In and Around Park Forest for the Week of October 30, 2016

Image result for Halloween pictures

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF) —Young goblins and ghosts will be out on Monday, October 31st celebrating Halloween. You’ll find a list of safe Halloween activities taking place in Park Forest and the south suburbs in the special ‘Halloween Events’ section. Please be extra cautious when driving on Monday and watch out for our children.

Also remember that he Park Forest Economic Development Advisory Group will be accepting nominations for the Sam Monella Business Person of the Year Award through 5 p.m. on Monday, October 31. This yearly award recognizes current Park Forest business owners for excellence in community service and making a difference in our community. Additional information about how you can nominate someone can be found in the ‘This & That’ section.

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.

Halloween Events

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

Halloween Movie Madness – Monday, October 31

On Monday, October 31 at 3:30 p.m. celebrate Halloween with 3 spooky movie favorites! These films will surely put you in the Halloween spirit! For additional information call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.

Live Halloween Performance – Monday, October 31

Join us at 6 p.m. for a live performance with the Great Boodini. Get ready for a ‘Spooktacular’ show. All ages welcome. For additional information call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.

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

Annual Halloween Family Fun Fest – Monday, October 31

The PSC Police Department, along with PSC students, faculty and staff, is hosting its annual Halloween Family Fun Fest from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, October 31, in the Prairie Center gym, located on the PSC main campus in Chicago Heights. The event features games, balloons, popcorn, treats, prizes and other surprises. Members of Chicago Heights Police and Fire Departments also will be available to educate children about personal and fire safety. The event is free and open to the public. Children through age 12 should be accompanied by a parent, and costumes for children are encouraged. For more information, contact Gilbert Vargas at [email protected].

Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive

Haunted House – October 30 & 31

The Village of Park Forest and Haunts Against Hunger will present a 4-day Haunted House on October 30 & 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street in DownTown Park Forest. Pre-Ticket sales are available at Village of Park Forest, Recreation & Parks counter, 350 Victory Drive, starting October 1 or visit their website. Tickets are $5 per person with a canned good donation or $8 per person without a canned good donation. Proceeds from the event will help support the Rich Township and Monee Township Food Pantries. For additional information, call 708-748-2005 or 708-283-5621.

Halloween Fun Activities in DownTown Park Forest – Monday, October 31

The Village of Park Forest and Park Forest Police Department will host Halloween Fun Activities on Monday, October 31 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The activities are open to the public.

Schedule of Events Take Place in DownTown Park Forest

Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Registration, candy give-a-way, purchase tickets to haunted house & Fear Factor games
SPAA Theatre, 371 Artists Walk, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Game room, Spin the Wheel, costume contest registration (no entries after 3:45PM).

Costume contest begins, 4:15 p.m.

Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Votes for scarecrow contest, hot chocolate/chili, affy apple.

Trick or Treat Hours (Community Wide). Check vendors and visit select businesses for free treats. Look for signs of participating businesses.

Put on your best costume and join your neighbors for a fun and safe Halloween celebration.

Village of Park Forest

Village Board Meeting – Saturday, November 5

The Village of Park Forest Board is scheduled to hold a Saturday Morning Rules meeting on November 5 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).

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 October 30:

Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. – Plan Commission
Thursday, November 3 at 1 p.m. – Senior Citizens Advisory Board
Thursday, November 3 at 7 p.m. – Environment Commission

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

Water Main Replacement Project – Now in Progress

Construction continues in Park Forest as part of a year-long four-mile water main replacement project.

Residents should be aware that parking is not permitted on streets with JULIE/utility paint markings and flags. For questions about the project, contact Public Works at 708-503-7702.

Arts & Entertainment

Calumet Heritage Partnership, Chicago

‘Calumet’s Industrial Heritage: Works by Kathy Los-Rathburn and Matthew Kaplan,’ – Through December 18

The Calumet Heritage Partnership will continue its 2016 Calumet Heritage Event Series with an encore show at South Shore Arts’ Crown Point Gallery featuring two local artists who capture the complex beauty and nature of the region’s industrial landscape in watercolor paintings and photographs. Called ‘Calumet’s Industrial Heritage: Works by Kathy Los-Rathburn and Matthew Kaplan,’ the exhibit is a collaboration between the Calumet Heritage Partnership and South Shore Arts and runs through December 18th. The Crown Point Gallery is located at 123 North Main Street in Crown Point, Indiana. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For additional information, call the Gallery at 219-663-0200.

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

Dark Comedy ‘Fat Pig’ – Through November 4

Cow. Slob. Pig. How many insults can you hear before you have to stand up and defend the woman you love? Neil LaBute’s sharply drawn play, ‘Fat Pig,’ not only wittily critiques our society’s slavish adherence to Hollywood standards of beauty, but boldly questions our own ability and courage to change what we dislike about ourselves. GSU’s Theatre and Performance Studies students will present ‘Fat Pig’ on the Center for Performing Art’s stage on November 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. The audience will be seated onstage with the performers in theatre-in-the-round. Seating is General Admission but limited to 85 seats per night so advance tickets are recommended. Tickets are just $15 and $10 for students with valid I.D. The play is directed by Assistant Professor Dr. Patrick Santoro. This is the eighth production by Governors State’s Theatre and Performance Studies (TAPS) program, approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education as a Bachelor’s Degree in 2014; the only such degree combining the two disciplines at a public state university in Illinois. Previous performances included Anne Sexton’s “Transformations”, musical theatre “A…My Name is Alice”, docudrama “Still Life”, classic drama Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun”, dark comedy “Kimberly Akimbo”, science fiction drama “Fahrenheit 451”, and a modern retelling of Greek myth “Eurydice”. The opening night performance on Saturday, October 29, will include a pre-show bacon bar including flavored bacons and bacon infused cupcakes at 6:30 p.m. for an additional $15.

How to Buy Tickets for ‘Fat Pig’

Online: Centertickets.net
By Phone: 708-235-2222
In Person at the Box Office: 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL
Box Office Hour: Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 2 hours prior to performances. Thursday the Box Office is open until 6 p.m.
Download the Center’s APP: goo.gl/nqy4ul

‘Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale’ – Tickets Now on Sale

Two daughters; one chance to marry the King. What does a father do? Does he choose one and forsake the other? Not in this tale of goodness, generosity, and love! John Steptoe’s ‘Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale’ celebrates the beauty in all of us, with traditional dancing, rhythmic drumming, and glorious African song. GSU’s Center for Performing Arts presents Dallas Children’s Theatre’s family musical program on November 13 at 2 p.m. for one performance only. The play has been adapted for the stage by Karen Abbott with music & lyrics by S-Ankh Rasa. When a great African king desires a wife, only the most perfect maidens in the land are invited to meet him. Mufaro’s pride and joy, his two daughters of very different dispositions, travel a half day’s journey through a mystical jungle and across a deep river to be presented to the king. Along the way the two girls encounter a number of mysterious situations that test their courage, kindness and strength of spirit. Don’t miss this this Caldecott Award-winning Cinderella tale! Ticketholders may join us after the performance for a royal wedding event including lunch & dessert, dancing and drumming, games and more!

For Tickets and Information

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

DePaul Art Museum, 935 W. Fullerton, Chicago

International Art Exhibition ‘On Space and Place’ – Through December 18

For the first time, viewers of the ART21 or “Art in the Twenty-First Century” television series will be able to see work by artists featured in the new season at the DePaul Art Museum on the Lincoln Park Campus of DePaul University. The exhibition will provide a multi-layered opportunity to learn about the artists on PBS stations, including Chicago’s WTTW-Channel 11, then experience the work in person. The DePaul Art Museum collaborated with the Peabody Award-winning documentary series ART21 to exhibit the 16 artists featured in the show’s eighth season. The exhibition, “On Space and Place: Contemporary Art from Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico City and Vancouver,” curated by Widholm, will run through December 18 at the DePaul Art Museum. The featured artists, chosen by ART21 curator Wesley Miller, are grouped by their unique and revealing relationships to the places where they live, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico City and Vancouver, to showcase their cities as vibrant and diverse centers for art.

16 innovative artists from 4 dynamic cities:

Chicago artists: Nick Cave, Theaster Gates, Barbara Kasten, Chris Ware
Mexico City artists: Natalia Almada, Minerva Cuevas, Damián Ortega, Pedro Reyes
Los Angeles artists: Edgar Arceneaux, Liz Larner, Tala Madani, Diana Thater
Vancouver artists: Stan Douglas, Brian Jungen, Liz Magor, Jeff Wall

To view a trailer and learn more about ART21 and television dates visit http://www.pbs.org/art21/. The DePaul Art Museum is located just east of the CTA’s Fullerton ‘L’ stop. The museum hours are 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. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more on the DePaul Art Museum’s upcoming exhibitions and events, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://museums.depaul.edu/.

DePaul University Humanities Center, 2250 North Sheffield Avenue, Chicago

Mars, Zombies and the Ethics of Voting – Through November 7

A NASA scientist who turns Mars Curiosity rover data into art, the filmmaker of cerebral zombie flick “Pontypool,” and a discussion on the ethics of voting will kick off the DePaul University Humanities Center’s 2016-17 season. The center fosters discussion and research in the arts and humanities on campus and among the greater community. Events are free and open to the public and will be held in the Student Center, Room 120, at 2250 N. Sheffield Ave. on DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus. “One of the center’s themes this year is an investigation into the relations among the humanities, arts and space sciences,” said Professor H. Peter Steeves, director of the center. “We will feature NASA scientists, and Chicago’s Beethoven and Bach ensemble will play rarely heard works for strings, fortepiano and voice. For this year’s Horror of the Humanities, we will watch one of the greatest, scariest, and most semiotically nuanced zombie films ever made, ‘Pontypool,’” said Steeves. Fall events include:

Transformations: “Why You Shouldn’t Vote Tomorrow” November 7, 7-9 p.m.
The final event this fall is a discussion about the ethics of voting. “This event promises to be a lively and untraditional take on the U.S. election and political process in general,” said Steeves. “I think it will challenge those in attendance to consider their own political beliefs and identities.” Following the on-stage discussion, there will be time for questions and comments from the audience. Scheduled participants include:

Colman McCarthy, former columnist for The Washington Post, and current director of The Center for Teaching Peace in Washington, D.C.
L. Stephens II, Chicago activist, labor organizer and co-founder of Orchestrated Pulse.
Stephanie McMillan, cartoonist, author and organizer.
Jibran Ludwig, a student from Shimer College.
The Meijer Twins, authors, teachers, artists.

More events are scheduled for the winter and spring, including a discussion with Royal Ballet Principal Edward Watson, February 16. In June, the final event of the season will celebrate 50 years since the release of the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Learn more about the center and upcoming events at http://bit.ly/DPUHmCtr.

Freedom Hall Nathan Manilow Theatre, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest

Booker T. Jones – Saturday, November 5

Freedom Hall will present the soulful music of Booker T. Jones on Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m. Booker T. Jones set the cast for modern soul music with classic hits like “Green Onions,” “Hang ‘Em High,” “Time Is Tight,” and “Melting Pot”. He’s a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Musicians Hall of Fame inductee and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. His newest album Sound the Alarm, finds the Hammond B3 organ master looking ahead yet again! “On opener “Sound the Alarm,” the lead guitar riff and Hawthorne’s vocals slink around snappy percussion, and “Fun” finds Jones constructing a thumping piece of instrumental pop blues.” — Rolling Stone. Read more about Booker T. Jones and view videos. Tickets are $35. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call Freedom Hall at 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.

Johnny Cash Tribute Starring Phillipe Bauer – Tickets Now on Sale

Phillipe Bauer will perform a Tribute to Johnny Cash on Tuesday, November 15 at 11:00 a.m. Phillipe Bauer is an award winning entertainer who has brought the music and memories of Johnny Cash to audiences across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and five 26-city tours of Australia. W.S. Holland (Johnny Cash’s only drummer) summed it up after playing for Phillipe -“It was spooky. He is the best I have ever seen.” View a video of the Johnny Cash Tribut e. Tickets are $20. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call Freedom Hall at 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.

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

‘A Little Night Music’– Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for the performance of ‘Al Little Night Music’ on Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln-Way West Performing Arts Center, 21701 Gouger Road in New Lenox. November brings conductor candidate finalist Alastair Willis to the IPO stage. Grammy-nominated Willis opens the program with vivid musical pictures from Borodin’s 1880 work representing the Russian troops and the people of the steppe. American pianist William Wolfram then joins the orchestra for Tchaikovsky’s famous first piano concerto, among the all-time favorites with audiences around the world. The evening continues with Bartok’s dramatic Concerto for Orchestra, a dazzling orchestral showpiece that will display the IPO’s virtuosity. Maestro Alastair Willis is the Grammy-nominated former Music Director of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, as well as a Guest Conductor for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Silk Road Ensemble (with Yo-Yo Ma) & others. Read his full bio! Tickets are $55. For additional information or to purchase tickets online visit: www.ipomusic.org or call 708.481.7774.

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

Vonnegut’s Odyssey’ – Opens November 11

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 from November 11, 2016 to May 6, 2017. The museum will be open to the public on Veterans Day beginning at 10 a.m. and will offer extended hours until 9 p.m. that evening. ‘Vonnegut’s Odyssey’ aims to broaden the conversation surrounding veterans and their experiences, making palpable connections to the timeless and universal story of the veteran’s return home. 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 Health Department Nurses Plus, 350 Victory Drive

Fundraising Event – Saturday, November 5

The Friends of the Park Forest Health Department is coordinating a fundraiser for the Health Department. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the Harrah’s Joliet Casino. Tickets are $45 each and include a deluxe breakfast buffet and more. To purchase your tickets, contact the Park Forest Health Department at 708-748-1118.

Park Forest Historical Society, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest

Step Back into a1950s Halloween – Through November 9

It’s Halloween at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum. Halloween decorations will be on display through November 9. The Museum, located at 227 Monee Road in Park Forest (inside St. Mary’s Catholic Church), is open Wednesday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment. Donation is Adults $5; 12 & under free with an adult. Scout and school tours are priced individually. For additional information or to schedule an appointment for a tour, call Mike Gans at 708-305-3308 or Jane Nicoll at 708-481-4252 or visit the Website.

Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard

The following events are scheduled at the Park Forest Library the week of October 30:

Monday, October 31 at 11 a.m. – Sunrise Story Time — Jump start your morning with a series of stories that are sure to get you moving. Ages 12 and under.
Tuesday, November 1 at 2 p.m. – Art Studio — It’s time to create! Materials will be provided. For ages 12 and under.
Tuesday, November 1 at 4 p.m. — Color-Rama! Coloring Circle — Are you a teen looking to take a break after school with a fun, fresh activity? Come relieve stress and show your creativity with other teens in our coloring circle!
Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. — Pajama Story Time — Share special moments with your child through stories, crafts, and more. Wear your pj’s and wind down from a busy day. For ages 12 and under.
Wednesday, November 2 at 11 a.m. – 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, November 2 at 3:30 p.m. — Art Extreme — We’re taking art to the EXTREME! Explore a wide range of art through painting, drawing, building and more! Art has never been this fun. You don’t want to miss out. For ages 12 and under.
Wednesday, November 2 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, November 2 at 4 p.m. – Teen Movie: ‘Ghostbusters’ — Paranormal researcher Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy) and physicist Erin Gilbert are trying to prove that ghosts exist in modern society. When strange apparitions appear in Manhattan, Gilbert and Yates turn to engineer Jillian Holtzmann for help. Also joining the team is Patty Tolan, a lifelong New Yorker who knows the city inside and out. Armed with proton packs and plenty of attitude, the four women prepare for an epic battle as more than 1,000 mischievous ghouls descend on Times Square.
Thursday, November 3 at 11 a.m. – Toddler Art — Bring your imagination, creativity, and throw on some old clothes to bring out your inner Picasso through art projects and more… Some projects may involve paint.
Friday, October 28 at 12 p.m. — Express Yourself — Explore a variety of arts & craft materials and express your inner artist. We’ll provide the materials, you provide the creativity! So let go, have fun, and Express Yourself!
Friday, October 28 at 1 p.m. — Senior Travelogue – Haunted Washington DC.
Friday, October 28 at 3:30 p.m. – Drop in Crafts — Jump Start your weekend with creative crafts! Bring a friend or make new ones. All materials provided. While supplies last. For ages 12 and under.
Saturday, October 29 at 1 p.m. — Chalk Art Talk — Chicago Chalk Art Champ Shaun Hays will share his inspiration and creativity behind his amazing works of art.
Saturday, October 29 at 1 p.m. — Halloween Movie Matinee: Double Feature — Kick-off your Halloween with our SPOOKTACULAR movie day that is sure to tickle your funny bone! DOUBLE FEATURE: Hotel Transylvania and Monster House. All ages welcome.

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

Friends of the Library Meeting – Tuesday, November 1

The Friends of the Library will meet on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. at the Park Forest Public Library. Support our mission to open doors to a world of information, education, and recreation. The event is open to the public. For additional information, contact Barbara Osuch at 708-748-3731, extension 16 or email [email protected].

Potpourri of Lectures – Thursday, November 3

The Potpourri of Lecture for Thursday, November 3 is “Smart Savings for Park Forest Residents’ with Cook County Department of Environmental Control. The Lecture will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Library’s Ringering Room.

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

‘Organic’ – Opens Monday, November 7

‘Organic,’ featuring works by Karen Ami, Renee Robbins, Allison Svoboda, and Ana Zanic will open at PSC’s Christopher Art Gallery on Monday, November 7 and run through Thursday, December 8. A reception will be held on Thursday, November 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Gallery. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. This exhibit focuses on works in a wide range of media using forms that are organic, shapes and forms that are irregular and based in nature. Additional information can be found in the Gallery Guide. The Christopher Art Gallery Regular Hours are Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and by appointment. For additional information or to schedule an appointment to view the exhibit phone 708-709-3636 or visit http://prairiestate.edu/christopher-art-gallery.

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.

Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale – Friday, November 18

The Rich Township, Shirley J. Green, Senior Center will host a Holiday Craft Bazaar and Bake Sale on Friday, November 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Bazaar will be selling homemade craft items and baked goods only. Vendor tables are being offered free of charge, so your profit is your own. Please call 748-5454 to reserve your table. Join us for a day of shopping, eating and friendship. We will serve coffee and goodies throughout the day, so please join us!

Roosevelt University Gage Gallery, 18 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

‘Not Forgotten: Chicago Street Memorials’ – Through December 3

‘Not Forgotten: Chicago Street Memorials,’ a new exhibit featuring photos and interviews about Chicago street memorials will be exhibited at Roosevelt University’s Gage Gallery through December 3. A joint project by Roosevelt University journalism professor Anne-Marie Cusac and Wisconsin photographer Thomas Ferrella, ‘Not Forgotten: Chicago Street Memorials’ explores the story behind 35 organic and largely obscure memorials that remember primarily those killed in Chicago neighborhoods. Cusac and Ferrella spent more than a year traveling some of Chicago’s most violence-prone streets in order to gain an understanding of the kind of grieving that goes on in communities long after the violence is over. Gage 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, visit www.roosevelt.edu/gagegallery or call 312-341-6458

Roosevelt University Ganz Hall, 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

PianoFest Celebration – Opens Monday, October 31

Marc-André Hamelin, one of the world’s most original and technically-brilliant classical pianists, will make two appearances at Roosevelt University in Chicago during the Chicago College of Performing Arts’ (CCPA) annual PianoFest celebration. This year’s festival, which is being held October 31 through November 5 in Roosevelt’s Ganz Hallwill feature a recital by Hamelin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2 and a moderated question-and-answer discussion with the piano virtuoso at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 3. Additional PianoFest performances include: a Piano Showcase recital by Roosevelt students at 7:30 p.m., Monday, October 31; a recital by the University of Chicago’s Spektral Quartet, with performances by CCPA faculty members MingHuan Xu, violin, and Winston Choi and Kuang-Hao Huang, piano, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1; CCPA faculty member and pianist Wael Farouk performing Beethoven at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, November 3; Adam Neiman, a Roosevelt piano faculty member, performing works by Chopin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 4; and a PianoFest finale featuring Roosevelt’s esteemed piano faculty performing together at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, November 5. Held annually at Roosevelt University, this celebration of the piano is an opportunity to see and hear the best of Roosevelt’s piano students and faculty members. For the November 2 recital, Hamelin will perform Mozart’s Sonata in D Major, K. 576; Hamelin’s own composition, Pavane Variée; Debussy’s Images, Book 1; and Schubert’s Sonata in B-Flat, D. 960. Advance ticket reservations are required and space is limited. On November 3, Hamelin will discuss his approach to practice, his education as a pianist and give his career advice during a 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. session entitled “Up Close and Personal with Marc-André Hamelin.” For more information about PianoFest, visit www.roosevelt.edu/ccpa or call 312-341-2352.

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

Art Works by Joe Rejholec – Through November 22

The Art & Design Department of SSC is presenting a memorial exhibition of Art Works by Joseph “Joe” Rejholec – colleague, mentor, friend, artist and faculty member of South Suburban College, in the college’s Thiel Gallery through November 22. The exhibit is free and open to the public. A friend and inspiration to many artists, Joe was born in Nyack, New York, He was part of the New York Art Students League, went to Syracuse University on a hockey scholarship for a semester, and later attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, to study history where he became interested in pursuing art and earned a BA. He attended Northern Illinois University for his MA in Fine Art. Joe was our longtime Art & Design department chair, and a dedicated teacher and gallery director at South Suburban College for forty years. He was a tireless supporter of the arts who served on numerous arts panels and selection committees, and he was inspirational in the lives of many students and professionals. He resided in Crete, IL where he worked from his home studio until 2016. Influenced by Abstract Expressionism, Jazz, African Art, the smell of burning metal, Camel cigarettes, and coffee, Joe was “Old School” in so many ways. He epitomized the artist as maker, using the sweet poetry of his welded steel sculpture’s two-dimensional line and mass in the service of framing space in the tradition of David Smith, Jacques Lipchitz, Arshile Gorky, Franz Kline and others. His work flies in the face of the flattening elements of Pop Art & Minimalism, transcending stylistic impulses into the realm of the sculptor’s true passion for the framing of the real space of his world. For additional information or Gallery hours, call 708-596-2000, ext. 2445 or ext. 2300 or visit www.ssc.edu.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest

College Art Faculty Show – Through November 5

The College Art Faculty Show will be exhibited at Tall Grass Arts Association through Saturday, November 5. The exhibit is free and open to the public. This invitational show features the work by art faculty from seven area colleges. All full time and part time art faculty from the seven schools were invited to show their two and three dimensional artwork. Governors State University, Joliet Junior College, Kankakee Community College, Moraine Valley Community College, Olivet Nazarene University, Prairie State College, and South Suburban College are represented. Curated by Gail Otterson and Mary Bookwalter. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult and student groups are welcome to tour the exhibit by appointment. For additional information or to arrange for a tour, please call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrassarts.org.

Seeking Artists for ‘Wings’ Exhibition – Entry Deadline Saturday, November 12

Tall Grass Arts Association invites artists to submit entries for ‘Wings,’ an exhibition of images inspired by the flight of winged creatures. The deadline for entries is Saturday, November 12th. Exhibit dates are January 20 through February 25, 2017. ‘Wings’ is a juried show of 2D and 3D visual artwork (excluding video). Applications will be accepted online through www.EntryThingy.com. Artists may submit up to three (3) entries for jurying. Apply through the EntryThingy site using this code –http://www.entrythingy.com/d=tallgrassarts.org#show=3097 For additional information, call 708-748-3377 or visit http://www.tallgrassarts.com/Wings.html.

Educational Lectures & Opportunities

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

Undergraduate Open House – Friday, November 11

GSU will host an undergraduate Open House Friday, November 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information on admission requirements, financial aid, campus life and student housing, as well as specific undergraduate programs will be available for prospective students and their parents. Students will also be able to meet with Governors State faculty, academic advisors and financial aid counselors. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Office of Admissions at 708-534-4490 or [email protected] To register for Open House, go to www.govst.edu/openhouse.

Prairie State College, 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights

Leveraging Diversity Workshop – Registration Required by Tuesday, November 1

PSC is hosting a workshop for business leaders, professional groups and individuals who want to discover how to leverage the power of diversity in the workplace. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, November 10, in the Adult, Training and Outreach Center on the PSC main campus in Chicago Heights. Kim Olver, founder and director of Coaching for Excellence, LLC, will facilitate the workshop. Olver’s training and expertise has helped thousands of people develop the internal motivation to appreciate and benefit from diversity in the workplace. Participants will learn how to get buy-in from all employees before introducing diversity initiatives, and gain skills to hire, retain and inspire a diverse workforce for peak performance and profit. The cost is $45, and includes a networking lunch immediately following the workshop. Participants must register by Tuesday, November 1. To enroll, visit prairiestate.edu/webadvisor and use code PICOR 039 CI. For more information, call 708-709-7957 or email [email protected].

Developing the Leader Within You’ – Registration Now in Progress

The Corporate and Continuing Education Department at PSC is bringing back, by popular demand, the 2016 Fall Leadership Series, ‘Developing the Leader Within You,’ featuring facilitator Lee Ann Piano. The series is divided into three sessions, and attendees will “learn the vision, values, influence and motivation required of successful leaders.” All sessions are scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and will be held in the Adult Training and Outreach Center on the PSC main campus in Chicago Heights. The first session is scheduled for November 3, and will focus on “What is a Leader?” The second session, scheduled for November 10, is titled, “Leadership is Influence.” The third session on November 17 is “How to Grow as a Leader.” Piano is a keynote speaker, corporate trainer and leadership coach. She has delivered more than 600 seminars nationally and internationally, inspiring thousands to rise higher and achieve more. The cost to attend all three sessions is $149. For more information and to register, contact Michelle Guiliani at 708-709-7957 or [email protected]. The Corporate and Continuing Education Department at Prairie State is committed to lifelong learning by offering results-oriented training to meet workforce development needs. We offer ongoing learning opportunities, prepare diverse individuals for career advancement, a college education, and enrich lives through the pursuit of good health and personal fulfillment. For more information on how PSC can support you or your business, visit prairiestate.edu/training.

PSC Trustee Candidacy Petitions – Now Available

Candidacy petitions for three, six-year, non-compensated terms and one, two-year unexpired, non-compensated term on the Prairie State College (PSC) Board of Trustees are now available. The petition packages can be picked up from the President’s Office, located in room 2270 on PSC’s main campus at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights. The election will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. The vacant positions are for those of Christopher Baikauskas, Brunetta Hill-Corley, Wendell Mosby and Marc Wiley, whose terms expire in April 2017. In order to qualify, a candidate must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States, have resided in Illinois Community College District 515 for at least one year, be a registered voter, and have petition signatures from a minimum of 50 registered voters who live in the district. Petitions with the required number of signatures will be accepted in the PSC President’s Office by the secretary of Community College District 515, or a designated representative, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 through Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. Petitions also will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. A Statement of Candidacy and optional Loyalty Oath also must be filed at that time. Additionally, a Statement of Economic Interests must be filed with the county clerk of the candidate’s residence. The resulting receipt must then be filed with the secretary of Community College District 515 or a designated representative no later than Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. Persons elected on April 4 will be seated at the April Board of Trustees meeting. For more information, contact Patricia Trost, administrative director, president’s office and board of trustees at 708-709-3637.

Spring 2017 Registration – Now in Progress

Registration for the spring 2017 semester at PSC is now open. Students are encouraged to register early as classes will fill quickly. PSC offers convenient, flexible scheduling options for credit courses, including 16-, 14-, 12- and eight-week courses. Classes are offered days, evenings, weekends and online to accommodate busy schedules. Non-credit courses include a variety of single-day and multiple-session offerings that begin throughout the semester. The 16-week courses begin Tuesday, Jan. 17, 14-week courses begin Monday, Jan. 30, and. T 12-week courses begin Friday, Feb. 10. All 16-, 14- and 12-week courses end Thursday, May 11, and offer the same course material and credit hours. The shorter the number of weeks, the longer the class period. PSC also offers two eight-week course options. The first eight-week courses begin Tuesday, Jan. 17 and end Friday, March 10. Second eight-week courses begin Monday, March 20 and end Thursday, May 11. The eight-week courses typically are fewer credit hours. Many of the college certificate programs offer eight-week courses, allowing students to fit two courses in one semester and to make progress towards that certificate. Both credit and non-credit courses are listed in the spring class schedule, available on the PSC main campus in Chicago Heights. The schedule also is available at area public libraries and online at www.prairiestate.edu. To register for credit courses, new students must complete an enrollment application in person or online. Current students can register in person or log into WebAdvisor. Enrollment Services is open Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students can register for non-credit courses online or in person. To register online via Instant Enrollment, go to prairiestate.edu and follow the directions to choose How To Enroll under continuing education courses. Another option is to complete the registration form available in the back of the printed course schedule. Students also can register for non-credit courses in person at the Matteson Area Center, located at 4821 Southwick Drive in Matteson, or in the Enrollment Services Office on the PSC main campus. The Matteson Area Center 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. For more information about registering for courses at PSC, visit prairiestate.edu or call 708-709-3500.

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

Winter Preparedness Snow and Ice Conference – November 7 – 9

SSC is presenting a Winter Preparedness Snow and Ice Conference designed for Public Works directors, supervisors and operators on November 7 and 8, with a session for facilities and large parking lots on November 9. The conference will be offered in five sessions at SSC’s Oak Forest Center and feature award-winning presenters Chris Walsh, retired Director of Operations of Beloit Public Works; Mark DeVries, Application Expert of Vaisala, Inc. and the former Maintenance Superintendent of McHenry County DOT; and Stephen McCracken of the Conservation Foundation speaking on chloride reduction. The cost of theses workshops is just $32 per person.

Four Sessions for Public Works Operators, Managers and Directors: The Basics of Snow & Ice
Monday and Tuesday, November 7 & 8, separate sessions will be from 8-11 a.m. and from Noon – 3 p.m.
Every winter season needs to start out with the basics of preparing for winter operations. The workshops will cover snow and ice basics; safe, efficient, effective winter operations; environmental concerns and communications such as policies and procedures during winter operations.

One Session for Facilities, such as schools, hospitals, and large parking lots: The Basics of Snow & Ice
This session will be on Wednesday, November 9 from 8-11 a.m.
Includes planning, safety, alternative chemicals, environmental concerns, and operator preparation.
All sessions will promote sustainability including effective snow and ice control with reduced environmental impacts that balance winter operations and the environment, equipment use, alternative chemicals, and the concept of doing more with less.

This conference is sponsored by K-Tech Specialty Coatings, Inc. and Chicago Salt. For more information, please email Nancy Burrows at [email protected] or phone 708-596-2000, ext. 3258. The Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 S. Kilbourn, Oak Forest, Illinois.

Registration for Spring 2017 Semester – Now in Progress

Open Registration for the Spring 2017 Semester at SSC is in progress. Spring classes begin Monday, January 17, at the college’s Main Campus and Oak Forest Center. The deadline to submit an application for financial aid for the Spring semester at SSC is January 3, 2017. Apply online 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. Current and prospective students are encouraged to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov using institution code 001769. Students who wish to use financial aid as payment for fall 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. Contact the Office of Admissions at 708-210-5718 for enrollment information. 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.

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.

Green Events

Sauk Calumet Group of the Illinois Sierra Club, Matteson

Monthly Meeting – Monday, November 14

Sauk Calumet Group of the Illinois Sierra Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, November 14th, at 7:15 pm at the Frankfort Public Library, 21119 Pfeiffer Rd. in Frankfort. The speaker will be Cindy Skrukrud, Clean Water Program Director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter. She will describe efforts underway at the national and state levels, especially in local waterways, to clean up nutrient pollution. In 2015 Illinois released its Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy which guides state efforts to improve water quality by reducing nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. From our local streams, to the Mississippi River, to the Gulf of Mexico, what people do affects the quality of water both for people and wildlife.

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

Earth Underfoot: An Afternoon with Friends of Thorn Creek Woods – Registration Required by Friday, November 4

An exciting project of the Illinois State Geological Survey is mapping deposits both at the land surface and in the subsurface throughout Will County. Join other nature lovers for the Friends of Thorn Creek Woods annual gathering, pot luck, a fall raffle and program on Sunday, November 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. After a short Friends meeting, which will be open to the public, Olivier Caron, Quaternary Geologist with the ISGS will tell us about the Survey’s project is producing large-scale, 3D geologic maps of glacial deposits to gain a better understanding of the complex geology left behind by glaciations and associated flooding events. Then join Olivier Caron and naturalist April Richards for a hike exploring Thorn Creek Woods. Bring a pot luck dish to share. The program is free and open to those ages 12 to adult. Call 708-747-6320 or email [email protected] to register by November 4. This presentation is sponsored by the Jim Marzuki Memorial Fund, established by Friends of Thorn Creek Woods to enhance our public programming. Meet with other nature lovers for a short information report about what has been going on in the preserve, plans for the future and how people can help out. “Old” supporters of Friends of thorn Creek Woods, bring someone new as a guest. New folks will find out what makes Thorn Creek unique! Members of this historic organization “got the ball rolling” several decades ago to save the woods, and continue to support Thorn Creek Nature Center and Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve. Thorn Creek’s many volunteers are also an indispensable part of what makes Thorn Creek “tick”. For more information or to register for programs, call 708-747-6320, email [email protected], visit www.tcwoods.org or stop in the nature center between noon and 4 p.m. on Friday or Sunday. Please call before you plan to visit the nature center.

Wednesday Morning Walkers

Discover the wonders of spring in a weekly morning walk. Wednesday Morning Walkers meet every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and is free for ages 13 years to adult. Walkers new to the program must register two days before they first hike. For additional information or to register, call 708-747-6360.

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]ntre.org.

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

Yoga Classes by Karen Nielsen – Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays

Yoga classes by Karen Nielsen are available at UUCC on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. No reservations needed. Drop-in fee is $10 per class and the 6th one is free. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org.

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].

Medical Cannabis Education Association (MCEA) Meeting – Sunday, November 6

The MCEA will meet at UUCC on Sunday, November 6 at noon. This group meets on the first Sunday of each month. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org.

This & That

Park Forest Economic Advisory Group

Nominations for the 8th Annual Business Person of the Year – Through Monday, October 31

The Park Forest Economic Development Advisory Group each year recognizes current Park Forest business owners for excellence in community service and making a difference by honoring the winner with the Sam Montella Business Person of the Year Award. Nominations are now being accepted through 5 p.m. on Monday, October 31.

Complete the form found in the link below and return it:

In person at the Economic Development & Planning Department at Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive
By mail to Sandra Zoellner at Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive
Email to [email protected]

Click here for the form.

Park Forest Toastmasters Club

Meeting – Tuesday, November 2

The Park Forest Toastmasters Club will meet on Tuesday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard in Park Forest. The meeting is open to the public. Toastmaster members develop speaking and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. The Club meets on the first and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

Park Forest Veteran’s Commission

Vietnam Veterans Recognition Ceremony – Thursday, November 10

The Village of Park Forest Veteran’s Commission is seeking Vietnam veterans interested in being recognized at a Vietnam Veterans Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, November 10 at 2 p.m. at Prairie State College, 202 South Halsted Street in Chicago Heights. Veterans who served between 1955 and 1975 are eligible to be recognized. Qualified veterans will receive a service certificate and a Vietnam veteran service pin. Interested veterans are encouraged to contact Park Forest Village Manager/Veterans Commission Staff Liaison Tom Mick at 708-748-1129 or by email at [email protected]. Veterans will need to provide their name, service branch, military rank and tour of service dates.