Every five years the United Way takes a close look at Glenview – hoping to identify the community’s most pressing social needs. After sending out 321 surveys to community leaders, talking one-on-one with 31 of them and polling 400 households by phone, the group paints a surprising statistical portrait of our town.

Glenview has grown faster than the county or state – 16 percent in the 90's -- due largely to The Glen where the community assessment found residential property ranged from $396,000 to $1,000,000.

Our population is 83 percent white, 10 percent Asian, 4 percent Hispanic and 2 percent African-American. Of the Asians, half are of Korean descent.

The largest age groups are 35-44 and 45-54. More than 27 percent of residents are 55 or older.

Numbers are not yet in from the 2000 census, but 10 years ago, median household income was 83 percent greater than the state average and 96 percent more than the national average.

Village Hall employs 325 people, and the report notes: "For many years [Glenview’s] Village Board. . .did not represent anything like competing factions. This has recently changed. Recent elections to the Village Board have been contested, and arguments between trustees with opposing points of view occur at Village Board meetings."

District 34 serves 69 percent of the village with seven schools and an administration building. A new middle school is under construction at The Glen. It will serve 800 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students. "Voters gave the school board permission to build the school in November 2000," says the United Way, "but since then have twice rejected requests to raise property taxes that school officials say are needed to maintain current programs and support increased staff."

More than 89 percent of high school students in Glenview attend Glenbrook South. Nearly 4 percent of kids 16-19 do not attend or have not graduated from high school. The rest attend New Trier or Maine East high schools.

There are 36 parks on 582 acres of land offering a wide variety of recreational choices. Glenview also has two private clubs – North Shore and Valley Lo.

United Way identified 10 areas of social concern for Glenview: "Youth at Risk, Family Conflict and Violence, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Short-term Emergency Services, Affordable Child Care, Lack of English Skills, Services for Seniors, Affordable Housing, Services for Mentally Ill and Disabled and Temporary Care." The report says services are available to teens, but they may not have transportation to those programs, and residents may not know about existing services.

In remarks after a formal presentation to more than 100 community leaders, Glenview Community Church Pastor Howard Roberts said denial is a major problem here. His parishioners are all for helping people with drug or alcohol problems, but he said they would never admit that such problems exist within the congregation. He added that adult abuse of prescription drugs and alcohol are noted by teenagers who recognize the hypocrisy of parents telling them not to drink or use drugs.

During a brainstorming session, the group proposed establishment of a hotline to link residents with social services and a registry that could link residents who don’t speak good English to bi-lingual individuals willing to translate. Affordable housing advocates hoped Glenview would keep an eye on Highland Park’s proposals to require that new builders include a certain number of affordable units in their projects and that teardowns be taxed to create an affordable housing subsidy fund.

For those who’d like to help with Glenview’s social needs, reader Elizabeth Roewer suggests a call to the Volunteer Information Center. " It links volunteers with opportunities to serve in the community," she says. "Volunteering can be one of life's most rewarding experiences. It enriches an organization that needs your time and talents while allowing you to experience the satisfaction that comes from serving others. With cuts in state funding, many organizations are looking for volunteers to maintain programs and meet the increasing needs of our community. Anyone interested in volunteering on either a short or long- term basis should call 847-724-GIVE."

And in light of the lack of affordable day care, Diane Preusch of the North Suburban Y writes: "We provide licensed care for children 3-5 years of age in the education wing of the Gloria Dei Church at Cherry and Pfingsten roads in Northbrook. A few openings have just become available, and we would be pleased to be of service to families and corporations in Glenview. Inquiries can be directed to Mary Kay Blankenburg, Childcare Team Manager at 847-272-7250, ext. 1264. Additionally, as part of our mission, the YMCA has scholarships available for families in need. An application can be downloaded from our website at www.nsymca.org."

– School District 225 may disregard parent notes when kids miss too much school. Teachers and administrators are disturbed by how often students are absent with parental permission. The kids may be sleeping in, taking a long lunch or going on vacation with their families. In one semester last year, for example, about 30 percent of students at Glenbrook South High School missed at least one class more than 10 times, and thousands of make-up tests were given. Board member Tom Shaer thought parents were being unfair to teachers: "They’re hiring these people to educate their children, and they’re saying, ‘Do it to the best of your ability – unless I want to take them out for four days of vacation,’" he said. The board will vote October 15 on whether to punish students by refusing to let them make up work if they miss a class more than eight times – even with their parents’ okay.

– Glenview’s School District 34 has approved a budget for next year’s operations – salaries, books and supplies -- hiking spending by 4.3 percent. Wage hikes range from 4-30 percent with the largest increases going to teachers and administrators who’ve been promoted or completed a higher level of certification. The district has also voted to station a full-time police officer at Springman and Attea Middle Schools next fall. The police department will pay one-fourth of the school cops’ salaries. The district will pay the rest – $123,000 per year.

– The New Trier School Board has yet to settle on an amount but has agreed to put a referendum on the ballot next spring asking for more money. With increased enrollment and the state tax cap in place, one board member says the only alternative is bankruptcy. The last time New Trier won a tax hike from voters was 1976.

– The Avoca district, serving elementary and middle school students in west Wilmette and east Glenview averted a teachers’ strike when it agreed to salary hikes of 30 percent over four years.

Once again, Glenview’s park district found itself on the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times – this time mocked for naming a new cow "Agent 85," and her baby "Calf 86." Executive Director Tom Richardson told the paper that park district officials don’t want residents getting too attached to animals that will end up at the slaughterhouse. A few days later the Tribune devoted an editorial to this topic. Recalling America’s fondness for Flipper, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Green Acres’ pig Arnold and Roy Rogers’ horse Trigger, the paper wrote: "Face it, Glenview. You’re bucking eons of human evolution. Like it or not, people attribute all sorts of human traits to animals, and give them warm-sounding names. Just ask Mr. Ed."

– Dragon Inn North has reopened with a newly-decorated dining room but the old faithful staff and menu. The Waukegan Road eatery was forced to close after a serious fire last winter.

– The new Sunset Foods opens in Northbrook at 7 a.m. Thursday across the street from its current store on Cherry Street. Employees say the interior is more colorful and warmer than the current facility.

– Jewel and Dominick’s beware. The opening of a new Costco on Willow Road may cost you business. A story in Sunday’s Chicago Tribune reports: "Warehouse clubs seem to be stealing shoppers from traditional supermarkets, particularly when it comes to purchases of items like paper products and detergents."

– The new shopping center planned for the northwest corner of Willow and Waukegan roads may include a Krispy Kreme donut shop, two or three Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, a California Pizza Kitchen and a gourmet food store. It will also have a Walgreen’s where you can purchase Slim Fast, and the developer is negotiating with a fitness center. The retail development will be one-third the size of Northbrook Court and have 2,285 parking spaces.

– Two new stores have opened at the Plaza del Prado. H. Marion offers picture framing services and Kaehler sells high quality luggage, handbags and backpacks at a discount.

– Rumor has it two businesses are considering the old Renneckar’s space. Le Peep, a restaurant specializing in eggs and chicken dishes, and an Italian caterer.

– A ladies’ boutique has replaced the jeweler in the 1800-block of Glenview Road, and we hear the Georgia Nut Company will open in the former St. Francis space to the east.

– Police were called to the Sybaris motel on Milwaukee Avenue just before 6 a.m. to assist the fire department with an "ill" guest. When the occupants of room 38 refused to answer the door, firemen broke it down only to find a drunken couple inside. The two refused medical attention but were asked to leave since they had only rented the room until 5 a.m.

– Nevada Bob’s Golf on Waukegan Road reported the theft of several golf clubs taken by a white male with a buzz cut and bad acne driving an older blue, 4-door Cutlass. The loss was estimated at $5,600.

– A contractor reported the dumping of 10 tons of broken concrete along the 2100 block of old Willow Road, and an employee in the nearby North Shore Corporate Park said 15 sheets of old plywood had been dumped in the parking lot of 2300 Ravine Way.

– In a tale reminiscent of Bart the Bull, two Georgia couples raised the money needed to save a cow from slaughter. The animal, named Ginger, lived on a farm next to the home of JoAnne Leach and would often hang around the fence, waiting to be patted or to eat the dinner leftovers and rice krispy treats Mrs. Leach brought for her. When drought forced the farmer to sell off part of his herd, Leach pleaded Ginger’s case over a popular community website, and a local activist sent out 150 e-mails. Ginger will now be taken to the farm of Marsha and Page Lathem who contributed most of the $475 needed to buy her. A happy footnote: The Lathems and Leaches are getting a bovine bonus. Ginger is pregnant.

– In Jensen Beach, Florida a developer from Brookfield, Wisconsin was determined to build an apartment complex, even though residents of the adjoining neighborhood had sued to stop the project. They said it violated the community’s comprehensive plan by putting buildings too close to their homes. In 1995, five buildings were constructed at a cost of $3.3 million, but in 1999 a local court agreed with the neighbors and ordered the buildings torn down. This year, the Florida Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal, and The Villas at Pinecrest Lake have now been demolished.

– The North Shore Mosquito Abatement board meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 1 at 117 Northfield Road just off Winnetka Ave. across from the Northfield Fire Department. The new $930,000 budget will be discussed. NSMAD operates year-round with a monthly payroll of $35,000.

– At 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 2 globetrotter Esther Perica will share travel tips and tales of her visits to Africa, Asia, India and Indochina at Glenview’s public library. To register for this free program, call 729-7500 extension 112.

– A professional career counselor offers half-hour appointments at no charge every first and third Friday at the library. You can sign-up for help on October 4 or 18 by calling 729-7500.

– Need information any time? North Shore librarians are standing by 24/7 to offer free assistance at www.nsls.info/vrd/.

DD thinks the park district is missing a great chance by failing to name animals at Wagner Farm: "I have to wonder what the park district is thinking. The calf born on September 11, 2002 is a marketing opportunity that could not be bought for any amount of money. Name the calf ‘Freedom’ or ‘Liberty’ and allow Glenview residents to watch him grow. Teach the children how cows are milked, what they eat, how they must be cared for. This is an urban farm and things are just going to have to be handled differently than a rural farm. The income from this farm is going to come from the sale of pumpkins, cider, hayrides, sleigh rides, Christmas trees, craft sales, and so on. So what if people get attached to the animals? That’s much better than moms steering clear of the farm because ‘bad things happened there.’ The park district needs to support Glenview families. Name that calf and plan a party for his first birthday. Let residents feel they can learn from and enjoy Wagner Farm."

Debby Rubenstein is also disturbed by the park district’s decision not to name animals at Wagner Farm: "Obviously the park district did not grasp one of the most crucial issues regarding the controversy over Bart and the cows. The issue is not whether these animals have names or whether the public is attached to them. The issue is that these animals have rights, and that their rights are going to be both recognized and upheld. I will be as staunch an advocate for the rights of ‘Calf 86,’ ‘Agent 85,’ and the other animals at Wagner Farm, whether or not they have names."

MC agrees: "I was disgusted to read that the two new cows at Wagner Farm have been named ‘Calf 86' and ‘Agent 85' in an effort to keep the public from getting attached to them. These two cows (along with the thousands of other cows that are slaughtered every day for food) are living, feeling beings just as Bart is, regardless of whether they have names. I hope the citizens of Glenview are more intelligent and compassionate than the folks at Wagner Farm take them to be."

And CWW wonders what park commissioners have been drinking: "Have those park district guys dipped into their hard cider early this year at Wagner Farm or are they just plain inept? A new arrival is named ‘Calf 86' after his mother whom they named ‘Agent 85' – supposedly so that farm visitors won't get attached to the cows and calves. Is this the hard cider talking or don’t these guys get it? Perhaps we Glenview taxpayers should number park district managers: ‘Executive Director 24, Superintendent 12 and Farm Director 00' since we do not wish to get attached to the specious and silly policies of these officials. First the Bart the Bull blunder, then the red trailer building followed by the hen outhouse, farm fencing that makes rustic and pastoral Wagner Farmer look like a concentration camp and now code names for cows and calves. Stick to milk, guys. You'll do lots less damage."

AB applauds the possibility of permeable parking at Abt: "I'm glad Abt is considering permeable pavers for their expanded parking project. I think that's what we need more of – good corporate citizens to lead the way on environmentally-sound development practices for Glenview. Can we get the permeable paver company to make a presentation to the village board? Also would Abt be willing to partner with the Grove to address noise reduction issues from the expressway?"

KR offers a warning to the reader and soon-to-be resident who thought we were too hard on Glenview: "I think it is great that Mr. Fenton is researching the community via The Glenview Watch before his anticipated move. I am writing to share a suggestion with him based on my experience. Be sure that you add a sewer inspection to your to_do list as you look for housing in Glenview. An investment in a sewer video as small as $300 can save you ten of thousands! It seems to make no difference if you are looking at something in ‘established’ Glenview or something new at The Glen. The horror stories related to storm and septic sewers are numerous. Glenview is lovely, but the sewers stink!"

The Watch replies: We, too, had sewer troubles in one of Glenview’s newer subdivisions and have asked for more information about village sewers from officials at the department of public works. So far, we’ve received no answers. Maybe they’re too busy bailing.

KS takes us to task for being negative: "You say you try to write about the positives in Glenview. Let me point to your coverage of the dedication of West Park last month as a typical example of your work. This was the Park District at its national award-winning best – the acquisition of a large number of acres at a very low price, providing the various sports organizations with fields and play areas, safeguarding open space, and being a proactive leader in providing innovative recreational facilities. The dedication was well planned, well attended, and had something for everyone. State and local politicians and park district officials were on hand to congratulate all on a job well done. There were lots of things for lots of kids to do all day. However, the Watch gave it one very short, cursory, and negative paragraph and said the most notable thing that happened was that the air-filled castle developed a leak and collapsed. This was the thing the Watch took away from a wonderful day in Glenview. You put a negative twist on just about everything and regularly hint at some secret plot against the good citizens going on behind closed doors. You definitely look for the dark side of everyone and every thing. That comes through loud and clear. How about giving even 50 percent of your effort over to more positive reporting. You are dragging the village down. While you may believe you have a responsibility to give the public ‘the truth,’ you should recognize your influence and try to make a positive difference. Despite your predictions of doom, Glenview is a terrific place to live and we look forward to a wonderful future here."

The Watch replies: We write it the way we see it, and folks looking for Glenview through rose-colored glasses need only pick up a copy of the Glenview Announcements. Our real take on the West Park celebration was that turn-out was pretty light, the speeches and the park were predictable, and the park district wasted tax dollars passing out plastic water bottles and other trinkets people didn't need. The wetlands looked lovely, and the skate park was obviously a hit. Too bad our park district didn’t have the courage to put it where more kids could enjoy it. Instead, the commissioners caved to all those people who whined about not wanting teenagers anywhere near their neighborhoods.

We wrote about the decision to acquire the land for West Park many months ago and were not the least big negative in our coverage. We applaud the acquisition of any open space and wish the park district devoted more of its resources to passive recreation -- preserving rare, natural places -- rather than paving and building so many ball fields. As for the leaking blow-up castle, we admit to looking for the offbeat and interesting stuff -- which is what most people enjoy reading.

We probably can’t hit the 50 percent mark, but we are positive about many things. The park district, for example, deserves a medal for the facility it built near the trailer park next to Heatherfield. It's tiny compared to West Park, but every night this summer there were dozens of kids and their families packing in to play basketball and enjoy the playground. It was a wonderful sight, and we are pleased to see our tax dollars providing something that really is needed and appreciated.

A resident of Brett Lane has no regrets about imposition of a parking ban to keep Apache Day Camp counselors’ cars from clogging the street each summer: "The parking ban on our street was put in place to address an unsafe situation. We had cars parked end to end on both sides down three-fourths of the block. Emergency equipment could not have made it down the street, and mailboxes were blocked. We now have a situation where we don't have to worry about the congestion that we had prior to the parking ban. The school construction plan did not take into consideration the impact to the community. As part of the community, the school should do so before embarking on such projects." Neighbor Thomas Kittler concurs: "The residents of Crestwood and Russet Way are not having second thoughts, and the trustees did not impose the parking restrictions. We went to them with our safety concerns and they listened."

The Watch replies: You both make good points, but there were some folks on the block who argued against this approach, and Trustee John Crawford had an alternative proposal which would not have inconvenienced residents and their guests – banning parking for a limited time each morning to keep the counselors from starting their day on your street. Instead, you got a day long ban for the summer. We’re glad you don’t mind, but we’re not sure the neighborhood is unanimous, and all those signs do nothing for the appearance of your streets.

KG is concerned about the intersection of Sunset Ridge and Lake: "In addition to adding that turn lane on Sunset Ridge, the village should reduce the speed limit to 25 miles per hour. We could also use a stop light on the corner of Sunset Ridge and Winnetka. I already stop and let any women with an SUV and a cell phone to her ear have the right of way."

MS writes about recycling: "Every time Groot comes around to pick up our recycling, I watch in disbelief as they dump everything into a regular garbage truck (but not the same one in which they dump our garbage). It is beyond belief that at some central site people or machines are actually separating all of the different kinds of material. Each week I become increasingly convinced that they are not recycling any of our recyclables. Those of us concerned about the environment want to know that what we have saved for recycling is being reused. We are also paying extra for this service. Is there any way we can find out if they are actually providing it?"

The Watch replies: Groot and village officials have assured us that the company really does sort the cans, glass, newspapers and plastic at a central station. In fact, Groot made a video about the process and delivered two copies to Village Hall several months ago. The tape is now being run on GVTV, and Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade may put a copy at the library information desk so skeptical citizens like yourself can check it out and see exactly where our garbage sorting efforts end. In the mean time, you can arrange a tour by calling Frank at 847-734-6400.

GH defends the C.E.O. who thought Glenview’s new Attea Middle School excessive: "In last week's Glenview Watch, Sandy Van Epps complained that the CEO's drive-by labeling of the new middle school as ‘lavish, real lavish with Glenview taxpayer's money’ was ‘reckless.’ Ms. Van Epps went on to deny that which was intuitively obvious, for even a casual observer -- that this new structure is extravagant for teaching 6^th, 7^th and 8th graders. One does not need ‘data’ as Ms. Van Epps demands, just 20/20 vision, good judgment and no illusions of grandeur to realize it is District 34 that has been reckless in its decision-making by building an overly luxurious structure for three grades. And the gall to build it, knowingly, without any available tax dollars to operate it! Should Ms. Van Epps do a drive by our wealthier neighboring towns’ middle and primary grade schools in Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Lake Forest or any other town, she will not find one such grand edifice for teaching three grades as is going up at The Glen. Ms.Van Epps feels Glenview kids should enjoy the same plush and lavish buildings and embellishments as private enterprise, but paid for by Glenview taxpayers. Sorry, Ms. Van Epps, it doesn't work that way for me and my fellow taxpayers. Perhaps you can raise private funding and save us the luxury school tax burden."

And the C.E.O. himself is back with a critique of The Glen: "Intrigued by my reaction last week to the lavish new school going up at The Glen, a business associate took me around to two single-family residential areas. One was called Chapel Crossing, a section of $900,000_ plus two_story houses on postage-stamp sized lots with narrow side yards and rears that backed up to an open alley without trees or bushes. The other was a long row of unbelievably narrow two and three- story houses which my associate told me were actually only 16 feet wide and 70 feet long. ‘Sixteen feet wide!’ I said incredulously. ‘That's narrower than the standard two-car garage!’ My associate then informed me that even Lincoln Park houses are wider. Could it be that the chief architectural planner for The Glen designed the proverbial sardine can in another life? And most certainly he must have obtained exemptions to Glenview's zoning code in order to pull off this ‘Pack 'em in/Bulk it up’ claustrophobic residential development. Maybe the former Naval Air Station should have been called ‘Sardine City.’"

The Watch replies: Yes, indeed. Developers at The Glen played by a whole different set of rules regarding the number of units per acre and the space required between them. The goal was to achieve a pedestrian-friendly community like many city blocks, but we understand your discomfort at seeing Lincoln Park sprouting in Glenview. What’s more, folks haven’t surrendered suburban habits in order to live there. We rarely see people walking on the new sidewalks or rocking on their porches. Instead, we presume they’re staring at big-screen tv’s or computers inside – just like other suburbanites – or driving their SUV’s to the nearest stores. So much for the new urbanism.

GW was surprised to see, in legally permitted neon, that a fortune teller is doing business on Glenview Road: "Well, what have we in Glenview? Another card reader with big bright red lights in the window? Who approved the permit for that business? Might as well be living on Broadway and Lawrence. When will our village board get the message? Residents of this town have to get approval for anything they want to do, but businesses can do what they want."

Janet Schroeder asks about office space at The Glen: "Can you tell us anything about the office building at the corner of Willow Road and Patriot Blvd.? It appears to have been standing empty for some time. Who is trying to find tenants, and what are the problems with finding them? What are the other buildings going up in the north end of The Glen?"

The Watch replies: The market for suburban office space is extremely soft right now, and Catellus appears to be stuck with the building they constructed "on spec" -- hoping someone would lease it. Anixter and Family Video are building new headquarters at The Glen Corporate Park, and Staybridge Suites has a hotel going up across from the prairie.

Folks like SM keep asking: "Do you know the proposed finish date for Lehigh between Glenview Rd. and Chestnut?

To which the Watch replies: The work on Lehigh is being done in three parts. The northern most section from the Metra station to Willow and the southern leg from Chestnut to Lake will be done by the end of this year. The central section from the Metra station to Chestnut will be complete in June, 2003.

Local historian and humorist Eugene Finerman writes about his latest contact with the phone company: "Yesterday, I received a phone bill that might have confused a Byzantine theologian. Through masochistic diligence, I managed to decipher billings for unsolicited services and confronted AT&T's customer service with its mistakes. Stacy, my ‘representative,’ acknowledged the mistakes and said we would be given a credit for $8.32 on our next phone bill. In the meantime, however, we had to pay on the erroneous amount. I told her that I didn't want to overpay. She informed me that I would be causing problems for their billing system. Perhaps I was meant to feel unpatriotic. I then asked to speak to her supervisor. She told me I would be connected to the ‘escalation specialist. Escalation specialist!’ – the bureaucratizing of English. Unfortunately, I was instead connected to the most mind-numbing muzak that I have ever endured. Believe me, an endless accordion rendition of ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ would have been an improvement. After five minutes of that benumbing inanity, I could have been beaten on ‘Jeopardy’ by the cast of Baywatch. Stacy was probably auditing the torture, waiting for me to hang up or to confess to whatever crime ‘they’ wished. Yet, I was too stubborn to capitulate. She got back on line, saying an escalation specialist was unavailable and that my complaint would be put on file. I could deduct the erroneous amount from our current bill, but I would have to expect further billing problems. Perhaps, our house will be seized but they failed to break me."

YOUR TURN: Write to glenviewwatch@aol.com or 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60025. If you haven’t already done so, please consider making a contribution to support The Watch. Non-deductible checks should be payable to Glenview Watch. Thanks for your support and for reading. Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors.

To read past issues of Glenview Watch, Click Here