July 2018 Village of Westchester Newsletter by Village of Westchester, IL

Village of

Westchester JULY

POLICE DEPARTMENT

FIRE DEPARTMENT

LIBRARY

CALENDAR

SCHOOL DISTRICT

PARK DISTRICT

PUBLIC WORKS

2018

Newsletter

Let’s go Swimming

Westchester Park District shows off its’ new “Kiddie Pool” mural. A very special “Thank you” from Mayor Paul Gattuso and the Board of Trustees to these dedicated residents for the time and effort taken to create this beautiful mural. Jen Kryczka (Designer/Painter), Rich Kryczka, Isabelle Kryczka, Eva Ryan, Maddie McDowell and Abigale Jimenez (Painters).

JULY 2018

Police Department JULY 2018

A Message from the Police Chief – Steven Stelter Building a strong relationship is an essential component of my vision for the Westchester Police Department. Each time the police department engages with the community we can enhance our relationship and give you a voice that will help sow the seeds that build trust. This will also help to improve how we deliver service to the residents and hopefully reduce criminal and anti-social behavior. In order to further this relationship building, I am planning on continuing the nationally recognized “Citizens Police Academy” to the Westchester Police Department. The next class will begin in the winter, so remind yourselves to check the website, Facebook and this newsletter in November for all the details. As July has hit us, just some reminders of the heat we will be experiencing and the affects that occur. Those especially sensitive to the heat are our precious children. I would like to take this time to remind everyone not to leave your children in your unoccupied vehicle for any reason whatsoever. When it is hot outside, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise to fatal heatstroke levels in minutes. So please remember to never leave your car without checking your back seat; never leave your child in a parked car alone not even for a minute; and call 911 if you see a child alone in a car, every minute counts. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT On Tuesday, August 7th, neighbors throughout Westchester are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for “National Night Out” crime prevention celebration. National Night Out is designed to: (1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) generate support and participation in local anti-crime efforts; (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit and community-police relations; and, (4) send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Please join the Westchester Police Department in this year’s fun in giving crime and drugs a going away party!!!! Residents are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend an evening out with neighbors and police. The Westchester Police Department realizes the importance of partnering with the citizens to insure we can provide the best services possible. The men and women are extremely dedicated to protecting those within our community. I would like to congratulate the following officers for their particular work anniversaries this month: Sgt. Giuseppe Manna – 24 years of service on July 1st Officer Phillip Grollo – 23 years of service on July 7th Officer Eric LoCoco – 19 years on July 12th Records Clerk Alan Trucksa – 19 years on July 5th Detective Shaun Lynam – 14 years on July 16th

POLICE BLOTTER

1) At 9:48am on May 19, 2018 a Theft was reported at Mayfair and Wakefield. A victim reported that a bag containing their keys, wallet and credit cards was taken from one of the baseball fields at the park. 2) At 9:40am on May 22, 2018 a Burglary to Garage was reported on the 1800 block of Suffolk. The resident reported that unknown person(s) gained entry to the locked garage and removed a generator. 3) At 1:24pm on May 29, 2018 a Theft was reported at Jewel, 2128 Mannheim Road. A 58 year old male was arrested and charged with theft of items from the Jewel Foods.

4) At 4:50pm on May 31, 2018 a Theft of Bicycle was reported at Evers and Canterbury. A resident reported that a 10 speed Schwinn black bicycle was taken by 3 male juveniles. 5) At 2:56pm on June 7, 2018 a Theft was reported at the Goodwill Store at 3054 Wolf Road. The Victim reported their purse was taken which contained cash, credit cards and identification. 6) At 5:12pm on June 10, 2018 a Residential Burglary was reported on the 10100 Block of Cermak Road. The homeowner reported that someone entered and removed tools from their recently purchased home.

Fire Department 4

JULY 2018

From Trustee Carl Celestino

Grassroots Garden Group holds 1st Annual Plant Sale On Saturday May 19th the Grassroots Garden Group organized a Plant Sale for the residents at the Westchester Memorial Fountain. The event actually began over a month earlier when the members who were attending various Garden Seed Exchanges throughout the area collected vegetable seeds and with the generous help of the Old Schoolhouse Community Garden held a mass planting to germinate and grow the seeds into plants to be used in local gardens. All the necessary materials to produce these seedlings were donated by the members of the Group. A large selection of vegetables seeds were planted, many of these seeds were of the heirloom variety. The Grassroots Garden Group also created its own recipe book to be sold at the event. That Saturday morning the members brought the seedlings and the recipe books and set up shop at the Gazebo. Between 9a.m. - noon many residents came to the Fountain, many people brought their families with their children who wanted to plant their first garden and some that were just passing by on the street and wanted to see what was going on. In the end over 30 cookbooks were sold and 200 plants to the local gardeners. The generosity of the residents was event that day was enormous with over $1,100 raised. The reason the Grassroots Garden Group held this event was to raise money for another Westchester Community Group. The Westchester Food Pantry. All the extra vegetable seedlings were also donated to the Pantry to be given to the clients who wished to grow plants for themselves. The plans for the Grassroots Garden Group intends to make this a annual event to help bring together our community and make it a more beautiful place.

Community Development news and notes Extreme Heat

As summer and warmer weather approaches, the Village wants to remind residents about things they can do to prepare for extreme heat. To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. • Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary. • Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation. • Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside. • Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in. • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)

• Keep storm windows up all year. • Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes. • Know those in your neighborhood who are elderly, young, sick or overweight. They are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help. • Be aware that people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than are people living in rural areas. • Get trained in first aid to learn how to treat heat-related emergencies. Information above was prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For more tips on what to do during and after thunderstorms and lightning, please check the FEMA’s website at http://www. ready.gov/heat

Oversize Vehicles

Please be aware that owners/occupants of residential properties may not store or park any vehicle which is licensed to operate as a truck-tractor, a semi-trailer, a truck bearing a class D license or above (as defined in the Illinois Vehicle Code) or tow truck bearing a license in the Village. The only exception to this rule is if the vehicle is making a delivery or a service call, unless prior permission has been obtained from the chief of police or his/her designee.

Real Estate Sales

Did you know that the Village requires all properties to have a compliance inspection prior to sale? The Certificate of Compliance Program is designed to help protect the lives and property of the community, along with preserving the property values in Westchester. This program monitors the life safety, fire and plumbing codes of all residential properties, which include

single-family, duplex and multi-family properties and commercial properties at the time of ownership change. If you are considering selling your property, you must apply for a certificate of compliance. You should call us as soon as possible to make sure there are no surprises when you are getting close to closing. The property owner or his/ her agent must complete and submit an application. The application for a Compliance Inspection is available on our website or from the Community Development Department Staff. The inspection fee must be paid prior to scheduling the appointment. If you are curious about what the inspector will be looking for, you can find the inspection checklist online at the Village’s website www.westchester-il. org, on the Community Development/ Building page under Building Permitting.

JULY 2018

Yard Sale Extravaganza is a Success More Fundraising Events Are on the Horizon The Westchester Food Pantry’s first annual yard sale was a huge success, raising over $8,000 to provide food for neighbors in need during busy summer months. Held June 1 and 2 at the Westchester Community Church, the sale saw thousands of shoppers come in to support the fundraising efforts. Special thanks go to all the donors and volunteers who ran the sale, as well as the Westchester Community Church for hosting the event. “We cannot thank our volunteers enough,” said Lee Bence, Westchester Food Pantry Board member and Yard Sale Coordinator. “It was a lot of work, but we all really enjoyed working together. We put the ‘fun’ in fundraiser!” More fundraising events are planned. The Westchester Food Pantry will be collecting donations and distributing flyers as volunteers march in the upcoming Westchester Fourth of July parade. Westchester Food Pantry volunteers will also sell refreshments

at the upcoming Westchester Fest on July 6, 7 and 8. Fundraising efforts especially critical this time of year. More families with school-age children come in to the pantry for assistance, as the children are not receiving free meals from school during the summer months. The pantry’s already-stretched resources are stretched even thinner, but the organization is committed to feeding all neighbors in need. The Westchester Food Pantry is open every Friday night from 5:30-7:30pm. Seniors on fixed incomes make up half of all clients, followed closely by families with children under the age of 18. The Westchester Food Pantry is run entirely by volunteers and relies on donations to stock their shelves. Residents in need from the communities of Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Hillside, La Grange Park, Westchester and Western Springs can visit the Westchester Food Pantry once each calendar month and must bring their own shopping bags.

Proviso Township Handyman Program

Are you watering your garden and lawn? Do you notice your outdoor spigot drips after you turn it off ? Keep your water bills from skyrocketing by having your spigot checked. Call the Proviso Handyman office to schedule an appointment or to register for our program 708 547-4001. The Proviso Township Handyman Program serves homeowners over the age of 60 and disabled homeowners who are residents of Proviso Township.

JULY 2018

Library 8

JULY 2018

Congress.) Authors, scholars, historians, and anyone else searching the Veterans History Project collections will then have access to your interviews and materials to use in their research. Some of your interviews may even be used by the Library of Congress itself in presentations, exhibitions, publications and events that promote the Veterans History Project. Don’t Forget About the As a courtesy, all interviewees Veteran’s History Project! receive copies of their interviews and With Independence Day nearly transcripts to share with their friends upon us, I want to remind our and family. You will receive digital community Westchester Public copies of any scanned supplemental Library participates in the Veterans materials, as well. Additionally, our History Project in partnership with Library will keep copies of your the Library of Congress. We began interview and materials as part of our this oral history collection in 2013 as local history collection. a way to honor the brave men and Westchester Library’s Veterans women who served to defend our History Project collection reflects the freedom and democracy. The values of our community and serves Veterans History Project seeks to as a respectful tribute to those who record firsthand accounts of those served our country. Find out more who served in World War II, the about the Veterans History Project at wars in Korea, Vietnam, the Persian its official site: http://www.loc.gov/ Gulf, and the conflicts in Afghanivets/vets-home.html. Please feel free stan and Iraq and make these stories to contact the Westchester Public available to future generations. Library at (708) 562-3573 or come in So, if you are a veteran or civilian to schedule an interview or with any volunteer who contributed to the questions. war effort (such as a USO worker, Patrick Callaghan is the Adult Services flight instructor, medical volunteers, Manager. etc.) please consider sharing your experiences with us. Participating is Friends of the Library simple — just contact me, Patrick The Friends of the Library welCallaghan, or anyone else in the come donations of gently used Adult department to schedule an books, CDs, DVDs, videos, recent appointment. Then simply come in magazines and recent textbooks to share your experiences in a (published within last 5 years) suitable recorded interview with two memfor resale. bers of our staff. It’s really more of a Are you interested in joining the conversation than an actual interview Friends? Application forms are — only discuss what you’re comfort- available on the Library’s website and able with and go into as much or also at the Circulation Desk. little detail as you wish. Also, feel free to bring any original letters, Stay Cool (unpublished) diaries or memoirs, Don’t forget that our Library is an photos, maps, original twoofficial community “cooling center.” dimensional artwork and historic Get out of the heat and stop in to documents, etc., you would like to cool down during our regular summer contribute, too. hours. While you’re here, be sure to The sound recording of each use our new drinking fountains on interview, transcript, and any other the upper and lower levels, too. materials are sent to the Library of Do you carry a water bottle or Congress’ American Folklife Center, beverage container around with you? where an archival record will be esIf so, these fountains are equipped tablished in your name. (Remember, with eco-friendly, sensor-activated you get to keep all original materials bottle filling stations, so please feel you decide to share. We only scan the free to help yourself! originals and submit digital copies on CD-ROM to the Library of

Join us for a fun, follow-up program at the Wolf Road Prairie, where, this time, the Save the Prairie Society will guide us on a hike and teach us about native Illinois animals and insects. Registration required. Contact the Youth Dept at (708) 562-3573.

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 10:00 — 11:00 AM

DATE/TIME CORRECTION The Pool Party at the Westchester Park District Pool will be held on: Sunday, July 29th 6:30 — 9:00 pm Registration is required for this program.

Calling all beginning kayakers! Join our staff, trained and certified in paddling, on a kayak adventures in local waters! This program is FREE, and we will have access to the Cook County Forest Preserve’s “kayak gear library” for the morning! We have two dates scheduled for August — one on Thatcher Glen Pond and one down the Des Plaines River! If you are interested in a funfilled, on-water adventure, see our Adult Dept. on the Library’s upper level for more details. Due to anticipated high demand, a random drawing will be held on Wednesday, August 1. All entries must be submitted no later than Tuesday, July 31 at 7:00 pm. (THATCHER GLEN POND)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14 9:00 AM — NOON (DES PLAINES RIVER )

Note: This program is geared toward those with no prior kayaking experience.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16 9:00 AM — NOON

Stage Combat Basics WITH R&d CHOREOGRAPHY Explore the basics of stage combat with the Jeff-nominated duo behind the thrilling fights in dozens of Chicago-area productions!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM For teens and adults. Registration requested. Contact Adult Dept: (708) 562-3573

WESTCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY ▪ 10700 Canterbury Street ▪ Westchester, IL 60154 708-562-3573 ▪ TTY/TDD 708-562-9364 ▪ askus@westchesterpl.org ▪ www.westchesterpl.org Summer Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30 am-8:00 pm, Friday 9:30 am-6:00 pm, Saturday 9:30 am-5:00 pm, closed Sunday Library Director Fidencio Marbella ▪ Board of Trustees John Lamberti, president, Gerald Chenski, Demitrus Evans, Jenice Hampton, Elizabeth Hunter, Janette Maldonado, and Fred Poppe ▪ Board Meetings on 4th Monday of every month.

Calendar JULY 2018

July 1st