Local

In and Around Park Forest for the Week of September 2, 2018


Happy Labor Day
Have a Happy & Safe Labor Day Holiday (Source: Pixabay)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF) —Where did the summer go? Hard to believe but on Monday, we’ll celebrate Labor Day. While many of us associate the holiday with the end of summer and an opportunity for parades, parties, picnics, cookouts and enjoying a day off from work, the day was inaugurated in the late 19th century out of respect for organized labor and the rights of the individual. You can learn more about the history of Labor Day here. Enjoy your holiday.

The Park Forest Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard, will host a Butterfly Festival on Saturday, September 8 beginning at 1 p.m.  The Festival will feature music, crafts, raffles, and or course, butterflies. Stop by the Library on Saturday for this very special event.

Be sure to check out all the other events and activities taking place In & Around Park Forest. Have a great week!

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Events and activities featured in ‘In and Around Park Forest’ take place in Park Forest, the surrounding suburbs and locations that are just a short drive or train ride away. You’ll find that many of these events are free or of a nominal charge.

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.

Administration — Village of Park Forest

Village Hall Closure – Monday, September 3

Park Forest Village Hall will be closed on Monday, September 3 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Village Board Meeting – Tuesday, September 4 & Saturday, September 8

The next Village of Park Forest Board is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 4 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall. In addition, The Board will hold a Saturday Morning Rules Meeting at 10 a.m. at Village Hall. 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 September 2:

  • Tuesday, September 4 at 7 p.m. – Plan Commission
  • Thursday, September 6 at 1 p.m. – Senior Citizens Advisory Board
  • Thursday, September 6 at 7 p.m. – Environment Commission

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

Arts & Entertainment

Crete Public Library District, 1177 North Main Street

Library Closure – Monday, September 3

The Crete Public Library District will be closed on Monday, September 3 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.

The following events are scheduled at the Crete Public Library District the week of September 2:

  • Tuesday, September 4 at 10 a.m. – Knot Just for Knitters at Benton St. Bakery – Share camaraderie while working on knitting, crocheting or any other type of needlework project. For adults.
  • Wednesday, September 5 & Thursday September 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – AARP will conduct the Smart Driver program at the Crete Public Library. A fee of $20 is payable by cash or check made out to AARP on the first day of class. There is a $5 discount for AARP members. Participants must register through the library and attend both sessions to receive a certificate of completion. You are welcome to bring snacks, if you wish.
  • Wednesday, September 5 at 3:30 p.m. – Library Teen Council – If you have suggestions for books to order or programming you want to attend, stop on by. New members welcome. For grades 6-12.
  • Wednesday, September 5 at 7 p.m. – Before You Call the Handyman – Dan Findley, professional handyman and licensed building engineer, will discuss several of the most common fixes you can do for yourself with a small home tool kit. He will present both common home repairs as well as preventative maintenance in a fun and humorous way. For adults, register.
  • Thursday, September 6 at 3 p.m. – T(w)een Board Game Afternoon – Drop in for board games, card games, or tabletop RPG games. Feel free to bring your own games. For ages 11+.
  • Thursday, September 6 at 6:30 p.m. – CRAVE Club – Prepare and bring a dish based on the month’s theme of appetizers, then share samples with club members. For adults.
  • Thursday, September 6 at 7 p.m. – T(w)een Open Mic Night – Perform music, tell jokes, make art, read your writings, or just hang out with friends For ages 11+.

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 Art Museum, 935 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago

Fall Art Exhibits – Open Thursday, September 6

DePaul University has announced its Fall 2018 Art Exhibitions. The exhibitions open Thursday, September 6 and run through Sunday, December 16, 2018, at DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus are free and open to the public.

Brendan Fernandes: “The Living Mask”
A classically trained ballet dancer, Fernandes started thinking more critically about the profession after he left it. Born in Kenya to descendants from Goa — a former Portuguese colony in India — Fernandes and his family left Kenya for Toronto in 1989 due to political unrest in the country. That background plays strongly into Fernandes’ work as he continues to explore his African heritage through art. Among the pieces Fernandes provided for the exhibition are several black-and-white photographs from his “As One” series taken in 2017. The images show white ballet dancers in poses alongside African masks positioned on stands. The ballet poses are specific and intentional and show deference to the masks, Fernandes explained. Three African masks made with neon lights also are displayed in the exhibition. Fabricated African masks sold as tourist souvenirs on Canal Street in New York City, but based on objects in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection inspired Fernandes to create these pieces. Nine African objects from DePaul’s collection, including masks from the Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Nigeria, round out the exhibition.

Yasuhiro Ishimoto: “Someday, Chicago”
Born in the United States and raised in Japan, Ishimoto returned to the U.S. in his late teens. Only a few years later he became one of more than 115,000 Americans with Japanese ancestry forced into internment camps during World War II. It was in the internment camp where he first developed an interest in photography, showing a formal rigor and keen eye for composition, according to the exhibition’s guest curators, Jasmine Alinder and John Tain. Alinder is an associate professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Tain is head of research at the Art Asia Archive in Hong Kong. Following his release at the end of the war, the U.S. government sent Ishimoto to Chicago, where he developed a lifelong love of the city and continued his work with photography. Living in the city from 1945-52 and then again from 1958-61, Ishimoto developed his unique modernist vision. He studied at the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology and took photographs on the city’s streets, creating images of iconic Chicago landmarks like the Loop and the ‘L’ train, and also of everyday life — people walking to work or a car driving by. He went into segregated neighborhoods to take photographs of daily life, as well as public spaces where racial and class mixing more commonly occurred. A well-known artist internationally, Ishimoto is considered a master of black-and-white photography. After returning to Japan in 1961, he revisited his earlier interest in architectural photography and later turned to Cibachrome photography, which was an innovative color process he utilized to create abstract images. Though Ishimoto visited Chicago numerous times, he lived primarily in Japan until his death in 2012. The DePaul Art Museum exhibition “Yasuhiro Ishimoto: Someday, Chicago” features more than 50 works that include both black-and-white photographs from his work in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s in Chicago and his Cibachrome photographs from the early 1980s. The exhibition is part of Art Design Chicago, an exploration of Chicago’s art and design legacy, an initiative of the Terra Foundation for American Art with presenting partner The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.

Whitney Bradshaw: “Outcry”
Defined as a loud, piercing cry or cries expressing excitement, great emotion or pain, a scream can be a powerful tool for the overlooked to express public anger or disapproval. In her exhibition for DePaul Art Museum, Bradshaw’s “Outcry” features 108 portraits of women screaming that she’s photographed since Jan. 20, 2018, the day of the Women’s March on Washington. Each photograph is a document of much more involved events created by Bradshaw in her home studio where she invites groups of women to scream in response to the silencing they’ve experienced. “Outcry” challenges stereotypes around women and femininity, while celebrating their resilience and insisting on a reconsideration of beauty and power, she said. Bradshaw developed the idea of exploring the silence surrounding sexual violence and harassment while working with the local nonprofit organization Rape Victim Advocates when she was in her 20s. With the recent rise of the #MeToo movement, Bradshaw felt the time was right for the project since she had identified a way to explore these difficult issues that was positive, therapeutic, empowering and fun for the women involved, she said. In addition to the images on display, Bradshaw will hold two scream sessions at the museum Sept. 21 and Nov. 10. Just as in her home studio, Bradshaw will work with small groups of 10-20 women who don’t know one another to create a safe space in which each can practice expressing themselves unencumbered. She will make individual portraits of each woman as they take turns screaming in front of the camera while being encouraged by the others in the group. These portraits will be added to the installation over the duration of the exhibition along with any new portraits she makes during her continuous home studio sessions.

Neon art piece: “Tourist/Refugee”
One additional work of art will hang in the West-facing window closest to the Fullerton ‘L’ stop between the summer and fall exhibitions in August and then again in December between the fall and winter exhibitions. Called “Tourist/Refugee,” the piece is a blinking neon light that flashes the word tourist followed by the word refugee. Chicago-based artists Adam Brooks and Mathew Wilson, who call themselves “Industry of the Ordinary,” designed the piece in order to address the implications of foreign policy on the movement of people across borders and the humanitarian responsibility of providing aid for refugees. On Oct. 8, Columbus Day — or Indigenous People’s Day — Industry of the Ordinary will hold a silent vigil at 5:30 p.m. at Saint Vincent de Paul Church in remembrance of the many thousands of displaced people who have recently tried, and often failed, to find safe harbor. Titled “Genuflect,” the procession will then head east to Lake Michigan.

DePaul Art Museum is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. 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.

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

GSU’s Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park Hosts Farm to Table Dinner Amidst Collection – Tickets Now on Sale

The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at GSU is preparing to host its annual benefit dinner al fresco amidst the park’s unparalleled collection. On September 15th, “Sculpture, Wine, and Dine…where the city meets the prairie”, kicks off at 4:30 p.m. with elegant appetizers and welcome remarks from The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park board. The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, lauded as one of the top ten outdoor sculpture parks in the world, presents significant large-scale public art, inspiring visitors to experience art and nature in new and unexpected ways. Featuring a locally-sourced menu from Limelight Catering, guests will experience the finest in the culinary arts, while surrounded by large-scale art in an outdoor museum setting. Tickets are $150 per person. Guests are invited to stay for an Afterglow Party, including drinks by the fire, live music and mingling on the Patio near E-Lounge and the Visual Arts Gallery, which will be featuring the recent work of Terrence Karpowicz and Christine Tarkowski, two of the Park’s artists. The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is a free public resource for the community. Here, you are invited to explore the connection of art and nature, where wonder emerges around every corner. Sculpture, Wine, and Dine guests and the events’ generous sponsors are investing in the future growth of the Park and its community programs. Event sponsors include BMO Harris Bank, Bimba Manufacturing, SUSANIN’s Art Auctioneers, Mesirow Financial, AT&T, Bruna’s Ristorante, High West Distillery and Shall We Wine. To RSVP call Gina Ragland at 708.235.7559 or gragland-[email protected]. To purchase tickets online, visit http://www.govst.edu/wd.

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

‘The Lost Children of Chon Thanh’ – Through Saturday, September 22

The NVAM is proud to announce ‘The Lost Children of Chon Thanh,’ our upcoming exhibition of then-and-now photographic portraits by Bob Shirley and Reed Young. The exhibit will be on display from through Saturday September 22nd. In 1969, U.S. Army medic Bob “Doc” Shirley worked in a temporary clinic in the village of Chon Thanh, providing medical care to the local people. During that time, he captured poignant images of some of the children he treated. Over 40 years later Larry Johns, curator of the current exhibition, saw Shirley’s haunting portraits and began to wonder whether any of these children had survived, and what their lives were like now. Johns had lost a brother who was serving at a remote artillery post near Chon Thanh and had been trying to seek out people who might have had a connection with his brother during the war. Johns and his Vietnamese wife began a two-year search for the ‘lost children.’ With the help of New York freelance photographer, Reed Young, and others, they were able to find 16 ‘kids’ who had survived. Johns listened to stories and made emotional connections with the now-adult subjects, many of whom had become farmers with children and grandchildren of their own. Meanwhile, Reed Young– whose colorful portrait essays have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, National Geographic, TIME magazine, and NPR–created stunning new portraits of the ‘children.’ ‘The Lost Children of Chon Thanh’ contrasts enlargements from Bob Shirley’s exceptionally well preserved 1969 original 35mm Ektachrome slides with Reed Young’s present-day high definition digital images printed on metal. More information about ‘The Lost Children of Chon Thanh’ can be found here. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free. For group admission reservations visit www.nvam.org.

‘Artifacts’ Exhibit — Through Saturday, September 22

NVAM is proud to announce ‘Artifacts,’ our upcoming exhibition that explores the material and speculative objects that hold personal, cultural, and political import for those directly and indirectly impacted by war. The exhibition features The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist by internationally celebrated artist Michael Rakowitz; Exit Wounds and What We Carried by the award winning photographer Jim Lommasson; Battle Beyond the Battlefield by former Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellow and veteran artist Alicia Dietz; Sum of My Father by former de Young Fine Arts Museum Resident and veteran artist Rodney Ewing; The Shrapnel Project by Purple Heart recipient and artist Phillip Schladweiler; and the award winning Combat Paper by veteran artist Drew Cameron. Bringing together photography, sculpture, and installation, the artworks in ‘Artifacts’ serve to expand the definition of “artifact,” and examine the ways in which collected objects hold meaning and significance for people, societies, and history impacted by war. For more information about ‘Artifacts,’ visit: visit: https://bit.ly/2qDR8Ee. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For group reservations, visit www.nvam.org. The National Veterans Art Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of art inspired by combat and created by veterans. No other gallery in the world focuses on the subject of war from an artistic perspective, making this collection truly unique. The National Veterans Art Museum addresses both historical and contemporary issues related to military service in order to give patrons of all backgrounds insight into the effects of war and to provide veterans an artistic outlet to work through their military and combat experiences.

Park Forest Historical Society, 227 Monee Road

Park Forest House Museum – Wednesdays, Saturdays and By Appointment

Step back into the 1950s at the Park Forest House Museum which has a wonderful selection of toys, games and dolls that have been assembled for you to enjoy. Photographs, scrapbooks and sales brochures from the Park Forest Local History Collection and Archive are also on display. Park Forest move-ins began 70 years ago in late August 2018. 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. The Museum is open Wednesday and Saturday, 1 to 3:30 p.m. and by appointment. For additional information or to schedule a tour, please call Jane Nicoll at 708-481-4252, or Michael Gans at 708-305-3308 or visit: www.parkforesthistory.org.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

Library Closure – Monday, September 3

The Park Forest Public Library will be closed on Monday, September 3 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.

The following events are scheduled at the Park Forest Library the week of September 2:

  • Tuesday, September 4 at 12:30 p.m. – Drop in Craft — Drop in to kids’ zone and see what we are creating today. For ages 12 and under.
  • Tuesday, September 4 at 4 p.m. – Color-Rama! Coloring Circle — Cool down inside from the summer heat with a fun activity that helps you to unwind and relax.
  • Tuesday, September 4 at 6 p.m. – PJ Storytime — Pajama Story Time is Back on a New Day and Time. Share special moments with your child through stories, crafts, and more. For ages 12 and under.
  • Wednesday, September 5 at 11 a.m. – Baby Time — Babies and their parents or caregivers are invited to read, sing and grow in this weekly story time. This program is geared toward babies 0 – 36 months with an accompanying adult. This is the perfect time for families to bond with their child/children.
  • Wednesday, September 5 at 3:30 p.m. – Color Me Mine — Travel to a world of relaxation for kids. Lose yourself in patterns, curved flowers or even runaway stems. Color yourself Happy in our kids’ coloring circle. For ages 12 and under.
  • Wednesday, September 5 at 4 p.m. – Adult Coloring — Join us and relax a bit with our coloring circle. All supplies are provided.
  • Wednesday, September 5 at 4 p.m. – All Day Drop In Projects — Stop by the Lab for a spur-of-the-moment activity.
  • Thursday, September 6 at 11 a.m. – Toddler Art — Bring out your inner Picasso through art projects and more… Some projects may involve paint. Ages 3-5.
  • Thursday, September 6 at 3:30 p.m. – Drawing Theory — Do you enjoy Drawing and Sketching? Learn how to draw your favorite animations and more. For ages 12 and under.
  • Thursday, September 6 at 4 p.m. – Teen Movie — Cool down this summer with a featured film.
  • Friday, September 7 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.
  • Friday, September 7 at 3:30 p.m. – Fun Friday Board Game Day — Drop-in for an afternoon of your favorite classic board games. Bring a friend or make new ones. For ages 12 and under.
  • Saturday, September 8 at 1 p.m. – Butterfly Festival — Join us for an afternoon of fun! Music, crafts, raffles, and much more.

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

Friends of the Park Forest Public Library Meeting – Tuesday, September 4

The Friends of the Park Forest Library will meet on Tuesday, September 4 at 7 p.m.  The Friends of the Park Forest Library, enhance and support the operations of the library. In order for the Friends to operate, we need you involved! You can sign up for membership by asking at the Patron Services or Info Zone desk.

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.

Salon Artists Gallery, 294 Main Street, Park Forest

‘Our Truth’—Opens Saturday, September 8

The Gallery will present the ‘Our Truth’ exhibit which will open on Saturday, September 8 and run through Sunday, September 30. There will be a reception on Saturday, September 8 from noon to 4 p.m. both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. The exhibit features the works of Artisrs CouSandra Armstrong, Janice Pratt and Faye Zalecki. For additional information and Gallery hours, visit www.salonartistsgallery.com or call 708-703-7806.

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

‘Day By Day’ Exhibit – Through Thursday, October 11

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Art & Design Department of SSC is pleased to present a solo exhibition entitled ‘Day By Day, Artworks by Daniela Kovačić.’ The exhibition will be on display in the Dorothea Thiel Gallery through Thursday, October 11. On September 26, Ms. Kovačić will deliver an Artist Lecture at 12 noon in room 4340 with an artist reception to follow at 1 p.m. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. Born and raised in the Chilean Patagonia, Daniela has dedicated her career to oil painting. Her work explores different topics around self-identity, largely through the depiction of women and children. She has a master’s degree from the New York Academy of Art and a bachelor’s degree from Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile. Daniela has received prestigious awards and scholarships such as Fulbright, Becas Chile, Robert Gamblin Painting Award, NYAA scholarships and a residency from the Terra Foundation for American Art. Her work has been exhibited and published internationally since 2005.  The Dorothea Thiel Gallery is located on the fourth floor and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays. For more information contact 708-596-2000 ext. 2316. Para Información En Español Llame: 708-210-5740.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

‘Taking an Art Trip’ – Through Sunday, September 16

‘Taking an Art Trip,’ the 2018 Annual Exhibit of Works by Tall Grass Gallery Artists will run through Sunday, September 16.  The exhibit is free and open to the public. Gallery Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrassarts.org.

63rd Annual Park Forest Art Fair – Saturday and Sunday, September 15 & 16

Boasting a rich history and wealth of gifted artists, along with status as one of the Southland’s most valued annual treasures, the 63rd Park Forest Art Fair, sponsored by Tall Grass Arts Association will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in DownTown Park Forest on the Village Green. As a not-for-profit event with a huge volunteer force, costs to artists are very low. The eclectic nature of the fair is quickly visible to visitors who will see ceramics, etchings, sculpture, photographs, paintings in many media, digital art works, stitchery, jewelry featuring original elements, and stained glass. The fair will continue to feature the Kids’ Art Alley.  It will offer a vast range of activities to delight the younger set, including the almost legendary Children’s Art Contest, crafts and more. The acclaimed Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery, 367 Artists Walk in DownTown Park Forest, will be open during the fair with a traditional summer exhibit of works by gallery artists.

Participating Artists

David Abrahamson – acrylic painting

Ellen Grenier Bevill – handwoven wearables

Terry Boykin – polymer clay, digital art & acrylics

Susan Brauer – fused glass items

Javier Chavira – painting

Raymond Chen – watercolor

Joe Chomyn – thrown porcelain

Carri Cole – jewelry

David Dallison -watercolor

Georgeann Davis – jewelry & lampwork beads

Michelle Detering – watercolor

Bronwyn Elkuss – hand-stitched fiber art

Kathy & John Farabaugh – stained glass/jewelry

John Flynn & Janice Reder – lathe wood pens

Rebecca Flowers – digital photography

Halona Gustin – Flynn Sochon pottery

Margi Hafer – watercolor & mm/collage

Janet Hubbard – jewelry

Jeremy Keller & Mary Ennis – ceramics

Seung Jae Kim – photography

Linnea Lahlum – jewelry

Jean Lewis – oil & pastel

Rosalind Lyons – pencil & oil prints

Harry & BJ Mackie – jewelry

Barb Mason – jewelry

Jennifer Meyer – found object sculptures

Marie Miklaszewski – jewelry

Patricia Moore – mixed media & acrylic

Damen Mroczek – jewelry

John Mroczek – jewelry

Gedion Nyanhongo – hand-carved stone sculptures

Jan Podbielski – jewelry

Jerry Rhoads -wood

Margaret Rogowski – jewelry

Paul Scouten – metal/functional copper sculptures

Gail Stamps – hand knits & felted wearable art

Melvina Stemley – wearable fiber

Glenn Steward – oil & watercolor

Thomas Tampa – wood

Jamie Torraco (Kittens of Industry) – pastel & oil

Liz Waddington – watercolor

Susan Wade – jewelry

Sandy Walker – jewelry

Marikay Peter Witlock – pastel

Glenn Woods & Keith Herbrand – pottery – fine porcelain and crystalline glaze

David Zahn – ceramic & bronze sculptures

Scott Zuziak – hand carved wood items

Judges 

Mary Beth Koszut

Abstract painter, Mary Beth Koszut received her MFA in painting from Bradley University in 2011.  Since then she has been teaching and exhibiting her work on a local and national level.  Her paintings are inspired by nature and revolve around ideas of contradiction creating a fragile stability.  She currently lives in Peotone, IL and teaches art and art education at Olivet Nazarene University.

Angela Dieffenbach

A practicing artist and educator, Angela Dieffenbach lives and works in Chicago.  She is a Lecturer of Art and Design at Chicago State University running the ceramics program.  She earned a MA and MFA from the University of Iowa and received a BFA in studio art and a BS in K-12 art education from Bradley University.  Dieffenbach’s research based sculptures focus on the intersection of science and art with a particular interest in strange and peculiar experiments and medical treatments.

Main Street Music Fest – Saturday and Sunday, September 15 & 16

The Main Street Music Fest will take place on the Village Green in DownTown Park Forest in conjunction with the 62nd Annual Park Forest Art Fair. Scheduled performances are as follows:

Saturday, September 15

11 – 11:45 a.m. — Rhythm System – 3-piece teenage Blues, RnB and Neo-soul group

1:20 – 2:30 p.m. — Jo Ann Daugherty Trio – Featuring Joshua Ramos, Ryan Bennett, Bruce A. Henry and Henry Johnson

2:50 – 4 p.m. — Tempero Brasileiro – Featuring Neal Alger and Julie Koidin.  Special guest on percussion, Heitor Garcia

4:30 – 6 p.m. — John Primer – A Chicago Blues Living Legend

Sunday, September 16

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Patchouli – Guitar duo featuring master guitarist Bruce Hecksel and singer-songwriter Julie Patchouli.

1:30 p.m.   Grande Prairie Singers

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

Marian Catholic High School, 700 Ashland Avenue, Chicago Heights

Warrior Wrestling 2 – Sunday, September 2

Marian Catholic High School will welcome Rey Mysterio and other professional wrestling stars from around the world for Warrior Wrestling 2 on Sunday, September 2nd. The wrestling event will serve as a fundraiser for scholarships for students as well as a “fun-raiser” for the school community and surrounding area of the South Suburbs and Northwest Indiana. The main event for the evening is the first-ever War of Attrition Match. This is a brand-new type of wrestling match that has never been done before in WWE or any other company. The match will feature 8 wrestling superstars from all different organizations and styles of wrestling – Rey Mysterio, Austin Aries, Pentagon, Fenix, Rich Swann, Brian Cage, Jeff Cobb, and Sammy Guevara. The evening will also feature seven other wrestling matches with elite men and women from wrestling’s biggest organization, including WWE and Impact Wrestling. Current WWE star James Ellsworth will be in action, as will Impact Wrestling stars Tessa Blanchard and DJZ.  Tickets for the event can be purchased online at www.warriorwrestling.net. Prices range from $30 for general admission bleacher seats to $100 for first row ringside seats. Bell time is 7:30 on September 2nd with doors opening to the public at 6:30. A VIP Fan Fest will take place before the show from 5:15 to 7:15. The VIP Fan Fest will allow attendees to meet the wrestlers as well as take pictures and receive autographs. All autographs and pictures are free in the Fan Fest, and $25 admission tickets to the Fest are also available through the Warrior Wrestling website. Food and concessions will be available for purchase, and for those fans over 21, several local breweries will have their craft beer on tap. All proceeds from the event go to benefit scholarships for local students to attend Marian Catholic High School. Marian Catholic serves students from over 70 local communities, and the school strives to make tuition assistance available to students in need so that a Marian Catholic education can be accessible for them. A pillar of the community for 60 years, Marian Catholic has educated nearly 20,000 students from the area.  To learn more about Marian Catholic, visit www.marianchs.com. The event will be family-friendly. Card subject to change.

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

Musician Ensembles at PSC – Registration Now in Progress

Fall 2018 registration is open at Prairie State College (PSC), and the schedule brings exciting opportunities for musicians to join one of the various ensembles the college offers during the semester.

  • The Wind Ensemble, directed by music educator Phil Crews, performs significant concert band literature. Members of the ensemble include student musicians from the college and local high schools, community members and local music teachers and band directors. The ensemble meets on Mondays, September 10 through December 11, from 6:30 to 9:20 p.m., in room 105 of the K Building (K-105), located on the north side of Vollmer road across from the college’s main campus at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights. An audition for placement in the ensemble may be requested.
  • Rubén Alvarez, Chicago’s premier Latin jazz percussionist, will lead the Latin Music Ensemble on Saturdays, from September 15 through December 12, from 10 a.m. to 12:50 p.m., in K-105. This ensemble explores a variety of styles of Afro Cuban jazz. Students will be introduced to the foundational rhythms and performance techniques of various percussion instruments and learn about the cultural aspects of the music. Instrumentation also includes those with prior experience playing horns, bass, guitar and piano.

Musicians taking the course for credit will pay tuition for one credit hour. Musicians not interested in receiving credit for participating will pay a $25 course fee. For questions about any of the ensembles, contact Elighie Wilson, dean of liberal arts at [email protected].

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

Free High School Equivalency & English as a Second Language Registration Days – Most Classes Begin Monday, September 10

SSC’s Adult Education Department is offering a wide range of opportunities for adults to build the basic skills required for success. Adult Basic Education (ABE) helps men and women whose skill levels are below the ninth grade. ABE students improve their skills in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Many adults choose to further build on these skills and pursue a high school education through the High School Equivalency (HSE/GED) program. The HSE program will develop the skills required to pass the High School Equivalency exams. Studies will include Reasoning through Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, and the US and Illinois Constitutions. Additionally, English as a Second Language (ESL) allows non-native students to improve their English skills from beginning to advanced levels. Most of the Adult Education programs are offered both full and part-time at the Main Campus in South Holland or the Oak Forest Center. At the time of registration, all students will take a Placement Test. The complete schedule of locations for registrations and classes is as follows:

HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY:

SSC Adult Education Center
South Suburban College (SSC)
15800 South State Street
South Holland, IL 60473

Part-time ABE/ASE/GED®/HSE:
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (September 17 – December 14, 2018)
Register: September 10, 11, 12, 2018 at 6:00pm in Room L233
Classes Begin: Monday, September 17, 2018
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm in Room L233

**NEW** Full-time ABE/ASE/GED®/HSE:
Monday through Friday (September 17 – December 14, 2018)
Register: September 10, 11, 12, 2018 at 9:00am in Room 1243B
Classes Begin: Monday, September 17, 2018
Time: 9:00am-2:30pm in Room 1243B

Part-time ABE/ASE/GED®/HSE:
Monday through Friday (September 17 – December 14, 2018)
Register: September 10, 11, 12, 2018 at 9:00am in Room 1243B
Classes Begin: Monday, September 17, 2018
Time: 9:00am-11:30am OR 12:00-2:30pm in Room 1243B

**NEW** Part-time GED®/HSE Technology Bridge Classes:
Monday through Thursday (October 1 – December 13, 2018)
Register: September 24, 25, 26, 2018 at 10:00am in Room L233
Classes Begin: Monday, October 1, 2018
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm in Room L233

High School Equivalency (HSE) for ESL Students

Full-time ABE/ASE/GED®/HSE:
Monday through Friday (September 17 – December 14, 2018)
Register: September 10, 11, 12, 2018 at 9:00am in Room 2452
Classes Begin: Monday, September 17, 2018
Time: 9:00am-2:30pm in Room 2452

Oak Forest Center, Room 5240
16333 South Kilbourn Avenue
Oak Forest, IL 60452
(708) 225-6029

Part-time ABE/ASE:
Monday through Friday (September 17 – December 14, 2018)
Register: September 10, 11, 12, 2018 at 9:00am in Room 5240
Classes Begin: Monday, September 17, 2018
Time: 9:00am-11:30am in Room 5240 OR 12:00pm-2:30pm in Room 5240

**NEW** Part-Time ABE/ASE/GED®/HSE:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (October 1 – December 13, 2018)
Register: September 24, 25, 26, 2018 at 5:30pm in Room 5240
Classes Begin: Monday, October 1, 2018
Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm in Room 5240

SSC Adult Education in Riverdale, IL
Thornton Township Center
14323 S. Halsted St.
Riverdale, IL 60827

Part Time ABE/ASE/HSE:
Monday through Thursday (October 1 – December 13, 2018)
Register: September 24, 26, 26, 2018 at 10:00am
Classes Begin: Monday, October 1, 2018
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE:

SSC Adult Education Center
South Suburban College (SSC)
15800 South State Street
South Holland, IL 60473

Full Time ESL:
Monday through Friday (September 17 – December 14, 2018)
Register: September 10, 11, 12, 2018 at 9:00am in Room L233
Classes Begin: Monday, September 17, 2018
Time: 9:00am-2:30pm in Room L233

Part-time ESL:
Monday through Friday (September 17 – December 14, 2018)
Register: September 10, 11, 12, 2018 at 9:00am in Room L233
Classes Begin: Monday, September 17, 2018
Time: 9:00am-11:00am in Room L233

Part-time ESL:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (September 17 – December 14, 2018)
Register: September 10, 11, 12, 2018 at 6:00pm in Room 1243 B
Classes Begin: Monday, September 17, 2018
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm in Room 1243 B

NEW!!! OAK FOREST PART-TIME ESL PROGRAM

Oak Forest Center
Rooms 5240 & 5320
16333 South Kilbourn Avenue
Oak Forest, IL 60452
(708) 225-6029

Part Time ESL:
Monday through Friday (September 17 – December 14, 2018)
Register: September 10, 11, 12, 2018 at 9:00am in Room 5320
Classes Begin: Monday, September 17, 2018
Time: 9:00am-11:30am in Room 5230 OR 12:00pm-2:30pm in Room 5320

All courses are offered free of charge. For the purpose of compliance with Section 511 of Public Law 101-166 (the Stevens Amendment) Federal funds of $343,670 provides approximately 36% of the support of these programs. Indiana residents are not eligible to participate in the Adult Education programs. Para Información En Español Llame: 708-210-5740. To request ADA accommodations allow three weeks. Please contact: Gail Bonds-Carpenter, ADA Coordinator, 708-596-2000, ext. 2691. For enrollment and class information, please call 708-596-2000, ext. 2385 or ext. 2240, or visit www.ssc.edu under “Adult and Continuing Education, Adult Education.”

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

Park Forest Environment Commission

Cottage Garden Favorites – Saturday, August 18

The Park Forest Environment Commission, as part of the Gardening Series, will feature a lecture on Saturday, September 8 at 10 a.m. at the Wetlands Discover Center, 30 N. Orchard. This month’s lecture will be Cottage Garden Favorites: salvage style, multitudes of scented flowers and the occasional critter. Find the perfect spot for your cottage garden where you can enjoy an evening after a long day at work.

Sauk-Calumet Sierra Club Group, Matteson

National Maple Tree Study Discussion — Monday, September 10

The Sauk-Calumet Sierra Club Group will be resuming their monthly meetings (after the summer hiatus) on Monday, September 10th, at the Frankfort Public Library, 21119 Pfeiffer Rd. in Frankfort at 7:15 pm. The program at this meeting will be presented by Wendy Smith, Park Ranger at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Smith will be discussing a national study of maple trees which the National Lakeshore participated in which will help to determine how these trees are faring despite the impacts of climate change. All meetings are open to members and the general public.  For additional information about the meeting or about the Club and its activities 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.

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

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.

This & That

League of Women Voters Park Forest Area

Fall 2018 “Kick-Off” Pot Luck Dinner – Wednesday, September 12

Please join the League of Women Voters Park Forest Area (LWVPFA) at its Fall “Kick-Off” Pot Luck Dinner on Wednesday, September 12, 2018. The event will be held at the Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive in Downtown Park Forest, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The event’s guest speaker will be Ms. Tselance Morgan-Hatter, Project Manager of the South Suburban Land Bank and Development Authority. Ms. Morgan-Hatter’s presentation will be on the subject of vacant housing in the south suburbs, and the role of our municipal governments in confronting this serious problem. Dinner will be served promptly at 6:00 p.m. and the evening presentation begins at 7:00 p.m., which promises to be informative and instructive. There will be time for questions and discussions after the presentation.  For more information, please contact Ellen O’ Gallagher at 708-957-3973.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization which encourages informative and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters encourages citizens to register to vote and provides public education for voters on election issues. The League does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Anyone interested in promoting responsible government is invited to become a member. For more information visit www.lwvpfa.org.

Park Forest Economic Development and Planning Department

Water Bill Buck Buster – Next Raffle Friday, September 28

Park Forest Economic Development and Planning Department ‘Water Bill Buck Buster’ contest will continue through December 28. Spend $150 or more each quarter at local Park Forest businesses and you can enter a raffle for a $100 water bill credit. You can also win Village swag with the first $50 in receipts in each quarter. Submit receipts from local Park Forest businesses totaling $150 or more dated within each quarter.  Limit of one entry per household per quarter. Three drawings will be held in 2018:

  • September 28
  • December 28

Receipts are due the day before each drawing. Locate Park Forest businesses in the Park Forest Shopping & Service Guide found here. Email your receipts and include your name, address and phone number to [email protected] or drop off the information at Park Forest Village Hall 2nd Floor, 350 Victory Drive. For additional information, call 708-283-5617 or check your water bill statement.

Park Forest Toastmasters Club

Meeting – Tuesday, September 4

The Park Forest Toastmasters Club will meet on Tuesday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 N. Orchard Drive in Park Forest. The meeting is open to the public. The Park Forest Toastmasters Club meets on the 1st and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Members develop speaking and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. For additional information, visit: www.parkforesttoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org.

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

Safety Seat Check Community Event – Wednesday, September 5

Proper use of a child safety seat can lower the risk of injury or death in most car crashes. Certified child passenger safety technicians will be on the Prairie State College (PSC) campus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 5, to teach parents and caregivers how to properly install a child safety seat and how to place the child into the seat properly to ensure their safety. The Safety Seat Check will be held in parking lot E, located outside of the Health Tech Center on the North side of Vollmer Road, across from the main campus. New car seats will be given to attendees who are in need of a seat for their children. Child must be present to receive the seat. The event is free and open to the public. The event is co-sponsored by the PSC Police Department, Illinois Action for Children, the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety and Rush Copley Medical Center. For more information, contact George Pfotenhauer at [email protected] or call 708-709-7834

St. Irenaeus Church, 78 Cherry Street, Park Forest

Peace Prayers – Wednesday, September 5

Park Forest People of Faith will gather for the Peace Prayers on Wednesday, September 5 at 7 p.m. at the Church. All are invited to attend.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Park Forest Main Street Market – Every Saturday through October 27

The Park Forest Main Street Market, previously known as the Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday, rain or shine from 7 a.m. to noon through October 27 for shopping, food and entertainment. Along with its new name, the Market has a new location at 152 Main Street in DownTown Park Forest. The Market accepts Link/SNAP & Senior Nutrition Coupons. For additional information about the Market, call Brenda Walker at 708-748-1118, email [email protected] or the Market’s website.


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