Contact/Volunteer

2021 January/February Newsletter

Turning the Corner

With January nearly behind us and sunset reaching 5pm, we are starting to feel like there is some light on the horizon. We now have free Covid testing at Flick Park and vaccinations are starting to happen. We have reached Tier 1 so our restaurants are able to allow a small number of indoor diners. And we are grateful for the re-opening of the Glenview Public Library.

As we eagerly look forward to an eventual return to normal and a busier Downtown, FDG continues to welcome new faces to strengthen our team. We are proud of the addition of Library Director Lindsey Dorfman to the Friends of Downtown Glenview Steering Committee. We hope that you too will consider lending your talents to FDG by filling out our simple volunteer form.

 

Glenview Connect Open House Reveals Residents’ Style Preferences

The Glenview Village Board continued its series of virtual “workshops” at a year-end Open House using cutting-edge public participation tools to get community input. These sessions have included digital posting, real-time surveys, and online voting to help shape the vision for new Downtown plans and Village-wide economic development.

One prevalent technique was the use of “visual preference” surveys. Online participants voted for their preferences among examples of multi-use buildings, commercial storefronts, civic spaces and other key design elements (as shown). Sometimes the surveys yielded surprising results. For example, a plurality of participants preferred “urban” storefronts for our traditional Village.

These are important neighborhood decisions. The surveys will be most accurate when participation is high so your input is crucial. This link shows the feedback process at the last meeitng: https://glenview.granicus.com.

Your opinions matter – the next Glenview Connect Open House #2 is Wednesday, February 3 at 7pm. Participants will discuss how to balance community desires for growth with what is financially feasible, while maintaining our community’s small-town charm. Visit the glenviewconnect.com after Jan. 29 for Zoom link and participation instructions.

 

Refresh and Renew

We still have some winter left, but now is a great time to refresh and renew with the help of our local businesses. Glenview Cycle can get you in gear with a bike tune-up before their busy spring season, Tony’s Shoe Repair can refresh bags and Birkenstocks, and The Lamp Shader can spruce up your lighting. Lastly, don’t forget treats and flowers for your Valentine from Misericordia Sweet Shoppe, Morning Glory Flower Shop, Hlavacek Florist and Chicago Wine Consulting (profiled below).

Glenview State Bank Merges with Busey Bank

After decades of service to Glenview and the surrounding communities, change is coming to one of our bedrock institutions. The holding company for Glenview State Bank announced on Tuesday that they have entered into a merger agreement with First Busey Corporation. First Busey is chartered in Illinois and operates from multiple branches throughout the state. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2021.

While their core function was to provide banking services to residents and businesses in the area, Glenview State Bank has been an active supporter of local interests ranging from youth sports to charities and local clubs. Busey Bank bills itself as a customer centric “community bank” so we hope that they will continue to be the valuable resource to the community that GSB has been since the bank was founded.

Calling All Young Artists

Let’s spread the love! MacPherson Westhoff Group Compass is looking for creative valentines, hearts or drawings about love for their office window at the corner of Glenview Rd. and Church St. (1800 Glenview Rd). Please drop off your child’s submissions to be hung in the windows by Feb. 4th. All art will be hung! Love has no contest winners. Please drop through mail slot if they are out on showings.

Get to Know …

Mike Widmaier of Chicago Wine Consulting

  1. What sets your business apart?

There are several things that set us apart from any other wine shop. First, we are a small family business, it’s just my wife, Paula (pictured above), and myself. And sometimes our 10-year-old daughter helps us. Between Paula and myself we have a combined almost 50 years in the wine industry. Everything in our store is hand-selected by us. We have a large selection of great everyday drinkers as well as hard to find rarities. In addition to being a wine shop, we also do private wine cellar management. Both of us are members of the International Society of Appraisers, and can provide customers with USPAP compliant wine appraisals for Insurance, Claims, Estates, and settlements.

  1. Why Glenview?

Because Glenview is our home. We moved into our home in Glenview nine years ago. I’m originally from Palatine and Paula grew up in Elmhurst.

  1. You might be surprised to know …

The oldest bottle of wine in our shop is a 1929 Toro Albala Don PX Gran Reserve Sherry.

  1. What’s your favorite quote or joke?

In regards to wine, what is the only thing a man underestimates the size of? His wine collection!