Publications & Sites 
Wear your hats, ladies!
Updated: March 29, 2012 4:12PM
Here are Judy’s picks of coming community activities in the Oak Park-River Forest area, spiced with a little commentary.
I never lose
Chess Open Play for all ages and all skill levels will be offered from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 19, at the main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. To register, call (708) 383-8200.
Here’s my strategy when my hero’s winning at chess — I start to hum. “Stop that!” he blurts out. “Stop what?” I innocently reply. “That grunting,” he yells. I stand up in a huff, which not only marks the termination of the game, but the inauguration of my two-week pout — admittedly, a touchy time for the Brinkworths. It’s worth it.
Yoo-hoo, wildlife …
Register now for a Landscape for Nature class to be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 31, at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St. In this design course, participants will learn how to attract and support wildlife in their gardens. Bring pictures or a plan of your current garden to get targeted suggestions. For fees and to register, visit www.oakparkparks.com or go to the Oak Park Conservatory. For more information, call (708) 386-4700.
Not only does wildlife hate my garden, even weeds hate my garden — when they pop up and just see dirt, dirt and more dirt, they murmur, “Aw, why bother,” and bungee back beneath the soil. So sad.
Absolutely evil.
A computer help session will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 16, at the Dole Branch of the Oak Park Library, 255 Augusta St. Ask us your computer help questions during one-on-one 20-minute sessions. Questions about Web searching, online job hunting and more, are welcome. To schedule a session, call (708) 386-9032.
“Ask your computer help questions … ” But I’ve already asked my computer for help and all it does is type, “Not a chance, sister,” and shuts down … what? The listing says, “Ask us your computer help questions — US — meaning, ask the library. Oh thank goodness, ‘cause computers are the devil’s plaything, if you ask me.
A few fibs. So?
Enjoy a presentation of the film “Green Fire,” about the remarkable life and legacy of naturalist/writer Aldo Leopold, at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 25, at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., in River Forest. The Forest Preserve’s own Mighty Acorns’ students are featured. Admission is free. To register, call (708) 366-6530.
I’d love a film “about the remarkable life and legacy of naturalist/writer” Judy Brinkworth. OK, OK — to be an honest portrayal, it would just be a film “about the life of Judy Brinkworth,” but nobody wants to watch that — including Judy Brinkworth.
Hats on!
In honor of Women’s History Month, an exhibit titled “It’s All About Hats” is on display throughout March at the main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. The exhibit and a newly published book are a tribute to photographer Michael Bracey’s mother, Letha Reed-Bracey, who left her son her lovely collection of hats. For more information, call (708) 383-8200.
Women should start wearing hats again — frilly, frivolous hats, maybe with feathers, maybe with teensy polka-dot veils to coyly peep through — ‘cause then admirers would say, “M’dear, you are fetching.” I yearn to be called fetching. Although “the fairest of them all’ would work too.
