30 for 30 Years in Oak Park

Earlier this year, Oak Park marked 120 years as a village on January 25, 2022.

This month marks 30 years since Saturday, November 28, 1992, the moving day when my family came to Oak Park.

Morning time in Oak Park, IL, on November 28, 2022

Being here for 30 years gives me so much reason to celebrate as I think about memorable events, places I hold dear in my memories, and places I still enjoy, a portion of which I recount now in this list of 30:

1. As a Julian alumnus, it was momentous when the PBS NOVA documentary "Forgotten Genius" debuted, which was a biography of Dr. Percy Julian.  There was a special ceremony a week prior at Julian.

2. Fair Share Finer Foods was a great neighborhood grocery store in southern Oak Park.

3. Jerusalem Cafe is a great restaurant with wonderful Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food offerings.

4. I really enjoyed the concept of Red Mango on Lake Street, pumping out the frozen stuff into a cup and then adding the toppings.

5. Hole-in-the-Wall is a famed ice cream stand in southern Oak Park.

6. Maze Branch Library reopened in early June 2006 after months of renovation work, and at the ceremony that day, Oak Park Public Library Board President Kelenson remarked, "Communities build libraries because libraries build communities."

7. In October 2003, the OPPL opened its Main Library in early October 2003 after months of work to construct a fine new building.

8. I had such a great time participating in the OPPL Children's Summer Reading program, and when I aged out of it upon reaching middle school, I volunteered for it during middle and high school summers.  I spent so many great afternoons at Maze.

9. The Barrie Park Hill is quite the sight, and I have great memories of sliding down it.  Walking it up gives good exercise, too.

11. One splendid way I would spend warm summer days growing up was walking to Rehm Pool.

12. The Multicultural Collection is a unique collection housed by the OPPL, and once housed inside Julian.  For many years in May, District 97 would host the Ethnic Fest, with a parade and other activities showcasing and celebrating diversity in our community.

13. The OPRF History Museum on Lake Street is a unique space that showcases local history.

14. I seriously enjoy going to see Dr. Esposito, my dentist, who has seen me grow up into the person I am today.

15. The Original Pancake House at Forest and Lake was a cherished restaurant in downtown Oak Park, serving up lots of good breakfast food.

16. Aripo's, the Venezuelan restaurant on Marion Street, was one of my favorite places to eat, with a unique ethnic concept.

17. I have great memories of going to La Majada on Harrison Street, usually as an end-of-the-year field trip for Spanish class.  I always liked the ambiance inside.

18. Lalo's, now Margarita's, on Oak Park Avenue, is a great Mexican restaurant, and has splendid decor that sets the mood so well.

19. The Buzz Cafe is a nice spot in the Harrison Street Arts District.

20. Oak Park is famed as the home of Frank Lloyd Wright.  My brother underwent training to be a junior interpreter tour guide there, and as part of the certification ceremony at the end of the process, he gave a private tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio to my parents and me, which, as I look back on it, astounds me.

21. To celebrate my brother Eric's birthday when he turned 30, he invited family and friends to dinner at Lou Malnati's in downtown Oak Park on the Sunday prior.  Before dinner, Mom and I joined him at a Chicago A Capella Concert at Pilgrim Congregational Church featuring music celebrating Chicago with Geoffrey Baer as the Master of Ceremonies.

22. Border's Bookstore at Harlem and Lake was a go-to place to get books, movies, and music. I found lots of great gifts there, even the go-to gift item of a Border's gift card.

23. The Pleasant Home is a resplendent historic home at Pleasant and Home.

24. The Oak Park Farmer's Market has wonderful offerings, including the famed donuts and the annual corn roast, along with bake sale fundraisers for various community groups.

25. Attending Julian Middle School had such an impact on me, especially in introducing me to other cultures, most especially when I had the honor of attending my friend Zach's Bar Mitzvah at Oak Park Temple.

26. During History of Chicago class with Ms. North in my final semester at OPRFHS, we had a spontaneous field trip to the Continental Divide sign on Chicago Avenue.

27. Starting the new middle school experience in Oak Park was truly a hallmark experience of my life, and an opportunity for me, at 11 years old, to make an impact on my community then, and for thousands of students to come after me.

28. The Julian Middle School mural is a masterpiece of art, and there was an excellent dedication ceremony for it, including remarks from Dr. Julian's daughter Faith.  I was so thrilled to contribute money to the project and get a tile that celebrates my Julian years.

29. Teaching Religious Education at Ascension Church brings together many of the significant aspects of my life, and has been a way for me to continue giving back and edifying my church community and even the community at large.

30. Serving as an election judge is always an exhausting, yet exhilarating and inspiring experience, being part of running the democratic process of the Republic and seeing people come out to vote.

My most recent service as an election judge for the General Gubernatorial Election on November 8 was yet another amazing experience, my 7th time as an election judge.

Like in all previous times, I awoke at 4 AM on November 8.  As I left home and walked to Maze, I was up early enough to see the reddish tint of the full moon during the lunar eclipse, which was a treat since I wouldn't normally be up that early.

I worked with a really great team of people for precinct 16, who approached the work thoughtfully.  There was a good team upstairs, too, serving precinct 3, including two sisters who have served so many times, even longer than me, and are established experts.

Serving the voters is an honor that makes the long day worth it, especially all the people I saw who I know from Ascension Church, including parents of former and current RE students. One of my former students herself came to vote.  Another of my former students, who has not yet reached voting age, accompanied her parents to see them vote, and it was wonderful to see her, since most of my current and former students don't typically accompany their parents to see what the voting process is like.

It was a steady flow of people throughout the day, and the line never really got too long.  I felt a sense of energy throughout the whole day.

In some respects, serving as an election judge brings together many of the significant parts of my life, putting to use my interest and knowledge in government processes to serve the community.  It's special to do it at Maze, where I first had the opportunity to serve the community as a teen volunteer.

Regardless of the outcomes that result following the election, it's a celebration to see what unfolds during the day.

And it's a major reason why I have so much to celebrate marking 30 years here in Oak Park.

My fellow election judge Aaron photographed me in a lull moment on Election Day, November 8, 2022, a great day of drawing from my experiences in Oak Park to serve the community.