An event planned to “embody the spirit of rejuvenation and learning” in Southeast Side neighborhoods while highlighting environmental progress and triumphs was deemed successful, organizers said.

Eco-Fest Block Party, an inaugural effort of what is hoped to become a recurring event, included artist exhibitions and booths featuring area organizations and vendors.

“The event was a remarkable showcase of the incredible talent and dedication displayed by the participating artists, organizations, and vendors,” said Olga Bautista, executive director of the Southeast Environmental Taskforce, which organized Eco-Fest.

“Their unwavering commitment to promoting sustainability and environmental awareness was truly inspiring.”

Art installations created for the event, including two murals, will “leave a lasting impact in our community,” she said in a news release.

“We were thrilled to witness the enthusiasm and engagement of individuals from diverse backgrounds, all united by a common goal of fostering a greener and more sustainable future for our community,” Bautista said.

Record turnout for fishing derby in Homer Glen

A fishing derby Saturday sponsored by the Men’s Club of St. Bernard’s Parish in Homer Glen had a record turnout of 54 participating kids. Along with their support teams of parents, grandparents and volunteers, more than 125 people were on hand for the event over Father’s Day weekend.

Angler Summer Fiel caught the largest fish at the church’s pond at 7 1/2 inches, earning her first prize in the derby, though all participants came away with an award.

The derby for kids aged 15 and under has been hosted by the Men’s Club at the church in since 2012.

‘Indoor movie in the park’ offered in Chicago Heights

The Drama Group, 330 W. 202nd St. in Chicago Heights, offers an “indoor movie in the park” at its Pride Cabaret event at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The event features a showing of “Indecent,” by Paula Vogel, which was inspired by the events surrounding the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s “God of Vengeance” — a play seen by some as a seminal work of Jewish culture, and by others as an act of traitorous libel,” according to a news release.

“The play charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it,” the release stated.

The showing is free. More information is at https://www.dramagroup.org/.

Park at SSC to commemorate Zuccarelli

A revitalized park on the campus of South Suburban College in South Holland will be named for Frank Zuccarelli, the college’s former board chair and Thornton Township supervisor who died in early 2022.

A dedication for the park will be at 11 a.m. on June 28 on the north end of the SSC campus at 15800 South State St.

As a student at the college in the early 1970s when it was known as Thornton Community College, Zuccarelli used to have classes in the gazebo park area, according to a news release, and $20,000 from the Zuccarelli memorial fund were earmarked for the park’s refurbishment. Improvements at the park include 22 new trees, flowers and bushes, a lighted walkway, gazebo lights, a fountain and new benches.

Zuccarelli, a South Holland resident, was elected to the college’s board in 1978 and later chosen as board chair, a position he held until his death.

Olympia Fields birth center lauded by state group

Franciscan Health Family Birth Center in Olympia Fields recently received two awards from the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative.The Family Birth Center received the Leader Award for Birth Equity and the Quality Improvement Excellence Award for Promoting Vaginal Birth in 2022.

Joan Culver, director of patient care services at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, said the Family Birth Center was lauded for its efforts to promote universal screenings and address racial and social inequities to ensure women of color have optimal births. Family Birth Center staff receive training to help remove implicit bias from prenatal care through delivery and postpartum care, she said.

“We know non-Hispanic Black women are more likely to have pregnancy-related complications and we want to eliminate that as much as possible,” Culver said.

The Family Birth Center was also recognized by the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative for working to reduce Cesarean sections in first-time mothers.

“We want to be able to give every mom the opportunity for a vaginal delivery whenever possible,” Culver said. “Cesarean sections are surgeries and we want to do the best we can to prevent that from happening so future births don’t require additional surgery.”

Culver said the Center specially trains staff to help with positions and other techniques to increase patient comfort and advance labor.

“I am so proud of all that this team continues to accomplish and the care they have continuously provided to all of our patients,” Culver said.

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