Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The 18th Annual Race Unity Rally

Friday, Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m.

FREE MOVIE AND DISCUSSION
Theme: Quality Education for All Our Children
La Grange Public Library
10 W. Cossitt Avenue
Refreshments will be served


Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.
Village of La Grange Village Hall
53 S. La Grange Road, La Grange

Featuring: Henri Boyd Banks, of Johns Hopkins University, formerly of La Grange
Also featuring:

CEP Youth Leadership “Watch My Feet” Performers
Introduction of Dr. Timothy Kilrea, Supt., LTHS Dist. 204
and Dr. Warren Shillingburg, Supt., Dist. 102
Village of La Grange Unity Proclamation
Achievement Award to Joyce and Gaylon Lightner

Sponsored by the CommUNITY Diversity Group
For more information, contact Linda Eastman, 708-579-5114

UPCOMING LIBRARY EVENTS

La Grange Public Library now offers downloadable audiobooks
Best-selling and classic titles available anytime, anywhere

The La Grange Public Library has expanded their services with the addition of download audiobooks and eBooks. Library card holders can check out and download digital media anytime, anywhere by visiting www.lagrangelibrary.org or www.mediaondemand.org.

Patrons may browse the growing collection of best-selling and classic titles. To check out, users will need a valid library card, personal computer, and Internet connection. Once downloaded, digital titles can be enjoyed on the computer or transferred to a supported device, like an MP3 player. Many audio titles can also be burned to CD to enjoy in the car. At the end of the 14-day lending period, titles will automatically expire and are returned to the collection. There are never late fees or damaged items.

In order to use the program, patrons will need to install free software on a Windows operating system or Mac. To read eBook titles, patrons will download the reader software for Adobe and Mobipocket eBooks.

This free and easy to use service is provided by the La Grange Public Library and powered by OverDrive, Inc. To check out and download audiobooks and eBooks, visit HYPERLINK "http://mediaondemand.org" http://mediaondemand.org or for more information on the Media On Demand program, visit the Library’s website at HYPERLINK "http://www.lagrangelibrary.org" www.lagrangelibrary.org or call (708) 352-0576.


Travelogue on Iran to be presented at La Grange Public Library on Sept. 21


On Monday, September 21 at 7 p.m., the La Grange Public Library will present a program on Modern Iran, Ancient Persia.

World traveler Bill Helmuth will take participants on a virtual voyage to Iran to discover the people, culture, geography and politics of this ancient land. Learn more about the history and the current state of this country that borders Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.

Registration is strongly encouraged for this free program. To register or for more information on Modern Iran, Ancient Persia program or other programs at the La Grange Public Library, visit the Library’s website at www.lagrangelibrary.org or call (708) 352-0576.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

CALL FOR YOUNG ARTISTS

Jr High and Middle School students in the greater LaGrange area are invited
to enter "Colorcopia", an adventurous competitive art show in October
sponsored by the LaGrange Art League in recognition of Illinois Arts and
Humanities Month.

Young artists are encouraged to submit 2-D and 3-D work which was done
independently or as a school art project. Absolute deadline for entries is
Saturday, October 3. The show will be up Saturday, October 10, thru
Saturday, October 17. A reception with awards, music and refreshments will
close the show on Saturday, October 17. Reception hours - 4:30-7pm.

Entry forms which include all necessary information are available at the
LaGrange, LaGrange Park and Western Springs' Thomas Ford Libraries as
well as at the LaGrange Art League, 122 Calendar Av, LaGrange. Hours
10am-5pm 708-352-3101

www.lagrangeartleague.org

WSWE Presents Passion and Profitability

Event October 15, 2009, by West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs

West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs (WSWE) presents “Passion and Profitability,” from 8 a.m. to noon October 15 at William Tell Banquets, Holiday Inn, 6201 W. Joliet Road, Countryside. Advance registration is encouraged.

How do small business entrepreneurs take their passion and make it profitable during challenging economic times? Ellen Rogin, an often-quoted expert in the field of life and wealth planning who has appeared on PBS’s Chicago Tonight, will moderate a panel of three successful women business founder-owners who will explore passion as a critical attribute of success, while keeping a sharp eye on the bottom line.

Panelists are: Maureen O’Brien of exterior remodeling company O’Brien & Son, Inc.; Catherine Riddick of XPonent Group, Ltd.; and Nancy Sharp of Food for Thought in Chicago.

Major event sponsors at release time are Itasca Bank & Trust Co., Chef Joe’s Cookies and XPonent Group, Ltd.

West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs was founded in September 2002 to educate, facilitate and support entrepreneurial women in the western suburbs. Monthly meetings feature speakers on a variety of relevant topics as well as informal networking.

The event includes full breakfast. Details, registration forms and online registration can be found at www.wswe.org. For additional information, contact Sheila Welsch at 630-954-6336 or Sheila_welsch@ml.com.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

CITIZENS COUNCIL SEEKS MEMBERS

When Katie Justak took over the helm of the Citizens Council of La Grange earlier this year, it was at a time when the group best known for recommending qualified candidates for election every two years was at a crossroads of sorts.

In the months leading up to candidate vetting, interviews and selection last winter, the Council's most active members representing 11 different zones in La Grange questioned and vociferously debated the organization's role, makeup, effectiveness and its adherence to internal bylaws.

At the same time, its former chairman, Orlando Coryell, was involved in litigation with the Park District, challenging the sale of public land to a developer, a case which still is continuing.

In addition, just like this past April, the Council's choices for village, park and library seats is often challenged, but some feel those instances usurp or weaken the Council's role in vetting the best man -- or woman -- from the job.

In April, a non-recommended Park Board candidate ran anyway and beat the Council's chosen challenger. Two years earlier, Liz Asperger challenged Council-recommended Ted Hadley for village president and won.

Still, one of the biggest challenges seems to be recruitment, and then, involvement in the group during, after and in between the biennial elections. A maximum of 88 members is allowed for under Council bylaws, but the organization rarely gets half that to do its work. At election time and now, when the next election is 20 months away, those numbers dwindle even further.

Justak, who has expressed hopes of morphing the Council into a more active civic group dabbling in governmental issues and concepts such as those topics explored by the League of Women Voters, is inviting anyone and everyone to the Council's next meeting. Residents from all parts of town are welcome to attend and/or join.

Held in the second-floor meeting room of Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road, the meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Friday, August 21, 2009

BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS

Put Safety at the Top of Your Back to School To Do List
Village of La Grange Reminds Motorists, Parents and Children of Safety Tips

Labor Day weekend marks the traditional end of summer and the beginning of the school year. The Village of La Grange is committed to providing a comprehensive safety program for its residents and visitors to ensure a safe school environment.

“Traffic and pedestrian safety is a priority for the Village of La Grange,” said Michael Holub, Police Chief for La Grange. “We will patrol school grounds and strictly enforce traffic rules around schools to ensure the safety of the public.”

The Village has developed these simple safety reminders for motorists and families alike:

* The speed limit around schools in La Grange is 20 MPH on school days.
* A school zone is a no passing zone.
* Motorists must stop before passing a school bus when it is loading or unloading passengers and remain stopped while the signal arm is extended and lights are flashing.
* Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians when a person is walking with a green light or has entered a crosswalk before the traffic signal has changed. Of particular note, all signalized intersections in La Grange are:

o Marked with a crosswalk
o Have new push-button activated visual countdown displays to inform pedestrians the amount of time remaining to safely complete a street crossing
o Have been retrofitted with new LED light bulbs to improve visibility.

* Children should use designated school walking routes.
* Parents are asked to exercise extra caution and allow additional time for student drop-off and pick-up.
* Parents should consider creating a “walking school bus,” where an adult accompanies a group of children walking to school.
* Pedestrians and motorists must obey crossing guard commands.

La Grange schools are back in session starting today, August 21. For more information about La Grange check out our website at www.villageoflagrange.com

Thursday, August 20, 2009

18th Annual Race Unity Rally

The 18th Annual Race Unity Rally will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the La Grange Village Hall. The Race Unity Rally is an annual reminder to our community that we all need to work together to appreciate our differences while recognizing our similarities. The CommUNITY Diversity Group of La Grange initiated the Annual Race Unity Rally in response to the Rodney King riots in LA. Our hope was and is that by our tradition of valuing and respecting each other’s differences, we can appreciate our similar values, and make our community a better place for all.

Our theme for the Rally this year is “Quality Education for All Our Children.” We believe, as President Obama said in Philadelphia last year, that “…we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together - unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction - towards a better future for our children and our grandchildren.”

This year’s Annual Race Unity Rally will feature as keynote speaker Henri Boyd Banks, formerly of La Grange, currently with Johns Hopkins University. In addition, Lyons Township High School’s new Superintendent, Dr. Timothy Kilrea, will introduce himself. The CommUNITY Diversity Group will present its annual achievement award to Joyce and Gaylon Lightner in recognition of their active contributions to the La Grange community. The CEP youth leadership performance group “Watch My Feet” will perform skits and dances to get their message across, and the Village of La Grange will present its annual Proclamation declaring the second Sunday in September to be Race Unity Day in La Grange.

FREE MOVIE AND DISCUSSION -
On the Friday before the Rally, September 11, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a movie night and discussion at the LaGrange Public Library, 10 W. Cossitt, La Grange, of the movie “Breaking the Huddle: The Integration of College Football.” This HBO Special explores the history of segregated football in the Southeastern, Southwest and Atlantic Coast Conferences. Some of those interviewed are: Thom Gossom, Darryl Hill, Jerry LeVias, Willie Lanier, John Mitchell, Bubba Smith, Wilbur Hackett, Jr., Jimmy Jones and Sam Cunningham; journalists Jeff Prugh, Howell Raines, Ed Krzemienski and Keith Dunnavant; and George Wallace, Jr.

Event co-chair Marian Honel-Wilson stated, “We like to sponsor a movie and discussion in connection with our Race Unity Rally because it’s a fun, entertaining way to consider some serious issues. The movie Breaking the Huddle presents some of our American history in an engrossing way. It’s important to understand and acknowledge our shared history, painful as it might be to remember times when African Americans were not welcome in certain settings.

The agenda for the evening is 6:30-7:00 p.m.- networking and pizza; 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.-movie; 8:00-8:30 p.m. discussion. Hope you can join us for an entertaining and interesting evening.

With all of its programs, the CommUNITY Diversity Group asks you to consider where you stand on issues of race and diversity – if you believe in equality and justice, what are you doing to make our community a better place? We look forward to seeing you at the Diversity Days of La Grange.