Holiday affects waste collection schedule…Refuse, recycling and yard waste collection will be delayed one day by the holidays. Thanksgiving Thursday’s collection will be delayed until Friday and Friday’s collection delayed until Saturday. Collections for Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 also will be delayed by one day, pushing the Friday collection for these two weeks until Saturday.
Holiday tree collection…Holiday tree collection begins Jan. 9. Be sure to remove all decorations and stands, and place the tree in the regular collection area. Call 708.358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us for more information.
Village Hall holiday hours…Village Hall will be closed all day Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24 and 25 for Thanksgiving, from noon, Fri., Dec. 23 through Mon., Dec. 26, and on Mon., Jan. 2. Regular Village Hall hours are 8:30 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Parking Services Center is open until 7 p.m. on Mondays, except holidays. For more information on Village Hall hours, call 708.358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us.
Regular yard waste collection ends…After Sat., Nov. 26, yard waste will be collected only by appointment. Call Waste Management at 888.656.5350 to arrange a special pick-up.
Avoid missed collections…Residents and building owners are reminded to clear snow away from refuse and recycling containers to avoid a missed collection. If the container is not accessible, it will not be emptied. Call 708.358.5700 to report a missed collection.
Pay water bill online…Property owners can pay their water bills electronically, either by using a credit card online, or setting up an automatic debit from a checking, savings or credit card account. Property owners also can go paperless by signing up to receive bills via email. In addition to water, the quarterly bill includes charges for sewer, garbage disposal and recycling. For more information, call 708.358.5478 or email waterbilling@oak-park.us.
Pet responsibilities…Dog owners are required to pick up and dispose of dog waste. Owners walking their dogs must carry a bag or other suitable means to pick up dog waste. Call 708.358.5680 to register a complaint about an animal, such as noise, excrement, cruelty or off leash.
Be cautious with alternate heat sources…When using heat sources such as portable and baseboard electric heaters, fireplaces and woodstoves, remove nearby objects, keep furniture a safe distance away, do not block the heat flow and never use an extension cord. Working carbon monoxide detectors, smoke alarms and a family escape plan also are essential. Call 708.358.5600 or email fire@oak-park.us for more information.
Nature museum activities…Cook County’s Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., in River Forest, offers a range of programs for children and adults alike, including nature stories, fitness hikes and close-up visits with the Thatcher Woods’ many inhabitants. For more information, visit the Museum or call 708.366.6530.