests: free! RSVP below to register.
Brain Spa will be doing an in person lunch at Cubaneo, a Cuban restaurant (2873 N Broadway). We will have plenty of time to connect and chat with one another, share stories and reminisce. We will also send you home with a little packet of brain activities.
Brain Spa meets virtually every other week, open to anyone who would like to connect with others and engage or “massage” their brain. Join us for brain activities, reminiscing and sharing stories in a comfortable and casual environment. These sessions are meant to be fun and interactive. Drop in when you can make it, you don’t need to attend every one to join.
Online RSVP for this program has ended, to join please contact the Village office at 773-248-8700.

Virtual Village Info Session
2025-01-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Location: via Zoom
Members & guests: free
Interested in learning more about the Village? This virtual presentation provides an overview of Village programs and services, plus an opportunity for questions and conversation. Perfect for prospective members, new members, or established members who just want a refresher!
Chicago, IL

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies
2025-01-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Members & guests–free
Film available to rent on Amazon for $6; or Apple TV
Every Saturday afternoon, join fellow film aficionados of the Village for an in-depth discussion of films new and old, led by Village member Mel Washburn. Watch the selected film any time–or enjoy the discussion and be persuaded to view it after!
This week’s film is The Apprentice (2024)
The Donald Trump biopic covering his start in NYC in the ’70s, when he learned from Roy Cohn all the worst ways to treat, influence people. Sebastian Stan (Trump) and Jeremy Strong (Cohn) get rave reviews for their performances and are both nominated for Golden Globes.
122min

Conversational Spanish
2025-01-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Village Office, 2502 N. Clark, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Location: The Village Chicago office (2502 N Clark St)

Members & guests: free

Join member Ray Enriquez for a welcoming and informal Spanish conversation class. Various levels are welcome – this is a place to practice your spoken Spanish whether you are just beginning or more advanced. Space is limited – register now!

Happy Hour with the Life 3.0 Committee
2025-01-14 17:00 - 18:00 | Wilde Bar & Restaurant, 3130 N Broadway, Chicago, IL, 60657, United States
Members and guests: free.
Join us for a casual, member-organized happy hour at a different location each month, with no agenda other than great conversation.
This is a recurring, in person event; once you sign up, you will continue to receive emails for upcoming events.
Life 3.0 is a lively, welcoming group who are exploring together how we want to live and work as we move into retirement and beyond. But mostly, we like getting together for some really good times!
Online RSVP for this program has ended, to join please contact the Village office at 773-248-8700.

Crossing the Bridge
2025-01-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Location: via Zoom
Members & guests: free.

Death Cafe has evolved! Crossing the Bridge is a safe space to share personal feelings about death as we support and learn from each other. In addition to exploring our own thoughts, we talk about books, films, legislative developments, organizations, and other topics related to death and dying. All are welcome!
Learn more about end of life planning, contemplating one’s mortality and fears around death. What does all that have to do with living a rich, full life? Pat Bardenett, LCSW, Certified Death Doula will talk to us about these and other issues.
Online RSVP for this program has ended, to join please contact the Village office at 773-248-8700.

New Member Happy Hour
2025-01-15 16:00 - 17:30 | Aster Hall, 900 N Michigan, Chicago, IL, United States
Location: Aster Hall 6th Floor Bar & Study (900 N Michigan)
Members & guests: free; wine and snacks provided
Whether you joined the Village in the past year or are an established member looking for new connections, this fun Happy Hour event is the perfect way to celebrate the growing Village community. Join us in welcoming our newest Village members!
Online RSVP for this program has ended, to join please contact the Village office at 773-248-8700.

Great Books, Great Conversations
2025-01-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Location: via Zoom

Members and guests – Free!
This ongoing Village discussion group meets online the first Wednesday of each month to discuss a selection of short readings from an anthology published by The Great Books Foundation. Although the group has been meeting for years, they are very welcoming to new members!
Come join the conversation! This discussion group is now in its thirteenth year, but new members are encouraged to join! Starting in December, the Group will be reading a new Anthology! “Immigrant Voices”available from the Great Books Foundation. This anthology includes short stories from major 21st Century U.S. immigrant populations relate experiences, challenges, and aspirations of contemporary immigrants.

This January, the group will be reading:

“The Bees, Part 1” by Aleksandar Hemon
“Grandmother’s Garden” by Meena Alexander

Online RSVP for this program has ended, to join please contact the Village office at 773-248-8700.

Coffee Chat BYOC
2025-01-16 10:30 - 11:30 | IL
Location: via Zoom

Members only–free. To RSVP, please scroll down. The day before the discussion, a confirmation email will be sent to registered attendees with additional details to join via Zoom.
An informal ’round table’ morning coffee chat via Zoom with fellow Villagers to catch up on local issues, share your opinions, ideas, memories, have some laughs and increase your ‘people connections’ through laughter and fellowship. All are welcome!
OPEN TOPIC
Instead of selecting a predetermined topic, we invite members to pour yourself a cup, and let the conversation flow naturally! Registration required and space is limited.

Rescheduled for January- MacTutor: The Photos App All the New Features and Design Update
2025-01-16 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
Members & guests: $15 – click here to register!
Location: Via Zoom
The Photos app redesign has been one of the most controversial changes that Apple made in iOS 18, and Apple has made several updates during the beta testing process. There is an entirely new unified look for the ‌Photos‌ along with some neat new features.
Our instructor, Mr. Joe Daddezio, formerly of Apple Inc., was born and raised in Lincoln Park. During his career as The MacTutor, Joe has helped thousands of folks get more from their Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Pre-requisite installed iOS18.0 prior to session.

Cancelled: Village Scrabble Group
2025-01-16 13:00 - 15:00 | IL
Thursday’s Bi-weekly
Cancelled for this week.
New members welcome! Love scrabble? Join a group of Village members for a fun bi-weekly game at a member’s home. Various skill levels are welcome though players should be familiar with the game. RSVPs are required for each session and space is limited – claim your spot soon!
