Landmark 042424

Village President Douglas Pollock broke two tied votes, allowing some businesses to use the signs sparingly Vill Pidt Dl P ll kb kt ti dt

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside-Brookfield High School parents may have noticed seven new signs on Ridgewood Road and Golf Road declaring the school a “no idling zone.”

The signs were installed April 12 as the result of an initiative from members of the school’s Ecology Club to get parents who are picking up their students at the end of the day to stop idling their cars — or running the engine without driving — while they wait.

Riverside trustees clash on feather signs in town

Village President Douglas Pollock broke two tied votes, allowing some businesses to use the signs sparingly

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

In a rare turn of events, Riverside trustees tied two separate votes on the same ordinance at their April 18 village board meeting, requiring Village President Douglas Pollock to vote to break both ties. The topic of discussion?

Feather signs.

T he two votes we re the culmination of nine months’ wo r th of discussions about whether the village should pe rm it b usinesses to use feather signs as a fo rm of adve rt i sement.

Riverside defines feather signs as any temporary signs “constructed of a single vertical pole” with an “attached pennant that is vertically elongated” that is “designed to, or which actually does, wave or move in the wind.” These either take the form of freestanding, vertical flags in front of businesses or wallmounted flags on storefronts.

At the board meeting, trustees were presented with the ordinance, which would have allowed some businesses to display one feather sign each for up to 30 days each calendar year, about one day every two weeks on average. Village Planner Anne Cyran noted that the planning and zoning commission, which had approved the 30-day limit in January, recommended allowing the signs to be displayed for up to 90 days annually instead.

Trustee Alex Gallegos moved to pass the ordinance with the 90-day limit, and Trustee Elizabeth Kos seconded the motion. When it came time to vote, the board was split. Trustee Megan Claucherty voted “aye” alongside Gallegos and Kos, while Trustees Cristin Evans, Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga and Jill Mateo voted “no.” In the first tiebreaker, Pollock voted “no,” striking down the possibility of a 90-day feather sign limit.

Trustees voted along the same lines

im mediately afterward on the version with the 30-day limit. This time, Pollock voted “aye,” passing it and bringing feather signs to Riverside

Why were trustees so split?

The use of feather signs in Riverside went in front of the village board four times in the past nine months, not including two meetings this year when the ordinance was brought before the board but tabled due to trustee absences, likely because of how split the board was on the subject

At the April 18 board meeting, Marsh-Ozga and Mateo explained their disapproval of the use of feather signs in Riverside.

“I’m still opposed to a widespread program like this allowing feather flags [at] this many potential sites,” Marsh-Ozga said. “The aesthetics of the situation is not something that our residents are going to be pleased with once they see it in action. I think, administratively, it creates a burden on our staff to have to keep track of these different properties and the timings, and I think we’re opening a door because we cannot regulate the content and the appearance or design of these new, less expensive for ms of advertising, and I would oppose it whether it was 90 days or 60 days or 30 days.”

Marsh-Ozga said she would have been in favor of allowing the signs only at the Riverside train station, where bike repair shop Gears 2 You used them last year, sparking trustees’ awareness of the signs when the item was first brought before them in July.

“I appreciate the work that you’ve done and the commissions [have done],” Mateo said, addressing Cyran. “Nine months ago, I said that our sign code was very carefully thought out and revised within the last 12 years, I believe, and we don’ t allow moving signs. In the nine months since, I haven’t seen any compelling reason to start allowing them.”

While none of the trustees who supported the ordinance spoke up about their reasons at that meeting, some expressed opinions at past board meetings.

“I would like to try this for the year of 2024, and let’s see how the summer of ’24 pans out,” Gallegos said at a meeting in December. “I know everyone’s fear is that everyone’s gonna jump out and buy these flags,

but we’re unique here.”

“I’m in support of following the PZC’s recommendations. I think it is sufficiently tailored to our interests. I’m troubled a little bit by the concept of narrowly tailoring it so much that it only allows one space, and that’s a space that happens to be controlled by the village and from which the village derives rental income,” Claucherty said then. “The optics of that don’t seem great to me, vis-à-vis our other businesses.”

At that meeting, Evans said why she opposed the signs.

“I prefer the permanent signage that would come with a blade sign, that would look similar to what we have along Quincy [Street],” she said. “I think that looks nice and classy.”

What’s in the ordinance?

The new ordinance changes the village’s sign code that strictly regulates which businesses can use these new signs and how the signs can look.

The signs are permitted at businesses in the B1 and B2 zoning districts, which are mostly composed of areas downtown and along Harlem Avenue. The signs can be used only at businesses that obtain permits from the village; to do so, owners must submit their proposed signs’ appearances and tell the village which days of the year their businesses will put the signs out. Each business can only use one feather sign

Any business that puts up a feather sign must keep it on the premises and out of the roadway. If there is no room on the premises for a sign, a business is not permitted to use one. Multi-tenant buildings can have one sign per 30 feet of storefront, so businesses in the same building won’t have to share signs.

Wall-mounted feather signs can be up to 15 square feet in size, but no side of the sign can exceed five feet. These signs cannot extend horizontally more than 42 inches in front of the building or vertically above the cornice or second-story window line, whichever is lower.

Freestanding feather signs can be up to 18 square feet and up to 10 feet tall, and they must be mounted on a moveable anchor base

None may present danger to the public and or obstruct the view or path of anyone using the public way. The signs must be removed when a business is closed or during inclement weather.

The Power of Song: A Sing Along Tribute to Pete Seeger

Friday, April 26, 7 p.m.,

The First UMC Church of La Grange

Wesley’s Place Live Music Listening Room welcomes back folk singer songwriter Mark Dvorak for “The Power of Song: A Sing Along Tribute to Pete Seeger,” Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m.

For those interested in joining Dvorak on stage, a workshop/rehearsal for “The Power of Song” begins at 5:30 p.m. Suggested donation for the event is $15 - $25 for adults; $10 for children 12 to 18; and $5 for those under 12. Reser vations can be made online at www.wesleysplacemusic. com. Learn more about Mark Dvorak at www markdvorak.com. 100 W. Cossitt Ave.

American Beaut y: Songs of Leonard Bernstein

Saturday, April 27, 7:30 p.m., Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church

LEONARD BERNSTEIN

The illustrious career of world-famous conductor Leonard Bernstein will be re-visited in a Riverside jazz concert on April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church. American Beauty: Songs of Leonard Bernstein will be performed by Forest Park resident and jazz vocalist Terry Sullivan, along with some of the region’s most respected jazz musicians: Tom Muellner on piano, Scott Mason on bass, and Art Davis on trumpet. Tickets are available at jazzriverside.brownpapertickets.com. The concert will be repeated on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park. 250 Woodside

BIG WEEK

April 24-May 1

Brook eld Community-Wide Yard Sale

Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The annual Brook eld Community-Wide Yard Sale is this Saturday. All of the information, including how to sign up, can be found here on the Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/v2ZsiwGBT.

Dancing with the Chamber

Saturday, April 27, 7 - 9 p.m., Riverside-Brook eld High School

The Chamber of Commerce wants to dance with somebody! After a show-stopping inaugural event in 2022, the Brook eld Chamber of Commerce invites the community to cheer on 10 brave souls during its second Dancing with the Chamber competition/fundraiser

Saturday, April 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. at RiversideBrook eld High School. The pros at Sway Dance Chicago have been working hard to prepare the competitors, and they’ll pair with the 10 Brook eld Chamber members representing the local business community on the high school auditorium’s stage. A limited number of tickets (all general admission) are available at $30 each and can be purchased online. You can also purchase tickets in person at these retail locations: Daisy ’s Treats, The Compassion Factory, First National Bank of Brook eld and Loca Mocha Cafe. 160 Ridgewood Rd.

Riverside Township Radio Players April Show

Friday April 26, 7:30 p.m., Riverside Township Hall

The Riverside Township Radio Players will present their April shows Friday. They will present two mysteries with an episode of “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar” entitled “The Doting Dowager Matter” and a Boston Blackie episode entitled “Star of the Nile.” The performance is at 7:30 p.m. and is Free in the Auditorium at Riverside Township Hall. For more information, go to riversidetownshipradioplayers. com or follow the group on twitter @radioplayers. If you would like more information about this, contact Ellie Babka at 708-442-8810 or email babka@att. net. 27 Riverside Rd.

Misericordia Heart of Mercy Candy Days

Friday, April 26, Saturday, April 27

The Annual Misericordia Candy Days are this weekend. Volunteers will be out in front of local businesses. (They ’re not allowed to collect at street corners anymore.) To make a donation, you can donate around the neighborhood or visit Misericordia Candy Days 2024 at frontstream.com.! If you have any questions, call Diane at 708-7051027. Misericordia thanks you!

Compiled by Grace Har ty

Listing your event

■ If you would like your event to be featured here, please send a photo and details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published. We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights. Email calendar@wjinc.com.

MARK DVORAK

Brook eld man hosts podcast, o ers neighbors space to do the same

Sharing local stories, one voice at a time

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

For more than 20 years, Brookfield resident Jason Baumann has been consumed by everything media related.

Over the past two decades, he’s owned a full-service digital marketing firm, helping hundreds of people with website design, sales and online content development, and worked in public relations

By day, he serves as director of marketing for the Disparti Law Group — the accident and injury law firm frequently splashed across TV screens and dotting billboards across Chicagoland. By night, he moonlights as a wedding DJ.

But two-and-a-half years ago, Baumann realized something was missing from his creative cup — a personal media outlet; specifically, one that promoted the unique businesses and stories of his own neighbors

From that itch blossomed “Explore Brookfield” — a podcast focused on all things Brookfield, sharing unsung stories from the people who own the businesses in town to the one-of-a-kind perspectives of residents from all walks of life

“I feel like Brookfield is very supportive of its businesses, but I wanted to do something to make sure the people in Brookfield knew about all the different, cool businesses that are in town,” Baumann said. “Some [businesses] have a big name, but then there’s others which people may not necessarily know about, or they’re wondering, ‘Well, what’s Warm Wick? What’s happening at Fill My Jar? What are they doing there?’ So, I like to bring a bunch of the businesses and people in, and just offer them an opportunity to tell their stories.”

Wi th e pisodes featuring discussions with P aul Jones, president of Brookfield-based Mold-A-Rama p lastic souven ir machines; A nnette Pardun, owner of Fill My Jar c andy shop; B rian S harenow, president of the Brookfield C hamber of C ommerce, and even with Hector Fr ey -

tas, principal of Rive rside Brookfield High School, Baumann has wo rked dilig ently to take a de ep dive i nto the soul of the village.

“There’s a lot of cool stories about Brookfield that people don’t know about, so I’ve tried to bring in some of the people who serve our community and some other people just to tell their stories,” he said. “I’m not shy about being on a microphone, and my plan is to continue telling these incredible and motivational stories.”

After two years of tapping into all things Brookfield, Baumann was still left feeling as though there was just a little bit more he could do to open up conversations in town.

North Riverside Players

Proudly Presents

North Riverside Players Proudly Presents An unhappy game of romantic follow-the-leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell. Dr. Cristow, the Harley Street lothario, is at the center of the trouble when, assembled in one place, we find his dull but devoted wife, Gerda, his mistress and prominent sculptor, Henrietta, and his former lover and Hollywood film star, Veronica. Also visiting are Edward and Midge, whose romantic assertions are likewise thrown into the mix. As the list of romantic associations grows, so does the list of potential suspects when someone is shot dead. Nearly everyone has a motive, but only one of them did the deed, in this classic Agatha Christie mystery.

Enter Media Space Studios — a recording studio located at 9039 Monroe St., welcoming people of all ages to a space to record their own video or audio productions, from voiceovers, podcasts, videos and more.

Since opening its doors last October, Baumann’s business has af forded locals the chance to tell their own stories in their own way.

“When you have a voice, you can make a difference,” he said. “[With my podcast], I’ve recorded in that building. And I saw an opportunity that instead of just being a place where I could record my own podcast, where I could make a space available to residents in our community. I thought it would be cool [for others] to have that.”

Since opening, Media Space Studios has welcomed people across the western suburbs to become storytellers.

“A lot of people are doing video podcasts, which I wasn’t expecting, but I’m glad we have the opportunity to do it,” Baumann said. My philosophy is I want to give them the tools they need to be heard.”

Two new podcasts that Baumann said have blossomed from his space include for mer state representative Mike Zalewski and his podcast “Have All Voted Who Wish,” discussing Illinois legislation and State policy; and

See BROOKFIELD on page 15

$2 off Good for each ticket

in a single order or single transaction on either Friday show (April 26th or May 3rd).

Walk-ins only. Does not qualify for presold, online or reserved tickets. Must present coupon to validate

An unhappy game of romantic follow-the-leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell. Dr. Cristow, the Harley Street lothario, is at the center of the trouble when, assembled in one place, we find his dull but devoted wife, Gerda, his mistress and prominent sculptor, Henrietta, and his former lover and Hollywood film star, Veronica. Also visiting are Edward and Midge, whose romantic assertions are likewise thrown into the mix. As the list of romantic associations grows, so does the list of potential suspects when someone is shot dead. Nearly everyone has a motive, but only one of them did the deed, in this classic Agatha Christie mystery.

April 26, 27, 28 May 3, 4, 5

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Brook eld Zoo Chicago welcomes pair of koalas

Guests can see Brumby and Willum starting May 24

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Come say “G’day” to a new pair of marsupials heading to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The zoo announced Tuesday that two male 2-year-old koalas named Brumby and Willum will be visible to guests starting May 24, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. The koalas are coming to the zoo through a loan partnership program with the San Die go Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the San Die go Zoo’s Koala Education and Conservation Project.

Brumby and Willum will be the first ever koalas to live at the zoo, making it the only accredited zoological organization in Illinois and one of 11 across North America where the public can see these animals.

According to the zoo, the Inter national Union for Conservation and Nature lists koalas as a vulnerable species in Australia, where they can be found natively Koalas are one of the only animals that eat eucalyptus leaves, which are poisonous to most other animals, so the zoo will receive semiweekly rotations of fresh leaves for its koalas.

The koalas will join many of the zoo’s other species in its animal adoption program, where anyone can donate to the zoo to receive a personalized certificate of adoption, a color photograph of an animal of the species they’re adopting, a sheet of facts on the species, and more.

COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO ZOO

Brumby (pictured) and Willum will be the rst koalas to live at the zoo, making it the only accredited zoological organization in Illinois and one of 11 across North America where the public can see these animals.

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Willum is the zoo’s other koala. Koalas are one of the only animals that eat eucalyptus leaves, which are poisonous to most other animals, so the zoo will receive semiweekly rotations of fresh leaves for its koalas

NRebozo Celebrates Two Years in Forest Park

By Risé Sanders-Weir

For anyone who has ever eaten at Chef Paco’s restaurant, you know good food is on the way when you hear his catchphrase, “Oh my God!” The Chef is still going strong as NRebozo’s celebrates its second year in Forest Park.

Speaking his signature mix of English, Spanish and pure enthusiasm, Chef Paco greets customers in the location that has become a new home at 7403 Madison Street. Paco was elated that moving his restaurant went so smoothly. “Two years! I am super happy. I say thank you to all my family, my team, my employees, my customers. I love my customers. Forest Park? Oh my God. Very nice. Received me as family.”

The move to Forest Park allowed Chef Paco to buy the building that houses his restaurant and prepare for another generation of ownership. That’s also the reason for the name shift from New Rebozo to NRebozo.

“When I changed the name, the people confused. What happened?” Paco was often asked.

After 30 years, Chef Paco didn’t think it was “new” anymore. And he wanted to make a path for other family members to continue his legacy. Paco’s son Jose Manuel Lopez and nephew Saul Hernandez work at the restaurant with the chef and his wife. A grandson works weekends, while studying to be a pastry chef. When new customers encounter him, “They say, ‘Are you the waiter or are you the bus boy? Or you the chef?’ I laugh. I am everything, everything you see.”

He does contemplate future, “One year, two years, three years. My future, I don’t know. Period. Paco is supposed to be retired. I’m not retired because the people say no.”

The flagship dish on the menu remains the Fiesta Mole. Paco and his team make 40 different versions. The dish features 6 of them at a time, many of which are his own creations, such as sweet potato mole and white chocolate mole.

A new exploration for the chef is vegan offerings. He wants customers who order these to have the same reaction that he gets from his other dishes, “One example is

cauliflower al pastor. When you eat you say, ‘Oh my God! No meat? This is cauliflower?’”

If you can’t get enough of the uplifting experience of being around Chef Paco, you can now cook with him. In the afternoon, you can book a 4-hour cooking experience at the restaurant from noon to 4 P.M. For $130 you get to make dishes with Chef Paco and enjoy an open bar. Dancing is encouraged. Chef Paco promises, “You forget your problems. For four hours, mucho tequila. Mucho happy. And I told everybody when you’re going for cooking classes, you need Uber. You need Uber because I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Current chef-favorite dishes include a plantain cake appetizer with mild cascabel peppers and cheese. Eating the cake with chips includes many textures. Paco says, “It’s very important when you eat crunchy and sweet and crunchy and soft together.”

Fish tacos are a traditional, yet elevated dish. Paco sources his tilapia from Columbia, preferring the quality that comes from that region.

Sweet, spicy, sour, crunchy, soft – those are the watch words of Chef Paco’s cooking. He also says that life comes in those five varieties as well. And that a full life will have all those elements.

When asked how he would describe the flavor profile of his food, Chef Paco responded that it’s all the regions of Mexico, mixed with his French cuisine training and passed through his imagination. Mostly though he wants, “To hear customers say, ‘My God, this is so delicious.’ This makes me super happy. For me this is I think this is perfect.”

Know Before You Go:

Website: www.newrebozos.com

Reservations: via their website

• 7403 Madison St, Forest Park

• 708-445-0370

COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO ZOO

N Rebozo owner, Chef Paco

Rep. La Shawn Ford spotlights opioid crisis with Harm Reduction Solidarity Week

Future e orts to prevent overdoses include opening overdose prevention sites and continuing to destigmatize substance use disorders

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Illinois Re p. La Shawn Ford is ramping up the fight against the opioid crisis by pushing to create overdose prevention sites and declaring a new Harm Reduction Solidarity Week.

Ford, whose district includes Austin, Oak Park and Forest Park, has long been a drug-treatment advocate. In late 2022, for example, he proposed House Bill 0002, which proposes the opening of pilot overdose prevention sites in Illinois.

Earlier this year, Ford filed House Resolution 665, which, when it passed, declared April 14 through April 20 Illinois’ first Harm Reduction Solidarity Week.

At a news conference in Springfield April 17, Ford was joined by the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Sameer Vohra, and the Illinois Harm Reduction and Recovery Coalition, along with other advocates, to spotlight the crisis and ef for ts to stop it and to save lives.

“We were educating the Springfield members, and all those that listen, about how important it is to have what you call har m reduction tools in our community,” Ford said.

The numbers tell the stark truth about the crisis.

In 2022, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office reported 2,000 deaths from opioid overdose, more than 1,800 of which were fentanyl-related. And 56% of those deaths were Black people, although African Americans made up less than a quarter of the county population that year, according to Illinois census estimations.

new, more potent, pure fentanyl that’s killing people with overdoses,” Ford said.

A 2022 Chicago Sun-Times re port before, deaths from overdoses we West Side, with most occurring in West South Austin and East Garfield Pa not immune. Seventeen deaths were re and 25 in Cicero.

As for ambulance calls for overdoses, the they were concentrated on the West Side, too: 608 calls in Austin, 458 in West Garfield Park records show. Other neighborhood enced six overdose calls.

According to Ford, harm reduction ef included dispersing clean needles to help stop the spread of hepatitis and HIV, plus Narcan to assist someone experiencing an overdose. There are also programs that connect those who use drugs to medical-assisted recovery, where they can meet with behavioral health counselors and have access to prescription drugs that help curb cravings.

move towards recovery when they’re ready.”

But Ford and other Illinois politicians are hoping for more. Their most recent ef fort is to create overdose prevention sites in Illinois with House Bill 0002, which Ford hopes passes before the end of May.

Overdose prevention sites are places where those who use drugs can go for supervised consumption and access to behavioral health experts.

New York City opened the first of these overdose prevention sites in the country at the end of 2021. T he first year that two sites were open, they experienced 48,533 visits and only intervened 636 times to prevent overdoses. No overdoses occurred at either site. T hese sites connected about 75% of visitors to other harm reduction and medical services

“The only people that would really go to an overdose prevention site are people who are looking for help,” Ford said. “And there’s no place for people to go like that in Illinois where they could be acce pted for who they are and

The idea, however, could be a tough sell. Critics say such sites promote drug use and perpetuate crime.

Beyond creating overdose prevention sites in Illinois, politicians and organizers aim to end the stigma against those who use drugs.

“A s we c onfront this challeng e, we reco gnize a c once rn ing pattern where progr ess is hindered by stigm a towards p eople who use drug s, ” said Aces L ira, AID S Foundation Chicago’s p oli cy and a dvo ca cy manage r, in a statement. “We stand united with harm reductio n a dvo cates statewide, who c ourageously share their pe rsonal stories with le gislators. ”

“We have to educate people on how to help their families when they are struggling with a substance user. We have to help law enforcement understand the difference between a criminal and a person that’s living with a substance use disorder,” Ford said. “We’ve got to end the stigma and having people believe that people who are struggling with a substance use disorder are bad people.”

TAX BASICS FOR SETTING UP A BUSINESS: PART I

Here are a few things any entrepreneur needs to do when starting their business.

Choose a business structure: The form of business determines which income tax return a business needs to file. The most common business structures are:

• Sole proprietorship: An unincorporated business owned by an individual. There’s no distinction between the taxpayer and their business.

• Partnership: An unincorporated business with ownership shared between two or more members.

• Corporation: Also known as a C corporation. It’s a separate entity owned by shareholders.

• S Corporation: A corporation that elects to pass corporate income, losses, deductions and credits through to the shareholders.

• Limited Liability Company: A business structure allowed by state statute. If a single-member LLC does not elect to be treated as a corporation, the LLC is a “disregarded entity,” and the LLC’s activities should be reflected on its owner’s federal tax return as a sole proprietorship.

Choose a tax year: A tax year is an annual accounting period for keeping records and reporting income and expenses. A new business owner must choose either:

• Calendar year: 12 consecutive months beginning January 1 and ending December 31.

• Fiscal year: 12 consecutive months ending on the last day of any month exceptDecember.

Cook County Circuit Judge Chloé Pedersen (middle) took the podium

April 18 to thank Riverside trustees for honoring her late aunt, Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, who died April 7.

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside has honored late Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough with a proclamation commending her public service.

At its April 18 meeting, the Riverside village board issued a proclamation to honor Yarbrough, who died April 7 at 73 after being hospitalized April 2 with an undisclosed illness

meeting alongside Yarbrough’s sister and spoke after Village President Douglas Pollock read the proclamation at the start of the meeting.

“We, the members of the Village Board of Trustees, do hereby express to Yarbrough’s family and loved ones our sincere condolences and appreciation for her outstanding service, support and dedication to the Village of Riverside and Cook County Residents,” the proclamation said.

Ya rbrough was first elected the c lerk of C ook C ounty in 2018, making her the first woman and Black person to hold the p osition. S he was re-elected in 2022.

Ya rbrough’s d uties included overseeing election processes, maintaining tax maps and administering records. Before her election as c lerk, Ya rbrough ser ve d as C ook C ounty ’s recorder of d eeds from 2012-2018.

Yarbrough’s niece, Cook County Circuit Judge Chloé Pedersen, attended the

“Some of you may not know — some of you may know — that Karen Ya rbroug h was my aunt. I have with me her sister, next in line in our f amily, so we ’r e b oth here and gr aciously a ccept the proclamation and truly want to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you,” Pe de rsen said. “She was a dedicated public servant for many year s, opening d oor s, forging new paths and always mentorin g and bringing others along. I hope we ca n c ontinue to honor her by c ontinuing tha t wo rk , and thank you all again for reco gnizing us.”

After Pe dersen and Ya rbrough’s sister sat down from the podium, Pollock r eminisced about Rive rside’s c onnection to the late clerk.

“I would be r emiss, too, if I did not mention for mer Vi llage President Jo e Ballerin e, who was a g ood friend of Kare n’s and Ju dge Pe dersen’s and texted me upon Mr s. Ya rbrough’s death, sayin g that she was a v alued friend of the Vi llage of Rive rside,” he said.

COURTESY OF VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE

IDLING

Less pollution

from page 1

To reco gnize the club’s achievement, Village President Douglas Pollock invited David Monti, an RB science teacher and the Ecology Club’s sponsor, to speak at the Riverside village board meeting April 18. Monti touched on the club’s 40-year history of restoration work at Wolf Road Prairie and Waubansee Woods before turning the podium over to three of the club’s senior student officers, Desi LaRocque, Maiana Nelson and Hayden Marrs.

“At the beginning of each year in Eco Club, we all just come together, collaborate and find one thing that we see is wrong in the community or we want to change or we want to improve, and we noticed the surplus amount of cars in front of our school that are just sitting there, idling,” LaRocque said.

“It was really cool. We got to present this to our assistant superintendent and our principal and assistant principal to kind of come up with a solution for this,” Nelson said. “Our board of fered to fund these signs, and they were up in a couple of weeks, which was really exciting to kind of see all of our work finally be put up.”

“On behalf of the students, we want to thank Mr. Monti and the administration for being so flexible and allowing us to hopefully create a le gacy of environmental consciousness in this community,” Marrs said.

How did this initiative come together?

As LaRocque said, each year in the fall, the club’s members choose an ecological project to pursue for the school year. This year, the students decided to focus on fighting the ne gative effects of idling cars.

“You have people that come at 2:40 to pick up their kid, and they sit out there for 30 minutes, and their car is running,” Monti said in a phone call. “It makes sense when it’s February, and it’s below zero, and you got your heat going, but when it’s not that cold, it’s just such a waste of gasoline and a waste of fuel, and it’s so polluting.”

Monti said the students spent several months working together in teams to research the ne gative effects of idling cars, which can impact people’s health and finances and the environment. Once they had assembled the facts, the students put together a presentation, including three slides of sources, and invited school administrators to one of the club’s meetings in March.

What persuaded administrators

According to the club’s presentation, which you can view on the school’s website, idling cars produce ozone, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, three gases that are harmful to people’s health. Ozone can decrease lung growth and cause inflammation. Nitro gen oxides can cause dizziness and unconsciousness while carbon monoxide can cause fatigue, headaches and confusion; both kinds of gas can cause death, too.

Cars can consume up to half a gallon of gasoline each

‘No Idling Zone’ signs were installed April 12 along Ridgewood Road and Golf Road to encourage RB parents to turn their car engines o while they wait to pick up their students a er school.

hour they’re left idling, which can require drivers to buy gas more often. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, idling a vehicle for 15 minutes a day will consume nearly 30 gallons of fuel each year. Idling can also damage a car’s engine, leading car owners to pay to replace parts.

Idling also has a negative effect on the environment. According to the United States Department of Energy, idling cars release 30 million tons of carbon dioxide each year in the U.S. Idling cars also play a major role in producing greenhouse gases and contributing to the hole in the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

The administrators who attended the meeting — As-

sistant Superintendent Kristin Smetana, Principal Héctor Freytas, Assistant Principal for Student Af fairs David Mannon and Director of Custodial Services Burim Grajcevci — were immediately impressed with the students’ forts, Monti said.

“The four of them came, and the kids presented it … I maybe jumped in to clarify something,” he said. “The kids did a fantastic job.”

Monti said the club had been prepared to pay for the signs using funds the students had raised over time but that there was no need.

“We had of fered we would pay for the signs, and then Ms. Smetana said, ‘No, this is a district thing. This is important, and the signs aren’t very expensive,’ and she said the district would cover the signs, and so we were all kinda like, ‘Whoa, OK, so that’s kinda cool,’” he said.

While Superintendent Kevin Skinkis was out of the school on the day of the meeting and could not attend, the other administrators brought it back to him, and he approved the signs, Monti said.

Then, Ecology Club students reached out to Brookfield and Riverside about installing the signs, as the villages, rather than the school, own the land the signs were placed on. From there, the process went smoothly.

“We ordered the signs once the village OK’d it, and the village said they would install them, so we ordered the signs right before spring break,” Monti said.

He added that the seven signs arrived earlier this month. Riverside Public Works Director Dan Tabb installed them April 12, according to the school.

While the club was coordinating with the village s, Monti said he learned the Brookfield conservation commission had been looking into adding “no idling” signs. The addition of anti-idling policies near schools and transit stations is one of the actions within Brookfield’s sustainability plan, which the conservation commission wrote. Brookfield’s village board adopted the sustainability plan earlier this month.

Even with the installation of the seven signs along student pickup and drop-off areas, Monti said the Ecology Club isn’t done yet. He said the club has plans to put up another set of signs in the student pa rking lot with different wording, as club members realized their peers were idling their cars in the morning after parking.

“The kids said kids will sit in their cars if they get to school early,” he said. “They will sit in their cars and talk and be on their phone, and their car’s idling. I didn’t realize that kids would do that.”

The club is also looking into getting even more signs put up in the faculty parking lot, which some parents will pull into to avoid traffic and idle their cars as they wait to pick up their children; however, Monti said the parking lot’s land belongs to Brookfield Zoo Chicago, so the club is waiting to hear back after reaching out to the zoo last week.

Monti said his students in the Ecology Club were excited about how RB administration ag reed to the initiative quickly and without asking them to make any changes.

“We were waiting for a little pushback or a little resistance or, like, ‘Oh, you need to fix this or fix this,’” he said. “So, for them to have approved it, and then for them to have said, ‘No, no, we’ll fund it’ … We’re very grateful, very thankful.”

TRENT BROWN

PO LICE REPO RT S

Man with an active warrant found unresponsive on bus

A man was arrested April 12 in Riverside after he was found unresponsive on a Pace bus before being taken to the hospital.

Around 5:45 p.m. that evening, Riverside officers were dispatched to the intersection of South Harlem Avenue and Addison Road after police received a re port of a Pace bus passenger who was unresponsive but breathing. When officers arrived, the man was laying on the floor next to his seat. Paramedics from the Berwyn fire department arrived and gave the man a dose of Narcan, police said.

When police ran the man’s infor mation, they found he had an active warrant in DuPage County for failing to appear in court for a DUI. The Berwyn paramedics transported the man to MacNeal Hospital for treatment; he was later released and brought to the station to be finger printed before being taken to DuPage County Jail.

Special watch in Brookfield after employee made threats

Police placed the Sweetener Supply Corporation at 9501 Southview Ave. in Brookfield under special watch April 15 after an employee re portedly threatened to bring a gun to work

According to police, a supervisor called police after an employee threatened him. When an officer arrived, the supervisor said his employee, who is also his nephew, was trying to provoke him earlier in the day by telling him to fight him in the parking lot. The supervisor told police his employee continued to provoke him while he walked away. He said his nephew also made a comment about getting a gun and coming back with it if the supervisor did not fight him. The supervisor told police he wished for the officer to stick around until his nephew left the area to ensure no problems arose.

T he officer then attempted to speak with the ne phew at the corner of S outhview Avenue and Harrison Avenue, but he refused to speak or answe r q uestions outside of denying that he had said he

would bring a g un. T he officer advised the ne phew not to return. According to the p olice re po rt , the business was then p laced under special watch.

Arrested for driving under the influence

A man was arrested April 12 in Riverside for driving drunk.

Around 10:30 p.m. that night, a Riverside officer on patrol observed the man’s car cross the yellow divider lines while driving west on 26th Street near Keystone Avenue. The officer pulled the man over near South First Avenue.

After approaching him, the officer smelled the odor of alcohol coming from the man’s breath and saw he had bloodshot eyes, police said. The man provided a driver’s license and proof of insurance. When the officer asked if he had been drinking, the man said he had had two drinks. W hen asked by the officer, the man first refused field sobriety testing before stepping out of his car and ag r eeing to it. During testing, the officer saw the man sway and struggle to know wh ic h direction to face.

After the field testing, the man declined to take a portable breath test and police placed him under arrest. When questioned at the station, the man reiterated he had only had two drinks. The man was issued citations for driving drunk and crossing traffic lines before being released. A court date of May 3 was set.

Arrested for drunk driving after knocking down a tree

A woman was arrested April 14 for driving drunk in Riverside after officers responded to a crash where her car struck village property.

Around 5:30 a.m. that morning, officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Kimbark Road and Park Place. At the scene, police observed a heavily damaged car. All the passengers were out of the car

when officers arrived and declined medical attention. Riverside paramedics still checked everyone. While the passengers were being checked in the ambulance, police inventoried the car, where they found an open tequila bottle and smelled bur nt cannabis in the car.

According to police, the car had driven of f the road, striking a wooden fence and damaging the grass and a light pole. The car also knocked down a village tree. The environmental damage reflected the damage the car had sustained, police said.

After paramedics cleared the passengers, an officer spoke with the car’s driver, during which time the officer smelled alcohol on her breath. The driver ag reed to take field sobriety testing, during which time police observed indicators of inebriation. Before the horizontal gaze test, the woman said she had one wandering eye and astigmatism in the other eye, so the officer did not conduct the test. Before the walk and turn test, the woman said she was flat-footed, but she said it would not prevent her from taking the test.

The woman took a portable breath test next, which showed .141 blood alcohol content. She was arrested and taken to the station. While officers spoke with the woman, she said she had drunk two lemon drops and could notidentify which direction she had been driving. The woman received five citations related to the incident, and a May 3 court date was set.

These items were obtained from the Ri verside Police Department reports dated April 12-14 and the Brookfield Police Department reports dated April 15-22; they represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Trent Brown

Riverside home on Maple Road sells for $790,000

The following property transfers were re ported by the Cook County Clerk from December 2023 and January 2024. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance wher a unit number appears missing, that info rmation was not provided by the clerk’s office.

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Opinion

THE LANDMARK VIEW

The ‘feather sign’ debate

We have another chapter in our imagined book called “That’s So Riverside!”

The village council and village president spent considerable time last week, and its various commissions and staf f have spent considerable time over the past year, exploring, discussing, considering, ragging on, what seem to be called “feather signs.”

What’s a feather sign? You could read our news story, which quotes the village’s definition of such a sign. Suffice it to say, it is a stick with an ad on it, which may or may not wave if the prevailing wind is just right.

Cut to the chase and the final, very split vote of the council, with the president as tiebreaker, to allow such signs to be displayed by local businesses in designated zoning areas. The business may unfurl their feather for a maximum of 30 days per year. And yes, the dates chosen for unfurling must be designated in advance along with the requisite permitting process.

The “no” votes on the council were not casual thumb-downs. There is passion in the objections. The signs are not aesthetically pleasing to the eye of one council member. Our residents will not be amused, they concluded. The village cannot regulate the content or design of the signs, said another. And by golly, we took a good hard look at the sign ordinance 12 years ago. Come back to us at the century’s midpoint and we’ll think about it then, was the implication against being hasty.

“Act in haste. Repent in leisure.” Could be the village’s new motto. We well remember the “Petunia War” of 1998 when public works planted perky, festive petunias in Downtown Riverside. Olmsted didn’t OK any perky petunias, was the swift response of the Frederick Law Olmsted Society and so they were ripped out by their roots. The Landscape Advisory Commission later issued the list of a dozen approved perennials and annuals that could inhabit a space but not call attention to themselves.

“No vivid colors, or plants of an exotic nature,” was the dictum. There was the master gardener in town who planted hibiscus in his parkway. But not for long. Both vivid and maybe a little exotic, the village allowed the plants to bloom before they had to be removed. Generous.

Then there was the intense debate a few years ago over sidewalk replacement protocols. And even here we may err on the “Riverside as a museum” side of the equation. The village decided to spend more money to re place sidewalk squares with what is called “exposed aggregate concrete,” you know, the sidewalks where the pebbles are visible Riverside is a very special village. Ef for ts to keep it that way are worthy Avoiding sucking all the oxygen out of the place is also worthy

Dan Haley Publisher Growing Community Media

OBITUARIES

was a U.S. Ar my Korean War Veteran. A sales engineer at Elkay for 38 years, he was a devoted member, lector and 65-year member of the Holy Name Society at Mater Christi Church

Dick was the husband of the late Katherine H. (nee Rosecky); the father of Christine (Michael) Sexton, Kathleen (Herb) White and Richard (Susan) Vabro Jr.; the grandfather of seven and great-grandfather of six.

Visitation was held on April 5 at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, 2447 S. Desplaines Avenue, North Riverside. A funeral Mass was celebrated on April 6 at Mater Christi Church, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family at www.KuratkoNosek.com.

Jose Luna, 60

North Riverside resident

Jose “Jesse” Luna, 60, of North Riverside, died on April 19, 2024. Born on Aug. 27, 1963 in

Chicago, he enjoyed golfing, cooking, trying new tequilas and spending time with his family. He worked in technology sales.

Jesse was the husband of Martha (nee Valdez); the father of Alex (Evan) DeDominicis, Nick Luna and Kira Luna; the brother of Mary, Eva, Ofelia, Josephine, Tula, Janie, Lupe, Olivia, Jose and Rick; the uncle of many nieces and nephews.

sitation will be held on Thursday, April 25 from 3-8 p.m. at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, 2447 S. Desplaines Ave., North Riverside and Friday, April 26 from 9:15 a.m. rs at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home to St. Mary Church, Riverside for a funeral at 10. Services will conclude following

Memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, are appreciated. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at KuratkoNosek.com.

Ann Westin, 84

eld resident

Westin, 84, Brookfield, forPlainfield died on April 8, 2024 in Downers Grove. Born on Au g. 19, 1939 in Chicago, she wo rked in the billing department for a Teamsters Union Tru cking Compan y. A nn was the mother of Ernest (Carey) Newmann, C heryl (Marty) Ko cheny, Edward (Denise) Kowalewicz, Ro be rt (Santa) Kowalewicz, and the late S herry A nn Newmann; the gr andmother of Christopher, Andrew, Sarah, Joseph, Michael, Jason, and Jessica ; the great-gr andmother of Bella; and the aunt of Allen, David and St even.

Private funeral services have been held. Ar r angements we re handled by JohnsonN osek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave. , Brookfield. Online c ondolences, memorie s and p hotos may be shared with the f amily at www.JohnsonNosek.com.

BROOKFIELD

Sharing voices from page 5

Anthony “Mr. Superior” of Brookfield’s Superior Barbershop with “Beyond The Clippers,” talking with some of the best barbers in the country on a variety of topics.

“Their stories are fascinating,” Baumann said, “and it’s really cool to hear these types of insider stories.”

Since opening, Baumann said there’s not one cookie cutter type of client coming to use their services. He said that some people coming in knowing a little bit about editing and

voiceover work already, yet others are c plete novices to the industry.

“You don’t have to come in here with camera, microphones or anything,” he said. “At Media Space Studios, we have everything you need. All you need to bring is an idea and the passion to want to be heard. Come in, and we’ll help you with the rest.”

Individuals who already have work knowledge about recording are able to rent space at the studio to work independently on their own, and people who are new to the whole concept but eager to hit the ground running, can have someone guide them through the creative process from start to finish.

Media Space Studios is a “build-yourown-adventure” type of place, he said.

“We really want to give people a helping hand, especially for somebody who really wants to get into podcasting and audio cording but might not have an idea of how to start.”

At the studio, Baumann or one of his colleagues can give patrons as little or as much help as they need — demonstrating how to use recording devices, lighting setups, cameras and more. They can even help with podcast concept development and project marketing.

Though Baumann is the owner of the studio, he has help from a silent business partner, a manager, and three editors who assist on an on-call basis.

Pricing at the studios starts at $35 an hour, which includes renting out a space and working independently. For those who are looking for more guidance, including the help of an engineer, pricing starts at $65 an hour.

Larry Holman, 75

e ‘Senior Chief ’

Larry Gene Holman, 75, of Brookfield, died in his home on April 17, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born on May 7, 1948, he was a Vietnam combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He was a Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, youth organizer, U. det leader, master around handyman and proud Taurus … stubbo

He had a heart he knew what gave so many the shi back, spoiled his lived for others to the

— a storyteller, a living map, a road-tripper, a master wrench-turner, a life-saver, a bearer of burdens. He could navigate you to the moon and build you a house before you retur ned

Larry was the husband of Dianne Holman, a father figure to anyone who needed one, grandfather, and great-grandfather, He is survived by his wife; his daughter aurel, son-in-law Mark, and sisCarolyn; his grandchildren ance (his wife Larissa), Troy, Wyatt and Maxine; and andchildren, Catalina, leanor, and Holden, plus two on He wanted to be buried hunderbird, but Dianne is still cruising.

rry, Larry, we’ ll take it

Media

“In this space, it’s not very cut and dry,” Baumann said. “Some people want to do 20-minute podcasts, and others want to do hour-and-a-half podcasts. There’s a big difference in the production of those.”

Baumann’s vision for Media Space Studios remains consistent — helping others get their voices and unique perspectives out in the digital airwaves.

“People in the area have some cool voices that should be heard — I’ve heard them myself on my own podcast,” he said. I’ve been blessed to hear a lot of great stories and meet really cool people.”

For more information about Media Space Studios, visit mediaspacestudios. com or call 708-627-8500.

To run an obituary

Please contact Erika Hobbs by e-mail: erika@growingcommunitymedia.org, before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

PROVIDED BY JASON BAUMANN

Jason Baumann runs “Explore Brook eld,” a podcast featuring voices around the village.

PROVIDED BY JASON BAUMANN

Space Studios is open to members of the public who want to create their own podcasts.

Goal-oriented

Hamilton becomes the stopping force for RBHS girls water polo

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

After confronting numerous breakaways and point-blank shots, and stopping many of them, Riverside Brookfield High School senior girls water polo goalie Edie Hamilton is feeling decisive.

“Prior to playing polo, I was kind of wishy-washy as a person. I’d try something, wouldn’t really stick with it,” Hamilton said. “How I’ve grown most while playing polo is just the whole work ethic and also the physical aspect of it, too. Just trying to train as hard as I possibly can and trying to always get better with technique.”

Hamilton entered high school with no aspirations of playing sports. She’s quickly become one of the top goalies around and intends to continue playing at Carthage College (Kenosha, Wisconsin).

And she continues working on being bolder. Even facing shots at practice by the likes of senior leading scorer Priscilla Gil (28 goals) can get intimidating

“It can be a little scary in games. That first hit off the head and you’re really fine. It doesn’t get that much scarier after that,” she said. “It’s part of the game. I expect it, honestly. It’s a good game if it doesn’t happen.”

Hamilton has had many good g ames This season, she averages 14.4 saves per match for the Bulldogs (3-13) with a 610 save percentage

In 2023, her first varsity season for then new head coach Amy Frey, Hamilton averaged 9.9 saves with a .505 save percenta ge. She also received her greatest compliment so far.

Hamilton was named second-team AllYork Sectional even though RBHS lost its sectional opener and finished the season with three victories.

“I was kind of bewildered. That’s my name up there? It was just kind of unbe-

lievable,” Hamilton said. “Less than two years prior to that, I had never thought I would do anything related to athletics or sports so actually achieving something of that nature was really cool. I was honestly just kind of shocked.”

Hamilton made her water polo debut with the 2022 junior varsity and current varsity teammates like senior Lorelei Leimberer and junior Liv Dobbe, now the Bulldogs’ primary defender. Hamilton played one varsity match because of an absence.

“The growth that Edie has made is incredible,” Dobbe said. “One of the best things about her is I can do my job to my fullest but even when I mess up, I know Edie’s got my back. She talks to us a lot in the pool. Now I know where I need to be positioned thanks to her. That’s cool.”

COVID-19 concerns limited all spring sports in 2021. As a sophomore, Hamilton was “dragged” to water polo practice by fellow senior teammate Madelyn Monroy

Hamilton loved swimming as a kid, especially at her uncle’s in-ground pool, but never competed. Now water polo?

“The first week was hard,” she said. “I think that the fun and the enjoyment definitely outweighed the rigor and physical part of it.”

Previous head coach Todd F ridrych quickly noticed Hamilton’s strong ar m and suggested she play goalie. It was the first time Hamilton minded a net since AYSO youth soccer.

She quickly became hooked. At a JV home tournament, the Bulldogs lost their first two matches but went to sudden-death overtime for the third. With the game on the line, Hamilton blocked a shot. The Bulldogs soon rebounded to score the game winner

“Everyone was going crazy and it was just super-memorable,” Hamilton said. “That was a great feeling, from a team perspective, too. We were all freaking out.”

Hamilton has continued improving through off-season training with Lyons Aquatics, with RBHS boys coach Kevin Wolak, and studying game footage, such as the U.S. Olympic Team.

During practices, Frey sometimes sepa-

rates Hamilton from the field players for more specialized drills

“ I’m doing a treading or strengthtraining set whereas they would be doin g more endurance or stamina-based stuff, ” she said. “When you train for g oali e, it ’s all legs. It ’s legs and we ight training and treading, all of that.”

She plans to study biology and eventually pre-med and has become interested in der-

matology through treating her own skin. Fo r Hamilton, Car thage was an easy decision.

“It’s a beautiful school,” she said. “Definitely academically [water polo has helped me], especially because they’re so connected, at least in my brain. With that work ethic, it’s kind of helped with me, too, with self-esteem. I’m more sure of myself than I was two, three years ago.”

IAN MCLEOD

Edie Hamilton

Healthy Madera is a hit for RBHS softball

A er losing a season to injury, she is back and having fun

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Rive rside Brookfield High School senior c enter fielder Julia Madera’s 2023 softball action c onsisted of three g ames over four days

“I was up to bat and right when I hit the ball, I felt a pop and pain in my right shoulder. I ended up having bursitis and a small labrum tear and was out for the rest of the season,” she said.

“I still went to every game and practice

to support my team. During games, I did [stats on] GameChanger. Even though I was hurt, it wasn’t an excuse to not show up for the team.”

Healthy again, Madera is once more among the stat leader s, with a new role this season for the Bulld og s (12-6, 2-1, Metro Suburban Conference).

RBHS beat La rk in 7-1 Saturday for it s fourth-straight victory since losing 10- 0 in five i nnings to defending C lass 4A state champion Marist, April 13. On Senior Day, May 2, the Bulld og s c an aveng e their one c onference loss at R idgewood 9-8, April 11.

A four-year varsity pl ayer, Madera is hitting 383 with 10 r uns batted in, 18 r uns scored, and a 906 OPS (On-base Plus S lugging), well ahead of her last

f ull season as the starting c enter fielder in 2022 (.317, 10 RBIs).

S he has two, 3-hit g ames and at least one hit in all but two g ames. S tarting with Marist, she has moved from the No. 2 spot in the batting order to leadoff.

“My slapping has definitely gotten better [since sophomore year] and I think I gained more confidence and learned how to be a leader while being on varsity,” she said.

“Being out for basically the whole season last year really took a toll on me, so I came into this season with the mindset to just have fun. This is my last year playing softball, and I want to make the most out of it because I know I’m going to miss it a lot.”

The order now has senior Emily Organ switched from leadof f to batting third, junior Ellie Megall up to No. 2 and senior Zoe

Levine moving from No. 3 to cleanup. Levine (.450, 7 home runs, 22 RBIs, 1.017 OPS) and Organ (.523, 5 HR, 23 RBIs, 22 runs, 6 stolen bases) continue to flourish offensively. Megall (.302, 11 RBIs), Trinity Stevenson (.291, 1 HR, 11 RBIs), Ella Jurgens (.261, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 6 stolen bases), Kelley Tyler (.300, 2 HR, 9 RBIs) and Abby Weinert (.375, 8 RBIs) also are excelling for an offense that has reached double-digit runs in eight victories.

“We came into this season with the goal of having energy and focusing on the little things, and I think we have done a good job maintaining that goal,” Madera said.

“I have experienced different teams, and I think this one is the most exciting one yet. We get along so well and there’s never a dull moment.”

Mango contributes as Lions contend for Silver title

ree-game sweep of York helps improve record to 12-4

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior Michael Mango views the Lyons Township High School baseball team through the mindset of prospering in different roles. Mango has moved from No. 9 in 2023 to lead of f hitter and from starting shortstop to second baseman.

“I enjoy [leadoff] a lot. I like just being able to start of f game,” he said. “Wherever I’m at on the field, I’m just go ing to do my best to help us win.”

The Lions again are in the thick of contending for their firs West Suburban Conference Silver Division title since 2019.

The Lions (12-4, 7-1 in Silver) have won six of their last seven and four straight in Silver play after beating Proviso West 14-0 in five innings, Monday, in Hillside.

The big boost was sweeping York, third in Class 4A last year, 11-3 on April 15, 9-3 on April 16 and 2-0, Friday, after the game was suspended by rain Thursday with LTHS batting in the top of the fifth and taking a 1-0 lead.

“Playing ranked teams, we know we have nothing to lose. Just go out and show what we’ve got,” said Mango, 6 for 11 in the series with a double and three runs batted in, April 15.

“I think j ust playing with more c onfidence and j ust going out there not caring about anything, j ust t ryin g to win g ames.”

The LTHS offense is thriving with returning starters like Mango (.400, 13 RBIs, team-high 17 runs), junior Luke Nicholaus (.372, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs) and senior Ryan Jackson (.352, 3

LT’s Michael Mango watches the play at rst base as he crosses home plate to score early in game action at York HS on Monday April 15 2024.

HR, 16 RBIs) but also seniors Ryan Good (.351, 7 RBIs), Joey Severson (.275, 14 RBIs) and Jake Shumaker (.310, 7 RBIs).

Junior pitcher Tucker King is 5-0 with a 1.59 ERA. Seniors Nate Anderson (1-0, 0.93 ERA, 30 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched) and Brady Chambers (1-1, 1.88 ERA, 28 strikeouts in 22.1 IP) also are under 2.00.

“I wasn’t confident [in 2023], b ut this year, seriously, I’m up there to do some damage,” said Jackson, the Lions’ quarterback who will play football at St. Thomas. “I’m up there with an intent. I’m going up there not thinking, just thinking about hitting the baseball.”

Add the 6-5 victory at St. Laurence, April 17, and the Lions played six consecutive days. Shumaker’s three-run homer completed a six-run comeback in the seventh.

“[The week] was tough mentally, physically,” LTHS coach Kevin Diete said.

In the two-day victory over York, senior Brack Hyde had two of the Lions’ four hits and scored the first run on a wild pitch. In his first varsity start, junior winning pitcher Dom Piscotti had five strikeouts in four innings Thursday and junior Mercer Krantz (3 strikeouts in 3 innings) completed the four-hit shutout Friday.

“We hit when we needed to. We made plays behind our pitchers when we needed to and our pitching just dominated, really,” Mango said.

The opener with York set the tone, especially after LTHS lost its series finale 7-4 with Glenbard West, April 11, after a seven-run sixth and winning the first two games in five innings 15-4 and 14-1.

LTHS scored 10 unearned runs against the Dukes (13-5, 4-4). The first five came against senior pitcher Ryan Sloan, a highly re garded pro prospect.

“I feel like our mentality coming into it was we can hit anybody. Knowing he throws 99, 98 [miles per hour], we still battled and hit of f him pretty well. They didn’t have the best day [four er rors] and we capitalized on that,” Jackson said.

There’s more tough baseball left in the Silver, especially first-place defending champion Downers Grove North (100) as well as rival Hinsdale Central (2-6) next week and Oak Park and River Forest (3-4) for their final two league games

“Definitely [swee ping York] puts us in a better spot to try and win conference but we still have [to win those],”

Diete said.

IAN MCLEOD

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The Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, located at 201 N. Scoville will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation Meeting which will take place remotely via video/telephone conference on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 10:00am. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private/ parochial schools and who are home schooled within the district for the 2024-25 school year. If you are the parent of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Oak Park & River Forest High School District 200, you are urged to attend. If you would like to join the meeting, please contact Shdata Redmond at sredmond@oprfhs.org or call (708) 434-3121 to request the Zoom Link information.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 17, 24, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

On Monday, May 06, 2024 at 8:30 a.m., Oak Park Elementary School District 97 will be conducting a “timely and meaningful consultation” meeting to discuss plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private/parochial schools and who are home-schooled within the district for the 2024-2025 school year. The meeting will be held at our Central Office located at 260 Madison Street.

If you are a parent/guardian of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability, and you reside within the boundaries of Oak Park Elementary School District 97, you are urged to attend. If you have further questions about this meeting, please contact District 97’s Department of Student Services at 708-524-3030.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 17,

9:00

conducted

School (PTHS)

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private schools and students homeschooled within the district for the 2024-2025 school year. As a parent of a homeschooled student who has been or may be

NOTICE

CONTRACTORS

Case Number 24-0004

Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter:

Mosaic Montessori Academy is seeking a Special Use Permit to establish a Child Daycare Center in the C-3 Commercial District, in the existing building at 7777 Lake Street, in River Forest, Illinois. Section 10-18-4 of the Village Code provides the Zoning Board jurisdiction to hold public hearings and offer recommendations to the Village Board concerning applications for a Special Use Permit. The legal description of the property at 7777 Lake Street is as follows:

LOT 14 (EXCEPT THE EAST 27.5 FEET THEREOF) AND LOT 15 (EXCEPT THE SOUTH 20 FEET OF THE) EAST 27.5 FEET AND EXCEPT THE NORTH 30 FEET OF THE EAST 15 FEET THEREOF) ALSO LOT 16 (EXCEPT THE EAST 15 FEET THEREOF) IN BLOCK 4 IN LATHROP’S RESUBDIVISION OF LATHROP AND SEAVERN’S ADDITION TO RIVER FOREST, BEING A RESUBDIVISION OF THAT PART LYING EAST OF PARK AVENUE TOGETHER WITH THE EAST 3/5 OF BLOCK 15 IN LATHROP AND SEAVERN’S ADDITION IN THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 12, TOWNSHIP 39 NORCH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, (EXCEPT FROM SAID PREMISES THE WEST 72 FEET OF LOTS 15 AND 16 AFOERSAID CONVEYED BY BOAG BUILDING CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TO ROSANA CENTRUM CORPORATION BY DOCUMENT NUMBER 9934913 RECORDED FEB. 23, 1928), IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record Interested persons can learn more about how to participate in the hearing by visiting www.vrf.us/guides/ guide/DevelopmentGuide.

Sincerely,

Clifford Radatz Secretary,

Zoning Board of Appeals

any or all bids. Published

All interested parties are invited to attend and provide input at the public hearing. Written comments may also be submitted to the Community Development Department prior to the hearing at the following address:

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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.

For further information, please contact the Community Development office at (708) 447-4211.

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

Published in Wednesday Journal April 24, 2024

If you’re noticing changes, it could be Alzheimer’s. Talk about visiting a doctor together. adapt together, as a family.”

If you’re noticing changes, it could be Alzheimer’s. Talk about visiting a doctor together. “ Early detection gave us time to adapt together, as a family.”

ALZ.org/TimeToTalk

ALZ.org/TimeToTalk

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