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The Glenview Watch
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CARROT TOP MAY SPROUT AT THE GLEN
Carrot Top is a quirky place – an old-fashioned specialty grocer off Old Willow Road. Set back from the road, housed in two buildings, it has a country feel enhanced by the windmill that sits on its large, asymmetrical parking lot, and each fall it’s transformed into a Halloween hub complete with spook house and piles of pumpkins.
Now, however, there’s talk of moving uptown and upscale. Developers of The Glen Town Center are said to be wooing Carrot Top to take over space vacated by Market Foods, an Arkansas-based chain that went bankrupt.
Carrot Top’s owner would not confirm reports of a possible move, but he’s bound to be feeling the heat. Another grocer at Town Center could steal business from the Old Willow operation. The store opened on Sheridan Road in Wilmette in 1976 and moved to Glenview in 1979.
SCHOOL NEWS AND BLUES
-- The District 225 board continues to debate revisions to its zero tolerance policy at 7 p.m. Monday, March 21 in the administration building -- 1835 Landwehr Road. Superintendent David Hales says the board will probably approve a new penalty for first-time possession of alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia on campus: a 20-day suspension and loss of all privileges and extra curricular opportunities for a semester. Students and families would also be required to undergo counseling. Right now, students who violate the ban on illegal substances are expelled for at least a semester, and that punishment could still be applied to students caught dealing at school or kids who commit a second offense. A vote could come as early as Monday, but Hales thought it might wait until the board’s April meeting – the last one for four members who plan to retire. Some people feel the new penalties are still too severe. What do you think? Residents can send e-mail to boardofeducation@glenbrook.k12.il.us .
-- Springman kids are holding an unusual benefit – a concert that could raise money to help end modern-day slavery. When the students learned that millions of people around the world are still enslaved, they decided to raise funds for a Boston-based group that’s fighting to free men, women and children forced to work for little or no money. The benefit concert is set for 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 in the west gym at Springman – 2701 Central Road. Local high school and middle school bands called Split Second, Vordalak and Third Rate Heroes will perform. Admission is $4.
-- The district is offering two new scholarships in memory of alumni killed in the Iraq war. The family of Marine Cpl. Brian Kennedy will provide a student with $2,500 toward college. The prize will go to someone who, like Brian, was a high school athlete and honor student. Relatives of Marine Cpl. Chris Zimny will share $1,500 in college money with a student who’s involved in community service, is courageous and in need of financial assistance. For details, call 847-486-4544.
-- Glenbrook North won the state’s Class AA basketball championship Saturday night in Peoria. The Chicago Sun-Times wrote: “This was no upset. No fluke. This wasn't a miracle. It wasn't Milan, Ind. It was Glenbrook North. And it was real. A bunch of white kids from the affluent suburb of Northbrook won the Class AA state basketball championship Saturday night. With no strings attached. In previous years, the bracket gods would have to work overtime for a team like Glenbrook North to win the state title. But not this year. Of the eight teams here this weekend -- of all the teams in the state of Illinois, in fact -- Glenbrook North was the best. They played the best defense. Ran the best offense. They were the best at breaking pressure. They were the most well-coached team with players who knew their roles the best. And they had the best player. The Spartans finished off the weekend of glory with another convincing victory, 63-51 over a Carbondale team that, like many others that face Glenbrook North, looked like the best team. After beating Conant by a point in the sectional championship game, Glenbrook North needed nary an ounce of luck to win its first state title in basketball -- a nice complement to the million or so debate championships in the school's trophy case.”
GLENVIEW WATER WORKERS COMPETE
Four village water department employees will compete Wednesday in Springfield for the chance to take part in the Ameican Water Works Association’s final water tapping contest. Ricky Mortiz, Chuck Dowalski, Frank Colletti and Jack Fragassi call themselves the Glenview Mad Tappers. Their mission – to drill a hole in a water main, insert a valve, assemble a length of copper pipe and connect it to the water main and meter. They’ve been practicing for more than six months and hope to complete their task in less than 90 seconds. (Penalties are assessed for leaks or swearing.) For details, visit http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/gv/03-17-05-533890.html .
PARK DISTRICT TO WEIGH NEW ART SELECTION POLICY
The staff of Glenview’s park district will ask its recreation committee – commissioners Doug Kaiser and Bill Casey – to weigh-in on the question of how art is chosen for the walls of Park Center. Until recently, the district invited any local artist to submit work for consideration, but after rejecting the paintings of a resident and Chicago Art Institute student last year, officials claimed they would only display the works of professional artists represented by galleries.
The ad hoc change in policy prompted a complaint to Congressman Mark Kirk who forwarded his constituent’s letter to the Illinois Attorney General. That office is now investigating to determine if the young artist may have been the victim of discrimination. Kristina Castro does not think the park district was prejudiced against her because she’s Asian-American – a former resident of the Philippines, but she does feel the policy discriminates against student artists.
POST OFFICE UPDATE
Glenview has gotten a preview of the new post office scheduled to go up on Patriot Boulevard north of Dominick’s. The building, to be constructed at village expense, will cost about $3.75 million – more than a typical post office, because officials wanted it to blend with neighboring architecture. “We’ve made some severe changes to the standard building design that’s used by the postal service to try and make it blend in with surrounding homes. The whole front of the building has been restructured with sloped roofs, a reduced height and materials more in line with some of the residential and commercial properties nearby,” said an architect with Teng & Associates.
The village hopes to pay for the new building with proceeds from land sales at The Glen. The postal service has agreed to assume financial responsibility for any cost overruns.
Meanwhile, neighbors on Independence Boulevard are asking the village to move the building further from their lots. Planners put it just 20 feet from the fence line. And while the front of the post office will be done in brick, the back side will not. The neighbors also want more landscaping, a six-foot protective berm rather than the two-foot mound proposed, and a different route for trucks entering the post office loading dock overnight.
They questioned the fact that Glenview will spend $22 million on its new police station but only $3.75 million for the post office, and they protested location of a semi-industrial operation in their midst. “This is the gateway to the nicest area in Glenview,” said one man. “The building I’ve seen is not in line with the quality of our houses and with the rest of The Glen.”
The architect said neighbors would probably not be able to see the back of the building once a wood fence and 25 new trees are installed.
LIBRARY UPDATE
Glenview may be moving toward a settlement in its legal battle with Epco Paint. The village condemned that property, saying it was needed to provide additional parking for the library, but the owner of the store refused to sell, prompting a lawsuit. Now, Village Manager Todd Hileman says Glenview is going over the prices paid for other downtown properties – trying to determine what would be fair. He said an improved offer for Epco was a real possibility.
PLAN COMMISSION PREVIEW – SHORT AND SWEET
Plan Commission Chairman Howard Silver doesn’t shy away from complicated or controversial topics, but he’s frankly relieved that this week’s meeting promises to be short. Silver is on crutches following knee surgery that prevents him from driving. He had warned wife Barbara that she’d have to take him to Village Hall and sit through Tuesday’s business, but with nothing more than approval of minutes and routine matters on the agenda, Silver predicts the meeting could end in record time. That’s the second bit of good news in connection with his surgery. The first came when doctors scheduled the operation for a Thursday morning. That’s when the Rotary Club of Glenview - Sunrise meets. Howard Silver has never missed a meeting, and – as luck would have it – last week’s Rotary meeting was cancelled.
SECOND HISTORIC BUILDING DESIGNATED
It’s the headquarters for Glenview’s Historical Society – a farmhouse built in 1864 by one of the community’s founding families, the Hutchings, and it’s the second property to receive historic designation from the village board. The yellow structure at 1121 Waukegan Road will now be eligible for certain tax credits and protections. The first building to win historic designation is the park district headquarters on Prairie Street.
THE GREEN SCENE
-- Village Hall reports that controlled
landscape burns may soon begin in some natural areas. These burns suppress
weed growth and encourage the growth of plants native to our area. The
specific dates for the burns will depend on the weather, but each will
last for a few hours. The efforts will be conducted by skilled
professionals in cooperation with the Glenview Fire Department. Locations
include the Air Station Prairie, north of Compass Road, south and west of
Lehigh Avenue, Techny Basin, a stormwater management facility south of
Willow Road, between Ravine Way and the Heatherfield
development, Gallery Park, east of Patriot Boulevard and west of Lehigh
Avenue, north of Chestnut Road, and south of West Lake Avenue, and
the North Navy Ditch, which runs east from John's Drive to the West Fork
of the North Branch of the Chicago River.
Burns will not be done while Attea Middle School is in session. For more
information, contact Robyn Flakne at 847-998-9500.
-- Mercury poses a health hazard for humans, so officials are urging people who have old mercury thermometers to exchange them for free new thermometers that do not contain mercury. Come to Village Hall any time before May 31 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to make the trade. You can also turn in old wall switches.
-- The annual Chicago River clean-up will be held in northwest Glenview Saturday, May 14. Watch the Watch for details.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
-- The Northfield Township Food Pantry needs help in supplying more than 300 households in financial crisis. Donations will allow the agency to buy grocery certificates so families can celebrate Easter or Passover with the foods they like. Call 847-724-8300 for details.
-- A unique student exchange program is looking for Glenview families willing to host a student from the Middle East between July 10-25. The Hands of Peace program brings Jewish and Palestinian teens together here to get to know each other and to build a basis for future peace in their part of the world. Call 847-272-6076 for more information.
-- Cook County is making budget cuts, and that could mean some taxpayers will get short shrift. If you lose county services, Commissioner Larry Suffredin offers a confidential hotline for complaints: 847-491-0317.
SAVE THE DATE
-- Learn how to appeal your property tax rate at a free seminar from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 at the Northbrook’s Public Library auditorium, 1201 Cedar Lane. For details, call 312-603-3644.
-- The Glenview Public Library offers a free seminar called “Legends of Lincoln Park Zoo” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29. Register at the information desk or call 847-729-7500, ext 112.
-- The downtown planning committee will meet at 7 p.m. April 7 and 21 at Village Hall.
GARBAGE GUY RESTORES FAITH IN HUMANITY
Glenview resident Sheree Lipkis was distraught. She had somehow lost a diamond bracelet given to her for Mother’s Day by her husband and daughter. She searched high and low without success – then opened her door on February 25 to find a man from Groot. “Lady, did you lose something of value?” Antonio Beavers asked. Lipkis was stunned and overjoyed. “I burst into tears,” she told the Glenview Announcements. “I threw my arms around him. I was so grateful.”
The clasp on the bracelet had apparently broken as Lipkis was taking out the trash, causing it to fall off on her driveway, right beside her garbage can. That’s where Beavers found it on February 24. The Westside Chicago father of four is also a Baptist minister who says he never considered keeping the bracelet. In fact, he tried to return it after his shift, but no one was home at the Lipkis house, so he returned the following day.
Sheree Lipkis says she called Groot to commend Beavers. What he did “restored my faith in humanity,” she says.
READERS WRITE
Bill Easton writes about District 225’s move to reform its zero tolerance policy: “It is good to see the school board is taking a positive step to correct an unjust and overly punitive policy for drug abuse at Glenbrook South. It is good the board has asked for input from the community and may be on the verge of changing the policy to something more realistic. I do agree with the editor of the Watch, it is still too much, but it is a step in the right direction. I am shocked to read that two members of the board favor zero tolerance as they ‘take comfort in its simplicity.’ If they truly made such a statement or believe it to be true, they have no right to be serving on the school board. Expelling a student has major ramifications on a person's life and on the family. Looking for a simple way out is extremely naive and insensitive to the responsibility they have as board members. This is a complex issue, and I hope they do not make their decision based on finding the easiest and most simple solution. Actually, the easiest and most simple solution is to let the parents and police handle it as the Watch suggests.”
CF thinks the artist who was denied a chance to exhibit at Park Center should accept her fate and learn from the experience: “I am a professional artist who has submitted work to many places, and have been turned down more times than I can count. Was I discriminated against because I am a woman in a male dominated profession, were the rules unclear, or was there simply someone who’s images more closely matched the vision of the person who had to choose? I will never know for sure. What I can be sure of is how I respond to life’s disappointments. I can either see life as being unfair or choose to see each experience as a learning opportunity. When I choose the later, I am more peaceful and able to be even more creative, and then I have a better chance of being chosen the next time I submit images. My advice to the young artist is to continue to work on your craft, keep submitting your art, and try to see the good in every situation. You tend to bring into your life what you focus on. The choice is yours.”
The Watch replies: This case isn’t really about discrimination, although Kristina’s uncle thought it might be a factor. It’s about government functioning in a way that is fair and professional. The park district is a public entity that owes Glenview a reasonable process for selecting public art. Expecting one young staffer with a theater background to make the decision is unfair to her, to the artist and to the community.
Joe W. writes on this same subject: “I commend you for your observations and comments on the park district alienating the public by acting as ‘private tyrants’ instead of public servants. As a long-time member of C.O.W.S, I've many times felt the stinging rebukes of the Park District as we attempted to preserve the heritage of the Wagner Farm, to save Bart the Bull and the appearance of our beloved old barn. This latest affront to public service by a one-person Park District selection committee is just another instance of the shameful attitude of these private tyrants.”
MW sees another problem with the way things were done at Park Center: “I am dismayed that no one has mentioned what seems to me to be a glaring problem. Simply said, the park district lied to a member of the community -- twice in fact. Whatever decision she came to, Ms. Blake owed Ms. Castro the truth. Blake showed extremely poor judgment in making up a non-existent rule because she didn't have the guts to say, ‘No. I didn't like your work.’ Have other artists been turned away with equally patronizing untruths? Do we really mean it when we claim that character counts in our community?”
A British reader weighs in with thoughts about this controversy. Marlon Viloria of London writes: “Discrimination comes in different guises. The Glenview Park District calls it ‘for professional artists only.’ What a sneak!”
Marilou Young writes from the Big Apple: “I live in Brooklyn and came across your story by chance. I am a fine arts graduate, paint on the side and collect art. I was quite shocked to read about the incident regarding the park district's art exhibit. The actions of the park district's director of cultural affairs were very unprofessional. Why wasn’t she honest with the artist? Her decision to lie created an embarrassing situation for the park district and also casts doubt on her ability to perform her job. Officials made matters worse by ignoring the artist's uncle who wrote to them for help in resolving the situation. Also turning it over to their lawyer to settle this matter only showed how insensitive these public officials are to the public. It would not have killed them to admit to their error in handling the situation and issue an apology to the artist for the incident. The fact that the artist and her uncle are both Asian-American with Spanish last names does make one wonder if racism was a factor. The actions of the park district officials suggest arrogance and indifference towards the public. People working in the public sector should remember that they are being paid with taxpayers' money and are there to serve the public. The city should make it mandatory for all employees to undergo an intensive course in public relations and sensitivity training. America is a melting pot of different races and cultures, and that is what makes this country great!”
And from Orlando, Kathy Llamas writes: “People unschooled in art history and criticism should not be allowed to break artists' hopes and dreams. Art is subjective and cannot be judged by one person for the benefit of the majority.”
JH writes about another park district matter – Wagner Farm: “I stopped at the farm on a bike ride and was absolutely appalled to see what the cows must trudge through just to get fed. The mud is knee deep. The cows stumble through it, and when they can stand up, their udders are sitting on top of the mud. This is a very unhealthy and dangerous situation. Why hasn't this problem been addressed? Doesn't the park district have any concern regarding the welfare of the cows? This problem needs immediate attention and should have been anticipated last year, if not before. As I see it, the farm needs a concrete cow yard where the cows can eat without standing in slop up to their knees. Glenview takes such pride in the farm and its cows. I can't imagine what outsiders must say whey they see these poor conditions.”
The Watch replies: Director of Leisure Services Bob Quill says the park district might install concrete or some other drainable surface for the cows, but he’s concerned about staying true to history. “We’re taking our time to research this completely,” Quill told The Watch. “Some improvements might change the farm from being historically accurate to a farm you’d find anywhere today. The hay bunk is movable, and we do move it around.” He added that construction of a visitors’ center at Wagner Farm would provide landfill, allowing construction workers to raise a particularly low-lying piece of pasture, and he said work is already underway to reduce flooding near the barn. Quill stressed that the park district considers the cows’ health a priority and urged other residents who have concerns to come forward. Earlier, someone reported the park district to state agriculture officials, contending the cows were being underfed. “The bones in their hind quarters were sticking out,” Quill explains, “but that’s normal. That’s what a championship cow looks like. They’re probably some of the best-fed cows around.”
And Jim has some advice for the owner of Meier’s Tavern who was not allowed to expand his parking lot until he complied with a number of village rules: “Meier's should open at The Glen. Then the village would build them a new parking lot.”
YOUR TURN: Write to glenviewwatch@aol.com or 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60026. 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.