Friday, November 17, 2023 | |
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Dear River Forest residents,
We are mourning the loss of a truly impactful community member, Harriet Hausman, who passed away recently at the age of 100. Please learn about her many contributions to ours, and our greater community, in an article below.
If you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a loved one, Thrive Counseling Center will be hosting a presentation on grief Tuesday, November 28 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Brookdale Senior Living. I encourage anyone who is struggling to consider attending this free event. More information can be found here.
I was honored to attend last weekend’s Bal Dominique Gala, hosted by Trinity High School. Congratulations to Reverend Carl Morello for receiving the well-deserved Service Award at this event, and I am very humbled to have received the Leadership Award.
Lastly, Saturday, November 25 is Small Business Saturday, a nationwide observance that celebrates the positive impact small businesses and their owners have on their communities. Please consider supporting them whenever you can, and consider getting some of your holiday shopping done at the unique stores and boutiques in River Forest. If you spend $100 at a local small business, nearly $68 of those dollars go back to our community to provide vital services! If you shop at a regional chain store, just $14 comes back to our community - and online shopping brings just $1! A listing of River Forest businesses can be found here.
Sincerely,
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Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
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New Ordinance for Ribbons Around Trees | |
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The Village is renewing efforts to ensure that compliance with Village Code includes attention to our trees.
The Village Board on Monday night approved new parameters for the use of commemorative ribbons on trees, which will now be permitted. The change in the Village Code regarding the definition of these ribbons is as follows: “Material that is wrapped around a tree trunk without any permanent fixtures to promote awareness of certain causes or to memorialize events.” The Code goes on to say that, “Such ribbons are not permitted to promote political candidates, parties, or referenda. Ribbons are to be removed if they are determined by Village Staff to be in poor condition or are otherwise detrimental to the health of the tree.”
While ribbons that promote different causes can now be tied around trees, please ensure there are no attachments to the parkway trees through the use of items that could injure trees, such as screws, bolts, nails, rods, wire, or rope.
As a reminder, it is “unlawful to attach any sign, advertisement, or notice to any tree” in the parkway or public place or to “attach any wire or rope on parkway trees and shrubs”. The “parkway” is defined as the public way between the street and the property line, including the sidewalk area.
Any questions can be directed to Village Hall by calling 708-366-8500.
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Remembering Harriet Hausman | Local resident Harriet Hausman, who served as a River Forest Township trustee, was an Executive Board Director for the ACLU, and who participated in the Social Justice March of 1965, recently passed away. In April of this year when Harriet was 99 years old, the Village approved a proclamation recognizing her many contributions as a local leader and advocate for equal rights. Harriet’s long life was one that was well lived in the service of others, and she will be remembered for her giving nature. | |  |
Sarah's Inn Holiday Gift Drive | Village Hall is an official drop off location for the Sarah's Inn Holiday Gift Drive. The nonprofit organization is in need of toys, books and gifts for 300 children and teens impacted by domestic violence. Their goal is to distribute more than 1,000 gifts (3-4 per child) throughout the course of the donation drive - which runs through Monday, December 4. For more information, click here. | | |
Prevent a Turkey Fryer Fire | |
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The Fire Department wants everyone to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday safely. Since Thanksgiving is a peak day for home cooking fires due to turkey fryers that can easily overheat and start a fire, residents are encouraged to follow safety tips on how to prevent a turkey fryer fire here.
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Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Chicago is an official drop-off location for the Toys for Tots program. You can donate new and unwrapped toys for in-need children this holiday season now through Thursday, December 7. The toys can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. To learn more, or for additional drop-off locations, click here. | | |
River Forest and Oak Park residents ages 60+ are able to pick up frozen, microwaveable five-meal packs every Friday, for the remainder of 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Oak Park Township Senior Services Center. The suggested meal donation is $1.50/per meal. Call 708-383-8060 to reserve meals for pick-up, or for delivery if seniors are homebound, have a disability, or are otherwise unable to pick up their meals. | | |
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Fall leaf cleanup is now underway, which allows residents to rake leaves into the street where Village crews will collect them. The program runs through the first week in December. Leaves should be piled near, but slightly away from the curb, to ensure there is proper drainage if there is a rain event. Village crews will collect leaves throughout the workday based on the following schedule:
- Monday: Areas west of Thatcher Avenue, including Edgewood, and Auvergne Place, River Oaks Drive and Lake Street, and all streets south of the railroad tracks.
- Tuesday: All streets between William Street and Harlem Avenue.
- Wednesday: All streets between Lathrop and Monroe avenues (north of the railroad tracks).
- Thursday: All streets between Park and Ashland avenues (north of the railroad tracks).
- Friday: All streets between Thatcher and Forest avenues (north of the railroad tracks).
A map of the collection schedule can be found on the Village website here. Please note, this program allows for the pick‐up of leaves only. Grass clippings, brush and any other type of material should be disposed of by following the Village’s refuse and yard waste procedures. Anyone interested in participating in the Village’s Curbside Composting Program can find more information here.
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Triton College
Spring Registration
| Spring registration is now open at Triton College! If you register for classes now through Wednesday, November 22 you will automatically be entered in a raffle to win a three-credit-hour tuition waiver! Registration is available either online or with an advisor. To learn more, click here. | | |
Grace Lutheran
Open House
| Are you looking for a school offering pre-kindergarten through 8th grade? If yes, save the date for Grace Lutheran School’s Open House that provides an opportunity for parents to meet teachers at the school. Participants are encouraged to RSVP and learn about specifics on classroom schedules, curriculum, and more. For more information, click here. | | |
OPRFHS Musical "The Camper" | |
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This is the last weekend to enjoy the original musical entitled, “The Camper” from Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) High School’s Theater Department. The musical will take place Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18 at 7 p.m. at OPRF High School. This is a full-length musical and small-town, Midwest, gothic story of making it through high school and fighting to survive the end of the world - with family and romance mixed in. To learn more or purchase tickets, click here.
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As the temperature begins to drop, it’s the perfect time to clean out your closets and donate old coats and clothes. This effort can help those in need, and also reduce the number of materials that end up in landfills. You can donate to:
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St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy: Winter coats for migrants are being accepted Mondays from 9 a.m. – noon (only) at the back door. Summer clothes will not be accepted. Learn more here.
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Goodwill: Coats, hoodies and winter season clothing that will be sold at a discounted price. Sales support Goodwill’s goal of reducing unemployment. Learn more here.
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Economy Shop accepts donations Tuesday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. More information can be found here.
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River Forest Business Spotlight! | |
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Gunzo's Hockey Headquarters carries a full selection of hockey equipment for all ability levels and budgets. They are also a full-service shop and can perform most skate repairs. Gunzo's carries a wide variety of Chicago Blackhawks apparel, as well as other select NHL teams. To learn more, please click here.
Please support local businesses whenever possible! You can find a listing of River Forest businesses on the Village’s Shop River Forest website. If you’d like your business to be featured in the weekly Business Spotlight, please send us an email.
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