Source: www.villageofparkforest.com
Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—September 14, 2015. The Village of Park Forest will be hosting one of its busiest weekends of the year September 18 through 20. The Park Forest Art Fair will take place September 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in DownTown Park Forest’s Village Green. Boasting a rich history and wealth of gifted artists, along with status as one of the Southland’s most valued annual treasures, the Park Forest Art Fair, sponsored by Tall Grass Arts Association, celebrates its 60th year in 2015. In conjunction with the Art Fair, the Village of Park Forest will host a music festival on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from noon to 6 p.m. Details about the Art Fair and music festival can be found in the ‘Arts & Entertainment’ section.
Park Forest will also be holding a Village-wide Garage Sale on September 18 through 20 where you can sell some of those unwanted ‘treasures’ taking up valuable space in your basement or attic. Anything that you don’t sell at the Garage Sale can be dropped off at the Park Forest Aqua Center Parking Lot on Sunday, September 20 beginning at Noon where members of the Park Forest Veterans Commission will accept your donations to benefit our country’s Veterans. Donated items will go directly to organizations such as the Veterans Administration and Catholic Charities, among others. Additional information about the Garage Sale can be found in the ‘This & That’ section.
If your club, organization or local business will be holding activities or events in our community during the upcoming week, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with the details. Submission deadline is noon on Friday of each week.
Village of Park Forest
Village Commissions & Advisory Boards
The following Park Forest Commission is scheduled to meet the week of September 14:
- Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m. – Plan Commission
The meetings will be held at Park Forest Village Hall and residents are encouraged to attend.
Arts & Entertainment
Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
‘Opera Up Close — Viva Italia!’ – Sunday, September 20
The Center for Performing Arts at GSU will kick-off its 20th season with ‘Opera Up Close – Viva Italia!’ on Sunday, September 20 at 4 p.m. Travel with us to Italy, the birthplace of opera, as we celebrate the wide array of Italian operatic music. Our program will feature five singers performing Act 3 of La Boehme, Puccini’s timeless love story, as well as Neapolitan songs, arias, duets and ensembles from operas by Verdi, Donizetti and Rossini. Featuring sopranos Desiree Hassler and Carla Jenzen, mezzo soprano Pamela Williams, tenor John Concepcion and baritone, Michael Cavalieri. The Opera Up Close experience will allow you to view the performance from the unique vantage point of your table on the stage where you’ll watch the stories unfold in the midst of the show! Tickets are $53 which includes a sampling of Italian favorites and wine. BUY TICKETS
DePaul University Art Museum, 935 West Fullerton, Chicago
‘Idol Structures’ – Through December 20
Advertisements permeate public landscapes with billboards, signs and different forms of mass media. ‘Idol Structures,’ an exhibition of sculpture and photography by Chicago artist Matt Siber will run through December 20 at the DePaul Art Museum. This new body of work emphasizes the physical structures that are meant to stay invisible and passive while helping to relay the image, text, or graphic to the consumer. The sculptures and photographs featured in the exhibition are designed to make you more aware of your environment as you go about your daily life. Siber, who teaches advanced digital imaging at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has been working on this type of artwork since he was a graduate student. The sculptures are modeled after the photographs by using fine craftsmanship to reconstruct the signs out of wood and florescent tubes. Some of the sculptures are almost to scale, with the largest one measuring 14 feet tall. ‘Idol Structures’ is supported by a grant from the David C. and Sarajean Ruttenberg Arts Foundation. More about Matt Siber at http://siberart.com/projects/structures. The DePaul Art Museum is located just east of the CTA’s Fullerton ‘L’ stop, is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://museums.depaul.edu.
Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest
Booker T. Jones – Tickets Now on Sale
Freedom Hall Main Series kicks off the season with the R&B legend Booker T. Jones in its Nathan Manilow Theatre on Friday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m. It can be argued that it was Booker T. Jones who set the cast for modern soul music and is largely responsible for its rise and enduring popularity. On classic hits like “Green Onions,” “Hang ‘Em High,” “Time Is Tight,” and “Melting Pot” the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Musicians Hall of Fame inductee and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient pushed the music’s boundaries, refined it to its essence and then injected it into the nation’s bloodstream. The recently released album Sound the Alarm, finds the Hammond B3 organ master looking ahead yet again, laying down his distinctive bedrock grooves! View a video of Booker T. Jones. Tickets are $35 (Season Subscriber ticket price is $31). For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
5th Annual Carts & Cocktails Benefit Fundraiser – Tickets Now on Sale
Set within over 100 acres of natural prairie landscape, The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is Illinois’ largest outdoor sculpture museum, showcasing 31 contemporary works on the campus of Governors State University. As a free community resource for 37 years, open 365 days a year, the park is celebrating its 5th annual Carts & Cocktails benefit fundraiser on Saturday, September 26 from 2-5 p.m. with a very special guest in attendance. With a career of exceptional achievement spanning over 50 years, Richard Hunt continues to enlarge his vision with an active exhibition schedule and numerous commissioned works. The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park will proudly debut the conservation and reunion of two important sculptures from its permanent collection during Carts & Cocktails, bringing together Hunt’s Large Planar Hybrid and Outgrown Pyramid II for the first time since 1974. BMO Harris Bank is pleased to support this event as a Platinum level sponsor offering guests an engaging afternoon that has been called one of the best cocktail parties in town. Guests can expect a full afternoon featuring special host Stefan Holt from NBC5 Chicago, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a tour of the park in golf carts. Following cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on a lakeside patio, guests at the event will take a motorized tour of the sculpture park, where a breathtaking prairie landscape is home to 31 monumental works by some of the world’s most acclaimed sculptors, including sculpture on loan from artist Chakaia Booker, known for her work with recycled automobile tires. After the tour, Carts & Cocktails concludes with a luxurious dessert presentation. Tickets for the event are $125 per person and are limited to 150 people. For tickets and information, visit www.govst.edu/sculpture or call 708-534-4486. Carts & Cocktails is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park Advisory Board, Bimba Manufacturing Company, and many other local companies.
National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
‘Tactical Formations: Collective Practice in the Veteran Art Movement’ – Through January 30
The NVAM will feature its newest exhibit, Tactical Formations: Collective Practice in the Veteran Art Movement through January 30. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Tactical Formations takes the basic military strategy of organizing troops into units to carry out tactical missions during combat and applies it to the practice of forming and operating art collectives in order to achieve socially grounded goals through artistic production. The exhibit explores three art collectives: The Vietnam Veterans Arts Group (VVAG), The Dirty Canteen, and the NVAM Teen Council. The VVAG first formed in 1981 when a group of Vietnam veterans began making artwork as an artistic response to their experiences of war. The VVAG was unique in launching the first exhibition composed exclusively of artwork made by combat veterans. The Dirty Canteen collective formed in 2013, and includes veterans from the Gulf War, Kosovo, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, who strive to create and maintain open dialogues about past and current military engagements. Finally, the NVAM Teen Council represents a growing group of high school students who create artwork while developing skills in leadership and museum practices in collaboration with veteran artists. These three groups represent NVAM’s foundation, its growing population of post-Gulf War veterans, and its future leaders and artists. For additional information, call 312-326-0270 or visit: www.nvam.org.
‘The Things They Carried’ – Permanent Exhibit
The NVAM reopened its permanent exhibit ‘The Things They Carried’ in a brand new gallery space meant to be more immersive for viewers. Inspired by Tim O’Brien’s book ‘The Things They Carried,’ this exhibit serves as a visual companion that illustrates the narrative with fine art and photography from veterans that lived the stories in the novel. Much like the book, the exhibit explores the concept of storytelling and questions how one might share the story of the Vietnam experience. The exhibit takes as its central question “how to tell a true war story” and prompts viewers to consider their personal stories and contemplate how they might share their own narratives. By literally incorporating the essential elements of storytelling: Who, Where, When, and What, ‘The Things They Carried’ begins by chronicling the Vietnam conflict through first-hand visual accounts and descriptions. The exhibit culminates in the re-creation of an authentic Vietnam-era tented shelter to bring viewers into the intimate physical experience of sleeping, living and working in the field during that time. With artworks and objects created and collected by over twenty Vietnam veteran artists, ‘The Things They Carried’ also provides visual interpretations to viewers, illustrating the war by those who were there. This form of pictorial storytelling offers insights into the individual personalities of those who served, where they were in Vietnam both geographically and environmentally, and what the cultural climate of the time looked like. Representations and artifacts come together in ‘The Things They Carried’ to offer an individuated and holistic presentation of the social and historical context of the Vietnam War. With didactic guides and lesson plans that accompany the artwork and artifacts, visitors of all ages can gain a better understanding of “how to tell a true war story” as explored in Tim O’Brien’s book, as well as explore possibilities and benefits of personal storytelling. Featured artists include László Kondor, Dean Sharp, Charles Shobe, William Myles, James McJunkin, John Hosier, Michael Harac, and Arthur Jacobs. The Museum is open Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers free admission year-round. For additional information, call 312-326-0270 or visit: www.nvam.org.
Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard
The following event is scheduled the week of September 14:
- Monday, September 14 at 11 a.m. – Sunrise Story Time — Jump start your morning with a series of stories that are sure to get you moving. Ages 12 and under.
- Monday, September 14 at 3:30 p.m. – Art in the Afternoon — Unleash your inner artist. Drop in to create an amazing project of your own. Ages 12 and under.
- Monday, September 14 at 5 p.m. – Healthy Cooking Club — “Healthy Cooking Club” – practice new skills and learn to put together new healthy snack choices with Park Forest & Olympia Field’s favorite cook, Ms. Cari. Participants will get to enjoy small samples of their creations, just in time to get home before dinner.
- Monday, September 14 at 6:30 p.m. — Family Movie Night! The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water — When a diabolical pirate above the sea steals the secret Krabby Patty formula, SpongeBob and his nemesis Plankton must team up in order to get it back.
- Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m. — Pajama Story Time — Share special moments with your child through stories, crafts, and more. Wear your pj’s and wind down from a busy day. Ages 12 and under.
- Wednesday, September 16 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, September 16 at 4 p.m. — Color Me Happy Circle — Our new circle is the perfect way to step back from the stress of everyday life and enjoy some relaxation! All supplies will be provided.
- Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m. – Fiber Arts Circle — Meet, mingle and trade yarns with local cross-stitchers, crocheters, knitters, and quilters. Prepare to have fun comparing patterns, sharing techniques, trading tips, and much more…
- Thursday, September 17 at 11 a.m. — Toddler Art — Bring your imagination, creativity, and throw on some old clothes to bring out your inner Picasso through art projects and more… Some projects may involve paint. Ages 3-5.
- Thursday, September 17 at 3:30 p.m. – DIY Project — Unleash your creativity and build something awesome!
- Friday, September 18 at 3:30 p.m. — Unplugged Game Day! — It’s game day! Find out how much fun board games can be. Come and test your skills on our “Unplugged” games.
- Saturday, September 19 at 2 p.m. – Introduction to Essential Oils — We know essential oils are sometimes in health and beauty products, but how do you really know? Come and learn about the benefits of essential oils with a holistic health expert. You’ll learn how to use these oils as an alternative to pharmaceutical products and even leave with your own bath customized bath product! Registration is required.
For additional information or to register for an event call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.
Roosevelt University Gage Gallery, 18 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Photo Exhibit Sheds Light on Chicago Protest Movements – Through December 19
A groundbreaking documentary photo exhibit that sheds new light on protest movements in Chicago between the late 1940s and early 1970s will be presented this fall from through December 19 at Roosevelt University’s Gage Gallery. The event is free and open to the public. The exhibit features the work of Art Shay, one of the world’s great living photographers. Shay opened his mammoth archive in Deerfield, Ill., to Roosevelt University historian Erik Gellman, whose research focuses on 20th Century protest movements in America. The unusually organized show is centered on a 12-inch-high strip, comprised of hundreds of Shay’s most telling protest images. The photo strip traverses around Gage Gallery’s spaces. Above and below it are larger break-out shots by Shay of history-making street activism. A photographer for Life magazine, Time, Sports Illustrated and many other national publications, Shay has photographed seven U.S. Presidents and also is well-known for his long friendship and collaboration in documenting Chicago with the late writer Nelson Algren. Now entering its 15th year, Roosevelt’s Gage Gallery has been cited as one of the top photo galleries in Chicago by Chicago Magazine, New City and the Chicago Reader. Free and open to the public, Gage Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For information, call 312-341-6458 or visit www.roosevelt.edu/gagegallery.
South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 South State Street, South Holland
‘Linements’ Solo Exhibition by Chicago Artist Ruben Arguirre – Closing Reception Monday, September 14
The Art & Design Department of SSC is pleased to announce a special guest artist exhibition titled ‘Linements,’ by Chicago artist Ruben Aguirre in the Dorothea Thiel Gallery through September 14th. There will also be a closing reception for the artist at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14th. The Dorothea Thiel Gallery is located on the 4th Floor of SSC’s Main Campus. The exhibition is part of the college’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. Both the reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. Ruben Aguirre is a Chicago based painter who has transitioned from graffiti writing to abstract painter/contemporary muralist. He has produced a number of murals in the Chicagoland area, and recently exhibited in “Living Like Kings: The Unexpected Collision of Chess and Hip Hop Culture” at The World Chess Hall of Fame, St. Louis, MO; “Paint, Paste, Sticker: Chicago Street Art” at the Chicago Cultural Center; and The National Museum of Mexican Art exhibit “Outside In: The Mexican-American Street Art Movement in Chicago.” His public work has been commissioned for schools, co-working spaces, residential spaces, private businesses, neighborhood development organizations, as well as various corporate clients. 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, ext. 2445 or visit www.ssc.edu/art.
Play On! – Opens Friday, September 18
The PAC Rats Theatre Company of SSC will present Play On!, the hilarious Rick Abbot comedy. Performances will take place in the Kindig Performing Arts Center on the college’s Main Campus on September 18, 19 and 25 at 8 p.m., September 26 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and September 27 at 2 p.m. Amateur dramatics takes a good-natured ribbing in this behind-the-scenes comedy about the perils of community theatre. A theatre troupe is mounting a local playwright’s original murder mystery. With no royalty fees to pay, the company thinks it got a great deal until the playwright continues to interrupt the rehearsal process with constant rewrites and changes. To add to the problems, the cast and crew are starting to get on each other’s nerves. Act I is a rehearsal of the dreadful show with bickering actors, bumbling crew and backstage romances in full swing. Act II is the near disastrous dress rehearsal, and the final act is opening night where anything that can go wrong, does. Tickets are just $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 55 or better, and $6 for students. Group rates are also available. Ticket reservations can be made through the 24/7 box office voicemail line at 708-210-5741, or email [email protected].
Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest
‘Autumn’s Soft Breezes’ – Annual Gallery Artists Exhibit – Through September 20
‘Autumn’s Soft Breezes,’ Tall Grass Artists Gallery’s annual artists’ exhibit will run through Sunday, September 20. All juried Tall Grass Artists are invited, annually, to participate in an exhibit that, although it has a name, does not require adherence to a theme or specific material. It does require, however, that artists exhibit a work not previously exhibited in the gallery. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For additional information or Gallery hours, call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrassarts.org
Park Forest Art Fair – September 19 & 20
Boasting a rich history and wealth of gifted artists, along with status as one of the Southland’s most valued annual treasures, the Park Forest Art Fair, sponsored by Tall Grass Arts Association, celebrates its 60th year in 2015. The event takes place Sept. 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in DownTown Park Forest on the Village Green. The Park Forest Art Fair was named as one of the “Best Overall Art Fairs” by ArtFairCalendar.com. The Park Forest Art Fair features ceramics, etchings, sculpture, photographs, paintings in many media, digital art works, jewelry featuring original elements, and hand-blown glass. The event also includes a children’s art contest, tie dyeing, mural painting and face painting. A musical potpourri, sponsored by the Village, fills Saturday’s fair hours and fest favorite Patchouli, a popular Chicagoland folk duo, performs Sunday. Food vendors will also be at the art fair. The Park Forest Art Fair is free to attend.
Main Street Music Fest in Conjunction with 60th Annual Park Forest Art Fair – September 19
The Village of Park Forest, in conjunction with the 60th Annual Park Forest Art Fair, will host a music festival on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from noon – 6 p.m. The lineup of bands performing includes an eclectic mix of renowned artists from Chicago and the Southland area. Come on out to DownTown Park Forest for a day of rock, jazz, blues and more! Admission is free.
Tom Mac Group w/Guest Artists Neal Alger and Larry Gray (Noon – 1:10 p.m.)
The Tom Mac Group puts its own fresh face on American, English and Cuban music written from the 1800’s to the current time, engaging even the most diverse audiences and easily moving from Stephen Foster, George Gershwin and Woody Guthrie to Mark Knopfler, Sting, James Taylor, and country Cuban music. A past member of the DuPage Opera Theater and at one time, the opening act for the Beach Boys, Tom Mac (acoustic guitar and vocals) will be joined by his longtime collaborator Craig Borchers on drums, the astounding and fabulous Park Forest native Neal Alger on electric guitar and the mind-blowing extremely talented bassist, Larry Gray. Expect to hear a vast variety of music styles.
“Blu” Willie T & da Mid-Nite Lovers (1:30 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.)
“Blu” Willie T started with his brothers as “Pretty” Willie & the Delta blues Band. Playing the blues clubs of Chicago, Detroit, and St. Louis, “Blu” Willie T made a name for himself as a young firebrand on guitar and as a gifted vocalist. He’s performed alongside Muddy Waters, Lefty Diz, Buddy Guy, Jr. Wells and other blues greats from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. “Blu” Willie and his band members Bradley “D”, Mo Thirus, and Chuck Franklin, perform blues standards and original material.
Animal Houze Band (3 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.)
Animal Houze Band is a versatile music making ensemble that plays everything from Motown classics to jazz standards to R&B. Produced by Darryl ‘Animal” Williams, the band has more than 30 years in entertainment and recording, performing with nationally renowned artists including Chaka Kahn, Chantay Savage, Rick James, Prince’s funk band Mazarati, Otis Clay and many more. They bring a repertoire of songs that set the mood and ensure that everyone has a good time.
The Big Boppers with Special Guest Doug Dickson (4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
Members of the 1970’s rock band “Midnight”, John Falstrom (bass guitar) and Frank Anastos (guitar/vocals) play instrumental rock and roll from the ‘50’s – ‘70’s. John and Frank have taught music for decades and are renowned for their guitar playing skills. Joining them will be Park Forest product Doug Dickson; Singer, piano, guitar, and harmonica player, who performs with attitude at no extra charge!
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 708-747-0580.
Union Street Gallery (USG), 1527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights
‘Re-Picturing Photography’ National Juried Exhibit – Opens September 23
‘Re-Picturing Photography,’ a National Juried Exhibit will open at USG on September 23 and run through October 24. In a fast moving world where current events are fed to us digitally and instantly, photography has gained massive exposure in our contemporary climate. Union Street Gallery believes a still image has power that resonates beyond a domestic and digital platform and seeks to address a renaissance of visual narratives. We are looking to exhibit a diverse range of photographic processes and techniques, which effectively documents stories and/or intensify unobserved or ignored realities. Participating art works may include: documentary photography, conceptual photography, candid portraiture, photojournalism, time-lapse photography, environmental portraits or landscapes among others. For additional information, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.
Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC), 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest
Rainbow Café – Friday, September 18
UUCC’s Rainbow Café will meet on Friday, September 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The movie being shown this month is ‘Morgan.’ Morgan comes home after a tragic accident in the bikers’ race that has left him paraplegic and having to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life, trying to make his ends meet and starting a life after the accident. However he tries to stay positive and doesn’t make the accident the end of his life. But deep within he has feelings of being useless and rather being dead. He meets Dean and the two strike a friendship. Later develop a romantic connection. Morgan wants to participate in the biking race in the handicap category more so because of his competitive nature and to prove his ability. Everyone is against that, even Dean leading to differences between the two. Finally, he realizes that it’s his fault and makes peace with himself. Rainbow Café 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. The Care is open every 3rd Friday of the month. For additional information, call Dave Matteson at 708-672-8837 or 714-930-6134.
Screening of Documentary ‘Hot Coffee’ on Friday, September 25
UUCC will host the screening of the documentary film ‘Hot Coffee’ on Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m. A discussion will follow the screening. Have you heard about the case of the woman who sued McDonald’s over spilled coffee, often cited as an example of citizens who use ‘frivolous’ lawsuits to take unfair advantage of the America legal system? ‘Hot Coffee’ is an eye-opening documentary that exposes how corporations spend millions of dollars on propaganda campaigns to distort our views of lawsuits – forever weakening our civil justice system. By examining the impact of tort reform on the lives of ordinary citizens, the film shows how Americans give up their Constitutional rights I many ways without knowing it – for example by voting for caps on damages or signing away their rights in contracts. A very interesting and illuminating film. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided. Bring a snack to share if you wish. The event is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org.
Educational Lectures & Opportunities
Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
Job Search Assistance Every Tuesday at GSU
The Mobile Workforce Center’s mobile unit will be at GSU every Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., parked near the university’s front entrance. Center services include resume development, access to online job boards and websites, instruction in how to conduct an online job search and improve keyboarding skills, and assistance of staff. The center is equipped with 11 computer stations with Internet access, printer, and copy machines, and is wheelchair accessible. Services are free and available to residents in all counties. For additional information, contact the Workforce Services Division of Will County at 815-727-4980.
Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted, Chicago Heights
2nd Annual Mental Health Conference – Thursday, September 17
Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart will be the keynote presenter during the PSC Second Annual Mental Health Conference, “Changing Perspectives and Altering Perceptions: Understanding Mental Health.” The event is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, September 17, in the Conference Center of the college’s main campus in Chicago Heights. The annual conference is focused on reducing the stigma of mental health disorders, and includes Dart’s keynote presentation, a general session, and choice of 10 breakout sessions, a panel discussion and an exhibitor expo. Dart’s presentation will be “From Washington to Chicago Heights: Root, Effects, and Solutions for the Criminalization of Mental Illness.” Breakout sessions will include topics “Understanding Mental Illness and Homelessness;” “Empowering the African American Client: Demystifying Mental Health;” “Transgender Health and Wellness: Providing Quality, Informed, Compassionate Care;” “Working with Soldiers and Veterans: Getting Soldiers to Talk About Their Pain;” “Foundations for Mental Health: Social and Emotional Learning in the Schools;” and “Care of the Mind, Body and Spirit.” During the panel discussion, “Journey Part 2: Supporting My Family Member,” attendees will hear personal experiences from parents who are assisting a loved one with managing their mental illness and recovery process. There is a $99 registration fee. Continuing Education Units (CEU) are available for an additional $20. For more information, call 708-709-7957. Conference and registration details also are available at www.prairiestate.edu/mentalhealthconference. The registration deadline is Thursday, September 10. Event partners include The Catholic Charities, Ingalls Behavioral Health Services, Grand Prairie Services, National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) South Suburbs of Chicago, and Sertoma Center. Exhibitor opportunities still are available. For more information, call 708-709-7799.
Three-part Leadership Series Featuring Renowned Expert Lee Ann Piano – Registration Now in Progress
PSC’s Corporate and Continuing Education Department is hosting a three-part leadership series to provide attendees with the tools necessary to be a successful leader. The three main topics covered include “Making Managers Stronger Leaders,” “Handling Hard to Handle People” and “Becoming Great in the Workplace.” Each topic includes two parts, spread over two half-day sessions, and features Lee Ann Piano, a John Maxwell certified speaker, trainer, coach and empowerment expert. All sessions are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and are being held in the Conference Center on the PSC main campus in Chicago Heights. During Making Managers Stronger Leaders Part 1, scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, Piano will address “Character, Credibility, & Integrity,” and “Coaching & Delegating.” During Part 2, on Tuesday, September 29, Piano will discuss “Assertiveness” and “Motivating Teams.” Handling Hard to Handle People Part 1 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13. Piano will address “Managing Emotions” and “Neutralizing Negativity.” During Part 2, scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, she will discuss “Responding to Conflict” and “Stop Stressing!” On Tuesday, November 10, Piano will present Becoming Great in the Workplace Part 1, which will focus on “GREAT Principles for Workplace Success” and “Pin Pointing Personality Styles.” During part 2 on November 24, Piano will address “Breaking Bad Communication Habits” and “Getting It All Done.” Piano is a former top seminar leader with Fred Pryor/Career Track and now is owner of Fine Tuning for Success. She has helped thousands rise higher and achieve more personally and professionally. As an experienced executive trainer and leadership coach, she has delivered more than 600 seminars nationally and internationally. Her specialty is creating customized training resulting in stronger leaders and a more engaged workforce. Piano’s focus includes dynamic content delivery, aligning human behaviors with organizational values and objectives as well as providing clear communication, both written and oral. There is a registration fee of $299 for each two-part session, or $849 to attend the entire series. For more information or to register call Michelle Guiliani at 708-709-7957 or email [email protected].
Manufacturing Day – Thursday, October 1
PSC is hosting Manufacturing Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, in the Atrium on the college’s main campus in Chicago Heights. The event is being offered in partnership with PSC, South Suburban College, OAI, Bloom Township High School, Bloom Trail High School, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center and the Illinois Network for Advanced Manufacturing, and is made possible by DOL TAACCCT Funds. The morning opens with a job fair from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., where attendees can meet with employers about job opportunities in the manufacturing fields. From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., community members are welcome to tour the manufacturing labs on campus and experience demonstrations and see products made from manufacturing equipment. From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be various student events where attendees can explore the certificate and degree programs offered by PSC and learn how to start their career. The day’s activities are free and open to the public. Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Manufacturing Day officially occurs on the first Friday in October. This year, it is October 2. For more information on manufacturing at PSC, visit www.prairiestate.edu.
Roosevelt University, 425 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago
Roosevelt Professor to Share Insights on Chicago Economic Development – Wednesday, September 16
John McDonald, author of a new book on economic development of Chicago since 1820, will share insights about the city’s economic past and future during the September 16 Gerald Fogelson Forum on Real Estate at Roosevelt University in Chicago. A professor emeritus of both Roosevelt University and the University of Illinois at Chicago, McDonald will provide an overview of his sweeping book, Chicago: An Economic History (at right), which will be available to the public for the first time later this month by Routledge Press. Now in its 17th season, this year’s Fogelson Forum, which is the foremost real estate forum in the industry, begins at 5 p.m. in Room 418 of Roosevelt’s Wabash Building, 425 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago. Known as “Chicago’s economist,” McDonald has spent more than 40 years studying the local economy and has used a variety of economic models and measures to chronicle everything from the rise and fall of manufacturing in Chicagoland to the important role that infrastructure and innovation will have in Chicago’s future as an economic power. To register for the forum, visit Roosevelt University’s Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate website at http://www.roosevelt.edu/RealEstate.aspx. Cost is free for Roosevelt faculty and students and $25 for all others. For more information on the event contact DeVries at 312-281-3358 or Laura Janota at 312-341-3511.
International Criminal Lawyer to Lecture on ‘Genocide Gendered’ – Monday, October 5
Patricia Viseur Sellers, an international criminal lawyer who focuses on human rights, will lecture on “Genocide Gendered” at Roosevelt University’s annual Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Distinguished Lecture on Monday, October 5 at 11 a.m. Sellers will discuss international criminal and humanitarian laws and matters related to sexual violence and gender, especially during armed conflicts. The lecture is free and open to the public in Ganz Hall, room 745, at Roosevelt University. A visiting fellow at Oxford University, Sellers is currently a special advisor for Prosecution Strategies for the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. She previously was a prosecutor at the Yugoslav Tribunal and co-counsel and a legal strategist at the Rwanda Tribunal, the first international case to hold sexual violence as an act of genocide and rape as a crime against humanity. During her career, she has testified as an expert witness on sexual violence in several regional human rights courts and trained judges, prosecutors and investigators on the complex aspects of international crimes of sexual violence in countries such as Columbia, Guatemala, Uganda, Nepal, Qatar, Indonesia and Kenya. Sellers has lectured extensively on humanitarian law and international criminal law at colleges and universities around the world. The Roosevelt lecturer is the author of numerous articles including “Sexual Violence and Rape,” a policy paper that analyzed non-discriminatory principles of human rights law to sex-based international crimes. She also drafted United Nations resolutions to halt child recruitment and to sanction patterns of maiming, killing and sexual violence perpetrated upon children during armed conflict. A dual United States/Belgian national, Sellers graduated from the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania and is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the City University of New York. She is fluent in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish and served as a story consultant on the PBS series, “Women, War and Peace.” Sponsored by the Center for New Deal Studies at Roosevelt University, the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Distinguished Lecture Series was inaugurated in 1992. Previous lecturers have included Ambassador William vanden Heuvel; journalist Cokie Roberts; Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, M.D.; Allida Black of the ER Papers Project; and author and historian Studs Terkel. For further information about the October 5 lecture by Patricia Viseur Sellers, contact Margaret Rung, associate professor of history at Roosevelt University, [email protected].
South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 South State Street, South Holland
26th Annual College & Career Expo – Wednesday, September 23
Career Development System (CDS) is holding their 26th annual College & Career Expo at SSC on Wednesday, September 23 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., in the Fitness Center. The Expo is an excellent opportunity for 8th grade, high school and SSC students, along with their parents, to explore a wide range of college and career options at one time, in one location. Admission and parking are FREE and the event is conveniently located at SSC’s Main Campus in South Holland. This cooperative venture is designed to provide the most current information available regarding post-secondary educational opportunities across the country. More than 120 universities, colleges, technical school, armed forces, and construction trades will be featured. Career programs available at SSC will be highlighted. Additionally, counselors will be on hand to help direct students and parents and Junior Achievement and ISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Corps) will be in attendance. The College & Career Expo is open to all residents of the area who are interested in furthering their education. For more information, visit the CDS website at: www.CareerDevelopmentSystem.org.
Online Educational Resources
Online college programs are a great way for today’s busy people to complete or earn a degree. To find an online college program in Illinois, visit http://www.onlineschools.org/guides/Illinois/ where you will find a compilation of every college program offered online in Illinois offered on a full or part-time basis.
Top U.S. Universities
Choosing what college or university to attend can be a very daunting experience. With educationalcosts 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.
Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC), 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest
Yoga Classes by Karen Nielsen – Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays
Yoga classes by Karen Nielsen are available at UUCC on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. No reservations needed. Drop-in fee is $10 per class and the 6th one is free. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org.
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.
Buddhist Meditation – Saturdays
Learn to enjoy the simple and straight-forward practice of meditation. Please join us for sitting and walking meditation in the Zen and Theravadan Buddhist traditions. This is an on-going event led by Steve McCabe and Beverly Feldt will be held on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at UUCC. There is no cost but a free will offering is most appreciated (proceeds go to UUCC). For additional information contact Steve McCabe at 708-465-3116 or Beverly Feldt at [email protected].
Green Events
Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
Clean Energy Town Hall – Wednesday, September 16
State Senator Toi Hutchinson and Rep. Anthony DeLuca invite you to join them for a Clean Energy Town Hall at Governors State University’s Sherman Hall, 1 University Parkway, University Park, on Wednesday, September 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. A panel of clean energy experts and advocates will discuss a range of topics from environmental benefits, job training in the clean energy sector to economic opportunities for local communities. Speakers will include Jack Darin (IL Sierra Club), Cheryl Johnson (Citizens for Community Recovery), and Reggie Greenwood (South Suburban Mayors and Managers), with additional speakers to be announced. Refreshments and pizza will be served from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The program begins at 7 p.m. There will be ample time allowed for questions and answers. RSVP by clicking here! or go to http://bit.ly/GStownhall. This event is sponsored in partnership with the Illinois Sierra Club and the Village of Park Forest Sustainability Department. For additional information, contact Gus Fuguitt at [email protected] or 608-354-2036.
Park Forest Environment Commission, 350 Victory Drive
Sustainable Saturday Event – September 19
Park Forest’s Sustainable Saturdays for gardeners continues on September 19 with a workshop on Harvesting Techniques. The lecture will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. The event is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 708-748-1112.
Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest
Wednesday Morning Walkers – September 16
Wednesday Morning Walkers can enjoy the early morning and late summer’s floral delights on these leisurely (or brisk – take your choice) trail walks. The group walks on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Trails can be wet or muddy, so please wear sturdy shoes. Age 13 through adult are invited. For additional information, call 708-747-6320.
Know Your Oaks Hike – Registration Required by Thursday, September 17
Our trees are common in area woodlands, but are they all the same? Find out which oaks are found in our region and how you can tell them apart even when the leaves are gone. Join our naturalist on Saturday, September 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for the Know Your Oaks Hike through Thorn Creek Woods. This program is free and for all ages and will take place on natural surface trails across uneven terrain. Registration is required by Thursday, September 17. For additional information or to register call 708-747-6320.
Prairie Sampler Work Day – Registration Required by Friday, September 18
Get down and dirty and help Master Gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension Service care for our Prairie Sampler in front of the nature center. Prairies Sampler Work Day will be Monday, September 21 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and registration is required by Friday, September 17. Bring your own gloves, hand clippers, kneelers if you like. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots. Refreshments will be provided. For additional information or to register call 708-747-6320.
Become a ‘Friend of Thorn Creek’
Friends of Thorn Creek Woods is the citizen activist group responsible in very large part for preserving and securing the dedication of the Thorn Creek Woods as an Illinois Nature Preserve. Friends’ volunteers continue to provide support in so many ways: staff the nature center on weekends; trail work; displays; leading hikes; special events; cleaning; pruning; artwork; music; research; and so on. Friends is a voice for the Woods and preservation values, donates funds for equipment and sponsors an annual meeting, Garlic Fest and Earth Day. Members receive a quarterly newsletter. Annual membership in Friends is $10. 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 Famers’ Market – Every Saturday Through October
The Park Forest Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October. The Market hosts 22 full spaces with a variety of fresh flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, bakery goods, herbs and dairy products, food and entertainment. Local businesses are also on hand at the Market selling artwork, garden ornaments, jewelry and more. The Park Forest Farmers’ Market accepts EBT/Link, WIC, and Senior Nutrition Coupons. The Park Forest Farmers’ Market is located in the parking lot closest to 271 Lakewood Blvd, at the corner of Lakewood Boulevard and Cunningham Drive, just across from the Park Forest Police Department.
This & That
Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 North Orchard Boulevard, Park Forest
‘Waffles and the Word’ – Sunday, September 27
Calvary United Protestant Church will host ‘Waffles and the Word’ on Sunday, September 27 at 10 a.m. in the Church’s Fellowship Hall. Come and eat and explore an informal worship setting.
Kiwanis Club of Park Forest
Kiwanis Pancake Day Returns to Park Forest – Saturday, October 3
The 64th annual Pancake Day in Park Forest will be held on Saturday, October 3. Food will be served from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Rich East High School Cafeteria, 300 Sauk Trail. Enter at Door 11 – this is the east entrance off Sauk Trail. Pre-Sale tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12. At the door, tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children under 12. The cost includes all the pancakes and sausage you can eat. Net proceeds benefit community activities. For additional information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/parkforestkiwanis.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1536 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago
Mental Health 5K Walk: NAMIWalks Chicago 2015 — Saturday, September 26
On Saturday, September 26th beginning at 3 p.m., the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago will be hosting its 10th annual 5K fundraiser called NAMIWalks Chicago, which will take place at Dusable Harbor, 150 Lake Shore Drive. The goal of NAMIWalks Chicago is to raise money and increase awareness of NAMI Chicago’s mission: to provide hope and improve the quality of life for those whose lives are affected by mental illness. NAMI Chicago provides education, advocacy, and support to the Chicago community around mental illness. Along with over 80 teams participating in NAMIWalks Chicago, Team Dana walks proudly to share a vision of hope for all those who are struggling with mental illness. NAMIWalks Chicago celebrates mental illness recovery, honors those who have lost their lives to mental illness, raises funds for critical programs, and combats stigma and promotes awareness. For more info on the Tengelsen Family Foundation or the Sept. 26 NAMIWalksChicago, visit www.namiwalks.org/chicago or email [email protected], or call 312-563-0445.
State Representative Anthony DeLuca – 195 W. Joe Orr Road, Suite 201, Chicago Heights
Document Shredding Event – Saturday, September 19
State Representative Anthony DeLuca will host a free document shredding event on Saturday, September 19 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Bloom Plaza, 1020 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights. Help protect yourself from identity theft. Bring documents that contain your personally identifiable information to be safely shredded, such as old bank statements, tax returns, bills, receipts, credit card applications and outdated medical records. Please remember to remove all paper clips, staples and other bindings. This event is free and open to the public. There is a limit of two boxes per car. Cardboard boxes cannot be left at the event. Residential shredding only (no commercial shredding). Shredding accepted until shred trucks reach capacity. For additional information, please contact Representative DeLuca’s constituent service office at 708-754-7900.
South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 South State Street, South Holland
10th Annual Bulldog Baseball Golf Outing – Friday, September 18
The South Suburban College Baseball Team is hosting their 10th Annual Bulldog Baseball Golf Outing to raise funds for athletic equipment and travel costs for nationwide tournaments. The Bulldog Golf Outing will take place on Friday, September 18, 2015, at Lincolnshire Country Club, 390 East Richton Road, Crete, Illinois. Registration begins at 12 noon with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. The cost is $100.00 per golfer which includes golf (four‐man scramble) with dinner and door prizes to follow. Hole‐sponsorships are also available for $100.00. For more information please contact Head Coach Steve Ruzich at 708-596‐2000, ext. 2413, or email [email protected]. Checks should be made payable to “South Suburban College Baseball” and delivered to 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL 60473. Hole-sponsors should indicate what to display on the sponsorship when sending in the check, and must be returned by September 14th.
Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC), 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest
Dances of Universal Peace – Sunday, September 20
Dances of Universal Peach will meet on Sunday, September 20 at UUCC from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. We join our voices in singing sacred phrases and Divine Names from Many spiritual traditions while moving in circle dances and walking meditations. Dances of Universal Peace meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month. For additional information, call certified dance leader Pat Segner at 708-748-2217.
Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive
Village-wide Garage Sale – September 18, 19 & 20
Do you have items in your home you no longer need that could become someone else’s treasures? Do you love a good deal and enjoy a great garage sale or flea market? Park Forest’s Village-wide Garage Sale brings together buyers from near and far for one large garage sale, and the entire community is the garage! Over 145 homes participated in 2014. This year’s Garage Sale will be held on September 18 through 20. Set-up your garage sale at your home during one of Park Forest’s busiest weekends and capitalize on thousands of out-of- towners visiting for the Park Forest Art Fair on September 19 and 20. Registration is now in progress. Additional information is available at www.villageofparkforest.com/garagesale or by calling Village Hall at 708–748-1112.
Donation Drive Benefitting Veterans – Sunday, September 20
Park Forest will be holding a Village-wide Garage Sale on September 18 through 20 (details can be found above). Wondering what to do with those unwanted ‘treasures’? Consider doing something worthwhile with those items instead of bringing them back into your basement or attic. On Sunday, September 20 beginning at Noon in the Park Forest Aqua Center Parking Lot, 30 North Orchard Drive, members of the Park Forest Veterans Commission are coordinating a drop-off event so that donations can be of benefit to our country’s Veterans. Donated items will go directly to organizations such as the Veterans Administration and Catholic Charities, among others. Veterans in need of donations are invited after 3 p.m. Veterans will need to provide proper identification and proof of Veteran status. For additional information, please contact Village Manager, Tom Mick at 708-748-1129 or Veterans Commission Vice-Chair, Yvette Jones at 312-593-8901.
