Wednesday Journal_050521

W E D N E S D A Y

May 5, 2021 Vol. 41, No. 40 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

OPRF’s incoming supt. building on foundation he helped craft Greg Johnson aims for ‘real, authentic steps’ toward change

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

For Greg Johnson, becoming the superintendent of Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 is about building on the foundation he has already helped lay down.

In the last five years, Johnson has worked first as an assistant and then an associate superintendent under current Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, who plans to retire at the end of this school year.

The D200 school board unanimously approved Johnson’s appointment at a regular meeting on April 22.

“It’s thrilling,” said Johnson who is set to start his new position July 1. “I feel incredibly excited about it.”

An Oak Park resident and father of two OPRF students, Johnson, 46, said he feels fortunate to be in this situation where he can be “involved in something I truly care about and am passionate about, but I can also continue the work that I’ve been doing the past few years.”

As Johnson thought more about his role as a superintendent and the many responsibilities he will carry, he also talked about his other priority: to find See JOHNSON on page 7

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

TWO STEP: Anan Abu-Taleb, Oak Park’s outgoing mayor, confers with Vicki Scaman, incoming village president, ahead of Monday evening’s transition meeting held, for COVID safety purposes, in the public works garage on South Boulevard.

New board, new priorities for Oak Park village government

The first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

A new era has begun for the village of Oak Park. Monday evening, in the first in-person village board meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began, departing village board members bid adieu to their posts, as their recently elected successors

were sworn in.

“To the people of Oak Park, I stand here before you as the son of an immigrant farmer,” said exiting village president Anan Abu-Taleb on May 3. “You, the people of this village, are so generous. You have given me the opportunity to serve you.

Thank you for entrusting me with that awesome responsibility.”

The new village trustees, village president and village clerk took their oaths of office May 3 before a small, masked crowd See VILLAGE BOARD on page 18

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The honor Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable deserves

he Chicago Tribune rehere a lifetime before President ported last week that the Andrew Jackson signed the Chicago City Council is Indian Removal Act in 1830 and one step closer to renamthe Black Hawk War in 1832; ing Lake Shore Drive for before the federal government the city’s nearly forgotten foundmoved to make the whole couning father. try into a relative monoculture, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, a monochromatic American a mulatto fur trader, was the Dream-scape, ripe for whitefirst non-native to occupy land ness. in the city when he established a trading post in the 1770s, near When DuSable arrived, where Tribune Tower currently Chicago was an unincorporises from the mouth of the rated, unplanned and relatively Commentary Chicago River. untamed prairie frontier settleThe proposal has prompted ment known as Chigagou — an intense debate between council members Algonquian word for wild-garlic place or and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who according to wild onion field. reports, has concerns about the proposal, in Chigagou wasn’t white or Black or Inpart, because she thinks it would interfere dian; rather, the area “was a polyglot world with the city’s branding. of Indian, French, British and American “I don’t know whether it’s her only concultures tied to a vast trading network that cern. But it’s wrapping your head around was no less Indian than European,” historebranding an iconic stretch of roadway. rian William Cronin writes.

How it’s featured in a bunch of songs or Native American governing structures, commercials or TV shows and movies,” staple foods and land practices intersaid a City Council Transportation Commingled with Euroamerican governing mittee chairman during discussion last structures, staple foods and land practices. month.

Life in this settlement was more diverse — Chicago Sun-Times columnist Laura culturally, ideologically, ecologically, ethniWashington pushed back hard against the cally and spiritually — than what it would administration’s dithering. be once the settlement was ruthlessly “Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable founded transformed into the hyper-segregated city this great American city,” she wrote. “Withof Big Shoulders. out DuSable, there would be no Chicago.

This isn’t to say there wasn’t conflict or “People of color — first Native Ameristruggle or even inter-group violence; there cans, then DuSable, discovered and owned was. But no single racial, ethnic, cultural or that land long before their white oppressors ideological group had a monopoly on ways took it away,” Washington added. “That’s of living. reason enough to give a great Black man DuSable’s fur trade, Cronin writes, our greatest honor.” “occurred in an elaborate social context By all means, give honor where honor — mediated always by gift giving, celebrais due. Rename the street. As Washington tions, and complex negotiations — that argues, that’s the least the city can do.

Indian communities controlled as much as If DuSable was white, there would be no Europeans did. shortage of hero worship.

“Marriages between Indian families and But there are deeper aspects of this European traders produced offspring who debate that are unacknowledged, the first played key roles in these relationships, of which I’ll surface as a slight correction and their mixed parentage symbolized the to Washington. As I mentioned in a column hybrid cultural universe that had emerged last week, Native Americans didn’t have a in the region,” he adds. conception of ownership consistent with Indeed, DuSable — born in Santa the one we modern Americans have today.

Domingo (now Haiti), the son of a French Neither did the natives live within the sailor and a mother who was an enslaved ideological or cultural framework of the African — “married a Potawatomie woman Doctrine of Discovery, which “established and became a member of the tribe,” WBEZ a spiritual, political, and legal justification reports. “The Potawatomie called him the for colonization and seizure of land not ‘Black Chief.’” inhabited by Christians,” according to the DuSable was probably familiar with the Upstander Project. So, they neither owned Native American’s application of what nor discovered the land in the way we conconservative scholar Terry Anderson calls ceptualize those terms today. “conservation Native American style,” meaning an elaborate and sophisticated DuSable, a French businessman, may system of incentives, rules, rights and even have had discovery and ownership on his concepts of limited private ownership that mind when he came here, but he was no conserved the resource base and promoted conquistador. He had to coexist with the disciplined stewardship of that base. people and cultures in place long before he The way we think of DuSable today, as got here. an unsung Black Christopher Columbus, It’s important to note that DuSable got

MICHAEL ROMAIN

Photo provided

FATHER OF CHICAGO: A sculpture of Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable at Pioneer Court along North Michigan Ave. flattens the cultural context out of which he emerged and hollows out whatever monuments and tributes we might raise in his honor.

What’s more, our hero worship of DuSable is framed by western notions of progress, hyper-individualism and a reification of racial myths that obliterated the hybrid, culturally fluid and organically diverse context in which DuSable was created and to which we humans need to return if we’re to stave off our collective demise.

The shores of Lake Michigan are gradually disappearing as sea levels rise and the soil erodes from climate change, a “conceptual fact so large and complex that, like the internet, it can never be properly comprehended,” David Wallace-Wells writes in “The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming.”

Wallace-Wells writes that 1-in-500,000year weather events like Hurricane Harvey and the Camp Fire that are now happening every few years all over the planet should not be considered part of our new normal.

They represent an even more terrifying prospect.

“The devastation we are now seeing all around us is a beyond-best-case scenario for the future of warming and all the climate disasters it will bring,” Wallace-Wells writes.

The awesomeness of the existential threat that is climate change renders rather trifling the debate about renaming an expressway, particularly one that’s been

an icon for the extractive and profligate culture that got us into this mess.

Who the hell cares what the roadway is called if it’s underwater? And cars won’t stop emitting carbon because the concrete goes by a different name.

The highest honor we can pay DuSable is to recognize the values and practices of the place and time that shaped him and make them our own.

Sure, we can walk and chew gum at the same time. We can rename Lake Shore Drive while also pouring adequate time and attention into local climate solutions (new practices, ordinances, regulations, etc.) that channel the ethic of resource conservation, land management and relatively healthy cross-cultural exchange that were characteristic of Chigagou.

To do so would mean nothing less than a transformation of our politics and their underlying economic base, what Swedish ecologist Andreas Malm calls fossil fuel capitalism.

We would have to retire, Wallace-Wells writes, “the intuition that history will inevitably extract material progress from the planet, at least in any reliable or global pattern, and come to terms, somehow, with just how pervasively that intuition ruled even our inner lives, often tyrannically.”

DuSable was no Columbus. He was better than him. Rethinking Lake Shore Drive in the context of a changing climate and how we can adapt and become resilient to it, is the honor DuSable deserves.

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

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BIG WEEK May 5-12

Take Home Toddler Exploration Time (TET): Seeds Register by May 14; Lesson on Friday, May 21, 9:30 to 10 a.m., Virtually with The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON) Young learners can enjoy stories, lessons and crafts led by education docents. Participants pick up a craft bag with all the pieces needed to complete the craft prior to the lesson from the Oak Park Conservatory. On Friday, join virtually to participate in the TET lesson. $5-8; free, FOPCON members. Register: fopcon.org/conservatoryevents/category/for-children

Ramadan & Islam Around the World Through Wednesday, May 12, Idea Box, Main Library Throughout the month of Ramadan, view a collection of Muslims artifacts from different parts of world, including traditional dresses from Iraq, India, Pakistan, Palestine as well as Islamic artwork, prayer rugs, and rosaries. Presented

by Oak Parker Dima Ali. More: oppl.evanced.info/signup/ EventDetails?EventId=51363. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Star Wars Skate Night Friday, May 7, 7 to 8:15 p.m., Ridgeland Common Recreation Center Ice Rink Dress up in Star Wars attire, skate to Star Wars music and test Jedi skills in this family-friendly activity on the ice. $0-$10. Register: pdop.org. 415 Lake St., Oak Park

Mother’s Day Gift-making Kits Through May 9, Bead in Hand Pick up a DIY kit to make at home. Choose from a wire bird’s nest, flowers in a pot pendant or bouquet of flowers pendant. $5-$10, includes materials and instruction.

Some materials, such as chain/cord are extra. All ages; younger kids may need help. Store hours: beadinhand. com. 145 Harrison St., Oak Park.

Shop and Share Benefitting Local Nonprofits Support local businesses, get useful products and benefit a local nonprofit: Through May 8, shop self-care products at Ten Thousand Villages and 15% of the purchase goes to Sarah’s Inn. 121 N. Marion St., Oak Park Shop Westgate Flowers, mention NAMI, and a portion of the sale goes to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Metro Suburban, through May 9. Order: 708-3860072. 841 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park At Kribi Coffee, through the end of May, purchase a bag of Together Strong coffee, a custom created blend, and $5 of each bag goes toward supporting Sarah’s Inn and its mission to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence. 7324 Madison St., Forest Park

Sound Opinions: The 10 Most Important Artists in Chicago Music History Tuesday, May 11, 7 to 8 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Music critics Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot trace the city’s rich musical history and discuss the 10 artists they feel contributed the most enduring and influential sounds over the past half-century. Genres include Gospel, Blues, Rock, R&B and more. Register: oppl.org/calendar

JIM DEROGATIS AND GREG KOT

ARTI WALKER-PEDDAKOTLA

Defunding the Police: A Discussion with Elected Women of Color Thursday, May 6, 7 to 8 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Join Oak Park Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla and Evanston alderwoman Cicely L. Fleming in a discussion about the challenges and successes of defunding the police and about their work on behalf of their communities to rethink public safety. What defunding the police could look like in Oak Park and beyond, and what forms defunding the police can take will be discussed. Q&A follows.

Register: oppl.org/calendar CICELY L. FLEMING

Summer Yoga Series Saturday, May 8, 2 to 3 p.m., River Forest Public Library Garden Join a 3-part, monthly yoga series led by Rhonda Fentry from Rhonda’s Rhythms. Join one or more. Weather and COVID safety permitting, this program will be socially distanced and held outside. It may be switched to Zoom. May is a chair yoga class. Next up: Gentle Yoga on June 12 and all levels on July 10. Held in partnership with River Forest Township. 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest. Register: riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/summer-yoga-series-1

Handel Week 2021 Season

“The Taming of the Shrew”

Through May 31, Virtually with Handel Week Festival Enjoy three concerts recorded from previous seasons.

View Sing and Play in Dulcet Tone: The Intimate Handel Music for Soprano, Mezzo, Two Violins & Basso Continuo; Music for Royal Fireworks and Water Music; and Sing and Play in Dulcet Tone: The Intimate Handel, Music for Mezzo, Harpsichord, Flute and Basso Continuo. $15, each concert; $40, three concerts.

To order/more: handelweek.com

Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, 6 p.m., Virtually with the OPRFHS Theatre Department See an exploration of the various aspects of feminine expression and how it can be both liberating and restricting. In this version of the famous Shakespeare comedy, it is presented in the controversial setting of the 1950s. Pay what you can. Tickets/more: oprfhs. ticketleap.com/taming-of-the-shrew

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

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Transition and transformation

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progressive — village president t’s not easy to do pomp and protocol in the caverns of and board to steer this village.

Oak Park’s public works gaIn his first board remarks, rage on South Boulevard. But Parakkat remembered his father it happened Monday evening sending him away to college as Oak Park village government with the question, “Why are you leaders gathered face-to-face going?” That question, he said, for the first time in more than is now a tradition in his family a year to conduct the transfer as new journeys begin. As he of power from a mayor to a joins the village board, he said new village president and three his answer is “to bring Oak Park of six sitting trustees stepped together, to be a community that away from the board, their seats leads others and the nation on taken by newly elected trustees. topics that matter.”

There was a happy and heady Enyia thanked his creator and feeling in the spruced-up space his family as he spoke first. He with an American flag well placed and well noted that he joins what is by far the most lit between the two fairly shiny village diverse village board in Oak Park history dump trucks that served as the backdrop and then spoke to that history. “The village to the ceremonial village board meeting. government led on equity but then stalled The wide-open space was socially distanced out,” he said, promising to help create a within an inch of its life. There were pods governing tool that will bring a race and of folding chairs for the families of the equity lens to all board decisions. departing and the arriving electeds. The Lucia Robinson promised “compassionsound system worked. The internet, you centered leadership” with a focus on better likely noted with a curse on Monday, did listening to citizens and among members of not, so there was no live streaming of the the board. event.

Each of the three new trustThat’s too bad because more ees, with Mexican, Nigerian and people should have seen this moIndian heritages, talked with mentous transition. emotion about their gratitude This will not be a new village to parents and to circumstances board of incremental change.

This is a sharply revised board, that had brought them to Oak different in its blessed diversity Park. “I feel immense gratitude — two new trustees, Chibuike to Oak Park, a community Enyia and Ravi Parakkat, wore which has given me so much, clothing reflecting their roots in which welcomed my family Nigeria and India respectively, out of our inner-city neighboras clear visuals of what’s new. It hood,” said Robinson.

VICKI SCAMAN was noted this is Oak Park’s first This was a palpable pride, a Village president village board with a majority nothing-taken-for-granted ethos, of women. The change in tenor, a we-can-do-better message that priorities and goals is large and was an affirmation of what profound. local government can and must As in all handoffs, those closdo. ing their terms of service, or shifting to Vicki Scaman, shifted seats from village a newly configured board, were generally clerk to village president in the course of laudatory of their shared work, willing the meeting. She offered the final thoughts to paper over the genuine tensions we all of the evening, not surprisingly bringing observed. Even so, as thanks and praise warm thanks to those who had served, were traded, there were intended slights those who had campaigned this winter and in missed mentions. Mostly, though, those spring, those now her colleagues on this leaving the stage recognized that the board. evening was about those whom the voters “We need to listen and learn,” she said, soundly placed in power. “without being defensive.” She lauded Oak In a forceful, maybe overly strong, farewell, Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb gave a full- Park’s spirit and resilience while acknowlthroated defense of his eight years in office, edging “our history is not perfect. We need bold conversations so that we do not miss his laser focus on economic development this moment, the call of our time on racial with a “when we do well, we do good” manreckoning.” She added focus on climate, on tra, which implied that other, smaller isbuilding the small business community, on sues self-resolve if there is growth aplenty. working collaboratively with neighboring He’s not wrong about development, but communities as key goals. the other issues aren’t going away and de“I am very optimistic about our future,” mand focus. From an array of candidates, voters chose a progressive — but not most she said. “We will not let you down.”

DAN HALEY

“I am very optimistic about our future; we will not let you down.”

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Nonprofit seeking volunteers for May 8 cleanup

Renew 312’s cleanup in Austin designed to bring Oak Park and Austin residents together

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Renew 312, a nonprofit that a group of Oak Park and Austin activists organized to tackle the “invisible line” between the two communities, is looking for volunteers to help clean up major Austin commercial corridors on May 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteers will meet at Austin Park, 5951 W. Lake St., across the street from Chef Daddy’s soul food restaurant, 5944 W. Lake St. The clean-up will cover the portions of Chicago Avenue, Madison Street and Lake Street, between Central Avenue and Austin Boulevard, with organizers potentially adding Washington Boulevard if there are enough volunteers.

Renew 312 Co-president Shawn Netisingha, of Oak Park, said that the cleanup will touch on all of the major goals of her organization: do something good for the Austin community, support Austin businesses, and give Oak Park and Austin residents who might otherwise never meet a chance to get to know each other. Renew 312 was founded in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.

“We realized that there are a lot of people in Oak Park who wanted to do something,

Photo provided

REACHING OUT: Aisha Oliver, a member of Renew 312, during a demonstration last summer. The organization is planning a community cleanup that will be held in Austin on Saturday. but didn’t know what to do,” Netisingha said.

The group was originally more of a grassroots movement, she said. When Renew 312 became a nonprofit, Netisingha and Danielle Dengel, of Austin, became co-presidents.

While she currently lives in Oak Park, she said she grew up on the West Side and

knows just how wide the gulf between the communities is.

“I was born and raised on the West Side and I never realized how Oak Park was close to me, because it seemed like millions of miles away,” Netisingha said.

She pointed to many disparities between the communities, especially when it comes

to access to fresh groceries.

“Oak Park is opening up a seventh grocery store and there’s a food desert across the street [on the other side of Austin Boulevard], and we need to acknowledge the reality of it,” Netisingha said.

Netisingha said that everything Renew 312 does seeks to break those long-standing patterns of racial and economic inequity.

“We’re creating spaces that acknowledge that an invisible line separates, segregates the communities. We want to create platforms where people can get to know each other,” she said.

“This is about so much more than cleaning up; it has to do with providing the space for us to get to know each other and the space for two communities to acknowledge racism and segregation, and things that we can do as Oak Park residents to strengthen Austin.”

Highlighting Austin business, Netisingha said, is a major part of that goal. Renew 312’s major long-term priority is to support commercial development along Chicago Avenue corridor both in Austin and Oak Park, with the goal of creating a vibrant commercial area between Laramie Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue.

After the clean-up, volunteers will reconvene at Austin Park and Netisingha said that she hopes that volunteers will stick around.

“After it ends, we invite people back to the starting point and then they can go to Chef Danny’s and order something,” she said “We want to give everyone a chance to just communicate and build relationships.”

New art exhibit features Austin, Oak Park activists

By SHELBY E. HAWKINS AustinTalks

An exhibit called “Everyday Activists” featuring Austin and Oak Park community leaders opened May 4 at the Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave. Part of a larger “Intersection: Art & Word” exhibit, the photography and interview-driven project highlights the work of 19 Austin and Oak Park residents.

Tameka Wilson, the project’s photographer and one of its interviewers, is using a collection of portraits and interviews with participants to show the positive change community members are making.

Some of the issues the activists explore include environmental sustainability, immigration reform, voting rights and youth mentorship, among other things.

Liz Abunaw, food justice advocate and owner of Forty Acres Fresh Market, is featured in the project as is Leroy Duncan, a community activist who’s lived in Austin for nearly 50 years.

Other Austin staples portrayed in the exhibit include artist Vanessa Stokes, Jeremy Mercado of BUILD and the Northwest Austin Council.

While the exhibit opened May 4, the reception will be held May 14. There will also be a panel discussion on May 20 featuring four of the participants, which will be streamed on YouTube.

The Oak Park exhibit ends May 26.

Susan Stall, president of the nonprofit Arbor West Neighbors and one of the creators of “Everyday Activists,” is in the process of solidifying a date and venue for the Austin exhibit.

Stall said it will likely take place in June or July, and she is hoping it can be held at the Austin Branch library, 5615 W Race Ave. Stall said since starting the project last August, she’s rediscovered the richness of Austin.

“I feel more like I’m getting close to learning how we can strengthen relationships through communities and who’s dedicated to doing it,” she said.

The gallery is open to in-person viewing and will offer a virtual option. It will be available at arborwestneighbors.org once launched.

Photo provided

Leroy Duncan, a resident of Austin for nearly 50 years, is one of several West Siders featured in the exhibit.

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

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Honest, affirming talk about sexuality core to OP OWL

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

For most parents, talking to their children about sex can be uncomfortable and awkward, but an Oak Park organization aims to guide families into having meaningful conversations.

In the last five years, Oak Park Our Whole Lives, or OP OWL, has offered a series of workshops to help parents, caregivers and children explore the many aspects of sexuality. From learning about the reproductive system to birth control options and sexual consent, the workshops – which were recently offered on Zoom due to the pandemic – are meant to serve as a resource for families.

“Sexuality touches on our relationships, on our ways to express intimacy, on our emotions, as well as our biology, dynamics of power, our sense of ourselves,” said Nina Brewer-Davis, who co-founded OP OWL in 2016.

Our Whole Lives is a program created by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. The curriculum is secular and focuses on building healthy relationships and self-worth and understanding sexual responsibility and health, said Brewer-Davis.

She said OP OWL takes a holistic approach and is open to all participants of

JOHNSON

Evolving worldview from page 1 the fun in his job and focus on the now.

“We don’t want to think of our students as what they might become only 10 years down the road or 20 years down the road,” he said. “Our students in front of us right now are smart, creative, brilliant, you know, thoughtful, funny.

“We have to understand that strength that exists in the moment right now, not something that we are simply trying to create in the school, but something that students possess. What we are trying to do in the school is enhance those qualities that exist in human beings.”

Directly ahead is work that entails executing the district’s 2020-25 strategic plan, which among many things aims to detrack courses for incoming freshmen, hire more teachers of color and build a better support system to help students’ social-emotional needs. Other areas of focus include completing a series of upcoming capital improvement projects, engaging with district families and offering more services and resources for students.

different faiths, gender identities, sexual orientations and cultural backgrounds. The course is led by trained facilitators. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, courses were held in person at the Oak Park Friends School, 1192 S. Cuyler Ave., and offered to youth, from kindergarteners to high school freshman, as well as parents and caregivers.

Brewer-Davis, a member of the Unitarian Universalist congregation and who attends Unity Temple in Oak Park, said she grew up in the OWL program, “but when I became a parent, these questions about how to talk about sexuality with my kids became more important.”

“I really wanted it not only to help my relationship with my kids, but it was really important for all the kids and all of their friends to have this kind of sexuality education,” she said.

Brewer-Davis and Aaron McManus, one of the workshop’s volunteer facilitators, spoke up about the challenges parents and caregivers may face when giving “the talk” to their children. At times, those conversations are tough because they are personal.

Every person has their own story, some of

The plan is about mapping out goals “and asking ourselves and challenging ourselves to follow this map to improve how the institution serves our kids,” said Johnson.

Divided into five priorities, the plan – which was first released in 2014 and has been updated yearly – allows school officials like Johnson to focus on questions like “How welcoming is this community?” or “What kind of environment are we creating for our students?”

“This is definitely something that is always kind of iterated back and forth,” Johnson said. “It’s always kind of personal. It’s always identity work. If you’re not challenging yourself personally and individually, it’s going to be almost impossible to take any sort of real, authentic steps.”

During the interview, Johnson reflected on his own upbringing, his nearly 20-year career as an educator and the lessons he has learned as a white cisgender male along the way.

“It’s easy to think that the worldview that we are automatically ingrained in thinking about is ‘the worldview,’” said Johnson, who said he grew up in suburban Elmhurst.

“You constantly have to challenge yourself to be conscious of, and that never goes away,” he said.

When Johnson headed to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to pursue education, his own world cracked open. And

which involve painful pasts and traumatic experiences, they said.

“Most of the parents I know, and including myself, want something different for their children,” Brewer-Davis said.

She and McManus said parents and caregivers play a crucial role, because they are typically their children’s first teachers.

“Our parents’ silence is also part of our education, and the way that our parents show affection – or don’t –, the way that our parents give us messages about our bodies. … How do we cover our bodies? Or are we ashamed of them? Do we wish [our bodies] were different?” said Brewer-Davis. “Those are all messages that we get from our parents and that parents give to their kids.”

McManus said discussions around sexuality “really comes back to destigmatizing” and “just learning to empower kids to make really good decisions. And that’s often not the way we were parented. That’s often not the way that we were taught.”

For McManus, being part of the OP OWL has been cathartic in some ways. McManus, who has an 8-year-old daughter, said leading the workshops have given him the chance

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

D200’s newly promoted superintendent Greg Johnson. it continued to open after he began working at Urbana High School and Centennial High

to reflect on the pieces of his life that have shaped him today. Among many things, McManus thought back to the moments he discovered his sexual identity.

“Honestly, I didn’t understand myself as queer until I got to my 30s because I really grew up with the binary perspective that you need to be straight or gay,” he said, laughing. “I literally didn’t realize bisexuality existed until my mid-20s. I was like, ‘Wait, you mean there is no conflict?’”

McManus also shared he is a survivor of sexual assault, and through OP OWL’s workshops, he felt empowered and was able to connect with others more deeply.

Brewer-Davis and McManus stressed that these types of conversations are important, and they hope that parents and caregivers who attend the workshops can walk away feeling more confident.

McManus said he wants parents and caregivers to know that “it’s OK to just muddle through them” and to “not have the answers right now.”

Just saying “Let’s talk about it” or “What do you think? is a wonderful place to start,” he said.

Oak Park Our Whole Lives is looking for volunteers to help lead its workshops in the fall. To learn more about volunteer opportunities or the organization, visit https:// www.opowl.org.

School in neighboring Champaign. Johnson taught English at Urbana High for nine years before becoming the school’s associate principal. He also later served as principal at Centennial.

According to the Illinois Report Card, Urbana High and Centennial are both racially mixed. Roughly half of the student population at both central Illinois schools come from low-income families.

“It helped me in every way to kind of understand the dynamic reality of our world,” said Johnson, adding his work at both schools prepared him for his role at OPRF. In addition, Johnson said working alongside Pruitt-Adams over the years has given him the chance to have a better understanding of OPRF as a whole. Johnson said that he and Pruitt-Adams have different personalities and style approaches, which gave them “so much opportunity” to grow, hold conversations and forge a new direction for the school.

“She has been so unfailingly supportive of the process for moving forward as a school,” he said, adding Pruitt-Adams has been a strong leader and showed him the virtue of patience and being a good listener.

“She, without a doubt, has been a huge influence on me, and she will continue to be an enormous influence on me moving forward,” Johnson said.

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

9

Cranes of compassion

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Ancient Japanese legend has it that anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes will be granted one special wish.

“When my daughter was born, I folded 1,000 cranes for her because I wanted her to live forever,” said Lourdes Nicholls, a Japanese American.

Her daughter has since grown into a lovely young woman, but Nicholls continues to fold paper cranes and collects those made by others. The wish now? To end forced detention sites and inhumane immigration policies as part of the Tsuru for Solidarity project.

“Tsuru means crane in Japanese,” said Nicholls.

The Tsuru Solidarity Project began in March 2019 when a group of Japanese Americans, as well as Japanese American World War II concentration camp survivors and descendants, gathered in Texas at Crystal City Internment Camp, where thousands of Japanese Americans were confined under Executive Order 9066 during World War II. About 40 miles east of the Crystal City camp site sits the South Texas Family Residential Center, currently the largest immigrant detention center in the United States.

“It’s happening again,” said Nicholls.

“People are still being incarcerated.”

Issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt

just two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942, Order 9066 required the removal of anyone who was 1/16th Japanese or more living on the West Coast. Roughly 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly displaced and detained in 10 internment camps, including Nicholls’ grandparents who were sent to the Manzanar War Relocation Center in California, where her grandfather, Kiyotsugu Tsuchiya, was asked to start a museum for the detainees.

Nicholls’ family is the subject of the documentary, “Belonging in the U.S.A: The Story of the Tsuchiya Family.” Its expected release date is Dec. 7 — a significant date in several ways. Dec. 7 is the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and her grandparents’ 85th wedding anniversary, as well as the 30th anniversary of her grandmother’s death.

Also an advocate for ending practices that would force others to experience what her family went through as detainees, Nicholls joined Nikkei Uprising, a Chicago-based organization that partners with the Tsuru for Solidarity project.

“I got involved with them about a year and a half ago because when [President Donald] Trump was in office, we were going to march in Washington D.C. with 120,000 cranes to represent the 120,000 people of Japanese descent who were incarcerated,” she said.

So Nicholls and others have continued to collect and fold origami cranes.

Public Notice River Forest School District 90 (required by Illinois State Board of Education)

In accordance with the requirements of Section 612(a) (10) of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004 (“IDEA 2004”), the River Forest School District 90 will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation on Monday, May 10, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. via a virtual meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how students with disabilities who attend private schools or are homeschooled within the District boundaries will be served by District 90 during the 2021-2022 school year.

Parents and private school administrators who would like to attend should contact Denise Matthews, Director of Special Education, at matthewsd@district90.org to obtain virtual meeting information.

Lourdes Nicholls with a series of Tsurus at Manzanar in California.

“The cranes I’m collecting are expressions of solidarity with the children, families and communities that are under attack and those who are being held in detention centers,” she said.

The support Nicholls has received for her part in the Tsuru for Solidarity Project has been overwhelming. People have sent her cranes in the mail. Boxes of cranes have been left on her doorstep.

Each individual crane has a special writ-

ten message asking for the government to cease deportation of asylum seekers. The sets of 1,000 cranes are then strung together and photographed, before being sent to the White House.

“The last thing to do is share your photo on May 5, which is Children’s Day in Japan,” said Nicholls.

Nicholls is an employee of Growing Community Media, publisher of Wednesday Journal.

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W H A T ’ S C L O S E D ? W H A T ’ S W H A T ’ S C H A N G E D ?

N O T ?

Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park vaccination rates in line

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The rates at which River Forest and Oak Park residents are receiving their COVID-19 vaccine jabs are consistent with that of residents in neighboring Forest Park as of April 29. Over half the populations in each individual town has received at least one dose while Oak Park leads the way in fully vaccinated residents.

Out of an estimated population of 14,167 people, data from the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) shows that 51.7 percent of Forest Park residents have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. The percentage of fully vaccinated residents in Forest Park lands at 33.4 percent.

In River Forest, which has a slightly smaller estimated population of 11,178 people, 56.1 percent have gotten one or more vaccine doses with 36.1 percent having completed their vaccination series, according to CCPDH.

Per the Oak Park Department of Public Health, a separate entity from the county health department, 52.2 percent of residents have had at least one vaccine dosage. Oak Park has the highest rate of fully vaccinated residents at 38.1 percent out of an estimated population of 51,878 – the largest of the three villages. The Oak Park Department of Public Health obtained this information through the I-Care system within the Illi-

nois Public Health Department. The numbers reflect Oak Park residents who may have received the vaccination at any site in Illinois, not just through the village’s health department.

CCPDH uses the estimated populations of the 2010 U.S. Census. To keep data sets consistent across the three villages, Wednesday Journal calculated the vaccination percentages for Oak Park, which has its own health department, using information from the 2010 U.S. Census.

Despite the variance in population size, the vaccination rates across the three villages are fairly even, which is a marked difference from other western suburbs of Chicago.

According to CCPDH, 42.2 percent of Riverside residents had completed their vaccinations, compared to 30 percent in Brookfield, 22.2 percent in North Riverside, 25.3 percent in Berwyn and 20.6 percent in Lyons.

Of the residents who have had at least one COVID-19 shot, Riverside leads with 70 percent, with Brookfield at 48.3 percent and Lyons at 35.7 percent. North Riverside trails behind at 33.8 percent.

Forest Park – pop. 14,167 At least one vaccine dose: 7,321 or 51.7 percent Complete vaccine series: 4,732 or 33.4 percent

River Forest – pop. 11,178 At least one vaccine dose: 6,272 or 56.1 percent Complete vaccine series: 4,033 or 36.1 percent

Oak Park – pop. 51,878 At least one vaccine dose: 27,065 or 52.2 percent Complete vaccine series: 19,775 or 38.1 percent

No summer events for Downtown Oak Park In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Downtown Oak Park (DTOP) will not be hosting its usual summer and fall events for safety reasons.

“It’s just not in the best interest of the community to have large events,” said DTOP Executive Director Shanon Williams.

“And there’s really no way for us to monitor how many people are coming and going.”

DTOP’s events, including its French art fair in August and its wine festival in June, draw huge crowds of people, providing an ideal breeding ground for the COVID-19 virus, which continues to be very much a problem even as vaccination has become more widely available.

“We have to be very, very careful,” said Williams. “First and foremost is keeping the

community safe and being cautious as we move forward.”

Being careful means no Oktoberfest celebration this September, so don’t plan on breaking out the lederhosen and dirndl.

DTOP’s Oktoberfest takes anywhere from six to nine months to plan, according to Williams.

Cancelation of the summer and fall events may not come as a surprise, considering that none of DTOP’s spring events went forward this year, such as March’s popular jazz festival. Called “Jazz Thaw,” participants are treated to live jazz performances inside 13 Oak Park restaurants.

“Hopefully in 2022, we can do a two-day jazz fest in March,” said Williams.

There is a silver lining to the situation though. DTOP is working on a scaled down

version for its summer Thursday Night Out program, a popular dining series that runs June through August.

“I just talked to the village and we’re looking good to go ahead with it, but it’ll be very scaled down,” said Williams.

Williams expects Thursday Night Out to begin June 10 this year. In the past, 500 to 800 people showed up on each Thursday, according to Williams.

“There is no way we can do it again like that,” she said.

How the event will look this year in comparison to previous years hasn’t quite been determined yet. Don’t expect live music though.

“I think we probably will not have entertainment, right off the bat,” said Williams.

“People like to crowd around when we have

a band or music.”

At least not any stationary entertainment. Williams told Wednesday Journal she plans to look into opportunities for roving musical performances, which could present a nice opportunity for solo acts or buskers.

Williams thinks it unlikely that there will be tents selling alcoholic beverages during this year’s Thursday Night Out series either. Marion Street will still be closed to allow for outdoor dining.

Despite imposing restrictions to keep the event safe, Williams believes people will be glad that it’s going forward.

“I think the community will be really excited to have it back, even in a limited capacity.”

Stacey Sheridan

Block parties are back in Oak Park Oak Park residents can start planning summer block parties as of May 3, when the registration portal reopens on the village’s website. But don’t expect to share any lemon squares or hotdogs with your neighbors this year as block party potlucks are just another casualty of COVID-19.

In light of the pandemic, the village of Oak Park has issued a set of rules and

recommendations to allow for neighbors to congregate safely during block parties.

Along with potlucks, bounce houses and petting zoos are prohibited.

Partygoers should not share food with people outside of their households. Other rules include placing tables six feet apart and the wearing of masks when not eating or drinking.

Block party guests should observe social distancing by standing six feet apart from people outside of their household.

The village encourages people to use single-use condiments, cutlery, plates and napkins and to provide temporary handwashing stations with water, soap and paper towels.

Block parties should have available hand

sanitizer with at least a 60 percent alcohol content. Frequently touched surfaces should be wiped down with disinfecting solution often.

Support for green block parties is not available through the village, which also cannot provide tree walks or visits from the fire department this year.

Stacey Sheridan

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

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ART BEAT

By ELIZABETH BERG

I

Ilene Beckerman – what’s not to love?

Guest Author

n the early 1940s, my mother was let go from a job she had at a dry cleaners. The first thing she did afterward was to go out and buy a red coat she had lusted over but could not afford. Buying it after losing her job was an act of outrageous optimism and faith.

Clothes have impact and make memories.

Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in the illustrated memoir by Ilene Beckerman called Love, Loss and What I Wore. A small and charming book, it packs a wallop you might not anticipate. What the author does is make us understand how many complex issues, especially for women, are tied up in the notion of what we wear. The book sold extremely well and has been translated into at least four other languages. Nora Ephron made it into a play that first appeared off Broadway and broke records there.

Ilene Beckerman was born in New York City in 1935. After working as vice president of an advertising agency, she published Love, Loss and What I Wore when she was 60 years old. Not that she meant to publish it; it was just meant to be shared with her five children who, as Ilene says, “didn’t think I had

piness chronicles the way women a life before I was their mother. spend so much time and money Sometimes even I wondered.” on trying to look pretty, but it’s It’s a hallmark for Beckerman also about a 50th reunion from to present seemingly whimsical when she was 11, and in sixth books that end up making you grade. “I daydreamed about being feel a lot: you can laugh out loud 5-feet, 9-inches and walking into and you can tear up, all within the reunion. ‘Who is that?’ I imaga few pages. Her gift is to get to ined Barbara-who-never-wantedprofundity through simplicity. to-play-with-me would say.”

All her other titles are illusThe Smartest Woman I Know trated memoirs. What We Do for ILENE BECKERMAN is about Beckerman’s outspoken Love is about Beckerman’s regrandmother, Ettie, and it left lationships with men. She says me gasping for air because I was laughing she was looking for Prince Charming, “but so hard at the sex part. (Check out the book; never found him; Cinderella did.”

Mother of the Bride: The Dream, the Real- on page 62 you’ll find the part I’m referring ity, The Search for a Perfect Dress is about to). Also, the list of what Ettie kept in her helping to plan a daughter’s wedding, which purse is worth the price of the book.

Oprah did a profile of Ilene Beckerman. the daughter wants to be perfect. It’s also She’s written for the New York Times, the about all the emotions involved in that proL.A. Times and many magazines. She’s cocess, including that Beckerman fears she’s losing her daughter: “Someone once said written two plays, Sex: What She’s Really — maybe it was on General Hospital — ‘A Thinking and Mom, It’s My Wedding. She woman has daughters so someone will need speaks to women’s groups and book clubs her.’ She doesn’t know until she gets older how much she needs them.” Also from that book: “Fifteen hundred dollars for a wedding cake? I could have a lifetime supply of Entenmann’s chocolate doughnuts!”

Makeovers at the Beauty Counter of Hap-

all over the county. And she writes a very entertaining blog you can read at ilenebeckerman.com.

When I emailed Ilene about doing this event and suggested we have a phone call conference about it, here’s what she wrote back: “I hate the phone. I have two phones. A cellphone. That’s the one I use even though I don’t talk on the phone. My kids don’t call.

They’re always mad at me for something I did or didn’t do 50 years ago. Who cares? My grandkids call. You can call me anytime.”

Later, she added, “I only Zoomed once. My face looked too fat.”

If you’re looking for a good laugh — and who isn’t, these days? — please join us.

Oak Parker and best-selling author Elizabeth Berg joins in conversation with Ilene Beckerman on Sunday, May 16, at 2 p.m.

Brought in partnership with the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association. Free; $15 suggested donation. Register/more: nineteenthcentury.org.

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13

ART BEAT

Fenwick’s ‘Cinderella’ comeback. Live, no less

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

As an actress, Kiki Sikora is used to taking on new roles. The Fenwick High School junior likes to study her characters inside out, mirroring their mannerisms and attitudes.

But being cast as Charlotte, one of Cinderella’s evil stepsisters, proved to be Sikora’s biggest challenge yet. In order to transform into Charlotte, the 16-year-old traded in her sweet, bubbly personality for her part’s bold, oftentimes blunt and catty disposition.

“My character is one that is just so strong and over exaggerated with everything,” said Sikora who was part of Fenwick’s spring production of Roger and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” which was held the weekend of April 23. “When you play a character like that, I think it’s sort of like you just have to become that.”

Sikora, however, wasn’t the only one who found herself moving outside her comfort zone. Other members of Fenwick’s “Cinderella” cast and stage crew were constantly adjusting on and off the stage, as COVID-19 guidelines continued to change, said Caleb Faille, the show’s director.

While plans for “Cinderella” sought to bring back live theater, Faille and students prioritized each other’s health and their safety. The total number of cast and crew members was limited to about 30 students.

Students were also required to wear masks and practice social distancing during in-person rehearsals. There were also times when practices were hosted over Zoom, said Faille.

“There was a point in the rehearsal process where my entire cast just had to quarantine for a couple of weeks due to some [COVID-19] exposure around the school,”

said Faille, who also serves as the high school’s choral director and theater teacher.

“That definitely made it difficult to try to keep our production moving forward when you can’t meet with your kids.”

Faille said the journey to opening night was long, but he remained proud of his students’ resiliency and work ethic.

“It was breathtaking,” said Faille, reflecting on that April 23 weekend. “It’s been so long since an audience has been able to experience live musicians and live acting on stage. The atmosphere was electric. People were on the edge of their seats, ready for the overture to start.”

The production of “Cinderella” debuted inside the high school auditorium before a 40-member audience. Attendees, who were mostly made up of students’ families, were asked to fill out a pre-screening form to further ensure people’s well-being, Faille said.

“Cinderella” was also livestreamed to reach a wider audience.

“It was really great to be able to have live theater again and do it safely,” Faille said.

Dante Nottoli, Sikora’s castmate who snagged the lead role of Prince Topher, echoed Faille’s sentiments. The 17-year-old Nottoli found it stressful to keep up with play practices, homework and the daily challenges of the pandemic, and he almost did not join the musical because of that.

Nottoli said he also struggled to relate to Prince Topher and the musical’s songs. “I got a few bands, and I sing rock and funk music and pop,” said Nottoli, a junior at Fenwick.

Like Sikora, Nottoli decided to work around it and walked away with a lesson that encompassed his experience.

“Just go for it,” he said.

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A year later, Dominican students are still saying their names

Students held vigil and march on April 29 to fight for Black and Brown victims of racism, police violence

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

Dominican University senior Lauryn Bergert said she’s counted the days that have passed since the Walk of Solidarity.

Last October, she and dozens of other students met on the quad for the event, which commemorated the lives of Black people across the country who have been fatally shot by the police.

Six months after the Walk of Solidarity, Bergert and her fellow Dominican students stood in the same spot, making the same demands to end racism in policing.

“It’s been only 182 days since we held our Walk of Solidarity, that we stood right here in this quad sharing our stories, our pains and our sorrows together,” said Bergert, the president of Dominican’s National Association of Colored Women Club.

Bergert spoke before a crowd of roughly 50 students and faculty gathered on the quad on April 29 for a vigil and march.

The event took place just a week after a jury found

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Demonstrators march towards Division Street on Thursday, April 29, during the Together We Stand vigil and march at Dominican University’s Quad in River Forest.

former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd.

The April 21 verdict happened just days after a Brooklyn Center, Minn. Police Officer Kimberly Potter fatally shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright during an attempted arrest after a traffic stop. Potter said she confused her gun for her taser.

Closer to home, people in the Chicago area protested the death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, who was shot by Chicago Police Officer Eric Stillman on March 29. Video footage shows Toledo with his hands over his head and attempting to surrender when he was fatally shot.

“I’m tired of trying to have to explain why my life matters to people,” said Bergert, who helped coorganize the Dominican demonstration. “I’m tired, but we have to continue.

We have to dig deep within ourselves to find that fight in us.”

Through prayer and dance, student activists and attendees sought to pay tribute to the growing list of Black and brown people killed by police.

In a call and response, attendees said, “We love you,” after one student activist called the names of Trayvon Chadwell, Anthony Alvarez, Toledo and many others who have died at the hands ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer of police. The deaths The Xochitl-Quetzal Danza Azteca performs a prayer for attendees on April 29, during of Chadwell, Alvarez and Toledo – who were the Together We Stand vigil and march at Dominican University’s Quad.

gunned down by Chicago police officers – have led to more demands for police reform.

Among those who gathered, many held up signs that read: “Black Trans Lives Matter,” “Hands Up Don’t Shoot” and “That’s Not a Chip on My Shoulder. That’s My Neck.”

The vigil and march also recognized the recent hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Carlos Benitez, who helped Bergert plan the demonstration, said the “anti-Asian” and “antiimmigrant” aspects of the shootings at three Atlantabased spas and a FedEx facility in Indianapolis “aren’t being talked about enough.”

Six of the eight victims in the Atlanta shooting were Asian women, and four members of the Sikh community were murdered at the FedEx facility.

For Oak Park and River Forest High School junior Chelsea Zhao, the news about the Atlanta shooting left her “shocked, sad and angry” all at once, and she hoped attending the demonstration would offer some healing.

“It’s really hard to process it on your own,” said Zhao, adding she grieved alongside other Asian students.

“Today, it kind of shows me that we are all connected in the same way with the Black and Brown community and that we have to stand together against white supremacy.”

Benitez, a senior at Dominican, said he wanted students of color such as Zhao to know that “we stand with them” and “that we will not let this place ignore that.”

Reflecting on the past year, Benitez and Bergert spoke candidly about the civil unrest that swept the nation last summer and the recent conviction of Chauvin. They believe the fight is not finished, and that the pattern of racial injustice can only be stopped if people stay committed and continue to work together.

“It makes me feel more hopeful that more and more people keep showing up,” Benitez said. “The movement isn’t dying. Even a year later, I try to keep myself from going into a cynical space, thinking like nothing has changed. It has been a year and only a year. Change is incremental and freedom is a constant struggle like Angela Davis says.”

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

15

Tight township race falls to GOOD FOOD incumbent by 24 votes GOOD VIBES Eric Davis reelected over Jacquelyn Rodriguez

Clarmarie Keenan was reelected as township supervisor and Ali Elsaffar was likewise reelected as township assessor.

Gregory White was also reelected as township clerk, a role he’s held since first being

By STACEY SHERIDAN elected in 1997. All three of those races were Staff Reporter uncontested.

Despite her loss, Rodriguez found the slim Incumbent Oak Park township trustee difference in votes separating her from DaEric Davis was reelected by a razor thin margin of 24 votes, narrowly edging out vis heartening rather than dismaying.

“It’s kind of validating,” she said. “For newcomer Jacquelyn Rodriguez somebody who many people in what proved to be the tightest didn’t know to be in the race Oak Park race to come out of the against incumbents, it’s great to April 6 election. be that close.”

“As with President [Joe] Biden, A first-time candidate for electit was the mail in votes that ed office, Rodriguez said her bigmade the difference,” Davis told gest fear was getting no votes at Wednesday Journal. all.

The night of and in the days “I really came close,” she said. after the election, Davis and Ro“And knowing that maybe next driquez found themselves neck time, if there is a next time, if and neck each other for the ERIC DAVIS I push a little harder, [a win] is fourth open township trustee totally possible.” seat with only a handful of votes This will be Davis’s fourth term as a towndetermining who was in the lead at any givship trustee, having first been elected in en time.

“On election night, I was down eight 2005 and then again in 2009 With his newest win under his belt, Davis votes,” Davis said. “Then a couple days later, isn’t crowing over those who lost. Quite the I was up 34 votes, and then I was only up six votes and then 12 votes and it moved around opposite, actually – he’s singing their praises. some more and I ended up being up 24.”

“Valerie Lester ran a fine race,” he said.

The Cook County Clerk finally “Valerie has already helped the certified votes on April 27 contownship as she’s on our Senior cluding Davis won the fourth Services Committee.” seat, receiving 5,608 votes, or Davis told Wednesday Journal 15.08 percent.

Rodriguez ran a “terrific camAlong with Davis, Oak Parkpaign.” ers voted to reelect Ade Onay“It brought a lot of good things emi, who received the highest to the township and I think renumber of votes at 22.36 perally made us all better,” he said. cent, and Margaret A. Trybus, “I’m really grateful for her for who chalked up 15.92 percent of energizing the election.” votes. Newcomer Tim Thomas JACQUELYN RODRIGUEZ Ultimately, that’s part of what also snagged a township trustee Rodriguez wanted to do. Her seat, securing 17.83 percent. Davis, Onayemi, Trybus and Thomas shared decision to run for trustee was based on the Oak Park Community Service Party her desire to bring greater visibility to the township, as well as to promote democracy slate.

Rodriguez received 15.01 percent of votes, by giving voters the opportunity to choose followed by Valerie Lester who came in from a pool of candidates, incumbent and otherwise. sixth place with 13.8 percent.

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

A homecoming for Two Sisters Catering and Restaurant

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats

Veah Larde, owner of Two Sisters Catering and Restaurant, proudly celebrated the opening of her first brick and mortar establishment, 4800 Chicago Ave., with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 30.

The carry-out style restaurant would not have opened had it not been for the pandemic. Now, the counter service establishment is dishing up a rotating menu designed to appeal to creatures of habit by offering comfort foods while keeping eager eaters curious by putting a Two Sisters twist on traditional fare.

“This is an Austin girl comes home story and I am excited to be part of a revitalization effort,” said Larde. “As a business owner I want to speak to the community that I sit in and be an example of what can exist in the Soul City Corridor.”

Larde grew up just six blocks from Two Sisters new home and fondly remembers the walkable shopping district formerly seen on Chicago Avenue. She credits her family, especially her late father, Sammie Lee Hightower, for her love of cooking and entertaining. Hightower was a Chicago cook known for his ongoing attempts to expand the palates in his household. Serving up venison, frog legs and rabbit at family mealtimes fostered his daughter’s love of planning lavish events for friends and family.

Two Sisters Catering started in 2012 after Larde’s husband, Johnny Larde Jr., recognized “a light” in his wife whenever she helped people plan parties. He suggested she take that spark of energy and make it her life. Larde, who worked in retail management, followed the advice and her heart, and began taking on small to medium sized catering events and never looked back.

“My husband saw it before I did,” said Larde. “He is my biggest cheerleader, but he was clear if I started a business, I was going to need to do it for myself.”

One of three sisters, Larde, named the business in anticipation her younger sister would ultimately join her. Much to Larde’s surprise, it was in fact her older sister who found her way into the business through

bookkeeping.

“She does all the things I don’t want to do,” laughed Larde. “I got a sister -- just not the sister I expected.”

Thanks to Larde’s task-oriented mindset, Two Sisters grew gradually through referrals and positive word of mouth before finding a home in 2018 at The Hatchery - a food startup incubator on Chicago’s West Side.

In time, Two Sisters became a preferred caterer at The Hatchery and Larde began working with Fooda, a provider of office lunch services in addition to catered meals at Rush Hospital through their Anchor Mission program. The trifecta of opportunities proved to be a recipe for success for both Larde and Two Sisters.

And then COVID hit.

“We were so busy that it was hard to keep track of everything going on with the virus, but we were serving a buffet at Rush in early March of last year and everything felt very ominous,” said Larde. “Not long after that event the cancellations started coming and we let our staff go.”

After COVID-19 forced Two Sisters Catering to close temporarily a call from Liz Abunaw, owner of Forty Acres Fresh Market, presented Larde with a new means of getting her food to the public — as a vendor at the Austin Farmers Market. It took some creative thinking, but Larde figured out how to prepackage her most popular menu items and hold them at safe temperatures. Her regular customers were thrilled to have her food back in the community and flooded the market to show their support.

“We sold out every week and fans of our food supported other vendors at the market,” said Larde. “Before long people started talking to our aldermen and asking why we didn’t have a space of our own. Then I received a call to look at this storefront.”

Photo by Melissa Elsmo

Veah Larde, owner of Two Sisters Catering and Restaurant, frosts and garnishes her signature Louisiana Crunch Cake.

After considerable thought, Larde, who never saw herself owning a restaurant, decided to capitalize on the offer to operate out of the Chicago Avenue storefront which is housed near a dialysis center.

Two Sisters Catering and Restaurant, keeps caloric value down and prioritizes healthier eating. Larde’s husband is a dialysis patient himself and after his treatment began Larde focused on taking meat out of her recipes and opting to focus on lean proteins and vegetarian options. Two Sisters is known for their ground turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn—a slimmed down version of Johnny’s favorite meal.

“He was mad until he tasted it,” laughed Larde who also makes her well-loved collard greens without meat or vinegar. In fact, the greens and cornbread meal at Two Sisters is entirely vegetarian and costs just $5.

Larde is a self-proclaimed “chicken head,” but does not offer fried chicken at Two Sisters. The chef-owner considers the dish too commonplace and prefers to offer jerk

chicken, smothered chicken, baked chicken, and buffalo chicken to keep customers coming back.

Despite a series of health-conscious twists, there is still plenty of room for indulgence at Two Sisters. Fans clamor for classic banana pudding, crowd pleasing caramel apple cheesecake and lesser-known treats like Louisiana Crunch Cake. Made from a family recipe, the crunch cake, is a hybrid between yellow and white cake with an evaporated milk frosting. A generous sprinkling of coconut and pecans give the cake its signature crunch.

“We understand the community we serve, and we’ve got a little something for everybody,” said Larde. “We invite everyone to come and discover a new food memory.”

Two Sisters Catering and Restaurant is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be open on certain Sundays for special pop-up events. Follow Two Sisters on Facebook and Instagram for menu and event details.

Takeout 25 expands to Austin West Side restaurants signing on to Facebook page After several weeks of discussion, Malcom Crawford, executive director of the Austin African American Business Association Network and Ravi Parakkat, Take Out 25 organizer and an Oak Park village trustee, announced the Austin community is officially joining the Takeout 25 family —

the online community made up of thousands of food-lovers dedicated to supporting local restaurants.

“This is the right direction to take Takeout 25,” said Parakkat. “We’ve had the idea for some time, and it was just a matter of finding the right connections to make it happen.”

Austin residents spend a high percentage of their disposable incomes in the Oak Park area and Austin restaurants are already popular within the Takeout 25 group. The official partnership will create the opportunity for 100,000

residents and 50 Austin restaurants, including Two Sisters Catering and Restaurant, Chubby’s Char House, and Chef Daddy’s to join the throng of avid restaurant supporters.

Crawford is committed to promoting the collaboration through business networking meetings. Austin residents and restaurant owners are encouraged to join the Takeout 25 Oak Park Facebook page to promote their favorite restaurants in Austin, Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park.

Melissa Elsmo, Oak Park Eats

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

17

GOOD FOOD FOR MOTHER’S DAY Patios are open and spring is in the air!

Treat Mom to a delicious meal for Mother’s Day and support businesses in Southtown most impacted by construction.

Bidding farewell to Saigon Pho

Customers can use Public Parking Lot 1 (behind Fifth Third Bank)

Sen Sushi Bar

Oak Park Avenue opens mid-May.

Saigon Pho, 726 Lake St., permanently closed on April 26.

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats

“Saigon Pho was our home away from home, everyone was like family to us, it was not easy to say goodbye,” said Hai Tran, son of Saigon Pho owners Huynh and Tuyet Tran, “My parents’ authentic recipes and hospitality were the backbone of Saigon Pho, I am proud to be part of it.”

The Vietnamese restaurant was known for serving up steaming bowls of pho, comforting banh mi sandwiches, and fresh spring rolls opened in Forest Park a decade ago before moving to their Oak Park location in 2016.

Tran’s father, Huynh, whose family had been in the pho making business for many years, left Vietnam in 2004 to join his family in America. Language barriers made it difficult for him to find employment and the family opted to open a restaurant serving Vietnam’s most traditional foods.

The business supported the family, but now the Tran family is saying goodbye gracefully. In addition to admitting the pandemic had taken a significant toll on the business, Tran and his sister are poised to finish school and would like the opportunity to seek out their own adventures.

“My parents will enjoy their retirements, something that will take them a while to get used to,” said Tran. “To be honest, I have a feeling they might get out of retirement again in the near future.”

The Tran family, who have deep Oak Park roots, took the week leading up to the closure to give loyal customers a final chance to dine in or carry out their Saigon Pho favorites. Throughout the week a steady stream of customers visited the Lake St. restaurant to sit in the socially distant dining room or pick up carryout fare “We will never forget the good memories everyone gave us here,” said Tran.

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

VILLAGE BOARD A new era from page 1 inside the Public Works garage on South Boulevard.

The meeting began with the passing of a resolution proclaiming the results of the April 6 election, which marked the last occasion where outgoing clerk Vicki Scaman, the new village president, took the roll. After that Christina Waters, the new clerk, took on those duties.

Remarks from mid-term trustees Arti Walker-Peddakotla, Jim Taglia and Susan Buchanan followed.

Walker-Peddakotla kept it brief, saying only that she looked forward to working with the new board, while Taglia thanked the outgoing board members and acknowledged the previous board’s penchant for discord.

“Reasonable people can debate and disagree, but the starting point must be the rational and sincere desire to make things better,” said Taglia. “I believe we’ve always had that – contrary to what you might occasionally read in the newspaper.”

Taglia also welcomed the new village board members, stating that cooperation was the key to progress and the advancement of common good.

“Please know that I stand ready to do my part and work together with you,” said Taglia.

Like Taglia, Buchanan thanked the outgoing board members for their service to the village.

“You taught me more than you realize,” said Buchanan.

She acknowledged outgoing trustee Deno Andrews, as well as Abu-Taleb, for not holding a grudge against her after she “publicly excoriated them in a heated moment,” referring to her 2019 outburst during board discussion over the village’s diversity statement.

“Despite what some people say on the issue, basic human decency is important in municipal government,” Buchanan said, concluding her remarks.

Departing trustee Simone Boutet next addressed the attendees, sharing her appreciation for the culturally diverse and majority-female new board. She stated that government is all about relationships, imploring those taking office to cultivate the relationship between the governed and the governing.

“It is a rewarding experience to sit at this board table, even though at times it is very difficult to make progress,” said Boutet.

Andrews began his remarks with gratitude for his family, village staff and the people with whom he served on the village board during his tenure as trustee.

“Anan, you have transformed and revitalized the village,” he told Abu-Taleb.

Andrews called outgoing trustee Dan Moroney the hardest working person he has ever worked with and praised him for his “commitment to excellence” and his efforts in tackling the property tax issue in Oak Park.

Moroney welcomed the incoming trustees, clerk and village president, stating that he

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM would always be available to them should they ever need him.

“It’s a victory well-earned for all of you,” said Moroney, noting that he believed they could learn a lot from Buchanan and WalkerPeddakotla.

Moroney choked up speaking about Andrews, for whom has deep admiration, which he expressed during the meeting, as well as Abu-Taleb. He applauded Abu-Taleb for coming into office with a vision of economic development and seeing it through.

“Oak Park is a lot better for that, way better for that,” Moroney said.

Following the respectful overtures of departing trustees, came the swearing in of Trustees Lucia Robinson, Chibuike Enyia and Ravi Parakkat, as well as Scaman.

“I am honored and humbled to serve as your village president,” said Scaman.

She committed to bringing her love of service, dedication to transparency and ability to listen without defensiveness to the role.

Scaman promised that the village board will answer calls for social justice, economic recovery and actions against climate change.

“We will not let you down,” said Scaman.

In a beautiful and symbolic display, Enyia, the son of Nigerian immigrants, and Parakkat, who hails from India, wore attire traditional of their respective heritages.

During his own remarks, Abu-Taleb veered more political than any of the other exiting board members. He expanded upon the references to the advancements of economic development that occurred during his tenure as mayor, listing such accomplishments as the construction of several high-rise apartment complexes and the revitalization of the Madison Street corridor.

He also took the opportunity to express his stance against calls to defund the Oak Park police department, declaring that the community policing strategy employed by the police department works. While he acknowledged that reform was needed as was greater access to mental health services, Abu-Taleb stated those services should not come about through diverting police funds.

Resolutions appreciating Abu-Taleb, Boutet, Moroney and Andrews were passed by the new village board, now fully transitioned into office, as was the village’s diversity statement.

Robinson, a Mexican American, stated in her speech that strength can be found through adversity when the community bands together.

“I’m looking forward to tapping into the unexpected strength as a community in the new term,” she said.

Those sentiments of the need for togetherness were echoed in Parakkat’s speech.

Enyia told the attendees that this village board may be the most diverse of any previously elected in Oak Park, calling that diversity a bold statement in comparison to the politics of yesteryear.

“This board must be bold, forward thinking and intentional in how we address the major problems facing us and the significant points on which we agree,” said Enyia. “We must live up to the promise of our campaigns.”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

A CLEAN SLATE: (Top)Trustee Chibuike Enyia listens during the village board meeting at the Public Works department on Monday, May 3, 2021.(Middle) Clerk Christina Waters walks up to the podium. (Bottom) Outgoing trustees Deno Andrews, left, and Dan Moroney oversee their last meeting as trustees.

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

19

Buona’s Italian Beefless Sandwich: A good start

Buona Beef rolls out a new vegetarian menu item

By DAVID HAMMOND Food writer

The protein in this sandwich is seitan, or as a hyper-carnivorous friend of mine calls it, Satan’s Meat. Seitan is produced by washing the starch out of the wheat until all that’s left is a glutinous mass that can be shaped or, in the case of this sandwich, shaved to simulate sliced beef. Buona’s seitan comes from West Town’s Upton’s Naturals, and it’s the best thing I’ve tasted from that company.

I read no reviews of this new offering until I’d tried it myself, and my first impressions were generally positive. I ordered mine “sweet and hot,” with sweet peppers and hot giardiniera, my usual protocol when ordering Italian beef.

When the Italian Beefless was delivered to my table, my nose perked up at the familiar scent of Italian spices, but I was amazed at the thing’s weight. It was heavy, and I’m guessing a lot of this weight came from the oil that soaked it. Eating traditional Italian beef is no dainty affair, but while eating the Italian Beefless, I found myself using at least half the napkins in my order to dab oily splashes from my table and face. Hon-

estly, I think they’re overdoing it with the oil, which is low on flavor though does add moisture to combat dryness, the Great Enemy of All Sandwiches; there was just too much of it on my sandwich.

The seasoned seitan, slightly elastic and more delicate than beef, had decent flavor.

I’d been told it was salty, but I didn’t find it any saltier that the Italian beeves I’d had at local favs like Johnnie’s, Michael’s or Santelli’s. This vegetarian/vegan version predictably lacked the lush, mouth-filling deliciousness of beef, but what the heck did I expect? This sandwich offers personal and planetary health benefits, so something’s got to give. I suspect the food technology will improve if this sandwich is a hit.

One of the staff at our local Buona Beef, 7025 W. North Ave., told me that they sold out of the Italian Beefless Sandwich on the first day. It’s popular and controversial.

John Kass wrote in the Tribune that “I eat real beef, not fake beef, and I don’t care what

beef does or doesn’t do to the climate, and I find much of this anti-beef business highly political and controlling.” This was not an opinion shared by my friend and food journalist Louisa Chu, who received a gratuitous slam from Kass because she wrote in the Tribune that “Overall, the Italian Beefless is still a terrific sandwich. Beautifully made, thoughtfully balanced.”

My reaction to the sandwich lies some-

where between Kass’ rejection and Chu’s embrace.

The Buona Italian Beefless Sandwich is $7.99, the same price you’d pay for a seveninch Italian Beef & Sausage combo sandwich. But if, like me, you’re working on eating more plant-based foods, and under doctor’s orders to reduce cholesterol, then that’s a fair price, and the Italian Beefless is a good start toward smarter eating.

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

C R I M E

Teen charged with attempted murder for January carjacking Police have arrested 18-year-old Edmond Harris in connection with a January armed carjacking attempt that resulted in the victim being shot.

Harris, of the 1300 block of South Independence Boulevard in Chicago, was charged April 27 with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated vehicular hijacking, which allegedly took place the morning of Jan. 20, according to the Oak Park police department.

The attempted carjacking occurred at 7:15 a.m., Jan. 20, when a man approached the victim as he was sitting inside his vehicle in the 1100 block of South Maple Avenue.

The offender fired a handgun at the victim, striking him in his cheek, and then fled the scene in a black vehicle.

The victim, a Forest Park resident, was transported to Loyola University Medical Center, where he received treatment for his injuries, which were not life threatening, according to Oak Park spokesman David Powers.

At the time of his arrest for the Oak Park carjacking, Harris was awaiting trial on two charges unrelated to the Oak Park incident.

He is scheduled to appear in court for those charges May 6.

Harris was previously arrested on March 24 by Chicago police for the armed carjacking of a 22-year-old man at a gas station in Lawndale on March 6. He was charged with one count of vehicular hijacking.

For his role in the Oak Park incident, Harris’s bail has been set at $500,000 with a court date scheduled May 14 in Maywood.

Burglary ■ Someone

stole a purse from a vehicle, after breaking the vehicle’s front passenger window between 7:30 a.m. and 7:14 p.m., April 26 in the first block of West Erie Street. The estimated loss is $100.

■ The cash register of Jiffy Lube, 215 S. Harlem Avenue, was taken after someone kicked in the rear door panel to break into the business between 10:10 a.m., April 26 and 6:50 a.m., April 27. Estimated loss is $200.

■ Someone took about $105 in cash from an unlocked 2017 Volkswagen Touareg parked in the 1100 block of Clarence Avenue between 8 p.m., April 26 and 8 p.m., April 27.

Recovered stolen auto ■ The 2007 Honda Civic reported stolen April 24 from the 200 block of Chicago Av-

enue was recovered unoccupied and without damage at 11:41 p.m., April 26 in the 4900 block of South Damon Avenue in Chicago.

■ The 2017 Toyota Highlander reported stolen April 28 from the 500 block of Wesley Avenue was recovered in the 6600 block of South Evans Avenue at 4:48 p.m., April 28.

2008 Toyota Prius between 5:30 p.m., April 29 and 7:30 a.m., April 30 in the 300 block of Wisconsin Avenue.

■ All four 18-inch tires and rims were removed from a 2020 Honda Civic parked in the 400 block of Home Avenue between 4 p.m., April 28 and 7:30 a.m., April 29.

Theft

Criminal damage to property

took a package from the lobby of a building in the 600 block of South Boulevard between 3:47 p.m., April 18 and 7:30 p.m., April 19. The estimated loss is $334.49.

■ A package containing clothing was taken from the exterior front landing of an apartment complex in the 900 block of North Austin Boulevard between 10:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., April 29. The estimated loss is $65.

■ A package was taken from the front vestibule of a building in the 100 block of North Humphrey Avenue between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., April 29. Estimated loss is $200.

■ The catalytic converter was cut from a 2004 Toyota Prius parked in the back of a residence in the 1100 block of South Harvey Avenue between 8 p.m., April 28 and 11 a.m., April 29.

■ The catalytic converter was cut from a

A black gum tree belonging to the Park District of Oak Park sustained damage from what police suspect was a saw between 8 a.m., April 15 and 7:55 a.m., April 28 at Taylor Park in the 900 block of North Ridgeland Avenue.

■ These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports April 27 – May 2 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded.

Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

■ Someone

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

21

Homes A little something extra Does an unusual feature help a home sell?

By LACEY SIKORA

T

Contributing Reporter

he current local housing market is hot. Local realtors are reporting that inventory is moving quickly, and multiple offers are back. According to industry experts, the basics still hold: a well-priced, move-in ready house will sell quickly.

Some owners are putting in all the bells and whistles for their own enjoyment and then touting those improvements when they go to sell. Local real estate agents weigh in on whether those niche items are helping sell homes.

Michael Nowicki of Ideal Location-Oak Park, says his listing at 824 S. Euclid Ave. in Oak Park is a great combination of original style and modern updates. When the sellers rehabbed their home, adding a second story to their Queen Anne bungalow, they also added a geothermal heating and cooling system.

The system relies on deeply buried network of pumps to use the earth’s temperature to aid in heating and cooling a house.

It provides energy savings up to 70 percent over conventional systems, and has a much longer lifespan than traditional HVAC systems.

The systems are expensive to install, so Nowicki says they are still uncommon in Oak Park.

“The system is super complex, but very cool,” Nowicki said.

“If you’re environmentally conscious, this should be a big draw for a buyer.”

Erica Cuneen, owner and managing broker of Beyond Properties Realty Group, says she has worked with sellers to sell homes with unique improvements such as coach houses, vacation rentals and features like geothermal heating and solar panels. Sometimes these unique features are big selling points.

“I do think coach houses are really hot, because people are thinking about the ability to use them as an Airbnb,” Cuneen said.

That doesn’t mean unique features always make it easier to sell a house. She says she has one listing with a fabulous coach house that the sellers put roughly $400,000 into as an inlaw apartment. Some interested buyers balked at paying for a space they don’t really think they need.

Cuneen says that it takes the right buyer, as well as some work on the part of the selling agent, to market these spaces.

For instance, she might research how much an Airbnb could fetch in a particular location for a potential buyer considering a space with a coach house.

For a potential buyer considering a feature like geothermal heating and cooling, she might have to do some education on the environmental and financial benefits of such systems.

She says for real estate agents it’s all about being prepared and putting in a bit of extra work. She has to prepare her sellers for what the market value of their high-end improvements might be worth to buyers.

See EXTRAS on page 23

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE: The house at 1009 N. East Ave. (top) was under contract within days due, in part, to a garage (above) that’s a car enthusiast’s dream.

22

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EXTRAS

Unique features from page 21 For buyers, she works to get to know them to see how those improvements might fit their lifestyle. It can be hard to find comparables for homes with unique features, so her job also includes educating appraisers about the values of homes with unique features.

Linda Rooney of Re/Max in the Village Oak Park, says that, like Cuneen, she is seeing a lot of interest in homes with extra living space above the garage. She recently sold a listing on Highland Avenue in Oak Park with a studio space above the garage. The house sold for $22,000 over asking price and garnered seven offers in the five days it was on the market.

“During the pandemic, people are just looking for any extra space,” Rooney said. “Especially for people with kids, it’s good to get away.”

Another client who moved to Berwyn bought a two-flat with the intention of renting out one unit as a vacation rental.

Rooney states that the extra income has been great for her client, who has been under-employed due to the pandemic.

Kim Wojack of Baird and Warner says that sometimes it’s not more space but better space that make a house stand out.

At one of her listings, it was the high-end garage that made the house unique. Her listing at 1009 N. East Ave. in Oak Park recently went under contract within a matter of days. While she says the house itself was in great shape, the garage was the apple of the seller’s eye.

An avid car enthusiast, he had decked out the garage with new flooring, shelving and a charging station for his electric car.

“It certainly was a selling point for the house,” Wojack said.

She points out that some car companies have been pledging to go all-electric by 2035 and wonders if these kind of bonus features might become more expected in the future.

All of the realtors agreed that houses that look great and are move-in ready are quick to sell in this hot market and said sometimes these added features are often one of many considerations that help seal the deal.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

LOOKING AHEAD: For the garage of the home at 1009 N. East Ave. (above), the former owner not only installed new shelving and flooring, he also added an electric car charging station (under the “reserved parking” sign) in anticipation of the automobile industry moving in that direction.

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

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SPORTS

OPRF bats unload to sweep Lyons Township Huskies score 22 runs over 12 innings against Lions

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Baseball games between Lyons Township and Oak Park and River Forest High Schools are usually fiercely competitive and often come down to the wire.

And while that might have been the case on May 1 as OPRF held off a late LTHS charge to secure a 12-11 victory to complete a suspended game from April 29, the regularly scheduled game that followed was drastically different, with the Huskies breaking open a pitchers’ duel with a nine-run outburst over two innings to rout the Lions 10-0.

“Give Lyons credit; they came out with a little more energy than we did,” said OPRF coach Joe Parenti of the suspended game’s conclusion, which ended with LTHS leaving the bases loaded. “We were a little flat and that made the game closer than we would’ve liked.”

LTHS coach Kevin Diete was proud of the effort the Lions (6-3) showed when the suspended game -- which the Huskies led 12-8 after five innings -- resumed.

“It’s tough to continue a game [from another day], but our kids came out and brought some energy,” Diete said. “It was a playoff-type game and we just came up on the wrong side.”

Following the conclusion of the suspended game, the regularly scheduled game started with a scare when LTHS starting pitcher Luke Stonebridge went down on the mound in the first inning after being hit by a line drive by Ethan Glossa. However, he escaped injury and was able to continue.

“Luke said he got his glove on it a little bit to slow the impact,” Diete said. “Luke was more rattled with what happened, but that’s

Photo by J. Todd Phillips

BIG STICKS: Aidan Krupp (right) congratulates Ethan Glossa at the plate after Glossa led off the fourth inning of OPRF’s 10-0 win over Lyons Township on May 1 with a home run. Krupp would single and score during the ensuing five-run rally. to be expected. He’s tough for staying out there, and give him a lot of credit.”

In the bottom of the second, OPRF’s Jack Flagg connected off Stonebridge for a windaided solo home run to right field, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead.

Meanwhile, OPRF starting pitcher Calvin

Proskey kept the Lions’ batters off-balance, mixing in his fastballs and breaking balls.

The sophomore allowed one hit and two walks with seven strikeouts in five innings.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Huskies’ bats came to life. Glossa led off with a home run to left, then singles by Aidan Krupp

and Dan Michaud followed by a walk to Gio Pamias loaded the bases. Then Flagg greeted LTHS relief pitcher Freddy Rangel with a bases-clearing double to give OPRF (8-2) a 5-0 lead.

“I was looking for a first-pitch fastball. I was looking to attack the zone,” said Flagg.

After Mason Phillips reached on an infield single, Josh Diamond brought home Flagg with a sacrifice fly to make the score 6-0 OPRF. Then the Huskies scored four more runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the contest.

Pamias’ RBI single scored Jack Willsey.

Flagg followed with another double to score Michaud, then Phillips singled to plate Pamias.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Miles Kirk’s single to left brought in Flagg and invoked the 10-run mercy rule.

“We hung in for a little bit, and then [OPRF] just took over,” Diete said. “We’ve got a couple of young guys in the lineup, and we’ve got to learn how to put the ball in play and force pressure on the defense. We also have to pitch and play defense ourselves, and we didn’t do those things. We’ve got to pick it up a little bit.”

Unlike most sports in this pandemicabbreviated IHSA athletic season, there will be a state tournament for baseball, and while both LTHS and OPRF appreciate the opportunity ahead, they both know there’s a lot of work to be done first.

“I’m excited to get that,” said Diete of postseason play. “It’s great for our kids, and it’s great for the younger guys who’ll find out what it’s like to be in the playoffs.”

“We’ve got a couple of injuries, and that’s given some guys opportunities,” Parenti said. “So far, they’ve stepped up and done a good job. We keep harping at the fundamentals; our base running and pitching has been good, but we need to work on our hitting and defense. We’ve got a long way to go and we’ve got to keep it tight.”

LTHS pitching silences bats as Huskies fall 3-2 Lions’ reliever fans five of final seven OPRF batters to cement result

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Senior pitchers Ava Kostecki and Lily Hanafin combined for 13 strikeouts as the Lyons Township High School softball team notched a 3-2 victory April 30 at Oak Park and River

Forest High School.

“Ava has a great spin on her pitches, and Lily’s speed is unmatchable. I’ve never seen anything like it,” said LTHS senior first baseman Anne Bryant, who was the game’s offensive star with two RBI. “It’s always an intense competition [with OPRF]. There were lots of great pitching on both sides,” said LTHS coach Nicole Paluch. “Ava and Lily are a great combination who complement each other well.”

OPRF coach Mel Kolbusz gave credit to Kostecki and

Hanafin for their performances, but also expressed disappointment with the Huskies’ approach at the plate.

“It’s not realizing what the opposing pitchers are trying to do with us,” he said. “We weren’t making adjustments and swung at whatever. I told the kids that in my opinion, we’re a better team than LTHS, but we didn’t play like it today and lost.”

With two outs in the top of the fourth inning, Hanafin drew a walk off OPRF starting pitcher Cassie Metzger, then See SOFTBALL on page 28

Wednesday Journal, April 21, 2021

@ @OakPark

27

Nagela leads strong OPRF team back to the mats

Both Huskies, Fenwick to host outdoor matches in 2021

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Oak Park and River Forest High School wrestling team opened its pandemic-delayed season with a 39-21 dual-meet victory over York at the OPRF fieldhouse April 28. Four Huskies wrestlers -- Jalen Duncan at 126 pounds, Connor Nagela at 138, Sam Deyro at 145 and Stephon Carr at 160 – pinned their opponents to win their matches.

“It’s awesome,” said OPRF coach Paul Collins of having a season this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “Numbers are down across the board and that’s to be expected, but we’ve still got a solid team. We’re grateful for the opportunity, especially for the seniors, and we’ll try to make the most of it.”

Nagela, a senior who is one of the state’s top wrestlers in his weight class, admitted that he wasn’t sure if there would be a season given the uncertainty caused by COVID-19.

“It would’ve been a bummer if I hadn’t gotten a senior season,” he said. “I’ve been wrestling for almost half of my life, and it’s something I look forward to every year.”

OPRF returns six wrestlers who saw significant mat time last season, Carr, Duncan and Nagela, along with heavyweight Malcolm Gray, Cooper Lacey (113 pounds) and Zavien Stewart (120).

However, scheduling restrictions imposed by the IHSA means there will be no state tournament this year. That disappoints Collins, because he believes he has several individuals who could’ve done potential damage in it.

“In this strange year, we need to be open minded and realize this is how it’s going to be,” he said.

One of the manifestations of that strangeness will be having an outdoor match at Oak Park Stadium on June 9 when OPRF hosts Hinsdale Central. Collins said the inspiration came from watching several universi-

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

OPRF’s Jalen Dunson wrestles an opponent on April 28 during the Huskies’ 39-21 victory over York at Oak Park and River Forest High School. ties host meets inside their football stadiums.

“We’re never going to have a chance to do this [in a regular season that takes place during the winter], so we want to take advantage and give the seniors something cool to do,” Collins said.

Fenwick returns veteran squad Fenwick High School wrestling coach Seth Gamino, who enters his second year as the Friars’ head coach, returns an experienced lineup in 2021, including Conor Paris, who was a state qualifier at 170 pounds last season.

Other top returnees are David Capron, who just missed going downstate last year,

at 152, Billy McGee at 220 and Jimmy Liston at heavyweight, although Gamino indicated that Liston won’t wrestle this year due to an ankle injury suffered during the recently concluded football season.

Gamino said newcomers Finn McGee and Martin Paris will further solidify the Friars’ lineup, whom he described as young and on the verge of breaking some old school records.

“We are very heavy from 145 pounds and up; we have a solid group,” he said. “With COVID-19 making our season short, I don’t want the boys to worry about their weight.”

The Chicago Catholic League is one of the area’s premier high school wrestling conferences, and even in these challenging times, Gamino anticipates another strong season

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from his competitors.

“The coaching staff is focused on keeping the boys sharp, having fun, and enjoying their season as a team,” Gamino said.

“We believe in progression, not perfection.

We want the boys to get better each day and have a great time while doing it.”

Fenwick will have 10 matches this season, including seven at home. And for this unique season, which begins May 8 with the Friars welcoming Maine East and Marist, home will be outdoors the Dominican Priory in River Forest, weather permitting. That means more fans will be able to attend.

“The school recently approved it, and I think it’s a great idea because wrestling is a winter sport. It’ll be awesome to wrestle outside,” Gamino said.

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

SOFTBALL

LTHS too much from page 26 came around to score on a double by Bryant.

Metzger helped her own cause in the bottom of the fifth with a home run to left center off Kostecki that tied the game.

But in the top of the sixth, the Lions took advantage of shaky defense by the Huskies to take the lead for good.

With one out, Ava Paganis reached second when OPRF shortstop Ella Kuenster dropped a pop up, then scored on a double

by Tess Meyer, aided by some confusion between the outfielders. Bryant then banged a single up the middle to bring home Meyer.

“The soft hit [by Meyer] to left, that run should have never scored. The kids were wrestling over the ball,” said Kolbusz.

Bryant said she was nervous at the start, but gradually relaxed as the game went on.

“After my first at-bat [a strikeout], I learned from my mistakes and adjusted,” she said.

OPRF first baseman Maddie Grant homered to lead off the bottom of the sixth, cutting the Huskies’ deficit to one and forcing Paluch to make a pitching change. Hanafin, who started out as the designated player, replaced Kostecki and

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM fanned five of the final seven OPRF batters, including a strikeout of Kuenster to end the game with the tying run aboard.

Kostecki allowed two runs on five hits in five-plus innings, while walking one and striking out eight for LTHS (7-2).

For OPRF (5-2), Metzger went six-plus innings allowing three runs (two unearned) on six hits, walking two and striking out five.

Paluch feels the season has gone well so far based on the hard offseason work the team put in. She also believes the loss of last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled a hunger inside the Lions.

“They’re not holding back,” Paluch said.

“They know how precious time is, and they’re looking to capitalize every game.

We’ll continue to work on getting the timely hits and making sure our defense is solid all-around.”

For his part, Kolbusz is happy to be back on the field this year with the Huskies.

“I told them while I don’t like losing, it’s still fun to be with them,” he said. “We’re just in a little slump right now, and we’re going to try our hardest to get out of it.”

On May 1, OPRF broke its’ two-game losing streak with a 13-5 rout of host Downers Grove South. The Huskies pounded out 19 hits, including home runs

by Kuenster, Cate Barkdoll, and Sydney Ross.

Ross and Rachel Hartman each finished with four hits, while Barkdoll drove in five runs and Ross four.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

OPRF’s Cassie Metzger pitches on Friday, April 30, 2021, during a varsity softball game against Lyons Township at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M. Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

VIEWPOINTS

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Mothers and Others For Peace p. 31

A G I N G

Feeling the inevitable

few days ago I had a face-to-face meeting with another person for the first time in over a year. A day later, I had coffee on my front porch with a friend for the first time in over a year. The day after that, accompanied by my daughter, I went shopping at Costco for the first time in over a year. What a week, and what a year.

It felt like the ‘old normal’: My meeting lasted for two hours and we could have kept going; I still make my coffee too strong; I spent more than I needed to at Costco. Some things never change.

Before you read any further, let me be clear — I am not advocating stupidity.

For those of us who have been so careful for so long, abandoning caution now would be plain stupid.

My face-to-face meeting was outside, both of us vaccinated, sitting at each end of a park bench, wearing masks.

My friend is vaccinated and we sat more than 6 feet apart as we sipped coffee on the front porch. My daughter, who’s been in my bubble since December, is vaccinated and we shopped wearing masks.

Caution definitely needs to be part of the unfolding new normal. As do the many improvements forced upon us by COVID-19, such as working from home, tele-health and digital meetings.

As we shopped, I couldn’t help but notice how my daughter shouldered much of the load — she was more organized, made great suggestions, lifted the 40-pound bag of dog food and remembered the several items I failed to get. I even caught myself watching her do the work I’d always prided myself on doing. I had this clear sense of how I was getting older. Out of the blue, I thought how I’d already outlived my father by six years. Then the last time I saw my father alive flashed before my eyes.

As I drove out of the parking lot, thoughts ruminated quickly, including that it was good to be back shopping in person; how fortunate I am to have had supplies delivered to my door for over a year; and how many more times would I get to shop at Costco before I died. Suddenly, I realized how poignant my relatively mundane shopping trip had become.

The pandemic experience is allowing me to appreciate things I’d taken for granted back in the “old normal” days. And that reminded me how my aging has helped me to slow down, to take notice and, sometimes, to appreciate seemingly small things.

That’s when the tears started — not sobbing tears, but poignancy tears, the kind you can keep to yourself, but tears nonetheless. Sitting beside me in the front seat, my daughter didn’t notice. Wondering what these tears were about, I realized it wasn’t just how many more times might I get to Costco, or my own dad’s death, it was also about my daughter, and how many more times I’ll get to be with her, and how she’ll feel after I died.

And then it was about the rest of my family too. It was a serious, realistic and honest awareness of my mortality.

There I was, driving home with the groceries and feeling, actually feeling, the inevitable.

MARC BLESOFF

PROVIDED

B

Buggy rides stitch community

ack in the ’60s, we called it “the buggy.” Mom would push it west on the sidewalk along 16th Street, then south along Home Avenue, with five of us riding or tagging along. As the oldest and only boy, I’d walk a bit behind her or out ahead. Kathy, the littlest, always got to ride to that special destination — Cermak Plaza — and back. Annie might get to sit with her while going, but not returning, what with four or more loaded grocery bags from Hillman’s packed in around Kathy.

When empty of non-human cargo, this four-wheeled, Mom-powered vehicle could hold two or three little sisters. They’d sit together, unbelted in the open carriage space, occasionally bouncing off one another while Mom navigated a curb.

But the trip to and from the Plaza is what I remember most vividly. It became a main event in our family for several years, at least. Covering the 1.2-mile route between home and the Plaza would take some time.

Five kids, and a mom pushing a buggy, crossing streets, waving to friends who might be playing at the park on Wesley, yelling at a jerk driving too fast on 16th, keeping up a decent pace with little legs, four squeaking wheels, churning along. The round trip constituted a good day’s journey.

Mom tried to make it interesting for us, so we’d stop at GC Murphy’s or Woolworths, also at the Plaza, for ice cream or chocolate milk. When we got a little older, she’d let a couple of us hang out at Murphy’s while she shopped for the groceries. On the way back, we’d sometimes take a different route, east along Cermak Road, and buy kolaczkis at Vesecky’s Bakery.

Buggies then — strollers now — became part of the family. Over time, wear-and-tear marks them with reminders of the journeys they’ve travelled. I have pushed them filled with my kids and now my grandkids.

Naturally, it’s a very hands-on trek: slow paced, with a lot

of opportunity to talk about what’s going on around you. And it usually ends somewhere interesting, like a park, a store, a school, a museum — or in my case in recent years, the lakefront.

I’ve walked with my granddaughter in the stroller to many destinations along the lake and in Oak Park. She’s gotten to touch the R.R. Donnelly’s building on East Cermak Road where my dad used to work. During her orientation as a new Bears fan, I sat her at the feet of Papa Bear and Sweetness, next to Soldier Field. We took the stroller along the shore below the museums, as well as through Grant Park. When I look at her “buggy” today, getting her ready to amble through Austin Gardens in Oak Park, it evokes memories of all the places we’ve been.

Moms, dads, grandparents or caregivers pushing strollers are very much part of the walking scene in Oak Park. A couple of days ago, I trekked east on a local street when, about a half-block ahead of me, in a carriage pushed north by his parents, a little guy leaned out of his seat, looked at me, pointed, and called out, “Papa!” I waved back. When I got a little closer, his mom explained, “He thought you were his grandpa.” I replied I was indeed someone’s grandpa: “She calls me Beepa.” They responded, “OK, Beepa, have a good one.” And back we went on our different paths.

Such walks enliven a place. It’s not always easy to build community in a neighborhood or town, especially in our polarized times. But on a small scale, parents ambling attentively with kids in their strollers keep community alive. They notice and talk about the interesting things sitting in front yards and on porches. They say hi to neighbors. They play in parks.

Tiny citizens in strollers help us get along just by being with us.

Rich Kordesh is a longtime observer of the Oak Park scene.

RICH

KORDESH One View

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

O U R

D

Reimagining the world

V I E W S

Anan’s legacy

an Moroney, in his exit speech Monday evening as the village board turned over, captured what has been the essence of what Anan Abu-Taleb, the now-former mayor, brought to village hall, brought to Oak Park.

“Anan,” he said, “My hat is off to you. In 2013 you had a vision for this town … and you never deviated from your vision.

Economic development. And Oak Park is open for business. And you took advantage of the opportunities you had.”

A fair summary of an unusual eight years of leadership in Oak Park. Most often we hear candidates explain their values more than their vision. If we understand their character, their belief system, it is presumed we’ll be comfortable with their approach to the range of issues that any term in office will toss up.

Abu-Taleb actually offered up the vision. Growth is good. Height is our friend. And we have a rotten reputation with the private sector whether you want to build up 21 stories, open a retail store or get permits to flip a house. The message was clear, it never wavered, and he didn’t pander for votes. In his first election he won decisively. In his second election he ran unopposed.

The tall buildings downtown will always remind us of Anan.

We think the transformation of Madison Street will be the boldest comeback he engineered.

But here’s what is most essential and, we hope, lasting. AbuTaleb fixed the fundamentally busted development processes in Oak Park. The unexamined, unnecessary competition between Oak Park Development Corporation and key village hall staffers made no sense and it didn’t work. He fixed it. A development review process through citizen commissions was never ending, driving major developers to distraction and ultimately to other towns. The unfocused citizen-input process brought no conclusion, offered no satisfaction and resulted in miserable-looking projects. He came to a village hall where past village boards had overpaid for not quite 20 notable parcels without a discernable plan. His plan was to sell all the parcels to the private sector for development and he did.

They are all sold now. The building services within village hall — permits, inspections, the things that make a town whirl — were chaotic, technologically obsolete, rudderless and infuriating. With the leadership of Village Manager Cara Pavlicek, that got fixed big time.

This is all real. You can appreciate all this and still think the buildings are too tall.

That intense vision left Abu-Taleb uninterested or unable to fully engage with other important issues. That’s part of his legacy, too.

Downtown’s wise choice We want to taste it, taste the end of this godawful pandemic.

Some among us have already tossed over the restrictions, erased caution and embraced willful ignorance of the fact that COVID-19 isn’t done just yet.

Sure there is headway. The vaccines are powerful and their impact real if the group you are in is small and fully vaccinated. A drink on the deck with family is fine. An outdoor meal in a small group is more than welcome. A farmers market with a one-way traffic circle and mask requirements is as close to normal as Summer 2021 can offer.

That’s why it is hard news, but a wise choice, when Downtown Oak Park announces early that its signature spring and summer events have had the kibosh lowered on them. These are the festivals with the draw of live music and alcohol, food around community tables that we are just not ready for yet.

So thank you, downtown marketing team, for making the call.

And if you can actually create a safely scaled back Thursday Night Out, you’ll have our confidence and our support.

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.

W

Eden Phillpotts

hat single change would do the most to make a better world? That was the question posed by a friend recently.

His answer: “Educate women worldwide.”

He mentioned this as we made the rounds of the wider Los Angeles metro area on our annual trip out there, a mini-reunion and winter break that, for various reasons, was postponed this year till spring. Our trips incorporate elements of a retreat. We talk as we walk the streets or trails or beaches. We don’t walk the talk; we talk the walk.

This year’s trip coincided with the verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial, so George Floyd and the reckoning with race were much on our minds. ded with a federal judge issuing an It also coincided ng Los Angeles to do more order requiring to address the homeless situation .’s “skid row” in central L.A.’s k after block of section. Block encampments hugging the street. Tents and tarps and blankets and bags ern-day creating modern-day .” They “Hoovervilles.” can be found under most d dotting overpasses and long the the hillsides along highways as well. The ifornia Southern California climate draws a large ulation, so it’s homeless population, here than back more visible there ssness is a consehere. Homelessness quence of an economy that creates winners and non-winners. Those on nclude people suffering from the margins include mental illnesss and drug dependency, the economill di d cally and culturally dispossessed.

Eliminating racism and homelessness would make the world better. Reimagining policing could be an antidote to the murders of unarmed people of color by a police force that takes its marching orders from a society built on a foundation of white supremacy. But we can’t adequately reform policing until we first accept the existence of “systemic racism” and strive actively to create an antiracist society — rejecting policies and ideas that produce or normalize inequity between racial groups, according to Ibram Kendi’s book, How to be an Antiracist, which envisions a society where all racial groups stand “on approximately equal footing.”

Solving homelessness is stickier still. Shelter is the first step. Someone has gone to considerable effort and expense to distribute tents to many of the homeless in L.A.’s skid row, which is an improvement. But what about sanitation and mental health services, addiction therapy, a subsistence income with job training, and probably much more? It’s complicated. “Shelter” and “home” are not always synonymous.

Closer to home, one of our hosts is battling cancer,

so her answer understandably focused on affordable, accessible health care, which would go a long way toward raising quality of life worldwide.

But why stop with reimagining policing, homelessness and health care?

Why not reimagine the whole world?

Answering the question “what would do the most,” it seems to me, requires identifying the biggest problem. That would be climate change, our planet’s most urgent existential threat, so converting to clean energy from fossil fuels was my response. It would also correct our second-biggest threat: economic inequality. The greater the disparity, the greater the suffering, the greater the instability around the world from the twin scourges of poverty and malnutrition.

The first step toward reducing the gap might be to embrace what our other host in L.A. advocates: “free-market socialism.” The free market creates wealth, but socialism distributes it in a more just coul Capitalism manner than capitalism ever could. predatory,, socialism leans leans predatory h nurturing. The latter humanizes the former. tho Eventually, though, I come back arou around to the first answer. answ What u forward would move us seem to me, most, it seems f women is equality for worldwide. Equal pay, oppor equal opportunity, equal education, eequal access p No to political power. glass ceiling ceilings. Women’s equality will heal the sickness of thi this patriarchal society, which ha has caused so many of our oth other problems. Women, at their best, prioritize collaboration, cooperation, communication and compassio compassion. Capitalism emphasizes competition over all else — devised by h i one-sided id d worst. men at their Our discussion reveals that it takes daring to dream a better world. We’re conditioned to wallow in why “it’ll never happen.” The odds seem stacked against every solution. So we find a perverse security in our stuckness.

Clean water, adequate nutrition, the end of authoritarianism and armed conflict, including the ongoing threat of nuclear warfare — with so many challenges, solutions seem unattainable, but it behooves us to dream because, as disabled actor Christopher Reeve once said (and lived), “At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable.”

Antiracist policing, homefulness instead of homelessness, universal health care, universal early and higher education, full employment, sensible gun regulation, clean energy, economic and racial and gender equity, food security — all would revolutionize life on this planet.

How do you reimagine the world?

What formerly locked doors would you open?

A better world is just waiting for our imaginations to catch up to it.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Staff Reporters Stacey Sheridan, Maria Maxham, F. Amanda Tugade Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Arts Editor Michelle Dybal Digital Strategist James Kay Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Mark Moroney, Javier Govea Business Manager Joyce Minich Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Growing Community Media

PROVIDED

PEACEMAKERS: Diane Scott (left) and Mary Rose Lambke invite you to pick up a free bookmark celebrating the peacemaking roots of Mothers’ Day at the Main Branch and Maze Branch of the Oak Park Public Library through May 10.

Appreciating mothers … and peace

M

others’ Day is a great day to show appreciation for our mothers. In this year of the pandemic, mothers have been particularly challenged by economic hardships, increased isolation, and the need to take on even more roles than usual.

While the gifts of Mothers’ Day may be sweet, we think mothers deserve much more than one day of attention! Wouldn’t a more peaceful, respectful world with policies that support children and families (like a living wage, universal health care, affordable child care, and paid family leave, for starters) be life-saving for mothers (and others)? How about ending our endless wars that traumatize or kill children around the world?

Mothers and Others For Peace (MOFP) works toward building a peaceful future. We are inspired by Julia Ward Howe’s rallying cry to women to stop wars after the terrible loss of life in the Civil War, and her call for women to gather together once a year on a “Mothers’ Day” to focus on ways to find peace.

In past years, we have hosted events to mark the activist roots of Mothers’ Day with gatherings of writers, musicians and speakers, as well as flower-making, displays, and peace book discussions at the Oak Park Public Library.

This year, we again join with the library to feature materials for adults and children on peace and peacemakers. All these materials may be checked out of the collection, and you can find them at oppl.org/peacetitles.

If you stop in at the Oak Park Main Branch Library, you will also find Mothers and Others For Peace book-

marks available for free in a lobby display, as well as at the Maze Branch in the “Holds” area. Our bookmark contains lyrics from a song about Julia Ward Howe recorded by Tom Chapin. Give it a listen; it is inspiring! (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=2Fvt99fHtsk) And while our ability to come together in person is limited for now, we hope everyone will take a moment to reflect and commit to one thing you can do for peace in honor of Mothers’ Day this year. Whether you contact a legislator on an issue that could make life more peaceful, start a conversation with someone whose views differ from your own, make an overture of peace to someone you’ve been in conflict with, or simply spread the word about the roots of Mothers’ Day as part of a quest for a more peaceful world, you can join us in trying to bring peace into our communities, our families and the world.

Mary Rose Lambke, Susan Messer, Mary Ellen Munley, Marilyn Myles, Kathleen Perry, Sue Piha, Cynthia Robinson, Diane Scott, and our wonderful partner at the Oak Park Public Library, Kathleen Spale, are the MOFP movers and shakers.

We give thanks to the League of Women Voters of Oak Park-River Forest for their support, and to Kyrsten Benoit for her design of our beautiful logo.

Find more information about us and Julia Ward Howe on Facebook at: facebook.com/MothersAndOthersForPeace Peace and Happy Mothers’ Day.

MOTHERS AND OTHERS FOR PEACE One View

Mothers and Others for Peace celebrate the peacemaking roots of Mothers’ Day.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

About Viewpoints Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, schools, businesses and culture of Oak Park and River Forest. As we share the consensus of Wednesday Journal’s editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, fire you to action.

In a healthy conversation about community concerns, your voice is also vital. We welcome your views, on any topic of community interest, as essays and as letters to the editor. Noted here are our stipulations for filing.

Please understand our verification process and circumstances that would lead us not to print a letter or essay. We will call to check that what we received with your signature is something you sent. If we can’t make that verification, we will not print what was sent. When, in addition to opinion, a letter or essay includes information presented as fact, we will check the reference. If we cannot confirm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay.

If you have questions, email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at ktrainor@ wjinc.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 250-word limit

■ 500-word limit

■ Must include first and last names,

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)

■ Signature details as at left

your connection to the topic

Email Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com or mail to Wednesday Journal, Viewpoints, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

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ADDRESS 141 S Oak Park Ave., Oak ParkIL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-5248300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00.

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Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Il 60302. © 2021 Growing Community Media, NFP.

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Full transparency needed in library election I am writing in response to Stacy Sheridan’s April 13 Wednesday Journal article, “Small hitch preserves win for library board candidate.” I am sending a copy of this letter to the Oak Park Public Library Board (OPPL) and other local news media.

The Asian-American community in Oak Park deserves to have full confidence in its representatives.

Following the public discussions of my comments online, it is clear that not all members of the community

have that confidence in me. I apologize to the Asian-American community for the harm I caused, and I ask that the OPPL board not consider me as a replacement for TrusteeElect Lofton if she resigns.

In the interest of openness and transparency, I ask Library Board President Matt Fruth and TrusteeElect Lofton to fully disclose to the board, and to the public, the contents of all communications between themselves, and their communications with me, regarding

Trustee-Elect Lofton’s or my candidacy. This includes email, direct messaging, texts, phone calls, and in-person conversations.

The residents of Oak Park deserve to be fully informed and confident about all their representatives and how they were selected. The current answers we have received publicly don’t yet provide the level of transparency needed for everyone’s full confidence in the process.

Pete Prokopowicz Oak Park

Post Office building is filthy, littered

I am urging Congressman Danny Davis’ office to look into the conditions at our Post Office.

The building is filthy inside and littered outside. Those floors used to be polished and they shined. The glass doors were washed and brass handles shining clean.

So if there is not a plan to close it, there is no excuse, especially during COVID, to have the situ-

ation we have had for the last eight months or more.

There is a sign on the Postmaster’s door: “Do not knock on this door, talk to a clerk.” The clerks, of course, are overwhelmed.

It might be good if Wednesday Journal follows up, runs an investigation into conditions, and calls our representative.

Cynthia Breunlin Oak Park

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Deborah Mercer

Oak Park

The other thing about prisons and police is how they make people — the vast majority of people — feel secure. I don’t mean safe, I mean secure.

Secure means that the scary, awful, monster people are kept at bay by those institutions. That is the story that gets told and reinforced by media, by our parents, by our culture, that is our story.

That’s our narrative.

Mariame Kaba

Activist, organizer

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Deliver the mail, no excuses

There is a major issue with the mail service in our area. Being a handicapped individual as well as a cancer patient in treatment, receiving mail, cards, magazines and gifts are one of the few joys I anticipate daily. Since the beginning of this year we have not been receiving regular mail. My husband and I have gone 3-4 days without so much as one piece of junk mail. I have

The Sheridan at River Forest 800 N. Harlem (708) 469-4676

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Consider budget priorities for policing

Pete’s quick to tear down, slow to build

Last December, Pete’s Fresh Market tore down the historic E.E. Roberts-designed Hill Motors Sales building at 644 Madison St. so they could be ready to start construction on their new store as soon as construction season opened in the spring, or so they said. It is now four months later, and I am still staring at an empty lot and am told by the village that they “do not have a construction start date at this time.” I have to conclude that Pete’s rushed to tear down the Hill building to silence the protests from historic preservationists. Quite a craven move if you ask me.

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

complained twice to USPS with no resolution and COVID-19 should not be the stereotypical response. They say they will look into it yet nothing has been done. This village has two post offices I don’t understand what is causing these delays. Someone has to do something about this!

Anne Thinnes Oak Park

Many Oak Parkers balked when they saw the nonbinding referendum on our ballots: “Should Oak Park defund its police department?” It did not pass, of course. I doubt that the outcome would have been substantively different had the question been: “Should the village of Oak Park re-analyze its crime prevention strategy and budget priorities, aiming to decrease investment in policing and raise investment in education, social services, and other such programming?”

Why? Because Oak Parkers like to be comfortable — many of them probably think that issues in policing are only issues in Chicago, over there but not here. We acknowledge systemic issues but refuse to confront them when they are in our own community. We should do better.

The data tells us about how systemic issues related to policing indeed exist in Oak Park.

For starters, Wednesday Journal published an opinion piece over the summer exposing data that 97% of minors stopped by Oak Park police are black. Police in schools are well-documented as disproportionately creating criminal records for children of color for incidents whereas their white classmates would just receive a suspension, a call home, or a stern talking-to.

Systems we are born into feel natural and correct. They create the world around us, and we want that world to make sense. It’s human instinct. We need to look at ourselves, our systems, and institutions and think about if these systems are right or if they just feel right. I will not pretend I have all of the answers, but I know there is a problem. I think redistributing some of the money into more comprehensive social services, mental health care, and education could be an excellent place to start. Traffic policing — if you have a taillight out, for example — should that be an invitation for an armed police officer to pull you over? Could an unarmed village services worker do that instead?

If we want to put our money where our mouths are, we need to collectively consider our values and priorities and then put those in line with our actions.

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Among the many celebrating the occasion: Respicio Vasquez, Lisa Scheiner, & Jonathan Pape, Village of River Forest; Dr. Mary Ann Bender, Weil Foot & Ankle; Sam Yousif, Fuller Health Group; Pat Koko, Celebrating Seniors Coalition; Carla Sloan, River Forest Township; Liz Holt, OPRF Chamber; Teri Miller, Beyond Hunger; Darien Marion-Burton, D.M. Burton; Michael Glab, Nutriquity; Anita Pindiur, Way Back Inn; Susie Goldschmidt, Byline Bank; Tom Gallagher, Old Second; Todd Bannor, Bannor & Bannor; Cliff Osborn, Jack Carpenter Realtors; Jill Wagner, Wednesday Journal; Remelle James, Catholic Charities; Chris Schmalz, Body Gears; Yosef Pollack, Acupuncture POINTS; Jonathan Biag, Escape Factor; Dr. Ingrid Liu, Progressive Health; For your ownAmanda ribbon cutting contact on fantastic oprfchamber.org Ginamaria Briseno, Innovative Vascular; Hamlin Gosnell and theus whole team, The Sheridan at River Forest.

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

A

To be honest, I would choose abolishing police

few weeks ago, Derek Chauvin was found guilty for the murder of George Floyd. As many have argued, this is not justice, just a small measure of accountability. True justice means changing the system so that these murders stop happening — so that people like George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and Adam Toledo will not be killed by police, and so that many others will not suffer daily degradation through the legal system.

True justice means dramatically changing the structure of policing — defunding or abolishing the police. And I fully support defunding: reducing the funds that our municipalities allocate to police and policing. We have far too many police, too many laws, and too much criminalization of people who could be better supported through social services.

But honestly, the idea of police abolition scares me. I want to support it. I want to believe that we can create a world in which destructive behaviors are met by supportive actions and accountability is achieved through community relationships rather than punishment, as described in the work of Mariame Kaba and other scholars of abolition. At the same time, I must admit I am frightened. Society has told me over and over again, in so many ways, that I need protection.

In actuality, I have called on police two times in my life, and I think those experiences can inform how I think and feel about policing and abolition.

When I was 14 years old, I started attending high school in Milwaukee, and I was running with my high school cross country team during practice one day. One other freshman and I were running slowly, we got separated from the rest of the team, and as we ran through the park, a group of three or four men approached us and stole our running shoes.

One man hit me in the head. My friend and I ran back to the school in our socks, and our coach called the police.

When I was 32 and the principal of a Chicago high school, I was leaving school to go home on the el. I went up the back stairs to catch the train, and at the same time a man came down. He pulled a gun, asked for my wallet, and took off. I called the police on my cellphone.

In each of these cases, the police showed up, took my information and … nothing. I didn’t get my stuff back. I didn’t get uninjured or less scared. The police, of course, couldn’t go back in time to prevent my property loss, my injury, or my fear.

I know there are many people who believe that we need police and policing ... that our society depends on them for its basic functioning.

And I know their arguments. They say that if we had no police, I would have been mugged more than twice in my life, or that something worse would have happened to me. And I certainly want to acknowledge that my experience is that of a middle-class white man who has lived much of his life in the suburbs. I do not have the experiences of Black and Latinx people living here in Oak Park or in Chicago. I know that the experiences and beliefs of those communities vary widely as well, and that some people in those communities feel a strong reliance on police.

And when I imagine a world without police, I imagine that I will feel fear. But I would accept some increase in my fear if it means we can create a world where my Black and Latinx neighbors do not live in terror that they or their family members might be gunned down by police, where they don’t walk around worried that the police might stop and frisk them, looking for petty crimes, where they don’t worry about family members who have lost their rights because they are or have been incarcerated.

One day, will I call myself a police abolitionist? I don’t know. But I know what I would choose in spite of fear. I know that, if I were living bravely and truthfully, I would choose abolition.

Jim Schwartz is an Oak Park resident, an educator, and a blogger at Entwining.org.

JIM

SCHWARTZ One View

V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Anticipating the end of my life

In 1991, my father was placed in a nursing home because of rapidly failing health caused by no longer treatable prostate cancer. One day, a nurse found him dead — on the toilet. He was all alone.

There were no goodbyes, no last words, no embraces, no comfort. My mom, for the rest of her life, was haunted by that image.

In 2009, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had flashbacks of my father’s long and unnecessary suffering. In his later years, he had pleaded not to die in a nursing home, but it was the only option at the time. I believe that’s when he lost his will to continue living.

It’s now 12 years since my prostate cancer diagnosis. Surgery, radiation and testosterone-suppressing drugs have kept the cancer at bay. Eventually, the treatments will stop being effective. Of course, I could also die of something else. My point is, if fate decides my death won’t be sudden, my fervent desire is to have much more control over how I die than my father did.

One of the ways I’m taking more control is through stipulating my wishes and sharing those

with family. I’m using an invaluable workbook entitled “My End-of-Life Decisions, An Advance Planning Guide and Toolkit” It’s published by a national nonprofit organization called Compassion and Choices. (https://compassionandchoices.org/ resource/my-end-of-life-decisions-an-advance-planning-guide-and-toolkit/) Another way I’m taking more control is through my own advocacy in support of passing medical aid in dying legislation in Illinois. Ten states and the District of Columbia already have this option. In those jurisdictions, people with terminal illnesses can request a prescription from their doctors for medication that will result in a peaceful death. The patient decides when the moment is right to take the medication, or may opt to not take the medication at all. More information can be found at https://compassionandchoices.org/end-of-lifeplanning/learn/understanding-medical-aid-dying/ For more information, please contact www.CompassionAndChoices.com.

Jim Kelly

Oak Park

What you should know about deer management What is community-based deer management (CBDM)? In an established CBDM program, the first step is to decide on goals and set up objectives that are measurable and recommend management actions. There has to be a plan for monitoring progress and a plan for public engagement. You cannot forget to include the need for a budget, timetable and a list of responsibilities (who is responsible for what).

The River Forest Ad Hoc Deer Committee, created in early 2020, was tasked with four objectives: 1. Drafting a community survey and reviewing the results; 2. Researching alternative ways to manage/reduce deer conflicts; 3. Planning at least one community forum to educate residents on the importance of a deer management program; and 4. Preparing a written report with the committee’s findings and recommendations to the village president and board of trustees regarding deer management strategies to use in the village.

In an attempt to fulfill our responsibilities, the ad hoc committee created and distributed the survey and received a community response of 18%. The al-

ternative ways to management/reduce deer conflict were not discussed, nor was planning a community forum which could have been done virtually (Facebook is full of examples of community meetings).

I do not believe most community members realize what goes into a successful CBDM program. It starts with the community. It is not just one aspect; it is creating a process that is defined and measureable. Otherwise, how will you know when the deer problem is resolved? Please don’t say when all the deer are gone (dead).

Because of conflicting views of how to address the deer/human conflict, the RF Ad Hoc Committee split into two groups last January when forced to vote CULL or NO CULL. The members of the original committee are promoting a CULL to solve the problem. The alternative group is promoting the establishment of a multifaceted CBDM program (which could result in culling after data has been collected and analyzed).

The trustees and president will vote on the two proposals in the next few weeks.

As the community, I thought you should know.

Laurie Gillard River Forest

Support ‘bad apples’ law Please ask your state representative to support HB1727. Current Illinois law protects bad police officers through “qualified immunity,” so such officers are not held accountable for violating a citizen’s rights. Under HB1727, the Bad Apples in Law Enforcement Accountability Act, qualified immunity would not be a defense; instead such officers must show they acted reasonably under the circumstances. Qualified immunity does not protect citi-

zens, communities or quality officers.

Currently civil suits for bad officers violating citizens’ rights are paid by cities, but these officers are not held responsible. The civil suit is paid for by taxpayers, not by the offending officer who is free to continue violating citizens’ rights.

Remember, contact your state representative.

Tom Ard

Oak Park

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With gratitude to those who ran

The AMENS group of Oak Park would like to congratulate the candidates who ran for office in the April election.

It is a humbling and noble undertaking that requires sacrifice and a sense of community to pursue. Thanks also to the voters in the community who “walked the talk” by turning out, and by electing one of the more diverse panels of candidates, heretofore unheard of in our diverse quarters.

There were no losers in this election. Some candidates gained office, while others showed a spirit and vision that will surely enable them to have a stronger voice in future village deliberations. We are a better community because of the collaboration of voters, office-holders, and those who want a say in the body politic.

However, rejoice as we are wont, there is more work to be done. The election of fresh voices and vision must be aligned with community needs and realities. To name just a few: • additional support for start-up minority businesses • address renters’ issues in Oak Park • greater clarity regarding “re-imagining policing,” especially with regard to youth in Oak Park • providing greater access to the Community Relations Commission by residents It’s with a vision of the community greatness we’ve inherited, that we sing “hallelujah” in praise of the path upon which we have embarked. However, we reiterate the cliché that “it takes a village,” the whole village.

We’re here to affirm that we stand ready to do our part.

AMENS Group Oak Park

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35

The River Forest deer committee is rigged

am a concerned citizen of Oak Park. The trustees of River Forest will receive a recommendation to cull the deer of Thatcher Woods soon (I believe that is coming around May 10). I have been following diligently the whole deer management public board discussions for the past 1.5 years and I am very concerned on a few different levels.

I really hope you will urge the public to listen to the public hearings that happened throughout last year and this year since they will give you a good idea of what is going on during those public meetings. From the very beginning, the committee seemed extremely rigged to me.

I personally believe this particular committee was appointed with a particular agenda and the agenda is to cull the deer. Even the report itself is incorrect and biased on a few points. For example, the report used for the formal “cull” recommendation clearly states that the majority of the RF people want to cull the deer.

However, the way the report summary information is presented by the rigged committee is incorrect. For instance, survey question #13 asked if there was deer overpopulation and if the people of RF would like the deer removed. While some of the people did vote for the cull, there were many (majority actually) who (even though they might have agreed that there is an overpopulation) did not want to cull the deer but wanted to explore various other options that could decrease the population or help the village with the deer population.

The majority of the survey respondents do not want the deer killed. But the recommendation and summary report says that the majority of the RF people do want a cull,

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Psychotherapy starter or retiring? Working at home yet need professional setting? It’s a perfect space on border of Oak Park - River Forest in clean building, free street parking, ACCESSIBLE, steps from bus and train. DON’T delay!

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which is misleading.

The report/recommendation that you will receive lumps all of those responses to question 13 as “cull.” You can listen to the recording that happened last night at the deer management meeting and you will hear exactly what I mean. Second, the deer management members who resigned were advocating for educating the residents about the deer as well as what type of plants are deer resilient, etc. The “rigged” committee dismissed those education requests.

Third, throughout all of the research and meetings that I have listened to (countless hours), nowhere did I see or hear of a survey that was done by a professional forest preserve specialist to actually establish the deer count vs. square footage of Thatcher Woods where they reside.

Don’t you think that before actually culling the deer, there should be an actual fact establishing that there is an overpopulation of deer? Did anyone ever count the deer? The answer is no.

I am urging residents to please take a close look into the survey results and think for yourself. I also want Oak Park residents to get involved in this decision and it should not only be a decision of one suburb. There are many other suburbs using the woods and enjoying the deer.

The cull decision is biased from the very beginning.

The data is misrepresented, and there is no professional data to support an overpopulation. It is simply a few individuals pushing their own agenda through the system using their connections.

Lena Georgiev is an Oak Park resident.

LENA

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

MARKETPLACE ITEMS FOR SALE

ITEMS FOR SALE

SPINET PIANO AND BENCH Baldwin spinet piano and bench. Light brown wood finish. $300 obo.

708-386-0087

MUSIC Music: piano scores, concertos, piano trios, flute music violin music. Variety of composers. $3.00 each.

708-488-8755

ANTIQUE HALL TREE Antique American Hall Tree, solid oak. Excellent condition. 29”w x 78”h x 11”d, with covered shelf and mirror. $159.00.

708-488-8755

SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL Shovels and ice breaker. $5 each.

708-488-8755

ANTIQUE MUSIC CABINET Antique music cabinet with door and five shelves. Standing on four legs. Mahogany finish. $129.00.

708-488-8755 LADDERS 24 FT EXTENSION LADDER $30 708-488-8755 ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMER $50.00 708-488-8755 BLONDE DRESSER WITH MIRROR 4 drawers. Blonde wood. Very old. Excellent condition. $89.00 708-488-8755 BLONDE CHEST OF DRAWERS 5 drawers. Blonde wood. Very old. Excellent condition. $89.00 708-488-8755

GRANDFATHER CLOCK Perfect condition, oak wood, chimes all work. Everything is perfect. $499.00.

708-488-8755

ITEMS FOR SALE BRASS HEADBOARD Solid brass headboard.Originally from Marshall Field’s. $189.00.

708-488-8755

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400 Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-334

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066

BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

O B I T U A R I E S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Mike Trant, 74, founded Duffy’s Tavern in Forest Park

By JOHN RICE

His father emigrated from Listowel, Ireland and Mike was proud of his Irish-American heritage. He and Shelia went to Ireland Michael Costello Trant, 74, the unforgetta- many times and visited the family farm to ble founder of Duffy’s Tavern, 7513 Madison meet his dad’s relatives. Like many IrishSt., died from cancer on April 19, 2021, leav- men, he had a fondness for alcohol but quit ing behind Shelia, his wife of 46 years, and drinking many years ago. This didn’t keep his daughters, Tracy and Megan. him from enjoying the company His funeral urn was buried with at Duffy’s. two of his trademarks: a golf ball The tavern had regular dayand a “Challenge Coin” from his time customers. Many of them days as a paratrooper. were in the trades. Among them Mike grew up in Oak Park was a plumber named Ed Walsh, and graduated from OPRF High who first met Mike 25 years ago.

School. He was drafted into the Ed had just finished a side job in military in 1967 and served as a River Forest and made his first member of Alpha Company, 3rd visit to Duffy’s to see if his budBattalion of the 506th Airborne dies were there. He asked for an Infantry Regiment, 101st DiviOld Style and Mike replied, “I MIKE TRANT sion in Viet Nam in 1967-68 and don’t think so. Your eyes look bloodshot.” remained close with his comEd explained that he had just finished a rades for the rest of his life. Five of them came from out of state to attend his funeral. job and was looking for his friends. When he mentioned their names, Mike invited him to He was buried with full military honors.

After he finished his military service, he have a beer. Ed quit drinking two years later met Shelia Duffy in 1974 at a Forest Park bar but continued to visit Mike at Duffy’s.

Mike and Shelia ran the place together called The Ending. They were married the same year. In 1983, he purchased the build- until 1986, when their daughter Megan was ing that houses Duffy’s and opened the pub born. Shelia concentrated on motherhood in the late ’80s. It was named for his wife, while Mike ran the bar. A gifted storyteller, he regaled the regulars with his tales. The and he was a natural to run an Irish pub.

Contributing Reporter

RESIDENTIAL — COMMERCIAL — RETAIL — CHURCHES — SCHOOLS

place had a family feel and Mike certainly considered his workers to be family, especially the three Di Gilio sisters, Christine, Donna and Cathy.

Chris and Donna worked their way through college at Duffy’s and both became teachers. Chris started at Duffy’s in 1981 and worked there for 30 years. Mike would become like a brother to her and her sisters.

He even invited Chris on three family vacations to Hawaii.

Family came first for Mike, followed closely by golf. He belonged to a golf league that played at Cog Hill. As Ed Walsh recalled, “Mike wasn’t going to make the Tour,” but he shot some excellent rounds. Golf remained his lifelong passion.

He was loyal to his golf buddies, his workers and his regulars. He gave some of his daytime customers keys to Duffy’s in case the bartender was late showing up. He may have been short in stature but he had a big personality. His great sense of humor attracted so many patrons, he had to hire a second bartender.

Although he lived in Elmhurst, he loved the action of Madison Street and got along well with his fellow bar owners. He became good friends with Mike Sullivan, who owns Goldyburgers. They once had a joint picnic for workers from Duffy’s, Goldyburgers and

the Forest Tap. He stopped operating Duffy’s in 2005. After he became ill, Chris continued to hang out with Mike. A few weeks before he died, Chris had her first-ever drink with Mike. He insisted on having “two fingers of whiskey.”

Claudia Frey was another longtime employee who remained close with Mike until the end. She first met Mike when he was in high school and grew to love him like the brother she never had. After he became ill, Frey, who is a registered nurse, visited Mike to assist with his health care. Other longtime pals drove Mike to and from his medical appointments. It was a pleasure for them, because it meant having an hour or so to talk with him.

If workers like Claudia and Chris were Mike’s sisters, the members of his military unit were his brothers. He attended their annual reunions, which were held all over the country. They had such a ball, the reunions would last several days.

Which brings us back to the Challenge Coin. If a paratrooper walks into a bar and brandishes his Challenge Coin, the other paratroopers have to produce their own. If a paratrooper doesn’t have his, he has to buy drinks for the whole bar. It’s easy to imagine Mike buying a round at Duffy’s while giving a sly wink to the crowd.

Need a helping of

Call Jill at (708) 524-8300 or visit OakPark.com/subscribe

SERVING OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST SINCE 1976

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

O B I T U A R I E S

Dennis Smith, 56

Robert Rentner, 90

Dennis A. Smith, 56, of Oak Park, died unexpectedly on April 25, 2021.

Born on Oct. 4, 1964 in Michigan, his family moved to Orange, Texas which is where he spent his formative years.

He has shared many stories of his time spent playing sports, fishing with his dad and brothers, and learning all the lessons of a young man in Texas. He liked to say he was a born Midwesterner, naturalized Texan, aspiring Brit and honorary Cajun. He traveled the world for work and pleasure and called everywhere he landed, home.

Highly ambitious, he put himself through engineering school and graduated with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas in Austin. He went immediately into the oil industry and worked for various companies, including Conoco/Phillips and most recently with BP as operations assurance & labor relations programs manager. An incredibly hard worker and mentor to so many, he was often referred to as a “MacGyver” because he seemed to be able to solve problems everywhere yet never wanted to take any credit.

He had a big personality, a big laugh, and an even bigger heart. His passions included hunting, fishing and golf and he was good at all of them. At home, he was a BBQ pit master and made the best barbecued ribs, brisket and homemade sausage.

People would come from far and wide for his smoked potato chips. A self-proclaimed wine and coffee snob and a bourbon aficionado, a nightly old-fashioned was always on the menu.

He travelled everywhere from Alaska to Croatia, Greece to Abu Dhabi. He was always up for another trip. A proud father, he cherished his time and travels with his son, Austin, and always shared what he called “Life Lessons” with him.

“Above every rainy day is a sunny day,” he would say, and believed it.

Dennis was the husband of Heidi, the father of Austin James Smith; the son of Marie and the late Wayne Smith; the brother of Greg (Terry), Brian (Karen) and Mark (Kristi) Smith; and the uncle, cousin and friend of many.

Visitation was held on May 2 at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home. Funeral Mass was celebrated May 3 at St. Giles Church, followed by private interment.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Red Cross (redcross.org) or giving blood is appreciated.

Robert R. Rentner, 90, a resident of Oak Park for over 65 years, died on April 29, 2021. Born in Chicago on June 10, 1930 to the late Harold and Virginia Rentner, he married Shirley Hackl in 1952.

He was the deputy chief of the Oak Park Fire Department, retiring in 1984 after 33 years of service. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he loved spending time with his family, enjoyed photography, and was also an avid reader and puzzler. He and Shirley enjoyed their annual New England road trips and spending summers in Webster, Wisconsin.

Bob Rentner is survived by his children, Bob (Terry), Sue, Tom (Chris) Rentner and Cathy (Phil) Barry; his grandchildren, Shawn, Christopher, Heather, Colleen, Alexandra, and Ellen; and his great-grandchildren, Emma, Eli, Katelyn and Enza. He was preceded in death by Shirley, his wife of 68 years, in 2020, and his sister, Jo Anne Frantz.

Interment is private.

Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.

Oil company problem-solver

Former Fire Dept. deputy chief

Edward Shannon Jr. Owned Shannon Lumber Company

Edward J. Shannon Jr., 86, a longtime resident of River Forest, died on April 25, 2021 in his Door County, Wisconsin home. Born on Feb. 27, 1935, he grew up in River Forest and graduated from Fenwick High School, where he served on student council and lettered in football and swimming. His senior year he was elected captain of the football team and went on to play football at the University of Michigan, where he served as president of his social fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. After graduating in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army for two years. Upon completing his service, he joined his father at Shannon Lumber Company and eventually took over the company until his retirement in 2012.

In 1962, he married the love of his life, Joanie Balsamo. They enjoyed spending summers and weekends in Door County, Wisconsin, and he moved there permanently after her death in 2014.

He is remembered as a caring boss and a “handshake” businessman, who had many lifelong friends, including homebuilders, Irving Park YMCA handball mates, Ephraim

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

Yacht Club members in Door County, and the “Company A” men and their wives.

Ed is survived by his children, Edward (Jeanette), John (Isabel), Brigid Shannon and Jane (Luke) Kennedy; his grandchildren, E.J. and Declan Shannon, Quinn, Bodhi, Izzi and Jack Falco Shannon, and Barrett and Luke Kennedy; his brother-in-law Dick (Beth) Balsamo and his sister-in-law Dee Dee (Kevin) Goggin. In addition to his wife, Joan, he was preceded in death by his sisters Mary Kay (late Gerald) Moore and Patricia (late Fritz) Frazier; a sister-in-law, Donna Balsamo; and his parents, Edward J. Sr. and Kathryn Shannon.

Visitation was held on Thursday, April 25 at Conboy - Westchester Funeral Home, and a funeral Mass was celebrated the next day at St. Luke Church in River Forest. Interment was held privately.

Memorials to a charity of your choice, are appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by Peter B. Kennedy & Co. Funeral Directors.

Jean Goodwillie, 76 Fought medical battles with grace

Jean Ann Goodwillie, 76, died peacefully on April 22, 2021 in Oak Park.

Born on Jan. 26, 1945 in Chicago to Betty Kellogg and John Goodwillie, she attended Palatine High School and Parsons College. A longtime resident of Sandburg Village, her spirit and laughter touched the hearts of many. Friends describe her as “just fun” in everything she did. She fought her medical battles with grace and her own unique sense of humor.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, John Joseph and Robert Kellogg (Kelly). She is survived by her sisters, Barbara Carol, Betsy (Bill) Bayne, and Patty (Sam) Conde; her sister-in-law, Mary Nelson; her brother, Byron; her nieces and nephews, Jennifer Goodwillie (Peter Whi-

37

tesell), Mackenzie Bayne, Katherine Conde, Andrew (Catherine) Goodwillie, Pat (Lig) Goodwillie, Patrick (Brittney) Cogan, and Matthew Goodwillie.

A special thank you to the staff of Belmont Assisted Living and Suncrest Hospice.

Their compassion and support provided such comfort during these last months of Jean’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Suncrest Hospice, 5 Revere Drive, Suite 130, Northbrook, IL 60062.

Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.

Andrew Przybysz, 76

Navy vet, worked for Peoples Energy Andrew S. Przybysz, 76, of Oak Park, died on May 11, 2020. Born on Feb. 10, 1944 in Northeim, Germany.

A graduate of Fenwick High School, he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam conflict aboard the USS John King.

He retired after 33 years of service from Peoples Energy and enjoyed volunteering his time participating in Junior Achievement, Poppy Day, and the National Christmas in April effort. An avid Chicago Cubs fan, he was a season ticket-holder for over 37 years.

Predeceased by his parents, Walter & Anna Przybysz (nee Szultz), he was the father of Stephen (Laura), Anne Marie, Christopher (Yuka) and Andrew Richard; the grandfather of Kento, Masaya, Miasa, and James; the brother of Wieslawa Jarosjewski; and the uncle of Gregory. He was the former spouse of Elsa Przybysz and the partner of Barbara Gawdzik.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at United Lutheran Church (Fellowship Hall), 409 Greenfield, Oak Park 60302, from 1 to 6 p.m. A Military Salute Ceremony will be enacted at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Andrew’s name to the American Legion Commodore Berry Post #256, 6919 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL 60402 would be appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by PetersonBassi Chapels.

Robert P. Gamboney Funeral Director I am there for you in your time of need.

All services handled with dignity and personalized care.

Cell: 708.420.5108 • Res: 708.848.5667 I am affiliated with Peterson-Bassi Chapels at 6938 W. North Ave, as well as other chapels throughout Chicagoland.

38

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF STICKNEY, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA

IMPORTANT NOTICE: As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor of the State of Illinois’ declaration of an emergency, the below described public hearing will be conducted in person and via Zoom in compliance with P.A. 101-0640. All persons attending the meeting in-person will be required to wear a face mask at all times while in the building and will further be subject to strict social distancing (6 feet separation). Electronic attendance via Zoom is strongly encouraged. The information for the Zoom meeting is as follows: Website: Zoom.us Meeting ID: 312 915 7558 Password: 768782

PUBLIC COMMENT: Persons not attending the meeting in person may submit “Public Comment” to the Village Clerk no later than one (1) hour before the scheduled start of the meeting. Please send public comments to the Village Clerk at villageclerk@villageofstickney.com.

Notice is hereby given that on the 18th day of May, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. at the Stickney Village Hall, 6533 Pershing Road, Stickney, Illinois, a public hearing will be held to consider the approval of the proposed redevelopment plan (the “Redevelopment Plan”) and the designation of that certain proposed redevelopment project area to be known as the Cicero-Pershing Redevelopment Project Area (the “Redevelopment Project Area”). The Redevelopment Project Area consists of the territory legally and generally described below: THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 33 TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, AND THAT PART OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 4, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, LYING NORTHERLY OF THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF LOTS 54, 56, 58 AND 60 OF THE SANITARY DISTRICT TRUSTEES’ SUBDIVISION, RECORDED MARCH 31, 1908 AS DOCUMENT 4180218, EXCEPT THAT PART LYING EAST OF THE EASTERN BOUNDARY LINE OF THE VILLAGE OF STICKNEY; (SAID EXCEPTION BEING THAT PART OF THE EAST 649.14 FEET OF SAID NORTHEAST QUARTER LYING NORTH OF THE NORTH LINE OF SAID LOT 54, AND BEING THE EASTERLY PART OF SAID LOT 54), IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The proposed Redevelopment Project Area (RPA or Project Area) is located in the easternmost portion of the Village and is generally bounded by 35th Street to the north, Cicero Avenue to the east, the I-55 Expressway to the south and Laramie Avenue to the west. Land uses in the proposed RPA consist of industrial, commercial and residential uses.

Hawthorne Race Course is located in the northern portion of the RPA. The RPA’s western, northern and eastern boundaries are contiguous with the Town of Cicero. The RPA’s eastern boundary is contiguous with the City of Chicago.

There will be considered at the hearing approval of the Redevelopment Plan and Project for and the designation of the proposed Redevelopment Project Area and adoption of tax increment allocation financing therefor. The proposed Redevelopment Plan and Project is on file and available for public inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, Stickney Village Hall, 6533 Pershing Road, Stickney, Illinois. Pursuant to the Redevelopment Plan and Project the Village proposes to alleviate blighted area conditions in the Redevelopment Project Area and to enhance the tax base of the Village and the taxing districts having taxable property within the Redevelopment Project Area by utilizing tax increment financing to fund various eligible project costs to stimulate private investment within the Redevelopment Project Area. These eligible project costs may include, but may not be limited to, studies, surveys, professional fees, property assembly costs, construction of public improvements and facilities, financing, administrative and other professional costs, all as authorized under the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, as amended. The Redevelopment Plan objectives include promoting and protecting the health, safety, morals and welfare of the public by establishing a public/ private partnership, establishing economic growth, development and training in the Village by working within the guidelines of the business attraction and retention strategies developed by the Village, encouraging private investment while conforming with the Village’s comprehensive planning process, restoring and enhancing the Village’s tax base, enhancing the value of the proposed Redevelopment Project Area, improving the environmental quality of the proposed Redevelopment Project Area, and retaining and attracting employment opportunities Published in Landmark April 28, and May 5, 2021

within the proposed Redevelopment Project Area. To achieve these objectives, the Redevelopment Plan proposes to provide assistance by paying or reimbursing costs related to the acquisition, construction and installation of public facilities, property assembly, site preparation and improvement, job training and other eligible redevelopment project costs, the execution of one or more redevelopment agreements, and the payment of financing, administrative and other professional costs.

Prior to the date of the hearing, each taxing district having property in the Redevelopment Project Area and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may submit written comments to the Village, to the attention of the Village Clerk, 6533 Pershing Road, Stickney, Illinois 60402.

There has been duly convened by the Village a joint review board that considered the proposed Redevelopment Plan and Project for and the designation of the proposed Redevelopment Project Area and the adoption of tax increment allocation financing therefor. The joint review board consists of a representative selected by each community college district, local elementary school district and high school district or each local community unit school district, park district, township, fire protection district and county that will have the authority to directly levy taxes on the property within the Redevelopment Project Area at the time that the Redevelopment Project Area is approved, a representative selected by the Village, and a public member. The first meeting of said joint review board was held at 3:00 p.m. on the 16th day of April, 2021, at the Stickney Village Hall, 6533 Pershing Road, Stickney, Illinois.

At the hearing, all interested persons or affected taxing districts may file written objections with the Village Clerk and may be heard orally with respect to any issues regarding the approval of the Redevelopment Plan and Project for and the designation of the Redevelopment Project Area and the adoption of tax increment allocation financing therefor. The hearing may be adjourned by the Mayor and the Village Board of the Village without further notice other than a motion to be entered upon the minutes of the hearing fixing the time and place of the subsequent hearing.

Village Clerk Village of Stickney Cook County, Illinois

Starting a new business?

Call the experts before you place your legal ad!

Publish your assumed name legal notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 20th, 2021 for the following BID 21-128 VILLAGE OF OAK PARK CHICAGO AVE BRICK CROSSWALKS REHAB PROJECT REQUEST FOR BIDS Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708-3585700 or by stopping by the office located at 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Information is also available from the Streets Superintendent, Scott Brinkman, sbrinkman@oak-park. us or on the Village’s website http://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/finance-department.

The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening. For more information call the Public Works Service Center at 708.358.5700.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal May 5, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for variances from the Village Code for property located at 8845 Burlington Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PINs 15-34-433-001-0000; 15-34-433-002-0000; 15-34-433003-0000).

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Please check the following webpage one week before the meeting for more information: https://brookfieldil.gov/ meeting-packets/ The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours.

Written comments may be provided prior to the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kendra Kuehlem, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 at kkuehlem@brookfieldil.gov.

Individuals with disabilities requir-

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

ing a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall.

information: https://brookfieldil.gov/ meeting-packets/

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark May 5, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for variances from the Village Code for property located at 3209 Raymond Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PIN 15-34-113-053-0000).

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Please check the following webpage one week before the meeting for more information: https://brookfieldil.gov/ meeting-packets/ The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours.

Written comments may be provided prior to the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kendra Kuehlem, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 at kkuehlem@brookfieldil. gov.

Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark May 5, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for variances from the Village Code for property located at 3209 Oak Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PIN 15-34-210-003-0000).

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Please check the following webpage one week before the meeting for more

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours.

Written comments may be provided prior to the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kendra Kuehlem, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 at kkuehlem@brookfieldil. gov.

Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark May 5, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 208 TIMELY AND MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION FOR PARENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF PRIVATE AND HOME SCHOOLED CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES In accordance with the requirements of Section 612(a) (10) of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004 (“IDEA 2004”), Riverside Brookfield High School will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation on Friday, May 21, 2021, at 10:00 AM at Riverside Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Il 60546---Due to the Pandemic this meeting will be held via Zoom. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how students with disabilities, who attend private schools or are homeschooled within the district boundaries, will be served by District 208 during the 2021-22 school year.

Parents and private school administrators who would like to attend should contact Kevin Baldus, Director of Special Education, at baldusk@rbhs208.net Zoom invitation will be forwarded prior to the meeting.

Published in RB Landmark May 5 and May 12, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Little Irene Grace Ryu Case Number 20214001675.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Little Irene Grace Ryu to the new name of: Irene Grace Ryu The court date will be held: On 6/29/2021 at 9:30 a.m. at 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, Cook County in Courtroom # 111.

Published in Forest Park Review May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21006683 on April 22, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of TOP TIER PRINTING with the business located at 6436 18TH STREET 1FL, BERWYN, IL 60402.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: LINDA P RICO 6436 18TH STREET 1 FL BERWYN, IL 60402, USA Published in Wednesday Journal May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21006745 on April 27, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of UNIQUELY VICTORIOUS with the business located at 1021 MARENGO AVE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: URVONNIE FRANKLIN 1021 MARENGO AVE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130, USA Published in Forest Park Review May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21006706 on April 26, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of UNIQUE NOTARY SERVICES & TRAINING with the business located at: 1122 N HAYES, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: BEVERLY DENISE SINGLETON 1122 N HAYES, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of VARSHAWN CHRISTOPHER HANSEN Case Number 2021 CONC 000527 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: VARSHAWN CHRISTOPHER HANSEN to the new name of: VERSHAWN CHRISTOPHER HANSEN The court date will be held: on July 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Daley Center, Chicago, Cook County in Courtroom # 1704, Calendar 9.

Published in Forest Park Review April 28, May 5, May 12, 2021

Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE: Harrison Street Bible Church has ceased operations and is dissolving effective June 7, 2021. Any person with a claim against the church should contact the church at P. O. Box 4532, Oak Park, IL 60304.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 28 & May 5, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING 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 Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 4:00p.m.

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 2021-22 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 Marilyn Thivel at mthivel@oprfhs.org or call (708) 434-3706 to request the Zoom Link information.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 28 & May 5, 2021

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS INDENTURED TRUSTEE FOR ANGEL OAK MORTGAGE TRUST I, LLC 2018PB1 Plaintiff, -v.ECHELON INVESTMENT CORP., PATRICK OCENAS, SERENA VICTOR Defendants 19 CH 12066 817 S. CUYLER AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 5, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 18, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 817 S. CUYLER AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-124-0200000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $691,465.75.

Sale terms: 100% of the bid amount shall be paid in certified funds immediately by the highest and best bidder at the conclusion of the sale.

The amount owed also includes the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300. No fee shall be

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The certified check must be made payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g1).IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, Megan K. Gajewski, KELLEY KRONENBERG Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2800, Chicago, IL, 60601 (312) 216-8828. Please refer to file number CM19055.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

Megan K. Gajewski KELLEY KRONENBERG 150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2800 Chicago IL, 60601 312-216-8828 E-Mail: Mgajewski@kelleykronenberg.com Attorney File No. CM19055 Attorney ARDC No. 6276927 Attorney Code. 49848 Case Number: 19 CH 12066 TJSC#: 41-551 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I3167637

Illinois Classified Advertising Network WANTED

FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans.

R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals.

Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE E L P W A FOR N TSALE ED FORH SALE

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking a Part-time (FTE 0.77) Elementary School Physical Education Teacher.

ALL POSITIONS AVAILABLE Bartenders Bussers Line Cooks Servers

Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with Grade-Appropriate Physical Education Endorsement; successful teaching experience in physical education preferred; Master’s Degree is preferred.

Public Notice: Your right to know • In print • Online • Available 24/7/365 PublicNoticeIllinois.com 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.

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

Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Job Duties: The part-time PE Teacher will work in partnership with the fulltime PE teacher to instruct students in Pre-K through 4th grade on how to develop habits of mind and actions that support good health, fitness and enjoyment of sport and play. The PE teacher will facilitate a learning environment that engages students in learning skills for sport and fitness, as well as SEL skills by growing confidence, sportsmanship and team spirit.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e.cover letters, resumes, licensure, etc. to River Forest Schools District 90; instead, upload these materials onto the online job application system for proper processing.

HOMECARE AIDES Sahara Homecare is hiring Homecare Aides for our Melrose Park location. We are looking for compassionate caregivers to assist elderly clients with everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and other errands. Pay starts at $14.00 per hour and flexible hours are available. Please call our Melrose Park office at (708) 344-2273 if interested or email Nicole Gray at nicoleg@saharahomecare.com and Greyder Martinez at greyderm@saharahomecare.com.

SENIOR POLICE RECORDS CLERK The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Senior Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. this employee is responsible for distributing assignments, checking the work of others to ensure compliance with rules, policies, codes or other requirements, and referring matters that require supervisory intervention to the Police Records Supervisor. This employee also performs the full domain of clerical duties in the support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Application deadline May 14, 2021.

Apply in person after 3pm.

KALAMATA

Greek Cuisine 105 N Marion Street 708-628-3661 DRIVER NEEDED NOW HIRING DRIVERS!!!!

Lucas Medi Car has an opening for a full time wheelchair van driver.

To be considered must have: • • • • •

a current Illinois driver license be friendly and courtoues have a good driving recoed must be 18 years or older in age pass a criminal background check

To schedule an interview CALL (708) 442-7533, MONDAY THRU SUNDAY (10AM TO 4PM) SEASONAL FARMERS’ MARKET ASSISTANT The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Assistant in the Development Customer Services Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmers’ Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

SECRETARY/ASSISTANT Part-time, very flexible small law office in Oak Park. Ability to navigate a desktop essential Email resume to: bob@downslaw.com

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333

BY FAX: (708) 467-9066

BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@ GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

We are hiring Relationship Bankers in Oak Park, IL.

Visit the link below to check out this opportunity to join a great team! https://wintrust.taleo.net/careersection/2/ jobdetail.ftl?job=2100424&lang=en You can also learn about other career opportunities nearby.

local employees, happy employees!

Hire Local.

Place an ad on Wednesday Classified’s Local Online Job Board.

Go to OakPark.com | RiverForest.com/classified today!

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information.

(708) 613-3342 classifieds@ OakPark.com | RiverForest.com

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Wednesday Journal, May 5, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Support4U is a free anonymous text line for

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students, answered within minutes by licensed clinicians.

Students can text about anxiety, school pressure, relationship conflict or when in a crisis.

These are difficult times

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YOU ARE NOT ALONE www.support4u.live Find us on Instagram! @support4u