If you were a Korean reporter and wanted to see a typical American home, you could do no better than head to the southwest suburbs.
That’s exactly what Suk Joon Hong of the Chosun Daily News, one of South Korea’s leading newspapers, was to do Saturday. Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki played host to the visiting journalist.
Zabrocki has had a relationship with the South Korean government since 1985, when then-Gov. James Thompson asked him to be part of a special delegation to visit the country. Last fall, he invited South Korean Consul-General Chang Lee to partipate in ceremonies along with Tinley Park veterans to commemorate the ending of the Korean War.
“I know that when I traveled to Korea, what I enjoyed most is walking through the neighborhood and talking with the people,” Zabrocki said. “You learn a great deal in these kinds of people-to-people exchanges. So that’s why I wanted to introduce him to a typical American home in a typical subdivision.”
No word on whether the mayor planned to introduce him to a typical American diet, which would include the Harlem Avenue Fast Food Tour.
Pedal to the metal: City and village officials are used to public criticism or questions at municipal meetings. But Palos Heights Mayor Bonnie Strack caught Patrick Glynn’s ire for a different reason Tuesday.
Glynn, who lives on 70th Court, accused Strack of nearby 69th Avenue, of twice speeding through the neighborhood, including just last weekend.
“I don’t think you set a very good example when you go flying down the street,” Glynn said.
Glynn said he has complained to Strack, an alderman since 1985 before becoming mayor last May, about speeders for years. “I hope you, Mayor, would lead the effort.”
Strack said the city has tried, unsuccessfully, to deter speeders, but the Public Safety Committee will look into the matter. She also denied Glynn’s charges that she has a heavy foot on the accelerator.
Calling all advocates: If you were outraged by the recent discovery of 19 kids living in squalor on Chicago’s West Side, Rep. John Ostenburg (D-Park Forest) wants to hear about it.
Ostenburg, whose district takes in parts of eastern Will County, chairs the Speaker’s Task Force on Children. Area residents will have an opportunity to share their views at a hearing Thursday at Prairie State College.
“This will be our fourth hearing, and we’ve learned a lot,” said Ostenburg. “There is an unbelievable maze (of programs) out there. We hope to develop some legislation for dealing with the overlap, which just adds to confusion.”
At the same time, the task force has uncovered huge gaps in services, “where it seems no one has any responsibilities at all,” he said. “But it’s not a witch hunt . . . our intent is to take a comprehensive look at the system.”
The task force will complete its study this spring. The hearing will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 748-9229.
Out of hibernation: Marian Catholic High School hosts the Chicago Bears basketball team (yeah, you read that right), when faculty members will take on the Monsters of the Midway March 11.
Well, not all of them. Former Bears linebacker Otis Wilson coordinates the Bears on Court program and is the only sure starter, but Richard Dent, Tom Waddle, Donnell Woolford, Alonzo Spellman and Maurice Douglas are some of the Bears who regularly participate.
The Marian squad includes two Frankfort residents, Dan Radz, Marian’s soccer coach, and Don Pirkle, the baseball coach.
No one had to twist Radz’s arm to play. “This is the kind of thing you dream about when you’re a kid,” said Radz, who last played serious roundball in 1979, when he graduated from Marist High School. “I couldn’t wait to jump on the bandwagon.”
Do not, however, mistake enthusiasm for finesse. And do not look for any tricky triangle offense or slam-dunks.
“The game plan is to play a lot of perimeter ball, throw up some prayers and if Richard Dent gets it in the paint, everybody scatters,” Radz said.
If that sounds wimpy, so be it.
“Hey, we’re parents, we’re old and we’re getting a little scrubby around the edges.”
Radz’s teammates range in age from 25 to 45, so they may need more than the right shoes. Tickets are $7 in advance, $9 at the door. Call 755-7565, ext. 124.
