Thursday, March 7, 2013
I'll be out and about with a few of my Patch coworkers during Saturday's Fleadh—and you're going to want to keep an eye out for me. There's even something in it for you—if you say the magic Patch word.
You thought I was joking when I said I'd be back for the Fleadh? I never kid when it comes to the Fleadh. And though I've been gone awhile, there are still several of you who know me as the "Oak Forest Patch Lady." Each time I'm out and about in Oak Forest, I encourage readers to stop me and say hello. Some have said they spotted me and didn't want to "bug" me, or didn't know quite what to say. "Hey Patch Lady!" ... "Hey, Lauren!" ... "YO, TRAUT!" ... "FISH! Heeeeeere Fishy, Fishy!" All of these are acceptable greetings. And you could never bug me. I promise. So during this Saturday's Fleadh, I'm not only encouraging you to hook me for a howdy (and hopefully your confession of how much you love Patch), but I'm downright demanding it. …
Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Oak Forest Fleadh 5K brought in more than 500 pounds of food to the St. Damian Food Pantry, stocking the shelves during one of the sparsest times of year for the organization.
Nearly 600 runners shot out of the gate at this year's Oak Forest Fleadh 5K—the biggest turnout yet. And they didn't just bring their running shoes. In an effort to help out the St. Damian Food Pantry, organizers asked all runners to contribute one non-perishable item. Runners did their part—donating a whopping total of nearly 500 pounds of food. The donations ranged from key items like peanut butter and jelly, to pasta sauce and more at a time when the pantry could really use it, said Food Pantry Coordinator Christine Yaeger. "There's two times of year when we are really low on food supplies: March and April, and then again in October," Yaeger said. "This was just perfect timing. I can't remember our food shed looking this full at this …
41.610399
-87.746975
St. Damian Pastoral Center
5220 155th St, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/fleadh-donations-fill-food-pantry
1353998
/locations/6684451
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tom Hinsdale, co-owner of Mrs. O'Brien's Pub, was extremely pleased with this year's Fleadh. Patch is curious if you agree.
The Fleadh crowd at Mrs. O'Brien's Pub, was consistent, respectful, and a mix of old and new patrons—and that makes for a happy bar owner. Tom Hinsdale, the bar's co-owner, thanked the city council Tuesday night, for what he called "the best Fleadh yet. "It just keeps getting better and better," Hinsdale said. "New folks come in, and then they come back. And then they become regular patrons. And that helps businesses grow." Hinsdale joined 10 other venues on the pub and restaurant open house. Each offered its own set specials, featuring food and drink deals throughout the day and night of the 3rd annual Oak Forest Fleadh. The event is sponsored by the Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce. "When I came here five years ago, and …
41.60885
-87.73668
Mrs. O'Brien's Pub
15548 Cicero Ave, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/best-fleadh-yet-pub-owner-says-do-you-agree
1353965
/locations/6584874
Monday, March 12, 2012
Check out our favorite scenes from the 3rd annual Oak Forest Fleadh—and then add your own!
We've never seen so much green. Oak Forest residents marched to the beat of its own parade—a day before the return of the South Side Irish festivities. Residents lined Cicero Avenue from 157th to 151st streets, as bagpipes, horses, Irish dancers, leprechauns painted the street green for the 3rd annual Fleadh (Gaelic for "festival"). The day started off with a 5K, with donations from runners to benefit the St. Damian Food Pantry. Runners put their chins down and pushed into the wind of the early morning cold. Some—like Australia native Rodney Bashford—gussied up in green for the occasion. Bashford ran with a can of Guinness around his neck, shot glasses strapped to his head and one in his hand, "in case anyone wants to fill me up along …
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Find all your Fleadh info here on your Patch, throw on some green, and get going to Oak Forest's St. Patrick's Day festivities!
The Fleadh is just threeyears old, so there's a chance you missed its debut and successful follow-up last year. Maybe you're not quite sure what you're in for. Patch can help! The day will be packed with people, fun, food, drinks—and as much Irish flavor as you can handle. So, what's this thing? The Fleadh? The word itself is Gaelic for "festival." The event includes a 5K, some family time, a parade, with a pub and restaurant open house thrown in. It's a little bit of everything, for everyone. Not sold yet? Give this a read. When does it start? Where is it? 5-K at 8:30 a.m., parade at 11, pub and restaurant open house from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. The whole schindig takes place on Cicero Avenue, right smack between 151st and 159th Street. It's a …
Friday, March 9, 2012
Each day leading up to the Fleadh, Patch will feature a business participating in the Fleadh's Pub and Restaurant Open House Saturday, March 10.
The 3rd annual Oak Forest Fleadh is just 1 day away, and Patch wants to make sure you're prepared. Leading up to the Fleadh, we'll rattle off the bars and restaurants that are part of the pub and restaurant open house fun. We'll give you the rundown of what they're offering, when and for how much during the Fleadh. The open house officially starts at 5 p.m., but are Irish festivities and specials are lined up all day. Which place are we talking about? Cindy's Pub What time should I be there? Doors open at 10 a.m., for pre-parade fun. How much to get in? No cover! Will there be food? What else? Italian beef sandwiches! For free! OK, so what's on special, and what will it cost me? Management says it's hard to set specials when prices are …
41.603082
-87.747231
Cindy's Pub
5230 159th St, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/the-fleadh-lineup-cindy-s-sticks-with-buckets-of-beer-italian-beef
1353949
/locations/6548070
The Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce offers two buses to bring you where you want to be during the Fleadh. And don't forget the MillerCoors Responsibility Bus, which will make stops at all open house venues from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
After a 5K, open streets fun, parade and all the Irish reverly, it could feel like a long walk from bar to bar on Saturday during the Fleadh. Skip the walking and hop aboard one of the two buses provided by the city and the Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce. The first bus will start at Oak Forest Bowl at 5 p.m.; the second will start at Mrs. O'Brien's, also at 5 p.m. The two will run on a circuit until 3 a.m. Check out the map included with this article, to plan your route for the Fleadh! MillerCoors will distribute taxi coupons to pub and restaurant open house venues in an effort to help their patrons drink responsibly and arrive home safely. Learn more about the MillerCoors Free Rides during the Fleadh. If you intend to …
I'll be out and about with a few of my Patch coworkers during Saturday's Fleadh—and you're going to want to keep an eye out for me. There's even something in it for you—if you say the magic Patch word.
Each time I'm out and about in Oak Forest, I encourage readers to stop me and say hello. Some have said they spotted me and didn't want to "bug" me, or didn't know quite what to say. "Hey Patch Lady!" ... "Hey, Lauren!" ... "YO, TRAUT!" ... "FISH! Heeeeeere Fishy, Fishy!" All of these are acceptable greetings. And you could never bug me. I promise. So during this Saturday's Fleadh, I'm not only encouraging you to hook me for a howdy (and hopefully your confession of how much you love Patch), but I'm downright demanding it. Really. When you see me, pull me aside, look both ways, lean in and whisper the magic Patch word: "Patch Power!" There's a special little something in it for you (nope, I'm not going to ruin the surprise). But you'll …
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Each day leading up to the Fleadh, Patch will feature a business participating in the Fleadh's Pub and Restaurant Open House Saturday, March 10.
The 3rd annual Oak Forest Fleadh is just 3 days away, and Patch wants to make sure you're prepared. Leading up to the Fleadh, we'll rattle off the bars and restaurants that are part of the pub and restaurant open house fun. We'll give you the rundown of what they're offering, when and for how much during the Fleadh. The open house officially starts at 5 p.m., but are Irish festivities and specials are lined up all day. Which place are we talking about? Mrs. O'Brien's Pub What time should I be there? Bright and early, 8 a.m. How much to get in? No cover at any point. Live entertainment, starting at 8 p.m. Slip into Mrs. O'Brien's before or after the parade. OK, so what's on special, and what will it cost me? Keep an eye out for the next …
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Each day leading up to the Fleadh, Patch will feature a business participating in the Fleadh's Pub and Restaurant Open House Saturday, March 10.
The 3rd annual Oak Forest Fleadh is just 3 days away, and Patch wants to make sure you're prepared. Leading up to the Fleadh, we'll rattle off the bars and restaurants that are part of the pub and restaurant open house fun. We'll give you the rundown of what they're offering, when and for how much during the Fleadh. The open house officially starts at 5 p.m., but are Irish festivities and specials are lined up all day. Which place are we talking about? Oliver's Bar and Grill What time should I be there? Doors open at 11 a.m. How much to get in? No cover at any point. OK, so what's on special, and what will it cost me? You'll have to pop in for the pricing, but here's what you can expect: Keep an eye out for the next feature and set of …
41.602703
-87.769076
Oliver's Bar and Grill
6150 159th St, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/the-fleadh-lineup-oliver-s-goes-with-green-beer
1354202
/locations/6532395
Mike Beahan
4:28 pm on Thursday, March 15, 2012
Overall the Fleadh was great. One complaint, however. The "medals" for the 5K were beyond lame. They didn't say Oak Forest Fleadh 5K or anything identifying the wearer as a participant. Instead, they were the same "medals" that the bars were giving out to everybody that said Miller Lite. This was not the case the first 2 years. Why they decided to make THIS particualr budget cut is beyond me but … more ›