Tag: community

Local Protests

Today, Palatine had its first Racial Justice rally, the second one is planned for Saturday. I learned about it a couple of hours before it was going to start, but I figured out I can do it.

Through the past week, I’ve said multiple times how important these days is not to be silent. Yes, we are a small village, just about 80,000 people. And yes, it may seem like it does not matter; we are away from the city and away from the real battle. But I find it essential that my neighbors of different languages and colors walked out together to say NO to racism.

We were standing at the corner of Palatine Road and Quentine, the Riemer Reservoir is a public property, that’s why we could be there without any permission. Police was notified and had it’s presence
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I Have to Share That:)

Somebody on our local nextdoor.com forum wanted to have some fun, I guess, or just test the neighborhood, and posted a survey: Should schools in America teach Arabic numerals as part of the curriculum? answers: Yes! No! No opinion.

I know it is hard to believe (especially since our school district, both Elementary and HS, are known for providing excellent education), but … at the time I checked, about 20% responded “No!” some with the comments “we are in America”, and 9% had “no opinion”.

And they were not joking!!!(It was clear from the subsequent comments). The post is already removed, so I do not know the final count 🙂

The First Trip to The Farmer’s Market

The Palatine Farmers market started its season lost Friday, and I didn’t even know! So this Saturday, I was determined to go. I thought that it would be a great idea to bike there, but we had a frost last night! Most likely, the last frost of the season, but cold enough for lots of my impatiences to die. It was not deadly for humans, for sure, but it made a ride unpleasant. So for today, I took a car to the train station and then walked to the market.

It was such a pleasure to see familiar faces, even when in masks and six feet apart. And even more so, to hear that people recognize me, even when my face is covered with a mask and sunglasses.

I bought some micro-greens from my farmers.

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Increasing the Distance

Our Park District came up with a very creative way to keep the residents active during the lockdown. At the beginning of April, they launched a virtual competition, “Increasing the distance.”


The distance is minimal, but I know that many people stopped moving entirely, so it is important to get them out and moving, even if it would be for a mile a day.

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So Proud of Our School District!

This is our school district – Community Consolidated District 15, and I am so proud of the work of its’ staff! It is not just in Chicago, but in Palatine as well, that lots of children depend on breakfasts and lunches at school. And when schools are closed, the school district delivers!

Masks

When ten days ago, the Illinois residents were asked by the governor to wear masks when in public, my first thought was to revive the skills we were taught in grade school at the lessons of Civic Defense.

However, when I shared this idea with Anna, she was quick to react that they do not seem to bee good for the current purpose. I think that their design goes back to the days of chemical weapons being the biggest scare.

Anna told me that her friend, who in the times of peace is a theatrical costume maker, is making masks to order. That sounded great – will there be any other occasion when I could order something from a real costume designer?! I ordered two for each of the boys, and two for myself, and two – just in case. They arrived on Monday, and when I demonstrated them in the office slack channel, everybody got jealous!

Ice-cream is Essential!

I didn’t walk in that direction for a while. The only reason for me to walk in that direction was going to the fitness center, and it is closed now. But the other day I did, and to my surprise, I found the local ice-cream shop opened! For carry-out only, of course, but still, I was pleasantly surprised. The next day, I walked with a purpose:).

Who would argue that ice-cream is essential?!

Just as I Finished Writing

Just after I published the previous post I saw a massage from our Park District:

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order to Shelter in Place and recommendations made by the CDC regarding large gatherings, the Palatine Park District has announced that all playgrounds, hard surface courts, and facilities are closed.
While parks and trails remain open, it is still not acceptable to be in large groups. Many people chose to disregard the Governor’s order and in return, the Park District has received an extraordinary amount of messages from concerned patrons about the volume of gatherings.
As a result, the Park District is taking further action to highly discourage those people who are ignoring the order by the Governor. Closed signs have been posted near all playgrounds. Playgrounds will be roped off with caution tape. Basketball rims have been covered, tennis and pickleball courts have been locked as well as the skate park. Soccer and lacrosse goals have been disassembled and our drinking fountains have been shut off and will remain off until further notice.
In order to complete these efforts and regulations, we must ask staff to leave the safety of their homes and expose themselves to surfaces that have been touched by thousands of people. Any of whom could be infected.
We are also working cooperatively with the Village and Police Department, and they are ready to assist with enforcement by dispersing people who do not follow the Governor’s order.
All that being said, we implore any of you who took part in the discouraged activity to seriously reconsider your actions. Please do not make us take the next step of closing down the community parks entirely. We want people to be able to get outside to get fresh air and go for a walk, but if this type of blatant disregard for the safety of others continues, we will be forced to do so.
On behalf of the Board of Park Commissioners, the Park District Staff, and all of our loved ones, please take this seriously! Do your part to flatten the curve and save lives!

What can I say? Just one thing – I am glad that I was not the only person who was concerned! I hope that people will behave responsibly!

Speaking About Our Favorite Grocery…

I wanted to share their message to all of their customers

A MESSAGE TO ALL EUROFRESH CUSTOMERS



We’d like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for our exceptional community which shows its true colors in challenging times. 
We’re overwhelmed with thanks for your loyalty and patronage. We feel so fortunate that you entrust us during these critical days.Our dedicated and trained staff are most happy when they’re helping and serving you. Our store wouldn’t be where it is today without their hard work. They make us proud every single day.
Thank you for understanding that placing limits on certain necessities is a normal occurrence. Know that we will never commit price gauging and are ashamed of grocers who do so. 
We will be making donations to our local food pantries to help those in dire need during this event. 
Please continue to practice good hygiene as we increase and enforce our efforts in keeping you safe. 
Sincerely Yours,THE EUROFRESH FAMILY

Palatine Public library in the News

We love our library since our first day in Palatine. Unfortunately, they do not feature anymore the old library sign, which announced the opening of the library in on September 8, 1923 – it has about 500 books back then. 

We grew up in this library. As a family. As citizens. There is so much more in the library than just books. In addition to all the materials you can check, in addition to all the clubs and lectures you can attend, it provides the meeting spaces, which is priceless for anybody seeking to find like-minded people.

Our library has been recognized several times as one of the best in the nation in it’s category. Last year was not an exception – it received “Star Library” recognition among neighboring and national libraries in the Library Journal’s Index of Public Library Service for 2019.

Interestingly, the same week, Igor showed me another article, which recognized the library for the outstanding marketing of its renovation project. The article in the Library Journal provides all details, and I can second their recognition. The way how the necessity of the changes was explained, how the library engaged the whole community into the discussion, and made sure each voice was heard was indeed outstanding. You could drop a response in the library collection box, you could reply online, or by mail, there were several public meetings held to discuss the renovation. 

I can’t wait to see how it will turn out!