MetroSouth Opens Center in Orland Park

Dr. John Curtin

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

 Blue Island-based MetroSouth Medical Center recently opened a facility at 15614 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park. It’s the hospital’s 10th such community medical center.

The center is staffed by family practice physician Dr. John Curtin, DO, who merged his practice with MetroSouth to create the MetroSouth Health Center at Orland Park.

For information on office hours, call 708-342-1860.

The hospital is hosting a business after hours through the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce for the new health center on Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Outback Steakhouse, 15608 S. Harlem Ave. RSVP to the chamber so they know how many to expect. Or call 708-349-2972.

hhgregg Opening at Ford City
Indianapolis-based appliance and electronics retailer hhgregg is opening a store at Ford City Mall on Thursday with a 9:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The discount seller opened a store at Orland Park Place Mall in September. The Ford City store and another store that will open in North Riverside will be the 15th and 16th to open in the Chicago marketplace this year.

Radio fans can get their fill at the new store starting with WLS-FM’s Dave Fogel broadcasting from there on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. Megan Reed from Rewind 100.3 will be there Friday from 4-6 p.m. and KHITS will be there on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The company has a lot of grand opening specials.

For information, visit hhgregg online.

Hanania Back on the Air
Orland Park’s Ray Hanania, who dropped his weekday radio show earlier this year after a health scare—and to concentrate on his weekly newspaper columns and weekly radio show—is back on the air from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays on time-brokered WSBC-AM (1240).

Hanania decided to wind down after having heart surgery last December to repair damage caused by a heart murmur.

Susie’s Trunk Show Celebrating Anniversary
Susie’s Trunk Show and Emporium, 9959 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park, is celebrating its second anniversary on Friday, Nov. 18, from 5-9 p.m. There will be shopping specials, raffles, refreshments and more. This is open to the public and also is an Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce event.

Sears Essential Re-Opening as Kmart

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Sears Essential experiment is over in the Southland.

Shortly after Kmart and Sears merged in 2005, the Kmart store at 15830 S. Bell Road in Homer Glen was converted into what was supposed to be the first of many new Sears Essential stores. It was to be a kind of hybrid store with the best of Kmart and Sears under one roof.

The idea didn’t catch on and the store has been converted back into a Kmart store.

The store had a soft opening on Halloween and plans a grand re-opening on Saturday.

Festivities run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lockport Mayor Dev Trivedi will help store manager Tiwanna Walker cut the ribbon. Kmart’s mascot Mr. Bluelight will be on hand to take photos with fans. Former Bears player Steve McMichael will be signing autographs from noon to 2 p.m. Eddie V. from KHITS Radio will broadcast from the store from noon to 2 p.m. and give away T-shirts, movie passes and DVDs. A face painter and balloonist will be there to entertain the kids. The store will raffle off prizes and gift cards.

Sears Outlet Store Coming to Tinley
While the Sears Essential store is disappearing, a Sears Outlet store will be opening in early December in the former Bally Total Fitness, 16040 S. Harlem Ave., Sears spokeswoman Kimberly Freely said Friday.

The 24,000-square-foot store will carry some new merchandise as well as discontinued, used and scratched or dented merchandise.

Pita Oven Closes
Pita Oven, a Mediterranean restaurant that featured Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine, abruptly closed this week. A reader said she went there on Monday and saw employees carting equipment out of the store. The phone number is out of service, which doesn’t suggest they were just moving.

Capri Express Closes in Tinley Park
The Capri Express restaurant at 16703 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park has closed only a few months after opening. A sign on the door says the location is temporarily closed for renovation. There’s also a notice from the Village of Tinley Park that the restaurant may not reopen without proper permits and an inspection. Calls to the company's Burr Ridge location were not returned.

Yogurt Shop Opens at Orland Square Mall
Bare Berry, a frozen yogurt shop, has opened at Orland Square Mall in the lower level JCPenney Court. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, visit http://bareberryyogurt.com/.

Free Fall Wine Tasting
Orland Park Wine & Spirits, 8600 W. 159th St. in Orland Park, will host a wine tasting on Saturday, Nov. 12, from noon to 5 p.m.

Visitors will sample wines from around the globe.

Special guests will be Pastry Chef Kimberly Zarobsky from Sweet as Cake, who will be showcasing her liquor-infused cupcakes; Andrea Turner from Tassos Gourmet Foods, who will feature olives and spreads for the holidays; Nicole Shepherd from Scentsy Products, who will have a sample of fine fragrances.

Bears Deal of the Weekend
Rockwelz Bar Meets Grill, 11265 W. 159th St. in Orland Park, has a free halftime BBQ buffet during Bears games. For information, call 708-226-0042 or visit http://www.rokwelz.com/.

 

Deals for Vets on Veterans Day

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Military veterans and active duty personnel will be able to feast for free Friday as a host of American businesses are offering free food to America’s past and present servicemen and servicewomen in honor of Veterans Day. Most deals do not include a beverage or a gratuity, and some national chain locations may not be participating.

Ed & Joe’s restaurant in Tinley Park is offering a free small pizza with two toppings or any sandwich, none of which the owners say are served in a vacuum-sealed bag or require hydration.

Applebee’s is offering a free signature entrée all day.

Chili’s is offering free lunch for veterans from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Famous Dave’s in Orland Park is offering a free Two Meat Salute. Choose two different meats served with corn bread muffin, corn-on-the-cob and your choice of one side. For information, call 708-532-7850.

Hooters in Joliet, Lansing, Oak Lawn and Orland Park are offering 10 free wings (boneless or regular) with any drink purchase.

Krispy Kreme in Midlothian may be offering a free doughnut. The store opens at 5 a.m. if you want to try.

Little Caesars Pizza is offering free orders of Crazy Bread.

Outback Steakhouse is offering a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product.

Subway is offering a free six-inch sub or flatbread.

Texas Roadhouse is offering free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

T.G.I. Friday’s in Tinley Park, Orland Park, Oak Lawn, Bedford Park and Bourbonnais are offering buy one get one free or 50 percent discounts to solitary diners.

The Olive Garden is offering a free entrée from a special menu during regular business hours. All entrées inlcude freshly baked garlic sticks and choice of soup or salad.

Seven-Eleven is offering a free small Slurpee from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Accompanying family members also will receive a free Slurpee.

Golden Corral is passing on Veterans Day but will offer its 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner on Monday, Nov. 14, from 5-9 p.m. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the U.S. Military.

Retail discounts
Lowe’s, Home Depot, Big Lots and Dollar General stores are all offering veterans, active duty personnel and their families 10 percent discounts on Friday.

Free car wash
Delta Sonic car wash locations in Crestwood and Tinley Park, Easy Clean Car Wash in Lansing, Starlite Car Wash in Worth, Tinley Park Super Wash and Zoom Clean Car Wash in Calumet City are all offering free car washes to veterans and active-duty personnel.


Free round of golf
Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park is offering a free round of golf. Call 708-349-6940 for a tee time.