Community Relations Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS FEBRUARY 2, 2012 The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m., in the Civic Room, at the Northbrook Public Library, by Chair Ray Wehr. Members Present: Sheila Bass, Elliot Bruckman, Nafisa Choudhury, Dale Duda, Scott Gertz, Sue Huang, Chris Kosla, Bob Lozaro, Ron Mantegna, Rochelle Singer, and Chair Wehr. Also Present: Liaison Jason Batalden, and Recording Secretary LeeAnn Artstein. Excused Members: Bruce Doughty, Linda Goldsher, Jim Hyun, and Nancy Stoddard. Welcome Chair Wehr welcomed everyone to the meeting. Approval of the December 19, 2011 Asian Heritage Subcommittee Meeting Minutes As there were no changes, additions or modifications to the December 19, 2011 Asian Heritage Meeting minutes, Member Lozaro made a motion to approve the minutes. It was seconded by Member Mantegna. On voice vote, the motion passed. Approval of the January 5, 2012 CRC Meeting Minutes Page 2, Asian Heritage Celebration, 1st par., 2nd line, 2nd sentence, remove the first word in the sentence “Asian.” Also, the last paragraph, change the date to April 30 at the Library. Page 2, News from the Clergy, last paragraph, 2nd, add the sentence, “it is currently sharing the church at 2700 W. Willow Rd., with St. Peter Community Church.” Page 3, under Eyes & Ears on the Street, 2nd paragraph, “Trivia Challenge on Feb. 11,” not Feb. 12. Member Singer made a motion to approve the minutes, and it was seconded by Member Lozaro. On voice vote, the motion passed. Black History Month Final Planning Update Member Bass reported that they are ready for the “Tall, Dark & Handsome: The Evolution of the Black Leading Man” program on Sat., February 18, 1-4 pm, with Professor Vaun Monroe. She has arranged displays in the display cases located by the first floor entranceway and upstairs in Youth Services. The Library has posters up and has our flyers out for the patrons. Member Mantegna reported that Village Communications Manager Cheryl Fayne de-Persio has been working on publicity. Cheryl is using her contact lists, which includes the schools. The event is listed in the Village newsletter and will soon be on the website. The Village has the psa ready, but due to some technical difficulties, airing the psa on Channel 17 has been delayed. Member Lozaro noted that St. Norbert will list the event in their bulletin. Member Bruckman stated that Temple Beth El has our poster and flyers out. The Y also put up our posters. CRC members are encouraged to get the word out to friends and forward flyers to them. Member Duda will be in charge of the refreshments. Member Singer will not be able to attend the event and is hoping that someone will record the program. Member Mantegna indicated it would be a great opportunity to videotape the event next year. CRC events could be packaged into half hour segments and then shown throughout the year on Channel 17. Asian Heritage Celebration Planning Update (Theme: Taste of Asia—A Celebration of Asian American Heritage) (Topic for Panel Discussion—The Role of Korean Women, Past and Future in America) Member Huang reported that preparations are in progress for the event scheduled for Sunday, May 6, 1 – 4 pm, at the NSYMCA. The performance program will go 2-1/2 to 3 hours. People will be able to eat while they are watching the program. At the last subcommittee meeting held on January 23, some of the things discussed were: Theme for the event is “Taste of Asia—A Celebration of Asian American Heritage” which indicates that in addition to food, culture and arts will also be a part of the program. Fair-type event with performances, food vendors, artifact displays, crafts, and various vendors Member Hyun plans to do Trivia challenge again CRC is responsible for selecting the food vendors Need five different types of Asian food from Chinese, Korean, Indian, Filipino, and Russian restaurants to serve small portions of food. Prefer to have Northbrook businesses. Food Vendors charge minimal prices/advertise their businesses/possibly offer coupons CRC members should contact Member Huang with any suggestions for food vendors NSYMCA will assist with promoting and decorating the gym for the May 6 event Kathy Winne, Art Director at NSYMCA, is going to provide 4-5 large kites with an Asian theme on the ceiling of the gym. Kathy Winne may have an after-school art project with the kids. Member Lozaro will work on publicity with Cheryl for the March/April Village newsletters. Contact Member Lozaro with any information on renting or borrowing a portable stage. He already checked with the Park District and the church next door. Doors open at 11 am to start setting up for 1 pm program. The panel discussion for this event is scheduled for April 30, 2012, 7-8:30 pm, at the Northbrook Library Auditorium. The topic is “The Role of Korean Women, Past and Future in America.” Member Hyun and Professor Park from Northeastern Illinois U. will lead the discussion. Member Lozaro has been working with St. Norbert to bring the Asian American Heritage Celebration to the school. Different programs are being considered for the younger and older students, possibly on May 31. Member Huang, her friend Margo, and Member Lozaro will be meeting again with Maple School to discuss and offer input for its World Language Department’s Mandarin Chinese language curriculum. Member Huang reported that there has been positive feedback from last year’s film showing at the Library. As a result, some people are viewing the film at their workplace. Senior Services/CRC Subcommittee Update Member Lozaro reported that the Senior Services Commission and the Community Relations Commission met Tuesday to discuss the survey. Thanks to Liaisons Dan Kaup and Jason Batalden, we now have a final copy of the survey content. We are ready to go ahead with the survey. Member Mantegna will be working with Cheryl Fayne de-Persio to create a format for the Village newsletter and to discuss the distribution and return of the surveys. They are targeting the May newsletter for the survey. Chair Wehr suggested Member Goldsher help Member Lozaro distribute the surveys to the houses of worship and then arrange to collect the completed surveys. Once the surveys are returned, the two commissions will work together to tabulate, prepare a white paper, summarize the results and discuss them with their respective commissions. Finally, the results will be forwarded to President Sandy Frum, who will take further action on what she wants to do. 2 WTN/Flamingo Friday Planning Update Member Gertz had no report at this time. After February 11, he will meet with Member Duda to work on combining the two projects into one evening event at the Village Hall on Friday, May 18. They will report back to the commission. In the meantime, they went over a few ideas to get the ball rolling: Emphasize both Welcome to Northbrook and Flamingo Friday events Focus this as a festive party to pick up WTN information and a flamingo Reduce time of event to 90 minutes Back up location is Village Hall vestibule, if weather is bad Contact Ron Bernardi for Sunset Foods Hot Dog Wagon with refreshments Need two card tables for papers and handouts--chairs not necessary Obtain handouts from PD, FD, etc. Invite Fire Department with truck CRC members to come and mingle with guests WTN--engage in talk with guests-- refer them to website for all Village information Flamingo Friday—sign up people for Flamingo Friday 24 Plastic Flamingos available Flamingo Location Map Ask Village to send out special invitation postcards to new residents to come to a party and learn about the Village of Northbrook Put event in Village newsletter Ideas needed for publicity Use of CRC logo or a multi logo Nancy Stoddard or others to reach out to have other Village groups and/or commissions to come and participate Obtain 2 - 4 yard signs Set up signs/flamingos at corners of Walters & Cedar and Cherry & Cedar With Chair Wehr’s okay to order signs, Member Duda will look into the cost of signs and report back. (At 7:43 pm, Member Bass exited the meeting.) News from Clergy Association and Houses of Worship Liaison Batalden filled in for Member Goldsher at the Clergy meeting. He reported that GBN Supt. Riggle and Principal Pryma spoke about what is going on at the school. Early college admissions for seniors and who are headed to all types of colleges all over the country were discussed. Some of the questions raised by the audience included the school’s drug and alcohol policy, how technology is changing the role of teachers, consolidation of school districts, state funding for schools, and pension costs. The next clergy meeting will be held at Our Lady of the Brook. (At 7:53 pm, Member Kosla exited the meeting.) News from Schools There were no reports from the schools. The GBN variety show is next weekend. Everyone is encouraged to support the fine arts performance students by buying Butter Braid Batter, a fundraising item, from the wife of Bruce Doughty. 3 Youth Commission Update There was no report. Old Business There was no report. New Business There was no report. Eyes & Ears on the Street a. February Commission Chair meeting The Village will be holding its first Chair Commissions meeting on February 13. Chairs from all of the various commissions are coming together for a night. Chair Wehr will inform them about what is going on with our commission and our upcoming events. Beth-El Bingo is on February 11, offering fun, food and a great raffle Mazel tov to Sophie Gertz and her family on her Bat Mitzvah which takes place on February 11. St. Norbert’s Trivia Challenge is on February 11. Trivia subcommittee members are invited to stop by to observe the event St. Norbert’s St. Pat’s Party is on March 9. Great place to publicize CRC events Publicize your events at other activities—see if they allow you to put flyers out St. Norbert’s Block Party is on June 9 Beware of scam artists posing as utility company employees Beware of email phishing scams during tax season Holocaust Remembrance Days in April—Cheryl is preparing to air special documentaries on Channel 17 Our thoughts are with Nancy Stoddard, who fell and broke her left ankle, had surgery, and is currently at Whitehall receiving extensive therapy. Next Meeting – March 1, 2012 The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 1, 2012. Adjournment At 8:10 pm, Member Lozaro made a motion to adjourn, and it was seconded by Member Gertz. On voice vote, the motion passed. Respectfully Submitted, /s/LeeAnn Artstein Recording Secretary 4