Want some free comic books?
Nothing in life is free, except comic books this Saturday, May 2, which happens to be the eighth annual Free Comic Book Day.
One Stop Comics – Oak Park’s lone comic book shop, located at 111 S. Ridgeland Ave. – will celebrate by giving out at least two free comics to everyone who walks in the door. The store will give away even more comics, depending on turnout and if a customer makes a purchase. One Stop will have more than 100 free comics to choose from, says owner Rick Manzella, a Galewood resident.
The promotion started in 2002 as a way to draw new customers into comics. Manzella says it was inspired, partly, by the popularity of giving away free ice cream at Baskin-Robbins. At first the event was created to help retailers unload overstock and books they had trouble selling. But these days, comic companies print special issues just for Free Comic Book Day, which retailers have to buy in order to give them away at their stores.
There are about 40 new comics being released, for free, on May 2, ranging from the Simpsons and Archie to Transformers, according to www.freecomicbookday.com. Manzella pays anywhere from 25 cents to maybe $1 for each free issue, but he says it’s worth it.
“I’m getting people in the door for a buck,” he said. “I don’t know what advertising can guarantee a customer for a buck.”
One Stop Comics is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 2. They can be reached at 708-524-2287.
Oak Parker is beauty pageant runner up
An Oak Park teen recently placed second in a state beauty pageant, and says it has already led to job offers.
Olivia Bird, 17, earned second place in the Miss Teen Illinois-World Pageant, held April 18 in Skokie. As an added bonus, Bird won the crown for Miss Congeniality. Voted on by her opponents (100 percent voted for Bird), the award is given to the nicest, most helpful contestant in the pageant.
Bird believes she won the award because she helped other girls out with their dances and makeup and encouraged them to be themselves. She says the competition, which included 10 finalists, had contestants compete through interviews, “poise and beauty,” swimsuit and evening gown competitions.
After the win, Bird says she received an offer to host a television show in the Twin Cities, as well as commercial and print modeling gigs.
“It’s kind of amazing, all the stuff is just coming up so fast,” she said
Bird graduated a semester early from OPRF High School to pursue a career in acting and modeling. She’s considering moving to Los Angeles to chase her dreams, which she said originated when she appeared in a Kellogg’s commercial her freshman year.
“I’ve really, honestly been trying to get into it since then, and I haven’t had the money or time to do it,” she said.
Bird wasn’t disappointed with coming in second place but says she’s proud of winning Miss Congeniality.
“I didn’t go into it expecting to win anything,” she said. “Pageants are really political, so I was shocked I got as far as I did.”
Jack & Jill & the Kansas Comet
The local Jack & Jill organization will host NFL Hall of Famer Gale Sayers at its First Annual White Party this Saturday, May 2, at the Oak Park Country Club. The fundraiser supports the Ardythe & Gale Sayers Center for African American Adoption at The Cradle.
The Western Cook County Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc., which includes Oak Park and River Forest, plans dancing to ’70s and ’80s tunes performed by Say Yes with soloist Sheryl Youngblood, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and an auction. Everyone is asked to dress in white attire.
The Sayers Center, following an open adoption philosophy, has placed African-American children in homes all across the country, crossing racial and economic lines. The Sayers adopted their son, Scott, from The Cradle and they want to make the African-American community aware there are babies to be adopted.
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a national family organization, founded in 1938, which provides cultural, social, civic and recreational activities that stimulate and expand the minds of African-American children.
The event takes place from 8 p.m. to midnight at the country club, 2100 Thatcher Road in River Grove. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at www.cradle.org or by contacting Marcia Preston, 708-790-5500.