School is out. This is my yearly warning for drivers to drive more slowly, not only watching for children, but also adults who are taking advantage of the warmer weather.
On the other hand, bicyclists and skateboarders need to obey the Rules of the Road, especially regarding Stop signs. Cars are not able to stop on a dime. I see too many close calls as I sit on my front porch.
One of my favorite parts of summer is sitting on the porch and watching the “world” go by. People are walking their dogs, parents are pushing strollers, toddlers tottering along and little ones on trikes or something with wheels. There are the two types of walkers, those who are strolling and looking at the gardens and yards and those who are walking as part of an exercise regime, going along at a steady pace. Of course, there are the dedicated runners. I just notice most people look more relaxed.
Enjoy the Summer!
AROUND AND ABOUT
During the month of June, the exhibit “Similes & Subtext,” by West Chicago resident Sarah Bass is on display at Gallery 200, 200 Main Street. Through a combination of digital color images and black and white photographs shot on film, she explores three distinct narratives within the human experience, which are the “Interior Life,” the “Written Word” and “Repose.” The artist’s reception is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2016. Light refreshments are served.
Bass has been a resident of the community for 30 years. She graduated from Amherst College in Massachusetts, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Black Studies. She then taught English at a middle school with Teach for America in South Central Los Angeles from 2006 through 2008. Receiving a Fulbright to Trinidad and Tobago, she studied creative writing and conducted “a visual ethnography of creolization in the country.”
Her first experience with photography came in 2007 when a friend lent her his father’s camera. Since then a number of her photographs have been publically featured. “Sowing Seeds of Hope,” won first place in the 2009 AmeriCorps National Photo Competition; her portfolio won first place in the 2009 Photographic Arts Society Competition; “You-We: The Canvas of Culture” won first place in the 2011 UWI Annual Photography Competition in Trinidad and Tobago and was featured on the university’s quarterly magazine and “Repose” was a finalist in the 2012 Photographer’s Forum National Photo Competition.
Also on exhibit during June is Abby Ray Digital Art. Her photography “captures muted colors reflecting the things we may not want to see in ourselves.” Appearing in her photography are difficult emotions or harsh realities.
The John Suvada baseball and softball tournament is Friday through Sunday, June 17 through June 19, 2016 at Reed-Keppler and Pioneer parks.
The West Chicago Police Department hosts an Open House from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the Police Station, 325 Spencer Street. There are tours of the building plus information about services and programs available to residents. These include Vacation Watch, Free Prescription Drop Off and Neighborhood Watch. Also offered are free Child Safety Seat Inspections and free gun locks.
Starting at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 18, 2016, Boy Scout Troop 33 holds a Flag Retirement Ceremony at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791, 431 North Neltnor Boulevard. This involves the burning of tattered and faded flags gathered by the Post from individuals and businesses in the community. The United States Law provides that “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” This impressive service is open to the public.
Maggie Capettini, Gallery 200 member and Education Director at West Chicago City Museum, is one of the participating artists in Arts & Nature on the River. It takes place from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Kerry Sheridan Grove in McKinley Woods. The address is 25055 South Walnut Lane in Channahon. Activities include art exhibits, live music, creative demonstrations and hands-on activities.
West Chicago Park District celebrates Father’s Day with “Dad’s Day Out” Sunday, June 19, 2016 at Turtle Splash Water Park in Reed-Keppler Park. Admission is free for fathers accompanied by one paying child.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road, holds Vacation Bible School from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 20 to 24, 2016. Activities include Bible lessons, songs, prayer, crafts, games and snacks. It is geared for youths of all ages. The suggested donation is $5 per child, a maximum of $10 per family. For further information or to sign up, call the church office at (630) 231-3787.
West Chicago Public Library holds a two-hour Microsoft Excel class from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2016 in the study room, 118 West Washington Street. Students learn the basic skills of setting up spreadsheets, adding/deleting columns and rows, simple calculations and terminology. Persons must have basic computer skills. To register call the adult services department at (63) 231-1552, Extension 4.
West Chicago Fire Protection District hosts a Retirement Ceremony for Lieutenant Rick Michael and the promotion of firefighter Mike Korzen to lieutenant. It takes place at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at fire headquarters, Station 6, 200 Fremont street. (www.merleburl.com)
West Chicago Garden Club meeting is Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the Kruse House Museum, 527 Main Street. Social time is at 6:45 p.m., short business meeting at 7:00 p.m. and program at 7:16 p.m. John Will from John’s Sharpening Services offers his expert services on gardening tools. Floral designer Tracy Atkinson demonstrates the use of materials from gardens to make beautiful arrangements. The meeting is open to the public.
Friends of West Chicago Parks Foundation host the Seventh Annual “Funds For Fun” Golf Outing Friday, June 24, 2016 at Prairie Landing Golf Course, 2325 Longest Drive. Registration is at 7:30 a.m.; Shot Gun start is at 8:30 a.m.
The cost is $160 per person, $625 for a foursome and $30 for lunch only which starts at 1:00 p. m. Registration deadline is Friday, June 17, 2016. Forms are available online, http://www.we-goparks.org/#!park-foundation-/czs8. Other activities include raffles, silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Proceeds benefit the scholarship program to provide recreational opportunities for low income qualifying families in the Park District. For more information, email Lily Medina at lmedina@we-goparks.org.
Canadian National Railway is working on grade crossing improvements on Ann Street beginning Monday, June 27 through Saturday, July 2, 2016. Designated detour route is Sherman Street, West Washington Street and Joliet Street.
The West Chicago Park District holds an Italic Calligraphy Class from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, starting June 29 and ending August 3, 2016 at the ARC, in Reed-Keppler Park. Students learn to draw the Italic letterforms, plus create works of art and make an accordion-folded book using special papers. Teaching the art class is Lauren Davies from Visual Art Program Coordinator at Community School of the Arts. Supplies are included in the cost of $12 for resident and $15 for non-residents. To register stop in at the ARC or online at www.we-goparks.org.
The Park District received an art grant from the Community School for Arts in Wheaton. The Brush for Art Classes is made possible through a grant from the JCS Fund of the DuPage Community Foundation. It is for individuals 55 years and older and allows the District to offer different art programs at a reduced rate. Teaching the art class is Lauren Davies from Visual Art Program Coordinator at Community School of the Arts.
West Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85 and West Chicago Park District co-host the Michael Browning Memorial Run to Remember 5K Run/Walk, and 1 Mile Fun Run Sunday, July 9, 2016, starting and ending at the ARC in Reed-Keppler Park. Medals will be awarded to the top two finishers (male and female) in each of six age categories. Runners’ times will be taken at the mile markers and results will be posted after the race. Age categories are 19 and under, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 and over.
The race fee is $30 for each runner/walker and $20 for each additional runner/walker in the same household. 1 Mile Fun Run registration fee is $15. Day of race registration increases $5 for each participant. To register visit the website www.racetime.info/ Race day registration opens at 6:30 a.m. with the race beginning at 7:30 a.m.
All proceeds benefit the Michael Browning Memorial Scholarship Fund to assist students pursuing a career in law enforcement or criminal justice. For more information contact the West Chicago Park District, Det. Robbi Peterson of the West Chicago Police Department at michaelbrowningmemorialfund@gmail.com or visit the Michael Browning Memorial Run to Remember Facebook page.
Browning grew up in West Chicago, graduating from West Chicago Community High School in 1987. He attended College of DuPage, majoring in criminal justice. His dream was to be a police officer in his hometown. After joining the West Chicago Police Department as a cadet in 1988, his dream came true when he took the oath of office August 25, 1991.
Responding to the scene of a crime in progress, Browning was killed in the line of duty April 20, 1992. The car that was being stolen from a local car dealership struck him.
Persons who wish to make a donation only should make the check payable and mail to Michael Browning Memorial Fund, DuPage Credit Union, 625 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60185. (www.merleburl.com)
The 46th Annual Railroad Days Parade, organized by Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, takes place Sunday, July 10, 2016. The theme is “Everyday Olympians.” There are three awards-Heritage Award, youth group/organization with the most enthusiasm and spirit; Turner Award, the most unique, creative, and understanding of a business and/or organization; and the Grand Marshal Award, best float that demonstrates the parade theme. Forms are available on the Chamber website www.westerndupagechamber.com, under Festivals or in the office, 306 Main Street. The deadline for registering is Thursday, June 30, 2016. Call (630) 231-3003 for further information.
West Chicago Railroad Days, organized by Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, takes place Thursday through Sunday, July 7 to 10, 2016 at Pioneer Park. Activities include, carnival, games, entertainment, food and fireworks. To view the schedule visit the Chamber website, www.westerndupagechamber.com, under Festivals.
At the Monday, June 6, 2016 City Council meeting, City Clerk Nancy Smith administered the Oath of Office to John Zurick and Joe Gaztambide, both recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the West Chicago Police Department. Police Chief Mike Uplegger said, “This is a special night. The rank of sergeant is a challenging position.” He gave a brief background presentation on both officers.
Zurich has been with the West Chicago Police Department for 24 years, working in patrol and as a Detective in investigations. Prior to this, he served in the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Zurich also is a Forensic Evidence Technician and a member of the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force. He is the recipient of numerous Police Accommodations, a Life Saving Award, a medal of Valor Award issued by the DuPage County Police Association and a Medal of Honor issued by the Governor of the State of Illinois.
Gaztambide has been with the West Chicago Police Department for 14 years, working in patrol and as a School Resource Officer in investigations. He served in the United States Army for 14 years and is a military veteran of Desert Storm. Also Gaztambide has been an Evidence Technician, a Too Good for Drugs Instructor and a Field Training Officer. He is the recipient of numerous Police Accommodations ad a Life Saving Award. (www.merleburl.com)
Nayeli Lara, a senior at West Chicago Community High School, is the Student of the Month for May. As a student, she performed well in academics, athletics and activities.
She was on High Honor Roll all four years. She is a student with Highest Distinction, maintaining a grade point average of 5.0 or higher in the four years of high school. She is a member of National Honor Society, German National Honor Society and an Illinois State Scholar. Lara also is a College Board National Hispanic Recognized Scholar and has earned the Presidents Education Award. She is the recipient of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics Award, the Fermilab Science Award and Outstanding Performance in Mathematics and Science.
During her four years of high school, she was active in many extracurricular activities. Lara was a member of the Math Team, Club Green, Presidents Council, Student Ambassador, plus Sports Editor and Online Production Editor for the Journalism Club. A four-year member of the Basketball and Track and Field teams, Lara was captain of both this year, as well as captain of the Cross Country team. She was named Academic All-Conference in each of these sports.
Outside of school, Lara volunteered with a 5th to 8th grade feeder basketball team, at the Chicago Marathon in 2014 and 2015, and with the West Chicago Prairie Stewardship Group.
Starting at the University of Illinois-Champagne-Urbana, June 10, 2016, Lara is majoring in Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering. She hopes to one day be a nuclear engineer and work in either advancing safe nuclear energy or in nuclear medicine. www.merleburl.com)
The female Athlete of the Spring Season is Barb Reichert, a senior at West Chicago Community High School. Her sport was softball. (www.merleburl.com)
The Male Athlete of the Spring Season is Justin Thiede, a senior at West Chicago Community High School. His sport was Boys Track and Field. (www.merleburl.com)
At the Monday, June 6, 2016 meeting City Council approved the appointment of Bethany Brown to the Environmental Commission for a term ending in 2019.
Also approved was a contract for 2016 Jel Sert Industrial Park Resurfacing Project for the amount of $453,072 to Plote Construction, Inc. of Hoffman Estates. The resurfacing area includes Charles Court, Wegner Drive and Helena Drive. The significant improvements of the project include pavement milling and resurfacing, full-depth pavement patching and intermittent curb and gutter removal and replacement.
Council approved the contract for the 2016 Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Project for the amount of $144,610 to RJN Group, Inc. The areas prioritized include the Alta Vista Subdivision generally described between Town road and pearl Road, and between West Washington Street and Roosevelt Road. The company will conduct manhole mapping and inspections, smoke testing, wet weather investigations, cleaning and televising and dye testing of the sanitary collection tributary to these locations.
Also approved was an ordinance for revisions to the solicitor ordinance. This includes the applicant providing more information to assist the Police Department with completing the background investigation in a more expedient manner. Also approved was allowing City law enforcement personnel, firefighters of the West Chicago Fire Protection District and any employees, members or volunteers of a charitable organizations to solicit donations on City Streets.
An ordinance for revision to the peddler ordinance was approved. Now the Chief of Police or his designee handle the entire application process and applicants providing more information to assist the Police Department with completing the background investigation.
Named as an Honorable Mention on the “Daily Herald” All-Area Softball Team is Madison Ebeling at Wheaton Academy. Named as an Honorable Mention on the “Daily Herald” All-Area Boys Volleyball Team is Ross Behr at West Chicago Community high School. Members of the “Daily Herald” All-Area Girls Soccer Team were Gretchen Pearson and Erin Teevans from Wheaton Academy. Named as an honorable Mention was Katie Reitz from West Chicago Community high School.
West Chicago resident Bev Hosticka is the winner for May of the “Daily Herald” Photo finish photography contest. The photograph is of her daughter in a ballerina costume posed in a Chicago tunnel, where they went to seek some temporary shelter for the frigid temperatures in February.
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.
