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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250506T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250506T193000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250226T183603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250227T192216Z
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SUMMARY:Get Your Stories Straight
DESCRIPTION:Organize Your Life Stories Photos & Family Tree In One Family Heirloom Book\nDo you or a loved one have a surplus of photos that need sorting and personal stories that should be written down for future generations? Both of these can be daunting tasks that we tend to procrastinate year after year. During the “Get Your Stories Straight” program\, participants will learn how to interview family members\, organize stories and curate photos to go along with each story. The end goal is to create a single book that will be a family heirloom for generations. \nAdrienne Fawcett has been collecting and telling stories for many years. She’s the former editor of the local news websites GazeboNews and DailyNorthShore; producer and editor of Architectural Lake Forest\, a book published by Lake Forest Preservation Foundation; and writer of Lake Bluff History Museum’s Lake Bluff Stories series. She has also worked as an interviewer for a book company that publishes autobiographies. Adrienne runs a small business\, Family Heirloom Books\, where she helps people organize their own or a family members’ memories\, stories and photos into a single\, beautiful book.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/get-your-stories-straight/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Art,Classes,Specialty
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250506T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250506T130000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250501T142848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250501T142848Z
UID:20006421-1746532800-1746536400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:GRAND ROUNDS: SHIFT: MANAGING YOUR EMOTIONS — SO THEY DON'T MANAGE YOU
DESCRIPTION:Whether it’s anxiety about going to the doctor\, boiling rage when we’re stuck in traffic\, or devastation after a painful break-up\, our lives are filled with situations that send us spiraling. But as difficult as our emotions can be\, they are also a superpower. Far from being “good” or “bad\,” emotions are information. When they’re activated in the right ways and at the right time\, they function like an immune system\, alerting us to our surroundings\, telling us how to react to a situation\, and helping us make the right choices. \nBut how do we make our emotions work for us rather than against us? Acclaimed psychologist Ethan Kross\, Ph.D.\, has devoted his scientific career to answering this question. In his new bestselling book Shift: Managing Your Emotions — So They Don’t Manage You\, he dispels common myths—for instance\, that avoidance is always toxic or that we should always strive to live in the moment—and provides a new framework for shifting our emotions so they don’t take over our lives. \nShift weaves groundbreaking research with riveting stories of people struggling and succeeding to manage their emotions—from a mother whose fear prompted her to make a spur-of-the-moment decision that would save her daughter’s life mid-flight to a nuclear code-carrying Navy SEAL who learned how to embrace both joy and pain during a hellish training activity. Kross spotlights a wide array of tools that we already have access to—in our bodies and minds\, our relationships with other people\, and the cultures and physical spaces we inhabit—and shows us how to harness them to be healthier and more successful. \nKross is the director of the Emotion and Self-Control Laboratory at the University of Michigan and professor in its top ranked psychology department and Ross School of Business. His book Chatter: The Voice in Our Head\, Why it Matters\, and How to Harness It was an international bestseller. \nKross will be in conversation with David Schreiber\, MD\, a psychiatrist specializing in child\, adolescent\, and adult crisis care. Dr. Schreiber is the CEO and co-founder of Compass Health Center (CHC) and Compass Virtual. \nBONUS BOOK GIVEAWAY! FAN and Compass Health Center are giving away copies of Shift to randomly selected Zoom attendees who are also clinicians. Details on the webinar registration page. \nThis event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/grand-rounds-shift-managing-your-emotions-so-they-dont-manage-you/
LOCATION:On Zoom
CATEGORIES:Events,Family Action Network
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Copy-of-FAN-800-x-600-website-image-48.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250505T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250505T210000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250410T161033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T195235Z
UID:20006374-1746471600-1746478800@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:25 CATS FROM QATAR
DESCRIPTION:A documentary that follows the international rescue efforts of Sip & Purr Cat Cafe in Milwaukee\, Wisconsin\, focusing on the rescue and relocation of 25 at-risk cats from Doha\, Qatar\, to America. \nDirector: Mye Hoang \nStick Around for a Post Show Q & A Following the Screening with the Filmmaker and Owner of Sip & Purr Cafe!\n 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/25-cats-from-qatar/
LOCATION:Gorton Center – John & Nancy Hughes Theater\, 400 E. Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045\, United States
CATEGORIES:Documentary,Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25-Cats-from-Qatar.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250505T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250505T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250501T144612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250501T144612Z
UID:20006422-1746471600-1746475200@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:CHANGE THE WALLPAPER: TRANSFORMING CULTURAL PATTERNS TO BUILD MORE JUST COMMUNITIES
DESCRIPTION:How can ordinary people fight for social justice? Can individual actions change structural inequality? In Change the Wallpaper: Transforming Cultural Patterns to Build More Just Communities\, social psychologist Nilanjana Dasgupta\, Ph.D.\, offers a science-driven approach to achieving social change\, arguing that small changes to the “wallpaper”—the local cultures around us—are far more effective in producing structural change locally than seeking change through bias awareness training\, symbolic acts\, or relying solely on good intentions. \nBy integrating knowledge across diverse fields—including psychology\, neuroscience\, education\, sociology\, economics\, public health\, urban studies\, cultural geography\, and landscape architecture—Dasgupta shows how attitudes and beliefs take root in our mind based on what we see and hear every day. This wallpaper nudges our behavior to create or reinforce small inequalities that go unnoticed and accumulate over time. Disrupting these patterns and habits requires creating opportunities for social mixing across lines of difference\, allowing new relationships to form\, and promoting a better understanding of unfamiliar others’ experiences\, followed by organizing and collective action. Together\, these types of experiences and actions bring real change within our reach—in workplaces\, in neighborhoods\, in cities and towns. Dasgupta provides fresh\, actionable approaches for everyone interested in working toward justice for all. \nDasgupta is a Provost Professor of Psychology and the founding Director of the Institute of Diversity Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She will be in conversation with Jerry Kang\, the Ralph and Shirley Shapiro Distinguished Professor of Law and Distinguished Professor of Asian American Studies at the UCLA School of Law. \nBONUS AFTER-HOURS EVENT: Attendees who purchase a copy Change the Wallpaper from FAN’s partner bookseller The Book Stall are invited to attend an AFTER-HOURS event hosted by Dasgupta that will start immediately after the webinar. Details on the webinar registration page. \nThis event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/change-the-wallpaper-transforming-cultural-patterns-to-build-more-just-communities/
LOCATION:On Zoom
CATEGORIES:Events,Family Action Network
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Copy-of-FAN-800-x-600-website-image-49.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250505T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250505T150000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250109T194741Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250313T170943Z
UID:20006269-1746439200-1746457200@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
DESCRIPTION:https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-timePlease note\, pre-registration is mandatory and only takes a few minutes – please click the link. \nIf you want to donate blood\, make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids before the donation. \nAlso\, bring a photo ID\, your blood donor card\, or two other forms of ID. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass! Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information (note: RapidPass can only be completed on the day of your donation). \nGorton thanks you for donating blood and helping to save lives!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/red-cross-blood-drive-11/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Community
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250502T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250502T190000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250402T165725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T171251Z
UID:20006369-1746205200-1746212400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Family Math Night
DESCRIPTION:THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR RESCHEDULED DATES!\nPizza\, Fun & Numbers! \nNo need to worry about dinner—just bring your family and love for learning! Join us at the Gorton Center for Family Math Night\, presented by Mathnasium\, for an exciting\, hands-on math adventure. Enjoy games\, challenges\, and activities that boost confidence and make math fun for everyone. Ages 5 – 12 \nWe’ve been serving the Lake Forest community for 10 years\, helping students build confidence and excel in math. At Mathnasium\, we make learning math less of a chore and more of a win with personalized instruction and a supportive environment. Whether kids are catching up\, keeping up\, or getting ahead\, we turn frustration into confidence. We’re right in your neighborhood—stop by and see how we can help make a difference!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/family-math-night/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Games,Youth
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Math-Night.png
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250501T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250501T210000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250410T161534Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T193825Z
UID:20006392-1746126000-1746133200@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:SUPERMAN
DESCRIPTION:Catch the original Superman on the Big screen at Gorton’s John & Nancy Hughes Theater! \nAn alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth\, where he grows up to become his adoptive home’s first and greatest superhero. \nDirector: Richard Donner \nStars: Christopher Reeve\, Margot Kidder\, Gene Hackman \nThank you Sheffield Foundation for sponsoring this special screening.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/superman/
LOCATION:Gorton Center – John & Nancy Hughes Theater\, 400 E. Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045\, United States
CATEGORIES:Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Superman-The-Movie.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250501T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250501T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250501T145605Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250501T145605Z
UID:20006423-1746126000-1746129600@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:HOW TO FALL IN LOVE WITH QUESTIONS: A NEW WAY TO THRIVE IN TIMES OF UNCERTANTY
DESCRIPTION:What do you do when faced with a big\, important question that keeps you up at night? Many people\, understandably\, seize answers dispensed by “experts\,” influencers\, gurus\, and more. But these fast\, easy\, one-size-fits-all solutions often fail to satisfy\, and can even cause more pain. \nWhat if our questions—the ones we ask about relationships\, work\, meaning\, identity\, and purpose—are not our tormentors\, but our teachers? Inspired by 150-year-old advice from Austrian poet Rainier Maria Rilke and backed by contemporary science\, Elizabeth Weingarten’s new book\, How to Fall in Love with Questions: A New Way to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty\, offers a fresh approach for dealing with these seemingly unsolvable questions. In her quest\, Weingarten shares her own journey and the stories of many others\, whose lives have transformed through a different\, and better\, relationship with uncertainty. \nDesigned to inspire anyone who feels stuck\, powerless\, and drained\, How to Fall in Love with Questions challenges us to unlock our minds and embark on the kind of self-discovery that’s only possible when we feel most alive—that is\, when we don’t know what will happen next. \nWeingarten is a journalist and applied behavioral scientist who works at the intersection of science and storytelling. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and New Trier High School\, she has worked on the editorial staffs of The Atlantic\, Slate\, and Qatar Today\, and was managing editor of Behavioral Scientist. \nWeingarten will be in conversation with Heather Havrilesky (FAN ’18\, ’22)\, writer of the popular Ask Polly advice column on Substack and is the author of Foreverland\, What If This Were Enough?\, How to Be a Person in the World\, and Disaster Preparedness. \nBONUS AFTER-HOURS EVENT: Attendees who purchase a copy How to Fall in Love with Questions from FAN’s partner bookseller The Book Stall are invited to attend an AFTER-HOURS event hosted by Weingarten that will start immediately after the webinar. Details on the webinar registration page. \nThis event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/how-to-fall-in-love-with-questions-a-new-way-to-thrive-in-times-of-uncertanty/
LOCATION:On Zoom
CATEGORIES:Events,Family Action Network
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Copy-of-FAN-800-x-600-website-image-50.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250429T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250429T190000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250311T202351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250416T165656Z
UID:20006350-1745946000-1745953200@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:LFLB Nonprofit Board Leadership Event
DESCRIPTION:Discover Meaningful Ways to Give Back and Provide Leadership in Your Community\nHave you ever wondered what it’s like to serve on a nonprofit board? Are you passionate about giving back to your community and ready to take on a leadership role? This is your opportunity to explore how you can make a meaningful difference while connecting with local organizations that need dedicated board members like you. \nJoin us for a collaborative\, expo-style event at 5 pm on Tuesday\, April 29. This interactive event brings together some of the area’s most impactful nonprofit organizations\, including: \nArt Impact ProjectA Safe PlaceCROYA FoundationDeer Path Art LeagueGorton CenterHistory Center – Lake Forest Lake BluffLake County Community FoundationMother’s Trust FoundationPaws for Patrick \nDuring this expo-style event\, you’ll have the chance to meet with nonprofit leaders\, learn about their missions\, and explore how your skills and experience can support the causes that matter most to you. Gain insights into board roles\, responsibilities\, and service expectations\, so you can confidently step into a leadership position that aligns with your interests. \nWhy Attend?\n\nDiscover how serving on a nonprofit board strengthens communities\nFind the right organization that matches your passions and expertise\nLearn firsthand what board service entails from experienced leaders\nConnect with like-minded individuals who care about making a difference\n\nWhether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting to explore nonprofit board leadership\, this event offers the knowledge and connections you need to take the next step. \nJoin us and bring a friend! Together\, we can build a stronger community. \n \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/lflbnonprofitboardevent/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Community,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Board.png
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250428T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250428T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250417T135117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250417T135621Z
UID:20006409-1745866800-1745870400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:RISE ABOVE: OVERCOME VICTIM MINDSET\, EMPOWER YOURSELF\, AND REALIZE YOUR FULL POTENTIAL
DESCRIPTION:In the era of using therapy language to describe everyday emotions and the urge to over pathologize\, it’s tempting to see ourselves as damaged and powerless\, defined by our past traumas\, our emotions\, and the struggles we face. But it’s more important than ever to rise above the limiting beliefs and widespread anxiety that puts us in boxes\, lowers our expectations\, and holds us back. Our obstacles have become so ingrained in our self-concept that we don’t recognize what we could become. And we don’t see that these obstacles are\, in many cases\, our path to our potential—that we become our greatest self because of\, not in spite of\, life’s challenges. \nIn Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset\, Empower Yourself\, and Realize Your Full Potential\, renowned cognitive psychologist and professor Scott Barry Kaufman\, Ph.D. (FAN ’16)\, among the top 1% most-cited scientists in the world and host of The Psychology Podcast (30 million downloads and frequently ranked the #1 psychology podcast in the world)\, unpacks the dangerous myths and misleading buzzwords swirling around the popular imagination\, revealing the truth about managing our emotions\, the double-edged sword of self-esteem\, the surprising gifts of sensitivity\, and\, ultimately\, the power each of has to overcome challenges and to shape the course of our own lives. \nKaufman’s writing has appeared in The Atlantic\, Scientific American\, Psychology Today\, and Harvard Business Review\, and he is the author of ten previous books\, including Transcend\, Wired to Create\, and Ungifted. He will be in conversation with Susan Cain (FAN ’13\, ’22)\, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling books Quiet: The Power of Introverts in A World That Can’t Stop Talking and Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole. Cain partners with Malcolm Gladwell\, Adam Grant\, Ph.D. (FAN ’14\, ’16)\, and Dan Pink (FAN ’18\, ’22) to curate the Next Big Idea Book Club. \nBONUS AFTER-HOURS EVENT: Attendees who purchase a copy Rise Above from FAN’s partner bookseller The Book Stall are invited to attend an AFTER-HOURS event hosted by Kaufman that will start immediately after the webinar. Details on the webinar registration page. \nThis event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/rise-above-overcome-victim-mindset-empower-yourself-and-relize-tour-full-potential/
LOCATION:On Zoom
CATEGORIES:Events,Family Action Network
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Copy-of-FAN-800-x-600-website-image-46.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250428T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250428T150000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250109T194619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250313T170747Z
UID:20006268-1745834400-1745852400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
DESCRIPTION:https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-timePlease note\, pre-registration is mandatory and only takes a few minutes – please click the link. \nIf you want to donate blood\, make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids before the donation. \nAlso\, bring a photo ID\, your blood donor card\, or two other forms of ID. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass! Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information (note: RapidPass can only be completed on the day of your donation). \nGorton thanks you for donating blood and helping to save lives!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/red-cross-blood-drive-10/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Community
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gorton Center 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest IL 60045;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=400 East Illinois Road:geo:-87.8374004,42.2506703
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250426T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250426T210000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250213T231623Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T204618Z
UID:20006323-1745695800-1745701200@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Andy Woodhull
DESCRIPTION:Get ready for a night of sharp\, relatable comedy with Andy Woodhull! \nAndy has made a name for himself with appearances on The Late Late Show with James Corden\, Conan\, Live at Gotham\, and Comedy Central’s The Half Hour. He also holds the distinction of being the first comedian to make his network television debut on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. \nWith over 12 million views on YouTube\, Andy’s Dry Bar Comedy special has cemented his status as a fan favorite. His six comedy albums are in regular rotation on SiriusXM\, and his jokes have been streamed more than 50 million times on Pandora. \nBeyond stand-up\, Andy has showcased his comedic talents as a writer for SYFY’s The Movie Show\, where he also appeared in two episodes. Most recently\, he wrapped up hosting Totally Funny Animals on The CW\, which premiered in February 2024. \nWhen he’s not performing\, Andy co-hosts the Backyard Hang podcast alongside fellow comedians Tommy Johnagin and Alex Stone. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his dog\, Darwin. \nDon’t miss your chance to see Andy Woodhull live – get your tickets now! \n  \nMamma Mia Wood Fired Pizza will be on-site at the event!  Come hungry for the tastiest homemade Italian pizza around!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/andy-woodhull/
LOCATION:Gorton Center – John & Nancy Hughes Theater\, 400 E. Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045\, United States
CATEGORIES:Events,Performing Arts
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Andy-Woodhull.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250426T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250426T153000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20220531T213840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250227T195943Z
UID:20002079-1745674200-1745681400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:CPR\, AED and Optional First Aid Class
DESCRIPTION:* THIS IS A HYBRID COURSE!  1 or 3 HOURS ONLINE @ HOME AND 2 HOURS IN-PERSON!\nThis blended learning style Basic CPR and AED class with optional First Aid is a must have basic skill everyone should learn. This class will not satisfy a BLS requirement. You will learn how to perform life-saving skills such as rescue breathing\, CPR\, and managing an obstructed airway for all ages. Also\, learn how to use an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator). \nThis course is designed by the Health Safety Institute\, a worldwide leader in CPR\, AED and First Aid emergency care training programs. Students will receive a certification valid for two years\, upon successful completion of the course. Class materials include a digital reference book and digital certification card issued upon successful completion of the in-person skills class. \nONLINE:  The on-line prerequisite class is self-paced. It is best to use a PC to complete. Once you have registered\, we will send you the link for the online portion. If you have not received your learning link by February 10\, please contact instructor (Tanya 847-989-7056). CPR and AED only will take approximately 1 hour.  CPR\, AED\, and optional First Aid will take approximately 3 hours \nIN-PERSON (At Gorton Center):  In-Person skills class is the same for both options and will take approximately 2 hours. Wear comfortable clothing. Most of the practice will take place on the floor. A kneeling pad is provided but students may also want to bring a yoga mat or towel to lie on floor. Please inform instructor prior to class if accommodations are needed to explore options. Students must be able to properly compress the chest of the manikin to successfully complete the class. \nAges 12+ \n*Please reach out to Libby Johnson with any questions! 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/cpr-aed-and-optional-first-aid-class/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Age,Classes,Wellness,Youth
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CPR-FREE.jpeg
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250426T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250426T120000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20240130T173034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T143227Z
UID:20005838-1745665200-1745668800@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Tai Chi With Ken Ning
DESCRIPTION:Sign up for Gorton’s Tai Chi class and join Ken Ning each Saturday to learn and practice Tai Chi. Ken’s Tai Chi class is open to both beginners and experienced practitioners. \nTai Chi is an inclusive form of exercise that anyone can do\, whether you are in peak shape\, or have limited mobility. Despite its slow pace\, Tai Chi is a valuable exercise for all ages\, read about the health benefits of Tai Chi below. Dress comfortably and be prepared to have fun in Ken’s Tai Chi class. \nHealth Benefits of Tai Chi \nTai Chi has numerous health benefits. It is good for balance\, flexibility\, and stress – regular Tai Chi practice can improve overall physical health and well-being. In fact\, Harvard Health suggests Tai Chi might be “…the perfect activity for the rest of your life.” \nAs a form of exercise\, researchers in Toronto found Tai Chi is equivalent to brisk walking. So\, instead of worrying about your steps (how boring)\, join Ken’s Tai Chi class and have some more fun while you exercise. \nUnlike other forms of exercise\, Tai Chi movements are performed with relaxed muscles and a focus on deep breathing. Slow and gentle\, Tai Chi can improve blood flow\, balance\, and relaxation. Each Tai Chi pose flows into the next with circular\, continuous movements. This helps improve your balance and flexibility without putting strain on muscles and joints. \nTai Chi is also a very social activity\, commonly practiced in groups that rhythmically synchronize slow movements with deep breathing. Like meditation\, Tai Chi creates a calm and focused mind and can create a state of mindfulness. \nTai Chi also benefits emotional well-being and mental health. Regular Tai Chi practice can improve concentration\, physical self-awareness\, and create a sense of inner peace. Tai chi is a great exercise for relieving stress and has been shown to benefit hypertension and high blood pressure. \nWhat is Tai Chi? \nTai Chi is a Chinese traditional exercise that blends martial arts’ movement with meditation. Dating back a thousand years\, Tai Chi remains a popular activity in China and around the world. \nTai Chi is a series of slow\, choreographed martial arts movements and poses. Tai Chi poses are circular and continuous\, with an emphasis on smooth transitions and maintaining a centered and grounded posture. Tai Chi poses mimic the movements of animals or nature\, such as flowing water or a bird in flight.  \nKen has been practicing martial arts for 27 years\, and started Tai Chi training in 1996 with Sifu Dale Washington\, Sifu Ban Toy in 2000 and Grand Master Yang Jun in 2006. He has been practicing Tai Chi for 21 years and teaching Tai Chi for 12 years. In 2016\, he received a Gold Eagle certificate from Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association. certificate. Ken is also one of Grand Master Yang Jun’s Disciples for the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. He teaches Kickboxing and Full-contact Martial Arts teacher and is certified by Ng Family Martial Arts Association.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/tai-chi-with-ken-ning-27/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Wellness
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250426T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250426T113000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20240821T165146Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250424T173021Z
UID:20006101-1745661600-1745667000@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:RoboThink Workshop: Tanks
DESCRIPTION:THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELLED.\nUsing unique RoboThink bricks\, gears\, axles and motors\, students will be building a cool tank for challenges such as a battle\, a race or target practice. It’s up to each student to ensure that their tanks are in tip-top shape\, so let’s get rolling! No prior experience necessary. Ages 7 – 12 \nRoboThink offers cutting-edge STEM education for kids\, focusing on robotics\, coding\, and engineering. Our hands-on programs foster creativity\, problem-solving\, and a love for learning. With state-of-the-art robotics kits\, children build\, program\, and bring robots to life in a fun\, engaging environment. Our expert instructors are passionate about inspiring the next generation of innovators. Join us to unlock your child’s potential in a world of technology and imagination. Ideal for after-school\, weekend\, and holiday camps. Discover the joy of learning at RoboThink!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/robothink-workshop-tanks/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,STEM,Youth
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250425T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250425T210000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20241212T205938Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T150420Z
UID:20006225-1745609400-1745614800@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Oil & Water
DESCRIPTION:Two seasoned painters (and advertising pros) reunite for an epic clash of the mediums! Armed with slow-drying oils\, one painter creates meticulous\, layered masterpieces that scream\, “I have all the time in the world.” Meanwhile\, his partner in crime is all about the fast-paced life of acrylics\, where bold strokes\, quick decisions\, and a dash of chaos dominate the canvas. Meet Joe Bednarski and Phil Gayter; they’ve spent years sparring over which paint reigns supreme and are ready to throw down the Winsor & Newtons. \nExperience a one-of-a-kind live painting showdown where oil and acrylic mediums collide in a dynamic\, fast-paced art battle filled with humor\, storytelling\, and a splash of creative rivalry. Perfect for art lovers and anyone who enjoys improv and entertainment! \nYou have never seen anything like this before … it’s like watching paint dry—except this time\, it’s exhilarating\, unpredictable\, and anything but dull! \nLocation:  Gorton’s Grotto\, cabaret style with beer\, wine and non-alcoholic beverages for sale. \nWhat to Expect:  A dynamic live painting demo where Joe (oil) and Phil (acrylic) reveal the secrets of their art journeys\, shared advertising past\, globe-trotting escapades\, all while they throw verbal daubings at each other.  \n\nAn hour and a half of insight and merriment\nLive painting session\nQ&A\nA side by side exploration of their artistic differences\n\n\n\n \nJoe Bednarski\nMy art is like if Wes Anderson and Salvador Dalí had a fever dream while binge-watching obscure documentaries. From random chickens that look like they’re about to drop their own mixtape to portraits of people who are either deep in existential crisis or just bored out of their minds\, my art screams\, “I paint things that are too cool for you to understand.” \n  \n  \n  \n \n  \nPhil Gayter\nI have painted forever\, from growing up in Manchester\, England\, through my years of creative\, corporate problem-solving in London and Chicago. I have taught painting\, explored\, shown\, and sold paintings\, but ultimately\, I live for painting. I have works hanging in private collections worldwide and three very special pieces hanging in the hallways of Sinai Hospital in Chicago. I aim to dispel rumors that painting with acrylics is like pulling teeth. \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/oil-water/
LOCATION:Gorton Center – Grotto\, Lake Forest\, IL\, United States
CATEGORIES:Events,Performing Arts
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GEO:42.2507017;-87.837371
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250423T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250423T173000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20240821T164431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250402T222115Z
UID:20006099-1745424000-1745429400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:RoboThink After School: Expedition Mars
DESCRIPTION:Come on an adventure building cool space robots using the RoboThink Robotics Kit in this super-fun STEAM program! Kids will learn about space\, space travel\, stars and gravity all while building interstellar robots and having fun along the way! Kids will have a blast exploring the world of robotic technologies as they build\, learn and create. Ages 7 – 12 \nRoboThink offers cutting-edge STEM education for kids\, focusing on robotics\, coding\, and engineering. Our hands-on programs foster creativity\, problem-solving\, and a love for learning. With state-of-the-art robotics kits\, children build\, program\, and bring robots to life in a fun\, engaging environment. Our expert instructors are passionate about inspiring the next generation of innovators. Join us to unlock your child’s potential in a world of technology and imagination. Ideal for after-school\, weekend\, and holiday camps. Discover the joy of learning at RoboThink!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/robothink-after-school-mars/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,STEM,Youth
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gorton Center 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest IL 60045;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=400 East Illinois Road:geo:-87.8374004,42.2506703
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250422T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250422T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250417T134547Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250417T134547Z
UID:20006408-1745348400-1745352000@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:ORDINARY MAGIC: THE SCIENCE OF HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE BIG CHANGE WITH SMALL ACTS
DESCRIPTION:The emotional questions we face can define our lives. If you’re expecting an interaction to go wrong\, that expectation can make it so. That’s spiraling down. But as award-winning Stanford psychologist Greg Walton\, Ph.D. shows in his new book Ordinary Magic: The Science of How We Can Achieve Big Change with Small Acts\, when we see these questions clearly\, we can answer them well. Known to social psychologists as wise interventions\, these shifts in perspective can help us chart new trajectories for our lives. They help us spiral up. \nThis is ordinary magic: The ordinary experiences that help us set aside the ordinary worries of life to unleash extraordinary change. Through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis of fascinating research—both his own and others’—this science gives us a new vision of what is possible for our relationships\, communities\, institutions\, and the world. Examples of wise interventions include: the few choice words from a parent or a teacher that builds trust and achievement; how learning that everyone feels as out of place at first as you do at a new school—they really do—can unleash extraordinary potential\, improving your life a decade later; how the right opportunity to reflect\, for just a few minutes before a conflict conversation\, can engender greater intimacy among couples—even a year later. \nWalton is the Michael Forman University Fellow and Professor of Psychology and co-director of the Dweck-Walton Lab at Stanford University. His research has been covered in major media outlets including The New York Times\, Harvard Business Review\, The Wall Street Journal\, NPR\, The Chronicle of Higher Education\, The Washington Post\, The San Francisco Chronicle\, and The Los Angeles Times. \nWalton will be in conversation with Jacqueline Woodson\, an American writer of dozens of books for adults\, children\, and adolescents. She is best known for her National Book Award-winning memoir Brown Girl Dreaming\, and her Newbery Honor-winning titles After Tupac and D Foster\, Feathers\, and Show Way. After serving as the Young People’s Poet Laureate from 2015 to 2017\, Woodson was named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress for 2018–19. She was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 2020. Later that same year\, she was named a MacArthur Fellow. \nBONUS AFTER-HOURS EVENT: Attendees who purchase a copy Ordinary Magic from FAN’s partner bookseller The Book Stall are invited to attend an AFTER-HOURS event hosted by Walton that will start immediately after the webinar. Details on the webinar registration page. \nThis event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/ordinary-magic-the-science-of-how-we-can-achieve-big-change-with-small-acts/
LOCATION:On Zoom
CATEGORIES:Events,Family Action Network
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Copy-of-FAN-800-x-600-website-image-45.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250422T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250422T210000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20241213T200234Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250305T203810Z
UID:20006226-1745346600-1745355600@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Bad River
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an evening of thought-provoking exploration into one of today’s most urgent environmental and ethical questions: Do natural resources have rights? \nThe event begins with a complimentary pre-show reception featuring charcuterie\, popcorn\, and casual conversation.   7pm-screening of Bad River-a  powerful documentary  that delves into the controversial Line 5 pipeline and its looming threat to the pristine waters of Lake Superior and the surrounding lands of Minnesota. The film sheds light on the potential displacement of Indigenous communities and the broader implications for environmental justice. \nFollowing the film\, opt to stay for more mixing and casual conversation. \nReserve Your Spot Today and join us for an evening of learning\, connection\, and action for our planet. \nSchedule:  \n\n6:30–7 PM: Complimentary Pre-Show Reception with charcuterie\, popcorn and drink ticket\n7–8:45 PM: Screening of Bad River (Run Time: 1:38)\n8:45–9:00: Patrons are welcome to stay for more casual conversation in our Glore Solarium\n\nNarrated by Ed Norton Jr. this film chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and the Band’s ongoing fight for sovereignty\, which unfolds in a groundbreaking way through a series of shocking revelations\, devastating losses\, and a powerful legacy of defiance and resilience. This inspiring project brings us through the epic sweep of history into the present\, with a David and Goliath battle over a 70-year-old pipeline on the brink of rupture into Lake Superior. \nDirector: Mary Mazzio \nStars: Nate Ante\, Kris Arbuckle\, Kathy Bender Ashmun
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/bad-river-2/
LOCATION:Gorton Center – John & Nancy Hughes Theater\, 400 E. Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045\, United States
CATEGORIES:Documentary,Events,Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/bad-river-film.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250421T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250421T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250410T195440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T195440Z
UID:20006403-1745262000-1745265600@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:HELD TOGETHER: A SHARES MEMOIR OF MOTHERHOOD\, MEDICINE\, AND IMPERFECT LOVE
DESCRIPTION:Seventeen years ago\, when family medicine and public health physician Rebecca Thompson\, MD endured a string of life-threatening pregnancy losses and rare medical conditions\, her training didn’t protect her from feeling isolated and overwhelmed. What she longed for was a community of women—or even one encouraging story—to reassure her that she wasn’t alone. \nDeciding to create the community she couldn’t find in her own time of need\, Thompson reached out to friends\, patients\, and medical colleagues and asked them to share the stories of their personal journeys to parenthood\, as well as stories of how their families grew and changed and thrived as they faced challenges beyond those early years. Her new book\, Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood\, Medicine\, and Imperfect Love\, explores the intersections of these brave\, resilient women’s lives with Thompson’s own as they encounter a vast range of unexpected turns and obstacles\, including fertility issues\, adoption\, fostering\, surrogacy\, multiples\, abortion\, stepparenthood\, chronic disease\, mental illness\, the death of a child\, the death of a spouse\, and so many moments where grief may threaten to consume us—until joy sometimes surprises us. \nThe extraordinary stories of ordinary women reveal that\, while our individual circumstances may be unique\, our experiences are universal in so many ways: we are creating life\, raising children\, and sustaining families\, even as we search for reassurance that we are not alone in our struggles. Held Together offers a place of healing that welcomes every kind of family\, a refuge where we make meaning out of our stories and embrace the belief that life can be beautiful despite—and often because of—all its complexities and imperfections. Our foundations may not always be strong\, but together\, we are. \nThompson will be in conversation with Kimmery Martin\, MD\, an emergency medicine doctor and author of multiple works of medical fiction. Martin holds a faculty appointment at the Wake Forest School of Medicine\, where she teaches Narrative Medicine. \nBONUS AFTER-HOURS EVENT: Attendees who purchase a copy Held Together from FAN’s partner bookseller The Book Stall are invited to attend an AFTER-HOURS event hosted by Thompson that will start immediately after the webinar. Details on the webinar registration page. \nThis event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/held-together-a-shares-memoir-of-motherhood-medicine-and-imperfect-love/
LOCATION:On Zoom
CATEGORIES:Events,Family Action Network
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Copy-of-FAN-800-x-600-website-image-44.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250421T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250421T193000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250129T163349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250418T171930Z
UID:20006293-1745258400-1745263800@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Traditional African Hand Drumming with Helen Bond
DESCRIPTION:Hand drumming has a rich history in Guinea\, West Africa\, dating back to the 13th century. The drum was a central part of everyday life and was used for communication\, religious ceremonies\, and entertainment. \nHelen Bond will share the great joy of traditional hand drumming! Helen has been traveling to Guinea for the past 21 years to study their music and culture. In this class\, you will learn basic rhythms on dunun drums and the djembe accompaniment parts. You will also learn the origins of each rhythm\, receive expert instruction on all instruments in the traditional djembe orchestra and deepen your understanding of the place of music\, dance\, and song in West African life. \nHelen is able to work simultaneously with students of all levels – from beginner to professional. All levels are welcome! Drums will be provided should you not have one. No experience is needed. \n \nDunun drums\, also known as djun-djun drums or talking drums\, are a family of West African bass drums that are played with sticks. They are commonly used in the traditional music of the Malinke people of Mali\, Guinea\, and other parts of West Africa. Dunun drums consist of three to five cylindrical drums of different sizes\, each with a different pitch\, and are typically played in ensembles with other percussion instruments such as the djembe and the balafon. They are often used to provide the bassline in West African music and are known for their deep\, resonant sound. Dunun drums are an important part of the cultural heritage of West Africa and are widely used in both traditional and contemporary music. \nThe djembe\, a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands\, is thought to have originated from the Mandinka people in Guinea. The djembe was traditionally played by men and was used to accompany traditional dances and songs. The drum was also used as a tool for communication\, with different rhythms representing different messages. \nToday\, Guinean hand drumming remains popular both within Guinea and around the world. Many musicians and enthusiasts travel to Guinea to study with master drummers and to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Guinean hand drumming.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/traditional-african-hand-drumming-with-helen-bond-5/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Music
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GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gorton Center 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest IL 60045;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=400 East Illinois Road:geo:-87.8374004,42.2506703
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250417T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250417T203000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20241218T192633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250331T152422Z
UID:20006240-1744916400-1744921800@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Twilight in Bloom: Spring Garden Wine Tasting
DESCRIPTION:Springtime Sips: A Garden-Inspired Wine Tasting Experience \nCelebrate the beauty of spring with a wine tasting that brings the season to life through every sip. Join us for a garden-inspired tasting experience\, where floral wines and seasonal flavors come together in perfect harmony. Under the soft glow of the evening sky\, you’ll explore a curated selection of wines that highlight delicate floral notes\, expertly paired with fresh\, spring-inspired dishes. \nLed by the experts at Oakwood Vines of Lake Forest\, IL\, this enchanting event is designed to awaken your senses and deepen your appreciation for floral-infused wines. As you sip and savor\, you’ll learn how different grape varieties develop their signature aromas and how to pair them with complementary foods. \nWhat to Expect\nGuided Wine Tasting – Explore a hand-selected lineup of floral wines with expert insightSeasonal Food Pairings – Enjoy fresh\, spring-inspired bites designed to enhance each pourSensory Experience – Discover the art of wine appreciation through aroma\, taste\, and textureTwilight Ambiance – Sip and socialize in a charming outdoor setting as the sun sets \nWhether you’re a seasoned wine lover or new to wine tasting\, this class offers a fun\, educational\, and delicious way to welcome the season. Gather your friends\, embrace the flavors of spring\, and raise a glass to new beginnings! \nReserve your spot today and experience the magic of springtime sips! 🍷
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/twilight-in-bloom-spring-garden-wine-tasting/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Cooking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spring-Flowers-and-Wine.png
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gorton Center 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest IL 60045;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=400 East Illinois Road:geo:-87.8374004,42.2506703
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250417T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250417T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250403T144513Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250403T144513Z
UID:20006373-1744916400-1744920000@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US: WORKING AND HOMELESS IN AMERICA
DESCRIPTION:The working homeless. In a country where hard work and determination are supposed to lead to success\, there is something scandalous about this phrase. But skyrocketing rents\, low wages\, and a lack of tenant rights have produced a startling phenomenon: People with full-time jobs cannot keep a roof over their head\, especially in America’s booming cities\, where rapid growth is leading to catastrophic displacement. These families are being forced into homelessness not by a failing economy but a thriving one. \nIn a gripping and deeply reported book\, There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America\, Brian Goldstone\, Ph.D. plunges readers into the lives of five Atlanta families struggling to remain housed in a gentrifying\, increasingly unequal city. Maurice and Natalia make a fresh start in the country’s “Black Mecca” after being priced out of DC. Kara dreams of starting her own cleaning business while mopping floors at a public hospital. Britt scores a coveted housing voucher. Michelle is in school to become a social worker. Celeste toils at her warehouse job while undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer. Each of them aspires to provide a decent life for their children—and each of them\, one by one\, joins the ranks of the nation’s working homeless. \nThrough intimate\, novelistic portraits\, Goldstone reveals the human cost of this crisis\, following parents and their kids as they go to sleep in cars\, or in squalid extended-stay hotel rooms\, and head out to their jobs and schools the next morning. These are the nation’s hidden homeless\, omitted from official statistics\, and proof that overflowing shelters and street encampments are only the most visible manifestation of a far more pervasive problem. \nGoldstone is a journalist and anthropologist\, whose longform reporting and essays have appeared in The New York Times\, Harper’s Magazine\, The New Republic\, The California Sunday Magazine\, and Jacobin\, among other publications. He has a Ph.D. in anthropology from Duke University and was a Mellon Research Fellow at Columbia University. In 2021\, he was a National Fellow at New America. \nGoldstone will be in conversation with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor\, Ph.D.\, the Hughes-Rogers Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. She writes and speaks on Black politics\, social movements\, and racial inequality in the United States. \nBONUS BOOK GIVEAWAY! FAN is giving away copies of There Is No Place for Us to randomly selected Zoom attendees. Details on the webinar registration page. \nThis event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/there-is-no-place-for-us-working-and-homeless-in-america/
LOCATION:On Zoom
CATEGORIES:Events,Family Action Network
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Copy-of-FAN-800-x-600-website-image-43.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250416T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250416T130000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250403T133459Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250403T133459Z
UID:20006371-1744804800-1744808400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:WHAT WE VALUE: THE NEUROSCIENCE OF CHOICE & CHANGE
DESCRIPTION:With so many competing priorities pulling us in different directions every day―family\, friends\, work\, our health―it can feel difficult to make decisions that are aligned with what we care about most. Especially in the moment\, we often default to the immediate demand\, the path of least resistance\, the worn old habit we wanted to change. In What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice & Change\, pioneering scholar Emily Falk\, Ph.D. reveals how we can transform our relationship with the daily decisions that define our lives―opening pathways to make more purposeful\, fulfilling choices; more successfully change our behavior; and influence others to see differently―by thinking like neuroscientists. \nDrawing on her own award-winning research\, Falk introduces readers to a new paradigm for understanding why we\, and those around us\, do what we do. This is the value calculation: the often-subconscious mechanism by which the brain computes our everyday choices. Falk shows that we can learn to work more strategically with the value calculation―whether we want to embrace new activities and behaviors\, connect more meaningfully with others\, or become more effective leaders in our organizations and communities. Falk demonstrates how we can change what we think just by changing what we think about; get less defensive by connecting with our core values; and seed innovation by seeking out different perspectives. \nFalk is an award-winning Professor of Communication\, Psychology\, Marketing\, and Operations\, Informatics\, and Decisions (OID) at the University of Pennsylvania; Vice Dean of the Annenberg School for Communication; Director of the Communication Neuroscience Lab; and Director of the Climate Communication Division of the Annenberg Public Policy Center. She is an expert in the science of behavior change. Her research uses tools from psychology\, neuroscience\, and communication to examine what makes messages persuasive\, why and how ideas spread\, and what makes people effective communicators. \nFalk will be in conversation with Ethan Kross\, Ph.D. (FAN ’25)\, Professor\, Management & Organizations\, Ross School of Business\, and Director of the Emotion and Self Control Lab\, University of Michigan. He is the author of the international bestseller Chatter and the new bestselling book Shift: Managing Your Emotions — So They Don’t Manage You. \nBONUS BOOK GIVEAWAY! FAN is giving away copies of What We Value to randomly selected Zoom attendees. Details on the webinar registration page. \nThis event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/what-we-value-the-neuroscience-of-choice-change/
LOCATION:On Zoom
CATEGORIES:Events,Family Action Network
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Copy-of-FAN-800-x-600-website-image-41.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250415T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250415T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20250115T222507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250414T162259Z
UID:20006273-1744732800-1744736400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Overture STEAM Music Class
DESCRIPTION:Learn Music Through Video Games!\nHow cool would it be if your child could learn music while playing video games? Overture Games offers a STEAM based music curriculum that introduces kids to musical concepts through engaging\, interactive video games. Through our hands-on\, game-based curriculum\, your child will not only learn to play and compose music but also develop essential skills like creativity\, collaboration\, and critical thinking. Whether your child is a budding musician or just curious about music\, our pro musician mentors will guide them every step of the way to become creative thinkers! \nGrades 3rd – 5th: 4 – 5pm \nAspen Buckingham and Steven Jiang\, co-founders of Overture Games\, are on a mission to revolutionize music education through video games. Aspen\, a Northwestern University alumnus\, has a background in music composition and computer science. Steven\, also a Northwestern graduate\, holds degrees in economics and music performance. Their passion for music entrepreneurship has earned them recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and the Chicago Inno 25 Under 25 list.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/overture-steam-music-class/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,Music,Specialty,STEM,Youth
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250414T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250414T180000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20230824T133926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250414T164749Z
UID:20003171-1744650000-1744653600@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Fencing
DESCRIPTION:THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED. PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE NEXT SESSION!\nEn Garde! Prét? Allez! Sign your child up for fencing lessons at Gorton. \nThis fencing class is designed for beginners or those who would like to work on basic fencing skills. The class will cover basic fencing rules\, fencing etiquette\, footwork and attack and defense moves. The instructor will lead students in a warm-up\, footwork exercises\, group lessons and bouting. Students are encouraged to dress comfortably and bring water. For ages 7 – 14 \nWhy learn to fence?\nFencing is a great activity to build balance\, physical coordination and agility\, skills that transfer to other sports and daily life. Although fencing can be a physically demanding sport\, you do not need to be a natural athlete to learn to fence. Our fencing lessons are designed to ease you into the sport and help you connect with your own body. \nThe sport of fencing exercises your mental as well as physical reflexes. Quick thinking\, strategy and creativity are all skills fencing can help enhance. In fact\, fencing’s combined physical activity with mental stimulation can help improve cognitive function and critical thinking skills. Fencing’s code of conduct also helps to teach the importance of discipline\, respect\, responsibility and good sportsmanship. \nHistory of Fencing\nDid you know the archaeological evidence of fencing dates back to 1190 B.C.E.? The oldest archeological evidence of a fencing contest is from an Egyptian temple along the river Nile\, and in Europe\, historical records of sword fighting schools extend back to the 12th century. Fencing evolved into a popular entertainment sport around the time of King Henry VIII\, but it wasn’t until the mid-18th century that the sport became truly fashionable among European nobility. \nDuring the 18th and 19th centuries\, fencing became a popular sport among European aristocracy\, and developed a gentlemanly code of conduct which the sport maintains to this day. Men’s fencing competitions were first included in the summer Olympics in 1896 and women’s fencing competitions were added in 1924. \nMidwest Fencing Club’s mission is to help people discover\, enjoy and excel in the sport of fencing by providing the highest level of instruction in a true sportsmanship environment. They have been serving the Chicagoland community for over 10 years. Their experience comes from National\, NCAA\, and Olympic champions. Their programs range from introductory levels to advanced competitive aspirations. Midwest Fencing Club welcomes all ages to learn fencing\, enjoy it as a hobby\, or turn it into their professional sport.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/fencing-12/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Age,Classes,Sports,Wellness,Youth
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250413T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250413T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20241205T202837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250121T172753Z
UID:20006212-1744556400-1744563600@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:THE FAREWELL
DESCRIPTION:A Chinese family discovers their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decide to keep her in the dark\, scheduling a wedding to gather before she dies. \nDirector: Lulu Wang \nStars: Shuzhen Zhao\, Awkwafina\, X Mayo
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/the-farewell/
LOCATION:Gorton Center – John & Nancy Hughes Theater\, 400 E. Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045\, United States
CATEGORIES:Film
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250412T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250412T160000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20241212T195101Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T164256Z
UID:20006224-1744470000-1744473600@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:The Singing Zoologist
DESCRIPTION:Get ready for a musical performance like no other! The Singing Zoologist’s high-energy\, interactive concert will have kids and parents alike singing\, laughing\, and learning about the wonders of the animal kingdom. From cheetahs to monarch butterflies\, his lively songs bring science to life in the most entertaining way possible. Don’t miss this chance to experience a one-of-a-kind show for kids grades K-4 that blends education\, music\, and fun into an unforgettable multimedia event! \nWhy should your family come to see The Singing Zoologist? Science teaches kids to ask questions\, experiment\, and explore\, while music fosters creative expression and problem-solving. Combining the two helps children think outside the box and approach challenges with both logic and imagination. Many scientific concepts can feel abstract\, but when paired with music\, they become interactive and relatable. By showing that science isn’t just in textbooks and music isn’t just in concerts\, kids see the connections between creativity and discovery. This can inspire future musicians\, scientists\, and innovators who embrace both logic and artistry in their pursuits. \nRead more about why music matters in our blog. \nArtist Bio:  Lucas Miller\, better known as the “singing zoologist\,” has been literally singing the praises of wildlife since graduating with a degree in zoology. His zany humor\, smart songwriting and unbridled passion for science inspire his fans\, young and old\, to respect and protect the natural world. \nLucas has reached millions through his legendary school programs and many more through his YouTube channel\, Science Up with the Singing Zoologist. His recordings have won awards galore and he was named an “American Masterpiece” artist by the National Endowment for the Arts\, but it’s really the notes from generations of fans that are his highest honor. \nGorton Center’s performing arts shows for the 2024-2025 season are partially underwritten by The Grainger Foundation
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/the-singing-zoologist/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Events,Family & Kids,Performing Arts
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250411T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250411T210000
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20241205T204001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250114T202234Z
UID:20006213-1744398000-1744405200@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:NEVER NOT YOURS
DESCRIPTION:30ish siblings Michael\, Ellie\, and James drive to their family cabin to visit their parents Jonathan and Maddie. But when their mom and dad unexpectedly announce their divorce\, chaos ensues. \nDirectors: John Klein\, Stephen Kniss \nStars: Timmy Hart Barron\, Josh Bywater\, Angela Morris\, John Lister\, Laura T. Fisher \nFollowing the screening there will be a Q & A with the filmmakers!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/never-not-yours/
LOCATION:Gorton Center – John & Nancy Hughes Theater\, 400 E. Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045\, United States
CATEGORIES:Film,Independent
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/hq720.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250411T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250411T201500
DTSTAMP:20260405T005247
CREATED:20240710T222506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250331T195335Z
UID:20006036-1744398000-1744402500@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Rendezvous Arts Axiom Brass Quintet
DESCRIPTION:We are beyond excited to bring back the Axiom Brass Quintet\, who wowed us during our Season One events at the height of the pandemic. This time\, you have the chance to experience them live! Their program “Love\, Mystery and Despair”  is a passionate affair with the romance\, mystery\, and intrigue of Latin Music. Highlighting Piazzola’s mastery of tangos\, Cacilda Borges Borbosa’s luscious harmonies\, and a new bossa-nova-inspired composition from Lillian Lee\, Axiom explores the vast wealth of musical idioms from Latin origins. \n The quintet features Dorival Puccini and Christopher Scanlon on trumpets\, Alex Laskey on French horn\, Corey Sansolo on trombone\, and Serena Voltz on tuba. \nFriday night concert timeline / Concessions for sale\, including beer & wine \n7:00-8:15 PM concert (no intermission)\n8:15-8:45 PM conversation with artists \nAdding to the magic of the evening\, we are delighted to showcase artist Donna Castellanos. She received a degree in graphic design from The American Academy of Art in Chicago and worked in advertising for 5 years. Soon she realized she hated it—and put down the keyboard and picked up a paintbrush! Donna creates in a wide range of mediums but her true love is creating pieces from found objects that she rescues from estate sales and thrift shops. She incorporates these once-loved treasures into her paintings\, sculptures\, jewelry\, and clothing. Donna will also bring an interactive art project to the events—audience members will get the opportunity to create! Intrigued? We know we are!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/rendezvous-arts-2024-2025/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Events,Live Music,Performing Arts
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END:VCALENDAR