Fair to Help Match Volunteers with Community Opportunities

River Forest Library to hold event on Dec. 1.

Looking for a new outlet to use your energies and talents? The River Forest Public Library will have a one-stop way of getting folks connected with an organization that will be right for them. The library and other groups are sponsoring a Volunteer Fair from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 1 at the library, 735 Lathrop Ave. Representatives from such organizations as the River Forest Citizen Corps, Hephzibah Children's Assn., Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry, Sarah's Inn, West Suburban PADS and and Green Community Connections will be on hand with information and opportunities for folks to take part in. This fair is sponsored by River Forest Parks Foundation, River Forest Public Library and Whole Foods Market’s River Forest location. Call …

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There's Still Time to Run for Local Elections

School, parks, library and township contests on ballot in April in addition to village board.

The Oak Park-River Forest area may have just gone through an election. But now it's time to gear up for the local ones in the spring. In addition to village board, there will be other contests on the ballot April 9, and residents interested in serving on any boards still have time to collect signatures before the filing deadline. Packets containing petitions and other election information are available at the respective administrative offices or on the State Board of Elections website. Filing dates are from Dec. 17 to Dec. 24. Slates have already announced for Oak Park and River Forest municipal races, to be held on the same day. Here are other contests on the ballot. Oak Park Elementary District 97 The administrative office at District 97…

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The River Forest Public Library's Most Wanted: Nov. 8

Get unstressed after the election with a great book.

Here's a look at this week's most requested titles at the River Forest Public Library, courtesy of circulation manager Ted Bodewes. 1.  The Casual Vacancy - Rowling, J.K. (BOOK) 2.  Girl Gone -  Flynn, Gillian (BOOK) 3.  A Wanted Man  - Child, Lee    (BOOK) 4.  Homeland: The First Complete Season (DVD) 5.  Mark of Athena  -   Riordan, Rick (BOOK) 6.  The Panther - DeMille, Nelson  (BOOK) 7.  Sweet Tooth  - McEwan, Ian (BOOK) 8.  Winter of the World  - Follett, Ken  (BOOK) 9.  Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot - O'Reilly, Bill (BOOK) 10.Mad River - Sandford, John (BOOK) Need something else to read while you're waiting for these popular titles? Visit our blog, www.rfplreads.wordpress.com to find books recommended by library staff members, …

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The Week Ahead

Election Night Dinner, Watching at the Buzz: The Week Ahead

Anti-bullying video and more

“The Tyler Milsap Show” has been a popular program at Oak Park and River Forest High School. The latest episode packs quite a wallop: Tyler conducts powerful, emotional interviews with some brave OPRF students who share openly about being bullied. The show on television and the web from OPRF Studios focuses on topics important to Oak Park and River Forest high school students. The Buzz Cafe will host an Election Night 2012 dinner and watching party from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 905 S. Lombard Ave. An all-American dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and apple pie will be on the menu. Watch the election results live; licensed therapists will be available for advice and guidance - just in case. Call 708-660-0894 to make a reservation…

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The River Forest Public Library's Most Wanted: Oct. 23

Get mellow with these hot titles from the library.

Here's a look at this week's most requested titles at the River Forest Public Library, courtesy of circulation manager Ted Bodewes. 1. Girl Gone - Flynn Gillian (BOOK) 2. The Casual Vacancy - Rowling, J.K. (BOOK) 3. A Wanted Man - Child Lee (BOOK) 4. Homeland Season One (DVD) 5. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (DVD) 6. Winter of the World - Follett, Ken (BOOK) 7. The Mark of Athena - Riordan, Rick (BOOK) 8. The Round House - Erdrich, Louise (BOOK) 9. Sweet Tooth - McEwan, Ian (BOOK) 10. Where We Belong - Giffin, Emily (BOOK) Need something else to read while you're waiting for these popular titles? Visit our blog, www.rfplreads.wordpress.com to find books recommended by library staff members, read-a-like book lists, and more!  

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The Week Ahead

Stories in Your PJs and More: The Week Ahead

Rachel Carson's legacy, free film series held, dancing and more happening around town this week.

Loads are happening this week in Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest. Here's just a smidgen. Get breaking news alerts and follow us on Facebook for more news: Legacy of an Environmental Pioneer Learn about the successes, spiritual ground and courage of Rachel Carson during a program at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Assn., 178 Forest Ave., in Oak Park. Local resident Peggy McGrath will discuss Carson and her book "Silent Spring," the seminal book on the environment. Carson's masterpiece, which was published 50 years ago, was the impetus for the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air and Water acts and other efforts. The program starts at 1 pm; tea follows the program. Suggested …

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River Forest Fire Chief Reads to Kids, Teaches Fire Safety

River Forest Fire Chief Jim Eggert read to kids as part of Fire Prevention Week in partnership with the River Forest Public Library on Tuesday afternoon.

As part of a the River Forest Library's Celebrity Storytellers program, local fire chief Jim Eggert, spent some time on Tuesday afternoon reading to kids, showing them around the fire station and explaining how their special suits help them save lives—even if they look a little scary sometimes. Each year in River Forest, the fire chief spends time reading to kids during Fire Prevention Week. It's an important opportunity for the kids to learn about fire safety and for firefighters to teach kids about the job. "Today is a special day," Eggert told about 15 kids in attendance at the reading. "140 years ago there was a big fire in the city of Chicago." The fire, of course, is the Great Chicago Fire, Eggert explained. He told the kids that …

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The Week Ahead

Firefighters Read to Kids Today and More: The Week Ahead

Sharpen your skates, get ready for spring and more.

Loads are happening this week in Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest. Here's just a smidgen. Get local news from Patch in your email inbox daily. Click here to sign up for the Forest Park Patch Newsletter. Click here to sign up for the Oak Park and River Forest Patch Newsletter. Open chess play for players of all ages and skills will take place at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, in the Book Discussion Room of Oak Park's main library, 834 Lake St. The weekly event is free and open to the public. Call 708-383-8200 for more information. Learn about lifestyle changes and early-detection options women can use to decrease their risk of breast cancer during a program at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9 in the Rush Medical Office building at Rush Oak Park …

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The Week Ahead

Mystery, Graphic Novels and the Civil War: The Week Ahead

A classic, the close of a season and much more.

Who can resist Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable? The Oak Park Public Library is launching a series of films honoring Colbert's long career by presenting "It Happened One Night." The 1934 film features Colbert as a runaway heiress who meets up with Gable, a wise-cracking reporter on the hunt for a good news story. Director Frank Capra’s charming romantic comedy won Oscars in all major categories, including best actress and best actor; it was the first film to do so. Oak Park film historian Doug Deuchler will introduce the film and conduct a discussion following each screening. The movie will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the main branch, 834 Lake St. It is free. William Kent Krueger will lead a discussion of his new book "Trickster's …

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Banned Books Week Coming Up in Oak Park and River Forest

Censorship is alive and well, as highlighted by Banned Books Week—and you might be surprised by who the most vocal challengers of books are.

The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week is held annually during the last week of Sept. (Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2012). The week is an occasion for libraries and bookstores across the U.S. to help folks realize just how real and ongoing a problem censorship is. At the Oak Park Library, staff will celebrate the week by inviting library-goers to pose for a "mug shot" with their favorite banned book. (See some of last year's photos here.) The week after, the Libary's "Idea Box" will feature a "most wanted" wall of the photos. The Oak Park …

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