Join the parade
Saturday, March 4 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Madison Street:
Forest Park’s St. Paddy’s Parade is one of the largest, and earliest, parades in the western suburbs. Bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, local business entries, Medinah Shriner parade units, local police and fire departments and more. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the village of Forest Park. Parade route: Begins at Madison and Van Buren and continues east on Madison to Elgin.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Prep
Friday, March 3 from 3 to 4 p.m., Forest Park Public Library Conference Room:
Sign decorating for the March 4 St. Patrick’s Day
Parade. Even if you can’t march, you can participate in the parade prep. Ages 8-12.
One Earth Film Festival
March 3-12 at various local venues:
Green Community Connections and a volunteer throng of 300 have created the 6th annual One Earth Film Festival, now spanning two weekends. This year you have a choice of 30 films in 39 venues across Chicagoland, many of them local. Each film has a facilitated program afterward. Check out the films and schedule on http://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/ or see the brochure for the local viewings http://tinyurl.com/h94ocnu.
Forest Park area screenings
1. “How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change,” 7 p.m., Thursday, March 2, Dominican University, Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest
2. “Sustainable,” 10 a.m., Saturday, March 5, Classic Cinemas Lake Theater, 1022 Lake St., Oak Park
3. Family/Children’s Films (age 9-13+), 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 4, Oak Park Public Library Veterans Room, 834 Lake St., Oak Park
4. “Growing Cities,” 12 p.m., Saturday, March 4, Chicago Public Library, Austin Branch, 5615 W. Race Ave., Chicago
5. “Hometown Habitat,” 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 4, Triton College, R Building Performing Arts, 2000 5th Ave., River Grove
6. “At the Fork,” 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 4, Oak Park Public Library, Veterans Room, 834 Lake St., Oak Park
7. “Can You Dig This?” 3 p.m., Saturday, March 4, Garfield Park Conservatory, Jensen Room, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago
8. “Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things,” 7 p.m., Saturday, March 4, Good Earth Greenhouse, 7900 Madison St., River Forest
9. “Years of Living Dangerously: Race Against Time,” 12 p.m., Saturday, March 11, Loretto Hospital, Auditorium-6th Floor
10. “A Small Good Thing,” 12:30 p.m., Sunday, March 5, St. Giles Catholic Church, McDonough Hall, 2nd Fl., 1101 N. Columbian Ave., Oak Park
11. “Shifting Sands,” 7 p.m., Thursday, March 9, Oak Park Public Library, Veterans Room, 834 Lake St., Oak Park
12. “Chicago’s True Nature,” 11 a.m., Sat., March 11, Thatcher Wood Pavilion, 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest
13. “Toxic Chemicals: Kids in Danger,” 3 p.m., March 11, Oak Park Public Library, Veterans Room, 834 Lake St., Oak Park
14. Festival Closing Celebration, 3 p.m., Sunday, March 12, Garfield Park Conservatory, Jensen Room, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago. Includes screening of Conversation International’s virtual reality short film “Under the Canopy.”
Soap Box Derby registration
The Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby and the Kiwanis Club of Forest Park are bringing back the Soap Box Derby races, a fun, family-friendly, action-packed event. Racers can build their own car or rent a car (limited availability) for the event. The day includes races and an after-race banquet to celebrate. The registration deadline is April 3. For more information, contact the Kiwanis Club of Forest Park or the Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby Association. Clinic on the event will be offered upon request. http://www.soapboxderby.org/greater-chicago/about-us/races/2017-forest-parkchicago-local-race.aspx
Looking ahead:
Counter Coffee open mic: Thursday, March 9 from 7-10 p.m. Piano accompanist Mark Burnell coordinates the evening and will play any music you bring. Light dinner options: paninis and wraps.
St. Patrick’s Day Dance: Friday, March 10. Everyone dressed in green will receive a door prize and receive a ticket to win a raffle prize. A signed permission slip with a parent/guardian signature is required. Grades 3-5. Administrative building, 3rd floor. Fee: $5 per person. The parade begins at Madison and Van Buren and continues east on Madison to Elgin.
Garden Seed Swap: March 11, St. John Lutheran.
Daylight Savings: An hour of extra light at night. Change your smoke detector batteries.
Calendar Events
As you’ve likely noticed, our Calendar has changed to Big Week. Fewer items, higher profile. If you would like your event to be featured here, please send a photo and details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published. We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights.
Email calendar@wjinc.com.
