Local

In and Around Park Forest Week of September 21, 2009


Sauk Trail Rose Society

The Sauk Trail Rose Society recently held a Rose Show at the Illinois Theater Centre. (Photo: ENEWSPF)

Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– The leaves are changing colors and the early morning chill makes it hard to deny that fall has arrived. But the changing seasons certainly do not mark the end of activities in Park Forest and our neighboring communities. Make it a point to take part in some of the many civic, educational, and artistic offerings taking place this week or in the near future. You’ll be glad you did.

Send information concerning your community activities or events during the upcoming week by e-mail to Rosemary Piser, Associate Editor, with the details. Submission deadline is noon on Friday of each week.

Kiwanis Pancake Day – Saturday, September 26

The 58th Annual Kiwanis Pancake Day will take place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 26 in DownTown Park Forest. Enjoy pancakes and sausages from the amazing pank-a-tron machine under the big white tent. Advance tickets will be available at Village Hall at a price of $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Tickets purchased on the day of the event will be $6 for adults and $3 for children.

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

Immunization Clinic for Adults and Children

The new days and hours for the Immunization Clinic for Children and Adults are:

  • Mondays – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and
  • Fridays – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Parents must bring a copy of their child’s immunization record to the clinic at the time of their appointment.

Fees are:

  • Children — $10 office visit fee and $5 per shot. Please note that some shots may vary in price.
  • Adults — $10 office visit fee and variable cost per shot.

For questions or to schedule an appointment, call 708-748-1118.

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

Periodontal Screenings – September 21 through October 26

PSC dental hygiene students are looking for community volunteers to enhance their clinical learning experience. For a $35 fee, clients get a thorough cleaning by a student dental hygienist, a full set of X-rays, mouth impressions and a consultation with the periodontist on staff. Services are available on Mondays, September 21 through October 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Appointments are required. No walk-ins will be permitted. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call the college’s dental hygiene department at 708-709-3707.

Arts and Entertainment

Park Forest Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

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

  • Monday, September 21 at 10:45 a.m. — Morning Story Times for children 3 to 6;
  • Tuesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. – Pajama Storytime for Children;
  • Wednesday, September 23 at 10:30 a.m. – Lap Sit Storytime for children 3 and under;
  • Wednesday, September 23 at 11:45 a.m. – Toddler Art for children ages 2 – 4; and
  • Friday, September 25 at 4 p.m. – Snack Making for kids and teens.

For more information, call 708-748-3731, extension 20.

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

Latino Film Festival

GSU’s Second Annual Latino Film Festival will showcase films that highlight the Latino art, culture, and society from Spanish-speaking countries in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. Films are subtitled in English and will be shown in Engbretson Hall. The film schedule is as follows:

  • September 21 and October 13 at 4:45 p.m. – “La Mirada de Clara,” a film from Argentina. Rated R
  • September 24 at 4:45 p.m. — “Silent Love,” a film from Mexico and Canada. Rated PG-13
  • September 22 at 4:45 p.m. – “Bienvenido a Casa,” a film from Spain. Rated PG 13
  • September 23 at 4:45 p.m. – “El Brindis,” from Mexico and Chile. Rated PG 13
  • October 12 at 4:45 p.m. – “Sonar no Cuesta Nada,” a film from Argentina and Columbia. Rated R.

For more information, call 708-534-4553.

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

Photographer of the Year Exhibit Through September 24

PSC’s Photographer of the Year Exhibit opens in the college’s Christopher Art Gallery on August 31 and runs through Thursday, September 24. In addition to works by PSC’s photographer of the year, Leonard Ferris, the exhibit also features selected works by students in fine arts, photography, and graphic communications. Hours for the Christopher Art Gallery are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m to 7 p.m. Visits can also be made by appointment. For more information about the exhibit, or to make an appointment for a visit, call 708-709-3636.

Illinois Theatre Center, 371 Artists Way, Park Forest

A Shayna Maidel – September 25 to October 11

A Shayna Maidel dramatizes the saga of the Weiss family, Polish Jews whose lives are irrecoverably altered by the Holocaust. The New York Times described this play as “…a powerful, deeply affecting portrait of a family, which conveys the aftermath of the Holocaust through a poignant, imaginatively conceived examination of one divided family’s experience. A tribute to the sustaining power of family and to man’s indominatability.” A Shayna Maidel will open September 25 and run through October 11. Tickets range from $19 – $21. There is a $1 discount for students and senior citizens at all performances. For more information, call 708-481-3510.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Way

“Here & Now: Annual Gallery Artists’ Exhibit”

Beginning Friday, September 25 through November 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. view current works by fifty of the Tall Grass Arts Association’s Juried Artists. For more information, call 708-748-3377.

Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University

2009 – 2010 Center for Performing Arts Season Subscriptions

Help celebrate the Center for Performing Arts 15 years of touching lives and entertaining audiences in the south suburban area. Performances this season include singer, Jim Brickman, Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin, the Hubbard Street Dance Troop of Chicago, and Whose Live Anyway, featuring comedian Ryan Stiles to name just a few of the diverse events for adults and children of all ages. Subscription and individual tickets are now on sale. Call 708-235-2222 for more information or visit the Center’s website at: http://www.centertickets.net/.

Freedom Hall Nathan Manilow Theatre, 410 Lakewood Boulevard

2009 – 2010 Season

Regular and subscriber tickets are now on sale for the 2009 – 2010 season. Events at the newly remodeled Nathan Manilow Theatre include: Second City 50th Anniversary Show; Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues Band; Windham Hill Winter Solstice Concert; Funkadesi; Switchback; and Abraxas.

The Senior Series events are: Radio’s Good Old Days; Nancy Hays – “I Love America”; “A White Christmas”; Banjo Buddies Dixieland Jazz Band; “The Rat Pack Jazz Quartet”; and Megon McDonough, “Her Way.”

Children’s Theatre events are: Writing Our World; and Animal Tales & Dinosaur Scales.

Tickets can be ordered by mail, phone or fax, on the web, or in person. Box office hours are: Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The box office is closed on Wednesday and Sunday. For more information, call the box office at 708-747-0580 or visit the website at: www.freedomhall.org.

Park Forest House Museum, 141 Forest Boulevard (Corner of Forest & Fir)

Relive your childhood memories or show your children/grandchildren what it was like to live in the ‘good old days’ by visiting the Park Forest House Museum. The Museum is open on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Group tours are by appointment. Call 708-748-3731.

Educational Lectures

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

Public Comments Sought

As part of the comprehensive evaluation conducted by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, GSU is seeking public comments about the university. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the university or its academic programs and should include your name, address, and telephone number of the submitting individual. Comments will not be treated as confidential. Comments may be submitted by October 12, 2009 through the Commission’s website at www.ncahlc.org (click File Third-Party Comments) or by mail to:

Public Comments on Governors State University
The Higher Learning Commission
20 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602.

This and That

Park Forest Recreation Department

Junior High Canteen at the Recreation Center

Are you in grades 6 through 8 and looking for something to do on Friday evenings? The Junior High Canteen meets every Friday at the Recreation Center from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. A season pass is $25 and the nightly fee is $4 per person. For more information, call 708-748-2005.

Celebration Ministries (Lower Level), 424 Indianwood Blvd.

Men’s Group

On Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. men of all ages are welcome to join us for good food and conversation. For more information, call 708-748-1995.

Couples Club Dinner and Dancing

On Saturday, September 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., join us for an hour of ballroom dancing instruction and dinner. Fee is $15 per couple which includes dinner. Babysitting is available for $2. Call to RSVP at 708-748-1995.

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Rd.

Fall Clean-Up Day – September 26

On Saturday, September 26 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. lend a helping hand and help prepare the nature center for the fall. Fall Clean-up Day is a great way to fulfill community service obligations. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Please call ahead if you are in need of community service hours. For more information, call 708-747-6320.

Thorn Creek Stewards

Thorn Creek Stewards will meet on Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to noon for those ages 16 – 19. This group meets monthly. The monthly fee is $5. Thorn Creek Stewards will allow members to actively monitor and maintain Thorn Creek Woods. For more information, call 708-747-6320.

Village of Park Forest Economic Development

Business Person of the Year

Nominate the person you believe should be named Park Forest’s Business Person of the Year. Nomination forms can be found on the Village of Park Forest web site (www.villageofparkforest.com). Nomination forms are due October 30. For more information, call Sandra Zoellner at 708-283-5623.

Prairie State College Job Fair

Employers looking for candidates to fill open positions are encouraged to register for the Prairie State College annual job fair which is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. The job fair is an opportunity for employers to meet and interview potential employees. The fair is open to currently enrolled students, alumni, and community members. Registration is $75 per company and includes seating and lunch for two representatives, table covering, and signage. Each additional representative attending the fair is $25. To register for the job fair, call Tanya Norfleet at 708-709-3755 or visit www.prairiestate.edu and click on the “Save the Date: Fall 2009 Job Fair” icon.

Shop Park Forest First!

Park Forest Farmers’ Market – Through the End of October

The 36th Annual Park Forest Farmers’ Market will be held on Saturday’s from 7:00 a.m. to Noon through the end of October. Vendors from across Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan will have a tremendous array of fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, breads, cheese, organic eggs and meat, and the “best pork chop sandwiches in the universe.” Come early and enjoy a breakfast burrito and cup of coffee while you shop the Market. The Market is located in the parking lot of the Eagle Movie Theater at the corner of Lakewood Boulevard and Cunningham Drive in DownTown Park Forest.

Greening of Park Forest

Safe Disposal Program – Bio-waste

The Park Forest Health Department and Environment Commission have partnered to provide information on the proper disposal of bio-waste such as used syringes or lancets (medical sharps). Begin by purchasing a Sharps container to dispose of your medical sharps for $10 at the Park Forest Health Department. Return the filled container to the Park Forest Health Department and purchase a new container. Call Brenda Walker at 708-748-1118 for more information. You can find additional recycling information by clicking on the “Recycling” icon found on the front page of eNews Park Forest.

Recycle Used Cell Phones and Cell Phone Accessories

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

Go Green with a Free Tote Bag

The Village of Park Forest encourages residents to visit Village Hall to pick up an environmentally friendly canvas bag that can be used for your day-to-day shopping needs. These bags are free while supplies last with only two expectations: 1) that residents have a valid email address so that future environmentally conscious concepts can be shared by the Village’s Environment Commission; and 2) that bags are limited to one per household. For more information on this program, visit the Village Manager’s Office on the second floor of Village Hall of call 708-748-1129.

Human Interest

Cash Dash Event in Steger

On Monday, September 28 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Steger Village Hall, 35 W. 34th St., State Representative Anthony DeLuca and the Office of State Treasurer will offer local residents free Cash Dash searches on the state’s online database. The Cash Dash program reunites Illinois residents with lost money and property. This wealth can be anything from money held in long-lost bank accounts to entire estates that never made it to a rightful owner. For more information or to RSVP for the event, call 708-672-0200. You can also conduct your own online search at: www.treasurer.il.gov.

“The Pantry” of Rich Township

Fundraiser – November 14

“The Pantry" of Rich Township is a not-for-profit organization that provides food at no cost to over 750 low-income families who reside in the 10 surrounding communities of Rich Township

Help support the mission of “The Pantry” by purchasing a Carson’s Community Day Book for only $5.00. Coupons can be used at any Carson Pirie Scott location on November 14 beginning at 6 a.m. when numerous discounts and savings can be obtained through the various offers detailed in the coupon book.

Coupon books can be purchased at the Economic Development and Planning Office on the 2nd floor of Park Forest Village Hall. For more information about “The Pantry” or the fundraiser, call 708-748-6722.

Donate Unused Air Miles to Support Families of Wounded Servicemembers

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

Donate to Troops Serving Abroad

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

Sources: Village of Park Forest Weekly Manager’s Report, 2009 Autumn Recreation Programs, Park Forest Fall/Winter 2009 Calendar of Events, Park Forest Library, Tall Grass Arts Association, Center for Performing Arts, Prairie Sate College, Governors State University, Illinois Theatre Center, and Park Forest Historical Society websites.


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