WednesdayJournal_122116

W E D N E S D A Y

December 21, 2016 Vol. 35, No. 18 ONE DOLLAR

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

@O @OakPark

Boxing Day at Hemingway’s Home Big Week, page 3

Anan runs unopposed in village election Candidates abound in other races with seven running for Oak Park trustee

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

It’s a stark contrast from the 2015 municipal election when three sitting members of the Oak Park Board of Trustees ran unopposed on a slate established by the Village Manager Association.

Next year’s election, set for April 4, has seven trustee candidates running for three open seats on the board of trustees – only two of them incumbents – and five candidates for village clerk. Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb is running unopposed in the election for village president.

In this election, the VMA was unable to fill a full slate of candidates, endorsing only two trustee candidates – incumbents Peter Barber and Glenn Brewer – and first-time village clerk candidate Lori Malinski. The VMA, which exists primarily to vet and slate candidates for public office, See ANAN UNOPPOSED on page 16

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

SANTA SLAP: Santa high-fives Graham Wilson in downtown Oak Park on Saturday, Dec. 17. See more photos, pages 3 and 12.

Big names show up in school board races

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

After Monday’s filing deadline, the races for seats on the District 97 and District 200 school boards are official. Barring anyone withdrawing or getting removed from the ballot, the April 4 election ballot will include 11 candidates vying for three open seats on the D97 board and nine candidates vying for

four open seats on the D200 board.

Both races feature an array of prominent challengers and well-known incumbents.

And while all of the candidates running for both races are calling themselves non-affiliated independents, a number of candidates are affiliated with an influential local citizens group.

D200 Pragmatic Pool Solutions — a group formed to force the D200 school board to go to

referendum its plan to fund construction of a new swimming pool at OPRF High school, and then to defeat that referendum — supports two D200 candidates and one D97 candidate.

Douglas W. Springer, an Oak Park entrepreneur, and Jack E. Davidson, an account director for a digital marketing firm, are See SCHOOL BOARD RACES on page 10

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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I N S I D E

R E P O R T

Five chosen to pitch Big Idea in Oak Park, River Forest

Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy, a group under the umbrella of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation, has announced the names of five social entrepreneurs who will be invited to pitch their “big idea” in February for a chance to get $50,000 in seed funding for their ideas.

The “Big Ideas” contest solicits entrepreneurs connected to nonprofits to submit proposals that aim to “make a difference in the world,” according to an Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation press release.

The finalists include: ■ Contemporary Visual Arts Lab’s proposal to develop “visual art spaces for a large and diverse public through permanent installations and pop-up

storefronts.”

■ 100% College Ready’s plan to ensure all OPRF students are ready for college by 2020 through mentoring and coaching.

■ Felony Franks & Rescue’s proposal to provide workforce training and job recruitment for ex-offenders.

■ Lawns to Garden’s plan to incentivize lawn owners to convert their lawns to edible garden space.

■ Take 2’s proposal to promote age diversity in Oak Park and River Forest by offering affordable in-home services.

Finalists will pitch their proposals to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Wire, 6815 Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn. The winner will be selected and named at the event.

Timothy Inklebarger

A festive time for films as well

The Lake Theatre has a bonanza of Oscar hopefuls on display this holiday weekend. Unfortunately, you missed a good one in Loving, the film about the landmark interracial marriage case from 1967, which only stayed two weeks at The Lake.

La La Land Now, however, in addition to the latest Star Wars spectacular, you can sample La La Land (Ryan Gosling and take on AuEmma Stone with lots of dancing and gust Wilson’s play) which will singing) and open on Christmas Day. Fences (DenMeanwhile, Passengers (Jenzel Washingnifer Lawrence, lost in space) and ton’s Sing (more singing and dancing, but this time with animated critters) arrived on Tuesday.

Now that’s entertainment.

Ken Trainor

A generous donor speaks about his gift

Jack Crowe, who along with his wife Peggy donated $1 million to St. Giles Catholic School (1034 Linden Ave.) earlier this month, opened up about the gift, the

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

Winter Wonderland People enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride in downtown Oak Park while Santa checks his bag for an interested onlooker.

largest in the school’s nearly 90-year history, during a special celebratory mass on Dec. 13.

The money will allow St. Giles to provide as much as $50,000 per year for tuition assistance for its 470 preschool through 8th-grade students. You can see Jack Crowe speaking about his donation by visiting https:// vimeo.com/195681093.

Michael Romain

Dorothy Ogilvie hailed from Oak Park

In the recent Chicago Tribune obituary for Dorothy Ogilvie, a once-upon-atime “first lady” of Illinois, we learned that she had a strong Oak Park connection. Dorothy (wife of the late governor Richard Ogilvie, 1969-73), who died on

Dec. 4 at the age of 94, grew up in Oak Park and graduated from OPRF High School. According to the Trib, “Late in her life, she was still able to sing the fight song, her daughter said.”

The governor’s mansion was renovated during their tenure, and the first couple moved into a rental residence during the project, which Dorothy supported and encouraged. She led the committee to oversee the restoration. According to John McCarter, former head of the Field Museum and, if we’re not mistaken, also a former Oak Parker, “She was willing to forego the trappings of the wife of the governor. That was a measure of her, a measure of her modesty and no flamboyance.”

Ken Trainor

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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Dec. 21-28

BIG WEEK Boxing Day Monday, Dec. 26 from noon to 4:30 p.m., Hemingway’s Birthplace Home: The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park hosts its annual Boxing Day celeb celebration at the Birthplace Home, 339 N. Oak Park Ave., M Monday afternoon. Boxing Day is an English custom th that hat includes holiday music and traditional English past pastries ries and assorted teas. It originated during medieval time times es oon the day after Christmas when lords of the mano manor or sshared their Christmas dinners with their servan servants. nts. The food was placed in boxes, hence the name. VVisit Visitors can tour the restored Queen Anne Victorian home where Ernest Ann Hemingway was born. The foundaHHem tion’s museum, located at 200 N. tio OOak Park Ave., will also be open for nno aadditional charge. Admission is $100 fo for adults and $7 for seniors and $1 youth. Reservationss can be made by sending an email to ehfop@sbcgloba ehfop@sbcglobal.net l.ne or sign up at EventBrite.com.

Country and Roots at FitzGerald’s Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 23 at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn: The Country Night in Berwyn Holiday Show on Thursday features Wild Earp, The Hot Club of Berwyn, Peter Joly, Erin Edmister & 3 Tons, Allegra Malone, Nick Bachman & Glen DeMichele, the Country Doctors, Dan Whitaker & the Shinebenders, and Network. 7 p.m., $5 cover.

The Redmonds’ Family Christmas Show on Friday features the Roots sound of the French Pearl Band, the Neighborhood Kids Choir, The Redmonds, and the Duct Tape Band. 8 p.m., $12 cover.

For more information, contact 708-788-2118 or visit http://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Finding Dory

Elf Thursday, Dec. 22 from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Dole Library branch: “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup.” Get ready to watch this holiday classic and eat some

A Hip-Hop Christmas Thursday, Dec 22 at 8 p.m., Wire in Berwyn: iLLANOiZE presents a hip-hop holiday show at “the complete creative incubator for musical ideas, 6815 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. 21 years and over. Doors open at 7.

Wednesday, Dec. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m., Main Library Veterans Room: Dory searches for her paren parents, with help from friends Nemo and Marlin Marlin. (PG, 2016, 103 minutes). The Oak Park Public Library is located locc at 834 Lake SSt.

Looking ahead:

FitzGerald’s rings in the New Year in style with party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Brickstone Beverage sponsors the evening. In the Club, rock in the New Year with Expo ’76 & the Total Pro Horns and their list of hits and obscure cover tunes. Kelly Hogan joins the band for the evening. Doors open at 8 p.m.; music starts at 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25. Free champagne toast at midnight. No cover. SideBar opens at 5 p.m. FitzGerald’s is at 6615 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn. Tickets are available at the club (in person) and TicketWeb http://www. ticketweb.com/snl/VenueListings.action?venueId=32814&pl=. For more information on FitzGerald’s, go to http://www. fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Winter Solstice Craft Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 4 to 5 p.m., Maze Library branch: It may be the shortest day of the year, but the library will be filled with light and wonder. The whole family is invited for this craft celebrating the Winter Solstice. Ages 5+. Register at oppl.org/ events. 845 Gunderson Ave.

CALENDAR EVENTS

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

Email calendar@wjinc.com.

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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HAPPY

Courtesy Erin Bernstein

PAYING IT FORWARD: Fifth-graders at St. Vincent Ferrer School in River Forest show off the crisp $50 bills they received from an anonymous donor earlier this month. The students plan to spend the money on the needy this Christmas.

What would Frances do?

Students follow pope’s example: thinking of others for holidays

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Last December, Pope Francis opened his Holy Year of Mercy by encouraging Catholic dioceses and churches to return to what he said is the church’s spiritual core, which is “welcoming, free, faithful, poor in means, but rich in love.”

The Holy Year, which Francis said was divinely inspired, closed last month with the pope encouraging Catholics to keep that spiritual core alive.

The pope’s exhortation is resonating in the days leading up to Christmas with a class of fifth-graders at St. Vincent Ferrer School, 1530 Jackson Ave. in River Forest.

Earlier this month, the students each received $50 from an anonymous donor known simply as a “Friend of Jesus.”

St. Vincent was among 25 schools throughout the Chicago Archdiocese to receive a portion of the anonymous donation through Sister Jacqueline Jean-Marie Gitonga, a Chicago nun affiliated with the Daughters of St. Paul order in Chicago, who acted as the agent for the donor.

“The donor thought Christmas was a great time to do this and also teach kids to do so,” said Mary Bodlak, St. Vincent’s development director, who added that the students also received a box with a message from the donor.

“Lord guide me to see the poor and take care of the needy,” read the Christmas message addressed from the Friend of Jesus to the students.

The donor only had two instructions — that each child be involved firsthand in deciding how to spend the money, which should go to purchase something for someone who isn’t related to them; and that each student write a letter to the Friend of Jesus

by Jan. 31, 2017, addressing how they used the money, how the project made them feel and what they learned in the process.

Fifth-grade teacher Erin Bernstein said the students were able to take the crisp bills home, which you might think would create a mild dilemma — how to ensure that the money won’t be spent on something else.

“Luckily, within the Catholic school and parents in the community, we do trust they’ll use it in a good way,” Bernstein said.

During interviews last week, the students seemed more enthused by the prospect of spending the money on someone else instead of themselves.

“We know that the kids will do good things,” said St. Vincent Principal Charles Terry. “The whole idea is to get the kids to experience helping somebody else.”

The project has students like 11-year-old Anna Ruggiero thinking about some of the injustices that registered with her in the past and that she might, with the $50, have some small hand in rectifying.

“I see a lot of homeless people when I’m in downtown Chicago,” Ruggiero said. “We usually give them food after we eat and it makes me feel good inside because I’m helping people who have nothing.”

Ruggiero said she’ll use the $50 she received to make what she calls a blessings bag — a bag that’s stuffed with essentials like food, toothpaste and water.

“I’m going to give it to them because they have nothing and I have a life where I have everything I need to live and survive,” she said.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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What’s the school board to do?

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here’s going to be an election for the school board at Oak Park and River Forest High School come April. If you wanted to grab for that powerful rung of community activism and responsibility, well, sorry the deadline for submitting petitions was on Monday. Eight of your fellow Oak Park and River Forest citizens put themselves forward to lead District 200.

The good news though is that last week the sitting school board voted 6-1 to abrogate their fundamental responsibility to govern and handed the tough decisions off to some soon-to-be-formed citizens committee. So now’s the time to raise your hand for one of the 15 slots on what was described as a “community engagement and outreach committee.”

You might think this was in reaction to the never-ending debate on where to dig a hole and fill it with chlorine.

An overreaction to having just lost a pool-building referendum by the sum total of 28 votes out of 30,000-plus cast last month. But no, this seems to be a stunning over-compensation for the imagined sins the current school board, and its interim superintendent, seem to feel angst over.

How else to explain support for a super-committee that Joylynn Pruitt, the interim superintendent, said should look not just at a swimming pool but also at all facilities, academic programming needs, finances and the totally consuming issue of equity (aka the achievement gap).

If the super-committee is doing all that over the next year, what exactly is the school board supposed to be doing?

Perhaps they could finally, once and for all, decide what kids should wear to graduation. Maybe they could make public the outcome of the two sexual abuse investigations that we know about at the school.

This school board, which has thoroughly mucked up the singular decision

on where to site a swimming school, is having some sort of existential crisis.

It is as if they were spooked by a sturdy opposition to the pool and can’t find their way back.

Take a lap, folks, and return to the table prepared to govern.

Here’s where to start: Push back hard against the balderdash — the fake news, in the current parlance — that this board, and the ones preceding it, considered a new swimming pool in secret. As you plan for a new and even more influential citizen committee, remember the multiple previous committees OPRF appointed to study the pool, remember the endless public meetings on this subject. You didn’t do good but you did nothing wrong.

It was the citizenry who came late to the pool party. That’s on them, not on the school board. Concern expressed by the school’s communications director that all the previous public machinations had “not brought the community to consensus” assumes there is a consensus to be reached in two towns split down the middle.

Maybe there isn’t a simple consensus.

But the school still needs a new pool.

And it needs a school board ready to lead the way forward on all the other issues that confront the school. We didn’t elect a committee. We elected a school board to represent us. And if the majority of locals are dissatisfied with your efforts they’ll vote you out in April.

That’s how this is supposed to work.

Sara Dixon Spivey, the sole OPRF school board member to oppose the super-committee, said, “It feels like we’re passing the buck [even though] I know that’s not our intention. I’m nervous that we’re not going to get further than we are.”

That’s a fair warning. Leadership is what is lacking here, not consensus building.

DAN HALEY

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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

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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Anan forum draws opponents of Madison Street plan Residents argue development will bring noise, traffic, rats

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

Oak Park residents, many of whom live near a stretch of Madison Street slated for a massive mixed-use real estate development next year, spoke out in opposition to the proposal at a town hall forum held Tuesday night by Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb.

Resident Richard Holland said a number of factors have contributed to neighbors’ belief that the project, which would completely rebuild the streetscape between Oak Park and Wesley avenues, narrowing the road to two lanes and bending it to increase the developable area on the south side of the 700 block of Madison Street.

Holland noted that Jupiter Realty – chosen earlier this month as the preferred developer for the project following a public bidding process – already has begun seeking commercial tenants on the online commercial real estate marketplace LoopNet. “I’ve already seen the listing where I can

Madison and Wesley near his already lease space in these home. buildings,” Holland said. “If it “Why is it a grocery store?” is a grocery store, it’s going to asked Bernadette Homberger, bring rats and all sorts of unfornoting that the street already is tunate things I would rather not home to a Walgreens, Jewel-Osco have at the end of my block, but and Sugar Beet Food Co-op. yet I have not heard from anyAbu-Taleb said it would be difbody at the village or the board ficult to attract a developer for to ask us our thoughts on this or the properties without a large get input.” anchor. He said the road must be Abu-Taleb said there would ANAN ABU-TALEB reoriented to bend to the north to be multiple public meetings set Oak Park mayor make the lot on the south side of next year to receive input from Madison large enough to accomresidents on the project proposed

by Jupiter and that picking the preferred modate the grocery store.

“This developer is like everyone else; no developer was one of the early steps in the anchor, no developer,” he said. process.

Sandy Pedersen, whose home is directly He reminded residents opposed to the project that it would largely be paid for with south of the proposed grocery store, said funds from the Madison Street Tax Incre- she worried about noise associated with ment Finance District, which is set to expire grocery store loading docks, squealing car in 2018. Abu-Taleb said it could be the vil- tires from customers pulling into the parklage’s last opportunity to redevelop the area ing lot and rodents attracted to the store. and called the current state of Madison “an Pedersen said the village has yet to reach embarrassment for the community” that out to the neighbors to discuss the plan and could be transformed into an alternative to that the project “feels like a done deal no downtown Oak Park. matter what I say.”

Holland said he was not opposed to redeTransportation advocate Ron Burke, who veloping the area, but he did not believe a serves as director of the Active Transporgrocery store was needed at the corner of tation Alliance, which lobbies for safer bi-

cycling and transportation options, said bending the road -- a so-called “road diet” that reduces the number of lanes from four to two – would have a calming effect on the corridor making it safer for drivers and pedestrians.

Burke said he did not believe the proposal would result in heavier traffic in the neighborhoods, a concern that residents have voiced over the last several months as the project has become public. The Active Transportation Alliance issued a recommendation in 2014, stating its support for narrowing the street.

“The 1.5 miles of Madison Street through Oak Park is not safe,” the recommendation read, noting that the roadway experiences two crashes every three days – about 235 per year – on average.

“To put this in perspective, the Madison crash rate was roughly twice that of Lake Shore Drive, which IDOT says is one of the most crash-prone roads in the state,” Burke said in 2014.

The village is expected to continue its review of the Madison Street project next year with a series of public meetings intended to further explore and vet the proposal.

CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

Trinity High School honored for IB success

River Forest school named a top school by Newsweek

By DEBORAH KADIN Contributing Reporter

For the past 24 years, Trinity High School has worked hard to take its academic accomplishments in the International Baccalaureate program one step beyond what other institutions have achieved.

This year, it succeeded. The River Forest school made Newsweek magazine’s list of top accredited IB programs in the U.S. in 2016. Nearly 20 schools around the country earned that distinction, which was awarded earlier this year.

River Forest village trustees adopted a resolution honoring that achievement in October and on Dec. 12 the village board presented a plaque containing that statement to the school’s president, Sister Michelle Germanson, and its principal, Noreen Powers.

“We are honoring them now, because they are doing such a great job. This is a huge recognition … and we couldn’t be happier to have Trinity as part of our community,” Village President Catherine Adduci said.

Germanson was ecstatic – about the plaque and the recognition that the school has earned.

“We wanted to give our young girls the

best,” Germanson said. “We researched, investigated and got our teachers involved in it.

“IB put us on the map.”

Trinity became an accredited IB school 24 years ago, only the second one in the state and the first single-gender school in Illinois given that distinction.

The IB program is a rigorous, globally recognized honors curriculum, usually offered during the junior and senior years. Entry is based on their motivation to experience a rigorous program of study, their overall academic performance and teachers’ recommendations. Trinity also offers a pre-IB program as an introduction to the content and methods employed in the official program, school officials said.

Students may choose the full diploma option, which entails taking courses in each of the six subject areas: language and literature; world language, history, science, mathematics and the arts. Those taking part in the diploma program must write a 4,000-word extended essay, take a philosophy-based Theory of Knowledge course and participate in the creativity, activity and service components. Students can also decide to study individual subject areas, school officials said.

IB classes are offered in topics from English language and world literature to film study, French, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin to biology and chemistry, psychology

Courtesy of trinityha.org

Trinity High School and dance.

In the past 10 years, the program’s enrollment has grown by 20 percent. Currently, 55 percent of Trinity’s student body is enrolled in one or more IB courses, said Rose Crnkovich, an English teacher and the coordinator of the IB program at Trinity.

In the last five years, she added, 56 percent

of all Trinity graduates received an IB diploma, with its students testing 10 percent higher than the national average.

Overall there are more than 2,600 schools nationally with IB programs. Other IB programs in the area are Gwendolyn Brooks and Percy Julian middle schools in Oak Park.

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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Maple Park is open again

River Forest MB Financial Bank robbed

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

A man who was bundled up for the winter weather appeared to have the ulterior motive of obscuring his identity as he robbed a River Forest bank on Friday, Dec. 16.

The Chicago FBI released surveillance camera images of the man who robbed the MB Financial Bank, 7727 Lake St., at 11:34 a.m., showing him wearing a black coat with red sleeves, black pants with green stripes, a red Courtesy Chicago FBI scarf, red knit hat and tan shoes.

The FBI said the robbery was a non-takeover event, meaning that it is likely that few people in the bank knew it was being robbed until after the event was over.

The robber was described as Hispanic, standing about 5-feet 6-inches tall, in his mid-30s and weighing approximately 200 pounds.

Anyone with information about the robbery can contact the Chicago FBI at 312-421-6700.

CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

Although it may be a bit chilly for a visit, Maple Park reopened Friday, Dec. 16 for residents to enjoy.

The last step in completing the sprawling park’s Phase II improvements was the removal of construction fencing on Thursday, Dec. 15. An official ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for April.

“We are very excited to provide the residents of Oak Park access back to Maple Park,” said Jan Arnold, the executive director of the Park District of Oak Park. “We hope they enjoy the added features. The enhancements will benefit all ages that use Maple Park.”

The renovation, which began in early July 2016, certainly has been extensive.

Improvements at the 6.9-acre park located in the southwest corner of Oak Park include a new playground relocated closer to the east side of the park with a nearby picnic shelter, renovation of the two existing ballfields with new backstops and player and spectator areas plus the creation of two new fields for soccer and lacrosse.

“Bringing the new playground closer to Maple Avenue improves safety and security in that area,” said Diane Stanke, the park district’s Director of

marketing and customer service.

Arnold added: “We are excited about the picnic pavilion and its proximity to the playground. Native plantings are another great addition. The former playground area had made a great shaded area for families to gather this summer.”

The previous playground at Maple Park was donated to the organization, Kids Around the World, who will repurpose the playground for an impoverished community in a Third World country.

Climbing boulders have been installed between the two ballfields and pickleball lines were drawn on the existing tennis courts.

“Many of the T-ball players have younger siblings so adding the climbing boulders will allow those children to play while their brother or sister is playing ball,” Arnold said. “Additionally, this will allow parents to stay in one area of the park and have multiple children benefit from outdoor play.

“Regarding pickleball, the park district has been approached by a group of pickleball players. We are excited to see this sport take off in Oak Park.

Finally, the pathways at Maple Park have been connected to create a looped

walking/jogging path from the north end of the park to the south end.

“Walking paths consistently rank high in our community surveys,” Stanke said. “Completing the four loops in the park make Maple Park a great destination for walking and running enthusiasts.”

According to Stanke, the entire walking/jogging loop from North to South equals two-thirds of a mile.

Other than some additional trees on the west side of the park and an evaluation of the fencing along Harlem Avenue, improvements at Maple Park have been completed.

The total project cost of the renovation was $1,156,850, which included the upgrade to poured-in-place rubber and other project change orders.

The park district received a $400,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the Maple Park renovation.

Over the past 10 years, the total amount of grants awarded to the park district is nearly $5 million, including the Euclid Square renovation to be completed in 2017.

Marty Farmer

Sponsored Content

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District House Breaks Ground The contemporary, LEED-certified building features green roofs 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 earlier in the fall, and that sales threshold enabled the developer to break ground on the new luxury condominium building.

Ranquist representatives and Mayor Abu-Taleb and put their shovels to the ground on November 10 and celebrated afterwards down the block at American bistro Novo with condominium buyers, local business leaders, family and friends.

Listing Broker Frank Vihtelic says interest in the 28-unit building at 147 North Euclid has been robust and he expects interest to increase as the building rises at the corner of Lake and Euclid.

“Right now, they are working on the project below ground, starting with the foundation and moving up. Work will continue to progress throughout the winter. I think once people start to see the building taking shape, we’ll receive even more interest.”

Since the Village of Oak Park approved the project in early spring 2015, all systems have been go, and District House has gone from the planning stage to the

District House offers condominiums that are unique for Oak Park. The spacious three bedroom units will range from 1,700 to 2,000 square feet and feature modern floor plans and parking. 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.

construction phase quickly. Much of the development’s success can be attributed to the forward-thinking design of the building as well as its central location in the heart of Oak Park.

Architects Seattle-based Miller Hull and Chicagobased Northworks designed a contextual building at the corner of Oak Park’s Lake Street and Euclid Avenue.

Vihtelic notes that while sales are brisk, there is still time for new purchasers to pick the perfect unit. “You can still choose where you want to be in the building. We have units available across all tiers and price points. Everyone is able to pick their finishes at this point. There’s something for everyone, but there won’t be for long.”

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

10

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

After failed pool plan, D200 to form new committee

This time, district officials say, the focus of the group will go beyond the pool

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Facing the prospect of drowning once again in months-long debate about replacing the nearly 90-year-old swimming pools at Oak Park and River Forest High School, the District 200 school board voted 6-1 this week to approve a resolution that establishes a community engagement and outreach committee.

The new body will be responsible for doing a deep-dive into the district’s previous pool-related community outreach efforts and clearing the way for a new course that district officials are saying would be more comprehensive than that created by all of the committees and outreach efforts of the past, which weren’t enough to ensure victory at the polls last month.

On Nov. 8, voters very narrowly turned down a $44.5 million, five-year facilities plan at the high school that would be funded with up to $25 million in referendum bonds.

The ballot measure — which would have led to the demolition of the village-owned, 300-space parking garage and the construction of a $21.4 million, 25-yard by 40-meter swimming pool along with a brand new 240-space garage where the current one sits, among other facilities enhancements — failed by a margin of just 28 votes.

Karin Sullivan, D200’s communications director, told board members on Tuesday night that there’s been at least three different pool committees, two long-term facili-

SCHOOL BOARD RACES No official slates from page 1 running for the high school board while Heather B. Claxton-Douglas, who owns a technology company, is running for the elementary school board. All of the candidates, who are active volunteers with Pragmatic Pool Solutions, are new to politics.

Matt Baron, the outgoing Oak Park Public Library Board president, who is also running for D200 board, said that, although he was a vocal opponent of the referendum, he isn’t aligned with any particular group even though his wife is a member of that group.

Pragmatic Pool members argue that the district has long sought to construct an excessively expensive swimming pool at the urging of what they call “the pool lobby,” i.e. people highly involved in aquatics pro-

ties planning processes, at least two community engagement processes and countless public hearings on the pools that have been implemented since she started working at the district in 2012.

“All of this process has not brought the community to consensus,” Sullivan said.

“In fact, we saw with the referendum vote that we are pretty much split down the middle on this issue. So, it really feels like it’s time for a different, broader approach with a more community-based committee.”

Joylynn Pruitt, D200’s acting superintendent, recommended that the district “take a step back, because for us, it’s not just about a pool. It’s about academic programming, it’s about equity, it’s about having facilities that are going to support the next generation of learners in terms of labs that support the new national science standards and technology [that we can] take a step further.”

Pruitt defined that “next generation of learners” as students who are “more consumer oriented and outcomes oriented,” adding that the education landscape of the future will be less reliant on physical instructional spaces.

“There are virtual learning opportunities, but can our facilities support them?”

Pruitt said.

According to the resolution creating the committee, in addition to strengthening facilities to support the needs of “the next generation of learners,” the new body will also “review previous processes, make recommendations, and strengthen community partnership pursuant to district goals related to equity, academic programming needs” and finances.

Some community members who spoke during the school board’s public comment Tuesday registered their skepticism of the new body, fearing that it wouldn’t be much

different than the district’s past attempts at community outreach and engagement.

“Based on recent history, I question if this board is serious about listening to members of the community,” said Oak Park resident Bridgett Baron, whose skepticism was echoed by some members of the board.

“I feel like we’ve committeed this to death,” said Sara Dixon Spivy, who provided the sole vote against the resolution. “It feels like we’re passing the buck [even though] I know that’s not our intention. I’m nervous that we’re not going to get further than we are.”

Attempting to assuage some people’s misgivings about the committee, Pruitt recalled her experience as superintendent of the school district in University City, Missouri, where she worked before retiring and taking her current position.

“In my previous district, when I became superintendent of schools, I was faced with a lack of trust and transparency across the district,” Pruitt said, adding that the school was plagued with aging buildings, low student achievement, less than stellar staff and low morale. That district also didn’t have any fund balance, she said.

Pruitt said the district “embarked on a major community engagement process” that was spearheaded by two bodies — a core steering committee and a much larger committee of 15 community stakeholders who represented a diverse range of skill sets, socioeconomic backgrounds and perspectives.

Those committees, she said, met with an outside facilitator twice a month, with members intermittently reporting to the school board on their progress. The project lasted roughly eight to 10 months, she said.

“We took on academic achievement, early childhood education, parent and community engagement, communications, the need to refurbish our facilities to meet our students’

needs and how to finance all of that,” Pruitt explained, adding that the core committee also included a bond oversight sub-committee to ensure financial accountability.

“We took it all on, but we stepped it out [over time],” Pruitt said. “That is what I’m hoping we do here. So it’s not just the committee making the decision. It’s the committee listening to [the voices of the community].”

Pruitt said that the administration will return to the board in the weeks ahead to recommend for approval a process of recruiting community members to fill this new body, which will also be responsible for selecting an outside facilitator.

The facilitator, Pruitt said, would be someone with no deeply held ties to the area and who can help mend relationships between different community stakeholders that may have been hurt during the controversial, multilayered process leading up to last month’s referendum defeat.

After having heard Pruitt’s story about her prior experience with this new committee, which the acting superintendent said D200 has never had before, Baron seemed somewhat less skeptical than she had been.

“One thing that is helpful is having Dr. Pruitt, who hasn’t been around, to bring a new perspective and maybe to do things differently,” said the mother of two future OPRF students who was a vocal opponent of the referendum leading up to the November election.

“One thing we haven’t had on prior high school committees is an outreach to the broader community,” Baron said. “She made it sound like the committee will have that much broader reach and that’s attractive to me.”

Bridgett Baron is married to Matt Baron, an announced candidate for the District 200 school board in the April election.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

grams in the wider community and at the high school.

“The board needs to work for the community, not a special interest group,” said Springer during a recent interview. “The board needs to be engaged personally with the community because the community votes and pays for the school. I feel, personally, that the board was overtaken by a special interest group for a decade and never let go of what that special interest group wanted.”

Last year, the Pragmatic Pool group, led

by Oak Park resident Monica Sheehan, successfully garnered over 4,300 signatures and forced the school board to reconfigure its process for replacing the high school’s two nearly 90-year-old swimming pools.

The plan that arose from that revised process, a $44.5 million, five-year facilities project, was rejected by residents in the Nov. 8 election by just 28 votes — an outcome that the Pragmatic group, which favored a less expensive option over the five-year facilities project, had a heavy hand in steering.

“If one of us is chosen, we’re not going to have meetings to have meetings and create committees to have committees,” said Springer. “We want to get the work done and make decisions based on what the community wants. I don’t think any one of us is political by nature, but this drew us into something we feel the need to complete. We want to see if you can change the status quo.”

Although the three candidates noted that they share similar visions for how elected bodies should function and similar ideas on how the high school should go about replacing its two swimming pools, they each reinforced their independent statuses.

“We’re individuals running on our own,” said Davidson. “The spirit of what we’re doing isn’t an organized political party, it’s a group of like-minded, concerned citizens who have formed organically.”

Members of Pragmatic Pool said that, if any of the three candidates are elected, then the underlying nature of their relationships with the group will change.

“They’ll no longer be community activists,” said Pragmatic Pool member Bruce Kleinman, who, along with other members, takes pride in the group’s informal, decentralized structure. “They’ll be members of the school board. They’re not going to be our surrogates.”

Other prominent local figures who seem poised to make an impact in their respective races include sitting D97 board President James Gates, who is running for a third term and James Robert “Rob” Breymaier, the executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center.

In the D200 race, sitting D200 board President Jeff Weissglass, along with board members Jackie Moore and Thomas F. Cofsky, are all seeking re-election to second terms.

Albert Sye, a former OPRF principal, and Craig Iseli, a business executive who was appointed to serve out a vacancy on the D97 school board last year, round out a race full of well-known local figures.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

11

District 200 set to become debt free by next year

Officials say that doesn’t mean they can finance a pool from reserves

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 is on track to be debt free within a year, according to district officials. At its regular meeting on Dec. 22, the school board is expected to authorize a final, $1.02 million payment on bonds issued in 2005.

“For the fifth year in a row the district plans to make its annual bond and interest payment from cash reserves rather than raising taxes,” according to a statement released by the district last week.

“It’s very unusual for school districts in Illinois because a lot them are paying on bonds, debt certificates and other instruments for capital improvements,” said Tod Altenburg, the district’s chief business official, echoing financial advisers at William Blair & Company, the investment management firm contracted by the district.

According to District 200 board President Jeff Weissglass, the William Blair advisers explained that “being debt free is very unusual for a school district, regardless of size. Bond rating agencies look very favorably on districts with no debt, which in turn lowers interest rates for any future borrowing.”

Officials said that, over the past four years, the district has reduced its share of local property taxes by more than $30 million by using the fund balance to pay down roughly $11 million on outstanding debt and to absorb a roughly $20 million reduction in the annual tax levy.

“The compounding effect of these reductions has been projected to save taxpayers a total of $72 million over the course of [10] years,” officials said in the statement.

“Paying from cash on hand rather than a tax levy aligns with recommendations by the board’s 2013 Finance Advisory Committee,” the statement read. “The overall goal is to gradually and responsibly lower the district’s overly large fund balance in order to ease the tax burden on property owners while avoiding cuts to programming or staff.”

Officials, however, explained that the elimination of outstanding debt doesn’t mean that the district will stop levying for more tax dollars. Revenue from property taxes are still necessary to pay for operating and other, non-debt related, expenses.

In addition, officials explained, the removal of outstanding debt obligations doesn’t necessarily free up money to pay for the $44.5 million, five-year facilities plan out of the fund balance, which is estimated to be currently about $96 million.

The plan, which was narrowly struck down by voters in November, would’ve replaced the high school’s two existing swimming pools and parking garage with a new competition pool and parking garage. It would’ve been funded with up to $25 million in referendum bonds.

Since then, some community members have inquired into the district potentially funding the plan with money from the fund balance.

“If we take more money and put it in the bucket for long-term facilities projects

like a swimming pool, then we’re lowering the amount of money available to us in operating funds and if that’s the case, then we’ll have to go out for a referendum in 2019,” said Altenburg.

“That would not be in alignment with the finance advisory committee’s recommendations,” he said.

“That committee made a really in-depth recommendation about dedicating $20 million of fund balance and about [sticking to] a timeline for gradually and responsibly spending down the fund balance within a

particular time frame.”

District officials said the committee’s recommended timeframe calls for the district to bring the total fund balance below 40 percent of operating expenses “gradually and responsibly by 2023.”

In an interview last week, D200 Communications Director Karin Sullivan said the committee’s timeframe also would have the district placing an operating funds referendum on the ballot in either 2021 or 2023.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Raises for River Forest Township supervisor, assessor Increased work load given as reason for hike

By DEBORAH KADIN Contributing Reporter

Almost all officials elected to boards in River Forest serve as volunteers. All, that is, except three officials with River Forest Township.

Two of them, township Supervisor Carla Sloan and Assessor Pam Kende, received pay raises last month after a unanimous vote by township trustees.

Sloan’s yearly pay will go from $33,000 to $36,000 effective May 15. The increase reflects that her paid weekly work hours will go from 20 to 22 for the part-time position.

Kende’s annual salary for the 20 hour-perweek position will go from $29,000 to $32,000, effective Jan. 1, 2018; the term expires Dec. 31, 2017.

The salary of a third elected official, Secretary Abby Schmelling will remain at $6,243 annually, according to the 2016-17 township budget. There was no need to increase the salary, Sloan said, as Schmelling, who was just recently appointed, will continue to do the same work over the same number of hours each week. She takes the minutes at all trustees’ meetings and keeps township records, working five hours a week.

Base salaries can only be raised every four years, Sloan said. Sloan defended her raise noting that she performs similar func-

tions to Village Administrator Eric Palm, Assistant Village Manager Lisa Scheiner and Finance Director Joan Rock and does not have staff to help her.

“Village has staff, I do not. I wear all the hats. While I get paid for 20 hours, I work a lot more than that,” Sloan said.

Kende got a pay raise, Sloan said, because her salary is low relative to other assessors and brings River Forest more in line with what other township assessors earn. Also, Sloan said, the assessor’s office was seeing increase in workload with more people coming in to talk about property tax appeals and various other things.

“She works from a unique knowledge base and is required to keep up with continuing education. Pam is paid for 20 hours a week but she ends up working more than that,” Sloan said.

During the busy season, including triannual assessments, Kende brings on a deputy assessor who works seven hours a week, Sloan said.

By state law, townships must set the salaries for elected officials 180 days prior to the start of the next term in spring 2017.

Salaries adopted by trustees are set for four years. None of the River Forest Township trustees receives a stipend.

The township will make pension contributions for Sloan and Kende, amounting to $2,837 and $2,539 respectively, to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, according to this year’s budget. Social Security taxes paid out of the township budget come to $3,025 and $2,846 respectively.

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

13

SPONSORED CONTENT

Getting Down To Business

with the Oak Park - River Forest Chamber of Commerce December 19th, 2016

Meanwhile, Under the Radar

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By CATHY YEN, Executive Director

hen we think about local business, we usually think about terrific restaurants and independent shops. Maybe we’ll remember our local hospitals, wellness businesses or even business-to-business firms.

There are so many businesses that fly below the radar. Businesses we never think about because they lack storefronts and don’t appear on retailers’ shelves.

This weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the Winter Vocal Recital of “Kim Frost Vocal Studios.” Seventeen youth sang their hearts out at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church here in Oak Park. All students study with local business woman / professional vocal teacher (and my good friend) Kim Frost.

Students take weekly lessons in classical

technique with a culminating event each semester. The performance was delightful, from the opening number “Lullaby of Broadway” to Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe” to more traditional standards. The event was festive and supportive, with families and friends gathered to celebrate and enjoy the students’ hard work.

We do not often appreciate the life of the small business person, especially those in the arts. Kim Frost is a professional singer as well as a vocal instructor. Indeed, she does both to generate sufficient revenue to make ends meet. Singing professionally gives her uncommon insight into the skills she is teaches, but it makes for a challenging business model.

On Friday, Kim sang with a band in Champaign. She woke up early Saturday morning, drove back to Oak Park and taught a full roster of students on Saturday. Saturday night she stayed home to create and print the recital programs. On Sunday, she rose

early to make final arrangements with the piano accompanist. The 4pm recital had Kim and her husband Dave on site by 3pm to warm up the vocalists as well as the venue. Monday she’ll resume her weekly lessons.

Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful recital replete with talented students, professional instruction and supportive families. I was privileged to be there. More importantly, I was humbled to remember the small business people who are out there making a difference with little fanfare but consistent success. Cheers to all our local business.

Small business is hard.

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… to Pure Health Chiropractic on their new location!

Pictured: Pat Koko, Celebrating Seniors Coalition; Dr. Mary Ann Bender, Mary Ann Bender Podiatry; Cathy Yen, OPRF Chamber of Commerce; Jonathan Biag, Escape Factor; Lynn Palmgren, Palmgren Acupuncture; Kathy Marchwiany, Community Bank of OPRF; Adam Doe, Adam Doe State Farm; Alyssa Castaneda, Pure Health Chiropractic; Dr. Katie Lemley-Costianis, Pure Health Chiropractic; Susie Goldschmidt, MB Financial; Terry Lemley, Terry Lemley State Farm; Carolyn Lemley; Beth Burdin, OakLeyden Developmental Services; Bob Stelletello, Right at Home Chicago / Oak Park; Biggie Smalls, Pure Health Chiropractic (in window display). Not pictured: Drew Williams-Clark, Village of Oak Park

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

FBI issues $25K reward for ‘Midday Bandit’

Cousin pleads guilty to plotting von Wiese-Mack murder Prosecutors say text messages implicated Robert Bibbs

Oak Park U.S. Bank one of a dozen Chicagoland banks robbed

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

Robert Justin Bibbs, the cousin of convicted murderer and Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate Tommy Schaefer, has pleaded guilty to helping plot the murder of former Oak Parker Sheila von Wiese-Mack, whose bludgeoning death in a luxury hotel in Bali in 2014 made international headlines.

Schaefer and his girlfriend, Heather Mack, who is von Wiese-Mack’s daughter, were found guilty by an Indonesian court in 2015 of planning and executing the murder; Schaefer was given 18 years in prison and Mack 10 years.

The U.S. Justice Department said in September 2015 that Bibb gave Schaefer advice on how to commit the murder, in an effort to get access to the substantial inheritance Mack would receive upon her mother’s death.

According to court documents, Bibbs told federal agents on Dec. 29, 2014, that Mack had asked him if he knew anyone who would kill her mother for $50,000. He also said in the interview that he had advised both Mack and Schaefer on how to get away with the murder. “[Mack] asked me for my advice [on how to kill the victim]. So I told her like, ‘If you would ever do something [to kill the victim], don’t get your hands dirty … don’t, don’t like grab a gun and shoot your mom … don’t do something stupid, you know what I’m saying, do something that if she has to transition to a new life [is murdered], it won’t be problem [Mack would not get caught],’” Bibbs is quoted saying in the interview.

Federal authorities said in 2015 that there had been previous attempts to murder von Wiese-Mack, at least once by poisoning her in what was supposed to be made to look like

15

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

Robert Justin Bibbs (left) and cousin Tommy Schaefer (right) taken from Bibbs’ Facebook page in 2015. Bibbs recently pled guilty to helping Schaefer plot the 2014 murder of Sheila von Wiese-Mack. a drug overdose.

Bibbs told agents that he advised Schaefer “if the medicine don’t work [cause the victim to die from an overdose], I mean, the most you could do to somebody is like suffocate them” adding that he told Schaefer “not to be seen” committing the crime.

Schaefer and Mack also discussed, via text, bludgeoning von Wiese-Mack with a pole and making it look like she slipped and fell, according to federal prosecutors. Shortly after that text exchange, Schaefer flew to Bali and committed the murder with a metal fruit bowl.

The story made international headlines after von Wiese-Mack’s body was later found stuffed in a suitcase and left in the trunk of a taxi in front of the hotel. It was later learned after the couple was arrested that Heather Mack was pregnant with Schaefer’s baby.

The two potentially faced the death penalty by firing squad for the committing the murder.

The Chicago FBI has issued a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man suspected of robbing a dozen banks in the Chicago area since 2014 – one of them in Oak Park in 2015.

The man pictured in multiple photos released by the FBI robbed the U.S. Bank on 6020 Roosevelt Rd. at 4 p.m. on Aug. 3, 2015.

About six months later he would attempt to rob the US Bank at 6700 W. North Ave. The FBI released a series of photos of the man they’ve dubbed the “Midday Bandit”, who has robbed 12 banks in the Chicago area since June 2014 and unsuccessfully attempted to rob four more.

He is described as 5-foot 9-inches to 5-foot 11-inches, weighing 160 to 175 pounds, in his late 30s and last seen wearing a black Blackhawks hat, glasses, a camouflage Tshirt, dark shorts and carrying a red towel on his shoulder.

The Chicago FBI released the list of bank robberies they suspect have been committed by the ‘Midday Bandit”: 1. TCF Bank 8801 S. Ridgeland, Oak Lawn 10:21 a.m. 6/10/2014.

2. TCF Bank. 1952 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora 11:38 a.m. 7/9/2014.

3. TCF Bank. 6107 S. Archer Ave, Chicago 9:37 a.m. 8/18/2014.

4. TCF Bank. 2301 N. Harlem, Chicago 12:50 p.m. 9/22/2014.

5. Plaza Bank. 3555 N. Harlem, Chicago 3:30 p.m. 11/13/2014.

6. Hoyne Savings Bank. 7001 W. Grand, Chicago 11/14/2014.

Courtesy Chicago FBI

The Chicago FBI has issued a $25,000 reward for information leading to this man, who is suspected of robbing a dozen Chicagoland banks since 2014.

7. TCF Bank. 2301 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago 1:47 p.m. 7/17/2015.

8. US Bank. 6020 W. Roosevelt, Oak Park 4 p.m. 8/3/2015.

9. Wintrust Bank. 3050 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago 3:11 p.m. 8/19/2015.

10. BMO Harris. 5960 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago 11:37 a.m. 02/06/2016.

11. MB Financial. 9701 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn 4:15 p.m. 03/31/2016.

12. Chase Bank 2 N. Lasalle, Chicago 4:47 p.m. 08/12/2016.

The “Midday Bandit” also is believed responsible for these attempted robberies: 1. TCF Bank. 507 E. Woodlawn, LaGrange Park 10:42 a.m., 7/16/2014.

2. First Midwest Bank. 7181 W Irving Park, Chicago 9:22 a.m., 8/28/2014.

3. US Bank, 6700 W. North Avenue, Chicago 9:46 a.m., 2/6/2016.

4. South Central Bank. 1959 W. Grand Ave, Chicago 1 p.m., 7/21/2016.

C R I M E

Oak Park man robbed while shoveling snow

A man was robbed while shoveling snow in the 600 block of North Kenilworth Avenue at 2:50 p.m. on Dec. 12. T The offender reportedly approached the man and asked for money. The victim gave him $10 and walked to his garage.

The offender then pushed the victim to the floor of the garage and stole the remaining cash from the victim’s wallet before fleeing in an unknown direction. The loss was an estimated $30.

Package thefts

Packages were reported stolen from the porches of the following locations last week: ■ 900 block of North Taylor at about 1 p.m. on Dec. 13.

■ 300 block of North Taylor at about 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 13.

Armed robbery arrest Davontay Garrett, 18, of the 2300 block of West Jackson Boulevard in Chicago, was

arrested in the 100 block of State Ave. in St. Charles, at 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 for an armed robbery that occurred in the 100 block of North Austin Boulevard on Oct. 15.

Retail theft arrest Dream Town, an athletic footwear store at 4 W. Madison St., was targeted by three shoplifters, at 1:35 p.m. on Dec. 10.

The three men entered the store and took two pairs of Jordan Craig jeans and one Pelle Pelle jacket. All three offenders were black.

The first offender had a thin build, stood about 5-foot-5, and wore a gray skull cap, a puffy navy blue jacket and brown Timberland boots. The second offender had a medium build, stood about 5-foot-10 and wore a black Nike hooded sweatshirt, distressed jeans and maroon boots. The third offender had a thin build, stood about 5-foot-8 and wore a black jacket, a black and gray neoprene facemask and black boots. The three fled in a gray Chevrolet with tinted windows.

The loss was an estimated $675.

Compiled by Timothy Inklebarger

16

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

OPRF wrestling coach reinstated

Mike Powell had been placed on temporary leave

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Mike Powell, the popular assistant varsity (and former head) wrestling coach at Oak Park and River Forest High School, has been reinstated and is back at work after being placed on administrative leave earlier this year, according to school officials.

In an interview last week, Karin Sullivan, District 200’s communications director, confirmed that Powell had returned to work this month.

Powell had been placed on leave in connection with an investigation of alleged sexual misconduct among students, which occurred during a party at Powell’s Oak Park home in August while the coach was out of town. According to multiple students and parents, Powell had allowed some of his wrestlers access to the house while he was away in order to watch his pets.

One student who attended the party, which involved alcohol, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by at least three football players and wrestlers. After coming forward with the allegations, the Oak Park

ANAN UNOPPOSED

Election candidates abound from page 1 did not endorse a candidate for village president for the first time in the organization’s history.

Meanwhile, the race for the Oak Park Library Board has an unprecedented number of candidates, with 10 people announcing their runs for four open seats. Only two of the candidates for library board are incumbents.

While Dec. 19 marked the deadline to file and get a space on the ballot, would-be elected officials still can file as a write-in candidate by Dec. 29.

Though many of the candidates for Oak Park trustee and village clerk have already publicly announced their intention to run over the last couple of months, the Monday filing deadline revealed a few last-minute surprises.

Six of the seven candidates for village trustee already had announced their plans to run, but Emily N. Masalski was a new name on the candidate list. Masalski, a lawyer with the Chicago-based law firm Rooney Rippie & Ratnaswamy LLP, said in a telephone interview that she is a working mom who is running on a platform of “having diverse voices on the village board.”

“I want to make Oak Park vibrant and

Powel also pointed out that he

wasn’t accused of any misconduct by the school district or the police and that school and police officials assured him he wasn’t “a target of any investigation.”

Police Department and District 200 initiated separate investigations of the alleged incident.

Sullivan declined to give any details about the district’s ongoing investigation but said Powell’s reinstatement indicated “that portion of the investigation was completed or he wouldn’t have been returned.”

She added that the district is currently wrapping up its complete investigation into the incident.

So far, no charges have been filed.

In a statement released earlier this month, Powell explained that OPRF was “apparently aware of the incident weeks before I was informed about it by the police” and that he has been fully cooperative with

strong and make sure that we retain our local businesses,” she said.

Rooney Rippie & Ratnaswamy specializes in “energy and infrastructure regulation, environmental and natural resources law, health and safety, and litigation.” Masalski’s focus is on environmental law, advising clients on “a wide range of environmental issues, including compliance and permitting under various environmental statutes including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.” Monday’s filing deadline also saw the introduction of two new candidates for village clerk: Victoria Scaman and Mas Takiguchi.

Scaman is program coordinator for Oak Park Township’s Strategic Prevention Framework -- Partnerships for Success program, an initiative of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that aims to curb underage drinking and youth substance abuse. She also has served since 2011 as chairman of the Oak Park Liquor Control Review Board, which reviews liquor license applications in the village and provides recommendations to Oak Park’s Liquor Commissioner.

Takiguchi is an attorney who runs his own law practice, Takiguchi & Associates, Attorneys, out of Oak Brook, he confirmed in a phone interview. He has served as chair-

File

BACK TO WORK: Mike Powell, the assistant wrestling coach for OPRF, returned to work earlier this month after a leave of absence. both the school’s and police department’s investigations.

Powel also pointed out that he wasn’t accused of any misconduct by the school district or the police and that school and police officials assured him he wasn’t “a

man of the Oak Park Board of Fire and Police Commissioners as well as the Liquor Control Review Commission.

Takiguchi, Scaman and Malinksi also face clerk candidates James Robinson-Parran, a professional musician, and Elia Gallegos, who has served the last eight years as the Village of Oak Park’s coordinator for the Community Development Block Grant program.

In the village trustee race, Masalski and incumbents Barber and Brewer face restaurateur Deno Andrews, Oak Park Township Trustee James Taglia, former village attorney Simone Boutet and real estate developer Dan Moroney.

The 10 candidates in the library trustee race include incumbents Bruce Samuels and Matt Fruth, and newcomers Sarah Glavin, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Brandon Spurlock, Maria Meachum, Christian William Lee Harris, Garrison Johnson, Miles Jackson and Adam Olson.

Two candidates filed for the two open seats on the Park District of Oak Park Board of Trustees – incumbents David Wick and Sandy Lentz.

CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

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.

target of any investigation.”

“The temporary coaching suspension is not disciplinary in nature,” Powell added.

“Rather, it is routine to leave to permit the school to investigate this incident.”

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

let your voice be heard

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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Hot buttered rum: a warm antidote to cold weather

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s pleasing as a pre-dinner cocktail can be, a chilled glass of anything seems out of keeping with the unusually cold weather we’re having. As winter settles over us, I scan cocktail menus, always hoping to find — though I almost never do — hot buttered rum.

This old-timey beverage seems so right for this cold snap: It’s warm, it’s got extra calories (which we’re burning like crazy to stay warm), and the rum suggests piratical merry-making (yo-hoho and a bottle of ...) to lighten the heaviness of this frigid season.

Hot buttered rum is basically a hot toddy (a base alcohol like rum Photo by David Hammond or brandy, spices and water) with butter.

Adding spices to warm spirits has been cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe even cardamom, going on for a long time. When rum became along with pleasing vanilla notes. The readily available in the early American actual recipe is apparently a secret, but sufcolonies, it seemed a good fit for a spicy fice it to say you can just pour this rum out drink, the sweetness compleof the bottle without the need to menting the spice (plus, if the add other spices. rum was not of the highest To make hot buttered rum, I quality, adding distinctive seaused a blend of one part rum sonings might cover over the to three parts water. I first cut off-flavors). a pat of butter into the water Even before the American in a Pyrex container, put the Revolution, hot rum drinks becontainer into the microwave came popular among sailors as to heat (I didn’t boil the water); well as landlubbers who needed then I poured the hot buttery something to keep them warm water into a cup of rum. I used a and happy during cold nights. frother (kind of like a very tiny, Indeed winter time, to me, is battery-powered egg beater) to the only time hot buttered rum emulsify the butter oils and get sounds good. Having a drink a froth on top rather than an like this anytime between May oil slick, but that’s pretty much Local Dining and November seems like it’d an aesthetic consideration and & Food Blogger be a very uncomfortable experinot essential (you can get pretty ence. Now is the time to enjoy much the same effect with a few this classic beverage. teaspoons of ice cream).

Many recipes for hot buttered rum call Warmed by both the alcohol and the for cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. But temperature of the beverage, this is a much when you come in from the cold, you probmore seasonally appropriate drink than ably aren’t exactly in the mood to mess any chilled cocktail could possibly be. And around grinding spices. You want to get although some recipes call for a spoonful something warm inside you as quickly as of sugar to be mixed into the hot buttered rum, I found the sweetness of the rum possible. itself to be sufficient. This sweetness, along Last weekend, after shoveling snow, with the spices, make this a warm drink instead of mixing my own spices, I just you can pair with cheese or even cookies, used Bayou Spiced Rum, which is made in two other bites that seem right for the dark, Louisiana from cane sugar and molasses. cold season ahead.

This rum has a spice profile that suggests

DAVID

HAMMOND

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

NEED TO REACH US?

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

19

Homes

L’Arche: Creative community starts at home International nonprofit walks the talk on being inclusive

By LACEY SIKORA

I

Contributing Reporter

magine a place where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together as peers, creating inclusive communities of faith and friendship.

L’Arche is a worldwide organization dedicated to that ideal. Through the creation of homes and workplaces around the world, L’Arche aims to transform society through relationships that cross social boundaries.

Here in the near-western suburbs, L’Arche Chicago operates three homes in neighborhoods just like yours. Sarah Ruszkowski, communications and outreach coordinator says that L’Arche is the French word for “ark,” and like Noah’s ark was created to be a safe place for those who might otherwise be swept away.

L’Arche history L’Arche was founded in 1964 by Canadian Jean Vanier. While in France, he visited an institution for people with disabilities and was struck by the horrible conditions people were living in. After consulting with his spiritual advisors, he found a home in France and invited two of the men living at the institution to live with him, hoping he could help

Provided

L’Arche residents take a moment to enjoy the change of seasons. them. He quickly realized that the relationship was mutually beneficial with both sides giving and receiving. A friend suggested he name the community L’Arche, and Vanier quickly recognized the appropriateness of the name, which symbolized the place where people could find safety from life’s raging storms, a symbol that appears in Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu scripture as well as the mythology of early cultures.

L’Arche expanded beyond Vanier’s original house in France, and in 1968 he was invited to Canada to provide a retreat for religious and lay people. One attendee, Sister Rosema-

rie Donovan, Superior of Our Lady’s Missionaries, offered L’Arche a home outside of Toronto. In 1970, L’Arche spread to India, and in 1972, the first L’Arche community in the United States was founded in Pennsylvania.

Today, there are over 147 L’Arche communities in 37 countries.

L’Arche’s seeds were firmly rooted in the Roman Catholic faith but as it spread to other countries, it became an interdenominational organization, and members bring their own faith and cultural traditions to the community. Today approximately, 8,000 people call L’Arche communities home.

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L’Arche Chicago In 1987, Vanier visited and spoke at Mundelein Seminary, and a group began to discuss creating a L’Arche community in the Chicago area. Former assistants in Vanier’s L’Arche community in Trosly, France and in other L’Arche communities in Canada worked together and in 1995 formed Friends of L’Arche as a nonprofit organization. In 1999, Vanier spoke at Holy Name Cathedral, and his work with L’Arche was the subject See L’ARCHE on page 23

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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

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Brookfield • $229,900 3BR, 1BA Call Elissa x192

Kelly Gisburne

Linda Rooney

Seasons Greetings

Laurie Christofano

Kyra Pych

to our clients, friends colleagues and co-workers!

In warm appreciation of our association during the past year, we extend our very best wishes for a happy holiday season.

Kerry Delaney

Elissa Palermo

Steve Nasralla

Marion Digre

Morgan Digre

Harry Walsh, Managing Broker

Anna Gillian

Dorothy Gillian

Ed Goodwin

Joe Langley

Dan Linzing

Gary Mancuso

Jane McClelland

Keri Meacham

Alisha Mowbray

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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A. Richard Gloor

Richard C. Gloor

Tony Bell

Ann Bill

Patsy Bonniwell

Katie Bill

Sylvia Christmas

John Condne

Kay Costello

Jerre Cusick

Diane Davis

Stephanie Evano

Jeanne Fagan

Wendy Fuller

Kirstin Gloor

Marge Greenwald

John Haagenson

Phil Justice

Jan Kerr

As the year comes to a close, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who made our success possible.

Denise Dohman

Stephanie Eiger

It is in this spirit we say…

Sarah Faust

Thank You & Best Wishes for the Holiday Season!

Joan Filbin

Serving Our Community Nancy Gohla

For Over 70 Years

Sandi Graves

114 N. OAK PARK AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60301 708.524.1100 | www.gloor.com

Amy Hart-Tomaso

Nancy Jarrett

Shea Kiessling

Noa Klima

Monica Klinke

Nancy Leavy

Kristin Logerquist

Rita Lombardo

Pam Lupei

Marion Matas

Michelle Miller

Liz Moroney

Maria Murzyn

Jack Nowicki

Jessica Nowicki

Michael Nowicki

Kelly O’Brien

Molly Olsen

Cliff Osborn

Lisa Pasquesi

Jan Raspatello

Caroline Rauch

Jim Schott

Carolyn Sheehan

HOLIDAY HOURS

Laura Talaske

Lynn Taylor

Lora Valentin

Deborah Wess

Friday, December 23rd - 9am-1pm

Monday, December 26th - 1pm-5pm

Saturday, December 24th - Closed

Saturday, December 31st - 9am-12pm

Sunday, December 25th - Closed

Sunday, January 1st - Closed

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Pat Cesario

Karen Byrne

Kevin Calkins

Don Citrano

Julie Cliggett

Jolyn Crawford

Kurt Fiedler

Yvonne Fiszer-Steele

Ramona Fox

Tom Poulos

Broker Owner

Tom Carraher

Anne Brennan

Broker Owner

Joe Cibula

Have a Joyous Holiday!

May the New Year bring you Peace & Prosperity!

Maria Cullerton

Karen Doty

Julie Downey

Chris Garvey

Lisa Grimes

Dan & Sharon Halperin

Greg Jaroszewski

Vee Jaroszewski

Joanne Kelly

Michael Kinnare

Sherree Krisco

Jack Lattner

Susan Maienza

Iris McCormick

Vince McFadden

Charlotte Messina

Kathleen Minaghan

Colleen Navigato

Rosa Pitassi

Susan Ponzio-Pappas

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Mike Roche

Jenny Ruland

Laurel Saltzman

Rob Sarvis

Laurie Shapiro

Meg Sullivan

Tom Sullivan

Debbie Watts

George & Nancy Wohlford

Generations of Excellence Since 1958

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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23

L’ARCHE

Home for life from page 19 of a Chicago Tribune article.

Inspired by the article, a donor offered a house rent free for one year with the option to buy, and L’Arche Chicago had its first location, which was christened Angel Home.

That was followed by Interfaith Home — which became Peace Home when it was relocated to Forest Park — and Friendship House. Ruszkowski said the Angel, Peace and Friendship homes now house a total of 10 core members, as residents with disabilities are known, and approximately 20 assistants.

Core members with disabilities and assistants together in one home requires that the model of care be based on shared living.

Those who don’t have disabilities offer support in day-to-day tasks such as brushing teeth, cooking and cleaning.

The youngest core member in Chicago is 25, which Ruszkowski when young adults typically seek to live independently from their parents. Because L’Arche offers a home for life, different communities have residents of different age ranges, which makes each home unique.

“L’Arche communities look a little different depending on the community you’re in,” she said. The oldest community in the U.S. is 40. There the issue is helping people age well. Our members in Chicago often joined us in their 20s, which is an age at which most people are ready to create their own home.”

Most Chicago L’Arche core members have jobs or day programs they attend on weekdays from roughly 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Some core members work at Culvers or Jewel, and others attend Arts of Life, a nonprofit program that guides individuals with and without disabilities in producing and selling

Photos courtesy of Sally O’Donnell

Residents of Angel House sharing an evening meal. (Right) Residents prepare dinner in the home’s kitchen. their art.

Assistants offer support before and after the programming, and many assistants work other jobs or attend school.

Typical days While the homes cannot serve large numbers, they offer core members a home for life. Ruszkowski pointed out that the work of L’Arche is not about providing a solution.

Photo courtesy of Sally O’Donnell

L’Arche residents pose outside of their home in the near west suburbs.

“We seek to be a sign as opposed to a solution,” she said. “We can’t serve everyone. We want to show people that this way of life is possible.

We live in regular houses in regular neighborhoods.

It’s important to who we are that we’re just people living together. Getting to know our neighbors is a beautiful thing.”

At Peace House, a glimpse into a typical week night dinner provides insight into the lifestyle of the four core members who live on a quiet Forest Park street with their four assistants.

Elisha, a long-term member, brings his Jewish faith and his love of stories to the home. He has known core member Mike since the two attended high school together.

Mike proudly gives a tour of the home which includes personal bedrooms for each member and the shared kitchen, dining and living areas. Mike’s room sports bookshelves full of his favorite Harry Potter and Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Jean, a core member for 16 years who loves animals, decorates her door with a collage of animal pictures and a stuffed dog named Lucy. Noah enjoys making jokes and teasing his housemates at the dinner table.

Assistant Christopher Colley came to L’Arche from Germany, and on a recent Tuesday night prepared an evening meal of

meatloaf and vegetables. House coordinator Rachel Vander Vennen came from Canada where she first heard about L’Arche while in college.

Fellowship is an important part of L’Arche.

Group dinner every night is an important time for house members to come together and share a meal. One Thursday a month, the three houses gather together for a meeting and dinner. On community nights, residents invite friends and family and members of the community are encouraged to join the gathering.

Ruszkowski emphasizes the importance of community nights, which take place the second Thursday of each month.

“Community Nights are open to everyone,” she said. “You can feel the vibrancy of the community. We want people to know L’Arche exists because it is such a gift.”

24

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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1

RULES FOR BETTER LIVING

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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25

For sale

by owner

Sunday, December 25, 2016

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.

See LindenLandmark.org

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Distinctive Properties

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Burlington Realty

To place your Riverside/Brookfield/North Riverside listing call Joe! 708-613-3362 | joe@oakpark.com

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May your home be filled with Love, Laughter, Sweetness and Harmony this season and throughout the New Year!

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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Christmas

A GUIDE TO AREA CHURCH SERVICES

2016

Celebrate the Season

Fair Oaks Ave. & Thomas St. • Oak Park • 708-386-4920 • fairoakspres.org

Christmas Eve Worship Services Saturday, December 24 4:30pm Family Service Our family-oriented candle lighting service offers Christmas carols, scripture readings, music by our Mid-High Handbell choir, Youth soloist, Christmas pageant participants, candle lighting, and a Christmas message.

11:00pm Candlelight Service

In anticipation of the birth of Christ, the Messiah, this gathering is adopted from the traditional Christmas Eve service known as the Festival of Lessons and Carols where the joyous Christmas story unfolds through Scripture reading, candle lighting, and music offered by the Chancel Choir, the Senior High Handbell Choir, and congregational hymn singing.

Celebrate the Season

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Christmas Eve Holiday Services Christmas Eve Holiday Pageant/Worship for All Ages :: 3 p.m.

Magnificat by Dietrich Buxtehude :: 7:30 p.m.

Candlelight Services :: 8 and 11 p.m.

Christmas Day 11 a.m. service

Christmas Day Worship Service Sunday 10:00 am - December 25 Come to a service for all ages, celebrating the birth of Jesus on Christmas morn! We’ll have carols, coffee & cocoa, and treats. Pajamas welcome!

Christmas Eve Giving….

Christmas Eve loose plate offerings at both worship services will go to support local missions in Oak Park.

Worshipers are also invited to bring a pair of white socks to donate to Housing FORWARD.

Join us at our temporary home: United Lutheran Church 409 Greenfield, Oak Park

27

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

Come home for the holidays and connect. Sunday Service is at 11:00 am.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service • Saturday, December 24th at 7:00pm Christmas Morning Service at 11:00am

First Congregational Church of Maywood Please like us on Facebook

400 North 5th Avenue • Maywood, IL 60153 (708) 344-6150 www.firstchurchofmaywood.org

Keep Christmas with us.

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Advent & Christmas Schedule 2016

Saint Bernardine Parish

Advent Penance Service Thursday, December 15 • 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24 • Family Mass at 5:00 pm Caroling at 10:00 pm • High Mass at 10:30 pm Christmas Day Sunday, December 25 • Masses at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 am New Year’s Eve Saturday, December 31 • Mass at 5:00 pm New Year’s Day Sunday, January 1 • Masses at 8:00 am & 10:30 am

7246 W. Harrison St. • Forest Park, IL 708/366-0839 www.stbern.com

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24

Lessons and Carols, 4:15 and 6 pm Led by the children of Grace Holy Communion, 8 pm Candlelight Holy Communion,10:45 pm Music begins at 10:30 pm

Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 10 am 7300 Division St.▪︎ River Forest ▪︎ 708-­‐366-­‐6900 ▪︎ GraceRiverForest.org

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Christmas Eve Service 6:30 pm Music

7 pm Worship Service

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Christmas Worship

To you a child is born who is Christ the King

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

Christmas Eve

324 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park (708) 383-4983 www.firstUMCoakpark.org

Family Candlelight Service - 5:00 p.m.

Candlelight Communion Service - 10:30 p.m.

Pre-Service Music - 10:00 p.m.

Christmas Day

Join us for Christmas worship at United Lutheran Church 409 Greenfield Street (at Ridgeland) Oak Park

Christmas Eve, December 24 5:00 p.m.

Holy Communion with candle lighting and children’s story

Christmas Day, December 25 9:30 a.m.

Holy Communion www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

Communion Service - 10:00 a.m.

New Year’s Eve Service 7:00 p.m. (Hymn Sing)

Sunday, January 1, 2017 4:00 pm Family Service 8:00 pm Service of Lessons & Carols 11:00 pm Service of Lessons & Carols

First Presbyterian Church of River Forest ~ 7551 Quick Avenue Pastor Paul Detterman

708-366-5822 Wheelchair Accessible

www.firstpresrf.org

One Service 9:30 a.m.

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church 305 Circle Avenue, Forest Park (708) 366-3226 Rev. Leonard R. Payton, Pastor Rev. Roney Riley, Assistant Pastor Wheelchair Access to Sanctuary

all are welcome

Christmas Eve

Family Service, 5p Child-friendly service

Traditional Candlelight, 11p (Pre-service music begins 10:30p)

Christmas Day

Service of Carols, 10:30a

2016

Holiday Schedule

St. Catherine—St. Lucy Parish

Vivaldi’s Gloria Concert

Vigil of Christmas: (Christmas Eve) Saturday, December 24, 2016 5:00 PM - Family Christmas

with professional soloists and chamber orchestra

Mass (Prelude at 4:30 PM) 9:00 PM - (Caroling at 8:30 PM)

January 8, 3 p.m.

5th Annual Gospel Concert

January 22, 3 p.m

Intergenerational celebration with choirs from Chg/Milw

Good Shepherd

Lutheran Church, ELCA 611 Randolph at East Ave. Oak Park • 708-848-4741 goodshepherdlc.org

Christmas Day Sunday, December 25, 2016 10:00 AM Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Saturday, December 31, 2016 5:00 PM New Year’s Day Sunday, January 1, 2017 10:00 AM 38 N. Austin Blvd., Oak Park 708-386-8077 stcatherinestlucy.org/

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD Saturday, December 24, CHRISTMAS EVE 4:30 pm Vigil Family Mass Choral music and carols begin at 4:00 pm 10:30 pm Vigil Lessons and Carols begin at 9:50 pm

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CHRISTMAS 2016

Sunday, December 25, CHRISTMAS DAY 9:00 am 11:00 am Choral music and carols begin at 10:50 am

St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church 1530 Jackson Avenue River Forest, IL

Please note there is no evening liturgy on Christmas Day.

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY Friday, December 30 Though not a holy day, join us in celebrating this important feast of the Christmas Season at the 8:30 am liturgy.

On North Avenue at Lathrop

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD

Christmas Eve Masses

Saturday, December 31 5:30 p.m. Vigil Sunday, January 1 9:00 am 11:00 am

4:00 PM and 10:30 PM

Please note that there is no 5:30 pm Sunday liturgy this weekend.

Christmas Day Masses

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD

7:30 AM, 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM

Sunday, January 8

Please note that there is no 5:30 pm Sunday liturgy this weekend

FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD Monday, January 9 Though not a holy day, join us in celebrating this final feast of the Christmas Season at the 8:30 am liturgy.

S T . E DMUND P ARISH Oak Park, IL

Ample Parking Dominican Friars

ST. GILES

Join us for Christmas!

CHRISTMAS SEASON!

Christmas Eve – 7:30 p.m. – The traditional Christmas Story

WE WELCOME YOU THIS

CHRISTMAS EVE • Saturday, December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE • Thursday, Dec. 24 8:30Morning a.m. Morning No Mass Mass (No 6:30 a.m.)

3:00 p.m. Children’s Children’sChristmas ChristmasMass MassininChurch Church 3:15 p.m. Additional Additional Parish ParishChristmas ChristmasMass MassininGym Gym 5:00 p.m. Youth/Teen Youth/TeenMass Mass(with (withTeen TeenChoir) Choir)ininChurch Church 5:00 p.m.

7:30 Family Mass MassCommunity CommunityMass MassininGym Gym 7:30 p.m. p.m. Family (Carols at (Carols 7:00 p.m.) at 7:00PM) 10:30 ChristmasVigil VigilMass MassininChurch Church(Carols (Carolsatat10:00 10:00p.m.) p.m.)

10:30 p.m. p.m. Christmas CHRISTMASDAY DAY• Friday, • Sunday, 25 CHRISTMAS Dec.December 25 9:009:00 andand 11:00 a.m.a.m.

(No(No 5:005:00 p.m.p.m.

Mass) 11:00 Mass) The HOLY HOLYFAMILY FAMILY JESUS, MARY JOSEPH The of of JESUS, MARY and and JOSEPH Friday, December 6:304:30 andp.m.

8:30 a.m.

Saturday, December30:26th: Sunday, Decemberof27th: 7:45, 9:30, a.m. of andGod 5:00 p.m.

SOLEMNITY MARY, The11:15 Mother NEW YEAR’Sof MARY, The Mother of God SOLEMNITY Saturday, December 31: 8:00 a.m., 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass NEW YEAR’S Sunday, 1: 9:00 Thursday,January December 31st: and 6:30,11:00 8:30 a.m. a.m., 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass (No p.m. Mass) Friday,5:00 January 1st: 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. (only) The EPIPHANY EPIPHANY LORD The of of thethe LORD Saturday, January 4:30p.m. p.m.

Saturday, January2nd: 7: 4:30 Sunday, January 7:45,9:30, 9:30,11:15 11:15a.m. a.m.and and5:00 5:00p.m. p.m.

Sunday, January3rd: 8: 7:45,

Christmas morning – 10:30 a.m. – “The Best Gift for Last”

Weekly WeeklyConfessions: Confessions: Saturdays 8:30-9:00AM Saturdays 8:30-9:00 a.m.

Rev. Carl CarlMorello, Morello,Pastor Pastor Rev. Rev. Resident Rev. Edward EdwardSalmon, Salmon, Resident Rev. Rev. Thomas ThomasUnz, Unz,Resident Resident

St. Giles Church, 1045 N. Columbian Avenue, Oak Park, IL On the corner of Columbian and Greenfield

(Two blocks south of North Avenue - Three blocks east of Oak Park Avenue)

Ph: 708-383-3430 • Web: stgilesparish.org

405 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park 708-848-7360 www.euclidavenueumc.org Sanctuary/first floor accessible

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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A 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

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.

Cluster Tutoring

through the local economy reaping dividends for the 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

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. 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 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

Studies show that children in mentoring programs are less likely to be engage in deviant activities and relationships with parents often increase. College Mentoring

art that surrounds us all. Over the coming weeks, we hope that you will take a moment to look over 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.

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.

This Season of Giving, won’t you please help us by donating? For more information visit www.collegementoringexperience.org for additional information about our organization and donations. 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.

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

Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory The Oak Park Conservatory is a gem in our community.

The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that helps make the Conservatory a community destination. We have over 150 volunteers and a membership over 450. We offer guided tours by volunteers, free children’s programming, including Exploration Station and Toddler Exploration Time, and host Uncorked in the Summer. We are proud of

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

our Discovery Garden and Rubinstein Garden and partnership with the PDOP in supporting the Conservatory.

Please visit fopcon.org to donate or volunteer. 615 Garfield, Oak Park, 60304.

Contact Beth Cheng, Executive Director at 708-725-2460.

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. 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.

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM 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 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.

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

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 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.

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, social and recreational opportunities, and access to healthcare providers.

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

Giving Guide Sponsors:

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

PACCT PACTT Learning Center is committed to empowering people challenged by autism with choice in regard to where they 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 773-338-9102 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 all-volunteer 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 non-profit 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.

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: P.O. Box 3564, Oak Park, IL 60303-3564.

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 services 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!

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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,

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.

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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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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 Connect with

Kristin Carlson Vogen or Rhea Yap

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

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

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

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation has partially underwritten the Season of Giving in support of nonprofit organizations serving Oak Park and River Forest.

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

2017 P

arents are looking for the right school for their children. We can help your school reach thousands of those families throughout the year! Promote your classes and enrichment programs in this special education supplement.

PUBLICATION DATE: JANUARY 18 DEADLINE DATE: JANUARY 13

To reserve space or for more information, please call (708) 524-8300

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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1299

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VSOP Cognac

Margaritas

750ml

1.75 L

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

VIEWPOINTS

What to do next?

M

uch like the communities of Oak Park and River Forest, my family was divided on how to vote in the recent District 200 referendum. But even some of those who voted “yes” were unhappy with the plan offered by the school board. So what have we learned from the referendum outcome?

We learned that the decision to finance a portion of a new pool with a bond issue and higher taxes was an error in judgment. Normally, I would agree that future residents should share in the cost of any public capital investment by means of bond financing. But this is not a normal situation.

First, we have one of the highest property tax levies per capita in the state of Illinois. Second, the district has a large amount of cash just sitting in a bank which is more than sufficient for the cost of a new pool facility plus classroom and cultural facility needs.

We also learned that none of the four plans offered by the board’s “working committee” — comprising essentially board president Jeff Weissglass and member Fred Arkin — was without serious shortcomings. The board’s final choice had the disadvantages of causing major disruptions at the school for up to two years while also putting all faculty and student cars back on neighborhood streets for the same period.

Meanwhile, the board’s working committee vigorously opposed consideration of any plans utilizing the West Field, even though two such plans were offered by board member Steve Gevinson. Neither of Gevinson’s plans would have had the adverse effects of the plan offered in the referendum. Both of the plans he offered would have freed up more space in the existing field house pool area for other uses.

What to do next?

If the board is now sincere in wanting a fresh start, it can prove it by hiring a new architect. The board’s working committee tried every means possible to prevent a public viewing of Gevinson’s proposals even to the point of having Legat prepare a bogus version of Gevinson’s underground pool option. As proof, see the WJ article “What could have been” [Homes, Aug. 10], which presents an underground pool designed by Garret Eakin and Frank Heitzman at an estimated cost of $35 million. Compare that to the underground pool option as prepared by Legat and promptly rejected by the board with its estimated cost of $53.4 million.

Even if a new architect is chosen, the next D200 board could be largely guided by the same board members who brought us to the present unhappy state. The next question is, will the board elected next spring allow a new architect to think outside the narrowly defined geographical boundaries set by the current board?

Finally, Steve Gevinson should be recognized for his heroic efforts toward achieving a better outcome. I deeply regret that he has chosen not to run for re-election, but I can certainly understand why. My thanks also to Garret Eakin and Frank Heitzman, who did a fantastic job at no cost to the taxpayers of Oak Park and River Forest.

Lawrence Christmas is a former Oak Park village president.

LAWRENCE CHRISTMAS One View

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

37

Of pennies and stars p. 38

Ghosts of Christmas stories past

By KEN TRAINORR

R

Viewpoints Editor

ecently, I had occasion n to read or re-read some of my favorite Christmas lit and thought a few teasers might put fellow read-ers in the holiday mood (and d perhaps motivate a few to read the full versions, which hI recommend):

■ From A Christmas Carol rol in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story ry of Christmas by Charles Dickckens (1843)

Stave One, Marley’s Ghost: t: (Jacob Marley speaking to Scrooge) “At this time of the rolling year, I suffer most.

Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which h led the Wise Men to a poor or abode? Were there no poor or homes to which its light would ould have conducted me?” *** Stave Two, The First of the Three Spirits (While watching the holiday ay party thrown by Mr. Fezziwig when Scrooge was an apprentice there) During the whole of this time, Scrooge had acted like a man out of his wits. His heart and soul were in the scene and with his former self. He corroborated everything, remembered everything, enjoyed everything, and underwent the strangest agitation. …

“A small matter,” said the Ghost, “to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.”

“Small!” echoed Scrooge.

The Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices who were pouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig, and said, “Why, is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money — three or four, perhaps.

Is that so much that he deserves this praise?”

“It isn’t that,” said Scrooge, heated by the remark and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter, self. “It isn’t that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy — to make our service light or burdensome, a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ’em up — what then? The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”

He felt the Spirit’s glance and stopped.

“What is the matter?” asked the Ghost.

“Nothing particular,” said Scrooge.

By John Leech - Image taken from A Christmas Carol in prose.

Originally published/produced in London: Chapman & Hall, 1843.

“Something, I think?” the Ghost insisted.

“No,” said Scrooge, “no. I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. That’s all.”

■ From “Duel in the Snow, or Red Ryder Nails the Cleveland Street Kid,” Chapter 2 from In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd (1966). (This was the first of several chapters appearing in Playboy magazine from 1964-66):

I remember clearly, itchingly, nervously, maddeningly the first time I laid eyes on it, pictured in a three-color, smeared illustration in a full-page back cover ad in Open Road For Boys, a publication which, at the time, had an iron grip on my aesthetic sensibilities, and the dime that I had to scratch up every month to stay with it. It was actually an early Playboy. It sold dreams, fantasies, incredible adventures, and a way of life. Its center foldouts consisted of gigantic Kodiak bears charging out of the page at the reader, to be gunned down in single hand-to-hand combat by the 11-year-old Killers armed only with hunting knife and fantastic bravery.

See CHRISTMAS STORIES on page 42

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

O U R

L

V I E W S

Progress at Lake and Lathrop?

et’s see, the promised redevelopment of Lake and Lathrop in River Forest is advancing. Good news since the village chose its preferred developer, Keystone Ventures, way back in 2010. We know it is advancing because Tim Hague, the local boy made good, coughed up an actual development application this time rather than humbly asking for a further extension. Even Mr. Hague must have realized how lame another extension request would be as we move toward year seven of the Keystone Era. Eric Palm, the village administrator, was left with the sad task of convincing our reporter that this application represents genuine progress. The village staff is now reviewing next essential steps, including a traffic study, and, hmm, well, sometime soon any details on how the project might be financed. Now we are not expert on financing development of block-long, five-story, mixed-use projects, but we suspect details on financing the project might need to wait for the developer to actually purchase the bulk of the property to be developed.

All in due time, we suppose.

Village President Cathy Adduci said, with some understatement, that the development application was “not as complete as we would normally like” (see earlier reference to owning the land and having the money to build on that land).

You get six or seven years into a development project, and we’ll allow the Great Recession and we’ve extensively covered the severe soil contamination issues, but this is the point where even the well-intentioned supporters get squirrely.

Whether as a help or as a prod, the village government has now taken a second River Forest development project — on village-owned land at Lake and Park — off of Hague’s barely tepid front burner. Focus on the big, complex, and really old project first, is the message.

Hague’s Keystone Ventures is rocking it in Berwyn where his firm is transforming the northeast corner of Harlem and Cermak. And we’re sure he’d like to see similar success in his hometown. We agree. Time to produce. Or move on.

Be strong on Field’s Speaking of economic developments that just never gel, we’d point to the Marshall Field building in downtown Oak Park.

Maybe you know it as the Border’s Bookstore space. Or if you are really new to Oak Park as the big empty building on the corner.

In the five years since Border’s closed, the Karris family, owners of the iconic building, have made every sort of promise of better days, even as they have asked for every sort of variation from the retail-focused zoning which rightly applies along Lake Street.

Three times now the village government has bent and contorted the retail-only zoning to allow Karris’ Water Tower Realty to fill its space with decidedly non-retail or restaurant uses.

There was the kick-boxing gym that won a variance but never opened. And twice in the past year variances were granted, first to allow a health clinic to lease an internal portion of the ground floor and, just months ago, to allow Bank of America to take over the very prominent corner space.

Last week we reported that both of those projects were in limbo with corporate parents rethinking their strategies. We think it is time for Oak Park to rethink its strategy and declare that this space is meant for retail use, that no further compromises will be granted, and that the Karris family ought to sell this building before they think of coming forward again with a debilitating use.

V I E W P O I N T S

@ @OakParkSports

As dear as pennies, as near as stars Having just returned from a “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” weekend getting home from Atlanta, I’m digging again into my vast trove of Christmas columns to relocate my holiday spirit. This one first ran on Dec. 8, 2010, which was a time of great uncertainty. Kind of like the time we’re in now. I’ve updated it slightly.

T

hese are dark times, and it’s easy to find cause for concern. Listening to the news on NPR lately is enough to send a person spiraling into depression. People are suffering. We know this, even when we aren’t faced with evidence.

Recently, though, I pulled the evidence from my pocket. Each night I take the day’s accumulated change out and put it in containers on my dresser. Pennies in an old cocoa can, an, quarters in an old coffee can, and dimes and nickels in an old mayonnaise jar.

After several decades of this nightly ritual, I’ve become adept at recognizing older coins on sight — the patina of age and all that. Usually the older coins date back only as far as the 1960s (though that’s still a half century). For a moment I contemplate what was happening during that year and where I was. Then they go into their respective bins. Very, very rarely, I’ll find a really old coin — from the 1950s or even the ’40s. I leave those out to show people. Over the past three years or so, I’ve collected maybe a dozen.

So it doesn’t happen often.

One night a few weeks back, three of the four pennies in my pocket looked old. The back side is a dead give-away. Instead of the Lincoln Memorial, you see “One Cent” flanked by shafts of wheat. People call them “wheat pennies.” The change to the Lincoln Memorial occurred in 1959.

These were wheat pennies. Looking at

the dates, my eyes widened: 1934, 1938 and 1945.

This kind of thing doesn’t happen by coincidence. Somebody must have been breaking up a coin collection looking for money. It could have been a kid, I suppose, raiding his older brother’s collection, but I doubt it. I saw it as a sign of someone who has insufficient disposable income to meet great need.

If so, it’s fitting that the dates roughly correspond to the Great Depression, of which there are ominous echoes around the world at the moment.

At any rate, a reason to worry.

Evidence of the economic downturn can also be seen in the rising number of families using the Food Pantry of Oak Park-River Forest and those enrolling in the annual Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program, run by a de dedicated corps of local volunteers and b benefitting from a generous corps of local donors.

Charitable neighbors “adopt” a family, then shop for them and drop off the wrapped presents, which are delivered by volunteer drivers — many of them from the Oak Park Police Department — two Saturdays be before Christmas. Wednesday Journal has adop adopted a couple of families each year for the 26 years I’ve been here. My colleagues and I sign up to buy for one member of a family. We’re given the age, gender, clothing size and a wish list.

This year I signed up for a 13-year-old boy who asked for “books about stars.” Maybe I’m jaded, but I assumed by “stars” he meant the shining lights of sports or Hollywood. Fortunately, before running out and buying biographies of the celebrities du jour, I dec decided to ask the program’s coordinators for a c clarification.

Turns out, he wanted books on astronomy. In fact, he also asked for a telescope, which was too big ticket for me, but Adler Planetarium heard ab about the request and donated one for him.

With the help of Rachel at the Book Table, I found severa books about stargazing (the celestial kind) and several threw in a book on planets for good measure. n You never know. Every year, I can’t help hoping my mi gift might change some kid’s life, even in a small way.

And even ev if he doesn’t become a famous astronomer, maybe he’ll be inspired by the fact that people he’ll m never meet once upon a time encouraged his interests — and reinforced the notion that his dreams are worth pursui pursuing.

O As Oscar Wilde put it: We’re all in the gutter, but o us are looking at the stars. Keep looking, some of kid. It puts you ahead of a lot of people who might be too busy congratulating themselves on how “fortun “fortunate” they are.

And you give all of us a reason to hope.

KEN

TRAINOR

Posts Postscript: I’m still wondering about that kid, I guess, because if he was 13 in 2010, then he’s 19 today. I he in college somewhere studying a subject that hope he’s captiva him as much as astronomy did then. But captivates even if he’s no longer using that telescope, I hope he still sta in his eyes. has stars I hop hope all of you do, too.

Keep an eye out for the star that beckons us.

V I E W P O I N T S

I

The village should embrace new digital tools

ation and more spending. It is an t’s easy to be inspired by exciting time to be witnessing the Oak Park’s longstanding changes taking place. history of creative, progresHowever, the way in which sive, problem-solving and citizens are learning about the participatory democracy. change is not as rapid as it should We, ourselves, are proud to be. We are all busy people — runbe involved in the culture of ning errands, working, driving volunteerism and activism in our kids around, just trying to get through the dayour community. to-day madness of life. Very few busy people make But, as a couple of young parents, believers a habit of checking the village website for critical in public service, and communication buffs, we Oak Park information — from the way our tax dolbelieve it’s high time for the village of Oak Park to lars are spent to the state of the streets on embrace various forms of digital tools a snowy day. Local governments have a to better communicate information responsibility to parse and send informawith current and new residents. tion to its citizens in a way that is simple, The word “technology” used to approachable and informative. A steady intimidate many, but multiple generadrumbeat of posts to a Facebook page, tions of people are using everything Twitter handle and even a live-streamed from text, Facebook, Twitter, Instaquestion-and-answer session are examgram and even Snapchat to build relaples of ways to get this done. tionships with one another. Websites We are confident that Oak Park’s history are still an important information tool, of being a progressive municipality will but most people don’t visit the same continue, sparking a change in ensuring website every day. It is the responsibilANDREA OTT we receive information in a variety of ity of the website owner to distribute forms that suit our lifestyle (both print important content from the website to and online). This can serve as a beacon for other constituents via multiple channels — the “have it communities but also show future neighbors, shopyour way” system. For example, the Chicago Tripers and dwellers that providing important informabune has a website but heavily relies on distributtion is one of the top priorities of our great village. ing articles through various social platforms and Andrea Button Ott is an Oak Park village trustee. apps. Those stories then get sent to online users via Blagica Bottigliero is an Oak Park resident, a mempersonal networks. ber of the Civic Information Systems Commission, Oak Park is undergoing great change today — and principal of Zlato, a digital marketing and much-needed change in the area of development, social media consultancy. tax dollars and density that should spur job cre-

ANDREA OTT & BLAGICA BOTTIGLIERO One View

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues 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 Distribution Coordinator Caleb Thusat Comptroller Edward Panschar Credit Manager Laurie Myers Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Making progress but needing help Dear environmentally concerned friends, We are close to accomplishing some of our goals.

In our petition to the village board in the early spring of this year, signed by over 600 people, we defined four points we wished them to consider.

Our first priority was the resolution for reinstating home rule for pesticide regulation. The process has been slowed by our mayor’s wish for more clarification on some issues. And we are addressing these. We do have the support of several trustees.

At the same time we have been talking with numerous communities outside Oak Park. Highland Park and Wilmette are quite interested. We are meeting with them in January. Evanston’s Environmental Board just last week passed a resolution modeled on ours. And the Illinois Environmental Council has given us a list of environmental groups to begin the process of contacting other communities about our action plan.

Encouragement has come from state Senator Don Harmon, who is working with us on this. And Midwest Pesticide Action Center is supporting the measure. Beyond Pesticides, a 30-year-old watchdog group in Washington D.C., published a brief

description of our endeavors in their last quarterly with an explanation of its importance. In an email from them, our resolution was described as a “model policy” and “on the cutting edge.” They will give assistance as we need it.

So it is encouraging, to say the least. Our game plan is to have as many Illinois municipalities as possible vote for this resolution. It asks the General Assembly to amend the Pesticide Act for the purpose of reinstating home rule. This will give our state senators the support and will to stand up to the chemical industry and lawn/golf course lobby to reclaim our democracy and protect our environment from big corporations.

Our second proposal in the petition is the development of an educational piece which would go to all residents in Oak Park. We have already talked with the Public Health Board and the Environmental and Energy Commission.

But we cannot do any of this without your help.

(There are really only two of us presently.) Please email peggy@gogreenoakpark.org if you would like to pitch in.

Peggy McGrath, David Holmquist Go Green Oak Park

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 21, 2016

V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Acknowledge the outcome, but also the process What a surprise to find a Viewpoint comment in the Homes section of the Dec. 14 edition of Wednesday Journal [Grove Apartments: The skeptics had it wrong]. Living just a few blocks from the once-controversial Grove Apartments, I simply had to stop and read the update by Perry Vietti.

Back in 2009, when discussions about the Grove Apartments project surfaced, not many could have foreseen that Madison Street might be on the verge of a renaissance less than 10 years later. After all, the development of Madison Street looked a bit stalled during our nation’s economic downturn.

Go back and read the hundreds of posted comments associated with the Grove Apartment project. You will see how there is much more dialogue needed in Oak Park about race, economic diversity, stereotypes, transparency, name-calling, villainization, active listening, the right to be heard, empathy, empowerment, helping without motives, respectfully acknowledging the validity (and weaknesses) of different viewpoints, hypocrisy, and a few other factors that gave the Grove Apartments controversy a life of its own.

Things were complicated by the YMCA SRO transition, the potential impact on student enrollment at Lincoln Elementary, and the controversy surrounding the drug-related death and building code violations at 855 Lake St. Completion of the Grove Apartments project merely allowed the strongly expressed feelings to bubble beneath the surface and await the next opportunity. Recent developments of luxury apartments and condos west of Ridgeland Avenue put a slightly different twist on some of these same issues.

Before I forget, congratulations are in order to Interfaith Housing Development Corp., Weese Langley Weese Architects, the Oak Park Housing Authority, Catholic Charities, the Oak Park Village Board of Trustees, and the Oak Park Plan Commission for helping Madison Street move forward.

The process it took to get here, however, should not be forgotten.

Ken Woods Oak Park

Provided

A rendering of the proposed “Bend,” looking east from the corner of Oak Park Avenue and Madison Street.

Madison Street needs more citizen involvement On Dec.13, I attended an open forum with the mayor. During the forum, the Madison Street redevelopment (the “Curve”) was discussed at length. Madison Street is clearly in need of redevelopment. Whether the plan currently in the works will do it remains to be seen. In any case, I asked the mayor to include two components in whatever plan is adopted: 1) a mitigation plan to address traffic diversion onto Jackson Boulevard and 2) greater community involvement.

At the forum, a community member offered his assurance that the so-called road diet for Madison will not result in unreasonable traf-

Thank you, voters The District 200 Facilities Referendum results were certified on Nov. 29. More than 35,000 ballots were cast, and the No vote prevailed by just 28 votes. The statement “every vote counts” certainly applied in this situation. A huge thank-you to each of the 17,852 citizens who voted no and to everyone who was engaged in this debate on both sides.

While the reasons for each personal vote

fic diversions. That, frankly, defies common sense. The traffic will go somewhere, and Jackson or Washington are the only logical options.

Regardless of these reassurances, there is clearly some risk that traffic will divert to Jackson (almost entirely single-family homes), with its grade school (Longfellow) and key crossing for Ascension grade school children.

The Madison development plan should address concrete mitigation steps to address this. This could include widening curbs (as in Forest Park), additional stop signs, conversion

to one-way status or other ideas or combination of ideas.

Given the high feelings on exhibit at the open forum, more community outreach and input (they are not the same — one involves informing the public and the other listening to it) is also important. Some citizen group outside village government should be constituted to offer formal input into the Madison Street plan.

The mayor expressed a willingness to consider these ideas and I thank him. Now, we need to see action on them.

varied, we are gratified that so many residents rejected the idea that the primary driver for the high school’s facilities planning should be a 40-meter pool built on the site of the parking garage. Undoubtedly, the high overall cost of the project, coupled with the relatively smaller costs directed toward facilities other than the pool and replacement garage were factors that influenced many of the voting decisions.

Of course, the defeat of the referendum means that the issue of the OPRF swimming pools continues. This provides an opportunity to create an even better building and facilities plan, with a more comprehensive look at all areas of the high school in addition to the aquatics and physical

education needs.

We would like to thank the citizens of Oak Park and River Forest for paying attention as we made our case during the Vote No campaign. Thank you as well to our many donors and volunteers for their efforts to educate voters. We hope we can count on you to stay informed on the many issues confronting our high school and communities in the months ahead.

Jerry Bowman Oak Park

Bridgett Baron, Dori Bernstein, Marty Bernstein, Jack Davidson, Chris Donovan, Karen Doty, Bruce Kleinman, Maureen Kleinman, Byron Lanning, Mike Nevins, Mike Poirer, Gina Sennello, Monica Sheehan, Doug Springer, Leslie Sutphen, Robert Zeh Members of OPRF Pragmatic Pool Solutions

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OPEN HOUSE January 29th from 2-4 pm For over 28 years, WSMS has provided quality Montessori education in Oak Park. We have programs for students between 3–12 years of age. Please join us to learn more about Montessori education, meet our teachers, and the parents of enrolled children at our open house.

1039 South East Avenue Oak Park, IL 60304 • 708.848.2662 wsms.org • facebook.com/westsuburbanmontessori

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CHRISTMAS STORIES

Dickens, Shepherd & Capote from page 37 Its Christmas issue weighed over 7 pounds, its pages crammed with the effluvia of the Good Life of male Juvenalia, until the senses reeled and Avariciousness, the growing desire to own Everything, was almost unbearable. …

Early in the fall, the ad first appeared.

It was a magnificent thing of balanced copy and pictures, superb artwork, and subtly contrived catch phrases. I was among the very first hooked, I freely admit it.

“BOYS! At last YOU can own an OFFICIAL RED RYDER carbine action, 200shot RANGE MODEL AIR RIFLE!” *** In my warm bed in the cold still air I could hear the falling snow brushing softly against the dark ark window.

Next to me in the blackness lay my oiled, blue-steel beauty, the greatest Christmas gift I had ever received. Gradually I drifted off to sleep — pranging ducks on the wing and getting off spectacular hip-shots as I dissolved into nothingness.

THE HOLY GRAIL: Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) takes aim just before (almost) shooting his eye out.

■ From “A Christ-mas Memory” by Tru-man Capote (1956):

It’s always the same: e: a morning arrives in November, and my friend, as though officially inaugurating ing the Christmas time of year that exhilarates her imagination and fuels uels the blaze of her heart, announces: “It’s fruitcake cake weather! Fetch our buggy. uggy.

Help me find my hat.” *** In four days our work is done. Thirty-one cakes, dampened with whiskey, bask on window sills and shelves.

Who are they for?

Friends. Not necessarily neighbor friends: indeed, the larger share is intended for persons we’ve met maybe once, perhaps not at all. People who’ve struck our fancy.

Like President Roosevelt. Like the Reverend and Mrs. J.C. Lucey, Baptist missionaries to Borneo who lectured here last winter. Or the little knife grinder who comes through town twice a year. Or Abner Packer, the driver of the six o’clock bus from Mobile, who

exchanges waves with us every day as he passes in a dust-cloud whoosh. Or the young Wistons, a California couple whose car one afternoon broke down outside the house and who spent a pleasant hour chatting with us on the porch (young Mr. Wiston snapped our picture, the only one we’ve ever had taken).

Is it because my friend is shy with everyone except strangers that these strangers, and merest acquaintances, seem to us our truest friends? I think yes. *** The wind is blowing, and nothing will do till we’ve run to a pasture below the house where Queenie has scooted to bury

her bone (and where, a winter hence, Queenie will be buried, too). There, plunging through the healthy waisthigh grass, we unreel our kites, feel them twitching at the string like sky fish as they swim into the wind. Satisfied, sun-warmed, we sprawl in the grass and peel Satsumas and watch our kites cavort. Soon I forget the socks and hand-me-down sweater. I’m as happy as if we’d already won the $50,000 Grand Prize in that coffee-naming contest. …

“You know what I’ve always thought?” she asks in a tone of discovery, and not smiling at me but a point beyond. “I’ve always thought a body would have to be sick and dying before they saw the Lord. And I imagined that when He came, it would be like looking at the Baptist window: pretty as colored glass with the sun pouring through, such a shine you don’t know it’s getting dark.

And it’s been a comfort: to think of that shine taking away all the spooky feeling. But I’ll wager it never happens. I’ll wager at the very end, a body realizes the Lord has already shown Himself.

That things as they are” — her hand circles in a gesture that gathers clouds and kites and grass and Queenie pawing earth over her bone — “just what they’ve always seen, was seeing Him. As for me, I could leave the world with today in my eyes.”

This is our last Christmas together.

BUDDIES: The young Truman Capote with his older cousin and best friend, Sook, are the central characters of his reminiscence, “A Christmas Memory.”

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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O B I T U A R I E S

Maya-Gabrielle Gary, 18 OPRF senior, performer

Maya-Gabrielle Francesca Gary, 18, of Oak Park, died on Nov. 15, 2016 after a brief battle with a rare muscle cancer.

Born on Nov. 3, 1998 to Thomas Gary and Evette Little, she attended Whittier Elementary School, Julian Middle School, and was in her senior year at Oak Park and River Forest High School. She spent her junior year in Stuttgart, Germany and MAYA GARY attended Stuttgart High School.

As a small child, Maya developed a passion to perform, sang with the Oak Park-River Forest Children’s Choir for two years, and went on to participate in several Summer CAST performances at Julian Middle School.

Sharing her singing, dancing and acting talents helped her develop poise and confidence.

She played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Sister Sarah in Guys and Dolls, Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web, to name a few. She delivered performances with a grace and humility beyond her years and experience.

Maya was also a prolific writer who archived several hundred poems, short stories, and songs. At any given time, you could find her writing on her computer or smart phone.

After high school, she planned to study journalism.

She died one week after casting her first vote and two weeks after her 18th birthday, surrounded by her family.

Maya Gary is survived by her parents, Evette and Thomas; her brother, Alexander; her uncles and aunts, Keith, Michael, Stanley, Pat and Sarah; her cousins, Neilson, Naomi, Ronnie, Donella, Monique, Jamal, Cheryl, Patricia, Danyell, and Yvette; and her many friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, John Little, Lillian (Sharp)

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

Reed and Thomas Gary.

A celebration of Maya’s life was held on Dec. 17 at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St. in Oak Park. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations in her name to Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1100, Chicago 60601.

Arlo AndradeJanzen, 30

Writer, poet, and visual artist Arlo Andrade-Janzen, 30, died at his Denver, Colorado home on Dec. 7, 2016 of AIDSrelated causes. Born on Sept. 20, 1986, he was passionate about the benefits of medicinal marijuana in treating people with chronic illnesses and was licensed as a dispensary technician. He was a creative, expressive writer, poet and artist and a witty, loyal friend to many.

Arlo is survived by his parents, Eva Janzen Powell and Smith T. Powell IV; his siblings, Eleanor Powell, Smith T. Powell V, Cauley Powell and Asa Powell; his grandfather, Arlo Janzen; and his many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28 in the Grand Ballroom of the Carleton Hotel, 1110 Pleasant St. in Oak Park from 5 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider making a donation in Arlo’s honor/memory to the Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative (PACPI) whose mission is to eliminate deaths from pediatric AIDS and to reduce transmission of the virus from mothers to their children. Donations can be made at www.pregnantandpositive.org or to 200 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago 60606.

Barbara Berger, 64

Professor who taught nursing at UIC Dr. Barbara Ellen Berger, 64, of Oak Park, died on Dec. 12, 2016. Born on Aug. 7, 1952, she was a clinical assistant professor at UIC College of Nursing for more than 20 years.

Barbara is survived by her mother, Margaret H. Berger; her siblings, Elisabeth (Harry

Munson) Berger, William (Martha) Berger and James (Diana) Berger; and her eight nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held on Dec. 17 at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home in BARBARA ELLEN Oak Park. The famBERGER ily appreciates memorials in her honor to the UIC College of Nursing Biobehavioral Health Science Fund, https://www.nursing. uic.edu/giving/give-now, or by check payable to University of Illinois Foundation c/o UIC College of Nursing, Office of Advancement, 845 S. Damen (MC 802), Chicago 60612.

Stanley Cooper, 92 WWII Bronze Star recipient

Stanley H. Cooper, 92, of River Forest, died on Dec. 11, 2016.

Born on Feb. 20, 1924, he was a WWII Army veteran and Bronze Star recipient who fought with valor in the Battle of the Bulge.

Stanley is surSTANLEY H. COOPER vived by his children, Jane (Harry) Centella, Kevin (Cheryl) Cooper and Sheila Cooper; his grandchildren, Jason (Keily), Jonathon (Ashleigh), Bridgette (Timmons), Tracey (Tony), Jennifer (Michael), Christopher, Kevin, Alison (Jeremy), Rich (Shelley) and Maggi; and his 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (nee Curtin); and his son, John Cooper.

Visitation was held on Dec. 15 at Forest Park’s Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Luke Catholic Church on Dec. 16, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

The family appreciates memorials to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research,

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 ~

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.

www.komenchicago.org or to National Multiple Sclerosis, www.nationalmssociety.org.

More information is available at 708-366-2200 or www.ZimmermanHarnett.com.

Christ Kates, 88

Veteran, U.S. Postal Service carrier Christ Peter Kates, 88, a lifelong resident of Oak Park, died on Dec. 17, 2016, at his home following a long illness. Born on Nov. 14, 1928, he graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School in 1946 and joined the Illinois Army National Guard. Later, he was a member of the Illinois Air National Guard until his retirement in 1990 as a sergeant. A proud employee of the U.S. Postal Service, he worked as a letter carrier for 39 years.

Christ Kates is survived by his wife, Sally Kates (nee Geyer); his children, Peter (Sharon) Kates, Patricia (John) Perkins, Gerald (Mary) Kates and Dorothy Kates; his grandchildren, Rane, Jerry Jr., Blade, Emily, Krist, Elena, Hank, Daniel and John; and his brother, William. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha and Peter Kates; and his siblings, Bessie, Andrew and Ted. Visitation will be held at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St. in Oak Park on Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 3 to 9 p.m. with a funeral service at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 601 S. Central Ave. in Chicago on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 10:30 a.m. followed by burial with military honors at Elmwood Cemetery.

Carol O’Neill, 54 Lifelong St. Luke parishioner

Carol Ann O’Neill, 54, a lifelong resident of River Forest, died on Dec. 10, 2016.

Born on Nov. 13, 1962, she attended St. Luke School, Oak Park and River Forest High School, and then went on to earn a degree in Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She was a member of the St. Luke School and Fenwick High School communities and was a lifelong parishioner of St. Luke Parish.

Carol is survived by her children, Michael, Margaret Mary (fiancé Martin Detmer), Madeline and Colleen Stephany; her siblings, Patty (Frank) Baker, John (Pat) O’Neill, Peggy (Jack) Gleason, Michael (Margie) O’Neill, Mary (Joe) Bresnahan, Molly (Van) Conroy and Danny (Cathy) O’Neill; and her many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret (nee Barrett) O’Neill.

Visitation was held on Dec. 11 at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, and friends and family celebrated a funeral Mass at St. Luke Church on Dec. 12, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

The family appreciates memorial donations to St. Luke School www.school-stlukeparish.org or Fenwick High School, www. fenwickfriars.com.

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Miss a week…

Michael Patete, 52 Oak Park resident

Michael Scott Patete, 52, of Oak Park, formerly of Arlington Heights, died on Dec. 16, 2016. He was born on April 17, 1964.

Michael is survived by his wife, Ada Ruth (nee Medina); his children, Victoria and Andrea Patete; his mother, Sharon Patete; his sister, Wendy Patete; his in-laws, MICHAEL SCOTT PATETE Francisco and Ada Medina; his sisters-in-law, Cristina, Sandra, Lucila Medina and Guadalupe (Nicholas) McKeehan; his niece, Isabel McKeehan; and his many nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was held on Dec. 19 at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, followed by a funeral Mass on Dec. 20 at Ascension Church, with entombment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. The family appreciates donations to the American Cancer Society.

...miss a lot.

Answer Book 2016

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL

AB2016_CV1.indd 1

6/8/16 1:07 PM

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL

June 1, 2016 Vol. 34, No. 42 ONE DOLLAR

of Oak Park and River Forest

@O @OakPark

Oak Park police to carry anti-overdose drug

Oak Park Fire Department already administers Narcan roughly once a week Staff Reporter

A day of remembrance

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

An American Ramadan

River Forest couple says don’t make assumptions about Muslims

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

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

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-

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 SuperviSee NARCAN on page 13

See RAMADAN on page 12

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6/19

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So why are you waiting—subscribe today!

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER

Participants wave at the crowd during the annual Memorial Day Parade in River Forest on May 30. For more photos, page 10.

And at the Altenheim, you’ll be able to protect it with rent that is reasonable.

But the Altenheim is so much more… it is surrounded with beautiful grounds and wildlife, seniors who look out for one another and apartment selections and activities to suit your lifestyle.

You’ll be as happy as a lark here; come visit us to find out why.

Special pullout section

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.

Faulty valve delayed firefighters

board and resiEbsen told the Hall meeting dents at a Village of suppression on Monday that the broke out on the fire, which the front porch south half of Ave. at around at 814 Clinton due was delayed 4 a.m., also of a fire engine to the failure one of the ion, a wood water hose valve on ventilat Natural that the faulty load home and a engines. He said and has balloon-frame ble material valve is regularly tested . of highly flamma ideal condisince been replaced fire was so created on the porch the on of Ebsen said rapid escalati ters were, tions for the ed one home intense that firefigh opa fire that destroy d two othany interior damage “unable to do and severely block of Clinton 17 page on ers on the 800 Oak See FIRE 4, according to Avenue May Tom Ebsen.

Park Fire Chief

’Worst conditions’ in Clinton Ave. fire

Fifth-grader Chase Thompson is amused as an Oak Park police officer crosses an intersection on a bike safety course at Whittier Elementary School on Monday. The Active Transportation Alliance provided the bikes for the bike safety class.

RGER

By TIMOTHY INKLEBA Staff Writer

Start delivery of

o Much ado abParkoufortChicazer goan Troubles pop up in Oak with zero license plate

today!

Enclosed is my payment of ¨$32 for 12 months

, city of Chicago action from the tickhim that the which assured RGER ets would stop. for about three All was quiet y the unfairwhen suddenl started a local years, tickets became parking Tom Feddor ly issued the five years ago this time from again – but celebrity of sorts nearly 200 unPark. after he received tickets from village of Oak had zero luck Feddor said he’s deserved parking for his Illiin from the village the city of Chicago is simply getting help flow of the tickets plate that stemming the nois license of vehiand models the number zero. an’s for makes not his 2006 old Chicago that he says are The 43-yearcles that outin news Records show Range Rover. plight was featured Chicago Tribune 11 page on lets such as the quick See ZERO , prompting and MSNBC

By TIMOTHY INKLEBA Staff Writer

Name _______________________________________________________

DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer

Patio is OPEN!

144 s. oak park

Garret Eakin on raising the for local architechture bar

W Homes

p. B11

May 14, 2014

By DEB QUANTOCK MCCAREY

F

Contributing Writer

ayadels .9800 | www.m ave. | 708.358

Powered by the Oak

Park Area Association

All Wright walk marks

orty years old is fairly young for a house, particular ly in Oak Park where many of our homes hit 100-plus. However, in terms of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home (& Studio), 40 is significant. That’s the age of the Wright Trust.

It’s a milestone, says Celeste Adams, CEO/president.

Seventeen is also a significant number. May 17 is the 40th Wright Housewalk; June Plus 17 is the nonprofit organization’s Founders Day; and July 17 marks the day in 1974 when the Home & Studio opened for its first tour.

And there is one other happy coincidenc — the 1889 Home e & Studio at 951 Chicago Ave. celebrates 125 architecturally significant years.

“Our 40th anniversar y is the beginning the next generation of of the Trust and a way to celebrate all those who have made it what we are today,” Adams said.

And what they have made it over the four decades is last … bigger. In fact, just in the past three years, she said, the Trust grown to oversee has five Frank Lloyd Wright touring/education/re storation sites in the Chicago area.

Isabel Roberts House “The Home & Studio (Frank Lloyd Wright, is the oldest Frank 1908) Lloyd Wright site in the world, and is now Society bus tour excursion a museum,” Adams attended by a noted. “For me, group of passionate this represents architects, local 40 years of welcoming all buffs, history and determined friends and talent new community activists. to the Trust and “Elsie Jacobsen building with each passing got to talking about year trying to take back [the the wonderful volunteers on the talents of Home & Studio] building who are already because at the time there. We have it was for sale,” just launched a recalled new web- John Thorpe, local preservati site, flwright.org, and are doing more on architect things and founding member and with technology former , so I hope, like Frank Lloyd of the Home & Studio Foundatio president Wright, we’re able to capture the attention Wright n (now the Trust). of a younger audience and continue to Back then, Mrs. spire all people inClyde Nooker, with these wonderful whose , origi- husband had owned the structure nal sites.” since the 1940s, was looking for a buyer. They were Wright’s clients, Mrs. Nooker and the corsage circa 1956, for a remodeling of the office, library, The mighty grass kitchen and bath roots movement and sparked this positive that had opened part of the building to the public change in Oak Park’s since 1966 for tours. fortunes began in 1972, during a Historical See ALL WRIGHT on page B3

Celebrating the 40th anniver sary

of the Wright Trust

OAK PARK 8BR, 3BA . . . . . . . . . $644,000 See page B6

*Email _______________________________________________________ Visa/MC/Discover # ____________________________ Exp Date__________

Courtesy of Frank Lloyd

Wright Trust. Photographer:

James Caulfield

Signature ____________________________________________________ Mail to: Circulation Dept., 141 S. Oak Park, IL 60302

1902)

Courtesy of Frank Lloyd

THE MOST L OCAL REAL E STATE IN PR INT AND ON LINE

OAK PARK4BR, 2.1BA . . . . . . . . $609,000 See page B5

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OAK PARK 4BR, 2 BA . . . . . . . . . $367,000 See page B5

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OAK PARK 8 BR, 3.1 BA . . . . . . . $900,000 See page B6

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RIVER FOREST 4BR, 3BA . . . . . . . .$615,000 See page B6

Offer valid for new subscribers in Cook County only.

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

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CHRISTMAS A TO Z

Call Belmont Village for Respite Care Needs A short term residence at Belmont Village is a convenient, reliable option for families and caregivers with senior care needs. It’s the perfect solution for business or vacation travel, or for respite care following a hospital stay or injury. It also can be a comfortable way to introduce the benefits of community living to senior family members. Best of all, loved ones are cared for in a licensed community supported by a well-trained, responsive staff.

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Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM New local ads this week

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED

YOUR WEEKLY AD

REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

Deadline is Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Place your ad online anytime at: www.OakPark.com/ClassiďŹ ed/

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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.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 524-0447 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Substitute Teachers Needed for River Forest Public Schools District 90. Must have Valid Illinois Teaching License; Professor Educator License with Endorsements (PEL); or, Substitute Teaching License (SUB); or Educator License with Stipulations with a Para-professional Educator Endorsement (ELS).

Required Certification: Current State of Illinois Professional Educator License or Substitute License Certificate must be registered in West Cook Region 06.

Working Conditions: Available to work on an as-needed basis for Early Childhood through 8th grade classrooms, including core subjects, art, music, physical education and special education.

Position not eligible for benefits.

Rate of Pay: $105/day for 1-20 days $115/day thereafter

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.

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:

7776 Lake Street, River Forest, IL 60305 708-771-8282 • www.district90.org CAREGIVERS Cantata Services has immediate assignments for 12/24 hr. care giving in the homes of our clients. Call 708-387-8351 or apply online at cantata.org.

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER PART-TIME Part-time Electrician’s Helper.

Tansportation and some tools.

Call 708-738-3848.

ITEMS FOR SALE KENMORE SIDE BY SIDE STAINLESS REFRIGERATOR 3 months old. 69 1/2h x 36w x 27d (including handles). $450.

Call 708-288-6004.

LIKE NEW ELLIPTICAL Just in time for Christmas...Like new Elliptical exercise machine. Horizon E900. $200 obo. Call 615-423-2416 if interested.

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

BICYCLES FOR SALE Boys’ 24� Red Magna 15 Speed Glacierpoint bike. Like New: ridden 2x. Bike Shop inspected, ready to ride! $60 Cash.

7:00 am–5:00 pm. 708-715-8834 Call 708-657-4226.

SPACE FOR RENT OAK PARK SPACE Suitable for not-for-profit. Varied uses possible such as school, office spaces, community services center, clinic, etc. Please call 312-810-5948

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE 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.

ADVERTISE YOUR PET SERVICES RIGHT HERE.

Call 708/613-3342 for special rates.

Selling your home by owner?

Call: 708-613-3333

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.

6142-44 Roosevelt Rd.

management, inc.

Selection Process: If your qualifications meet the District requirements, a District administrator will contact you directly for an interview and to pick up a document packet from the District office.

* RIVER FOREST *

- 1, 2 & 3 room office suites

M&M property

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the on-line application available at district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e.; cover letters, resumes, etc. to River Forest Public Schools.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

OAK PARK FOREST PARK Studio, 1, and 2 BDRM. Heated.

Dining room. Parking available.

Walk to El. $625-$1250.

www.oakrent.com

RIVER FOREST 2BR & 1BR Hardwood floors throughout.

Spacious walk-in closets. Storage.

Parking. Laundry in building. Heat incl.

RIVER FOREST 2BR CONDO River Forest condo for rent. 2 BR, 1 BA, Hardwood floors, built-in microwave and dishwasher. $1350 per month includes heat + 1 parking space. 1-1/2 month security deposit. $39.95 application fee.

Call Vicki at 708-714-0686 or vicki@beyondpropertiesrealty.com

ROOMS FOR RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro.

Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up.

773-637-5957

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CLEANING

PLUMBING

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.

RELIGION NEED A RESTART? Christmas and the New Year are perfect opportunities for each of us to jump start our year and recalibrate our priorities and relationships. Are you ready for a restart?

A new beginning? Your time is now!

Join us Sundays @ 11:30am New Life Community Church 3801 Madison in Brookfield newlifechicago.org/brookfield (meeting at Faith Lutheran Church) th Lutheran Church)

A cleaner day is just a phone call away. For a detailed cleaning please call 708-937-9110

GARAGE/GARAGE DOOR Our 70th Year

Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

Fast Free Delivery

CHURCH FOR RENT

Pam’s A+ Cleaning Service

KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

HANDYMAN

FIREPLACES/ FIREWOOD

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.

in OAK PARK. Perfect for a congregation.

Other potential uses. Corner of Scoville & Adams.

708-848-5460

FLOORS

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

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.

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.

- 5 room office suite

Strand & Browne 708/488-0011

ELECTRICAL

708-488-9411

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Credit Cards Accepted

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You have jobs. We have readers!

Wednesday Classifieds. Call 708-613-3342

48

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED HANDYMAN +$1'<0$1 &2175$&725

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REMODELING

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

HOME MAINTENANCE SERVICES

LEGAL NOTICE Official notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received at Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Administration Buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;260 Madison; Oak Park, IL 60301 until 1:30 p.m. local time on January 11, 2017, for the following:

Chertkow and Chertkow (22019) Attorneys for Petitioner 1525 East 53rd Street Chicago, Illinois 60615

LBDI, Inc.

Home Maintenance Services, Residential & Commercial Remodeling Ask for Barry @

630.687.3000

WINDOWS

Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Do

BASEMENT CLEANING Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404

HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges â&#x20AC;˘ Ovens Washer â&#x20AC;˘ Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

PAINTING & DECORATING

ALEX PAINTING &

DECORATING

Exterior and Interior All Work Guaranteed 35 Years Experience Call 708-567-4680

CLASSIC PAINTING

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

CALL THE WINDOW MAN!

FAST RELIABLE SERVICE

(708) 452-8929

Licensed

Insured

Ralph Grande Elmwood Park 708-452-8929

Serving Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park & Riverside Since 1974

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE Chertkow and Chertkow (22019) Attorneys for Petitioner 1525 East 53rd Street Chicago, Illinois 60615 STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of Oscar Chavez, Petitioner and Susana Arellano Reyes, Respondent, Case No. 2016D-011185.

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 17, 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.

PLASTERINGâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; STUCCOING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 t ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 LIFE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS & RENOVATIONS BIDS WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AT 2:00PM ON JANUARY 11, 2017 AT THE OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 ADMINISTRATION OFFICEâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;260 MADISON STREETâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;OAK PARK, IL 60302.

BROKEN SASH CORDS?

708-296-2060 HAULING

(708) 613-3333 â&#x20AC;˘ FAX: (708) 524-0447 â&#x20AC;˘ E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

Published in Wednesday Journal 12/14, 12/21, 12/28/2016

Buying? Selling?

Renting? Hiring?

Advertise in WEDNESDAY CLASSIFIED 708-613-3333

Scope of work for Life Safety Improvements includes, but is not limited to: site concrete, masonry repairs, roofing, carpentry, doors and hardware, drywall, acoustical ceiling grid and tile, painting, HVAC, plumbing and electrical.

All available bid documents will be available December 21st and may be purchased from BEST Imaging Solutions (312-357-9050)â&#x20AC;&#x201C;55 E. Monroe St.; Chicago, IL 60601.

Plans are available for viewing/ download at Bulley & Andrews FTP Site. https://ftp.bulley.com username: D97LifeSafety password: bulley1891 Bid security in the form of a bid bond, certified check or cashierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s check in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid shall be submitted with the bid. Certificate of Insurance may be required from the successful Bidder.

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 reserves the right to reject any and all bids or parts thereof, to waive any irregularities or informalities in bidding procedures, and to award the contract in a manner best serving the interest of the Owner.

All Bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages to all laborers, workman and mechanics working on public funded projects.

If during the time period of work, these rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount.

The proposed contract is subject to the requirements of the Equal Employment Practices Commission and the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHA) Illinois Revised Statute, Ch. 69, Par. 1-101, et. seq.

Offers may not be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after closing date.

Any Bid submitted unsealed, unsigned, fax transmissions or received subsequent to the aforementioned date and time, may be disqualified and returned to the bidder.

The Oak Park School District 97 reserves the right to reject any and all bids or parts thereof, to waive any irregularities or informalities in bid procedures and to award the contract in a manner best serving the interest of The Oak Park School District.

Dated: 12/21/16 Jason Stonchus Bulley & Andrews, LLC Published in Wednesday Journal 12/21, 12/28/2016, 1/4, 1/11/2017

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of Sergio Jimenez, Petitioner and Silvia Jimenez, Respondent, Case No. 2016D-007640.

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 24, 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 12/21, 12/28/2016, 1/4/2017v

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 registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: D16148978 on December 8, 2016. Under the Assumed Business Name of BLUE TRAIN with the business located at: 833 S LOMBARD AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: PETER DONALD TODD 833 S. LOMBARD AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304 Published in Wednesday Journal 12/14, 12/21, 12/28/2016

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 registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County.

Registration Number: D16148969 on December 6, 2016 Under the Assumed Business Name of EN PRODUCTIONS with the business located at: 2729 KENILWORTH AVE, BERWYN, IL 60402. The true and full real name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: NICHOLAS ROBERT PROVOST 2729 KENILWORTH AVE BERWYN, IL 60402.

Published in Wednesday Journal 12/21, 12/28/2016, 1/4/2017

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; CHANCERY DIVISION 21ST MORTGAGE CORPORATION; Plaintiff, vs.

MARY A. LENGERICH AKA M. ANGELA LENGERICH; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 09 CH 50085

REAL ESTATE FORÂ SALE

REAL ESTATE FORÂ SALE

REAL ESTATE FORÂ SALE

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 Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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 Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;AS ISâ&#x20AC;? 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. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. 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 (driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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, contact Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorney: JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 541-9710 Please refer to file number 15-2479. 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. JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 541-9710 E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 152479 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 15 CH 13234 TJSC#: 3613463 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I708988

I708603

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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 PASS-THROUGH 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.

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 Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attorney, Kluever & Platt, L.L.C., 65 East Wacker Place, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (312) 236-0077. SPSL.0299 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I708657

I708706

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; CHANCERY DIVISION BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC Plaintiff, -v.DUSTIN M. PARK, SARAH R. MILLER, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR PERL MORTGAGE, INC., AN ILLINOIS CORPORATION, CAPITAL ONE BANK (USA), N.A., VILLAGE OF LANSING, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Defendants 15 CH 13234 1013 S. HARVEY AVE. Oak Park, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 17, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 17, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Driveâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;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 1013 S. HARVEY AVE., Oak Park, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-310-026-0000 Vol. 143.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $319,106.13.

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

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 524-0447 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

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 MTGLQ INVESTORS, L. P. Plaintiff, -v.JEANELL P. EDWARDS, 420 SOUTH KENILWORTH CONDOMINIUM BUILDING ASSOCIATION Defendants 16 CH 008186 420 S. KENILWORTH AVENUE UNIT #3 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 October 13, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 18, 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 420 S. KENILWORTH AVENUE UNIT #3, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07326-025-1003. The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The bal-

ance, 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 14-

16-06735. 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. 14-16-06735 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 16 CH 008186 TJSC#: 36-12490 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.

I708868

Illinois

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I710283

MORTGAGE RATE DIRECTORY COMMUNITY BANK OF OAK PARK - RIVER FOREST

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4.445% 4.221% 3.621% 3.978% 4.009% 4.148%

local employees, happy employees!

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION FIFTH THIRD MORTGAGE COMPANY; Plaintiff, vs.

JAMES E. FORD AKA JAMES FORD; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 16 CH 2424 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 17, 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. 16-17-330-012-0000.

Commonly known as 1180 Lyman 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.

F16020148 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122

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50

S P O R T S

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Best friends through basketball

T

years before the term became he first time I saw Brent en vogue.

Woods play basketball was Basketball was our common at Burnett Park in Jackdenominator. sonville, Florida on a sulDuring the carefree days of try summer day in 1991. our 20’s, we played in mulI loved his game immediately. tiple leagues with solid results At 6-foot-3, he was effective throughout Jacksonville. from both the post and perimeter Our best shot to win a title with a pleasingly mellifluous occurred in the Jacksonville style of play. He glided on the Presbyterian Church League. fast break and finished at the We opened the season against a bucket like a condor in full flight. team called “H.” Their starters As a former high school point consisted of guys in their 50’s guard at Fenwick and Bishop with assorted goggles, headKenny High School in JackSports Editor bands, knee braces and they sonville, I considered myself a reeked of Bengay. pretty good player with a good They were like an uninspireye for talent. ing version of former Los Angeles Lakers An introduction was inevitable.

He was wearing a University of Kentucky forward Kurt Rambis.

Our team, License to Thrill, (unfortubasketball t-shirt. As fate would have it, I nately, humility was not a virtue among us) grew up a huge University of Louisville started the game on a 23-2 run. We never hoops fanatic. looked back from that 85-42 win en route to I had my in. an 9-0 record during the regular season.

“UK, really? You gotta go with the ‘Ville, After dismantling H, Brent and myself man,” I said to Brent that serendipitous drank beers in Brent’s jacuzzi later that day. night to recap the victory.

He laughed.

“H, more like BS,” Brent proclaimed unA backcourt of best friends was born. der the influence of Miller Genuine Draft For the next several years, we were esbeers. “Remember these times, Mart. This sentially inseparable. It was a bromance

MARTY FARMER

Submitted photo

(Left to right) Brent Woods, John Paxson and Marty Farmer enjoyed spending time together at Paxson’s Father-Son basketball camp at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest. is so much fun and I think we can make a run at the title.”

Brent was close. We finished the season 10-1, losing in the championship game 85-73.

Despite the loss, I remember feeling so proud of all my teammates, but especially Brent. We shared so many emotions on the court: joy, competitiveness, laughter, adversity, anger and pride.

OPRF wrestling wins Whitlach Invite Three-time defending state champs’ depth on full display at Hinsdale Central

By MARTY FARMER

Fenwick boys basketball

Sports Editor

Although it’s less than a month into the regular season, the Oak Park and River Forest High School wrestling team looks formidable once again.

The three-time defending state champions scored 243.5 points to place first out 24 teams at the annual Rex Whitlach Invitational hosted by Hinsdale Central.

Tony Madrigal and Jason Renteria won individual titles at 126 and 138 pounds, respectively, for the Huskies who produced 10 place-winners overall.

Madrigal won four consecutive matches highlighted by a (tech fall, 4:58) win over Rolling Meadows’ Jason Kohlberg.

Renteria also swept four bouts including a (tech-fall, 2:28) victory against Lyons Township’s Tyler Zeman.

Other top performers for OPRF included: runner-ups Josh Ogunsanya (106), Nico Bolivar (113), Brian Holloway (160) and Drew Matticks (170); third-place finisher PJ Ogunsnya (120); and fourth-place medalists Torry Early (132), Tariq Thurman (182) and Elija Osit (195).

File photo

Anthony Madrigal Aside from its impressive showing at Whitlach, OPRF is 10-0 in dual matches overall and 3-0 in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division.

The Huskies also finished 22nd out of 87 teams with a score of 48.5 at the prestigious Walsh Ironman in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Madrigal finished third at 126 and Renteria seventh at 132.

Over the holidays, OPRF will participate in another nationally-recognized event, The Clash. Held at the University Center in Rochester, Minnesota, this dual meet tournament pits some of the premier teams in the country against each other.

The Friars remained unbeaten with a convincing 70-46 win against visiting De La Salle in Chicago Catholic League North action. Seniors Jamal Nixon (14 points, 9 rebounds), Jacob Keller (13 points, 6 rebounds) and junior guard Billy Bruce (14 points) led a balanced attack for Fenwick (8-0, 3-0 CCL North).

Stone Parker scored 14 points and dished out seven assists for the Meteors (7-1, 2-1).

The Friars visit Benet for a nonconference game on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.

Fenwick girls baskeball McKenzie Blaze netted a game-high 28 points as the Friars held off South Elgin 71-67.

Fenwick boys hockey Johnny Metcalf scored the game-winning goal with 0.1 seconds left to power the Friars past Glenbrook South 4-3 Saturday at the Glenview Ice Center.

— www.oprfwrestling.com contributed to this roundup.

In a players’ vote, we were selected the best backcourt in the league, with Brent averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds and me posting 13 points and seven assists per game.

Off the court, we took trips to Miami, Tampa, Charleston, Savannah, New York and my hometown Chicago. Conversationally, nothing was taboo. We would share our thoughts about sports, news, history, philosophy, women, dating, culture and religion.

Although we have stayed in touch, it’s become more difficult since we live in separate states with different lives.

A few weeks ago, his mom texted me with the news that Brent died on my Dec. 8 (my birthday). I had to read the text over at least 10 times to process the message. A surreal week ensued with recurrent tears and an unshakeable sense of loss.

Brent told me several years ago that he had a health issue but implied he was getting treatment. I just assumed he would be fine. Other than his parents, he never let on to anybody about the severity of the situation.

Diagnosed with kidney cancer three years ago, he battled the disease bravely with several chemotherapy treatments and ultimately had one of his legs amputated.

Tragically, his sister Kelly (a divorced mom of three children) died six months before him in July.

Brent was 45, Kelly 48.

My heart goes out to their parents, Bill and Christina Woods.

One of my favorite sportswriters, Chicagoan Rick Telander penned a wonderful book, “Heaven is a Playground” about a bunch of pickup basketball players at Brooklyn’s Foster Park.

I’ve always loved the imagery of that title.

I experienced Heaven on earth when I played hoops with Brent.

Basketball was always more than just a game for us; it was a celebration of our friendship and life itself.

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

S P O R T S

SWIMMING

51

Fenwick sophomore Dan Lynch is a returning state qualifier in the breaststroke.

(Below) Senior Kyle Poland is a co-captain who can swim multiple events (especially relays).

New-look friars from page 52 state meet experience and it can go one of two ways.

“They either end up dumbstruck because they’ve never been in that environment before, or they can get energized by the crowd.”

For Hutchinson, it was the latter reaction, and McGuire is eager to see what he can do this season.

“He’s been swimming really fast, so we’re expecting good things out of him,” McGuire said. “He led off our 400 free relay at (the) Barrington (Relays) with a 47.94 leg. That’s unheard of at this point of the season.”

Hutchinson is the only returning swimmer from Fenwick’s 400 free relay. He also figures to be in consideration for the 200 free relay, which has to replace all four legs of the squad that finished 24th at last year’s state meet.

Hutchinson figures to be a legitimate medal threat in the 500 and perhaps the 200 as well.

“This year he’s going to be swimming super fast,” McGuire said. “He’s right there for the state cut in the 200, so the fact that he’s going that fast at this point in the season is always a good sign.”

McGuire, though, is far from deciding on which events Hutchinson will swim. The two distance freestyle races and two free relays would suit him the best, but the 500 free and 200 free relay are run back-to-back, leaving him little time to recuperate.

“That’s the hardest thing for club kids to adjust to, is you don’t get to swim what you want,” McGuire said. “You have to swim what is best for the team.

“The 500 free and 200 free relay is really tough, but he’s been fine with it.

“He’s a leader in practice. He’s real quiet and leads by example.”

In fact, many of Fenwick’s best swimmers are underclassmen. The only other returning individual state qualifier is sophomore Dan Lynch, who finished 41st in the 100 breaststroke.

The breaststroke figures to be a strong event for the Friars, who have two other swimmers who could contend for state berths in freshman Dan Badja and senior Luis Murphy.

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

Photos by Don Bartecki

“Christmas on Sunday is one of God’s blessings. It means I have to give them only one day off. ” LUKE MCGUIRE Fenwick coach

Junior Tommy Bartecki, who led off the 200 medley relay which took 24th at state, is the other Friar who performed at state last winter. He just missed the state cut in the 100 backstroke.

McGuire expects seniors Kyle Poland and senior Anton Hutchinson – Liam’s brother – to play big roles.

“Poland has been one of our utility swimmers,” McGuire said. “He can swim a bunch of things, but he’s definitely going to be a relay swimmer.”

Unlike his younger brother, Anton Hutchinson is not a standout club swimmer, but the sibling rivalry brings out the best in both of them. “(Anton) is not a year-round swimmer,” McGuire said.

“The better he gets, the more likely his brother is to beat him. It’s a win-win for me as a coach.”

The Friars also will get contributions from seniors Kevin Finn and Connor Hendzel, sophomore Payton Comstock and freshman Ben Katzbeck. The latter two should make an immediate impact.

“It’s nice to have guys walk in off the street that have experience,” McGuire said.

But Fenwick also can make use of athletes, like Finn and Hendzel, who only swim part-time.

“Every year (Finn) surprises us with how much he’s improved each year,” McGuire said. “But he’s not a yearround swimmer. It takes time to get in shape.”

One thing is for certain; McGuire will make sure the Friars are in shape.

“Christmas on Sunday is one of God’s blessings,” McGuire said. “It means I have to give them only one day off.”

52

Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2016

OPRF wrestling wins Whitlach Invite 50

@ @OakParkSports

SPORTS

Best Friends through basketball 50

Friars rebuild with promising talent Future looks bright for Fenwick swimming

By MATT LE CREN

A

Contributing Reporter

fter graduating a senior class that included multiple state medalist Cavan Smith and relay stalwarts Mickey McGuire, Chez Daggs and Ryan Clark, the Fenwick boys swimming team is in rebuilding mode.

But the Friars do have a solid foundation piece in sophomore Liam Hutchinson.

It is the rare freshman that makes an immediate impact in boys swimming, but Hutchinson did so last winter when he finished 16th in the 500-yard freestyle and 20th in the 200 freestyle at the state meet. He also swam the anchor leg of the 400 free relay, which finished 21st.

Hutchinson didn’t earn a top-12 medal at state, but he came awfully close. His 500 time of 4:39.49 missed the cut by 2.46 seconds.

“For a freshman, that was good,” Fenwick coach Luke McGuire said. “Freshmen are in awe of the

Fenwick sophomore Liam Hutchinson is an excellent distance and relay swimmer with upside. He was a state qualifier as a freshman last season.

See SWIMMING on page 51

Photo by Don Bartecki

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