2011 Spring Newsletter - Ravinia Neighbors Association

My Ravinia Spring 2011
RNA
Ravinia Neighbors Association
Businesses: Unite!
Above: the Ravinia business district west of the train tracks.
Below: the businesses east of the tracks. (Photos by Ray DeLong)
By Ray DeLong
It’s time for the Ravinia business owners to start
getting together to help spruce up the business district.
After all, the downtown businesses have had their own
organization for some time.
Here, it’ll be called the Ravinia Business District
Alliance. There are about 45 businesses in our
community, so the hope is that many of them will come
on board with the new organization. Incidentally, the
Ravinia Festival is already involved.
So what’s the purpose of the Alliance? That would
be “revitalization of the Ravinia Business District,”
according to the newly elected chairperson of the
starting committee that is getting things going, Katie
Wiswald. She is a commercial loan officer at the
Highland Park Bank & Trust, who occasionally comes
to the bank’s branch in Ravinia “when I am meeting
clients from that area.”
The Ravinia district idea started in 2005 when the
city OKd a TIF (tax increment financing), according to
Wiswald; $640,000 has been collected so far.
So what are some ideas that are being floated
around? “We should work on promotional campaigns
and improving the streetscape -- especially the area
west of the train tracks,” said Eve Tarm, another
member of the committee. She represents the Ravinia
Neighbors Association.
TIF money will also go toward hiring a parttime, paid director for the Alliance. The budget and
bylaws of the Alliance will have to be approved by the
Highland Park City Council. Tarm noted that the city
“has been the leader of this whole process.”
My Ravinia Spring 2011
Keeping it brief
* Yes, we know that this issue is a tad
delayed. Very sorry about that. Let’s just say that
we had a problem with a previous ad assistant
who didn’t plan to do the job after just one issue
but didn’t let us know . . .
* Do you know of any houses in your
neighborhood that are distinctive and that this
newsletter might feature? Or any neighbors who
fit that standard? If so, please notify our editor,
Ray DeLong, and mention the nugget in your
neighborhood. If the person or house is willing,
they may get a special write-up in our next issue.
Ray is at delongray1@att.net. Thanks!
* Patronize our advertisers, please! As
you can see, we have a lot of businesses contributing to the RNA’s efforts by placing ads in this
newsletter. It would be very appreciated if you
patronized them and told them where you saw
their ad (here!).
RNA
Ravinia Neighbors Association
Board members:
Dwayne Douglas
Don Miller
Don Miller, president
Eve (Ava) Tarm, vice president Doug Purington
Doug Purington, publicity and Dave Wigodner
Environment chair:
membership director
Jeff Stern, recording secretary Harold Rafson
Earth Day chair:
Aaron (Ron) Wolff, treasurer
Amy Lohmolder
Board members at large:
Newsletter editor:
Lynne Jungman
Ray DeLong
Amy Lohmolder
Rosewood Beach
Ray DeLong
Improvement chair:
Carol Willis
Eve (Ava) Tarm
Committee members:
Trainmaster:
Advertising director:
Jeff Stern
Carolyn Cerf
Web master:
Archivist: Karlson Rapp
Jeff Stern
Web site liaisons:
Business District:
Doug Purington
Eve (Ava) Tarm, chair
Amy Lohmolder
David Baum
www.ravinianeighbors.org
455 Roger Wiliams Ave.
Highland Park, IL
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My Ravinia Spring 2011
No train delays at Ravinia
By Jeff Stern
Although Ravinia Park was established by a railroad
company back in 1904, the music festival has been
plagued over the years by one of the legacies of its
founding. Patrons disembarking from a succession of
electric, steam and diesel-powered trains have had to
wait until all passengers got off and the trains were
clear of the pedestrian crossing before they could
proceed into the park.
Starting with the 2011 season, those long waits
will be a thing of the past. Since the park closed last
September, work has been under way on a pedestrian
underpass that will allow music lovers arriving by train
or those in cars using the main parking lot to have
uninterrupted access to the park whether trains are
stopped there or not.
Ravinia Festival President and CEO Welz Kauffman
said the new underpass was the result of feedback from
patrons who indicated they wanted quicker access to the
park whether arriving by train or car. He said Ravinia
Chairman Robert Krebs, staff and contractors worked
closely with Highland Park and Union Pacific Railroad
The new underpass should be ready when Ravinia opens for the season.
officials to create the underpass, and that the $5 million
project was privately financed.
Rather than carving a steep decline to a path below
the former crossing, the new 42-foot-wide underpass
is reached from both sides of the tracks by a pair of
gently sloping, well-lighted and landscaped, ADAcompliant ramps. As an added bonus, elimination of
the crosswalk will allow Metra crews to forgo ringing
train bells while entering the station, leaving all musicmaking at the park to the performers on stage.
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My Ravinia Spring 2011
Music illuminates darkness
By Lynne Jungman
Sean Harris is an imposing man. It is not difficult to
imagine him on stage singing Porgy in Porgy and Bess
or Othello in Verdi’s opera. He has not yet catapulted
to that exalted stage. However, that doesn’t keep this
talented, classically trained singer from performing his
art, venturing into other styles: from church to clubs to
cabaret, being at home with hymns, jazz and pop.
The journey has not been an easy one. At age 4 he
was diagnosed with glaucoma and even with extensive
medical treatment including surgery, he lost all vision
when he was 13. He speaks of this without bitterness.
Rather, he speaks of the loss by talking of the people
who came forward for him and the good fortune to
have schools that have special classes for children with
disabilities and teachers who took a special interest in
him. His mother was his unfailing and loving support
as he has learned to accommodate his blindness. He
learned to navigate space and mastered braille. His
memory developed dramatically and has become
particularly acute.
Growing up, his mother also filled their South Side
home with her own singing of jazz and motown songs
and there was his maternal grandmother who sang in
churches. So at a young age, Sean grew up with musical
voices around him and by high school knew that singing
was what he wanted to do. He was chosen to sing at
his high school graduation then went on to win some
singing contests. With that recognition, his path was set.
In college he studied voice and discovered that he
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My Ravinia Spring 2011
has an exceptionally wide range, from counter tenor
to baritone. After his studies he sought to find his
stage. He associated with various musicians and credits
Joe Vito, a musician who lived in Northbrook, since
deceased, with being a mentor and a second family for
him. This relationship also provided him opportunities
and musical friendships. Sean says he is still looking for
that big break, but in the meantime keeps busy with
singing wherever and whenever the occasion arises,
from funerals to private parties and all in between. He
also does voice instruction and will be teaching very
young children with disabilities under the auspices of
Blind Services. Along the way he has mastered a few
languages and now wants to take on Russian.
For the last six years Sean has made his home in
Ravinia. He is working on a CD now of some of his
favorites from classical arias to songs that speak to
the struggle of peoples of color, such as “Hold on to
the Dream,” which he someday hopes to perform in
schools. Yes, he has dreams. Sean is not retiring. He is
out there, and he hasn’t let the obstacles that life often
throws in the way stop him. He holds on to his dream!
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T
My Ravinia Spring 2011
Is this rant or relief ?
By Peg Laemle
Spring, the time of hope and new beginnings.
But too often I see, in addition to invasive species returning to my garden, much divisiveness here there and
everywhere. I am not smiling. Thinking nationally – are
all politicians crazy, or just the (fill in the blank, here)
regarding the state of our (more fill in the blanks)?
Our mayoral race is over, thankfully. The high
school’s referendum went down, with much acrimony,
name-calling and some disinformation. Both sides had
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Reflections on Ravinia
valid points of view, of course, and I just hope that
some of those in opposition offer their expertise to
solve the problems in the next go-round. For them or
any of us to do this, however, requires careful reading
of the Public Notice section of our local paper, so we
know when meetings are held (another gripe – make
these notices more understandable and available to all!).
My quality of life is being affected, and has been
increasingly adversely affected for many years. So often
that I am beginning to feel like an old codger, except
this phrase generally refers to men.
To describe how I got to this place, other than
earning it in the years’ department, I will start with a
list of some favored businesses that have closed since
we moved here in 1973. First was Ravinia Hardware, a
walkable place to go for help or a tool. Inside the hardware store was also a small gift shop. Goldie’s, a deli
located where Ravinia BBQ is now. No more pretzel
sticks or ¼ lb. of lox for Sundays. Gsell’s Pharmacy, at
the corner of Roger Williams and St. Johns. Savway!
Rain Tree Gifts, owned by a Ravinia resident (by the
way, many of our stores are owned by residents), had
the best prices and gift selection around. Ravinia Pharmacy closed just when Walgreens opened. The White
Hen was sold to 7-11. Bob Crimo then opened his own
store in Braeside, but it’s no longer a Ravinia business.
Sigh.
But on the bright side, we have welcomed many
new businesses, both service and retail. I now purchase
my ground coffee at Java Love, buy an occasional cupcake or ice cream cone at Baker Boys, enjoy Jerry Fields
masterful violin playing at various Ravinia venues, get
My Ravinia Spring 2011
a children’s gift at Principessa, and yearn for room in
our house for one of the treasures sold at Belle Fleur.
There’s still time to learn Pilates, get a massage or exercise regimen here as well. We also enjoy an occasional
dinner at Abigail’s, had a Piero’s Pizza last night, and
I am eyeing the spring clothing at So Shee Boutique.
More stores will no doubt be open by the time you read
this.
Like the seasons, businesses cycle in and out. Politicians come and go. I should be used to change by now.
But I leave you with these thoughts: Savway’s closing
in 1999 prompted Ravinia residents to form the Ravinia
Neighbors Association. Though we could not save a
grocery store that had already been sold, we were able
to convince Walgreen’s architects to design a façade
more suitable to our business district.
We learned how our city works (those public
notices, again!). And we met our neighbors and made
new friends. This happened again during our futile attempts to save our post office. So let’s give a big cheer
to building community! It gives me reason to smile.
Finally! “But…truth be told,” I’d not just be smiling,
but thrilled, should we neighbors join together to find a
grocer! Wouldn’t that make all of us smile?!”
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~~~~~~~
Sorry this issue is a tad late:
See “Keeping it brief” on page 2.
~~~~~~~
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Ravinia Neighbors Association
P.O. Box 804
Highland Park, IL 60035-0804
Printed on recycled paper
RNA Board Meetings
All members and guests are welcome to
our bimonthly meetings,
generally in
June, August, October, December, February
& April. (check www.ravinianeighbors.org
for exact dates and places).
We welcome your participation!
Join your neighbors — add your voice!
The Ravinia Neighbors Association (RNA) is the only neighborhood organization on Chicago’s
North Shore. In its 11 years of existence, RNA accomplishments have included:
* Keeping Ravinia and its needs in front of HP City Council and its commissions
* Initiating a TIF project to improve the streetscape in the Roger Williams business zone
* Having contact with developers regarding design concerns in the business district
* Encouraging storefront beautification
* Stopping the erection of antennas and cell towers near Ravinia School, Brown Park
* Helping to bring about Gateway Park
* Providing a framework for the Jens Jensen Park restoration initiative
* Sponsoring Earth Day Festival
#
Become part of the RNA’s continuing efforts!
Yes, I want to become a member or renew membership. Mail in to join, renew or extend membership.
Name:
_______________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Phone:
___________________________ E-mail: ____________________________________
Enclosed is our membership fee: $20 one year; $35 two years; $50 three years
Please mail your check together with this form to:
Ravinia Neighbors Association, P.O. Box 804, Highland Park, IL 60035
You can also join at our Website: www.ravinianeighbors.org and pay by credit card using Paypal.
If you have already renewed, we will credit you accordingly.
If you have questions, please contact Eve Tarm: eve.tarm@gmail.com
or Doug Purington: doug.purington@att.net