Oak Leaves

A Spanish delight

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:58:24 -0500

My husband had the good fortune of hosting Luis, a Spanish exchange student, during high school, and his family had the good sense to preserve their relationship for decades. As a result, I found myself in the kitchen years ago with Luis’s mother, Carmen Lucy. Clad in an American flag apron, she taught me how to make Tortilla Española; working together we sliced potatoes and simmered them gently in olive oil. While I had never cooked anything in such copious amounts of oil, I was delighted to discover the resulting dish is not at all greasy. Ever since Carmen Lucy …

Create a healthier home this spring

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:08:01 -0500

It’s time to open your windows, air out the house and get started on some spring cleaning. While most people dread cleaning their house and getting rid of things, it’s a great time to take inventory of what you truly need and can live without. Cleaning out your home can also help improve your health when you get rid of dust piles and clutter. Check out these tips from USA.gov to help you get started: Mold can grow easily in places you use every day, such as the sink, bath tub, heater or AC unit. It’s important to stay on …

Dealing with stress; helpful resources

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:08:15 -0500

It’s easy to let the little stresses of life pile up and overwhelm you all at once. With so many ongoing activities and events at work and at home, it’s easy to feel anxiety build up — usually at the worst moment. USA.gov can help put things in perspective with these helpful resources: Constantly being on the go can be an added stress to an already busy day. The National Center for Telehealth and Technology has a free app, Breathe2Relax, available on androids and iPhones. The app includes instructions and practice exercises to help you conquer stress management. Breathing exercises …

Science books aren’t heavy

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:54:00 -0500

Is it possible to understand a science book once you’re out of school? Yes, and you might even enjoy it! Science doesn’t have to be heavy. Some titles are comprehensible and enriching to lay people. Ask staff at the Oak Park Public Library and here’s a sampling of science books they’ll recommend: I recently read The Information by James Gleick. It covers the history of information from the perspective of biology, physics, chemistry, computing, genetics and pretty much everything else. It is both very full of science and written in clear language for nonexperts. I learned about everything from the …

Pet of the Week

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:56:01 -0500

Name: Shirley Species: Dog Breed: Saint Bernard/Mix Color: Brown/White Gender: Female Age: 3 years Shirley is a gorgeous St. Bernard that came to the Animal Care League from Oklahoma. For a giant breed dog, she’s on the small side at 72 pounds, but, with better nutrition and regular exercise she’ll probably fill out a bit more. Shirley appears to be housebroken, but she has little other training. She is very playful and would love to have an active household to romp with. However, it appears that Shirley does not like the company of other dogs so it’s a must that …

Park District of Oak Park Calendar, May 24

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:56:01 -0500

Headquarters, 218 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302. Registration required for all. Website www.oakparkparks.com. Main office (708) 383-0002; Paul Hruby Ice Arena at Ridgeland Common, 416 Lake St., (708) 848-9661; Rehm Pool is at 515 Garfield St. (between Gunderson and East avenues), (708) 848-2929; Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Ave., (708) 383-2612; Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St., (708) 386-4700; Longfellow Center, 610 S. Ridgeland Ave., at Jackson Boulevard, (708) 725-2150; www.oakparkconservatory.com. Historic Pleasant Home, 217 S. Home Ave., (708) 383-2654. Fee listed resident/nonresident. Summer Camp: Sign up now for summer camp. Camps for all ages. Sports camps, day camps, …

Oak Park Public Library Calendar, May 24

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:56:01 -0500

Main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., (708) 383-8200; Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson, (708) 386-4751; Dole Branch, 255 Augusta, (708) 386-9032. Registration is required unless otherwise noted; www.oppl.org. All events free and open to the public. All events are at the main library unless otherwise stated. For class dates and full descriptions, visit www.oppl.org/events/classes.htm. Chess Open Play: 5:30-9 p.m. Mondays. Open play, all ages, all skill levels. Drop in when you can. DIYA: Teens Button Up!: 4 p.m. May 24. Button making is back by popular demand. Express yourself with one-of-a-kind, hand-pressed buttons featuring your favorite musicians, actors, …

Oak Park and River Forest Community Calendar, May 24

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:56:01 -0500

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 The Greyhound Alliance: 12:30 p.m. June 2 at Emilio’s Tapas, 4100 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, benefit for greyhound adoption. Passed tapas, seafood paella and dessert. Paella demo by Chef Emilio, one glass of sangria, one hour of Spanish wine tasting. Live music …

New book brings top chefs’ food to any table

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:31 -0500

Plenty of folks would shy away from coaxing even just one recipe out of their favorite restaurant chef, but Chicago food writer Amelia Levin collected 59 such recipes for her first cookbook, Chicago Chef’s Table (Lyon’s Press, 2012). “I started by reaching out to as many chefs as I could, assuming that not everyone would be able or would want to contribute. But actually, most did,” Levin explained. In her kitchen in Chicago, the Highland Park native edited each recipe, ensuring the order of ingredients matched the instructions. In some cases, measurements had to be changed. “Restaurants use a lot …

Chef stays true to red, white and blue

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:06:00 -0500

When the American flag flies proudly on days like Memorial Day, Chef John Lane weaves the nation’s favorite color combination into many of the foods he makes. For his Memorial Day weekend menu at The Perfect Dinner in Oak Park, Lane will make plenty of pies and tarts colored by fresh red raspberries, blueberries and white cream cheese mousse. But he’ll also make something more out of the ordinary for the special day: red, white and blue pulled barbecue pork sandwiches. Patriotic eats “Memorial Day is a super American holiday,” Lane said. “Hard-working people are given a chance to relax …

Boomers, i.e. seniors, just want to have fun

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:26:17 -0500

This is a big birthday year for many baby boomers. Every day for the next 18 years or so, about 10,000 baby boomers — including me — will turn 65. And guess what? According to the Pew Research Center, many of us, whether through exercise, good nutrition or Botox, have no intention of taking on the “Senior Citizen” label. In fact, many intend to hang on to what they consider rightfully theirs: youth. Don’t go telling any baby boomers you know that old age starts at age 65. They’ll surely disagree. According to Pew, the typical boomer feels nine years …

Oak Park and River Forest Community Calendar, May 17

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:28:57 -0500

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. Clubs New Book Club: 10:30 a.m.-noon May 22 at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. Hosted by Joie Pierce, Oak Park talk show personality and literary tutor. Meetings every second and fourth Tuesday. The club is open …

Park District of Oak Park Calendar, May 17

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:28:49 -0500

Headquarters, 218 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302. Registration required for all. Website www.oakparkparks.com. Main office (708) 383-0002. Fee listed resident/nonresident. Summer Camp: Sign up now for summer camp. Camps for all ages. Sports camps, day camps, art camps, eco camps, circus camps and more. For more information or to register go online. Eco Ranger Camps: Experience nature close up this summer and learn how you can protect it. Kids age 6-9 will learn about the plant and wildlife at the Conservatory, explore its tropical rain forest and desert, create a cactus garden and visit Illinois woods and prairies. For …

Oak Park Public Library Calendar

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:28:37 -0500

Main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., (708) 383-8200; Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson, (708) 386-4751; Dole Branch, 255 Augusta, (708) 386-9032. Registration is required unless otherwise noted; www.oppl.org. All events free and open to the public. All events are at the main library unless otherwise stated. For class dates and full descriptions, visit www.oppl.org/events/classes.htm. Chess Open Play: 5:30-9 p.m. Mondays. Read & Reflect Book Group: Noon, May 18 at Dole Branch. In River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey, author Candice Millard brings to life both the danger of this Amazon exploration and Teddy Roosevelt’s legendary character, resulting …

Foods of the 28 NATO countries: Go Hungary

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:04:29 -0500

In the same way I’d hope summit participants will be able to enjoy a Chicago-style hot dog or quintessential Italian beef sandwich while they are in the Windy City, I want to embrace the spirit of NATO in my home kitchen. Here’s how.

Celebrating Seniors Week Calendar

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:24:10 -0500

Celebrating Seniors Week is a collaboration in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park. Go to celebratingseniors.net. Friday, May 18 Township Lunch: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday, Oak Park Township Senior Services. Lunch 11:30 a.m.; $1.50/meal. Transportation call (708) 383-4806. Free Vision Screening: by appointment 9:30-10:30 a.m., Oak Park Township Senior Services. Call (708) 383-8060. Power of Attorney: and Living Will forms preparation, 10 a.m.-Noon, Oak Park Arms. Registration (708) 383-8060. Senior Swim and Yoga: 10:30 to Noon, West Cook YMCA, Oak Park. Exercise at Home Workshop: 12:30-1:30 p.m., West Cook YMCA, Oak Park. Art Show and Reception: 5:30-8 p.m., Oak …