Forest Park News

Reading, writing and arithmetic are still mainstays of the classroom, but there's a fourth "R" word that some want eliminated in schools.

But to snackers with a sweet tooth, he was better known as the inventor of spicy-hot Atomic FireBalls and lip-puckering Lemonheads.

Fans of Orland Park Bakery , which closed its longtime Orland Plaza location on Sunday, won't have to wait long for the new store.

Theft : A cello valued at $20,000 was stolen Jan. 23 from a locker in the Kretzman Music Building at Concordia University , 7400 Augusta St.

Twelve years ago, the Avenue Ale House debuted to much fanfare, and the space at 825 S. Oak Park Ave.

A visually impaired man came in contact with a bus and was run over this afternoon on the border between Oak Park and Forest Park, authorities said.

Opportunity Knocks, a River Forest-based nonprofit organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities, held its fourth annual Chili Cook-Off on Sunday at Healy's Westside in Forest Park.

Serious crime, such as burglary and theft, decreased 8 percent from 2010 to 2011, according to crime statistics released by the village last week.

Kathy Griffin is returning to the Chicago area for a pair of weekend stand-up shows at the Chicago Theatre.A The Chicago TribuneA caught up with the funnywoman before the performances, and the interview gives a little insight into her Oak Park background and the kazoo gig at Comiskey Park that led to her "gigantic" stardom.

Opportunity Knocks' fourth annual Chili Cook-Off will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday , at Healy's Westside, 7321 Madison St., Forest Park.

May is Older American's Month, and the villages of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park will soon proclaim the week of May 18-25 "Celebrating Seniors Week." Thursday morning 20 members of the Celebrating Seniors Coalition gathered at Belmont Villages, 1020 Madison St., to help the planning process for the 2012 Celebrating Seniors events.