Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF) — Registration for Park Forest – Chicago Heights School District 163 kindergarten and 6th grade returning students for the 2017-17 school year ends on Tuesday, August 9. You’ll find complete information about the registration process in the ‘Educational Lectures & Opportunities’ section.
Speaking of back to school, the Park Forest Youth Commission will host its 17th Youth Day Back to School Celebration on Saturday, August 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Park Forest Village Green (grassy area outside Dining on the Green in DownTown Park Forest). The event will include vendors, entertainment, a variety of activities including a petting zoo and pony rides, raffles and prizes. Additional information can be found in the ‘This & That’ section.
If your club, organization or local business will be holding activities or events in the community, please send an e-mail to RJPiserLPH@aol.com with the details no later than Friday of each week. Thank you.
Village of Park Forest
Village Board Meeting – Monday, August 8
The Village of Park Forest Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, August 8 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held 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 currently scheduled to meet the week of August 7:
Tuesday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m. – Commission on Human Relations
Tuesday, August 9 at 7 p.m. – Youth Commission
Wednesday, August 10 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 Performing Arts at Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
2016/2017 Season – Tickets Now on Sale
GSU’s Center for Performing Arts’ 2016-17 season lineup brings a mix of fresh, fun, and nostalgic programs, showcasing fan favorites like blues prodigy Jamiah Rogers, and Chicago Southland premieres by Porchlight Music Theatre, Chicago Dance Crash, and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Enjoy a new view of the arts as you sit on the stage with the artists in one of many “on stage experiences.” Where else can you sit on the stage at a theatre in Chicago? The Center is the first to offer this unique access for a variety of programs, including opera events paired with food and wine, theatre, musical Broadway, and blues. Laugh with the Steve Cochran Comedy Tour, starring WGN Radio’s popular morning show host and featuring comedians Rocky LaPorte (The Tonight Show), Pat McGann (David Letterman) and John DaCosse (WGN Morning Show). Celebrate the Cinderella story in Dallas Children’s Theatre’s Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale. Or ring in the holiday season with a trip to Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker, featuring international guest artists, a sugar plum party, and pictures with Santa. Plan the perfect Valentine’s weekend date night with Artists Lounge Live’s Unforgettable: Falling in Love with Nat King Cole, starring Evan Tyrone Martin of Porchlight Music Theatre’s Dreamgirls fame. You’ve seen the movies, now be blown away by the sounds of an all-new touring production of Drumline Live! Be one of the first to experience one of the three Chicago Southland national tour premieres: street dance phenomenon, Evil and Good by Chicago Dance Crash, Porchlight Music Theatre’s The Scottsboro Boys and Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic’s The Monk Meets the First Lady, a celebration of jazz centennials Ella Fitzgerald and Thelonius Monk. Celebrate the late great Prince at the GSU Dance Company’s spring 2017 dance festival. Immerse yourself in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, performed as never before, outside in the renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. Join your Center in new ways to experience the arts—with food, fresh views, favorite titles, and of course the friendly customer service you have become accustomed to at GSU. The Center for Performing Arts welcomes you to campus, where parking is free and performances are always more than just a show.
Tickets can be purchased:
Online: www.CenterTickets.net
By Phone: 708-235-2222
In Person at the Box Office: 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL
Box Office Hours: Monday- Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open to 6p.m. on Thursdays) & 2 hours prior to all performances
For discounts and Box Office information visit www.govst.edu/BoxOffice.
The Center for Performing Arts is honored to be supported by First Midwest Bank, The Chicago Community Trust (Made in Chicago series), Arts Midwest Touring Fund and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. For a complete list of the Season’s events, and information about purchasing tickets, visit: http://www.govst.edu/About/Center_for_Performing_Arts/All_Events_by_Date/.
Chicago Professionals for Parkinson’s Research
Annual Tips for Parkinson’s Event – Sunday, August 14
On Sunday, August 14, 2016, the Chicago Professionals for Parkinson’s Research will hold its first annual Tips for Parkinson’s event at the Thompson Chicago hotel. The event —first launched 11 years ago in New York City —combines food, silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and a bartending competition for an afternoon of fun, while raising awareness and money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and its mission to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Bartending teams will compete against one another to raise money for Parkinson’s research. Each team, made up of 3-4 people, will have 45 minutes to serve drinks and collect tips. At the end of the day, the winning team will be awarded a prize and be named the 2016 Tips for Parkinson’s Champions. Interested in creating a team? Please contact Abby Baumann at tipsforparkinsonschi@gmail.com to set up a team. Teams must raise a minimum of $200 prior to the event to compete. Team members do not need to purchase event tickets. Not interested in bartending? Come out and support your favorite bartenders and get ready to tip for a cause on Sunday, August 14th from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM. The event takes place at the Thompson Hotel located at 21 East Bellevue Place in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. Tickets include beer, wine and appetizers. Pre-sale tickets are available for $45 through July 11. Starting July 12th, tickets can be purchased online for $55 or can be bought at the door for $65. Come out and tip for a cause! Hope to see you there. For additional information about Chicago Professionals for Parkinson’s Research, visit: http://www.teamfoxchicago.com/.
DePaul Art Museum, 935 W. Fullerton, Chicago
‘Barbara Rossi’s: Poor Traits’ and ‘Eye Owe You!’ Art Exhibit – Through August 21
Chicago artist Barbara Rossi’s enigmatic drawings and meticulous Plexiglas paintings will be featured at the DePaul Art Museum through Aug. 21. ‘Barbara Rossi: Poor Traits’ is organized by Natalie Bell at the New Museum in New York and marks the most significant presentation of the artist’s work in 25 years. A companion exhibition, ‘Eye Owe You!’ will highlight Rossi’s photographs and artistic process. DePaul Art Museum has organized a companion exhibition, “Eye Owe You!” in close collaboration with Rossi as a way to illuminate her working process. The exhibition features 124 of Rossi’s photographs that have never been exhibited before. This personal archive of visual culture has informed her work for 40 years and also captures an important bygone era in Chicago’s visual urban landscape. Rossi earned her MFA from the School of the Art Institute, where she has taught drawing and painting since 1971. The images from 1971 to 1975 included in the exhibition are from Rossi’s vast collection of 35mm slides and align with the dates of the paintings in “Poor Traits.” Arranged by the artist in a specific sequence to correlate one image to the next, they document hand-painted outdoor signs and window displays in Chicago and cities around the world. A limited edition artist’s book of these images will be published by DePaul Art Museum. 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/.
‘The Secret Birds’ – Through August 21
Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick will bring his signature brand of witty visual repartee to the DePaul Art Museum this spring with a display of his collage series ‘The Secret Birds.’ The exhibition will run through August 21, and is the largest presentation of his work to date with more than 50 of his intricately layered collages as well as 40 prints from the DePaul Art Museum collection that span more than two decades of the artist’s career. In his ongoing series ‘The Secret Birds,’ Fitzpatrick meticulously draws and layers images, poetry and found materials onto the page. He combines inspiration from his working class roots in Chicago and influences from folk art, comic book characters and tattoo imagery. Each drawn collage depicts a specific species of bird, ranging from the peregrine falcon to the common starling. Several of the works are commentaries on gun violence, drug abuse and other inequities and injustices found in Chicago and beyond. The event is free and open to the public. The DePaul Art Museum is located at 935 W. Fullerton, 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/.
The Drama Group, 330 West 202nd Street, Chicago Heights
‘Dogfight’ – Through Sunday, August 14
The Drama Group is thrilled to present the emotionally charged musical, ‘Dogfight’ directed by Curt and Tammy Lang. It’s November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery, partying and maybe a little trouble. But, when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress whom he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of love and compassion. Performances will be held at the Drama Group Studio Theatre on August 11, 12 & 13 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on August 13 & 14 at 2:00 p.m. 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 http://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/242073. For directions and other information regarding Drama Group activities, please visit our Web site at www.dramagroup.org.
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), 377 Artists Walk, Park Forest
IPO 2016-17 Season – Tickets Now on Sale
Who will be the IPO’s next Music Director? During IPO’s 2016-17 season, you will have the opportunity to see and hear all five finalists.
Beethoven 3 and the Search for Greatness – Saturday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m.
The IPO’s 39th season debuts on Saturday, October 15th with New Zealand-born Maestra Holly Mathieson, who currently serves as the Resident Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Junior Orchestra. Ms. Mathieson will be leading a program that guarantees to pluck at your heartstrings beginning with Ives’ haunting and poignant work. Next, guest violinist Stefan Milenkovich joins the IPO for Sibelius’ thrilling violin concerto, a signature work by the Finnish master. The second half of the program is dedicated to Beethoven’s revolutionary third symphony (the “Heroic”), one of the greatest symphonies in the entire repertoire.
A Little Night Music – Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m.
November brings conductor candidate finalist Alastair Willis to the IPO stage. Grammy-nominated Willis opens the program on Saturday, November 19 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.
Winter Wonderland and Holiday Concert – Saturday, December 17 at 3 p.m.
Guest Conductor Francesco Milioto makes his debut with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra for our very family-friendly Winter Wonderland Holiday Concert returning to its 3PM Saturday matinee time. Maestro will lead the orchestra in familiar favorites from The Nutcracker, featuring dancers from Ballet 5:8 and Vivaldi’s “Winter” from The Four Seasons along with other winter-theme classics. Special guests include the Grande Prairie Singers and the Grande Prairie Children’s Chorus. In the second half, the orchestra will bring the music from the beloved children’s book and movie, The Polar Express, to life. The afternoon is sure to fill all kids and kids at heart with plenty of holiday spirit. (And children’s tickets are just $5 each!)
Slavic Soul – Saturday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m.
The IPO rings in the New Year with conductor candidate Stilian Kirov, Music Director of the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra and Symphony in C, with an exciting program of Eastern European works. Kodaly, like his peer Bartok, was a master of incorporating Hungarian folk melodies into his compositions, and the Dances of Galanta are no exception. Written as recruiting songs to show a soldier’s life as endless “fun,” these dances will delight. Similarly, Ligeti’s work draws on his Transylvanian heritage with tuneful folk melodies. Closing the evening is Rachmaninoff’s demanding Piano Concerto No. 3, featuring guest pianist Sean Chen. This work was featured in the movie Shine, the true story of Australian concert pianist David Helfgott. Rachmaninoff’s piece is one of the most challenging of all Romantic-era concertos…and the most exhilarating. Truly, this concert will set your soul on fire!
Opposites Attract – Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Maestro Darko Butorac takes the stage to deliver a program of considerable contrasts. He is currently Music Director of the Missoula Symphony Association and the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. Excerpted from Verdi’s tangled tale, La forza del destino, the overture introduces multiple melodies from the charming Italian opera. Soloists Jasmine Lin and Matthew Lipman, who both hail from the Chicago Southland, appear together on Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, which is considered one of his early masterpieces. This work features unusually rich symphonic texture and is a study in contrasts with the viola tuned a semi-tone higher than normal. On the program’s second half, Maestro Butorac says of Prokofiev’s fifth symphony, “This is a work of incredible positive energy written during one of the darkest periods of human history, deeply affected by the Second World War.” Even while knowing its dark roots, your spirit cannot help but soar as you listen to “A hymn to the free and happy man.”
Season Finale: American Perspectives – Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
In the Season Finale, Maestro Sean Newhouse, former Assistant Conductor of Boston and Associate Conductor of Indianapolis Symphony Orchestras, leads the IPO in a captivating musical journey from “sea to shining sea.” All three of these works were written in America, but by composers of diverse backgrounds. The American-born Copland’s Buckaroo Holiday instantly conjures up images of the historical American West, while virtuoso double bassist Edgar Meyer’s captivating and touching Violin Concerto marries an earthy, folk-like feel with toe-tapping contemporary rhythms. Dvorak’s Ninth Symphony, written during his American sojourn, embodies the inspiration he found in African-American spirituals and American Indian legends, as well as the musical heritage of his Czech homeland and the German symphonic tradition. Kentucky-born Tessa Lark joins the IPO for Meyer’s Concerto.
Subscriptions are now on sale, including a Music Lovers All-6-Concert option and an introductory “You-Pick-3” offering for first time subscribers. Details are online at www.ipomusic.org or call 708.481.7774. A Season Preview flyer and subscription form can be downloaded at: http://ipomusic.org/index.php/id-2016-17-season.html.
National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM), 4041 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
‘Operation Mom’s Couch’ – Through August 27
The NVAM announces the opening of its solo exhibition ‘Operation Mom’s Couch’ —the newest exploration of the veteran experience through the lens of an Airman and his cultural consumption of war stemming back to early childhood memories, juxtaposed with his lived authentic enlisted experience. The way in which war is broadcast to the public and consumed on couches all across the world—becoming a daily part of the home environment—is a phenomenon explored by retired Air Force veteran, and award-winning artist: Eric J. Garcia. The exhibit will run through August 27. Known for mixing history and culture with contemporary themes, Eric J. Garcia creates art that expands the genre beyond aesthetics. Garcia has shown in numerous national and international exhibitions, has received many awards such as the prestigious Jacob Javits Fellowship and is currently an artist in residence at the Hyde Park Art Center. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Garcia came to Chicago in 2007, to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he earned his Masters of Fine Arts degree. A versatile artist working in an assortment of media, from hand-printed posters, to published political cartoons, to sculptural installations, they all have a common goal of educating and challenging. While the NVAM is one of the only museums in the world to collect and exhibit artwork exclusively created by veterans in a permanent exhibition, it also provides important programming for veterans, their families, and the community. For more information about the National Veterans Art Museum, visit www.nvam.org, or call 312-326-0270.
Exhibit of Work by Chicago Veteran Artist George Klauba – Opens Friday, August 26
NVAM announces the opening of its newest solo exhibition featuring the work of Chicago veteran artist, George Klauba. The exhibition comprises two series of paintings: ‘Nerves on Fire: Reflections on WWII’ and ‘Cuba: Rebels, Orishas & 26 Julio.’ Klauba’s first exhibition at NVAM will open on Friday, August 26th with a reception from 6-9 p.m. NVAM Executive Director and Artist George Klauba will deliver the keynote speech. Klauba’s work recalls the impact of witnessing the homecoming of WWII veterans and making the daily sacrifices to support the war effort on his childhood. He remembers the reverence he felt for the objects brought back from war, and the curiosity invoked by the exotic names of locations in the Pacific. These objects and stories from his childhood eventually merged with an adult understanding of the sorrow and loss experienced by both sides. Klauba masterfully illustrates these vignettes and empathetically weaves them throughout his paintings which he describes as memorials. Nerves on Fire is dedicated to the men and women who were deeply affected by the Second World War. ‘Cuba: Rebels, Orishas & 26 Julio’ is inspired by the indelible experiences Klauba had as a young sailor stationed in Cuba during the revolution. Klauba enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent a month in Guantanamo Bay during one of his deployments. His personal accounts and first-hand understanding of the political atmosphere of the time lays the contextual foundation for the unique mix of factual and fantastical imagery found in this series. Side by side these two series of paintings offer a glimpse into the way in which military service has both defined the artist’s life and driven decades of contemplation about the impact that war has had on his and others’ lives. The exhibition will be open to the public beginning with the opening reception on Friday, August 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., through Saturday, October 29. For more information about the National Veterans Art Museum, visit www.nvam.org, or call 312-326-0270.
Park Forest Historical Society, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest
Step Back into the 1950s at the Park Forest House Museum
The 1950s Park Forest House Museum at 227 Monee Road, (inside St. Mary’s Catholic Church) in Park Forest, will give you a nostalgic look of what a Park Forest home and classroom once looked like. The Museum is open Wednesday and Saturday 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and can also be open at other times by appointment for group tours. Donation is Adults $5; 12 & under free with an adult. Scout and school tours are priced individually. For details, to arrange a special group tour, or to volunteer, visit the Park Forest Historical Society website, www.parkforesthistory.org, or call Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252.
Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard
The following events are scheduled for the week of August 7:
Monday, August 8 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.
Monday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. — Ravinia Concert – Vladimier Feltsman — Come to the Info Zone desk to inquire about tickets to today’s Ravinia show taking place at the Martin Theatre. First come, first serve basis. Ravinia is located in Highland Park, IL
Monday, August 8 at 6:30 p.m. – Family Movie Night ‘Sandlot’ — When fifth-grader Scotty Smalls moves to a new town with his folks, he strikes out with the neighborhood kids, because he can’t even throw a baseball…until the leader of the local Sandlot team shows him the ropes
Tuesday, August 9 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, August 9 at 4 p.m. – Teen Movie ‘Divergent’ — Tris Prior lives in a futuristic world in which society is divided into five factions. As each person enters adulthood, he or she must choose a faction and commit to it for life. Tris chooses Dauntless — those who pursue bravery above all else. However, her initiation leads to the discovery that she is a Divergent and will never be able to fit into just one faction. Warned that she must conceal her status, Tris uncovers a looming war which threatens everyone she loves.
Tuesday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m. — Ravinia Concert — Bernstein and Brahms — Come to the Info Zone desk to inquire about tickets to today’s Ravinia show taking place at the Martin Theatre. First come, first serve basis. Ravinia is located in Highland Park, IL
Wednesday, August 10 at 1 p.m. — Wii U Wednesday — GAME ON! Test your skills on the Wii U! Play with friends, our meet new ones. Ages 12 years and under.
Wednesday, August 10 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, August 10 at 4 p.m. – Teen DIY: Origami — Folding paper has never been so fun! Explore the art of origami with easy tutorials!
Wednesday, August 10 at 4 p.m. – Teen Movie ‘Insurgent’ — Now on the run from Jeanine and the rest of the power-hungry Erudites, Tris and Four search for allies and answers in the ruins of Chicago. They must find out what Tris’ family sacrificed their lives to protect and why the Erudites will do anything to stop them. Side by side, Tris and Four face one seemingly insurmountable challenge after another, as they unravel the secrets of the past and — ultimately — the future of their world.
Wednesday, August 10 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.
Wednesday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m. — Ravinia Concert — Gil Shaham in the 1930’s — Come to the Info Zone desk to inquire about tickets to today’s Ravinia show taking place at the Martin Theatre. First come, first serve basis. Ravinia is located in Highland Park, IL
Thursday, August 11 at 11 a.m. – Get Creative — 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.
Thursday, August 11 at 1 p.m. – DIY Thursday — Join us each week for a special “do it yourself” project! Ages: 12 and under.
Thursday, August 11 at 4 p.m. – Teen Movie ‘Allegiant’ — Tris escapes with Four to journey beyond the wall that encloses Chicago. For the first time, they leave the only city and family they have ever known to find a peaceful solution. Once outside, they learn shocking new truths that render old discoveries meaningless. As the ruthless battle threatens humanity, Tris and Four quickly decide who to trust to survive. Tris must ultimately make difficult choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.
Friday, August 12 at 10 a.m. — Color Me Calm: Adult Coloring Circle — Drop in and enjoy the hottest coloring trend. All materials are provided.
Friday, August 12 at 10:30 a.m. – Butterfly Club — The Butterfly Club will track Monarch Butterflies in our backyard! We will collect and raise caterpillars, so we may release butterflies in the library gardens! Registration is Required. Children under 6 must have a chaperone. Shoes, socks, water bottle, and sunscreen are recommended.
Friday, August 12 at 11 a.m. – Kids Coloring Circle — 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. Ages: 12 and under.
Friday, August 12 at 2 p.m. — “Center Stage” Musicals/Stage Plays for Kids — Join our kids ‘zone Theater Group! Learn how to put on skits, musicals and more! Bring your energy. We’ll provide the rest! Hosted by: kids’ zone staff, Ms. Maranda. Ages: 12 and under.
Friday, August 12 at 3 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 to the challenge?
For additional information call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.
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.
August Monthly Trip to Isle of Capri – Reservations Now Being Taken
The August Monthly Trip will be to the Isle of Capri on August 21 through 23. We will leave at 1 p.m. from the Rich Township Senor Center on Sunday, August 21 and return at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23. The price for a single room is $210, a double is $145 and a triple is $135. The trip includes $15 Isle Play on Sunday and Monday, 2 breakfast buffets at the Isle and $5 free play and 1 lunch buffet at the ‘new’ Rhythm City Casino on Tuesday, Reservations are now being taken by phone by calling 708-748-5454.
South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 State Street, South Holland
Join SSC College Symphony Orchestra – Rehearsals Begin August 22
The Music Department of SSC is excited to announce that the SSC String Orchestra is expanding to a full symphonic orchestra, beginning in August, 2016. SSC Director of Instrumental Music, Rob Calhoon, has long felt the need for a community symphony in our area. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. beginning August 22 at South Suburban College. Any instrumentalists who would like more information about the South Suburban Community Symphony Orchestra, or who would like to schedule an audition should call Rob Calhoon at 708-596-2000, ext. 2299, or email him at rcalhoon@ssc.edu.
Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest
‘Festival of Art’ Exhibit – Through September 18
The ‘Festival of Art’ exhibit runs through September 18. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The ‘Festival of Art’ will feature drawings, paintings, mixed media works, watercolors, acrylics, oils, photography, digital images, sculpture, and more. Exhibiting artists include: Marjorie Anderson, CouSandra Armstrong, Mary Bookwalter, James Bowden, Terry Boykin, Susan Brauer, Carole Joy Brejcha, Joan Bulf, Javier Chavira, Claudia Craemer, Maureen Cribbs, Linda Curl, Michelle Detering, Bronwyn Elkuss, June Finnegan, Val Fischer, Anitra Frazier, Ann Goldsmith, Margi Hafer, Cedric Hampton, Fran Hollander, Nikkole Huss, Pat Coffman Huss, Alice Jacobs, Dennis Jennings, Robert Johnson, Jack Kapost, Michael Kucinski, Jean Lewis, Selma Lisit, Paula Mattson, Claudia McCarthy, Mike McCarthy, Tim McCue, Pam McDonald, Janice Meister, Jennifer Meyer, Robert Mongeau, Patricia Moore, Charles ‘Will’ Mull, Dennis B. O’Malley, Gail Otterson, Michele P. Owens, Kate Patterson, Gisele Perreault, Janice Pratt, John Ray, Antonia Ruppert, Dorothy Sandlin, Richard Schmidt, Mary Ann Trzyna, Jennifer Weigel, Bill Wild, Patricia Wiseman, and Faye Zalecki. The exhibit curator is Janice Pratt. 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.
Union Street Gallery (USG), 1527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights
Two New Exhibits Opening at Union Street Gallery on Wednesday, August 10
Two new exhibits will be opening at USG on Wednesday, August 10. ‘The Structure’ features work about, made with, and inspired by architecture and architectural materials. The wide variety of work was selected by jurors, Mike Bonhart and Carole Joy Brejcha. Exhibiting Artists: are Cousandra Armstrong, Fermin Barbosa, Rachelle Barmann, Carol Brockman, Alexander Gregory, Eric Hazeltine, Peter Jablokow, Kim Sae Jun, Kellie Lachata, Jess Lassahn, Dawn Leader-Peloso, David Levenson, Steven Lockwood, Sandra Marchetti, Liz Mares, and Taylor Mazer.
‘Project Onward at Union Street Gallery’ is a studio and gallery for professional artists with mental and developmental disabilities. Many of their artists find inspiration in architecture, which pairs perfectly with the Gallery’s regional juried exhibit, ‘The Structure.’ Exhibiting Artists: are James Allen, Franklin Armstrong, Pedro Basantes, John Behnke, Kareem Davis, Louis DeMarco, Andrew Hall, Jason Hines, Adam Hines, David Holt, Brandon Jackson, RJ Juguilon, Sabieon Lavinder, Ray Michalski, Ryan Tepich, Richard Willis, and George Zuniga.
Both exhibits will run through September 10. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, August 13 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Both the exhibits and reception are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m., Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.
University of Chicago, 5801 S Ellis Avenue, Chicago
‘Resonant Objects’ – Through Sunday, August 28
A new UChicago exhibition showcases the work of three Chicago-based artists and their shared interest in the social and spatial conditions of their surroundings. ‘Resonant Objects,’ on view through August 28 at the Logan Center Gallery and the Arts Incubator, features the work of Greg Bray, Aquil Charlton and Nazafarin Lotfi, who participated in the University of Chicago’s Arts + Public Life and Center for the Study of Race, Politics & Culture Artists-in-Residence Program. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Over the course of ten months, Bray, Charlton and Lotfi worked in studios at the Arts Incubator, generating research, artworks and happenings that fostered interactive relationships with diverse publics and spaces on Chicago’s South Side. Working across painting and sculpture, Bray blends collage and assemblage with an exploration of random structures. For ‘Resonant Objects,’ Bray presents abstract sculptures informed by his research into the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear purge that occurred in Eastern Japan in 2011. Fashioned from discarded chairs, Bray’s works are uncanny contortions of wood, plastic, metal and electrical cords. At once acquiring anthropomorphic guises and suggesting new forms, Bray’s sculptures speak to humanity’s resilience and capacity to create a new following moments of rupture. As the resident musician in this year’s cohort, Charlton’s work focuses on his music education, sound design and songwriting practices, as well as his research into the life and work of influential American singer/songwriter Eugene “Gene” McDaniels. McDaniel’s politically motivated recordings garnered success in the late 1960s and in recent times various hip hop producers including Prince Paul and Q-Tip of Native Tongues have sampled his work. Following this lineage, Charlton’s presentation infuses music creation with a deep social consciousness and pedagogical intent. Culling elements from McDaniel’s music and lyrics, as well as from his own repertoire, Charlton presents a series of sound installations that interpolate the unique acoustic and spatial qualities of the presenting galleries. Also on view is Charlton’s Mobile Music Box, an interactive vehicle that features instructions and recycled materials for making musical instruments. Lotfi’s sculpture- and performance-based practice explores the relationship between object, body and space. Lotfi engages in daily rituals of walking between her home and several spaces across Chicago’s Hyde Park and Washington Park neighborhoods, accompanied by large-scale, boulder-like sculptures crafted from papier-mâché. These mundane experiences—often reserved solely for the artist and without a prescribed audience—are recorded in physical impressions on the object’s delicate surfaces as they are rolled on the ground, as well as through the artist’s own body as she negotiates holding and carrying them aloft. For the exhibition, Lotfi presents a series of sculptures with distressed and painted surfaces alongside video and photographs documenting her actions in the public sphere. For additional information, call 773-702-8360 or visit www.uchicago.edu.
Educational Lectures & Opportunities
University of Chicago, 5801 S Ellis Avenue, Chicago
International Conference on High-Energy Physics – Through August 10
More than 1,350 physicists from 49 countries will converge in Chicago for the biennial International Conference on High Energy Physics in early August to share new research results, announce new projects and talk about the most intriguing mysteries of the universe. The conference will be held Aug. 3-10 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, 301 E. North Water St. Physicists from the large experiments at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider—the world’s most powerful particle accelerator—will present a wealth of new results. This will include an eagerly awaited update about a mysterious bump in the data that could be evidence for a new particle or just a statistical fluctuation, as more data are being analyzed. That will be merely one highlight in a program that covers 16 topics—from the Higgs boson to neutrinos to dark matter to cosmology, and will include new results from many experiments at institutions around the world. The conference includes two free events specially designed for the public: The Windy City Physics Slam and a public lecture on the recent, headline-making detection of gravitational waves. The Windy City Physics Slam, hosted by WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling, will take place at 3 p.m. August 7 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel Chicago Ballroom. Inspired by poetry slams, the Physics Slam will pit researchers against each other in a contest to make their field of study sound as interesting, compelling and enjoyable as possible. Five scientists from around the world will compete, using music, dance, props and anything else they want, with the winner determined by audience applause. The public lecture, titled “The Detection of Gravitational Waves from Binary Black Hole Mergers,” will begin at 6:30 p.m. August 9, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel Chicago Ballroom. The speaker will be Barry Barish, the Linde Professor of Physics Emeritus at the California Institute of Technology. Barish has played multiple key roles for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory since 1994. LIGO made international headlines twice this year with its discoveries of gravitational waves, whose existence were predicted by Albert Einstein in his 1915 general theory of relativity. Those events are free and open to the public, with seating on a first-come basis.
Park Forest – Chicago Heights School District 16
Kindergarten and 6th Grade Registration – Through Tuesday, August 9th
Park Forest – Chicago Heights School District 163 has announced registration for kindergarten and 6th grade returning students for the 2017-17 school year. Details are as follows:
What: Kindergarten & 6th Grade Returning Student Walk-In Registration
Where: 21st Century Media Center
When: Through Tuesday August 9th
Time: Tuesday – 9:00 am -12:00 pm
Kindergarten and 6th grade returning students MUST bring their completed physical to the District office during WALK-IN registration days to receive access to online registration
Kindergarten & 6th Grade Students will receive username and passwords upon approval of student physical and immunizations per District Nurse.
• Once approved, you can register online using your family username and password.
Parent/Guardian Name:
Address:
Additional Registration Information
Please keep this letter; it will serve as required proof of residency for returning students.
• If you do not have this letter you will need to provide 2 (two) proofs of residency at time of registration. (Address must match address in Skyward system).
• If you complete registration by August 9th 2016, you will receive a $10 discount. Fees may be paid with cash, money order/cashier’s check, credit/debit, (Visa, Master Card, and Discover).
(Personal Checks Are Not Accepted)
For questions or technical assistance, please contact the registration/tech support help line at 708-668-9468.
Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights
Fall 2016 Registration Open at PSC – Classes Begin August 22
Registration for fall 2016 is open at PSC. Credit courses begin Monday, August 22. Non-credit courses include a variety of single-day and multiple-session offerings that begin throughout the fall. PSC offers convenient, flexible scheduling options. Students can choose their schedule, their class and their time. Hundreds of courses are offered days, evenings, weekends and online to accommodate busy schedules. The 16-week courses begin Monday, Aug. 22. On Tuesday, Sept. 6, 14-week courses begin. The 12-week courses begin Friday, Sept. 16. All of these courses — 16-week, 14-week, and 12-week – end on Thursday, Dec. 8, and offer the same course material with the same credit hours. The shorter the number of weeks, the longer the class period. PSC also offers two different eight-week course sessions. First eight-week courses start Monday, Aug. 22, and end Friday, Oct. 14. Second eight-week courses start Monday, Oct. 17, and end on Thursday, Dec. 8. The eight-week courses typically offer fewer credit hours. Many of the college certificate programs offer eight-week courses, allowing students to fit two courses in a semester and to make progress towards that certificate. Both credit and non-credit courses are listed in the fall class schedule, available on the PSC main campus, located at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. The schedule also is available at area public libraries and online at prairiestate.edu. To register for credit courses, new students must complete an enrollment application in person at the college or online. Current students can register for credit courses in person or online at prairiestate.edu/start. Through Friday, Aug. 12, Enrollment Services is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the college is closed on Fridays. Beginning Monday, Aug. 15, Enrollment Services will resume regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The college also will be closed on Monday, May 30, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Students can register for non-credit courses online or in person. To register online via Instant Enrollment, go to prairiestate.edu and select “How to Register for Non-Credit Courses” from the A-Z Index. Another option is to complete the registration form available online at prairiestate.edu/noncredit 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. Through Friday Aug. 12, the MAC is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Beginning Monday, Aug. 15, the MAC will resume regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. For more information about registering for courses, visit prairiestate.edu or call 708-709-3500.
South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 State Street, South Holland
Free High School Equivalency & English Language Acquisition Registration Days
SSC’s Adult Education Department is offering a wide range of opportunities for adults to build the basic skills required for success. Adult Basic Education (ABE) helps men and women whose skill levels are below the ninth grade. ABE students improve their skills in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Many adults choose to further build on these skills and pursue a high school education through the High School Equivalency (HSE/GED) program. The HSE program will develop the skills required to pass the High School Equivalency exams. Studies will include Reasoning through Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, and the US and Illinois Constitutions. Additionally, English Language Acquisition (ELA) allows non-native students to improve their English skills from beginning to advanced levels. Most of the Adult Education programs are offered both full and part-time at the Main Campus in South Holland or the Oak Forest Center. At the time of registration, all students will take a Placement Test. The complete schedule of locations for registrations and classes is as follows:
PART-TIME ABE/ASE/HSE/GED, MAIN CAMPUS
Address: 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL 60473
Register: August 29, 30 and 31, 2016, 6:00 p.m., Room L233
Classes Start/End: September 6 – December 16, 2016, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
PART-TIME ABE/ASE/HSE/GED, MAIN CAMPUS
Address: 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL 60473
Register: August 29, 30 and 31, 2016, 9:00 a.m., Room 1243 B
Classes Start/End: September 6 – December 16, 2016, Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. & 12:00 noon
HSE/GED FOR ESL STUDENTS, MAIN CAMPUS
Address: 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL 60473
Register: August 29, 30 and 31, 2016, 9:00 a.m., Room 2452
Classes Begin: Tuesday, September 6, 2016, Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Room 2452
FULL-TIME ABE/ASE/HSE/GED, OAK FOREST CENTER (OFC)
Address: 16333 S. Kilbourn Ave., Oak Forest, IL 60452
Register: August 29, 30 and 31, 2016, 9:00 a.m., Room 5240
Classes Begin: Tuesday, September 6, 2016, Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Room 5240
FULL-TIME ELA/ESL, MAIN CAMPUS
Address: 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL 60473
Register: August 29, 30 and 31, 9:00 a.m., Room L233
Classes Begin: Tuesday, September 6, 2016, Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Room L233
PART-TIME ELA/ESL, MAIN CAMPUS
Address: 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL 60473
Register: August 29, 30 and 31, 9:00 a.m., Room L233
Classes Begin: Tuesday, September 6, 2016, Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Room L233
PART-TIME ELA/ESL, MAIN CAMPUS
Address: 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL 60473
Register: August 29, 30 and 31, 6:00 p.m., Room 1243 B
Classes Begin: Tuesday, September 6, 2016, Monday through Friday
6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Room 1243 B
PART-TIME ELA/ESL, OAK FOREST CENTER (OFC)
Address: 16333 S. Kilbourn Ave., Oak Forest, IL 60452
Register: August 29, 30 and 31, 9:00 a.m., Room 5320
Classes Begin: Tuesday, September 6, 2016, Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Room 5320
All courses are offered free of charge. For the purpose of compliance with Section 511 of Public Law 101-166 (the Stevens Amendment) Federal funds of $331,227 provides approximately 37% of the support of these programs. Indiana residents are not eligible to participate in the Adult Education programs. To request ADA accommodations allow three weeks. Please contact: Gail Bonds-Carpenter, ADA Coordinator, 708-596-2000, ext. 2691. For enrollment and class information, please call 708-596-2000, ext. 2385 or ext. 2240, or visit www.ssc.edu under “Adult and Continuing Education, Adult Education.”
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
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
Thorn Creek Trail Workday – Sunday, August 14
Workdays are a fun way to give back to Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve. Join the Thorn Creek Trail work crew on Sunday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in building and repairing boardwalks and maintaining the trails throughout the preserve. The Trail Workday is for those ages 15 and older. Bring a lunch and glove and dress for the weather. Wear sturdy shoes or boots. Refreshments will be provided. Outdoor work is on natural surface trails across uneven terrain. Registration for the Workday is required by Friday, August 12. For additional information or to register, call 708-747-6360.
Prairie Sampler Work Day – Monday August 15
Get down and dirty and help Master Gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension Service care for our Prairie Sampler on Monday, August 14 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required by Friday, August 12. Bring your own gloves, hand clippers, kneelers if you like. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots. Refreshments will be provided. For additional information or to register, call 708-747-6360.
Sounds of the Insects Night Hike – Registration Required by Tuesday, August 16
As the sun goes down many animals are just becoming active, and even though it is hard to see them with the fading light, you know they are there because of their calls. Join a naturalist at Thorn Creek Woods on Thursday, August 18 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to explore the Sounds of the Insects Night Hike on the night of the full moon. You can hear a very special group of insects that have the gift of song like no other. Sunset is the best time to explore and listen to these gifted songsters as we bid adieu to the day shift and welcome in the night shift. We’ll listen and learn the distinct sounds of common local species and why they make these sounds. Please not that this program will take place outdoors, hiking preserve trails over uneven terrain. This program is free and for all ages. Registration is required by Tuesday, August 16. For additional information or to register, call 708-747-6360.
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 gwashington@sertomacentre.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 bevfeldt@gmail.com.
This & That
Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive
17th Annual Youth Day Back to School Celebration – Saturday, August 13
The Park Forest Youth Commission will host its 17th Youth Day Back to School Celebration on Saturday, August 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Park Forest Village Green (grassy area outside Dining on the Green in DownTown Park Forest). School supplies will be given to the first 360 children (Note: children must be present – NO EXCEPTIONS). The event will include vendors, entertainment, a variety of activities including a petting zoo and pony rides, raffles and prizes. For more information contact Kevin Adams at 708-748-2005.
2nd Annual Paws at the Park Pet Adoption – September 24 & 25
Take part in the 2nd Annual Paws at the Park pet adoption at the Park Forest Bark District on September 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every year, Animal Medical Center of Sauk Village teams up with the Village of Park Forest to help hundreds of lovable pets find their forever homes. A craft fair, activities for the kids, and even some pet training demonstrations will take place at the event. The Park Forest Bark District, Park Forest’s own dog park, is located at the corner of 218th Street and Wildwood Drive. Questions about this event, or to apply for a space at the craft fair, should be directed to the Animal Medical Center via their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/saukvillageanimalmedicalcenter or by calling Park Forest’s Recreation and Parks Department at 708-748-2005.
Park Forest Farmers’ Market – Through October 29
Since 1974, the Park Forest Farmers’ Market has been connecting area residents with local farmers, food vendors and businesses. The Market hosts 22 full spaces with a variety of fresh flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, bakery goods, herbs and dairy products. Local businesses are also on hand at the Market selling artwork, garden ornaments, jewelry and more. The Park Forest Farmers’ Market accepts EBT/Link, WIC, and Senior Nutrition Coupons. The Market is open Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. through October, for shopping, food, and entertainment. Learn more about the Park Forest Farmer’s Market at: http://www.villageofparkforest.com/Index.aspx?NID=98.
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