Berwyn’s Only Toy Store Dodges Black Friday Morning Madness

While many stores opened early this past Friday to accommodate for a mad rush of shoppers, Berwyn’s Toy Trains and Models, located at 7025 Ogden Ave., opened its doors at regular time–10 a.m. on Black Friday.

“We’re a specialty market,” said store owner Tom Svestka. “We don’t compete with the larger stores; we don’t have giveaways.”

Although there was no early morning rush on Black Friday, Svestka said the store was busy throughout the day. “Black Friday is always busy, but we aren’t the type of business that experiences an early morning madness.” According to Svestka, year after year, each Saturday gets busier leading up to Christmas. The last Saturday before Christmas is generally the busiest day of the year for the store.

Berwyn’s Toy Trains and Models is the only toy store in Berwyn and one of only four toy train stores in the Chicagoland area. The store sells traditional toys, wooden railway trains, but no electronic toys, computer or video games.

According to the Chicago Tribune, retailers made $10.66 million in sales on Black Friday, an increase of 0.5 percent from last year.

District 100 Tech Sale

When Berwyn South School District 100 replaced the computers and technology in the schools, they were left with a number of old monitors, towers, etc. The board declared there was a surplus at the last board meeting and on Nov. 21, from 9-3 p.m., District 100 had a Tech Sale to get rid of all the old equipment.  Parents and students had first choice and the rest was set up for the general public.  The computers were tested and were sold at reduced prices.  Flat screens sold for as low as $50.  There are still computers left over and will hopefully be donated to several companies.

“We’re hoping to have something like that every year,” said Daniel Lane, Public Information Coordinator.  “Next year, we might sell furniture”.

Technology in Berwyn South district is constantly changing.

Technology is constantly changing the way things are done and Berwyn South School District 100 has been taking advantage of this by installing SMART boards in classrooms, along with using other forms of technology.  SMART boards are a new technology tool that replaces the conventional chalkboards.  They are interactive and touch-sensitive.   They are connected with an Apple Powerbook, which project onto the boards, and the internet.  Teachers can use these SMART boards for a variety of things, as well as students.
“They [students] love them,” said Hiawatha School principal Marilyn McManus Williams.  “This isn’t something you stand there and look at”.
Another feature about these boards is that they include tablets, which are the size of a mouse pad but a little thicker.  These tablets are connect to the boards through Bluetooth so students can manipulate the board from anywhere in the classroom.
The boards were first installed this past April and District 100 hopes to one day have the boards in every classroom.  SMART boards are also being used for workshops and teachers are being trained to use the new technology.
“Our teachers are really using them,” said Williams.  “It’s very engaging and exciting”.
Hiawatha School has the SMART boards installed in every classroom but four.  Two laptops have also been put into each classroom for learning purposes.  Students use these laptops for reading “game-like” programs, such as Accelerated Reader, in which students are tested on books they have read to receive points.
“Getting the SMART boards is a big deal,” said Ann Marie Suter, Irving School PTA past president.  “We’re able to keep information as current as possible”.
Teachers have also been using technology to keep parents up to date with Xerox machines that have scanning and e-mail functions.  Schools, such as Hiawatha School, have been using programs such as Skype and Wikis for education purposes.
“We are using new technology instead of buying,” said Williams.
Teachers and staff have been using Skype for meetings.  A fourth grade class at Hiawatha School has been using Skype as a way to connect with their pen pals at a school in Africa.
Hiawatha School has also been using Wikis, which have been set up by staff.  Many of these wikis include resources, writing strategies, and reading comprehension.  Wikis have also been set up for the Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) programs to show data.

Community Artists Still Waiting for Possible Artspace Development

Berwyn’s growing arts community needs more space, but economic difficulties have left the much-anticipated Artspace development at a standstill.

“Artspace has been interested in Berwyn as a location for an arts complex for a few years, and the effort is alive,” Berwyn Arts Council board member Scot Cortese said. “Whether or not it happens depends largely on how much enthusiasm and support that Berwyn residents and officials show for the project.”

According to Artspace.org, the organization’s mission is to “create, foster, and preserve affordable space for artists and arts organizations” through development projects, including live/work space and commercial/studio space, consulting services and artist events. Established in Minnesota in 1979, Artspace is the country’s leading nonprofit real estate developer focusing on the arts today. The organization has helped to develop art spaces across the country, including the Switching Station Artist Lofts, 15 S. Homan Ave. in Chicago.

The Berwyn Development Corporation and Berwyn Arts Council are both looking forward to a possible Artspace development in Berwyn, like the Switching Station Artist Lofts in Chicago.

The City Council decided to explore the Artspace option about two years ago, according to Amy Crowther, director of chamber services at the Berwyn Development Corporation. “They went through the pre-feasability study,” said Crowther. “Basically, they did a survey that we sent out to every art person, community, organization, that we could find…The survey pretty much was asking ‘Would you be interested in coming to Berwyn?’ ‘Would you be interested in a live/work space?’ ‘What kind of art do you do?’”

Crowther said after compiling the results from the pre-feasability study, Artspace did get enough respondents to decide that Berwyn could work. BDC Vice-President, Scott Lennon added, “It’s a great concept and the City Council was very open to doing this as well.” Even though the Artspace development was a great concept two years ago, it seems to be stuck at this point in development.

“Now they need to do more discovery about sites and financing,” said Crowther. “It’s pretty much at that point right now. We’re more or less in a holding pattern, given the economy and the fact that Artspace has a couple of other projects in their pipeline that haven’t moved forward because of the way that the credit markets are working for affordable housing.”

In the early development stages, Artspace had yet to decide on a possible location for the new art live/work spaces in Berwyn. “They did a bus tour around town to identify some different buildings that could work, but I don’t think they had a specific building in mind” Lennon said. He also pointed out the easy accessibility to public transportation throughout Berwyn.

While the Artspace development may be on hold for now, the Berwyn arts community continues to grow. “With each event the Arts Council hosts, more and more artists come out of the woodwork,” Cortese said. “We’re launching a new website in November, which features an artist directory that is constantly expanding. Any artists living or working in Berwyn can get a free listing if they want it.”

Cortese and the rest of the arts community remain positive in the hope that the development will continue as soon as the economy allows. “It would be a huge step forward for the growth of the city,” Cortese said. “Artspace has an amazing track record and national recognition. Having them located in Berwyn would be a blessing.”

16th St. Theater Debuts Season Three: What is Home?

The 16th St. Theater will debut its third season with preview performances from the 2010 season: What is Home?

Six Chicago writers, Tony Fitzpatrick, Joel Drake Johnson, Rohina Malik, Tanya Saracho, Michael Fosbert and Robert Koon will all perform excerpts from their individual plays at a special performance on Sat. Dec. 5 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m at the Berwyn Cultural Center.

All of the plays focus on the idea of home, answering questions such as “Is home something we take with us when we leave it? Does it move with us, or is it something we leave behind? What are the boundaries of home? Is our home big enough for others? How does the meaning of home change as we age? Can we ever go back?”

Artistic Director of the 16th St. Theater, Ann Filmer, said she came up with the theme of “home” back in February or March. “The idea came from a play that we’re not actually producing this year,” she said. After coming up with What is Home? plays that seemed to fit perfectly within the theme seemed to fall into Filmer’s lap.  “Once you put that out into the universe, you’re attracting those things to you,” Filmer added. “It’s easy to see those themes in different works.  The idea of home is always present.”

The Dec. 5 event begins at 5:00 p.m. with refreshments and a welcome from Filmer and Executive Director of the North Berwyn Park District, Joseph Vallez. Preview performances from all six plays are expected to begin at 5:45 p.m.

Filmer said the 16th St. Theater has been having these debut events since the theater opened for its first season three years ago. “It’s a way for people unfamiliar with what we do to see a sample of it,” she said. “It’s a cool thing to do at the end of the year and get ready for the new season.” While at the preview event, people are also able to sign up for a season subscription to the theater.

The reception is free, but reservations are recommended as tickets are extremely limited. Call (708) 795-6704 x105 to reserve tickets. The 16th St. Theater is located at 6420 16th St. in Berwyn.

Season Three 2010: What is Home?

The first play of the 2010 season, This Train, is written and performed by Tony Fitzpatrick (pictured) and directed by Ann Filmer.

This Train written and performed by Tony Fitzpatrick, Jan 21 – 30
The End of the Tour by Joel Drake Johnson, February 4 – March 6
Unveiled by Rohina Malik at Victory Gardens Biograph Studio Theater, March 24 – April 4
Teatro Vista’s Our Lady of the Underpass by Tanya Saracho, April 1 – May 1
Incognito written and performed by Michael Sidney Fosberg, May 6 – 29
World Premiere of Menorca by Robert Koon, September 16 – October 16

Millions of Dollars in Drugs Confiscated

The past month there has been over $3.5 million worth in drugs confiscated during a drug bust.  The police department was of course actively involved in the investigation, but so was the fire department.  “We were involved by making sure that potential hazards were avoided,” said Fire Chief Denis O’Halloran.  “We showed the police department how to secure the items until they had to go on trial.”  The fire department made sure there was not any carbon dioxide leaks so there would not be any problems.

Arson in Berwyn

   

In the mid 90’s, a patient at MacNeal Hospital was in the medical center for chemical dependency.  The individual snuck out and went across the street to the bar and returned intoxicated.  The patient became angry for some unknown reason and set the hospital on fire.  The fire department was delayed in getting to the scene due to a freight train, but extinguished the fire as soon as they arrived.  Afterwards, an investigation was conducted; the suspect was identified and faced a life sentence in prison.  Luckily, no one was injured and everyone was able to evacuate.  This is one case of arson that occurred in Berwyn.  Fire Chief Denis O’Halloran remembers this story clearly because it was so extra ordinary.  However, according to Police Chief William Kushner, arson has not been a huge problem in the city of Berwyn and most cases start through a domestic disturbance or gang related. 

            “We usually see cases of arson when a boyfriend or girlfriend gets into a fight with one another,” Kushner said.  “They try to get even by setting a fire to the house, car or garage.”

            In 2008, there have been 20 cases of arson from January to November 1 with two arrests, but 42 formal fire investigations.  Half of these fires in Berwyn are results of arson, but according to O’Halloran this is not a very significant number and is typical.  In 2009, those numbers have dropped from 15 cases of arson and only 1 arrest.  There has been a 25% decrease in 2008.    

            In comparison, Riverside, which is a neighboring community, there were no cases of arson in 2008 and one in 2009, according to Riverside Fire Chief Kevin Mulligan.

            “Every fire that occurs in Berwyn is examined,” said Fire Chief Denis O’Halloran said.  “There are three types of fires which are incendiary (devices used to start a fire), accidental and undetermined.  If we find out a fire was incendiary, we go into a further investigation with the police department to figure out leads and motives.”  

            Kushner said that if a Berwyn resident sees a couple fighting that is out of the ordinary that they should definitely call the police right away.  “When a Berwyn citizen witnesses a heated argument and the exchange of the words ‘You’ll be sorry!’ we know that something is not right,” Kushner said.  Most of the time vehicles were only burned because they burn faster. 

“Try to find out as many details as possible such as if they were male or female and what they were wearing,” O’Halloran said.  Every detail is important so the people starting the fire are caught.

“Although there have been cases of arson in Berwyn, there has not been anyone injured,” Kushner said.

Cut Jobs Due to Budget Shortages

Salaries and Benefit Budgets

Some Berwyn employees’ positions have been eliminated due to the recent issue of budget shortages. With the economy plummeting, some cities were not lucky enough to have an excess funds to work with and Berwyn is one of those. Mayor Robert Lovero said, “obviously in this economy it is very difficult for some cities without a surplus to maintain themselves, and unfortunately Berwyn does not have one.”

As a result, some city positions were eliminated. “Basically the first thing I tried to address were the budget shortages and the way I addressed the issue was by eliminating some of the upper level positions, by reducing most administrative positions,” Lovero said.

For example, the entire community outreach department was eliminated, and he then brought the woman running it into the Mayor’s office as his assistant.

By eliminating the expensive administrative positions and then creating less pricey positions that can essentially do the same job, Berwyn will hopefully save the city some money.

Certain positions could not be “cut” or altered just yet, such as the police and fire departments. “I refuse to eliminate the front line workers, the people actually providing the service to the residents,” Lovero said. The solution for right now is eliminating the administrative positions. “The workforce itself is assuming a lot more duties and is being very cooperative. Everyone understands the bad economy,” Lovero said.

The Berwyn employees have been understanding of the recent changes because the Mayor has been placing the employees from the cut

Mayor Robert Lovero, going over documents.

 

positions into the newly created ones. Not leaving them jobless, but still with a cut salary. “Everybody is struggling with this economy,” City Clerk, Tom Pavlik said.

The overall savings for the year will be about $500,000 with these recent changes, according to the Mayor. The 2009 projected annual budget for salaries and benefits totals to $46,603,753. Which is slightly more than 1% of the budget. “He’s doing a great job, he’s been cooperating with the community rather than working against them,” Pavlik said.

IVB Raises Concerns About BMS

The Berwyn Main Street Program is a “comprehensive community revitalization program that promotes the historic preservation and economic development of traditional business districts.”  Berwyn Main Street.

Their main goal is to give Cermak Road a “Main Street Makeover” and the hopes of the “makeover” will be to improve the fiscal vitality and “quality of life for the citizens of Berwyn.”

BMS bases their success on “baby steps” and some are anxious to see the outcome of the “makeover.” According to Steve Shonder, Chairman of the Independent Voters of Berwyn, “BMS has not gotten to the “Main Street Community “ designation, and Cermak Road has not seen much in the way of revitalization.”

BMS has asked the city of Berwyn to renew its contract for two more years, requesting $129,500 for 2010 and $136,500 for 2011. The Independent Voters of Berwyn posed concerns “whether it is in Berwyn’s best fiscal interests to renew the BMS contract,” according to Shonder.

The request and concerns will be responded to at the next City Council meeting on November 24^th, 2009.

N.B. Park District Hopes to Make a Splash with New Cuyler Pool

The North Berwyn Park District is diving into some major changes for Cuyler Pool.

$1.5 million has been given to the North Berwyn Park District as a part of the $31 billion Illinois Capital Projects Bill.  That money will be put towards renovating the aging Cuyler Pool.

            “[Our goal] is to put in a facility that’s state of the art,” said Joseph Vallez, Executive Director of the North Berwyn Park District.  “This pool is probably 25 years old and in today’s day and age there’s a lot of equipment that goes into parks that is state of the art and are safer, better built and more low maintenance.”

            The reasons for renovating the pool go beyond replacing an aging facility.  Vallez also wants to appeal to today’s Berwyn resident.

            “We want to create a place that is adaptable for the community that lives there now,” he said.  “This pool was put in 25 years ago for the community that lived there then, and being a community-based agency as we are, we are trying to cater to the community that’s living in our neighborhoods today.”

            Cuyler Pool is currently 12-ft deep.  The planned renovations will convert it to a zero-depth spray pool, eliminating any diving areas.  According to Vallez, this will make the pool safer and more family-friendly.

“Young kids can play without a fear of drowning because no water really accumulates,” he said.

Hugo Sanchez, a Berwyn resident, said he would be in favor of a more family-friendly pool.

“If kids can be safer there, I’m definitely for it,” Sanchez said.

Brenda Morales, is another Berwyn resident in favor of the Cuyler Pool renovations.

“It might be a good thing for the people on that end of Berwyn,” she said.  Morales also said that the new pool might make better economic sense for Berwyn residents.

“I heard there will be no fee.  Maple Pool has a fee, so it would be nice if the new pool didn’t have a fee,” Morales said.  

 Vallez also said that pool will also be “healthier and eco-friendly,” due to a process which continuously chlorinates and recycles the water.  Additionally, the pool will be more handicap-accessible because of the lack of depth. 

The plans for improvement, however, don’t just stop with the actual pool.  Vallez said the renovations are a “three parcel” project, including a new playground and an Astroturf soccer field, in addition to the pool.  The grant for the soccer field comes from Homeland Security, because the area it will occupy contains infrastructure for Berwyn’s water system.  The renovations will also close down two side streets so that the three areas of the park will be linked.

            Vallez said the funding for the project should be in place by February or March of 2010.  The Park District could then begin construction on the new facilities.  He also stated that the new Cuyler area projects will add to the already large number of activities available to Berwyn residents, who have two distinct park districts to choose from.

            “The residents of Berwyn are lucky, they have great choices,” Vallez said.