District 214 Community Education

Relive Chicago’s iconic holiday tradition with “Remembering Marshall Field’s at Christmas” at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate in Joliet. Historian Leslie Goddard brings the magic to life, tracing the store’s history through rare photos, the Walnut Room’s Great Tree, and Uncle Mistletoe. Your afternoon begins with a self-guided tour of the 1873 National Historic Landmark, followed by a homemade holiday luncheon and the main presentation. Conclude your visit at the historic Old Central Church as we celebrate the season with a perfect day of history and charm!

This course focuses on issues and financial concepts important to pre-retirees. You'll learn how to plan for retirement, organize your finances and develop a personalized plan that empowers you to reach your long-term goals. Prepare for the future by discovering how to save money on taxes, manage investment risks and protect your assets from potential long-term health care expenses.

Looking for a fun night out with the whole family? Join The Theater Lab for an evening of laughter, creativity, and audience-driven entertainment at our Family-Friendly Improv Series! Presented on the second Saturday of each month in October, November, and December, these interactive shows feature quick-thinking performers, hilarious games, and spontaneous scenes inspired by audience suggestions. Perfect for all ages, each performance is unique, ensuring plenty of surprises and laughs every time you attend. Bring your family, friends, and imagination for a memorable evening of live entertainment that's suitable for everyone. Advance registration is recommended. For tickets, you may purchase them through our website or by calling 847-718-7700. To additionally support The Theater Lab, simply add a donation under 'Donation' and click 'Enroll Now'.

Choose from two 6-week sewing classes for beginners, or take them both! Simplicity pattern S9202 will be used in both classes. The first session will focus on making a pair of polar fleece knit pajama/lounge pants and the second session will focus on making the top. Students will be asked to bring some basic sewing supplies, fabric and thread for the projects. Patterns will be available to use in the classroom, or students can purchase the pattern to have for themselves. You can bring your own sewing machine or use the Janome machines that are in the classroom.

Shotokan Karate is a Japanese martial arts system developed as a means of strengthening the mind, body and spirit. Karate training is structured to provide all around strength, coordination and agility for the body along with improving mental discipline and focus. Karate has something for everyone including physical fitness, self-defense, the excitement of sport and personal enrichment. No special equipment or abilities are required.

This educational program is designed to help individuals sharpen their spending and saving strategy. You will set personal financial goals, and then learn how to balance saving, spending and borrowing to achieve those goals. We will also cover strategies for controlling debt and improving credit scores, and practical savings tips to last now through retirement.

Turn your extra sourdough starter into an irresistible sweet and crunchy snack! In this class, you'll learn how to transform sourdough discard into perfectly caramelized candied pecans with just the right touch of sweetness. We'll cover mixing techniques, baking tips, and how sourdough discard enhances both flavor and texture. Whether you're looking for a delicious homemade gift, a charcuterie board addition, or simply a satisfying snack, this easy recipe is a creative way to use your discard while making something truly special.

Welcome to Beginning Two! This class focuses on improving Spanish language skills while learning the irregular and reflexive verbs in the present tense. To enroll, students must have studied the Beginning One class or have knowledge of the regular verb structure and the two verbs, ser and estar (to be) in the present tense. With the increased knowledge of verbs, the students will learn to create the following situational dialogues: to describe one's family, shop for clothes, express love from the heart, buy/rent a residence, explain one's daily routine, plan a vacation and to dine on a matahambre dinner. The book used is Barron's 9th Edition, Spanish Now! Level One.

¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español intermedia con conversación! Welcome to the Intermediate Spanish Conversation class! In this course students will focus on improving Spanish language listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. This class will build on grammar and vocabulary learned in Spanish Beginning 1 and 2. Throughout the session students will also improve their conversational Spanish through songs, games and stories. Spanish articles will also be used for reading, discussion and topical vocabulary and grammar. To enroll in this class, students should have completed Beginning Spanish 2 or have comparable knowledge or experience

Sprouts and microgreens are mini vegetable plants that are easy to grow, yet packed with nutrients. In this class you will learn how to grow and use these little powerhouses!

Dating apps have changed the way we connect, but knowing how to protect yourself makes all the difference. This one-hour class covers how to navigate today's most popular dating apps, protect your personal information, and use built-in safety features so you can connect with others confidently and securely.

Tai Chi (Taiji) is an ancient Chinese exercise with numerous health benefits. As a martial art, Tai Chi downplays brute strength and emphasizes learning motor skills and nurturing the body. The mindful movements promote stress relief and relaxation. Physically, this practice is a low-impact exercise that will foster balance, coordination and flexibility while exploring martial intentions.

Tai Chi (Taiji) is an ancient Chinese exercise with numerous health benefits. As a martial art, Tai Chi downplays brute strength and emphasizes learning motor skills and nurturing the body. The mindful movements promote stress relief and relaxation. Physically, this practice is a low-impact exercise that will foster balance, coordination and flexibility while exploring martial intentions.

At The Theater Lab our mission is simple: to be a hub around which the community can collaborate to bring passionate theater to life. We welcome anyone with a passion for theater at all levels of experience to join us as a Theater Lab Member. A thriving theater community doesn’t happen by accident—it happens because people care enough to participate. Your membership helps The Theater Lab continue creating meaningful opportunities for artists, performers, volunteers, audiences, and the broader community. Annual membership is just $40 and includes: Free admission to all member events (listed below) Hands-on, behind-the-scenes learning opportunities Invitations to special members-only events Access to theater and industry professionals Our new quarterly Members Newsletter September 17 — Season Kick-Off — ALL ARE WELCOME, BRING A FRIEND! 7:30pm | Forest View Educational Center | Door #33 | Theater Start the season with The Theater Lab community! Reconnect with familiar faces, meet new people, and help us celebrate everything ahead. Membership Events... September 17 — Season Kick-Off Start the season with The Theater Lab community! Reconnect with familiar faces, meet new people, and help us celebrate everything ahead. October 18 — Murder Mystery Who did it? Join us for an entertaining night filled with clues, characters, surprises, and plenty of mystery. November 5 — Giving Back Theater is about community, and this month we’re putting that spirit into action by coming together to support Toys for Tots. December 11 — 2nd Annual Holiday Fundraiser It’s a Wonderful Life—and we’re celebrating it together! Enjoy a festive holiday gathering inspired by the classic film while helping support the continued growth of The Theater Lab. January 28 — Producing a Show What does it take to bring a show from an idea to the stage? Hear from industry professionals about the many creative and logistical pieces involved in producing live theater. February 25 — Intimacy in Today’s Theater Theater is evolving—and so are the ways intimate scenes and relationships among performers, directors, and production teams are approached. Join us for an engaging and informative panel discussion. March 25 — Theater Superstitions Break a leg! Enjoy a storytelling night devoted to the strange, funny, fascinating, and sometimes downright bizarre superstitions of the theater world. April — Film Professionals Curious about life behind the camera? Hear film professionals share their experiences, insights, and perspectives on working in the industry. May — Professional Actors What is it really like to make acting your profession? Join professional actors for an honest conversation about their careers, challenges, successes, and experiences in the industry. June — Game Night It’s time to set aside the serious theater talk and have some fun! Join us for an evening of games, laughter, friendly competition, and connection. July — End-of-Season Picnic Let’s celebrate the season together! Relax, reflect on the year, and enjoy time with the community we’ve built. Event dates, topics, and details are subject to change. To become a Member or for more information, please call us at 847-718-7700 or email ce@d214.org. To additionally support The Theater Lab, simply add a donation under 'Donation' and click 'Enroll Now'.

Celebrate the flavors of the season with tender, bakery-style white chocolate peppermint scones! In this hands-on class, you'll learn essential techniques for mixing and shaping tender, flaky scones as you create a delicious treat just in time for the holidays. You'll leave with fresh baked scones, detailed recipes, and the skills to recreate them at home anytime.

Yoga develops a deeper awareness of your inner self and promotes mental, emotional and physical well-being. You’ll be guided through slow, precise poses accompanied by deep breathing to tone, strengthen, stretch and relax the body. Wear comfortable clothing and bring an exercise mat.

In this online Zoom class we will practice basic yoga postures and exercises that help to tone, strengthen, stretch and relax the body. Participants are guided to move mindfully within their range and to engage the element of breath awareness. This class is tailored to those ages 50 and beyond, or beginners of any age. Wear comfortable clothing and have a yoga mat.

Keep your kid safe on their phone with this empowering, yet practical training for busy parents and caregivers. This class breaks down the essential insights everyone needs to understand in order to confidently protect their child online. You'll leave the training understanding recommended privacy settings, risky apps to avoid, screen time boundaries, and the warning signs that matter most. Walk away with the knowledge and tools to create a safer digital environment for your family.