Northbrook in 60 seconds
Pickleball!
The Village of Northbrook and the Northbrook Park District are offering pickleball, one of the country's fastest-growing sports, for weekend warriors in downtown Northbrook.
There will be a pair of courts in the commuter parking lot between the Metra train tracks and the parking lot at St. Norbert Catholic Church, 1809 Walters Ave., on the south side of Walters Avenue.
These courts will be available from 3 p.m. Friday to dusk Sunday starting June 18 through Labor Day. They'll also be open on Mondays, July 5 and Sept. 6. Play is on a walk-on basis.
Free equipment rental, with a $25 deposit refunded upon return, is available at Techny Prairie Activity Center, 180 Anets Drive.
Northbrook also offers pickleball at Stonegate Park, 3435 Whirlaway Drive; Crestwood Park, 1824 Milton Ave.; Williamsburg Square Park, 200 Lee Road; Woods Oak Green Park, 1150 Sanders Road; and indoors at the Techny Prairie Activity Center; the park district hosts clinics and leagues.
For details on the new downtown pickleball courts, visit northbrook.il.us/pickleball.
Hail to the chief
The Northbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry will host a meet-and-greet luncheon featuring new Northbrook Police Chief Christopher Kennedy on June 23 at Marcello's.
Kennedy, who took in the post in April following the retirement of former Chief Roger Adkins, brought 29 years of experience from the Chicago Police Department. He'll share stories and discuss his priorities for the Northbrook Police Department.
Most recently with the CPD, Chief Kennedy oversaw units specializing in counterterrorism and special operations. He came to Northbrook with 12 years of command-level leadership.
The luncheon at Marcello's, 1911 Cherry Lane, is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Cost is $25 for chamber members, $30 for guests, and reservations are required. Visit northbrookchamber.org.
Seeking applicants
Northfield Township is seeking applicants for Northbrook Rural Fire Protection District trustee.
Applicants must live within the Northbrook Rural Fire Protection District boundaries. Experience overseeing management of institutional money or in public safety is a plus.
To apply, email Township Supervisor Shiva Mohsenzadeh, shiva@twp.northfield.il.us, by the end of business on Monday, July 21.
In the swim
The pride of Glenbrook North, Illinois Wesleyan junior Ellen Gilbert, earned College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association All-America honors in the 100- and 200-yard butterfly, her second time doing so.
The 2020-21 national meet was canceled due to COVID-19, so the All-America awards were based on verified performances in big meets.
Gilbert ranked second in the 200 butterfly and fifth in the 100 out of all Division III colleges. Her time of 2 minutes, 4.27 seconds in the 200 on March 1 in Bloomington broke an 8-year-old pool record.
Police report of the week
On June 7, Northbrook Police took a report of vandalism at the Northbrook Sports Center. Police were told at least one person gained access to the roof and released two fire extinguishers and one spray foam insulation too.
Superintendent to retire
Northbrook District Superintendent Dr. Larry Hewitt announced he will retire at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
"There is a lot of work yet to do. I'm very excited about reopening schools and getting back to at least 95% normal this fall," said Hewitt, now in his 14th year at the helm of District 28. "This is an amazing district, and we will continue to do great work."
Board President Tracy Katz Muhl said the board will discuss searching for a replacement at a future meeting.
CAP it
The deadline for residents to provide comments regarding the Northbrook Climate Action Planning Team's plan is June 21.
The Climate Action Plan, which seeks to provide guidance on actions over the next decade to meet greenhouse gas reductions and build the community's resistance to climate change impacts, can be viewed online at palebluedot.llc/northbrook-cap-review-menu.
The village welcomes residents to comment on the CAP, either on sections of interest or a general message in the introductory section.