Actual Fun

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13

Opening reception for artist Nick Bridge

Meet the talent and soul behind the urban landscapes on display this month at Oak Park Public Library Gallery. The featured artist is Oak Parker Nick Bridge, chairman of the Oak Park Village Public Arts Commission and a former park commissioner. Having painted these city scenes since the mid-1980s, Bridge delivers a perspective about change. The exhibit runs through Nov. 29. For more about Bridge, go to www.nickbridge.com. The reception is free. On the second floor of the main library branch, at 834 Lake. 383-8200, www.oppl.org.

7 to 8:30 p.m.Thursday, Nov. 13

The story of how Unity Temple got built

David M. Sokol, a retired art history professor and author of Oak Park, Illinois: Continuity and Change, will be at Unity Temple to sign the first copies of his new book The Noble Room. This 224-page hardcover tells of how the Unitarian congregation worked with Frank Lloyd Wright to create the masterpiece that is Unity Temple. The book honors the centennial of the architectural wonder at

7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13

Chocolate Heaven at Cheney Mansion

Holiday shopping takes on a sweeter theme as St. Edmund Parish School sponsors a Girls’ Night Out at Cheney Mansion called Chocolate Heaven. Indulge in themed desserts and drinks while browsing and buying in one of Oak Park’s architectural sights. $5. At 220 N. Euclid. 383-2612

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14:

Parents’ Night Out

If you’ve got a 3- to 9-year-old and could use an evening of structure for the kiddos so you can enjoy a night out, the Park District of Oak Park is there for you. From 6 to 9 p.m. at Fox Center, kids can take in a movie over pizza. In accordance with the evening’s theme of Under the Sea, there will be snacks and other activities, too. $14. At 640 S. Oak Park Ave. 383-6908, www.oakparkparks.com

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14

MumFest

Celebrate the splendor of Oak Park Conservatory at night-and the cheer of chrysanthemums. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, music, a raffle and all-out awe of autumn’s popular perennial. $20-$25. At 615 Garfield. 725-2460, www.fopcon.org.

4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14

Chili weather

River Forest United Methodist Church invites you to its Chili Café, where there will be two types of chili with all the toppings. $7; $3 for children 5 to 12; free for kids 5 and younger. Save a $1 if you take Metra and present your train pass. Proceeds benefit the church’s Rainbow Covenant Mission. Reservations recommended, but not required. Call 771-3668 or e-mail rfumchurch@sbcglobal.net. 7970 W. Lake, River Forest.

7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15

Artful Object

At the Oak Park Area Arts Council’s fall benefit show, Art: Outside the Box, find out what the deal is with the guy running around town this week with a red box on his head. Check out 85 collections by local artists in the atrium of the Shake Building, 1100 Lake, Oak Park. The dining will be Italian, from Armand’s, and the bidding will be silent. $75-$85. For tickets, call 358-5690 or go to www.oakparkareaartscouncil.org.

9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15

Bluegrass and rhythm and blues at Unity Temple

American roots music comes to downtown Oak Park as folksinger Amy Dixon-Kolar brings her mix of bluegrass and old-time rhythm and blues to Unity Temple’s 3rd Saturday Coffeehouse. The singer and songwriter from Chicago-who by day is a sign language interpreter-plays guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bodhrán and bowed psaltery. One of Dixon-Kolar’s songs, “The Crucible,” is on the top 100 on Neil Young’s online list Living with War Today. A $3 to $5 donation is requested. 875 Lake, 660-9376

10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 15

How to Run for Public Office workshop

Been wanting to get more involved in your community? Wanna say in the decisions made by your local school or park district board? The League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest will show you how to get started with coaching a panel of former members of village, township, school, library and park boards. Free. At Maze branch of Oak Park Public Library. 845 Gunderson

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16

Amaryllis bulb sale

For an array of holiday blooms indoors, get to Cheney Mansion for this annual sale. Expect a variety of hybrids, miniatures and novelties in the traditional winter lily. 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park. 383-2612, www.cheneymansion.com

3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16

Sushi class

Get three hours of hands-on instruction in this specialty preparation. $70. Call 708-488-0808 to reserve, or go to www.flavourcookingschool.com. Flavour Cooking School, 7401 W. Madision

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16

A Kinzer double treat

Not every art show ends with firsthand accounts of international struggle. But at Gallery Pink in Oak Park’s Arts District this weekend, readings by veteran New York Times foreign correspondent Stephen Kinzer will punctuate the closing of an exhibit that includes the work of Marianne Kinzer, his wife. Get a last look at Currents: Reflections on Water, a show of environmentally inspired paintings by Marianne Kinzer and landscape photography by Susan Bjornson, while listening to readings by Stephen Kinzer, author of such books as All the Shah’s Men and Crescent and Star. Gallery Pink, the studio of artist Janice Elkins, is at 149 Harrison, at the corner of Lombard. 386-1495.