Big Week: Sept. 4 – 11

Emily Paster presents Five Ways to Preserve the Harvest Wednesday, Sept. 11, 1pm, Cheney Mansion.

Brazilian pianists Laura Umbelino and Elider DiPaula perform the music of Brazilian composer Ronaldo Miranda. Saturday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m., Unity Lutheran Church.

Moment presents Counter Balance: The Power of Integrated Dance. September 7 & 8 at Hoover-Leppen Theatre

The Great Oak Park Food Truck Rally | Sunday, Sept. 8, 3 to 7 p.m., Pilgrim Congregational Church:

Musical Shabbat Service, with Pets| Friday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m., Austin Gardens: Temple Har Zion, River Forest, is hosting an “inspiring and spiritual” Sabbath event with guitars, a keyboard, and drums.

First Sale of the Season

Thursday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Economy Shop:

At the resale shop where every sale benefits six local nonprofits, explore shelves of all newly donated merchandise in 16 rooms, from clothes and shoes to housewares and antiques, to craft supplies, furniture, books and more. Other dates this month: Saturday, Sept. 14 and 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More: economyshop.org. 103 S. Grove Ave., Oak Park.

Counter Balance IX – The Power of Integrated Dance

Saturday, Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 8, 3 p.m., Hoover-Leppen Theatre, Center on Halsted:

Oak Park’s MOMENTA, Access Living, and Bodies of Work lights up the stage with a variety of integrated dance performances. $20; $15, people with disabilities/seniors/students; $5, ages 10 and under. Inclusive dance workshops, Sunday, Sept. 8, 11 a.m. to noon. Tickets/more: momentadances.org/counter-balance-ix. 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago.

Five Ways to Preserve the Harvest

Wednesday, Sept. 11, Noon, Cheney Mansion:w

The Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest meets before the 1 p.m. presentation by food blogger and cookbook author Emily Paster. Her interactive presentation covers canning to freezing to drying and root-cellaring and fermentation. Free; all welcome. More: gcoprf.org.

220 N. Euclid, Oak Park.

The True Unity Classical Concert Series

Saturday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m., Unity Lutheran Church:

Hear Brazilian pianists Laura Umbelino and Elider DiPaula as they feature music of the Brazilian composer Ronaldo Miranda for solo piano and piano 4 hands. Up next: Saturday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m., 60th Celebration of the Life of Heitor Villa Lobos. Free; donations accepted to start a Music Academy. More: project88berwyn.org. 6720 31st St., Berwyn.

The Great Oak Park Food Truck Rally

Sunday, Sept. 8, 3 to 7 p.m., Pilgrim Congregational Church: 

Experience a variety of food-truck fare with flavors from around the world, while listening to live music. Also take a tour of the historic church. Activities for children and youth include a bounce house, storytelling and more. Bring your own blankets, chairs and tables – limited seating available on site. 460 Lake Street in Oak Park

Midday Meditation

Thursday, Sept. 5, Noon to 12:30 p.m., Book Discussion Room, Main Library: 

Recharge you mind with a meditation break. Led by yoga teacher Betsy Grimm. More:  oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Musical Shabbat Service, with Pets

Friday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m., Austin Gardens:

Temple Har Zion, River Forest, is hosting an “inspiring and spiritual” Sabbath event with guitars, a keyboard, and drums. All are welcome (including nonmembers), with or without pets; a special blessing will be given to pet owners and their fur friends. Bring chairs. No alcohol. Temple Har Zion shares Jewish values, friendship and life events through worship, learning and celebration. Free. RSVP by Tuesday, Sept. 10: 708-366-9000, wsthz.org. 167 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

Chinese Moon Festival

Sunday, Sept. 8, 2 to 4 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library: 

Hear Chinese myths and stories about the moon and enjoy a musical recording of “The Emperor’s Journey to the Moon,” by New York-based Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra based on Chinese legends and featuring Chinese instruments. Taste Chinese moon cakes and traditional Chinese tea. And, watch Chinese calligraphers pen individuals’ names in Chinese. 834 Lake St., Oak Park. 

Intergenerational Gardening at Whittier

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 4 to 5 p.m., Whittier Elementary School Garden:

Children ages 4 to 10 (with caregiver) and seniors are invited to Whittier’s accessible garden to make recipes with ingredients from the garden. Held in partnership with SugarBeet Schoolhouse. More: oppl.org/calendar. 715 N. Harvey Ave., Oak Park.

Please group the next two together (same presenter/author):

“Lost Without the River”

Sunday, Sept. 8, 2 to 3:30 p.m., River Forest Library:

Author Barbara Scoblic will discuss her new memoir of resilience, courage, and reinvention, and tells the tale of her experience growing up on a small Depression-era farm in South Dakota while yearning for a bigger life. 735 Lathrop Ave.

Memoir Writing: Recasting the Script

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7 to 9 p.m, Veterans Room, Main Library: 

Join Barbara Scoblic, author of the memoir, Lost Without the River, to hear about her travels around the world, her move to Manhattan where she raised her family, and, after many years of writing and interviewing her siblings, how she completed her book and then worked to get it published. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.