In and Around Park Forest Week of May 25, 2009
Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Thanks to everyone who has been providing event information and for all the positive feedback we are receiving about this column. If your club, church, organization or local business will be holding activities or events in our community during the upcoming week or if you would like to announce personal events such as engagements, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc., please send an e-mail to Rosemary Piser, Associate Editor, with the details. Submission deadline is noon on Friday of each week.
Village of Park Forest – Manager’s Office
Memorial Day Ceremony
The Park Forest American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25. It will begin at 11:00 a.m. on the Village Green in front of Village Hall in DownTown Park Forest. Residents are encouraged to attend.
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.
Park Forest Police Department
8th Annual Peace Officers Ceremony of Recognition and Remembrance
Chief Tom Fleming was the keynote speaker for the 8th Annual Peace Officers Ceremony of Recognition and Remembrance, held at the Cermak Woods Forest Preserve. The service honored officers who died in the line of duty during the past year. Commander Paul Winfrey played taps for the event.
National Police Memorial
Chief Fleming, along with Detective/Corporal Mike Baugh, and Detectives Brian Rzyski, James Kessler and William Busse attended the National Police Memorial in Washington, D.C. They also assisted with the Concerns of Police Survivors booth during their time there, which was a part of the National Police Week.
School District 162 Education Trip
Officers Julius Moore and Craig Taylor escorted students from School District 162 for an overnight outdoor education trip at Northern Illinois University. They acted as both chaperones and mentors to the young students.
Wrestling Team
The Park Forest Shooters wrestling team will resume their program at Rich East High School this week, after taking a few weeks off due to the swine flu scare. The team, headed by Brendan and Tom Fleming III, along with Officer John DeCeault, will travel to Thornton High School for a tournament.
Park Forest Fire Department
Responses
The department responded to 54 calls this past week for assistance including 8 double calls. Automatic aid assistance was provided once to Matteson and twice to Richton Park and received once from Richton Park
Regional Emergency Medical System Meeting
On May 19, the Fire Department hosted the regional Emergency Medical System (EMS) meeting. EMS coordinators from departments throughout the South Cook County area gathered to discuss various issues facing our region.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Office Assistant De’Ronye Robinson who graduated from Rich East High School this past weekend. De’Ronye will be attending Florida A&M University in the fall.
Village of Park Forest – Community Development
This week, 178 inspections were performed. These included new construction, re-occupancy, inspector initiated and referral/complaint.
In new construction/building permit activity in the first 15 days of May, 45 permits have been recorded. Over the past 5 years, the month of May has averaged 79 permits being issued. At our current pace, 93 building permits could be issued this month. In May 2008, a total of 80 building permits were recorded.
In Civil Court action on property maintenance code enforcement matters, the Thorncreek cases were up for status hearings.
Village of Park Forest – Economic Development
Fourth of July Parade
Applications are now being taken on the Village website for those businesses or organizations who want to be part of the Fourth of July parade in Park Forest.
Park Forest Public Works
National Public Works Week, May 17–23
The theme of this year’s National Public Works Week was “Revitalize, Reinvest, Renew.” Sponsored by the American Public Works Association, this week celebrated public works systems and the qualified and dedicated personnel who staff public works departments.
Current Projects
Davis Concrete continues work on the Village’s annual concrete project.
Dawn Companies is returning to Park Forest to do landscape restoration in the Autumn Ridge and Forest Brook area from the water main improvement job in 2007.
Field Operations
A water main break was repaired at Marquette Street and Onarga Street. A street light short was found and repaired at 36 Apple Lane. Work began on a storm sewer problem at 62 Marquette Street. Grass restoration from water main breaks were started on May 19. Street lights were relamped and sanitary sewers were cleaned. Valve boxes and B-boxes were set to grade for the concrete contractor. The Village’s American flags were put up on street light poles for the Memorial Day weekend.
Water Plant
Stewart Spreading, the new lime sludge removal contractor, began work on May 4.
Park Forest Recreation and Parks
Aqua Center
Members of the parks staff have been busy this week beginning to ready the facility for the 2009 season. The West Pool has been cleaned up and some of the paint touched up to get it ready for filling this weekend. Staff is cleaning and scraping the Zero Depth and Slide Pools and repairing some ceramic tile that has come off over the winter. Staff plans to paint these two pools this week and perhaps begin filling this weekend as well. The new ice machine has been purchased, installed and is in operation.
Park Forest Bark District
Region Fence, the fencing contractor called for a JULIE locate at the site early this week and it is planned that the fencing will be underway before the end of the week. Several more owners and their dogs were registered this week.
Energy Workshop
On May 19, John Joyce and Rob Gunther attended an Energy Workshop at South Suburban Mayors and Managers. Consultants from Shaw Environmental reviewed the major funding that is available through stimulus funds to all levels of government for energy conservation, energy efficiency and all manner of “green technology.” Staff will set up a one-on-one meeting with the consultants next week to discuss several specific projects for Park Forest.
Park Forest Health Department, 350 Victory Center (lower level)
Community Take-Back Program for Medical Sharps
Health Department staff members Christine Blue, Jenise Ervin, Susan White, and Vicki Green met on May 18 with Park Forest Environment Commissioners Rainer Zawadzki and Rosemary Piser to develop a Community Take-Back Program for Medical Sharps (used syringes and lancets). This Program will be rolled out as a one-year pilot for Park Forest residents. A draft protocol will be developed by Christine Blue and Rosemary Piser based on guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration. The group will review and finalize the protocol when they meet again on June 15th.
Human Interest
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.
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.
Arts and Entertainment
Park Forest House Museum, 141 Forest Boulevard (Corner of Forest & Fir)
Dolls of the 1950s Exhibit – LAST CALL
Dolls of the 1950s are on exhibit at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum through May 31, 2009. The Museum is open on Saturdays from 1:00 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.
Park Forest Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard
The following events will be held this week at the Park Forest Library:
Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00 a.m. – Tuesday Morning Walkers. Meet in the north parking lot.
Wednesday, May 27 at 10:30 a.m. – Lap Sit Story Time. Call the Youth Services Department at 708-748-3731 to register.
Friday, May 29 at 10:30 a.m. – Travelogue. The library hosts a free film for seniors. Refreshments will be served.
For more information about these events, call 708-748-3731.
Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
Bike Tour of Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
On Saturday, May 30 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. bike riders will meet outside behind the Hall of Governors to ride around the paved pathways of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. This guided tour will include many of the 26 pieces of renowned artwork. There is no charge. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. All riders must wear helmets as there will be some riding on public roads. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, call 708-534-4486.
Graduate Student Art Exhibit – ENDS MAY 28
GSU’s Visual Arts Gallery presents “Diaspora – Dispersing the Light,” a graduate student photo exhibition by Peter Bosy from May 18 to 28. The Visual Arts Gallery is located in the E-Wing at GSU and is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 708-534-4021.
Tall Grass Gallery, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest
Landmarks: Restoration & Regeneration
This exhibit shows close and distant views of the Earth’s natural process and formations. These inspired new works in encaustic, fiber and mixed media were created by Nikkole Huss, Heather Page and curated by Claudia Craemer. This exhibit continues through June 27th, Tuesday – Saturday, 11: 00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Educational Lectures
Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
Presidential Historian Michael Bescholoss to Appear at GSU
On Friday, June 5 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Sherman Hall, presidential historian and best-selling author, Michael Bescholoss will present a lecture as part of GSU’s Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Call, 708-534-4497 to RSVP.
This and That
Faith United Protestant Church, 10 Hemlock St.
Variety Show
On Sunday, May 31 at 3:00 p.m. Faith United Protestant Church presents a wonderful variety show of music. For more information, call 708-747-1330.
Rich Township Shirley Green Senior Center, 297 Liberty Dr.
Travelogue
Come join us as we travel the world on Friday, May 29th at 1:30 p.m. at the Shirley Green Senior Center. For more information, call 708-748-5454.
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.
Open Auditions
GSU SLATE Auditions — LAST CALL
The Southland Area Theatre Ensemble (SLATE) at Governors State University will be holding auditions for its production of “Into the Woods.” Roles for adults and children ages 8 though 12 are available. Individuals wishing to audition should visit the SLATE website at www.slatetheatre.org to download the audition form and view character descriptions and casting requirements. Auditions are scheduled by appointment only, which can be made by leaving a message on the audition hotline, 708-235-2244.
Sources: Village of Park Forest Weekly Manager’s Report; Spring/Summer 2009 Calendar of Events, Park Forest Library, Governors State University, Center for Performing Arts, and Park Forest Historical Society websites.
Park Forest remembers the fallen Monday at 11:00 a.m. (Photo: Wendy Heise)
