Wednesday Journal 120722

JOURNAL

Critics and supporters of OPRF’s $100M project speak up

The pool, equity and nancing spark debate

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Not surprisingly the unveiling of the schematic design and projected $99.5 million cost for what is called Project 2 at Oak Pa rk and River Forest High School has provoked numerous public comments at recent meetings of the OPRF District 200 Board of Education and at the Nov. 9 meeting of the district’s Community Finance Committee. The plan to demolish the southeast portion of the current building and build new physical education facili ties, including a new 10-lane, 25-by-40-yard swimming pool with three diving stations and a 420-seat observation gallery, plus some theater and dance space upgrades, is ambitious and expensive.

“This is the biggest project in the history of the world around here,” said one member of the Community Finance Committee at the committee’s Nov. 9 meeting.

Supporters of Project 2 say the current physical education facilities, including two nearly century-old swimming pools, are woefully outdated and improvements are long overdue.

PROJECT 2 on pa ge 14

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Anything but ordinary.

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In the second e pisode of the thoughtful Hulu show, Fleishman is in Trouble, the protagonist, 41-year-old new divorcee Toby F leishman, is driving his 11-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son to the Hamptons in the BMW that belongs to his ex-wife, Rachel — the successful founder of a prominent New York City talent agency who has sacrificed family for career

Despite his nearly $300,000-a-year salary, Rachel views F leishman, a mere doctor, as an underachiever, a slacker who lacks ambition. F leishman loves his work for what it is and not just for where it can get him; he loves helping his patients heal; he loves solving problems; he loves being useful and satisfying real human needs.

One scene flashes back to a moment earlier in their mar riage and apparently before Rachel’s career really takes of f. F leishman tells Rachel he was allowed in the room where Dr. Loo, the head of the g astroenterology division at his hospital, lay dying. While F leishman takes in the humanity of the moment, Rachel, thinking about her husband ’s prospects for advancement, tells him, “That means you’ re in.”

“Is that what they say in the mailroom when you get to watch a senior agent die?” F leishman shoots back, of fended by his wife’s Machiavellian comment, prompting an argument about her semantics. Rachel tells Toby he’s misinter preting her. ‘Does she not mean what she just said?’ Toby wonders. Does she come of f a bit sociopathic? Is she g aslighting him?

For his sensibility, F leishman is rewarded with something bordering patronizing sympathy (“good for you” is a frequent response from those who lear n about his occupation), the shame of his absentee wife and his eldest daughter’s contempt.

“Are you gonna get a car?” F leishman’s daughter asks him on the drive to the Hamptons (Rachel, by the way, also owns the second home they’re driving to). “Can you even af ford one?”

“What? … Yes. Yes, I can af ford a ca r,” F leishman says. “You do understand I’m a doctor and not, like … Not, like, a homeless person, right?”

“Dad. What? You can’t say ‘homeless person,’” his daughter responds in shock and disgust.

In the cloistered, rarified world of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, F leishman may as well be the help. Rachel’s glamorous career as an enter tainment executive brings more money and status and prestige than her husband’s job, enough to essentially invert conventional gender roles (she “wears the pants” in the mar riage, so to speak).

But throughout the first several e pisodes of the show, Toby’s work as a doctor is tangible — you see his patients, you see inside the hospital where he works, you see the residents who look up to him, you see the medical problems they solve. We can see Rachel’s status and the esteem (and caver nous apar tment) her job brings her and the family (at least before the d ivorce), but we rarely see her working aside from leaving mar riage arguments to answer work emails

Throughout the series, we constantly see Toby juxtaposed against aggressive social strivers like his wife — the practicing doctor at Toby’s hospital who is promoted chief of medicine (or in the words of the nar rator, makes his “dubious ascent to fundraiser”), or the medical researcher who names his second home after a hedonistic prescription drug he invents and who of fers Toby a milliondollar job heading a de par tment designed to produce misinfor mation about holistic medicine and alter native therapies.

Fleishman is a brilliant illustration of how, nowadays, so much money and power is concentrated on work that is pointless and/or pathological. The late economic anthropologist David Graeber calls this a “ter rible psychic wound running across our society,” and which seems to engulf the F leishman’s mar riage.

“It is the peculiar genius of our society that its rulers have figured out a way … to ensure that rage is directed precisely against those who actually do get to do meaningful work,” Graeber said. “For instance: in our society, there seems to be a general rule that, the more obviously one’s work benefits other people, the less one is likely to be paid for it.”

Doctors, he notes, are among the rare exceptions to that general rule — just not, as Fleishman demonstrates, on the Upper East Side, which is a microcosm of our winner-take-all, globalized economy.

America adrif t

Fleishman is in trouble and so are we ROMAIN

In his new book Adrift: America in 100 Charts, New York University business professor Scott Galloway points out that in America at present, it’s never been harder to become a millionaire and it’s never been easier to become a billionaire.

To secure that millionaire status (which on a salary of a mere $1 million a year, likely still won’t get him there after taxes and other sunk costs) and the respect of his pathologically ambitious wife, Toby has to make that “dubious ascent,” which means abandoning the meaningful work to which he’s dedicated his life; it means giving up the work of being hands-on and caring for patients (work that is unsubtly feminized) and becoming a cor porate bureaucrat who peddles bullshit.

Higher up the economic food chain, Wall Street and Silicon Valley are flush with examples of glorified, cult-like founders who have BS’d and backstabbed their way to over night billionaire and g azillionaire status, mainly through initial public of ferings (IPOs) — from Elizabeth Holmes and Elon Musk to Adam Neumann and Sam Bankman-Fried.

“Yog ababble grew up in the brand era, when inanimate objects started to take on animate characteristics,” Galloway writes. “Objects and companies could be personified — likable, young, cool, patriotic. Corporate comms execs beg an to scale the charisma and vision of their business’ founder. Over promise and overdeliver became a means to access cheap capital. (Elon Musk, April 2019: ‘A year from now, we’ ll have over a million cars with full self-driving.’ Number of such cars on the road in early 2022: zero.) The lines between char m, vision, bullshit, and fraud have nearly evaporated. T he smokescreen that enables this kind of bad par ty trick is yo gababble.”

This “yog ababble” ethos saturates the world of Fleishman, where wealth is hoarded among a 1 percent that constantly fails the test Graeber of fers for deter mining the social value of a given class of workers:

“An objective measure is hard to find,

but one easy way to get a sense is to ask: What would happen were this entire class of people to simply disappear? Say what you like about nurses, garbage collectors, mechanics, it’s so obvious that were they to vanish in a puf f of smoke, the results would be immediate and catastrophic. A world without teachers or dockworkers would soon be in trouble, and even one without science-fiction writers [and] musicians would clearly be a lesser place.”

Phar maceutical executives? Talent agents? Private equity CEOs? Lobbyists? Cor porate attor neys? The argument for the existence of their kind of work becomes much harder to justify (although, of course, there are exceptions).

“What does it say about our society,” Graeber contends, “that it seems to generate an extremely limited demand for talented poet-musicians but an apparently infinite demand for specialists in cor porate law? (Answer: If 1 percent of the population controls most of the disposable wealth, what we call ‘the market’ reflects what they think is useful or impor tant, not anybody else.)”

Ironically enough, for most of the early Fleishman e pisodes, Rachel is missing — from the lives of her two children and from her workplace — leaving Toby alone to solve the riddle of his failed mar riage and his fractured life, and leaving the viewers to wonder whether the couple’s vaunted professional and social ambitions are even wor th the trouble. Channeling Graeber, we’re also left to wonder what Rachel’s abrupt and rather lengthy disappearance says about the value of her work in the context of real human needs.

Perhaps this is the psychic pain that Fleishman channels. What are the social consequences for the winners in a winner take-all world that lavishly rewards the most likely to succeed by its pathological, sociopathic, psychosomatically toxic and ultimately pointless rules while impoverishing the rest?

We, the viewing audience, are as invested in this world as the fictional characters. We are the rest. And so the question for us becomes, “Why have we allowed the world to stay this way?” What can we do about it?

The first ste p toward changing things is to realize that, like Toby F leishman, we’re in deep trouble, and no superhuman exper ts are coming to get us out of it.

CONTAC T: michael@oakpark.com

IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL: Opera Gala Performance

Thursday, Dec. 8, 7-8 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

This event will feature famous, well-known opera music, from solos, duos, trios, and scenes. Music includes Verdi, Bizet, Bernstein, Puccini, and Donizetti. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

American Modernism: Poetr y of T.S. Eliot

Saturday, Dec. 10, 12:30-2 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

This event is the beginning of six discussions focusing on the poetic work of T.S. Eliot, the leading Modernist poet, playwright, editor, and literary critic. We are going to live-read through Eliot’s most groundbreaking works and discuss Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

Illinois Libraries Present: Midwest Baking With Shauna Sever

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7-8 p.m., tually through Illinois Libraries Present Shauna Sever, cookbook author, TV and radio contributor, and daughter of the great Midwest, will host this special Illinois Libraries Present holiday season event. Shauna will share her love of ood, baking, and some tips to e your holiday gatherings ent is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among 200+ public ark Public Library—o ering high-quality events for participating member libraries of all sizes and budgets. Register now at bit.ly/ShaunaSever

Paper Snow akes

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 3-4 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y Get into the winter spirit by learning to make fun paper snow akes! Take your creations home or help cover the library windows with snow. Best for grades 2+. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Film Screening: ‘Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom’

Friday, Dec. 9, 1-3 p.m., Main Librar y Veterans Room

Join us for a viewing of Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (Dzongkha: ), a 2019 Bhutanese drama lm in which a young teacher in modern Bhutan shirks his duties while planning to go to Australia to become a singer. As a reprimand, his superiors send him to the most remote school, a village called Lunana, to complete his service. After an arduous 8-day trek just to get there, he nds himself exiled from Western comforts and nds no electricity, textbooks—not even a blackboard. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

The Monday Enrichment Series

Presents: Raised In The Shadow Of The Part y

Monday, Dec. 12, 1:15 p.m., Nineteenth Centur y Charitable Association Educator and activist Tara Stamps is the daughte of Marion “Nzinga” Stamps, a member of the Black Panther Party. Ta will share stories about how being raised in this environment shaped her life. Free, but a voluntary donation of $15 is suggested. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

Garden Club: Tis The Season Boutique & Program

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 11:30 a.m, Cheney Mansion

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.,

VIRTUAL & IN- PERSON: Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

Sunday, Dec.11, 4 p.m., Concordia University The works of Schumann and Sibelius will be performed. $27 - $30 in-person, $20 online (college students admitted free of charge). Go to SymphonyOPRF.org to order tickets. 7400 Augusta St., River Forest

The boutique will feature a variety of items created by members. The event will also feature holiday designs by Julie at 1 p.m. 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park Salsa Night:

Edward

Su Ensamble Latino

Thursday, Dec. 8, 8:30 p.m., FitzGerald’s The

are dipping, so there’s nothing like a salsa show to create a little steam. Dance lessons provided. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

SHAUNA SEVER

TARA STAMPS

DOYOUWANTTOBUYAVOWEL?

Game show fans know the common vowels, A, E, I, O and U, are essential to solving complex puzzles. In fact, these letters are so valuable that some shows make you buy them.

Vowels, letters and words of all kinds are valuable to everyone at GCM. As a nonprofit news organization, we’re committed to telling the stories about the people, places

and institutions in Oak Park and River Forest that might otherwise go untold. But we need your help to keep words on our pages and stories on our websites.

Our community-funded newsroom can’t run without reader support. Each year GCM spends more than $250,000 on printing alone and this week we’d like to raise $10,000 to offset the cost of getting vowels on the page all while

maximizing our generous match opportunity!

From now through the end of the year, we’re inviting you to join other engaged community members who make our work possible by donating. If you buy GCM a vowel by December 31, our pool of MatchMakers will double your investment in us by matching your gift up to $10,000.

Lights, cameras, awe

Crowds packed Lake Street at Oak Park Avenue, Saturday evening, to watch the Holiday Drone Light Show over Scoville Park. e show was scheduled to make up for the canceled Fourth of July reworks, following the mass shooting in Highland Park.

Oak Park physician pleads guilty to misdemeanor Medicaid fraud

Doctor says billing discrepancies were administrative blunders

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

An Oak Park-based physician will be suspended from practicing after pleading guilty to misdemeanor Medicaid fraud. Dr. Monique Brotman told Wednesday Journal the billing discrepancies were the unfortunate result of administrative error, but she is nevertheless taking accountability.

“I’m still responsible. I should have been more careful,” she said.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged that Brotman, who is an OB/GYN physician, billed Medicaid $58,747.57 be tween December 2008 and February 2015 for ultrasounds and other medical services that were not provided. The River Forest resident pleaded guilty Nov. 29 to a misdemeanor charge of vendor fraud

During that time, Brotman said she had someone working in the billing department that she “didn’t monitor as closely as [she] should have.” That person reportedly stopped working for Brotman in 2014 – right around the end of the investigation into her practice. She does not believe that person intended to commit any crimes

“This wasn’t done out of malice. There was no intent,” Brotman said. “Just a lapse of judgment.”

She declined to provide the name of her for mer biller, but said she shared the biller’s name with the judge and the Illinois Attorney General’s office. Brotman is not currently in contact with her for mer employee, whom she said has multiple sclerosis.

Brotman said she has since paid the full amount illegally charged to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Office of the Inspector General. Wednesday Journal has reached out to the agency for confirmation.

Due to her conviction, Brotman must get legal permission before traveling. Addition-

ally, Brotman will be unable to bill Medicaid and Medicare for providing medical services to those patients for the next five years.

She has also been ordered to carry out 40 hours of community service. Brotman would like to fulfill her community service hours by working with the Red Cross, where she already volunteers.

If she is allowed to satisfy her community service requirement with the Red Cross, she will have to do so through activities that do not require a medical license. Brotman’s license will be suspended, the length of which will be determined by the state medical board, which will review her case.

Brotman says the ordeal has been incredibly difficult and that she cares deeply about her work and women’s health care.

“I have a passion for what I do and I’m lucky to be able to do it in this community,” said Brotman. “I’ve had the privilege and the honor of being able to take care of the women of the western suburbs, of the tristate area.”

In addition to running her own practice, Brotman teaches medical students and instructs surgeons in performing surgery using robotic technology.

Brotman also serves as the backup physician, facilitating non-medicated deliveries for four midwifery groups, including Gentle Birth Care, the Burr Ridge Birth Center, the Chicago Birth Center and West Suburban Midwife Associates.

“There won’t be any lapse in services,” she said. “The midwives are completely autonomous and fantastic.”

She said she has already found qualified re placements to take over for her as backup physician. Brotman hopes many of her clients will allow her to transfer them to the midwives. She will transfer her patients with more complicated medical needs to another physician.

“The most upsetting part of all of this is that I won’t be able to take care of them anymore,” she said.

Brotman has not had the opportunity yet to tell her patients of her legal troubles, but she knows it will be “really, really painful.”

“They deserve to know,” she said.

PHOTO S BY ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Oak Park joins schools in joint safety protocol agreement

The agreement sets security standards across School

Districts 200 and 97

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park’s village board unanimously ap proved an intergover nmental agreement to codify security and safety standards across public schools located in Oak Park Securing the village board’s approval was the IGA’s final hurdle before implementation; the gover ning boards of Districts 200 and 97 both approved the agreement prior to the village board’s Nov. 29 meeting

The agreement impacts all students in the public school system, from kindergarten through senior year of high school. And like the two other boards, the village board’s ap proval did not come without some concer n and some concession. Namely, how police of ficers would treat 18-year old students in situations where police interviews are deemed necessary.

The IGA does not reinstate school resource officers in schools, but rather opens up the flow of communication between the schools and the Oak Park Police Department. However, under such circumstances as a student having witnessed a crime taking place in school or a student being suspected of committing a crime on school property, police can interview students under prescribed circumstances

“We will make arrangements to interview any juvenile in the presence of their parent,” said Police Chief Shatonya Johnson. “There is no need to interview a juvenile immediately. We will make arrangements to pause any type of interview, interrogation until a parent is available unless the parent says you can interview [the student] in the presence of a school official.”

In a school setting, however, Trustee Cory Wesley felt uneasy that the IGA does not specifically allow the right of having a guardian, parent or school official present with an 18-year old high school senior in the event of a police interview or interrogation.

The IGA does not specify different treatment of 18-year olds, meaning they will be

treated the same as younger students while in school, but it was only after much discussion that a mutual understanding of that was reached

Seniors in high school range in age up to 18, an age which makes them adults in the eyes of the law. Unlike their younger counter parts, 18-year olds can legally be interviewed or interrogated by police without a parent or guardian present.

“It’s a legal kind of adulthood, but to me, it’s kind of a gray area since they’re high school students,” said Wesley “Would those individuals be Mirandized in the context of a school setting if they were to be interviewed or interrogated?”

Under the IGA, yes, they would. People of all ages have the right to be Mirandized, the police chief explained, but juveniles get an explanation of what the Miranda rights af ford and in the presence of a parent or guardian.

“Not if they’re 18,” said Johnson. “That’s the same that would happen on the street.”

Wesley admitted he had “a bit of a problem with that” occurring in Oak Park and River Forest High School.

LET’S BRING FUN BACK

Irecently subscribed to The Onion’s online newsletter. The Onion is a satirical publication about current events. It is dry, apt, and funny as hell. This week in the middle of a workday I took 10 minutes to read the latest Onion edition. I laughed my head off. A deep belly aching laugh. Unfortunately, I was only able to share it with my dog Pepper. (She always laughs on the inside.) Those 10 minutes felt so good, and I felt refreshed, energized, and easily finished the rest of my work.

After composing myself, I realized that I had not had a good laugh like that in a while. That has not always been the case. When I was young, I had a belly aching laugh almost every day. Back then, my friends and I were in search of laughter and fun all day long. Adulthood (except for when my kids were toddlers and seemed to do something hilarious everyday) seems to have derailed that laughter and fun quest. I want it back!

Of course, we adults have more work and responsibilities than when we were kids.

Still, there should be time for some fun and a laugh every day. In fact, we should make fun and laughter a priority because they are good for both our health and our career.

There is no wonder I felt better after my belly laugh because according to the Mayo Clinic, that kind of laughter provides a physical and emotional release. Neuroscientists have found that laughter triggers brain chemicals called endorphins which latch onto receptors in the lining of our blood vessels. This leads to feelings of pleasure and a sense of well-being and likely improves blood flow and long-term health. Laughter also burns calories, strengthens our immune system, and reduces stress.

That is not all. Laughter has been found to be a pain reliever. Laughter releases endorphins which increase our pain tolerance. One study found participants’ pain tolerance increased 10% after

watching a comedy show. Laughter also has been found to help with fertility. One study found that women going through in vitro treatments were 16% more likely to get pregnant when exposed to a medical therapeutic clown than without that source of laughter.

Like laughter, fun is also good for our health. Fun activities provide a source of eustress, which is the kind of stress that makes us feel vital and alive.

Fun and laughter are not only good for our health, but they can lead us to receive a promotion at work. Laughter helps us concentrate and focus. Studies have found that people who are happy, work harder. The resulting happiness may boost productivity by as much as 12%.

Laughter also helps us to bond with our co-workers. Research has found that we use endorphins as a bonding mechanism. Because laughter is contagious, our

“Are the kids in high school being taught that there is a magical change that happens once they tur n 18 but they’re still in school?”

Wesley asked. “I’m sure they don’t think of themselves as adults, but they are now legally being treated that way.”

OPRF students are not being for mally taught the legal differences between an adult and a minor but a school counselor or dean would provide that information to the student, according to a D200 representative

Should a police of ficer have to interview or inter rogate a student, re gardless of age, the school does have the obligation under the IGA to inform the parents or guardian of that student.

“We are guests in their building, so we are going to operate under this IGA under their policies, their values,” said Johnson.

Ultimately, however, the chief was able to ease Wesley’s discomfort, telling him that po lice would stop or postpone the interrogation or interview of 18-year old students should parents or guardians tell the school to have police do so

Wesley voted in favor of the IGA, as did the rest of the village board.

laughter can encourage our co-workers to laugh more, elevating our moods, reducing our stress, and improve our shared work experience.

It is unfortunate that some of us adults don’t have the same amount of fun and laughter we had as kids. That can change. Bring back fun and laughter. Schedule fun activities with friends and family. Look for the humor in situations at work and share them with a co-worker. Reward yourself with a ten-minute break to read The Onion. Fun and laughter are good for us and those around us.

A client once said to me about estate planning that “I make a not so fun topic fun.” If doing an activity that deals with death and money like estate planning can be seen as fun, there is a lot of fun to be had in the world. Go find it!

www.theresaclancylaw.com theresa.clancy@theresaclancylaw.com

THERESA CLANCY Estate Planning Attorney

Sponsored Content

Barrie, Andersen parks win ARPA support from village

Park district gets $1M from federal rescue plan funds

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The Park District of Oak Park will get a total of $2 million from the Village of Oak Park’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act. Half that amount had already been allocated to the park district last spring, but another $1 million was promised at the village board’s Nov. 29 meeting.

The village board will have to take an of ficial vote on the request at a later meeting, but the vote will merely be a for mality; the village board was widely in favor of granting the park district’s request.

“You’ve demonstrated a need here that I think is clear,” said Trustee Jim Ta glia

T he second $1 million will go toward the renovation of Andersen and Barrie Parks. T he for mer, on Division Street at Hayes Avenue, draws a very racially diverse group of visitors, according to Park District Executive Director Jan Ar nold. Construction on Andersen Park was completed in 2006, while Barrie Park, on South Lombard Avenue, was last renovated in 2005.

While sharing his support for the re quest, Trustee Chibuike Enyia gave a

shout out to his for mer park district basketball and floor hockey coach.

“He would have loved this,” Enyia said.

T he village board allocated $1 million back in March to re plenish lost revenue for the park district’s capital improvement plan. At the time, the park district had requested $2 million to be dispersed over two years. T he village board essentially required the park district to break up the request into two part s, with the second to be discussed as a part of the next round of community ARPA requests.

T he Village of Oak Park has already distributed $20.3 million of i ts $38.9 million in federal ARPA funds. T he majorit y of the allocations have gone to the villa ge gover nment for sustainability and racial equity investments, as well as to re place revenue lost due to COVID-19.

As a special district, the park distric t itself was not eligible to rece ive ARPA money directly from the federal govern ment, which requires the park district to request a share of what was allotted to the village T he park district’s requests were viewed by Village President Vicki Scaman as an opportunity for positive collaboration between taxing bodie s.

OPRF operations chief resigns for nonpro t post

Superintendent praises Anderson for role in school construction

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

A high-level administrator at Oak Park and River Forest High School has resigned. Dec. 2 was the last day of work at OPRF for Ron An derson, who has been the executive director of operations at the high school since June 2020.

In that role Anderson oversaw the buildings and grounds department, the campus safety team and construction projects According to his LinkedIn page Anderson has taken a job as the vice president of environmental, social and corporate gover nance plus workplace solutions at the National In stitute of Building Sciences in Washington, D.C. Anderson will be working for AC Powell who until being hired in September by the or ganization was the executive director of the Association of Facilities Engineering (AFE),

a professional organization that Anderson is a member of. Anderson currently serves as the presi dent and chairman of the board of AFE.

The new job came about quickly after Anderson was ap proached at an industry confer ence.

“I didn’t anticipate this happening with Ron,” OPRF Superintendent Greg Johnson told Wednesday Journal. “This happened quick. Ron wasn’t looking; he got poached. He was at a conference and somebody pulled him aside.”

Anderson was one of nine administrators at OPRF who report directly to Johnson. He played an important role in the high school’s Project 1 renovation, the planning for a geothermal heating and cooling system, plans for a new track and new athletic fields, and planning for the nearly $100 million Project 2.

“We were incredibly fortunate to have Ron leading our facilities improvement efforts through some of the most significant building changes we’ve had at OPRF in the past 50

years,” Johnson said in statement emailed by Karin Sullivan, the school’s communications chief. “His work to develop a sustainability policy will help to ensure that OPRF is leading in this area for years to come.”

Anderson did not directly re spond to a phone call or an email from Wednesday Journal but instead also issued a statement sent via Sullivan.

“Completing the new renova tions, including the Student Resource Center, is an accomplishment I’m very proud of,” Anderson said in his statement. “I also was honored to work with students, administration, staf f, board, and consultants to finalize a sustainability policy and create a plan to implement it. Most of all, my time was well spent work ing with a great team of administrators, a passionate and devoted board of education, and a hard-working and dedicated administrative assistant.”

Anderson served for two years as the chairman of the planning and construction

professional development committee of the Illinois Association of Business Officials.

Johnson said OPRF is currently looking to fill Anderson’s position on an interim ba sis. He said the position of executive direc tor of operations has only existed at OPRF for four years.

Since OPRF will be hiring a new chief financial officer to begin next year and over lap for one year with current CFO Cyndi Sidor, Johnson said he will be reevaluating the future of the operations position.

“It’s posted as an interim job right now,” Johnson said. “I don’t know yet what I’m go ing to do for the long haul.”

Wednesday Journal asked for Anderson’s salary this year but was told to file a Freedom of Information Act request, which the Wednesday Journal did. Wednesday Jour nal could not find Anderson’s salary posted on any of the three compensation reports which are, as required by law, posted on the OPRF website.

Prior to coming to OPRF in 2020 Anderson worked for 13 years as a project manager and manager of buildings and grounds at Proviso Township High School District 209.

Our beautiful 6-story building provides quality, a ordable, independent housing for seniors. e Oaks o ers studio and one-bedroom apartments, with kitchens and private bathrooms. Amenities include an award winning interior landscaped atrium, central meeting room, library, laundry facilities, computer learning center, internet access, electronic key entry system, and parking.

On-site management includes 24/7 emergency maintenance service and a senior services coordinator who is available during business hours to assist residents in accessing service

agencies and programs designed speci cally for seniors. e Oaks is owned and operated by the Oak Park Residence Corporation and is funded by the US Department of Housing and Ur-ban Development through the 202/ Section 8 Program. Monthly rent is based on the resident’s income, with individuals paying approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent.

For more information, please visit us at www.oakparkrc.com or contact us at 708-386-5862.

RON ANDERSON

Retiring River Forest banker looks back

Michelle Collins focused on community development lending

By SHANEL ROMAIN Community Narrative Re

A West Side nati ve and River resident, preacher’s kid and ban Michelle Collins talks about her passion the community where she wo for more than 30 years.

Growing up in Austin

I’m a real West Sider. My our Rose of Sharon Community Church on the West Side. The church is 67 years old now and located in Maywood. It’s been a journey and a labor of love for me and gave me great insight into the community, because you see real people in their everyday lives.

I started off at Lucy Flowers Vocational High School, which used to be an all-girls school. My parents moved into Austin when I was younger because they felt it was a great community to live in and they wanted me to go to Austin High School, which was one of the top high schools in the city at the time. I loved it there. I was a cheerleader and that’s where I graduated from.

Getting into banking

I ended up finding the love of my life career-wise, which is community development lending. I started out doing home mortgages, then moved into small business lending, renovation lending and nonprofit lending. I worked for one of the top community development banks in the country, Shore Bank, for almost 20 years. Then I worked for ABC Bank in Austin. I retired in March 2020, right before the pandemic. I was working for Wintrust, Chicago’s community development bank.

The importance of community development lending

There’s lending and then community development lending. Sure, banks taught

me the difference between the two. Sometimes you can just lend to people and you don’t know the impact or the change in the community. There’s also financial literacy that helps people and businesses bor row responsibly.

Improving lives

I was doing a loan with a mom in Austin and when she first met me she said, ‘My house is the ugliest house on the block.’ Austin, by the way, is very much like Oak Park, in that it has the Frank Lloyd Wright historical homes, it’s just a matter of which side of Austin Boulevard you’ re on. But the structures of the buildings are very similar. It’s really about being able to maintain and keep them up.

This house, in particular, needed painting and a new front door, windows, etc. I did the loan for her and, as part of my lending process, I would go back and see if she put the money into the property and how it looks. And her son came outside and said, ‘We have the best house on the block now.’ That’s the kind of thing that touches my heart. It’s worth everything to help people in that way. CONTAC

Tenant Screening, Eviction Records, and Fair Housing

Do you consider eviction records in your rental application process? Denying an applicant because they have an eviction record may violate fair housing laws.

Learn how to bring your policies into compliance.

Free training for housing providers

Monday, December 12, 2022 11 a.m. 12:30 p.m.

Oak Park Public Library (Main) Veteran’s Room 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL

Coffee and refreshments provided

Register here: bit.ly/3E7GrPs

HOPE Fair Housing Center and Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights will cover:

• A quick review of fair housing

• Tenant screening and discriminatory effects liability

• “No evictions” policies and the disparate impact on Black women and families

• Best practices when conducting an individualized assessment of an applicant’s tenant history

Questions? Contact HOPE Fair Housing Center at (630) 690 6500

PROVIDED

Michelle Collins, an Austin native and current River Forest resident, specializes in communi ty development lending.

3PM

Free parking in the garage located at 1124 N. Bonnie Brae Place (one block west of Harlem Avenue between Division and Thomas Streets) in River Forest. Chapel just west of garage exit. Purchase ticket online for $27 and save $3 a ticket! In-person ticket at box office on concert day $30. Students through college free. Go to SymphonyOPRF.org to order tickets, subscriptions and to DONATE. Questions: Email TheSymphonyOPRF@gmail or call (708) 218-2648

PRECAUTIONS: The entire orchestra has shown proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Currently there is no plan to require the audience to show proof of C-19 vaccinations, but masks are recommended.

Scratch Kitchen slinging burgers and beers again

After 10-month closure, team brings streamlined menu to life on Madison

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

After being temporarily closed for 10 months, Scratch Kitchen and Lounge, 7445 Madison St., Forest Park, is slinging burg ers and canned beers once again. The decade old eatery reopened in November and they are making the most of their streamlined ivor menu.” The long waited reopening comes as elief to Patrick O’Brien, hef-owner of Scratch taurant Group.

“We’re still adjusting ut the guests have great and I feel w again,” said O’Brien. “Liter

I get goosebumps sometimes being back here.”

In the face of an industr ide staffing crisis, O’Brie ought hard to build a ca pable kitchen staff to rein vigorate the flagship taurant he affectionatel refers to as his “baby.” Mattie Rametta worked her wa up through the Scratc Restaurant group and no serves as general manager in the Madison Street location. She is confident in the ole and is working to foster camaraderie among her small staff.

Embracing the philosophy that a restauant should be known for doing a few things well, O’Brien refocused his Madison Street estaurant on smash burgers. The “Scratch smash,” offered as a single or in double or riple stacks, feature ¼ pound house-ground eef patties

“Our streamlined menu allows us to do what we do best even better,” said Rametta “Our full Scratch menu is available at the Lake Street location in Oak Park if people are looking for something we don’t offer here.”

The thoughtfully edited list of dishes doesn’t mean creativity isn’t on the menu at Scratch Kitchen and Lounge. Limited specialty burgers, including a popular French Onion Smash and “chopped” smash sand wich, join a few other offerings including a chicken cheesesteak, and a popular fried bologna sandwich to round out the entrée of ferings.

El Paso transplant and cook, Zach Williams, put his name and a creative twist on the macaroni and cheese. He worked in a Mexican restaurant prior to making his way to Chicagoland and his version of the classic dish boasts the addition of ancho chiles

and black beans. He is also frying up Korean “pork wings” as a special appetizer offering. The tender bone in riblets are tossed in a spicy Korean barbecue sauce and served atop chilled cucumber slices in a sweet and spicy dressing

Rametta encourages guests to come out to enjoy the positive atmosphere and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Jory Avner and Ricky Liontones are among the rotating acts scheduled at the venue. Scratch on Madison also hosts trivia on Tuesday evenings.

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

JAY FRIEDMAN, conductor

MIO NAKAMURA piano

Sunday, December 11

4pm Concordia University Chapel – River Forest SCHUMANN Piano Concerto Mio Nakamura, soloist Ms. Nakamura’s performance is underwritten by Emerging Artists Chicago

New location for longtime ai restaurant

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Upon entering Yum Thai’s new location, 7330 Madison St., Forest Park, guests are greeted by a flock of celestial blessing swans swirling around the well-appointed dining room. Wood carvings of this style famously ador n temple roofs in Norther n Thailand. The swans symbolize good fortune and signify the lifting of prayers to heaven. The collec tion of replica carvings inside Yum Thai are representative of Valaiporn Pinyo-Nowlan’s jour ney from young student craving the foods of her homeland to confident Forest Park restaurant owner and chef.

Bor n in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, Pinyo-Nowlan, known to many as Vicky, emi grated to the United States in 1994 to study English. Though she always dreamed of coming to she barely thing after rival.

“It was shock I think,” Pinyo-Nowlan, just couldn’ more corn strong flav and spicy much. My ly was wor me and took Yum Thai Park.”

There, in the restaurant she would own two decades later, Pinyo-Nowlan savored familiar dishes and finally relaxed. She began cooking her mother’s recipes in her host family’s kitchen twice a week and visited Yum Thai as often as possible. She stopped in when she was on her way to and from classes so frequently that the owner ultimately offered her a job. She thought she

would be working for food, but they paid her $5 an hour plus tips to wait tables two nights a week.

“I thought I was the richest girl in the world,” said Pinyo-Nowlan. “We were not a wealthy family in Thailand and the job made me feel free. When the cook made something, he knew I loved like Mee Krob, he would set some aside for me in a little white bowl. That food brought me back to my hometown.”

She had been an advertising account executive in Bangkok prior to traveling to the United States and came with the in tention of lear ning English to advance her career in the industry. A sudden economic downtur n in Thailand, however, made it impossible for Pinyo-Nowlan to continue her education. Her family needed her financial suppo rt.

After spending a couple of months in Califor nia asserting her independence, PinyoNowlan took a job as hostess at Baisi Thai in Oak Brook. She stayed on at the 165-seat restaurant for more than 20 ears lear ning the ins and outs of the restaurant industry and worked her way up into a manage ment role She saved money diligently and helped to suppor t her family at home — in time, thanks in par t to a favorable conver sion rate, PinyoNowlan saved enough that she was able to pay of f her parents’ home in Thailand.

During the years she worked at Baisi Thai, Pinyo-Nowlan and her husband John would venture back to Forest Park to dine at Yum Thai to enjoy the authentic dishes that reminded her of home. In 2013, decades

after Pinyo-Nowlan’s first Yum Thai meal, the couple purchased the restaurant when the owners announced they were looking to retire

“John made my dreams come true and he worked three jobs to make sure we would be OK,” said Pinyo-Nowlan. “I perfected all of my recipes and made sure all of my customers entered the land of the smile when they came to Yum Thai.”

In time the owners’ personalized service, attention to detail and home-style dishes cultivated an intensely loyal customer base that sustained their business in Yum Thai’s original location for years. After surviving the pandemic, however, the owners lear ned their landlord was looking to sell the building and knew they needed to find a new home for their restaurant in Forest Park

“I love Forest Park,” said the passionate restaurant owner “The people who work at city hall are my customers, the police and fire fighters are my customers. This village made my dreams come true.”

When the space at 7730 Madison Street become available the couple decided to

remodel the space and relocate their restaurant. Construction took four months, but with the help of artists and designers Pinyo-Nowlan managed to build her dream restaurant. She is now welcoming the customers she calls her “angels” into her intimate dining room with wood paneled walls and red accents She and her staf f are hoping to update their kitchen equipment in time to help increase their speed but are already back to whipping up more than 2,000 crab rangoon a week and serving a noteworthy ar ray of authentic Norther n and Souther n Thai cur ries.

The sentimental owner may have a new restaurant home, but she has sur rounded herself with items that remind her of how far she has come When Pinyo-Nowlan looks around Yum Thai’s dining room she sees a light fixture she transfer red from the original location hanging on the south wall. She appreciates the flock of blessing swans she salvaged from the now shuttered Baisi Thai and even has a special place for the small white bowl she ate from at Yum Thai all those years ago.

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor Vicky’s

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

Valaiporn Pinyo-Nowlan, Yum ai owner, known to many as Vicki

Yum

moves east on Madison but keeps focus on customers and tradition

PROJEC T 2

Pool proposal has fans and critics

from page 1

“I don’t want to see this get kicked down the line again,” said Laura Minnis of River Forest, the mother of two current and one future OPRF students, during the public comment portion of the Oct. 27 school board meeting when the schematic design was unveiled. “We must invest in the fu ture of OPRF. OPRF needs functional, equitable, acceptable physical education spaces. I’m asking you to please go forward with Project 2.”

Alison Welch of Oak Park, the mother of a current OPRF sophomore and a fifth-grader, spoke at the Nov. 9 Communi ty Finance Committee meeting and implored the committee members to work with the board of education to get Project 2 financed and started in 2024, noting that each OPRF freshman class contains approximately 900 students

“We know there’s a relationship between the quality of a lear ning environment and the academic, emotional and behavioral outcomes for the students,” Welch said. “Now in my opinion PE is very much an academic, emotional and behavioral experience that students are having and very important to growing into healthy adults. And we already know about the negative impacts being experienced by the subpar PE infrastructure experienced daily by just about every single OPRF student. Any delay in the process means another grade, or another 900-plus students each year, who won’t benefit from the facility upgrades.”

Opponents of Project 2 have been equally vocal. They claim the plan, especially for the new swimming pool, is grandiose and too expensive

Monica Sheehan, who led the fight against a plan for a large new pool in 2016 and forced the issue to a referendum, which was defeated by a scant 28 votes, has also been a prominent critic of Project 2. Sheehan has been a regular letter writer to Wednesday Jour nal’s Viewpoints section.

In a public comment at the Nov. 17 school board meeting, Sheehan said the cost of Project 2 is so great that it would prevent needed renovation of classroom spaces. She says the proposed pool is unnecessarily large and took particular aim at the large space for spectator seating

“The 420-seat spectator gallery is excessive,” said Sheehan, who lives in Oak Park and is the mother of two OPRF graduates. “Most meets only draw 50 to 75 people.”

Sheehan claims the volunteer Imagine OPRF committee that helped come up with the design was stacked with parents whom she described as a small special interest group

“The Imagine subgroup that recommended the one and only Imagine pool was stacked with aquatic team parents and school employees appointed by the then-superintendent,” Sheehan said.

In a telephone interview with Wednesday Jour nal, Sheehan said she believes that a new swimming pool is needed for OPRF but she prefers building a new indoor pool at adja cent Ridgeland Common in partnership with the Park District of Oak Park

“There is truly an option to doing a joint pool with Ridgeland Common, with the park district,” Sheehan said. “It’s by far the smartest approach to solving this problem.”

John Duffy, of the Committee for Equity and Excellence in Education, called for a racial equity assessment to done on Project 2 before moving forward.

“To be clear, there is lots in the capital improvements that will benefit all students; still there are parts of the project, including but not limited to an aquatic center, that many be lieve are equity aversive, not equity supportive,” Duffy said.

Funding Project 2

If the school board decides to go ahead with Project 2, as seems likely, the next question is how to pay for it. The school will no doubt have to borrow a substantial portion of the cost even though it is projected to have nearly $76 million in cash reserves at the end of the current fiscal year. Sheehan is adamant that if OPRF plans to go ahead with Project 2, it needs to finance the project with bonds that would be subject to a referendum. Sheehan says the cost is so large that voters deserve the final say.

“Funding for whatever plan is imagined needs to go to referendum for voter approval,” said Sheehan at the No v. 17 school board meeting. “It’s best practice for funding major capital projects and it’s the democratic way.”

While building bonds, which require a referendum, are the typical way for school districts to finance large capital projects, there is another way that OPRF officials are exploring — issuing debt certificates Debt certificates are similar to bonds but they are not backed by a specific tax levy as building bonds are. Instead the borrowed money is paid back out of operating revenues Because debt certificates are not backed by a specific revenue stream, they generally carry a higher interest rate than building bonds.

Philanthropy is another potential source of Project 2 financing. The Imagine Foundation at Oak Park and River Forest High School has been working to raise funds for the project. The school board is currently reviewing a proposal crafting options for naming rights attached to the project. No specific dollar target has been announced by the foundation.

In August the district’s financial advisor appeared be fore the Community Finance Committee and laid out a scenario for financing Project 2 by issuing $68 million in debt cer tificates and covering the rest of the cost with re serve funds.

The school board plans to decide on a funding mechanism for Project 2 by the end of the current academic year.

If they decide to sell building bonds, requiring a referendum, the soonest a referendum could take place would be in the 2024 primary election because the school board will likely not decide on a funding mechanism until after next April’s school board and municipal elections. It is not yet known when the 2024 primary election will be. It could be moved back to its traditional March date or remain in June like this year’s primary because of delays caused by redistricting.

Even a successful March referendum might make it difficult to star t construction in the summer of 2024 which is the cur rent goal. Proponents of Project 2 say that holding a referendum could delay the project for at least a year.

Suppor ters of the project have noted that, with current inflation levels, fur ther delays will run up the cost of an already expensive plan.

Tim Brandhorst spoke at the Nov. 9 Community Finance Committee meeting. He said delaying the star t of Project 2 because of the Election Day calendar would add to the cost of the project.

“The recent experience with the growth in costs in completing Project 1 should be instructive,” Brandhorst said. “Delaying Project 2 is going to have the same ef fect.”

Welch said, “I can believe that having a referendum to deter mine the funding of the project might actually be an ir responsible, unacce ptable delay that would af fect thousands of students who deserve better Instead I feel like we, which means the collective, which means you, the board, the community, need to trust the process which got us here, trust the administration who will lead and oversee the ef fort and trust ourselves as a community to figure out the funding scenario that is fair and multifaceted.”

Aquatic schematic design, aka the new OPRF High School pool.

Two OPRF board members will not seek re-election

Dixon Spiv y and Mar tire to step aside in April, Harris’ plans unclear

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

At least two of the three incumbents on the Oak Park and River Forest High School board whose ter ms are expiring next year will not run for reelection. With the filing pe riod for school board in less than a week Sara Dixon Spivy and Ralph Martire said last week that they will not run again and will leave the school board next year. Gina Harris, the other board member whose ter m is up next year, did not respond to an email asking whether she ter m.

Dixon Spivy has served on the OPRF school board for the past eight years and was the president of the board for two years from May 2020 until April 2022.

Dixon Spivy said that while she will be leaving the school board next year she will continue to be involved with the school.

“Maybe I’ ll try to get on some committees just as a parent.” Dixon Spivy said.

Dixon Spivy encouraged Martire to run for the OPRF school board four years ago.

Martire, the current vice-president of the school board, is stepping down from the OPRF board after one ter m. Prior to being elected to the OPRF school board Martire

served on the River Forest District 90 Board of Education for eight years including a stint as president of that board.

Martire said that he had three objectives in mind when he ran for the OPRF school board: establishing clear policies on racial equity, establishing a rolling five and 10 year capital facilities plan and reestablishing board oversight of policy.

He said that all three goals are either in place or well on their way to completion by the end of his ter m in April

“Literally everything I ran for has been ccomplished,” Martire said. “If the only things you said you were going to do when you ran you got done give someone else a seat at the table.”

Martire is particularly proud of OPRF’s new racial equity initiative.

“Now we have not only what we’re going to measure but how ’re going to measure it and what sort of initiatives the administration is going to bring to the table and they all have to be evidence based,” Martire said. “That was a big deal, no other district has that, we’ve got that.”

The school board election is in April. The filing period for school board candidates be gins on Dec 12 and ends on Dec 19. School board candidates must file nominating peti tions with at least 50 valid signatures from registered voters in the school district.

The school board will have big decisions to make over the next year, most notably whether to go forward with and ho to finance Project 2, the next stage in the school’s effort to moder nize and upgrade facilities

SARA DIXON SPIVY RALPH MARTIRE

Dominican students make shop wind ows merry and bright

Students in university’s fashion program par tner with local retailers

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

It’s be ginning to look a lot like Christmas, thanks to Dominican University’s fashion de par tment. Students in the retail promotion and visual merchandizing class decorated storefronts for four local shops in the grand tradition of holiday window displays.

The class was split into four groups and assigned to work with their designated retailer, three in Oak Park and one in Forest Park With a budget of $100, the groups were tasked with creating displays with a cohesive theme in line with the stores’ aesthetic. Concept boards were made by every student. Associate professor Melissa Fernandez Carr chose the strongest concept for each group, which became the basis for their project.

The size of the groups correlated with the surface area of the windows.

Seven worked on displays for Epyk Luxury in Forest Park, while only a pair of students were responsible for the side window of Oak Park’s Ten Thousand Villages. The re maining two groups worked with Sugar Fixe bakery and Jayne boutique in downtown Oak Park All groups were expected to satisfy the wishes of the retailers as well as the project requirements.

“It’s exciting to see the hard work they put in,” said Carr.

The three shops in Oak Park make for great window shopping as all are located on Marion Street, but don’t forget to check out Epyk Luxury, 7446 Madison St. The group assigned to the Forest Park retailer created

a winter wonderland display across two large windows.

“I want it to bring smiles to everybody’s faces,” said sophomore Chloe Cabrales of her group’s display

Cabrales served as project lead for her group, which meant she handled all communication between the group and Epyk Luxury staf f. This project served as the first time Cabrales had ever created a dis play for an actual store. Her group’s collaborative spirit proved to be Cabrales’ favorite par t of the entire assignment.

“It was just really powerful to see creative minds work to gether,” she said.

The secular winter wonderland consists of cotton draped over the windowsills to look like freshly fallen snow. Fairy lights twinkle on the suppor t structures, while ar tificial flur ries sit atop wrapped boxes and garlands. Kee ping things chilly, Epyk Luxury employees dressed the mannequins in jackets and coats.

“I’m definitely considering doing like visual merchandising as a career, so it was kind of like a steppingstone to my future a little bit,” Cabrales said.

Glitz and glamor took center stage over

at Jayne, 122 N. Marion St., where students highlighted the sequined holiday dresses on display with all white décor. The end re sult of the semester-long project is a point of pride for junior Madison Creamer, who initially battled some nervousness over the assignment.

“I’m proud of myself and everyone else in our group Even though I was scared to do it, I still did it,” Creamer said. “And it tur ned out exactly the way I expected it to, and it was great.”

Senior Kathryn Greenlea and her partner kept things cozy at Ten Thousand Villages, a fair-trade shop at 121 N. Marion St. In their cor ner window, the pair created a fireplace and rug scene that complemented the Christmas tree displayed in the main window, which was put together by the store’s staff.

“They definitely took what they’ve lear ned in their mer chandising class to make a re ally cohesive display that kind of told the story,” Ten Thousand Villages shop director Megan Sliz said of the student duo.

Greenlea had an edge on other groups when it came to communicating with her

group’s retailer. She is a part-time employee at Ten Thousand Villages, where she handles some of the shop’s marketing and sales. The project allowed her to use those skills in an academic setting, while working closely with her partner

The students in charge of the Sugar Fixe windows embraced the passage of time, rather than one particular season. The transition of fall to winter served as the concept for the bakery, 119 N. Marion St., with one side of the window devoted to fallen leaves and rich autumnal colors. The other side makes for a wintry dream, with or naments, presents and seasonal Sugar Fixe treats

“It’s kind of like seeing a story as you walk around the building,” said project lead Virdiana Delgado, who will graduate from the uni versity this month.

Upon completion of the project, the entire class met outside the shops to see the window displays in all their glory. This was not only a fun and festive unveiling after months of work, but an opportunity for students to receive feedback from their peers and their professor The students will be able to include the project in their portfolios, which they will use to find employment after completing their studies.

“They gave the stores what they were looking for, so I’m really excited for them to have that real world experience,” said Car r.

IGOR STUDENKOV/Sta

WINDOW SHOPPING: (Le to Right) Dominican Universit y students, Yanis Adamo phoulos, Viridiana Delgado, Isbhel Brito, Maria Rodriquez, Leslie Perez, and George McCray, designed the w indow at Sugar Fixe in Oak Park.

IGOR STUDENKOV/Sta

Jane Boutique in Dow ntow n Oak Park.

CRIME

Oak Park resident robbed at gunpoint on Gunderson

An Oak Park resident was robbed at gunpoint by two men at 6:25 p.m., Nov. 28, while walking home in the 1000 block of Gunderson Avenue. The two men approached the victim, then one pointed a handgun at him and stated, “Give me everything,” according to police. The second man then asked the victim where his car was parked. The two men fled in the victim’s 2007 Lexus. The estimated loss of the victim’s property is $10,200.

Aggravated firearm

mistakenly left the vehicle keys attached to the deadbolt lock on the front door of the residence.

■ A 2017 Hyundai Sonata parked in the 500 block of Nor th Humphrey Avenue was taken between 5 p.m., Nov. 25, and 9:13 a.m., Nov. 28.

■ A 2014 Kia Rio was taken between 2 p.m., Nov. 28, and 7:45 a.m., Nov. 29, from the 400 block of South Clinton Avenue

discharge

■ Police of ficers ar rived in the 100 block of Nor th Cuyler Avenue at 10:36 p.m., Dec 2, following re por ts of gunfire and found four 9mm casings on the scene

■ Someone fired roughly 10 gunshots at 10:48 p.m., Nov. 28, in the 400 block of Nor th Scoville Avenue then fled nor thbound in a silver SUV Seven shell casings were found at the scene

Attempted vehicular hijacking

A Chicago resident was sitting in his Ford F-150 in the 600 block of North Cuyler Av enue at 11 a.m., Nov. 29, when an unknown man opened the driver’s side door and began hitting the victim in his face. The man then pulled the victim out of the vehicle and at tempted to drive off in it but was unsuccessful and instead stole a bag of tools from the Ford.

Burglar y

■ Three or four spools of 14-guage electrical wire were stolen from a building under construction in the 200 block of Madison Street between 2:41 a.m. and 5:45 a.m., Dec. 1. Drywall was also damaged.

■ A white 2020 Hyundai Palisade, a white 2020 Ram 1500 and a gray 1995 Volvo 850 were removed during a burglary of Stetson Motors, 639 Madison St., which occurred between 1:41 a.m. and 1:49 a.m., Dec. 1.

Motor vehicle theft

■ Someone removed a 2011 Toyota Co rolla parked in the 200 block of Washing ton Boulevard between 11:30 a.m., Nov. 27, and 7:45 a.m., Nov. 28, after the victim

■ A 2015 Hyundai was removed between 10:30 p.m., Dec 1, and 2:25 a.m., Dec 2, from the 400 block of Nor th Humphrey Avenue Westchester police recovered the vehicle with a damaged steering column at 2:29 a.m., Dec. 2, near Interstate 290 and 17th Av enue. Of ficers made two apprehensions

Theft

■ A package containing six bottles of white wine was taken from the front porch of a residence in the 600 block of South Harvey Av enue between 12:30 p.m. and 12:35 p.m., Nov. 28. The estimated loss is $100.

■ A package of clothing from Rent the Runway was removed from a front porch in the 600 block of Nor th Kenilwor th Avenue between 7 a.m., Nov. 24, and 3:30 p.m., Nov. 25. The estimated loss is $1,000.

■ Six Amazon packages were taken from a front porch in the 500 block of South Humphrey Avenue between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Nov. 29. The packages contained a stroller, a do g bowl, a hair dryer and miscellaneous toys, a total estimated loss of $700.

■ The catalytic conver ter was cut from a Mitsubishi Outlander parked in the first block of Erie Cour t between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Nov. 29.

These items, obtained from Oak Park Police Department reports, Nov. 28-Dec. 5, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and po lice have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as th ey seek the public’s help in making an arrest

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

Sunday, December 11 4pm The Annual Holiday Concert BOX OFFICE (708) 488-5000

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus. GET TIX!

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

99% OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

Homes

Infant Welfare Society Holiday Housewalk returns online

Five homes in Oak Park and River Forest all dressed up in holiday style

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

The Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society is helping the community kick of f the holidays with its annual Holiday Housewalk for Healthy Kids. As it has done since 2020, the IWS is staging a virtual housewalk, with videos of five local homes deco rated inside and out for the holidays.

Sarina Butler, writer and video chair for the walk, says that each of the 20 plus years of the walk has been instrumental in funding the IWS’s Chil dren’s Clinic

“Our new clinic on Madison Street is really stateof-the-art in every respect,” Butler said. “We ha more room and are serving more children, so obviously, the Holiday Housewalk becomes all the mor important.”

The Children’s Clinic serves children from in fancy through young adults and provides pediatric dentistry and behavioral health services for a population in need. With the knowledge that this is one of the clinic’s biggest fundraisers, Monica Klin house committee chair for the walk, was tasked with finding homeowners willing to open up thei houses for a good cause.

“I’m a realtor, so that gives me some inside connections to what would be good houses,” Klinke said. “We also have a great Infant Welfare Society network. Of course, it’s great when the house is awesome, but the owners also have to be really into

is River Forest home on Monroe Avenue is one of three from the village and one of ve featured in the Infant Welfare Society’s v irtual Holiday Housewalk thi s month.

| ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

HOUSEWALK Holiday décor

from page 19

decorating for the house to work for our tour.”

Of this year’s five houses, two have been on the tour be fore, but with previous owners, so Butler notes that each house is a completely new experience. There are three houses from River Forest and two from Oak Park.

In River Forest, a home on Lathrop Avenue is an architec turally historic home that has been redone to feature a cleanlined interior Butler says that each room in the newly decorated home flows to gether in har mony. The theme of this house is “Generations of Christmas Joy,” because the young family living in the home decorates with handed-down or naments and long-ter m family traditions

On Monroe Avenue, the theme is “My Favorite Things.” This house is new to the Holiday Housewalk, and Butler says the owners have recently relocated to River Forest to live near their grandchildren.

They brought with them their favorite traditions and decora tive items from their previous homes around the country. In addition to a gour met Christmas Eve dinner, this family has a tradition of wrapping all of their holiday gifts in brown paper tied up with string, inspiring the name for the house.

On Ashland Avenue, there is another house that is new to the Holiday Housewalk. The traditional home was re done recently in a style that Butler says is, “big and bold, and very ele g ant.” A remodeled kitchen features a marble-

e decorating theme for the house on Monroe Avenue in River Forest is “My Favorite ings,” and includes favorite holiday décor items from places around the world where the homeow ners have lived prev iously

topped island and a large archway to the dining room.

In Oak Park, a home on Euclid Av enue is retur ning the Holiday Housewalk. This restored Ar ts & Crafts style home is remarkable for two reasons, according to Butler All of the decorations are fresh and installed by Moss in Forest Park, and the décor is made up of unique items the family has brought back from their extensive travels

New to this year’s walk in Oak Park is the St. Giles Parish rectory. Butler says the public rooms are quite remarkable and feature the same elaborate Italian-style ceiling design as the church.

As each pastor has moved in, he has added some of his favorite items to the décor A parishioner, who also happens to be a designer, will be decorating the rooms for the walk. Butler says of the décor, which will include several creches and a dining room table set for parish par ty, “The creativity going into this is quite amazing.”

Butler says that for the first 20 years the walk was an in-person event, until the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated making the walk vir tual. While the vir tual format has worked well for the IWS and has broadened the reach of the IWS with people able to watch from anywhere

in the world, Butler says she can see a time when it would make sense to resume an in-person event.

“There are many people who would like it to go back to an actual housewalk,” Klinke added. “It’s definitely something we’ ll explore because it’s part of our tradition.”

Both Klinke and Butler say that now that COVID precautions have changed, they are encouraging people to buy their tickets and then gather to gether for viewing parties to make participating in the Holiday Housewalk more of a celebratory event.

Whatever the format, the IWS Holiday Housewalk re mains an impor tant par t of the holidays in Oak Park and River Forest. The entire event -- from the videog rapher to the homeowners to the audio recording -- is made possible by volunteers.

“This housewalk is really a community event,” Butler said. “From donating hours to writing the scripts to buying a ticket. Everyone takes part to help raise money for our Children’s Clinic.”

What you need to know

Tickets for the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society Holiday Housewalk can be purchased by vis iting childrenscliniciws.org/holiday-housewalk-and market and clicking the “Buy Tickets” button.

Tickets are $55 and allow streaming of the housewalk from 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 through Jan. 9, 2023.

PHOTO S BY ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Friars’ Macariola nds range late to sink OPRF

Huskies erase 14-point lead, but Fenwick soph’s 6-0 run the di erence

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

It would’ve been easy for the Fenwick High School boys basketball team to fold when neighborhood rival Oak Park and River Forest High School made a late charge at the Chicago Elite Classic on Dec 2 to tie the score.

But Ty Macariola refused to let that happen, hitting the next six points to help give the Friars a 64-60 victory at Credit One Arena on the University of Illinois at Chicago campus.

“We had to trust each other,” said Macariola, a sophomore guard who had a gamehigh 20 points. “We work hard every single day, and I just knew we would pull through.”

Fenwick (4-3) started strong and took a 3925 halftime lead and kept the 14-point mar gin into the fourth quarter, leading 53-39.

But OPRF (3-3) erupted for a 17-6 run and tied things up at 56-56 with 2:05 to go on a 3-pointer by junior Jaziah Harper.

“Jaziah is coming along quicker than we thought,” said OPRF coach Phil Gary. “He

hit some big shots.”

That’s when Macariola went to work His three consecutive baskets in a 90-second span gave Fenwick a 62-56 lead

“We feed off the crowd,” said Fenwick coach Tony Young. “We have to embrace the energy and noise because they can go either way. It’s important to have poise and clear heads [in those situations].”

However, the Huskies refused to go away. A basket by Justin Bowen (16 points) followed by a steal and basket by Christian Marshall brought OPRF to within 2 points with 10 sec onds remaining

“Justin played really well,” Gary said. “He’s still getting adjusted to the rhythm of the program, but I thought he made his announcement on the big stage.”

But after the Huskies’ last timeout, Fenwick’s Darshan Thomas (18 points) broke free on the ensuing possession for a gameclinching layup.

“I love the way our guys fought back in the fourth quarter,” Gary said. “We just couldn’t pull it out at the end.”

It was the Friars’ third game in four nights, and Young credited the victory to his deep bench.

“We’ve got strength in numbers,” he said. “We can go nine or 10 deep and not lose a lot. We locked in mentally at the end.”

Early foul trouble for OPRF big man Alex Vincent hurt the Huskies in the paint, par-

OPRF’s Mehki Austin (far le ) goes in for a lay up over a Fenwick defender during the teams’ crosstow n clash at the Chicago Elite Classic basketball tour nament at Credit One Arena in Chicago on Dec. 2.

ticularly in the first half.

“Alex is super big, and anytime he gets into foul trouble, it hurts our rebounding,” Gary said. “That’s when Fenwick went on a run; we lacked size while he was out.”

For OPRF, Rodney Murphy matched Bowen for scoring honors with 16 points, while Max Johnson added 15 points

“We’ve got to play four quarters,” Gary said. “We can’t take a possession off. We have a young group, so that’s a good lear ning experience for them going forward. I love

our group, and we’ ll keep working.”

The Chicago Elite Classic win capped a solid week for Fenwick. On Nov. 29, Damion Porter Jr’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave the Friars a 53-52 victory over visiting Rich Township.

On Dec. 1, Fenwick dropped its Chicago Catholic League Blue opener at De La Salle 56-49. Sophomore Dominick Ducree had 13 points, Porter 11 points and eight rebounds, and sophomore Connor Fitzgerald added nine points off the bench.

Harmon, Rauch anchor OPRF swim team th at placed 6th at state

Huskies expect to vie with Hinsdale Central, LT for league crown

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys swimming and diving team is looking to build off of a strong 2021-22 season that saw the Huskies win the Leyden Township Sec-

tional and finish sixth at the IHSA state meet.

“I’m excited about the prospects of our team, not just for dual meets and invites but for the championship season as well,” said OPRF coach Clyde Lundgren. “I’ve been im pressed with the ear nestness in which this group is approaching their training. I can tell

the boys have bought into how we prepare, and they are excited to race.”

OPRF is led by two swimmers with state experience. Senior Emmett Har mon merited all-state honors with a 10th place showing (50.51 seconds) in the 100-yard butterfly and also took part, along with junior Lars Rauch,

in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays that placed fifth (1:24.69) and seventh (3:07.68) respective ly at the state meet.

The Huskies are looking for sophomore Pablo Pareja and junior Adan Pedraza to make an impact on this season’s lineup.

The path to the West Suburban Conference

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Trinity res away from deep to rout Fenwick girls

Balanced attack for Blazers has them 5-1 to star t season

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

After a hot start to the season, the Trin ity High School basketball team kept rolling last week with a convincing 61-37 home vic tory over neighborhood rival Fenwick High School on Nov. 29 in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division opener

The Blazers (5-1, 1-0) started red hot behind the arc, hitting five 3-pointers to jump out to a 19-7 lead after the first quarter

“We all had energy and kept it up,” said Trinity senior guard Maeve Lundt, who had a game-high 13 points along with teammate Lauren Miller “We were there for each other.”

For Lundt, competing against the Friars is extra special as several of her relatives at tended Fenwick.

“Playing against them is a big deal for me,” she said. “I always give everything I have.”

The Blazers took a 27-14 halftime lead, then displayed offensive balance in the second half as they pulled away

“When we get multiple kids scoring in double digits, we become harder to guard,” said Trinity coach Kim Coleman. “In the second half, we started moving off the ball and got

the looks we wanted.”

Sophia Rodriguez finished with 12 points (four 3-pointers) and two steals for Trin ity. Cierra Richardson had a solid all-around game with eight points, six rebounds, nine assists and three steals. And freshman Chloe Santos continued her solid season start with six points and eight rebounds.

“Chloe has a lot of potential and hasn’t even scratched the surface of what she can do yet,” Coleman said. “I’m excited to watch her grow and get better.”

Following a GCAC Red home game with St. Ignatius on Dec 6 (after press time), Trin ity travels to Waukesha (Wisconsin) West on Dec. 10, then hosts Rosary on Dec. 13.

For Fenwick (3-4, 0-1), Grace Kapsch had a

team-high 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals Cam Brusca and Allie Heyer each added seven points for the Friars, who were 0-for-16 from 3-point range.

“We had some good looks but missed them,” said Fenwick coach Lenae Fergerson. “That’s something we’ve got to get better at.”

Fenwick fell at home to Marist 43-24 on Dec. 1, but routed Lincoln Park 54-26 on Dec. 3 at the Sha Hopson Memorial Classic held at Hyde Park Brusca led all scorers with 20 points

After a GCAC Red home game with Mother McAuley on Dec 6, the Friars will participate in the Marian Catholic Holiday Tour nament beginning Dec. 10.

OPRF wrestlers ready to build from ground up

Seven return from last year’s varsity roster

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

After enduring a dry spell in recent seasons, the Oak Park and River Forest High School wrestling team hopes to start retur ning to its lofty program standards.

Seven retur ning starters give OPRF coach Paul Collins a solid base on which to build.

“We’re very excited about the season,” he said. “We have a great mixture of experience and youth. This group of young men is work ing and pushing each other within the room.”

OPRF’s retur nees are senior Tej Menon at 106 pounds, junior Ruben Acevedo at 120, sophomore Joe Knackstedt at 132, senior Cooper Lacey at 138, junior Ben Sanchez at 170,

senior Vance Domenz at 182 and senior Kole Sneed at 220/heavyweight.

Top newcomers are freshman Zev Koransky at 113 pounds, freshman David Ogunsanya at 126, senior Roman Pantazopoulos at 160, sophomore C.J. Robinson at 195, and sophomore Eric Harris at 220/heavyweight.

The Huskies have a challenging schedule, which includes the Rex Whitlatch Invitational at Hinsdale Central on Dec. 16, the William “Red” Schmitt Invitational at Granite City on Dec. 29-30, the Clash National Duals in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on Jan. 6-7, and their own Huskie Invitational on Jan. 21.

OPRF will host neighborhood rival Fenwick in a dual meet on Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. It’s the first time since 2010 that the Huskies and Friars will meet on the mat.

“We have a lot of respect for Coach [Seth] Gamino and his program,” Collins said. “The wrestlers are excited and we think it’s going to be a great night.”

OPRF, which had just one wrestler advance downstate last winter -- Jalen Dunson, who graduated in 2022 -- wants to reestablish itself as a force to be reckoned with come postseason.

“The goal is to be better heading into the re gionals than we are now,” Collins said. “This is going to be a year where we get ourselves back on track and move forward together.”

With 17 retur nees to the varsity, Fenwick High School has plenty of competition among its wrestlers, and that has Gamino op timistic about this season.

“We’re excited,” he said. “We’re a bit young with the bulk being sophomores and juniors, but we’re ready to hit the mats and tur n some heads.”

The Friars retur n three wrestlers from last year’s lineup in sophomore Aiden Bur ns at 152 pounds, senior Vincent Floravanti at 160 and senior Finn McGee at 170. McGee placed second at last year’s Chicago Catholic League

meet and came within a match of advancing downstate

“I am beyond proud of how Finn and Vincent have prepared for their senior seasons and know their hard work will pay off,” Gamino said.

A newcomer to keep an eye on is freshman Michael Frighia at 126 pounds.

In addition to the dual meet with OPRF, schedule highlights for Fenwick include a two-day Catholic League Quad that takes place Jan. 3-4 at St. Laurence and St. Rita.

Fenwick finished fifth in last season’s Catholic League meet, the program’s best confer ence finish since 2012. Gamino sees Mar mion Academy and Mount Car mel as the league’s top teams this year.

“I want the boys to get better every day and appreciate it along the way,” he said. “We’re a young team and we look forward to the challenges of a tough season.”

Silver Division title goes through Hinsdale Central, with Lyons Township also considered a strong contender

“The goal of every season is to have as many personal bests and get as many swims as possible through to the state meet,” Lund gren said.

Fenwick returns with experienced squad

With 10 swimmers retur ning from last

season’s team that was third at the Leyden Sectional and placed 10th in the state, the Fenwick High School boys swimming and diving team has reason to be optimistic about its outlook this winter.

“I am excited about the de pth of our team and the potential they have to develop,” said Fenwick coach Steve Thompson.

Junior Tomas Adomaitis won at the Leyden Sectional and qualified for last year’s state meet in the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley Adomaitis, junior Code

Podgorski and senior Sam Kulisek were on the 400 freestyle relay that took 11th (3:09.46) at state

Other top retur nees for the Friars are seniors Chris Badja and Vincent Meo, ju niors Car ter Fask and Owen McDonald and sophomores Thomas Heit, Finn Munley, and Declan Vahey.

Key newcomers include five freshmen: Thomas Caicedo, James Kieswetter, Mi chael Neumann, Patrick Rhatigan and Jack Treadwell.

Fenwick figures to compete for the Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference championship, along with Loyola Academy and St. Ignatius. Thompson also believes the Friars can fare well at the sectional and state meets

“I’m looking forward to finding our best relay combinations,” Thompson said. “We’d like to see all three qualify for state We’re expecting to add some of the retur ning sectional team members and freshmen to our state rosters.”

Notice of Proposed Property Tax Increase for Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 for 2022 will be held on December 15, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the high school. To submit public comment that will not be read at the meeting but will be appended to the minutes of the meeting go to: https://forms.gle/rZjPbsdcWLAkX4CN9 by 4:30 p.m. on December 15, 2022. Any person desiring to make live public comments via Zoom will need to submit their name by 4:30 p.m. on December 15, 2022 by going to: https://forms.gle/mHEMngP2J1pUTUzu7.

You can join the meeting in person, on your computer via Zoom link or by phone. Public comments are given at the beginning of the meeting so please join promptly by 7:30 p.m. To join the Board meeting virtually go to: https://oprfhs-org.zoom.us/j/86371809100?pwd=c ExjZDk3T1VPRWpiN1NNeWFTVUJYdz09 and enter Passcode 258050 or telephone in the U.S. 312-6266799 and enter Webinar ID: 863 7180 9100.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2021 were $74,842,073.

The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2022 are $77,805,794.

This represents a 3.96% increase over the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2021 were $0.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2022 are $0.

This represents a 0% increase from the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2021 were $74,842,073.

The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2022 are $77,805,794. This represents a 3.96% increase over the previous year.

Ken Trainor at 613-3310

ktrainor@wjinc.com

C

Life

ONSIC OUS A GING

VIEWPOINTS

A

UTHOR ’S BEA T

more

wond erful, not less horrible

Last month I wrote here that ageism is a public-health issue, and I refer red to a re cently published book titled, Breaking the Age Code, written by Becca Levy, PhD. The other day I got an email from a friend thanking me for recommending that book and confessing they’d changed their mind after reading it. Ok, maybe not changed their mind, but looking at things dif ferently.

an be complimentary, en celebratory.

Mastering senior living, by the book

By JOYCE K. PORTER Contributing Author

BLESOFF

Before reading Breaking the Age Code, my friend believed that healthy older people are the ones with positive beliefs about aging. It was their good health that allowed them to think well of aging. Since reading and talking about the book, my friend now appreciates the view that it’s the older people with positive beliefs about aging who are the healthy ones.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Perhaps it’s both/and.

My friend’s email reminded me of a story about when Ram Dass traveled to India to visit one of his teachers. As he exited the airplane, he was met by his teacher’s assistant who said, “Welcome. So good to see you. You are looking so old.”

Ram Dass’ traveling companion overheard the greeting and thought it strange until they learned that in India older people are respected as honorable and contributing members of society, so the word “old” was actually a compliment. How different from our country.

I think we could reclaim the word “old.”

Why don’t we start an Old Is Beautiful movement? Rather than being dismissive and self-deprecatory, the word “old”

Swedish gerontologist Lars Tor nstam developed his theory of Gerotranscendence in the 1980s. nstam and his colleagues saw older people hanging as they aged hese changes included decreased interest in super luous social interaction and accumulating material ossessions, becoming less self-occupied and more selective in the choice of social and other activities. Also, solitude became more attractive

Tor nstam’s colleagues said these older people were depressed and recommended medication. Tor nstam said, “Don’t drug them! Celebrate them. They’re just getting old.” Gerotranscendence holds that “old” is not bad in and of itself.

Have you ever forgotten something and then shook your head and thought, “Oh well, too bad, I’m just getting old”? Or maybe thought it was “a senior moment”? Ashton Applewhite says, “When I lost my car keys in high schoo, I didn’t call it ‘a junior moment’.”

So there’s two versions of the phrase “just getting old”: Tor nstam’s celebra tion and our own self-dismissal.

For most of us, our default attitude is ageist. We “tsk, tsk,” shake our heads and think “Oh well, that’s just the way it is.” We settle for a life just less hor rible than it could be, a life that peaks in middle age — and if that’s what we settle for, then that’s probably what we g et.

Becca Levy writes that our beliefs about aging deter mine how long and how well we live.

Let’s choose life more wonderful, not just less horrible.

Iappreciate the opportunity to talk about my book, Mastering Senior Life: Thriving and Surviv in g. It has just been released on book sites and will soon be sold at T he Book Ta bl e.

This book has been three years in the making from concep tion to fruition. Th e idea originated from my Facebook posts I p ost daily on Facebook and have developed quite a following. I’m amazed how many people read my posts on a re g ular b asis and a couple of them suggested I w rite a book.

I’ve always enjoyed writing. You may have noticed my letters to the editor in the Jour nal or the Tribune. I’ve also written a couple of supplementary textbooks

This is the first and probably my onl y time writing a book for the general public Much of my life knowledge is contained in it. The first section, “Thriving,” reflects my active lifestyle. Everyone who knows me says I’m one of the most active people they know.

I talk about retirement and that if you’ re healthy, you should view your senior years as being an opportunity and a be ginning and not an end. I give specific suggestions about activitie s, travel, discounts and deci sions you may have to make.

T he book’s second half, the “Surviving” section, is inspired by the experience of dealing with my husband ’s medical problems. During the last 20 or so years of his life, he had many medical problems, including seizures and Parkinson’s, and we figured out techniques to deal with them. At the end, he got West Nile Vi rus and I had the experience of dealing with a nursing home and not having any idea of what I should do. It took me a long time to figure out what to do

I was hoping that in writing this book, I could help others find out quickly those things that took me weeks to find out.

T here is information about other illnesses as well, and I was lucky enough to have a brother, who is a doctor, to verify it. I also talk about loss and g rief and give a checklist of things you have to think about at a very strenuous time.

What I lear ned by writing the book is that writing a self-published book is not an easy process, nor is it lucrative. However, if you set your mind to it, you can accomplish it. There were so many times where I set the book aside, and thought it would never ever get finished, but I did, and I’m proud of that fact. I also lear ned that it’s a collaborative process. Editing, layout, cover design and another set of eyes to read it were areas where I reached out to others. I couldn’ t have done it all myself.

T he book is av ailable in both paperback and ebook ve rsions on all book sites. I am listed as Joyc e K. Po r ter to distinguish me from a British author

OUR VIEWS

There is little upside to living in a state as vividly blue as Illinois if the super-sized Democratic majorities in the state senate and house don’t flex that power for life-changing good.

Come the new year, four Democrats in the House will introduce sweeping legislation, dubbed the Protect Illinois Communities Act, to control the gun violence that decimates well-being in our state. Whether it is indiscriminate drive-by shootings on the West Side or mass shootings in schools or at a North Suburban 4th of July parade, we face a plague of gun violence across Illinois.

Proud to say that Re p. LaShawn Ford (D-8th) is one of four co-sponsors of the legislation. Ford re presents the West Side as well as portions of Oak Park, Forest Park and other suburbs to the south and west. He has become a powerful leader on issues of criminal justice reform. He has played a leading role in crafting, passing and last week refining the landmark SAFE-T justice reform bill which takes effect Jan. 1.

This new gun legislation, which also has the support of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, would ban the sale of assault weapons and, after 300 days, ban the possession of such weapons in Illi nois. It would raise the legal age to purchase a gun legally to 21 and outlaw the sale of bulletspraying oversized ammunition clips. It would also focus on investigating the trafficking of guns from neighboring states with no effective gun safety laws and extend to 12 months from 6 the duration of a firearm restraining order.

There will be opposition to this commonsense push for gun safety from Re publicans and likely some percentage of downstate Democrats. That’s why acting in a moment when Democratic majorities are so astoundingly high is the necessary step.

There will also be doubts about the virtue of passing such legislation in a time when the U.S. Supreme Court has been captured illicitly by the far right.

But fighting for what is right means ignor ing the doubters. It means driving action at the local and state level to fuel a wave of action across America that turns our national fetish for weapons into a more manageable aber ration.

Thanks to Rep. Ford for providing leadership.

According to Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit organization that keeps track of gun violence in the U.S., at least 607 mass shootings (four people or more shot) occurred in 2022 as of Thanksgiving, making this likely the second worst year on record, last year being the worst, an average of almost two mass shootings per day.

What’s being done about it? At the federal level, almost nothing, thanks to the Re publican Party’s longstanding status as a wholly bought-of f subsidiary of the National Rifle Association.

of course, nonsense.

Ten years later, little has changed Rep. Ford leads on guns

The right to free speech is inalienable because without free speech, our humanity would be diminished. … Guns, on the other hand, are tools. They are not essential to who we are as human beings. And the right to keep and bear ar ms is anything but inalienable. Public outrage against the mass mayhem caused by careless, easy access to guns will inevitably swee p away the Second Amendment.

KEN TRAINOR

Thanks to the public outcry following the Highland Park mass shooting at this year’s July 4th parade, a bill has been introduced in the Illinois legislature to ban assault weapons. One of our local state re ps, La Shawn Ford, is a sponsor. HB5855 also outlaws high-capacity ammunition magazines, raises the eligible age for a FOID card to 21, and allows petitioners to request a Firearms Restraining Order for a term of oneyear (from the current six months).

We need to get behind this bill.

The carnage has intensified in the 10 years since 20 first-graders and six staf f members were massacred, using an assault weapon with high-capacity magazines, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. We mark that awful anniversary next Wednesday

A similar massacre took the lives of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas this past May, rein forcing how little has changed in 10 years.

As a marker, those 20 Sandy Hook first-graders who died on Dec. 14, 2012 would be juniors in high school now, making plans to attend colle ge. When we mark the 10th anniversary of the Uvalde massacre on May 24, 2032, will anything have changed?

I wrote a column in 2012 that ran two days before the Newtown murders titled, “Why the NRA should support gun control.” Here’s some of what I said:

Easy access to guns leads to mass murder. The incidents are piling up with maddening frequency. The number of casualties will only increase. The NRA’s ability to intimidate a cowardly Congress does not mean they’re winning the argument. It only means they enjoy a short-term advanta ge. …

The rising body count will be accompanied by a rising tide of public animosity toward both the NRA and their congressional lapdogs.

Some in the pro-gun movement characterize the right to own firearms as “a priori,” i.e. di vinely granted, an inalienable right, essential to our very humanity. Which is,

Therefore, if gun supporters want to preserve their right to bear arms, they need to join forces with those of us who favor effective gun re gulation. Instead, they oppose any and all measures to restrict or delay access to gun ownership because their greatest fear is that government will take away their firearms, and they see regulation as the first step toward that end. Ironically, their efforts to block regulation bring that day closer. …

There is no moral legitimacy to the NRA position. … All they have is a vaguely worded, historically obsolete constitu tional amendment and the lack of political will to overturn it. Time is not on their side. It may not happen in our lifetime, but it will happen — unless the NRA changes course.

Ten years later, the NRA continues to prize the rights of mass murderers over our children’s right to life

By the first anniversary of the Sandy Hook mass murder, I naively figured, certainly something would have changed, December 2013 column ti

I’m incredulous that 12 months after the latest “mas sacre of the innocents,” we’ve done nothing as a nation to reduce the easy availability of guns by criminals and the dangerously mentally ill. … And I’m deeply disappointed that people who should know better (gun owners) seem to care so much more about their individual rights than the safety of our children.

I’m also shocked by their indifference toward the rising number of mass-shooting incidents nationwide. If they have feelings about it, they certainly aren’t showing them. It’s as if they’ re deathly afraid that acknowledging Newtown will make them go “soft” and threaten the defense of their gun rights, which are more precious to them than anything else. …

We owe it to those first-graders at Sandy Hook, and to all the kids who will be bloodied in 2014 and beyond, [to pass common-sense gun legislation]. I owe it to my grandsons to try.

Newtown, newcountry? It’s time for progress

But there has been no progress. It has only gotten worse.

Support House Bill 5855 as it makes its way through the legislature. Maybe Illinois can set an example for the rest of the nation by banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, whose only purpose is mass murder.

ResCorp and the village aren’t treating us fairly

Our property rights have been violated by the Oak Park Residence Corporation (OPRC) and the village of Oak Park. Currently, because of the up-and-coming seven-story structure being built at 7 Van Buren, my neighbors, renters, and my par tner and I have no access to our garages and our alley for at least two months. Access to our alley and garages was promised to us during the village deliberations on this building. In fact, a sign was posted stating that blocking the alley was strictly prohibited. Funny thing — that sign was recently removed.

JANE CAMPBELL

One View

We have all been “generously” given 24-hour street parking passes.

Thanks to OPRC and the village, we were given no warning and just one day’s notice about this decision. And we had no opportunity to dispute it. So now it’s shaking, pounding, and being tossed out of our garages. I wonder how the village trustees who approved this project and OPRC would react if this happened to them. But I’m used to dealing with and understanding entitlement.

WEDNESD AY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Michael Romain

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Publishing and Technology Manager Briana Higgins Staff Reporters Stacey Sheridan

Staff Photographers Alex Rogals, Shanel Romain

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Big Week Editor James Porter

Columnists Marc Bleso , Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Harriet Hausman, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey

Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Donor Relations Manager/Food Editor Melissa Elsmo

Sales & Digital Development Manager Stacy Coleman

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

About Viewpoints

Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, schools, businesses and culture of Oak Park and River Forest. As we share the consensus of Wednesday Journal’s editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, re you to action

In a healthy conversation about community concerns, your voice is also vital. We welcome your views, on any topic of community interest, as essays and as letters to the editor. Noted here are our stipulations for ling.

During the summer, the building being constructed began with raucous trucks moving down Van Buren at 6:30 a.m., waking up dozens of residents, even though the permit states that construction will not begin until 7 a.m. Then the shaking and pounding began. When work is being done, everything in our house vibrates, including glasses in the cabinet. My immediate neigh bors and I have attempted to accept this development, but this project continues to take turns that are making it impossible.

Last week, even though we were promised our alley would never be closed because, as one official stated, “It would be a fire hazard,” our alley is now closed for an in definite period. During these cold and snowy months, we (along with two of our neighbors) are not being allowed to use our garages.

Furthermore, we rent out three parking spaces to people who are not being allowed access to those spaces

My neighbors and I are senior citizens, all over 65 years of age. When this project began, one of the goals was to keep Oak Parkers in the village where they can age in place — that is, except for us. As senior citizens and homeowners, we depend on our garages to keep our cars safe and protected from snowstorms. Now we will be shoveling out our cars when it snows. All previous communication with village trustees and OPRC has been ignored. So what will the village do for us? We have not been compensated for our inconvenience.

We have been consistently lied to by the village and the OPRC, who treat us like a nuisance. Being entitled should not mean mistreatment of Oak Park residents — especially when ResCor p is claiming that this structure will bring diversity to an already diverse neighborhood.

Diversity implies fairness for all. This is not fair and does not support the principles of sensitivity, concer n, and understanding.

Jane Campbell is an Oak Park resident.

Please understand our veri cation process and circumstances that would lead us not to print a letter or essay. We will call to check that what we received with your signature is something you sent. If we can’t make that veri cation, we will not print what was sent. When, in addition to opinion, a letter or essay includes information presented as fact, we will check the reference. If we cannot con rm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay.

If you have questions, email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

VIEW’ ESSAY

Email Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com or mail to Wednesday Journal, Viewpoints, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

HOW TO REACH US

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

EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com

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Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2022 Growing Community Media, NFP.

Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

PROVIDED BY OA K PARK RESIDENCE CORPORATION

Proposed new development at 7 Van Buren St. on Austin Boulevard

Chutzpah, thy name is Trump HAUSMAN

The language of our diverse population in this primarily English-speaking nation is sprinkled with foreign words. T hese ter ms are commonly used in conversation, and often found in news articles, spoken on TV, radio, etc

When I have used the ter m “chutzpah” in general conversation, I’ve used it gatory reference because I define it rconfidence” or “self .” However, s definition, and it does not assign a value to “chutzpah.” It uses the word “audacious” as a synonym. In searching for a more word, I realize that, in my mind, there is a personification of “chutzpah” in the person of Donald Trump. How could anyone be more audacious than a man who has been twice impeached, saved from being ousted from the presidency only by the Senate Re publicans? Trump instig ated a coup, which I consider a treasonous rampage, in an attempt to disrupt Biden’s confir mation to take his place as president. Trump has consistently lied and caused distress on many levels, including the ter ror wreaked by his COVID-19 “nonpolicy.” He has paid millions of dollars to attor neys and in cour t settlement fines as a result of his cor rupt and fraudulent business practices. Even before he was president, Trump was convicted of racist re fusals to rent his New York properties to non-whites Trump is presently being investigated for a multitude of crimes. In my opinion, anyone of such low character should not have been president once, let alone run for another ter m. Trump’s announcement of his 2024 candidacy is my definition of “chutzpah!”

Yet political pundits claim Trump still has the suppor t of 30% of the voting population. It is frightening for me to even contemplate his possible nomination. I believe it is our responsibility to carefully choose qualified candidates for major and minor of fices, be they Re publican, Democratic, or Inde pendent. They must be people who are trustworthy, intelligent, knowledgeable of public af fairs, and ear n our respect.

We must not choose people who attempt to blindside us with their chutzpah.

Harriet Hausman is a longtime resident of Ri v er Forest and most lik ely the oldest re gular newspaper columnist in the country.

What the heck is Broasted chicken?

When we first moved to Oak Park in the final de cades of the 20th century, George’s Family Restaurant had painted on their awning the words “Broasted Food.” At that time, we weren’ t sure what that meant. More recently when I called George’s to ask if they still had Broasted food on the menu, the person who answered the phone seemed not to know what the heck I was asking about. Broasting is pressurized frying. Frying food under pressure acceler ates the cooking process, provides more even heat distribution, and may reduce oil absor ption while yielding meat that retains moisture (no one wants dry meat).

In the mid-1950s, the words “Broaster” and “Broasted” were trademarked by the Broaster Company of Beloit, Wisconsin. The Broaster Company manufactures equipment to fry food under pressure (which you do *not* want to try at home). Also around the midcentury, not-yet-so-ter med “Colonel” Harlan Sanders modified a pressure cooker to quickly cook the chicken for which he would later become famous, as would his restaurant empire, Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Broasted chicken as ser ved at e Great Escape.

HAMMOND

Broasting itself is very popular all over the world, includ ing India, Saudi Arabia, Colombia and Peru. To whatever extent possible, the Broaster Company attempts to ensure that only those who use authorized Broaster equipment can call their food Broasted (though they don’t own the concept of pressurized frying).

Recently, I sat down to lunch with a friend at The Great Escape in Schiller Park, an old-timey restaurant with a 100-year old bar and some recognizable favorites on the menu: breaded pork tenderloin, fried shrimp … and Broasted chicken with wedge potatoes

When my half-chicken arrived all glistening yellowish brown and crisp, I wasn’t sure I could finish it. I did. It was very, very good. The fried crust on the chicken was so thin, I

Stats are tricky

Love reading Wednesday Jour nal, but re garding your re porting of OPRF freshman grade statistics [Early line on OPRF frosh curriculum is: too early to draw conclusions, News, Nov. 16] you should include the bases for the se gments you are re porting on.

As admitted in the ar ticle, the Asian/PI sample size was too small to actually deter mine any conclusions By this very admission, re porting “it’s falling” as a direction is misleading. In practice, sample sizes over 30 are adequate (over 50 even better) to actually re port a significant statisti cal direction. Not sure if you did this analysis, but I would

asked the server if they’d removed the skin before frying, but they had not.

Broasted in vegetable oil, the pressure-fried chicken at The Great Escape had a paper-thin shell, much preferable (from a health and gustatory perspective) to the thicker fried-on crust that we’ve had at KFC, which still does pressure-fry their chicken.

The Great Escape does Broasting right. The meat was moist and flavorful, due in part to 24-hour marination. The Broaster Company claims that Broasting “seals in natural juices,” and there are many sites that claim Broasted chicken is the healthier and juicier option. Broasting, in the right hands, is undeniably delicious and for that reason alone we’ll retur n to The Great Escape. Next time, though, I plan to sidle up to their time-worn bar and enjoy a beer before launching into this very satisfying platter of fried chicken and wedge potatoes, a classic Midwester n combo

As I was finishing this article, a friend alerted me that “all you can eat” Broasted chicken is offered every day at Crandall’s in Hebron, which claims to offer “World Famous Broasted Chicken,” a boast probably on par with cafes that of fer “World’s Best Coffee.” Still, as I’m now a Broaster booster, it might be wor th the 70-mile drive

recommend doing stat testing of some kind to deter mine if grades going up or down are significant. Based on the very limited data you re por ted on, it looked as if grades were largely flat for the whole class (very minor dif ferences — but again hard to tell without knowing the sample size). Overall, I was dismayed on how this was re por ted. The language used did not match a rigorous statistical analysis (it seemed), thus it was hard to gain any insight into how meaningful this was Love the paper, but stats are tricky and can be dangerous and often misleading.

Thanks again for being a great community resource. Hope future stats reporting can improve.

Daniel Urbina-McCar thy Oak Park

Local Dining & Food Blogger

PHOTO BY DAVID HAMMOND

DOOPER ’S

MEMORIES

When radio quiz shows tested our knowledg e

Before my family o a television, tw our favo shows we

The Quiz Kids

Dr. IQ, which aired Monday nights on NBC until 1950 was probably the nation first radio quiz sho from all over the United States won cash for ans ing questions posed IQ , “the Mental Bank

The show was sponsored by Mars Inc., the company that made my two favorite candy bars — Snickers and Milky Way. The show was broadcast live from movie theaters in large cities across the country.

After the movie was over, Dr. IQ would come on stage, and several assistants carrying microphones would fan out through the audience. An assistant would choose a contestant and announce that fact to Dr. IQ, and he would tell the contestant that he would give 10 or more silver dollars if the contestant could answer the question he posed.

The amount of money would vary depending on the difficulty of the question. If the contestant missed the question, he or she would get a box of mixed candy bars and a couple of movie tickets.

In addition to the questions, I remember that there was an almost impossible tongue-twister that almost all of the contestants failed to repeat correctly. To correctly repeat the tongue-twister was dif ficult because Dr. IQ said it only once, and then the contestant had to repeat it

My favorite was the Biography Game, which was worth 75 silver dollars. In this game contestants were given a clue about a favorite person, and if they guessed the name of the person after the first clue, he/

ould win the 75 dollars. he amount decreased, how, with each clue. was sponsored , and was hosted y. When we d in the city and my dad and ay after noon ather, we often elly fishing near the ke Michigan. elly had been friends for many years, so we would chat with him for a while before he had to get to the radio station for the show.

The show aired in the late after noon. I was a weekly listener and always tried to answer the questions asked by Mr. Kelly. There were five contestants, all under 16, and they were very knowledgeable, especially a boy named Joel Kupper man who won most of the time. The five contestants were chosen on the basis of their academic interests, intelligence, and personality, and the contestants appeared to be neither egocentric nor smar my.

Each week only the top three scorers would remain on the show, and the other two would be replaced by two other super bright boys or girls for the next show. When a contestant tur ned 16, he/she would no longer be able to participate Winning play ers were awarded $100.

There was an opportunity for listeners to stump the contestants. If the question a listener submitted could not be answered by the players, the listener would win a prize like a floor model radio.

These smart radio shows got me inter ested in being an in-home participant on television quiz shows like College Bowl and the $64,000 Question in the years to come

Afew weeks back I wrote an article here making the case for a 0% tax levy increase for our village budg and we now have a budg et reflecting that. T hanks to the village staf f for bein g responsive to this request, making our community a little more af fordable n ow and over time.

At the same time, we are expanding our general fund expenditures by $3.7 million in 2023. This is a significant j ump. There are seve r al strate gic and unavo idable spends that make up this increase as Vi llage Manage r Kevin Jackson builds an org anization that is responsive to our board goals in an inflationary environment. While this level of spending increase often resur faces in future years as a big tax levy increase, early projections by Vi llage C FO St eve Drazner indicates a deficit free 2024 budget with a less than 3% levy increase

Oak Park’s 2023 village budget going forward PARAKK

AT One View

If we look closer at the spend, a large po rt i on ($2 million) of the increase is supplie s, salarie s, cost-of-living ad j ustments and co rresponding health b enefit s. However, a po rt i on ($850K) of the salary & benefits increase is a result of an increase of 8.75 people (Full Time Equ ivalent) to the village staf f, taking our total head count to 394. We are spending an additional $1.3 million in exter nal suppo rt (leve raging exter nal specialized exper tise to help staf f)

The increase in village staf f includes:

■ Expansion to the Village Manager’s Of fice with an executive assistant and management inter n.

■ 3 additional firefighters/paramedics for a third fire engine.

■ 1 additional customer service analyst

■ 1 additional person for graf fiti removal and other public works-related enforce ment activities

■ The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team under the Village Manager’s Of fice

■ Health De par tment (Far mers Mar ket manager + basic roles to catch up on

documentation backlog created the pandemic). We have conted some of the proposed VID-related spending into ontingency fund (Under PA funds) to be used only if VID risks truly resurface. This saves us from unnecessar spending dollars toward a VID transitionary year merican Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars have been leveraged to cover eligible lost revenue and community in vestments. The AR PA balance now sits at $2.1 million. Bris k post-pandemic economic activity/recovery has seen our sales tax and shor t ter m rental (e.g. Airbnb) revenue go up this year by $3 million. If this holds, it allows us to pay for more without increasing the real estate tax burden for you. Our operating reserves are over $33 million, over double the recommended threshold. I am also assured by staf f that future cost savings are likely as a result of the increased investment in the org anization this year. Howeve r, with economists predicting a recession in 2023, it behooves the board, staf f and community at large to pay close attention to how our sales tax revenues, park ing deficit s, investments in community safety, sustainability, etc. and expected cost savings evolve in 2023.

Our staf f worked really hard on this budg et while dealing with many exter nal variables, including a litigation and related public hearing that ate into budg et preparation and discussion time I’m particularly thankful to those board colleagues who eng aged in tough but meaningful dialo gue on the budget while adjusting to a new cur tailed budgeting process

Budgets are often complex and borin g but as board members it’s our fiduciar y responsibility to understand and shape the budget to allocate community re sources ef fectively and transparently.

Personally I’m cautiously optimistic about our 2023 budg et and how it sets us up for the future.

Ravi Pa rakkat is an Oak Park villa ge trustee.

OBITUARIES

Max Lyles, 78 Math teacher, editor, artist

Max Vance Lyles, 78, a longtime resident of Oak Park, died at home on Nov. 10, 2022. He grew up in Carrollton, Kentucky, was a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and earned his master’s de gree in mathematics from Purdue University. He started his career as a math teacher and went on to become an editor of math textbooks, spending many years working for Laidlaw and Scott Foresman. He had a passion for travel, gardening and was a gifted artist who annually designed his own Christmas cards.

Max was the son of the late Palmore and Pauline Vance Lyles; brother of the late Billy R. Lyles; uncle to Patrick Todd (Becky)

and Christopher (Becky) Lyles and his niece Lee Ann Yager (Paul); great-uncle to Mackenzie Lyles, Zachary Vance Lyles (Nicole), Heather Goupil (Brett), and his great-great niece Stella Lee Goupil; and cousin of Rickie, Kathie, Nancy and Paula.

He will be missed by his many friends, including his close friend, Richard Majko.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2023 at Third Unitarian Church, 301 N. Mayfield in Chicago.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly. (www.lbfechicago.org), 355 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60607.

Robert Roll, 71

Rev. Robert J. Roll, 71, a tired archdiocesan priest and for mer pastor of St. Bride ish in Chicago, died on No 2022. Born on Jan. 14, 1951, in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, Niles Colle ge in Niles, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, where he was ordained to the priesthood on May 11, 1977. He served the people of the

archdiocese as assistant pastor numerous parishes, including St. Giles in Oak Park. He also served as vicariate dean three years, 1998-2001 and retired in 2021.

A funeral Mass was celebratof Hope Mission, e., in Rosemont on Dec. 5, 2022 with Bishop Robert Casey as celebrant, followed All Saints Cemetery in Des

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities

1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays.

3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers.

4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management.

5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software.

6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system.

7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review.

8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning.

9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs.

10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

HELP WANTED

Schools

Qualifications:

• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement in School Psychology.

HELP WANTED

software and other forms of systems and data.

11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training.

12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling.

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties

1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures.

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems.

5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations.

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.

Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android.

Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology.

Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down.

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

VB scripts.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:

- Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time

- Operating assigned equipment

- Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance

- Working in and around computer equipped vehicles

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

- Making observations

- Communicating with others

- Reading and writing

- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.

Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND

Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft

Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment.

Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Administrative Assistant in the Public Health Department. This position provides a variety of responsible administrative and analytical functions; records and monitors department budget and fiscal requirements of grant-funded programs; oversight of Accounts Payable process; prepares reports and serves as a resource for computerized office applications. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

FULL TIME HELP WANTED

SPOTLESS CARWASH at 7343 Roosevelt and 7802 Madison St in Forest Park is in need of an attendant. We are looking for someone who likes to be outside and is friendly and likes people.

The duties are to meet and greet customers, make change, sell tokens, automatic and self serve wash instructions, keep the lot, equipment room, and perimeter clean.

Pay is $13.00 per hour to start. The hours an attendant is on duty are 9 – 11 and 12 – 5 on weekdays, 9 – 11 and 11:30 – 4 on Saturday and Sunday. Looking for Wednesday through Sunday. If you are mechanically inclined please mention it.

Please come to 7343 Roosevelt Rd. in Forest Park to pick up an application. 708-771-2945.

Thank you

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

Marketing Specialist (Chicago, IL) Research market conditions in domestic and int’l markets in areas tea & related products. Design/develop marketing strategies; executive plans to promote products; collect and analyze price, trends, brands of competitors to adjust and form marketing/promoting proposals. Work with management to develop data information, marketing campaign planning. Design/develop marketing contents. Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, International Business, or Economics required. 2 yrs of experience in a sales or marketing position involving marketing or promotion projects required. Send resume to HR, Spirit Tea LLC, 3431 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60647

• Prefer at least 5 years of successful educational experience in both general and special education; and at least five years of successful experience in evaluating students, collaborating, and problemsolving with school and District teams.

• Master’s Degree preferred. Demonstrates knowledge of special education legislation and acts in accordance with those mandates; follows policies and procedures of the District. Develops and implements activities that encourage students to be life-long learners. Identify and assess the learning, development, and needs of individuals and groups, as well as, the environmental factors that affect learning and school success. Uses assessment data about the

students and their environments in developing appropriate interventions and programs. Conducts appropriate individual psychoeducational assessments for children who have or are suspected of having a disability and provides written reports of assessment results.

Participates in all staff conferences of students having received psychological evaluation or reevaluation, including hospital discharge. Provide support to special education personnel including assisting staff with development of functional behavioral analysis and behavior intervention plans, modeling “best practices” and assisting special educators with instructional practices.

For a complete list of duties, please visit our website at https://www.district90.org/about/ employment

Interested candidates should complete the online application available at www.district90.org.

Custom Frame Company

Manufacturing

Top rated firm, Alpina Manufacturing LLC, founded in 1992, locally owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals, CTA. Apply in person M-F 8am to 4pm • Alpina • 6460 W Cortland St Chicago, IL 60707 www.fastchangeframes.com

FINANCE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Finance Coordinator. The ideal candidate will perform a wide variety of responsible and complex administrative, secretarial and clerical duties for the Finance department; and will provide information and assistance to the public regarding department to which assigned. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled.

COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Community Health Advisor. The professional in this position is responsible for a variety of tasks including; promoting a safe health care environment; including health education, outreach and promotion which includes disseminating information, making referrals, and counseling as well as managing caseloads, and performing a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications December 19, 2022.

FULL-TIME POLICE RECORDS CLERK

FOREST PARK, IL

The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Full-Time Civilian Information Management Records Clerk reporting to the Lieutenant of the Criminal Investigations Division. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include excellent organizational skills, computer skills, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines,

good knowledge of English language, and adherence to all police department policies and procedures. Responsibilities and duties include subpoena fulfilment, evidence room duties, data entries, general office functions, report creation, and other duties as needed our assigned. Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark. net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net

Assistant Project Managers sought by LG Construction Group LLC in Chicago, IL to complete subcontractor evals & comparison of bids w/ prjct mngr. Apply at jobpostingtoday. com Ref# 16327.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Oak Park, Illinois (Chicagoland) www.collab4kids.org

Since its beginnings in 2002, the Collaboration for Early Childhood (the Collab) has embraced the vision that all children should arrive at kindergarten safe, healthy, ready to succeed and eager to learn. The Collab’s focus has always been on how much impact the organization could have on the youngest among us in the community.

The Executive Director will be charged with taking the organization into its next phase of organizational life. He/She/They will have the opportunity to leverage the organization’s expanded influence and funding, potentially beyond the state of Illinois. The Executive Director will enhance the organization’s advocacy profile and will help shape a policy agenda for early learning. He/She/ They will help expand the organization’s opportunities for revenue generation, diversification, and strategic partnerships. Most significantly, the Collab will continue to serve as one of the state’s primary thought leaders in early childhood education.

The minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, though a master’s or advanced degree is preferred.

The salary range for this position is between $120,000 and $140,000 and will be commensurable with experience. The Collab offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to 12 paid holidays, vacation days and group health insurance, as well as a retirement plan.

It is the policy of the Collaboration to afford equal employment opportunities regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. This policy of equal employment applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including but not limited to: initial consideration for employment; job placement and assignment of responsibilities; performance evaluation; promotion and advancement; compensation and fringe benefits; training and professional development opportunities; formulation and application of human resource policies and rules; facility and service accessibility; and discipline and termination.

Applications are being received by Kittleman & Associates, LLC. For more information or to apply, please visit https://bit.ly/3tBKpLu (click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page to upload a current resume and letter of interest).

HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST

River Forest Public

River Forest Public Schools, District 90 is seeking an experienced part-time School Psychologist

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE SUMMONS (Family Law) CITACIÓN (Derecho familiar)

CASE NUMBER (NÚMERO DE CASO): HF22130927

NOTICE TO RESPONDENT (Name): AVISO AL DEMANDADO (Nombre): ANGELO C GALLARDO

You have been sued. Read the information below and on the next page.

Lo han demandado. Lea la información a continuación y en la página siguiente.

Petitioner’s name is: Nombre del demandante: MERCEDITA M. GALLARDO

You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call, or court appearance will not protect you.

If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs.

For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courts.ca.gov/ selfhelp), at the

California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.

Tiene 30 días de calendario después de haber recibido la entrega legal de esta Citación y Petición para presentar una Respuesta (formulario FL-120) ante la corte y efectuar la entrega legal de una copia al demandante. Una carta o llamada telefónica o una audiencia de la corte no basta para protegerlo.

órdenes puede hacerlas acatar en cualquier lugar de California.

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.

EXENCIÓN DE CUOTAS: Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario un formulario de exención de cuotas. La corte puede ordenar que usted pague, ya sea en parte o por completo, las cuotas y costos de la corte previamente exentos a petición de usted o de la otra parte.

1. The name and address of the court are (El nombre y dirección de la corte son): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, 24405 AMADOR STREET, HAYWARD, CA 94544 - FAMILY LAW DIVISION

2. The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are: (El nombre, dirección y número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante si no tiene abogado, son): SATNESH S. PRASAD, 607 LONGWOOD AVE., HAYWARD, CA 94541

Date (Fecha): OCT 21, 2022

CHAD FINKE, Clerk, by (Secretario, por) SARAH GOUVEIA, Deputy (Asistente)

[SEAL]

Published in the Wednesday Journal November 23, 30, December 7, 14, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed proposals will be received by the Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park (Owner) at 21 South Blvd., Oak Park, Il, 60302 until 2:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at which time they will be opened and read. The sealed bids will be received for the following project:

Turnkey modernization of two traction elevators and its mechanical and electrical systems at the Mills Park Tower public housing property.

Drawings and Specifications are available at no cost in PDF electronic format from Lerch Bates Building Insights, Charlie Geist, Regional Manager, 328 S. Jefferson St., Suite 760, Chicago, IL 60661, telephone (312) 332-5444, email Charlie.Geist@LerchBates.com.

Bidders are required to attend the mandatory pre-bid meeting on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. on the first floor of Mills Park Tower, 1025 Pleasant Place, Oak Park, IL 60302. If bidders have questions or need further information, they may call Ken Southward at (708) 386-9322, extension 134.

Bid Security: Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in the amount of 5% of the base bid or a certified check in the same amount payable to the Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park. Checks of unsuccessful bidders will be returned as soon as practicable after the opening of the bids.

Performance Bond: The Contractor, before commencing the work, shall furnish a Performance Bond for contracts over $100,000.00. The Performance Bond shall be in an amount equal to 100% of the full amount of the Contract Sum as security for the faithful performance of the obligations of the Contract Documents. Such Bond shall be issued by a Surety satisfactory to the Owner and shall name the Owner as primary Co-Obligee.

NOVENAS

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.

St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail .Publication must be promised. Thank you Jesus. Thank You St . Jude. R.B.

NEVER FAIL NOVENA

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored and glorified throughout the world, now and for-ever. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in you. Holy Mary Mother of Jesus, pray for me. St. Theresa child of Jesus, pray for me.

St. Jude, helper of hopeless causes, pray for me and grant this favorI ask. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days .R.B

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

(NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL)

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to suc cor in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. R.B.

Si no presenta su Respuesta a tiempo, la corte puede dar órdenes que afecten su matrimonio o pareja de hecho, sus bienes y la custodia de sus hijos. La corte también le puede ordenar que pague manutención, y honorarios y costos legales. Para asesoramiento legal, póngase en contacto de inmediato con un abogado. Puede obtener información para encontrar un abogado en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en el sitio web de los Servicios Legales de California (www.lawhelpca.org) o poniéndose en contacto con el colegio de abogados de su condado.

NOTICE—RESTRAINING ORDERS ARE ON PAGE 2: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.

AVISO—LAS ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN SE ENCUENTRAN EN LA PÁGINA 2: Las órdenes de restricción están en vigencia en cuanto a ambos cónyuges o miembros de la pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la petición, se emita un fallo o la corte dé otras órdenes. Cualquier agencia del orden público que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas

The Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park reserves the right to award the contract at its discretion, to reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities in bidding, and to hold the three lowest proposals for a period of sixty (60) days after the bid due date.

This project is subject to Federal Regulations including Fair Labor and Prevailing Wages. The Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park, in an effort to reaffirm its policy of non-discrimination, encourages the efforts of Contractors and Sub-Contractors to take affirmative action in providing for Equal Employment Opportunity without regard to race, religion, creed, color, sex, national origin, age, protected Veteran status or handicap unrelated to ability to perform the job. The Owner encourages General Contractors to employ minority subcontractors and suppliers.

Ken Southward Director of Housing Programs (708) 386-9322, ext. 134

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR

REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of Ryan Cavario Isom Case Number 20224005929

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Ryan Cavario Isom to the new name of: Rian Isom

The court date will be held:

On January 31, 2023 at 11am at FOURTH MUNICIPAL DISTICT COURT OF COOK COUNTY 1500 MAYBROOK DRIVE, MAYWOOD, COOK COUNTY, IL via Zoom.

ZOOM ACCESS CODE: 914 3462 0283 PASSWORD: 988648

Published in Wednesday Journal December 7, 14, 21, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, in the Riverside Township Hall, Room 4, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, to consider various proposed text amendments to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance.

The first public hearing will consider various changes to the Village’s accessory structure regulations. Affected sections include, but may not be limited to, Section 10-7-3 (Accessory Structures and Uses) and Section 10-11-4 (Other Terms Defined). Among the potential changes being considered include changing the height and setback and standards for accessory buildings, allowing limited utilities in accessory buildings, and revising related definitions. Following is information specific to the first public hearing:

Application No.: PZ 22-11

Petitioner: Village of Riverside

Proposed Text Amendments: Various changes to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance regulations. Affected sections include, but may not be limited to, Section 10-7-3 (Accessory Structures and Uses) and Section 10-11-4 (Other Terms Defined) of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance. Among the potential changes being considered are changes to the height and setback standards for accessory buildings, allowing limited utilities in accessory buildings, and revising related definitions.

The second public hearing will consider various changes to the Village’s temporary tent regulations. Affected sections include, but may not be limited to, Section 10-6-3 (Temporary Uses), Section 10-7-3 (Accessory Structures and Uses), and Section 10-11-4 (Other Terms Defined). Among the potential changes being considered include defining temporary event tents and providing standards for the use of temporary event tents. Following is information specific to the second public hearing:

Application No.: PZ 22-12

Petitioner: Village of Riverside

Proposed Text Amendments: Various changes to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance regulations.

Affected sections include, but may not be limited to, Section 10-6-3 (Temporary Uses), Section 10-7-3 (Accessory Structures and Uses), and Section 10-11-4 (Other Terms Defined). Among the potential changes being considered include defining temporary event tents and providing standards for the use of temporary event tents.

The above applications and proposed text amendments are available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. The proposed text amendments may be added to or otherwise revised as a result of the public hearing. During the Public Hearings the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at the hearings may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the proposed text amendments. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearings or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to Village Planner Anne Cyran via email at acyran@riverside. il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Anne Cyran at the Village Offices at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the public hearings. Please specify the public hearing to which your comments pertain.

The public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The proposed text amendments may be added to, revised, altered, or eliminated as a result of the public hearings and prior to final action by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside.

Dated this 7th day of December, 2022.

Districts), which states that fences and walls shall be prohibited in street yards, except where the street yard adjoins a nonresidential use or along 26th Street, 31st Street or York Road, subject to further review by Village staff.

The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. During the Public Hearing the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at this hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the proposed variations.

Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to Village Planner Anne Cyran via email at acyran@riverside.il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Anne Cyran at the Village Offices at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the public hearing.

The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The proposal and zoning relief sought may be added to, revised, altered or eliminated as a result of the Public Hearing and prior to final action by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside.

Dated this 7th day of December, 2022.

Jill Mateo, Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission

Published in RB Landmark December 7, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

On December 22, 2022 the Village of Oak Park will request the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release federal funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93383), as amended, for various activities pursuant to the Program Year (PY) 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

The following activities will take place within the Village of Oak Park, Illinois at a total cost of $1,059,843: Water Line Improvements $50,000; Sidewalk Improvements $225,000; Alley Improvements $400,000; Street Resurfacing $384,843.

An Environmental Review Record covering CDBG programs has been made by the Village, which documents the environmental review of the activities. This Environmental Review Record (ERR) is on file at the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 and is available for public examination and copying upon request from December 7, 2022 to December 22, 2022, 5 p.m. The ERR is also available on the HUD Environmental Review Online System (HEROS) at: https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/ environmental-reviews. Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 or via: email at grants@oakpark.us. All comments received by December 22, 2022, 5 p.m. will be considered by the Village of Oak Park prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

The Village of Oak Park will undertake the activities described above with grant funds from HUD, under PL 93-383. The Village of Oak Park and Kevin J. Jackson in his official capacity as Village Manager, and Tammie Grossman, in her official capacity as Development Customer Services Director, consent to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to environmental reviews, decisionmaking, and action, and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification is that upon its approval, the Village may use the grant funds, and HUD will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Village of Oak Park’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Village of Oak Park; (b) the Village of Oak Park has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint

of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD at 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60604. Potential objectors should contact HUD at 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60604 to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Notice is also given that CDBG Tier 1 Broad Reviews were conducted for the following proposed projects in low- and moderate-income areas: Village of Oak Park Public Works Infrastructure construction projects (4) that will: 1) make water line improvements; 2) make sidewalk improvements in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards; 3) replace deteriorated public alleys; and 4) resurface deteriorated streets. Tier 2 Site Specific Reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 Broad Reviews for each address under the Oak Park CDBG program when addresses become known.

The specific locations within the Village of Oak Park are not yet determined for the above proposed Tiered Activities. Tier 2 Site Specific Reviews will be completed (which include laws and authorities not addressed within the Tier 1 Broad Reviews) for each individual address under the Oak Park CDBG program when addresses become known.

Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager, and Tammie Grossman, Development Customer Services Director, Certifying Officers

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will re ceive proposals from qualified architectural engineering firms to provide professional architec tural and/or engineering services on an as-needed task-order ba sis throughout 2023. Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. local time on Friday, December 30th, 2022.

Request for Qualifications for Professional Architectural Engineering Services for

The Village of Oak Park

RFQ forms may be obtained by calling 708-358-5710 or by e-mailing vics@oak-park.us be tween the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those firms deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

Published in Wednesday Journal December 7, 2022

Jill

Mateo,

Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission

Published in RB Landmark December 7, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, to consider an application for a variation from Section 10-7-3(F)2(a) (Fence and Wall Location in Residential Districts) of the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance. The variation is sought to build a 5-foot tall aluminum fence that would encroach approximately 57 feet into the Woodside Road street yard for a length of approximately 84 feet. The subject property is in the R1-AA Single-Family Residence District.

Application No.: PZ22-13

Petitioners: Michael and Tawny Gecan

Property commonly known as: 148 Maplewood Road

PIN: 15-35-203-038-0000

Variation:

The variation sought includes, but may not be limited to, a variation from the following section of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance: a variation from Section 10-7-3(F)2(a) (Fence and Wall Location in Residential

in Wednesday Journal, December 7, 2022

Published

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

CASCADE FUNDING MORTGAGE TRUST HB5 Plaintiff, -v.-

UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW AND LEGATEES OF WILLIE L. ADAMS, DONNY ADAMS A/K/A DONALD ADAMS, THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THOMAS QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIE L. ADAMS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants

2021 CH 05255 806 S. TAYLOR AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 23, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 5, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 806 S. TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Property Index No. 16-17-129-0050000; 16-17-129-006-0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $470,390.58.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclo-

sure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 21 8680.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 21 8680 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2021 CH 05255 TJSC#: 42-3674

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2021 CH 05255 I3208368

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION Nationstar Mortgage LLC Plaintiff, vs.

UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LACEY WILLIAMS AKA LACEY A. WILLIAMS; ARTIST SQUARE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; OLIVE MARIE RIVERA, A MINOR, BY LANGSTON WILLIAMS, JR. AND ALTHEA WILLIAMS, HER GRANDPARENTS AND NEXT FRIENDS; ALTHEA WILLIAMS; LANGSTON WILLIAMS, JR.; JULIE FOX AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF LACEY WILLIAMS AKA LACEY A. WILLIAMS; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 21 CH 5815

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, January 9, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-323-055-1011.

Commonly known as 1041 Susan Collins Lane, Unit 304, Oak Park, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455.

W20-0232 ADC INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3208202

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2007-23CB MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-23CB Plaintiff, -v.-

RORY L VALENTINE, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2022 CH 05449 1178 S SCOVILLE AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 5, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1178 S SCOVILLE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-427-0150000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 7949876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-22-04053 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 05449

TJSC#: 42-3886

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2022 CH 05449 I3208571

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION TOWD POINT MORTGAGE TRUST 2016-4 US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE; Plaintiff, vs. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; ERIC STARKS, JUSTIN STARKS, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE ASPEN G3 TRUST, A DELAWARE STATUTORY TRUST; UNKNOWN OWNERS, GENERALLY AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 5335

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-06-222-018-0000.

Commonly known as 464 Lenox Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Matthew C. Abad at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Kluever Law Group, 225 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 236-0077. SPS001394-22FC1

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3207850

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK NA AS TRUSTEE FOR WAMU MORTGAGE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-PR1 TRUST; Plaintiff, vs. MARY WOLFE; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FKA WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA; CITY OF CHICAGO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 10876

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chica-

go, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-17-331-015-0000.

Commonly known as 1028 South Austin Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60304.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act.

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 21-009135

F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3207815

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

e Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

is newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800669-9777.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

For Holida shopping, go local

Iguess it's official - the holidays are here, and the shopping season is well under way! How lucky are we to live in Villages brimming with small indie businesses, where you know the owner, where they remember your re gular order or know your whole family; where your kids go to school together. Or better yet, where they hired your kids for their first job (we all remember our first job!). So, as you think about your gift-giving list this year, just remember that so many of the people who own businesses in this community, also live here, are raising families here and are striving to make a better life here. In supporting a local business, you are supporting your neighbors, your friends, your Village, your community. So keep your spending dollars local - it helps everyone!

Holiday events

Dec ember 7-31

Breakfast With Santa

Saturday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Trinity High School

Santa himself will share a continental breakfast with the kids and the parents. There will also be crafts for the kids, as well as the chance to be photographed with Mr. Claus. $7 children, $14 adults, 7574 Division St., River Forest

Cookies & Cocoa

With Santa

Saturday Dec. 10, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Nineteenth Century Club Cookies, cocoa and Claus - what more do you need? A camera so you can take pictures! You can also shop for arts and crafts. $5 per person, $20 per family. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

Jazz For The Holidays with Tony Morrison

Thursday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., Pleasant Home Foundation

Seasonal sounds from one of the Chicago area's most talented musicians. Light snacks and two drink tickets will be provided. $30 - $39, 217 Home Ave., Oak Park.

VIRTUAL: An Olde-Fashioned New England Christmas

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m.

Ac tor Joshua Kane will read classic holiday tales from the pens of O'Henr y, Dickens, Frost and others.

Suggested donation: $10. Register via the Dominican niversity website.

Joy To The World: A Christmas Musical Journey with Damien Sneed

Sunday, Dec. 11, 4 p.m., Dominican University

Singer-keyboardist Sneed will celebrate the season with unique takes on a wide assortment of holiday standards, plus a few originals. Tickets star ting at $28, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest.

Sing We Joyous 2022

Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec, 11, 4:30 p.m., First United Church of Oak Park

For the 17th year, the acapella Oriana Singers, City Voices, the Pro Music Youth Chorus and the Sing We Joyous Orchestra present a stirring stunning program of holiday music. $30 (free for 18 and under), 848 Lake St., Oak Park.

The Free Readers Ensemble Presents: A Musical Holiday Show

Sunday, Dec. 18, 3 p.m.,

Nineteenth Century Charitable Association

The Free Readers Ensemble will be sharing memories of the holiday songs they sang and the stories that inspired them. Feel free to reminisce and sing along. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

Holiday Spectacular presented by

Saturday, Dec. 17, 11a.m.-4 p.m., Stern Glass Works and Great Sip Cafe

Presented by Stern Glass Works and Great Sip Cafe. Shop from 10 local artisans with Handmade Goods: Spanning glass arts, wood, paper arts, photography, jewelr y, culinary arts, soaps and comics. Ra e throughout the event with one piece from each artisan and donations from local businesses. Ra e tickets: 2 for $5, 5 for $10, 15 for $20. 100% of the pro ts from the ra e will be donated to Beyond Hunger. Stern Glass Works: 817 S. Oak Park Ave., Great Sip Cafe: 818 S. Oak Park Ave.

VIRTUAL: Third Annual Christmas Cèilidh

Thursday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m. - 8:35 p.m., Pilgrim Congregational Church A cèilidh (chay-lid), originated in Ireland and Scotland, is a social gathering built around stories and music and games—a per fect setting for a virtual holiday get-together hosted by Gatherers on both sides of the Atlantic. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85059416733

Meeting ID: 850 5941 6733

Or dial 1-312-626-6799 using the same meeting ID.

Community Kwanzaa Celebration

Thursday, Dec. 29, 5 - 8 p.m., Oak Park Public Library This annual feast of African-American culture will be celebrated with this special event. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Holiday Spectacular presented by

Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio Museum Shop

Holiday Spectacular presented by

Holiday

Holiday Joy! Music & Dance Extravaganza

Friday, Dec. 16, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m., Unity Temple

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago will be joined by the Dance Avondale Collective and the Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago for interpretations of enduring holiday works. $20-$30, 875 Lake St., Oak Park.

Open

House at Cheney Mansion

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 3:00-8 p.m., Cheney Mansion

Come and view the beautiful holiday decorations at Cheney Mansion. A suggested $2 donation or nonperishable food item is requested for entry. This is a drop-in program. 220 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park.

Paper Snow akes

Wednesday Dec. 7, 3 p.m., Oak Park Public Library To many people, the holidays aren't the holidays without a little snow. This event helps you invoke that spirit by learning to make fun paper snow akes. Feel free to take your creations home or help cover the library windows with snow. Best for grades 2+. The presenters prefer you wear masks in this event. Masks will be available. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Elf The Musical, Jr.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 18, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Madison Street Theater

The holiday lm Elf will be recreated live with an allages cast from 8-11 (plus selected adults). $8 children, $14 adults, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park.

C ONTINUED ON PA GE B1 6

Home For The Holidays

Saturday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., downtown Oak Park

The community comes alive in celebration with this all-day esta. From 11 am - 3 am, there will be all-day sleigh rides on Marion St., around Lake St. and Forest Ave. From 12 pm - 3 am, you can try di erent avors of hot cocoa during the Hot Chocolate Walk, with free 4 oz. cups from participating businesses. Kids of all ages can visit with Santa Claus from 1 to 4 pm. Weather permitting, there will be continuous entertainment from Pro Musica Youth Chorus, Heritage Chorale and the Canterbury Carolers. Lake and Marion Streets, Oak Park.

Letters to Santa

Through Dec. 21, Oak Park Conser vator y Drop o your letters to Santa in the Oak Park Conser va tory's Santa Express mailbox located in the Rubenstein Garden. 615 Gar eld St, Oak Park.

Make Your Own

Gingerbread House

VIRTUAL & IN- PERSON: Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

Sunday, December 11, 4 pm., Concordia University

The works of Schumann and Sibelius will be performed. Piano Concer to, soloist Mio Nakamura. $27 - $30 inperson, $20 online (college students admitted free of charge). Go to SymphonyOPRF.org to order tickets. 7400 Augusta St., River Forest.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 2-4 p.m., Pleasant Home

Grab your family and purchase a table at beautiful Pleasant Home to decorate your own Holiday Gingerbread House. You will receive tips, tricks and all the treats you need to make a sweet cottage or a fancy McMansion for the Holidays! Light lunch provided. Once nished pose for a family sel e in the Great Hall of Pleasant Home. Parents or Guardians must accompany children. 15 tables available with up to 6 family members per table. Register at pdop.org/register, 217 Home Avenue, Oak Park.

Gallery/ Art Studio

A Charlie Brown Christmas/How The Grinch Stole Christma s

Friday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m.

Two memorable holiday cartoons will be shown tonight on FitzGerald's "little theater screen." Charlie Brown, meet Dr Seuss face to face. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

Home Alone

Friday, Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m.

A ve ry young Macaulay Culkin accidentally gets lef at home by his parents during the Christmas holida Hilarity ensues, especially after burglars ente the pic ture. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

Viewing Part y: It's A Wonderful Life

Monday, Dec. 12 and 19, 7 p.m.,

FitzGerald's

This classic holiday movie is so important that it will be shown on three screens. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

A Muppet Christmas Carol

Thursday, Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m., FitzGerald's The holidays, as seen through the eyes of Kermit, Miss Piggy and the rest of the Muppet gang. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

A Christmas St

Holiday Spectacular presented by

The Redmonds Holiday Show

Friday, Dec. 16, 8 p.m., FitzGerald's This local band wraps their traditional Americana sound in ashy Christmas lights for this special holiday show. $15, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

Oak Park Area Association of REALTORS(R) Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, Dec. 10, 1-5 p.m., The Sheridan at River Forest

Join us for the 8th annual Holiday Bazaar hosted by the Oak Park River Forest Area Association of Realtors. Get some shopping done early this holiday season and enjoy the music and other festivities. Proceeds from the Bazaar directly bene t Beyond Hunger. 800 N. Harlem Ave, River Forest.

Rock & Roll Under The Mistletoe: JP & Jenny & the Flames with Miss Barbara Cli ord and the Shakin' Tailfeathers

Saturday, Dec. 17, 8 p.m., Outta Space

Two local roots-rockabilly acts deck the halls and par ty all night. $10, 6840 32nd St., Berwyn.

Winter Greens Market

Wednesday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oak Park Conser vatory Looking for the right kind of shrubbery to decorate the halls? The Winter Greens Market will provide all kinds of balsam, r, boxwood, winter berries, magnolia tips, spruce tops and related. 615 Gar eld St., Oak Park.

C ONTINUED ON PA GE B2 3

Holiday Spectacular

The Monday Enrichment Series Presents: Singers From The Lyric Celebrate The Season

Monday, Dec. 19, 1:15 p.m., Nineteenth Century Club Five Lyric Opera artists get together and sing songs of the holidays: David Govertsen (bass-baritione), Corinne Crane (mezzo-soprano); Kimberly Jones (soprano); John Concepcion (tenor) and Noah Lindquist (piano). 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

Ron's Very Special Christmas Special

Chicago Choral Ar tists: HOLIDAY CONCERT

Emerging Life, Excelling Light

Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 18 at 4:00 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church Chicago Choral Artists, under the direction of Michael D. Costello, presents Emerging Life, Excelling Light: beautiful choral music for the holidays. The concert is a blend of traditional choral works, anthems by contemporary American composers and Baroque cantatas with chamber orchestra. Performed in the warmth of candlelight the performance emphasizes themes of light and life. Tickets available in advance or at the door: Adult $45, Senior $40, Student $25., 7300 West Division, River Forest. www.chicagochoralartists.org or call 773-658-9799.

Thursday, Dec. 8, 8 p.m., FitzGerald's Ron Lazzeretti calls himself "Mr. Christmas," and it's evident this man knows how to par ty. He describes this annual presentation as a three -way cross between Prarie Home Companion, Pee Wee's Playhouse and any random Andy Williams Christmas special. Along for the ride will be an array of per formers including Dag Juhlin, Rachel Drew, The Famous Brothers, Cayne Collier, Mike The Dentist, and much, much more. All will be backed by the Downsized Elves, who are the evening's house band. If he feels like it, Santa Claus himself might show up, too. $20, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

Anderson Family Holiday Jamboree

Friday, Dec. 23, 8 p.m., FitzGerald's Billed as "a night of music, family, friends and good cheer," the event will be supporting Share Our Spare, a community resource designed to help families in need. The following items can be donated: diapers (particularly sied 4-pullups), wipes, bottles, diaper cream and other baby hygiene items, and new and gently used winter coats, size 2T - 7/8. For more information please visit https://shareourspare.org. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

The shop where people with/ without disabilities work together to craft handmade pies using locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices. Check us out for sweet and savory pies, special orders possible, party/ wedding catering, and gift cards.

Tuesday-Friday. 11:30am-6pm Saturday 11:30am - 5pm Sunday-Monday closed.

Holiday Music for Chorus and Orchestra In

River Forest

Holiday Spectacular

BY MELISSA ELSMO, OAK PARK EATS EDITOR

No matter if you are looking for something SPICY, COZY or FESTIVE to break up a day of local shopping there are dishes to satisfy any craving in our communities. Discover a dish that feels like a gift and pick your perfect winter warm up.

• COZY • FESTIVE

Coliflor -Amerikas, Oak Park:

The pristine combination of cauliflower, carrots, farro, almonds, and Manchego cheese with hibiscus arbol reduction is a timeless dish in our community. The vegetarian delight makes any meal feel more like a special occasion — subtle spice will warm you from the inside out.

A slice of olive oil cake -Broken Tart, Oak Park:

Savor the art of subtle when you warm up in Oak Park’s newest bakery. Indulge in a slice of cake and a cup of coffee with whole milk to give you all those cozy Oak Park feels!

Pizza in a bag -Bertolli’s, River Forest:

Frank Bertolli grew up in the pizza business and River Forest is better for it. Their classic pies are a thin crust pizza lover’s dream. Ripping open the bag is just as good as opening a holiday present -- a gift with ooey gooey cheese!

SPICY

Holiday Spectacular presented by

Winter

WarmUps

BY MELISSA ELSMO, OAK PARK EATS EDITOR

SPICY • COZY • FESTIVE

A trio of spicy Meatballs — Betty’s Pizza and Pasta, Oak Park:

The pizza parlor known for serving up foldable slices of New York Style pies also makes some spicy housemade meatballs capable of warming you up on a winter day. They make a perfect side to a cheese topped pizza.

The Obvious -The Daly Bagel, Oak Park:

Folks line up daily for these East Coast style beauties, and bagel maven, Amanda Daly and her team clearly know how to pile lox, cream cheese, onions, and capers on a bagel. This classic combo will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Mochi Donuts — Poke Burrito, Oak Park:

As decorative as they are delicious, the mochi donuts served up at Poke Burrito look like they could hang from a holiday tree. Treat yourself to a trendy ring next time you visit downtown Oak Park.

*All selections were made at the discretion of Eats staff.

Winter

WarmUps

BY MELISSA ELSMO, OAK PARK EATS EDITOR

A bounty of spicy fare — Kyber Pass, Oak Park:

Lovers of dainty pakora, orange-hued chicken tikka masala, and fluffy garlic naan bread have trusted Khyber Pass to satisfy their spicy food cravings for more than a quarter of a century. Warm up with a downtown Oak Park mainstay.

Pork Noodle Bowl -Habrae, Forest Park:

Piping hot pork served over noodles with loads of crunchy bitter greens and a few dumplings to spare — what could be more comforting that that? Expect a lot of textural variety in this piping hot bowl of Thai goodness.

Beets & Greens — Kettlestrings Grove, Oak Park:

Roasted beets, goat cheese mousse, pecan crumble, puffed quinoa, baby arugula and blood orange vinaigrette come together in a festive display — this sensible choice leaves plenty of room for a mid-shopping cocktail. Cheers!

*All selections were made at the discretion of Eats staff.

SPICY • COZY • FESTIVE

Winter

WarmUps

BY MELISSA ELSMO, OAK PARK EATS EDITOR

SPICY • COZY • FESTIVE

Avocado Toast -Kribi Coffee, Oak Park/ Forest Park:

A sprinkling of Aleppo pepper flakes brings a little pep to this protein packed breakfast. The chilies are only moderately hot and bring a subtle cumin-like flavor to this filling toast. Have it with a seasonal coffee drink to start your day off right!

A Rueben Sandwich -- Fritzi’s Delicatessen, Oak Park:

House-made, 14-day brined beef brisket makes this corned beef sandwich pretty unforgettable. Stacked up with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut enjoying this sandwich is like eating a big hug.

Sweet treats and holiday cheer -- River Forest Chocolates, River Forest:

Holiday Spectacular presented by

DECEMBER 2022

Programs are Open to the Public!

COOKIES & COCOA WITH SANTA

Cookies & Cocoa With Santa

DECEMBER 10, 10AM —12PM

$5/person, $20/family. Cookies, Cocoa, crafts, photos with Santa!

December 10, 10am - 12pm $5/person, $20/family. Cookies, Cocoa, cra s, photos with Santa!

December 12, 1:15 pm Social Science: Raised in the Shadow of the Party The daughter of community activist and Black Panther Party member Marion Nzinga” Stamps, educator and activist Tara Stamps will share how her upbringing shaped her life and why the Black Panther Party was an essential organization in the forward march of Black Liberation.

December 19, 1:15 pm —Music: Singers from the Lyric Celebrate the Season Celebrate the Holidays with a concert that will feature secular and sacred songs of the season and more. This program is presented by five fabulous Lyric Opera Artists: David Govertsen, Bass Baritone; Corinne Crane, Mezzo Soprano; Kimberly Jones, Soprano; John Concepcion, Tenor; and Noah Lindquist, Piano.

December 12, 1:15 pm

Social Science: Raised in the Shadow of the Party e daughter of community activist and Black Panther Party member Marion “Nzinga” Stamps, educator and activist Tara Stamps will share how her upbringing shaped her life and why the Black Panther Party was an essential organization in the forward march of Black Liberation.

178 Forest Ave., Oak Park, IL 60301 www.nineteenthcentury.org

DECEMBER 2022

Programs are Open to the Public!

COOKIES & COCOA WITH SANTA

December 19, 1:15 pm

DECEMBER 10, 10AM —12PM $5/person, $20/family. Cookies, Cocoa, crafts, photos with Santa!

December 12, 1:15 pm —Social Science: Raised in the Shadow of the Party The daughter of community activist and Black Panther Party member Marion “Nzinga” Stamps, educator and activist Tara Stamps will share how her upbringing shaped her life and why the Black Panther Party was an essential organization in the forward march of Black Liberation.

December 19, 1:15 pm Music: Singers from the Lyric Celebrate the Season Celebrate the Holidays with a concert that will feature secular and sacred songs of the season and more. This program is presented by five fabulous Lyric Opera

Music: Singers from the Lyric Celebrate the Season Celebrate the Holidays with a concert that will feature secular and sacred songs of the season and more. is program is presented by ve fabulous Lyric Opera Artists: David Govertsen, Bass-Baritone; Corinne Crane, MezzoSoprano; Kimberly Jones, Soprano; John Concepcion, Tenor; and Noah Lindquist, Piano.

Artists: David Govertsen, Bass Baritone; Corinne Crane, Mezzo Soprano; Kimberly Jones, Soprano; John Concepcion, Tenor; and Noah Lindquist, Piano. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park, IL 60301 708 386 2729 www.nineteenthcentury.org

178 Forest Ave., Oak Park, IL 60301 708-386-2729 www.nineteenthcentury.org

Jeffrey D Hines, Agent

312 Madison Street

Oak Park, IL 60302 Business: 708-628-5100 jeffrey@hinesinsures.com www.hinesinsures.com

The BEST Compliment is your Referral

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

Tara Stamps

Kimberly Jones

Holiday Spectacular presented by

BY MELISSA ELSMO, OAK PARK EATS EDITOR

Tacos on handmade tortillas — Taco Mucho, Oak Park:

Taco Mucho menu items offer the perfect way to take the chill off a winter day in the Harrison Street Arts District. The small yet mighty taqueria has outstanding chef-driven salsas that add spice to every bite!

A diner-style

patty melt — Al’s Grill, Oak Park:

Few things feel quite as friendly and festive as a tried-and-true diner. Visit a classic on Madison Street in Oak Park and treat yourself to a traditional comfort food sandwich for some serious retro fun.

A mocha and a samosa — Wise Cup, Oak Park:

Savor some spice when you sip on Wise Cup’s perennially popular Mayan Mocha boasting dark chocolate and espresso with a dash of cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Pair the luscious drink with a handmade samosa for a perfect lunch unique to our Oak Park community.

*All selections were made at the discretion of Eats staff.

Winter

WarmUps

BY MELISSA ELSMO, OAK PARK EATS EDITOR

SPICY • COZY • FESTIVE

Slurp-worthy noodles — Kyuramen, Oak Park:

Curb a chill with a piping hot bowl of ramen noodles from Kyuramen. We ordered the Tokyo Tonkotsu Shouyu served with pork chashu, bamboo shoot, wakame, marinated Egg, nori, corn and scallion, but the shop has chicken and veggie options.

Ornamental looking dumplings — Na Siam, Oak Park:

New owners have kept the warming fare flowing in the North Avenue District and these dumplings are a delightful dim sum style delight. The delicious crab-filled morsels are bursting with flavor!

A Maine Lobster Roll — Poor Phil’s, Oak Park:

An east-coast mainstay makes an appearance in Oak Park. Served chilled the folks at Poor Phil’s add just a dash of wasabi mayo to give the indulgent sandwich some very subtle spice. Lobster lovers will appreciate the seaside vibes at this popular Pleasant District eatery.

*All selections were made at the discretion of Eats staff.

Holiday Spectacular presented by

One Month of Unlimited Classes

Give the Gift of Yoga this Holiday Season!

One Month of Unlimited Classes

Offer only available through December 31, 2022 and only atYogaSix Oak Park offer is applicable for first time visitors only!

Offer only available through December 31, 2022 and only atYogaSix Oak Park This offer is applicable for first time visitors only!

Call or stop by the studio TODAY!

Call or stop by the studio TODAY!

YogaSix Oak Park 1006 Lake Street Oak Park, IL60301 ~Steps away from the Lake Street Theater~ 708-328-3780 ** oakpark@yogasix.com

Lake Street Theater~

YogaSix Oak Park 1006 Lake Street Oak Park, IL60301 ~Steps away from the Lake Street Theater~ 708-328-3780 ** oakpark@yogasix.com

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ YogaSix_OakPark

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ YogaSix_OakPark

Holiday Spectacular

Wishing you a Joyful and Beautiful Holiday Season

Wishing you a Joyful and Beautiful Holiday Season

For over 37 years, Oak Park Apartments has been restoring and modernizing many of the area’s most beautiful and classic apartment buildings. In 2022, we welcomed over 800 new residents to the community. We are committed to making a home for them here in Oak Park and the near western suburbs.

Animal Care League

Animal Care League offers a safe haven for pets in need. Rooted in the community since 1973, Animal Care League takes a proactive approach to animal care and adoption as well as preventative measures to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our communities. With over 1000 pets coming to our doors each year, Animal Care League counts on supporters to ensure that we can provide what is needed from routine vaccinations to life saving surgery.

Make a difference in the life of a homeless animal by visiting animalcareleague.org where you can sign up to volunteer, make a donation, view our adoptable pets, and learn about upcoming events.

The Answer

The Answer Inc., a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to providing support, resources, education, recreation, and advocacy for families in the greater Chicago area that are challenged with supporting family members with Autism & Developmental Disorders. In addition to providing essential resources & services for parents and caregivers, our agency strives to help contribute to the continued growth, educational and recreational inclusion for the children and relatives specifically impacted. Learn more about The Answer at theanswerinc.org

Holiday Spectacular presented by

Austin Coming Together

Austin Coming Together (ACT)’s mission is to increase the collective impact of our 50+ member organizations on improving education and economic development outcomes for Chicago’s Austin community. Since 2010, we’ve been connecting residents to services, attracting investments for the community, and building capacity for policy change. After the pandemic made long-standing inequities even worse, we started addressing growing needs through efforts like the Austin Eats Initiative, a 20+ group focused on strengthening the community’s food access infrastructure.

Learn how Austin is leading efforts to move forward together, and how you can support, at //AustinComingTogether.org/AustinCares

Beyond Hunger

For over 40 years Beyond Hunger has created solutions to end hunger at every stage of life. Our programs now include providing emergency food to families in need, summer meals for kids who lack them when school is out, connecting individuals to valuable benefits like SNAP (“food stamps”), conducting nutrition education and cooking classes to combat chronic illness, and delivering groceries to homebound older adults. Organization-wide we focus on health and nutrition. We provide food that families love, that nourishes and sustains.

To donate, visit GoBeyondHunger.org or send checks payable to Beyond Hunger, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301.

BUILD

Since 1969, BUILD has helped Chicago’s most vulnerable youth escape gangs and violence to become positive leaders in their communities. These young people face enormous obstacles and trauma, so we surround them with the counseling, mentoring, training, and opportunities they need to build a future and succeed. We engage youth at every stage, with specialized teams dedicated to street violence interventions, gang detachments, creative after-school programming, academic school and college support, mental health care, community violence crisis response, and enrichment activities ranging from art and music to sports, podcasting, engineering and gardening. Potential doesn’t discriminate, neither should opportunity.

Join us in BUILDing a better future. Visit www.buildchicago.org

Cicero Independiente

News for the people by the people. Cicero Independiente is a bilingual news organization that investigates underreported issues, elevates stories of people in Cicero and holds the powerful accountable through community-rooted journalism. Donations help us pay local residents so that they can learn journalism skills and report on issues that matter to them. We foster and support civic participation and a sense of belonging in a community that has traditionally been divested in. We’re creating opportunities for more BIPOC storytellers and working collaboratively to make our town a better place to live.

Support community-rooted, bilingual journalism by making a contribution at https://donorbox.org/cicero-independiente.

The Coalition for Spiritual & Public Leadership

The Coalition for Spiritual & Public Leadership (CSPL) is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-generational spiritually-rooted organization that labors to transform racial, economic, social and environmental systemic structures through grassroots coalition building, community organizing, and liberative formation. CSPL is based in Maywood and works with community residents to bring about change and helps incubate worker cooperatives. To learn more or join our efforts, visit csplaction.org.

The Collaboration for Early Childhood

The Collaboration for Early Childhood turned twenty this year! Thank you for your two-decade-long commitment to striving towards a day where every young child has the care, relationships, and resources needed to thrive and to begin school safe, healthy, and empowered to succeed. We need your support to write the next chapter of our children’s success story. There is so much opportunity for our little ones just over the horizon. Consider setting a recurring donation to keep the good going all year long.

Learn more about our impact and make a donation at www.collab4kids.org.

Concordia University Chicago

Founded in 1864, Concordia University Chicago has equipped students to serve and lead with integrity and compassion. Concordia-Chicago is a Christ-centered Lutheran university where truth, freedom, and vocation form students for lives of influence and service for the common good. Historically a college for teachers, it now offers more than 100 areas of study through traditional, blended or online classes. Students can earn a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees through one of four colleges: the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Health, Science & Technology, and the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities.

To learn more, please visit CUChicago.edu or CUChicago.edu/GiveNow to support our students.

D97 PTO Council and Diversity Council

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the academic, social-emotional, and physical development that leads to school readiness. You can help lay the foundation today for successful adults tomorrow.

To learn more about us and to donate, visit www.thedaynursery.org

Deborah’s Place

Deborah’s Place has opened doors of opportunity for women who are homeless in Chicago since 1985. Supportive housing offers women the key to healing and moving on from the experience of homelessness. With more than 200 units of housing and over 600 women served yearly, Deborah’s Place is the largest provider of permanent supportive housing in Chicago exclusively for unaccompanied women. After 37 years of service, there is still a great need for Deborah’s Place. Women experiencing homelessness are still an underserved population. With donor support, unaccompanied women will achieve their goals and greater self-determination.

To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit deborahsplace.org, email info@ deborahsplace.org or call 773.722.5080.

Defy Ventures Illinois

Equity and Transformation

Equity and Transformation’s (EAT) mission is to build social and economic equity for Black workers engaged in the informal economy: the diversified set of economic activities, enterprises, jobs, and workers that are not regulated or protected by the state. Our strategy seeks to empower individuals who know about the issues firsthand because they live them. Concretely, EAT makes space for Black informal workers to imagine new possibilities and empowers them with the tools to realize them.

Learn about how EAT ensures Black informal workers play essential roles in Illinois’ decision-making processes and about how you can support at: eatchicago. org.

Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park

The Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside, IL

The entire Village of Riverside, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1869, is a National Historic Landmark. For over 50 years, the dedicated members and volunteers of the non-profit Olmsted Society of Riverside have strived to preserve, protect, and promote its fascinating history, beautiful landscapes, and outstanding architecture through landscape workdays, educational programs, tours, and special events. This very special American place hosts visitors from around the world who come to experience its many charms, and to learn about Olmsted’s principles.

To learn more or to donate online, visit olmstedsociety.org or mail us at Olmsted Society, P.O. Box 65, Riverside, IL 60546.

The D97 PTO Council and Diversity Council (DIVCO) Angel Fund provides financial support to D97 students, prioritizing students whose families qualify for free or reduced lunch, as well as those who face socioeconomic or cultural barriers, so that all students have a fair chance to participate fully in their school communities. The Angel Fund ensures that all students have a fair opportunity to engage their best selves in academic activities, school events, and traditions, and that they have their essential needs met during the school day. Please donate to be part of our community of care.

Tax deductible donations can be sent via: Lincoln PTO

ATTN: D97 STUDENT ANGEL FUND 1111 S Grove Ave, Oak Park, IL 60304

The Day Nursery

Since 1912, The Day Nursery has provided exceptional early childhood education in an environment that welcomes all children, enhances individual strengths, and fosters

What if YOU were known for the worst thing you’ve ever done? Do you believe in second chances? Defy Ventures Illinois

shifts mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at a second chance. Using entrepreneurship, career readiness, and

The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park is a non-profit 501(c)(3) literary arts and educational foundation dedicated to thoughtful reading and writing.

The foundation offers a wide variety of programming, all open to the public, to nurture and encourage creative expression for students and for people of all ages. Through tours and exhibits at Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace museum, the foundation fosters an understanding of his life and work, his Oak Park origins and his impact on world literature. Your gift supports

Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory

Built in 1929, the Oak Park Conservatory is a Historic Property of the Park District of Oak Park. Free to the public with 50,000 visitors annually, the Conservatory is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Conservatory offers three indoor showrooms featuring more than 3,000 plants and two outdoor gardens including a play area for toddlers. The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory offers a wide range of programs

Growing Community Media

Growing Community Media connects residents through reader-supported journalism--our stories are based in facts, rooted deeply in our neighborhoods and reflective of voices not always heard. Through Austin Weekly News, Wednesday Journal, Forest Park Review, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and Village Free Press, GCM provides a vital civic service worthy of public support. Our journalists tell compelling stories that strengthen the fabric of our democracy by holding local governments and institutions to account. GCM’s non-profit news sources grow political engagement, create shared culture, and connect community members to businesses and local events. It’s about more than news.

Donate for news that matters to you at growingcommunitymedia.org/donate/

Hephzibah Children’s Association

For over 125 years, Hephzibah has served vulnerable children and struggling families. Hephzibah Home, located in the heart of Oak Park, is where children receive intense therapeutic support to heal from extreme abuse and neglect and is the only program in Illinois designated to care for young children ages 3-11. Our Family Based program supports hundreds of foster care children and stabilizes families in crisis in the Chicago metro area. The after school and summer day camp program delivers quality, affordable care for over 500 elementary school children in Oak Park every year. Change a child’s life with us at hephzibahhome.org

The Historical Society of Forest Park

The Historical Society of Forest Park collects, preserves, and shares the rich heritage of Forest Park. Through history we explore the past to understand the present and shape the future. We offer experiences of history through events, displays, and programs. Virtual tours, presentations, and films about Forest Park are found on our website. They include Forest Park Amusement Park, Bloomer Girls, Veteran History, Haymarket Martyrs’ Monument, Cemetery Symbolism,

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and others. Our members support our mission and our programs including the Garden Walk, Prohibition Event, History Hangouts, bicycle tours, and weekly lookbacks to bring history to the community throughout the year.

Visit ForestParkHistory.org to become a member or to learn more about Forest Park

Housing Forward

Housing Forward is passionately focused on one vision – ending homelessness.

We believe in bold, comprehensive approaches to prevent homelessness whenever possible, respond to the housing crisis, and create stability through permanent housing. We offer a coordinated response that allows people experiencing a housing crisis to quickly resolve their situation. We offer comprehensive services including homelessness prevention, outreach and diversion, interim housing, medical respite, housing, and wraparound support. Last year, we served nearly 3,000 individuals and families with personalized support and services. Housing Forward also has programs that specifically address the housing needs of families, youth, and veterans.

To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit housingforward.org, email development@ housingforward.org, or call 708.338.1724

Infant Welfare Society

Help us care for the whole child and create greater health equity! At the OPRF Infant Welfare Society and IWS Children’s Clinic, we serve publicly insured/uninsured children and address their whole health through sick and well child visits, dental care, behavioral health services, nutrition classes and other wrap-around programs. We treat more than 3,400 area children each year, including Oak Park, Chicago, Berwyn, Cicero and beyond. Support the whole health needs of children in our community today! $25 provides a mental health screening, $50 provides two vaccines, $100 provides a preventive dental cleaning.

Learn more and donate today at https:// childrenscliniciws.org/donate or 708-4068661.

L’Arche Chicago

L’Arche Chicago provides high quality care in community-integrated homes for adults with intellectual disabilities in the OPRF area. Our mission is lived through daily life shared in mutuality: afternoon walks to the park, doctor’s appointments, and dinner parties. Moreover, L’Arche is committed to life together in a way that welcomes difference. L’Arche Chicago is currently in the process of building a new ADA accessible home in South Oak Park that will extend this unique care model to four more adults with disabilities and address the accessibility needs of current members of the community. Whether you’d like to contribute a one-time gift, or commit to a lifetime of giving to L’Arche Chicago, every dollar will create a lasting impact in our community!

Make a needed local impact through our people and mission at www.larchechicago. org/larcheforlife

Maywood Fine Arts

Equity in the arts is the driving force behind Maywood Fine Arts’ programs and people. Access to affordable, high-quality instruction in dance, music, visual arts, drama, tumbling and fitness cannot be taken for granted among families MFA serves from nearby, under-resourced communities such as Maywood, Bellwood, and Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. MFA serves over 800 students ages 4 to 18 per week, the majority of whom are young people of color. MFA’s facilities anchor downtown Maywood. Families count on MFA’s safe, nurturing out-of-school time environment where children learn artistic and social skills and expand their worldviews.

To donate, visit maywoodfinearts.org or send checks payable to Maywood Fine Arts, 25 N 5th Ave, Maywood, IL 60153.

Maywood Youth Mentoring Program

Organized in 1993 as a 501c3, the Maywood Youth Mentoring Program has served hundreds of middle to high-school youth providing a variety of programs, workshops, field trips, and experiences designed to increase academic potential and instill cultural pride. Since 2008, the program has hosted free monthly youth

breakfasts with topics ranging from anger management and conflict resolution, etiquette, police/community interactions, sexual health, drug and alcohol avoidance, and academic excellence. Youths practice critical thinking skills to encourage positive life choices. Volunteer mentors interact with youths, providing positive role models for college and career choices. Funds are needed to continuously provide free services and incentives for participation.

To volunteer, or to donate, visit us at maywoodyouthmentoring.org, or contact Barbara Cole, founder/CEO, at barbaracole@maywoodyouthmentoring. org or 708-344-3577.

New Moms

New Moms’ mission is to strengthen families by partnering with young moms as they progress toward housing stability, economic mobility, and family well-being. We believe in the strength, skills, and potential of all families and envision a future where all young moms and their children thrive! Coaches in our housing, job training, and family support programs partner with moms, 24 and under, to decrease stress, build social connections, and set and track personalized goals. Together with their coach, moms build the foundations of long-term well-being for their families and communities. Join us in this essential work! www.newmoms.org/season

The Joyful Giving Catalog

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association strengthens our community through learning, giving, and sharing our landmark building through space grants to local non-profits, who account for 80% of its usage. We provide community outreach, scholarships, and public programming in five areas: music, art, literature, science, and social sciences. The Nineteenth Century is the owner of 178 Forest Avenue, commonly referred to as the Nineteenth Century Club. Our charitable and cultural activities are supported by our members, volunteers, donors, and by the events held at the building. Programs are open to all and we welcome all ages to join.

If you would like information about volunteering, joining or donating, please call us at 708-386-2729 email to info@ nineteenthcentury.org. You can also make donation at nineteenthcentury.org.

Oak Park Art League

The Oak Park Art League (OPAL) is one of the longest running non-profit arts organizations in Illinois. Since 1921, OPAL has brought arts education, appreciation, exhibitions, and artistic inquiry to the surrounding community. OPAL is committed to meaningful outreach to Oak Park and the surrounding communities through partnerships, on-site arts programming, and collaborations. The Oak Park Art League is located at 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 and online at oakparkartleague.org.

For more information about membership, exhibitions, classes, workshops, outreach, or to donate to these efforts, please contact Brad Nugent, Executive Director, at 708-386-9853 or email inquiries to oakparkartleague@gmail.com.

The Joyful Giving Catalog

Holiday Spectacular

Oak Park Public Library

Invest in Oak Park’s future. The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

manages eight endowment funds for the Oak Park Public Library. Monetary donations are tax deductible. Giving to these funds connects people and builds community, educates global citizens, and sustains, shares, and respects Oak Park’s community resources.

Choose the fund that means the most to you at oppl.org/give. Or contact Director of Finance Jeremy Andrykowski at jeremya@ oppl.org.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Oak Park Regional Housing Center has a mission to achieve vibrant communities while promoting intentional and stable residential integration throughout Oak Park. OPRHC is the only non- profit agency in Oak Park promoting intentional integrative housing options. OPRHC is celebrating 50 years of service to the Oak Park community. Consider giving a tax-deductible year end donation so that we may reach our goal to raise $250,000 by December 31, 2022! These funds will help us continue to help integrate and invigorate the Oak Park community for up to 500 individuals in the first quarter of 2023!

You may donate at //oprhc.org/donate. To learn more, please call 708-848-7150.

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

The mission of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is to unite community members and mobilize resources to advance a racially just society and equitable outcomes for residents of Oak Park, River Forest and surrounding communities. We envision a racially just and equitable society as the full inclusion of all people into a society in which everyone can participate, thrive and prosper. In an equitable society, everyone, regardless of the circumstance of birth or upbringing, is treated justly and fairly by its institutions and systems.

Visit oprfcf.org to learn more about our services to donors, scholars, and nonprofits.

Oak Park River Forest Museum

The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest is the community’s storyteller, making history relevant in tangible ways that positively impact today’s residents including walking tours, school field trips, traveling exhibits, and house research. We operate the Oak Park River Forest Museum in an 1898 Oak Park Landmark at Lake and Lombard next to Stevenson Park. We invested $1 million in private funds to create a welcoming space in a former firehouse. Exhibits include “Open House: The Legacy of Fair Housing.” We are not supported by tax dollars and a gift of any amount funds our 2023 activities, research center, and knowledgeable staff. Learn more and donate at oprfmuseum.org or 708-848-6755.

One Earth Collective

One Earth curates vibrant environmental programming that inspires action, facilitates learning, promotes justice, and fosters equity and inclusion to create resilient communities and a healthier planet. We focus our work in 3 areas - One Earth Film Festival, One Earth Youth Voices, and One Earth Local. One Earth Film Fest’s 12th season will take place March 3-12, 2022. We’re excited to welcome Chicagoland audiences back live, in addition to our virtual screenings. Join us for captivating films, engaging discussion, impactful action opportunities and community-building. Memberships start at $35. Learn more and donate at oneearthfilmfest.org/give.

Opportunity Knocks

Opportunity Knocks was established in 2009 to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they live, work, learn, grow, and connect within their community. We believe in the strength, power, and value in the voice of every Warrior. We value the importance of an interdependent connection between each Warrior and their community, along with developing healthy relationships and social connections. We approach all of life’s

experiences fearlessly, unhinged by abilities.

We are 95% privately funded and rely on the generous support of the community. Your gift is integral in moving our mission forward. Visit opportunityknocksnow.org to learn more.

Our Future Reads

Our Future Reads was founded to promote literacy by connecting curious readers with books that interest them. We partner with other non-profit agencies and survey the recipients to create personalized book donations. Through our surveys, the members request specific genres and we fulfill those requests with our book inventory. Our personalized donations create a higher likelihood that the books will be read and shared with their families and friends. We serve youthful and adult readers that may not have the means to buy every book on the shelf but still would love to read them. Let the curious be curious!

Donate today and learn more at https:// ourfuturereads.com

Parents Against Child Sex Abuse (PAXA)

PAXA is a nonprofit that in 2022 celebrates five years of delivering on the mission of empowering parents to protect their children from sexual abuse.

PAXA offers programs like its PAXA Pointers™ Curriculum, which is a parent-focused curriculum designed to address foundational information about predatory behavior in scenarios where their child is easily accessible. The curriculum is anchored with a high quality printed P.A.X.A. Pointers™ Resource Guide that can be enhanced with a virtual or in-person presentation. The topics included are: Babysitters, Playdates, Sleepovers, Schools, Devices & Online Safety.

Learn more by visiting PAXA.online and KIDSTOO.org

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The Joyful Giving Catalog

PING!

PING! (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation), a nearly 25-year-old, community nonprofit organization, provides band and orchestra instruments along with mentoring, workshops, and access to lessons, music camps, and trips to students in need in grades 4 through 12, bringing true equity to instrumental music in Oak Park and River Forest public schools. In our community’s high-quality school music programs, PING! students can be on par with peers, regardless of their family situation, and feel like they belong. PING! serves approximately 130 young musicians annually, 70% BIPOC, bringing diversity to instrumental music classrooms and beyond.

Progress Center for Independent Living

Founded in 1988, Progress Center for Independent Living is a cross-disability organization governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities. Progress Center serves people with all types of disabilities in Suburban Cook County. We assist individuals in pursuit of their self-determined goals. Progress Center recognizes the innate rights, needs and diversity of the disabled, works toward their integration into community life, and serves as an agent of social change. Progress Center is dedicated to building a society in which people with disabilities exercise the same freedoms, rights, and civil liberties as everyone else.

Donate today and learn more at http:// progresscil.org/

River Forest Public Library Foundation

In person and online, River Forest Public Library serves everyone from toddlers to seniors by connecting them with information, entertainment, and each other in a welcoming space. RFPL Foundation works to ensure the vitality of the Library through advocacy, fundraising, and grants. Foundation grants have enabled the Library to refresh the Children’s and Teen spaces, maintain the Memorial Garden for gatherings, offer community events like the Dooleys Band concert, explore the feasibility of re-purposing indoor space for community use, and more.

Please donate at rfplfoundation.org and help your Library continue to serve and connect our community for generations to come.

Sarah’s Inn

Donate: pingoprf.org/ donate. Instrument donations: info@ pingoprf.org.

Pro Bono Network

Access to justice should not depend upon your ability to afford an attorney. There are simply not enough legal aid lawyers to help people in dire need of civil legal aid. These include issues of safety from an abuser, adequate housing, critical care documents, and more.

Pro Bono Network has enabled 425+ attorneys to give more than 28,000 hours of free legal assistance to 5,000 clients whose lives were meaningfully changed. Let’s transform lives together by increasing access to legal representation.

To get involved or donate, visit pro-bononetwork.org. Your support will make an

Race Conscious Dialogues

Race Conscious Dialogues are designed to deepen awareness of identity, power and privilege, then to integrate learning with everyday life. This nonprofit community resource offers a variety of cohorts both in-person and virtually, and the foundational workshop series consists of 4 sessions with light readings to be done in preparation.

Conversations are framed around understanding Whiteness – our own racial identities, the historical and current harm being caused by Whiteness, and guided discovery of how we show up and work collectively to eradicate racism.

Thank you for considering a donation as well as participation! www. raceconsciousdialogues.org

Sarah’s Inn is a community-based organization whose mission is to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations. We offer services in three areas of program focus: Intervention services for families affected by domestic violence that includes Advocacy and Counseling; Prevention education for youth to give them the tools to develop healthy relationships; and Training and Education for professionals and community-based organizations to create a network of skilled ambassadors. Intervention services are confidential, bilingual (English/ Spanish), and offered free of charge to survivors and their children.

Learn more and donate at sarahsinn.org

St. Angela School

St. Angela has served the families of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood for more than five generations,

enriching the lives and futures of their children. We have a storied history and an extended family of generous alumni whose philanthropy provides scholarship funds and whose engagement keeps our campus beautiful. We are richly blessed and deeply grateful for the partnerships that have sustained us through the years. Now, early in our second century, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to love and serve all those who choose to be part of our community. We ask those partners to recommit to our cause as well. Thank you!

Learn more about St. Angela School at saintangela.org or call us at (773) 626-2655.

Silk Road Rising

Silk Road Rising is a community-centered artmaking and arts service organization rooted in Pan-Asian, North African, and Muslim experiences. Through storytelling, digital media, and arts education, we challenge disinformation, cultivate new narratives, and promote a culture of continuous learning. Our work expands and enriches the American story and explores how we understand both Americanness and belonging. In so doing, we create opportunities for communities of diverse backgrounds to experience cultural interchange, challenge racism and coloniality, and upend polarization.

Learn how Silk Road Rising uses stories to help our world heal, and how you can support us by visiting www.silkroadrising. org.

The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

The award-winning Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest and its esteemed conductor Jay Friedman, continues to bring extraordinary and accessible concerts to our community. Ticket sales provide less than half the funds needed for the Symphony’s performances. Your gift keeps the orchestra going strong and allows us to maintain affordable ticket prices, including free admission for all students through college. Please help us continue and strengthen our 91-year tradition of bringing beautiful and inspiring music to Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and neighboring communities.

Make your end-of-year tax-deductible donation at SymphonyOPRF.org, or: P.O. Box 3564, Oak Park, IL 60303-3564.

Thrive Counseling Center

Thrive Counseling Center has provided

mental health services to the greater Oak Park area for over 120 years. We build healthy minds, families, and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being, regardless of their ability to pay. Hope, resilience, and recovery form the heart of our programs and services for youth and adults.

Individual therapy • Group therapy Psychiatry and medication management 24/7 Crisis intervention

Case management Suicide awareness and prevention training

Thrive Talks community education programs

Open Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday 9am-5pm, and Saturday from 9am-2pm. To learn more or donate, please visit thrivecc. org or call 708-383-7500.

UCP Seguin

UCP Seguin believes that all people, regardless of ability, deserve to achieve their potential, advance their independence and act as full members of the community. So we stop at nothing to provide life skills training, assistive technology, meaningful employment and a place to call home for people with disabilities, as well as specialized foster care for children. Our goal: life without limits for people with disabilities. Make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Donate online at ucpseguin.org or send gifts to UCP Seguin, 332 Harrison Street, Oak Park IL 60304

Holiday Spectacular presented

Way Back Inn

Since 1974, Way Back Inn has successfully provided long-term residential and outpatient treatment for substance and gambling use disorders. Our mission is to rebuild lives damaged by addiction in a personalized healing environment. This holiday season, we ask that you gift responsibly with the youth in your family. Children who have early exposure to gambling experiences, including lottery tickets, are more likely to develop a gambling problem later in life.

For more information or to make a donation to our program, go to: www.waybackinn.org or call us at 708-345-8422 ext. 22.

West Cook YMCA

A life best lived includes helping others experience a better life. When you give to the West Cook YMCA, you give to our community. 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to providing scholarships to children, adults, and seniors- your friends and neighborstransforming their lives through access to health screenings, chronic disease prevention programs, after-school programs, swim lessons, life-skills training for residents, and Y memberships that can open the door to help each person become their best self. Make a difference right in your own community today through your support of West Cook YMCA’s scholarship fund.

To donate, visit WestCookYMCA.org/donate or send your check to West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302. (708-383-

West Suburban Special Recreation Association

West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) provides recreational programming for individuals with disabilities who reside in Oak Park, River Forest and nine other surrounding communities. Donations to WSSRA help provide financial assistance to those participating in our year-round programs and summer day camp. To make a donation please visit wssra.net.

Wonder Works

For 20 years, children have learned through PLAY in the safe, enriching environment of Wonder Works Children’s Museum on North Avenue. We put great care into creating a child-sized environment with 8 permanent exhibits that spark curiosity, creativity, and learning in the areas of science, math, literacy, and the arts for children from birth to 8. Your donations support special programs, exhibit improvements, free and discounted admissions for families in financial need, and more! Please join us in our mission to spark curiosity and innovation through play-based learning experiences.

Visit Wonder-Works.org to donate and support the power of play

YoungLives Chicago

YoungLives Chicago is a mentoring ministry devoted to loving and supporting teenage mothers and their babies. YoungLives mentors walk

community of belonging for young families to thrive. Teen moms meet twice a month with their mentors for YoungLives club and have the opportunity for a summer camp experience specifically designed as a respite for teenage moms. The cost of a week of camp is $500 for the whole family. Your gift impacts two generations at once! Please consider sponsoring a teen mom and her baby today. Thank you for being a part of our YoungLives village.

If you would like information about volunteering, please contact kimberly.y.graves@gmail.com. You can also make donation at giving.younglife.org/ youngliveschicago

Youth Crossroads

Youth Crossroads supports youth, guiding them through life’s challenges, and inspiring them to discover new opportunities for personal development, healthy relationships, and positive community involvement. We provide youth in Chicago’s near west suburbs with the services they need to achieve success at home, in school, and in life. All services are free, in English and Spanish, including In-School and Community Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Youth Leadership Training, Workforce Development, After-School Enrichment, Food Pantries, and Summer Camp.

Your donation makes it possible for youth to get the guidance, support, and inspiration they need to build meaningful lives. Visit youthcrossroads.org for more information.

Holiday Spectacular presented by

Celebrate the season with this year’s theme, “A Rose in Winter”, featuring inspiring music from the medieval era to the present. Tickets start at $25 - Visit baroque.org/holiday for more information.

Committed to Oak Park and River Forest

Byline is privileged to be a part of the OPRF community and is proud to have contributed more than $90,000 in sponsorships and support to the Oak Park and River Forest area this year, alone. Our team looks forward to continuing our commitment to customers and businesses in the Oak Park and River Forest community.

To learn more about our commitment to Oak Park and River Forest, visit bylinebank.com/oprf