FEMA home inspections begin

May 21, 2013 – Residents who applied for federal disaster aid following the flooding in April can expect a visit soon from a FEMA inspector. Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the storms may register for assistance online at www.fema.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by telephone at 800.621.3362. July 9 is the last day to register for assistance. Click here to watch a video about a home inspection.

Monthly electronic recycling returns

May 21, 2013 – Electronic recycling will be offered on the last Saturday of each month beginning May 25. Items can be recycled from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. The final recycling event of the season will be Oct. 26. Acceptable items include computers, peripherals, laptops, monitors, TVs, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, printers, fax machines, MP3 players, portable digital assistants, video game consoles, video cassette recorders, digital video disk players, zip drives, scanners and microwaves. Such items are banned from Illinois landfills. The program is sponsored by the Illinois EPA, the West Cook County Solid Waste Agency and Vintage Tech Recyclers. For more information call 708.358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us.

On-street parking restrictions eased over holiday weekend

May 21, 2013 – The overnight parking ban will not be enforced on most Oak Park residential streets over the Memorial Day weekend. Overnight restrictions will be lifted at 2:30 a.m., Sat., May 25, and resume at 2:30 a.m., Wed., May 29. However, restrictions will remain in effect in overnight permit areas, such as Village-owned lots, on-street enclaves and on-street overnight parking zones. All other parking regulations also remain in effect, including all daytime posted restrictions and regulations related to traffic and public safety. The holiday does not affect parking meters. For more information call 708.386.3800 or e-mail police@oak-park.us.

Memorial Day commemoration planned

May 21, 2013 – Veterans, their families and residents are invited to attend a Memorial Day commemoration ceremony at 9 a.m., Mon., May 27, at the Peace Triumphant monument in Scoville Park, near Lake Street and Oak Park Avenue. In addition to remarks from public officials and local veterans, patriotic singing, a bugler playing taps and a rifle salute from the Oak Park Police honor guard are planned. Special tributes will be made to fallen soldiers and River Forest diplomat Anne Smedinghoff who was killed in Afghanistan last month. The event also will tie into the 150th anniversary remembrance of the Civil War. For more information, call 708.697.6915 or 708.386.4040.

Farmers’ Market opens

May 15, 2013 – The Oak Park Farmers’ Market will open for its 38th season on Sat., May 18. The Farmers’ Market is held from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. every Saturday from opening day through October in the Pilgrim Congregational Church parking lot, 460 Lake St., one block west of Ridgeland Avenue. In addition to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, bedding plants, honey, cheese, frozen meat, bread and baked goods, the Market also features donuts made on-site, fresh coffee and live bluegrass music. Regional vendors will feature sustainable, organic and locally sourced goods again this season, including several heirloom products. Non-profit bake sales will be offered each Saturday as well as occasional cooking demonstrations featuring chefs from local restaurants. A majority of the vendors now accept credit, debit and Link cards. More information on the Oak Park Farmers' Market is posted on this web site - just click here.

Hydrant flushing underway

May 9, 2013 – If you notice discoloration or cloudiness in your water, don’t be concerned. Crews are flushing hydrants through May 27 to remove unwanted sediment, a routine step that helps maintain water quality and ensures hydrants are working properly. Any discoloration or cloudiness should clear if the cold-water tap is allowed to run for a few minutes. The discoloration does not pose a health hazard, but may want to avoid doing laundry until the water clears. Click here for more information about hydrant flushing or e-mail publicworks@oak-park.us.

Grants remain for sewer backup protection systems

April 25, 2013 – Applications are still being accepted for a program that provides financial assistance to property owners who install systems to protect their homes from sewer backup during a heavy rain event. Work eligible for funding through the Sewer Backup Protection Grant Program includes installing an overhead sewer system or a backflow prevention system. Homeowners may qualify for a grant of 50 percent of the total cost of sewer backup prevention improvements, up to a maximum of $3,500. Details on the program, including the application materials, are posted at www.oak-park.us/sewergrant. For more information, call 708.358.5410 or e-mail housing@oak-park.us.

Oak Park retains top green ranking

April 4, 2013 – Oak Park remains in first place for percentage of clean power purchased after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently updated rankings among its Green Power Communities. Oak Park is ahead of Aurora here in Illinois, as well as seven Green Communities in California. In terms of green power kilowatt usage, Oak Park is ranked seventh among 45 cities. Last year, the USEPA gave Oak Park its Green Power Community award in recognition of purchasing 100-percent renewable energy credits for the Community Choice Aggregation program, which has saved residents more than $3.4 million since the program was launched in January 2012. Click here for more information about the rankings.

Volunteers sought

March 25, 2013 – Oak Parkers interested in meeting new people, helping make a difference in the community and learning more about Village government are invited to apply to serve on a volunteer board or commission. Vacancies currently are available for several commissions, including the Farmers’ Market and Community Development Citizens’ Advisory Commission, whose members help the Village Board allocate federal grants. Descriptions and terms of service are available at www.oak-park.us/volunteer or by calling the Village Clerk at 708.358.5670.

Monitor Avenue Garage solar array online

May 15, 2012 – The performance of the Avenue Garage solar power system can be tracked in real time online. A link to a web site created by the system contractor is posted at www.oak-park.us/solar  – just click on the sun. The system has been generating power since April.

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