Posts Tagged ‘free’

Mary Maryland, PhD, RN, will present a talk titled, “Cancer Awareness” at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. Dr. Mary, as she’s known, will present important information about cancer awareness.

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S., exceeded only by heart disease. Half of all men and one-third of all women will develop cancer in their lifetime.

Anyone can develop cancer. About 1,500,000 new cancer cases were diagnosed in 2011. Since the risk of being diagnosed with cancer increases as individuals age, most cases occur in adults who are middle-aged or older. In fact, about 77 percent of all cancers are diagnosed in people 55 years and older.

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Mutations in the genetic blueprint of cells—the DNA—cause them to become abnormal. About 5% of all cancers are strongly hereditary, in that an inherited genetic alteration confers a very high risk of developing one or more specific types of cancer. However, most cancers do not result from inherited genes, but from damage to genes occurring during one’s lifetime.

Genetic damage may result from either internal or external factors. Internal factors include hormones, inherited mutations, immune conditions or mutations that occur from metabolism of nutrients within cells.  External factors such as tobacco, infectious organisms, chemicals, sunlight and radiation can also damage cells.

Cancer is caused by both internal and external factors. These causal factors may act together or in sequence to initiate or promote carcinogenesis. If the spread of these cells is not controlled, it can result in death.

Years ago, people diagnosed with cancer didn’t have very long to live. Today over 13 million people in the U.S. are either cancer survivors or currently battling the disease.

Cancer is treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040

The public is invited to enjoy an intergenerational choral performance at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Oak Park Arms Retirement Community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

The first and second grade elementary students from the Oliver Wendell Holmes School chorus will join the Oak Park Arms Chorus in the ballroom as part of the Arms’ Halloween Extravaganza. Both choruses will perform songs together (such as the Halloween classic “Monster Mash”) and individually. A solo by Howard R. McClain will also be featured, as well as a community sing-along.

The Oak Park Arms Social Programming Director, Desi Vasquez, has partnered with Anjali Asokan Karia, the Holmes School music director, for a captivating night of performances.

This is the students’ annual debut, and also the first time they will be singing in harmony together.

Festivities will also include a costume parade open to anyone interested in participating. The best-dressed winner will receive a prize.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The day’s events are free and open to the public. Reservations are requested. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

The public is invited to an afternoon of movement-based learning with Brain Gym® with Aimee Edwards at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

Brain Gym movements, exercises or activities refer to the original 26 Brain Gym movements, sometimes abbreviated as “The 26.” These activities recall the movements naturally done during the first years of life when one is learning to coordinate the eyes, ears, hands and whole body. There are four categories: midline, energy, deepening attitudes and lengthening.

The 26, along with a program for “learning through movement,” were developed by educator and reading specialist Paul E. Dennison and his wife and colleague, Gail E. Dennison.

For more than two decades, clients, teachers and students have reported the effectiveness of these simple activities. Although it’s not yet clear why these movements work so well, they often bring about dramatic improvements in areas such as:

•    concentration and focus
•    memory
•    academics: reading, writing, math, test taking
•    physical coordination
•    relationships
•    self-responsibility
•    organization skills
•    attitude

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

Civil war reenactors Brian Flora and his son, Daniel Flora, will present a multimedia program titled “Illinois Soldiers in the Civil War: How Illinois won the war for the Union,” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

In their presentation, Captain Daniel Flora and Private Brian Flora of Company A, 20th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, will portray Union veterans who have just fought at the 1862 Battle of Shiloh.

A quarter of the 67,000 Union troops engaged at the Battle of Shiloh—the first truly horrific battle of the war—were from Illinois.

The program will focus on the role of Illinois soldiers during the War of Southern Secession, including who the soldiers were, why they fought, where they went and how they lived.

“One-third of all Illinois males (260,000) fought in that war; 35,000 died,” says Brian Flora, an Oak Park resident. “The significance of Illinois’ contribution to the Union victory has generally been under-appreciated.”

The 20th Illinois was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army from 1861-1865. It was organized in Joliet after President Lincoln’s urgent call for volunteers.

Brian Flora is a member of the Historical Society and his son, Daniel, is a history major at the University of Illinois.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

The public is invited to an open house from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at the Oak Park Arms Retirement Community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

The open house will include a tour of the grounds, piano lounge music, a performance by the Lance Brown Quartet, and raffles. The public will get the chance to learn more about the Oak Park Arms and what they have to offer.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The day’s events are free and open to the public. Reservations are requested. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear, an all volunteer radio reenactment group, will present “The War of the Worlds,” at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

“The War of the Worlds” was performed as a Halloween episode of the radio drama “The Mercury Theatre on the Air” in 1938. Directed and narrated by Orson Welles, the episode was an adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel “The War of the Worlds.”

The novel is one of the earliest stories that details a conflict between mankind and an extraterrestrial race. The plot centers around London’s countryside as Earth is invaded by Martians.

The first two-thirds of the episode was presented as a contemporary retelling of Wells’ novel through a series of simulated news bulletins. Because the show ran without commercial breaks, an element of realism was added to the program which later resulted in panic and confusion among the population.

Days after the broadcast some listeners were fearful and outraged, either believing an alien invasion had actually occurred, or upset over the deception of the broadcast. Regardless, Welles’ fame had been secured.

Despite the controversy, or maybe because of it, “The War of the Worlds” broadcast was made part of the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress on Jan. 27, 2003.

The performers

Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear is composed of Chicagoland actors who share a common interest – to perform old time radio programs for the community. Each actor and technician donates talent and time for free.

Group founders, Ben Dooley and Pam Turlow, husband and wife, established a connection with The Oak Park Arms in September of 2002, when Turlow’s father became a resident. They’ve been volunteering/performing at The Arms ever since.

Dooley and Turlow’s group performs only once every two months due to the considerable challenges involved in creating a show. They browse through thousands of old time radio episodes, select a favorite, listen and type out the script. Many shows are not available in print and have to be painstakingly transcribed. Then they gather sound effect, rehearse and mount the show.

Sound effects were an important part of live radio shows, and the group performs them live. They have a real door for slamming, buzzers, a sound board and shoes for footsteps, and doorbells.

The shows are very popular with residents and people from the community. Some even bring their children and grandchildren to show them what entertainment was like before television.

“Since the entire cast donates its time and energy, we can only do shows six times a year,” Dooley said, “but we strive to make sure that it’s well worth the wait.”

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The radio show is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

“Breakfast with the Docs” focuses on arthritis and features rheumatologist Max Harris, M.D. and orthopedic surgeon Sarkis Bedikian, D.O. It takes place at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

Roughly one in five adults is diagnosed with arthritis, and over 50% of those ages 65 or older suffer from some type of arthritis.

Arthritis–the inflammation of one or more joints which results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement–develops as a result of the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage lines a joint, cushioning it and allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when a person walks. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing the pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness.

Dr. Bedikian specializes in adult hip and knee reconstruction. He is on staff at West Suburban Medical Center in River Forest and has also published numerous orthopedic papers. Dr. Bedikian holds a degree in osteopathic medicine from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University in Downers Grove. There he completed an Orthopaedic Surgery residency, after which he went to the University of Chicago for an Adult Reconstruction fellowship.

A graduate of the Rush Medical College of Rush University in Chicago, Dr. Harris has over 30 years of experience with rheumatoid arthritis. He currently practices in Oak Park and is a member of the American College of Rheumatology, as well as the Arthritis Foundation and the Chicago Rheumatism Society.

Both Dr. Harris and Dr. Bedikian are board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians. They will be discussing the latest treatment options for managing arthritis.

While there are over 100 different types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common forms. Osteoarthritis typically develops because of normal wear and tear, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder.

Symptoms of arthritis include:
•    Persistent joint pain
•    Pain or tenderness (in a joint which is aggravated by movement)
•    Joint deformity
•    Loss of range of motion or flexibility
•    Inflammation (joint swelling, stiffness, redness, and/or warmth)

Symptoms of this disease typically worsen with age. Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis, however proper diet (including enough protein) and exercise can help alleviate discomfort.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. And it’s not called “Breakfast with the Docs” for nothing. Participants who attend will also be served a healthy breakfast. Reservations are recommended. For more information, or to reserve a spot, call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

The Monday Night Concert Series continues with “American Masters” performed by pianist Bobby Schiff at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

Bobby Schiff is back at the Arms with his “American Masters” lineup.

As a composer, arranger, conductor, pianist and producer, Schiff has been in the music scene in Chicago and Los Angeles for over 45 years.

Throughout the years he has worked with premiere entertainers and musicians, including Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, Johnny Hartman, Frank D’Rone, Ella Fitzgerald and Bobby Rydell, both in the states and internationally.

He has led orchestras and bands, performed on piano and keyboards, directed, composed and arranged for and with the best. In the 70s he worked for Sesame Street, McDonald’s, John Deere, Sears, Kraft and Hallmark.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

A wine and cheese reception will take place for the opening of a new art installation at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in the Narrow Gallery, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

Local artist Bobbie Raymond returns to the Oak Park Arms with a new collection.

A long-time member of the Oak Park Art League, Raymond is presently at three galleries in Door County, Wisconsin: The Paint Box Gallery, Gallery Five, and Door County Art League Gallery. She currently facilitates the Figure Drawing Sundays. This year she has taught for Elder hostel and Festival of Nature.

The gallery can be viewed daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 18th.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The reception is free and open to the public. The works will be on display until Sunday, Nov. 18th. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear will feature “Pete Kelly’s Blues” at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. The group returns to Oak Park Arms with a show that includes live jazz music from the Dick Elliot Band, along with other sound effects.

Pete Kelly’s Blues was a radio series crime drama with a strong musical atmosphere. It aired from July-Sept., 1951. In it, musician Pete Kelly (starring Jack Webb) heads his own jazz combo, “Pete Kelly’s Big Seven.” The group worked in a speakeasy set in Kansas City in the 1920s. The plots usually centered around Kelly’s reluctant involvement with gangsters, gun molls, FBI agents, and people trying to save their own skins. Paying tribute to the real meaning of “the blues,” the endings of this show were known to often be downbeat and gloomy.

Though the series was short-lived, it inspired both a movie and television version of the show in 1955 and 1959 respectively.

Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear is radio troupe composed of Chicagoland professional actors and voice-over artists who share a common interest – to perform old-time radio programs for the community. Each donates talent and time for free. The group’s founders Ben Dooley and Pam Turlow, husband and wife, established a connection with The Oak Park Arms in September of 2002, when Turlow’s father became a resident. They’ve been performing at “The Arms” ever since.

Dooley and Turlow’s group pours in a lot of effort when creating a show. They browse through thousands of old time radio episodes, select a favorite, listen and type out the script. Many shows are not available in print and have to be painstakingly transcribed. Then they gather sound effects, rehearse and mount the show.

Sound effects were an important part of live radio shows, so the group performs them live. They have a real door for slamming, buzzers, a sound board and shoes for footsteps, and doorbells. In this particular show, a live band will also be on stage.

Dick Elliot started his band in the early 60s. Though there is only one original member left, the 10-piece band is still thriving. Elliot himself plays the bass, while other instruments include the trumpet, keyboard and the drums.

The band will consist of just three players for “Pete Kelly’s Blues.” They will be on stage with the radio troupe for the full performance, joining in periodically with music.

Though no stranger to performing at the Oak Park Arms, this will be the band’s first time on stage in conjunction with Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear.

“We really like to entertain seniors,” Elliot said. “So when the radio troupe sent us a copy of the tape, complete with music, we listened to it and we liked it so we jumped on board.”

The shows are very popular with residents and people from the community. Some bring their children to show them what “pre-TV” entertainment was like.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.