Park Forest’s Central Park (Source: villageofparkforest.com)
Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF) — One of the sure signs that Spring is on the horizon is when the Park Forest Recreation and Parks Department holds its Annual Park Permit Lottery. This year’s lottery will be held on Saturday, February 4 beginning at 9 a.m. at Park Forest’s Village Hall. The event is held each year to allow members of the public the opportunity to secure their preferred Park Forest park on their preferred date. Two separate lotteries will be held for Park Forest residents and non-Park Forest residents. Complete details about the lottery can be found in the ‘This & That’ section.
If you’ve been procrastinating about throwing away your Christmas tree, Tuesday, January 31 is the last day you can bring your tree to the parking lot of the Park Forest Aqua Center, 30 North Orchard Drive, so it can be recycled. Additional details about Christmas tree recycling can be found in the ‘Green Events’ section.
If your club, organization or local business will be holding activities or events in the community that you would like published, please send an e-mail to RJPiserLPH@aol.com with the details no later than 5 p.m. on Friday. Thank you.
Village of Park Forest
Village Board Meetings – Saturday, February 4
The Village of Park Forest Board is scheduled to hold a Saturday morning Rules Meeting on February 4 at 10 a.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 scheduled to meet the week of January 29:
Thursday, February 2 at 1 p.m. – Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
Thursday, February 2 at 7 p.m. – Environment Commission
The meetings will be held at Park Forest Village Hall and residents are encouraged to attend.
Arts & Entertainment
Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University (GSU), 1 University Parkway, University Park
H-I-L-L-A-R-I-O-U-S Musical ‘Spelling Bee’ – Performances February 3 & 4
Six tween spellers learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. That’s the lesson in this quirky Tony award-winning musical with a charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, presented by Southland Area Theatre Ensemble (SLATE), buzzes into GSU’s Center for Performing Arts on February 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. and February 4 at 3 p.m. Who will win? Who will be crushed? The bee is a roller coaster of music, dance, heart, and fun! This is not a children’s production; be prepared for A-D-U-L-T humor.
Ticket Information
Tickets: $28
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 6 p.m. on Thursdays) and 2 hours prior to all performances
Parking is free. For best GPS directions always use the location search term ‘Governors State University’ only.
This is SLATE’s 14th production, since the organization’s inception in 2008, directed by J.R. Rose. A portion of the funding is provided by First Midwest Bank and The Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Center on Halsted, 3656 North Halsted, Chicago
A Night with Oscar Party – February 26 – Tickets Now on Sale
Center on Halsted’s A Night with Oscar party welcomes donors, patrons, and supporters to enjoy the Academy Awards presentation on Sunday, February 26 in a fun and festive atmosphere that includes cocktail service, reserved seating, buffet dinner, silent auction, and a raffle drawing. In 2016, this event was attended by over 300 participants and raised more than $80,000 to support the many programs and services of Center on Halsted. This year’s A Night with Oscar party is sure to be the best Academy Awards viewing party in the city; we look forward to seeing you On the Red Carpet!
6:00 p.m. Doors open for our Red Carpet Arrival
7:30 p.m. Academy Awards Telecast
9:00 p.m. Silent Auction Ends & Event Drawing
Silent Auction & Raffle
A Night with Oscar will feature a Silent Auction and Raffle Drawing. Always a highlight, our silent auction will offer vacation packages, bar and restaurants certificates, theater and sports tickets, gym and personal services, and a whole lot more! The raffle will feature top prizes that are sure to delight! Raffle tickets will be available for purchase online and at Center on Halsted as well as at the event.
Get Your Ballots Ready!
Think you know who is going to walk home with an Oscar? Submit your ballot for a chance to win a cash prize at A Night with Oscar! All guests will have a chance to submit a ballot for our Predict-the-Winner contest. Ballots will be available for $20 at registration and the person with the most correct picks will split the winnings with Center on Halsted!
Tickets
Reserve your seat today! Limited quantity available for each ticket level. Click on the ticket type below to purchase your tickets online.
Green Room Ticket: $100
Toast the radiant red carpet revelers in the sparkling Green Room party for a lavishly grand celebration of live entertainment courtesy and craft cocktails and concoctions while the excitement of the Academy Awards streams live on nearby monitors. It’s A Night with Oscar that you won’t forget!
Multi-Screen Academy Awards Broadcast
Open Seating & Communal Lounges
Complimentary Champagne Welcome
2 Drink Tickets
Craft Cocktails
Catered Hors d’ouevres
Screening Room Ticket: $150
For the diehard viewers and movie aficionados, pop a cork at your private cabaret table and enjoy concession treats while the Academy Awards streams live on the big screen. During commercial breaks, join your friends in the Green Room for some serious red carpet revelry.
Private Cabaret Table
Large Screen Viewing
Champagne
Craft Cocktails
Drink Tickets
Popcorn & Concession Treats
Catered Hors d’ouevres
Unlimited Access to the Green Room Party
Premier Lounge Ticket: $2,000
For the real red carpet experience, sink into the comfort of your private lounge with up to eight of your closest companions with large screen viewing of the Academy Awards. Specially crafted Canapés will await your arrival and your private valet will ensure that your glass is never empty.
Private Lounge
Large Screen Viewing
Open Bar
Craft Cocktails
Champagne + Bottle Service Attendant
Popcorn & Concession Treats
Catered Hors d’oeuvres
Unlimited Access to the Green Room Party
The Center on Halsted is located at 3656 North Halsted Street in Chicago. For additional information call 773-472-6469 or visit http://centeronhalsted.org No physical tickets will be mailed for this event. Names will be held at the door. Tickets are non-refundable and seating is limited. Garage parking is available on Addison directly west of Center on Addison. All but $55 of each Green Room ticket, $150 of each Screening Room ticket, and $440 of each Premier Lounge ticket is tax deductible.
DePaul Art Museum, 935 W. Fullerton, Chicago
‘One Day This Kid Will Get Larger’ – Through April 2
For a rising generation of young, contemporary artists, the AIDS crisis has always been part of their lives. This winter, DePaul Art Museum will present “One Day This Kid Will Get Larger,” a group exhibition that examines HIV and AIDS through the lenses of childhood, youth culture and marginalized communities. It runs through April 2. Curated by Danny Orendorff, the exhibition complements the Alphawood Foundation’s presentation of “Art AIDS America,” now on display down the street from DePaul University’s Lincoln Park Campus. Admission is free at DePaul Art Museum, located at 935 W. Fullerton, just east of the CTA’s Fullerton ‘L’ stop. 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 DePaul Art Museum’s upcoming exhibitions and events, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://museums.depaul.edu/.
‘Four Saints in Three Acts’ – Through April 2
Art and the representation of saints have been intertwined for centuries. An upcoming winter exhibition at the DePaul Art Museum, “Four Saints in Three Acts,” will feature works by contemporary artists who use religious imagery to consider their own relationship to religion, belief and faith. A complementary show, “The Many Faces of Vincent de Paul: Nineteenth-Century French Romanticism and the Sacred,” will examine how artists depicted DePaul University’s patron saint in material culture and decorative arts. Both exhibitions run through April 2. DePaul University holds the world’s largest collection of material culture related to St. Vincent de Paul. Artifacts on display from the university’s collection reflect the varying quality and artistry of devotional items from the period. Admission is free at DePaul Art Museum, located at 935 W. Fullerton, just east of the CTA’s Fullerton ‘L’ stop. 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 DePaul Art Museum’s upcoming exhibitions and events, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://museums.depaul.edu/.
DePaul University Humanities Center to Feature Ballet, Comedy and the Bible – Ongoing Events
Events featuring space exploration, improv comedy, Royal Ballet Principal Edward Watson and the temptations of Christ are slated for the DePaul University Humanities Center’s 2017 winter season. Events are free and open to the public. Events include:
“Metamorphosis” ballet screening and discussion with Edward Watson
February 16, DePaul Student Center, Room 120, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave.
Film screening and discussion 6:30-9 p.m.
When Royal Ballet Principal Edward Watson dances the role of Gregor Samsa in Arthur Pita’s adaptation of Franz Kafka’s novella, “Metamorphosis,” it is not only a man that transforms into an insect on stage, but an audience that is transformed in the presence of a master and a masterpiece. Interpreting choreography that ingeniously reveals Samsa’s inner experience and intersubjective embodiment, Watson lets Kafka’s story settle into his flesh in a virtuoso performance, proving why he is one of the greatest dancers working today. After a screening of the film of the ballet, Watson joins Steeves on stage for a conversation about the film.
The Scholar’s Improv 2: Academic Boogaloo
February 22, DePaul Student Center, Room 120, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave.
Performances and presentations 7-8:30 p.m.
DePaul faculty members and a troupe of professional Chicago comedians perform improv as the scholars are challenged to lecture extemporaneously on surprise topics. Led by improv comic Pete Parsons, comedians Lisa Burton, Tim Dunn, and Alaina Hoffman will present six improvised scenes, showcasing their talent, quick minds and artistry. These moments will be interspersed with five mini-lectures by DePaul academics, each accompanied by a PowerPoint slide presentation in their field but which they has not seen before. DePaul faculty participating include:
Anna Souchuk, associate professor of German.
Paul Booth, associate professor of media and cinema studies.
Amy Tyson, associate professor of history.
Nancy Grossman, associate director of the Honors Program.
Rick Lee, professor of philosophy.
The DePaul University Humanities Center aims to create visibility of the work in humanities and foster discussion among the greater community. Learn more about the center and upcoming events at http://bit.ly/DPUHmCtr.
Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Tickets Now on Sale
On Sunday, February 12 at 3 p.m., Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform at Freedom Hall. For over 50 years, South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo has warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide with their uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves and charming onstage banter. With a deep respect for both their cultural and personal history, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is ever-evolving. Over the years, the original members have welcomed a younger generation in their mission, passing along the tradition of storytelling and spreading their message of peace, love, and harmony to millions. The newer members have infused the group with their youthful energy and the promise of a bright future. Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala looks to these young men to carry on his dream to “keep South Africa alive in people’s hearts” for years to come. “Mr. Shabalala, singing above the basses, has a sweet, hushed tenor that whispers and swoops and quivers, gentle yet fervent. In the formality of Carnegie Hall, the songs came across not as jovial workers’ entertainment, but as something more somber: music that had survived sorrows to find benedictions in the aftermath.” — New York Times. Read more about Ladysmith Black Mambazo and view videos. Tickets are $35. Tickets can be purchased online at: tickets@freedomhall.org. For additional information, call 708-747-0580 or visit www.freedomhall.org.
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
‘Step Back into a 1950s Valentines Day’ – Begins Wednesday, February 1
The 1950s Park Forest House Museum, at 227 Monee Road (inside St. Mary’s Catholic Church), Park Forest, Illinois, invites you to “Step Back into a 1950s Valentines Day,” from February 1 -March 4. The Museum is open Wednesday and Saturday, 1 to 3:30 p.m.; other times by appointment. One room represents a classroom in Forest Boulevard School, which was set up in a row of townhomes. The classroom is decorated for a 1950s Valentines Day party with crepe paper candy baskets, and construction paper heart-shaped Valentine “mailboxes” on each desk. Red honeycomb, puffy hearts and vintage Valentines are on display throughout the house, including a display of antique Valentines, some dating to 1880. Admission is Adults $5; children 12 and under free. Park in the small lot by the flagpole and knock on the classroom door next to the museum sign. A guide will tell village history, and social and fashion trends of the era. Special tours can be arranged by calling Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252, or Michael Gans, 708-305-3308. Information on the society and museum, and email contact is at www.parkforesthistory.org.
Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard
The following events are scheduled at the Park Forest Library the week of January 29:
Sunday, January 29 at 1 p.m. – A Year of Gratitude — Begin the New Year by creating your own Gratitude Journal. Learn how journaling can change your life and get tips to start a daily journal. Express your creative side and create your own personalized gratitude journal. Materials provided while supplies last.
Monday, January 30 at 11 a.m. – Sunrise Story Time — Jump start your morning with a series of stories that are sure to get you moving. For ages 12 and under.
Monday, January 30 at 3:30 p.m. – Comic Creation — Be inspired to become a graphic novelist/comic creator! Each week explore ways to create comic strips, books, graphic and more.
Monday, January 30 at 7 p.m. – Mindfulness Mondays — Come join us as we begin each Mindfulness Monday with a relaxing breathing technique followed by a short guided meditation. Then center yourself through the practice of mindfulness (being present in the moment) by participating in one of our creative art-form projects.
Tuesday, January 31 at 12:30 p.m. – Drop-In Craft — Get creative with a variety of crafts and projects on hand. No sign up or registration needed. Just bring your creativity. We’ll do the rest.
For ages 12 and under.
Tuesday, January 31 at 4 p.m. – Color-Rama Coloring Circle — Relax a bit and take a load off before starting your homework. Learn different media of art and show your creativity with other teens!
Tuesday, January 31 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, February 1 at 11 a.m. – Lap Sit Story Time — Its Lap Sit Story Time! Babies and their parents or caregivers are invited to read, sing and grow in this weekly story time. This program is geared toward babies 0 – 36 months with an accompanying adult. This is the perfect time for families to bond with their child/children.
Wednesday, February 1 at 3:30 p.m. – Color Me Happy Circle (for kids) — Travel to a world of relaxation for kids. Lose yourself in patterns, curved flowers or even runaway stems. Color yourself Happy in our kids’ coloring circle. For ages 12 and under.
Wednesday, February 1 at 3:30 p.m. — Valentine’s Day Service Project — Join us as we support the JourneyCare Organization. Drop in February 1 through 5 to create a special Valentine’s Day card. Saturday February 4 and Sunday February 5 Project will began at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, February 1 at 4 p.m. – Black History Month Trivia — Test your Black History knowledge with teens and compete to find out who knows the most! Are you up for the challenge?
Wednesday, February 1 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, February 1 at 6:30 p.m. – Zen Art — Learn the art of relaxation while creating beautiful, simple designs that are inspired by zentangle, zen doodle art, and mandalas. Materials will be provided.
Thursday, February 2 at 20 a.m. – Toddler Art — Bring your imagination, creativity, and throw on some old clothes to bring out your inner Picasso through art projects and more… Some projects may involve paint. For ages 3-5.
Thursday, February 2 at 3:30 p.m. – Drawing Theory — Do you enjoy Drawing and Sketching? Learn how to draw your favorite animations and more. For ages 12 and under.
Thursday, February 2 at 3:30 p.m. — Valentine’s Day Service Project — Join us as we support the JourneyCare Organization. Drop in February 2 through 5 to create a special Valentine’s Day card. Saturday February 4 and Sunday February 5 Project will began at 1 p.m.
Friday, February 3 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.
Friday, February 3 at 3:30 p.m. — Valentine’s Day Service Project — Join us as we support the JourneyCare Organization. Drop in February 3 through 5 to create a special Valentine’s Day card. Saturday February 4 and Sunday February 5 Project will began at 1 p.m.
Saturday, February 4 at 1 p.m. — Valentine’s Day Service Project — Join us as we support the JourneyCare Organization. Drop in February 4 and 5 to create a special Valentine’s Day card.
Sunday, February 5 at 1 p.m. — Valentine’s Day Service Project — Join us as we support the JourneyCare Organization. Drop in to create a special Valentine’s Day card.
Sunday, February 5 at 3 p.m. – Author Book Talk — Join author and award-winning reporter for The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and The Washington Post John W. Fountain. He will share his journey of faith, hope, and clarity.
For additional information, or to register for an event call 708-748-3731 or visit www.pfpl.org.
Potpourri of Lectures – Thursday, February 2
The Potpourri of Lectures Winter 2017 series continues on Thursday, February 2 at 10:30 p.m. in the Library’s Ringering Room. This week’s lecture is: “Monee, Illinois and Monee Marie Bailly.”
Prairie State College (PSC), 202 South Halsted, Chicago Heights
Annual High School Art Exhibit – Opens Monday, February 6
This yearly exhibit features the work of High School students from District 515 in a wide range of media, including sculpture, photography, drawing and painting. The exhibit will open on Monday, February 6 and run through Thursday, February 23. A reception will be held on February 9 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; awards to be presented at 6 p.m. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. The Christopher Art Gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and by appointment. For additional information or to schedule an appointment to view the exhibit, call 708-709-3636 or visit http://prairiestate.edu/christopher-art-gallery.
29th Annual Jazz Fest – Friday, February 17
PSC’s 29th Annual Jazz Fest, featuring some of the nation’s top jazz musicians, will be held at 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 17, in the Barnes & Noble College Auditorium in the Conference Center of the PSC main campus in Chicago Heights. Featured musicians include trumpeter Orbert Davis, drummer Ernie Adams, bassist Larry Gray, saxophonist Ed Petersen and percussionist Rubén P. Alvarez and PSC’s Professor of Music Valerie Nicholson on piano. In addition, there will be special guest appearances by percussionist Rubén P. Alvarez and select young musicians. Those who attend the evening concert also are invited to join the Jazz Fest musicians for a VIP reception hosted by the PSC Foundation before the event at 6 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the PSC Student Jazz Ensemble. The ticket package for the concert and reception is $25 per person. For more information, email foundation@prairiestate.edu or call (708) 709-3631. Ticket prices for the concert only are $15 for general admission. Students and senior citizens tickets are $10 each. All tickets are available in advance in the PSC Business Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets also can be purchased at the door on the evening of the concert.
The Friday performance is part of the annual two-day festival hosted by PSC, which also includes instrumental clinics led by the featured artists. The clinics are for local junior high and high school jazz ensembles. It is an opportunity for students to receive instruction in technique and performance from the jazz masters. Select students from the instrumental clinics also will be invited to perform with the guest artists during the Friday evening performance. For more information on the Jazz Festival, or to purchase tickets to the concert, call 708-709-3500.
Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest
Thursday Game Days
Come join us at the Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, in DownTown Park Forest every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. to play games with old friends and new friends. We have a few games on hand, Trivial Pursuit, Racko, Pente, Chess, Pictionary, High Hand and Rummikub. If none of these suit your taste, feel free to bring in your favorites. Come join in the fun. This is a new program, so please help to spread the word.
Adult Coloring
On the 2nd and 4th Tuesday morning of each month at 10 a.m., come to the Senior Center to participate in the new Adult Coloring Group. The Center has supplies and several types of mediums to color with. For additional information, call 708-748-5454.
Roosevelt University’s Gage Gallery, 18 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Photo Exhibit on Green Roofs in Chicago and Beyond — Opens February 9
The public will get a rare look at green roofs in Chicago and beyond when photographer Brad Temkin’s Rooftop: Second Nature opens Thursday, February 9 at Roosevelt University’s Gage Gallery in Chicago.
Approximately 20 large-scale images of green rooftops in Chicago and other major cities around the world are the focus of the exhibit by Temkin, a Chicago-based artist whose photos taken between 2009 and 2016 tell a story of architecture and sustainability in the making. Temkin will discuss the large-format film project and challenges he has faced in gaining access to rooftops, sometimes waiting for hours once on site for the proper lighting conditions to occur, at an opening night reception for the exhibit that begins at 5 p.m. on February 9 in Roosevelt’s Gage Gallery. The event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Roosevelt’s Sustainability Studies Program, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of Physical Resources, the exhibit provides a look at green roofs atop Chicago’s City Hall, Roosevelt’s Wabash Building, the new Lurie Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Chicago Cultural Center, to name just a few Chicago locations. Green rooftops at Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, Mich., Millennium Hall at Drexel University in Philadelphia and atop buildings in Switzerland, Germany, Ireland and Moscow are among other sites visited and photographed by Temkin, and are included in his new book Rooftop, which was published in 2015. Rooftop: Second Nature will run through May 6 at the Gage Gallery. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 312-341-6458 or visit www.roosevelt.edu/gagegallery
Roosevelt University, 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Matthew Freeman Lecture Discussion on Trend Toward Mass Deportation of Immigrants from U.S. – Monday, February 6
Increasing deportation of largely male black and Latino immigrants from the United States will be the topic of Roosevelt University’s annual Matthew Freeman lecture by author Tanya Golash-Boza at 11:30 a.m. Monday, February 6 at the University, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The event is open to the public. A noted scholar and prolific writer, Golash-Boza most recently published Deported: Immigrant Policing, Disposable Labor and Global Capitalism. The book explores reasons behind rapidly rising U.S. deportation rates of noncitizens – 4 million since 1997, and twice as many people as were deported from the country prior to 1996. Citing statistics showing 97 percent of deportees are sent to Latin America or the Caribbean, and that 88 percent are men, including many who had been detained through the U.S. criminal justice system, Golash-Boza argues economic restructuring, neoliberal reforms and disproportionate criminalization of blacks and Latinos are to blame. A professor of sociology at the University of California at Merced, Golash-Boza has written extensively on race and immigration issues including Deported in 2015, Due Process Denied and Immigration Nation in 2012, Yo Soy Negro: Blackness in Peru in 2011, Race and Racisms: A Critical Approach in 2015. Her blog, “Get a Life, PhD,” has more than 2 million page views and her op-eds and essays have appeared in Al Jazeera, The Boston Review, The Nation, Counterpunch, The Houston Chronicle, Racialicious, Inside Higher Ed, Chronicle of Higher Education and Dissident Voice. Prior to the lecture, Roosevelt students selected to receive this year’s prestigious Matthew Freeman social justice award will be announced. For more information, contact Healther Dalmage at 312-341-3692 or hdalmage@roosevelt.edu
Southland Arts, Municipalities, and Business Alliance (S.A.M.B.A.)
‘Let Them Eat Jazz’ Festival – Begins Friday, February 17
1917 was the birth of many jazz masters, and the birth of a new era of sound. Ella Fitzgerald, “Dizzy” Gillespie, Lena Horn, Thelonious Monk, and so many more forever changed the musical landscape with their soulful, improvisational styles. Today, nearly 100 years later, their groundbreaking vocals and instrumentals continue to shape the experience of artists and fans alike. It would take an event of monumental proportion to adequately represent the vast influence of these centennial masters. So, in spring 2017, a new group in Chicago’s Southland is rising to the challenge. S.A.M.B.A. will present the Chicago Southland’s ‘Let Them Eat Jazz’ Festival as their inaugural project-bringing together over 15 organizations, 9 venues, 5 hotels, and multiple restaurants in a 72-day festival of jazz and food. The festival will kick off with the 29th Annual Prairie State College Jazz Festival on February 17, and close at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts with the Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic on April 29, 2017. The 70+ days in between will showcase events, all celebrating 100 years of jazz in unique ways, through visual arts, sculpture, choral and instrumental ensembles, themed jazz dinners, brunches, and more. S.A.M.B.A. is partnering with area hotels to accommodate out-of-town guests or locals who wish to plan a weekend stay-cation. Festival attendees will receive discounted rates at select hotels by using the Password EATJAZZ. For a complete schedule of events, hotel booking and area information, visit www.CSJazzFestival.org.
South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 South State Street, South Holland
2017 SSC Jazz Festival – Saturday, February 11
The 2017 SSC Jazz Festival Concert will be dedicated to the memory and legacy of Mr. Keith Anderson, long time music educator, advocate, and mentor. Mr. Anderson directed the bands at Hillcrest High School in County Club Hills from 1993-2006, after which he served as the Director of Fine Arts for Bremen High School District 228. Before arriving at Hillcrest, Anderson was an elementary teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in District #147. Mr. Anderson’s bands from Hillcrest High School were regular participants in the SSC Jazz Festival, and Mr. Anderson himself has been a festival clinician. The festival concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 11th, in the Kindig Performing Arts Center of South Suburban College, and will feature the SSC Jazz Orchestra with guest artists Jim Cooper and Sam Hankins, and special guests from the area. There is no charge for admission although donations are appreciated to benefit the Music Scholarship Fund. For more information, please contact Rob Calhoon, Jazz Fest Director, at 708-596-2000, ext. 2299.
Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest
‘Wings’ Exhibit – Through February 25
Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk in DownTown Park Forest, will host ‘Wings,” a juried show of 2D and 3D visual artwork inspired by the flight of winged creatures. The exhibit will open run through February 25. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Artists participating in ‘Wings’ are Melinda Arce-Gudino, Judi Boehner, Rose Blouin, Randy Buvala, Claudia Craemer, David Crunelle, June Finnegan, Andrea Fox, Robert Fritz, Susan Frost, Lea Goldman, Margaret Hafer, Linda P. Hancock, Fran Hollander, Cheryl Holz, Donna Johnston, Sarah Kaiser, Kristina Knowski, Kim Laurel, Laura Lein-Svencner, Ruth Marcanti, Roberta Masciarelli, Kevin Mason, Janice Meister, Karen Musgrave, John Nester, Joshua Newth, Molly Marie Nuzzo, Bruce Peerson, Gisele Perreault, Michael Perrott, Amber Pipkorn, Ayanna Proctor, Sruti Rajagopalan, Don Sala, Lindsay Sandbothe, Richard Schmidt, Susan Snell, Patrick Thompson, Carla Toth, Joan Tweedell, Nancy VanKanegan, Nicole Sharlow Willber, and Patricia Wiseman. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 708-748-3377 or visit www.tallgrass.org.
The Drama Group, 330 West 202nd Street, Chicago Heights
Auditions for ‘Buried Child’ – February 28 & March 1
The Drama Group announces auditions for ‘Buried Child’ by Sam Shepard on February 28 and March 1 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This Pulitzer Prize winning play takes a hard look at the American Dream. An estranged grandson comes home to find his family in pieces and bound to a horrible secret they have buried. For further information go to our website: www.dramagroup.org.
Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC), 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest
Edgar’s Place Coffeehouse Presents Michael Smith – Saturday, February 11
Edgar’s Place Coffeehouse proudly presents Michael Smith on Saturday, February 11 at the UUCC in Park Forest. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the performance beginning at 7:30 p.m. One of the most captivating songwriters in the folk arena, celebrated musician Michael Peter Smith has toured the US and Canada for nearly five decades. He creates new work on a constant basis, and music’s finest performers record his songs. His song, The Dutchman, is considered a classic. Wherever he is… touring concert venues, clubs, theaters, folk festivals at house concerts, or teaching song writing workshops, in powerful songs, award winning musical scores, and unforgettable recordings… Musical mastery is in whatever Michael does. Please check out his website at michaelsmithmusic.com if you’d like to learn more about Michael. Admission is $15. As a reminder: Edgar’s Place is a first come, first serve, cash only venue with no assigned seats. This is an alcohol free venue. Complementary snacks, coffee and tea will be served and cans of soda and home baked goodies will be on sale. For additional information, call UUCC at 708- 481-5339 or visit www.uuccpf.org.
Educational Lectures & Opportunities
Prairie State College, 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights
Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast – Friday, February 3
Charles L. Evans, the ninth president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, will be the featured speaker at Prairie State College’s Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast, scheduled on Feb. 3. The event will be held at Olympia Fields Country Club, located at 2800 Country Club Dr. in Olympia Fields. The morning begins with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast buffet, followed by the speaker presentation at 8:15 a.m. A question and answer session follows. Sponsorships for the event are available. A $1,500 Scholarship Sponsorship includes a 7 a.m. Meet and Greet with PSC President Dr. Terri L. Winfree, reserved seating for 10, breakfast and recognition in the program and event signage. A $300 Table Sponsorship will reserve a table for 10, and includes breakfast and recognition in the program and event signage. A $75 Friend Sponsorship will reserve two seats, and includes breakfast and recognition in the program and event signage. As CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Evans serves on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Federal Reserve System’s monetary policymaking body. He oversees the work of approximately 1,400 employees in Chicago and Detroit who conduct economic research, supervise financial institutions and provide payment services to commercial banks and the U.S. government. Before becoming president of the bank in 2007, Evans served as director of research and senior vice president, supervising the bank’s research on monetary policy, banking, financial markets and regional economic conditions. Before that, he was a vice president and senior economist with responsibility for the macroeconomics research group. The cost to attend the breakfast is $25 per person, and advance registration is required by email at kkane@prairiestate.edu. In addition to providing a prominent expert’s analysis of the economy to the south suburban business community, the breakfast also raises scholarship money for PSC students. For more information, contact the PSC Foundation office at 708-709-3631.
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.
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.
South Suburban College (SSC), 15800 South State Street, South Holland
Small Business Workshop – Tuesday, January 31
SSC is presenting a free workshop titled So You Want to Start Your Own Business on Tuesday, January 31 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at South Suburban College’s Oak Forest Center in Room 5190. We are hosting a panel discussion to highlight the following topics:
What to consider before starting your own business
How to get a small business up and running
How to sustain a small business, including local and regional resources available
How can Etsy help your business
Lean Startup
How to develop a prototype for your business idea
Tour of SouthWorks MakerLab at SSC
The Workshop is presented by the following partners:
SSC-South Suburban College
BCI/SSC-Business and Career Institute at SSC
SSSBA-South Suburban Small Business Association
SouthWorks Maker Lab Network
SMHEC (South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium)
CSEDC-Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation
CBDC-Christian Business Development Company
WBDC-Women’s Business Development Center
SCORE
For more information please contact SSC’s Business Department at 708-596-2000, ext. 2664. The SSC Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, IL.
SSC Seeks STAR Awards Nominations – Due By Friday, February 10
SSC will be holding its 9th Annual Chicago Women’s Conference on Friday, March 17. This will be our second year of presenting the STAR AWARDS and we are seeking nominations. The Star Awards recognize the accomplishments of fabulous women and encourage other women to also be STARS. The application deadline is on or before Friday, February 10. There are two different categories:
The first is a very special STAR award that will be presented to an outstanding South Suburban College (Thornton Junior College) alumna. This award recognizes the achievements of a South Suburban College female graduate (whether from the past or recent) for her achievements in her profession/career, volunteerism or other outstanding life achievement. Through recognition of her accomplishments, we hope to motivate current and future women to also graduate and achieve! Last year the winner of this award was Joan Dorman, R.N., M.S.
The second award will recognize women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in business, community and/or education. These women are leaders in promoting and supporting health and wellness or personal and professional development. In the nominator’s eyes, the “STAR” is a role model because she is achieving her goals and through her inspiring actions has profoundly motivated others to do the same.
We need your nominations on or before Friday, February 10. The link for the form is http://thechicagowomensconference.org/star-awards/. Feel free to share the link and deadline with others. Please submit your nomination through the website. If you have any questions, contact Nancy Burrows at nburrows@ssc.edu.
HR Essentials for Small Businesses – February 16
SSC’s Business & Career Institute (BCI) presents a Breakfast with BCI Workshop titled ‘HR Essentials for Small Businesses,’ on Thursday, February 16 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., with check-in and continental breakfast to begin at 8:45 a.m. This workshop will be held in the South Suburban College Main Campus in the MB Financial Suite on the 1st floor, and will be facilitated by Attorney Sonia D. Coleman and Alexandra Glumac, SSC Client Solutions Specialist. A functioning and effective Human Resources department is critical to business success. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to ensuring best HR practices. Whether you’re a recently appointed HR manager, are new to HR or have a non-HR job with HR responsibilities, this workshop is worth the investment. In this half-day session, participants will:
Receive updates and gain understanding on issues related to EEO, ADA and FMLA.
Obtain critical guidance on how to create effective policies and procedures.
Learn essential components of handbooks, job descriptions and employee evaluation systems.
The cost of the workshop with continental breakfast is $45 per person or $40 per person if 3 or more from the same company attend. Reservations are required by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14. To register, please call 708-596-2000, ext. 3254 or email AGlumac@ssc.edu.
Free Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship Workshop — Begins Tuesday, February 21 – Limited Seating
Do you have a handcrafted item you’d like to sell? Not sure how to sell online or want to improve your results? Want some extra income from your hobby, or want to build a business around your designs or skills? South Suburban College is offering an Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship Workshop on Tuesday evenings, February 21 through March 28 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at South Suburban College’s Oak Forest Center. Whether you’re new to selling handmade items or not, you’ll benefit from this free* course:
Etsy’s proprietary program taught by a successful Etsy seller
Photographer to help build your eye-catching Etsy store
Access to design and manufacturing through our MakerLab
Only certified Etsy training program in Chicagoland
Additional business consulting provided by Women’s Business Development Center consultants
Register now, only 20 seats available! To register or for more info please visit http://southworks-etsy.eventbrite.com/ or contact don@southmetroed.org. *A refundable deposit is required. The SSC Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, IL.
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
One Earth Film Festival, Oak Park
2017 One Earth Film Festival – Festival Begins March 3
One Earth Film Festival has just announced the schedule for its sixth year of bringing outstanding and solution-oriented environmental documentaries and programs to the Chicago region. Expanded to include two weekends for the first time, the festival runs March 3 through 12. Among other films on this year’s schedule are: “The Age of Consequences,” “Before the Flood,” “SEED: The Untold Story,” “Can You Dig This?” “Minimalism,” “Crying Earth Rise Up,” “Dive!” and the Young Filmmakers Contest winners. Through its tailor-made post-film programs, One Earth Film Festival addresses issues surrounding water, energy, transportation, food, waste and recycling, environmental advocacy, social justice and climate change. Programs are built around full-feature or a mix of short films, followed by action-oriented discussions led by environmental experts and advocates. Some festival programs are designed specifically with families and children in mind. Two pre-event screenings will be held at Loyola University and Dominican University before the official festival kick-off. The Green Carpet Gala, the festival’s signature opening event, will be held at the beautiful LEED® Silver certified Gratz Center of Fourth Presbyterian Church, 115 E. Delaware Place, in the Magnificent Mile neighborhood. Most screenings are free with a suggested $6 donation. Reservations for all programs can be made through Eventbrite. For additional information, visit: http://www.oneearthfilmfest.org
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.
Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive
Christmas Tree Recycling – Through January 31
Christmas trees are now being accepted for recycling in the parking lot of the Park Forest Aqua Center, 30 North Orchard Drive. Residents may drop-off trees for recycling at any time between now and the end of the month. Simply place your tree in the area of the parking lot designated for tree drop-offs. By recycling your tree you choose an environmentally beneficial alternative that results in new mulch for plants in community parks and gardens. As a reminder, a wide variety of electronic items, including holiday lights, can be dropped off for recycling in the lobby of Park Forest’s Village Hall. Drop-off your holiday lights for recycling anytime during normal business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Free Rain Barrels for Park Forest Will County Residents – While Supplies Last
Free rain barrels are available to residents of the Village of Park Forest who live in the Will County section of Park Forest. Last year, a free rain barrel program was offered for Cook County residents through a cooperative effort by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the Village of Park Forest. Now, Will County residents can get in on the free rain barrels. Rain barrels are large containers that capture rainwater from your roof, typically via downspouts, for you to use when you need it. The most common use for rain barrel water is for the watering of lawns or gardens, and for washing cars. How the program works:
Park Forest residents may request up to four rain barrels by visiting the Public Works Department at Village Hall and filling out a short form. Rain barrels are available in four colors: terra cotta, blue, black, and warm gray.
The rain barrels will be scheduled for drop-off at your home by representatives from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District estimates a three to four month waiting period from the time of order to the delivery of rain barrels. Installing a rain barrel is easy and only
Requires a few tools. A connecting elbow and detailed instructions are provided with all rain barrels. Place your rain barrel under a downspout, wait for rain, and go!
The free rain barrels are available while supplies last. For questions about the program, contact Public Works at 708-503-7702 or visit: http://villageofparkforest.com.
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 708-755-3577 or visit www.uuccpf.org.
Buddhist Meditation – Saturdays
Learn to enjoy the simple and straight-forward practice of meditation. Please join us for sitting and walking meditation in the Zen and Theravadan Buddhist traditions. This is an on-going event led by Steve McCabe and Beverly Feldt will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at UUCC. There is no cost but a free will offering is most appreciated (proceeds go to UUCC). For additional information contact Steve McCabe at 708-465-3116 or Beverly Feldt at bevfeldt@gmail.com.
Medical Cannabis Education Association Meeting – Sunday, February 5
On Sunday, February 5 at 12 noon, the Medical Cannabis Education Association will hold their monthly meeting at UUCC. This group meets every first Sunday of the month.
This & That
League of Women Voters – Park Forest Area
School Board Districts Candidate Forum – Saturday, February 11
The League of Women Voters – Park Forest Area will host a candidate forum for School Board Districts 227, 201U, 163 & 162 on Saturday, February 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, in DownTown Park Forest. The program is open to the public. District 227 and District 201U candidates will appear from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and District 163 and 162 will appear from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information please contact Diane Hodges at diane-hodges@comcast.net or Barbara Moore at 708-481-5251. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters encourages citizens to register to vote and provides public education for voters on election issues. The League does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Anyone interested in promoting responsible government is invited to be a member. For more information visit League of Women Voters of the Park Forest Area
Park Forest People of Faith
Peace Prayers – Wednesday, February 1