Cold-Blooded Critters Invade Southland

Wondering what's going on in and around Oak Forest? Check out our daily look at what you should be watching out for each day and the entire week.

Cold-blooded creatures return to the suburbs Oct. 12, with the North American Reptile Breeders Conference and Trade Show. Open to the public, this high quality, captive-bred-only reptile show brings together top dealers from across the country offering thousands of exotic and pet-friendly “herps.” Don’t miss this opportunity to get up-close and personal with snakes, frogs, turtles, geckos, iguanas, and tortoises! Find out more details. 

What Else to Watch for This Week

MONDAY, OCT. 7
Free Senior Health Screenings: VCP Home Health Care, Inc., will offer fee tests blood pressure, blood glucose and balance testing for seniors on Monday, Oct. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bremen Township Senior Center in Oak Forest. Glucose testing will require a minimum of 4 hours fasting. For more info, call Kathy at VCP at 815-474-9929.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9
International Walk to School Day: International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. Keep an eye on Patch for how local schools are participating. 

THURSDAY, OCT. 10
Volley for a Cure: The Oak Forest High School volleyball team will pile on the pink and hit the road, for Volley for the Cure away games at Eisenhower High school. Everyone at this match will be touched by pink in some way: coaches, players and officials will be wearing pink, the ball and referee whistles will be pink, the gym will be decked out in pink balloons and the concession stand will sell pink goodies. Students are encouraged to wear pink and pack the place.  Find out more details.  

Chicago's Haunt Detective Ray Johnson Pops into Acorn Library: Former criminal investigator, author and local historian,  Ray Johnson, sheds light on some of Chicago's favorite haunted locations and legends. Starts at 7 p.m. Call 708-687-3700 or stop by the library to register.

Senior Health Fair: Fifty-five vendors onhand to help seniors with their health needs. Various screenings, new vendors with new products. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oak Forest Park District, 15601 S. Central Ave. Free admission. 

FRIDAY, OCT. 11
Dress Up and Hit the Links: Grades 4, 5 and 6 are invited to join the Oak Forest Park District  for a night of Halloween fun at El Morro Park Oct. 11. The festivities include mini golfing on the Halloween-themed golf course, costume contests, music, games and prizes! Concessions will be available for purchase. Find out how to register. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 12
'Creep Out' Cancer at Costume Bowling Bash: The Cancer Support Center invites residents to Tinley Bowl Saturday, Oct. 12, for a night of scares, spares and strikes. The fun starts at 8 p.m. and ends at midnight. Tickets are $30, and include pizza, pop, bowling and a candy dash. Find out more details. 

Chip in at Taps Cancer Fundraiser: Taps Pub in Oak Forest is giving to children and teens fighting cancer. The bar is sponsoring Taps Cares for Kids with Cancer on  Saturday, Oct. 12. No cover, live music from members of Droptop, Rearview Mirror and The Kent Brothers. Raffles, split-the-pot and free food will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. at 15427 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Forest. All proceeds will benefit the Orland Park-based Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF), a non-profit organization that provides comfort and distraction from painful procedures to children and teens diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy, gift or gift card in 45 hospitals nationwide. Find out more details. 

All month: Jean Therapy in Orland Park is holding a month-long jean drive to help stock Neat Repeats, the resale store operated by the Crisis Center of South Suburbia. People who bring in a pair of jeans to the store throughout October will get $15 off a purchase, and the jeans will all be donated to the Crisis Center of South Suburbia. The non-profit supporting battered women and families in need runs the Neat Repeats resale store, where the donated jeans will be sold. 

Check out Oak Forest Patch's Events Calendar to find out what else is going on and to add your own activities to the mix.