Oak Park-River Forest Community Calendar, Feb. 9

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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:19AM

Oak Leaves and Forest Leaves welcome items for the Community Calendar, as well as items for Business Briefs, Campus News, Community Briefs, School Digest and Your Page. Items must be received minimum of 10 days prior to publication. Fax (708) 383-3678; e-mail oakpark@pioneerlocal.com; or mail to Pioneer Press, 1010 W. Lake St., Suite 104, Oak Park, IL 60301.

Benefits

“B-flat Breakfast”: 7:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 11 at 7970 W. Lake St., (corner of Lake Street and Thatcher Avenue) in River Forest. Have some “B-flat Pancakes” and help benefit the music program at River Forest United Methodist Church. Come enjoy pancakes, sausage, juice, coffee, tea, milk; and there will also be a cookie sale. Adults $6; Kids (5-12) $3; under 5 free. Call (708) 771-3668 or e-mail rfumchurch@sbcglobal.net. Reservations appreciated but not required. For more information, call Fred Lenhoff at (708) 366-6309 or e-mail flenhoff@yahoo.com.

Historical Society: of Oak Park & River Forest benefit, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association’s historic clubhouse at 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. “Family Heirloom or Flea Market Find: What’s It Worth?” Admission is $5 and the cost of an appraisal is $15 per item. Pre-registration is required. Register online at www.oprfhistory.org or call Jean Guarino at (708) 848-6755.

Whole Foods Market: Community Support Day, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 15 at Whole Foods, 7245 Lake St., River Forest. Whole Foods will donate 5 percent of its sales to The Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society sponsors of The Children’s Clinic.at 320 N. Lake Street in Oak Park. The Clinic provided more than 9,400 medical and dental visits and 1,500 social work visits in the past year to 3,200 children in need. For more information regarding the OPRF Infant Welfare Society and The Children’s Clinic, call Jill Marie Aller at (708) 848-0528, Ext. 235 or e-mail at jaller@childrenscliniciws.org. Visit www.childrenscliniciws.org.

Clubs

Oak Park Photography Club: 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. Any age; any skill level.

Gathering

Second Tuesday Discussion: 9:30-11 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. Topic: The State of Housing in Oak Park and River Forest. How are our communities doing in the current housing downturn? Tammie Grossman, the manager for Housing Services in Oak Park, will be the guest. Foreclosure numbers in River Forest and Oak Park, along with other housing concerns will be discussed. No RSVP needed. Event is free. Everyone is welcome. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest; Sarah Meyer Hughes, publicity chair. League membership is not required.

West Side Greens: hold caucus, 1-5 p.m. Feb. 12 at the main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., in the second floor Reading Room, to vote for a presidential nominee for the Green Party. Free. For more information, call Bruce Samuels at (708) 383-7711

Government

The following groups meet in Oak Park Village Hall, Madison Street and Lombard. Visit www.oak-park.us, mouse over to News, then click on Meeting Calendar. An interpreter is available. Human Resources Dept. (708) 383-6400, Ext. 2326 or (708) 848-1911 (TTY/TDD). Need 48 hours notice. CC is Council Chambers.

Today: 7-9:30 p.m. Finance Committee of the Village Board; 7-9:30 p.m. Civic Information Systems Commission.

Feb. 13: 7-9 p.m. Village Board Executive Session.

Feb. 15: 7-9 p.m. Community Relations Commission; 7-8:30 p.m. Housing Programs Advisory Committee; 7-9 p.m. Oak Park Area Arts Council.

Feb. 16: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Building Codes Advisory Commission; 7-9:30 p.m. Finance Committee of the Village Board; 7-10 p.m. Plan Commission.

River Forest Village Board: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Community Room of Village Hall, 400 Park Ave. Public invited.

Health Notes

Laughter Yoga Club: of Oak Park meets 7-7:45 p.m. Feb. 14 and 7:30-8:15 p.m. Feb. 22 at Mills Park Tower, 1025 Pleasant Place, Oak Park. Fee free and contortion free. David Kelm (708) 975-9300; e-mail david1945@aol.com; www.laughteryoga.org. Also check out www.laughteryogaamerica.com.

Here’s Help

Compassionate Friends: East Suburban Chapter, 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Cicero Community Center, 2250 S. 49th Ave., Room 101. A free grief support meeting for parents who have lost a child to any cause of death. Visit www.compassionatefriends.org or call Gary Parmenter (630) 935-1228 or e-mail tcfeastsuburban@aol.com. (Serves people within the borders of Northlake, Countryside, Cicero and Oak Park.)

Kids’ Stuff

Boy Scout Troop 2: Annual Open House, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Lincoln School, 1111 S. Grove Ave., Oak Park, south entrance. For all fifth through eighth grade boys and their parents. Discover the fun and adventure! No previous Scouting experience required. RSVP and questions to Helen Gilmore at gilmorefamily2@comcast.net or call (708) 524-0785.

Legacy Sports Camp: Intro to T-Ball, 2-3 p.m. Feb. 12, 19, 26 and March 4 at the ARC. This camp is appropriate for boys and girls ages 5-7. T-Ball fundamentals. Fee: $65. Also: T-Ball Phase 2: 3-4 p.m. Feb. 12, 19, 26 and March 4. This camp is appropriate for boys and girls ages 6-8 and will build on the training on skills from Intro to T-Ball. All players do not need to have attended the Intro to T-Ball course to participate. Legacy Sports Camp offers a variety of year-round sports programs hosted both at local schools and The Arc, 18 W. Chicago Ave. Legacy also offers birthday parties. Founded by Oak Park natives Caleb Fields and Dan Kane. To register or for more info go to www.legacysportscamp.com.

Learning

Knitting Classes: “Ewe Need a Headband?” 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. Presented by reference librarian and experienced knitter Helen Blinder with local knitting instructor Sue Jaffee, an accomplished knitter and knitting instructor from the Tangled Web and Knit Just Knits, in Oak Park. Also: “Novel Knitters 101” 7 p.m. March 20 for beginning knitters. Learn the basic concepts of knitting, including casting on, binding off, the knit stitch, the purl stitch and more. Also: “Knit Happens!” 1:30 p.m. March 26 teens are invited to join instructor Sue Jaffee for a “staycation” and learn the basics of knitting in this two-session program. All classes free. Reservations required. Register in person, online or call (708) 452-3480. A required materials list will be provided in advance of each class. Visit www.oppl.org or call (708) 383-8200.

Religion Notes

Ekklesia: a Christian adult education organization, will present “Being Instruments of Peace: What does that Mean for Us Today?” at 9:15 a.m. Feb. 15 at St. Giles’ McDonough Hall, 1101 N. Columbian Ave., Oak Park. The Rev. Ed Shea, OFM, originally from St. Giles and now at St. Peter’s in Chicago, will discuss what it means for us to be Christians in today’s multi-cultural, multi-religious world. Things have changed quite a bit in the past 50 years: How are we responding to these changes? Come join in this time of prayer and reflection. Be prepared to sing. The lecture fee is $6. Free coffee for attendees. The hall is wheelchair accessible.

St. Giles Parish: invites all to a Lenten Parish Mission, “Walking with Jesus in the Gospel of Mark,” 7 p.m. Feb. 26-28 in St. Giles Church, corner of Greenfield Street and Columbian Avenue, Oak Park. Megan McKenna, well-known author, theologian, storyteller and lecturer, will lead participants through the Sunday Gospels of Lent. Learn what these gospel stories have to say about conversion, morality, economics, service, compassion and living an authentic life today. (708) 383-3430.

Vajrayana Kadampa Buddhist: Center invites you to “Food for Thought - Celebrating Love,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at 13 Harrison St., Oak Park. Teaching by Buddhist Monk Gen Kelsang Dorje, with meditation and vegetarian Indian dinner. Come and share Valentine Dinner with those you love. First, enjoy a brief relaxing meditation and practical advice on developing cherishing love in the peaceful environment of our meditation room. Then, proceed to treat yourself to a delicious Indian-inspired meal of grilled vegetables in exotic spices, along with brown rice and jasmine tea, and ending with a refreshing mango sorbet with mint — with a generous order of effervescent conversation on the side. Cost $20. Make reservations in advance by e-mailing info@meditateinchicago.org or calling (708) 763-0132; www.meditateinchicago.org.

Zen Life & Meditation Center: New location at 38 Lake St., in Oak Park. The Center helps individuals live a Zen-inspired life of openness, empathy and clarity. A variety of offerings, private counseling, reiki and retreats. Day of Mindfulness: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 11. Retreat conducted in silence. Talk, optional private interviews with teacher, work practice, light body work, homemade Zen lunch and a closing council circle. Informal and open retreat for beginners wanting to strengthen their mindfulness practice. Cost: $65; $50 for members. (708) 689-1220 or www.zlmc.org.

Trailside Museum

Trailside Museum of Natural History is at 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest (Chicago and Thatcher avenues) and is run by Cook County Forest Preserve District. Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise stated. Call (708) 366-6530. Most programs are free.

Darwin Day Celebration: Noon-3 p.m. Feb. 12. It’s Charles Darwin’s Birthday! Celebrate this naturalist’s birthday with Trailside naturalists, and explore adaptations, fitness, selection and survival of species through educational activities and displays. Drop-in program for adults and children.

Nature Story Times: 10:30 a.m. Feb. 16. Nature-inspired stories, crafts and activities for ages 3-5 with an adult. Fee: $1 per child.

Morning Fitness Hike: 9 a.m. Feb. 18. Join in a brisk naturalist-led walk on the museum’s scenic trails to see what’s happening in nature this month. Adult program; dress for the weather!

Warm Hearts, Cold Noses Hike: 1 p.m. Feb. 19. Join in s late winter nature walk through beautiful Thatcher Woods. Dress for the weather! Family program.

Trailside Museum: is open Feb. 20, Presidents Day.

Volunteers

Send news of volunteer opportunities for Community Calendars, to oakpark@pioneerlocal.com or call (708) 524-4417.

Animal Care League: Volunteer Program. Family Team/Green Team. For families with children age 10-16. Parents need to be with and interacting with their children at all times. Minimum of four hours or more per month; 1 hour cleaning of shelter include folding laundry, washing pet dishes, sweeping, cleaning florrs, washing windows, doors. Adults can also help outside the shelter at off-site adoption events. Come to the shelter at 1011 Garfield St., Oak Park, in person and fill out an application. There is a $25 volunteer training fee. Sign up for volunteer orientation. Call (708) 848-8155; visit www.animalcareleague.org; e-mail aclcontact@yahoo.com.

Seguin Seeks Older Adults: Make a difference in your community. Seguin Services is seeking adult volunteers, age 55 or older, to volunteer with FIIVE Chicago (Fostering Intergenerational Inclusive Volunteer Engagement in Chicago). It is a volunteer program in which young people with disabilities partner with older adult mentors to engage in service to their communities together. Seguin is seeking volunteers to attend training in February or March and commit to volunteering six hours per month for a period of nine months. The volunteers will mentor the young adults as they volunteer together at area soup kitchens, animal shelters, for environmental causes, with foster children, in nursing homes or hospitals, with homebound older adults and more. For more information or to volunteer, call Casey Burke, of Seguin, at (708) 222-2288.