July 2023 People & Places Newspaper

JULY 2023

Volume 13 Issue 7

Serving Leyden Township and Surrounding Communities

Since 2011

4303 N. Atlantic Avenue

Schiller Park, IL 60176

Phone: 847-260-5670

info@peopleandplacesnewspaper.com peopleandplacesnewspaper.com

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Community Events: events@peopleandplacesnewspaper.com

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OUR MISSION

People & Places Newspaper is dedicated to promoting local business and news. We want people informed, educated and entertained and aware about what’s going on in their own towns as well as surrounding communities. We want to help businesses succeed as well as supply news you can use and more!

YOUR INVOLVEMENT IS ESSENTIAL!

We need our readers to be our eyes and ears when it comes to local news and events. If you know of an event or hear of a story that you feel would be interesting to our readers, please let us know. We invite our readers to submit editorials, comments in our Open Forum, photos, news tips, questions and ideas. Call us at 847-260-5670 or email us at info@peopleandplacesnewspaper.com

You can snail mail us also at 4303 N. Atlantic Ave, Schiller Park, IL 60176

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

Although we offer a free monthly newspaper, copies of the paper go quickly at the newsstand. Don’t risk missing a single issue and subscribe for the cost of covering postage and/or delivery. Fill out the subscription form located in every paper. $25 for one year $45 for two! Contact our subscription department with questions or problems with delivery. subscriptions@peopleandplacesnewspaper.com

HOW TO ADVERTISE

Our paper could not exist without our valued advertisers. We’re here to promote your business. Help us continue to provide local news and events by advertising in People & Places. Reasonable rates and great coverage! Contact Jeff Fiedler at 773-791-7907 or Anna or Wes Hessel at 773-202-6141

PUBLISHER Barbara J. Piltaver

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS/

AD DEVELOPMENT

ART DIRECTOR

STAFF WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Publisher’s Message

In case you are unaware, as of July 1st in Illinois, we will be paying another .03 cents a gallon for gas, which will bring the state tax on gasoline to 45.4 cents per gallon. This is the second gas tax increase for us this year. And, we may experience automatic gas tax increases every July, since Illinois legislation dictates the gas tax will increase on July 1 every year in accordance with changes to the consumer price index.

Illinois already has one of the highest state gas taxes in the U.S., even without considering the gas tax increase that will take effect in July. The state has one of the highest sales tax rates, too, with an average combined sales tax rate of 8.82%, according to the Tax Foundation. Kiplinger.com

This doesn’t include the taxes that local governments enact on gas and sales taxes.

And that’s not all. On top of that, the tax on groceries will be reinstated also on July 1st, which means another 1% added to your bill at the grocery checkout. A double whammy to our already dwindling budgets.

According to Feeding America, 1 in 9 children experience food insecurity in Illinois. The 1% tax on groceries could cost households $10 extra dollars per month (assuming $1,000 monthly grocery cost). That $10 could otherwise provide an extra two or three meals for some children in the state experiencing hunger. Kiplinger.com

I’m sure children won’t be the only ones feeling the bite; seniors, many who are on fixed budgets, will also be cutting back on their meals to make ends meet.

Illinois is one of the few states to still tax groceries, and is the only state to tax prescription medications at 1%. Now that can definitely add up, considering the cost of some prescription drugs.

When the governor approved the FY 2023 budget he stated, “Our budget helps ease inflationary pain by cutting taxes on everyday needs like gas, groceries, and school supplies.”

However, with the FY 2024 budget (which has already been approved), the taxes were reinstated. What happened? Did our elected officials suddenly feel the public no longer needed to have their “inflationary pain” eased?

I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t need more taxes on gas and groceries. Every month, and I kid you not, SOMETHING goes up, be it my utility bills, grocery bills, water bill, cable; you name it, it went up! Yet my income has not.

As I mentioned in a previous column, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation was, “…excited for what the future holds for the most equitable cannabis industry in the country”, when Illinois marked the second straight year that adult use cannabis industry had seen RECORD-SETTING growth! Illinois brought in millions.

So, can someone explain to me how the state can be so excited about bringing in millions of dollars from marijuana sales and gambling, yet they still find it necessary to raise our taxes? Where are all these millions of dollars going? Yet, back in January, our legislative officials voted themselves a 16% pay increase. I guess they were able to fit that into the budget – no problem!

Talking to our vet, he suggested we give him some Metamucil to help him pass it. Monday went by and most of Tuesday with nothing. We were like expectant parents waiting for the big arrival! Tuesday afternoon, however, I heard Eddie gagging and he produced a pile of vomit. I don’t think I was ever more thrilled to see throw up! After going through it with a fork, yep, the glove was there. Although I took a picture, I’ll save you the gross details. He ended up with diarrhea for a day, but he recovered and back to his crazy self. And he’s STILL chasing the cats

***

July is coming in with a blast along with the smoke from Canada. The fireworks have already started and it’s not even the 4th yet. In the past week alone, we’ve been awakened by explosions at 12:30am at least three times. I don’t get it. I saw a post on Facebook that said, “Instead of spending money on fireworks, how about buying a few bags of pet food for a shelter.” Make a difference instead of a disturbance!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE! Be sure to fly your flag. A lot of soldiers fought and died to give us that privilege. We should all be proud of living in the best country in the world! Be safe and leave the fireworks to the professionals!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Anna and Wes Hessel

Jeff Fiedler

Jennifer Erdman

jennifererdman.com

Barbara Piltaver

Anna and Wes Hessel

Jim DeRose

Mike Mikrut

Father Robert Schultz

I am being squeezed to find ways to cut expenses in order to keep our heads above water. Why can’t our elected officials do that too? It seems they are more concerned about being politically correct in an array of other arenas than thinking about easing the burden on taxpayers and voting constituents. No wonder more and more people are moving out of the state.

I for one will remember this at the next election. ***

Continuing Adventures of Eddie the Dog…

DISTRIBUTION

Milton Bolanos, Qpon Plus PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Mikrut

Barbara Piltaver

Stacey Matschinegg

Well, a couple months back, we suspected that Eddie had eaten one of my husband’s compression gloves. Fortunately, at that time, we found it. However, on a recent Sunday, my husband unintentionally left his gloves on the kitchen table; seemingly far enough in the middle that he wouldn’t be able to reach them. Wrong!

Eddie is confined to the kitchen with our other dog while we attend church. Upon return, I let him outside immediately and found only one glove on the floor. Oh no! We looked everywhere, and since he was only in the kitchen, we had to assume he ate it.

JULY CALENDAR

WE WANT TO PRINT YOUR NEWS! - Is your church or non-profit holding an event? Community calendar listings are free. Send information to info@peopleandplacesnewspaper.com by the 15th of the prior month.

JULY IS National Hot Dog Month, Air Conditioning Appreciation Days, Cell Phone Courtesy Month, Dog Days of Summer, Dog House Repair Month, Herbal/Prescription Interaction Awareness Month, July is Free Community Paper Month, National Blueberry Month, National Deli Salad Month, National Grilling Month, National Horseradish Month, National Ice Cream Month, National Lost Pet Prevention Month, National Make a Difference to Children Month, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, National Park and Recreation Month, National Pet Hydration Awareness Month, National Picnic Month, National Vacation Rental Month, National Watermelon Month, Sarcoma Awareness Month, Smart Irrigation Month, Tour De France, Women’s Motorcycle Month.

Ongoing: SENIOR POLKA ASSOCIATION Yearly membership $10. Meets at the Lone Tree Manor, 7730 N. Milwaukee, Niles, first Tuesday of the month. Live polka music from 5-6pm. There is a short meeting at 6pm followed by cake, coffee and bingo. Join us for an enjoyable evening. Richard: 847-209-1385

Ongoing: ST. FRANCIS BORGIA QUEEN OF HEARTS RAFFLE Every Tuesday night at the Draft Bar located at 8221 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago. Tickets are $5 each (cash only). Tickets can be purchased after all the masses at the church and at the Draft bar. For more information call the school office at 773-589-1000 Current pot is over forty thousand dollars!

Ongoing: ST. FRANCIS BORGIA BINGO 3rd Saturday of Every Month. Doors Open at 5:30pm. Bingo starts at 6:30pm. Stokes Center, 8025 W. Addison, Chicago, IL. 773-589-1000. Concessions, Prizes, Raffles and Fun! $25 for 10 regular bingos and 2 specials. Prizes $100 for the regular bingo games and $250 for specials.

Ongoing: ST. EUGENE SCHOOL QUEEN OF HEARTS RAFFLE Every Wednesday 8:30pm with Bingo before at 7pm at Mullen’s Bar & Grill, 8313 W. Lawrence Ave in Norridge. 50/50 progressive raffle. Tickets $5 each Cash only. Proceeds benefit St. Eugene School. Tickets are available at the school office, rectory or at Mullen’s Bar and Grill any time.

Ongoing: SCHILLER PARK AUTUMN LEAVES

CLUB Meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month at the SP Community Center, 4501 25th Avenue. Play Bingo, other games, events and activities. New members welcome. For further information contact Autumn Leaves President, JoAnn Michonski at 847-678-2452

Ongoing: ROTARY CLUB OF CHICAGO’O’HARE

Find out more about Rotary. Luncheon meetings are held every Thursday at noon followed by an interesting speaker at The Great Escape, 9540 W. Irving Park Road, Schiller Park. Visit rotarychicagoohare.org for more info on projects and upcoming speakers. Call Sylvia Jewgieniew (847-533-8053) for reservations. First lunch is complimentary.

Ongoing: NORTHLAKE KIWANIS CLUB Meets 2nd Wednesday of every month on Zoom at 7 a.m. For info contact Nancy Tobin, golfgoddess45@comcast.net

Ongoing: ELMWOOD PARK GARDEN CLUB

Meetings held the 2nd Thursday of every month. Elmwood Park Library’s Ferrentino Room. The library is located in Conti Circle, Elmwood Park. Meetings begin at 6:30pm. Contact Donna Clesen 847-361-1233 for further information

Ongoing: LEYDEN TOWNSHIP SENIOR MOVIE

DAYS Every Thursday - Carl Fiorito Senior Center - 12pm. Call 847-451-5119 for details.

Ongoing: ITASCA QUILTERS GUILD The Itasca Quilters

Guild meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm at the Itasca Community Library, 500 W. Irving Park Road, Itasca. The purpose of the guild is to meet informally, to quilt, to learn, preserve, and promote the art of quilting, to share ideas, to improve skills, for fun, fellowship and friendship. Guests always welcome. Questions: IQGpresident@aol.com

Ongoing Thru Oct 28: PARK RIDGE FARMERS MARKET 7am-1pm - Prairie Avenue in Park Ridge. Booths featuring fruits, vegetables, flowers, breads, cheese, plants, jams, jellies, honey and much, much more!

Ongoing Thru Nov 25: WHEATON FRENCH MARKET Corner of Main and Liberty streets. Enjoy live music while shopping local artisanal honeys, fresh flowers, baked goods, jewelry, fresh produce and more. Saturdays from 8am-2pm and from 9am-1pm Nov. 4- through Nov. 25.

July 1-2: NASCAR CHICAGO STREET RACE Grant Park nascarchicago.com

July 1: ID YOUR PET DAY - RESOLUTION RENEWAL DAY - NATIONAL POSTAL WORKER DAY

July 3: STAY OUT OF THE SUN DAY - NATIONAL FRIED CLAM DAY

July 4: VILLAGE OF SCHILLER PARK COMMUNITY PICNIC AND POOL PARTY Schiller Park Residents only. Schiller Park Memorial Pool, 4001 Scott Street. The event will include free admission to the pool and complimentary hot dogs, lemonade, and chips from noon to 2pm. Villageofschillerpark.com

July 4: BENSENVILLE LIBERTYFEST 2023 Come celebrate Independence Day at LibertyFest! Full of family fun and great times for everyone. The Independence Day parade steps off at Town Center and features some of the best bands, floats and entertainment from around the region. Following the parade, go to Redmond Park for games, events, music, and food. Vendor items are available for cash purchases only. 6-9:30pm Food, Drink, Music. Fireworks at 9:30pm.

July 4: HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! - NATIONAL CAESAR SALAD DAY

July 5: NATIONAL GRAHAM CRACKER DAY

July 6 : DES PLAINES PARK DISTRICT CONCERT

2200 Lee Street at Fargo Avenue. 7pm. GenFuze Food Truck Savory Crust Rock out to all your classic rock favorites such as Led Zeppelin, Heart, Styx, REO and current ones like Fall Out Boy and Carrie

Underwood. Bring your own law chair, blanket. Food and beverages available for purchase. Enjoy the free entertainment as you watch the sunset over beautiful Lake Opeka. DPParks.org

July 6-9: NORRIDGE PARK DISTRICT ISLAND

IN THE CITY FESTIVAL Celebrate summer fun and family activities. Carnival - Live Music - Beer Garden - Food Vendors Thurs. July 6 - 5-10pm, Friday, July 7 - 5-11pm, Saturday, July 8 - 1-11pm, Sunday, July 9 - 1-10pm. For more info go to norridgepk.com

July 7-9: CITY OF NORTHLAKE COMMUNITY

DAYS In partnerships with Leyden Township and Veterans Park District. Grant Park & Centerpoint Preserve. Carnival, Food Vendors, DJ Fireworks, Bingo, Car Show, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. FridayCarnival Only 6-11:30pm. POP Tickets $32, Saturday Food & DJ 5-10pm. Carnival 3-11:30pm. Fireworks 9:30pm, Sunday Kiwanis Breakfast 8am12pm - Car Show 9am-3:30pm - Touch-A-Truck 10am-12pm. Inflate-AFest 11am-2pm - Bingo 1pm. Carnival 3-10pm.

July 7: NATIONAL FATHER DAUGHTER TAKE A WALK TOGETHER DAY

July 9: NATIONAL SUGAR COOKIE DAY

July 9: OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST GANGSTER

TOUR Historian John J. Binder conducts a two-and-a-half-hour bus tour of gangster history from Fitzgeralds in Berwyn, 6615 Roosevelt Road. Book tickets online at chitowngangstertours.com $40/$36 seniors and military. Questions call 708-287-9118. Additional dates are Sept. 10, Oct. 1, Oct. 8, and Oct. 29, 2023.

July 10: NATIONAL KITTEN DAY

July 11: MAKE YOUR OWN SUNDAE DAY

July 12: NATIONAL PECAN PIE DAY - NATIONAL SIMPLICITY DAY

July 13: DES PLAINES PARK DISTRICT CONCERT

1015 Howard Avenue, Lake Park Clubhouse - April & Kevin - Food TruckToasty Cheese - Acoustic/electric duo with amazing two-part harmonies to some of the biggest and most popular pop/classic rock cover tunes of all time! Food and beverages available for purchase. Come early and enjoy rounds of golf, 1/2 hour paddle boat rides, kayaks, and Fool Golf rounds between 5-7pm. Enjoy bags, giant Jenga and Connect Four or relax on one of our newly added Adirondack chairs. DPParks.org

July 13: VILLAGE OF SCHILLER PARK ROCKIN’ IN THE PARK CONCERT AND MOVIE IN THE PARK Clock Tower Park, 9501 Irving Park Road - 7-8:30pm. Anthony Cassano Quartet - Performs the best of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tom Jones, and country hits from the 1950s-70’s and more. Bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. 9pm Movie in the Park - DC League of Super Pets.

July 13: NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY

July 14: PARK DISTRICT OF FRANKLIN PARK STREET DANCE 6-11pm. Unforgettable annual summer event. Live music, local food vendors, children’s activities and much more. Bring the family out to Franklin Avenue and a fun-filled summer night.

July 14: LEYDEN TOWNSHIP TRIP ”Legends in Concert” For info/register call Jamie 847-451-5119. Prices and times vary per trip.

July 14: NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE DAYNATIONAL MAC & CHEESE DAY

July 15: NATIONAL PET FIRE SAFETY DAYNATIONAL I LOVE HORSES DAY

July 16: NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY - NATIONAL PERSONAL CHEF DAY

July 17: WORLD EMOJI DAY

July 18: NATIONAL GET OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE DAY - NATIONAL CAVIAR DAY

July 20: DES PLAINES PARK DISTRICT CONCERT 1555 E. Thacker Street at the Gazebo. Brian & Tony of Farkus - Food Truck - The Curious Crow, An eclectic mix of music from Roy Orbison to Chris Cornell. Food and beverages available for purchase. dpparks.org

July 20: NORRIDGE MOVIE IN THE PARKJUMANJI 8:30pm Free to public. Located on Field #6 of Norridge Park District grounds.

FITNESS FINALE ZUMBA & YOGA

MONDAY AUG.14 • 6-8PM

CALENDAR (CONT.)

July 20: NATIONAL MOON DAYINTERNATIONAL BALLOON DOG DAY

July 21: NATIONAL JUNK FOOD DAY

July 22: CAT VANDO BINGO NIGHT

2-5pm. Come on out and support a great organization CatVando. $25 includes pizza, soda, and 3 bingo cards. Food starts at 2pm and bingo starts at 3pm. Friendly Tap, 6733 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn.

July 22: INTERNATIONAL HAMMOCK DAY - RAT-CATCHERS DAY

July 23: NATIONAL PARENTS DAY

July 24: NATIONAL DRIVE-THRU DAY - NATIONAL COUSINS DAYNATIONAL THERMAL ENGINEER DAY

July 27: NORRIDGE PARK DISTRICT CONCERT - THE ROCKIN’ FENDERSKIRTS 6:30pm Free to public. Located on Field #6 of Norridge Park District grounds. Kona Ice onsite selling from their menu.

July 27-30: CITY OF WOODDALE

PRAIRIE FEST Food, Rides, Bingo, Paint & Sip activity, live music, live wrestling entertainment. Free admission and free parking. Prairie Fest is held at 655 N. Wood Dale Road. wooddale.com

July 27: DES PLAINES PARK DISTRICT CONCERT 2200 Lee Street at Fargo Avenue. 7pm. Classical Blast - Food Truck, Savory Crust, “From Bach to Rock” show is a melding of classical and classic rock. Bring your own lawn chair, blanket. Food and beverages available for purchase. Enjoy the free entertainment as you watch the sunset over beautiful Lake Opeka. dpparks.org

July 27: SCHILLER PARK SENIOR CRAFTING DAY Schiller Park Recreation Center, 9638 Irving Park Road, 10am-Noon. A $5 fee covers the cost of materials. Call to reserve your spot with Mary Maltese, Senior Services Coordinator, 847-678-8765 or seniorservices@schillerparkil.us

July 27: NATIONAL INTERN DAY

- BAGPIPE APPRECIATION DAYWALK ON STILTS DAY

July 28-30: DUPAGE COUNTY FAIR DuPagecountyfair.org

July 28 TO AUG. 20: INDIANA STATE FAIR Indianastatefair.com

July 28: WORLD HEPATITIS DAYNATIONAL MILK CHOCOLATE DAY

- NATIONAL REFRESHMENT DAY

July 29-30: LONG GROVE

VINTAGE DAYS 10am-6pm July 29 and 10am-5pm July 30. 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Admission is Free 847-634-0888 ; longgrove.org/festival/vintage-days . Vintage, reclaimed, handmade, upcycled, antique, and repurposed items will be displayed and for sale. There will also be games, live music and a penny carnival for kids. Food will be for sale.

July 29: NATIONAL LIPSTICK DAYNATIONAL LASAGNA DAY

July 30: NATIONAL FATHERIN-LAW DAY - NATIONAL CHEESECAKE DAY

July 31: NATIONAL AVOCADO DAY

Aug 1: NATIONAL NIGHT OUT An annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. A great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in Aug. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

Aug 2: 3RD ANNUAL LEYDEN TOWNSHIP NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Free - 6-8pm. Westdale Park, 3045 N. Sandra, Melrose Park. Enjoy an evening of fun with your community police officers, family, neighbors and friends. Games, prizes, food, touch a truck, K-9 demo, practice a 911 call, smart 911 registration. Bring unexpired, non-perishable food item for our food drive and receive a free raffle ticket. For info: Sheriff’s Police Community Relations Unit: 708-865-4917

Aug 3-13: WISCONSIN STATE FAIR wistatefair.com

Aug 10-20: ILLINOIS STATE FAIR statefair.illinois.gov

Aug 10: VILLAGE OF SCHILLER PARK ROCKIN’ IN THE PARK CONCERT 7-8:30pm - Clock Tower Park, 9501 Irving Park Road - Tony Ocean and Band performs the best of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and the hits from the 50’s - 80’s.

AUG. 10: NORRIDGE PARK DISTRICT MOVIE - ENCANTO 8:30pm Free to public. Located on Field #6 of Norridge Park District grounds. Kona Ice will be onsite selling from their menu.

Aug 12: 2023 EAST LEYDEN MAROON & WHITE PICNIC 11am-6pm. Schiller Woods Grove #10

Aug 15: DES PLAINES FOOD TRUCK ROUND UP Come Hungry! Food Trucks, Live Music, Games and More! Open 5-8pm. Des Plaines Public Library Plaza. For further info visit desplaines.org/foodtruckroundup

Aug 19-20: CHICAGO AIR AND WATER SHOW chicagoairandwatershow.us

Aug 24 : VILLAGE OF SCHILLER PARK ROCKIN’ IN THE PARK CONCERT 7-8:30pm - Clock Tower Park, 9501 Irving Park Road - Tangent performs classic and modern rock covers.

Aug 25: VILLAGE OF SCHILLER PARK - LAST CHANCE TO DANCE 7-9pm - Clock Tower Park, 9501 Irving Park Road, Come dance the night away to a wide variety of music under the stars! Bring your own refreshments, blankets and/or chairs.

Aug 24-27: VILLAGE OF NORRIDGE 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Aug 26: VILLAGE OF SCHILLER PARK PIEROGI & FUN 2-8pm - 4555 Ruby Street (Metra Station). Bring your appetite and sample many varieties of Pierogis, sausages, potato pancakes, and other refreshments including cold beer. Enjoy children’s activities, live music, and a DJ. All proceeds will benefit the Gift From The Heart Foundation. villageofschillerpark.com

SEPT. 19: DES PLAINES FOOD TRUCK ROUND UP Come Hungry! Food Trucks, Live Music, Games and More! Open 5-8pm. Des Plaines Metropolitan Square. For further info visit desplaines.org/foodtruckroundup

Thru Aug: LEYDEN COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY “SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE” Benefiting students in Leyden Township - Needed: Plastic pocket folders, glue bottles/sticks, yellow highlighters, markers, notebooks, pencils, black/blue/red pens, 3-ring pencil pouches, Fiskar scissors, erasers, Post-its, rulers, Play Doh, quart/ gallon Ziploc Bags. For collection site and more info contact Lisa or Michelle at 847-455-8616

Thru Sept 24: CHICAGO

BOTANIC GARDEN CELEBRATES

CONNECTIONS WITH LOVE IN BLOOM Visitors will be inspired by the plantpeople connection on how to thrive in a world that cuts across generations and cultures through a series of garden-wide experiences, including Love Seats in the style of tete-a-tete furniture, interactive stories, and personalized poems typed out on manual typewriters. Visit chicagobotanic.org/love for more information, times and admission fees

FATHER ROB SCHULTZ of Holy Virgin Martyrs Parish is a contributing writer for People & Places Newspaper, but what you might not know is that he is an avid triathlon competitor. Here he’s pictured at his 1st “tri” of the 2023 season. He competed as a 50-year-old. Here’s what he had to say about the race. “Compared to last year at this race, I was slower in the swim, bike, run, and both transitions. That’s okay, it’s humbling. It reminds me that I’m getting older, and that I’m certainly not going to have my best race every time. But I didn’t finish last in my age group, which is always my goal”. He posts his runs/tri’s on his Facebook page in hopes he can encourage even one more person to take up the sport. Gook luck in future races Father!

AROUND TOWN AROUND TOWN

Franklin Park Rail Safety Project

Awarded New Funds from the Federal Railroad Administration

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) commends the Village of Franklin Park for being selected as one of the inaugural recipients of new Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program funds. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced that $570 million will go to projects in 32 states to improve rail safety and make it easier for pedestrians and motorists to get around railroad tracks by adding grade separations, closing at-grade crossings, and improving exists at-grade crossings where train tracks and roads intersect.

The ICC routinely reviews rail safety improvement projects and administers dollars from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) to consolidate existing public crossings, install or upgrade new warning systems, construct grade separation structures, build pedestrian crossings, and more. Projects for review are selected in the agency’s annual five-year Crossing Safety Improvement Program to implement highwayrail safety projects at local roads across the state. This year, over $476 million dollars from the GCPF and Rebuild Illinois were allocated to help communities pay for necessary improvements at over 400 crossing locations. The following Illinois project was selected for the RCE Grant Program’s inaugural round of funding:

Village of Franklin Park Grade Separation Project, Connect Franklin Park: Bridging Barriers and Creating Opportunities

Award: Up to $8,000,000

The project will complete development and final design for a grade separation of Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) tracks through the Village while closing one or more at-grade crossings. The project aims to provide a safer crossing for roadway users and improve supply chain fluidity on both the road and rail network, while also reducing negative impacts of freight movement on nearby communities. The Village of Franklin Park is providing a 20 percent non-Federal match.

WHERE DID WE FIND SCHILLER PARK RESIDENT IRENE MOSKAL DELGUIDICE THIS MONTH? At a Benefit for the Polish Museum of America. The first picture is with Piotr Janicki, from the Republic of Poland Consulate. The second picture includes Father Joshua Caswell, Pastor of St John Cantius Church in Chicago.

NORRIDGE CAR SHOW

LINCOLN SCHOOL DIST. 81 2023 GRADUATES

DICK BIONDI FILM – Des Plaines Theatre. Photo by Mike Mikrut.

FRANKLIN PARK MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE Photos by Mike Mikrut

FRANKLIN PARK FEST AND RAILROAD DAYS Photos by Mike Mikrut

Chicago Botanic Garden Celebrates Connections with Love in Bloom

Open now through September 24

The Chicago Botanic Garden is celebrating connections of all kinds, including deep relationships humans have with nature, and essential interdependence between plants and their ecosystems with Love in Bloom. Now through September 24, visitors will be inspired by the plant-people connection on how to thrive in a world that cuts across generations and cultures.

“Love is universal and whether expressed for others, ourselves, animals, or plants, connections are found and formed throughout our lives,” said Jodi Zombolo, associate vice president, Visitor Events and Programs. “Love in Bloom showcases the ways in which humans connect with each other and nature, and uncovers the complexity of plant relationships.”

Love in Bloom features different experiences throughout the Garden. Love Seats in the style of tête-à-tête furniture—French for head-to-head— dressed with site-specific poetry and plantings are viewable at nine different locations across the main campus and Windy City Harvest’s Farm on Ogden.

Playful stories and displays, some of which are interactive, showcase how plants connect with each other and their ecosystems, including

co-evolution of plants and animals and the underground network of fungi and roots.

Additionally, there are classes inspired by love, Poems While You Wait, personalized poems typed out on manual typewriters, evening jazz, a library exhibition titled “Literature in Bloom,” and After Hours Buzz, a series of cocktail events with Garden scientists and experts.

Love in Bloom is open daily during the Garden’s general hours, which change seasonally. Visit chicagobotanic.org/love for more information.

Free Breakfast for Kids 18 Years Old and Younger

Through July 17 at East Leyden High School

On the days listed below, free breakfast will be provided for any child 18 years or younger, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Kids don’t need to be attending summer school or be current Leyden students. Anyone 18 years old and younger are welcome to enjoy free breakfast as part of our community program. Enter through Entrance 18.

Wednesday, July 5 - Friday, July 7

Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14

Monday, July 17 - Thursday, July 20

Ride Metra Free to Ravinia This Summer

Metra increases number of trains stopping at the festival gates for weekend shows Enjoying music under the stars at the Ravinia Festival is tradition for thousands

across Chicagoland. Now getting to the festival grounds on Metra is free and even more convenient thanks to a continuing partnership with the Ravinia Festival.

For the third year in a row, a ticket for a concert at the world-famous venue will also cover your travel costs on a fast and convenient Metra Union Pacific North Line train. All concertgoers need to do is show the Metra conductor their concert ticket or e-ticket and their rides to and from Ravinia Park on the UP North Line are free!

To make using the train even more convenient, Metra will increase the number of trains stopping at the Ravinia gates. With this change, most trains will now stop at the Ravinia Festival gates throughout the day on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Plan your trip by checking out the UP North Line schedule.

Cook County Treasurer’s Refund Outreach Video

Cook County Treasurer, Maria Pappas, has prepared an outreach video to assist taxpayers in obtaining any refunds that may be due on their property. The video is available in numerous different languages, but here is the link for English. See if you are due a refund! Should you have any additional questions, please visit the Treasurer’s website at cookcountytreasurer.com tinyurl.com/42ukcsp4

Web went to great lengths to go to everyone’s website to get descriptions of your business and current logo.

The new site also has an Event Calendar with a form to sign up for events easily.

As always, the Grand Chamber by O’Hare is here to help businesses in our communities.

The Grand Chamber by O’Hare would like to thank Centric Web, Inc. for their countless hours compiling this easy-to-use website.

Centric Web, Inc. also modernized its website. Please check it out.

BE CAREFUL: SPARKLERS ARE HOT!

The Grand Chamber by O’Hare launched its new website. It offers a simple e-commerce platform to pay for membership, membership dues, and events.

The membership business directory has been updated with logos, websites, and email, along with a map of your business and a short description. Please take some time to find your listing and ensure it is correct. Centric

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that many parents are unaware that common sparklers can burn at temperatures between 1,200 and 2,000 F or more depending on the fuel and oxidizer used. That is hot enough to melt some metals and can cause third-degree burns. Despite this, sparklers are commonly handed out to children at celebrations without anyone advising on proper safety use. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says sparklers cause 27 percent of all fireworksrelated injuries. Parents may want to look for safer options for kids, like noisemakers used during New Year’s celebrations. Confetti, water guns and balloons also can be relatively safe ways for children to participate in July 4th fun.

Norwood Park Historical Society Elects New President, New Recording Secretary, Three New Directors and Other Board Members in Annual Election

Norwood Park resident Judy McIntyre was elected president of the Norwood Park Historical Society, Harris Miller recording secretary and Jen Barney, Sue Ruszkowski and Bridget Shanahan directors for full three-year terms at its May 17 Annual Election. Other reelected Board members included: Art Krumrey (vice president); Bill Iacullo (treasurer); and Laura Banash (corresponding secretary). Two director positions, formerly occupied by McIntyre and Miller, remain open, the other four directors continue in their current positions. All took office immediately following the election. More than 50 percent of the membership participated in the ballot-by-mail voting process.

McIntyre, a longtime resident of Norwood Park, has been active in the community for several decades and ran on a platform of focusing on “reaching new members, planning additional community events, increasing revenues by aggressively seeking grants and new donors, and developing a capital improvement plan” along with expanding “existing relationships with other local organizations and groups.” Most recently, she administered the $25,000 City of Chicago Microgrant awarded to NPHS through 41st Ward Ald. Anthony Napolitano.

Barney, Ruszkowski and Shanahan bring extensive community and professional experience to the Board, along with other related disciplines that will heighten the visibility of NPHS through a wider use of technology, social media and other communication vehicles.

The organization, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, has an extensive program of events lined up for the remainder of the year, and volunteers can help in many ways. This is an

opportunity to work with local history, develop administrative and archival skills and learn more about the community. Volunteers are needed for staffing of and preparing for programs and events, conducting tours as museum docents, assisting in the Archives, and fulfilling a variety of other related duties. “It is a great way to be involved in the community, become acquainted with others having similar interests and contribute to its betterment,” said McIntyre.

Interested persons should visit: www.norwoodparkhistoricalsociety.org to learn more about the organization, read about its history, acquisition and on-going ownership of the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House (Chicago’s oldest), as well as attend some of its many events. Inquiries may be left by calling the organization at: 773-631-4633 or reaching out to them through email to: info@norwoodparkhistoricalsociety.org.

Metra Seeks Public Feedback on Proposed Simplified Fare Structure

Zones would be cut to 4 from 10 and fares would be set at or below pre-pandemic levels

Metra is asking for its customers and the public to comment on the biggest proposed change to its fare structure in its history, a plan for 2024 that would reduce the number of fare zones to four from 10 and change some of the fare options available.

The intent of the proposal is to create a fare structure that customers can easily understand, that will encourage ridership, that will simplify onboard fare collection, and that meets Metra’s financial and technical constraints. The effort conforms with goals in Metra’s newly adopted strategic plan, including enhancing service to grow ridership, ensuring the riding experience is safe, easy and enjoyable, and innovating to become more efficient and effective.

Metra’s current fare zone system has 10 zones, and prices for some tickets are based on the number of zones traveled. Under the new proposal, there would be only four fare

zones (see proposed zone map below). Downtown stations would be assigned to Zone 1 and outlying stations would be assigned to Zones 2 through 4 based on a combination of distance from downtown, service patterns and ridership characteristics on each line, which vary. Generally, stations within and near Chicago would be in Zone 2, stations in an intermediate service zone would be in Zone 3, and remaining stations would be in Zone 4. For more details about this proposal and how to provide feedback, please go to metra.com/2024FarePlan. Feedback can be sent to 2024FarePlan@metrarr.com..

Ridgewood High School Rebels Hold Annual Athletic Awards

The ceremony was held on June 1, 2023 in Norridge. Congratulations to all the outstanding athletes!

Pictured above from left to right:

– Jayson Lopez – a junior, received the award for All Conference for baseball and the award for Most Valuable Player.

– Niall Kenny – a junior, received awards for All Conference and Coaches Award for basketball. He also received an award for All Conference for track and field for the 4X100 relay.

Majd Salen – a junior, received the award for Defensive Player of the Year for basketball.

Julian Luna – a junior, received an award for All Conference for football.

– Luke Melendez – a sophomore, received an award for All Conference for football, basketball and for track & field for the 4X100 relay. He also received awards for special teams/offensive player of the year for football, and for most improved player of the year for basketball.

He was also the recipient for Male Athlete of the Year.

– Jaden Rodriguez – a junior, received an award for All Conference for baseball. – Nick Hanson – a sophomore

Fundraiser for LRCA a Big Success

The Leyden Resource Center for Adults (LRCA) hosted a Fundraiser on Saturday, June 10, at the Underpass Lounge, in Franklin Park, as part of their 70th Anniversary celebration. It was well attended by many friends and family. The atmosphere was festive, the food was great, the entertainment was fabulous, and the company was even better. The Mayor of River Grove, David Guerin, also read a Proclamation from the village praising and supporting our organization. The outstanding entertainment was provided by Rich Shepherd (630 956-6560).

The success of this event was due in large part because of the efforts of the two chairpersons, Fran Baldassone and Dan Padilla. Without their dedication we could not have had such a successful event. Because of their dedication we were able to collect close to $10,000 for our organization.

We would also like to thank some of the many local business donors that contributed prizes and monetary gifts:

Sloan Valve, Sybaris, Venus Travel, White Sox, Schaumburg Boomers, Portillo’s, Red Lobster, TJ Maxx, Chicago Wolves, The Great Escape, Palermo’s Bakery, Cucina Biagio, Caputo’s, Longhorn Steakhouse, The Underpass Lounge, Jewel/Osco, Goody’s, Eli’s Cheesecake, Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, Circle Bowling Lanes, Raising Cane Chicken Fingers, Allegretti’s, Lake Geneva Cart Rental, Squabs, Jersey Mikes, Russell’s Barbeque, Domino’s Pizza in Harwood Heights, Chuck e. Cheese in Melrose Park.

It was the support of family, friends and the business community that allowed LRCA to be built 70 years ago, and the same group continues to support us and our mission to serve our adult children.

For more information you can contact Carol Gutierrez, program director, at 708 456-8407.

IDPH Reports First Mosquito Batches of 2023 to Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Park Ridge and Evanston

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first three batches of mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus in Illinois in 2023, both in Cook County. The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District collected a positive batch of mosquitoes in Evanston on May 30 and the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District collected two positive mosquito batches on May 31 in Park Ridge. The first positive mosquito pool in 2022 was reported on May 24th in Roselle in DuPage County. No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported so far this year.

“The reports about the first batches of mosquitoes with West Nile virus is a good reminder that this is the time of year when Illinois residents should begin protecting themselves from vector-borne diseases,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We urge everyone -- and especially older people and those with weakened immune systems -- to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes and the viruses they carry by wearing insect repellent and eliminating standing water around their home where mosquitoes breed.”

Monitoring for West Nile virus in Illinois includes laboratory tests for mosquito batches, dead birds, as well as testing sick horses and humans with West Nile virus-like symptoms. People who see a sick or dead crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local county or city health

department, which will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a Culex species mosquito, commonly called a house mosquito, that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. Most people infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms; however, in rare cases, severe illness including meningitis, encephalitis, or even death, can occur. People older than 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.

Last year, 44 counties in Illinois reported a West Nile virus positive mosquito batch, bird, horse, and /or human case. While 34 human cases of West Nile were recorded in 2022, with eight deaths, IDPH notes human cases are underreported and do not reflect the actual number of cases.

IDPH encourages the public to Fight the Bite by practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report:

– REDUCE – make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut. Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.

REPEL – when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a light-colored, longsleeved shirt, and apply an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, paramenthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

– REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. The local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito larvae.

ELIMINATE, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.

Additional information and data can be found at IDPH’s West Nile virus website and the West Nile virus Dashboard.

IDHS Public Service Announcement

988 is a confidential lifeline and available 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or facing a mental health or substance use crisis, help is just a call or text away. Life can throw us unexpected challenges, and sometimes it can make you feel overwhelmed. You are not alone, help is here. Call or text 988 to be connected with a trained, compassionate crisis counselor who can help you navigate difficult times.

This message is brought to you by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

USPS Raising Prices Again Effective July 9, 2023

The United States Postage Service is again raising its postage rates effective July 9, 2023. It will cost an additional three cents to mail a first-class letter. Prices were raised recently in January of this year. Current First-Class rates are listed below, along with the new prices. Package rates are also increasing.

You can purchase Forever Stamps now at the current rates to beat the price increase.

Illinois Office of Tourism Sustainable Getaways and Unique, EcoFriendly Trip Giveaways

This year, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism (IOT) released a roundup of new ecofriendly summer trip ideas across the state to build excitement for the summer travel season.

More than 97 million visitors spent $32.2 billion across the state in 2021, boosting economic development and supporting nearly 390,000 jobs in the industry, according to the latest data available

With 90% of travelers looking for eco-friendly and sustainable options when traveling, the Office of Tourism is releasing new ecoconscious summer getaways across the state.

Upcycled Overnights & EcoFriendly Stays around Illinois

Illinois is home to unparalleled lodgings in reimagined structures. Select highlights include:

– The Has Bin Guest House, Alvin –Formerly used to store grain, The Has Bin Guest House now serves as a cozy and rustic getaway for visitors with a sleeping loft and an upper deck for stargazing at night.

– Rocky Comfort Cabins, Makanda –Stay in a Hobbit-style cabin, featuring grass roofs along with round windows and doors for a distinctly unique touch.

Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, Chicago – Following the original Chicago Athletic Association club’s closure, the iconic Venetian-Gothic building on Chicago’s famed Michigan Avenue was transformed into a luxury boutique hotel.

Zero Emissions on Route 66

This EV-friendly road trip along the state’s 300-mile stretch of historic Route 66, from Chicago through Southern Illinois, has access to charging stations along the way. Select highlights include:

– World’s Largest Covered Wagon, Lincoln – This larger-than-life display is handmade using three tons of Illinois oak and steel and features a 12-foot fiberglass Abraham Lincoln in the wagon seat.

– Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex, Springfield – With vintage decor, a game room and frequent live entertainment, dining at Motorheads is a fun, family-friendly Route 66 experience.

World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, Collinsville – A can’t-miss photo op awaits in Collinsville with a colossal condiment proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Farm-to-Table Dining Experiences

Dine surrounded by the fields and crops that define the menu. Select highlights include:

– Locavore Farm, Grant Park – Only 43 miles south of Chicago, this family-owned farmstead offers a ‘Dine on the Land’ experience that brings guests together at a 107-foot-long table in the garden.

Epiphany Farms, Downs – With 75 acres of farmland, orchards and vineyards, plus a team dedicated to regenerative farming techniques, it’s the crops grown on-site that sustain four restaurants (Epiphany Farms Restaurant, Anju Above, Bakery and Pickle, and Harmony) in nearby Bloomington.

– Firefly Grill, Effingham – At Firefly, most of the ingredients used in their exceptional dishes are grown on-site. Additional ingredients are sourced from local artisan farmers, foragers and fishermen who share Firefly’s dedication to providing nourishment.

The Illinois Office of Tourism is also hosting the Illinois Green Getaway Giveaway on Enjoy Illinois social media channels. Two lucky winners will receive a two-night getaway in Starved Rock Country. The first prize is a stay at Camp Aramoni, a luxury glamping property near Starved Rock State Park and the second is a stay at the historic Starved Rock Lodge, both of which are committed to sustainable practices.

To enter the giveaway, participants must follow Enjoy Illinois on Instagram and post a photo or video using the official Illinois Green Getaway Instagram filters, tagging @ EnjoyIllinois. The giveaway is a fantastic opportunity to experience the beauty of Illinois while embracing sustainable travel.

To view the full list of eco-friendly trip ideas (with pictures), visit EnjoyIllinois.com.

TRAVEL THE HISTORY OF THE 4TH

OF JULY

July 4th is a day when Americans celebrate their independence, but it’s also a day to commemorate two men who played vital roles in procuring that independence. Both John Adams, the second President of the United States, and his successor Thomas Jefferson passed away on July 4, 1826. The two men had an interesting relationship that became increasingly complex as the nation they helped to found developed. According to History.com, Adams and Jefferson were confidantes in the 1780s. But as time wore on, each man developed a different view of what the United States government should be, creating a rift in their relationship that was only widened by the 1800 presidential election. The men ran against each other in that election, which is still considered one of the more contentious elections in American history. Jefferson ultimately claimed victory, a result so unnerving to Adams that he left Washington, D.C. prior to Jefferson’s inauguration. The two men would ultimately reconcile, exchanging more than 150 letters before dying within hours of one another on Independence Day in 1826.

TRITON TIDBITS

Courses Offered at Triton

Critical Race Theory and Philosophy (PSY 296), Mondays and Wednesdays, Aug. 21-Dec. 13, from 12:30-1:45 p.m., in Room E-131 (E Building).

Those enrolled will learn the meaning and origins of critical race theory (CRT) as well as movements that have been sparked by it. The course will examine the various themes that are often addressed by CRT.

For more information, please contact eugenemuhammad@triton.edu.

Triton College Hosts “Girls on Track” 2023

Rhodes School District 84.5

Raced Around Track

Students and staff from Rhodes Elementary School in River Grove came to Triton College’s campus on Thursday, May 11. Rhodes’ running club, “Girls on Track” ran a mile on Triton’s track and competed against each other in various races. “Girls on Track” members are made up of fourth and fifth grade girls.

Those in attendance included the 25 ‘Girls on Track’ members, as well as the entire fourth

Work Equity Initiative (WEI) Program

Completion

Celebrated

Students and families gathered for Triton College’s Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) Spring 2023 Competition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 24, in the Student Center Cafeteria. The celebration honored 82 students who completed the WEI Program, receiving certificates that will aide them in finding employment in exciting highwage, in-demand careers.

The 14 students who completed Triton’s General Educational Development (GED) Program were given the full graduation experience by walking into the auditorium with their caps and gowns to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance.

Besides the GED graduates, Dr. Lynch said the largest single group of graduates were the 51 ESL completers, who received special recognition at the ceremony. Dr. Lynch proudly noted that the students represented 18 countries and spoke seven different languages.

Other recognitions included nine former Adult Education students who completed their Health Career Program with the support of the Westlake Health Foundation Scholarship.

and fifth grade to cheer them on. The club is sponsored by the River Grove Lions Club, which donated T-shirts, Gatorade and water to the runners.

First, second, third and fourth place winners for fourth grade included Jasmine Acosta, Carmen Guzman, Heidi Garcia and Ellie Gussie. The winners for fifth grade were Sofia Mattiuz, Jasmary Hernandez and Alana Johnson.

Besides physical fitness, the club teaches students ways of overcoming obstacles and keeping themselves accountable for what they want to achieve.

For more information, please contact bromero@rhodes.k12.il.us or (708) 456-6813.

WEI is a grant program sponsored by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) designed to shorten the time it takes for students to enter and succeed in high-skilled, high-wage; “in-demand” occupations. It has a focus on minority and low-income students. These careers have an average salary of $20 per hour.

Triton currently has 14 programs for WEI, including Engineering Technology, Network Services Technician, Dialysis Technician and Ophthalmic Technician, among others.

The initiative, led by ICCB and Illinois Central College, focuses on improving workforce inclusivity by providing a living-wage job for adults residing in disproportionately impacted areas (low income, low employment, high crime).

In December 2021, ICCB announced their third year of WEI funding, awarding another $18.7 million to 18 participating community colleges throughout Illinois.

The WEI Program is ending its fourth year and is preparing for its fifth year.

Info video: youtube.com/watch?v=yCD_Jx5UG-A. Statewide initiative info: illinoiswei.org Local WEI info: triton.edu/wei

Contact: maryannpisano@triton.edu or 708-456-0300, x3202

GED Graduation and End-ofYear Celebration Commemorated

GED Graduates, ESL Completers, Among Others Celebrated

Nine ESL and GED students received Board of Trustees Scholarships and 29 students were inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society.

For more information, please contact adulteducation@triton.edu or (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3513.

Career Services Hosting “Resume Writing for All” Workshop and Open House

Triton College’s Career Services will be hosting “Resume Writing for All” workshop on Wednesday, July 19, 11am-noon, in Room A-204 (A Building). Learn timely topics in resume writing such as what recruiters are looking for in a resume and keywords to get noticed! Participants will also learn all about the simple STAR formula to land their next job interview. After the workshop, register for a one-on-one resume appointment with the Career Services staff.

From noon-2 p.m., Career Services will have an open house in the same location. During this open house, participants can meet the staff, grab a snack and get their professional headshots taken with Triton’s CareerCube. For more information, contact careerservices@triton.edu or (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3805.

Career Services Hosts Mock Interviews

“How to Prepare for a Job Interview” Workshop and Open House

Triton College’s Adult Education Department hosted their 45th Annual GED Graduation and End-of-Year Celebration on Thursday, June 8, in the Robert M. Collins Center (R Building), commemorating the accomplishments of 112 Triton’s Adult Education students.

The ceremony honored ESL Program completers, Westlake Health Foundation Scholarship Program completers, Board of Trustees Scholarship recipients, National Adult Education Honor Society inductees and Illinois High School Diploma (formerly High School Equivalency) graduates.

Triton College’s Career Services will be hosting “Mock Interviews: How to Prepare for a Job Interview” workshop on Wednesday, July 12, 11am-noon, in Room A-204 (A Building). This interactive workshop will teach participants how to prepare for commonly asked questions during a job interview. Attendees should be prepared to practice!

From 12-2pm, Career Services will have an open house in the same location. During this open house, participants can meet the staff, grab a snack and get their professional headshots taken with Triton’s CareerCube. For more information, contact careerservices@triton.edu or (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3805.

HOUSE AND HOME

Avoiding the 10% Penalty on Early IRA Withdrawals

For one reason or another, you may need to take some money out of an IRA before reaching retirement. You can withdraw money from an IRA at any time and for any reason, but it's important to keep in mind that most IRA withdrawals are at least partially taxable. In other words, you'll owe regular income tax on the amount. In addition, the taxable portion of a withdrawal taken before age 59 1/2, which is called an "early withdrawal," will be hit with a 10% penalty — unless you qualify for an exception.

The exceptions apply to traditional IRAs, SEPIRAs and SIMPLE-IRAs. (However, some early withdrawals from SIMPLE-IRAs are hit with a 25% penalty rather than the standard 10% penalty. For simplicity, the rest of this article will ignore that higher 25% rate.)

Also, be aware that different rules apply to withdrawals from Roth IRAs and qualified plans, such as 401(k) plans.

Exceptions to the Penalty

So what are the exceptions to the 10% early withdrawal penalty? The exceptions have detailed explanations to them, so please check with a financial adviser for more specifics concerning these early withdrawal situations. Let's take a look.

1. Withdrawals for medical expenses.

2. Substantially equal periodic payments (SEPPs).

3. Withdrawals after death

4. Withdrawals after disability.

5. Withdrawals for first-time home purchases (up to a lifetime limit

6. Withdrawals for qualified higher education expenses.

7. Withdrawals for health insurance during unemployment.

8. Withdrawals by military reservists called to active duty.

9. Withdrawals for IRS levies.

Before and After a Withdrawal

With some exceptions, IRA owners who make IRA withdrawals before age 59 1/2 must file a form with their tax returns. Specifically, they must file Form 5329, "Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans (Including IRAs) and Other Tax-Favored Accounts."

If you think you qualify for an exception to the 10% penalty on early traditional IRA withdrawals, consider involving your tax pro before making a big early withdrawal. You want to be sure that you do indeed qualify. Better safe than sorry!

Early Withdrawal Downsides

Even if you qualify for an exception to the 10% early withdrawal penalty, remember that you still have to pay regular income tax on the amount. And you'll lose out on the benefit of future tax-deferred compounding growth on the withdrawn funds.

Illinois and the PayPal/Venmo Warning: What You Need to Know

The Warning from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

funds rather than just make transactions. These apps are also not immune to the same type of panic-based bank run that closed down Silicon Valley Bank and others recently.

In the event of a financial crisis or a loss of confidence in the app, consumers could rush to withdraw their funds, potentially leading to a ‘bank run’ scenario. In such a situation, the company may not have enough liquid assets to cover all of the withdrawals, leading to significant financial losses for consumers.

The Response from the Industry

In response to the CFPB’s warning, the Financial Technology Association, an industry trade group that represents both firms, defended the safety of the funds stored in these apps. They stated that tens of millions of American consumers and small businesses rely on payment apps to better spend, manage, and send their money. These accounts, they claimed, are safe and transparent.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a U.S. government agency that ensures banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat consumers fairly, has issued a stern warning to consumers about the potential risks of storing money in payment apps like PayPal and Venmo. The CFPB’s concern stems from the fact that these popular payment apps are not banks and therefore do not offer the same protections that traditional banks do.

CFPB Director Rohit Chopra emphasized this point in a statement, noting that these services are increasingly being used as substitutes for traditional bank or credit union accounts but lack the same protections to ensure that funds are safe. This warning serves as a stark reminder to consumers that, while these apps offer convenience and ease of use, they do not provide the same level of security and protection as traditional banking institutions.

The Popularity of Payment Apps

Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and Apple Pay have gained significant popularity in recent years. According to the CFPB, more than three-quarters of US adults have used at least one payment app. These apps have become particularly popular among younger demographics, with a staggering 85% of people aged 18–29 having used a payment app at least once.

The convenience and ease of use offered by these apps have made them a popular choice for digital transactions. However, the CFPB’s warning highlights the potential risks associated with their use, particularly when consumers use them as substitutes for traditional bank accounts.

The Risk of Uninsured Deposits

One of the key risks highlighted by the CFPB is that unlike deposits at federally insured financial institutions, funds stored in payment apps are not federally insured at the institution level. This means that if one of these companies were to go under, customers could lose their funds.

This is a significant risk, as many consumers may not be aware that the funds they store in these apps are not protected in the same way as they would be in a traditional bank account. The lack of federal insurance means that consumers could potentially lose all of the money they have stored in the app if the company were to fail.

The Potential for Financial Loss

The CFPB has highlighted that there are billions of dollars at risk for consumers as a result of payment apps encouraging customers to store

However, the CFPB’s warning serves as a reminder that, while these apps may be safe under normal circumstances, they do not offer the same level of protection as traditional banks in the event of a financial crisis.

The Case of Insured Funds

While the majority of funds stored in payment apps are not insured, there are some exceptions. Some money held in certain types of payment app accounts, like PayPal Savings, is indeed deposited in FDIC-member banks and thus would be protected. However, these are exceptions rather than the rule, and many consumers may not be aware of the specific conditions under which their funds would be insured.

SOURCE: NEWSBREAK KEITH J

ANIMAL CARE LEAGUE’S PET OF THE MONTH

Meet Beans! This sweet and energetic pup came to Animal Care League from a local high-intake partner, and now she's ready to meet her new best friend! Beans is always down to play, whether it's with humans or other dogs, and she would love a home with a canine playmate. She also doesn't mind cats or kids!

If you need a sweet, smart, adorable, and slightly rambunctious companion in your life, Beans may be the pup for you. To meet her, fill out the adoption questionnaire at animalcareleague.org/dogs, or visit animalcareleague.org/adoptions to see all adoptable animals. For more information, feel free to call the shelter any day of the week from 10AM-6PM at 708-848-8155, or email adoption@animalcareleague.org.

JOKES FOR JULY 4TH!

How come there aren’t any knock-knock jokes about America? Because freedom rings.

What kind of tea did the American colonists want? Liber-tea.

What did the colonists wear to the Boston Tea Party? Tea-shirts.

If you crossed a Patriot with a curly-haired dog, what would you get? A Yankee Poodle. What do you get when you cross a dinosaur with fireworks? Dino-mite!

What do our flag and a sad candy cane have in common? They’re both red, white and blue. Why did the duck say bang? Because he was a firequacker.

HOUSE AND HOME (CONT.)

New Scams to Be Aware of…

Money mule scam

Scammers may ask you to receive money on their behalf via Zelle® or other payment services and may even send the money to you and claim that it was sent by mistake. They’ll ask you to send the money back to their accounts, but the payment they made to you will never clear or will be pulled back by their bank, leaving you with the loss.

Never accept money from an unknown source or accept money for someone else. If you’ve received money from an unknown person via Zelle® or other payment services, report it by calling the number on the back of your debit or credit card and on your statement.

or even as your electric company, all to gain unauthorized access to your account.

Stay calm. Never feel pressured or threatened to act immediately. When in doubt, hang up the phone and call your bank or the company directly.

Online purchase scam

Scammers are placing ads on social media marketplaces for selling goods and services. Often, these deals require customers to pay in advance. Once you pay the scammers, you won’t be able to get in touch with them again.

Research the seller and products independently and compare prices with other websites to ensure legitimacy. When a deal or offer seems too good to be true, it usually is. If possible, refrain from transferring money to someone you don’t know.

Is Mold Threatening Your Home and Health?

Impersonation scam

Scammers will pretend to be someone trustworthy so they can ask you to provide your personal information or even transfer money. They can pose as bank associates, tech support

During recent years, lawsuits related to mold and other pesky microbes have spread across courts in the same way mold spreads through a home, causing some legal experts to wonder if these claims will outpace the asbestos litigation they’ve seen over the past two decades.

Many of these lawsuits are being initiated by homeowners who believe the mold growth

resulted from faulty design, construction, or repair of the home. Other lawsuits arise because the homeowners discover that the previous owners and/or the real estate agents involved were aware of the presence of toxic mold and failed to disclose it.

Most of these cases revolve around a recurring theme: Certain conditions fostered the growth of toxic mold, causing building damage and personal injury.

How Can Mold Affect Your Health?

Many of these molds have been found to cause adverse health reactions including allergies, asthma attacks, brain damage and even death. People with known health problems related to “sick building syndrome” or indoor air quality are perfect candidates for a toxic mold reaction.

How

Does Mold Spread?

Generally speaking, toxic mold requires three elements to flourish: Moisture, a temperate climate, and a food source (usually wood, paper, or other carbon/cellulose-based material). Mold establishes quickly, sometimes in less than 48 hours. Under ideal conditions, it flourishes and spreads rapidly.

The EPA Warns...

If you believe you have a mold problem, act quickly. Mold damages what it grows on. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), small areas of mold, 10 square feet and smaller can be cleaned up by the homeowner, provided certain precautions are taken like wearing gloves and assuring adequate ventilation.

Call a contractor for help if the mold problem is:

– Covering an area larger than 10 square feet.

In the heating/air conditioning/ ventilation (HVAC) system.

– Related to sewage.

In the meantime, if you have these conditions, don’t turn on the HVAC system or you risk spreading the problem throughout the home. If you suspect the mold has caused a health problem, do not clean up until you have consulted a physician.

(For more information, the EPA website provides specific directions for dealing with mold so you can protect your home and health from mold damage.)

WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM MOLD

Many steps can be taken to prevent mold while a home is under construction. But occupied homes, new and old, also need protection. Here are 10 ways to help control moisture and manage mold build-up.

1. Operate heating/ air conditioning/ ventilation (HVAC) equipment, including humidification or dehumidification systems. Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and drain lines unobstructed and flowing freely.

2. Inspect and deal promptly with roof leaks, plumbing leaks, water damage, mold smells, visible mold growth, high humidity, as well as wet basements, crawl spaces and attics.

3. Monitor your family’s health. Watch for symptoms such as itchy eyes, sinus problems, headaches, nose congestion, rashes, sores, breathing difficulties, memory problems, chronic fatigue, and feeling disconnected. Sensitivity to mold varies and not everyone experiences symptoms.

4. Kill all visible growth, as well as invisible spores, with an effective cleaning solution and remove and discard mold-damaged materials. The worst infestations are often in floors, ceilings, walls and ducts.

5. Operate the sump pump and water valves.

6. Maintain gutters and channel rainwater away from foundations.

7. Keep indoor humidity below 60%. Inexpensive moisture or humidity meters are available at hardware stores.

8. Properly use lawn hoses and pressurewashing equipment to clean exteriors.

9. Act quickly if you notice condensation or moisture on windows, pipes, or walls. Dry the area as much as possible. Cover cold surfaces with insulation.

10. Consider installing high-capacity ultraviolet lights to help kill airborne mold spores and other biological threats as well as HEPA filters, which can help keep out airborne pollutants in return air ducts.

• INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING

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Second City Urges “Don’t Quit Your Daydream”

BY WES AND ANNA HESSEL

Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon on the Run

BY WES AND ANNA HESSEL

Lookingglass Theatre is at it again with the divine debut of the original musical “Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon” - and no, it’s definitely not that Lucy and Charlie, though these characters you may well be seeing in the funny papers.

This Lucy and Charlie are newlyweds after a very short courtship, who don’t have much in the way of filters - verbal, behavior, or otherwise - so their rebellion against Asian American stereotypes goes just a little over the top and downhill into a heap of trouble.

Written and composed by the brilliant (and a bit twisted) Lookingglass Artistic Associate Matthew C. Yee, the play is definitely a dark comedy, but a funny thing happens on the way to the laughs - it crosses over into important social issues that need to be spoken about, and they are handled with courage and tact fearlessly, never taking away from the very sobering nature.

Having recently made his Broadway emergence in “Almost Famous: The Musical”, Mr. Yee gives us his own work which comments thoughtfully on fame, family, perception, and choices, while giving a serious workout to the funny bone.

The cast is incredible, from Wai Ching Ho’s hip and hilarious Grandma (watch for the bit

about the carpet and a spray bottle!), to Rammel Chan as brother and number two grandson Peter - the caught-in-the-middle mild-mannered good guy, a character at which Mr. Chan excels.

Bao, as portrayed poignantly by Harmony Zhang, delivers a pivotal performance as the complication no one saw coming. Daniel Lee Smith (Jeff), Matt Bittner (Gabriel), and Doug Pawlik (Martin) combine excellently to give us good and bad guys who are very human and in no way your typical cutouts.

Add in the sharp Mary Williamson as the trying to keep the peace officer Feinburg, and you’ve got a gaggle of great actors at work.

The pinnacle of the players are the title leads Lucy, characterized consummately by Aurora Adachi-Winter, and Mr. Yee himself, giving us complex Charlie - he underplays the part just enough to make him all the more credible, and let his fellow thespians showcase their great talents.

Matthew’s score is awesome, authentic, cool country, even inviting the audience along with lyrics to most of the songs projected on a screen, and the set goes right along with all the eclectic vintage pieces, each adding to the scene (except maybe those durn deer heads).

The props and costumes were stellar, with deft details down to a Vassar lanyard and Lucy’s glittery Betsey Johnson boots.

Since Lucy and Charlie are on the lam, you’d better hurry to witness this spirited spectacle of sarcasm and song - it only runs through July 16th. Due to the content, this is a production for mature audiences.

The vaunted halls of comedy powerhouse Second City have once again turned out another of their sharp, irreverent, topical shows in their 111th Mainstage Revue, “Don’t Quit Your Daydream”.

This clever quip of title foreshadows another raucous riot of ribaldry and riposte - the sketches stretch from the movie extra who’s been everywhere (on film, that is, even “Legally Blonde” for the Bend and Snap) to an adorable creature you want to give a pug, I mean hug, to.

Nothing is sacred, be it business improvement seminars, invisible significant others, Alexa, or urgent care waits - fun with relevant social commentary. And, of course, watch while enjoying great food and drinks with smooth service.

Five of the cast of the last mainstage revue blast “Do the Right Thing, No Worries If Not”Andy Bolduc, Kiley Fitzgerald, Claire McFadden, Evan Mills, and Julia Morales - are back for more, with the addition of SC Touring Company member Jordan Stafford. These six make madness, merry, and mirth like only Second City ensembles can, and how.

So don’t miss out on a chance to laugh until it hurts (only in a good way, of course) - check out their mature audience only comedy before the daydream fades into the sunset. For tickets or more information, visit secondcity.com/chicago-shows.

South Chicago Dance Jazzes It Up

BY SYDNEY MILLIGAN AND ANNA HESSEL

On June 10th the Auditorium Theatre was host to a stellar performance by South Chicago Dance Theatre. With a premium piece called “Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley”, the very talented cast handled the number with ease; precise isolations and emotional floor work paid tribute to classic jazz movements. Cute tongue-in-cheek “Charleston” and “Shorty George” choreographic bits were splendid and very entertaining.

Artistic director Kia Smith shared her personal journey with the beautiful “Lady in Red” number, set to the music of Chicago’s renowned jazz saxophonist Jimmy Ellis, who happens to be her father.

Beautiful royal blue costumes in a pool of exquisite lighting made for fabulous staging.a teal light made it absolutely stunning, as were the pink, yellow, purple, red, and peach hues. This dazzling show was a night to remember. For more information on future dance, music, and other events at the Auditorium Theatre, please visit auditoriumtheatre.org. For tickets or more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.

If You Own a Dog, Or Are Just About to Get One, this is For You…

BY BARBARA PILTAVER, PUBLISHER

As you know from my publisher’s messages, we now have an 8-month-old puppy (Crazy Eddie) who we are trying to train. This workshop has been extremely helpful and I am currently going through the entire training. “Crazy Eddie” has been responding very well and it’s a great asset for any dog owner who wants to get their dogs trained fast. I personally recommend it and hope you find it useful too. Barbara Piltaver, Publisher – People & Places Newspaper.

Training a dog is certainly the hardest part of owning a dog. It can be very frustrating having a dog that is not housebroken, or barks excessively, or keeps pulling on the leash during your walks, or doesn’t respond whenever it’s called, or jumps up on people, etc.

You’ll be fed up, because it’s pretty exhausting to keep trying to make them listen. You’ll wonder how professional dog trainers help dogs behave exactly the way they (the trainers) want them to.

But hiring a trainer can be quite expensive, and to be honest, you don’t really need to.

I’ll explain how in a minute. First, let me talk about WHY your dog seems to be so hard to train...

The reason you are having so much difficulty training your dog is that you’ve been doing dog training the outdated way.

It’s not your fault though. The fault really lies with all the bad dog training information that’s out there on the Internet and elsewhere.

Most people start training their dogs using verbal cues or commands like SIT, STAY, etc. Because that’s what they have been taught to do by numerous books on dog training and by all the videos they’ve seen on the Internet.

Here’s the problem - that’s exactly how NOT to train a dog!

Why?

Because the science of animal behavior says that starting your training using verbal cues sets your dog up for failure.

Dogs that are trained only using verbal cues never get trained properly. Or at least, the training doesn’t last long.

So what’s the best way to train a dog?

The science is very clear on this - dogs are best trained by using body language. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should never use verbal cues. What it means is that you should always START your dog’s training using body language. Later on, you can bring in a verbal cue to reinforce your dog’s training.

That’s it? Yeah, that’s it :-)

So how do you train your dog using body language?

I just came across this fantastic free workshop from the K9 Training Institute that helps you learn how to do just that. https://k9ti.org/r/CrazyEddie/free-workshop/

The workshop is designed to help “normal” dogs like yours have the same level of calmness, obedience and impulse control as service dogs.

It’s being conducted by Dr. Alexa Diaz (one of the top service dog trainers in the U.S.) and Eric Presnall (host of the hit Animal Planet TV show “Who Let the Dogs Out”).

Frankly, the techniques described in the workshop are fairly groundbreaking - I haven’t seen anyone else talk of these techniques.

This is because it’s the first time ever (at least that I know of) that anyone has revealed the secret techniques used by the service dog training industry to train service dogs.

In the free workshop, you’ll discover:

1. How to train your dog using body language, rather than verbal cues

2. The 3 key techniques that service dog trainers use to train dogs, and how you can use them too

3. The most important step that “normal” dog owners have been missing (this is very important to get your dog’s attention, and it works 100% of the time)

4. How to stop bad behaviors like excessive barking, pulling on the leash, jumping, etc.

5. Why a lot of dog owners are unable to establish the amazing bond that service dog trainers have with their dogs

The tips shared in this free workshop work on ALL dog breeds - from small breeds like Pomeranians and Chihuahuas to large breeds like English Mastiffs and Great Danes.

Also, puppies as young as 6 weeks old, and previously untrained adult dogs as old as 13 years, have been successfully trained using these techniques.

It’s not a live workshop - rather, it’s a prerecorded workshop, which means that you can watch it at your convenience.

However, while the workshop is free, I am not sure whether it’s going to be online for too long, so please check it out as soon as you can.

Here’s the link again. https://k9ti.org/r/CrazyEddie/free-workshop/

Letter to the Editor

An Open Letter to 41st Ward Alderman, Anthony Napolitano.

Now that you have been re-elected by your constituents, how about taking a walk through your ward and take note of the multitude of deteriorating streets filled with potholes, crumbling sidewalks/curbs, trip hazards galore and street signs that are so loose they sway in the wind! They all present an accident waiting to happen. The area around Oriole Park is terrible.

Chicago has money to spend on a useless Nascar race downtown, but our streets and neighborhoods go neglected, year after year, but our taxes go up, year after year.

And whose bright idea was it to put barriers at the Harlem Avenue exit? Now if someone needs to make a right turn onto their street (Octavia Avenue) you have to turn from the left-hand lane in front of any car that may be in the right lane. These barriers have made that turn so much more dangerous.

If you and other aldermen are truly representing the best interests of the people, then truly get your butts out into our wards and get something done; not just around election time either!

Signed, An Overtaxed Tripping

Walker!

Local Lifestyles

BY ANNA HESSEL PEOPLEANDPLACES.ANNA@GMAIL.COM @PRINCESSANNAH8

Happy Fourth of July!

I love that Independence Day is an actual holiday in a sea of unusual celebrations; it seems there is a day for everything, these days. If everyday is a jolly holiday, then the real deals seem, I don’t know...less… festive. Don’t get me wrong, I love Columnists’ Day; I ate a cannoli on Cannoli Day, and fudge on Fudge Day. Of course, I happily participate in Wear Red Lipstick Day, and National Pink Day I will always celebrate in honor of my girl Elle Woods. Hug your Pets Day? Well, that’s 365 at our house.

I just can’t get into Dill Pickle Juice Day or Kumquat Day; Wear Roller Skates to Bed Day, and Eggplant with Chunky Peanut Butter Casserole Day just don’t do it for me, but All These Holidays are a Pain in my Ample Derrière Day, that works...

I want real festivities: Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, and, of course Hanukah, Christmas, and Easter. Religious and patriotic, birthdays, anniversaries - those are dates to mark on the calendar. National Ink Pen Day? I think I might pencil that in. I need a spa day to keep up with all these pseudo-holidays, especially before National Selfie Day, which lands on the first day of summer; my husband thinks we all need to get the picture.

Today is just plain old Tuesday - chicken in the oven, laundry in the wash; I may hit the couch

with my spouse to join me in watching “Magic of Ordinary Days” on the Hallmark Channel. Even the most mundane moments can still have special style.

Ms. Hessel is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists

Don’t Forget About Religion

BY FATHER ROBERT SCHULTZ

I know that the TV show “Jeopardy!” is one of the most popular shows around, but I must admit that I’ve rarely ever watched it (I don’t know why, but I just never got into it). Last month there was an episode of “Jeopardy!” that made headlines. Fans of the show were left stunned when all three contestants failed to solve a $200 puzzle that said: “Matthew 6:9 says, ‘Our Father, which art in heaven,’ This ‘be thy name.’” Not only did no one get it right, but none of the contestants even ventured a guess. To that I say: Wow!

The missing word was “Hallowed,” and I’m guessing that you probably knew that. I say that because many people – Christian or not, believers in God or not – are at least somewhat familiar with the Our Father prayer, also called the Lord’s Prayer, which is the most popular prayer in Christianity.

Many people who reacted online to the “Jeopardy!” episode made the point that this was really a common knowledge question, and some people who called themselves atheists said that even they knew the answer.

I must admit that when I read this story, I was quite surprised. I don’t know anything about those three contestants, but I think it’s safe to assume that they’re not Christian, because every Christian child is taught that prayer at a young age, and you pray it so often that it becomes ingrained.

I also don’t know if the contestants subscribe to any religion. However, regardless of whether they believe in a higher power, or are atheists, I think that their failure to answer still begs the question: Did they bother to study Christianity, or even religion in general, in preparation for the show?

You see, surveys show that our modernday society is becoming increasingly secular – fewer people identify with any one religion, fewer people say that they attend weekly religious services, and fewer people say that they even believe in God (although it’s worth noting that, along these parameters, the U.S. is still more religious than many other countries).

Now, when these “Jeopardy!” contestants prepared to be on the show, I assume that they spent lots of time preparing and researching. And because the show covers a wide range of topics, I would think that the contestants would study the arts, history, math, science, humanities, philosophy, etc. But did they study religion? Did they study Christianity, the largest religion in the world, with 2.4 billion members? If they did, then how did they miss a question that a 7-year-old Christian could answer?

The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent or of People and Places Newspaper, it’s staff or it’s affiliates.

My point is: Is this not a sign of the secularization of our society? When contestants go on a show where they could be asked about any topic in the world, and they apparently see religion as something that is not important enough to study – well, that’s alarming to me.

You might think that I’m overreacting to one episode of a TV show, but I believe this is the sign of a larger, ongoing trend in our modern-day society: We are pushing God to the side, and we’re replacing Him with just about anything else in this world.

And why do I find this alarming? Well, go back to the actual word from the prayer that the contestants missed: Hallowed. Hallowed means holy, consecrated, or greatly revered. Yes, in the context of the prayer, this word refers to God and His name.

But my point is that if we forget about God, who is hallowed, then we will forget that we human beings are also consecrated (set apart) because we are made in God’s image, and we will forget that God’s holy presence also permeates our world because He is the Creator of the world. And if we forget those things, well, that will affect how we treat one another, how we treat ourselves, and how we treat our world.

Blessed Mother and Jesus Message

BY CHILD OF HEART NANCY NUGENT (LAM)

May 30, 2023, While reflecting on message (#301) “The Signs of Your Times” from the book “TO THE PRIESTS OUR LADY’S BELOVED SONS,” the Blessed MOTHER and JESUS placed on my heart to share. “My beloved children, we need to think about what the title of this message is saying. JESUS and I give you many signs of the evil ones’ ways. My children, you need to spend many hours in silent prayer and recollection so JESUS and I can protect you from the plans of the evil one. I am your heavenly mother, the same as your mother on earth. I have the same cares, anxieties, and deep wounds in my Immaculate Heart. I will try and help you to understand and interpret the signs of your times. You, my children, need to cooperate in the plan of salvation which God has for you all. So, my beloved children, your heavenly MOTHER is inviting you to walk along the road of conversion. All of humanity needs to return to God. You need to covert and walk along the road to the grace and love of God. My children, being converted, will bring you to Jesus and me so you will know the signs and wonders we want you to know about us. We want to speak to your hearts. The Holy Spirit will bring you to our hearts. My children, then you will be open to understanding the signs and wonders that God is sending to you through the events of your times. Remain in the true faith, and you will see the lies of propaganda. Then you will see the precious gift of faith in Jesus and me in the truth of the signs and wonders we have given you. My children, look at the church-so many no longer believe in their Savior and Redeemer, JESUS Christ, my Son. Thank you for responding to my call.”

The Books are Opened

BY JAMES DEROSE

It will be man’s last day in court, only there will be no Judge Judy, Judge Mathis or Dr. Phil to preside over the ceremonies!

This will be an entirely different courtroom featuring an unsympathetic judge; no jury, no appeals, no cross-examinations, and no escape.

The judge is Jesus Christ (John 5:26). The event is the Great White Throne Judgement from the final book in the Bible (Revelation 20:11).

The word Revelation simply means ‘unveiling’ despite the numerous translations. It derives from the Greek Apokalypsis or Apocalyps, a synonym for chaos and catastrophe. It was written by the last surviving Apostle John, exiled as a prisoner on the Island of Patmos in A.D. 96.

Revelation is known for its symbolism and imagery more than any other book in the Bible. It is difficult to understand at first, however, don’t give up. You will be fascinated by its realistic messages and mysteries.

Revelation 20 points to the most solemn passage in all of Scripture.” And I saw the dead, the great and small standing before the throne, and books were opened.” (Revelation 20:12)

What books? There are only two. The Book of Life is also known as The Lamb’s Book of Life, (Revelation 12:27). This will be a record where God keeps the names of those who were faithful to His Son, Jesus Christ. “No unsaved person will have his or her name in The Lamb’s Book of Life; only true believers,” cites Pastor Warren Wiersbe.

The second book occurs during The Great White Throne Judgement (Revelation 20:11). This cataclysmic event unfolds after the 1,000 Year Millennial Reign of Jesus (Revelation 20:7). Satan will be released temporarily to gather all who have rejected Jesus as their Savior.

Chapter 20 concludes,” and they were judged each one of them according to what they had done, and thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14-15)

“When these books are opened, everything will be fair” quotes evangelist Jason Dexter.” God’s verdicts will be 100% pristine.” No one will find fault with His judgements.

Now is the time to decide for Jesus Christ, to love for Jesus Christ, and to share the love of Jesus Christ with others.

ELM LAWN MEMORIAL PARK

ARLINGTON CEMETERY

401 East Lake Street

Elmhurst (630) 833-9696

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MEMORIAL PARK

900 North Wolf Road

Northlake

(847) 455-2714

We are proud to offer our cremation niches: “Eternal Light Columbarium” and “In Loving Remembrance Columbarium” located at Elm Lawn Cemetery, plus “Columbarium of Heavenly Peace” located at Fairview Memorial Park.

Also available:

• Traditional in-ground graves and above-ground mausoleum spaces

• Peace of mind with professional pre-planning counseling

• Convenient bronze and granite memorial design services

• Seasonal decorations available for purchase

ELM LAWN PET CEMETERY

401 East Lake Street, Elmhurst (630) 833-9696

New Ossuary and private Cremation

Niches offer a dignified and beautiful final resting place for your beloved pets.

Also available:

• Landscaped urn garden and traditional full-burial sites

• Pet memorial services

• Hall of Remembrance chapel for services prior to burial

In addition to our Pet Lawn Section, we also offer Memory Lawn, an exclusive section where families may arrange for the burial of pets on their own cemetery family lot.

Family-owned and operated, serving the community since 1905.

During your time of mourning, we are here to serve your burial needs with dignity and respect.

SENIOR SNIPS

Avoid These Five Food Additives

Are OTC Hearing Aids as Good as Rx Ones?

Over-the-counter

over the 2022 estimate. CMS says if the fund is depleted, Part A will still pay 89% of benefits. But Congress must act by increasing revenue, cutting benefits or both.

JULIETTE CUBANSKI, PHD, IS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM ON MEDICARE POLICY AT KFF,

SAN FRANCISCO, KFF.ORG.

Food safety advocates are concerned about a broad range of food additives, hundreds of which have entered the food system in the past two decades without a rigorous safety review by the Food and Drug Administration. Safety experts are focused on five additives: brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propyl paraben, Red Dye No. 3, and titanium dioxide. They’ve been linked to serious health problems, such as a higher risk of cancer, nervous system damage, and behavioral issues. They can be found in baked goods, beverages, and candies. To avoid the substances, scan ingredient labels, especially of items most apt to contain them: candy, soda, sports drinks, packaged bread, tortillas, baked treats, and shredded cheese. In general, the more processed the product, the more likely it is to have these ingredients.

SOURCE: CONSUMER REPORTS ON HEALTH

“self-fitting” hearing aids – so named because users adjust them themselves –worked just as well as audiologist fitted prescription hearing aids, according to a small study of older adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC aids usually cost about $200 to $1,000 per set. Traditional aids can be about $1,000 to $6,000 per paid.

SOURCE: JAMA OTOLARYNGOLOGY – HEAD & NECK SURGERY, APRIL 13, 2023.

Medicare’s Financial Outlook is Cause for Concern…

But not alarm, reports Juliette Cubanski, PhD. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates that the trust fund for Medicare Part A, which covers hospital care, will be depleted by 2031. Projections vary from year to year, and this actually is an improvement

Common Summertime Dangers

Heat exhaustion includes heavy sweating… cold and clammy skin…fast and weak pulse… muscle cramps…nausea or vomiting…dizziness or headache…and possibly fainting. What to do – Move to a cool place, loosen clothes, drink cool liquids and, if possible, take a cool bath. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour. Heatstroke includes body

temperature of 103˚ F or above…hot skin that may be red or dry or damp…a fast and strong pulse… confusion…headache or dizziness…and possibly passing out. What to do? Call 911 immediately since heatstroke can be life-threatening. Get the person to a cool place, and use cool cloths or a cool bath to lower body temperature. Do not give him/her anything to drink.

SOURCE: BOTTOMLINEPERSONAL. JUNE, 2023.

BANANA NUT MUFFINS

SERVINGS – 12 PREP TIME – 7 MINS. COOKING TIME – 20 MINS. CALORIES 258

Loaded with sweet, fruity banana flavor and plenty of nutty goodness, these fantastic banana nut muffins are perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert.

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 overripe bananas

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C) and spray the top of the muffin pan with cooking spray. Add muffin liners, if using.

2. Mix the flour with the baking soda and salt in a large bowl and then set aside.

3. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas with a fork, then beat in the sugar with an electric mixer for 3 minutes.

4. Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until well combined, and make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice.

5. Stir the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until about half incorporated. You should still see streaks of flour.

6. Add the nuts and any other extras, then gently mix by hand until you no longer see streaks of flour. Stop right away to keep from overmixing.

7. Spoon the batter into the muffin tin until each mold is half-filled. Gently tap the tin on a flat surface to remove air bubbles.

8. Bake the muffins for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay).

9. After baking, let the muffins cool at room temperature before taking them out of the muffin tin. Serve warm, and enjoy!

TIPS FOR THE BEST BANANA NUT MUFFINS

Banana nut muffins are insanely easy to make. But here’s still a few tips to ensure they’re perfect!

• For tall, bakery-style muffins, bake them at a higher temperature during the first 8 minutes. Set the oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220°C), then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for the remainder of the baking time

• The best banana nut muffins start with the ripest bananas you can find. They’ll add more flavor and make the muffins incredibly moist and tender. So go for dark brown and spotty to black!

• Use the right type of nuts. Walnuts, pecans, or almonds make excellent additions to banana nut muffins because they’re lightly crunchy and buttery. But if you go for something firmer, like peanuts, you’ll have a different texture overall.

Use fresh, soft brown sugar for optimal texture and consistency. If you don’t have any, try mixing molasses into white sugar!

• Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing the batter forms air bubbles, resulting in air holes inside the muffin.

• Spray the muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray to keep the freshly-baked muffins from sticking. If you use tall muffin liners, you can skip this step.

STAR SPANGLED WORD SEARCH

FOURTH FRANKFURTER GATHERING GRILLING GUESTS

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS

ICE CREAM INDEPENDENCE LEMONADE POOL ROCKETS SKY

4TH OF JULY TRIFLE

This 4th of July trifle will be the hit of any cookout! With perfect layers of red, white, and blue, it’s an ideal treat for Independence Day!

2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

8 ounces sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond flavoring

1/2 pint whipping cream

1 angel food cake (homemade or store-bought)

1 quart strawberries

1 quart blueberries

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1. Beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Beat in the sour cream, vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon of almond flavoring. Set aside.

2. In a separate bowl, whip the whipping cream until it doubles in volume. Gently mix it in with the cream cheese mixture.

3. Cut up the angel food cake into bite-sized chunks and mix it in with the cream cheese mixture.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the strawberries, blueberries, and granulated sugar.

5. In a trifle bowl, arrange the cream cheese mixture and berries in alternating layers, ending with the berries on top.

6. Cover the trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This trifle is best enjoyed within the day.

NOTE: You can either combine the strawberries and blueberries or keep them separate to make more distinct layers of red, blue, and white.

• You can also substitute pound cake, white cake, or even lady fingers instead of angel food cake.

• You can also substitute Cool Whip instead of making your own whipped cream.

CROSSWORD

17. Value

19. Another name

20. Sheep in second year before shearing

21. Town in Surrey, England

25. Appropriate during a time of year

29. Creative output

31. Recesses

32. District in N. Germany

33. Rider of Rohan

35. The official emblem of the German Third Reich

38. One who puts down roots

41. Scribe

43. Painted a bright color

44. Tycoons

45. Actress Thurman

46. Walking accessory

47. Crest of a hill

Criminal

8. Jewelry

9. Hospital worker (abbr.)

12. Nonsense (slang)

13. Town in Galilee

49. Member of a North American people

56. Type of computer

57. U.S. State (abbr.)

LIBRARY NOOK

PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN EDITED DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE LIBRARY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, SPACE LIMITATIONS, ETC.

Elmwood Park Public Library

1 W. Conti Parkway 708-453-7645, elmwoodparklibrary.org

• FAMILY MOVIE MATINEE: THE LITTLE

MERMAID - All ages, Sat., July 1, 12pm-3pm

• HYBRID GENTLE MAT YOGA - Adults, Mon., Jul. 3 & 17, 1-2pm. Registration required.

• EXCEL INTERMEDIATE - Adults, Mon., Jul. 3, 7-8:30p.m. Registration required.

• KIDS READ - Gr. K-2nd, Wed., July 5, 4-5pm, Registration required SUMMER SNACK & CHAT - Adults, Thurs., July 6, 11am-12pm

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CLUB - Ages 12+, Tues., July 8, 1-4pm

• PRESCHOOL PUPPET PLAYTIME - Ages 3-5, Mon., July 10, 10-11am. Registration required.

• HYBRID CHAIR YOGA - Adults, Mon., Jul. 10 & 24, 1-2pm. Registration required.

• DUCK TAPE CRAFTS - Ages 6-12, Tues., Jul. 11, 4-5pm. Registration required

• ENGLISH CONVERSATION HOUR - Adults, Wed., Jul. 12 & 26, 2-3pm

POTLUCK BOOK CLUB - Adults, Thurs., Jul. 13, 6:30-8pm

• CENTRAL PARK STORY TIME - Ages 1-8, Fri., July 14 & 28, 12:15-1:15pm

• CRAFTERS’ CLUB - Adults, Sat., Jul. 15, 2-4pm

• CUTTING THE CABLE - Adults, Mon., Jul. 17,

7- 8pm. Registration required.

• JEWELRY DESIGN DAY: MIDKIDS - Grades

3-6, Tues., July 18, 1-3pm

PETE THE CAT PARTY - Ages 1-5, Wed., July 19, 3-4pm. Registration required.

• MID-KIDS READ - Gr. 3rd-6th, Wed., July 19, 4-5pm, registration required

• SCIENCE EXPLORERS: OCEAN ADVENTURE - Ages 6-12, Thurs., July 20, 4-5pm. Registration required.

• STORY TIME IN THE GARDEN - Ages 1 – 5, Fri., July 21, 12:15-12:45pm

• BABY TUMMY TIME - Ages 0-1, Fri., July 21, 2-2:30pm. Registration required.

• GENEALOGY CLUB - Adults, Mon., July 24, 78:30pm. Registration required.

PICTURE BOOK GOLF - Ages 8+, Mon., July 24, 11am-1pm

• TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE LIBRARY - Adults, Tues., July 25, 7-8:45pm.

• TEENS READ - Gr. 7th-12th, Wed., July 26, 4-5pm, Registration required

THE THRILLSEEKERS’ BOOK CLUB - Adults, Wed., Jul. 26 7-8pm

ASK YOUR HELPFUL HARDWARE MAN: DOOR AND LOCK REPAIR - Adults, Thurs. July 27, 7-8:30pm. Registration required.

• WRITERS’ CIRCLE - Ages 16+, Fri., Jul. 28, 3-4pm

• YOUNG ADULT READERS - Adults, Sat., Jul. 29, 12-1pm

• BABY DIY: FOR ADULTS - Adults, Mon., July 31, 4-5pm. Registration required.

• DROP IN GAMING DAYS - Grades 3rd-12th, Tues., Jul. 10 & 24, 6-8pm

KIDS CARRYOUT KIT: OWL PLANTERGrades K-2, Pickup dates: July 3-8. Registration required.

MIDKID CARRYOUT KITS: COMIC BOOK

MAGNETS - Grades 3-6, Pickup: July 10-14

• TEEN CARRYOUT KIT: COMIC BOOK

MAGNETS - Grades 7-12, Pickup: July 17-21

• ADULT CARRYOUT KIT: STAMPED TEA

TOWEL - Adults, Pickup: July 15-22

• DISNEY CHARACTER SCAVENGER HUNTAll ages, July 24-29

• PRESCHOOL CONVERSATION HOURAges 3-5, Fri. July 7 & 21, 12:15-1:15pm

ONCE UPON A STORY TIME - Ages 2-5, Wed., 10-10:45am. Registration required.

TINY TALES STORY TIME - Ages 1-2, Tues. & Thurs., 9:30-10am. Registration required.

• HELLO BABY! STORY TIME - Ages 0-1, Tues. & Thurs., 10:30-11am. Registration required.

• PRESCHOOL SCHOOL PALS STORY TIME

- Ages 3-5, Tues. & Thurs., 11:15-11:45am. Registration required.

• WED. MATINEES - Weds. at 1:30pm

• TUES. CLASSIC MOVIES - Adults, Tues., Jul. 11 & 18 at 6pm

Franklin Park

Public Library

10311 W. Grand Ave. 847-455-6016, fppld.org

• The Library will close at 5pm on Monday, July 3 and remain closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 for Independence Day. We will reopen at 10am on Wednesday, July 5. -

• LIBRARY QUILT & SEW CLUB - July 5, 11:15am-12:30pm -

• FAMILY TRIVIA NIGHT - July 5, 5-6pmGrades K-5.

• T-REXPLORERS - July 6, 4-5pm - For kids of all ages.

SCALES-N-Tales Storytime - July 7, 14, 21, & 28, 11-11:30am - Ages 0-5 with caregiver.

• STREET FIGHTER 6 TOURNAMENT - July 7, 3-5pm - Grades 6-12.

• KNIT & CROCHET GROUP - July 8 & 22, 1-3pm

• CHAIR YOGA - July 10 & 24, 3-4pm

• PERLER BEAD IT! - July 10, 4-5pm - Grades 3-12.

TINKER TOTS - July 11 & 25, 11am-12pmAges 0-5 with caregiver.

• LET’S PAINT! - July 11, 4-6pm - Grades K-8.

• TECH TUESDAY: INTRO TO OUR DIGITAL LIBRARY - July 11, 6-7:30pm

• TAIL WAGGIN’ TUTORS - July 12 & 26, 5-6pm

- Grades Preschool-5.

• SUMMER APPETIZERS - July 12, 6:30-8pmAdults only. Limit 40. Registration is required.

• DOODLE GAMES - July 13, 4-5pm - Grades 6-12.

ANIME CLUB - July 14, 3-4:15pm - Grades 6-12.

• SHEET MUSIC COASTER CRAFT - July 17, 5-6pm - For teens & adults. Limit 20. Registration is required.

• ASL TOTS - July 18, 11-11:30am - Ages 0-4 with caregiver.

• KIDS’ SPANISH CLUB - July 18, 5-6pmGrades K-5.

• TECH TUESDAY: INTRO TO WINDOWSJuly 18, 6-7:30pm

• JG’S REPTILE ROAD SHOW - July 19, 4-5pm

POPULAR PAGE TURNERS BOOK CLUBJuly 19, 7-8pm - Registration is required.

• CRAFTER’S CORNER - July 20, 5-6pm - All ages.

• GAME ON+ - July 21, 3-4:30pm - Grades 6-12.

• FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALEJuly 22, 1-3pm

MONDAY NITE MOVIE - July 24, 5-7pmGrades K-5.

TEEN ZONE - July 25, 2:30-4:30pm - Grades 6-12.

• TEACUP FAIRY GARDEN CRAFT - July 26, 7-8pm - Adults only. Limit 20. Registration required.

• TEEN CUISINE - July 27, 4-5:30pm - Grades 6-12.

• YA BOOK CLUB - July 31, 4-5pm - Ages 13-18.

• ASL CLUB - July 31, 4:30-5:30pm - All ages.

Eisenhower Public Library District

4613 N Oketo Ave, Harwood Heights 708-867-7828, eisenhowerlibrary.org

• 1973 FILM SERIES: SERPICO - July 31, 2pm, Adults. Registration Required

• PEN AND INK WRITERS GROUP - July 17, 7pm, Adults.

• OPEN WORKSHOP - July 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29, 9am, Teens.

• ENGLISH CONVERSATION HOUR - July 13, 7pm, Adults.

MEDICARE 101 - July 19, 6:30pm, Adults.

Registration Required

• GARDEN CLUB - July 6, 6pm, Adults.

Registration Required

• HOLLYWOOD CLASSICS WITH JOHN STANGELAND: THE ELEPHANT MAN - July 3, 1pm, Adults. Registration Required

• THE HISTORY OF BARBIE - July 24, 7pm, Adults. Registration Required

• SUMMER READING - June 3, All Ages.

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS? CREATE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE - July 24, 12pm, Teens. Registration Required

MYSTERY BOOK CLUB: SURVIVAL OF THE FRITTERS - July 25, 7pm, Adults. Registration Required

CROCHET ALONG: WRINKLE BAG - July 5, 12, 19, & 26, 3pm, Adults. Registration Required

• ADULT BOOK DISCUSSION: EDUCATEDJuly 11, 2pm, Adults. Registration Required

• ZOOM BOOK DISCUSSION: EDUCATEDJuly 12, 2pm, Adults. Registration Required

• CAMP FIRE TALES CLUB: THE ALBUM OF DR. MOREAU - July 26, 6:30pm, Adults.

Registration Required

• INTRODUCTION TO THE CRICUT MAKER - July 15 & 19, 2pm, Adults. Registration Required

HOMES FORAMERICA - July 17, 7pm, Adults.

Registration Required

ANONYMOUS TEEN WRITERS - July 6, 13, 20, & 27, 4pm, Teens.

• INTERMEDIATE COMPUTER LITERACY SERIES - July 11, 18, & 25, 10am, Adults.

Registration Required

• U MAKE: ACRYLIC FIREFLY NIGHT PAINTING - July 29, 10am, Kids. Registration Required

• KIDS WRITE AWAY - July 20, 4pm, Kids.

Registration Required

• TOTS AND PREK FUN DAY: BALLOON ROCKETS & PAPER AIRPLANES - July 7, 10am, Kids. Registration Required

• PIXEL POWER - July 15, 10am, Kids.

Registration Required SUMMER CRAFT DAY - July 1, 10am, Kids.

• TWEEN ORAL HISTORY PROJECT - July 17, 6pm, Kids. Registration Required

• POKEMON DAY - July 11, 5pm, Kids.

Registration Required

• ADAPTIVE HOUR - July 9, 12am, Kids.

Registration Required

• PEN AND PAPER TABLE TOP ADVENTURE - July 18, 6pm, Kids. Registration Required OUTSIDE BOOKING: JEAN’S BOOK CLUBJuly 6, 11am.

BRING YOUR OWN BOOK CLUB - July 14 & 28, 3:30pm, Adults.

• OPEN SEWING HOURS: FOR KIDS! - July 14, 2:30pm, Kids. Grades 4 to 6. Waiver Required.

• OPEN WORKSHOP - July 6, 13, 20, & 27, 1pm, Teens.

• SENIOR CHAIR EXERCISE - July 11, 18 & 25, 11amSeniors. Registration Required

• MODEL BUILDING FOR ADULTS - July 5, 6:30pm, Adults.

MODEL BUILDING FOR YOUNG PEOPLEJuly 19, 6:30pm, Kids.

• OPEN WORKSHOP - July 11, 18, & 25, 1pm, Adults.

• LIVE STREAMING ON TWITCH - July 13, 3pm, Teens. Registration Required

Northlake

Public Library

231 N. Wolf Rd. 708-562-2301, northlakelibrary.org

FAMILY LOTERÍA NIGHT - Tuesday, July 25, 7-8pm, All Ages, registration required.

ZUMBA - Tuesdays and Fridays in July, 9:30am, Adults, registration required.

• KITCHEN BASICS: EMULSIONSWednesday, July 12, 7pm, Adults, registration required.

• 3D PRINTING BASICS - Thursday, July 13, 7pm, Adults, registration required.

• MINIATURE PAINTING: WASHES AND DRYBRUSH - Wednesday, July 19, 7pm, Adults, registration required.

• AROMATHERAPY BRACELET CRAFTThursday, July 20, 7pm, Adults, registration required.

• COOKBOOK BOOK CLUB - Thursdays, July 27, 7pm, Adults, registration required.

VIRTUAL CHAIR YOGA - Tuesday, July 11, 2-3pm, Seniors, registration required.

SUMMER MOCKTAILS - Tuesday, July 18, 2-3pm, Seniors, registration required.

LIBRARY NOOK (CONT.)

• CLASES DE CONVERSACIÓN - Los martes de Julio, 7pm

• ESTAMPADO CON CRICUT - Lunes, 10 de Julio, 7pm, Se requiere registro.

• MICHELADALANDIA - Lunes, 24 de Julio, 7pm

PAINT BY NUMBER - Thursday, July 6, 1:30pm, Teens.

KARAOKE - Thursday, July 13, 1:30pm, Teens.

• BOARD GAMES & PIZZA - Saturday, July 15, 1:30pm, Teens.

• EDIBLE SCULPTURES - Thursday, July 20, 1:30pm, Teens.

• MINUTE TO WIN IT - Thursday, July 27, 1:30pm, Teens.

WONDER CLUB - Thursdays in July, 6:30-7pm, Ages 5-8.

TOTS-ERCISE - Monday, July 3, 17, & 31, 10:1511am , Ages 3-5.

• GYM STARS - Monday, July 3, 17, & 31, 11:1512:15pm, Ages 6-9.

• PAINTED ANIMAL STONE ART - Saturday, July 8, 2- 3pm , Ages 6 & up.

• ASL STORYTIME - Monday, July 10 & 24, 10:3011am , Kids

• SENSORY SATURDAYS - Saturdays, July 15, 22, & 29, 10-11am, Kids

FOOD SCIENCE: ICE CREAM - Saturday, July 15, 2- 3pm , Ages 9-13. Registration Required.

• 100 DAYS UNTIL HALLOWEEN - Saturday, July 22, 2-3pm , Ages 7-13. Registration Required.

• MAKE IT: ROBLOX AVATAR - Saturday, July 29, 2-3pm , Ages 9-13. . Registration Required.

River Grove Library

8638 W. Grand Ave, River Grove 708-453-4484, rivergrovelibrary.org

GRAB & GO: BBQ SPICE CRAFT - Saturday, July 1 - Registration required.

LIBRARY CLOSED - 4th of July

• SUMMER READING BOOK TASTING - Saturday, July 8 - 2-3pm, Thursday, July 136-7pm, Tuesday, July 18 - 6-7pm, Registration required.

• FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT - Monday, July 105-7pm - Registration required.

• TWEEN SUMMER READING: FIND YOUR VOICE USING SIGN LANGUAGEWednesday, July 12 - 11:30am-12:30pm - Ages 9-12. Registration required.

• SUMMER CLUB: FIND YOUR VOICE - Wednesday, July 12, 19 & 26 - 1-2:15pm. This year’s theme will be COMMUNICATION! Register each week to learn different ways to communicate, listen to stories, make a crat, play games and READ! We will have 15 min. each class for independent or small group reading. Everyone will have their own art supplies and hand wipes will be available. This is a 6-week program for ages 5-9. We will be using Reader Zone again for our reading logs. Emails will be sent with the new signup codes. Registration required. Call 708-453-4484 or email Mrs. Tucker at youth@rivergrovelibrary.org for more information or questions!

• BOARD MEETING - Wednesday, July 12 - 6:308pm

• AM STORYTIME - Thursday, July 13, 20 & 27 - 11am-11:30am - Registration required. Call or email Mrs. Tucker for more information or questions! 708-453-4484 | youth@ rivergrovelibrary.org

• PM STORYTIME - Thursday, July 13, 20 & 27 - 12-12:30pm. This class is for ages 4 & under; crafts are geared for ages 2-4. Registration required. Call or email Mrs. Tucker for more information or questions! 708-453-4484 | youth@ rivergrovelibrary.org

• TEEN SUMMER READING: BLEACH

T-SHIRTS - Monday, July 17 - 6-7pm - Ages 1317. Registration required.

• TWEEN SUMMER READING: BLEACH

T-SHIRTS - Wednesday, July 19 - 11:30am12:30pm - Ages 9-12. Registration required.

• TEEN SUMMER READING: MASON JAR AFFIRMATIONS - Monday, July 24 - 6-7pmAges 13-17. Registration required.

• TWEEN SUMMER READING: MASON JAR AFFIRMATIONS - Wednesday, July 26 - 11:30am-12:30pm - Ages 9-12. Registration required.

• TEEN/TWEEN SUMMER READING: FIND YOUR VOICE THROUGH YOGA AND MINDFULNESS WITH MONICA IDECSaturday, July 29 - 11am-12:30pm - Ages 9-17. Registration required.

• JAZZ FOR THE GENERATIONS - Saturday, July 29 - 1-2pm - Registration required.

Schiller Park Library

4200 Old River Rd. 847-678-0433, schillerparklibrary.org

FAMILY BINGO - July 06 at 4pm - Open to all ages. Limit 20. Registration required.

• MOVIE AFTERNOON - July 1, 1pm

• FIND YOUR VOICE! SUMMER READINGJune 6-July 22 - Registration Required

• SCRAP CRAFTS SATURDAYS - July 15, 11am-2pm

“CABANA STORIES & CRAFT - Monday, July 10, 2pm. Anna Montana Water Park/ Memorial Pool 4001 N. Scott Street Schiller Park

GARDEN CLUB - July 15, 9:30am, July 26 9:30am - Ages 8 & Up.

• SCHILLER PARK YOUNG AUTHORS PROJECT - Ongoing

• SUMMER GRAB AND GO CRAFT KITSOngoing - Ages 2-12.

• SPANISH STORYTIME - July 11, 4pm - Open to ages 2-12. Limited seating. Registration required.

• TOT STAY & PLAY - July 17, 10:30am - Open to ages 1-4 (with a caregiver).

POLISH STORYTIME - July 18, 4pm - Open to ages 2-12. Limited seating. Registration required.

TANGRAM TALES - July 24, 10:30am - Open to ages 3-5. Limited seating. Registration required.

• STUFFED ANIMAL SLEEPOVER - July 25

4-6pm Drop-Off - Open To Ages 2-12. Limit 12. Registration Required.

• TODDLER OPEN PLAY - July 31 10-10:45amAges 1-5, with a caregiver.

• KIDS TIE DYE - July 27, 4pm - Open to ages 3-17. Limited to 20 participants. While Supplies Last. Registration required.

• PAINTING AND POPSICLES - July 20, 4pmOpen to ages 11-17. Limited seating. Registration required.

• TECHNOLOGY HELP - Ongoing

MONDAY MOVIE MATINEE - July 3, 11am - 18+.

• GREATER FAMILY HEALTH- Blood Pressure Screening - July 10, 10am-12pm; July 24 10am12pm - Ages 18+.

• INTRODUCTION TO HOOPLA - July 22, 10am - Open to ages 18+. Limited Seating. Registration required.

• ENGLISH TALKS AND TALES - July 25, 6pmOpen to ages 18+.

• YARN CRAFTING - July 31, 11am - Open to ages 18+.

• WII BOWLING FOR SENIORS - July 13, 1pmAges 62+. Limited seating. Registration required.

MISS JAMIE’S FARM MUSIC SHOW - July 8, 11am - Open to All Ages.

Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home & Crematorium offers many different services. Our training and experience have prepared us to help, to reassure, and to understand when a family faces the loss of a loved one. We are here to replace confusion with calm, doubts with certainty and questions with answers. Here, one finds a quiet gentleness in an atmosphere of dignity, efficiency and trust.

TRADITIONAL SERVICES • CREMATION MEMORIAL SERVICES • PRE-PLANNING

Dedicated to Serving Families in our Leyden Area Since 1924 9568 Belmont Avenue • Franklin Park

(847) 678-1950

www.sax-tiedemann.com

Four Generations of the Tiedemann Family A Full Service Death Care Facility

Michelle Violet Aug 17, 1978 May 17, 2023

Elias Bray Jul 22, 1996 May 20, 2023

Clare Blackmore Oct 9, 1940 May 22, 2023

Eunice Diener May 17, 1947 May 25, 2023

Donna Rubino Jun 13, 1936 May 31, 2023

Sat Rajput Jan 20, 1949 Jun 4, 2023

Marie Saeli Apr 9, 1955 Jun 6, 2023

Daniel Fisher Dec 26, 1952 Jun 9, 2023

Sandra Pollitt-Wetzel Apr 9, 1956 Jun 11, 2023

Those

leave us; they live on in the kindness they showed, the love they shared, and the comfort they brought into the lives of others.

we hold most dear, never truly

SCHILLER PARK

MAY 28 - DAMAGE TO MOTOR VEHICLE – The owner of a car parked at the intersection of South Avenue and Ruby Street reported to police that he observed the rear spoiler wing to his car was missing and his rear bumper was dismantled.

MAY 28 - SPEEDING – Police arrested Nathan M. Rodriguez of Hoffman Estates after he was observed traveling 107 mph in a clearly posted 50 mph zone on Mannheim Road. He was charged with aggravated speeding and has a July 23rd court date.

MAY 29 - THEFT FROM VEHICLE – A catalytic converter was stolen from a 2013 Toyota parked in the 3900 block of Mannheim Road

JUNE 1 - CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY/ THEFT BY DECEPTION – After shopping at a store in

Forgotten courtesies we all need to practice…

– Be on time – chronic lateness sends the message to others that their time is not important to you. Letting someone know that you’re running late shows that you do care about them and their time.

– Let people finish what they’re saying – cutting someone off mid-sentence gives the impression that you don’t care about what the other person is saying.

– RSVP to events – letting your host know if you’re coming helps him/her plan how much food and drink to provide.

Park within the lines – encroaching on another parking spot even for just a few minutes has a domino effect.

Use your table manners – chew silently with your mouth closed, keep your elbows off the table, don’t reach across someone else’s plate.

the 9300 block of Irving Park Road, a man approached a woman who was returning to her vehicle and he told the woman that he could repair a dent on her vehicle. The woman was unaware of any dent, as the car was recently purchased a few months ago. The man directed attention to a dent on the passenger side of the car. The man stated he worked for Crown Chevy and directed the woman to meet him at the nearby forest preserve where he would be able to fix the car. The woman complied and met the man who then sprayed a substance on the dented vehicle and advised the woman to wipe off the substance after an hours time, at which point the dent would be gone. The man then requested money from the woman for the work and stated the substance he sprayed on her vehicle cost $400 a can. The man compelled the woman to give him money and she gave him $125, which was all the money she had on her. The woman then went home and told her husband what transpired. The husband believing the wife was scammed, went to the police department and filed a complaint. He believes the man damaged the car as part of his scam. No arrests were made at the time of the report.

JUNE 1 - DRIVING INFRACTIONS – Police arrested

Stanislav Klym after he was observed driving a 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander on Mannheim Road and recorded him traveling at 89 mph in a 50 mph zone. He was charged with speeding 35+ and no valid driver’s license. He has a July 23rd court date.

ROSEMONT

MAY 21 - FELONY – Rosemont police arrested Adam Nguyen of Columbus, Ohio with felony

Put down your phone and interact with those around you – not only is it polite, it can be rewarding.

– Say please, thank you and excuse me – these common courtesy phrases can make someone’s day and yours too!

Gas is Cheapest at the Start of the Week

Although prices vary by region, gas tends to be cheapest on Mondays and Tuesday… getting more expensive as the week progresses, reaching the highest point on the weekend. Several factors may contribute to the trend –a key government report that influences the

unauthorized video recording and live video transmission after he allegedly was seen with a video camera protruding from a bag with the camera’s lens positioned directly under a victim’s skirt. Once arrested, Nguyen allegedly admitted to recording the victim without her knowledge or consent. Other videos with potential unidentified victims were also found on his camera. He had a bond hearing May 22.

MAY 2 - THEFT – Police were called to the Fashion Outlet Way mall after the Tommy Hilfiger store reported a man had stolen a jacket, pack of boxer briefs and a pack of trunks. Michael V. Samuelson of Chicago was charged with retail theft. He had a June 14 court date.

PARK RIDGE

JUNE 8 - ROBBERY – A man wearing tan pants, a tan hooded sweatshirt, black shoes, a mask and glasses approached three people in the parking lot of a CVS drugstore in the 2600 block of Dempster Street at approximately 9:17 pm. He showed the victims a handgun tucked in his waistband of his pants before taking a handbag from one of the three people. He escaped by entering the passenger seat of a tan fourdoor sedan with tinted windows and left the parking lot. No one was in custody.

ELMWOOD PARK

MAY 21 - CRIMINAL DAMAGE – Three buildings in the 7500 block of Grand Avenue were found to have been tagged with brown spray paint.

price of oil comes out on Wednesdays…gas stations pass on any increase to customers at the weekend, when more people are filling their tanks. Best: Shop around. Some gas stations may change their prices several times a day.

SOURCE: PATRICK DE HAAN, LEAD PETROLEUM ANALYST, GASBUDDY LLC, DALLAS. GASBUDDY.COM

Sleep Better on Hot Nights

Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day. Take a lukewarm bath or shower before bedtime (cold water makes it harder to fall asleep). Wear socks cooled in the refrigerator. Also helpful: Buckwheat pillows…linen sheets… silk pillowcases…special cooling pillows…bed fans that send air between the sheets.

Insect-Bite Itch Relief

Fill a sealable plastic bag with ice, wrap it in cloth, and hold it against the bit for 10 to 15 minutes…dab the bit with mint-flavored toothpaste, vinegar or a paste made from baking soda or oatmeal mixed with water… use an over-the-counter ointment that contains benzocaine or lidocaine. Heat a spoon in hot water and place the back of the spoon on the bite (don’t burn yourself). The warm metal works by desensitizing the nerves in the skin that transmit an itch sensation.

MAY 20 - CRIMINAL DAMAGE – A vehicle parked in the 7800 block of Belmont Avenue had its rear driver’s window broken.

MAY 24 - VEHICLE THEFT – A 2015 Subaru Forester was stolen from the 7900 block of North Avenue

MAY 22 - VEHICLE THEFT – After leaving the key in the ignition, a 2007 Toyota Sienna was reported stolen from the 2300 block of 72nd Court.

MAY 22 - THEFT – The owner of a cell phone reported it stolen from the 7200 block of Grand Avenue.

DES PLAINES

MAY 23 – Virginia Roque-Fermin of Arlington Heights was charged by police with one felony count of arson after surveillance video allegedly depicts Roque-Fermin carrying objects such as statues, buckets, chairs, and planter pots toward the cave/grotto area of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Police claims she then started a fire and continues to carry surrounding objects toward the fire to stoke the flames. Officers observed soot on the front of her clothes and detailed her for further investigation at the time. Damage to the shrine was estimated at over $78,000.

FRANKLIN PARK

MAY 22 - THEFT – A forklift, valued at $29,875, was reported stolen from the 3300 block of Mt. Prospect Road.

MAY 22 - CRIMINAL DAMAGE – Orange spray paint was found on a crane at a job site in the area of King and Powell streets.

Amazon.com

Now Charges for Certain Returns

A warning from consumer advocate Edgar Dworsky. A $1 fee could be applied if you drop off an Amazon return at a UPS Store. To avoid the fee, drop off returns at Kohl’s, Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh locations instead – Amazon returns made at these businesses are free. Note: The UPS Store return fee should not be imposed if the UPS Store is geographically closer or the same distance to your delivery address as any Kohl’s, Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh location.

SOURCE: EDGAR DWORSKY IS A CONSUMER ADVOCATE AND FOUNDER OF THE CONSUMER-EDUCATION WEBSITES CONSUMERWORLD.ORG AND MOUSEPRINT.ORG.

GRILLING TIPS

Grilling is a popular summertime tradition, but it’s important that individuals avoid overdoing it in regard to the consumption of grilled meats. According to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, cooking over an open flame exposes individuals to two main carcinogens: heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Studies have shown that HCAs and PAHs can develop in meats cooked over an open flame and cause changes in DNA that may increase cancer risk. Though this does not necessarily mean individuals should avoid grilling altogether, grilling in moderation and shortening the amount of time meat is exposed to open flames may reduce the risk of exposure to HCAs and PAHs.

CLUTTER CUTTER ADS

FOR SALE - 1997 HONDA CIVIC DX–

Must Sell. Good Parts Car. Best Offercall: 773-640-8525

NEED CASH FAST?

Paying 14 times face value for Silver coins!

Senior citizens get 10% more!

Call Roman 847-924-4670

FOR SALE - 3 GRAVE SITES. WILL DISCOUNT – Located in Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Northlake. Market Price $1,650/each. Asking $1,400/each or make an offer. Contact Charles at 480-603-6704.

FOR SALE - ANTIQUE INTERNATIONAL TIME RECORDING COMPANY TIME CLOCK. One similar is hanging in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. Still works. Oldest date on clock is 1921. Original stickers are still on the clock. Must see to appreciate and a rare find. $650 OBO. Local pick-up only. For further info or to view call 847-678-2939 and leave message.

WILL TRADE - 2000 VIP INBOARD 120 HP OPEN-BOW PLEASURE BOAT AND TRAILER Garage kept for a pontoon boat. Call Russ 847-977-5031.

FOR SALE – FRINGED COTTON RAG RUG 57x95 inches, cedar color, never used, $ 75, 773-504-1399.

FOR SALE – WHITE MILK GLASS PITCHER AND SIX TUMBLERS. Hobnail Pattern. Vintage $65 OBO 773-501-2296

FOR SALE – 6 DIECAST MODEL CARS

1/18 SCALE. All in original packaging. 1971 Mustang Mach 1, 1971 Torino Cobra, 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge, 1968 Olds Cutlass S W 31, 1970 GS Stage 1, ($100/each OBO) 1970 Coronet RT Convertible ($70 OBO). For further info call 773-934-6112.

FOR SALE – WHITE MILK GLASS STEMMED CENTERPIECE VASES (2) 5” diameter - Grape Leaf Pattern. $25 for both OBO 773-501-2296.

FOR SALE – SUNBEAM ELECTRIC 12-30 CUP PARTY SIZE COFFEE PERCOLATOR $25, 773-504-1399.

FOR SALE – WHITE FRAMED OVAL MIRROR 31x21 inches $75, 773-504-1399.

SERVICES OFFERED

CATERING  Grand Stand Pizza-Pizza, Catering, Senior Discounts 847-451-1155

FINANCIAL  Partnership Financial Credit Union,-2701 N. 25th Avenue, Franklin Park 847-455-8440, mypfcu.org

COMPUTER REPAIR KCS Computer Technology 847-288-9820 The Computer Wizards.

LEYDEN TOWNSHIP SENIOR AND DISABLED SERVICES  Must be 65+ or disabled to qualify. Restrictions apply. Subject to availability. Dial-A-Ride: You may be eligible for discounted Pace transportation. $1.25 for seniors, $1.50 for residents. Senior Exercise: Tuesday and Thursday, 9-10am Bradley A. Stephens Community Center. Senior Line Dancing: Wednesday and Friday – 10am-1pm. Carl Fiorito Senior Center.

LEYDEN UNITED CLUB   is looking for NEW members! Participate in senior trips, luncheons, entertainment and more! Each club has their own dues.

SENIOR AND DISABLED RESIDENTS’ LAWN MAINTENANCE  Applications available at Town Hall Call 847-455-8616. Program runs from April 17 – November 17. For more information or to register, please call, Jamie Losurdo at 847-451-5119

WANTED

WANT TO BUY   Old wood or plastic fishing lures in original boxes but loose is fine also. Anything related to fishing such as reels,rods etc. Contact Capt. Ron at 773-775-7574.

WANTED TO BUY

Old slot and vending machines. Good price paid (cash). Call Lou 773-774-3307

IN MEMORY

FRANK M. KURASH – APRIL 4TH, 1939 - JUNE

14TH, 2023. Age 84; beloved husband of Carol A. nee Murray; Loving father of Lisa (Jack) Cannata, Frank M. Jr. (Christine) Kurash, Kelly (Paul) Spadavecchio, Michelle (Brian Klement) Damico; Beloved son of the late Frank and Mary Kurash; Fond Grandfather of Nicole (Anthony) Scola, Joshua (Grace Ramito) Cannata, Lindsey (Zach Borter) Cannata, Isabella and Timothy Kurash, Domenica and Giana Spadavecchio, Daniella (John Resienburchler) Addari, and Carolyn Damico; Beloved Great Grandfather of Nicholas, Camden, Tyler, Bennett and the late Jack Edwin; Dear brother of Christine (Chester) Domaszewicz, Jean (late Henry) Dragich, late John (late Peggy) Kurash, and the late Alice (late Joe) Oboikovitz. Fond uncle and friend to many. Member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and past President of St. Beatrice 200 Men’s Club. Services were held.

FRANK L. COCONATE – FEBRUARY

19, 1958 - JUNE 24, 2023. Frank L. Coconate, age 65, passed away unexpectedly on June 24, 2023. Frank was the beloved husband of Ann M., nee Bosco, for 33 wonderful years; loving father of Antonina Rose, Lucia Gabriella and Frank Coconate, Jr.; dear son of the late Roselyn and Gabriel Coconate and son in law of Josephine and the late Joseph Bosco; dearest brother of Gabriel (Gerri) Coconate, Pamela (Pasquale) Mazzone, the late James, Jeanette, and

Louis Coconate and brother-in-law of Joseph Bosco; fond uncle of Roselyn Mazzone and Maria (Brandon) Seveska and Gabriel (Carla), Joseph and Vince Coconate. Proud Alumni of Hall of Fame 1976 Willowbrook Warriors Football. Former City of Chicago Worker, a longtime Political Activist and a Voice for people of all Communities. A true and dear Friend who will be missed by many.

Annual Golf Outing - Mon, Aug 14 Breakfast, Dinner and Open Bar at Richie’s included. Contact Rich at 312-485-9383

WEEKLY SPECIALS

Richie’s Richie’s

Restaurant

Lounge Breakfast,

11158 Grand Ave. • Melrose Park, IL BUY ONE GET ONE FREE SUB/SANDWICH (SAME OR LESSOR VALUE) Must be 21 or older. No purchase necessary. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) Coupons must be present and original. One coupon per person. No copies accepted. Redeem this coupon to a free sub/sandwich with the purchase of the same or lessor value. Ozzie’s Italian Deli in Melrose Park. Management reserves all rights. Expires 7/31/23.