In and Around Park Forest Week of July 6, 2015

70,000 people packed Soldier Field in Chicago for each night of the final “Grateful Dead” concerts. (Photo: Shawn Carroll)

More pictures from the Grateful Dead concert here. Join us on Facebook!

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—July 6, 2015. To honor the men and women who have answered the call to serve our country, Representative Anthony DeLuca will be hosting a free Veterans’ Appreciation Picnic on Friday, July 10 at Veterans Memorial Park in Homewood. Representative DeLuca is holding this event to show his appreciation for those who’ve contributed to our community as a member of the armed services. There will be food prepared and served by local fire fighters. Space is limited so RSVP as soon as possible. Complete information about the event can be found in the ‘This & That’ section.

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

Village Board Meetings – Saturday, July 11

The Board of Trustees will hold a Saturday, Morning Rules meeting on July 11 at 10 a.m. The meetings will be held at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive.  Residents are encouraged to attend. Board meetings air live on cable access channels (Channel 4 for Comcast subscribers and Channel 99 for AT&T subscribers) as well as.

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 July 6:

• Tuesday, July 7 – Plan Commission
• Thursday, July 9 at 1 p.m. – Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
• Thursday, July 9 at 7 p.m. – Environment Commission

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

Volunteers Needed to Serve as Commissioners

The Boards and Commissions of the Village of Park Forest consist of residents who volunteer to serve on specific committees, which provide insights to the Board of Trustees. These valuable insights assist the elected officials in the decision-making process as they look to implement policies that best suit the needs of residents. Recently, Mayor Ostenburg and the Board of Trustees took official action to establish a Park Forest Veterans Commission. The Park Forest Veterans Commission aims to study all matters impacting the quality of life for area veterans in the hopes of again making Park Forest a community of first choice for servicemen and women. Additionally, the Commission will report findings, make recommendations to elected officials, and assist in the coordination of veterans programming. The Veterans Commission will consist of the following:

• Nine members of the community will make-up the commission.
• Appointees will be representative of veterans serving as far back as World War II up to present-day conflicts.
• Appointments will be in staggered three-year terms. Original appointments to the Veterans Commission will include three appointments to one-year terms, three appointments to two-year terms, and three appointments to three-year terms.
• A chairperson and vice chairperson shall be appointed annually.

To learn more about the Veterans, or other Park Forest Commissions, or if you would like to volunteer to serve, visit: http://www.villageofparkforest.com/index.aspx?nid=145.

Arts & Entertainment

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

‘Shrek the Musical’ – Tickets Now on Sale

The Crete-Monee Enrichment Program will present ‘Shrek the Musical’ at the Center for Performing Arts on Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m.; Saturday, July 25 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this Tony Award-winning fairytale adventure features all new songs and brings all the beloved characters from the film to life on stage. The tale features an unlikely hero – Shrek, an ogre, who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a “short” tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got a mess that calls for a real hero like Shrek. Irreverent fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is in the eye of the ogre. View Cast List. Tickets are $15 and $20 for Students. BUY TICKETS. For additional information, visit: http://www.govst.edu/About/Center_for_Performing_Arts.

DePaul University Art Museum, 935 West Fullerton, Chicago

‘Liminal Infrastructure’ – Through August 9

A massive shipping container rolled through Chicago last fall, but instead of carrying cargo, it was taking stunning photographs of the city and its surrounding waterways. The resulting images are part of the exhibition, ‘Liminal Infrastructure,’ that will be on display at the DePaul Art Museum through August 9. Organized in collaboration with the Chicago Humanities Festival, the photographs were created using one of the world’s largest pinhole cameras, the Liminal Camera, by artists Lauren Bon, Richard Nielsen and Tristan Duke during their exploration of the Great Lakes region last October. The exhibition will include large-scale photographs of the Chicago landscape, measuring up to 8 feet on the longest side, according to Harris. The dramatic proportions are uniquely suited for extreme horizontal and vertical photos. Perfect for the prairie city that gave birth to the skyscraper, he said. The photos on display are part of the latest chapter of the Liminal Camera’s expedition across the Great Lakes region. During the Chicago Humanities Festival last fall, the artists invited people inside the Liminal Camera to experience the camera obscura technique in action and to see how they perform the photographic process. On May 14 at 4:30 p.m., the artists will recount their experience and unveil the photographs they took with the Liminal Camera in and around Chicago last fall. A public reception will follow beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event is part of the Chicago Humanities Festival 2015 spring schedule and is free and open to the public. The DePaul Art Museum is located just east of the CTA’s Fullerton ‘L’ stop, is open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more on the DePaul Art Museum’s upcoming exhibitions and events, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://bit.ly/DPAM15.

‘Glowing Wavelengths In Between’ – Through August 9

The DePaul Art Museum will be artist Sonja Thomsen’s ‘Glowing Wavelengths In Between,’ through August 9. In her exhibition, Thomsen utilizes an array of materials that refract and reflect light as means to creative discovery. The resulting pieces are vibrant color photographs, immersive photographic murals and faceted metallic sculptures. Thomsen’s layered works create an interactive experience for the viewer that provokes an awareness of light, space and time. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The DePaul Art Museum is located just east of the CTA’s Fullerton ‘L’ stop, is open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more on the DePaul Art Museum’s upcoming exhibitions and events, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://bit.ly/DPAM15.

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

Tango & Strings – Tickets Now on Sale

It’s going to be a fiesta on Wednesday, July 22 beginning at 7 p.m.! Come out to ravishing Ravisloe Country Club, 18231 South Park Avenue, Homewood, and dance the night away as our IPO Strings spice up your evening with a scintillating program of tangos and other Latin-inspired rhythms. Ole! General admission tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at: https://secure.ticketsage.net/websales.aspx?u=ipo&pid=292206. For additional information, call 708-481-7774 or visit www.ipomusic.org.

National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

NVAM to Observe Memorial Day 2015 with New Exhibition – Through August 28

The National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM) will exhibit The Joe Bonham Project through August 28. The Joe Bonham Project aims to keep the dedication, sacrifices and indomitable spirit of our wounded warriors present and accounted for with more than a hundred drawings and illustrations created during the time spent patients at VA Hospitals throughout the United States. The Joe Bonham Project is named after the central character in Dalton Trumbo’s 1938 novel Johnny Got His Gun. Joe loses all his limbs and his face to an artillery explosion, yet survives only to be eventually ‘warehoused’ beyond human interaction. Featuring artwork created in a variety of media by fifteen combat and civilian artists, The Joe Bonham Project seeks to show the real face of war and its aftermath to the public with images that portray the realities and human consequences of combat. Several of the artists in The Joe Bonham Project are seasoned war artists including Michael Fay, Richard Johnson, Steve Mumford, Kristopher Battles, Victor Juhasz, Roman Genn, and Robert Bates. Other artists, such as Jeffery Fisher, Fred Harper, Jess Ruliffson, Ray Alma, Bill Harris, and Josh Korenblat, have friends and family who have, or are currently serving in the armed forces. Working primarily at in-patient surgical shock-trauma wards, these artists have spent significant amounts of time with some of the most physically battle damaged soldiers, sailors and Marines. Most have endured multiple traumatic amputation injuries and disfiguring facial wounds, and will endure months of operations and challenging physical therapy. With them on this journey back to wholeness are often equally traumatized family members. All have volunteered to be sketched. For additional information, call 312-326-0270 or visit: www.nvam.org. 

‘The Things They Carried’ – Permanent Exhibit

The National Veterans Art Museum reopened its permanent exhibit ‘The Things They Carried’ in a brand new gallery space meant to be more immersive for viewers. Inspired by Tim O’Brien’s book ‘The Things They Carried,’ this exhibit serves as a visual companion that illustrates the narrative with fine art and photography from veterans that lived the stories in the novel. Much like the book, the exhibit explores the concept of storytelling and questions how one might share the story of the Vietnam experience. The exhibit takes as its central question “how to tell a true war story” and prompts viewers to consider their personal stories and contemplate how they might share their own narratives. By literally incorporating the essential elements of storytelling: Who, Where, When, and What, ‘The Things They Carried’ begins by chronicling the Vietnam conflict through first-hand visual accounts and descriptions. The exhibit culminates in the re-creation of an authentic Vietnam-era tented shelter to bring viewers into the intimate physical experience of sleeping, living and working in the field during that time. With artworks and objects created and collected by over twenty Vietnam veteran artists, ‘The Things They Carried’ also provides visual interpretations to viewers, illustrating the war by those who were there. This form of pictorial storytelling offers insights into the individual personalities of those who served, where they were in Vietnam both geographically and environmentally, and what the cultural climate of the time looked like. Representations and artifacts come together in ‘The Things They Carried’ to offer an individuated and holistic presentation of the social and historical context of the Vietnam War. With didactic guides and lesson plans that accompany the artwork and artifacts, visitors of all ages can gain a better understanding of “how to tell a true war story” as explored in Tim O’Brien’s book, as well as explore possibilities and benefits of personal storytelling. Featured artists include László Kondor, Dean Sharp, Charles Shobe, William Myles, James McJunkin, John Hosier, Michael Harac, and Arthur Jacobs. The Museum is open Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers free admission year-round. For additional information, call 312-326-0270 or visit: www.nvam.org. 

Park Forest Historical Society, 141 Forest Boulevard

Park Forest House Museum – Moving to New Location

The Park Forest House Museum is now closed while moving from its current location at, 141 Forest Boulevard to 227 Monee Road. It is anticipated that the re-opening date will be announced soon. For additional information, visit the Park Forest Historical Society website, www.parkforesthistory.org, or call Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

The following event is scheduled the week of July 6:

• Monday, July 6 at 11 a.m. — Sunrise Story Adventure — Jump start your morning with a series of stories that are sure to get you moving. Ages 12 and under.
• Monday, July 6 at 3 p.m. — Teen Make it Monday: Dance Armbands — Explore and listen to new music from around the world as you make something new to take with you. This week make armbands using bells, beads and leather in the style of the Northern Plains tries. These are designed to be worn while dancing!
• Monday, July 6 at 6:30 p.m. — Movie Night Mania: ‘Teen Beach Movie’ — It’s show time for the whole family on Monday’s. Tonight’s showing is ‘Teen Beach Movie’.
• Tuesday, July 7 at 11 a.m. — Music Express — Do you love the sound of music? Do you enjoy playing instruments? Hop aboard and travel the world of music. Learn about different instruments and their culture. Stories, crafts, and more. Ages 12 and under.
• Tuesday, July 7 at 7 p.m. – PajamaRama — Share special moments with your child through stories, crafts, and more. Wear your pj’s and wind down from a busy day. Ages 12 and under.
• Tuesday, July 7 at 8 p.m. — Ravinia Tickets — Come to the Info Zone desk to inquire about tickets to today’s Ravinia show taking place at the Martin Theatre.
• Wednesday, July 8 at 11 a.m. – Movement & Me — Get on your feet and move to the rhythm of your favorite songs! This story time is designed to engage children through movement, music, stories and more. Open to children ages 1 month to 12 years old.
• Wednesday, July 8 at 1 p.m. — Game On! Wii U Wednesday — Hang out and show off your gaming skills on the Wii U. Bring your friends. Make new friends as you impress each other with your gaming techniques… Ages 12 and under.
• Thursday, July 9 at 11 a.m. — Art in Motion — Bring your imagination, creativity, and throw on some old clothes to bring out your inner Picasso through art projects and more… some projects may involve paint. Ages 12 and under.
• Thursday, July 9 at 2 p.m. – TGIT: Thank Goodness it’s Thursday! – Bracelet Creations — Whether you’re an expert or you’re ready to make your first bracelet you’re invited to make something for yourself or a special friend. Ages 12 – under.
• Thursday, July 9 at 7 p.m. — Coconut Lime Sugar Scrubs — Create your own blend of coconut lime sugar scrub that will leave your skin silky smooth and ready for the beach. Create, exfoliate, enjoy! Space is limited, ages 12 and up.
• Friday, July 10 at 11 a.m. — Bookworm Book Club — Join our Summer Reading Book Club. This summer we’re featuring books from our graphic novel/comic book collection. Featuring: Big Nate.
• Friday, July 10 at 2 p.m. – DIY Fridays — Unleash your creativity and build something awesome! Registration is required. Ages 8-12.
• Saturday, July 11 at 1 p.m. — Sound off to Summer — Join us for an outdoor adventure! Grab some chalk and bring your imagination. Create a musical canvas on the side walk of the Park Forest Library. Supplies will be provided. Enter to win a prize! Ages 12-under.
• Saturday, July 11 at 2 p.m. — Bagpipes Revisited — What plays only 9 notes and was once made of animal skin? Don’t hold your breath… come hear a demo of music from the bagpipe and find out why bagpipes have been around since the times of Ancient Egypt… you know, when pyramids were built and pharaohs were still popular. Have any questions? Feel free to ask! There will be a Q & A session after the presentation.

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

Park Forest Health Department 350 Victory Drive

Fundraiser at Balmoral Park Racetrack – Tickets Now on Sale

The Friends of the Park Forest Health Department will be hosting a fundraiser at Balmoral Park Racetrack, 26534 S. Dixie Highway, Crete, on Saturday, August 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Racing starts at 7:10 p.m. – come prepared to win and have fun while supporting the ongoing services of Nurses Plus. The evening includes 2 full hours of Balmoral’s Deluxe Buffet and 1 soft drink per person plus a Race Program.  Advance tickets are $40 for those 11 years and older and $20 for those 5 to 10 years of age. Tickets on the night of the event will be an additional $5 per ticket. Advance tickets can be purchased at the Park Forest Health Department which is located in the lower level of Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. If you cannot attend the event but would like to make a donation, please make your check to ‘Friends of the Park Forest Health Department.’ For additional information, call 708-748-1118.

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

‘Expansive Visions: Encaustic Works by FUSEDChicago’ – Through July 9

PSC’ Christopher Art Gallery is hosting ‘Expansive Visions: encaustic works by FUSEDChicago,’ through July 9, in the gallery. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Artists participating include Sue Cahill, Alicia Forestall-Boehm, Shelley Gilchrist, Carol Hamilton, Brad Hook, Katsy Johnson, Pat Lagger, Ahavani Mullen, Julie Ris, Kathy Blankley Roman, Mary Krebs Smyth, Michele Thrane, Karen Tichy, Kathleen Waterloo, and Donna Zarbin-Byrne. The Christopher Art Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Visits also can be made by appointment. For more information about the exhibit or to make an appointment for a visit, call 708- 709-3636.

Roosevelt University Gage Gallery, 18 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Golden Age of Photography at the Chicago Reader – Through August 28

For more than 30 years, the Chicago Reader was a trailblazer and signature example of the kind of creative freedom in both photography and design that alternative weekly newspapers all over the country came to embrace and showcase. Now, in a new exhibit that runs through Aug. 28 at Roosevelt University’s Gage Gallery, the public can experience what the golden age of photography and design once was like at one of the nation’s leading alternative weeklies, the Chicago Reader. Featuring 80 black-and-white photographs taken between 1971 and 2004 by more than a dozen photographers who were freelancers for the Chicago Reader during its golden age, the exhibit is the largest group photo show ever presented at Gage. More than just a photo exhibit, Chicago Reader in Black & White features famous layouts from the alternative weekly including “Faces of AIDS,” which was an in-depth, four-page look at AIDS hospice care in Chicago at the height of the AIDS crisis. A short documentary with the views of 14 former freelance Chicago Reader photographers also is part of the exhibit. The exhibit is the final installation in Gage Gallery’s yearlong Above the Fold: 10 Decades of Chicago Photojournalism series that is sponsored by Roosevelt’s College of Arts and Sciences and made possible by the generosity of donor Susan Rubnitz. Free and open to the public, Gage Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For information, call 312-341-6458 or visit www.roosevelt.edu/gagegallery.

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

Open Auditions for ‘Play On!’ – July 8 & 9

The PAC Rats Theatre Company of SSC will hold open auditions for the hilarious Rick Abbot comedy, Play On! The auditions will take place on July 8th and 9th beginning at 7:00 p.m. Readings will be held in the Kindig Performing Arts Center on the college’s Main Campus in South Holland. Amateur dramatics takes a good-natured ribbing in this behind-the-scenes comedy about the perils of community theatre. A theatre troupe is mounting of a local playwright’s original murder mystery. With no royalty fees to pay, the company thinks it got a great deal until the playwright continues to interrupt the rehearsal process with constant rewrites and changes. To add to the problems, the cast and crew are starting to get on each other’s nerves. Act I is a rehearsal of the dreadful show with bickering actors, bumbling crew and backstage romances in full swing; Act II is the near disastrous dress rehearsal, and the final act is opening night where anything that can go wrong does. Director Catherine Hundt of Thornton, will cast 10 ensemble actors of all colors and sizes, ranging in age from 18 to 70 plus. Hundt is planning evening rehearsals. Performances are scheduled for September 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 2015. Auditions are open to all community members as well as SSC students. Appointments and prepared audition materials are not necessary. Auditioners will read from scenes, which will be available at the time of auditions. Copies of the script are on reserve in the SSC Library. Everyone is welcome to attend both auditions. Auditioners must also be prepared to list all conflicts with the rehearsal schedule. In addition to acting talent, the PAC Rats are also looking for volunteers who want to try their hands backstage. “Putting on a play takes a lot of hands,” said Hundt. “We hope that those who aren’t ready to step on stage will enjoy painting and building scenery, sewing costumes or making props.” For character descriptions, rehearsal schedule and more information, visit the Kindig Performing Arts Center’s website at http://learn.ssc.edu/theatre/ or email [email protected].

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

‘Motives and Materials’ Exhibit – Through July 25

‘Motives and Materials’ exhibit features the work of four award-winning artists, Chris Cicala, Chawne Kimber, Laura Lein-Svencner, and Alison Oakes. Their works are in collage, fabric, paint and metal. The exhibit will run through July 25. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For additional information or Gallery hours, call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrassarts.org

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

‘Insider Art’ – Through July 18

USG’s Annual Studio and Guild Artists Exhibit ‘Insider Art’ will run through July 18. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.

Annual Garden Walk ‘A Little Garden Art’ – Saturday, July 11

USG will present its Annual Garden Walk ‘A Little Garden Art’ on Saturday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – rain or shine. Enjoy an enchanting day experiencing beautiful and unique landscapes right here in the south suburbs. There are 9 gardens located in Homewood, Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, and Crete. This is more of a “garden drive” than a walk, so transportation is necessary. To delight even further, each garden will have a working artist creating art inspired by their surroundings. Garden Walkers are encouraged to stop and watch the artists as they work. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased at the Gallery, Art 4 Soul, 18135 Harwood Avenue #1, Homewood, and Fresh Starts Restaurant, 1040 Sterling Avenue, Flossmoor. Additional information about the garden walk, including a list of sponsors, visit: http://www.unionstreetgallery.org/GardenWalk2014.htm or call the Gallery at 708-754-2601.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

2015 Main Street Nights – Wednesday, July 8

The Village of Park Forest is sponsoring free entertainment in downtown Park Forest for seven weeks this summer. The family oriented Main Street Nights features local and regional entertainers on stage in the Village Green located at Cunningham and Main Street. Vendors include civic groups selling snacks and beverages, plus Dunagains Irish Pub featuring grilled items and sides. Children can play in a bounce house provided by the Wiggle Room. Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy the free entertainment under the stars!

Main Street Nights Events for Wednesday, July 8
Wednesday, July 8
6:30 p.m. – LIVE BAND KARAOKE

A full evening of entertainment from our audience and brave members of the community! Combining the silly fun of karaoke with the energy of a live rock band, Live Band Karaoke allows anyone to fulfill their “be a star” fantasy. Singing is only half the fun! Watching others perform as the band rocks out the songs true to the original recording. Live Band Karaoke provides lyric sheets for any song on the list. The lyrics are printed in large type so they are easier to read while singing. There are tons of songs to choose from providing something for everyone.

A complete list of performances for the 2015 Main Street Nights season can be found at http://www.villageofparkforest.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=395.
In case of rain, performances will be moved to Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street. For weather related changes or cancellations, please call 283-5647, for general inquiries, 708-748-2005.

Midsummer Madness – Wednesday, July 15

The Village of Park Forest’s Economic Development and Planning Department will hold its annual Midsummer Madness evet on Wednesday, July 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Village’s DownTown. Participants can register in advance at www.villageofparkforest.com or on the day of the event at Dining on the Green Banquet Hall, 349 Main Street. Participants will receive a map of participating DownTown businesses that need to be visited to increase your chances of winning while discovering many Park Forest businesses you may not have been aware of. The event is free and open to the public. There will be some fabulous raffle prizes to be won.

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

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

Master of Public Administration Degree Information Sessions – July 8 & 9

GSU is hosting information sessions for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program on the Kankakee Community College campus, 100 College Drive, Room L 120 “Cavalier Room,” Kankakee, IL, on Wednesday, July 8 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Thursday, July 9 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. To RSVP for the information session or for more information, please contact Nancy Kaczmarczyk at 708-235-3983 or email [email protected]. Please go to http://www.govst.edu/mpa for program information.

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.

Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163, 20 South Orchard Drive, Park Forest

2015-16 Registration Schedule – Registration Now in Progress

Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163 will conduct registration for the 2015-2016 school year for new and returning students from June 23 through August 11 at 21st Century School, 240 S. Orchard Drive, Park Forest, on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, and on Thursdays, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Computers will be available during these registration hours so that registration may be completed online. Computers also are available at the Park Forest and Chicago Heights Public Libraries. Online registration is available at www.sd163.com for returning students beginning June 23. Kindergarten and sixth grade students must provide proof of residency and a current physical. Proofs of residency and physicals can be brought to the walk-in registration or the open registration on August 12. Students that have not registered by August 11 must attend registration on August 12 at Mohawk School, 301 Mohawk, Park Forest, 9 a.m. to noon and 2 to 8 pm. All students who register before August 1 will receive a $10 discount on registration fees. Registration fees are $50, activity fees are $20 and field trip fees are $10.

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

Registration for Fall 2015 Classes – Now in Progress

Registration for fall 2015 is open at PSC. Credit courses begin Tuesday, Aug. 11. Non-credit courses include a variety of single-day and multiple-session offerings that begin throughout the fall. Both credit and non-credit courses are listed in the fall class schedule, available on the PSC main campus, located at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. The schedule also is available at area public libraries and online at www.prairiestate.edu/enroll. To register for credit courses, new students must complete an enrollment application in person at the college or online at prairiestate.edu/start. Beginning Friday, May 22, and through Friday, Aug. 7, Enrollment Services is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the college is closed on Fridays. Beginning Monday, Aug. 10, Enrollment Services will resume regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Current students can register for credit courses online or in person. Students can register for non-credit courses online or in person. To register online via Instant Enrollment, go to prairiestate.edu and select “How to Register for Non-Credit Courses” from the A-Z Index. Another option is to complete the registration form available online at prairiestate.edu/noncredit or in the back of the printed course schedule. Students also can register for non-credit courses in person at the Matteson Area Center (MAC), located at 4821 Southwick Drive in Matteson, or in the Enrollment Services Office on the PSC main campus. Beginning Friday, May 22, and through Friday Aug. 7, the MAC is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Beginning Monday, Aug. 11, the MAC will resume regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. For more information about registering for courses, visit www.prairiestate.edu or call 708-709-3500.

Roosevelt University, 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Requesting Public Comments – Due by September 12

In preparation for an upcoming comprehensive accreditation evaluation from its regional accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission, Roosevelt University seeks comments from the public on substantive matters related to its quality as an institution and its academic programs. Roosevelt will host a visit team from the Higher Learning Commission on October 12 and 13, 2015. The visit team will review Roosevelt’s ongoing ability to meet the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation in addition to comments from the public. The public is invited to submit comments regarding Roosevelt to:

Public Comment on Roosevelt University
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

Comments can also be sent to the Commission’s web site at: http://www.ncahlc.org/HLC-Institutions/third-party-comment.html. Comments must be in writing, signed and received by the Higher Learning Commission by September 12, 2015.

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

Fall 2015 Registration Now in Progress – Open Houses Begin July 15

Open Registration for the Fall 2015 Semester at SSC is in progress. Fall classes begin Monday, August 24th at the college’s Main Campus and Oak Forest Center. SSC will also host a College-Wide Open House on August 6th from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. featuring tours, demonstrations, and information about the college’s wide range of options, programs and student services. Prospective students 18 and over will be entered in an Open House Raffle for a trip for two to any concert of their choice in the Continental U.S. (excluding Multiple Day Festivals), Round Trip Airfare for two, overnight hotel stay and $500 spending cash. SSC is now offering a Free Class to first time credit students residing in District 510, Lake County, IN, or those who qualify for the Chicago Regional Rate. The Free Class applies to tuition only, and does not apply to courses of more than 5 credit hours. Individuals must not be receiving any state or federal financial aid or employer subsidies. More information is available at www.ssc.edu/freeclass. Students who wish to use financial aid as payment for fall classes must have an official high school or GED transcript on file. Official transcripts must have a school seal and graduation date on them. Transcripts can be hand-delivered to the Admissions Office or mailed to: Office of Admissions (15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL 60473). If a transcript is hand-delivered it must be in the original sealed, unopened envelope. Prospective students should complete the Online Application Form at www.ssc.edu to begin the enrollment process. New students will receive an SSC email account and a “My SSC” Username & Password via email which will allow access to the online schedule and class registration. The My SSC portal also allows students 24-hour access during college closed periods. The complete upcoming open house schedule at SSC is as follows:

• Non Credit CNA–Basic Nurse Assistant Training Open House, Wednesday, July 15th, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Main Campus Atrium, [email protected]
• Court Reporting Program Open House, Thursday, July 16th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Oak Forest Center Room 5190, [email protected]
• Child Development Center Open House, Wednesday, August 5th, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Main Campus L233, [email protected]
• SSC College-Wide Open House, August 6th, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., Main Campus, www.ssc.edu
• Paralegal Open House, Tuesday, August 11th, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Oak Forest Center Room 5190, [email protected]

Contact the Office of Admissions at 708-210-5718 for enrollment information. SSC’s Main Campus is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. The Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois.

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.

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.

Healthy Living

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

Undergraduate Open House – Saturday, July 11

GSU will host an undergraduate Open House Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information on admission requirements, financial aid, campus life and student housing, as well as specific undergraduate programs will be available for prospective students and their parents. Students will also be able to meet with Governors State faculty, academic advisors and financial aid counselors. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Office of Admissions at 708-534-4490 or [email protected]. To register for Open House, go to www.govst.edu/openhouse.

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.

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].

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.

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

Senior Citizen Weekday Lunch at the Senior Café

Senior citizens of all income levels are invited to lunch weekdays at the Rich Township Senior Café 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 10 a.m. For additional information or to make a reservation for lunch, call 708-747-2700.

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 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org.

Qigong with Jim Kobus – Most Thursdays

UUCC will host Qigong with Jim Kobus on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the church. This class will usually meet on Thursdays but there may be exceptions, so if you are interested in attending, please send an email to Jim Kobus at [email protected] so he can notify you when class will NOT be held. There is a suggested donation of $5 per class. Please bring your own water. It is recommended that you eat dinner after class, not before. For additional information, please call 708-799-1925 or visit www.uuccpf.org.

Buddhist Meditation – Saturdays

Learn to enjoy the simple and straight-forward practice of meditation. Please join us for sitting and walking meditation in the Zen and Theravadan Buddhist traditions. This is an on-going event led by Steve McCabe and Beverly Feldt will be held on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at UUCC. There is no cost but a free will offering is most appreciated (proceeds go to UUCC). For additional information contact Steve McCabe at 708-465-3116 or Beverly Feldt at [email protected].

Green Events

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

Wednesday Morning Walkers

Come walk the trails with Wednesday Morning Walkers every Wednesday at 9 a.m. Follow the forest’s seasonal changes, enjoy light exercise and experience nature firsthand on two miles of Thorn Creek’s winding trails. Trails can be wet or icy or muddy, so please wear sturdy shoes. This weekly program is free and open to those 13 years of age and older. Registration is required two days before your first walk. For additional information or to register, call 708-747-6320.

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.

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.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Park Forest Famers’ Market – Every Saturday Through October

The Park Forest Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October.  The Market hosts 22 full spaces with a variety of fresh flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, bakery goods, herbs and dairy products, food and entertainment. Local businesses are also on hand at the Market selling artwork, garden ornaments, jewelry and more. The Park Forest Farmers’ Market accepts EBT/Link, WIC, and Senior Nutrition Coupons. The Park Forest Farmers’ Market is located in the parking lot closest to 271 Lakewood Blvd, at the corner of Lakewood Boulevard and Cunningham Drive, just across from the Park Forest Police Department.

This & That

Park Forest Commission on Human Relations, 350 Victory Drive

2015 Good Egg Award – Nominations Due Friday, August 8

The Park Forest Commission on Human Relations is looking for people who have gone beyond the call of duty for the Good Egg Award. The award honors youth and adults who have made an extraordinary commitment to improving the quality of life in their communities through human relations and human rights advocacy. The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 8. To request a nomination form, call Evelyn Sterling at 708-283-5621 or email [email protected]

Rep. Anthony DeLuca, 195 West Joe Orr Road, Suite 201, Chicago Heights

Veterans’ Appreciation Picnic – Friday, July 10

To honor the men and women who have answered the call to serve our country, Representative DeLuca will be hosting a free Veterans’ Appreciation Picnic on Friday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park, located at 19101 Halsted St. in Glenwood. This event is open to Veterans and one guest of their choosing. Representative DeLuca is holding this event to show his appreciation for those who’ve contributed to our community as a member of the armed services. This event is his way a showing gratitude for their dedicated service and unwavering loyalty to this country and our freedoms. Hot dogs and drinks will be grilled by local Firemen and served to veterans and their guests. Bingo and other entertainment will be provided. Veterans will also have the opportunity to visit with Rep. DeLuca and other officials from Bloom Township, Rich Township, Frankfort Township, and the Village of Glenwood Blakey Senior Center. Space is limited, so please RSVP to Rep. DeLuca’s office at 708-754-7900 or email [email protected].

St. Irenaeus Church, 78 Cherry St., Park Forest

Summer Lunch Program – Through August 14

St. Irenaeus Church will be providing free healthy and nutritious lunches this summer. Meals will be available through August 14 on Monday’s, Wednesday’s, and Friday’s from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. The Summer Lunch Program is for all children 18 and under. Please join us in room 8 of the Religious Education Center or call the parish office at 708-748-6891 with any questions.

Union Street Gallery (USG), 1627 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights

Gallery Administrator/Director Position – Applications Accepted through July 7

USC is searching for a new Gallery Administrator/Director. The Gallery Administrator/Director is responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of the gallery, the events and exhibits that promote the gallery and the funding necessary to support and sustain the gallery. All applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and three professional references. These documents should be e-mailed to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until July 7, 2015. For further information please visit the link below: Application Information

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Civic Leadership Academy – Applications Due by July 31

The Village of Park Forest is offering a new civic leadership program to area residents with the first cohort slated to begin coursework in September. The Park Forest Civic Leadership Academy, a nine-month program, will consist of a select group of Park Forest residents, high school-aged and up. Classes will be held on the second Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at various Park Forest venues. Participants will meet a host of community leaders and take part in informational briefings on the realities and challenges of local government operations. Academy members will explore their ability to critically think to resolve important issues impacting the community. Program coordinators hope that the Park Forest Civic Leadership Academy will serve as a critical developmental program for the grooming of future area leaders. Notable names slated to be program facilitators include Prairie State College President Dr. Terri Winfree, Park Forest Mayor John A. Ostenburg, Park Forest Public Library Director Barbara Osuch, Tall Grass Arts Association President Janet Muchnik, Park Forest Youth Commission Chair Gene Finley, Rich East High School Principal Mark Kramer, along with over 30 others in roles of leadership in various industries. Those interested in being considered for the program should visit www.villageofparkforest.com/civicleadership or visit Park Forest’s Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, for an application. Applications, including a resume, personal letter of interest, letter of support from an employer or school, are due July 31. Those accepted to the program will be required to submit a deposit of $50 (half of the $100 program fee) by September 1 to secure a seat. Applicants will be notified by mid-August of their application status. More on the Park Forest Civic Leadership Academy!