Local

In and Around Park Forest Week of March 30, 2015


Winnebago Park
Ready for summer? (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—March 30, 2015. The Village of Park Forest and the Park Forest Youth Commission are offering scholarships to four students from the Park Forest area. Scholarship applications are due on Tuesday, March 31. For additional information about the scholarships, visit the ‘Educational Lectures & Opportunities’ section.

Thorn Creek Audubon Society is hosting its popular bat program on Wednesday, April 1 at Freedom Hall. The Organization for Bat Conservation will bring several species for an up-close look at one of the world’s most misunderstood animals – the bat. Additional information can be found in the ‘Green Events’ section.

Wishing all our eNews readers a joyous Easter and Passover.

If your club, organization or local business will be holding activities or events in our community during the upcoming week, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with the details. Submission deadline is noon on Friday of each week.

Village of Park Forest

Village Board Meeting – Saturday, April 4

The Board of Trustees will meet hold a Saturday Morning Rules meeting on April 4 at 10 a.m. at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive.  Residents are encouraged to attend. Board meetings air live on cable access channels (Channel 4 for Comcast subscribers and Channel 99 for AT&T subscribers) as well as on the Village web site here.

To view previously held Board Meetings, visit the Village’s web site here and click on the date of the meeting you wish to watch.

Village Commissions & Advisory Boards

The following Park Forest Commissions are scheduled to meet the week of March 30:

  • Thursday, April 2 at 1 p.m. – Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
  • Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. – Environment 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 Park, University Park

‘Twisted Melodies’ Presented by Congo Square Theatre– Tickets Now on Sale

On Saturday, April 22 at 8 p.m. witness the powerful and intense portrayal of the renowned jazz, blues and soul singer, composer and songwriter, Donny Hathaway. In this one-man show, Kelvin Roston Jr., shows us the schizophrenic experience through the eyes of a tortured artist in the ‘70s. Hathaway’s influence lives on through the music of such artists as Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, John Legend and many more. Kelvin Roston, Jr. is an artistic associate for Congo Square. His most recent credits include: Purlie, Ruined, Death and the King’s Horseman, Othello, Caroline of Change (St. Louis Black Rep). One of his most notable roles was that of Jackie Wilson in The Jackie Wilson Story where he received a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination and received awards from The Black Theater Alliance and The African American Excellence Alliance (Black Ensemble Theater). Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Box Office, by phone at 708-235-2222 or at Buy Tickets. In addition to the concert, a 6:30 p.m. Listening Party for $20 per person will feature food from Flavor Restaurant while listening to Donny’s music and the music of the artists he inspires to this day. Call the box office at 708-234-2222 for menu details.

DePaul University Art Museum, 935 West Fullerton, Chicago

‘Rooted in Soil’ – Through April 26

Beneath the grass and pavement that cover Chicago lies a vital, under-valued ecosystem that gives rise to a new art exhibition — ‘Rooted in Soil’ — is now running at the DePaul Art Museum through April 26. The event is free and open to the public. Curators Laura Fatemi, interim director of the DePaul Art Museum, and her daughter Farrah Fatemi, an environmental scientist and assistant professor at Saint Michael’s College, combined their knowledge of art and science to explore the underappreciated role of soil in human life. ‘Rooted in Soil’ offers viewers a unique way to engage with environmental issues through the arts. Upon entering the museum, visitors will encounter a hanging terrarium built by artist Vaughn Bell, whose work challenges city dwellers to reconnect with nature. Bell invites viewers to enter the biosphere of the terrarium and peer out across the surface of the soil. For more information on events related to ‘Rooted in Soil,’ visit http://museums.depaul.edu/. The DePaul Art Museum at 935 W. Fullerton, 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 on Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://museums.depaul.edu/. Photos from the exhibit can be viewed at: http://newsroom.depaul.edu/NewsReleases/showImage.aspx?NID=2845.

DePaul University Theatre School, 2350 North Racine, Chicago

‘The Day John Henry Came to School’ – Tickets Now on Sale

The Theatre School at DePaul University will present ‘The Day John Henry Came to School’ by Eric Pfeffinger, directed by Ernie Nolan, as the final production of the 2014-15 Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences season. This production opens April 7 and runs through May 16 at DePaul’s historic Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. Performances are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. Special Friday performances will be held April 24 and May 1 at 10 a.m. A Sunday performance will be held April 12 at 2 p.m. About the play: John Henry loves technology, but doesn’t love doing his homework. If buttons and gadgets are not involved, he’s not interested. When his teacher, Mr. Gellert, is replaced by a mega-computer, Johnny couldn’t be happier. Then his steel-driving great-great-grandfather arrives for show-and-tell, and Johnny must take on the challenge of his life. This contemporary tale focuses on the value of hard work and the strength of the human spirit. Recommended for ages 8 and older, themes include: ancestry; confidence; diligence; folklore and tall tales; motivation; technology and humanity. Information about pre- and post-show educational activities and highlighted curriculum connections is online at http://theatre.depaul.edu. Free Teacher Guides also are available online or by calling the box office at 312-922-1999. The May 1 and May 2 performances will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Call TTY: 773-325-7975. April 18 is USO of Illinois Day, when U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families, with a valid military ID, can attend the performance for free. Visit http://www.tixfortroops.org to reserve tickets, or call 312-922-1999 for more information. Join the cast for a post-performance autograph session April 18. The April 30 and May 9 performances will be followed by a post-show discussion. Visit the website or call the box office for additional details. Tickets are $10. Subscriptions and group rates (15 or more people) are available. DePaul employees, alumni, and college students receive a discount (with ID). Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at 312-922-1999.

‘The Duchess of Malfi’ – Opens April 17

The Theatre School at DePaul University will present ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ by John Webster at the Fullerton Stage Theatre. The production, directed by Lavina Jadhwani, premieres on April 17 and runs through April 26. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Previews are on April 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. About the play: The Duchess asserts her freedom of choice to marry whom she pleases, even if her beloved Antonio is “beneath her class.” Her brothers retaliate in protest and send their henchman, Bosola, to keep an eye on the Duchess. The result: a tragedy full of complex players, destruction, violence, greed, secrets, madness, murders, double crosses, poison, treachery and good old-fashioned aristocratic revenge. Notoriously one of the greatest blood baths of the stage, this Jacobean drama is reimagined by Jadhwani, MFA Directing, class of 2015. Tickets are $15, preview tickets are $10, and student tickets are $5. Subscriptions and group rates (six or more people) are available. All tickets are reserved seating. Tickets are available by calling 773-325-7900 or visiting the online box office at http://theatre.depaul.edu. The Theatre School at DePaul University is located at 2350 N. Racine Ave (at Fullerton). The school is easily accessible via the Fullerton CTA Station and the Fullerton (74) bus. Visitors and audience members can park in DePaul University’s Clifton Parking Deck, located at 2330 N. Clifton Avenue. Please call the Box Office for more information or for help in planning your trip. For patrons who are blind or have low-vision, the performance will be audio described on April 24 at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-performance touch tour. Call 773-325-7900 for information. The performance on April 26 at 2 p.m. will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Call TTY at 773-325-7975. Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. is USO of Illinois night. U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families can attend the performance for free. Visit www.tixfortroops.org to reserve tickets, or call 773-325-7900 for more information. Additional special events include an opening night reception following the performance on April 17, and post-show discussions on April 19 and 23.

Drama Group, 330 202nd Street, Chicago Heights

‘Hairspray’ – Tickets Now on Sale

The Drama Group is very pleased to present the fun musical ‘Hairspray’ directed by Charlie Misovye, with set design by Russ Hoganson. Performances will be held at the Bloom Auditorium Theatre, 10th Street and Dixie Highway in Chicago Heights, on May 2 & 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday May 4 at 2:00 p.m. ‘Hairspray’ is the story of a teen girl who longs to appear on a 1960s TV dance show and win the heart of the boy of her dreams – without denting her ‘do! ‘Hairspray’ inspired a major motion picture and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. “You Can’t Stop the Beat” of this great show set in the ‘60s. Tickets are $21 for adults and $20 for seniors and $15 for students with ID. Group discount rates are also available. Good seats are still available. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 708-755-3444, online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/242073 or see at www.dramagroup.org

Folks On Spokes, Park Forest

34th Annual Easter Ride – Registration Now in Progress

The 34th Annual Easter Ride is scheduled for Sunday, April 26. The ride, sponsored by the Folks on Spokes Bicycle Club, starts from the Park Forest Village Hall on 350 Victory Drive between 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. Riders can choose from five routes of 17, 26, 37, 53 and 70 miles on lightly traveled, paved roads over gently rolling countryside. Rest stops along the route provide riders with fruit, drinks, sandwiches, and homemade cookies. After the ride, participants are invited to stop in at Dining on the Green for music, a massage (for a fee) and more refreshments, including the traditional Easter egg salad sandwiches. The fee for the ride is $20 for pre-registrants before April 12 and $25 thereafter. The fee entitles riders to a map of the routes, access to all rest stops, SAG support, and parking. Short and long sleeve t-shirts with this year’s Easter Ride logo may be ordered for an additional fee with pre-registration. A registration form is available at local bike shops or may be downloaded from www.folksonspokes.com/activities/biking/easter-ride-copy. Folks on Spokes encourages riders to obey all traffic laws, practice courtesy, communicate with fellow riders, ride single file when vehicles are approaching from either direction – and complete the adult or child bike safety quiz at www.bikesafetyquiz.com. Proceeds from the ride help fund the club’s activities throughout the year and support bicycle advocacy and other organizations. Last year, donations were made to the League of American Bicyclists, the League of Illinois Bicyclists, the Active Transportation Alliance, Trails for Illinois, the Indiana Bicycle Coalition, Friends of the Cal Sag Trail, Friedrich’s Ataxia Research Association, and the Mercy Riders. Folks on Spokes members live across the south suburbs and northeastern Indiana. Group rides start in a variety of locations with most starting in Frankfort.

Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest

Allen Edwards, the Singer – Tickets Now on Sale

Freedom Hall’s Matinee/Senior Theatre will present Allen Edwards, The Singer on Tuesday, April 14 at 11 a.m. Back by popular demand, Allen Edwards, a true artist of our time, sings the songs you love with a voice you will never forget, his vocal style is reminiscent of greats like Jim Reeves, Perry Como, Eddy Arnold, Nat King Cole and Dean Martin. He is a regular in Branson, Missouri and has performed in Atlantic City, The Nashville Nightlife, and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Tickets are $13. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 708-747-0580.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), 377 Artists Walk, Park Forest

‘Festival 2015: The Power of Music’ – Tickets Now on Sale

‘Festival 2015: The Power of Music’ will take place April 10 through 12 at the Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center, 19900 S. Harlem Frankfort, Join us for our first weekend-long festival celebrating the transformative power of music in our lives. The festival opens at 8 p.m. each night with the screening of an engaging new film documenting the use of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony as a constant reminder of our human potential for peace, tolerance and love and concern for our fellow citizens. From Tianamen Square to Chilean prisons, the Ninth has inspired, challenged and repaired people for over 180 years. Day two starts with an afternoon lecture by renowned musicologist Dr. Jason Geary on the power of music to persuade and its uses in mass media and finishes with an evening recital by the incredible Lisa Smirnova, who captivated the IPO audience on Opening Night 2014. The festival concludes on Sunday with a showcase of local talent, demonstrating the power of music to enrich and enhance the lives of young area musicians and the community in which they live. The schedule is:

  • Friday, April 10, 8pm Film Screening: Following the Ninth: In the Footsteps of Beethoven’s Final Symphony ($5 without pass)
  • Saturday, April 11, 4pm Lecture: Music and Mass Media by Dr. Jason Geary, professor of Musicology, University of Michigan (Free or use pass)
    Saturday, April 11, 8pm — Recital by Lisa Smirnova, Piano (Included in pass or seats from $35)
  • Sunday, April 12, 4pm — Rising Stars Showcase sponsored by the Friends of the IPO and featuring the best and the brightest of our Chicago Southland young musicians (held at Prairie State College Auditorium; included in pass or $10 without pass)

Festival Passes are $50 each and will admit you to all events. Individual pricing available. Student passes available for $5 each (ID required).
Tickets can be purchased online at: https://secure.ticketsage.net/websales.aspx?u=ipo&pid=255892. For additional information, call 708-481-7774.

National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

‘The Things They Carried’ – Permanent Exhibit

The National Veterans Art Museum 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.nwam.org

Park Forest Historical Society, 141 Forest Boulevard

Step Back Into the 1950s Easter at the Park Forest House Museum

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum will have up its spring exhibit, "Step Back into a 1950s Easter," through April 18, 2015. 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 Adults $5; children 12 & under free with an adult. Scout and school tours are priced individually. Decorations include Easter die cuts, honeycomb rabbits and baskets, plastic and tin decorations, children’s books and Easter baskets with candy available in the 1950s. 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.

Annual Park Forest Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – Sunday, April 12

The Park Forest Historical Society’s annual Park Forest Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Sunday April 12 at 3 p.m. in Park Forest Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd. The ceremony and reception are free and open to the general public. Inductees this year include Joan Bogar Crabb, Maureen Hubbard Cribbs, Bruce L. Neel, Jon and Judy Dolan Mendelson, Dr. Magne B. Olson, John Perry, and Friends of Thorn Creek Woods. Park Forest Hall of Fame members are listed on the society website at www.parkforesthistory.org, and on plaques which hang in the Village Board Meeting Room at Park Forest Village Hall.

Park Forest House Museum – Moving to New Location

On April 18th the Park Forest House Museum will be closing at its current location, 141 Forest Boulevard. The Museum will re-open in June at 227 Monee Road. The re-opening date will be announced soon.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

The following events are scheduled the week of March 30:

  • Monday, March 20 at 3 p.m. — Gmail Basics — Learn to the basics of using Gmail Email. If you do not have a Gmail account, please sign up for one before attending the class. Registration Required.
  • Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. – PJ Storytime — Wear your PJs out on the town! Bring along a fuzzy friend and your blanket too! Stories, activities, and more. Ages 12 and under.
  • Wednesday, April 1 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.
  • Thursday, April 2 at 11 a.m. – Toddler Art — Ages 3-5. Bring your little artist to create their very own masterpiece! We may get a little messy so wear play clothes.

For additional information or to register for an event call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.

Spring Potpourri of Lectures – Thursday, April 2

The spring Potpourri of Lectures series continues on Thursday, April 2 with “Candeloro’s World: Chicago Heights, Italian Women, and Ethnic Generations” with Dominic Candeloro. The lecture will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Library’s Ringering Room. For additional information, call 708-7480-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org

Roosevelt University, 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Photographer Matthew Freeman Lecture – Thursday, March 26

Carlos Javier Ortiz, an award-winning and critically acclaimed documentary photographer, will discuss the importance of art as activism, including his most recent series, We All We Got, at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 26 in the second-floor Sullivan Room at Roosevelt University. A Chicago native and winner in 2009 of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Photography award, Ortiz spent years collecting photos and essays for We All We Got, which tells the story of families and individuals in contemporary America whose lives have been devastated by youth violence. Committed to addressing social problems by using photography as a call to action for change, Ortiz will deliver the 2015 Matthew Freeman Lecture. An annual event, the lecture highlights transformational social justice initiatives as well as the exemplary work of Roosevelt students who are living the University’s social justice mission. Documenting for more than a decade what life is like in society’s most vulnerable communities in Chicago as well as the United States, Mexico and Guatemala, Ortiz will discuss how his work raises awareness, particularly on the impact of violence on individuals, families and communities. Two Roosevelt students will receive the Matthew Freeman Social Justice Award, which is one of the University’s highest honors for student achievement in social justice. This year’s recipients are Danielle Cooperstock, a Social Justice Studies major, and Richard Wallace, a Sociology major. Sponsored by Roosevelt’s Mansfield Institute for Social Justice and Transformation, the event is free and open to the public. To register, visit www.roosevelt.edu/misjt or contact [email protected] or 312-341-2150.

Roosevelt University Chicago College of Performing Arts, 420 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

VIVID 2015 Showcase – March 30 & April 1

The Roosevelt University Symphony Orchestra will be joined by string musicians from York Community High School during the University’s annual VIVID showcase being presented on March 30 in Elmhurst and on April 1 at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. Led by Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) Conductor Emanuele Andrizzi, approximately 100 college and high school musicians will be performing side-by-side in the finale of the concert, which is Gioachino Rossini’s famous Italian masterpiece and overture to his opera William Tell. VIVID 2015 includes two free concerts being performed at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 30 at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst and at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. The program includes the CCPA Symphony Orchestra performing Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 15 in A Major, Op. 14, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by composer Paul Dukas and Finlandia by Jean Sibelius. The CCPA Orchestra and 30 students from York Community High School will join together in the concert’s final piece, the Overture to William Tell. For more information, call 312-341-2238 or visit www.roosevelt.edu/ccpa.

 ‘The Wild Party’ – Tickets Now on Sale

‘The Wild Party,’ a musical by Andrew Lippa and based on a poem by Joseph Moncure will be performed on Thursday, April 15, Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 18 – Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. at the O’Malley Theatre, 430 South Michigan, 7th Floor, Chicago. A steamy prohibition tale steamrolling and roaring its way across the stage in which lovers Queenie and Burrs decide to throw the party to end all parties in their Manhattan apartment. After the colorful arrival of a slew of guests living life on the edge, Queenie’s wandering eyes land on a striking man named Black. Drama Desk Awards winner for Outstanding Music with 12 additional nominations including Outstanding New Musical. Please call 312-341-3831 for reservations. Government photo I.D. may be required for entrance to building.

Roosevelt University Gage Gallery, 18 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

‘Crime Then and Now’ – Through April 11

Compelling photos related to crime in Chicago since the 1920s will be on display for the first time as Roosevelt University’s Gage Gallery, continues the Above the Fold: 10 Decades of Chicago Photojournalism series. Running through April 11, “Crime Then and Now: Through the Lens of the Chicago Tribune” tells the story of crime photography and how it has changed over the decades through 65 Tribune photos from the early 1920s through the present. Co-curated by Chicago Tribune Picture Editor Michael Zajakowski and Gage Gallery’s Tyra Robertson, the exhibit features vintage photographs as well as contemporary photos taken by photographers assigned to the Tribune’s crime beat. The exhibit features historic shots of such well-known figures as Al Capone, John Dillinger and Clarence Darrow arguing in 1924 against the death penalty for Nathan Leopold and Robert Loeb, who were sentenced to life in prison in one of Chicago’s most notorious murder cases. Contemporary crime photography of gang shootings and communities in distress over escalating violence also are featured prominently in the exhibit. Free and open to the public, the ongoing Gage series is sponsored by Roosevelt’s College of Arts and Sciences and is made possible by the generosity of donor Susan Rubnitz. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 312-341-6458 or visit www.roosevelt.edu/gagegallery.

South Suburban College, 15800 South State Street, South Holland

SSC Annual Spring Gala – Tickets Now on Sale

Each year the South Suburban College Foundation (SSCF) has an annual spring gala from which all proceeds benefit scholarship programs. The SSCF is now seeking support from local residents, friends and partners for Showcase 2015: Lighting the Path to Lifelong Learning, to be held on April 24 at Glenwoodie Golf Club, 19301 S. State Street, Glenwood. All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit college scholarships for returning adult students through the Foundation’s new Jane Ellen Stocker Adult Education Fund. With the cost of higher education on the rise and the level of state funding on the decline, students are finding it more and more difficult to afford a full-time college education. The SSC Foundation’s support is often critical for students to begin or continue their college education. Individuals and local businesses can support this mission while marketing themselves to approximately 300 guests through tax-deductible sponsorships and auction gifts. Tickets are also available for $125 each. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and features an open bar and plated dinner, silent auction, dancing, and the outstanding music of The Connexion. Sponsorship levels are as follows:

  • $2,000 Platinum: Establish Scholarship, Top Sponsor Signage and Announced at event
  • $1,000 Gold: Top Sponsor Signage and Announced at event
  • $500 Silver: Sponsor Signage
  • $300 Bronze: Sponsor Signage

Donations for this cause are fully tax deductible, and are an investment in the economic development of the south suburban region and a better future for thousands of residents who depend on SSC for their education and training. Checks can be made payable to “SSC Foundation” at 15800 S. State Street, South Holland, IL 60473. Registrations and sponsorships via credit card can also be made online from www.ssc.edu/foundation or through PayPal transfers to [email protected]. The Foundation Staff will pick up donations for auction. For more information, please call 708-596-2000, extension 2463 or email [email protected]. The SSC Foundation is a philanthropic, not-for-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors composed of 27 of the south suburban area’s finest business, civic and community leaders. The SSCF has now awarded over $1,600,000 in scholarships since 1989. In 2014, over $100,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to SSC students.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

‘A Sense of Space‘– Through April 18

Tall Grass Arts Association proudly presents ‘A Sense of Space,’ an extraordinary exhibit by Jay Boersma and Mary Bookwalter of large-scale, high-intensity color photographs paired with intimate, multi-media visions of real and imagined travels. The exhibit runs through April 18. Mary Bookwalter and Jay Boersma work in different mediums, but they share a strong sense of color and are masters of traditional concepts of composition and balance. More importantly, the bulk of their work is married to a keen awareness of place. The photos and multi-media pieces included are both visually exciting and calming, inspiring close-up attention and a sense of discovery and wonder about travel, adventure, man’s structures, the places we live, work, preserve, leave, and return to. Adult and Student groups are welcome to tour the exhibit. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. For additional information call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrassarts.org.

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

CUUPS Full Moon Night – Friday, April 3

UUCC will host the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) full moon night on Friday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a social gathering of pagans. Children are welcome. Please bring tarot cards or other divination tools. The event is free and open to the public. Please bring a snack to share. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpr.org.

John Kimsey and the Twisted Roots Trio – Saturday, April 11

Edgar’s Place Coffee House proudly presents John Kimsey and Twisted Roots Trio on Saturday, April 11 at 8 p.m. Edgar’s Place is located in the Unitarian Universalist Community. Singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Kimsey leads the group, which includes singer, flutist, and percussionist Lia McCoo, and percussionist Brad Newton. “Do you like Mose Allison? Dylan, the Beatles, Ry Cooder? Fiddle music, Delta blues, Dixie rockabilly, Steely Dan?—all mixed together with a shot or two of Tom Waits, Frank Zappa, Molly Ivins and Mark Twain? Then you will love Twisted Roots, a wonderful blend of lyricism and political satire and a bona fide work of American art” — David Simpson, author and teacher. “This is music to inspire the soul and charge your commitment to peace and justice” – Anthony Nicotera, DePaul University Center for Spirituality & Values in Practice. Tickets are $15 with proceeds used as a fundraiser for UUCC. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org.

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

Congresswoman Robin Kelly, 600 Holiday Plaza Drive, Suite 505, Matteson

College Savings Night – Thursday, April 2

Congresswoman Robin Kelly will host a College Savings Night on Thursday, April 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Matteson Public Library, 801 School Avenue, Matteson. Participants will learn about College Illinois and Bright Start, two college savings programs offered by the State of Illinois. Parents and children of all ages are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Tony Presta at 708-679-0078, or register online at www.reprobinkelly.eventbrite.com. Early registration is advised, as space is limited.

Youth Job and Resource Expo – Registration Now in Progress

Congresswoman Robin Kelly will host a Youth Job and Resource Expo for young men and women between the ages of 15 and 24 on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy, 250 E. 111th Street, Chicago. Representatives from more than 50 companies and agencies, including Nike, RU Villa, the Chicago Zoological Society, Job Corps and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, will accept applications for active job openings, summer internships and career exploration opportunities. Representatives from the building trades, such as Pipe Fitters Training Center, will be on hand to discuss apprenticeships. Organizations offering a wide variety of youth services and programs will also be in attendance. Last year’s Youth Job Fair drew more than 900 young people. Pre-registration is recommended by visiting www.reprobinkelly.eventbrite.com. Same-day registration begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. For more information, call 708-679-0078 or visit www.robinkelly.house.gov.

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

Freshman Fridays – Next Session – April 3

Freshman Fridays will be held at GSU on April 3 and May 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission to a four-year university for highly qualified students has been streamlined at Governors State University with a new program called Freshman Fridays. Attending the session, providing the appropriate documentation and meeting the qualifications enables graduating seniors to apply to GSU and receive an instant admissions decision on-the-spot. The future GSU students can meet with academic and financial aid advisors, take a tour of the university and see what residence hall life is like. To qualify for direct admissions on Freshman Fridays, graduating seniors must meet the following criteria: have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale, have a minimum composite ACT score of 20 with at least a 20 in the English and math components and provide their official high school transcripts and official ACT scores (scores may be posted on the official transcript). Additionally, GSU will waive the application fee for qualified applicants attending Freshman Fridays. For more information, visit www.govst.edu/freshmanfridays or call 708-534-4490

Spring Career and Internship Fair – Thursday, April 16

The Spring Career and Internship Fair at GSU is a chance for job seekers to meet with potential employers and discover job and internship opportunities. The Spring Career and Internship Fair will be held Thursday, April 16, from 2-5 p.m., in Center for Performing Arts Lobby, Hall of Governors and Engbretson Hall on the university’s main campus. The Office of Career Services at GSU is sponsoring the fair for people interested in jobs and internship opportunities in communications, technology, business and public administration, criminal justice, addiction studies, community health, and related fields. Current students, alumni, and community members are invited to attend. Potential employers are also invited to register as participants. This is an opportunity to match jobs and internships positions with qualified personnel. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 708-235-3974.

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

2015 Spring Job Fair – Tuesday, April 14

PSC invites job seekers to attend the 2015 Spring Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, in the Conference Center of the college in Chicago Heights. The fair is co-sponsored with UPS and The Chicagoland Regional College Program. The job fair is free and open to the public, and will feature employers from various industries looking for employees with a range of education and experience levels. Company representatives will recruit for both full- and part-time positions, as well as internship opportunities. Several companies already are scheduled to participate, including SPEED S.E.J.A. 802 School District, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Comcast, Horseshoe Casino, ABF Freight, Morrison Container Handling Solutions, Bright Start Child Care & Pre-School, Walgreens, ManorCare Health Services, Landauer, Inc., Indian Oaks Academy and Phillips Chevrolet. Employer registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and as space permits. New employers regularly are added. A complete, up-to-date listing of companies and the positions they are hiring for is available at prairiestate.edu/jobfair. Attendees are required to dress in professional business attire and encouraged to bring plenty of résumés. For more information about the job fair, contact Norfleet at 708-709-3755 or email the Student Career Development Center at [email protected].

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

Free Adult Basic Education Classes – Begin April 6

SSC’s Division of Adult Education is offering a wide range of opportunities for adults to build the basic skills required for success. Adult Basic Education (ABE) helps men and women whose skill levels are below the ninth grade. ABE students improve their skills in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Many adults choose to further build on these skills and pursue a high school education through the High School Equivalency (HSE) program. The HSE program will develop the skills required to pass the GED exams. Studies will include Reasoning through Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, and the US and Illinois Constitutions. Additionally, English as a Second Language (ESL) allows non-native students to improve their English skills from beginning to advanced levels. Most of the Adult Education programs are offered both full and part-time at the Main Campus in South Holland or the Oak Forest Center. At the time of registration, all students will take a Placement Test. The registration and testing days are starting up the second week of April. The complete schedule of registrations and classes at the Main Campus are as follows:

  • Part Time ABE/ASE/HSE, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 13 – June 17

Register: Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7 or Wednesday, April 8 in Lecture Hall A at 6:00 pm
Classes Begin: Monday, April 13 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm in Room L233

  • Part Time ABE/ASE/HSE, Monday through Friday, April 13 – June 18

Register: Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7, or Wednesday, April 8 in Room 1243 at 9:00 am
Classes Begin: Monday, April 13 from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon in Room 1243B

  • Online High School Equivalency Preparation I-Pathways, April 13 – June 18

Register: Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7, or Wednesday, April 8 in Lecture Hall A at 9:00 am or 6:00 pm
Classes Begin: Monday, April 13
High School Equivalency (GED) for ESL Students

  • Full Time ABE/ASE/HSE, Monday through Friday, April 13 – June 18

Register: Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7, or Wednesday, April 8 in Room 2452 at 9:00 am
Classes Begin: Monday, April 13 from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm in Room 2452

  • Full Time ESL, Monday through Friday, April 13 – June 18

Register: Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7, or Wednesday, April 8 in Room L233 at 9:00 am
Classes Begin: Monday, April 13 from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm in Room L233

  • Part Time ESL, Monday through Friday, April 13 – June 18

Register: Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7, or Wednesday, April 8 in Room L233 at 9:00 am
Classes Begin: Monday, April 13 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am in Room L233
The complete schedule of registrations and classes at the Oak Forest Center, Shekinah Chapel and Sandridge Community Center are as follows:

  • Oak Forest ESL: Part Time ESL, Monday through Friday, April 13 – June 18

Register: Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7, or Wednesday, April 8 in Room 5320 at 9:00 am
Classes Begin: Monday, April 13 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am in Room 5320
Oak Forest ABE/ASE/GED Program:

  • Full Time ABE/ASE/HSE, April 13 – June 18

Monday through Friday
Register: Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7, or Wednesday, April 8 at 10:00 am in Room 5240
Classes Begin: Monday, April 13 from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Shekinah Chapel ABE/ASE/GED/HSE Program:

  • Part Time ABE/ASE/HSE, Monday thru Thursday April 13 – June 18

Register: Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7 or Wednesday, April 8 at Shekinah Chapel 13800 Wabash, Riverdale, IL 60827
Classes Begin: Monday, April 13 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sandridge Community Center ABE/ASE/GED/HSE Program:

  • Part Time ABE/ASE/HSE, Monday, Tuesday & Thursday April 13 – June 18

Register: Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7 or Wednesday, April 8 at Sandridge Community Center, 600 Oglesby Ave, Calumet City, IL 60409
Classes Begin: Monday, April 13 from 5:45 pm – 8:45 pm
Please Note: An Adult education student enrolling for the first time at an SSC Adult Education Center must have:

  • CURRENT STATE I.D. or DRIVERS LICENSE INDICATING ILLINOIS RESIDENCE (MUST BE AN ILLINOIS RESIDENT)
  • UNDER AGE 18–WITHDRAWAL FORM FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL OF CURRENT RESIDENCE

All courses are offered free of charge. For the purpose of compliance with Section 511 of Public Law 101-166 (the Stevens Amendment) Federal funds of $307,398 provides approximately 36% of the support of these programs. For enrollment and class information, please call 708-596-2000, ext. 2385 or ext. 2240, or visit www.ssc.edu under “Non-Credit Offerings, Adult Education.” The Main Campus is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. The Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 S. Kilbourn, Oak Forest, Illinois.

SSC Program-Specific Open Houses — Begin April 14

SSC will be hosting several upcoming program-specific Open Houses to inform prospective and current students about programs, curriculum and careers. The current Open House schedule at both the Main Campus in South Holland and the Oak Forest Center is as follows:

  • Engineering Programs Open House (CAD, AET, and EET)

Tuesday, April 14, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., MB Financial Bank Business Suite, Main Campus — Contact: [email protected]

  • Echocardiography Program Open House

Wednesday, April 15, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Main Campus Atrium — Contact: [email protected]

  • Court Reporting Program Open Houses

Thursday, April 23, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Room 5190, Oak Forest Center
Thursday, July 16, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Room 5190, Oak Forest Center — Contact: [email protected]

  • Music Department Open House

Tuesday, April 28, 5: 00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Room 1137, Main Campus — Contact: [email protected]

  • Non Credit CNA–Basic Nurse Assistant Training Open Houses

Wednesday, April 29, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Main Campus Atrium
Wednesday, July 15, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Main Campus Cafeteria — Contact: [email protected]

  • Law Day (Paralegal, Criminal Justice, and Court Reporting)

Friday, May 1, Main Campus
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., LIVE First District Appellate Court Case, Performing Arts Center
12 noon – 2:00 p.m., Demonstrations in the Atrium and MB Financial Bank Business Suite — Contact: [email protected]
Open Registration for the Summer 2015 Semester at South Suburban College (SSC) is now in progress. Summer classes begin Monday, June 8th at the college’s Main Campus and Oak Forest Center. The summer session allows students to begin or continue their college experience with SSC, or to come home from their four year institution to take additional credits conveniently and at a more affordable rate. SSC is also offering a special 50% discount for summer classes at the Oak Forest Center. The discount is only applicable at the Oak Forest Center in order to promote expanded offerings at this location, and is good for all credit classes on a first come, first served basis. Contact the Office of Admissions at 708-210-5718 for enrollment information or visit www.ssc.edu.

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.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Scholarship Applications for Park Forest Students – Due March 31

Scholarship applications for Park Forest students are available now. Four students will receive scholarship awards from the Village of Park Forest — three students will receive the Park Forest Scholarship in the amount of $500 and one student will receive the Dr. Kenneth W. Kramer Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. The Park Forest Youth Commission also has two scholarship awards available. To learn more about the Village of Park Forest Scholarship Awards visit www.villageofparkforest.com/scholarship. To learn more about the Park Forest Youth Commission Scholarship Awards visit www.villageofparkforest.com/youthcommission. Applications for both scholarship programs are due March 31.

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

Park Forest Health Department Nurses Plus, 350 Victory Drive

Food Donations for United Way’s April Food Day Initiative – Through Tuesday, March 31

Last year, the Park Forest Health Department Nurses Plus served as one of several drop-off locations for food donations as part of the United Way’s April Food Day initiative. April Food Day is an event to promote awareness of food pantries by bringing the community together to participate in a local food drive. The Park Forest Health Department is again participating in the April Food Day effort. This year, the Department hopes to surpass last year’s 200 pounds of donated food mark and reach 300 pounds. Suggested items to donate include canned fruits and vegetables, dried goods, and personal care items. No glass items or expired items can be accepted. Items can be dropped off at the Park Forest Health Department between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, through March 31. The Park Forest Health Department is located in the lower level of Park Forest’s Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. Watch a video on donating food at the Health Dept!

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

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.

Healthy Living Program – Thursday, April 9

UUCC will present a healthy living program on Thursday, April 9 beginning at 1 p.m. The topic for the program will be ‘Affirmations.’ Words we say to ourselves can improve our emotional state and help us reach our goals. Darlene Obejda, our discussion leader, will discuss this concept with a review the book ‘Words That Heal’ by Douglas Bloch and books by Louis Hay. The event is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org

Green Events

Prairie State College (PSC), 220 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights

2015 Earth Month Celebration – Begins Wednesday, April 1

PSC is celebrating “Earth Month” with a series of events scheduled throughout April. All events are hosted by the Sustainability Center. This is the first year the college has expanded the events through a complete month, after celebrating “Earth Week” in previous years. All events will take place on the college’s main campus in Chicago Heights. Scheduled events are as follows:

  • Wednesday, April 1 – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. documentary viewing and discussion of “Switch: Discover the Future of Energy,” which will be held in the Conference Center Heritage Room. The sustainability club will be selling organic popcorn for $2 with all proceeds benefiting the PSC Butterfly Garden.
  • Tuesday, April 7 — Health and Wellness Fair, “Get Healthy, Go Green!” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, in the Atrium. Green components include electronics recycling with collected cell phones benefiting the South Suburban Family Shelter, a prescription drug take back program, worm composting from the U of I Master Gardner program, and a local fare cooking demonstration by The Cottage on Dixie. Attendees also can participate in an eco-walk around the PSC campus from 11 a.m. to noon on that day. The walk through the main building’s theme, “Hydrate Your Knowledge,” is intended to provide useful tips about water consumption and health.
  • Thursday, April 9 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. presentation in the Atrium, “Get Healthy, Go Green! Clear the Air,” attendees are encouraged to quit smoking “cold turkey,” by turning in their pack of cigarettes in exchange for a turkey sandwich. The event is partially funded through a competitive grant awarded by the Legacy Foundation. Other helpful information also will be available to help smokers quit and prevent others from starting.
  • Tuesday, April 14 — a group of PSC faculty, staff, and students will take a field trip to Homewood Disposal. A family owned business for more than 50 years, Homewood Disposal is a full-range solid waste, transportation, recycling and disposal service company.
  • Wednesday, April 15 — Amateur meteorologist and storm chaser Danny Neal will discuss the ins and outs of Illinois weather, from climatology to extreme events, during “Storms of the Great Plains,” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Heritage Community Bank Room in the Conference Center.
  • Thursday, April 16 — From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. attendees can visit the Sustainability Club-sponsored table in the Atrium, featuring “The Polar Melt Down,” to participate in an interactive activity to learn about the melting ice caps and the effect of climate change on arctic species. While in the Atrium that day, from noon to 2 p.m., attendees also can stop by the table “Get Unplugged,” sponsored by the Black Student Union, to learn about how unplugging devices can save energy and money.
  • Closing the month’s festivities, the faculty sustainability committee is leading the charge to clean up Halsted Street during “Adopt-a-Highway.” PSC adopted the stretch of Route 1 from McDonalds at Vollmer to 183rd Street. Anyone interested in helping should contact PSC Professor Ed Schwarz at [email protected].

Local organizations and businesses supporting the events include SouthSTAR Services, the Cottage on Dixie and South Suburban Family Center. For more information on the events scheduled for Earth Month or PSC’s continued sustainability efforts, visit www.prairiestate.edu/sustainability or contact Allesandra Cairo at (708) 709-3764 or [email protected].

Thorn Creek Audubon Society (TCAS), Park Forest

Bat Program – Wednesday, April 1

Come to the Thorn Creek Audubon Society’s special presentation for an up-close look at one of the world’s most misunderstood animals – the bat. The Organization for Bat Conservation will bring several species of bats. Included will be an insect-eating bat of North America, a South American leaf-nosed bat and flying fox bats from Africa. The program will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1 at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest. Refreshments will be served. A $5 donation per family is suggested to help defray the cost of this special program.

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

Wednesday Morning Walkers

Come walk the trails with Wednesday Morning Walkers every Wednesday at 9 a.m. Follow the forest’s seasonal changes, enjoy light exercise and experience nature firsthand on two miles of Thorn Creek’s winding trails. Trails can be wet or icy or muddy, so please wear sturdy shoes. This weekly program is free and open to those 13 years of age and older. Registration is required two days before your first walk. 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.

This & That

Park Forest Nonpartisan Committee

Non-Partisan Committee’s Candidate Forums – Links to Previously Held Forums

The Non-Partisan Local Government Committee, begun 60 years ago, is here to help you learn more about the candidates so that you are well-prepared to make important decisions on who to give your vote to on April 7. Three Village Trustee positions as well as the Village Mayor and candidates for three Library Board Trustees will be on the April 7, 2015 ballot. If you were unable to attend the previous Forums, you can view the January 25th event at https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=fNYJBwnqVsk, the February 8th forum at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gzEDJ7Llczc&feature=youtube and the March 22nd forum at https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=V_O0mi_LdwA. Remember to cast your ballot in this important election.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Early Voting for April 7 Consolidated General Election – Through Saturday, April 4

Early voting for the April 7, 2015 consolidate general election is currently in progress.  Cook County residents may cast an early ballot at Park Forest Village Hall thru Saturday, April 4, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Cook County residents can vote early at any of the County’s 20 early voting sites. For the complete list, visit the county’s website at www.cookcountyclerk.com. Residents of Will County/Crete Township, can cast a ballot at the Crete Township Office, 1367 Wood Street in Crete, from March 23 thru April 2, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents of Will County, Monee Township, can cast a ballot at the Monee Village Hall, 5130 W. Court St. in Monee, from March 23 through April 2, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Any Will County resident can go to the Will County Clerk’s office 302 N, Chicago Street, Joliet on:

  • Monday-Thursday March 30- April 3, 8:30 – 4:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 4, 4, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Monday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 pm

Check the Will County Clerk’s office at www.willcountyclerk.com for details. For more information, please call Sandi Black at 708-283-5605.

Park Forest Vehicle Stickers for 2015 – 2016 Year – New Stickers to be Displayed by May 1

Park Forest vehicle stickers for the 2015-2016 year are now on sale at Park Forest Village Hall. Vehicle stickers must be displayed prior to May 1 on all vehicles registered with the State of Illinois with a Park Forest address, even if that vehicle is not located in Park Forest. View full details on vehicle sticker sales by clicking on this link: Click for complete vehicle sticker information!

18th Annual Diversity Dinners – Registration Now in Progress

On Thursday, April 23, 2015, the 18th Annual Diversity Dinners will be held across the south suburbs. On this evening, residents will open their homes to celebrate our rich diversity in small gatherings by sharing a meal and lively discussion, which can lead to greater understanding and some new friendships. The Diversity Dinners bring people of different races, religions, ethnicities, lifestyles and age together to enjoy a delicious dinner, discuss their common goals, understand differences, address misconceptions and offer solutions to strengthen our communities. This experience can open doors to enhanced appreciation for the unique mosaic of people, who live in the south suburbs. The event, funded by contributions from individuals, businesses and local organizations, is coordinated by the villages of Flossmoor, Park Forest, Homewood, Richton Park and Olympia Fields; Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233, Rich Township High School District 227, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, League of Women Voters Homewood-Flossmoor Area, League of Women Voters Park Forest Area, Center for Multicultural Communities and the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI). The dinners are free for both the dinner hosts and guests. Although there is no charge for the dinner, each guest and host must register to participate. All guests must be at least 14 years old and the guests should be willing to go to the home assigned. Please plan to join other area residents on April 23th at the Diversity Dinners for a meaningful evening, as we celebrate one of the priceless assets of our community. For additional information, please visit the website at www.diversitydinners.com or contact Hildy Kingma, Village of Park Forest at 708-283-5622 or e-mail: [email protected].

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

Sacred Communication Workshops with Reverend Henrietta Byrd – April 4 & 18, May 9 & 23

UUCC will hold Sacred Communication Workshops with Reverend Henrietta Byrd on April 4 and 18 and May 9 and 23. All Workshops will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at UUCC. These transformative Workshops will help you in identifying and dissolving mental and emotional blockages; learning to use your authentic voice; defining authentic friendships; and more. The events are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Reverend Byrd at 312-593-4732.


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