The Oak Park Police Department is working to raise public awareness of some common crimes of the season by offering the following tips to help reduce the chances of become a victim.

Motor vehicle theft… Many autos are reported stolen during colder months after being left unattended to warm up, unlocked and running with the keys in the ignition. This can happen on the street, in a garage or while making a quick stop at a store. Leaving a running vehicle unattended not only increases its risk of it being stolen, it also is a violation of state law.

Auto burglaries… Packages and valuables left visible in auto – even if it is locked – are an invitation to thieves who may be willing to damage the vehicle to get at them. And if you have to make multiple trips from your car to your home to unload, be alert – especially if the trunk or a door must be left open.

Package theft… If you are expecting deliveries, make arrangements with friends, family or neighbors so that packages will not be left out where thieves can see and get them.

Pickpockets and thieves…While out shopping or dining take care with purses, bags and wallets. Thieves like bags and purses hanging on chair backs, left in shopping carts, sitting unattended or simply put down while the owner answers a telephone or is otherwise distracted.

Residents are urged to report any suspicious activity to the Police. In an emergency always call 911. For non-emergencies call 708.386.3800. For more information or additional crime tips visit www.oak-park.us/police or contact your resident beat officer.

April 2010 Visitors’ Edition

Oak Park Architecture Photo Party 2010

Oak Park, Illinois arguably the birth place of the American suburb, and the American suburban house.  World renowned architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and George Maher not only got their start there, but left their indelible marks on the landscape – physically and culturally.  Experience the world renowned architecture of our town, which is just a scant eight miles / twelve kilometers from another equally world renowned and architecturally significant place,the Chicago Loop.

And besides – Oak Park has lots of great restaurants , stores, hotels, cozy bed & breakfasts and cultural attractions to discover and enjoy once you’ve completed the Oak Park Architecture Photo Party.

Instructions:

By walking along public sidewalks and right-of-ways contained within the shaded area of the Scavenger Hunt Map (below), locate these architectural features and details, noting their location.

Oak Park is a living museum containing many private homes that just happen to be world renowned masterpieces.  At no point were any private residences, or even any private property harmed in the production of the Oak Park Architecture Photo Party.  Please respect the homeowners privacy and remain on the public sidewalks for the hunt.

April 2010 Oak Park Architecture Photo Party is a production of:

• American Institute of Architects / Illinois Council
• Oak Park Architectural League

This edition has been made possible by:

• The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust
• Visit Oak Park
• Architecture Adventure / Oak Park Education Foundation
• Oak Park – River Forest Historical Foundation
• www.3Planets.com / www.ShopOakPark.com
• Heitzman Architects
• Babuk Presentations, Inc / www.TourAboutChicago.com

Scavenger Hunt Map

All sites in this month’s scavenger hunt are located in the shaded area, and all sites are easily seen from public sidewalks, roads and right of ways. All homes on this map are privately owned. Please respect the home owner’s privacy and remain on public sidewalks.

There was a star danced,and under that I was born.
William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, II, i, 351

Tina Valentino is the Editor/Publisher

Happy Birthday. April is different things to different people, of course. Easter, Spring and that one day of the year that encourages and condones practical jokes. When I think of April, I can’t help but think of William Shakespeare’s birthday—April 23rd—the day his birthday is observed (which, strangely, is also the date of his death). And I also think of April 23rd as the day I was hired for my first job at the Proviso Star-Sentinel newspaper after graduating from Rosary College. Nothing happens by chance, as my mentor Sr. Cyrille Gill always told me.

When invited back to speak to undergrads years later, I would always begin by telling them the truth—that I had no business being at Rosary College studying the liberal arts. I had abandoned a practical career plan at Triton to attend Rosary and study the liberal arts, major in English, and sign on to a lifelong payment book of student loans. With every payment and every week since graduation, I have thanked the liberal arts for not only my paycheck but for the quality of my life. I quote the Classics when I write knowing that they are as appropriate and meaningful now as they were when they were first written. The quote above by Shakespeare was one of the first to stay with me all those years ago and I couldn’t help but think of it as I stood with Lois Baumann in front of her Stairway of the Stars on 5th Avenue in Maywood, ravaged by fire, still reeking of smoke, boarded-up and fenced off. So many young children had been “born” where I stood.

It all seemed so metaphorical to me. I have known Lois Baumann for years, easily identifiable by her spiky blonde hair, raspy voice and fun demeanor. I had passed her Stairway and Maywood Fine Arts building almost daily, seeing kids tumbling and jumping from the windows along Lake Street. But it wasn’t until I stood in front of that blackened shell of Lois Baumann’s dream did I realize how much we had in common and how  generous she has been with her life in passing on her love of the arts to thousands of children—most of them just like me, who simply had no business studying dance or piano or learning to paint or draw or dreaming of being a ballerina when there was barely enough money at home to pay the bills. Most of them won’t become professional dancers or famous musicians despite the hours they spend with Lois and Ernie Baumann; but they will walk away more hopeful than when they arrived; they will be rich in tolerance and multi-ethnic friendships and spirit, leaving legacies far greater than those who associate successful lives with monetary wealth. Help Stairway to rebuild… and little stars to dance.

Oak Park Education Foundation

Bird enthusiasts, art lovers and consumers of fine things…come to Fly Bird, 719 Lake Street in Oak Park, April 12 through May 2 for a visual and affordable treat.  Fly Bird, a design-oriented gift shop in Oak Park, is hosting the 6^th annual student art show/auction to benefit the Oak Park Education Foundation.

District 97 6^th grade students from Julian and Brooks middle schools, under the supervision of their art teachers, have donated their time and talent to create beautiful ink paintings in traditional Sumi-E style, with a bird theme.  The paintings will hang in the windows at 719 Lake Street, and can be observed at any time of day or night.

Oak Park Education Foundation's Art Start Program

Fly Bird is owned by an Oak Park and District 97 parent, Julia Nash. The store specializes in curiosities for the happy home, body and mind.  The staff at Fly Bird will make it simple for you to acquire one of these works of art. The bidding starts at only $10, will increase in increments of $5, with a “Buy Now” option for only $30! Bids can be made via email, telephone or in person.  And Frame Warehouse is offering $25 discounts on framing.

All proceeds from the auction benefit the Oak Park Education Foundation, which provides innovative enrichment programs (Art Start, Global Village, Architecture Adventure, Vex Robotics and Geared Up) in the Oak Park public schools, grades K-8. Our professional partners share their passion for art, science, architecture and engineering to more than 3,000 District 97 students every year.

Fly Bird is located at 719 Lake St. in Oak Park, and is open seven days a week, Monday thru Wednesday 10-6pm, Saturday 10-6pm, Thursday and Friday 10-8pm and Sunday from 12 to 4 pm. You can email headbird@fly-bird.net, call 708-383-3330 or come to the store with any questions regarding the show.   Stop by and take a look!

For more information, contact Deb Abrahamson, Oak Park Education Foundation, (708) 524-3023, dabrahamson@op97.org.

The Oak Park Area Arts Council, which by the way serves not only Oak Park, but also Forest Park and River Forest, is having a fundraiser and one heck of a good party on Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the old Oilily Building, 103 Forest Avenue in River Forest, Illinois.

Artful Object 2010: Break the Ice!

I could quote you a whole slew of statistics that “prove” that consistent exposure to art – paintings, sculpture, music, poetry & theater, allows the imaginations of children to grow. But leave it that creating and enjoying art in all its forms is fun and entertaining for both children and adults.

The OPAAC runs three major programs: Artsfunds, Scholarships & Off the Wall.  In 2009, the Arts Council provided $41,175 in ArtsFunds grants to 31 organizations in Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest and they were able to award five $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors to pursue their education in the arts, as well as hire six young artists for the summer teen arts employment program, Off the Wall.

Tickets are $75 / $130 per couples for members and $85/$150 couples for non-members.