Artwork by Richard Schmidt from Tall Grass Arts Association Exhibit ‘A Winter’s Tale’
Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—Tall Grass Arts Association in DownTown Park Forest open a new exhibit titled ‘A Winter’s Tale’ beginning Thursday, November 17. An opening reception will be held at the Gallery on Saturday, November 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. You’ll find additional details about the exhibit in the ‘Arts & Entertainment’ section.
The hustle and bustle of the holidays are upon us. To enjoy your holidays to the fullest by cutting down on the stress, long store lines and parking problems that come with this time of the year, shop locally. While Park Forest may not have many ‘big name’ retailers, there are plenty of shops where you can find a unique gift for that someone special. And the Village has made it very easy to locate these vendors through its annual comprehensive Shopping and Service Guide. You can Download the Guide that has active links to local business websites. Copies are also available in Village Hall Lobby, 350 Victory Drive or contact Monica DeLord at 708-283-5617 or mdelord@vopf.com to obtain a copy.
Don’t forget to check the ‘Holiday Events & Activities’ section below for information on events around town where to can find unique holiday gifts as well as events that will be sure to get you in a festive mood. And if your church, club or organization is holding a special holiday event, please pass along the information to me at RJPiserLPH@aol.com so we can help spread the word!
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 RJPiserLPH@aol.com with the details no later than 5 p.m. on Friday. Thank you.
Village of Park Forest
Village Commissions & Advisory Boards
The following Park Forest Commissions are scheduled to meet the week of November 13:
Tuesday, November 15 at 7 p.m. – Plan Commission
Tuesday, November 15 at 7 p.m. – Recreation & Parks Advisory Board
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
‘Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale’ – Sunday, November 13
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
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
Parking is free. For best GPS directions always use the location search term “Governors State University” only.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: Jess Godwin Sings Elton John – Saturday, November 19
‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: Jess Godwin Sings Elton John’ will take place at the Center on Saturday, November 19 at 8 p.m. Singer-songwriter and nationally-touring recording artist Jess Godwin (iTunes: Fool Me Once, Be a Light) pours her vulnerable heart and dynamic voice into Elton John’s greatest hits. Sir Elton’s sometimes eccentric, always heartfelt blend of classical, gospel, and rock perfectly suits the sensitive and courageous Godwin. Tony-Award Winner and Jess Godwin fan Kristin Chenoweth lauds, “I just love her voice… she gets it.” Godwin shines playing piano-driven, chart-topping hits like “Your Song,” “Rocket Man,” and “Benny and the Jets.” Tickets are $35. Buy Tickets. For an additional $5, you can share in Elton’s “Oscar Viewing Party Experience” by savoring the same grilled cheese recipe! For additional information call: 708-235-2222 or visit the website here.
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/.
Freedom Hall Nathan Manilow Theatre, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest
Johnny Cash Tribute Starring Phillipe Bauer – Tuesday, November 15
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 Tribute. Tickets are $20. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call Freedom Hall at 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.
Masters of Soul – Tickets Now on Sale
Tickets are available for the performance of Master of Soul on Friday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. This is an encore performance for Masters of Soul with a holiday twist! Masters of Soul is a celebration of the Motown era featuring hits from the Temptations – Gladys Knight & the Pips – Marvin Gaye – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – Four Tops – Diana Ross & Supremes and many more! Read more about Masters of Soul and view videos. Tickets are $30. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call Freedom Hall at 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.
‘Then Sings My Soul Christmas’ – Tickets Now on Sale
A performance of ‘Then Sings My Soul Christmas’ will take place at Freedom Hall on Tuesday, December 6 at 11 a.m. “Then Sings My Soul Christmas” is an inspiring concert of great American music that includes well-known Christmas tunes, popular Broadway favorites, beloved jazz standards, and stunning spirituals. Join award-winning mezzo-soprano Cheryse McLeod Lewis and (Name of the Choir joining Ms. Lewis on the show) as they share some of the best American music and most famous Christmas songs ever written. This entertaining show consistently delights audiences of all ages and is a concert that is sure to satisfy the soul and get you into the Christmas spirit! View a video of Cheryse McLeod Lewis. Tickets are $15. 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’– Saturday, November 19
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’ – Through May 6
The NVAM’s exhibit, ‘Vonnegut’s Odyssey,’ explores connections between the timeless and universal story of veterans’ return from combat through the artwork of World War II veteran and famed author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Vonnegut’s selected artwork will be on view at NVAM through May 6, 2017. Exhibit curator and Iraq veteran Ash Kyrie notes, “The experience of returning home and processing the effects of war is something that is shared by all veterans, from the time of Homer’s The Odyssey, through Vonnegut’s experiences in Dresden, and continuing on today. Exhibiting the artwork of Vonnegut as an illustration of the post-war experience and as a creative processing tool for the artist highlights the process of the return and the complexity of the veteran experience.” Vonnegut enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and was deployed to fight overseas in Europe during WWII. He was later captured at the Battle of the Bulge and served as a Prisoner of War until 1945 when he returned to the U.S. and was awarded the Purple Heart. These experiences largely shaped his creative endeavors including his well-known published literature and his body of artwork. From WWII through Vietnam and beyond, Vonnegut was an active voice in American culture and society—openly discussing war and its effects publicly. After establishing himself as an important American author during the late 1960’s with the publication of Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), Vonnegut later became recognized for his drawings that often accompanied his writings. These drawings vary in subject matter from his Purple Heart to his illustrious Asterisk. Building on these drawings, Vonnegut worked with printer Joe Petro III to create a prolific catalog of artwork. Presented together, these artworks reflect the connections between Vonnegut’s return home from World War II and Homer’s epic of Odysseus’s return home after the Trojan War. For additional information about the National Veterans Art Museum or the exhibit, visit www.nvam.org, or call 312-326-0270.
Park Forest 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 November 13:
Sunday, November 13 at 2 p.m. – Adult Craft Circle — Spice up your Thanksgiving table with homemade crafts. Come join us to prepare an up-cycled project to celebrate the festive holiday! Registration Required.
Sunday, November 13 at 2 p.m. — Pincecone Turkey Decoration — Gobble! Gobble! This whimsical turkey will make your Thanksgiving Celebration extra special. Join in the fun of designing and assembling one Pinecone Turkey for this festive holiday with Kathleen Obirek, floral designer and educator. Ages: 12-Under. Registration Required.
Sunday, November 13 at 3 p.m. – Book Talk — Join Chicago Sun-Times reporter and author Maudlyne Ihejirika as she discusses her book “Escape From Nigeria: A memoir of Faith, Love and War.”
Monday, November 14 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 15 at 2 p.m. – Art Studio — It’s time to create! Materials will be provided. For ages 12 and under.
Tuesday, November 15 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 16 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 16 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 16 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 16 at 6:30 p.m. — Movie Night for Adults – ‘Star Trek Beyond’ A surprise attack in outer space forces the Enterprise to crash-land on a mysterious world. The assault came from Krall (Idris Elba), a lizard-like dictator who derives his energy by sucking the life out of his victims. Krall needs an ancient and valuable artifact that’s aboard the badly damaged starship. Left stranded in a rugged wilderness, Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto) and the rest of the crew must now battle a deadly alien race while trying to find a way off their hostile planet.
Thursday, November 17 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.
Thursday, November 17 at 1 p.m. — Earth Wise: Trees and Climate Change — Learn how to read tree rings to understand historical climate conditions and ongoing climate change.
Friday, November 18 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, November 18 at 1 p.m. — Senior Travelogue – Craft in America.
Friday, November 18 at 3: 30 p.m. – “Center Stage” Readers Theater — 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. For ages 12 and under.
Saturday, November 19 at 1 p.m. – Practical Application Circle — Join us as we discuss Don Miguel Ruiz’s Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, “The Four Agreements”…Be Changed, Be Inspired.
Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. – Color Me Happy (for kids) — Travel to a world of relaxation for kids. Lose yourself in patterns, curved flowers or even runaway stems. Color yourself Happy in our kids’ coloring circle. For ages 12 and under.
Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. — Mammoths to Maize: Plants & Native American Cultural Evolution in the Midwest — Dr. Michael Conner, Associate Curator of Anthropology, Dickson Mounds Museum/Illinois State Museum.
For additional information, or to register for an event call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.
Potpourri of Lectures – Thursday, November 17
The Potpourri of Lecture for Thursday, November 17 is “Biking Along the Danube from Vienna to Budapest” with Bicycle Traveler, Al Sturges. The Lecture will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Library’s Ringering Room.
Library Board Meeting – Thursday, November 17
The Park Forest Public Library Board will meet on Thursday, November 17 at 7 p.m. in the Library’s Ringering Room. The Park Forest Public Library Board of Trustees is elected to set policies and oversee the operation of the Library. The Trustees meet in the library on the third Thursday of each month. The meetings are open to the public.
Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted, Chicago Heights
‘Organic’ – Through December 8
‘Organic,’ featuring works by Karen Ami, Renee Robbins, Allison Svoboda, and Ana Zanic will run through Thursday, December 8 at PSC’s Christopher Art Gallery. The exhibit is 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.
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
South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 State Street, South Holland
Orchestra Festival – Friday, November 18
On Friday, November 18 from 8:00 a.m. to noon, join us for the Orchestra Festival, with clinician Philip Bauman. A non-competitive festival that features Jr. High, Middle and High School orchestras. All performances are open and free to the public. Come and see some outstanding young performers! For more information or to confirm date and time, contact Rob Calhoon at 708-596-2000, ext. 2299. The event will be held in the Kindig Performing Arts Center (PAC) on SSC’s Main Campus in South Holland. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated to benefit the Music Scholarship Fund.
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
‘A Winter’s Tale’ – Opens Thursday, November 17
Tall Grass Arts Association in DownTown Park Forest, will exhibit ‘A Winter’s Tale’ beginning Thursday, November 17 through Saturday, January 7. An opening reception will be held at the Gallery on Saturday, November 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. ‘A Winter’s Tale’ is an exhibit of paintings, drawings and photographs by regional artists Graydon Cafarella, Chuck Michaels, Stuart Pearson, Richard Schmidt, Mary Ann Trzyna and Marikay Peter Witlock. Nearly fifty works by these well-known, highly respected, and award-winning artists will fill the gallery walls with images of the season – the pristine and transformed landscapes of frozen lakes and ice-encased trees; blurred suns glowing through snow-heavy skies; barns, bridges and homes half-hidden beneath wind-blown drifts – the special places of winter’s days and nights that have touched the artists. Through their visions of various cold weather moments they remind us how visually exciting and beautiful this time of year is. Curators for ‘A Winter’s Tale’ are Claudia Craemer and Deborah Craemer. Tall Grass Arts Association is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrassarts.org.
Theatre School at DePaul University, 2350 North Racine Avenue, Chicago
Modern Take on ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Examines Politics, Race and Gender – Through Sunday, November 13
Four hundred years ago, William Shakespeare wrote plays that explored sexual identity, familial obligation and public unrest. As a contentious election cycle comes to a close this fall in the U.S., The Theatre School at DePaul University will set Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in the modern sociopolitical landscape of Black Lives Matter and the struggle for gender equality. Directed by Cameron Knight, an assistant professor teaching acting and Shakespeare at DePaul, the production will run through November 13 on the Fullerton Stage at The Theatre School. Verona will take on the look and feel of modern-day Chicago, explained Knight. The infamous feud between the Montagues and the Capulets ends when Romeo and Juliet, a pair of star-crossed female lovers in this presentation, take their own lives. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and student tickets are $5. Subscriptions and group rates (six or more people) are available. All tickets are reserved seating. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 773-325-7900 or visiting http://theatre.depaul.edu. For patrons who are blind or have low vision, the 2 p.m. performance November 13 will include audio description services, as well as a pre-performance touch tour. For more information call 773-325-7900. The performance November 13 will also be interpreted in American Sign Language. TTY: 773-325-7975. November 9 at 7:30 p.m. is USO of IL Night, when U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families can attend the performance for free. Visit http://www.tixfortroops.org to reserve tickets, or call 773-325-7900 for more information. The Theatre School at DePaul University is located at 2350 N. Racine Ave. (at Fullerton Avenue). The school is accessible via the Fullerton CTA Station and the Fullerton (74) bus. Visitors and audience members may park in DePaul University’s Clifton Parking Deck, located at 2330 N. Clifton Ave. Please call the box office for more information.
Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC), 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest
Rainbow Café – Friday, November 18
The Rainbow Café will screen the movie ‘Hurricane Bianca’ at its monthly social event on Friday, November 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Rainbow Café is located in the UUCC in Park Forest. ‘Hurricane Bianca’ tells the story of a teacher from New York who moves to a small town in Texas and is quickly fired for being gay. He soon returns dressed as a mean lady to get revenge on the nasty townspeople. The Rainbow Café is a social event that provides a safe and welcoming environment for single or partnered gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults and their allies, by creating a space where they are able to socialize outside of the usual bars. The Café is open every 3rd Friday of the month from 6:30-10:30 pm. For additional information, call 708-481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org.
Educational Lectures & Opportunities
Prairie State College, 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights
Celebrating 50 Years of Nursing – Thursday, November 15
PSC is celebrating 50 years of nursing during a special anniversary celebration from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, November 15, in the Conference Center of the college’s main campus, located in Chicago Heights. Alumni, former faculty members and current students and faculty in the nursing program at PSC are invited to join with community members and program supporters to celebrate 50 years of excellence in nursing education. Light refreshments will follow a brief presentation. Attendees also will have an opportunity to take tours of the current nursing labs and classrooms. To RSVP for the event, visit http://prairiestate.edu/alumni-and-friends/alumni-form.aspx or call 708-709-2953. The PSC Nursing Program is a rigorous academic and professional education program preparing men and women for careers in nursing. Graduates of the program function as a practitioners of nursing in a variety of health care settings, providing and managing direct care through well-defined nursing practices. Our graduates have been praised as being caring, competent and dedicated to their profession. For more information on the Nursing Program at PSC, visit prairiestate.edu/nursing.
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. The 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
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.
Robert’s Rules of Order Seminar – Friday, November 18
SSC will host a 3-hour Seminar on Robert’s Rules of Order on November 18 from 6:00-9:00pm in the MB Financial Room at the college’s main campus. Robert’s Rules of Order is a book that is intended to be a guide for conducting meetings and making decisions as a group. You will learn the reasons for Robert’s Rules of Order, Definitions & Role Playing. The cost of the seminar is $39. Please use Course Code: CSC-E92-730. To register call, 708-596-2000, ext. 2231. For more information about all of SSC’s programs, admissions and registration, please visit www.ssc.edu or contact the Admissions Office at 708-210-5718.
Court Reporting Open House – Registration Now in Progress
SSC is hosting a Court Reporting Open House on Thursday, December 1, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., in Oak Forest Center Room 5190. The Open House will showcase this profession which offers a wide-open job market and excellent income potential. Court reporting is an interesting, challenging career which offers a flexible work schedule, and excellent income potential ($64,672 average yearly income). Broadcast captioners can earn $70,000+ and may work out of their homes. The use of sophisticated computer equipment has broadened the nature of the profession. Our program focuses on the theory behind it all, with an emphasis on Judicial Reporting. There is a severe shortage of reporters in the Chicago area. The Court Reporting Open House is the perfect opportunity to get an overview of SSC’s Court Reporting/Verbatim Technology program, certified by the National Court Reporters Association. You will be able to talk with a certified court reporter and see a demonstration of real-time writing. To RSVP or for more information call 708-596-2000, ext. 3217 or email LCooke@ssc.edu. The Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 S. Kilbourn, 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
The 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
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.
Holiday Events & Activities
Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
Salt Creek Ballet to Perform the Nutcracker – Tickets Now on Sale
Nothing beats the din of holiday preparations—cooking, tree-trimming, caroling, lighting candles, shopping. However you choose to commemorate the holidays, GSU’s Center for Performing Arts offers a timeless way to kick off the holiday season for the whole family. Salt Creek Ballet performs its classic Nutcracker on December 3 at 1 and 5 p.m. with a local cast of stellar young talent and some serious star power with guest soloists Gillian Murphy and Marcelo Gomes, both from American Ballet Theatre. Take pictures with Santa at 3 p.m., and enjoy winter treats like hot chocolate and cookies while you meet the Nutcracker cast!
For Tickets and Information
Tickets: $40/30/20 adults, $18 children under 16
Online: 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. Parking is free. For best GPS directions always use the location search term “Governors State University” only.
Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted Street, Chicago
Santa Speedo Run – Boystown Benefit – Registration Now in Progress
The Center on Halsted will hold its Santa Speedo Run – Boystown on Saturday, December 3 from noon to 5 to Benefit Center on Halsted’s Youth Housing Initiative. Get Your Santa On — Better yet, take it off – when you run with us this December. The Santa Speedo Run – Boystown is more than an excuse to hang out your holiday decorations – it’s also a huge party that raises money for non-profits serving Chicago’s LGBTQ community. REGISTER TO RUN as an individual or as a team or MAKE A DONATION and become a part of the fun! Registration is now open. The Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted Street in Chicago, provides a vast array of programs and services designed to advance Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and allied community. From cooking classes, yoga and volleyball games to job placement, HIV testing and group therapy, we work hard to enrich the lives of the 1,000+ people who visit Center on Halsted every single day. For additional information, call 773.472.6469 or visit www.centeronhalsted.org
Freedom Hall Nathan Manilow Theatre, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest
Masters of Soul – Tickets Now on Sale
Tickets are available for the performance of Master of Soul on Friday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. This is an encore performance for Masters of Soul with a holiday twist! Masters of Soul is a celebration of the Motown era featuring hits from the Temptations – Gladys Knight & the Pips – Marvin Gaye – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – Four Tops – Diana Ross & Supremes and many more! Read more about Masters of Soul and view videos. Tickets are $30. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call Freedom Hall at 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.
‘Then Sings My Soul Christmas’ – Tickets Now on Sale
A performance of ‘Then Sings My Soul Christmas’ will take place at Freedom Hall on Tuesday, December 6 at 11 a.m. “Then Sings My Soul Christmas” is an inspiring concert of great American music that includes well-known Christmas tunes, popular Broadway favorites, beloved jazz standards, and stunning spirituals. Join award-winning mezzo-soprano Cheryse McLeod Lewis and (Name of the Choir joining Ms. Lewis on the show) as they share some of the best American music and most famous Christmas songs ever written. This entertaining show consistently delights audiences of all ages and is a concert that is sure to satisfy the soul and get you into the Christmas spirit! View a video of Cheryse McLeod Lewis. Tickets are $15. 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
‘Winter Wonderland’ Holiday Concert – Tickets Now on Sale
The IPO will perform a ‘Winter Wonderland’ holiday concert on Saturday, December 17 at 3 p.m. at the Lincoln-Way West Performing Arts Center, 21701 Gouger Road, in New Lenox. Guest Conductor Francesco Miliato makes his debut with the IPO for a very family-friendly event. Maestro will lead the orchestra in familiar favorites from ‘The Nutcracker,’ featuring dancers from Ballet 5:8, along with Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’ from “The Four Seasons” and other seasonal classics. In the second half, the orchestra will bring the music from the beloved children’s book and movie, ‘The Polar Express,” to life. Special guests also include the Grande Prairie Singers and the Grande Prairie Children’s Chorus. The afternoon is sure to fill all kids and kids at heart with plenty of holiday spirit. Tickets are $55 for adults and just $5 for children. For additional information or to purchase tickets online visit: www.ipomusic.org or call 708.481.7774.
Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard
Adult Craft Circle – Sunday, November 13
Spice up your Thanksgiving table with homemade crafts. Come join us at 2 p.m. to prepare an up-cycled project to celebrate the festive holiday! Registration Required. For additional information, or to register for an event call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.
Pinecone Turkey Decoration – Sunday, November 13
Sunday, November 12 at 2 p.m. — Pincecone Turkey Decoration — Gobble! Gobble! This whimsical turkey will make your Thanksgiving Celebration extra special. At 2 p.m. come join in the fun of designing and assembling one Pinecone Turkey for this festive holiday with Kathleen Obirek, floral designer and educator. Ages: 12-Under. Registration Required. For additional information, or to register for an event call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.
Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest
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!
Salon Artists Gallery, 294 Main Street, Park Forest
Affordable Art Holiday Sale – Through December 31
The Salon Artists Gallery in DownTown Park Forest will present their Annual Affordable Art Holiday Sale is now running thru December 31. You will find art gifts to fulfill all your giving needs at this unique sale. The Gallery will be open for your shopping pleasure on Tuesdays from 10am until 4pm, Wednesdays and Saturdays from Noon until 4 p.m. and on Fridays from 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. For more information please contact Pat Moore at 708-833-5108 or Bev Szaton at 708-703-7806. Visit our website at http://www.salonartistsgallery.com.
Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest
The Great Gift Gallery – Opens Thursday, November 17
Tall Grass Arts Association will hold The Great Gift Gallery, featuring fine art and crafts for the holidays will be held from Thursday, November 17 through Saturday, January 7. A reception will be held at the Gallery on Saturday, November 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Great Gift Gallery is open to the public. A collection of high-quality and affordable gifts by several regional artists, the show will provide a wonderful range of original art and crafts for the home, apparel, and gift-giving. Artists include: Terry Boykin, Nick Galette, Jan Podbielski, Carey Primeau, Sylvester Robinson, Julena Rupais, Flynn Sochon and Susan Wade. Curator for the Great Gift Gallery is Janet Muchnik. Tall Grass Arts Association is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrassarts.org.
Union Street Gallery (USG), 1527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights
2016 Handmade Market – Opens Saturday, November 19
USC will host its 2016 Handmade Market beginning on Saturday, November 19. An opening reception will be held on November 19th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Both the Market and reception are open to the public. You will find something for everyone this holiday thanks to the talents of Pam Eberlin, Dorita Fuller, Madeline Henry, Alexis Moulds, Melvina Stemley, Suzanne Dreher, Anitra Frazier, Aline Keith, Joe McIlhaney, Pat Moore to name a few. For additional information, call 708-754-2601 or visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.
This & That
Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted Street, Chicago
Before I Do: In Conversation with Author Elizabeth Schwartz — Wednesday, November 16th
On Wednesday, November 16 at 7 p.m., leading gay rights attorney Elizabeth F. Schwartz will spell out the range of practical considerations couples should address before tying the knot, and explore the rights marriage provides – and those it does not. The event will be held at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted Street in Chicago. Covering parental rights, estate planning, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, finances, and much more, Before I Do is a crucial handbook that is relevant for all couples. After all, just because you can get married doesn’t mean you should. Join us in conversation with the author, her book, and its topics. Light refreshments and drinks will be available. Say you’re attending on facebook! The Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted Street, in Chicago provides a vast array of programs and services designed to advance Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and allied community. From cooking classes, yoga and volleyball games to job placement, HIV testing and group therapy, we work hard to enrich the lives of the 1,000+ people who visit Center on Halsted every single day. For additional information, call 773-472-6469 or visit www.centeronhalsted.org
Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights
Veterans Events – Through November
PSC will be celebrating our courageous veterans throughout the month of November with several activities. All activities will be held at the college’s main campus in Chicago Heights.
November 15, from 1 to 3 p.m., in the Barnes & Noble College Auditorium, there will be a screening of “The Invisible War.” The movie deals with the issue of the systemic cover-up of military sex crimes and conveys survivors’ struggles to rebuild their lives and fight for justice.
The PSC Athletics Department will have a Veterans Night program during its Women’s and Men’s Basketball Games versus South Suburban Community College on November 15. During halftime of each game, there will be programs honoring those that have served and currently serving in the military. The games start at 5 p.m.
November 16 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. there will be a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Forum, a panel discussion led