Palos students assemble treat bags for McDonald House
The Palos East Elementary School Student Council assembled treat bags for Ronald McDonald House in Oak Lawn, which provides meals and accommodations for relatives of patients at the nearby Advocate Children’s Hospital.
Assembling the treat bags was part of the students’ pre-holiday community service project. For the project, students volunteered to come in before school started to assemble the bags, which filled seven boxes.
Student council advisor Cathy Casey noted that the bags would be brought to the nonprofit organization before the holiday.
Brush control volunteers needed at Will County preserves
The Forest Preserve District of Will County has planned a series of volunteer mornings for area residents to give back to nature.
Volunteers are needed Jan. 19 at Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access in Joliet, Jan. 22 at Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory Creek Junction in Frankfort Township, Feb. 7 at Sugar Creek Preserve in Joliet, Feb. 12 at Rock Run Preserve, Feb. 22 at Hickory Creek Preserve – LaPorte Road Access in Mokena, March 1 at Monee Reservoir in Monee Township, March 5 at Riverview Farmstead Preserve in Naperville and March 14 at Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory Creek Junction.
The sessions take place 9 a.m. to noon and are designed for those 10 and older. This season features brush control.
Volunteers should dress for the weather, getting dirty and being near a fire. Long pants, sturdy shoes and socks covering the ankles are recommended. They also should bring snacks and water.
Space is limited and registration is required. Waivers also must be signed. Check listings at ReconnectWithNature.org or call 815-722-7364.
Moraine Valley faculty show their work
The Moraine Valley Community College Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery presents its annual display of work by faculty at the Art and Design Faculty Exhibition through Feb. 1 in the Fine and Performing Arts Center, 9000 W. College Parkway in Palos Hills.
An opening reception is planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 29. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The exhibit, which is free, shows off the proficiency and expertise of more than 10 of the community college’s faculty in various themes, medias and styles. The artists include Rebecca Crivellone, Chris Matusek, Hannah Mobley, Ken Beckwith, Kirin Kane, Erik La Gattuta, Tyler Hewitt, Kevin Daly and others.
Information is at morainevalley.edu/fpac.
Orland Park engineering student joins revitalization project
Five senior civil engineering students at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania have been working on a plan to revitalize and improve the accessibility of Misty Hollow Residency, a place that allows scientists and eco-centric artists to show the public their projects.
Among them is Orland Park native Taha Ramahi. He is on the NOVA engineering team working on a capstone project with Misty Hollow’s founder, Asia Ward, such as improvements to the facility’s driveway and plans for a cabin for maple syrup extraction.
The team created a new driveway and recommended putting solar panels near the building in an open meadow to provide environmentally friendly power.
Ramahi noted that his surveying class was helpful but shared via a news release that “we also used things that we learned in transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resource engineering, and structural engineering courses.”
Frankfort Chamber seeks outstanding women nominees
Jan. 23 is the nomination deadline for the Frankfort Chamber of Commer’s upcoming Women in Business Awards Night, which takes place during National Women’s History Month in March.
The event recognizes women “who lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact through their businesses, careers, and community involvement,” a news release notes. Awards will be presented in categories such as community supporter, mentor, superwoman, sustainable change maker, family business, future star and behind the scenes.
Nominees must be current Frankfort chamber members, and nomination forms are available online.
The recognition night is from 5 to 9 p.m. March 19 at CD&Me in Frankfort.
Businesses who would like to become sponsors have until Feb. 20 to sign up. Raffle basket donations to benefit a nonprofit member of the chamber also are welcome before March 6.
Details are at www.frankfortchamber.com or by calling 815-469-3356.
Unwanted gifts find new home with low-income seniors
Leave It for Love is accepting donations of items through Jan. 31 that will be given to low-income seniors in the Chicago area.
Flossmoor resident Jennifer Molski founded the organization more than 20 years ago as a way to find homes for new and unused items that can bring joy to others.
Acceptable donations include hostess gifts, teacher gifts, personal care items, accessories, warm weather gear, holiday and household decor, nonperishable food and collectibles. Items not accepted include books, furniture and used clothing.
Collection begins each year the day after Thanksgiving and continues through the end of January. This year’s drop-off locations include Beyond Borders Cafe, 1036 Sterling Ave. in Flossmoor; Hammar’s Mercantile, 4 W. Nebraska St. in Frankfort; Loulou Belle, 2049 Ridge Road in Homewood; and Little Brothers, 355 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.
Information, including frequently asked questions, is at www.leaveitforlove.com.
Quilting guild returns to former projects
Heritage Quilters Guild of South Suburbia meets at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Redeemer Lutheran Church 651 E. 166th St. in South Holland.
This meeting is the annual service night. Attendees are asked to bring in unfinished items from past projects and will create kits, such as quilt of valor blocks, walker bags and remaining 3 ½-inch strip kits.
Soup and chili will be available. Information is at www.heritagequilts.org or by emailing heritagequilters@gmail.com.
Support group explores Alzheimer’s warning signs
The monthly Caregiver Support Group at Smith Village will meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the facility, 2320 W. 113th Place in Chicago.
Attendees can learn about the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, such as changes in behavior and getting lost in familiar territory. Participants also can share their own experiences in identifying dementia in loved ones. Register for a spot by calling 773-474-7302.
Send news to communitynews@southtownstar.com.
