River Forest Township

Senior News

March 2025

Hi Everyone,

It feels like Spring is just around the corner. Anything above 20 degrees feels pretty nice these days.

Below are some updates from River Forest Township and the Township in general as well as our programming with the library (yellow section) and some other useful information. Note, the blue section lists other things taking place in the area. If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to me by responding to this email or by calling

708-366-2029 x 13.

Township News:

Take our survey on Mental Health We are interested in hearing from YOU! River Forest residents should have received a postcard in the mail. Please take a couple minutes to complete this survey? We want to hear your thoughts and experiences with mental health, substance use, and intellectual / developmental disability services in Oak Park and River Forest. Your feedback will be used to help us better meet your needs and the needs of those around you.

Pickleball for Seniors:

We have open spots for our next clinic. Please reach out to me if you are interested in signing up. Certified Pickleball Coach and instructor Kelly Frank will be leading our clinics indoors at the River Forest Community Center. March 21, 2025, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Kelly will educate you about pickleball as well as take you through guided open play. These clinics are for senior players of all skill levels, although there will be an emphasis on beginner and intermediate play to help develop players’ skill and love of the fastest growing sport in the USA. There will be no charge for the senior clinics and equipment will be provided [note these clinics are separate from the classes offered through the River Forest Park District]. (respond to this email or call number listed above) If there is enough interest, we may continue clinics in April.

News from our Assessor:

Tax Deferral Program: Learn about the Property Tax Deferral Program at the Cook County Treasurer's website here.

To be eligible for program you need to be 65 years of age or older on June 1 of the year the application is filed.

• Have an annual household income of $65,000 or less.

• Have lived in the home for the past three years.

• Have no overdue property taxes or pending special assessments.

• Have adequate fire or accident loss insurance. (last day to apply is March 1)

Some Highlights:

OPRF High School will be showing a free matinee of Cinderella for older adults on Sunday, March 2 at 2pm with a reception beforehand. See invite here.

Come to our Coffee Monday at River Forest Library next Monday March 3 at 10:00 a.m. with Janis Johnston to hear about her book, "Transforming Retirement: Rewire and Grow Your Legacy".

Tax Assistance:

If you need help with your taxes and you are 60 or older and on a limited income there are services that can help. The Howard Mohr Center in Forest Park will be taking calls for February and March Appointments (Appointments will be on Mondays and Tuesdays with AARP Volunteers between 9-2). Call (708) 771-7737

Triton College/RSVP Program offers help as well. See their flyer here. See the Township tax prep flyer here.

Other Programming at River Forest Community Center

(8020 Madison St.):

Tuesdays from 3:00-4:30 p.m.: Beginning Chess in room 202 at River Forest Community Center.

Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 p.m.: Mahjong in room 202 at the River Forest Community Center.

March 3 (first Monday of the month) 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 Township Senior Services location].

March 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Benefit Counselors are available in the River Forest Township office. Schedule an appointment at 708-383-8060. 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.

SHIP Counselors will be at the River Forest Township office on March 21. 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

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

The Township works in collaboration with the Fire Department to provide you ICE (In Case of Emergency) packets to store in your freezer. 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. If you would like the township and fire department to come to your building to talk about these services please let me know. We are happy to talk you and interested neighbors.

Read the Oak Park/River Forest Township's March/April 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.

March 4 at 2:00 p.m. at the Oak Park Public Library, Oak Park/ River Forest Township Senior Services presents Caregiver Support Information for Family Caregivers. RSVP to Devin Andrews at dandrews@oakparktownship.org or 708-725-9116.

March 11 at 1:30 p.m.: Caregiver Series at Oak Park Township Senior Services (130 S. Oak Park Ave.): The Foundation of Caregiving. To register email dandrews@oakparktownship.org or call 708-383-8060 x3116. (the rest of the educational series will be in April and May)

March 25 from 2:00 -5:30 p.m.: Blood Drive at Oak Park Township Senior Services location (130 S. Oak Park Ave.) Call 708-383-8060 for more information.

Note: Celebrating Seniors Week will take place May 8-15. There will be a lot of programs offered during that week. If you have a program you want to submit, fill out this form and get it back to Lydia Manning by mid March.

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. Programs are for older adults of all income levels. See article here.

Oak Park and River Forest Township Senior Services 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:

Library Programming (yellow section)
Ongoing Calendar of Events/websites and other local programming (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. ]

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

March 2 from 2:00- 3:30 p.m.: Mary Todd Lincoln: A Firest-Person Portrayal. Valerie Gugala portrays one of America's most famous First Ladies.

March 3 from 10:00- 11:00 a.m.: Coffee Monday with author Janis Johnston will discuss her book, Transforming Retirement: Rewire and Grow Your Legacy.

March 8 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.: Gentle Yoga. Register here.

March 9 from 2:00 -3:30 p.m.: Women's History Hindsight: The Struggle for Suffrage with historian and performer, Ellie Carlson.

March 21 from 1:00- 3:30 p.m.: Film Lover Fridays presents Paris Blues (1961). Stay after the movie for a discussion with film expert Jim Jacob.

March 23 from 2:00 -3:30 p.m.: This Land is Your Land: The Folksongs of Woody Guthrie with folk musician Bucky Halker.

[Note: Registration for April's Craft and Chat opens March 11: Register here.]

Other Programming at the Library:

March 4 from 7:00- 8:00 p.m.: Illinois Libraries present: Exploring Space with Coralie Adam. Register here for this webinar.

March 5 from 1:00-2:30 p.m.: Great Decisions. This week's topic is Foreign Policy Association. In each session, we will watch a recorded video lecture and then discuss the topic as a group. Readings for each session will be available at the library two weeks in advance. This week's topic: U.S.- China Relations.

March 19 from 1:00 -2:30 p.m.: Great Decisions. This week's topic is Foreign Policy Association. In each session, we will watch a recorded video lecture and then discuss the topic as a group. Readings for each session will be available at the library two weeks in advance. This week's topic: India: Between China, the West, and the Global South.

March 21: All Day: Illinois Libraries presents: 9-5: The Story of a Movement (Documentary). Register here for a link to the online documentary (able to watch through March 23)

March 30 from 2:00 -4:00 pm: Global Film Forum presents Anatolian Leopard (2021) from Turkey.

Note: The Library also has book clubs if you are interested (as does Oak Park Township as well as the Active Adult Program through the Park District of Oak Park) 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). Call your library for more information.

Other Local Upcoming Programs and Information:

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

Come to Recipe Box Cafe at Dominican University. See Flyer of all their dates here.. (3/13, 3/20) A three course meal is served at noon on Thursdays. Get on their email list so you can sign up.

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.

Mohr Community Center Events and Trips taking place in March and April are shown here as well as in the attachments below.

See local College Offerings for Older Adults on our webpage here. (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Grace Lutheran Church (7300 W. Division St.) is offering Grief Share Groups if you or anyone you know has lost a loved one. Click here for more details or to find other groups near you.

Emergency Warming Center information here.

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.

3:00- 4:30 p.m.: River Forest Township presents Beginning Chess at River Forest Community Center, Room 202.

Every Third Tuesday:

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 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. (3/29: Thrive with Pride Intergenerational Trivia Event 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. (Call number on website)

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.

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 for more Events:

Trailside Museum of Natural History events here.

(Senior Fitness Walks: March 5 and March 19)

Oak Park and River Forest Museum Calendar: Click here. (Museum Gala and History Book Club and other events)

Hemingway Foundation Events here.

(Author Talk March 20 with Marsha Sindelar)

See Visit Oak Park's website here.

Dominican University Events here.

Concordia Community Events here.

Triton College Community Events here.

ComedyPlex Upcoming Shows here.

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association events here.

(Free Reader Ensemble 3/16) See above in ongoing calendar under Monday for the Monday Enrichment Programs.

Oak Park Library Calendar here.

(Older Adults Coffee Hour 3/7)

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.

(Eleemosynary through 3/2; Starting 3/8 Billy Elton: Music of Billy Joel and Elton John)

OPRF High School performing Arts Events here.

Local Music:

Robert's Westside (great music, Tellers Night (2nd Tues), Soup and Bread Night (3rd Tues) and open mic night (4th Tues)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 (part of the Friendly Tap, Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn) To learn more, click here.

Other Useful Information:

The Village of Westchester has a Senior DMV. If you don't want to deal with the hassle of a busy DMV. It is in Westchester's Village Hall (10300 W. Roosevelt Rd.) 708-345-0020 (Note: the Township will not have their Super Senior DMV event until August)

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.

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)