Local

In and Around Park Forest Week of November 18, 2013


Jamiya and Tiffany Gail
Jamiya Gail, 9, was presented with a Citizens Award Saturday by the Park Forest Police. When she was 8, Jamiya dialed 911, remained calm when mom Tiffany (right) needed emergency medical care. Jamiya likely saved her mother’s life. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—November 18, 2013. If you are part of the Baby Boomer Generation like myself, you know exactly where you were on November 22, 1963 when you learned that President Kennedy was assassinated. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that heartbreaking day in our history. The Park Forest Library will be remembering this historic day with several events on Friday, November 22. In addition to the events scheduled on Friday, throughout the month, the Library will be gathering your comments on where you were on the day that JFK was assassinated. Additional information about the Library’s events can be found in the ‘Arts & Entertainment’ section.

In addition, on Sunday, November 24 at 3 p.m., representatives from the Park Forest religious community will host their annual Community Thanksgiving Service at the Church of the Holy Family, located at the corner of Sauk Trail and Orchard Drive. Participants can donate new or gently-used shoes to be sent to Haiti as part of a donation drive, food donations for the Rich Township Food Pantry or cash donations to benefit a sponsorship to Top Box, a non-profit organization that aims to provide delicious, healthy, high-quality foods at affordable prices to those with limited access to nutritious eating options. You can learn more about this community event 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 Meeting

The Board of Trustees will hold a Board Meeting on Monday, November 18 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. Residents are encouraged to attend. Board meetings air live on cable access channels (Channel 4 for Comcast subscribers and Channel 99 for AT&T subscribers) 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 and click on the date of the meeting you wish to watch.

Village Commission & Advisory Boards

The following Park Forest Advisory Board is scheduled to meet the week of November 18:

  • Tuesday, November 16 at 7 p.m. – Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

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

Village of Park Forest Requests Your ONLINE Feedback about Zoning Update

Park Forest business owners and residents are invited to visit http://parkforest.metroquest.com to share their ideas about how to update the Village’s development regulations. The Village is updating its zoning and subdivision ordinances to better align with its previous planning documents and with current land use practices. To that end, a public workshop was held on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at Dining on the Green in DownTown Park Forest. The purpose of the workshop was to introduce zoning concepts and to ask participants for feedback about their development preferences for the future of the Village. Over 50 residents, business owners, and community leaders attended the meeting and gave their input. The Park Forest community still has the opportunity to give feedback about this zoning and subdivision update for the next few weeks. By visiting http://parkforest.metroquest.com, you can participate in an online visual preference survey, which should take about 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey will collect feedback about preferred development in the DownTown area, along Sauk Trail, and in large redevelopment site areas. Additionally, the survey will gather input on your ideas about sustainable development options. Visit http://parkforest.metroquest.com to have your voice heard today! The website will be live for the next 30 days.

2013 Veterans Events

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

November Events Celebrating Veterans at PSC

The month of November at Prairie State College (PSC) is filled with events celebrating veterans. The community is invited to join in the celebration, and all of the events will be held at the main campus. Scheduled events are as follows:

  • Wednesday, November 20 at 1:30 p.m. — The Montford Point Marines Association will be available for a question and answer session in The Heritage Community Bank Room in the Conference Center. The Montford Point Marine Association commemorates the first African Americans trained as Marines at Montford Point Camp, Camp Lejeune, New River, North Carolina in 1942.
  • Wednesday, November 27 at 4 p.m. — The month long series of events ends with the retirement of the Missing Man Table at 4 p.m.

For more information regarding the veterans events at PSC, please visit prairiestate.edu and access the events calendar.

National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

Espirit de Corps Exhibition – Through August 1, 2014

NVAM is celebrating its first anniversary in its Milwaukee Avenue location with its art exhibition, Esprit de Corps, an exhibition highlighting the spirit of creative resilience. Esprit de Corps features art by nine veterans of Vietnam, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror. The NVAM will be free and open to the public through August 1, 2014. Esprit de Corps is sponsored by Omicron, Bank of America and Paratech Incorporated. Drawing on breakthroughs in using art to assist with reintegration of veterans and for therapeutic expression, Esprit de Corps traces the process and roles of therapeutic art from the act of initial perception through expression of experience to an ultimate communal sharing and understanding of the real impact of war. Featured artists include Joseph Fornelli, Jerry Frech, Jonathan Hancock, Peter Sullivan, Benjamin Suarez, Thomas Gilbertson, Theodore Gostas, Richard Williams and Erica Slone. High resolution images of work in the show are available through the NVAM’s Dropbox. For additional information and hours, visit the museum’s website at www.nvam.org

Arts & Entertainment

Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest

‘TIS THE SEASON! Starring Mac Frampton – Tickets Now on Sale

On Tuesday, December 10 at 11 a.m., Freedom Hall’s Senior Theatre will present ‘TIS the Season! starring Mac Frampton. A heartwarming homage to everybody’s favorite Holiday music, sprinkled with great music for all seasons. Mac Frampton’s played the huge arenas and the concert halls, soloed with the great orchestras, released scores of recordings. Now, in the fullness of artistic maturity, after nearly four thousand performances worldwide, Mac Frampton returns to his roots, back to the basics: a concert grand piano, the passion to perform, and an expectant audience. Mac Frampton and his music – an unbeatable combination! Join us as Mac plays the standards and Holiday Classics for this special show! Tickets are $13 and can be purchased at the box office, over the phone at 708-747-0580, or on-line, at www.freedomhall.org

The Freddy Cole Quartet – Tickets Now on Sale

On Friday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m., the Freddy Cole Quartet will take the stage at Freedom Hall. Featuring Freddie Cole – Piano, Elias Bailey- Bass, Curtis Boyd- Drums, Randy Napoleon- Guitar. Recognized as one of the great practitioners of American Song, Freddy Cole is widely regarded as one of the most influential singers in jazz music. Growing up in a musical household, Freddy remembers, “music was all around me." Visitors of the Chicago home of his youth included greats such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Lionel Hampton. Freddy Cole doesn’t apologize for sounding like his brother, Nat "King" Cole. There are certain unmistakable similarities. He plays piano, sings, and performs live with guitar and upright bass- just like Nat. Yet his voice is raspier, smokier, and perhaps even jazzier. His vocals—suave, elegant, formidable, and articulate—are among the most respected in jazz. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased at the box office, over the phone at 708-747-0580, or on-line, at www.freedomhall.org.

Park Forest Recreation & Parks

‘Hello Dolly!’ at the Rialto Theater & Dinner at The Department – Registration Deadline Friday, December 20

On Thursday, January 23 we’ll be heading Joliet’s beautiful Rialto Theater to see ‘Hello Dolly!’ Prior to the show, we’ll enjoy a delectable buffet dinner of pot roast, chicken, and various sides at The Department in Joliet. Winner of ten Tony Awards including Best Musical, ‘Hello, Dolly!’ is one of the most enduring Broadway classics. Emmy-award winning Sally Struthers (All In the Family, Gilmore Girls) stars as the strong willed matchmaker Dolly, as she travels to Yonkers, NY to find a match for the ornery “well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder. Featuring an irresistible story and an unforgettable score including the title song, “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,” “It Only Takes A Moment,” and the show stopping “Before the Parade Passes By,” Hello, Dolly! has been charming audiences around the world for nearly 50 years. The bus will leave at 4 p.m. from Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive and return at approximately 11 p.m. The fee for this trip is $95 per person and includes round-trip transportation, buffet dinner and ticket to the Theater. Registration deadline is Friday, December 20. Register in person at the Recreation and Parks Department at Village Hall or over the phone with a credit card by calling 708-748-2005. Mention code 348770-1 when you register.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest

This Week’s Events at the Park Forest Public Library

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

  • Monday, November 18 at 10:30 a.m. — Imagine! Create! Participate! — Is your preschooler all about the drama? Do they enjoy singing and dancing? This program is just what they need. Designed to help boost creativity and imagination, children will enjoy acting out their favorite stories on the kids’ zone stage.
  • Monday, November 18 at 11:30 a.m. — 3M Book Club: ‘Day of the Jackal’ — #1 New York Times bestselling author Frederick Forsyth’s unforgettable novel of a conspiracy, a killer, and the one man who can stop him… He is known only as “The Jackal”—a cold, calculating assassin without emotion, or loyalty, or equal. He’s just received a contract from an enigmatic employer to eliminate one of the most heavily guarded men in the world—Charles De Gaulle, president of France.
  • Monday, November 18 at 3:30 p.m. – Podcast Mondays — During this program, I’ll teach the teens how to create their own radio show that we’ll turn into podcasting. In the program the teens will learn how to write a script, set up interviews, create a jingle and will be allowed to play music under my direction.
  • Monday, November 18 at 6 p.m. — Classic Movie Nights: -Day of the Jackal’ — With its high-intensity plot about an attempt to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle, the bestselling novel by Frederick Forsyth was a prime candidate for screen adaptation. Director Fred Zinnemann brought his veteran skills to bear on what has become a timeless classic of screen suspense. Not to be confused with the later remake The Jackal starring Bruce Willis (which shamelessly embraced all the bombast that Zinnemann so wisely avoided), this 1973 thriller opts for lethal elegance and low-key tenacity in the form of the Jackal, the suave assassin played with consummate British coolness by Edward Fox. He’s a killer of the highest order, a master of disguise and international elusiveness, and this riveting film follows his path to de Gaulle with an intense, straightforward documentary style. Perhaps one of the last great films from a bygone age of pure, down-to-basics suspense.
  • Tuesday, November 19 at 10:30 a.m. — Yoga Movement and Me — In this series of programs children to explore basic yoga movements with the help of stories, games, and poses.
  • Tuesday, November 19 at 3:30 a.m. – Teen Coffee House — This is a time for teens to share poetry, paint, draw, create art on computers or phones and play video games. This is a laid back space to sip coffee and tea while creating and sharing with other teens.
  • Tuesday, November 19 at 6 p.m. – Kindle Fire Class — Learn how to master your Kindle Fire. Learn how to download e-books on your tablet with confidence. Come explore the basics and beyond. Registration required.
  • Tuesday, November 19 at 6 p.m. – PJ Storytime — Wear your pajamas & come join us for stories, crafts & games.
  • Wednesday, November 20 at 10:30 a.m. — Preschool Art Studio — Children will have the opportunity to listen to a story and complete an art project related to the story. Registration required.
  • Wednesday, November 20 at 3:30 p.m. – Wacky Wednesdays — Why are Wednesday’s wacky?? Well thanks to Dr. Seuss we know many things can be Wacky and they can be even more so in the library. Rotating programs will ensure that Hump Day is never a bore. There will be virtual talent shows, Weird Science, Project Runway, Top Chef and more.
  • Wednesday, November 20 at 6 p.m. – Art Studio — Children will have the opportunity to listen to a story and complete an art project related to the story. Registration required.
  • Thursday, November 21 at 10:30 a.m. – Babygarten — Babygarten is an educational curriculum for caregivers and their babies that teaches parents how and why to read to babies. Infants and their caregivers share nursery rhymes, songs and books followed by a free-play/activity period. Babygarten is primary focus is the healthy development of infants aged 0-18 months old with an emphasis on language acquisition and enrichment and pre-literacy skills. During Babygarten, we provide an environment that nurtures and stimulates babies and toddlers with a wide variety of experiences including: Nursery rhymes and songs; Fingerplays; Book Sharing /Univon Reading;
    Early Literacy Tips for Parents and Caregivers; and Free Play. Registration required.
  • Thursday, November 21 at 11:30 a.m. — Toddlers & Terrific Twos Storytime — For ages 18-36 months with a parent or caregiver. Registration required.
  • Thursday, November 21 at 5 p.m. – LEGO Club — Play and learn with LEGOs at the Park Forest Public Library! The creations the children make will be on display in kids’ zone.
  • Friday, November 22 at 11 a.m. – Where Were You — Throughout the month of November, you will have an opportunity to write down your answer to the question: Where were you the day JFK was assassinated? We will post some of your answers and gather in the Ringering Room for a roundtable discussion.
  • Friday, November 22 at 12:30 p.m. — Images of an Assassination — On the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy we have a brand new documentary film of this famous film. A discussion will follow the film.
  • Friday, November 22 at 2:30 p.m. — The Assassination of JFK — A documentary film recounting the tragic events of November 22, 1963. Produced by ABC television. A discussion will follow the film.
  • Saturday, November 23 at 11 a.m. – Microsoft PowerPoint Practice — The first five people to come may attend. There is no registration for the practice sessions.
  • Saturday, November 23 at 1 p.m. — Super Science Saturdays (Session 2) — For grades 3-5. Join us for 6 meetings of fun hands-on experiments provided by the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago. For our last meeting, we will take a trip to the Museum’s Family Day on December 7th. NOTE: Attendee must be between the grades of 3 and 6. Registration required.
  • Saturday, November 23 at 3 p.m. — Super Science Saturdays (Session 3) — For grades 3-5. Join us for 6 meetings of fun hands-on experiments provided by the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago. For our last meeting, we will take a trip to the Museum’s Family Day on December 7th. NOTE: Attendee must be between the grades of 3 and 6. Registration required.

For additional information or to register for certain events, please call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org/

Potpourri of Lectures, Thursday, November 21

This week’s lecture is entitled "Cycling the Camino de Santiago" with Al Sturges. The lecture will begin at 1 p.m. and will be held in the Library’s Ringering Room.

Holiday Toy Drive

Through December 8, the Park Forest Public Library will be collecting NEW toys that will be given away during this holiday season. Please drop off new unwrapped toys or Toys R Us gift cards here at the library. We cannot accept any stuffed toys for this collection. We will make sure that these toys get into the neediest children’s hands. For more information call 708-748-3731 extension 22.

Park Forest Historical Society, Park Forest

Thanksgiving Exhibit at 1950s Park Forest House Museum – Through November 24

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum at 141 Forest Blvd, Park Forest, will be decorated with Thanksgiving Gurley candles, with a few extra special touches. Visit for a nostalgic look at these familiar Thanksgiving decorations from the 1950s and 1960s. The Museum is open Wednesday and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the museum can also be open for groups by appointment, at other times. Donation is $5 for adults; children 12 and under free with an adult. Scout and school tours are priced individually. For details, to arrange a special group tour, or to volunteer, visit the Park Forest Historical Society website, www.parkforesthistory.org, or call Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252.

Park Forest Plaza Print for Sale

Annabelle Gould’s print of the Park Forest Plaza is available for sale at the Park Forest House Museum, 141 Forest Boulevard. The vibrant print is from an original watercolor, showing kids and their moms in the Park Forest Plaza, in front of the old Holiday Theatre and Golden Hanger Shop. The print can be purchased at the House Museum during normal hours of operation on Wednesdays and Saturdays or through the Society’s online store on their website at www.parkforesthistory.org. Prints are $15 each. Online purchases also required an additional $6 fee for postage and handling. For additional information on other items for sale by the Society, visit www.parkforesthistory.org.

Salon Artists Gallery, 294 Main St., Park Forest

‘Eclectic Exhibit’ — Opens November 22

Opening Friday, November 22, ‘Eclectic Exhibit’ will showcase the works of Suzanne Dreher, Will Mull and Ginny Raftery. Join us for a "Meet the Artists" Reception on November 22 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy Refreshments, Music and Fine Company. This reception also kicks off our Holiday sale. Come by and check out our priced-just-right items and give the gift of art to your family and friends for the holidays. Gallery Hours through December 21 are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10am until 4pm and Friday and Sunday 1:30 – 4pm. The Gallery will be closed on November 29 and 30 as well as December 1. For additional information, please call 708-833-5108 or 708-748-3946.

22nd Annual Holiday Art Sale – Begins November 22

Salon Artists Gallery will hold its 22ns Annual Holiday Art sale beginning November 22. The sale will continue through December 21. Items for sale include original one-of-a-kin d gifts of art and other unique items at affordable prices done by local artists. You will receive 10% off any item over $20. For additional information or gallery hours, please call 708-833-5108 or 708-748-3946.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

Annual Holiday Show – Opens November 22

Have you ever wished you could give someone a gift, such as a piece of jewelry of clothing that would be totally unique – instead of something mass produced and sold in a department store? Have you event wished you could hang something handcrafted on your tree or hung something artistic on your wall that is one-of-a-kind? Have you ever wished to send holiday cards that one of your friends will ever receive from anyone else? Then come to Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery for your holiday shopping. The Annual Holiday Show opens on Friday, November 22 with a reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., open to the public free of charge. The show will run through January 12, 2014. On that day, the entire gallery will have been turned into a gift shop filled with original art, specially priced for gift giving. The gallery is open 11 a.m. through 4 p.m., Tuesday, through Saturday. The Holiday Show features artworks by a large number of Tall Grass artists. The artworks include paintings, prints, photographs and pastels. There are three-dimensional works including wooden bowls, ceramics and glass. A large selection of necklaces, earring and pins are available. They range from jewelry made from blown glass to semi-precious stones. This show includes hand-painted porcelain ornaments and dishes, hand-made holiday cars and hand-knit scarves, socks and hats. There is also a selection of items handcrafted in Kenya. For additional information, visit www.tallgrassarts.org or call 708-748-3377.

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

Salt Creek Ballet Presents ‘The Nutcracker’ – Tickets Now on Sale
On Saturday, December 7 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Salt Creek Ballet will present ‘The Nutcracker’ – a magical tale of young Clara and her holiday journey features talented dancers and Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score – along with waltzing flowers, giant mice, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. A delightful holiday tradition for all ages! Take pictures with Santa and join the cast for holiday treats, crafts and many others surprises at 3 p.m. Tickets are priced at $20, $30, and $40. Children at and under are $20. To purchase tickets, or for further information, contact GSU Center’s box office at www.CenterTickets.net or call 708-235-2222.

The Drama Group, 330 W. 202nd Street, Chicago Heights

The Drama Group Daytime Children’s Theatre to Present ‘The Adventures of Hansel & Gretel’ – Opens November 20

The Drama Group is excited to present the classic fairy tale ‘The Adventures of Hansel & Gretel’as the first in a series of the Children’s Theatre program. Performances will be held at the Drama Group Studio Theatre, in Chicago Heights on: November 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24 – Wednesday, Thursday & Friday at 9:30am and Noon; Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. only. Tickets are $6.00 in advance or $7.00 at the door. Group discount rates are $5.00 for groups of 25+. There is limited handicap seating. Please call the Drama Group box office for details. This is the perfect outing for churches, kindergarten and grade schools to Grade 5; also, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, day care centers and any other children’s group organizations. It is recommended to call the Drama Group box office at 708-755-3444 for advance sales. For directions and other information regarding Drama Group activities, please visit the Drama Group’s Web site at www.dramagroup.org.

‘Making God Laugh’ – Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for the Drama Group’s presentation of the heartwarming family comedy ‘Making God Laugh,’ written by noted Chicago actor and playwright Sean Grennan. Performances will be held at the Drama Group Studio Theatre: December 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th & 14th at 7:30 p.m., and the 8th, and 15th at 2 p.m. ‘Making God Laugh’is a family comedy that takes place in four scenes, each ten years apart, set at various holidays. Starting in 1980, the newly "launched" kids – a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former star football player – all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives. The "empty nest" parents contend with their own changes too, as old family rituals and dubious recipes are trotted out and ancient tensions flare up. Over the course of thirty years’ worth of celebrations – Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Easter – we see how, despite what we may have in mind, we often arrive at unexpected destinations. Tickets are $19 for adults and $18.00 for seniors and $15 for students with ID. Group discount rates are also available. There is limited handicap seating. Please call the Drama Group box office for details. Good seats are still available, however, due to brisk advance sales, rather than waiting to purchase at the door, it is recommended to call the Drama Group box office at 708-755-3444 for advance sales. For directions and other information regarding Drama Group activities, please visit our Web site at www.dramagroup.org.  

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

Annual Fall Vendor Fair – Wednesday, November 20

Just in time to help you get your holiday shopping done early, the GSU Civil Service Senate is sponsoring the Annual Fall Vendor Fair on Wednesday, November 20 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Hall of Governors on the university’s main campus. The shoppers’ paradise will feature arts and crafts, perfect gifts, and unique creations and is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 708-235-7559.

‘Ways of Making: Installation Art’ at GSU Gallery – Through December 2

The Visual Arts Gallery at Governors State University is presenting “Ways of Making: Installation Art,” featuring the work of artists Barbara Hashimoto and Dana Major and the students from the Theater and Performance Studies program under the direction of Dr. Patrick Santoro through December 2, 2013. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The exhibition, the first in the gallery’s 2013-14 “Ways of Making” series, features two professional artists who focus on the connections between performance art and installation art in a gallery setting, as well as student work. The “Ways of Making” series of exhibitions seeks to explore the disciplines and practices taught in the art program at GSU. “Ways of Making: Installation Art” was inspired by the recent addition of Theater and Performance Studies program at GSU. GSU Art Gallery curator, Jeff Stevenson said, “I selected artists Barbara Hashimoto and Dana Major because they used installation as their primary form of expression, not just an occasional or one-off installation here and there.” Barbara Hashimoto’s visual and performance work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Japan, Europe, Mexico, and the Middle East. It is in more than 300 collections, including The Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of American Art, The Art Institute of Chicago (Joan Flasch Collection), The Museum of Arts and Design, and The National Museum for Women in the Arts. Working in a broad array of media, she is particularly known for both her ceramic- and paper-based work of intimate scale as well as and her large-scale installations and expansive environmental art projects embracing activism and community engagement. Barbara’s work in the exhibit is "underfoot", has tangible and conceptual aspects to it, and activates the space. Dana Major is a multi-media artist and a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Major has been exhibiting her work since 1997 across the United States, particularly in Kentucky, Philadelphia and Chicago. Her work is informed by the look of the natural world at all scales, and ways of seeing, from microscopy to astronomy. Dana’s work in this exhibit is “overhead,” uses light, shadow and an interplay of real and imagined, which contrasts Hashimoto’s work. The Visual Arts Gallery hours are Monday thru Thursday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and by appointment. For more information, call 708-534-4021or visit www.govst.edu/gallery.

DePaul University Art Museum, 935 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago

‘Histories/Photographies’ Exhibition of Works by Local Artists – Through December 8

The DePaul Art Museum examines photography and its relational place in time and history with “Histories/Photographies,” a new exhibition of works by local artists. The exhibition will run through December 8. Through an array of strategies, these artists record the traces of the past that exist in the present, mine the telling and dissemination of photography’s own history, and engage with the ever-evolving materiality of photographs. Their work reveals that history, and the history of photography in particular, is not merely an episodic succession of events, innovations, and movements, but rather a far more complex layering of recordings, encounters and perspectives through and across time. The artists featured in the exhibition include: Jeremy Bolen, Alan Cohen, Adam Ekberg, Myra Greene, Shane Huffman, Barbara Kasten, Jason Lazarus, Aspen Mays, John Opera, Jason Reblando, David Schalliol, Matthew Schlagbaum and Adam Schreiber. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18 at the museum, 935 W. Fullerton Ave., just east of the CTA’s Fullerton ‘L’ stop. The museum is free and open to the public every day. The exhibition runs through December 8. The DePaul Art Museum is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 773-325-7506 or visit www.depauledu/museum.

Marist High School, 4200 West 115th Street, Chicago

A Very Marist Christmas Celebration – Saturday December 7

Marist High School will hold its seventh annual Christmas celebration, A Very Marist Christmas, on Saturday, December 7, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Chateau Busché, 11535 S. Cicero Ave., Alsip. This popular event has undergone a few changes this year, including a new venue and several exciting activities. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Admission includes a buffet dinner, entertainment, wine and beer. A cash bar for mixed drinks will be available. This event is for adults 21 and over only. There will an interactive DJ providing music, themed rooms, raffles, split the pot, and live entertainment throughout the night. Marist’s Parents Club has been planning this event for several months, and has a memorable night in store for all who attend. To purchase tickets, visit maristinsider.net/maristchristmas or call 773-881-5300.

National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM), 4041 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

‘Not About Bombs’ – Through Fall 2013

The NVAM will host the opening of ‘Not About Bombs,’ a celebrated exhibit featuring the work by five Iraqi women artists through Fall 2013. The show will be open to the public through Fall 2013. For additional information, visit the museum’s website at www.nvam.org.

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

‘Abstract Impact’ Exhibit at Christopher Art Gallery – Through December 12

PSC is hosting “Abstract Impact,” through Thursday, December 12, in the Christopher Art Gallery, located on the PSC main campus. The exhibit features Midwest artists Zach Mory, Steve Leavitt, Sharon Swidler, Barbara Cooper, Michael Hopkins, Mary Burke, Cristal Tucker, and Shelley Gilchrist. The exhibit is free and open to the public. 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. The gallery will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. For more information about the exhibit or to make an appointment for a visit, call 708-709-3636.

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

New Art Exhibitions at SSC’s Thiel and Dulgar Galleries – Through November 19

The Art & Design Department of SSC is pleased to present two exhibitions in galleries on the college’s Main Campus in South Holland. First, Mark Holmes is exhibiting “Moves and Measures” through Tuesday, November 19th in the Lee E. Dulgar Gallery with a closing reception on November 19th at 1:00 p.m. “Moves and Measures” features 18 objects that represent four bodies of work. Holmes explores similar visual themes through the distinct groups, giving the viewer insight into his sculptural oeuvre. He constructs different spaces with color, surface, planes and edges that invite the audience to witness perceptual ambiguities colliding with tactile realities. Mark Holmes holds a BA from Hope College, and an MFA in sculpture from Yale University. He currently chairs the Department of Art and Art History at Knox College, where he has taught since 2004. A second exhibition of oil paintings by emerging artist George Peterson titled “Mode In Medium” is on display in the Dorothea Theil Gallery through November 14, 2013. The exhibition will feature selected paintings executed before, during, and after his time in graduate school. Peterson received his MFA in painting at the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, Boston, MA. He has worked under established artists such as Angela Dufresne, Tony Apesos, and Joe Wardwell. Peterson has exhibited with artists such as Eric Finzi, Annette Wehrhahn and Eliza Burke Greene. The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. The Thiel Gallery is on the fourth floor in the Art & Design hallway and is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Dulgar Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays. Call 708-596-2000, extension 2445 or extension 2300 for more information.

Union Street Gallery, 527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights

Union Street Gallery Annual Members Exhibit – Artists Reception Saturday, November 23

Union Street Gallery will showcase recent artwork by our artist members in this captivating annual exhibit. Art exhibiting includes painting, photography, and sculpture. Artist members exhibiting are Chet Chylinski, Karen DelSanto, Ron Karlic, Peggy Lehocky, Selma Lisit, Jim O’Leary, William Marquardsen, Jaqueline Nalls, Don Sala. The exhibit runs through December 21. An Artists Reception will be held on Saturday, November 23 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m.; Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 708-754-2601.

‘Twelfth Month’ Annual Exhibit & Boutique – Opening Reception Saturday, November 23

‘Twelfth Month’ is a charming and eclectic exhibit featuring over 50 talented local and regional artists exhibiting a wide variety of art and craft including paintings, drawings, collages, photographs, sculptures, glass art, and found object art. An array of smaller works of art will be for sale in the boutique areas of this exhibit including hand-made cards, small prints, jewelry, pottery, artist made accessories, blown glass, ornaments and more! The exhibit runs through December 21. The Opening Reception for Twelfth Month will be Saturday, November 23rd, from 12-3pm. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. Visitors will enjoy coffee, cider, and sweet treats while they shop and mingle with exhibiting artists, friends, and members of the Union Street Community. Gallery hours are Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m.; Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 708-754-2601.

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

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

2013 Health and Human Services Career and Internship Fair – Tuesday, November 26

GSU’s Office of Career Services is sponsoring the 2013 Health and Human Services Career and Internship Fair on Tuesday, November 26 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts lobby on GSU’s main campus. Prospective employers in the fields of physical and occupational therapy, nursing, social work, and on-profit social services will meet with job and internship candidates. The career fair is open to current students, GSU alumni, and members of the community seeking employment in these fields. There is no charge for job seekers. Participants are advised to dress professionally and bring plenty of resumes. For additional information, call 708-235-3974 or email [email protected].

Job Search Assistance Every Tuesday at GSU

The Mobile Workforce Center’s mobile unit will be at GSU every Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., parked near the university’s front entrance. Center services include resume development, access to online job boards and websites, instruction in how to conduct an online job search and improve keyboarding skills, and assistance of staff. The center is equipped with 11 computer stations with Internet access, printer, and copy machines, and is wheelchair accessible. Services are free and available to residents in all counties. For additional information, contact the Workforce Services Division of Will County at 815-727-4980.

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

Opt In to Technology at PSC

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

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

SSC Community Education to Host Family Literacy Night – Thursday, November 21

SSC’s Adult Volunteer Literacy Program is hosting their fourth annual Family Literacy Night event on Thursday, November 21st 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. There will be special local guest authors in attendance including Maria Barnes (Hammond, IN), Margaret Jones-Scott (Markham, IL) and Art Burton (Phoenix, IL). Barnes has written several children’s books including “I Can Drive” and “Starship Fuel”, under the pseudonym Mari Lumpkin. Jones-Scott explains in her “Living Lessons, A Journey of Struggle and Redemption” how she learned to apply metaphysics principles to the understanding and the meaning of overcoming life’s challenges. Burton, an SSC History instructor, will be answering questions from guests and selling signed copies of one of his book on African Americans in the Wild West–“Black, Red and Deadly.” Illiteracy is an issue that can be debilitating in so many ways for adults who never received the proper instruction. Adults who are unable to read have a much more difficult time with many daily activities that others may take for granted, along with a clear disadvantage in today’s competitive job market. SSC’s Office of Community Education administers the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program in addition to General Education Development (GED), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Basic Education (ABE). For more information about Family Literacy Night or the Adult Volunteer Literacy Program, please contact Christopher McElroy, coordinator, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2558, or email [email protected].

Open Registration Now in Progress for 2014 Spring Semester

Open Registration for the Spring 2014 Semester at South Suburban College is now in progress with classes starting on Monday, January 13, 2014. Students are encouraged to register early to ensure a seat in a class section of choice. Students who plan to use financial aid as payment 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. New students should visit the Admissions Office in Room 2348 to complete the Application Form, or download it from www.ssc.edu and fax to (708) 225-5823 along with a current state issued ID 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 allows students 24-hour access during college closed periods. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. A comprehensive schedule of evening and weekend classes will also be made available this spring at the college’s Oak Forest extension site–located at 16333 S. Kilbourn, Oak Forest, Illinois. For more information about all of SSC’s programs, admissions and registration, please visit www.ssc.edu or contact the Admissions Office at 708-210-5718.

SSC Seeks Tutors and Participants for Adult Volunteer Literacy Program

SSC is currently seeking tutors and participants for the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program. The program is structured to train volunteers to become one-on-one tutors for adults in need of basic literacy skills. Instruction in basic literacy includes the development of phonetic reading skills combined with communication skills. SSC is encouraging residents to take this opportunity to volunteer as a tutor or encourage someone you know to take advantage of this free program. New tutor-training sessions will take place on the Main Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. from November 19th through December 12th in Room 1243c. The tutor training is an 18-hour program that culminates with literacy training certification. Once certified, the tutors will go out to visit their adult learners at locations in or near their neighborhoods. Tutoring sites have already been established at the following locations: Acorn Public Library, Oak Forest; Calumet City Public Library; Grande Prairie Library, Hazel Crest; South Holland Public Library; South Suburban College Library, Main Campus; University and College Center Library, Oak Forest; Lansing Public Library; Dolton Public Library; and Midlothian Public Library. Tutoring is scheduled by the availability of the tutors and the learners, and the availability of space and hours of the tutoring sites. Tutors will receive one free professional development hour through this program in Adult Education, Reading, Writing, and many other subjects. Successful tutors are also eligible for letters of support or recommendation for jobs, scholarships, educational opportunities, and more. These opportunities are made possible by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using state funds designated for literacy. In just its four year of operation, SSC’s Adult Volunteer Literacy Program has enlisted hundreds of volunteers to date and is already an award-winning program, earning two prestigious Spotlight (SOS) Awards from the Secretary of State and Illinois Press Association. Volunteer tutor Mary Gercken won a Spotlight on Service SOS Award in 2012 and a literacy learner Tennie Fitts won the Spotlight on Achievement SOS Award in 2013. Gerken and Fitts are featured in a video accessible on YouTube entitled Improving Lives through Literacy. Also featured is author Ruth J. Colvin–a 95 year old SSC alumnus. (Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttli_Xa73pc to see the video or access it from www.ssc.edu under the “Adult Education” link.) If you would like to volunteer or know someone who would benefit from these services, please contact Christopher McElroy, Coordinator of the Adult Volunteer Literacy Program, at 708-596-2000, ext. 2558, or email [email protected].

Rich Township Free Basic Computer Classes for Adults

Rich Township is offering free basic computer skill classes for adults every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Leonard Robinson Family Services Center, 22013 Governors Highway, Richton Park. Participants will learn Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet skills, résumé building skills, and more. Classes are open only to residents of Rich Township. For additional information, call Mark Mason or Joe Moran at 708-748-6722.

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

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Washington, DC

Information on Health Insurance & the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

Visit healthcare.gov for information about Health Insurance and the Affordable Care Act. The following paper applications are available to print out: Individual Short Form, Individual without Financial Assistance, and the Family Form.

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

Free Psychotherapy Available from GSU’s Psychology Program

GSU’s Psychology Department is offering free psychotherapy services to members of the community. Conversations with a psychotherapist can help people cope with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, stress, and life transition problems. Confidential, one-on-one sessions are held with a GSU graduate student in psychology under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Individuals and couples, 18 years and older, are eligible. All sessions are conducted in Matteson, IL. The number of sessions is determined by the client’s needs. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, call 708-235-2841.

Park Forest Fire Department, 156 Indianwood Boulevard, Park Forest

CPR Classes

CPR classes are available at the Park Forest Fire Department. Click on the following link for more details: http://pffd.vopf.com/cpr-classes.html

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

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.

Green Events

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

Annual Holiday Food Drive for Rich Township Food Pantry – Through Saturday, December 14

Thorn Creek Nature Center and its Junior Ecologists Club is hosting its annual holiday food drive for the Rich Township Food Pantry. Donation items can be dropped off at the Nature Center during open hours, Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Acceptable items are: non-perishable food item (including boxed, canned and dry foods) especially cereals and peanut butter; personal care items for men and women, especially toothpaste, deodorants and razors; ziplock quart and gallon size bags; baby formula; and disposable diapers (adult and infant). Items will be accepted through Saturday, December 14.

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.

Green Community Connections, 166 N Humphrey Avenue, Oak Park

One Earth Film Festival Announces its ‘One Earth…Our Earth!’ Young Filmmakers Contest 2014 – Submission Deadline is January 12, 2014

Entries are now being accepted for the 2014 One Earth…Our Earth Young Filmmakers Contest! This film contest is part of the One Earth Film Festival (www.oneearthfilmfest.org) and is open to students from grade school (third grade) through to college level. The goal of the Young Filmmakers Contest is for students to use the creative medium of film to address the issues surrounding climate change and sustainability. Students are invited to make a solution based, 3-8 minute film or short 45 second animation. Films are judged by industry professionals and leaders within the environmental community. Winners from each age category will have their film shown throughout the festival and/or at the Green Carpet opening event, in addition to being awarded a cash prize with matching grant. Deadline for film contest submissions is January 12, 2014. Additional details for the contest are available at: http://greencommunityconnections.org/contest-details/   For questions, please contact: Katie Morris at: [email protected] or Sue Crothers at: [email protected].

This & That

Village of Park Forest

Community Thanksgiving Service – Sunday, November 24

On Sunday, November 24 at 3 p.m., representatives from the Park Forest religious community will host their annual Community Thanksgiving Service at the Church of the Holy Family, located at the corner of Sauk Trail and Orchard Drive. Coordinators of the event hope to bring together scores of residents from different backgrounds while raising funds and collecting items to help those in need. Individuals may bring new or gently-used shoes to be sent to Haiti as part of a donation drive. Food donations may be donated at the Rich Township Food Pantry. Cash donations will be accepted to benefit a sponsorship to Top Box, a non-profit organization that aims to provide delicious, healthy, high-quality foods at affordable prices to those with limited access to nutritious eating options. The speaker for the service will be Ed Collins, a representative from Top Box. The event is free and all members of the community are invited to attend.

Rich East High School, 300 Sauk Trail, Park Forest

Student Council Food Drive –Through November 15

Support the Student Council and drop off canned goods to help the needy for their holiday dinners. Drop off new or slightly used coats as well. For additional information, call Amy Pequette at 708-679-6100 or visit www.richeast.org.

Park Forest American Legion Post 1198, 1631 Western Ave., Chicago Heights

Friday Fish Fry

Join Park Forest’s American Legion Post 1198 for fish, shrimp, wings, beef and appetizers on Friday, November 22 beginning at 6 p.m. Carry outs are available. For additional information, call Jesse Rodriguez at 708-481-3055.

Donate Unused Air Miles to Support Families of Wounded Service Members

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

Donate to Troops Serving Abroad

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

Greening of Park Forest

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

Recycle Unused Wheelchairs

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

South Suburban Family Shelter Used Cell Phone Collection Drive

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

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

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

Local Recycling Resources and Proper Disposal of Unused Medicine

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

Recycle Used Cell Phones and Cell Phone Accessories

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

Sources: eNews Park Forest, Park Forest Historical Society, Village of Park Forest, Governors State University, Prairie State College, South Suburban College, DePaul University, Roosevelt University, National Veterans Art Museum, Center for Performing Arts, Freedom Hall, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Illinois Theatre Center, Sertoma Centre, Inc., Union Street Gallery, Thorn Creek Audubon Society, and Tall Grass Arts Association websites.


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