Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association
Since its inception in 1989, OPALGA has become one of the largest community based, multipurpose lesbian and gay membership organizations in Illinois.
Board of Directors Enters into Enhanced Relationship with the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors
For the last few years, OPALGA has built a strong working relationship with the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (OPACVB) through various projects such as the “Big O” float in the annual Chicago Pride Parade. Our most notable joint endeavor was our partnership in the Gay Games in Oak Park last summer, when both organizations teamed up to encourage organizers of the Games to make Oak Park one of the sporting venues.
At the OPALGA Board of Directors February meeting, the Board moved to strengthen the relationship further by approving a reciprocal membership agreement that makes both organizations members in each other’s organization. For OPALGA, this means extending our ability to market our various events and programs through the OPACVB. We will now be listed in the OPACVB Visitor Guide, which has a printing of 250,000 copies and is distributed throughout Chicagoland. We will also have an enhanced listing on the OPACVB Web site, and all OPALGA events will be able to be promoted on the OPACVB Web sites ( http://www.visitoakpark.com and http://www.greatneighborsoakpark.com ).
Board Co-Chair Brad Bartels said of the new arrangement, “This is a great opportunity to further increase our visibility. I am very excited about what we can do together.” In addition, OPALGA will work with the OPACVB on other projects, such as a listing of gay friendly things to do in the area on various Web sites to which the OPACVB regularly provides content and working to designate more area hotels as TAG hotels— members of the Travel Alternative Group—that identify themselves as LGBT friendly.
Farewell, Nutbush!!
It is truly the end of an era. Nutbush City Limits is closing. Some of us remember it as Adron’s, and most of us have one story or another to tell.
So, join OPALGA for a going-away party at the Nutbush on Sunday, February 25, at 4:00 p.m. Grab some friends, and let’s reminisce over the discounted cocktails.
Maybe the Nutbush was the first gay bar you ever went to, or maybe it was your regular hangout, but I’m sure that we all have some memories to share—"Lock In” on New Year’s Eve, OPALGA’s first Drag Show, or your first crush, trick, or breakup. My first memory comes from my childhood, when my father used to tell us about “that faggot bar over on Harlem.” I found out later (once I came out) that he and his friend actually used to hang out there because they knew how to work an angle, flirt, and get free drinks. Like my father, I’ve always had a good time at the Nutbush, whether it be a Sunday afternoon martini party or dancing late into the night after a drag show. It truly is the end of an era. So, bring your tears, laughter, and memories, and help us say goodbye to an old friend.
Nutbush City Limits
7201 Franklin St., Forest Park
Sunday, February 25, 4:00 p.m.
Mike, Brian, and staff will be hosting.
OPAL Gala Planning Meeting—Tuesday, February 6
The 2007 Gala is just around the corner, and we encourage you to get involved. The first meeting of the Gala Host Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6, at 7:00 p.m. at The OPALGA Center, 947 Garfield, Oak Park.
We are proud to announce that this year’s Gala co-chairs are Donna Karpavicius and Dan Salotti. Donna has been a gala volunteer in a variety of capacities for a number of years, and Dan recently co-chaired the very successful OPALGA jazz brunch. Both Donna and Dan are looking forward to another successful Gala.
Volunteers are needed in the following areas:
• Banquet and Dinner Program
• Entertainment
• Pre-Event
• Auctions and Raffle
• Table Captain Recruitment
• Sponsorships and Program Book Advertising
• Publicity and Marketing
If you are interested in volunteering and cannot attend the kick-off meeting, please call The OPALGA Center at (708) 848-0273 or send an e-mail to .
Come on, all you talented and energetic OPALGA folk. We know you are out there, and we really need your help in making this year’s Gala our most smashing event ever! We look forward to seeing many new faces at our initial planning meeting!
Message from the Co-Chairs
The Privilege of Participation
Frank Thomas, an African-American pastor known for his compelling preaching and his courageous leadership, wrote a book in which he talks about the “privilege to participate.” He refers to those who participate as members of a church community, but his theories can apply to any collection of people who voluntarily gather together for a common purpose as we do in OPALGA.
The title of the book is Spiritual Maturity, but it could easily have been entitled Ethical Organizational Growth or Value-Based Leadership. He talks candidly about leadership roles; communication; organizational process; and the clarity, decisiveness, and courage it takes to lead. He speaks equally to the vices that often permeate organizations, such as scapegoating and secrets.
OPALGA is experiencing one of its strongest periods of growth since its inception. Our programs are strong, and our membership continues to increase steadily. Our budget for 2007 exceeds $150,000, which is a benchmark for increased accountability as a non–profit organization. We have the good fortune to welcome talented, energetic people to our ranks. Still, as a volunteer-based organization, our greatest assets are the relationships that we have with one another and our shared commitment to the OPALGA mission.
Organizational development usually starts with a small number of people who drive the accomplishments of the association. An organization will not grow, and regrettably may not survive, if process and fact do not become the driving force of continued organizational growth. The ultimate value of leaders in an organization is not judged by their activism or by the length of their service but by how well they uphold the principle of privileged participation by putting into action what they perceive is best for the greater good of the organization, based on the facts before them.
At this juncture, it is the Board’s task to adhere sinew and muscle to the backbone of the bylaws and to pave the way for participation to be clear and efficient. The Board must continue to define, in unambiguous detail, positions, procedures, and organizational policies in an effort to demonstrate transparency and accountability.
This effort is not reserved solely for the Board. The membership has a responsibility to the organization, as well. Members accomplish this by conveying their insights about the direction of the organization and the needs of its membership. Members also assist the leadership in routing out the policies or procedures that are counterproductive to the organization’s growth and that detract from the higher purpose and ultimate success of the organization.
As the leaders of the Board of Directors, we encourage the membership to get involved if you haven’t already done so. We encourage you to attend and observe our monthly Board meetings, which are open to all members, or to participate as members in our various committee meetings. After all, as we have said above, as a volunteer-based organization, our greatest assets are the relationships that we have with one another and our shared commitment to the OPALGA mission.
OPALGA Jazz Brunch a Huge Success
More than 75 people attended the OPALGA jazz brunch at Cucina Paradiso, 814 North Blvd., Oak Park, on Sunday, January 21. Ticket sales exceeded expectations, said brunch co-chairs Marian Houston and Dan Salotti. Working closely with the Programming Committee, the OPALGA Board, and the restaurant, the co-chairs came up with a fabulous event, according to everyone this reporter spoke with.
The menu featured a delicious array of fresh fruit, pastries, egg casseroles, French toast, sandwiches, and remarkable desserts. Soft jazz music provided the perfect background for lively conversation. Much laughter was heard throughout the restaurant as old and new OPALGA members mingled. As guests arrived, they were given a small gift to take home. “It seems that you thought of every detail,” one attendee told the co-chairs.
Raffle prizes included a gift certificate to James Anthony Salon and Day Spa, dinner for two at Cucina Paradiso, art lessons from Dawn Ferencak, and several others. Laura Drumm, chair of the Programming Committee, announced upcoming events and led a toast prior to beginning the raffle drawing.
“One of the most enjoyable things about planning this event was the opportunity to work with Marian,” Salotti said. Houston said she enjoyed working with Salotti as well. “We are just glad to see everyone enjoying themselves and having a good time,” Houston and Salotti agreed.
OPALGA would like to thank the brunch co-chairs and the entire Programming Committee, as well as all of the attendees, for their enthusiasm and for their participation in this wonderful event.
“Ease on Down the Road” to “The Wiz”
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! The Programming Committee invites you to join OPALGA friends for a venture into the city to catch a production of “The Wiz” presented by the White Horse Theater Company. The performance will take place on Saturday, March 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.
“The Wiz,” winner of seven Tony awards, is based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, with book by William F. Brown and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls.
Tickets are $15 and the theater offers valet parking and a full bar for your convenience and enjoyment. So, whether you are a friend of Dorothy’s or just can’t miss a good musical, grab your partner, family, and friends and “ease on down the road” for a night out. The number of tickets is limited, so call The OPALGA Center (708-848-0273) to purchase your tickets today. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted.
Keep your eyes open for another theater outing in May. Details will be announced soon.
Sixth Annual Freedom-to-Marry Reception
Lambda Legal of Illinois is hosting a special evening of love, equality, and action on Thursday, February 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the historic Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Be part of the movement to secure marriage equality in Illinois. Join Lambda Legal as they honor the commitment of local same-sex couples and shower appreciation on supportive family members and friends. Camilla Taylor, Lambda Legal staff attorney, will speak about marriage equality, and Rick Garcia, of Equality Illinois, will be the master of ceremonies. Come for the music, cake cutting, bouquet toss, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and more! OPALGA is an official partner for this event. RSVPs are preferred. Contact Catina Lowery at or at (312) 663-4413, ext. 27. The Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago.
Financial Family Planning
There are 1,049 economic and tax benefits and protections benefiting married heterosexual couples that LGBT or other unmarried couples do not have. The purpose of this seminar is to provide the latest essential fiscal information to both new and longtime couples. Our speakers encourage couples to ask the right financial questions at the beginning of their relationships and to continue to do so throughout their lives together.
This seminar will address three financial issues that are pertinent to gay, lesbian, and other unmarried couples. The first topic addresses options for setting up your financial household and taking control of your combined money. Issues that may be of special significance to those in the early stages of a relationship or those looking for fresh options will be considered. The second topic addresses legal documents that will protect your finances in lieu of marriage laws that automatically protect heterosexual couples. The third topic addresses retirement planning, including information about the recent law passed in August of 2006 that allows the transfer of an individual’s retirement benefits to a domestic partner or other non-spouse beneficiary upon the death of the fund-holder.
Our expert panel of speakers includes:
Lori Ellis and Aisha Mizaur-Pickett, Primerica Financial Services, who will present “Marriage and Money: Taking Control of Your Finances”
Angelika Kuehn, Esq., who will discuss “Legal Documents for Financial Domestic Partnership Planning”
J. Lee Latham, Edward Jones, who will address “Planning for Retirement: Federal Pension Protection Act”
Please join us for this important seminar on Thursday, February 22, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Oak Park Public Library, Dole Branch, 255 Augusta St., Oak Park.
DRAGMANIA Hits Forest Park
Have you heard? The Sixth Annual OPALGA Drag Show is coming to Forest Park. That’s right, OPALGA is hitting the Madison Street strip. Maybe with the Nutbush closing it’s time for the LGBT community to venture out to Forest Park, or, as I like to say, the queers are moving to Madison Avenue! Save the Date for Drag: Saturday, March 31, 8:00 p.m.
Because of scheduling conflicts with Temptations, the Programming Committee was not able to secure our annual Saturday night spot. Jim Deacon, stage manager, and I agreed that we can’t expect our performers, supporters, or patrons to be at their peak or to let their hair down, so to speak, on a Friday night after a long work week or on a Sunday night with work the next day.
So, after some deliberation, I simply walked into Healy’s Westside, introduced myself to owner Mark Hosty, and got him excited about having a large group of new patrons checking out his two establishments. Mark agreed to close his restaurant, Cocina Lobos (next door to Healy’s Westside), early and allow us to set up and host our Sixth Annual Drag Show there.
The address is Cocina Lobos, 7321 Madison St., Forest Park. We’ll have the entire place to ourselves from 8:00 p.m. to closing at 2:00 a.m. Mark has agreed to provide plenty of bartenders, so we don’t have to wait in line for 15 minutes to get a drink. Can you imagine that? Oh, and we have windows, yes, windows right in front so that we can see the outside world and let our stylistic fashion blind the strip.
Here is how Joe Langley (Jessica Rabbit, 2006) and I (Mike Hawk) view this change. The show is much closer to Oak Park, there is plenty of nearby parking, and for the same $10 admission, we provide a large, comfortable space to hang out, a cash raffle, and more bartenders!
So, if you have thought about coming out to our Drag Show but never have, this would be the year. It’s close to home and easy to find. You can’t get much more convenient than the corner of Madison and Circle in Forest Park. So, come early and get your table.
DRAGMANIA will conclude our “March Madness” festivities—we hope to see you all there!!
WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 2007
WHERE: Cocina Lobos, 7321 Madison St., Forest Park
TIME: Doors open at 8:00 p.m.
ADMISSION: $10 at the door
February Book Club
On February 18, book club members will discuss Running with Scissors, a memoir by Augusten Burroughs. Burroughs shares his survival story after his eccentric mother left him in the care of her shrink, a man who might have benefited from a little therapy himself. Critics rave that this book is both horrifying and hysterical. A must read!
Upcoming selections include Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde in March and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros in April.
We will decide on book selections for May through July at the February meeting. Hope to see you there! Visit www.opalga.org for updates.
The book club meetings take place on Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The OPALGA Center, 947 Garfield, Oak Park. All books are available through www.amazon.com. In addition, copies will be made available at the Oak Park Public Library as well as at The Book Table. Remember, OPALGA receives a charitable donation from The Book Table for each book purchased there. Please let them know that you are purchasing your book as part of the OPALGA book club.
