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In and Around Park Forest for the Week of June 4, 2017


Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at Governors State University presents significant large-scale public art, inspiring visitors to experience Art and Nature in new and unexpected ways. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF) — Are you looking for a twist on your fitness routine? How about doing the downward dog among sculptural giants outside in the prairie? The renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park on the campus of Governors State University is the perfect place to roll out your yoga mat and connect with the beauty of art and nature. This new four-week class, Yoga in the Park, will be held on Saturday mornings from June 10 to July 1 at 10 a.m. Additional information about Yoga in the Park can be found in the ‘Healthy Living’ section.

Park Forest will be participating in the 13th Annual Great American Campout on Friday, June 23. Whether this is your first camping experience or you and your family are seasoned campers, this event is a great way for friends, families and children to connect with nature, sleep under the stars and create memories of outdoor experiences. There are a limited number of camp spaces available so early registration is a must to avoid being disappointed.  You’ll find additional information about the Great American Campout in the ‘Arts & Entertainment’ section.

If your club, organization or local business will be holding activities or events in the community that you would like published, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with the details no later than 5 p.m. on Friday.  Thank you.

Village of Park Forest

Parking Restrictions on Indianwood Boulevard — Begin Monday, June 5

Beginning Monday, June 5, no parking will be allowed on either side of Indianwood Boulevard until road resurfacing has been completed. This process is expected to take four weeks. Signage noting parking restrictions will be posted along the roadway. Residents will need to use their driveways or neighboring streets for parking. For questions, call 708-503-7702.

2016 Water Quality Report – Now Available

The Village of Park Forest is proud of the drinking water it provides. Our mission is to provide residents with high-quality, safe drinking water that meets or surpasses every Federal and State standard. In 2016, the Village of Park Forest distributed more than 480 million gallons of water to our customers. As mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), this Water Quality Report details Park Forest’s water sources, the results of water tests, and other information. The information in this report covers the Village’s water operations, January 1, through December 31, 2016.  View the Water Quality Report. For questions on this report, contact David A. Vavrek, Chief Water Plant Operator, 708-503-7702, or visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website www.epa.gov/safewater.

Village Board Meeting – Monday, June 5

The Village of Park Forest Board will meet on Monday, June 5 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive.  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).

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.

Village Commissions & Advisory Boards

The following Park Forest Commission is scheduled to meet the week of June 4:

  • Tuesday, June 6 at 7 p.m. – Plan Commission

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

Arts & Entertainment

Crete Public Library District, 1177 North Main Street

The following events are scheduled at the Crete Public Library District the week of June 4:

  • Monday, June 5 at 4 p.m. — Google It!. — Demonstration class. Registration is required by calling the library.
  • Monday, June 5 at 7 p.m. — Adult Writing Group — For beginning and experienced writers.
  • Tuesday, June 6 at 10 a.m. — Knot Just for Knitters at Benton St. Bakery — Share camaraderie while working on needlework projects.
  • Tuesday, June 6 at 6 p.m. — Introduction to Cloud Storage — Demonstration class. Registration is required by calling the library.
  • Thursday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m. — CRAVE (Crete Area Voracious Eaters) — Prepare and bring a dish based on the month’s theme of chicken, then share samples and recipes with club members.
  • Thursday, June 8 at 7 p.m. — Knot Another Ball of Yarn! Crochet Group — Learn to crochet, or bring your own crochet.
  • Saturday, June 10 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Sit & Knit @ the Library — Bring a project, lawn chair, and snack to share (beverages provided) for World Wide Knit in Public Day.

For additional information or to register for an event, call 708-672-8017 or visit www.cretelibrary.org.

Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles — Thursday, June 15

The Crete Public Library will host Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles on Thursday, June 15 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Reptiles may be the most feared and misunderstood creatures on Earth. Many of their species are facing extinction. The Traveling World of Reptiles’ mission is to dispel myths and inform audiences of the value and importance of these animals. The Traveling World of Reptiles show is an entertaining, educational experience for children of all ages, featuring reptiles and amphibians from around the world. While up-close, live and “hands on”, the 60-minute show is also safe and professional. No one is forced to touch or handle the animals if they choose not to. Learn more about the show at http://www.travelingworldofreptiles.com. Registration for this program opens June 1st and is limited to Crete Public Library District card holders only until June 8th. After that date, anyone with a library card may register to attend. For more information, please call the Crete Public Library at 708-672-8017.

DePaul University Theatre School, 2350 North Racine Avenue, Chicago

‘A Matter of Conscience’ and ‘Stranger Things’ – Through June 18

A pair of smaller exhibitions drawn primarily from the DePaul Art Museum collection, including selections from Chuck Thurow’s 2016 gift, will be on display during the spring exhibitions. “A Matter of Conscience” will run through June 18 and presents works that reflect varying artistic approaches to politically charged content and pressing social issues. Mia Lopez, DePaul Art Museum assistant curator, is curating the exhibition. Featured artists are Siah Armajani, Margaret Burroughs, Alan Cohen, Paul D’Amato, Ester Hernandez, Michael Hernandez de Luna, Max King Cap, Rudzani Nemasetoni, Betye Saar, Aram Han Sifuentes, Andy Warhol and Garry Winogrand. “Stranger Things” will follow from June 21 to August 6 and includes artists who work against representational traditions in sculpture, drawing and painting to create forms that are at once familiar yet difficult to name. Widholm is curating the exhibition. Featured artists are Robert Bladen, Miriam Bloom, Alex Chitty, Chris Garofalo, Magalie Guerin, David Jackson, Paul LaMantia, Sterling Lawrence, Jim Lutes, Sandra Perlow, Richard Rezac and David Richards.  Admission is free at DePaul Art Museum, located just east of the CTA’s Fullerton ‘L’ stop. Museum hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more on DePaul Art Museum’s upcoming exhibitions and events, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://museums.depaul.edu/.

‘Glimpses of the Great War’ Exhibit – Through August

When U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared war on the German Empire April 6, 1917, one Lincoln Park neighborhood family with DePaul University ties was changed forever. Now 100 years after the U.S. joined the Great War, known more commonly as World War I, the story of the Ward family — and their ties to the university, St. Vincent de Paul Parish and Chicago — is the subject of a new exhibit titled “Glimpses of the Great War.” The exhibit, which is open to the public through August, is on the first floor of the John T. Richardson Library, 2350 N. Kenmore Ave. on DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus in Chicago. The exhibit centers on the Ward family and their nine children who grew up on Fullerton Avenue, four blocks from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Chicago, according to Andrea Bainbridge, university archivist.  All eight male children attended DePaul Academy, a high school run by the parish. Five served in the Great War and two died. Brothers William and Joe were enrolled at the Vincentian Seminary in Perryville, Missouri, preparing to be priests, during the war, added Lisa Geiger, special collections’ archives processing assistant.  In the years following ordination, William returned to Chicago as principal of DePaul Academy as part of eight decades of service to the order that took him around the world. Joe, meanwhile, became a DePaul University English professor and later served as the coordinator of college alumni before passing away in 1978. At the time of Joe’s passing, DePaul’s enrollment had risen to more than 12,000, a significant difference from the roughly 300 who attended with the Wards in the early days of the university, according to Geiger. Bainbridge — with the help of Geiger — unearthed photos, memorabilia and letters from the 1910s to the 1970s, which reveal the changes to DePaul’s campus and the family. Items in the exhibit include:

  • Memorial cards for both Ward brothers who died in the war. William led the funeral service for his brother Albert in 1919, before William and Joe led a funeral mass together for brother Oliver in 1921.
  • A 1918 issue of The Minerval, DePaul’s bi-monthly version of a student newspaper at the time, which featured updates on soldiers with DePaul ties and letters from the front lines.
  • A series of encouraging letters to the DePaul community by then-President Francis X. McCabe, C.M., who also served as the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish. One of these letters was to confirm that the university would remain open throughout the war.
  • An original copy of the Field Service Pocket Book, a U.S. military issued book small enough to fit in a pocket that covered basic procedures for expected conditions in Europe.
  • A Navy recruitment poster circa 1917.

All told, 584 people with DePaul ties including undergraduates, alumni and faculty members served in the military during World War I, according to Bainbridge. For additional information, visit www.depaul.edu

Firelei Báez, Hương Ngô Bring Their Work to DePaul Art Museum – Through August 6

Caribbean and Asian influences will be on display at the DePaul Art Museum this spring with Miami artist Firelei Báez and Chicago artist Hương Ngô. The pair will provide their respective works for two exhibitions set to run through August 6 at the museum on DePaul University’s Lincoln Park Campus. Báez’s exhibition, “Vessels of Genealogies,” tells stories of identity, history and politics through bright colors, patterns, hairstyles and textiles depicted in her large-scale paintings and tapestries, said Julie Rodrigues Widholm, the museum’s director and chief curator. “Vessels of Genealogies” will be the main exhibition on the first floor of the museum. The second exhibition will feature Ngô’s new work on Vietnamese anti-colonial organizer Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai. The works were inspired by Ngô’s trips to Vietnam and France, according to Widholm. “To Name It Is To See It” will touch on topics including colonialism, political activism, women’s rights, surveillance, class, language and Vietnamese history. Admission is free at DePaul Art Museum, located just east of the CTA’s Fullerton ‘L’ stop. Museum hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more on DePaul Art Museum’s upcoming exhibitions and events, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://museums.depaul.edu/.

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

Vietnam Transformed: The Art of Richard J. Olsen – Through August 12

The National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM) presents its newest exhibition–Vietnam Transformed: The Art of Richard J. Olsen as Symbolic Reality. The exhibition features work spanning the artist’s career, and will be on view through August 12th. The exhibit is free and open to the public. In collaboration with curators Andrew and Hathia Hayes, and with the curatorial assistance of Anthony F. Janssen, the National Veterans Art Museum is proud to feature an exhibition of work from throughout the career of longtime NVAM-artist and veteran, Richard J. Olsen. In his work, Richard Olsen conveys underlying themes such as the tension between good and evil, the experience of war, and his immediate environment–his studio–by embedding images that are symbolic and allegorical without relying on representation. Olsen began using symbolism early in his career, but this approach for conveying meaning came to the forefront during his mature period during which he creating paintings based on his wartime experiences as a transport helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. The exhibition will showcase work spanning the artist’s career, but will highlight his “Wall” series, for which he is probably best-known. For additional information, visit www.nvam.org, or call 312-326-0270.

New Star, Chicago Heights

Stroll n’ Roll 5K Fun Run/Walk — Saturday, June 10

New Star’s annual Stroll ‘n Roll will get you movin’ for a mission on Saturday, June 10th at Prairie State College, 202 South Halsted in Chicago Heights. Whether you run, walk, stroll, or roll, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of kids and adults with special needs! For runners and walkers, the 5k course winds through Prairie State College’s wooded campus, while the 2k course offers strollers and rollers a paved, ADA-accessible loop. Details & Registration

Park Forest Historical Society

Park Forest House Museum Lets You ‘Step Back into the 1950s’

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum, at 227 Monee Road (inside St. Mary’s Catholic Church), Park Forest, Illinois, invites you to “Step Back into a 1950s.” The Museum is open Wednesday and Saturday, 1 to 3:30 p.m.; other times by appointment. One room represents a classroom in Forest Boulevard School, which was set up in a row of townhomes. Admission is Adults $5; children 12 and under free.  Park in the small lot by the flagpole and knock on the classroom door next to the museum sign. A guide will tell village history, and social and fashion trends of the era. Special tours can be arranged by calling Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252, or Michael Gans, 708-305-3308.  Information on the society and museum, and email contact is at www.parkforesthistory.org.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

The following events are scheduled at the Park Forest Library the week of June 4:

  • Monday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. – Family Move Night — Now Showing: ‘Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life.’ Rated: PG
  • Monday, June 5 at 7 p.m. – Mindfullness Mondays– Join us each week as we learn how to become more tranquil and mindful in our lives. A craft will be provided.
  • Tuesday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m. – Meet the Gardener — Join our resident gardener Victoria in the Library garden. Identify specimens in our plantings. Harvest flowers and herbs for future PFPL programs. Learn to spot fellow visitors including native butterflies, honey bees, and birds.
  • Tuesday, June 6 at 2:30 p.m. – Drop In Create Craft Zone — Drop in to kids’ zone and see what we are creating today!
  • Tuesday, June 6 at 4 p.m. — Color-Rama! Coloring Circle — Relax a bit and take a load off before starting your homework. Learn different media of art and share your creativity with other teens!
  • Wednesday, June 7 at 2:30 p.m. – Drop In Create Craft Zone — Drop in to kids’ zone and see what we are creating today!
  • Wednesday, June 7 at 4 p.m. – Drop In Coloring for Adults — Our grown-up coloring circle is the perfect way to step back from the stress of everyday life and enjoy some relaxation! All supplies will be provided.
  • Wednesday, June 7 at 4 p.m. – Drop In Days — Do you have some time to spare after school? Stop by Teen Tech Zone for a spur-of-the-moment activity!
  • Thursday, June 8 at 12:30 p.m. — Drop In Create Zone Craft — Drop in to kids’ zone and see what we are creating today!
  • Friday, June 9 at 10:30 a.m. – Butterfly Club — Join us to track butterflies in our backyard including the Monarch! We will learn to identify host nectar plants, collect and raise caterpillars, watch them transform into chrysalides and release butterflies! Registration Required. Children under 7 must have a chaperone. Covered shoes, socks, water bottle and sunscreen recommended.
  • Friday, June 9 at 2:30 p.m. – Drop In Create Craft Zone — Drop in to kids’ zone and see what we are creating today!
  • Friday, June 9 at 3:30 p.m. – Board Game Day — Join us for fun afternoon of wild and crazy fun with our board games.
  • Saturday, June 10 at 11 a.m. — Gardening Workshop Series – Container planting 101.
  • Saturday, June 10 at 1 p.m. – Drop In Create Zone Craft — Drop in to kids’ zone and see what we are creating today!

For additional information, or to register for an event call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.

Friends of the Library Meeting – Tuesday, June 6

On Tuesday, June 6 at 7 p.m., the Friends of the Library will hold its monthly meeting.  The meeting is open to the public. The Friends of the Park Forest Library enhance and support the operations of the library.  In order for the Friends to operative, we need your involvement.  You can sign up for membership by asking at the Patron Services or Info Zone desk.  Also, membership forms can be found on the Library’s website that you can fill out and bring to the library. For additional information call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.

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

Chicago Sculpture International – Opens Monday, June 5

The Chicago Sculpture International exhibit will open at PSC’s Christopher Art Gallery on Monday, June 5 and run through Thursday, July 13.  A reception will be held at the Gallery on Wednesday, June 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Both the reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.  The exhibit will feature curated works by a cooperative of over 150 sculptors from Chicago, the U.S. and abroad.  The group focuses on the advancement and appreciation of sculpture through exhibitions, workshops and collaborations. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on days when the college is open.  For additional information, call 708-709-3636 or visit www.prairiestate.edu/artgallery.

Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest

Thursday Game Days

Come join us at the Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, in DownTown Park Forest every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. to play games with old friends and new friends.  We have a few games on hand, Trivial Pursuit, Racko, Pente, Chess, Pictionary, High Hand and Rummikub.  If none of these suit your taste, feel free to bring in your favorites.  Come join in the fun.  This is a new program, so please help to spread the word.

Adult Coloring

On the 2nd and 4th Tuesday morning of each month at 10 a.m., come to the Senior Center to participate in the new Adult Coloring Group.  The Center has supplies and several types of mediums to color with.  For additional information, call 708-748-5454.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

‘Solace: Works of Calm, Quiet and Restoration” – Opens Friday, June 16

‘Solace: Works of Calm, Quiet and Restoration” will open on Friday, June 16 and run through Saturday, July 22.  An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, June 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Both the reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.  The exhibit of drawings, paintings, sculpture and installation pieces by Sherri Denault, Margie Glass Sula, and Patty McWilliams will focus on the interaction, complementing relationships and conversations between the three artists’ works. Creating an environment of stillness through hand-crafted nature-inspired forms, the artists hope their works will serve as a means of contemplation, meditation, and relaxation within a kind of visual sanctuary. They aim to transform the gallery space into a place removed and safe, private and away from the speed and noise of our fast-paced, device- driven and stressful world. As visitors spend time in the space, they may feel it suggests a kind of refuge, shelter or retreat. Within the quiet and secluded haven, they will discover mysterious images of natural forms emerging from drawings and paintings on the walls, delicately interlaced relief and sculpture pieces embedded in tangles of thread and translucent papers, and installations that suspend branches, bones and feathers in states of fragile equilibrium. Denault, Glass Sula and McWilliams, familiar to many in our region, are recognized as dedicated educators and prolific, award-winning artists who have exhibited in numerous regional and national shows and have been involved as gallery directors, jurors and curators for several years. Their shared inspirations in the simplicity, beauty and spiritual power of nature’s patterns and cycles; their commitment to seeking and creating quiet images of unity and balance; and their ongoing experimentation with new materials and means of presenting their images, in both outdoor and indoor venues, have made the joint exhibits of their works compelling destinations and enriching experiences. Curated by Claudia Craemer. Gallery Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.  Closed Sunday and Monday. Adult and student groups are welcome to tour our exhibits. More information about the shows and tours can be found on the Tall Grass website, www.tallgrass.org or by calling Tall Grass Gallery at 708-748-3377.

The Drama Group, 330 West 202nd Street, Chicago Heights

‘Buried Child’ – Opens Friday, June 9

The Drama Group is proud to present the Pulitzer Prize-Winning dark drama, ‘Buried Child,’ by lauded American playwright Sam Shepard directed by M.J. Renzi. Performances will be held at The Drama Group’s Milord Studio Theatre on June 9, 10, 15, 16 & 17 at 7:30 pm and matinees on June 11 & 18 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults; $19 for seniors and $15 for students with ID. Group discount rates are also available.  Good seats are still available.  Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 708-755-3444 or online http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2948298. For directions and other information regarding Drama Group activities, please visit www.dramagroup.org.

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

‘Plus One’ Exhibit– Through Saturday, June 17

USG will feature the exhibit ‘Plus One’ through Saturday, June 17. A Closing Party on June 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. ‘Plus One’ is the product of the networking and relationships that grew from last year’s Instagraff exhibit. Last year’s artists were offered an invitation to come back and bring a plus one. Several were available to return, but we have made new friends throughout the year as well. Confirmed artists are Alexis Moulds, Bonus Saves, Bore, Brian Shaffner, Burn353, Ethos, Frank Quintero, Glass Cuisine, Hope, Jalen Buford, Joe Nivens, Kneedy, Lisa Gray, Mike Dornseif, Mitchell Dart, Mr. Switch, Nug, Patt Knerr, Penny Pinch, Phybr, Rome Won, Sejah, Steve Rab, T-Money, Therst, Tony Rabit, Wreckzilla. Therst will be doing a blacksmithing demo on June 17 starting at 2:30pm. Stay tuned for more details regarding a closing party for this exhibit on June 17. Gallery hours are Wednesday, noon to 4 p.m.; Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.; Friday, noon to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.usg.org.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Main Street Nights 2017 – Kicks Off Wednesday, June 14

Beginning Wednesday, June 14 Main Street Nights in Park Forest returns. As in the past, the events will take place at Cunningham and Victory Boulevard in DownTown Park Forest. The eight week-long event sponsored by The Village of Park Forest and Freedom Hall will not only have returning artists from previous years, but will also feature new performances to the venue. There will also be a host of side events, like Touch a Truck, and CN Railroad’s Little Obie. Main Street Nights focuses on bringing the community together through music, games, food, etc. during these summer nights. Venders such as Dunagains Irish Pub will sell grilled items, sides, snacks, and beverages to the public. Every Wednesday, Main Street Nights will start between 5 o’clock and 6:30 p.m. depending on the day. Specific times are listed on the freedom hall website (www.freedomhall.org). In case of rain, performances will be relocated to the Dining on the Green, which is located at 349 Main Street. This year’s schedule of events is as follows:

Wednesday, June 14

Resident Appreciation Celebration to kick-off Main Street Nights

6:30 p.m. – Sky Squad – Dazzling Acrobatic Dunks!
Sky Squad, led by Andres Baines (aka Sky Guy) has thrilled millions of fans with their aerial artistry. Dazzling acrobatic flips and twists off mini trampolines mixed with comedy antics, midair passes and dynamic slam dunking deliver non-stop pure energy excitement to audiences of all ages. These talented gymnasts travel to schools, festivals, corporate events, camps and half time shows world-wide. Sky Squad is the official dunk team for the WNBA Chicago Sky.

7:30 p.m. – SEMPLE
SEMPLE prides itself on its entertaining combination of musicianship and high energy stage performance. Fronted by Keith Semple as seen on Season 9 of NBC’s Emmy award winning show “The Voice”, you will be treated to a nonstop great time! With styles ranging from 70’s Rock to modern pop songs and everything in between, each show is packed with variety and contrast that takes the audience on a generational tour of music genres. SEMPLE features several of their own original songs in almost every show!

Wednesday, June 21

6:30 p.m. – Popeye & Sailor
Alex “Popeye” Rothacker and his amazing dog act have performed throughout the U.S. and Canada for more than 20 years. They have made numerous TV appearances, including three times on “Late Show with David Letterman” and another on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” where the audience voted Sailor the “Smartest Dog in the World.”

7:30 p.m. – R-Gang
R-Gang combines musical expertise and showmanship to provide your event with the very best in entertainment. Specializing in Motown/R&B, they’ve played with nationally known artists as Survivor, to writing and recording for groups like The Doobie Brothers & Marvin Staples, the musicians in R-Gang hold years of experience between them.

Wednesday, June 28

6:30 p.m. – Mike Mauthe and Margaret Mauthe
Mike is a one-man variety sensation, a juggler, magician, comedian, unicyclist, balloon artist, and stilt walker who will amaze with his arsenal of talents. Mike will be joined by Margaret Mauthe, a face painter and body artist who creates whimsical faces on bare shoulders or smiling faces, creating what her passion inspires her to do.

7:30 p.m. – The Bluz Brothers
Chicago’s premier tribute band to Jake and Elwood, The Bluz Brothers are dedicated to the great R&B sounds made popular by Jake and Elwood Blues. It is their mission to carry on the tradition until the BOYS make parole or until incarcerated themselves—whichever comes first!

Wednesday, July 12

6:30 p.m. – Terrance Simien’s Creole For Kidz!
This innovative, high quality, multi-cultural program is centered on the evolution of zydeco music.

7:30 p.m. – Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience
For nearly 30 years, GRAMMY award winning artist Terrance Simien, 8th generation Louisiana Creole has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Zydeco roots music is and is not. Leading his Zydeco Experience band, Simien has become one of the most respected and accomplished artists in American roots music today. He and his band mates have performed over 7000 concerts, toured millions of miles to over 45 countries during their eventful career.

Wednesday, July 19

5:30 p.m. – Touch a Truck!
Children love to see and sit in many of the Village’s neat vehicles from the police, fire and water departments.

6:30 p.m. – Spotlight on Park Forest
A sampling of entertainment options throughout the Village of Park Forest and beyond!

7:30 p.m. – Southland Jazz Ensemble with Ava Logan and Saalik Ziyad
SJE’s Swingin’, Ava Logan and Saalik Ziyad are singin’, bringing the big band era music to life featuring the Southland’s finest musicians. The full ensemble is assembled on stage for a powerhouse performance of classic hits!

Wednesday, July 26

6:30 p.m. – Ken Schultz “ The Flyin’ Fool”
Ken Schultz is the master of comedy manipulation who will dazzle all audiences with his effervescent juggling routines of various items, from bowling balls to rubber chickens to whatever else he may borrow from an audience member.

7:30 p.m. – Generation
Generation… “the Sixties Experience”, takes the audience on a Musical, Magical Sight and Sound Flashback to the 60’s, performing the Great Classic Rock hits from the 1964 British Invasion to the American Male and Female 60’s Artists, Including the “Blue Eyed Soul” groups and on through the birth of early 70’s Arena Rock. A GENERATION…”the Sixties Experience” performance is “Where the Action’s at!

Tuesday, August 1

5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. – Park Forest Police Department Unity Day and National Night Out Against Crime
Everyone is invited for a night on the town! Music, food, raffles, police emergency vehicles and more!

6:30 p.m. – Miss Jamie’s Farm
Who’s ready for some Farmyard FUN? “Chicagoland’s favorite children’s performer, Miss Jamie, is guaranteed to get the little ones stomping their boots and hollering for more fruits and veggies”. Named “Best Show of the Summer” by preschool directors across the state, Miss Jamie is interactive and engaging, helping kids learn values from life on the farm through song and dance.

7:30 P.M. – Animal Houze Band featuring Fredi Taylor
Animal Houze Band is a versatile music making ensemble that plays everything from Motown classics to jazz standards to R&B. Produced by Darryl ‘Animal” Williams, they have more than 30 years in entertainment and recording and have performed with nationally renowned artists including Chaka Kahn, Angie Stone, Chantay Savage, Rick James, Prince’s funk band Mazarati, Otis Clay and many more.

Wednesday, August 9

6:30 p.m. – Dave Rudolf
Want to have a great time? Want to hear some great music? Want to laugh, too? Come catch the 15-time nominated National Association of Campus Activities Award winner, Gold Record, Grammy nominated Dave Rudolf, singing tunes that have been featured on such diverse Radio programs as Dr. Demento, NPR, WXRT, and more. You’ll hear some serious tunes, some crazy tunes, and some very funny tunes. Whatever it is it will be great fun!

Dusk – The Secret Life of Pets Movie
Two mismatched mutts get lost in NYC due to their feuding, and must find their way home. During their journey, they encounter a vicious bunny who plans to lead a group of abandoned pets on a mission of revenge against humanity.
Rated PG / 90 minutes

Great American Campout – Registration Required by Friday, June 16

Join the Park Forest Recreation and Parks Advisory Board and Recreation and Parks Department in celebrating the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Campout, June 23 at 4 p.m. with an overnight campout in Park Forest’s beautiful Central Park. The 13th annual Great American Campout is a nationwide event that connects people with the great outdoors. Whether this is your first camping experience or you and your family are seasoned campers, this event is a great way for friends, families and children to connect with nature, sleep under the stars and create memories of outdoor experiences. Children under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian camping with them. Dog friendly event. Dogs must be friendly, current on shots, picked up after and leashed in camping area.

  • Recreation and Parks will provide grills for cooking, wood for the campfire, s’mores and activities.
  • Campers will need to provide their dinner, breakfast, and tent.
  • Saturday activities include a nature craft as well as practicing useful skills such as camping first aid, camping knots and rope work with Deputy Fire Chief Natyshok and Park Forest Paramedics and compass and map reading skills with Recreation & Parks staff.

A limited number of tents are available to rent for $10 each. Registration deadline is Friday, June 16. For more information, or to register, call 708-748-2005 Learn more about the Great American Campout

Summertime Bingo – Through July 31

Have fun while exploring Park Forest this summer!  Complete 5 tasks and/or activities across, down or diagonal (center is free square) for Bingo. Submit completed Bingo card along with proof of completion and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $50 VISA Card. Game goes through July 31.  The winners will be announced during the August 9 Main Street Nights event.  There will be four winners. The tasks will involve visiting businesses and places of interest in Park Forest. Details can be found here. The Bingo cards with complete details about proof of task completion will be available in Village Hall and on our website starting June 1. In the meantime, please direct questions about the event to Monica DeLord at 708-283-5617 or [email protected].

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

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

Underground Railroad to be Explored by Bus – Saturday, June 10; Pre-Registration Required

The Friends of the Library at GSU and the GSU Alumni Association invite community members of all ages to attend ‘Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad,’ an all-day bus tour on Saturday, June 10. Led by Dr. Larry A. McLellan, one of the university’s founders and an expert on regional history, the program is an immersive learning experience. American history was written by enslaved people who sought freedom, and it has been shaped by the deep struggle to understand what it is to be free and what it is to be equal. That struggle continues. This program is an introduction to the part of the struggle for freedom that came to be known as the Underground Railroad in Illinois—a multiracial, multicultural network that supported freedom seekers. A chartered bus will take participants to an actual Underground Railroad campground, a historic cemetery, the Robbins Historical Museum, and several other local sites that will help tell the story of the African American flight to freedom from the South in the 19th century. The bus tour runs through Crete, Steger, Chicago Heights, South Holland, Harvey, Riverdale, Blue Island, and Robbins. Along the way, Dr. McLellan will explore and illuminate the history of African Americans in the Southland region, the impact of the Underground Railroad, and the individuals who sought freedom from slavery. Pre-registration for the program is required. The cost is $75 per person, lunch is provided, and proceeds benefit the GSU Friends of the Library. More information can be found at http://www.govst.edu/underground-railroad or by calling 708-534-7892.

Summer Camp with “Edu-tainment” for Your Creative Genius Ages 11 – 16 – Registration Now in Progress

Are you having a hard time finding the right camp that will engage your child’s brain and keep him/her entertained? Look no further — STEAM camp at GSU to the rescue. Faculty and staff in GSU’s College of Arts and Sciences have collaborated to bring middle and high school students, ages 11 to 16, a one-week, interactive learning experience. Each day of camp will be split into two sessions — with the morning focused on the sciences and the afternoon on the arts. In the morning, campers will discover robotics, explore the world of computer programming, and launch water rockets using hydraulic pressure. They’ll explore the natural world in the renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park in the midst of the prairie on campus grounds. Afternoon sessions will include the technology of the theater, dronography, backstage tours at Center for Performing Arts, ceramics, and more. Camps are held on two different weeks, and students may register for one or both sessions:
Week 1: July 17 – 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Week 2: July 24 – 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Each session is $200 per camper. For those in need, a limited number of partial scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each week offers different activities. Please visit www.govst.edu/steamcamp or call us at 708-534-4088 for specific details.

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.

Prairie State College, 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights

Fire Science Day Camp – Saturday, June 10

PSC will host a Fire Science Day Camp on Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The Camp will take place at the Park Forest Fire Training Facility, 55 North Orchard. The Fire Science Day Camp is for students in 9th through 12th grades. This day long Camp will give participants the opportunity to explore their interest in the Fire Service.  Participants will be able to experience real life skill building activities and network with professionals in the field.  Activities will include a burn demonstration, search and rescue stations, a smoke crawl and victim rescue. The Fire Science Day Camp is free.  Lunch and beverages will be provided.  Enrollment is limited to 20 students. For additional information, contact Rich Atwood at [email protected] or call 708-491-0223.  Registration form

19th Annual Summer Speech Camp – Registration Now in Progress

PSC is hosting its 19th Annual Summer Speech Camp, Monday, July 10, through Thursday, July 20.  The camp meets from 1:15 to 5:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday, on the college’s main campus in Chicago Heights, and is intended to prepare high school varsity and novice speech team competitors for fall competition. Week one will focus on interpretation, finding material, cutting material, discovering delivery advantages, public speaking, generating ideas and humor and citing sources. Week two will focus on practicing, polishing and performing. The camp will conclude with a performance showcase with awards. The camp fee is $275 per student. For more information or to apply, visit prairiestate.edu/speechcamp, or contact PSC Professors: Ed Schwarz at 708-709-3772 or [email protected]; Dana Trunnell at 708-09-3798 or [email protected]; or Joshua Green at 708-709-2958 or [email protected].

Kids@College Returns This Summer to PSC – Begins Monday, June 19; Registration Required

Are you looking for fun summer activities to keep your kids busy this summer? Let learning and fun continue year round at Prairie State College (PSC). The Kids@College Summer Program at PSC is designed to enhance the problem solving skills of children grades K-6. Participants will use fun, hands-on, STEAM based activities that encourage creativity in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art, math and team building. Additional weeks include inventions, performing arts, and athletics. The program will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, from June 19 through August 3, at the college’s Matteson Area Center, located at 4821 Southwick Drive. Kids@College at PSC offers 7-weeks of fun-filled learning opportunities including an engaging curriculum taught by certified teachers. Each week is tailored to intrigue students and provide them with a chance to explore, build and learn. Half- and full- day options are available. Cost per child for full day is $138 a week, half day is $75 a week, and a 7-week full-day deal is offered for $825. Payment plan options and before and after care are available. New this summer is the Prairie State Star Studded Theatre (PSST), a two-week drama camp, where students will be introduced to playwriting, acting for the camera, improvisation, staging, set design and musical production. The theme is “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” and students will participate in an original performance on June 22. The cost is $199 and will be held at the main campus, located at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights. In addition to the full- and half-day options, PSC is offering à la carte, one-day courses with a variety of classes to choose from, including game design, digital filmmaking, Spanish and more. For more information about the Kids@College program, visit prairiestate.edu/kids or call 708-709-3750.

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

College for Kids Classes – Begins Monday, June 12; Registration Required

SSC’s Continuing Education Department is offering courses to help fill the summer days with activities that will entertain and challenge children and young adults. The College for Kids classes scheduled for this summer will begin the week of June 12 at SSC’s Main Campus in South Holland. In addition, SSC will offer a Jam Session Day Camp for $299, beginning on June 12, 2017. This four-week summer school program is less than $5 per hour for academics and fun enrichment programs two days a week. Math will consist of review and instruction of the basic arithmetic skills. In addition to Reading and Math, students will enjoy a variety of other stimulating activities, such as Spanish. The following Learning Enrichment Classes will be offered for preschoolers and kindergartners at a cost of $49 each:

  • ABC’s and 123’s
  • Jump Start on Kindergarten

The following classes will be offered for elementary school kids for $69 each:

  • Well Written Essays
  • Study Skills
  • Grammar No Problem
  • Reading, Accelerated or Refresher
  • Math Refresher
  • Pre-Algebra
  • Spanish

The following high school classes will be offered for $79 each:

  • Written Essays
  • Study Skills
  • Introduction to Algebra
  • Pre-Algebra/Geometry
  • Conversational Spanish

Students with classes totaling $100 or more may be eligible for the FACTS deferred tuition payment plan. For more information about FACTS please contact the Business and Accounting Services Office at 708-596-2000, ext. 5720. Access class schedule online from www.ssc.edu to search the Summer Continuing Education Schedule, or call 708-596-2000, ext. 2231. Contáctanos al 708-210-5740 o a [email protected].

Free Highway Construction Careers Training Program – Orientation Begins June 20

SSC will be offering a Free Highway Construction Careers Training Program this summer at their Oak Forest Campus. Orientation and Assessment Testing will be June 20-22 at the Oak Forest Center, with the program set to begin on July 17, 2017. The Highway Construction Careers Training Program has been implemented to increase the number of minorities, women, and disadvantaged individuals working on IDOT highway construction projects. The training consists of an intensive 12-week program to learn the skills necessary for acceptance into the highway construction trades and gives the opportunity for a career with high wage potential.

Career Opportunities Include: Cement Mason, Electrician, Pipefitter, Carpenter, Laborer, Equipment Operator

Requirements: Valid driver’s license, 18 years or older, High School diploma/GED, Interest working in the Construction Trades

Construction will always be needed for new buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures. Some of the more skilled construction careers such as engineer require higher education while others such as cement masonry can be learned as an on-the-job apprentice. All candidates MUST have a valid driver’s license with them to attend orientation. For more information or to download a copy of the study guide for the assessment test, please visit our website at www.ssc.edu/hcctp, or call 708-708-225-6004, or email [email protected]. Para Información En Español Llame: 708-210-5740. All orientation and assessment testing will be held at the Oak Forest Center. The Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue in Oak Forest. The Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Community College Board, and the participating community colleges do not guarantee employment upon trainees’ graduation from the Highway Construction Careers Training Program.

MakerGirl Classes – Registration Now in Progress

MakerGirl is a non-profit start-up founded by students at the University of Illinois in Champaign. They inspire elementary girls to be active in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) through 3D printing sessions. Women are underrepresented in STEAM and girls tend to lose interest in STEAM fields around middle school. The MakerGirl program sparks curiosity at an early age by providing an environment for girls to learn, create, experiment, and engage themselves in STEAM activities. MakerGirl is traveling across the Midwest to host 3D printing sessions for girls between the ages of 7-10 to learn more about STEAM, cutting edge technology, and much more. These sessions teach young girls 3D printing, while also teaching them about women leaders in STEAM fields, innovative companies, cutting edge technology, and much more. We want your MakerGirl to come to our session and depart wanting to actively participate in any and all parts of STEAM!

When: Monday, July 3rd, 2017
Session 1: 9:00am – 11:30 a.m.
Session 2: 1:00pm – 3:30 p.m.

Where: South Suburban College
Oak Forest Campus (Rm. 5310)
16333 Kilbourne St. in Oak Forest

Registration: Tickets are FREE. Please register at: http://bit.ly/makergirl-ssc or contact [email protected]. For more information about all of SSC’s programs, admissions and registration, please visit www.ssc.edu or contact the Admissions Office at 708-210-5718.

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.

Green Events

Thorn Creek Audubon Society, Park Forest

Nature Education Programs at Thorn Creek Nature Center

Calling all schools, home school groups, day cares, preschools, youth, adult and family groups! Nature Education Programs are offered at Thorn Creek Nature Center throughout the year where your group can discover the plants and animals of Thorn Creek Woods. These Nature Education Programs are sponsored by the Thorn Creek Audubon Society. The Audubon Society and the Thorn Creek Nature Center announce their new Partnership for Programming to further the Society’s environmental education mission and give valuable assistance to Thorn Creek Nature Center in providing nature programming for groups of area children and adults. Some of the nature education programs offered this year include Birding by Sight and Sound, Creek Walk (the world of aquatic insects and metamorphosis), Trees Big and Small (identification by leaves and bark), Insects (what makes an insect unique), the Web of Life (interdependence of producers, consumers, predators and decomposers), Soils Hike (how soil fuels and supports life), and Night Hikes. On the Fall Color Hike learn why leaves change colors and what trees do to prepare for the long months of winter. Discover clues to wild animals’ identities and behavior by trails and trails in Wild Animal Tracks. Make your own track replica. On Vixen’s Trek you are the fox following your daily routines on Thorn Creek trails. Or visit the Historic Farm in the woods to explore an early 1900’s woodland farm. Groups can also arrange for a naturalist to come to your location for programs such as Wild Animal Tracks, Web of Life, Woodland Wildflowers, Soils, History of Thorn Creek Woods, and the like. The new partnership has already collaborated in sponsoring three programs: the Learn 70 Birds by Spring class, which runs from January through March; the Great Backyard Bird Count Open House that was held in February; and the Build a Gourd Birdhouse sessions to be held in March.  For information about Thorn Creek Audubon Society membership, events and projects: Thorn Creek Audubon Society, P. O. Box 895, Park Forest, Il 60466, or www.thorncreekaudubonsociety.org.

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

Wednesday Morning Walkers

The Wednesday Morning Walkers takes place each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This free activity is for those ages 13 and older.  Follow the forest’s seasonal changes, enjoy light exercise and experience nature first-hand on 2 miles of Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve’s winding trails.  Trails can be wet or muddy, so please wear sturdy shoes.  Hiking is on natural surface trails across uneven terrain.  Registration is required two days before your first walk.  For additional information or to register, call 708-747-6320.

Become a ‘Friend of Thorn Creek’

Friends of Thorn Creek Woods is the citizen activist group responsible in very large part for preserving and securing the dedication of the Thorn Creek Woods as an Illinois Nature Preserve.  Friends’ volunteers continue to provide support in so many ways: staff the nature center on weekends; trail work; displays; leading hikes; special events; cleaning; pruning; artwork; music; research; and so on.  Friends is a voice for the Woods and preservation values, donates funds for equipment and sponsors an annual meeting, Garlic Fest and Earth Day.  Members receive a quarterly newsletter.  Annual membership in Friends is $10.  For additional information, call 708-747-6320 or visit www.tcwoods.org.

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 or visit www.tcwoods.org.

Healthy Living

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

Find Your Zen in the Prairie at GSU’s Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park – Classes Begin June 10

Are you looking for a twist on your fitness routine? How about doing downward dog among sculptural giants outside in the prairie? The renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park on the campus of GSU is the perfect place to roll out your yoga mat and connect with the beauty of art and nature. Find your inner yogi in a new four-week class, Yoga in the Park, on Saturday mornings from June 10 to July 1 at 10 a.m. Instructor Jennifer Kloos invites all ages and abilities to join her for four weekly morning sessions of yoga. Each week, she’ll target a new way to refresh your fitness routine. Class schedule:

June 10 – Alignment
June 17 — Sculpting
June 24 — Balance
July 1 – Restoration

Jennifer leads students safely through the yoga poses, providing modifications as needed, while challenging physical limits. Jennifer earned her certification for instruction through the Chicago School of Yoga. The four-class series is $50. The drop-in class fee is $15 per class. To sign up, email Gina Ragland at [email protected] or call 708-235-7559.

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.

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

Park Forest Health Department, 350 Victory Drive

Walk About for Healthy Hearts – Every Saturday

Are you trying to be more active?  The Park Forest Health Department is hosting a walk about for healthy hearts every Saturday, at 9 a.m. The walks will begin at the Park Forest Village Green in DownTown Park Forest. All you need are your walking shoes! The walks will last 30 minutes and are more enjoyable if you:

  • Wear comfortable clothes,
  • Bring a friend to pass the time,
  • Make sure to stretch those muscles, and
  • Move your arms and maintain good posture.

Don’t forget a water bottle to stay hydrated. For additional information or to register for the weekly walks, call 708-748-1118.

Park Forest Police Department, 200 Lakewood Boulevard

Registration for P.A.A.C. Summer Youth Program – Now in Progress

The Park Forest Police Department’s summer youth program, celebrating 20 years this year, is registering now. The Police Athletic Activities Center (P.A.A.C.) is an athletic-based summer youth program for ages 10 to 15, beginning held June 10 to July 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday evenings, at Rich East High School, 300 Sauk Trail in Park Forest. The program teaches sportsmanship, leadership, and character development through sports activities. For questions, contact Corporal Julius Moore at [email protected] or call 708-748-9536. Applications are available at the Police Department, 200 Lakewood Boulevard.

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.

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].

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

Yoga Classes by Karen Nielsen – Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays

Yoga classes by Karen Nielsen are available at UUCC on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  No reservations needed.  Drop-in fee is $10 per class and the 6th one is free.  For additional information, call 708-755-3577 or visit www.uuccpf.org.

Buddhist Meditation – Saturdays

Learn to enjoy the simple and straight-forward practice of meditation.  Please join us for sitting and walking meditation in the Zen and Theravadan Buddhist traditions.  This is an on-going event led by Steve McCabe and Beverly Feldt will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at UUCC.  There is no cost but a free will offering is most appreciated (proceeds go to UUCC).  For additional information contact Steve McCabe at 708-465-3116 or Beverly Feldt at [email protected].

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Park Forest Farmers’ Market – Through October 28

The Park Forest Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday thereafter through October 28 from 7 a.m. to noon.  The Market is located on the corner of Lakewood Boulevard & Cunningham Drive in DownTown Park Forest. Since 1974, the Park Forest Farmers’ Market has been connecting area residents with local farmers, food vendors and businesses.  The Market hosts 22 full spaces with a variety of fresh flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, bakery goods, herbs and dairy products.  Local businesses are also on hand at the Market selling artwork, garden ornaments, jewelry and more. The Market accepts LINK/Snap card as well as Double Value Coupons & Senior Nutrition Coupons. Additional information about the Park Forest Farmers’ Market can be found here. If you are you a farmer, food vendor, or civic group who would be interested in a booth at the Park Forest Farmers’ Market, call the Park Forest Health Department for additional information at 708-748-1118.

This & That

Park Forest People of Faith

Peace Prayers – Wednesday, June 7

Park Forest People of Faith will gather for Peace Prayers on Wednesday, June 7 at 7 p.m. at St. Irenaeus Church, 8 Cherry Street in Park Forest.  All are invited to attend.  The group will meet on the first Wednesday of each month.

Park Forest Toastmasters Club

Meeting – Tuesday, June 6

The Park Forest Toastmasters Club will meet on Tuesday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard in Park Forest.  The meeting is open to the public.  Toastmaster members develop speaking and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.  For additional information, visit:

http://parkforesttoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org/

People’s Summit, Chicago

Sen. Bernie Sanders to Headline People’s Summit — June 9 through 11

Sen. Bernie Sanders will keynote a major gathering of several thousand progressive activists from across the U.S. in Chicago June 9 to 11 under a thematic of moving beyond resistance to a building a broad people’s movement for a just world. Titled “The People’s Summit,” the event will bring together grassroots activists and leaders of key progressive organizations to chart strategies and build unity in calling for promoting a progressive vision that moves beyond resistance and protests through and beyond the November, 2016 election. The People’s Summit “Beyond Resistance: A People’s Movement for a Just World” will take place June 9 through June 11 at McCormick Place, 2301 South King Drive in Chicago. How to Get Involved: Via https://www.thepeoplessummit.org or Twitter: @pplsummit. This year’s Summit follows a highly successful gathering of the first People’s Summit last June in Chicago that also brought together many of those who have played leading roles in public actions and protests this year. Scheduled participants for this year’s People’s Summit include:

Sen. Bernie Sanders

Jane Sanders, educator

Rosario Dawson, actress

RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director, National Nurses United

Jesse Eisenberg, actor

Eve Ensler, playwright/activist

Frances Fisher, actress

Josh Fox, filmmaker

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

Danny Glover, actor

Amy Goodman, host, Democracy Now

Glenn Greenwald, journalist

Brian Jones, actor

Van Jones, CNN commentator

Shaun King, journalist

Naomi Klein, author

Nomiki Konst, journalist

Bill McKibben, activist

Michael Moore, filmmaker

Susan Pourfar, actress

Frances Fox Piven, educator

Mark Ruffalo, actor

Kendrick Sampson, actor

Linda Sarsour, activist

David Sirota, journalist

Nina Turner, former Ohio State Senator

Katrina vandenHeuvel, editor, The Nation

This year’s program will feature concrete steps for further progressive movement building, including candidate training, independent political action, civil disobedience, educational workshops, and unity in mass actions. The program also includes The People’s Speak, prominent actors reading excerpts from American history based on the writings of Howard Zinn. Convening organizations include National Nurses United, People’s Action, United Students Against Sweatshops, People for Bernie, Our Revolution, United Electrical Workers, Color of Change, Progressive Democrats of America, and Democratic Socialists of America, and Presente.

 


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