In celebration of its 40th anniversary, P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park will hold its inaugural Pet Parade on Sunday in Downtown Tinley. The parade, which will step off at noon from Central Middle School and travel north down Oak Park Avenue, will feature Grand Marshal Anthony Ponce, an NBC 5 news anchor, as well as the Central Middle School Marching Band, canine demonstrations, martial arts demonstrations by Family Martial Arts, animal rescue organizations and All About Music Children's Theatre, which will perform excerpts from "Seussical the Musical." An after-party following the parade until 4 p.m. in Zabrocki Plaza will feature D.J. music, a dog boutique, food and beverages, face-painting, balloon animals and a marketplace of local pet-related business. While the parade is limited to organizations that pre-registered, all pets are welcome to view the parade and participate in the after party. All dogs must be social with other dogs and people. Dogs also must be up-to-date on their vaccines and be unafraid of noise. No retractable leashes are allowed. For more information, call Aimee El-Zayaty at (708) 805-0165 or email her at [email protected].

The winners of Tinley Park's 11th annual Benches on the Avenue public art project were announced during the Sept. 6 Music in the Plaza event in Zabrocki Plaza. The 2014 theme was "Let the Games Begin!"

"Cranium Cadoo" by Michelle and Melissa Patino won Best Young Artist; "Mouse Trap" by Amanda and Greg Cichoracki won Best Use of Materials; "Trivial Pursuit" by Garrett Gray and Phillip Gerk won Best Family Project; "Tinleyopoly" by Beth Kopf, Ron Kopf, Julie Dekker and Kurt Dekker won Best Portrayal of Theme; "Let's Play Minecraft" by Jennifer Lilly won the Judges Choice Award; "Operation" by the Illinois Institute of Art's Tinley Park Team won Best Group Project; "Scrabble" by Kevin Johnson won Best First Time Participant, and "Jumanji" by Nick Schulien won Most Creative.

The judging panel included Karen Wegrzyn, executive director of the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce; Mona Serpe, president of the Tinley Park Garden Club; Robbyn Yuen, decorator at Creative Cakes; Regina Ziemann, an adjunct art instructor at Moraine Valley Community College; and Wendy Bumphis, president of the Tinley Park Rotary Club.

 

A thank-you to our sponsors

The Village would like to thank the 2014 Benches on the Avenue sponsors, which include Odyssey Fun World, Matt's Barber Shop, Eggheadz Caf�, Odyssey Fun Farm, Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center, Bettenhausen Automotive, Family Hyundai, Crossmark Printing, Aero Rubber Company, Ed and Joe's Restaurant, Pronger Smith Medical Care, SEECO Consultants, Gatto's Restaurant and Bar, Trustee Antonio Rubino - Orland Township, Robinson Engineering & Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins, Durkin Electric Company, First Midwest Bank, James B. Carroll & Associates and Central Collision Center.

The Village also would like to thank all the businesses that supported the Benches on the Avenue in other ways, including Kernel Sweetooth, Durbin's Restaurant, El Coco Mio Restaurant, Heather's Haus Florist, Evon's Trophies, Raw Beauty Bar, Step Up Dance Academy, the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce and Cuzin's Neighborhood Bar.

Benches 2015

Planning has already begun for the 2015 Benches on the Avenue public art project. Interested artists can email [email protected] for more information.

Client solutions specialist Alexandra Glumac (pictured at right) will host a workshop titled "Building Business Success with Emotional Intelligence" as part of South Suburban College's Breakfast with BCI event series from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 in the Heritage Room on the first floor at the school, 15800 State St., South Holland. In the workshop, attendees will learn about Emotional Intelligence (EI), which is one's ability to use emotions intelligently and appropriately in different situations. Event organizers said EI is becoming the new yardstick by which employees are being evaluated. The workshop will cover the four functions of EI, the five competencies of EI and several proven strategies to promote and strengthen EI. The workshop costs $30 per person or $25 per person if three or more from the same company attend. Click here for more information.

South Suburban College's Business and Career Institute will offer Consumer Wellness Advocate Certification Training on Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the Mi-Jack Room on the first floor at the school, 15800 S. State St., South Holland. Consumer wellness advocate and client solutions specialist Alexandra Glumac will facilitate the training. Registration and a continental breakfast will be held at 8 a.m., followed by training from 8:15 a.m. to noon. The cost is $299 for those who register and pay before Oct. 1 and $349 for those who register after Oct. 1. Check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. Reservations and payment are required by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20. For more information or to register, call (708) 596-2000, Ext. 2346 or email [email protected]. You also can click here to read the full event flyer.

Official 2014 Downtown Tinley T-shirts are still available and cost $5 each. Shirts come in five sizes - small, medium, large, extra large and double extra large. Shirts will be sold at the Farmers' Markets from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through October in Zabrocki Plaza. Downtown Tinley T-shirts also are sold from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at Tinley Park Village Hall, 16250 S. Oak Park Ave. Supplies are running low, so get yours today!