Closed 5132 Clausen Avenue in Springdale of Western Springs

Built in 2007 home has 5 bedrooms, 5 baths was first listed on March 31, 2010 for $1,099,000 and lowered to $1,075,000. Home was taken off the market in July, 2010. Back on in September for $999,999 and lowered to $979,000. Sold for $910,000 and closed March 31st.

Closed 4728 Fair Elms in Forest Hills of Western Springs

Sold in 9 days. Listed for $435,000 and closed for $402,000. 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath built in 1968. On a 63 x 150 lot with an attached 2 car garage. Home has a sub-basement. Seller paid $1500 in points.

Sold and closed in Old Town of Western Springs

Built in 2007 this home was originally listed for $1,299,000 and lowered to $899,900. The final sale price was $805,000. This home was beautifully appointed with lots of woodwork, 5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths. Located in Old Town of Western Springs this was a great buy!

Sold in Forest Hills of Western Springs

4942 Fair Elms was on the market for 13 days. As the listing agent described it-it was an intriguing ranch that had been custom built in the 50's. Home had 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths and was on a 75 x 150 lot. Needed updating but was very interesting. Sold and closed on March 28th, 2011 for $462,500.

What does Vie Restaurant in Western Springs,Field Park School and Whole Foods have in common?

Paul Virant, the chef and owner of Vie, got Field Park School into gardening and Whole Foods will be contributing 5% from their shoppers on April 6th to help them continue to garden. This is such a nice example of businesses and schools working together to make WESTERN SPRINGS the great community it is. Come take a tour of the town with me. I have lived here for the past 36 years and would love to spend a few hours with you.

Closed 4732 Central in Forest Hills of Western Springs

on a 50 x 150 lot this ranch sold before processing. Listed for $329,000 and sold for $312,000. Closed on March 24, 2011

Come to Mecenat on Saturday at 9 PM to hear Chris Lincoln

Just a reminder...Mecenat is having Chris Lincoln perform on Saturday night. He will be doing Jimmy Buffet, Van Morrison and Robert Alan Kean 9 pm until closing. New place in town...check it out. On Burlington Avenue by the bakery.

Italian Wine Pouring at the Hillgrove Wine Cellars in Western Springs

5-7 PM Wednesday 3/23/2011

800 West Hillgrove Avenue

Western Springs

AARP Driver Safety Course will be hosted by the Western Springs Police Department

9 am until 1 pm on March 30th and 31st. At the Western Springs Village Hall, 740 Hillgrove Ave, Western Springs $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers.

Community Support Services 30th Anniversary Party in LaGrange

April 8th from 6-10:30 pm at Bella Banquets in LaGrange. Help this great organization and enjoy an evening of dancing to a live band, listening to an excellent keynote speaker and knowing you are helping. Community Support Services has been helping people with developmental disabilities in our area for the past 30 years.

March 21st Prize for Western Springs Raffle-Win Choclate Milk from Oberweis

Driving by the sign made me want some Oberweis Chocolate Milk and I thought maybe some of you would enjoy some also. Number 5, 10 and closest to 30 who has never won before will be getting some.

Time to register for St. John of the Cross School

Western Springs is a great place to raise a family. We have excellent public and private schools. I sent three children through St. John of the Cross, 2 to Lyons Township High School and 1 to Fenwick. All are adults and doing well!

Winner of "You on a Diet" from the Western Springs Raffle

Laureen Madsen in Springdale was the winner of "You on a Diet". Laureen seems to already be doing the right things but this book has many healthy ideas for all of us. Dr. Oz has become well known thanks to Oprah! Now if I could only get Oprah to talk about me.

Just Listed! 4041 Harvey in Field Park of Western Springs

Charming home on great street for only $349,000. 2 bedrooms up and 1 on first floor. Walk to Stone Avenue train station. Large front porch and stamped cement patio in big backyard. Charming home with fireplace in living room needs updating but is very liveable.

Annual Spring Clean-up in Western Springs

Saturday May 7th....a great day to clean out the basement, garage, attic. Fun to purge and fun to drive around and look for treasures. Get busy getting your stuff together.
Unlimited amounts of household items can be disposed of. No materials will be recylcled and all residents in the Village are included. All garbage needs to be on the parkway no earlier than 6 pm the day before and no later than 6 am on collection day. For more information contact Allied Waste at 708-345-7050
Acceptable and unacceptable items

Lyons Township High School takes 3rd place in the Auto Shop Makeover Contest

Voting for the shop makeover ended March 4th. The LTHS automotive department was one of 6 finalists for Universal Technical Institute's auto shop makeover contest. They competed with schools from all over the U.S. The students from the automotive class along with the school's TV station, LTTV, made a video that got them 3rd place. They won $5,000 to put toward auto shop improvements. Congratulations!!!

Closed: 4701 Grand Avenue in Forest Hills of Western Springs

On the market for 195 Days. Brick ranch walk to train location. Originally listed for $380,000 and reduced to $340,000. Closing price on March 18th, 2011 was $290,000.

Home Helpers home care in Hinsdale and Caseys Meat Market in downtown Western Springs team together bringing food to seniors

Caseys and Home Helpers home care of Hinsdale have teamed together to bring comfort food right to your door. This seems to me to be an excellent combination! Stop in Caseys and pick up some prepared meals for your refrigerator. They are an excellent meat market on Burlington Avenue in Downtown Western Springs.

Sold in Old Town of Western 4072 Hampton

Listed for $729,000 and sold for $705,000 in 67 days. 4 bedroom brick home with 2 full and 2 half baths. Finished basement with theater room and wet bar. Across from Laidlaw grade school. Renovated and ready to move-in. This home previously sold in May of 2008 for $785,000.

For more information on what is being listed by the MLS simply email me and I will set you up on a customized search that will come to you each day. linhankel@aol.com

Closed: Old Town South at 4538 Lawn Avenue

Sold for $650,000 this home was listed at $675,000. Originally listed in 2006 for $889,000 and came off the market in May of 2008 at a list price of $849,900. Was put on the market in December of 2010 and closed in March of 2011. 11 rooms, built in 1915 and added on to, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths on a corner lot a block to train.

Western Springs Raffle Prize for March 14h...Western Springs Historical Society Commemorative House Flag

Number 125 wins this fun house flag. If you don't win you can buy one at the Village True Value Hardware Store at 835 Burlington in Downtown Western Springs. The flags sell for $25.00 and the proceeds benefit the Historical Society. Cash or check made out to the Western Springs Historical Society.

Hinsdale Man wins HGTV Dream Home Giveaway

It was almost a winner from Western Springs. Hard to believe that someone so close won! Wish it would have been me.

Kirschbaums Bakery online ordering

Don't be disappointed by the donuts all being sold....order online! Kirschbaums Bakery now has online ordering. Great way to be sure you get what you want without having to be on hold.

Online ordering

Thomas Ford Memorial Library Knitting Club

1-3 pm on Thursday, March 17th, 800 Chestnut, Western Springs
Group meets in Library board room-knitters of all skills, newcomers welcome! Knitting, light refreshments and conversation.

Lenten Soup Supper at the All Saints Episcopal Church

6:30 to 8 pm, 4370 Woodland Avenue in Old Town of Western Springs. The program features a video presentation by spiritual leader Rob Beel. 708-246-0030

Spring Ahead...Don't forget Daylight Savings Time

Put your clocks ahead an hour when you go to bed on Saturday. The days will be getting longer giving your more time to look at houses on weekday evenings!

Another new listing in Forest Hills of Western Springs

This one just came through the MLS. Built in 2001 and sits on a 100 x 187 lot. On the 4800 block of Grand...a great location to schools and train. For sale for $2,390,000.

Call me if you are looking to buy this year. I would love to help you find your dream home. Here is Western Springs we have homes in all price ranges!
For the past 30 years and I have lived and worked here as a local realtor.
Linda Hanley Kelly, Charles Rutenberg Realty 708-334-5356

For Sale 4729 Woodland Western Springs

Wow, drive-by this new listing. Brick English walking distance to train. Foreclosure home that is now on the market for $389,000. If you would like to go see it please give me a call and I would be happy to show it to you. Listed with the MLS yesterday. This new listing got my attention.

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

Mecenat is opening this Friday at 5:00PM

Formerly A Taste of Vino....Under new ownership it will be opening as Mecenat(Ma-say-nah) this Friday. They are opening at 5 this Friday but will be opening at noon on Saturday, closed on Sundays and open at 3 pm the other days! Stop by this week-end.

Today's Raffle Prize..."You on a Diet" by Dr. Oz

Great time to get in shape for summer. Two lucky winners.

Psalm writing, journaling and poem making workshop at the First Congregational Church in Western Springs

March 19th from 2-4:30 pm at 1106 Chestnut in Old Town of Western Springs. Ray McGinnis will guide us in finding out how writing can nuture our spiritual life. Cost is $20.00-contact Jan at 708-246-1900 ext. 215 or jan@wscongo.org

Thomas Ford Library-Kennedy Gardening Lecture: The Gardener's Cottage

7-9 PM at the Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut, Western Springs on Tuesday the 8th. Cathy Maloney is the current owner of the Gardener's Cottage on the Avery Coonley Estate. The Cottage was a joint effort by Frank Lloyd Wright and Landscape architect Jens Jensen. Maloney will describe the cottage's beginnings, highlight design details of the house and gardens. Books "The Gardener's Cottage" will be raffled off. Call Anne Kozak at 708-246-0520 or http://www.fordlibrary.org/

New Listing in Old Town....

Cute cape cod on Grove with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. This home sold in 2007 for $450,000 and is listed this year for $429,000. I am anxious to see what happens to the prices this year.

Call me today if you are thinking of selling. I would love to give you my professional opinion. Linda Hanley Kelly, Charles Rutenberg Realty, 708-334-5356

Sold 1352 Walnut in Old Town

Great Old Town Location....This home has 6 bedrooms, 5 full and 2 half baths. Nice large corner lot. Home was on the market for 170 days. Originally listed for $2199000 and lowered to 2,099,000. This home sold for $1,980,000

Smiley Cookie Winner Louise on Clausen in Springdale

Louise and Dick live on Clausen in Springdale. For two years they were my neighbors while I lived in Springdale. It was great visiting with them.

Smiley Cookie Winner-Katie on Grove

Katie previously won a watermelon a couple of years ago. She wasn't around so her dad accepted her prize. Just for old times sake above is a picture of her dad with the watermelon.

Winner of the Valentine's Day Surprise

Chris Austin on Harvey in Field Park. Sometimes it takes me awhile to catch up with the winners. He received a nice box of Ghirardelli Chocolates.

Mecenat will be opening soon....

Previous controversy over who would be taking over A Taste of Vino. It is official, the new restaurant is Mecenat and the new owner is Jack Hogan. Watch for their opening later in the month. A few of the changes are beer and pop on tap and less retail wine sales. Should be a fun place. I am looking forward to having them in town.

Winner of the Smiley Cookies

Kim and her daughter along with their dog Millie were the winners of a big, smiley cookie. They live in Field Park and have been longtime residents. Kim works for United Home Loans in Westchester. Call her at 708-531-8388 if you are looking for money!!!

Competitive Foot on March 10th-Common Running Injuries

Sold 1030 Linden in Ridgewood of Western Springs

This home was originally on the market for $1,149,000 and lowered to $800,000. I had forgotten all about it when someone asked me what it sold for. The sale never came through the MLS but according to the tax records this home closed in November, 2010 for $450,000. It was a 5 bedroom, 4 full, 2 half baths on a 200 x 175 lot, big pool in back and was sold in "AS IS" condition. It did need a lot of work but the price was incredible.

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

Closed 4037 Johnson in Field Park of Western Springs

50 x 131 lot, 3 bedroom, 2 bath originally listed at $379,900 final list price $359,900 Closed for
$335,000