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Bremen High School District 228 Social Studies Supervisor Colin Milton and Deputy Chief Tim Kristin talk to students about the Explorer Program.

Police Department launches Explorer Program

Starting in July, Oak Forest High School students will have the opportunity to become police cadets through the Explorer Program, a new partnership between the high school and the Oak Forest Police Department.

"Students in this program will be exposed to good training, good experiences, and good life lessons," said Deputy Police Chief Tim Kristin. "They will be able to apply what they learn in the classroom to working at the police department."

Two retailers cited for selling tobacco products to minors

The Oak Forest Police Department conducted the third and final round of the 2014-2015 “Kids Can’t Buy Them Here” tobacco compliance surveys at various retailers during the evening hours of Wednesday, April 22. The purpose of the KCBTH program is to determine which businesses may be selling tobacco products to minors (persons under 18 years of age) within the city.

City celebrates Arbor Day at Foster

The City of Oak Forest celebrated Arbor Day today with a tree planting ceremony at Lee R. Foster Elementary School. Fifth Grade Student Council Officers and fellow students planted a Cleveland Pear tree during today's ceremony at Lee R. Foster Elementary School.

Learn how you can celebrate the importance of trees at http://www.arborday.org/.

Register early for the Gingerwood Pool and save

The Gingerwood Pool is tentatively scheduled to open on June 6! Take advantage of early registration and save on membership fees on April 25 and April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also, Savers will be at early registration to accept donations of clothing and household items. Proceeds will benefit the Gingerwood Pool and the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago.

Update: Clean Up Day is May 9

We'll be picking up trash, prepping planting beds, pulling weeds, cleaning up creeks, and touching up some paint. If possible, please bring gloves and wear long sleeves. Public Works will provide trash bags and gardening tools.

Stamp out hunger on May 9

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive takes place in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America. It’s an effort to raise national awareness about the real, ongoing problem of hunger in every community, and it’s a sincere attempt to use our unique delivery network to do something about it. On May 9, just set out your food well before your letter carrier’s normal pick-up time.

Register for the Citywide Garage Sale

Registration is open for the Citywide Garage Sale on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16. Complete the registration form or email your name and address to cityofoakforest@oak-forest.org by May 11.

Recycle electronics on May 30

We're kicking off the Oak Forest Farmers Market on May 30 with an electronics recycling event sponsored by the Oak Forest Green Steps Commission. Recycling will take place at the Metra train station from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Be sure to visit the Farmers Market on your way out! Please note: VetTech.Us is charging $10 per TV.

Exchange plants with your neighbors on May 31

Thinning out your landscape? Splitting your lilies? Dividing your hostas? Come and join the Streetscape Commission and exchange plants with your friends and neighbors!

Learn what’s going on at next week’s City Council meeting

The City Council will meet on Tuesday, April 28 at 8 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Citizens are invited to attend City Council meetings and are welcome to participate at the designated time.

City Hall will be open tomorrow

City Hall will be open on Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Tune into CIC-TV

If you are a cable television subscriber, you can view the Community Information Channel (CIC-TV) on Comcast channel 19, Wide Open West channel 6 and AT&T U-verse channel 99 to learn more about city programs and events. If you do not subscribe to cable television, you can watch Committee of the Whole and City Council meeting online or check out the DVDs at Acorn Public Library.

e-Briefs is a free, voluntary e-mail service, which provides information about government services, activities and events. On a weekly basis, you can expect to find City Council news and agendas, construction updates, public safety reminders, senior and youth news, and much more! Please forward this e-mail to friends and family and encourage them to sign up for the weekly e-Briefs by visiting the Notify Me section of our website. Contact the City of Oak Forest at 708-687-4050 or cityofoakforest@oak-forest.org.