River Forest Township

Senior News

December 2024

Happy Thanksgiving!


Below is River Forest Township's programming and other Township programming at the River Forest Community Center (8020 Madison St.). In the yellow section is our programming with River Forest Public Library and below that, is other events and websites, including an ongoing calendar. Don't forget to click on the attachments as well.

As always, please reach out to me with any questions or concerns.


At River Forest Community Center:

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


  • December 2 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. [This takes place other Mondays at the Oak Park location.]


  • December 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Benefit Counselors available. River Forest Community Room Schedule appointment at 708-383-8060.


Other Programming at River Forest Community Center:

  • Starting December 3 and 5: Indoor Pickleball for Older Adults with the River Forest Park District. Learn more and register here.


Visit the Township website for more information on our services/ programming for older adults and to sign up for the Township e-newsletter.


Reminders and Updates

Medicare Open Enrollment is open through December 7. Don't forget to set up your appointment with a SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) Counselor. They have a couple openings for phone consultations. SHIP Counselors will not be back in the River Forest Township office until January 24. Please call 708-383-8060 to schedule an appointment. They will not come if they don't have appointments scheduled in advance. 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.


December 2 from 10:00 -11:00 a.m.: Coffee Monday with Housing Forward. Come learn about their programs, services and volunteer opportunities.


December 8 from 2:00- 3:00 p.m.: Join River Forest's own jazz pianist, James Callen and his Trio for a concert. Come to the 2nd floor to hear music from the 60's, 70's and 80's.


December 14 from 2:00- 3:00 p.m.: All Levels Yoga. Register for this event here.


December 15 from 2:00- 3:00 p.m.: Holiday Cookie Exchange. Bring a batch of homemade cookies along with the recipe you used and share with others. Register here.


December 20 from 1:00 -3:30 p.m.: Film Lover Fridays: On the Waterfront with Marlon Brando. Stay after the movie for a discussion with local film expert Jim Jacob.



Other Programming at the Library:

December 10 from 7:00- 8:00 p.m. Illinois Libraries present The Magic of Raina Telgemeier. Join the critically acclaimed comic artist, author and illustrator via zoom. Register here.


December 20 (all day from 2:00 p.m. until midnight on December 22) Illinois Libraries present Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, the Musical. Watch the virtual screening of the

2022 stage recording at the Park Theatre in London. Register here for your link.


December 29 from 2:00- 4:00 p.m.: The Global Film Forum presents Living (a British film starring Bill Nye)



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:



If you want more detailed information outside of township events in and around our community, ask for Community Connect Mail to be delivered to your in-box. This is also a way to connect and share with others. Please click or share this link with anyone you think may want to receive Community Connect.


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 a 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 December in the attachments Section.


Holiday Information:

December 13 at 7:00 p.m. the OPRF Sounds Good Choir Free Holiday Choral Concert will take place at Pilgrim Congregational Church (460 Lake St., Oak Park) Learn more about Sounds Good Choir, click here.


Holiday Food and Gift Basket donations and volunteer opportunities here.


For those of you that will be by yourself over the holidays or if you know of someone who will be alone, here are some helpful tips of how you can make the holidays easier. See tipsheets here. (these sheets initially were created by a group I was involved with during COVID)


For other Concerts/ Events, including more holiday events, visit the websites below.


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)


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 to register. (December 4 and 18)


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. 

(Note: Senior Fitness Walks: 12/4 and 12/18)


Oak Park and River Forest Museum Calendar: Click here.

(Firehouse Chili Cookoff OP vs. RF Firefighers 12/5)


Hemingway Foundation Events here. (Book Discussion)


Dominican University Events here. (Nutcracker)


Concordia Community Events here. (University Band Concert)


Triton College Community Events here. (films and light shows)


ComedyPlex Upcoming Shows here.


The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association events here.

(Free Readers 12/1 and Monday Enrichment: 12/2- Enhanced Wellbeing with Herbal Support and 12/9- Our Town Oak Park: Walk with Me in Search of True Community and 12/16- Singers from the Lyric Celebrate the Season) See above in ongoing calendar under Monday.


Oak Park Library Calendar here.

(Note: Older Adults Coffee Hour 12/5)


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.

(Musical Theatre Class presents School Houserock Live!, Jr. 12/5, Song Writing Showcase, 12/6, Prisms of Winter Concert 12/12/and 12/13, Drama Showcase, 12/16)

Local Music:

Robert's Westside (great music, Tellers Night (2nd Tues), Soup and Bread Night (3rd Tues) 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 ) SEE MANY HOLIDAY EVENTS


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 (part of the Friendly Tap, Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn) 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. See Personal Enrichment and Leisure Classes here. (it is best to call to register)


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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