River Forest Township

Senior News

October 2024

Happy Fall!


Check out the October programming with the River Forest Township, River Forest Public Library, and other community events for older adults. Visit the Township website for more information and to sign up for the Township e-newsletter.

  • Township Services (white section)
  • HomeSharing (green section)
  • Library Programming (yellow section)
  • Local October and Ongoing Events (blue section)
  • Local Music Section (light purple section)

YOUR FEEDBACK NEEDED:

We are going to start offering additional social programming the third Monday of the month at the River Forest Community Center from 4-6pm. What type of programming would you like to see? Please fill out a very brief survey here or respond to this email. If you did respond before via email, please still complete the survey.


The first event will be a game night (cards, checkers, chess, etc.) on Monday, November 18 at 4pm in Room 202 at the River Forest Community Center (8020 Madison St). Be sure to put this on your calendar!


TOWNSHIP UPDATES:

River Forest older adults will receive a HomeSharing Postcard from the Township about our HomeSharing Program and an October 19th Housing Tour (See below in the green section).


SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) Counselors are in the River Forest Township offices on the 4th Friday of the month. This month they will be in on Friday October 25 for appointments between 10:00 am- 2:00 pm. Please call 708-383-8060 to schedule an appointment. Learn more about SHIP.


Benefits Counselors will also be in the River Forest Township office on the 3rd Thursday of the month. The next one is Thursday, October 17. Similar to SHIP appointments, please call 708-383-8060 to schedule your appointment. Benefits Counselors can help older adults and persons with disabilities apply for many programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, and license plate discounts if you are income eligible. Learn more here. When making your appointment, make sure you ask what documents you need to bring.


The Township works in collaboration with the Fire Department to provide you ICE (In Case of Emergency) packets for your emergency information. If you need an ICE packet, let me know. Also, ask about the Residential Key Box Program where you can store your key safely outside of your home. When there is an emergency, the Fire Department can get into your residence without knocking a door down (grants may be available if you qualify). This is also helpful for those of you that are in buildings to share with your neighbors.


Read the Oak Park / River Forest Township's September/ October Newsletter here. The Township Senior Services offers a lot of programming and its calendar is available online here. Please call the hotline at (708) 725-9129 to check availability and to register.


Mahjong continues at the River Forest Community Center on Thursdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Come join us whether you are new to the game or are an experienced player.


North West Housing Partnership, our partner for the Home Repair and CAPABLE/ OAHMP programs, is able to help you age in place or stay in your home longer for older adults of all income levels. See article here. Home Repair Program and CAPABLE Program.


Oak Park Farmers Market is every Saturday from 7:00 am- 1:00 pm through October in the parking lot of Pilgrim Church (on Lake St. and Elmwood in Oak Park). For more information, click here. Oak Park and River Forest residents can call Oak Park Township if you need a ride. A $1.50 donation is appreciated. Call in advance to reserve your spot: 708-383-4806. More info here. 


Oak Park River Forest Township is seeking volunteers for Meal Delivery. Contact Mercedes Nash, Nutrition Site Supervisor at 708 383-8060 x 134 or mnash@oakparktownship.org to learn more. They are also looking for Money Management Volunteers. See money management brochure here. Call 708-383-8060.


[Because this email is lengthy you may see a message on the bottom left hand corner of this email that says "Message Clipped" and you will need to click "view" entire message, to view the full email. ]


River Forest HomeSharing:


Do you have an extra room in your home? Are you looking for ways to earn some extra money? Do you want to help someone who wants to live in the community? Could you benefit from the companionship of another adult or need some help with small chores?

We can help you find a match, provide screening and background checks and are available for ongoing support. Any River Forest homeowner over 60 who has questions, call Township office at 708-366-2029 x 13 or bkelly.rftownship@gmail.com. See flyer here.


Learn more about HomeSharing:

The Today Show highlights Multigenerational Household Arrangements here.  Listen to the Think Out Loud Podcast with HomeShare Oregon here.

"Could Boommates Help Ease the Housing Crisis?" Click here.

See the Homesharing Segment, "Boommates" from PBS Newshour here.

See AARP International's Case Study here.

Generations United: Reimagining Intergenerational Housing here.


Craft and Chat at

River Forest Public Library

Mahjong at River Forest Community

Center on Thursdays from

1pm- 3pm.

River Forest Township Programming

with River Forest Public Library 

Programming is in person in the Barbara Hall Meeting Room, unless otherwise noted. (No need to register, except for yoga and special events.) See Calendar here. (see attachments below for programming through December).


October 6 from 2:00 pm- 3:30 pm: Edgar Allen Poe: To Tell a Tale. Join actor Terry Lynch who will portray the author/poet.

See flyer here.


October 7 from 10:00 - 11:00 am: Coffee Monday with Paula Bush from North West Housing Partnership. She will talk about the Older Adult Home Modification Program (OAHMP) formerly CAPABLE (a program offered through Oak Park and River Forest Township)


October 11 from 1:00 pm- 3:30 pm: Film Lover Fridays presents Viva Zapata, starring Marlon Brando. Come for the movie. Stay for the discussion with local film expert Jim Jacob.


October 12 from 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm: Meditation Soundbath.

Register here.


October 13 from 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm: Salsa Dance Class for Beginners. Register here.


October 20 from 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm: Rebecca Spectre's Magic Show with Comedian and Magician Rebecca Spectre.


Other Programming at the Library:

Starting October 1: Solve a Cold Case (for Crime buffs) You have the whole month of October to solve the case. Stop by the desk on the 2nd floor to pick up your packet of information. Register here so they know how many packets to make.


October 5 from 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm: Community Paper Shredding on the front Lawn of the Library. No more than three boxes per person. Click here for more details.


October 9 from 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm: Illinois Libraries present Being Imperfect with Erika Sanchez. Sanchez's Memoire- in Essays, Crying in the Bathroom was critically acclaimed. Learn more and register for this Zoom event here.


October 22 from 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm: Raise Your Voice with Jason Reynolds. Learn more and register for this Zoom event here.


October 27 from 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm: Global Film Forum presents Perfect Days.


Also don't forget you can borrow a "hotspot" from your local library, so you can get access to wifi when needed. (i.e. if you are traveling or don't have wifi at home this will give you access). Local Libraries have book clubs too. Call your library for more information.

Local Upcoming Programs/Events:

The Park District of Oak Park along with the Senior Center of Oak Park and River Forest offer Active Adult Programing at the Dole Center for adults 50+ in Oak Park/River Forest and neighboring communities. They offer a lot, from tai chi to stain glass classes to dinner club and trips. Click here to learn more. Call or email Megan Ulczak if you have any questions at Megan.ulczak@pdop.org or (708) 725-2106.


The Mohr Center (on Jackson and DesPlaines Ave.) in Forest Park has programming and the Village of North Riverside has some nice trips too (some local and some bigger trips). Call 708-762-5214 if you want to receive their newsletter.


October 2 and October 16 at 9:00 am: Thatcher Woods presents Senior Fitness Walks. (a one mile moderately paced walk)


October 8 from 10:00 am- 11:00 am: Concordia University Center of Gerontology presents An Ecosystem Approach to Addressing Ageism with Dr. Rajean Moone. "As we age, each of us contributes to redefining the norms for what it means to live fully in our communities. We all deserve to live and age with dignity and respect." This will be an online presentation. Register here.


October 8 at 1:00 pm: The Lyric Opera of Chicago Riverside Chapter invites you to the McGovern Residence (in Orland Park) for Autumn Serenade 2024. Learn more here. Luncheon follows the performance. Cost is $50. (Maureen McGovern has 4 horses, 17 goats and she does goat yoga ) She will also play the flute and Michael Cavalieri will sing baritone and Lisa Kristina will play piano.


October 8 at 6:30 pm at Roberts Westside (7321 Madison St., Forest Park) Forest Park Art Alliance presents Tellers Night. Learn more here. (tickets are $15) (this is every 2nd Tuesday)


October 9 at 6:30 pm The Village of Oak Park Aging in Communities Commission presents Ashton Applewhite. She will be speaking on Ageism Awareness Day at the 19th Century Club (178 Forest Ave., Oak Park). See flyer here. This will be a free event.


October 10 from 9:30 am- 11:00 am: Coffee and Conversation with the League of Women Voters at the 19th Century Club (178 Forest Ave.)


October 11 from 8:30 am- 10:30 am: ASA Round Table presents Status Report: Avoiding or Delaying the Necessity of Long Term Care Placement. Learn more and register here for this Zoom event.


October 14 from 1:15 pm- 2:30 pm: The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association presents Ultimate Jazz with Dee Alexander (Note: On October 21- David Sokol will talk about American Impressionism). See Ongoing Calendar below for "Monday Enrichment Series" as well as the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association Calendar.


October 15 from 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm: Roberts Westside (7321 Madison St., Forest Park) presents Soup and Bread West. Come enjoy soup and bread and donate to a local charity (this takes place every third Tuesday) Learn more at the Soup and Bread West facebook page.


October 19: Women Over 70 Conference. Learn more and get your tickets here.


October 19 (from 10am- 1pm) River Forest Township and Arbor West Neighbors' Advocacy Committee will host A Housing Tour: Creative Ways to Age in Our Communities. Reach out to Betsy at bkelly.rftownship@gmail.com for more information. (limited spots available)


October 20 from 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm: Oak Park River Forest Museum presents Tale of the Tombstones Cemetery Walk at Forest Home Cemetery. Tours leave every 10 minutes starting at noon, going until 1:30 pm. (tickets are $20) Learn more here. See press release here.


Oct 23 - Oct 24, starting at 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm: North Riverside Recreation hosts an AARP Driver Safety Class.

(2401 Desplaines Ave, North Riverside, IL) Four hours each day.

Call 708 442-5515 to register. Ask about online and in person classes.


October 25 from 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Arbor West Neighbors presents Physical Wellbeing for Older Adults at Oak Park Arms (408 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park) "As we age, we seem to get more aches and pains and have an increased risk of falling or physically recovering from other injuries. Physical therapist Dan Lankenau and occupational therapist Sarah Zera will engage us in learning about building strength and flexibility to improve balance and prevent falls. They will also help us learn ways to get up after a fall and how to recover from injuries or setbacks." Pre-registration requested at RegisterAWNprogram@gmail.com


October 25 from 5:30 pm- 8:00 pm: The Newberry Library in Chicago presents Forbidden Newberry. Learn more here. (tickets are $35)


October 29 from 1:30 pm- 3:00 pm: Levy Center presents The Cherokee and the Politics of Indian Removal. Learn more and get your Zoom link here.


October 29 at 7:00 pm: Community of Congregations Fall Gathering will be at Oak Park Temple(1235 N. Harlem). Register at oprfcoc@gmail.com.


October 30 from 10:00 am- 1:00 pm: The Cindy Lyons Health Fair will be held at the Mohr Center (7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park). Learn about local services available to you. River Forest Township will have a table here.



ONGOING CALENDAR:

Every Monday:

7:00 amTai Chi for all levels (informal and free) at Rehm Park (1000 S. Scoville Ave., Oak Park) by the Gingko Tree on the East Lawn/ by the tennis courts. (through October).


1:15 pm- 2:30 pm: The Nineteenth Century Club presents Monday Enrichment Series. Click here for more details.


6:30 pm- 8:00 pm: The Oak Park Meditation Group meets in person at the Oak Park Public Library "Maze Branch the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month and on Zoom the other Mondays. It is open to all who want to learn and practice meditation together. Each session begins with a brief warm-up drawn from yoga or qigong, followed by meditation instruction, sitting and walking meditation, reading and discussion. Open to all. For more information, email OakParkMeditationGroup@gmail.com.


Every Tuesday:

6:30 amTai Chi for all levels (informal and free) at Rehm Park (1000 S. Scoville Ave., Oak Park) by the Gingko Tree on the East Lawn/ by the tennis courts. (through October)


9:00 am- 12:00 pm: Senior Club at Mohr Center 

(Forest Park on Jackson and Des Plaines) Ask about Pinochle every other Thursday. Call 708-771-7737.


10:00 am- 10:50 am: Fitness Fellowship presents Gentle Yoga with Carol Olsen in Mills Park (every Tuesday and Friday). Open to the community. (by Mills Tower; if raining on Pleasant Home Porch) Feel free to bring a mat or chair.


Every 4th Tuesday of the Month:

Age Options hosts online events for LGBTQ+ Older Adults and those who care for them. Call (800)699-9043 for more information, go to their website here or to sign up here.


Every Wednesday:

7:00 amTai Chi for all levels (informal and free) at Rehm Park (by the Gingko Tree on the East Lawn/ by the tennis courts. (through October)


10:00 am- 11:30 am: Free Zumba Gold at the Roos Center in Forest Park through Rush Oak Park Hospital and Park District of Forest Park. For more information, click here. (scroll down and choose August calendar and create an account)


1:00 pm- 3:00 pmOak Park Conservatory's Help Desk. Come and ask your plant questions to a Conservatory Volunteer. Call 708-724-2453 or Email oakparkconservatory@pdop.org with any questions.


Every Third Wednesday:

2:00 pm- 3:30 pm: Memory Cafe at Oak Park Township Senior Services Location. (130 S. Oak Park Ave.) This is also offered Virtually (see attached flyer)


Every Thursday:

6:30 amTai Chi for all levels (informal and free) at Rehm Park (1000 S. Scoville Ave., Oak Park) by the Gingko Tree on the East Lawn/ by the tennis courts. (through October)


10:00 am- 11:00 am: Come to Oak Park Township Senior Services Office (130 S. Oak Park Ave.) and join "Mad 4 Mats" (Made with Love) Learn how to make mats for the homeless or unhoused with "plarn". Please donate any plastic bags you may have.


1:00 pm- 3:00 pm: Come to the River Forest Community Center to play Mahjong and socialize. We have a teacher for those new to the game. (8020 Madison St., River Forest)


Every 4th Thursday:

from 4:00 pm- 5:00 pm: The Oak Park End of Life Options Coalition has their monthly meeting. For more information on this group reach out to Roz Byrne at roz@rozrealestate.com or call (708) 370-7444.


Every Friday:

6:30 amTai Chi for all levels (informal and free) at Rehm Park (1000 S. Scoville Ave., Oak Park) by the Gingko Tree on the East Lawn/ by the tennis courts. (through October)


10:00 am- 10:50 am: Fitness Fellowship presents Gentle Yoga with Carol Olsen in Mills Park (every Tuesday and Friday). Open to the community. (by Mills Tower; if raining on Pleasant Home Porch) Feel free to bring a mat or chair. [first 2 weeks in Sept.]


Every Saturday: 

7:00 am- 1:00 pm: Oak Park Farmers Market in the Parking Lot of Pilgrim Church (on the corner of Lake and Elmwood) (through Oct)


1:00 pm- 2:00 pm: University of Chicago presents The Community Health Focus Hour. Tune in to WVON 1690 AM or listen online.


1:00 pm- 5:00 pm: College of DuPage Radio presents Those Were the Days with Steve Darnall. Enjoy old-time radio classics and music on 90.9 FM WDCB or listen live here.


Every 1st Saturday:

10:00 am- 1:30 pm: Repair Cafe at Fox Community Center. (Fox Center) Bring any small items that need to be repaired. If you are interested in being a volunteer repair person please stop by and let them know. Click here for more details. (see attachment below)


Every Sunday:

6:00 pm- 9:00 pm: Tune into Radio's Golden Age with Steve Darnall. KXEL- AM/1540 or listen live here. 

(Go to nostalgiadigest.com to learn more)



Websites/Calendars for more Events:

Oak Park Wednesday Journal Community Section here.


Trailside Museum of Natural History events here. 


Oak Park and River Forest Museum Calendar: Click here.


Hemingway Foundation Events here.


Dominican University Events here.


Triton College Community Events here.


ComedyPlex Upcoming Shows here.


The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association calendar of events here.


Oak Park Library Calendar here.

(Note: Older Adults Coffee Hour 10/4)


Green Community Connection Calendar Click here


Newberry Library Events here. (many online)


Park District of Oak Park:

Pleasant Home, Cheney Mansion and Oak Park Conservatory here. (see Dole Center Active Adult Programming for more)


Madison Street Theater Events here.


OPRF High School performing Arts Events here.

Local Music:


Robert's Westside (great music, Story Telling, Soup and Bread Night and other local events helping local groups)


Fitzgeralds Calendar of Events here (Consider going to the Voicebox with Cathy Richardson (every 2nd Tuesday), Moth Radio Show (every 3rd Tuesday: tickets go fast!) and Tuesday Bluesday, $5 Hamburger Wednesday )


Friendly Music Community Calendar here.


Music and Potlucks (a local organization of your neighbors that donates to local charities). Every month they host a folk jam in the Friendly Community Room. To learn more, click here.

Other Useful Information: 

Fraud/Scam Information:

Be careful of scammers or people trying to take advantage of you, whether they call or come to your door, including utility scammers. If you have any concerns, call your local police department and the Illinois Attorney General's Senior Citizen Consumer Fraud Helpline at 1-800-243-5377.


If related to your utilities, call CUB (the Citizens Utility Board) at 

1-800-669-5556 as well as your local Police Department. Another resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360 a toll-free service available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ( visit AARP's webpage here. )


See Crime Prevention Fraud/Scam Tips from the River Forest Police Department here.


CUB (Citizens Utility Board) provides help with utility bills. If you have any concerns about your bills, call 1-800-669-5556; Call 1-855-433-2700 for a Free Home Energy Assessment: An Energy Advisor will do a walk through of your home and provide you with products to make your home more efficient.


Dominican University's Recipe Box Cafe will be starting up again at the end of October: Dates to remember: October 31 – Dining room service only, November 7- to go service only, November 14- to go service only. Reach out to Christine Ranieri for more information at cranieri@dom.edu or recipeboxcafe@dom.edu


Call 211 Metro Chicago is a free resource connecting all Cook County residents with essential health and social services to help them meet their basic needs. Trained, local specialists are available 24/7 to connect individuals with the support they need, such as food, housing, utility assistance, access to health care, and other vital resources.


Elderwerks Resource Directory here.


Rush Generations Information

(for good programming and health information)

Call with any questions, concerns or suggestions. Please send information my way that you think others would be interested in.


Betsy Burton Kelly

Senior Outreach Coordinator

River Forest Township

bkelly.rftownship@gmail.com

(708) 366-2029 x13

Attachments:

River Forest Township Senior Services


River Forest Township HomeSharing


Coffee Mondays through December


Celebrating Seniors All Year Long through December

Virtual Dementia Caregiver Support Group


Memory Cafe


Township Grief Support Group


Township Caregiver Support Group


Rush Caregiving for Caregivers.

988 Suicide Hotline



Home Repair Flyer


CAPABLE


Older Adult Home Modification Program


Repair Cafe


Forest Park September and October News

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