Local

In and Around Park Forest for the Week of February 18, 2018


Tall Grass 61st Beaux Arts Ball
(Image Provided)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— There are several interesting free events taking place this week in Park Forest offering something for everyone. Be sure to check them out.

Do you have a collection of craft projects hiding in drawers and closets that are just collecting dust? On Wednesday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m. the Park Forest Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard will hold a Community Craft Swap. You can donate your gently used knitting, crochet or needlework materials, art projects or other crafts to the Craft Swap. You might even find the craft you’ve been looking for during the exchange. You’ll find additional information in the ‘Arts & Entertainment’ Section.

The Park Forest Commission on Human Relations is sponsoring a Black History Month program on Saturday, February 24 at 1 p.m. at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard. There will be a one-man program titled “Superman, Blackman, Me” written and acted by Jonathan Kitt who is a 2010 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. Kitt is also currently a professor of theatre at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta Georgia. Additional information can be found in the ‘This & That’ Section.

The Park Forest Historical Society will host a program on ‘The Great Migration’ on Sunday, February 25 at 2:30 p.m. at Park Forest Village Hall. Dr. David Golland of Governors State University will explore the history and background of the people who participated in the Great Migration, its causes, incidents, and effects. Dr. David Golland is the Associate Professor and Chair of History, Co-chair of American Studies and Coordinator of the Department of Humanities at Governors State University. Additional information can be found in the ‘Arts & Entertainment’ section.

Finally, tickets are now on sale for Tall Grass Arts Association’s 61st Annual Beaux Arts Ball that is a fundraiser to benefit Tall Grass Gallery and school. The Ball will be held at Lincolnshire Country Club in Crete. In addition to cocktails, dinner, music and dancing, there will be a silent auction as well as a live auction. This year’s honorees are State Representative Al Riley and Barbara and Al Sturges. Reservations should be made by Friday, February 23. For additional information, visit the ‘Arts & Entertainment’ section.

Be sure to check out all the other events 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.

Village of Park Forest Administration

Village Board Meeting – Monday, February 19

The Village of Park Forest Board will meet on Monday, February 19 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive.  Residents are encouraged to attend. Board meetings air live on cable access channels (Channel 4 for Comcast subscribers and Channel 99 for AT&T subscribers). To view previously held Board Meetings, visit the Village’s web site here and click on the date of the meeting you wish to watch.

Village Commissions & Advisory Boards

The following Park Forest Commissions are scheduled to meet the week of February 18:

  • Tuesday, February 20 at 7 p.m. – Plan Commission
  • Thursday, February 22 at 6 p.m. – Housing Authority

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, 1 University Parkway, University Park

GSU’s Dance Company to Present ‘Dance to the Movies’ — Tickets Now on Sale

GSU’s Dance Company will present ‘Dance to the Movies’ on Thursday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Performing Arts. Celebrate dance, as seen on the big screen, through a variety of dance disciplines including contemporary, Broadway musicals, jazz, ballet, tango, hip-hop, and more. Patrons will enjoy movie clips brought to life on stage through stunning choreography by Director Megan Lindsay and featured work from GSU student choreographers and dancers, and special guest troupe Fatal Dance.

Tickets & Additional Information

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for Students

Buy Tickets

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) and 2 hours prior to all performances.

Parking is free.

For best GPS directions always use the location search term “Governors State University” only.

Crete Public Library District, 1177 North Main Street

Library Closure – Monday, February 19

The Crete Public Library will be closed on Monday, February 19 in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday.

The following events are scheduled at the Crete Public Library District the week of February 18:

  • Tuesday, February 20 at 1 p.m. – Preschool Storytime – Storytime for ages 4-5. Register.
  • Wednesday, February 21 at 10 a.m. – Toddler Time Stations – Parents and children will explore thematic stations together. For ages 2-3. Register.
  • Wednesday, February 21 at 3 p.m. – Photo Editing 101 – This month’s project is a double exposure photograph. Register.
  • Thursday, February 22 at 10 a.m. – Toddler Time Stations – Parents and children will explore thematic stations together. For ages 2-3. Register.
  • Thursday, February 22 at 1 p.m. – Preschool Storytime – Storytime for ages 4-5. Register.
  • Thursday, February 22 at 6 p.m. – Tween STEAM – A Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math program. For ages 9-12. Register.
  • Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m. – Choosing to Love – An empowering workshop for adults.
  • Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m.– Knot Another Ball of Yarn! Crochet Group – For teens and adults.
  • Friday, February 23 at 10 a.m. – Babies & Books – Storytime for ages birth-24 months. Register.
  • Saturday, February 24 at 1 p.m. – Unlocking the Secrets of Your Family Tree – Introduction to genealogy. For adults. 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.

Inspirational Speaker Charmaine Moore’s Presentation ‘Choosing Love’ – Thursday, February 22

On Thursday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. the Crete Public Library will host inspirational speaker Charmaine Moore’s presentation “Choosing to Love.” This program is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested by calling the library at 708-672-8017. In this empowering workshop, Charmaine Moore will show participants how to eradicate the lies that have kept them back from standing out and becoming their authentic selves. She will demonstrate how to build a new life that is based on truth and love. Charmaine Moore is a life coach and speaker from our local area. She has overcome sexual, verbal, and physical abuse; depression and suicidal thoughts. She is a wife and mother to six children. Her mission is to empower women to choose to love, live, and thrive in life. Through her workshops, she helps others unlock what has been holding them back from loving themselves and enjoying their lives. Charmaine considers herself a life speaker – someone who speaks life with positive and powerful words to create peace, love, joy, freedom, growth, healing and hope in her own life and in the lives of others. Learn more about her on her website: http://faceofhopeandbeauty.com. For more information, please call the Crete Public Library at 708-672-8017.

DePaul University Art Museum, 935 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago

3 Winter Exhibitions – Through Sunday, March 25

Printed works from various artists will be on display at DePaul Art Museum this winter. Three exhibitions will include works by lithographers Clinton Adams and June Wayne of the Tamarind Institute, as well as by Chicago artists Barbara Jones-Hogu and Jose Guerrero, from the city’s South Side and Pilsen neighborhood, respectively. The exhibitions run through March 25.

Rock, Paper, Image: Lithographs by Clinton Adams and June Wayne from the Belverd and Marian Needles Collection

Clinton Adams and June Wayne are widely credited with reviving interest in lithography in the mid-20th century. As co-founders of the Tamarind Institute, a center for lithography based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, they instructed artists and shared innovative techniques while simultaneously pursuing their own independent practices. This exhibition presents a selection of both artists’ work from the 1950s through the 1990s, showcasing how their approaches to subjects, ranging from landscapes and color to literature and politics, evolved over time. Adams is best known for his work in modernist abstraction, with an emphasis on the Southwestern landscape. Wayne’s work shows an interest in science, natural phenomena, the cosmos, genes and social justice. She was feminist and a strong advocate for women artists.

Barbara Jones-Hogu: Resist, Relate, Unite 1968-1975

The first solo museum exhibition by Barbara Jones-Hogu, who died Nov. 14, 2017, features works on paper including woodcuts, etchings, lithographs and screen prints. Jones-Hogu, a founding member of the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists (AfriCOBRA) and a central figure of the Black Arts Movement, was a Chicago-based artist, filmmaker and educator. She was a contributor to Chicago’s “Wall of Respect” mural, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017. The exhibition boasts over 20 pieces and includes Jones-Hogu’s print work from 1968-75 as well as screen prints and sketches, ranging from black-and-white images to colorful works. One of Jones-Hogu’s most famous works of art is a screen print on paper titled “Unite.” The work was made in 1971 and features several African-American persons holding their clinched fists in the air with the word unite written out repeatedly.

Jose Guerrero, Presente: A Memorial Print Portfolio

Jose Guerrero, who died in 2015, was an artist and leader who influenced his community through printmaking, mural painting and activism. He is best known for his work in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, where his studio and workshop was a hub for art classes, mural tours and political organizing. The exhibition “Jose Guerrero, Presente” features a portfolio of prints made in his memory by 25 Chicago artists, as well as some of his own works on paper. Artists include: Monserrat Alsina, Rene Arceo, Cathy Cajandig, Viky Cervantes, Héctor Duarte, Nicolas De Jesus, Roberto Ferreyra, Eric Garcia, José L Gutierrez, Salvador Jimenes, Alexy Lanza, Edgar Lopez, Alfredo Martinez, Dolores Mercado, Luis Montenegro, José L Pina Morales, Oscar Moya, Art Olson, Antonio Pazaran, Kate Perryman, Eufemio Pulido, Erik Salgado, Diana Solis, Benjamin Varela, Gabriel Villa and John Pitman Weber. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Guerrero moved to Chicago in 1964. He was a popular artist who infused activism and political organizing into community art making by opening his own print studio and leading mural tours in the Pilsen neighborhood, teaching people about the symbols and meaning behind cultural imagery, explained Lopez. Included in the 26-piece portfolio by Guerrero’s students, colleagues and friends are screen prints, woodcuts and linocuts. Themes that were central to Guerrero’s artistic practice and life’s work, including labor rights, displacement and gentrification, immigrant’s rights and social equality, are expressed in the collection. An iconic image in the exhibition is a linocut titled “Migrant” by Weber, founder of the Chicago Public Art Group. “Migrant” illustrates a man raising his arms over his head in a moment of strife.

Hours for the DePaul University Library are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission is free. Additional information at http://museums.depaul.edu​ or 773-325-7506.

DePaul University Theatre School, 2350 North Racine Avenue, Chicago

Stage Adaptation of Richard Wright’s ‘Native Son’ – Through February 18

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents the stage adaptation of Richard Wright’s 1940 novel “Native Son,” adapted by Theatre School alumna Nambi E. Kelley, and directed by graduate student Mikael Burke. The production which runs through February 18. The Theatre School and DePaul’s Center for Black Diaspora also will host several events in conjunction with the run of “Native Son” to open dialogue.

‘Racism is poison’
The story takes place in 1930s South Side Chicago and explores the systemic racism and poverty that oppressed a young man named Bigger Thomas from birth. Bigger lands a job with a wealthy white family, but his fate is sealed when a violent act unleashes a chain of events that cannot be undone.

Production and ticket information
The production runs through Feb. 18. Performances are slated for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15, preview tickets are $10 and student tickets are $5. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 773-325-7900 or by visiting http://theatre.depaul.edu. Members of the active military and their families can receive a discount with a valid ID. Patrons with impaired vision or who require wheelchair accessible or companion seating are asked to call the box office. Subscriptions and group rates (six or more people) are available. All tickets are reserved seating.

Additional information about The Theatre School at DePaul University is online at https://theatre.depaul.edu/.

Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest

‘Nugget and Fang’ – Friday, February 23

‘Nugget and Fang’ will be featured at Freedom Hall’s Children’s Theatre on Friday, February 23 at 7 p.m. ArtsPower’s colorful new musical tells the story of Nugget, a minnow, and Fang, a shark, who get along swimmingly — until Nugget’s first day of minnow school. There, Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks! To regain Nugget’s trust, Fang takes desperate and hilarious measures. Nothing goes as planned. Fang is moping in deep waters when he notices that Nugget and his minnow schoolmates are caught up in some big trouble (and one very big net). Holy mackerel! Can Fang save the day and prove he’s a true friend? Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Freedom Hall, by phone at 708-747-0580 or online at www.freedomhall.org.

‘Cherish the Ladies’ – Tickets Now on Sale

Freedom Hall’s Matinee Series will present ‘Cherish the Ladies’ on Tuesday, March 6 at 11 a.m. It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do”, says the Boston Globe speaking of Cherish the Ladies, the long-running, Grammy-nominated, Irish-American super group that formed in New York City in 1985 to celebrate the rise of extraordinary women in what had been a male-dominated Irish music scene and has since toured the world, played the White House and the Olympics, and recorded 16 outstanding albums. They are in constant demand worldwide as their reputation and admiration from both fans and critics alike continues to grow. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Freedom Hall, by phone at 708-747-0580 or online at www.freedomhall.org.

Mokoomba – Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for the performance on Friday, March 16th by Mokoomba.  The event will take place beginning at 7:30 p.m. Mokoomba is one of Africa’s most exciting young bands to emerge from the African continent in the past 10-15 years. Hailing from Zimbabwe, they are setting dance-floors ablaze with their unique mix of traditional Tonga and pan -African music cultures with dashes of Rap, Ska, Soukous and Afro-Cuban music. Mokoomba has toured more than 40 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Freedom Hall, by phone at 708-747-0580 or online at www.freedomhall.org.

Park Forest Historical Society, 227 Monee Road

Program on ‘The Great Migration’ – Sunday, February 25

The Park Forest Historical Society will host a program on ‘The Great Migration’ on Sunday, February 25 at 2:30 p.m. The program will be held at Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive in DownTown Park Forest. The event is free and open to the public. The Great Migration, the collective movement of millions of African Americans from the South to the cities of the North, Midwest and West between 1916 and 1970, was one of the most remarkable geographical and social upheavals in American history. It changed the way African Americans saw themselves and how they were perceived by others in American society. In this presentation, Dr. David Golland of Governors State University will explore the history and background of the people who participated in the Great Migration, its causes, incidents, and effects. Dr. David Golland is the Associate Professor and Chair of History, Co-chair of American Studies and Coordinator of the Department of Humanities at Governors State University. For additional Information, call Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252 or visit www.parkforesthistory.org.

 “Step Back into a 1950s Valentine’s Day” Exhibit – Through March 7

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum invites you to “Step Back into a 1950s Valentine’s Day,” through March 7. One room represents a classroom in Forest Boulevard School, which was set up in a row of townhomes. The classroom is decorated for a 1950s Valentine’s Day party with crepe paper candy baskets, and construction paper heart-shaped Valentine “mailboxes” on each desk.  Red honeycomb, puffy hearts and vintage Valentines are on display throughout the house. “Boomer Toys & Dolls” exhibit is also on display. 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

The following events are scheduled at the Park Forest Library the week of February 18:

  • Monday, February 19 at 11 a.m. – Sunrise Story Time — Join us for a delightful morning of stories!
  • Monday, February 19 at 12:30 p.m. – Drop-In Craft — Get creative with a variety of crafts and projects on hand. No sign up or registration needed. Just bring your creativity. We’ll do the rest. For ages 12 and under.
  • Monday, February 19 at 3:30 p.m. – kids 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.
  • Monday, February 19 at 4 p.m. — Teen Trivia: Black History Month — Test your Black History knowledge with teens and compete to find out who knows the most! Are you up for the challenge?
  • Tuesday, February 20 at 12:30 p.m. – Getting Started with Microsoft PowerPoint, Part II —  Learn the basics of making a presentation with Microsoft PowerPoint. This program will be a continuation of the previous week’s Digital Literacy program. Registration Required.
  • Tuesday, February 20 at 1 p.m. — Youth Astro Net — Youth ages 9-12 are invited to register for an awesome opportunity to remotely access Harvard telescopes, request images of celestial objects and process images using the same software that astronomers use. Registration is limited and parental consent is required.
  • Tuesday, February 20 at 3:30 p.m. – Kids Art Studio — Drop in and discover your inner artist with one of our guided projects. For ages 12 and under.
  • Tuesday, February 20 at 4 p.m. — Color-Rama! Coloring Circle — Take a load off before starting your homework! Learn different media of art and show your creativity with other teens.
  • Tuesday, February 20 at 6 p.m. – Night Time Storytime — JAM OUT in your PJ’s with stories, crafts, music and more.
  • Wednesday, February 21 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, February 21 at 3:30 p.m. — Kids Color Me Happy — 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, February 21 at 4 p.m. – Adult Coloring — Join us as we spend some time unwinding and relaxing with adult coloring books.
  • Wednesday, February 21 at 4 p.m. – Black History Month Double Feature — Celebrate Black History Month with 2 movies in Teen Tech Zone!
  • Wednesday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m. – Community Craft Swap — Have a collection of craft projects that have lost their inspirational luster and are just collecting dust? Donate gently used craft materials for a community craft swap! Great materials include knitting, crochet, and/or needlework materials, art projects, and more. Maybe you’ll find the craft you’ve been looking for during the exchange.
  • Wednesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m.—Movie Night for Adults — Join us as we watch Marshall.
  • Thursday, February 22 at 11 p.m. – Toddler Art — Bring your imagination and creativity to bring out your inner Picasso through art projects and more. Some projects may involve paint. Ages 3-5.
  • Thursday, February 22 at 3 p.m. – Throwback Thursday Movie Matinee — Join us for movies from various generations. Some movies will be Rated: PG 13
  • Thursday, February 22 at 4:30 p.m. – Season’s Readings Book Club — CHILL OUT with a good book! Join our NEW kids book club for ages 9-12 years old. Free Book with every session.
  • Thursday, February 22 at 5:30 p.m. – Getting Started with Microsoft PowerPoint, Part II —  Learn how to make a presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint. This program will be a continuation of previous week’s Digital Literacy program. Registration Required.
  • Thursday, February 22 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.
  • Friday, February 23 at 3 p.m. – Live Arts — Learn the tricks of the trade during this volunteer art program during which a local artist will create a masterpiece before your eyes.
  • Saturday, February 24 at 1 p.m. – Drop In Craft Day — Get creative with a variety of crafts and projects on hand. No sign up or registration needed. Just bring your creativity. We’ll do the rest.
  • Saturday, February 24 at 1 p.m. — Earth Wise Book Circle: “Birds, Art, Life: A Year in Observation” by Kyo Maclear – Discussion of “Birds, Art, Life…”
  • Sunday, February 25 at 1 p.m. — Morning Pages Circle — Discussion of the book “Your Heart’s Desire Instructions for Creating the Life You Really Want” by Sonia Choquette.

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

Potpourri of Lectures Series – Thursday, February 22

The Potpourri of Lectures series will continue on Thursday, February 22 at 10:30 a.m.  This week’s lecture is “Traditional Medicine: Global Healing Techniques” presented by Rebecca Cerf. The Lecture will be held in the Library’s Ringering Room and is open to the public. For additional information, call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.

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.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

‘Water, Fire, Ice, Earth and Air’ – Through February 24

Tall Grass Arts Association’s exhibit ‘Water, Fire, Ice, Earth and Air’ will run through Saturday, February 24. This exhibit is free and open to the public. This invitational show features artists Elizabeth Busey, Lorna Filippini, Cheryl Holz, Beth Shadur and Valerie Taglieri and includes drawings, paintings and prints inspired by natural forms and forces, concern for the environment, and unexpected methods and materials to represent nature’s elements. Curated by Claudia Craemer.  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.

61st Annual Beaux Arts Ball – Tickets Now on Sale

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walkway in DownTown Park Forest, invites you to its 61st Annual Beaux Arts Ball Fundraiser to benefit the Tall Grass Gallery and school. The Ball will be held at the Lincolnshire Country Club, 390 East Richton Road in Crete (View Map).  Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. with the program and dinner beginning at 7 p.m. followed by music and dancing followed by music and dancing. This year’s honorees are State Representative Al Riley and Barbara and Al Sturges. The evening will include a silent auction as well as a live auction. As in the past, bidding will be done through your cell phone or computer before the close of the auction on March 17 at 9:30 p.m. No electronic device? No problem. Gesture a team member dressed in GREY to make your bid. You can register for the auction and begin bidding on the auction items here. Tickets are $125 per person and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please make reservations no later than Friday, February 23 here or by calling 708-748-3377. For additional information, call 708-748-3377 or email [email protected].

The Drama Group, 339 West 202nd Street, Chicago Heights

‘A New Brain’ – Tickets Now on Sale

The Drama Group is very excited to bring this leading-edge musical ‘A New Brain,’ to the south suburban audience directed by Jeannie Markionni.  Performances will be held at The Drama Group’s Milord Studio Theatre in Chicago Heights on March 9, 10, 15, 16 & 17 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on March 11, 17 & 18 at 2:00 p.m. ‘A New Brain,’ by the Tony-award winning authors of Falsettos, William Finn and James Lapine, is an energetic, sardonic, often comical musical about a composer during a medical emergency. Gordon collapse into his lunch and awakes in the hospital surrounded by his maritime-enthusiast lover, his mother, a co-worker, the doctor and the nurses. Reluctantly, he had been composing music for a children’s television show that features a frog Mr. Bungee and the spectre of this large green character and the unfinished work haunts him throughout his medical ordeal. What was thought to be a tumor turns out to be something more operable and Gordon recovers, grateful for a chance to compose the songs he yearns to produce. Jeannie Markionni has waited years to bring this show to our stage. She has been consumed by the challenge and the joy of creating a new edgy work that is rarely produced by community theatres because of the enormity of talent requirements. Tickets are $21 for adults; $20 for seniors and $15 for students with ID. Group discount rates are also available. Good seats are available. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 708-755-3444 or online here.  For directions and other information, please visit our www.dramagroup.org

 ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ – Tickets Now on Sale

The Drama Group is always pleased to present quality live theatre for children, schools and daycare. This season The Drama Groups’ Children’s Theater brings you the beloved classic, ‘Little Red Riding Hood,’ directed by Charlie Misovye. Performances will be held on March 21, 22 & 23 at 9:30 a.m. and noon; Saturday, March 24 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Sunday, March 25 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $6 in advance; $5 for groups of 25+ and $7 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 708-755-3444. For directions and other information regarding Drama Group activities, please visit www.dramagroup.org.

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

Immigrant Prisons Film Series – Friday, February 23

On Friday, February 23 at 7 p.m., UUCC will screen Brave New Films Immigration Prisons series. A discussion will follow the film screening. The event is free and open to the public. The United States has the biggest immigrant prison system in the world, yet most Americans are unaware of the conditions found in immigrant prisons, and the mistreatment many detained immigrants endure. Brave New Films has hand-selected three short films for this series to change that. With the current surge of anti-immigrant rhetoric, stock in the immigrant prison industry is skyrocketing and more ICE agents are being hired to patrol communities and lock up immigrants. This means more people are being detained every day and forced to live for days, weeks, and even months at a time in unsustainable conditions, all while giant corporations turn a profit. The films ‘Immigrant Prisons,’ ‘Immigrants for Sale,’ and ‘No More Detention: Free Pastor Noe’ will help you to learn more about the immigrant prison industry and how it profits off the detention and suffering of people. These films examine issues related to immigration in the United States that impact undocumented and refugee communities, including DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Free coffee, tea and popcorn will be provided. Bring a snack to share if you wish. Optional donations appreciated. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpr.org.

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

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

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, 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/

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

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

Screening of Documentary Movie ‘Resilience’ – Tuesday, February 20

GSU will screen the documentary movie ‘Resilience’ on Tuesday, February 20 at 6 p.m. A panel discussion will follow the screening. The movie will be shown at GSU’s Sherman Hall, located on the main campus in University Park. Educators from across the south suburbs of Chicago are hosting this free movie viewing that is open to all community members. Researchers have recently discovered a dangerous biological syndrome caused by abuse and neglect during childhood. As the documentary ‘Resilience’ reveals, toxic stress can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at a greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison time, and early death. While the broader impacts of poverty worsen the risk, no segment of society is immune. ‘Resilience,’ however, also chronicles the dawn of a movement that is determined to fight back. Trailblazers in pediatrics, education, and social welfare are using cutting-edge science and field-tested therapies to protect children from the insidious effects of toxic stress—and the dark legacy of a childhood that no child would choose. Seating is limited so be sure to reserve your seat today by calling call 844-432-1800 or online here. Snacks and Light Refreshments will be provided. You can earn credit for 2 clock hours of professional development time from participating in this event. For additional information, contact the Illinois Educators Action Network – South Suburbs 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

PSC’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations – Begin Wednesday, February 21

PSC is welcoming members of each of the communities of the college’s district to campus for an evening of networking, fun, and a chance to learn more about PSC, as part of the college’s 60th anniversary celebrations in 2018. The celebrations are scheduled once per month, and will be held outside the Christopher Art Gallery on the college’s main campus in Chicago Heights. The events are intended to give attendees chance to hear about all the great opportunities the college has to offer our district residents and businesses, and invite them to become a part of the college’s history. Community members will have the opportunity to provide suggestions to PSC administration and staff. Distinguished alumni and community members also will be recognized during the evening celebrations.

Upcoming celebrations include:

  • Glenwood/Lynwood – Wednesday, Feb. 21
  • Steger/South Chicago Heights – Thursday, March 29
  • Olympia Fields/Tinley Park – Thursday, April 12
  • Sauk Village/Ford Heights – Tuesday, May 15
  • Monee/University Park – Thursday, June 28
  • Matteson – Wednesday, July 18
  • Crete/Beecher – Thursday, Aug. 30
  • Richton Park/Park Forest – Wednesday, Sept. 12
  • Hazel Crest/Country Club Hills – Wednesday, Nov. 14

Each event is scheduled from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served, so RSVP’s for the anniversary events are strongly encouraged at https://f8s.co/1wl0. As the college celebrates this special anniversary, we are looking to reconnect with our alumni. If you have ever attended classes at PSC, we want to hear from you. Please visit http://prairiestate.edu/alumni-and-friends and register to hear more about all the anniversary activities planned throughout the year.

‘A War of Conscience: The Internal Fight of Moral Injury’ – Wednesday, February 21

PSC’s Student Veterans Center is presenting ‘A War of Conscience: The Internal Fight of Moral Injury,’ from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m., Wednesday, February 21, in the Barnes & Noble College Auditorium on the college’s main campus in Chicago Heights. The panel discussion will focus on the challenges and critical issues facing many returning U.S. military service members and veterans. Panelists include Otuwatoyin Hines from the Road Home Program with the Center for Veterans and Families at Rush; Carlton Evans, Volunteers of America director of outreach and agency chaplain; and Walidah Bennett, director of the Multi-Faith Veteran Initiative with the Egan Office for Urban Education and Community Partnerships at DePaul University. The event is free and open to the public. Service members, veterans, counselors and the clergy are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Georges Sanon, PSC student veterans center coordinator, at [email protected] or 708-709-3567.

Black History Month Event: Engineering Conflict —Tuesday, February 27

In recognition of Black History Month, PSC is hosting a special guest speaker, Dr. David Stovall of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), who will present “Engineering Conflict: Distractions, Conflict and the Future of Black Life,” from noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27. Dr. Stovall’s presentation is free and open to the public, and will be held in the Barnes & Noble College Auditorium on the college’s main campus in Chicago Heights. Stovall will discuss concrete examples of the challenges and contradictions of dealing with conflict and distractions central to education. A panel discussion focusing on the relevance of these lessons for students, community and families, as well as educational leaders and teachers of all subjects and grade levels will follow Stovall’s presentation. Stovall is a professor of educational policy and African-American studies at UIC. His research interests include critical race theory, the relationship between housing and education, the intersection of race, place and school and the relationship between schools and community stakeholders. The event is supported by PSC TRiO Student Support Services and Male Success Initiate (MSI), as well as the MSI program at Governors State University. For more information, visit www.prairiestate.edu/msi-events.

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 Sierra Club Group, Matteson

Backpacking the John Muir Trail – Monday, February 12

The next meeting of the Sauk-Calumet Sierra Club Group will be on Monday, February 12th, at the Frankfort Public Library, 21119 Pfeiffer Rd. in Frankfort at 7:15 pm. The program will highlight a father-daughter team who backpacked the John Muir Trail in California this past summer.  Mel Tracy and his 17-year-old daughter Molly will share slides and tell tales of their joy-filled 250-mile backpack trip hiking north on California’s John Muir Trail from 30 miles south of Mt. Whitney to Yosemite Valley.   Their 3 week experience included snow, then floodwaters, and finally fire danger. All meetings are open to members and the general public.  For more info or for questions about the Club and its activities email Patrick Coffey at [email protected].

Thorn Creek Audubon Society, Park Forest

Audubon 2018 Photo Awards Contest – Entries Accepted Through April 9

The National Audubon Society, in association with Nature’s Best Photography, announces its annual bird photography contest: the 2018 Audubon Photography Awards. Judges include birding legend Kenn Kaufman and 2015 Grand Prize winner Melissa Groo, as well as Allen Murabayashi, chairman and cofounder of PhotoShelter. Winning photographs will be published in Audubon magazine and Nature’s Best Photography magazine, and they will also be displayed within the 2018 Nature’s Best Photography Exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.  More information on the contest, prizes, and submission guidelines can be at www.audubon.org/photoawards.

Categories:

  • Professional (individuals currently earning $5,000 or more per year selling photography)
  • Amateur (individuals currently earning less than $5,000 per year selling photography)
  • Youth (individuals aged 13 to 17 who are making less than $5,000 a year selling photography; children 12 years old or younger are not eligible)

Entry Period:

January 8 – April 9, 2018.

Entry Fees:

  • $15 per image from 12:00 p.m. EST on January 8 through 11:59 a.m. EST on April 2
  • $20 per image from 12:00 p.m. EST on April 2 through 11:59 p.m. EST on April 9
  • No fee for Youth category entries or entries submitted via the mail
  • No limit to number of images submitted

Contest Prizes:

  • Grand Prize: $5,000 USD
  • Professional Prize: $2,500 USD
  • Amateur Prize: $2,500 USD
  • Youth Prize: Six days at Audubon’s Hog Island Audubon Camp (Arts and Birding/Photography Track) on July 8–13, 2018 for the winner and one parent/legal guardian.

How to Enter:

Judges will score eligible photographs using the following criteria: a) Technical Quality (30 percent); b) Originality (30 percent); and c) Artistic Merit (40 percent). Judges include:

  • Kevin Fisher, creative director, National Audubon Society
  • Steve Freligh, publisher, Nature’s Best Photography
  • Melissa Groo, wildlife photographer and 2015 grand prize winner
  • Kenn Kaufman, bird expert and Audubon field editor
  • Sabine Meyer, photography director, National Audubon Society
  • Allen Murabayashi, chairman and cofounder, PhotoShelter

For more information on the Audubon Photography Awards, please read the contest rules and Frequently Asked Questions. Last year’s winners can be found here. Contest begins January 8, 2018 and ends April 9, 2018. Must be at least 13 years of age and a legal resident of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or Canada (excluding Quebec) to enter. Entrants under the age of majority must get permission from their parent or legal guardian to enter. Subject to Official Rules, which will be posted 1/8/2018. Void where prohibited.

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 SpotPeotone Police DepartmentNew Lenox Township
Richton Park Village Hall208 E. Main Street1100 S. Cedar Road
4455 Sauk Trail (Located along Latonia Lane)1st & 3rd Wednesdays2nd & 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 weekClosed on HolidaysClosed on Holidays

For additional information, visit www.countygreen.com.

Healthy Living

ACLU of Illinois

Tele-Town Hall on Reproductive Rights — Thursday, March 1

January 2018 marks the 45th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Roe v. Wade – a decision that freed women across the United States to make the most important decision in life: if and when to become a parent. In the four-plus decades since the court issued its decision, we have seen two things happen. Women have advanced in our society – in business and industry, education, and in a host of other spheres. And, we have seen anti-abortion advocates conspire and scheme to undermine this fundamental right. What have we learned during the past 45 years, and what is the current state of reproductive freedom in the United States and here in Illinois? Get answers to these and other questions by joining me for a phone conversation on Thursday, February 1 with my colleague, Lorie Chaiten, director of the ACLU of Illinois Women and Reproductive Rights Project. RSVP today! Participants will receive a call from Stones Phones, our communication technology partner at the start of the event. When you answer the call, you will be connected to the tele-town hall. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions to a moderator during the call by using the touchtone keypad on your phone. We hope you are able to join us for this celebration of 45 years under Roe and a look at our work ahead. For additional information, visit: ACLU of Illinois.

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

Knights of Columbus, Park Forest

Annual Fish Fry – Through March 23

The Knights of Columbus want you to know they have dinner for you on Fridays during Lent. Their annual Fish Fry will begin at St. Irenaeus Gym, 78 Cherry Street, Park Forest February 16. The rest of the calendar for this year’s feasts include February 23, and March 2, 9, 16, and 23. The menu includes all you can eat fish for $9.00, or six pieces of shrimp for $9.00. A combo meal with two fish and three shrimp costs $11.00. Soda or water are $1.00 each. All meals include mac & cheese, green beans, cole slaw, bread and butter. Coffee and tea are complimentary. Food is served between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Carry-outs are available, and there’s usually a 50-50 raffle or two or three happening each evening.

League of Women Voters Park Forest Area

Candidate Forum for 38th Congressional District State Representative – Sunday, February 18

The League of Women Voters will host a Candidate Forum for the 38th Congressional District State Representative on Sunday, February 18 at 2 p.m. The Forum will be held at the Matteson Community Library, 701 School Avenue in Matteson. The event is open to the public. Come out and meet the candidates to find out where they stand on important issues in a written question and answer format with moderator. The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters, and the League of Women Voters of the Homewood-Flossmoor and Park Forest Area. For additional information contact Diane Hodges at [email protected] or Barbara Moore at 708-481-5251. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed 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 be a member. For more information visit lwvpfa.org

National Student Walkout

Walkouts to Protest Against Political Complacency About Gun Violence – Friday, April 20

As families continue to grieve and hold funerals for the 17 victims of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Fla., students and educators are calling for a nationwide day of action including school walkouts to protest lawmakers’ deadly inaction on gun control legislation. The day set for the actions is Friday, April 20, which will be the 19th anniversary of the massacre at Columbine High School. The Twitter account National School Walkout, which was started Friday, declares, “We are the students, we are the victims, we are change.” The April 20 walkout, it says, will be “polite, passionate, plea for peace.” A Change.org petition, which has gathered over 6,100 signatures as of this writing, and is linked to the Twitter account, says, “There has been too much complacency on the part of politicians when it comes to gun violence. The time to act is now!” A web page calling for pledges to commit to an April 20 action and sponsored by the Network for Public Education, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, and other organizations says, “The failure to enact rational laws around the purchase of guns that are designed for mass shootings is inexcusable. The time to act is now. Every child deserves to learn in a school that is safe.” A separate nationwide walkout event sponsored by organizers of the Women’s March is scheduled for March 14. Rather than a day-long event, that action is scheduled to take place “for 17 minutes at 10am across every time zone … to protest Congress’ inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods.” On Twitter the National School Walkout explains, “For those of you concerned on the separate dates of our protest and @womensmarch ‘s. We agree that there is strength in numbers. That is why we have contacted them and are waiting for their response. We all would prefer a full day to 17 minutes.”

Park Forest Commission on Human Relations

Black History Month Program – Saturday, February 24

The 2018 Black History Month program is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard. The Commission on Human Relations is sponsoring a program titled “Superman, Blackman, Me”. It is a one-man program written and acted by Jonathan Kitt who is a 2010 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. He is also currently a professor of theatre at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta Georgia. The show is open to the public and free of charge. For more details, visit the Village web site www.villageofparkforest.com or the lobby of Village Hall.

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, February 26

The Park Forest Toastmasters Club will meet on Tuesday, February 26 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.

Park Forest Youth Baseball

2018 Park Forest Baseball Registration – In Progress

Registration is now open for the 2018 baseball season for Park Forest Youth Baseball. Families with kids ages 4 to 14 who might be interested can visit Park Forest Baseball online to learn more details about the upcoming season. Their web site is www.pf-baseball.club or calls can be directed to 708-627-0586.

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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