Truth is, I hesitated to share the best place in Downers Grove from which to view the fireworks in Thursday’s Sun column.
It’s perfect as is, with plenty of space between blankets and room for the kids to roam. It’s definitely “our place” every Fourth of July. And if others are equally loyal to 75th Street or some other favorite location, great.
Speaking of primo places, don’t forget to get the lawn furniture onto the Main Street curb early Saturday. Or even Friday night, if last year’s pre-parade reservation system is any indication.
Tags: fireworks·Fourth of July
July 2nd, 2009 by Mark Thoman · Uncategorized
Okay, who is going to check this out and report back? Count me out…how about you EJ?
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I managed to spend just a short time at this year’s Heritage Festival, but the two members of my family who logged long hours there were surprised to fnd the crowds sparser than in previous years.
Several rides has no lines at all on Friday. One kid got a bonus ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl because there weren’t enough willing riders to fill the seats.
All I could think was: Why couldn’t it have been like that when I was waiting in the 90-degree heat for you to make the rounds of the Dragon Wagon, Flying Airplanes and Merry-Go-Round 10 years ago? [Read more →]
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June 30th, 2009 by Mark Thoman · In the News
Apparently, DG is the center of the universe for announced GOP gubenatorial candidates. See map after the break… [Read more →]
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Champaign’s $96,000 study identifies tax surplus generating development.
A buddy downstate emailed me this study, noting one other blogger already has written about it. His point; there’s a temptation to simply do what generates surplus income for the municipality. [Read more →]
Tags: budget·Development·homes·revenues·Taxes
There’s probably not a parent in Downers Grove who hasn’t strapped their kid into some fast-moving, high-flying, wildly spinning carnival ride and hoped that the guy who assembled it wasn’t having a bad day.
Given the haste with which the rides appear on the eve of Heritage Fest and the even greater haste with which they disappear in time for the Monday commute, it’s no wonder some of us are edgy.
Surely, given the village’s appetite for inspecting and permit-ing other types of construction, someone in Village Hall must have responsibility for signing off on those Heritage Fest rides? [Read more →]
Tags: amusement ride safety·carnival safety
Last year, we discussed the best food and attractions of Heritage Festival after the event. This year, let’s keep a running tab of the fest’s best so we can all partake.
I’ll take this opportunity to put in a plug for Night Ranger — not familiar with their music, but the concert will benefit a good cause (the 1846 Blodgett House) and one of the musicians is my neighbor’s son — and the Rock Academy kids, who always put on a great show, particularly considering their tender years.
Share your must-see, must-do and must-eat attractions with your neighbors here.
Tags: Heritage Fest attractions
Last night right before the car show was scheduled to start a huge blow ripped through DG, knocking down large branches, knocking over trees and taking out power. Those 70 mph winds and rain turned skies from day to night across a wide swath of the Chicago area. Police in Bolingbrook reported a tornado may have touched down shortly before 4 p.m. in the Green Valley Forest Preserve, a funnel cloud was spotted near Geneva, and a third tornado had possibly appeared near 119th Street and Naperville Road.
DG PW crews are out in force over the weekend working on clearing damage away from buildings, roads and driveways. Most of the debris clean-up will probably happen during normal weekday work schedules.
We missed most of the rainfall. Chicago had a record rainfall yesterday and had to open the Wilmette locks to discharge overflow directly into the lake. ComEd said some 186,000 customers were without service as of late Friday afternoon. Most, about 108,000, were in the north suburbs. Another 36,000 were without power in the south suburbs, 30,000 in Chicago and another 12,000 in the west suburbs.
Tags: Public Works·rain·storms·weather
The north side of Downers Grove was buzzing with fuzz yesterday, causing some in the neighborhood to speculate that fugitive and alleged Ponzi-schemer David Hernandez had been discovered.
Hernandez is the Downers Grove resident who went missing Monday after the Securities and Exchange Commission accused him of breaking federal securities laws by lying about his background and his businesses.
Hernandez is accused of redirecting $11 million raised from his NextStep Financial Services investors into an internet radio station, other business ventures and personal expenditures. He told investors the money was being invested in consumer payday loans. [Read more →]
Tags: David Hernandez·FBI·Ponzi scheme·rape kits
The “SPEED PHOTO ENFORCED” signs have been up for a couple months, and Illinois will begin using photo radar in freeway and tollway work zones in July. One mile per hour over the speed limit and you get a nice $375.00 ticket in the mail.
Starting July 1st, the State of Illinois will start enforcement using the speed cameras in areas designated as “Work Zones” on major freeways and tollways. [Read more →]
Tags: speed cameras·traffic enforcement·Transportation
