BLUE ISLAND, IL–September 1st, 2010 (James Street Media Services)

Blue Island Mayor Donald E. Peloquin has declared September 17, 18 & 19, “Welcome Weekend” to celebrate the historic city’s 175th Anniversary.

“Everyone in Blue Island is ready to welcome visitors on this special weekend,” Peloquin said. “In addition to the many stores, restaurants, historic homes, beautiful parks and friendly residents, visitors can enjoy special events that take place throughout the year.”

Mayor Peloquin expresses thanks to the many hands that are making this event possible, among them are the Blue Island Historic Preservation Commission, The Forum newspaper and the Blue Island Historical Society.

Welcome Weekend events include:

• • The City of Blue Island 175th Birthday Party
• • 20th Annual Cavalcade of Pride Dinner
• • Blue Island Historical Society (BIHS) 27th House Walk Tour

For more details, read the official press release.

WHEN
Sunday, September 19, 2010
12:00pm-4:00pm

TICKET DONATION
$15 each / $20 each, day of
Tickets can be purchased at:
Blue Island Public Library, 2433 York St
CARR home-garden-holiday, 2357 York St

CALL for more information 708-371-8546.

The public comment period is from August 12 to September 11, 2010. All interested individuals are encouraged to review the document and make comments.

The City and SSMMA will hold a public information meeting in conjunction with the comment period on Thursday, August 26, 2010 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at the Blue Island Public Library 2433 York Street, Blue Island, IL 60406.

Visit Marshfield Clean-up page to learn more about the project.

 Quick Links:

•  Draft ABCA [.pdf]
• Marshfield Clean-up

For details about Pace’s RideShare program and about alternate fixed route service options, please call (847) 364-7223.

The Passenger Notice for the Route 397 Elimination will be available for review online at pacebus.com through 8/28/2010.

Once again Blue Island Historic Preservation Commission is asking residents and visitors to nominate their favorite homes and businesses in the 20th Annual Cavalcade of Pride competition.

The Cavalcade of Pride is an annual award that honors property owners who have done an exceptional job of maintaining and improving the exteriors of their homes, businesses and neighborhood. Winners are becognized at an awards banquet, held this year on Sat, September 18th.

Act fast! The deadline for submitting e-nominations is this Fri, August 13.

To Nominate Someone

• ♦ Download a nomination form from the Commission’s webpage
• ♦ Email it to Historic Preservation ; Or
• ♦ Find a nomination form in the current issue of the FORUM.

Awards are given to the best of the following in the City of Blue Island:

• ♦ home in each ward
• ♦ apartment building
• ♦ garden
• ♦ business property &
• ♦ best block

This year’s celebration promises to be special, with Blue Island celebrating a milestone of its own - 175 years since the Rexfords became Blue Island’s most prominent early settlers.

Sponsors

The Cavalcade of Pride is sponsored by the City of Blue Island, the Historic Preservation Commission, the Blue Island Historical Society, and the FORUM newspaper.

Friday, July 30
11am-2pm: food by Rail Grill
11-Noon: Radio Disney AM 1300
12pm-2pm: Bobby Dun Band

6pm-8pm: food by Rail Grill
Eddie Korosa Jr Band
8pm: family movies – “Goonies”
Sponsored by Great Lakes Bank

Friday, August 6
11am-2pm: food by Tenochtitlan
11-Noon: Radio Disney AM 1300
12pm-2pm: Lasting Impressions (Band)

4pm-8pm: TASTE OF BLUE ISLAND
Food by: Beggar’s Pizza, Double Play, Giuseppe’s, Islands Café, MetroSouth Café, Pablo’s, Salvation Army & Tenochtitlan
4p-6pm: Money Shot Band
6pm-8pm: Mudcats Band
Sponsored by Coalition Party
8pm: family movies – “ET”

Did you bike to work today in Blue Island?

In recognition of Active Transportation Alliance’s Bike to Work Week, the City of Blue Island is supporting two-wheeled commutes to City Hall, and encourages everyone that lives in Blue Island to try biking to work – or to the train station! – from June 12-18.

Cyclists from Building & Zoning, Community Development, and the Marketing Department are joined by riders from the Blue Island Fire Department, Blue Island Public Library, and the Blue Island Park District! Let us know if you’re riding too!!

Each day you ride to work in Blue Island, check in with Marketing Director Mary Poulsen. Every ride earns a chance at our Friday raffle for a “tools of the road” kit and Active Transportation membership. And every rider on the City’s team receives a “swag bag” of goodies thanks to the helpful folks at Blue City Cycles, 3201 S Halsted Street in Chicago (Bridgeport). We love independently owned businesses!

Fay's Point, Blue Island 2010 Green Ribbon Award Winner

Congratulations to Fay’s Point, LLC, OKW Architects, Inc and partners, on their recent Green Ribbon Award from Friends of the Chicago River in the 1st Annual Blue Ribbon Awards.

1 of 7 inaugural winners, Fay’s Point was recognized “as an excellent example of how residential development can utilize the river to enhance the quality of life for the residents— wild and human alike”.

The Blue Ribbon Awards, which ”recognize environmental leaders and the ecological precedents they set”, are part of the Friends’ new Chicago River Blue program that educates, encourages, and rewards river-sensitive developments and redevelopments that take people, wildlife, and clean water into account.  Chicago River Blue provides guidelines, ideas, examples, vendors, on-line resources, and an annual award to make sensitive river-edge development accessible to everyone.  Download the Press Release

From the Press Release:

“Blue Island, Illinois

• Award Winners: Fay’s Point, LLC and OKW Architects, Inc.
• Project Partners: Henderson Bodwell; Kestrel Design; Kinsella Landscape; Krause Construction; Marlin Environmental; R.I. Johnson; and The Structural Group

Located between the confluence of the Calumet-Sag Channel and the Little Calumet River, Fay’s Point is an excellent example of how residential development can utilize the river to enhance the quality of life for the residents—wild and human alike. The design solution was driven by the goal of creating a walkable, water focused community, imbedded in a restored natural landscape. It includes many eco-focused amenities such as walking trails, canoe launches, boat docks, river front terraces, and bird watching platforms which engage residents and provide opportunity for others to interact with the river.

In addition, 11 acres are dedicated as open natural space, over 1,000 feet of the Little Calumet River bank was restored to the highest environmental standards, including expanded and enhanced wetlands, and mature stands of trees were protected as the site was redeveloped.”

Learn more about Fay’s Point ‘here‘.

1. Have your escape route planned as part of a disaster plan.
2. Have a portable radio (with new batteries) on hand as part of the tornado safety plan.
3. An important part of any disaster plan involves putting together a supplies kit.
4. Moving lawn furniture and trash cans out of the storm’s path and removing dead limbs from trees in the yard can be a life-saving tornado safety precaution.
5. Set up a disaster plan with extended members of your family.

1. Have your escape route planned as part of a disaster plan.
During a tornado, the best bet is to lay low. The basement is the targeted tornado safety shelter if available; if not, the family should have an alternate place to quickly evacuate if necessary. If outside when a tornado hits, seek cover in a safe building or in a ditch, using your hands to protect your head and neck. Families who are living in a mobile home should talk to neighbors or the park owner about tornado safety options.

2. Have a portable radio (with new batteries) on hand as part of the tornado safety plan.
In the event of an emergency, someone needs to listen and be aware of the two types of reports given when weather conditions are right for a tornado: A tornado watch means that a tornado is possible. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted; people who are in its path will need to go to the tornado safety shelter immediately. A map allows families to visually follow the path of the tornado when they are relying on the radio for tornado safety updates.

3. An important part of any disaster plan involves putting together a supplies kit.
The emergency kit should include everything that might be needed during a tornado. Bottled water, flashlights, batteries, prescription medicine, a first aid kit, and snacks or essential food for the family are essential components of the supplies kit. Make sure the kit is easily accessible in the event it’s needed.

4. Moving lawn furniture and trash cans out of the storm’s path and removing dead limbs from trees in the yard can be a life-saving tornado safety precaution.
Even small items can become dangerous when propelled by high winds.

5. Set up a disaster plan with extended members of your family.
Tornadoes typically strike during late afternoon and early evening, but they have been known to touch down in the middle of the night. Families must decide ahead of time which family members are responsible for calling the rest of the family to warn them and to provide them with updates as part of the tornado safety checklist.