Publications & Sites 
Judy’s Evanston top five for March 8, 2012
Updated: March 29, 2012 4:03PM
Ed. note: Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Evanston area, spiced with a little commentary.
Get down here, Aaron! The Music Institute of Chicago celebrates the music of Aaron Copland and his student, Mario Davidovsky, at 3 p.m. March 11 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave. To purchase tickets, call (847) 905-1500.
Oh my, the music of Aaron Copland – sometimes I put on his “Rodeo” or “Billy the Kid Suite” and pretend I’m riding a bucking bronco through the house whilst vacuuming. Which is fine, except when the vacuum cleaner throws me to the dining-room floor, which really hurts, and which I blame on Mr. Copland, or I would, except he’s dead.
I regress, I regress. Join the African-American Literature group for a discussion of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” at 7 p.m. March 13 at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave. Henrietta Lacks was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells, taken without her knowledge in 1951, became one of the most important tools in medicine. Her incredible story examines the collision between ethics, race, medicine and scientific discovery. Admission is free. To reserve a copy of the book, call (847) 448-8620.
This terrific book actually explains genetic science so I can understand it. What? Do I mean it’s written at the reading level of a 6-year-old? Boy, you’re sarcastic – and no, I mean the author explains complex science theories in accessible language … what? To be correct, I should have written “scientific” theories, not “science” theories? That’s it, you stinkball meanie, you can’t come to my birthday party, and there’s gonna be a clown and balloons and ice cream, and I hate you!
Talk to me, tangerines. Mango Languages is an online language learning system now offered by the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave. The program teaches real conversation skills for practical communication in 38 different languages. There are also courses in 15 different languages for those learning English as a Second Language. Mango is accessible to anyone using a computer within the library, and accessible anywhere to those who have an Evanston Public Library card. For more information call (847) 448-8620.
Mango languages – hmmm. I didn’t know mangos wanted to communicate with us; however, I’m not against talking to fruit – a conversation with a cantaloupe might be … what? Mango Languages is the name of the instruction program – it has nothing to do with actual mangos. Oh. Well, how about learning lima bean lingo – that might be fun … no, you shut up!
Yoo-Hoo – Netflix … The annual Talking Pictures Festival is taking place through March 11 at various Evanston locations. These films represent an impressive range of topics, genres and styles that underline the creative strength and vision of independent cinema, while provoking thought and discussion. For more information on dates, locations, and ticket prices, visit www.talkingpicturesfestival.org.
I submitted my own independent film, “Breakdown at the Brinkworths” to the Talking Pictures Festival, but it was rejected. I don’t know why – It’s a searing expose of my family’s reaction to my tuna-broccoli casserole, including their fanatic insistence that cement is one of the ingredients. It’s a film noir masterpiece, especially my hysterics at the end. Fie on the festival. And my family, too.
And finally ... Poetry I know; gardening I don’t. An Under the Buffalo presentation, “Low-Key Genius: The Life and Work of Landscape-Gardener O.C. Simonds,” will take place at 7 p.m. March 22 at the Evanston History Center, in the historic Charles Gates Dawes house, 225 Greenwood Ave. From 6:30 to 7 p.m., a wine and appetizer reception is scheduled. To reserve a place, call (847) 475-3410 or visit www.evanstonhistorycenter.org.
I wonder if I will ever be called a “Low-Key Genius,” like landscape gardener O.C. Simonds. Because no garden is lower key than mine – all dirt, dirt, dirt - nary a peep of posies anywhere. I have named it “My Homage to Poet T.S. Eliot Garden” – because it’s “The Wasteland.” Ha-Ha – but not really.
