Proviso may attend inauguration
Marching band participants at Proviso East and West will once again take a national stage this winter, perhaps as part of two celebrations on the East Coast.
Both bands have applied to perform during the inauguration ceremony for President-elect Barack Obama. The school bands were invited to participate by a national music education program in the Jan. 20 ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Also, 145 band members from Proviso East will be in New Orleans to perform during halftime for college football’s Sugar Bowl. That game will be played Jan. 2 at the Louisiana Superdome.
Bowling for charity
Bowlers in Forest Park will be asked to knock down a few pins in the name of charity this month when the West Suburban Special Recreation Foundation hosts an annual fundraiser. From 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 23, participants will bowl up to three games at the Circle Lanes alley. Free shoe rental, lunch and raffle prizes are included.
Bowlers must have at least $50 in pledges to be part of the event.
The recreation foundation is an extension of the Park District of Forest Park and 10 other community agencies, offering therapeutic programs for disabled children and their families. The foundation offers swim lessons, day camp and socialization programs.
To donate to the seventh annual bowling event, or for more information on the foundation, call 847-455-2100. Circle Lanes bowling alley is located at 7244 Circle.
Schools, village estimate tax levies
Both the municipal and school governments have estimated their tax levies, which will help determine how much money property owners in Forest Park can expect to pay. Neither of the taxing bodies expects to increase their levy request by more than 5 percent of last year’s extended amount.
Village council members voted this month to estimate the levy amount at $6,046,000.
District 91, which operates Forest Park’s K-8 public school system, set its estimate at $13,811,749. In 2007, the schools received some $13.1 million in revenue. The district’s strategy with this year’s levy, and likely in future years, is to shift revenues into the life safety fund to cover mandated repairs to its buildings. Doing so will avoid taking on additional long-term debt, according to the district business manager, while still covering the cost of those projects.
The final levy requests will be approved next month.
