In and Around Park Forest Week of November 10, 2014

Attendees at Sunday’s Veterans Day Recognition at Freedom Hall were entertained by the angelic voice of Ava Logan, with Stewart Miller on the bass, Charles Heath on drums, Jarrard Harris on Sax, and Dennis Luxion on piano. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—November 10, 2014. On Tuesday, November 11, we will observe the Veterans Day holiday — a national holiday in the United States that honors people that have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This U.S. holiday coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. The United States originally observed Armistice Day until it evolved into the current Veterans Day holiday in 1954. In proclaiming the first Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson said: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." Take some time this Tuesday to reflect on the importance of this holiday and to say a special thank-you to all that have served so nobly.

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 Hall Closure – Tuesday, November 11

Park Forest Village Hall will be closed on Tuesday, November 11 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

Public Open House for Bike & Pedestrian Plan – Wednesday, November 19

On Wednesday, November 19, the Village of Park Forest will host a public open house for its draft bicycle and pedestrian plan at Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street in DownTown Park Forest, from 6 to 8 p.m. The draft plan will guide the Village’s decisions to expand its non-motorized transportation network. At this public open house, the draft plan will be available for public review and comment before beginning the formal review process with the Village Board and other officials. Representatives from the Village and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning staff will be available to answer questions and provide clarification. Local residents, business owners, community leaders, and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend this exciting community planning event. Please contact Emily Plagman with questions about the open house event at [email protected] or 312-386-8689.  View more details about the plan!

Village Commissions & Advisory Boards

The following Park Forest Commissions and Advisory Groups are scheduled to meet the week of November 10:

• Tuesday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m. – Commission on Human Relations
• Tuesday, November 11 at 7 p.m. – Plan Commission
• Tuesday, November 11 at 7 p.m. – Youth Commission

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

Arts & Entertainment

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

‘Songs of a Dream: From Broadway to Gospel to Opera’ – Tickets Now on Sale

‘Songs of a Dream: From Broadway to Gospel to Opera’ will be performed on Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m. Rodrick Dixon and Alfreda Burke (stars of the Auditorium Theatre’s ‘Too Hot to Handel: the Jazz-Gospel Messiah’) treat audiences to a diverse lineup of songs including Broadway favorites, spiritual gems and operatic treasures, accompanied by musicians and local choirs. Tickets are $25. The Center box office is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and two hours prior to performances. For more information, contact the box office at www.centertickets.net or call 708-235-2222.

‘Chicago Live!’ – Tickets Now on Sale

Hosted by Rick Kogan and featuring The Second City, ‘Chicago Live!’ returns to Center for Performing Arts for a one-night-only show on Thursday, November 20 at 7 p.m. ‘Chicago Live!,’ The Chicago Tribune’s radio and stage show is taped for broadcast on WGN Radio. Back by popular demand for the third year in a row, the south suburbs are in for a night of news and entertainment like no other. This event is always original, never boring and in characteristic Rick Kogan fashion, full of timely news delivered with insightful commentary and probing wit. Last year, the crowd was moved by blues icon Otis Clay and entertained to tears of laughter by The Second City. The crowd was also illuminated by guest artist Charles Lotton, as one of his stunning pieces of glasswork lit the lobby of Center for Performing Arts. This year’s lineup does not disappoint, featuring:

• Comedy from The Second City
• Master puppeteer Blair Thomas with a performance and also a preview of the International Puppet Theater Festival
• Players and the manager from Jackie Robinson West, 2014 United States Little League champions.
• Chicago Tribune Editorial Page Editor Bruce Dold with editorial board member Kristen McQueary and columnist Eric Zorn to discuss the outcome of the November 4 election and look ahead to Chicago’s mayoral election in February, 2015.
• The Chicago two-piece band Redgrave will deliver – in enormous punches – their new take on blues-infused rock.
• The Almanac, and
• much more.

Tickets are $20. A $75 VIP ticket is also available that includes preferred seating, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails with Chicago Tribune editorial staff and special guests. Proceeds from this reception support scholarships for deserving GSU students. Visit www.CenterTickets.net or call GSU’s Center for Performing Arts box office at 708-235-2222. The box office is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and two hours prior to performances.

DePaul University Art Museum, 935 West Fullerton, Chicago

‘Ink, Paper, Politics: WPA-era Printmaking from the Needles Collection’ Exhibit – Through December 21

During arguably one of the more difficult times in American history — the Great Depression — artists were commissioned to help inspire the nation. "Ink, Paper, Politics: WPA-era Printmaking from the Needles Collection," on display at the DePaul University Art Museum in Chicago, provides a window into the 1930s — a time of economic hardship and struggle. The 56 prints in the exhibition were produced during the Depression, when the federal government provided financial support to a wide range of artistic projects, from fiction to fine art, through the Works Progress Administration-Federal Arts Project (WPA-FAP). When the stock market collapsed in 1929 and many people were out of work the federal government set up programs to provide jobs for people and interestingly, the initiative included artists, explained curator Louise Lincoln, director of the museum on DePaul University’s Lincoln Park Campus.

When the WPA was established in 1934, President Franklin Roosevelt wanted to use the arts as a way to help people identify themselves as Americans and have a project in common to get through the depression and back to prosperity. Roosevelt quite deliberately encouraged the WPA to promote art that celebrated workers, the nation as a whole, and a certain history and politics, explained Lincoln. The exhibition offers a detailed look into what people’s lives were like in a time of real hardship. California artist Millard Owen Sheets brought that sentiment to life with his lithography "Family Flats," which depicts a New York housing tenement. The exhibition, which runs through December 21, also includes works by well-known east coast artists Stuart Davis, who designed the abstract lithography "Anchor," and Rockwell Kent, who created the ominous lithography "Nightmare," which depicts a man jumping off a ledge. The collection is drawn from a donation of 100 prints to the museum from the collection of Belverd Needles Jr. and Marian Powers Needles. Belverd Needles is the EY Distinguished Professor of Accountancy at the Driehaus College of Business at DePaul University; Marian Needles is an adjunct professor of executive education at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Additional information is available at 773-325-7506 or online at http://www.depaul.edu/museum.

DePaul University Theatre School, Chicago

‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ – Through November 15

The Chicago Playworks opens its season with ‘The Phantom Tollbooth,’ by Susan Nanus based on the book by Norton Juster. Performances will take place through November 15 at the Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. Milo is bored in his bedroom until a magical tollbooth appears and transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom. Here he discovers the magic of words and numbers, travels to strange lands like Dictionopolis and Digitopolis and meets a Mathemagician, Spelling Bee, and other curious friends. Will they be able to save Princess Rhyme and Princess Reason if they work together? Based on the beloved book, this whimsical fairy tale proves that imagination and knowledge can change the world. The production is recommended for ages 7 and up. Educational themes include: discovery, fables, idioms, metaphor, and wordplay, imagination, literary adaption, mathematics, numbers, and patterns, perseverance, personification, and teamwork. ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ runs through November 15 with performances on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $5 for students and are available at www.theatre.depaul.edu or by phone at the box office at 312-922-1991.

‘Vigils’ – Closes November 16

The Theatre School at DePaul University will present Noah Haidle’s ‘Vigils,’ a generous and bittersweet play about the absurdities of loss, change and love. Performances will be in the Sondra and Denis Healy Theatre in the Theatre School building at 2350 N. Racine Ave. The production is directed by Andrew Peters, MFA directing candidate, Class of 2016. The production will run through Sunday November 16, 2014. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. It has been two years since a Widow’s husband — a fireman — died in a heroic act, but she is not ready to move on. She captures her husband’s Soul in a box, while his Body wanders around their home, replaying memories from their lives together and giving occasional hugs. When a Wooer appears on the scene, the Widow finds herself faced with the choice and consequences of letting go. Tickets are $15, preview tickets are $10, and student tickets are always $5. Subscriptions and group rates (6 or more people) are available. All tickets are reserved seating. Tickets are available by calling 773-325-7900 or visiting the online box office at http://theatre.depaul.edu. The Theatre School at DePaul University is located at 2350 N. Racine Ave. (at Fullerton). The school is easily accessible via the Fullerton CTA Station and the Fullerton (74) bus. Visitors and audience members can park in DePaul University’s Clifton Parking Deck, located at 2330 N. Clifton Ave. Please call the Box Office for more information or for help in planning your trip. For patrons who are blind or have low-vision, the performance will be audio described on Sunday, Nov. 16 (2 p.m.) with a pre-performance touch tour. Call 773-325-7900. Special events include an opening night reception following the performance on November 7 and post-show discussions on November 9 and 13.

Freedom Hall, Nathan Manilow Theatre, 401 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest

‘Harry the Dirty Dog’ – Friday, November 14

Freedom Hall’s Children’s Theatre presents ‘Harry the Dirty Dog’ on Friday, November 14 at 7 p.m. Harry has everything a little white dog with black spots could want. There’s just one problem: he hates taking baths. He hates them so much, in fact, that one morning he runs away. After a wonderful day spent playing in the dirt, Harry gets so grubby that he turns into a little black dog with white spots…and returns home to find that his family doesn’t recognize him! ArtsPower’s new musical, based on the classic book by Gene Zion with illustrations by Margaret Bloy Graham, captures both the whimsical humor and touching dedication to family found in Harry’s story. Watch a video of ArtsPower’s new musical, Harry the Dirty Dog. Tickets are $8. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.

Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park

Dance Fusion: Fall Dance Festival – Tickets Now on Sale

GSU debuts a new Dance Company in its inaugural production, Dance Fusion: Fall Dance Festival on Sunday, November 16 at 3:30 p.m. at GSU’s Center for Performing Arts. Dance Fusion offers an eclectic mix, including Bollywood, musical theater, jazz, afro-modern, hip-hop and contemporary styles. Patrons will enjoy stunning choreography by Director Megan Lindsay and GSU student choreographers Ava Marcinak, Tarcia Pillows and Emmanual Willis. Dance Fusion: Fall Dance Festival is produced by GSU’s Theatre and Performance Studies (T.A.P.S) Program, recently approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education as a Bachelor’s Degree. GSU’s T.A.P.S. bachelor’s degree is the only degree combining the two disciplines at a state university in Illinois. Dance Fusion is open to the public; $10 for adults and $5 for students with valid I.D. at the Box Office. Free for Children 12 and under. Contact the box office at www.CenterTickets.net or call 708-235-2222. The box office is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and two hours prior to performances. Performances at Center for Performing Arts are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. For information on the GSU Dance Company, contact Megan Lindsay at [email protected].

Respond to Violence: Reaching Our Youth Multi-media Event – Tuesday, November 18

Respond to Violence: Reaching Our Youth – a live multi-media event – will take place in GSU’s Center for Performing Arts on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 from 2 to 4 p.m. Respond to Violence is a violence prevention initiative of GSU’s new Civic Engagement and Community Service Center. The program will include a performance from the book, “How Long Will I Cry,” written by GSU theater and media students. A panel featuring Dr. Garrard McClendon, Rap Activist Rhymefest, Hip Hop Peace Activist FM Supreme and Rap Activist Che "Rhymefest" Smith will follow the performance. The program will also include musical performances by FM Supreme, with a special guest appearance by Rapper DLOW, creator of the internet dance craze, the DLOW Shuffle. Each year, Respond to Violence develops videos, televised forums and web-based content in partnership with the GSU Department of Digital Media, Marketing and Communication. These projects explore various forms of violence and feature grassroots organizations, community and civic leaders, academic and care professionals. Respond to Violence: Reaching Our Youth is a free event open to area high school and college students, as well as the community. Seats for the November 18 event can be reserved at www.respondtovolence.eventbrite.com.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, 377 Artists Walk, Park Forest

Vocal Mastery: Getty, Straus and Schubert – Friday, November 14

On Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center, 19900 S. Harlem Avenue, Frankfort, attend an evening of Vocal Mastery with Bavarian soprano Kathrin Danzmayr and IPO-favorite bass-baritone David Govertsen (formerly of the Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera). Featuring the Chicago premiere of concert versions of American composer Gordon Getty’s Overture and aria, No My Good Lord, as well as orchestrated gems of classic art song composed by Strauss and Schubert (Reger arrangement). Maestro Danzmayr leads the orchestra in popular Finnish composer Sibelius’s acclaimed First Symphony on the program’s second half. Tickets are $55, $45 and $35 and can be purchased online at https://secure.ticketsage.net.

For additional information call 708-481-7774 or visit www.ipomusic.org.

National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

‘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.nwam.org. 

Park Forest Historical Society, 141 Forest Boulevard

Park Forest House Museum, 141 Forest Boulevard  

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum is in an original rental townhome as it might have been, 1943 – 1953. Open Wednesday and Saturday 10:30 to 3:30 p.m.; or by appointment. Adults $5; kids 12 and under free with adults. For additional information visit www.parkforesthistory.org.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

Library Closure – Tuesday, November 11

The Park Forest Public Library will be closed on Tuesday, November 11 in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday.

Holiday Toy Drive – Through Sunday, December 14

Through December 14th, Santa’s helpers at the Park Forest Library will be accepting new unwrapped toys for children ranging in age from infants to 13 years old. Please no stuffed animals.

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

• Monday, November 10 at 11 a.m. – Storypalooza — A fun story time for all kids through the age of 6 with an adult. Siblings are welcome.
• Monday, November 10 at 4:30 p.m. — Power Up! The Science of Energy Transfer — Hands on science is back this fall! Park Forest Library’s Science explorers is open to kids grades 3 through 5.
• Monday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m. – Get Covered Illinois — Health care questions? Come to this information session with a certified navigator. Already enrolled? Find out what you need to next. Need to choose a plan? Get your answers here.
• Wednesday, November 12 at 11 a.m. — Baby Time — Story time for infants to 35 months of age with an adult. This story time is designed to engage children through movement, music, stories, and more.
• Thursday, November 13 at 11 a.m. — Toddler Art — Bring your little artist ages 3 to 5 to create their very own masterpiece! We may get a little messy so wear play clothes.
• Saturday, November 15 at 11 a.m. – Book Worm Club — Ages 9-12. Parents are welcome to join the discussion!
  The book this month is "Who Stole Grandma’s Million Dollar Pumpkin Pie?" by Martha Freeman.
• Saturday, November 15 at 1 p.m. – Fun With Scrabble — In memory of Stephanie Fisher.
  Join us for an afternoon of Scrabble with “new” rules! This program is free of charge and open to the public. We do ask that children under 9 be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
• Saturday, November 15 at 2:30 p.m. – Cinnamon Stick Candles — Drop in to create a gorgeous, rustic centerpiece filled with the sighs and scents of fall.
• Saturday, November 15 at 2:30 p.m. — Make and Take: Thanksgiving Edition — Join us and create a special "Thanksgiving" project that you can share with friends and family. Ages 12 and under.

For additional information or to register for a program, call 708-748-3731 or visit http://www.pfpl.org/.

Potpourri of Lectures – Thursday, November 13

The Potpourri of Lectures series continues on Thursday, November 13 at 10:30 a.m. in the Library’s Ringering Room. This week’s topic is “Panama Canal: Centennial Celebration” with Yuan Liang. For additional information call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.

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

November Veterans Day Events at PSC

In honor of Veterans Day, PSC will be celebrating veterans throughout the month of November with on- and off-campus activities. All activities will be held at the college’s main campus in Chicago Heights.

• Monday, November 11 — A Missing Man table will be displayed, beginning at 8 a.m. on Veterans Day, in the atrium. The purpose is to honor missing comrades in arms. The empty table will be left up for the remainder of the month. The table is to represent the five services, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard, as well as civilians.
• Monday, November 11 from noon to 1:30 p.m., the official Veterans Day Celebration will be held in the in the Conference Center Auditorium. The keynote speaker for the event is Illinois Senator Michael E. Hastings, a former U.S. Army Captain and Bronze Star recipient. During the ceremony, three individuals will be recognized for the ongoing support of student veterans: Georges Sanon, PSC adjunct faculty member; Dorian Daniels, a PSC student; and Dr. Loretta Kucharczyk, PSC director of first year experience.
• Tuesday, November 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Auditorium, there will be a screening of “The Invisible War.” The movie deals with the issue of the systemic cover-up of military sex crimes and conveys women’s struggles to rebuild their lives and fight for justice.
• Wednesday, November 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. there will be a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Forum, a panel discussion led by PSC faculty members.

Veterans are supported throughout the year at PSC. Student veterans are eligible for early registration, in-district tuition rates (regardless of where they live), and one-on-one assistance navigating college life. These services extend to all service members, regardless of when they served or whether it was active, reserve, or National Guard component. Whether an individual is a new student, returning student, or deployed on active duty, PSC offers assistance so veterans can achieve their academic goals. PSC also has a Student Veterans Center, which offers veterans a place to study and socialize with other veterans and find out information on services available to them both at PSC and in the community.
For more information on the Veterans Day celebrations being held on campus or for more information about the services PSC offers to veterans, contact Paul Pipik, coordinator, student veterans center, at 708-709-3567 or [email protected].

Suite Prints: 25 Years of Chicago Printmakers Collaborative – Opens November 17

Suite Prints: 25 Years of Chicago Printmakers Collaborative will open at PSC’s Christopher Art Gallery on Monday, November 17 and run through Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. There will be a reception on Thursday, November 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Works in various methods of printmaking from an important and influential Chicago studio and collective. The curated show will feature prints in various media, from silkscreen to intaglio, by members of this Collaborative. For additional information or gallery hours, call 708-709-3636 or visit http://prairiestate.edu.

Roosevelt University, 430 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago

‘Save the Last Dance for Me’ – Opens November 13

‘Save the Last Dance for Me’ will be presente3d at the Roosevelt University’s Miller Studio Theatre, 430 South Michigan, 9th floor, Chicago, on November 13, 15 & 16. Performances times are 7:30 p.m. on November 13 & 15 and 2 p.m. on November 15 & 16. Our newest majors concentrating in dance join the ensemble in a celebration of dance styles distinctively featured in a mid-season studio finale. Please call 312-341-3831 for reservations. Government photo I.D. may be required for entrance to building.

‘Assassins’ – Tickets Now on Sale

‘Assassins,’ the musical with book by John Weidman and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim will be performed on November 20, 22 and 23. Performances will take place at Roosevelt University’s O’Malley Theatre, 430 S Michigan, 7th floor Chicago, at 7:30 p.m. on November 20 & 22 and at 2 p.m. on November 22 & 23. ‘Assassins’ lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States. In one-act historical ‘revusical’ that explores the dark side of the American experience. From John Wilkes Booth the rules of time and space are bent, taking us on a nightmarish roller coaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact, and inspire each other to harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream. Please call 312-341-3831 for reservations. Government photo I.D. may be required for entrance to building.

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

LIGHTFALL Exhibit – Through November 18

The Art & Design Department of SSC is pleased to announce a new exhibition on display in the Photo Four Gallery on the college’s Main Campus in South Holland. The exhibition, entitled LIGHTFALL, is a series of photographs by Kevin Nance. LIGHTFALL will exhibit through a closing reception with Nance on Tuesday, November 18th at 12:30 p.m. Kevin Nance is a Chicago-based photographer, journalist and critic. His photographs have been shown in solo exhibitions in Chicago and Lexington, Kentucky, as well as in group shows in Portland, Oregon; Danville, Kentucky; and Park Ridge, Illinois. Nance’s writing has appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times (where he served as the art and architecture critic), the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Chicago Gallery News, Art in America, ArtNEWS, Art + Auction, and many other publications. To see more of his images—whose genres range from street photography and portraiture to landscapes and art photography—visit www.kevinnance.tumblr.com. SSC Galleries are open at minimum Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays. The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. For more information, please call 708-596-2000, ext. 2445 or visit www.ssc.edu/art.

‘The X-Ray Series’ – Through November 17

An exhibition titled ‘The X-Ray Series’ will be on display through a closing reception with artist Michael Hopkins on November 17th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hopkins has exhibited throughout the United States, in Canada and Europe. He has art in numerous museum permanent collections including The Art Institute of Chicago. ‘The X-Ray Series’ was completed between 2004 and 2007. The media is white ink on slate comprised of slightly altered images of both human and animal X-rays. Twenty (20) pieces from ‘The X-Ray Series’ will exhibit at SSC as part a larger collection on display internationally including The Progressive Art Collection, Mayfield Village, Ohio–rated as one of the best collections by Forbes Magazine, Chazen Museum of Art, Madison, Wisconsin, and permanent collections at The University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor Michigan and The Wellcome Trust Collection, London, England–Nobel Peace Prize winner James Watson spoke at the opening. ‘The X-Ray Series’ can be viewed during gallery hours in the Dorothea Thiel Gallery on the 4th floor in the Art & Design hallway. SSC Galleries are open at minimum Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays. The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. For more information, please call 708-596-2000, extension 2445 or visit www.ssc.edu/art.

Connie Wolfe Exhibit ‘Faint Perceptions – Through November 20

‘Faint Perceptions’ is an exhibition by artist Connie Wolfe that will run through the closing reception on November 20th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Three installations will be featured in the exhibit. Wolfe earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, Wisconsin, and his Master of Fine Arts from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Wolfe is inspired by the rich colors and textures in natural environments that typically go unnoticed in the everyday rituals of our society. ‘Faint Perceptions’ will be exhibiting in the Lee Dulgar Gallery on the first floor near the college Atrium. SSC Galleries are open at minimum Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays. The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. For more information, please call 708-596-2000, extension 2445 or visit www.ssc.edu/art.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

Annual Holiday Show – Begins Friday, November 21

The Annual Holiday Show will open at Tall Grass Arts Association on Friday, November 21 with a reception from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The show will feature one-of-a-kind artwork, jewelry and other items, perfect for gift giving. Curated by Giselle Pereault, the entire gallery will be magically converted into a gift shop. Mark your calendar and begin your holiday shopping with a visit to the Tall Grass Gallery. For additional information, visit: www.tallgrassarts.org or call 708-748-3377.

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

Annual Twelfth Month Art Exhibit & Boutique – Opens November 12

Union Street Gallery will hold its Twelfth Month Annual Art Exhibit & Boutique beginning November 12 through December 20. A reception will be held at the Gallery on Saturday, November 22 from noon to 3 p.m. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.  For additional information, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

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

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, Chicago Heights

2015 Spring Registration Now Open

Registration for the spring 2015 semester is now open at PSC. New this semester at PSC is Flexible Scheduling – classes starting at different times during the semester. Students can choose their schedule, their class, their time. Hundreds of courses are offered days, evenings, weekends, and online to accommodate busy schedules. The traditional 16-week course option is still available with a start date of Jan. 12 and end date of May 7. New this spring is the 14-week course, with a start date of Jan. 26 and end date of May 7. What were formerly called late start courses are now called 12-week courses with a start date of Feb. 6 and end date of May 7. All of these courses — 16-week, 14-week, and 12-week — offer the same course material with the same credit hours. The shorter the number of weeks, the longer the class period. Also for spring, PSC is offering two different eight-week courses. First eight-week courses start Jan. 12 and end March 9. Second eight-week courses start March 10 and end May 7. The eight-week courses typically are fewer credit hours. Many of the college certificate programs offer eight-week courses, allowing students to fit two courses in a semester and to make progress towards that certificate. Spring registration began Oct. 20 for current students. New students can begin registering on Oct. 27. Students are encouraged to register early as classes will fill quickly. Both credit and non-credit courses are listed in the spring 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 prairiestate.edu. To register for credit courses, new students must complete an enrollment application in person at the college or online. Enrollment Services is open Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Current students can register for credit courses in person or online. Students can register for non-credit courses online or in person. To register online via Instant Enrollment, go to prairiestate.edu and follow the directions to choose How To Enroll under continuing education courses. Another option is to complete the registration form available in the back of the printed course schedule. Students also can register for non-credit courses in person at the Matteson Area Center, located at 4821 Southwick Drive in Matteson, or in the Enrollment Services Office on the PSC main campus. The Matteson Area Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about registering for courses, visit www.prairiestate.edu or call 708-709-3500.

Roosevelt University, 425 South Wabash, Chicago

Magazine Writer and Author Adam Gopnik Lecture – Thursday, November 13

Adam Gopnik, the witty and insightful author and essayist for the The New Yorker magazine, will discuss the “Humanities as the Foundation of the Sciences” in a free lecture at Roosevelt University on Thursday, November 13 at 5 p.m. Gopnik is speaking at Roosevelt as part of the Galileo-Shakespeare Project, a conference on the Humanities and Sciences in the Early Modern World, cosponsored by Roosevelt’s Montesquieu Forum and Illinois Institute of Technology’s Benjamin Franklin Project.

His lecture will be held in Roosevelt’s Ganz Hall, on the seventh floor of the University, 430 S. Michigan Ave. Seats are available on a first-come basis. An award-winning journalist, Gopnik writes on modern life and culture, often providing revealing observations about people and places in everyday life. He also writes in another genre, which he calls “comic personal essays” that are funny and touching stories about how families live in Paris and New York. Gopnik has been an essayist for The New Yorker since 1986 and his work for the magazine has won both the National Magazine Award for Essay and the George Polk Award for Magazine Reporting. In his most recent book, The Table Comes First: Family, France and the Meaning of Food, he goes on a quest to find the meaning of food and discovers that what matters the most isn’t what goes on the table, it’s what gathers around it: family, friends, lovers and conversation. The French government named him a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2012. For more information about Gopnik’s lecture, contact Warner at [email protected]

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

Fifth Annual Family Reading Night Event – Wednesday, November 19

SSC’s Adult Volunteer Literacy Program is hosting their fifth annual Family Reading Night event on Wednesday, November 19th from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. The public is invited to join SSC to find out about community literacy while enjoying stories and presentations. There will also be free books for children, raffles and refreshments. This year’s event will feature three local authors, who will read excerpts from their books to the community. The first author, Sandra Dyson from Harvey, Illinois, will be reading an excerpt from her book “Sweet Water.” Next, Courtney Harris, Ph.D., will speak to the audience about the importance of family while referencing excerpts from his book titled "American Society: The Enemy of the Family Structure.” Lastly, Theo Chapman will discuss excerpts from his book "Why Do Teenagers Talk Like That”—written as a tool to help bridge the communication gap that is growing between adults and youth. All three authors will be available for questions, comments and book signings after they speak.

This year at Family Reading Night, SSC will hand out free children’s books to all children attending, raffle Barnes and Nobles gift cards, and perform an Interactive Reading Activity called "Read that Word"—author Theo Chapman will have the audience journey through time, uncovering the present and past of youth vernacular. Time will also be set aside for the families to read with their children. For more information about Family Reading Night or the Adult Volunteer Literacy Program, please contact Lakisha Hillard, coordinator, at 708-596-2000, extension 2558, or email [email protected]. South Suburban College is located at 15800 S. State St., South Holland, Illinois. This event is sponsored in part by the SSC Foundation.

SCORE Small Business Workshops Coming to SSC – Registration Now in Progress

SSC’s Business & Career Institute and SCORE have once again partnered to bring free business workshops geared for small business developers and owners. Two new workshops will be offered this fall at the college’s Oak Forest Center. Attendees may choose to attend one or both of the workshops at no charge to help their business grow and take advantage of the networking opportunities. Registration and networking at the SCORE workshops begins at 8:45 a.m., with instruction and discussion to follow from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. The upcoming workshop schedule is as follows:

Taking Your Business Idea from Concept to Reality — Wednesdays, November 12 and 19, 8:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Coming up with ideas is the easy part; executing the idea is the hard part! Most entrepreneurs focus more on the ideas and less on how to organize for action. This two-part series workshop includes two sessions on consecutive weeks. The first session is intended to stimulate ideas into business actions. Attendees will learn to become a business thinker by examining and developing an action plan document. The second session the following week is an open panel discussion of selected summaries, also intended to stimulate business thinking. Attendees will learn to sell their ideas professionally, enthusiastically and concisely.

All workshops will be held at the 16333 S. Kilbourn Ave., Oak Forest, Illinois. To register by phone, please call Carmen Garcia at 708-596-2000, extension 2663. For more information, email [email protected].

Give a Gift of Scholarship This Holiday Season

The South Suburban College Foundation (SSCF) is seeking year-end gifts from those who wish to help make a difference in the lives of local college students who need assistance. The SSCF Scholarship Donor Drive will continue through the end of the year, providing both a charitable gift opportunity and tax-deduction for all donors. This support provides scholarship assistance each year to many students who otherwise would be unlikely to begin or complete their college education. One-hundred percent (100%) of Donor Drive donations benefit scholarship and student assistance funds. Whether it is a high school graduate, an unemployed resident looking for a career change, or a single parent pursuing their college degree for the first time, the SSC Foundation offers scholarship assistance to all students in need. Helping students achieve their college dream can give them the tools to improve their lives and their communities. Scholarship opportunities are critical for SSC students. Many are struggling to balance family, employment, and school responsibilities while they are often unable to receive Financial Aid. The majority of SSC scholarship recipients do not qualify for any other type of financial assistance. Scholarship money is provided primarily through the annual fall Scholarship Donor Drive. All scholarship contributions to the SSCF are 100% tax-deductible (TIN: 23- 7191736). The SSCF staff works cooperatively with individuals and organizations to develop a donor plan of any level. New scholarships can also be established with a $750 donation. Donations may be made online at www.ssc.edu/foundation, via PayPal to [email protected] or mailed to:
“SSC Foundation”
15800 S. State Street
South Holland, IL 60473
At SSC, 90% of students fall under the low income, first generation or disabled criteria. The SSCF once again awarded over $100,000 in total awards to these students in 2014, and has now granted over $1.6 million since 1987. For more information, please contact the Foundation Office at 708-596-2000, extension 2697 or [email protected].

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

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

Park Forest Health Department, 350 Victory Drive

Information Session on Ebola Virus – Monday, November 17

The Park Forest Health Department will host an information session on the Ebola virus on Monday, November 17 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Blvd. Learn how you can protect yourself against the virus and what the latest news is on the risk of the spread of the virus. For questions, contact the Park Forest Health Department at 708-748-1118. Download the flier!  

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

Healthy Living Program – Thursday, November 13

UUCC will host a Healthy Living Program on Thursday, November 13 at 1 p.m. The speaker will be Hydrotherapist and Herbalist Carolyn Prince. The event is free and open to the public. Ms. Prince will talk about strengthening our immune systems, defending ourselves from infections, ‘gut’ health, and detoxing. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org. UUCC is located east of Western Avenue and south of Steger Road.

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.

Green Events

Sauk-Calumet Group of the Illinois Sierra Club, Matteson

Urban Streams Expert to Speak at Monthly Meeting – Monday, November 10

The Sauk-Calumet Group of the Illinois Sierra Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, November 10, at 7:15 p.m. at the Frankfort Community Center, 140 Oak Street. PLEASE BE ADVISED: for the remainder of 2014 the meetings will NOT be held at the Frankfort Public Library but at the Frankfort Community Center. In this month’s program, Jennifer Hammer of the Conservation Foundation will discuss the ecological restoration of our urban streams. Pollution of our streams comes not only from point sources like factories and power plants, but from streets and parking lots, and from individual water users. Ms. Hammer will show us what we can all do to help our urban streams. The Frankfort Community Center is at 140 Oak St., a block and a half south of Nebraska, and about 5 blocks east of LaGrange Rd. From LaGrange Rd., turn east on Nebraska and drive 5 blocks to Oak St. Turn south on Oak St. to the Center. Sierra Club meetings are free and open to the public. People who enjoy outdoor activities, who want to protect the environment, or who wish to preserve the world in which we live, are encouraged to attend. For additional information, contact Patrick Coffey, Publicity Chair, at [email protected].

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

Wednesday Morning Walkers – November 12

Wednesday Morning Walkers can enjoy the early autumn delights on these leisurely (or brisk) trail walks. The group walks on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Trails can be wet or muddy, so please wear sturdy shoes. This event is free and open to the public ages 13 through adult. Registration is required two days before your first walk. For additional information, call 708-747-6320.

Story of the Landscape Hike – Saturday, November 15

The Story of the Landscape Hike is for all ages and will take place on Saturday, November 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In 1957 May Theilgaard Watts, naturalist at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois wrote the enchanting book ‘Reading the Landscape.’ She wrote “there is good reading on the land…The records are written in the forests, in fencerows, in gardens, in tree rings.” Join us on this fall hike to read the landscape of Thorn Creek Woods. This program is free and registration is required. For additional information or to register, call 708-747-6320.

Annual Holiday Food Drive – Through Saturday, December 13

Thorn Creek Nature Center is hosting its annual holiday food drive for the Rich Township Food Pantry. Donation items can be dropped off at the Nature Centre during open hours through Saturday, December 13. Acceptable items are: non-perishable food items (including boxed, canned and dry foods) especially cereals and peanut butter; personal care items for men and women, especially toothpaste, deodorants and razors; zip lock quart and gallon size bags; baby formula; and disposable diapers (adult and infant). For additional information, 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.

This & That

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

Annual Fall Vendor Fair – Wednesday, November 19

Just in time to help you get your holiday shopping done early, the GSU Civil Service Senate is sponsoring the GSU Annual Fall Vendor Fair. The shoppers’ paradise will feature arts and crafts, perfect gifts, and unique creations on November 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the Hall of Governors on the university’s main campus in University Park. The event is free and open to the public. Interested vendors and crafters are encouraged to participate. Space is limited. For more information or to register, call 708-235-7559.

League of Women Voters of the Park Forest Area

Discussion on EPA’s Clean Power Plan – Tuesday, November 18

The League of Women Voters of the Park Forest Area will host a meeting to provide information on the EPA’s Clean Power Plan and efforts here in Illinois to implement the plan at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18 at the Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard. Caroline Wooten, Conservation Organizer for the Illinois Sierra Club, will speak on the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. The plan will create the first ever federal limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants. Groups here in Illinois, including the Sierra Club, are working to make sure that the Clean Power Plan is implemented in Illinois in a manner that prioritizes clean energy development over fossil fuels and nuclear energy. In her work with the Sierra Club, Ms. Wooten focuses on grassroots campaigns to move Illinois beyond fossil fuels and prioritize renewable energy development. The meeting is open to the public and anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend to learn more about clean energy initiatives. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Anyone interested in promoting responsible government is invited to be a member. For more information about the program or membership in the League, please contact Mary Lubertozzi, 708-747-1359.

Park Forest Tennis and Health Club, 290 Westwood Drive

Rally for the Cure Event – Registration Now in Progress

The Park Forest Tennis and Health Club will host Rally for the Cure, an event benefiting Breast Cancer Research, on November 15 at 5 p.m. The competition will feature three playing styles: round robin, tennis and pickle ball. Registration for the event is $20. Goodie bags will be provided to each registrant. A drawing for other giveaways will also be held. To register, call 708-481-6060, or visit the Park Forest Tennis & Health Club, 290 Westwood Drive. Pre-registration is required. On-site registration the day of the event will not be offered. The event is sponsored by CondeNast and the Village of Park Forest. Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen organization.