FRIDAY 6/2 – THURSDAY 6/8
3 SATURDAY The penalty for revealing the secrets of second-degree Masons is to “have your breast torn open and left prey to the vultures of the air.” That didn’t stop John Wayne, Voltaire, John Glenn, 14 presidents, nine signers of the Declaration of Independence, Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, and millions of others from becoming members of the ritualistic, semisecret fraternity. The worldwide organization is looking for new blood; today the local Paul Revere Masonic Temple hosts a free open house, with refreshments and music by the Horner Jazz Band. It’s from 1 to 5 at the temple, 1521 W. Wilson. Call 773-334-9150.
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The Grand Illinois Trail will eventually form a 475-mile loop that crosses northern Illinois and connects the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan not once but twice. Planning began five years ago, but the trail has run into snags–most recently a state supreme court decision regarding bicycle rights-of-way that has many town elders unwilling to mark the highway portions of the trail, which also includes off-road, railroad, and canal paths. They’re holding the grand opening today anyway. It’s from 2 to 3 at Gateway Park in front of Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Call 312-595-7437.
5 MONDAY The new American Pharaoh: Richard J. Daley–His Battle for Chicago and the Nation is a comprehensive biography of the late mayor. Authors Adam Cohen, a senior writer for Time, and Elizabeth Taylor, editor of the Tribune Sunday magazine, portray Daley as a secretive, power-mad despot who opposed desegregation and the Vietnam war not out of personal belief but because each posed a threat to his authority (as did protesters at the ’68 Democratic National Convention). The 558-page book also explains, in understandable terms, just how the machine really worked. Taylor and Cohen will discuss their work tonight at 7:30 at Barnes & Noble, 1441 W. Webster. It’s free. Call 773-871-3825.
