In and Around Park Forest Week of September 1, 2014

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—September 1, 2014. The Park Forest Commission on Human Relations is currently accepting nominations for the 2014 Good Egg Award. Do you know someone who’s gone beyond the call of duty — possibly a neighbor, a local baseball coach, a business owner — and you feel they deserve to be recognized? Nominations are due no later than September 11. Additional information, including the nomination form, can be found 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 Hall Closure – Monday, September 1

Park Forest Village Hall will be closed on Monday, September 1 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.

Village Board Meeting – Tuesday, September 2 & Saturday, September 6

The Board of Trustees will hold meet on Tuesday, September 2 at 7 p.m. In addition, a Saturday Morning Rules Meeting on September 6 at 10 a.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 here.

To view previously held Board Meetings, visit the Village’s web site here and click on the date of the meeting you wish to watch.

Village Commission & Advisory Boards

The following Park Forest Commissions and Advisory Boards are scheduled to meet the week of September 1:

• Tuesday, September 2 at 7 p.m. – Plan Commission
• Thursday, September 4 at 1 p.m. – Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
• Thursday, September 4 at 7 p.m. – Environment Commission

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

Arts & Entertainment

Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 West 35th Street, Chicago

‘Away From This Inverted World’ Art Exhibit – Through September 5

The HumanThread Foundation will present the ‘Away From This Inverted World’ art exhibition featuring: Cleveland Dean, Dominic Sansone, Lara Nguyen & Corinna Button. The exhibit will run through September 5 at the Bridgeport Art Center. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The new world order as we know it in many ways has become new world disorder. ‘Away From This Inverted World’ is an exhibition intended to address and repurpose human consciousness as well as its conditions. There is free parking on the north side of the building. Art Center hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon. For additional information call 773-247-3000 or visit: www.bridgeportart.com

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

Lyric Opera Preview – Tickets Now on Sale

A Lyric Opera Preview will take place on Sunday, September 21 at 4 p.m. This event is part of the ‘Opera Up Close’ series where you can sample a café-style opera from the unique vantage point of your table on the stage where you’ll be looking out into the theater at as the stories unfold. The event will be hosted by John Concepcion. Tickets are $35. The box office is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and two hours prior to performances. For more information, contact the box office at www.centertickets.net or call 708-235-2222.

DePaul University Art Museum, 935 West Fullerton, Chicago

‘Ink, Paper, Politics: WPA-era Printmaking from the Needles Collection’ – Opens September 11

The exhibition ‘Ink, Paper, Politics: WPA-era Printmaking from the Needles Collection’ featuring images of city life, labor and the workplace, and protests against social injustice will be among the fine-art prints which opens on September 11 and runs through December 21. The 56 prints in the exhibition were produced during the Depression, when the federal government was providing financial support to a wide range of artistic projects, from fiction to fine art, through the Works Progress Administration-Federal Arts Project (WPA-FAP). Many works addressed the nation’s economic inequality, leading some politicians to denounce the WPA as subversive, according to Lincoln. A congressional committee investigated the program as a Communist threat, and a 1938 story in the Chicago Tribune called it “a vampire political machine.” The exhibition includes works by such well-known artists as Stuart Davis and Rockwell Kent, and is drawn from a donation of 100 prints to the museum from the collection of Belverd Needles Jr. and Marian Powers Needles. Belverd Needles is the EY Distinguished Professor of Accountancy at the Driehaus College of Business at DePaul University; Marian Needles is an adjunct professor of executive education at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. As part of the September 11 opening, a lecture on how prints were viewed by audiences in the 1930s will be presented by Helen Langa, an associate professor of art history at American University in Washington, D.C. The lecture begins at 5:30 p.m. and a public reception will follow. On October 15, a lecture on the controversies over political content in the prints will be presented by Liz Seaton, curator at Kansas State University’s Beach Museum of Art. The lecture begins at 5:30 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. The DePaul Art Museum is located just east of the CTA Fullerton ‘L’ stop, is open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, call 773-325-7506 or visit www.depaul.edu/museum.

‘Fires Will Burn’ Politically Engaged Art from the Permanent Collection – Through December 21

‘Fires Will Burn’ will be exhibited through December 21 at DePaul University Art Museum. Drawing on DePaul’s own collection, this exhibition surveys a wide range of political expression, touching on racial prejudice, immigration issues and opposition to war. It includes Diego Rivera’s painting of the Mexican Revolution; John Wilson’s searing “Down by the Riverside,” a suite of etchings about slavery; and Gerda Meyer Bernstein’s powerful installation of “The Justice Chair.” Also included in this exhibition is a seldom-seen portfolio of prints by Chicago artists protesting the Vietnam War. Although the works vary widely in subject, scale and medium, the artists share the conviction that visual images can help to bring about social change. The DePaul Art Museum is located just east of the CTA’s Fullerton ‘L’ stop, is open this summer on Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It will be closed Monday and Tuesday. For more information, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://museums.depaul.edu.

Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park

2014 Carts & Cocktails Event – Tickets Now on Sale

GSU celebrates several new additions at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park as well as the 45th anniversary of one of its signature works at Carts & Cocktails 2014, which will be held Saturday, September 13, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by NBC 5 Chicago News Anchor Stefan Holt and will feature cocktails and a tour of the sculpture park in golf carts. BMO Harris Bank is pleased to support this annual benefit fundraiser as a Platinum-level sponsor. Carts and Cocktails celebrates the 45th anniversary of “Yes! for Lady Day” by Mark diSuvero, which the tour will visit. Mr. diSuvero spent two summers at GSU and crafted a number of sculptures during that period, including “Yes! for Lady Day.” It was purchased by Lewis Manilow and donated to the University in 1971. It has been noted as one of diSuvero’s most significant artworks. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts for his achievement in the field of sculpture by President Barack Obama in 2010. The tour will also visit elements of the exhibition “Don’t Tread on Me: Sculpture by Chakaia Booker” and view “Butte,” a recent addition to the permanent collection by Barry Tinsley. Ms. Booker will attend the event as a Visiting Artist. She has exhibited widely including several solo exhibitions at Marlborough Gallery, New York, N.Y., National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, Mo. She is the recipient of numerous awards and grants and lives in New York City and Allentown, Pa. Tickets for the event are $125. To purchase tickets, inquire about sponsorship opportunities or get more information, contact NMSP at www.govst.edu/sculpture or call 708-235-0559. Carts & Cocktails is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, Bimba Manufacturing, Franciscan St. James Health and other local companies. The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is located at GSU’s main campus in University Park. The park is free of charge and open from dawn to dusk 365 days a year.

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

Surrealism and War – Through November 1

Surrealism and War, an exhibition of veterans’ artwork that explores the relationship between surrealism and the experience of war will be on display at the NVAM through November 1. Surrealism and War includes the seminal work “The Earth Lies Screaming” by Jim Leedy, a Korean War veteran who was one of only two Americans invited to participate in the largest Surrealist exhibition ever assembled at the Retretti Art Center, Finland, an exhibition that began with Miro, Dali, and DuChamp, and culminated with several works by Mr. Leedy. Surrealism is an attempt to revolt against the inherent contradictions of a society ruled by rational thought while dominated by war and oppression. Surrealism seeks expression of thought in the absence of all control exercised by reason and free of aesthetic and moral preoccupation. It is this same absence of control exercised by reason that many combat veterans seek to explore and express after their experiences in war. Surrealism and War features the artwork of nine veteran artists that intentionally and unintentionally use and explore Surrealist processes and concepts.  Featured artists include Korean War veteran Jim Leedy, Vietnam War veterans William Dugan, Stan Gillett, Michael Helbing, and Richard Yohnka, Gulf War veteran Ehren Tool, Kosovo veteran Giuseppe Pellicano, and Iraq War veterans David Keefe and Robynn Murray. The National Veterans Art Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free. For group admission reservations, call the Museum at 312/326-0270 or visit www.nvam.org. Patrons of the museum can access art from the permanent collection and biographical information on the artists through the NVAM Collection Online, a recently launched online and high-resolution archive of every piece of art in the museum’s permanent collection. The NVAM Collection Online can be found at www.nvam.org.

Park Forest Historical Society, Park Forest

Step Back Into the 1950s at the Park Forest House Museum

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum at 141 Forest Blvd, Park Forest, is open Wednesday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The museum can also be open for groups by appointment, at other times. Donation is Adults $5; Children 12 & 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 at 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.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

Library Closure – Monday, September 1

The Park Forest Library will be closed on Monday, September 1 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.

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

• Saturday, September 6 at 11 a.m. — Sunflower Culinary Adventure — Learn to make your own sunflower butter and sample sunflower treats! ALLERGY ALERT: Persons with ANY ALLERGIES PLEASE consult the ingredient list before entering the Park Forest Public Library Kidz’ Zone or sampling any food items offered. PARENTS: All children must be accompanied by a parent, adult caregiver, or guardian. Registration Required.
• Saturday, September 6 at 11:45 a.m. — Recycled Birdfeeders — Go green and create a birdfeeder out of provided recycled materials. ALLERGY ALERT: Persons with ANY ALLERGIES PLEASE consult the ingredient list before entering the Park Forest Public Library Kidz’ Zone or sampling any food items offered. PARENTS: All children must be accompanied by a parent, adult caregiver, or guardian. Registration Required.
• Saturday, September 6 at 12:45 a.m. — Fly Away Home — A "Prairie Godmother" will teach us how to invited feathered friends to our yards this winter, with tips on nourishing food, a good watering hole and a warm and comfy place to rest. Join us for this super fun interactive presentation!

For additional information or to register for a program, call 708-748-3731 or visit http://www.pfpl.org/.

Library Board Vacancy

A position on the Park Forest Library Board of Trustees is now vacant until the next election, which will be held in April 2015. The vacancy can be filled until that time by appointment by the Park Forest Library Board. Click here for more information.

Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted, Chicago Heights

Photographer of the Year & Annual Student Work Exhibition – Through September 18

A selection of works from PSC Photographer of the Year honoree Carole Rose will be on display through Thursday, September 18, in the Christopher Art Gallery on the college’s main campus in Chicago Heights. The Photographer of the Year award is given annually to an outstanding PSC photography student. In addition to being the featured artist in the student show, Rose also will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Rose is an active member of the college’s Photo Society, and is currently serving as vice president. The club sponsors the Photographer of the Year scholarship award. Additional PSC students who will have their work highlighted during the show include Demarkus Nelson, Dominique Tolbert and Raymond Thompson of Park Forest; Robert Walker, William Billingsly and Diante Mitchell of Matteson; Daniel Lagor, Melinda Arce-Gudino, Asha Brumfield, Luke Rhodes and Ian Brockman of Homewood; Jamie Jenkins and Carol Bruns of Beecher; Syd Sanchez and Amy Roesch of Chicago Heights; Carly Harnisch of Chicago; and Robert Villarreal of Flossmoor. 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. The gallery will be closed on Labor Day, Sept. 1. Visits also can be made by appointment. For more information about the exhibit or to make an appointment for a visit, call 708-709-3636.

Salon Artists Gallery, 294 Main Street, Park Forest

‘Noir’ Exhibit – Opens September 6

‘Noir,’ an exhibit by Colorado artist, and former Park Forest resident, Leslie Aguillard, will open on September 6 and run through October 1. Aguillard’s exhibit brings her interpretations of segments of old films and their characters. A reception will be held on Friday, September 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gallery featuring refreshments and music. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.  For additional information and Gallery hours, call 708-833-5108.

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

‘Moon Over Buffalo’ – Opens September 19

The PAC Rats Theatre Company of SSC will present ‘Moon Over Buffalo,’ Ken Ludwig’s madcap backstage comedy. Performances will take place in the Kindig Performing Arts Center on the Main Campus on September 19, 20 and 26 at 8:00 p.m., September 27 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and September 28 at 2:00 p.m. It’s 1953 and fading stars George and Charlotte Hay (Paul Braun of Lansing and Heather Young of Burnham) are on tour in Buffalo, NY with a repertory consisting of ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ and Noel Coward’s ‘Private Lives.’ On the brink of a disastrous split-up caused by George’s dalliance with a young ingénue (Ashley Orendorff of Thornton), they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel.‘ Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that can go wrong does go wrong. Enabled by Charlotte’s deaf old stage manager mother, who hates every bone in George’s body (Betty Owens of Glenwood), a case of mistaken identity causes hilarious uncertainty about which play they’re actually performing. Richard (Martell Jefferson of South Holland), Charlotte’s would-be suitor, makes an appearance and tries to woo her away from George. Meanwhile, the Hays’ temperamental daughter Rosalind (Cathy Hundt of Thornton) splits time between fiancé Howard (Kevin Hathaway of Park Forest) and ex-fiancé Paul (Charlie Furtek of Lansing), who works as the company’s stage manager. The hopeful actors sprint through the tangle of confusion to produce a woefully misbegotten mixture of two different plays in their hoped-for presentation piece, and in the play’s climactic scene, manage to set everything right by still more series of coincidences and mishaps. The play is directed by Lansing resident Sandra Wagner. Set design is by Dean Scalzitti of Hegewisch. Lighting design and fight choreography are by Laura Tiemens of South Holland. The costume designer is JoAnna Tassin of Park Forest, with Melody Jones of Calumet City as her assistant. Angela Martin of Midlothian is the stage manager. June Wagner of Lansing is designing the props for the production and Jordan Swierczyna of Robbins is the sound designer. Tickets are just $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 55 or better, $6 for students. Call the 24/7 box office voicemail line at 708-210-5741. You may also reserve tickets by e-mail at [email protected]. South Suburban College student and employee discounts, as well as group rates are also available. SSC is located between Sibley Boulevard and 159th Street. The campus is convenient to Routes 94, 80, 57, and 294. Free, ample, well-lit parking is available.

‘Welcome to Earth’ Art Exhibition – Through September 17

SSC’s Art & Design Department will to present a new exhibition titled ‘Welcome to Earth,’ a select body of ceramic sculptures from Chicago based artist Matthew Groves will be on display in the Dorothea Thiel Gallery at the South Holland Campus through September 17. A closing reception for the artist will be held on September 17 at 11 a.m. Figurative and narrative, the work reflects Groves’ unique point of view, demonstrates his passion for craft and traditional forms, and recognizes ceramics as a vital cultural medium. Both the exhibit and closing reception are free and open to the public. The Thiel Gallery is on the 4th floor in the Art & Design hallway. SSC Galleries are open at minimum Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays. For more information, please call 708-596-2000, ext. 2445 or visit www.ssc.edu/art.

‘Trail to Arcadia’ – Through September 17

The Art & Design Department of SSC is pleased to present a new exhibition titled ‘Trail to Arcadia’ on display through September 17th at the Dulgar Gallery. A closing reception for the artist will be held on September 17, 2014 at 12 noon. ‘Trail to Arcadia’ is an exhibition of watercolor paintings from Chicago-based artist Anna Zanic. In this body of work, the abstracted notion of atmospheric landscape is a metaphorical expression of life’s mysterious and elusive path. Works are built with layers of watercolor washes, intermixed with dynamic lines, scribbles and marks of ink drawing. There is a quiet tension between the watercolor’s fluidity, softness and calm, vs. the dynamic, rhythm and energy of drawing. The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and reception at no charge. The Dulgar Gallery is located on the 1st Floor near the Atrium and the Thiel Gallery is on the 4th floor in the Art & Design hallway. SSC Galleries are open at minimum Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays. For more information, please call 708-596-2000, ext. 2445 or visit www.ssc.edu/art

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

Annual Gallery Artists Exhibit – Through September 21

Tall Grass Arts Association’s annual Gallery Artists Exhibit will run through September 21. The exhibit features a varied collection of work created by Tall Grass Juried Artists including works that have never been exhibited in the Gallery before. This exhibit also features several newly juried artists exhibiting in Tall Grass for the first time. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For additional information please visit the Tall Grass website www.tallgrassarts.org or call the Gallery at 708-748-3377.

Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights

Strokin’ V – Fifth Biennial Member Juried Exhibition of Chicago Pastel Painters – Through September 6

Strokin’ V, the Fifth Biennial Member Juried Exhibition of the Chicago Pastel Painters will run through September 6. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Strokin’ V will feature 59 works of art from the most elite pastel painters from across the country. A diversity of visual styles and subject matter will be represented, showcasing the broad range of the medium. Many of the exhibiting artists are from right here in the Chicagoland area and will be present at the reception to discuss their work. The exhibition is curated by Pastel Society of America’s Master Pastelist Jimmy Wright, and awards will be chosen by Victoria Sancho Lobis, the Prince Trust Associate Curator in the Department of Prints and Drawings at the Art Institute of Chicago. For additional information or Gallery hours, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.

A Little Garden Art Exhibit – Through September 6

Artwork inspired by Union Street Gallery’s 10th Annual Garden Walk will be exhibited in the classroom gallery on the second floor through September 6. This informal display includes plein air paintings, sketches, photos, notes and other artistic expressions that began in the gardens during our 10th annual Garden Walk on July 12th, 2014. Exhibiting Artists are: Carole Brejcha, Maureen Cribbs, Dorita Fuller, Christy Goselin, Christine Leone, Roger Paris, Donna Radcliffe, Lynn Ruedger, Dorothy Sandlin, Leon Sarantos, Richard Schmidt, and Mary Ann Trzyna. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For additional information or Gallery hours, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

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

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

HR Management Continuing Professional Education Course – Registration Now in Progress

Human Resources (HR) impacts every aspect of your business organization. Understanding the role HR plays and implementing effective HR policies and practices can keep your organization out of the courtroom, avoid needless litigation and create a more satisfying work environment for your employees and staff. PSC, in partnership with Northern Illinois University (NIU), will host the two-day “SHRM’s Essentials® of HR Management” course from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 17 and Thursday, Sept. 18, in the Conference Center of the PSC main campus in Chicago Heights. The course is a perfect fit for new and junior HR professionals, business owners and office managers, managers and supervisors with employee management responsibilities, job seekers wanting to transition in a career in HR and HR professionals seeking to update their current HR knowledge. Attendees will learn about the complex, real-world and legal issues HR professionals face. Topics include employment law, selecting qualified employees, compensation basics, orientation and training of employees and performance management. John Newton SPHR, president of John Newton and Associates, will be the instructor for this course. Newton brings a wealth of real-world practical HR experience to the classroom through his entertaining and engaging presentation style. The cost to attend is $650, or $600 for SHRM members or NIU alumni for registrations completed at least 14 days in advance of the course start date. A $100 late fee applies to registrations within 14 days. The course fee includes course materials and online access to resources you can use in the workplace and catering services. To register, visit www.hrcourses.niu.edu or call 800-345-9472. Make certain to enter the promo code PSC914 when registering. For more information about this and other NIU HR Programs, contact Donna Mann, director, credentialing programs at NIU, at (815) 732-6249 or [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.

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

Free Adult Education and English as a Second Language Registration and Assessment Coming to Oak Forest Center in September

SSC’s Division of Adult Education is offering a wide range of opportunities for adults to build the basic skills required for success. Adult Basic Education (ABE) helps men and women whose skill levels are below the ninth grade, and Adult Secondary Education (ASE) helps men and women whose skill levels are between the ninth and twelfth grade. ABE/ASE students improve their skills in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Additionally, English as a Second Language (ESL) allows non-native students to improve their English skills from beginning to advanced levels. New this fall, SSC is offering part-time ESL courses at the Oak Forest Center. Most of SSC’s Adult Education programs are now offered both full and part-time at the Main Campus in South Holland or the Oak Forest Center. The registration and assessment at the Oak Forest Center for these programs this fall will take place on September 8th at 9:00 a.m. for ABE/ASE, and September 10-11th at 9:00 a.m. for ESL, with classes beginning Monday, September 15, 2014. The Adult Ed ABE/ASE is five days per week, five hours per day from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in Room 5230. The ESL class will run five days per week, two hours per day from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in Room 5320. The registration and assessments will take place in their respective classrooms.
Please Note: An Adult education student enrolling for the first time at an SSC Adult Education Center must have:

• CURRENT STATE I.D. or DRIVERS LICENSE INDICATING ILLINOIS RESIDENCE (MUST BE AN ILLINOIS RESIDENT)
• UNDER AGE 18–WITHDRAWAL FORM FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL OF CURRENT RESIDENCE
• PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

Many adults choose to further build on these skills and pursue a high school education through the High School Equivalency (HSE) program. The HSE program will develop the skills required to pass the GED exams. All courses are offered free of charge. For the purpose of compliance with Section 511 of Public Law 101-166 (the Stevens Amendment) Federal funds of $307,398 provides approximately 36% of the support of these programs. For enrollment and class information, please call 708-596-2000, ext. 2385 or ext. 2240, or visit www.ssc.edu under “Non-Credit Offerings, Adult Education.” The Main Campus is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. The Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 S. Kilbourn, Oak Forest, Illinois.

25th Annual College & Career Expo – Wednesday, September 24

SSC is hosting Career Development System’s (CDS) 25th Annual College & Career Expo on Wednesday, September 24, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., in the Physical Fitness Athletic Center. This year’s Expo is an hour longer to allow more parents and students to attend. The Expo is an excellent opportunity for 8th grade, high school and SSC students, along with their parents, to explore a wide range of college and career options at one time, in one location. Admission and parking are FREE and the event is conveniently located at SSC’s Main Campus in South Holland. This cooperative venture is designed to provide the most current information available regarding post-secondary educational opportunities across the country. More than 120 universities, colleges, technical school, armed forces, and construction trades will be featured. Career programs available at SSC will be highlighted along with the "Parents’ Place" resources. Three prizes will be raffled for students attending to include the grand prize of an IPAD Mini, second prize a $100 VISA gift card, and third prize a $50 VISA gift card. The 25th Annual College & Career Expo 2014 is open to all residents of the area who are interested in furthering their education. For more information regarding the College & Career Expo 2014, visit the CDS website at: www.CareerDevelopmentSystem.org.

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

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.

Sertoma Centre, 4343 West 123rd Street, Alsip

Free Community Education and Prevention Programs about Mental Health

Sertoma Centre’s Mental Health Services facility is offering community mental health seminars, free of charge to community groups, schools, law enforcement agencies, religious organizations, and other community groups at their location in Matteson or facility. Education Programs will include: Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) which increases public awareness of suicide and improves one’s ability to identify and refer those at risk for suicide. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a public education course that helps participants identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance disorders. Also included is Mental Health First Aid for Youth and Anxiety/Depression Screenings. Thanks to a grant, these educational opportunities are available at no cost to you or your organization. To arrange a free educational opportunity for your club, group, workplace, organization, or church, call Gia Washington at 708-748-1951, Ext. 418 or email at [email protected].

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 Rich Township Senior Café 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 10 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

Sauk-Calumet Group of Illinois Sierra Club, Matteson

‘John Muir’s Legacy’ to be Screening – Monday, September 8

The Sauk-Calumet Group of the Illinois Sierra Club will resume its monthly meetings on Monday, September 8, at 7:15 p.m. at the Frankfort Community Center, 140 Oak Street. PLEASE BE ADVISED: for the remainder of 2014 the meetings will NOT be held at the Frankfort Public Library but at the Frankfort Community Center. Join Sierra Club members as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act with an informative documentary on the life and work of Sierra Club founder, John Muir. Come on time as the film, "John Muir’s Legacy", will take up the whole meeting time. The Frankfort Community Center is at 140 Oak St., a block and a half south of Nebraska, and about 5 blocks east of LaGrange Rd. From LaGrange Rd., turn east on Nebraska and drive 5 blocks to Oak St. Turn south on Oak St. to the Center. Sierra Club meetings are free and open to the public. People who enjoy outdoor activities, who want to protect the environment, or who wish to preserve the world in which we live, are encouraged to attend. For additional information, contact Patrick Coffey, Publicity Chair, at [email protected].

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

Wednesday Morning Walkers – September 3

On Wednesday, September 3 at 9 a.m., enjoy light exercise and experience nature firsthand on Thorn Creek’s winding trails. Trails can be wet or muddy, so please wear sturdy shoes. Terrain is moderator. The Wednesday morning walks will continue each week and walkers new to the program must register two days before they first hike.

Thorn Creek Chamber Players Fall Concert – Registration Required by Wednesday, September 3

As the leaves fall come celebrate the woods with a concert by Ingrid Krizan and the Thorn Creek Chamber Players on Friday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Thorn Creek Nature Center. Tickets are on sale now for this popular event. Join the Thorn Creek Chamber Players for their third evening of nature-inspired music written in styles both familiar and perhaps new to your ears! Discover Charles Ives, an American composer who successfully mutated native folk-tunes into innovative concert forms. Ives lived in a small town filled with clapboard meeting houses, places where some of his works were heard for the first time. Recreate the experience here at Thorn Creek Nature Center’s 1860’s building with cellist Ingrid Krizan, bassist Julian Romane and friends. All proceeds will directly benefit Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve and Nature Center. Join us for a fun evening as the music echoes through the autumn woods. Refreshments will be provided. Seating is limited and registration is required by Wednesday, September 3. Cost is $10 per person. Program is for those older than 12 years. For more information or to register call 708-747-6320 or email [email protected].

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.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Clothing, Shoe Recycling at Park Forest Farmers’ Market – Final Recycling Date is Saturday, September 13

The Park Forest Farmers’ Market will now offer clothing and shoe recycling services from 9 a.m. to noon every second Saturday through September. Saturday, September 13 is the final date when accepted items may be dropped off. USAgain, a green, for-profit company committed to protecting the environment, conserving resources, and creating green sector jobs through the collection of textiles for reuse and recycling, has agreed to collect residents’ old shoes and clothing at the Market. Items dropped off will be diverted from landfills to be re-worn, reused or recycled – reducing the carbon footprint of residents. Accepted items include men’s, women’s and kids’ shoes, boots and clothing as well as gloves, hats, bags, purses and belts. Sheets, blankets, drapes and towels are also welcome. The Park Forest Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays through October, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is located at 271 Lakewood Blvd, just across from the Park Forest Police Department. To learn more, call 708-748-1118.

Park Forest 41st Annual Farmers’ Market – Every Saturday through October 25

Park Forest’s 41st Annual Farmers’ Market will take place every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October 25. The Market is located across the street from the Park Forest Police Station, 271 Lakewood Boulevard. The Market offers fresh vegetables, fruits, organic breads, salsa, specialty produce, garden bedding plants, perennials, garden ornaments, Amish butter, cheese and pies. A variety of food vendors, jewelry and oils will also be available for purchase. The Market accepts SNAP/Link cards, Senior Nutrition coupons and WIC. For additional information about the Farmers’ Market, call Brenda Walker at 708-748-1118, email [email protected] or visit www.villageofparkforest.com.

This & That

Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 South Orchard Drive, Park Forest

Annual Good Neighbor Day – Saturday, September 20

Calvary United Protestant Church will be having their Annual Good Neighbor Day on Saturday, September 20th, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature games for the kids, free food, community information, CEDA, DHS information and more! The event is free and open to the public. Calvary United Protestant Church is located on the corner of Orchard and Route 30.

Church of the Holy Family, 102 Marquette Street, Park Forest

Second Annual Open House & Health Fair – Saturday, September 13

The Church of the Holy Family will host its Second Annual Open House and Health Fair on Saturday, September 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Church is inviting the community out for free food, fun and fellowship! Parents are encouraged to bring their children for free school supplies, pony rides and the Game Truck, a mobile arcade. Attendees can unwind with massages from Health on Earth Wellness Centers, and seniors can enjoy activities like Bingo and arts and crafts. The open house includes registration of youth ministry programs like the Girls Scouts and upcoming Cubs Scouts program. Vendors will be on site with giveaways and health literature. The health fair will include dental exams for children and blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetic screenings for adults. Walgreens will also provide flu shots. All wellness screenings are free. Please bring Medicaid or dental insurance cards for children’s dental screenings offered by Smile Illinois. For more information on Church of the Holy Family and for a complete list of vendors and services, visit our Facebook page at tinyurl.com/holy-family-pf. If you have any questions about this event, please call 708-748-1100 or email [email protected].

Park Forest American Legion, 1631 Western Avenue, Chicago Heights

Blood Drive – Appointments Now Being Scheduled

The Sons of the American Legion will host a blood drive on Sunday, October 12, 2014, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The drive will take place at the Park Forest American Legion in Chicago Heights. A free breakfast will be served to all donors. To schedule an appointment, please call Life Source at 1-877-543-3768.

Park Forest Commission on Human Relations

Nominations Sought for 2014 Good Egg Award – Nominations Due by September 11

Do you know someone who’s gone beyond the call of duty — possibly a neighbor, a local baseball coach, a business owner — and you feel they deserve to be recognized? Nominate them for the Good Egg Award by September 11. Click below to download the nomination form. Download the nomination form!

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Document Destruction Event – Saturday, September 13

The Village of Park Forest, in partnership with the Will County Land Use Department, will hold a document destruction event on Saturday, September 13, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., in DownTown Park Forest at the corner of Main Street and Cunningham Drive. Residents may bring personal documents, old check stubs, bank statements, old files, IRS tax forms, and other miscellaneous paper documents for destruction. Documents will be shredded on site by Shark Shredding Inc. Items not accepted include newspapers, school assignments, metal items, corrosives, hazardous waste, food waste and wet documents. The event is restricted to residents only. Residents may bring two file boxes maximum per vehicle. Businesses may not take part in this event. Residents must be in line by 11 a.m. for any documents to be accepted. This event is sponsored by the Will County Land Use Department, Resource Recovery and the Village of Park Forest.

Village-wide Garage Sale – September 19 – 21

Do you have items in your home you no longer need that could become someone else’s treasures? Do you love a good deal and enjoy a great garage sale or flea market? Park Forest’s village-wide garage sale, being held September 19 – 21, brings together buyers from near and far for one large garage sale, and the entire community is the garage. Set-up your garage sale during one of Park Forest’s busiest weekends and capitalize on thousands of out-of-towners visiting for the Park Forest Art Fair on September 20 and 21. Register by September 15 to boost awareness of your sale. Seller registration is not required but encouraged to increase awareness of where sales are located. Once registered, a map/listing of all registered addresses will be created for the convenience of the public thereby increasing traffic at seller locations. A map of registered locations will be available on the Village webpage (http://www.villageofparkforest.com), as well as at Park Forest’s Village Hall, beginning September 17. Registration is free.