Yiddish Singing Group Celebrates Chanukah at the Buzz

Mameloshn, latkes and the warmth of the Festival of Lights.

Gut yontif and pass the latkes! For the past 15 years, the Yiddish singing group, Mameloshn, has brought some of the traditions of Chanukah and plenty of the warmth of the Festival of Lights to the Buzz Cafe, 905 S. Lombard Ave..  Started 18 years ago at Oak Park Temple, the group performs during Shabbat services and stages programs for the synagogue. Mameloshn also frequents other events throughout the state including the Greater Chicago Jewish Folks Art Festival.  But the yearly performance at the Buzz is one they really look forward to, according to Michael Bass, a member of the group. "It's become a very nice tradition," Bass said. "It's an opportunity to gather as a community and to have a lot of fun." The group will be putting on its…

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Try These Hanukkah Recipes During the Festival of Lights

Make these brisket, latke, and sufganiyot recipes for Hanukkah. Or, get many of them to-go from local spots in Oak Park and River Forest.

This year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 8 and ends on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 16. The Oak Park area has a marvelous holiday tradition, and this year it will be celebrated Thursday, Dec. 13, the sixth night of the Festival of Lights. Mamaloschn, Oak Park Temple's Yiddish singing group, will be at the Buzz Cafe, 904 S. Lombard Ave., for a bit of singing and freylach (Yiddish for joy). Of course, there'll be latkes. Seating will be from 6 to 7:15 pm for families with children; 7:30 to 8:45 pm for teens and adults. The cost is $7.50. Register here. Observing the Festival of Lights goes hand-in-hand with making special Hanukkah foods. Before you light the menorah, make sure you have all the ingredients for some great …

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Oak Park Arts District Lights Up Friday and Saturday

The Annual Holiday Lights night on Harrison Street brings bands, openings and special sales on Friday and Saturday.

The cafes, boutiques and galleries will glow on Friday evening in the Oak Park Arts District on Harrison Street for Holiday Lights, the district's annual shopping and open house event. Holiday Lights kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 and runs until 10 p.m. Can't make opening night? No worries, Holiday Lights will continue on Saturday too, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The boutiques and galleries that line the street will be offering special entertainment and sales to draw customers looking to get started on their holiday shopping lists. Musical entertainment will be provided at The Eastgate Cafe, The Buzz Cafe and Val’s Halla. And, if you're looking for a stocking stuffer for your favorite rock and roll fan, Val's will also be holding a …

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Viewfinder: Election Night at the Buzz Cafe, FitzGerald's

Voters anxiously await the results at the Buzz Cafe as Democrats party the night away at FitzGerald's.

It seems all of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park was holding their collective breath as they anxiously awaited the results of the 2012 Election on Tuesday evening. Some headed to the Buzz Cafe in Oak Park for an all-American meal of meatloaf, green beans and mashed potatoes, topped off with a slice of apple pie for dessert. The neighborhood cafe even had two professional therapists on hand—just in case of an Obama loss. Across town in Berwyn, the Democratic Party of Oak Park was taking in the election in a slightly more festive atmosphere—an all out party. Food, snacks and plenty of drinks kept up Democrats' optimism as they watched the various state and federal contests unfold. But finally, at 10:15 p.m., CNN called Ohio for Obama …

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Anxious About the Election? Talk to a Therapist as the Results Arrive at the Buzz Cafe

As they did in 2004, the Buzz Cafe in Oak Park will have therapists on hand as customers watch the election results roll in—in case you need a professional's shoulder to cry on.

By all accounts, it's going to be a nail biter of an election tonight as the results roll in. It probably comes as no surprise that at the polls in Oak Park this morning, voters were feeling a bit anxious about the outcome. If you're one of them, you might want to consider talking to someone tonight—over a cup of coffee perhaps. Starting at 6 p.m. tonight, the Buzz Cafe, 905 S. Lombard Ave. in Oak Park, will be turning on the television (a rare event) as employees and customers come together to watch the election returns. The event will offer place for people to come together to watch the election end—but also to provide some psychological comfort if the outcome doesn't go their way. Buzz Cafe owner Laura Maychruk first decided to provide …

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Annual Wright Ride Offers Leisurely Tour Through Western Suburbs

All ages and skill levels welcome at the Oak Park Cycle Club's event.

This leisurely Sunday morning biking event is definitely a labor of love. The Oak Park Cycle Club’s annual fundraiser, Wright Ride, takes nearly a year of preparation and there have been years the nonprofit group has actually lost money. Yet the number of participants has grown over the years, and the seventh annual event kicks off at 6:30 a.m. Sunday in downtown Oak Park at the corner of Marion and Westgate streets. An older version of the club, which has had various incarnations over the years, used to put on an invitational ride in DuPage County, but the group went defunct around 1999. Gail Moran, OPCC’s vice president, gathered with a small group of cycling enthusiasts at the Buzz Café who wanted to get the group going again, and OPCC …

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Get Out: Jamming, Tasting, Bluffing, Dancing

Another weekend, another chance to explore our amazing area.

Need local weekend plans? Look no further. WINE TASTING AT HOUSE RED When/Where: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at House Red, 7403 W. Madison St. in Forest Park Why Go: Italian winemaker Antonio Deltetto and Croatian winemaker Ivica Matosevic visit the Madison Street storefront, and its new "Vinoteca" wine bar, for a showcase of their wines. Price: Free TASTING AND BOOK SIGNING WITH NORMA RIXTER When/Where: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Magic Tree Bookstore, 141 N. Oak PARK Ave. Why Go: Author, "wellness guru" and Oak Park-River Forest realtor Norma Rixter will prepare recipes from her new book Norma Can COOK!, which highlights quick and healthy meals for families. Price: Free admission FATHER-SON POKER TOURNAMENT When/Where: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. …

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Overplanning and Under Deadline

Welcoming a New Face to Oak Park

The debut post from our Patch intern...

I'm really tired of moving. My name is Aly Brumback and I'm the intern for Chicago Patch. I'll be reporting over the summer for Oak Park-River Forest Patch. You might see me around town taking pictures, video or talking to members of the community. Come say "Hi" if you notice me. I'd love to hear what stories you want to see about your town. So, why do I hate moving? I moved up to Chicago at the beginning of this month, and my newest residence marks the fourth place I've lived in a year. Needless to say, I plan to stay here awhile. Last summer, I interned at the News and Record in Greensboro, N.C., then went back to my home state to finish my senior year at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., where I was the editor of the student …

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Get Out: Radiators Farewell, Super Beer Taste Test and a Big Ballroom Dance

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Another Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Fear not. We’ve got the best bets to get your weekend started. 1. FARE THEE WELL, RADIATORS Where and when:  FitzGerald's Night Club, 6615 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 9 p.m. Why go: This will be the last time — ever — to catch the legendary New Orleans-soaked rock 'n' roll jammers in the Chicago area. Beginning Thursday, they're playing a trio of farewell shows at FitzGerald's. Price: $25. Ticket info.  2. SUPER BOWL, SUPER BEER Where and when: Whole Foods in River Forest, Thursday at 4 p.m. Why go: Enjoy "expertly paired" classic tailgating side dishes with two different beers. Patrons can vote for their favorite pairing for a chance to …

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OPRF Teens on Open Campus: Case Closed

With few exceptions, students say parents don't understand the whole story.

Quit labeling all Oak Park-River Forest High School  students as troublemakers.  That's the message from several teens who convened at Buzz Cafe on Wednesday for a debate on the possibility of OPRF becoming a "closed campus."  "Some parents think that everybody does pot and gets wasted and does stupid and destructive things," said Sarah Macey, 17, an OPRF senior. "Not everybody does that."  While discussions about closing the campus — essentially outlawing the longtime student privilege allowing sophomore, junior and senior students to leave during lunch break — have been prevalent for years, the change in policy could be closer to reality than ever before. Recently, the student council raised a banner inside the school warning that "…

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