Local, Park Forest

In and Around Park Forest for the Week of November 12, 2017


Polar Plunge
(Source: Special Olympics.org)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF) — No one can deny the great work done each day by the Park Forest Police Department. These brave men and women put their lives on the line to help make Park Forest a safe community for all. And now there is something we can do to say thanks. A team from the Park Forest Police Department will be participating in the 2018 Special Olympics Polar Plunge taking place on March 3. The Team will plunge into the icy waters of the lake at the Manteno Sportsman’s Club. The Park Forest Team will be taking the plunge in honor of Officer Tim Jones who is still recovering from gunshot wounds he suffered in the line of duty. Each participant on the Team must raise $100 in donations from friends, family, neighbors and the community. And if you’re so inclined, there is still time to register to take the plunge with the Team. You can make a donation or register for the 2018 Polar Plunge here. Learn more about the event in the ‘This & That’ section.

Events and activities featured in ‘In and Around Park Forest’ take place in Park Forest, the surrounding suburbs and locations that are just a train ride away. 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 Administration

Ash Street Parking Changes – Effective Monday, November 13

The Village of Park Forest has announced permanent parking changes on Ash Street relating to how motorists park along the street. The changes take effect on Monday, November 13 at 6 a.m. Cars parked on the south side of Ash Street will now be required to park across the street, on the north side of Ash Street. Cars not moved in a timely manner will be towed in order to maintain traffic flow. New signs will be installed to note this permanent change. For questions, call the Department of Public Works at 708-503-7702.

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 Commissions & Advisory Boards

The following Park Forest Commissions are scheduled to meet the week of November 12:

  • Tuesday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. – Commission on Human Relations
  • Tuesday, November 14 at 7 p.m. – Youth Commission

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

Arts & Entertainment

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

‘How I Became a Pirate’ – Sunday, November 12

It’s time to set sail on a swashbuckling musical excursion that will leave your young ones appreciating home and family. Dallas Children’s Theater presents its acclaimed musical ‘How I Became a Pirate’ at GSU’s Center for Performing Arts on Sunday, November 12 at 2 p.m. Based on the book by Melinda Long, main character Jeremy Jacobs joins a band of comical pirates and searches for the perfect spot to bury their treasure. Jeremy finds fun and adventure on the high seas, but he soon learns that home and family are treasures you can’t find on any map! With terrific songs like “A Good One to Boot,” “Green Teeth,” “I’m Really Just a Sensitive Guy,” “Talk Like a Pirate,” “Soccer by the Rules,” “Pirates Dot Arrgh,” and more, this joyful family musical is sure to leave young mateys singing and dancing in the aisles! A full-family experience, the show is recommended for ages 5 and up.

Ticket Information:

Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for children (under 16). Patrons may add the post-show Shipwrecked Pirate Pizza Party event for just an additional $10, which includes fun on Mystery Island where live swashbucklers have buried treasures waiting to be discovered. Limited tickets are available.

Online: CenterTickets.net

By Phone: 708-235-2222

In Person at the Box Office: 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL

Box Office Hours: Monday- Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open to 6p.m. on Thursdays) & 2 hours prior to all performances

GSU is conveniently located off of I-57 (Sauk Trail exit), the Center for Performing Arts is easily accessible from all neighboring south suburban communities. Parking is free. For best GPS directions always use the location search term “Governors State University” only.

‘Aretha Franklin: Queen of Soul’ Performed by Donica Lynn – Tickets Now on Sale

Joseph Jefferson Award-winning actress Donica Lynn (Effie White in Dreamgirls, 2016) brings a deeply moving tribute to GSU’s Center for Performing Arts on Saturday, November 18 at 8 p.m. in ‘Aretha Franklin: Queen of Soul,’ presented by Artists Lounge Live. This is Lynn’s first partnership with Artists Lounge Live and Center for Performing Arts’ third collaboration with the performance series. Donica spent part of her youth growing up on the south side in Calumet City, where she attended Thornton Fractional North High School. It is there that she met some of the people who would make her the strong woman she is today. Lynn, cancer survivor and mother of three, shares Aretha Franklin’s determination—something she is modeling for her children. “They see that I never stop,” Lynn told the Chicago Tribune. “They see that mommy has a job to do. I never give up. I don’t let anything get in my way, including my illness. I keep moving. I want my children to understand that you cannot let anything become a hindrance when it comes to moving forward with your life.”

Ticket Information:

Tickets are $36 and $28, based on seating location.

Online: CenterTickets.net

By Phone: 708-235-2222

In Person at the Box Office: 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL

Box Office Hours: Monday- Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open until 6p.m. on Thursdays) and two hours prior to all performances

Governors State University is located at 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL 60484. Conveniently located off of I-57 (Sauk Trail exit), the Center for Performing Arts is easily accessible from all neighboring south suburban communities. Parking is free. 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/.

Crete Public Library District, 1177 North Main Street

The following events are scheduled at the Crete Public Library District the week of November 12:

  • Monday, November 13 at 10 a.m. – Music & Movement – Drop in for dancing, singing, and rhythm.  For ages 0-5.
  • Monday, November 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – SNAP Help – Drop-in assistance with applying for Food Stamps or Link. For adults.
  • Monday, November 13 at 7 p.m. – Book Club – Discussion of Ordinary Heroes by Scott Turow. For adults.
  • Monday, November 13 at 7 p.m. – Knot Just for Knitters – Share camaraderie while working on knitting, crocheting or any other type of needlework project. For adults.
  • Tuesday, November 14 at 11 a.m. – Storytime at Aurelio’s – Drop-in for stories, songs, and fingerplays for ages birth-5.
  • Tuesday, November 14 at 6 p.m. – How to Use Streaming Media – Learn about the different types of gadgets and services for streaming TV shows and movies. Pre-register.
  • Wednesday, November 15 at 3 p.m. – Photo Editing 101 – Gain skills in photo editing and graphic design in this once-a-month class. Pre-register.
  • Wednesday, November 15 at 4:45 p.m. – Art Academy – Recreate art using the techniques of famous artists and illustrators. For ages 9-12. Pre-register.
  • Wednesday, November 15 at 7 p.m. – Adulting 101: Money Management – Learn the basics of budgeting, billing, and credit cards. For adults.
  • Thursday, November 16 at 3 p.m. – Afternoon Teen Craft – Make a stained glass bookmark. For ages 13+. Pre-register.
  • Thursday, November 16 at 6 p.m. – STEAM Junior – A Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math program. For ages 3-5. Pre-register.
  • Thursday, November 16 at 6 p.m. – Film Club – Showing Hacksaw Ridge. For adults.
  • Friday, November 17 at 10 a.m. – Babies & Books – Storytime for ages birth-24 months. Register.
  • Saturday, November 18 from 12-2 p.m. – NaNoWriMo Write In – Meet up with other writers to work towards your 50,000 word goal. For teens and adults. Drop-in.
  • Saturday, November 18 at 1 p.m. – Family Matinee – Showing The BFG. Drop-in.
  • Saturday, November 18 at 2 p.m. – Video Game Tournament – For teens. Pre-register.

For more information or to register for a program, 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

Lisa Rock in ‘A Carpenters’ Christmas’ – Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for the performance of Lisa Rock in ‘A Carpenters’ Christmas’ on Tuesday, December 5 at 11 a.m. One of the great holiday TV specials was that of The Carpenters. Now, singer Lisa Rock and her 6-piece band are keeping the tradition alive and bringing their unforgettable holiday songs to the stage. Based on the music from The Carpenters two holiday albums and Christmas variety shows, it’s a concert that spreads joy and cheer to all! Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here. For additional information, call 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org

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

‘When Art Imitates Life’ – Saturday, November 18

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, 227 Monee Road

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 November 12:

  • Monday, November 13 at 11 a.m. – Sunrise Story Time — Join us for a delightful morning of stories! For ages 12 and under.
  • Monday, November 13 at 1 p.m. – Pecan Sale — Help support the Friends of the Library by purchasing pecans. We have plain, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, cinnamon, glazed, and caramel clusters.
  • Monday, November 13 at 6 p.m. – Earth Wise Book Circle: Orgamiising: Seasons of an Ojibwe Year — Explore the Ojibwe’s connection to nature inspired by passion of the seasons in this new tittle in the Earth Wise collection.
  • Tuesday, November 14 at 12: 30 p.m. — A Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Word: Part 2 — Come in to learn about the basics of Microsoft Word. This week’s focus will be on inserting images and tables into a document. Registration Required.
  • Tuesday, November 14 at 3:30 p.m. – Art Studio — Drop in and discover your inner artist with one of our guided projects. For ages 12 and under.
  • Wednesday, November 15 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 15 at 8 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 15 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 15 at 4 p.m. – Color Me Happy 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, November 15 at 4 p.m. – Drop In Days — Join us for a spur-of-the-moment activity in Teen Tech Zone!
  • Wednesday, November 15 at 6 p.m. – Movie Night for Adults — Join us as we watch ‘Spiderman: Homecoming.’
  • Thursday, November 16 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 16 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.
  • Thursday, November 9 at 5:30 p.m. – A Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Word: Part 2 — Come in to learn about the basics of Microsoft Word. This week’s focus will be on inserting images and tables into a document. Registration Required.
  • Friday, November 17 at 2 p.m. — Live Arts with Local Artist Sandra Evers — 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 17 at 3:30 p.m. – Fun Friday Craft — Drop in to kids’ zone and see what we’re creating today!
  • Friday, November 17 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 18 at 12:30 p.m. – Practical Application Circle — Join us as we read and discuss Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles.
  • Saturday, November 18 at 1 p.m. — DIY “Giving Thanks” Projects — Bring the natural beauty of the season into your home with our Do-it-Yourself No-Sew Thanksgiving Pillows and Cinnamon-Vanilla Candle. All material provided. While supplies last. All ages welcome.
  • Saturday, November 18 at 1 p.m. – Scrabble — Join us for an afternoon of Scrabble in memory of Stephanie Fisher.
  • Sunday, November 19 at 1:30 p.m. – Morning Pages Circle — Join us as we discuss Twyla Tharp’s ‘The Creative Habit Learn It and Use It For Life.’

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 – Reception Thursday, November 16

‘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 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

Gallery to Celebrate Holiday Season with Two Exhibits – Opens Friday, November 17

Tall Grass Arts Association in DownTown Park Forest will celebrate the 2017 holiday season with two simultaneous exhibits. The two exhibits, ‘Great Gifts Galore’ and ‘Peace on Earth’ will offer artists’ fine art, craft items and art work interpreting the spirit of the holidays.  The exhibits will open on Friday, November 17 and run through Saturday, January 6.  A reception will be held for the artists and visitors to the show on Saturday, November 18 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Both the exhibits and reception are free and open to the public. The ‘Peace on Earth’ exhibit will present works that symbolize or portray positive moments, acts and attitudes that illustrate kindness, empathy, respect- people helping others, caring about each other, reaching across barriers  to accept and appreciate others. ‘Peace on Earth’ will include drawings, paintings, collages, mixed media pieces, prints, photographs, digital images, fiber pieces, glass and relief from sculptures from the thirty-one participating artists. These works will uplift and remind visitors of the best reasons to celebrate the holiday season. ‘Great Gifts Galore’ will feature an extensive offering of artists’ reasonable-priced, high-quality, original fine art and crafts items for sale. In addition to the exhibits, the Tall Grass Gift Shop provides another great source for a wide range of one-of-a-kind, affordable gift items, such as notecards, paintings, photographs, mobiles, sculptures and books. Gallery Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday. The Gallery is closed on Sunday and Monday. For additional information, call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrassarts.org.

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

‘Eating Raoul, The Musical’ – Through November 19

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 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.

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

2017 Handmade Market — Opens Wednesday, November 15

USG will host its 2017 Handmade Market beginning Wednesday, November 15. The Market will run through Saturday, December 16. An artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, November 18 from noon to 3 p.m. Music for the reception will be provided by Fine Tuning. The much anticipated 2017 Handmade Market will feature local and regional goods from over 30 artists. You’ll find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list.  And while you’re shopping, don’t forget to pick up something for yourself. For additional information, call 708-754-2601 or visit Website.

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

Rainbow Café to Screen Movie ‘The Red Lodge’ — Friday, November 17

The Rainbow Café will screen the movie ‘The Red Lodge’ on Friday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. ‘The Red Lodge’ tells the story about Jordan who proposes to his boyfriend of two years, Dave, while in route to his hometown of Red Lodge, Montana. The engagement should only elevate the holiday cheer but things take a turn when Dave suddenly changes his mind and says “no” to marriage. With the normal family holiday chaos thrown into the mix, Jordan is left to internalize his feelings as he attempts to understand whether or not he has a future with the man who just rejected him two days before Christmas. Rainbow Café is a social event that provides a safe and welcoming environment for single or partnered gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender adults and their allies by creating a space where they are able to socialize outside of the usual bars.  The Café is open every 3rd Friday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Rainbow Café is located at the UUCC, in Park Forest.  For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.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/

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

November is Resident Appreciation Month – Events All Month Long

November is Resident Appreciation Month in Park Forest.  There are raffles, gifts, programs, food, music and lots of fun for Park Foresters of all ages. Here’s the list of events:

Water Bill Raffle

Through November 29th

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Stop at Village Hall and enter your household for your chance to win $100 off your next water bill. Hurry in today! Three lucky households will be selected. Winners will be drawn and contacted on Thursday, November 30th. Proof of residency will be required to collect the prize. Fill out your form in the lobby today. Winners will be notified by email or phone.

Win a Basket of Village “SWAG”

Through November 29th

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Come enter your name in a raffle for a chance to win a basket of Park Forest “SWAG”. Raffle box will be in the lobby all month during business hours. Fill out your form in the lobby today. Winners will be drawn and contacted on Thursday, November 30th.

Nominees for Realtor Awards

Through November 30th

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Whether you are a new home-buyer in the area or been out here for decades, we would like to hear from you. We are looking for nominations for the best Realtor in the area. Nominate your Realtor today. Nomination forms can be picked up in the lobby at the Village Hall today. Call 708-283-5621 or email, [email protected].

Nominees for Park Forest Community Oscars Awards

Through Monday, December 18th

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

We are venturing out and spreading the love amongst our community. We are looking for nominations for the best talent in the area, police officer, staff person, volunteer, fireman, most active church, you name it. We are looking for our community to get involved and make the nominations. No suggestion will go unnoticed, this event is to celebrate our local talent, historians, artists and much more. Stay turned for the Oscar event in January. Reserve your spot early. This event will be a packed house. Grab your nomination form in the lobby of Village Hall. Questions? Call 708-283-5621 or email, [email protected].

Park Forest New Resident Bus Tour

Wednesday, November 29, 11a-1p

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Are you new to Park Forest and looking to see what’s around town or just haven’t had time to explore your town? Well this Bus Tour is for you. We will tour around town and show you all the hot and adventurous locations. From local parks, pool, tennis club, rail-fan park, MakerLab and much more. Come see what your community is about and how you can take advantage of it to the fullest. Space is limited, so RSVP no later than, Friday, November 24, by calling, 708-283-5621 or email [email protected].

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

Marian Catholic High School, 700 Ashland Avenue, Chicago Heights

Open House –Sunday, November 19

Marian Catholic High School will host a second Open House of the school year on Sunday, November 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This event is open to the public and is geared toward prospective 7th and 8th grade students and parents that are considering sending their children to Marian Catholic High School. The event will feature tours, displays, and plenty of informational literature to familiarize families with the Catholic, college preparatory education that Marian Catholic offers. For more information, please visit the school’s website here.

Tuition Assistance Information Night – Monday, November 27

Marian Catholic High School is hosting a Tuition Assistance Information Night on Monday, November 27 at 6:30 p.m. Families interested in learning more about how they can afford Marian Catholic, including the State of Illinois’s new Invest in Kids Act scholarships, are encouraged to attend. The meeting will take place in the Leadership Center located off of Joe Orr Road and should last approximately 45 minutes. For more information, please visit the school’s website here.

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

Student Veterans Center Celebrates Veterans – Through November

The Student Veterans Center at PSC is celebrating veterans throughout the month of November with various activities intended to honor those who have served. All events are open to the public, and most will be held on the college’s main campus at in Chicago Heights.

Tuesday, November 21

A PSC Pioneers Women’s and Men’s Basketball Game Veterans Night is scheduled at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 21 in the PSC Fieldhouse, located on the college’s north campus.

Wednesday, November 22

The month’s events will close with the retirement of the Missing Man Table at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday

November 22, in the atrium.

Veterans are supported throughout the year at PSC. Student veterans are eligible for early registration, in-district tuition rates, and one-on-one assistance navigating college life. These services extend to all service members, regardless of when they served or whether it was active, reserve or National Guard component. PSC offers assistance to new students, returning students, or those who are deployed on active duty, so veterans can achieve their academic goals. The Student Veterans Center offers students a place to study and socialize with other veterans and find out information on services available to them both at PSC and in the community. For more information on the Veteran’s Day celebrations being held on campus or for information about the services PSC offers to veterans, contact Georges Sanon, student veterans center coordinator at 708-709-3567 or [email protected].

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

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

Sauk-Calumet Group of Illinois Sierra Club, Matteson

Program on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations — Monday, November 13

The Sauk-Calumet Group of the Illinois Sierra Club will hold its monthly meeting on November 13, at 7:15 pm at the Frankfort Public Library, 21119 Pfeiffer Rd. Karen Hudson of SRAP (Socially Responsible Agricultural Project) will talk about CAFO’s (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations), which include the growing numbers of hog farms in Illinois. Hog farms have garnered much attention recently for their effects on water quality, and noxious fumes that affect neighboring farms. Sierra Club meetings are free and open to the public. People interested in outdoor activities and preserving the environment are encouraged to attend. For additional information, email Patrick Coffey at [email protected].

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

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.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Gardening Series Lecture ‘Bring it Inside’ – Saturday, November 18

The Gardening Series continues on Saturday, November 18 at 10:30 a.m. with a lecture titled ‘Bring it Inside.’ The event will be held at the Wetlands Discovery Center, 30 North Orchard Drive in Park Forest.  Participants will learn about annuals you can bring in for overwintering and how to dig up those bulbs for storage. The Gardening Series is sponsored by the Village of Park Forest, Park Forest Environment Commission and the Thorn Creek Nature Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Will County Green, 58 East Clinton Street, Joliet

Recycling in the South Suburbs — Ongoing

Have old electronics, TVs or computer monitors sitting around your house gathering dust? Want to get rid of them for free? There are places in Will County where you can properly dispose of them. Each recycling location will accept only 2 televisions per vehicle. ID will be required to prove that you are a Will County resident. However, Park Forest residents residing in either Will OR Cook Counties may participate.

Recycling Locations

Richton Park Donation Drop Spot Peotone Police Department New Lenox Township
Richton Park Village Hall 208 E. Main Street 1100 S. Cedar Road
4455 Sauk Trail (Located along Latonia Lane) 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (lines will be cut off at 7 p.m.) 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (lines will be cut off at 7 p.m.
7 days a week Closed on Holidays Closed on Holidays

For additional information, visit www.countygreen.com.

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.

This & That

Park Forest Area League of Women Voters

‘The Electoral College and How Elections Work’ – Tuesday, November 14

The Park Forest Area League of Women Voters will hold a general meeting on Tuesday, November 14 at 7 p.m. at the Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard. The topic of the meeting will be ‘The Electoral College and How Elections Work.’ The meeting is open to the public. This program will be an explanation of the Electoral College and other aspects of the election system in the United States.  Starting with an overview of the federal election system for the offices of President, Vice-President, U.S. Senators and Congressional Representatives, the presentation will focus on the history and operation of the Electoral College over time. How Electors are selected, their duties, and the impact of the Electoral College system on Presidential Elections will be discussed, as well as the movement to change how it works.  The National Popular Vote interstate compact, which if adopted would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be explained.  League members Mary Lubertozzi and Barbara Moore will lead the presentation and discussion. Given recent election results, we look forward to a spirited discussion of this topic. Please plan to attend and bring your neighbors, friends and questions. For more information, contact Mary Lubertozzi at 708-747-1359, [email protected] or Barbara Moore at 481-5251, [email protected] .

Park Forest Historical Society, 227 Monee Road

Park Forest Hall of Fame Nominations — Accepted Through Friday, December 29

Nominations for the Park Forest Hall of Fame are now being accepted through Friday, December 29. Nominations must be submitted on the official form which must accompany nominations. The nomination form can be found here in the Historical Society’s November newsletter. Completed nominations may be mailed to the Park Forest House Museum, 227 Monee Road, or delivered in person to the Museum during regular hours (Wednesdays & Saturdays 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.). To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, persons nominated must have made substantial, beneficial, and consistent contributions to the life and well-being of Park Forest over a considerable span of time. Nominees do not currently have to live in Park Forest or can be deceased. Individuals as well as couples may be nominated. Nominations can be made by someone who does not live in Park Forest and does not have to be a member of the Historical Society. Individuals may only make one nomination each year. The official nomination form must be submitted along with separate sheet(s) of paper indicating why the person is being nominated and describing the nominee’s qualifications and contributions. Inductees will be chosen from the eligible nominees by the Park Forest Historical Society and announced in early 2018. An induction ceremony will be held at Freedom Hall on April 15, 2018. For additional information, call Jane Nicoll at 708-481-4252.

Park Forest Police Department, 200 Lakewood Boulevard

Park Forest Team Participating in Special Olympics Polar Plunge Seeking Support – Team racing in Honor of Officer Tim Jones

The Law Enforcement Torch Run and GEICO’s 2018 Polar Plunge provides a unique opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes by taking a flying leap into the frigid waters of Manteno Lake located in Kankakee County. Each participant must raise $100 in donations from friends, family, neighbors and co-workers in exchange for jumping into the icy waters. The Park Forest Team will be taking the plunge in honor of Officer Tim Jones who suffered gunshot wounds in the line of duty in March of 2016 and is still recovering. The 2018 Polar Plunge is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 3 at the Manteno Sportsmen’s Club, 851 North Main Street in Manteno. Registration will take place at noon with the plunge at 2 p.m. Join the team by donating to a great cause and come out on March 3 and support Special Olympics Illinois!  Make a donation or register for the 2018 Polar Plunge here.

Park Forest Toastmasters Club

Meeting – Tuesday, November 28

The Park Forest Toastmasters Club will meet on Tuesday, November 28 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/

State of Illinois, Springfield

‘Cards for Heroes’ Military Holiday Card Drive — Through Monday, November 20

Illinois’ First Lady Diana Rauner announced the 2017 Holiday Card Drive for the Military. The card drive is done in partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO) of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and the Illinois Executive Mansion Association, and aims to send Illinois’ service men and women overseas the joy of knowing that people back home are thinking of them at holiday time. Holiday cards should be mailed through November 20th to:

USO of Illinois – Cards for Heroes
333 S. Wabash Ave., 16th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604

Cards can also be dropped off at a local Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran Service Office.  Office locations can be found here: www.illinois.gov/veterans.

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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