Local

In and Around Park Forest Week of January 9, 2012


Scorched wetlands and bird houses
The wetlands lie scorched, with two birdhouses barely surviving Thursday’s inferno. Anyone with information regarding the Central Park Wetlands blaze is asked to contact the PFFD. (Photo: ENEWSPF)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—January 9, 2012. While everyone has been busy with the holidays, the Park Forest Baseball Board of Directors has been preparing for the 2012 baseball season. Registration for the 2012 Season, which has been in existence for 60 years, kicks off on Saturday, January 14 at Village Hall from noon to 4 p.m.

Also, many small business owners are in a quandary over how the Health Care Reform Act will impact them during 2012 and in the future. The Park Forest Economic Development’s January Business Breakfast will feature an informative presentation by Micheael E. Wocik, Senior Vice President of the Horton Group that will help you prepare. The breakfast will be held on Wednesday, January 25 at Dining on the Green in DownTown Park Forest.

For additional information about thess events, see the ‘This & That’ section below.

If your club, organization or local business will be holding activities or events in our community during the upcoming week, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with the details. Submission deadline is noon on Friday of each week.

Village of Park Forest

Public Planning Workshop on Implementation of 211th Street Transit-Oriented Development Plan – Wednesday, January 11
The Villages of Park Forest, Matteson, and Olympia Fields have recognized the need to further examine implementation of the proposed 2007 Transit-Oriented Development plan to ensure that future development reflects the communities’ goals and objectives. Your input is valuable and important to the success of this project. Come join us in an engaging hands-on Public Workshop with fellow community members, where we will review the current status of the project and begin to identify community desires for streetscape styles, amenities, and the physical character of the area. The Public Planning Workshop will be held on Wednesday, January 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street, Park Forest. To learn more, review available documents, and provide comments visit: www.landvision.com/211thStreetTOD. For additional information, comments, questions and to RSVP, call Hildy Kingma, Director of Economic Development and Planning, Village of Park Forest at 708-283-5622 or e-mail [email protected].

Village of Park Forest Advisory Board & Commission Meetings

The following Park Forest Commissions and Advisory Board will meet the week of January 9:

  • Tuesday, January 10 at 7 p.m. – Youth Commission
  • Tuesday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m. – Commission on Human Relations

The meetings will take place at Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Dr. Residents are encouraged to attend.

Village Hall Closure – Monday, January 16

Park Forest Village Hall will be closed on Monday, January 16th in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Green Events

Village of Park Forest

Village of Park Forest Sustainability Plan

In April of this year, the Village of Park Forest was selected by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to participate in a local technical assistance program for the purpose of creating a Sustainability Plan. CMAP received a three-year $4.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to implement their adopted regional comprehensive plan, GO TO 2040. They are using this grant to fund around 60 local planning projects throughout the Chicago Metropolitan Area that will be instrumental in the implementation of the GO TO 2040 Plan. CMAP staff assistance is being provided to prepare the Sustainability Plan at no cost to the Village. A Sustainability Assessment has been developed over the past several months. The next step in developing the Sustainability Plan is to develop strategies to help implement the Vision and Goals contained in the Sustainability Assessment. The public’s input is needed to ensure that this step in the Plan reflects the community’s desires for a sustainable community. To that end, all residents and Park Forest business owners are invited to participate in a public assessment tool. This survey will take should take no more than 15 minutes to complete, unless you have a lot of input to share. Please use the following link to access the assessment tool – http://parkforest.metroquest.com/

Share this information with your Park Forest friends and family. This assessment will be available through March 2012. If you have any questions about the Sustainability Plan process, please feel free to contact Hildy Kingma, AICP, Director of Economic Development and Planning. Hildy can be reached at [email protected] or 708-283-5622.

To learn more about the Sustainability Plan Project, visit: http://www.villageofparkforest.com.

Park Forest Environment Commission & Park Forest Garden Club ‘Natural Lawn Care Basics’ – Save the Date

The Park Forest Environment Commission and Park Forest Garden Club invite you to attend a free educational forum on ‘Natural Lawn Care Basics’ that will be held on Saturday, February 4 at 10 a.m. in the Ringering Room of the Park Forest Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard. Speaker Rachel Rosenberg, Executive Director of Safer Pest Control Project, will help you to discover the health and environmental impacts of conventionally maintained lawns and the benefits of a natural lawn care approach. A status report on the 2012 Park Forest Community Garden project will also be provided. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call Rosemary Piser at 708-747-1991.

Arts & Entertainment

Village of Park Forest Community Relations

‘Battle of the South Suburbs’ – Tickets Now on Sale

The ‘Battle of the South Suburbs,’ formerly known as Park Forest Idols, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd., Park Forest. Tickets are $5 in advance of the event, and $10 at the door and are available at Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. Get your tickets early as the event sold out early last year. For additional information, call Evelyn Sterling at 708-283-5621 or e-mail [email protected].

Village of Park Forest Recreation & Parks Department, Park Forest

February Senior Trip to Art Institute of Chicago & High Tea at Drake Hotel – Registration Deadline Monday, January 23

The Senior Trip to the Art Institute of Chicago and High Tea at the Drake Hotel will be held on Wednesday, February 1. From popular Rembrandt masterpieces to recent works by lesser-known artists, the Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest art collections in the world. You will have 2 hours to explore the museum on your own. Or you may also take this as an opportunity to visit the shops or sights of Chicago during the Art Institute timeframe or grab a light snack before tea on your own. Following the Art Institute, at 2 pm, we will journey to the historic Drake Hotel for High Tea in the renowned Palm Court. Hear the heavenly sounds of a live harp while enjoying a traditional English afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, fruit breads, scones and French pastries. The trip is $65 per person and includes roundtrip transportation departing at 10:30 a.m. from Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd., and returning at approximately 5 p.m. Registration deadline is Monday, January 23 – but don’t wait as these trips fill up fast and seating is limited. For additional information or to register by phone with a credit card, call 708-748-2005 or sign up in person at the Recreation & Parks desk at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive.

Park Forest Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest

The following events will be held this week at the Park Forest Library:

  • Tuesday, January 10 at 7:15 p.m. – Tuesday Evening Book Discussion ‘The Buddha in the Attic’ by Julie Otsuka
  • Saturday, January 14 at 1 p.m. – ‘I Have a Dream’ Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance
  • Saturday, January 14 at 2 p.m. – Day of Service: Lap Quilts/Pillows for the Senior Center – Ages 8 and up

For more information or to register for these events, call the Park Forest Library’s Youth Services Department at 708-748-3731.

Library Closure – Sunday & Monday, January 15 & 16

The Park Forest Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, January 15 and 16 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Illinois Theatre Center, 371 Artists Walkway, Park Forest

‘Broke-Ology’ by Nathan Louis Jackson –Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for Nathan Louis Jackson’s ‘Broke-Ology’ which will open on January 27 and run through February 12. This exciting new play is a stirring portrait of an African-American family. When a college student returns to his Kansas City home to help his brother care for their ill father, they find themselves strangely at odds. The New York Time described it as ‘A moving exploration of how time and circumstance – and the hard fact of poverty – can diminish hope, divide loving siblings, and ultimately extinguish life itself.” Tickets are priced at $22 and $20. There is a $1 discount for students and seniors. For additional information, show times, or to purchase tickets, call 708- 481-3510 or visit www.ilthctr.org.

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

‘Orchestral Landscapes’ – Saturday, January 14

On January 14, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at the Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center, 19900 S Harlem Ave, Frankfort, David Danzmayr, Conductor and Marie Christine Klettner, Violin will perform Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, (Fingal’s Cave) Op. 26, Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, and Symphony No. 5 in D major/D minor (Reformation), Op. 107. After three seasons with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Austrian David Danzmayr, leads the IPO with violinist Marie Christine Klettner. Danzmayr offers authoritative interpretations of three works spanning Mendelssohn’s mature period. The Hebrides overture paints an orchestral landscape of the composer’s honeymoon visit to Scotland’s Fingal’s Cave. Miss Klettner, a winner of the Louis Spohr Competition for Young Violinists, is sure to dazzle in the Violin Concerto, one of classical music’s most perfect compositions. After intermission, the powerful Reformation Symphony evokes a flood of profound emotion culminating in a glorious “Amen.”

Tickets are priced at $50, $40, and $30 and can be purchased at: https://secure.ticketsage.net. For additional information, call 708-481-7774.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artist Walk, Park Forest

‘African Expressions’ Art and Artifacts of Africa – Opens January 20

‘African Expressions,’ an exhibit featuring arts and artifacts of Africa, will open on Friday, January 20 and run through March 18. The exhibit will feature Neolithic artifacts through 20th century sculpture, metal work, figurative wood sculpture and prestige items. A reception will be held on Friday, February 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. For Gallery hours or additional information, call 708-748-3377 or visit: www.tallgrassarts.org.

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

Edgar’s Places’ 20th Anniversary Featuring Tim Grimm – Saturday, January 14

On Saturday, January 14 at 8 p.m., help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Edgar’s Place located in the UUCC, 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest. Singer/Songwriter and actor, Tim Grimm, will be the featured performer. Tim has performed in theaters, coffeehouses and festivals around the United States. Opening act is Moose River, whose members are Edgar’s founders, husband and wife Steve (vocals, guitar) and Kendra (percussion). Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Edgar’s Place is a fundraiser for UUCC. For additional information, call 708-481.5339.

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

‘Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits’ – January 13, 14, & 15

The Southland Area Theatre Ensemble’s ‘Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits’ is bringing hilarious spoofs of classic musical theater to GSU’s Center for Performing Arts for three performances on Friday, January 13 at 8 p.m., Saturday, January 14 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, January 15 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 and all seating is on the GSU Center stage for this cabaret-style performance. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 708-235-2222 or visit www.centertickets.net.

‘Tad in 5th City’ – Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for ‘Tad in 5th City’ which will be performing on Saturday, January 21 at 8 p.m. ‘Tad in 5th City’ tells the story about African-American life on Chicago’s West Side in 1978. It is an unflinching depiction of poverty paired with genuine warmth. Tickets are priced at $49, $39, $34, $30 and $28 for students. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 708-235-2222 or visit www.centertickets.net.

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

‘Ways of Making: Photography’ – Through Friday, February 3

The Visual Arts Gallery at GSU is currently presenting ‘Ways of Making: Photography,’ featuring the work of artists Myra Green and Cecil McDonald, Jr. through Friday, February 3. A closing reception celebrating the exhibition will be held on Thursday, February 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public. The Visual Arts Gallery is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and by appointment. For additional information, call 708-534-4021 or visit www.govst.edu/gallery.

Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights

‘I Shall Be Released’ Regional Juried Exhibit – Opens Wednesday, January 11

‘I Shall Be Released’ a Regional juried exhibit will open on Wednesday, January 11 and run through Saturday, February 11. An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, January 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both the exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public. For additional information or Gallery hours, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.

The Sculpture of Howard Haarer & Rob Millard-Mendez – Opens Wednesday, January 11

The sculpture of Howard Haarer and Rob Millard-Mendez will be exhibited from Wednesday, January 11 through Saturday, February 11. An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, January 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both the exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public. For additional information or Gallery hours, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

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

Forums on Jewish/Palestine Conflict Continues – Sunday, January 15

UUCC continues its series of free forums on the Jewish/Palestine conflict on Sunday, January 15 beginning at 11:30 a.m. ‘Palestine and Israel: A Palestinian-American View’ will be presented by Anna Mustafa, an active participant in Jewish/Palestinian dialogue groups. For additional information, call 708-277-5923.

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

CenterPoint Offers January Workshops on Starting Businesses – Begin Monday, January 9

CenterPoint at GSU is sponsoring six ‘Starting a Business in Illinois’ workshops in January for Chicago Southland residents. The free two-hour workshops focus on personal, financial, and legal aspects of starting a business. Participants will learn what steps to take and what resources are available to assist new business owners succeed in today’s challenging economic climate. Workshops will be presented on:

  • Monday, January 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Old Plank Trail Bank, 20901 S. LaGrange Rd., Frankfort.
  • Thursday, January 12 at 9 a.m. at Lemont Village Hall, 481 Main Street, Lemont.
  • Monday, January 16 at 7 p.m. at the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave., Oak Lawn.
  • Wednesday, January 18 at 9 a.m. at the Kallsen Center in Tinley Park Village Hall, 16250 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park.
  • Monday, January 23 at 1p.m. at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st St., Palos Heights.
  • Tuesday, January 31 at 6:30 p.m. n the Home Glen Public Library, 14320 W. 151st St., Home Glen.

For additional information, call 708-534-4927 or visit: www.centerpointgsu.com.

The Adult Learning Exchange (T.A.L.E.) Announces Winter 2012 Schedule

T.A.L.E. will hold four classes as part of its Winter 2012 Schedule. Classes will be given on Fridays, January 13 through March 2 at GSU.
Scheduled Friday morning classes are:

  • ‘A History of Ancient Rome’ with facilitators Myras and Linda Osman, 10 a.m. to 12 Noon
  • Film Series: ‘Remarkable Remakes V’ with facilitator Suzanne Patterson, 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon

Friday Afternoon classes at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. will be:

  • ‘Great Decisions’ with facilitators Winifred DeLoache and Joan Adams
  • ‘Music of the 20th Century: Part II’ with facilitators Kathy Kemp and Suzanne Patterson.

T.A.L.E. is a partnership program of JCC Chicago and GSU. These programs are designed to provide an opportunity for adults in the greater South Suburban and Northwest Indiana region to find pleasure in intellectual challenges and the acquisition and sharing of knowledge. For an application, additional information, questions about the courses or the program itself, please call Suzanne Patterson at 708-420-0563 or e-mail [email protected].

Reading Tutoring Available at GSU

GSU’s Graduate Program in Reading is sponsoring The Literacy Zone, a reading tutorial program for students in grades six through high school, on Tuesdays from January 24 through April 17 from 4:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This 12-week, one-to-one program brings students experiencing reading problems together with teachers who have the skills to help them. Students meet on the GSU campus with certified, experienced teachers enrolled in the Master of Arts Reading Program at GSU. Enrollment is limited and based on the number of tutors. Students will be accepted in the order in which the completed application and registration fee are received. There is a $70 registration fee. Snacks are provided at each session. Transportation is not provided.

For additional information or to register, call 708-534-4122 or e-mail [email protected].

Job Search Assistance Every Tuesday At GSU

The Mobile Workforce Center’s mobile unit will be at GSU every Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., parked near the university’s front entrance. Center services include resume development, access to online job boards and websites, instruction in how to conduct an online job search and improve keyboarding skills, and assistance of staff. The center is equipped with 11 computer stations with Internet access, printer, and copy machines, and is wheelchair accessible. Services are free and available to residents in all counties.

For additional information, contact the Workforce Services Division of Will County at 815-727-4980.

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

‘Boots to Books’ Student Veteran Orientation – Wednesday, January 11

PSC is hosting ‘Boots to Books: The Transition from Military Life to College Life,’ a student veteran orientation, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, in room 1240 of the main campus. All first-time or returning student veterans are invited to attend the event, which will include presentations by Mary Reaves, Vice President of Student Affairs; Carissa Davis, Coordinator of Veterans Affairs and Scholarship Advisor; and a representative from Counseling and Advising. Attendees also will be taken on a tour of the newly established Student Veterans Center on campus led by the Student Veterans Center Coordinator and U.S. Army veteran Robert James. For additional information about the event or the Student Veterans Center at PSC, call 708-709-3567 or e-mail [email protected].

Opt In to Technology at PSC

You can bridge the gap between technology and a new you at PSC’s new Opt In program that consists of two computer training centers and free classes to teach basic technological skills. One location is at the Adult Training and outreach Center in Room A145 at PSC’s main campus. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The other location is at the Matteson Area Center’s Computer Training Lab located at 4821 Southwick Dr., Matteson. Hours for this location are Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. No matter what skill level you have or want to have, Opt In can help. Both computer labs and on-site tutors are free and open to the public. For additional information, call Lisa Zeigler at 708-709-3548 or e-mail [email protected].

Rich Township Free Basic Computer Classes for Adults

Rich Township is offering free basic computer skill classes for adults every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Leonard Robinson Family Services Center, 22013 Governors Highway, Richton Park. Participants will learn Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet skills, résumé building skills, and more. Classes are open only to residents of Rich Township. For additional information, call Mark Mason or Joe Moran at 708-748-6722.

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.

Shirley J. Green Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest

Senior Citizen Weekday Lunch

Senior citizens of all income levels are invited to lunch weekdays at the Community Nutrition Network (CNN) site located inside the Rich Township’s Shirley J. Green Senior Center. The CNN site is open to all south suburban residents, including those living outside of Rich Township. Participants must be 60 years of age or older. The suggested donation for lunch is $2.50. Lunch is served Monday through Friday at noon. Bingo begins at 11 a.m. For additional information or to make a reservation for lunch, call 708-747-2700.

Park Forest Health Department, 350 Victory Drive (lower level)

Walk-In Flu & Pneumonia Clinic

On Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. flu and pneumonia immunizations will be available while supplies last. For fee information or questions, call the Park Forest Health Department at 708-748-1118.

Babies, Teens and Adults Immunization Clinics

Babies, teens and adult immunization and flu and pneumonia clinics will be held on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details or to schedule an appointment, call 708-748-1118. The Health Department is a low cost provider for children and adult immunizations.

Blood Pressure Screening

A free Blood Pressure Clinic is held at the Park Forest Health Department Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Elevated blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Walk in or call ahead at 708-748-1118.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)

Assistance With Medications & Health Services

If you, or someone you know, are struggling to pay for medications every month, they may be able to get the medicines they need for free or almost free through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. If you live in Illinois, you can get access to more than 475 public and private programs 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.

This & That

Park Forest Baseball

Registration for 2012 Season – Begins Saturday, January 14

Registration for Park Forest Baseball’s 2012 Season kicks off on Saturday, January 14 at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive from noon to 4 p.m. Registration will also be held at the same location and times on Saturday, February 11 and Saturday, March 3. There will also be registration held on Saturday, January 28 and Saturday, February 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Village Hall. Players are required to furnish a birth certificate. Fees vary by division, with a refundable participation fee of $25 and a fundraising requirement of selling one box of candy. A complete uniform is provided and teams play approximately 20 games during the season. Park Forest Baseball is part of the Greater South Suburban Baseball League, which is made up of Hazel Crest, Richton Park, Glenwood, University Park, OTYA, Matteson, Matteson-Olympia Fields, Chicago Heights, and South Chicago Heights. For additional information, call Alan or Mary Kay Joens at 708-503-1944 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ParkForestBaseball.org.

Village of Park Forest Economic Development, 350 Victory Dr., Park Forest

Park Forest January Business Breakfast – RSVP by Friday, January 20

The Park Forest January Business Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, January 25 beginning at 8 a.m. at Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street, DownTown Park Forest. Micheael E. Wojcik, Senior Vice President of the Horton Group, will give an informative presentation that will assist with preparing your business for the coming years regarding the Health Care Reform Act. This free event includes a complimentary full breakfast. Please RSVP by Friday, January 20 online at http://www.villageofparkforest.com/index.php?src=news&refno=965&category=News , by phone at 708-283-5671, or e-mail [email protected].

Faith United Protestant Church, 10 Hemlock St., Park Forest

Free Java Tuesdays

All are invited to Faith United Protestant Church for FREE Java Tuesdays. Visitors are asked to go to the Indianwood Boulevard side entrance between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. for free curbside service or to come and sit a bit. The event will continue each Tuesday as a form of outreach to the community throughout the summer and fall. For more information, call 708-747-1330.

Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 S. Orchard, Park Forest

W.O.M.E.N. Community Outreach – Saturday, January 14

On Saturday, January 14 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Calvary United Protestant Church, women of the South Suburban area are invited to attend W.O.M.E.N. W.O.M.E.N. is open to women of the community to work as a peer spiritual support group of women. It is a time to eat, share and discuss issues that affect the female gender of all ages. Each participant will receive an opportunity to win a gift certificate to Tender Care Day Care in Park Forest for children ages 4 years to 12 years. For additional information or to reserve your spot, please call 708-748-6261. This event is held on the second Saturday of each month.

Garden Club of Park Forest

"A Gardener’s Cookbook"

To celebrate their 55th anniversary, the Park Forest Garden Club offers this cookbook filled with memories, gardening tips, flowery sayings and of course recipes. Makes a great gift. All proceeds go to the club and are used toward community contributions. Cookbooks are $9 and are available at the Park Forest Recreation and Parks Department, 350 Victory Drive. Call 708-748-2005 for additional information.

Rotary Club of Park Forest

The Rotary Club of Park Forest urges you to purchase a Golden Opportunities 2012 book to help support its youth activities. Books are only $25 and are now available for purchase at the Park Forest Library, 400 Lakewood Blvd.

Donate Unused Air Miles to Support Families of Wounded Servicemembers

"Operation Hero Miles" collects unused frequent flyer miles to help military families visit service members who were injured in Iraq or Afghanistan and are recovering in military hospitals around the world. Airline partners are: AirTran, Alaska Airlines, American, Frontier, Midwest, Northwest, United, and US Airways. To donate airline miles, visit www.FisherHouse.org.

Donate to Troops Serving Abroad

The Village of Park Forest is currently seeking the names and addresses of local military personnel currently serving overseas so that they may receive packaged donations from Park Forest residents. If you are a Park Forest resident and have a family member from your household currently deployed or if you have recently returned from a tour of duty, please call Judi Lancaster at 708-283-5608 or stop by the Manager’s Office at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive.

Greening of Park Forest

Sertoma Centre, Inc., 4343 W. 123rd St., Alsip

Recycle Unused Wheelchairs

If you have a used motorized wheelchair that you no longer need and would like to help a person with a disability, the Sertoma Centre will accept your donation. Contact Melanie Jones at 708-730-6206 for additional information.

South Suburban Family Shelter Used Cell Phone Collection Drive

South Suburban Family Shelter (SSFS) is seeking cell phone donations for their ongoing fundraising program. Proceeds from the collection fund the critical programs and services provided to families who experience domestic violence. All victim services are provided free of charge and are available in English and Spanish. Cell phone collection sites currently include:

  • SSFS Administrative Office, 18139 Harwood, Homewood, IL
  • Bergstein’s NY Deli, 200 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights, IL
  • Doyle Designed Salon, 2630 Flossmoor Rd., Flossmoor, IL

All donations are tax deductible and receipts are available at collection sites. For more information about SSFS or the fundraising drive, please contact Ms. Meilach at 708-794-2140, extension 303.

Local Recycling Resources and Proper Disposal of Unused Medicine

Do you have old televisions, computers, video games or other electronics or household appliances that need to be recycled? Want to know how to properly dispose of old or unused medication? Click on the "Recycling" icon found on the top of eNews Park Forest and you will find useful information on proper recycling/disposal that will not only be good for the environment, but in some cases, earn you a few dollars as well.

Safe Disposal Program – Bio-waste

The Park Forest Health Department and Environment Commission have partnered to provide information on the proper disposal of bio-waste such as used syringes or lancets (medical sharps). Begin by purchasing a Sharps container to dispose of your medical sharps for $10 at the Park Forest Health Department. Return the filled container to the Park Forest Health Department and purchase a new container. Call Brenda Walker at 708-748-1118 for more information.

Recycle Used Cell Phones and Cell Phone Accessories

The Rotary Club of Park Forest is conducting a used cell phone and accessory collection drive to benefit the families and programs of the South Suburban Family Shelter. Donated items can be placed in the collection box located in the lobby of Village Hall. For more information, call Denyse Carreras at 708-283-5603.

Sources: Park Forest 2011 Autumn Recreation Programs & More Brochure, 2011/2012 Park Forest Fall/Winter Calendar, Park Forest ‘Discover’ magazine, Rich Township Report, Park Forest Historical Society, Village of Park Forest, Governors State University, Prairie State College, Center for Performing Arts, South Suburban Family Shelter, Park Forest Historical Society, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Illinois Theatre Center, Sertoma Centre, Inc., Union Street Gallery, Monkey Mind Art Studio, Thorn Creek Audubon Society, and Tall Grass Arts Association websites.


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