8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2
Watch party for the vice presidential debate
The viewing on FitzGerald’s hi-def 9- by 16-foot screen will be good. The listening-in should be better. State Senator Don Harmon and the Democratic Party of Oak Park will be there as the governor of Alaska takes on the senator from Delaware. Watching and listening are free; food and drink are on you. 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn, 788-2118
7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2
Gourmet pizza class
Four hands-on creations in three hours: Barbecued chicken with red onion and cilantro, artichoke salad on whole wheat, mushroom with taleggio cheese, and peach mascarpone rustic galettes. $70. Flavour Cooking School, 7401 Madison, Forest Park. 488-0808, www.flavourcookingschool.com
7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2
Live jazz
John Wright on piano, bass, guitar and drums at Philander’s restaurant. Carleton of Oak Park Hotel, 1110 Pleasant St., 848-5000
Noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
Sidewalk sale on The Avenue
Another reason to shop local: The Avenue Business Association’s annual Harvest Sidewalk Sale. Starting at noon, look for three days of deals on clothing, giftware, art and home accessories from the shopkeepers along Oak Park Avenue and at the Lake Street intersection. On Friday, the sidewalks will be stocked with Avenue shop specials. On Saturday and Sunday, visiting artists will add to the retail mix. This is the business district that includes such distinct shops as Botanica, Anana’s, Filoni, Fly Bird and Chameleon and-for the non-shoppers in tow-such nearby dining as Winberie’s, Geppetto’s, the Pasta Shoppe and PapaSpiros. Noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5.
4 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
Octoberfest in Forest Park
Join the fun with German food, beer and wine, live entertainment and games for all ages. On Saturday, too, from noon to 11 p.m. Altenheim Picnic Grove, 7824 Madison. 366-2543
6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
Powder Puff Football
OPRF junior vs. senior girls, with all-star boys’ cheering squad, South Field. One of several Homecoming Weekend events open to the public. For others, click here. Oak Park and River Forest High School, 201 N. Scoville, Oak Park. 383-0700
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
Rummage sale
Citizens United in Forest Park, a local government watchdog group, is having its annual sale of reusable goods that your neighbors aren’t throwing away. Shop green at First United Church of Christ, 1000 Elgin Ave., www.cuinfp.org
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
The Great Pumpkin Fest
Penny carnival games and a pumpkin moon jump for kids 3 and older. For kids who can sit awhile, there’s a chance at 2:30 to see the Cold-Blooded Creature Show. At Beye School. $8 for Oak Park residents, $12 for others. Seating for the show is limited: Reserve a spot at oakparkparks.com. Beye is at 230 N. Cuyler.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
Maurice Brown in concert
Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Famer and Chicago native Maurice Brown opens this year’s Unity Temple concert series with the hippest sounds to come from a trumpet. $15 to $30. At 875 Lake, Oak Park. www.utconcerts.com
1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Autumnfest at Cheney Mansion
Go on a garden scavenger hunt. Take in a cooking demo. Or just tour the 12,000-square-foot home designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. All at no charge. 220 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park
2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Lecture on The Pearl Fishers
Prep for the show before opening night with a lecture in the library’s Lyric Opera series. Free. 834 Lake St., Oak Park. 383-8200, www.oppl.org
2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Out and Proud book signing
Meet Tracy Baim, editor of Out and Proud in Chicago, and Marie Kuda, a contributor from Oak Park. Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 Madison, Forest Park. 771-7243, www.chicagogayhistory.org
