Local

In and Around Park Forest Week of July 27, 2009


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Residents attend a Business After Hours last Wednesday in Dining on the Green. (Photo: ENEWSPF)

Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)–July 27, 2009. With stores and shopping networks having Christmas in July sales, there’s no doubt that summer is drawing to a close. So it’s time to stop putting 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.

Rain Barrels Available Saturday, August 1 at Farmers’ Market

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. 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.

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.

Appointments are required. To make an appointment or for further information, call 708-748-1118.

Safe Disposal Program

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.

Arts and Entertainment

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 29

7:00 P.M. – Na’ama Rose Dance Center

Na’ama Rose Dance Center will provide a foot-stomping, finger-snapping, multi-cultural dance experience.

7:45 P.M. – Sambiatico

Enjoy the music of Brazil when Sambiatico takes the stage.

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 27 at 10:45 a.m. – Morning Story Times. Stories for children 3 to 6.
  • Monday, July 27 at 2:30 p.m. – Read Aloud/Read to Me.
  • Monday, July 27 at 3:30 p.m. – Youth Services Summer Reading Event: Wild Booktalks
  • Tuesday, July 28 at 8:00 a.m. – Tuesday Morning Walkers. Meet in the north parking lot.
  • Thursday, July 30 at 6:00 p.m. – Adult Summer Readers: Wild Side of Reading Dessert Party. Event will take place on the front lawn of the library. In case of rain, the event will be held inside at the fireplace area.
  • Thursday, July 30 at 7:00 p.m. – Youth Services: Read on the Wild Side Finale! Dave Dinaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles. Earn a ticket to this summer reading club finale. There will be fun, prizes, drawings, and refreshments.

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

Prairie State College Summer Concerts

PSC Faculty Jazz Ensemble

On Tuesday, July 28, 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 – RESERVATION DEADLINE July 31

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. To make a reservation or for more information, call 708-748-3377.

Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University

“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.

This and That

Moo-alisa “Win This Cow” Raffle

Moo-alisa was created by the Salon Artists of Park Forest and was the mascot for the Park Forest 10 Ton Challenge. Raffle tickets are $5 each for your chance to win her. The Drawing will be held on Sunday, September 13 at the Park Forest Art Fair. Raffle proceeds will benefit local children through the Tall Grass Arts Association School and the Abraham Lincoln Allen, Jr., Youth Services Fund of the Friends of the Park Forest Health Department. Contact Brenda Walker at 708-748-1118 or stop by the Park Forest Health Department, 350 Victory Drive to purchase your ticket.

Faith United Protestant Church, 10 Hemlock St.

“Crocodile Dock” Presented by Vacation Bible School

Register your children ages 4 – 12 to attend this spiritual filled learning experience taking place August 3 through 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. For more information or to register, call 708-747-1330.

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 – NOMINATION DEADLINE AUGUST 3

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 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

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 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; 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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