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ForestParkReview.com Vol. 107, No. 08

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REVIEW FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Special Section PAGE 11

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Jackson Boulevard water reservoir project poses problems for Forest Park The multimillion-dollarquestion is whether to rebuild or rehab it

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Beneath the daycare at Howard Mohr Community Center on Jackson Boulevard, there sits a million-gallon concrete reservoir. Along with a 350,000-gallon reservoir on Hannah Avenue, the Jackson Boulevard reservoir holds potable water that village locals use daily.

The underground Jackson Boulevard reservoir, constructed in the 1960s, has an estimated 75-year-long lifespan that is nearing its end. The reservoir’s deterioration poses the question of whether to restore the existing reservoir or demolish it and build a new one.

The issue, however, is not a matter of simple construcSee REVERVOIR on page 5

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Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024

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Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024

3

Proviso’s manufacturing teacher honored with two awards

‘I don’t want to chase a textbook. I want realistic skills,’ April Senase said.

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Proviso West’s advanced manufacturing teacher will be honored for her outstanding work in educating Proviso students about the world of possibilities that can be unleashed through the manufacturing industry with not one, but two awards.

Impressed by her commitment to her students and to the manufacturing industry, April Senase was selected as the Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership’s “2024 Outstanding Manufacturing Educator.”

GCAMP is a coalition of area manufacturers, educators from across all levels, trade associations, workforce boards and others to work together to address skill gaps and the employment crisis faced by manufacturers.

The award, launched in January 2023, is meant to celebrate future makers and educators who are “instrumental in developing the next generation of makers and creators.”

On Feb. 13, Senase also received word that she was receiving the “Award of Meritorious Service,” in the Early Career Educator category for the 2024 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year awards by the Illinois State Board of Education.

“Thirteen has always been my lucky number and February 13, 2024, will be one I always remember,” Senase said about receiving notifications from both organizations about her winning the awards.

“Being acknowledged for these two amazing honors is very humbling and has me awestruck,” she said. “These awards show that I am on the right track and bring positive recognition to the Proviso Community as a whole, but especially to the Proviso West Manufacturing Program.”

Senase has always been a champion of the manufacturing industry, especially in terms of the possibility it can offer Proviso Township High School District 209 students

and the community around the schools.

“This program at Proviso West High School is helping students [have] viable career options that don’t necessarily travel down the traditional post-secondary plans,” Senase said in an interview in 2023.

“Just because you are not somebody who is not necessarily book smart only, there is something for those who want to work with her hands. We are bringing the trades back so they can feel good about themselves and feel a sense of pride. This is a career.”

Her work within the district has not gone unnoticed as Senase won the 2023 Illinois State Board of Education’s Teacher of the Year for Early Career Educator Meritorious Service Award before winning it again this year.

“It is such an honor to be recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education for the second year in a row for Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Award as ‘One of the Best & Brightest in our Illinois Schools’,” Senase said.

The daughter of an educator, Senase said her mom, who has been in education for more than 30 years, has always expressed what a big honor the award holds, as many teachers go their whole career without being recognized.

Senase came to Proviso West in 2020, the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and created the manufacturing program that the school board had been wanting to revitalize from the ground up. The manufacturing program now has four levels: foundations of technology, manual machines, CNC, and CNC II. “I don’t want to chase a textbook. I want realistic skills,” Senase said.

Kate Hendrix-Foster, who was a college and career academy coordinator at Proviso West, said she knew from the moment Senase was interviewed that the manufacturing program would thrive under her leadership.

“Following a $1.5 million dollar invest-

AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ

April Senase at Proviso West. ment in the creation of our Manufacturing Lab, Proviso West needed a dynamic educator to launch the program,” Hendrix-Foster, who is no longer with the district, said. “In three-and-a-half short years, Ms. Senase has hit the ground running and created an incredible program that has resulted in hundreds of students gaining essential employability skills that have translated into apprenticeship opportunities for multiple graduates from Proviso West.”

The manufacturing program at West has also now earned a spot as a part of the coveted SME Prime Program, the most comprehensive manufacturing and engineering program for high school students, an honor shared by only two other schools in Illinois.

Shelley Wooley, director at SME Education, said Senase embodies everything a great educator should be and someone who is continuously inspiring other teachers and the next generation of manufacturing.

“April’s students know they matter in her eyes,” Wooley said. “It is a pleasure to see her engage with these high school learners, one cannot help but smile as she encourages their aspirational outlook.”

Carl Fedele, automotive teacher at Provi-

so West, said Senase has been doing amazing work since her arrival at West and the two have worked together to teach their trades to their students, many of whom “cross train” between them.

“She has touched many of their lives to show them a skill that will earn them good wages after high school,” Fedele said. “She is an asset to the district we work in. I have seen her program from the start and now the sky is the limit.”

Senase will be presented with the award, as well as a $500 check, at the Valley Industrial Association Spark Awards, which aims to celebrate the accomplishments of member companies in various areas including culture, innovation, safety and workforce development among others.

The award ceremony will be held Wednesday, March 6 in Wheaton, Illinois.

Senase will also be awarded up to $500 worth of supplies for her classroom by GCAMP. “I do not exaggerate when I saw we hit the jackpot when she joined our team,” Hendrix-Foster said. “And our students are so incredibly lucky to have her in their corner.”

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Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024

February 21-28

BIG WEEK Tropical Ball Family Dinner and Dance Friday, Feb. 23, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Administration Building Grab your sundress, favorite Caribbean shirt and flip flops and join us as we celebrate ocean vibes with our twist on a Tropical Ball. It’s sunscreen and steel drum time here at the Park District of Forest Park. Enjoy a delicious dinner, snacks, your favorite musical tunes, photo backdrop, balloon twister, Hip Hop with Mr. Sidney and more. Registration is limited to 100, so register early. Each family will get their picture taken right away as we will be gifting a framed picture to remember this special occasion so make sure to dress in your fanciest Caribbean attire. Everyone must be registered: http://tinyurl. com/yracndc2. 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park

Feature Film Friday: ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ Friday, Feb. 23, 4 - 6 p.m., Forest Park Public Library - Young Adult Lounge The last Friday of the month is movie night. Let us know what movies you’d like to see for future showings. Today, we’re watching 10 Things I Hate About You: “Social butterfly Bianca isn’t allowed to date until her anti-social older sister Kat does.” 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

The Wenonah Ryders: A Charity for Chicago Run Thursday, Feb. 22, 6 – 10 p.m., Robert’s Westside A charity concert for the non-profit Chicago Run, featuring emcee Peter Sagal from NPR’s Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me and live music by The Wenonah Ryders.

7321 Madison St., Forest Park.

‘Rachel’ by Angelina Weld Grimke: Forest Park Theatre Reading Series Thursday, Feb. 22, 7 – 9 p.m., American Legion Join us for the fourth of our monthly reading series featuring women playwrights, Rachel

by Angelina Weld Grimke. 500 Circle Ave., Forest Park.

Country On Madison: The Menards Wednesday, Feb. 28, 6:30 – 10:30 p.m., Robert’s Westside Country On Madison at Robert’s Westside presents The Menards. This 21+ event offers free entry with RSVP or $10 at the door, with the option for reserved seating at $10 plus service fees. The bar opens at 3 p.m., featuring $5 Shiner Bock Drafts. Under 21s are permitted with a parent or guardian. General admission tickets do not include reserved seating. 7321 Madison St., Forest Park.

Listing your event in the calendar Forest Park Review welcomes notices about events that Forest Park community groups and businesses are planning. We’ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon Wednesday a

week before your news needs to be in the newspaper.

■ Send details to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302 ■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024

5

The Giving Tree Early Learning Center celebrates 20 years

30 children. munity because it’s not What started as an at- withThisaround year, The Giving Tree Early Learning only the children, but their is celebrating 20 years at 7510 West parents, my staff, we are a home daycare has served Center Randolph Street and serving more than 600 community. We are a family. And it doesn’t just end ages six weeks to six years. more than 600 children children, On March 15, the day of The Giving Tree when the kids graduate or Early Learning Center’s 20-year anniversary, when parents move.” in Forest Park and Cozzani is still in touch the school will celebrate with students and teachers by eating cake and doing crafts — with teachers who go on to nearby educate in other schools,

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Kate Cozzani started The Giving Tree as a daycare out of her Oak Park home in 1999.

She was on maternity leave with her second son when she decided to get a license for a group home daycare to help look after other peoples’ children.

“I had done the first year of home daycare and found it challenging,” Cozzani said. She returned to her career as an elementary teacher in the Chicago Public School system before enrolling to get her master’s degree in early childhood education at Concordia University in 2002.

For her thesis, Cozzani wrote a business plan to move her previous home daycare to a commercial site, which she launched in 2004

RESERVOIR

Changes imminent from page 1 tion. It is an expensive project that could temporarily limit the amount of drinking water available in the reservoirs — an amount that already falls short of Illinois EPA guidelines.

To be clear, there are no water shortages.

But last October, the village hired structural engineering firm J.V. Henik, Inc. to drain the reservoir and perform a structural analysis.

J.V. Henick reported that although the reservoir’s ceiling was deteriorated, the walls, floors and support columns were only minorly deteriorated.

At the end of November, emergency, temporary buttresses were installed to hold up the ceiling, and the village restricted access to the Howard Mohr Community Center’s outdoor playground above the reservoir.

Monitoring devices, to be checked every six months, were installed on the reservoir’s ceiling to track its movement. Additionally, the

the most relevant of which will be making invitations for a celebration on June 8. The summer party will include teachers setting up stations with children’s activities, based on individual learning goals. Past, present and future Giving Tree families are invited.

“I want to thank Forest Park,” Cozzani said. “Looking back at all the people that have had an impact on our lives, from individuals to organizations. . . it’s been a nice trip down memory lane to think of all the people that have touched our lives, that have touched The Giving Tree.”

The daycare, which offers full-day services while D91 only offers half-day preschool, is named after the Shel Silverstein book.

“Everyone’s growing and learning, but we all know that we’re here for each other, and I think that’s the essence of the book,” Cozzani said. “I call it The Giving Tree family com-

and even one of the first children who were enrolled in The Giving Tree when it was operating out of her home.

“When we look at students we’ve had, and even PROVIDED our own kids as they grow, The Giving Tree Learning Center is named after a beloved we know the impact that we’ve had on these kids book by Shel Silverstein. and how they’ve grown said. “While we have a backbone of things into great people,” Cozzani said.

In order to teach these kids how to develop we want to accomplish developmentally or to that point, Cozzani gives the 14 teachers at based on the Illinois Early Learning and DeThe Giving Tree Early Learning Center lots velopment Standards, my teachers are able to plan their lessons and activities based on of flexibility.

“I was always given a lot of freedom by my their knowledge of the kids.”

“If the teachers are excited about learning, principal to plan my activities and create my learning space how I saw fit,” Cozzani then the kids are too,” she added.

village tests the reservoirs’ water monthly for bacteria, E. coli and chemicals, and every three months, for cancer-causing agents.

Rehabbing the Jackson Boulevard reservoir would make it last another 25 years and cost around $3 million to repair. Rosemontbased Christopher B. Burke Engineering would design the updates this year and start construction at the end of the year or the start of 2025.

If the village chooses to renovate the reservoir, it would be unable to hold water for at least a year, and more water would be pumped into the Hannah Avenue reservoir — though it might not be quite enough.

“The villagers would just have to be cautious, in case there was ever a fire or major water main break,” said Sal Stella, director of public works. “They would only have so much water in storage, compared to when both [reservoirs] are up and running.”

A reservoir renovation would also fall short of the Illinois EPA recommendation for communities to store double the amount of water used daily, which is around 1.5 million gallons.

“We are just shy of that by 700,000 gallons,”

Stella said. “It would be in the best interest for the village to do that one day. It’s not an emergency,” he added, but “if we build new, the option’s there to take advantage of doubling our storage for the village.”

If the village chooses to build a reservoir and pump station at a new location, it would likely take the form of two above-ground, million-gallon reservoirs. These would last 75 years and cost about $10 million, which includes the cost of demolishing the current Jackson Boulevard reservoir. Design efforts would occur this year with construction taking place from 2025 to 2028.

Christopher B. Burke Engineering suggested two potential locations for new reservoirs: the Altenheim and the CTA Blue Line parking lot. They chose these spots because they are the largest plots of land owned by the village that also have easy access to the water main on Jackson Avenue, which carries water from the City of Chicago.

A reservoir rehab would likely be funded locally, while new reservoirs could be paid for by a low-interest loan from the state EPA, which Stella said doesn’t offer loans for renovating current infrastructure.

“When you’re going to update your reservoir and pump station, that’s showing the EPA that you’re building new, and you’re going to be up to standards and new technologies that’ll benefit, not only the community, but the village and the EPA.” At a Feb. 12 village council meeting, Mayor Rory Hoskins mentioned the possibility of getting funding from the Water Resources Development Act. It is not clear how the act, which authorizes studies and projects under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, would work in this case.

The options of whether to renovate or rebuild the Jackson Boulevard reservoir were proposed at the Feb. 12 village council meeting and, although there was no official vote, commissioners said that they were leaning toward building new reservoirs. An official vote is not yet scheduled.

“We gave it out to our village administrator [Rachell Entler] and she’s the liaison to the commissioners,” Stella said. “We presented it and gave them the options. It’s now their job to figure out what to do.”

6

Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024

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Woman, 68, dies in her apartment

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Police were dispatched Feb. 14 to perform a welfare check on a 68-year-old woman living alone on Warren Street. The caller, the woman’s cousin, was on the scene and said family members couldn’t get a hold of her for two weeks. Police knocked on doors and windows and noticed no signs of forced entry. The fire department arrived, forced entry through a basement window and unlocked the front door for police, who found the woman lying dead next to her bed. There were no signs of foul play.

Aggravated vehicular hijacking On Feb. 14, police responded to a call about an attempted motor vehicle theft of four men fleeing in a silver Hyundai with Illinois registration, though it was unclear from the call if the theft was successful. After a high-speed chase, reaching speeds up to 100 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone, police lost sight of the car. A registration check revealed the Hyundai was stolen in Chicago the day before. Upon relocating to speak to the victim, police learned the offenders were unsuccessful in stealing his car, though they tried to. The victim reported that, as he got into his parked 2017 Infiniti sedan, the men began threatening him from their car. He ran away and got help but, when he returned, his back passenger window was shattered, and the car wouldn’t start. The offenders are still at large.

Motor vehicle theft While patrolling Feb. 15, police noticed a 2011 Hyundai Sonata driving without taillights. The vehicle ignored the police car’s lights when the officer attempted to pull it over. In the 1000 block of Harlem, the driver exited the vehicle and ran. Officers recognized the offender from past incidents and went to his residence. He was placed into custody and taken to the station, where police learned he had an active juvenile warrant out of Cook County and that the Hyundai was stolen. He is being charged with one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking, one count of motor vehicle theft, plus an in-state warrant and armed robbery.

Domestic battery Officers were dispatched Feb. 14 to Des Plaines Avenue, where they talked to a

woman who had just broken up with her boyfriend. They were sitting inside in her car outside their apartment when he started hitting her on top of the head. She signed a complaint against him and requested to be taken to Loyola Hospital. After looking for the boyfriend with no success, police gave her a domestic violence information sheet and advised her to place an order of protection against him.

A woman walked into the Forest Park Police Department Feb. 15 to report a domestic battery. She said that she found out her boyfriend was also still dating the mother of his children. When she confronted him on the 7200 block of Roosevelt Road, he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her out of her car before pushing her into the concrete and dragging her face across it. She didn’t want to sign complaints against him. Police gave her an Illinois Domestic Violence Act victim information pamphlet and a business card to Sarah’s Inn, a local domestic violence agency.

Assault On Feb. 13, police responded to a report of aggravated assault in the 7700 block of Roosevelt Road. The victim said that the man asked him for money, and he said he didn’t have any. He then went into 7-Eleven and the offender followed him with a knife, threatening him before both parties separated. Police ordered the offender citations for assault and disorderly conduct.

On Feb. 15, officers arrived at the 900 block of Beloit Avenue after a radio call of an assault that had just happened there. A woman said she was parked, picking up her kids from school when another parent began yelling obscenities at her because she couldn’t get out of her parking spot. The other mom said she would attack the victim if she didn’t move her car, then drove off in a 2006 Ford sedan. The victim said she’d sign complaints if the offender was identified.

These items were obtained from Forest Park Police Department reports dated Feb. 13 through Feb. 15 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024

7

Beloit Avenue gets a new honorary street name: Ed Nutley Way

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Forest Park residents gathered at Ed’s Way Saturday to give the street an honorary new name: Ed Nutley Way. Nutley announced he would put the independent grocery store, which he owns with his son, Mike Nutley, on the market in 2018.

After more than 30 years of business, the father-son team will be retiring in the coming months, as their property becomes a 10-

TODD BANNOR

unit townhome.

At last weekend’s street renaming, residents and village council members alike watched as Mayor Rory Hoskins presented Nutley with the new honorary street sign for Beloit Avenue.

“When we talk about our Ed’s Way stories, everybody has one. I love Ed’s Way. My family goes there at least three times a week,” said Maria Maxham, commissioner of accounts and finance, at a village council meeting last week.

“Ed’s Way is very pivotal to my experience as a resident,” said Michelle Melin-Rogovin, commissioner of streets and public improvements, at the same council meeting.

“The Nutley family has a very special place in my heart.”

TODD BANNOR

Correction: Ed’s Way rezoned to become a 10-unit townhome

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

A story about the rezoning of Ed’s Way printed last week incorrectly stated that a B-1 property requires that the front yard is set back 20 feet, while an R-3 requires 18.6 feet. This mistake is attributed to wrong info supplied.

A B-1 property requires that the front yard is no less than 20 feet, or 15% of the depth of the lot. Other front yard, side yard and rear yard regulations are the same as those in the R-1 District.

Way Back Inn, a local nonprofit organization treating individuals seeking recovery from gambling and substance use disorders, is seeking potential bids for a backup generator for our Oak Park recovery home located at 412 Wesley Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302.

Please contact Anita Pindiur, Executive Director 708-345-8422 ext. 125 • anitap@waybackinn.org

This is a Federally funded project, with the money coming from Oak Park Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and thus is subject to all applicable Federal rules, regulations, and guidelines, including Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. Preference is given to qualifying Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE).

8

Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024

With Karvelas on leave, search for D209 superintendents heats up

The Board of Education will discuss hiring an interim superintendent during a special meeting

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

The Proviso Township High School District 209 is currently searching for both a superintendent as well as an interim superintendent following the approval of Bessie Karvelas leave of absence.

Karvelas began her approved leave on Feb. 5 and will be gone through April 30. Officials did not disclose the reason for the leave, citing personnel reasons.

Despite the need to have a superintendent fill the position through the end of the year, the item was tabled during last

week’s board of education meeting During the meeting, the board discussed the hiring of an interim superintendent through Hazard Young Attea Associates, who is handling the search for a long-term superintendent.

In the proposed amendment to the letter of agreement that the district signed Nov. 14, 2023, HYA listed the board’s “desire an interim placement for superintendent until the search is complete and a permanent superintendent employed.”

HYA proposed to provide two superintendents, Constance Collins, who had previously served as a superintendent for the Oak Park Elementary School District 97, and Kerry Foderaro, who has served as a superintendent of schools for 15 years, to serve the district until a permanent superintendent was named.

The proposal would cost the district $1,000 per diem.

The item was tabled by Arbdella Patterson

and she, along with board member Samuel Valtierrez, asked for a special meeting to discuss the item before a vote was made.

“I think it will save the district a lot of money and taxpayers will be happy,” Patterson said.

Patterson said she would like to consider someone from within the district.

The item was tabled, and the board will meet Wednesday Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Proviso Math and Science Academy cafeteria to discuss filling the interim superintendent position.

As the district pushes forward to hire a new superintendent, forums are on their way to give the community a chance to speak and express what they hope the new superintendent will bring to the district.

■ A virtual staff and teachers focus group will be held Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.

■ A student focus group will be held Feb. 21 at 12:30 p.m.

■ An in-person community forum will be

held Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.

■ And finally, a virtual community forum will be held on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.

“Invitations for those community forums will be going out shortly,” Grant said. “So definitely look for those in your emails and text.”

Grant also said that the district's 5Essential survey is already out and she encourages people to give their feedback. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the 5Essential Survey helps identify “five indications that lead to improved outcomes for all students.” This includes improved attendance and larger test score gain.

The five indications that are deemed essential to “positively affect school success” are: Effective leaders, collaborative teachers, involved families, supportive environments, and ambitious instruction.

According to ISBE, the survey window for the 2023-24 school year will run from Jan. 30 through March 29, 2024.

A new LGBTQ organization hosts meet-ups at Robert’s Westside

Sapphic Before Sunset organizes pop-up events for female and non-binary people who are ages 35 and older

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

While Forest Park and its surrounding suburbs have a prevalent queer community, there are few, if any, spaces just for gay people.

The Hideaway Nightclub on Roosevelt Road closed in April 2014 and Nutbush City Limits on Harlem Avenue shuttered in 2007 after 31 years of business. Hard Wood opened on Madison Street in 2017 and closed a year later.

Now, Sapphic Before Sunset, a new organization in town, is creating pop-up events in the community.

“I thought it would be pretty cool if there was a community organization catering to queer people,” said Laura Young, one of the founders of Sapphic Before Sunset. She adds that Forest Park and Oak Park are “very liberal and very queer-friendly, but there are

zero queer spaces.”

“I think that as the world and our area has grown more and more accepting and more integrated, those affinity spaces for queer people have vanished,” Young said.

Sapphic Before Sunset is geared toward female and nonbinary people who are older.

“There really isn’t anything that is geared toward the elder queers,” Young said, which she defines as ages 35 and up.

“You wouldn’t think 35 and up is considered an elder queer. But it kind of is in the community, just because we lost a lot of our elders to the AIDS crisis.”

So last month, Young helped organize the first Sapphic Before Sunset event at Robert’s Westside, 7321 Madison Street. Around 30 people bought $20 tickets for the event, resulting in $400 of proceeds that were donated to the Brave Space Alliance, a Black- and transled LGBTQ center on Chicago’s South side.

Every month, Young will rotate the queer

organization that Sapphic Before Sunsets donates to. After a second event at Robert’s Westside on Feb. 10, another $400 was donated to the Lighthouse Foundation, a Black- and LGBTQ-led Chicagoland social justice organization.

Young said that many people who attended these events were from surrounding suburbs.

“We’re trying to serve people who can’t, or don’t want to, go into the city,” said Young, who lives in Oak Park and teaches English at Oak Park High School. “I think it’s also a draw to have people come to a place where they know that they’re going to be driving through a town and people are going to have ‘love wins’ signs and equality signs in their yard.”

On March 10, the third Sapphics Before Sunset event will take place at Robert’s Westside and proceeds will be donated to Life is Work Resources Center, an organization in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood that sup-

ports trans people of color. Those interested in attending can buy a ticket on Robert’s Westside’s website or through the live event ticketing app, Dice, closer to the date.

Young said she plans to continue scheduling events for the second weekend of every month and, as the weather gets nicer, will host outside activities, like hiking.

“I hope that [Sapphic Before Sunset] becomes a go-to place for people that they can count on, that once a month, there’s this thing that they can do with people who are like them,” Young said. “I also hope that it becomes self-fulfilling, like if you build it, they will come.”

To host a private event for Sapphic Before Sunset, email laurakatyoung@gmail.com.

Donate to Sapphic Before Sunset by visiting @sapphicbeforesunset in the Instagram app and contributing to the fundraising link in the page’s bio.

Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024

The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor & Creamery’s President’s Day deal

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

On Feb. 19, The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor & Creamery, 7347 Madison Street, put on a special event.

Customers who brought their Stanley drinking cups to the ice cream shop during business hours, from noon to 10 p.m., got four scoops of ice cream for $15. Usually, four scoops are sold for $30.

“Since a Stanley thermos is the accessory of late, we thought it would be so fun to see how many of Brown Cow’s giant scoops we could stuff in a Stanley,” said Connie Ostler Brown, founder and

owner of The Brown Cow, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

But this promotion wasn’t limited to Stanley brand tumblers. Customers who carried in any 40-ounce cup also received four scoops for the same price.

The Brown Cow scooped 2,192 scoops

TODD BANNOR

Owner Connie Brown (in Brown Cow apron) and her crew serve happy customers as they enjoy their ice cream stuffed Stanleys at "Stuff Your Stanley," event.

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on President’s Day, or nearly 50 tubs of ice cream.

“I love that our old-fashioned ice cream parlor is a fun place for community members to gather and make memories,” Brown said.

9

10

Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024

These D91 Spelling Bee winners can spell ‘megaron’ or ‘nondescript.’ Could you?

Winners will compete in the upcoming West 40 ISC Scripps Spelling Bee

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

For the second year in a row, Forest Park School District 91 held their district-wide spelling bee, crowning two winners who will now go on to the SCRIPPS Regional Spelling Bee. Henry Doeer, seventh grader, spelled his way to first place for Forest Park Middle School and Chelsea Wilson, fifth grader, won first place for Field-Stevenson Elementary School.

Students from both Field-Stevenson and Forest Park Middle who had won their classroom spelling bee went head-to-head in The Forest Park School District 91 2024 Spelling Bee, held Thursday morning in the gymnasium at the Grant-White Elementary School building.

The spelling bee was open to third through eighth graders at D91. Forest Park Middle advanced nine classroom champions and Field-Stevenson advanced 11 classroom champions.

The event kicked off with Amelia Thomas, a third grader from Field-Stevenson, correctly spelling “point.”

The rounds consisted of single-word spelling as well as meaning rounds and by the sixth round, there were only eight students, four from each school, remaining.

Words spelled throughout the event included “sacred,” “mantle,” “quip,” and “salute” among others.

D91’s Board of Education President Shannon Wood, whose daughter Daphne Wood participated in the spelling bee, said hosting a spelling bee was a great way to showcase student’s strengths and as a board member, and parent, she loves to see that.

“I think they all did great,” she said. “It is so hard. There were words that I didn’t know how to spell. I love it. Our future is bright.”

The event was a collaboration of the whole district with Jamie Stauder, principal at Garfield Primary Elementary School serving as the pronouncer and Tinisa Huff, principal at Betsy Ross Elementary School, Susan Bogda, principal at Field-Stevenson, and Terriyaka Watson, principal at Forest Park Middle School serving as judges.

Spelling Bee coordinator James Edler, director of learning and innovation for D91, said it was exciting to have an event that celebrated academic achievements as most often it is achievements in sports or other areas that get public recognition.

“Spelling is an important part of our literacy curriculum,” Edler said.

“It really does support students learning to read and communicating as writers. It provides a little bit of fun, a little healthy competition and an opportunity for it to bring our district together around the spelling bee.”

The spelling bee also gave students a chance to engage in public speaking, which Edler said is a great opportunity for them to start gaining experience in front of their peers and community.

“It is such an important part of their learning and growing,” Edler said. “I always thought it was important to have that experience in school.”

AMARIS E. RODRIQUEZ

Above: Students from D91 participated in the district spelling bee on Feb. 15, which was held at Grant-White.

Left: Chelsea Wilson won first place for Field-Stevenson.

Charlie Doeer, father of Henry Doeer, said just like his son, he was excited and nervous at the same time.

Doeer said his son practiced spelling in the nights leading up to the event but took the night before off to relax and play some Minecraft.

Henry Doeer won by correctly spelling “megaron,” which according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is “the great central hall of an ancient Mycenaean house usually containing a center hearth.”

Chelsea won by correctly spelling “nondescript.”

Students were also individually acknowledged and recognized during the award ceremony as they each went up one by one to receive a medal.

“For every contestant that is here: We are so proud of you, your families are so proud of you, your teachers are so proud of you, and our district is so proud of you,” Edler said. “Every single one of you has shown incredible skill and knowledge when it comes to spelling, which is such an important [art of our literacy curriculum at Forest Park District 91…again [we congratulate] all of you.”

Edler said the district hopes the spelling bee becomes an annual tradition for many years to come.

According to Edler, he was informed that only one student from the district could advance to the regional round.

Henry Doeer will be representing Forest Park School District 91 at the West 40 ISC Scripps Spelling Bee, which will be held Tuesday, March 5 at E.F. Lindop School in Broadview, Illinois.

Special Advertising Section

Comedy Plex Comedy Club

February 21, 2024 11

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS

Dominican Performing Arts

Concordia University Chicago

2024

Spring

Oak Park Festival Theatre

Performing Arts Guide

12 February 21, 2024

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS

Are you looking for your next weekend adventure?

T

he Forest Park Review’s Spring Performing Arts section is a guide for you to find upcoming performances to attend or new performing arts groups to explore!

Founded in 2021, Forest Park Theatre is dedicated to language-centered, metatheatrical, multi-disciplinary, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural performances that invigorate the classical canon and create new classics for the 21st century. Through May, you can check out their reading series that focuses on American and British female playwrights.

weekend. Soon, in the fall of this year, Forest Park will have its own comedy venue BABS Comedy Club opening up at 7316 Madison Street!

We hope this new section immerses you into the local performing arts scene and allows you to discover new artists, shows, and events in Forest Park, Oak Park, River Forest, and the surrounding communities.

Enjoy, Lourdes Nicholls & Ben Stumpe Forest Park Review Advertising

Are you interested in music? The new Robert’s Westside in Forest Park has community events and live music every week!

In April, the Oak Park Concert Chorale will have their spring concert Canticles for the Soul at St. John Lutheran Church.

Are you looking for a laugh? The new Comedy Plex comedy club in Oak Park has Ronnie Ray, who has shared the stage with comedians ranging from Robin Williams to Leslie Jones, performing this

April 7, 2024 Music of Liszt: The Sacred and The Profane June 2, 2024 Suk and Dvorak: A Czech Musical Family Concerts on Sundays, 4 pm at Concordia University Chapel, River Forest Students through college admitted free of charge Free parking at 1124 Bonnie Brae Place

Play an instrument?

Email SymphonyOPRF@gmail.com if you'd like to join the orchestra.

Contact us for tickets or more information!

708.218.2648 | theSymphonyOPRF@gmail.com | SymphonyOPRF.org

Special Advertising Section

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS

Special Advertising Section

February 21, 2024 13

THEATRE

MUSIC

The Artists of Concordia Theatre explore classic and contemporary plays, comedies and gripping dramas.

Performances showcase CUC’s choral, band and orchestral ensembles as well as solo instrumentalists and student composers.

Arts

COME TO CAMPUS TO ENJOY FREE ARTS EVENTS CALENDAR: CUCHICAGO.EDU/ ARTS

at Concordia VISUAL ARTS

7400 Augusta Street River Forest, IL 60305

Ferguson Art Gallery mounts exhibitions of student, faculty and alumni artwork as well as guest practicing professionals.

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14 February 21, 2024

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS

And the Oscar Goes to …

Great Songs from the Movies SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2024, 7:30pm Pilgrim Congregational Church 460 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024, 4:00pm Glenview Community Church 1000 Elm Street, Glenview, IL

Tickets $25 Students $20 (17 & under) Group Tickets (10+) $22

Tickets at the door $30 Breast Cancer Survivors $20

voicesofhopecc.com

A concert supporting breast cancer survivorship A portion of our proceeds goes to support breast cancer research.

Special Advertising Section

Voices of Hope Community Chorus Embracing the joy of singing

V

oices of Hope is a welcoming, non-audition chorus created to harness the joy of music for those affected by breast cancer. Some of the 50+ singers are breast cancer survivors, while others have family or friends touched by this disease. In celebrating the power of song, Voices of Hope members relish their strong sense of community and audiencepleasing performances.

• Voices of Hope sings a mixture of music genres—pop, rock, the Great American Songbook and more. The chorus includes men and women who have varied musical skills, ranging from those with professional voice training to those with little singing experience.

• Recognized for their lively, uplifting concerts as well as their mission supporting breast cancer survivorship, Voices of Hope singers enjoy sharing their message through broader

engagements. Last fall, for example, they sang at a Chicago Bears game during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and also appeared on WGN TV.

• Singers come from all over Chicagoland and currently rehearse in two optional locations (Oak Park and Glenview). Committed to inclusivity, Voices of Hope is best described as a diverse group of caring, upbeat and congenial choristers. Those who love singing and a spirit of camaraderie are invited to join this group.

• In April, Voices of Hope will present “And the Oscar Goes to … Great Songs from the Movies” in Oak Park (Pilgrim Congregational Church, April 13, 7:30 pm) and Glenview (Glenview Community Church, April 14, 4:00 pm). For more information on the concert or joining the chorus, visit voicesofhopecc.com.

Participate in Extraordinary Musical Theater Experiences at Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts

O

vation Academy for the Performing Arts in Oak Park, IL is an awardwinning performing arts program that offers training classes, summer camps, private lessons, and fully produced productions to children and adults in the western suburbs and throughout Chicagoland. Students of all ages and experience levels are invited to participate in its robust programming.

Ovation Academy promotes a friendly, noncompetitive learning environment where students can gain valuable skills both on and off stage. The focus at Ovation is to provide exceptional musical theater training while inspiring and encouraging enthusiasm, collaboration, commitment, and passion in students. Instructors at Ovation Academy are directors, vocal coaches, working actors, musicians and choreographers who are actively engaged

in the performing arts on a local, national, and international scale.

Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts is proud to call Madison Street Theater, the 200 seat performance space its home.

Since its inception in 2014 by Tina Reynolds, Ovation Academy has grown to offer musical theater programming to thousands of families. The performing arts company also boasts 7 years of awardwinning performances at the Junior Theater Festival, proudly representing Oak Park and all of Illinois on a national stage.

This year, Ovation will be celebrating its 10th year of building, empowering, and educating students through the power of musical theater, and looks to continue growing in the near future.

To learn more about Ovation Academy, visit www.ovationacademy.org.

February 21, 2024 15

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS

Special Advertising Section

Dominican University: A Destination for Entertainment in the West Suburbs

L

ast December, WBEZ published a report suggesting the western suburbs are becoming Chicago’s next big thing in live music.

It’s not surprising that Dominican University in River Forest was mentioned as one of the area’s topnotch venues.

Over the last 20 years, the Performing Arts Center has regularly welcomed notable performers to the stage: Renée Fleming, Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Morrison, Rosanne Cash, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kurt Elling, and Judy Collins, to name just a few.

Ranked among the top 15 Midwest universities by U.S. News and World Report, Dominican’s mission of creating a more just and humane world is also realized through its vibrant Arts and Minds programming.

Launched as Center Stage in 1999,

the Dominican University Performing Arts Center (known as DUPAC) has become the arts and culture hub of the university and helped establish the River Forest campus as a destination for its eclectic mix of programming—all open to the public and in River Forest’s backyard.

“Attending live performance is an opportunity for the joy of discovery,” said Leslie Rodriguez, executive director of external engagement at Dominican University. “I hope the community sees DUPAC as the place to experience such joy. We want people to come see artists they’ve never heard of.”

Diverse musical styles, dance, live theater, and even magic come alive on the Performing Arts Center stage. Esteemed authors, speakers and experts in their fields present programs meant to uplift, educate, provoke thought and start

a conversation. In the last year, Dominican University has hosted labor movement activist Dolores Huerta, poets Pádraig Ó Tuama and Javier Zamora, award-winning photojournalist Paula Bronstein, and Indigenous scholars Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy and Megan Redshirt Shaw, among many others.

“We are fortunate to have a vibrant arts organization in the Oak Park-River Forest area,” said River Forest resident Stephanie Schrodt. “DUPAC presents a diverse offering of cultural programs year-round. We have relished the opportunity to attend their outdoor summer concert series, poetry readings and top-notch musical acts.”

During summer evenings, Dominican’s Quad becomes an outdoor public concert venue, too. Between June and August, the Summer Sounds concert series features weekly performances by a variety of regional touring bands, duos and solo artists—all free of charge to the public. Just bring a chair or blanket, a picnic lunch and some friends.

“In my work, I get the thrill of seeing an audience connect with an artist or an event,” Rodriguez added. “On a regular basis, I see people changed by what they see on stage—whether uplifted by dance, empowered by a musician, or profoundly moved by a piece theatre. There’s nothing like it.”

Last summer’s line-up brought a mix of rock, soul, blues, folk and Latin sounds to River Forest.

Dominican University Performing Arts Center & St. Catherine of Siena Center

March

April

YOUR ARTS & CULTURE CONNECTION! May

22–24 Fri/Sat/Sun

20 Saturday

THEATRE ARTS LAB SERIES

DUPAC/SIENA CENTER

Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward

Become a part of this profound and memorable experience. For a list of all upcoming performances and programs, visit www.dom.edu/ arts-minds.

Summer

Carrie Newcomer & John McCutcheon

Martin Recital Hall Friday/Saturday 7:30 pm Sunday 3:00 pm

7:30 pm, Lund Auditorium

2024 FREE CONCERTS IN THE QUAD

WEDNESDAYS JUNE 12–AUG 14

12 Friday Pat Hazell’s Permanent Record

events.dom.edu

7:30 pm, Lund Auditorium

MAY 9, 2024 7:30 pm, Lund Auditorium Dominican University Performing Arts Center is partially funded by the Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Villages of Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest, and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

16 February 21, 2024

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS

Special Advertising Section

Choral group fosters love for classical music, local composers and music education

March 9 & 10, 2024 Enjoy free live music performances inside 13 local restaurants with the option to order from the host restaurant’s menu.

Music Lineup Barry Winograd Duo Tony Richards Suenos Latin Jazz Chris Greene Quartet Crystal Rebone Duo Neal Alger Brazilian Trio Abigail Riccards Quartet The New Deal Maddie Vogler Duo Mason Jiller

Paul Abella Trio Kyle Asche Organ Trio Tony Do Rosario Duo Juli Wood Trio Rene Avila Afro-Cuban Quartet Chuck Webb and Guru Tonic Casey Nelson & Christy Bennett Erik Skov Duo Almee Gwen Duo

Presented by Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance in partnership with 90.9 WDCB “Chicago’s Home for Jazz!”

For the full schedule go to downtownoakpark.net/event/jazz-thaw or scan:

F

ounded in 1981, Oak Park Concert Chorale is a classical choral ensemble that specializes in both a cappella and accompanied performances as well as strengthening music education through free vocal technique and musicianship classes.

Led by Director Paul Lindblad, the Chorale is comprised of a diverse group of individuals who embrace their differences of age, ethnicity and culture.

If you love to sing, consider auditioning to join us for our fall semester and Christmas concert.

• Visit www.oakparkconcertchorale.org/audition • Contact us at info@oakparkconcertchorale.org

Come to our spring concert, Canticles for the Soul, on April 28 at 4pm, St John Lutheran Church, Forest Park. Hear music to sooth and embrace your soul. We will premiere O Taste and See by our conductor Paul Lindblad, and, from the archives of Carl Schalk, the first performance of a lovely Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis.

Highlights of the program will be spirituals, canticles, and psalm settings by Norman Luboff, Richard Hillert, Larry Fleming, Ernst Pepping; and the stunning Three Prophecies from Isaiah by John Ness Beck.

It is our pleasure to have Michael Costello as our guest organist. We look forward to having you join us for a memorable concert. Tickets will be available through Eventbrite mid-March.

OPCC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and a grant from Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Village of Oak Park, the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts.

February 21, 2024 17

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS

Special Advertising Section

LMS/ International Mansion: Every child has a gift to be shared

O

ur school can be best described as a ‘Homeschool in School’ style program. We have a full dynamic Spanish Immersion curriculum and are listed by MENSA as a recommended program for gifted students.

We are a small school with 20 students between Kindergarten and 12th grade.

What sets us apart?

- Fluency in Spanish Achieved within one year during Preschool years, or within two years during Elementary School years. The Spanish language is spoken throughout as the target immersion language. Academic classes are all taught in English and/ or Spanish and English. If weather permits, many of our academic

classes are done outdoors.

- Student to teacher ratio: some classes are one on one, two to one, with a maximum of six students to one instructor.

Current subjects, but not limited to, are:

- Daily schedule is customized and flexible.

• Math • Science

- Professional and passionate instructors.

- Guest tutors with real life experience.

- No test to enter, no traditional testing.

- Students paired by interest, in mixed age setting.

- Weekly reports sent to parents.

• Penmanship • Reading/writing

• Geography/history • Logic/coding • Theater (improv, superhero stage combat, musical theatre)

• Social emotional discussions/Life skills • Spanish immersion spoken through out the day and taught in lesson format. Russian immersion taught in lesson format.

• Intro to Foreign languages (Hebrew, Italian, chinese, japanese, korean, etc.)

• Martial arts

• Physical education: Archery/Ice Skating/Soccer, and more.

• Art (including painting, clay art, comic book art and more)

• Chess and board games.

• Music (Rock band, intro to most instrument, harmony, chorus)

• Architectural design

Every child has a gift to be shared • Pre-K through 12th Grade. Private/Independent school since 1994. Listed by MENSA as a recommended program for gifted students.

Performing arts (afterschool or weekends) 1) Visual arts (drawing, painting, comic art, architectural models, recycle art, etc)

4) Music (most instruments and voice)

2) Martial arts (karate)

6) Musical theater

3) Dance (country)

7) Poetry and public speaking

5) Theater (audition prep, line memorization, etc)

The Language & Music School at International Mansion, est. 1994 509 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park info@internationalmansion.com Text us at: (708) 296-3244 • InternationalMansion.com

18 February 21, 2024

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS

Special Advertising Section

1128 LAKE ST (LOWER LEVEL)

NOW OPEN WEDNESDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS!!

SHOWS | CLASSES | GROUPS

WEEKLY SCHEDULE OPEN MIC NIGHT (FREE) WEDNESDAYS AT 8PM

TOP SHELF COMEDY THURSDAYS AT 8PM

HEADLINER SERIES FRIDAY & SATURDAY EVENINGS *2 DRINK MINIMUM *21 AND OVER UNLESS ACCOMPANIED AN ADULT

“WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL AND HUMBLED BY THE OVERWHELMINGLY WONDERFUL RESPONSE OAK PARK HAS EXTENDED TO US! NOW THAT WE’RE OPEN WE CAN PROVIDE A GREAT PLACE FOR FRIENDS, FAMILIES AND CO-WORKERS TO GATHER, SHARE A LAUGH, AND HAVE A GREAT TIME IN DOWNTOWN OAK PARK!” - CHRISTOPHER BELL, CO-FOUNDER

February 21, 2024 19

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS

Special Advertising Section

Robert’s Westside in Forest Park Home for Live Music & Community Events

Though we are primarily a live music venue, we also serve as a welcoming neighborhood bar. We are a home for families to gather for their milestone achievements and celebrations of life, as well as a space offered for non-profit fundraisers and mutual aid benefits. We feature handmade cocktails, craft beers and premiere NA drinks to provide all patrons choices to maximize their experience.

Robert’s Westside was founded and is operated by Donnie Biggins, a lifelong Oak Park and Forest Park resident. You are familiar with his work booking the American Music Festival, keeping music alive during the pandemic by curating community pick-up truck & drive-in concerts and programming the annual Oaktoberfest in Downtown Oak Park. Biggins brings his 15 years of experience in organizing community events and live entertainment to his forever home on Madison Street.

In 2024, Robert’s will host Food Aid - a two day music festival to combat food insecurity in Forest Park, Oak Park and our surrounding communities. You should expect more news about a new dining experience paired with another stage, and hundreds of opportunities to connect with your neighbors while enjoying music, food, good drinks and conversation.

A Live Music Venue & Community Gathering Space events

R

obert’s Westside is your new favorite home for live music & community events. Showcasing artists of all generations and genres, bringing everything we love about diversity in programming to a community filled with music lovers. We want to invite you all to engage with your neighbors, explore new genres, and see groundbreaking touring artists.

7321 madison street, forest park, il robertswestside.com | @robertswestside

OAK PARK FESTIVAL THEATRE PRESENTS

WINTER READINGS AT PLEASANT HOME & CHENEY MANSION In partnership with The Droll, or a Stage-Play about the END of Theatre by Meg Miroshnik February 23 & 24

Imogen Says Nothing by Aditi Brennan Kapil March 22 & 23

Or, by Liz Duffy Adams April 26 & 27

Scan for more info

Admission includes a selection of beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres.

20 February 21, 2024

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS

Special Advertising Section

Handel Week Festival 2024– Our Gala 25th Anniversary Season!

Y

ou are cordially invited to join us for the final two concerts of the Handel Week Festival 2024–Our Gala 25th Anniversary Season!

Sunday, Feb. 25, 3:00 pm The Intimate Handel: Sing and Play in Dulcet Tone

Join us as we present three distinctive solo cantatas of love and longing, sung in the rich crisp tones of soprano Rosalind Lee. Pair these with a fiendishly difficult Handel harpsichord suite played by Dennis Northway and two rarely heard sonatas for oboe and cello, performed by Deborah Stevenson and Steven Houser.

You’ll be beguiled by these treasures of Handel’s Italian years!

Sunday, March 3, 3:00 pm The King of Oratorios–The Messiah

Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon with the best-known and beloved oratorio of all time, performed by some of Handel Week’s favorite soloists (Kimberly

O

Grandes Dames of the Chicago Black Renaissance

n May 4, the Michael Teolis Singers (MTS) will present one of the most ambitious and significant concerts in its 17-year history, “Grandes Dames of the Chicago Black Renaissance,” featuring the music of Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Lena McLin, Betty Jackson King, Irene Britton Smith, and Regina Harris-Baiocchi.

These amazing women developed their crafts in Chicago, leaving their special marks on the musical history and culture of the Windy City. The centerpiece of the concert is Margaret Bonds’ “Credo,” dedicated to the memories of her close friends Abbie Mitchell and Langston Hughes and featuring a text by W.E.B. DuBois.

MTS often performs uncovered gems that are important contributions to musical art. The May 4 concert—held at the First United Methodist Church of Oak Park--features works from Black women who were influenced by the

music and emotions that embodied the post-World War I Great Migration of Blacks from southern states to northern cities, often Chicago. Classically trained composers like Ms. Price and Ms. Bonds also flourished, producing significant works in non-idiomatic styles that are included in the upcoming program and even now influence the Chicago music scene.

MTS members are all volunteers, coming from all walks of life. Director and founder Michael Teolis has helped shape Chicago’s musical landscape for 50 years as a music education professional and freelance musician.

Maestro Teolis is a published composer, and many of his former students have achieved significant recognition in the music industry.

Learn more about MTS or purchase tickets at www.mtsingers.org.

McCord, Noah Gartner, Gerald Frantzen and Michelle Wrighte) along with our magnificent chorus and orchestra, under the seasoned baton of founding Artistic Director Dr. Dennis Northway.

Our audience members enjoy: • Free Parking On Site

• Handicapped Accessible Venue

• Group discounts for 10 or more tickets • Pre–concert lecture before March 3 concert

• An acoustically excellent setting in the sanctuary of Pilgrim Church, 460 Lake St.

• Receptions following each concert

Go to www.handelweek.com for tickets!

O U R

V I E W

Next superintendent

T

he news that Betsy Karvelas, the interim superintendent of the Proviso District 209 high schools, has gone on personal leave through the end of April is disappointing for all who have watched some level of normalcy return to these schools since she replaced the chaos-inducing James Henderson last summer.

We wish Ms. Karvelas the best and eagerly await her return.

The situation does, however, make this week’s multiple public forums, aimed at garnering input on the qualities our communities seek in a new superintendent, all the more important. The search firm hired by the district has planned a focus group with faculty and staff, a student focus group, and then a pair of public events, one in-person and one virtual.

Now is the time to speak out and to send this recently improved school board a message about what these villages want a superintendent to bring to school leadership, to a relationship with the faculty, a connection and respect and caring for students, a clear academic vision and the patience to build toward it, the skills to manage the substantial capital project the district has undertaken and to manage finances which are currently stable.

This district is at a poignant moment of opportunity. Recent years have been an unmitigated disaster. The nurture, structure, safety, and expectations for our students has been largely ignored. It is going to take a very special person to come to D209 and turn the district forward.

This search process is critical.

Things we like

■ Forest Park is that rare community which has long — really long — welcomed and embraced the LGBTQ+ community. In a typical Forest Park way, that welcome came through its bar scene. From the 1970s on, the village has had bars that were actively created for the queer community.

As the wider world thankfully became, generally and we hope irrevocably, more open to gay people and couples, those gay specific spaces have largely disappeared.

Now though, Forest Park is home to a new construct as an organization called Sapphic Before Sunset has begun to take shape with monthly pop-up events geared to female and nonbinary people who are in their mid-30s and up. The first event took place at the new Robert’s Westside on Madison. Proceeds of each gathering are donated to a different nonprofit focused on service to the LGBTQ+ community.

■ We have a lot of ways to celebrate our kids for sports and other achievements. Not so much when it comes to academics. So we’re happy this week to report on the second annual District 91 Spelling Bee. Twenty local students took part in the bee. In the end, the top speller was Henry Dooer, a seventh grader. His winning word was ‘megaron.’

If somehow you don’t know what it means, here you go: “The great central hall of an ancient Mycenaean house usually containing a center hearth.”

Congratulations to Henry and all the students who put themselves forward.

Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024

OPINION

21

Magic in a cup

I am trying to become the strongest person I can become to live the life I have been given and to help effect change toward a livable future for this earth and for my children.

S

Audre Lorde

o much of learning about the experience of Blackness and our history within these “United” States of America is told through a lens of pain and suffering. It becomes hard when writing sometimes. I struggle to see all the joy and triumphs when I am constantly shown the pain and hardship of how we are viewed in media. I wanted to challenge myself to write about Black joy.

Then, as if by some cosmic happenstance, I got to be in a room for a few hours and watch joyful history being made by an incredible group of powerful Black women and girls led by Juanta Griffin.

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to DJ the Uniquely You Tea Party. For those of you unfamiliar, Uniquely You is a yearly event created by Juanta. Every year Black girls from all over the Chicago area come to this event to be loved, empowered, and celebrated. This year was the fourth and (with the exception of the second, which was virtual) I have gotten to be the DJ for each. This year the theme was Africa, which was special for me.

Tea ceremonies, also known as Attayas, have deep roots in African and Asian cultures. In West Africa, Attayas take hours to brew and drink and that time is spent relaxing and conversing. A time to strengthen the bonds of friendship and community.

So very few times in my life have I witnessed actual magic. That day was one of them. A sisterhood creating love energy will protect those girls as they become women.

Children dressed in beautiful Ankara and Kente fabrics walked through a door and were greeted by a group of adult mentors applauding them. After being seated at their tables, they were welcomed to the Oak Park Country Club, by Juanta, the coordinator of the event. She intentionally wanted to celebrate them in this space that they were not welcomed at in the past to show how far they’ve come. They proceeded to dine on finger sandwiches and sipped on tea. Then, after a few words from state senate President Don Harmon, Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps led the group in the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” After tea, Judge Marianne Jackson, told

the story of “The Wiz” and what it meant to her. She had me play the song “Believe In Yourself” by Lena Horne as she told those future doctors, lawyers, judges, and entrepreneurs they could be whatever they wanted to be.

They created vision boards and dreamed of what they would do in the future. That was followed by an Affirmation Parade (how great is this?). Other highlights included a gift card giveaway and celebrating individual tables by shining a literal light on them.

The next part was my favorite. It felt like mothers and grandmothers passing down their knowledge to the next generation.

It started with a lesson on how to do an African head wrap or crown. Every girl in the room was given ankara fabric and learned not only how to wrap but also a bit about the history of why women wrap their hair in this way. I caught an amazing moment after the tutorial where one of the grandmothers in the room asked the woman who gave the tutorial to help her wrap her hair. That made me tear up.

And finally the wonderful Donna Calendar of Kuumbaa Kids presented a tutorial on African dance. We finished the whole thing off with a dance party!

I wanted to tell you, dear reader, of all the things I saw at the event because this entire event is the brainchild of one incredible woman. So many people lend their talents and skills to make this happen, but truly it cannot be done without the leadership of Juanta Griffin. I don’t remember where I met Juanta for the first time, but I do remember walking away in awe of her energy. It felt like being in the presence of Maya Angelou, Ida B. Wells, or Fannie Lou Hamer. She wears her Blackness so proudly in a way I envied. She taught me to truly embrace all parts of myself and stand rooted in my own Black joy.

She turns up for other people too. With her work as the multicultural coordinator at the Oak Park Public Library, she gives people from all over the world the space to be celebrated. Oh, and she does all this while battling chronic pain from various medical conditions.

Still somehow she constantly rises. It is a revolutionary love of her community. I am so lucky to call her friend and sister. I am so lucky to bear witness to her as she rises. Lots of us talk about the need for more representation and moments of joy in our communities.

Few of us actually get to create those moments.

Thank you, Juanta for your servant leadership and the gift of you. During this Black History Month I celebrate the legacy you are creating.

MAUI JONES

22

Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024 F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW Editor Erika Hobbs Staff Reporter Jessica Mordacq Amaris Rodriguez Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160) In-county subscriptions: $38 per year. $70 for two years, $93 for three years.

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W

Whatever happened to sin?

hatever happened to sin? I heard a lot about it growing up — too much really — but the word has dropped out of our modern vocabulary.

When we were children, many of us got tired of hearing about our sinful nature and sinful actions. My first-grade teacher actually knew how to draw a soul on the chalkboard. It looked like the outline of a murder victim.

She explained this was our soul when we were born. Then she started chalking in the outline, explaining that the chalk marks were sins. She ended up with a completely chalked-in soul — the product of our six-year lifetime of crime.

Just about any infraction was a sin, including not cleaning your plate at dinner.

I grew up so guilt-stricken, I had the heavy conscience of an escaped convict. It was a shock for me to look back and realize, hey, I haven’t even been arrested.

Sin was especially emphasized during Lent. We had to attend daily church services, weekly confession and eat fish sticks on Fridays. Good Friday was the one day of the year we couldn’t play outside. No matter how sunny it was, we had to gather at my mother’s feet to listen as she read about

Christ’s passion.

When I met my wife, I realized she had suffered a Good Friday experience every Sunday. Sundays meant going to church twice and refraining from anything resembling fun.

Good Friday, though, was not a no-fun day for her. She went to ball games and played golf — I couldn’t believe it.

We’re supposed to give up something for Lent. For the fourth year in a row, I’m giving up going to work.

Sin may have been overemphasized in the past but the moral pendulum has swung completely the other way. Our society tossed sin out the window, along with guilt and self-responsibility. There are some who say our society would be better if we redeveloped our sense of sin.

Author Alan Ehrenhalt believes we lost some sense of community, when we lost our acknowledgement of sin. Avoiding sin meant living decently, resisting self-indulgence and having what was called “character.”

Nowadays, we believe something has to be illegal to be wrong and we have to get caught in the act and actually found guilty in court.

An individual not admitting their sins is one problem but a larger problem is that government and big business have appropriated

JOHN RICE

A

L O O K

Finding true north at Proviso East

M

ember of the Proviso East National Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, or NJROTC, showcase their color guard and drill team activities for the student body during an exhibition at Proviso East High School in March of 1999. In addition, students in the program learned to navigate with maps and compasses and other skills as junior reserve members.

Jill Wagner

B A C K

I N

T I M E

and co-opted sin.

For example, gambling was once seen as sinful. Small-time sinners would play the numbers racket or use a bookie to bet on a horse. Now our state government runs the lottery and has legalized other forms of gambling. If sin cannot be stopped, why not legalize it and take a cut.

Drug dealers are the pariahs of our society but what are the giant pharmaceutical firms if not drug pushers? Drugs that make us feel good can be purchased openly at pharmacies, enabling these companies to make fortunes.

How about loan-sharking or, in sinful terms, usury? That’s been taken over by credit card companies and payday loan shops. In the old days, if you took a highinterest loan from a questionable character, you knew it was wrong and you were in trouble. These days, you’re just another debtridden consumer.

As individuals deny sin (We don’t have gluttony anymore. It’s a health problem called obesity), our government and business leaders continue to turn once-forbidden pleasures into huge moneymakers.

I was reminded of the old-fashioned concept of sin watching the movie, To Kill a Mockingbird. It wasn’t against the law to shoot a songbird, or ignore the heroism of the reclusive Boo Radley. Not illegal, just sinful.

Forest Park Review, February 21, 2024 23

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Notice is hereby given that the Village of North Riverside Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider a variance request for Pollo Campero located at 7451 Cermak Road, North Riverside, IL. **Variance Request Details:** The variance request pertains to the following: (1) number of permitted signs, (2) additional sign area (size), and style of sign. **Public Hearing Details:** Date: March 21, 2024 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Village of North Riverside Village Commons Address: 2401 Desplaines Ave, Riverside, IL 60546 All interested parties are invited to attend and provide input at the public hearing. Written comments may also be submitted to the Village Commons office prior to the hearing at the following address: Community Development Department Village of North Riverside 2401 Desplaines Ave Riverside, IL 60546 For further information, please contact the Community Development office at (708) 447-4211 Published in RB Landmark, February 21, 2024

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