Marine Corps band comes to OPRF
What’s 84 years between visits? That’s how long it’s been since the U.S. Marine Corps’ marching band has performed at Oak Park and River Forest High School. Next Tuesday, May 12, the Corps’ Drum and Bugle Marching Band will perform at OPRF’s football stadium (unlit, of course). OPRF alum and professional musician Joe Cantafio helped organize the drill team’s return to Oak Park.
A 2008 Traditional of Excellence honoree, Cantafio will serve as its opening act, performing with his 101st Rock Division Band. The Forgotten Heroes Foundation, a nonprofit co-founded by Cantafio to honor veterans, is co-sponsoring the event. It starts at 5 p.m. and is free to the public. In 1925, a ticket went for $1.50.
This just in … D200 has a new superintendent
Apparently, state Rep. Deborah Graham’s office hadn’t gotten the news yet, nearly two years after the fact. As is customary, elected officials every year look to recognize graduating high school seniors with a Certificate of Recognition introduced in the legislature.
In an April 17 letter from Graham, the 78th District state rep. requested a list of this year’s OPRF graduates. But the letter was addressed to Superintendent/Principal Susan Bridge, who retired two years ago. Supt. Attila Weninger has been on the job since May 2007. After approving Graham’s request at its regular meeting last Thursday, District 200 board member Ralph Lee said, “I would like to have added to the list of names that are sent in … the name of our new superintendent.”
Fellow members, after a few chuckles, agreed.
One special Mother’s Day
One OPRF mom and her daughter will have an extra reason to celebrate their first Mother’s Day in the village this Sunday. Oak Park and River Forest High School junior Azja Kennedy appeared with her mother, Mici O’Grady, Monday morning on ABC Channel 7 News for a Mother’s Day makeover segment.
The two moved to Oak Park from Minnesota this school year.
Turning graffiti into art
When is graffiti not a crime? When the cops commission it. The Oak Park Police Department has invited “artists of all ages and skill sets” to submit drawings for consideration as part of a 40- by 20-foot “community art wall” at 411 Harrison St. That’s a building the police have had graffiti problems with in the past, so they decided to showcase local talent instead of leaving it to the vandals.
You can drop off your drawings at the police booth during What’s Blooming on Harrison, May 16, or e-mail them to policeart@oak-park.us. Drawings must be no larger than 11-by-17 inches and electronic files must be smaller than two megabytes. The deadline is May 16 by 8 p.m.
Local artist Steve Fisher will coordinate all the submissions into a cohesive theme for the wall. Fisher and a panel of judges will choose the winning drawings. The finalists will help create the wall and their names will be included on the dedication plaque.
Spray paint will be the wall’s primary medium. Call 708-386-3800 or e-mail policeart@oak-park.us for more info.
Boy, those bags are going to be heavy
Sometimes you just can’t say it better than the postmaster:
Dear Postal Customer,
The United States Postal Service, in conjunction with the National Association of Letter Carriers, will be collecting non-perishable food items liked canned meats and fish, canned soup, juice, pasta, vegetables, cereal and rice on Saturday, May 9, to help families in need in our community.
You can help by placing your food donation at your mailbox on May 9 before your letter carrier arrives. It will be taken to the post office and then delivered to local food banks or pantries. Please do not include items that have expired or those in glass containers.
Thank you for caring,
Your Letter Carrier