There are times when I think home ownership is not all that it is cracked up to be. Maintenance and upkeep are expensive.
A friend brought it to my attention that my one flowering pear trees in the backyard did not look good. I had the “tree doctor” pay a visit. It has fire blight. A special treatment was suggested and we decided to treat the other pear tree and a Purple Plum, then the Witch Hazel needed a good trim. I should have planted a Money Tree many years ago.
For three years in a row, I had necessary repairs and upkeep done, such as a new roof and siding, new liner for chimney, conquered a major plumbing problem and more. I vowed not to have a white van in my driveway for one year. When I replaced the kitchen flooring, the company had a gray truck. This summer the white vans are back. There is nothing major, thank goodness. I am trying to get some things up to code, such as GFI outlets in garage and unfinished basement, new faucet, new drain in kitchen sink and other such littler tasks. Amazing how quickly the costs can add up. Anyone who owns an older, historic home knows that there is never a simple task; there always is a surprise element
Yet, when all is done and I sit on my front porch, I know it is worth it.
AROUND AND ABOUT
We Grow Dreams Greenhouse and Garden Center now have home grown tomatoes and peppers for sale. The team members grew and harvested them. Also available is sweet farm fresh bicolor corn. The not-for-profit organization provides job training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
West Chicago Public Library District offers a program with an artistic flair in the meeting room, 118 West Washington Street. To make reservations, call the adult services department at (630) 231-1552, extension 4.
“Keep Calm & Color” is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 11, 2016. The library provides the coloring sheets, crayons and colored pencils, music and light refreshments. Persons can bring their own materials.
First United Methodist and Congregational Women hold their annual “My Trash—Your Treasure” rummage sale from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 12, and from 9:00 a.m. to noon Saturday, August 13, 2016 at the Methodist church building, 643 East Washington Street. The “bag” special takes place from 11:00 a.m. to noon Saturday. Persons can fill a brown paper bag for $2 or a black plastic bag for $5. Proceeds benefit local, national and world relief programs.
There also is a bake sale with these proceeds benefitting The Station youth program. Again this event corresponds with National Garage Sale Day. (www.merleburl.com)
As part of its “Stride with Pride” program, Healthy West Chicago, along with Team Pineda, hosts a 5K Community Walk. It starts at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 13, 2016 at the Rockwell Building, 108 Sherman Street. Through a donation from Republic Bank, the first 50 children to register receive a free pass to Turtle Splash Water Park. There is a limit of three to a family. To register email, info@healthyweschicago.org.
Another community walking opportunity, “Month Long National Walking Event,” takes place in September. The National Forum for Heart Disease sponsors the “Move with the Mayor Challenge,” a six-city campaign asking citizens to take steps to improve their health by walking during the month of September. West Chicago joins Green Bay, Wisconsin; Indianapolis, Indiana; Columbia, South Carolina; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Lorain, Ohio for the challenge. A celebration is planned for all West Chicago participants Thursday, September 29, 2016 designated World Heart Day, the World Heart Federation’s biggest platform for raising awareness about cardiovascular disease.
According to the Forum, “Walking is one of the easiest ways to lower your chances of heart disease and its risk factors, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Research shows that walking as little as 30 minutes a day can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.” (www.merleburl.com)
There are several special fun activities taking place at Turtle Splash Water Park in Reed-Keppler Park.
“Goldfish Galore”- children between the ages of 2 to 13 have the opportunity to win a goldfish. The Goldfish Bowl Toss is from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Grandparents Day is Sunday, August 14. Grandparents receive free admission with one paying child.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road, hosts a Blood Drive from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2016. Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. To make a reservation, call (877) 543-3768 or online at www.lifesource.org, Code 158G.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791 and its Auxiliary host a Car and Motorcycle Show from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2016 at the Post headquarters, 431 North Neltnor Boulevard. It takes place rain or shine. Within the car show, there are 25 prize categories, including the VFW Choice Award; the motorcycle segment has five prize categories, including the Ladies Auxiliary Choice Award. The charge is $15 per car and $10 per motorcycle. For further information or to pre-register call (630) 231-9823. The Auxiliary sells breakfast and the Post sells a grilled luncheon. There also is a bake sale.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 140 North Oakwood Avenue, hosts its annual Mary Fest from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2016. Activities include an outdoor Mass, entertainment, food, games and raffles. William Estrada, West Chicago artist-in-residence, takes family photographs from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
West Chicago Public Library holds a two-hour computer class, Microsoft Excel, at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 17, 2016 in the study room, 118 West Washington Street. Basic computer skills required. To make a reservation call the adult services department at (630) 231-1500. Extension 4.
In collaboration with the West Chicago Public Library District, West Chicago City Museum continues its Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group. The discussion group meets at noon, Thursday, August 18, 2016 at the Museum, 132 Main Street. Guests can bring a sack lunch; dessert and drinks are provided.
The featured book is “West of the Revolution: An Uncommon History of 1776” by Claudio Saunt. The Amazon description of the book states, “He looks beyond the familiar story of the thirteen colonies to explore the many other revolutions roiling the turbulent American continent. In that fateful year, the Spanish landed in San Francisco, the Russians pushed into Alaska to hunt valuable sea otters, and the Sioux discovered the Black Hills.”
Copies of the book are available at the Museum and Library. Call the West Chicago City Museum at (630) 231-3376 for further information.
West Chicago Youth Cheer Organization holds a Car Wash from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 20, 2016 in the Jewel/Osco parking lot, 177 East Roosevelt Road. Ticket price is $5. Tickets may be purchased in advance via email to Jay Perry, jay@4gte.com or on the day of the fundraiser. This is the organization’s main fundraiser, which helps offset the cost to compete at State Finals.
Through a Request for Proposals, the City seeks a consultant or a group of consultants to prepare an update to its Central Main Street Redevelopment Plan, which was originally prepared in 2007. The properties are located primarily along Main Street west of the City’s traditional Downtown Business District area. Most of the property within the Plan area is City-owned and within the City’s Downtown Tax Increment Finance District.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) as well as the 2007 Central Main Street Redevelopment Plan, are posted to the City’ website www.westchicago.org. Submit proposals to John D. Said, AICP, Director of Community Development, City of West Chicago, 475 Main Street, West Chicago, Il 60185. The deadline is Thursday, August 25, 2016. For further information call Said at (630) 293, 2200. Extension 140 or email jsaid@westchicago.org.
The West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission is in the process of developing a Public Art Master Plan, which includes asset mapping and an artist registry.
The asset mapping involves community outreach to determine the extent of existing public art installations. Examples include the annual Community Banner Art Project, which incorporates art from local and area artists on banners displayed from May through September in the historic downtown area, the mural “In this—together” on the outside of the building at 103 West Washington Street and the sculpture in the Memorial Garden at Reed-Keppler Park. To assist in this endeavor, businesses, community organizations, residents and taxing bodies can fill out the Public Inventory Form on the City websitewww.westchicago.org, under Residents/Forms and Applications.
The Artist registry would identify the number of artists residing in West Chicago. The artists then would be alerted to Calls for Art, give input on cultural initiatives and communicate about community projects related to the arts. The information is only for use by the City of West Chicago and the Cultural Arts Commission. The Artist Registry form also is available at the City website.
For further information, call Rosemary Mackey (630) 293-2200, extension 139 or email rmackey@westchicago.org. The Cultural Arts Commission has 9 members, serves to promote and advance the arts in the community and acts in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council regarding the arts.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Frank A. Rohwedel, who at the age of 90 passed away Monday, August 1, 2016.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Ethel E. Cutshaw, who at the age of 92 passed away Thursday, August 4, 2016.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Octavio Vargas, who at the age of 34 passed away Monday, August 1, 2016.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to the family of Guadalupe Jimenez, who at the age of 66 passed away Sunday, August 7, 2016.
The music program at Leman Middle School is being expanded this year with the addition of a mariachi ensemble. Teaching the classes are West Chicago Elementary School District 33 Band Director James Wallace and Orchestra Director Janet Sikma.
Sikma said, “Our mariachi group in District 33 will include violin and trumpet players from our current band and orchestra program, as well as guitar, vihuela and guitaron, which will be new for most students.” In addition to playing instruments, all members of the ensemble will sing. “District 33 will be one of a small group of schools in the Chicago area to offer mariachi classes, and this will be a unique opportunity for our students to study and perform music from the Mexican culture.”
In preparation for the mariachi classes this year, Wallace and Sikma attended a weeklong conference in June in Las Vegas. Marcia Neel and Jose Hernandez of Sol de Mexico were the coordinators of the conference. Teaching the classes were instructors from the Clark County School District as Mariachi has been a part of the curriculum in their schools for many years. “Not only did we learn instrument technique and repertoire selection, but we also met teachers from across the country, who are teaching mariachi at their schools. Working with the instructors, teachers, and professional mariachis helped us to determine the best practices to get our new program started.” (www.merleburl.com)
At the Monday, August 1, 2016 City Council meeting, Dave Sabathne, CEO/President of Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce presented the awards to the winning participants is the 2016 Railroad Days parade. Winning the Grand Marshal Award for its float best depicting the theme of the parade, “Everyday Olympians,” was The Friends of the West Chicago City Museum. KinderCare Learning Centers won the Turner Award, which is for a business or organization best depicting its purpose or service. Winning the Heritage Award for a youth group displaying its purpose, enthusiasm and spirit was the West Chicago Youth Cheer Organization.
Receiving plaques as Grand Marshals of the parade were Sean McComb, Tony Marin and David White, athletes in the WeGo Wildcats Special Olympics Club at West Chicago Community High School. McComb is the veteran State Champion Gold Medal winner for the softball throw, earning this in 2012. Martin and White worked very hard this winter to compete at the State level in weight lifting. Martin earned a Gold Medal in bench press, a Silver Medal in dead lift, and a Gold Medal for bench press/dead lift combo lifting a combined total of 400 pounds (150/250). White earned a Gold Medal in Squat, fourth place in bench press, a Gold Medal in dead lift, and Gold Medal for squat/bench press/dead lift combo lifting a total of 615 pounds (205/135/275). (www.merleburl.com)
With West Chicago Youth Cheer Organization winning the Railroad Days Heritage Award, I wanted to know more about the organization. The organization was affiliated with the West Chicago Park District until December of 2013. “Since that time, we have continued the program as a non-profit (501c3) organization that is operated and run solely by volunteers. Our program is designed for children in 1st through 8th grade, regardless of skill level, with the purpose of encouraging youth athletic activities while developing qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork, and self-confidence,” said Jay Perry, a board member of the organization.
The team construction varies from year to year. In 2015, there were three teams. With an increase in registrants in 2016, there are four teams this year, first and second grade, third and fourth grade, fifth and sixth grade, and seventh and eighth grade. “Each team has two volunteer parent coaches as well as two volunteer Junior coaches. The Junior coaches are typically girls that cheer on the West Chicago Community High School team or athletes that have come up through our program. They create the choreography and the routine and are a great influence on the young athletes of our program, which in turn acts as a feeder program for the high school.”
The participants in the program perform sideline cheers during home games for the West Chicago Youth Football Organization. The program also consists of actively competing against other cheer programs. “Each West Chicago team competes in a minimum of three competitions against similarly constructed teams presented by the Illinois Recreational Cheerleading Association.” At these competitions each team has the chance to earn a bid to the state competition. “Each West Chicago team competes in a minimum of three competitions against similarly constructed teams presented by the Illinois Recreational Cheerleading Association.” Perry added, “Last season, all three of the West Chicago Youth Cheer teams earned a bid to the State Championship and two of those teams won 2nd Place in the State of Illinois in their division respectively! In fact, over the past five seasons, West Chicago Youth Cheer has won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in State an impressive six times!”
To assist the athletes in accomplishing these feats, there are local sponsors such as Hawthorne’s Backyard & Grill and Athletico Physical therapy. “We thank these local businesses for their support as well as the community that we are proud to represent.”
At the Monday, August 1, 2016 meeting, City Council approved the City Administrator’s emergency purchase of services to repair and upgrade the City’s Fleet Fueling System at 135 West Grand Lake for the amount of $119,900 to Accurate Tank Construction Inc.
Dr. John Katsis Jr. and Dr. John Katsis III recently opened the doors to their office at 1213 Joliet Street. Both are board certified specialists in Orthodontics.
More than 250 persons enjoyed the art, music and dance performances at the West Chicago Family Art Night in historic downtown. Activities took place at 104 West Washington Street, Republic Bank, West Chicago City Museum and Gallery 200.
A special guest attending was Carlos Tortolero, president of the National Museum of Mexican Art. The mobile mural by artist-in-residence Juan Chawuk received high marks from attendees. The 3-D letters spell out West Chicago with different scenes depicting the heritage of West Chicago. The Mariachi Municipal Tecalitan from Mexico provided the music. Their only other performance while in the United States was in Chicago. Folkloric dancers were from West Chicago Elementary School District 33. (www.merleburl.com)
Fox Valley Volkswagen has officially closed its doors at the West Chicago location is now open in St. Charles.
Artists-in-residence William Estrada and Juan Chawuk, and Mexican Cultural Center DuPage President Fernando Ramirez recently joined Frank Fontana on WGN Radio to talk about their creative process and “art being the most important science of them all.” Both are working on creative projects in West Chicago.
Estrada is a Chicago-based artist and teaching artist who received his Master of Arts in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2015.
Chawuk is a Mayan artist from Chiapas, Mexico, who currently is working as a visiting artist in the United States. He is known for his mural projects. (www.merleburl.com)
A photograph by West Chicago resident Matt Iannacco was featured on the Photo Finish Contest of the Neighbor section in the Sunday, August 7, 2016 issue of the “Daily Herald.”
I attended the Warrenville Historical Society Tea Saturday, August 6, 2016. To my delightful surprise, Mary Lambert, the daughter of the late Frank F. Scobey, was a guest at our table. He was the Official City Historian of West Chicago and author of several books, publications, articles and columns in the “West Chicago Press.” The books include “A Random Review of West Chicago History,” “An 1860 Who’s Who of Turner, Illinois” and ”An 1870 Who’s Who of Turner, Illinois.”
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.
