River Forest Township

Senior News

November 2024

Happy November Everyone!


Below is River Forest Township's programming at River Forest Community Center (8020 Madison St.), other Township programming, and in the yellow section, our programming with River Forest Public Library.

  • Every Thursday - from 1:00-3:00 p.m. join us for Mahjong in the Dance Room.


  • November 1 & 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Medicare Open Enrollment with SHIP Counselors. Come to the River Forest Township's Conference Room. Registration is required by calling 708-383-8060.


  • November 4 from 9:30-10:15 a.m.: Zumba Gold for Seniors in the Dance Room. See if there are any available spots by calling the Nutrition and Program Hotline at 708-725- 9129.

  • November 18 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.: Game Night for Older Adults in Room 202. Come and help us decide what we should plan for January.


  • November 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Medicare Open Enrollment and Benefit Counselors available in River Forest Township's Conference Room. Call 708-383-8060 to schedule an appointment.

Visit the Township website for more information and to sign up for the Township e-newsletter.


TOWNSHIP REMINDERS AND UPDATES:


WE NEED YOUR INPUT:

As mentioned above, there is a game night on November 18 but we want your input for future social programming to be held on the third Monday of the month (next one January 20th).

What type of programming would you like to see? Please fill out a very brief survey here if you haven't already, or respond to this email.


November 4 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.: Coffee Monday: Vivian Holt

from Oak Park River Forest Township Senior Services will talk about the Adult Protective Services Program. (at River Forest Public Library)


November 7 at 1:30 p.m. join the Office of Illinois Attorney General for a presentation on Consumer Fraud at the Oak Park Township Senior and Disability Services Meeting Room, 130 S. Oak Park Ave. Learn to recognize potential fraud attempts and how to stop scams.


November 27 from 2:30-5:45 p.m.: Community Blood Drive at the Senior and Disability Services Meeting Room at 130 S. Oak Park Ave.


Medicare Open Enrollment is open through December 7. Don't forget to set up your appointment with a SHIP Counselor. SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) Counselors are in the River Forest Township offices on the 4th Friday of the month between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. 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. 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 November/ December Newsletter here.


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.


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 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.


Sections Below:

  • HomeSharing (green section)
  • Library Programming (yellow section)
  • Ongoing Calendar of Events/websites (blue section)
  • Local Music Section (light purple section)


Please see attachments below as well.


[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.


November 3 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.: Margaret Schlesinger, the Museum of Science and Industry's Curator will talk about Colleen Moores' Fairy Castle.


November 4 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.: Coffee Monday: Vivian Holt from Oak Park River Forest Township Senior Services will talk about the Adult Protective Services Program.


November 9 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.: Gentle Yoga. Register here..


November 15 from 1:00-3:30 p.m.: Film Lover Fridays presents Julius Caesar with Marlon Brando. Stay afterwards for discussion with Jim Jacob, our local Film Expert.


November 17 from 2:00-3:30 p.m.: Celebrate Native American Month with Gerald Savage, a HoChunk Native American also known as Chief White Winnebago for his presentation about the Reintroduction of Native Americans into Illinois.


Other Programming at the Library:

November 10 from 2:00-4:30 p.m.: Global Film Forum: The Zone of Interest, with a guest speaker from the Holocaust Museum afterwards. The film takes place in Auschwitz concentration camp during the Holocaust.


November 20 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.: Illinois Libraries present: Holidays Tips and Tricks with Chef Art Smith. Register here.


Note: The Library also has book clubs if you are interested. 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.


See Mohr Community Center Events and Trips taking place in November and December in the attachments Section.



ONGOING CALENDAR:

Every Monday:

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


6:30-8:00 p.m.: 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:

9:00-12:00 p.m.: Senior Club at Mohr Center 

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


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:

10:00-11:30 a.m.: 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)


1:00-3:00 p.m.Oak 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.


First and Third Wednesdays: (unless otherwise noted)

9:00-10:00 a.m.: Senior Fitness Walks in Thatcher Woods:

Join other seniors for a moderately paced, one mile fitness walks in beautiful Thatcher Woods. Led by senior Roberta Jannsen, Univ. of IL Extension volunteer. Call Trailside Museum of Natural History at 708-366-6530


Every Third Wednesday:

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


Every Thursday:

10:00-11:00 a.m.: 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.


1:00-3:00 p.m.: 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:

4:00-5:00 p.m.: 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:

10:00-10:50 a.m.: Fitness Fellowship presents Gentle Yoga with Carol Olsen in Mills Tower. For Mills Tower residents and the community.


Every Saturday: 

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


1:00-5:00 p.m.: 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 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: 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:

6:00-9:00 p.m.: 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. 

(see ongoing Calendar: Note: Senior Nature Walks 11/6 &11/20)


Oak Park and River Forest Museum Calendar: Click here.

(Note: Black History Tour 11/10 and Legends Tour 11/24)


Hemingway Foundation Events here.


Dominican University Events here.

(Note: Recipe Box Cafe: November 7 and 14- to go Service. Reach out to Christine Ranieri for more information at cranieri@dom.edu or recipeboxcafe@dom.edu. Recipe Box flyer here.

For more information and to reserve your spot reach out here: recipeboxcafe@dom.edu. 


Concordia Community 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 11/1)


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.

(12 Angry Jurors is the play this month and the Jazz Ensemble and Choral Concert will be performing in November)

Local Music:


Robert's Westside (great music, Tellers Night, 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.


Triton College Continuing Education Guide here.


Tips on how to measure your Blood Pressure 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

(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 November and December News and Trips

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