The Aqua Center will hold an Open House Saturday. (Photo: PF Aqua Center)
Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- May 24, 2010. Did you know that in 2009 the Village of Park Forest received a major grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to undertake a major remodeling of the Aqua Center’s bathhouse? As a result of this grant, the Aqua Center has ‘gone green’ with solar heated water, 10 new skylights in the building and the addition of the Wetlands Discovery Center – Park Forest’s environmental classroom. An open house will be held on Saturday, May 29 for residents to tour the newly remodeled Aqua Center.
Additional information about this event can be found in the “This & That” Section of this article.
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.
Park Forest Village Board Meeting
The Village Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, May 24 at 8 p.m. at Village Hall. Residents are encouraged to attend. Village Board meetings air live on cable access channels (Channel 4 for Comcast subscribers and Channel 99 for AT&T subscribers) as well as on the Village web site at www.villageofparkforest.com.
To view previously held Board Meetings, visit the Village’s web site at: http://www.villageofparkforest.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=BoardMtgArchive&category=Village%20Government and click on the date of the meeting you wish to watch
Park Forest American Legion Post 1198
Memorial Day Event, Saturday, May 29
On Saturday, May 29 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Park Forest American Legion Post 1198 presents Songs for Our Soldiers at Bloom High School’s Workman Auditorium 10th Street & Dixie Highway in Chicago Heights. The event will feature the music of the Rockets Artists from Project Troop, Rico Quinn. Enjoy a day of live music and help raise money for heroes currently residing at the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno. For additional information, call 708-481-3055.
Arts and Entertainment
Dunmore Music Presents ‘Into the Night,’ Saturday, May 29
On Saturday, May 29 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at DownTown Park Forest’s Village Green (Main St. & Cunningham) join us for live music, food and fun for the entire family. Donations will also be accepted with a portion of all the day’s proceeds benefiting Feed The Children USA Organization.
Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest
Common Ground, Diverse Approaches: Works on Paper – Through June 27
Artists include Mary Bookwalter, Sergio Gomez, Tyler Hewitt, Jane Hudak, Erik LaGattuta, Chelise Slowik, Jerry Slowik, Jeff Stevenson, Jessica VanSwol, and Carol Weber. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, please call 708-748-3377.
League of Women Voters (LWV) of the Park Forest Area
26th Annual House Tour – Tickets Now on Sale
On Sunday, June 6 from Noon to 5 p.m., the LWV invites you to the 26th Annual House Tour. This long-standing, well-received yearly event showcases the diversity of the Park Forest’s housing stock and many unique remodeling and decorating projects owners have undertaken. Proceeds support the LWV in conducting studies/voter service projects, participating in state and national conferences and assuring annual LWV fees are affordable.
Advance tickets for the tour are available in the Manager’s office at Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive for $10. On the day of the Tour, tickets can be purchased for $15 between noon and 3 pm in the lobby of the Village Hall. For additional information, please call Barbara Moore at 708-481-5251.
Park Forest Historical Society
Park Forest House Museum, 141 Forest Boulevard (Corner of Forest & Fir)
The 1950s Park Forest House Museum is in an original rental townhome, built in 1947-1949 by American Community Builders. The museum provides a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane for anyone who lived in the 1950s or 1960s, or for those interested in that period. Visitors are encouraged to open drawers, cupboard and closets to discover period treasures inside. Contents of the house, furnished as though a young veteran and his family of small children occupy it, include dolls, toys, dollhouses, books, dishes, serving pieces, furniture and clothing from the period. When is the last time you said, "Hello," to Howdy Doody?
The Museum is open on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Group tours are by appointment. Call 708-748-3731.
Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway
‘A Whole New Mind 2010 BRAINSTORM’ – Through June 24
The Intellectual Life Committee at GSU is sponsoring a national juried art competition titled ‘A Whole New Mind 2010 BRAINSTORM’ through June 24 in the Visual Arts Gallery. Fifty-nine art works by 45 artists will compete for $2,000 in prize money. Susan Aurinko (artist, photographer, independent curator, and former owner of FLATFILEgalleries, Chicago) and Tricia Van Eck (Associate Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago) are serving as the competition’s jurors.
A reception and award ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. This Visual Arts Gallery is open Monday and Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. For an appointment call, 708-534-4021.
Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights, IL
Brunch to Dye For – Saturday, May 29
On Saturday, May 29 from Noon to 2 p.m. join studio artist Dorita Fuller and learn to dye a natural fiber textile. Bring your own piece of clothing or purchase socks, scarves and other ‘blanks’ onsite. Bring friends and finger food to share (optional). Bring colorful attitude (not optional). Contact Dorita at [email protected] of the gallery at 708-754-2601 for additional information.
Educational Lectures & Opportunities
Thorn Creek Audubon Society
Governors State University Art & Birding – Wednesday, June 2
On Wednesday, June 2 at 7 a.m., we will meet at the easternmost parking lot of Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, and combine art and birding following a trail of outdoor sculptures. Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Yellow-breasted Chats, Bell’s Vieros Green Herons, and Orchard Orioles have all been seen here in past years. For additional information, contact Aura Duke at [email protected] or call 708-748-6407.
Shop Locally
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.
Park Forest Farmers Market
The Park Forest’s Farmers Market will be held each Saturday through October from 7 a.m. until noon, rain or shine. Fresh garden plants and produce, bakery goods, gourmet cheeses, herbs and eggs will be available for sale. Local businesses will also be on hand with a variety of artwork, garden ornaments, candles and more. Meet your friends at the Farmers Market for breakfast or lunch and shop locally.
During the Farmers Market, local civic groups can give demonstrations, hold fundraisers or other events at no charge but must register in advance. For more information, call 708-748-1118 or visit www.pfhealth.net.
Park Forest Spring Savings Coupons
Spring savings coupons were recently mailed to all Park Forest residents. Participating merchants include: Lifetime Automotive Repair, Quality Classic Health & Fitness Center, The Image of Inc. Barber Shop, Superior Cabinet & Window, Shrimp Max, Freedom Hall, and Last Minute Printing & Copy Center. Remember to support our local Park Forest merchants. If you did not receive coupons in the mail, pick some up at Village Hall.
Holiday Star Theater, 340 Main St., Park Forest
Free Movie Every Tuesday for Seniors
Every Tuesday at 1 p.m., Seniors can attend a free movie at the Holiday Star Theater. Afternoon tea will be served following the movie. Call 708-283-9096 for each week’s scheduled movie.
Free Popcorn Tuesdays
If you love popcorn, bring your own popcorn bowl to the Holiday Star Theater any Tuesday and they will fill it up for you with a drink purchase. For information on ticket prices and/or movie times, call 708-283-9096.
Doomsday Zombie Fest 2010
The Holiday Star Theater will be hosting Doomsday Zombie Fest 2010. The goal is to break the current Guinness World Record for the most Zombies gathered at a single location. Starting Friday, October 22 at 5 p.m., the Holiday Star Theater will be showing Zombie Movies for 72 straight hours on huge outdoor screens. Zombies are encouraged to bring their tents and camp out.
On Saturday, October 23, the attempt to beat the World Record will take place. Bring your best Zombie costume, make-up and props. There will be prizes, contests, ‘Zombie Walk,’ vendors, and on-site make-up artists.
This event is free and open to the public however, the Holiday Star Theater requests that you bring a non-perishable food or household item for charity. Additional information about the event can be found at http://doomsdayzombiefest.com/.
Greening of Park Forest
B3 Bottles, Park Forest
The United Sates leads in consuming bottled water, drinking 26 billion liters a year (that’s only one, 8 ounce glass per day). It is estimated that Americans go through 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour with 86% of the plastic bottles used never getting recycled. B3 Bottles, a local Park Forest business, has a solution to this problem. B3’s stainless steel bottles can be filled with Park Forest’s award winning water or other hot/cold beverages of your choice, and then cleaned and re-used for a lifetime. To learn more about B3 Bottles and pricing information, call Laura Fitzgerald at 708-748-0934.
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.
Go Green with a Free Tote Bag
The Village of Park Forest encourages residents to visit Village Hall to pick up an environmentally friendly canvas bag that can be used for your day-to-day shopping needs. These bags are free while supplies last with only two expectations: 1) that residents have a valid email address so that future environmentally conscious concepts can be shared by the Village’s Environment Commission; and 2) that bags are limited to one per household. For more information on this program, visit the Village Manager’s Office on the second floor of Village Hall of call 708-748-1129.
Healthy Living
Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest
Wednesday Morning Walkers – May 26
On Wednesday, May 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., those ages 11 – adult can enjoy light exercise as you meander through Thorn Creek Woods. Experience the arrival of spring first-hand as you walk the 1.5 mile loop with a naturalist. Trails can be wet or muddy so please wear sturdy shoes. Terrain is moderate. The Walkers will meet each Wednesday through June 16 and there is a fee of $2 per week. For more information, call 708-747-6320.
Park Forest Health Department, 350 Victory Drive (lower level)
H1N1 Vaccine Available at Park Forest Health Department
The Park Forest Health Department has a limited supply of H1N1 vaccines available. H1N1 vaccines will be given by appointment only on Mondays and Fridays while supplies last. The fee for the vaccine is $15 and must be paid in cash at the time the vaccine is given. Medicare primary is accepted and Medicaid accepted for those 6 months through 18 years of age. No Managed Care enrollees accepted.
For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call 708-481-1118. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
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.
Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
Free Counseling Services Available
Today, individuals and families face economic and social pressures as well as communication difficulties that frequently disrupt family unity and the ability to cope. Counseling is one of the most important tools for understanding and coping. Free, individual, family and vocational counseling is available through GSU’s Division of Psychology and Counseling as part of its training program for advanced graduate counseling students. Faculty members, who are also licensed counselors, supervise the sessions. Counseling sessions are conducted on campus in total confidentiality. For more information, call 708-534-4545 or visit www.govst.edu/counselinglab.
This & That
Celebration Ministries, 424 Indianwood, Park Forest
Connect Café – Thursday, May 27
On Thursday, May 27 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., the Connect Café is a place for the community to hang out, have a cup of coffee, latte, or hot chocolate, listen to music, talk, play a game of chess, or just relax. Kid friendly, also for Mom’s and Dad’s. This event will be held every Thursday. For more information, call 708-748-1995.
Park Forest Aqua Center, 30 N. Orchard
Open House – Saturday, May 29
On Saturday, May 29 from Noon to 3 p.m., an Open House will be held at the Park Forest Aqua Center. Visitors can tour the newly remodeled bathhouse, check out the new and relocated concession stand, and watch our outstanding lifeguards in training, along with many other activities and surprises. Every visitor will receive a coupon for a free daily visit during the 2010 season. If you purchase your season pass or sign up for swim lessons that day, you will receive a second coupon for a daily visit. Please note that there will be no swimming during the Open House. For more information, call the Park Forest Recreation & Parks Department at 708-748-2005 or visit: http://www.villageofparkforest.com/index.php?submenu=AquaCenter&src=gendocs&link=AquaCenter.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2901 Western Ave., Park Forest
Potluck – Saturday, May 29
On Saturday, May 29 at 6 p.m., come and mingle with us for a themed potluck gathering. This event will be held on the last Saturday of every month. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.trinityparkforest.org.
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.
Sources: Park Forest 2010 Summer Recreation Programs & More; Park Forest Winter/Spring 2010 Recreation Programs & More, Village of Park Forest, Governors State University, Tall Grass Arts Association, Union Street Gallery, Park Forest Rotary Club, South Suburban Family Shelter, Park Forest Historical Society, League of Women Voters of Park Forest, and Holiday Star Theater websites.
