WednesdayJournal_120716

W E D N E S D A Y

December 7, 2016 Vol. 35, No. 16 ONE DOLLAR

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

@O @OakPark

Gift Guide

Special pullout section

No more late fines at the library?

Change reduces revenue but offers greater access to items

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER

lot the village will contribute to the project.

Jupiter’s proposal goes much further, incorporating the properties on both sides of Madison on the 700 North block and the north side of the 600 block.

The company has been working to purchase properties along the corridor to ful-

Oak Park Public Library’s board of trustees has approved a 2017 budget, but next year they’re anticipating a big drop in the roughly $140,000 they take in from fines and fees annually, due to their plan to eliminate overdue fines for books and other materials.

The library currently charges 25 cents a day for overdue items, maxing out at the value of the item itself. Under the new model, patrons would be sent a bill for the item after it is 42 days overdue and be unable to check out new items until they return the book or pay to replace it.

The overdue fines, which make up about two-thirds of the $140,000 in anticipated revenue, would still apply to materials that are brought in from libraries participating in the SWAN Consortium – a network of 78 libraries throughout suburban Chicago that shares materials – and for patrons who are not Oak Park residents. Those using a Chicago Public Library card, for example, would still be required to pay overdue fines if late returning a book checked out in Oak Park.

Library Board President Matt Baron said the change, which wouldn’t go into effect until June 1, aims to bring greater equity to low-income patrons who are at greater risk of losing access to library materials because they’re unable to pay the fines.

See JUPITER on page 16

See LATE FINES on page 15

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

THE FULL MONTY: Monty contemplates her Christmas wish list on Santa’s lap with her owner, Drew Harris, during Animal Care League’s Holiday Bazaar on Saturday.

Jupiter picked for Madison project Developer envisions 39-unit residential building, grocery store, retail

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

The Oak Park Board of Trustees chose Jupiter Realty as the preferred developer of a major mixed-use project along Madison Street that would be built in part on a village-owned parking lot at the corner of Oak Park Avenue.

The decision came following the recommendation of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation (OPEDC), a quasi-government nonprofit tasked with attracting and retaining business in the village.

OPEDC issued a request for proposals to prospective developers in September, giving companies just over three weeks to submit their vision for the surface parking

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

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Every Story Deserves a Great Beginning.

Naturally.

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

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I N S I D E

R E P O R T

Tasty Dog sign on the market Oak Parkers can buy a little piece of village fast-food history for the low price of $6,500.

Those who long for the days of going to an OPRF High School football game or a youth baseball game and then swinging by the beloved, and now defunct, Tasty Dog restaurant — formerly at 708 Lake St. — can purchase the iconic restaurant sign at Salvage One, a vintage retail shop in Chicago.

Marcus Ober, buyer and retail manager at Salvage One, tells Wednesday Journal that the sign is on consignment for the village, which will pocket half the money when it sells.

The sign is still intact, but the plexiglass insert that actually reads Tasty Dog had already been removed by the owner of Tasty Dog before Salvage One came to pick it up.

“It was a little disappointing that it didn’t have those panels,” Ober said, adding that the top of the sign still reads “World’s Finest Hot Dog!” Ober said the sign weighs about 500 pounds — it took a cherry picker, metal cutter and crane to remove it from the location when the fast-food establishment was demolished in November to make way for the District House mixed-use condo building going up next year.

Timothy Inklebarger

Bringing holiday joy to vets

Oak Park resident Kamil Brady has been thinking a lot about an old poker buddy, called FBI John. Brady said John was a staple at a local VFW in Iowa, where she lived before moving back to Oak Park several years ago.

After John died, Brady, an event planner, began looking for some good to do.

The search led her to a Red Cross project called Holiday Mail for Heroes, which involved citizens throwing parties during which they made cards to be delivered to a local Red Cross.

After the program discontinued, Red Cross officials encouraged them to keep making the birthday and holiday cards and find a location at which to drop them. Brady eventually decided on the VA. “John would often go to the local VA Hospital in Iowa,” she said at the Oak Park Public Library, where she made a few dozen cards to drop off at Hines VA Hospital in nearby Maywood.

Over the last year, she has hosted a

Photo provided by Salvage OneTitle

HOT DOGS AND PEANUTS: You can buy the old Tasty Dog sign (or at least part of it) for $6,500.

Here’s how it looks now (above) and how it looked then (right). Meanwhile, the Wednesday Journal crew got a kick out of impersonating the Peanuts characters during the Forest Park Holiday Walk on Madison Street Friday night.

Publisher Dan Haley played Charlie Brown to Jill Wagner’s Lucy, so we’re not sure he got this particular kick off.

card-making party about once a month, where around 100 volunteers have made nearly 600 cards — for birthdays, Valentine’s Day and Christmas — which Brady drops off in the lobby of the massive hospital.

“I work at Hines VA and I will tell you, these cards make a difference,” said one Hines employee in a thank-you letter sent to Brady. “They put such smiles on our veterans; many don’t have families local or have been dismissed by them.

Thank you for doing what you do for our nation’s heroes!”

Michael Romain

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

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Multicultural song and dance

The internet revolution

Monday, Dec. 12 at 1:15 p.m., Nineteenth Century Club: Joseph Harmon speaks on his book, The Internet Revolution in the Sciences and Humanities. Previously seen at Remy Bumppo in Galileo, Harmon, a science writer, editor and manager at Argonne National Laboratory, reveals how the internet is transforming the way scientists and humanities scholars are generating and evaluating new knowledge. $10 suggested donation. Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park. Call 708-386-2729 or visit www.nineteenthcentury.org

CALENDAR EVENTS ■ As you’ve likely noticed, our

Calendar has changed to Big Week. Fewer items, higher profile. If you would like ke your event to be featured here, please send a photo and nd details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published. We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights.

Email calendar@wjinc.com. wjinc.com.

Speed4Sarah ah Concert

Sunday, Dec. 11 from 2 to 3 p.m., Oak Park Public Library: The Lajkonik Song and Dance Ensemble celebrates Poland, one of many cultures represented in the library’s new Multicultural Collection. The ensemble will perform national and regional Polish dances while showcasing Polish costumes and winter holiday traditions. Learn more about the ensemble at http://www. lajkonikchicago.us/. 834 Lake St.

Christmas songfest Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m., First United Church of Oak Park: Sing We Joyous celebrates Music at First’s 10th anniversary with over 70 performers, including three choruses, a band, dance, and sing-alongs. 848 Lake St. Visit http://www. firstunitedoakpark.com/ministries/music/ for tickets.

Discounted tickets available at Magic Tree Bookstore, 141 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

Dec. 7-14

BIG WEEK

Holiday Gift and Art Fair

Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 from 10 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., m., to 1 p.m., McDonough Hall, St. Giles FitzGerald’s Nightclub: ub: Parish: A concert and silent auction ion to Purchase handmade art and other gifts support ALS TDI and the Young Faces Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m., United Lutheran Church: from 16 local artists plus two Fair Trade of ALS (www.yfals.com), including Sarah The 26th annual Cookie Walk allows cookie lovers to fi ll a box for $13 and buy tickets organizations, Harambee and the North Coglianese, a young Central College Alternative Trade Project. mother, Oak Park nafor a raffle or purchase fair trade items. Proceeds go to selected charities. The church The artists also donate a percentage of their tive and OPRF High is located at 409 Greenfield St. (at Ridgeland) in Oak Park. proceeds to these two organizations.

School grad who The rest of the proceeds benefit contracted ALS in the St. Giles Family Mass her 30s. Live music faces of those who are living Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7:10 p.m., Lake Theatre: Community. Free admiswith the disease. http:// will be provided by Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:30 p.m., The village of Oak Park’ s Community Relations Commission will sion. 1101 Columbian, www.speed4sarah.com/ Nasty Snacks, Sam Lewis, Wes Cichosz, and Nineteenth Century Club: host a private screening of the motion picture Loving, a historical drama 2nd floor, corner of speed4sarah.donations@ Eric Lambert. $20 in advance, $25 day of The final concert in the “Reigning Pianos” series features about the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision that invalidated state laws Greenfield. the concert. Speed4Sarah’s goal is to raise gmail.com. FitzGerald’s, 6615 Conley Johnson with special guest stars, 8-year-old prohibiting interracial marriage.

A reception prior to the W Roosevelt Rd. Berwyn. awareness of ALS through the stories and Freya Pang and 7-year-old Emmie Guo, both of whom screening is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Austin Gardens Educational recently won youth competitions.Tickets are $20, Center, 167 Forest Ave. The screening will begin at 7:10 p.m. students free with a school ID. Visit www.nineat The Lake, 1022 Lake St. Tickets are $8.50 at the box office teenthcentury.org. Proceeds from this concert and seating is limited. Call village hall to register.

Monday, Dec. 12 from 7 to 10 p.m., series are funding the restoration of the club’s The film will also run at its regular times through at Nineteenth Century Club: two Steinway pianos. Doors open at 2 p.m. 178 least Dec. 15. Visit www.classic The Regency Ball celebrates Miss Jane Forest Ave. Call 708-386-2729 for more. cinemas.com for more.

Austen with live music provided by Tim Macdonald on fiddle and Jeremy Ward on violone, assisted by special guests Brandi Berry, violin, and Brandon Acker, lute. $15 Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m., Cheney Mansion: Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., backroom of Connolly’s Irish Pub: adults, $10 students to view this special Joseph Wells from the floral department of Fresh Markets will demonstrate how to decorate your home using Festival Theatre’s ongoing play reading series continues with “Jacob Marley’s dance. Nineteenth Century Charitable flowers, etc. picked up while grocery shopping. Social hour at noon followed by the program at 1 p.m. The Christmas,” read aloud by author Tom Mula. $10 cover includes a complimenAssociation, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. Call program is sponsored by the Oak Park-River Forest Garden Club. 220 N. Euclid in Oak Park. For more visit http:// tary drink ticket. Doors open at 5 p.m. for early-bird seating and dining. 1109 708-386-2729 or visit www.nineteenthcengcoprf.org.

South Blvd. For more information, call 708-445-4440. tury.org for more.

Cookie Walk

Reigning Pianos

Screening ‘Loving’

English Country Dance

Floral arrangements

A Play and a Pint

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

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ART BEAT HAPPY

Wondering about wonder and the holiday season

By BELINDA BREMNER

ing the words of Shakespeare, Alice Walker, Rachel Carson, Helen Keller, Krista Tippett, think us here to wonder, myself. To wonder. Dickens, Anne Lamott, Carl Sagan, ThornTo ask. And that in wondering ‘bout the ton Wilder, Anne Frank, Abraham Joshua big things and asking ’bout the big things, Heschel, Kahlil Gibran, and Ray Bradbury. you learn about the little ones, almost by There will be readings from authors rangaccident. But you never know nothing ing from Andy Borowitz to Fintan O’Toole, more about the big things than you start out Hopkins to Heaney, Brooks and Hughes to with. The more I wonder, the more I love.

Neil Gaiman and Antoine de St. Exupery, That’s Alice Walker. And that, I believe, is and music old and new, from traditional to what we need to cleave to when the world, Jacques Brel, Louis Armstrong, and Dar in so many senses, grows colder as it does Williams. right now.

This is our 10th year presenting our lowThat’s what we, Oak Park Festival Thekey benefit in December. We open with our atre, hope to do for and with our commucheerful mulled cider and homemade cookie nity each December with “Midwinter’s reception where you can enjoy seasonal preTales.� With loving humor, we refer to this show music, mingle annual event as “A celebration in with the cast, and, words and music of the war we in of course, check out Oak Park refer to as ‘the December and bid on bountiHolidays’.� This year again I’ve creful holiday baskets.

Midwinter’s Tales 2016 ated a 75-minute entertainment that In the past, this strives to honor equally all the ways Sunday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m. has been a Saturday we keep the feasts created to keep evening event but Grace Episcopal Church, Oak Park us warm and hope-filled despite the we have, for many cold and dark. Laughing and singreasons moved it to ing together are powerful antidotes Sunday afternoon. The reception begins at 3 to frost and fear. and the performance at 3:45. Tickets are $30 The pieces I have chosen span centuries for adults, $25 for seniors, $15 for students. and continents and are very seldom the usual holiday fare. Our performers are drawn As always, those 12 and under are welcome from Festival Theatre actors and also our without charge. Tickets are available online neighbors. Once again we welcome the Unity at www.oakparkfestival.com or at the VisiTemple Singers under the direction of the in- tors Bureau, 1010 Lake St. Please make plans to join us Sunday, Decomparable Martha Swisher. This year Oak Park friends Barbara Ballinger, Christine cember 11 at 3 PM at the beautiful Grace and Doug Kellner, Charlie Meyerson, Rich Episcopal Church on lake Street. We’re Means, Kim Osinaike, Annika and Eve Roth- waiting to share our gifts of wonder with baum, Shanon Williams, and Camille Wilson you, to find courage and comfort together.

In the meantime, here is another bit from White will perform with us. This year our age range span runs from 9 to 91. Our cast this year’s Midwinter’s Tales: O Wonder to includes three generations in the Means/ keep you going. They come from Krista TipRothbaum family. Mother and daughter Sara pett: “It is a relief to claim our love of each Nichol and Gwen Theis will be with us again. other and take that on as an adventure, a Each year I chose a theme and create an calling. It is a pleasure to wonder at the mysall-new program. This year’s theme is “Won- tery we are and find delight in the vastness der.� This past year was also Festival The- of reality that is embedded in our beings. It atre’s “Look to the Lady� season celebrating is a privilege to hold something robust and invincible women. Our opening sequence resilient called hope, which has the power to brings together the women of our cast shar- shift the world on its axis.�

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An Oak Park Tradition A

S

Robinson’s Ribs remade

aturday night we stopped at the newly re-located and reopened Robinson’s #1 Ribs. And on this grand opening day it was a party.

Happy, enthusiastic, busy and delicious.

We were greeted, my daughter Mariah and myself,

by Charlie Robinson himself.

We exchanged our usual greeting. “You getting a lot of time off ?” he asks me. “Not much. You?” And then we laugh. Two overworked entrepreneurs who have known each other for 35 years.

Charlie is clearly proud of the wholesale remaking he and his family have pulled off at the decrepit former home of Leona’s. Talk about a restaurant that was hot until it wasn’t.

The move from the 900 block of Madison Street to the new spot at 848 Madison is just a block. But what an upgrade. Spacious, wellturned, and inevitably filled with all the newspaper clippings and awards that Charlie and Helen Robinson have earned in a life’s work.

The bar area — can you call it a bar? Well it’s a bar with food and gigantic flat screens — was hopping Saturday. As congenial a group of supporters and fans as you could find.

Robinson’s and Wednesday Journal go way back. The paper is actually older than the ribs. In 1980 we launched the paper out of a basement apartment on Harrison Street near Lyman. The only place to eat on Harrison in those days was this little ice cream shop a halfblock down that also served not half-bad hot dogs. And kid journalists can eat a fair number of hot dogs. Turns out Charlie was an ice cream distributor who made ribs as a serious hobby.

A year in, the paper was booted from the apartment. Something about an ille-

gal use, said village hall. We moved to Oak Park Avenue where we’ve been ever since.

It was in 1982 that Charlie Robinson was one of 400 contestants in the first annual RibFest hosted by the great Daily News/Sun-Times/Tribune columnist Mike Royko.

And when the smoke cleared that day, Charlie won. The poor kid from the Mississippi Delta wasted little time and soon opened Robinson’s #1 Ribs in his hometown of Oak Park.

This man, and his family, can work and they can cook.

Always a top producer at the Taste of Chicago and every other street fest, Charlie saved my life a few years later when I was the co-chair of the late and great Midnight Madness festival on Oak Park Avenue. Not much of a fest without food. Back then the dining selections in Oak Park were sparse. Not much happening at Oak Park and Lake — stunning when you look there today — and despite all my urging I could not convince the Cottage Cupboard, now Maya, to stay up late and serve their dull fare to revelers.

So I called Charlie and he came with his crew and they sold a lot of pork products.

As the years went by and restaurants started to arrive on our street, I’d get complaints about why Robinson’s was allowed in. “Because Charlie was there when we needed him,” I’d say.

On our way out, Charlie gave me a copy of his autobiography. It is a wonderful, sometimes stunning story of hard beginnings, hard work and, always, family.

There are a lot of new restaurants in Oak Park. But if you haven’t been to the newest oldest restaurant in the village, then get yourself to Charlie and Helen’s place.

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Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Illinois 60302 PHONE 708-524-8300 ■ FAX 708-524-0447 ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com | www.RiverForest.com CIRCULATION Jill Wagner, 708-613-3340 circulation@oakpark.com DISPLAY ADVERTISING Dawn Ferencak, 708-613-3329 dawn@oakpark.com

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SALES Mary Ellen Nelligan, 708-613-3342 maryellen@oakpark.com NEWS/FEATURES Dan Haley, 708-613-3301 dhaley@wjinc.com

CALENDAR Carrie Bankes calendar@wjinc.com SPORTS/PARKS Marty Farmer, 708-613-3319 marty@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal is published weekly by Wednesday Journal, Inc. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, Illinois (USPS No. 0010-138).

In-county subscription rate is $32 per year, $57 for two years. Annual out-of-county rate is $40. © 2016 Wednesday Journal, Inc.

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

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River Forest board creates Madison Street TIF

Strategy sessions for area likely coming in 2017

By DEBORAH KADIN Contributing Reporter

River Forest’s Board of Trustees last month created the village’s first tax increment financing (TIF) district in nearly 30 years, giving what officials hope will be a catalyst to improve the appearance of Madison Street and expand the village’s commercial tax base.

Trustees on Nov. 28 unanimously approved a series of ordinances that set Madison Street between Thatcher and Lathrop avenues as an area where financial incentives can be used to revitalize the area.

But how officials will make that happen – and what it could look like – are at this point uncertain.

That could become clearer early next year when trustees, staff, members of three village commissions, consultants, residents, business and property owners begin to form a strategy on how to redevelop Madison Street, said Village Administrator Eric Palm. Officials may also speak with officials of other communities with TIFs to learn their best practices on crafting a strategy.

“There will be a lot of discussion on how that’s all going to be pulled together,” Palm said. “It will take some time to develop a strategy for development. This will have a lot of moving parts and pieces. Residents have to keep in mind it’s going to take time.”

Aiding the discussion will be two key reports. One is an analysis of market conditions and commercial property on Madison Street. The second is the 2010 corridor study, which outlines River Forest’s longrange plan for improving, redeveloping, beautifying and overall revitalizing of Madison Street, North Avenue and Harlem Avenue.

The latter plan also serves as a marketing tool to promote River Forest and each

corridor’s unique assets and advantages. It also sets out some of the challenges that the village’s commercial corridor have, such as shallow lot depth, lack of parking, adjacency to residential areas and obsolete/dated building inventory.

For the next 23 years, any property tax revenue resulting from incremental increases in property assessments within the TIF district will be placed in a special TIF fund. Money in that fund can be used for redevelopment purposes within the TIF. Officials estimate that as much as $25 million

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could be generated over the life of the TIF. There is nothing in the TIF ordinance requiring the village to share any of that revenue, Palm said. River Forest Elementary School District 90 and the village never OK’d an intergovernmental agreement about sharing TIF revenues money. The school district disputed the terms and timings of proposed payouts.

TIF funds may be used for a variety of projects, from property acquisition and public infrastructure improvements to incentives for developers to bring in new busi-

ness, façade rehabilitation and other projects to help existing business, Palm said.

The area of the TIF area includes the Civic Center Authority building, which houses the Community Center; Good Earth Greenhouse and Café, homes, condominiums and multi-unit buildings.

Single-family homes are adjacent to some of the property, and during the life of the TIF, the village is barred from using eminent domain to acquire the 22 homes in the first blocks of Ashland, Forest, Keystone, Park and Lathrop avenues.

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

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Dominican launches new College of Health Sciences

Expands undergraduate nursing, offers physician assistant master’s degree

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Dominican University in River Forest launched their College of Health Sciences this year, which includes undergraduate degree programs in nutrition and dietetics, medical studies, and nursing, plus a new master’s degree program in physician assistant studies. The latter, university officials said, will begin enrolling students in early January.

In a statement, officials said the new college is “part of an ongoing effort to meet critical shortages of health care workers in Illinois and across the nation.”

“We are committed to preparing many historically underrepresented practitioners in the health sciences, including women and minorities, to become exceptional, compassionate health care professionals in their communities,” said Dr. Dan Beach, the interim dean of the College of Health Sciences.

“In addition, we are focused on helping first-generation college students pursue their dreams in the medical field,” he said.

In an interview last week, administrators in the new college explained there has been increased demand among incoming students to study health sciences.

“The nursing major for undergraduates has been the [most popular program among incoming freshmen] for two or three years,” said Debra Gurney, executive director of nursing and chief nursing officer at Dominican.

“We just admitted our third cohort of students,” Gurney said. “We started out three years ago in the fall with 18 students and now we have a total, between the juniors and seniors, of 102 students in the pipeline.”

Dr. Richard “Sal” Salcido, founding director of physician assistant studies, said the demand for physician assistants (PA’s) — who are similar to general practice doctors and qualified to examine, diagnose

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

CUTTING EDGE: Richard “Sal” Salcido, the founding director of Dominican’s physician assistant master’s degree program, dissects a 3-D cadaver on a new Anatomage table inside of Palmer Hall on Nov. 30. and treat patients while being supervised by physicians — is rising, in part because of the program’s return on investment.

“I think probably about 98 percent of [PA’s] get jobs before they graduate and the average salary is over $90,000 a year,” said Salcido, adding that the two-year PA program, which costs about $88,000, is much less expensive and less time-consuming than becoming a full-blown doctor — which can take up to 14 years after medical school, internships and residencies are completed.

According to the Association of Medical Colleges, the median four-year cost of medical school in the United States was nearly $280,000 for private schools and more than $200,000 for public schools.

“There’s not enough health care professionals to care for patients in the hospital and, of course, baby boomers are being admitted to the hospital in force,” said Gurney. “When we started, our mission was to provide the community with nurses because there’s a nursing shortage; then we extended [that mission] to the graduate level

with the physician assistant program.”

Dominican officials said that the College of Health Sciences launch required a multiphase buildout of the university’s Palmer Hall, which now features simulation hospital rooms stocked with state-of-the-art 3-D anatomy tables and medical manikins that can replicate numerous functions of the human body — from breathing and bleeding to giving birth.

In addition, Gurney and Salcido said, the new college experienced an infusion of personnel this year, with the nursing program going from two full-time faculty members when it began to six full-time faculty members and 15 part-time members.

The new PA program has around five fulltime and two part-time faculty members.

Beach estimated that the additional capital and personnel costs for expanding, and launching, the nursing and PA programs were around $3 million to $4 million, with much of that paid for by private funding from donors.

It’s an investment, university officials

said, that will pay off in spades, considering the growth of the health care industry. By 2024, according to recent data published in Health Affairs, spending on health care could account for nearly one-fifth of the U.S. GDP. Salcido, who was recruited by Dominican from the University of Pennsylvania, where he worked on trying to attract more underrepresented minorities into health care fields.

According to a study published last year in JAMA Internal Medicine, only 15 percent of the nearly 17,000 medical school graduates in 2012 were members of minority groups, including 7 percent black and 7 percent Hispanic.

“The medical profession in itself doesn’t really match the pluralistic society we live in,” Salcido said. “Only about 3 percent of Hispanics are able to get into PA schools. So, we made it a mission to recruit students who are minority, who are first to go to college and who are military veterans. We just filled our first class [of 30 students] and we have about 11 Mexican-American students who sailed right through the admissions process. We got about 14 who are the first to go to college.”

Among those students is 27-year-old Gabriela Velazquez, a graduate of College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts and a native of Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.

Velazquez, who is the first in her family to go to college, said she worked for several years before enrolling in Dominican’s PA program.

“As a PA, you have more time with patients and more patient interaction,” Velazquez said.

“You can also move between different specialties pretty easily. That caught my attention. But the main reason I wanted to [pursue this field] was to give back to Pilsen, which is really underserved in the area of health care.”

“We work so hard in building a program,” said Beach. “The culmination of that is actually seeing the faces of students when they get on campus. It wasn’t just the students; they brought family, too. They all remarked what a warm, accepting, supportive atmosphere they found here.

There’s a lot of competition to get into these programs, but the competition is over now.

The important thing is to get everybody across the goal line.”

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

D200 referendum fails by 28 votes

After mulling a possible recount, referendum supporters let go

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

It’s now official. According to election results certified by the Cook County Clerk’s

Office, the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 school board’s plan to borrow up to $25 million to partially fund a $44.4 million facilities plan failed by just 28 votes in the Nov. 8 election.

Last week, members of the pro-referendum Vote Yes group considered a possible discovery recount. According to a spokesman for the clerk’s office, if a losing candidate or ballot measure earns a vote total that amounts to at least 95 percent of the votes earned by the winning side, then the losing

side has a right to a discovery recount.

In a statement released Monday, Vote Yes campaign manager Lynn Kamenitsa said that her group would not take that course.

According the Clerk’s Office spokesman, a discovery recount is only designed to collect information about an election. It doesn’t change the election results.

The failed facilities plan would have entailed the demolition of the village-owned 300-space garage, the construction of an estimated $21.4 million, 25-yard by 40-meter

swimming pool, plus a roughly 240-space new parking garage on the site of the old one. The plan would also have included expanding the performing arts and learning spaces at the high school.

District 200 officials have said that the administration will recommend suggestions for restarting community deliberation about an alternative plan at a Dec. 13 special meeting.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Two announce bids for D97, D200 boards

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Two people have recently announced their intentions to run for school boards in the April 4, 2017 election. Current Oak Park District 97 Board President James Gates has said that he’s seeking reelection to a third term.

First-time candidate Craig Iseli, who served a stint on the D97 board after a 2015 appointment, is seeking his first term on the Oak Park and River Forest District 200 school board.

Gates, who has been on the D97 board since 2009, became board president in 2014.

He served as board vice president under former board president Bob Spatz for a year prior to taking the helm.

Gates is the only sitting board member of the three members whose terms will be up next year who has decided to defend his seat.

Veteran board members Amy Felton and Graham Brisben will not seek reelection.

As with the Oak Park and River Forest District 200 high school board, the D97 school board is facing a possible drain of experienced hands. Next year, barring Gates’ reelection, the board could be composed of five members who have less than one term in office. Board members Jim O’Connor and Bob Spatz have both served for at least one full term.

In an interview Monday, Gates, 65, touted

his commitments to fiscal responsibility, board accountability, student performance and community engagement.

“I think our board has demonstrated a commitment to fiscal stewardship,” said Gates, referencing JAMES GATES a feature on the disD97 board president trict’s website that tracks a list of promises, such as increasing student and teacher access to technology and exercising sound fiscal management, the district made in the wake of a 2011 referendum. He also cited the board’s monthly self-evaluations and biannual board self-assessment retreats, which is more than what the state recommends for districts.

“I would like to run again to ensure that we continue to be stewards of Oak Park’s financial resources and especially so that the school district and community remain sustainable,” he said. “Sustainability is critical, because everything we do impacts sustainability — from contracts and student achievement to hires.”

Gates also said that he’s been working with board colleague Holly Spurlock to establish a

Committee for Community Engagement, which would be the district’s fourth standing board committee — along with the Facilities Advisory Committee, Finance Oversight and Review Committee, and the Committee CRAIG ISELI for Legislative AcD200 board candidate tion, Intervention and Monitoring.

Gates said that the new committee should be up and running no later than February.

“Community engagement is always an issue for a board,” Gates said. “You cannot communicate with the community too much.

This would be a citizen-chaired committee.

People with expertise in marketing, public relations and social media [will be recruited] to ensure a true dialogue with the community. We’ll also have face-to-face events.”

Gates, a retired school teacher, is currently a co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Assembly, also known as iGov, which comprises six of Oak Park’s “government taxing bodies [that] gather periodically to discuss potential collaborative opportunities and talk about present and future challenges,” according to its web page.

“I understand education from the classroom perspective, from the leadership perspective, from the board perspective,” Gates said. “I spent nine years consulting and doing teacher support training for the DuPage [Regional Office of Education] and I think I’ve demonstrated the ability to work across governmental units.”

Iseli, 54, and an executive vice-president of a mid-sized chemical company, said that he was encouraged to run for a seat on the D200 board by community members and local school board officials. He also said the prospect of running for office has interested him for some time.

“I’d been interested in running for a number of years and talked to people over the years,” he said. “This is a priority for me. I want to get involved in the community.”

Iseli, a married father of two Oak Park and River Forest High School students, has been a member of various standing board committees. In 2015, he was appointed to serve the remainder of the late Peter Traczyk’s term, during which Iseli was involved in D97 Supt. Carol Kelley’s hiring.

“In my professional career I have had many opportunities living and working in different cultures,” Iseli said in a statement. “I have also managed significant resources and built successful businesses from the ground up.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Sponsored Content

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District House Sales Reach 35% building features green terraces and walls of glass, but also references the Prairie School of architecture that put Oak Park on the map.

ales of condominium homes at Ranquist Development Group’s District House hit the 35% mark, enabling the project to go from the design planning stage to the construction phase in a record amount of time. In the spring of 2016, Ranquist, along with Campbell Coyle Real Estate, submitted plans to the Village of Oak Park for a 28-unit building at 700 Lake Street and quickly was awarded Village approval for the project.

The units hit the MLS in August with the opening of the Sales Center at 805 Lake Street, and the brisk sales pace means the project now has the green light to proceed to construction.

For Ranquist’s Cory Robertson, the appeal of District House is multi-faceted.

“Since the day we first released our design plans, the public’s response has been overwhelming. Our architects’ forward-thinking designs have struck a chord in a neighborhood known for great architectural history. Also, people in the western suburbs and the city have been looking for high-end condominiums

At a time when the majority of condominiums in the village are smaller, newer units or vintage walkups, District House fills a unique niche in offering spacious three bedroom units that will range from 1,700 to 2,000 square feet. Perfect for the down-sizing Oak Park resident who wants to remain in the neighborhood and still have space for guests and entertaining, the units also appeal to young professionals and families looking to put down roots in the community. that offer great access to transportation and all the amenities of downtown Oak Park.”

From the beginning, Seattle-based Miller Hull and Chicago-based Northworks sought to create a building in context at the corner of Oak Park’s Lake Street and Euclid Avenue. The contemporary, LEED-certified

9

The quick pace of presales indicates that the local market is hungry for high-end condominiums, and Robertson expects the sales to continue as the project heads towards construction.

To inquire about condominium homes in District House, stop by the District House Sales Center at 805 Lake Street or call Frank Vithelic at 708.386.1810.

10

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Rivers Forest OKs luxury condos on Bonnie Brae

Construction expected to break ground next spring

By DEBORAH KADIN Contributing Reporter

Construction of a new 18-unit luxury condominium complex at Thomas Street and Bonnie Brae Place in River Forest got the goahead on Nov. 28 following village trustees’ approval of a planned development application for the project.

After more than a year of discussions and meetings, developers of 1101-1111 Bonnie Brae Place can apply for a building permit, village officials said.

The developer, Art Gurevich, said his team is developing plans and specs to accompany that application and hopes that construction can begin in late spring 2017.

The project should be completed by the end of 2018, Gurevich added.

By late 2018, the site at 1101-1107 Bonnie Brae, which is now a parking lot, will be a three-story condo building comprising 15 units. A total of 56 parking spaces will be provided on the building’s ground floor and an underground parking area.

An existing six-unit apartment building at 1111 Bonnie Brae will be converted to a

three-condo structure, one unit per floor. A new parking garage also will be constructed. It is a vintage building that will be kept as intact as possible, said Lisa Scheiner, River Forest’s assistant village manager.

Units will range from 1,800 to 3,000 square feet and will list from $860,000 to more than $1 million. The primary market will be empty nesters, Gurevich said. Five units must be under contract before construction can begin; one already is, he added.

“This had been a long process, but the board and I appreciate you staying the course. It’s a better building for the community,” said Village President Catherine Adduci. “You’re doing it right. We’re pleased to have some new beautiful development in our town.”

OPEN WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY

Courtesy AP Architects LLC

Developers are proposing a 20-unit condo development in the 1100 block of Bonnie Brae (right) and will maintain and rehab an existing multi-unit building to the north.

It took more than a year to the project to a vote of village trustees. The project was unveiled to the village board in September 2015 and the River Forest Development Review Board recommended several changes to allay concerns over density and parking.

Initially the developer wanted 1101-1107 to be a 72-foot, five-floor, 20-unit building that in-

cluded a community room and rooftop space.

That was deemed too dense, so the size of the building was reduced to 50 feet, the rooftop amenities were shelved and the number of units was scaled back from 20 to 15.

In October, the developer incorporated the subterranean parking before it was formally approved by the Development Review Board.

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

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Lea French Street Food to open on Marion near North Boulevard

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

It’s been a full year of new restaurants opening shop in Oak Park, and another player has entered the village’s new dining landscape – Lea French Street Food has announced plans to open at 106 N. Marion St. this spring.

Just because they’re serving French food, though, doesn’t mean customers will pay French bistro prices, says co-owner Colleen Wagner.

“We’re trying to showcase the simple French foods that most people eat every day,” she said.

And Wagner should know – she lived in Paris for eight years prior to returning to the states, River Forest specifically, with her husband Nicolas Caulliez, a French native, about three and a half years ago.

“As a French native who brought my family to live in Paris for many years, we enjoyed the simple foods made from quality ingredients,” Caulliez, Lea French Street chef and baker, said in a press release. “A warm baguette, salted butter, freshly sliced ham, artisan cheese from the local market – that’s the food we’re excited to bring to Oak Park and all of its visitors.”

Wagner tells Wednesday Journal that en-

trees – sandwiches, a customizable yogurt bar, house-made quiches, soups and breads – will range from $7 to $10. Lea French Street also will offer local craft beers and select wine from a few vineyards, which aims to showcase the vineyards and educate customers, Wagner said.

“It will be a limited selection, but it will also tell a story to the customer about where their wine comes from and where their beer comes from,” she said.

It’s the first business endeavor for Wagner and Caulliez, both professional architects.

“My husband is passionate about food and I’m passionate about the customer service experience,” she said.

That customer experience will be different than other restaurants, Wagner said, noting that at Lea French Street customers will self-order at digital kiosks and the food will be brought to the table.

The 2,730-square-foot storefront, which is expected to seat 50, is the former home of Muse Clothing store.

Now that a lease has been signed, Wagner and Caulliez are beginning work on the restaurant build out, which Wagner said would be a modern contemporary look featuring a neutral palate of whites and grays.

The lease was brokered by David King & Associates, Inc., a local commercial real estate firm.

“Lea French Street is a tremendous addition to Marion Street and downtown Oak Park,” King said in the press release.

CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

What does the village clerk do?

Clerk is liaison between residents and village but the position has changed

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

The position of village clerk is probably the most misunderstood in Oak Park’s village hall, not only because of the clerk’s lack of decision-making powers and limited visibility but also because the clerk’s duties have been curtailed in recent years.

Teresa Powell has served two terms in the position, but announced earlier this year that she is not running for a third term in the municipal election in April.

According to state statute, the clerk is tasked with keeping the corporate seal and “all papers belonging to the municipality the custody and control of which are not given to other officers.”

The clerk also attends all public meetings of the board and executive sessions to keep a full record of the proceedings.

Also among the clerk’s many tasks: ■ Swearing in public officials.

■ Coordinating responses to public records requests.

■ Posting notices and minutes of public meetings.

■ Managing membership databases for village advisory boards and commissions.

■ Staff for Citizen Involvement Commission.

■ Oversight and permit issuance for special events.

■ Local election official that hosts early voting, receives petitions for municipal elections and submits ballot information to the county.

■ Coordinator of the local census.

■ Notary for parliamentary procedure.

■ Point of contact for residents contacting the village.

The village clerk is the only municipal employee who works in village hall who cannot be fired by the village manager. The manager and village board of trustees can reduce or inflate the responsibilities of the clerk, and since the late 2000s they’ve opted for the former.

Powell said in an interview that in 2009, when she first took office, the village clerk had a staff of 10 employees. All but two of those employees have been moved to other departments during Powell’s tenure.

Duties that have been eliminated over roughly the last decade include: ■ Overseeing vital records (moved to the county).

■ Animal control (moved to Department of Public Health).

■ Reception at village hall (moved to Department of Public Works).

■ Weights and measures (moved to the state of Illinois).

■ Vehicle stickers (moved to Parking Ser-

“I’m not the board’s secretary; I’m the keeper of the [public] record. … I would hope that whoever is elected to the village board in the next election realizes what a gem and resource they have in the village clerk.”

TERESA POWELL

Outgoing Village Clerk

vices).

■ Business licenses (moved to Business Services Department).

■ Liquor licenses (moved to Department of Development Customer Services).

■ Real estate transfer tax, special events licensing, records management and scheduling of meetings at village hall (moved to Department of Finance).

Powell said in a telephone interview that many “people don’t even realize that the clerk’s office is an elected official.”

“I’m not the board’s secretary; I’m the keeper of the [public] record,” she said.

Powell said the position’s duties were investigated in 2013 at the recommendation of the village manager. The board of trustees ultimately voted to approve the reduction in the clerk’s duties.

The full-time position pays $76,625. It was the only elected official position that was not approved for a pay raise, when trustees recently approved more than doubling their annual pay from $7,200 to $15,000 and the mayor’s from $10,800 to $25,200.

Powell said she believes the board does not “realize how valuable the clerk is.”

“I would hope that whoever is elected to the village board in the next election realizes what a gem and resource they have in the village clerk.”

CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

13

OP clerk candidate has a long resume

Lori Malinksi aims to reinvigorate clerk position

her work with businesses and nonprofits – she was business association liaison for the Oak Park Development Corporation [OPDC] and worked closely with the North Avenue and Roosevelt Road Business associations –

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER would enhance her ability to work as a liaiStaff Reporter son between the public and the village.

She says there is a “good public relations Longtime Oak Park resident Lori Malinopportunity for the village” in the position ski has announced her intention to run for of village clerk inside and outside village village clerk in the upcoming April 2017 hall. Malinksi said in an interview that she election and says she brings to the table would work to redefine and reinvigorate the a wealth of experience working with Oak clerk’s role by establishing greatPark’s business community. er outreach to residents to keep Malinski, who currently works them updated about the underas director of development at takings of village hall.

Oak-Leyden Developmental Ser“I’m a great listener and a great vices, got a potential advantage liaison,” she said in a VMA press on her opponents in late Novemrelease. “During the process of ber when she was endorsed by deciding whether or not I would the Village Manager Association run for this, I spoke to many [VMA] and picked to run with friends, colleagues, business conincumbent trustee candidates tacts. I found that many people Peter Barber and Glenn Brewer. still don’t understand how things LORI MALINSKI Malinski is one of three candiwork at village hall – where to go, Village Clerk candidate dates who have announced their how our taxes are determined, plans to run for the office. how our community is being deJames Robinson-Parran, a professional mu- veloped. As clerk, I would focus on reaching sician, and Elia Gallegos, who works for the out to ensure good communication.” village of Oak Park assisting residents with The village clerk should have an online housing and as grants coordinator for the vil- presence through social networks like Facelage’s community development block grants book and Twitter, she said, promising to inprogram under the U.S. Department of Hous- crease that outreach if elected. ing and Urban Development.

Malinski said she considered running for Malinski tells Wednesday Journal that the position eight years ago when then-retir-

ing village clerk Sandra Sokol approached her with the idea. Malinski said she opted not to run at that time because of her responsibilities with her then-young son.

She noted in her letter to the VMA announcing her intention to run that she also would use the role to help Oak Parkers better navigate village hall and explain to residents the village’s successes.

“I think, too, that when we think of the village, people think of taxes and parking tickets; I could bring a broader perspective,” she said in an interview, noting that many in the village are unaware of the “vast array” of services for seniors and children, among others.

Malinski said she also is considering creating a blog to keep residents informed on a day-to-day basis.

Her connections to the nonprofit world through her time at Oak-Leyden; her experience with the business community while at OPDC; and her relationships with those working at village hall would make her a good fit for the position, she said.

She noted that her slate with trustee candidates Barber and Brewer focuses on balanced economic development; transparency in government; and ensuring continued diversity – racial, ethnic and financial – in the village.

Malinski says she’s “not an outsider, not an insider but someone who knows and understands relationships within and without village hall.”

CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

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Oak Park musician enters village clerk race Candidate calls for greater transparency

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

Oak Park musician James RobinsonParran has thrown his hat in the ring for the open position of village clerk, saying he wants to attract more participation in local issues by providing more information to residents.

It is the first run for office for RobinsonParran, a professional piano player, who plays accompaniment for the Triton College Community Choir and works as a freelance musician, earned a bachelor’s degree in music from DePaul University and a master of arts in music from Concordia University.

Robinson-Parran also has worked in events management and said the experience positions him well to be a liaison between Oak Parkers and the village government.

He tells Wednesday Journal that the village is antiquated in getting information

“I want the people of Oak Park to take this out to residents about development issues, increasing taxes and other topics like the election seriously,” he said. recent OPRF High School pool referendum He faces two other candidates, so far, in vote. the April election: Lori Malinski, director of “I think that’s part of the probdevelopment at Oak-Leyden Delem,” he said. velopmental Services, and Elia Robinson-Parran said he Gallegos, a village of Oak Park would establish an online presemployee who assists residents ence from the village clerk’s ofwith housing and as a housing fice through Twitter, Facebook, grants coordinator.

Instagram and other social netRobinson-Parran did seek the work outlets. endorsement of the Village Man“There are so many people ager Association, which vets who may not be aware of these and slates candidates for public things but are interested in office, but the group chose MaJAMES ROBINSONthese things,” he said in a telelinski to run with incumbent PARRAN phone interview, adding that he trustee candidates Peter Barber Village Clerk candidate also would pursue setting up cell and Glenn Brewer. He appeared phone and email notifications before the VMA in early October, for which residents could sign up. noting, “I told them if they picked me or not, “We could get information out to empow- I was going to run.” er people to make their own informed deciRobinson-Parran announced his candidasions,” he said. cy late last month in a letter to Wednesday Robinson-Parran said he believes more Journal. people should get involved with local govIn that letter, he described himself as a ernment where their impact can make a lifelong voter who “grew up in a nation that real difference. prided itself on national discourse, debate,

intelligence and fierce civic pride.”

“I believe while Oak Park is a great place to live, it can be better,” Robinson-Parran wrote. “This general election was a call to arms for a populace of those who are willing to go forward and do the work. For us, the work is not done only in the voting booth, but in committee meetings, community groups, and neighborhood watch groups.”

He said he’s lived in Oak park for nearly three decades, and that people of his generation are not involved enough in the process of collective governing. Robinson-Parran said he was inspired by organizers like Anthony Clark, an Oak Park and River Forest High School teacher who earlier this year established a nonprofit group called the Suburban Unity Alliance in an effort to battle discrimination in the western suburbs.

Robinson-Parran touted the demonstrations the group has organized over the last few months but said protesters also have to get involved “and have a voice in the system.”

“I hope that no matter what, people will come out and vote,” he said.

CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

14

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Community Mental Health Board

The Oak Park Developmental Disabilities Consortium,

under the auspices of the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, and with support from the River Forest Township Mental Health Committee, is dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities in reaching their dreams and aspirations.

CHECK THE WEDNESDAY JOURNAL FOR INSPIRING STORIES FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE CONSORTIUM.

When Rose and Richard Smith learned that their newborn son Ricky had Down syndrome, they accepted that he would learn differently from other children but they would not accept that he would have fewer opportunities than his peers. Now, at age 49, Ricky is a thriving, contributing member of our Oak Park community.

He enjoys spending much of his leisure time with his friends at West Suburban Special Recreation Association where, for over 40 years, superior recreation experiences have been available for individuals with disabilities. From his childhood to today, Ricky has been a part of WSSRA basketball, softball and bowling teams and enjoyed countless social programs too. Through these experiences he has honed his skills, learned to be a supportive teammate and, as Ricky’s dad tells us, made lifelong friends. One of Ricky’s WSSRA highlights was being selected to star in a Special Olympic commercial with Michael Jordan, but Richard Smith tells us that WSSRA has been life-changing for their entire family.

West Suburban Special Recreation Association offers year-round recreation programs and inclusion services for persons of all ages and disabilities. Residents of the park districts of Berwyn, Cicero, Forest Park, Oak Park, River Forest, Franklin Park, Norridge and the Villages of Harwood Heights and Elmwood Park are eligible to participate in art, fitness, sports and social club programs. WSSRA provides trained staff to supervise and support participants based on their needs. Ricky and others will never age out of our recreation programs.

The WSSRA winter session begins in January and we are always looking to grow our team of dedicated and caring staff. Connect with us today!

of Oak Park Township

The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township (CMHB) is a branch of Oak Park Township. The CMHB is comprised of nine residents appointed by the Township Supervisor with the approval of the Township Trustees. One CMHB member is a Township Trustee.

Dr. Rad Gharavi, an Oak Park resident and psychiatrist, is the Clinical Director of the Intellectual Disability Behavioral Health Program at Riveredge Hospital. The 36bed unit is the only inpatient program in Illinois that specializes in treating adults with an intellectual or developmental disability.

The purpose of the Community Mental Health Board is to assist in planning, developing, coordinating, evaluating, and funding mental health services in Oak Park. This includes services for persons with mental illness, alcohol or other drug dependence or developmental disabilities. The Township’s Community Mental Health Fund provides over $1 million in financial support for programs and services to 12-20 agencies per year in Oak Park.

For years, Dr. Gharavi witnessed hospitals and colleagues struggle to work with the intellectually or developmentally disabled (ID/DD) population due to the lack of resources and specialized staff needed to support them. To do his part to address the gap in services, Dr. Gharavi committed himself to treating adults on the ID/DD unit at Riveredge Hospital when it opened fall 2011. Since that time he has worked with thousands of individuals, their families, and provider agencies.

The RFMHC’s mission is fulfilled through partnerships with community agencies, which provide a flexible network of easily accessible services for treatment and prevention of mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance use. Services include case management, supervised housing, psychiatric treatment, volunteer opportunities, 24hour crisis management and social/recreational services.

Dr. Gharavi also has a private practice in Oak Park, Progressive Psychiatry. Living and working in Oak Park is special to Dr. Gharavi because of the diversity he sees within the community. He has seen numerous adults living with an intellectual or developmental disability working in and around Oak Park at the local theater, gym and other businesses.

Dr. Gharavi is a proud resident of Oak Park and feels that the community embraces all people, including the ID/DD population.

Riveredge Hospital offers the full spectrum of comprehensive behavioral health services for children, adolescents and adults. We provide Trauma-Informed Care in a safe, compassionate, and therapeutic environment. We believe every individual has the right to be treated with respect and dignity as they seek support in addressing their mental health needs. We believe in healing and recovery. Let us be your behavioral healthcare partner. Call us today for a free level of care assessment.

The River Forest Township Mental Health Committee (RFMHC) works to enhance the mental health and developmental potential of residents by supporting a continuum of community based services that are costeffective, systematically evaluated and responsive to evolving needs.

DD CONSORTIUM AGENCY LIST Aspire aspirechicago.com

Community Support Services cssservices.org

Oak-Leyden Developmental Services oak-leyden.org

Oak Park Township Senior Services oakparktownship.org/departments/seniors

Opportunity Knocks opportunityknocksnow.org

PACTT Learning Center pactt.org

Riveredge Hospital riveredgehospital.com

Seguin RCA seguinrca.org

Suburban Access, Inc. subacc.org

Contact us.

West Suburban Special Recreation Association 2915 Maple Street Franklin Park, Il 60131 847.455.2100 • wssra@wssra.net • wssra.net facebook.com/WSSRA

Contact us.

Riveredge Hospital 8311 W. Roosevelt Road Forest Park, IL 60130 708.209.4181 (Assessment & Referral) tandra.rutledge@uhsinc.com • riveredgehospital.com facebook.com/riveredgehospital • twitter.com/RiveredgeHosp

The Answer, Inc. theanswerinc.org

UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago ucpseguin.org

West Suburban Special Recreation wssra.net

You can show your support for our Consortium members and the great work they do by visiting their websites – learn more, donate, volunteer, and follow them on social media. We appreciate your support!

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Early Childhood Resources Early Childhood Center and Camp

West Suburban Temple Har Zion WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

NO FINE? THAT’S FINE: Beronica Garcia helps a library patron check out some items on Monday afternoon, Nov.26.

LIBRARY FINES A change of policy from page 1 “It’s going to do away with one of the biggest points of friction between the staff and the public,” he said.

A library board memo says fines are a “regressive method of raising revenue: they impact the most those who can least afford them.”

Library Director David Seleb said his goal is to eliminate barriers to the library and that overdue fines are part of an outdated model.

“It’s always assumed that library fines are a discouragement to patrons keeping materials that are overdue,” Seleb said. “Frankly, that’s never been demonstrated to be true.”

Algonquin Area Public Library, Addison Public Library, Ela Area Public Library and Vernon Area Public Library District have eliminated overdue fines, and Seleb said patrons have continued to return books at the same rate.

Not exactly, according to representatives of the Algonquin and Vernon libraries.

Diane Strzelecki, an Algonquin Area Public Library spokesperson, said that the percentage of overdue items has doubled since the library system instituted the policy in 2014. Before the library went fine-free, roughly 1 percent of its items were overdue – that’s increased to 2 percent, or roughly 4,000 items, she said.

The Algonquin library system “ultimately” gets most materials returned, she said.

After items there have gone overdue for three weeks, the library sends a bill for the item, “and that is usually good enough to get them to bring the item back to the library,” she said.

Similarly, Vernon Area Public Library eliminated fines a year and a half ago and has experienced an increase in overdue items, but the amount of time the items remain overdue has decreased dramatically.

Cynthia Fuerst, Vernon Area Public Li-

brary director, said the items that are overdue but coming back sooner, noting, that the average number of days items are overdue has dropped 42 percent on average.

“Under our traditional model, [overdue] items were an average of 19 days late; now, they’re being returned 11 days late [on average],” she said.

She said first-time checkouts are up, though, because patrons have “more comfort checking out materials because we’re not nickel and diming them.”

“No one wants to shake down a busy family or a stressed out student for a pocket full of change,” Fuerst said. “It just wasn’t the kind of customer experience we wanted to provide.”

Oak Park’s Seleb said the library fine proposal is not a done deal and that the library board still must adopt the official policy eliminating the fines. So far, the board has just adjusted the budget to anticipate the reduction in revenue.

Seleb noted that although the revenue from late fines would go away under the proposed change, it won’t hit the pocketbooks of Oak Park taxpayers. That’s because the library is getting closer to paying off about $30 million in bond debt used to build the main library and renovate the two branches in 2003.

He said the decision on overdue fines was independent from the bond debt, which is expected to be completely paid off in 2020.

Those bond payments, however, are becoming smaller as the debt is paid off, he said.

The bond-debt bill in 2016 was $2.6 million, but that payment drops to roughly $1 million next year, he said.

“I want to be clear that while this is a topic that informs our decision on eliminating fines, this is not the reason we are eliminating fines; we need to be very clear about that,” he said. “The point is that even though the library [could] eliminate fines, that does not mean we are raising taxes because we are not. It does not mean that the library is going to have to raise other revenue.”

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

JUPITER

Preferred developer from page 1 fill their plan to build: ■ A new six-story residential building with 39 units and 34,850 square feet of retail space on the village-owned parking lot and adjacent properties to the east.

■ A new 48,400-square-foot grocery store on the south side of the 700 block of Madison that is currently occupied by the former Foley-Rice automobile dealer.

■ A new three-story, mixed-use building with 13,300 square feet of retail on the north side of the 600 block of Madison and a renovated building to the east, adjacent to Wesley Avenue, with 12,400 square feet of retail space.

The proposal includes a northward bend of Madison between Euclid and Wesley avenues that would make lots on the south side of Madison larger to accommodate the grocery store.

OPEDC also received a proposal from Oak Park-based Hammersley Architecture, which proposed building three separate concepts that included: four mixed-use buildings on the village-owned lot; a child-care facility; a business-and-arts incubator; and a residential courtyard.

“Of the two respondents, only Jupiter demonstrated the requisite expertise, experience, and financial capacity to implement its proposal,” OPEDC Executive Director

Courtey Jupiter Realty

BIG PLANS ON MADISON: Jupiter Realty was chosen by the Oak Park Board of Trustees as the preferred developer for the redevelopment of a village-owned parking lot at the corner of Madison Street and Oak Park Avenue. Their proposal includes multiple lots along the 600 and 700 blocks of Madison.

John Lynch wrote to the board.

OPEDC also encouraged the village to move forward with the Madison Street bend proposal, perform infrastructure and environmental remediation needed for the project and donate the land at the corner of Madison Street and Oak Park Avenue. Funds from the Madison Street Tax Increment Finance District [TIF] would be used to pay the remediation and infrastructure costs.

Oak Park-based Aria Group Architects, headed by principle James R. Lencioni, would design the project.

Village staff and members of the board of trustees discussed the process moving forward prior to approving Jupiter as the preferred developer for the project. The effort aimed to clear up misinformation disseminated on the internet by opponents of the proposal, falsely stating that the board

was expected to approve a redevelopment agreement with Jupiter.

Resident Chris Donovan, who has been an outspoken opponent of bending the roadway, sent emails to residents in the village on Monday, prior to the meeting, stating that the board aimed to approve the redevelopment agreement. He questioned board members at the Monday meeting about when the public would get the opportunity to discuss the bend proposal.

Trustee Adam Salzman ensured residents that the proposal would be reviewed by the village, and staff would begin negotiations for a redevelopment agreement, which would require board approval. The developer then will submit a planned development agreement, which will be reviewed by the Oak Park Plan Commission. The project then would return to the village for approv-

al by the board of trustees.

In addition to some 18 public meetings already held to discuss the Madison Street project, “There are a number coming up still” that would give the public the opportunity to learn more about the proposal and offer suggestions, Salzman said.

The public has been seemingly split on the issue of whether to bend the road and also whether to narrow it from four to two lanes along the commercial corridor; opponents have argued that narrowing the street will push traffic into nearby residential streets, while proponents have argued that Madison is a dangerous thoroughfare that would be calmed by reducing the size of the roadway.

Jerry J. Ong, executive vice president of Jupiter Realty, said the company initially became interested in building in Oak Park when it partnered with Clark Street Development on the mixed-use development Elevate Oak Park near the corner of Lake Street and Harlem Avenue. Clark Street severed its relationship with Jupiter sometime in 2014 or 2015, prompting Jupiter to pursue other Oak Park projects.

Ong said OPEDC suggested Jupiter pursue the parking lot site.

“We realized Oak Park owns Madison Street, so the notion was born to put a bend in Madison Street because [the property currently owned by Jupiter and the village] affords us the opportunity to create an anchor for a new Oak Park destination,” Ong said.

CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

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An 18-year-old Oak Parker was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after allegedly threatening a worker at Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., with a pellet gun on Nov. 17.

According to Oak Park police, the young man was approached by a library employee after causing a disturbance on the 2nd floor of the library. The young man was asked to remove his feet that were propped up on a library table, and the worker asked another group of people to “quiet down.”

The library employee then walked back to the young man and asked if he’d just gotten out of Cook County Jail. The offender said “that’s not your problem” and another person involved in the incident responded, “You ain’t going to do nothing.”

The worker responded, “What are you going to do?” before walking back to the service desk. While at the service desk, he was approached by the young man and his associate. Both apologized for the incident, saying, “No disrespect, we were just talking.”

The young man then lifted his shirt to reveal a black gun tucked in his waistband and said, “Just to let you know we don’t fight anymore.”

The library worker escorted the two men out of the library without incident and called police. The young man was later positively identified by police in the 600 block of W. Lake St., and arrested for aggravated assault.

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A sensible new production at OPRF’s Little Theater

f you’re not a Jane Austen fan, don’t be scared away.

The current production of Austen’s 1811 novel Sense and Sensibility playing at the Little Theater of Oak Park and River Forest High School for one more weekend is not some stuffy BBC drawing room melodrama. It’s a delightful new spin on the 200-year-old classic, full of vigorous movement and comic vitality.

Director Annie Slivinski has imaginatively staged this charming female-centric play.

Sixteen actors and plenty of tech people have put together a very spirited production.

Kate Hamil’s smart, funny adaptation provides a fresh female voice, conveying a solid feminine perspective not always found in other mountings of this work. We follow the pretty but poor Dashwood sisters — clear-headed but reserved Elinor (Sophia Zinger), the older sibling, and impetuous, effusive Marianne (Anika Waco) — after their father’s sudden death leaves them destitute and socially vulnerable.

19th-century people were preoccupied with real estate, income, class and reputation. So how will the Dashwood girls, both at the age to marry, land suitable husbands without dowries? Women of that era were nobody unless they married well. Money was the driving force behind most couplings.

Although there are 46 different scene changes, all set pieces and furnishings, from sofas to doorways, are on wheels, quickly rolled on and off by the actors.

Chandeliers drop and then disappear when no longer needed. There is no pause for stagehands to make all these shifts. The rapid changes are delightfully imaginative.

A rolling piano, for instance, becomes a stagecoach with one of the cast members acting as a spirited horse.

Windowed trellises moving on casters allow gossips to peer in and observe the lead-

ing characters. A veritable Greek chorus of gossipy-eavesdroppers remind us of the social pressures of that period.

The widow Dashwood (Maeve Doody) and her girls find themselves torn from the landed gentry lifestyle they’ve always known and are forced to live on a meager income in a remote cottage supplied by a distant relative.

The backdrop features a dozen or so framed landscape paintings, providing a glimpse of the British countryside.

Several very lively scenes of Regency era dancing add vitality.

Lily Alter is hilarious as Mrs. Jennings, a vivacious widow relentlessly seeking to encourage suitable marriages among young people. Solid and kind Colonel Brandon, considered a brooding old bachelor at 35, is nicely played by Drew Krueger. He’s attracted to Marianne but, due to his age, is discounted as a suitor.

Many of the 16 cast members play several roles with fine comic timing.

The period costumes — empire gowns and cutaway coats — are designed by Jeffrey G. Kelly. His assistant is Sean Lane. Make-up and hair is by Patricia Cheney. Christopher Scholtens is the scenic designer. Kevin Geoffards created the expressive lighting.

The stage manager is Nadirah Muhammed.

I am aware that directors must work with the pool of people who show up and try out for their shows. But I was surprised to see an entirely white cast for this production (students of color are among the tech and production staff and crew).

This production of Sense and Sensibility is bouncy and enjoyable. There is one intermission. The cast received a standing ovation on opening night.

Two performances remain this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students.

DOUG

DEUCHLER

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

19

Homes

NEED TO REACH US?

oakpark.com/real-estate editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com

Renaissance towers or honking high-rises?

The new Elevate Oak Park building looks like a squandered opportunity

O

ak Park has a strong sense of place. Many of the residential blocks have not changed in 100 years. The streets are layered with architectural styles reflecting the history. There is a keen logic that supports the decision-making in the village. Fortunately, it is a diverse community that is engaged in building quality architecture.

I have recently had the opportunity to discover what is going on in the city of Chicago, specifically in the western neighborhoods of Bucktown, Wicker Park and Logan Square. These communities are similar in many ways to Oak Park. The density is comparable, they enjoy excellent transportation, and they are in the midst of spectacular growth.

Chicago, currently has 46 high-rise residential buildings under way within its neighborhoods. Five of those are located within the aforementioned districts, close to public transportation. Trains, buses, bikes and automobiles are the assets these communities foster in the spirit of inclusion.

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Getting Down To Business

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Right on Target

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By CATHY YEN, Executive Director

inally. We got our Target.

Ever since the company opened its first eleven stores in the Chicagoland area in 1993, Oak Parkers have bemoaned driving past our own empty lots as we made the trek to Broadview, Melrose Park and later Brickyard, Hillside and the even the west Loop. Now we are going to have a Target in our very own downtown business district. Huzzah!

Why Target? Why now? There is no question that we are Target people. Most people I know shop there – and like it. But between online shopping and our willingness to drive a few miles in any direction to the nearest Target, the company has had little incentive to invest – until now. We got close in 2008

when the company was first rolling out its “urban stores” format, but the economy took a turn and the project fell through.

The current environment is much different than 2008. First and foremost, the economy improved and big corporations like Target are expanding. Second, the company is actively building small-format “Target Express” stores of less than 50,000 square feet throughout the country. The Oak Park store at 22,000 square feet is part of that strategy. It will not be very big. As a comparison, the Walgreen’s on Madison and Oak Park Avenue is just under 14,000 square feet.

The typical suburban Target is about 150,000 square feet, or almost seven times the size of the proposed Oak Park store.

The new store will have a smaller selection of merchandise and convenience items, tailored for our community. And, tailored for the residents of our new downtown high-rises. Which is a good thing.

The third reason we can expect a Target next year is development. The company is building a store designed for dense urban areas in an area that is becoming denser and increasingly urban. Sure, that will bring some bad (parking, traffic, challenges for independents) with the good. But for now, let’s focus on the good. Revenue. Convenience. Investment. Jobs. Retail occupancy.

Anchor store. Amenities for new residents.

And it’s Target. We’ve always wanted a Target. (Next week… what about the little guys?)

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

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23

1

2 Photos by Garret Eakin

3

HIGHRISES

One hit, one miss from page 19 Two new city high-rise residential projects are nearing completion, one in Logan Square at the California el stop and the other at Division and Ashland, both designed by very good architects. They represent the potential outcomes associated with this building type. The Logan Square complex is essentially twin towers (almost), located on a flat featureless site. The crystal-like form executed in dark aluminum, charcoal glass and raw concrete is not something to love as it is more suburban than urban, recalling office parks — yet it is wondrously contrasted by the linear stone wall, the urban plaza and the tremendous granite blocks so eloquently placed and contrasted with a row of perfect young trees.

Both projects are new building types, transit-oriented with little or no parking integrated into the program. The strategy is by omitting parking, the tenants become more dependent on mass transit, decreasing the traffic and congestion at these critical intersections. This all goes back to the liv-

ability and walkability of historic neighborhoods. Aesthetically, the buildings are urban, modern, minimal and un- sympathetic to the context.

In urban design a sense of place may have soul, producing a special or unique experience. Christopher Alexander argues in his book Pattern Language, that “human-centered design is fitting in our urban centers.

Designs that ignore sensitivity to human scale or appropriate materials may result in an awkward disconnect with the community.”

Without the challenge of integrating parking at approximately one space per dwelling unit, the design strategy is freed up. Retail shops, appropriate to support the neighborhood, can be placed for the convenience of the surrounding. Unfortunately, the opportunity is lost on this project resulting in anonymous form that could be anywhere — suburbs maybe?

In Oak Park, we are witnessing a similar Renaissance of towers. Some of our vertical masses are a good deal more successful than our Chicago cousins described above. These masses not only have parking, beautifully concealed, but provide appropriate retail space for a commercial developer to be successful.

The design completed at Lake and Forest,

for instance, is detailed with references and concepts derived from the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District and the Downtown Oak Park business district. The integration of brick walls in an elongated pattern, sporting a horizontal raked pattern, recalls Wright and his passion for this heroic material. The masonry or Roman brick walls produce a counterpoint to the more modern glass walls of the tower.

The random pattern of storefronts mimic the variety of designs found in the Lake Street shops. This delightful collection of facades is modern yet traditional. The Architects’ sensitivity to the street and its human character is admirable. I like very much the zipper-like balconies that relieve the great wall of glass, which are more symbolic than functional. This is a good building, one that will be appreciated for many years. It is also a great example for us all to learn.

On the old Colt site on Lake Street another high-rise with pretty much the same program is under way. Unfortunately, the outcome is questionable. Parking for the building, the downtown district, and the train station is adequately planned to be functional and concealed. The southern wall of the multilevel parking garage will be skinned by an “artful” perforated metal pattern. This urban design offers more than just a new street, concealed

ON THE RISE: 1) The Vantage tower at Lake and Forest is a spectacular form with a human touch.

2) On the Colt site, we see a pseudo-traditional combination of materials, forms and ideas taking shape from the past. This is a lost opportunity for architecture.

3) The Logan Square glass highrise forms a wonderful urban plaza between the towers. parking and towers of housing.

It seems to be designed as a collage of forms that might have been built over the years. Good idea to perhaps scale the elements, but the outcome shows a lack of interest in Oak Park. This is a community that wants to move forward not stagnate in history and their interpretation of it. The forms and details are all semi-traditional but with little harmony developed to create an appropriate unity. The pedestrian bridge was an opportunity for something interesting but was squandered. It looks bland and predictable.

Order and conceptual thinking is lacking in this huge building complex. They have considered the scale of the existing buildings and made them lower on the new street and along Lake Street, thereby losing an opportunity to generate more unity. I am sure when the new Target store is built, everyone will forget about what seems esoteric or academic.

Trust me, these buildings must be learned from to prevent it from happening again in another layer of history. Urban patterns that could produce a much better sense of place could be realized.

Garret Eakin is an award-winning architect, a preservationist and a professor at the School of the Art Institute.

24

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

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HOLIDAY

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HOLIDAY

Contents

gifts

2016

December 7, 2016

3

5

Staff

Local landmarks

Contributing Reporter/Editor Lacey Sikora

light up the night with

Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes

decorations

Editorial Designers Jacquinete Baldwin, Javier Govea IT Manager/ Web Developer Mike Risher Staff Photographer William Camargo

8

Advertising Production Manager Philip Soell

Pumpkin

Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead

Pie Bars recipe

Advertising Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Media Coordinator Kristen Benford

12

Display Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck, Joseph

Chomiczewski

Bakeries prepare

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

holiday treats

Distribution Coordinator Caleb Thusat

Business Manager Joyce Minich

18

Publisher Dan Haley

Holiday shopping

Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak

22 Where to see Santa

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

Sample Ashley Cox's Holiday Pumpkin Pie Bars at Yearbook's Friends & Family Event, Thursday, Dec. 8th from 6pm to 9pm. See pages 14-15 for Yearbook's Best Gifts Guide for 2016.

O R D E R FO R

Order Early For CHRISTMAS!

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December 7, 2016

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2016

December 7, 2016

5

Holiday Magic, Brookfield Zoo

Deck the halls:

Local landmarks light up the night (and days) with holiday decorations

By LACEY SIKORA

E

Contributing Reporter

veryone likes to spruce up their homess for the holidays – whether that meanss adding some new candles to the menorah or putting a Fraser Fir in the living room. When your home is not an average home, but a bona fide landmark, holiday decorating can take on a whole new significance. From traditional decorations to over-the-top displays, a few local spots are sharing their decorating with the public this year. ar.

At Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home & Studio in Oak Park, the exterior of the home is decoratedd with garland draping the doors. Wright’s signature ure urns at both the entrance to the home on Forest A Avenue andd the entrance to the studio on Chicago Avenue are planted with a combination of red and green foliage, such as evergreen branches,

red dogwood, berries and pine cones.

Andrea Brown, senior manager public relations Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, notes that interior decorations are based on interviews with dec Wright’s children. “In the Children’s W Playroom, there is a twelve-foot Christmas tree, decorated with handmade ornaments, popcorn and cranberries strung with a needle and thread and other ornaments typical of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

IIn other parts of the house, holiday decorations reflect Frank Lloyd Wright’s de connection with the surrounding natural conn environment. He would have brought in cuttings environ colorful plants growing in nearby fields.” from colorfu The Cheney Mansion in Oak Park is full of the holiday See DECK THE HALLS on page 6

6

HOLIDAY

December 7, 2016

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2016

DECK THE HALLS from page 5

spirit for the entire month of December. Susan Crane, Cheney Mansion Operations and Special Events Supervisor, started the decorating just before Thanksgiving.

“We deck the halls from top to bottom. Most decorations are on the first floor, with touches on the second and third floors as well. We have different organizations help with the decorating, from Westgate Florist to the Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest.”

Inside, the home has seven to eight trees each year, and the Oak Park Conservatory provides the greenery outdoors for the window boxes.

For a completely over-thetop decorating sensation, head over to the Brookfield Cheney Mansion Zoo for Holiday Magic, on Saturdays and Sundays December 10-11, and 17-18 and Monday, December 26- Saturday, December 31. Now celebrating its thirty-fifth year, the holiday festival boasts over one million sparkling lights, a polar lights show, a forty-one foot talking tree, carolers and ice carvers.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home & Studio

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2016

December 7, 2016

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HOLIDAY

December 7, 2016

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2016

Pumpkin Pie Bars (12 bars, 8x8 square pan)

Gifts for every taste

Ashley Cox is a Culinary Arts graduate and personal chef specializing in sustainable, plant-based food, special diets, and holistic living.

She worked as a Raw Vegan Chef for ASHLEY two years in the Chicago COX Suburbs where she discovered her passion for vegan cuisine and taught raw food classes. She resides in Forest Park and enjoys yoga, exploring Chicago, traveling, and cooking for anyone who enjoys a fresh healthy meal. Her philosophy is eat pure, eat simple, and listen to your body, because when you nourish your body, you nourish your soul! You can find her recipes & kitchen coaching services at thenakedfoodlife.com.

Nutty Crust Ingredients:

133 N Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park Holiday Hours: M-F 11-6, Sat 10-5, Sun 12:30-5

1 ½ c ground mixed nuts (or one kind of nut will work) 1 ½ c ground almonds or almond flour Pinch salt and cinnamon 3 tbsp Yearbook maple syrup 3 tbsp coconut oil

Method:

Wishing Everyone a Joyous Holiday and a New Year filled with Success & Happiness!

Add the first 3 ingredients to a food processor and mix for a few seconds. Add the wet ingredients and blend until a dough forms. Add a bit more coconut oil if it is too dry. Press into the bottom of an 8x8 square baking dish lined with parchment paper.

Filling Ingredients: ½ c almond or cashew butter 1 ⁄3 c Yearbook maple syrup, room temperature 2 tbsp coconut sugar, or to taste 1 ⁄3 c melted coconut oil 1 ½ c pumpkin puree (take a big spoonful off the top of the can, then use what’s left) 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp flax mixed with 6 tbsp water) Seeds from ½ vanilla bean, or 1 tsp vanilla extract ¾ c almond flour (pulse almonds in a food processor until a flour forms, sift if desired) 2 tsp tapioca starch or 1 tbsp arrowroot ¼ tsp sea salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1-2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Method: Blend pumpkin, maple syrup, coconut oil, flax eggs, spices, and vanilla in a food processor or high speed blender until smooth. Add dry ingredients to processor and blend until smooth and creamy.

Pour into crust. Bake for 25-28 minutes at 325 degrees or until the center is not quite set. It should have a little “wiggle” when you move the pan. Let cool. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before cutting.

Serve chilled. Garnish with coconut whipped cream or chocolate sauce, if desired.

Tip: I make pie recipes as bars for easier cutting and better portions control. It’s a lot easier to cut a small square than a sliver of pie. Eating bite-size desserts means you can try a little of everything!

HOLIDAY

gifts

2016

December 7, 2016

Antique & Fine Jewelry

For this Holiday and Forever.

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HOLIDAY

December 7, 2016

gifts

2016

'Tis the season to shop local

By LACEY SIKORA

W

Contributing Reporter

ith only a few weeks left before the holidays, the chase for the perfect gift is on. While the internet may offer a wide range of options, shopping locally is not only good for your community, but it is good for your soul.

Whether you are looking for a special gift for that special someone or want to give a unique experience that goes above and beyond, shopping locally can provide a gift experience that truly captures the spirit of the season.

Laurie Kokenes, Executive Director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce & Development, points out that shopping locally is a key to keeping a community vibrant, all twelve months of the year. “We’ve all seen the typical list of reasons to shop locally, but the most important reason is pretty simple. If we want our community to continue to develop, we have to offer something that other communities don’t. We can’t simply say ‘shop locally’ and keep our economy vibrant. We have to take the time and the money to support local businesses during the holiday season and beyond.”

Forest Park’s unique blend of businesses enables residents to do all

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HOLIDAY of their shopping without leaving town, she notes. “From handcrafted jewelry, lingerie, gourmet chocolate and vintageinspired gifts, to musical instruments, fine cigars and spa services, there is something for everyone on your list. Give the gift of music lessons, Spanish classes or knitting.”

She points out that Forest Park’s many restaurants not only offer a welcome break to shoppers in need of refueling, but also offer gift certificates for that one-size-fits-all gift.

Cathy Yen, Executive Director of the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce says that shopping local during the holidays pays dividends year round.

“The more we shop locally, the more local business thrives and is able to add product lines that we want or need. Since so much consumer business depends on the holiday season to survive, we have the power to make a big impact on our local economy this time of year.”

2016

December 7, 2016

11

NEW YORK

Scratch 'n Sniff, Oak Park

Centuries & Sleuths, Forest Park For Yen shopping local is a way of life that has environmental as well as personal benefits. “Not only are we creating jobs and reducing our carbon footprint, but through our purchasing choices, we help shape the actual offerings. We vote with our dollar to enable the shopping choices we want for our community. In this way, our buying decisions shape our community character. If we want local, quirky independents, then we need to shop at those very same independents or they will disappear.”

She also touts the benefits in terms of human relations, noting that frequenting local businesses

gifts

creates ties between shop and restaurant owners and workers and their patrons. Chatting with someone who created a new menu or running into a shop owner out on the street fosters personal relationships that create community.

Stuck trying to find a gift for a person who is hard to buy for? Yen recommends the gift of reading. “We are so lucky to have three terrific independent book stores in Oak Park and a fourth in Forest Park. The Book Table, Magic Tree, Looking Glass and Centuries & Sleuths each have specially curated selections and very helpful staff. You always can find something for even the most challenging person on your list at a book store.”

Ten Thousand Villages, Oak Park

101 SOUTH MARION STREET OAK PARK, IL 60302 708.383.9695

forestparkreview.com

oakpark.com

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Something’s in the oven: Bakeries prepare holiday treats

By LACEY SIKORA

T

Contributing Reporter

he holiday season is all about gift giving, and if you’re lucky, gift receiving. Local bakeries are busy preparing a wide range of holiday-themed treats. Whether you are looking for that perfect gift or need something for your own table, there is sure to be something unique at these local spots.

At Flur in Riverside, owner and pastry chef Adriana Saldana-Meadath has been cooking up gluten free goodies for three years. During the holidays, she says that her 100% gluten free baked goods often grace the table for holiday meals. From bourbon pecan pie to buttermilk biscuits, she helps create a festive meal.

Gift items such as sugar cookies and gingerbread are great to bring to a holiday party or to satisfy a sweet tooth at home. A perennial favorite are Flur’s macarons which are sold separately or in gift boxes of six, twelve and twenty-four. Saldana-Meadath says she prepares a special holiday gift packs as well. “The macarons sell like crazy. We have twelve standard flavors, and we also do a twelve days of Christmas box set, which includes flavors associated with Christmas like gingerbread and candy cane.”

Spilt Milk, Oak Park

Photos by Sarah Pyper Photography

Photos by Michelle Deiter

for all the sweetest ones on your list

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Come in for your handcrafted artisan chocolate confections.

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7577 Lake St., River Forest (corner of Lake and Lathrop) Hours: M-F 11-5 • Saturday 10-5 • Sunday 11-5

HOLIDAY At Kay’s Bakery in Forest Park, manager Georgette Principato says that holiday shoppers have a lot to choose from. “We do a lot of our usual items, but change the decorating to go with the season.”

Sugar cookies in holiday shapes, such as snow men or Christmas trees, are always a hit, and the decorated butter cookies add a festive touch to holiday dessert tables.

Principato says that the Yule Log cakes are a customer favorite in December.

Kay’s offers these on a walk in basis, but many customers choose to special order so that they can have their pick of icing flavors and ADRIANA inside flavoring. The SALDANA-MEADATH holidays often mean Flur owner and pastry chef houseguests, and Principato says that the Stollen coffee cakes and wreath coffee cakes are popular at this time of year as well.

In Oak Park sisters Meg and Molly Svec are in the midst of their first holiday season since opening Spilt Milk on Oak Park Avenue at the end of October. For customers looking to pre-order treats for holiday parties, Meg notes that orders can be placed online at www.spiltmilkpastry.com or by

"The macarons sell like crazy.

We have twelve standard flavors, and we also do a twelve days of Christmas box set."

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Flur, Riverside visiting or calling the shop. “Some of the pies on our menu include cranberry apple spice, heirloom apple with a double crust, Valrhona chocolate peppermint cream and salted maple custard.”

Spilt Milk will offer an assortment of baked holiday cookies for pre-order, and Meg notes they will also have sliceable icebox cookies for those who want to bake at home. “We know that for many families, baking cookies at home with their families is a beloved holiday tradition. We want to offer our cookie dough for sale, so that you can still partake in that tradition with your family but save some time during a busy season by purchasing delicious, pre-made cookie dough made with artisanal and local ingredients.”

The Svec sisters will work with clients for special

Photos by Octane Rich Media

party orders outside of their holiday menu and will also have a selection of holiday-themed treats

in store for walk-in customers. They recommend customers follow them on Facebook and Instagram to receive the latest news about pre-orders and new concoctions.

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Suze’s Winter Style Page

December 7, 2016

Professional stylist & Fashion writer - Suze Solari is the author of highly regarded e-book.

The T Shirt & Jeans Handbook, available on Amazon & iBooks.

She is known for helping clients achieve their own personal style to suit their lifestyle, & creatively maximize their wardrobe investment, by mixing existing pieces in new ways. Her philosophy is that your closet should promote joy and confidence.

Camille Et Famille ‘Lauren’ plaid gloves, $35 K&K Silvertone & crystal Art deco necklace, $31 Firefly earrings, $48

JAYNE BOUTIQUE Bed/Stu crossbody leather handbag ‘Anama’ floral velvet dress, $88 ‘Free People’ cotton jacket, $168

MADISON STREET SHOES ‘Luii’ wool, polka dot coat, $198 ’Sacha Londo’ platform suede mary-janes, $150 ‘Sorrell’ snow boots, $130 (40% off) Leather tassel key chain, $15

Do you know what to wear to feel GLAM & AWESOME for all of the holiday gatherings?

ASK for and give the perfect gift: TIME with SUZE: - style support to revamp your wardrobe for the holidays - kickstart the new year (and New Years resolutions) with stylish confidence!

Contact Suze at: suzesolari@me.com | c:312-925-1085 Camille Et Famille • 7418 Madison St., Forest Park • 708) 771-1111 | Jayne Boutique • 7423 Madison St., Forest Park • (708) 573-0449 I Madison Street Shoes • 7500 Madison St., Forest Park • (708) 488-2190

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Camille

Santa Measuring Spoons from TAG. $25

et Famille

Long pendant with Druzy

by Two Old Bags. $42

Copper and suede bracelet.

Also in silvertone. $39

▼

Hooded cardigans paired with amazing scarves.

Scarves $18-69.

Face vase

by Accents Decor. $21.

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Hand-made Raku fish made by Les Mitchell in Texas.

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Leaded glass frames & boxes

by J. Devlin.

Hand tooled leather wristlets. $25

Plaid-lined texting polar fleece gloves.

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E A T . D R I N K . W A T C H .gifts HOLIDAY

T .. D E AT DR RIIN NK K.. W WAATTCCHH. .

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BeadCreative Creative this this Bead Bead Creative this Holiday Season Holiday Season Unique hand-made jewelry Holiday Season

Unique projects hand-made jewelry Beading for ages 8 & up Unique hand-made jewelry Beading projects for ages 8 &Friday up Join Us for a All-ages Beading drop-in projects workshops every and forevery ages 8Friday & up and All-ages drop-in workshops Saturday, November 18 toevery December 17 All-ages drop-in workshops Friday17 and Saturday, November 18 to December Karaoke Party

Holiday Friday, December 16 8 PM

Saturday, November 18 to December 17

this Holiday Season!

145 Harrison Street, Oak Park 708.848.1761 145 Harrison Street, Oak Park 708.848.1761 www.beadinhand.com 145 Harrisonwww.beadinhand.com Street, Oak Park 708.848.1761 Mon, Tue, Fri: 10-6; Wed: 1-6; Thur: 10-7; Sat: 10-5; Sun: 12-5 Mon, Tue, Fri: 10-6; 6; Wed: 1-6; 1 Thur: 10-7; Sat: 10-5; Sun: 12-5 Thur www.beadinhand.com

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Order Holiday Pies, Cookies & Peppermint Bark from Buzz Cafe this Holiday Season!

Call 660-0894 or stop in to place your order TODAY!

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Y L K E WE !

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For Best Selection, Call & Order Ahead!

We’ll be offering a Variety of Items for your Holiday Entertaining, including • All Butter Cookie Trays and 1 pound Boxes • Large Christmas Sugar Cookies • Stollen • 1 pound Rumball Trays, • Yule Logs • Christmas Tree Cakes • Fruit Cakes • plus our Everyday Fresh Baked Goods

We’ll be open on Saturday/Christmas Eve 5am - 3pm

2016

December 7, 2016

Give the Gift of a Lifetime.

- Serving our community for over 20 years - Internationally recognized curriculum - Real Skills for Real Life

904 South Oak Park Ave. | Oak Park, IL 60304 | 708/383-1712 We’ll be closed for Winter Vacation 12/25/16 - 1/09/17.

We will reopen on Thursday, January 12 th.

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Where to see

Santa

By LACEY SIKORA

H

Contributing Reporter

e’s making a list, he’s checking it twice, and in between all his work with the elves creating Christmas joy, Santa will be making several stops in the community over the next few weeks. Here’s bearded man in your town: where you can see the bear

River Forest Join Santa by the fireside on Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at River Forest Public Library. The annual holiday program will feature stories and crafts, and Santa will be available for photographs by the fireplace. This event is free to children ages 8 and under with a caregiver.

Brookfield Santa will be at Brookfield Zoo on Saturday and Sunday, December 10, 11, 17 and 18. Enjoy a child-friendly brunch and holiday music and take pictures with Santa.

Registration for the 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. seatings is available on-line at https://www.czs.org/ Brookfield-ZOO/Events/Upcoming-Events.

Also at Brookfield Zoo during the Holiday Magic days on December 10, 11, 17 and 18, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos in Santa’s Workshop in the Seven Seas Underwater Viewing area.

Forest Park The Park District of Forest Park offers Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy a winter wonderland with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children will enjoy breakfast with their families, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus will pose for pictures. Please bring your own camera and register early at http://www.pdofp.org/breakfastwith-santa/ as spots are limited.

Oak Park On Sunday, December 11, the Santa Trolley will be at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St. (www.pdop.org.)

On Saturday, December 17, join Santa for cookies and cocoa at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave. from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. (www.nineteenthcentury. org.) Later in the day, on Saturday, December 17, Santa Claus will be on Marion Street from noon until 3 p.m. as part of the Home for the Holidays celebration in downtown Oak Park, which includes caroling, horse-drawn sleigh rides in front of Sugar Cup trading at 110 N. Marion St. and a hospitality tent with hot cocoa. Scoville Square will host Santa Saturday, December 17th, 11am -2pm. Live music, live caroling, family craft table, pictures with Santa and his elf helpers.

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Merry Christmas!

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Sale ends 1/3/17

Stay in the Car!

Spotless Carwash • 7802 Madison St. & 7343 Roosevelt in Forest Park 708-771-2945 • We Accept All Major Credit Cards

You can purchase tokens from an attendant weekdays from Noon to 5pm or Sat. & Sun. 9am-4pm.

OR YOU CAN BUY THEM ONLINE AT:

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• holiday special • Spread joy to the world Personalized massages for all

Forest Park 708.406.6474 7239 Madison St 1 1/2 blocks west of Harlem elementsmassage.com/forest-park Massage session includes time for consultation and dressing. Each Elements Massage™ studio is independently owned and operated. Offer expires 12/31/16.

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Community Giving Guide

S

The Most Wonderful Guide of The Year!

eason of Giving is a campaign organized

by Wednesday Journal and the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation to encourage local charitable giving during the holiday season. It has long been recognized that when we shop local, our money recirculates through the local economy reaping dividends for the

Animal Care League No matter how long it takes, the Animal Care League keeps an adoptable animal until we find that right loving home. We take proactive approaches to animal care and adoption as well as preventative measures to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our communities. The Animal Care League provides medical treatment for over 1,000 animals each year ranging from routine vaccinations to emergency, life-saving surgery.

Make a meaningful difference in the life of a homeless animal. Visit animalcareleague. org, where you can sign up to be a volunteer or donate. You can also donate your gently used items to the 2nd Chance shop, and attend one of many fun special events.

The Collaboration for Early Childhood The Collaboration for Early Childhood is your resource for early childhood information in Oak Park and River Forest. We provide the connections vital to every child’s opportunity for success in learning and in life. We work with more than 60 organizations so that parents and their children receive critical information and support services, children are screened for developmental delays, teachers in child care centers, preschools and family child care homes provide high quality programs and our most vulnerable children and their families experience a strong web of support.

For more information, or to make a donation, please visit us at collab4kids.org or follow us on Facebook.

entire community. The same is true for charitable giving. When you donate to local nonprofits, your money goes to work in your own neighborhood.

Your donations feed local families, offer safety and learning to local children, and enrich the beauty and art that surrounds us all. Over the coming weeks, we hope that you will take a moment to look over

Cluster Tutoring

The Cluster Tutoring Program is a community-based organization that provides free, one-to-one tutoring for youth in grades K through 12 from the Austin neighborhood.

Our mission is to help students realize their potential through learning in an environment that strengthens the students, the tutors, and the community. The program’s emphasis is on reading as a means to academic success and the development of mentoring relationships between caring adults and youth.

Tutors receive training and ongoing support.

Tutoring space is donated by First United Church of Oak Park and Pine Avenue Church.

To volunteer or to donate, please contact Kara Kalnitz at 773-378-5530 and visit clustertutoring.org.

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation encourages giving locally, providing donors with many ways to contribute to the sustainability and vibrancy of Oak Park and River Forest. We manage scholarships for students and provide enrichment grants for young people. We make grants to local nonprofit organizations, provide Impact Excellence seminars for them as well as manage many of their agency funds. We accept large gifts and small gifts. We work with donors to match their philanthropic interests with needs.

We create spaces for donors to collectively give for impact through our Women Leaders in Philanthropy, Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy and NextGen Leaders in Philanthropy Giving Groups. All of this is possible thanks to generous and thoughtful donors who value our community.

the listings in this Giving Guide. Find an organization that resonates with you. Check out their website.

Consider making a donation or volunteering. Spread the word. Don’t just shop local—give Local.

www.oprfcf.org www.facebook.org/OPRFCF Twitter: community@oprfcf 708-848-1560 1049 Lake Street, Suite 204, Oak Park, IL 60301 Donate on line at: http://tinyurl.com/kf2rcnn

College Mentoring Experience Studies show that children in mentoring programs are less likely to be engage in deviant activities and relationships with parents often increase. College Mentoring Experience is a 501c3/non-for-profit community based mentoring program servicing the Austin community. Through one-on-one mentoring to at-risk students ages 11-22, CME’s focus is to provide our mentees with the resources and tools needed to get them TO and THROUGH college; providing tutoring, career exploration and life skills development as alternatives to negative learning behaviors.

On Tuesday, November 29th, won’t you please help us by donating? For more information visit collegementoringexperience.org. EVERY gift of EVERY SIZE matters!

Concordia University Chicago Founded in 1864, Concordia University Chicago is a comprehensive liberal arts-based Christian university in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, Concordia-Chicago offers more than 100 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success. Concordia-Chicago equips men and women to serve and lead with integrity, creativity, competence and compassion in a diverse, interconnected and increasingly

urbanized church and world. More than 5,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at Concordia-Chicago, located in River Forest.

Oak Park Festival Theatre Since 1975 Oak Park Festival Theatre, the Midwest’s oldest professional outdoor classical theatre, has brought the magic of dramatic masterpieces to generations of our neighbors. Whether performing under the stars in beautiful Austin Gardens as we do each summer or at any of the many local venues where we partner with local philanthropic agencies (such as Housing Forward, Oak Park Housing Authority or Nineteenth Century Charitable Association), Festival Theatre breaths fresh air into timeless texts for Oak Park and beyond.

With ticket prices kept friendly for every budget and free admission for all under 13, we rely on the generosity of our audiences to continue our dynamic community dialogue.

Donations can be made on-line at oakparkfestival.com or mailed to us: Oak Park Festival Theatre, P.O. Box 4114, Oak Park, IL 60303.

Forest Park Historical Society The Historical Society of Forest Park is dedicated to the preservation, collection and celebration of Forest Park History. We study the past so we can understand the present so we can shape the future. The Historical Society in Forest Park is an important part of the social infrastructure of our community. We partner with many groups to enhance the quality of life in our village.

1000 Elgin, Forest Park IL 60130 To make a donation, volunteer or to get more information, go to forestparkhistory. weebly.com.

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Frank Lloyd Wright Trust Inspiring tomorrow’s architects today. Our D97 program has introduced thousands of students to Wright’s design legacy.

Our community’s vitality is enhanced by the mission of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. Through its stewardship of the Home and Studio, the Trust continues to preserve an Oak Park treasure as a source of community pride and inspiration.

To learn more or donate, go to flwright.org 931 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Hephzibah

Hephzibah Children’s Association was founded in 1897. We serve more than 1,000 children and families each year through innovative, community-based programs.

Hephzibah provides a Group Home for children who have been taken from their families due to profound abuse or neglect.

Our skilled staff recruits and trains foster parents, and offers ongoing support to help all family members navigate challenges.

Our after-school Day Care operates on a sliding scale to serve working parents in Oak Park, with programs based at each elementary school.

To make a real difference in the lives of children and families, please donate today at hephzibahhome.org.

Housing Forward The mission of Housing Forward is to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability. By emphasizing prevention, supportive services, employment readiness and supportive housing, we are able to offer a comprehensive, long-term solution that moves clients into housing quickly and keeps them there.

This housing-first approach to homelessness is more efficient, more fiscally responsible and less traumatic to clients who are typically facing extraordinary hardship. It is also beneficial to the communities being served who do not have to bear the costs of homelessness in the form of expanded social services, health care and public safety costs.

We offer an attractive return on your investment — measured in terms of human lives and futures.

To donate, please visit housingforward. org/give, or contact Janet Gow, Director of Development & Communications, at 708.338.1724 ext. 262.

L’Arche Chicago L’Arche Chicago is a community where people with intellectual disabilities live together with direct support professionals, in homes, as family. We strive to merge quality care and mutual relationships, building a community where everyone has a genuine place of belonging.

gifts

L’Arche seeks to be a sign of hope, revealing the truth that all people, including those with intellectual disabilities, have gifts to share.

Your contributions enable each core member (person with intellectual disability) to live an independent, full life in our vibrant homes of love and compassion in the OPRF area.

To donate or get involved, visit LArcheChicago.org/OPRF

The Neighborhood Giving Project Many parents are eager to teach their children about the importance and the rewards of helping others. The Neighborhood Giving Project is a 501c3 non-profit organization providing community service opportunities for busy families in the Oak Park-River Forest area. Our mission is to inspire our children to be better citizens of the world by providing hands-on, hands-together community service opportunities; to enrich their learning with civic responsibility, social justice, and charitable action.

Partnering with local organizations, NGP develops service projects that are developmentally appropriate for children, and also genuinely fun. Topics include hunger and homelessness, education and literacy, family health, animal care, and more.

To learn more about getting involved or to make a donation, go to neighborhoodgivingproject.org

Nineteenth Century Charitable Association The Nineteenth Century Club was established in 1891 and the spirit of the founders continues today in the work of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association through community outreach grants, scholarships, and public programming in five areas: music, art, literature, science, and social sciences. The NCCA is the owner of 178 Forest Avenue, commonly referred to as the Nineteenth Century Club. Our charitable and cultural activities are supported by our members, volunteers, donors, and by the events held at the Club. Programs are open to all and we welcome men and women of all ages to join.

If you would like information about volunteering, joining or donating, please call us at 708-386-2729 email to info@ nineteenthcentury.org.

Oak-Leyden Developmental Services In 2016, Oak-Leyden Developmental Services helped nearly 600 children and adults with developmental disabilities reach their highest potential. Our multi-disciplinary Early Intervention Program provides therapies to help prepare young children for their years ahead, as well as education that supports the entire family. Our enriching, adult day programs offer community activities, life skills coaching, and vocational training. In our 12 group homes, adults receive residential care,

2016

Leslie Hodes,

a retired teacher and principal, could spend her days with friends, in her garden, or traveling around the world. After 35 years as an educator, we certainly would support such a retirement!

Instead, Leslie tutors young people and shares her love of learning with the Cluster Tutoring Program. A tutor for over two years, Leslie works with 6th grader Teshell. The two meet at Cluster’s Thursday night program at First United Church of Oak Park. For Leslie and Teshell, learning doesn’t stop when school is out. The two met for tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer and meet on Saturdays during the school year.

Of Cluster, Leslie says, “I think Cluster is extraordinary and we make a huge difference.” She loves how students and tutors stay together for many years and build long-term relationships.

“My greatest joy is making a difference in the lives of kids. I love working with kids who have significant learning challenges and watching them grow, progress, flourish, and feel better about themselves. It’s a social and recreational opportunities, and access to healthcare providers.

Please volunteer, donate items on our wish list, make a contribution, or become an OakLeyden Enrichment Partner at oak-leyden.org or call 708-524-1050 x102.

Oak Park Art League Founded in 1921, the Oak Park Art League (OPAL) is one of Oak Park’s first cultural institutions and fulfills its mission through its offering of high quality art education to people of all ages and skill levels, programs and guest lectures, artist demonstrations and critiques, plus monthly exhibitions in OPAL’s historic Carriage House art gallery. On Giving Tuesday, leave your legacy of support by sponsoring a Century Club limited edition brick in OPAL’s garden courtyard. Purchase a personalized brick for yourself, a business, or honor a loved one and help pave the path to OPAL’s centennial anniversary in 2021.

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gift to be able to do that.”

In addition to being an invaluable tutor and mentor for Cluster students, Leslie is a generous donor and recently joined the board of directors.

Leslie Hodes

Give oPRF 720 Chicago Avenue/708-386-9853 oakparkartleague@gmail.com oakparkartleague.org

The Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF) Strong schools are at the heart of a strong community.

Established in 1989, OPEF is a privately funded, nonprofit organization that brings artists, architects, scientists, and technology experts into K-8th grade classrooms at every District 97 school. Our professional partners share their passion for learning while conducting free, hands-on residencies with more than 4,200 students annually. OPEF also runs BASE Camp, exceptional summer and day-off enrichment. Learn more, volunteer or donate at opef.org.

260 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302 Contact: Deb Abrahamson, Exec. Dir., dabrahamson@opef.org. 708-524-3023

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Oak Park Public Library Support literacy, learning, and community connection When you give locally, you can choose to share a gift that nurtures ideas and spreads knowledge in and around Oak Park. You can support the freedom to read, to learn, and to grow. Loyalty to your local public library helps a 113-year-old institution, dedicated to literacy and community connection, continue to be free and accessible to all.

To learn more about how you can make a difference and keep Oak Park’s center of information, local history, and civic engagement strong, contact Executive Director David J. Seleb (d.seleb@ oppl.org, 708.697.6911) or Deputy Director Jim Madigan (jmadigan@oppl. org,708.697.6909).

Oak Park Regional Housing Center The Housing Center promotes and sustains the racial integration of Oak Park. We help over 3,500 households and 250 landlords annually. The Housing Center provides the foundation for equity and inclusion in Oak Park. Your gift helps keep

Allen and Georga Parchem

have been active residents of Oak Park since 1980. Volunteering is in their blood, particularly for Georga.

She grew up in a small North Dakota town where volunteering was woven into the spirit of the community and she brought that small-town spirit with her to Oak Park. Allen, having grown up in Chicago, questioned how much impact ordinary citizens of Oak Park could have on the community. The answer was – “Quite a lot!”

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association (NCCA) was the organization that recently struck a chord with the Parchems.

Its commitment to supporting education through cultural and intellectual programming and community outreach embodies that same small-town spirit. The challenge that hooked Georga was the opportunity to create a 501c3 legal status and a Landmark Tax status that would preserve and protect this 125-year-old organization. For Allen, the challenges of upgrading the NCCA’s building at 178 Forest and working on facilities planning and fund

gifts

Oak Park’s promise of diversity that we all cherish.

To donate visit: oprhc.org/donate or make checks payable to OPRHC, 1041 South Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60302

Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry $1 = 3 meals, is an equation only you can make possible. With your help, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry has been reducing local hunger for nearly 40 years.

Your support means we are able to meet the needs of nearly 16,000 families struggling with hunger each year. It means we can provide over 50 pounds of nutritious food plus access to vital programs and services to help people stretch limited food budgets in healthy ways. It means that even a little goes a long way: every $1 donated can feed a neighbor for an entire day.

To make a donation, visit oprffoodpantry. org or send checks payable to OPRF Food Pantry to Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301.

PACCT PACTT Learning Center is committed to empowering people challenged by autism with choice in regard to where they

raising proved irresistible.

The financial commitment and amount of time volunteered has been significant, but for the Parchems the satisfaction of watching the NCCA spread its wings in the local community has been more than worthwhile. The Parchems feel that they are part of a legacy that will enhance our community for years to come.

Allen & Georgia Parchem

Give oPRF

2016

live, learn and work. PACTT’s mission is to assist individuals with autism in becoming as independent as possible with the ability to integrate effectively into their homes and community. At the core of this mission is to see each individual as a unique gift and then provide the person-centered supports that foster learning and growth. PACTT programs include a therapeutic day school, residential services for children, transition program for older teens, vocational training/job placement and residential services for adults.

To learn more about PACTT or make a donation, go to pactt.org or call 773-3389102 ext. 2424

Pillars Pillars is the largest nonprofit provider of mental health and social services in the western and southwestern suburbs. The agency serves 10,000 people each year through direct client services, including Mental Health, Addictions, Domestic & Sexual Violence, Child & Family Services, and Community Housing.

Untreated mental illness and addiction can lead to hospitalization, encounters with law enforcement, violence, and even early death. Pillars’ programs empower people to break out of those cycles and lead healthy, productive, independent lives—which ultimately saves the community money. Stand together as Pillars, with us.

Donate online or pledge a monthly gift today at www.pillarscommunity.org/donate.

Ping!

PING! (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation) is an allvolunteer organization that loans musical instruments to students in need in grades 4-12 in Oak Park-River Forest school districts 90, 97, and 200 so that they can participate in their school band or orchestra. PING! also provides music enrichment for its students through workshops, mentoring, summer music camp scholarships, private lessons, and field trips.

PING! serves between 125 and 150 students each year who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in the music programs at school.

PING! depends on the community for donated instruments and financial contributions to maintain our instrument inventory and program funding.

For more information or to make a donation, go to pingoprf.org. If you have an instrument to donate, send us an email at pingoprf@ gmail.com.

Pleasant Home Pleasant Home Foundation, a nonprofit organization, restores and preserves our National Historic Landmark house museum while offering a wide variety of educational opportunities, cultural programming and free community events.

Financial support is crucial to sustain Pleasant Home as an important resource for tourism and as a center for the community.

217 Home Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302 pleasanthome.org hruehlemay@pleasanthome.org 708-383-2654

Pro Bono Network Access to justice should not depend upon one’s income. During this time of need, there are not enough lawyers to help people with human rights needs. These include safety from an abuser, adequate housing, and the ability to get a job. Pro Bono Network, a locally-grown and new kind of organization, has brought over 200 attorneys to pro bono work by making legal representation practical. As a result over 1000 clients have received legal aid services which often encompass human rights.

Learn more at pro-bono-network.org.

Donating will make a difference!

The River Forest Library Foundation Since 1905, the River Forest Public Library (RFPL) has been transforming lives and nurturing a love of reading and learning in children, teens, and adults. Today, as a 21st century library, the RFPL not only provides the latest books and periodicals, but also digital content, remote online access, onsite computer technology, and interactive educational programs By giving to the RFPL Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, you can honor a parent, child, or other family member; a cherished teacher or mentor; a dear friend; or your own love of learning. Your gift will inspire others and help to ensure that the Library will always be here to grow and change with us.

Mail donations to the RFPL Foundation at 735 Lathrop Ave, River Forest, IL 60305, or go to riverforestlibrary. org/donate.

HOLIDAY

Sarah’s Inn Since 1981, Sarah’s Inn has worked to improve the lives of those impacted by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations. Our Intervention Program provides bi-lingual services for families affected by domestic violence in order to safely navigate crisis, effectively process trauma and ensure self-sufficiency. Our Training and Education Program creates a network of skilled bystanders to appropriately intervene as first responders and community advocates. Our Together Strong Project was created to prevent relationship violence by teaching youth about the impact of their choices, giving them the tools to lead healthy lives, and empowering them to make a difference in their community.

To donate, visit donatenow.networkforgood. org/sarahsinn, or make a tax-deductible donation through postal mail by sending a check to: Sarah’s Inn, PO Box 1159 Oak Park, IL 60304

The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest Each year The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest receives support from loyal patrons and generous friends. Ticket sales provide less than half the funds needed for the Symphony’s performances. Your gift keeps this award-winning orchestra going strong, allowing us to keep our ticket prices low and provide free tickets to students through college to our concerts held at Dominican University.

This year we celebrate our 85th Anniversary and your help is needed to ensure our future.

We will reward donations of $100 (or more!) with a complementary ticket to our February 12 BEETHOVEN’s 9th concert or a free CD of our April Symphony Center concert.

Make your end-of-year tax-deductible donation at symphonyoprf.com, or mail your check to: P.O. Box 3564, Oak Park, IL 603033564.

Thrive Counseling Center Thrive Counseling Center (formerly Family Services of Oak Park) has provided community mental health services for 118 years.

Located in the heart of Oak Park, our mission is to build healthy minds, families and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being. Hope, resilience and recovery form the heart of our programs and services. Last year we provided critical ser-

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December 7, 2016

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vices to approximately 2,000 friends, neighbors and family members including…

• counseling for youth and adults • psychiatric care and medication management • 24/7 crisis intervention • in-home counseling for older adults • case management and supportive housing • psycho-social recovery day program • stress reduction courses To learn more or donate, please visit thrivecc. org. or call 708-383-7500, ext. 316. Follow us on Facebook!

UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago UCP Seguin believes that all people, regardless of ability, deserve to achieve their potential, advance their independence and act as full members of the community. So we stop at nothing to provide life skills training, assistive technology, meaningful employment and a place to call home for people with disabilities, as well as specialized foster care for children. Our goal: life without limits for people with disabilities.

Make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Donate online at ucpseguin. org send gifts to UCP Seguin, 332 Harrison Street, Oak Park IL 60304

West Cook YMCA It’s our passion at the West Cook YMCA that financial need should never stand in the way of anyone who wants to achieve vitality and improve their well-being. YMCA scholarships cover everything from memberships and class fees to after-school programs and summer day camps for children. Community support makes it possible for us to provide more than $120,000 in scholarships to local residents for Y programs and memberships each year. Your holiday donation will help even more neighbors receive the gift of healthy living.

To donate, visit WestCookYMCA.org/donate or send your check to West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302,

The Smith Family When Richard “Rick” Smith Jr. was born with Down syndrome 48 years ago, his parents Rose and Rich were determined to make the life of their only child the best it could be.

They arranged for him to attend the original Seguin School, where he was offered the chance to develop, learn and grow.

Since then Richard has been an active participant in everything the world has to offer. Rose and Rich ensured that he had a good education, while providing opportunities for him to participate in sports and enjoy social and recreational activities in the community. Through employment services provided by UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago, Richard has been able to work in a gainful, productive, meaningful job. As his father gratefully affirms, “Richard wouldn’t be who he is today without UCP Seguin.”

Throughout their many years of involvement with the organization, the Smiths have been faithful financial donors in support of UCP Seguin’s programs for people with developmental disabilities. In addition to monetary gifts, Rich and Rose gave of their time and talent, helping to form a local special recreation association to provide fun activities for individuals with disabilities in the west suburbs.

Even as his wife Rose passed

away, Rich carried on her legacy of generosity. Rich has acted as the Moonlighters DJ for many years so all the people with disabilities could rock the night away with friends during their Saturday nights out.

Buoyed by his son’s successes, his wife’s memory, and his own zest for life, Rich Smith personifies the spirit of philanthropy, a spirit that that continues to make UCP Seguin a preeminent organization serving people with disabilities.

You can join Rich Smith and help to provide life without limits for people with disabilities. Donate online at ucpseguin.org or send gifts to UCP Seguin, 332 Harrison Street, Oak Park IL 60304

Rose and Rich Smith, with their son Rick

Give oPRF

708-383-5200

Wonder Works Children’s Museum Creative and imaginative play are vital to a healthy child and Wonder Works Children’s Museum provides countless

opportunities for both, giving children a safe space to explore. Wonder Works is committed to providing an environment where early learning flourishes through thoughtfully designed “experience zones” and educational programming.

This Community Giving Guide of local nonprofits will run weekly through December. If you would like information on how to list your organization, email Marc Stopeck at marc@oakpark.com.

Rachel Rettberg CEO Wonder Works Children’s Museum 6445 W North Ave, Oak Park IL 60302 773.636.7971 rrettberg@wonder-works.org wonder-works.org www.facebook.com/ wonderworkschildrensmusem

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December 7, 2016

HOLIDAY

gifts

2016

We help you give back.

How is up to you.

“This is a great time for the entire community to invest in the Community Foundation.”--John & Linda Tibensky, donors

If you or your family has had a liquidity event or significant income this year, consider establishing a Donor Advised Fund with us right here in your community. We have the staff and experience to work with you to give locally and/or elsewhere around the country.

A donor-advised fund, or DAF, allows donors to make a charitable contribution and receive a tax deduction this year and then recommend grants from the fund over time. Establishing a DAF with the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation in 2016 is a smart move. With uncertainty on the tax front – including potential limitations on the charitable contribution deduction – 2016 is an excellent year to give into a DAF, take the deduction this year, and continue to make meaningful contributions to organizations in future years.

A donor-advised fund is like a charitable savings account: a donor contributes to the fund as frequently as they like and then recommends grants to their favorite charity when they are ready. While we can manage any size DAF over $10,000, DAF’s of $500,000+ can continue to be managed by your current Financial Advisor. Set up with us is easy and takes a minimum amount of your time.

Connect with Kristin Carlson Vogen or Rhea Yap kcvogen@oprfcf.org | ryap@oprfcf.org 1049 Lake Street, Suite 204, Oak Park | 708-848-1560 or visit us at: www oprfcf.org | facebook.com/OPRFCF

Donate to the Fund for Now https://v.gd/7cO3Kb

Donate to the Fund for Forever https://v.gd/BR71VE

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Join us for a festive @properties Holiday Open House Tour Sunday, December 11th from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Visit these beautiful homes adorned with sparkling decorations!

130 S. East Avenue, Oak Park

306 Keystone Avenue, River Forest

210 Home Street, Oak Park

432 S. Humphrey Ave, Oak Park

250 Forest Avenue, Oak Park

555 Ashland Avenue, River Forest

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Your local face of real estate since 1933.

NEW LISTING

River Forest

$814,500

Sophisticated elegance inside and out in this 4 bed, 3.1 bath home. Generously sized living spaces throughout with outstanding finishes! Private Master Suite with walk-in-closet, well appointed kitchen renovation was inspired by Williams Sonoma, finished family room with gas fireplace and impressive outdoor space!

Kara Keller - ID# 09386614

NEW LISTING

Oak Park

$525,000

Amazing 3 bed, 2.1 bath duplexed condo features exquisite finishes and contemporary styling. Grand living room with wood burning fireplace, balcony, spacious dining, Cook’s kitchen with large eat-at island, stainless appliances, custom cabinetry and custom lighting, 1st level master suite and lower level family room.

Steve Scheuring - ID# 09371882

NEW LISTING

OPEN HOUSE • SUN 1-3PM 1007 HAYES AVE

NEW LISTING

Elmhurst

$448,000

Rare opportunity in prime center of town location, oversized parcel on cul de sac, rehab with new construction, or all new construction on both lots Over half acre, two lots on one PIN, can be subdivided.

North lot is mostly wooded, south lot has existing 3 bedroom brick ranch home with full basement.

Liz Eder - ID# 09396779

NEW LISTING

Oak Park

FEATURE PROPERTY

$429,000

Character and modern elegance in this meticulously maintained 3 bed, 2 bath home. This home features hardwood floors, spacious living room with decorative fireplace and built-in bookshelves, elegant dining room, updated kitchen, newly updated basement, large family room, great yard with patio and 2 car garage plus extra space.

Catherine Simon-Vobornik – ID# 09360521

NEW LISTING

NEW LISTING

630 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest

Oak Park

$425,000

Spacious 3 bed, 2.2 bath townhome. Great living space on the first floor family room, updated kitchen with granite countertops, huge island provides breakfast bar space, separate dining area, fireplace in the spacious living area, 3rd and 4th floors with master suites, tons of California Closet space and 4th floor private rooftop balcony.

Cheryl Holtz - ID# 09376674

Oak Park

NEW PRICE

Berwyn

$379,000

Charming 3 bed, 1.1 bath home features hardwood floors throughout, original details, art glass, wood trim and beams, bright, eat-in kitchen overlooks the large backyard with plenty of room to play. A full walk up attic is great for storage or whatever a new homeowner wants to do!

Bobbi Schaper Eastman ID# 09393353

NEW LISTING

$262,500

5 bed, 2 bath Bungalow features an updated kitchen and completely finished basement. Newer A/C, furnace, water heater, electrical, plumbing. 2 car garage, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, refinished hardwood floors, remodeled bathrooms, sunny breakfast room, finished attic, and side drive.

Linda Von Vogt – ID# 09377763

Forest Park

$250,000

Large 5 bed, 2 bath home is waiting for new buyer fresh touches. Plenty of room for everyone, this home features an open concept kitchen which connects to a lovely family room and opens to a deck through sliding doors.

Situated close to transportation, shopping and 290.

Bobbi Schaper Eastman – ID# 09386754

NEW PRICE

Oak Park

$369,500

Spacious 3 bed, 3.2 bath townhouse offers 4 levels of low maintenance, contemporary living. Open floor plan, great for everyday enjoyment and entertaining. Three en-suite bedrooms, with the option of a 4th bedroom!

Plenty of private outdoor space with a 2nd level balcony, large 15x15 roof top deck and attached 2 car garage.

Saretta Joyner - ID# 09391977

Oak Park

OPEN HOUSE • SUN. 1-3 1131 BONNIE BRAE PL #1N

River Forest

$224,000

Elegant, bright/sunny, vintage 2 bed, 2 bath, 1st floor condo with beautiful hardwood floors, stunning coved high ceilings, very spacious rooms, Jack ‘n Jill bath, 2nd bathroom is off the family room. Building has a new boiler (Fall ‘15). Parking space can be rented from Concordia University, across the Street.

Ed Bellock – ID# 09380759

NEW PRICE

Oak Park

Steve Scheuring - ID# 09391298

F E AT U R E D N E W CO N S T R U C T I O N OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 12-2PM 319 CHESTNUT LANE, OAK PARK

$174,900

Spacious 2 bed, 2 bath condo in Oak Park’s Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District! Southern exposure and private balcony, eat in kitchen, newer windows, balcony door and air conditioning units. Building has new roof and sun deck! Building also features an elevator, laundry, covered parking, visitor parking spaces, and bike storage.

Ann Keeney- ID# 09335540

NEW PRICE

NEW PRICE

$279,900

Solid 2 bedroom home on oversized lot with tons of potential! Enclosed foyer could be used as a mudroom, separate dining room, hardwood floors, quaint kitchen with a pantry, family room, full unfinished attic additional opportunities in full unfinished basement, fenced yard with a patio and 3 car garage!

Saretta Joyner – ID# 09387170

60%

SOLD

NEW PRICE

Oak Park Berwyn

$164,900

Terrific 2 bedroom brick Georgian with wonderful fenced in yard! Updated kitchen and bath, fresh paint throughout, and refinished hardwood floors on the main level, large closets, pretty deck with play set and a big yard! Basement has high ceilings; great for storage. 2 car detached garage.

Mary Carlin – ID# 09252889

Oak Park

$104,900

Cute 1 bedroom condo means perfect living in Oak Park! Lots of light from west facing windows located in the bright living/dining combo. Updated kitchen with eat-in area, updated bath plus a parking spot! But who needs a car with this location?

Swati Saxena - ID# 08973468

Oak Park

$940,000

This 4 bedroom, 2.1 bath grand estate-like brick Colonial home is located on more than 1/4 acre of newly fenced land in beautiful River Forest! So much charm, architectural detail and bright space grace this newly renovated dwelling. The double door entryway greets you and flows into the stately foyer, leading to the formal living room featuring a beautiful wood burning fireplace.

Sunny family with 3 walls of windows, formal dining room with side porch and access to the outdoor entertaining veranda, beautifully appointed kitchen with many custom features and large pantry cabinetry. MUD ROOM!! All 4 bedrooms are located on the 2nd floor. The beautiful master suite with new marble and granite master bath has a private enclosed balcony. Lower level has a huge recreation room and home office. New plumbing and electric and many more upgrades!

$85,000

One bedroom condo in pet friendly building walking distance to downtown Oak Park, Green Line, Metra, Fitness club and Trader Joes! Updates include entire unit painted, newer stove, new carpeting throughout, ceramic tile floor in kitchen, and new window coverings in dining room. Storage and coin laundry in basement.

Mary Ann Bednarke – ID# 09202554

Oak Park

$79,500

Spacious 2 bed, 2 full bath condo with hardwood floors, huge living room dining room combo area, nicely appointed kitchen, great closet space, master bath and 1 parking space. Easy access to I-290, Green Line, and West Suburban hospital.

Bobbi Schaper Eastman – ID# 09374288

Starting At: $529,900

The Oak Park Oasis, 22, 4 level townhomes with a fresh new approach to townhome living. Sleek and modern with a downtown flair, featuring versatile 3 or 4 bedroom layouts, 3.5 baths, open kitchens with large center island, balcony off kitchen for grilling, 1st floor office/bedroom that features an en-suite full bath, beautiful master suite, 4th level has cozy loft space - plumbed for wet bar, large private roof deck and 2 car attached garage. Many great cabinet selections with quartz closets, marble bathrooms, oak flooring, and stainless steel appliances! Buy now and pick your finishes! Great center of town location! Delivery Spring 2016! Call for details.

Patricia McGowan – ID# 09154664

Call us today to use the local knowledge and skill of our agents paired with the broad reach and power of Baird & Warner.

1037 CHICAGO AVENUE, OAK PARK I 708.697.5900 | BAIRDWARNER.COM

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

27

Sunday, December 11, 2016

TOWNHOMES

CONDOS

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

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326 East Ave, La Grange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$199,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 837 Ferdinand Ave, Forest Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyond Properties Realty Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$249,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1042 Thomas Ave, Forest Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$299,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1904 N. 74th Ave, Elmwood Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$339,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 1000 S. Maple Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re/Max In The Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$365,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3:30 1007 Hayes Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$429,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 111 Rockford Ave, Forest Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$559,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 726 Forest Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$639,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:15-4:15 1104 S. Cuyler Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$669,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 137 Des Plaines Ave., Forest Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway Home Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$675,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 827 N. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$719,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:03-3 847 N. East Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$727,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 130 S. East Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$765,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 1127 N. East Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$822,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 432 S. Humphrey Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$925,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 555 Ashland Ave, River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$949,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 306 Keystone Ave, River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 250 Forest Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,165,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 210 Home Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,350,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

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LISTING PRICE

TIME

1131 Bonnie Brae Pkwy. UNIT 1N, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$224,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 425 S. Oak Park Ave. UNIT A, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$359,700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Showroom at 139 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloor Realty Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$669,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 Showroom at 139 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloor Realty Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$684,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 Showroom at 139 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloor Realty Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$699,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2

RARE FIND IN OAK PARK! Well maintained 2-unit residence, income potential for owner occupied or shared family living. 2 car garage, separate heat & utilities, newer roof & A/C.....$325,000 Realtors bring your clients!

Call Dawn 773-269-9473 Listed by Hansen Realty • MLS 09309890

For sale

by owner

318 Pennsylvania Way, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$539,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 1025 Walnut Way, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$549,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 319 Chestnut Ln, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$554,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2

643-3 Ontario St, Oak Park $175,000 LIGHT AND AIRY 1 Bedroom/one bath unit in vintage Prairie /John VanBergen building at Ontario and Linden, Linden Landmark Condominiums. This unit has original finished woodwork throughout including bathroom, enclosed sun porch and kitchen porch, rear deck and stairs to landscaped generous yard, storage and laundry rooms in well maintained basement. Generous living and dining rooms are divided by original leaded glass doors on four bookcases. Kitchen has Poggenpohl cabinetry, 2015 new Liebherr built in refrig/freezer, new DW, cooktop, oven within last 6 years; new casement windows installed in 2008. Parking rented off alley next door.

For sale by owner: 630-215-6213.

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28

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

GRAB YOUR GIFT LIST AND COME TO

THE HOLIDAY BAZAAR! Sponsored by the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors®

W

ith the holidays fast approaching the combination of office parties, family gatherings, shopping, and helping those less fortunate can be an overwhelming taffy pull of time, energy and money.

Searching for the perfect personal gift and shopping locally can also be daunting task. Luckily the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors (OPAAR) has found a way to check all of those boxes off your holiday “to do” list.

On Tuesday, December 13th, the OPAAR will host their 4th Annual Holiday Bazaar at First United Church of Oak Park. Featuring many local vendors, shoppers can get away from the big box stores, support local businesses, and support the Oak Park-River Forest Food Pantry in the process.

“Participating in the OPAAR sponsored holiday boutique for the past three years has been a delightful experience” said Pat Newman of Sew Beary Nice, which specializes in handmade baby gifts.

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Let us know we’ll hold your paper!

Email: circulation@oakpark.com

a large percentage of their sales back to the Food Pantry. Products range from jewelry, candles, cosmetics, food products, soaps, scarves, stationery, even ice cream!

“I have loved being a part of the Holiday Bazaar. I love the community feel and giving spirit of all involved. It’s so great seeing familiar faces of friends and clients, but more importantly, giving everyone a chance to give back while also doing some holiday shopping too!” said Erika Goodman Osborn and Independent Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics.

First United Church is located at 848 Lake St. in Oak Park. There is plenty of parking in the library garage and on Lake St. This is truly a wonderful opportunity to start your holiday season off right.

This years’ vendors include: Adornable.u Jewelry Carlin’s Scarves & Hats Clean Pleasures (soaps) Crazy Doll Cards (stationery) Evie’s Candles

Newman has also seen an uptick in sales locally since becoming a vendor in the event. “The increase in my sales has enabled me to contribute a nice percentage of profit to the OPRF Food Pantry. “

Gourmet Toffee by Hans

Mary Carlin of Carlin Scarves has been an annual participant. “There is always a great selection of interesting items at every price that can suit your needs. It is always fun to bring your friends along…it is such a good time!” Carlin noted.

Olivaceto (artisan olive oils, vinegar)

The event runs from 4-7 p.m. and has 16 vendors offering a wide variety of products. The vendors donate

Tulia’s Artisan Gallery (home décor, accessories)

Heshima Kenya (scarves) India Hicks LulaRoe Clothing Mary Kay Cosmetics Roxy Cubix Jewelry Ruth & Phil’s Gourmet Ice Cream Sew Beary Nice (handmade baby gifts) Stearns Stationery

212 S. Marion Street Oak Park, IL 60302 www.oakparkrealtors.org

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Open House Sunday 12-2 137 Des Plaines Ave, Forest Park

BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED HOME—INSIDE AND OUT! Great Location! TWO SEPARATE LOTS, ONE PRICE! Be the first to see!

Stunningly gorgeous Forest Park home, COMPLETELY REHABBED. Huge corner lot, featuring two separate parcels of land. 2800 SF with 5+ BEDROOMS, 3.5 BATH. Open floor plan. Kitchen opens to family room and dining area. Finished basement with bedroom and full bath. Hardwood throughout. Stainless steel appliances. Zoned heating and AC. New everything! Great location! Centrally located— convenient for city commuters!! Convenient to shopping, restaurants, public transportation, etc. This is a MUST SEE!.............$675,000

For more information contact Sabrina Conti at 847-806-8332

d e Of an th m h iN l r Pa u yo

Ev Er Ev Oa yt O Er k P hin ak y a g Pa on rk rk E

American Heritage Real Estate

29

PRICE REDUCTION

PRICE REDUCTION

1142 Franklin Ave, River Forest $1,600,000 :: 4 bed :: 4.5 bath Custom modern 6000 sq. ft. home. Dramatic design and unique detailing throughout.

847 Clinton Pl, River Forest $1,149,000 :: 4 beds :: 3.5 baths Beautifully designed center entrance brick colonial with a gourmet kitchen. Walk to train.

SOLD

SOLD

730 Linden Avenue, Oak Park 1416 Ashland Ave, River Forest $769,000 :: 4 bed :: 3.2 bath $1,599,000 :: 5 bed :: 4.3 bath Oak Park landmark with a light-filled, open Grand French inspired stone estate on extra large lot. Large bedrooms and open floor plan. floorplan. Beautiful home in a great location!

KATHY & TONY IWERSEN 708.772.8040 708.772.8041 tonyiwersen@atproperties.com

Mortgage rates have

RISEN

David Gullo, Managing Broker

708.567.1375 GulloAssociates@gmail.com

from 3.5% to 4.2%

Check out the new mobile version of available Now

Call Laura or Dave for a confidential strategy discussion today.

W W W.G U L LOR E AL E S TATE.COM

Laura Maychruk 708.205.7044

LMaychruk@comcast.net

Margaret Jones 708.804.0368 Mark Finger 708.990.8115

905 South Lombard Ste. 2 Oak Park, IL 60304

30

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

In The Village, Realtors®

189 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 386-1400 HomesintheVillage.com

April Baker

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED PROPERTIES

Joelle Venzera

Mike Becker

River Forest • $1,499,000 4BR, 3.1BA Call Jane x118 Roz Byrne

River Forest • $1,485,000 6BR, 4.1BA Call Gary x125

River Forest • $1,450,000 4BR, 3.1BA Call Elissa x192

Oak Park • $849,900 4BR, 3.1BA Call Steve x121

Haydee Rosa

Oak Park • $519,000 3BR, 3BA Call Dorothy x124

Oak Park • $365,000 3BR, 1.1BA Call Dorothy x124

Oak Park • $339,800 4BR, 2.1BA Call Kyra x145

Oak Park • $325,000 3BR, 2BA Call Kelly x113

Kelly Gisburne

Linda Rooney

River Forest • $289,000 3BR, 2BA Call Gary x125

Oak Park • $220,000 2BR, 2BA Call Laurie x186

Kerry Delaney

Oak Park • $134,000 1BR, 1BA Call Elissa x192

Oak Park • $89,500 1BR, 1BA Call Joe x117

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Each RE/MAX® real estate office is independently owned and operated.

Steve Nasralla

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Tom Byrne

Laurie Christofano

Harry Walsh, Managing Broker

Anna Gillian

Dorothy Gillian

Ed Goodwin

Joe Langley

Dan Linzing

Gary Mancuso

Jane McClelland

Keri Meacham

Alisha Mowbray

VIEWPOINTS

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

C O N S C I O U S

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

31

The VMA isn’t dead. It’s smart. p. 34

A G I N G

Still standing up for what’s right A human being would certainly not grow to be seventy or eighty years old if this longevity had no meaning for the species. The afternoon of human life must also have a significance of its own.

Carl Jung

I

remember when Richard Nixon was elected president of the United States in 1968. I remember that nauseous feeling I had in the pit of my stomach. I was a sophomore in college. My high school friends were getting killed in Vietnam. I marched in demonstrations against the war. My parents didn’t march although they did not support the war in 1968.

Today, every day, 10,000 baby boomers turn 60 in this country. Many of them have marched, organized and protested through the past 50 years. Ten thousand people every day, who, at the very least, share the experience of protest — they joined in or they watched or both. Today, whether they agree with demonstrators or not, the “older generation” can understand the language of protest.

One way this “older generation” can be positive role models today is to let our feelings, thoughts and actions flow from our conscious elderhood — from the afternoon of our lives.

Humans are hard-wired to live passionate lives of purpose, meaning and service to the greater good. This is true throughout our lives, but it comes into sharper focus as we age consciously. Aging and death are inevitable.

How we age and die is a choice, and, as Ron Pevny writes, “Our choices have consequences for ourselves and for our descendants, who will look back upon us as their ancestors and wonder what we did to help assure a healthy world for them.”

Longevity does not automatically lead to wisdom. As a conscious elder, one can be a repository of the balanced wisdom so needed in today’s complex and threatened world. We can be positive role models.

Two things to help us onto that path: • break the chains of ageism (both external and internal) – reject today’s prejudiced, stereotypical images of “old people” as unproductive, sexless, senile, poor, sick, inflexible, weak, bad.

• begin, or continue, the ongoing “inner work” of conscious aging – think about, talk about and act about becoming more like the person we really want to be.

Change is inevitable. How we deal with change is a choice. Mechanically inserting what we felt, thought and did in our 20s into the older containers that we are today ignores the qualitative differences of our elderhood. We are explorers and pioneers, at the forefront of changes about which we don’t yet know very much. We do know that we have opportunities to positively influence not just our unfolding last third of life but also the lives of those around us and yet to come.

If we do the honest work of conscious aging, even when we cannot physically stand up anymore, we will still stand for what is right.

Marc Blesoff is a former Oak Park village trustee, co-founder of the Windmills softball organization, co-creator of Sunday Night Dinner, a retired criminal defense attorney, and a novice beekeeper. He currently facilitates Conscious Aging Workshops and Wise Aging Workshops in the Chicagoland area.

MARC BLESOFF

Solution to the mystery of Pepe the dog

R

on Moline, avid walker and sharp-eyed observer, drew our attention to the “Mystery of Pepe the Dog” last week after discovering a gravestone. Where is it located?

“On the lawn of the home just west of the FLW [Laura Gale] house on Elizabeth Court,” Moline wrote. “I’ve walked that walk for 30 years without ever noticing it before. Who knew?”

Well the perpetrators, Craig and Bette Williams, the owners of 4 Elizabeth Court, knew and they were happy to tell the (highly imaginative) tale.

Bette wrote the following account in a brochure, which they will put out for curious passersby:

The Story of Pepe “Assuredly, the most devoted of dogs.”

It was sometime in the fall of 1897 when a mongrel puppy with no tail started frequenting the back door of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home & Studio on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park, Illinois.

Times were different then, strays were not uncommon, and the family soon took a liking to the cheerful visitor, eventually naming him “Pepe” because their live-in tutor was at the time teaching Spanish to the three youngest children.

Pepe was what we would now call an “outside dog.” He roamed the streets but returned regularly to the house for scraps, and the family soon discovered that he was willing to perform for his supper: to sit up, roll over, or even stand on his hind legs and spin around in a pirouette that the delighted children called the “Flamenco Lobo,” roughly translated as “wolf dance.”

Constant companion Over the next decade, as Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned to design and supervise the building of several houses in the immediate

Photo courtesy of Wright Centennial Archive

Frank Lloyd Wright looks on as wife Catherine has Pepe perform one of his most notable tricks, the “Flamenco Lobo” (photo circa 1906). neighborhood, Pepe became a familiar sight, following his master as he walked between construction sites, darting away to chase rabbits and, to the consternation of many local housewives, occasionally catching one.

As the years went by, however, Pepe would more often simply trot by Wright’s side and lie down whenever the renowned architect stopped to give presumably lengthy, complex instructions to the assembled workmen. Pepe was getting older and content to wait.

Things change in 1909 Wright designs and starts construction of the Laura Gale house at what is now 6 Elizabeth Court. But shortly afterward, he leaves his wife and six children and sails to Italy to live with his mistress, Mamah Borthwick Cheney, who had moved there so her husband Edwin could secure a divorce on grounds of desertion.

While Wright is in Europe, work continues on the Gale house, and Pepe remains a constant visitor to the site, where his now-absent master used to regularly offer him small cubes of dried salt pork so he would perform the “Flamenco Lobo” for the amusement of the construction crew.

See PEPE on page 34

32

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

O U R

V I E W P O I N T S

V I E W S

Making Madison Street

O

ak Park officials are on the verge of landing the deal of this century on the 40-years-forlorn Madison Street.

Apartments, retail and parking stretching on both sides of the street from Oak Park Avenue east to, well, we’re not sure yet just how far the Jupiter Realty project might go.

But it is going to be big. It is going to redefine a street that hasn’t had a definition since the string of auto dealers pulled out in the late 1960s. It is going to bring new residents, new shopping, new property and sales tax revenue to an assemblage of parcels where the highest and best use has been a Christmas tree lot and a dog hotel.

Monday night the village board voted to name Jupiter Realty its “preferred developer” for the site, which includes both village-owned land and several parcels that Jupiter has under contract or is working to put under contract.

That is all the village board did Monday. It allows the strict interpretation, offered Monday on Facebook by Trustee Adam Salzman, that a handful of niggling critics are wrong in spreading word that the approval was for a full-tilt “redevelopment agreement” with the developer.

Or that the board also approved “The Bend” streetscaping project on Monday.

The village board did neither of those things. But we hope and expect that it will do both of those things very soon.

Yes, there will be public hearings. The Plan Commission will be involved. So there will be the opportunity to critique and adjust what is being proposed. But village government and the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation have been working on this deal for a long time, and while it has not been fully transparent, it has also not been any sort of secret.

So, village board, congratulations. You have effectively broken the downtown boundary and are on the verge of bringing notable, positive development to an intersection other than Lake and Harlem. You have brought focus and resources to the dead center intersection of Madison and Oak Park. And you have created the real possibility that this giant private-sector investment in our community can gradually grow out to the east and to the west along Madison.

Library’s nickels and dimes In another reasonable and progressive step, Oak Park’s public libraries are on a path to eliminate late fees for overdue books and other materials. If all goes as planned, by June 2017 the nickel and diming of patrons will become as obsolete as being shushed by a stereotypical librarian.

The amount of fine revenue foregone is modest at under $100,000 annually. But library leaders — elected board and staff — see this change as another way to make the library welcoming to all, even the miscreants who misplace books.

More immediately, the library believes Oak Parkers of modest means find themselves locked out of the bounty of the library’s materials and services over negligible overdue fees.

If Oak Park moves forward on this, and its board has already passed a budget that nixes fines by mid-year 2017, it will join the rising number of municipal libraries that have already ended fines as either a revenue source and a means of securing its collection.

This step is another in a series of efforts by our public library system to make sure that its doors remain open to all residents. We commend them.

A

@ @OakParkSports

Finishing strong

month ago, I received a query about one of my past columns. Seven years past. It came from Kathleen Schrobilgen, mother of Malachy, who said he was inspired by it when he ran track for OPRF High School, starting in 2008.

As a senior in 2012, Malachy was state champion in the 2-mile run and came in third in the mile. He moved on to the University of Wisconsin, where he won the individual Big Ten championship in crosscountry his first two years. Then injury struck, a stress fracture in his back during last year’s Big Ten Championship meet. As his mom put it, “The whole team faced the perfect storm of injuries following that.”

They failed to qualify for the NCAA meet for the first time in 43 years.

So this year was comeback time. On Oct. 30, the Badgers won the Big Ten championship, with the individual title going to Morgan McDonald, a junior.

But coach Mick Byrne, in the athletic department’s summary article, gave Schrobilgen much of the credit for the team championship.

“What a lot of people didn’t see out there was what Malachy did,” he said. “He sacrificed his own personal goals for the team. He was the guy who kept that group together for the first 6K. We asked him to do that and he embraced it. It’s that type of unselfishness that wins championships.”

The day after, he texted his mom about my column and she contacted me.

“They just won the Big Ten up at Minnesota on Saturday,” she wrote, “and have two big races left, regionals and the NCAA National Championship. He’s the old man on the team now and I think is looking to inspire his younger brothers.”

I wrote that column, which ran on May 19, 2009, at a time when I was personally discouraged. After the economic downturn in 2008, it was looking like I might get laid off. So I was thinking a lot about the end of my time here at the newspaper. One night as I listened to No. 9 of Elgar’s “Enigma Variations,” I wrote the following poem and included it in the column: No matter how you’ve run the race till now, Finish strong.

On your feet, on your knees Or by your fingernails, Finish strong.

With tears in your eyes or a smile on your face, Finish strong.

Don’t run against anyone.

It’s not about winning or losing.

It’s about finishing.

So finish strong.

Don’t doubt you have what it takes.

You have what it takes.

Finish strong.

Ignore the other finish lines.

You’ll know when you’ve crossed yours.

Finish strong.

However long it takes, This is the moment that redeems Everything that went before.

Finish strong.

Exceed expectations.

Surprise yourself.

Finish strong.

Don’t let anyone configure your course.

You know what’s ahead And where you’re headed.

Finish strong.

If the odds seem long, They’re just a measure of your magnitude.

By all means go the distance And finish strong.

Don’t expect a hero’s welcome.

Exulted, exhorted or ignored, When you find yourself closing in, Finish strong.

Your last legs Are still your legs.

Find out what they’re made of.

Finish strong.

In pleasure or in pain, You don’t need to finish fast.

Just finish strong.

In sickness or in health, In silence or in song, Your whole life long, Finish strong.

Ten days later, Wisconsin won the Great Lakes Regional with Schrobilgen edging out McDonald for the individual title by one-hundredth of a second. And on Nov. 19 in Terre Haute, Indiana, the Badgers finished eighth in the nation, their 47th top 10 finish. Malachy earned All-America honors, only the 13th runner in school history to earn the designation at least three times.

McDonald, who finished seventh, credited his teammate with a major assist.

“Having Malachy there made a huge difference in my race,” he said. “About 1,200 meters in, I almost got tripped over, and Malachy pretty much caught me in midair and pulled me back up, so I don’t know what I would have done without him there. He definitely helped a lot with the tactics.”

Schrobilgen said, “When you come to a program like this … it can be daunting, but I think the best way to look at it is a challenge. To pursue that challenge is so much fun. It makes it worthwhile being here and being part of it. I’m happy to be able to help my team today. It helps them get on track for something really special here in the future. I think this team has got such a good culture now where they are just going to improve by leaps and bounds.”

Finishing strong indeed.

As you can see, Malachy Schrobilgen is plenty inspiring in his own right, but he was kind enough to write, “That poem (and the memories that come with it) really pulled me through some tough patches this year.”

However much that poem inspired him, it came back around because Malachy’s story inspired me.

It brought my poem to life again. Which I then sent to my son who was in the midst of basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia (Army National Guard), as grueling an experience as most people (except maybe cross-country runners) ever go through. And he, in turn, wrote that “Finish Strong” became his mantra during “the infamous 12-mile ruck hike.”

So I find myself in the unusual position of thanking someone I’ve never met for inspiring me because of a poem I wrote seven years ago and forgot all about.

I guess that’s how it works in team sports — and also in life.

We are each other’s inspiration.

We just don’t know where or when it will happen.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S S H R U B T O W N

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

W E D N E S D A Y

by Marc Stopeck

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Staff Reporters Michael Romain, Timothy Inklebarger Viewpoints/ Real Estate Editor Ken Trainor Sports/Staff reporter Marty Farmer Columnists Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, John Hubbuch, May Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West Staff Photographer William Camargo Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes Editorial Designers Jacquinete Baldwin, Javier Govea Business Manager Joyce Minich IT Manager/Web Developer Mike Risher Advertising Production Manager Philip Soell Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck, Joe Chomiczewski Media Coordinator Kristen Benford Inside Sales Representative Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Reforming the Veterans Administration

President-elect Trump (there, I said it) has called for radical changes in the Department of Veterans Affairs. He should hear the story I heard when I worked at Yale New Haven Hospital in the 1980s.

Part of my job was supervising administrative interns, one of which had just completed a brief stint at the West Haven VA. This was when the Veterans Administration was run by an administrator; in 1987, the VA became the Department of Veterans Affairs, run by a secretary.

A female intern related her experience: “The VA was initiating a new program that would transform the agency. I was told to present the program, one on one, to each of the department heads. This program was a big deal, but I found the department heads uniformly unimpressed. When I told my supervisor how unenthusiastic they were, the supervisor shrugged. He said, ‘Every time we get a new president, we get a new administrator. The new administrator always introduces new programs that will transform the agency.

But before you know it, that administrator is gone, and the new boss starts a new revolution. So nobody gets excited. We keep doing things the way we have always done it.’”

I told her I had worked for the VA for eight years and that had been my experience as well. I worked at Hines Hospital for another five years, starting in 1995; nothing had changed.

In the 27 years the VA has been a “department,” they have had eight secretaries (not counting the five men

Distribution Coordinator Caleb Thusat Comptroller Edward Panschar Credit Manager Laurie Myers Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn

who served in an acting capacity). The eight served an average of 40 months. Think someone can reform an old, encrusted bureaucracy in less time than most people spend in college?

I am committed to the mission of the VA. The patient care staff — doctors, nurses, technicians — are almost all excellent, devoted to serving the veterans.

The administrative staff: not so much. Some are very good, hard-working, committed and diligent. But bad practices drive out good. And bad managers drive out good.

Think it would take a miracle to reform the VA? Early in my VA tenure I learned this: miracles take time. Forty months is not enough. I propose that the VA should be removed from the political environment, and the head of the VA be given a term of 10 years.

When in 1971 politicians gave up on trying to reform the Post Office Department, it was reorganized as an independent agency in the executive branch [1]. The postal service CEO is a non-political appointment.

After the FBI was politicized by the Nixon administration, Congress made the tenure of the FBI director a 10-year appointment [2].

Maybe 10 years is not enough time to reform the VA. But it would be a start.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_ Postmaster_General [2] http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41850.pdf

Stephen Jordan Oak Park

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

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

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

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

If you have questions, call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 708-613-3310 or email him at ktrainor@wjinc.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR ■ 250-word limit ■ Must include first and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY ■ 500-word limit ■ One-sentence footnote about yourself, your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left

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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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

The expert’s pool solution

W

ith the defeat of the District 200 pool referendum, we encourage the high school board to revisit and follow the logical recommendation of its own expert-commissioned report.

In March 2013 after a year-long review, Stantec, the world-renowned engineering and design firm, recommended that OPRF solve its pool problem by building one 8-lane, 25-yard standard high school competition pool in the East Pool site, expanding into the South Gym. The Stantec Report, linked on the school’s website, is the definitive assessment on the pool issue. It looked at usage, possible pool sizes and prioritized locations on campus in making its recommendation. While the then-pool committee preferred a 40-meter stretch pool with 70% more water, Stantec stated that there was no place on campus to build it without impacting other sports teams or required parking.

The last three years have borne out that fact. Stantec’s rational East Pool/South Gym solution preserves all green space and the structurally sound garage with at least 25 more years of service life.

On 11/21/13, the board eliminated Stantec’s logical recommendation from the pool discussion based on false information in a Finance Committee memo. It incorrectly stated that the East Pool/South Gym site could not house an 8-lane, 25-yard pool and that it was the most expensive of the four sites under consideration. Several weeks prior, on 9/26/13, one of the school’s architects stated, in fact, that it was the “more cost-effective” pool and site. After eliminating the reasonable pool solution, the board pivoted sharply and has spent the last three years trying to fit an oversized pool,

a want not a need, on the too-small campus.

The Stantec pool solution will right-size our school’s aquatic facilities and expenditures. Stantec clearly stated that OPRF’s current 11 swim lanes are a luxury and “modern high school aquatics programs are supported by one 8-lane, 25-yard pool.” OPRF extravagantly overbuilt with two pools in 1928, on the eve of the 1929 Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression. No other peer school built two pools. As a consequence, for the last 88 years we have overspent in operating and repairing the two pools and their excessive 11 swim lanes. As recently as 2010, we spent millions repairing the pools. Every dollar overspent on aquatics is a dollar not spent on academics, the school’s core mission.

OPRF’s physical education and aquatic team needs will be met by the Stantec solution. The school has resisted updating its antiquated and unnecessary mandatory swim requirement. By instituting a water safety class for all freshmen, similar to Stevenson High School’s, and allowing students to test out of swimming, the need for pool water declines sharply. OPRF’s aquatic teams will share a pool just like their counterparts at other schools and just as our other sports teams share fields on our space-confined campus. The West Pool space will be repurposed for other uses.

It is time for the board to implement Stantec’s rational pool solution. With the pool problem resolved, the board can then spend all of its time on the school’s more important academic issues.

OPRF

PRAGMATIC POOL SOLUTION One View

Bridgett Baron, Jack Davidson, Chris Donovan, Karen Doty, Bruce Kleinman, Kevin Peppard, Mike Poirier, Gina Sennello, Monica Sheehan, Leslie Sutphen

OPRF Pragmatic Pool Solutions

The VMA isn’t dead, it’s smart

The VMA did not want to slate a president, only a token, because the VMA presidential candidate is Abu Taleb, and he is smart enough to be their silent choice. He does not need to apply. He did not run a slate because the VMA selected it for him.

The same for trustee. One of those candidates is preferred. Moroney is the third candidate for trustee for the VMA, since your column [Dan Haley, News, Nov. 30] said he was a chosen one. Good enough to vote for right

Referring to the gun used by the 15-year-old who murdered his grandson, Jovan Wilson, U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis asked, “Where did the gun come from? How did he get it?”

The answer: Follow the money.

Ann B. Fraioli Oak Park

there.

In reality, the VMA has their ticket. Abu Taleb, Brewer, Barber, Moroney and Malinski.

The VMA is not dead ... it is smart. They know Abu Taleb will crush anyone who runs against him. He will be a two-term Grand Poobah! He gets two returning supporters and he will love Moroney.

VMA choices are usually political clones.

Robert Milstein

Oak Park resident and former village trustee

Filing of Township nominating petitions Any individuals or political parties wishing to file nominating petitions for election of offices for Oak Park Township, to be conducted in the April 4, 2017 Consolidated Elections, may do so at the Oak Park Township Hall, 105 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302.

Petitions may be filed with Township Clerk Gregory White beginning at 9 a.m. Monday,

Dec. 12 through the close of business hours at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19. No petitions may be accepted after that time. Persons having questions regarding the filing of petitions may contact the Township Clerk at 708-3838005, or the Illinois State Board of Elections at 312-814-6440.

Greg White

Oak Park Township clerk

Petition filing deadline is next week

Candidates are now circulating petitions for the spring Consolidated Municipal Elections on April 4, 2017. Candidates seeking offices of Village President, Village Clerk, three Village Trustees, four Library Trustees and two Park Commissioners of the village of Oak Park may file petitions at Village Hall, 123 Madison, Monday through Friday, Dec. 12 through Dec. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Candidates for other boards should check with their local government headquarters for details about filing for those positions.

Please refer to the State Board of Elections at www.elections.il.gov for additional information concerning the filing of nominating petitions.

PEPE

he visits Pepe’s grave. Within a year, he and his mistress move to Wisconsin, with disastrous results.

An imaginative tale from page 31 Of course, Wright is now thousands of miles away, but the workers do their best to make Pepe comfortable during his almost daily vigil, even fashioning a small doghouse to protect him from the elements. (Although no pictures survive, it is said to have been built in the Prairie style.)

Final days and burial

When it comes to guns, follow the money

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Pepe continues to frequent the Gale house even after construction is finished, and the owner does her best to keep the old dog comfortable on his almost daily visits, going so far as to line his small house with dry blankets in cold weather. But one morning in March 1910, Pepe doesn’t come out.

Laura Gale removes the doghouse and buries Pepe on the same spot, planting a lilac as a living reminder of what she called “assuredly, the most devoted of dogs.” Wright returns to America in October of 1910. It is unknown if

Teresa Powell

Oak Park village clerk

Nearly forgotten, until ...

Pepe had been such a remarkable presence that, even through the 1970s, neighborhood tour guides would often tell his story. But by then the lilac bush was gone. No living residents had actually seen the dog, and many considered his story apocryphal. Most likely, Pepe would have been forgotten had it not been for a singular discovery.

In the summer of 2015, village workers had to dig up the electrical cables leading to a malfunctioning streetlight in front of the Gale house. While excavating, they discovered a set of small bones, obviously those of a mediumsized dog, laid out in such a manner that it could only have been purposely buried. The skeleton was complete in every respect, except that it had no tail. Just like Pepe.

The marker you see today, and this story, was established in May of 2016 by citizens of Oak Park so that this extraordinary dog will always be remembered. May Pepe rest in peace.

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

4th Annual On Thursday, December 1, the Wednesday Journal and Austin Weekly News came together to celebrate the community with a complimentary evening of networking, live entertainment, and raffle prizes.

Thanks to all of our sponsors & donors!

Patty Ringo Katr2U Inc.

And a HUGE “Thank You� to all of our volunteers for their contributions

#WestSideBusinessNetwork

@AustinWeeklyChi

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

V I E W P O I N T S

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Six other thoughts while Find help, and hope, during the holidays preparing for Trump

I

n Response to “Six thoughts while preparing for the Trump presidency” [Viewpoints, Nov. 23]: As a man of the clergy I realize you wrote your letter with good intentions and, quite possibly, to aid and comfort those who might fear what the future holds for our country in the next 4-8 years, but that being said, I take issue with some of your comments.

1) Many of us simply cannot, will not, and feel very strongly and deeply that we must not accept that he won the election. This isn’t about being a sore loser but the very real fear that Mr. Trump is a dangerous man who will ultimately destroy over 200 years of progress that hard-working Americans have made. I also take issue with your statement that “the democratic system requires unequivocal acceptance of the vote.” This is a very dangerous way to think. Democracy requires the constant questioning of authority and for those who are dissatisfied with the status quo should stand up and make their voices heard. Indeed, it is not only our constitutional right as American citizens, it is our patriotic duty to do so, as spelled out in the Declaration of Independence.

2) You say immigrating to another country is a “pipe dream,” but many people are afraid of Mr. Trump, his words, his actions, and what he ultimately stands for.

Yes, you are right when you say we are needed here, as the good fight against tyranny starts in one’s own country, but if one truly fears for their safety and their life, one should leave. Don’t forget that many people didn’t read Mein Kampf when it first came out and those who did, didn’t take it seriously. And even after Hitler was made chancellor of Germany, many still didn’t believe he would try to take over the whole of Europe and kill approximately 10 million innocent people.

3) I write this because I have been paying very close attention to Mr. Trump, his words, and his deeds up to the election. This man has encouraged violence against those who oppose him, he has revealed himself to be a racist, a misogynist, a theocrat, and a xenophobe. There have been unprovoked physical

attacks at anti-Trump rallies by his supporters, as well as attacks on people from the Latino community and Muslim community. This man has not only preyed upon and exploited the fears of many people and encouraged these attacks, he has been endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan. When one talks about building walls and keeping out people of a certain religious faith in the name of making one’s country great again, can genocide be far behind? A lot of Europeans didn’t think so in 1933 either.

4) Your fourth point is one that I can actually agree with to a certain point. In spite of my vitriol I do my best to engage with those who did vote for Mr. Trump. I am curious as to why. What was it about him that resonated with these voters? It is only through respectful dialogue that we can understand each other and start the healing process. Sometimes, though, this can be hard to do when one is constantly being shouted down and told they’re wrong. If one chooses to engage in civil dialogue, I welcome it, but I will also walk away from those who believe that they are right and will only shout me down and not hear my concerns.

5) I also agree with your fifth point to a certain degree. If individuals who did not vote for Mr. Trump can participate in some form of civic or charitable good, maybe it will show the international community at large that the U.S. is a country that still cares about the poor, disadvantaged and disenfranchised — that there are many U.S. citizens who did not blindly vote for Mr. Trump or agree with him in any way, shape, or form.

6) Since you are a man of the clergy, it is not surprising that you would close your letter with Psalm 46:1. It is a good Psalm with wise words of wisdom, but I feel that you have done an unintentional disservice to people in the Muslim community by not offering a quote from The Quran.

Allow me to offer you one: “Have no fear. I will be with you, allhearing and all-seeing.” (Surah Ta Ha 46) This is as close to Psalm 46:1 that I could find in haste.

Adam Mikelson is a resident of Oak Park.

ADAM

MIKELSON One View

The holidays are stressful and it’s easy to overindulge as a way to either get in the holiday spirit or away from it.

But for people suffering from addictive behaviors, the pressure of the holidays can mean significant challenges for them and for their families.

These behaviors could include problems with drinking, overeating, internet pornography, gambling or any other behavior that has a negative impact on the individual, their family or friends, or their work.

Fortunately for people living in the Oak Park/ River Forest area, there are numerous resources available to those suffering from addictions, and for their loved ones. For many, a first step when they realize a change is needed is to attend a meeting with other people facing similar struggles.

These free and safe meetings are held most days of the week at venues throughout Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and other nearby communities.

Newcomers are welcome at these meetings, and an-

onymity is protected.

Here is a partial list of organizations that offer free meetings in the area. Meeting times and locations can be found on their websites: Alcoholics Anonymous (www.chicagoaa.org) Al-Anon - For partners and families of alcoholics (www.al-anon.org) Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (www.chicagowestslaa.org) POSA - For partners of sex addicts (www.posarc. com) Overeaters Anonymous (www.oa.org) Gamblers Anonymous (www.gamblersanonymous.org) If you (or a loved one) are suffering from addiction, you are not alone. The holidays can be an opportunity for a fresh start if you just take a small step to find help and hope.

John Kersh

River Forest

Let’s build an indoor pool for everyone I have been watching the process involving the construction of a new aquatic facility at OPRF High School and the referendum to make this a reality with a sense of bewilderment.

The price tag for this amenity seems very high although I am sure this is not the only reason the vote was so close.

Neither Oak Park nor River Forest have an indoor, year-round pool as do many communities in the Chicago area.

Why not let various taxing bodies in Oak Park and River Forest plan and finance a facility that could potentially serve all residents of the villages? The park districts of Oak Park and River Forest, along with the high school and township governments could cooperate and provide and manage an amenity that would improve quality of life for many.

When I was president of the Park District of Oak Park board, taxing bodies via the Council of

Governments cooperated on two projects that I can recall. The first was the construction of the parking garage at OPRF to alleviate nearby residents’ concerns regarding student and faculty parking near the school. The village would benefit by being able to provide parking for patrons of the Farmers Market, and the park district would have parking for recreational users of Ridgeland Commons.

When Stevenson Playground was being renovated, the village was looking to replace the water reservoir near the pumping station. The park district accommodated the village by placing it under a playing field that was being refurbished.

People in the villages are known for their resourcefulness and ability to think outside the box.

Time to put those talents to use here on this issue.

The protectors

ed by other girl students at OPRF, who may be affiliated with a gang. My question is what so-called authority symbols are influencing these young girl intimidators?

Also, in the same Wednesday Journal, Nov. 23, was a story about Danny Davis (in my opinion, a respected leader of the community) whose grandchild was impulsively killed by a gun.

My point is that there should be realistic fears.

The fact of committing an act of violence, like shooting a person, and spending many years in an isolated cell is a very realistic fear. If any person encourages this unlawful act, it should be dealt with by the community. If we like it or not, we have a responsibility to follow certain group standards. A person has a responsibility to adhere to these group standards.

Nevertheless, I don’t think I have met Mr. or Mrs. Perfection. I think many people in the village of Oak Park have very high standards for other people, but very low standards for themselves. Some people think they are very, very clever.

I was having a nice, relaxed Thanksgiving Day when I happened to see a Wednesday Journal at the local BP station, Harlem and Washington. I have read, and found it to be true, that local news is more pertinent and useful than world news, which in many cases does not touch us personally.

There was the Wednesday Journal headline “OPRF suspends wrestling coach.” I read the article and it seems Mike Powell, Oak Park wrestling coach, trusted some kids to stay in his house and take care of his dogs while he went out of town. I guess, unknown to Mr. Powell, some of these young people had a party when he was away.

I know a friend whose daughter has been trained to have one ear free and the other ear in an ear plug when she is listening to her cellphone. In this way, she can listen and react if someone is trying to attack her. This young OPRF High School student has been trained to be in constant fear so her mother also told me that her daughter has been intimidat-

Laura Perna

River Forest

George Vergara

A 29-year resident of Oak Park

V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

A

An impartial view of the Electoral College

lthough Donald Trump says little that I agree with, I do agree with him that the “Clinton won the popular vote by 2 million” argument is a red herring.

Trump and Clinton both would have run very different campaigns if the election were to be decided by raw popular vote.

Trump ignored California because he had no prayer of winning the state, but he could and surely would have stumped the Central Valley and the rural northern part of the state for votes were the rules different. Ditto upstate New York. Clinton ignored any number of red states where many votes were to be had but not enough to carry the state.

And putting aside the question of campaign tactics, how many people didn’t bother to vote because their vote couldn’t possibly affect the outcome in their state? There’s no way to know what the popular vote totals would have been or which candidate would have prevailed in an election run under very different rules.

Nowadays most presidential winners don’t receive a majority of the popular vote, merely a plurality, and in many countries which elect their head of state by raw popular vote, there is a runoff if no one receives a majority. This is also the rule in some states, witness the pending runoff for a senate seat in Louisiana. Finishing second in the first round is no guarantee of losing in the second round — remember Robert Mugabe a few years ago? There is no telling who would have won a runoff between Clinton and Trump.

If the Electoral College places too much power in the hands of the “states” at the expense of the “people,” I see this less as a structural problem with the Electoral College and more as a problem with the interrelationship of the Senate and House.

The fundamental unit of government in the U.S. is not the nation, it is the state. We are the united “states.”

The Constitution takes great pains to safeguard the interests of the states. While the House of Representatives today basically embodies a one-person, one-vote principle, the Senate embodies a one-state, one-vote principle. The idea that all states are created

equal, no matter how large or small, how populous or how old, is entrenched in the Constitution.

So while representatives are expected to advocate for and protect the interests of the populace that elected them, senators are expected to advocate for and protect the interests of the state that elected them.

The Electoral College is a hybrid of the two principles — a combination of oneperson, one-vote and one-state, one-vote.

The emphasis on the state as opposed to the populace has been watered down to some extent over time. For example, senators originally were elected by a state’s legislature, not directly by the people. And since these structures come from a time when wealth and power derived from immovable land rather than from freely movable intellectual capital and financial assets, perhaps they could use further democratization.

One could view the Electoral College as a horse designed by a committee, but before we embrace a different approach, we should remember the law of unintended consequences: in a system as complicated as national elections, unanticipated problems and seemingly bizarre results will occur.

In summary, I suggest there’s little merit in fretting that Hillary got more votes because there’s no assurance she would have received more votes under different election rules. But there may be merit to giving more voice to the popular vote and less to state interests.

Here’s a thought: elect the president by popular vote, provided that a candidate receives a majority of votes cast. If no candidate receives a majority, instead of a runoff, use the Electoral College. This would surely make campaign strategy interesting, and it would retain a role for the states when the popular will is too divided to produce a clear winner. (It would also ramp up voter fraud allegations, of course, since every vote in every state would now be of importance — the law of unintended consequences at work.)

And if this strikes you as a horse designed by a committee — nope, I created this horse all by myself.

Bob Stigger is a longtime resident of Oak Park.

BOB

STIGGER One View

Coyotes are making their presence felt You might want to alert Oak Park residents or anyone else who reads Wednesday Journal that there are coyotes in town looking for food. Sometimes it’s the wild rabbits and other small vermin coyotes normally hunt. Other times, coyotes, desperate for food, will hunt pets. Since there are a lot of small pets; cats, dogs, and whatever else

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

37

AT HOME NOT in the Emergency Room

We understand that waiting in the ER is no fun. That’s why we’re offering an online check-in tool at westlakehosp.com to reserve your time online and comfortably wait at home.

It’s quick, easy and you’ll be seen by a healthcare professional within 15 minutes of your scheduled time.

ER CHECK-IN ONLINE westlakehosp.com If you have a life threatening emergency, call 911.

people own in this town are subject to coyote attacks. I’m writing this to you because I’ve been seeing more and more coyotes — they are lone hunters — on my early-morning runs. They are not afraid of people as I’ve come really close to one without realizing it.

Rebecca Milton Oak Park WLH_ThatMoment 5.04x11.33 WEDNESDAY JRNL AD 020916.indd 1

2/9/16 4:47 PM

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

D O O P E R ’ S

A

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

M E M O R I E S

Memories of influential teachers at Holmes School

ll through the elementary grades at Holmes School, students kept the same teacher for two years. This was great if you liked the teacher but miserable if you didn’t like her. I say “her” because the only male teacher in the school was Mr. Franco, our gym teacher.

Mr. Franco was a nice guy and a good teacher and coach. He saw some baseball talent in me and encouraged me to continue playing after graduation from Holmes. I followed his advice and played for eight years on various teams.

Mr. Franco was also the patrol supervisor, and he made the rounds of patrol posts two or three times a week to see if the patrol boys were on duty and to make certain that we had no problems.

One time he collared Richie Schu for throwing snowballs at Bob Spitzer and me when we were on duty.

He took Richie to the principal, and Richie was suspended for 10 days.

When I came to Holmes in 1948, my fourth grade teacher was Mrs. Volpe.

She ran a tight ship, but she couldn’t control a guy named Pete. His antics really upset the classroom until one day Mr. Carlyon, our principal, came into the room and saw Pete jumping up and down on a desk.

Mr. Carlyon ushered Pete into his office, and we didn’t see Pete for two weeks.

In fifth and sixth grades, my teacher was Miss Sauer. She was the teacher who really got me interested in writing. In fact, I made a career teaching English and composition.

In seventh and eighth grades, I was in the homeroom of Miss Tredennick, the math and science teacher. She was a sharp-tongued lady who did not brook any nonsense. When the time came to select high school classes, she told me to take algebra and to continue through the math curriculum for four years. I followed her advice and never regretted it.

Miss Wright was our English teacher. She told us daily that if we did not learn how to diagram sentences, we would never know how to write a coherent essay. I thought that diagramming was boring, but her words were true, and I did learn to write clearly and correctly.

When I met with her to select a foreign language for high school, she told me to take Latin. I told her that the majority of my classmates were going to take Spanish or French. She again told me to take Latin. I did not argue because in those days we believed that teachers knew best.

I took four years of Latin and enjoyed it.

Miss Wellner, our librarian and literature teacher, insisted that the students read a classic novel every week and write a critical review. She would then meet with each student after she had graded his/her paper and discuss the pros and cons of our critiques.

JOHN

STANGER

Miss Vykruta, our history and geography teacher, taught us political geography so well that I still know where San Marino is located. She made history come alive by having us read biographies and, too, when she taught the Constitution, she made it clear that it is a living document.

Miss Reinel, our art teacher, tried so hard to teach me how to draw in perspective, but her efforts were to no avail. It was then that I realized that architecture would be a poor career choice for me.

All of my teachers told us to study hard, love our families, respect adults and choose our friends wisely.

I have tried to follow this advice for over six decades.

John Stanger is a lifelong resident of Oak Park, a 1957 graduate of OPRF High School, married with three grown children and five grandchildren, and a retired English professor (Elmhurst College).

Living two miles from where he grew up, he hasn’t gotten far in 76 years.

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4th Annual Holiday Bazaar

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Tuesday, December 13, 2016 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

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V I E W P O I N T S

With all due respect, Mr. Trump

To President-Elect Donald Trump: At Thanksgiving time you expressed a desire for our nation to be unified. This wish is one all Americans desire.

Unfortunately, that unification cannot possibly occur as long as your previously appointed advisors hold their present positions in your administration.

Mr. Steve Bannon, your appointed “chief strategist” is a known racist member of the “Alt Right” group of white supremacists. You publicly disavowed any association with this un-American hate organization. Why then have you selected Mr. Bannon as your “chief strategist”?

Also a few years ago, Senator Jeff Sessions was denied a judgeship because of his bigoted views. How can you justify appointing Senator Sessions for Attorney General of these United States?

These two men are obviously not worthy of these positions in your administration. If you sincerely desire a unified nation, they should be replaced.

These men, along with many others, were your campaign supporters, but that does not entitle them to be awarded major positions in your administration.

During this past week a very troubling news item was reported — that you are already setting up a registry of all our nation’s Muslims. (As an ugly reminder, that is what Hitler arranged for all Jews in Germany previous to the Holocaust!)

Under these circumstances, it seems impossible to unify our country. It is the responsibility of the president-elect to choose wise, experienced, unbiased leaders to help guide him in fulfilling his obligations in his awesome position as president.

If you, Mr. Trump, take action to match your Thanksgiving rhetoric and replace these extremely unqualified men for knowledgeable, unbiased people to advise you, you may be able to accomplish that unification we all desire.

With hope for our nation’s future,

Harriet Hausman River Forest

News

Events

O B I T U A R I E S

Dr. Paul Schreckenberger, 69

Dye; uncle of many; and son of the late Charles and Dorothy Schreckenberger.

Visitation was held on Dec. 4 at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home in Oak Park. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Dec. 5 at St. Giles Church in Oak Park, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Community Support Services, cssservices.org/donate, are appreciated.

Paul C. Schreckenberger, PhD, 69, of River Forest, died suddenly on Nov. 29, 2016. Since 2005, he was the director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at Loyola University Medical Center and a professor of Pathology at the Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood. Internationally recognized as an expert in the field of microbiology, he lectured at conferences around the world. In 2014, he was one of the contributors to a report in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, based on a Loyola study, which disproved the myth that urine is sterile.

Raised in Buffalo, New York, he began his career as a medical technoloPAUL SCHRECKENBERGER gist, earning his PhD at University of Illinois Chicago in 1989. He served seven years in the U.S. Army National Guard.

At Loyola, he was named Teacher of the Year by pathology residents three times. He was elected to the American Academy of Microbiology in 2008 and received the Illinois Society for Microbiology’s Pasteur Award in 2010.

According to a memorial written by Dr. John Biemer, “He kept spirits high in the department with festivities such as a costume contest or a theme lunch with hot dogs when the Cubs were in the World Series.”

Paul Schreckenberger was the husband of Ann (nee Dye); the father of Adam and the late Laura and Scott; the brother of Ann Marie (Jean Bernard) Roeder, Mary Kathryn (Arthur) Hart, Thomas (Claudine), Denise (Darryl) Anello, and Charles “Chas” (Kimberly) Schreckenberger; brother-inlaw of Cindy (Jerry) Redmond and Sharon (the late Nelson)

Michael Thomas, 25

Director of Loyola’s Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

Artist

Michael Wellborn Thomas, of Oak Park, died unexpectedly as the result of an epileptic seizure on Nov. 26, 2016. Born in San Francisco, California on June 4, 1991 to Janice Wellborn and Ross Thomas, he was always known as “Mikey.”

He graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School in 2010 and thereafter attended Columbia College where he studied art. At the time MICHAEL THOMAS of his death, he was working at the Robey Hotel in Wicker Park doing a job he loved. His real passion in life was art. He painted every day and saw art as his true calling.

Despite his tender years, he was achieving success, recognition, and working with other artists around the world. His art has been featured in magazines and on TV. His other love was travel. He had an active passport from the time he was 2 years old and visited many countries around the world.

He loved his friends, of which there were many, was devoted to them, and his humor and kindness will be missed by all.

A celebration of Mikey’s life will be held on Dec. 10 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Oak Park Conservatory, Garfield Street and East Avenue.

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

To run an obituary Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/524-0447 before Monday at noon.

Please include a photo if possible.

Gamboney & Son Funeral Directors

We are there for you in your time of need.

All services handled with dignity and personalized care. ~ Traditional or Alternative ~ Discover all our bloggers at OakPark.com

39

Robert P. and Joseph R. Gamboney Cell: 708.420.5108 • Res: 708.848.5667 We are affiliated with Peterson-Bassi Chapels at 6938 W. North Ave, as well as other chapels throughout Chicagoland.

Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home

Since 1880 Family Owned & Operated Charles Williams, Owner/Funeral Director 203 S. Marion St. Oak Park 60302 708/383-3191

40

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Religion Guide Methodist

Check First.

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

First Congregational Church of Maywood

400 N. Fifth Avenue (1 block north of Lake St.) Come join us for Sunday Morning Worship at 11 am Pastor Elliot Wimbush will be preaching the message.

Refreshments and fellowship follow the service.

708-344-6150 firstchurchofmaywood.org When you're looking for a place to worship the Lord, Check First.

You’re Invited to A Church for All Nations A Church Without Walls SERVICE LOCATION Forest Park Plaza 7600 W. Roosevelt Road Forest Park, IL 60130

William S. Winston Pastor (708) 697-5000

324 N. Oak Park Avenue 708-383-4983 www.firstUMCoakpark.org Sunday School for all Ages, 9am Sunday Worship, 10am Children’s Chapel during Worship Rev. Jenny Weber, Pastor Professionally Staffed Nursery Fellowship Time after Worship Presbyterian

Fair Oaks

Lutheran—ELCA

United Lutheran Church 1 5LGJHODQG *UHHQ¿ HOG Oak Park Holy Communion with nursery care and Children’s Chapel each Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Dennis Bushkofsky, Pastor Handicapped Accessible www.unitedlutheranchurch.org 708/386-1576

Sunday Service 7AM, 9AM & 11:15AM

LIVE Webcast - 11:15AM Service Believer’s Walk of Faith Broadcast Schedule (Times in Central Standard Time) Television DAYSTAR (M-F)

3:30-4:00pm

Nationwide

WJYS-TV (M-F)

6:30-7:00am

Chicago, IL.

WCIU-TV (Sun.)

10:30-11:00am

Chicago, IL.

Word Network

10:30-11:00am

Nationwide

(M-F)

www.livingwd.org www.billwinston.org

West Suburban Temple Har Zion

1040 N. Harlem Avenue River Forest Meet our Rabbi, Adir Glick Pray, learn, and celebrate with our caring, progressive, egalitarian community.

Interfaith families are welcome.

Accredited Early Childhood Program Religious School for K thru 12 Daily Morning Minyan Weekly Shabbat Services Friday 6:30pm & Saturday 10:00am Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 708.366.9000 www.wsthz.org

Lutheran-Independent

Grace Lutheran Church

7300 W. Division, River Forest David R. Lyle, Senior Pastor David W. Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Lauren Dow Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Sunday Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School/Adult Ed. 9:45 a.m.

Childcare Available

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

744 Fair Oaks Ave. Oak Park 386-4920 Rev. Daniel deBeer, Interim Pastor Sunday Schedule Christian Education for All Ages 9:00am Worship Service 10:00am

Roman Catholic

St. Bernardine Catholic Church Harrison & Elgin, Forest Park

CELEBRATING OUR 105TH YEAR! Sat. Masses: 8:30am & 5:00pm SUNDAY MASSES: 8:00am & 10:30am 10:30 Mass-Daycare for all ages CCD Sun. 9am-10:15am Reconciliation: Sat. 9am & 4pm Weekday Masses: Monday–Friday 6:30am Church Office: 708-366-0839 CCD: 708-366-3553 www.stbern.com Pastor: Fr. Stanislaw Kuca Traditional Catholic

Child care available 9-11am

fairoakspres.org

OAK PARK MEETING OF FRIENDS (Quakers) Meeting For Worship Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Park Art League 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park Please call 708-445-8201 www.oakparkfriends.org

Roman Catholic

Ascension Catholic Church

The Traditional Catholic Latin Mass

Our Lady Immaculate Church 410 Washington Blvd Oak Park. 708-524-2408 Mass Times: Sat. 8:00am Sun. 7:30 & 10:00am Operated by Society of St. Pius X. Confessions 1 hr. before each mass

Third Unitarian Church 11am Service: “Celebration of Life� thirdunitarianchurch.org (773) 626-9385 301 N. Mayfield near Austin and Lake

Grace Lutheran School

Preschool - 8th Grade Bill Koehne, Principal 366-6900, graceriverforest.org Lutheran-Missouri Synod

Christ Lutheran Church

607 Harvard Street (at East Av.) Oak Park, Illinois Rev. Robert M. Niehus, Pastor Sunday Bible Class: 9:15 am Sunday School: 9:10 Sunday Worship Services: 8:00 and 10:30 am Church Office: 708/386-3306 www.christlutheranoakpark.org Lutheran-Missouri Synod

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

305 Circle Ave, Forest Park Sunday Worship, 8:30 am and 11:00 am Adult Bible Class, 10:00 am Wheelchair Access to Sanctuary Leonard Payton, Pastor Roney Riley, Assistant Pastor 708-366-3226 | www.stjohnforestpark.org

808 S. East Ave. 708/848-2703 www.ascensionoakpark.com Worship: Saturday Mass 5:00 pm Sunday Masses 7:30, 9:00, 11 am, 5:00 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation 4 pm Saturday Taize Prayer 7:30 pm First Fridays Feb.– Dec. & Jan. 1 Holy Hour 6:00 pm Third Thursdays

Rev. James Hurlbert, Pastor

Roman Catholic

St. Edmund Catholic Church

188 South Oak Park Ave. Saturday Masses: 8:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Masses: 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

Weekday Mass: 8:30 a.m.

Holy Day Masses: As Announced Reconciliation: Saturday 4:15 p.m.

Parish Office: 708-848-4417 School Phone: 708-386-5131

Unity

UNITY CHURCH OF OAK PARK 405 North Euclid Ave.

You have limitless potential.

Sunday Services 9 am & 11 am Youth Education 11 am 708-848-0960 — unityoakpark.org

Upcoming Religious Holidays

Dec. 8 Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) Buddhism Immaculate Conception of Mary Catholic Christian 12 Feast day-Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Christian Mawlid an Nabe * Islam 16-25 Posadas Navidenas Hispanic Christian 14 Mawlid an Nabi * Islam

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Miss a week…

...miss a lot.

Answer Book 2016

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL

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May 14, 201

40 Vol. 34, No. AR ONE DOLL

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If you don’t have a subscription to Wednesday Journal, you’re missing a lot.

Each week Wednesday Journal covers local news, local people, local sports and the local ads you want to see. Village hall, police, OPRF, the elementary schools, business, religion, we have Oak Park and River Forest covered.

Forest

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atio All Wright walk marPks milestone ye Celebrating the 40th anniver ar sary of the

orty years I/Staff DAVID PIERIN is rapher fairly young house, particoldPhotog ularly in for a many of Oak Park our home s hit 100-pl where ever, in terms of us.

Wright the Frank HowLloyd cant. That’ Home (& Studi o), 40 s the It’s a miles age of the Wrigh is signifit Trust. tone, says CEO/presi Celeste dent. Seven cant numb teen is also Adams, er. a signifiHousewalk May 17 is the 40th ; June 17 Wright Plus zation’s Founders is the nonprofit organiDay; and the day in July 17 marks opened for 1974 when the Home & its Studio And there first tour.

— the 1889 is one other happy coincidenc Ave. celeb Home & Studio at 951 Chica e rates 125 cant years architectu go . rally signif “Our 40th ianniv ersary is the next the begin generation ning of to celebrate of the Trust all and those a way we are today who have made it ,” what And what Adams said. four decad they have made it over the es past three is … bigger. In last fact, just years , in she said, grown to the the Trust oversee five touring/ed has ucation/re Frank Lloyd Wrigh Chicago storation t area. sites in the “The Home Lloyd Wrigh & Studio is the Isabel Robe oldest Frank rts House (Fran t site in a muse um,” Adam the world, and k Lloyd Wrig is now Society this repre s noted ht, 1908) bus tour . “For sents 40 excursion me, group of years of friends passionate and talen attended welcoming all buffs, and t to the by a architects, ing with new Trust and deter each passi local buildng the wond “Elsie Jacob mined community history erful volun year on the talen sen got to activists. to take there. We ts of teers who talking about back [the have just are alrea trying Home & site, flwrig launched dy because at the ht.org, and a time it was Studio] building with techn are doing new web- John Thor pe, for sale,” recal ology, so more thing local prese Wright, led I s and founding rvatio we’re able hope, like Frank Lloyd of the Home member and formen architect to captu of a young re the atten er audie r & spire all nce and tion Wright Trust Studio Foundatio president people with conti ). n (now the nal sites.

Back these wond nue to in” erful, origi- husba then, Mrs. Clyde nd had owne Nooker, whos d the struc 1940s, was Mrs. Nooker ture since e looking and the corsa Wright’s for a buyer the The migh client . They were ge ty grass of the office s, circa 1956, sparked for a remo this positi roots movement , library, deling kitchen ve chang fortunes that had opened part e in began in of the build and bath and 1972, durin Oak Park’s since 1966 for ing to the publi tours. g a Histo rical c See ALL WRIGHT on pa page B B33

the Oak Park

144 s. oak

Three easy ways to subscribe: 1) call (708) 524-8300 2) visit OakPark.com/subscribe 3) mail in the form below.

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May 14, 2014

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cago, of Chi Troubles with zero license from the citythat the tick action red him

p. B11

Area Associati on of Realtors | 708.358

. park ave

www.m .9800 |

ayadels

ol.com

Wright Trust

Courtesy of Frank

Arthu thurr B. H THE M Heur Heurttley H ley House OST LO ouse (Fran (F k Lloyd Lloyd Wrigh Llo CAL RE Wri W right,t 1902) righ AL EST ATE IN PRINT AND O N

Courtesy of Frank

Lloyd Wright

Lloyd Wright

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Trust. Photograp

her: James Caulfi eld

Trust. Photograp her: James Caulfi eld

W E D N E S D A Y

OAKK PPARK ARK 4BR,

2 BA . . . . . . ..

See page B5 . $367,000

OAKK PARK4 PPARK4BR, BR,

2.1BA . . . . . ..

See page B5 . $609,000

June 1, 2016 Vol. 34, No. 42 ONE DOLLAR

JOURNAL LINE

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OAKK PARK PARK 8BR,

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@O @OakPark

Special pullout section

Oak Park police to carry anti-overdose drug

A day of remembrance

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

Participants wave at the crowd during the annual Memorial Day Parade in River Forest on May 30. For more photos, page 10.

An American Ramadan

River Forest couple says don’t make assumptions about Muslims

By TOM HOLMES

to sunset, every day for four weeks.

Nausheen sounds very much like a Jew on Yom Kippur or a Christian during Lent when she describes what Muslims are striving for during Ramadan.

“What people may not know,” she said, “is that the purpose of Ramadan is to bring you closer spiritually to your Cre-

ator, to develop patience, gratitude and to perfect one’s character. When fasting, a Muslim is supposed to be on their best behavior, avoid anger, bad language, lies, etc. Many people give up bad habits, for example smoking. It is a time of introspection and self-reflection on how to bet-

Enclosed is my payment of ¨$32 for 12 months Name _______________________________________________________

Oak Park Fire Department already administers Narcan roughly once a week

Address ______________________________________________________

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER

City _____________________ Zip ________ Phone __________________

Staff Reporter

Contributing Reporter

today!

RIVER FORES T 4BR, 3BA . . ....

See page B6 . .$615,000

of Oak Park and River Forest

Syed Mohuddin (a.k.a. Mohi) Ahmed and his wife Nausheen Akhter will begin keeping the month of Ramadan on June 5. The River Forest residents will fast, going without food or drink, from sunrise

41

Oak Park police officers will soon be equipped with an anti-opioid overdose drug known as Narcan, confirmed Oak Park Deputy Police Chief Tony Ambrose.

A state law that went into effect in January mandates that all Illinois police departments begin carrying the drug in an effort to prevent overdoses from heroin and opioid-based prescription drugs.

Ambrose said in a telephone interview that the OPPD is working with the Oak Park Fire Department to receive training and grant funding for the Narcan program.

Oak Park Deputy Fire Chief Peter Pilafas said in a telephone interview that fire department paramedics have been trained to administer Narcan for some time and used it an average of four times a month in 2014 and 2015.

Pilafas applied on May 20 for the grant, which will cover 100 percent of the costs for the OPPD program, and it was approved three days later.

He said now police and fire department officials will attend a training seminar to instruct police officers on how to administer the drug.

Earlier this year, Oak Park Township Supervi-

See RAMADAN on page 12

Father ’ s Day | Sunday

See NARCAN on page 13

6/19

brunch 9a-2:30p dinner 5-9pm Reservations: 708.358.9800 or mayadelsol.com

*Email _______________________________________________________ Visa/MC/Discover # ____________________________ Exp Date__________ Signature ____________________________________________________ Mail to: Circulation Dept., 141 S. Oak Park, IL 60302 Offer valid for new subscribers in Cook County only.

42

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM New local ads this week

YOUR WEEKLY AD

REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

WEDNESDAY

Classified

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline is Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion.

Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion.

The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

Place your ad online anytime at: www.OakPark.com/Classified/

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 524-0447 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

RELIGION

Art Director sought by O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul LLC in Chicago, IL to generate advrtsng ideas & cncpts. Reqs BA in Advrtsng + 2 yrs exp. Apply @ www.jobpostingtoday. com #39285

Process Engineer sought by Akzo Nobel Services, Inc. in Chicago, IL. Reqs: Bach deg or equiv in Chemical Engg or rel fld & 2 yrs of exp in dsgn & implmtn of capital investment projects for chemical & coatings mfg operations. Stated exp must incl at least 6 mos w/ each of following: process studies; process simulation; material balance & process flow diagrams; process & instrumentation diagrams; eqpmt specs & selection; HAZOP; & Process Safety Mgmt. Pos. reqs travel to Akzo Nobel worksite in Morris, IL and various unanticipated worksites in the U.S. up to 40% of working time. Apply online at www. akzonobel.com/careers for vacancy# 1600046G.

SEARCHING FOR PURPOSE?

Data Scientists sought by Uptake Technologies, Inc in Chicago, IL to anlz probs & write func/scripts to bld dbase. Req trvl up to 20%. Aply @ www.jobpostingtoday.com 35475.

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER PART-TIME Part-time Electrician’s Helper.

Tansportation and some tools.

Call 708-738-3848.

Front Office Manager (Chicago, IL): Coordinate hotel’s front office ops, ensuring efficiency & compliance w/ policies, procedures & overall corp standards. Prep wkly & mnthly rpts to track front office activity & submit to sr mngmnt. Reqs: Associate’s deg or frgn equiv in Hotel Mngmnt, Hospitality Mngmnt or rel, & 1 yr exp as FrontOffcSuprvsr, FrontOffcAsst or rel. Mail resumes to: HR, Columbia Sussex Management, LLC, Chicago Marriott O’Hare, 8535 W. Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631

Sr Support Programmer: iManage LLC seeks in Chicago, IL: Sr Support Programmer (Multiple Openings) w/3 yrs exp in job offered or sub sim pos. Send resume to Peopleops@imanage.com (ref. no.

L0530) or Attn: Recruiting, 540 West Madison St., Ste. 2400, Chicago, IL 60661.

Buying? Selling?

Renting? Hiring?

Advertise in WEDNESDAY CLASSIFIED 708-613-3333

Executive Director

The Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF), a privately funded nonprofit that delivers innovative, hands-on learning experiences to K-8th grade District 97 students by connecting them to mentors and resources in the community, seeks an Executive Director to lead this growing, 27-year-old organization. Working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, District 97, parents, volunteers, and other local organizations, the Executive Director will advance OPEF’s mission of serving the increasing community need for educational enrichment opportunities for all public school students. The public face and main contact of OPEF, the Executive Director is responsible for overall day-to-day management; the development, management and evaluation of programs and carrying out the mission, vision, values and policies as established by the Board of Directors.

OPEF’s professional partners share their passion for learning while conducting free, hands-on residencies with more than 4,200 students each year. OPEF also runs BASE Camp, exceptional summer and school-holiday enrichment programs that make learning fun and are grounded in the real world. BASE Camp helps to fund OPEF’s free in-school programming.

Located in Oak Park, Illinois, OPEF is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors, has 12 staff and program coordinators, and a $650K budget.

Requirements include: Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree; leadership experience in a nonprofit, volunteer or academic-related organization, that includes financial and staff management; experience working with volunteer Boards and knowledge of governance procedures; experience with long term annual planning, budgeting and overseeing project plans; confident in financial forecasting and budgeting; demonstrated experience in developing and executing fundraising strategies; ability to actively cultivate a strong donor base; strong staff management and teambuilding skills; a collaborative decision maker; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to establish good working relationships with community groups and speak publicly as needed; innovative and forward-thinking, with demonstrated commitment to OPEF’s mission, vision and values; must be able to work outside of normal business hours as needed, including evenings and weekends; candidates from Oak Park preferred.

How to Apply: OPEF has retained Tuft & Associates to conduct this search. Applicants should email a cover letter and resume in confidence to Tuft & Associates, ATTN: Jill Christie, President; cbabjak@tuftassoc.com

Find your place with us. We are a church for the whole family with a special ministry for children. Hear relevant messages from God’s Word to help you live with meaning and purpose.

We are New Life Community Church 3801 Madison in Brookfield Join us Sundays at 11:30am 708.277.9191 newlifechicago.org/brookfield (meeting at Faith Lutheran Church)

TRAVEL SERVICES AGATHOKARI TRAVEL AGENCY YOUR LAND AND CRUISE VACATION EXPERTS. WE OFFER QUALITY, SERVICE, AND COMPETITIVE PRICING. SIGN UP FOR FREE WEEKLY TRAVEL DEALS! CLICK

SUBURBAN RENTALS

SUBURBAN RENTALS

GLA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. LaVerne Collins Managing broker

Office located at: 320 S. Wisconsin Ave. Oak Park

708-763-9927 www.glapropertymanagement.com

Properties may be broker owned.

Call us for a complete list of rentals available.

M&M property management, inc.

t XXX NNQSPQNHU DPN 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Oak Park: Studios, 1 & 2 BR from $650-$2000 Forest Park: 1 & 2 BR from $725-$1,000

Apartment listings updated daily at:

www.luxuriousexcursions.com CALL 773-775-1996

SUBURBAN RENTALS 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 informedthat 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.

WEDNESDAY JOURNAL Forest Park Review, Landmark

You have jobs.

We have readers!

Find the best employees with Wednesday Classifieds!

Call 708/613-3333

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-888-328-8457 for an appointment.

HISTORIC MAYWOOD MANOR

902 S. 3RD AVENUE (behind Aldi) Tired of renting? Why not consider buying an affordable 2BR condo w/ 1000 sq ft of living space on this historic site at less than market rents?

Savings are built in from a unique 12 year tax freeze plus lower utility costs from energy saving systems and appliances. Onsite pkg, exterior lighting and enhanced security systems included. Be among the first to benefit from this unique project in which the buyer can have input into the individual unit(s).

Call 708-383-9223.

OAK PARK 2 BR

ON AUSTIN BLVD Across from Columbus Park Rooms, 2BR, stove, refrigera-­ tor, heat & 1 parking space in-­ cluded. New hardwood var-­ nished floors. $1000 and de-­ posit.

Call 708-262-3528.

OAK PARK FOREST PARK Studio, 1, and 2 BDRM. Heated.

Dining room. Parking available.

Walk to El. $625-$1250.

www.oakrent.com

RIVER FOREST OR OAK PARK 1 BR Hardwood floors throughout. Spacious walk-in closets. Storage. Parking.

Laundry in building. $800/mo.

Call 708-657-4226.

OAK PARK BEAUTIFUL 2 BD APT Impeccably maintained by owner for more than 25 years. Charming 2 bedroom/ one full bathroom, brandnew deck, backyard, hardwood floors, high ceilings, back yard, large master bedroom, sun room, stainless appliances, remodeled kitchen with lots of cabinets, screened front porch with swing and windows that enclose in the winter. Laundry onsite. Heat and water paid by owner.

2 doors south of Longfellow Elem. 2 blocks from blue line. Garage space 1 car. 630.808.5835.

CITY RENTALS Augusta & Kildare: PERFECT FOR SENIORS Studio Apartment A gorgeous studio apt. features include kitchen, dining room, large living room, walk-in closet, hardwood floors, incl. heat, appliances, and laundry room, in a beautifully landscaped & well maintained building, quite, safe & secure, rent $585.00, for more information call 773-838-8471.

Augusta & Harding: Beautiful 2-bedroom condo-like apt, in a sunny, safe, secure 8 unit bldg.

Large newly tiled kitchen & bath, hardwood floors, central air, appliances included, tenant pays utilities, rent 785.00, for more information call 773-838-8471.

CITY RENTALS

ROOMS FOR RENT

WEST SIDE APTS AVAILABLE 3BR 1BAw/ LR, DR, Kitchen, Pantry Encl Porch.

AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro.

Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up.

773-637-5957

4BR 2BAw/ LR,DR, Util. Closet, Den, Kitchen, Pantry, Encl Porch.

Hardwood Floors throughout.

Near bus, train and expway. 1 mo security, references & credit check required. Call 773-297-0109.

LARGE 1 BR IN 2 FLAT Austin Area. $700 + Background check $25 + Non-refundable $700 move-in fee.

Call 708-610-2030 after 4pm.

CHURCH FOR RENT BEAUTIFUL CHURCH FOR RENT

in OAK PARK. Perfect for a congregation. Oth-­ er potential uses. Corner of Sco-­ ville & Adams.

708-848-5460 MAYWOOD COUNTRY CHURCH Lovely, old fashioned country church in Maywood, on corner of Fifth and Erie is looking for a roommate or tenant. We are willing to work out a flexible arrangement if you are an appropriate tenant. Various size spaces. Call 708 344-6150, leave a message.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT * RIVER FOREST * 7777 Lake St.

- 3 & 4 room suites

7756 Madison St.

- Store: 926 sq. ft.

- Medical Office Suite, 2800 sq. ft.

* OAK PARK *

6955-6957 North Ave.

- 1, 2 & 3 room office suites

6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. - 5 room office suite

Strand & Browne 708/488-0011

Large Sunny Room with fridge & microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $101.00 week & up. New Mgmt.

773-378-8888

ITEMS FOR SALE HANDCARVED SANTAS Each Santa is hand cast, meticulously detailed, and hand painted to capture the old world charm of the original carving by Timothy Shelven.

Available only in this limited collection, every Santa has been signed and numbered by the original artist. For details and photos, contact LAKESHORE CARVINGS, c/o tfshelven@gmail.com. Custom works available.

TOYS, GAMES, DRUM SET Toys, Games, Drum Set Toys, games, crafts, puzzles, Legos, Barbies, Littlest Pet Shop, Anki Overdrive and a beginner Drum Kit. Contact Laura at lcderks@gmail. com if you are interested in any of these items.

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers-lead plastic-other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Cookie Walk

The 26th annual Cookie Walk at United Lutheran Church is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 10 a.m.

Buyers can fill a box with homemade holidaythemed cookies for $13.

They also can buy tickets for a raffle and purchase fair trade items.

The church is at 409 Greenfield St. (at Ridgeland) in Oak Park. www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED

7:00 am–5:00 pm. 708-715-8834

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLEANING Pam’s A+ Cleaning Service

A cleaner day is just a phone call away. For a detailed cleaning please call 708-937-9110

ELECTRICAL

Electricians serving the greater Oak Park area. Licensed, Bonded & Insured–Reasonable Pricing & Free Estimates. Kinetic’s proud to say you have never experienced service like this! 15 years experience and dedication.

No job too big or small!

(708) 639-5271

FIREPLACES/ FIREWOOD

Firewood Unlimited

Fast Free Delivery

Mixed hardwoods • $130 F.C. CBh & Mix • $145 F.C. 100% oak • $165 F.C. Cherry or hiCkory • $185 F.C. 100% BirCh • $220 F.C. Seasoned 2 years Stacking Available

847-888-9999 1-800-303-5150

A&A ELECTRIC

We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Ceiling Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est. Fans Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added Installed New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Serv. upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848

Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp | Servicing Oak Park and all surrounding suburbs

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H HH

HUGH’S ELECTRIC *REMODELING *LIGHTING *SERVICES

clean burner, Furnace Tune-up **check drive belts,

With this ad–$58.00 *adjust burner, *thermostat

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708-612-4803 H H H H H H H H H H H H H H HH

GUTTERS

ALEX

GUTTER CLEANING Cleaned by Hand Downspouts Snaked All Work Guaranteed

Call 708-567-4680

Garage Doors &

Electric Door Openers

Sales & Service Free Estimates

(708) 652-9415 www.forestdoor.com

773-732-2263 Ask for John

BASEMENT CLEANING

Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

%,%#42)#!, (!.$9-!. 3%26)#%3 !LL 4YPES OF (OME 2EPAIRS 2EPAIRS )NSTALLATIONS 0ROFESSIONAL 1UALITY 7ORK !T 2EASONABLE 0RICES 0ROMPT 3ERVICE 3MALL *OBS A 3PECIALTY

FLOORS

Our 70th Year

Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE

+$1'<0$1 &2175$&725

GARAGE/GARAGE DOOR

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HAULING

Credit Cards Accepted

KLIS FLOORING INC.

HANDYMAN

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New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

PLUMBING

HHHHHHHHHH

Holiday Grief Group A grief support/recovery group is meeting Thursday evenings in Oak Park through the holidays and into January. Fee is $25 a session, with reduced fee possibility where needed. Please contact Terri Hager, LCSW, for details.

Phone: 708-613-5324. Email: hagerterri07@gmail.com.

Website: www.therapyforpeace. com

ELECTRICAL

Let an American Veteran do your work

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FOR SALE Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 24â&#x20AC;? Red Magna 15 Speed Glacierpoint bike. Like New: ridden 2x. Bike Shop inspected, ready to ride! $60 Cash.

(708) 613-3333 â&#x20AC;˘ FAX: (708) 524-0447 â&#x20AC;˘ E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

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Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404

PLUMBING

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Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges â&#x20AC;˘ Ovens Washer â&#x20AC;˘ Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

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708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

LANDSCAPING BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Fall Yard Clean-Up Slit Seeding Bush Trimming Fall Leaf Clean-Up Senior Discount brucelawns.com

708-243-0571

PUBLIC NOTICES

The requisite affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Luz Maria Diez, 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.

1525 East 53rd Street Chicago, Illinois 60615

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, in the City of Chicago, Illlinois, on or before December 21, 2016, 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.

FREE ESTIMATES Service in 1 Hour in Most Cases

All Work Guaranteed Lowest Prices Guaranteed FREE Video Inspection with Sewer Rodding /P +PC 5PP -BSHF t /P +PC 5PP 4NBMM Family Owned & Operated

t

DOROTHY BROWN, Clerk.

Lic. #0967

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/23, 11/30, 12/7/2016.

PAINTING & DECORATING

LEGAL NOTICE

WINDOWS

Chertkow and Chertkow (22019) Attorneys for Petitioner 1525 East 53rd Street Chicago, Illinois 60615

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

In re the marriage of Jose G. Torres, Petitioner and Juanita Andrade, Respondent, Case No. 2016D-002033.

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STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

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HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT

PUBLIC NOTICES

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.

FAST RELIABLE SERVICE

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Call today to advertise: 708/613-3342

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department Domestic Relations Division In re the Marriage of Raul Nava, Petitioner, and Luz Maria Diez, Respondent.

No. 16 D 10305

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 January 3, 2017, 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.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/30, 12/7, 12/14/2016

LEGAL NOTICE Chertkow and Chertkow (22019) Attorneys for Petitioner

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of Maria Eusebia Zavala, Petitioner and Jesus Zavala, Respondent, Case No. 2016D-010885.

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 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 January 3, 2017, 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.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/30, 12/7, 12/14/2016

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,â&#x20AC;? as amended, that a certification was regisered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: D16148791 on November 22, 2016 Under the Assumed Business Name of BENZKOFER COMMUNICATIONS with the business located at: 201 N HARVEY AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60302.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: STEPHAN BENZKOFER 201 N HARVEY AVE. OAK PARK, IL 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal 11/30, 12/7, 12/14/2016

MORTGAGE DIRECTORY

MORTGAGE RATE DIRECTORY LENDER COMMUNITY BANK OF OAK PARK - RIVER FOREST

(708) 660-7006 1001 Lake St., Oak Park IL 60301 www.cboprf.com

AMOUNT

RATE/YR

80% 80% 80% 80% 80% 80%

4.125% / 30 yr. fixed 3.875% / 20 yr. fixed 3.375% / 15 yr. fixed 3.500% / 5 yr. ARM 3.625% / 7 yr. ARM 3.875% / 10 yr. ARM

POINTS/ APP. FEE 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550

A.P.R.

4.194% 3.970% 3.496% 3.808% 3.825% 3.944%

¡ Approved IHDA Mortgage Program Lender ¡ Financing available up to 97% LTV Construction Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit available â&#x20AC;&#x201C; call for terms.

Mortgage rates are accurate as of Monday afternoon. Due to the fluctuation of mortgage rates, the rates may vary before publication. Contact your mortgage lender for complete details. Mortgage rates vary in APR and other qualifying factors.

To Advertise your Mortgage Rates, call Mary Ellen Nelligan: 708/613-3342

44

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 524-0447 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: D16148870 on November 29, 2016.

Under the Assumed Business Name of OP FP PARTNERS with the business located at: 7640 WILCOX ST, FOREST PARK IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: JULIE LOUISE THOMPSON 7640 WILCOX ST FOREST PARK, IL 60130 PATRICIA EILEEN MCGUINNESS 7640 WILCOX ST FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Published in Forest Park Review 11/30, 12/7, 12/14/2016

PUBLIC NOTICE Village of Brookfield Brookfield, IL 60513 The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees and the regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole of the Board of Trustees scheduled for the fourth Monday of December 26, 2016 be and are hereby cancelled.

The next Village Board of Trustees meeting will be on Monday, January 9, 2017. The meeting shall be convened at 6:30 p.m. and the Committee of the Whole meeting shall be convened at such time as the Board of Trustees meeting is adjourned but not earlier than 6:35 p.m.

Theresa M. Coady, Deputy Village Clerk November 28, 2016 Published in Landmark 12/7/2016

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-1 Plaintiff, -v.ELIZABETH L. PURNELL, KENNETH PURNELL JR. A/K/A KENNETH PURNELL, STATE OF ILLINOIS, CITY OF CHICAGO Defendants 14 CH 000292 110 S. HUMPHREY AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 2, 2015, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 4, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 110 S. HUMPHREY AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-305-003-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted.

The balance, including the Judicial

sale fee for 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. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 1413-22714. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE 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. 14-13-22714 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 14 CH 000292 TJSC#: 36-13141 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.

I708078

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. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 1415-09789. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE 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. 14-15-09789 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 15 CH 009679 TJSC#: 36-12160 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.

I708371

21ST MORTGAGE CORPORATION; Plaintiff, vs.

MARY A. LENGERICH AKA M. ANGELA LENGERICH; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 09 CH 50085 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 Tuesday, January 3, 2017 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: Commonly known as 612 South Humphrey Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304.

P.I.N. 16-17-115-005.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 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. Kenneth M. Battle at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 5660040. 85269 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 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 Ms. Kimberly S. Reid at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Kluever & Platt, L.L.C., 65 East Wacker Place, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (312) 2360077. SPSL.0299 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION CAPITAL ONE, N.A. SUCCESSOR

BY MERGER TO ING BANK, FSB Plaintiff, -v.STEVEN C. RUECKERT, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. Defendants 15 CH 009679 1323 ASHLAND AVENUE RIVER FOREST, IL 60305 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 4, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 6, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1323 ASHLAND AVENUE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305 Property Index No. 15-01-113-006-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for 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

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

I708603 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUST FOR AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF MULTI-CLASS MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES OF CHASEFLEX TRUST, SERIES 2007-2 Plaintiff, vs.

WILLIAM H. FARLEY, JR. AKA WILLIAM H. FARLEY, GALE FOSTER FARLEY AKA FARLEY G. FOSTER, CITIBANK, N.A, UNKNOWN OWNERS, GENERALLY, AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants, 09 CH 9575 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause on September 16, 2016 Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 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. 16-06-119-019-0000.

Commonly known as 1023 North Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302.

I708657 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, vs.

CHARLES L. MOORE AKA CHARLES MOORE; PATRICIA A. MOORE AKA PATRICIA ANN MOORE AKA PATRICIA MOORE; US BANK, N.A.; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants, 16 CH 6935 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 Wednesday, January 4, 2017 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. 16-17-327-007-0000.

Commonly known as 1162 South Harvey Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois 60304.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 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 The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Anselmo Lindberg Oliver LLC, 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563-1890. (630) 453-6960. For Bidding instructions visit www.falillinois.com 24 hours prior to sale.

F16050106 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I708706

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

local employees happy employees!

Hire Local.

Place an ad on Wednesday Journal’s Local Online Job Board.* Go to OakPark.com/classified or RiverForest.com/classified today!

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information.

(708) 613-3342 • maryellen@oakpark.com *$25/week

45

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S P O R T S

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Fenwick pulls away from OPRF Friars have rediscovered winning ways, while Huskies remain a work in progress

By MARTY FARMER Sports Editor

The players on the Fenwick High School girls basketball team really wanted to get head coach Dave Power his 900th win last season. It took 21 games to reach that goal but the Friars finally honored their coach with a 6146 win against DePaul Prep in late January.

“I was happy that I could be a part of it,” Fenwick forward Kate Moore said after the game.

Overall, the Friars had a tough season last year finishing 10-21 (21 losses are the most by a Power-coached team in his four-decade career).

This season, Fenwick is off to a more promising 6-1 start. It’s particularly encouraging considering the Friars were sub-.500 the previous three seasons.

The Friars cruised past rival OPRF 67-43 last week after opening the season with five comfortable wins to claim the Niles North tournament title.

“I think we were expecting a good season, but 6-1 is an awesome start,” Moore said.

“Last year was a good season for us to develop. We gained experience and grew together as a team. I think we have more unity on the court and everybody is contributing to our success.”

Fenwick methodically built a 35-25 halftime lead against OPRF with a balanced offensive attack. Moore scored 10 points, freshman forward Katie Schneider had nine and senior center Kelly Carpenter chipped in six.

Schneider and Carpenter were particularly effective scoring inside or in transition.

Senior forward Blair Ripley led OPRF with nine points in the first half to keep OPRF within striking distance; however, she also picked up three fouls. With frontline starters Maeve Nelson and Carrington McGowan out for the season with injuries, the Huskies can’t afford to have Ripley in foul trouble.

Nevertheless, the teams essentially traded baskets in the third quarter with Fenwick building a 51-39 lead.

The Friars put OPRF away with a 10-0 run to open the fourth quarter. Moore scored six points while Chance Baggett and McKenzie Blaze added a basket apiece, extending the Fenwick lead to 61-41 with 3:55 left in the fourth quarter. Fenwick outscored the Huskies 16-4 in the fourth quarter.

“Fenwick kicked our butt. They are just a better team than us right now,” OPRF coach J.P. Coughlin said. “I actually thought we played well in the first half. We just couldn’t get shots to fall and they picked us apart in the second half.

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

MOORE BUCKETS: Fenwick forward Kate Moore drives by OPRF sophomore guard Ahsha Spencer during the Friars’ 67-43 win on Dec. 1.

“Dave [Power] has them running on all cylinders. You knew Fenwick wouldn’t be down for long.”

Moore scored a game-high 22 points, with support from Schneider (11 points). Baggett and Blaze contributed ten points apiece.

“We were looking forward to this game because it’s such a big rivalry,” Schneider said.

“We’re off to a great start. We really feel like this season can be a turning point for getting Fenwick girls basketball back on track.”

Ripley finished with 11 points and senior

Tate’s take on OPRF, Fenwick football

T

Oak Park resident/sports fanatic loves following local football scene

receiver Craig Shelton and linebacker Cedric he 2016 high school football season is in Cheatham. Additionally, reinforcements will be the books. Once again, both Oak Park and coming from a sophomore squad that went 8-1 River Forest and Fenwick put together this season. good seasons.

Hoerster has to find a quarterback and fill sevFirst, let’s talk about OPRF. John Hoeral holes on defense for the 2017 season. He also erster’s squad finished with a 7-3 record and has to find a way to start getting the Huskies school-record fifth consecutive playoff berth. deeper into the playoffs.

The Huskies received stellar efforts from Yes, 8A is always a beast, but if you want to be quarterback Jeremy Hunt, wide receiver Jared known as a program that is a perennial power, Scott, linebacker Ryan Molina and defensive you have to make deeper playoff runs (which back Keyon Blankenbaker among many others. means getting past the second round). Hoerster OPRF even had a shot at sharing the West Subhas done a fine job restoring a winning tradition urban Silver title, which would have been the Huskies’ first since 1998. Unfortunately in the at OPRF, but it’s time to ask for more, especially last regular-season game the visiting Huskies given that Fenwick has set the bar high.

Guest Columnist came up short, losing 21-12 to eventual conferSpeaking of the Friars, what a terrific camence champion Hinsdale Central. paign! This was a fun, exciting team to watch.

Kicking issues along with some questionWith 17 returners, I figured Fenwick would able decision-making by the coaches cost OPRF its last two bounce back from a 3-6 mark in 2015. games, including a 23-20 overtime loss at Edwardsville in The Friars started the season by rallying to defeat defendthe first round of the Class 8A playoffs. ing 4A champion Phillips at their new home at Triton College Speaking of losses, the Huskies will part ways with Hunt, in River Grove. They also defeated defending 6A champion Scott, Molina, Blankenbaker and many other key seniors Montini, and gave defending 8A champion Loyola Academy due to graduation. There are some promising returners in a good battle before succumbing in the second half. running backs Michael Houston and Terrance Roundy, wide Their loss to the Ramblers was the Friars’ lone blemish on

MELVIN TATE

point guard Molly Cullinane scored 10 for OPRF. Junior forward Grace Underhill played well off the bench with five points on two straight possessions in the second half.

With a game Thursday, Dec. 8 at their other local rival, Trinity (6 p.m.), the Huskies are off to a 3-4 start this winter.

OPRF lost its conference opener to Hinsdale Central 58-48 on Nov. 29. Ripley led the Huskies with 15 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Amaya Coleman contributed 12 points, six rebounds and two steals.

a scintillating 8-1 regular season, in which the Friars won the Catholic League Green.

Quarterback Jacob Keller, running back Conner Lillig, wide receivers Michael O’Laughlin and Sherman Martin and tight end Jack Henige led a potent offense. The Friars also had an underrated defense led by Brett Moorman, Ellis Taylor, Marty Stein, Jason Ivery, and the Blakeney twins Lorenzano and Lorente. Kicker Conor Hendzel also contributed greatly to the Friars’ success.

Fenwick started the 7A playoffs with a 31-10 win against Rockton Hononegah, followed by a nail-biting 20-14 win against traditional powerhouse Lake Zurich. Then the Friars traveled to Jacobs and prevailed 28-21 thanks to a gamewinning 64-yard TD run by Lillig late in the game.

For just the third time in school history, the Friars made the semifinals of the state playoffs.

Then, the “Travesty at Triton” struck. Fenwick had won the semifinal game 10-7 against Plainfield North when the game officials grossly misapplied a rule and gave Plainfield North an untimed down and a free play when in actuality it shouldn’t have gotten one. The Tigers took full advantage and kicked a field goal to send the game into overtime, which Plainfield North ultimately won 18-17.

Fenwick appealed to the IHSA, but the IHSA refused to hear it and claimed that its by-laws would not allow a reversal of the outcome. Fenwick then sued the IHSA and went to court in an effort to get the team into the finals, but it failed.

So though the official record is 11-2, in my mind the Friars finished 12-1 and weren’t allowed to play in the 7A title game.

Despite an unjust ending for Fenwick, this season was the most fun I’ve had.

So, I’ll end with this: FRIAR UP! IT’S A GREAT DAY!

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ELITE

Rivals battle from page 48 issues. That competitive spirit is a major reason why he was an All-State football player in Class 7A. Fellow senior Jamal Nixon supported Keller with 18 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Sophomore guard Damari Nixon (eight points) and reserves Mike O’Laughlin (6 points, 2 rebounds) and DJ Steward (5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) also played key roles for the victors. Steward, a highly touted freshman, played with poise and confidence.

“We have a few young guys with pretty big roles in Damari and DJ,” Keller said. “Billy Bruce, AJ Nixon and Mike O’Laughlin also contribute in so many ways. I could talk all day about these guys.”

Fenwick (5-0) certainly needed an all hands on deck to hold off the Huskies.

OPRF rolled into the early season showdown with plenty of momentum after winning the Bill VandeMerkt Thanksgiving

S P O R T S

Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2016

47

Submitted photo

OPRF forward Jared Scott elevates for a dunk against Fenwick at the Chicago Elite Classic.

Classic title in convincing fashion, highlighted by a 79-62 win over host RiversideBrookfield.

Against Fenwick, 6-foot-6 senior forward Jared Scott continued his high-caliber play with a team-high 17 points (making 7 of 9 field goal attempts), seven rebounds and a steal.

Scott threw down a two-handed dunk for the Huskies’ first basket of the game and also showed his range making a couple of 3-pointers.

OPRF guard Isaiah Fuller had 11 points and three assists and senior forward Cameron Gross finished with nine points and nine rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.

Trailing Fenwick 23-11 with 1:25 left in the second quarter, OPRF (4-1) went on a 9-2 run, courtesy of Scott’s two 3-pointers and a trey from Gross to pull to 25-20 at halftime.

In the back-and-forth third quarter, the Huskies’ 6-4 Phil Saleh canned a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 36-33 entering the fourth quarter.

Led by Keller and Jamal Nixon, the Friars maintained their slim lead for most of the fourth quarter, until Scott and Fuller came up huge for OPRF. Trailing 47-42 with 3:13 left in regulation, Scott hit a couple of baskets inside to make the score 49-46.

With 1:52 remaining, Fuller scored on a layup in traffic and added a free throw to tie the score at 49-all. After Scott took a defensive charge, Fuller gave the Huskies a 51-49 lead on another layup which sent OPRF fans into a frenzy.

Scott, who finished 1-for-6 at the free throw line, missed a pair at the charity stripe, which would have padded the Huskies’ lead to four.

Keller didn’t make the same mistake, sinking two free throws to force overtime at 51-51.

In overtime, Keller and Jamal Nixon made eight free throws, collectively, to secure the Friars’ hard-fought win.

Scott said the Huskies’ slow start was a major issue.

“We didn’t come out to play,” Scott said.

“We didn’t defend, we didn’t rebound and our energy and effort were just off. It really took us until the fourth quarter to play with the energy and effort we needed but we fell short.

“You have to give Fenwick credit; they just out-willed us. We deserved to lose the way we played, but I know our guys won’t let the season be defined by this loss. We’re only going to learn and become stronger cohesively.”

Reflective of the score, the team stats were close. Fenwick shot 20-for-44 (45.5%) and OPRF finished 18-for-44 (40.9%). The Friars outrebounded the Huskies 35-31 and had more assists 10-6. Both teams committed 18 turnovers and struggled at the free throw line as Fenwick shot 22-for-41 and OPRF 17-for-31.

Fenwick visits St. Ignatius on Friday, Dec. 9. Tip-off is 7 p.m.

OPRF also hits the road with games at Lyons Township, Friday, Dec. 9 (7:30 p.m. tip- off) and Sunday, Dec. 11 against CreteMonee at the Derrick Rose Shootout at Moraine Valley College.

48

Wednesday Journal, nal, December Decembe ber 7, 2016 be

Fenwick pulls ulls away from OPRF 46

@ @OakParkSports

SPORTS

Tate’s take on OPRF, Fenwick football 46

Fenwick edges OPRF at Chicago Elite Classic Game MVP Keller, Jamal Nixon fill stat sheet for unbeaten Friars

By MARTY FARMER

F

Sports Editor

enwick senior Jacob Keller clearly heard the chants during the Friars’ 6357 win in overtime against rival OPRF at the Chicago Elite Classic Friday night.

A sea of orange and blue clad Huskie fans serenaded the Friars’ 6-3 point guard with a mocking chorus of “intentional grounding” and “Plainfield North” among others (alluding to Fenwick’s controversial 18-17 loss to Plainfield North in the state semifinals of the Class 7A football playoffs).

The unflappable Keller offered a sweet stat line in response to the taunts: 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, two blocks and a spectacular dunk in 31 minutes.

“The chants didn’t really affect me or our team,” Keller said. “They just gave us a little more spark. It was a great atmosphere to play in. OPRF was taking shots at us all game, but we have a group of guys who are locked in and focused on what we need to do to win.”

He broke down the Huskies’ defense, as well as their spirit, by repeatedly penetrating the lane en route to a whopping 19 free throws.

Keller showed his toughness against OPRF, fighting through ankle and thigh SUBMITTED PHOTO

See ELITE on page 47

Fenwick senior forward Jamal Nixon (#10) establishes post position against OPRF senior forward Jared Scott at the Chicago Elite Classic.

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