Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Here we are with the second official “kolumn,” two days after the first. Already behind on my goal of publishing one a day. That’s okay, though. Yesterday saw the publication of two separate police reports, with a third rolling out today. Could easily have had a fourth published, but I wasted a couple of hours working on reports that paid student intern Emma Wozniak had already sent me. I just kept chugging along and didn’t realize until I was almost three-quarters finished with them and they sounded familiar.
Some days.
“Tonight in Park Forest, it’ll be cloudy with 0.05-inches of rain,” Google Home tells me. Alexa says, “It might rain tonight. There’s a 34% chance at 8 PM. You can expect about 0.06-inches.”
So, there’s that conflict we need to be aware of.
Library Trustee Vacancy
Let me toss this in here again. After I wrap up this “kolumn,” I’ll do a separate one laying out the events for the week ahead at the Library. In the meantime, once again, George Manno at the Park Forest Public Library wants you to know the following:
A position on the Park Forest Library Board of Trustees is now vacant until the next election, which will be held in April 2021. The vacancy can be filled until that time by appointment by the Park Forest Library Board.
Park Forest residents interested in applying for this Library Board Trustee vacancy may do so by completing the application for a Trustee from the website (www.pfpl.org) or picking up a copy from the Library.
Applications must be returned no later than June 30, 2019, to Sevena Merchant, President, 400 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest, IL 60466, or emailed to [email protected]
The Library Board normally meets at 7:30 PM on the third Thursday of each month. For further information, please contact Sevena Merchant at 708-748-3731 ext. 16.
Dog Park Looks Much Better!
I don’t know how they did it, but Public Works got those big mowers into the Park Forest Bark District and chopped down the tall grass. The place looks like it’s well on its way to being ready for its 10 Year Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, June 29, 2019. The festivities will run from 12 PM to 3 PM and are open to the public. There will be raffles, free vaccinations, giveaways, and more.
The dog park is here and you should join if you have a dog or dogs. Hey, they’re pack animals and really enjoy playing and running together. Sign up!
Problem Oriented Policing is a Lot Friendlier than it Sounds
So you’ve got an issue in your neighborhood and you’re not sure if you should call 911, the non-emergency number (708-748-4700), or, maybe, you just want to chat with an officer about some issue that perhaps concerns you, but you’re not exactly sure what to do about.
Welcome to the POP Program from the Park Forest Police Department. It works like this: an officer is permanently assigned to each of our neighborhoods. You can find your officer on the POP Neighborhood Map.
Now, you can waste a lot of time like I did trying to read the name of your personal officer, Sitkauskas, in my case. But, those letters look so small! And when I expand the map, the letters still look so small. How will I figure out what Officer Sitkauskas’ email address is since the map only shows his last name?
And do I feel silly? Yes. All I had to do was click on Officer Sitkauskas’ name on the map and I got a handy, scrollable, pop-up window with the officer’s zone (I’m in POP Zone 18), name, municipality (Yup. Park Forest), telephone – the records phone number, 708-748-4701 – and, the officer’s email which I could then cut and paste.
You have an officer for your neighborhood. Go to the POP Neighborhood Map and learn the name of your officer today.
On the Horizon
I’m not sure exactly what this is, but there’s a “Glow Walk” being presented by the Recreation & Parks Department on Friday, July 12, 2019. That’s next month.
The Glow Walk will be from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. You need to RSVP by July 1, 2019, at the Recreation & Parks Department or by calling them at 708-748-2005.
There’s a check-in at 7:00 PM, and a GLOW PARTY from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Apparently, during this time, you can get your face and/or body painted so you can glow in the dark during the glow walk, which runs from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. You will be able to decorate yourself with glow bracelets, necklaces, “and more,” the flyer says.
I’m assuming some clothing is required if you’re getting your body painted.
Also on the Horizon
Ash Street Cooperative Open House
Ash Street Cooperative will hold an Open House on Saturday, June 15, 2019, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event begins at the co-op office at 137 Ash Street, Park Forest. Call the office at 708-747-9600 for more information. If you decide to apply to become a member of Ash Street, the $50 application fee is waived for that day.
Come see what co-op living is all about and why it’s still the best-kept secret in the South Suburbs
Great American Campout in Central Park
In spite of what my browser’s spellcheck tells me, “Campout” is a word and it’s a very real event in Park Forest, beginning Friday, June 21 through Saturday, June 22, 2019.
Yes, you get to pitch a tent in Central Park and spend the night. Set-up begins at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21. Park in the Aqua Center parking lot near the north bridge.
Registger at the Recreation & Parks Department in Village Hall, or register by phone with a credit card by calling 708-748-2005, or register online at https://apm.activecommunities.com/vopf.
Yes, the URL works. The site has information on all Recreation & Parks activities. Click on “Activities” at the top and search for “campout.” The cost is $5.00 per person for ages 4 years and older, free for children 0-3 years old.
I’m thinking those in-utero don’t need to register. Yet.
Finally, Main Street Nights Returns This Week!
And, yes, I would be remiss and end up offering many, many apologies to one of the nicest people in Park Forest, Chuck Sabey, if I did not make mention of Main Street Nights.
They’re back, baby! And they start this coming Wednesday, June 12 (yes, that’s this month), with a Resident Appreciation Celebration (that means free food any way you slice it), the Jesse White Tumblers at 6:30 PM, and The Upbeat Orchestra beginning around 7:30 PM.
This promises to be a mosquito-free event. At least I’m planning on that.
I’ll have a separate article up tomorrow just on Main Street Nights. And I’ll see you there, this time with my video cam and still shot cam.
Summer. Yes, I know. Its “lease hath all too short a date.” So get out there, soak it in, and make it happen, short date and all.
Have news for this column? Please send it to [email protected]. Also, I’m looking for people to interview. Great Park Foresters. Could be anyone. Greatness is subjective. Have a friend or neighbor who stands out? Talk to me! 708-808-0204.