Landmark 051524

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Riveredge Hospital is here to help any member of your family.

This month, make your mental health a priority. We offer specialized inpatient and outpatient services for children, teens and adults.

Did you know? The average delay between the onset of symptoms of a mental health issue and the start of treatment is 11 years.

- National Library of Medicine

SIGNS

Decorating begins

from page 1

signs, which will be installed this and next summer, will commemorate Riverside’s 150th anniversary in 2025.

The village will sell the old signs to Riversiders past and present to raise funds for events and celebrations next year leading up to the sesquicentennial in August.

The new signs will feature black text on a white background with Riverside’s name at the top in capital letters. A tree branch with green leaves based on the branch in Riverside’s official logo can be found in the top corners above the street name

“We chose black print on white because it’s easiest to read, for not just our residents but also our visitors,” said Trustee Alex Gallegos, who is one of two co-chairs of the ad-hoc sesquicentennial planning committee responsible for anniversary festivities. “Since we’re now becoming more of a wayfinding type of community, we want it to be easier for anyone to come visit us.”

Public Works Director Dan Tabb said the new signs will be nine inches tall with sixinch-tall text, making them about 50% larger than the village’s current street signs. The signs will vary in length based on the street name each sign bears.

“The committee was very deliberate in opting to go for a standard street sign size,” said Trustee Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga, the sesquicentennial committee’s other co-chair. “I think with bringing in the different design elements from our logo and branding materials, we were able to accomplish a lot in a very little space.”

Village Clerk Ethan Sowl estimated each of the village’s 300 street signs would sell for $300, raising a maximum of $90,000; however, the replacement of the signs will cost the village an estimated $50,850, including the price of the signs and the cost for village staff to install them, meaning the project will generate $39,150 in profit to go toward anniversary events and other expenditures.

The committee’s budget for 2024 is only $1,000, but Sowl said it “will definitely need to spend more than $1,000 this year” before it raises profit from the street sign sale. Trustees approved having Riverside’s general fund special events budget subsidize up to $90,000 of purchases outside of the committee’s budget so it can book vendors for events, buy the village’s new street signs and more.

“While it is the goal for [the] Riverside 150 street sign project and other fundraising

opportunities to reimburse the bulk of these expenditures, it’ll just depend on the success of selling those projects and also getting other fundraising opportunities,” he said.

Sowl presented trustees with four different options on what to do with the village’s street sign posts, which are green and match the rest of Riverside’s signage posts outside of some black posts on East Burlington Street. Painting them black would have run the village nearly $9,000 extra, leaving $30,750 in maximum profit. The other two options — which both involved removing the current posts and replacing them with new black posts — would have each cost the village more than the estimated $90,000 recouped from selling the old street signs, losing Riverside money overall.

“Trustees, I would note this is purely an aesthetic choice here. The current signposts are sufficient [and] satisfactory,” Village President Douglas Pollock said. “They’re your standard, you know, construction posts, so they’re not attractive or decorative, but they’re also not very obtrusive, either.”

Trustees ag reed to leave the street sign posts as they are, allowing the village to reap the maximum reward from the sale of the old signs.

Those old street signs will be sold to current and for mer village residents, with a chance that signs from more popular streets, like Riverside Road, will be up for bid rather than sold at a set price, Sowl said.

“This is open to anybody, so anyone who lives here and wants some nostalgia from the street that they grew up on; it’s going to be publicized all over the place,” Gallegos said. “Not just our current residents, but anyone who has any type of history with Riverside would be, of course, more than welcome to bid in on those signs.”

What else is happening with Riverside’s sesquicentennial?

Trustees’ direction to village staff on the new street signs came alongside other updates from the sesquicentennial committee on their plans for the celebration of Riverside’s 150th anniversary.

According to a village memo, the committee “has begun workshopping plans” alongside the parks and recreation department for a Riverside homecoming weekend August 7-10, 2025, in honor of the village’s official date of incorporation on August 8, 1875. Current and for mer Riversiders will be invited home for a weekend of activities, which could include the third and final show in the village’s annual concert series, a homecoming party at the Riverside train station and a golf outing or brunch at the

COURTESY OF THE VILL AG E OF RIVERSIDE

Riverside’s current street signs, which feature white text on a brown background, will be replaced over the coming summers by new signs to commemorate the village’s sesquicentennial in 2025.

endar, the theme of which will be “Riverside by the Decades.” According to the village memo, the calendar will feature events from the village and its parks and recreation department as well as those from school districts and local nonprofits.

The committee is accepting applications until July 1 from Riverside organizations to include their events on the calendar, which will be available for purchase at the 2024 Holiday Stroll; the application form can be obtained and submitted on the committee’s page on Riverside’s website.

Next, committee members have chosen an official logo for use in sesquicentennial branding materials. The logo is based on the village’s logo with the addition of the words “celebrating 150 years” beneath Riverside’s name. The green leaves from the village’s logo are instead gold to represent the anniversary, while the inside ring surrounding the leaves is green instead of blue. The standard logo’s outer blue ring and other elements are unchanged.

Finally, the committee has “begun conversations” with Riverside Elementary School District 96 and its superintendent, Martha Ryan-Toye, “to develop a fourth- or fifth-grade project-based learning proposal related to the village’s incorporation … in lieu of a current grade-based assignment [so] not to burden teachers in the schools,” Sowl said.

The committee and D96’s music and theater programs are also working together to recreate the village’s centennial pageant from 1975, “At the Bend in the River,” for the 2024-25 or 2025-26 school year

“We’re actually currently looking for the musical score, so if someone in town has a recording of that, that would be greatly appreciated,” Sowl said.

You’ve decided to move to a senior living community, now what? If you have a home to sell, get it show ready by following these easy steps.

• Declutter, Depersonalize & Deep Clean. Help home shoppers focus on the house and not who lives there. Remove framed photos, bulletin boards and personal items, and get rid of anything dirty, dusty or smelly.

• Go Neutral. Buyers often can’t see past your décor so paint over any bright colors. Stick with whites, light gray, beige, or greige shades, they make spaces seem larger and more welcoming.

• Light It Up. Make sure all lamps and light fixtures have working bulbs and rooms are bright and well lit.

• Fix It Up. Repair small and large issues to present a home that’s been well cared for. If a project is too large to do it yourself, hire a handyman.

Remember, you only have one chance to make a great first impression with potential home buyers.

living advice or call (708) 387-1030.

Compiled by Grace Har ty

Whimsical Wednesdays

Wednesday, May 15, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Nor th Riverside Public Library

Waltz on down to Whimsical Wednesday at the library! Kids are invited to join in a fun story time with other little ones of the neighborhood while coloring and listening. Little ones under the age of ve must be accompanied by an adult. Don’t be silly come by the library and feel whimsy! 2400 S. Desplaines Ave.

We want to hear from you

The Landmark is looking to invigorate its coverage of arts, food and enter tainment. We want to hear from you! Please take this short sur vey to help us learn what you want when you’re looking for things to do. Please submit your answers by May 26. https://forms.gle/yss7eCACoXW49jqNA

Summer Tennis Tournament

June and July

The Riverside Brook eld High School tennis programs are playing host to their rst Summer Tennis Tournament at the school’s tennis courts at 160 Ridgewood Rd, in Riverside. Singles will be at 4 p.m. June 21 and 8 a.m. June 22, and, if needed, June 23. Doubles and mixed doubles are at 4 p.m. July 12 and 8 a.m. July 13, and if needed, July 14. The fundraiser tournament is open to all community players with double elimination, best of three sets matches and 1-AD scoring. Prizes will be awarded for rst through third place. Fees are $35 for singles and $30 per doubles player. Participants who sign up for both singles and doubles receive a $15 discount. Students ages 8-18 receive a $10 discount ($25 for singles and doubles). Registration information is available at https://tinyurl.com/RBTennisFundraiser. For more information contact RBHS boys and girls tennis coach Sam Weiss at weisss@rbhs208.net.

Compiled by Bill Stone

Jimmy Bu ett NightGone 2 Paradise w Frank Paul and Mary Rose

Jimmy Bu ett Night - Gone 2 Paradise with Frank Paul and Mary Rose

Sunday, May 19, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Chef Shangri La

For more than 20 years, “G one 2 Paradise” has been celebrating the music of Jimmy Bu ett as the ultimate J immy Bu ett tribute band. You’ve seen them on WGN and NBC — now see them live! Hailing from the vibrant city of Chicago, Gone 2 Paradise is the premier J immy Bu ett tribute band that has taken the nation by storm. With infectious energy and unwavering dedication to capturing the essence of the legendar y singer-songwriter, this talented group of musicians has become synonymous with the ultimate Jimmy Bu ett experience. 7924 W 26th St.

Brian Wells exhibition

Now - July 31, Riverside Town Hall

The Riverside Town Hall is hosting Brian Wells’ Exhibition of urban scene paintings. Wells himself states that his work “has always focused on the mystery to be found in the commonplace, ever yday world.” In fact, while his exhibition is up, there will be an artist reception on Friday, May 24 from 6-8 p.m. For more information on this exhibition, visit riversidear tscenter.com. 27 Riverside Road

Using Tech to Stay Connected

Wednesday, May 22, 10:15 - 11:45 a.m.

LSF Brook eld Library

The Brook eld Aging Well Team invites you to their “Using technology to stay connected” event for seniors. Local tech professionals will talk about how seniors can stay connected and safe while keeping in touch with friends, family, and other loved ones. At this information session, you will learn about email, tex ting, and video conferencing, as well as password management and how to navigate online shopping and banking. Most importantly, the techies will teach you how to avoid online scams. This event provided by Cantata Life Services and Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care is free and light refreshments will be provided. To reserve your spot, call the Village of Brook eld / Parks & Recreation at 708-485-1527. 3541 Park Ave.

Job Prep Fair

Saturday, May 18, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

LSF Brook eld Library

Are you struggling to nd a job in this day and age? Well, no need to worry because you are not alone. The library will be holding an event where attendees can get free headshots and receive help with the application process

This job prep fair is perfect for recent college graduates or those looking for a job. The job search can be scar y, but don’t miss this opportunity. 3541 Park Ave

Riverside becomes backdrop for resident’s rst book

Abby Regan wrote a children’s book about her family’s rescue dog, Oatmeal

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Fr om i ts winding r oads and vibrant gr een spaces to i ts iconic architectur e, Rive rside is known as a b eautiful p lac e to live. Now, i ts b eauty is not only visible b ut also legible to the w ider wo rl d in i ts r ole as the backdrop of r esident Ab by Re ga n’s first b ook, “Not Your Average Oatmeal. ”

T he children’s b ook, self-published by Re g an in March and available for purchase online, follows her f amily ’s rescue dog, Oatmeal, on a r unaway adventure around the village on his first day as their foster pet.

“He wasn’t very ready to trust anybo dy new, and so, on the first day that he was here, he actually jumped our back fence and went r unning around Riverside for a full day,” Re g an said in a phone interview T hursday. “The story is about the sights that he saw in Riverside, the smells, what he heard, that sort of thing. It takes you through the scenes of Riverside.”

Several of Riverside ’s landmarks made their way into the pages of “Not Your Average Oatmeal,” including the Swinging Bridg e, the Des Plaines River, the Riverside train station and the g as lamps scattered throughout town. Riverside ’s iconic Water Tower graces the book’s front cover behind Oatmeal himself.

“I gr ew up in Rive rside, bo rn and raised in the same house down the b loc k from C entral E lementary School, so I w ent to all of the f eeder schools, w ent to Rive rside-Brookfield [High School],” Re g an said. “I j ust want to emphasize how much Rive rside has had an impact on me and my l ife as w ell as my f amily ’s l ife and, you know, anybo dy that I r eall y talk to in Rive rside. It ’s j ust such an amazing plac e. ”

e cover for “Not Your Average Oatmeal” features the rescue dog prominently in front of Riverside’s iconic Water Tower.

Becoming an author

Re g an first got the idea for the book after a family friend mentioned what a “g reat story” Oatmeal’s adventures made, but she said she “always knew I wanted to write a book in some capacity.”

“I’ve always been a really big reader, and I’ve always loved to tell stories,” she said. “From first grade to fifth grade, every year, we were tasked with writing our own story, and I’ve always loved those. I mean, I thrived when those were around.”

While Re gan graduated from the University of Dayton last May with a de gree in journalism and public relations, she said she “knew I wasn’t built for” news writing. Outside of w riting children

Re g an flexes her literary muscles through PR w riting at Carol Fo sociates, a Chicago-based mar agency. S he even used her PR savvy to promote the b ook, partnering with Riverside to host a give aw ay on gr am page last month. I nternauts asked to follow Re ga n’s professional ac c ount alongside Rive rside ’s and to drop a c omment saying who they ’d read the b ook with. A winner was d omly selected May 1.

While “Not Your Average Oatmeal” has

Ride Riverside brings biking home

e group’s founders called it half-social club, half-advocacy group

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

A new group for all things bicycling has sprouted up in Riverside.

Ride Riverside got its start in April, when founders Valerie Kramer and Matt Schalles hosted the group’s first monthly slow roll bicycle ride. At 6 p.m. on the second Friday of the month, Kramer, Schalles and any interested riders meet up at the Riverside train station to take the scenic route together through the village Kramer said that while the group’s first outing drew fewer than 40 people, its May ride Friday evening drew 85 people — in part due to some bike-powered live music. For about half an hour before the slow roll, Schalles and local musicians Jon Dombro and Wally Pochron played music like normal, but their amplifiers only worked as long as volunteers from the crowd pedaled on a stationary bike generator owned by

Schalles.

“I was pleasantly surprised to learn that one rider could power enough to be heard over the trains,” Schalles said in an interview Monday. “I was half-expecting the train to come by, it’s going to sound like a drum solo.”

Humble beginnings

The group, which is looking for volunteers to join its ranks, got its start when Kramer and Schalles met as members of Riverside’s Cross-Community Climate Collaborative Team and realized their shared interest in biking. In January, they both went to the annual meeting of Cycle Brookfield, a nonprofit advocacy group in Brookfield working to promote more and safer biking.

“I was so inspired. At the end of the meeting, I talked to Chris Valadez, who’s the leader, and I said, ‘Is there any way that

you could somehow incorporate Riverside into your group?’” Kramer said. “And he said, ‘Well, I can help you start your own group.’ And I was like, ‘Okay, well, I guess no one else is doing this.’”

When she reached out to the village to make sure Ride Riverside could host monthly rides, Kramer said Riverside staf f initially thought she and Schalles were proposing a race that would close down village streets

“I think they didn’t initially understand that it wasn’t a bike race. It was a c ommunity g et-to g ether,” she said. “Tha t makes me think that there’s probably no one that, if it ever did exist, I do n’ t think there’s anyone who remembers a bike ride li ke this existing. Nobo dy ’s told me that. So, I’m thinking it was j ust such a new idea that they we re li ke, ‘What? You’ re j ust going to g et a bunch of p eople to ride around?’”

The bene ts of biking

Part of Ride Riverside’s goal, Kramer said, is to show people that riding bikes can be fun while providing benefits.

“This is a really nerdy way of me to think about it, but optimizing my time, I think about, I’m doing something social, which is good for health, good for all the things. I’m making connections with other people in my town, strengthening our town. I’m exercising, and I’m enjoying nature,” she said. “It’s like all those things, with our bike rides, at once. So, I think you couldn’ t come up with a healthier, better activity for a community.”

Kramer emphasized that the benefits of group slow rides like R ide Riverside’s come at little cost to the communities that embrace them.

“We’ re not adding to the traffic. T hese are people in, mostly, Riverside and Brookfield who are coming by bike to ride. It’s not like everyone’s driving in with their bikes,” she said. “We’ re also adding to the commerce without the traffic. You g et the benefit of people perhap s staying after the ride, going out to eat, being a part of the business.”

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza Sales and Marketing Representatives

Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe

Business & Development Manager

Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

EMAIL jill@oakpark.com

Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker BOARD OF

Chair Judy Gre n

Treasurer Nile Wendor f

Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer HOW TO

ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066

E-MAIL erika@growingcommunitymedia.org

ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com

The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $45 within Cook County and $65 outside the county. Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster

Local pharmacists say Walgreens needs new Rx for pay, working conditions

e pharmacists’ union wants salary increases, better sta ng and no telepharmacy services

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

More than a dozen Walgreens pharmacists and supporters gathered outside stores in the area in late April and early May to draw attention to what they said is inadequate pay and working conditions

At the Walgreens in Forest Park at 7200 Roosevelt Road May 3, they stood in front of a large inflatable rat as a truck with a video screen on its side displayed “We <3 Walgreens Pharmacy Staff!” while it drove around the block.

Pharmacists also demonstrated in front of the Walgreens at 4101 1st Ave. in Lyons May 9.

These actions came as a part of the Phed Up Pharmacists Tour, where Walgreens pharmacists who had the day off visited 46 Chicagoland Walgreens. They aimed to raise awareness for inadequate pay and working conditions for the company’s pharmacists, who have been working without a contract for the last nine months, according to the National Pharmacists AssociationLaborers’ International Union of North America (NPhA-LIUNA), which represents nearly 900 pharmacists at 400 Chicagoland Walgreens locations.

Chicagoland Walgreens pharmacists aren’t on strike and are in the process of negotiating their union contract with Walgreens, asking for a pay raise, job security and checks on telepharmacy.

“We’re hoping that this will help to move the needle, showing some of the discontent and getting the word out to the public about what’s going on,” said Robert Kobleski, a pharmacist at a Walgreens on the Northwest side of Chicago and secretary of NPhA-LIUNA’s executive board.

Walgreens pharmacists have received a 2% pay raise in the last seven years, NPhALIUNA officials said in a statement, which doesn’t adequately acknowledge pharmacists for their work. Officials added that, last year, 74% of Walgreens sales occurred at pharmacies, while only 26% was from retail.

Walgreens has tried meeting with NPhALIUNA, but the union has not accepted an invitation since last fall, officials said in an email from Walgreens

“Our leaders are in our pharmacies regularly, listening to concerns and responding to feedback,” Walgreens officials said. “We have taken steps over the last two years to improve pharmacists’ experience, advance the profession and enable them to provide the high value care they were trained to do.”

Pharmacist demands

In addition to a pay raise, union Walgreens pharmacists are calling for improved scheduling in their contracts. Rather than hire more pharmacy staff, Walgreens has cut pharmacy hours and closed stores, according to the NPhA-LIUNA.

Walgreens announced last summer that it would close 150 locations in the United States. At that time, Walgreens had implemented reduced hours at over 1,000 locations, the Chicago Sun-Times reported

Although Kobleski’s store on the Northwest side of Chicago is open 24 hours and one of the busiest in the Chicagoland area, he said that wasn’t the case at the previous Walgreens he worked at. Kobleski lives in Naperville and was a pharmacist at a 24hour location in the Chicago suburb, along with at a 24-hour Walgreens in Berwyn. But when Walgreens cut both of those locations’ hours, Kobleski started working at his current Chicago location.

“It’s displacing a lot of full-time pharmacists and forcing them to either be part-time or to float from store to store,” Kobleski said. “It’s definitely causing a lot of turmoil amongst the pharmacists and a lot of uncertainty, stress and worry.”

chicago13point1.com/ volunteer

Brook eld couple opens co ee shop at Berwyn Shops

Four Star Handcra

ed Co ee opened May 3 as part of the 2024 cohor t

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

If you reco gnize the name Four Star Handcrafted Coffee from Brookfield’s far mers market last summer, head on over to Berwyn, where the brand has set up shop through the end of the year.

Owners and Brookfield residents Gricelda and Chris Camacho opened Four Star’s physical location May 3 as one of 12 businesses in the 2024 cohort for the Berwyn Shops, a small business incubator at 6931 Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn. Through the program, each store or brand is given a 12-foot by 15-foot cottage through mid-December to call its own, opening Fridays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During those times, business owners are free to sell their wares; in Four Stars’ case, those wares include bags of coffee beans, hand-poured candles, branded clothing and merchandise and, of course, the cus-

tomer’s choice of prepared coffee.

“We’ve been roasting coffee for a while, but last year was the first year where someone was like, oh, maybe we should do the far mers market [to] have more interaction with different people,” Chris Camacho said in an interview. “There was folks buying coffee bags, and it was like, ‘Oh, great! Fantastic!’ But then what we found is, they wanted to try it. Then, once they tried it, they wanted to buy a cup of coffee.”

As the demand for different coffee drinks grew, the Camachos adapted their far mers market stand from one just selling roasted coffee beans to one more closely resembling Four Stars’ current operation.

“Since it’s in the summer, we were like, ‘We want something cold,’” Gricelda Camacho said, so they started selling cold brew “And then we evolved to nitro. And then, more people were like, ‘What about lattes?’ And then we brought the espresso machine.”

While Four Star only made its far mers market debut last year, the brand got its

start in 2014, when Chris Camacho studied abroad in Australia and Gricelda Camacho joined him. They said the country’s coffee culture, which encouraged them to savor their drinks, inspired them to bring it back home after Chris Camacho met with alumni from his school in Australian coffee shops.

“I had no idea of the menu. It sounds very naive, too. I was used to going to Starbucks because I needed caffeine, and the only thing I knew that looked slightly familiar was a macchiato,” Chris Camacho said.

While he had been expecting a latte macchiato, a tall drink made with steamed milk and a shot of espresso, he received a caffe macchiato, a single espresso shot with only a dollop of milk on top. Both drinks’ names come from the Italian word “macchiato,” meaning “stained,” which refers to the small amount of espresso or milk “staining” the large quantity of the other when the drinks are prepared.

See COFFEE on pa ge 12

Four Star Handcra ed Co ee is one of 12 small businesses in the Berwyn Shops incubator program this year

TRENT BROWN

only sat on shelves since March, Re ga said the manuscript came to gether during her final semester of colle ge last spring.

“The co nversations we re from the time that we officially adopted [Oatmeal] in January 2021, so those co nversations [were] from 2021 to the beginning of 2023,” she said. “I didn’t w rite the firs manuscript until Fe bruar y, and then the final manuscript was c ompleted around May, and that’s when we sort of kick eve rything into high gear.”

Fo r Re g an, shifting i nto higher g ear included h iring a publishing c onsultant who was also a New Yo rk Times b estselling author

“We knew that he was going to do a great job and help us get from point A to point B,” she said. “From May until March, we were really going — I mean, communication was every week … back and for th, completely collaborative, getting all the illustrations created, everything for the way that I had envisioned them.”

though the plans aren’t set in stone

HELP WANTED:

1 HOUR A DAY

Magical Minds Studio in Oak Park is looking for an experienced driver for their 14 passenger bus. No special license is required.

Must be 21 or older with a good driving record. $30/hour, $150 a week:

2:45-3:45p.m., Wed 2:15-3:15p.m.

Re gan said it felt great when the book was finally published, like a weight had been lifted of f her shoulders.

“I was juggling gr aduating and that huge change … and starting my professional career, and then also wo rk ing that eight-to-five eve ry day, and then c oming home and starting c ommunication from five to nine with p ushing this b ook out, so it was a lot of wo rk . It was ve ry timec onsuming,” she said.

Even still, “It didn’t f eel li ke a jo b. It f elt li ke, ‘This is my p assion. This is something that I want to complete,’” she a dded. “Getting to the point where I actually g ot a physical copy in my hand s was incredible.”

What comes next?

Now that Re g an has published her first b ook, she said she has her eyes set on turning it i nto a four-book serie s, al-

“I do have b ooks two and three w ritten. I ca n’ t say a whole lot about wh at they ’r e about, but they r un along the same ide a of a c oming-of-age story teaching l ife lessons,” she said.

“[I’m] riding on this high right now with b ook one, and there’s still a lot to learn on the entire process of eve rything, and so I want to make sure that I g et to, sort of, not the c ompletion of b ook one, but r un through the whole process so I know exactly wh at I need to take from process one and apply it to the future books,” she added.

While Re g an hasn’t started the publication process for a sequel quite yet, she said she’s hoping to publish her second b ook next summer

“The industry is on a little bit of a delay at this point, and we ’re not exactly sure why, but from start to finish right now, the publication process is about nine months,” she said. “I still want to take a c ouple more months to ride on the high of b ook one and figure eve rything out f ully before I start b ook two, so shooting for summer 2025. ”

DOUBLE YOUR INVESTMENT IN OUR LOCAL NEWS

Growing Community Media’s Spring Fund Drive is under way. Help us raise $130,000 by June 30.

Generous long-time GCM supporters have put up $10,000 as our first match of the drive. We can double those dollars with your investment in our nonprofit newsroom.

We need you and we need you now.

No other newsroom covers the Greater West Side – Austin to Oak Park to Forest Park to Brookfield – like the reporters and editors at GCM. We tell the stories that unite and empower our communities. Help us grow stronger, more connected neighborhoods.

LETTERS

Law Day celebration was a great idea

It was wonderful to read about Law Day at RBHS in the article, “Appellate Judges Hold Court at RB” (May 18). What a great opportunity for students to learn about oral arguments during the appeals process. And it was great to have Justice Navarro give back to his alma mater and to have his parents in attendance. Students need to engage in real-life scenarios as they make important decisions in their lives. This is a time for them to reflect and to figure out the direction for the rest of their lives. Bravo to Justice Navarro and to RBHS for arranging this day!

Jan Goldberg

Former RB Social Studies teacher

OBITUARIES

Linda Turek, 81

Loved to dance

Linda J. Turek (nee Lesko), 81 of Brookfield, died on May 11, 2024. Born on July 10, 1943, she was most proud of raising her four children, but also worked for PAV Realty, Clyde Federal, and for BFI for a month shy of 10 years. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, and especially singing in the choir and dancing with her husband, her favorite dances being the waltz and the cha-cha. Sixty-one years ago, Linda taught her soon-to-be husband, Robert, both of these dances so they could dance them together at their wedding. Linda was the wife of the late Robert J. Turek Sr.; the mother of Robert (Elizabeth) Turek Jr., James (Tammy) Turek, Linda (Anthony) Krivak and Mary (fiancée Robert Maskal) Turek; grandmother of Carolyn Turek, Christine (Cameron) Guest, Robert R. Turek, Haley Turek, Kaitlin

Krivak, Alyssa Krivak, Ellen Krivak and Sabrina Krivak; sister of Leonard (Barbara) Lesko, the late Matthew (late Marilyn) Lesko, and the late James (late Marie) Lesko; the aunt of many; and dog mommy to Donny.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 17, 4-9 p.m. at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, 2447 S. Desplaines Avenue, North Riverside. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 18, at St. Mary of Celle Church (corner of 15th Street and Euclid Avenue), Berwyn, at 9:30 a.m.

Interment is private. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.KuratkoNosek.com.

Elsa Wurster, 73

Interior designer

Elsa Wurster (nee Guer ra), 73, of Riverside, died peacefully on April 28, 2024. Born on Dec. 10, 1950, in Piedras Ne gras, Mexico, she was a warm, positive, loving, and creative individual, with a strong focus on f amily. Her career as an interior designer at Walter E. Smithe Furniture allowed her to showcase her creativity and passion for design

Elsa was the wife of Barry R. Wurster.

In Elsa’s memory, her family invites friends and loved ones to join them in celebrating her life at the Riverside Golf Club on May 26, from 2 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that charitable donations be made in Elsa’s name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Contributions can be made online at https://diy.lls.org/ give/441759/#!/donation/checkout

Gary Frantzen, 70 Bank clerk

Gary J. Frantzen, 70, of Chicago, died on May 6, 2024. He worked as a bank clerk. Gary was the husband of Nancy Frantzen (nee Macmillan); the father of Heather Swierk; the grandfather of Nathan Swierk; the brother of Wayne Frantzen and the late Bruce Frantzen; the unc le of Mindy (Jason) Feldheim and Brent Frantzen; and the son of the late Harold P.

OBITUARIES

Frantzen and the late Merle Frantzen (nee Siemsen).

A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, May 14, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513. Interment is private.

Philip Brickner, 60

Government inspecto r

Philip E. B rickner, 60, of Brookfield, fo rmerly of Tiffin, Ohi o, died on April 20, 2024. He wo rked as a gove r nment produce i nspector.

Born on May 29, 1963, he graduated from Tiffin Calvert High School in 1981. He worked in Fremont and Geneva, Ohio, as well as Nogales and Phoenix, Arizona as a fruit, nut and produce inspector. He moved to the Chicago area where he worked at the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Specialty Crops Inspection Central Re gional Office for 28 years, finishing his career as the Central Operations assistant branch chief.

He loved traveling to all areas of the globe, including Hawaii, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, United Kingdom, India, Japan, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia in Canada. He also spent time exploring many of the national and state parks in the U.S., including hiking in the Rocky Mountains, and climbing Mt. Shasta and Mt. Whitney in California. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed biking, hiking, canoeing, camping, and attending concerts with his friends. One of his favorite activities was the annual winter and summer campouts with his high school buddies, a tradition that has continued since their high school graduation. He was affectionately referred to as “Uncle Phil” by all his friends’ children and by his nieces and nephews. Most of all, he enjoyed his time with friends and family and, even though he had a busy work schedule, always made the extra ef fort to attend special family events.

Phil was the son of the late Kenneth Brickner and Marilyn Brickner (nee Lucius); the brother of Daniel (Doris) Brickner, Theresa (Gregory) Roberts, Angela (Terry) Helmer and Louis Brickner; and

the uncle of many nieces and nephews and their children.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio, and will be followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society; Ascension Alexian Brothers Hospice in Elk Grove Village, Illinois; Calvert High School in Tiffin, Ohio; or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements were handled by Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513.

Robert Gregor y, 79 Printing manager

Robert J. Gregory, 79, of LaGrange Park, died on May 4, 2024. He worked as the manager of a printing firm.

He was the husband of the late Patricia J. Gregory (nee Jones); the father of Christopher (Wendy) Gregory, Jennifer (Th omas ) Brenner and David (Katie) Gregory; the gr andfather of Kayla Melena, Caitlin Gregory, Julia Gregory, Harrison Gregory, Wilson Gregory, Gabriela Brenner and Georgia Gregory; the brother of Darryl (Sophronia) Gregory, Kathryn (Frank) Sowecke, Marybeth (the late Greg g) Mitchell; and the uncle of many nieces and ne phews.

A private memorial gathering is being held by the family.

Inurnment is private at Parkholm Cemetery, La Grange Park

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hanson Center Horsemanship Program (part of the Ray Graham Association). https://www.rayg raham.org/ donate, Ray Graham Association, Development Office, 901 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, Il 60532.

Arrangements were handled by Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513.

COFFEE

Lattes done right

from page 8

“So, I’m like, ‘Oh, this is interesting. That is not going to be good,’ and I tried it, like, ‘Oh, this is really good. Like, it’s smooth. Is that how coffee’s supposed to taste?’” he said. “It sparked an interest to see other coffee shops, so we spent some time going to Toby’s Estate, which is big in Australia, and then a few other regular coffee shops, and everything was good. It was like it was the way it was supposed to be. So, when we came back, it was like, ‘Well, who does that?’”

The two decided to apply for a spot at the Berwyn Shops this year after having visited the small business incubator in the past.

“This had came up, because we’ve seen it a few times. We’ve been here,” Chris Camacho said. “It was like, oh, this might be a neat idea to see what it would be like

WALGREENS

from page 7

Walgreens pharmacists are also wor ried about tele pharmacy.

Kobleski said Walgreens plans to add telepharmacy services in Illinois stores. This, he said, would change processes so that only technicians operate physical pharmacy locations, while Walgreens pharmacists perform tasks remotely, speaking to a patient through a screen when required.

According to the NPhA-LIUNA, telepharmacists aren’t required to be located or licensed in Illinois.

Kobleski said telepharmacy would harm individualized care and relationships with patients.

“I don’t know many pharmacists who went to pharmacy school to just talk to somebody who they don’t even know or have any history with on a screen,” Kobleski said. “I don’t think it’s good for business, and I don’t think it’s good for the patient.”

“Plain and simple, the point of telepharmacy is to increase Walgreens’ profits by cutting the number of pharmacists while increasing the workload of the few remaining,” said Joe Pignataro, NPhA-LIUNA’s president and a full-time Walgreens pharmacist, in a statement. “Recent

to have a physical brick and mortar spot.”

As part of the Camachos’ application, Gricelda Camacho had to present before a panel of jurors in what Chris Camacho described as “a mini ‘Shark Tank’ kind of experience,” comparing it to the reality show where entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to investors.

“It was a panel of 13 jurors from the community, Chamber [of Commerce] members, people from Berwyn, and you get a five-minute pitch. You have to talk about your business, and at the end, I think an additional five minutes for Q&A,” Gricelda Camacho said. “I won’t lie, it was a little nerve-wracking … standing in front of 13 people, but it was exciting, though.”

Chris Camacho (right) prepares a latte Friday morning while Gricelda Camacho tidies up the shelves inside Four Star Handcra ed Co ee

that’s part of us, too, but that would be the goal, post-this, is how do we then evolve into a larger, physical space where people can sit down and enjoy coffee?”

Now that Four Star does have a space to operate out of, the Camachos said their favorite parts of running the business aren’t just the coffee.

“What I like is the interaction with people, right? It’s what I liked about the farmers market, is actually talking to people about what we do,” he said. “There are people that are interested; there are also people that are just wanting to get a good cup of coffee and go, and that’s also good, but I really enjoy the interactions.”

The Camachos said Four Star was one of about 18 businesses out of 30 that progressed to the final stage before the jury selected 12 to make up the 2024 Berwyn Shops cohort. Once their time at Berwyn Shops is up, Chris Camacho said he and Gricelda hope to open a permanent Four Star location somewhere in the area, whether that’s

decisions at other corporations have taught us that outsourcing, de-skilling and ignoring experts — putting profits over people — is not a sustainable business model.”

Despite these q ualms, p harmacists li ke Ko bleski and Pignataro have staye d with Walg reens to improve pay and wo rk ing c onditions for their peers.

“We’re proud to be Walgreens pharmacists,” Kobleski said. “We’ve always been highly regarded in the retail industry. We feel like the best pharmacists come out of Walgreens.”

But Kobleski would like Walg reens to listen to their pharmacists’ demands, and have his contract reflect that.

“You have to do something to step up, to maintain the integrity of this company into the future,” Kobleski said of Walgreens. “You need to do something to retain this excellent sta ff that you’ re taking for gr anted.”

“We are f ully c ommitted to ensuring their contributions are acknowledged and rewarded, including with c ompetitive pay and b enefit s, and are c ontinuing to bargain in g ood faith with our Chicago area p harmacists in an ef fo rt to reach a new c ontract,” Walgreens officials said in an email.

Kobleski said the union’s next contract ne gotiation with Walgreens will take place June 6.

in Berwyn, Brookfield or elsewhere.

“All things kind of have to align, but first for us is making sure that people are engaged, and they like it, right? And then if not, how do we adjust?” he said. “It’s just about making sure that there’s visibility and traffic and then awareness. Obviously,

BIKING

from page 6

Not just a social club

Outside of the group’s social and recreational aspects, Kramer and Schalles said Ride Riverside is also an advocacy group working to promote safer biking in Riverside and greater biking connectivity so more residents feel encouraged to cycle — not just for fun, but as a means of transportation.

Kramer said she had a “lightbulb” moment about the impor tance of connecting bike routes across communities during a C4 Team meeting, when she and other members were reading through the results of a survey of residents on biking.

“There were free-form responses, and one resident said, ‘I would bike, but there’s nothing to bike to,’” Kramer said. “And I thought, ‘Oh, that’s a problem.’ You know, because we only have so many places in Riverside, because it’s actually pretty bikeable here, but even just to get to Costco [in North Riverside], crossing those streets is pretty scary for the

“It’s also nice to have your own little spot,” Gricelda Camacho said. “It’s like, ‘Come in,’ if it’s too sunny out, or if one of these days, it was rainy, people can come in and still have a conversation. But honestly, I think at the end of the day, it’s awesome to just have everything here instead of carrying everything back and forth to the farmers market. That is definitely, I think, one of the benefits.”

majority of people.”

Schalles said increased connectivity in the greater area is part of the benefit of having a group like Ride Riverside in a village where winding, low-visibility streets act as “a natural deter rent from people speeding like crazy.”

“My interest was more, how do you make West Cook County into having a better bicycle network? Because I feel safe riding within Riverside, but what if I want to bike to the zoo? What if I want to bike to Target or Aldi?” he said. “Suddenly, once you cross the border, like First Ave. or Harlem [Avenue], they’re not great, safe options. What if kids want to ride — not even necessarily kids, adolescents — to [Riverside-Brookfield] High School, that should be an easy thing for them to be able to do.”

“Part of what Chris [Valadez] explained to me is that, by having a group in Riverside to work with the village, we can kind of work in collaboration with Brookfield for some of these greater connectivity issues,” Schalles added. “Because getting a good crossing to RB, that’s going to be a problem that transcends a single village.”

CO RRECTI ON

An article titled “D96 superintendent Martha Ryan-Toye to retire in 3 years” that appeared in print May 8, 2024, misstated when the school board approved Ryan-Toye’s contract. The April 17 approval occurred “Last week” when the story was first published online April 23, but the wording was not updated to reflect the print publication date We apolo gize for the er ror.

TRENT BROWN

Sports

Senior goalie Gomez anchors defense for improved Bulldogs

Area lacrosse teams begin postseason play

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Four-year starting varsity goalie Alexander “Bubba” Gomez is not always happy about being the only senior on the Riverside Brookfield High School boys lacrosse team this season.

“The best year we’ve ever had. I wish I was a junior,” Gomez said. “The team’s so good. I’m so excited. Next year, it’s going to be great. I wish I could stick around and watch.”

In the program’s third varsity season, the Bulldogs (11-5) already have exceeded the two previous four-win seasons and enter the St. Rita Sectional by winning six of their last seven re gular-season contests.

T he No. 9-seeded Bulldogs, who play at No. 8 Lemont Wednesday, are going for their first state playof f victory. No. 5 Lyons Township (9-6) opens at No. 12 St. Laurence T hursday

T he 2022 Bulldogs lost their playof f opener in overtime.

“(We hope to go) as far as we can,” Gomez said.

The 5-foot-9 Gomez has come a long way in goal. His senior success includes his first shutout (12-0 over St. Laurence, March 26) and four other victories with three goals or fewer allowed. Gomez said he’s benefitted from the program’s overall improvement and increasing lacrosse IQ.

“I’ve definitely settled down a lot more [as a senior]. A

lot more trust. The defense as a whole has become so much more responsive, intelligent,” he said. “The defense will make plays. Whenever I make a save, I know I can dump it of f.”

Gomez has 164 total saves this season with a .656 save percentage

“Bubba has dialed in all season in the net,” RBHS coach Joe Urbanski said. “He has shown incredible mental and physical toughness all year. His communication with his defense has helped put the guys in the best position possible for success.”

Gomez has been nicknamed Bubba for as long as he can remember. His father beg an it because he was a “very fat, heavy baby.”

“It was kind of ironic because when I was little, I was very, very skinny, but they just kept calling me Bubba,” he said. He also grew up with aspirations of being an ice hockey goalie. His parents gave him the choice of playing hockey or football and Gomez chose football. The only other goalie option was to play lacrosse.

“I thought it looked decently similar and I really liked the idea of being a goalie,” Gomez said. “I always thought it was really satisfying to save things.”

Gomez had great lacrosse mentors with older brother Sam, a 2018 RBHS graduate, and Ella, currently the starting women’s lacrosse goalie as a sophomore at NCAA Division II West Virginia Wesleyan.

“She is much better than me,” Gomez said.

While Gomez plans to play club lacrosse at Alabama and study electrical engineering, sophomore goalie Patrick Galloway has been gaining experience mostly on junior

Riverside-Brook eld’s Goalie Alexander Gomez (35) defends a shot by Glenbard North during a game on April 25, 2024 in Brook eld.

varsity to take over. Junior midfielder Max Strong is in his third varsity season.

“We have a great goalie [in Galloway]. He’s going to be good,” Gomez said.

Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus is making the most impact among the 10 sophomores on varsity. The transfer from Fenwick only played defense in 2023 but has shown great versatility on both offense and defense, contributing 30 goals, 12 assists, 85 ground balls and 36 caused turnovers.

“I’m still getting used to the offense but I think I’m doing pretty well,” Mrozik-DeJesus said. “Just really [appreciate] these guys allowing me to come and being able to play my g ame.”

In the girls Sandburg Sectional, No. 9 RBHS (1-11) plays at No. 8 St. Laurence Wednesday and No. 5 LTHS (10-9) visits No. 4 St. Ignatius Monday.

Senior Gymnast of the Year Taylor, Lions take fourth at state

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior Will Taylor competed at his fourth boys gymnastics state meet Saturday and had multiple top-10 individual finishes, just like older brother Ben for the 2021 state championship team.

When Taylor was named the Illinois High School Gymnastics Coaches Associa-

tion Senior Gymnast of the Year, his first thoughts were about receiving the honor just like Ben.

“After Ben got it too [in 2021], it’s really awesome and something I’ll keep in my room for a while hopefully,” Will Taylor said. “I was the last name called [among the nominees], which was a little scary. I was honestly pretty nervous. I was worried because there were two really great gymnasts right next to me and those guys

deserve it just as much. I’m real for tunate to have gotten the award.”

Taylor then showed his true value to the Lions by helping them finish fourth with 144.85 points at Hoffman Estates. This was the first state meet conducted by the IHSGCA after the IHSA voted last June to no longer sanction the sport.

The Lions won the LT Sectional, May 2, with the state’s fourth-highest score (145.00). They hoped for their fourth

straight top-three trophy after taking second in 2023 (156.20) and third in 2022.

During the re gular season, they were the No. 2-ranked team with a season-high 153.55 and two other 153s, but top-scoring senior all-arounder Matt Adler missed sectionals and state because he was competing at USA Gymnastics club nationals in Florida. See GYMNASTICS on pa ge 14

STEVE JOHNSTON

Bulldogs, Lions meet with 3A regional title on line

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior Brennan Israel has played for two consecutive Lyons Township High School girls soccer Class 3A sectional finalists. The biggest thrill for the starting central defender remains when twin sister Peyton made the varsity for the first time last season.

“I was so happy for her,” Brennan said. “I started crying because I knew how much she wanted to be on the team and her being on the team with me made it so much more special.”

Special bonds will fuel the Lions and Riverside Brookfield when they meet at 11 a.m. Saturday for the 3A LT Regional title in Western Springs

In Monday’s semifinals, LTHS (16-3-2, 5-1 in West Suburban Conference Silver), the No. 2 seed in the Hinsdale Central Sectional, defeated No. 15 Curie 11-0, and No. 7 RBHS (12-72, 5-1 in Metro Suburban Conference) topped No. 11 Oak Lawn 4-0 in a steady or driving rain. Saturday’s winner advances to the sectional semifinals at 6:30 p.m., May 21, most likely against No. 3 Hinsdale Central (13-7, 3-3 in WSC Silver)

“We lost some really big threats [to graduation] but I feel like this season our team is more connected and really connected outside of soccer,” said LTHS junior all-state forward Caroline Mortonson (8 goals, 7 assists this season). “It makes it so fun to play together and the bus rides are so fun. I feel like we’ve translated it onto the field.”

The Lions are ranked No. 8 in the area by ChicagolandSoccer.com and have won 10 straight regional titles. Their hopes of a seventh straight WSC Silver title ended May 6 when they lost their finale to York on penalty

GYMNASTICS

from page 13

LTHS finished behind Wheaton Co-op (163.00), Evanston (150.70) and Glenbard West (149.40) on Saturday. Downers Grove North (142.85) was fifth.

“We knew it would be a hard fight to get a trophy We knew we’d have to have a very good meet,” LTHS coach Sam Zeman said. “We had kind of a rough meet but Will came through. The guys did pretty well. We had some rough spots on [pommel] horse

Co-MSC ch nday

ters with Mortonson and freshman Claire Mortonson.

Riley (8 games) and Avery (6 games) Wengerd have just returned to the lineup mid-season after both undergoing ACL surgery on their right knees in 2023. Each has scored a oal. Riley never played last season. She underwent surgery April 19, 2023, the day after ry suffered the exact same injury and had surgery in May.

“I think me and Riley are probably the closest siblings on the team for sure,” Avery said. “She’ll play right wing and I’ll play right back [defense]. We kind of have that connection.”

“It’s such an instinct,” Avery said. “I know what she likes. We can read each other’s minds and we’re basically alike in literally everything.”

On the field, it’s the same telepathy for the Israels. Peyton is a starting forward and Brennan anchors the interior defense with senior Caroline McKenna.

kicks to settle a 1-1 tie. The Dukes (15-1-1, 6-0 in WSC Silver) are ranked No. 4 and are the No. 1 seed in the Hinsdale Central Sectional.

The Bulldogs seek their first regional title since 2016 in 2A. On Monday, they got goals from Michelle Panduro, Hazel Hall (two) and Ella Caputo in the final 34:10 after Oak Lawn missed a first-half penalty kick

The Bulldogs lost their last three regular season games but only after a 7-0-2 run that included a 4-2 victory at Elmwood Park, April 25, to earn a share of the Metro Suburban Conference title with the Tigers (11-2-1, 4-1 in MSC), who won the first meeting 2-1 in overtime, April 4.

and a few other things but overall we had a good season and we’re here.”

Taylor finished seventh in all-around (51.85) after a personal-best 52.45 to win sectionals

At state, Taylor also tied for sixth on still rings (8.5), was ninth on floor exercise (9.05) and 10th on high bar (8.5), tied for 10th on parallel bars (8.95) and was 11th on horse (8.45).

In 2021, Ben Taylor had six top-10 state finishes, including second in all-around, floor and parallel bars.

“That was the first thing [Will] said when he found out [about the award]: ‘I’m going to be on the [traveling] trophy with my brother,’” Zeman said.

With the rematch tied 2-2, senior Niamh Larson scored in the 64th minute and assisted Hall in the 70th minute. The attempted clear struck Hall in the face and rolled into the net.

“I think we pretty much underestimated them the first time. When we went back to go play them, everyone wanted conference so we pushed,” Larson said.

“We were definitely a lot more locked in the second game,” senior Maddie Bisiules added. “We all knew how much the game meant so we got it done.”

The Lions boast two sets of senior twins, the fraternal Israels and identical Avery and Riley Wengerd, and another pair of sis-

“Will’s improvement, his leadership, keeping the team together the way he has, so valuable to the whole team. I’m going to miss him.”

The Lions opened Saturday on vault, one of Taylor’s best events where he won sectionals (9.2) along with rings (8.6). Only given one vault, Taylor did not land cleanly Saturday and scored 8.4 (tied for 27th). He responded on the other events with five strong performances that outscored his sectional totals by .20.

“I was pretty mad at myself but I ended up having a really great meet otherwise,”

Taylor said.

“Sometimes on the field, I don’t feel like we need to talk. We just know what the other person is going to do,” Brennan said. “She’ll start running so that I can give her the ball.”

“I just would rather score goals than play defense and over time Brennan liked stopping and shutting down the other team,” Peyton said.

The Israels and Wengerds have been teammates since their youth soccer days. This is first time for the Mortonsons.

“It’s like a new experience and really fun for me. It’s great to play with [Caroline],” Claire Mortonson said. “It’s been my goal ever since she made varsity freshman year to make it, too, so we could play together. And so I could make [varsity], too, like her.”

“I was pretty upset when I found out we got fourth but Glenbard West is a great team, Evanston, Wheaton is unstoppable. Even if we had the greatest meet of the year, [third] would have been so close. I’m still proud of my guys.”

Sophomore Ryan Renderman tied for 11th on floor (9.0), sophomore TJ Carr tied for 13th on rings (8.15) and freshman Luca Depa tied for 15th in all-around (45.85) and high bar (7.8). Also part of the state lineup were seniors Ryan Evans and Nick Peterson, junior Drake Levreau, all individual state qualifiers, and juniors Sean McCabe and Jack Michaelson.

IAN MCLEOD

Claire Mortonson (le ), Peyton Israel, Avery Wengerd, Riley Wengerd, Brennan Israel and Caroline Mortonson are the Lyons Township girls soccer team trio of sisters.

PUBLIC NOTICES

RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 208 TIMELY AND MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION FOR PARENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF PRIVATE AND HOME SCHOOLED CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

In accordance with the requirements of Section 612(a) (10) of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004 (“IDEA 2004”), Riverside Brookfield High School will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Riverside Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Il 60546 The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how students with disabilities, who attend private schools or are homeschooled within the district boundaries, will be served by District 208 during the 2024-25 school year Parents and private school administrators who would like to attend should contact Kevin Baldus, Director of Special Education, at baldusk@rbhs208.net

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project:

2024 SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

This project will include the removal and replacement of sidewalks and other related work.

Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, the 29th day of May, 2024, in the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 11:00 A.M. on the same day, Wednesday, the 29th day of May, 2024, at the Village Hall.

Electronic copies of bidding documents, consisting of the bid proposal and project specifications are available from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154. Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ehancock.com. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Thursday, the 23rd day of May, 2024.

All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents. All bidders must provide proof that they are prequalified with the Illinois Department of Transportation to perform 100% of the value of the work before being issued bidding documents. A non-refundable fee of

Fifteen dollars ($15.00) will be required to obtain bidding documents. Proposals will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company.

All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond, cashier’s check or certified check in an amount not less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that if the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. Checks shall be made payable to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check.

Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum issued by the Village.

In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be emailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued.

The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards. The Village of Brookfield reserves the right to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals.

BY ORDER

THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

Published in RB Landmark May 15, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT Notice is hereby given that the Village of Riverside will now be accepting sealed bid proposals for the Commuter Lot #8 Green Parking Lot Project at the Village of Riverside, Department of Public Works, 3860 Columbus Blvd., Riverside, Illinois 60546 until 2:00 PM on May 28, 2024 local time at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read.

BID OPENING DATE: May 28th at 2:00 p.m.

DESCRIPTION: The proposed work is officially known as the Commuter Lot #8 Green Parking Lot Project and further described as the following:

The proposed work includes full depth HMA pavement removal of the existing parking lot to be reconstructed with a permeable subbase granular material, permeable pavers, curb and gutter removal and replacement, and PCC sidewalk removal and replacement, new stairs to the train station platform and new handrails. Also included is the construction of a bioretention facility adjacent to the parking lot in the Village of Riverside.

BID SECURITY:

10% Bid Bond or Cashier’s Check Prospective BIDDERS and suppliers may download contract documents from QuestCDN via the Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd website http://cbbel.com/bidding-info/ or at www.questcdn.com under Login using QuestCDN# 9119877 for a non-refundable charge of $75.00. A QuestCDN login will be required. Contact QuestCDN.com at 952233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in membership registration and downloading this digital project information. A hard copy of the plans may also be viewed at the offices of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., 9575 W. Higgins Road, Rosemont, Illinois 60018. Contractors must be a registered plan holder in order to bid.