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.
OPALGA Co-Sponsors Fourth Annual Wright Ride
Again this year, OPALGA is pleased to be a co-sponsor of the fourth annual Wright Ride, a fully supported recreational ride organized by the Oak Park Cycle Club. Other co-sponsors include the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Downtown Oak Park. Scheduled for Sunday, August 17, one of the many enjoyable aspects of the ride is its flexibility. There are four different routes available, which are 15 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles, and 62 miles. The rides begin to leave at 9:00 a.m. from the registration area, located at Lake and Marion in Downtown Oak Park. New this year is that OPALGA will have its own booth at the registration area.
The rides will take place rain or shine unless hazardous weather conditions exist on ride day. Last year, unfortunately, severe weather caused the rides to be canceled. Needless to say, the hope is that this year’s rides will not suffer a similar fate. “This is a great event and one that allows riders to truly enjoy the beauty and architecture of Oak Park and its neighbors,” said OPALGA Co-Chair Mike Cochran. “The Board of Directors is not only pleased to co-sponsor the event, but we hope that many OPALGA members will decide to ride as well. Early rumors, although unconfirmed, suggest that Susan “Two-Wheeling” Abbott, Kim “Slugger” Hefner, and JoAnn “Empress” Ziebarth may be among the riders,” added Cochran.
Registration for the Wright Ride can be found online at http://www.oakparkcycleclub.org. Sign-in and registration will take place between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. at the registration area. Adults pay only $20 to enjoy the Wright Ride, while children under 12 ride for free. There are plenty of rest stops, and food and beverages will be available. Each rider will need to sign a liability waiver, which is standard practice for this type of event. All rules of the road are followed.
Although the Wright Ride is a great deal of fun, not all OPALGA members plan to participate. “I don’t like to drive my car that far,” stated OPALGA Co-Chair Liz Stallone. “You will find me at the registration booth.”
Mark your calendars now for Sunday, August 17, and join OPALGA for the Wright Ride.
Message from the Co-Chairs
At its meeting last month, OPALGA’s Board of Directors approved a Nominating Committee consisting of five individuals: Susan Anderson, Kim Hefner, Jim Kelly, Dan Salotti, and Davida Williams. Anderson, Kelly, and Salotti are the non-Board members, while Hefner and Williams are the two representatives from the Board of Directors. Together, these five will seek and present candidates for the various Officer and Board positions that need to be filled this year. In other words, they will be looking for candidates for Female Co-Chair, Secretary, and four member-at-large Board of Director positions.
Some members may wonder—why a Nominating Committee? Not only is the provision for a Nominating Committee found in our by-laws, but virtually every not-for-profit organization uses some form of a committee or a very similar process. At OPALGA, the Nominating Committee looks for candidates who have the appropriate background and experience, have a willingness to devote the time necessary to serve, and will project a positive image of OPALGA. In addition, the Nominating Committee must do this while also considering male/female balance, diversity, and other necessary considerations.
It is no surprise, then, that this year’s Nominating Committee is something like OPALGA’s own version of a “Dream Team.” These five individuals (which include two former Co-Chairs) possess a wealth of knowledge of OPALGA and its history and have records of accomplishment in serving our organization. Moreover, they are of impeccable integrity and share a common goal of finding the best available candidates for the positions.
There can be no better way to serve an organization than by sitting on its Board or serving as an Officer. So, if you are interested, please submit the form you will receive from the Nominating Committee. If you receive a call from a member of this committee, we likewise urge you to step forward. OPALGA will only continue to grow and strengthen itself as a result of the participation and involvement of those individuals most qualified to do so.
On a somewhat related note, most of you know that OPALGA is approaching its 20th anniversary next year. As the times have changed, so has the organization, with one glaring exception: our by-laws. Governing the organization has faced additional challenges with a document that has now become somewhat outdated. We are pleased to tell you that Bruce Broerman, a member of the Board of Directors, agreed at the July Board meeting to lead a committee that is going to study the by-laws and make appropriate recommendations for revision. This is a lengthy and detailed process, and the revisions will not be submitted to the members until the fall of 2009 for approval. Nevertheless, it is important that you know the process is under way, and you will be hearing more about it in the coming months.
Finally, elsewhere in this issue, you will see an article that describes OPALGA co-sponsoring the Wright Ride with the Oak Park Cycle Club, the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Downtown Oak Park. It is very important in the fulfillment of our mission that we work closely with other individuals and groups as appropriate. Some things we do you are probably aware of; and others possibly not. To give you a few examples, we co-sponsor a float in the Chicago Gay Pride parade with the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. We jointly worked on pending legislation with the ACLU and Equality Illinois. We annually participate in “A Day In Our Village” and the 4th of July parade here in Oak Park. We frequently talk to BUNGALO and its members about items of shared concern. We co-sponsored a brunch at Hemmingway’s Bistro last year with the Center On Halsted. We have joined with Steppenwolf Theatre and the Village Players Theatre to bring you top-quality events. Each year, we have our own “Donut Day” at the Pilgrim Congregational Church. These events are merely a sampling, but you get the idea—in order to be an integral part of the community, OPALGA needs to reach out throughout the community and work with others whenever possible. Sometimes we ask, and sometimes we are asked—in either case, the result is usually the same: we stand stronger together than if we stand alone. This month we are riding bikes, so grab your helmets and join us on the Wright Ride on Sunday, August 17. If you don’t want to ride, come on out to our booth and say hello.
Around The OPALGA Center
OPALGA Claims Another “30 Under 30”
Congratulations to our own Hector Salgado, who directs the OPALGA Latino men’s program, ALAS. Hector recently received the distinction of being named one of the 2008 Windy City Times “30 Under 30” award winners. This award recognizes young activists who have made significant contributions to the LGBT community. Way to go, Hector—we’re proud of you!
Latino Men’s Retreat
Thanks to a generous grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health Center for Minority Services, OPALGA held its second annual Latino Men’s Retreat. This three-day event was again held in conjunction with Project VIDA in Chicago. This year, we hosted 14 young Latino men between the ages of 18–25 at the Menno Haven Retreat Center in Tiskilwa, Illinois. The retreat was meant to create community for these young men while exploring relationships, their culture and identity within the LGBT community, and HIV and STI prevention education. Although the weather for the event was a bit balmy and the facilities lacked air conditioning, our staff and retreat participants had a weekend to remember. Thanks to our ALAS program staff who facilitated the event—Hector Salgado, Celso Cardenas, and Alex Lopez—and Carlos Samaniego from Project VIDA. We look forward to next year’s retreat!
Donut Days!
Thank you to the 49 volunteers who helped to make this year’s Farmers’ Market Donut Days fundraiser an amazing success. To date, we raised close to $1,700, and we will receive another small check at the end of the season based on overall sales. As always, it seemed as though everyone had a great time, and most of you were well-versed in the ways of donuts. It was a smooth operation, and thanks for all of your time and talent!
Prism Youth Program
Some of you may have heard that we are holding our drop-in group for teens from 14–18 years of age on a trial basis every Thursday night. So far, so good, and we have decided to extend the program through August to meet the needs of our teen LGBT population. We will reassess the need later in the summer, and if there is sufficient demand, we may put Prism back into our regular rotation of drop-in groups that we offer.
Volunteer Spotlight
Given the number of volunteers that OPALGA counts on annually to do the amazing work that we do, we decided that everyone should get to know each other a little better. This month, we are highlighting volunteer member Navi Walker.
Empower: How long have you lived in the Chicago area?
Navi: I was born and raised in Chicago.
Empower: What town, village, or city do you live in now?
Navi: God, please don’t make me say it…, lol. Ahhh, Hillside.
Empower: What do you do for a living, or, if you’re in school where and what are you studying?
Navi: I am currently a concierge with Apple (computers), and hopefully I’ll be starting school at Columbia College Chicago…, woo hoo!!
Empower: How long have you been a member or involved with OPALGA?
Navi: A long time…, lol. Since I was 14 years old (I’m 23 now).
Empower: In what capacity do you volunteer?
Navi: I am one of the facilitators for RED, and sometimes I help out with Spectrum, when needed. I’m also going to try volunteering with OUTSpoken when it starts up again.
Empower: How did you come to volunteer for OPALGA?
Navi: I’ve been in it for so long that it’s just kind of grown to be a part of what I do. It was only natural to want to be more than a peer attending drop-in groups.
Empower: What’s your favorite color?
Navi: I used to be on this whole black-only kick, but I’m a huge sucker for bright, colorful things. Any bright color, I’m on it (except pink—pink is disgusting, no offense to hardcore pink lovers out there).
Empower: What’s your favorite movie and/or book and why?
Navi: Man…, I don’t know. I really can’t just pick one, but if I must say that I like one a little bit more than the others, it would be “Ranma ½” movies (totally obscure, I know), which are anime, and, oh, “Tipping the Velvet,” maybe. See I don’t know. I feel like I’ve made a bad choice there…, lol.
Empower: What are your favorite restaurants?
Navi: I love seafood like shrimp and lobster, so good old Red Lobster works for that. Also Benihana. I’m also really into Indian food, so I’m lovin’ me some Khyber Pass. But since I’m a serious foodie, like with movies, I can’t have just one favorite because I’m all over the place!
Empower: If money were no object and you could do anything you want, what would it be?
Navi: I know it’s a cliché to some, but I’d love to travel. Travel and write about everything I see and experience (hence the reason why I’m taking up journalism in college). Then, after that, I’d settle and open up an international café or restaurant. Yeah, that feels about right.
Thank you, Navi, and thank you to all of our volunteers! You may be next in the spotlight!
Coffeehouses Need Your Help
Are you looking for some relief after the daily grind? Do you appreciate the perfect blend of first-time and seasoned performers? If so, OPALGA is looking for you. For the past several years, OPALGA has had a tradition of presenting monthly coffeehouses. Now, after a break of several months, OPALGA is looking for a volunteer to help us serve up a good cup of talent and revitalize these monthly gatherings.
The coffeehouses promote the importance of the arts in our community and provide a venue for local artists. Performers can be involved in many aspects of the arts, including poetry, music, spoken word, and drama. Through the coffeehouses, OPALGA provides a social and cultural opportunity for our members and the larger community while supporting local businesses.
If you would like to help coordinate the coffeehouses, please contact The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273 or info@opalga.org.
Allied for Equality—New Illinois Initiative
Allied for Equality is a joint program between Equality Illinois (EQIL) and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). The goal of this program is to create an allied network of advocates across the state of Illinois who will work with the LGBT community toward achieving equality for all people. We are specifically targeting straight allies and asking them to speak up, to get on board, and to become active. Why? Because no American citizen should have to face discriminatory practices at home, work, or school—so, straight citizens need to be involved and in the forefront in the struggle for LGBT rights.
There are many ways to become involved with Allied for Equality, and we are looking for volunteers in the following areas:
• Legislative (getting postcards signed, calling or e-mailing legislators, lobby days)
• Creative (writing letters to the editor, sharing your story, monitoring news pundits)
• Social (hosting a house party or volunteering at a festival or other events)
• Spiritual (reaching out to your faith community, if you have one, and trying to get it more involved)
• Community (reaching out to organizations that you may already be involved with to start a partnership)
In the end, we want to have action groups set up across the state of Illinois, ready to take on any struggle in the fight for LGBT equality.
If you are interested in becoming involved with Allied for Equality, please contact Caroline Staerk, Field Director of Allied for Equality, at 773-477-7173 or send e-mail to cstaerk@eqil.org.
Book Club to Discuss Loving Frank in August
The July meeting of the book club was very well attended, and we agreed upon our upcoming selections through November.
We encourage anyone who loves to read to join us for the upcoming meetings. The discussions are informal and enjoyable, and we always have a lot of laughs. So, if you want to find out what you’ve been missing, check out the OPALGA book club!
Following are our upcoming selections:
August 17 Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
It happens every day: two individuals fall in love, although each is married to another. Secrets are discovered, lives change, and families are broken apart. This fictionalized account—for we’ll never know the complete real-life specifics—documents the relationship of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney.
September 21 Breakfast with Scot by Michael Downing
Within days of his arrival, 11-year-old Scot’s new guardians (a gay couple, Sam and Ed) are “drowning in make-up policies and other moral imperatives” because Scot is prone to wearing pantyhose, nail polish, and various other affronts to things masculine. He’s also a catalyst for disaster, pointing out the shame and social booby traps that Sam and Ed have done their best to ignore.
October 19 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s debut novel follows the adventures of the Dashwood sisters as they find love in a class-conscious Regency England.
November 16 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
A young Indian on a reservation wants to become a comic author.
The book club meets every third Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The OPALGA Center, 947 Garfield, Oak Park, unless otherwise specified. All books are available through http://www.amazon.com. In addition, copies can be requested from the Oak Park Public Library (834 Lake St., Oak Park) or ordered from The Book Table (1045 Lake St., Oak Park). Remember, OPALGA receives a charitable donation from The Book Table for each book purchased there (regardless of whether it is a book club selection). Please let them know that you are purchasing your book as a member of OPALGA.
Recipe Corner
Several years ago, OPALGA talked about putting together a cookbook containing our members’ favorite recipes. Now, in anticipation of our organization’s 20th anniversary, we have decided that the time is right for this tasty project!
Talk to your family, your friends, and your neighbors to find those recipes that you really enjoy and want to share with other OPALGA members. Please feel free to submit any of your favorite recipes, and be sure to give a credit for the originator of the recipe, if applicable.
All recipes should be submitted to jeziebarth@comcast.net. Please include the word “RECIPE” in your subject line, and be sure to attach your recipe to the e-mail as a Microsoft Word document. Thank you!
In the meantime, we plan to publish a few of the recipes that we have already received in upcoming issues of Empower. Bon appétit!
Hummingbird Cake (Victorian Era Recipe)
Submitted by Richard Poltorak
3 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple with juice
1 c. cooking oil
3 beaten eggs
2 c. chopped banana (3 bananas)
½ c. chopped walnuts
1-½ tsp. vanilla
Glaze:
1 tbsp. melted butter
1 c. sifted powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 10-inch tube/fluted tube pan. In a mixing bowl, stir flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt together. Remove 2 tbsp. of pineapple juice and set aside. Add pineapple, oil, eggs, banana, nuts, and vanilla to flour mixture. Stir until blended—do not overstir. Pour batter into greased pan. Bake for approximately 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Invert cake and remove from pan and cool completely.
Glaze: In small bowl, combine melted butter and powdered sugar. Add pineapple juice a bit at a time to make a glaze that can be dribbled back and forth on cake with a spoon, and enjoy!
PFLAG Oak Park at the Farmers’ Market
PFLAG Oak Park would like to thank everyone who stopped by our bake sale booth at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market on July 5. Also, a special thanks to our cookie bakers, Liz and Bruce. We made over $800! Our next bake sale is Saturday, August 30 (at the Pilgrim Congregational Church parking lot, 460 Lake St., Oak Park). Come before 10:00 a.m. to purchase a loaf of Sylvia’s fresh-baked multi-grain bread. If you want to bake for us, call Kate at 708-386-5093. See you there!
Brown Elephant Resale Shops
Howard Brown Health Center in Chicago is one of the nation’s largest LGBT healthcare organizations. The Brown Elephant Resale Shops generate revenue of more than $3 million per year. More than 740,000 items are sold annually at the shops, located in Chicago and Oak Park. The revenue generated by donations and purchases goes directly to help fund the more than 50% of Howard Brown’s clients who are uninsured or underinsured.
Drop-off donations are accepted at any Brown Elephant location from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Pickups of larger donations, such as furniture or pianos, can be scheduled by calling the Brown Elephant pickup line at 773-549-5943.
While all donations are deeply appreciated, there is a suggested minimum donation for pickup service, and certain items are no longer being accepted. For specific information and shop locations, please visit the Howard Brown Web site at http://www.howardbrown.org and click on Brown Elephant Resale Shops.
