Friday, February 22, 2013
Check out what Oak Park's saying this week in our roundup of Local Voices posts.
The Oak Park Public Library is ready to help you stash some extra cash with a series of workshops during Money Smart Week. Patricia McGuinness offered a glimpse into how Forest Park’s housing market fared during January. Gloor Realty shared photos of Oak Park homes included in this weekend’s open houses. Adorable pit bull puppy Maddox is looking for a home. If you scoop him up from the Animal Care League before Feb. 28, you can get him for the discounted price of $100. Bikeverywhere will be launching an interactive map-making site that will serve as a resource for Oak Park’s avid cyclists. Interested in having your say on Patch? Sign up to blog in our Local Voices section!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Musical sketches of America will highlight free concert at 7 p.m.
Folk singer/songwriter Ben Bedford will bring his musical sketches of America, its people, victories, and struggles to his free concert on Monday, February 25 at 7 pm at Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street. The issues that Bedford tackles in his songs are quite eclectic - from homelessness, the triumphs of Amelia Earhart to the life of writer Jack London. Often drawing upon history, Bedford’s music has a strong sense of time and place. His music has received extensive airplay on River City Folk and The Midnight Special, both syndicated by WFMT in Chicago. Rich Warren, host of the station's Folk Stage, named Bedford as one of the 50 most significant singer-songwriters of the past 50 years. And that list includes such legendary folk …
41.888648
-87.795493
Oak Park Public Library Main Branch
834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/folk-singer-ben-bedford-to-perform-monday-at-oak-park-public-library
246216
/locations/8840301
Monday, February 18, 2013
Catalog access, digital downloads and online tools will not be available at Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park libraries.
If you have materials due Feb. 25 or 26 at your local library, renew them now. SWAN, the consortium that provides catalog and other support for more than 80 area libraries - including those in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park - will be down for maintenance. As a result, there will be no access to the catalog, cardholder accounts, digital downloads or online tools, beginning at 7 p.m., Feb. 25. That means if you want to plan to go to the library, staff cannot look up books in the catalog or tell customers if items have been returned. Patrons can't renew items, check holds and review due dates. To check out materials, customers also will have to have their physical library card with them since a photo ID or memorized account number won…
41.898251
-87.782238
Dole Learning Center
255 Augusta St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/area-wide-library-system-down-for-maintenance-feb-25-and-26
245212
/locations/8824251
41.873579
-87.786692
Oak Park Public Library - Maze Branch
845 Gunderson Ave, Oak Park, IL
/articles/area-wide-library-system-down-for-maintenance-feb-25-and-26
245409
/locations/8824250
41.87578
-87.814354
7555 Jackson Blvd, Forest Park, IL
Forest Park Public Library
/articles/area-wide-library-system-down-for-maintenance-feb-25-and-26
/locations/8824253
41.892704
-87.814894
River Forest Public Library
735 Lathrop Ave, River Forest, IL
/articles/area-wide-library-system-down-for-maintenance-feb-25-and-26
1297135
/locations/8824252
Friday, February 15, 2013
Catch a band, see big things and learn about (nearly) big birds from Friday through Monday.
There's a three-day weekend coming up for many (President’s Day is Monday don’t you know), and so there will be a bunch of things out there that can make these three days enjoyable. Tributosaurus Becomes THE BAND The band Tributosaurus will perform the music of the legendary group The Band at 9 a.m. Friday at Fitzgerald’s Nightclub, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. Come in and dig the set: The set list includes Chest Fever, Across the Great Divide, Ophelia, King Harvest/Look Out Cleveland, Caledonia Mission, When You Wake/Tears of Rage; Shape I'm in/Poor Old Dirt Farmer, Anna Lee, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Unfaithful Servant, Rockin' Chair, Up on Cripple Creek, Makes No Difference, Don't Do It and The Weight. Tickets are $20. Dress …
41.888648
-87.795493
Oak Park Public Library Main Branch
834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/music-mirth-and-marketing-get-out-and-enjoy-the-long-weekend
246216
/locations/8812029
41.87385
-87.79404
Divine Consign
809 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL
/articles/music-mirth-and-marketing-get-out-and-enjoy-the-long-weekend
246749
/locations/8812026
41.892704
-87.814894
River Forest Public Library
735 Lathrop Ave, River Forest, IL
/articles/music-mirth-and-marketing-get-out-and-enjoy-the-long-weekend
1297135
/locations/8812030
41.880977
-87.794306
Oak Park Arms Retirement Community
408 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL
/articles/music-mirth-and-marketing-get-out-and-enjoy-the-long-weekend
1525768
/locations/8812028
41.865225
-87.789779
FitzGerald's Nightclub
6615 Roosevelt Rd, Oak Park, IL
/articles/music-mirth-and-marketing-get-out-and-enjoy-the-long-weekend
2017802
/locations/8812027
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Films, concerts and lectures will focus on uniquely American genres from blues to bluegrass to Broadway.
A major series of events showcasing music's unique influence on American culture will be staged during February and March at the Oak Park Public Library. The national program, America’s Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway, will offer 25 events, all taking place at the library's main branch, located at 834 Lake St. The series will include documentarys and "pitch perfect" film screenings, concerts, lectures and special evening events for teens and artists. Each will feature a uniquely American musical genre. Covering blues and gospel, Broadway, jazz, bluegrass and country, rock n’ roll, mambo and hip hop, popular music's deep connections to the history, culture and geography will be explored. Older …
41.888648
-87.795493
Oak Park Public Library Main Branch
834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/national-series-on-popular-music-will-be-showcased-at-oak-park-public-library
246216
/locations/8619277
Monday, December 31, 2012
Readers of the Hobbit can partake in a grand party with all the trappings this February.
The Hobbit, a modern tale of good versus evil - with dwarves and dragons thrown in for good measure - will be this year's Get Fired up For Reading offering at the Oak Park Public Library. Sign up for this winter's reading program at any location, through Feb. 2, and you can get for free a copy of J.R.R. Tolkein's famous prelude to the Lord of the Rings, while supplies last. Adults, teens and tweens are encouraged to participate in this enthralling read. The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life until the day when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and …
41.898251
-87.782238
Dole Learning Center
255 Augusta St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/take-a-adventure-with-bilbo-during-winter-read-at-oppl
245212
/locations/8468025
41.873579
-87.786692
Oak Park Public Library - Maze Branch
845 Gunderson Ave, Oak Park, IL
/articles/take-a-adventure-with-bilbo-during-winter-read-at-oppl
245409
/locations/8468024
41.888648
-87.795493
Oak Park Public Library Main Branch
834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/take-a-adventure-with-bilbo-during-winter-read-at-oppl
246216
/locations/8468023
The executive director spoke with Patch about her six years at Oak Park and its challenges.
Deirdre Brennan has made an indelible mark during her six years as the executive director of the Oak Park Public Library system. Her engaged leadership has brought in a team of creative librarians that has been encouraged to grow and learn. Their work has brought innovative programs and services that have more than brought Oak Park into the digital age - it's opened that world to people, while they cannot afford to own high-end technology, they have been able to learn and use computers, borrow Nooks and the like. Residents can usually find a program that will meet their needs - or their passions. The library has become an even more popular mecca for people who want to find new worlds to explore. And it's also brought the system a national …
41.898251
-87.782238
Dole Learning Center
255 Augusta St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/deirdre-brennan-closes-a-chapter-at-oak-park-public-library
245212
/locations/8473862
41.873579
-87.786692
Oak Park Public Library - Maze Branch
845 Gunderson Ave, Oak Park, IL
/articles/deirdre-brennan-closes-a-chapter-at-oak-park-public-library
245409
/locations/8473863
41.888648
-87.795493
Oak Park Public Library Main Branch
834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/deirdre-brennan-closes-a-chapter-at-oak-park-public-library
246216
/locations/8473864
Friday, December 28, 2012
Several vying to be River Forest trustee; River Forest library board will have to name one person to its board.
Candidates will vie to become village president in Oak Park and River Forest and there will be a contest for trustee in the latter community this spring. One other race in Oak Park will be competitive in the April 9 election as five people will be running for four seats on the library board, according to filing information provided by both communities. Three of them are incumbents. Several races will not be competitive including contests for Oak Park trustee and village clerk, park board in both communities and Oak Park Township. Information was not available on a slate for River Forest Township. As only one candidate filed documents to run for the River Forest library board of trustees, the sitting board will be required to fill the …
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Area restaurants, venues to have parties, special deals for frolickers and their families.
Looking for some great ideas of where to go on New Year's Eve? From kid-friendly doings to a late-night champagne toast, there's a few places around town that can fill those bills. Just let Patch be your guide! Wonder Works' Children's Museum: From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wonder Works, 6445 North Ave. in Oak Park, will be "counting down" to the New Year with a party for the whole family. Sparkling cider, guided crafts, face painting, games from around the world, music and singing all will be included with a $6 general admission. For more information call 708-383-4815 or visit www.wonder-works.org. West Cook YMCA: Celebrate New Year's Eve around the world with family friendly activities from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the West Cook YMCA. …
41.888648
-87.795493
Oak Park Public Library Main Branch
834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/the-ultimate-new-year-s-eve-guide
246216
/locations/8457767
41.87269
-87.78051
Trattoria 225
225 Harrison St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/the-ultimate-new-year-s-eve-guide
246266
/locations/8457768
41.886115
-87.794431
Maya Del Sol
144 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL
/articles/the-ultimate-new-year-s-eve-guide
246413
/locations/8457769
41.88643
-87.80247
Marion Street Cheese Market
100 S Marion St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/the-ultimate-new-year-s-eve-guide
246652
/locations/8457770
41.86523
-87.78964
6615 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, IL
Fitzgerald's Night Club
/articles/the-ultimate-new-year-s-eve-guide
/locations/8457771
41.90118
-87.82198
Dominican University
7900 Division St, River Forest, IL
/articles/the-ultimate-new-year-s-eve-guide
1297627
/locations/8457772
41.90912
-87.786667
Wonder Works
6445 North Ave, Oak Park, IL
/articles/the-ultimate-new-year-s-eve-guide
1417926
/locations/8457773
41.87954
-87.8098
7403 Madison St, Forest Park, IL
House Red Vinoteca
/articles/the-ultimate-new-year-s-eve-guide
/locations/8457774
41.884633
-87.802442
225 S Marion St, Oak Park, IL
West Cook YMCA
/articles/the-ultimate-new-year-s-eve-guide
/locations/8457775
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Party for Deirdre Brennan set for to Friday; interim named to serve until board decision in March.
As long-time Oak Park Public Library director Deirdre Brennan leaves Oak Park to take on a new challenge as executive director of a statewide library organization, an interim leader will assume her position through March. Rebecca Teasdale, the Assistant Director for Public Services and Programs, has been named interim director, effective January 1, 2013. Teasdale has served in her current position since 2010, in which she oversees branch and online services. She was deputy director and director of reference services at the Schaumburg Township District Library. Previously Teasdale worked in library systems in Oregon. She recently completed a three-year term on the executive board of the Illinois Library Association. She was named the …
41.888648
-87.795493
Oak Park Public Library Main Branch
834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL
/articles/oak-park-to-say-farewell-to-outgoing-director
246216
/locations/8434619
