In and Around Park Forest for the Week of April 9, 2017

Easter Greetings! Photo Source: history.com

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—The Park Forest Environment Commission will be hosting several events to celebrate Earth Week beginning Saturday, April 15. You’ll find the complete list of events in the ‘Green Events’ section.

The Park Forest Youth Commission will host a teen job fair on Saturday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Park Forest’s Village Hall. The event is intended for Park Forest youth ages 16 to 25. Those 15 years of age must have a work permit. Recruiters will be in attendance from Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Family Video, Park Forest’s Recreation and Parks Department, the Park Forest Police Department’s Police Athletic and Activities Center, and many more local organizations. Attendees should dress professionally and bring plenty of resumes.

Park Forest teens graduating from high school in 2017 are reminded that scholarship dollars are available through the Park Forest Youth Commission and the Village of Park Forest. The application deadline for both scholarship programs is April 14.

Wishing all our eNews readers a Happy Easter this Sunday, April 16!

If your club, organization or local business will be holding activities or events in the community that you would like published, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with the details no later than 5 p.m. on Friday.  Thank you.

Village of Park Forest

Village Commissions & Advisory Boards

The following Park Forest Commissions are scheduled to meet the week of April 0:

• Tuesday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. – Commission on Human Relations
• Tuesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. – Youth Commission
• Wednesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. – Economic Development Advisory Group

The meetings will be held at Park Forest Village Hall and residents are encouraged to attend.

Arts & Entertainment

Center for Multicultural Communities, Chicago Heights

‘How Love Survived Hate’ — Thursday April 20

The Center for Multicultural Communities will present ‘How Love Survived Hate’ on Thursday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.  The event will take place in Room 1318 at Prairie State College, 202 Halsted Street in Chicago Heights. Julia Erdely will tell her amazing story of surviving from the Holocaust to today.  The event is free and open to the public. For more information call or email – 708-709-3797 – [email protected]

Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park

A Jazz Birthday Celebrated in Style with Chicago Jazz Philharmonic – Tickets Now on Sale

This year is the 100th birthday of Jazz icons Ella Fitzgerald and Thelonious Monk, and Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (CJP) is celebrating in style! The CJP Chamber Ensemble debuts new arrangements in a one-night only centennial concert, featuring Chicago songstress Tammy McCann and pianist Leandro Lopez Varady at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts on April 29 at 8 p.m. This is the first time vocalist Tammy McCann has performed with Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Tammy brings her unique blend of classical vocal technique and gospel aesthetic to create a powerful, sultry, and emotionally charged jazz sound that is completely her own. She has been celebrated for delivering the “Best Jazz Vocal Performance” for several years by the Chicago Tribune, whose Arts Critic Howard Reich applauds her as “a voice that soars in all registers, at all tempos, on all occasions…a voice that inspires wonder!” Southland residents will also meet Argentinean born Leandro Lopez Varady, who has been active in the Chicago music scene, regularly performing in the Green Mill, Harris Theater at Millennium Park, Auditorium Theater at Roosevelt University, the Chicago Jazz Festival, Taste of Chicago, South Shore Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and many more. This event is the closing night of the Chicago Southland’s “Let Them Eat Jazz” festival. The festival showcases 100 years (1917 – 2017) of flavor in music and food, and the jazz masters who had the recipe for success! The festival is presented by the Southland Arts, Municipalities, and Business Alliance (S.A.M.B.A.), a regional collaboration of arts and businesses, and has been designed to showcase the power of the arts to drive people to the Southland region. For a complete schedule of events here.  The festival is supported by BMO Harris Bank, Standard Bank & Trust, and Providence Bank.

Tickets and Other Information

Tickets: $38/$28/$23 for Seniors, and $10 for Students

Online: www.CenterTickets.net

By Phone: 708-235-2222

In Person at the Box Office: 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL 60484-0975

Box Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open to 6 p.m. on Thursdays) and 2 hours prior to all performances

Parking is free. For best GPS directions always use the location search term “Governors State University” only.

Crete Public Library District, 1177 North Main Street

The following events are scheduled at the Crete Public Library District the week of April 9:

• Monday, April 10 at 7 p.m. —  Knot Just for Knitters — A group of adult needle workers who get together to share camaraderie while knitting, crocheting, or working on any other type of needlework project. Newcomers welcome.
• Wednesday, April 12 at 11 a.m. — Toddler Time with Art — A wonderful time of music, stories, and rhymes to be enjoyed by you and your child. Miss Judy will also do an age-appropriate art project with you and your toddler, ages 2 and 3. Registration required.
• Wednesday, April 12 at 2 p.m. — Preschool Story Time — A day of fun and learning. Number recognition, alphabet, books, music and craft projects that are all geared in learning early literacy skills. For ages 4 and 5. Registration required.
• Thursday, April 13 at 4:30 p.m. – Knitting 101 — Knitting class for ages 7 and up.
• Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m. — Knot Another Ball of Yarn! Crochet Group — Crochet class for teens. Beginners, please bring an H-size (5mm) crochet hook and a Medium 4 weight yarn in white or any pastel color.
• Saturday, April 15 between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Say Yes to the Prom Dress — Select a free used prom dress in exchange for donation of a canned goods item.
• Saturday, April 15 at 1:45 p.m. — Super SCRATCH Saturdays — Learn how to create animations, video games, stories and art through a fun and simple programming language using the software Scratch.

For additional information or to register for an event, call 708-672-8017 or visit www.cretelibrary.org.

‘Say Yes to the Prom Dress’ – Saturday, April 15

For the first time, the Crete Public Library District will host its own version of the TLC show “Say Yes to the Prom.” On Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., teens can select a prom dress in exchange for a canned goods item. Donations collected by the library will be given to the Crete Food Pantry.  Thanks to the generosity of the local community in bringing used prom dresses to the library, there are over 100 available, in a wide range of sizes and styles. Teens will be able to try dresses on before choosing. No pre-registration is necessary.  Teen Librarian Cassandra Ozouf chose to organize the “Say Yes to the Prom Dress” event as a way to help area families offset the high cost of prom.  For more information, please call the Crete Public Library at 708-672-8017 or visit: www.cretelibrary.org

Bucky Halker – ‘Ain’t Got a Dollar: Illinois Workers and Protest Songs, 1865-1965’ – Wednesday, April 19

Think you’ve got it bad at work? Get some perspective while taking a musical journey back in time through 100 years of songs by Illinois workers. Bucky Halker, historian and folksinger, will present a free performance to the public on Wednesday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Crete Public Library. In the century that followed the Civil War, Illinois businesses made great gains, and the state emerged as a central player in the nation’s economy. These gains were not experienced equally across the population, however. Workers in many sectors felt that their wages, hours, and working conditions were unfair and they repeatedly protested to improve their situation. Political action, unionization, public education, strikes, and rallies were their tools, but nowhere was their voice more clear and artistic than in song and poetry. Illinois became the center of American working-class protest music, as coal miners, laborers, printers, iron workers, clothing workers, and their allies penned songs and poems for the cause. Long before Bruce Springsteen took on the working-class struggle, Illinois workers championed their movement in song. The eight-hour day, higher wages, safer working conditions, and union contracts, as well as the horrors of mine accidents, the injustice of company stores, child labor, and police brutality all became subjects for worker bards. Not surprisingly, “Solidarity Forever” was written in Illinois and emerged as the anthem of American labor. Bucky is the always-busy director of Company of Folk, an organization that promotes folk and ethnic arts in the Upper Midwest through research and public programs, including the Folksongs of Illinois CD series, fieldwork on ethnic and folk artists in Illinois, and music festivals. Since 2011, Company of Folk has received awards from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Puffin Foundation, Shure Incorporated, and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. Learn more at www.buckyhalker.com. To register for this free program, please call the Crete Public Library at 708-672-8017.

DePaul University Theatre School, 2350 North Racine Avenue, Chicago

‘Wig Out!’ – Previews Begin Wednesday, April 12

The Theatre School at DePaul University will present Tarell Alvin McCraney’s “Wig Out!” with director Nathan Singh on the Fullerton Stage, 2350 N. Racine Ave. The production opens April 14 and runs through April 23. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Previews are April 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. “Wig Out!” welcomes audience members to the underground drag scene, a place where many gay men create families for themselves. The legendary House of Lights is one such family. As they prepare for a competitive ball with a rival house, each member confronts their identity within the family. “Wig Out!” is an electrifying tale of community, queer sub-culture and sexuality by The Theatre School alumnus McCraney. This play is recommended for mature audiences. For patrons who are blind or have low vision, the 2 p.m. performance April 23 will include audio description services, as well as a pre-performance touch tour. Call the box office at 312-922-1999 for more information. The performance on April 23 will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Call TTY: 773-325-7975. April 19 is USO of Illinois Night. U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families may attend the performance for free. Visit www.tixfortroops.org to reserve tickets, or call the box office for more information. Additional special events include an opening night reception following the performance on April 14, and post-show discussions on April 15 and 20. Tickets are $15, preview tickets are $10, and student tickets are $5. All tickets are reserved seating. Subscriptions and group rates for six or more people are available. Tickets are available by calling the box office or visiting http://theatre.depaul.edu. 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 Ave.

Diversity Dinners of the South Suburbs

20th Anniversary Diversity Dinner – Saturday, April 22

On Saturday, April 22, the Diversity Dinners of the South Suburbs will celebrate its 20th Anniversary.  This year’s dinner will be held at Rich South High School, 5000 Sauk Trail in Richton Park, and will include a unique theatrical production, “Incognito” performed by author and activist, Michael Fosberg. For two decades, Diversity Dinners has brought together people of different races, religions, ethnicities, lifestyles and ages to enjoy a delicious meal, discuss their common goals, understand differences, address misconceptions and offer solutions to strengthen our communities.  This experience highlights one of the priceless assets of the South Suburbs:  its diversity.  For one evening, we slow the pace and take the time to reflect and celebrate the unique opportunity of living in the south suburbs. The event is funded by contributions of 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). Please plan to join other area residents on April 22nd at the Diversity Dinners for a stimulating evening, as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary. Tickets are reasonably priced at $15.00 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit our website at www.diversitydinners.com.  If you have questions, please contact Diane Hodges at 708-720-5954 or via email: [email protected].

National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM), 4041 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

Vonnegut’s Odyssey’ – Through May 6

The NVAM’s exhibit, ‘Vonnegut’s Odyssey,’ explores connections between the timeless and universal story of veterans’ return from combat through the artwork of World War II veteran and famed author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Vonnegut’s selected artwork will be on view at NVAM through May 6, 2017. Exhibit curator and Iraq veteran Ash Kyrie notes, “The experience of returning home and processing the effects of war is something that is shared by all veterans, from the time of Homer’s The Odyssey, through Vonnegut’s experiences in Dresden, and continuing on today. Exhibiting the artwork of Vonnegut as an illustration of the post-war experience and as a creative processing tool for the artist highlights the process of the return and the complexity of the veteran experience.” Vonnegut enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and was deployed to fight overseas in Europe during WWII. He was later captured at the Battle of the Bulge and served as a Prisoner of War until 1945 when he returned to the U.S. and was awarded the Purple Heart. These experiences largely shaped his creative endeavors including his well-known published literature and his body of artwork. From WWII through Vietnam and beyond, Vonnegut was an active voice in American culture and society—openly discussing war and its effects publicly. After establishing himself as an important American author during the late 1960’s with the publication of Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), Vonnegut later became recognized for his drawings that often accompanied his writings. These drawings vary in subject matter from his Purple Heart to his illustrious Asterisk. Building on these drawings, Vonnegut worked with printer Joe Petro III to create a prolific catalog of artwork. Presented together, these artworks reflect the connections between Vonnegut’s return home from World War II and Homer’s epic of Odysseus’s return home after the Trojan War. For additional information about the National Veterans Art Museum or the exhibit, visit www.nvam.org, or call 312-326-0270.

Park Forest Garden Club

Annual Spring Tea – Tuesday, April 11

The Park Forest Garden Club will hold its annual Spring Tea on Tuesday, April 11 at St. Mary’s Church, 227 Monee Road in Park Forest.  A University of Illinois Master Gardener will discuss “Herb Gardening.”  Admission is $5.  Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given away.

Park Forest Historical Society

Park Forest House Museum Lets You ‘Step Back into the 1950s’

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum, at 227 Monee Road (inside St. Mary’s Catholic Church), Park Forest, Illinois, invites you to “Step Back into a 1950s.” The Museum is open Wednesday and Saturday, 1 to 3:30 p.m.; other times by appointment. One room represents a classroom in Forest Boulevard School, which was set up in a row of townhomes. Admission is Adults $5; children 12 and under free.  Park in the small lot by the flagpole and knock on the classroom door next to the museum sign. A guide will tell village history, and social and fashion trends of the era. Special tours can be arranged by calling Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252, or Michael Gans, 708-305-3308.  Information on the society and museum, and email contact is at www.parkforesthistory.org.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

The following events are scheduled at the Park Forest Library the week of April 9:

• Monday, April 10 at 11 a.m. – Sunrise Story Time — Jump start your morning with a series of stories that are sure to get you moving. For ages 12 and under.
• Monday, April 10 at 3 p.m. — kids’ zone Science Club — A BIG BAG OF TRICKS! We’re exploring the Science behind Magic and Illusions. Students will use powers of observation and investigation to explain phenomenon, illusions, and tricks that seem impossible but are grounded in Science and can be understood with critical thinking. For Grades 3rd through 5th. Registration Required.
• Monday, April 10 at 4 p.m. – Teen DIYs — Create, learn, and engage in new activities with teens!
• Monday, April 10 at 7 p.m. – Mindfulness Monday — Come join us as we begin each Mindfulness Monday with a relaxing breathing technique followed by a short guided meditation. Then center yourself through the practice of mindfulness (being present in the moment) by participating in one of our creative art-form projects.
• Tuesday, April 11 at 3 p.m. – National Library Week Project — We’re Celebrating National Library Week! Create something special to show your appreciation for your local library.
• Tuesday, April 11 at 3:30 p.m. – Art Studio — It’s time to BE CREATIVE! Each week we will explore different concepts of art. Materials will be provided. While supplies last. For ages 12 and under.
• Tuesday, April 11 at 4 p.m. — Color-Rama! Coloring Circle — Relax a bit and take a load off before starting your homework. Learn different media of art and share your creativity with other teens!
• Wednesday, April 12 at 11 a.m. – Lap Sit Story Time — Its Lap Sit Story Time! Babies and their parents or caregivers are invited to read, sing and grow in this weekly story time. This program is geared toward babies 0 – 36 months with an accompanying adult. This is the perfect time for families to bond with their child/children.
• Wednesday, April 12 at 3:30 p.m. – Color Me Happy Circle (for kids) — Travel to a world of relaxation for kids. Lose yourself in patterns, curved flowers or even runaway stems. Color yourself Happy in our kids’ coloring circle. For ages 12 and under.
• Wednesday, April 12 at 4 p.m. – Color Me Happy Circle — Our coloring circle is the perfect way to step back from the stress of everyday life and enjoy some relaxation! All supplies will be provided.
• Wednesday, April 12 at 4 p.m. – Teen DIY Easter Craft — Celebrate Easter with a creative twist on a classic tradition!
• Wednesday, April 12 at 6 p.m. – Movie Night for Adults – ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’
• Wednesday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. – Writers’ Workshop — Want to improve your skills as a writer? Interested in sharing your ideas or written work with others? Come to the Park Forest Library and join other creators in our bi-monthly writers’ group, led by James Pressler, for all your writing wishes. Writers of all skill levels are welcomed.
• Thursday, April 13 at 10 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. For ages 3-5.
• Thursday, April 13 at 3:30 p.m. – Drawing Theory — Do you enjoy Drawing and Sketching? Learn how to draw your favorite animations and more. For ages 12 and under.
• Thursday, April 13 at 6 p.m. — A Seed Library Workshop with Anna Stange — Learn how to start, maintain, and grow a seed library.
• Friday, April 14 at 12:30 p.m. – Easter Make & Take — Join us for a HOPPING good time with projects for Easter. Decorate plastic eggs and more! All Materials Provided. While Supplies Last. For ages 12 and under.
• Friday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m. – Teen Game Day — Show off your competitive side with your friends! From board games to video games, there will be plenty of fun! Are you up for the challenge?
• Saturday, April 15 at 10 a.m. – Arbor Day Celebration – Free Trees! The Garden Club of Park Forest will be giving away FREE trees. Stop in the Library today from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm or while supplies last. Take a detour by kids’ zone for a special Arbor Day Craft! Plant a tree and celebrate Arbor Day. All Ages welcome.
• Saturday, April 15 at 1 p.m. – Practical Application Circle — Join us as we discuss Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning.

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

Library Closure – Sunday, April 16

The Park Forest Public Library will be closed on Sunday, April 16 in observance of the Easter Holiday.

Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Performs ‘Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet’ – Thursday April 27

PSC is welcoming the Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) to the college to perform “Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet,” at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 27, in the Barnes & Noble College Auditorium, located on the PSC main campus in Chicago Heights. The 75-minute abridged version of William Shakespeare’s original play is directed by Marti Lyons. The show will be followed by a question and answer session with the cast. The production is supported by the PSC Foundation and the Division of Academic Affairs. Tickets are $5 for PSC students and employees or $10 general admission, and will be sold before the event and at the door the morning of the performance. CST produces award-winning plays on their home stage on Navy Pier, as well as throughout Chicago’s schools and neighborhoods and on stages around the world. The company has been honored with numerous national and international awards, including the Regional Theater Tony Award, three Laurence Olivier Awards, and seventy-seven Joseph Jefferson Awards. CST was the 2012 recipient of the Folger Shakespeare Library’s national Shakespeare Steward Award for innovative teaching of Shakespeare in American classrooms.

Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest

Thursday Game Days

Come join us at the Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, in DownTown Park Forest every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. to play games with old friends and new friends.  We have a few games on hand, Trivial Pursuit, Racko, Pente, Chess, Pictionary, High Hand and Rummikub.  If none of these suit your taste, feel free to bring in your favorites.  Come join in the fun.  This is a new program, so please help to spread the word.

Adult Coloring

On the 2nd and 4th Tuesday morning of each month at 10 a.m., come to the Senior Center to participate in the new Adult Coloring Group.  The Center has supplies and several types of mediums to color with.  For additional information, call 708-748-5454.

Roosevelt University’s Gage Gallery, 18 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

‘Rooftop: Second Nature’ Photo Exhibit – Through May 6

The public will get a rare look at green roofs in Chicago and beyond when photographer Brad Temkin’s Rooftop: Second Nature runs through May 6 at Roosevelt University’s Gage Gallery in Chicago.

Approximately 20 large-scale images of green rooftops in Chicago and other major cities around the world are the focus of the exhibit by Temkin, a Chicago-based artist whose photos taken between 2009 and 2016 tell a story of architecture and sustainability in the making. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Roosevelt’s Sustainability Studies Program, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of Physical Resources, the exhibit provides a look at green roofs atop Chicago’s City Hall, Roosevelt’s Wabash Building, the new Lurie Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Chicago Cultural Center, to name just a few Chicago locations. Green rooftops at Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, Mich., Millennium Hall at Drexel University in Philadelphia and atop buildings in Switzerland, Germany, Ireland and Moscow are among other sites visited and photographed by Temkin, and are included in his new book Rooftop, which was published in 2015. Rooftop: Second Nature will run through May 6 at the Gage Gallery. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 312-341-6458 or visit www.roosevelt.edu/gagegallery

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

‘Flight of Obscurity X’ Exhibit – Through April 15

Tall Grass Arts Association will host a very different kind of exhibit in its Gallery through April 15. ‘Flight of Obscurity X’ is an imposing solo show of sculptures and various installation elements created by Ohio artist Nathaniel Foley and presented in a significantly transformed space. Nathaniel’s sculpture focuses primarily on aviation process, materials and language. He creates forms with his own hands, and has mastered construction techniques and processes such as riveting and sheet metal fabrication that have been used throughout aviation history. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrass.org.

The Drama Group, 330 West 202nd Street, Chicago Heights

The ‘Secret Garden’ – Tickets Now on Sale

The Drama Group is proud to present the enchanting, Tony Award-Winning musical, ‘The Secret Garden,’ based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and directed by Marylee Hoganson.  Performances will be held at Bloom Auditorium Theatre, 10th & Dixie Highway in Chicago Heights, on April 28 & 29 at 7:30 pm and matinee on April 30 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $21 for adults; $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 or online here.  For directions and other information regarding Drama Group activities, visit: www.dramagroup.org.

Trans Liberation Collective, Chicago

Unicorn Ball — Saturday, April 29

The Trans Liberation Collective hosts its Official Coming Out Party, Unicorn Ball, Saturday, April 29, at the Shapiro Ballroom, 1612 W. Chicago Ave., from 6 p.m. to Midnight. The event is free and open to the public but donations appreciated. The Unicorn Ball will feature a night of performance, storytelling, dancing, silent auctions and the best and brightest of the Chicago Trans community. The Trans Liberation Collective will be fundraising to help open this center with their sibling organizations, Brave Space Alliance and the Chicago BTGNC Collective, “and we hope that, with your help, we can create a space for our communities to be safe, loved, and thrive in their truths.  For details, see Bravespacealliance.org, or  https://m.facebook.com/TransLiberationCollective/. And the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/144762859382959/?ti=icl .

Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights

Derby Day Fundraising Event – Saturday, May 6

Union Street Gallery will be bringing some Kentucky Charm to the south suburbs at its annual Derby Day event on Saturday, May 6. The event will be held at the Olympia Fields Country Club, 2800 Country Club Drive. Enjoy the pageantry and good company associated with the Derby. We have hats, food, drinks, good company, and of course the race. Olympia Fields Country Club is a beautiful place to spend the day with Union Street Gallery. This is one of our two main fundraisers for the year. Purchase your ticket today to support our continued efforts to bring a variety of high quality art exhibitions and art programming to the south suburbs. Tickets are $65 per person and include a bird’s eye view of the race and deli buffet.  There will also be a cash bar. A variety of artists associated with Union Street Gallery donate some fabulous hats for us to sell at the Derby Day fundraiser. Pick out your favorite one of a kind Derby hat to wear during the event. Hats start around $40.  Guests are invited to bet on the winning horse. Stay tuned for more information on the raffle prizes that will be available during the event. If you are interested in donating a raffle prize, contact us at [email protected]. Country club attire is required at the event. You can learn more, including information on sponsorship of the event, and purchase your tickets online, or by stopping in the Gallery.

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

Folk Musician Tom Neilson – Sunday, April 16

Tom Neilson will perform at UUCC on Easter Sunday, April 16 by leading the Sunday service at 10 a.m. with sharing his observations and experiences working for social justice.  This service is followed by a potluck lunch at 11:30 a.m. and a concert at 1 p.m.  Suggested donation is $15.  Tom provides a voice for those who believe in the power of folk music to effect change.  His award-winning songs of humor and compassion have been performed in 21 countries on 5 continents.  His lyrics are celebrated for their sophistication, political astuteness and wit.  Tom plays at union halls, colleges, conferences, cafes, house concerts, and has performed for benefits and causes.  His music has been used in documentaries, TV shows, stage and street theater as he tells the stories of people’s struggles against greed and violence, interjecting a good deal of levity along the way.  If you ask him, he’ll tell you he’s just a farm boy with a guitar who loves a good ball game and human rights. For additional information, call 708- 481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org.

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

Center for Multicultural Communities, Chicago Heights

‘How Love Survived Hate’ – Thursday, April 20

The Center for Multicultural Communities will present ‘How Love Survived Hate’ on Thursday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.  The event will take place in Room 1318 at Prairie State College, 202 Halsted Street in Chicago Heights. Julia Erdely will tell her amazing story of surviving from the Holocaust to today.  The event is free and open to the public. For more information call or email – 708-709-3797 – [email protected]

Center on Halsted, 3656 North Halsted Street, Chicago

5th Annual National LGBTQ Health Conference: Bridging Research and Practice – Registration Now in Progress

The Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing at Northwestern University and The Sexual Orientation and Gender Institute at Center on Halsted are pleased to host the 5th annual National LGBTQ Health Conference: Bridging Research and Practice. This is the nation’s only research conference that brings together scientists, public health professionals, and healthcare providers to improve the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and queer populations. With national sponsors including the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the Centers for Disease Control, the conference will focus on creating a dialogue between researchers and practitioners by integrating research findings and clinical application into each panel or symposium. The conference also fosters professional development and networking opportunities.  This year’s conference themes are HIV/AIDS; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Adolescent Health; Violence and Trauma; Suicide and Mental Health; and Intersections of Race/Ethnicity and LGBTQ Health. The conference features two keynote speakers: Dr. Laura Kann, Senior Scientist and Chief of the School-Based Surveillance Branch in the Division of Adolescent and School Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Dr. Ilan Meyer, Williams Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy at the Williams Institute. Expert panels and breakout sessions will showcase emerging research and practice in LGBTQ health.  The conference will be held on April 28th – 29th at Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile and will conclude with a Professional Development Institute at Center on Halsted on April 30th. Conference registration information can be found at www.community.centeronhalsted.org/sogi.

The Institute of Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH) was founded in 2015 and is the first university-wide institute in the country focused exclusively on research to improve the health of the sexual and gender minority (SGM) community. ISGMH grew from director Dr. Brian Mustanski’s IMPACT LGBT Health and Development Program, which has been conducting state-of-the art translational research with LGBT youth populations since 2008. Learn more at http://isgmh.northwestern.edu.

Center on Halsted is the Midwest’s most comprehensive community center dedicated to building and strengthening the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community of Chicagoland. More than 1,000 community members visit Center on Halsted every day, located in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview Neighborhood. For more information, visit: www.centeronhalsted.org.

DePaul University, 1 East Jackson Boulevard, Chicago

International Catholic Scholars to Address the Reformation, Marriage, Democracy – Through April 30

A diverse group of Catholic scholars from around the world are slated to speak at DePaul University’s Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology in the coming months about issues ranging from democracy to peace and marriage. Events include a panel on Pope Francis’s Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), a discussion of the legacy of the Berrigan brothers, and an international conference reflecting on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and its lingering impact on Asia, Latin America and Africa. Events are free and open to the public.

World Catholicism Week 2017
Gathered in My Name: Ecumenism and the World Church
April 28-30, Lincoln Park Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave., Room 314B
In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, sparking the Reformation. Now, 500 years later, Stan Chu Ilo, an assistant professor of Catholic Studies at DePaul, will join speakers from India, Nigeria, Brazil, Chile and Sri Lanka to address the Reformation’s lingering repercussions in the global South and efforts there to bridge ecclesial divides. Keynote speakers will be Paul D. Murray, a member of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission and editor of Receptive Ecumenism and the Call to Catholic Learning; Sister Teresa Okure, SHJC, the sole representative of Catholic Africa on the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission; and the Rev. Felix Wilfred, president of Concilium: International Journal of Theology and chief editor of the International Journal of Asian Christianity.

The Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology seeks to be at the forefront of the discussion about the relationship between globalization and the Catholic Church’s future as a truly worldwide Church. For more information visit: http://las.depaul.edu/cwcit.

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

Student Leaders Forum on Higher Education – Wednesday, April 12

The GSU Student Senate will host a roundtable discussion about the state of higher education in Illinois Wednesday, April 12, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Sherman Hall. The event is open to the public. State Senator Pat McGuire (D) will serve as the keynote speaker and former GSU Student Senate President Mychael Vanarsdale will moderate the discussion. Participants in the discussion include Illinois State Rep. Will Davis (D), Rep. Will Guzzardi (D), Rep. Al Riley (D), Sen. Pat McGuire (D), Sen. Laura Murphy (D), student leaders from eight Illinois universities, and representatives from Young Invincibles. This forum’s goal is to explore the “how and why” of the budget impasse, and the resulting lack of funding, with students who are striving to effect change. Governors State Student Senate President Justin Smith said, “We hope the forum serves as a resounding call for Springfield to take the futures of Illinois students off the negotiating table.” The Young Invincibles is an organization committed to empowering young adults with an emphasis on higher education reform. Institutions represented by their student government include Chicago State University, DePaul University, Governors State University, Greenville College, Northwestern Illinois University, Prairie State College, Roosevelt University, and University of Illinois.

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.

Prairie State College, 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights

Spring 2017 Registration – Now in Progress

Registration for summer courses at Prairie State College is currently underway. Course offerings include credit and non-credit options and courses for students from four-year colleges or universities that are home for the summer. Credit courses include two eight-week summer sessions. The first session begins May 30 and ends July 20. The second session begins June 12 and ends Aug. 3. Classes are offered days, evenings and online. To register for credit courses, new students must complete an enrollment application in person at the main campus in Chicago Heights, or online at www.prairiestate.edu by selecting Apply, Register, Pay. Current students can register for credit courses in person or online on WebAdvisor. Credit courses provide students home from college for the summer the opportunity to fulfill general education requirements at a fraction of the cost, and transfer the credits back to their home college. Classes available include English, speech, biology, chemistry, history and math. For more information, visit prairiestate.edu/summeronly. PSC also offers non-credit courses that begin throughout the summer with a variety of course options for everyone, including kids, adults and seniors. Students can register for non-credit courses online or in person. To register online via Instant Enrollment, go to prairiestate.edu, select Apply, Register, Pay, and then choose How to Enroll. Another option is to complete the registration form available online or in the back of the printed course schedule. Students also can register for non-credit courses in person at the Matteson Area Center (MAC), located at 4821 Southwick Drive in Matteson, or in the Enrollment Services Office on the PSC main campus. The MAC is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The summer course schedule is available online at prairiestate.edu. For more information, call the college at 708-709-3500 or visit www.prairiestate.edu.

Nominations for Community Service Awards – Through Friday, May 12

Thousands of people in the PSC district give generously of their time and talent to make the community a better place.  To honor these individuals, PSC is accepting nominations for two community service awards, one to honor a community member and another to honor a PSC graduate. The first is the Dr. James H. Griffith Community Service Award, given to a 2017 PSC graduate. Nominees should be a person or group who has contributed in an extraordinary way to the community. The award is named after former Trustee Dr. James H. Griffith, who served for 25 years on the PSC Board of Trustees. The second award is the Michael R. Monteleone Community Service Award, given to a community member of the PSC district. Nominees must be a person or group who has contributed in an extraordinary way to education through community service, as either a volunteer or a community leader. A nominee’s service efforts should be within the PSC district, although additional activities in other areas would be recognized. Also, the nominee should not be employed in the community service or public service field. The award is named after former Trustee and Board Chair Michael R. Monteleone, who served on the Board of Trustees for 21 years, from 1981 to 2002. All nominations must arrive at the PSC President’s Office no later than Friday, May 12. To receive a nomination form or for more information, call Pat Trost, administrative director, president’s office and Board of Trustees, at 708-709-3627.

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

Online Summer Registration Begins – Now in Progress

Summer is a great time to take a few classes and our schedule is now available online at www.ssc.edu.   . Summer classes begin Monday, June 6th at the college’s Main Campus and Oak Forest Center. Don’t wait; classes fill quickly. 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. Current and prospective students are encouraged to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) now to increase opportunities for funding assistance, enroll early and create their preferred schedule at SSC. Visit www.fafsa.gov to apply for financial aid using institution code 001769. Additionally, the SSC Foundation 2017 Scholarship Books and Applications are available online at www.ssc.edu/foundation. The primary SSC scholarship application deadline is Friday, March 31st, however, graduating high school seniors can continue to apply for high school graduate scholarships throughout the spring and summer months. Students who wish to use financial aid as payment for summer classes must have an official high school or GED transcript on file. Official transcripts must have a school seal and graduation date on them. Transcripts can be hand-delivered to the Admissions Office or mailed to: Office of Admissions (15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL 60473). If a transcript is hand-delivered it must be in the original sealed, unopened envelope. Prospective students should complete the Online Application Form at www.ssc.edu to begin the enrollment process. New students will receive an SSC email account and a “My SSC” Username & Password via email which will allow access to the online schedule and class registration. The My SSC portal also allows students 24-hour access during college closed periods. You will also want to register early for fall to get the courses you want when you want them. Our fall schedule will be available online beginning Monday, April 3, 2017 with registration opening on Monday, April 17, 2017. Contact the Office of Admissions at 708-210-5718 for enrollment and waiver information, or email the Foundation Office at [email protected] with questions about scholarship opportunities. SSC’s Main Campus is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. The Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois.

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.

Green Events

Crete Public Library District, 1177 North Main Street

Electronics Recycling – Saturday, April 22

On Saturday, April 22 between 10 a.m. – 12 noon, bring your electronic items to the library for recycling. Please view the list of acceptable items on our website www.cretelibrary.org.

League of Women Voters – Park Forest Area

Status Update on Park Forest Redevelopment of Parks – Saturday, April 29

With the arrival of spring, what better time is there for a walk in the park?  Please join the League of Women Voters – Park Forest Area for its general meeting on Saturday, April 29th at 10 a.m. in the Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, Board Room #142, where our featured speaker will be Robert Gunther, Director of Recreation and Parks for the Village of Park Forest.  Mr. Gunther will share plans for the redevelopment of three Park Forest parks:  Murphy Park, Village Green and Somonauk Park.  After his presentation, weather permitting, everyone is invited to go on a tour of these three parks with Mr. Gunther. Following the tour of the parks, for those who are interested, we will go to lunch at the Chicago Dough Company, located at 3767 Sauk Trail in Richton Park.  Hope you will join us for information, fresh air and food. For more information, contact Diane Hodges at 708-720-5954 or by email at: [email protected] or Barbara Moore at 708-481-5251. The program is open to the public and anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend to learn more about this important issue. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters encourages citizens to register to vote and provides public education for voters on election issues. The League does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Anyone interested in promoting responsible government is invited to be a member. For more information visit League of Women Voters of the Park Forest Area at www.lwvpfa.org.

Park Forest Environment Commission

Earth Week Celebration — April 15 – April 22

The Park Forest Environment Commission invites you to celebrate Earth Week with several events scheduled April 15 to April 22.

April 15

Arbor Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Blvd. Receive a free tree from the Park Forest Gardening Club. Crafts for all ages also planned.

April 16

Easter Service with Tom Neilson at Unitarian Universalist Church, 70 Sycamore Drive, beginning at 10 a.m. Tom Neilson is an award-winning satirical and social commentary singer who will perform “Love and the Environment.” Following Tom Neilson, a pot luck lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Music at 1 p.m. Suggested donation is $15.

April 17

Earth Day Resolution to be read at the Park Forest Board of Trustees meeting at 7 p.m. Attend the meeting or watch it live on TV.

April 18

Build a Bird House workshop at the Wetlands Discovery Center, 30 Orchard Drive (Park Forest Aqua Center building), beginning at 7 p.m. Learn what birds will nest in your birdhouse and why you need to have birds as your backyard neighbors. This event is free but limited to the first 20 families.

April 19

Upcycle craft for teens at the Park Forest Public Library beginning at 4 p.m. Free to attend. Prayer for Living Peace with our Environment at St. Irenaeus Church, 78 Cherry Street, beginning at 7 p.m.

April 20

• Potpourri Lecture: Food as Medicine by Dr. Benjamin Strumpf at 10:30 a.m.
• Earth Wise: Trees and Climate Change presented by the Park Forest Library Staff at 3 p.m.
• How to Install a Rain Barrel at 6:30 p.m.
• Earth Wise Dedication at 6:30 p.m.

All April 20 events takes place at the Park Forest Public Library and are free to attend.

April 21

Butterflies, Bees, and Bugs at the Wetlands Discovery Center beginning at 7 p.m. Discuss colony collapse disorder, disappearing monarchs, and what we can do to help them. Learn how your backyard can become a certified monarch way station.

April 22

• Observation Deck Dedication to John Joyce at 9:30 a.m. at the Central Park Wetlands.
• Gardening Series at 10:30 a.m. on plant identification. Wetlands Discovery Center, 30 N. Orchard Drive.
• Earth Day at Thorn Creek from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road.
• Planting Natives to Attract Migrating and Resident Birds at 1 p.m. at the Park Forest Public Library.
• Earth Day Project for kids at 2 p.m. at the Park Forest Public Library.
• Earth Week “Recycled Art” Display from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Salon Artists Gallery, 294 Main Street.
• Earth Week Closing Ceremony at 4 p.m. at Salon Artists Gallery.

Park Forest Garden Club

Arbor Day Celebration – Saturday, April 15

On Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to noon, the Garden Club of Park Forest will celebrate Arbor Day by giving away free trees to residents.  The celebration will take place at the Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard.

Thorn Creek Audubon Society, Park Forest

Nature Education Programs at Thorn Creek Nature Center

Calling all schools, home school groups, day cares, preschools, youth, adult and family groups! Nature Education Programs are offered at Thorn Creek Nature Center throughout the year where your group can discover the plants and animals of Thorn Creek Woods. These Nature Education Programs are sponsored by the Thorn Creek Audubon Society. The Audubon Society and the Thorn Creek Nature Center announce their new Partnership for Programming to further the Society’s environmental education mission and give valuable assistance to Thorn Creek Nature Center in providing nature programming for groups of area children and adults. Some of the nature education programs offered this year include Birding by Sight and Sound, Creek Walk (the world of aquatic insects and metamorphosis), Trees Big and Small (identification by leaves and bark), Insects (what makes an insect unique), the Web of Life (interdependence of producers, consumers, predators and decomposers), Soils Hike (how soil fuels and supports life), and Night Hikes. On the Fall Color Hike learn why leaves change colors and what trees do to prepare for the long months of winter. Discover clues to wild animals’ identities and behavior by trails and trails in Wild Animal Tracks. Make your own track replica. On Vixen’s Trek you are the fox following your daily routines on Thorn Creek trails. Or visit the Historic Farm in the woods to explore an early 1900’s woodland farm. Groups can also arrange for a naturalist to come to your location for programs such as Wild Animal Tracks, Web of Life, Woodland Wildflowers, Soils, History of Thorn Creek Woods, and the like. The new partnership has already collaborated in sponsoring three programs: the Learn 70 Birds by Spring class, which runs from January through March; the Great Backyard Bird Count Open House that was held in February; and the Build a Gourd Birdhouse sessions to be held in March.  For information about Thorn Creek Audubon Society membership, events and projects: Thorn Creek Audubon Society, P. O. Box 895, Park Forest, Il 60466, or www.thorncreekaudubonsociety.org.

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest

Wednesday Morning Walkers

The Wednesday Morning Walkers takes place each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This free activity is for those ages 13 and older.  Follow the forest’s seasonal changes, enjoy light exercise and experience nature first-hand on 2 miles of Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve’s winding trails.  Trails can be wet or muddy, so please wear sturdy shoes.  Hiking is on natural surface trails across uneven terrain.  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 or visit www.tcwoods.org.

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 or visit www.tcwoods.org.

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.

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.

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].

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 708-755-3577 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 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].

Sterling at 708-283-5621.

This & That

Park Forest Historical Society

2017 Hall of Fame Class Induction Ceremony – Sunday, April 23

Park Forest Historical Society’s annual Park Forest Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Sunday, April 23, beginning at 3 p.m., at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd. The 2017 Park Forest Hall of Fame class includes:

Peg and Jack Donohue
Carl and Peggy Glassford
William “Bill” and Juanita Simpson
Herschel W. and Helen D. Ward
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

The full list of Park Forest Hall of Fame inductees by year are available by visiting www.parkforesthistory.org.

Park Forest Youth Commission

Teen Job Fair – Saturday, April 15

The Park Forest Youth Commission hosts a teen job fair on Saturday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Park Forest’s Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. The event is intended for Park Forest youth ages 16 to 25. Those 15 years of age must have a work permit. Recruiters will be in attendance from Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Family Video, Park Forest’s Recreation and Parks Department, the Park Forest Police Department’s Police Athletic and Activities Center, and many more local organizations. Attendees should dress professionally and bring plenty of resumes. For questions, contact Adina McCollough at 708-701-3841 or Kevin Adams at 708-283-5650. This event is sponsored by the Park Forest Youth Commission. Park Forest teens graduating from high school in 2017 are reminded that scholarship dollars are available through the Park Forest Youth Commission and the Village of Park Forest. The application deadline for both scholarship programs is April 14.

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Will County Floodplain Mapping Open House – Thursday, April 27

The Will County Floodplain Mapping Open House is scheduled for Thursday, April 27 at the Joliet Area Historical Museum Caterpillar Auditorium (lower level), 204 North Ottawa Street, in Joliet. The Officials Meeting will be held from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and the Public Open House will be held from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. FEMA and the Illinois State Water Survey are hosting the meetings to review the recently released revised Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for Will County.  The officials meeting will focus on the FEMA products and administrative processes taking place in the near future.  The public open house will allow citizens to review their areas of interest with staff.  Comments will be accepted at the meetings and for an additional 30 days. Revised preliminary materials were mailed to communities on February 1, 2017. Materials are also available for viewing and download at fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata

Park Forest Vehicle Stickers – On Sale Now

Park Forest vehicle stickers for the 2017-18 year go are now on sale.  Stickers may be purchased at Village Hall or online by visiting www.villageofparkforest.com. Vehicle stickers must be purchased and properly displayed on all vehicles registered in the Village of Park Forest by the end of the business day on April 30, 2017 to avoid late fees and fines. A late fee of $25 will be assessed to all vehicle sticker purchases made on or after May 1.  A late fee of $50 will be assessed to all vehicle sticker purchases made on or after August 1. Fees will increase as follows: stickers purchased May 1 through July 31 are $75 and stickers purchased August 1 and later are $125. Vehicles will be considered delinquent after October 31.

2017 Park Forest Aqua Center Early Bird Specials – Through Friday, June 2

The Park Forest Aqua Center, 30 North Orchard Drive, is now offering Early Bird Specials April 1 through June 2. Save now on family memberships as well as individual membership rates. Prepare for the warmth of summer with these HOT Aqua Center Deals! Additional information can be found below or on the Aqua Center Website.