In and Around Park Forest Week of October 27, 2014

Officer Gary Watters (second from left), a Sergeant with the Greater Manchester Police in England, chats with Police Chief Cliff Butz (left), Deputy Chief Chris Mannino, and Village Manager Tom Mick prior to last Monday’s Village Board Meeting. Sgt. Watters, through the International Police Association, the Police Department has been with the PFPD throughout the month of October as part of an officer exchange program. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—October 27, 2014. Halloween is Friday, October 31 and plenty of ghosts and goblins will be around town trick or treating. Please be extra cautious when driving on Friday as excited children have a tendency to run in the streets without looking. Trick or treat hours in Park Forest are 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Be sure to check out all the safe and family-friendly Halloween activities in the ‘Halloween Events’ section.

If your club, organization or local business will be holding activities or events in our community during the upcoming week, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with the details. Submission deadline is noon on Friday of each week.

Village of Park Forest

Village Board Meetings – Monday, October 27 & Saturday, November 1

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, October 27 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive.  In addition, a Saturday Morning Rules meeting will be held at Village Hall on November 1 at 10 a.m. Residents are encouraged to attend. Board meetings air live on cable access channels (Channel 4 for Comcast subscribers and Channel 99 for AT&T subscribers) as well as on the Village web site here.

To view previously held Board Meetings, visit the Village’s web site here and click on the date of the meeting you wish to watch.

The meeting will be held at Park Forest Village Hall and residents are encouraged to attend.

Village Commissions & Advisory Boards

The following Park Forest Commission is scheduled to meet the week of October 27:

• Tuesday, October 28 at 7 p.m. – Plan Commission

The meeting will be held at Park Forest Village Hall and residents are encouraged to attend.

Meeting on Creating an Illinois Enterprise Zone – Wednesday, October 29

The Village of Park Forest is working with neighboring communities to create an Illinois Enterprise Zone. The proposed zone would be called the Will-Cook Enterprise Zone and would include commercial and industrial properties within the municipalities of Matteson, Monee, Park Forest, Richton Park, and University Park. A public meeting will take place regarding the Will-Cook Enterprise Zone with discussion of local plans, tax incentives and other programs to be established in relation to an Enterprise Zone. The public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29th at the Matteson Community Center 20642 Matteson Avenue. Residents are encouraged to attend.

Halloween Events

Calvary United Church, 425 North Orchard, Park Forest

2014 Haunts Against Hunger – Activities to Benefit Monee & Rich Township Food Pantries

It’s that time of year again…the 2014 ‘Haunts Against Hunger’ events will take place in Park Forest again this year to benefit the Monee and Rich Township Food Pantries.

• Event Donation: bring a canned good for the Food Pantries and your cost is $4 per person. Attendance without a food donation is $5 per person. There is a $2 charge for children ages 5 and under.
• The Haunted Yard will take place from dusk to 10 p.m. at the Schaefer home, 127 Shabbona Drive, Park Forest. There will be music after dusk and scary things to experience in the yard.
• On Halloween, Friday, October 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a ‘Trunk or Treat’ with a free chili dinner at Calvary United Church, 425 North Orchard (corner of Orchard and Lincoln Highway).

Note: Donations of canned goods can also be made at the Haunted Yard and ‘Trunk or Treat’ events. For additional information, call Kim Schaefer at 708-283-4190.

Park Forest Historical Society, 141 Forest Boulevard, Park Forest

Celebrate a 1950s Halloween at the Park Forest House Museum

“It’s Halloween,” 1950s vintage Halloween decorations, including die-cuts and Gurley Candles, will be on exhibit at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum from September 13 to November 8. Visit for a nostalgic look at Halloween in the 1950s. Open Wednesday and Saturday 10:30 to 3:30 p.m.; or by appointment. Adults $5; kids 12 and under free with adults. Additional information is with Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252 or visit www.parkforesthistory.org.

Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights

Annual Halloween Family Fun Fest – Friday, October 31

PSC’s Department of Police and Campus Safety, along with PSC students, faculty, and staff, is hosting its annual Halloween Family Fun Fest from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, October 31, in the Prairie Center gym, located on the PSC main campus at 202 S. Halsted St. The event features games, hayrides, balloons, popcorn, prizes, and other surprises. Members of Chicago Heights Police and Fire Departments also will be available to educate children about personal and fire safety. The event is free and open to children through age 12, accompanied by a parent, and costumes for children are encouraged. For more information, contact Gilbert Vargas at [email protected].

Village of Park Forest

Halloween in Park Forest – Friday, October 31

The Village of Park Forest will hold Halloween festivities DownTown on Friday, October 31, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street. The event will feature a scarecrow contest, a costume contest, games and lots of candy! The event is free and open to the public. This event is sponsored by the Park Forest Police Department and the Economic Development and Planning Department.  For questions, call 708-283-5621. Note: Trick-or-treating hours in Park Forest are also from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Arts & Entertainment

Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park

‘A Raisin in the Sun’ – Tickets Now on Sale

The GSU Theatre and Performance Studies will present ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ on November 6, 8 and 9 at the Center. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on November 6 & 8, and at 2 p.m. on November 9. An African-American family on Chicago’s South side in the 1950’s plans to leave their crowded apartment for a home in Clybourne Park, but their efforts to ‘move up’ are thwarted by racial intolerance. This award-winning play spotlights divisions that still plague Chicago more than 60 years later. Tickets are $15.  The Center box office is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and two hours prior to performances. For more information, contact the box office at www.centertickets.net or call 708-235-2222.

DePaul University Theatre School, Chicago

‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ – Through November 15

The Chicago Playworks opens its season with ‘The Phantom Tollbooth,’ by Susan Nanus based on the book by Norton Juster. Performances will take place through November 15 at the Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. Milo is bored in his bedroom until a magical tollbooth appears and transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom. Here he discovers the magic of words and numbers, travels to strange lands like Dictionopolis and Digitopolis and meets a Mathemagician, Spelling Bee, and other curious friends. Will they be able to save Princess Rhyme and Princess Reason if they work together? Based on the beloved book, this whimsical fairy tale proves that imagination and knowledge can change the world. The production is recommended for ages 7 and up. Educational themes include: discovery, fables, idioms, metaphor, and wordplay, imagination, literary adaption, mathematics, numbers, and patterns, perseverance, personification, and teamwork. ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ runs through November 15 with performances on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $5 for students and are available at www.theatre.depaul.edu or by phone at the box office at 312-922-1991.

‘Vigils’ – Previews Begin November 5

The Theatre School at DePaul University will present Noah Haidle’s ‘Vigils,’ a generous and bittersweet play about the absurdities of loss, change and love. Performances will be in the Sondra and Denis Healy Theatre in the Theatre School building at 2350 N. Racine Ave. The production is directed by Andrew Peters, MFA directing candidate, Class of 2016. Opening night is Friday, November 7, and the production will run through Sunday November 16, 2014. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Previews are November 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. It has been two years since a Widow’s husband — a fireman — died in a heroic act, but she is not ready to move on. She captures her husband’s Soul in a box, while his Body wanders around their home, replaying memories from their lives together and giving occasional hugs. When a Wooer appears on the scene, the Widow finds herself faced with the choice and consequences of letting go. Tickets are $15, preview tickets are $10, and student tickets are always $5. Subscriptions and group rates (6 or more people) are available. All tickets are reserved seating. Tickets are available by calling 773-325-7900 or visiting the online box office at http://theatre.depaul.edu. The Theatre School at DePaul University is located at 2350 N. Racine Ave. (at Fullerton). The school is easily accessible via the Fullerton CTA Station and the Fullerton (74) bus. Visitors and audience members can park in DePaul University’s Clifton Parking Deck, located at 2330 N. Clifton Ave. Please call the Box Office for more information or for help in planning your trip. For patrons who are blind or have low-vision, the performance will be audio described on Sunday, Nov. 16 (2 p.m.) with a pre-performance touch tour. Call 773-325-7900. Special events include an opening night reception following the performance on November 7 and post-show discussions on November 9 and 13.

Freedom Hall, Nathan Manilow Theatre, 401 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest

The Slide Brothers — Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for the November 7 performance of the Slide Brothers that will take place at Freedom Hall at 7:30 p.m. The Slide Brothers are Calvin Cooke, Chuck Campbell, Darick Campbell and Aubrey Ghent–the greatest living musicians who embody the Sacred Steel tradition. The joyous music these legendary artists create extends far beyond scared steel to encompass blues, rock and soul all celebrated with a sound that is uniquely their own. Where the music of Muddy Waters or the Allman Brothers showcased traditional six string slide guitar, critics and fans alike were jolted by the an even more potent brand of slide guitar being performed on pedal steel instruments. As the center core of the Sacred Steel movement was its artistic purity. The Slide Brothers and other pedal steel icons have fostered a rich, uniquely American art form unspoiled by commercialism. Read more about The Slide Brothers. Tickets are $28. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.

‘Harry the Dirty Dog’ – Tickets Now on Sale

Freedom Hall’s Children’s Theatre presents ‘Harry the Dirty Dog’ on Friday, November 14 at 7 p.m. Performances are also scheduled for 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on November 7 for school groups. Harry has everything a little white dog with black spots could want. There’s just one problem: he hates taking baths. He hates them so much, in fact, that one morning he runs away. After a wonderful day spent playing in the dirt, Harry gets so grubby that he turns into a little black dog with white spots…and returns home to find that his family doesn’t recognize him! ArtsPower’s new musical, based on the classic book by Gene Zion with illustrations by Margaret Bloy Graham, captures both the whimsical humor and touching dedication to family found in Harry’s story. Watch a video of ArtsPower’s new musical, Harry the Dirty Dog. Tickets are $8. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, 377 Artists Walk, Park Forest

Vocal Mastery: Getty, Straus and Schubert – Tickets Now on Sale

On Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center, 19900 S. Harlem Avenue, Frankfort, attend an evening of Vocal Mastery with Bavarian soprano Kathrin Danzmayr and IPO-favorite bass-baritone David Govertsen (formerly of the Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera). Featuring the Chicago premiere of concert versions of American composer Gordon Getty’s Overture and aria, No My Good Lord, as well as orchestrated gems of classic art song composed by Strauss and Schubert (Reger arrangement). Maestro Danzmayr leads the orchestra in popular Finnish composer Sibelius’s acclaimed First Symphony on the program’s second half. Tickets are $55, $45 and $35 and can be purchased online at https://secure.ticketsage.net/websales.aspx?u=ipo&pid=251195. For additional information call 708-481-7774 or visit www.ipomusic.org.

National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM), 4041 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

Surrealism and War – Through November 1

Surrealism and War, an exhibition of veterans’ artwork that explores the relationship between surrealism and the experience of war will be on display at the NVAM through November 1. Surrealism and War includes the seminal work “The Earth Lies Screaming” by Jim Leedy, a Korean War veteran who was one of only two Americans invited to participate in the largest Surrealist exhibition ever assembled at the Retretti Art Center, Finland, an exhibition that began with Miro, Dali, and DuChamp, and culminated with several works by Mr. Leedy. Surrealism is an attempt to revolt against the inherent contradictions of a society ruled by rational thought while dominated by war and oppression. Surrealism seeks expression of thought in the absence of all control exercised by reason and free of aesthetic and moral preoccupation. It is this same absence of control exercised by reason that many combat veterans seek to explore and express after their experiences in war. Surrealism and War features the artwork of nine veteran artists that intentionally and unintentionally use and explore Surrealist processes and concepts. Featured artists include Korean War veteran Jim Leedy, Vietnam War veterans William Dugan, Stan Gillett, Michael Helbing, and Richard Yohnka, Gulf War veteran Ehren Tool, Kosovo veteran Giuseppe Pellicano, and Iraq War veterans David Keefe and Robynn Murray. The National Veterans Art Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free. For group admission reservations, call the Museum at 312/326-0270 or visit www.nvam.org. Patrons of the museum can access art from the permanent collection and biographical information on the artists through the NVAM Collection Online, a recently launched online and high-resolution archive of every piece of art in the museum’s permanent collection. The NVAM Collection Online can be found at www.nvam.org.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

The following events will be held this week at the Park Forest Library:

• Monday, October 27 at 11 a.m. – Storypalooza — A fun story time for all kids through the age of 6 with an adult. Siblings are welcome.
• Monday, October 27 at 3 p.m. – Internet Basics — Learn to the basics of using the internet, including safe browsing and getting driving directions. Registration Required.
• Monday, October 27 at 6:30 p.m. — Movie Time: ‘Earth to Echo’ — Stop by the Ringering Room to catch ‘Earth to Echo.’ After receiving a bizarre series of encrypted messages, a group of kids embark on an adventure with an alien who needs their help.         
• Tuesday, October 28 at 7 p.m. — PJ Story Time — Wear your PJs out on the town! Bring along a fuzzy friend and your blanket too! Stories, activities, and more… Ages 12 and under.
• Tuesday, October 28 at 7:15 p.m. — Microsoft Publisher 2013 — An introduction to using the desktop publishing program Microsoft Publisher. Registration Required.
• Wednesday, October 29 at 11 a.m. — Baby Time — Story time for infants to 35 months of age with an adult. This story time is designed to engage children through movement, music, stories, and more.
• Thursday, October 30 at 11 a.m. — Toddler Art — Bring your little artist ages 3 to 5 to create their very own masterpiece! We may get a little messy so wear play clothes.
• Friday, October 31 at 1 p.m. – Senior Travelogue — Topic: Pacific Journeys: Santiago to Pitcairn.
• Saturday, November 1 at 11 a.m. – Microsoft PowerPoint — An introduction to using the presentation program Microsoft PowerPoint. Registration Required.

For additional information or to register for a program, call 708-748-3731 or visit http://www.pfpl.org/.

Potpourri of Lectures – Thursday, October 30

The Potpourri of Lectures series continues on Thursday, October 30 at 10:30 a.m. in the Library’s Ringering Room. This week’s topic is “Thomas Piketty and Capital in the Twenty-first Century:
Warnings and Prospects” with Dr. Semih Cekin. For additional information call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.

Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted, Chicago Heights

‘The Discerning Eye’ Exhibit Featuring Photography Masters Dawoud Bey, Terry Evans,
and Joseph Jachna — Through November 6

‘The Discerning Eye’ is on exhibit through November 6 at PSC’s Christopher Art Gallery. Photography, as an art form, is powerful in its ability to capture a frozen moment in time as seen through the critical lens of the photographer. In an era in which every human who owns a cell phone can produce a photograph (often of questionable quality), the works of artists who photograph take on an even greater importance. Photography as art must be powerful in conveying the intent of the artist and his or her personal reality. A photograph’s quality lies not only in its editing but in its design; a great work of art doesn’t necessarily convey “information” but instead projects emotional value, meaning and significance to that which is photographed. A good photograph allows us, as viewers, to question our own perceptions and dig deeper for meaning and understanding. The three master photographers in the exhibition, The Discerning Eye, portray their insightful understanding of the world in their works, but each from a very different perspective. Dawoud Bey, Terry Evans and Joseph Jachna all make us notice, and they ask us to look deeper than the surface and to think beyond our own limited perceptions of reality. Each of the three uses as subjects what may be considered mundane, but presents to us images that ask us to repeatedly look, and to give our attention to that which we may have neglected to see. Whether in Bey’s images of teenagers, Evans’ depictions of landscapes, or Jachna’s details of natural forms, we are pushed to immerse ourselves with personal absorption in the images, and to wonder at their meanings. Additional information about the exhibit can be found at The Discerning Eye Catalog. For additional information or gallery hours, call 708-709-3636 or visit http://prairiestate.edu.

‘Turn Down for What!’ Concert Food Drive – November 7

Move For Hunger is teaming up with PSC to host a Turn Down For What! concert food drive. The concert will involve the entire college community and offer incentive to people who donate. Collected items will benefit the people in the region who are food insecure, which in Cook County amounts to 845,000 people. The Jam or Not Concert Food Drive will take place on November 7th in the PSC Conference Room 1322, 202 S. Halsted St. The concert will be a big event on the Prairie State College Campus. Kenyani, TStar, J Love, 2Starr2x, and King Marquis are among the artists that will perform. Students will also enjoy a dance party and the event will feature boutiques and vendors who will show students upcoming fashion. Along with the food drive at the event, all of the proceeds will be donated to Move for Hunger. Those who donate food or money will have the opportunity for a free meet and greet with the artists. Once the event ends, Thompson Moving and Storage will pick up the collected items and deliver them to a local food bank. This process saves the food bank resources and money that is normally spend on transporting nonperishable food. Suggested donations for the event include peanut butter and jelly, pasta, noodles, beans, cereal, rice, and canned meats, soups, fruits and vegetables. Move For Hunger is a non-profit organization that works with relocation companies across North America to pick up unwanted, unopened food from those who are relocating and deliver it to local food banks. To date, Move For Hunger is working with over 600 movers across North America and has collected more than 3,500,000 pounds of food. For more information or to find out how you can help support Move For Hunger, visit www.MoveForHunger.org.

Roosevelt University, 430 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago

‘The Circle of Chalk’ – Opens October 30

‘The Circle of Chalk’ will be presented at the Roosevelt University’s Miller Studio Theatre, 430 South Michigan, 9th floor, Chicago, on October 30, November 1 and 2. Performance times are at 7:30 p.m. on October 30 and November 1 and a 2 p.m. performance on November 1 & 2. The 13th century Chinese work was later adapted by Bertolt Brecht as “Caucasian Chalk Circle.” The Miller Studio provides an intimate setting for a fresh musical look on a classic parable. Please call 312-341-3831 for reservations. Government photo I.D. may be required for entrance to building.

String Chamber Musicians to Perform Free Concert with Ying Quartet – Friday, October 31

String musicians studying at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) will perform with the Ying Quartet during CCPA’s String Chamber Music Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 31 in the University’s Ganz Hall, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Known for its brilliant communicative performances and imaginative view of chamber music, the Ying Quartet will be collaborating with about 60 CCPA students in advance of the Oct. 31 performance, with four students presenting the outcome of their work with the Ying Quartet during the Showcase celebration. The resident quartet with the Eastman School of Music in New York, the Ying Quartet has performed in many of the world’s most important concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House, as well as in workplaces, schools, juvenile detention facilities and at the White House. The ensemble first came to prominence during the 1990s as the resident quartet in Jesup, Iowa, a farm town of about 2,000 people who were introduced to the quartet’s music and the impact it had on community life during performances held in homes, schools, churches and banks. Since then, the Ying Quartet has made a number of award-winning recordings and has had many diverse and unusual performance projects. The October 31 concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call 312-341-2238 or visit www.rooosevelt.edu/ccpa.

 ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’ – Opens November 13

‘Save the Last Dance for Me’ will be presente3d at the Roosevelt University’s Miller Studio Theatre, 430 South Michigan, 9th floor, Chicago, on November 13, 15 & 16. Performances times are 7:30 p.m. on November 13 & 15 and 2 p.m. on November 15 & 16. Our newest majors concentrating in dance join the ensemble in a celebration of dance styles distinctively featured in a mid-season studio finale. Please call 312-341-3831 for reservations. Government photo I.D. may be required for entrance to building.

‘Assassins’ – Tickets Now on Sale

‘Assassins,’ the musical with book by John Weidman and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim will be performed on November 20, 22 and 23. Performances will take place at Roosevelt University’s O’Malley Theatre, 430 S Michigan, 7th floor Chicago, at 7:30 p.m. on November 20 & 22 and at 2 p.m. on November 22 & 23. ‘Assassins’ lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States. In one-act historical ‘revusical’ that explores the dark side of the American experience. From John Wilkes Booth the rules of time and space are bent, taking us on a nightmarish roller coaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact, and inspire each other to harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream. Please call 312-341-3831 for reservations. Government photo I.D. may be required for entrance to building.

Salon Artists Gallery, 294 Main Street, Park Forest

‘El Viejo’ Exhibit – Through October 31

‘El Viejo’ an exhibit by artist Wyll Mull will be on display through October 31. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For additional information and Gallery hours, call 708-833-5108.

South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 South State Street, South Holland

‘The X-Ray Series’ – Through November 17

An exhibition titled ‘The X-Ray Series’ will be on display through a closing reception with artist Michael Hopkins on November 17th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hopkins has exhibited throughout the United States, in Canada and Europe. He has art in numerous museum permanent collections including The Art Institute of Chicago. ‘The X-Ray Series’ was completed between 2004 and 2007. The media is white ink on slate comprised of slightly altered images of both human and animal X-rays. Twenty (20) pieces from ‘The X-Ray Series’ will exhibit at SSC as part a larger collection on display internationally including The Progressive Art Collection, Mayfield Village, Ohio–rated as one of the best collections by Forbes Magazine, Chazen Museum of Art, Madison, Wisconsin, and permanent collections at The University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor Michigan and The Wellcome Trust Collection, London, England–Nobel Peace Prize winner James Watson spoke at the opening. ‘The X-Ray Series’ can be viewed during gallery hours in the Dorothea Thiel Gallery on the 4th floor in the Art & Design hallway. SSC Galleries are open at minimum Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays. The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. For more information, please call 708-596-2000, extension 2445 or visit www.ssc.edu/art.

Connie Wolfe Exhibit ‘Faint Perceptions – Through November 20

‘Faint Perceptions’ is an exhibition by artist Connie Wolfe that will run through the closing reception on November 20th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Three installations will be featured in the exhibit. Wolfe earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, Wisconsin, and his Master of Fine Arts from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Wolfe is inspired by the rich colors and textures in natural environments that typically go unnoticed in the everyday rituals of our society. ‘Faint Perceptions’ will be exhibiting in the Lee Dulgar Gallery on the first floor near the college Atrium. SSC Galleries are open at minimum Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays. The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. For more information, please call 708-596-2000, extension 2445 or visit www.ssc.edu/art.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

‘Beautiful Writing’ the Art of Contemporary Calligraphy – Through November 8

‘Beautiful Writing’ an exhibit featuring the art of contemporary calligraphy will run at the Gallery through November 8. An artists’ reception will be held on Friday, October 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. In addition, an Open House with artists’ demonstrations will take place on Saturday, October 11 from 11 a.m. to p.m. The exhibit, reception and open house are free and open to the public. The exhibit includes the work of thirteen artists, many of them connected with the Chicago Calligraphy Collective. Whatever preconceptions about calligraphy visitors hold before they visit the show, the startling scale of the works, the highest level of technical skills on display and the wealth of ideas the artists investigate will provide many reasons to see this art form in a very different light. Ranging from pieces that are in the vein of very traditional, ornate and colorfully designed letter forms to huge, invented and handmade calligraphic objects that dance across an entire wall, the exhibit offers viewers opportunities to see the diverse directions artists now explore using actual alphabets; abstracted, hybrid, and mixed media letter images; and totally original and illegible works that celebrate the process of simply making written marks. Every artist included in the exhibit brings a unique interpretation to letters, words, texts, and the act of writing. Visually the show is both bold and subtle. Conceptually, the works are both reverential to the history of calligraphy and wildly and playfully stretching and blurring all of its traditional boundaries. For additional information, visit: www.tallgrassarts.org or call 708-748-3377.

Union Street Gallery (USC), 1527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights

Twelfth Month – Annual Art Exhibit & Boutique – Opens November 12

Union Street Gallery will hold its Twelfth Month Annual Art Exhibit & Boutique beginning November 12 through December 20. A reception will be held at the Gallery on Saturday, November 22 from noon to 3 p.m. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.  For additional information, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.

Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC), 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest

‘Buddy Mondlock Performance at Edgar’s Place Coffee House – Saturday, November 8

Edgar’s Place Coffee House will proudly present Buddy Mondlock on Saturday, November 8 beginning at 8 p.m. Edgar’s Place is located in the UUCC, 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest. Buddy Mondlock has written songs recorded by Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark and Janis Ian to name just a few. His new CD, ‘The Memory Wall,’ was funded entirely by his fans, friends and family through a kick-starter campaign. A few of the songs date back to his early days in Nashville, including a collaboration with Garth Brooks called ‘A Canary’s Song.’ To learn more about Buddy and his music, please visit his website at www.buddymondlock.com. Opening for Buddy will be Donna Adler, a talented singer songwriter from Park Forest. Her 2012 release ‘Stories to Keep’ was named one of the top 20 folk recordings of that year by Lilli Kuzma of WDCB radio’s Folk Festival Show. Learn more about Donna at her website www.donnaadler.com. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Edgar’s Place is a fundraiser for UUCC. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org.

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park

Master in Public Administration & Master in Political and Justice Studies Open House – Tuesday, October 28

GSU is hosting an information open house on the Master in Public Administration and Master in Political and Justice Studies joint degree program offered in Chicago. GSU representatives will be available between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28 at the James R. Thompson Center, Room 2-025, 100 West Randolph St., Chicago. The session is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring official or unofficial transcripts for initial review. The joint graduate studies program in Public Administration and Political and Justice Studies prepares students for careers in a variety of fields including leadership positions in the public and non-profit sectors and continued graduate studies. The program enhances credentials and develops the skills and knowledge demanded in leadership positions. Classes are held in the evening and taught by industry leaders. The programs are fully accredited. Special incentives are available for veterans. For more information, contact 708-534-4391.

Workshop on Implementing Social and Emotional Learning in Schools – Registration Required by October 28

The Metropolitan Institute for Leadership in Education at Governors State University is presenting a workshop for educators designed to arm administrators with the research and strategic tools needed to implement academic, social and emotional learning throughout their districts. “Implementing Social and Emotional Learning to Improve Student Growth” will be held on Wednesday, November 5, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in E-Lounge on the GSU campus. The workshop will be led by Ruth Cross, the Illinois Training Specialist for the Collaborative for Social, Academic, and Emotional Learning. Participants will learn how to address the Illinois standards for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL); understand the research that supports implementing SEL into your district and school practices and policies; understand the structural and strategic supports that improve conditions for learning; and assess the current levels of SEL implementation in your buildings. At the end of this workshop, you will develop a one-year plan outlining next steps to address implementing SEL throughout your district and buildings. The cost of the workshop is $25, plus $15 for Administrators Academy credit (Administrators Academy 1374). Registration is required by October 28, at https://RuthCross11-5workshop.eventbrite.com. For more information, call 708-534-4024

What It Takes to Serve on the School Board – Registration Now in Progress

If you are thinking of running for your local school board, and would like to know more about the role of the school board member in governing successful school districts, attend this this free workshop. Sponsored by the Governors State University Metropolitan Institute of Leadership in Education, the Prospective School Board Member Workshop will be held on Saturday, November 8, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the Eisenhower Cooperative Administrative Offices, 5318 135th Street, Crestwood. A panel of school law and school finance experts will discuss a variety of topics ranging from what to consider when standing for public office, ethics and school law including board member liabilities, conflicts of interest and nepotism, and school budgets and funding at the local, state, and federal levels. Attendees will learn how effective school leaders can enhance student growth, support financial stability, and contribute to the quality of life in a community. For information, call 708-534-4024. To register, go to http://schoolboard11-8.eventbrite.com.

Teens: Sex and Health Choices Summit – Registration Required

Underage drinking, tobacco and other drug use/abuse are putting South Cook County teens at greater risk of teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The South Suburban Family Wellness Alliance (SSFWA), in collaboration with The Prevention Partnership, Inc., Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (T.A.S.C.), Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center, Bremen Youth Services, Franciscan St. James Health and Mental Health America of Illinois, is sponsoring a Southland Call to Action Summit on Friday, November 7, 2014, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the E Lounge (Room E1571) of Governors State University. This half-day summit will focus on the prevention of teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS/STIs among teens in South Cook County. Featured panelists and moderators will include: Dr. Cheryl Mejta, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health at GSU; Peter Palanca, MA, CADC, Executive Vice President of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (T.A.S.C.) and a Senior Lecturer in GSU’s Department of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health; Kimberley Fornero, Bureau Chief, Positive Youth Development, Illinois Department of Human Services; Dr. Joseph Day, Assistant Professor of Community Health at GSU; Alisa Webb, Coordinator of Drug-Free Communities Program for T.A.S.C.; Kimberli Thompson, Administrator at Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center; Shellie Coleman, Coordinator, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, The Prevention Partnership, Inc; Juanita Jenkins, Bremen Youth Services; John Farrell, Ph.D., psychologist; Caryn Curry, Director of Prevention, Mental Health America of Illinois; and Joseph Gordon, Associate Principal, Rich South School District 227. The goals of the Summit include:

• Educate sectors of the community about the rising numbers of teen pregnancies, HIV/AIDS/STIs among young people in the south suburbs;
• Identify gaps in services and resources for teens and their families;
• Develop agreements between providers and south suburban community sectors to actively participate in the development and implementation of a Regional 12-month Strategic Action Plan aimed at the prevention of teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS/STIs among young people in the south suburbs;
• Prevent underage drinking and other drug use, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS/STIs and mental health issues by building relationships among community sectors/stakeholders and by promoting positive family dynamics.

Although teen pregnancy rates are decreasing, the personal and public costs of teen pregnancy, childbearing, substance use and STIs can have many adverse consequences for teens, their children and their community. This call to action for these preventable outcomes will help to create community awareness and provide opportunities for dialogue and future planning among stakeholders. The following is the URL to the “News and Events” webpage for the College of Health and Human Services – detailed Summit Program information and Registration form can be found at this location: http://www.govst.edu/Academics/Colleges_and_Programs/College_of_Health_and_Human_Services/News_and_Events/ To register or obtain additional information, contact Debra Sbalchiero, Office Support Specialist, at [email protected].

Job Search Assistance Every Tuesday at GSU

The Mobile Workforce Center’s mobile unit will be at GSU every Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., parked near the university’s front entrance. Center services include resume development, access to online job boards and websites, instruction in how to conduct an online job search and improve keyboarding skills, and assistance of staff. The center is equipped with 11 computer stations with Internet access, printer, and copy machines, and is wheelchair accessible. Services are free and available to residents in all counties. For additional information, contact the Workforce Services Division of Will County at 815-727-4980.

Prairie State College (PSC), 202 S. Halsted, Chicago Heights

2015 Spring Registration Now Open

Registration for the spring 2015 semester is now open at PSC. New this semester at PSC is Flexible Scheduling – classes starting at different times during the semester. Students can choose their schedule, their class, their time. Hundreds of courses are offered days, evenings, weekends, and online to accommodate busy schedules. The traditional 16-week course option is still available with a start date of Jan. 12 and end date of May 7. New this spring is the 14-week course, with a start date of Jan. 26 and end date of May 7. What were formerly called late start courses are now called 12-week courses with a start date of Feb. 6 and end date of May 7. All of these courses — 16-week, 14-week, and 12-week — offer the same course material with the same credit hours. The shorter the number of weeks, the longer the class period. Also for spring, PSC is offering two different eight-week courses. First eight-week courses start Jan. 12 and end March 9. Second eight-week courses start March 10 and end May 7. The eight-week courses typically are fewer credit hours. Many of the college certificate programs offer eight-week courses, allowing students to fit two courses in a semester and to make progress towards that certificate. Spring registration began Oct. 20 for current students. New students can begin registering on Oct. 27. Students are encouraged to register early as classes will fill quickly. Both credit and non-credit courses are listed in the spring class schedule, available on the PSC main campus, located at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. The schedule also is available at area public libraries and online at prairiestate.edu. To register for credit courses, new students must complete an enrollment application in person at the college or online. Enrollment Services is open Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Current students can register for credit courses in person or online. Students can register for non-credit courses online or in person. To register online via Instant Enrollment, go to prairiestate.edu and follow the directions to choose How To Enroll under continuing education courses. Another option is to complete the registration form available in the back of the printed course schedule. Students also can register for non-credit courses in person at the Matteson Area Center, located at 4821 Southwick Drive in Matteson, or in the Enrollment Services Office on the PSC main campus. The Matteson Area Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about registering for courses, visit www.prairiestate.edu or call 708-709-3500.

Roosevelt University, 425 South Wabash, Chicago

Forum on the State of the Middle East and ISIS – Tuesday, October 28

A forum exploring the current state of the Middle East and the U.S. response to ISIS will be held at Roosevelt University in Chicago on Tuesday, October 28. A noteworthy panel of political and academic experts from the Chicago area will participate in a discussion on “The U.S. Response to ISIS: Challenges and Strategies” from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Room 612 of Roosevelt’s Wabash Building, 425 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago. (Roosevelt University’s David Faris, pictured above, is a panelist and one of the organizers of the event). Panelists will include:

• Roey Gilad, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest
• Maged Refaat, Consul General of Egypt in Chicago
• David Faris, assistant professor of political science and chair of the Political Science and Public Administration Department at Roosevelt University and author of the recent Ethos Review article, “The Cancer is Back: ISIS and the Certainty of Future Horrors.”
• Scott Hibbard, associate professor of political science at DePaul University and expert on Middle East politics, Islamic activism and U.S. Foreign Policy
• Wendy Pearlman, assistant professor and Crown Junior Chair in Middle East Studies at Northwestern University who has recently interviewed dozens of Syrian refugees about their experiences in the Syrian uprising and war

Sponsored by Roosevelt University’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration and the Niagara Foundation, the forum is free and open to Niagara Foundation members and to Roosevelt University students, faculty and staff showing a valid Roosevelt ID. Entry fee for all others is $10. An RSVP is required by contacting Juli Rowen, assistant dean, at [email protected]

South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 South State Street, South Holland

Implementing Tablets & Smart Phones into Your Small Business – Thursday, November 6

SSC’s Business & Career Institute (BCI) presents a Breakfast with BCI Workshop: Implementing Tablets and Smart Phones into Your Small Business. This workshop will be facilitated by Allen Babiarz, BCI Client Solutions & Project Manager on Thursday, November 6, 2014, in the Heritage Room from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (check-in and continental breakfast to begin at 8:15 a.m.). Today, people are constantly on their phones and look to their phones and tablets to access information more efficiently. Business partnerships are formed, appointments are made, transactions are conducted and data is organized and stored on our devices. This workshop will bring any small business into the 21st Century by demonstrating how to utilize smart phones and tablets to your advantage. Topics covered include setting up email, calendars, Square (payments), and cloud storage, among others. Attendees are encouraged to bring their devices and get started right away during the workshop. The cost of the event and continental breakfast is $15 per person, or $10 per person if three or more individuals from the same company attend. To register, please call 708-596-2000, ext. 2346 or email [email protected]. The Heritage Room is on the 1st Floor of South Suburban College’s Main Campus in South Holland.

Fifth Annual Family Reading Night Event – Wednesday, November 19

SSC’s Adult Volunteer Literacy Program is hosting their fifth annual Family Reading Night event on Wednesday, November 19th from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. The public is invited to join SSC to find out about community literacy while enjoying stories and presentations. There will also be free books for children, raffles and refreshments. This year’s event will feature three local authors, who will read excerpts from their books to the community. The first author, Sandra Dyson from Harvey, Illinois, will be reading an excerpt from her book “Sweet Water.” Next, Courtney Harris, Ph.D., will speak to the audience about the importance of family while referencing excerpts from his book titled “American Society: The Enemy of the Family Structure.” Lastly, Theo Chapman will discuss excerpts from his book “Why Do Teenagers Talk Like That”—written as a tool to help bridge the communication gap that is growing between adults and youth. All three authors will be available for questions, comments and book signings after they speak. This year at Family Reading Night, SSC will hand out free children’s books to all children attending, raffle Barnes and Nobles gift cards, and perform an Interactive Reading Activity called “Read that Word”—author Theo Chapman will have the audience journey through time, uncovering the present and past of youth vernacular. Time will also be set aside for the families to read with their children. For more information about Family Reading Night or the Adult Volunteer Literacy Program, please contact Lakisha Hillard, coordinator, at 708-596-2000, extension 2558, or email [email protected]. South Suburban College is located at 15800 S. State St., South Holland, Illinois. This event is sponsored in part by the SSC Foundation.

SCORE Small Business Workshops Coming to SSC – Registration Now in Progress

SSC’s Business & Career Institute and SCORE have once again partnered to bring free business workshops geared for small business developers and owners. Two new workshops will be offered this fall at the college’s Oak Forest Center. Attendees may choose to attend one or both of the workshops at no charge to help their business grow and take advantage of the networking opportunities. Registration and networking at the SCORE workshops begins at 8:45 a.m., with instruction and discussion to follow from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. The upcoming workshop schedule is as follows:

Taking Your Business Idea from Concept to Reality — Wednesdays, November 12 and 19, 8:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Coming up with ideas is the easy part; executing the idea is the hard part! Most entrepreneurs focus more on the ideas and less on how to organize for action. This two-part series workshop includes two sessions on consecutive weeks. The first session is intended to stimulate ideas into business actions. Attendees will learn to become a business thinker by examining and developing an action plan document. The second session the following week is an open panel discussion of selected summaries, also intended to stimulate business thinking. Attendees will learn to sell their ideas professionally, enthusiastically and concisely.

All workshops will be held at the 16333 S. Kilbourn Ave., Oak Forest, Illinois. To register by phone, please call Carmen Garcia at 708-596-2000, extension 2663. For more information, email [email protected].

Online Educational Resources

Online college programs are a great way for today’s busy people to complete or earn a degree. To find an online college program in Illinois, visit http://www.onlineschools.org/guides/Illinois/ where you will find a compilation of every college program offered online in Illinois offered on a full or part-time basis.

Top U.S. Universities

Choosing what college or university to attend can be a very daunting experience. With educational costs continually increasing, it’s more important than ever to choose a university that meets your specific educational needs. At http://www.topschools.com/, you will find a comprehensive resource that ranks each university throughout the nation by size, degrees offered, tuition costs, admission, graduation and retention rates.

Healthy Living

Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park

Free Psychotherapy Available from GSU’s Psychology Program

GSU’s Psychology Department is offering free psychotherapy services to members of the community. Conversations with a psychotherapist can help people cope with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, stress, and life transition problems. Confidential, one-on-one sessions are held with a GSU graduate student in psychology under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Individuals and couples, 18 years and older, are eligible. All sessions are conducted in Matteson, IL. The number of sessions is determined by the client’s needs. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, call 708-235-2841.

Sertoma Centre, 4343 West 123rd Street, Alsip

Free Community Education and Prevention Programs about Mental Health

Sertoma Centre’s Mental Health Services facility is offering community mental health seminars, free of charge to community groups, schools, law enforcement agencies, religious organizations, and other community groups at their location in Matteson or facility. Education Programs will include: Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) which increases public awareness of suicide and improves one’s ability to identify and refer those at risk for suicide. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a public education course that helps participants identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance disorders. Also included is Mental Health First Aid for Youth and Anxiety/Depression Screenings. Thanks to a grant, these educational opportunities are available at no cost to you or your organization. To arrange a free educational opportunity for your club, group, workplace, organization, or church, call Gia Washington at 708-748-1951, Ext. 418 or email at [email protected].

Park Forest Fire Department, 156 Indianwood Boulevard, Park Forest

CPR Classes

CPR classes are available at the Park Forest Fire Department. Click on the following link for more details: http://pffd.vopf.com/cpr-classes.html

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)

Assistance With Medications & Health Services

If you, or someone you know, are struggling to pay for medications every month, they may be able to get the medicines they need for free or almost free through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. If you live in Illinois, you can get access to more than 475 public and private program available to help you pay for your medicines. Simply visit http://www.pparx.org/en/click_illinois to find out if you can apply to any of these great programs and to get connected with 10,000 free clinics and doctors.

Shirley J. Green Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest

Senior Citizen Weekday Lunch at the Senior Café

Senior citizens of all income levels are invited to lunch weekdays at the Rich Township Senior Café located inside the Rich Township’s Shirley J. Green Senior Center. The CNN site is open to all south suburban residents, including those living outside of Rich Township. Participants must be 60 years of age or older. The suggested donation for lunch is $2.50. Lunch is served Monday through Friday at noon. Bingo begins at 10 a.m. For additional information or to make a reservation for lunch, call 708-747-2700.

Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC), 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest

Qigong with Jim Kobus – Most Thursdays

UUCC will host Qigong with Jim Kobus on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the church. This class will usually meet on Thursdays but there may be exceptions, so if you are interested in attending, please send an email to Jim Kobus at [email protected] so he can notify you when class will NOT be held. There is a suggested donation of $5 per class. Please bring your own water. It is recommended that you eat dinner after class, not before. For additional information, please call 708-799-1925 or visit www.uuccpf.org.

Green Events

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

Wednesday Morning Walkers – October 29

Wednesday Morning Walkers can enjoy the early autumn delights on these leisurely (or bris) trail walks. The group walks on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Trails can be wet or muddy, so please wear sturdy shoes. This event is free and open to the public ages 13 through adult. Registration is required two days before your first walk. For additional information, call 708-747-6320.

Experience the Thorn Creek Nature Center

Thorn Creek Nature Center is housed in a historic building, originally Immanuel Lutheran Church of Matteson, Illinois built in 1862, and later Village Bible Church of Park Forest. A gothic frame country church, its notable architectural features include curved ceiling, tongue-and-groove paneling and a raised pulpit. Its current attractions are displays of the preserve’s flora and fauna, a bird feeder viewing area, Eugene E. Schwartz reference library and an expanded children’s section. The Nature Center is open Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Trails are open daily year-round, dawn to dusk. For additional information, call 708-747-6320.

This & That

Calumet Heritage Partnership, Chicago

South Shore Railroad/Notre Dame Tour – Saturday, November 8

All Aboard! Experience the thrill of riding the last electric interurban railroad in the country while viewing the historic sites of its 100+ year corridor beyond the windows. Join local historian and author, Cynthia Ogorek, on Saturday, November 8, as she makes her book, Along the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad, come alive! Tickets are $67 and include:

• Your train fare for the two-hour narrated tour of the railroad’s historic corridor from downtown Chicago to South Bend
• White-tablecloth lunch at the historic Tippecanoe Place restaurant and tour of the Studebaker Mansion
• Tour of the Notre Dame campus, restored administration building and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
• Return to downtown Chicago by comfortable coach bus

Meet us at 8:15 A.M. at the South Shore railroad platform at Millennium Station [southwest corner of Michigan and Randolph, downtown Chicago]; our coach bus will return you to Michigan and Randolph at tour’s end. We estimate a return time of 5 p.m. Pay by credit card at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/826692 For further information, please contact Tom Shepherd at [email protected] or by phone, 773-370-3305.

Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs and Thornton Township

Veterans Housing and Resource Fair – Friday, November 9

A veterans housing and resource fair will be held on Friday, November 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Thornton Township Hall, 333 East 162nd St., South Holland. This FREE Housing & Resource Fair and Forum is for:

• Housing locating assistance for veterans (apartments, condos and houses)
• Homeless, relocating, transitioning veterans and senior housing
• Veterans in need of additional housing services, including but not limited to:
• SSVF, food pantry, utility assistance, rental assistance, furniture and furnishings
• Cash paying veterans, HUD/VASH, and vets receiving other housing supportive services are all welcome.
• Veterans interested in buying their first property or fifth property, are all welcome.

Veterans please bring your State ID or Driver’s License, VA ID and proof of income.
A forum on housing begins promptly at 10:45 a.m.

Special Guest:  Jack Amberg – Veterans Mortgage Specialist, John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic. Sponsored by the Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs and Thornton Township. For more information call 708-596-6040 extension 3168. View the flier!

Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest

Rich Township Bazaar and Bake Sale – Lunch Reservations Needed by October 31

On November 7, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Rich Township Senior Center is hosting a Holiday Craft Bazaar and Bake Sale. The sale is located in DownTown Park Forest at 297 Liberty Drive. This sale is designated for homemade craft items and baked goods. We will serve coffee and goodies throughout the day. Please join us for a day of shopping, eating and friendship. Be sure to pick up a few gifts for the holidays! If you are 60 years of age or older and would like to have lunch at the Rich Township Café, please call 708-747-2700 no later than Friday, October 31. The cost for lunch is $2.50. If you have any questions, please contact Sally Fuhrmann (Senior Center Director) at 708-228-5040.

Village of Park Forest

10th Annual Veterans Day Recognition Event — Sunday, November 9

The Village Of Park Forest’s Tenth Annual Veterans Day Recognition event featuring Ava Logan in concert will be held on Sunday, November 9 at 3:00 p.m. at Freedom Hall 410 Lakewood Boulevard. Ava Logan is an award winning singer-actress from Washington, D.C., who now lives in the Chicago area. She is a veterinarian by day, and a jazz singer by night. Ava salutes our Veterans and American Heroes in this spirited musical tribute with patriotic songs and jazz and pop standards. She shares a bit of history of the songs and their relevance at times when America has been at unrest, in war. This show of poignant, inspiring and patriotic music features the Ava Logan Quartet. Additional information about Ava Logan can be found on her website www.avalogan.com. There will be a Static Display of Military Vehicles courtesy of the Veterans Garage to view (weather permitting). The event is free and open to the general public. For additional information or questions, call 708-748-1129.