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WEDNESDAY JOURNAL INC PAGE
File photo JUST AROUND THE CORNER: In preparation for the summer pool season, the Park District of Forest Park is receiving bids to resurface the two big slides at the pool.
Park District readying pool for summer
Slide resurfacing contract to be awarded in March
By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter
It might be hard to think about sunshine and swimming when there’s snow on the ground. But the Park District of Forest Park is already gearing up for pool season, including undertaking a project to make sure the pool slides are ready for use when the pool opens. The two flume slides – the big twisty ones – at the pool are being resurfaced in advance of pool season this summer. The park district went out for bid this week looking for a contractor to get the slides in perfect condition for pool-goers. According to Executive Director Jackie Iovinelli, last summer an emergency resurfacing had to be done on one of the two dropslides, so the park district had the big slides inspected at the same time. The drop slides were redone in “record time,” said Iovinelli, only causing a three-day shut-down of their use. Although the big slides were fit for the remainder of the summer, it was recommended that they be redone prior to summer 2020. Iovinelli said she anticipates the project will cost at least $25,000 but won’t know for certain until bids are received. The goal is to award the winning bid at the March park district board meeting. The work should begin in April to ensure it’s completed by the time the pool opens at the end of May. The resurfacing includes sanding down the surfaces and resealing them. The slides are waxed annually and inspected daily during open season. Iovinelli said everyone at the park district is excited about summer season approaching. Adam Cumbee, the new communication and marketing director for the park district, has been posting a daily countdown to pool opening day on the park district’s Facebook page, with photos of the pool, filled with snow, and a message about how many days are left until people can swim again. “Sunshine and swimming would sure be nice, but for now the pool is full of snow and ice! The good news? We’re only 86 days away from the Forest Park Aquatic Center opening!,” read the Feb. 27 update. See more at facebook.com/pdofp.
Early voting happening now
Area locations open until March 16
By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Early voting for the upcoming Presidential Primary Election, set to take place on March 17, started Monday, March 2, and will continue through March 16. For a full list of early voting locations near you, along with their hours, visit: cookcountyclerk.com/agency/earlyvoting.
According to the Cook County Clerk’s office, voters “do not need to provide an excuse or reason why they cannot vote on Election Day” in order to vote early. Government ID cards are not required, but they may be helpful if questions about “registration, address or signature” arise. Voters may also expedite the process if they have ID cards available. “You can register to vote at all early vote sites,” the Clerk’s office explained. “Any voter who needs to register for the first time or file an address change must present two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter’s current address.” Below are some early voting locations near you:
■ Maywood Courthouse (Whitcomb Building, Rm. 104), 1311 Maybrook Square in Maywood ■ Melrose Park Village Hall, 1000 N. 25th Ave. in Melrose Park ■ Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St. in Oak Park
News that’s close to home
GROWING COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY JOURNAL, INC. Vol. 93, No. 32 $1.00 R EVIEW OCTOBER 6, 2010 F O R E S T P A R K
Two Fish to get makeover PAGE 3 Remembering Jay Boeldt PAGE 9 e r bering dt
By KATIE DREWS Editor When the CTA Green Line at Harlem shut down for at least a year for renovations a few years back, Sgt. Mike Keating said crime in the area seemed to nearly disappear for the duration of construction. It was no coincidence, he said. Criminals like to use the trains as an escape route, and it’s a fairly cheap means of transportation, Keating added. Since 2009, Forest Park police have fi elded 568 total calls pertaining to incidents at the three el stations that land on village property: the Green Line at 1 S. Harlem Ave., Blue Line at 711 Desplaines Ave. and Blue Line at 701 Harlem Ave. Of the total, 250 occurred at 701 Harlem, while 300 happened at 711 More cameras at CTA stations Police say crime near el stations is pretty frequent See CTA CAMERAS on page 5 J. GEIL/Staff Photographer | Buy this picture at WednesdayJournalOnline.MyCapture.com DOORS CLOSING: Commuters board a Blue Line Chicago Transit Authority train in Forest Park. Shopping around for groceries Ed’s Way Food Mart stands out as local favorite By KATIE DREWS Editor Everybody’s trying to sell food these days, Mike Nutley said. The owner of Ed’s Way Food Mart said the industry has become so competitive that he recently saw groceries for sale at Menards, the home improvement chain. “It’s a tough business,” said Nutley, who co-owns the Forest Park grocery store with his father, Edward. “It’s harder now than it’s ever been.” That’s likely why there are not too many family owned groceries stores anymore. But the Nutley’s have been running their shop for 20 years now, located at 946 Beloit Ave. Yes, business has “taken a beating” with the economy, as costs continue to rise. But customers are feeling the pains of the recession, too, and even though many may be counting their pennies now, price doesn’t seem to matter to them: Ed’s Way is the way. All the locals shop at Ed’s, said Sue Bothie, a Forest Park resident for 44 years. One of those locals is Kathy Tulipani. She has been . But customers recession, m a y w , o
D91 addresses growing coronavirus concern
By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter
COVID-19 has been at the forefront of international news for weeks. Prior to announcements of additional confirmed cases of coronavirus in Illinois, District 91 Superintendent Lou Cavallo sent a memo on Feb. 28 to the school community with information on how the district is addressing the issue.
COVID-19 is the abbreviated name of the new coronavirus that is spreading across the globe. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website on Feb. 28, “The virus has been named ‘SARS-CoV-2’ and the disease it causes has been named ‘coronavirus disease 2019’ (abbreviated ‘COVID-19’).”
In Cavallo’s memo, he addressed concerns families and staff might have regarding the potential spread of the virus. “As you know, worldwide concern about the Coronavirus continues to grow,” reads the memo. “Please be assured that District 91 will continue to be in regular contact with local, state and federal health departments and will follow all appropriate guidance and direction.”
The memo goes on to say that the district has not received any communication indicating the they are at risk or need to take action. It also stresses that any communication or information from the abovementioned health departments will immediately be shared with families and the community. “Also,” reads the memo, “please note that we are not aware of any confirmed Coronavirus cases in our area or school district.”
According to the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of the flu, including fever, cough and shortness of breath. Prevention for COVID-19 is the same as for the flu. The CDC recommends steps people can take to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading any disease, including COVID-19. These steps include: ■ Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds ■ Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available ■ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth ■ Avoiding close contact with sick people ■ Staying home when you are sick ■ Covering your cough or sneezing into your elbow or a tissue, and immediately throwing the tissue in the trash ■ Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces ■ Getting a flu shot
For more information about COVID-19 ■ The IDPH coronavirus hotline: 1-800- 889-3931 ■ IDHP coronavirus facts: dph.illinois. gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus ■ CDC COVID-19 information: cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
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