Will County libraries offer plenty of activities

Welcome to The Herald-News’ Will County Inside/Outside Guide. Each week, Features Editor Denise M. Baran-Unland (@Denise_Unland61) highlights a few ideas for you to enjoy your weekend in Will County.

And welcome again (finally!) to my monthly library picks – along with two fundraisers to check out.

Here are my picks for this weekend.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

WHEN: 7 to 8 p.m. through Thursday

WHERE: Joliet Public Library

COST & INFO: Pick up a bag from at the branch where you registered with a craft and activities. Then join the library on Zoom for a story and other Earth Day activities Co-sponsored by the Joliet Junior Woman’s Club. Register at jolietlibrary.org.

WHITE OAK AUTHOR TOUR PRESENTS: EMILY BELDEN [ZOOM WEBINAR}

WHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday

WHERE: White Oak Library District

COST AND INFO: Emily Belden, advertiser, social media marketer and novelist writes romances starring smart female protagonists, stories with dark themes like addiction and loss, but also informed by Belden’s own life experiences, delivered with an informal voice that is at times funny, witty, and snarky. Register at whiteoaklibrary.org.

CREATE A TREE FOR ARBOR DAY

WHEN: All day Saturday while supplies last

WHERE: Fountaindale Public Library District children’s department, 300 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook

COST & INFO: For this craft, you will need brown, green, tan and red cardstock (included) and a glue stick. For kids and tweens. For more information, visit fountaindale.org.

INTERACTIVE MOVIE NIGHT KITS

WHEN: All day Saturday while supplies last

WHERE: Three Rivers Public Library District, 25207 W Channon Drive, Channahon

COST & INFO: Kits have everything required to sing, dance, and act along with the movie of the month. Kits are first come, first serve and do not include the movie itself. One kit per family. No registration required. For more information, visit trpld.org.

MANGA DRAW - A - LONG WITH ADDIE AFABLE

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to noon (teens) and noon to 12:30 p.m. (adults

WHERE: Plainfield Public Library District

COST & INFO: Artist Addie Afable will share tips and tricks and walk you through the creative process. Register at plainfieldpubliclibrary.org.

YOUR CITY @ HOME: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART

WHEN: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Shorewood-Troy Public Library

COST & INFO: Explore the Nuestras Historias exhibition which highlights the museum’s permanent collection to showcase the dynamic and diverse stories of Mexican identity in North America. To register for the Zoom event, visit shorewoodtroylibrary.org.

5th annual Casino Night fundraiser

The virtual doors open at 6:30 p.m. Friday, with a variety of casino games from 7 to p.m. A raffle will immediately follow.

A variety of raffle and silent auction items will be available for bidding, including a Blue Harbor Resort getaway, 2021 membership to Prestwick Country Club, premium parking passes for each school, Yeti gift basket, an acoustic guitar with lessons from Down Home Guitars, a bundle of the 2021 Bluestem Award books and an electric guitar lesson from School of Rock.

A variety of gift baskets including a voucher for dental work at Associated Orthodontists, Yeti cooler, a variety of spirits from Beam Suntory, an Annual Family Membership to KidWork Children’s Museum and a 64G iPad mini.

Visit the event website at www.ef157c.org to view the items available for bidding and for more details.

Funds raised during Virtual Casino Night will support teacher-written grants for projects and materials that directly benefit students in the areas of art, literacy, technology, math, physical education, science, social studies and character-building programs.

Joliet Catholic Academy to host Virtual Jubilaté fundraiser honoring essential workers

This drive-thru and virtual event will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday. Pre-ordered “Take & Bake” dinners from Bella Cucina will be available for pickup on JCA’s campus from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Also $10,000 grand prize raffle tickets, 50/50 tickets, “Be the Light” spiritwea, and much more will be available for pick up at the JCA campus. JCA’s signature Jubilate silent auction will go live for bidding a week before the event allowing alumni, parents and friends to bid even if they don’t live locally.

For more information, contact Chris Voss at 815-773-0784 or cvoss@jca-online.org.