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Celebrate Summer at

Railroad Days!

Railroad Days is back and better than ever with fun for the entire family. Railroad Days has been the signature community event in West Chicago for decades and continues to attract residents as well as visitors from around the State and beyond. Held at Reed-Keppler Park from July 10 - 13, 2014, it has become a popular event for all ages.

FREE entertainment on the main stage always makes Friday and Saturday evenings exciting, and don't forget to come early for fireworks on Saturday night. Then get a good spot for one of the best parades in DuPage County, stepping off from Ingalton and Elmwood Avenues at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

Railroad Days has great amusements for kids and adults of all ages, with new rides added in 2014 and special ride pricing offered several times during the four-day event. No quality festival would be complete without great food and drink, and you can find plenty of both at this year's event.

Fresh-made German Bratwurst with authentic sauerkraut and spatzel (German noodles) are new in 2014. Funnel cakes, BBQ, corndogs, cotton candy, burgers, and Italian beef add to the variety of Mexican, Chinese and all-American summer cuisine. The Beer Garden will also offer refreshing cold drafts for adults and vendors will have plenty of fresh squeezed lemonade, Italian ice and other special drinks to help cool down.

DeWayne Hill returns by popular demand from Florida for his fifth year with amazing tricks and magic. Plus, the Model Train Show is back, as well as the group "Out of the Woods" with their handmade wood crafts designed and made by college students and instructors.

View the nearly complete ARC Center that will open in September and, of course, you can always make a day of it by spending time at Turtle Splash Aquatic Center; daily passes are available for both residents and non-residents.

So come on out and see what all the excitement is about; West Chicago Railroad Days. All Aboard!

For a full listing of activities, times and locations visit www.westerndupagechamber.com and follow the link to Railroad Days.

2014 West Chicago Railroad Days is managed by the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce located at 306 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois 60185.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR ADULTS
 
July 4 .....................City Hall Closed
July 10-13...............Railroad Days
July 11....................Artist Reception
July 11 ...................Late Night at the Museum
July 18....................Local Music Night
July 19....................Coffee with the Mayor
August 1.................Artist Reception 
August 1.................Late Night at the Museum
August 5.................National Night Out
August 15...............Local Music Night
August 19...............Community Block Party
August 30...............Coffee with the Mayor
 
 
 smiling-family-sm.jpg
IMPORTANT DATES FOR KIDS
 

July 1.............Make Your Own Pet Treats

July 8.............Movie Makers Club

July 9.............Cha Cha Chicas

July 16...........Jurassic Park

July 17...........Bedtime Math

July 18...........Boredom Blasters

July 22...........If You Give a Moose a Muffin

July 22...........Movie Makers Club

July 23...........Cha Cha Chicas

July 24...........Stories in the Garden @ Cantigny

July 24...........Reading to Rover

July 25...........Boredom Blasters

July 31...........Milk & Cookies Storytime

August 1........Boredom Blasters

August 7........Reading to Rover

August 20......Getting Ready for Kindergarten 

 

For details visit www.westchicago.lib.il.us,
or call (630) 231-1552
..............................................................
 

July 11............Flick & Float 

July 25 & 26....Community Theater Performance

 

For details visit www.we-goparks.org or call (630) 231-9474 

Thank you!

 

The City would like to thank the many talented volunteers who worked so hard to create another successful Blooming Fest. The event is a labor of love for the Committee, which has already begun planning next year's event. A special thank you to West Chicago Boy Scout Troop 33 for its service to the community in planting dozens of flats of colorful flowers downtown as part of Blooming Fest and overall downtown beautification! A slide-show of Blooming Fest highlights is now available at www.westchicago.org by following the YouTube link located at the bottom of the home page. 

 

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Community Block Party

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Invitation - pdf or www.westchicago.org 

 

Join WeGo Together for Kids and the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago at a Block Party for the entire community. It's a celebration of the enhanced partnership which will bring United Way's Neighborhood Network model of resources in education, income and health to West Chicago. Together, they seek to enhance services and opportunities for all. Learn more about this incredible community-building, community-lifting partnership at its launch event - a community block party. All West Chicagoans are invited.

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The West Chicago Farmers' Market has been in full-swing since June and has received a great response from residents and visitors who are enjoying the freshest tastes of summer. Brought to the community by the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, the Market is open every Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., through October, at the northeast corner of Routes 59 and 64 (Mosaic Crossing Shopping Center). The Market is one of the elements of Healthy West Chicago, a community-based initiative that helps residents to "make the healthy choice, the easy choice".

Soon there will be a new place in town to play, gather and get fit - 

the West Chicago Park District's ARC (Athletics, Recreation, Community) Center. The Arc Center is a brand new state of the art recreation facility with a full service fitness center and locker rooms.  It also features a walking/running track, birthday party and kids' play area, with additional aerobic/dance/spin and fitness rooms. Plus, there are three wood basketball/volleyball courts, a multi-purpose gym for large group activities, and beautiful meeting room spaces for parties and receptions.

 

The community is invited to the Grand Opening of the ARC Center on Saturday, September 6, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The ARC Center is located at Reed-Keppler Park, 201 W. National Street in West Chicago.  For more information visit www.we-goparks.org or call (630) 231-9474. 

Mayor's Message 
Mayor Ruben Pineda

 

A new top 10 list recently surfaced for West Chicago, and it's something we all need to be roaring about. It's the welcome piece of good news coming from the office of District 94 School Superintendent Dr. Douglas Domeracki that asks the question "Why choose District 94", and answers it with 10 Great Reasons to Be a Community High School Wildcat.

 

As a Community High School (CHS) graduate myself, my alma mater holds a special place in my heart, but after reading through the list, and the accompanying multi-page, paw-print shaped brochure that touts impressive statistics on the credentials of its teaching staff, the rate of increase of students taking honors courses (it has doubled in the last five years) and the opportunities it offers to earn dual credit for college, I had to admit a newfound pride and respect. The brochure is filled with photographs of West Chicago students who radiate character and intelligence; they are our country's future educators, engineers, doctors, manufacturers, farmers, business people and service providers.

 

This list is so important to our community I am including it in its entirety below:

 

  1. CHS staff and students are welcoming and accepting of diverse cultures and ideas.
  2. CHS is a community where students can find their own voice and express themselves as individuals, and are comfortable having friends in multiple peer groups.
  3. Service to others is a hallmark of our school's identity; it is interwoven into the curriculum and is evident throughout extracurricular programs.
  4. An extensive dual credit program exists; CHS students can earn credit at College of DuPage while in high school.
  5. CHS continually strives to deliver options to meet the needs of every student.
  6. Opportunities abound for student involvement; CHS students may choose from 22 sports and 34 clubs/activities.
  7. CHS students feel safe at school and feel united as a student body.
  8. 87% of the CHS Class of 2013 continued their education after high school.
  9. CHS offers unique courses including an extensive US Government Simulation, Interdisciplinary Studies, Critical Reading, and Community Leadership.
  10. The learning family at CHS works tirelessly to help students find a path to success and make their high school experience positive.

I urge everyone reading this to pick up a copy from the High School or at City Hall in the brochure rack, and spread the word about the quality of the education our young people are receiving at our Community High School.

 

Do I sound excited? You bet I am, and you should be too!

 

Respectfully,

Ruben Pineda

Mayor

City Service Reminders
 
Please note: Due to the July 4th holiday, residential garbage service for those that have a regular pick-up day on Friday will be delayed one day to Saturday, July 5, 2014.  

  

This is the time of year when keeping up with the growth of your grass can be challenging, but rather than lose heart, remember the other option - shoveling snow!  Keep grass or weeds under eight inches high.  Once your lawn reaches a height over eight inches, it could result in a notice being sent and potentially a fine if not corrected in a timely manner.  Make sure to keep your parkway mowed and maintained as well.

 

Before you fire up that grill and throw on the steaks, be mindful of the City's Code regarding BBQ grills.  For your safety and others, remember BBQ grills are not allowed on apartment/condominium balconies or within 10 feet of buildings.

 

Public Safety Matters  

    

National Night Out

Tuesday, August 5, 2014 

6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Reed-Keppler Park

  

Summer is a time for outdoor celebrations and on the first Tuesday in August, Reed-Keppler Park will be the neighborhood gathering place for a community block party in honor of the residents, business owners and local law enforcement personnel dedicated to reducing crime and drug use throughout the City. Known as National Night Out (NNO), the event occurs concurrently in communities nationwide and is an initiative of the National Town Watch Association to foster police/community partnerships and increase citizen involvement in the fight for a safer nation. Family-friendly activities include law enforcement displays, vehicles and demonstrations and fun give-away items. The event is free and open to the public. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Police Department at (630) 293-2222.   

 

Vacation Watch  
This free program makes available residential security checks for vacationing or hospitalized residents of single-family homes or duplexes. Uniformed members of the West Chicago Police Department periodically check registered homes during the homeowner's absence. During the security check of a residence, the members of the Department conduct a foot patrol on the property to insure the home is secured and that windows and doors are locked and undamaged. A careful log is kept of what activity is conducted on the property while the resident is away. If, by chance, a burglary occurs at the residence, the individual who the homeowner has specified as an emergency contact will be notified.

 

Portrait of australian shepherd dog locked in car

 

Pet Safety

Please be aware of how deadly hot cars become for pets during summer months. Never leave a pet inside a closed vehicle, even in mildly warm weather. Temperatures rise rapidly and animals can succumb to heat-stroke within minutes.

 

 

Museum News
132 Main Street - (630) 231-3376   

 

The City Museum's new reading program, Historiography, will continue to honor the 100th Anniversary of World War I with the book Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 by Christopher Clark at its monthly meetings in July and August. The discussion group meets on the second floor of the Museum and light refreshments are provided. The Museum also has two copies of the book available for members of the public to come and read. The meetings are full of supplemental materials, activities and questions that are meant to further the discussion of the topics at hand. Participants are not required to have read the chapters, but are encouraged to do so. The following lists more details:

  • Friday, July 18, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. Part 2 of the book titled One Continent Divided (Chapters 3-6) will be discussed.
  • Friday, August 15, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. Part 3 of the book, "Crisis" (Chapters 7- Conclusion) will be discussed. 

In conjunction with the discussion group, the City Museum will be hosting a World War I lecture presented by Dr. Shereen Ilahi, Assistant Professor of History at North Central College on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the Museum. Please contact museum@westchicago.org or (630) 231-3376 with any questions about this program.

Museum Transom The second of two half-day camps at the City Museum will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. - noon. Kids ages 5-12 are welcome to come to the Museum and learn about railroad history in West Chicago through a morning of related activities. Registration is required. Contact the City Museum at museum@westchicago.org or (630) 231-3376. This program is free.

The City Museum will have the 1860s Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Depot, located behind the Museum at 134 Turner Court, open once a month during the summer, including Saturday, July 12, 2014 from noon - 4 :00 p.m. and Saturday, August 9, 2014 from noon - 4:00 p.m. The general public is invited to stop by the Depot to see exhibits on West Chicago railroad history, including a model of the Chicago & NorthWestern Roundhouse that used to be located where the current West Chicago Police Station stands. The CB&Q Depot is being restored by the Friends of the West Chicago City Museum.

The Cultural Arts Commission has chosen the winner of the 2014 arts scholarship: West Chicago Community High School graduate Natalie Farrell. Ms. Farrell will use the $400 scholarship to help finance her education at Butler University in Indianapolis, where she will be attending as a member of the flute studio and studying with members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Congratulations and best wishes, Ms. Farrell!

 

Artéculture, a brand new arts event held at Blooming Fest, was a success! Thirty-eight pieces of art from 22 artists filled Gallery 200/STUDIO and brought many to marvel at the fine work exhibited in a wide range of styles and media. Caterpillar Baby, an intricate piece of soft sculpture by artist Dianne Gage, took the prize for People's Choice and Honorable Mentions (chosen by the Commission) went to Colm Keeney and Judy Knaack. All will be honored at the August 4, 2014 City Council meeting and their work will be on display at City Hall through the summer.

 

The 2014 Banner Art Project, (Bi)Cycle of Life, is a delightful public art installation that will remain hanging on Main Street through the summer. A walking tour map is available here or at www.westchicago.org and there is still time to vote for your favorite. Ballots are available at the City Museum, City Hall and Gallery 200.  A new theme has been announced for next year's Project. Inspired by the City's Healthy West Chicago initiative, the Commission has chosen A Picture of Health as its subject. Artists are asked to submit entries earlier this year and has changed the deadline to December 12, 2014. The Commission is hoping for a "healthy" number of entries for a bigger display next year. Applications are available here or at www.westchicago.org under Forms.

Gallery 200
200 Main Street - (630) 231-9550  
Gallery 200/STUDIO
203 Turner Court - (630) 231-9550

Support the arts in West Chicago and take advantage of the many cultural offerings of Gallery 200, now a division of People Made Visible.

Fine art of music artwork cubist ensemble of instruments.
 
 
Local Music Night is scheduled for the third Friday of each month in 2014 at Gallery 200/STUDIO. Upcoming dates include July 18, 2014 and August 15, 2014. It's free. It starts at 7:00 p.m. and wraps up at approximately 9:00 p.m. after a half-hour of the ever-popular Open Mic segment. Visit http://www.localmusicnight.yolasite.com for details on scheduled performers as they become available. 
Typically, an element of visual art by a guest artist is included at Local Music Night. 
*Please note: Late Night at the Museum coincides with Featured Artist Opening Receptions, so don't forget to drop-by the Museum to round out an evening of history and culture.

 

July Featured Artist - First Star Art                  

Life Blood Tree by jrr of
First Star Art

Opening Reception:  Friday, July 11, 2014         

6:00 - 9:00 p.m. 

The two artists that make up First Star Art, known as jammer and jrr, prefer to let their "art works get the attention."  They say that "Our wish is to immerse ourselves in art, to share some beauty, to inspire and be inspired. Our wish is coming true". The name, First Star Art, was inspired by an early painting of the first star at dusk and the children's poem, "Star light, star bright, first star...". First Star's art is simultaneously dramatic and whimsical, dark and intensely colored in varied media: acrylic, watercolor, oil pastel, chalk, ink, photography, and digital tools. Their work has been featured in magazines and events posters, used for community events and statewide conferences, studied in educational programs, and used as children's book illustrations. They hold multiple awards for their work, which will be displayed through July 27, 2014.                                               

August Featured Artist  - Chris Rakow & Family

Opening Reception: August 1, 2014

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

This family exhibition will be an opportunity to see how artistic talent has a characteristic genetic stamp (and in one case, a married stamp) while that talent is expressed in absolutely unique styles, expressions and media. Meet the family: Chris Rakow taught school for years, used art when she taught, dabbled in oils, watercolor and photography, and maintained a low profile. She exhibited at West Chicago's Arts Fiesta as a result of a challenge from her son, won the 2nd Place People's Choice Award and her art career was launched. Chris' husband, Jim, is a photographer who enjoys capturing images of the common and the uncommon. Their son, John, makes installation art, found object art, collage and oil pastels, and writes poetry; daughter Beth brings it all home (or to the office), creating floral designs and staging weddings and events. She creates an intelligent ambiance that is simultaneously sense-filled and subtle. Daughter-in-law Mandy loves color riots, works in fabrics, collages and mixed media. Granddaughter Esther, not quite three-years-old, stands on tiptoes in front of her easel and dashes off swoops and swirls of complex color. Rakow Family Art:all unique, all wonderful, and at Gallery 200 for the entire month of August.

Business News

The City is accepting nominations for the 2014 Brilliance in Business Awards. Consider nominating a worthy business and sharing your enthusiasm with others in the community. The positive attention is priceless for the business and the entire community. The process is easy, with the application and instructions linked below, or available at www.westchicago.org under Business/Brilliance in Business Awards. Businesses may nominate themselves.

Brilliance in Business

 

Brilliance in Business Guidelines  

Community Service Award

Green Initiatives

Small Business of the Year

Community Image Award

Economic Development   

 

Window of Opportunity  

 

 

The following new businesses have made

an investment in our community. Please welcome them with your support:

 

 

Galena Furniture 

568 Main Street

 

Athletico of West Chicago (physical and occupational therapy)

440 E Roosevelt Road #102 and #104

 

Art of Fadez

956 N Neltnor Blvd #400 (barber shop)

 

Glamour Services LLC

245 W Roosevelt Road Building 15, Suite#104 (cleaning company)

 

Kane Construction Group

1600 Downs Drive Unit 7

 

Xtreme Sports Nutrition Inc. (sports and nutritional supplements)

870 W Hawthorne Lane #B

 

Zippy Shell West Chicago

1600 Downs Drive Suite 03 (mobile storage and moving)

 

Sport Clips

200 W North Ave (Hair Salon)

 

AES Services, Inc.

245 W Roosevelt Road Building 12 Unit 87 (engineering and surveying)

 

Alterra LLC

245 W Roosevelt Road Building 9 Suite 58 (residential pest control services)

 

Nueva Imagen

112 Main Street (clothing store, shoe sales)

 

Traffic Control and Protection- 1130 Carolina Drive Unit F (safety equipment rental and sales) 

 

On/Off Corp.

956 N Neltnor Blvd Suite 306 (mobile device sale and repair, money sending, cell phone services provider)

 

Showhomes Fox Valley

1600 Downs Drive Unit 2 (home decorating/staging company)

 

Tankless Technology (tankless water heaters) 

245 W Roosevelt Road Building 15 Suite 127

Local businesses, not-for-profit organizations and others wishing to participate in the Mexican Independence Day parade are invited to submit an application for consideration. Visit www.westchicago.org, under Forms. Volunteers are needed. Please call Valeria Lopez at (630) 293-2200 x 170 or vlopez@westchicago.org.

                              
Important Numbers
 
City Council: 
 
Fire Administration
(630) 231-2123
Fire Emergency
911
Police Administration
(630) 293-2222
Police Response
911

City Administration
City Hall
(630) 293-2200

Ruben Pineda
Mayor

Nancy Smith
City Clerk
 
Michael Guttman
City Administrator 
Ward 1 
Lori Chassee     (630) 231-8709 
James Beifuss   (630) 231-0584

Ward 2 
James Smith     (630) 231-1524 
Don Earley        (630) 231-3060

Ward 3 
Laura Grodoski  (312) 925-9241 
Alton Hallett     (630) 254-7112

 
Ward 4 
Al Murphy           (630) 231-4624  
Sandy Dimas      (630) 293-5170

Ward 5 
Kurt Meissner      (630) 231-9302 
John C. Smith, Jr. (630) 293-3802

Ward 6 
Rebecca Stout    (630) 293-7335 
Mark Edwalds     (630) 632-6670

Ward 7 
Matt Fuesting      (630) 762-1996 
John Banas         (630) 762-9762
   
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