Forest Leaves

A Spanish delight

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:58:24 -0500

My husband had the good fortune of hosting Luis, a Spanish exchange student, during high school, and his family had the good sense to preserve their relationship for decades. As a result, I found myself in the kitchen years ago with Luis’s mother, Carmen Lucy. Clad in an American flag apron, she taught me how to make Tortilla Española; working together we sliced potatoes and simmered them gently in olive oil. While I had never cooked anything in such copious amounts of oil, I was delighted to discover the resulting dish is not at all greasy. Ever since Carmen Lucy …

Create a healthier home this spring

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:08:01 -0500

It’s time to open your windows, air out the house and get started on some spring cleaning. While most people dread cleaning their house and getting rid of things, it’s a great time to take inventory of what you truly need and can live without. Cleaning out your home can also help improve your health when you get rid of dust piles and clutter. Check out these tips from USA.gov to help you get started: Mold can grow easily in places you use every day, such as the sink, bath tub, heater or AC unit. It’s important to stay on …

Dealing with stress; helpful resources

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:08:15 -0500

It’s easy to let the little stresses of life pile up and overwhelm you all at once. With so many ongoing activities and events at work and at home, it’s easy to feel anxiety build up — usually at the worst moment. USA.gov can help put things in perspective with these helpful resources: Constantly being on the go can be an added stress to an already busy day. The National Center for Telehealth and Technology has a free app, Breathe2Relax, available on androids and iPhones. The app includes instructions and practice exercises to help you conquer stress management. Breathing exercises …

Science books aren’t heavy

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:54:00 -0500

Is it possible to understand a science book once you’re out of school? Yes, and you might even enjoy it! Science doesn’t have to be heavy. Some titles are comprehensible and enriching to lay people. Ask staff at the Oak Park Public Library and here’s a sampling of science books they’ll recommend: I recently read The Information by James Gleick. It covers the history of information from the perspective of biology, physics, chemistry, computing, genetics and pretty much everything else. It is both very full of science and written in clear language for nonexperts. I learned about everything from the …

River Forest Public Library

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:16:01 -0500

River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Ave.; riverforestlibrary.org. All programs and events are free and open to the public. Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. Call (708) 366-5205. Due to space limitations priority is given to River Forest Library cardholders. Reference/Public Relations Librarian Hadley Ford, hadley.ford@riverforestlibrary.org; Ext. 319. On the go and need to know? Text a Librarian! Text “askrfpl” to 66746 to get started. “Celebrating Seniors’ Brains: Preventing Cognitive Decline,” 10 a.m. May 25. Board-certified Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr. Erin Hill will discuss helpful strategies to promote healthy brain aging, from maintaining good health to using your …

Oak Park and River Forest Community Calendar, May 24

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:56:01 -0500

Oak Leaves and Forest Leaves welcome items for the Community Calendar, as well as items for Business Briefs, Campus News, Community Briefs, School Digest and Your Page. Items must be received minimum of 10 days prior to publication. Fax (708) 383-3678; e-mail oakpark@pioneerlocal.com; or mail to Pioneer Press, 1010 W. Lake St., Suite 104, Oak Park, IL 60301. Benefits The Greyhound Alliance: 12:30 p.m. June 2 at Emilio’s Tapas, 4100 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, benefit for greyhound adoption. Passed tapas, seafood paella and dessert. Paella demo by Chef Emilio, one glass of sangria, one hour of Spanish wine tasting. Live music …

New book brings top chefs’ food to any table

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:31 -0500

Plenty of folks would shy away from coaxing even just one recipe out of their favorite restaurant chef, but Chicago food writer Amelia Levin collected 59 such recipes for her first cookbook, Chicago Chef’s Table (Lyon’s Press, 2012). “I started by reaching out to as many chefs as I could, assuming that not everyone would be able or would want to contribute. But actually, most did,” Levin explained. In her kitchen in Chicago, the Highland Park native edited each recipe, ensuring the order of ingredients matched the instructions. In some cases, measurements had to be changed. “Restaurants use a lot …

Chef stays true to red, white and blue

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:06:00 -0500

When the American flag flies proudly on days like Memorial Day, Chef John Lane weaves the nation’s favorite color combination into many of the foods he makes. For his Memorial Day weekend menu at The Perfect Dinner in Oak Park, Lane will make plenty of pies and tarts colored by fresh red raspberries, blueberries and white cream cheese mousse. But he’ll also make something more out of the ordinary for the special day: red, white and blue pulled barbecue pork sandwiches. Patriotic eats “Memorial Day is a super American holiday,” Lane said. “Hard-working people are given a chance to relax …

Boomers, i.e. seniors, just want to have fun

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:26:17 -0500

This is a big birthday year for many baby boomers. Every day for the next 18 years or so, about 10,000 baby boomers — including me — will turn 65. And guess what? According to the Pew Research Center, many of us, whether through exercise, good nutrition or Botox, have no intention of taking on the “Senior Citizen” label. In fact, many intend to hang on to what they consider rightfully theirs: youth. Don’t go telling any baby boomers you know that old age starts at age 65. They’ll surely disagree. According to Pew, the typical boomer feels nine years …

River Forest Public Library

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:47:55 -0500

River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Ave.; riverforestlibrary.org. All programs and events are free and open to the public. Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. Call (708) 366-5205. Due to space limitations priority is given to River Forest Library cardholders. Reference/Public Relations Librarian Hadley Ford, hadley.ford@riverforestlibrary.org; Ext. 319. On the go and need to know? Text a Librarian! Text “askrfpl” to 66746 to get started. Fourth and Fifth Grade Book Club: 2 p.m. May 20. Students in fourth and fifth grade are invited to join a book discussion. In May read Heart of a Samurai by Margi …

Foods of the 28 NATO countries: Go Hungary

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:04:29 -0500

In the same way I’d hope summit participants will be able to enjoy a Chicago-style hot dog or quintessential Italian beef sandwich while they are in the Windy City, I want to embrace the spirit of NATO in my home kitchen. Here’s how.

Celebrating Seniors Week Calendar

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:24:10 -0500

Celebrating Seniors Week is a collaboration in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park. Go to celebratingseniors.net. Friday, May 18 Township Lunch: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday, Oak Park Township Senior Services. Lunch 11:30 a.m.; $1.50/meal. Transportation call (708) 383-4806. Free Vision Screening: by appointment 9:30-10:30 a.m., Oak Park Township Senior Services. Call (708) 383-8060. Power of Attorney: and Living Will forms preparation, 10 a.m.-Noon, Oak Park Arms. Registration (708) 383-8060. Senior Swim and Yoga: 10:30 to Noon, West Cook YMCA, Oak Park. Exercise at Home Workshop: 12:30-1:30 p.m., West Cook YMCA, Oak Park. Art Show and Reception: 5:30-8 p.m., Oak …

The Great Big Idaho Potato Truck delivers

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:20:45 -0500

Older adults in suburban Cook County who receive home-delivered meals or have lunch at group dining locations can have potatoes donated to AgeOptions by the Idaho Potato Commission. The potatoes were delivered by The Great Big Idaho Potato Truck in a promotion at Ina’s restaurant in Chicago. The truck, which looks like a giant potato, is crossing the country to raise money and awareness for the Meals on Wheels Association of America, a national organization dedicated to helping end hunger among older adults. Don Odiorne, vice president of food service for the Potato Commission, presented a basket of potatoes and …

Understanding immigrants in ‘Leaving Czechoslovakia’

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:38:01 -0500

Can you imagine leaving your friends, family and country because of political upheaval? I can. Although I came to the U.S. as an immigrant from India, I can sympathize with Czech and Slovak émigrés. Their countries are rich with art, fairytale castles and Cubist architecture found nowhere else in the world but in Prague. Prague’s Hradcany Castle is entered in the Guinness World Records as the largest ancient castle in the world. Almost 80 percent of Slovakia is close to 2,500 feet above sea level. Glass-making goes back to the Bronze Age in the Czech Republic, as evidenced by glass …

Pet of the Week

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:36:00 -0500

Name: Willow Species: Rabbit Color: Black Gender: Female Age: 1-2 years Willow is a sweet little bunny that came to us from a shelter that was over crowded. She is spayed, about 1 to 2 years old and is enjoying all the attention she is getting here from staff and volunteers! She has a beautiful black coat and likes being petted. Willow is a bit on the thin side, but her appetite is good and she now cleans her plate at each meal! She enjoys “free time” out on the floor, playing with toys and munching on fresh veggies. If …

River Forest Public Library Calendar, May 10

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:40:01 -0500

River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Ave.; riverforestlibrary.org. All programs and events are free and open to the public. Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. Call (708) 366-5205. Due to space limitations priority is given to River Forest Library cardholders. Reference/Public Relations Librarian Hadley Ford, hadley.ford@riverforestlibrary.org; Ext. 319. On the go and need to know? Text a Librarian! Text “askrfpl” to 66746 to get started. Ask An Architect: 6-9 p.m. May 10. Licensed Architect and General Contractor Brian Fryzel will provide a free one-on-one consultation on new construction homes, home additions, attic/basement conversions or other renovation projects. …