You have good reason to be depressed lately. As of a few days ago-Jan. 14, I think-one of the metro dailies said we have had 73 days without sun. But all that is changing. On Friday Jan. 18, the sun rose at 7:18 a.m. and set at 4:48 p.m. It got even better on Saturday. By the time the Review arrives, we will probably have about an hour more of sun than we did last December.
Sara Lawley presented her roommate Elise O’Connell with a lovely vase for her birthday last week. Elise frequently gets flowers from her boyfriend and the girls haven’t budgeted for vases. They are spending all their money on books and tuition for medical school at Loyola. So keep those flowers coming, we have a vase now!
On Sunday, Feb. 10 Young Artists from Concordia University will perform in concert at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave., at 4 p.m. The event is free and refreshments will be served following the performance.
Congratulations to Steven Joseph Balsavich who has won the hand of the lovely Nicole Pesa of Westchester. Steven is the son of Gary and Andrea Balsavich, a graduate of the Forest Park Middle School, Saint Joseph High School and UIC at Chicago. Nicole is a teacher in Westchester. Gary and Andrea are a bit conflicted in their feelings. They love Nicole, but hate to see the last Balsavich leave the nest.
Sympathy to the family and friends of Shirley Kennedy, one of the many Oak Parkers transplanted to Forest Park years ago. Shirley was a tiny bit of a woman who didn’t drive, but that didn’t stop her from getting to classes at Triton, The Art institute, Field Museum, doing volunteer work at Oak Park Hospital and a lot more. She loved Circle Theatre, Forest Park restaurants, and just being a part of life here in Forest Park.
Susan Ross, a local cellist, will be a participant in the ninth annual Handel Week Festival in Oak Park Feb. 16, 19 and 24. It will be his 243rd birthday so come and help him celebrate at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St., at 7:30 on the 16th and the 19th, and at 3 p.m. on the 24th. Ticket prices vary; call (708) 383-2261 for more information.
The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest, along with the chorus, will stun you with the beauty of the “German Requiem” by Brahms. This will happen at First United, 848 Lake St., 4 p.m. on Feb. 10. Olinda Fink, a chorister with Grace Lutheran in River Forest, will be singing with the group again this year.
Pfc. Steven Golden is going back to San Diego for more training after doing three months in boot camp as a squad leader. Steven was born and raised in Forest Park, and attended Grant-White and the middle school. While in boot camp, he won a sharp shooter award. Private Golden hopes to make lance corporal before getting shipped out. Recently while on leave, he assisted his recruiter by going to schools and encouraging youngsters to join the Marines. We hope he comes back home safely.
Happy birthday to Kathy Doss on Jan. 24; on the 25th, Connor Bafetti, Ken Oliver, Natalie Frank, Kelly Rosen; on the 27th, Tracy Doss, Orion Javier, Leela Itzel; Jan. 28, Marlene Quandt, Matthew Walsh, Sharon Andrews; on the 30th, Lia Pardun and Rich Beam.
Ah choo as they say in Albania.
