PAWS gets donated sprinkler system after 2024 fire
In the wake of a laundry room fire in January 2024 at People’s Animal Welfare Society, in Tinley Park, the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board joined a collaborative project to install a new automatic fire sprinkler system in the 30-year-old building.
Although no animals were injured in the fire, PAWS President Terri Buckley called it an “awful day,” especially because 108 animals were there at the time but “the whole place filled up with smoke so fast you couldn’t see where you were going,” she shared via a news release.
Board member Nancy Mulvihill, a local fire official, contacted the advisory board to see if it could donate a fire sprinkler system and retrofit it. Tinley Park Fire Marshal Steve Lorendo got the permit and plan review fees waived and got a donation for the system.
Several companies helped with the effort, donating material and labor, including Sprinklers Fitters Local 281 UA, with the project allowing its apprentices to gain hands-on experience retrofitting the occupied building. They created much of the sprinkler system at the shelter, working around animals, volunteers and staff.
The new system is designed to extinguish or control a fire while it’s small and allow more time for escape, especially given that the animals cannot leave their kennels without aid.
Homewood bonfire includes s’mores
Fans of s’mores can enjoy the sweet treat and possibly make some new friends at a community bonfire hosted by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District from 6 to 8 p.m. at Heritage Park, 1636 Idlewild Lane.
Standard items for s’mores will be provided, but attendees are welcome to bring others. The free event is open to people of all ages.
Orland Park library creating community cookbook
With an eye to celebrating family traditions, the Orland Park Public Library is seeking recipes for its community bookbook through Oct. 1.
Submissions are limited to three per person, and submitting a recipe does not guarantee it will be included. The completed cookbook will be available to buy once it’s been published and will feature stories served by local residents.
Online submissions are encouraged by clicking on “community cookbook” at orlandparklibrary.org and following the directions, but paper submissions will be accepted on form at the Adult Services desk. Information is at 708-428-5150.
Forest preserve campfire adds music to night
As part of National Public Lands Day and Party for the Preserves, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County hosts its annual Acoustics Under the Stars from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 26 at Camp Shabbona Woods, 15810 Torrence Ave. in Calumet City.
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Attendees can roast hot dogs and toast marshalls around a vampire while singing around an open mic. They are encouraged to bring a fiddle, ukulele, guitar, horn or drums to join in.
A guided nighttime walk is available, and camp sites are open for those who want to spend the night. Details are at 773-370-3305 or fpdcc.com/party.
Spaghetti dinner boosts safety at daycare
A spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Church of the Transfiguration hopes to raise money to fund installing large security planters to protect the church’s daycare.
Six people, including three preschoolers, were injured in May 2025 when a pickup truck driver had a medical emergency while behind the wheel and crashed into the building.
The benefit takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 25 at the church, 12219 S. 86th Ave. A silent auction and raffle baskets will be available.
Advance tickets cost $12 for adults and $5 for children; tickets that night cost $15 for adults and $8 for kids. They are sold at 708-448-1200 or transfigpalos.org.
‘God of Carnage’ comes to Mokena
Curtain Call Theatre will stage the Tony Award-winning dark comedy “God of Carnage” on Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2 to 4 at 11112 Front St. in Mokena.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26 and Oct. 2 and 3 and 2 p.m. Sept. 27 and Oct. 4. Adult themes and language are part of the 80-minute show.
One cast performs the first weekend and another cast takes on the roles the following weekend. The show features what happens after a playground incident, turning a “well-intentioned conversation between parents into an increasingly unhinged examination of marriage, manners, parenting and the thin veneer separating civilized society from absolute chaos,” a news release shared.
Tickets, which cost $22, can be bought at ccctheatre.com or 708-607-2281,
Southwest Symphony opens its season
The Southwest Symphony performs its season-opening concert “Inspiration!” at 4 p.m. Sept. 27 at Mother McAuley High School, 3737 W. 99th St. in Chicago.
The concert includes music by Tchaikovsky and Saint-Saëns.
Tickets are free for students and cost between $25 and $35 for adults, with a senior rate available. Buy them at southwestsymphony.com or call 708-802-0686.
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