Local Programs/Events (as well as some online events):
For Upcoming Events at Oak Park Public Library click here.
Oak Park/River Forest Township Senior Services has a lot of programming too. See their calendar online here. Note: for any of the programs, please call the Activity and Nutrition hotline at
(708) 725-9129 to check availability and to register.
See Dole Center/Active Adult information below (in green section) as well as Forest Park Mohr Center News/Trips in attachment sbelow.
March 1 from 9:30 am- 11:00 am: Oak Park Public Library presents Older Adults Coffee Hour. Register here.
March 1 from 11:00 am- 1:30 pm: The Kehrein Center for the Arts presents Aging Well Together. See the schedule here and reserve your spot.
March 2 from 10:00 am- 1:30 pm: Repair Cafe (every 1st Saturday of the month) at Fox Community Center (624 S. Oak Park Ave.) in Oak Park. Bring any small items you have that need to be fixed. Offer to volunteer if you are available.
March 2 at 1:00 pm: Trailside Museum of Natural History (Thatcher Woods, Chicago Ave., River Forest) presents a Wellness Walk. Register in advance by calling 708-366-6530
March 3 from 9:30 am- 10:45 am: The Start of A Five Week Long Series on Environmental Stewardship/Environmental Justice. See flyer here. (also on March 10, 17, 24 and April 7) Held at First United Church (848 Lake St., Oak Park)
March 3 at 2:00 pm: Oak Park River Forest High School presents the musical Mean Girls. This is a special free production for older adults. There is a reception in the South Cafeteria before the show from 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm. Read more here.
March 3 at 3:00 pm: Handel Week Final Concert at Pilgrim Church in Oak Park (460 Lake St.) For more information and tickets ($43), click here.
March 4 from 1:15 pm- 2:15 pm: The Nineteenth Century Charitable Foundation presents their Monday Enrichment Series: Identifying Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. Click here for more details and/ or what to attend via Zoom.
March 5 from 1:00 pm- 2:30 pm: University of Chicago Medicine presents A live interactive conversation about Dementia Care with Dasha Kiper, the author of Travelers to Unimaginable Lands. Zoom link here. This is also in person at the University of Chicago School of Medicine.
March 6 from 9:00 am- 10:00 am: Trailside Museum of Natural History presents Senior Fitness Walks: A one mile walk in the forest preserves at your own pace with a Master Naturalist. Meet at the Thatcher Woods Pavilion. Register at 708-366-6530.
March 7 from 11:00 am- 12:30 pm: Generations United presents Play for All Ages. Designing Intergenerational Spaces that Build Connections and Encourage Learning. Learn more and register here.
March 7 from 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm: The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest presents their 2024 Museum Gala at the Nineteenth Century Club (178 Forest Avenue in Oak Park). This year, Susan and Nick Bridge and John Rigas will be honored with the 2024 “Heart of Our Villages” Awards. Tickets and an opportunity to place a congratulatory note in the ad book are available here or by calling 708-848-6755.
March 9-11 Jazz Thaw in Oak Park: For more information, click here.
March 10 from 2:30 pm- 4:30 pm: Park District of Oak Park presents String Serenade at Pleasant Home. Click here for more information. ($35-$40) Reach out to Susan Crane for more details. Susan Crane, susan.crane@pdop.org 708-725-2500
March 11 from 1:15 pm- 2:15 pm: The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association presents Monday Enrichment Series: Literature: Radical Ideas! Women and the Vote. Click here to learn more.
March 12 at 6:30: Robert's Westside presents Tellers Night. $15 donation at the door. Come see storytellers and get a drink. Bring your own food if you want too.
March 13 from 10:00 am- 12:00 pm: Arbor West Neighbors presents Hearing Challenges and Resources for Older Adults. Learn about helpful technologies and resources that can help you. Come to the CRC (Community Recreation Center of Oak Park)(229 Madison St.) Please register for this event at registerAWNprogram@gmail.com. See flyer here.
March 14 from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm: The Park District of Oak Park presents Comedy Night with Tim Walkoe at the Pleasant Home. Learn more here. Reach out to Susan Crane with more details. Susan Crane: susan.crane@pdop.org 708-725-2500 (Become an Active Adult Member with the Park District of Oak Park. Read more here.)
March 15 at 7:30 pm: Good Shepard Church presents Jazz Prayer Service: Lady Sings the Blues. Learn more here.
March 16 from 10:00 am- 12:00 pm: The CRC (Community Recreation Center) presents Walk with a Nurse, in partnership with the Oak Park Health Department, the Park District and the Community Mental Health Board. Get your blood pressure checked; check for diabetes and ask your medical questions. (open to older adults in all communities) (229 Madison St.) Reach out to Megan Ulczak at Megan.ulczak@pdop.org with any questions.
March 17 at 1:00 pm: CourAGEus presents A Taste of Conscious Aging. This is a free virtual workshop. Learn more and register here.
March 18 from 1:15 pm- 2:15 pm: The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association presents their Monday Enrichment Series: Irish Stew, Songs and Stories from Old Ireland. Learn more here.
March 19 from 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm: Robert's Westside presents Soup and Bread West. $10 donation at the door. Enjoy Soup and Bread and Music by Szurko Trio. If you want to bring soup, reach out here.
March 19 at 7:00 pm: Fitzgeralds presents the Moth StorySLAM. This month's theme is Obsession. Come listen and/or share your story. Get your tickets early here.
March 20 from 9:00 am- 10:00 am: Trailside Museum of Natural History presents Senior Fitness Walks: A one mile walk in the forest preserves at your own pace with a Master Naturalist. Meet at the Thatcher Woods Pavilion. Register at 708-366-6530.
March 21 from 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm: Cheney Mansion and the Park District of Oak Park present Carnivore Roasts! Reach out to Susan Crane to register or logon to your park district account. Susan Crane susan.crane@pdop.org 708-725-2500 ($50-$67)
March 22 from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm: The Park District of Oak Park presents March Tasting with Anafora Wine Merchants at Pleasant Home Dining Room. ($38-$51) Reach out to Susan Crane for more details. Susan Crane susan.crane@pdop.org 708-725-2500
March 22 and March 23 from 7:00 pm- 9:30 pm: Park District of Oak Park presents Oak Park Festival Theater Winter and Spring Readings at the Cheney Mansion and Pleasant Home... Click here for more details and tickets for Friday and here for March 23.
March 25 from 1:15 pm- 2:15 pm: The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association presents Mondays Enrichment Series: Art Nouveau. Learn more here.
March 26 from 11:00 am- 12:00 pm: Thrive with Pride presents Honoring LGBTQ+ Chicagoans for Women's History Month. Learn more and enter via Zoom or phone the day of the event here.
March 26 from 4:00 pm- 5:30 pm: Arbor West Meetup at Elizabeth and John Muhlenberg's house at 615 S. Kenilworth. If you are not an Arbor West Neighbor, come to meet new folks and think about joining.
March 28 at 7:00 pm: Music and Potlucks presents their Monthly Folk Jam at Friendly Community Center (Part of the Friendly Tap: Roosevelt Rd.in Berwyn) Monetary donations are accepted for local food pantries.
Upcoming:
2024 Legislative Breakfast with AgeOptions
Monday, April 1 | 10:00 AM – 11:15 A, 439 Bohland Ave, Bellwood, IL
No Cost; RSVP to Peter Byer at peter.byer@ageoptions.org
Conscious Aging Workshops with CourAGEus starting April 7. Read more here.
Green4Good and the Village of River Forest will host a foam collection event on Saturday, April 20 from 9-12 in the West Thatcher Metra Commuter Lot. (start saving any foam)
Put in your Calendars: Robert's Westside Every 2nd Tuesday is Tellers Night and Every 3rd Tuesday is Soup and Bread and Every 4th Tuesday is Open Mike Night.
Websites for more Events:
Trailside Museum of Natural History events here.
See Dominican University Events here. (a lot of Events in March)
The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association March Calendar of Events here.
Oak Park Library Calendar here.
Green Community Connect Calendar: (including Repair Cafe).
Click here.
Newberry Library Events here. (many online)
The Park District of Oak Park has Active Adult Programming open to all communities (see just below); The Mohr Center in Forest Park has programming (see their newsletter in attachments) and
Village of North Riverside has some nice trips too (some local and some bigger trips). Call 708-762-5214 if you want to get their newsletter.
Wednesday Journal Community Section: here.
Also, please note the libraries, Township and OPRF Museum all have book clubs.
ONGOING CALENDAR:
Every Monday:
10:00 am- 10:50 am: Fitness Fellowship presents Gentle Yoga with Carol Olsen at Oak Park Arms (every Monday and Friday). Open to the community.
1:15 pm- 2:30 pm: Nineteenth Century Charitable Association presents their Monday Enrichment Series. For more information, click here. (note: all Monday Enrichment Programs are live-streamed if you can't make the event in person: Zoom link here.)
6:00 pm- 8:00 pm: The Oak Park Meditation Group meets in person at the Oak Park Public Library "Maze Branch on the 2nd and 4th Mondays 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:
1:00 pm: Illinois Pathways to Health and the Mohr Center host Fit and Strong: Moving Towards a Healthier You. See flyer here. (at the Mohr Center: 7640 Jackson Blvd.) (every Tuesday and Friday) Reservations Required.
Every Wednesday:
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.
11:15 am- 12:15 pm: Line Dancing at the Dole Center (in Oak Park) for Active Adults. Free to all. Teaches rhythm, groove and hip-hop. Sign up here.
Every Thursday:
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.
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:
10:00 am- 10:50 am: Fitness Fellowship presents Gentle Yoga with Carol Olsen at Oak Park Arms (every Monday and Friday). Open to the community.
1:00 pm: Illinois Pathways to Health and the Mohr Center host Fit and Strong: Moving Towards a Healthier You. See flyer here. (at the Mohr Center: 7640 Jackson Blvd.)
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.
Every Saturday:
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.
1:00 pm- 2:00 pm: Fitness Fellowship presents Gentle Tai Chi with Matt LaSaine at Oak Park Arms.
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)
Local Music:
Music and Potlucks (a local organization of your neighbors that donates to local charities) To learn more, click here.
Friendly Music Community Calendar here.
Robert's Westside a new music venue in Forest Park.
Fitzgeralds Calendar of Events: Click here for their Event Calendar (including a lot of free music events in their side bar) They also have Baby Gold BBQ next door for before or during the show: Consider Moth Radio Show (tickets go fast) and Tuesday Bluesday, $5 Hamburger Wednesday and Voice Box
Comedy: Comedy Plex in Oak Park: Click here.
Other Useful Information:
If you are looking for a way to meet more people and you want to be more involved in your community, connect with Arbor West Neighbors (our local Village group). Learn more here.
Triton's Cafe 64 (building B, room 201) run by the Culinary Students is open on Thursdays for lunch from 11:30 am- 1:00 pm and for dinner the Triton Bistro (building B, Room 225) is open on Wednesdays from 5:30 pm- 7:00 pm. Make your reservation here or call 708-456-0300 ext. 3267.
Recipe Box Cafe at Dominican University. See upcoming meals here.
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
The 'Old Lady Project': Angela Allen is reclaiming the phrase "Old Lady". Listen to her podcast here.
CUB (Citizens Utility Board) provides help with utility bills. If you have any concerns about your bills, call 1-800-669-5556; Call for a Free Home Assessment: a representative will walk through your house to see how you can save and will give you free products to make things more affordable. 1-855-433-2700
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 the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311 or CUB (the Citizens Utility Board) if it is related to your utilities 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. Crime Prevention Fraud/Scam Tips from the River Forest Police Department here.
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