Wednesday Journal 101922

October 19, 2022

Vol. 43, No. 12

$2.00

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

OPRF resets math curriculum

Final OK pending to blend Algebra and Geometr y over three years

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School will begin changing the way it teaches the first three years of math at the school next year. The school will be re placing separate courses in Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II with three years of an inte grated math curriculum that combines algebra and geometry with other elements of math.

“It’s a better way to teach math,” OPRF Math Division Chairwoman Julie Frey told the District 200 Board of Education at its Oct. 13 Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Frey said that Lockport High School has taught math in an inte grated way for the last 10 years and that the states of New York and Utah are teaching math in an inte grated way as are many countries around the world including Canada, China and England.

“We’ re not reinventing anything,” Frey said.

See OPRF MATH on pa ge 16

Wright Trust tries again with arts and education center project

Smaller footprint incorporates adjacent home in new plan

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

T he Frank Lloyd Wright Trust has unveiled its latest plans to create a learning center near the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Stu-

dio. T he Arts and Education Center, as it will be known, will allow the trust to increase its educational progr amming for all ages but not with an eye, Wright officials said, to increase

See WRIGHT TRUST on pa ge 16

Between a rock and a hard place

Last week, the Cook County De par tment of Public Health released a new data portal called the Cook County Health Atlas — a searchable online database that provides 100 indicators of health — for over 120 Cook County suburbs

The data on overall life expectancy in those suburbs puts the health gap between Black spaces and white spaces into stark relief

ROMAIN

For instance, life expectancy in the majority-Black suburbs of Bellwood and Maywood was 76 and 75, respectively. Life expectancy in the majority-white suburbs of Oak Park and River Forest was 80 and 85, respectively. And that’s based on data from 2010 to 2015 — before the COVID-19 pandemic.

For too long, too many educated people have chalked up racial health disparities to genetics, rendering the problem beyond anybody’s capacity to solve.

But factors like systemic racism, discrimination and bias, and wealth inequality — all operating across time and space — are the real culprits in creating the chasm in health outcomes between Blacks and whites, as a mountain of recent research shows

That realization, however, isn’t new. In 1967, the Ker ner Commission report famously explained, “White society is deeply implicated in the ghetto. White institutions created it, white institutions maintain it, and white society condones it.”

What that also means is that white society is implicated in the existence of segregated Black spaces generally and their attendant disinvestment and disenfranchisement, which leads to toxic environments and resource deficiencies that harm Black bodies. The Ker ner Commission’s observation is as true for the suburbs of Cook County as for the ghettos of Watts. Indeed, it rings true today, 55 years later.

But what that observation misses is the fact that Black bodies are often caught in a double-bind of toxicity — damned to living in segregated and under-developed spaces that make us sick or to “escaping” into whitedominated spaces that make us even sicker

With respect to the latter hazard, renowned epidemiologist Sher man James developed a ter m in the 1980s called John Henryism — so named after the Black

railroad hero of 19th century folklore who beat the odds and bested a steam-powered drill in a hammering contest but died from the exhaustion.

John Henryism is encapsulated in the saying, probably heard in every Black living room ever built, that we have to work twice as hard and be twice as good as whites just to be in the race.

An article published earlier this year in Case Wester n Reserve University’s inter nal communications outlet The Daily elaborated on the phenomenon, highlighting a new study published late last year that examined “differences in the John Henryism hypothesis across subgroups of the Black diaspora in the U.S.”

Roughly 700 African Americans and Caribbean Blacks were surveyed about their health concer ns, such as hypertension and blood pressure. The data was then “compared and measured against John Henryism and discrimination.”

More than 85% of the respondents reported using John Henryism, or working harder to cope, as a strategy to deal with discrimination. The researchers found “greater use of this coping strategy at high levels of discrimination, resulting in greater risk for hypertension,” Ann W. Nguyen, one of the study’s co-authors and a Case Wester n professor, said.

“But it’s the reverse in Caribbean Blacks,” she added. “This group actually has decreased risk for hypertension at higher levels of both John Henryism and discrimination.”

Nguyen and her colleagues suggested that varying levels of racial stigma may help explain the different outcomes. Blacks in the United States are much more stigmatized than Blacks in Caribbean countries with predominantly Black populations.

Nguyen’s work jibes with research I encountered in 2019 at a meeting of the Maywood-Proviso Rotary Club.

Dr. Lara Dugas, a researcher at Loyola University Chicago’s Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health in Maywood, said that since 1992, the university had been studying rates of hypertension, obesity and diabetes among Blacks in Maywood, and comparing those rates with Blacks in other countries.

Dr. Richard Cooper, chairman of the

Department of Public Health Sciences at Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine, developed the study, called the Inter national Collaborative Study of Hypertension in Blacks

From 1992 to 1995, Cooper and other researchers studied 12,000 Blacks in seven countries in Africa, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and the United States. Maywood was Cooper’s U.S. research site.

Another Loyola researcher, Dr. Amy Luke, said at the time that Dr. Cooper’s “initial study on hypertension in the African diaspora really has changed the paradigm and has gotten people to think beyond the standard, ‘Oh, it must be genetics.’ We know now that it’s not just genetics.”

Other factors like an individual’s diet, a country’s distance from the sun (which deter mines naturally occurring levels of critical vitamin D), and the stress associated with racial discrimination contributed to the higher rate of hypertension among Blacks in Maywood

As I reported at the time, the study showed that the rate of hypertension among Blacks in Nigeria was only 15 percent (the lowest among the seven research sites) while the rate of hypertension among Blacks in Maywood was nearly 35 percent (the highest prevalence among the research sites).

In 2009, Luke developed the Modeling the Epidemiological Transition Study, or METS, which basically picked up where Cooper left off. Luke’s study examined roughly 1,500 Blacks living in Ghana, South Africa, Jamaica, the Seychelles islands and the United States. Luke selected 500 individuals living in research sites in each of those countries. Maywood was Luke’s U.S. research site.

The METS data shows that, in 2010, rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension among Blacks in Maywood were higher than any of the other places studied — even so-called “Third World” countries like Ghana and Jamaica.

Among Blacks living in Maywood, for instance, the rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension were 52 percent, 10 percent and 27 percent, respectively. In Ghana, the rates were 10 percent, 1 percent and 5 percent, respectively

South Africa also had a high rate of hypertension — 22 percent. Not coincidentally, that’s the country where racial Apartheid was once dominant. “More and more, we are learning how important our environments and

experiences are to our health outcomes,” Dr Wayne Giles, dean of the UIC School of Public Health, stated as an endorsement of the new Cook County Health Atlas

While medical and public health professionals are playing catch up, more and more Black and Brown people are escaping — not to whiter pastures but to those Black and Brown so-called Third World countries where white supremacy isn’t as fatal. Nowadays, the most potent American Dream in the minds of many young Americans, particularly those of color, is to leave America.

Last year, I lear ned about Ashley Roberts, a 32-year-old Maywood native who attended the same elementary school I did. She, her husband and their two children moved to Oaxaca, Mexico, where Roberts said they are “happier, healthier, safer and saving tons of money.”

Living on the South Side of Chicago, they were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Caught in that double-bind of toxicity

“My poor baby girl, when she hears what may sound like gunshots or fireworks, she gets on the floor immediately and we didn’t want to raise her like that,” Roberts said, adding that her family also had “a lot of bad experiences with the police,” including harassment.

“Anytime we would see Chicago cops, my baby girl would be so afraid,” she said.

The writer Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali, a Somalian refugee, has a similar story, which historian Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz recounts in her new book, Not A Nation of Immigrants Ali, who trained as a lawyer, was “profiled and slammed against the wall by police” while in New York interviewing for a “prestigious position.”

“I am Somali, I am African, I am a refugee of war,” Ali said. “This is my history. But every time I go out my door in America a 400year history of generational pain, anger, and trauma is foisted upon me. It has weighed down every step I’ve taken there. It made me stumble when I sought to stride.”

Ali left America and returned to Africa, where he found relative solace.

“I have come to have a lightness in my step, long forgotten, that has made me wonder: Is this the way white people feel in America?”

Apparently, one possible antidote to the toxic double-bind of hyper-segregation and John Henyrism is prescribed not by your average physician but by one Dr Jordan Peele — get out.

CONTAC T: michael@oakpark.com

BIG WEEK

More Than A Mic: Open Mic Night

Wednesday, Oc t. 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y Singers, dancers, poets, rappers, and other creatives are invited to bring it once a month, where they will receive suppor t from peers. All ages welcome. Register now at oppl.org/calendar.

834 Lake St., Oak Park.

The Journey of the Universe

Monday, Oct. 24, 1:15-2:15 p.m., Nineteenth Centur y Charitable Association

The lm The Journey of the Universe reviews the development of life on Earth and the place of mankind in the community of life. Bridget Sperduto, M.Ed., executive direc tor of The Well Spirituality Center, will be our guide. Voluntar y suggested donation from non-members: $15. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park

Scott Ligon’s All Star Freakout

Friday, Oct. 21, 9 p.m., FitzGerald’s Scott Ligon has a rep for being one of the true MVPs of the Chicago music scene, having played with the Flat Five, NRBQ and many others. For this show, he lets it all hang out with a gang of unexpected guests and an unpredic table set list. $15 general admission, $20 day of show. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Ber w yn.

C21 Women’s Ensemble

S unday, Oc t. 23, 3 p.m., Columbus Park Refector y

An Oak Park-based group dedicated to the music of empowerment, presents “Women in Constellation” a feminist choral experience a rming the energy that connects women worldwide. Pre -concer t discussion, 2 p.m. Concer t at 3 p.m. For tickets, visit c21womensensemble.com. Jackson Boulevard between Austin and Central.

Oc tober 19-26

The Cook Count y Forest Preser ve Referendum: What's at Stake?

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7-8 p.m.

If you are concerned about climate change, protecting fresh air, drinkable water, native habitat and mitigating ooding, sign up now to hear Laura Davis of the Cook County League of Women Voters on the Forest Preser ve Referendum and what's at stake. Then please spread the word. Register to Zoom with the the League of Women Voters of Oak Park-River Forest, www.opr f.org/events

Chicago Choral Ar tists

Sunday, Oct. 23, 4 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church Chicago Choral Ar tists, under the direc tion of Michael D. Costello, presents music celebrating our connection to nature and the ear th. Joining Chicago Choral Ar tists for these concerts will be Pro Musica Youth Chorus, autist Al Jewer, and percussionists associated with Chicago Sinfonietta. The program will feature Bob Chilcott's "Circlesong," based on 12 poems from indigenous Nor th American traditions. Additional works include Sheena Phillips'"Circle Of Life," Judith Cloud's "Mesa Songs," and J. Aaron McDermid's "From Light To Light," based on original texts by Susan Palo Cherwien. Tickets available in advance, through Chicago Choral Ar tists, or at the door: Adult $45, Senior $40, Student $25. 7300 W. Division, River Forest.

Jake LaBotz

Thursday, Oct. 20, 8:30 p.m., FitzGerald’s

Former Chicagoan Jake LaBotz got his star t singing acoustic blues in Windy City clubs and on street corners. Since moving out to the West Coast ca. 1995, he has evolved a personal style that lyrically incorporates the characters he met growing up and along the way. Musically, while he has held on to the blues in uence he grew up with, his sound also re ec ts a mild countr y in uence as well. Great singing, excellent stor ytelling. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Ber w yn.

Author Visit: Laura Kat Young

Thursday, Oc t. 20, 6-7:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

Author Laura Kat Young will discuss her debut novel, The Butcher, a suspenseful small-town horror novel of oppression, hear tbreak and buried anguish. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer Former Associated Tire and Battery site on Roosevelt Road at Lombard Avenue in Oak Park.

Village board tables action on Roosevelt Road nuisance site

Oak Park board requests more info, delays vote on business license

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Many residents in southeast Oak Park watched the Oct. 17 village board meeting with hope the board might actually do something about the extreme noise, unsightly car parts and unmanaged traffic tied to the for mer Associated Tire & Battery Co. on Roosevelt Road at Lombard. That hope quickly soured into frustration, anger and dejection.

While directing staf f to gather more information into the well-documented twoyear problem, the village board tabled a vote on granting a special use permit to BM Auto, a car upholstery business that occupies a portion of the for mer Associated Tire building. This move was made despite a recommendation from staf f to deny the permit completely, a stance reflecting the wishes of frustrated neighbors. It was also made in the face of the business owner’s disreg ard for zoning law.

“The board is ignoring the many detailed points and evidence already provided to

them by the affected residents over the last week. We are not confused. We’ve had almost two years to figure this out,” said resident Katie Ingrao-Sniegowski, on behalf of the signatories of an open letter demanding action from the board.

The letter, which beseeched the board to deny the permit request, was partially read during the Oct. 17 meeting as public comment. The letter’s length surpassed the time limit allotted for individual comment, so the full text was not read. The village board has the authority to extend time but did not do so. That also rankled neighbors, who feel their concerns have consistently fallen on deaf ears.

“The board needs to listen to the residents and start addressing all of the nuisance parties and re gain our confidence as community leaders,” said IngraoSniegowski.

The perpetrator or perpetrators of the many nuisances plaguing the neighborhood has been the subject of staf f inquiry and an inspection of the premises was planned for Oct. 18, which falls after Wednesday Journal’s print deadline. As with Wednesday Journal’s attempts, Village Planner Craig Failor told the board that every time staf f visits the property, no one is there.

See NUISANCE SITE on pa ge 11

A er 3 decades e Irish Sho is closing

Owners Anne and Jim August to r

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

For 30-plus years, the Irish Shop has been a destination for those looking to connect with the Emerald Isle from the landlocked wester n suburbs of Chicag Known for its vast ar ray of everything Irish, from surname key chains emblazoned with family crests to wool sweaters, the Irish Shop is an entirely unique and special part of Oak Pa rk’s shopping landscap e. landscape is about to chang e, however, as the Irish Shop will be bidding the community slán, as its owners plan to retire

“Hopefully this space will take on a whole new thing for someone else,” Anne August said of her storefront at 100 N. Oak Pa rk Ave.

T he Irish Shop is a family business , owned and oper ated by August and her husband Jim. The two often retur ned to Ireland – Anne August grew up in Belf ast, the capital of Nor ther n Ireland – for buying trips and to visit family. That familial charm permeates the Irish Shop itself: loyal customers are greeted by name, ef fortless conversations are had and directions are given to pass on well wishes to each other’s family.

“We’ve had many families come through here with their grandmother, their mother, their kids – the kids are all grown, now their kids,” August said. “Oak Pa rk has been ve ry good to us.”

With their lease up at the end of January and lacking the desire to renew it, closing the shop and retiring felt like the natural next ste p for August, who star ted working at 17. Her husband needed a bit of persuadin g to stop working.

“I kind of convinced Jim, I think, that it was time for us to retire,” she said.

T he Irish Shop will be open through Christmas. As weeks go by, the Augusts will reduce and continue to reduce merchandise prices. Eventually everything will be on sale, including the fixtures.

anybody wants to buy the business, that’s great!” ust said.

In the three decades of running the business, the married couple has been a de pendable and leading presence in the Hemingway Business District, for merly known as the Avenue Business Association. Both even serve d ms as district president.

ond being the place to pick up celtic silver jewelry Waterford Crystal wares, the Irish Shop car ries eautiful knitwear, all made in Ireland of soft Merin o ool. The sweaters and wraps are a particular favorite gust’s.

“The people that make them, they’re so creative,” she said. “Their product lines are so exquisite.”

he Irish Shop is also something of a local food gem for those in the know. The shop ’s fresh bread sells out each Friday. The bread is made by Jim August, a professional cook. It also sold a variety of imported foods –

sweets, savory pie s, sausage s, bacon, black pudding and more Irish fare that is hard to come by in the United States.

While speaking with Wednesday Jour nal about the closure, August stopped to help Cathy Malone, an inhome careworker who came in to pick up some white pudding for one of her clients, who lives in Pa rk Ridg e.

“He loves the stuf f,” she said.

Wednesday Jour nal spilled the beans to Malone about the shop’s closure.

“What do you mean you’ re retiring?” Malone asked August.

“I’m going to spend time with my grandkids,” August told her.

T he Augusts will have plenty to do once the shop closes. The parents of four children, the couple has 13 grandchildren varying in age from 26 to 4. They baby sit one of their grandsons at 7 a.m. every mor ning

T hey also plan to take some time for themselves. The Augusts bought a vacation home in Antioch near the Chain o’Lakes that they’ ll be refurbishing. The couple will continue to live in their River Forest home as well.

Once Malone’s shock subsided, she cong ratulated August on the upcoming adventure. The closing of the Irish Shop will certainly be an acute loss to the Oak Park retail community, but also to the many individuals that have come to rely on the Augusts and their shop

“Of course I’m sad,” Malone said. “And I don’ t know where I’m going to get my sausages now.”

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

FOR TY SHADES OF GREEN: Irish Shop ow ner Anne August plans to spend mo re time with her grandkids.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer August, le , helps Oak Park resident eresa Sullivan shop for jewelr y.

OPRF soccer captains raise funds for Highland Park

Project star ted in school Civics class

By JAMIE O’TOOLE Contributing Reporter

What star ted as a Civics class project for two OPRF students has now raised over $1,700 for Highland Park org anizations providing mental health and other services to victims of the Inde pendence Day parade shooting. Soccer captains Charlie Maguire and Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey, passionate about raising awareness of mass shootings and lax gun laws, took the initiative to support victims of gun violence at their recent soccer game.

The Highland Park parade shooting happened July 4th in nor th suburban Highland Park. Seven people were killed, and 48 others were wounded.

At the Huskies g ame against Highland Park High School on Oct. 11, Hsieh-Bailey and Maguire invited attendees to donate to the July 4th Recovery Fund. The fund contributes to grants for non-profits addressing the needs of victims and community members af fected by the parade shooting. It remains open for anyone who could not make the game but wishes to donate

Throughout the g ame, the OPRF team wore ar mbands in honor of the victims, and then gave the ar mbands to the Highland Park players at the end of the game

“The coaches, each player –you could tell they were appreciative of it. That was important for us,” said Hsieh-Bailey a senior at OPRF

For their Service Lear ning Project in Civics, history teacher Dan Wolman told his students to find a cause that resonates with them or that they feel passionate about.

Maguire’s parents had planned to go to the parade that day, he said, so raising funds for victims of the shooting – know-

ing his parents could’ve been there too –seemed vital. He said, too, that growing up in a suburb near Chicago, he wants to raise awareness for the increasing gun violence in the city

“I knew I wanted to do something that could help Chicago or help the suburbs around Chicago,” said Maguire, a junior at OPRF.

Hsieh-Bailey said the goal of the project is to either raise awareness or make a dif ference towards a social issue you truly care about.

prior, it was car accidents

“We want to raise awareness to that, and we thought [this] was a great way to contribute,” Hsieh-Bailey said.

To initiate the fundraiser at their game, Hsieh-Bailey and Maguire reached out to Terri Olian, executive director of the Highland Park Community Foundation, and she gave them the OK to promote the July 4th Recovery fund and raise donations at their game

“Not a lot of kids start funds or create awareness for something like this,” Maguire said. “What me and Jadyn did wasn’t really that hard, and I feel like this is an example to other kids – if you’re passionate about something or you want to raise money for something, just do it.”

With help from their family, Hsieh-Bailey said his mom designed the logo for the ar mbands and helped create and hang up the flyers. Maguire said his grandpa donated to the fund and funded the ar mbands and supplies for their fundraiser, and he also provided a space for everyone including Hsieh-Bailey’s mom and Maguire’s mom to work on the fun-

draiser

Their effort to raise as much money for the July 4th Recovery Fund does not stop at their game and invitation to donate Hsieh-Bailey said the field hockey team is hosting an invitational for the fund and also posting flyers.

Next week Hsieh-Bailey and Maguire will speak in front of OPRF’s Athletic Council and Student Council so the effort can continue to grow, they said.

“We’re representing ourselves, we’re representing our community, we’re representing our school as well, and we feel like we are making a difference,” Hsieh-Bailey said.

PROVIDED

The project requires three hours of service eng aging with the community, followed by a written re port explaining their c ontribution and why they felt it was impor tant enough to them to contribute.

In the research phase of their project, Hsieh-Bailey and Maguire came across a “crazy” statistic that said in 2020, guns were the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. For 60 years

PROVIDED

Soccer captains Charlie Maguire (le ) and Jadyn Hsieh-Baile

Armbands honoring Highland Park mass shooting v ictims were worn by OPRF soccer players during their game against Highland Park High School.

As OPRF students park phones during class, focus sharpens

By JAMIE O’TOOLE Contributing Reporter

Dan Wolman, an Oak Pa rk and Rive r Fo rest High School history teacher, was j ust named “teacher of the month” fo r the successful launch of a school-wide r ule initiative he proposed on limiting student a ccess to their c ell p hones durin g class periods

L ast s pring a school C ell Phone C ommittee decided to implement Wolman’s idea of a ‘phone home’ in each classroom throughout the school. S tar ting on the firs t day of the 2022-2023 academi c school year, students we re expected to drop their p hone in a slot of a numbered hangin g org anizer and pick it up at the end of class.

“In every i nstructional spac e, when students enter, they are supposed to p ut thei r p hones in the p hone home. At the end of class, they pick up their p hones on the way out of class,” said Wolman.

Implementing a c onsistent no-phone r ule maintains c onsistency throughout the school, as students have previously shown frustration over inconsistent practices among teachers, a ccording to a FAQ sent to pa rents. S tudents are no longer subject to an ar ray of faculty’s c ontrasting c onseq uences and procedures.

Four years ago Wolman f elt c ompelled to find a solution to p hones disrupting the teaching and lear ning process, so he and other teachers star ted the C ell Phone C ommittee P rincipal Ly nda Pa rker and for mer principal and now Superintend ent Greg Johnson had also joined the c ommittee

Pa rker was not available to c omment on

the phone home initiative for this stor Wolman did extensive research presence of c ell p hones in schools recommending the “phone ce pt. He discove red related emotional i ssues, mental health and lear ned about i ts role in ture.

“The more I read, the more alar med I became, at how hazard we seem to be as an i nstitution around this pa rt icular i ssue,” Wolman said.

T he c ommittee then published material educating pa rents and students And they sent sur ve ys to those group s as well as teachers to hear their input on p ossible approaches, such as no p hones for the day, or no p hones in class.

From there, Wolman and the c ommittee g enerated a solution that would suit thei r stakeholders — a p hone home.

T he p hone home, Wolman said, would respect the pu rp ose p hones c an ser ve in a classroom, but also eliminate i ts disruption in the lear ning process

T he decision to adopt a new nor m reflects a sur ve y admini stered by the C ell Phone C ommittee Over 200 faculty members responded, according to the FAQ, and 96.5% expressed strong ag reement with maintaining p hone-free classrooms

T he r ule d oes not apply to study hall, lunch or during passing periods

Faculty feedback thus far

T he c ommittee distributed a sur ve y recently to faculty, a ccumulating 180 responses that of fer f eedback to p hone

homes thus fa r. In response to ‘ did your mood improve since the implementation of the ‘phone home?’ about 70% of teac hers said they noticed a significant p ositive ef fect on their daily mood, and about 20% saw a slight positive improvement.

Ar t teacher Mark C ollins is a pa rt of the c ommittee and has taught at OPRF for 26 year s. He’s witnessed the rise of c ell p hones over the last 7 to 10 year s, he said.

“When the p hone c ame along it really, it became this sor t of thing that you had to manage beyond all the other i ssues in the classroom,” Collins said.

He said p hones c onstantly p ulled stud ents aw ay from their ar t. In painting class, students would paint for 2-3 minutes, send a text, resume painting for a c ouple more minutes, and pick up thei r p hone ag ain.

C ollins says since removing the p hone from the main pu rp ose of school – lear ning, students are more present not only academically but socially and emotionally.

“It’s made [ lear ning] a de ep er experienc e, ” Collins said.

T he sur ve y asked if the q uality and q uantity of i nstructional time had seen noticeable ga in s. About 72% of the teachers said they’ve noticed a significant improvement in i nstructional q uality, and 23% specified slight improvement.

“It’s j ust a non-existent frustration in the classroom because … nothing happ ens in b etween related to p hones and that is j ust a transfor mation for me in the classroom,” Wolman said.

Wolman said for students in his histor y classes, they ’re more focused in class and more eng aged in the topic at hand — pa rticipating in livelier and de ep er co nversations.

“I think students in 2022 we re, on some level, ready for a bit of a break from thei r devices,” Wolman said. “Even if it g oes against their sor t of b asic i nstincts, I think they g et that being se parate from their p hones during class helps them in class, even if they do n’ t li ke it, I think they really understand that.”

According to the sur ve y sent to teacher s, Wolman said there are bits of resistance among students, but g enerally teachers have re por ted seamless c ompliance rates

It ’s become habitual for students in Wolman’s class, he said.

A sur ve y will be sent to students in the near f uture to c ollect their thoughts on the new rule thus far.

“There’s an incredible sor t of powe r b ehind the whole building doing it simultaneously and in the same way, bec ause now it ’s j ust an expectation in eve ry classroom,” Wolman said. “Students do n’ t have to wonder anymore. ”

SHANEL ROMAIN/Sta Dan Wolman

Consistent policy implemented in ever y classroom

“I think students in 2022 were, on some level, ready for a bit of a break from their devices.”

DA N W OLMAN OPRF High School histor y teacher

What do students and teachers make of new ‘phone home’ policy?

By ASHLEY BROWN Contributing Reporter

Starting the new school year off strong Oak Park and River Forest High School greeted students with a new policy focused on limiting access to cell phones durin g class time. Under the policy students place their phones in designated “phone homes” -- numbered pockets at the entrance of the classroom -- instead of keeping the phone on their person.

When the policy was first announced in early 2022 there was an uproar among students who made various statements such as “they can’ t make me give up my phone” and “I don’ t care what they, say it’s my proper ty.”

T he policy was created in hopes of establishing a more productive learning environment. This concept is new to stu-

dents of all grades including Katie Ashton, a senior at OPRF w ho said, “for trul y academic purp oses I think it’s good, but I see both side s.”

Studies have proven that when students do not have their phones physically on them, their academic performance improves due to a decrease in distraction.

When a surve y was conducted to test parental response an overwhelming number of parents believed that students should have limited access to their phones dur-

ing educational hours and use should be limited to emergencies only.

Despite the expectation that many students would object to giving their phones up, Jolene Heinemann, a 5th year English teacher at OPRF, said there was not even a little resistance in her classes and describes the policy as “life changing.”

Heinemann adds that “when my students are distracting themselves, they are reading their books instead of being on their phones” which she finds is definitely

Women in Constellation

a win for English teachers. She describes it as a different type of distraction.

Brendon Culloton who has taught music at OPRF for 2 years, said there is a “lot more active participation” in his class. Even when not all the phones are in the phone homes, they are out of students’ hands with the students’ minds focused on their work which is the ultimate goal.

Ashley Brown is a student at OPRF and a contributing re porter to Wednesday Journal.

Women in Constellation

A feminist choral experience affirming the energy that connects women worldwide

A feminist choral experience affirming the energy that connects women worldwide

Columbus Park Refectory

Sunday, October 23, 2022

3:00 p.m. Concert

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3:00 p.m. Concert

2:00 p.m. pre-concert discussion

2:00 p.m. pre-concert discussion

Martha Swisher, founder and artistic director Myron Silberstein, keyboard Master djembeist, Atiba Jahli Musicians from Austin’s award-winning BUILD program

Funded in part by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs andSpecialEvents(DCASE)

Martha Swisher, founder and artistic director Myron Silberstein, keyboard Master djembeist, Atiba Jahli Musicians from Austin’s award-winning BUILD program

Details at www.C21womensensemble.org

Funded in part by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs andSpecialEvents(DCASE)

Details at www.C21womensensemble.org

Details at www.c21womensensemble.com

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ASHLE Y BROWN/Contributor

e designated “phone homes” are organized by numbered pockets.

Police patience pays as Harlem stando ends a er 18 hours

Mental health crisis results in no injuries, says chief

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The Oak Park Police Department put its commitment to responsible intervention into action last week during an 18-and-ahalf-hour standoff with an at-risk individual experiencing a mental health crisis. The incident was resolved last Friday morning without any injuries and the individual was transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation.

“We wanted to make sure that we responded appropriately; that we ensured that the community was safe, and that the individual got the help that he needed,” Interim Police Chief Shatonya Johnson told Wednesday Jour nal. “That was our goal.”

Police were alerted to the mental health crisis last Thursday morning by relatives who were concerned that the individual, who was armed, had blockaded himself in his

apartment in the 1100 block of Harlem Avenue.

No one else was with the individual, despite unsubstantiated hostage claims posted on social media. Johnson, who spent over six hours at the scene, categorically dismissed those rumors.

“There were no hostages involved,” Johnson said. “He was in his own home.”

Officers arrived at the scene around 11 a.m., Thursday and promptly blocked off traffic, then began trying to engage the distressed individual in conversation, letting him know he was safe to come out, according to Johnson.

After a period of hours, Oak Park police brought in negotiation support from the Cook County Sherriff’s Office. Thrive Counseling Center, which partners with the police department on mental health calls, was not involved in the standoff, as the situation was

not safe, according to Johnson.

The River Forest Police Department assisted in traffic control, while nearby houses of worship allowed the responding officers the use of their restrooms during the long standoff. The interim chief expressed gratitude for all the agencies and organizations that provided support.

Johnson, who is a certified negotiator of 15 years, felt no pressure to reopen the busy street to traffic. Her only concern was keeping the individual calm and getting him to safety. Johnson’s crisis intervention training, and that of the responding officers, prevented feelings of frustration during the lengthy negotiation process

“I’ve dealt with many of these,” she said. “The most important thing is to remain calm, patient and to remember the end goal

is to resolve the situation with the person in stress getting the help they need and with everyone leaving safely.”

Oak Park police were early adopters of mental health crisis training and teaching de-escalation techniques to all officers. For mer chiefs Anthony Ambrose and Rick Tanksley were leaders in this effort over the past 20 years.

The Oak Park Fire Department was on scene for the duration of the lengthy standoff as well, which did not go unnoticed by officers, according to Johnson.

“I’m sure I’m speaking for [the police department] when I say that we appreciate the support from our extended family, which is the fire department,” she said.

The individual surrendered himself at 5:20 a.m., Friday morning, ending the standoff. He was then brought to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation. He will not be charged with anything as he committed no crimes

“I just hope that he continues to seek out help and gets what he needs, as well as his family,” Johnson said.

SHATONYA JOHNSON

“Unless someone captures it on video or takes photographs from the neighborhood, the folks that are complaining, it is hard to discern who is actually causing the issue,” said Failor

Neighbors have seen three different tenants, including Jeremy Storey, the owner of BM Auto. Many who live in the area declined to speak publicly about the situation for fear of retaliation. It is widely believed by neighbors that Storey is contributing to discord.

Storey stated at his Sept. 7 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing that the nuisances were caused by a different, unnamed tenant. No business license records were found for that tenant. Whether or not Storey is responsible for the nuisances, he has been operating his car upholstery business illegally. He had even admitted at his ZBA hearing that he had been previously issued a citation for not having a permit, which he said, at the time, he didn’t know was against the law. The illegality of conducting business without the proper permit was made quite clear at his ZBA hearing – and yet Storey continued doing so

“In fact, he was cited three times and failed to appear one time in court, so he was fined a total of $600,” said Failor.

Staff initially supported Storey’s request but his failure to abide by zoning law lost him that support, according to Failor. However, Storey had staff’s backing at the time he went before the ZBA, which also gave Sto-

rey their support

That was before Wednesday Journal published the number of police complaints made in the last two years to the Associated Tire property and before Storey had been found to be repeatedly flouting zoning law.

“I understand there’s new information, as well as issues with lack of licenses,” ZBA Chair Jim Lencioni told the village board.

The identity of the one, possibly two other tenants using the nearly block long building remains a mystery, as does who is responsible for the nuisances. Several village trustees told staff they had a lack of clarity on the nuisance matter, yet that lack of clarity exists separately from BM Auto’s permit application and the legal citations of its owner

Regardless, the village board lumped the two together, voting unanimously to table making a decision on whether or not to grant Storey a permit and directed staff to gather more information.

The morning after the board meeting, Village President Vicki Scaman told Wednesday Journal that operating without proper permitting, as Storey has, happens re gularly.

“Unfortunately, that is not uncommon,” she said. “If the nuisance is resolved and he remedies his business license, then the use is not inappropriate.”

While Scaman conveyed that the board does want to address neighbors’ grievances, she believes the board is avoiding a potential miscarriage of justice by tabling the vote

“If there is any chance [Storey] has been accidentally, falsely accused, how do you vote,” she said. “You would not want that in our justice system, although we know it happens all the time.”

Sheena

“I understand there’s new information, as well as issues with lack of licenses.”

JIM LENCIONI ZBA Chair

River Forest in overdrive to limit cut-through cars at Harlem and North

Village implements ve steps to keep cars

o

side streets

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Despite a village-wide traffic study being planned for later this year and 2023, River Forest officials responded to complaints of residents living in the northeast corner of the village by implementing five separate steps to address concerns over cut-through traffic from Harlem and North avenues

At the Oct. 10 village board meeting, officials voted unanimously to implement four steps recommended by the traffic and safety commission and a fifth step that was generated during discussion at the meeting. Residents of that area who attended the meeting reiterated complaints about drivers who speed and fail to stop for stop signs in their neighborhoods, raising concerns about the safety of children on their blocks

The traffic and safety recommendations

stemmed from a traffic study by Kenig, Lindgren, O’Hara and Aboona Inc. (KLOA) of the area bounded by North, Harlem, Greenfield Street and Lathrop Avenue that was commissioned in January.

The action in January followed similar steps taken by officials to address traffic concerns raised by residents at village board meetings last November and December

Affected by the Oct. 10 action are LeMoyne Street, Bonnie Brae Place, Clinton Place, William Street and Greenfield.

LeMoyne will be converted to a one-way eastbound street between Harlem and the alley with a right-turn-only curb diverter to allow for only southbound turns onto Harlem; a cul-de-sac will be installed on Bonnie Brae at the south edge of the east/west alley just south of North; and a partial cul-de-sac will be installed on Clinton at the south edge of the east/west alley just south of North.

Officials also amended the traffic and safety commission’s recommendation regarding stop signs on William, LeMoyne, Clinton and Greenfield. Unchanged from the recommendation are converting the two-way stop at the intersection of William and LeMoyne

to an all-way stop and modifying the all-way stop at Clinton and LeMoyne such that only the north and south legs of the intersection will be required to stop. Officials tweaked a recommendation regarding the one-way stop at Clinton and Greenfield, moving the stop signs to the intersection of William and Greenfield and making it a four-way stop

Based on discussion among officials and input from residents at the meeting, officials concluded that action planned for LeMoyne would just push cut-through traffic coming from Harlem from LeMoyne to Greenfield. To address that concern, officials added a fifth step similar to the step taken on LeMoyne, converting Greenfield to a one-way eastbound street between Harlem and the alley with a right-turn-only curb diverter to allow for only southbound tur ns onto Harlem.

Officials stressed that four of the five steps are temporary and subject to change or elimination following presentation of recommendations stemming from the village-wide traffic study. The exception is action affecting stop signs on William, LeMoyne, Clinton and Greenfield. Jeff Loster, director of public works and development services, said taking

steps on a temporary basis will allow staff members to implement changes more quickly and will allow for feedback from residents before taking more per manent steps.

Officials also directed staff members to install ladder-style crosswalks with pedestrian crossing signage on the east and west legs of the Greenfield/Bonnie Brae intersection.

In a memo, Loster said that findings of the KLOA study were presented to traffic and safety commission members at their July 26 meeting but commission members requested more substantial options to calm area traffic. Those were presented at the Sept. 21 meeting, leading to the recommendations to the village board although questions were raised Oct. 10 whether all options for Greenfield were discussed

Loster also said implementation of the changes will depend on how quickly materials can be obtained.

“We’re working on finalizing the quantities needed for all of the improvements and the implementation timeframe will depend on the lead time of the material,” he said. “Once everything is in, we plan to implement the changes immediately.”

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Chamber of Commerce awards spotli ght

‘Titans’ in community

First y honored people instead of

By ST

Roughly 150

Mansion Oct.

Forest Chamb Soiree. The soiree the chamber ebration” of small community

This year, the those whose silience, handing In past years, Spotlight Awards nesses. That the COVID-19 pandemi Holt, chamber executi

“It was very much inees and one business “Since COVID, we’v from that.”

When the event chamber scrapped mony completely out times businesses and experiencing due to ef fect on the econom celebration of making it through.

“We were trying world that we’re in,” of Commerce Board ion-Bur ton. “We really ing everyone.”

Marion-Bur ton hosted this year’s event, which also saw the retur n of awards – but in an alto gether dif ferent format. Instead of reco gnizing one business, the chamber reco gnized 15 deserving individuals with the same honor – the Community Titan award. People were nominated for the award through an anonymous poll.

“We realized over COVID [-19] that there were a lot of individual people in our community and in our business community

Presenting sponsors

Chris Gri th of Oa

that went above and said Holt.

Oak Park native presented the awards on behalf of Oak Park Bank, which sponsored the event and where Cleveland serves as vice president and director of retail banking. Cleveland is also the chamber’s director-at-large.

in Oak Park and River Forest.

“I think we really had meaningful, true titan-like criteria,” said Cleveland

Or, as Marion-Bur ton phrased it, the individuals who received the community ti-

its positive impact on the local restaurant scene, while GCM Publisher Dan Haley was reco gnized for kee ping the Oak Park and River Forest communities infor med through Wednesday Jour nal.

OA K PARK AND RIVER FOREST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OA K PARK AND RIVER FOREST CHAMBER OF C

OA K PARK AND RIVER FOREST CHAMBER OF C Sandra Sokol and

OA K PARK AND RIVER FOREST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Rob Guenthner

Metra proposes ditching popular $100 Super Saver pass

Proposed budget calls fo lowering regular monthly pass prices

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Metra’s proposed budget for next y calls for doing away with the popular $100 Super Saver system-wide monthly pass while lowering the price of the re gular zone-based monthly passes

The move would save money for commuters closer to downtown Chicago, but would re present a fare hike for commuters in farther-flung Cook County suburbs the collar counties.

Metra monthly passes have traditionally been zone-based, with prices increasing the fur ther one gets from downtown Chicago The Super Saver Pass, which was introduced in June, is good for the entire system.

It is cheaper than monthly passes for most of the system, so the pass ef fectively displaced the traditional monthly passes. However, it was always described as a pilot – first for three months, then for the rest of the year

In its 2023 preliminary budget, Metra described the proposed lower re gular monthly pass prices as the way to better match the post-pandemic commuting patter ns. With federal stimulus funds supporting all public transit slated to run out next year, Metra is looking for a way to increase revenue while still of fering riders a better deal than they had pre-Super Saver.

Approval of this aspect of the budget is by no means a sure thing. During the Oct. 12 meeting of the Metra board of directors, several directors argued that shifting to a more zone-based approach was a ste p backwards, especially given the Super Saver’s popularity The board will vote to approve the budget at its Nov. 11 meeting, but the budget can be changed until then.

During the pandemic, the commuters shifted away from monthly passes, because it became less cost ef fective with fewer people coming into the of fice five days a week.

According to Metra’s Se ptember 2022 ridership re port, in June only 14 percent of all riders used monthly passes, while 27 percent bought day passes

Since then, the share of riders who use

monthly passes has been going up every month, reaching 33 percent in Se ptember, while the percentage that used day passes dropped slightly. The re port attributed the uptick in monthly pass usage to the Super Saver pass

The new monthly pass prices would re present a price decrease for monthly pass users locally.

Riders boarding in Oak Park and River Forest, as well as Chicago’s Galewood and Nor th Austin neighborhoods, will be able to travel downtown for $68 a month. Riders who use the rush hour-only Kedzie station in East Garfield Park would be able to travel downtown for $64 a month.

While Metra riders historically tended to use monthly passes to commute downtown, they are just as useful for reverse commuters. For example, riders going from East Garfield Park to River Forest will be able to make the trip for $64 a month.

Riders would still be able to pay an extra $30 to buy a Re gional Connect Pass, which would tur n it into a monthly pass for CTA el trains as well as CTA and Pace buses

The budget also proposes doing away with a $10 Day Pass, which works systemwide, and a $6 Day Pass that works for up to three fare zones. They were introduced in June 2020 and the star t of 2022, respectively.

The $6 day pass is cheaper than the costs of two-way tickets between downtown Chicago and any station in this newspaper’s coverage area. The $10 day pass re presents a smaller savings for Brookfield, Riverside,

Bellwood, Berkeley, Maywood and Melrose Park riders, because two one-way tickets for those stations cost $11, but it is a better value for riders fur ther away

Those passes would be re placed with an equivalent of a Round Trip Plus pass, a daily pass that works within the specific fare zones and is wor th the equivalent of two oneway tickets While this won’t save commuters money, it provides greater convenience.

The Round Trip Plus pass was introduced in Se ptember 2020, but it was discontinued at the star t of 2022 in favor of the $6 Day Pass The Round Trip Plus pass’ usage increased over time, but it consistently trailed the $10 Day Pass

The proposed budget described all those changes as a way to encourage more riders

to use monthly passes

While Metra budgets in recent years tended to pass with few changes, the proposal got the pushback from directors re presenting the collar countries. Director Ste phen Palmer, who re presents west suburban Cook County, said that speaking to riders illustrated just how popular the Super Saver pass has been.

While he said he was concer ned about the budget once the federal stimulus funds run out, he believed that kee ping the pass had merit. He and several other directors also said that riders prefer red a simple fare structure, and zone-based passes inherently complicated it

In a press release issued following the Oct. 12 meeting, Metra described the proposal as just “one proposal” on the table.

“Metra may also consider a fare proposal reflective of comments from board members indicating a desire for a more simplified and consolidated fare structure, potentially consisting of retaining the existing $100 Super Saver Monthly Pass, the existing $6 and $10 day passes, or some combination of those and similar products,” it stated.

The sunny side of the street

PROVIDED

Last weekend, block partiers Jennifer Fritz, Clara Fritz and Sheela Rohr, on the 1000 block of Clarence Avenue, braved the chill but loved the sun.

Babygold Barbecue to host Fire and Wine dinner

One-time only event is a celebration of elevated barbecue and single -vineyard wines

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Listen up meat and wine-lovers -- campfire cooking is set to take on a new meaning at Babygold Barbecue, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. The restaurant, known for serving approachable barbecue, has partnered up with Ridge Vineyards for a one-night only event designed to showcase exceptional single-vineyard wines and the open fire cooking expertise of Chef John Manion. The muchlauded chef is the Culinary Director at Babygold and Executive Chef/Owner at El Che Bar in Chicago.

“Generally, people think of steak and red wine as being a great pairing,” said Will Duncan, owner of Babygold Barbecue and FitzGerald’s nightclub. “But we started asking why not pair wines with smoked meats?”

The event scheduled for Nov. 2 will feature a five-course dinner and wine pairings for a small group of 40 guests The offerings will stay true to Babygold’s tradition of serving barbecued meats with Cajun influences while elevating the dishes beyond standard patio fare.

“We are transitioning out of peak patio season,” said Duncan. “We are looking to create experiences that will bring people in. This is a premium, one-of-a-kind event, and all the dishes are off menu. We are looking forward to sharing an intimate dining experience.”

As ticket holders ar rive, they will be in vited to gather around the campfire for hot toddy where Chef Manion will be preparing his signature style ribeye steak. The scent of beef cooking over coals sure to set the tone for the evening as the chef hangs the steaks over the fire exposing them to smoke. The dramatic live fire cooking technique reflects Manion’s years growing up in South America.

Inside the well-appointed Babygold din ing room, Poppi Monroe, Ridge Wine sales re presentative, will be onsite to guide guests through tasting the rare-release wines allocated for the Fire and Wine dinner. Ridge Vineyard has been crafting single-vineyard wines since 1962 and guests should expect to savor the noteworthy MontBello Vineyards 2019 Estate Caber net Sauvignon with Manion’s fire-cooked Cajun Creekstone ribeye with horseradish, broccolini, and potato puree.

Manion is also pulling out all the stops to bring some fine dining flair to barbecue fare in the courses leading up to the slow smoked ribeye entree The menu is set to include smoked oyster Sardou, an interpretation of a Louisiana creole egg dish featuring artichokes, spinach and rich hollandaise sauce Monroe plans to pair the dish with a bright, mineral-rich Grenache Blanc prized for notes of green apple, lime and freshly cut grass. Duck Jambalaya

FIRED-UP: Chef John Manion cooks steak over an open re. e same technique w ill be on display for the upcoming Fire and Wine dinner at Babygold Barbecue.

with Andouille crackin’s will pair with the 2020 Benito Dusi Ranch Zinfandel and Manion’s barbecue lamb rib with pit beans and wilted greens will pair with a gar net hued Three Valleys red blend with notes of raspber ry, fig, clove, and fresh mint essences The meal will end with S’mores deluxe and a good brown spirit

As an added bonus, Fire and Wine dinner attendees will be given the opportunity to purchase Ridge Vineyards wines at retail prices for home delivery within 48 hours.

This premium experience is limited to 40 guests A deposit is required to secure a reservation. Interested parties can visit FitzGerald’s website to secure a spot for the dinner

A tree grows for Betty

Betty White, born but not raised in Oak Park, was honored Oct. 14 when a tree and plaque were placed on the parkway on the 200 block of Randolph Street (Yes, Monkey Island).

The village of Oak Park was involved as were the U.S. Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council. It was the Ad Council which brought along Smokey Bear (Yes, that Smokey Bear).

White, actress, animal and wildlife activist, died last December, just three weeks shy of her 100th bir thday.

PHOTO S BY JOE KREML

WRIGHT TRUST New proposal

from page 1

tourism capacity

“We want to make it very clear that education is our intention,” said Celeste Adams, president and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust.

The org anization presented its preliminary plans to the public Tuesday evening after the Jour nal’s print deadline

The latest plans are an updated, reconsidered version of the Trust’s original expansion plans from 2017, a plan poorly received by many. The project was then known as the Visitor and Education Center, with the “visitor” part commanding most of the public’s attention, according to Adams.

“The focus of conversations was more about visitors, which then and now is really not the focus,” Adams told Wednesday Jour nal. “The focus is education. ”

The 2017 conceptual plans were also criticized by preservationists The design called for the demolition of a historic home at 925 Chicago Ave. to make space for a 20,000-square-foot education and visitors center The removal and costly relocation of the John Blair House at 931 Chicago Ave. was also considered. The John Blair House, which was named after the man who built it, was famously occupied by Wright’s mother Anna.

“We listened to people’s concer ns and

OPRF MATH Blended courses

from page 1

“This is a well-established cur riculum that we’re moving forward with.”

T he new approach will introduce statistics and more real world applications into all levels of the math cur riculum. T he current approach of having a year of Geometry between two Algebra courses is inef ficient as much of the first semester of Algebra II is spent reteaching concepts students lear ned at least 15 months before in Algebra I.

T he new cur riculum will be phased in over the next four years star ting next year with freshmen who would have tak-

immediately realized that was not going to be viable in the community,” Adams said.

So, John Ronan, the architect behind both sets of plans, revised the 2017 designs and the Visitor and Education Center became the Ar ts and Education Center. Fundraising is currently in the quiet phase. T he project is expected to cost between $5 and $10 million.

While the plans will have to go through the Village of Oak Park for approval, the center is planned to occupy 25,000 square feet of Trust-owned proper ty located to the east of the Home and Studio at Chicago Avenue and Forest. T he updated plans include the incorporation of the two post-Civil War era houses, neither of which were designed by Wright, and the construction of a new building called the

en Algebra I or pre-Algebra under the old course lineup Advanced students will still star t with Geometry as freshmen next year and a few very advanced students will star t with Algebra II for the next two years.

T he new math cur riculum will retain ability groupings, known as tracking, with eventually three sequences of Math I, Math II, and Math III. T here will be an extended sequence for students who need a little more help, a re gular sequence and an honors sequence. Some advanced incoming freshmen may star t at either the Math II or Math III levels once the new cur riculum is fully phased in.

T he new progr am should better prepare students who come to OPRF below grade level in math. Now such students star t with pre-Algebra and g enerally don’ t even rece ive instruction in advanced al-

Studio Pavilion.

T he John Blair House will remain an administrat ive center for the org anization. Its façade will remain the same, but its interior will undergo some refurbishing. T he house at 925 Chicago Ave. will be refurbished and become the Ar ts and Education Center, which will involve converting the structure into a public-use building.

Like the 2017 plans, the new building will be L-shaped. However, the building will be smaller than what was presented five years ago. T he glass-and-oxidizedzinc building will have a pavilion, as well as an indoor studio with slate walkways outside T he Studio Pavilion is under the umbrella of the wider lear ning center project, according to the Trust’s media re presentative John Har ris

gebra until after they take the SAT exam as junior s.

T he new cur riculum was developed after a four-year study of math at OPRF that was largely led by math teachers. Current and past OPRF students were surve yed and focus groups were held .

“We’ve been working on this for four years,” Frey said.

Currently OPRF has eight math entry star ting points for incoming freshmen and OPRF of ficials wanted to streamline the math cur riculum. A new class in data science is also part of the proposal. Currently OPRF students score above state and national averages in math, but math teachers at OPRF see room for improvement.

School board members reacted positively to the proposal and the board is expected to for mally approve the new cur-

An outdoor studio will be located in the back yard of the Ar ts and Education Center. The two studio spaces will greatly increase the nonprofit’s summer camp oppor tunities, according to Adams. The center will also have on-site studio workshops and inter nships will be of fered to high school and colle ge students

T he org anization currently par tners with Oak Park School District 97 to provide tours to its four th-grade students. With the new Ar ts and Education Center, Adams hopes that par tnership will be extended to River Forest’s four th graders.

T he org anization re por ted that an education advisory committee of local teachers, administrators and ar tists has been for med with a stated goal of ensuring the org anization’s enrichment and educatio n progr ams complement school cur ricula.

To make the center more accessibl e for all economic back grounds, an anonymous donor from Oak Park has created a $100,000 equity scholarship fund. The fund will cover progr am fees for children who wish to attend camp or classes but cannot af ford to pay for them.

T he org anization is on the cusp of chang e, according to Adams T he org anization will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. If everything goes according to schedule, reaching that milestone will coincide with the opening of the center, which is meant to inspire the architects of the future.

“Children growing up here will have a point of pride in the fact that this is the bir thplace of American architecture,” said Adams

riculum at its Oct. 27 meeting .

“I think this is a really thoughtful approach of moving the ball forward,” said Ralph Mar tire, a school board member.

School board president Tom Cofsky ag reed

“This is very welcome,” Cofsky said.

Frey said she believes the new cur riculum will help all students but especially average students.

“It’s that middle band of students that we think we can do better with,” Frey said.

T he rang e of advanced math courses for seniors will remain unchanged although a new course in data science will be added.

School of ficials say that the new curriculum will increase the rigor of OPRF’s math sequence and better prepare students for the SAT exam.

T he new sequence will not af fect any current OPRF students

FRANK LLOY D WRIGHT TRUST

Prev ious plan rendering from e Frank Lloyd Wright Trust for the education facility and visitor center. A new plan has been proposed

Police Blotter: Halloween decorations vandalized, taken

The for mal name of the tenth month is October, but many prefer to call it spooky season. Much fun is had during the lead up to and on Halloween, with scary movies, trick-or-treaters, ghost stories and excessive candy consumption. However, not everyone is thrilled with the festivities surrounding Oct. 31 and in Oak Park, many homes have lately had their Halloween decorations damaged or stolen, costing them quite a lot of bones.

The vandalism and theft are more nefarious than smashing jack-o-lanter ns. One household in the 1000 block of Home Avenue had five fake tombstones, a 5-foot scarecrow and a decorative funeral hearse and faux pony stolen between 9:45 p.m., Oct. 10 and 7 a.m. Oct. 11. Police estimate the total value of the stolen decorations at $1,137 – a frightening sum indeed.

Another Halloween vandal took a stab at dragon slaying in the 900 block of North Mapleton Avenue between 10:35 and 10:40, Oct. 10. The unknown individual used a sharp object to puncture an inflatable 9-foot-tall purple dragon that was sitting watch on the victim’s front lawn.

Oct. 10 wasn’t the only mischief night, ei-

ther. Between 3:52 a.m. and 10:46 a.m., Oct. 13, someone stole a 9-foot-tall skeleton from a front lawn in the 800 block of South Highland Avenue. The skeleton has an estimated value of $600.

Reckless discharge of a firearm

A 21-year-old resident of the 500 block of South Ridgeland Avenue was arrested for the reckless discharge of a firearm in the 500 block of South Ridgeland Avenue at 11:44 p.m., Oct. 16. The man was taken to the station, processed and held for bond hearings According to police, the suspect, who has a firearm owner’s identification card, told officers he had been cleaning the gun when he accidentally dropped it, causing it to discharge

Aggravated use of weapon

A 19-year-old resident of the 6600 block of North Seeley Avenue in Chicago was arrested for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon at 2:04 a.m., Oct. 14 in the 200 block of North Austin Boulevard. The 19-year-old was found in possession of a weapon dur-

ing a traffic stop without a firearm owner’s identification card and no conceal and carry license. He was taken to the station, processed and held for bond hearings.

Public indecency arrest

A 50-year-old resident of the 1900 block of East 73rd Street, Chicago, was arrested in the 100 block of North Grove Avenue at 11:09 a.m., Oct. 12 for public indecency after he was re ported to police for being fully naked and inappropriately touching himself.

Burglary

Someone broke into a construction site and removed copper wire spools and already installed copper wiring between 4 p.m., Oct. 7 and 9 a.m., Oct. 10 in the 400 block of Madison Street. The estimated loss is $20,000.

Motor vehicle theft

■ A 2012 Mazda Grand Touring parked in the 400 block of South Harvey Avenue was taken between 6:30 p.m., Oct. 9 and 12:29

p.m., Oct. 11.

■ Someone took a 2020 Kia Forte parked in the 400 block of Washington Boulevard between 8 p.m., Oct. 9 and 8 a.m., Oct. 10. Chicago police recovered the vehicle at 9:42 p.m., Oct. 11 in the 4000 block of West Roosevelt Road in Chicago.

■ A 2016 Kia Optima was taken from the 400 block of Washington Boulevard between 6 p.m., Oct. 9 and 8:30 a.m., Oct. 10.

■ A 2020 Hyundai Sonata was taken from the first block of Washington Boulevard between 9:30 p.m. and 11:33 p.m., Oct. 13.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports, Oct. 11-17, 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 ha ve not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

NEED TO REACH US? oakpark.com/real- estate email: buphues@wjinc.com

Homes

Conser vancy to honor Wright Spirit Award winners

Owners of Coonley House’s south wing recognized for restoration

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

Next week, the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy will be hosting its annual conference in Chicago. Running from Oct. 19 through Oct. 23, this year’s theme is “The Progressive City,” reflecting the spirit of the city around 1900 when Wright was gaining notoriety in the Chicago area.

“Wright was working at a time in Chicago when there were so many ideas about living in a city that were taking hold,” said Barbara Gordon, executive director of the conservancy.

From progressive refor ms addressing social inequality and public health crises to lack of access to education, nature and af fordable housing, the conference’s education sessions will focus on the effor ts of Wright, his peers and his collaborators to impr through inno architectur planning, parks, public health, education, social services and housing.

During the gala, the Wright Spirit Award Winners will be presented, with one being presented to Ri resident Fanie Greef, who with his late husband, John cued and renovated the south wing of the main home at Wright’s sprawling Coonley Estate, which had been subdivided into several separate residences in the 1950s.

T he home was originally designed for Avery Coonley and his wife Queene Ferry Coonley from 1908 to 1912 and set on a 10acre parcel at the southern tip of Riverside

The south wing had been vacant for sev-

e Greef (far le ) and his late husband, John Farneda, purchased the south wing of the Coonley use in 2015 and restored Wright’s neglected Prairie-style masterpiece (above) guided by the original nts and historic photographs.

was in poor condition and had been damaged by vandals who had gained entry to the home at one point. Greef and Far neda purchased the property in 2015.

“It was abandoned,” Greef said. “There were a lot of problems.”

Chief among these was a leaking roof, and clo gged gutters and downspouts, which were causing serious water damage inside the historic home.

After Greef and Far neda completed a historically accurate re placement of the roof and gutter system, they turned their attention to the rest of the house, re placing the plumbing system and knob-and-tube wiring and re pairing stucco and damaged wood trim.

Working with original blueprints and old photo graphs, they also restored the primary suite’s fireplace to what it looked like originally, and Greef says they tackled the upkeep and maintenance needed to protect

the home’s 108 fragile art-glass windows.

“It was a labor of love,” Greef said. “It’s been an honor to work on this house. John and I were able to see the potential of this house. We loved the lines of this house and the connection to Frank Lloyd Wright, but we knew it was not just about our love of the house. It was about stewardship and doing this for future generations.”

See WRIGHT SPIRIT on pa ge 21

Kris Sagan Linda Rooney

Kyra Pych

Jane McClelland

Patti Sprafka-Wagner Harry Walsh

Erika Villegas, Managing Broker/Owner Mike Becker Laurie Christofano Marion Digre Morgan Digre Leticia Cruz

WRIGHT SPIRIT

Conference includes tours

from page 19

Greef says winning the award is “a total honor” and lamented that Far neda, who died in 2021, is not there to see the accolades for their years of meticulous restoration. In 2017, the Frederick Law Olmsted Society presented the couple with its Restoration Award for the work they completed on the once-endangered home.

Gordon said Greef and Far neda, as well as the other award winners, were worthy of accolades

“Nor mally, we are looking at extraordinary ef fort in preservation,” Gordon said. “For instance, in the professional cate gory, these are people who have a huge portfolio of working on Wright properties around the country. For the private owners, these are often people who took a dif ficult situation and invested their time, talent and treasure to preserve a Wright home.”

Gordon also singled out the Laurent House Foundation in Rockford as a mustsee. As Wright’s only ADA-accessible home, Gordon says it stand apart. She also praises the long-ter m preservation effor ts of Col. Jennifer Pritzker for the restoration of Wright’s Emil Bach home in the Ro gers Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Gordon is looking forward to welcoming the conference back to Chicago for the first time in 15 years. Every fall, the conference is held in a dif ferent city that has a concentration of Wright-designed

Wright Spirit Award Winners

PRIV AT E CA TEGOR Y

Jack Reed, owner, Glasner House, Glencoe, for rescue, restoration and protection of the Glasner House. Gale and Eric Rothner, for mer owners, Alice and George Millard House, Highland Park, for rescue, restoration and renovation of the Millard House

Patrick Schwarz and William Levy, owners, Mary Adams House, Highland Park, for the comprehensive restoration and renovation of the Adams House

BY ERIC ALLIX ROGERS

e Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conser vancy w ill honor Jennifer Pritzker with a Wright Spirit Special Honor for supporting the Wright communit y through leadership and philanthropy as well as restoring the Emil Bach House (above) in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago

buildings to talk about the experience of living and preserving them.

The audience is not limited to those who are privileged enough to live or work in Wright’s designs.

“It’s for everybody,” Gordon said. Beyond being the city where Wright gained fame, Gordon says Chicago is an exciting host city.

“Chicago has two World Heritage sites. It’s neat that the Unity Temple in Oak

World Heritage Sites,” Gordon said.

Over the course of five days, participants can enjoy tours, lectures and celebrations. A complete schedule of events is available at savewright.org/events/ annual-conference

Some highlights of this year’s in person of ferings include tours of the Coonley Estate, Wright’s Home & Studio, Unity Temple, the Emil Bach House, Baker House, the Dorothy and William Ross House, Robie House, Heller House, the Kathryn and Lloyd Lewis House, and Willits House

Gatherings include education sessions on Oct. 22, an opening rece ption at the Rookery, a benefit dinner at Unity Temple and a Gala at the Palmer House Hilton.

For those unable to attend the conference in person, many events will be livestreamed or will of fer online participation. The silent auction portion of the g ala will open online on Oct. 17 and will be available online until bidding closes at 10 p.m. on Oct. 22. Education sessions, the conservancy’s annual meeting, and a documentary and events for Unity Temple and Robie House will also be available to online par ticipants.

This year’s conference is chaired by Kelly Jones, of the FLWBC Board; Car men Korleski, of TAWANI Hospitality/ Emil Bach House; and Heidi Ruehle, Unity Temple Restoration Foundation.

John Far neda and Stephanus Greef f, owners, Coonley House, south wing, Riverside, for the rescue and restoration of the Coonley House, south wing.

PUBLIC CA TEGOR Y

Glencoe Historical Society, Village of Glencoe and Glencoe Park District for rescue of Booth Cottage. Laurent House Foundation for its commitment to preserving and sharing the le gacy of Frank Lloyd Wright and Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent.

PROFESSIONAL CA TEGOR Y

Eifler & Associates, architects, for his work on many Wright properties, which combine conscientious restoration and practical rehabilitation practices, including an emphasis on sustainable renovation.

T. Gunny Harboe for his strong focus on preservation architecture especially as applied to the work of Wright.

Carol J.H. Yetken, CYLA Design Associates Inc., for her work to enhance the landscapes of Wright properties through both aesthetics and infrastructure.

SPECIAL HONOR

Jennifer N. Pritzker, president & CEO, TAWANI Enter prises, Inc., Colonel, IL ARNG (Retired), for her leadership in suppor ting the Wright community, through philanthropy and the restoration of the Bach House

Providing financing for homes in Oak Park and surrounding communities since 1989.

Conventional, FHA, and Jumbo mortgages Free Pre-approvals

Notice of Proposed Property Tax Increase for the Village of Oak Park

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Village of Oak Park for 2022 tax year will be held on November 7, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois.

Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Ms. Christina

Waters, Village Clerk, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, telephone number (708) 358-5670.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2021 were $41,473,673.

The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2022 are $41,846,169.

This represents a 0.90% increase from the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2021 were $4,285,013.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for

2022 are $4,399,535. This represents a 2.67% increase from the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2021 were $45,758,686. The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2022 are $46,245,704. This represents a 1.06% increase from the previous year.

This Directory brought to you by

Fenwick girls sweep tennis sectional on way to state

Friars advance two singles players and doubles teams

By MELVIN TATE

Contributing Reporter

Last season was special for the Fenwick High School girls tennis team as it finished third in the IHSA Class 1A tour nament, gaining the first state trophy in program history.

This year’s team has been just as good, and maybe even better, than last year’s The Friars repeated as Girls Catholic Athletic Conference champions and on Oct. 14-15 made a successful defense of the Class 1A Elmhurst Timothy Christian Sectional title with a perfect score of 36 -- 10 points better than the runner-up and host Trojans

In doing so, Fenwick advanced its top two singles players and doubles teams to the IHSA Class 1A state finals, which will take place Oct. 22-23 at various schools in the northwest suburbs.

“It was what we knew we could do, and we pulled it off,” said Fenwick coach Gerard Sullivan. “Timothy’s a very strong team we beat in a dual meet and we knew they’d be coming back at us hard. [But] we had our foot on the gas.”

Fenwick’s top two singles players and top two doubles teams have been dominant most of the season, and that was evident at the sectional.

Sophomore Lily Brecknock defeated class-

mate Megan Trifilio 6-1, 6-1 to claim the singles title, while sophomore Trinity Hardin and senior Kate Trifilio defeated sophomore Rachel Abraham and senior Maeve Paris 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) for the doubles championship.

“It’s bittersweet,” Sullivan said of teammates having to play each other for titles. “But I told them to think how good it would be if you have to play each other for first, third or fifth at the state meet. And it could happen, because they’re that good.”

Abraham, Hardin, Paris and the Trifilios were members of last year’s squad, and Sullivan believes that they’ve improved this year.

“We’re on a whole different level,” he said. “The five who are back are way better than they were last year, both in ter ms of quality of play and their mindsets They’re more confident.”

OPRF advances 2 doubles teams to state

The Oak Park and River Forest High School girls tennis team placed second at its IHSA Class 2A sectional on Oct. 14-15 with 22 points, 13 behind West Suburban Conference Silver Division rival York.

“I feel we’ve been getting better as the season’s gone on in ter ms of how we’re playing in doubles,” said OPRF coach Fred Galluzzo “Our singles girls played well, too, but they had an uphill battle this weekend.”

The Huskies advanced their top two doubles teams to the state finals. Senior Martha

Fenw ick’s Lily Brecknock gets ready to return a shot at the IHSA Class 1A Elmhurst

Timothy Christian Sectional Oct. 14-15. Brecknock defeated teammate Megan Tri lio 6-1, 6-1 to win the singles title, helping the Friars w in the sectional with 36 points.

Brennan and sophomore Maeve Marzec lost in the final to York’s Keira Polach and Lindsey White in three sets (6-7, 6-1, 3-6), while seniors Clara Ottati and Maya Schwartz lost to the Dukes’ Josie Coan and Sasha Neidigh in two sets

“I know Martha and Maeve are disappointed, because they beat that team in the regular season,” Galluzzo said. “It was a tough match and they played really well today but couldn’t get them.

“I’m extraordinarily happy for Clara and Maya because they’ve worked so hard. They’ve been playing and working together for almost four years and it finally paid off for them.”

OPRF’s top two singles players bowed out in the quarterfinals. Freshman Maria Clara Lau lost to eventual sectional champion Lizzie Isyanov of York in straight sets, as did sophomore Anika Gupta to state qualifier Bella Mendez-Robles of Whitney Young

“This one was really tough,” Galluzzo said. “York has a pair of kids who are going to be among the top 12-14 players in the state And both of the Whitney Young girls also have a chance to do well at state.”

Gupta, Lau, and Marzec retur n for OPRF next fall along with five other players.

“They’re going to come back and work on this, and I feel really positive about it,” Galluzzo said.

Do or die for OPRF a er falling to Downers North

Undefeated York stands between Huskies and football playo s

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Things looked good early on for the Oak Park and River Forest High School football

team at Downers Grove North on Oct. 14 as Eric Evans scored a touchdown from 1 yard out on the game’s opening possession. But on a chilly and damp night, the Huskies -- re peating a patter n for most of the

season -- couldn’t build on the strong star t, and the Trojans rallied for three secondhalf scores to win 20-6.

“It was tough,” said OPRF coach John Hoerster “[Downers Nor th] is a good foot-

ball team and made adjustments. Our kids fought hard, but at the end of the day, they made more plays than we did.”

See FOOTBALL on page 24

COURTESY OF GERARD SULLIVAN

OPRF boys 2nd at WSC Silver cross country meet

Huskies race to best conference showing since 2010

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Nick Parrell made a significant leap in the challenging West Suburban Conference Silver Division boys cross country hierarchy on Oct. 15.

In the state’s toughest conference, Parrell finished seventh at the WSC Silver meet after taking 26th in 2021.

“My improvement and our improvement this whole season, it’s just been great,” Parrell said. “I’m happy to be a part of this team. I couldn’t ask for a better one.”

The Huskies’ great strides were nearly enough for their second WSC Silver title in program history.

Defending champion Hinsdale Central, however, edged the Huskies 49-54 for the title on the Red Devils’ Katherine Le gge Memorial Park home course

Senior Liam Newhar t’s 14 minutes, 36.3 seconds for 3.0 miles was second to Hinsdale Central senior Dan Watcke (14:34.5), who defended his individual title after verbally committing to University of Oregon the previous weekend

FOOTBALL

from page 23

OPRF junior Michael Michelotti (6th, 15:02.8), among four juniors in third through sixth, and Parrell (15:07.9) also ear ned top16 all-conference honors, followed by senior Owen Augustine (18th, 16:46.6), junior Lewis O’Connor (21st, personal-best 15:50.1) and senior Roan Eg an (31st, 16:31.5). Battling illness, junior Daniel Johnson did not finish the race.

“We ran well without one of our top seven runners,” Newhar t said. “To have Lewis O’Connor ste p up so much is really, really encouraging going into the state series. We take from this a lot that we can go forward with.”

ORPF, ranked No 4 by both ILXCTF.com and IlMileSplit com, edged third-place and No. 3/2-ranked Downers Grove North (58 points) to equal its best WSC Silver finish since 2010. The Huskies’ lone title came in 2001.

“We had big improvements, and there’s a lot of season still left,” OPRF coach Chris Baldwin said. “Obviously we would have liked to have won, but [we’ re] very happy with second place. I know these guys are still hung ry.”

Newhar t nearly captured the individual title. With about 500 meters left, he took the lead past Hinsdale Central junior

Aden Bandukwala (3rd, 14:46.1). Watcke, an 800-meter state champion, surged with 300 meters to go

“I obviously knew his speed. He just came out of nowhere and caught up to me, but I knew that was a realistic possibility,” Newhar t said. “I covered his move as much as I could and, unfortunately, he had another gear.”

In the girls race, the No 14/17 Huskies were sixth (147) among the WSC Silver’s six state-ranked teams

Juniors Lenny Ster ritt (22nd, 19:02.9) and Katie Stabb (27th, 19:13.6) and senior Avery Minnis (28th, 19:20.0) were the Huskies’ top finishers, followed by junior Anne Lynch (34th, 19:52.8), senior Abby Lofg ren (36th, 20:00.5) and junior Rachel Prentiss (40th, 21:26.2).

Stabb, ninth in 2021, was seventh midway through the race. To protect a slight le g injury for the state series, senior Natalie Quinn was a late scratch.

“We struggled a little bit today,” OPRF coach Ashley Raymond said. “Maybe [Quinn] being pulled out kind of last minute impacted the whole team more than I thought. I’d rather this happen today.”

helped OPRF (4-4, 1-4 in West Suburba n C onference Sil ve r) maintain i ts lead by blocking a 29- ya rd field g oal attempt by Wi lliam Guerin .

Both teams compete at the IHSA Class 3A Lyons Township Re gional on Oct. 22. The girls compete at 9 a.m. and the boys at 9:45 a.m.

Fenwick boys 3rd at CCL

T he Fenwick High School boys cross country team placed three individuals in the top 10 at the Chicago Catholic League meet Oct. 15 at Lewis University in Romeoville

The Friars, who finished third as a team with 80 points, were led by Nathan McKillop, who came in third with a time of 15:26, Grayden Rill (6th, 15:52.3) and Dean O’Bryan (7th, 15:59.5).

Other Fenwick runners were Benicio Carideo (32nd, 17:00.9), Finn Munley (34th, 17:07.09), Chris Badja (37th, 17:17.4) and Jake Leonardi (45th, 18:03.8).

Trinity 5th, Fenwick girls 7th at GC AC

At the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference cross country meet Oct. 15 at Lewis University, Trinity High School placed fifth with 125 points, while Fenwick was seventh with 178 points

The Blazers had all seven runners place in the top 50, led by freshman

Molly McGreal, who ran a personalbest time of 19:10.7 to finish 10th.

“The last three weeks or so, Molly has taken things to another level,” said Trinity coach Johann Gonzalez. “She’s been doing great and having her sister [senior Amanda] by her side helps each of them out.” Jasmine Arzuaga (17th, 19:27.3), Amanda McGreal (29th, 20:16.4), Ella Miller (31st, 20:20), Myla Roy (41st, 21:06), Laura Murphy (44th, 21:40.2) and Alexa Gonzalez (47th, 22:02.9) completed Trinity’s lineup.

The Blazers and Fenwick will compete in the IHSA Class 2A Hinsdale South Regional on Oct. 22. Gonzalez feels the team title will come down to his team, Nazareth Academy and Riverside-Brookfield

“I think it’s going to be a close race among the three of us,” he said. “It would be great to win the regional.”

Fenwick senior Bella Daley continued her strong season, coming in fourth overall with a time of 18:33. Other Friars competing were Ava Martinez (36th, 20:35.6), Kyra Miller (43rd, 21:26.8), Molly Weber (48th, 22:25.2), Emma Brennan (51st, 22.41.1), Adelai Kaiser (57th, 23:51.1) and Amalia Anderson (64th, 25:01.7).

Melvin Tate contributed to this report

OPRF kicker Gavin Johnson’s extrapoint t ry was blocke d to leave the score 6-0 at the 5:56 mark of the opening q uarter.

On DGN ’s opening drive, N oah Battle’s f umble was recove red by the Huskies’ Je remiah Wi lliams But on a four th-and-1 from the Trojans’ 44, Evans was stuf fe d for a loss, creating a tur nove r on downs

In the second q uar ter, K halil Nichols

Downers Nor th took the second-half kickof f and marched 68 ya rds on nine pl ay s. S am Re icher t’s 46- ya rd c ompletion to E than T hulin set up Josh L amber t’s 1- ya rd touchdown p lung e, and Guerin’s subsequent point-after gave the Trojans (6-2, 3-2) a 7-6 lead at 7:33 of the third q uar ter

After stopping OPRF, Downers Nort h scored again when Reicher t connected with T hulin for a 27-yard touchdown. However, Guerin’s extra point was blocked to leave the score 13-6.

In the final quarter, the Huskies started moving the ball. Three Jack Gooch completions and a 14-yard r un by Evans had OPRF inside the Trojans’ red zone. But on first down from the Trojans’ 14, Gooch’s pass intended for Lemer Bur nett was tipped and interce pted by Jimmy Janicki.

“They did a great job jumping the route,” Hoerster said. “The ball got tippe d and landed in their ar ms.”

Downers Nor th then embarked on an 11-play drive that took up seven minutes Reicher t completed a four th-down pass to Guerin to keep things moving, and Lambert ’s second 1-yard touchdown plung e with 2:13 left sealed the win for the Trojans, who clinched a spot in the IHSA

playof fs

Evans finished with 81 yards and a touchdown on 18 car ries and Gooch completed 16-of-24 passes for 137 yards and two interce ptions for OPRF.

If OPRF is to make the state playof fs, it will need to defeat York in the re gular season finale on T hursday, Oct. 20 at Oak Park Stadium. T he Dukes (8-0) can not only clinch the WSC Silve r outright with a win, but also the first perfect re gular season in school history.

“It’s win or go home,” Hoerster said. “I’m really excited to see how these young men respond. Hopefully they come fired up and ready to go.”

Kickof f is set for 6 p.m.

‘It’s win or go home’

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor

Ken Trainor at 613-3310

ktrainor@wjinc.com

Case for a 0% increase in 2023 village tax levy

The pandemic and the associated health- and travelrelated uncertainties seem to be largely behind us. During the pandemic lockdown, household savings saw a significant increase. Today, while these savings are still better than pre-pandemic levels, inflation is quickly eating into them.

This depletion in savings is more pronounced for moderate- to low-income earners. The geo-political situation and its impact on the U.S. (war in Europe and the related price of gas, plus strained trade relations with China) means that inflation will take longer to control, and a recession may be the price we have to pay to quell it. I set this brief context to highlight the economic pain and anxiety that may lie ahead for many communities — including ours — and especially for the most vulnerable among us.

What can we do to help our residents? Keeping our tax levy flat is a star t, and this year we have the unique opportunity to do that. Let me explain:

A 3% tax levy increase in 2023 would collect $1.1 million from you for the Oak Park village budget. However, this year we are already receiving a one-time break on our police and fire pension contributions: a break equal to $1.4 million (equivalent to a 4% levy increase). So a flat levy for 2023 already has this 4% increase baked into it.

Over and above that, we still have unallocated ARPA dollars ($19 million) that can cover eligible community investments. We also have general fund balance/budget reserves more than double the current recommended maximum. (The cur rent recommendation is 10-20% of annual operating expenditure [i.e. $6.5 million to $13 million] and our current actual reserves are sitting at $30 million.)

I believe it’s a good thing that we keep these excess reserves, considering the economic outlook; it gives us additional funds to draw upon if it were to become necessary.

To gether, these factors give us ample opportunity to keep the tax levy flat for our residents without impacting key village services Keeping the levy flat this year

100 seconds left on the Doomsday Clock

p. 27

Vote Yes for the forest preserves

At the beginning of the 20th century, a group of farsighted people had the novel idea to create the Cook County Forest Preserves system, the first of its kind in the country. It was a daunting task to plan, persuade people, and get laws through the legislature. Only then did the real work begin of purchasing and managing vast acreag e, developing public programs, and conserving biodiversity while catering to humans.

None of this was easy. Starting with an initial purchase of 500 acres in 1916, today the FPDCC comprises 70,000 acres of natural and recreational areas stretching from Lake-Cook Road south to Steger Road. Consequently, Cook County, home to over 5 million people, can also boast that it’s the most biodiverse county in the state

In this time of global war ming, environmental de gradation, and biodiversity loss, these lands do more than provide scenery as we drive by. They help clean our air, filter our water, prevent flooding, shelter hundreds of species of wild animals and plants (including over 100 that are threatened or endangered) and, all the while, entice us out to enjoy nature, with its known health benefits, any day we choose — no admission charged!

Those woods, savannas, prairies, wetlands, waterways, picnic pavilions, hiking and biking trails, recreation areas, and nature centers, not to mention the Chicago Botanic Garden and Brookfield Zoo, don’t just self-perpetuate. They are the result of constant ef forts by elected of ficials, paid employees, and dedicated volunteers across the generations

But in its second century, the FPDCC is not content to rest on past accomplishments. The district has improved management and maintenance of existing lands, structures, and programs, while plans call for acquiring and protecting almost 3,000 more acres and upgrading amenities to better serve us all. In addition, the FPDCC proposes taking on long-deferred mainte-

nance projects, adding staffing to better support its ar my of volunteers, and closing the pension gap.

To achieve all this, voters are asked to approve a property tax increase of 0.025%, the first raise since the 1930s. The added annual cost of around $20 — less than one fast food meal for a family of four — is an incredible bargain, considering the environmental, recreational, and educational benefits the preserves provide all year round, for all of us

When I was a child, my f amily couldn’t af ford much in the way of extras, but we always could, and did, hike the preserves and visit nature centers, including Trailside, and we were richer for the experiences. Later,

I made sure my kids did the same.

Improved funding will ensure that coming generations will have what so many of us take for granted: a world-class, one-of-a-kind forest preserve system, open to the public, right in our neighborhood. Please vote Yes for clean air, clean water, and wildlife — for ourselves and everyone else

If you haven’t visited a preserve lately, I invite you to give yourself a treat. And don’t forget to bring the kids Adrian Ayres Fisher serves on the board of West Cook Wild Ones and as volunteer site steward for National Grove Forest Preserve in North Riverside.

MICHAEL ROMAIN/STAFF atcher Woods

Common threads of lives well-lived Phone home, OPRF

It is not an overly complex solution to a serious problem afflicting Oak Pa rk and River Forest High School – and all other high schools. But a month into the school year, it seems to be working largely because it is being implemented across every classroom.

The problem? Cellphones being carried by students into classrooms, being used by students during class time, and distracting those students, other students and driving teachers nuts. In recent years individual teachers have tried to enforce prohibitions on cellphones in their classrooms but, with no consistent policy in place, it was a losing battle.

Starting this year, the recommendation of the school’s Cell Phone Committee has been put in place and it is stunningly simple and, so far, effective. When a student enters a classroom they put their phone into the pocket of a canvas organizer hanging on a wall. And there it stays. Kids pick them up on the way out.

It helps that the committee surveyed parents and found nearly three-quarters agreed that cellphones should be used only in an emergency during class time. Teachers were also surveyed and 96.5% of them were in favor of cellphone-free class periods. Students, who had been expected to vocally object, have gone along with the program.

Teachers interviewed by Jour nal reporters are ecstatic at the early results. Far fewer distractions during class, greater student focus on the work, more involved discussions among teachers and students.

Dan Wolman, a history teacher and committee member, was recently named “teacher of the month” for the lead role he played in pushing this concept forward. Good job.

New math

Here’s another fix OPRF is working on: After four years of planning, largely done by the school’s math teachers, a significantly revised math curriculum is being unveiled. The early rece ption from the school board is positive and planned changes could be rolled out as early as next fall and then phased in over four years.

The plan seems so obvious once it is set out. Instead of strictly sequencing Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II as the core of most students’ first three years of high school, the math department is planning an inte grated curriculum that mixes those subjects, and some other math concepts, together into a three-year curriculum.

This is not detracking. Unlike the shift to a single freshman honors curriculum for all subjects other than math, the new plan calls for the continuation of ability groupings across all years. OPRF did not invent this concept. It is catching on in schools across the country. Likely because it is so logical.

anks to Anne and Jim

The year-end closing of The Irish Shop is a genuine loss for independent, bricks-and-mor tar retail in Oak Park. This Oak Park Avenue shop has been a staple for decades. And its owners Anne and Jim August have been exemplars of active, generous, involved local business owners.

They will be missed as they head into retirement.

As I mentioned in last week’s column, it’s been a month filled with memorial services and funerals. I’m ready for people I know to stop dying. As one friend said, it feels like we’re living in perpetual mour ning. In my previous column, I wrote about a large lawn sign that proclaimed, “Good Job - Not Dying.”

That’s only the first step, I noted. We also have to do a good job of living instead of “breathing just a little and calling it a life,” as poet Mary Oliver put it. Which led, this past week, to thinking more about the notion of a well-lived life. And that reminded me of a column I wrote on the subject following a memorial service back in 2009 — which is appropriate since the column was about Bill Cassin, and the most recent service, this past Saturday, was for his wife, Ginie Cassin. All of the following applies to her as well — and, for that matter, to Frank Muriello also, whose memorial I attended the Saturday before.

attend, the more you see commonalities in well-lived lives. The lionized life is usually characterized by integrity, devotion to someone, some group, or some larger cause, frequently putting others’ needs ahead of their own, working hard at something they love and deeply believe in, having an impact on others’ lives, setting an example that others want to follow, making loved ones feel loved, actively eng aging in the wider community, keeping the inner kid alive, and enjoying life while helping others enjoy theirs.

Do they enjoy life because circumstances turn out well or do circumstances turn out well because they know how to enjoy living? And if they enjoy life re gardless of circumstances, what is that magical gleam in the eye and where does it come from — divine providence, personal determination, a fluke of body chemistry? All of the above?

Some funerals are sadder than others. The sad ones mourn life cut short in its prime. Others are more upbeat — tributes to a long life, well lived.

The memorial for Bill Cassin was, in many ways, an ideal funeral — beautiful program, lovely music, inspiring readings, a moving eulo gy, a large and loving extended family who knew how good they had it, and many friends and admirers filling the pews in support. The kind of funeral we probably all dream of.

I knew Bill pretty well — well enough to know the tributes were authentic and ear ned. I always feel privile ged attending such gatherings because the love is tangible and the outpouring reassuring. When your life has had an impact, people recognize and acknowledge it. In Bill’s case, it included overcoming health challenges in his youth, combat in Europe during World War II, instilling in his children a love of the natural world, and providing the kind of dedicated partnership that assisted his wife Ginie’s long career of civic involvement.

Photos on display, accomplishments cited, foibles fondly teased, anecdotes retold, meaning measured, and wisdom woven like veins of precious metal shining along the walls of life’s course. Sadness and laughter merge on occasions like these. It is not a euphemism to say that many funerals are “celebrated.” Even at their saddest, loved ones make an extra ef fort to highlight a life ended too soon. And in so doing, the individuals come “alive,” even as they have departed from us. Sad or celebrated, the more of these services you

Personalities vary widely. Some of the departed were war mer and more approachable. Some were adored, some quietly appreciated. No one was a saint, but their shortcomings and oddities tend to be more endearing than alienating.

A tribute to a life well lived inevitably of fers tips on how to live likewise.

On the back of Bill’s memorial card, the Cassin family included a definition of success that bears re peating [in fact it was re peated in Ginie’s program]:

To laugh often and love much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To gi ve of one’s self;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;

To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;

To know ev en one life has breathed easier because you have li ved —

This is to have succeeded.

Poet Mary Oliver’s cautionary question, “Listen, are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?” does not apply to a life well lived.

Often I leave funerals and memorial services feeling not a sense of loss but a sense of gain. They make me take a deep breath — and resolve to start living a fuller life.

KEN TRAINOR

100 seconds le on the doomsday clock

During the third week of Se ptember, Russian President Putin recalled 300,000 ar my reservists to active duty, to reinforce his ar my in Ukraine. Putin has also threatened to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine. President Biden declared that results of responses to Putin’s use of nuclear weapons against Ukraine would be devastating Putin created a national emergency with his recall of the reservists. It triggered a mass exodus of men from Russia, and thousands of Russians were arrested protesting the massive mobilization. Failure to report to active duty would bring charges of desertion. Thousands of protesters will be tried, convicted, and sent to “work colonies” that are the remnants of Stalinist gulags

FRED NATKEVI One View

They reflect his disappointment with the dismal progress of his war in Ukraine, and his desperation not to suffer a loss.

Threatening to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Putin thinks he found a loophole in MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction). It is a doctrine of military strategy and national security policy which posits that an initiated use of nuclear weapons against a nation with a nuclear arsenal essentially assures the ultimate destruction of both, the attacker and the attacked. Putin is emboldened and comforted by the fact that Ukraine does not have a nuclear arsenal for retaliation.

WEDNESD AY JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Michael Romain

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Publishing and Technology Manager Briana Higgins

Staff Repor ters Stacey Sher idan

Staff Photographers Alex Rogals, Shanel Romain

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Big Week Editor James Porter

The rough dialogue between the two leaders of the great world powers sent shivers through me. Putin’s threats are sinister. President Biden stands resolute to confront Putin’s aggression and to avoid America’s military action in Ukraine against Russians, because that would trigger an actual war between Russia and the United States

Talk of nuclear weapon use guided my mind to remember times in the 1960s. During the Cuban missile crisis, we practiced defensive drills, to survive a possible nuclear attack. The survival tactics and shelters possibly would have been adequate to withstand a tornado, but would have been no match for the shock wave of a nuclear explosion.

Putin’s threats are not to be ignored or disregarded

On the other hand, Biden’s rhetoric implies that some measures of MAD may be applicable against Putin. Economic sanctions that have already been imposed upon Russia by President Biden are slow-acting to stifle Putin’s military aggression. President Biden must find some other anti-Putin tactics

The current escalation in hostile talk puts me on the edge of outright panic. With a high level of anxiety, I looked up the doomsday clock. It had seven minutes to midnight at the time of the Cuban missile crisis. Now, the clock stands at 100 seconds remaining

In my childhood, before the Russian occupation of my native Lithuania in 1939, I heard my father talk about stor m clouds of war appearing on the horizon. Now, in my old age in America, I too am keenly aware of an ominous lurking of clouds on the horizon.

The clouds are mushroom shaped. They are a forewar ning of an impending nuclear conflict

Dishonorable mention

Last week was Columbus Day. Two years ago, the statue of Christopher Columbus was removed from its prominent stand in Grant Park. Although Columbus was one of the European discoverers of our nation, his misdeeds overshadow his achievements

That said, and I certainly hold no brief for Columbus’ behavior, haven’t many of our heroes had unacceptable flaws as well? For example, most of our early heroes, and the very authors of our Constitution, owned slaves. Should we remove their statues, too? Deciding what behaviors are inappropriate, and who decides, is a messy slippery slope. At other times in history these issues might very well be judged differently.

HAUSMAN

As the years pass, I am sure there are other oncepraised folks who will be identified as having made serious mistakes or committed objectionable acts Today’s heroes may be tomorrow’s undesirable characters. If some Trump Republicans erected a statue of him in one of our parks, would I object? Yes, but those who support Trump would disagree with me

So if we were to remove these sculptures, what should we do with them? What effect would their removal have

know it? And how can this ed? Here are my sugges-

all statues from publicly held Establish a banished heroes museum all the sculptures that are

t, written history explainthe accomplishments of each tainted hero, along with the behavior that caused the blemishing of their reputation.

4) Replace the statue bases with sculpted stone images of sections from our Constitution. It would serve as a public lear ning opportunity and a tribute to the Constitution, the guide for our democracy

5) Adding further value to my suggestions is the costsavings that would result from no longer redesigning statues or constructing new ones I am audacious enough to send my recommendations to the Chicago Park District for their consideration. Often, worthwhile ideas come from unexpected sources. If I receive an answer, I’ll let you, my Wednesday Jour nal friends, know.

Harriet Hausman is a longtime member of the ACLU and a resident of River Forest.

Columnists Marc Bleso , Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Harriet Hausman, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady

Business Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Donor Relations Manager/Food Editor Melissa Elsmo

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Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Judy Gre n 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, re 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 ling.

Please understand our veri cation 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 veri cation, 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 con rm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay.

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

LET TER TO THE EDITOR

■ 250-word limit

■ Must include rst and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for veri cation only)

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself, your connec tion to the topic

■ Signature details as at lef t

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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A Hephzibah Halloween

In mid-March 2020, I was on my fourth year of in-person volunteering with the kids receiving therapeutic care, support, and love at He phzibah Home. Then, thanks to COVID, everything changed and I was cut of f from the sweet, funny, resilient children I had come to know and cherish. I shifted gears and found remote ways to let them know that I was thinking of them and cared about them, but all seemed poor substitutes for in-person interaction.

Support our forest preserves with a Yes vote

BETH CANNON One View

As dif ficult as the se paration was for me, being se parated from in-person volunteers, friends at school, and everyone else who wasn’t a Hephzibah staf f member was very isolating to Hephzibah’s kids and made recovery from past traumas in their lives even more difficult.

Of course, there were similar situations occurring everywhere. In one way or another, we were all struggling, stressed, and feeling isolated for more than two years

While everyday life still poses challenges, I’m extremely grateful for the advances that have made a retur n to nor mal life possible for so many of us. In-person block parties, festivals, concer ts, and a multitude of other events are back

He phzibah Children’s Association, after a long period of protecting its children, families, and staf f, is now able to celebrate the freedom to mingle ag ain with a Halloween Fun Run and Walk. The event is scheduled to take place in River Forest on the mor ning of Sunday, Oct. 30. Everyone in the community is encouraged to don their best Halloween costume and attend this family-friendly event, which will include a fun war m-up period for kids, a DJ, great giveaways, and a mile-and-a-half run — or stroll — through beautiful River Forest.

I’m grateful for the oppor tunity to attend an in-person community celebration supporting He phzibah. This area institution, which has been serving Illinois children and families for 125 years, knows how to throw an event full of fun for everyone.

Anyone interested in attending the Hephzibah Halloween Fun Run/Walk can find infor mation on the event and sign up through this link: https://www.he phzibahhome.org/event/halloween-fun-run-walk-2022.

Beth Cannon grew up in Oak Park and is currently a member of He phzibah’s Oak Park Auxiliary Board.

I want to strongly encourage all Cook County voters to support the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife Habitat Protection Referendum for the Forest Preserves of Cook County on the Nov. 8 ballot. The Forest Preserves were founded more than 100 years ago and, in that time, have provided our urban area the oppor tunity to have so many meaningful experiences with nature close to home. If not for the foresight of those in the past, much of the land would have been developed into commercial enterprises. Instead, we have a network of wonderful places throughout the area that add meaning and joy to our often chaotic lives.

How many families have benefited from taking their children to the forest

preserves to lear n about nature and see the beauty of nature firsthand? How many have lear ned from treasures like the Little Red School House and Trailside Museum? How many have enjoyed programs like the Family Pond Paddle? How many have benefited from a hike in the woods when solitude was needed to take a break from problems in their lives? There is something for everyone at the Cook County Forest Preserves. Few people realize that the Brookfield Zoo is on Forest Preserve land and will benefit from a successful referendum. This local treasure needs urgent re pairs to buildings, stor mwater and ir rig ation systems, installation of new walkways and more Brookfield Zoo has provided an oppor tunity for families to connect

with wildlife and nature and lear n the valuable lessons of conservation.

The Botanic Garden is on Forest Preserve land and would benefit from a successful referendum as well. Plants are an inte gral part of life on Ear th and families need to be educated on the beauty of all life

How much would this cost taxpayers? The increase for an average homeowner would be less than $20 a year, or about a dollar and a half per month. I, for one, think this would be money well spent, and strongly encourage all Cook County voters to support the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife Habitat Protection Referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Carol Raske Oak Park

More attention needed on Roosevelt Road

The neighbors on south Lombard have joined together in protest of the activities and conditions surrounding the property located at 6200-6216 Roosevelt Road. As it should, Wednesday Jour nal has supported their concer ns.

What I found interesting in WJ’s editorial [Attention to Roosevelt, Our Views, Viewpoints, Oct. 12] was the last two sentences: “There are other parcels in this awful stretch the village ought also to purchase because clearly the marketplace is not going to be the solution. Time for action.”

It made me wonder why WJ hadn’t expressed any interest in a land transaction involving the acquisition and sale of the vacant lot at 6104 Roosevelt Road earlier this year by the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA). The purchase of the lot by the CCLBA in 2018 wiped out hundreds of thousands of delinquent property taxes owed by the previous owner since

2012. Under the agency’s ownership, the property was exempt from taxes This past May the CCLBA transferred the title of the lot to a private party for redevelopment as a privately-owned electric vehicle (EV) charging station. Wednesday Jour nal was infor med of this impending ownership transfer in March and published my letter regarding this matter at that time but hasn’t itself reported anything else about the property for over seven months

In documents provided to Wednesday Jour nal, which included emails by the village of Oak Park to the CCLBA and the private buyer, it was explained that currently a privately-owned EV charging station is not permitted under village code or under the zoning ordinance for that location. The village’s Development Customer Services director, on Nov. 8, 2021, infor med the now-owner that his proposed use would require “a text amendment to

the zoning code a special use application and have a public hearing to alert the community.” To date there is no record of the owner and the village initiating these procedures or alerting the community.

What makes this pressing is that the CCLBA deed transferring the title to the property includes “Purchaser Obligations” for the owner to comply with all the regulations for constructing and operating requirements for the EV charging station within 18 months or forfeit the purchase.

Perhaps the WJ could inform the community at large, especially the concer ned residents of SEOPCO’s area, of the status of EV charging station. If the new owner is unable to comply with the “Purchaser Obligations,” WJ could endorse that the village purchase 6104 Roosevelt Road, too Chris Donovan Oak Park

Should WJ print disinformation?

The open letter to Dan Haley in the Oct. 12 Viewpoints gave me food for thought. Of course reasonable people want to read and ponder various viewpoints I know that my own thinking changes when I’m exposed to thoughtful discourse. But therein lies the problem.

Conservative thought doesn’t seem to exist anymore. Misinfor mation, disinfor mation, and conspiracy theories dominate the domain.

Should Wednesday Jour nal publish ar ticles speculating about stolen elections, criminal immigrants, and “woke”

educators indoctrinating children? Wednesday Jour nal is too fine a community institution to give lies space on the printed page Besides, West Cook News has already cor nered that market.

Kathy Capone Oak Park

Qualities of a good elected representative Opposed to a new OPRF pool

We have a very important election approaching. How we vote will decide who will lead us. I have spent some time thinking about the essential qualities of a good elected official or legislator. I will be using the following as a basis for my voting decision, and I encourage others to use it and share it as well.

What are the qualities that make a good elected of ficial or le gislator?

■ Does not have any of the three “curses” that af flict politics, capitalism, and families:

– Ego

– Self-Enrichment

– Abuse of Power

■ Believes in and suppor ts the U.S. Constitution.

■ Believes in and suppor ts democracy.

■ Understands and protects these basic tenets of our democracy for each

of our citizens:

– Fair and Just Rule of Law

– Freedom of Speech

– Freedom of Assembly

– Freedom of the Press

– Freedom of Religion

– Equal and Fair Right to Vote

■ Has a good moral compass

■ Listens to constituents

■ Works collaboratively with other elected of ficials to take actions for the better ment of all constituents.

■ Re presents and protects the interests, prosperity, and well-being of all citizens

■ Sur rounds her/himself with competent and committed advisors and managers and listens to them.

■ Is competent and has the ability to lead and make good decisions.

Ed Petrick Oak Park

PE spaces are classrooms

As has been pointed out in previous ar ticles about the need for a new large swimming pool, students could proficiency out of swimming instruction classes at the several other Oak Park swimming facilities, assuming the swimming requirement is not dropped. This would leave the swimming team as the biggest user of the proposed large pool.

One of the objectives of D200 board spending is to address the achievement gap between white and Black students. Cer tainly a new large pool would not lessen the achievement gap which is more a function of family support or lack of support It should be noted that the OPRF swim team is mostly made up of white students.

Several letters to the editor in Wednesday Journal have noted that the existing swimming facilities are nearly 100 years old. Many Oak Park residents live in homes that are over 100 years old but they have maintained their properties, which doesn’t appear to be the case with the D200 board.

Jon Paulsen Oak Park

Fairer, more accessible democracy Romain’s biting wit is appreciated

I’ve long known Michael Romain was thoughtful, insightful, provocative and just plain smar t. I didn’t know until this week’s column that he has quite the biting wit. I’m now feeling inspired to recreate his walk from Millbridge Road to Joliet Avenue in order to truly understand what could lead to the unleashing of such gems as “the Nor th Riverside Mall looks a high school jock who peaked his senior year, star ted balding in his 20s, was raised on ESPN, and is now into the wisdom of Joe Ro g an.” Take no prisoners, Michael!

And please vote YES to the Forest Preserves referendum — for Michael’s sanity and the sanity of everyone in Cook County

Nicole Chavas Oak Park

Across the country, democratic nor ms are under assault. Extreme ger rymandering allows those in power to choose their voters. The Voting Rights Act hangs by a thread. And it is people of color, non-Christians, and immigrants who will bear the brunt.

We are not immune to this here in Oak Park Candidates of color routinely face a gauntlet of ballot challenges that white candidates nor mally do not. Sky-high campaign costs make public service inaccessible to most.

We can address these problems here in Oak Park. The committee that hears ballot chal-

lenges can clarify its procedures as well as guard candidates from frivolous or bad-faith challenges. Ranked choice voting could make our local gover nment more re presentative. Campaign costs could be reined in by ordinance and the power of example

Yes, democratic nor ms are under assault in this country. Oak Park can and should go a different way by making our democracy fairer and more accessible

John Edgerton

Lead pastor, First United Church of Oak Park President, Community of Congre gations

e illogic and cyncisim of Trumpublicans

In politics, as in all of life, responsibility and response ability must go hand in hand. But right-wing ads like the ones broadcast by the “Play by the Rules PAC” demand responsibility from elected leaders while denying them the ability to respond. They make Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot responsible for violence in our streets but condemn their calls for reasonable gun control laws Neither is a dictator who rules by fiat. Le gislative bodies make the laws and ordinances They are the ones who have the authority to respond.

On the national scene, President Biden is

made responsible for fixing the inflation problem, but if, like President Nixon, he would impose price controls, the howls would be loud about “federal over reach.” That ef fort came to a swift end. But Trumpublicans are demanding that the president “Do something!” while denying him any tools or authority. It’s the McConnell playbook from years ago: Deny anything and everything President Obama proposes, and then mock him for getting nothing done. The illo gic and cynicism are mind-boggling.

Fred Reklau Oak Park

Near the end of October, OPRF High School is scheduled to release its Phase 2 capital improvement plan to upgrade the athletic facilities in the South Building. The plan should include complete re placement of some of the oldest and worst spaces in the entire high school — the old, decrepit locker rooms; the gyms (including the leaky dance gym and competition gyms); the two old, problematic pools; the weight room; and so on — and adding much-needed elevators and equipment storage.

Some have objected to spending a large amount of money on athletic facilities They say we should spend that money on classrooms. But the fact is, all of these spaces are classrooms. They are lear ning spaces, and they are worthy of our investment.

Almost every single student at OPRF, almost every single day, attends PE. There’s no opting out; PE is mandatory. That’s true for all four years of high school. PE is one of the only subjects every student will take their entire high school career. For some kids, it’s the highlight of the day. For some kids, the lessons they lear n in the athletic facilities are the most impor tant lessons they take from high school, and their PE teacher is the most impor tant teacher they’ ll have For some kids, athletics is what ke eps them coming to school.

PE classes are one of the only times that all students, re gardless of academic ambition or socioeconomic status, are to gether in one room. PE spaces are for all kids, and they bring all kids together as equals. It’s like no other experience in the building.

The gyms, the pools, the weight room, the climbing wall, and the other PE spaces are classrooms. They are lear ning spaces. They are cur ricular spaces, every bit as much as a science lab or ar t studio

We support OPRF’s ef for ts to upgrade all these spaces and to provide what’s best for our kids We hope the District 200 Board of Education approves the Phase 2 plan and moves forward with it immediately.

Kristin & Kevin Friker Oak Park

OPRF’s Project 2 needs to move for ward

On Oct. 27 at the regular board meeting, District 200 is scheduled to discuss detailed plans and costing for the second project in the five-phase Imagine OPRF sequence.

Project 2 is a critical step in improving physical education classrooms at the high school and will create right-sized, moder n and adaptable PE facilities in place of the outdated and failing spaces that students and teachers have relied upon for 90-plus years.

Spatially and functionally, OPRF’s PE facilities no longer meet the requirements and demands of 21st-century education. Following the highly successful outcome of Project 1, which renovated 65 classrooms, added 15 new ones and created new common areas for

students, there is no doubt D200 can repeat the success of these results with Project 2. There can also be no doubt that D200 itself is the source of reliable information and facts for the community regarding Project 2. This is important because discussions on topics related to Project 2 go back multiple years and connections to facts can get lost over time.

Everything related to Facilities Master Planning can be found on OPRF’s website at: https://www.oprfhs.org/about/facilitiesmaster-plan, including summaries of Projects 1 and 2 and archives for the Imagine OPRF working group

Links to board meetings and all related information are here: https://www.oprfhs.

FCC should revoke Fox broadcast license

Re: “Misinformation a growing concer n,” (Chicago Tribune, p. 3, Oct. 15, 2022):

Ninety-one percent of Americans say the spread of misinformation is a problem. One huge step to correct this problem would be for the FCC to take away the broadcast license of the Fox Network. The Fox “News” channel has been a Republican propaganda machine from day 1, when it was founded by GOP strategist Roger Ailes.

Pretending to report “News,” this network repeats lies and misinformation 24 hours a day in the interest of the antiAmerican saboteur, Rupert Murdoch. Polls show that those who get their “news” from Fox believe ludicrous lies The fact that a majority of Republicans still pretend to believe that Donald Trump won the 2020 election is a direct result of watching Fox News and believing their lies (Fox cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election over 800 times [1]).

Fox News was sued by two voting system companies, Dominion and Smartmatic, for claiming their machines switched votes from Biden to Trump Fox News knowingly lied to Americans saying that Trump was not responsible for the January 6 treasonous attack on the U.S. Capitol [2].

Many Americans are pathetically ignorant, but even so, they cannot be expected to show common sense if they are yelled at nonstop by Fox “reporters” whose job is to lie to their viewers. No network should be allowed to broadcast “news” on public airways if their goal is to willfully mislead the American public.

[1] https://www msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/ fox-news-january-6-disinformation-star ted-well-hearingsn1296139

[2] https://www salon.com/2021/12/14/jan-6-committeejust-proved-fox-news-knowingly-lies-on-air--but-dont-expecttheir-viewers-to-care/

Tom DeCoursey Oak Park

org/board-of-education/agendas-minutespackets

Living in the age of social media, where misinformation artists thrive and create alter nate narratives driving division and resentment, reliable sources of information are critical.

There will be a lot to discuss when details of Project 2 are finally public. To have the most infor med and intelligent discussion, reliance on facts versus interpretation and innuendo is essential. After years of discussion and community input, I look forward to lear ning about Project 2 and finally moving forward with this important work

Peter Ryan Oak Park

Wesley will listen to all of us

In 2019, Cory Wesley came within 52 votes of being elected to the position of Oak Park Village Board trustee. Last week, it was announced that Village Board President Vicki Scaman is appointing Wesley to succeed Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla, who resigned from the village board on August 18.

While we are unlikely to agree with Wesley on every issue — and he will not fill the same role as Trustee Walker-Peddakotla on the village board — we are confident he will make an excellent trustee Wesley has several key qualities in particular that recommend him for the role. He has a demonstrated spirit of public service and has repeatedly shown a willingness to listen to opposing viewpoints and re-evaluate his own positions.

Since losing the 2019 election, he has invested himself deeply in serving our community He currently serves as chair man of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, co-president of the Southeast Oak Park Community Organization, board member of Oak Leyden Developmental Services and the Oak Park Pro Bono Network, and commissioner on the village’s Civic In-

is dust

This dust is not mine to keep I’m just borrowing these motes Animating their shape with awareness

Knowing my time is short.

Consciousness is a hand-me-down, Passed forward by my thousandth ancestor, Surrendered to my thousandth descendant. I’m one stop along its way.

This dust, arranged in a delicate pocket To carry my transient consciousness The same stuff as galaxies and atoms. I am of the universe.

Life belongs to the unbor n. There is a time to let it go My awareness may dissolve But atoms are forever.

Karen Muriello Oak Park

formation Systems Commission. This record of public service demonstrates his continuing commitment to the village of Oak Park.

One of the rarest qualities in elected officials is a willingness to acknowledge that they are not a subject-matter expert on every issue. Given the wide range of issues confronting the Oak Park Village Board, a willingness to seek out and consider the opinions of experts is particularly important. Wesley has repeatedly demonstrated this rare characteristic, in conversations both public and private He is able to both hold fir mly to his values and consider additional facts and arguments Most remarkably, he is willing to change his mind where appropriate. His willingness to consider other viewpoints will serve him and our community well.

While we expect to disagree on specific issues with Wesley from time to time, we know that when it happens, he will be willing to hear from us — and other community members — and give real consideration to our views.

Juanta Gri n, Brian Straw, Tim Thomas & Deborah Wess Oak Park

PARAKK AT

from page 30

also allows us to star t next year with a lower tax base

While providing relief to our residents, we need to acknowledge the fact that inflation impacts the village budget just as much as it does us as individuals. Prices are rising and yet it has never been more impor tant for Oak Park to make judicious and sustained investments in safety, health, and equitable and sustainable development. A flat levy this year does not preclude us from doing this.

Keep in mind that the village board controls only 15% of the total spending of our village and the board’s ef for ts to provide tax relief to residents can only go so far. However, if all our taxing bodies approach our respective 2023 budgets with a similar mindset, we can provide significant economic relief to our residents not just in 2023, but also over time.

To gether, we can make Oak Park more af fordable To gether, we can counter the pain and anxiety resulting from the economic uncer tainty that looms large. I urge all our elected of ficials and staf f to consider this as we go through our respective budget cycles

Alan Hinds, 79 Computer scientist, patron of the arts

Alan Russell Hinds, 79, of Oak Park, died on Oct. 10, 2022. Bor n in Newport, Rhode Island on Oct. 23, 1942, he graduated from Rogers High School, then ear ned a B.S. in Chemistry from Brown University and a M.Sc. in Chemical Physics from the University of Chicago. He worked as a computer scientist for Argonne National Laboratory, as a research programmer for the UIC Computer Center and School of Public Health, and as a computer programmer for several Chicago-area companies He held himself to a very high standard in his work

He loved going to theater, music, and dance perfor mances across the Chicago area. When he saw a perfor mance that moved him, he would retur n to see it many times He was particularly drawn to small theaters that did not have many audience seats or elaborate sets. Some of his fondest memories were of plays at Ste ppenwolf, Jazz Fest and Blues Fest in Grant Park, and the singing of soprano Judith Nor man. In 2014, Alan engaged Ms. Nor man to sing a benefit concert to support renovations at Unity Temple

He always supported progressive causes

He owned and hand-operated a printing press in the 1970s, chur ning out thousands of leaflets for a range of anti-war and civil rights organizations His charitable giving included numerous social justice causes, Chicago-area theaters, and public radio, which he enjoyed listening to all day long for many years.

In 2007, he was hit by a taxi when visiting his son in Brooklyn, New York. He sustained several serious injuries, including to his spinal cord, and he worked incredibly hard over the next 15 years, with the help of physical therapists, to be able to walk again and do the things he enjoyed. He loved piz-

za, especially from Gino’s East, and a good day included a cup of coffee and a chocolate donut from Kay’s Bakery.

Alan was pre-deceased by his wife, Lois Nyberg Hinds. He is survived by his children, David (Lucie), Heather, and Steven, and by his granddaughter Clara who has always known him as “Poppy.”

In lieu of flowers, donations to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in support of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (www.sralab.org/ give-now) or to Doctors Without Borders, are appreciated.

Madeline Kay, 70 Passionate about animals

Madeline M. Ka 70, died peacefully in her slee p in ly Se ptember.

grew up in Oak Pa and was the third oldest of eight chil dren. She attended St. Edmund School and Trinity High School then ear ned her associate de gree at Triton Colle ge and worked as a manager of Oncolo gy Medical Records at Lutheran General Hospital for many years

She was passionate about animals and always car ried treats to share with her four-le gged friends. She had a great sense of humor and often enter tained at family par ties.

Madeline is the daughter of Catherine Kay and the late Theodore (Ted) Kay. She is survived by her siblings, Ted (Ida) Kay, Anne (Joe) Co glianese, Frank (Susie) Kay, Louise (Kevin) Kelly, Catherine (Dave) Nelson, Carolyn (Jim) Kay and Jim (Inga) Kay. She was the aunt of 22 nieces and ne phews,

who fondly remember her infectious laugh and interest in their lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Animal Care League of Oak Park would be appreciated. Inter ment was private.

Ian Moseley, 55 Entrepreneur

ley on r ones on Bor wick, Fe and (Stewar ev (class West, Florida. There he met his for mer wife, Tanya Wildman. His years in Key West cultivated his desire to move to downtown Wilmington, North Carolina in 1994 and open the Wave Hog Saloon. He founded many successful businesses including, Slice of Life Pizzeria, Level 5 Bar and City Stage Theater, Fibber McGee’s, YoSake, The Husk, Dram and Morsel, and, most recently, The Ivey One of his many passions was the Wilmington theater community In partnership with local friends and thespians, he for med a theater company in 1999 that lasted until 2016. During that time, he produced more than 100 plays at The City Stage and Thalian Hall. He loved travel and experiencing places, and visiting his Scotland. He could always into a conversation that he oyster shucker at the annual ing Contest in Key West.

Ian was grateful to receive a kidney and liver transplant in 2017. He was beyond blessed to have “Team Moseley,” which included Landon Fauber, Tanya Wildman, and Justin Smith, who stood by his side during the successful transplant process.

Unfortunately, earlier this year he needed another kidney which led to complications, and resulted in a prolonged hospital stay. A special thank you to Susan McGinnis and the Palliative Care Team with Lower Cape ear Lifecare

survived by his son, Aidan Moseley, considered his greatest accomplishment; his for mer wife, Tanya Wildstepmother, Lynn Intrepidi; his ames (Kristen) Moseley, Jessica Matthew Moseley, Erin (Andrew) nephews, Jimmy Moseley, Jack Jack Ecker, Sam Ecker, and Rhys and his girlfriend, Landon Fauber, dog, Keeper He was part of a extended family, including aunts, uncousins in America and Scotland. leaves behind numerous friends and family friends, Gwendolyn Johnsen and Bekah Smith.

He was a pioneer for progressive change in the service industry and always had a smile on his face. He is missed by many. Rest easy, friend

Ian’s Celebration of Life/Going Away Party will be held Oct. 17 at 12 p.m. at Bakery 105, 105 Orange Street, Wilmington, NC. There will be a reception to follow.

Ian wanted nothing more than to provide for Aidan’s colle ge education, so the family is asking, in lieu of flowers to please consider a donation in Ian’s memory to AidClick on the link Memorial Colhttps://gofundme om/f/ian-moseley-memorial-fo r- son-aidalso would have pint of blood or an donation in his memory

Growing Community Media

HELP WANTED

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities

1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays.

3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers.

4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management.

5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software.

6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system.

7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review.

8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning.

9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs.

10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

software and other forms of systems and data.

11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training.

12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling.

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties

1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures.

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems.

5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations.

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.

Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android.

Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology. Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down.

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

VB scripts. Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment. Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:

- Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time

- Operating assigned equipment

- Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance

- Working in and around computer equipped vehicles

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

- Making observations

- Communicating with others

- Reading and writing

- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others. Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training

Guidelines

Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.

The Bookkeeper plays a key role in contributing to the Congregation’s mission through the smooth and effective accounting of Unity Temple’s financial ledgers and is responsible for journal entries and balance sheets. Working with the Director of Finance & Administration, the Bookkeeper will prepare statements, investigate and clear discrepancies, compile reports and analyses of accounts and update congregational pledge data.

Core Competencies

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a part time Office Assistant. The Office Assistant plays a key role in contributing to the Congregation’s mission through the smooth and effective running of Unity Temple’s administrative and office needs. Working with the Director of Finance & Administration, sitting at the front desk and welcoming visitors, managing the congregational calendar, ensuring the procurement of supplies and supporting the rental program of our historic and culturally renowned buildings is the focus for this position.

Core Competencies

-Organization and Planning: Organizes people, funding, materials, and support to accomplish multiple, concurrent goals and activities.

-Vision and Purpose: Commitment to and knowledge of Unitarian Universalist Principles and values (see Support for the Mission and Values of the Congregation below) -Trust and Integrity: Is widely trusted to keep confidences, admit errors, and adhere to a transparent set of personal and professional values that are congruent with the ministry of the congregation.

Proficiencies: Google Workspace, specifically Google Drive, organizational skills with a strong detail orientation, ability to communicate with a variety of different people, familiarity with CRM software is a plus (UTUUC uses Realm).

You can find more information about the position at https://unitytemple. org/job-postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@ unitytemple.org indicating “Office Assistant” in the subject line.

BOOKKEEPER

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a part time Bookkeeper.

Hours: 15 hours/week Sept –December 2022, then 10 hours/week as of 1/1/2023

- Accounting principles

- Bookkeeping procedures

- Vision and Purpose: Commitment to and knowledge of Unitarian Universalist Principles and values (see Support for the Mission and Values of the Congregation below)

-Trust and Integrity: Is widely trusted to keep confidences, admit errors, and adhere to a transparent set of personal and professional values that are congruent with the ministry of the congregation.

Proficiencies: Quickbooks Online (certification is a plus but not required), Google Workspace (specifically Google Drive), organizational skills with a strong detail orientation, ability to communicate with a variety of different people, familiarity with CRM software is a plus.

You can find more information about the position at https://unitytemple. org/job-postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@unitytemple.org indicating “Bookkeeper” in the subject line.

NURSERY SUPERVISOR AND CHILDCARE COORDINATOR

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a warm, welcoming and experienced Nursery Supervisor and Childcare Coordinator to work with the youngest among us on Sunday mornings in the nursery as well as coordinate babysitting for

congregational events outside of Sunday mornings. This is one job with two different roles. As Nursery Supervisor, this person will provide a compassionate and consistent presence in caring for our babies and toddlers during the Sunday morning worship service times, supervise, train and schedule other nursery staff, maintain the nursery as a safe and clean environment, welcome and orient new families to the nursery, and build relationships with and communicate effectively with parents. The nursery hours are Sundays from 9:30–11:30am, and approximately one hour outside of Sunday morning worship service.

You can find more information about the position at https://unitytemple. org/job -postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@ unitytemple.org indicating “Nursery Supervisor / Childcare Coordinator” in the subject line.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

United Methodist Church of Oak Park Oak Park, Illinois

Job Description: Administrative

Assistant The Administrative Assistant is a critical role to the life of First United Methodist Church. The ideal candidate is experienced in providing support in all phases of administration, financial, worship and communication for the Pastor and church. This position requires someone who can work in an independent environment, is organized and has strong written and verbal communication skills. Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Administration

-Provide administrative support to the Pastor and church volunteers responsible for committee and church programs

-Ensure worship bulletins and related documents are prepared weekly for Sunday services

Custom Frame Company

-Oversee and maintain church files and records and assist in producing the annual statistical report required by the church conference

Finance

-Under the direction of the Finance Committee and in coordination with the accountant, oversee account payables and account receivables

-Manage and record all account and expense-related actions into Quickbooks

-Ensure receipt of approved payment requests for all invoices

Communication

-Generate and distribute as required all forms of communication on behalf of the Pastor and its members

-Maintain church calendar

General Office Duties

-Oversee the operation of all church office equipment and arrange for repairs as required

-Maintain and order office supplies as needed and order other supplies subject to the approval of the Pastor and Trustees.

Qualifications

-Extensive knowledge with basic computer operations and administration software, such as: email management, file management, Microsoft Office Suite and Google applications; experience with Quickbooks is helpful

-Demonstrate the ability to adapt to a dynamic working environment

-Confidentiality is a must BA or BS degree preferred. We also require Covid vaccination. The candidate must agree to completing a background check before hire.

The hourly salary is between $20 and $24 an hour.

Hours are part tine 20 hours a week

–10:30 AM to 2:30 PM

There is holiday pay and earned vacation and sick pay

Respond to LKMasters47@gmail. com

Manufacturing

Top rated firm, Alpina Manufacturing LLC, founded in 1992, locally owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals, CTA. Apply in person M-F 8am to 4pm • Alpina • 6460 W Cortland St Chicago, IL 60707

www.fastchangeframes.com

River Forest Public Schools

River Forest School District 90 is seeking On-Call Substitute Teachers and Teacher Aides, $130-$150 per day!

FLEXIBLE Schedule between the hours of 7:50a - 3:20pm

Work one day a week or up to 5 days a week, half days or full days

Responsibilities:

The On-Call Substitute will work in place of the individual he/she will be temporarily replacing during the scheduled day. This individual may also be asked to perform other duties as required in relation to the substituting assignment.

Qualifications:

One of the following licenses:

• Professional Educator License (PEL)

• Substitute Teaching License (Bachelor’s degree required; beginning January 2023 enrolled in an IL approved educator program & have completed 90

semesters hours of coursework)

• Short-term Substitute License (Associate’s degree or at least 60 college credit hours)

• Educator License with Stipulations

• Paraprofessional License (Associate’s degree required)

• Short-term Paraprofessional License (High School Diploma w/3 years to work towards obtaining Paraprofessional license.)

Apply online at: www.district90.org/about/employment

HELP WANTED

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Call contracter for more info.

708-738-3848

YOGA SIX FITNESS SALES ASSOCIATE

If you are passionate about health and fitness, enjoy connecting with people and thrive in an environment that encourages you to exceed personal and team goals - this is the role for you! Our ideal candidate brings at least a year of sales experience along with a good understanding of prospecting leads through telemarketing, phone sales, and member referrals. If you are interested in starting or growing your sales career in the dynamic fitness industry, apply today!

Fitness Sales Associate duties include working closely with current and potential customers to recommend classes and membership options based on their wellness goals, answer their questions about the studio and help resolve customer concerns. The Fitness Sales Associate is responsible for appointment booking and ensuring first time visitors to studio have an overwhelmingly positive experience. The successful Sales associate will stay up-to-date with sales promotions, maintain the studio’s visual appearance in high standards, and strive to exceed individual and studio sales goals.

Responsibilities

-Customer experience: welcome visitors and members to the studio, answer phones and assist customers at the front desk with various administrative tasks. Handle member issues professionally and objectively, seeking to resolve them through exceptional customer service. Build productive trust relationships with customers.

-Sales: Support the sales process by contacting sales prospects via telephone and text messaging, setting up appointments, and reviewing membership options with new visitors to the studio. Assess customers needs and provide assistance and information on studio features, class offerings and membership options. Meet and exceed weekly and monthly sales goals established by the General Manager

-Prospecting: support in and out of studio events to generate new sales prospects (health fairs, community events, marathons, etc.) Support studio marketing and social media activities.

-Member engagement: Conduct studio tours with new prospects to build rapport to facilitate sales; set new members up for success, support members with class selection and participate/lead member appreciation events

-Operations: Maintain a high degree of cleanliness and studio presentation for current and potential customers. Assist in maintaining a safe environment for all.

-Self Management: Assumes responsibility for developing selling skills, reviewing training materials and participating in staff meetings to support achievement of personal and studio goals. “Go the extra mile” to drive sales and deliver exceptional customer service

-Other duties as assigned

Skills

- Proven work experience as a Retail Sales associate, Sales representative or similar role (i.e. Orangetheory fitness, Gym or health club front desk, Gap, Victoria’s

Secret)

-Basic understanding of sales principles and customer service practices

-Proficiency in English

-Excellent phone skills

-Solid communication and interpersonal skills

-A friendly and energetic personality with customer service focus

-Ability to perform under pressure and address complaints in a timely manner

-Availability to work flexible shifts

-BS degree in Marketing or related field would be a plus https://yogasixoakpark.applytojob. com/apply/8VFe6DzMAT/FitnessSales-Associate

GRANTS COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Grants Coordinator in the Development Customer Service Department. This position assists the Village’s Grant Supervisor in developing, coordinating, and administering various grants programs for the Village of Oak Park. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator in the Health Department/ Village Manager’s Office. This position will coordinate disaster response, crisis management and medical countermeasure dispensing/ distribution activities for the Village of Oak Park, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies, hazardous materials spills, biological releases) or disasters. This single class position is also responsible for the complex administrative duties required for state, federal and local response processes and grant management. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications will be August 5, 2022.

FIRE INSPECTOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Fire Inspector Part-Time in the Fire Department. This serves the public through enforcement of Village fire & life safety codes and ordinances; through inspections of residential, commercial and industrial properties; and provides consultation and information to residents, architects, attorneys, fire services personnel and builders regarding laws, rules, regulations and policies relating to fire and life safety. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs

YARD SALE

Oak Park

MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE

900 NORTH GROVE BLOCK

SATURDAY OCT 22

9AM-3PM

Furniture, baby gear, kids’ toys, clothes, and much more!

Forest Park BIG DOWNSIZER GARAGE SALE

505 ELGIN AVE

SATURDAY OCT 22

9:30AM-3PM

Come see great finds from our attic and storage space (just cleared out!). We have collectibles, antiques, housewares, furniture, gadgets and home improvement items, Speedotron and Norman photographic lighting equipment… something for everyone! No early birds. The door will open promptly at 9:30 am.

HELP WANTED

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

Customer Success Director sought by RELAYR Inc in Chicago, IL. to ensure the successful long-term partnership with our customer(s), encompassing the achievement of identified and agreed outcomes for the partnership and the individual organizations within it. Up to 25% domestic travel required to visit clients on-site. Telecommuting permitted. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com Ref# 66649.

CLASSICS WANTED

CLASSICS

CLASSICS

Restored

STUDIOS, 1, 2 &

Best Selection & Service

SUBURBAN RENTALS 708-38 6-7 355

WOODWORK

Public Notice

Notice of Public Meeting Concerning Riverside School District 96 Proposed eLearning Plan

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that Riverside School District 96 Board of Education will hold a public hearing at the beginning of its regularly scheduled Board meeting at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, to be held in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) at Hauser Jr. High School located at 65 Woodside Rd., Riverside, IL 60546.

The purpose of said hearing will be to receive public comment on the proposed eLearning plan, which, if approved, will permit students’instruction to be received while students are not physically present in lieu of the district’s scheduled emergency days. This program is allowed under Public Act 101-0012. Notification of this hearing is provided to families and is posted in the newspaper more than 10 days prior to the scheduled Public Hearing.

Published in RB Landmark October 19, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board Of Education of the Oak Park and River Forest High School, Consolidated High School District 200, Cook County, Illinois, 201 North Scoville Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302, that the District will be applying for the following Application:

Waiver or Modification of the Illinois School Code Section 27-24 (105 ILCS 5/27- 24.3). We are re-applying for this waiver to allow 18 hours of practice driving in a simulator system in lieu of 3 hours of instruction in a dual controlled car. This request is based upon fulfilling the intent of the Driver Education Mandate in a safer, efficient and innovative way for our student drivers, as well as improving student performance.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a public hearing on said waiver application will be held within the Business Section of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education beginning approximately at 7:30 p.m. (immediately following the closed session) on Thursday, November 17, 2022 in the Board Room, Room 2163 at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, 2022

Public Notice

ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING Request of bids for the Custodial Services at 12 Park District Facilities.

Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302

The Park District of Oak Park seeks bids related to the Custodial Services for 12 park district facilities. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 10:00 a.m.

(Central Standard Time) on Friday, November 18 th, 2022 at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois. There are two opportunities to attend the prebid walk thru that is mandatory for all new bidders. They will be held on November 3rd & 4th, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. (CST) at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the Demand Star’s website as of 5:00pm Friday, October 14th, 2022. Copies of the bidding specifications are available via the Demand Star website at: https://www.demandstar. com/app/buyers/bids/404620/details

For additional information, contact Nelson Acevedo at nelson.acevedo@pdop.org or (708) 725-2053. Only the bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. This project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2022. The Park District of Oak Park encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project.

Park District of Oak Park

By: Chris Wollmuth, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 2022

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: Y22009744 on October 12, 2022 Under the Assumed Business Name of INTENTIONALBREATH with the business located at: 1414 BONNIE BRAE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: MARY LISA WAHLFELDT1414 BONNIE BRAE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES

LAW OFFICES OF MALIKA T. ASSAR, P.C. Attorney for Petitioner 420 West Huron Street, 1st Floor Chicago, IL 60654

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of RAMIA SALEH KASSIM, Petitioner and MAHDI AHMED MOHAMMED GHALEB, Respondent, Case No. 2022D007467.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your Appearance to said Petition and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before November 18, 2022, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

Iris Y. Martinez, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the allocation of SHANNON JEAN FITCH, Petitioner and JOHN EASDALE BARCLAY, IV, Respondent, Case No. 2022D008089.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Temporary and Permanent Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Child Support, and Contribution to Child-Related Expenses; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J.Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before November 18, 2022, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Temporary and Permanent Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Child Support, and Contribution to Child-Related Expenses entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals from qualified contractors for Dumping of Excavated Material at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Dumping of Excavated Material

Project Number: 23-100W

Proposal documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at https://www.oak-park. us/your-government/budgetpurchasing/requests-proposals

For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals at the Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, for the following: 22-10 Sewer Cleaning and Inspection. In general, the contract will require the following work: light cleaning of sewer segments to be inspected, inspecting sewer segments by means of closed-circuit television (CCTV), and providing reports of CCTV inspections at locations shown, and all appurtenant work thereto. All CCTV inspections shall be performed in accordance with NASSCO’s pipeline assessment certification program (PACP) standards.

Proposal forms may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid. For questions, please call or email Elaine Avgoustakis, (708) 3585726, eavgoustakis@oak-park.us

The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

Bill McKenna Village Engineer

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified vendors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Water and Sewer Repair Parts and Materials - 2023 Bid Number: 23-101

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 2022

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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.

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

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

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; Plaintiff,

vs. KATHRYN CASSIDY AKA KATHRYN

J. CASIDY AKA

KATHRYN J. CASSIDY AKA KATIE

CASSIDY; KATHRYN

CASSIDY AKA KATHRYN J. CASI-

DY AKA KATHYRN J.

CASSIDY AKA KATHIE CASSIDY AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE KATIE CASSIDY LIVING TRUST DATED

SEPTEMBER 1, 2006, AS LIVING TRUST; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; MAJESTIC CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; Defendants, 22 CH 1952 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate:

Unit 428-2-E in the Majestic Condominiums as delineated on a survey of the following real estate:

P.I.N. 16-07-419-029-1011.

Commonly known as 428 South Euclid Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 22-004739

F2

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3204933

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHAN-

CERY DIVISION CITIMORTGAGE, INC.;

Plaintiff,

vs. ALAN F. SEGAL; KATHLEEN W. SEGAL; VILLAGE OF OAK PARK; PARK ERIE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION;

Defendants,

21 CH 6085

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, November 7, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate:

P.I.N. 16-07-206-019-1009.

Commonly known as 304 NORTH OAK PARK AVE., UNIT 2, OAK PARK, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)

(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium

Property Act

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 3571125. 21-02147 ADC INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3203916

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.RASHINDA PLUMP, WAVERLY CLARK, JR, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, WAVERLY CLARK, JR., INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR Defendants

12 CH 25204

1187 SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK

OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 11, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 14, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1187 SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Property Index No. 16-17-325-0470000

The real estate is improved with a one story, two unit brick building with no garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including 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, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be 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 subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

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

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)

(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

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.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC

One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 20-05419IL_615363

Attorney ARDC No. 61256

Attorney Code. 61256

Case Number: 12 CH 25204

TJSC#: 42-3533

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 12 CH 25204 I3204043

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Plaintiff, -v.HENRY K. CUSHING, MARY KAY O’GRADY, MARGUERITE HOLD-

ING, THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

Defendants 2022 CH 02884 115 S RIDGELAND AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 18, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 18, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 115 S RIDGELAND AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-07-405-0180000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including 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, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be 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 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,

Starting a New Business?

the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-02626

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 02884

TJSC#: 42-2725

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2022 CH 02884 I3204837

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Mama DeLuca

Mama DeLuca

Welcome to our table--

Born in 2018 and served fresh by Growing Community Media, Eats gives you a weekly taste of everything diningrelated in Oak Park and its surrounding Berwyn, Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Riverside, Brookfield, Proviso Township and Elmwood Park are home to a rich collection of established and emerging eateries. Known for serving up healthy portions of food and restaurant news, Eats exists to connect you to the people and stories behind the dishes you love to eat.

The majority of all Eats content is editorial in nature, but once a year our dedicated advertising department gives local restaurants the opportunity to join in this gorgeous celebration of the eateries that keep us coming back for more. Our designers are responsible for making the

Eats Dining Guide look good enough to eat. This publication is the result of layers of local talent, and I am proud to call the people behind it my colleagues.

All of us at Growing Community Media are exceptionally grateful for the support Byline Bank has shown to local restaurants and the commitment they have made to help us tell their important stories through the Eats brand — this special section would not have been possible without their support. We are grateful that Alberto Paracchini, CEO of Byline Bank, and Susie Goldschmidt, Oak Park and River Forest Market President for Byline Bank, recognize that local businesses and restaurants form the backbone of communities.

No matter where you look, you’ll find inspirational stories in our multiple Eats communities, but at the heart of it all there are countless crave-worthy dishes we love to celebrate. We’ve shared Persimmon Kitchen’s love of Ssamjang, lined up for a

slice of olive oil cake from Broken Tart, and slurped one of the first bowls of noodles at Kyuramen. We are counting the days until Chubby’s Char House opens in Forest Park and look forward to Takeout 25’s next Taste the Town and event, all while celebrating the enduring legacy of places like Cucina Paradiso and Khyber Pass. Stay up to date: Use the QR code to sign up for my weekly newsletter

Enjoy this celebration of all things Eats! Happy reading and eating,

Eats Editor/Individual Donor Manager Melissa Elsmo

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Designer Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey

Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck

S ales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan

Sales & Digital Development Manager Stacy Coleman

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley

HOW TO REACH US 141 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Pak, IL 60302 Phone 708 524 8300 Fax 708 467 9066 by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2022 Growing Community Media NFP.

MELISSA ELSMO

Sweet sisterhood at the heart of Broken Tart

Sisters, Krissy and Katie Mack, are raising their families in Oak Park and have made their brick-andmortar bakery dreams come true in the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District. Broken Tart brings “undone” cakes, classic cookies and a sense of whimsy to 1108 Chicago Avenue.

Settling in Oak Park allowed Krissy, a celebrated pastry chef, to dive into businesses with her media-savvy sister, Katie. Both sisters have sons who are two and six years old. Katie is a Lincoln mom, Krissy is a Hatch mom — and both half expected to find a line of first graders out the door on opening day

“We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders,” said Katie Mack. “We grew up disagreeing with each other, but we’ve learned to move through issues quickly Now we are a motivating force for each

other and looking forward to nurturing what we have here.”

The sisters “called in every favor” they could to complete the gut rehab that transformed a former coin laundromat into a space worthy of the vibrant cakes and array of sweet and savory treats Broken Tart is known for making.

Broken Tart

1108 Chicago Ave, Oak Park (708) 434-5682

www.brokentart.com

Broken Tart customers can collaborate on the creation of elaborate “undone” layer cakes with interest and contrast coming om unique combinations of avor, crunch and cream. The one-of-a-kind cakes, often topped with fresh flowers and a pile of marshmallowy meringue, are connected by a sense of whimsy and offered on an in-house sweetness scale.

Though the sisters will willingly create special occasion cakes for bakery goers, they are clear Broken Tart will be an approachable eatery where people can enjoy delicious things on an everyday basis from breakfast through lunch.

Cookies with crisp edges and gooey centers join olive oil cake with orange glaze, “kale salad” scones and cinnamon coffee cake on a rotating and evolving daily menu. The bakery is set to launch a thoughtful lunch menu with offerings like loaded vegan focaccia, broccoli salad with Aleppo pepper and house pickled chilis, and seasonal panzanella with peaches, tomatoes, and feta. Parisian ham on baguette, baked falafel sandwiches, and lunch boxes for kids will also be available.

Abundance is a theme at the bakery where the coffee program will share equal billing with the baked goods. Coffee aficionados should expect the shop to offer coffee from Big Shoulders and Ruby Roasters.

“We love Oak Park and this supportive community of people,” said Katie “We are raising our families here. We’ve both put down roots. Why wouldn’t we want to grow a business here? We are both all in.”

Katie and Krissy Mack and a cake from Broken Tart

Melissa Elsmo PROVIDED

Adonut is a glorious thing and Poke Burrito, 1025 Lake St., Oak Park, is adding some of the fried golden rings to their repertoire. According to owner Jimmy Chen, adding subtly sweet and thoughtfully decorated mochi donuts feels like the perfect novelty addition to Poke Burrito’s colorful menu of poke bowls, sushi burritos, maki rolls and boba teas.

Mochi donuts, also known as pon de ring, were first popularized by Mister Donut shops in Japan. The dough, made with sweet rice flour, is shaped into eightball rings before being fried, glazed and decorated. Mochi donuts are lighter and chewier than their American counterparts and come in flavors like berry, cookies and cream, ube, and matcha.

“They are a completely different kind of

donut and gaining in popularity every year,” said Chen. “We went on a mochi donut tour, and I thought they were something unique in that Asian-fusion style we are known for.”

Chen spent several months perfecting his version of mochi donuts; they will be made in Poke Burrito’s central kitchen located in suburban Geneva and delivered to the Oak Park location daily

For six years, Chen and his dedicated staff have been bringing fresh poke bowls to life at the Downtown Oak Park shop. They are known for consistent food quality, thoughtful service and a genuine commitment to the community In fact, Chen is regarded as a source of positivity in the village and sees the value in supporting other restaurants, businesses, and

Poke Burrito to enter the donut game

organizations in Oak Park and beyond. Chen was born to hardworking parents in Fujian, China on the southeast coast of the country. They tasked him early in life with whipping up simple dishes for himself. Chen recollects scrambling eggs with tomato for himself as a boy and developing a deep appreciation for fresh seafood thanks to Fujian’s proximity to the ocean. Chen emigrated to the United States with his family when he was 13. He spent 20 years working as a sushi and teppen chef at his family’s restaurant on Chicago’s north shore before opening his first Poke Burrito in North Center Chicago Today Poke Burrito has 10 locations in Chicagoland and Oak Park is Chen’s busiest store.

”This is a journey I have always been on,”

said Chen. “I have always wanted to be a restaurateur I am always asking myself how I can make my restaurant the best in their class — I only compete against my own standards.”

Chen is clear he would not be where he is today without his devoted staff. His employees are part of a profit-sharing model because Chen knows they are the reason for the success of Poke Burrito And now they are set to bring trendy mochi donuts to town!

Poke Burrito

1025 Lake St., Oak Park (708) 573-3668

pokeburritochicago.com

Celebrating Kribi Co ee’s hyperlocal roasting revolution

Since opening in January 2019, Jacques Shalo has been working diligently to carve out a unique identity for his independent coffee roastery in the congested and competitive coffee shop business. Shalo credits Kribi’ Coffee’s “four tenets,” freshness, method, sourcing, and giving back, for the br quick rise in popularity.

Kribi Coffee is located at 7324 W. St., Forest Park and just opened their second location. The opening of Kribi’ sibling spot was plagued by delays, but eager coffee lovers and commuters can grab a cup of joe from Kribi’s location at Cross Function Flexible Workspace at the Boulevard Arcade building, 1033 South Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily Regular hours begin Oct. 30.

“My wife Cindy was driving down South Boulevard and saw the available café space,” said Shalo, owner of Kribi Coffee. “It seemed like a great opportunity for

Kribi Coffee

the palm of their hand.

Kribi to enter Oak Park.”

Kribi’s Cross Function location is open to the public and capitalizes on all the recognizable design elements popularized at the Forest Park location. The colorful palette, conceptualized by Shalo’s

son Jeremiah, is a nod to the family’s ameroonian heritage and regional coffee cing practices.

Kribi Coffee sources historically significant fees with a growing focus on beans own in Cameroon. In addition to sourcing with regional specificity in mind, Kribi is dedicated to putting more money into the pockets of coffee farmers by disrupting the value chain of coffee and donates to local social justice causes.

Kribi Coffee now has an app available for download via the Apple Store and Google Play. The easy-to-use app allows users to earn rewards, skip the line and order air roasted coffee for nationwide delivery from

Use the app or visit in person to order up a seasonal Pumpkin Patch Latte or any of Kribi’s specialty creations. La Catrina features indulgent Omanhene chocolate chai, a dash of spicy cayenne and a sprinkle of warming cinnamon. Everyday delights include classic cappuccinos, lattes, blended drinks and teas.

Looking for more than a beverage? Kribi has got you covered. Menu items include French-style croissants sourced from Bonjour Bakery located in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood as well as an array of breakfast sandwiches and grab and go lunch items. Expect a selection of dishes like Southwestern veggie bowls, chicken wraps, and vegan quinoa salads.

Shalo’s devotion to his coffee revolution has made an indelible mark on Forest Park — the Oak Park location was worth the wait. We can’t wait to see the next phase of Kribi’s evolution.

acques Shalo stands outside Kribi Forest Park location.

Melissa Elsmo

Gather together at Anfora Wine Merchants

Anfora Wine Merchants, 128 S. Marion St., is a combination retail shop and wine education center, named after a two-handled terracotta vessel used in Ancient Rome to store or transport wine. Since opening two years ago, the Pleasant District destination has become a regional wine destination and captured national attention because of some press from the James Beard award winning drinks publication, Punch.

“Our approach to wine at Anfora is not how a standard sommelier would approach it,” said Adrian Weisell, co-owner of Anfora Wine Merchants “Wine is about more than taste to us. We look at wine drinking through a cultural and historical lens.”

The Marion Street shop honors old world traditions and celebrates Italian wines. A

welcoming retail space engages customers upon entry, floral murals cover walls and terracotta pendant fixtures hang from the ceiling. Wooden shelves house bottles of wine and a set of double doors give way to a tasting room with a counter suitable for hosting small classes.

Anfora’s knowledgeable staff strive to make the shop a festive gathering space where people come to select a bottle to open at home or enjoy a bottle of wine on the patio with friends. Anfora has a limited number of wines available by the glass, but Weisell is quick to point out the entire shop is available to be enjoyed for a very modest corkage fee. Anfora is building a deeper sense of community through its wine club and classes as well.

The close bond between Anfora and Carnivore, the artisan butcher shop located around the corner at 1042 Pleasant St is one of the best kept secrets in Oak Park. Earlier in the spring Anfora partnered with Chef Brad Knaub of Carnivore to curate a onenight-only, Sicilian-inspired meal driven by the high-quality wines crafted by visionary winemaker, Frank Cornelissen.

Anfora Wine Merchants

128 S Marion St, Oak Park (708) 613-5388

www.anforawinemerchants.com

The regional wine exploration featured a four-course dinner and a tasting of seven wines from the superior cluster of Cornelissen vineyards nestled in the northern valley of Mount Etna. More special collaborations between the Pleasant District powerhouses are planned through the fall and winter

Added bonus: the entire Carnivore menu is also available to Anfora patrons daily

Anfora Wine Merchants is a social destination where people embrace the thoughtful approach the entire staff takes to curate a wine tasting experience no matter if it is a private event or casual outing with friends.

Anfora Wine Merchants is destination for wine lovers in Oak Park, River Forest and beyond.

Lights Ca me ra EAT :

What Food Movie are you?

We can’t resist a good food themed film! Complete this crave-worthy quiz and add up the numbers of each of your answers. Then go to pages 48-49 to find out what food movie you are. We’ll give you some local dinner suggestions, too!

– Goldfinger

- Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Go to breakfast food?

1. Scrambled eggs and toast from George’s

2. Thebistro omelette from Hemmingway’s

3. A veggie breakfast wrap from Al’s Grill

4. A waffle flight from Chicago Waffles

5. Avocado toast from Citrine

6. An egg sandwich to-go from Kribi Coffee

7. A bloody mary from Poor Phil’s

Tell me what are you drinking.

1. Limoncello from Cucina Paradiso

2. Just a water bottle, thanks.

3. An ice-cold lager Kinslahger

4. Homemade hot chocolate from Twisted Cookie

5. The Immune Boosting Juice Shot from Sugar Beet

6. A cucumber Mojito from LaVergne’s Tavern

What’s on your pie?

1. Black olives, artichoke, cured ham and porcini mushrooms

2. Eggplant, summer squash, onion and garlic

3. Pepperoni, red peppers and jalapenos

4. A cookie pizza topped with fresh fruit and chocolate sauce

5. Fresh Mozzarella, basil and tomato

6. Brisket, barbecue sauce and crunchy onions

7. Chicken, peanut sauce and scallions

7. A wine flight from Cooper ’s Hawk

-

Pick a pairing:

1. Olive oil and ice cream

2. Sancerre and sole meuniere

3. Fresh mango and chili powder

4. Chocolate and peanut butter Fried dumplings and Champagne

Grilled cheese and tomato soup

lot of wine and a little cheese e elves try to stick to the four main food oups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.”

- Elf (2003)

OK, now pick a sweet treat: Chicago pot hole gelato from Croissant bread pudding from bag of Lilly’s Chilis from

5. Matcha pudding with red bean from Kyuramen

6. Beignets from Nola Louisiana Kitchen

7. Babygold coffee from Babygold Barbecue

- Big Night (1996)

You’re home alone. What are you ordering for dinner?

1. Joe’s Mama’s Meatballs from Victory

2. Linguine and Shrimp Fra Diavolo from Il Viccolo

3. Braised beef nachos from Maya del Sol

4. I’m just gonna GoPuff an assortment of candy

5. Too many maki rolls from Sushi Junki

6. A Cuban sandwich from Café Cubano

7. A burger with Brie cheese, bacon, caramelized onions from Duckfat Tavern

“If my boy says he can eat 50 eggs, he can eat 50 eggs.”

“I’m in love. I’m having a relationship with my pizza.”

- Eat Pray Love (2010)

“A martini. Shak not stirred.”

(1964)

“Jenny and me was lik peas and carrots.”

Forrest Gump (1994)

“Sometimes spaghetti likes to be alone.”

We’re giving these films (and you) two yums up!

“Is butter a carb?”

– Mean Girls (2004)

Let’s indulge:

1. Caesar salad, fettuccine alfredo and a glass of Chianti for the win!

2. I want a baguette with brie and butter. And a glass of Champagne.

3. Gather the family for some whole roasted branzino, crispy octopus and cauliflower.

4. Give me a birthday cake milkshake!

5. Waygu beef cheeks, matsutake mushrooms, o-toro—oishii!

6. A molten lava cake!!!!

7. A second glass of wine, please.

“Anyone can cook.”

- Ratatouille (2007)

Describe your kitchen skills.

1. I am a serious cook -- to eat good food is to be close to God.

2. There is an artist living inside of me and my cooking skills are underrated.

3. You’ll find me whipping up tacos, ice cream sundaes, and chili because I love toppings!

4. I am all over the place, but I can rank every dish I’ve made from least to most scrumdiddlyumptious.

5. I repeat the same recipe over and over and see myself improving little by little.

6. I may not do everything great in my life, but I’m a good cook and want to share my skills.

7. Ummm…cook? No, I’ll go out, but if anyone orders merlot I am leaving. See the answers on page 48!

Keeping a legacy alive at La Maison de Bonbon

Chicagoland has a historical fondness for sweet confections, and a sliver of that history is housed at La Maison de Bonbon, 7353 Madison St Forest Park.

In between the 1920 arrival of Fannie May and the first batch of Frango Mints crafted at Marshall Field’s in 1929, La Maison de Bonbon made its debut on Chicago’s competitive candy scene in 1921. More than a century later the jewel-box sized shop maintains a century long chocolatemaking legacy in the diminutive storefront capable of holding just a few shoppers at a time.

“Granddaughters come in today because their grandmothers bought our chocolates for them when they were little girls,” said Esthela Gonzalez, manager of La Maison de Bonbon. “The chocolates we make are a family tradition for our customers more than anything else. Especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Artisan chocolatiers first came to Madison Street when the Stejr family made their way from Germany to Forest Park and opened Stejr’s Candy Kitchen. The family began making French Crèmes and other bonbons before they transitioned the business to the Jerome family who continued selling the popular chocolates.

La Maison de Bonbon

he business continued to change hands, but every owner continued the tradition of selling the indulgent artisan chocolates. im Shanahan bought the business in the early 1990s and created a dedicated storefront for La Maison de Bonbon. He now has more than 30 years of experience turning out the popular chocolate-meetscaramel confections with 100 years of history in every bite.

In addition to the silky-smooth Original French Crèmes, La Maison de Bonbon also offers chocolate dipped French Crèmes, salted caramels and nut-covered English toffee. The English toffee comes in both milk and dark chocolate varieties.

The key to La Maison de Bonbon’s quality

craftsmanship is small batch production. In fact, chocolatiers in the Madison Street kitchens still rely on a 100-year-old copper pot to make their chocolate treats. The pot was passed down from one owner to the next to ensure the La Maison de Bonbon tradition would endure from one generation to the next.

As far as Laurie Kokenes, executive director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and Development, is concerned, chocolate is “one of the essential food groups.” She admits to personally indulging in La Maison de Bonbon’s Original French Crèmes for nearly half a century and appreciates they have been sold from the same location since 1921.

“Longtime traditions are part of Forest Park’s history. They tell a story and remind us of what shaped our community and help us feel that we are part of something unique,” said Kokenes.

Khyber Pass: Lake Street mainstay for 27 years

Lovers of dainty potato and pea samosas, orange-hued chicken tikk masala, and fluffy garlic naan bread have trusted Khyber Pass, 1031 Lake St., to satisfy their cravings for more than a quarter of a century

“I always believed I would make it because I gave it my all,” said owner Malik Jawid with just a hint of pride. “I had a passion for the business and knew good food and good service could get me through anything.”

Jawid emigrated from Punjab, Pakistan to Chicago in 1987 where he immediately found a job as busboy at Viceroy of India in East Rogers Park. Though the restaurant is now permanently closed, Jawid worked his way up from busboy to manager and learned the ins-andouts of the restaurant business. He never worked in the kitchen but has a deep appreciation for nuanced Indian dishes and the Pakistani fare of his homeland.

In the mid-90’s, a case of wanderlust brought Jawid on an accidental trip to Oak Park. He liked the cosmopolitan feel of the village and discovered a culinary gap in his serendipitously discovered community — Oak Park needed an Indian restaurant. In 1995 Jawid opened Khyber Pass, named for a mountain pass linking Pakistan to

Khyber Pass

1031 Lake St (708) 445-9032

khyberpassoakpark.com

Afghanistan and central Asia, and began serving reliable meat based and vegetarian Indian fare with notable Pakistani influences.

Khyber Pass employs two chefs; one has been with the restaurant for 20 years and the other for 12. The consistency of their house-made dishes is unwavering. Over the years their cuisine has evolved to include more vegetarian dishes to keep up with local and national trends, but Jawid is clear that 70% of orders include rich and creamy chicken tikka masala. The perennially popular

yogurt-marinated curried chicken dish is complemented by lamb dishes like karahi gosht featuring braised meat in spiced gravy with peppers, tomatoes and onion. An assortment of Pakistani rice dishes called biryani also feature prominently on the Khyber Pass menu.

Over the years, Jawid has both expanded and collapsed his restaurant’s square footage, but loyal customers have helped Khyber Pass endure for 25 (plus two) years. The owner reflected on the joy he felt upon earning the coveted “four fork” rating from the Chicago Tribune and grappling with a line of customers snaking around the block. He remembers the uneasy feeling he had as a Muslim restaurant owner in the wake of the Sept. 11 attack but cherishes the memory of the Oak Park community rallying around him during those uncertain times. But without hesitation, Jawid named the generations of customers as his biggest source of pride.

A bountiful meal from Khyber Pass.

Melissa Elsmo

Chocolates from La Maison de Bonbon.

Melissa Elsmo

Oh my God, N Rebozo spic

Since opening New Rebozo in 1991, chef and owner, Francisco Lopez, known to all as Chef Paco, was a mainstay on the Oak Park culinary scene. Now, with a slightly updated name, Lopez has become a culinary standout in Forest Park. After moving his staff, art collection and repertory of 26 moles just a half-mile west on Madison Street, N Rebozo, 7403 Madison St., Forest Park opened in spring of 2022.

“Oh my God, Oak Park opened up to me and gave me the opportunity to make my dreams come true,” said Chef Paco. “I am a little sad because I love Oak Park. But I am super excited about being in Forest Park, too.”

Chef Paco had a career in banking in Mexico before coming to the United States. He was in the states to learn English and took over El Rebozo in 1991. Language, though, wasn’t his only barrier. The first-time restaurant owner didn’t know how to cook.

N Rebozo

7403 Madison St., Forest Park (708) 445-0370

newrebozos.com

With the help of his wife, Chef Paco added mole poblano to the menu, but beyond offering the first of what would become many future moles, N Rebozo’s early dishes focused on classic homestyle fare like tacos and burritos. Eight years into the endeavor, however, Chef Paco began to think there could be value in adding a fine dining twist to his restaurant.

Chef Paco struggled in his academic classes at the now defunct Illinois Institute of Art, but his chef-instructors saw his potential and encouraged him to fight through his language barrier because he was a “good example” to the younger aspiring chefs in the program.

Co ee and much more at Wise Cup

WISE CUP, in Downtown Oak Park, 1018 Lake St, offers an array of traditional coffee drinks, pastries, muffins and breads (baked goods provided by Reuter’s Bakery) as well as an enticing selection of Indian dishes including flavorful samosas and yogurtbased mango lassis. Wise Cup also makes its own authentic Masala Chai blend, which is brewed fresh per customer, or available in bags for home brewing.

Coffee drinks at Wise Cup are made with Sputnik Coffee roasted in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood and the list of favorites is long. On a recent visit to the bustling café, we enjoyed a bit of spice—we sipped their perennially popular Mayan Mocha boasting dark chocolate and espresso with a dash of cinnamon and cayenne pepper We paired the luscious drink with a handmade samosa filled with potatoes and peas. It was a perfect lunch

Wise Cup

1018 Lake St, Oak Park wise-cup.business.site

(708) 628-3707

unique in our Oak Park community! Wise Cup is owned by Naveen and Shivangi Khetarpal, who opened the coffee shop six years ago In 2020, they began hosing pop-up meals featuring regional Indian fare. The pop-ups were a hit and the Khetarpals have since continued the program on the first Saturday of every month. Customers can pre-order off a menu of Indian street food dishes for carryout. The menu changes from month-to-month, rotating among different regional Indian cuisines. Past menus have included Pav bhaji, a popular vegan stew of assorted vegetables and Indian spices

“Oh my god, my customers would help me with the grammar in my papers and help me understand dif Paco “They would come for dinner and stay late to help me learn. I worked har still took me four years to program. I could not have done it without them.”

Now, more than three decades into his restaurant adventur perseverance has helped tr Rebozo into a local His elevated cuisine focuses on r specialties and artful plating.

According to Chef ownership comes with “the good and the bad,” but his kitchen philosophy doubles as a philosophy for life.

“Spicy, sweet, need them all, in a dish and in life,

from Mumbai, and summer specials like samosa chaat with stewed chickpeas topped with a golden samosa, chutney, yogurt, onions, and tomatoes. Creative lentil flights and garlic naan satisfy curious diners, while Wise Cup’s roti tacos bring a taste of Calcutta to Lake Street.

To get more information on the popups, call the shop or follow Wise Cup on Facebook and Instagram to learn how to place an order “We have repeat customers who have been very satisfied,” said Naveen, adding that they frequently sell out.

Alex Rogals

A mocha and samosa at Wise Cup

Melissa Elsmo

Win $250 while dining locally!

#Takeout 25

We have some amazing local food, but our restaurants are still facing challenges and need our support. Post pictures of your favorite eateries on the Takeout 25 Oak Park Facebook Group and introduce them to our friends and neighbors.

Between October 1st and November 30th, the post in this group that gets the most likes will receive a dinner for two (up to $250)! This is open to all community members with the exception of Takeout 25 admin and restaurant owners.

Eat, click and share and ask your local friends and family to do the same.

And a reminder for new members to keep your posts and comments in this group positive. #takeout25 • #saveourrestaurants • #contest

Eat Click and Share:

SCAN to Join Us!

takeout25.org

at Cucina Paradiso, and now those children are adults, bringing their own kids.

“They’re beyond customers,” said Gambino, “They’re family “Our staff recognizes the regulars. We know what they want to eat, what they drink and where

their favorite table is.”

Gambino has made his restaurant an integral part of the Oak Park community from the start. Through hosting local

ts and events and fering the kind of food that keeps customers returning again and again. Gambino notes that the emphasis at adiso has always been on fresh, he menu evolves slightly every few weeks and food selections rotate

adiso keeps its tables full by striking a balance between old favorites and innovative new dishes. Core dishes like customer favorite Rigatoni Bolognese and the Chicken Pistachio have been on the menu from the start and Gambino works to introduce new, contemporary dishes to reflect seasonality and their customer’s evolving palates as well. Expect to find dishes like pumpkin ravioli with brown

butter white wine sauce, and crisp sage as well as orecchiette Calabrese with chiles, sausage, and pesto to turn up on the Chef ’s Specials menu. These attractive specials join Cucina Paradiso’s timeless repertoire of classic creations like shells country style, chicken pistachio, and San Gennaro pizza. Raising a glass in a celebratory birthday toast at Cucina Paradiso is an easy task. The well-stocked bar boasts a cocktail list brimming with drinks like a blackberry old fashioned, Sazerac and the Hemingway District Daiquiri. A wide array of martinis including classic gin and vodka offerings as well as innovative creations like the Firefly made with sweet tea vodka, lemonade, black tea, and fresh lemon juice.

As Gambino looks ahead, he promises Cucina will continue to evolve, looking towards restaurant updates and menu changes in the future, but one thing will never change: Cucina Paradiso will always be the hometown favorite for authentic Italian food.

Anthony Gambino

Enjoy the sweet side of life at Candycopia

Two teenagers were seated on a bench in Downtown Oak Park. One held up a strip of sugar-coated, rainbow-hued gummy candy while the other manipulated a gummy shark in front of it as if it was swimming through a colorful ocean.

“Look at us we’re making a scene,” said one of the teens with a laugh. Obviously, the duo had been shopping at Candycopia — the welcoming Oak Park candy shop that is redefining teens making a scene.

Located in the historic Medical Arts building, Candycopia was brought to life by Oak Park residents, Patrick and Alycia Mason, along with their school aged daughters Addison and Campbell, earlier this summer Candycopia eagerly welcomes all people into the large retail space boasting vintage vibes and a festive teal, violet and magenta color palate. The product of a patchwork of

Candycopia

717 Lake St Oak Park 708-434-5251

candycopia.com

community members, local designers and contractors, the Masons are proud to say Candycopia is a “100% Oak Park effort.”

Built in shelving filled with retro candies like Abba Zaba bars, wax bottles, Necco Wafers, and Clove chewing gum beckons visitors to make their way deeper into the cheery shop After customers feel those throwback vibes, Candycopia revels in its mission to highlight harder to find makers of small-batch caramels, marshmallows, toffee and chocolate. Their goal is to make lesser-known small batch producers, like Lily’s Chilies, XO Marshmallows and Dallas Caramel Company, household names in Oak Park.

A candy-focused ice cream menu elevates the in-store experience with employees offering sundaes topped with cotton candy, caramel corn and Pop Rocks among other sugary options. A bar boasting 100 gallonsized apothecary jars filled with gummy candies sold by the pound is a delightfully fun addition to the shop.

Candycopia is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is conveniently located across the hall from a dentist’s office. Sweet dreams do come true!

Candycopia employee, Marin Balaz, praised Candycopia’s hiring process while doling out custom combinations of gummy candy

The Cordial Inn will always be The Cordial Inn

When veteran bar owner Joe Kenny went in search of an establishment to purchase, he knew what he was looking for and The Cordial Inn, 9207 31st St., Brookfield, proved to be the perfect fit. After months of negotiation, Kenny and his business partner, Ronnie Milchhoefer, took over ownership of the long-standing neighborhood bar on Aug. 1.

Kenny spent months visiting The Cordial Inn in advance of the purchase — he was attracted to the robust number of regular customers and longtime loyal staf members. He qualified it as a place that catered to people from all walks of life where anyone could feel comfortable.

Kenny brings 25 years of experience to the new endeavor including 22 years owning and operating Finley Dunne’s in Chicago Milchhoefer was the proprietor of R Place in Forest Park for 16 years before selling the building and closing the bar in January 2020. Though both men left the business

behind, they missed the people who made up their regular clientele and the sense of community that came along with owning a bar Looking to re-enter the hospitality industry, the two teamed up to purchase The Cordial Inn from the Volpe family who had owned the watering hole since at

least 1965. In the 1940’s The dial Inn was owned by ank Kvasnicka before being sold to the Volpe family his is a legacy business that had been owned by one family for a long time,” said Kenny “They were no longer living in the area and our ownership will allow new local families to oversee the business and honor what they built.”

enny, who oversees operations, resides in La Grange Park and his children attended Riverside Brookfield High School while Milchhoefer, who oversees the physical plant, is raising a family in North Riverside. Their proximity means both are capable of being on-site in minutes though Kenny has been working at the bar from open-toclose since the sale went through. You can

even find him behind the bar grilling up Cordial Inn’s beloved cheeseburgers and backing up veteran bartender, Nancy Barry, who has been behind the bar, pouring drinks and grilling burgers for 29 years.

“People were really afraid we’d turn this into some kind of lounge,” said Kenny “But we are never going to be a place that has bottle service; we are a shot and a beer kind of place and always will be. The Cordial Inn will always be The Cordial Inn.”

The Cordial Inn is open from Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Stop by to see that nothing has changed.

A Cordial Inn burger.

Melissa Elsmo

Melissa Elsmo

Sweetgreen arrives in Oak Park

Sweetgreen is a mission-driven restaurant brand serving healthy food at scale. Every day, across nearly 200 restaurants, Sweetgreen team members create plant-forward seasonal, and earth-friendly meals from fresh ingredients that prioritize organic, regenerative, and local sourcing.

Sweetgreen aims to empower our customers, team members and partners to be a positive force on the food system. That ’s why we’ve built a transparent supply network, cook from scratch, and are building a community of people who believe in the power of real food.

Sweetgreen was founded in 2007 in a 560-square-foot restaurant in Washington, DC by three college students who were simply looking for a healthier way to eat.At the time, they found that there were only two dining options: food that was slow, expensive, and fresh, or meals that were fast, cheap, and unhealthy. They saw an opportunity to create a business in which quality was never sacrificed for convenience.

Sweetgreen’s strong food ethos and investment in local communities have enabled the company to grow into a national brand.

Harnessing the power of technology to enhance the customer experience, sweetgreen launched a mobile app in 2015 that enables customers to order ahead of time, select dietary restrictions,

share nutritional info to Apple’s health app, and pay for their meals. In 2020, the brand added order status tracking and push notifications in real time, allowing the customers to know when their order is received or ready Sweetgreen also

has its own delivery service that can be accessed through the app.

Often when opening locations in a new city, sweetgreen partners with local chefs and restaurants on time-limited menu items. These collaborations have included chef duo Jon and Vinny in Los Angeles, Nancy Silverton, Chris Shepherd in Houston and more. In February 2020, sweetgreen partnered with David Chang to launch the Tingly Sweet Potato and Kelp Bowl. The collaboration brought attention to ocean acidification and its effects on marine life through the use of sustainable kelp.

After sweetgreen’s successful firstever partnership with national athlete ambassador Naomi Osaka in 2022, the brand, together with Osaka, partnered this year with athlete, entrepreneur and advocate Devin Booker to launch our new “Create Your Own” campaign that highlights the most ordered item on the Sweetgreen menu: the custom bowl.

Sweetgreen is located at 1143 Lake Street in Oak Park. Check out the menu at sweetgreen.com. Follow sweetgreen on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @ sweetgreen.

YOU are the Little Gem!

Imagine you are in Paris or London on a chilly Autumn day where leaves of burnt orange, bright yellow and green are swirling and dancing through the crisp clear air. There’s a rosy warm glow in your cheeks with the newness of fall and a day of bustling vigor!

As the holidays approach you are filled with a magic of readiness and potential in this place so far away and yet so familiar…You walk through the park and around the corner and right there before you nestled on the street of Marion, framed in rich dark oak, you see flickering shimmers of amber and gold through the tall, wide windowed facade of The Little Gem Cafe.

This Stylish Little Restaurant is Intimate, Elegant, Romantic and Warm with a Friendly Welcoming Feel.

A Relaxed Fine Dining Experience.

Casual or Smart - All Feel At Ease. Regional Cuisine with Seasonal Specials for Lunch, Brunch and Dinner.

It’s The Little Gem ~ Reservations Recommended - Walkins are always Welcome. We look forward to serving you!

Lots of people have asked how we came up with the name The Little Gem ....everyone thinks its because of the lighting that saturates the gold ornate ceiling and bounces off the mirrors, the bar and candlelit tables or maybe because of the overall cuteness of the space? the exposed brick, mahogany bar, solid wood tables and cherry wood chairs. However .... As we Celebrate our 8th Anniversary we think it’s time to spill the beans .... it’s YOU! You are The Little Gem.

Introducing ENCORE!

Now we bring you another great restaurant with live jazz and country blues, a new music venue for dinner and drinks right next door.

ENCORE! by Little Gem. Cosy, cheerful and warm where the music comes from the heart and the hearth right in front of an antique oak fireplace. Here are two beautiful bars to choose

from with Speciality Bourbon Collections that also feature Fine Wines, Craft Beers and Cocktails.

Encore hosts Chicago Jazz + Blues for your listening and dancing pleasure. Catering and Private Parties are Available.

The Little Gem Cafe

189 N. Marion, Oak Park

Building a beer community at Exit Strategy Brewing Co.

Exit Strategy Brewing

Madison St., is the only brewery in Forest Park and their portfolio of both approachable and inventive ales have kept beer drinkers coming back for more than seven years. This pool of regulars, lovingly referred to as the “Exit St family,” have become the lifeblood of co-owners Katherine and Chris Valleau as they continue to build the brewery of their dreams.

“When our regulars interact with time visitors and speak about us with pride it really does warm my hear Katherine Valleau. “I wake up every day thinking about how I can make this place better for them.”

Exit Strategy focuses predominantly on an all-ale portfolio of beers. The stylistic choice is as much passion driven as it is space conscious. With just four fermenters in the microbrewery every second counts with 16 taps at the front of the house. Ales ferment at a higher temperature and only take 2-3

Exit Strategy Brewing Co.

7700 Madison St., Forest Park (708) 689-8771

exitstrategybrewing.com

ewer-husband is “at the

e brew it and we serve it,” said alleau “Our beer travels 500 feet from the brewery to the taps. You can’t get more hyperlocal than that.”

malt, wheat and barley It is an ideal brew for folks who don’t consider themselves beer lovers.

weeks from brew day to tap Exit Strategy might turn out a longer fermenting lager a couple of times a year when time permits, but the brewing schedule is serious business for the couple turned business partners. Valleau proudly declared her

tegy serves 8-12 flagship beers including the Exit Strategy American Pale where hops are front and center A nuanced combination of hop varietals balanced with malt minimizes bitterness. The resulting beer boasts flavors of citrus, grapefruit, and pine.Another perennially popular offering at the Forest Park brewery is Persephone, a refreshing pomegranate wheat ale known for balancing tart fruit,

The brewery’s restaurant menu, served Wednesday through Saturday, is designed to play a supporting role to their arsenal of craft brews and aims to feature beer as an ingredient in every dish. The seasonally rotating, beer-driven offerings include pairing suggestions. Valleau suggests enjoying the Scaramouch Bohemian Pilsner with a garlic oiled and salted pretzel with pub mustard and beer infused queso Korean Q-tine comprised of seasoned hand cut fries, spicy BBQ sauce, fried cauliflower and kimchi calls for a pint of the brewery’s double IPA, Judgmental Dick.

The husband-and-wife team behind Exit Strategy set out to create a place where they would want to hang out. Today the brewery exists as a comfortable gathering place where all are welcome, and patrons can get a proper beer and some quality grub Cheers to that!

Katherine Valleau

Alex Rogals

mmm...

Melissa’s Memorable Meals

Brisket Sandwich from Babygold Barbecue, Berwyn:

Basking in the sun at the American Musical Festival set the scene perfectly to enjoy this solid Barbecue offering. Great bark, smokey flavor, pickles and just a smidgen of sauce made this handheld sandwich the ideal summer meal.

Hummus from Petra Falafel, Forest Park:

We could eat this hummus all day every day. This small, but mighty eatery knows what they are doing from their schwarma wraps spiked with pickles to this smooth, creamy and deceptively complex chickpea dip. We love it with falafel or pita!

Beef Pho from Na Siam, Oak Park:

After a pandemic pause, this spot in the North Avenue District is back to serving Beef Pho brimming with Vietnamese rice noodles and topped with sliced meat, bean sprouts, fried garlic and scallions in a rich homemade broth. They offer five noodle soups to warm you up this winter.

The Ruth Bader Gins-burg

Made by Forest Park cookbook author Dave Hudson. This is the drink he crafted to represent September 2020 in “A Year of Magical Drinking: Cocktails in the Time of Covid.” According to Hudson, the addition of Aperol, an Italian aperitif, is a subtle nod to Ginsburg’s longtime friendship with fellow Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Curry Basil Puffs from Habrae, Forest Park:

This standout Thai spot in Forest Park is known for serving up complex dishes with bold flavor. These little basil chicken puffs are as decadent as they are flavorful.

Award winning and Voted best Middle Eastern restaurant in west suburbs. We are open for business and continue to take orders for pick up and delivery. We are taking steps to follow the latest CDC guidance to help minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus for our staff and guests. 1030

Award winning cuisine! Voted best Middle Eastern restaurant in western suburbs.

848-7734

pm

Dine-In, Takeout and Delivery

11:00 am – 9 pm

JerusalemCafe-OakPark.com

JerusalemCafe-OakPark.com

Addis Café blending old and new on Oak Park Ave.

In 2016, Kalkidan Tesfaye offered her homemade scones to the owner of the coffee shop on the east side of Oak Park Avenue and he responded by offering her the entire storefront. Figuring fate had intervened, Tesfaye accepted the offer and opened Addis Café. She called the space home for six years before the chef-owner and her coowner-husband, Michael Kumela, moved their café across the street to a bright and cheery new home at 801 Van Buren St

Tesfaye wasn’t looking for a new space, but project managers with The Community Builders who oversaw the construction of “The 801” at the corner of Oak Park and Van Buren, encouraged her to move into the retail storefront on the lower level of the building offering high quality, yet affordable apartments.

“They would keep asking ‘what is it going to take to get you in here?’” said Tesfaye. “They offered to build a full kitchen to my specifications and that was

too good to pass up.”

The capable cook likes the freedom a full kitchen offers her bourgeoning business. Prior to relocating to Oak Park and opening Addis Café, Tesfaye and her brother spent 11 years operating, Addis Restaurant, an Ethiopian eatery located in Berkeley, California. A native of Addis, Ethiopia, Tesfaye has periodically hosted pop-up dinners featuring her vegan Ethiopian fare. After each successful pop-up calls for her to begin serving regular dinners have grown louder.

The new space is equipped with a professional ventilation system and industrial cooking appliances allowing Tesfaye to expand her café menu to include Ethiopian dinner offerings. The chef indicated she is going to take some time to “introduce herself

to the new space,” but expects dinner service to commence soon.

In the meantime Tesfaye is serving up the pour over coffee, elaborate waffle creations and berry jam and cream-filled scones customers have come to love. The light-filled space with generous outdoor seating has become a celebration of the old meeting the new that the community had hoped it would be.

“Coffee in Ethiopia is meant to be shared — one pot would serve many people so friends, neighbors and sometimes even strangers would share a pot,” said Tesfaye. “My customers have spent time getting to know my customs and they have become like a family to me. ”

Kalkidan Tesfaye

“Our bankers came to us and said here’s how we can help.”

For more than 100 years, we’ve been helping Chicagoland non-profits like Beyond Hunger write their stories.

Every business has a story. We can help you write yours.

–Michele Zurakowski, Executive Director, Beyond Hunger

In the f s Pizza and Pasta

To fold or not to fold? It is debatable whether extra-large slices of New York style pizza should be folded in half before eating. Some folks do it to avoid the dreaded “flop,” while others collapse the crust to keep the cheese from sliding off in a gooey avalanche. Anti-folders keep their meal a two-handed affair likely preferring to double the number of bites it takes to finish their coveted slice. No matter how you prefer to eat your pie, Betty’s Pizza and Pasta, 1003 South Blvd., Oak Park, brings a taste of the Big Apple to the Pleasant District.

Brought to life by Wil and Justine Greenwald, Rob Guenthner and Katie Ashton and Pete and Fran Lisnic coowners of Kettlestrings Tavern, 800 S. Oak Park Ave., and Kettlestrings Grove, 105 S. Marion St., Betty’s Pizza and Pasta completes the Kettlestrings’ trifecta. Betty’s fun and unfussy vibe is meant to reflect the pizza joint co-owner Rob Guenthner remembers frequenting as

a child. Expect traditional red and white checkered tablecloths and traditional red cups to evoke a throwback vibe. While the restaurant’s name pays homage to the founding British matriarch of Oak Park, Betty Kettlestrings, the menu at the South Boulevard establishment is decidedly Italian-American. Dan Swartz,

operations director, and consulting chef, Tanya Baker worked to develop Betty’s pizza recipe and broader menu from the ground up. The pizzas, available in the traditional 18inch size, are pie cut into eight generously sized slices. The bottom of the crust is crispy while the top remains fluffy and soft. A regular pie features whole milk mozzarella and up to two toppings — if you order pepperoni expect it will be properly cupped. Toppings are thoughtfully distributed across the pie and leftovers reheat beautifully in a hot oven. A quartet of specialty pizzas like Buffalo chicken, are also on the menu. Guenthner is pleasantly

surprised at the popularity of Betty’s garlic and zucchini pie—the white pizza features herb butter, sliced summer squash, mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh thyme.

In addition to pizza, Betty’s offers appetizers like meatballs, mozzarella sticks, garlic knots. The menu features four pasta dishes including wild mushroom fettuccine with garlic cream sauce as well as salads in small and large sizes. The arugula and quinoa salad with apples, blue cheese and bacon is also proving a popular choice.

Owners are keenly aware there has been pent up demand for New York Style pizza in the community and look forward to giving everyone an opportunity to give Betty’s pizza a try

Pepperoni and sausage pizza from Betty’s in Oak Park

Melissa Elsmo

Wolf it down at Okami Sushi

Tom Uiprapassorn, chef and co-owner of Okami Sushi, 6818 W. North Ave., Chicago, combines his love for Japanese anime and architectural sushi at his restaurant nestled in the North Avenue District. In Japanese, Okami can mean “Great God” or “wolf,” but owners of the sushi centric restaurant bearing the name took inspiration from Ōkami Amaterasu — a white wolf goddess character at the center of a video game launched in 2006. Born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Uiprapassorn earned his degree in architecture prior to emigrating to the United States and settling in Chicago with his sister, Wow Morales. Though excited to be in the States, he was not passionate about pursuing a career in architecture — after his arrival he went looking for “any job” to make ends meet. He spent his first years in the city working at a small-scale sushi bar with a lean, but dedicated staff. In time, Uiprapassorn partnered up with his

Okami

6818 W. North Ave., Chicago (773) 417-8560

okamichicago.com

sister and brother-in-law, Moses Morales, to bring Okami Sushi to life.

Uiprapassorn enjoys tossing ideas around with his chef-friends who work at Momotaro, but also relies heavily on his own imagination to keep dishes coming out of Okami’s open kitchen. Okami welcomes guests to experience Uiprapassorn’s creative take on sushi and ramen. The Chin ramen is a rich and memorable combination of pork bone broth, thin ramen noodles and garlic oil crowned with crispy chicken karaage, bamboo shoots, kizami seaweed, chili threads and a softboiled egg. Warming Yuma udon boasts a clear chicken soup broth with thick noodles topped with marinated shiitake mushrooms

with tempura fried shrimp, oyster, scallop and kanikama. Both offerings are hearty, complex and well executed.

Folks looking to embrace the energy of free-style Japanese cooking will do well to order some of Okami’s signature maki rolls or chef ’s selection of sushi. The Princess “Monoke” Roll gives a nod to another character in Japanese anime and features shrimp tempura, BBQ eel, avocado, cucumber topped with seared

super white tuna, honey mayo, unagi sauce and crispy shallots. The Davy Jones roll, topped with fried beet, is stuffed with octopus, cilantro, and jalapeno before being deep fried. Traditional maki rolls and nigiri are also available.

Uiprapassorn feels at home in his restaurant kitchen and wants to invite everyone to pay them a visit in the North Avenue District.

The Princess “Monoke” Roll as served at Okami Sushi

Melissa Elsmo

mmm...

Melissa’s Memorable Meals

Jimmy’s Creation from Poke Burrito, Oak Park:

This colorful tuna and salmon poke bowl is the brainchild of Jimmy Chen, the mastermind behind the Lake Street restaurant. Ingredients including avocado, pineapple, cucumber, and edamame come together in perfect harmony on a bed of brown rice.

Chili Crisp Biscuit and Kale Salad Scones from Broken Tart, Oak Park:

Basically everything Krissy and Katie Mack are turning out at their Chicago Avenue bakery is completely sublime, but we are over the moon for kale salad scones and smitten with the chili crisp biscuit.

This Bountiful Meal from Khyber Pass, Oak Park:

Malik Jawid celebrated a major anniversary this year and learning more about the beginnings of this Downtown Oak Park mainstay makes every meal eaten at Khyber Pass even a little more delicious.

This Taste the Town Bite:

When Takeout 25 throws a party no-one leaves hungry and their first in-person fundraiser to support local restaurants was no exception. Multiple eateries put up delicious dishes and this surf and turf cup from the chefs at Babygold was unforgettable!

Chopped Chicken Liver from Fritzi’s Delicatessen, Oak Park:

Some things are worth the wait and the roasted chicken livers chopped with hard cooked eggs, caramelized onions, and schmaltz was a delightful introduction to this Oak Park newcomer.

Give thanks for Spilt Milk

Since opening in 2018, Meg and Molly Svec, sisters and co-owners of Spilt Milk Pastry, 811 South Blvd., have navigated the bakery business with grace and humility. Their increased kitchen capacity has afforded the delightful duo noteworthy opportunities to explore the savory side of life while staying true to their sweet traditions.

The Svec sisters work tirelessly to ensure the quality of their pastries, cookies, breads and biscuits remain unwavering in their quality and flavor — the dynamic duo is already preparing for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday Pre-orders for holiday pies are being taken now

Heirloom Apple Pie is sure to be among Spilt Milk’s best sellers on their 2022 Thanksgiving menu. In 2018, former Chicago Tribune dining critic, Phil Vettel, called this pie “a work of art.” It features a timeless mixture of several rotating varieties of heirloom apples, baked in an all-butter

Spilt Milk

811 South Blvd, Oak Park (708) 613-4403

spiltmilkpastry.com

double pie crust.

Georgia Pecan pie joins traditional pumpkin, apple cranberry, and pumpkin pecan praline to round out Spilt Milk’s Thanksgiving pie selections. Homemade whipped cream in classic vanilla and chai vanilla varieties can be added to any order as well.

In addition, the pie shop will offer savory quiches, pumpkin bread with maple glaze, banana bread, “Bake At Home” buttermilk biscuits, wine, and more. Meg and Molly are encouraging interested customers to order early for the best selection. They will sell out and typically reach production capacity around Halloween.

The cheery bakery now serves wines by

the glass and recently launched a grab-andgo lunch program featuring sandwiches, snack trays, quiche and puddings. Their chef-driven Friday night dinners have been gaining in popularity as well. Meals, available for pre-order on their website, serve four and are prepared by Spilt Milk newcomer, Michael Forman.

Chef Foreman’s menu offerings have included roasted chicken, fresh squash and

WE

roasted rosemary potatoes as well as baked sausage manicotti featuring house made Slagel Farms pork sausage in a homemade tomato sauce with fennel & herbs.

The savory meal program is a bourgeoning part of the business that brings a genuine sweetness to every endeavor Oh! And don’t forget, Spilt Milk’s pre-orders for the Christmas season will be available starting Black Friday, Friday, Nov 25.

FAMILY-NIGHT, DATE-NIGHT, LUNCH, HOLIDAY PARTIES, OR ALL YOUR VICTORY FAVORITES FOR AT-HOME CELEBRATIONS!

FULL CATERED MEALS • SEAFOOD TOWERS HORS D’OEUVRE EXPERIENCES • PARTY PLATTERS

FULL CATERED MEALS • SEAFOOD TOWERS HORS D’OEUVRE EXPERIENCES • PARTY PLATTERS

Sunday - Thursday 4p - 10p

Sunday - Thursday 4p - 10p

Friday & Saturday Noon - 11p

Friday & Saturday Noon - 11p

Tina Harle’s photo of Spilt Milk’s pumpkin pie. Spilt Milk

Visiting Berwyn,

you will find that the township has 4 distinct districts where much of the everyday buzz and bites are centered. There is Cermak Road, often heralded as the Main Street of Berwyn, where you can not only spend the day running errands, but catch a break and have some amazing tacos or desserts as you recharge. Then, formerly known as 12th street there is Roosevelt Road, a hotspot for entertainment — but most importantly, the variety of food available down a single corridor makes planning for dinner with friends or family a breeze. Next there is Ogden Avenue, famously a part of old Route 66, where among all the automotive businesses you can find smokey meats and other great eats. Last but not least is the Depot District. This district is home to vibrant pubs, lounges, and family restaurants that often come together to support the many events hosted in the Depot. Let the smell of amazing foods guide you across Berwyn on your next visit!

Curb a craving on Cermak

There is a restaurant suited to curb just about any craving on Cermak Road in Berwyn. It is easy to show some love to the array of restaurants scattered throughout “The Corridor.” No matter if you are hungry for a savory supper or a sweet treat.

Zacatacos

Zacatacos prides itself for serving up their famous charbroiled skirt steak tacos as well as El Pastor tacos with pineapple, onions and cilantro. The famous salsa roja serves up a non-traditional papa taco that flies low under the radar on a menu boasting many traditional Mexican favorites. An indulgent bite, the papa taco is filled with fluffy mashed potatoes before being deep fried to a crisp golden brown. Topped with lettuce, tomato and cheese, the crave-worthy parcel is like eating a comforting hug.

Las Islas

Folks looking for a seafood fix should swing by Las Islas. The restaurant was once part of a larger restaurant group, but the now independent establishment takes pride in their approach to seafood preparation. Guest should enjoy a refreshing michelada alongside tilapia ceviche and serrano chili salsa. The spicy tomato juice-based beer cocktail spiked with lime and rimmed with tamarind paste is Las Islas’ signature drink.

Anthony’s Pizza

People might not realize Anthony’s Pizza serves an Italian beef sandwich that is one of the best things on their timeless menu. This no-frills joint simmers seasoned, thinly sliced roast beef in jus, or gravy, before piling it high on an Italian roll stuffed with sweet green peppers. Though Anthony’s has been slinging pizza slices since 1986, their beef sandwich recipe goes back as far as the sandwich does in Chicago history. Purists will appreciate Anthony’s classic take on this iconic and slightly messy sandwich.

Zacotacos

Las Islas

Anthyony’s Pizza

Anthony’s Pizza

6237 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-1100

• anthonyspizzaplace.com

Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza

7122 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5293

• blazepizza.com

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar #330

7130 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-2319

• buffalowildwings.com

Burger King #5984

2147 S Oak Park Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-3253

Canton 8 Sport Bar & Grill

6312 Cermak Rd, Berwyn

Chipotle Mexican Grill

7140 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 303-5049

• chipotle.com

Domino’s Pizza

6613 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-4949

• diminos.com

Overseas China Restaurant

Overseas China Restaurant has been churning out classic Chinese dishes for 20 years in Berwyn. The restaurant’s unassuming exterior gives way to a surprisingly modern interior where friendly service is a hallmark of the diminutive establishment. Overseas China offers a wide array of Cantonese and Szechuan dishes -- for less than $11 hungry diners can enjoy the generously sized Overseas China Special Platter featuring shrimp, chicken, BBQ pork and an array of vegetables in a garlicy brown sauce.

La Michoacana Classic

ou can snag some Dorilocos, Taki con queso, or chicharrón preparado for a creative and crunchy snack at La Michoacana Classic on Cermak, but local dessert lovers head to this bright and cheery shop to satiate their sweet tooth. An assortment of cream and water popsicles in flavors including Fruit chocolate Abuelita, and Tamarind join a wide array of traditional ice cream offerings available by the scoop or as part of sundaes like this beast of a banana split.

The Cermak District

El Nuevo Vallarta Sports Bar and Grill

6801 W Cermak Rd Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5929

• elnuevovallarta.com

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

7150 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9940

Flight 22 Wine Bar

6518 Cermak Rd, Berwyn

(708) 956-7648

• flight22winebar.com

Guadalajara Grill & Bar

6814 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-2600

Happy & Healthy NutritionHerbalife

6628 Cermak Rd

(708) 473-4492

• genesis7.goherbalife.com

Home Run Inn Pizzeria 6825 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-8877

• homeruninnpizza.com

Jelly Jam Pancake House 6300 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9840

• facebook.com/jellyjam02

Jimmy John’s 7028 W Cermak Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-7800

• jimmyjohns.com

KFC/A&W #Y313102

6200 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-4012

La Lupita Restaurant 6539 W Cermak Rd #1 Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-8226

• lalupitaberwyn.com

La Michoacana Classic 6533 W Cermak Rd, Berwyn (708) 637-4075

• lamichoacanapremium.com

La Parra Restaurant - Bar 6710 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5339

• laparrarestaurantandbar.com

Las Islas Bar and Grill II 6516 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 795-1300

Las Quecas Berwyn

6311 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 956-7371

• orderlasquecas.com

LongHorn Steakhouse

7115 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-6350

• longhornsteakhouse.com

Los Tarritos Restaurante

6241 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5842

• facebook.com/lostarrito

McDonald’s #2546

(Cermak and Ridgeland)

6401 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-3002

• mcdonalds.com

McDonald’s #6928

7181 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9716

• mcdonalds.com

Old Fashioned Candies

6210 Cermak Rd, Berwyn (708) 788-6669

• oldfashionedcandiesinc.com

Overseas China Restaurant 6846 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-5447

• overseaschinaberwyn.com

Panera Bread 7050 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

• panerabread.com

Popeye’s Chicken

6935-43 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-2737

• popeyes.com

Tony’s Fresh Market 7111 W Cermak Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 683-4072

• tonysfreshmarket.com

Vesecky’s Bakery 6634 Cermak Rd, Berwyn (708) 788-4144

Waldo Cooney’s Pizza 6733 W Cermak Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-7997

• waldocooneyspizza.com

Wanda’s Chinese Kitchen 6301 W Cermak Rd, Unit D Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-2868

• wandaschinesekitchen.com

Zacatacos - Cermak 6212 W Cermak Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-8460

• zacatacos.com

EATS presented by

Divine dining in the Depot District

The Depot District, with its downtown vibe, boasts a bevy of noteworthy independent restaurants and bars that are all easily accessible by foot, car, bike, or from one of the three Metra stops and many bus routes.

La Malquerida Latin Fusion

Expect complex flavors and attention to detail at La Malquerida Latin Fusion. This Depot District destination creates an inspired array of cultural Latin dishes and uses many cooking techniques. The unique blend of flavors can be evidenced in their artfully plated Sopesitos appetizer boasting a trio of bite sized corn sopes with black beans, chicken tinga, sour cream, and queso fresco We also crave the homestyle Cochinita Pibil — the Yucatan Style braised pork is wrapped in banana leaves and served with cilantro rice, black beans, pickled onions, and habanero sauce.

Lavergne’s Tavern

Known for serving up some serious burgers, street food inspired tacos and even a mighty fine brunch, Depot District fans know Lavergne’s Tavern serves up decadent Chicago-style eggrolls. People should believe the hype behind the Italian beef eggrolls — the appetizer has a near cult-like following for good reason. Brimming with beef, giardiniera, and cheese, these crispy rolls are sliced on an extreme bias and served with au jus for dipping. Grab a napkin and indulge!

Flapjack Brewery

Flapjack Brewery is known for turning out practically perfect wood-fired pizzas to pair with their small batch beers. Paul and James Macchione grew up in Berwyn and now own Flapjack Brewery where they keep eight beers on tap to pair with their tavern style and Neopolitian pies. Check out the four-cheese arugula topped with smoked scamorza, fresh mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, shaved Parmesan, fresh garlic, wild arugula, olive Oil, and fresh lemon juice

Connie’s Family Restaurant & Cocktails

3271 S Harlem Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-3447

• conniesberwyn.com

D’Cache Latin Cafe

3244 S Oak Park Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5008

• dcachelatincafe.com

Familia Fresh Market & Danesi Café

3308 S Oak Park Ave Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 956-7026

• familiafreshmarket.com

Flapjack Brewery

6833 W Stanley Ave Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 637-4030

• flapjackbrewery.com

Gaia Ristorante Italiano

6822 Windsor Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-4238

• gaiaitaliano.com

The Garage Smokehouse & Bar 3202 S Grove Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 956-7274

• facebook.com/Thegarageberwyn

La Borra del Café Berwyn 6801 W Stanley Ave

(224) 580-0965

• laborra.us

La Malquerida Latin Fusion 6906 W Windsor Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 956-7219

• lamalqueridaberwyn.com

Lavergne’s Tavern 6546 Windsor Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402 708-956-7405

• lavergnes.com

MediaNoche Berwyn Cafe 6836 Windsor Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 317-5093

• medianochecafe.com

N-Joy II Asian Cuisine 7140 W Windsor Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-5310

• njoy2.com

Perception Lounge 6814 W Windsor Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-2484

• facebook.com/PerceptionLounge

Tastee Corner Cafe

3207 S Oak Park Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-1173

• yelp.com/biz/tastee-corner-cafeberwyn-2

Taz Deli 6932 W Windsor

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 956-7583

The Depot District

Autre Monde Cafe & Spirits

6727 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 775-8122

• autremondecafe.net

Babygold Barbecue

6613 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 637-4364

• babygoldbbq.com

Berwyn’s Culver ’s

6943 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-8000

• culvers.com

Big Guys Sausage Stand

7021 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5213

• bigguyssausage.com

Take a ride on Roosevelt

Roosevelt Road has earned its reputation as an entertainment hub in Berwyn. Drawing visitors and locals a like, this walkable block showcases the true spirit of the community.

Autre Monde

Autre Monde opened more than a decade ago to immediate accolades including a notable three-star rating from the Chicago Tribune. Chef Pancake earned a coveted Jean Banchet nomination for Chef of the Year in 2013 and the restaurant has achieved Green Seal Certification. The restaurant recovered from a significant fire in 2012, hosted a James Beard Foundation dinner in 2015, and has executed myriad pop-up events over the years including an elaborate ode to the foodie film “Big Night.” Expect their rotating menu of Mediterranean inspired dishes to make any meal memorable.

Babygold Barbecue

Music lovers have no trouble making their way to FitzGerald’s nightclub in Berwyn, but now food lovers have a big reason to visit the Berwyn hot spot. Babygold Barbecue has made Berwyn-style barbecue like brisket, turkey and even cauliflower synonymous with the FitzGerald’s experience. Babygold also offers a noteworthy weekend brunch with hearty main dishes like this All-American Breakfast featuring two gorgeous sunnyside up eggs, crispy breakfast potatoes, and smoked brisket.

Bodhi Thai Bistro

6211 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9250

• mybodhithai.com

Buona Catering 6833 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-2333

• buona.com

Buona Restaurant 6745 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-2555

• buona.com

Burger King #213

6701 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-4144

Di Nico’s Pizza

6627 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-9900

• dinicospizza.com

J Wok See Thru Chinese Kitchen

6641 W Roosevelt Rd Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-3888

• j-wok.com

McDonald’s #2543 7135 W Roosevelt Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-1555

Monse’s Tapas Bar

6609 Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 317-5204

• monsestapasbar.com

Sushi Junki 6639 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-3888

• sushijunki.com

Taco Yo Inc. 6629 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-2300

• ordertacoyo.com

Tasty House Restaurant

7101 W Roosevelt Rd, Unit A Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-1800

• tastyhouseberwyn.com

Turano Baking Company

6501 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn (708) 788-5320

• turano.com

Wing Boss 6625 W Roosevelt Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 637-4424

• thewingboss.com

Memorable meals on the rest of the map:

Just because a restaurant falls outside of a named district in Berwyn doesn’t mean they don’t have memorable menu items to keep you coming back again and again. You’ll discover a world of delicious things to eat on 26th Street, Ogden, Harlem and all the streets in between!

Neveria Naranja Dulce

Visit Neveria Naranja Dulce for an authentic Mexican ice cream shop experience in Berwyn. Co-owner Angelica Chavez and her family traveled back to Jalisco to perfect their artisan ice cream making techniques. The sweet side of the menu features fruit-forward paletas (popsicles) and classic favorites like hot chocolate ice cream made from Abuelita chocolate. Adventurous sorbet lovers should check out a mangonada. This sweet and sour dessert treat is made from mango sorbet, Tajín, and piquant chamoy Fresh mango and a tamarind coated straw finish this memorable Berwyn dessert.

Juice Vibe Bar

Feel the good vibes at Juice Vibe Bar Berwyn. Owner Annabelle Martinez grew up in the Berwyn-Cicero area and transformed a former medical office into an inviting space where she introduced her arsenal of dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free juices and smoothie bowls to healthconscious customers. The smoothie bowls served at Juice Vibe Bar are all named after famous Latina artists like Selena and Frida Kahlo. The Jenni bowl, named after musician Jenni Rivera, features a robust combination of almond milk, spirulina, blueberries, banana, granola, oats, chia seeds and Amaranthus.

Tacos y Salsa

Ms. Laura Guerrero, mother of six and owner of Tacos y Salsa honors her ancestors by preparing her family’s traditional home-style recipes, including an array of soups and stews. All her soups fly out of the restaurant when the weather turns chilly, but we simply adore the Caldo de Cameron. Made fresh every daily, a single bowl of this deceptively complex and highly satisfying soup includes a dozen shrimp Special spices like bay leaves and oregano help elevate the warming tomato-based soup, while a garnish tray filled with onion, cilantro, avocado and lime allow diners to customize their meal.

Anthony’s Pizza

6237 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-1100

• anthonyspizzaplace.com

Avito Caffe

6510 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

• avitofilm.com/caffe

Baby BBQ Fire

6715 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 637-4236

Benny’s Pizza

6806 26th St, Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-1771

• bennyspizzaberwyn.com

Berwyn Tap Room

6330 16th St, Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5067

• www.facebook.com/ berwyntaproom

Betty’s Bistro

6969 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5577

Big Mama’s Kitchen ToGo

6920 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 303-0050

• bigmamastogo.com

Bob’s Belgian Hot Chocolate

6412 W 27th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(630) 430-4730

• bobsbelgianhotchocolate.com

Cake Bros Bakery

6737 W 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-2504

• cakebros.com

Cien 100% Naturalisimo

2709 S Ridgeland Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5679

• 100naturalisimo.com

Los Corrales

Discover a street food staple at Los Corrales. Any proper Mexican food exploration would be incomplete without a taste of tacos al pastor. Inspired by the spit-roasted shawarma dishes that influenced Mexican cuisine in the early 1900s, “the shepherd’s taco” is a delicious blending of Mexican and Lebanese culinary traditions. Charred bits are the best part of the flavorful marinated orange-hued pork that stars in Los Corrales tacos al pastor

Misc. Districts

Cigars and Stripes BBQ Lounge

6715 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-1043

• stripesbbq.com

Crepas Culichi

2713 S Ridgeland Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 637-4998

• crepas-culichi.com

Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins

- Harlem

2945 S Harlem Ave

(708) 749-0689

Berwyn, IL 60402

Harlem Ave Lounge

3701 S Harlem Ave

(708) 484-3610

• harlemavenuelounge.com

Berwyn, IL 60402

Jelly Jam Restaurant and Pancake House

3205 S Harlem Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 777-1967

Juice Vibe Bar

2137 Oak Park Ave,

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 232-3385

• juicevibebar.com

Junior ’s Bar and Grill

7011 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9465

La Flor de Michoacan

6316 W 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5052

La Michoacana & More

2707 S Ridgeland Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 477-8117

• lamichoacanamenu.com

Las Delicias De Michoacan

6807 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-5357

Lalo’s Restaurant 3011 S Harlem Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-9311

• lalos.com

Little Caesar ’s 6801 W Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-4174

Little Fenix Restaurants Inc. 3250 S Grove Ave Berwyn, IL 60402

(312) 735-3763

• littlefenix.com

Los Corrales Taqueria & Restaurant

6713 W 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9063

• loscorralesberwyn.com

Lucky Dog III 7151 W 16th St Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-0330

McDonald’s #6808

7031 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-8047

• mcdonalds.com

Mr. Submarine

6341 W 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 795-9633

Mr Submarine

7103 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-2911

My Uncle’s Place

2615 S Ridgeland Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(239) 777-5382

Neveria Naranja Dulce, Inc

6252 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 714-0074

Nicco’s Bar and Grill

6300 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 670-2042

Nonno’s Pizza

6969 W Ogden Ave

Unit D

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-1100

• nonnospizza.com

Novi’s Beef

6746 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-0895

• novisbeeftogo.com

Nuevo Poncitlan Inc.

6322 W 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-5944

• nuevoponcitlan.com

Paisans Pizzeria & Bar

6226 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-5325

• paisanspizza.com

Parrilla Express 6401 W 34th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 637-4799

• parrillaexpress.com

Skyview Restaurant 6334 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 795-0088

Slice Factory 6900 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-1700

• theslicefactory.com/berwyn

Subway Store # 27939

6919 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-9302

Taco Bell #2433 6956 W Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-4747

Tacos Y Salsa 6346 W 26th St Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-3581

• tacosysalsarestaurant.com

Tamales Ogden 6333 W Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 795-6859

Taqueria El Meson Express 6831 W Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-1470

• elmesonexpress.com

Tastee Freeze 6621 W 26th St Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-7377

Viva la Frida 7117 Ogden Ave, Berwyn IL 60402 (708) 788-4333

• palaceregency.com White Castle 7155 W Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 795-6811

Wok N Roll Express 6969 W Ogden Ave, Unit C Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-0088

• woknrollberwyn.com

Zacatacos - Harlem 3837 S Harlem Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-1300

• zacatacos.com

atacos com

Sips and Sweets gaining ground thanks to community support

Krista Brazel, owner of Sips & Sweets Café, 1 Riverside Rd., Riverside, opened her bakery and coffee house nearly a year ago Brazel lost her job due to the pandemic in 2020 and in the face of considerable uncertainty, she harnessed her entrepreneurial spirit and formulated plans to start her own businesses.

Brazel sold hot chocolate bombs and cinnamon rolls out of her car to 2,000 loyal Facebook followers before finding her way to a brick storefront in the center of the quaint village. The prospect of heavy foot traffic and convenient placement next to the downtown train station drew the Westchester resident to Riverside where she fell in love with the town’s charm and authentic sense of community. Brazel proudly set up shop in the circa 1870 Arcade Building. The oldest commercial building

in Riverside is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“This is a place where kids go after school, a place where moms and dads spend their mornings,” said Brazel. “We are proud to be a part of the community.”

Sips and Sweets Cafe

1 Riverside Rd, Riverside (708) 853-9782

sipsandsweetscafe.net

When guests walk through the doors of Sips and Sweets, they can expect an assortment of fromscratch treats ranging from cookies and cupcakes to toaster-inspired pastries. Coffee drinks, quick breads, breakfast sandwiches, and specialty sandwiches round out the menu. Expect the sandwiches to be named after local streets. “The Parkway” features turkey and Swiss while “The Forest” is a vegetarian offering brimming with avocado A weekly rotation of soups, including chicken noodle, broccoli cheddar and chili offer a fine way to warm up on a cold day.

The shop’s flagship cinnamon rolls are

also a customer favorite. The indulgent and labor-intensive rolls are topped with a mouth-watering buttercream and best served warm. Sips and Sweets is packaging “take and warm” and “take and bake” cinnamon rolls for holiday pre-order Brazel is promising to add to the bounty of your Thanksgiving feast by offering house-made honey crisp apple pies and chocolate bourbon pies (made with Quincy Street Distillery bourbon) as part of their holiday menu.

In addition to satisfying your holiday dessert needs, Sips and Sweets has launched a Friday dinner program designed to rescue busy families at the end of a hectic work week. Expect menu selections to include Bohemian pork, potato dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage, chicken teriyaki with rice and sautéed peppers, and linguine Bolognese with garlic bread. Sips and Sweets Friday dinners can be pre-ordered and picked up hot on Friday evenings.

Cinnamon rolls are synonymous with Sips and Sweets — owner Krista Brazel has been perfecting the decadent recipe for years.

Melissa Elsmo

mmm...

Melissa’s Memorable Meals

Branzino at Amerikas, Oak Park:

This whole fish, with crispy soy-glazed skin, is served on a bed of rosy-hued fried basmati rice spiked with garlic, scallion, cabbage and tomato. Spicy serrano chili salsa adds an option to heat things up. Delicate herb and radish salad adds visual intrigue to the rich and satisfying dish.

Dumpling appetizers at a GCM event, Oak Park:

Dumplings in any form are a delight, but these little treasures were extra special because they were made with love for friends and supporters of Growing Community Media.

Pina Colada Matcha from Brewpoint Craft, Oak Park:

This is a summer specialty and is one refreshing beverage — matcha has magical “pick you up” properties and when you mix it up with luscious oat milk and pineapple juice it’s like a vacation in cup.

A double smash burger from Circle Tavern, Elmwood Park:

Served tavern style, this unassuming burger ticks all the boxes when it comes to a griddled indulgence. Don’t underestimate this offering — Circle Tavern burgers are among the best around.

Pasta tossed with Capuliato at the Carnivore/Anfora Etna Wine Dinner, Oak Park:

This one-time-only event was a celebration of big bold wines from the mountains of Italy. The meal, designed by Chef Brad Knaub, was intended to let the wines shine — he succeeded; the pairings were perfect, but this bowl of pasta tossed with a traditional Sicilian condiment based on dried tomatoes was more than memorable.

Instant grati cation in Elmwood Park

The Polaroid camera sold out in a buying frenzy following a single in store demonstration in 1948. Some eateries in Elmwood Park have been serving up timeless fare for longer than the camera has been on the market. These recognizable photos cultivate a swift sense of nostalgia just like so

Circle Tavern: Whether ordering a single, double, triple or mammoth quad burger, fans of the smash will be pleasantly surprised that Circle Tavern, 18 Conti Parkway, is putting up a practically perfect version of this simple burger style.

many of the dishes served inside the colorful collection of eateries that lure customers with a diversity of cuisines, ample parking, and an honest sense of camaraderie. The Village of Elmwood Park tirelessly supports the restaurants lined up on North Avenue and throughout the village—that ongoing

Alpine Food Shop:

commitment is one of the reasons why many Restaurant Row establishments have endured for decades. So whether you “say cheese” or “hold the cheese” there is classic dish worthy of capturing in Elmwood Park!

“It ’s not just a sub—it ’s an Alpine.” Few places have a truer tag line than Alpine Food Shop, 7538 W North Ave.--the popular sandwich shop has been a part of the neighborhood since 1955.

Massa Café Italiano: Angelo and Giovanna Lollino craft a variety of authentic Italian dishes at Massa, 7434 W North Ave. Their award-winning gelato and fresh sorbettos are made fresh daily using time-honored Italian techniques.

Eggsperience: Nothing beats a breakfast joint to bring out those retro vibes.

Eggsperience, 16 Conti Pkwy., has a perfect mix of old school classics and innovative fare to curb your cravings!

Johnnie’s Beef: Folks lined up for this instant camera just like they queue up for a Johnnie’s beef sandwich A counterservice force of nature, Johnnie’s Beef, 7500 W North Ave., first started serving their sandwiches in 1961.

Armand’s Pizza: Armand’s pizza, 7650 W North Ave., has been serving up pies and sliced for more than 60 years. Their signature pizza, featuring artichoke, fontinella, and roasted peppers puts a full color twist on toppings.

Burger Moovment:

This quick-service establishment, 7512 W North Ave., flips every patty to order using locally sourced bakery buns, 100-percent Angus beef and locally grown produce. They also fry up a Banh Mi inspired chicken sandwich if you are looking to put some cluck in your moo!

Alpine Food Shop

Johnnie’s Beef

Massa Cafe Italiano

Burger Moovement

Ar mand’s Pizza

Circle Tavern

Spizzico: For twentyfive years the Spizzirri family has been offering baked clams and crispy calamari to set the stage for an array of entrees including pastas, sandwiches and pizza at Spizzico, 7446 W. North Ave.

Gringo and Blondie: An assortment of tacos, cemitas, and burritos await at Gringo and Blondie, 7514 W. North Ave. The Mexican street-food spot also serves up photo-worthy pozole!

Café Cubano: For 20 years, Mayra and Javier Fernandez Jr. have been honoring Javier Fernandez Sr by bringing authentic Cuban fare to Restaurant Row. Located at 7426 W. North Ave., Café Cubano uses nostalgia and comfort as key ingredients in every dish—including lechon, oxtails, jibaritos and empanadas.

New Star: A mainstay on North Ave., New Star, 7444 W. North Ave., had been serving up Cantonese cuisine since 1954, but Jinny Zhao’s ownership has brought fresh life to the restaurant row and their classic eggrolls!

Russell’s Barbecue: Tradition is alive and well at 1621 N Thatcher Ave. The original meat sandwiches, slab ribs and bone-in chicken continue to be slow roasted and served just as they were in 1930. The tender and simply seasoned meats are all designed to be doused with Russell’s barbecue sauce.

Jim and Pete’s: Since 1941 this Restaurant Row outlier has, has been serving up old world favorites with a modern twist. The well-appointed restaurant, 7806 W North Ave., is known for serving up a reliable arsenal of traditional Italian dishes and specialty menu items like giant housemade rigatoni with pinenuts, spinach and ricotta.

Old Word Pizza: In 1963 the Bambini family opened their first restaurant and nurtured a loyal customer base. Though ownership of Old World Pizza, 7230 W North Ave., has changed hands several times, the same collection of century old recipes make is easy to savor a slice of history.

Inari: Sara Kate, owner of Inari Sushi, 7428 W. North Ave., takes a “sushi first” approach to turn out a creative assortment of maki, nigiri and poke. Bento boxes, ramen and kitchen entrees complement an array of cocktails and sake options.

Gringo & Blondie

Spizzico

Cafe Cubano

Jim & Pete’s Inari

Russell’s Barbecue

Old World Pizza

Elmwood Park has a long standing reputation for being home to outstanding restaurants. As a Village we are proud to share this reputation and work hard to promote it.

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Melissa’s Memorable Meals

The Italian at Mercato di Fiore:

Alpine

7538 W North Ave

Armand’s Pizzeria

7650 W North Ave

Ashleys Café & Tap

7500 W Grand Ave

Bon Vivant Juice & Smoothie Bar

7334 W. Diversey Ave

Burger King

1750 Harlem Ave

Burger Moovement

7512 W North Ave

Café Cubano

7426 W North Ave

Caputo’s Fresh Markets

2400 N Harlem Ave

Circle Tavern 18 Conti Pkwy

Culvers

7542 W Grand Ave

Donny G’s

7308 W North Ave

Celtic Corner

Circle Tavern

Dugout

George’s

Dunkin Donuts 7201 W. Grand Ave

Eggsperience 16 Conti Pkwy

Great American Bagel 7230 W North Ave

Gringo & Blondie 7514 W North Ave

Happy Wok 1742 N Harlem Ave

Inari 7428 W North Ave

Jim & Pete’s 7806 W North Ave

Jimmy John’s 1702 N Harlem Ave

Johnnie’s 7500 W North Ave

Massa Café 7434 W North Ave

McDonalds 7217 W Grand Ave

New Star Restaurant 7444 W North Ave

RESTAURANTS BARS

Green Star Hunters On The Rocks

Phil’s Sports Bar

Old World 7230 W North Ave

Panera 7400 North Ave

Russell’s Barbecue 1621 Thatcher Ave

Spizzico& Senor Jefe 7446 W North Ave

Subway 2836 N. Harlem Ave 7230 W. North Ave

Tacos 2 Go 7530 W. Grand Ave

The Barre Studio & Café

12 W. Conti Parkway

Tony D’s 7725 W Belmont Ave

Trattoria Peppino’s 7440 W North Ave

Union Tap 7707 Westwood #1A

Wing Stop 1740 N Harlem Ave

Tiny Tap Union Tap

This Chicago style sandwich, filled with mortadella, capicola and salami, gets a hyperlocal and noteworthy twist, with the addition of Honey G, a craft giardiniera developed by Jeff Mauro, River Forest resident and Food Network star.

Fatty Hamachi at Okami, Chicago:

This North Avenue District sushi and ramen shop, flies low under the radar, but their rolls and noodles are topflight. Chef Uiprapassorn surprised us with this fatty Hamachi bite on a recent visit and we clamor for more!

A lovely latte and a Croissant from

Whirlwind, Oak Park:

Simple is sometimes best. This super flakey croissant from Publican Quality Bread paired perfectly with a frothy, artistically adorned latte made with locally roasted Whirlwind coffee.

This jam and cream-filled scone from Addis Café, Oak Park:

A cup of Ethiopian coffee needs a companion and the entire menu at Addis Café is appealing, but this berry filled breakfast was as cozy and comforting as it can get.

Cocktails for Two at Kettlestrings

Grove, Oak Park:

Behold the Euclid Treasure and the Oak Park 75 — two lovely libations to enjoy at the end of a busy week. Drinkers should expect to find an array of chef driven dishes to enjoy between sips. We love the olives!

Next Level Hibachi Dinners at New Star

More than 30 years ago, Jinny Zhao took her first job at a Chinese restaurant. Eventually she bought the place and grew the staff from five to more than 150 before retiring. Thankfully, retirement did not stick for the dedicated restaurateur — Elmwood Park and surrounding communities have benefitted ever since.

Zhao left her leisurely lifestyle behind in favor of purchasing New Star in 2015. The veteran restaurant owner immediately turned her attention to updating the Elmwood Park mainstay After all, New Star had been serving up traditional Cantonese cuisine since 1954. While Zhao is proud to carry on the New Star traditions started by the Moy family decades ago, she eagerly expanded the cuisines available at the North Avenue establishment bringing both Thai and

Japanese dishes to the menu.

In 2017, Zhao turned her attention to the banquet room in the back of the restaurant. The outdated space was underutilized, and Zhao had a vision to bring entertaining

hibachi dinners to New Star. Today the fiery meals are drawing customers by the hundreds seven days a week. On busy nights the room welcomes more than 300 hungry hibachi fans.

“I am always improving my restaurant,” said Zhao “There was no hibachi in the area, and I thought offering the meals would be attractive to younger people and bring a new generation to New Star.”

Every table features a trained hibachi chef who puts on a show while deftly cooking dinner

Flaming onion volcanos and fried rice beating hearts enchant guests while tossing delicate eggs and flipping full bowls of fried rice draw applause from onlookers. Every hibachi meal at New Star comes with a soup and salad and sides including a vegetable medley, chicken fried

rice and soft long noodles. Zhao points out the teriyaki steak is the most popular protein selection among patrons because of the fresh meat and skilled preparation.

Note that lines to enjoy a hibachi dinner at New Star are often long; guests have been known to wait more than two hours for a table. To minimize wait times Zhao suggests calling to see if reservations are available on the evening you are hoping to dine and always advises arriving for an early dinner is the single best way to dine without a wait.

Zhao’s respect for both tradition and innovation are a key reason New Star remains a destination for both special occasions and everyday fare in Elmwood Park.

New Star

7444 W. North Ave. Elmwood Park (708) 453-8242

newstarelmwoodpark.com

La Lupita celebrates a mother’s touch in every dish

For 17 years La Lupita has been a celebration of the hard work and grit it takes to succeed in the restaurant industry.

“The restaurant is named after my mother, Lupita Figueroa, and you can still find her in the kitchen,” said Salvador “Sal” Figueroa, the manager “Our dishes are all homemade with her recipes, her seasonings, and her special touch.”

The origin-story of the Cermak Road mainstay takes us far from the Berwyn thoroughfare. Though Sal is American born he and his family returned to Cuernavaca in Morelos, Mexico when he was just two years old.

As a boy, Sal watched his mother set up a dining table in their front yard.

Friends and strangers would take a seat and Lupita would bring out an array of homemade dishes like pozole blanco and

a deep dark mole with origins in her hometown located in the Guerrero region of Mexico The money she earned helped the family, but more importantly she was honing the recipes that would eventually form the spine of La Lupita’s menu.

In 1992 the Figueroa family returned to the United States and settled in Chicago While Lupita took factory jobs, she proved to be an insatiable cook and began offering her culinary services to local businesses and neighbors.

Sal would come home to find strangers eating in their apartment kitchen. Before long Lupita’s casual cooking turned into a vibrant catering business.

Then, in 2004 Sal drove past a vacant restaurant on Cermak Road. More kitchen than dining room, the diminutive space held just four tables and offered the perfect steppingstone for Lupita to take her culinary career to the next level. Thanks to her loyal customer base the transition to restaurant ownership went smoothly for the scrappy cook.

“Looking back, now I can see my mother is a true example of an entrepreneur,” said Sal proudly “She passed along that mindset to all three of her children.”

Today La Lupita is going strong and keeps home-style Mexican food front and center on Cermak. The restaurant continues to offer Lupita’s complex mole and three variations of pozole daily.

Jinny Zhao, owner of New Star, smiles proudly in her state-ofthe-art hibachi room in Elmwood Park.

A collage of the warming dishes, including mole, pozole and menudo, offered at La Lupita on Cermak Road in Berwyn.

Melissa Elsmo

Melissa Elsmo

Inari is on a (Maki) Roll on Restaurant Row

When served in Japan, sushi is a celebration of simplicity and freshness while in America extravagant maki rolls tend to dominate menus. Building on a traditional trio of ingredients including seaweed, seasoned rice and fresh fish these rolls create opportunities for creative chefs to distinguish themselves from the multitude of spots serving up sushi in the states.

Inari Sushi and Sake Lounge, 7428 W. North Ave., keeps with tradition by offering straightforward sashimi, nigiri and maki rolls that honor owner Sara Kate’s career long devotion to sourcing quality ingredients, but their specialty rolls have evolved well beyond the typical California roll. Consider Inari’s Flaming Dragon Roll — this baked inside-out roll is stuffed with shrimp tempura, scallions and sweet spicy mayo before being topped with fresh salmon, super white tuna, black and red tobiko, scallions and sesame

Inari Sushi

7428 W North Ave, Elmwood Park (708) 583-2300

inarisushielmwoodpark.com

seeds. The offering is literally set on fire before landing on a customer ’s table. The showy offering is a favorite among Inari’s regular customers.

Folks looking for a different type of heat will appreciate the Diablo Roll filled with spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber, cilantro and fresh jalapeno. This spicy offering, garnished with tempura crunch, spicy mayo and sweet soy, is sure to please hot heads everywhere.

The creativity continues with Inari’s alphabetically inclined S.T.A.Y Rolling Roll featuring letter focused ingredients:

salmon, tuna, avocado, and yellow tail. The offering is a delicious spelling lesson. The festive X’mas Specialty Roll lets a well-known color palate drive the dish. Look for ruby-hued tuna, snow crab and tobiko to join green-hued cucumber and avocado in this ode to a festive time of year. The memorable roll is meant to be enjoyed all year long.

Precede any Inari maki roll offering with a piping hot bowl of housemade miso soup or an innovative appetizer offering. A healthy summer roll, found among Inari’s rotating menu of daily specials, appeals to health-conscious visitors. In lieu of nori and rice this maki-inspired starter is wrapped in carved cucumber and sweet sauce. Inari’s spicy tuna ravioli boasts an especially memorable presentation with tuna and crab meat mixed with ponzu sauce hidden behind scales of thinly sliced avocado.

Though rooted in Japanese tradition, Inari’s offerings celebrate the best side of American sushi cuisine while remaining both elevated and refined. The decade old sushi lounge offers deceptively complex, chef driven creations with customer comfort in mind — a noteworthy combination on North Avenue.

The flaming dragon specialty roll at Inari Sushi.

Melissa Elsmo

Flaming Dragon

Spicy garlic miso ramen

Ma, Marco A. Hernandez, Sara Kate, Sophie Bebis

Carnitas Don Alfredo: Make

arnitas Don Alfredo, at the corner of Lake Street and First Avenue, is one of three local outposts of this Mexican restaurant group Attached to a gas station, this small to-go restaurant specializes in carnitas, pork slow-cooked in its own fat. This is also the way French duck confit is prepared: simmered in fat, the meat becomes richer, more tender, lush and delicious.

At Carnitas Don Alfredo, the nice lady behind the counter asked, “Would you like the meat with or without fat and skin?” She added, wincing, “Without is less greasy.” When asked “Which one do you like,” she replied, “I like it with fat and skin,” so we bought a pound of carnitas with and a pound of carnitas without fat and skin, just to compare the two. A pound of carnitas is priced very reasonably

Carnitas Don Alfredo advertises carnitas

“estilo Michoacan,” in the style of the Mexican state of Michoacan, which is where carnitas were thought to have originated (sometime after the sixteenth century invasion of the Spanish, who brought pigs to the New World). The carnitas at Don Alfredo are chopped into small pieces to make it easier to use in tacos.

We’ve enjoyed carnitas at a number of places in Mexico and in Chicago’s largely Hispanic Pilsen area, many times at the legendary Carnitas Uruapan. Never before have I been asked if I wanted carnitas with skin and fat: traditionally, carnitas just come that way. At Carnitas Don Alfredo they

Brad Knaub of Carnivore likes a blend of both styles of carnitas, saying, “The mix is the truth. Also, handmade tortillas. I buy for my staff anytime I’m nearby.” If you’re a little hesitant about the greasy version, you might consider getting a mix.”

more flavorful than just the chopped meat. With your order, you’ll be asked if you want red (chili arbol) or green (tomatillo) salsa with your carnitas. Both are made in-house, and they are fantastic: you want both.

– David Hammond

mmm...

Melissa’s Memorable Meals

The Tijuana Dog from Cigars and Stripes, Berwyn:

The Tijuana dog features a smoked, bacon-wrapped, allbeef hot dog served on a flour tortilla topped with cheese, onions, pico de gallo and a grilled serrano pepper to put some spice in your life. What may seem like a mishmash of ingredients comes together in a bold and harmonious bite.

Betty White’s favorite meal from Mickey’s Gyros and Beef, Oak Park:

Earlier this year GCM and the business community honored what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday in epic style. Mickey’s served up a plain hot dog, French fries and a Coke worthy of our favorite Golden Girl!

A Ropa Vieja Sandwich from Cubanito Express, Riverside:

Looking for more than your average grab-and-go establishment? In a twist on a Cuban tradition, Cubanito Express serves up a pressed Ropa Vieja sandwich featuring shredded beef in creole tomato sauce, house made black beans and sweet plantains.

Pizza in a bag from Bertolli’s, River Forest:

Frank Bertolli grew up in the pizza business and River Forest is better for it. Their classic pies are thin crust pizza lover’s dream. Ripping open the bag is just as good as opening a present — a gift with ooey gooey cheese!

An outlier taco from Beach Ave. BBQ, Brookfield:

Known for slinging Wagyu brisket and whole hog pulled pork, Beach Ave. BBQ also has a notable special menu including unexpected things like this mighty good fried fish taco on a hand-made tortilla!

Try a new restaurant this week!

Sugarbeet Co-op a grocery for the community

Independent grocery store, Sugar Beet Food Co-op is embedded in the community and dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind shopping experience in Oak Park. The small, but mighty store is community-owned in the truest sense of word. The ownership model gives invested shoppers the opportunity to be actively involved in co-op governance, but Sugar Beet, 812 Madison St., Oak Park, is open to the general public.

“People still worry if they walk in the door they will get kicked out,” said Lissa Dysart, Sugar Beet’s marketing manager. “But the number one thing people need to know is that you do not need to be a member to shop here.”

Though it can be difficult to decipher what is going on behind the tinted window of the historic building housing the co-op, shoppers should expect Sugar Beet to be a welcoming and fun place to shop. The colorful produce section is 99% organic

Sugar Beet Food Co-op

yellow beans, and beet bunches for Sugar Beet.

and relies largely on locally sourced fruits and vegetables to stock the department. Spur Farms, owned by Veronica Cibotaru of Oak Park’s Delia’s Kitchen, is among the produce purveyors for the co-op Of course, available produce rotates with the seasons, but Cibotaru grows items like cucamelons, ground cherries, eggplant, green and

Sugar Beet’s café is also a celebration of all things local. They offer sweet treats from Chicago-based, Latina-owned, You’re a ookie — makers of vegan, nut-free and gluten-free items. The dough is offered for sale in the co-op’s freezer section for a takeand-bake option, but freshly baked cookies are also available in the in-house café. Other pastries are sourced from Holcomb Hollow, West Town Bakery, Mindful Bakery, and Silverland Bakery. The café proudly serves freshly brewed hyperlocal Whirlwind coffee, nitro cold brew, healing turmeric lattes, and fruit smoothies with optional nutritional add-ins.

Though unassuming compared to larger grocery stores, Sugar Beet has a robust prepared foods section. There are not traditional service counters, but all the sandwiches, soups and salads are made fresh, on-site daily by a team of 40 employees. Peek into the upright case and discover the famous “VLT” sandwich made with veggie bacon from Chicago-based Upton’s Naturals and Mighty Vine tomatoes. A rotating menu of soups include gluten free varieties like Chicken Tortilla, Ginger Carrot, Quinoa & Sweet Potato Chili. This month Sugar Beet will debut a reflowed shop they have designed with guidance from National Co-op Grocers whose mission is to optimize operational and marketing resources, and strengthen purchasing power for grocery co-ops across the nation. A reception and new owner drive is planned for October 22. Plan to pop by — after all the co-op is owned by the community and open to everybody!

Mia Herrod, of Oak Park, grabs some groceries at the Sugar Beet Co-op.

Alex Rogals

Grape leaves of oak park

Moroccan Restaurant · Tagines

The Answers:

If you scored 8-13 you are BIG NIGHT (1996):

You are uncompromising in your desire for perfection and prize authenticity above all else. Behind your retro-cool exterior you have exacting standards, but your friends and family are in awe of your skills and talent. People may not understand your point of view all the time, but when you let your guard down you can be completely warm and loveable. Have dinner at Tre Sorelle or Rustico before streaming Big Night on Netflix..

If you scored 14-19 you are RATATOUILLE (2007):

You are an idealist with genuine entrepreneurial spirit. You see potential in everyone and believe passion, tenacity and dedication will make your dreams come true. You value partnership and believe everyone (including you) has greatness inside them. Order ratatouille from Hemmingway’s Bistro and some strawberry cheesecake from Schweet before streaming the movie on Disney+.

are TORTILLA SOUP (2001):

Family connection is at the heart of everything you do Some may say you are a bit of a worrywart, but you know how to manage all the different personalities in your life. You

respect tradition but have a modern flair and sincere zest for life. You use all your senses to bring love, laughter and respect to your life and the lives of others. Get some fare from Taco Mucho, Mexican Republic, or Margaritas before streaming the film acock.

If you scored 2732 you are WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE CTORY (1971):

Despite some hardship, you find a ally enjoy the sweet side of life. You are humble, optimistic, honest and caretaking of those around you. Though you may doubt yourself from time-totime, you believe your imagination and creative side will take you far Make a donation to the Community Fridge and gather treats from Oak Park Bakery, Candycopia, Spilt Milk and Happy Apple before watching on HBO Max or Amazon Prime.

If you scored 3337 you are JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI (2011):

You are a music lover with a pristine aesthetic. You take comfort in routine and repetition and your consistency has made you a standout in your field. You don’t claim

to be perfect but focus every day on improving your skills incrementally. Immersing yourself in tasks has helped you earned the respect of your peers. Grab some sushi from Sen, Inari, or Sushi House and watch the documentary on Netflix.

When you feel like you are in a rut, you are inclined to leave the mundane and frustrating behind and embark on an adventure. You can be a little hot headed at times, but your heart is in the right place, and you are willing to work for your ou have a strong desire to make meaningful memories and nurture family connections. Snag some food from Cubanito Express or Media Noche Café, get off Twitter and stream the film on Hulu.

Devoted and intelligent, you are a true friend who likes to express a wide range of emotions. You like wine (like a lot) and will try your best to help those you love navigate life’s challenges. Life has thrown you some curveballs and you know you still have some growing up to do, but you are resilient and willing to help lift others up when life gets them down. Cheers to that! Visit Anfora Wine Merchants before you watch Sideways on HBO Max or Amazon Prime.

See the questions on page page 8

If you scored 38-43 you are CHEF (2004):

If you scored 44-48 you are SIDEWAYS (2004):

#HotMocha AllDay • kribicoffee.com

Enjoy the best sips around in the hottest spot in town, @kribicoffee. The Hot Kribi Mocha is delicious, so stop by the lounge for a taste!

Kribi Coffee

7324 Madison St, Forest Park 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park

#craftbeer • exitstrategybrewing.com

@exitstrategybrewing

Taproom • Brwery • Kitchen

Exit Strategy

7700 Madison, Forest Park

#thelittlegem • thelittlegemcafe.com

Delicious regional and seasonal menu

Serving lunch, brunch and dinner

The Little Gem Cafe 189 N. Marion, Oak Park

#instagood • browncowicecream.com

From deep dish pies for Thanksgiving to a pint flight of holiday flavors - The Brown Cow has you covered for holiday desserts and sweet gifts! We look forward to celebrating with you! Order online today.

The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor & Creamery

7347 Madison, Forest Park

#encorebylittlegem encorelittlegem.com

Dining and Live Music Tuesday thru Saturday from 5pm

Encore! by Little Gem

187 N Marion, Oak Park

#foodfavs #foodcoop #garlicspread #garliclove #yummy sugarbeetcoop.squarespace.com

!! Fav item alert !! Grocery Manager Marcus loves spreading this creamy garlic on veggie burgers, and wants everyone to try out this smooth garlic spread perfect for adding a bit more zing to any meal!

Sugar Beet Co-Op

812 Madison, Oak Park

#broastedchicken • billsfastfood.com

Since 1983 owner Bill Konstantapoulos has cooked at his open kitchen restaurant. It’s proof that he is confident and proud of his staff and the food they serve.

Bill’s Place

1146 Maple Ave, La Grange Park

#yappyhour #dogfriendly • beershophq.com

When Apollo had to choose between sitting like a good boy and running for the rosé, he chose chaos. Other four legged friends are as prim and proper as they come. They have been pouring beer and petting dogs at Beer Shop since 2015.

Beer Shop

1026 North Blvd, Oak Park

#MoroccanFood • grapeleaves.us

Let’s eat grape leaves at Grape Leaves! And falafel and baba ghanoush and hummus, too.

Grape Leaves of Oak Park offers something for everyone.

Grape Leaves

129 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

#hotdog • stripesbbq.com

From the colorful streets of Tijuana, Mexico and fresh off the smoker, the perfect quick bite has arrived! Indulge in an all-beef dog wrapped in bacon and served on a homestyle tortilla.

Cigars and Stripes BBQ Lounge

6715 W. Ogden Ave, Ber wyn

#sushitime • inarisushi.com

Artful plating alert! Check out this pink-hued chef ’s selection of sushi from Inari in Elmwood Park. Talk about a lovely lunch.

Inari Sushi and Sake

7428 W. North Ave, Elmwood Park

#fantasticfungi • caffedeluca.com

Celebrate fall flavors at Caffé De Lucca with a hearty wild mushroom risotto. Shaved Parmesan takes this rich dish to the next level.

Caffé DeLuca

7427 Madison St, Forest Park

#OMG • newrebozos.com

The Cancun Grill from N Rebozo is perfect date night fare. Steak, chicken and shrimp with guajillo peppers, nopales and onions—Omg! A perfect dinner for two.

N Rebozo

7403 Madison St, Forest Park

#mycucina • cucinaoakpark.com

Let’s welcome fall with a Cucina classic. Chicken Pistachio is pan-fried with pistachio breadcrumb crust, red pepper cream balsamic sauce, creamy polenta, grilled asparagus.

Cucina Paradiso

814 North Blvd, Oak Park

Committed to Oak Park and River Forest

To learn more about our commitment to Oak Park and River Forest, visit bylinebank.com/oprf