Flossmoor’s Plant the Gem honored at State Fair
A team of officials and volunteers from Flossmoor presented the village’s Plant the Gem effort as one of four finalists in the 2023 Governor’s Hometown Awards program last week at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
The Flossmoor presentation won in its division, but lost the Governor’s Cup to the village of Pleasant Hill’s Summer Food Program in Pike County. The other two finalists were groups from Joliet and Plainfield.
Plant the Gem was a one-day effort in October when 300 trees were planted all over Flossmoor by more than 250 volunteers. Flossmoor village manager Bridget Wachtel said the presentation at the State Fair “was so inspiring that other municipalities approached them for information on how to bring an event like this to their own towns.”
Metra highlights ‘Rails, Trails and Ales’ with special service
Metra will offer special service on the Heritage Corridor Line on six Saturdays this fall, giving Chicago area residents opportunities to explore the bike and running paths, festivals, craft breweries, restaurants, and vibrant communities along the historic route.
The excursions, dubbed “Rails, Trails and Ales,” will provide three round-trip trains, each equipped with Metra’s new bike cars to carry extra bikes, on six consecutive Saturdays from Sept. 9 through Oct. 14. The trains will leave Chicago Union Station at 10:30 a.m. 4:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. and make all stops to Joliet. Inbound trips will depart Joliet at 8 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. making all stops to Union Station. The schedule also provides an opportunity for those living along the Heritage Corridor to use Metra for trips to the city on Saturdays.
Metra’s Heritage Corridor Line was named after the historic Illinois and Michigan Canal Heritage Corridor, which the rail line parallels. Many of the towns that are now stops on the line are closely linked to the canal’s creation, with rich and interesting histories, and bike paths that use the canal’s former towpath or connect with it are accessible from many of those stops.
Metra’s $7 Saturday Day Pass will be available, which offers unlimited rides for a single fare. Metra’s Family Fares, which allow, three children, age 11 and under to ride free with a fare-paying adult, can be used in conjunction with the Saturday Pass. A list of some of the sites, restaurants, breweries, and biking/hiking paths near each Heritage Corridor stop can be found at metra.com.
Marian Catholic going solar
Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights will install a rooftop solar energy array after entering an agreement with DSD Renewables and Mission Energy.
The installation, which is expected to be operational in early 2024, will meet approximately 65% of the school’s energy needs with renewable energy, according to a news release.
“With this project, we will be the first private high school in the Chicagoland area with a solar array of this magnitude,” said Vince Krydynski, the school’s president.
Lockport museum celebrates nature preserves’ birthday
A celebration of the 60th anniversary of the state’s Natural Areas Preservation Act, which created the Illinois Nature Preserves System, will take place this weekend with tours and hikes at preserves throughout the state on Saturday, and a gallery walk Sunday at the Illinois State Museum in Lockport.
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The free event with artist Philip Juras, who has painted scenes from dozens of Illinois Nature Preserves, is open from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the gallery, 201 West 10th St.
More information on the weekend activities is at https://friendsofillinoisnaturepreserves.org/inps-weekend/.
Crisis Center’s Auxiliary sets Virtual Walk Against Domestic Violence
The Crisis Center for South Suburbia Auxiliary, which has raised over $155,000 to support domestic violence programs and services in Chicago’s south suburbs since 2008, is hosting a Virtual Walk Against Domestic Violence.
Since the event went virtual in 2020, it has raised nearly $17,000, and Auxiliary members hope to generate $5,000 this year.
Donors can give online at AuxWalk2023.givesmart.com or mail a check to the Crisis Center Auxiliary, P.O. Box 174, Palos Park, IL, 60464. Donation levels are listed on the website, but gifts in any amount are welcome.
The Auxiliary is collecting donations from now through the end of September. Funds will be directed to programs such as Safe Start, which provides prevention and education about healthy dating to local high schools and junior high schools. A portion of the funds are also directed to help survivors of domestic violence with emergency needs and to provide meals for families living in the shelter. More information is at www.crisisctr.org. The Crisis Center’s 24-hour hotline is at 708-429-SAFE (7233).
Stagg Music Boosters seek crafters for November show
The A.A. Stagg High School Music Boosters organization is accepting applications from crafters and artists for the Season show scheduled for Nov. 11 and 12. Booth cost is $115 for the two-day run of the show at Stagg High School, 111th Street and Roberts Road in Palos Hills.
More information is at 708-974-7520 or aastaggmusicboosters.org. The email address for the show is [email protected].
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