Dunkin' Donuts donates books to libraries

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Aziz Nathani, who recently took over three Dunkin’ Donuts in Orland Park, Country Club Hills and Oak Forest, has donated 825 books he collected from customers to the libraries in those three communities. In exchange for the books, he gave each customer a donut or cup of coffee.

Now open
Health From Within Chiropractic Wellness Center opened recently at 10012 W. 190th Place in Mokena. For more information, call 708-478-0300 or visit http://www.healthfromwithin.net/.

Grand opening for OMG
OMG It’s Gluten Free, 19810 S. Harlem Ave. in Frankfort Square, is holding its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Co-owner Julie Scianna says business has been great since the doors opened a few months ago (April 1 Southland Savvy).

Scianna also says she’s 99 percent sure Stefano Guandalini of the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center will be on hand for the opening.

For more information, visit http://www.omgitsglutenfree.com/ or check out their Facebook page.

Ribbon cutting in Frankfort
Gnade Insurance, 219 S. White St. in Frankfort, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday as part of its business after hours for the Mokena Chamber of Commerce.

Sox/Cubs deal of the weekend
Looking for a place to watch the Sox take on the Cubs? Popolano's, 17940 S. Torrence Ave. in Lansing and 225 S. Calumet Ave. in Chesterton, Ind., is offering 35-cent wings and $2 pints during the games. The eateries will continue the offer after the Crosstown Classic whenever either team is playing.

OMG It's Gluten Free is holding its grand opening on Saturday in Frankfort Square.

Bottoms Up to reopen in Lansing

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Bottoms Up, a popular late-night watering hole just outside of Lansing’s municipal limits at 1696 Thornton Lansing Road, is set to reopen its tavern and beer garden Wednesday after being closed for plumbing issues for a few months. The full kitchen is expected to be back online a few days later. For more information, visit http://www.bottomsuponline.com/.

Arby’s closes in HomewoodWith the recent closing of the Arby’s restaurant on Halsted Street in Homewood, Southland roast beef and potato cake junkies have to go east to the Arby’s on Calumet Avenue in Munster, Ind., or west to Tinley Park, which boasts three of the fast-food eateries.

Sisters to move into former Fox LumberIt’s official, My Sisters and Me boutique in Frankfort is taking over the recently remodeled Fox Lumber in downtown Frankfort. The village board Monday night approved a five-year lease with My Sisters, which will be doubling its size when it moves into the former lumber yard. For more information, visit http://www.mysistersandmeboutique.com/.

Papa Joe’s done in FrankfortPapa Joe’s has closed at 20531 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort, but the restaurant will not be dark for long. Something called Louie’s Pizza and Pasta has already taken a lease on the storefront and will be opening soon.

Tinley Park cleaners closes
Kleen Spot Cleaners closed recently at 16709 S. 80th Avenue in Tinley Park.

Home Werks opens in Orland
A home remodeling store called Home Werks opened recently at 7840 W. 159th St. in Orland Park. For more information, visit their website at http://www.homewerksinc.net/.

Now openMcDonald’s had the grand opening last week for its new restaurant at 7620 W. 95th St. in Hickory Hills, which has been open for several weeks. The new McDonald’s replaces one that was a few blocks away. The new restaurant has a double drive-through.

Ride the train at Chicago Ridge Mall
Junga Rides, a children’s train ride, is now open in the Kohl’s Court at Chicago Ridge Mall at 95th Street and Ridgeland in Chicago Ridge.

Free pizza toppings
Old Town Pizza, 11128 W. 179th St. in Orland Park, is offering Free Topping Tuesdays. The pizzeria is open for lunch and dinner and offers delivery and take-out service. For more information, call 708-478-7488 or visit their Facebook page.

'Summer Sol-a-Bration' at GSU

Wear your play clothes and bring the entire family out for the Summer Sol-a-Bration 2010, this Saturday, June 19, at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park on the campus of Governors State University, just 40 minutes from downtown Chicago in University Park.

The Summer Sol-a-Bration will have all sorts of activities for children and adults to enjoy on this year’s summer solstice, from 2 to 5 p.m. The day is designed to celebrate the outdoors and the park’s sculpture collection.

Music will be provided by the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra's Brass Quintet, the Prairie State College Faculty Jazz Band, and the South Suburban Dulcimer and Folk Music Society.

Parking and admission is FREE. Some activities will have nominal fees. Shuttle carts are available for those with limited mobility. Mark your calendar and join the fun!

Activities include:
* Sculpture Trading Card Games!
* Online Drawing Exhibition!
* Online Photo Competition!
* Sno-cone Sculpting!
* Croquet!
* Sprinkler Sculptures!
* Kite flying!
* Kids build their own sculpture to take home!
* An opportunity to view over 25 unique works of art amidst the beauty of the prairie!

For more information or directions to the park and Governors State University, go to www.govst.edu/sculpture or call 708-534-4486.

You can also e-mail at: sculpture@govst.edu.

Programs and events presented by the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park are sponsored, in part, by Bimba Manufacturing Company and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.