The nonprofit Housing Forward, which provides assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness across the western suburbs, recently reopened its Maywood headquarters.

A new community garden is blooming in River Forest, at the Pump House at the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Berkshire Street.

The Oak Park chapter of Scouts for Equality, an organization that advocates for equal treatment within Boy Scouts of America, formed part of the official color guard for the Chicago Pride Parade.

Here in the near-west suburbs, we like to think we are a bit unique. No blocks full of newly built, cookie-cutter homes for us. Some new construction finds its way in, but much of our housing stock is historic. 

More than 60 bands on three stages playing a cross section of Americana music fairly describes FitzGerald's 37th annual American Music Festival, starting on Friday. For 36 of those years, owner Bill FitzGerald booked the bands. But this year, the nightclub's talent buyer Donnie Biggins has taken on booking 40 mainstage bands for the four-day event.

On the 101st anniversary of the birth of Gwendolyn Brooks, June 7, the poet laureate of Illinois was eternalized with the unveiling of a bronze bust capturing her deep in thought — and inviting others to do the same. 

For the sixth year, the Oak Park Area Gay & Lesbian Association (OPALGA) is offering scholarships to youth in the community for continuing education for graduating high school students, or for continuing college or trade school students. 

On Oct. 13, 2018, OPALGA will host its twenty-second annual Gala at Oak Park's Nineteenth Century Club, and the planning is already well underway for an event unlike any other.

Oak Park and River Forest High School's school board approved an updated equity policy which puts in place procedures to ensure that transgender students, gender nonconforming students and students questioning their gender have a safe, affirming and healthy school environment.

As temperatures soared into the 90s last week, kids of all ages sought to beat the heat by heading over to Rehm Pool in Oak Park to test out the slides, water cannons and climbing wall.