The Doings Western Springs

Western Springs VFW honors female veteran

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:08:22 -0500

WESTERN SPRINGS — The first woman named as grand marshal of the village’s Memorial Day Parade was a little reluctant to accept the honor. Marine Capt. Melissa Ventrone, also an attorney, returned to Chicago in October 2010, after a 10-month deployment in Afghanistan. She served as an executive officer for a maintenance company in charge of 329 marines. “I felt I hadn’t done anything that deserved that kind of recognition. Deploying is part of your job in the military, going to work,” Ventrone said. “I was pretty safe behind the lines.” Western Springs VFW Post 10778 Cmdr. Chuck Bosko said …

La Grange shop offers eclectic mix

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:50:17 -0500

LA GRANGE — Two new shopkeepers offer plenty of ways to feather your nest. Sara Emmick of Western Springs, co-owner of Nest Vintage Modern, specializes in scouring estate and garage sales for interesting pieces to redo in a variety of finishes. And she’s not afraid to rethink her artistic touch. “If a piece sits too long and doesn’t sell, we do something different with it,” Emmick said. “Obviously, it’s not hitting something people like.” Emmick said finding vintage furnishings and castoffs is almost as much fun as transforming the diamonds in the rough into focal points. “Sometime it’s surprising to …

Lyons Township students test their mettle in mini-triathlon

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:22:08 -0500

WESTERN SPRINGS — The competitors’ times varied, but they all were winners. Lyons Township High School sophomores took turns cheering one another on and competing in a mini-triathlon May 14 and 17.

Hinsdale board extends liquor hours to allow Fuller’s bar and grill

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:23:06 -0500

HINSDALE —Doug Fuller and his partners got the later hours they wanted from the Hinsdale Village Board and plan to have a family restaurant open by the fall. Fuller plans to convert the southern portion of Fuller’s Home & Hardware store, on Garfield and First streets, into a two-story restaurant and bar that will serve less expensive meals than some other restaurants in town. For the business to successfully compete with similar-style places in nearby towns, Fuller and Jim Carlstrom argued they need to serve liquor later than the current Hinsdale limits of 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on …

Western Springs police blotter for May 21

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:10:01 -0500

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of area police departments. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that determination. Western Springs ALCOHOL Joseph B. Galin, 18, of 338 S. 8th Ave., La Grange, was cited at 11:58 p.m. May 18 for consumption of alcohol by a minor after he was observed running away from a patrol officer on the 1100 block of Birch Lane. A 17-year-old Western Springs boy was cited at 12:15 a.m. May 19 for consumption of alcohol by a minor after …

Western Springs crime briefs for May 21

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:10:10 -0500

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of the Western Springs Police Department. THEFT Someone stole a woman’s unlocked bicycle on a rack at Hillgrove and Grand avenues between 8:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. May 14. The loss is estimated at $600.~. …

Western Springs officials begin second terms

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:09:01 -0500

WESTERN SPRINGS — Something unusual happened Monday night. Three people were sworn in for second terms on the Western Springs Village Board, including Village President William Rodeghier. Also re-elected were Suzanne Glowiak and James Horvath as village trustees, joined by newcomer Alice Gallagher. Breaking from tradition of a one-term limit, the Village Caucus endorsed Rodeghier, Glowiak and Horvath in the April 9 election. Rodeghier served as a trustee from 2005 to 2009 before being elected president. Horvath served on the Police Pension board from 2002 to 2006, and in 2005, he joined the Western Springs Community Center Association Board, and …

Western Springs Village Board notes

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:09:10 -0500

WESTERN SPRINGS — Among other business at their meeting Monday, Western Springs village trustees: • ratified participation with DuPage County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, a countywide management organization linking local, county, state and federal police agencies. Charging $525 per sworn officer for the communities it represents, affiliation with DuMEG will cost the village $10,500 per year, with a lump-sum payment due July 1. • made plans to sell a property located at 6468 Hampton Ave., which it acquired in 2012 as “surplus.” After refurbishing the structure, the village plans to obtain a fair market value appraisal before listing it for sale. …

No fix in sight for dispute with Lyons Township school treasurer’s office

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:08:52 -0500

LA GRANGE — A dispute between two school boards over financial control continues to fester. A legislative solution still isn’t in sight, state Rep. Jim Durkin reported May 20 to the Lyons Township High School Board in its effort to separate from the Lyons Township School Treasurer’s Office. Durkin, who made a special trip from Springfield to update the board, said his bill is stalled in the Illinois Senate after passing the House unanimously April 9. “If we’re not able to get it done in this session, we’ll return in the veto session or after the first of the year,” …

Donors drop off tons of technology items at Lyons Township High School

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:13:25 -0500

WESTERN SPRINGS — Business was brisk May 18 for the recycling fair at Lyons Township High School. The event, sponsored by the high school and the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, featured recycling collections for electronics, bicycles, eyeglasses, school supplies and clothing and fabrics. “It was really busy,” said Katherine Leibforth, business education coordinator for the chamber. “People were lining up by 8 a.m. for our opening at 9 a.m. and we were absolutely packed and busy the entire time until noon. It went great.” Volunteers estimated about 1,000 people lined up in cars to drop off items, …

3 Brookfield Zoo dolphins expecting

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:48:20 -0500

Chicago Zoological Society officials say three Brookfield Zoo bottlenose dolphins are pregnant. Officials say Allie, 26, Tapeko, 31, and Spree, 10, are due to give birth this summer and fall.

LaGrange Park revels in Run for the Roses

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:50:37 -0500

LAGRANGE PARK — Sunny skies lit up the way for hundreds of runners May 18 in the Run for the Roses 5K race. The top finisher was Joe Pontrelli, 32, from Itasca with a time of 18:19 on the course, which began and ended at Forest Road School. Gert August, 49, of LaGrange Park was the first woman to finish with a time of 21:21 in the race coordinated by the Community Park District of LaGrange Park. Among those who walked the course, Richard McGuire, 65, of LaGrange Park placed first with a time of 31:11, followed by Doris McGuire, …

Low ad revenue estimates force Metra to delay Wi-Fi study

Sat, 18 May 2013 02:08:23 -0500

Metra is delaying the second phase of a plan to get Wi-Fi on trains amid concern the rail agency wouldn’t get enough from advertising dollars and would still have to spend millions annually.

Western Springs homes showcased in house walk

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:09:41 -0500

WESTERN SPRINGS — Dining areas and back yards, basements and formal parlors, were all part of the sights Sunday. The Western Springs Historical Society House Walk included six local homes, each with distinct qualities. Organizers showed homes to represent different styles, including Victorian, Georgian, Frenk Lloyd Wright inspired, transitional cottage style and new construction. The fundraiser featured the theme Elegant by Design. …

Radogno questions “sham” medical marijuana bill

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:51:44 -0500

Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno opposed passage of the medical marijuana bill, but said it calls for further frank discussion. “At the end of the day we’re kidding ourselves if we just think we’ve approved the medical use of marijuana,” said Radogno, whose 41st District includes portions of Western Springs, La Grange and Burr Ridge. The Senate bill approved by a 35-21 vote May 17 already passed the House and awaits Gov. Quinn’s signature. The bill allows those suffering from 42 diseases to obtain a doctor’s prescription for up to 10 joints a day, Radogno said. The measure provides …

Dillard becomes victim of crime he sought to prevent

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:41:49 -0500

HINSDALE — Sen. Kirk Dillard has suffered firsthand the loss he was trying to prevent with legislation he sponsored last year for the sale of stolen gold and silver. On a Saturday night in March, Kirk’s Hinsdale home was burglarized when he and his wife went out for a short time. The burglar took gold and silver jewelry, plus a silver tray that used to belong to Dillard’s wife’s great-great-grandmother, and a sterling silver mirror. “The pattern is very clear,” said Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican and potential gubernatorial candidate. With the prices of gold and silver skyrocketing in recent years, …