The views expressed here are the author's own Get mom what she really wants this year…breakfast in bed from Do-Rite Donuts We’re headed to you on Mother’s Day morning there’s something on the menu for the one you love the most Please note that orders need to be placed by 9am on Saturday Your order will be available for home delivery starting at 6:30am We’re delivering this bakery event to Beverly, Burr Ridge, Burbank, Bridgeview, and Palos Heights. Learn more about our delivery zones here View menu + order: https://dwell.social/42YFQw0 Mystik Dan was the man on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs this time on the first Saturday in May at Oaklawn when he seeks his first victory since the 2024 Kentucky Derby in the $200,000 Lake Ouachita Stakes for older horses at 1 1/16 miles The Lake Ouachita and $200,000 Arkansas Breeders' Championship Stakes headline Oaklawn's closing-day 12-race program "I'm excited to get him back going down there," said Kenny McPeek We want to get him back in the winner's circle Mystik Dan has lost four consecutive starts since his nose victory in the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby Sign up for BloodHorse Daily Mystik Dan struggled in his final two starts at 3 finishing eighth in the Belmont Stakes June 8 at Saratoga and sixth in the $300,000 Malibu Stakes (G1) at seven furlongs Dec Mystik Dan hasn't started since finishing ninth in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Jan It was his first start against older horses Mystik Dan resurfaces in a listed stake for the first time since finishing fifth in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes—Oaklawn's first Kentucky Derby qualifying race—Jan "We're just trying to stepladder him He's got to start beating older horses After a 30-day break following the Pegasus Mystik Dan returned to the work tab March 31 at Oaklawn and recorded four subsequent local breezes in advance of his comeback "We jumped him out of the gate (Wednesday) morning just to refreshen him a little bit and get him used to leaving there again," McPeek said "This is something we did when he won the Derby so he doesn't leave there a step slow or anything." Mystik Dan will be ridden for the first time by Arrieta because the colt's regular rider has commitments Saturday at Churchill Downs 4 G Racing (Brent and Sharilyn Gasaway) and Daniel "Banks" Hamby Mystik Dan raced twice at Oaklawn following the Smarty Jones winning the $800,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) by eight lengths and finishing third in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Mystik Dan has bankrolled $4,211,860 after winning 3 of 11 starts Program favorite Saudi Crown exits a runner-up finish in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) March 29 for trainer Brad Cox Saudi Crown's resume includes a victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles in 2023 at Parx and a third-place finish in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) last year in Saudi Arabia The Saudi Cup is the world's richest race Awesome Aaron exits a 5 3/4-length allowance victory at 1 1/16 miles April 12 at Oaklawn for trainer Norm Casse Magic Tap adds blinkers for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen McPeek won last year's Lake Ouachita with Frosted Departure Entries: Lake Ouachita S.Oaklawn Park For most of my 28 visits to the Kentucky Derby Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans. Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism. Wally Hall is assistant managing sports editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette A graduate of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock after an honorable discharge from the U.S he is a member and past president of the Football Writers Association of America past president and current executive committee and board member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame He has been awarded Arkansas Sportswriter of the Year 10 times and has been inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and Arkansas Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing will dramatically alter its 2025-2026 racing schedule moving to more four-day weeks while greatly reducing its January footprint after its request for 64 racing dates (Dec was unanimously approved by the Arkansas Racing Commission Thursday morning in Little Rock.Oaklawn will open a week later and again close Kentucky Derby Day Oaklawn is scheduled to race nine days in December – Friday Saturday and Sunday – before its first of 10 scheduled four-day race weeks (Jan Expanded race weeks are the result of Oaklawn returning Thursdays to its schedule.Oaklawn’s racing calendar evolved into a mostly Friday-Sunday format after the track extended its season into May in 2019 and began opening in December in 2021 Oaklawn is capped at 68 live racing dates each year The new racing schedule was endorsed by the Arkansas division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association “We started ‘Stay Until May’ and that worked very well,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said we said: ‘Let’s push it back to December.’ That worked out great to give them a little help with training and bringing jocks in and for their horses they said they would really like to have four days But what’s so tricky with our calendar is you have to pull out the calendars and count up to 68 days and see how they fall on the calendar.”After racing Jan the last of six scheduled dates for the month The track will then shift to mostly four-day race weeks (Thursday-Sunday) for the remainder of the season.“We’re going to have a holiday meet in December and start up at the end of the January with four days just like the three days for the weekend (Friday-Sunday) and ‘Stay Until May.’ It’s all an experiment We’re always willing to change and try things out That’s what we’re doing.” 20 and Oaklawn lost more than 10 days of training during the month Oaklawn had 14 scheduled January dates this season.Oaklawn was scheduled to race 65 days this season.Trainer Kenny McPeek called the new schedule “a good idea.” McPeek won last year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with Oaklawn stakes winners Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna and is Oaklawn’s third-leading trainer this season.“We tend to get a little bit of weather during that period,” McPeek said or at least hasn’t been historically I think winter racing altogether is sometimes a little tricky Cella said opening a week later will allow Kentucky-based trainers like McPeek more time to settle in after the Churchill Downs fall meeting ends in late November.The new format will not impact Oaklawn’s lucrative Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks prep schedule Arkansas Derby Day is March 28 – still five weeks before the Kentucky Derby.Adjustments will have to be made to the overall stakes schedule because of the break in January is shifting some stakes to Sunday before and after the break.Oaklawn moved its Rebel Day card from Saturday to Sunday this year because of freezing temperatures was among five stakes on a 12-race program that was a stunning success with total pari-mutuel handle a robust $21 million “We are absolutely looking at that,” Cella said It’s all in the numbers and we’re data driven I think we’d be foolish if we didn’t take advantage of that.”Oaklawn will be dark April 5 in observance of Easter the day after the scheduled Arkansas Derby.Oaklawn’s 2024-2025 live season ends Saturday This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page By Nick Wooten but the stars aligned just right for the Halperin family They’ve owned the roughly 2-acre site for two decades a well-known philanthropist and co-founder of Heritage Auctions began buying properties in the neighborhood after he relocated the firm’s office to Maple Avenue in the early 2000s He had no designs to knock down a shopping center and build something new when he bought it told The Dallas Morning News that his old man is simply “a collector at heart.” But things changed in the last two years D-FW Real Estate NewsGet the latest real estate news you need to know GoogleFacebookBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy The family decided to move forward with 2615 Oak Lawn Ave. their first real estate venture of this magnitude The Halperins have hired GFF Design as the architect for the project The group plans to build 310 apartments in the residential high-rise The average unit size will be around 1,000 square feet and the group’s current height request is a maximum of 270 feet “[Dad] wanted to have a connection to the neighborhood,” Dave Halperin said We intend to stay over here for the long term The development will also feature two to three restaurant spaces including a two-story feature restaurant with a roof terrace on the development’s west side The project is still in its earliest stages. The group presented plans to the Oak Lawn Committee last month Support from the body isn’t required like approvals from the city’s zoning and council bodies it is a way to drum up support for a planned development Halperin and company want the project to be a “gateway,” bringing walkable urban design and quality housing as the renovated Old Parkland brings more workers looking to live in the neighborhood The average sidewalk width will be 10 feet along Oak Lawn curb cuts will be consolidated to one cut and site landscaping will encourage walkability The group will move the high-rise several steps back on the north side to prevent it from casting shadows over nearby apartment complexes Halperin is a big fan of Open Sesame Lebanese Grill and Halperin hopes they’ll open in the new building “We want a project that really benefits everybody in the surrounding neighborhood,” said Evan Beattie The next step for the project is to submit a zoning change with the city of Dallas The project could be two and a half years from breaking ground “I want this to be our family’s legacy project,” Halperin said “I want this to be a neighborhood amenity.” LinkedIn IconJoin the conversation Thank you for reading. We welcome your thoughts on this topic. Comments are moderated for adherence to our Community Guidelines Please read the guidelines before participating When you are in high school you don't really realize the impact that those years are going to have on your life Doug Cobb and myself skipped school -- to Oaklawn Park would make me a lifetime fan of the sport We managed to sneak in to what is now Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort It was crowded that day and people were from all walks of life including a group of men who seemed elderly at the time but weren't Apparently they wintered in Hot Springs -- for the horses My heart pounded as we grabbed an early spot on the rail to personally see our winnings cross the finish line it was the Rex (Nelson) and Wally adventure as we drove to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby We stayed with his aunt and uncle and spent mornings on the backstretch and days in the meandering press box In those days it was one of the biggest press boxes in sports and reporters were assigned a seat indoors for working and outdoors for watching the races who wrote sports for the Forrest City Times-Herald greeted us the first day and became our tour guide 1 belong to Red Smith of the New York Times As a senior in high school I promised myself I'd return to this track My second visit I stayed on a roll-away bed at a Holiday Inn in Shively which was near the track through some back streets Robert Yates and I would make the drive to Kentucky and share a room at something close to a no-tell motel My handicapping method is simple: It relies heavily on luck which I'm still waiting on all these years later Every person working at a track is a story if you ask the right questions It is a sport for the super wealthy and the average guy and on that first Saturday in May Mystick Dan won the Kentucky Derby last year and his owners are from Arkansas under a brilliant ride by Brian Hernandez Jr. was the best that afternoon by a nostril hair Tee won the Derby for Magnolia's Cal Partee Neither of those horses won the Arkansas Derby American Pharoah broke the 37-year drought of no Triple Crown winners in 2015 and he prepared for his run for the roses at Oaklawn In 1979 if you wanted to get in the infield for the Kentucky Derby Today you have to have a ticket and it is $119 per person That spectacular press box became millionaire seating and the new press box held about a third of the reporters and it lasted only a few years before becoming seating for multi-millionaires The press now sits in the off-track betting facility near the rear of the property I'll be watching Saturday from the front row of my den with the same passion and awe that was first realized as a senior in high school First Mission wins the 2024 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs A quartet of high-caliber runners highlight the entries for the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 19 at Oaklawn Park.  the field of eight older horses that includes four millionaires will vie for the $1.25 million purse The morning-line favorite (2-1) hasn't been to the winner's circle in almost a year, but if his recent works are any indication, he will be in peak form Saturday. First Mission  made his 2025 debut in the Feb finishing third to a pair of his rivals Saturday Trained by Brad Cox, the Godolphin homebred is 1-for-5 at the distance, but has been working better at five furlongs in recent weeks, including a move in 1:00 2/5 at Churchill Downs April 13 "I think First Mission got a good bit out of that first race," Cox said We targeted this race since his last run there at Oaklawn so I think he's set up for a big race." Saffie Joseph Jr.'s trainee made this year's Challenger the surest sign he is ready for the Oaklawn After being unable to rally in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and crossing the wire sixth he finished third in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) ahead of his Tampa Bay victory "I think he's coming in in good form," Joseph said I do think he likes to be forwardly placed he breaks well from there and puts himself in a forward position There's some speed in there that he can stalk if he needs to If winning on familiar ground means anything The eight-time graded stakes victor will try to defend his Oaklawn Handicap title a race in which he posted a career-best 116 Equibase Speed Figure As exciting a finish as the Razorback provided the chance for a repeat exists as the top two finishers of that race return for the Oaklawn.  stepped up his game and ran well last time," Joseph said He's in good form and he goes over there with a very good chance himself We feel like we have two horses that are in good (form) and they run their best races on that day." switching from the barn of Brendan Walsh to David Jacobson after being purchased by Larry Roman for $80,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale These past two starts were his first at a mile or more since August of last year Entries: Oaklawn H. (G2)Oaklawn Park 2025 at 9:49 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A wrap up of Oak Lawn's lackluster 2025 election season IL — After a lackluster election season of unopposed races and shortages of candidates in the April 1 consolidated election the burning question in Oak Lawn is when will the write-in votes be counted Oak Lawn residents went to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots for municipal, school, library and park board races. Voter turnout was 9.49 percent. Of the village’s 40,169 registered voters, 3,811 ballots were cast, according to the Cook County Clerk The village clerk and trustees from even-numbered districts (2, 4, 6) on the Oak Lawn Village Board ran unopposed Incumbent Terry Vorderer faced write-in challenger Catherine O’Shea In the library trustee race, three candidates vied for two seats on the Oak Lawn Public Library Board of Trustees. The top vote-getters were the library-union backed Raymond Schwarzkopf with 2,215 votes (35.56%) and Karrie Mallo with 2,258 (36.27%) Oak Lawn-Hometown Dist. 123 also came up a candidate short for four open seats in its school board race Nobody petitioned to get their name on the ballot for an open seat on the Oak Lawn Park District Board of Commissioners Celena Russ and Andrea Zumhagen ran as write-ins But the race everyone seems to have their eyes on is the write-in contest between Ben Bush, Anas Khraiwish and Kenneth Yerkes for an open seat on the Oak Lawn Community High School Dist. 229 Board of Education As one voter put it on a neighborhood social media group: “The only reason I voted in this election was to keep a nut job off the school board It’s not clear which “nut job” the voter is referring to the D229 board also came up short a candidate Seventy-six votes were cast for those candidates write in votes will start being counted Friday and will continue in the next week for as long as it takes an official from the Cook County Clerk’s office told Patch Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2025 at 12:04 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Aspiring Eagle Scout Will Martin Jacky's Soldiers' care boxes for military overseas IL — An Eagle Scout candidate is seeking donations for care packages to be sent to miliary overseas will be working with Jacky Connelly of Mrs Jacky’s Soldiers to pack the care packages on May 2 Jacky packing boxes for the military,” Martin said Jacky got a letter from a solider who returned home and said the soldiers always looked forward to each box they received.” Martin, 17, who belongs to Troop 668 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Worth is looking for such items as personal care items (A complete list of items is included at the end of this story.) a scout needs to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges show Scout Sprit and demonstrate leadership within their troop Martin has earned 41 merit badges – 21 of which are required for the Eagle rank He needs three more specific badges for his Eagle.The goal of achieving the Eagle rank is to build a scout’s confidence and self-esteem Martin has risen through the ranks of scouting from Cub Scout to Explorer the last step reaching the highest echelons of scouting – the Eagle.“The older I got the more I was looking forward to earning the my Eagle,” Martin told Patch Martin attends Oak Lawn Community High School where he is in the National Honor Society He’s looking forward to the accomplishment of getting his Eagle and “having less worry about the getting the requirements done.” He’s looking to major in graphic design Moved by her mother’s care packages to her father during World War II which kept up his morale Jacky and her core volunteers pack care packages and send them to active military serving overseas Jacky that getting each care box is like getting a little piece of home Donated items can be dropped off at one of the six locations below: You can also supply the care boxes by purchasing off the Will Martin Eagle Scout Wishlist on Amazon. Martin, some fellow scouts, and volunteers from Mrs. Jacky’s, will be packing up the boxes on May 2. For more information, email willmartineagleproject@gmail.com He’s making things happens and helps the offense score runs He currently leads the Spartans in both runs scored and stolen bases “Jackson is a four-year member of the baseball program,”OLCHS head coach Bill Gerny said. “He is going to continue his playing career at Moraine Valley Community College next season.” 2025 at 10:44 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Rashid Williams (OLCHS)OAK LAWN IL — Rahshid Williams is the definition of a versatile athlete and the long jump for the Oak Lawn Community High School boys track team He even earned first place at the South Suburban Conference Red Indoor meet in the 60-meter dash But what really makes Williams standout from other athletes is the complete man he is on and off the track “His journey is defined by dedication and perseverance evident in his consistent performance and leadership on the team,” OLCHS head coach Scottie Miller said “Rahshid not only excels in competition but also embodies the spirit of sportsmanship setting a stellar example for his teammates Rahshid continues to leave a lasting impact with his impressive athletic prowess With a proven track record of working to strengthen Oak Lawn through art Zumhagen aims to bring fresh perspectives to the park district board Zumhagen has seen first-hand the impact that parks and recreational spaces have on our community “Our park district has done incredible work in maintaining these spaces providing valuable programs for residents of all ages and fostering a sense of community,” Zumhagen said “I am stepping forward as a write-in candidate for Oak Lawn Park District Commissioner because I am committed to building on that success and ensuring that our parks continue to serve everyone in our community.” Zumhagen explains what makes her uniquely suited for the role: “What sets me apart is my vision for the Oak Lawn Park District I understand that a thriving park system is about more than just green space—it’s about providing opportunities for all residents I am committed to supporting recreational programming a group that often finds itself underserved I also recognize the importance of collaboration and I will work with other government organizations to maximize taxpayer value and enhance the efficiency of our parks and programs wherever possible “I deeply value the hard work of the Park District’s dedicated employees and volunteers I know that a strong park system is built on the passion and commitment of those who maintain our parks and run our programs I will ensure that they receive the support and recognition they need to continue making Oak Lawn a wonderful place to live and the vision to take our Park District to the next level We will build upon the great work already being done while ensuring that Oak Lawn’s parks remain a source of pride and opportunity for all “I ask for your support—write in Andrea Zumhagen for Oak Lawn Park District Commissioner Election Day is April 1, but early voting has already begun at the Oak Lawn Public Library until Monday, March 31st. Every vote counts, so please don’t forget to vote! To find your local polling place, visit Illinois Voter Online Yerkes was one of three candidates battling to fill a vacancy The Oak Lawn dentist was the top vote getter with 339 votes according to unofficial results from the Cook County Clerk's office Mayor Terry Vorderer was challenged by Cathy O’Shea, who made the other unopposed incumbent Oak Lawn Village Board spend money on signs when she entered the mayoral race as a write-in candidate O’Shea got less than 1 percent of votes cast in the mayoral race “I guess I’ll be mayor another four years,” Vorderer said In the Oak Lawn-Hometown Dist. 123 school board race that also found itself short a candidate Evans was the only candidate who filed to run as a write-in Andrea Zumhagen beat out two other write-in candidates for a seat that no one bothered to get on the ballot for the Oak Lawn Park District Board of Commissioners Zumhagen was the top vote-getter with 626 votes Louloulis outpaced Zumhagen in early voting but Zumgaen picked up 421 votes on the actual election day She is one of three candidates running for two open seats in the upcoming April 1 election Mallo.karrie@outlook.com I have developed a strong understanding of financial systems I believe the library is a crucial resource to allowing our community access to learning and creating opportunities for individuals to succeed I hope to play a part in making sure that the library remains a vibrant and accessible resource for all members of the community “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins I want to better understand the current processes and the board's specific needs I also hope to contribute to expanding our efforts to meet the needs of our community from enhancing programs to ensuring proper funding The library should be a place where the community can access resources and spaces to not only find books but also learn new skills and explore their interests It should also serve as a gathering spot that brings people together through events that foster growth and create connections but I look forward to working closely with the library and the board to understand the community's needs better and identify any gaps in service I hope we can collaborate to address these needs and ensure that funding is allocated effectively to support the library’s goals while also being mindful of potential funding concerns I can’t claim to know what our community needs without the opportunity to work directly with the library team and the board to review supporting data but about understanding and responding to the community's needs We can identify which programs and services should be increased or adjusted to serve everyone best through collaboration what would you like to see the library look like in 5 years To ensure the library is a welcoming place for everyone I’d love to see it as a genuine community base where people of all ages can come together to learn I want the library to be flexible and continuously adapting to the community's needs By focusing on providing a wide range of books and resources that meet the community’s needs actively considering feedback from both the community and staff The library's role is to listen respectfully and ensure the collection remains inclusive the library should work to expand its collection in various languages but it’s essential to gather data and surveys to understand what the community truly needs This helps ensure the library is providing the right resources the library can meet the needs of its diverse population more effectively 2025 at 9:00 pm CTOak Lawn firefighters enter a home where two men were found deceased after small basement fire (AJ Roccaforte | Patch Contributor)Oak Lawn firefighters put out a small basement fire in the 9700 block of South Kenneth where two men were found deceased (AJ Roccaforte | Patch Contributor)OLFD Chief Mike McMillan confers with a firefighter where two men in their 60s were found deceased after a small basement fire IL — Two men are dead after a Tuesday evening fire in Oak Lawn They were identified as Joseph Derencius and Edward Derencius by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office The cause of death is pending for both men Oak Lawn Chief Michael McMillin told Patch that a small fire broke out in the basement of a home in the 9700 block of Kenneth Avenue Oak Lawn police and fire responded to the blaze Oak Lawn Police Division Chief Patrick Curran said an initial investigation revealed the deaths appear to be accidental and the two people died of smoke inhalation The deaths are being investigated by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office The training will be held from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m in the vacant buildings in the 9900 block of South Melvina Avenue loud noises and the sounds of simulated gunfire The training will impact traffic or parking in the area If you see someone freaking out on social media He is one of three candidates running for two open seats in the upcoming April 1 election I have lived in Oak Lawn since right before my 30th birthday Previously I lived many other places (particularly in my youth and Oak Lawn is my favorite place of them all All I have moved in that time was my cubicle Nobody that I know of is working in the government but not since he came back from Vietnam (with distinction) I want to serve on the library board to ensure that another voice of the citizens that use the library is represented if not the greatest community asset(s) in town that is open and available to all I'm currently (but also typically) sort of scattered in my readings Depending on mood and even location or activity I'm reading a book about the golden age of pirates another about the dynasties of the Middle Ages which is usually something else like an autobiography or I use the library quite often, it seems. I have helped moderate the Oak Lawn Library's writers' group for most of my 23 years of residence. The past few years, I've helped run the Southside FilmMakers Club with annual showcases of our local group's short film productions I do the scheduling and 'assists in running the amateur Underground Improv group that meets a couple of times a month I participate in the monthly Gaming Day event Add in a few other random times using a study room or getting books or attending some of the many amazing programs the library has brought out coming back from COVID...a fair amount of folks know at least my face are for the library to keep being an cultural touchstone for our community if not the preeminent library(s) in the whole region I have given seminars in many other libraries in the area I try to at least duck into the local library to see how they compare Rarely have I departed thinking the others were even an equal to Oak Lawn When inevitably I waited until the last moment to do some lengthy assignment I had due the next day I remember each time being in awe of the size and scope of the building When moving looking for a house to move into our list included things like good schools What a home run (baseball season!) to move to Oak Lawn which had and still has all of those amenities in spades I hope to be a part of helping that be the case The role of the library...part of that is above though...make sure we serve the whole community the full picture of the residents that comprise our town We have fishing reels because people can go fishing between the golf course and the huge park on 103rd all sorts of things that a lot of smaller places can only wish they had Our library is a gathering place for those in search of knowledge I've made lasting friendships in every group I mentioned above how to buy or sell their home...so many things That is what a library should do for its people and that is what the Oak Lawn library does for Oak Lawn...and people from a lot of surrounding areas too I can only remark about what I empirically see Things like the main elevator being in various stages of needing repair the other is only supposed to go the other way for patrons and that isn't easy on those that need the use of it Your ADA compliance should not be a concern the library loses that ability for some patrons things like the website...I am pretty sure there is a plan for that so make sure that isn't a funding casualty there was almost a month without internet for even the library use itself Not sure if that is a budget issue in getting it fixed but maybe one to have a back-up option the library can pivot to in such cases I cannot speak to what is currently funded so these are just concerns I can think of as an active patron to the facility if I am honored to be elected by the people of Oak Lawn I will gain a clearer perspective of what the best funding looks like Programming...the library does an amazing job at programming but also what I have heard from others in actively asking those I know or talk to at various events around town family events are all getting great reviews it sounds like Do not cut that funding as long as they are attracting people to the site Books are books and the backbone of any library but events and programming are what can really draw people into our library it goes beyond just serving our local community within the library about the library that I think some may overlook Those that are unhappy to ever spend a penny for the library that see it as unnecessary or wasting valuable space in the heart of town...this is why that is a misguided belief have sought to defund the library to its core Perhaps for just their own personal non-use of the building or some darker agenda like getting rid of the whole place one can only guess what lies in the dark hearts of those that hate a library that some of the clubs I'm in we have people coming in from well out of town post-meeting we more often end up at one of the many great dining options in town Many have remarked they stopped off at the Target on the way in and then spending money that goes right into village tax coffers There is a reason why the milk is always at the back of the store why the pharmacy isn't up front...people shop on the way in or way out of getting what they originally came for Without the amazing library we have in Oak Lawn with dedicated staff that loves being there creating programs that draw in not just our own citizens we need to keep the library as vibrant and exciting as a library can be Programs that bring people together in a time when social media and screens all-but-glued to our hands work daily to keep us apart as alive and vibrant as a stoic brick building can be senior centers...they are all as 'alive' as the people that use them I want to see as much foot traffic as possible I want to see our materials being taken out to the point that there is a waiting list issue because we are getting the materials our citizens want and they are utilizing the facility to the hilt I also want a clean budget that everybody can understand with goals being met and understanding why they are not if that is the case I want no less but no more money being spent of tax payer money than is necessary Are we paying our workers enough to not have rampant turnover Are we doing the due diligence on maintenance so we stay ahead of bigger problems like broken elevators or tech systems not functioning they way they are supposed to with a year left in my theoretical six-year term I hope I've done my part to make the library stronger than the day I was elected Curating of books and collections is something I think board members should have a bit more of a 'stepped back' view on unless there is something specific involved We pay smart staff members to know best which books or other materials are most used or 'trending' I want to trust in them to use best practices in determining what we need for our town Keeping track of usage numbers makes sense from the board standpoint more than worrying too much about the day-to-day details of how many copies we have of "The Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy" in stock presumably offensive to 'someone' is always tricky So we are talking about something that has gotten 'past' the first layers of library staff Some ruckus has moved this conversation 'up' to the board needing to chime in "What best serves the overall community?" that's the obvious avenue the ruckus-bringers are looking at It also might mean some sort of greater 'security' I suppose depending on library guidelines on handling 'adult' material It might mean the ruckus-bringers are just going to have to deal with whatever was making them upset Denying material that upsets segments of a population The proverbial slippery slope that seemingly starting innocuously enough but becomes a fast slide into outright censorship that no thoughtful evolving society should or would want to inculcate Sometimes even material I might find personally objectionable need to remain available to the greater public for very good reasons I think that is the way more of all of us should consider questions like this Is my being offended or annoyed by 'this' more important than what the subject matter can mean to the community at-large Should my personal values weigh more than the rest of fellow citizens' etc...it does not care from whence you came who your parents are or where your grandparents were born Because the library is often used by people that like to read English the predominant language spoken in town and in the region Balancing the needs of the few with the needs or the more is difficult in many ways the library should be equal to promote (or not) different cultural aspects that reflect the various subsets of people living in Oak Lawn A library is most 'alive' when it 'breathes' with the figurative lungs of all those in town Buying books in many languages is another balancing act for the staff and the board Beyond the conversation of the worthiness of helping those of one spoken language learn another the practical costs of buying the same book in perhaps three to five (or more) languages has to be weighed against taking too much away from a majority that also deserves to be represented How many anticipated users of any given book are expected Because a book in one language doesn't inherently cost less than that of another does the library then buy a book that a very small slice of the population will use but the staff feel it will be used more than a book in English costing the same I'm sure there is a case to be made for some books being a...case- By Mark LamsterArchitecture Critic an affordable housing project aimed at (but not exclusive to) LGBTQ seniors But Oak Lawn Place is different: It is sited more thoughtfully built with more durable and attractive materials It would be impressive for a building renting at luxury rates; for an affordable housing project dark and dangerous buildings typically associated with the form News RoundupsCatch up on the day's news you need to know “Everybody has ideas about what affordable housing means, and this project busts people’s perceptions,” says Cece Cox, the chief executive of Resource Center the nonprofit founded during the AIDS crisis in 1983 to support the LGBTQ community in and around Dallas Oak Lawn Place is its first entry into the housing market completed in partnership with Matthews Southwest and Volunteers of America the neighborhood that has been the epicenter of gay life in Dallas for decades $31 million project arrive at a square bay faced by aluminum panels with colored accents — red pink — that hint at but don’t directly reproduce the pride flag and we didn’t want to out the people who live here,” says Cox “Safety is still a concern for queer people.” Within is a bright, open lobby fronted by glass on all sides. “It’s a welcoming gesture,” says Ron Stelmarski who led design of the project for the Dallas office of Perkins & Will so you are able to see everything all at once.” That includes a dining area a gym and a generously scaled patio deck that sits in the open space between the wings of the building apparently enjoying the view of the building.) The bulk of the building is faced in brick — black at the lowest level a reference to the blackland prairie that once made up the Dallas landscape — and a warmer beige above to give the building a sense of lightness The use of brick also imparts an impression of solidity and permanence and distinguishes it from so many unattractive apartment blocks faced with stucco or EIFS (pronounced ee-fis A well-proportioned grid of punched windows provides a sense of dignified restraint efficiently designed with a kitchen and living area on one side bath and a closet with a washer/dryer on the other Five of the units are designed specifically for those with hearing and vision disabilities using light and sound cues for certain notifications The entire building is aimed at accommodating the impairments that come with aging with distances from service spaces kept short and colors and patterns chosen for maximum readability Furniture was selected with an eye to the demands of seniors with heights and arm rests that make it easy to sit down and get up “We paid a lot of attention to wayfinding in general to make it very clear and easy to read,” says Stelmarski There is a dire need for supportive housing for American seniors — according to the National Council on Aging roughly 80% of households with older adults are struggling financially — but the need is especially acute for those in the LGBTQ community LGBTQ seniors tend to have fewer dependents on whom they can rely for support and only recently became eligible for the benefits of legal marriage “Because our relationships weren’t recognized legally until 2015 we often have a much lower household income than our heterosexual counterparts,” says Cox residents’ annual income must fall between 30% and 60% of the Dallas area median income (AMI) Rents for a one-bedroom unit range from $567 to $1,118 The sense of community is reinforced by an art program that runs throughout the building Each floor has a digital work by local artists Anderson + Kincaid that portrays a resident of Oak Lawn superimposed over a vivid backdrop Hallways are enlivened by floral murals by Karen Chen “The best housing endures because it brings people together as much as giving them their own sense of privacy,” says Stelmarski, who was also the designer of the Galbraith the sharply planned and detailed mixed-income housing block completed in 2022 on the edge of downtown Dallas needs more housing like Oak Lawn Place (and the Galbraith) especially at a time of increasing hostility and intolerance toward minority groups “We built this housing development during COVID and during the last Texas legislative session with all the things that were targeted at our community,” says Cox “It’s miraculous in some ways that we continue to do what we’re doing but that’s just the heart and soul of Resource Center.” It should not require miracles to build quality affordable housing, a basic human right. Dallas has considerable work to do on this front, but in Oak Lawn Place it has a model of how to give comfort and respect to those who have so often had their needs denied. has endorsed Raymond Schwarzkopf and Dave Weinert in the upcoming library board election Both are among three candidates running for two open seats on the Oak Lawn Public Library Board of Trustees Current trustees Pat O’Donnell and Sean Kelly are finishing out their six-year terms “We believe that Raymond and Dave will be responsible board members that can lead the library to provide even better service to the community,” Kate Donley said “The Oak Lawn library board election is important and everyone’s vote counts.” who serves as programming librarian for the library said on behalf of her fellow union members that Weinert and Schwarzkopf are both frequent users of the library “which is a great perspective to bring to the board.” The American Federation of State, City and Municipal Employees represents more than 90,000 active and retired employees of state local school districts and nonprofit agencies across Illinois The third candidate running is Karrie Mallo Patch has sent questionnaires to the candidates at 87th Street and Harlem Avenue in Little Palestine The Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine is organizing a large protest and march Pro-Palestine supporters are expected to start convening at 4 p.m. with the rally and march starting at 4:30 p.m Motorists should expect the area to be cordoned off and/or traffic restricted during the protest The demonstration is part of a global strike to end the genocide in Gaza The winter picnic will be held in a heated tent on the grounds of the bar and features food Proceeds will be distributed to South Side charities The Raiders will also be selling tickets for its Queen of Hearts Raffle, that has been rolling over the past 20 weeks. Tickets will be sold up until 2:30 p.m. The drawing will take place at 3 p.m. live on Oak Lawn Raiders SAC Facebook Famous for carrying a 50-by-100-foot American flag in Oak Lawn’s Independence Day Parade the Oak Lawn Raiders SAC has been helping local individuals and families facing financial difficulties and other civic projects for over 50 years Each siren will be tested individually for 3 to 5 seconds at different times of the day The new system manufactured by Braniff Communications an emergency notification and communications solutions provider based in Crestwood is a rotating siren system which produces a 60-degree projection of sound that rotates at 3 RPM Six sirens will be installed at the following locations in Oak Lawn Residents in Oak Lawn and neighboring towns near the border can expect to hear each siren being tested individually for 3 to 5 seconds at different times of the day “This was not a planned expenditure for FY 2025 budget,” Oak Lawn’s emergency communications director Diana Tousignant told Patch in the fall “Our repair techs have been able to fix the sirens but the village felt it was time to replace them.” The new system is a high power, directional rotating weather siren for tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Unlike the old system that had voice warnings which only served to confuse residents the Braniff system does not have voice warnings which only served to confuse residents when it was first installed in 2013 “[The Braniff system] is the same siren system serving over 200 communities in Illinois including all our neighboring communities,” Tousignant said The cost of the new outdoor tornado warning sirens is $175,000. The village received an Illinois DCEO grant that will cover this capital expenditure An additional $55,800 will cover related installation services The sound of the sirens will be the same universal continuous wail but will rotate for optimal coverage Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.