Bears mascot entertains students in Tinley Park
A special friend visited the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy School for Exceptional Children in Tinley Park last week to help everyone combat the winter blues.
Staley Da Bear, the official team mascot for the Chicago Bears, danced through a crowd of cheering students and staff, exchanging high fives with many raised hands.
“Are you ready to have a dance party?” his handler asked above the loud noise. “Let’s go!”
School administrators invited Staley to visit the school to motivate students as they begin the second half of the school year.
About 70 students attend the therapeutic day school, including students from Thornton Township District 205, Thornton Fractional District 215, Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, Crete Monee District 201-U, Consolidated High School District 230 and Flossmoor District 161.
Oak Lawn library, Tinley book store reunite for RomCon
Fans of romantic literature will be thrilled on Feb. 17 as the Oak Lawn Public Library presents RomCon, an afternoon event dedicated to the genre. Independent bookstore Love’s Sweet Arrow, in Tinley Park, is teaming up with librarians to produce the free mini-convention featuring eight romance authors along with book signing, author panels, raffles, trivia and book sales.
Love’s Sweet Arrow owner Rosanne Backlin recruited a diverse group of authors to visit the library, including Danielle Jackson, Kelly Farmer, Tinia Montford, Tamara Jerée, Rien Gray, Hanna Earnest and Sara Fujimura. Author Olivia Dade will be making a virtual appearance at the event.
Dade, who resides in Sweden, is the author of Avon bestsellers “Ship Wrecked” (2022) and “Spoiler Alert” (2020) and she has a new novel coming out, “At First Spite” in 2024. Bettcher says,
“Having her participate in RomCon is a significant event for us,” said fiction librarian Emily Bettcher.
Oak Lawn’s RomCon is from 1 to 4:15 p.m. on Feb. 17. Register in advance for updates and a special surprise on the day, at 708-422-4990 or cal.olpl.org/event/10993047.
Hidden Oaks Nature Center to close for most of 2024
The Forest Preserves of Will County’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 419 Trout Farm Road, Bolingbrook is about to be transformed, but the process will require the facility to be closed for most of the year starting Feb. 19.
FPD officials said Hidden Oaks Preserve also will close on occasion for outdoor renovations during the year, as necessary, but the renovations will not affect Hidden Lakes Trout Farm, which is in the northern part of the preserve.
The interior and exterior work at Hidden Oaks Nature Center is designed to convert the former Bolingbrook Park District site, which was purchased by the Forest Preserve in February 2022, into a nature center tailored to Forest Preserve-type exhibits and activities.
Officials said the renovation will provide new design features throughout the first floor and a new permanent live animal tank for the nature center’s resident turtles, and an elaborate indoor bird-watching lookout deck will be installed.
Oak Forest High School receives recognition for diversity efforts
Oak Forest High School has been honored with the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving a high level of female representation in AP Computer Science A. According to a news release from the School District 228, the schools recognized with this award have increased girls’ access to AP computer science courses.
Oak Forest High School was acknowledged as one of 225 institutions in the country in this category.
“We are extremely proud of the unique perspective our female students bring to the fields of Math and Science,” stated Oak Forest principal Jane Dempsey. “This award acknowledges our belief that anyone can succeed in any field. Our graduates demonstrate the impact of opening doors to women.”
Oak Forest Raiders selected as leaders of Fleadh event
The Oak Forest Raiders instructional tackle football and cheerleading program for boys and girls aged 5 to 14, which has been active in the area for over 50 years, has been chosen as the grand marshals for the 15th anniversary edition of the Oak Forest Fleadh.
Players, families, and coaches will lead the parade, which begins at 11 a.m. on March 2 at 151st and Central Avenue and continues to the Oak Forest Park District. Prior to the parade, the CNB Oak Forest Fleadh 5K race will take place at 8:30 a.m., starting and ending at 155th Street and Betty Anne Lane. More than 500 participants are expected. Activities are also scheduled before and after the race at Fire Station 1, 5620 Jame Drive. Street closures are planned for both the race and the parade. Additional information can be found at www.oak‐forest.org.
Visitor’s Bureau launches video showcasing Southland attractions
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau has introduced an interactive destination video featuring vacation ideas for visitors and staycation ideas for residents.
The video presents footage of Chicago Southland amenities with corresponding logos and website links synchronized on the side of the screen. Users can also browse through the vertical list of all amenities in descending order of appearance.
“This interactive video helps our tourists and residents explore and visit the many attractions in Chicago Southland from a single source,” stated Jim Garrett, president/CEO of the bureau. “The video includes nature centers, art galleries, restaurants, breweries, museums, sports facilities, golf courses, and performing arts centers, among others.”
The CSCVB interactive video can be accessed at www.visitchicagosouthland.com/#clicktivated.
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