Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—August 10, 2009. It doesn’t seem possible that another summer season is quickly drawing to a close. It’s time to participate in Park Forest’s end of the season activities taking place this week or in the near future.
Send information concerning your community activities or events during the upcoming week by e-mail to Rosemary Piser, Associate Editor, with the details. Submission deadline is noon on Friday of each week.
Village of Park Forest Board and Commission Meetings
The following Village Boards and Commissions will meet the week of August 3:
- Commission on Human Relations – Tuesday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m.;
- Recreation and Parks Commission – Tuesday, August 11 at 7 p.m.; and
- Youth Commission– Tuesday, August 11 at 7 p.m.
All meetings are held at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. Residents are encouraged to attend.
Park Forest Health Department, 350 Victory Drive (lower level)
School and “Sports Only” Physicals
Children of Park Forest and the surrounding area who are going into preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grades are required to have a school physical. A fee of $41 will be charged for Park Forest residents and $46 for non-residents (cash only) on:
- Saturday, August 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and
- Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Appointments are required. To make an appointment or for further information, call 708-748-1118.
Arts and Entertainment
Park Forest Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard
Tuesday, August 11 at 8:00 a.m. – Tuesday Morning Walkers. Meet in the north parking lot.
For more information, call 708-748-3731.
Tall Grass Gallery, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest
With These Hands – 2009 Sculpture Invitational –Thru September 13
A varied compilation of sculptural works will be shown by artists Joshua Andres, Patrician Bohannon, Louis Greer, John Hansen, Angela Lee, Michele P. Owens, Michael Ruback, Eric Steele, Jan Stewart, Grant White, and Robert Williams. Admission is free to the public. Gallery hours are 11 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 708-748-3377.
Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University
Dance 4 Da Common Good Talent Benefit Show
On Sunday, August 23 at 3 p.m., Dance 4 Da Common Good will showcase the best youth and young adult singers, dancers, and rappers from our area in an American-Idol style competition. The winner will earn the opportunity to record a professionally mastered demo in a recording studio or appear in their own music video. Hosted by “The Destined Legend,” Leon Rogers – comedian and WGCI radio personality. Panel of Celebrity Judges:
Drew Sidora (R&B singer and actress, White Chicks and The Game);
“The Dizz” (WGCI radio personality)
Chelsea Fahey (model, winner of Miss Teen America 2005 and Miss Cook County 2009); and
“Breev Eazie” (Gospel rap artist).
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Proceeds from Dance 4 Da Common Good will help launch LIVE UNITED Clubs—geared toward junior-high and high-school-aged students—to improve the lives of youth and their families in our Southland region through a variety of community service projects.
Those wishing to enter the competition must complete the Applicant Requirements found at: http://s-swuw.org/2009/07/dance-4-da-common-good-2/#more-88. Entry fees are $50 per contestant and $100 per group (4 or more person). Application deadline is Wednesday, August 19 at 5 p.m.
“Into the Woods” – Tickets on Sale Now
Tickets are now on sale for the Southland Area Theatre Ensemble (SLATE) at GSU’s summer production of “Into the Woods.” The production will take place on Friday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 15, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $18 to $21 and tickets for children under 16 are $16 to $19. Tickets may be purchased by calling The Center box office at 708-235-2222 or online at www.slatetheatre.org.
2009 – 2010 Season Subscriptions
Help celebrate the Center for Performing Arts 15 years of touching lives and entertaining audiences in the south suburban area. Performances this season include singer, Jim Brickman, Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin, the Hubbard Street Dance Troop of Chicago, and Whose Live Anyway, featuring comedian Ryan Stiles to name just a few of the diverse events for adults and children of all ages. Subscription and individual tickets are now on sale. Call 708-235-222 for more information or visit the Center’s Web site at: http://www.centertickets.net/.
Park Forest House Museum, 141 Forest Boulevard (Corner of Forest & Fir)
Relive your childhood memories or show your children/grandchildren what it was like to live in the ‘good old days’ by visiting the Park Forest House Museum. The Museum is open on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Group tours are by appointment. Call 708-748-3731.
Educational Lectures
Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
Public Comments Sought
As part of the comprehensive evaluation conducted by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, GSU is seeking public comments about the university. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the university or its academic programs and should include your name, address, and telephone number of the submitting individual. Comments will not be treated as confidential. Comments may be submitted by October 12, 2009 through the Commission’s Web site at www.ncahlc.org (click File Third-Party Comments) or by mail to:
Public Comments on Governors State University
The Higher Learning Commission
20 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602.
Prairie State College (PSC), 202 S. Halsted, Chicago Heights
Support for Returning Adult Students
Adult students thinking of starting or continuing their college education can take the first step and attend a free information session called New Directions on Wednesday, August 12 at 6 p.m. in the Business and Community Education Center. The New Direction session includes an overview of available academic programs and services, general orientation information, financial aid and registration information. To register for New Directions, visit www.prairiestate.edu/counselingAdvising/returningadults.html.
For those who can not attend, but want to learn more about starting their college career, call Diane Janowiak at 708-709-3603.
This and That
Community Blood Drive
State Representative Anthony DeLuca and LifeSource will hold a community blood drive on Thursday, August 13, from 12 Noon to 6 p.m. in the Chicago Heights City Hall Parking lot located at 1601 Chicago Rd. To donate, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and present a current photo ID prior to giving blood. For more information, call LifeSource at 877-LIFESOURCE or Representative DeLuca’s office at 708-672-0200.
Moo-alisa “Win This Cow” Raffle
Moo-alisa was created by the Salon Artists of Park Forest and was the mascot for the Park Forest 10 Ton Challenge. Raffle tickets are $5 each for your chance to win her. The Drawing will be held on Sunday, September 13 at the Park Forest Art Fair. Raffle proceeds will benefit local children through the Tall Grass Arts Association School and the Abraham Lincoln Allen, Jr., Youth Services Fund of the Friends of the Park Forest Health Department. Contact Brenda Walker at 708-748-1118 or stop by the Park Forest Health Department, 350 Victory Drive to purchase your ticket.
Wine and Chocolate Tasting – LAST CALL
Park Forest’s Economic Development Department will sponsor a Wine and Chocolate Tasting on Friday, August 14, from 7 PM to 9 PM. The Tall Grass Arts Association has agreed to let the Village utilize their facility for the event. Wine vendors who wish to donate or become a sponsor for this event should call Evelyn Sterling at 708-283-5621. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Village of Park Forest Economic Development
Business Person of the Year
Nominate the person you believe should be named Park Forest’s Business Person of the Year. Nomination forms can be found on the Village of Park Forest web site (www.villageofparkforest.com). Nomination forms are due October 30. For more information, call Sandra Zoellner at 708-283-5623.
Shop Park Forest First!
Park Forest Farmers’ Market
The 36th Annual Park Forest Farmers’ Market will be held on Saturday’s from 7:00 a.m. to Noon through the end of October. Vendors from across Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan will have a tremendous array of fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, breads, cheese, organic eggs and meat, and the “best pork chop sandwiches in the universe.” Come early and enjoy a breakfast burrito and cup of coffee while you shop the Market. The Market is located in the parking lot of the Eagle Movie Theater at the corner of Lakewood Boulevard and Cunningham Drive in DownTown Park Forest.
Greening of Park Forest
Safe Disposal Program – Bio-waste
The Park Forest Health Department and Environment Commission have partnered to provide information on the proper disposal of bio-waste such as used syringes or lancets (medical sharps). Begin by purchasing a Sharps container to dispose of your medical sharps for $10 at the Park Forest Health Department. Return the filled container to the Park Forest Health Department and purchase a new container. Call Brenda Walker at 708-748-1118 for more information. You can find additional recycling information by clicking on the “Recycling” icon found on the front page of eNews Park Forest.
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.
Go Green with a Free Tote Bag
The Village of Park Forest encourages residents to visit Village Hall to pick up an environmentally friendly canvas bag that can be used for your day-to-day shopping needs. These bags are free while supplies last with only two expectations: 1) that residents have a valid email address so that future environmentally conscious concepts can be shared by the Village’s Environment Commission; and 2) that bags are limited to one per household. For more information on this program, visit the Village Manager’s Office on the second floor of Village Hall of call 708-748-1129.
Rain Barrels
Rain barrels have become the “must have” item for Park Forest residents. The Park Forest Environment Commission and the Park Forest Recreation and Parks Department are facilitating the sale of rain barrels for $49 each. Residents interested in buying rain barrels can visit the Recreation and Parks window on the main floor of Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, to order a barrel in the color of their choice (terra cotta, gray, black or blue) and pick them up at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday, September 5th. You can also purchase a rain barrel at the Farmers’ Market with colors limited to the stock-on hand. Common rain barrel accessories will also be available for sale at the Farmers’ Market. Payment can be made in either cash or personal check. For further information, call Village Hall at 708-748-2005.
Human Interest
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.
Sources: Village of Park Forest Weekly Manager’s Report; State Representative Anthony DeLuca, Spring/Summer 2009 Calendar of Events, Park Forest Library, Tall Grass Arts Association, Center for Performing Arts, Prairie Sate College, Governors State University, Illinois Theatre Center, and Park Forest Historical Society Web sites.
