Forest Park Review: Cruise Night

My Article was on the front page of the Forest Park Review!!! WHOOT :) I know i'm lame for getting so excited, but it's a big accomplishment for me. Getting in contact with the mayor was nearly impossible and when he finally called me I was shopping and had to rush out to my car to get my notebook. Chaotic. It payed off in the end though.

http://www.forestparkreview.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=38&ArticleID=4854&TM=84727.03

Taking Forest Park for a classic cruise
Vintage cars coming to Madison for your viewing and, hopefully, shopping pleasure

By Angela Romano
Contributing Reporter

There's a subculture in America that cuts across age, ethnicity, and professional divides. It all revolves around the car.

And to tap into that culture, while also building traffic for local businesses, Forest Park is hosting its first Cruise Night May 25. The classic cars will be parked at Madison Street's Constitution Court. The event will take place every Tuesday night during the warm weather months through Aug. 31.

Classic car gatherings have become popular in suburban downtowns in recent years. Forest Park has scheduled its event for Tuesdays to avoid conflicts with nearby Cruise Nights in neighboring communities including Lombard, Elmhurst and Westchester. Those planning the event are hoping to replicate that success. The past months have seen two smaller Madison Street marketing events, including a comedy themed retail showcase, canceled for lack of interest.

"It's an excellent idea," said Mary Sullivan, manager at Doc Ryan's, 7432 Madison St. "So many people attend these things from different communities and we are hoping for that overflow. I've been to cruise nights in Lombard and Villa Park and you would be amazed at how many people show up."

One champion of the idea is Mayor Anthony Calderone. He said he jumped on board when the idea was first floated by Larry Moskos, part owner of H&R Towing in Forest Park. "It's a wonderful opportunity for those who have classic cars to come show them off," said Calderone.

Moskos has been involved with Cruise Night's in Lemont, his hometown, for several years. "It is good, clean fun," said Moskos. "It's a fun event for the people all around. Whether it's the guys with the cars or those who come out to see the cars, the streets are packed. These are people who put everything into these cars. Blood, sweat, and tears..."

Not everyone is as enthused. Some Calderone critics on the Forest Park Forum Web board have questioned if a summer long classic car event is in keeping with the more upscale retail promotions that have helped make Madison Street a destination over the past decade. Others have raised doubts that the event can be mounted weekly at little cost to the village, or with little additional police presence. Calderone shot down those criticisms emphasizing that this is not a drag racing event, a noisy event or one likely to attract any trouble.

Muscle cars, sports sedans, and classic roadsters of past decades had more flash and bigger engines than cars made today. The bigger engines provided speed, and the sporty designs still attract crowds, which is fortunate for car collectors, who are always looking for opportunities to show them off.

Cruise Night is a free event open to anyone. The committee, composed of Calderone, Moskos and eight other volunteers, talked and concluded Cruise Night would be more popular because it would essentially be free.

"We are going to expose individuals who don't know about Forest Park to the downtown business district" said Calderone.

Casas de Puros, a cigar retailer and membership club on Madison Street, was eager to support Cruise Night. "I love the idea" said Tim Polk, the store's manager. "Exposure will be great for the downtown area."

Peter Gianakopoulos, of Old School Records on Madison Street, said, "It's a good idea and will hopefully help small businesses get attention."

Since there will be no street vendors or alcohol allowed on the street, there will be only one auxiliary officer walking the street during Cruise Night's three hour stretch, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"This is not a fest," Calderone said. "We aren't expecting any garbage problems or security issues."

Committee member are going to seek sponsors, so the village is not funding this event. During each Cruise Night there will be a raffle where the winner will be announced at 9 p.m.

Some community members seem excited about the event and have even initiated a Facebook page that reached 80 fans quickly.

Glen Ellyn resident Jerry Schaus is an avid car lover and collector. He has been going to Cruise Nights for the past 20 years and is looking forward to attending Cruise Night in Forest Park.

"Cruise night has absolutely nothing to do with drag racing or cars cruising down the streets," said Calderone. "It's an event to get car lovers and the community together to enjoy themselves."

Dominican Star: Red Light Cameras

http://www.dominicanstar.com/joomla1/index.php/news/161-red-light-cameras-quick-cash-or-protecting-drivers

Red Light Cameras: Quick Cash or Protecting Drivers?
By Angela Romano
romaange@my.dom.edu
Copy Editor

March 24, 2010

The red light cameras installed at various intersections in Chicago and surrounding suburbs have been busy snapping license shots of people who make the slightest mistakes while driving and making turns. Critics say devices cause crashes while making major revenue.

Jessica Whipkey, a junior at Dominican University, has had her fair share of run-ins with red light cameras. Her first encounter happened in the pouring rain on Irving Park Road. Whipkey was headed to the city for an interview. When she came to the intersection, the light turned yellow and she had no other choice but to continue through unless she wanted to get rear-ended. However, it did cost her $100.

Months later on a snowy day, Whipkey attempted to brake at a different intersection on North Avenue, but because of low traction caused by ice, she slid a few inches over the white line. That added another $100 to her expenses.

Red light cameras are becoming increasingly controversial, and suburbs across Illinois are making attempts to lower ticket cost or eliminate them completely.

When the first red-light camera was installed in the suburbs at 25th Avenue and Harrison Street in Bellwood, it instantly became a money generating mechanism.

According to Roy McCambell, a Bellwood traffi c controller, the installation of red light cameras in the suburb of Bellwood generated $60,000 to $70,000 a month from traffic fines in the first year.

Now several area communities have installed red light cameras since they were legalized in the suburbs in 2006. Safety is on the forefront, with high revenue as an added bonus.

Federal safety experts say red-light cameras can improve safety if carefully placed where potentially deadly side-impact accidents occur at busy intersections. But data has found that red light cameras in Chicago suburbs are often at intersections rarely troubled by such crashes.

The vast majority of red light camera tickets are issued for failure to make a complete stop before making a turn on a red light. It is estimated that 90 percent of violations caught on camera are for making rolling right turns on red.

Camia Redovan, a senior at Dominican, experienced this first hand. “I was making a right onto North Avenue,” Redovan said. “The light was red, but there were no cars coming. I slowly stopped and then continued to turn. I saw the camera go off thinking someone blew through the light. When I realized it was me, I was outraged. It’s simply ridiculous that they claim these lights are for safety when I always hear of people getting tickets for not making a complete stop on a right turn.”

In the summer of 2009, the Village of River Forest proposed a plan to red light camera operator, Redspeed-Illinois. River Forest asked to lower fines to $50 for drivers not making a complete stop while turning right on a red light instead of the $100. It was, however, rejected. Redspeed officials claimed that not fully stopping at red light is dangerous in any situation.

Red light running is an indisputably serious problem, blamed for more than 95,000 crashes and 1,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. A way to address the danger is red light camera systems, which combine under-pavement equipment with above-the-ground video and camera technology to document violations.

But River Forest resident Pam Todd contends that the devices actually make things worse by scaring drivers into slamming the brakes when traffic lights transition from yellow to red. “My husband was rear-ended last month when he stopped at a red light,” Todd said. “He would have continued on through, but saw the red light camera sign and didn’t want a ticket. I understand the concept of these cameras, but to me it seems equally as dangerous.”

The future for red light cameras is unclear, but there is a definite decline in red light installation. Several states, including Mississippi, Wisconsin, Maine, Montana, Nevada, West Virginia, and New Hampshire have already banned red light cameras, while cases continue to rise in Congress.

Forest Park Review: Bowling for a Cause

Well for this event I made my boyfriend Karl go with me. I was a little stressed out about this story because it was short notice and I wasn't sure how the event was actually going to be. Turned out to be a huge success and I got some good quotes and information. Karl loved it too. He got to sit at the bar and drink cheap beer hahah high-larious.

With more stress following the next day with pictures and such it was relieving when I made deadline! PHEW.
http://www.forestparkreview.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=38&ArticleID=4819&TM=85986.77

Giving back to the community
Chris Guillen hosts fundraiser for nonprofit that helped his family

By Angela Romano
Contributing Reporter

Saturday night, more than 90 family members and friends of Chris and Chelsea Guillen gathered at Circle Lanes for three games of bowling, chased with hors d'oeuvres, drinks, door prizes and a silent auction.

It was the 10th annual Candlelight Bowl and, this year, says Chris Guillen, the fundraiser for an agency that's helped one of his kids was a really successful one. Guillen, who owns and runs a namesake photography studio on Madison Street, raised more than $4,000 for Oak-Leyden, an agency in Oak Park for people with developmental disabilities.

The Guillens' idea for such a fundraiser sparked when their youngest son got treatment from Oak-Leyden for a visual impairment. With several of their relatives' kids going through Oak-Leyden's early intervention program, too, the Forest Park couple decided this was the thing to do.

"They are the underdogs who always amaze me," Chris Guillen says of Oak-Leyden.

"This event is simply wonderful. It's the kind of grassroots support nonprofits need," Bob Atkinson, president of Oak-Leyden, said Saturday night.

Chelsea Guillen has worked at Oak-Leyden as the developmental director for 13 years and says she's always seen a deficit, even before the recent and huge cuts in state aid. "It's important to know that Oak-Leyden needs proper funding to continue giving these children the therapy they need, " she said. "Our annual event is a small dent in the overall problem."

In past years, the Guillens have raised anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. With credit card transactions still being rung through, this year's total of more than $4,000 is growing. "It was a successful number," Chris Guillen said.

At the entrance of the bowling ally was a donation box. Next to it showed the price of the materials that Oak-Leyden could use with the money, including art supplies and therapy brushes. "It's nice to know that our money is actually making a difference," Chris Guillen said.

"I think it's awesome what Chris is doing," said Terri Peterson, whose grandson has cerebral palsy and has been going to Oak-Leyden for more than two years. "Him and his wife believe in the cause so much, and they go above and beyond. Because of the money raised here tonight, my grandson and all the other children can get the best therapy. I am so grateful."

Susan Klinger, who has been a therapist at Oak-Leyden for six years, was at Circle Lanes with all her fellow therapists. "This is a perfect fundraiser because it's affordable, so lots of people in the community can come. It's also great fun."

Once the bowling was under way, guests let loose and their kid personalities came out. In the third "crazy" game, some even wore 3-D glasses.

Contributors to the silent auction included Chris Guillen's fellow merchants on Madison Street. There was an ice cream party from Brown Cow, a cigar party from Casas de Puros, a jewelry and private shopping party from DeeDee & Edee, a beaded basket from Moss, a chair from Two Fish Art Glass, and accessories from Team Blonde.

Chicago Journal:Generating friction in the Prairie District

My first article in the Chicago Journal! I took my friend C.J. with me to this meeting, so I didn't have to go down town alone. It was...interesting. After traffic, getting lost, and much more craziness I made it to the meeting just in time. I've never heard of the Praire District before covering this meeting, but it's a beautiful neighborhood. I mean after hearing about the noise complaints I'm glad I don't live there, but it is still pretty. I think the residents should move to the G.E. where it's much more peaceful. I mean the only noise you hear are the occasional bird chirps.

http://chicagojournal.com/News/In-The-Paper/03-10-2010/Generating_friction_in_the_Prairie_District

Generating friction in the Prairie District
Residents fed up with generators’ noise
03/10/2010 10:00 PM

By ANGELA ROMANO
Contributing Reporter

Debra Seger has owned the Wheeler Mansion, a graceful throwback to the Prairie Avenue Historic District’s glory days at 2020 S. Calumet, for the last 14 years.

Now a bed and breakfast, Seger says she’s lost thousands of dollars each year from angry patrons demanding a refund because of the generator noise emanating from a nearby data center owned by Digital Realty.

On Tuesday at the National Guard Armory, 1910 S. Calumet, staff from Ald. Robert Fioretti’s office and residents met with Digital Realty representatives to discuss the noise and pollution the generators produce.

The San Francisco-based firm operates two data storage centers in the South Loop, including one at 350 E. Cermak, in the Prairie District. With 24 generators located outside that facility and another 18 inside, the noise is too much for neighbors.

“I’m sick and tired of calling the police because of these generators,” said Jeffrey Ayersman, a leader of the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance. “I just want to sleep peacefully without hearing the generators or wondering if they are going to go off.”

Digital Realty’s Brian Marsh said each of the tenants in the Cermak building needs a generator to guarantee their data. And some of those companies, he acknowledged, have old equipment.

“We lease our building to hundreds of customers. Each tenant needs their own back-up generators to ensure their computer server,” Marsh said. “The problem is that several generators are out of date and need to be updated. We would like them to update their generators and reach some sort of agreement, but we can’t force them to do anything.”

Last year, according to Digital Realty logs, generators would run four to five days in a row but not after business hours. That, however, is disputed by neighbors who say they hear otherwise.

“These generators are constantly running and when I want to come home Friday night from a long week at work and relax, I can’t,” said Seger, from the Wheeler Mansion. “One time the generators began running on Friday night and didn’t stop until Sunday night.”

Noise isn’t the only issue causing worry — pollution is too.

“Having 24 generators outside the facility is frightening to me,” said Lorena Petani, who lives half a block from the Cermak Road facility. “I want my kids to be safe and 24 generators must produce massive amounts of pollution, and if it’s harming my children I want to know.”

Digital Realty representatives said the diesel used to power the generators were safe for the environment, but residents wanted documentation that the constant use of 24 generators isn’t having a long-term affect on their health.

To allay some of the critiques, the firm has put up a 24-foot sound barrier to muffle noise coming from their rooftop chillers, a move many agreed had helped.

Marsh said the firm would continue seeking solutions.

“Our hands are tied up with what we can do because we don’t own all the generators,” he said. “We are willing to do our best to help out. We want to open the communication doors.”

Neighbors, however, are looking for something more concrete.

“We don’t care what you have to do or how it’s done,” Seger said. “I’ve been dealing with this for 15 years and don’t want to hear them anymore. If I wanted to live by an airport I would have. This is our home and we want peace and quiet.”

FINALLY A REAL BLOG...

Finally a real blog...

Ok now that i've uploaded my favorite articles i've written and other random things i've done, I'm ready to just blog!

The reason for the massive blogging today was that I had a dream last night that my computer crashed and I lost everything i've ever written. So, with that dumb fear looming over my head I decided I should put all my articles in a blog. Therefore if it ever does crash, the important ones are on here. Phew.

I've never blogged before, but my advisor at Dominican keeps pushing me to. Hopefully it will be a way for me to talk about my life, but also a place that I can put all my articles.

So, as you can see I like to write. I write and edit for my school paper and also intern at the Wednesday Journal in Oak Park. I know having a career in Journalism these days seems unlikely with newspapers dwindling, but i'm determined. I love writing and interacting with the community, so hopefully I can find a happy medium.

Oprah's retiring in 2011, which happens to be when I graduate. Ironic? I think not. I'm thinking I'll just take over her show and it can be called..? I don't know yet, but it will be fantastic. Ha!

Bye for now! :)

VuVox

If you ever need to create a multimedia presentation, then use VUVOX. I used it in my convergent class and i allows you to make a collage with pictures, videos, and audio clips. I did my final project on Honor Flight Chicago, a program that sends veterans to D.C. to see their memorial. It was a humbling experience to see all the veterans arrive back at Midway airport and see how emotional they got when they saw the big crowd cheering for them.

I captured a lot of the emotion in my collage, so check it out: http://www.vuvox.com/my_vox/show/01d04e41c1

I don't know if it will let you check it out without my password, but just search Honor Flight Chicago and Angela and it should show up.

A blog from Siren Song

I wrote this blog for my internship at Siren Interactive. Siren is a marketing firm that works with pharmaceutical clients.



http://sirensong.sireninteractive.com/?p=1626#post-area