Queue for the food store grand opening stretched down the block
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Over 100 people lined up in front of 215 Harlem Ave. Thursday to be among the first patrons at the new Aldi in town.
Among the impressive turnout of eager shoppers, a few shared why exactly they were in line – some before 7 a.m. – for the grocery store’s ribbon cutting that took place just after 8 a.m.
“This changes the game,” said Burhan Syed, who lives around the corner from the new Aldi, which is located at the site of the for mer Bed Bath & Beyond.
Syed said he moved from Seattle, Washington to Forest Park because of the village’s walkability. He added that he’s excited about getting fresh food down the street and keeping tax dollars in Forest Park. Forest Park resident Carmen Cervantes shops at the
The Foundation was created by the community, for the community. Join us to build a racially just society in which all members of our community thrive and prosper. Together we can invest in real change.
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Remembrance Park open for Veterans Day
Ocials rededicated the park’s memorial before opening its playground
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, locals gathered to celebrate the opening of a renovated Remembrance Park at 7341 Randolph St.
Following just over four months of construction, the updated Remembrance Park features a splash pad, pavilion, bocci court and new playground equipment.
“It’s a very densely populated area, and we wanted to give the neighbors a backyard,” said Jackie Iovinelli, the park district’s executive director
While much of the old Remembrance Park has been updated with a brand new look, the stone memorial, which honors local police and firefighters who died in the line of duty, was largely untouched. The name of a first responder who died in 2021 was added to the memorial, and the area around it was restructured to showcase the monument.
“Before it was just kind of there, placed into the park,” Iovinelli said. “We rearranged some things, and now have two sidewalks leading up to it as more of a memorial.”
the battle anthem for each branch of the military and the national anthem.
Then, Chief of Police Ken Gross and Fire Chief Lindsey Hankus talked about the history of the memorial and each fallen first responder. A priest from St. Bernardine Church gave a blessing, and officials laid down a memorial wreath on the monument.
Finally, Tim Gillian, president of the park district’s board of commissioners, opened the park.
But Remembrance Park’s Veterans Day opening is only a soft launch, since it will be too cold to turn on the new splash pad.
“We’re going to go ahead and open it because the play equipment, and everything on site, is playable,” Iovinelli said.
Next spring, there will be an official opening, when the splash pad is turned on and the last of the benches and picnic tables are in place.
While Iovinelli said Remembrance Park’s opening is about a month behind what the park district was hoping for, much of that can be chalked up to a slightly delayed permit from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago before construction could start.
Otherwise, Iovinelli said there were no challenges with the project. An interesting discovery, though, was finding the foundation for the old Forest Park Village Hall uns
e Forest Park Police Color Guard at the Veterans Day reopening of renovated Remembrance Park.
“We’re excited to open the park, to do this on Veterans Day and the whole meaning behind this park We’re excited for the neighbors,” Iovinelli said. “I’m excited for them to enjoy.”
The last of the pocket parks
In the fall of 2022, the park district applied for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant in order to fund Remembrance Park’s construction.
Naperville-based Hitchcock Design Group helped design Remembrance Park. Locals also got a chance to give feedback at a community input meeting in 2022.
Now that Remembrance Park’s renovations have been completed, the park district has revamped three of the four pocket parks that the village transferred to them in 2020. Popelka Park opened last summer, and Rieger Park opened in May.
The last pocket park, on Roosevelt Road and Lathrop Avenue, is unnamed and quite small. Iovinelli describes its location off an apartment building in an alleyway of sorts.
“It didn’t make sense,” she said of the space, which had aged, moldy playground
equipment.
Iovinelli said the park district did some research and talked to people around the neighborhood, who said the lot was largely used as a place for people who are unhoused to sleep.
“If this is a place for people to sit, relax, let’s just make it that,” Iovinelli said. “Why are we forcing a playground into a space when we have a playground two blocks that way?”
So earlier this month, public works employees helped the park district start removing the playground equipment. The park district plans to level out the lot and plant new grass in the next week or so. Though benches may be added, the park district doesn’t plan to replace any of the playground equipment.
Iovinelli said the park district will remove a temporary fence surrounding the lot come spring, when the grass seed has taken. Then, all four pocket parks will be completed.
“We’ve connected the community,” Iovinelli said. “We’ve built beautiful parks for people to combat that loneliness and social anxiety and just meet your neighbors, discover a park, and discover a neighborhood.”
Remembrance Park’s soft opening is at 7341 Randolph St. on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.
TODD BANNOR
TODD BANNOR
Mayor Rory Hoskins
Teatro Zinzanni: A Day of Cirque, Comedy, and Cabaret
Thursday, Nov. 14, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Howard Mohr Community Center
Experience Teatro Zinzanni’s one-of-a-kind enter tainment blending cirque, comedy, cabaret, and live music. This exciting event includes lunch and transportation. Reserve your spot today by calling 708771-7737. 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park
Terr y Sullivan Jazz Quar tet in Concert
Saturday, Nov. 16, 7:30-9:15 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church
Join Forest Park resident and jazz vocalist Terry Sullivan, along with Chicago’s top jazz musicians — pianist Tom Muellner, bassist Scott Mason, and drummer Jon Deitemyer — for a tribute to Broadway composer Cy Coleman. Known for hits like “Witchcraft” and the score for Sweet Charity, Coleman’s music continues to shine. Tickets: $25 per person, available at www.ticketsource. us/terrysullivanjazz or cash at the door. For more information: 708-488-1701 (phone only; no text). 924 Lake St., Oak Park
BIG WEEK
November 13-20
Soup & Bread West
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6-8:30 p.m., Roberts Westside
Enjoy a community meal of hearty soups, salads, breads, and desserts from local chefs in Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park, all set to live music. This “paywhat-you- can” event raises funds for Paci c Garden Mission, which serves meals and provides shelter to those in need. Donations are welcome at the door, and there will also be a coat drive for Paci c Garden Mission. 7321 Madison St., Forest Park
Park District of Forest Park
90th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, Nov. 15, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Forest Park Park District
Harvesting the Native Way
Sunday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m, Forest Park Public Library
Join Ojibwa author and speaker Kim Sigafus for a presentation on Native gardening and harvest traditions. The event will include music and drumming to celebrate these practices. Attendees will receive seeds to start their own native gardens. This event is presented in partnership with the Historical Society of Forest Park. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park
Join us as we celebrate 90 years of the Park District of Forest Park! This open house style celebration will feature all sorts of park history and memories on the 2nd oor, with refreshments & live music from The Replays on the 3rd oor. Formal speeches & a champagne toast will take place at 8 p.m., so make sure to join us for all of the fun. This event is for ages 21+. We will have a corresponding event over at the Roos Recreation Center from 6:30-9:15 p.m. for children under the age of 18 so everyone can enjoy a fun night out. https://w ww.facebook.com/pdofp, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park
Donnie Biggins & Friends
Year Anniversary Concert
ember 20, 6:30 - 10:30 p.m., t’s Westside s Westside’s one-year anniversary with a special concert by Donnie Biggins & Friends. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with music starting at 8 p.m. Enjoy a drink special of $5 Shiner Bock and Shiner Bock Mason Jar Night (while supplies last). RSVP to be entered into a ra e 7321 Madison St., Forest Park
Teen Cooking: Loaded pota to soup
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6:15 - 8:15 p.m.,
Second Floor Meeting Room
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
Cooler weather is here and fall is in full swing, which means it’s time for some soup with Ryan & Andre. We’re teaming up with the Forest Park Public Library for this free class that’s going to be making a hear ty seasonal favorite, Loaded Potato Soup. There are still a handful of spots available, learn more, or register at https://bit.ly/TeenCooking2024, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park
Social Momentum Symposium promotes progress
Event hosted by Ministerial Alliance Network at Hope Tabernacle, Nov. 16
By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter
“Looking to connect with businesses or community groups making a positive impact in our neighborhood? Are you a business owner building stronger communities?”
It is with these open-ended questions in a flyer that Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network (PTMAN) is promoting its Second Annual Social Momentum Symposium, held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
The purpose of the symposium is well articulated in PTMAN’s mission statement on its website: “As an organization, we’re striving to become a collective body of community partners. We believe in working collaboratively with the community to bring about the changes that will ensure community parity and wholesome harmony. PTMAN is all about connecting and networking — not doing it for you but doing it with you.”
Part of the significance of the symposium is that it is happening after months and months of politicians telling us what they are going to do for us, everything from strengthening the middle class to making America great again.
The ministerial alliance has never waited around for the government to solve the problems of the communities in which their cong re gations are embedded. Their website explains that part of the organization’s vision is “to bridge the communication gap between the community and with all those who are elected or service the community at large with sustainable con-
tributions of resources that are congruous for community prosperity.”
Among the resources available on Saturday will be:
■ Friends of SBC Voter Re gistration Org. Maywood - Voter Re gistration info rmation
■ Impact Church - Providing infor mation about ministries and praying with individuals who need it
■ Jade Sky Insurance education about commercial insurance products.
■ Free Enterprise Center, Concordia University Chicago (“Is business just a way to make money? Or can the marketplace be a venue for service to others?”) Hosting entrepreneur networking breakfasts.
■ Proviso Community Bank (Wintrust), offering information and resources for managing finances.
■ Maywood Youth Mentoring ProgramYouth support
■ Illinois Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) offering informational booths and nutrition education programs.
■ Maywood Chamber of Commercebusiness networking
■ Jordan Temple Baptist Church - religious organization
■ Forever Secure - Life Insurance and Financial Services
■ Addus Healthcare - in-home services include personal care, home health, and palliative care
PTMAN meets every second Saturday of the month, locations vary For further information, Email: ptmanministry@gmail. com or visit www.ptman.org.
Scarecrows scare up votes
e winners of the 4th annual Invasion of the Scarecrows
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
A Lemonhead, Beetlejuice, and the Scream next to a property tax bill — from sweet to frightening to downright horrifying, these scarecrows and dozens of others adorned yards around Forest Park for the fourth year in a row.
But a few scarecrows stood out from the rest and won gift bags for their creators. The annual Halloween decorations are part of a fundraiser for the Historical Society of Forest Park and the Arts Alliance of Forest Park, which sell scarecrow kits every year. Each scarecrow kit also comes with a yard sign with a QR code on it, so that locals can scan and vote for their favorite scarecrows. They can also vote on www. forestparkhistory.org.
Addresses with the most votes won gift bags with merchandise and gift certificates to local businesses
Those with runner-up scarecrows got a bottle of prosecco. The four participants from the 900 block of Circle also won prizes for being the most-involved block.
Winners of each category are:
Most Artistic
First Prize: Harry Potter – 825 Beloit –Gabrielle Groener
Runner-up: Little Shop of Hor rors – 7612 Harrison – Heather Gould
Most Historic
First Prize: Belle Gunness – 531 Circle –Jessica Voogd
Runner-up: The Ghost of Alice Paul –7651 Adams – Betsy Homan
People’s Choice
First Prize: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce – 7706 Monroe – Megan Roach
Runner-up: The Ghost of Skipped Leg Day – 511 Madison – John Hayley
Forest Park Pride
F irst P rize: Silvia, Fe rr ara’s F riendliest Face – 905 Circle – Kimberly AdamiHase gawa
Runner-up: The Ghost of Skipped Leg Day – 7511 Madison – John Hayley
Next Halloween season, the Historical Society of Forest Park and the Arts Alliance of Forest Park will of fer 100 new scarecrow kits for purchase.
“The Arts Alliance of Forest Park and the Historical Society of Forest Park hope that this year’s ‘invaders’ will want to be involved again in 2025, along with many new participants,” officials said in a statement.
Harr y Potter TODD BANNOR
ALDI
Grocery store’s grand opening
from page 1
Aldi in Melrose Park. She said she came to the grand opening “because it’s Aldi, and it’s right down the street.”
Armando Vargas, a Stickney resident, came to the grand opening to take advantage of Aldi’s af fordable prices. He said he could spend $100 at Jewel and get the same amount of groceries at Aldi for $60.
Michelle Melin-Rogovin, commissioner of streets and public improvements, frequents Living Fresh Market, the only grocery store in Forest Park after Ed’s Way closed in March. She said she’s excited for locals to have another choice when it comes to getting af fordable, fresh food.
“To have a grocery store on the north side of Forest Park and the south side of
Aldi on Harlem opened its doors Nov. 7. Shoppers were ready.
. She came because she loves Aldi, has visited locations in Austria and Hungary, and expects to now shop here instead of rside.
one closer to home,”
lor Hanson also shops rside Aldi. She stood in location’s grand opening, partially because she and her family of and for the chance to
ve an Aldi in Forest Taylor Hanson.
While those who stood in line for the and opening got their shopping carts without first depositing a quarter, future visitors will need to have one handy to see how the inside of the mer Bed Bath & Beyond has been trans-
After Bed Bath & Beyond closed in March 2023, Aldi’s opening experienced minor delays
This was largely because contractors discovered a basement beneath the building that wasn’t on their plans, according to Steve Glinke, the director of Forest Park’s department of public health and safety.
While addressing the unknown basement, contractors also updated the building’s electrical infrastructure, plus its roof and ceiling. They added an area for deliveries and redesigned the building’ s facade Inside, they installed refrigerators, freezers and cashier stations, according to Village Administrator Rachell Entler.
“I think that people are looking for convenience. Aldi has taken on a national presence. They are providing food at af fordable prices,” Village Administrator Rachell Entler previously told the Review. “They have a value that has become something that families are wrapping their hands around. People want food stability and not to spend their whole paycheck on it.”
Aldi is open at 215 Harlem Ave. daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
JESSICA MORDACQ
JESSICA MORDACQT
Smashing pumpkins
e Recreation Board’s second annual event is a mash-up
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
At the Forest Park Recreation Board’s first pumpkin smash last year, over 1.6 tons of pumpkins were collected and composted. While the pumpkins smashed Nov. 9 at the field south of The Altenheim haven’t been collected and weighed yet, the second annual event attracted locals who demolished numerous pumpkins that were well past their Halloween prime.
Forest Park’s new pumpkin smash event is a way to encourage locals to dispose of their jack-o-lanterns in a sustainable and fun way — by swinging a 15-foot long hammer that crushes the pumpkins on top of a tree trunk.
“You just pull it up and the weight of the hammer itself comes down on top of the pumpkin and smashes it,” said Amy BinnsCalvey, chair of the recreation board. “Last year, everybody was so delighted. I laughed every time a pumpkin was smashed. I thought it would get old; it never gets old.”
Re public Services will collect the pumpkin residuals to compost them at Thelen Materials in Antioch.
By composting their pumpkins, smash
participants helped to reduce the amount of methane gas that would otherwise go into the atmosphere if the pumpkins we thrown in the garbage. Composting also gives soil necessary water and nutrients.
The idea for last year’s inaugural smash came after Binns-Calvey read an article about a similar event in another town. Because the rec board encourages composting, board members thought it would be a good idea to recreate it in Forest Park
Binns-Calvey’s husband Geof f BinnsCalvey, who works creating special effects for TV commercials, constructed the giant hammer to demolish the big orange gourds.
Binns-Calvey said her husband built small model before constructing the larger-than-life-size hammer. She said he also included an air horn on the structure to warn those standing nearby when the next hammer was about to drop.
“He has a dial on it, so you can tell when it’s safe and unsafe,” she said of her husband’s creation, especially since the hammer is easy for a child to set into motion.
“We’ve got a great protocol to make sure nobody’s nearby that pumpkin.”
This year’s pumpkin smash also had a pumpkin toss, where participants threw
Recreation Board members Shyheim Ward, Jonah Harlan, Commissioner of Public Property Jessica Voogd, pumpkin smasher creator Geo Binns-Calvey, Recreation Board chair Amy Binns-Calvey, Recreation Board member Meghan Hunt and Public Works Director Sal Stella pose with the hammer on the Altenheim property.
their pumpkins at a target, as well as pumpkin bowling. These ents, Binns-
“We’ re hoping it becomes more and more of a community ent for people to cele-
TODD BANNOR
Kids played pumpkin toss.
TODD BANNOR
e pumpkin smasher lowers the boom.
TODD BANNOR
A new generation at New Star
Frank Zhao now managing as Jinny Zhao remains popular host
NBy RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter
ew Star is a family restaurant. Now a new generation of the Zhao family is taking the reins. Frank Zhao, son of owner Jinny Zhao, began managing the restaurant in the last year. He aims to continue his mother’s high standards.
“I am very focused on maintaining food product quality,” Zhao said. “I try to make sure that I uphold the values and the core tenants that my family wants to represent when they are doing business.”
His mom, Jinny Zhao, is still the face of the restaurant. She can still be found most days greeting customers and answering the phone.
“She likes to be in there, so I’m glad to have her when she feels like she wants to be.”
These days customers walk in the door not only looking for their favorite dishes, but also for a good deal, according to Zhao.
“Guests are more value minded. People are more concerned about making sure
that they can stay stable for the future. I try to keep prices very reasonable for the amount of portion that you receive.”
The menu has many $15 entrees that come with enough to take home seconds.
Feeding families has always been a part of the New Star concept. With the wide menu, featuring many Asian specialties, such as Thai, Chinese, sushi, Tiki drinks, everyone can find a dish to suit their tastes.
Catering to the younger members of the family has always been important too. Zhao says he wants kids to be excited about coming to the restaurant. New Star goes the extra mile for them, going beyond the typical crayons and coloring sheet. Each child gets a toy to keep them busy and a menu that can provide stepping-stones to
RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR
New Star, located at 7444 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park.
entice picky eaters to go beyond their comfort zone.
One appetizer that always delights is beef skewers.
“Younger guests maybe are more conservative. We bring a little grill to the table. Kids love it. You get to put a little bit of beef on a skewer. It’s kind of like a little camping activity,” said Zhao. “It’s a really good way of getting people to explore a different dish.”
Orange chicken has been a staple for many to begin a journey into Chinese specialties. Another is Sizzling Beef. The dish arrives at the table on a metal platter still audibly cooking. Fragrant steam rises. All the senses are engaged.
A mainstay on the menu is honey walnut shrimp.
“That’s a classic Chinese dish. It always does really well here. It’s a relatively premium dish, but I think a lot of guests crave
Japanese Cuisine • Hibachi Steak House allwhite,allblack otherbrandcolorcombosas needed
As for Frank Zhao, his goal as manager will be to keep the dependable high quality and value that has been the guiding star at New Star since his mother took over from the Moy family 10 years ago.
“I’m helping my family take care of the restaurant, making sure that everyone has a good path towards a stable future, right? Not only for me, but also for my customers and my employees.”
Know before you go: Website: newstarrestaurant.com
Address: 7444 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park
Hours: Monday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday Noon to 9:30 p.m.
RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR
New Star’s Frank Zhao
CRIME
Man escapes through bus window after punching passenger
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
A man told police that, while riding a Pace Bus on Nov. 7 in the 8200 block of Roosevelt Road, a man approached him, began yelling, and punched him once in the face. When the bus driver prevented the
man from exiting the bus and called the police, the suspect pulled an emergency exit handle and climbed out the bus window. Police canvassed the area, but didn’t find the man. The victim denied medical attention and said he would sign complaints if the man is located.
Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon
On Nov. 7, the manager of Dunkin’ Donuts told police that a woman and three men came into the store and sat down. When she told them they had to purchase
If you do, you should know how important foot care is. Over time, diabetics risk developing foot complications. When the nerves are damaged from chronic high blood sugar, feet can become numb or painful with burning or tingling. is is called diabetic neuropathy. When diabetes a ects the arteries, circulation to the legs and feet may be compromised. Either of these conditions may lead to serious problems including ulceration, even amputation.
e key to prevention is early diagnosis of diabetes, and regular foot exams from a podiatrist. Diabetics who receive regular foot care, including paring of calluses and debridement of thick fungal toenails, are almost four times less likely
to undergo an amputation than those who do not seek treatment.
Medicare and some private insurances cover 1 pair of diabetic shoes and 3 pair of protective insoles each calendar year. Dr. Lambert has been a supplier of diabetic shoes since 2002. e shoes come in 30 di erent styles each for men and women. ese include boots, lightweight colorful athletic shoes, and dress shoes. Even patients who are not diabetic love the look and comfort of the footwear. Diabetic socks, slippers and compression hosiery are also available.
Protecting your feet with appropriate footgear is an important aspect of preventive care for diabetics.
something in order to stay, they started yelling profanities, and she asked them to leave. On the way out, a man hit two napkin dispensers, which fell and broke. Police located the group running west on Central Avenue from Harlem and detained the suspects. When police were speaking with the man who knocked over the napkin dispensers, a call came through on the police radio that police found a firearm near the area where the suspects were stopped. The man stood up and started running while handcuffed, according to the police re port. He was placed into custody and taken to the police department, where he was charged with criminal damage to property, resisting a police officer, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, obstructing identification, and four in-state warrants.
Aggravated battery
Police arrived at the Harlem/Lake Green Line stations, Nov. 7. There a CTA conductor told police that a man struck the glass of the CTA booth while yelling at an employee inside. When the conductor intervened and asked the man to leave, the man grabbed him by the shirt and attempted to wrestle with him, according to the police re port. The conductor identified the man, who was walking from the station. When police pursued the subject, he started running. Police detained him on Circle Avenue and re ported that he smelled of alcohol. At the police station, the man yelled at officers, was physically resistant, and spit on one. He was charged with battery, aggravated battery of a police officer, and resisting an officer.
Death investigation
Police responded to an apar tment unit on Randolph Street, Nov. 9, for a welfare check, requested by a man’s step-daughter and her husband. They told police they hadn’t heard from the man since Nov. 4, when he posted a political post on Facebook, according to the police re port. The Forest Park Fire Department forced entry into the apar tment to find trash on the floor and the man’s body in bed in an advanced state of decomposition, officials said. A CPAP machine was on, and the man was still wearing the mask. Family told po-
CRIME
ty Management that the apar tment would have to be cleaned as a biohazard.
Cannabis possession with intent to deliver
On Nov. 10, police responded to the 900 block of Troost Avenue after a call about a domestic battery incident. Upon arrival, police saw a car attempting to leave the property and parked behind it. A man got out of the car and fled on foot. A woman in the passenger seat told police that she was intoxicated, has a brain tumor, and was attacked by multiple women at S2 Grills in Maywood because of her boyfriend’s infidelity. She added that she was in the car to go to Walmart and fight the women and was not involved in a domestic battery incident with the man who fled. That man refused officers’ commands to stop running. Police saw the man toss a black case, which they found cannabis in, and took him to the police station. He was charged with four counts of resisting a police officer, possession of cannabis over 30 grams, and possession with intent to deliver cannabis. The woman told police she no longer wanted their services, and police told her to contact the Maywood Police Department about the S2 Grills incident.
Assisting the re department
■ On Nov. 6, someone in the 400 block of Harlem Avenue called the police department to re port smoke and a burning smell from a motion-sensor light’s wire in the rear of a building’s second floor. When the
d, they
age, and the circuit breaker needed to be turned of f. They contacted the building’s landlord to do so.
■ On Nov. 9, police were dispatched to the 7500 block of Adams Street. A woman called to re port that, after drinking with her boyfriend in an apar tment, she came back from the bathroom to find him unresponsive. The 62-year-old man was found lying unconscious on his back. He was naked on the floor, breathing shallowly, and had blood coming from his nose, according to the police re port. The Forest Park Fire Department arrived and performed lifesaving measures before transporting him to Rush Oak Park Hospital, where he was stabilized. Police found a bag of white powder, suspect narcotics, on the floor of the apar tment.
■ On Nov. 10, police were dispatched to help locate a missing juvenile out of Bolingbrook who had previously been located at an address on Beloit Avenue. Police made contact with the boy, who told them his father took his phone, so he ran away. The boy’s mother came to the police station to pick him up.
These items were obtained from Forest Park Police Department re ports dated Nov. 6-10 and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port 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.
GCM’s reader supported newsroom turns to you for support
With focus on democracy, GCM launches its biggest fundraiser ever
Election Day and the launch of Growing Community Media’s largest ever fundraiser do not intersect by accident.
Democracy is on the line this minute and it has never been clearer that local news is essential to salvaging and strengthening our democracy – whether that is across this great country or in the villages and neighborhoods we have covered for decades.
That’s why in our reader supported newsroom we focus on the Essential Civics and why democracy is at the top of our list of five virtues for local news. Democracy. Accountability. Equity. Connection. Civility. That’s the list.
Between now and Dec. 31 we aim to raise better than $300,000 from readers in our communities. We have a good head start toward that hefty goal thanks to the dozens of MatchMakers who have already offered their financial support.
In the coming weeks, we’ll use those funds to double your investment in the newsrooms which publish Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest, Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark.
If you believe that our reporters nurture democracy with every local municipal meeting we cover, every school budget we explore, each candidate we profile, then we ask you to invest in those reporters by becoming part of our newsroom.
We need hundreds of supporters who either renew their investment or decide for the first time that genuine, independent local news coverage deserves their support right now.
Making a donation to GCM is simple. So please consider signing on as a $10 recurring monthly donor, make a single annual donation at a level that works for you or let’s sit down and talk about your more substantial investment in this newsroom.
With your support we’ll be here, we’ll grow and we’ll deepen our coverage of every town we are honored to serve.
Democracy needs news. And news needs you.
With gratitude in advance.
Dan Haley Publisher Growing Community Media
Our fall fundraiser is
Papaspiros on Lake Street closes after 28 years
Greek restaurant hopes to reopen in ‘near future’ at new location with easier takeout options
By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter
After 28 years of serving authentic Greek cuisine on Lake Street in Oak Park, Papaspiros closed its doors on Nov. 5.
The restaurant publicized the closure on Nov. 4 through an announcement on its website that thanked its many customers and said: “While we say goodbye for now, this isn’t the end. We’re hopeful and excited to return in 2025 – bigger, better and ready to create new memories with you all.”
Owner Spiro Papageorge established Papaspiros in Oak Park in 1996. In 2014, the restaurant moved to a new spot, 728 Lake St., right across the street from its original location.
According to William Rakes, Papageorge’s business partner, they hope to reopen in a space on Madison Street at some point in 2025.
“We want our next location to be more convenient for pickup orders,” Rakes said. For the past few years, Papaspiros has experienced an increasing number of pickup and takeout orders and a decreasing number of in-house diners.
“During COVID, I think people got used
to not going to the restaurant,” Rakes said. “People do not come into the restaurant and sit down as much as they once did.”
Rakes said inflation is another factor that he believes has caused a decreasing number of customers.
“We have a good product and we have wonderful customers – we just need more of them,” he said.
If Papaspiros ends up landing a space on Madison Street, Rakes hopes to introduce a takeout window at their new location.
“That’s the dream,” he said. “We want to concentrate on the pickup because that’s the trend.”
In the days following the announcement of the closure, the restaurant has received many calls from customers.
“The calls are from people saying how sorry they are to see us leave and that they loved our food,” Rakes said.
According to Papageorge, gyros has been the most popular item among customers during his 28 years of running Papaspiros.
“Everyone loves the gyros,” Papageorge said.
While he is a fan of the gyros as well, Papageorge’s personal favorite on the menu has been Spanakopita.
“I love this restaurant,” he said.
Since Papaspiros has their restaurant space through the end of 2024, they are available to host private parties during the month of December.
For more information about having a private party at Papaspiros, email reservation@papaspiroslive.com.
TODD BANNOR
Outdoor dining at Papaspiros, which may move to Madison Street.
OUR VIEW
Loving the ‘pocket parks’
It has been one of the great upgrades in recent Forest Park history. The rejuvenation and intentional planning that the Park District of Forest Park has brought to the remaking of the three long-overlooked “pocket parks” in town is an utter success.
Just this week, the third of those small but now vital spaces was reopened as Remembrance Park on Randolph Street and rededicated to time with Veterans Day. The park has long housed a memorial for village police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty. Now that memorial has been given a clearer focus within the park space, and another name, a first responder who died in 2021 was added to the memorial.
Jackie Iovinelli, the very effective executive director of the parks, noted that this particular park space sits in one of the village’s most dense neighborhoods — a sea of 1960s four- and five-floor apartment houses. “We wanted to give the neighbors a backyard,” she said. And it is now a backyard with a pavilion, a splash pad, a bocce ball court, and entirely new playground equipment. All the final touches won’t be in place until spring, but this is a new public space that will be well used and will grow a sense of community
Two things that surprised us in our coverage of the park opening: In the process of upgrading the park, contractors discovered the foundation of the original Forest Park Village Hall. They left it largely intact for future archeologists, but cut a few holes through the concrete to add trees.
The second surprise is that, over the years since the village gover nment wisely handed over the pocket parks to the park district under a century-long lease, our focus has been on Remembrance Park, Popelka Park and Rieger Park. All are now complete, and each is special for their size and immediate neighborhood
But there is a fourth pocket park that we have never known about. It is a very small and unnoticed space on Roosevelt Road at Lathrop. Iovinelli says it has no name and sits adjacent to an apartment building and an alley.
The park district, with help from the village’s public works crew, has been pulling out the very aged playground equipment on the site and is about to level out the plot and plant grass before the snow flies. Come spring, a simple batch of benches will likely be added to what will now be a small gathering place.
New Aldi, third dispensary
Forest Park’s village gover nment has been cash-starved for years. So a quick note on two welcome additions to the tax base this week. An Aldi has opened on Harlem to enthusiasm. It will generate substantially higher sales taxes than the Bed Bath & Beyond.
And the village council was expected, after our deadline, to approve a third marijuana dispensary in town. This one will be at Harlem and Roosevelt. Three in one small town is a coup and a money machine for the village
OPINION
Tripping the lights fantastic
Idon’t like to brag but I have joined the future. After several years of admirin the technology from afar, most of the lightbulbs in my house are now the kind that connect to the internet. Installation was surprisingly straightforward. You screw in the new digital lightbulb and turn on the light the old way. The bulb then begins to flash on and off alar mingly, as though it should be accompanied by a klaxon and people running around ineffectually shouting panicked instructions at one another We do not have a klaxon, but panicked shouting of ineffectual instructions is something that happens here often enough that we have a system for dealing with such things.
ALAN BROUILETTE
I fumbled with an app that is not especially intuitive nor written in what I would describe as 100% successful English and eventually managed to get the light bulbs connected to the home Wi-Fi. At this point the alar ms stopped flashing and shrilling and I was able to control the light bulbs through the app.
I got to cycle them through a full range of colors, which is the second-biggest reason why I wanted the fancy bulbs in the first place. I had seen my colleagues — who as a general rule are 15 years younger and far, far more interested in new technology than I am — installing these fancy light bulbs and then doing cool stuff with them like red and green lights at Christmastime or linking their lights to music so they blink and change colors in rhythm with music, which turns their apartments into dance clubs. I didn’t want to tur n my apartment into a nightclub as it has been many years since I enjoyed the Studio-54ization of a room in which I’m also trying to sleep, but I coveted the ability to fiddle with the lights whenever I wanted to make them interestingly different colors.
You can also control the precise degree of luminositude (or whatever is the measure for the brightness of a light bulb) so that the lights are exactly as bright or dim as you want them. Starbucks built an empire on the ability to precisely and extensively customize something mundane, so as we move on to interior lighting it becomes clear that this a rich new vein of revenue extraction and you should go ahead and get used to it The largest part of what made this clear is the price of the new light bulbs. I may have confused them with the kind that are supposed to last for decades and decades, but they didn’t strike me as all that different in expense. I think it’s 30 bucks for a pack of three of four, if you’re buying the cheapest light bulbs that can
be controlled with an Alexa. This expense ould upset both of my parents deeply, but that was and is true of the price of everything. Bananas and a gallon of milk incur ust as much horror at current market value and you can’t even control them from an app. ot that the app is perfect. It is, as I mentioned before, clearly something that was not built by a company worried about the trifling rules of English or grammar, which is kind of fun, truthfully, because neither am I. I, too, get some good stylistic flair from disregarding the rules. Also because you never quite know what’s going to happen when you start trying to install and manipulate things. I was very able to control individual light bulbs as long as I was prepared to remember names like “Globe Light 3” and “Candelabra 2,” but it took quite some time to figure out how to simultaneously control all three of the bulbs in a fixture that has three bulbs in one light, a la ceiling fans. (Much of the convenience of controlling light bulbs with an app is admittedly lost if you have to tur n every light on and off three times and re-adjust the color in each case.)
The convenience of them is especially on display if you feel like doing something that is kind of neat but more or less useless, like turning the bedroom lights green when you’re not home. (The cats don’t seem to care and I am told that the dogs, who are generally more appreciative of things that interest me, have limited color vision.)
You can adjust the lights when you are not home, presuming you have managed to shed the habit of tur ning lights on and off the old way — with a switch, that is. If you turn the lights off with the switch, as has been your habit for half a century or so, you can no longer control your lights from anything other than the light switch.
This would seem readily apparent, and yet I still insist on unthinkingly flipping lights of f with a switch like a chump when instead I could use the app on my phone.
None of this will be addressed, or probably even improved, by eventually connecting my new light bulbs to my Alexa. I have witnessed the miracle that is Alexa turning the kitchen light on or off or red or blue in other homes, and I am profoundly covetous of this ability. I want to be able to direct Alexa to do things and have my vision visibly responded to in a positive manner swiftly.
It would be such a nice change of pace from how things seem to go the rest of the time
Editor Erika Hobbs
Sta Repor ter Jessica Mordacq
Digital Manager Stacy Coleman
Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan
Contributing Editor Donna Greene
Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Li a
Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice
Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead
Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea
Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza
Marketing & Adver tising Associate Ben Stumpe
Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls
Business & Development Manager
Mary Ellen Nelligan
Circulation Manager Jill Wagner
Publisher Dan Haley
Special Projects Manager Susan Walker
Board of Directors
Chair Eric Weinheimer
Treasurer Nile Wendorf
Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon Audra Wilson
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. Out-of-county subscriptions: $58 per year.
Two baby girls were recently born to our neighbors. Here is a primer for first-time parents, explaining the stages of childhood:
No problem, it’s child’s play
Stationary: During the first six months, your baby can’t move very far under its own power. So if you’re looking for your baby, always check the place where you last saw them. Babies can also be very demanding. They will cry in the middle of the night. It’s best for one parent to pretend they’re still asleep because the parent who moves first loses.
Horizontal: As the child grows, they begin to crawl. Now if you set the baby down, it might be gone when you get back. But unless the child is wearing corduroy pants, they won’t be able to travel more than a block or so. Parents should install baby gates to block doorways, etc. This is also good for adults practicing the high hurdles.
Vertical: After about a year, the child gets tired of crawling and learns how to stand on their own two feet. Vertical children are prone to mishaps. They make sudden retur ns to the horizontal stage, resulting in “owies.” Parents can be over-protective but toddlers need to lear n why they have butts.
Cruising: This is an intermediate stage between crawling and walking. The toddler will move around by holding onto furniture. Sometimes, they will stand up suddenly and bump their heads. This problem persists into adulthood.
Verbal: The child next enters the verbal stage. Their entire vocabulary consists of demands and refusals. When they’re not demanding a treat, they’re refusing to sit in their car seat. Parents may be tempted to call for police backup but even cops will not risk injury having contact with a 2-year-old. By the way, whenever you say “no,” their automatic response will be “why?” Get used to it
School: Your child will reach a stage when they will stop demanding and refusing at home and will instead chatter away in a classroom. Remember, if your child isn’t home, chances are they’re at school. Try to lear n their schedule.
Social: At school, your child is bound to meet other children and sooner or later bring some of them home. Hide your valuables and breakables before they come over And never allow a child into your house if they’re carrying their own hammer, saw or
A LOOK BACK IN TIME
Improvement of Harlem Avenue a century ago
ow that Harlem Avenue has been paved from Circle Avenue to Madison Street and is fast becoming one of the main traveled thorofare [sic] for both Oak Park and Forest Park, the street can no longer be treated as a back alley by either one of these villages and it is high time that property owners along the street, especially on the Oak Park side, wake up and improve the appearance, not only of the street but the property by removing the old fences, barns and outhouses which line the street. Forest Park is doing her part to improve conditions. The village has met Oak Park more than half way by paving and lighting the west side of the street, and it is only fair to expect Oak Park to cooperate in making improvements.”
(Forest Leaves editorial, Oct. 26, 1922)
felt-tip marker.
Sullen: After years of being happy and carefree, your child may become sullen. The war ning signs are a pouty expression and constant complaints about being bored. Do not have any unnecessary contact with the sullen child and don’t offer solutions to their boredom. Make them do household chores. This will cure their boredom and the kitchen will be clean.
Defiant: After years of being passive during their sullen stage, the child will exert their will. Demands and refusals will fly faster than leaves on a windy day. Parents should avoid physical confrontations during this stage. Especially if their child is more vertical than they are. For example, do not try to force them to go to their room. Even SWAT teams have suffered unacceptable losses trying to get children to go to their room.
Instead of confrontation, parents should try reason and compromise For example, “Yes you can have a drum set, as long as you make a living at it.” Or “I don’t mind if you get your tongue pierced, as long as you never again open your mouth in my presence.”
With these kinds of firm guidelines, there will be mutual respect between parent and child.
They will even become your friend and help you re-set your passwords.
Jill Wagner
Photo caption: Looking north on Harlem Avenue at Lake Street in 1903, photo credit Lorri Redmon Pintests
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Plaintiff, -v.-
MARY WOLFE, CITY OF CHICAGO
Defendants 2019 CH 11236 1028 S AUSTIN BLVD
OAK PARK, IL 60304
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-
EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 17, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 19, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1028 S AUSTIN BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-331-015
The real estate is improved with a single family residence.
Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.
Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.
If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE
CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527
630-794-5300
E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com
Attorney File No. 14-19-08871
Attorney ARDC No. 00468002
Attorney Code. 21762
Case Number: 2019 CH 11236 TJSC#: 44-2632
NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2019 CH 11236 I3255336
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Plaintiff
vs. ALFONSO RECENDEZ, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS
Defendant 24 CH 1921
CALENDAR 57
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on December 16, 2024, at the hour 11:00 A.M., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate:
Lot 5 in Block 5 in Hillside Manor, a Subdivision of part of the North Half of the North West Quarter of Section 17, Township 39 North, Range 12, East of the Third Principal Meridian, according to the Plat thereof recorded October 5, 1945 as Document Number 1368749, in Cook County, Illinois. P.I.N. 15-17-104-005-0000. Commonly known as 329 High Ridge Road, Hillside, IL 60162. The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.
For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Marinosci Law Group, PC, 2215 Enterprise Drive, Suite 1512, Westchester, Illinois 60154. (312) 940-8580. 1803562
PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE
STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.
Request of Kalei Elisabeth Guedel Case Number 2024CONC001472
There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Kalei Elisabeth Guedel to the new name of: Kalei Sorenson Guedel.
The court date will be held: On January 10, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Zoom ID: 95894921843 Password: 226532, Cook County, in Courtroom # 12.
Published in Wednesday Journal November 13, 20, and 27, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE LAW OFFICE OF LINDA EPSTEIN
Attorney for Petitioner 722 W. Diversey Parkway, Ste. 101B Chicago, IL 60614
STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division
In re the Marriage of: Tigist Samuel Zeleke, Petitioner, and, Amdemichael Lidetu Tariku, Respondent, Case No. 2024D007809
The requisite affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Amdemichael Lidetu Tariku, Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Tigist Samuel Zeleke, for Dissolution of Marriage and that said suit is now pending.
Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent file your Appearance and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before November 27, 2024 default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage Entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.
IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.
Published in Wednesday Journal October 30, November 6, and November 13, 2024.
PUBLIC NOTICE
OAK PARK HOUSING AUTHORITY Request for Proposals: NSPIRE Inspections and Rent Reasonableness Determinations
The Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park (OPHA) is requesting qualified, licensed, and insured entities to submit proposals for conducting National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) Inspections and Rent Reasonableness Determinations for its Housing Choice Voucher Program. Interested parties may download the RFP document at https://oakparkha. org/about-opha/rfps-rfqs/ beginning Wednesday, November 13, 2024. The terms of this notice are subject to the terms set forth in the RFP. Hardcopy proposals must be received at 21 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302 no later than 5:00 PM on Friday January 10, 2025. Electronic submissions will not be accepted. Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to LaTaunda Cobb at (708) 386-9322 Ext. 135 or via email at lcobb@oakparkrc.com no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, January 3, 2025.
The OPHA reserves the right to postpone, cancel, or reject any or all proposals, waive any informality, and terminate the RFP process if deemed in the best interests of OPHA.
