Local

In and Around Park Forest Week of July 20, 2009


PAAC and the Helicopter
Members of PAAC in front of a helicopter that landed for them last week. (Photo: ENEWSPF)

Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– With school supplies replacing the gardening supplies at many area stores, there’s no doubt that summer is quickly drawing to a close. Don’t put off participating in Park Forest’s many activities taking place this week or in the near future.

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.

Village of Park Forest Commissions & Advisory Group Meetings

  • Plan Commission – Tuesday, July 21 at 7 P.M.

All Commission and Advisory Group meetings are held at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. Residents are encouraged to attend.

Park Forest Economic Development

Business After Hours – Wednesday, July 22

Once again, the Economic Development and Planning Department will co-host a Business After Hours with the Matteson Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC). MACC is located in DownTown Park Forest and serves the communities of Park Forest, Olympia Fields, Richton Park, Matteson, and University Park. This year’s event will be held on Wednesday, July 22, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dining on the Green. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit many of the DownTown businesses, enjoy good food and fellowship, and win exciting raffle prizes. Park Forest residents are encouraged to attend and then stay for the Main Street Nights on the Village Green from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Park Forest Aqua Center, 30 N. Orchard

Beat the heat and come to the Aqua Center. Be a part of a great summer experience and get the best buy for your money by becoming a member. Daily guest passes available for $10/person and $5/person after 5 PM. A valid photo ID is required for entry.

Looking for the perfect location for a private party? The Aqua Center is available for rental. Call 708-747-9490 for details.

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

School and “Sports Only” Physicals

Children of Park Forest and the surrounding area who are going into preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grades are required to have a school physical. The June and July physicals are compliments of the Friends of the Park Forest Health Department. Current non-HMO Medicaid recipients must show their card. The next date for physicals is:

  • Saturday, July 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Appointments are required. To make an appointment or for further information, call 708-748-1118.

Arts and Entertainment

Jazz in the Park for Charity 2009 – July 26 – LAST CALL

Jazz in the Park for Charity 2009 will be held on Sunday, July 26 at Bicentennial Park, 301 W. 203rd St., Olympia Fields, IL. Featured performers include Nick Colionne, the Afro-Semitic Experience and Ava Logan. Tickets are $50 per person and doors open at 2 PM. Ticket price includes food from local restaurants. A silent auction will also be held. Proceeds from the event will benefit local non-for-profit organizations. For more information, call 708-283-8450 or visit www.jazzintheparkforcharity.com.

Main Street Nights

Grab a blanket, pack a snack and position yourself in the Park Forest DownTown Village Green (Cunningham and Main Streets) for seven FREE nights of entertainment. Refreshments will be sold. Performances last approximately 45 – 60 minutes. In the event of rain, performances will be moved to Dining on the Green, 349 Main St. Call 708-283-5647 for weather-related changes. For additional information, call the Recreation office at 708-748-2005.

  • Wednesday, July 22
    • 7:00 P.M. – Poetic Storyteller Oba William King
      • Oba William King will provide an interactive presentation of interest to both adults and children.
    • 7:45 P.M. – Creole Stomp
      • Enjoy a performance of traditional Louisiana Cajun two-step, waltzes and Creole blues.

Park Forest Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

Another week filled with activities at the Park Forest Library. The following events will be held this week at the Park Forest Library:

  • Monday, July 20 at 10:45 a.m. – Morning Story Times. Stories for children 3 to 6.
  • Tuesday, July 21 at 8:00 a.m. – Tuesday Morning Walkers. Meet in the north parking lot.
  • Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00 p.m. – Pajama Storytime for Children. Come dressed for bed.
  • Wednesday, July 22 at 10:30 a.m. – Lap Sit Story Times. For children 3 and under.
  • Wednesday, July 22 at 11:45 a.m. – Toddler Art. For children 3 to 6.

For more information on these events, call 708-748-3731.

Illinois Theatre Center, 371 Artists Walk, Park Forest

Summerfest Spectacular

Summerfest Spectacular is a lively musical revue featuring songs from all of the Summerfest musicals of the past 31 years. The Spectacular will be presented on Friday and Saturday evenings, July 24 and 25 at 8 PM, and Sunday afternoon, July 26 at 2:30 PM. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $14 for students and seniors (65+). All seats are reserved. For tickets or more information, call 708-481-3510.

Prairie State College Summer Concerts

PSC Faculty Jazz Ensemble

On Tuesday, July 21, at 7:00 p.m., the PSC Faculty Jazz Ensemble will play a free concert at the Matteson Village Hall, 4900 Village Commons, Matteson. For more information, visit www.prairiestate.edu/music/newsevents.html.

Tall Grass Gallery, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

With These Hands – 2009 Sculpture Invitational –Thru September 13

A varied compilation of sculptural works will be shown by artists Joshua Andres, Patrician Bohannon, Louis Greer, John Hansen, Angela Lee, Michele P. Owens, Michael Ruback, Eric Steele, Jan Stewart, Grant White, and Robert Williams. Admission is free to the public. Gallery hours are 11 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 708-748-3377.

Tall Grass Arts Association and Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (NMSP) Event

A unique opportunity to experience sculpture of both intimate and monumental scale will be held beginning promptly at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, August 7. The event will begin at the Tall Grass Arts Association when NMSP Director and Curator, Geoffrey Bates will share his insights on the current Tall Grass exhibition, With These Hands. Guest will then board a shuttle bus to GSU where Mr. Bates will share a preview of the Park’s current exhibit, a 12-piece outdoor sculpture entitled Horizons by Steinunn Thorainsdottit. Following the GSU tour, there will be a reception with light refreshments and guests will hear from Dr. Arthur Bourgeois, discussing the Oceanic ethnographic objects on display at GSU. The shuttle will return to Park Forest by 8:30 p.m. Attendance is limited and by reservation only. Fee is $15 per person. Participants should dress casually and wear comfortable walking shoes. Deadline for reservations is Friday, July 31. To make a reservation or for more information, call 708-748-3377.

Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University

Cinderella – July 23 – LAST CALL

Cinderella will be performed on Thursday, July 23 at 11 a.m. Summer camp groups, families and individuals are welcome. This performance provides an ideal field trip experience. Tickets are only $7 each for groups of 20 or more and $9 each for individuals. For more information or to purchase tickets, call The Center box office at 708-235-2222 or visit www.centertickets.net.

“Into the Woods” – Tickets on Sale Now

Tickets are now on sale for the Southland Area Theatre Ensemble (SLATE) at GSU’s summer production of “Into the Woods.” The production will take place on Friday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 15, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $18 to $21 and tickets for children under 16 are $16 to $19. Tickets may be purchased by calling The Center box office at 708-235-2222 or online at www.slatetheatre.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 Lecture

Governors State University, 1 University Parkway

Computer Science Enrichment Seminar

The first subject of a series of Enrichment Seminars, the Computer Science Enrichment Seminar will be held on July 20 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Hall of Honors. GSU professor Jeffrey Alfano and Oscar Herrera, GSU graduate and computer science entrepreneur, will lead the discussion. Current and prospective students as well as those interested in careers in Computer Science are welcome. For more information, call 708-235-7609.

This and That

Multi-Church Worship Experience

Four United Protestant Churches, Faith, Grace, Calvary, and St. Paul Good Shepherd, present “Worship in the Park” on Sunday, July 26th at 11 a.m. at Somonauk Park. 226 Somonauk. Bring your lawn chair and join this unique outdoor worship experience.

Grace United Protestant Church, 266 Somonauk

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School will be held July 27 – 31 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The theme of the camp is “Camp E.D.G.E. – Experience & Discover God Everywhere.” Children preschool through entering 7th grade and adults are invited. The adult class will be led by Pastor Norval Brown. Friday’s session will include a family cookout. There is no charge but advance registration is requested. Call the church office at 708-748-4567 or email graceup@sbcg,lobal.net for additional information or to register.

Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Rd.

Summer Safari: Earthkeepers II – July 24th, 9 AM – 1 PM

Discover what it takes to protect the environment through exploring Thorn Creek Woods. This will be a four day camp for children ages 8 – 10 years. Snacks and backpacks provided. Cost is $55 per child. For more information, call 708-747-6320.

Wine and Chocolate Tasting

Park Forest’s Economic Development Department will sponsor a Wine and Chocolate Tasting on Friday, August 14, from 7 PM to 9 PM. The Tall Grass Arts Association has agreed to let the Village utilize their facility for the event. Wine vendors who wish to donate or become a sponsor for this event should call Evelyn Sterling at 708-283-5621. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Village of Park Forest Commission on Human Relations

Good Egg Award

Do you know someone who went beyond the call of duty? The Commission on Human Relations is looking to honor an individual or individuals who have made an impact in race relations, good neighborliness, human relations, and/or is a proponent of diversity in the South Suburbs. Nomination forms are to be submitted by August 3. Nomination forms can be found on the Village of Park Forest web site (www.villageofparkforest.com), or by emailing Evelyn Sterling at [email protected], or calling 708-283-5621.

Shop Park Forest First!

Park Forest Farmers’ Market

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

Rain Barrels

Rain barrels have become the “must have” item for Park Forest residents. The Park Forest Environment Commission and the Park Forest Recreation and Parks Department are facilitating the sale of rain barrels for $49 each. Residents interested in buying rain barrels can visit the Recreation and Parks window on the main floor of Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, to order a barrel in the color of their choice (terra cotta, gray, black or blue) and pick them up at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday, August 1st or September 5th. You can also purchase a rain barrel at the Farmers’ Market with colors limited to the stock-on hand. Common rain barrel accessories will also be available for sale at the Farmers’ Market. Payment can be made in either cash or personal check. For further information, call Village Hall at 708-748-2005.

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

Cell Phone Drive to Benefit Victims of Domestic Violence – Through August 1

State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago heights) has launched a cellular phone drive in conjunction with Verizon Wireless to support the national HopeLine Program which benefits victims of domestic violence. Used or unwanted cell phones can be donated at one of the drop boxes at the following locations:

  • Park Forest Village Hall – 350 Victory Drive, Park Forest, IL;
  • Chicago Heights City Hall – 1601 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, IL;
  • South Chicago Heights Village Hall – 3317 Chicago Road, South Chicago Heights, IL;
  • Steger Village Hall – 35 W. 34th St., Steger, IL; and
  • Crete Village Hall – 524 W. Exchange St. Crete, IL.

For more information, call 708-672-0200.

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; State Representative Anthony DeLuca, Spring/Summer 2009 Calendar of Events, Park Forest Library, Tall Grass Arts Association, Center for Performing Arts, Prairie Sate College, Illinois Theatre Center, and Park Forest Historical Society websites.


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