PORTAGE PARK
Residents of Portage Park can trade in their Christmas trees. Community members are being asked to hang onto their fresh trees in order to support a valuable cause.
Don't throw that tree away, instead trade it in for environmentally safe products from the city. The drop off location is 4100 N Long and will be taking donations of trees from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
In turn you will receive a complimentary sack of scented wood chips for mulch and your choice of either a compact florescent bulb, a reusable water bottle, or a year supply of blue recycle bags. Please be aware that supplies are limited.
Many Chicago area neighborhoods are also offering tree drop off locations. Click here to learn more.
JEFFERSON PARK
Why not head out this weekend to the Jefferson Park neighborhood Gift Theater. This weekend local actors John Kelly Connoly, Anna Carini, along with Paul D'Addario will be performing a skit of monologues that address the problems of racism in society. This dramatic showcase is by J.T. Rogers, a playwright from New York.
The show is Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. For ticket information, theater location, additional weekend play lists, click here.
LAKEVIEW
Cub fan, Henry Widegren, celebrates his 100th birthday and is said to live to see the Cubs, win or lose.
Born 100 years ago, this retired World War II Vet and former executive has lived his life around the Cubs. He was just a baby the last time the Cubs won the World Series. He got to attend the first Wrigley Field home game with his parents as a young boy in 1914.
"He follows the Cubs religiously," said his pastor and friend. He has seen just about every game since 1986 when he started working as an usher for the team. He is also scheduled to throw out the first ball of the 2008 season opener in April.
Learn more about how Henry has touched the lives of many and how in turn he is being honored by clicking here.
LINCOLN PARK
Eileen Bustamante, is a 17-year-old at Lincoln Park High School. She questions Mayor Richard J. Daley's speech about tightening curfews by one half-hour.
According to the Mayor, children under the age of 17 would have to be off of the streets by 10 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday and at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. This could be approved by the City Council.
Eileen wondered how much of a difference one half-hour would make on curbing crime, which is what the proposal claims it will do. She does not really see the difference 30 minutes will make. To read other opinions and responses, click here.
CHICAGO/SUBURBS
Dozens of schools in and around the Chicago area are now geared to offer parents direct access to their children's grade. The schools are equipped with electronic grade books that students and their parents can utilize on-line in order to get up to date grade, assignment, and attendance information.
This is having a positive influence and changing the way studies are being approached. The access allows for parents to have knowledge of what is going on in school, and give them a closer link to the teacher and the school.
Click here to read how families in Niles, Skokie, Vernon Hills, and Aurora have used this new technological program to their own benefit.
