From the Village of Oak Park:

Rising temperatures prompt public health warnings, advice

With temperatures predicted to soar to dangerous levels, public health officials are reminding residents that protection from the heat is vital for everyone, but especially the elderly and individuals with chronic diseases. On excessively hot days like those predicted this week, avoid strenuous activity and stay inside whenever possible. In addition, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and hats, drink lots of water and take regular breaks if involved in physical activity. And be sure to check on relatives, friends and neighbors — especially the elderly — when temperatures rise. Residents who don’t have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of Oak Park’s free cooling centers at Rush Oak Park Hospital, 520 S. Maple Ave., and West Suburban Medical Center, 3 Erie Court. Free transportation is available by calling the Oak Park Police Department’s non-emergency telephone number, 708.386.3800. Relief from the heat also can be found during business hours at Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St., and all three branches of the Oak Park Public Library. More information on dealing with the heat is on the Village web site.

Refuse haulers to start early to beat the heat

Due to predictions of extreme heat conditions this week, crews from the Village’s refuse contractor, Waste Management, will begin collections at 6 a.m., Thursday and Friday, an hour earlier than usual. The special request to start early was granted to help ease heat-related safety concerns for drivers who service up to 800 homes per day. All routes south of Madison Street will be affected. Click here for more information on refuse hauling routes and guidelines.

Understand the message

Weather forecasters use various phrases when predicting high-heat conditions. Here’s what they mean:

• Excessive heat watch – Conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed local warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours.
• Excessive heat warning – Heat Index values are forecast to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least two days, with daytime highs 105° – 110° Fahrenheit.
• Heat advisory – Heat Index values are forecast to meet locally defined advisory criteria for one to two days, with daytime highs 105° – 110° Fahrenheit.

Stay Cool and take care!

From our good friend Wendy Tannenbaum, the President of the North Avenue Business Association:

On June 9th, NABA held its first Clean and Green on North Avenue.  On a hot and humid day, thirty North Avenue businesses and community members volunteered and participated in a clean up of North Avenue’s parkways and sidewalks, by picking up litter, weeding and sweeping.

NABA thanks everyone for their efforts!
Those that participated felt a sense of community

Village Trustee Ray Johnson joined us in this effort.  36th Ward Alderman Nicholas Sposato stopped by.  The Robert Gray Insurance Agency closed their office for the day, as their employees took part.   New neighbor to North Avenue, Redeemer Church, sent five volunteers.  Labor Ready sponsored two laborers.   Volunteers came as far as Calumet City, Plainfield, Berwyn, LaGrange and Park Ridge.

NABA acknowledges our sponsors for this event.
With certainty, their participation and assistance
made this event a success!

Rakes, shovels, brooms, gloves & safety vests
Alderman Deborah L. Graham, 29th Ward
Alderman Nicholas Sposato, 36th Ward
Village of Oak Park, Department of Public Works
Labor Ready

Eatables, beverages, carts, misc. necessities
ABC Bank
Charter One Bank
Walgreens
Lee Owens of Obey Media
Sears
Serrelli’s Finer Foods

Lunch
The Larry Friedman Insurance Agency

Bathroom, Dumpster or Water Sponsors
ABC Bank
Al Mart Furniture & Bedding
Austin Music Center
Charter One Bank
Performance Massage Therapy
US Bank
US Cellular
Yonan Carpet One

Special thanks to ABC Bank for hosting this event, Valerie Medina, Joe Graber, Larry Friedman, Lee Owens, Retired OP Police Officer Brian Slowiak and Oak Park Recycling Coordinator, Karen Rozmus.

“What we do for ourselves dies with us.
What we do for others and the world remains
and is immortal.”
– Albert Paine, American author

Tina Valentino is the Editor/Publisher

Leave it to kids. Sometimes I get paid to take pictures and sometimes I don’t.  Sometimes the photo op is so inspiring that it’s priceless.  Those are the times I usually cry on the job.  Last night was one of those nights.  I have known about North Riverside’s Neighborhood Services Committee for more than a decade – it’s like a neighborhood watch and precinct captain concept combined minus the politics and the crime.  A town here and there in this wicked world has attempted to duplicate the program but, speaking as a gambler, I would be willing to bet that there isn’t another speck on the map that has or will achieve similar success – mainly because of the Coordinator, Carole Spale, despite many personal hardships in her own life, epitomizes the Golden Rule to a more heartfelt extent than many priests and nuns I have known in my life.  At the May meeting, the group accomplished another precedent.

While many adult residents in the community have been recognized for their compassion and selflessness, at the May meeting, for the first time in 20 years, children were the focal point and main speakers.  Thankful to God for the auto focus on my camera, my eyes swelled up as Carole explained the town’s favorite epidemic – more and more young people reaching out, thinking of others instead of themselves, expecting nothing in return and wanting more than anything to make a small difference.  “Care and look around you,” Carole told the large group. “Everything you do makes a difference.  And sometimes kids can show adults how to act.”

And so a steady stream of 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12-year olds bravely took the microphone and innocently explained the random acts of kindness that they took upon themselves.  Luke and Anna Chiappetta made Spring baskets full of butterflies and cupcakes to cheer up their neighbors who were sick or lonely after a harsh winter.  “I just wanted to encourage people,” Luke professed calmly as I wiped tears from my eyes.

Others made cards and visited elderly residents of the British Home. “Some people don’t have a lot of company.  We wanted to go so they wouldn’t be lonely,” said Scott.  The Mater Christi parish CCD classes made crosses and gave them out at Easter. “I hope the cross I made him takes care of him,” said a tiny girl of the neighbor she tried to cheer.  Then there were the DUKS (Doing Under Cover Kindnesses), slightly older and even more determined.  This kid coalition focused on lending a hand to new moms in their neighborhood; on collecting money for families with medical tragedies; even making a simple DUCKS brochure to invite others to join their campaign.  There they were; all bundled together for a group picture – scabbed knees, pig-tails, missing teeth, sweaty fro a hot day and unscathed by the cruelness and corruptness of the “real world”.  Carol stressed, after presenting them with certificates and Cubes of Caring, “Kids have the courage to go against the current.”

The photos and certificates will fade but what they’ve done will remain and s immortal.