Community Calendar

SD118 to host referendum meetings

Palos School District 118 will host three public information meetings in January and February for the community to learn more about a referendum question on the March 19 ballot.

Palos School District 118 is asking voters to approve a referendum that will allow it to shift approximately $4.35 million in future property taxes from its debt service fund to its operating fund.

The district will host a virtual meeting on January 11 starting at 6:30 p.m. To attend the online meeting, use the link http://tinyurl.com/3hrruvu4       and enter passcode: nn2G7C.

To attend via phone, call 1-(312)-626-6799, DialWebinar ID: 881 7987 8685, and use Passcode: 718583.

In-person meetings are scheduled for February 6 at Palos East, 7700 W. 127th St. in Palos Heights, at 6:30 p.m. and on February 8 at Palos West, 12700 S. 104th Avenue in Palos Park, at 6:30 p.m.

The public can learn more about the referendum by visiting the District 118 referendum web page, palos118.org/referendum.

Questions about the referendum can also be sent to questions@palos118.org.

PALOS TOWNSHIP 

Fasting blood sugar  

Palos Township Health Service, 10802 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, offers fasting blood sugar tests every Monday and Friday from 8-9:30 a.m.

You must fast after midnight.

Cost is $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Cash only.

No appointments necessary.

Health tests, hearing screening 

Palos Township Health Service, 10802 S. Roberts Road in Palos Hills, will offer cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c testing from 8:30 a.m. to noon on January 22. Fees apply.

Hearing screening will be offered from 9-11 a.m. on January 23. This screening is free.

To register for either service, call 708-598-2441.

PALOS HEIGHTS 

Woman’s Club to meet in February

The Palos Heights Woman’s Club February meeting will be on Feb. 10 at the Community Center in Palos Park. For reservations or more information about the club, call Rose at 708-945-6254.

School District 128 preschool screenings

Palos Heights School District 128 will be conducting a screening for all children residing within district boundaries who are 3 to 5 years of age.  The screening will be held at Indian Hill School, 12800 S. Austin, Monday, January 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Areas of development assessed include speech and language, gross motor skills, and visual/auditory strengths. A vision and hearing screening will also be conducted.

Children will be screened by a diagnostic team of district personnel under the direction of District 128 Administration.

Please contact the Student Services office at 708-597-1285 to make an appointment or to request additional information.

Lake Katherine Green Team to recycle Christmas trees

The Lake Katherine Green Team’s next event will be a Christmas Tree Recycling Program at Lake Katherine. Trees can be dropped off at Lake Katherine (east side by farm equipment) until January 14. The trees will be chipped and spread around Lake Katherine.

For more information about Lake Katherine, please visit lakekatherine.org, call 708-361-1873, or visit the Lake Katherine Facebook page.

Palos Heights Garden Club winter meetings

The Palos Heights Garden Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month during February through October. Mark your calendar for February 26, 2024, to learn about winter sowing from Dolly Foster, one of our favorite presenters! Find us on Facebook or visit our website, https://palosheightsgardenclub.wordpress.com for highlights of our 2023 season and announcements of our 2024 lineup. Questions? Contact Debbie Rea, palosheightsgardenclub@gmail.com.

Palos Heights Seniors 

The Palos Heights Seniors meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 1 p.m. at the Palos Heights Recreation Center, 6601 W. 127^th St. in Palos Heights. The fourth Wednesday meetings are only for day trips.

The Seniors meet every month except December when they hold their Christmas party.

Meetings include entertainment and lunch.

New members are welcome and there are no residency requirements.

For more information, call president Edna Craig at 708-378-9782.

Recycling Calendar     

Recycling Calendar magnets are available upon request. Call City Hall at 708-361-1800. You can also print a copy of the calendar from the website.

Municipal vehicle program     

The PACE “Municipal Vehicle Program” is back. Schedule a ride to a Palos Heights destination today. Rides are $2 one-way and $4 round trip. Call 708-361-1807 for more information.

Pass Health Foods accepting food for pantry     

Pass Health Foods has decided to become a permanent drop off location for the Palos United Methodist Food Pantry for people to drop off non-perishable food donations.

The Palos United Methodist Food Pantry is located at 12101 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights and food pantry hours are Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Palos United Methodist Food Pantry is the local branch of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Pass Health Foods is located at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights, and donations will be accepted every day during regular store hours.

City Council Meetings     

Channel 4 broadcasts Palos Heights City Council meetings. Links to the meetings can be found on the Channel 4 page on the Palos Heights website.

PALOS PARK

Connect with Village Council

The village is launching a new program “Connect with Your Council” as a casual way for residents to meet with different members of the council to chat, ask questions, or discuss concerns.

These informal meetings will take place the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Kaptur Center. The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 17.

Honor Flight Chicago Mail Call 

The Palos Park Woman’s Club has been sending letters to veterans for several years now. The club would like to invite everyone to join in. At the Palos Park Village Hall, there is now a drop box for everyone to participate in “Honor Flight Chicago.” Write a thank you note to veterans going on their Honor Flight! They distribute these letters and notes to the men and women on the flight.

Just drop your note, card or letter in the box. No need to seal it.

Sunday services at The Center

The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, is holding a 12:30 p.m. Vespers service in the Wayside Chapel and an 8:30 a.m. service in the Lodge.

Rev. Nancy Nemeth will facilitate these services.

For information, call 708-361-3650.

Storytime

These storytime sessions are for children ages 3-6 and their parent/caregiver. Join us on select Tuesdays for stories, crafts, and activities.

PALOS HILLS

Child care center reopens at Moraine Valley

The Children’s Learning Center at Moraine Valley Community College, which closed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, has reopened and is now enrolling children ages 2 to 8.

Open to students, staff and community members, the center’s hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tuition rates are competitive, and Illinois Action for Children assistance is accepted.

HICKORY HILLS

St. Patricia Queen of Hearts Raffle

St. Patricia Parish’s Queen of Hearts 50/50 Raffle is going strong and the raffle drawing amount is currently over $21,000.

Drawings take place at Prime Time Restaurant at 7750 W. 95^th St. in Hickory Hills every Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Tickets are on sale at Prime Time. Tickets are also on sale after all weekend Masses at St. Patricia and in the Rectory Parish Office, Monday-Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 9050 S. 86th Ave, Hickory Hills.

Ticket pricing is 6 for $5.00, 12 for $10.00, 24 for $20.00, etc.

Visit their website for more information, including official rules, at: www.stpatriciaparish.com/queen-of-hearts Follow us on Facebook for raffle updates: https://www.facebook.com/stpatriciaparish/

Follow us on Facebook for raffle updates: https://www.facebook.com/stpatriciaparish/

OAK LAWN 

Pom pom classes at Pavilion

Twirling Bears and Bearettes in the southwest suburbs will be holding a 12-week pom pom class at the Oak Lawn pavilion beginning Monday January 15, at 5 p.m. The class is open to anyone ages 5+. Contact Elaine Jones at 630-324-6421, a landline for more information and to register.

Library collecting for Pathlights

In partnership with several agencies, churches, and various organizations the Oak Lawn Public Library is collecting items for Pathlights, a program for seniors in our community.

The library is one of the sites where you and others can donate items that support older adults returning home from hospital or rehabilitation stays. Donations will be collected throughout the month of December.

There is collection receptacle in the Narthex marked Pathlights where you can make donations to this wonderful program.

Items in particular need are: $5 Walgreens or CVS gift cards, Lip balm, Hand Cream, Adult coloring books, Colored Pencils, Activity books (Word Search, Sudoku, etc.), Stamps, Note cards and envelopes, Socks, Blankets, Stress Balls, Fidget Toys.

St. Catherine religious ed sign up 

St. Catherine of Alexandria, 10621 S. Kedvale Ave. in Oak Lawn, is taking registrations for its religious education program for 2023/24. All are welcome.

For information, contact Ms. T. Ward at  tward@scaoaklawn.org or 708-424-5747.

ORLAND PARK     

Breakfast with the Mayor

Mayor Keith Pekau is asking residents to join him at Village Hall, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave., on Saturday, January 13, from 9:30-11 a.m. for Breakfast with the Mayor! Bring your questions, concerns and appetite and chat with the mayor about community updates.

Sunday services

The Presbyterian Church in Orland Park, 13401 Wolf Road, holds Sunday Service at 10 a.m. For information, call 708-448-8142.

Highway Department reopens electronics recycling

Electronics recycling is again available at the Orland Township Highway Department, 16125 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

A coupon is required to recycle all televisions and computer monitors and may be purchased online at http://recycle.eworksesi.org/. Coupons may also be purchased at the gate when dropping off.

Televisions with less than 21-inch screens, measured diagonally, are $25 per unit to recycle. Those larger than 21 inches measured diagonally are $35 per unit.

Computers and peripherals accepted include personal computers, servers, modems, printers, monitors, mouses, keyboards, laptops, scanners, cables, wires and adapters. Office equipment accepted include telephones, fax machines, cell phones, docking stations and power supplies.

Home entertainment items accepted include televisions, video cassette recorders, DVD players, video game consoles, Direct TV Dish Boxes, cable boxes, converter boxes, portable music players, tablets, and holiday lights.

Items not accepted include batteries, wooden speakers, smoke detectors, appliances, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, white goods, light bulbs, power tools, plastic bags, plastic containers, paint, furniture, household cleaners, oil, tires, humidifiers and de-humidifiers.

WORTH TOWNSHIP  

Property tax appeal deadline approaching

Worth Township is now open for appeals to the Cook County Board of Review.  Taxpayers can file an appeal online at cookcountyboardofreview.com now through February 6. The Worth Township Assessor’s Office is available to assist taxpayers in the process of filing an appeal or obtaining information for an appeal.

If you would like help, please call the office between now and January 31 at 708-371-5557 or email  assessorworth@worthtownship.com.  In order to assist you we will need you to provide your name, address, PIN number (if available), email address and phone number.  Please leave this information in your voice message or email and someone will respond back to you.

Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the office early, as every request will be handled on a first-come first-serve basis.  The office is anticipating a record number of appeals.

Township joins drug take back program 

Worth Township Supervisor Patricia Joan Murphy announced the township will be partnering with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and provide a site for the Prescription Drug Take Back Program.

Residents are encouraged to bring in their expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs and dispose of them in the secure drop box, located in the main lobby of Worth Township, 11601 S. Pulaski Road in Alsip.  No loose pharmaceuticals, liquids or syringes are accepted.

The collection box allows residents to properly and anonymously dispose of their prescriptions while ensuring proper control of these drugs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Worth Township at 708-371-2900.

AREA    

Gaelic Park musical luncheons

Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest, is hosting monthly musical luncheons on the first Wednesday of every month. The next luncheon will be on Wednesday, February 7.

Doors open at noon with lunch served at 1 p.m. Entertainment until 4 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Joe McShane.

Admission is $18 per person and reservations are required.

For information, call Chicago Gaelic Park at 708-687-9323 or visit the website at www.chicagogaelicpark.org.

Gaelic Park senior luncheons

Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147^th St. in Oak Forest, will host senior luncheons on March 6, August 7 and December 4 from noon to 4 p.m. each day.

Guests will enjoy a delicious plated meal with soup, salad, coffee/tea and dessert and live entertainment.

Cost is $20 payable at the door with a cash bar. Lunch served at 1 p.m. Reservations required by calling 708-687-9323.

For information, visit www.chicagogaelicpark.com.

Southwest Suburban Widow/Widowers Social Club    

The Southwest Suburban Widow/Widowers Social Club will meet Friday, February 2, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, 17100 S. 69^th Avenue in Tinley Park (new location). Park in the large lot south of the building near the main entrance.

The club meets on the first Friday of each month, entertainment and snacks for most months.

The club offers support to the widowed of all faiths and ages.  We know what you are experiencing in dealing with the death of your spouse … we’ve all been there.

Activities include monthly meetings, organized restaurant outings, trips, discussions, interaction meetings and newcomers get acquainted meetings.

For more information, call Bill Dolehide at 708-342-6820, Lois Murray at 773-971-2690 or Elaine Buck at 708-429-9528.

Brookfield Zoo offers Free Days in January and February

Don’t hibernate this winter. Gather the family and head to Brookfield Zoo, where admission is free on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during January and February (parking fee still applies). In addition, admission is free to the Zoo’s Hamill Family Play Zoo and Hamill Family Wild Encounters.

During your visit, be sure to see some of the animals that seem to really enjoy the cooler temperatures like the polar bears, snow leopards, bison, Amur tigers, and the Zoo’s 1-year-old brown bear siblings—Tim and Jess. If a more tropical climate is your preference, many of Brookfield Zoo’s animal habitats replicate regions that are downright balmy, including Tropic World, home to western lowland gorillas and orangutans; The Living Coast, where Humboldt penguins reside; and The Swamp, where the Zoo’s flamingos can be seen.

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