Closed in Ridge Acres of Western Springs 4638 Franklin Avenue

Listed for $539,900 and lowered to $519000 and closed for $500,000 in 32 days. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 1/2 car garage and a finished basement. Hardwood floors and sharp!

Taffy Apple Sale School District 101 Band and Orchestra Association

Taffy Apple Sale to support District 101 Band and Orchestra Association will be accepting orders for Taffy Apples until September 9th. Proceeds from this sale will promote and support music education by funding professional music assemblies, music camp scholarships, instruments and student lessons. Cases of 24 apples are $23.00. With nuts, without nuts or sprinkled cases are available. To place an order contact Ellen Oeltgen 708-784-9854.

Registration for Fall Recreation Department Programs

Walk-in registration on a first come, first serve basis- starts August 29th at the Recreation Center beginning at 8:30 am.

Open rehearsals for the Tower Chorale Community Chorus

Sept. 12th and 19th at the Grand Avenue Community Center at 7:15 pm. There are approximately 80 singers from the western suburbs. This begins their 26th season. They perform 3 major concerts each year and rehearsals are held on Monday evenings at 7:15 from September through May. www.towerchorale.org

Grand Avenue Big Band Concert-September 21st

Bring a lawn chair . 7 PM on Wed., Sept. 21 at the Grand Avenue Center. Outdoors if weather permits, otherwise it moves indoors. No Charge

Closed 4056 Hampton in Old Town of Western Springs

4056 Hampton closed on Jan. 8, 2007 for $775,000. It was listed in July of 2009 for $775,000 and taken off on Oct. 29, 2009. Back on in June 2010 for $689,000-$649,000-$619,000-$599,900-$579,900-$549,900 Dec. 2010. Back on in Jan. for $548,990 March 2011 for $539,900 Expired on July 3, 2011. Back on July 14th for $548,999 and sold that day for $530,000. Closed 8/25/2011
3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath on a 50 x 132 lot with a finished basement-close to school.

Closed 5113 Central in Forest Hills of Western Springs

This home was built in 2006 and sold in May of 2006 for $1,485,000(from tax records).
Back on the market in May of 2011 for $1,500,000 and lowered to $1,457,000 in June. Home got a contract on August 5th and closed on August 25th for $1,325,000.
5 br above grade and 1 in lower level, 5 full baths and 2 half baths, 2nd floor laundry, finished 3 floor, butlers pantry, patios and porch.

Linda Hanley, Charles Rutenberg Realty, 708-334-5356 Full-time broker in Western Springs for over 20 years.

Win a $20 Gift Certificate to Snackers Cafe in Western Springs

Enjoy a nice meal in downtown Western Springs. I will be giving number 58 a $20.00 gift card to Snackers. Tell them Linda sent you!

Winners of the Western Springs Raffle

Far left: winner of a Starbucks gift card was Annie Rivas. Annie is away at school so her mom accepted for her.

Left: Courtney on Courtland Circle won a $20 gift card to Caseys Market.

Courtney has been stripping wallpaper & painting her new home in Springdale. It looked great!

Lyons Township High School

August 22nd - First Day of School
August 24th - 7-9 pm South Campus Fieldhouse LT Booster wear sale
August 24th 7-9 pm South Campus Fieldhouse Co-curricular night and activity fair
August 25th - Parking Lottery Applications Due by 3:30
August 29th - 9 am- 10:30 am Freshman Parent Orientation SC Performing Arts Center
August 30th - 9 am - 10:30 am Freshman Parent Orientation SC Performing Arts Center
August 31st - College Application Process for Senior Parents 9-10 am NC137 and 7-8 pm NC Reber Center

Lyons Township Adult and Community Education Booklets for the Fall 0f 2011

The Fall schedule of classes arrived in the mail last week. To register online go to www.lths.net and click on lths web store and then on adult education link. The brochure is available on this website. If you would like a brochure mailed to you call 708-579-6573. Residents of Lyons Township High School District 204 who are 65 years or older are eligible to join the Gold Card Club. This entitles you to enroll in many classes for 1/2 price.

Which Western Springs Neighborhood do you like BEST??

Western Springs is a town of little neighborhoods. When it comes time to upgrade to a bigger home it is not unusual for clients to want to stay in a 4-6 block section. I raised my children in Old Town South. This is the section from the tracks to 47th and Wolf Road to Spring Rock Park. We lived on Grand Avenue for 23 years. This little section is walking distance to the town and train and the biggest park in town. My children loved it there. They were able to walk to town, go to Spring Rock Park and play baseball with their friends, ride their bikes there, go to the playground. We would have picnic lunches at Spring Rock Park when they were young and back then there were ice skating rinks in the park. When they got a little older they could walk to the train and go to Downers Grove to the Tivoli Theater or take it east to the Taste of Chicago. I now live in Field Park and I can't say enough good things about this section of town. There are a lot of young families here in Field Park plus you can walk to the grade school and McClure Jr. High without having to cross any main streets. There is a nice park with tennis courts at 39th and Linden. Field Park is the area from Wolf Road to Gilbert Avenue and the tracks to Ogden Avenue. For a short period I lived in Springdale of Western Springs. This is a section that was built in the 1960's. It deviates from the straight streets common in the old parts of Western Springs. There are curving streets and all of the electrical is underground. There is a nice park there and the Catholic Grade School-St. John of the Cross. In Springdale you are close to Garden Market Shopping Center and Lyons Township South Campus.

Take the time to post a comment and tell us all about the section you live in and why you love it!!! Thanks, Linda

Closed 4122 Johnson in Field Park of Western Springs

Listed for 899,000 and sold for $900,000 in 6 days!!! Features that made this a quick sale include 80foot wide lot, 3 car garage, all hardwood on first floor, 4 bedrooms and a 16 x 12 loft on second floor, finished basement with 5th bedroom, exercise room and family room, paver patio and an excellent location walk to schools, train, library.

Thinking of buying or selling please call me- Linda,broker, Charles Rutenberg Realty, 708-334-5356

Thursday Night Wine Tasting at the Hillgrove Wine Cellars in Western Springs

At the corner of Hillgrove Avenue and Wolf Road

Hillgrove Wine Cellars
800 Hillgrove Avenue
Western Springs, Illinois 60558
708 784-9003
August 18th Tasting 5 PM until 7 PM


This week's tasting will feature some of Lisa and Michael's FAVORITE selections.

Come into Hillgrove this Thursday and try some new wines!!

First day of kindergarten at St. John of the Cross School

August 23rd

Preschool Open House at St. John of the Cross

Aug.24th For the 3 year old program that meets on MWF and the 4 yr. old 3 & 4 day program 9:15-10:15 Last names from A-M and 10:30-11:30 for last names from N-Z

St. John of the Cross Preschool Open House

August 23rd 9:15-10:15 for last names beginning with A-M
10:30-11:30 for last names beginning with N-Z

For the programs - 3 year old(T-TH) 4 year old 5 days a week

St. John of the Cross on Wolf and 51st Preschool and Kindergarten Parent Meetings

Preschool parent meeting August 22nd 7 - 8 PM
Kindergarten 7-8 pm and 9-10am on the 22nd

St. John of the Cross Back to School Tailgate Party

In the parking lot at 9:00 am for parents and younger siblings. Get caught up on all the news from the other parents! AUGUST 22nd

St. John of the Cross in Western Springs-First Day of School

August 22nd 8:55am until 12:00 PM

6th Grade Luau Lunch at LaGrange Highlands School

Lunch will be provided for all 6th graders on August 26th

LaGrange Highlands 6th Grade Orientation Meeting

7 Pm on August 22nd

LaGrange Highlands School starts on August 22nd

Kick-off on the 22nd from 8:30 until 10:00 am
Full day on August 23rd

First Day of Kindergarten at LaGrange Highlands School

Friday, August 19th from 9 until 11:30 am
AM students 9-10
PM 10:30-11:30

August 24th First Day of School for School District 101 in Western Springs

Good news for some, not so good news for others! Enjoy a wonderful school year.

Forest Hills in Western Springs Registration Night

August 18th from 6-8 pm

Laidllaw Kindergarten Curriculum Night-Western Springs

6:30 to 7:30 PM on August 18th

Laidlaw New Family Sign-up Night

August 18th from 6-6:30 PM

Laidlaw School Supply Pick-up

9-noon and 6-7:30 PM on August 18th August 19th from 9-noon

Field Park of Western Springs Registration

New Family 6:30 PM and Returning Family 7:30 pm on August 17th Drop off registration deadline was August 10th.

McClure Jr. High School in Western Springs Registration

August 16th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM

Open Enrollment Policy for School District 101 in Western Springs

Priority to attend an elemntary school in District 101 is given to students who reside in the neighborhood attendance area. All parents may request placement in either of District 101's other two elementary schools via the Board of Education Open Enrollment Policy. Requests should be done in writing to the Superintendent's Office, generally prior to the end of the school year preceding the request. Factors that will be involved in the consideration of the request include the impact on class size, classroom dynamic and impact on individual students involved. Parents are usually notified of the decision by August 1st each year.

Great rental in Old Town South of Western Springs

4558 Grand Avenue in Old Town South...only a block to train and town. Beautiful lot and a magnificent older home. Rent for $5500 a month including lawn and snow maintenance.
Call me for more information....Linda Hanley, Charles Rutenberg Realty, 708-334-5356

Closed 1022 Linden Lane in Ridgewood of Western Springs

9 days on the market. Listed for $480,000 and sold for $478,000. This home closed on July 27, 2011 and has 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a first floor laundry room.

Closed 4344 Franklin in Field Park of Western Springs

On the market for 100 days. Built in 2005-2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath. Listed for $449,000 and sold for $410,000.

Closed 4485 Central in Old Town South of Western Springs

2 flat across from Springrock Park and walk to train. Both units have 3 brs, lr, dr and hardwood floors. Built in 1956. Listed for $469,900 and sold for cash for $430,000. On the market for 66 days.

Closed 4221 Linden in Field Park of Western Springs

Sold in 9 days! Listed for $335,000 and sold for $335,500. Closed 8/10. This home had been listed in 2007 for $549,900 and expired. Back on in 2008 for $499,900 and expired. Listed this year for $335,000 and sold in 9 days. 60 x 131 lot, 4 br, 2 1/2 bath.

Closed 5580 Wolf Road in Springwood Manor of Western Springs

This 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo with a one car garage was on the market for 1089 days. Originally listed for $217,900 and eventually lowered to $149,900 it closed on August 3rd for $130,000. Nicely updated this unit sold for $61,00 in 1978 according to the tax records.

Western Springs Rec Department Fall booklet

They came in the mail today. If you didn't get yours their number is 708-246-9070. Mail-in registration must be received by 4:30 pm on Thursday, August 25th at 1500 Walker Street, Western Springs, Il 60558. Resident registration continues as a first come, first serve walk-in Monday, August 29th beginning at 8:30 am at the Rec Center on Walker.

Closed in Field Park of Western Springs 4243 Johnson

This two story home was on the market for 119 days. Originally listed for $525,000 and lowered to $450,000. It closed for $399,000 on August 9th, 2011. On a 49 x 133 lot, 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a family room.

Linda Hanley, Charles Rutenberg Realty, 708-334-5356

Lyons Township High School Registration and Processing

August 11, 12, and 15. Proof of residency required each year. Complete details

Nanny Wanted...Anyone out there with suggestions?

Hi Everyone
Someone new to the community is looking for a nanny for her 20 month old daughter. Is there anyone out there with a good suggestion on where to find nannies in the suburbs? Please share your comments and help her out. Thanks, Linda

Win a $20.00 gift card to Dominicks in the Garden Market

Prize for the week of August 8th goes to number 100.

The owner of Stems and Twigs - Tish Rothschild- passed away

I just learned she died suddenly on Sunday, July 31st. The store is closed to day.

Western Springs Rental Available Sept. 1st

2 bedroom duplex with a basement. Nice backyard and walk to the train! Rent for a year or more. $1250 per month Call Linda Hanley Kelly, broker at Charles Rutenberg Realty to see.
708-334-5356