The latest news from Wednesday Journal http://www.oakpark.com Mon, 27 May 2013 02:53:18 UTC http://www.oakpark.com http://media1.oakpark.com/Images/5/3/8/41/1/5_3_8_41_1_144x144.png http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25723/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Scoville Park is back! With the recent removal of the fences used during its renovation, the historic park is open to the public and will host a series of events slated for the upcoming week. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25723/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Fri, 24 May 2013 16:33:15 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25722/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Oak Park and River Forest High School has hired Tod Altenburg, an administrator from Lombard elementary District 44, as its new chief financial officer. A former English and Spanish classroom teacher, Altenburg was hired May 23 by the District 200 Board of Education. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25722/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Fri, 24 May 2013 21:53:13 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25721/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

State Rep. LaShawn Ford appeared in federal court today where Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer set a trial date for April 22, 2014 on alleged bank fraud charges leveled against the West Side Democrat. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25721/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Thu, 23 May 2013 22:04:28 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25720/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Zachary Fardon, a Chicago resident and former Oak Parker, was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25720/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Thu, 23 May 2013 21:44:34 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25719/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS An Oak Park police officer has sued the village of Oak Park and a female police sergeant in federal court, alleging that the female supervisor shoved and threatened him nine days after he filed a sexual harassment complaint against her with the department. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25719/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Thu, 23 May 2013 20:33:02 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25718/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25718/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25717/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Dr. George Dietz, 82, never dreamed of a day when he might retire. The Oak Park resident maintains a practice on Chicago's South Side and makes house calls three days a week, often driving more than 100 miles in a day to treat the bed-bound. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25717/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25716/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Pro-meat, anti-meat, vegetarian or vegan —no matter where people stand on the carnivorousness continuum, the question of if beef should be "what's for dinner" is becoming a topic of discussion in Oak Park. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25716/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25715/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Oak Park and River Forest High School's administration has discussed the option in years past but never moved in that direction. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25715/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25714/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Due to the large flow of people funneling through Oak Park's Village Hall during the two-week early voting period, the Village of Oak Park is looking to move early voting to a different location in town. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25714/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25713/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS A Memorial Day commemoration at the Peace Triumphant statue in newly renovated Scoville Park and River Forest's 88th annual Memorial Day Parade will be held to honor the men and women who died while serving in the country's armed forces. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25713/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25712/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Her life's work will become part of River Forest's permanent visual landscape when the River Forest Public Library, village officials, the Smedinghoff family and the entire community come together June 1 to dedicate the public library's garden in her memory. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25712/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25711/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

River Forest's diverse architecture was "on display" last week as two local historic preservationists talked about the community's unique building styles during a lecture in downtown Chicago. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25711/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25710/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Angela G. Paterakis, a River Forest resident for over 50 years and an instructor at the Art Institute, died on May 19, 2013. She was a consummate mentor who established a network of arts educators to serve generations of Illinois school children. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25710/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25709/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Monday was the deadline for residents to submit comments and concerns about the Illinois Department of Transportation's multi-modal plan for the possible Eisenhower Expressway expansion. In Oak Park, resident Rick Kuner, a transportation and urban planning expert and former village trustee, has been working tirelessly to keep IDOT on its feet. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25709/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25708/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS The portion of property tax revenue allocated to Oak Park and River Forest High School and elementary school District 97 via development from the Colt-Westgate site could run into the millions. That's according to the village of Oak Park as it looks to amend the 2011 downtown TIF settlement with the two school districts. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25708/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25707/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Nearly 100 comments were generated by the OakPark.com story concerning Monster, the novel that was included in District 97's seventh-grade reading curriculum. Here's a sample of readers' comments. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25707/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25706/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Around 3 p.m., May 14, River Forest police curbed a vehicle whose driver allegedly committed several traffic violations in the first block of Thatcher Avenue. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25706/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25705/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS The weekend starts early this Thursday. And the trend will continue for the rest of the summer. Shops and restaurants stay open late on Thursday nights to take advantage of Downtown Oak Park's popular dine-around series, Thursday Night Out, beginning May 23. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25705/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25704/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Phyllis Ann Erickson, a lifelong resident of Oak Park, died on May 9, 2013 at the Bethesda Home in Chicago. Born on July 3, 1926 at Westside Hospital in Chicago to Dr. Iver A. and Helen M. Oveson, she attended Horace Mann School, Oak Park and River Forest High School, completed two years at Dennison, and received a teaching degree from the National College of Education in Evanston. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25704/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25703/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Michael Edward Hawkins, of Oak Park, Berwyn, and other parts of the Chicago area, died on May 10, 2013. Born on Oct. 21, 1936 to Jason and Laura (Ryan) Hawkins, he graduated in 1954 from St. Mel High School, where he was a member of the City of Chicago High School Basketball championship team. He attended Loyola University where he later served as the dean of men. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25703/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25702/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Eugene J. Liss, 92, a one-year resident of the Oak Park Arms and a longtime resident of Oak Park, died on May 12, 2013 at Rush Oak Park Hospital. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25702/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25701/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Well, a major development on the site of the Colt building parking lot isn't going to build itself. It's going to take sewers and sidewalks and all the various accoutrements that a retail and housing developer is going to need before they put up their millions for construction. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25701/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25700/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS It was a curious discussion a week ago Monday as Oak Park's new village board and president sat down to talk about "board protocols." Some aspects of those board rules had to do with interacting with the local press. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25700/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25699/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

At the weekly meeting of the Democratic Party of Oak Park on May 11, state Sen. Don Harmon introduced David Pope, immediate past and two-term Oak Park village president, as "the first president to look outside village borders" for problems to be solved. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25699/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25698/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS On April 15, an explosion in Boston, Mass., killed three people. On April 17, an explosion in West, Texas killed 14 people. Both events were tragic and unexpected. The friends and families of all 17 victims were shocked and will be scarred for the rest of their lives. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25698/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25697/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS As a newspaper editor for over 22 years, a newspaper columnist for over 28, and having written two books (more on that in a future column), I've been contemplating the craft of late. During the last two decades, I've read a lot of writing that … could be better — including, maybe especially, my own. Not everyone will become a good writer, but everyone can be a better writer. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25697/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25696/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25696/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25695/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

We love a challenge. Of course we're lucky — a lot of resources are at our disposal to help meet challenges big and small. But that doesn't diminish how great we feel about ourselves when a challenge is met. Whoo-hoo! We did it! Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25695/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25694/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Congratulations to the Park District of Oak Park on securing the funds for the new building in Austin Gardens. This is a project very near and dear to my heart, as I was closely involved with its planning for many years when I was on the board of Festival Theatre. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25694/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25693/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) re-introduced his "Inclusive Prosperity Act" (HR-1579) in April. This would impose a financial transaction tax on "certain trading transactions to strengthen our financial security, reduce market volatility, expand opportunity, and stop shrinking the middle class." Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25693/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25692/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS I'm writing this still aglow after my friend and I heard an amazing jazz concert and dined on a predictably outstanding organic meal at the Buzz Cafe, last Friday, the third Friday of the month. This is another innovation from owner Laura Maychruk, who hosts these evenings, having run them for the last five months. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25692/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25691/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

The Multicultural Education Department of Oak Park Elementary School District 97 extends sincere thanks to Dan Haley and Wednesday Journal, the Oak Park Area Arts Council, and the D97 PTOs for their generous support of the 33rd Annual Ethnic Festival, which took place at Julian Middle School on Saturday, May 4. It was a wonderful event and a wonderful day! Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25691/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25690/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS For many years Wright Plus was the place that we non-architects could not only view some of the fabulous jewels in Oak Park's treasure chest, but also learn about architecture. When tickets were affordable ($20, $25), there were many young people on the tour, some of them architecture and art students who would occasionally debate docents about details of the homes. The rest of us listened, learned and were entertained by these educated combatants. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25690/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25689/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS As our hardworking (and ever-comedic) state legislature prepares to adjourn on the 31st of this month, we should be grateful, I suppose, that their ill-considered budget cuts have not visited even more affliction on the disabled citizens, senior citizens and low-income families and individuals of Illinois. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25689/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25687/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

One more time, for old time's sake, the Mills Senior Orchestra will present a concert, their fond farewell, at 1 p.m. on May 28 at the Oak Park Arms ballroom. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25687/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25686/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Two noteworthy Oak Park forces will combine on May 23 in a timely fundraiser for the Historical Society of Oak Park-River Forest. The National Historic Landmark Heurtley House will open its doors for a rare glimpse into its Frank Lloyd Wright-designed interiors and local graphic novelist Chris Ware will be on hand to sign copies of his "time-warp" poster, featuring the Heurtley House, and to share insights into his work on the acclaimed "boxed" novel, Building Stories along with his covers for the New Yorker and work with the New York Times. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25686/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25688/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS McKenzee Kroeschell capped off her Huskies career in style by taking second place in the pole vault clearing 12 feet at Saturday's Class 3A state finals. Lake Forest's Carly Schmidt claimed the state title (13.00). Kroeschell, the most prolific pole vaulter in OPRF history, will compete at Wichita State next season. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25688/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 21:57:35 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25685/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS A guide to local shopping and activities to kick off your summer. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25685/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 17:27:06 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25684/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Our must-have list of local products to start your summer. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25684/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 16:21:52 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25683/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Now that the seasons of colorful blooms are here, planting an eclectic variety of native plants in a front or backyard garden is an eco-friendly idea that is catching on. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25683/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 16:20:27 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25682/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

2013 may be remembered as the year that Ridgeland Common closed for construction, taking away one of Oak Park's two public pools for an entire summer season. While the Ridgeland pool will return new and improved in 2014, for this year, other local pools are prepared for increases in visitors. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25682/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 16:20:02 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25681/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Sitting on a blanket, with a bag of popcorn and a beverage in tow, to take in free outdoor movies on jumbo screens in popular parks, or pools, is a rite of summer in Oak Park, Forest Park, Riverside and Brookfield. In those places, it seems, seeing an outdoor flick on a humongous movie screen is the right thing to do this summer. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25681/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 16:19:17 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25680/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Forest Park Park Director Larry Piekarz said that part of the appeal of the No Gloves Tournament is the elements that have remained constant through the years: top-notch softball, smoke rising from grills and busy beer tents. However, for the 45th annual tournament, there will be some new attractions. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25680/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 16:08:45 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25679/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

With better weather and longer days, local farmers' markets are readying for opening day.  In Oak Park, Riverside, and Forest Park, residents will soon be abandoning the frozen food aisle and buying their produce fresh from the farm. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25679/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 16:08:18 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25678/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

Looking for local summer races in or near the western suburbs? Those hard core runners can always find high-intensity events, and many are willing to travel long distances to find them. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25678/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 16:06:34 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25677/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

It's never easy when a track and field team loses a top sprinter like Zach Booth (left hamstring injury), but luckily the Oak Park and River Forest High School boys squad has speed to burn with Tariq Taylor and Jamal Baggett at the ready. Taylor and Baggett fueled the Huskies' run to third place (93 points) at the St. Ignatius Sectional hosted by Concordia last week. St. Ignatius claimed the sectional title with 115 points followed by Lane Tech (97 points). Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25677/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 19:17:40 UTC http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25676/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

After a one-year hiatus, the Fenwick boys water polo team regained its familiar designation as state champion. The Friars defeated state tournament host Stevenson 10-4 in Saturday's championship game. Read More...


]]> http://www.oakpark.com/3_2_25676/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS Tue, 21 May 2013 19:14:49 UTC