Click here (PDF) to check out the fabulous items in this year's Staszak Dinner auction. Choose your favorite items now, and plan your bidding strategy for the evening!

This year's William C. Staszak Award Dinner to benefit the Oak Park Education Foundation will take place Saturday, April 24, Oak Park Country Club, 2001 Thatcher Avenue in River Grove, Illinois. The festivities begin at 6:00 pm, and include both live and silent auctions, featuring one-of-a-kind vacation homes, sports and show tickets, food and wine, behind-the-scenes tours, and much more. Tickets to the Staszak Dinner are $125 each. Mike Cramer, award-winning filmmaker, artist, attorney and Oak Park dad, will host our live auction. Contact Patti at (708) 524-3026 or pquilling@op97.org for more information or tickets!

This year's honoree is Jan Pate, CEO of the West Cook YMCA and Trustee of the Village of Oak Park. The dinner's award is presented in honor of William C. Staszak in recognition of his outstanding commitment as a member of the Board of Directors of the Oak Park Education Foundation. He was also a very popular trustee of the Village of Oak Park. The award recognizes those who demonstrate the humanitarian spirit, devotion and service exemplified by Bill Staszak.

Fly Bird, a design-oriented gift shop at 719 Lake Street in Oak Park, is now hosting its 6th annual student art show and auction through May 2. District 97 6th graders from both Julian and Brooks middle schools, working with their art teachers, have donated their time and talent to create beautiful ink paintings of birds in Sumi-E style. All proceeds benefit the Oak Park Education Foundation's Art Start program.

Bidding starts at only $10, with a $30 "Buy It Now" option. Bids can be made via email, phone or in person. Frame Warehouse is offering $25 discounts on framing.

For more information, contact Fly Bird at headbird@fly-bird.net, or 708-383-3330.

Architecture Adventure student works are on display in the windows of 119 N. Marion Street in Oak Park, as part of "Architecture Week in Oak Park." The exhibit will extend beyond the week through April 30. Stop by and take a look!

The show includes large-scale chess pieces modeled after landmark buildings by Whittier students, large-scale building models for a miniature golf course designed by Longfellow students, designs for a green home by middle school students, elaborate landscape designs by Irving students, computer-generated 3D drawings by Lincoln students, and geometric stained glass designs in colored acetate by Lincoln students.

Through Architecture Adventure, District 97 students learn about architecture by working with visiting architects, designers and construction professionals, designing and building projects and taking field trips to Chicago and Oak Park sites of interest.

Numerous other events are planned for Architecture Week in Oak Park, including scavenger hunts that are part of the Oak Park Architecture Photo Party, coordinated by the Oak Park Architectural League.