Mark Kundla, Al Joens, and "AJ" stand ready to assist with your Park Forest Baseball registration. (Photo: ENEWSPF)
Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—January 13, 2014. Confused by Health Care? The Park Forest Public Library has got you covered. Stop by the Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard on Tuesday, January 14 to speak with one of Aunt Martha’s certified In-Person Counselors. Counselors will be available from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. First come, first serve. For additional information, call 708-748-3731.
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
Park Forest Village Hall will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Village Commission & Advisory Boards
The following Park Forest Commission is scheduled to meet the week of January 13:
- Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30 p.m. – Commission on Human Relations
The meeting will be held at Park Forest Village Hall and residents are encouraged to attend.
Arts & Entertainment
Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park
Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Company’ – Tickets Now On Sale
Tickets are now on sale for Stephen Sondheim’s timeless and beloved musical about love and marriage, ‘Company’ which will be performed on Friday and Saturday, January 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 26 at 2 p.m. Winner of six Tony Awards in 1970 (Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score) and the 2006 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Company’ is considered a landmark "concept" show that inaugurated the modern era of musical theatre. Set in New York, the play tells the story of five couples and their mutual friend, Robert, on the night of his 35th birthday as he contemplates his unmarried state. Robert watches and learns from the various couples and the three people he is dating. He looks back on his life and sees both the wonders and pitfalls of relationships. In the end, Robert realizes that while relationships rarely turn out like they do in fairy tales, life is still better when you have someone to share it with. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the box office or online at http://purchase.tickets.com. For additional information, please call 708-534-5000.
Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest
CALJE – Tickets Now on Sale
Tickets are now on sale for the February 22 performance of Chicago Afro-Latin jazz ensemble, CALJE. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. With a global sound and ensemble, CALJE represents Afro-Cuban Jazz as well as music from all of Latin America, delivering a captivating, high-energy groove. This dynamic group continues the legacy of Latin Jazz big band, creating new original and genre-bending works. Guitarist Neal Alger joins CALJE for this show. Tickets are $24 and can be purchased at the box office, on-line at www.freedomhall.org or by phone by calling 708-747-0580. For additional information, call 708-747-0580.
‘Close to You – Music of the Carpenters’ – Tickets Now on Sale
Freedom Hall’s Senior Theatre will present ‘Close to You – Music of the Carpenters’ on February 18 at 11 a.m. One of the best vocalists of all time, Karen Carpenter captured a generation with her catchy pop music. The Carpenters’ beautiful, memorable love songs topped the Billboard charts with more than a dozen number one hits. Close to You: The Music of The Carpenters brings these classics back to the stage with spot-on renditions performed by singer Lisa Rock and her six-piece band. Tickets are $13 and can be purchased at the box office, on-line at www.freedomhall.org or by phone by calling 708-747-0580. For additional information, call 708-747-0580.
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), 377 Artists Walk, Park Forest
IPO Presents Pianist Thomas Ridgway – January 18
On Saturday, January 18 at 8 p.m., young Steinway artist and Southland native, Thomas Ridgway, will perform with the IPO Chamber Players. The event will take place at the Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center, 19900 Harlem Ave., Frankfort. The recital will feature: Beethoven’s Sonata No. 16 in G major, Op. 31/1 and Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in F minor, Op. 32/6, Prelude in D major, Op. 23/4, and Prelude in G# minor, Op. 32/12. In addition, Shelby Flowers will perform the world premiere of a new work for solo piano. The event will include a post-concert conversation featuring the performer. Tickets are priced at $35 and $25 and can be purchased online at http://www.ipomusic.org. For additional information, call 708-481-7774.
National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM), 4041 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
Espirit de Corps Exhibition – Through August 1, 2014
NVAM is celebrating its first anniversary in its Milwaukee Avenue location with its art exhibition, Esprit de Corps, an exhibition highlighting the spirit of creative resilience. Esprit de Corps features art by nine veterans of Vietnam, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror. The NVAM will be free and open to the public through August 1, 2014. Esprit de Corps is sponsored by Omicron, Bank of America and Paratech Incorporated. Drawing on breakthroughs in using art to assist with reintegration of veterans and for therapeutic expression, Esprit de Corps traces the process and roles of therapeutic art from the act of initial perception through expression of experience to an ultimate communal sharing and understanding of the real impact of war. Featured artists include Joseph Fornelli, Jerry Frech, Jonathan Hancock, Peter Sullivan, Benjamin Suarez, Thomas Gilbertson, Theodore Gostas, Richard Williams and Erica Slone. High resolution images of work in the show are available through the NVAM’s Dropbox. For additional information and hours, visit the museum’s website at www.nvam.org.
Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest
Library Closure
The Park Forest Public Library will be closed on Sunday, January 19 and Monday, January 20 in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program – Saturday, January 18
The Park Forest Public Library will present a special Martin Luther King, Jr. film on Saturday, January 18 at 10:30 a.m. The film chronicles Dr. King’s life and work in the Civil Rights Movement. A discussion will follow the film. The event is free and open to the public.
This Week’s Events at the Park Forest Public Library
The following events will be held this week at the Park Forest Public Library:
- Monday, January 13 at 11 a.m. — 3M Book Club: David Baldacci — Given the popularity of mysteries, our newest book club will have you turning your magnifying glass on novels filled with twists, trap doors and new whodunits each month. This month’s selection: David Baldacci’s Sean King & Michelle Maxwell books.
- Monday, January 13 at 3:30 p.m. – Teen Café — This laid-back space was created for teens to share and create with each other.
- Monday, January 13 at 4 p.m. – Ductigami — Learn to use duct tape to make crafts.
- Tuesday, January 14 at 10:30 a.m. – Movement & Me — Come in and enjoy time with your preschooler during this class combining movement with adventure and stories. Exercise is a key to living a healthy lifestyle. In this class parents and caregivers are able to move with their children while having a great time.
- Tuesday, January 14 at 4 p.m. – Kindle Fire Class — Learn how to master your Kindle Fire. Learn how to download e-books on your tablet with confidence. Come explore the basics and beyond. Registration required.
- Tuesday, January 14 at 6:30 p.m. – PJ Storytime — Wear your pajamas & come join us for stories, crafts & games.
- Wednesday, January 15 at 10:30 a.m. – Masters of Art — Children will have the opportunity to listen to a story and complete an art project related to the story.
- Wednesday, January 15 at 3:30 p.m. – Engage! — Create and participate in civic art projects. This event will take place at Dining on the Green is located in downtown Park Forest at 349 Main St.
- Thursday, January 16 at 3:30 p.m. –Tech Thursday — Learn to make websites, android apps, and iPhone apps.
- Thursday, January 16 at 5 p.m. – Let’s Go LEGO — Play and learn with LEGOs at the Park Forest Public Library! The creations the children make will be on display in kids’ zone.
- Friday, January 17 at 11 a.m. – Discover! — Join this weekly science program for home schooled kids!
- Friday, January 17 at 3 p.m. – Friday Funday — Join us for an assortment of after-school activities!
- Saturday, January 18 at 12:30 p.m. — Saturday Movie Matinee: ‘Grease’ — A musical about two lovers in a 1950s high school. The film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway.
For additional information or to register for certain events, please call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org/
The Healers Trilogy Contest
Enter for a chance to win $2,500 for you and $2,500 for your library! To enter:
1. Complete the entry form here.
2. Read Donna Labermeier’s book, "The Healers" – it’s free for contestants. Sign up at the Info Zone desk to get your copy.
3. Create a billboard, video, speech, essay, poem, song or commercial based on the book (More details here)
4. Submit your work through social media.
5. Keep your fingers crossed while the judges decide!
6. Winners will be announced in March 2014
Park Forest Historical Society, Park Forest
Step Back Into to 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 $5 for adults; children 12 and 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, 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.
Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted, Chicago Heights
Faculty Show ‘Convergence’ – Through January 30
PSC is hosting ‘Convergence,’ a faculty show, through January 30 in the Christopher Art Gallery, located on the college’s main. The exhibit features PSC Associate Professor and Fine Arts Coordinator Paul Rinaldi’s sabbatical works. Also exhibited will be works from PSC Associate Professor Lou Shields, PSC Assistant Professor Rebecca Slagle, and PSC Adjunct Instructors George Kassal, Jeff Stevenson, Valerie Taglieri, and Tim Vitek. The exhibit will include paintings, drawings, works in encaustic, and photography. A closing reception with the artists will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, January 30 in the gallery. Both the reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. 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. 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, 249 Main Street, Park Forest
‘Cold Snap’ Exhibit – Through January 31
Come out and see out wonderful pieces of art from pottery, paintings and jewelry in the ‘Cold Snap’ exhibit. These items will all express winter cold. The exhibit will run through January 31. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 708-833-5108.
South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 South State Street, South Holland
Children’s Theatre Company to Present ‘Hansel and Gretel’ – Through January 18
The Children’s Theatre Company of SSC is back with an exciting and delightfully amusing variation of the Grimm classic, Hansel and Gretel, by Michele L. Vacca. Performances will take place in the Kindig Performing Arts Center on SSC’s Main Campus on Saturday, January 18 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Additional weekday performances will take place Monday through Friday, January 13 through 17, 2014, at 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. each day. Hansel and Gretel live on the edge of a huge, dark, forest with their stepmother and father. They are very poor and have no food. Stepmother (Sandy Wagner of Lansing) sends Hansel and Gretel (Brendon Smelko of Munster, IN and Catherine Hundt of Thornton) deep into the woods to pick strawberries for their supper. The children have heard stories of a mysterious witch who lives in the forest. They only partially believe them to be true, until they become lost and actually meet her. Madame Hagatha Grundilly Sweetbriar (Wendy Spencer of Beecher) is the zaniest witch anyone could ever hope to encounter. Accompanied by her two apprentices, Dizzy Weirdeena (Angela Martin of Midlothian) and Rasputin Machiavelli Vampiro III (Pat Nevins of Homewood), she lures Hansel and Gretel to her delectable gingerbread house in the heart of the forest. There she holds them captive, threatening to bake them into gingerbread. One day while the witch is off haunting, the children’s father arrives (Eric Pradelski of South Holland), searching for them. Dizzy and Rasputin decide to help Father save Hansel and Gretel. Will Madame Hagatha bake the children into gingerbread or will their father be able to rescue them? Only the Narrator (Paul Braun of Lansing) knows for sure. Follow the trail of bread crumbs to South Suburban College and find out what happens next! Hansel and Gretel is suitable for young and old alike. Tickets are $5 each, and group rates are available. For more information or to reserve tickets, call the 24/7 box office voicemail line at 708-210-5741 or e-mail [email protected]. Reservations for weekday performances are required as many shows are already sold out.
Union Street Gallery, 527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights
Earth and Sky Exhibit – Opens January 15
USG’s landscape exhibit, Earth and Sky, is the first in a proposed series that will bring together a small, rotating group of the Gallery’s Studio Artists, Guild Artists, and artists from outside the Gallery’s family. The exhibit opens on Friday, January 17 and will run through February 8. The six artists of earth and sky have long been inspired by nature, and dedicated to creating substantial bodies of images of woods, prairies and fields, mountains, lakes and streams, individual plant forms and long sky vistas. Through drawings, paintings and photographs, they interpret and convey the cumulative power of land and sky existing together; the conversation between them; light filtering through petals; shadows falling across rocks; alternating patterns of branches and clouds; colors bouncing around from mountain to water; with all the other factors of weather or crops or winding roads mixed in. Exhibiting artists are: Eve Jensen, Oscar Linares, Chuck Michaels, Stuart Pearson, Richard Schmidt and Marikay Peter Witlock. An artist’s reception will be held on Friday, January 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibiting artists will be present to answer questions and discuss their work. During the reception, a complimentary wine tasting will be provided by Fresh Starts Restaurant and Wine Shop. If you enjoy the tasting wine will also be available for purchase by the glass. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 708-754-2601.
FUSED – Opens January 15
USG presents an exhibit of encaustic art from the members of FUSED Chicago, a Midwest encaustic artists group, including 32 works of art by 21 different artists. The exhibit opens on Friday, January 15 and will run through February 8. FUSED Chicago is an organization of Midwest artists who share an interest in encaustic, a method of making art using pigmented wax fused to a surface by heat. The encaustic works on exhibit in FUSED at Union Street Gallery are contemporary pieces that highlight various ways encaustic medium is used in art today. The exhibit is full of beautiful fluid abstractions, lush texture, rich layering, and clever compositions that really play up the medium. There are also sculptural pieces on exhibit that use encaustic to enhance their exterior surface. FUSED displays a dynamic, engaging and visually exciting body of work that serves to enhance the educational nature of the exhibit by stimulating the viewer. The opening reception for this exhibit is Friday January 17th, from 6-9pm. Both the reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. Many of the exhibit artists will be present to engage the public and answer questions. Beverages and a complimentary wine tasting will be provided by Fresh Starts Restaurant and Wine Shop. Wine will also be available for purchase by the glass. Exhibiting artists: Dan Addington, Susan Cahill, Cat Crotchett, Alicia Forestall-Boehm, Shelley Gilchrist, Kari Hall, Carol Hamilton, Brad Hook, Nikkole Huss, Katsy Johnson, Mary Krebs Smyth, Laura LaRue, Jenny Learner, Ahavani Mullen, April Nomellini, VA. de Pintor, Julia Ris, Linda Sorkin Eisenberg, Michele Thrane, Kathleen Waterloo, Donna Zarbin-Byrne. For additional information, call 708-754-2601.
Help Repair Union Street Gallery Silent Auction – Running Through February 8
Auction ends at 4 p.m. Saturday February 8th, 2014. Winning bids will be notified Wednesday February 12th. This silent auction includes original artwork by Karen DeWitt, Mary Bookwalter, and Marlene Galagher. Bids start as low as $20. All proceeds will benefit Union Street Gallery, a not-for-profit art center, and go toward much needed building repairs. USG currently has over $60,000 in building repairs.
Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive
Senior Trip to Jacob Henry Mansion Lunch and Show – February 5
The first Senior Trip of 2014 will be to the Jacob Henry Mansion on February 5. The Birdhaven Greenhouse and Conservatory at Pilcher Park is our first stop, followed by a tour, lunch and a show at the Jacob Henry mansion. Enjoy a meal in one of the 40 rooms that feature old world fixtures and Victorian charm. Each guest will be treated to a glass of champagne with their lunch and the chocolate fountain for dessert. The entertainment for the day is Nick Willet, who performs the most loved songs from the 50’s through 70’s. This is an all-inclusive trip with a fee of $94 per person. The bus will depart at 9:15 a.m. from Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive and return at approximately 3:45 p.m. You can register at the Recreation and Parks Department at Village Hall in-person or on the phone with a credit card by calling 708-748-2005. Please mention Program Number 148780-1 (Rectrac) when you register.
Park Forest Idols — Vote for Your Favorite Contestant in Each Category
Voting is now taking place on the Village of Park Forest’s website for the 2014 Park Forest Idols Online Contest! You will find three categories: the general online category, dance and rap. There will only be one winner per category, but you (the voter) have the opportunity to select three different online contestants. Click on the links below and check out the following videos and vote today!
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
Free ESL, GED and Spanish GED Preparation Classes –Classes Begin January 27
The Adult Education Program at PSC is offering free English as a Second Language (ESL), General Education (GED), and Spanish GED Preparation classes, beginning Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, at the PSC Adult Training and Outreach Center (ATOC), located on the main campus at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights. Registration dates for GED classes are on Monday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m.; Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 5 p.m.; and Thursday, Jan. 9 at 9:30 a.m. Registration dates for ESL/Spanish GED is Monday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m.; Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 9:30 am. An assessment is required upon registration for all programs. The assessment is free. No appointment is necessary for the assessment, although participants are encouraged to arrive early as space is limited. No children are allowed during the assessment. Participants also need to bring an official government-issued photo ID and proof of public assistance, if applicable. Students who are 16 or 17 years old must provide documentation proving formal withdrawal from high school. The ESL program is designed to help people make the transition from different countries and cultures to American society. The purpose of the program is to teach skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening to those whose native language is not English. Classes are offered twice a week, and are held on and off campus. To find out more about registration dates and how to enroll, call 708-709-3790. GED classes offer students an opportunity to complete high school studies and receive an equivalency certificate. The GED certificate is accepted as a substitute for a high school diploma. Preparation classes also are offered in Spanish for those interested in taking the GED in their native language. For more information on Spanish GED classes, call 708-709-3790. For more information on GED classes, call 708-709-7880 or 708-709-7931. The current version of the GED test is expiring at the end of 2013, and will be replaced with a new test on Jan. 2, 2014. The cost for the new test will increase from $50 to $120. All previous test scores expire on Dec. 31, 2013. PSC’s Adult Education Program is committed to providing services to our district residents. The districts PSC serves include Beecher, Chicago Heights, Crete, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Matteson, Monee, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, Steger, and University Park, including portions of Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Lynwood, Tinley Park, and adjacent unincorporated areas of Cook and Will counties. If you are not a resident of the PSC district, please contact your local village hall for a program near you.
Opt In to Technology at PSC
You can bridge the gap between technology and a new you at PSC’s new Opt In program that consists of two computer training centers and free classes to teach basic technological skills. One location is at the Adult Training and outreach Center in Room A145 at PSC’s main campus. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The other location is at the Matteson Area Center’s Computer Training Lab located at 4821 Southwick Dr., Matteson. Hours for this location are Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. No matter what skill level you have or want to have, Opt In can help. Both computer labs and on-site tutors are free and open to the public. For additional information, call Lisa Zeigler at 708-709-3548 or e-mail [email protected].
South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 South State Street, South Holland
Chicagoland Speakers Network to Host Public Speaking Symposium at SSC – January 24
The Chicagoland Speakers Network would like to help area residents and professionals meet their self-improvement goals in 2014 through a Public Speaking Symposium. The Chicagoland Speakers Network has planned this half-day of educational workshops on various topics related to effective professional speaking at South Suburban College’s Oak Forest Center on the morning of Friday, January 24, 2014. Research has shown that the average American greatly fears speaking in public which may hamper growth in one’s career and professional life. The Public Speaking Symposium topics include:
- Get Those Butterflies to Fly in Formation, by Alexandra Glumac
- The Powerful Presentation: How to Give the Greatest Speech Ever, by Gia Claire
- Tell a Story with the Data: How to Speak Effectively Using PowerPoint, byAudrey Weidman
- Speak for Success, by Lori Klinka
- Respect for Speaking: Finding Your Words to Create Life Changes in Others, by Kat Van Dusen
The event will be held Friday, January 24, 2014, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. To register, please call 708-596-2000, extension 2346 or email [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.
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
Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest
Wednesday Morning Walkers – January 15
Follow the Forest’s winter changes, 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 moderate. Group will meet each Wednesday through January 29 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and is open to those ages 11 through adult. There is no fee involved. For additional information, call 708-747-6320.
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].
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Washington, DC
Information on Health Insurance & the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
Visit healthcare.gov for information about Health Insurance and the Affordable Care Act. The following paper applications are available to print out: Individual Short Form, Individual without Financial Assistance, and the Family Form.
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.
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 Community Nutrition Network (CNN) site 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 11 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 the Illinois Sierra Club, Matteson, IL
January Meeting to Feature Nature Photograph – Monday, January 13
The Sauk-Calumet Group of the Illinois Sierra Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, January 13, at 7:15 p.m. at the Frankfort Public Library, 21119 Pfeiffer Rd. (just off Rt. 30). The group will be having their annual members’ slides night. Members will bring in photos of this past year’s experiences involving nature, be it grand adventures on the other side of the world or the beautiful butterflies of their own backyard. Former years’ slides have included Grand Canyon river rafting and hikes in the Smoky Mountains. 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. Join us and see what your fellow nature-lovers have been doing this year! For additional information, contact Patrick Coffey, Publicity Chair, at [email protected].
Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest
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.
This & That
Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC), 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest
Drumming Circle – Friday, January 17
On Friday, January 17 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. join UUCC for their open drum circle. If you don’t have an instrument to bring, we have a small selection of community drums for you to choose from. O experience required. A $10 love offering is requested. This event is held on the third Friday of each month. For additional information, call 708-481-5339.
Dances of Universal Peace – Saturday, January 18
On Saturday, January 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. join UUCC for an afternoon of dancing. Each dance has a chant, which is sung as the dance is being performed. This event is held on the third Saturday of every month. For additional information, call 708-481-5339.
Rainbow Café – Saturday, January 18
On Saturday, January 18 at 6:30 p.m. join UUCC for a Rainbow Café. This is a social event that provides a safe and welcoming environment for single or partnered gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults and their allies, by creating a space where they are able to socialize outside of the usual bars. This event is held on the third Saturday of every month. For additional information, call 708-481-5339.
Park Forest American Legion Post 1198, 1631 Western Ave., Chicago Heights
Friday Fish Fry
Join Park Forest’s American Legion Post 1198 for fish, shrimp, wings, beef and appetizers on Friday, January 17 beginning at 6 p.m. Carry outs are available. For additional information, call Jesse Rodriguez at 708-481-3055.
Donate Unused Air Miles to Support Families of Wounded Servicemembers
"Operation Hero Miles" collects unused frequent flyer miles to help military families visit service members who were injured in Iraq or Afghanistan and are recovering in military hospitals around the world. Airline partners are: AirTran, Alaska Airlines, American, Frontier, Midwest, Northwest, United, and US Airways. To donate airline miles, visit www.FisherHouse.org.
Donate to Troops Serving Abroad
The Village of Park Forest is currently seeking the names and addresses of local military personnel currently serving overseas so that they may receive packaged donations from Park Forest residents. If you are a Park Forest resident and have a family member from your household currently deployed or if you have recently returned from a tour of duty, please call Judi Lancaster at 708-283-5608 or stop by the Manager’s Office at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive.
Greening of Park Forest
Sertoma Centre, Inc., 4343 W. 123rd St., Alsip
Recycle Unused Wheelchairs
If you have a used motorized wheelchair that you no longer need and would like to help a person with a disability, the Sertoma Centre will accept your donation. Contact Melanie Jones at 708-730-6206 for additional information.
South Suburban Family Shelter Used Cell Phone Collection Drive
South Suburban Family Shelter (SSFS) is seeking cell phone donations for their ongoing fundraising program. Proceeds from the collection fund the critical programs and services provided to families who experience domestic violence. All victim services are provided free of charge and are available in English and Spanish. Cell phone collection sites currently include:
- SSFS Administrative Office, 18139 Harwood, Homewood, IL
- Bergstein’s NY Deli, 200 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights, IL
- Doyle Designed Salon, 2630 Flossmoor Rd., Flossmoor, IL
All donations are tax deductible and receipts are available at collection sites. For more information about SSFS or the fundraising drive, please contact Ms. Meilach at 708-794-2140, extension 303.
Local Recycling Resources and Proper Disposal of Unused Medicine
Do you have old televisions, computers, video games or other electronics or household appliances that need to be recycled? Want to know how to properly dispose of old or unused medication? Click on the "Recycling" icon found on the top of eNews Park Forest and you will find useful information on proper recycling/disposal that will not only be good for the environment, but in some cases, earn you a few dollars as well.
Recycle Used Cell Phones and Cell Phone Accessories
The Rotary Club of Park Forest is conducting a used cell phone and accessory collection drive to benefit the families and programs of the South Suburban Family Shelter. Donated items can be placed in the collection box located in the lobby of Village Hall. For more information, call Denyse Carreras at 708-283-5603.
Sources: eNews Park Forest, Park Forest Historical Society, Village of Park Forest, Governors State University, Prairie State College, South Suburban College, DePaul University, Roosevelt University, National Veterans Art Museum, Center for Performing Arts, Freedom Hall, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Illinois Theatre Center, Sertoma Centre, Inc., Union Street Gallery,, Thorn Creek Audubon Society, and Tall Grass Arts Association websites.
