Madison street crosswalks get a facelift for safety
Ten crosswalks along Madison Street were upgraded recently in an effort to improve pedestrian safety along the busy corridor, and according to village officials crews will likely be asked to repeat the effort in other neighborhoods. Asphalt stamping and a reflective, more visible color pattern were added to the street during the first week of May. Public Works Director Bob Kutak said that in 2009 when portions of Jackson Boulevard and Harvard Street are repaired, the same improvements will be made to crosswalks there.
The measure is one of several attempts in recent years to reduce the risk to pedestrians on Madison Street. Additional signs have been erected and village council members recently discussed the use of traffic calming devices with the municipality’s engineering firm. The crosswalk improvements will be paid for with sales tax revenue earmarked for various infrastructure projects.
Parkways receive two dozen trees
A municipal program that plants new trees along various parkways has wrapped up its spring plantings, according to the public works department, and 24 trees were installed throughout the village. Director Bob Kutak said the effort has been in place for at least 10 years and he strives to disperse 48 trees on annual basis. In the spring and fall seasons homeowners can contact the village to request a tree for their parkway. However, residential streets adjacent to Roosevelt Road received priority this time around, Kutak said, as part of the village’s effort to beautify that corridor.
Circle nominated for Jeff Awards
For several productions staged at Circle Theatre between April 2007 and March 31 of this year, the theater has been nominated for a dozen Joseph Jefferson Awards. The Jeff Awards Committee announced Circle Theatre’s nominations May 2, making the Forest Park stage one of the most highly recommended theaters in the 2007-08 season, according to a statement released by the theater.
Circle Theatre received nominations in a number of categories, including direction, best actor, best actress, costume design and choreography. “An Ideal Husband,” Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” and “Can-Can” all received nominations.
The 35th Anniversary Non-Equity Jeff Awards will be distributed Monday, June 9 at the Park West.
Recycle old electronics
At the end of the month and into early June, residents looking to dispose of household electronics can bring such items to the public works facility on 15th Street to be recycled. This free program will be offered May 29, May 30 and again and June 1 and June 2. Those items collected at the station, located at 7343 W. 15th St., will be taken to a nearby facility for recycling. Computers, televisions, VCRs, cell phones, printers, compact discs and a host of other electronic equipment are all eligible for recycling.
