Local

In and Around Park Forest for the Week of October 29, 2017


Halloween
(Source: history.com)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF) —With Tuesday being Halloween, you’ll find a special ‘Halloween Activities’ section this week listing safe activities your little goblins and gremlins can participate in. Remember to take extra care when driving on Tuesday as some trick or treaters may dart out into the streets. Have a safe and fun Halloween.

Attention young inventors! Do you have an idea for a toy or game that you think is just simply awesome, but you have no idea what to do next? Well, you have until November 7, 2017 to apply to the Young Inventor Challenge. This contest is open to kids in the US and across the globe (last year, 20 kids from Mexico were involved) and provides an opportunity for children ages 6 to 18 to showcase their own original toy and game inventions to industry professionals, members of the media, and the general public. Better yet, every applicant will be paired with a game inventor mentor who will provide feedback on their idea. What’s not to love? You can find additional information about the Young Inventor Challenge 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

Public Meetings Scheduled for Comment on Unified Development Ordinance

For several years a comprehensive revision to the Village’s zoning, subdivision, and stormwater management ordinances — ordinances that control the manner in which land in the Village is used, and how it can be subdivided to create new development parcels — has been in the works. A series of public meetings to allow comment on a draft of the new Unified Development Ordinance, which combines the aforementioned ordinances into one, has been set. Resident meetings are scheduled for:

  • Monday, October 30 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 N. Orchard Dr. in Park Forest
  • Thursday, November 2, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Board Room, 350 Victory Dr. in DownTown Park Forest

A meeting for businesses and commercial/industrial property owners will be held on:

  • Thursday, November 2, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Board Room, 350 Victory Drive in DownTown Park Forest.

View the draft of the ordinance

Hydrant Flushing — Through November 16

Hydrant flushing continues through Thursday, November 16. Residents should expect a temporary impact to water service in your neighborhood as crews make their way through town. Flushing takes place on weekdays at 9 a.m. No flushing will be done on the weekends. Hydrants are flushed to ensure that water does not stagnate in the system. During flushing, your water may become discolored from iron (rust) in the pipes. There are no known health risks associated with consuming discolored water caused from iron (rust) in the pipes, but it is recommended that you refrain from using discolored water until it runs clear. It is also recommended that you not wash clothes when your area is being flushed. If your laundry becomes discolored, keep the items wet and pick-up a free bottle of Red-B-Gone at Village Hall. Flushing signs are placed throughout neighborhoods to alert you of when an area is to be flushed. Flushing begins in the north part of town and proceeds south. Track flushing progress by clicking on the hydrant flushing map below or call 708-503-7702 for questions. View hydrant flushing map

Village Board Meeting – Saturday, November 4 and Monday, November 6

The Village of Park Forest Board will meet hold a Saturday Morning Rules Meeting on November 4 at 10 a.m.  In addition, the Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, November 6 at 7 p.m. The meetings 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 Commissions are scheduled to meet the week of October 29:

  • Thursday, November 2 at 1 p.m. – Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
  • Thursday, November 2 at 7 p.m. – Environment Commission

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

Halloween Activities

DePaul University Humanities Center, 2250 North Sheffield Avenue, Chicago

The Horror of the Humanities V — Monday, October 30

6-6:30 p.m. “Haunted House” interactive Halloween exhibit
6:30-7:45 p.m. Screening of “The Eyes of My Mother”
7:45-9 p.m. Conversation with director Nicolas Pesce
The Humanities Center’s fifth annual Halloween event marks the return of its version of a haunted house where the “terrors” may be interactive displays and exhibitions on such topics as genetically modified food or student debt. The evening culminates with a screening of the 2016 black and white horror film “The Eyes of My Mother” and a discussion with director Nicolas Pesce.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

Halloween Events – Monday, October 30 & Tuesday, October 31

  • Monday, October 30 at 3 p.m. – Drop In Halloween Craft — Get spooky with our FANTASTIC project that is sure to get you ready for Halloween! For ages 12 and under.
  • Monday, October 30 at 4 p.m. — Teen DIY: Halloween Crafts — Do you love Halloween? Come to the Teen Zone and create original Halloween crafts in order to celebrate!
  • Tuesday, October 31 at 5:30 p.m. — Halloween Movie Madness — Celebrate Halloween with 3 spooky favorites! These films will surely put you in the Halloween spirit!

For additional information call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.

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

Annual Halloween Family Fun Fest – Tuesday, October 31

PSC Police Department, along with PSC students, faculty and staff, is hosting its annual Halloween Family Fun Fest from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31, in the Prairie Center gym, located on the PSC main campus in Chicago Heights.  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, 350 Victory Drive

Halloween Activities in Park Forest – Begin Thursday, October 26

Games, a costume contest, a fall fest, and a wildly popular haunted house are some of the activities planned for Halloween week, October 26 – 31.

Haunted House
Thursday, Oct. 26 – Oct. 31
Come support a good cause and visit our Haunted House. Every year has a different twist to it. Haunts Against Hunger collects canned goods and funds to donate to the local Rich and Monee Township Food Pantries.

Tickets are $5 with canned goods or $8 without canned goods. Purchase group admission (for a group of 10 or more) for $40. Tickets can be purchased at the Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, Park Forest (Rec & Parks Counter, 1st Floor/Lobby), 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., ticket sales will be from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., depending on closing of Haunted House, in the Lobby of Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. For questions, call 708-748-2005 or 708-283-5621.

Hours of operation:
Oct. 26 — 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Oct. 27 — 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Oct. 28 — 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Oct. 29 — 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Oct. 30 — 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Oct. 31 — 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Fall Festival 
Sunday, Oct. 29
An evening of games, entertainment and fun. Karoake, hot apple cider, face painting, a zombie scavenger hunt, and more. Call to rsvp for your friends and family at 708-283-5621.

Virtual Reality 
Monday, Oct. 30
Come out and play a game of Brook Haven: Zombie Assylum virtual game! Gift cards are up for grabs for those who can hang in the longest. Open to all ages.

Halloween Costume Contest and Candy Walk
Tuesday, Oct. 31
A costume contest takes place for ages 1-14 from 3 – 4:30 p.m. A candy walk takes place from 3 – 6 p.m.

For questions about any of these events, call 708-283-5621.

Arts & Entertainment

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

U.S. Army Field Band Concert Band & Soldiers’ Chorus – Reservations Required

On Tuesday, November 7 at 7 p.m. the U.S. Army Field Band Concert Band & Soldiers’ Chorus will perform at the Center for Performing Arts. Founded in 1946, this elite 65-member instrumental ensemble has performed in all 50 states and 30 foreign countries presenting a powerful and diverse program of marches, overtures, popular music, patriotic selections, and instrumental and vocal solos. The dedication and musicianship of its members represents the professionalism that American Soldiers have embodied during nearly three centuries of proud service. Admission is free. However, advanced reservations ARE REQUIRED.  If making reservations online, convenience fees will apply. There is a 4 ticket maximum per person.

Reservations and Additional Information

Call box office at 708-235-2222

reserve online

Buy Tickets

Box office hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open until 6p.m. on Thursdays) and two hours prior to all performances. For best GPS directions, always use the location search term “Governors State University” only.

Chicago Design Museum, 108 North State Street, Chicago

‘Hey! Play! Games in Modern Culture’ — Through Feb. 17, 2018

An interactive exhibition that encourages play and offers guests a look at the world of games beyond what’s found on Xbox or Steam is now open at the Chicago Design Museum. Co-curators Brian Schrank and LeAnne Wagner, both School of Design faculty members, created “Hey! Play! Games in Modern Culture,” with all ages and experience levels in mind. The exhibition features nine games that range across three big areas in gaming: high art, outsider art and indie games, said Schrank. High art games can help connect history and art and incorporate elements of graphic art, music or story. Outsider art involves individuals who aren’t necessarily trained in the arts and won’t be in the elite art galleries or museums, but involve art done out of obsessiveness. Small studios or independent artists who are blending art and commercialization make indie games. A few of the games on display and available to play at the exhibition include Robin Arnott’s “Sound-Self,” Feng Mengbo’s “Long March: Restart,” and Champlain College Emergent Media Center’s “Spacebox.”  The other games on display include “SuperBetter” by Jane McGonigal, “Slapsie” and “Parachute Game” by Bernie DeKoven, “Videoball” by Tim Rogers, “Untitled Game” by JODI, a collection of games by Anna Anthropy, and Terry Davis’s TempleOS operating system ready for play on a desktop computer. Founded in 2012, the Chicago Design Museum is located on the third floor of the Block Thirty-Seven mall at 108 N. State St. It’s open from noon to 7p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. “Hey! Play! Games in Modern Culture” runs through Feb. 17, 2018. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are encouraged. For additional information on the Chicago Design Museum is at https://chidm.com/.

ChiTag, West Merchandise Mart, Chicago

Young Inventor Challenge – Registration Required by Tuesday, November 7

Attention young inventors! Do you have an idea for a toy or game that you think is just simply awesome, but you have no idea what to do next? Well, you have until November 7, 2017 to apply to the Young Inventor Challenge (YIC)! This contest is open to kids in the US and across the globe (last year, 20 kids from Mexico were involved) and provides an opportunity for children ages 6 to 18 to showcase their own original toy and game inventions to industry professionals, members of the media, and the general public. Better yet, every applicant will be paired with a game inventor mentor who will provide feedback on their idea. What’s not to love? The judging is split into two categories, ages 6–11 (junior) and ages 12–18 (senior). For kids who live in the Chicago, IL area they are in luck as the Young Inventor Challenge takes place at Navy Pier in Chicago, IL on Saturday, November 18, 2017 from 9am — 2pm. Sponsored by the best toy companies in the world including Pressman, Lego, Mattel, Target and more. But don’t worry, you don’t need to go in person to apply. This is the 11th year of the YIC and new this year are online and video entries. Each entrant can submit a 2-minute video pitch about their invention along with their entry. This gives judges time to review the entry before the actual competition day, as well as allowing kids to compete who can’t come to Chicago. More information on the rules/requirements of the video, check out the YIC website linked here. You can also submit a one-minute commercial and sell them your invention that way. This is different from the video pitch, and is an opportunity for kids to get silly and creative. It can be edited, have music, costumes, and even additional actors (like your best friend, sibling, grandmother or even a pet!) This commercial is about having fun and selling your amazing game or toy to the public.

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

  • Most Marketable Concept
  • Most Creative Concept
  • Best Educational Concept​
  • Best Outdoor or Active Play Game/Toy
  • Most Outstanding Presentation
  • Best Pitch Video or Commercial

For more information, please visit: http://www.chitag.com/yic

Crete Public Library District, 1177 North Main Street

The following events are scheduled at the Crete Public Library District the week of October 29:

  • Monday, October 30 at 3:30 p.m. – Teen Writing Group – A writing group where teens can build writing skills and provide feedback to one another.
  • Wednesday, November 1 at 1:30 p.m. – Storytime Family Concert with Laura Doherty – Musical performance for children ages birth-5. Register.
  • Wednesday, November 1 at 3:30 p.m. – Library Teen Council (LTC) Meeting – Bring suggestions for books to order or programming you want to attend. New members welcome.
  • Thursday, November 2 at 3 p.m.– Teen Board Game Afternoon – Drop in for board games, card games, or tabletop RPG games. Feel free to bring your own games.
  • Thursday, November 2 at 6:30 p.m. – CRAVE (CRete Area Voracious Eaters) Club – Prepare and bring a dish based on the month’s theme of one-pan dishes, then share samples and recipes with club members. For adults.
  • Thursday, November 2 at 7 p.m. – Teen Open Mic Night – Perform music, tell jokes, make art, read your writings, or just hang out with friends. All teens are welcome.
  • Friday, November 3 at 2 p.m. – Friday Afternoon Films – Showing The Queen. For adults.
  • Saturday, November 4 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – NaNoWriMo Write In – Meet up with other area NaNoWriMo writers to write, chat about writing, share inspiration (or frustration) and take one step closer to your 50,000-word goal! Stay for the whole time or just a few minutes.

For teens and adults.

  • Saturday, November 4 at 11 a.m. – LEGO WeDo Robotics – Build LEGO creations and program them with a computer. For ages 6+. Register.
  • Saturday, November 4 at 1:30 p.m. – Super SCRATCH Saturdays —Create animations, video games, stories and art through a fun and simple programming language using the software Scratch. For ages 8+. Register.

For more information, please call the Crete Public Library at 708-672-8017 or visit www.cretelibrary.org.

DePaul University Art Museum, 935 West Fullerton, Chicago

Senga Nengudi: Improvisational Gestures’ – Through December 10

In the 1970s, artist Senga Nengudi would carry pantyhose and other supplies for her “R.S.V.P.” series of sculptures around in her bag. Born in Chicago and a pioneer of performative art, Nengudi would stage choreographic actions within the works of nylon and sand. DePaul Art Museum will host a touring exhibition of Nengudi’s work, including documentation of her earliest performances. “Senga Nengudi: Improvisational Gestures” will be held on DePaul University’s Lincoln Park Campus through December 10 and is co-organized by Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and the Gallery of Contemporary Art at University  of  Colorado, Colorado Springs. The exhibition is co-curated by Windgate Research Curator Elissa Auther of the Museum of Design, and Nora Burnett Abrams of MCA Denver. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 pm. Friday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission is free. Additional information at http://museums.depaul.edu​ or 773-325-7506.

Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest

Try A Little Tenderness: Michael Ingersoll in Concert – Tickets Now on Sale

Michael Ingersoll will perform at Freedom Hall on Tuesday, November 7 at 11 a.m. PBS television star and nationally-touring concert artist Michael Ingersoll invites you to sing along to the songs you can’t forget. Ingersoll is known for starring in Jersey Boys (Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco) and as a member of retro-rock sensation Under the Streetlamp on PBS. More than a singer, Ingersoll is an endearing storyteller brimming with humor, sincerity, and generosity of spirit. Chicago Sun-Times exclaims, “He’s got star written all over him.” Leading a band of Chicago’s finest musicians, Ingersoll soothes the soul with familiar favorites by James Taylor, Sam Cooke, Elton John, and more. Presented by Artists Lounge Live. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here. For additional information, call 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org

Toronzo Cannon – Tickets Now on Sale

Toronzo Cannon will perform at Freedom Hall on Friday, November 10, 7:30 p.m. Chicago-born-and-raised blues guitarist /vocalist/ songwriter Toronzo Cannon is ready to write his own story as he claims his place as one of the city’s most popular and innovative blues musicians. Cannon’s unofficial launch from local hero to national star took place on June 13, 2015 at the world-renowned Chicago Blues Festival, where he performed as a festival headliner for the massive crowd. After announcing that he had just signed with Alligator Records, he delivered a riveting set, instantly earning tens of thousands of new fans. Of the performance, The Chicago Tribune said, “Cannon made the most of his opportunity as a festival headliner to win over a new audience.” Says Cannon, “I’m proud to be standing on the shoulders of every great Chicago blues musician who came before me.” The performance begins at 7:30. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.  For additional information, call 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org

Governors State University (GSU) Theatre and Performance Studies, 1 University Parkway, University Park

‘The Scarlet Letter’ – Saturday, November 4

GSU’s Theatre and Performance Studies (T.A.P.S.) students have a positive message to share about acceptance and strength in the face of adversity through their modern portrayal of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic work, The Scarlet Letter, on Saturday, November 4 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 5 at 2 p.m. Assistant director and GSU student Therese Caldwell said the performance addresses the concept of group think as society sees it manifest in new and alarming ways. Sarah Saltwick’s adaptation paints the familiar struggles—between judgment and freedom, desire and sin, the head and the heart—red. The scarlet “A,” meant to be a symbol of shame, becomes a reclaimed symbol of identity. With vivid characters and iconic symbolism, this play exposes the complexity of human nature and the capacity for both love and betrayal in all of us. Visiting Director Jess Hutchinson wants audience members to know that as “a story many people first encounter in high school literature classes, it’s often seen as a historical snapshot, but that’s not true of our production. Without renaming the original given circumstances, we’re working to bring this story into this present moment, in a world created by and for GSU and the neighboring community. In Hawthorne’s original, he offers one view of Hester, the main character, and then another and another, never making up his mind. She remains enigmatic. This production hopes to bring Hester, and indeed all the characters, to life in their full contradictory powers.”

Ticket Information 

Tickets are $15 and $10 for students with valid I.D. at the box office. For tickets, information, and the complete cast list, please visit CenterTickets.net or call 708-235-2222. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and two hours prior to performances (the box office is open until 6 p.m. on Thursdays). This performance is supported by funding from Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Governors State University is located at 1 University Parkway in University Park.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), 377 Artists walk, Park Forest

‘When Art Imitates Life’ – Tickets Now on Sale

On Saturday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ozinga Chapel on the campus of Trinity Christian College, 6601 West College Drive in Palos Heights Conductor Stilian Kirov will lead the IPO in a performance entitled ‘When Art Imitates Life.’ November 18 opens with “a little gift I bring from my native Bulgaria that is very much in the Romantic spirit,” says Maestro Kirov about Vladigerov’s Improvisation and Toccata. Next, acclaimed organist David Schrader showcases Ozinga’s magnificent pipe organ when he joins the orchestra for Copland’s symphony. Completing the evening is Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony—a Bernstein specialty. With the original subtitle “A Soviet Artist’s Response to Just Criticism,” the symphony reveals Shostakovich’s genius in composing according to strict Soviet nationalistic standards while still revealing shadows of the human despair that hover below the melodic surface. Tickets are priced at $10 to $57 and can be purchased here.  Shuttle bus offered for subscribers from downtown Flossmoor to Ozinga for each concert for $15 round-trip. For additional information, call 708-481-7774 or visit www.ipomusic.org

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 October 29:

  • Sunday, October 29 at 1:30 p.m. – Morning Pages Circle — Join us as we begin our newest book circle. Each month we will select a book that inspires your creativity.
  • Monday, October 30 at 11 a.m. – Sunrise Story Time — Join us for a delightful morning of stories! Weather Permitted, Join us out doors for Story Time in our Beautiful Butterfly Garden.
  • Monday, October 30 at 3:30 p.m. — kids’ zone Science Club: Engineering Design Cycle — Join us for another session of Science Club Minors. Topic: Work in Progress: Engineering Design Cycle. Sign up and discover something new. Registration Required.
  • Tuesday, October 31 at 3:30 p.m. – Art Studio — Drop in and discover your inner artist with one of our guided projects.
  • Wednesday, November 1 at 11 a.m. – Lap-Sit Story Time — Join us for a weekly story-time designed exactly for your baby. Parents or caregivers are invited to read, sing and grow. This program is geared toward babies 0 – 36 months with an accompanying adult.
  • Wednesday, November 1 at 1 p.m. — Youth Astro Net —  Youth ages 9-12 are invited to register for an awesome opportunity to remotely access Harvard telescopes, request images of celestial objects and process images using the same software astronomers use. Registration is limited and parental consent is required!
  • Wednesday, November 1 at 3:30 p.m. – Art in the Afternoon — Unleash your inner artist. Drop in to create a seasonal masterpiece that will be displayed on the wall in kids’ zone. For ages 12 and under.
  • Wednesday, November 1 at 4 p.m. – Color Me Happy Adult Coloring — 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, November 1 at 4 p.m. – Drop In Days — Join us for a spur-of-the-moment activity in Teen Tech Zone!
  • Thursday, November 2 at 11 a.m. – Toddler Art — Bring your imagination and creativity to bring out your inner Picasso through art projects and more… Some projects may involve paint. For ages 3-5.
  • Thursday, November 2 at 3:30 p.m. – Color Me Happy (kids) — Travel to a world of relaxation and endless creativity. Color yourself happy in our kids’ coloring circle. For ages 12 and under.
  • Friday, November 3 at 2 p.m. – Live Arts — Watch an artist breathe life into their art while at work in front of an easel. A masterpiece is sure to unfold before your eyes.
  • Friday, November 3 at 3:30 p.m. – Fun Friday: Craft – Drop in to kids’ zone and see what we are creating today! For ages 12 and under.
  • Friday, November 3 at 3:30 p.m. – Teen Game Day — Show off your competitive side with your friends! From board games to video games, there will be plenty of fun!
  • Saturday, November 4 at 1 p.m. – Create Zone Craft — Stop in kids’ zone and create something special today.
  • Saturday, November 4 at 1 p.m. — Mindful Eating Circle — Discussion of the book “Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices to Overcome Overeating One Meal at a Time” by Pavel G. Somov.
  • Saturday, November 4 at 2 p.m. — Mindfulness and Meditation Techniques 101 — Learn how to practice mindfulness techniques and meditation in your everyday life. This workshop is designed for four weeks of participation. Patrons must commit to coming to all four session. Registration is Required. Space is limited.
  • Sunday, November 5 at 1 p.m. — Make & Take: Fall Wreath — Get into the season of warm colors with our Do it Yourself Fall Wreath. All materials provided. While supplies last. All Ages Welcome. Registration Required.

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

Park Forest Library Parking Lot Project – Ongoing

The Park Forest Library is currently resurfacing and restriping the parking lot. There will be easy access curbs installed. Two-way traffic will be allowed along with a drive up book drop. The plan is to complete the project by November 10. The Library staff are working hard with the construction team to make sure that there is minimal disruption to Library services. The parking lots will be completely closed during the renovation. Library patrons can park in the lots at the Aqua Center or Freedom Hall. There is a book drop located in front of Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. The Library staff apologizes in advance for any inconvenience this will cause for Library patrons. Please be patient during the constructions.

Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted Street8, Chicago Heights

‘Intricacies’ Exhibit – Opens Monday, November 6

‘Intricacies’ is the next exhibit featured at PSC’s Christopher Art Gallery. ‘Intricacies’ features works by Carrie Ann Bronkowski, Anna Louise Pardee Lindquist, Emily Hermant, and Richard Schipps.  The exhibit opens on Monday, November 6 and runs through Thursday, December 7. A reception will be held on Thursday, November 16 from noon to 2:30 p.m.  Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. This exhibition of works in widely varied media is filled with art that relies on intricate technique. The works’ content and appearance is based on the complex layering of materials and images. The Christopher Art Gallery regular hours: Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday: Evening 5 – 7 p.m.; or by appointment. For additional information or to schedule an appointment to view the exhibit phone 708-709-3636.

Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest

Lunch at the Senior Center – Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

The Rich Township Senior Center will be serving lunch at 12 Noon, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Rich Township School District 227 is preparing delicious meals for a cost of $3.00. You MUST make your reservation two days in advance by stopping in, or calling 708-748-5454. Lunch Menu examples: Chicken, Hamburger, Turkey Sandwich, all served with Soup & Chips.  Also we have Pasta dishes, side salads, desserts. Optional: Chef Salad. All served with Lemonade.

Roosevelt University’s Gage Gallery, 18 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Photo Exhibit on Plight of World’s Stateless Children – Through December 2

Few can imagine what it is like to be stateless. Now a new photo exhibit “Nowhere People,” at Roosevelt University’s Gage Gallery Chicago, tells the story. With its first showing ever in Chicago, “Nowhere People” by photographer Greg Constantine features 39 black-and-white photographs of children who have no citizenship, and therefore, no place to call their true home. A native of Carmel, Ind., Constantine spent 10 years photographing thousands of stateless people in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Dominican Republic, Ukraine, Serbia, Italy, the Netherlands, Iraq Kuwait and Lebanon. While the United Nations has estimated 10 million people around the world today are stateless, Constantine believes that number is much higher.  In addition, he believes that children of those without citizenship are impacted the most, which makes the Roosevelt exhibit not only unique, but also extremely powerful. The exhibit runs until December 2 and is free and open to the public. Gage Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.  For more information, visit www.roosevelt.edu/gagegallery or call 312-341-6458.

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

Steve Sherrell Art Exhibition – Through November 17

The Art & Design Department of SSC is pleased to present a solo exhibition entitled 25 Years of Computer Art Exploration by Steve Sherrell. The exhibition will be on display in both the Dorothea Thiel and Photo Four Galleries through Friday, November 17. On November 1, Mr. Sherrell will deliver a lecture at 12:15 in room 4431 with an artist reception to follow. After studying at the School of the Art Institute with Ray Yoshida, Sherrell began exhibiting on a regular basis at many of the city’s great galleries: locally, nationally and internationally. In the early 1990’s he began doing digital artwork on an Amiga computer and taught Computer Art for 20 years. His experimental nature has led him to explore ways that hand-made techniques could merge with computer generated visuals to create unusual and original hybrids. The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. The Dorothea Thiel and Photo Four Galleries are located on the college’s fourth floor and are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. They are closed on weekends and holidays. The galleries are supported in part by the SSC Foundation. For more information contact 708-596-2000 ext. 2316.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

‘Mark of the Hand’ – Through Saturday, November 4

Tall Grass Arts Association exhibit ‘Mark of the Hand’ runs through Saturday, November 4.  The exhibit is

free and open to the public. ‘Mark of the Hand’ is a juried exhibition of original artwork at Tall Grass Gallery. From prehistory, humans have told their story by literally leaving marks with their hands. Direct mark making and hand forming are the theme of the art show. ‘Mark of the Hand’ will include two and three-dimensional art which celebrates the legacy of traditional, pre-1800 art tools and processes. The artwork will show evidence of being made directly by the human hand. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information or questions about Tall Grass, call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrassarts.org.

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

‘Eating Raoul, The Musical’ – Tickets Now on Sale

The Drama Group is delighted to present the zany Broadway musical ‘Eating Raoul,’ original music & lyrics by Jed Feuer & Boyd Graham and directed by Stacy Jancosek with music direction by Mark Jancosek.  Performances will be held at The Drama Group’s Milord Studio Theatre on November 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on November 12, 18 & 19 at 2:00 p.m. The cult film classic has new life as a zany musical. The Blands want to open a restaurant, but they need cash. Suppose they lure weirdos to their apartment to kill and rob them? Soon, they are a financial success, but disposing of the bodies is a problem. Enter their devious apartment super, Raoul, with a proposition: he will take care of the corpses for a cut (when he’s not performing at a tacky nightclub) as well as seduce Mary right under Paul’s nose. The partnership runs amok, and Mary ultimately has to decide who to spend her life with. Who will win her heart? Will the restaurant dream become reality? And what or who is the main course? Tickets are $21 for adults; $20 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 here. The Drama Group’s ‘Eating Raoul’ is “FEEDING AMERICA” thru the Chicago Food Depository just in time for the holidays. Donations of canned goods and non-perishable food items will be accepted at the Drama Group studio building during the entire performance run of EATING RAOUL; in the evenings of November 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18 beginning at 6:30 pm and in the afternoons of November 12, 18 & 19 beginning at 1:00 pm. Donation bins will be in the studio lobby. All donations will be recognized by a $5.00 discount on tickets only for the second Thursday performance on November 16 or the Saturday matinee performance on November 18. For directions and other information regarding Drama Group activities, please visit: www.dramagroup.org.

University of Chicago Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society, 915 East 60th Street, Chicago

‘Havana Case Study’ Exhibition – Through December 14

After the brutality of World War II, the United States sought to usher in a new era of optimism in the late 1940’s through an ambitious embassy program that called on some of the greatest architects of the century to design buildings that represented a new foreign policy of openness, dialogue and progress. Those efforts are now the central theme of the latest exhibition at the Neubauer Collegium entitled Havana Case Study, which runs now through December 15. The exhibit is free and open to the public. It is one of several programs that have been organized on campus this fall in conjunction with the Chicago Architecture Biennial.  The project is the second in a series of case studies by New York-based Canadian artist Terence Gower. Funded by a Guggenheim Fellowship, the series began in 2010 with a study of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. After several years of extensive research in Havana and U.S. archives, Gower’s new project explores the history and impact of the embassy, which opened its doors in Cuba in 1953. Gower said he was struck by the contrast between the older U.S. embassies, like the one in Havana, and the bunker-like embassies that became the reigning style in the 1980’s due to security concerns. That openness would be short-lived, as the embassy closed in 1961 following the end of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. But the physical structure remains standing to this day, and Gower’s show attempts to capture both the early spirit of the embassy and the future uses of it for propaganda purposes following the Cuban revolution. The installation includes historic architectural models, as well as reprints of photographs and archival documents from 1958, prior to the revolution, overlaid with more recent photographs and newspaper clippings to show how the varied interpretations of the building played out through the century. The extensive archival research took Gower more than two and half years. For additional information, visit: http://neubauercollegium.uchicago.edu/exhibitions/

University of Chicago Oriental Institute, 1155 East 58th Street, Chicago

Book of the Dead: Becoming God in Ancient Egypt – Through March 31, 2018

In ancient Egypt, you did not go to the afterlife empty-handed. The Book of the Dead, a collection of spells and charms, was there to guide you. Now through March 31, 2018, visitors to the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago will have a unique opportunity to peruse copies of the Book of the Dead: Two 2,200-year-old papyri, each more than 30 feet long and beautifully illustrated with texts and images. They are on display in their entirety for the first time at a museum, accompanied by the mummy of a woman who lived over 2,000 years ago, as well as statues, stelae, scarabs, magic bricks, ushabtis (small funerary figurines) and other artifacts. The exhibit presents 76 artifacts that demonstrate how religious beliefs shaped the lives and material culture in Egypt over a period of more than 2,000 years (from 2500 B.C. to 100 A.D). Most are from the permanent collection of the Oriental Institute, whose museum holds the Chicago area’s largest collection of Egyptian art and artifacts, as well as galleries devoted to the other cultures of the ancient Middle East. A central feature of the exhibit is an enclosure featuring the mummy of an ancient Egyptian woman from the city of Akhmim. In the display, she is surrounded by mortuary objects inscribed with Book of the Dead spells—typical for an Egyptian burial chamber, where multiple copies of the same spells could be found. Long strips of linen inscribed with Book of the Dead spells reveal how ancient Egyptian priests wrapped the Book of the Dead around the body to protect it within an amuletic cocoon of powerful religious texts. The two Book of the Dead papyri on display, from two different regions of Egypt, were painstakingly hand-produced by a team of skilled scribes and illustrators. Seeing the papyri laid out end-to-end makes their compilation starkly apparent, the curators said; each Book of the Dead papyrus is not a single book at all, but a collection of shorter spells compiled together in a single manuscript. The Field Museum of Natural History has loaned several rarely displayed objects, including several limestone blocks inscribed with large Book of the Dead spells from the tomb of a man named Bakenrenef, as well as a papyrus inscribed with a composition known as the First Book of Breathing. Over the course of the second and first centuries B.C., the Book of the Dead was largely abandoned in favor of the Books of Breathing; they represent the last documents in a tradition of funerary literature stretching back more than 2,500 years. A companion catalog contains essays by 13 prominent scholars with expertise in religion and the use of funerary literature in ancient Egypt. It includes complete photographic documentation of the two Book of the Dead papyri from the Oriental Institute in color for the first time. “Book of the Dead: Becoming God in Ancient Egypt” runs  through March 31, 2018 at the museum. Admission to the Oriental Institute is free, however, there is a suggested donation: $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children under 12. For groups of 8 or more people visiting the museum, please register by completing and submitting the following form: Tour Reservation Form. Learn more about the Oriental Institute here. https://oi.uchicago.edu/

WorldChicago, 309 West Washington Street Suite #450, Chicago

Fall Fundraiser: International Game Night – Thursday, November 9

WorldChicago’s Fall Fundraiser will be held on Thursday, November 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Chicago Yacht Club, Monroe Harbor, 400 East Monroe Street in Chicago. The Fall Fundraiser is an event dedicated to championing citizen diplomacy in our community and around the world. At WorldChicago, we are facilitating professional and personal collaboration between international leaders and local specialists to accelerate civic engagement, economic development, social justice, the education of young leaders, and empowerment of the disenfranchised, both here in Chicago and around the world. Revel in global culture and celebrate international visitors and citizen diplomacy with WorldChicago hosts, members, visitors, and volunteers.  Enjoy Cocktails, Hors D’oeuvres, and join our international game night with U.S. Department of State sponsored Professional Fellows.  These young professional entrepreneurs, environmental advocates, policy leaders, and community activists have been placed in Chicago for one-month fellowships to learn about their fields and exchange best professional practices. Come meet these fellows for a fun, interactive evening of Citizen Diplomacy! Tickets are $100 per ticket. Purchase Fall Benefit Ticket Here  For additional information, contact Zoey Wallace at [email protected].

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

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 (PSC), 202 South Halsted, Chicago Heights

Free Financial Aid Workshops – Through December 6

PSC is offering free workshops to help students and their parents complete and file the 2018/19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The workshops are being held in the Learning Achievement Center on the PSC main campus, located in Chicago Heights.  The FAFSA workshops are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday through December 6. There will be no workshops on November 21 and 22, and only one workshop will be held on November 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. Representatives from the office of Financial Aid will be available during the workshops to assist and answer questions. The workshops are open to the public. Registration is requested at www.prairiestate.edu/facheckup or sign-up by emailing your name, student ID, phone number and desired session to [email protected]. In order to complete the FAFSA, students will need to provide their 2016 tax information. Other required documents and available workshop dates can be found at www.prairiestate.edu/finaid.

South Suburban College (SSC), 158080 South State Street, South Holland

Paralegal Program Open House – Saturday, November 4

SSC will be hosting an Open House for its Paralegal Program on Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., at their Oak Forest Center, 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Room 5190. Information will be provided about SSC’s Paralegal/Legal Assistant curriculum, including the Associate Degree and certificate programs. In addition, former students from the program, working as paralegals, will be present to answer questions. The curriculum prepares students to work in a variety of legal environments including civil and criminal litigation, insurance, banking, public and governmental agencies, law offices and corporate legal departments. Emphasis is placed on the development of core skills in legal research and writing techniques including compilation and analysis of data, understanding legal vocabulary, law office technology, and preparation of legal documents. SSC has the only American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal program in the south and southwest suburban Chicago region, giving graduates a huge advantage when entering the workforce. The college also requires that all of the instructors in the program are lawyers or judges to ensure the quality of instruction. While the majority of the paralegal classes are offered at SSC’s Oak Forest Center, some classes are offered online. For more information, please contact Mr. Jason Cieslik at 708-596-2000, ext. 2579 or email [email protected]

Free Family Reading Night – Tuesday, November 14

SSC’s Adult Volunteer Literacy Program is hosting their annual Family Reading Night event on Tuesday, November 14th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the SSC Performing Arts Center Lobby of the South Holland campus. The public is invited to join SSC for this FREE event to find out about community literacy while enjoying stories and presentations. There will also be free books for children, raffles and refreshments. The event will feature an activity table full of arts and crafts for the little ones to enjoy and a story time puppet show by Puppet Master Eric Stiles. The wonderful Storyteller Patrick Nevins will be here with some delightful stories to share. We are also pleased to announce that Mr. Joseph Whittington Jr., who has served as a member of the SSC Board of Trustees since 2005 and serves as Chairman of the Board’s Audit Committee, will also be in attendance. We are pleased to be having this event again; the activities and speakers are something you will NOT want to miss! Illiteracy is an issue that can be debilitating in so many ways for adults and children who never received the proper instruction. Adults who are unable to read have a much more difficult time with many daily activities that others may take for granted, along with a clear disadvantage in today’s competitive job market. SSC’s Adult Education Department administers the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program in addition to High School Equivalency (HSE/GED), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Basic Education (ABE). For more information about Family Reading Night or the Adult Volunteer Literacy Program, please contact Raylynn Stokes, coordinator, at 708-596-2000, ext. 2558, or email [email protected]. Para Información En Español Llame: 708-210-5740. This event is sponsored by the SSC Foundation.

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 Center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

Autumn Night Hike – Registration Required by Tuesday, October 31

The Autumn Night Hike will be held Thursday, November 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve.  Come join us to share the smells, sounds and sights on Thorn Creek trails at night. A naturalist will guide us in a “quiet time” experience to take in the nocturnal activities occurring in the preserve before winter sets in. Participants should be prepared for the cold weather and be able to walk a mile outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven ground. The Autumn Night Hike is for ages 16 to adult.  It is free but registration is required by Tuesday, October 31.   For more information or to register for this program, please call Thorn Creek Nature Center at 708-747-6320 or email [email protected].

Foxes and Coyotes: An Afternoon with Friends of Thorn Creek Woods – Registration Required by Friday, November 3

Join other nature lovers for the Friends of Thorn Creek Woods annual gathering, pot luck and program on Sunday, November 5 from noon to 3 p.m. After a short Friends meeting, which will be open to the public, join us for a discussion of gray and red foxes and coyotes in our northeastern Illinois region featuring John Yunger, professor of Biology at Governors State University.   Bring a pot luck dish to share. The program is free and open to those ages 12 to adult; call or email to register by November 3.   This presentation is sponsored by the Jim Marzuki Memorial Fund, established by Friends of Thorn Creek Woods to enhance our public programming.   Meet with other nature lovers for a short information report about what has been going on in the preserve, plans for the future and how people can help out.  “Old” supporters of Friends of thorn Creek Woods, bring someone new as a guest.  New folks will find out what makes Thorn Creek unique! Members of this historic organization “got the ball rolling” several decades ago to save the woods, and continue to support Thorn Creek Nature Center and Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve.  Thorn Creek’s many volunteers are an indispensable part of what makes Thorn Creek “tick”.  For more information or to register for programs, contact Thorn Creek Nature Center at 708-747-6320, email [email protected], or visit www.tcwoods.org or stop in the nature center between noon and 4 p.m. on Friday or Sunday. Please call before you plan to visit the nature center. Three and a half miles of Thorn Creek trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Animals in Autumn- For Kids – Registration Required by Friday, November 10

Children can explore how plants and animals prepare for the cold weather and darker days at Animals in Autumn-For Kids at Thorn Creek Nature Center on Sunday, November 12, 1-3 p.m. Participants will create a bird feeder, conduct an experiment and look for clues of winter preparation on a hike in the preserve. Young people should be prepared for the cold weather and be able to walk a mile outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven and possibly snow-covered ground. The Animals in Autumn- For Kids program is free and open to ages 9 to 12, and registration is required by November 10. If weather is inclement this program will still take place inside the Nature Center. For more information or to register, please call Thorn Creek Nature Center at 708-747-6320 or email [email protected].  Visit our website at www.tcwoods.org.

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

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

Flu Shots Now Available

Flu shots are available now at the Park Forest Health Department Nurses Plus. The cost is $30 for those ages 19 through 64, $20 for those 18 years and under, and free for Medicare Part B recipients (must bring copy of card).  No appointment is necessary. Shots are available Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Park Forest Health Department Nurses Plus, located in the lower level of Village Hall. For additional information, call 708-748-1118.

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].

‘Recovery From Dominate Culture’ Support Group – Through November 14

Times are very difficult in the United States. From the recent mass shootings in Las Vegas, health insurance insecurity, to threats of nuclear war, most of us long for loving, healthy and compassionate support. UUCC will be hosting a ‘Recovery From Dominate Culture’ support group will meet on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Tuesday, November 14 led by Jackie Tonkel who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from San Jose, California who has served on two peach and social justice centers board of directors in the San Francisco Bay Area. ‘Recovery From Dominate Culture’ or (RDC) is based on the 12 Step support group meetings. The meetings are free and open to the public. Optional donations appreciated. For additional information, please call Jackie Tonkel at 408-348-3791.

Medical Cannabis Education Association Meeting – Sunday, November 5

The Medical Cannabis Education Association will meet at UCC on Sunday, November 5 at noon. For additional information, call 708-481-5339.

This & That

Park Forest Economic Development Advisory Group

Nominations for 2017 Park Forest Business Person of the Year — Nomination Deadline is October 31

The Park Forest Economic Development Advisory Group (EDAG) seeks nominees from residents, civic groups, and businesses to recognize a Park Forest business owner who is committed to community service. Do you know a Park Forest business owner who has made a difference for you or someone you know? Submit your completed nomination form to EDAG in care of the Village of Park Forest. Economic Development & Planning, no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 31, 2017. Nomination Form  Submit forms and/or questions to Sandra Zoellner at 708-283-5623 or [email protected]

Park Forest Police Department, 200 Lakewood Boulevard

Help Park Forest Police Department Win K9 Grant

When K9 Tobi retired from service this summer, the Park Forest Police Department’s K9 unit, which had been active for the past 25 years or more, came to a hiatus. As the Department looked to find and fund ways to continue the use of police work dogs- an incredibly valuable tool to law enforcement- they became aware of a contest awarding a grant of up to $5,000 towards a K9 unit. If you’d be so inclined, you can click on the link below to vote for the Park Forest Police Department to win this grant. You can vote once every 24 hours. Please share this link.  Thanks for your support! Vote today

Park Forest Toastmasters Club

Meeting – Tuesday, November 7

The Park Forest Toastmasters Club will meet on Tuesday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 North Orchard Drive 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/

Pink Hat Run, Chicago

Pink Hat Run – Saturday, November 4

The first annual Pink Hat Run will take place in Chicago Saturday, Nov. 4 in Chicago’s South Loop. The 5K/1 mile run, walk or roll will take place along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront and museum campus downtown, with a starting point on Prairie Avenue in the South Loop neighborhood, next to the Women’s Park & Gardens. The Pink Hat Run will benefit organizations that provide services, advocacy and support to women and girls, and are central to improving the lives of Chicago communities. Pink Hat Run Chicago’s 2017 beneficiaries include Access LivingChicago Foundation for Women (CFW)Chicago Women Take Action (CWTA)Fierce Over 40Mujeras Latinas en AcciónChicago National Organization for WomenPersonal PACPlanned Parenthood of IllinoisA Sister’s HopeWomen’s March on Chicago and YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. The Pink Hat Run brings together women, allies and families, “pink hatters,” to participate in a day of community and wellness.  Participants will enjoy a morning of fun, conviviality and sisterhood while raising funds for these worthy organizations. The registration fee includes a t-shirt and pink hat. This is a pledge drive event, with each organization fielding teams of participants to raise funds for their agency. Pink Hat Run is organized by veteran activists Jennifer Lee, Cathy Seabaugh, Tracy Baim and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth. For additional details about the Pink Hat Run, or to register, visit:

Website: pinkhatrun.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkhatrun

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pinkhatrun

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkhatrun/

St. Irenaeus Church, 78 Cherry Street, Park Forest

Prayers for Peace – Wednesday, November 1

Park Forest People of Faith will gather for peace prayers at St. Irenaeus Church on Wednesday, November 1 at 7 p.m.  All are invited to attend.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Business Attire Wanted – Collection Now in Progress

The Village of Park Forest is collecting gently used or new men and women business attire. Clean out your closet and contribute to a good cause.  This project will provide business attire for any constituent looking to dress professional for work or interviews. Donations may include:

  • Suits for men and women
  • Ties, belts and shoes
  • Blazers,
  • Dress pants,
  • Dress shirts
  • Blouses,
  • Dresses and skirts, and
  • Clothing Racks and Hangers

Drop off is by appointment only. For additional information or to schedule a drop-off appointment, call or email Evelyn Sterling at 708-283-5621 or [email protected].

 


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