 | | Happy Holidays from the Oak Park Arts District! | Shopping Artfully In Store & Online Arts District retailers take your safety seriously. Many offer online services, personal shopping, curbside pick up and shipping. All follow public health guidelines in regards to mask wearing, social distancing and sanitizing. Please think small, unique and local this holiday season. | The arts collective's current show is The Warmth of Color, an exhibition celebrating peace, love, mindfulness and well-being. Studio doors are open on Wednesdays from 1-5pm. Take in the exhibition, shop for art by local artists and handmade soaps and hand sanitizer from Nine Waves Out Soap Company.
Dancing Krow artists are placing their best creations in the gallery for you
to buy for all those you love, including yourself, this holiday season. 43 Harrison | Along with framed paintings, Purple Sun Arts has hand crafted jewelry, face masks and mask chains, ornaments, wine glass charms, wreaths, greeting cards, bookmarks, collectable and antique glassware and very cool hand-painted chairs! Art Journaling classes will be announced soon. Holiday Shopping Hours: Wednesday - Sunday from 1 - 5pm. 142 Harrison |  Save on Your Sparkle! | Studio 144 Boutique is a cozy and welcoming space offering women's fashion (sizes small - 3x), jewelry, fragrance, purses, skincare and more. Looking for a gift for a special someone? Marcia will help you put together just the right stylish things! Holiday Shopping Hours:
Monday - Tuesday By appointment only
Wednesday - Friday 12 - 5pm
Saturday 11 - 5pm
Sunday 12 - 4pm
To schedule an appointment visit
facebook.com/studio144boutique and click on Book Now, email studio144boutique@yahoo.com. Call or text to 708.205.2866. 144 Harrison | In-store or online, Bead in Hand is ready to help you with your jewelry making and crafting needs! Shop a gorgeous selection of semi-precious stone, Czech glass and unique findings or pick up a kit to give as a gift or play with at home. One of a kind pieces made by the staff are sure to please. On the website, you'll find The Bead in Hand Store with links to Do It Yourself Beading Kits, Kits for the Holidays and basic Beading Instructions. Bead in Hand is open every day of the week but due to space constraints, recommends that you make an appointment. Holiday Shopping Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 12- 5pm
Wednesday & Sunday 1 - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
145 Harrison |  Bundle Up! | In-store pick up and porch drops! Elevate offers pre-designed gift bundles, or create your own! E-Gift Cards available via the webstore. Send teachers and others digital cards in any amount easily! Online Shop. 321 Harrison | Online Classes & Workshops Think about Giving an Experience- to a child or a friend, close by or far away. | Cuddle up with some cocoa and enjoy a Holiday Storytelling, Online One-Day Workshop with The Actors Garden. Put down your cocoa when you feel like getting in on the acting! Saturday, December 19th, 1 - 2pm & 2:30 - 3:30pm. For ages 7-10, $15. Details & Registration |  Click for more information about Winter 2021 classes | Give the gift of French this holiday season! Looking for the perfect holiday gift for that special someone in your life? Give the gift of learning another language and being immersed in French and Francophone culture. Online classes are easily accessible to gift recipients near the Oak Park Arts District and far away! | Registration is open for Winter 2021 French classes!
If you took French in school or for a visit but haven’t used it recently, l’Institut français d’Oak Park has the perfect class for you to revisit French! Advanced Beginner French Conversation and Grammar I is the first of a series of four classes that focuses on communication while broadening your understanding of French culture and grammar. Review common irregular verbs, pronominal verbs, negation, adjectives, and more. L’Institut français d’Oak Park offers professionally taught courses in all levels of French for adults and mature teens as well as weekly French conversation groups for adults and teens. Register now for Winter 2021: January 18-March 27 All classes will be held online via Zoom.
* Beginning French Conversation I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII
* Advanced Beginner French Conversation and Grammar I
* Advanced Beginner French Culture and Conversation
* Intermediate French Culture and Conversation
* La Chanson Francophone Conversation Café and Teen Conversation Café - French-only conversation groups meet Thursdays from 7-8pm on Zoom. Learn More & Register
Questions? Visit www.frenchinstitute.net or contact Stacy Fifer at mailto:stacy.fifer@frenchinstitute.net | A Message from Music Together You & Yours:
In order to make a contribution to our local community, 10% of the Winter Bells semester registration fees will be donated to Beyond Hunger. Families are struggling to make ends meet and I'd like to support the steadfast efforts of this essential organization. Thank you for your continued support. I'll continue to offer classes for as long as it's viable. Please reach out if you need to make payment arrangements. It's crucial that we continue to provide a musical outlet for our kids and ourselves. Community. Music. Food. These are important to all of us.
Classes will start January 15, 2021. Registration is now open for the winter 2021 Bells semester at Musictogetheryouandyours.com
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns!
Thank you!
Lauren |  Click for more information | Medicine Buddha One-Day Retreat: Healing through Wisdom
Join any one session, or all 3 guided sessions. Based upon the profound healing practice of Medicine Buddha, this full-day guided retreat will emphasize the practice of Tantric self-generation practice of Medicine Buddha, the embodiment of the healing energy of all Buddhas. Although this event is open to everyone, this in-depth retreat is most suitable for those who already have some previous experience with Buddha's Sutra teachings. Each session will include a brief teaching, preparatory prayers, and extensive meditation. Led by Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang Zamling. Wednesday, December 30th, 10am - 6 pm. $15-40. |  Click for more information | An Alternative New Year's Eve Celebration
Live
Part 1: Inspired, Confident & Calm: A Special Talk & Meditation for the New Year. Buddhist meditation offers valuable, effective methods everyone can use to improve the quality of your mind and life. Learn how to feel more confident, inspired and stable through meditation in the year ahead -- both on and off the meditation cushion -- regardless of what life throws your way. Led by Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang Zamling. $12 Part 2: Prayers of Compassion for World Peace. Now more than ever, our world needs authentic kindness, empathy, and compassion. To celebrate the New Year, we will enjoy a traditional Buddhist prayer which develops our own compassion and enables us to establish a more compassionate and caring society. All are very welcome to attend. FREE. Thursday, December 31st, online starting at 7pm and available for 72 hours after. | | Sweets, Savories & Open Coffee Houses |  Space is limited. RSVP to the GRND Coffee House at 708.613.4592. Masks and hand sanitizer are a must upon entry. | |  Cookies! | The newest business on Harrison Street has Holiday Cookies for your adorable pets- and kids! Decorate your cookies with GRND's cookie kit. A free online class with pastry chef Janet is included. Kid cookie kit and pet cookies, just in time for Santa and friends. There’s even a spare for mom and dad. Everyone can get in on the fun! Invite you friends and neighbors.
Kits are $35 - $65 and include 6 - 13 cookies plus a pet cookie and all the decorations. December 23rd at 1 pm via ZOOM. Register online and RSVP @ GRND Coffeehouse www.grndcoffeehouse.com or 708.613.4592. 140 Harrison |  Click to order your pies! | Order Your Holiday Pies by Thursday, December 17.
Signature Apple, Apple Cranberry Crumble, Gluten-less Apple Cranberry Crumble, Small Apple Cranberry Crumble, Eggnog Cream, Chocolate Chess, Candy Cane Chocolate Chess, Small Chocolate Chess, Quiche and Mincemeat. And let's repeat it cause it sounds soooo good- Eggnog Cream. 226 Harrison |  Click for brunch | RBP has partnered with Publican Quality Meats to bring the Oak Park Community a series of delicious Weekend Brunch Boxes. Each weekend, select a package for pick-up from Rare Bird on Saturday morning between 10 - 11:30 am and if you miss brunching with your friends maybe you could all order a box and do a zoom brunch! Order Up! 211 Harrison | The Eastgate Cafe offers hearty homemade dishes for carry-out curbside pick up or delivery from now until the spring. 102 Harrison |  Check out the Buzz's heated back patio space too! | | | Do you or a loved one need in home care assistance? ARIS at home is a locally owned, family run provider that specializes in compassionate non-medical home care for you or your loved one. ARIS at home is proud to stand for a new level of private home care focused on true values. This month, receive one week of ARIS' professional service at a discounted rate of up to six hours free! Evaluate if home care is the right fit for your current situation. Click HERE to learn more about the Home Care Trial Plan. 327 Harrison | | Easy Ways to Support Independent Retail | The Gift Card It used to mean, "I'm thinking about you but I'm kind of lazy." Now, it means, "I'm thinking about you but I'm sheltering in place." Both the giver and recipient can feel good about that!
Who has them? Kidcreate Studio, L'Institut français d'Oak Park, Bead in Hand, Buzz Cafe, Val's halla Records, GRND Coffeehouse, Elevate Hair & Beauty Boutique, Dye Hard Yarns and Rare Bird Preserves. |  Great gifts for teachers, family meals, holiday gifts, corporate gifts, local shopping & more. |  Support local brick & mortars through their online shops! | | |  As it has for many years, Trattoria 225 is collecting Toys for Tots. Drop off a gift when picking up your take out! 225 Harrison | | Thank you for supporting the Oak Park Arts District! See you on Harrison Street. | | |
