Landmark_021225 by Wednesday Journal

Chronic absenteeism drops in Riverside

District 96 using multiple strategies to keep kids in school

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Chronic school absenteeism that skyrocketed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has begun to abate, according to data presented at the Riverside School District 96 Board of Education Committee of the Whole meeting Feb. 5. That’s good, but there’s still more to do, said Superintendent Dr. Martha Ryan-Toye

Chronic absenteeism is “not the day-to-day absences, it’s kids that are missing significant amounts of school,” RyanToye said Friday.

She pointed to the state’s legal definition of “chronic absence,” or absences that total 10 percent or more of school days of the most recent academic school year, including absences with and without valid cause, and out-of-school suspensions for an enrolled student.

The district tracks chronic absenteeism per trimester, Ryan-Toye said, and in Trimester I of the 2022-23 school year,

‘Olmsted’s Riverside’ brings the village’s historic design to the forefront

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf

Staﬀ Repor ter Trent Brown

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Assistant Editor, Arts & Entertainment Dalal Or fali

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

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

Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

EMAIL jill@oakpark.com

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Senior Advisor Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIREC TORS

Chair Eric Weinheimer Treasurer Nile Wendor f Deb Abrahamson, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

HOW TO REACH US

ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066

E-MAIL dhaley@wjinc.com

ONLINE w ww.RBLandmark.com

The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $45 within Cook County and $65 outside the county. Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2025 Growing Community Media NFP.

Resident Cathy Maloney published the book, her 6th, in December

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

If you love Riverside’s iconic winding streets and green space, one resident may have written the perfect book for you.

“Olmsted’s Riverside: Stewardship Meets Innovation in a Landmark Village,” written by resident Cathy Jean Maloney and published Dec. 18, 2024, details the 150-year history of the village and its design, created by Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1869. In the book, Maloney shares how residents throughout Riverside’s history have adapted to the changing world to preserve the village’s charm and how its design has influenced other suburbs around the country across 15 decades.

“What it’s about is the 150 years of caring that residents and other people who love Riverside have done to keep Riverside the treasure that it is,” Maloney said in an interview with the Landmark. “It has history in it, but the emphasis is really on the various activities that people have done to protect the heritage of Riverside as well as observe the changes, the progress, and be able to incorporate that into the original vision for Riverside.”

In the course of her research, which resulted in about 250 footnotes within the book, Maloney said she learned that change often started small within the village.

“I was hoping that there was a secret sauce for how to keep what’s precious in Riverside there, but it really varied with each situation. I will say that a lot of times, it was a single individual that raised an issue or a concern and helped figure out a solution,” she said. “Sometimes it was a group. Sometimes it was the village board … After we became a landmark, sometimes it was through guidance from national or other organizations. So, there was no real simple solution to each challenge that came up.”

She said that research occurred intermittently over three decades until she committed to writing the book around 2018.

“Believe it or not, [the idea for the book] was always in the back of my mind since we moved there, which was 1988. I always wanted to return something to Riverside, and I wasn’t sure what the book would cover. In the interim, I did five other books that had to do with

landscape history or environmental history or garden history, and along the way, whenever I would run across something having to do with Riverside, I’d make a note and tuck it in the corner,” she said. “It finally dawned on me: How the heck has this village stayed as true to the vision that was why we’re landmarked, the whole holistic design? How were we able to do that over the years, when so many other well-designed places have fallen apart?”

Maloney said she was shocked by the number of “repeated” discussions that Riverside residents had over the years.

“A lot of things recur over the generations, oftentimes having to do with, ‘We got to have something for the children to do,’ and, usually, by ‘children,’ they meant ‘teenagers,’” she said. “I think every parent everywhere wonders, ‘How can we keep our teenagers happy?’

In the ’20s, there was a proposal to put a movie theater in Riverside, and, oh my gosh, that caused a furor because movies were just scandalous, and we could not have our teenagers watching movies.”

The other surprising thing she learned had to do with the verdant space Riverside is known for today.

“If everything that had been proposed to be put in Riverside’s green spaces had been built, there would be, basically, no green spaces” left today, she said.

While the book’s first seven chapters detail the designing of Riverside and how residents

adapted to change from the 1870s through today, the eighth and final chapter is titled, “The Next 150 Years.” Maloney told the Landmark she took the chance there to opine on the challenges that will face Riverside through the year 2175.

“I think the main issue for the next 150 years is going to be climate change and how we respond to that. We have issues with the river already, with additional flooding,” she said. “There are issues of invasive plants that weren’ t around when Olmsted was around: How are we going to deal with that in the natural areas that border the river? There are the issues of carbon dioxide emissions and so for th … I really think that climate change is going to be the major issue, as well as the continuing issue about the trade-of f between how you use public space or not. That’s been the one issue — the usage of public space — that we, as a community, continue to wrestle with, because it’s public space. Everybody has a say.”

Maloney said she hopes the book will inspire residents to “understand what it is that’s precious that we have in Riverside, and that’s the overall design,” and to stay aware of how modifications to the village could affect the Riverside experience for future generations.

“Olmsted’s Riverside” is available to purchase in bookstores and online, where it retails for $27.95.

PROVIDED BY CATHY JEAN MALONE Y

Munch, beloved vegan restaurant, closes after 13 years

By DALAL ORFALI Vibe assistant editor

Munch turned off its music and kitchen lights one last time last Sunday, Feb 2. beloved vegan spot on Marion Street near North Boulevard was a gathering spot many dedicated customers over its 13 Some would drive from Indiana and Wi sin to satisfy their cravings for their fa plant-based dishes.

Munch was opened in 2011 by its late o Robbin O’Harrow. O’Harrow was a ve ian herself. She envisioned a space for w some, vegan home cooking in Oak Park recipes — crafted from scratch — set Munch apart from other plant-based eateries.

After Robbin O’Harrow died as a result of COVID in 2021, her daughter, Sage O’Harrow, and Robbin’s husband, Ed O’Harrow, took over the restaurant, determined to keep her legacy alive

However, as time went on keeping Munch afloat became increasingly difficult.

“I didn’t make one penny from the restaurant for my time,” said Ed O’Har row. “So, when the lease came up for renewal,

I knew my daughter had other plans, and I had to get back to my business. I had been neglecting my business for two-and-onehalf-years to make sure Munch honored its commitment to the landlord. It was just time to let it stop.”

Ed O’Har row believes that ve gan and

ve getarian restaurants are still needed in Oak Park, but, he said, Munch’s success was tied to his wife’s unique approach — handcrafted, from-scratch recipes that couldn’t be re plicated by competitors relying on premade ingredients. “That’s why it was so labor-intensive,” he said. “It’s hard to be competitive when everybody else’s prices keep going up, but we had to hold ours down to keep our customer base.”

O’Harrow said, “The plan was to close The restaurant right now is for rent and the equipment is there for sale if somebody wants to continue onward with some kind of restaurant.” O’Harrow said the business could be sold in conjunction with the equipment and on the condition that new owners would try to keep the staff.

For Francisco Gonzales, who managed Munch for the past three years, the closure is especially bittersweet.

On the Friday before Munch closed, Gonzales was still hoping a buyer would turn up and keep Munch going. “I told my customers to push this guy not too close. But, you know, that’s not my decision and everybody is sad. I’m sad because we’re close here, I love this

space for I’ve been working for these guys for many years,” Gonzales said.

“If nobody is willing to get this place, I have to look for another place,” Gonzales said.

Munch had built a base of loyal customers. “We got so many good customers that would come from 40 minutes away, and some came from other states to eat here.” Gonzales said.

David King, a commercial leasing agent who represents the building’s owner, said, “The property will be available for investment on March 1. It’s a great little restaurant space. Has a phenomenal location. And for the most part, it’s a turnkey operation where you can move right in.”

King said the space is being actively marketed, and he has already had three or more showings, with two more being scheduled soon.

Although there is a need for a vegan restaurant in the community, potential investors have many ideas in mind, he said. “One is a Sushi grab-and-go, because it’s a smaller space. And that would work near the train track,” King said. “And I also have a Mediterranean group looking at it. It’s a great startersize of a restaurant”

Brook eld welcomes 2nd deputy police chief

Deputy Chief James Mihalik was sworn in Jan. 13

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield has promoted a second deputy chief of police to help lead decisionmaking and keep track of administrative tasks at the village’s police department.

De p uty Chie f James Mihali k was sworn in by Vi llage C lerk B rigid We ber at the village b oard’s Jan. 13 meeting. Mihalik, 46, will join De p uty Chie f Te Schreiber as a right-hand man to Chie f Michael Ku ruvilla Brookfield officials established second de p uty p osition in Decembe r. Schreiber has b een de chie f since 2021, after Ku ruvilla move d up from the role to re for mer Chie f Edward Petrak.

The for mer lieutenant, who has a bachelor’s de gree from Benedictine University, has been on the force in Brookfield since 2003 and a resident since 1998. He said his interest in becoming a police officer developed while he was in colle

“I’ve always been a helper, if will, and going into college … I had a friend that was getting into law enforcement,” Mihalik said in an interview with the Landmark. “I knew his family, [which] steered me in that direction a little bit.”

He said he pushed himself as a candidate for the new de puty chie position because it aligned with his career path.

Petrak, b ut he said that being promoted this year was li ke ly b etter for him in the long run.

“When I interviewed for that position, I don’t think I would have been ready to be in a chie f p osition,” he said. “When you look back and see where we ’r e at

policy and maintaining equipment and the fleet of squad cars alongside other duties, though he said he and the department’s other leaders are still sorting out the exact division of labor between the two deputy chiefs

“[Under] the previous structure, we all dabbled in a little bit of everything, I would say, but we’re trying to change that,” he said. “Administrative-wise, that might be handled more by me. When it comes to patrol and day-to-day operations, with respect to what are the lieutenants doing with the patrol staf f, that’s Deputy Chief Schreiber. And we will intertwine a little bit sometimes, depending on who’s here.”

“You know, timing was everything for me,” he said. “Where Deputy Chief Schreiber is on the operations side of things, administratively, I think that’s always been my strong suit, and I thought it would be a good fit for me moving forward in that role. I mean, I’m 46; I’ve hit my 21st year. I think progressing every couple of years and doing something different keeps you motivated and reenergized in the profession, so I thought it would be a good time for me.”

Deputy Chief James Mihalik

As deputy chief, he said his new salary is $144,532.87 per year.

Mihalik was a c andidate for the open de p uty chie f p osition in 2019, w hen Kuruvilla was promoted to the r ole under

now, obviously Chie f Ku ruvilla in the p osition he’s in and De p uty Chie f Schreibe r, I have nothing b ut r espect fo r b oth of them. We ’ve wo rked to g ether in many capacities within the depa rtment, b ut I still have more to learn, and I’m going to g et that from b oth of them … I’m a firm b eli ever that it was j ust a b etter fit for me at this time.”

With a focus on administration, Mihalik said he is responsible for handling payroll, applying for grants, training officers, scheduling meetings, reviewing

PROVIDED

During his career in Brookfield, Mihalik said, he’s tried to give the support he felt from the village back to the community.

“As policemen, you do what you can to help people or give them the right direction, but there’s times that sometimes the answers you have and the solutions you have aren’t always what they’re looking for, but you try to do that in a respectful manner,” he said. “I think ve done that throughout my caeer, and that’s why I have a lot of espect within the department and espect within the village.”

He said he never imagined he ould become a deputy chief of police when he first set out in the field

“I mean, you start your career in law enforcement, and yo u want to be the p olice, right? But you do n’ t know the impact tha t you have as you go through your career, and I neve r r ealized the pr ogr ession of how things would go; you do n’ t anticipate that,” he said.

He added: “During each of my appointments and promotions, supervisors ahead of me instilled the confidence in you. Whether you thought you were ready or not, you’d have those sit-down conversations, and they’d let you know that they believe in you and that they think you do a good job. It made it a lot easier to transition to a different role, and I don’t think this one is any different.”

Farewell, Retail; Our Core Services Continue

Since 2003, we have been delighted to provide the McAdam Nursery and Garden Center as a vital resource for the community. In addition to serving a variety of retail customers, this has been the setting for countless memories for family-focused events like our annual Pumpkin-Palooza.

But as we prepare for our 47th year servicing your landscape maintenance, design and installation needs, economic and consumer trends have led us to a difficult decision: In the Spring, the center will not be returning for walk-in garden retail business.

The good news is that McAdam Landscaping remains strong and we are eager to launch into another season. With these market changes, we are focused on moving in a direction that will best serve our customers’ needs.

That includes still offering bulk delivery services for your compost, topsoil, mulch and gravel needs. Prearranged pick-up will also be available.

To all our loyal retail customers, we thank you for your trust and patronage over the past two decades. Building on the tradition that my father and uncle started in 1979, we will continue to be here for your landscaping needs.

Scott McAdam Jr.

Police respond to garage on ﬁre

Brookfield p olice r esponded to a garage fire Fe b. 5.

Around 1:13 a.m., an officer responded to the 3700 b lock of Cl eveland Avenue to discove r a ga rage “fully engulfed in f lames” after a neighbor had c alled to re po rt it. Police said the overhead powe r lines also be g an to catch fire.

T he officer spoke with two individuals outside of the r esidence and c onfirmed everyone was out of the home. T he r esid ents said they wo ke up to their ga rage on fire with no idea of how it started and c alled 911 immediately.

T he officer also spoke with r esidents of a neighboring house whose ga rage the fire be g an to spread to and advised them to exit and stay outside until the Brookfield Fire Department told them it was safe to go back inside Brookfield firefighters p ut the fire out and told p olice there was no evidence of f oul pl ay before c leaning up debris at the scene. C omEd re presentatives c ut powe r to the downed lines

T he officer ca nv assed the alleyway r unning north and south and documented d amage to structures. One ga -

rage along Cl eveland Avenue and a Je ep Wr angler that had b een i nside it we re b oth destroyed wh i le the wood fence and ga rbage c ans at the same a ddress sustained fire damage. Two ga rages at adjac ent homes on the street we re also d amaged. Paint and s iding on three ga rage s along Blanchan Avenue also a ppeared d amaged to the of ficer.

T he officer infor med the homeowner s of the d amage sustained to their property wh i le Brookfield firefighters told r esidents they c ould safely r eturn to their homes

These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department re ports dated Feb. 3-10; they 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. C ompiled by Tr ent Brow n

Who’s that with Cher?

River Forest’s own Kelly Schuman

Schumann pl peasant in com with Cher

By DAN HALEY Staff Reporter

On the YouTube clips c ommercial it was listed as being a Su per Bowl ad. But Kelly Schumann, the Rive r Fo r est native w c ommercial, believes it was created onl to air in Australia and New Zealand So, for our purposes as the Kelly Schumann ad featuring Cher It ’s a time tr avel premise with the g lammed up 78-year- old “Tur n Back Time” and return to the 80s T he time tr avel gizmo is next seen astride a c annon in a rura l setting sur r ounded by p easants. “Thi s is n’ t the 80s,” she exclaims. To wh ich a p easant with, perhap s, an Australian acc ent, says, “Tis the 1680s.”

SCREENSHOT

Kelly Schumann in an Uber Eats commercial airing only in Australia and New Zealand.

With Cantata’s continuum of care, you can live your best life today, tomorrow and into the future. You can count on our century of expertise dedicated to your lifestyle and healthcare needs.

That’s when Schumann arrives in the ad. She is somewhat bent, with blacked out teeth and, of course, carrying a chicken.

“That chicken peed on me all day,” Schumann told Wednesday Journal Friday. “But I kind of enjoyed the chicken. It was a distraction.” A distraction from two days of shooting on very hot California days. “It was sort of grueling,” said Schumann, mentioning both bees and dust.

Schumann was a re g ular for seve ra l seasons on the “Superstore” sitcom and a recur ring guest on “Hot in Cleveland,” with she said, “the gr eat Betty Whit e, ” another Oak Pa rk native

Of c ourse, p eople want to know wh at C her was li ke.

Schumann, who has been in L.A. sinc e 2008, said she has an a pproach when enc ountering major star s. “I might have made this up in my head, but I try not to be a f an in front of her. We ’r e b oth ther e. We ’r e professionals. S he’s b een f amous

for a ve ry long time. S he is reco gnized in all she does.”

But, said Schumann, “She was great. She was super normal. S he shook my hand when I i ntroduced myself.” T here is a shot of the two of them on social media . Schumann g ot her start in acting at the old Circle T heater in Fo r est Pa rk and sold ads for We d nesd ay Journal as her day jo b.

T he past few years have been a challenge in making a living as an actor, she said. First was the COVID pandemic and then a lengthy industry strike. “This is not for the faint of heart,” she commented Schumann visits f amily re g ularly in town and talks with enthusiasm about gr ow ing up in these village s. “I f eel so lucky to be from a p lace li ke Oak Pa rk and Rive r Fo r est. It is a p lace where the ar ts are so highly respected,” she said.

ABSENTEEISM

A statewide issue

from page 1

it stood at 20.14%. In Trimester I of the 2023-24 school year, that number dropped to 11.71% This school year, chronic absenteeism dropped again, to 10.59%.

“That’s good news, we’re happy about that, we’ve devoted a lot of effort to it,” she said, adding that the pandemic impact has lessened. But there is more to chronic absenteeism than that.

“Some of it is illness, extended illnesses,” she said of root causes. “I think it can be school anxiety, or a school refusal, fear about being away from home, especially with younger children.”

For the complete 2022-23 school year, chronic absenteeism was 15% for District 96. A year later, that fell to 11%. What that will look like this year remains to be seen, but Ryan-Toye said the components are in place to bring it down even further

Principals and teachers at the district’s five schools play a major role in monitoring and identifying kids who are either chronically absent gists, social

But the district has also deployed the Tapestry program at Hauser Junior High to help students that are at risk of chronic absenteeism. Trimester I data provided at the Committee of the Whole meeting Feb. 5 showed that Hauser’s chronic absentee percentage was 11.41 %. That’s slightly lower than Ames El-

pestry is pa Learning Opportunities Program, which serves western Cook County school districts It has a dedicated staff member that assists with everything from math and reading help to special education services

“When you miss five, six, seven days, you feel like you’re really behind,” Ryan-Toye

Brook eld Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight

Sage and Stone Apothecary

Owner: Lysset Castro 3736 Prairie Ave, Brook eld 773 818-4567

sage-and-stone-apothecary.square.site

As a young adult, I was always fascinated by the unknown, the mystics, and anything relating to the metaphysical realm. As I grew, I dived deeper into it and developed a passion for it. I knew that I wanted to help people see the magic that I was falling in love with and wanted them to experience the healing power that many may not be aware of yet.

Some of my best sellers are actually spiritually related. Crystals, intention candles, and Florida water are favorites. I offer spiritual learning services,

said, adding the program uses a proactive and engaging approach to working with students and their families

The tools in place to curb chronic absenteeism district-wide are a far cry from pre-pandemic years.

“Back then,” Ryan-Toye said, “you’d get a letter, ‘Your child has missed X-days of school, we’re concerned.’ That documentative approach had limited results.”

She added: “We’re carefully monitoring our absentee numbers, we’re identifying specific students who are on a trajectory heading in that direction. We’re determining how to add the supports to help the family and help the student.”

It’s also important to understand what chronic absenteeism is not. At the Committee of the Whole meeting, District 96 school board president Wesley Murheid inquired about the 20% absenteeism on Jan. 21, the day after presidential inauguration day.

That, Ryan-Toye said, was a bit of an anomaly. The weather was extremely cold that day, and it was in the middle of the cold and flu season.

Nevertheless, chronic absenteeism is an issue every school district is facing.

“This is an issue statewide and nationwide,” Ryan-Toye said.

Discovering Healing Power in Brookfield

light therapy (happy light), a variety of herbs, Reiki services, candles, jewelry, clothing, and more. I host multiple events and love to collaborate with my fellow Prairie Ave neighbors!

and I hope to grow as old and beautiful as the gorgeous trees that line our streets and parks. We are a strong community, and I’m so honored to say that I’m part of it. beautiful as the gorgeous grateful for the solidarity that

Brookfield has been nothing but welcoming and loving towards me and my little shop. Customers have become good friends and family. I’m forever grateful for the solidarity that has been shown to me by many. So much so that I’ve started a somewhat “secret” women’s circle! We hold space for each other, and we all come from a place of love. We support and don’t judge.

The shop is my baby and my home away from home. I have planted my roots in Brookfield,

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2 Riverside girls are the ﬁrst to earn all Cub Scout rank badges

Each girl joined in kindergarten and will earn an Arrow of Light on Feb. 23

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Two Rive rside girls are making histor y as the first girls in town who joined Cu b Scouts in kinder ga r ten and have now g one on to earn their Ar row of Light, the final r ank badge given to Scouts as fifth gr ader s.

Frances Wetzel, 11, and Hannah

C ondes, 10, b oth joined Rive rside ’s Pack 24 as kinder ga r teners in 2018, the first year girls we re allowe d to join Cu b Scouts. Having pr ogr essed throug h the pr ogr am and earned badges for the r anks of Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear and We b elos, the two friends are set to ear n their Ar rows of Light at a ceremony on Fe b. 23, signifying their c ompletion of Cub Scouts.

While two other girls will earn their Ar row of Light at the same time, Frances’ mother, Natalie Wetzel, who is a pack committee member and for mer chair, said they both joined the pack later on.

T he gi rl s, who met in preschool before becoming Cub Scouts to g ether, ag r eed one of their favo rite parts of Cub Scouts was that they g ot to hang out with thei r f amily, other friends and each other on their many c amping t rips and outdoor activitie s. While speaking with the L andmark, Frances and Hannah recalled t rips to the Owasippe Scout Reservation in Twin La ke, Michig an, and YMC A C amp Te c umseh in Indiana where they love d to eat “walking tacos” — that is, bags of tortilla chips with taco in gr e dients a dded, all shaken up and co nvenient to eat on the trail.

Wetzel and Hannah’s fa ther, George

C ondes, another Pack 24 leader, said the girls joined Cub Scouts because Scouting was a family af fair.

“I was a Scout, and my mom was a Scout,” Wetzel said. “Because [Frances] has brother s, I thought, ‘Let’s do Cu b Scouts so we can all Scout to g ether.’”

“I did Scouting when I was a youth, and [ Hannah’s] two older brothers we re involved in the Scouting already. I was a leader, and I j ust love d the adventures and the c haracter development that went along with Scouting. I was so excited that, at the time, they we re j ust opening up to gi rl s, so these are some of the firs t

See CUB SCOUT on page 8

PROVIDED BY GEORGE CONDES

Hannah, Frances and other Cub Scouts sell popcorn outside Tischler Finer Foods in October 2024.

e new Cycle Brook eld Criter ium route will take place south of the BNSF railroad, with cyclists racing southwest on Burlington Avenue, east on Southview Avenue and north on Grove Avenue to complete a lap.

Brookﬁeld approves new path for 3rd annual pro bike race

Cyclists will head west on Burlington Avenue and loop around Southview and Grove

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Professional cyclists racing in the third annual Cycle Brookfield Criterium in July can expect a new route near Brookfield’s central business district.

Brookfield trustees approved an alternate route for the day of racing, part of the Chicago Grit race series, that will have cyclists start by heading southwest on Burlington Avenue near Prairie Avenue before making a sharp turn east onto Southview Avenue, turning north onto Grove Avenue and completing a lap back on Burlington. This year, the Criterium will take place on July 23, Cycle Brookfield President Chris Valadez said. Valadez said the turn onto Southview Avenue is sharper than the turn from Lincoln Avenue southeast onto Grand Boulevard, which was featured as a highlight of the route in past years.

He told trustees the vendor expo for the event will take place along Prairie Avenue inside the loop of the route rather than at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library. Volunteer staff for the event, comprised of residents and Cycle Brookfield members, will use Creekside Park as a home base

At the village’s Feb. 10 committee of the whole meeting, Village President Michael Garvey explained that the change was needed due to street work that would render the previous route through downtown unusable.

“Due to planned work on the 3700 block of Grand [Boulevard], no matter how fast and how hard we schedule, the 3700 block of Grand will not be available,” he said. “Staff worked together with Chicago Grit and Cycle Brookfield, Chris Valadez, to come up with an alternate possible route.”

Valadez told trustees that designing the new course to fit all of the requirements for the race was a challenge.

“We don’t like boring, mundane bike racing; we want to make sure there’s some excitement and a corner somewhere,” he said.

“We have to find it typically within less than a mile [with a] good route, good pavement … Burlington is brand new paved with all the new work that’s there, so from a bike perspective, it is gorgeous to ride, and it’s very fast.”

He said pedestrian crossings were planned near the intersections of Burlington and Prairie avenues and Southview and Park avenues and at Southview and Prairie, with a potential fourth crossing area near Southview and Grove avenues, though the locations are not yet final.

Community Development Director Libby Popovic said the new course “seemed like it was an easier route” for Brookfield police to monitor. Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla said, if staffing levels stay the same as last year with about 19 police personnel, he expected to be able to place more officers near the Prairie Avenue railroad crossing to make sure resi-

Healthy Heart, Happy Life YOUR BEST LIFE with Lisa Capone

dents stay safe.

In a memo to the village board, Popovic described impacts of the event to other village departments. She wrote Fire Chief Jim Adams recommended two off-duty paramedics watch close turns along the route after working last year as one of two standby emergency staffers. The Public Works Department also tasked six staffers to set up and break down the event and outsourced traffic control to a contractor, costing the village about $16,400 between overtime and outsourcing costs

Valadez said that, as in prior years, Cycle Brookfield will work with village staff to ensure at least two mailers are sent out to residents who live along the new route, explaining how they may be impacted by street and railroad closures

Once the board reached a consensus to approve the new route, Garvey said village staff were getting better at managing the event each year

“We’re becoming pros at this. After the race, we get a lot of compliments,” he said. “I didn’t do any of the work, but I’m the recipient of the compliments about what a great job our police, fire and public works and everybody did. I had the privilege of talking to some of the racers after the race I think you said last year, we were the secondfavorite route on the entire thing, just beat by one town because they had a hill, but to hear that excitement from the racers about what our staff does to make this happen is tremendous.”

February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on cardiovascular health and the steps we can take to maintain a strong heart. At Cantata Senior Living, we recognize the importance of heart health, especially for older adults. Here are some easy ways to prioritize cardiovascular wellness:

Stay Active – Engage in light exercise like walking, chair yoga, or stretching to keep your heart strong.

Eat Heart-Healthy Foods – Enjoy meals rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting sodium and processed foods.

Manage Stress – Practice deep breathing, meditation, or social activities to reduce stress and support heart health.

Monitor Your Health – Keep up with regular check-ups, blood pressure screenings, and medications as prescribed.

Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of water to help maintain circulation and overall health.

Stay Connected – Engage in social activities to boost mental and emotional well-being, which benefits the heart.

This February, take simple steps toward a healthier heart. Let’s embrace wellness together— because a healthy heart is a happy heart!

Visit Cantata.org for more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030.

COURTESY OF CYCLE BROOKFIELD

Full

Mention

ginald Overstreet , , sinski, nee Overstreet, cherished aunt w

PROVIDED BY GEORGE CONDES Frances (le ) and Hannah participated in their rst Pinewood Derby, a yearly Cub Scouts wood car racing event, as kindergartners in Januar y 2020.

Sports

RBHS wrestlers win another regional, get 12 to sectionals

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School senior boys wrestler Ricky Blanco already has plenty of motivation trying to reach his first Class 2A state meet. Prior to the season, Blanco received another boost a progr am record board was added in the downstairs practice room. “We just had those boards put up,” RBHS coach Nick Curby said. “They g et their daily motivation.”

Blanco not only captured another regional championship Saturday but also a school record as the Bulldogs won the 2A RBHS Re gional and advanced 12 individuals to the Hinsdale South Sectional with top-three finishes.

With six takedowns in his 19-4 technical-fall title victory at 144 pounds and one in his previous match, Blanco (27-12) improved to 92 takedowns this season, breaking the single-season record of 91 by 2022 graduate and current assistant coach Mateo Costello. “I came here and I wanted to be No. 1 on that board,” Blanco said. “I re-watched my match and looked (at No. 92). I just jumped so high in the air. I was like, ‘I did it. I really did it.’ ”

Seniors Ethan Rivas (15-7 at 157), Jacob Godoy (21-13 at 132) and Matt Elzy (26-8 at 190), junior Miles Russell-Barnes (6-8 at 113) and sophomore Tony Lombardo (20-15 at 138) also captured re gional titles for the Bulldogs, who edged St. Laurence 227.5-205.5 for the team title. Rivas and Godoy also were 2024 sectional champions Senior Edgar Mosquera (34-4 at 120) and juniors Steven Guzman (8-9 at 106) and Nicholas O’Connor (28-10 at 175) were second and senior Max Strong (21-16 at 165) and juniors Tony Miranda (5-3 at

150) and Matt Alberts (14-19 at 285) third. Junior Jayden Tulian (16-16 126) was fourth.In the final round, RBHS beat St. Laurence in four of seven head to-head matches, three for first p

“Going into that final round up nine points, I knew it was going to be c T he kids really turned it on the end, expanded the lead, really put things w they need to be,” Curby said.

Mosquera, second at 2A state last at 113, and Rivas will seek return state berths with top three sectional finishes Blanco and Godoy were among six Bulldogs in 2024 that came one victory from qualifying for state

Rivas, who overcame a torn labrum last year, won Saturday with a pin in 38 seconds. Rivas received medical clearance T hursday to return after being sidelined since Jan. 11 by a left knee injury

“My f amily and I ended up praying and (God) healed it. Now I only have a sprain Supernatural healing,” Rivas said.

“The shoulder’s doing much better lately. Sometimes I get in positions where it’s sharp (knee) pain and shooting. Then I’m good.”

Elzy had an exciting championship victory -- 17-14 in overtime after leading 10-1 entering a wild third period. Elzy, going to his third sectional with his first re gional title, was sick the previous couple of days

“I had my grandma, both of my parents and my brothers here. Couldn’ t disappoint. I had to have a little bit of theatrics,” joked an exhausted Elzy

“It’s always better to be exhausted after a good win than a good loss. I think (the illness) hit me in the third period but just making sure to come back when it matters is all that counts.”Godoy won his final 6-2 after a 4-3 title victory in 2024.

“I’m so glad to have my last wrestling match at my own school end up like that,”

Riverside-Brook eld’s Ricky Gutierrez-Blanco wrestles Lindblom’s Sergio Ramirez at 144 pounds during the IHSA 2A Boys Regional at Riverside-Brook eld High School Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 in Riverside

Godoy said. “This year was more of me just trying to g et first place, g et my best spot (for sectionals).”

Lombardo and Russell-Barnes captured their first major tournament or invite titles.

Lombardo won with a second-period f all in 3:05. He trailed 9-3 before his reversal at 2:28 tur ned the tide

“I just kind of thought he doesn’t have the strength to keep me down so that means I can win. I put that in my mind and drove forward,” Lombardo said.

“I’m almost a little speechless myself. For as many days as I’ve put in the wrestling room, I’m finally glad that it showed on the mat in front of my friends and family.”

Before this season, Russell-Barnes only competed one match and missed his entire freshman season with a broken collar bone.

Russell-Barnes won his final 9-7, fighting of f near-fall points after being taken down with 37 seconds left.

“I f eel li ke I had g ood pin defense. It was the only match I had today so I wanted to win. I didn’t want to leave anything behind,” Russell-Bar nes said. “I’ve gotten a lot better since the start of the year.” Mosquera lost 17-8 to Kennedy senior Vi c tor Alvarado (34-3), who beat Mosq uera 4-2 in last year ’s re gional final. Mosquera won their sectional rematch 12-4.

“I learned a lot from this and I’m going to definitely win at sectionals,” Mosq uera said.

“I have b een t rying this new stance and telling myself it ’s pretty g ood but I f eel li ke I’m going to have to go back to my old stanc e. ”

Wi th their re gional title, the Bulld og s advanced to the 2A Brother Rice Team Sectional Fe b. 25. T hey will face the host Crusaders with the winner going downstate

STEVE JOHNSTON

LTHS cheerleaders reach IHSA state nals for rst time

Lions 10th in fourth str

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Fo r Melissa Marqu ez and the other seniors for the Lyons Township High School varsity c ompetitive cheerleading team, Saturday’s final performance c ould n’ t have been much more memorable

T he Lions not only we re back at the IHSA state meet but c ompeting in the 10-team C oed Division state finals for the first time in pr ogr am histor y.

“The team and I f elt more than ready to perform. I’ve b een cheering since second gr ade and to know that would be my last performanc e, I truly wanted to give it all I had,” said Marqu ez .

“Our team was not only doing it for ourselves but fo r our c oaches and c ommunity and f amily and friend s. ”

T he Lions hoped to finish higher than 10th (88.82 points) but advancing with the fifth highest score in F riday’s preliminaries (92.86) was another significant step in the progr am’s progr ess.

Team members are seniors Maddie Brennan, Me ga n Gr ay, Grace L annon, Devon Mackenzi e, Marqu ez , Annie Sarno and Katie Vi llar real, juniors Erin Gugliuzza, Skyla Hendrix, Sophia Horwath, Vivi Ko ppel (manager) , Aracely McNamara, Ryan Renderman, Maggie S ammon and B ridget Wa ight, sophomores Ave rie G rigus, Hayd en Livingston, A shlynn Monckton, Gloria Po d olner, Kennedi Ross, Olivia Van Wyck, Au dreya Wi lkins and A leigh Zeman and freshman Ay lee Holguin.

T he Lions are c oached by S haron Lupo and A na Samani eg o. Marqu ez , Mackenzie and Gr ay are Brookfield residents

“Reaching (finals) for the first time in LT history was sur real. It took a few hours for it to sink in,” Lupo responded. “The performance on F riday was amazing. It wasn’t perfect but you c ould f eel the ener gy T hey hi t that mat wanting day two and they got there. ”

Five seniors (Brennan, L annan, Marqu ez , Sarno and Vi llar real) have b een four-year team members who have seen the progr am grow exponentially from i ts first state ber th their freshman year.

Lupo and S amani eg o also have c oached Brennan, Marqu ez , Sarno and Vi llareal since their LFC youth football cheerleading days.

“My freshman year, realizing it was LT ’s first time going to state was such a big a ccomplishment and then g etting to end my last year, knowing we made it to day two state was the most exciting, heartwarming b est day of my life,” said Marqu ez .

“I am so proud the team made it to day two, ” said Gr ay “We wo rked hard and it showe d. Eve ry c ompetition was b etter than the one before. It has b een an honor bein g pa rt of the LT competitive cheer team.”

T he Lions scored a season-high 93.07 Saturday fo r third at the Buf f alo Grove Sectional to q ualify for state

Front row : Aylee Holguin, Megan Gray, Hayden Liv ingston; 2nd row: Aracely McNamara, Annie Sarno, Averie Grigus, Melissa Marquez, Olivia VanWyck, Bridget Waight, Aleigh Zeman, Sophia Hor wath; 3rd row : coach Sharon Lupo, manager Viv i Koppel, Maddie Brennan, Erin Gugliuzza, Grace Lannon, Katie Villarreal, Gloria Podolner, Kennedi Ross, coach Ana Samaniego; Back row : Mag gie Sammon, Audreya Wilkins, Devon Mackenzie, Ryan Renderman, Ashly nn Monckton, Skyla Hendrix.

and captured their second straight West Suburban C onference Meet with a then season-best 92.08, the only two c onference titles for the progr am. A 93.07 would have p laced fourth Saturday, 1.03 from a top three trophy

“A huge lesson to understand is you always c an acc omplish your goal if you wo rk for it and stay humble,” said Marqu ez .

“A lot of p eople have the same g oal but not everyone is willing to wo rk for it or p ut in extra wo rk outside of practic e. T hey’ve g ot so much talent with such lovin g teammates and c oaches that they c an and will be back at state next year.”

T he Lions started the season a djusting to a f asterpaced routine but also with more tumbling.

As they ga i ned c onditioning and c onfidenc e, the Lions peaked at the end of the season as hoped .

“A na and I c ould n’ t be more proud. T hey had a hard routine,’ said Lupo. “We had some performance hiccups at the start of the season. As a team they p ulled it to g ether and achieved all the g oals they set for themselves.”

RBHS bowling

The first-year Riverside Brookfield girls bowling team finished ninth at the 12–team Glenbard East Regional Saturday with 3,658 pins for six games

Freshman Mia Torres (30th, 815, 178 high game), was 51 pins from the last individual sectional qualifier. Junior Ava Haralamos (39th, 739), senior Katie Doyle (44th, 700) and junior Audrey Raymond (45th, 699) also bowled six games and juniors Sophia Sanchez (365) and Lucia Vazzana (340) three each. Nazareth senior Sophie Nevers (28th, 830) and Grace Gray (32nd, 804) and sophomore Lorelai Bowen (40th, 731) competed as individuals

The Bulldogs finished 7-12 and seventh in the Upstate Eight Conference with a 7-11 dual record and 35 points. Torres (130) and Haralamos (118) had the team’s top averages in UEC play with Torres just missing individual all-conference honors. The RBHS boys, whose season ended at regionals Jan. 18, were eighth in the UEC with nine points. Teddy Kowalski (133), Ben O’Brien (125), Ronnie Murray (124) and Jacob Jones (124) had the team’s top averages

SHARON LUPO

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

INVITATION FOR BIDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the President and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be received for the following Improve¬ment:

Blanchan Avenue

Improvements Project Cook County Community Development Block Grant Program

CDBG Project No. 2406-015

Village of Brookfield, Illinois

Said bids will be received during regular business hours up to the hour of 11:45 A.M, on the 26th of February 2025, at the Village Manager’s Office, in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, and will be publicly opened and read at that time.

The bidding forms and documents are available at the office of the Municipal Engineer, Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154, upon payment of the sum of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00), which is not refundable. The Engineer has been authorized to refuse to issue plans, specifi¬cations and proposals to any person, firm, or corporation that he considers to be unqualified. Proposals must be submitted on the forms provided. No proposals will be issued after 4:00 P.M. on the 21st of February 2025. Electronic copies of the bidding documents are available from the office of the Municipal Engineer, Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., via email request to info@ ehancock.com. Proposals must be submitted on the form provided. All proposals or bids offered must be accompa¬nied by a bid bond, cash, or a certified or cashier’s check made payable to the Presi¬dent and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield in the amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount of the proposal as a guarantee that if the proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the perfor¬mance of the contract is properly secured.

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the proposals without the consent of the President and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield for a period of 45 days after the scheduled time of closing bids.

The bidder is specifically advised that the Village is a Subgrantee of the County of Cook of a grant made pursuant to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended, pursuant to an agreement entered into and between the County of Cook and the Village. Payments to the Contractor will be made by the Village only after it has received the funds to make such payments from the County of Cook in accordance with the terms of the aforesaid agreement.

APPLICABLE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

All laborers and mechanics employed by Contractor or Subcontractor(s) on construction work for this project shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act as amended (40 U.S.C. 276-276a-5), and shall receive overtime compensation in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Contract

Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. Sections 327-333), and the Contractor and Subcontractor(s) shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to these Acts and other applicable Federal laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards. The Secretary of Labor has, with respect to the labor standards specified in this Section, the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Number 14 of 1950 (5 U.S.C. Section 133z-15) and Section 2 of the Act of June 13, 1934, as amended (14 U.S.C. 276c).

All contracts and Subgrantees for construction or repair shall include a provision for compliance with the Copeland “Anti-Kickback Act” (18 U.S.C. Section 874) as supple¬mented in Department of Labor Regulations (29 CFR Part 3).

Contracts shall include a provision for compliance with Sections 103 and 107 of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. Sections 327-330) as supple¬mented by Department of Labor Regulations (29 CFR Part 5).

Each bidder is required to comply with the Equal Employment Opportunity for Community Development Block Grants, a copy of which is on file with the Village Clerk and is available for inspection.

Compliance with “Section 3”, which calls for affirmative action by the Contractor to train and/or hire lower income residents of the project area and to subcontract with local, small businesses, is required on this project.

An explanation of the applicable federal requirements previously mentioned is provided in the Special Provisions of the Bid Specifications.

The successful bidder for the construction of the improvement will be required to file a performance bond equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the bid, with sureties to be approved by the President and Board of Trustees, which performance bonds shall be conditioned upon proper and faithful performance by the Contractor of the work specified in accordance with the plans and specification therefore, according to the time and terms and conditions of the contract; and also that the bidder and contractor shall properly pay all debts incurred by the Contractor in the execution of the work, including those for labor and materials furnished.

The Contractor shall be required to furnish sufficient insurance or guaranty of indemnity to the Village of Brookfield, Illinois, and the County of Cook, Illinois, and the Engineer against any and all claims which might arise for damages to persons or property due to the negligence of the Contractor or Subcontractors, or their officers, agents, employees or servants, during the construction of said improvement and until the said improvement has been finally accepted as complete by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois. The right to reject any and all proposals or bids is reserved.

BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project:

2025 GREEN PARKING LOT

IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

This project will include the replacement of concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks, and driveway aprons, replacement of drainage structures and installation of sewer and underdrain pipe, earth excavation, installation of an aggregate storage volume, permeable paver parking lot installation, pavement marking, installation of a rain garden with native plantings, landscaping disturbed areas, and performing other related work.

Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 11:30 A.M. on Wednesday, the 26th day of February, 2025, in the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 11:30 A.M. on the same day, Wednesday, the 26th day of February, 2025, at the Village Hall.

Electronic copies of bidding documents, consisting of the bid proposal, project specifications, and project plans are available from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154. Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ehancock.com. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Friday, the 21st day of February, 2025.

A non-refundable fee of Fifteen dollars ($15.00) will be required to obtain bidding documents. Proposals will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company.

All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond, cashier’s check or certified check in an amount not less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that if the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. Checks shall be made payable to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check.

Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village.

The bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum issued by the Village.

In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be emailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued.

The Contractor and Subcontractors shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards.

The Village of Brookfield reserves the right to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals.

All bidders are specifically advised that the Village is a Subgrantee of a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) grant, pursuant to an agreement entered into and between the MWRDGC and the Village.

Each bidder is required to comply with the MWRDGC’s Affirmative Action Requirements and affirmative Action Ordinance. The successful bidder will be required to include the following sub-contracts as part of their bid:

1)$36,320 for Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE) and/ or Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE). This amount can be all MBE, all WBE, or a combination of each.

2) $5,448 for Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (VBE)

The DBE requirements listed within these Contracts are requirements, not goals. The Village is using a combination of MWRDGC and local funding for the completion of the project.

BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

Published in RBLandmark February 12, 2025

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project:

2025 STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

This project will include the replacement of concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks, driveway aprons, and drainage structures, pavement widening, replacement of certain sections of combined sewers, milling and resurfacing certain pavements, landscaping disturbed areas, and performing other related work.

Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 11:15 A.M. on Wednesday, the 26th day of February 2025, in the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 11:15 A.M. on the same day, Wednesday, the 26th day of February, 2025, at the Village Hall.

No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Friday, the 21st day of February, 2025.

All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents. All bidders must provide proof that they are prequalified with the Illinois Department of Transportation to perform at least 40% of the value of the work before being issued bidding documents. A non-refundable fee of Fifteen dollars ($15.00) will be required to obtain bidding documents. Proposals will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company.

Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The bidder requesting the inter-

pretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpreta tion to be substantive, the inter pretation will be made by written addendum issued by the Village.

In the event that a written adden dum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be emailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume re sponsibility for receipt of such ad dendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued.

The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations is sued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other ap plicable Federal Laws and regula tions pertaining to labor standards.

The Village of Brookfield reserves the rights to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals.

BY ORDER

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

New brew review

A look at the area’s newest co ee o erings

New co ee shops are in the works — a co ee cart came in from the cold, two cafes are celebrating their rst year, and one local mainstay is making a switch.

By RISÉ SANDERS WEIR Contributing Reporter

You’ll probably need a bingo card to keep it all straight, but oh, what an energizing game it will be to take a sip from each of these purveyors of liquid happiness

Best friends Jose Balaguer and Ryan Klem took over the for mer Brewpoint location at 163 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park and renamed it The Coffee Shop. Balaguer says they want their space to be a people can come to disconnect as needed. still serve Brewpoint’ beans with a keen ey out for what a barista brings to the cup.

“We want to make sure that if

a customer orders a cu of coffee today and then come back next day, to a good consistent product, Balaguer said. “We and measure every shot of espresso, every time.”

A unique offering on the menu is call a “walking waffle.”

“We offer a homemade, made-fromscratch, waffle in a sleeve We invite customers to walk our beautiful town. Come summertime, there’s no better place to walk around,” he added.

Espresso Café opened in October at 7501 Roosevelt Rd. in Forest Park. The cafe had long been a dream of owner Fer nando Silva. He had his eye on this for mer branch bank location, across the street from Living Fresh Market. The light filled space is war m and inviting.

“This has been on my mind for 23 years!” said. “There is no other [coffee] shop area. The neighborhood has been rtive. Pastries, empanadas, en bread for sandwiches are all made here.”

hen it comes to brewing, Silva serves Whirlwind coffee, oasted in Oak Park

This winter, Zemi Coffee rt has taken over the Three Spoons Ice Cream location 133 N. Ridgeland Ave., just around the corner from Ridgeommons. It’s a trial run for

RISÉ SANDERS WEIR rnando Silva, esso Café

wner Dominique Betancourt, onsidering a brick-andlocation to compliment her pedal-powered cart that roams our streets and parks in war mer weather

“I had no winter plans, so I had no idea of what I was going to do,” Betancourt said. “This was an opportunity beta test in a really small location. I don’t have to commit for a year to a lease. One of the many things I learned, is that food is an important driver in a cafe.”

Zemi now stocks a rotation of pastries, including gluten-free ones each day.

In April, the storefront will transform back into Three Spoons Ice Cream.

customer, because there’s a massive education gap between the farms,” Kristi Ross said. Their highly curated bean selection supports mom-and-pop roasters and farmers too. The menu, which will cover sweet to savory, is in the hands of Michelin-starred chef Nick Fron.

“I’m extremely excited about Nick’s insanely awesome brownie. I don’t even brownies. He hooked me with those for sure,” Kristi Ross said.

RISÉ SANDERS WEIR

Dominique Betancourt, Zemi Co ee Cart

A preview of ca einated attractions coming soon to the area

U3 Coffee Roasters will open on Valentine’s Day at 7430 Madison St. in Forest Park Owners Kristi and Craig Ross come from the world of finance and healthcare, but together they have a vision for all the good coffee can do.

“We have a mission to unite the coffee farmer, the coffee entrepreneur, and the end

Keep an eye out for another opening. Wild Card Coffee has been in the mobile coffee bar biz first in San Francisco, but it’s now moving to a permanent address later this year at 1053 Madison St. in Oak Park. Owner Evan Berger returned home during the COVID pandemic. Along with his wife, Lauren Marmol, the two imagine the new space as a community hub, a café life experience.

“Our intention behind the space is to realize that third place, away from home and work,” Berger said. “It’s really important for a healthy community to have this place. It’s my way of creating the life I want for myself and my family.”

Along with that welcoming vibe, Berger wants customers to feel “smarter” about their coffee. “There is going to be a mix-

Evan Berger and Lauren Marmol, Wild Card Co ee

isti and Craig Ross, U3 Co ee Roasters

ture of what I consider the best roast-ers around the country and then also trying to highlight smaller local Chicago roasters,” said Berger. “There will be bakery items, but we’ll also be very focused on salad sandwiches, healthier food options.”

Last, but certainly not the least is Kribi Coffee’s purchase of Sugar Fixe bakery. It’s the newest jewel in the crown of the hyperlocal java juggernaut, which includes three Kribi locations and Buzz Cafe.

“We want to bring Sugar Fixe back to what it used to be – such an amazing place to get a bakery item, treats, and custom cake designs,” said Abbey Brumfiel, Kribi’s director of operations

Alongside regular operations, Bonjour Bakery will be whipping up croissants and other pastries for sale in-store and wholesale out of Sugar Fixe’s kitchen.

“I want everybody to be on the lookout, to give it a second chance, because we’re looking to enhance everything,” Brumfiel said.

With all these options, surely you can find a cup of coffee that suits your tastes at one of the many local coffee emporiums

Kribi Coffee / Sugar Fixe 119 N. Marion St., Oak Park sugarfixe.com U3 Coffee Roasters 7430 Madison St., Forest Park u3coffee.com

Card Coffee 1053 Madison St., Oak Park wildcard.coffee

Zemi Coffee Cart 133 N. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park zemicoffeecart.com

A NE W CHAPTER FOR OAK PARK

Dandelion Bookshop op ens its doors

New owners, Jamie and Kurt Erikson have a vision for community-focused bookshop.

BY DALAL ORFALI Vibe assistant editor

When Jamie Ericson first heard that The Book Table was closing, she felt an immediate sense of loss. The beloved independent bookstore had been a cornerstone of Oak Park’s literary community, and the thought of the neighborhood without a local bookshop was, in her words, “just too sad.”

But rather than dwell on the disappointment, she decided to do something about it.

“I’ve always been a big reader, and I have been working on writing for kids, too,” she said. “I worked with words my whole career in different ways — educational publishing, e-commerce copy editing, and children’s writing.

“My husband and I,” she added, “we’ve been able to start a new business and try to fill the need in this community, because I felt like it was, I’m just too sad not to have a bookstore here.”

As Ericson, her husband, and her 9-year-old son cut the red ribbon by the shop’s glass façade on Oak Park Avenue, Dandelion Bookshop was born The shop, with its sage green shelves, and welcoming vibe, is a labor of love for the Ericsons, who have experience launching startups. Together, they worked to create a space that not only sells books, but also fosters a sense of literary community

because that’s my favorite thing,” Ericson said. “But then I realized there would be nothing for the grown-ups, so we’re doing both.”

The shop’s shelves are still evolving, with room for new releases and customer requests. Ericson said that she is open to working with local readers and writers. They can reach out to her through the contact form on the shop’s website, or simply through stopping by.

“We’re excited to work with local people and there seems to be a lot of collaboration happening here,” Ericson said. T he shop is making ef for ts to collaborate with local schools and libraries. Ericson’s son attends the John Greenleaf Whittier after-school program at District 97, and she has been volunteering in his school’s library, she said.

Dandelion Bookshop owners Jaimie and Kurt Ericson with their son Teddy cut the ribbon in front of their store

When it came to naming the shop, Ericson said she wanted something meaningful.

“Dandelions represent hope and resilience,” she explained. “The seeds represent wishes. They’re playful, but they’re also stubborn and hard to get rid of. I thought that was a good model for us to follow.”

Ericson said she aims for the shop to be a gathering space where readers and writers could connect.

“We had a survey up when we first signed our lease — there was a QR code in the window, and we got a lot of responses from people with their ideas,” she said. “Eventually, this room in the back will be a community space with a table and chairs for writing groups, book clubs and maybe kids’ classes.”

One of the distinguishing features of Dandelion Bookshop is its children’s section.

“At one point, I thought about having only kids’ books

“That experience has been such a good education in seeing what kids are reading. I met with the district’s librarians earlier this month and let them know we can do bulk ordering or anything they need for the schools. And I’m meeting with someone from the public library next week.”

Although the store is still finding its footing, Ericson said she is excited about the possibilities.

“Anything people can’t find on our shelves; we can order for them. We’re not as big as The Book Table was, but we can get books in a couple of days. The shop will keep evolving based on what our customers are looking for.”

Ericson said that she and her husband, Kurt are working on setting up the website so customers can purchase tax-exempt books using school identification numbers.

“I’m so glad that we’re able to because my husband has built all of the text stuff himself. He can just code it to make it work”

Dandelion Bookshop carries new books only.

“We’re only doing new books because there is a used bookstore in Oak Park still, so I figure we can both coexist together,” Ericson said.

For extra fun, the shop offers its special merch and notebooks for purchase, and working on the possibility of selling gift cards.

With a warm and inviting atmosphere, a strong commitment to community engagement, and a deep love of literature, Dandelion Bookshop is set to become a cherished fixture for all the book lovers in the area.

For more information visit: https://dandelionbookshop.com

TODD BANNOR

Shalo, Sugar Fix

Landmark, Februar y 12, 2025

Submit events and see full calendar at rblandmark.com/events

Galentine celebrations

By DALAL ORFALI Vibe assistant editor

AUSTIN

Aba- Austin Galentine Day Dinner To -Go

■ Thursday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 15

■ Aba Restaurant, 302 N Green St., 3rd Floor, Chicago

Aba Restaurant is making your night ef for tless with a 4-course Mediterranean feast for $52.95 per person (minimum 2 orders). Enjoy Whipped Feta Spread, Seared Ahi Tuna, Grilled Chicken Kebab with Basmati Rice, and Chocolate Cake—all from the comfort of home!

Order by noon on Wednesday, Feb. 12 to enjoy this special offer. Visit https://qrco. de/bfitfq

BERWYN

Kelli Owens Hutton MOMCORE show – featur-

ing comedians Eunji Kim & Chelsea Hood

■ Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8:30 p.m.

■ FitzGerald’s Nightclub, 6615 Roosevelt Rd.

Kelli Owens Hutton brings Rock & Roll and comedy together to create the unique genre of MomCore! Enjoy a night of music and laughter as Kelli sings about life with her dog, kids, and husband—joined by a lineup of stand-up comedians for an unforgettable show.

Find tickets at https://qrco.de/bfitQd

OA K PARK

Galentine’s Day celebration – a womanowned bakery pop -up at Beer Shop

■ Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.

■ Beer Shop, 1026 North Blvd.

The Beer shop is hosting Heart and Soul Bakery’s special pop-up, which will feature cookies, chocolates, charcuterie

Please

Show love to your gal-friends this February with a list of fun activities around the area. We’ve got you and your besties covered!

boxes, and treats for your furry friends. Part of the event’s proceedings will go to help those affected by the LA fires.

Blossoms & Besties with Pickle Hill Parties

■ Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m.

■ Spilt Milk, 811 South Blvd.

Gigi Rowe from Pickle Hill Parties will teach you how to make a stunning flower arrangement to take home (or maybe to gift) at her flower-arranging workshop. Tickets include flower supplies, nibbles and a glass of bubbly, or a hot drink from the espresso bar. There will be a take -home bag of treats with a personalized name tag. Reserve your ticket at www.spiltmilkpastry.com

Lovely Suds Heart Shaped Soap Making

■ Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m.

■ Einnim Candle Bar + Apothecary, 1020 Lake St

Einnim Candle Bar + Apothecary invites you to discover the delightful world of soap. Learn how to make exquisite, colorful, heart-shaped soaps that are also ve gan-friendly, and scented with premium fragrances and essential oils that you’ll get to take home.

Tickets for the event are available at www.einnim.com

RIVERSIDE

Book an ar t class at Riverside Arts Center

■ Dates at times may vary.

■ Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St

Join an art class with your friends at Riverside Arts Center. T here is a lot to make — from clay to mosaic art, to glassinfused pendants. T he center’s schedule is available at this link https://www. ri ve rsideartscenter.com/2025-winterspring-session