Be all you can be: The Mankind Project—which aims to 'empower [ bisexual and gay ] men to live to their full potential'—will have meetings on Wed., Sept. 13, ( at 7-9 p.m. ) and Sun., Oct. 15, ( at 1-3 p.m. ) at Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville. See www.mkpchicago.org or call Joe Dix at 773-325-0052.
Simply the press: Legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas will be the keynote speaker at the Chicago Foundation for Women's 21st Annual Luncheon and Symposium, to be held Thurs., Sept. 21, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. For tickets, see www.cfw.org or call 312-577-2801.
Let me hear your body talk: A panel will discuss 'Body As Art: Politics, Gender and Culture,' on Wed., Sept. 20, at Columbia College Chicago, Ferguson Hall, 600 S. Michigan, 6-7:30 p.m. Panelists including visual/performance artist Tracey Rose will talk about using the body to analyze harsh political realities. Call 312-344-8829 or 312-344-7297.
Show and sell: J. Robert Scott, the internationally recognized furniture, accessories and textiles company, will join the acclaimed collection of luxury home furnishings at Suite 1873 of The Merchandise Mart Design Center on Thurs., Sept. 14. Visit www.jrobertscott.com .
Paying homage to Hispanics: The Chicago Public Library is celebrating diversity during the annual observance of Hispanic Heritage Month—Sept. 15 to Oct. 15—with an opening program on Thurs., Sept. 14, at the Chicago Public Library Toman Branch, 2708 S. Pulaski. The program will feature the Lisa Rodriguez Violinists. For a complete listing of programs, visit a Chicago Public Library or see chicagopubliclibrary.org .
Forces to be reckoned with: Dance company Forces of Nature will present 'Just be,' a program that looks at everything from race to gay pride, at Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield, on Fri., Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. as well as Sat.-Sun., Sept. 16-17, at 4 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 each. Call 773-281-0824 or see www.forcesofnatureworks.com .
Sole purpose: The dance festival SoleStance Chicago 2006 will take place Fri.-Sun., Sept. 15-17, at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble. Participants will perform dances from a variety of genres, including ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip-hop, salsa, Indian, Hawaiian, gypsy, tango and Celtic. Tickets are $15 each; contact the Vittum Theatre box office at 773-342-4141.
Earth mothers: 'A Celebration of: Autumn, Our Relationship to Mother Earth, Spirit and Ourselves as Queer Women' will take place Sat., Sept. 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m., on the second floor of 5209 N. Clark. RSVP space is limited to 15 participants. RSVP to christinas@howardbrown.org .
Seeing green: The Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento, will host the all-ages Healthy, Smart & Green Fair on Sat., Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors can do everything from ride a bio-diesel trolley to learn about water conservation with a storm water dunk tank. Advance registration is required to the free event; call 312-746-9642 or e-mail greentech@cityofchicago.org .
