Park Ridge Herald-Advocate

Recognition sought for 100-year-old houses in Park Ridge

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:41:33 -0600

On the “Today” show, Willard Scott recognizes viewers from across the country who have celebrated 100 — or more — birthdays. Park Ridge’s Historic Preservation Commission is interested in doing something similar — but with houses. Though still in the planning stages, commission members would like to celebrate Park Ridge homes that have hit the century mark through something as simple as issuing the homeowner a certificate of recognition or listing their address on the city’s website, Chairwoman Judy Barclay said. “People have been good stewards of these properties for all these years and we felt they should be recognized …

Students guide visitors through a night at the ‘Museum’ at Northridge Prep

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:54:40 -0600

Students at Northridge Preparatory School in Niles brought history to life as they guided guests through their exhibits at the Northridge Museum last month. The second museum held at Northridge included exhibits featuring various events and concepts pertaining to World War I, the Egyptian Era, Celtic history and more. Many of the youngsters made audio-visual presentations, built complex miniature models, created life-size models and made poster boards. Dressed in white lab coats, two students introduced themselves as “doctors” and began to educate visitors about chemical warfare and the varied types of hazardous gases used in war. Another group of children …

Voterama in Congress, week ending Feb. 10, 2012

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:20:02 -0600

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted to bar members of Congress and their staff from using inside legislative information in personal stock trading. Members empowered presidents to veto discretionary-spending items providing that both houses of Congress then vote to approve of the rescissions. Members also required new rules for figuring the budgetary impact of federal loan programs. Senators, meanwhile, approved a federal aviation budget, and they advanced a bill to authorize federal road, bridge, transit and highway-safety programs through Sept. 30, 2013.

Snow, warmer temperatures expected this week

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:56:20 -0600

The bitter cold temperatures that hit the Chicago area over the weekend are expected to give way to snow Monday and then milder weather by the end of the week. Temperatures are expected to climb to 35 degrees on Monday, when there is an 80 percent chance of snow after 3 p.m., according to the National Weather Service’s website. About two inches of accumulation is possible by Tuesday morning. While the temperature is expected to climb from a weekend low of 10 degrees Saturday morning, wind gusts as high as 20 miles per will remain Monday afternoon, the weather service …

Fire damages Park Ridge condominium building

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:28:00 -0600

A fire heavily damaged a condominium unit this morning (Feb. 12) at Park Ridge’s Bristol Court complex. Firefighters responded to the blaze around 11 a.m. inside the third-floor unit of a multi-family building at 500 Thames Pkwy., west of Talcott and Dee Roads. No injuries were reported and the possible cause of the fire was not immediately known. Residents of the building were evacuated and some required assistance from firefighters, said Park Ridge Fire Chief Mike Zywanski. Roofing shingles directly above the unit where the fire broke out bore black scorch marks or were completed burned away by flames. Two …

Mexican food chain makes fresh start in Niles

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:38:00 -0600

Fresh. It’s more than just a word in the name of the restaurant — it’s what makes Baja Fresh unique, said Jignesh Patel, owner of the new restaurant that opened this week at 8610 W. Golf Road. “We are unique,” Patel said of the casual Mexican chain, which has changed its decor and created a more customizable menu. “We are not pre-made. It’s all fresh, never frozen.” The restaurant chain is known for its signature burritos and offers a variety of other items, as well. The menu allows diners to customize their meal. First, they can choose a Baja Fresh …

Last day to register for primary is Feb. 21

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:10:00 -0600

Maine Township Clerk Gary Warner has announced that the last day to register to vote in the upcoming March 20 election or to update registration information is Feb. 21. Residents may register at Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Road, Park Ridge, during regular Clerk’s Office hours, which are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registered voters may also apply for a mailed ballot until March 15. Mailed ballots must be postmarked no later than March 19 and any Illinois voter may request one. For more information about registering to vote or voting by mail go to www.mainetownship.com, …

District 63 breaks down barriers to walking, biking to school

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:39:54 -0600

East Maine School District 63 is creating a plan to make walking and bicycling safe, convenient and fun for students. The district has partnered with nonprofit advocacy organization Active Transportation Alliance to address the barriers students face in traveling to school and to identify solutions. “It’s not just about building safe roads,” said Heather Schady, of Active Trans, in a Feb. 1 presentation to the Board of Education. Teaching children about alternative modes of transportation and getting them active is also important, she said. Active Trans provides technical assistance to schools to create policies that enable and encourage active transportation. …

Kirk moved to Chicago rehab center

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:06:02 -0600

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, who suffered a stroke nearly three weeks ago, was transferred Friday to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Park Ridge Community Calendar for Feb. 16, 2012

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:58:42 -0600

Submissions for Community Calendar are required two weeks preceding the date of publication. Send to: Mary Ann Bottari, Pioneer Press, 3701 W. Lake Ave., Glenview IL 60026; mbottari@pioneerlocal.com. Information may be faxed to (847) 486-7495. Agenda The city of Park Ridge lists the following meetings which take place in City Hall, 505 Butler Place, unless otherwise noted. For a complete agenda, call City Hall at (847) 318-5200: Feb. 16 – Appearance Commission, 7 p.m. Feb. 20 – Public Hearing for a Plan of Operation and Governance for an Electricity Aggregation Program, 6:30 p.m.; City Council, 7 p.m. Feb. 21 – …

Hear Park Ridge’s ‘Hometown Voices’ Feb. 17

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:10:00 -0600

Morning radio personality Jonathon Brandmeier will be broadcasting live in Park Ridge on Feb. 17 as part of his Hometown Voices Tour. Brandmeier’s broadcast will take place from 5:30-9 a.m. at Summit of Uptown, 10 N. Summit Ave. The public is invited to attend the show, which can be heard on WGN 720-AM. …

New signs call on motorists to hang up in school zones

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:06:00 -0600

A ban on cell-phone use in school zones has been a state law for more than two years now, but it apparently hasn’t convinced all drivers to hang up. With the belief that motorists may just need additional, visual reminders, the Park Ridge Police Department has commissioned “no cell phone” signs for school zones across the city. The Park Ridge Public Works Department recently affixed the white signs with red lettering to school-zone speed signs within the immediate areas of all public and private schools. “People on their phones are so distracted,” said Park Ridge Police Officer Laura Kappler. “They …

Snow makes its way back to the area Friday

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:00:02 -0600

Feeling a chill in the air? Snow will be back as soon as Friday when lake effect snow could hit the city and Northwest Indiana with six inches.

Love is in the cards at Park Ridge valentine-making workshop

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:40:00 -0600

Brickton Art Center in Park Ridge gave children ages 5-7 an opportunity to create artwork just in time for Valentine’s Day. During the “Creative Valentines” workshop Feb. 4, children used glitter, paint, glue and bright-colored paper to craft Valentine’s Day cards and gifts. They also had fun painting their hands red and creating art with their handprints. Brickton Art Center is located at 306 Busse Highway. …

Maine South students mark last day of Chinese New Year celebration

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:16:20 -0600

Chinese-language classes at Maine South High School in Park Ridge celebrated the 15th day of the Chinese New Year with a tea ceremony and entertainment Feb. 6. The 15th day of the new year is also called the Lantern Festival, marking the final day of new-year celebrations. On the day, colorful lanterns are hung and lit to commemorate the festival. Maine South’s Chinese Club and Asian Club taught students how to make traditional lanterns while Yi Liu, cultural-events coordinator of Shen Yun Show Chicago, shared the significance of the lantern festival. Students also enjoyed a Chinese breakfast and music by …

Community agriculture presentation offered in Park Ridge

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:01 -0600

Certified organic vegetable grower Tony Ends, of Scotch Hill Farm in Brodhead, Wis., will give a presentation about community-supported agriculture Feb. 18 at the Park Ridge Non-Profit Center, 720 Garden St., Park Ridge. The talk, including a Q-and-A session, will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. and is free to the public. Scotch Hill Farm has practiced community-supported agriculture for 17 years and delivers fresh produce to households in Park Ridge, Oak Park and three neighborhoods in Chicago. The farm’s mission is to grow organic food without pesticides or herbicides while caring for livestock using humane practices. Delivery to people who …