Thursday Night Out Returning to Oak Park

Dining outdoors has its perks in Downtown Oak Park—live music, entertainment and deals are included in this guide to summer dining. Thursday Night Out runs May 23 through Aug. 29.

It's finally getting warmer out, and that means more restaurants will offer outdoor seating. But in Oak Park, the downtown businesses are going all-out to bring deals, entertainment and more to dining al fresco.  The Downtown Oak Park business district returns its Thursday Night Out starting May 23, and it will last through Aug. 29. every Thursday. Diners can purchase $12 ticket booklets, which contain four "dine-around" tickets and one voucher for $2.50 off two adult-priced movie tickets. A dine-around ticket is good for one item from the Thursday Night Out menu.  Ticket booklets are available at the Downtown Oak Park kiosk at Lake and Marion from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. If it's raining, they will be available at 115 N. Marion St. For every two …

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Downtown Oak Park Recognized Among Best Downtown Areas

The International Downtown Association made Oak Park its "Downtown of the Month," following larger cities Atlanta and Cleveland.

We all know what Downtown Oak Park offers, but now it's getting international attention. The International Downtown Association recognized the business district as its "Downtown of Month" in April. It's just the third downtown association to receive the honor, following the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District and Downtown Cleveland Alliance.  The IDA champions "vital and livable urban centers and strives to inform, influence and inspire downtown leaders and advocates," according to a Downtown Oak Park news release.  IDA spokesman Kevin Moran said two major factors are considered: commitment to best practices and diversity of organization. Oak Park stood out because of programming and strategic collaborations. "Oak Park is a great example…

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$5 Lunches Offered at Downtown Oak Park Restaurants

Find the best deals in downtown Oak Park, lasting through the rest of March.

Looking for some cheap eats during lunch in Oak Park? Downtown Oak Park has been offering $5 lunch deals at participating restaurants all month, and the deals run through the end of March. All you have to do is go to one of the participating restaurants and tell the server you're ordering from Downtown Oak Park's $5 lunch special menu.  Here's a list of the available deals:  Boss Burrito, 1110 Westgate $5 specials include two tamales, enchiladas or tostadas, all with rice and beans.  Café Fresh, 1114 Lake St. All wraps, paninis, quesadillas and salads are $5. Open to non-fitness club members from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cold Stone Creamery, 134 N Marion Hot stone desserts are $4.99 (a $5.59 value). Not valid with any other offers.  Falafill, …

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Artists Sought for Historic Downtown Sculptures

Up to 12 sculptures will be displayed in the heart of downtown Oak Park over the summer. Selected artists will received an $1,800 stipend.

From the Village of Oak Park: Aiming to build upon the success of last year's first community sculpture walk, the Public Art Advisory Commission is seeking artists to display their work in the heart of historic downtown Oak Park. Up to 12 sculptures will be displayed on metal pads outdoors from June 2 to Sept. 2. Selected artists will receive a stipend of $1,800 and the Village may choose to purchase one or more pieces. Three pieces of art were purchased at the conclusion of the 2012 Sculpture Walk expanding the growing collection of public art in the community. Guidelines and an application form are posted at www.oak-park.us/sculpturewalk, and the deadline to apply is April 19. For more information, call 708-358-5401, ext. 8778 or e-mail …

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Downtown Businesses to Display Eco-Art Pieces

The Downtown Oak Park businesses are partnering with local schools to showcase art created by students using recyclable materials.

Window shopping will be a bit more artsy and eco-friendly at some Oak Park businesses this April. Downtown Oak Park is partnering with local schools for the first time to showcase 11 pieces of art created by students using recyclable materials. They'll be on display from April 1 to April 20. Community members will be able to vote for their favorite inside participating businesses, and the winner will be announced at the Village of Oak Park’s Earth Fest on Saturday, April 20. "Aside from recognition for being green, the winning students will also win a zero-waste pizza party," according to a Downtown Oak Park news release. Downtown Oak Park has initiated other green efforts, including sustainable event practices and applying for …

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Green Halloween Festivities this Saturday

A whole lot of family, environmentally-friendly activities will happen in and near downtown Oak Park this Saturday. Catch "Gumby the Movie," buy and decorate a pumpkin or take the Green Pumpkin trail and get some pretty cool snacks.

Green Halloween Takes the Holiday to a Whole New Level

Event promotes family, environmentally-friendly activities in and near downtown Oak Park.

Tots and adults who are tots at heart will feel right at home with these eek-o-friendly Halloween festivities coming up in and around downtown Oak Park. On Green Halloween from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, businesses, churches and organizations will offer plenty of kids activities and healthy treats for the season. Youngsters ages 3 to 8 are encouraged to wear costumes to this fest, which will start at 10 a.m. with a showing of "Gumby the Movie" at the Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake St. Come early and meet the green guy in the "flesh." Once the movie's out kids can hop over to the "Green Pumpkin Trail," better known as Grace Episcopal, 924 Lake St. They'll get a trail map and a stamp card, and if they take part they'll get a special treat …

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Microbrew Review is Back and Bigger Than Ever

Brewers, tasters will converge once again in downtown Oak Park to sample beers and help the earth. Here's what you need to know.

Lovers of craft beer, rejoice. It's almost time again for the Microbrew & Food Review, the annual brewer's extravaganza in downtown Oak Park thrown by Seven Generations Ahead. Proceeds from the zero-waste event (think compostable plates and utensils, compost bins and buckets for liquid waste) will help operations at the environmentally minded Oak Park nonprofit. It takes place Aug. 18.  Related: Stats from the 2011 Microbrew Review The event's popularity continues to swell, and the festival's boundaries have once again been extended. This year, vendors along Marion Street will be slinging suds Lake Street all the way down to Pleasant Street. Complete festival info here. But the bigger festival grounds don't necessarily mean an abundance of…

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Casey Cora

1:56 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012

MKP, it's because the author is a knucklehead. It's in there now. The event takes place Aug. 18 from 3-7 p.m. for "Taster's Choice" tickets. The "Crafter's Choice" and "Master's Choice" tickets allow patrons extra time in the fest, but those tickets are long gone. Please see the link to the official Microbrew Review page for more. And thanks!   more ›

Art in the Street, With a European Flair

Art dans la Rue to transform downtown Oak Park into a European street art festival, with al fresco dining, jazz performances, cabaret singers, magicians and a sidewalk chalk art competition.

Pat Zubak Out as Downtown Oak Park Director

Business group seeks new leader after retirement announcement.

Pat Zubak, director of the Downtown Oak Park business group, has announced her surprise retirement. In an email to friends on Tuesday, Zubak, an Oak Park native, said she and her husband made a decision to uproot from the village. They'll sell their Oak Park home and move to Hinsdale, Wednesday Journal reports. She'll continue her post until the end of August. “It has been a tremendous honor to work in this capacity in Oak Park, my hometown. It has also been a privilege to work with the business and property owners not only in this district, but throughout the community," she said in a statement issued by DTOP (attached). "Oak Park is fortunate to be blessed with so many talented and committed business and community leaders.” Zubak has …

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