March 2014 Westchester, IL Newsletter

Village of

Westchester March 2014 Newsletter

From the Desk of The President FIRE DEPARTMENT

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POLICE DEPARTMENT

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CALENDAR

6 Trustee Calcagno, Management Assistant Molly Keane, President Pulia, Trustee Yurkovich, WCMC Executive Director Richard F. Pellegrino and Village Manager Matthys at the conclusion of the annual WCMC Legislative Breakfast on February 8th.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

PARK DISTRICT

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PUBLIC WORKS

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OMG…who would have known that the winter weather we are having this year would be so bad. I don’t believe any of us would have thought, based on the past 5 years, that it would be so cold, and that as of this writing we would have over 60 inches of snow.

Officially, the Chicagoland area has not seen a winter this cold in 30 years! From December 1, 2013 through February 6, 2014 the lowest temperature registered at O’Hare was -16 F. To make matters worse the area received 68.7 inches of snow. This winter, although far from over, can certainly be labeled as one of the worse we have experienced in a long time.

Doing some research, I tried to find winters that had excessive snow or large snowstorms coupled with extremely cold temperatures.

I came upon statistics developed by Barbara Mayes Boustead who developed the Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI), pronounced “aussie”, which measures the severity of winter weather conditions. The AWSSI assigns points to each winter based on daily temperatures, snow

fall and snow depth and length of time. The index starts when the first snow falls, or the first temperature that reaches 32 degrees or less. The end of winter is determined by the last snow fall date, the last day when there is 1 inch or more of snow depth, or the last day when the maximum temperature is 32 degrees or colder. If none of these occurs after February, then the last day of February is determined to be the end of winter. Wishful thinking as I can remember having snowfall in April. This year winter in Chicago began on November 11, 2013 when .04 inches of snow fell. As a reference, in 2006 winter started on October 12th and did not end until April 12th. As of February 5th of this year, Ms. Boustead said 2013-2014 is ranked as the 6th most severe winter since the 1950’s.

Chicago’s coldest month on record was January 1977, with an average temperature of 10.1 degrees. On Monday, January 21, 1977 at 7:30 am, Patrol Officer Joseph Gorski and I were in the process of investigating

See PRESIDENT, page 4

Fire DePartment 2

MARCH 2014

Police Department MARCH 2014

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Be aware of identity theft In the course of the day you may write a check at the drugstore, charge tickets to a concert, rent a car, call home on your cell phone, or apply for a credit card. Chances are you don’t give these routine transactions a second thought. But others may.

Identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in America, affecting half a million new victims each year.

Identity Theft or Identity Fraud is the taking of a victim’s identity to obtain credit, credit cards from banks and retailers, steal money from a victim’s existing accounts, apply for loans and establish accounts with utility EMA looking for volunteers companies.

The imposter obtains your social The Westchester Emergency security number, your date of birth, Management Agency (EMA) is looking and other identifying information for volunteers to assist the Village such as your address and phone during emergency events within the number. village.

Once the first account is established, Westchester EMA works under the they can continue to add to their direction of the Westchester Police & credibility.

Fire Departments, and assists when “Dumpster Divers” pick up needs arise in emergency situations, information you may have thrown or with special events. Volunteers away, such as utility bills, credit card assist with vehicular and pedestrian slip, and other such documents. traffic control as well as safety details.

All applicants will undergo a thorough TO PREVENT THIS FROM background check and will be asked HAPPENING TO YOU to complete basic FEMA related * Do not give out personal information training. Please contact Westchester over the phone, through the mail, or EMA coordinator, Glenn Kaupert via over the Internet unless you have email: gkaupert@westchester-il.org. initiated the contact or know whom

Police blotter

At 11:47 am on January 27, 2014, a Theft from Vehicle was reported on the 10300 block of Elizabeth. The resident reported that unknown person(s) removed the catalytic converter from their vehicle while vehicle was parked in the street.

converter from their vehicle while parked in the street. The resident advised they noticed that they observed a person running from the vehicle at 5:30am.

At 9:40 am on January 29, 2014, six vehicle owners reported Thefts from At 8:36 pm on January 27, 2014, their Vehicles while parked in the a Burglary to Motor Vehicle was Westbrook Corporate Center parking reported on the 900 block of lot.The vehicle owners reported that Manchester. The resident reported their spare tires were taken. that unknown person(s) removed cash and papers from their vehicle At 11:04 am on February 10, 2014, while parked in the street. a Theft was reported at the Shell Gas Station located at 11201 31st At 2:17 pm on January 28, 2014, a Street. The store clerk reported that Theft from Vehicle was reported on a vehicle pumped $35 in gas without the 700 block of Bristol.The resident paying. reported that unknown person(s) removed the catalytic converter At 6:58 pm on February 10, 2014, a from their vehicle while parked in Residential Burglary was reported the street during the previous night. on the 900 block of Westchester Blvd. The resident reported that At 5:34 am on January 29, 2014, a between 5pm and 9pm the previous Theft from Vehicle was reported day, unknown person(s) entered on the 1800 block of Norfolk. The the home and removed jewelry and resident reported that unknown money. person(s) removed the catalytic

you’re dealing with. Identity thieves will pose as bank representatives, Internet service providers, and even government officials to get you to reveal identifying information. * Shred all documents, including pre- approved credit applications received in your name, insurance forms, bank checks and statements you are discarding,and other financial information. * Be careful using ATMs and phone cards. Someone may look over your shoulder and obtain your PIN number(s), thereby gaining access to your accounts. * Make a list of all of your credit card account numbers and bank account numbers with customer service phone numbers and keep it in a safe place.

Save your documents that need to be shredded and dispose of them at our annual E-Recycling and Shredding Events scheduled for May 10, 2014 and October 11, 2014 at the Village Hall.

To obtain the free reports, consumers can: Call 1-877-322-8228; Order online at www. annualcreditreport.com; or Complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form, available at www. ftc.gov/credit, and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

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MARCH 2014

PRESIDENT

on the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. 80% of the Great Lakes are covered in ice. Data from the Great Continued from page 1 Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory showed that more than a homicide that occurred in the half of Lake Michigan, 54%, is ice. parking lot of the former Discipio Lake Erie is 94% iced over followed Farm Stand on Wolf Road near by Lake Superior 93%, Lake Huron Windsor Drive looking for clues 89% and Lake Ontario 38%. For in the bitter cold. On January 20, the first time in history the U.S 1985, the thermometers hit 27 Coast Guard has brought it’s ice degrees below zero. I can distinctly cutter ship to the south end of remember this date as it was the Lake Michigan to break up the ice.

Sunday the Bears won the Super Lt. Thomas Przybyla brought the Bowl.

140 foot long ice breaker south to help a 700 foot ore carrier into an On January 26, 2014, Governor Pat Indiana Harbor where the ice is up Quinn’s office reminded Illinoisans to 6 foot thick. He also commented that extreme cold temperatures that it is the worst winter he has can be fatal. Since 1995, more than seen in 25 years, but we already 130 fatalities have been related to know that, Lt. Przybyla. Thank you cold temperatures in Illinois. We and your crew for the outstanding have had bouts of constantly cold daunting job you have been faced temperatures, including one that with this winter. had approached a length not seen since 1996, when a 66 hour run STREET ROCK SALT SUPPLY Due to the fact that barges of sub zero temperatures became the area’s second longest since traveling on the Mississippi River the 98 hour period that began on that deliver salt supplies are stuck in frozen water we were forced to December 26, 1983. pay a premium for a salt delivery According to data from the last month. We normally order, National Weather Service, four of based on our past usage history, the five snowiest decades since 1200 tons per season. Last spring 1890 have occurred in the last we took delivery of an additional 50 years, as have seven of the ten 600 tons that we contracted for, snowiest individual winters on which we did not know where we record. The average snowfall for were going to put it as our salt bin winters in the 1970’s was just over had an unused supply of about 300 40 inches per year. Chicago went tons and was full.

107 days with snow on the ground Going into this winter season we from November 27, 1978 to March had 2100 tons on hand; confident 13, 1979. we had enough. Unfortunately, Since 1886, there have been 42 mid January we had only enough storms that have brought 10 inches salt to make 3 passes throughout of snow or more to Chicago. The our town. We use approximately most recent was in 2011 when 170 tons to salt our streets, from more than 20 inches of snow fell curb to curb, each pass. stranding cars on Lake Shore Drive When I contacted the Illinois and city streets everywhere.

State Central Management Services Chicago’s ten biggest (CMS) to order more salt, I was told that the there was no more snowstorms: to distribute. I was supplied 23.0 inches January 26-27, 1967 with a list of suppliers who were 21.06 inches January 1-3, 1999 contacted, all having no inventory 21.2 inches February 1-2, 2011 available. Public Works Supervisor 20.3 inches January 13-14, 1979 Carl Muell contacted a supplier 19.2 inches March 25-26-1930 he was familiar with and was able 16.2 inches March 7-8, 1931 15.0 inches December 17-20, to secure an additional 1500 tons that he felt would last through 1929 the season. Our normal contract 14.9 inches January 30,1939 with CMS offers municipalities 14.9 inches January 6-7, 1978 who are members to purchase at 14.3 inches March 25-26, 1970 a bulk rate that the state has bid The Above information can be out. The rate we contracted for viewed in its entirety at www. last March was $55.00 per ton. As wbez.org/series/curious-city in an a result of no additional salt being available from the state, Midwest article by Chris Bentley.

Salt was contacted and we were FROZEN LAKES able to secure the 1500 tons.

This winter has also created havoc However, the cost was a whopping

$193 dollars a ton. The premium in price resulted from the salt being trucked in from Iowa. In order to make sure our streets would continue to be salted and the safest as possible for travelers, we paid the premium price. Since we made our purchase of salt, many other communities have run out of salt themselves. Even with salting only intersections or mixing the salt with sand. The Village opted not to mix our salt with sand as it could result in storm sewers becoming clogged. We have been told that the cost of rock salt has now reached over $240 per ton.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTED I have requested State Officials to consider the weather conditions this year as a weather disaster and consequently provide reimbursements to municipalities for the overwhelming costs associated with maintaining the community under such conditions.

I have mentioned the blizzard of 2011 as a short term disaster where monies were received throughout the region for snow related removal overtime and costs in excess of what normally would occur. My rationale is that the 2011 storm was an event that lasted only a few days, not a long drawn out event as we are experiencing. At the recent West Central Municipal Conference Legislative breakfast, Congressman Daniel Lipinski made comments that endorsed the same concept. Although Congressman Lipinski does not represent Westchester, I have reached out to him as well as Congressmen Davis, Quigley, Gutierrez, and Governor Quinn requesting financial assistance. Based on the amount of plowing events we have had this winter season and the amount of time, effort, and energy expended by our staff, I believe that most municipalities are in the same boat and would welcome the needed financial assistance, even a small amount.

WATER MAIN BREAKS ADD TO WINTER WOES In addition to the snow and cold weather problems, communities all around the area have experienced multiple water main breaks and leaks. On multiple days this year, we have had to handle three breaks in one day, while trying to plow the snow for safe travel.

Wakefield, 1516 Boeger, 10529 Cermak, 1507/1513 Bristol, and 1941 Mannheim.

3 Service line leaks were repaired at: 1351 Balmoral, 1005 Manchester, and 1139 Manchester.

2 sanitary repairs were done at: 1936 Suffolk, and 1846 Newcastle.

Breaks/Leaks in January 2014: 12 breaks were repaired at: 2324 Boeger, 11003 Lancaster, 1912 Mannheim, 10842 Windsor, 759 Manchester, 10834 Hastings, 615 Norfolk, 1615 Newcastle, 1530 Mandel, 1944 Burns, 10439 Cermak, 1506 Evers.

3 Service Line Leaks were repaired at: 1441Bristol, 2337 Sunnyside, and 1816 Stratford.

Breaks/Leaks in February 2014: 14 breaks were repaired at: Roosevelt & Heidorn, 1500 Evers, 1919 Downing, 2125 Westchester Blvd, 1911 Downing, Mayfair & Claridge, 11105 Martindale, 1523 Bristol, 1214 Boeger, 2301 Hawthorne, 11023 Roosevelt, Pell and Westchester Blvd., 1525 Mannheim Road, and Oxford at the Old St. Joseph H.S. driveway.

This total is through February 18th when this newsletter was sent to production.

Westchester has 65 miles of water mains of all sizes and composition many of which have been underground since we became incorporated as a Village in 1925.

There are fire hydrants working just fine that have a stamped date on the outside of 1927. A great portion of the water mains installed during that time period are made of a sand-cast variety which are not as strong as the ductile iron material type that are currently used as replacement piping. Stainless steel compression sleeves are generally used to repair these water main breaks. Complete section replacement is done when there have been multiple breaks in the pipe in close proximity. We have replaced several hundred linear feet over the past few years. The latest were completed last summer from Canterbury and Heidorn to Charles east to Highridge Parkway.

As an example of what our crews are faced with, on January 30th, the Public Works Department was called to a water main repair at 10439 Cermak (Cermak & Belleview) where a large 6” water main had broke. The crew located the break, which in most cases is Breaks/ Leaks in December 2013: not where the water is bubbling 8 breaks were repaired at; 11025 See PRESIDENT, page 5 Wakefield, 11039 Nelson, 11125

MARCH 2014

PRESIDENT

north side of town and on several apartment laden streets on the east side where parking is a premium.

Continued from page 4 These areas have alleys which are plowed after the snow routes and up from, but had extreme difficulty side streets. Residents not wanting shutting down the water shut off to get buried in an alley in most valve. Closing the valves on either cases now are forced to park in side of the break isolates the the street, or in some cases, always section to be worked on. Over 20 park in the street instead of their valves had to be shut down all the garage which is a matter of choice way to Dorchester and Sunnyside to ensure they have a chance of to shut the water off to complete getting out. the repair. A good portion of the Historically, I was a young patrol south side of Westchester had officer when the snow routes and no water during this time which alternate parking restrictions went lasted most of the night and into into effect. Originally the alternate the early morning until the repair parking restrictions were in effect AGING INFRASTRUCTURE was completed. from October 31st through March CHALLENGE 31st. It did not matter if there was With pipes that have been 2 inches of snow or not; residents The situation as described above and their visitors had to park on providing water for over 80 years, an amount of sediment builds up falls under the aging infrastructure a certain side Monday through inside and a complete shut-down is problem that Westchester and Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 virtually impossible to occur. Upon communities throughout the state pm. Many tickets were issued on making the repair either by stainless and nation are faced with. Financial a daily basis. Many complaints steel sleeve or replacement piping, challenges are always going to be about the system were received as our certified water operators have an issue we have to come to grips residents did not feel it was right to chlorinate and disinfect the with. Over the summer months, to get a ticket on a beautiful day pipe and/or stainless sleeve piping, Public Works and Fire Department in November or December when to EPA standards, as well as flush personnel open fire hydrants in no snow had fallen. The amount of the system through the nearest fire different sections of town to flush complaints the police department hydrant before putting the system the iron sediment from the water received for writing the tickets back online to supply water to our main pipes. Not all of the sediment was staggering. I imagine the same gets flushed out. Sediment becomes was heaped on the elected officials homes and businesses.

During the repair, sediment attached to walls of the pipe and that had conceived the plan which from inside the pipe becomes water passes through just fine. ultimately was amended to reflect dislodged and there could be a Valves are exercised by opening the alternate parking after the 2 brown or yellow color tint to the and closing. It is not possible inch snow fall on the side streets. water until the mineral (iron) to exercise the several hundred laden water is flushed through valves each year. When valves such This winter has been especially each of the affected homes and as the ones that would not close harsh, nobody is happy to shovel, businesses. The discoloration is are identified they are placed on a snow blow, and remove snow many mineral based and does not pose a list for future attention. Valves cost times from their driveway aprons. threat. Small particles of sediment in excess of $1500 each depending The snow plow blades are not can clog aerators located on the on size. Prioritizing our work load adjustable and are pitched to the end of faucets. Please let your is always a challenge as emergency curb. Trucks are not going to drive water faucets run to flush out the situations take precedent. the wrong way down the street to discolored water. push snow to the center, as I’m SNOW RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE really not sure how they would Unfortunately, Chief John Carpino pick it up if it’s all in the middle Officials are required to issue a “Boil Order” when pressure in has reported to the Village Board except with an end-loader which is the water system drops to below that several hundred tickets have not feasible. There is also a safety 20 pounds per square inch. This been issued for violating the factor involved with driving the usually occurs when the water village snow ban restrictions. wrong way down the street. All which is contaminated is sucked As a reminder, after 2 inches of the elected officials live here and back into the piping system as a snow fall parking is prohibited on are forced to shovel their aprons result of a vacuum being created in snow routes. Alternate parking just as many times as everyone restrictions also go in effect, else. I know I am blessed to live the water main.

During a break, water is however they are only in place on a street where my neighbors continually being pushed through Monday through Friday 8:30 am to and I and my wife Maureen pitch the water main pipe at our systems 4:30 pm and not on the weekends. in to help shovel and snow blow pressure which is 65 pounds per Crews make every attempt to clear neighbors sidewalks on a regular square inch. Normal pressure is the streets from curb to curb for the basis. Everybody helps everybody. in the 50 pound per square inch safety of us all. I have been asked I would hope we are all pitching range, however many Westchester why the ban is not in effect every in to help one another. That is homes have second stories day like other communities and at one of the beauties of living in with bathrooms where the old all times and not just certain times. Westchester. Please do your best not style galvanized piping size has I guess the short answer is that it to let the weather get the better of been reduced by the amount of could be if the board wishes to you. Many states across our whole sediment that has collected in the make the change. The difficulty is country are experiencing the same where residents do not have a side problems. We will get through this old galvanize pipe over time. driveway which is the case on the horrible winter as we look forward If you have ever tried to wash clothes and shower at the same time while someone opened the kitchen faucet to get a drink and it trickled out your original galvanized water pipe supplying those fixtures may be full of sediment restricting the flow and limiting the amount of water coming out of the faucet or shower head. Many residents when doing remodeling have changed these outdated galvanized pipes to copper which resists the accumulation of the sediment.

Increasing the pressure to as high as we have it allows better pressure in the example explained above.

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to spring.

THANKS TO OUR PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES As you have been experiencing, this winter is going to go down in the books as a really rough one. I heard on the news out of all the United States only Florida has not had any snow. I guess there must be snow in the mountains of Hawaii.

1.2 million people have been without power, there have been 75 thousand airline flights cancelled, the most flight cancellations in 25 years.

Through it all, the Westchester Public Works employees have stepped up to the plate and did what they had to do, and will continue to do so in the future.

Some would say “Hey Sam, that’s what they get paid for”. I get that, but that does not negate the fact that they are dealing with problems that sometimes are not in the play book. At a recent water main break on Pell Street the crews, with the assistance of two different leak detection companies, could not pinpoint the source of a leak. Over a course of a week they had to break up the frozen ground that was frozen solid 4.5 feet deep not including the asphalt and concrete.

5 or more hours of continual pounding was necessary to break out the ground as the crews moved along the 20 foot length of pipe that was 5-6 foot beneath the ground.

They did this all the while standing outside in the frigid cold. It took over 2 hours just to turn the shut off valves down so the water main could be repaired; some covered in ice that had to be melted with tanks of propane.

Plowing the snow from our streets has also been a chore. Over 60 inches have fallen. Unfortunately, that means that numerous passes had to be made along the streets.

Each of us had to clear off our driveway aprons multiple times.

At times our frustrations got the better of us and a few, no many, interesting words and phrases were either said out loud or under our breaths. Only 2 damage reports were noted. One mailbox along Halifax was damaged, and a minor accident with a parked car. Not too bad considering the number of plow events.

Please join me in thanking the crews that have “been there, and done that” for all of our benefit.

See PRESIDENT, page 9

Calendar 6

MARCH 2014

Monday, March 3

from 5:00-7:00 pm. Don’t miss this Casimir Pulaski Day – No School, great event to network and build Westchester Public Schools your business! Call Mary (708) 2408400 to RSVP. Registration begins for Youth Department’s spring story times and Kindergarten Registration for 2014programs at Library. Contact Youth 2015 at WPS from 6:30-8:00 PM Dept or call 708-562-3573.

Teetering Tots Playgroup 9:3010:30 a.m. Teetering Tots would like Tuesday, March 4 to welcome tots between the ages Bury the Alleluia (Singing songs with of 0-4 to a playgroup in the Divine Alleluia in them in preparation for Providence gym twice a month.

Lent, burning of palms, refreshments), The group has been established to 7:00 PM, Divine Providence Church provide stay-at-home and part-time Narthex, 2600 Mayfair working parents with a local activity to promote friendships and provide LADIES BIBLE STUDY – In Depth emotional support to parents with Study of Genesis,1:00 p.m.– 2:00 p.m., children in the early years of their Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. live. We welcome the very young Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154 of Westchester, with a parent, into www.westchesterbiblechurch.org Divine Providence School for some entertainment and socialization.

Board of Education Committee of Parents are encouraged to bring any the Whole at WMS at 6:30 PM items from bottles to bears that will make the experience more enjoyable Divine Infant Jesus School Advisory for their children. Divine Providence Board Meeting at 7:00 pm at the School, 2500 Mayfair Avenue, 708-562Rectory, 1601 Newcastle Avenue. For 2258, www.divineprovidenceschool. more information, contact the school org office at Friday, March 7 865-0122.

Day of Eucharistic Adoration, 8:00 Tuesday, March 4 through AM Opening Prayers until 6:30 PM, Friday, March 14 Benediction, Divine Providence ISAT Testing for Grades 3-8, Ministry Center Chapel, 2540 Westchester Public Schools Mayfair

Wednesday, March 5 Ash Wednesday, Services with Distribution of Ashes at 6:30 AM and 12:00 Noon, Masses with Distribution of Ashes at 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, Divine Providence Church, 2600 Mayfair Tai Chi Class, 4:30 PM, Divine Providence Church Narthex, 2600 Mayfair BAR-W (Grades 1ST-6TH) & AMBASSADORS (Grades 7th–12th), 6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www. westchesterbiblechurch.org Adult Bible Study/Pray Meeting, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www. westchesterbiblechurch.org All School mass at 8:00 am (Ash Wednesday) at Divine Infant Jesus Church, 1600 Newcastle Avenue. For more information, contact the school office at 865-0122.

Thursday, March 6 Chamber Networking “After Hours” hosted by Mattone Restaurant & Bar and The Bakas Team, Keller Williams Realty. Appetizers, drinks, Chef demo, raffle prizes etc. Thursday, March 6th

under are free. 1101 Manchester Ave. BAR-W (Grades 1ST-6TH) & Westchester, IL AMBASSADORS (Grades 7th–12th), 6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Sunday, March 9 Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www.

Morning Worship Service/Evening westchesterbiblechurch.org Worship Service, 10:45 a.m. / 6:00 p.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 Adult Bible Study/Pray Meeting, W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Westchester www.westchesterbiblechurch.org Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www.

Sunday School – “Experiencing God” westchesterbiblechurch.org Series, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak All School mass at 8:00 am at Divine Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www. Infant Jesus Church, 1600 Newcastle westchesterbiblechurch.org Avenue. Come join us. For more information, contact the school office Open House 12pm to 2PM at 865-0122.

Immanuel Christian Academy, 2329 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL Divine Providence Over 50 Club 60162 708-562-5580, http://www. Meeting Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. immanuelchristianacademyhillside. and lunch served at Noon.We will be org celebrating St. Pat’s/St. Joe’s day with our Annual Luncheon. Tickets for Monday, March 10 members $8.00 and Guests $10.00.

Lenten Evening Mass, 7:00 PM, Contact Ruth @708-947-9020 to Divine Providence Church, 2600 obtain a ticket before March 4th, Mayfair 2014. Renew your membership or become a member. Dues are $12 for The Divine Infant Jesus School the year. If you have not renewed student body will be praying the or joined please do so. If you require rosary – 2:10 pm at Divine Infant Jesus information or wish to become a Church, 1600 Newcastle Avenue. For member please call Membership more information, contact the school Chairman Marilyn @708-236-5757. office at 865-0122.

Our April meeting will be on the 2nd.

Open House 8am to 2PM Meeting time: 1:30 p.m. We will be Immanuel Christian Academy, having a guest speaker. If you have Stations of the Cross, 2 PM and 7 2329 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL any questions feel free to contact PM, Divine Providence Church, 2600 60162 708-562-5580, http://www. President Corrine @ 708-531-9496.

Mayfair immanuelchristianacademyhillside. Thursday, March 13 org Early Childhood/PreK Screening at Reformer’s Unanimous – RU, Tuesday, March 11 WPS (appointment only) 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Westchester LADIES BIBLE STUDY – In Depth Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak WPS Fine Arts Celebration at 7:00 Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www. Study of Genesis,1:00 p.m.– 2:00 p.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. PM westchesterbiblechurch.org Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154 Friday, March 14 The Divine Infant School Advisory www.westchesterbiblechurch.org Stations of the Cross at 2:00 and Board is sponsoring the Annual “All WPS Fine Arts Celebration at 7:00 7:00 PM, Divine Providence Church, You Can Eat” Fish Fry at 4:30 pm – 2600 Mayfair 8:00 pm in Langan Hall at Divine PM Infant Jesus School, 1640 Newcastle Reformer’s Unanimous – RU, Village Board Meeting at 7:00 PM Avenue. Menu: fried fish or grilled cheese sandwich, served with fries, in the Village Hall Court Room with 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Westchester cole slaw, baked beans and French the Committee of the Whole Meeting Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www. bread. Adults: $10.00, Seniors $8:00, immediately following. westchesterbiblechurch.org Children (11 and under) $6.00. For Wednesday, March 12 more information, contact Kathy Table Grace, 11:30 AM, Divine 3rd Annual Senior Breakfast with Kubeczko at mrskubeczko@comcast.

Providence and Grace Lutheran the President from 8:30 AM-10:30 net Ecumenical Discussion (Bring your AM at St. Joseph High School, Global Saturday, March 8 own Lunch) at Divine Providence Resource Center. Senior Citizen Divine Infant Women’s Guild is Ministry Center, 2540 Mayfair residents of Westchester are invited sponsoring the Annual Mother & Son to join Village President Sam Pulia Mass, Breakfast, and Bowling. 9:00 Tai Chi Class, 4:30 PM, Divine for a free breakfast and learn what is mass at Divine Infant Jesus Church, Providence Church Narthex, 2600 planned for our community in 2014.

1600 Newcastle Avenue, bowling Mayfair Village Staff will also be on hand to at 10:15 am at Eden Lanes. Call the answer questions. Reservations are rectory at 708-865-8071 for more Viewing and Discussion of Fr. required. Contact Molly at 708-345information.

Robert Barron’s new DVD series on 0020 ext 594 to reserve your spot at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Catholicism, 7:00-8:30 PM, Divine the breakfast table!

19th Annual Spaghetti Dinner Providence Church Narthex, 2600 Saturday, March 15 Fundraiser from 4-7 pm. Donations Mayfair See CALENDAR, page 8 $8.00 per person, children 7 and

Calendar MARCH 2014

CALENDAR Continued from page 6

Tai Chi Class, 4:30 PM, Divine Providence Church Narthex, 2600 Mayfair

Viewing and Discussion of Fr. Lent Day of Reflection, 8:30 until Robert Barron’s new DVD series on Noon, Divine Providence School, Catholicism, 7:00-8:30 PM, Divine Mayfair Room, 2500 Mayfair Providence Church Narthex, 2540 Mayfair.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance will be held in Divine Infant School’s BAR-W (Grades 1ST-6TH) & Langan Hall. Doors will open at AMBASSADORS (Grades 7th–12th), 6:00 pm, dinner served at 7:30 pm. 6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Westchester Sponsored by the Divine Infant Holy Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Name Men’s Club. Call the rectory at Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www.

708-865-8071 for more information. westchesterbiblechurch.org

Sunday, March 16 Morning Worship Service/Evening Worship Service, 10:45 a.m. / 6:00 p.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www.westchesterbiblechurch.org Sunday School – “Experiencing God” Series, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www. westchesterbiblechurch.org

Adult Bible Study/Pray Meeting, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www. westchesterbiblechurch.org All School mass at 8:00 am at Divine Infant Jesus Church, 1600 Newcastle Avenue. Come join us. For more information, contact the school office at 865-0122.

Market Day pick-up from 5:30 – 6:30 pm in Langan Hall at Divine Infant Lenten Evening Mass, 7:00 PM, Jesus, 1640 Newcastle Avenue. Call Divine Providence Church, 2600 the rectory at 708-865-8071 for more Mayfair information.

Monday, March 17

Deadline for Youth Department’s Annual Poetry Contest.

Tuesday, March 18 LADIES BIBLE STUDY – In Depth Study of Genesis, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.,Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154 www.westchesterbiblechurch.org

Health Care in Retirement 7:00 PM at Library. Jim Flanagan of Bentron Financial Group will discuss Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, Medicare Supplements and the basics of long term care insurance. Advance registration requested. Contact Adult Dept or call 708-562-3573.

Open House 9am to 2PM Parent/Teacher Conferences from Immanuel Christian Academy, 12:00-7:00 PM No School for Students, 2329 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL Westchester Public Schools 60162 708-562-5580, http://www. immanuelchristianacademyhillside.

TAG: Teen Advisory Group meeting org 4:00 PM at Library. Meeting open Thursday, March 20 to teens in grades 8-12 who are Day 2 Parent/Teacher Conferences interested in having a voice in teen programs at the Library. Contact for Kindergarten, Ms. Sanko from 9:00 AM-3:30 PM, Westchester Public Youth Dept or call 708-562-3573.

Schools Wednesday, March 19 Day 2 Parent/Teacher Conferences for Kindergarten, Ms. Brown from 9:00 AM-3:30 PM, Westchester Public Schools St. Joseph Day All School Mass, 9:00 AM, Divine Providence Church, 2600 Mayfair Table Grace, 11:30 AM, Divine Providence and Grace Lutheran Ecumenical Discussion (Bring your own Lunch) at Grace Lutheran Church 1101 Manchester

Board of Education Meeting at WMS at 7:00 PM The Spring Choral Concert will be held at 1:00 pm & 7:00 pm at Divine Infant Jesus School, 1640 Newcastle Avenue.For more information,contact the school office at 865-0122.

Teetering Tots Playgroup 9:30-10:30 a.m. Divine Providence School, 2500 Mayfair Avenue, 708-562-2258, www. divineprovidenceschool.org: Friday, March 21 Stations of the Cross, 2:00 and 7:00 PM, Divine Providence Church, 2600 Mayfair,

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Table Grace, 11:30 AM, Divine Providence and Grace Lutheran Ecumenical Discussion, (Bring you own Lunch) at Divine Providence Reformer’s Unanimous – RU, Ministry Center, 2540 Mayfair 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Westchester Tai Chi Class, 4:30 PM, Divine Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www. Providence Church Narthex, 2600 Mayfair westchesterbiblechurch.org No School - Faculty Inservice Viewing and Discussion of Fr. Divine Providence School, 2500 Mayfair Avenue, 708-562-2258, www. Robert Barron’s new DVD series on Catholicism, 7:00-8:30 PM, Divine divineprovidenceschool.org Providence Church Narthex, 2600 Saturday, March 22 Mayfair Market Day Pick-up 8:30-9:30 a.m. Divine Providence School, 2500 BAR-W (Grades 1ST-6TH) & Mayfair Avenue, 708-562-2258, www. AMBASSADORS (Grades 7th–12th), divineprovidenceschool.org 6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Sunday, March 23 Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www.

Morning Worship Service/Evening westchesterbiblechurch.org Worship Service, 10:45 a.m. / 6:00 p.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 Adult Bible Study/Pray Meeting, W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Westchester www.westchesterbiblechurch.org Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www.

Sunday School – “Experiencing God” westchesterbiblechurch.org Series, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Westchester Aging Well Program, Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www. A presentation by Seniors Helping westchesterbiblechurch.org Seniors, at 1:00 PM Learn more about the services provided to older adults Mrs.Lincoln,the First“First Lady”2:00 by older adults AND learn about PM at Library. Laura Keyes portrays opportunities to help other older Mary Todd Lincoln as she ponders adults in need in your community. her life and losses while preparing Mayfair Recreation, 10835 Wakefield for an evening at the theater with St., Questions? Call Aging Care her husband and friends. Advance Connections at (708)354-1323 ext registration requested. Contact Adult 242 Dept or call 708-562-3573.

All School mass at 8:00 am at Divine Infant Jesus Church, 1600 Newcastle Monday, March 24 Avenue. Come join us. For more Lenten Evening Mass, 7:00 PM, information, contact the school office Divine Providence Church, 2600 at 865-0122 Mayfair Friday, March 28 Taize Prayer, 7:30 PM, Divine Providence Church, 2600 Mayfair

Stations of the Cross, 2:00 and 7:00 Monday, March 24 through Friday, PM, Divine Providence Church, 2600 March 28 Spring Break, Westchester Public Mayfair Schools Reconciliation (Confession), 7:30Tuesday, March 25 8:30 PM, Divine Providence Church, Chamber Member Appreciation and 2600 Mayfair Recruitment Luncheon. Join us in learning how the Chamber supports, Reformer’s Unanimous – RU, markets and builds businesses. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Westchester Chamber members, bring a guest Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak and you and your guest dine for free. Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www.

Chamber member with no guest westchesterbiblechurch.org and non-chamber member $10.00. Saturday, March 29 Westchester Park District-Mayfair The Divine Infant Women’s Guild is Recreation Center, 10835 Wakefield. sponsoring a Mother/Daughter Mass Time: Noon-1:00pm. & Fashion Show,“Glamour Girls Gala”.

LADIES BIBLE STUDY – In Depth Mass will be at 9:00 am at Divine Study of Genesis, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 Infant Jesus Church with continental p.m.,Westchester Bible Church 10600 breakfast and fashion show to follow W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154 in Langan Hall at Divine Infant Jesus School, 1640 Newcastle Avenue. www.westchesterbiblechurch.org Contact the rectory at 708-865-

Wednesday, March 26

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MARCH IS HERE! SPRING IS HERE! Time will tell if March is going to be “In like a Lion and Out like a Lamb”. According to our furry buddy good ol’ Punxsutawney Phil, we have six more weeks of winter after February 2, 2014. Six weeks would make it March 16th.

That’s only 2 weeks away!!! In the Northern Hemisphere, spring begins on the day the center of the sun is directly over the equator.

Usually March 20th is the date when the sun crosses the equator and starts northward. It is the time when life begins again in nature.

As the sun travels north, the rays strike the northern countries more directly each day. As a result, the days are becoming longer with more daylight.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS On March 9th, at 2 am, daylight saving time begins. Time will magically “spring ahead” and become 3 am.

The down side is that we will all lose an hour of sleep and rest.

However, more daylight is always a good thing.

CONGRESSMAN DANNY DAVIS CONVENES POST OFFICE MEETING I, along with Village Manager Janet Matthys, attended a meeting at the Oak Park Library on Monday February 10th. The Meeting was put together by Congressman Danny Davis who represents a good portion of Westchester, Broadview and Maywood as a result of his office being contacted regarding inadequate postal service. The focus of the meeting was to address complaints regarding service at area post offices. The Post Office District Manager presented himself to the crowd and listened while residents from the Oak Park, Forest Park and Maywood post offices told of their experiences with rude behavior, late service, no service at all, and a lack of personnel manning the counter, and the long lines and wait times. I echoed the complaints mentioned above that I had received from residents as well as indicating that our Westchester Post Office had run out of stamps to purchase on at least 2 occasions.

All of us understood the delays associated with the below freezing weather, sick calls, and personnel issues. We all commented that the aforementioned poor service had been occurring long before the

weather issues and have yet to be addressed.

A complaint processing informational form was passed out indicating the following: The Customer Contact Number to report service issues is 1-800 ASKUSPS (275-8777) or web site www.

USPS.com The Audit Process will be monitored by Mr. Terry Mallory the Consumer & Industry Contact Manager. Terry can be contacted at 1-630-260-5783 (Consumer Affairs) if no adequate resolution comes from your complaint. Zip Codes starting with 601 or 603 can email centralilhotline@usps.gov Local ABC Channel 7 reporter Karen Jordan was present and spoke about the meeting on the evening news.

PACE BUS SERVICE PLANS TO EXPANDS SERVICE On Wednesday, February 26th, at 5pm a Public Hearing was held at the Westchester Village Hall at the request of PACE to discuss the increase in frequency and adjustments to Saturday bus service. Route 301 Roosevelt Road provides weekday service between the CTA Blue Line Transit Center in Forest Park and the UP-West Line Wheaton Station in DuPage County.

The improvement to service would create 19 additional trips, extend the hours of operation, as well as increase the frequency on SATURDAY SERVICE ONLY.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS WELCH AND STATE SENATOR STEVEN LANDEK LISTEN TO MUNICIPALITIES At a recent West Central Municipal Conference Legislative Breakfast State Representative Chris Welch and State Senator Steven Landek announced both house and senate versions of Bills they are sponsoring to keep Mayor Rahm Emanuel from raising the cost of water to municipalities. The legislation is aimed at establishing the Water Rate Protection Act. House Bill 4288 sponsored by Chris Welch (D-Westchester), and Senate Bill 2907 sponsored by Senator Steve Landek (D- Bridgeview) are designed to create an entity similar to the Citizens Utility Board whose sole purpose would be to objectively and fairly regulate Lake Michigan water. According to the Suburban Water Task Force, the

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Supports legislation that creates the Water Rate Protection Act; Supports the prompt disbursement of Local Government Distributive Funds revenue to municipalities; Supports the restoration of WCMC LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE previously-diverted Corporate Personal Property Replacement On Wednesday, March 26th, I, Tax and Local Government Tax along with Village Manager Janet Fund revenues; Matthys and Trustees Angelo Supports full flexibility for Calcagno, Frank Perry and Thomas municipal officials to spend Yurkovich, will be ascending municipal revenues to benefit on Springfield to meet with our communities.

This includes legislators. The West Central broader discretion for expending Municipal Conference (WCMC) Motor Fuel Tax revenues; Legislative drive down is designed Support the repeal of the Property to show support for the initiatives Tax Extension Limitation Law we have brought forward for the (PTELL); upcoming legislative session.

Opposes modifications to PTELL The Legislative Agenda presented that result in further restrictions at our legislative breakfast is as on local taxing authority; follows: Opposes any reduction in existing Statement of Legislative municipal taxing authority; Principles: The WCMC serves Opposes restrictions to municipal an important advocacy role by finance and development tools representing municipal interests at such as Tax Increment Financing the county, state, and federal levels (TIF), Special Service Areas, and of government. Identification of Special Assessment Areas, and important issues by the members various debt instruments when of our organization results in a the restrictions undermine the listing of legislative priorities. In benefits that these tools provide to prioritizing such issues, emphasis local communities; is placed upon those issues which: Supports the continued federal Impact the association of tax exemptions for municipal communities in west suburban bonds; Cook County; Impose unfunded mandates upon REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION municipalities and townships; PRIORITIES Restrict Local Control; Funding for capital improvements Enhance transportation and and planning resources infrastructure needs; TheWCMC is actively participating Place municipal revenues at risk; Limit municipal tort immunity; in efforts to help us achieve our and expand the powers of home common goal of increased mobility.

We will be addressing roads, transit, rule authority. traffic enhancing measures, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and PUBLIC SAFETY PENSION REplanning and feasibility studies of FORMS: regional importance. Investment The WCMC supports legislation in transportation is essential to that will bring forth additional the continued prosperity of the reforms of public safety pension region and the state of Illinois. A systems. The long term goal is comprehensive transportation to develop a comprehensive improvement program for roads, solution that protects local commuter and freight transit, and taxpayers and secure sustainable regional planning is necessary for retirement benefits for all public 2014 and beyond. safety employees. That is why the WCMC supports the idea of having everyone at the table to develop a FEDERAL REAUTHORIZATION The WCMC supports a new comprehensive approach to Public transportation bill that will outline Safety Pension Reform. federal transportation funding for the next several years. The PROTECT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS next transportation bill needs to FROM ANY FUTURE FUND streamline the project delivery DIVERSION AND RESTORE process, delegating more decision PREVIOUSLY DIVERTED REVENUES: making to the state and local officials and setting hard deadlines WCMC SUPPORTS the restoration for Federal agencies to approve of a FULL 10% share of state Income See PRESIDENT, page 10 Tax collections; legislation would put an end to the automatic and whimsical taxing of a natural resource by the City of Chicago.

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projects. The next transportation bill also needs to address how we fund transportation projects as a nation and how to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent.

The WCMC opposes reduction in transportation funding levels and believes that the current level of transportation funding is inadequate to safely maintain our road system.

ROADS The maintenance of local roads has become increasingly difficult task for communities who are faced with restricted budgets.

We must continue to plan and design road improvements so that as a region we are able to fully utilize all funding sources as they become available. The WCMC supports initiatives that establish a transparent and accountable process at IDOT to grant local regions and local municipalities more decision making authority and flexibility in funding regional projects.

TRANSIT Preserving our existing rail and bus transit service is of the utmost importance.

After decades of underinvestment our transit system requires substantial reinvestment to bring the system up to a state of good repair. Most importantly, an extension of the CTA Blue Line would serve our regional commuter rail transit needs with more access to and from Chicago. The WCMC will work with the CTA as they begin to study the extension of the Blue Line.

REGIONAL TRANSIT GOVERNANCE The WCMC opposes legislation to merge the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP).

CMAP has become an effective planning agency that would be inhibited by the merger. Instead the RTA should be restructured and provided the proper oversight authority to truly govern the service boards. The current structure does not allow for the RTA to affect the policies, decisions and debt of the service board. The RTA should be given bonding authority for the service boards so that the region’s debt

children’s books he has written. His most celebrated books include the best selling, The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and one of my favorites “Green Eggs and Ham” featuring BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN Sam I Am. Dr Seuss would say “A The WCMC completed an update person’s a person, no matter how and revision to our region wide small.” “Children want the same bicycle plan which identifies things we want, “To laugh, to be current and future routes to provide challenged, to be entertained and bicyclists and pedestrians a safe delighted.” way to travel our region. The plan Dr Seuss graduated from also lays out an implementation Dartmouth College in 1925 rising strategy to aid communities in to the rank of editor in chief of executing the plan. The WCMC has the Dartmouth Magazine Jackestablished a standing Bicycle and O-Lantern. He attended Lincoln Pedestrian Subcommittee that will College and Oxford University work to advance improvements in in England intending to obtain a our region and will report to the Doctorate Degree in Literature.

WCMC Transportation Committee. There he met Helen Palmer who encouraged him to give up As you can tell the WCMC becoming an English teacher Legislative Committee has not been and pursue a career in drawing. sitting on their hands this past year He returned to the U.S. without and has proffered a robust agenda obtaining a degree in 1927. He and initiatives on behalf of all of the accepted a job as an illustrator 600,000 residents and 51 member at a humor magazine called the agencies belonging to the WCMC. JUDGE, the leading magazine in I would like to personally thank America at that time, where his first Mayor Christopher Getty from cartoon appeared. Dr. Seuss was a Lyons for being the Chair of perfectionist in his work and would the Legislative Committee and sometime spend a year on a book. committee members Angelo It was not uncommon for him to “Skip Saviano” Mayor of Elmwood throw out 95% of his material until Park, Mayor Arlene Jezierny he settled on a theme for his book. form Harwood Heights, Hubert Dr Seuss passed away from cancer Hermanek Jr. Mayor of North in 1991 at the age of 87.

Riverside, Catherine Adduci, Mayor Geisel’s birthday has been adopted of the Village of River Forest, as the annual date for NATIONAL Benjamin Sells, Mayor of the Village READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY, an of Riverside, Thomas Mannix, initiative created by the National Commissioner from Forest Park, Education Association.

Rob Cole Assistant to the Village For those of you who are Dr. Seuss Manager of Oak Park, Tim Callahan Trivia Buffs test your knowledge by General Counsel from the Village of answering the following questions: Hodgkins, William Filan the WCMC h t t p : / / l i b r a r y. t h i n k q u e s t . o r g / Legislative Consultant. Most of all CR0210462/quiz.html?tql-iframe the Executive Director of the West Central Municipal Conference Richard F. Pellegrino, who grew up THE LORAX In the book “The Lorax”, who in Westchester, Deputy Director and Westchester resident Neil chopped down the Truffula Trees? a)Paul James, Planning Coordinator b)Oncler Tammy Wierciak, consigliere c)Lorax Lenny Cannata, Environmental d)Mr.McElhaney Coordinator Jimmy Caporusso, Controller Debbie Baumgart What word was left by the and the Administrative Assistant extraordinaire Judy Corvo. Our Lorax? a)Truffula association could not exist b)Environment without the talents, commitment, c)Unless and dedication of each and every d)Stop member listed above and the staffs of the member agencies.

How much would you pay for a DR. SEUSS’ BIRTHDAY Thneed a)$10.00 Theodor Suess Geisel was born on b)a shell of a great great March 2, 1904. He was an American grandfather snail writer, poet, and cartoonist. He c)a dime is most widely known for the 46 d)$3.98 is responsibly maintained. The RTA should also be given the authority to overturn the decisions by the service boards that are not financially responsible or ethical.

The Sneetches What color are the Sneetches? a)Green b)Blue c)Yellow d)Black and White The Sneetches lived in.. a)a Housing Development b)a Condominium, c)a Forest d)a Beach Who did Sylvester McMonkey McBean first exploit with his new fangles machine? a)All Sneetches b)Star Belly Off c)Star Belly On d)The Green Sneetches Yertle the Turtle Who Caused the stack to fall? a)Adam b)Stuart c)Mack d)Yertle What is the name of the Pond? a)Lake Erie b)Sala-ma-sond c)Atlantic d)Salmond Pond What kind of creatures should be free? a)Turtles b)Barbaloots c)All d)Mack Butter Battle Book a)The entire conflict occurred because of b)Religious Beleifs c)Chopping down a tree d)Minority Issues How they eat their Bread The person telling the story is named a)Uncle b)Sister c)Mother d)Grandfather Who won the Battle? a)No One b)The Yooks c)The Zooks d)The Nukes

READ ACROSS AMERICA The National Education Association sponsored READ ACROSS AMERICA is an annual “reading motivation and awareness” program that calls for children across communities to celebrate

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PRESIDENT Continued from page 10

reading on Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

This year, since Dr. Seuss’s birthday falls on Sunday, March 2nd, the program has been advanced one day and will be celebrated on Monday, March 3rd. The program offers NEA members, parents and students with activities that keep children engaged with reading for every day of the year.

The Read Across America program began in 1997 when a group of NEA members wanted to get kids excited about reading in a similar fashion to how pep rallies thrilled them about sporting events.

Research has shown that students who allocate more time to reading and maintain motivation to do so perform better in school. For more information this please visit www. wikipedia.org During the week of February 24th, the Westchester Primary School celebrated the works of Dr. Seuss.

On February 28th, I participated as a guest reader. Thank you to all of our teachers especially Mrs. Henkels and Mrs. Tyminski for organizing this year’s event.

READERS ARE LEADERS!!!

rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten Season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition. In 1703 French settlers in Mobile Alabama established the first organized INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Mardi Gras celebration in what was to become the United States. In March 8th every year is considered 1723, the capital of Louisiana was INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S moved to New Orleans, founded DAY. It was originally called in 1718.

Mobile’s Cowbellion International Working Women’s de Rakin Society was the first Day. The focus of the celebration, formally organized and masked in different regions of the world, mystic society in the United range from a general celebration States to celebrate with a parade of respect, appreciation and love in 1830. Other cities along the towards women, to a celebration Gulf Coast have active Mardi Gras of women’s achievements in the celebrations. area of politics, economics as well as social issues. The political and human rights theme designated by FAT TUESDAY/THURSDAY TREATS the United Nations runs strong, and PUNSKI’S For Everyone. The political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide traditional PACZKI are pastries are brought out and examined in a traditional to Polish cuisine. Aka hopeful manner.The United Nations paczek is sometimes translated as Theme for International Women’s the word doughnut. It is described Day 2014 is: “Equality for Women is as a deep-fried piece of dough Progress for All” This day is a day shaped to a flattened sphere and which some people celebrate by filled with a variety of fruit and wearing Purple Ribbons. www. crème fillings. They can often be covered in granulated or powdered wikipedia.org sugar or glazed. In Poland, paczki are eaten especially on the first MARDI GRAS day of Ostatki, Tlusty Czwartek, also known as Fat Thursday, the last March 4th begins the Mardi Gras Thursday before Ash Wednesday.

Season.

Mardi Gras is French The traditional reason for making for Fat Tuesday, referring to the Trustee Steker (Lt. for the Franklin Park Fire Department) climbs the ladder to extinguish a fire in See PRESIDENT, page 14 response to a Mutual Aid request in Northlake, IL. practice of the last night of eating

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SAINT PATRICK’S DAY St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17, the saint’s religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon.

Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast–on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

St. Patrick and the First St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well known legend is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.

More than 100 St. Patrick’s Day parades are held across the United States; New York City and Boston are home to the largest celebrations. Since around the ninth or tenth century, people in Ireland have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick on March 17th. Interestingly, however, the first parade held to honor St. Patrick’s Day took place not in Ireland but in the United States.

On March 17, 1762, Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City.

Along with their music, the parade

powdered sugar, and may be filled with custard, jelly, cannoli-style pastry cream or a butter-and-honey mixture. The consistency ranges from light and puffy, to bread- or pasta-like. Foods are traditionally served containing bread crumbs to represent saw dust since St. Joseph was a carpenter.

The altar usually has three tiers, to represent the trinity. In New Orleans, Louisiana, which was a major port of entry for Sicilian immigrants during the late 19th century, the Feast of St. Joseph is a city-wide event. Both public and private St. Joseph’s altars are traditionally built. The altars are usually open to any visitor who wishes to pay homage. The food is generally distributed to charity after the altar is dismantled. There are also parades in honor of St. Joseph and the Italian population of New Orleans which are similar to the many marching clubs and truck parades of Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day. Tradition in New Orleans also holds that by burying a small statue of St. Joseph upside down in the front yard of a house, that house will sell more promptly.

More information www.wikipedia. com

at the table in heaven with your wife who is ready to welcome you home.

Mrs. Betty Cesarini, grandmother of front office staff Katy Finn, and Peggy (Frank) Perry passed away on February 2nd. Mrs. Cesarini was born and raised in Hawaii.

She met her husband Angelo (aka Joe) while he was stationed there during World War II. The couple met while she was working at the base serving food to the GI’s.

When not serving, she sang for the troops and I hear was a dynamite entertainer. Following the War, the Cesarini’s located in Melrose Park In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick’s when Joe worked for the water Day was traditionally been a department for many years. Joe religious occasion. In fact, up until preceeded his wife and was there the 1970s, Irish laws mandated to greet her in heaven. She will that pubs be closed on March 17. always be known to her family and Beginning in 1995, however, the friends as someone who “lived her Irish government began a national life for others, and her family was campaign to use interest in St. her proudest accomplishment.”

Patrick’s Day to drive tourism and Mr. Frank Golz, father of public showcase Ireland and Irish culture works secretary Gayle Golz, passed to the rest of the world. Today, away on February 4th at 92 years approximately 1 million people old. Frank resided in Westchester annually take part in Ireland ‘s since 1947. Frank was a World War St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, a II U.S. Air Force Veteran stationed multi-day celebration featuring in England. Frank flew many air parades, concerts, outdoor theater missions and served our country productions and fireworks shows. with distinction. After settling w w w. h i s t o r y. c o m / t o p i c s / s t in Westchester, Frank opened a patricks-day/history SORROW IN OUR MIDST successful real estate business SAINT JOSEPH’S DAY Last month there have been bearing his name “Golz Realty” in Saint Joseph’s Day takes place several losses to our Westchester 1958 which became a successful on March 19, 2014. Saint Joseph’s Community. thriving business for many years.

Day, the Feast of St. Joseph is in Mr. Louis Scannicchio, age 85, a Frank was an active member in Western Christianity the principal long time resident of Westchester the Bellwood Moose Lodge 777 feast day of Saint Joseph, Spouse of since 1962 passed away on January becoming the 1st Governor of the the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has the 23rd. Mr. Scannicchio was drafted lodge after joining in 1955. Frank rank of a solemnity in the Roman into military service following was preceded in death by his Catholic Church; Catholics who the end of World War II being daughter Suzanne who embraced follow the Missal of 1962 celebrate discharged in 1952. He worked him with open arms as he ascended it as a first class feast. as a barber for 15 years at his into heaven.

March 19 always falls during uncle’s shop in Elmwood Park.

Mrs. Barbara Bailey, wife of retired Lent, and traditionally it is a day He worked as a plumber for over Judge James Bailey and mother of of abstinence. This explains the 25 years after going into business Jim, Mike, Dan, Brian, Barb and custom of St. Joseph tables being with his brother in law. He often grandmother of 15 children passed covered with meatless dishes. If told family and friends that his away on February 5th after a bought the feast day falls on a Sunday other work was his hobby and plumbing with cancer. Mrs. Bailey will forever than Palm Sunday, it is observed was his most enjoyable as he was be known as a dedicated elected on the next available day, usually able to send his 3 children Louis, official as the first female village Monday, March 20, unless another Nancy and Teresa to Catholic clerk and village trustee for the solemnity falls on that day. Since School. Skilled in the profession Village of Westchester. Mrs. Bailey 2008, if St Joseph’s Day falls during he took ownership of the business and her husband were very active Holy Week, it is moved to closest when his brother in law moved at the Divine Providence Parish. possible day before 19 March, with his family to Arizona. Known Mrs. Bailey worked tirelessly as usually the Saturday before Holy to his family as “Papa Lou” when an elected official and was able to Week. Upon a typical St. Joseph’s interviewed by his granddaughter represent all of our interests while Day altar, people place flowers, Lisanne he said the most important on the board. Mrs. Bailey had the limes, candles, wine, fava beans, things someone should know ability to tell it like it was and did specially prepared cakes, breads, about his life are that “he raised not vascilate when a vote was and cookies (as well as other three beautiful children, had a taken. Since leaving public life she meatless dishes), and zeppole. In wonderful wife Yolanda (Nardi) for was dedicated to attending all of southern Italian dialects a zeppoli over 54 years, and watched his 8 her children, and grandchildren’s is an Italian pastry consisting of a grandchildren grow up.” A proud school activities. In fact college deep-fried dough ball of varying father to Dr. Louis Scannicchio, roommates of her children spent size but typically about 4 inches daughters Nancy and Teresa, your countless hours in her counsel and (10 cm) in diameter. This doughnut devotion to your family, your wife, See PRESIDENT, page 24 or fritter is usually topped with and faith has earned you a place

helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as with fellow Irishmen serving in the Continued from page 13 English army.

St. Patrick’s Day Around the the Paczki was to use up all the World lard, sugar, eggs and fruit in the Today, people of all backgrounds house, because their consumption celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, especially was forbidden by Catholic fasting throughout the United States, practices during Lent. Chicagoans Canada and Australia. Although celebrate both Fat Thursday and North America is home to the Fat Tuesday, due to its sizeable largest productions, St. Patrick’s Polish populations. Enjoy your Day is celebrated in many other meal, Bon Appetit, Buon Appetito, locations far from Ireland, including Smacznego!!!!

Japan, Singapore and Russia.

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Westchester school news and notes Westchester Primary School KINDERGARTEN PREREGISTRATION FOR THE 20142015 SCHOOL YEAR will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2014.

Doors will open at 4:00 p.m. and registration will begin immediately in the gym at Westchester Primary School, 2400 South Downing Avenue, Westchester, Illinois.

Registration will end at 8:00 p.m. Packets will be available for pick up in the WPS School Office beginning Tuesday, February 18, 2014, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. If another language is spoken in the home, please bring your child with you for mandatory English proficiency screening that will occur at this time. New this year is that while we will still be passing out numbers, requests for morning or afternoon kindergarten sessions will be honored as best we are able with no guarantee of placement to ensure that all classes reflect the diversity of the community. If you are unable to pick up a packet in the School Office, one will be available for you to complete on March 6, 2014

recently completed an hour-long training on cyberbullying. This was carried out over a three day period the week of February 3rd with the School Resource Officer, Officer Rob Verber, per the direction of the fifth grade level chair Mrs. Julie Geary. The goal of the training was to give students a better understanding of the effects of cyberbullying and how to respond to it. The training utilized a video presentation, “Terrible tEXt”, http://www. nsteens.org/Videos/TerribletEXt and discussion groups with discussion questions.

families participated in interactive exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on activities. A special guest performance from Mr. Freeze concluded the evening.

Band Solo and Ensemble Contest Students from Westchester Intermediate and Middle Schools participated in the annual Band Solo and Ensemble Contest on February 22nd. The contest took place at WIS with 150 students from grades 5-8 performing selected pieces for the judges.

Performances were rated by music educators from outside the district.

Students were given constructive criticism and suggestions for how to improve.

Some children say and do terrible things to each other online because they don’t see the direct effects of their actions.

Musical Workshop So what should you do if you’re Westchester Middle School will cyberbullied? be presenting Oklahoma! in early May. A musical workshop will take *Never respond to harassing or place on March 7 for all students rude comments. wishing to participate. Auditions *Save or print the evidence. will take place May 10th-12th. *Talk to your parents or guardian All WMS students grades 6-8 are if you are harassed; get help welcome to audition. Oklahoma! reporting this to your ISP, school, will be presented May 8th and 9th or local law enforcement. at 7:00 pm and May 10th at 2:00 *Respect others online. pm.

To register, please have the *Only share your password with following: your parent or guardian.

Special Needs 1. Completed Registration *Change your passwords often.

Our Early Childhood Program Packet *Password protect your cell has much to celebrate these days.

2. Official Birth Certificate - phone.

Two teachers, Mrs. Fitzgerald and A child must be five (5) years old *Use privacy settings to block Mrs. Hernandez, were chosen to on or before September 1, 2014. unwanted messages. be evaluated through the Illinois No exceptions to this rule can be *Think before posting or sending State Board of Education. The made. photos – they could be used to rating tool used is known as the 3.

Required Residency hurt you.

Early Childhood Environment Documents *Contact the site administrator Rating Scale. Both teachers if someone creates a social exceeded the expected ratings.

The forms for the required networking page in your name.” school physical, dental, and vision Special Education Coordinator, examinations will be included Westchester Middle School Ms. Mary Mamolella states that; in the kindergarten registration Career Day “Westchester School District 92½ packets. These forms must be Westchester Middle School is very proud of Mrs. Fitzgerald completed and turned in at the hosted its bi-annual Career Day and Mrs. Hernandez for their hard registration in August. The days on Wednesday, February 12th. work, dedication to the program and times for this registration and The purpose of Career Day is and love for the children and fee payment will be announced at to introduce students to a wide families in our Early Childhood a later date. variety of career opportunities. programs. They set the tone for Students interacted with parents, a child’s first school experience If further information is needed, community members and many with true professionalism and please call the School Office at former WMS graduates from a commitment to make the joy for 708-562-1509. wide variety of professions. learning an everyday occurrence.”

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. Westchester Intermediate School Cyberbullying Training The fifth grade students of the Westchester Intermediate School

6, 8 will be tested in reading and mathematics. Students in grades 4 and 7 will be tested in reading, mathematics, and science. The results of reading, mathematics, and science state tests will be reported to parents on the School Report Card in the fall.

This is the first year that 100% of the test items in reading and mathematics are aligned to Common Core State Standards.

Student’s overall scale scores in reading, mathematics and science are placed in one of four performance categories.

The performance levels are Exceeds, Meets, Below Standards and Academic Warning.

This will be the final year for administering the ISAT. Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, Illinois students will participate in the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) Assessments. The PARCC website, www.parcconline. org states that: “PARCC’s nextgeneration assessment system will provide students, educators, policymakers and the public with the tools needed to identify whether students — from grade 3 through high school — are on track for postsecondary success and, critically, where gaps may exist and how they can be addressed well before students enter college or the workforce.”

Business Office The school district is currently beginning the annual budget process. This involves the input from all the schools and district staff about the needs of the district for the next year. The budget is developed after the tax levy has been approved so that the district has an idea of what the next school year can look like as far as revenue is concerned.

This process will take several months with input from the building Principals, the district administration, and the school board. The school board will make Family Science Night Curriculum Office preliminary approvals of the District 92½ families joined Westchester School District budget in June with final adoption Westchester Middle School 92½ will administer the Illinois in September. During this entire for Family Science Night on Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) time the staffing of teachers and February 28th. Throughout the between March 4 and March 14, support staff, repairs of buildings, evening guests explored Science, 2014. Westchester Middle School and classroom materials are all Technology, Engineering and will begin testing on Wednesday, brought forth for discussion to Math (STEM). Students and their March 5. Students in grades 3, 5, arrive at a final budget.

MARCH 2014

Nazareth Academy Announces First Semester Honor Roll Nazareth Academy is proud to announce its First Semester Honor Roll for the 2013-2014 school year.

The “A” Honor Roll indicates a grade point average of 3.80-4.00 on a 4 point scale.

The “B” Honor Roll indicates a grade point average of 3.33-3.79 on a 4 point scale.

For the First Semester, 530 students from 47 different communities have been recognized for this academic achievement. Below are the Nazareth Students of Westchester who achieved honor roll status.

A Honor Roll Jake Bartels, Danielle Bartodziej, Bryan Behrendt, Olha Bosnova, Austin Brown, Colin Carlson, Mackenzie Carlson, Samantha Caruso, Bridget Cascio, Colleen Cavanaugh, Edward Colaianni, Jack Cross, William Ernst, Yicheng Feng , Maeve Grimes, Emina Hadzic, Andrew Hosek, Rachel Hosek, Brandon Kane , Kyle Kane, Christopher Kulnig, Alex Kwok, Cindy Li, Erin Lorenzen, Devinne

Love , Samuel Martyn, Julia Nowicki, David Palacios, Nicolette Pedersen, Alec Podock, Patrick Quinn, Lelandra Randle, Sarah Reynolds, Megan Richards, Angela Rini, Carl Robst, Chloe Seegers, Elena Sofia, Rene Sone, Spencer Suchy, Stephen Suchy, Charles Swarts, Robert Tworek, Faith Villapiano, Aidan Walton, Benjamin Wojtynek.

B Honor Roll Garrett Allar, Matthew Berger, Kyle Bermudez, Jacob Blair ,Finbar Boyle, Jonah Bridgewaters, Haley Calabrese, Nicholas Caruso, Amelia Castillo, Matthew Clark, Simone Colat, Alexander Creevy, Michael Cross, Allison Cruickshank, Melissa Drinnon, Jade Giuffre, Mary Glorioso, Nicole Griffin, Demitri Kladis, Evan Knight, Jacob Matthews, Emma McGee, Bianca Moran, Lauren Nortier , Jeffrey Nowicki, Jake Panek , Gianna Pascua, Steven Patchak, Jeffry Pesek, David Prignano, Francesco Ricchio, Vanessa Scafuri-Mueller, Zachary Smola, Sean Stanger, Marcel Tworek, Courtney Urzen, Matthew Wilson.

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CALENDAR Continued from page 7

8071 or Genny Panek at gdpanek@ comcast.net for more information.

Spring Event 6pm - Midnight. Dinner dance, silent and live auctions, raffles and entertainment.Divine Providence School, 2500 Mayfair Avenue, 708-5622258, www.divineprovidenceschool. org:

Classes Resume, Westchester Public Schools

Tuesday, April 1 Board of Education Committee of the Whole at WMS at 6:30 PM

Wednesday, April 2

Family Film Night featuring “Free Birds” 6:30 PM at Library. Contact Sunday, March 30 Youth Dept or call 708-562-3573.

Table Grace, 11:30 AM, Divine Morning Worship Service/Evening Providence and Grace Lutheran Worship Service, 10:45 a.m. / 6:00 Ecumenical Discussion (Bring your p.m., Westchester Bible Church 10600 own Lunch) at Grace Lutheran W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, Church, 1101 Manchester www.westchesterbiblechurch.org Tai Chi Class, 4:30 PM, Divine Sunday School – “Experiencing God” Providence Church Narthex, 2540 Series, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Westchester Mayfair Bible Church 10600 W. Cermak Rd. Westchester, IL 60154, www.

7:00-8:30, Viewing and Discussion westchesterbiblechurch.org of Fr. Robert Barron’s new DVD on Catholicism, Divine Providence Church Narthex, 2600 Mayfair

Monday, March 31

Lenten Evening Mass, 7:00 PM at Divine Providence Church, 2600 Mayfair

PRESIDENT

WMS 8th Grade Washington D.C. Parent Meeting at 7:00 PM All School mass at 8:00 am at Divine Infant Jesus Church, 1600 Newcastle

loved their respective recliners, and gave their wives a special ornament at Christmas time. Both husbands Continued from page 13 passed away a few years apart near Easter and are buried only a few rows looked forward to spending time away from each other at the Queen at the Bailey household. In respect of Heaven Cemetery. After sharing for her contribution to Westchester, their ups and downs for two years a funeral bunting was placed at the the duo decided to write down what Westchester Village Hall to honor they had learned. not only her passing but also her Each offered a separate narrative accomplishments as a wife, mother of their individual experiences and and grandmother who shared her insights to continuing on with life. life as a dedicated public official. The two say they found writing I’m sure right now she is having therapeutic on a personal level and a conversation with Mayor John realized it would help others just Sinde, Trustee Angelo Luciano, beginning the journey of loss.

Trustee Kenneth Caithamer, and all They published“A Grieving Widow’s her friends who are greeting her at Journal, A Collection of Thoughts,” the gates of heaven. and launched a website for sharing stories and have made the book WESTCHESTER WOMEN now in its second printing available.

JOURNAL JOURNEYS OF LOSS Both have agreed that support and companionship from a close friend, Two Westchester women have family member, or support group are chronicled the loss of their husbands essential. at an early age. Both who did not For more information www. know one another lived just a few ywidows.com blocks away from each other in Westchester. Mrs. Nancy Steker and Mrs. Susan Troppito learned after VILLAGE TRUSTEE/FRANKLIN PARK attending a grief support group FIREFIGHTER at Divine Infant Church that they If Mrs. Steker did not have enough shared many similarities with their husbands. Their husbands both to think about, I recently came about drove trucks, could fix anything, some photographs of her son Nick

Avenue.

For more information, contact Youth Come join us. For more information, Dept or call 708-562-3573. contact the school office at 8650122.

Friday, April 4 Eucharistic Day of Adoration, 8:00 AM-6:30 PM, Divine Providence Ministry Center Chapel, 2540 Mayfair Stations of the Cross, 2:00 and 7:00 PM, Divine Providence Church, 2600 Mayfair The Divine Infant School Advisory Board is sponsoring the Annual “All You Can Eat” Fish Fry at 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm in Langan Hall at Divine Infant Jesus School, 1640 Newcastle Avenue. Menu: fried fish or grilled cheese sandwich, served with fries, cole slaw, baked beans and French bread.

Adults: $10.00, Seniors $8:00, Children (11 and under) $6.00. For more information, contact Kathy Kubeczko at mrskubeczko@comcast. net Celebrate Jazz Month with a Young Musicians’ Concert featuring the Westchester Middle School Jazz Band 6:30 PM at Library. a Westchester Village Trustee and a Fire Lieutenant/Acting Battalion Chief with the Franklin Park Fire Department, fighting a fire under mutual aid with Northlake, Leyden and Stone Park Fire Departments along Mannheim Road a few weeks ago. Nick as a supervisor has never been shy to step up and do all of the tasks his subordinate firefighters may be called upon to do.

The attached photos were captured showing not only what heroic Chicago Firefighters do but what our heroic suburban firefighters are faced with as well.

Nick you are an inspiration to all who aspire to become a firefighter and a true leader. Your father Chuck is raising his hands in triumph that he has a son like you.

FROM THE BOARD At the February 11, 2014 Village Board Meeting, the following items were approved under the consent agenda;The record of bills ending 0207-2014 in the amount not to exceed $ 990,390.09, monthly department reports for January 2014, minutes of the January 28, 2013 Village Board Meeting and minutes of the January 28, 2013 Committee of the Whole Meeting, a motion to approve the

Monday, April 7

Lenten Evening Mass, 7:00 PM, Divine Providence Church, 2600 Mayfair Reconciliation (Confession), 7:308:30 PM, Divine Providence Church, 2600 Mayfair.

Tuesday, April 8 Village Board Meeting at 7:00 PM in the Village Hall Court Room with the Committee of the Whole Meeting immediately following.

Wednesday, April 9 Family Film Night featuring “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters” 6:30 PM at Library. Contact Youth Dept or call 708-562-3573.

Thursday, April 10 WPS Incoming Kindergarten Visitation from 12:00-12:45 PM. minutes of closed session meetings from June 9, 2009 through January 1, 2014 and a resolution regarding the periodic review of closed meeting minutes of the Village of Westchester At the February 11, 2014 Committee of the Whole (COW), the following items were discussed.

Under New Business, first was discussed Medical Marijuana Facilities – Zoning Issue –A discussion was held about regulating the location of a medical marijuana facility should one decide to locate in Westchester.

Recent state law approved the existence of such facility. Attorney Michael Durkin provided insight that the issue was one of proper Zoning.

Also discussed was a Clean Water Project at 31st Street water line provided information to pursue a state grant/loan through the Governor Quinn’s Clean Water Initiative to construct a water main down 31st street that had been planned long ago but was never completed.

Under Old Business the Board discussed the Façade Grant Program – Ms. Headley the Community Development Director presented information regarding offering a financial incentive for businesses to upgrade their buildings façades.

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CEDA and WSSS Join Efforts to Assist Area Residents The Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) and West Suburban Senior Services are partnering to help incomeeligible Suburban Cook County residents attain and maintain selfsufficiency/independence.

Through CEDA’s Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), CSBG provides short-term case management services to help stabilize and support families and individuals on a path back to selfsufficiency.

The CSBG program may also be able to provide case management participants with the following financial resources to alleviate a specific barrier that may be preventing them from attaining selfsufficiency: Dental Care Auto Repair

Vision Care Housing Counseling & Rental/ Mortgage Assistance Veterans Employment/Training Program Elderly Projects (in partnership with Age-Options) Scholarship Funds for Education & Training Family Nutrition CEDA CSBG staff members are available at the WSSS Senior Center in Bellwood every other Wednesday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, beginning February 19, 2014.

To request an appointment or to get more information please call West Suburban Senior Services at (708) 547-5600 and leave your name, phone number and your reason for calling and a CSBG Program Specialist will reach out to you to discuss eligibility and next steps.

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