Morton Grove Champion

American Legion gun range in Morton Grove shuttered over liability issues

Thu, 24 May 2012 04:38:49 -0500

Officials of Morton Grove American Legion Post 134 are trying to determine what they will need to do to reopen the post gun range after the village, citing violations of state and federal regulations, closed and locked the facility in the basement of the Morton Grove Civic Center. Village Administrator Ryan Horne said the village closed the range after it was notified by its liability-insurance cooperative, the Illinois Risk Management Agency, that the range is in violation of standards for such issues as ventilation that could cause the village to lose its insurance coverage on the entire civic-center building. When …

Veterans group prepares for parade, cemetery ceremonies in Morton Grove

Thu, 24 May 2012 04:38:08 -0500

Jerry Weaver says he isn’t really looking for any kind of special recognition on Memorial Day, though it makes him feel good when it comes. “We’re big on inviting children to the ceremony on Memorial Day,” said Weaver, a member of Morton Grove American Legion Post 134. “I like the number of little kids that will come up and grab your hand or your leg and they’ll say ‘thank you for your service.’ ” He added: “Their parent probably prompts them, but it’s nice. For a veteran, that’s the day to be recognized.” “I think most of the veterans just …

Morton Grove Police Blotter for the week of May 31

Fri, 25 May 2012 21:58:44 -0500

The following incidents were listed in the official reports of the Morton Grove Police Department. Readers are reminded that an arrest by police does not constitute a finding of guilt; only a court of law can make that determination. DRUGS Seven people were arrested on drug-related charges May 14 after officers responded to a report of people smoking marijuana in an alley behind 9230 Newcastle. Suleiman K. Rihani, 19, of 9370 Hamilton Court, Apt. A, Des Plaines; Brandon D. Sloan, 19, of 1364 W. Greenleaf, Apt. 2S, Chicago; Amil Nahhas, 20, of 7145 W. Church, Morton Grove; and Benjamin M. …

Morton Grove entrepreneur tackles race courses, business with same drive

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:15:49 -0500

Meg Schmitz has no trouble figuring out what she’d do if she won the lottery. “I’d fill a garage with six really nice cars. I’d put in a bar and a studio apartment and invite my friends out to play,” she said. When Schmitz says play, what she means is driving really, really fast around a race course. Not one of those sissy oval tracks, but something challenging, like Road America in Wisconsin with lots and lots of turns. And Schmitz, who lives in Morton Grove, would be doing it in a BMW, the car she’s been in love with …

Morton Grove’s senior center enters new age

Sat, 26 May 2012 20:46:35 -0500

Zumba on Wednesdays. Academy Award-winning film showings are held Thursdays. Health screenings occur every Tuesday and Friday. Though that sounds like an extracurricular schedule of an indebted university student, these programs are just a few of the services offered to older adults in Morton Grove by North Shore Senior Center. Since taking over the programmatic activities from the village two years ago, the organization has seen membership thrive at the Morton Grove Senior Center, housed in the American Legion Memorial Civic Center, 6140 Dempster St. The decision to move from government-funded senior services to those provided by a large nonprofit …

Travel agency headed for better place in brighter economy

Sat, 26 May 2012 20:50:05 -0500

After some down years paralleling the poor economy, the travel business is bouncing back. “We had two very, very bad years,” said Jeanne Langlo, travel consultant with Complete Travel and Cruises, Inc., in Morton Grove. “Last year was our best year ever.” Though the firm has clients all over the area it has a special relationship with Morton Grove, booking trips for many local residents. In addition, Langlo said, the agency has worked with St. Martha Church to arrange group cruises usually every two years. “We specialize in groups. We work with St. Martha Church a lot,” she said. In …

New website at North Shore Senior Center

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:32:01 -0500

North Shore Senior Center officially launched its new website, www.nssc.org, last month. Featuring a contemporary and streamlined design, this website offers seniors and families a user-friendly online experience as they access information about North Shore Senior Center’s various programs and services. Following a series of “Visioning Sessions” held last Fall at the agency’s headquarters, North Shore Senior Center has adopted the tagline “Celebrating Seniors!” in its print and digital communications, the new website included. The Visioning Sessions were held to help the organization determine how to lay the groundwork for new programs and extended services -- things that will be …

Niles looks to put new face on biz community

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:13:47 -0500

Business owner and Niles resident Joe Walsh thinks the village’s business community could use a facelift. And while he indicated image upgrades are needed in general, any effort should start with the anchor of Niles’ business community, Golf Mill Shopping Center. Walsh sees Niles as a major retail village and is strongly in favor of supporting business, but he doesn’t feel all village trustees are necessarily on the same page. “There’s a mayor who’s very pro-business,” said Walsh, who feels improvements are needed to Golf Mill in order to boost sales-tax revenue. “And there are a few trustees who are …

Super Senior Day at NSSC

Fri, 25 May 2012 19:35:31 -0500

The North Shore Senior Center held its annual Super Senior Day on May 24. This year’s honorees, representing their volunteer work at organizations, included: Robert F. Anthony, American Legion Post 166 Mary Beverly, Foster Senior Club Norma Brand, Keshet Jean M. Broom, Executive Service Corps of Chicago Arthur G. Buehler, SHORE Community Services, Inc. Jane Knight Dampts, Woman’s Society, Winnetka Congregational Church Edie Davis, First Church of God Christian Life Center Frances Daley Delaney, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Charlie Dubman, North Shore Senior Center Gary Eberlein, St. Peter Community Church Marilyn Eichelberg, Glenview United Methodist Church Celene K. Epstein, …

Park View superintendent leaving at ‘top of his game’

Sat, 26 May 2012 20:44:21 -0500

When Gary Zabilka took the post as superintendent in Park View Elementary School District 70 he looked at it as a temporary job. He figured on staying a couple of years and then moving to a larger district. But that never happened. “I actually saw this as something that would be a good stepping-stone position,” Zabilka said. “I thought that ultimately I’d go to a district with a couple of thousand students. “I kind of fell in love with this place. I love the community, the parents and the staff. If I stayed in Morton Grove I felt I could …

Morton Grove library trustees close to naming new executive director

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:19:01 -0500

The Morton Grove Public Library could have its first full-time executive director in about 11 months as of sometime June. The library board earlier this month voted to authorize board President Mark Albers to enter into a contract with the new director, whom officials have declined to name. Alberts said the board is waiting for the person to accept the contract offer before releasing her name. “I’m waiting to get an agreement back from the candidate,” Albers said. He said the candidate is now employed in another suburban library and has 20 years’ of experience in public libraries. The new …

Morton Grove martial arts school wins fight to stay open

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:52:49 -0500

As Duck-Keun Yoon leads his class of small children running around his martial arts school, each child jumps over a large equipment bag on the padded floor. When one of the smallest girls can’t quite make it over, he pulls her back so she can try a second time. When that attempt fails, Master Yoon — as he is known to his students — picks her up, lifts her over the bag and sets her back down on the floor laughing. The children learning tae kwon do at North Shore Martial Arts are young, some just 4 years old. Keyed …

1.5 million people to use Midway, O’Hare this holiday weekend

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:24:01 -0500

About 1.5 million people are expected to pass through Chicago’s two airports this Memorial Day weekend, city aviation officials say.

Property Transfers

Sat, 26 May 2012 21:08:24 -0500

Information is provided by Record Information Services, P.O. Box 894, Elburn IL 60119; phone (630) 557-1000; fax (630) 557-1001. ALBANY PARK 4686 N Kasson Ave.: Triumph Development Group Llc to Jonathan M Liddell Yvonne M Grabe, $274,500, April 26 4942 N Kostner Ave.: Albany Bank & Trust Co Na Ttee to Brad J Timm, $123,500, April 26 5418 W Windsor Ave. Apt 2s: Federal Home Loan Mtg Corp to Urszula Winkiewicz, $45,000, April 23 BARRINGTON 104 Brinker Road: Flannery Trust to Jack E Reich Mary Beth Reich, $35,000, April 19 808 E Hillside Ave.: Federal Home Loan Mtg Corp to …

Village of Morton Grove: Electricity supplier will reduce charges

Fri, 25 May 2012 21:57:26 -0500

On May 22, the village of Morton Grove executed an electricity-supply contract with First Energy Solutions Corp. as part of the municipal aggregation approved by voters March 20, according to a news release. First Energy Solutions is an experienced energy supplier with generation capacity. If during the term of the contract the Commonwealth Edison electricity rate (which is 8.5 cents/KWH as of June 1) falls below 4.42 cents/KWH, First Energy will match the ComEd price or switch customers to ComEd at no charge. “We are very pleased with the bid,” Village Administrator Ryan Horne said in the release. “This will …

POLL: What is your most anticipated summer adventure movie?

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:22:51 -0500

With summer almost here, Hollywood is rolling out a host of action and adventure films guaranteed to heat up the season. Will you be standing in line at midnight, July 20 for the premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises”? Is a retooled version of the Snow White fairy tale more your thing? Look to the left and vote for your most anticipated summer adventure film. …