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Post by wvhsparent on Mar 4, 2006 10:07:30 GMT -6
Small town version of "fast food"!
In my best Homer Simpson voice....MMMMMM Chicken (drool)
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Post by doctorwho on Mar 4, 2006 10:28:10 GMT -6
I know this is off topic but wanted to answer the question. DW, Where I grew up, we don't have "bars" we have taverns.....beer and shots. Small towns that were booming during prohibition. Al Capone made some, not so welcomed visits there. Very Blue collar farming community. The taverns also had Fri nite fish frys and Saturday was Fried Chicken night. It still is today. My husband and I go back home just to get our "grease fix". Not the place for the Health minded. The chicken is flour breaded and comes with French fries, and a buttered piece of regular white bread. All of that is put into a brown paper bag and you pick it up for carry out. The bag is usually dripping with grease when you get home. Yes, not healthy but delicious. There is a small town 70 miles west on I80 called Ladd. It is the home of Rip's Chicken. People stand out in the street to wait to get in. Those who have come from Chicago and have tried it, will come and stand in line again. Thanks for answering Title 1 -- I know this was off topic so I will not ask any more questions -- just FYI though - growing up in the city of Chicago in the 50's - early 70's - we too had 'taverns' not bars -- you're right, the shot and a beer , everyone knew you name- one on about every 3rd of 4th intersection in the blue collar neighborhoods.... they were the center of activity for the community -- summer pcinics / Friday fish fry's / sponsored softball teams / --- one pool table, one juke box -- and they all had the same 'smell' to them ( not a bad thing..............yes they served alcohol but they were not considered bad places at all....in fact quite the opposite. A few have survived ..... A lot of rib joints ( like Lem's on east 75th in Chicago) give you the same basics - bread and butter, fries and some extra sauce -- now I'm hungry - thanks and I return this thread to it's rightful place |
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Post by doctorwho on Mar 4, 2006 10:29:45 GMT -6
Topher -- I know we veered off for a few posts - we will be careful, but isn't it nice the community on this board can also interact without conflict and show that we really all are very similar, in my view eases the strain a bit as we get through these next couple of weeks -- thanks !
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Post by fence on Mar 4, 2006 12:10:03 GMT -6
I live in Naperville.
Positives: Has the bar none best downtown area of any suburban town. Restaurants, shopping, community activities, festivals, centennial beach, lots of stuff for families to do. Very safe. Decent access to everything you need - what I'd consider very self contained. Good housing variety and good value for the $. People are very neighborly.
Negatives: Considered far from certain work centers like Schaumburg/No. Suburbs/Downtown. People from those areas think we live in Iowa. The Naperville curse word: I-88. Also has become the land of the red brick georgian - housing becomes kind of redundant. Last personal issue - people here cross the street without any regard to cars. I don't get it.....
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Post by 204taxpayer on Mar 4, 2006 12:40:59 GMT -6
In no certain order:
Positives -
1. Sense of community
2. Parents who care about their kids and the schools (regardless if you are a yes or no)
3. This area was within the acceptable distance from soon to be ex's job with BP in warrenville cantera.
4. Resale
5. Far enough away from Chicago proper to visit but not have the issues of a large city so close.
6. The neighborhood we chose had both an elementary and middle school in the neighborhood with a high school within eye view down the road.
Negatives -
1. Can't have a guest park on the street in front of your home overnight without fear of getting a $75 ticket
2. Windy as all get out and people don't secure their trash properly - thus creating windstorms of litter.
3. Traffic going north up RT 59 because of the mall and businesses there (we moved here from Omaha where you could get across the whole darn city in less than 15 minutes, LOL)
4. City planners (from all the different cities who feed into 204) who all participate in the same school district not working as teams to ensure the best build out timing and placement and how it effects the districts schools.
5. $12,000 in taxes each year - don't get me wrong I knew about that when I moved here, but doesn't mean I still don't enjoy paying it.
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Post by refbasics on Mar 4, 2006 14:11:27 GMT -6
RB OK I was going to allow the 1st one cuz you did list a factor. The next was off topic and needs to be move to "in the News" topic please. I was trying to back up my opinion by what i am reading in the newspaper. That was why included the LTE and DH article. In summary, my 2 negative points in area factors (in these 2 posts) were increasing traffic and the power of the developers in District 204; and our present day SD lack of power to address the developers' power; (i can't address how district 203 handles development- i don't know, but they are currently facing this problem with the develpment of hobson road area, i believe) In the last 6 months, the way the SD district had any power (it appears) over the developers was to boundary Ashwood Creek, Park, Crossings to Peterson, Crone, then on to WV- that imploded the development(if you are a negative person- you would say the future homeowners don't like WV; if you are a positive person, you would say the distance to travel is so much farther than NV, and over a RR track. Therefore, you will buy your very expensive house elsewhere! I always get stuck at those train tracks when i head west. The train tracks are a 'man-made' boundary like a river is a 'natural boundary', etc. (Builta ES cut-off from naperville, for example) There are just so many places to cross the RR tracks when heading west. So, i avoid heading west whenever i can. The strangest thing is Rush-Copley Hospital might be closer to me (for emergency medical care) but i go to Edward Hospital Emergency (2 times now) because i 'feel' that is closer. Peterson ES is sitting on property under a football field away from the train tracks. I, myself, would not be comfortable with the ES site, and would buy a house elsewhere. Mandalay Club- the cut-out area next to TG off 248 (it was supposed to be a small church called Hope Church); Kramer-Kobler (which, i believe, did the infill lot on Book north of 103rd) would have set up a legal document with the SD to tell their future homeowners that they may not go to the closest schools (which, in essence, sent them to Peterson, Crone(i believe), WV). That seemed to be OK with the SD(and with me! I would guess they would be 'wait-listed' until spots open at Fry if they want to walk to Fry- which they could do easily with walking pathways into TG or Pencross Knoll). This would allow future homeowners to make a market-driven purchase based on school attendance areas, price, where they work, etc. All of a sudden, it seems the developer was 'thwarted' (but the developer didn't seem to fight very hard- i think they figured out what was going on in Ashwood, and backed out) due to some Southwest Sector Plan (a 2002 amendment to the Sector G Plan) for community park area which just seemed to appear at the very last moment. City staff suggested the development not go thru! Greenbriar TH- stopped by SD - i guess because of the argument that SD wanted 2 BR, developer wanted 3 BR- developer thought not a good development decision market-wise. Somehow, the SD had power here! The strangest thing is that the COD happened to build a site right next door to NV! what luck for us!(and i really do mean that- it's a creative way of reaching students who might have 'done' all their required HS classes but want somthing more advanced to begin having the college experience). At Freshman Orientation at NV (Mon 1/16/06), we visited different classrooms- the science teacer said the NV hi school Anatomy and Physiologry classes would be at Frontier campus, also. When the newspaper says 150 students signed up for Frontier, i don't know if that means separate from the Anatomy & Physiology classes, or in addition to them. I believe i read on this blog somewhere that WCC (Waubonsee Community College) is looking to do something similar at their site near WV; and they are right near Rush-Copley Hospital. Could both of these be pre-pre medical magnet-like programs? (NV could use Edward Hospital) I would think this would be an excellent idea! One comment i hear, also, is many seniors get out of school at 1:30 (!!). One parent told me that a senior can schedule to have lunch last, and then leave school at lunchtime, and have lunch at home. I was surprised to hear this. I do know that in my volunteer group, many of my NV senior and juniors(i think- i will have to ask them) volunteers are home by 1:30 (!) In summary, I find it hard to keep up with all these different groups impacting what's going on in our SD; in addition, to the impact of Title 1 and NCLB (which, i believe, most voters don't understand); and throw in boundary criteria (i'm not sure what it is anymore). Below are a few links that have made me think. I have only lived here for 5 years, and will not have a hi schooler til next year. I can only make a decision based on what i read in the different venues (esp the IPSD204.org- reading this website caused me to have even more questions!) I am not a real estate agent, not a district 204 employee, i don't work for a developer, and i don't work for the city of naperville- I don't have any inside information. Mostly, i am hampered by having only lived here for 5 years, so i don't know all the 'movers and shakers', etc.; or the 'agendas' that different groups may have. I can only go on what i read, attending SD meetings, and forming my opinions that way! Developers offer compromise to school crowding
Mandalay Club students may not attend closest District 204 facility 1.05.06 (i posted the article in the "News" section of this blog - i can't retrieve the link from the Naperville Sun ) link to the above article in this blog: ipsd204.proboards76.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=news&thread=1141504061 www.suburbanchicagonews.com/sunpub/naper/news/n03planfolo.htm Development gets thumbs down (by city staff... oh, and also 'because of addl students'- glad you thought of us in your planning!) naperville.il.us/emplibrary/PCM01042006.pdf (NPlanning Comm Minutes 1.4.06)www.ipsd.org/Uploads/IPPC_IPPC%20Legislative%20Update%201-06.doc (IPPC take on Greenbriar TH and Mandalay Club 1.06- Indian Prairie Parents Council) |
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Post by soxfan on Mar 4, 2006 16:05:36 GMT -6
refbasics
That was probably the most informative post I've read on this board.
Thanks for doing the homework on that one and posting it for all of us to read.
Very interesting information.
I agree, there is so much information out there and it keeps changing so quickly, it's hard to keep up with
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Post by fence on Mar 4, 2006 16:35:48 GMT -6
I really hate to say this after you got such a nice compliment, but refbasics, I am not sure I understand the point you are trying to make in your post. "Power" of developers is not limited to 204. Every single urban fringe town has faced, is facing or will face the same issues. It is hard to control growth and sprawl.
In terms of Ashwood and how desirable it is, there are expensive houses built facing tollways, there are houses built under power lines, next to RR tracks, backing to commercial property, virtually EVERYWHERE. There are some people that wouldn't choose the location, but alot of people will. I wouldn't live in Grande Park of Plainfield on 135th St. - its too far a way and you have to cross those same RR tracks. Well, taking a look at the place, apparently alot of people disagree with me.....
I'm really sorry, I am just not understanding the point you're trying to make. Maybe I'm missing something.....
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Post by doctorwho on Mar 4, 2006 16:42:13 GMT -6
RB OK I was going to allow the 1st one cuz you did list a factor. The next was off topic and needs to be move to "in the News" topic please. I was trying to back up my opinion by what i am reading in the newspaper. That was why included the LTE and DH article. In summary, my 2 negative points in area factors (in these 2 posts) were increasing traffic and the power of the developers in District 204; and our present day SD lack of power to address the developers' power; (i can't address how district 203 handles development- i don't know, but they are currently facing this problem with the develpment of hobson road area, i believe) In the last 6 months, the way the SD district had any power (it appears) over the developers was to boundary Ashwood Creek, Park, Crossings to Peterson, Crone, then on to WV- that imploded the development(if you are a negative person- you would say the future homeowners don't like WV; if you are a positive person, you would say the distance to travel is so much farther than NV, and over a RR track. Therefore, you will buy your very expensive house elsewhere! I always get stuck at those train tracks when i head west. The train tracks are a 'man-made' boundary like a river is a 'natural boundary', etc. (Builta ES cut-off from naperville, for example) There are just so many places to cross the RR tracks when heading west. So, i avoid heading west whenever i can. The strangest thing is Rush-Copley Hospital might be closer to me (for emergency medical care) but i go to Edward Hospital Emergency (2 times now) because i 'feel' that is closer. Peterson ES is sitting on property under a football field away from the train tracks. I, myself, would not be comfortable with the ES site, and would buy a house elsewhere. Mandalay Club- the cut-out area next to TG off 248 (it was supposed to be a small church called Hope Church); Kramer-Kobler (which, i believe, did the infill lot on Book north of 103rd) would have set up a legal document with the SD to tell their future homeowners that they may not go to the closest schools (which, in essence, sent them to Peterson, Crone(i believe), WV). That seemed to be OK with the SD(and with me! I would guess they would be 'wait-listed' until spots open at Fry if they want to walk to Fry- which they could do easily with walking pathways into TG or Pencross Knoll). This would allow future homeowners to make a market-driven purchase based on school attendance areas, price, where they work, etc. All of a sudden, it seems the developer was 'thwarted' (but the developer didn't seem to fight very hard- i think they figured out what was going on in Ashwood, and backed out) due to some Southwest Sector Plan (a 2002 amendment to the Sector G Plan) for community park area which just seemed to appear at the very last moment. City staff suggested the development not go thru! Greenbriar TH- stopped by SD - i guess because of the argument that SD wanted 2 BR, developer wanted 3 BR- developer thought not a good development decision market-wise. Somehow, the SD had power here! The strangest thing is that the COD happened to build a site right next door to NV! what luck for us!(and i really do mean that- it's a creative way of reaching students who might have 'done' all their required HS classes but want somthing more advanced to begin having the college experience). At Freshman Orientation at NV (Mon 1/16/06), we visited different classrooms- the science teacer said the NV hi school Anatomy and Physiologry classes would be at Frontier campus, also. When the newspaper says 150 students signed up for Frontier, i don't know if that means separate from the Anatomy & Physiology classes, or in addition to them. I believe i read on this blog somewhere that WCC (Waubonsee Community College) is looking to do something similar at their site near WV; and they are right near Rush-Copley Hospital. Could both of these be pre-pre medical magnet-like programs? (NV could use Edward Hospital) I would think this would be an excellent idea! One comment i hear, also, is many seniors get out of school at 1:30 (!!). One parent told me that a senior can schedule to have lunch last, and then leave school at lunchtime, and have lunch at home. I was surprised to hear this. I do know that in my volunteer group, many of my NV senior and juniors(i think- i will have to ask them) volunteers are home by 1:30 (!) In summary, I find it hard to keep up with all these different groups impacting what's going on in our SD; in addition, to the impact of Title 1 and NCLB (which, i believe, most voters don't understand); and throw in boundary criteria (i'm not sure what it is anymore). Below are a few links that have made me think. I have only lived here for 5 years, and will not have a hi schooler til next year. I can only make a decision based on what i read in the different venues (esp the IPSD204.org- reading this website caused me to have even more questions!) I am not a real estate agent, not a district 204 employee, i don't work for a developer, and i don't work for the city of naperville- i don't have any inside information. Mostly, i am hampered by having only lived here for 5 years, so i don't know all the 'movers and shakers', etc.; or the 'agendas' that different groups may have. I can only go on what i read, attending SD meetings, and forming my opinions that way! Developers offer compromise to school crowding
Mandalay Club students may not attend closest District 204 facility 1.05.06 (i posted the article in the "News" section of this blog - i can't retrieve the link from the Naperville Sun ) link to the above article in this blog: ipsd204.proboards76.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=news&thread=1141504061 www.suburbanchicagonews.com/sunpub/naper/news/n03planfolo.htm Development gets thumbs down (by city staff... oh, and also 'because of addl students'- glad you thought of us in your planning!) naperville.il.us/emplibrary/PCM01042006.pdf (NPlanning Comm Minutes 1.4.06)www.ipsd.org/Uploads/IPPC_IPPC%20Legislative%20Update%201-06.doc (IPPC take on Greenbriar TH and Mandalay Club 1.06- Indian Prairie Parents Council)Okay, I read this and it has a lot of ideas in one post ( whew ! 1. Sorry you had to visit Edward but I hope the experience was good, as my wife works there and as you know they are trying hard to get clearance for teh Plainfield location at 127th - which would be even closer to you 2. It would be interesting to see how 203 has dealt ( or not dealt with - which is my guess ) -developers -- as I have a sister who lives in a Bolingbrook development in the south area of 203 that jammed a whole lot more kids into the area they have some of the worst crowding issues -- and it doesn't seem like they got anywhere near the $ to deal with that crunch either. And now with all the tear downs going on, and empty nester houses becoming homes for 2 - 4 kids- you are right in that their day is comin, and soon. And Naperville Central needs a LOT of work. 3. Don't feel because you haveonly been here 5 years that is such a bad thing about not knowing all the 'agendas' etc. - it may help you make clearer decisions without previous prejudices against certain SB members etc. I have been here 20 years and can tell you at least half of the 'hidden agendas' you are told about are just not true. 4. Developers should NOT be able to sell a certain school, just a district...agreed and I'll take the positive stance as to why not WVHS having a grad fromthere, but I know many nasty things have been said, again take most of them with a grain of salt, many come from uninformed naysayers who have never set foot in WVHS.....look for the true things...as no school is perfect..but speaking of hidden agendas, many who bash WVHS do so with those just my 2 cents ( okay maybe a nickle ) -- welcome |
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Post by momof3 on Mar 4, 2006 16:43:49 GMT -6
IMO, Naperville and Aurora have both been extremely cooperative with 204. It is a balance between economic development and stressing our infrastructure - roads, schools, libraries - everything. Robert Bruegmann, author of Sprawl: A Compact History, points to Naperville as the model of how to strike this balance. Again, this is just my opinion, but we looked at a lot of communities before we chose to live here, and we do a pretty darn good job of it. (And no, I don't work for the city!)
eta - I don't think anyone is perfect, sure the communities have made mistakes, I'm just saying 'big picture.'
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Post by doctorwho on Mar 4, 2006 16:52:49 GMT -6
IMO, Naperville and Aurora have both been extremely cooperative with 204. It is a balance between economic development and stressing our infrastructure - roads, schools, libraries - everything. Robert Bruegmann, author of Sprawl: A Compact History, points to Naperville as the model of how to strike this balance. Again, this is just my opinion, but we looked at a lot of communities before we chose to live here, and we do a pretty darn good job of it. (And no, I don't work for the city!) eta - I don't think anyone is perfect, sure the communities have made mistakes, I'm just saying 'big picture.' And let's be honest, no SB or SD is going to 'control' the flow of revenue into any cities base......they just don't have that kind of authority - whether we believe they should or not.....and in this district there are som ewho believe the SB wields too much power today....giving them or the SD any more would send them over a cliff. |
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Post by wvhsparent on Mar 4, 2006 18:01:24 GMT -6
OK we are veering off course - again - please stick to the topic pros and cons of the area
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Post by truthanyone on Mar 9, 2006 22:49:20 GMT -6
Some of my neighbors feel that no one will want to purchase a home in Brookdale because of the boundary decisions. I have seen over the past weeks how preconceived ideas can be very unhealthy. So I want to address this by giving reasons why we decided to move to Brookdale.
#1 We worked in Chicago so being so close to the train station is a big plus.
#2 When we moved here, we did not have kids yet but knew we wanted to start a family. Brookdale ES and Hill MS right in the neighborhood.
#3 I grew up on the N side of Chicago so being so close to I88 is very important. Parents and friends still living in the old neighborhood and can get back there in 30 minutes (OK, maybe not doing the speed limit). From I88 can get to 355, 294, 290.
#4 Don't have to deal with the traffic going South to get home from work.
#5 Love, love love being so close to the Riverwalk. Bar scene not so important now with the kids but still enjoy just walking around the riverwalk area, concerts in the park, all the summer fests and the restaurants. We still go to the restaurants with the kids; just go earlier or sit on the outside patio.
#6 Really like the established neighborhood with mature trees.
#7 Like St. Thomas being in the neighborhood. We went to a Catholic ES and HS. My parents went to Catholic schools. My kids are the 1st to go into a public school system. So a Catholic Church right in the neighborhood with such strong support is very important.
#8 Don't have to deal with the traffic going South.
#9 Now that we are in the neighborhood, love the people. It is such a close knit community. People looking out for each other, willing to help each other.
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Post by notconvinced on Mar 10, 2006 10:59:02 GMT -6
Coudn't agree more Truthanyone. After 14 years I've never wanted to leave BD because of all these things. Thought about it briefly a few years ago for possibly a bigger place but not really seriously. Nothing like 5 minutes to the train, 3 min to highway and less than 10 downtown! Not to mention the community...awesome. Referendums and boundaries won't change that for me. ITRP it is not the ideal situation for BD but I have faith in the strengths of our community and our ability to do great at any of the high schools. Love your list.
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Post by soxfan on Mar 10, 2006 11:54:37 GMT -6
Coudn't agree more Truthanyone. After 14 years I've never wanted to leave BD because of all these things. Thought about it briefly a few years ago for possibly a bigger place but not really seriously. Nothing like 5 minutes to the train, 3 min to highway and less than 10 downtown! Not to mention the community...awesome. Referendums and boundaries won't change that for me. ITRP it is not the ideal situation for BD but I have faith in the strengths of our community and our ability to do great at any of the high schools. Love your list. Brookdale is a great community. I have some great friends there. Location is fabulous as well. |
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