Thursday, March 31, 2011
Take a load off with this week's Patch Picks.
Come on, you're worth it. The five day spas making up this week's Patch Picks are proof enough of that. So sit back, relax and treat yourself to one of these nearby beauty salons. The Spa O, 703 W. Lake St., is the franchise's sixth location, but the first in the western suburbs. This new unisex day spa offers all the basics in manicures and pedicures, as well as waxing, facials and massages. Perfecting the art of the package deal, The Spa O also runs a number of discounted specials, ranging from the Signature Package all the way down to the Spa O Bridal Package. (708) 386-0703 Mon-Fri, 10-8 p.m.; Sat., 10-7 p.m.; Sun., 11-6 p.m. Founded on New Year's Day, 1980, Salon 212 & Day Spa, 109 S. Marion St., has long rewarded its loyal customers…
Thursday, March 24, 2011
A boring spring break doesn't have to feel broken — not when there are tons of places around town that provide a quick, fun fix.
This week's Patch Picks is a bit different. While we haven't crossed over into the world of day planning, we realize finding something interesting to do every single day can be a chore. So this time around, we've picked five fun-filled events spanning five spring days, beginning with Friday — perfect for those just breaking away from school and looking to start their spring break the right way. And, as always, hundreds more events like the ones listed below can be found using the handy, on-site Patch events calendar. Day 1: Friday, March 25, 7-9:30 p.m. Professor Plum. In the conservatory. With the wrench. If you've ever felt like your life was one huge game of Clue, Family Game Night might not be for you. But if you want to play a bunch …
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Looking for the place to be to eat, drink and be merry? Patch has you covered.
It's St. Patrick's Day, and this time around you won't need a four leaf clover to be considered lucky. To commemorate the holiday, Patch has picked five local watering holes hosting the hottest parties and offering the greatest – and greenest – specials. Healy's Westside Located at 7321 W. Madison St. in Forest Park, Healy's is an Irish pub and grill by design, and this year it will be offering a limited menu full of foods akin to Erin (Go Bragh). A representative at the bar tells us there will be more corned beef than any one Irishman or woman can shake a shillelagh at, along with cabbage and beef and lamb stew. (708) 366-4277. FitzGerald's The doors open a little early for this year's annual St. Patrick's Day Festival at the legendary …
Thursday, March 10, 2011
School's not out for summer just yet, but it's never too early to plan ahead and enroll the young ones in one of Oak Park and River Forest's many summer camps.
Spring has yet to officially spring according to the calendar, but many are already planning for summer. While California and Florida are annually two of the more popular vacation destinations, Oak Park and River Forest have some enticing offers for those looking a little closer to home. We're talking summer camps, of course, and the western suburbs are full of them. Patch picked five camps that best exemplify the spirit of the season still two seasons away. Eco-Ranger Camps There are three Eco-Ranger Camps offered by The Park District of Oak Park, each running three days a week for two weeks. The Eco-Ranger I camp is for ages 6-8; Eco-Ranger II for ages 9-11; and Eco-Ranger III for ages 10-12. The camps are designed “to create awareness …
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Inspired by National Read Across America Day, Patch has five book recommendations, courtesy of The Book Table.
Jason Smith and Rachel Weaver can be seen as a sort of local "power couple" of reading. Together, the pair own and operate Oak Park's The Book Table, 1045 Lake St., recently named the Chicago Reader's best bookstore of 2010. Together, the two have offered up a handful of their favorite titles for those partaking in National Read Across America Day, including: Room by Emma Donoghue Jason says: "You would think a novel told from the perspective of a 5-year-old would just be a literary device, but Donoghue never falters as you completely get immersed in the life of a child, from the everyday fascination and frustrations to the horrors stemming from his captivity with his mother in a room. It's one of the best novels of [2010], relentlessly …
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A look at a few local shops sure to put a little spring in any shopper's step.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Derek Walker
-
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Box up that big-box retailer, break free of the chain stores and settle into a little do-it-yourself shopping with these five unique boutiques. FOREIGN FASHION A rare gem in the suburban landscape, CarefulPeach Boutique brings the finest in European home décor stateside. Along with its impressive variety of foreign or otherwise uncommon linens and glass, CarefulPeach offers interior design consultations, hosts a "Friends' Night Out" group event and maintains its own wedding registry, among other services. 1024 North Blvd. in Oak Park, (708) 383-3066. INSPIRED DESIGNS Muse Oak Park has dubbed itself "a boutique for inspired living," and with its current lineup of high-fashion brand names for women, that might be difficult to argue. Though …
Thursday, February 17, 2011
On the lookout for those doing the most good.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Casey Cora
-
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Earlier this month, Oak Park-River Forest Patch launched a new feature called Patch Picks. It's designed to give you a quick look at places and people around town. We hope you'll find the lists helpful to you, your family, friends, and significant other in finding places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more. This week, we're highlighting local nonprofits doing great things. (Want to suggest a list? Submit your idea in the comment box.) Let's get to it: Parenthesis Family Center The Parenthesis Family Center was formed in 1980, with a focus on child development and social services. Today, staffers at the…
Thursday, February 10, 2011
With our handpicked local selections, it's almost impossible to screw things up.
Looking for Valentine's Day ideas in Oak Park and River Forest? Look no further. ANTI-VALENTINE'S PARTY Our first pick isn't romantic at all. And that's kinda the point. Marauding teens in grades 6 through 8 abound at the Park District of Oak Park's ANTI-Valentine's Day Party, which promises "plenty of fun activities, surprises, and movies that celebrate being single!" 49 Teen Center, 49 Lake St. in Oak Park $3 for members; $5 for non-members. (708) 383-0002 SPICE IT UP AT MAYA DEL SOL The hip ambiance of the Oak Park Avenue restaurant provides the perfect backdrop for a spicy romantic date. Throw in the culinary skills of chef Ruben Beltran, who's created a special Valentine's Day dinner menu, and it's bound to be a special night. 144 S…
John Mulu
6:11 am on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
There have been some really cool shopping app recommendations over the past couple of days...I ended up downloading the 'Should I Buy It?' app someone recommended and it is awesome! I was shopping for shoes and was able to quickly share them with my friends to see what they thought of them. Here is the link again to download: http://bit.ly/sibifm33 more ›