Publications & Sites 
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with silly stories
Updated: April 2, 2012 8:12AM
Here are Judy’s picks of coming community activities in the Oak Park-River Forest area, spiced with a little commentary.
Let’s do lunch,
Mr. Falcon
Kids can meet a live falcon and learn about the ancient hunting tradition of falconry at 11 a.m. Monday, March 5, at the main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. Bring your child (age 3 and up) to this unique learning experience. Free tickets are available at the library. For more information, call (708) 383-8200.
How do you introduce a falcon to a kid? Do you say, “Freddy Falcon, I’d like you to meet Johnny Jones, who follows the ancient hunting tradition of finding Easter eggs”? Gives them something to discuss, right?
A rhyme sublime
A Seuss-sational Seedlings program, for children age 4 and up, will take place from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, March 2, at the Oak Park Public Library’s Dole Branch, 255 Augusta St. Come celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with silly stories, fantastic fun and a cool craft. To register, visit www.oppl.org or call (708) 386-9032.
Happy birthday Dr. Seuss/ Have some cake, some apple juice/ Have some pie, some chocolate mousse/ There’s no reason to reduce/ You’re in heaven where your size’ll/ Be just fine — beyond reprisal/ Get as plump as Old King Faisal!/ Dear Dr. Seuss (or Mister Geisel).
Ho, Ho, Ho Jolly
Green Giant
A Vegetable Gardening Workshop will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, March 3 through March 17, at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St. (at East Avenue). Learn how to grow healthy vegetables that can be harvested for three seasons. Whether only growing tomatoes and parsley or cultivating a huge vegetable plot, this practical workshop is for you. For fees and to register, visit www.oakparkparks.com or at the conservatory.
“Whether only growing tomatoes or parsley …” Excuse me, but the foregoing phrase implies this is small-potatoes (ha-ha) gardening-wise — why? If I could grow just one tomato or one parsley (parsle?) I’d be ecstatic. Right now, Harvest Time at the Brinkworths means buying frozen vegetables at Jewel.
Yoo-hoo, Lord
Grantham …
A family concert, “Imagination Transport” will take place from 1:15 to 3 p.m. Monday, March 5, at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave., in Oak Park. Musician/storyteller Kevin McMullin will take his audience on a musical storytelling journey as far as the imagination can reach. For fees and where to purchase tickets, visit www.19thcenturyclub.com or call (708) 386-2729.
Ah, yes, imagination. A poem: “When I am both cross and crabby, I imagine Downton Abbey/ It’s where I never lift a finger/ But take my tea, with time to linger/ Then at night when I descend/ The golden staircase (let’s pretend)/ It’s Lady Judy in her glory/ So refined, so hunky-dory/ So when your woes seem like a mountain/ Make believe! Go rule at Downton!”
Did Rene
Descartes fish?
Register now for Let¹s Go Fishing at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., in River Forest. Families with kids and adult beginners will learn basic fishing techniques, fishing ethics, necessary equipment and more. For more information and to register, call (708) 366-6530.
What are fishing ethics? When casting a line in the water, does one shout, “I hope you like this worm, but if it in anyway offends your deeply held principles, we can discuss it”? Somehow, I think not.
