Elm Leaves

Elmwood Park students, volunteers beautify underpass in Jerome Huppert Woods

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:20:28 -0500

ELMWOOD PARK — Spray-painted graffiti and gang symbols used to be what hikers and bicyclists would see at the underpass in Jerome Huppert Woods. Until now, that is.

Benefit at River Grove Moose Lodge helps ease family’s burden

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:19:21 -0500

RIVER GROVE — Parents are supposed to be the ones passing along their wisdom to their children. But sometimes, it works the other way. “No matter what happens, my daughter always has a smile on her face,” June Fontana said Sunday, referring to Jennie Addis. “She’s my hero.” That — and a mother’s love — are what led Fontana to plan a fundraiser for her daughter on Sunday. May 19 at the Moose Lodge in River Grove. Addis has had kidney disease since the age of 9. Now Addis, 41, also has developed a rare bone disease. She also needs …

Metra train strikes, kills pedestrian in Prospect Heights

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:23:59 -0500

A Metra train struck and killed a pedestrian Tuesday, May 21, in Prospect Heights.

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.

Elmwood Park school bids farewell to two longtime administrators

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:22:13 -0500

ELMWOOD PARK — A tree planted outside John Mills Elementary School will be a lasting symbol of the 30 years of combined service two people gave the school. Students, parents, residents and village officials gathered outside the school, 2824 N. 76th Ave., on May 17 to say goodbye to the school’s principal, Peter Herbert, and assistant principal, Donna Kutrubis. Both will retire at the end of this school year. Herbert has been principal of John Mills since 1996; he taught in other school districts for 17 years before that. Kutrubis has been an assistant principal for 13 years in the …

River Grove volunteers help beautify village on annual Planting Day

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:14:02 -0500

RIVER GROVE — Volunteers were getting their hands dirty Saturday morning but something pleasing to the eye was the end result.

Elmwood Park High School sends graduates into world

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:19:31 -0500

Matthew Hilker quoted Doctor Who and proudly embraced his inner nerd in the speech he delivered as valedictorian of Elmwood Park High School on Sunday. The school’s Class of 2013 — 251 students in all — was feted in the school gymnasium. Hilker used a quote from the British science-fiction show to sum up his feelings about his time at the school: “I’ve never met anybody who wasn’t important.” Hilker may have shown his lighter side, but he also challenged his classmates to never lose sight of their goals. And he urged them to savor the moment. “Look around this …

New Hallmark store opens in River Grove

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

RIVER GROVE — Walking into the Kirlin’s Hallmark Store in River Grove is all about feeling good. The store is one of many Hallmark stores owned by the Kirlin Family. Cathy Arntzen manages the store at 3155 Thatcher Ave. This particular store had been near Harlem Avenue and Irving Park Road for four years, but the owners decided to set up shop in River Grove. “It’s really busy here,” Arntzen said. “We’re filling a need that was really needed here.” The store opened in April and had its official grand opening on Saturday, May 18. “They (owners) felt this store …

Elmwood Park bartender learns about life on the job

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:19:56 -0500

ELMWOOD PARK — When Julie Bramhall was looking for work 11 years ago, little did she know she’d grow to love her first real job. She was only 21 at the time and knocked on many doors in Elmwood Park, and elsewhere in the Chicago area, looking for work. “No one wanted to give me a chance,” she said. Eventually, the owners of the now-closed Randolph Street Depot, in Forest Park, gave her her first break. They put her behind the bar, serving drinks, and she’s been a bartender ever since. “I worked there for four years,” she said “Then …

St. Celestine youth ministry fundraiser May 17 at school

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:12:00 -0500

ELMWOOD PARK — Teaching young people leadership skills — and showing them how to serve others — is a great way to serve the community. That’s what Kim McMillan, young ministry coordinator at St. Celestine Church believes, and it’s a key motivator behind a fundraiser she is helping to organize this Friday, May 17 at the church school’s annex. The event, which runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., grew out of a desire by members of the young ministry for a work-service week. Many of the kids involved in youth ministry couldn’t afford the trip, and didn’t want to …

Triton College planetarium and star-gazing shows May 18

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:20:50 -0500

River Grove The next Monthly Skywatch willl begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Cernan Earth and Space Center of Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. The Monthly Skywatch consists of two parts — an indoor planetarium program and an outdoor telescope observing session. The telescope observing portion is held only if weather permits. The indoor portion of the Monthly Skywatch is first in the Cernan Center’s dome theater, and introduces audiences to a wide range of Earth- and space-related subjects. These include a tour of the current nighttime sky, a presentation on the latest astronomical discoveries and …

Franklin Park pasta company dishes up gluten-free options

Wed, 15 May 2013 07:14:29 -0500

FRANKLIN PARK — A manufacturer of gluten-free pasta has opened in Franklin Park after two years of kitchen experimentation. The company, Leo’s Gluten Free, is a family affair. Its roots are in Perfect Pasta, an Addison-based company started by brothers Luigi and Leo Bucaro, both born in Italy.

Elmwood Park business fair brings in a crowd

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:27:28 -0500

ELMWOOD PARK — Al Biancalana, owner of Elmcrest Banquets was able to drum up some potential business at Saturday’s business fair.

Flipping for pancakes at River Grove School

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:20:29 -0500

To help keep students singing — or playing — the pancakes were selling like hotcakes last weekend at River Grove School. The River Grove Music Association, which raises money for River Grove Elementary School’s bands and choirs, had their annual pancake breakfast May 11.

Elmwood Park beauty salon owner offers style and substance

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:24:57 -0500

ELMWOOD PARK — A person just coming in to get their hair done at Charo’s Hair Design and Spa probably will get more than they bargained for.

Human trafficking presentation May 23 at St. Celestine in Elmwood Park

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:20:08 -0500

ELMWOOD PARK — A free presentation on human trafficking is being offered by the St. Celestine Women’s Club at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. Frank Massolini, director of Anne’s House, will talk about the problem of human trafficking. Anne’s House, operated by the Salvation Army, is a long-term residential program for young women and girls who have been impacted by sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Massolini who has been involved in the issue and raising awareness about it for 24 years. St.Celestine Parish is at 3020 N. 76th Court, Elmwood Park. Use the annex entry. …