Cooling station open to public
On days which the temperature or the heat index exceeds 96 degrees, the public can seek refuge in Forest Park’s community center. During the summer months, the Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson, doubles as the village’s cooling station. The service is made available to anyone during the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
During non-business hours, residents may request to use the cooling station, regardless of the temperature, at anytime. Inquiries should be directed to the police department.
For additional information on the cooling station, contact the community center at 771-7737.
School cancels annual speech
A presentation on the state of the district that was to be the second annual speech given by the superintendent has been cancelled. This year’s address was scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, but was nixed because of a poor response to invitations sent by the schools.
Superintendent Lou Cavallo said he would like to reschedule the event, but a date has not been selected. Last year’s state of the district presentation – a first for Forest Park’s public school system – was attended largely by community leaders.
District 91, which encompasses grades K-8, is in the midst of a major transition that will shuffle teachers, students and resources into new buildings. The school board approved a new attendance model that groups students by grade level rather than neighborhood. That change takes effect with the start of the new school year.
Fourth of July, already
Fourth of July festivities begin long before fireworks burst in the night sky. The park district, 7501 Harrison, will again host a day of outdoor games, music and food leading up to an evening of colorful explosions.
The pool opens at 10 a.m., bingo begins at 1 p.m., the food court begins serving goodies at 3 p.m. In the late afternoon there will be a magic show at 4 p.m. Then, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., families can participate in a series of picnic-themed games. A live band will perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fireworks, of course, will be touched off after dark, beginning at about 9:15 p.m.
For more information on the park district’s celebration, call 366-7500.
Disability group gives awards
During a June 26 celebration marking the fourth anniversary of the Progress Center for Independent Living’s radio program, two Cicero residents received college scholarships. Peter Salas and Esmeralda Flores were both awarded $500 by the Forest Park organization.
The gathering was held to celebrate Radio Vida Independiente, the Progress Center’s weekly Hispanic radio program. Guitarist Tony Melendez was the featured performer.
The Progress Center helps those who have a variety of disabilities to live more independently, and provides advocacy services. The organization was founded in 1988 and is located on Madison Street, just east of Desplaines Avenue.
