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North Shore Stars
Randy Pluta, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Hotel Orrington was awarded 2008 Director of Sales and Marketing of the Year at Magna Hospitality's annual meeting. Congratulations on a great job! Also, we would also like to congratulate our own Kimberly Wright who earned her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) last month. The CMP is the foremost certification of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.

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Knit-Out and Crochet Event
Saturday, April 18
Northbrook Court
2171 Northbrook Court, Northbrook
The first Knit-Out and Crochet event in Illinois will take place at Northbrook Court on Saturday, April 18 (10 am to 4 pm). Already popular in Minneapolis and New York, this event is intended to increase awareness and knowledge of knitting and crocheting as an art form and craft. A full day of fun and educational activities for all levels of knitters including special technique demonstrations, fastest knitter and crocheter competitions, a fashion show, and book signings by author Amy Singer. Northbrook Court shoppers and visitors may bring in 7 inch by 9 inch squares (washable wool or soft acrylic) or make them on site for the completion of a blanket to be donated to Habitat for Humanity.

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President Bill Clinton Speaks at Grand Opening Event
Sunday, April 19
Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
9603 Woods Drive, Skokie
More than sixty years after World War II ended, local survivors of the Holocaust joined together to announce the Grand Opening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, which will take place on Sunday, April 19th. This historic event, which is open to the public, starts at 12 noon under a grand tent outside the museum. In addition to a keynote address by President Bill Clinton, there will be a video presentation, a ceremonial lighting of candles by survivors of past and contemporary genocides, musical performances, and more. At 2 pm, scheduled times for public tours of the building will take place. For more information or to order tickets for the Grand Opening, please call 847-967-4800 or visit www.ilholocaustmuseum.org.

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Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 19
Abt Electronics
1200 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Glenview
Celebrate Earth Day and join the North Shore's participation in the Green Generation Campaign as we countdown to the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in 2010 with a year-long calendar of green initiatives. The electronics superstore will feature family activities including: Taking Care of our Furry Friends with staff from The Grove, Creating your own Green Bag, Planting your own Vegetables, Bring Your Cans, Plastic and Paper to the Recycle Center and Get a Tune Up for Your Bike in time for riding season. Enter for your chance to win an Ipod Shuffle, a weekend stay at the Wyndham Glenview Suites and Golf Package for two and a Go Green Gift Basket! For more information, please call Abt Electronics 1-888-228-5800. Check out other North Shore Earth Day activities, click here.

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River North Chicago Dance Company - Saturday, April 18
Junie B. Jones - Sunday, April 19
Jackie Mason No Holds Barred - Tuesday - Thursday, April 21-23
Centre East - North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts has loads of entertainment this month! Whether you're a first time dance attendee or a seasoned aficionado, the River North Chicago Dance Company will keep you on the edge of your seat from the moment the curtain goes up! This high-energy group has received rave reviews and will be at Centre East one night only (8 pm). Also in April, the irrepressible Junie B. takes on first grade in this delightful musical adventure based on the beloved books by Barbara Park. A sell-out show in 2006, you won't want to miss it (1 pm and 3 pm). And, direct from Broadway in his farewell tour, the irascible, irreplaceable and incomparable Jackie Mason returns to Centre East. Don't miss this opportunity to see this legendary entertainer, widely regarded as one of the greatest stand-up comics of all time, in his newest and final one-man show (7:30 pm each night). For tickets and more information, please call 847-673-6300 or visit www.centreeast.org

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The ABC's of Social Media on the Internet
Twitter With Purpose: The Basics of Social Marketing
CNSCVB Educational Seminar and Networking Event
Monday, April 20 - Noon to 1:30 pm
Toscana Restaurant
4907 Oakton Street, Skokie
Come learn the newest social marketing techniques and how they can help your business at our April networking event. Presenter Anne Hornyak from Chicago Plus, the Chicago Regional Tourism Development Office, will provide information on how you can use Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and other social media tools to enhance your marketing initiatives. Space is limited. Lunch will be served and the event is complimentary to CNSCVB members, but admittance is based on a first come, first served basis. Please RSVP by Friday, April 17 to Jennifer Williams at jwilliams@cnscvb.com or call 847-763-0011 ext. 22.

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Bare Witness: Photographs by Gordon Parks
April 24-June 28
Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art - Northwestern University
40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston
Gordon Parks (1912-2006) began working as a professional photographer in the 1940s, documenting the urban and rural poor in the United States for the Farm Security Administration and other organizations. Parks served as a staff photographer for Life magazine from 1945 to 1975, capturing images from all walks of American society, from the struggle for civil rights to the glamour of Hollywood stars. The 73 photographs featured in Bare Witness, organized by the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts at Stanford University, were personally selected by Parks as his most powerful imagery. For more information, please call 847-491-4000 or visit www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu.

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Communiversity Day at Northwestern University
Sunday, April 26
Evanston-area families are invited to Northwestern University Sunday, April 26, to take part in the second annual Communiversity Day. The University is throwing open its doors from noon to 5 p.m. so that neighbors of all ages can enjoy a variety of campus experiences and discover the many ways to access Northwestern’s academic programs as well as its arts, athletics, clinics, labs and more.Some highlights are lectures on earthquakes in the Midwest and climate change in the 21st century, a faculty-led panel discussion of the first 100 days of President Barack Obama’s administration and ACT/SAT test preparation for high school students. Click here for more information.

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The Talking Pictures Festival
Friday - Saturday, May 1 - 3
Various Locations Throughout Evanston
The Talking Pictures Festival highlights new independent films from around the world in a celebration of movies with a unique voice and point-of-view. Taking place at several Evanston venues, the festival features film submissions from Europe, Asia and throughout the United States. The organizing force behind the Talking Pictures Festival is Percolator Films, a non-profit media arts organization that also organizes the popular, 10-year-old Reeltime film and discussion series. Teaming up with Northwestern University's Block Cinema and Boocoo Café and Cultural Center, the organizers have created The Talking Pictures Festival so independent filmmakers can share their vision with appreciative audiences. For more information and a schedule of films, please call 847-448-8600 or visit www.reeltimeevanston.org.

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UFO's Over Illinois
Friday - Sunday, May 1 - 3 Skokie Theatre Music Foundation 7924 N. Lincoln Avenue, Skokie Do you believe in UFO's? Have extraterrestrial beings visited Illinois? Is it true that "we are not alone?" Sam Maranto, the President of Illinois MUFON, NFP a State Chapter of the Mutual UFO Network, MUFON, will present a 3-part journey into the long history of UFO visitations in Illinois from the 1800's to the well-publicized O'Hare incident of 2006. Friday's topic is the History of Illinois Sightings (8 pm), Saturday's topic is Modern Illinois Sightings (8 pm) and Sunday's Topic presents an in-depth look at the November 6, 2006 mass sighting over O'Hare Airport (2 pm). Tickets per discussion are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. A special offer of $50 for a 3-day pass is available. For more information, please call 847-677-7761 or visit www.skokietheatre.com.

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Bureau Welcomes New Members
The following businesses have recently joined Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau. Please help us build a bigger and stronger Bureau by letting us know of any businesses or industry contacts that you believe would benefit from becoming one of our members. Please contact Jennifer Williams, CNSCVB Sales Manager at jwilliams@cnscvb.com or call 847-763-0011 x 22 with any questions.

S. P. A. C. E. 1245 Chicago Ave. Evanston Jake Samuels 847-492-8860 Event Creative 311 W. Walton St. Chicago Nikki Shafer 312-327-0011 WineStyles 1741 Sherman Ave. Evanston Dean and Maggie Noonan 847-328-4400 Coldwell Banker 1508 Sherman Ave. Evanston Noah Seidenberg 847-316-8529

Koenig & Strey GMAC 2630 Valor Dr. Glenview Terry Anderson 847-305-0628 Walsh Natural Health 2116 ½ Central St. Evanston Lynn Bednar 847-864-1600 Calihan Catering 833 W. Haines Chicago Nitin Vyas 312-587-3553

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Stitely Entertainment 910 Sherman Avenue, Evanston 847-866-8002 www.stitely.com Stitely Entertainment has been providing quality live music for social, corporate and fundraising events and galas since 1995. Started by award-winning musician Jeff Stitely, the company has grown from a single orchestra into one of Chicago's most requested providers of musical entertainment, offering everything from solo musicians, jazz combos, and acoustic rock combos to dance bands ranging in size from 6-17 pieces. Their mission is to "bring joy to celebrations!" Stitely Entertainment performs at more than 175 events a year and includes such clients as the U.S. Olympics Committee, Australian Consulate, University of Chicago and numerous Fortune 500 Companies. Consider Stitely Entertainment for your next special event! Back to top