Actual Fun

Thursday, Nov. 27

Video: How to carve a turkey

A whole turkey framed in lush garnish on an heirloom platter makes for a great magazine shot, but not an efficient way to get white and dark meat to your guests. Learn a fuss-free way to bring the Thanksgiving centerpiece to your table. Click here for coaching by Chef Michael Pivoney of Marion Street Cheese Market.

Thursday, Nov. 27

Restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day

Even if every accomplishment in the kitchen relaxes you, cooking up a Thanksgiving feast might not be the best way to unwind. Whether you’re pressed for time because you were in the office late the day before-or you need a public gathering place so relatives and friends might behave better, you’ve got four spots nearby that have kitchens open on Thanksgiving Day.

Philander’s

11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1110 Pleasant, Oak Park

708-848-4250

www.carletonhotel.com/philanders

Philander’s, the full-service restaurant in the Carleton of Oak Park Hotel, will be serving a Thanksgiving buffet that in addition to turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie will include a raw bar with shrimp, smoked salmon and bluepoint oysters; a carving station with prime rib and mustard honey-glazed ham; such sides as apple-sage dressing, sweet corn, candied sweet potatoes with pecans, and roasted-pepper hash, and entrees such as tortellini Alfredo, baked salmon and roasted pork loin.

The charge is $35.95; for children 5 to 12, it’s $15.95. Seating is limited. Make reservations at 708-848-4250.

Thyme and Honey

7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

7525 W. Madison, Forest Park
708-771-5752

The Nicolau family will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will be serving the entire menu, plus a traditional special. As with every dinner special here, a glass of wine will be complimentary.

Shanahan’s

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

7353 W. Madison, Forest Park

708-366-0775

Chef Tim Shanahan will be serving up a traditional Cajun brunch: crab mornay omelettes, voodoo steak Benedict, eggs Sardou and breakfast po’ boys.

The Depot

6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

5840 W. Roosevelt, Chicago

773-261-8422

The Depot, the ’40s diner in Austin owned by a former Oak Parker, will be open for breakfast and lunch and will be serving a meal of Thanksgiving comfort food for $15.95: turkey, with giblet gravy; sage stuffing; soup and salad; sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes; and cornbread. Reservations aren’t necessary. The same meal is available for takeout.

Thursday, Nov. 27

Bars open on Thanksgiving night

If you’ve got meal plans earlier in the day and the evening’s open, you need not go farther than Forest Park to meet up with friends for a toast. At eight pubs on

Doc Ryan’s
8 p.m.-2 a.m.
7432 W. Madison,
Forest Park, 708-366-2823

Duffy’s
6 p.m.-2 a.m.
7513 W. Madison,
Forest Park, 708-366-3887

Healy’s Westside
8 p.m.-2 a.m.
7321 W. Madison,
Forest Park, 708-366-4277

Mugsy’s
2 p.m.-2 a.m.
7640 W. Madison,
Forest Park, 708-366-4445

Murphy’s Pub
7 p.m.-2 a.m.
7414 W. Madison,
Forest Park, 708-366-3008

O’Sullivan’s Public House
10 a.m. – 1 a.m.
7244 W. Madison,
Forest Park, 708-366-6667

Pioneer Tap
2 p.m.-2 a.m.
7445 Randolph,
Forest Park, 708-771-4909

Zambonie’s
2 p.m.-2 a.m.
7522 W. Madison,
Forest Park, 708-366-8782

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28

More skate hours for kids

To help kids find another community activity-and exercise-on a day they’re out of school, the park district of Oak Park is adding public skate hours at Ridgeland Common Park: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If you don’t have a season pass, the fee is $5. A season pass to the Paul Hruby Ice Arena is $40 for Oak Park residents and $60 for others. 415 W. Lake, Oak Park. 848-9661, www.oakparkparks.com

Starting Friday, Nov. 28

Shop Oak Park, with free parking

Through Sunday, no worries about parking meters or parking garages in any Oak Park business district. As you focus on shopping local, more than 100 local businesses are working together to reward you. Click here for Shop the Village details, including the list of 108 businesses signed up to participate.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28

Shop Forest Park, with waffles à la mode

Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor is opening three hours sooner so shoppers along

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29

Holiday gift fair

Briolette Beads and More, the

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29

Book Table benefit for PADS

Buy local from Oak Park’s independent bookseller and know that 10 percent of the day’s sales will go to West Suburban PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter), a Cook County resource for men, women and kids who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.The Book Table, 1045 Lake, Oak Park. 708-386-9800, www.thebooktable.com

9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29

Cliff Johnson at La Bella Bistecca
Power-pop pioneer Cliff Johnson will do a few of his legendary Off Broadway hits along with new material from his coming solo album, Little Crimes. La Bella Bistecca, 410 Circle Ave., Forest Park. 708-771-8466

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30

Jazz with champagne brunch

$21.95, Hemmingway’s Bistro,

3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30

Cooking class on Asian noodles

Learn how to prepare four dishes that feature noodles: Vietnamese beef pho bo, Thai garlic noodles, chow fun with smoked five-spice pork, and grilled shrimp udon noodle salad. $50. Call 708-488-0808 to reserve a spot. Flavour Cooking School, 7401 W. Madison, Forest Park. www.flavourcookingschool.com

7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30

Shelby Lynne at FitzGerald’s

Chicago vets Lisa Derosia & Lush Budgett will open for Grammy-winning folk and rock artist Shelby Lynne. FitzGerald’s Nightclub,