10 minute read
Big Week
Fourth Of July Celebration With Good Clean Fun
Monday, July 4, 6:30 p.m., Park District of Forest Park Good Clean Fun describes themselves as a “party band,” playing the big hits of almost every decade. At this show, they’ll provide the soundtrack for the ultimate party, celebrating Independence Day. Their performance will be followed by a reworks display. Concessions will be available. 7501 W. Harrison St., Forest Park.
FitzGerald’s American Music Festival
Friday, July 1-Monday, July 4, 1 p.m., FitzGerald’s One of the great summerfests in the entire Land of Lincoln makes a comeback, with four full days of classic roots music from the likes of Marshall Crenshaw, Daddy Longlegs, Marcia Ball, C.J. Chenier and others. $50 per day, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.
Listing your event in the calendar
Forest Park Review welcomes notices about events that Forest Park community groups and businesses are planning. We’ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper. ■ Send details to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302 ■ Email calendar@wjinc.com
June 29-July 6 BIG WEEK
Illinois Libraries Present: An Evening With Michelle Zauner
Thursday, June 30, 7-8 p.m., virtually through Illinois Libraries Present
Musician and author Michelle Zauner discusses her music career and her best-selling memoir, Crying In H Mart. Joining her will be the acclaimed music writer Jessica Hopper. Register now at https://bit.ly/May18_ MichelleZauner.
Rock Your Babies Storytime
Friday, July 1, 10:30-11 a.m., Reiger Park
Storytelling for the pre-kindergarten set. In case of rain, the event will be hosted at Forest Park Public Library. 1526 Circle Ave., Forest Park.
Pisco For Pride: A Pisco Pairing Dinner Experience & Drag Show
Wednesday, June 29, 6-10 p.m., Ca e De Luca
This intimate four-course dinner & drag show is sponsored by Catan Pisco (a female-owned spirits brand). Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite.com for $120, 7427 Madison St., Forest Park.
Mr. Beef takes bow in Harlem Avenue grand opening
Ribbon cutting, hot rods, politicians and a sense of community
By MELISSA ELSMO
Eats Editor
Mr. Beef and Pizza, 123 Harlem Ave., hosted a festive grand opening celebration on Saturday, June 26. The purveyor of house made Italian beef, pizza with parmesan tomato sauce, and fresh salads opened in the winter, but waited to celebrate its Forest Park debut under the summer sun. To bring a sense of fun, Nick Kollias, invited owners of colorful hot rods and pristine vintage cars to park in the spot’s generous lot.
Kollias and his wife Ioanna were joined by their business partners Peter and Kathy Kerasiotis to mark the occasion. Mayor Rory Hoskins and Congressman Danny K. Davis joined Laurie Kokenes, executive director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
“We’ve brought in a restaurant destination for families, visitors, friends and resi-
MELISSA ELSMO/Eats Editor Mr. Beef and Pizza’s grand opening was held on June 26. Not sure if there were hot dogs, but plenty of hot rods (below).
dents with lots and lots of menu choices,” said Kollias. “We are happy and excited to be here.”
Kollias is no stranger to the local business scene. His family owns Petersen’s ice cream and Giordano’s Pizza in Oak Park as well as the Mr. Beef and Pizza location at 3917 N. Harlem Ave. in Chicago. In fact, Kollias pointed out a large percentage of the Chicago location draws business from the Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest area.
“Customers kept encouraging us to come closer. We were literally drawn here by our customer base,” said Kollias. “The build out of the property was extensive and the parking lot represents a real investment.”
Mr. Beef and Pizza naturally benefits from heavy traffic on Harlem and Kollias is clear that the year-long property renovation paid particular attention to creating enough space to divert traffic to the restaurant without disrupting traffic flow on the busy throughfare. The building itself benefitted from a total gut rehab. Owners kept only the exterior walls and brought in an excavator to dig out the floors to make room for a new plumbing system. The added drainage allows for daily deep cleanings without fear of flooding.
Most importantly Kollias wants Mr. Beef and Pizza to be a high value option in the local community. The business offers a free membership model where repeat customers can accumulate points to put toward free pizza. Membership also opens up a different buy-one-get deal every day of the week.
“Thursdays are becoming very popular because members get buy one get one free salads,” said Kollias. “Customers can mix and match different types of salads and some people buy four and enjoy them over a few days.”
The owners behind Mr. Beef and Pizza are grateful for the outpouring of support they have received from the Village of Forest Park as well as the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce.
“We are so fortunate to be in the Forest Park community,” said Kollias.
Link: https://mrbeefandpizza.com/
Photo credit elsmo
Mr. Beef and Pizza hosts a ribbon cutting at their location located at 123 Harlem Ave. on Saturday, June 26.
Hot rods and classic cars played up the drive-thru theme at Mr. Beef and Pizza’s grand opening celebration last weekend.
Flash Drought? Um...a What?!?
After a very cold and very wet spring, summer has arrived in full force. Over the past few weeks, we have experienced record and nearrecord heat, with this pattern expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Scott McAdam Jr.
According to the National Weather Service, a fl ash drought, or rapid onset drought, may be developing in Illinois, thanks to below-average rainfall and little rain expected in the coming days and weeks.
Never heard of a fl ash drought? Until last week, neither had I.
It occurs when multiple environmental factors align to create a perfect storm. A combination of lowerthan-normal rates of precipitation, abnormally high temperatures, strong winds, and increased solar radiation (i.e., clear skies), sets this phenomenon in motion.
With these conditions expected to take shape, it will be extremely important to monitor your landscape’s well-being. Supplemental watering, in accordance with local guidelines, should be done regularly to ensure adequate moisture for your plantings and to keep your overall landscape healthy.
Remember, plants are living, breathing organisms. Like us, they need to receive the proper nutrients and water for optimal health.
2001 Des Plaines Ave. Forest Park • 708-771-2299 www.mcadamlandscape.com
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German Fest
Forest Park’s annual celebration of its long German Heritage was renewed in the Altenheim Grove last Friday and Saturday with food, music, games and, of course, beer (or do you say “bier”). The event was sponsored by the Harlem Männer-und Damenchor, Deutsch Amerikanischer National Congress (DANK), and West Village of Forest Park.
Andrea and Fred Leinweber take a break from cooking and serving.
Amalie and Danile Middle give a glimpse of German heritage to mom, Margot.
Israel/Palestine: It’s All About Human Rights
I believe that
•targeting civilians with military-style weapons in the US and by Israeli military weapons in Palestine is reprehensible. • mass executions and ethnic cleansing are wrong – in Rwanda and in Sabra and Shatila. • replacing peace strategies, like diplomacy and addressing structural systemic injustice, with military aid is destructive and morally bankrupt – in Saudi Arabia/Yemen and in
Israel/Palestine. • forced displacement, home destruction, and occupation create refugee crises – in the Donbas and in Masafer Yatta. More information on this issue and others at cjpip.org/progressive-for-palestine and CJPIP on Facebook
I AM A PEACE ACTIVIST, SO I SUPPORT PALESTINIAN RIGHTS.
ASSISTED LIVING • SHELTERED CARE • MEMORY CARE • SKILLED NURSING
ASSISTED LIVING • SHELTERED CARE • MEMORY CARE • SKILLED NURSING
Now safely moving Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.Now safely moving new residents to our new residents to our small, wooded campus.
A safe & A safe & small, wooded campus. smart choice. smart choice. A safe & Choosing a community you can trust has never been Choosing a community you can trust has never been more smart choice. more difficult. important. Choosing a community you Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis Our community has an impeccable record of safety can trust has never been more difficult. and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues. during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues. Our community has an impeccable record of safety We would be honored for your during the COVID-19 crisis family to be part of ours. We would be honored for your and we will stop at nothing family to be part of ours. to make sure it continues. We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.
