Ecological Landscaping: Why? How? Now!
Livestream Wednesday, April 85, Noon to 1 p.m.
Hear from horticulturist Ken Williams and learn how residential landscapes need to become nature sanctuaries. He will describe why and provide practical tips for how to make it happen with native plants. Meet virtually: gotomeet.me/SevenGenerationsAhead.
Native Plant Sale
Order now through May 23, pick up June 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Maywood or Lemont
Native plants add beauty and benefit the environment. They provide habitat and food for wildlife, are drought-resistant, absorb storm water and carbon, and are easy to grow. Brought by West Cook Wild Ones. Order: wild-ones-west-cook.myshopify.com/collections. Pick up at Forest Preserves of Cook County Maintenance Facility at Miller Meadow, 2199 S. 1st Ave., Maywood or Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont.
Access Library Materials Virtually
Both the Oak Park Public Library and the River Forest Library have eBooks, audio books and movies available through a variety of platforms accessible via their websites with a library card. Digital resources from homework help to newspapers and Consumer Reports are also available. Apply for a library card online too. OPPL digital materials and library cards: oppl.org/read-listen-watch/your-digital-library. RFPL materials: riverforestlibrary.org/digital; RFPL cards: riverforestlibrary.org/library-card-pre-registration
Can Do Community Challenge
Through April 30, benefits Beyond Hunger
Join the local hunger relief campaign designed to heighten awareness about local food insecurity. Food pantry donations are at their lowest during the spring. Beyond Hunger supports 1,400 families monthly. That need has increased due to the impacts of COVID-19. If $100,000 is raised, there will be a $25,000 match from Challenge Corp. Schools, organizations and individuals are encouraged to raise funds by making donations, holding virtual food drives, creating fundraising pages and more. Info: gobeyondhunger.org/CanDo2020. Watch the movie A Place at the Table, available on Hoopla/OverDrive through the libraries or free on Tubi/Roku.
Support Hephzibah Home
There are 25 young children, victims of trauma, sheltering in place at Hephzibah Home, and others that are served by the organization that need support. How you can help:
Donate to the Emergency Fund: hephzibahhome.org/donate
Purchase wish-list items and have them delivered directly to Hephzibah Home: hephzibahhome.org/donate/wishlist
Provide a dinner for children and staff at Hephzibah Home: email hweigel@hephzibahhome.org
Story Times and More with Children’s Librarians
Both the River Forest Public Library and the Oak Park Library have YouTube channels so children can view clips of their favorite children’s librarians. RFPL: youtube.com/channel/UCCmWPqymDud_mwuleuU9KPA. OPPL: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoSPYo9unoWw81nT4SjPfEVIUPycrSeDM
“Writers & Lovers”
Virtual Book Club through River Forest Library
Access the book by Lily King on Hoopla. Then join a live Zoom discussion in late April.
Writers & Lovers follows Casey, a smart and vulnerable protagonist, in the last days of a long youth, in a novel that explores the terrifying and exhilarating leap between the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another. More: riverforestlibrary.org.
Wright Sites
Thursdays, Noon, livestream on Facebook+
Virtually visit Frank Lloyd Wright-designed public sites closed due to COVID-19. Access via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or websites. Free. Brought by Unity Temple Restoration Foundation. More: SaveWright.org/WrightVirtualVisits.
Art Gallery
While the Oak Park Library and its art gallery are closed, the works of the artist scheduled through March was cut short, but can be viewed online. Fine-arts weaver Berit Engen has focused since 2007, on “WEFT and D’RASH – Weaving a Thousand Jewish Tapestries.” More: beritengen.com.
Light in Winter: Dance & Music at Unity Temple
In February, Winifred Haun & Dancers performed an original composition, set to the original music of Renee Baker, created to reflect the architecture of the space. View the choreography of Haun, an Oak Parker, and the dance and music that explore the repeating shapes and designs of Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1905 master work of architecture. (:26) View: artsforillinois.org/posts/light-in-winter-dance-music-at-unity-temple?rq=oak%20park
Scavenger Hunt Walk
Anytime in the Oak Park Arts District
Look up at artist-designed, hand-painted banners to spot 15 items. Remember to keep social distancing while on the walk. Share photos on social media at #harrisonhunt. Can you spot a: bicycle, telephone, polka dot dress, kiss, blue square, cat(s), tentacle, violin, clouds, trumpet, pencil, spiders, falling leaf, white bird or two, and a paintbrush (of course!)? On Harrison St. between Austin and Ridgeland.
Oak Park Bulk Item Collection Suspended
If spring cleaning is on the to do list, don’t put out old furniture and broken appliances now. The village’s refuse hauler has suspended collection of large, bulk items typically picked up when a pink refuse sticker is attached. Regular refuse and recycling collection continues for residential properties of five or fewer units served under village contract. More: oak-park.us/village-services/refuse-recycling
