Local

In and Around Park Forest Week of October 20, 2014


The cast of Godspell at Marian Catholic High School
The cast of Godspell after Sunday’s performance at Marian Catholic High School. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—October 20, 2014.  Halloween activities are beginning in and around Park Forest this week that will be provide lots of fun for those of all ages. You’ll find a list of activities in the special ‘Halloween Events’ section.

Hard to believe that Saturday, October 25th is the last Farmers Market for the 2014 season. Make it a point to stop by the Market on Saturday and stock up on non-perishable items to hold you over until the 2015 season begins!

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 Board Meeting – Monday, October 20

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, October 20 at 7 p.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.

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

Village Commission & Advisory Boards

The following Park Forest Commission is scheduled to meet the week of October 20:

  • Wednesday, October 22 at 7 p.m.

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

Halloween Events

Calvary United Church, 425 North Orchard, Park Forest

2014 Haunts Against Hunger – Events Begin Friday, October 24

It’s that time of year again…the 2014 ‘Haunts Against Hunger’ events will take place in Park Forest again this year to benefit the Monee and Rich Township Food Pantries.

  • Come out and visit the Haunted House at Calvary United Church, 425 North Orchard (corner of Orchard & Lincoln Highway) on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • Event Donation: bring a canned good for the Food Pantries and your cost is $4 per person. Attendance without a food donation is $5 per person. There is a $2 charge for children ages 5 and under.
  • The Haunted Yard will take place from dusk to 10 p.m. at the Schaefer home, 127 Shabbona Drive, Park Forest. There will be music after dusk and scary things to experience in the yard.
  • On Halloween, Friday, October 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a ‘Trunk or Treat’ with a free chili dinner at Calvary United Church, 425 North Orchard (corner of Orchard and Lincoln Highway).

Note: Donations of canned goods can also be made at the Haunted Yard and ‘Trunk or Treat’ events. For additional information, call Kim Schaefer at 708-283-4190.

Park Forest Historical Society, 141 Forest Boulevard, Park Forest

Celebrate a 1950s Halloween at the Park Forest House Museum

“It’s Halloween,” 1950s vintage Halloween decorations, including die-cuts and Gurley Candles, will be on exhibit at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum from September 13 to November 8. Visit for a nostalgic look at Halloween in the 1950s. Open Wednesday and Saturday 10:30 to 3:30 p.m.; or by appointment. Adults $5; kids 12 and under free with adults. Additional information is with Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252 or visit www.parkforesthistory.org.

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

Annual Halloween Family Fun Fest – Friday, October 31

PSC’s Department of Police and Campus Safety, along with PSC students, faculty, and staff, is hosting its annual Halloween Family Fun Fest from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, October 31, in the Prairie Center gym, located on the PSC main campus at 202 S. Halsted St. The event features games, hayrides, balloons, popcorn, prizes, and other surprises. Members of Chicago Heights Police and Fire Departments also will be available to educate children about personal and fire safety. The event is free and open to children through age 12, accompanied by a parent, and costumes for children are encouraged. For more information, contact Gilbert Vargas at [email protected].

Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

‘Skull and Bones’ Halloween Art Program – Registration Required by Friday, October 24

Kids of all ages can bone up on their artistic skills and anatomical knowledge at Thorn Creek Nature Center. Join us at Thorn Creek Nature Center Sunday, October 26, for “Skulls and Bones”. There are two session available 1-2 p.m. or 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Internationally-known artist Patricia Moore will guide them in a Halloween art experience using bones as subject and medium. Skulls, antlers, and the macabre remains of the animals of Thorn Creek Woods — deer, raccoons, voles and other wildlife — will be on display for aspiring artists to examine. Participants can draw them in the vibrant colored surrealistic style of Georgia O’Keefe or in the somber tones of an 18th century naturalist. Each participant will leave the session with an artwork suitable for framing or display. “Skulls and Bones” is open to all ages; children under age 6 should be accompanied by an adult. All art materials will be supplied and refreshments will be served. There is a $5 fee per person per session to participate. Participants must register by Friday, October 24. For more information or to register for programs, contact Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Rd, Park Forest, 708-747-6320, email [email protected], www.tcwoods.org or stop in the nature center between noon and 4 p.m. on Friday through Sunday.

Village of Park Forest

Halloween in Park Forest – Friday, October 31

The Village of Park Forest will hold Halloween festivities DownTown on Friday, October 31, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street. The event will feature a scarecrow contest, a costume contest, games and lots of candy! The event is free and open to the public. This event is sponsored by the Park Forest Police Department and the Economic Development and Planning Department.  For questions, call 708-283-5621. Note: Trick-or-treating hours in Park Forest are also from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Arts & Entertainment

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

Classic Albums Live Presents the Beatles ‘Abbey Road’ – Saturday, October 25

On Saturday, October 25 at 8 p.m., Classic Albums Live will present the Beatles ‘Abby Road’ at the Center. Anything but a cover band, Classic Albums Live forgoes the gimmickry of costumes and impersonations, recreating greatest albums live “note for note, cut for cut.” These world-class musicians tackle iconic music, concentrating solely on re-creating it as you remember it from the original recording. ‘Abby Road’ includes legendary songs such as “Come Together,” “Something,” “Octopus’ Garden,” “Here Comes the Sun” and many more. Tickets are priced at $30, $27 and $25. In addition, Golden Circle tickets are available for $35. The Center 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.

‘A Raisin in the Sun’ – Tickets Now on Sale

The GSU Theatre and Performance Studies will present ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ on November 6, 8 and 9 at the Center. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on November 6 & 8, and at 2 p.m. on November 9. An African-American family on Chicago’s South side in the 1950’s plans to leave their crowded apartment for a home in Clybourne Park, but their efforts to ‘move up’ are thwarted by racial intolerance. This award-winning play spotlights divisions that still plague Chicago more than 60 years later. Tickets are $15.  The Center 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 Theatre School, Chicago

‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ – Through November 15

The Chicago Playworks opens its season with ‘The Phantom Tollbooth,’ by Susan Nanus based on the book by Norton Juster. Performances will take place through November 15 at the Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. Milo is bored in his bedroom until a magical tollbooth appears and transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom. Here he discovers the magic of words and numbers, travels to strange lands like Dictionopolis and Digitopolis and meets a Mathemagician, Spelling Bee, and other curious friends. Will they be able to save Princess Rhyme and Princess Reason if they work together? Based on the beloved book, this whimsical fairy tale proves that imagination and knowledge can change the world. The production is recommended for ages 7 and up. Educational themes include: discovery, fables, idioms, metaphor, and wordplay, imagination, literary adaption, mathematics, numbers, and patterns, perseverance, personification, and teamwork. ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ runs through November 15 with performances on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $5 for students and are available at www.theatre.depaul.edu or by phone at the box office at 312-922-1991.

‘Vigils’ – Tickets on Sale

The Theatre School at DePaul University will present Noah Haidle’s ‘Vigils,’ a generous and bittersweet play about the absurdities of loss, change and love. Performances will be in the Sondra and Denis Healy Theatre in the Theatre School building at 2350 N. Racine Ave. The production is directed by Andrew Peters, MFA directing candidate, Class of 2016. Opening night is Friday, November 7, and the production will run through Sunday November 16, 2014. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Previews are November 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. It has been two years since a Widow’s husband — a fireman — died in a heroic act, but she is not ready to move on. She captures her husband’s Soul in a box, while his Body wanders around their home, replaying memories from their lives together and giving occasional hugs. When a Wooer appears on the scene, the Widow finds herself faced with the choice and consequences of letting go. Tickets are $15, preview tickets are $10, and student tickets are always $5. Subscriptions and group rates (6 or more people) are available. All tickets are reserved seating. Tickets are available by calling 773-325-7900 or visiting the online box office at http://theatre.depaul.edu. The Theatre School at DePaul University is located at 2350 N. Racine Ave. (at Fullerton). The school is easily accessible via the Fullerton CTA Station and the Fullerton (74) bus. Visitors and audience members can park in DePaul University’s Clifton Parking Deck, located at 2330 N. Clifton Ave. Please call the Box Office for more information or for help in planning your trip. For patrons who are blind or have low-vision, the performance will be audio described on Sunday, Nov. 16 (2 p.m.) with a pre-performance touch tour. Call 773-325-7900. Special events include an opening night reception following the performance on November 7 and post-show discussions on November 9 and 13.

Freedom Hall, Nathan Manilow Theatre, 401 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest

Simon & Garfunkel Retrospective – Tuesday, October 21

Freedom Hall kicks off its 2014 – 2015 Matinee/Senior Theatre with a Simon & Garfunkel Retrospective on Tuesday, October 21 at 11 a.m. AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle have been performing this remarkable tribute to the music of “Simon & Garfunkel” for more than a decade and their sold out shows prove the effect on their audiences is undeniable. A chance meeting in 1991, in a local club in Bethlehem, PA, brought these two talented artists together and soon they were blending their voices as if they had been performing together for a lifetime. AJ’s warm baritone and Jonathan’s soaring tenor combine flawlessly to capture the essence and magic of “Simon & Garfunkel’s” sound of the early years in Greenwich Village. With a quiet stage and an acoustic guitar, A.J. and Jonathan re-create the memories of the classic hits and obscure songs of “Simon & Garfunkel.” Tickets are $13. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.
Visit the Simon & Garfunkel Retrospective website.

The Slide Brothers — Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for the November 7 performance of the Slide Brothers that will take place at Freedom Hall at 7:30 p.m. The Slide Brothers are Calvin Cooke, Chuck Campbell, Darick Campbell and Aubrey Ghent–the greatest living musicians who embody the Sacred Steel tradition. The joyous music these legendary artists create extends far beyond scared steel to encompass blues, rock and soul all celebrated with a sound that is uniquely their own. Where the music of Muddy Waters or the Allman Brothers showcased traditional six string slide guitar, critics and fans alike were jolted by the an even more potent brand of slide guitar being performed on pedal steel instruments. As the center core of the Sacred Steel movement was its artistic purity. The Slide Brothers and other pedal steel icons have fostered a rich, uniquely American art form unspoiled by commercialism. Read more about The Slide Brothers. Tickets are $28. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, 377 Artists Walk, Park Forest

Vocal Mastery: Getty, Straus and Schubert – Tickets Now on Sale

On Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center, 19900 S. Harlem Avenue, Frankfort, attend an evening of Vocal Mastery with Bavarian soprano Kathrin Danzmayr and IPO-favorite bass-baritone David Govertsen (formerly of the Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera). Featuring the Chicago premiere of concert versions of American composer Gordon Getty’s Overture and aria, No My Good Lord, as well as orchestrated gems of classic art song composed by Strauss and Schubert (Reger arrangement). Maestro Danzmayr leads the orchestra in popular Finnish composer Sibelius’s acclaimed First Symphony on the program’s second half. Tickets are $55, $45 and $35 and can be purchased online at https://secure.ticketsage.net. For additional information call 708-481-7774 or visit www.ipomusic.org.

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 Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

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

  • Monday, October 20 at 11 a.m. – Storypalooza — A fun story time for all kids through the age of 6 with an adult. Siblings are welcome.
  • Tuesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. — PJ Story Time — Wear your PJs out on the town! Bring along a fuzzy friend and your blanket too! Stories, activities, and more… Ages 12 and under.
  • Wednesday, October 22 at 11 a.m. — Baby Time — Story time for infants to 35 months of age with an adult. This story time is designed to engage children through movement, music, stories, and more.
  • Wednesday, October 22 at 7:15 p.m. – Microsoft Excel 2013 — An introduction to using the spreadsheet program Microsoft Excel. Registration Required.
  • Thursday, October 23 at 11 a.m. — Toddler Art — Bring your little artist ages 3 to 5 to create their very own masterpiece! We may get a little messy so wear play clothes.
  • Friday, October 24 at 10:30 a.m. — Bookworm Book Club – This event is recommended for children ages 9-12. Parents are welcome to join the discussion! The book this month is the Neil Gaiman classic turned movie ‘Coraline.’
  • Saturday, October 25 at 2:30 p.m. — Artist Workshop: One Book, One Community — Local artist Matt Hansel hosts a hands-on workshop, illustrating how to draw and design elements of graphic novels, including design, storytelling, and visual flow.

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

Potpourri of Lectures – Thursday, October 23

The Potpourri of Lectures series continues on Thursday, October 23 at 10:30 a.m. in the Library’s Ringering Room. This week’s lecture is ‘Atomic Scale Imaging’ with Nathan Gusinger. For additional information call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.

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

‘The Discerning Eye’ Exhibit Featuring Photography Masters Dawoud Bey, Terry Evans,
and Joseph Jachna — Through November 6

‘The Discerning Eye’ is on exhibit through November 6 at PSC’s Christopher Art Gallery. Photography, as an art form, is powerful in its ability to capture a frozen moment in time as seen through the critical lens of the photographer. In an era in which every human who owns a cell phone can produce a photograph (often of questionable quality), the works of artists who photograph take on an even greater importance. Photography as art must be powerful in conveying the intent of the artist and his or her personal reality. A photograph’s quality lies not only in its editing but in its design; a great work of art doesn’t necessarily convey “information” but instead projects emotional value, meaning and significance to that which is photographed. A good photograph allows us, as viewers, to question our own perceptions and dig deeper for meaning and understanding. The three master photographers in the exhibition, The Discerning Eye, portray their insightful understanding of the world in their works, but each from a very different perspective. Dawoud Bey, Terry Evans and Joseph Jachna all make us notice, and they ask us to look deeper than the surface and to think beyond our own limited perceptions of reality. Each of the three uses as subjects what may be considered mundane, but presents to us images that ask us to repeatedly look, and to give our attention to that which we may have neglected to see. Whether in Bey’s images of teenagers, Evans’ depictions of landscapes, or Jachna’s details of natural forms, we are pushed to immerse ourselves with personal absorption in the images, and to wonder at their meanings. Additional information about the exhibit can be found at The Discerning Eye Catalog. For additional information or gallery hours, call 708-709-3636 or visit http://prairiestate.edu.

‘Turn Down for What!’ Concert Food Drive – November 7

Move For Hunger is teaming up with PSC to host a Turn Down For What! concert food drive. The concert will involve the entire college community and offer incentive to people who donate. Collected items will benefit the people in the region who are food insecure, which in Cook County amounts to 845,000 people. The Jam or Not Concert Food Drive will take place on November 7th beginning at 7 p.m. in the PSC Conference Room 1322, 202 S. Halsted St. The concert will be a big event on the Prairie State College Campus. Kenyani, TStar, J Love, 2Starr2x, and King Marquis are among the artists that will perform. Students will also enjoy a dance party and the event will feature boutiques and vendors who will show students upcoming fashion. Along with the food drive at the event, all of the proceeds will be donated to Move for Hunger. Those who donate food or money will have the opportunity for a free meet and greet with the artists. Once the event ends, Thompson Moving and Storage will pick up the collected items and deliver them to a local food bank. This process saves the food bank resources and money that is normally spend on transporting nonperishable food. Suggested donations for the event include peanut butter and jelly, pasta, noodles, beans, cereal, rice, and canned meats, soups, fruits and vegetables. Move For Hunger is a non-profit organization that works with relocation companies across North America to pick up unwanted, unopened food from those who are relocating and deliver it to local food banks. To date, Move For Hunger is working with over 600 movers across North America and has collected more than 3,500,000 pounds of food. For more information or to find out how you can help support Move For Hunger, visit www.MoveForHunger.org.

Roosevelt University, 430 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago

PianoFest – Opens Monday, October 20

Roosevelt University will present a Showcase Recital featuring performances by some of the finest student pianists at Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA), as the sixth annual, four-night PianoFest celebration opens at the University on Monday, October 20. The festival’s opening night recital, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Roosevelt’s seventh-floor Ganz Hall, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The evening will include performances by six CCPA student pianists, including four who are international students from China. On October 22 at 7:30 p.m., Roosevelt University will present a concert in tribute to the late Chicago concert pianist and Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) faculty member Deborah Sobol during PianoFest. Information about all of the performances and programs that are free and open to the public on Oct. 20, 21, 22 and 24 at Ganz Hall can be found at www.roosevelt.edu/ccpa or by calling 312-341-2238.

Rise of Black Power & Activism in Chicago – Wednesday, October 23

Jeff Helgeson, author of Crucibles of Black Empowerment: Chicago’s Neighborhood Politics from the New Deal to Harold Washington, will lecture on the topic at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 in Roosevelt University’s 10th floor library. The former director of the Chicago Center for Working Class Studies’ Labor Trail project and assistant professor of history at Texas State University, Helgeson will discuss the unique political culture of African Americans in Chicago, a place that he calls both the “capital of black America” and “one of the most segregated and unequal places in the nation.” As the final lecturer for this fall in Roosevelt’s St. Clair Drake Lecture Series, Helgeson is expected to focus in part on the role that Roosevelt University played in shaping Chicago’s black nationalist movement, which is included in his new book that was just released. Made possible with generous financial support from Rose and Robert Johnson (BA, ’58), the lecture is free and open to the public. For more information on the event or Roosevelt’s St. Clair Drake Center for African and African American Studies, contact Erik Gellman at [email protected] or 312-322-7138.

‘You Can’t Take It With You’ – October 24 & 25

‘You Can’t Take It With You,’ a comedy that features a hodgepodge of cheerful and delightfully batty bunglers by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, will be staged October 24 through October 25. Theater Conservatory instructor Steve Scott, associate producer at the Goodman Theatre, will direct the show. For ticket prices or additional information, call 312-341-3831 or visit www.roosevelt.edu/ccpa.

Salon Artists Gallery, 294 Main Street, Park Forest

‘El Viejo’ Exhibit – Through October 31

‘El Viejo’ an exhibit by artist Wyll Mull will be on display through October 31. The exhibit is 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

‘The X-Ray Series’ – Opens October 21

An exhibition titled ‘The X-Ray Series’ will be on display October 21st through a closing reception with artist Michael Hopkins on November 17th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hopkins has exhibited throughout the United States, in Canada and Europe. He has art in numerous museum permanent collections including The Art Institute of Chicago. ‘The X-Ray Series’ was completed between 2004 and 2007. The media is white ink on slate comprised of slightly altered images of both human and animal X-rays. Twenty (20) pieces from ‘The X-Ray Series’ will exhibit at SSC as part a larger collection on display internationally including The Progressive Art Collection, Mayfield Village, Ohio–rated as one of the best collections by Forbes Magazine, Chazen Museum of Art, Madison, Wisconsin, and permanent collections at The University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor Michigan and The Wellcome Trust Collection, London, England–Nobel Peace Prize winner James Watson spoke at the opening. ‘The X-Ray Series’ can be viewed during gallery hours in the Dorothea Thiel Gallery 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. The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. For more information, please call 708-596-2000, extension 2445 or visit www.ssc.edu/art.

Connie Wolfe Exhibit ‘Faint Perceptions – Opens October 27

‘Faint Perceptions’ is an exhibition by artist Connie Wolfe that will run October 27th through the closing reception on November 20th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Three installations will be featured in the exhibit. Wolfe earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, Wisconsin, and his Master of Fine Arts from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Wolfe is inspired by the rich colors and textures in natural environments that typically go unnoticed in the everyday rituals of our society. ‘Faint Perceptions’ will be exhibiting in the Lee Dulgar Gallery on the first floor near the college Atrium. 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. The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. For more information, please call 708-596-2000, extension 2445 or visit www.ssc.edu/art.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

‘Beautiful Writing’ the Art of Contemporary Calligraphy – Through November 8

‘Beautiful Writing’ an exhibit featuring the art of contemporary calligraphy will run at the Gallery through November 8. An artists’ reception will be held on Friday, October 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. In addition, an Open House with artists’ demonstrations will take place on Saturday, October 11 from 11 a.m. to p.m. The exhibit, reception and open house are free and open to the public. The exhibit includes the work of thirteen artists, many of them connected with the Chicago Calligraphy Collective. Whatever preconceptions about calligraphy visitors hold before they visit the show, the startling scale of the works, the highest level of technical skills on display and the wealth of ideas the artists investigate will provide many reasons to see this art form in a very different light. Ranging from pieces that are in the vein of very traditional, ornate and colorfully designed letter forms to huge, invented and handmade calligraphic objects that dance across an entire wall, the exhibit offers viewers opportunities to see the diverse directions artists now explore using actual alphabets; abstracted, hybrid, and mixed media letter images; and totally original and illegible works that celebrate the process of simply making written marks. Every artist included in the exhibit brings a unique interpretation to letters, words, texts, and the act of writing. Visually the show is both bold and subtle. Conceptually, the works are both reverential to the history of calligraphy and wildly and playfully stretching and blurring all of its traditional boundaries. For additional information, visit: www.tallgrassarts.org or call 708-748-3377.

Union Street Gallery (USC), 1527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights

‘Material Matters’ Exhibit – Through October 25

‘Material Matters,’ a national juried fiber art exhibit will be on display at the Gallery through October 25.  For additional information, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.

Gallery Hop Bus Tour – Saturday, October 25

Join the South Suburban art scene on Saturday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the ‘Gallery Hop Bus Tour.’ The tour will visit exhibits at Prairie State College’s Christopher Gallery from 10:30 a.m. to 11: 15 a.m.; the Union Street Gallery from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.’ Tall Grass Arts Association from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.; and Governors State University’s Visual Arts Gallery from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Different brunch refreshments will be served at each gallery hop stop. You can ‘hop’ by taking the Metra Electric line, Flossmoor station for the 10:14 a.m. arrival from Chicago (SSAS bus leaves 10:20 a.m. for Prairie State College (PSC)) or drive to PSC and join the SSAS bus, or drive to locations on your. Bus will stop at University Park Metra Station for the 2:57 departure to Chicago, and then return to PSC. Tickets are $30. Purchase tickets on-line via link at www.unionstreetgallery.org, by credit card in-person at the Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest, or with cash/check at any of the other participating Galleries. For additional information, call Union Street Gallery at 708-754-2601.

Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC), 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest

‘Bringing It Home’ Free Movie & Discussion – Friday, October 24

UUCC will screen the movie ‘Bringing It Home’ on Friday, October 24 at 7 p.m. A discussion will following the film. ‘Bringing it Home’ tells the story of a father’s search to find the healthiest building materials. This search leads him to the completion of the nation’s first hemp house. Hemp is a global industry that includes textiles, building materials, food products, medicine, bio-plastics, auto parts and more. The event is free and open to the public. Free coffee, tea, and popcorn will be provided. Bring a snack to share if you wish. Optional donations appreciated. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit http://www.uuccpf.org/.

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

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

Master in Public Administration & Master in Political and Justice Studies Open House – Tuesday, October 28

GSU is hosting an information open house on the Master in Public Administration and Master in Political and Justice Studies joint degree program offered in Chicago. GSU representatives will be available between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28 at the James R. Thompson Center, Room 2-025, 100 West Randolph St., Chicago. The session is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring official or unofficial transcripts for initial review. The joint graduate studies program in Public Administration and Political and Justice Studies prepares students for careers in a variety of fields including leadership positions in the public and non-profit sectors and continued graduate studies. The program enhances credentials and develops the skills and knowledge demanded in leadership positions. Classes are held in the evening and taught by industry leaders. The programs are fully accredited. Special incentives are available for veterans. For more information, contact 708-534-4391.

Workshop on Implementing Social and Emotional Learning in Schools – Registration Required by October 28

The Metropolitan Institute for Leadership in Education at Governors State University is presenting a workshop for educators designed to arm administrators with the research and strategic tools needed to implement academic, social and emotional learning throughout their districts. “Implementing Social and Emotional Learning to Improve Student Growth” will be held on Wednesday, November 5, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in E-Lounge on the GSU campus. The workshop will be led by Ruth Cross, the Illinois Training Specialist for the Collaborative for Social, Academic, and Emotional Learning. Participants will learn how to address the Illinois standards for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL); understand the research that supports implementing SEL into your district and school practices and policies; understand the structural and strategic supports that improve conditions for learning; and assess the current levels of SEL implementation in your buildings. At the end of this workshop, you will develop a one-year plan outlining next steps to address implementing SEL throughout your district and buildings. The cost of the workshop is $25, plus $15 for Administrators Academy credit (Administrators Academy 1374). Registration is required by October 28, at https://RuthCross11-5workshop.eventbrite.com. For more information, call 708-534-4024

What It Takes to Serve on the School Board – Registration Now in Progress

If you are thinking of running for your local school board, and would like to know more about the role of the school board member in governing successful school districts, attend this this free workshop. Sponsored by the Governors State University Metropolitan Institute of Leadership in Education, the Prospective School Board Member Workshop will be held on Saturday, November 8, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the Eisenhower Cooperative Administrative Offices, 5318 135th Street, Crestwood. A panel of school law and school finance experts will discuss a variety of topics ranging from what to consider when standing for public office, ethics and school law including board member liabilities, conflicts of interest and nepotism, and school budgets and funding at the local, state, and federal levels. Attendees will learn how effective school leaders can enhance student growth, support financial stability, and contribute to the quality of life in a community. For information, call 708-534-4024. To register, go to http://schoolboard11-8.eventbrite.com.

Teens: Sex and Health Choices Summit – Registration Required

Underage drinking, tobacco and other drug use/abuse are putting South Cook County teens at greater risk of teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The South Suburban Family Wellness Alliance (SSFWA), in collaboration with The Prevention Partnership, Inc., Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (T.A.S.C.), Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center, Bremen Youth Services, Franciscan St. James Health and Mental Health America of Illinois, is sponsoring a Southland Call to Action Summit on Friday, November 7, 2014, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the E Lounge (Room E1571) of Governors State University. This half-day summit will focus on the prevention of teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS/STIs among teens in South Cook County. Featured panelists and moderators will include: Dr. Cheryl Mejta, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health at GSU; Peter Palanca, MA, CADC, Executive Vice President of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (T.A.S.C.) and a Senior Lecturer in GSU’s Department of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health; Kimberley Fornero, Bureau Chief, Positive Youth Development, Illinois Department of Human Services; Dr. Joseph Day, Assistant Professor of Community Health at GSU; Alisa Webb, Coordinator of Drug-Free Communities Program for T.A.S.C.; Kimberli Thompson, Administrator at Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center; Shellie Coleman, Coordinator, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, The Prevention Partnership, Inc; Juanita Jenkins, Bremen Youth Services; John Farrell, Ph.D., psychologist; Caryn Curry, Director of Prevention, Mental Health America of Illinois; and Joseph Gordon, Associate Principal, Rich South School District 227. The goals of the Summit include:

  • Educate sectors of the community about the rising numbers of teen pregnancies, HIV/AIDS/STIs among young people in the south suburbs;
  • Identify gaps in services and resources for teens and their families;
  • Develop agreements between providers and south suburban community sectors to actively participate in the development and implementation of a Regional 12-month Strategic Action Plan aimed at the prevention of teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS/STIs among young people in the south suburbs;
  • Prevent underage drinking and other drug use, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS/STIs and mental health issues by building relationships among community sectors/stakeholders and by promoting positive family dynamics.

Although teen pregnancy rates are decreasing, the personal and public costs of teen pregnancy, childbearing, substance use and STIs can have many adverse consequences for teens, their children and their community. This call to action for these preventable outcomes will help to create community awareness and provide opportunities for dialogue and future planning among stakeholders. The following is the URL to the “News and Events” webpage for the College of Health and Human Services – detailed Summit Program information and Registration form can be found at this location: http://www.govst.edu. To register or obtain additional information, contact Debra Sbalchiero, Office Support Specialist, at [email protected].

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.

Marian Catholic High School, 700 Ashland, Chicago Heights

Accelerated Weekend Experience – Registration Now Taking Place

Marian Catholic is offering a unique learning opportunity for academically talented students in grades 5 through 8. In collaboration with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development, the Accelerated Weekend Experience (AWE) program provides challenging, hands-on, in-depth exploration for those passionate about the subjects of (Materials Science & Engineering: Sports Materials and Forensic Science). The two-day AWE courses will be held at Marian Catholic on October 25 & 26, 2014, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday. (Materials Science & Engineering: Sports Materials) is for students in grades 5 and 6, and (Forensic Science) for grades 7 and 8.

Materials Design & Engineering: Sports Materials (Grades 5 & 6)

Engineering bridges the gap between imagination and the laws of nature. In this project-based course, students learn about the attributes and advantages of sports materials by engaging in scientific inquiry and a culminating design project. Activities include exploring ball design & materials, measuring the rebound of sports balls, investigating energy absorption of materials, comparing rolling friction on different surfaces, and researching sports materials to design new sports equipment or a mini-golf game. Topics in chemistry, physics, biology, engineering and materials science unite in the world of sports.
Subject area: Engineering

Forensic Science (Grades 7 & 8)

Forensic Scientists use skills and techniques that come from a variety of disciplines—logic, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and technology—to solve mysteries. This course covers observational skills, perceptual fallacies, codes and code breaking, osteology, chromatography, criminology and more. Students will extract DNA, take fingerprints, analyze blood spatters and discuss famous-and infamous-cases.
Subject area: Science

For complete information on the courses, eligibility and how to apply, visit www.ctd.northwestern.edu, send a message to Betsy at [email protected] or call 847-491-3782 ext. 4.

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

Conference on Understanding Mental Health – Registration Required by Tuesday, October 21

Mental illness is very prevalent today, impacting people of all ages. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in five American adults faces a mental health issue, one in 10 young people has grappled with a period of major depression, and one in 20 Americans lives with a serious mental illness. PSC is hosting a full-day conference, “Changing Perspectives and Altering Perceptions: Understanding Mental Health,” to increase awareness of the complexities of mental illness and ways to reduce the stigmas associated with it. The event sponsors include PSC, The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Grand Prairie Services, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Sertoma Centre, Inc. The conference will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, in the Conference Center on the PSC main campus in Chicago Heights. The day opens with registration, networking opportunities, and an exhibit expo. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., welcoming remarks will feature Craig D. Schmidt, PSC vice president, community and economic development, who will introduce special guest, Illinois Senator Michael E. Hastings. Hastings recently sponsored a bill in the Illinois Senate that would ensure that funds collected from the sale of the closed Tinley Mental Health Center stay in Tinley Park and the surrounding area. The bill passed the Senate unanimously. An 8:45 keynote address features Dr. Theodora Binion, acting director for mental health division and director of alcoholism and substance abuse for the Illinois Department of Human Services. The breakout sessions begin at 10:45 a.m. Attendees can choose from one of the sessions, which include “Hearing Voices,” featuring Derek Harris of Sertoma Centre; “Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR),” featuring Gia Washington of Sertoma Centre; “Stressed Or Depressed? How to Know the Difference,” featuring Felicia Houston of Ingalls Behavioral Health; “Trauma and Recovery,” featuring Dan Wasmer, director region services, IDHS, Division of Mental Health; “Misconceptions, Mental Illness and Culture,” featuring PSC Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Cynthia Cornejo; “Mental Health First Aid: Increasing Understanding and Reducing Stigmas,” featuring Claudia Kottwitz of Community Counseling Centers of Chicago; and “Restoring Hope After Suicide: Working with Bereaved Survivors,” featuring Jack Starkey, LOSS (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide) Program facilitator and Deborah R. Major, director of the LOSS Program, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. An hour-long lunch and exhibit expo follows the breakout sessions. After lunch, the breakout sessions will be repeated, and attendees can choose a second session. The day will close with a 2 p.m. panel discussion, “My Journey with Mental Health,” featuring community members in recovery. The cost to attend the conference is $79 or $99 with CEU credits. The deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 21. Registration is available online at www.prairiestate.edu/personal-and-professional/news-and-events. For more information or registration assistance, contact Michelle Guiliani at 708-709-7957 or [email protected].

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

Implementing Tablets & Smart Phones into Your Small Business – Thursday, November 6

SSC’s Business & Career Institute (BCI) presents a Breakfast with BCI Workshop: Implementing Tablets and Smart Phones into Your Small Business. This workshop will be facilitated by Allen Babiarz, BCI Client Solutions & Project Manager on Thursday, November 6, 2014, in the Heritage Room from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (check-in and continental breakfast to begin at 8:15 a.m.). Today, people are constantly on their phones and look to their phones and tablets to access information more efficiently. Business partnerships are formed, appointments are made, transactions are conducted and data is organized and stored on our devices. This workshop will bring any small business into the 21st Century by demonstrating how to utilize smart phones and tablets to your advantage. Topics covered include setting up email, calendars, Square (payments), and cloud storage, among others. Attendees are encouraged to bring their devices and get started right away during the workshop. The cost of the event and continental breakfast is $15 per person, or $10 per person if three or more individuals from the same company attend. To register, please call 708-596-2000, ext. 2346 or email [email protected]. The Heritage Room is on the 1st Floor of South Suburban College’s Main Campus in South Holland.

SCORE Small Business Workshops Coming to SSC – Registration Now in Progress

SSC’s Business & Career Institute and SCORE have once again partnered to bring free business workshops geared for small business developers and owners. Two new workshops will be offered this fall at the college’s Oak Forest Center. Attendees may choose to attend one or both of the workshops at no charge to help their business grow and take advantage of the networking opportunities. Registration and networking at the SCORE workshops begins at 8:45 a.m., with instruction and discussion to follow from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. The upcoming workshop schedule is as follows:

Taking Your Business Idea from Concept to Reality — Wednesdays, November 12 and 19, 8:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Coming up with ideas is the easy part; executing the idea is the hard part! Most entrepreneurs focus more on the ideas and less on how to organize for action. This two-part series workshop includes two sessions on consecutive weeks. The first session is intended to stimulate ideas into business actions. Attendees will learn to become a business thinker by examining and developing an action plan document. The second session the following week is an open panel discussion of selected summaries, also intended to stimulate business thinking. Attendees will learn to sell their ideas professionally, enthusiastically and concisely.

All workshops will be held at the 16333 S. Kilbourn Ave., Oak Forest, Illinois. To register by phone, please call Carmen Garcia at 708-596-2000, extension 2663. For more information, email [email protected].

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

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.

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.

South Suburban Food Co-op, 208 Forest Boulevard, Park Forest

‘Deliciously Healthy Food on a Tight Budget’ – Tuesday, October 21

The South Suburban Food Co-op will present a discussion on ‘Deliciously Healthy Food on a Tight Budget’ on Tuesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. Presenters will give a short talk on various foods and a delicious sample will be shared from each food group. Recipes and cost of each will be provided. The event is free and open to the public. Please sign-up for the event by in-person at the Food Co-op or call 708-747-2256. For additional information about the South Suburban Food Co-op’s Educational Series, call 708-747-2256 or visit the Food Co-op’s Facebook page: SSFC Educational Outreach Team.

Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC), 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest

Qigong with Jim Kobus – Most Thursdays

UUCC will host Qigong with Jim Kobus on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the church. This class will usually meet on Thursdays but there may be exceptions, so if you are interested in attending, please send an email to Jim Kobus at [email protected] so he can notify you when class will NOT be held. There is a suggested donation of $5 per class. Please bring your own water. It is recommended that you eat dinner after class, not before. For additional information, please call 708-799-1925 or visit www.uuccpf.org.

Green Events

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

Wednesday Morning Walkers – October 22

Wednesday Morning Walkers can enjoy the early autumn delights on these leisurely (or bris) trail walks. The group walks on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Trails can be wet or muddy, so please wear sturdy shoes. This event is free and open to the public ages 13 through adult. Registration is required two days before your first walk. For additional information, call 708-747-6320.

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

Park Forest’s Final 2014 Farmers’ Market – Saturday, October 25

Park Forest’s final 2014 Farmers’ Market will take place on Saturday, October 25 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m… 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

League of Women Voters of the Park Forest Area

Discussion on State League Study of the Management of Charter Schools – Tuesday, October 21

The League of Women Voters of the Park Forest Area will host a meeting to provide information on the state League study of the management of charter schools on Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 PM at the Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard in Park Forest. Ann Courter, Co-Chair of the State LWV Charter School Study Committee will speak and present an informational slide show. The topics will include issues of evaluation and accountability, transparency, and funding for charter schools in Illinois. Questions being considered are: What standards do charter schools need to meet? Who establishes them? How are they funded? Do they have to follow state laws? To whom do they report? Do voters have any say in charter schools? Are charter schools still public schools? The meeting is open to the public and anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend to learn more about issues related to oversight and accountability for charter schools. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Anyone interested in promoting responsible government is invited to be a member. For more information about the program or membership in the League, please contact Mary Lubertozzi, 708-747-1359.

Parks Forest Recreation & Parks Department, 350 Victory Drive

Travel Presentations for the Colorado Rockies by train and London/Paris Trips – Registration Required by October 20

The Park Forest Recreation & Parks Department will be hosting a special travel presentation by Collette Tours for the Colorado Rockies by Train and London/Paris trips on Thursday, October 23 at 6:00 p.m. at Park Forest Village Hall, Boardroom. Please register by Monday, October 20th to the Recreation & Parks Department at 708-748-2005.

Representative Robin Kelly, Matteson

Hiring Event for Residents of 2nd Congressional District – Friday, October 24

Congresswoman Robin Kelly will host a Hiring Event for residents of the 2nd Congressional District on Friday, October 24, from 9 to noon, in the gymnasium of South Suburban College, 15800 State St., South Holland. Last year, more than 60 employers with active job openings met more than 1400 job seekers. Companies and agencies participating this year include Coca-Cola, Walgreens, Comcast, ComEd, Metra, Illinois Tollway, JPMorgan Chase, Ingalls Memorial Hospital, Sinai Health System, Bimba and BMO Harris Bank. Preregistration is encouraged at www.reprobinkelly.eventbrite.com. For more information about the Hiring Event, call (708) 679-0078 or access www.robinkelly.house.gov.

Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest

Rich Township Bazaar and Bake Sale – Lunch Reservations Needed by October 31

On November 7, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Rich Township Senior Center is hosting a Holiday Craft Bazaar and Bake Sale. The sale is located in DownTown Park Forest at 297 Liberty Drive. This sale is designated for homemade craft items and baked goods. We will serve coffee and goodies throughout the day. Please join us for a day of shopping, eating and friendship. Be sure to pick up a few gifts for the holidays! If you are 60 years of age or older and would like to have lunch at the Rich Township Café, please call 708-747-2700 no later than Friday, October 31. The cost for lunch is $2.50. If you have any questions, please contact Sally Fuhrmann (Senior Center Director) at 708-228-5040.


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