Monday, November 29, 2010
Collection point is at the Public Works Building.
As hubby sat sorting through endless strings of white outdoor lights yesterday in preparation for sparkling up the Christmas garland, the familiar guilt started building. What to do about the annual tangle of failed lights? The Village of Downers Grove has a very simple, very environmentally friendly answer this year. It will offer recycling of holiday lights and extension cords beginning Dec. 1 and continuing through Feb. 18, 2011. Residents can dispose of their frayed and burned out light strings and cords—including mini-lights, c7 lights, c9 lights, rope lights and LED lights—from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Public Works Department, 5101 Walnut Ave. A receptacle will be available for the purpose. The initiative is in …
41.79346
-88.05221
Downers Grove Public Works Department
5101 Walnut Ave, Downers Grove, IL
/articles/timely-village-to-recycle-christmas-tree-lights
1374306
/locations/2564642
This mystery location represents the ups and downs of life in Downers Grove.
Week Five of the contest takes us up—and down—but where? It's up to you eagle-eyed Downers Grove residents to identify where these stairs wind their way. So far, so good. Last week's dragonfly sundial was correctly identified by Thomas Cawthorne as a memorial to Grace Beggs at Prince Pond. Like the other contest winners before him, Cawthorne is now the happy recipient of a Patch bag, the better to gather holiday menu items and gifts. You want yours? Be the first to correctly identify the mystery staircase by posting your answer below.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
More choices than anytime in recent memory.
- ELECTIONS
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010
And so, the die is cast. Nine candidates for Downers Grove Village Commissioner and two candidates for Downers Grove Mayor in the upcoming April 5, 2011, consolidated election. Not in recent memory have there been so many choices for who to best represent us in municipal government. There will—and should—be many opportunities in the coming weeks and months for our fellow residents to test firsthand the mettle of each of these candidates, myself included. I encourage everyone to please do so, as I am sure each candidate would relish the opportunity to have you bend his or her ear. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the issues and the candidates, and then vote your preference. I'd also like to congratulate (and thank) …
Monday, November 22, 2010
Commissioner says he decided against mayoral run after 'long deliberation.'
- ELECTIONS
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Monday, November 22, 2010
Dear Downers Grove Friends and Neighbors, Today I am happy to announce that I will be running for re-election to the Downers Grove Village Council as commissioner. After a long deliberation and input from many, I have decided not to run for mayor of Downers Grove, and instead focus on retaining my seat on the next Village Council as commissioner. It is extremely important to the residents of Downers Grove that the current path of fiscal prudence, thoughtful financial planning and discipline be continued in our village. In order to follow through with this plan, I feel my vote on the village council is important and needed. Being Mayor of Downers Grove is a goal of mine but not nearly as important to me as the long-term health and well-…
41.79469
-88.00619
Downers Grove Mayor and Village Council
801 Burlington Ave, Downers Grove, IL
/articles/neustadt-opts-to-seek-re-election-to-council
1374313
/locations/2512891
Change in direction is 'critically important' for village council, he says.
- ELECTIONS
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Monday, November 22, 2010
Having now served our community under two mayors and three village managers, today I have filed petitions for the office of Mayor of Downers Grove. My candidacy is about acknowledging the sense of community that exists among our citizens, which needs to be restored in the council. While fiscal responsibility is a prime concern, we will not solve million-dollar financial challenges by nickel and diming non-profits that support our community events, or by neglecting to help seniors remain in their homes by providing them with a daily meal. Yes, times are tough right now, but all the more reason that our government should not shirk its basic obligations as we try to emerge from financial challenges to both residents and government. My …
41.79469
-88.00619
Downers Grove Mayor and Village Council
801 Burlington Ave, Downers Grove, IL
/articles/waldack-enters-mayoral-race
1374313
/locations/2512882
El Sierra families will miss Julia Moore, whether they knew her or not.
I usually use humor as a crutch when I write, whether it's a blog post or a smart aleck comment or a Facebook message for the mayor, but I have no crutch today. Julia Moore, a child from my daughters' school, was murdered. I didn't know her. She was in first grade; my children are not. She was a "bus kid;" my children are not. Her grandparents, with whom she lived, were not active in the PTA like I try to be. Because of these differences, there were barriers that kept me from even knowing what she looked like, let alone who she was. But despite these differences, I still am writing this with tears in my eyes, because one of "our" kids is gone due to an act of violence. I can only imagine what her teacher, Mrs. DuPass (who I still call …
41.762617
-88.000258
El Sierra School
6835 Fairmount Ave, Downers Grove, IL
/articles/in-tragedy-a-school-rediscovers-its-connections
307356
/locations/2509403
This week's puzzler marks time—but where?
This week's contest photo captures time, time that is being marked by the movement of the sun—and the "flying jewels" depicted here that "reflect the passage of day and night." Admittedly, with the sunlight growing dimmer by the day, this sundial has less work to do than in the blazing days of summer. And speaking of time, see how much it takes to pinpoint its location. Congrats to the Week Three winner Mary Cobb, who correctly identified not only the location of the mossy "A. Smart" stone—the Downers Grove Museum—but also its purpose, as a step to help ladies into their horse-drawn carriages. Like other contest winners, the first to correctly identify the location of this week's puzzler will win a Patch bag.
Monday, November 15, 2010
When cyclists and motorists clash, someone is going to get hurt.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Tony Cesare
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Monday, November 15, 2010
Open letter to the woman in the late '80s pea-green minivan who, on several occasions over the last three months, has come within inches of turning me into roadkill as she simultaneously talks on a cell phone, sips coffee from an oversized traveler's mug and darts out of the commuter parking lot at the Main Street Metra station. I apologize for not knowing your name (I see by your coffee mug you've been to Branson) but I'm guessing you've spent some time in the Navy judging by your skillful use of obscenities. I've never served, but I'm pretty sure that a proper salute involves more than one finger. Hi. I'm Tony. You know, that guy on the silver bike you never seem to see? I'm on your right, opposite the direction you're turning. I …
41.795912
-88.010463
Main Street Station
5001 Main St, Downers Grove, IL
/articles/hello-im-on-your-right
1419773
/locations/2565376
The Patch contest continues with an aged artifact.
Week Three of our contest takes us from the heights to the depths, or at least to ground level. It's up to you to figure out which ground this aging artifact occupies. Last week, Linda McLaughlin correctly identified the hook-tongued carvings atop the building at 935 Curtiss St. Her answer earned her a Patch totebag. You'll get one, too, if you're the first to identify this mossy stone. Post your answer below and, as always, readers also are welcome to send their own photos of arcane Downers Grove to elaine@patch.com.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Commissioner says he will withdraw if Sandack remains in race.
- ELECTIONS
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Thursday, November 11, 2010
Dear Downers Grove Neighbors, Upon consideration of recent events including the possible appointment of Mayor Ron Sandack to Dan Cronin's Senate seat, I would like to announce that I have been circulating nominating petitions for the office of Downers Grove Village Commissioner and Mayor. The Village of Downers Grove has had a long tradition of quality elected officials and candidates for local office and this year will be no different I am sure. I believe and hope you agree that the experience I have obtained serving the Village of Downers Grove as commissioner qualifies me to expand my service to the residents of Downers Grove and run for mayor. However, Mayor Sandack has served us well and it would be a privilege to continue to …
Elaine Johnson
10:35 am on Monday, November 29, 2010
And we have a winner, or two. The steps are at the downtown parking garage. Good going, guys! more ›