This is the time it is nice to drive around the community and look at the Christmas lights. Some are elaborate and others simple. Yet, all of them bring forth a feeling of delight. I have heard one on Peach Tree Lane in The Arbors subdivision is quite large. Supermercado Tampico on Main Street, once again, has a great display, which looks good day and night. When my children were young, we bundled them up and drove around to “ooh and aah.” Then home for a mug of hot chocolate, a couple of cookies and a little talk about our favorites. I still ooh and aah when driving by the decorated homes and businesses. The spirit of the holiday season seems greatly brightened by the lights and decorations
AROUND AND ABOUT
The West Chicago Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals holds a public hearing at 7:00 p.n. Wednesday, December 15, 2021, via Zoom. The hearing regards a request from Pulte Home Company LLC for a Preliminary Planned Unit Development and Preliminary Plat of Subdivision for a 269-lot residential development on the south side of Smith Road between Route 59 and Klein Road. Persons wanting to participate, visit www.zoom.us or download the Zoom app, then click on “JOIN A MEETING” with the login information; MEETING ID, 811 8965 3474 and PASSWORD, 077937. Persons wanting to provide a public comment should send their written comments to City Hall via email John Sterrett, City Planner, at jsterrett@westchicago.org.
West Chicago Park District hosts a Medicare Information Series. The third and final session is from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the ARC, 201 West National Street. This session includes how drug coverage works, how to get extra help if one has limited income and resources and how Medicare drug coverage works with other prescription drug coverages. Also covered are drug tiers and formularies and what the insurance companies are required to have. There is no charge, but registration is required at https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-program.
West Chicago resident Anni Holm and Fiorella Hilda Gomez Bermudez hold a Salvage Beauty Community Art Workshop at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street. There is no charge for the creative self-care workshop. (www.merleburl.com)
Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill,1200 West Hawthorne Drive, has Dinner with Santa from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021. Persons bring families for dinner and Santa gives free cookies and milk to children ages 12 and under.
First United Methodist Church of West Chicago, 643 East Washington Street, holds a Blue Christmas service at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021. This is a service for those who find Christmas as a time of sadness as well as celebration. (www.merleburl.com)
West Chicago Elementary Schools Winter Break starts Monday, December 20, 2021, classes begin Monday, January 3, 2022.
West Chicago Police Department once again is collecting toys for the US Marines Toys for Tots Foundation program. The ages are from infant through 16 years of age. Toys are donated to children in local area communities. Drop off new unwrapped toys during regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday through Sunday, December 21, 2021, in the decorated box in the lobby at the police station, 325 Spencer Street. The toys go to a warehouse, where they are sorted and distributed. The police department only collects the toys and is not in charge of distribution. By visiting https://bit.ly/3bNlKdH, persons can donate virtually.
West Chicago Community High School starts Winter Break Thursday, December 23, 2021. Classes begin Friday, January 7, 2022.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church 155 North Prince Crossing Road, holds its Posada service at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 23, 2021. Fellowship time follows the service. Posadas are a representation of the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem looking for a place to stay to await the birth of Jesus.
West Chicago Police Department promotes a fundraiser for Special Olympics that continues through the end of December. When at either Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 West Hawthorne Lane, or the Bunker Bar & Grill, 216 Main Street, patrons can add $1 or more to their tab, and this money goes directly to Special Olympics, helping to support thousands of athletes. Due to the pandemic, many of the Police Department’s fundraisers for Special Olympics have been curtailed. (www.merleburl.com)
West Chicago Lions Club and West Chicago Rotary Club hold a Gently Used and New Coat, Hats and Gloves Collection for adults and children through Saturday, January 8, 2021. Boxes are located at West Chicago Public Library, 118, West Washington Street; West Chicago Community High School, 326 Joliet Street; ARC Center, 201 West National Street; and both Republic Bank locations, 101 Main Street and 101 East Roosevelt Road. (www.merleburl.com)
West Chicago Park District holds a 5 on 5 Men’s 16+ Basketball Tournament Friday and Saturday, January 7 and 8, 2022, at Zone250 in Reed-Keppler Park. 250 West National Street. Teams that register by Thursday, January 1, pay a $200 registration fee. To register, visit www.we-goparks.org. (www.merleburl.com)
Support our local businesses. Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 West Hawthorne Lane, holds a Winter Painting Workshop at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 16, 2021 . Participants paint a seasonal scene. The $37 charge covers all the materials needed and step-by-step guidance by the professional artist instructors. There is a two drink requirement. To make a reservation, call (630) 293-6700. (www.merleburl.com)
Through the Community Santa Project, The Slice Spot, 960 East Roosevelt Road, has a Tag Tree. Persons select a tag from the tree and purchase a gift. Each tag represents a child, family or veteran in need. (www.merleburl.com)
Gear Palace Shop recently opened its doors at 110B Main Street. The business was established as an online vintage fashion in 2018 and founded by Dakindkid with inspirations from multiple sources such as high-end fashion designers, street artists, musicians, and DJ’s. Facebook information stated, “Gear Palace spawns from multiple elements outside of the fashion industry, from the diverse community we aim to serve to artist collaborations and our in-house artist within the company Itself. We strive to work with others to create a unique community. Artists of all kinds are welcome and encouraged to discover more about our mission. His shop will be our Headquarters and a location we use for small local art showcases, collaborations, and other events.” For further information, email PalaceofGear@gmail.com. Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. (www.merleburl.com)
A COVID-19 vaccination clinic is open from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road. The clinic is for persons age 18 and older. To make an appointment, call the church office at (630) 231-3787 or email office@standrewlutheran.net.
A COVID-19 testing site is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in a VNA Health Care Mobile at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road. There is no charge. Appointments are required and may be made at (630) 892-4355 or (847) 717-6455
The DuPage County Health Department developed a dashboard to provide information on the total number of people, in DuPage County, who have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the dashboard includes a map which shows the distribution of reported cases by municipality and is updated at 4:00 p.m. daily. DuPage County’s “COVID-19 Dashboard” is a one-stop-shop for all the information it offers including a town-by-town breakdown of cases. As of Monday, December 13, 2021, there were 5,850 cases and 57 deaths; this is the number from the beginning of track recording.
To keep residents aware of community COVID-19 updates, the City has posted West Chicago’s COVID-19 COMMUNICATIONS CENTER on its website, www.westchicago.org. It is located on the upper left-hand side in red. Clicking on this, residents can see the latest information.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Myrtle Falls, who passed away Thursday, December 9, 2921.
After a highly competitive audition process, Sydney Radke and Kai Herrera, seniors at West Chicago Community High School, were selected as All-State Musicians. They will participate with musicians from around Illinois in January at the All-State Music Festival. (www.merleburl.com)
Twenty-nine seniors from West Chicago Community High School were recognized as 2022-23 Illinois State Scholars. The students are Jaclyn Camp, Margaret Hancock, Sophia Johnson, Hadi Khamsi, Grace Leonard, Sydney Radke, Dylan Walsh, Robert Washington, Jr., Daniel Bowen, Alyssa Danner, Dominic Errera, Alexander Garcia, Swapna George, Gianna Gianforte and Vincent Lamantia,
Others are Nikhil Myers, Jane Osielski, Brianna Pechman, Gabriela Perez, Rydel Salazar, Sean Slattery, Lilabeth Sokolewicz, Brendan Symon Sulit, Kyle Upham, Shannon White, Natalie Wilderman, Daniel Eaton, Dillon Moesch, and Jason Sartore. Others are Nikhil Myers, Jane Osielski, Brianna Pechman, Gabriela Perez, Rydel Salazar, Sean Slattery, Lilabeth Sokolewicz, Brendan Symon Sulit, Kyle Upham, Shannon White, Natalie Wilderman, Daniel Eaton, Dillon Moesch, and Jason Sartore.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this important recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year, more than 17,340 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958.
Mikail Herrera, Vincent Lamantia, Elizabeth Ryan, and Jazmin Wilkins, seniors at West Chicago Community High School, were chosen to participate in the All-State Production of “Cabaret,” the highlight of the Illinois High School Theatre Festival Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 6, 7 and 8, 2022, at Illinois State University. They were selected through auditions and interviews. Ryan is the All-State Production Stage Manager. Wilkins plays a Kit Kat Woman. Herrera plays Cliff. Lamantia is a member of the All-State orchestra. “Cabaret” is the 45th All-State production of the Illinois Theatre Association. IHSTF Executive Director Judy Klingner leads the festival.
The All-State cast, crew, and pit orchestra is comprised of the top student performers, technicians, and musicians in the state of Illinois. The Illinois Theatre Association produces the Illinois High School Theatre Festival for the thousands of registered participants and is not open to the public. (www.merleburl.com)
At the Thursday, December 2, 2021 West Chicago Elementary School District 33 Board of Education meeting, Leman Middle School teacher, Julio Banfi and student Andrew Williamson, gave a presentation regarding the Chess Club. The club is open to all grades and skill levels and currently has 39 members The club has academic and social and emotional learning benefits for all students who participate. The LMS club won the Levy Rozman Scholarship Fund in the amount of $10,000 to pay for CK Gold memberships, materials, private coaching, tournament fees, and travel expenses. There were more than 100 applicants, Leman Middle School was one of 12 winners and the only winner in the State of Illinois.
The West Chicago Boys Co-op Swimming Team brought home the first Wildcat Relays win in the history of West Chicago Community High School. They won the final relay, 400 free, against Nequa Valley High School. They won half the meet’s relays: the 500 free relay, 200 free relay, 200 fly relay, 800 free relay, 200 breast and 400 free relay. Relay swimmers were Gavin McCullough, Sam Ortiz, Logan Sims, Mason Smith, Mark Stavenger, Logan Townsend and Eric Warta. (www.merleburl.com)
At the Monday, December 6, 2021, meeting, City Council approved the appointment of Crystal Noland Riani to the West Chicago Historical Preservation Commission for an unexpired term ending April 2022.
West Chicago resident JJ Keigley, age 73, recently retired after 54 years of service with the transit service. He was a Metra Union Pacific West Line Conductor and well known for his good cheer, his tie collection and Halloween costumes. The “Daily Herald” had a vey interesting and entertaining story about him in the Monday, December 6, 2021, issue.
Starting January 31, 2022, Ann Williams is the new Deputy Superintendent for Operations in School District U-46.
My email address is merleburl.com.