Moo & Oink Makes a Comeback

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Fans of Moo & Oink who lamented the closings of the chain’s stores last year, including one in Hazel Crest, can once again find their favorite hamburger patties and hot links in stores across the Southland.

Best Chicago Meat Co., which bought the brand’s name, logo, characters, jingle and recipes at auction in December, has recently started selling Moo & Oink brand meats at Certified, 118 E. Jackson St. in Joliet; Michael’s Fresh Market, 856 S. Route 59 in Naperville; Ultra, 13001 S. Ashland Ave. in Calumet Park; Harvey Fresh Market, 14861 Dixie Highway in Harvey; Walt's Foods, 16145 State St. in South Holland; and Walt's Foods, 2345 183rd St. in Homewood.

The company also said Moo & Oink products will be coming soon to select Jewel locations, more Ultra locations, and Food 4 Less and Strack & Van Til locations.

For a complete list of current and coming locations, visit the Moo & Oink Facebook page.

Southwest Community Services Open House

Southwest Community Services, 6775 Prosperi Drive in Tinley Park, is hosting an Open House and Business After Hours sponsored by BMO Harris Bank from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April12, for the Chicago Southland, Mokena, Orland Park and Tinley Park chambers of commerce.

Refreshments will be provided by Crazy Fingers Catering, Polonia Catering and Dove Chocolate Discoveries.

RSVP to Kelli Cody at SCS at 708-429-1260 ext. 1263 or via email at kcody@swcsinc.org.

Discover Tinley Expo is Saturday

Meet businesses and organizations from Tinley Park at the Discover Tinley Community Awareness Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 14 at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive.

The annual expo is free and showcases the community's businesses, non-profit organizations and government services. This family-friendly, free event also features entertainment, food samples and free giveaways at many of the booths.

This year's attractions include:

• Expanded format
• Continuous entertainment with music and dance from local groups
• Children's entertainment featuring face painting, balloon artists and more
• Food samples from some of Tinley Park's finest restaurants

Marquette Bank to Offer Scholarships

Marquette Bank, a locally-owned neighborhood bank, has announced 55 local high schools have been selected to participate in the 2012 Marquette Bank Education Foundation Scholarship Program, which has a 46-year tradition of providing scholarships to graduating seniors from neighborhoods near Marquette Bank’s 24 branch locations.

The scholarships are available to students who demonstrate financial need, maintain at least a B average and have an outstanding record of community service.

Since 1967, more than $2.3 million has been awarded to more than 1,281 high school students.

The 2012 scholarship amount is $2,500. Scholarship recipients are selected by their school’s principal or guidance counselors and are recognized at an awards ceremony attended by friends and family. The scholarship can be used to cover expenses at any higher education program including: four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, vocational training or trade schools. To apply, students from participating schools can pick up an application in the guidance counselor’s office.

Southland schools participating in the program include:

• Alan B. Shepard High School
• Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
• Andrew High School
• Brother Rice High School
• Carl Sandburg High School
• Dwight D. Eisenhower High School
• Evergreen Park High School
• Lemont High School
• Leo Catholic High School
• Lincoln-Way Central High School
• Maria High School
• Marist High School
• Morgan Park High School
• Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
• Mount Assisi Academy
• Mount Carmel High School
• Oak Forest High School
• Oak Lawn Community High School
• Providence Catholic High School
• Queen of Peace High School
• Reavis High School
• Richards High School
• St. Ignatius College Prep.
• St. Laurence High School
• St. Rita of Cascia High School
• Tinley Park High School

For information on the Marquette Bank Education Foundation Scholarship Program, call 1-888-254-9500 or visit www.emarquettebank.com/about_foundation.cfm.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.