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Athlete of the Year honor roll call continues

In Sports

SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE

REPORTER

THE Volume LVIII, No. 38

Serving Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Oak Lawn, Palos Hills and Worth

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$1 Newstand 3 SECTIONS

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Senior housing plans moving forward at old Sabre Room site By Joe Boyle Hickory Hills Mayor Mike Howley said that not a day goes by that the city doesn’t hear from a caller inquiring about the future of the old Sabre Room site. “We receive calls all the time,” Howley said. “They just want to hear an update. The senior community from Hickory Hills is very excited. They are looking forward to this. But some agreements have to be reached with different agencies.” An agreement was reached with the Ko-

ziarz Group, owners of the property, during a Hickory Hills City Council meeting this past spring. The approved ordinance includes a planned unit development (PUD) proposal that would take in the site of the old Sabre Room, 8900 W. 95th St., Hickory Hills. The once iconic center was the site of wedding receptions and noted performers who took the stage there, including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. The Sabre Room closed last year and the building was demolished during the spring. The approved special use for PUD, which is located in a R-4 Single Family Residence

District and C-3 Highway Commercial District, will allow a combination of commercial and residential uses, including retail stores, independent and assisted living apartments, senior apartments, senior single-family ranch homes, and property that may be donated to the city for use as a public library or other public purposes. Howley was one of the officials who met Photo by Joe Boyle with the Koziarz Group, Retown, the devel- The only remaining reminder of the Sabre Room is the sign that can opment manager; and Chicagoland Realty, still be seen prominently along 95th Street in Hickory Hills. The once

iconic entertainment center was torn down this past spring to make

See HICKORY HILLS, Page 8 room for development.

Man charged in shooting at Evergreen Cemetery By Dermot Connolly

leaving the scene. He allegedly fired once at the grave, saying, A man was charged with the “You deserved it,” according to Nov. 22 shooting at the Evergreen prosecutors at his bail hearing last Park gravesite of a man who was Thursday. killed in Palos Heights two days A .32-caliber revolver loaded earlier. with four rounds and one Evergreen Park police spent shell was also recovsaid officers responded ered. Another man who to a report of shots fired was with Stevenson was at 2:50 p.m. at Evergreen also taken into custody, Cemetery, 3401 W. 87th but was later released St., during a graveside serwithout charges. vice for Marud Talib, 39. Stevenson, who police Talib had been fatally described as a multiple Stevenson shot on Nov. 20 at his felon, faces charges of home in the 7300 block of Ish- unlawful use of a weapon by a nala Drive in Palos Heights. That felon and aggravated discharge case remains under investigation. of a weapon. As of Tuesday, SteNo one was injured in the venson was being held in Cook shooting at the cemetery, where County Jail on $50,000 bail. His about 20 people were attending next court appearance is schedthe funeral service. uled for Dec. 20, according to Police said Elston T. Stevenson, information on the Cook County 56, of the 13000 block of South Sheriff’s Office website. Corliss Avenue in south suburban See SHOOTING, Page 8 Burnham, was arrested as he was

Photo by Dermot Connolly

Chicago Ridge residents formed a guard of honor for 40 recruits from Great Lakes Naval Base on Thanksgiving morning as they filed off a bus and walked into Glenn Maker American Legion Post 1160 for the eighth annual Thanksgiving celebration sponsored by ARMS (Arms Reaching Many in Society). Volunteers prepared a traditional holiday meal and recruits were able to sit back and relax, watching TV, playing video games, and contacting family around the country by phone and on Skype.

GENUINE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Chicago Ridge provides good cheer for recruits and during tree lighting By Dermot Connolly Chicago Ridge residents have gotten in the holiday spirit over the past week, warmly welcoming recruits from Great Lakes Naval Base to town on Thanksgiving Day, and gathering in droves on Sunday for the 2nd Annual Christmas tree-lighting celebration. On Thanksgiving, scores of flag-waving residents lined Ridgeland Avenue in front of Glenn Maker American Legion Post 1160, 10739 S. Ridgeland Ave. Police Chief Rob Pyznarski welcomed each recruit with a handshake and a smile as they filed into the Legion hall before 10:30 a.m. Pyznarski and his wife, Deb, now a village trustee, began the Thanksgiving tradition eight years ago, when their son, Bryan, was in the service and away from home for the holidays. The recruits arrived by bus, accompanied by a convoy of motorcyclists. They enjoyed a traditional holiday meal prepared by volunteers, and an afternoon of relaxation, watching TV and playing video games. The recruits contacted family around the country by phone and on Skype, using equipment provided for the day.

Photo by Dermot Connolly

Chicago Ridge Lions Club volunteer Bill Watt and his daughter, Alyssa, 9, enjoyed skating on the ice-less rink during the festivities surrounding the lighting of the Chicago Ridge Christmas tree on Sunday.

Then with Thanksgiving over, even more people came out for the 2nd annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony held Sunday evening in front of Village Hall, 10455 S. Ridgeland Ave. Mayor Chuck Tokar presided over the tree-lighting around 7 p.m., but the fes-

tivities were going on from 4 to 9 p.m. One of the highlights this year was an artificial skating rink provided by the village. Residents of all ages brought their own skates, or made use of the ones available for free to take a spin around the ice-like rink. “Nobody got hurt, did they? I am afraid of the village getting sued,” the mayor joked. “I am so glad that people came to enjoy it. It looks good on paper, but you never know how it will be received,” said Trustee Bill McFarland, looking over at the crowds gliding and sliding on the artificial ice rink. All the village board members participated in the event, in one way or another. The village co-hosted the festivities with the Chicago Ridge Lions Club, which donated the tree. The ornaments were made by students and members of local organizations. Boy Scout Troop 3665 provided free hot chocolate, and sold hot dogs, nachos and other treats to keep people warm. The unseasonably warm weather undoubtedly

By Kelly White ’Tis the season for matching outfits, Christmas trees, shopping for gifts, and greeting cards. Fortunately, the Evergreen Park Public Library is there to help with the stress of taking the perfect holiday photo. With the aid of two professional photographers — Claudia Parker and Ruth Hoskins — the library offered two portrait sittings last Sunday inside the library’s reading room, 9400 S. Troy Ave, next to a decorated nine-foot tree and fireplace. An additional session is scheduled this coming Sunday. “It’s so easy to get a professional family photo for the holidays,” said Nicki Seidl, the library di-

rector. “People don’t have to put up their decorations and then get everyone ready to take a photo. Maybe they don’t have a fireplace. They just come to the library, which is probably not far from their home. They can be creating their holiday cards right after Thanksgiving. One less item on the holiday to-do list.” Each family was required to bring in their own memory card and during the 20-minute portrait session, the photographers took as many photos as they could so the family could choose their favorite. Families said they enjoyed the personal aspect of the photo sessions, including the Beninato See PHOTOS, Page 8 Taking a holiday photo for the first time at the Evergreen Park Library were Paul and Gayle Djikas of Evergreen Park, accompanied by their two 10-yearold dogs, (from left) Misty, a Blue Marrow Collie, and Zoey, a Doberman. Photo by Claudia Parker

See SPIRIT, Page 2

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