'The Ellen Show' Delights with Southland Surprise

'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' popped into the Best Buy in Orland Park on Thanksgiving, surprising one lucky family from the South Side with a shopping spree and thousands of dollars in Best Buy goodies—and handing out $50,000 in gift cards to others.

They came in hordes and formed a line thousands long—the length of a strip mall, out around the corner, and north along LaGrange Road. Amidst Black Friday excitement and rumors of a cameo by Ellen DeGeneres, eager shoppers and fans flocked to Best Buy in Orland Park on Thanksgiving, hoping to snag a prized purchase, and a glimpse of the talk show host.  Though DeGeneres did not appear and most might have been disappointed, one lucky family's day got a lot brighter.  A South Side family chosen from millions of contest entrants was treated to a Best Buy shopping spree and thousands of dollars in giftcards, courtesy of The Ellen Show. Members of the show's production staff were mum on how they chose the winning family, whose name is being …

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Ways to Give Back for the Holidays

Patch has compiled a short list of different charitable efforts around Orland Park, Tinley Park and Oak Forest.

As the holiday spirit settles over the Southland, several annual food, toy and monetary charitable efforts are kicking into high gear to help the less fortunate this holiday season. We've rounded up several holiday drives in Oak Forest, Orland Park and Tinley Park that could use your help this season.  The Marley Project The Marley Project, an Illinois nonprofit effort headed by Oak Forest High School freshman Marley Majetic, is holding its annual holiday food drive from now though Dec. 15. The Marley Project accepts non-perishable food items at various locations around the Oak Forest community. Every item collected will be donated directly to local food pantries. Drop boxes are located at: Monetary donations may also be sent directly to …

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Business Comings 'n Goings

Comings & Goings: Rue 21 to Open in Tinley Park

Also in the latest business news, Tinley's Bettenhausen Rec Center will get a $4.5 million facelift, Fox Head opens in Orland Park, and more.

Rue 21, a national fashion retailer for young men and women, has signed a lease to open a new store in the Tinley Park Plaza near 159th Street and Harlem Avenue. The 5,800-square-foot store will be between Walt’s Foods and Bath & Body Works in the plaza, Brixmor Property Group announced. Brixmor owns and manages the strip mall. The store is expected to open in late summer or early fall. Rue 21 is based in Warrendale, Pa., and operates 770 stores in 46 states.  The lease is one of three the retailer signed last month with Brixmor. For more information, visit Rue 21. The Tinley Park Park District is expected this week to open bids on a major expansion of the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center. Bids are due by 10 a.m. Friday for construction…

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Business Comings 'n Goings

Comings & Goings: Odyssey Fun World Opens State’s First Mobile Zip Line

Berkot's Super Foods to open its 13th store on Thursday in Orland Park's Wolf Plaza at 159th Street and Wolf Road.

Odyssey Fun World at 19111 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park last week opened the state’s first mobile Zip Line ride. “It’s an extreme ride,” said General Manager Clint Paraday describing the ride that lasts only seconds but packs a wallop. “We opened it on Friday and the crowd response was phenomenal.” Paraday said the Zip Line tower stands 30-feet high and the line stretches out to 130 feet long. There is a 60-pound minimum weight and a 250-pound maximum. “The heavier you are, the faster you go,” Paraday said. The Zip Line is one of many innovations Paraday has brought to the amusement park in the past year including a corn maize last Halloween and a musical light show at Christmastime. “We’re trying to stay relevant,” he said. “We had 30,…

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One Local Charity Reaches Out to Another

A foundation formed in the name of late Orland Park resident Flo Vanderpool recently donated $11,000 to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.

Floridamae "Flo" Vanderpool lived in Orland Park most of her life, and spent years seeing the world with her sister Lois by her side. The two visited almost every continent, and each brought back a souvenir from their explorations—often the same souvenir. When Vanderpool passed away in 2008, she left every trinket, her entire estate and her personal fortune in the hands of her investment advisor and good family friend Gary Bertacchi. She asked that Bertacchi keep her charity foundation, the Cord-Vanderpool Foundation, up and running, sharing her wealth with those in need. On Dec. 19, Bertacchi dropped off a $6,000 check made out to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, an Orland Park-based charity that delivers toys into the …

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Orland Township was Sole Area Taxing Body to Keep Rate Steady in 2010

Township assessor also gives a few pointers on the latest tax bill.

Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly said he has been “swamped" with confused tax payers since the latest tax bills hit mailboxes.   “For some reason the homeowner’s exemption is being left off of a lot of the tax bills,” he said Wednesday. “It’s usually automatic.” This year’s homeowner’s exemption is worth upwards of $2,000 and excluded from tax bills only in the event that one’s house was put into a trust, Kelly said. The senior citizen exemption entitles qualifying residents to an additional break, upwards of $4,000, according to the county clerk’s office. However, for the first time in county history, seniors were required to reapply for the exemption in order to continue their eligibility. Some folks lost the mailing, forgot to fill …

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Rob Piorkowski

11:47 am on Wednesday, October 19, 2011

I think folks should really look at their current property tax bill. Take a good look at where the $ goes and how our county elected officials are spending "my" cash. Just the portion that goes to Cook County has gone up considerably... Woopee the election portion has gone down but they took more overall.. Big news that assessed values decreased but overall the tax rate increased. The portion i …   more ›

District 230 Passes Balanced FY2012 Budget; Includes Salary and Benefit Boosts

A salary increase is in the works for teachers in some local schools next fiscal year.

Unlike many Illinois school districts, Consolidated High School District 230 is beginning its 2012 Fiscal Year "in the black." The district's board passed that $121 million budget Thursday night during its regular meeting at Victor J. Andrew High School. Assistant Superintendent for Business Steve Langert, who presented it, pointed out that the combined operating funds and working cash funds of $52.3 million make up 44 percent of the budgeted operating expenses for FY2012. With Cook County tax bills likely being collected a month earlier this year, he doesn't anticipate any cash flow issues, he said. The district’s operating revenue is expected to increase 1.1 percent from last year, nearly matching the projected expenses for this year. …

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This Weekend: Banned Books, Shredding and Family Fun

Benefit, arts, entertainment, family friendly and government events happening this weekend, Sept. 29 - Oct. 2, in the Orland, Palos, Tinley and Oak Forest area.

The perfect weekend activity can be just as difficult to find as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster or a Chicago highway without traffic. Have faith! Patch has come to the rescue with the best bets for the weekend. So, set aside that low-quality video camera, put down your fishing rod and discover the weekend. For the Love of Liz - Benefit for Elizabeth Corley Friday, September 30, 7pm | 115 Bourbon Street Help Elizabeth Corley as she battles brain tumors and their side effects while trying to care for a daughter. Tickets include food, wine, beer and entertainment, and are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. JEWEL-OSCO's "Give a Little, Feed a Lot" Food Drive Daily Until September 30, All Day | Jewel Osco "Give a Little, Feed a Lot" in Jewel-…

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This Weekend: Tinley Summer Fest, Music and a Seductive Novel

Performing arts, festivals, green, charitable and library events happening this weekend, Aug. 18 - 21, in the Orland, Palos, Tinley and Oak Forest area.

When it comes to picking weekend activities, many of us suffer from decidophobia (fear of making decisions). Fear not! Patch has come to the rescue with an amazing weekend all lined up for you. Tinley Summer Fest August 20, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Easter Seals Enjoy an evening of food and fun with performances by Yard Fulla Cars, Joey Midnight & the Fleshtones and more. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family. Proceeds go to Easter Seals Autism Therapeutic School, Child & Family Connections #12 and Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Zante's Lounge Celebrates 2nd Anniversary August 21, 3 p.m. | Zante of Orland Celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of Zante's in Orland Park with a pig roast, bean bag tournament and several contests. Hear performances…

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This Weekend: Movie Night, Concerts and Back to School Fun

Events are happening this weekend, August 11-13, in the Orland, Palos, Tinley and Oak Forest areas.

Just like prairie dogs in U.S. deserts, life is easier if you hang with a group. This weekend, take friends, relatives or even a date out to see what the south 'burbs have to offer including fundraisers, mini-golf and back to school fun. Together We Cope Rock Bottom Fundraiser August 11, 6pm - 9pm | Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery Support Together We Cope by trying a custom brew (called Cope-asetic) sold in Together We Cope pint glasses for $5 each. Enter a raffle for an iPad2. 10% of all food sales will be donated to Together We Cope.  Friday Night Date Night August 12, 7pm - 9pm | El Morro Park, Miniature Golf Course Take that special someone for a round of mini-golf. Couples golf for $5 and receive a flower. Concessions will be open …

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