Week in Review: March 25

We can't be everywhere and neither can you. Our new "Week in Review" is designed to bring you up to speed on local news in Oak Park and River Forest. Here goes: 

Kick Out the Jam(balaya):"The rice is the key to the whole dish, it's the trickiest part; you have to make sure it cooks through," pro-am chef and winner of the 17th annual  Taste of Jambalaya at FitzGerald's Melissa Elsmo told Forest Leaves. "There are a million ways to go wrong, but when it goes right, it's a magical dish."

Leave the Monocle At Home: "Supplied with bells and glow sticks, audience members will be invited by the narrator to join in," writes Laura Stuart of Verismo Opera Club's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute, which debuts Friday at 

Demand to Expand? Plans are in the very early stages, but the boundaries of the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District .

Budget, Balanced: The River Forest Village Board has reviewed the 2011-2012 budget, which will be displayed for public review at Village Hall, and online here. Recommendations include a water rate hike to pay for a major renovation of a broken water main and the creation of an economic development fund. (Via Oak Leaves)

Farm Fresh: A Live Here Oak Park member is introducing a new Community Supported Agriculture plan, or CSA, called Gray Farms Produce to the community. (via LHOP)

Rock for Relief: The folks behind the are throwing a fundraiser April 14 to aid the relief effort in Japan. It'll be hosted by living radio legend Terri Hemmert. Details here.

Five Aces: Led by senior right-hander Will Polley, the OPRF Huskies baseball team has plenty of depth on the mound, reports Wednesday Journal. Side note: Baseball season is so, so close. 

Hugs, Not Drugs: Community leaders, police and local parents took to the podium at a recent forum aimed at preventing alcohol, tobacco and marijuana abuse. Among the recommendations?

Still Good: A program called Produce Rescue takes fruits and vegetables that have reached their technical "sell-by" date and makes them available to the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry. (via Wednesday Journal)