Hurrah! Find Patch at the Fleadh!

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. …

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Fleadh 5K: Sign Up Early!

Early registration for the Oak Forest Fleadh 5K ends Monday, Feb. 11. The run costs $30, with the option of also purchasing a special dry-tech shirt for an additional $5. The Fleadh 5K takes place on March 9.

Time is running out for early registration for the Fourth Annual Oak Forest Fleadh 5K, which will take place March 9. With an extra $5 fee, participants who register early will receive a special, long-sleeved dry-tech shirt. Without the shirt, early registration costs $30. Online registration for early birds is currently available through the city's website. Registration the day of the race is $35 and can be done in the Arbor commuter parking lot at the southwest corner of 159th Street and Cicero Avenue, across from the Oak Forest Metra station. All participants are asked to bring at least one non-perishable food product to donate to the St. Damian Food Pantry. Specifically, participants are asked to bring jelly, peanut butter, pasta sauce…

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Fleadh 5K Registration Now Open

The Oak Forest Fleadh celebration is coming and registration for the 5K, which kicks off at 8:30 a.m. March 9, is already underway. The cost is $30 for pre-registration and $35 for registration the day of the race.

The fourth annual Oak Forest Fleadh is gearing up for Mach 9, with planning already underway for the all-day celebration and 5K. The 5K, which will take participants down Cicero Avenue, through the city's 3rd Ward, and then back down Cicero Avenue to the finish line, will be sponsored by CNB Bank & Trust.  Pre-registration is already underway, with on-line registration available for early birds through the city's website. Early registration costs $30 for participants, with the option to purchase a special, long-sleeved dry-tech shirt for an extra $5 through Feb. 11. Registration the day of the race is $35 and can be done in the Arbor commuter parking lot at the southwest corner of 159th Street and Cicero Avenue, across from the Oak Forest …

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Gone Fishin'

Where's Patch? Find Us at the Fleadh!

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 …

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No Cars Allowed: Cicero Avenue Goes 'Car-free' During Fleadh

Grab your bikes, rollerblades, or running shoes—but leave the car at home as Cicero Avenue once again shuts down to motorized vehicles, for an hour during this year's Fleadh.

There won't be much traffic on Cicero Avenue March 10—at least not f the automobile kind. Instead, folks will take to bikes, rollerblades or running shoes for one hour between the hustle and bustle of the Fleadh 5K race and family parade. The city will shut down Cicero—for one hour at least. Some cities spend millions on an event called "Open Streets" to promote an active lifestyle, encouarge communities to socialize and clear motorized vehicles off the street for bit. On March 10, Oak Forest will join their ranks, saving money by tying the event into the 3nd Annual Fleadh. From 10 to 11 a.m., between the hustle and bustle of a 5K race and a parade, Cicero Avenue will open to all residents to do anything but drive. “'Open Streets' …

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Run the Fleadh 5K, Help Feed Local Families

To help out St. Damian Food Pantry in one of its slower times of the year, the City of Oak Forest and Oak Forest Fleadh 5K organizers hope that each runner will bring one non-perishable item on race day.

Not a Runner? Not a Reason to Skip the Fleadh 5K

The City of Oak Forest and one Oak Forest resident have teamed up for a training program to take you from no run, to dry run, to 5K—just in time for the Fleadh 5K Saturday, March 10.

This year, you promised yourself that you'll do it. You'll lace up and break in a brand new pair of running shoes. You'll become a devoted runner—and you'll even throw in a 5K to prove it. How's that going? Need a little help? Oak Forest resident Kelly Devine Rickert is willing to coach you, and Blarney Stone Pub will throw in a beer and some appetizers. After six weeks, you will be ready to hit the pavement, just in time for the Oak Forest Fleadh 5K. Rickert is a personal trainer and dietitian with her own company, Devine Nutrition. She is offering a Run to the Pub training program to prep runners of any level for the Fleadh race. "It's really aimed at beginning to intermediate runners, or people who just want to have fun," she said. For…

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Stick to Your Resolution to Get Healthy and SIgn Up for the Fleadh 5K

Have you resolved to break your bad health habits and hit the pavement? Oak Forest Patch and the City of Oak Forest have a perfect goal for you.

If you're looking to hit the ground running (literally) as part of your New Year's resolution, the City of Oak Forest has an idea for you. Sign yourself, a friend, or family member up for the Oak Forest Fleadh 5K, to be held Saturday, March 10 at 8:30 a.m. Registration fee is $30 per person. This year's 5K course winds through the heart of the Irish celebrations, along Cicero Avenue and through the city's 3rd Ward. The course starts and finishes at 159th and Cicero Avenue. Your friends and family can cheer you on at one of several viewing stations along Cicero Avenue. Runners are also encouraged to stay for the family parade at 11 a.m. and enjoy a free beer at one of the participating locations. All Fleadh 5K participants will receive a …

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