Check Out Photos from Ravinia Block Bash

The Ravinia Neighbors Association hosted its second annual block party to celebrate the Ravinia Business District in Highland Park last weekend.

The Ravinia Neighbors Association hosted the second annual Ravinia Block Bash last weekend "Even better than the first," as Ravinia resident Carolyn Cerf put it, the event was MCed by Terri Olian and included performances by the Highland Park High School jazz ensemble, Ravinia's own solo vocalist Sean Harris, the Makkai Ballet School and the Village Music Store Band.  An array of prizes, donated by Ravinia businesses, were raffled throughout the day while children will played games and jumped around in the bouncy house.  Tea samples were handed out by Billy Corgan's new tea house, Madame ZuZu's, which celebrated its grand opening on Tursday. In addition, local non-profit organizations like Tails of Hope, the Historical Society, The Art …

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Billy Corgan's New Tea House Opens Thursday

Madame ZuZu's arrives in the Ravinia Business District in Highland Park this week, and the neighbors couldn't be more excited to see what the Smashing Pumpkins' frontman has in store.

The hip tea house owned by Smashing Pumpkins' frontman Billy Corgan and Ravinia Wine Shop owner Sharon Mackin-Norberg will open its doors in the Ravinia Business District on Thursday. Madame ZuZu, located at the former Post Office in the Ravinia neighborhood of Highland Park, will offer a dozen international teas as well as Intelligensia coffee, desserts from Highwood's Bent Fork Bakery and swanky seating, according to Eater Chicago. The renovated space includes "a long dark wood bar, black-and-white flooring, metal plating on the ceiling, red walls, deco lighting and a piano," Eater Chicago reports. Ravinia residents couldn't be more excited. "People have been waiting with bated breath for it to open," Ravinia resident Caroyln Cerf said…

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Doug Purington

3:52 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012

Welcome, Madame Zuzu's and Billy Corgan, to the Ravinia Business District! We applaud your addition to the vitality of our charming Ravinia and wish you much success. Doug Purington, Publicity Director Ravinia Neighbors Association   more ›

Highlands and Ravines

Ravinia Neighbors Association Declares War Over Rosewood

After the Park Board of Highland Park approved the Rosewood Beach redesign proposal, a community group said they'd continue to fight against it. In this week's column, Ed Brill wonders: Why?

Last week, the Park District of Highland Park Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a plan to redevelop Rosewood Beach. Rosewood Beach Redesign: From Plan to Approval The plan calls for the US Army Corps of engineers to extend the beach and create a more natural lakefront, remove man-made blots on the beach such as asphalt paths and metal groynes, and construct a set of buildings including a concession stand, restrooms, and an interpretive center. The Ravinia Neighbor's Association (RNA) used the Park District's decision as an impetus to declare "war." Huh? It's true that there are still several hurdles remaining before the first ground is broken on the project. The City of Highland Park must approve plans and issue permits, and …

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New Community Group Favors Rosewood Redesign

As the Park Board gears up to vote on the proposed Rosewood Beach project, two groups of residents continue to argue for and against it.

As the Park District Board of Commissioners inches closer to determining the fate of Rosewood Beach, residents continue to debate its proposed redesign. There are currently two community groups discussing whether or not the plan developed by the Rosewood Beach task force should be adopted by the Park Board. Ravinia Neighbors Association (RNA) opposes the plan because of the proposed interpretive center, a roughly 1900-square foot multi-purpose building that would cost between $579,000 to $630,000 to build, while the newly formed Friends of Rosewood (FOR) favors it. Want Highland Park news in your inbox every morning? Subscribe to Patch's newsletter. "[RNA] keep trying to speak for the entire town of Highland Park and we thought that was …

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David Greenberg

5:59 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012

Dan, I never compared the size of the proposed IC to a single family home situated on a small lot. I said that the IC's size was larger than many homes in Highland Park - I never referred to the size of the lot the home was situated on because the whole idea behind the comparison was as a point of reference for the kind reader. I don't agree that it's a stretch to believe that a structure with a …   more ›

Letters to the Editor

Rosewood Beach Task Force Objects to RNA's City Council Appearance

Group says Ravinia Neighbors Association's appeal to the council undermines the redesign process.

Dear Mayor Rotering and Members of the City Council: Last year, the Rosewood Beach Task Force (RBTF) was impaneled by the Board of Commissioners of the Park District of Highland Park to evaluate and recommend potential improvements for Rosewood Beach. This group has worked diligently over the past year and is looking forward to the completion of its assignment, with a presentation of its report and recommendation to the Park District Board of Commissioners at its June 21, 2012 workshop meeting. The report is the culmination of numerous meetings, public forums and input on the Park District’s website. We have been actively soliciting and listening to input/feedback from the entire community, including the Ravinia Neighbors Association (RNA…

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Rosewood Task Force Signs Off on Interpretive Center

After touring Rosewood Beach on Monday, the group voted 6-1 to keep the controversial building in the redesign plan.

The Rosewood Beach Task Force voted 6-1 to keep the controversial interpretive center in the Rosewood redesign proposal after meeting on the beach Monday. "Getting out there and getting a feel for the size made quite the impact," said Park District Board member Lori Flores Weisskopf, who accompanied the task force. "It was an accurate way to see what was going to be there." Want Highland Park news in your inbox every morning? Subscribe to Patch's newsletter. According to the Highland Park News, stakes and pillars were set up to mark the proposed location and size of the interpretive center. Weisskopf told Patch that the setup revealed that the center would not cut into the bluff, a concern critics have had.  “The big issue here is the big …

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David Greenberg

12:02 am on Sunday, June 3, 2012

I have two kids, and I think it's a waste of taxpayers money. I'm a life-long learner, enjoy scientific research, and I'm perfectly fine with contemplating the multiverse while simply sitting on the sand, or even a boulder at the beach. We don't need a house at the beach.   more ›

Letters to the Editor

Interpretive Center Unneeded at Rosewood

Ravinia Neighbors Association calls proposed building at Rosewood Beach a "wasteful expenditure of money."

On May 2 and 6, the Park District of Highland Park will be presenting to the public its newest proposal for improvements to Rosewood beach.  Members of the Governing Board of the Ravinia Neighbors Association favor this naturalistic design, which incorporates a wood walkway to replace the current asphalt walk and the use of wood for restrooms, a lifeguard station and a concession area. We would like these elements to have the smallest possible footprint. We object strongly, however, to the inclusion of a proposed "interpretive center" -- a relatively large building (in the range of 2000 sq. ft. as proposed) for this small beach, with no fully defined use, which would be out of scale and would have no direct relation to the functions of the…

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David Greenberg

1:08 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012

Everyone realizes that what the Army Corps does isn't free to us right? Whatever the Corps does, comes with restrictions, limitations, and obligations - for the next 50 years. We don't need more facilities to operate and maintain. I'd argue that we have too many already. And we certainly don't need an "interpretive center" at the beach - as I've said before, the best such center, is one sitting …   more ›

Viewfinder

Ravinia Neighbors Celebrate at Block Bash

Festival draws community together for weekend celebration.

The Ravinia Neighbors Association threw a celebration in Brown and Jens Jensen parks last Saturday and many from all walks of the community turned out to enjoy the festiviities. Earlier: RNA to Host Block Party Neighbors and businesses came together to celebrate the close-knit community that is Ravinia. Although the summer brings many from around the area to Ravinia for the outdoor concerts, the block party was as a more local affair. "It serves as a great way for everybody to come and enjoy themselves, meet their neighbors and explore the great businesses we have here," said Carolyn Cerf, a Ravinia Neighbors Association board member who spearheaded the block party. Check out pictures from the party above.

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Ravinia Neighbors Host Block Party Saturday

The Bash highlights Ravinia neighborhood with food, prizes and more.

This Saturday, the Ravinia Neighbors Association (RNA) is throwing a block party to highlight its neighborhood and raise awareness for local businesses and non-profit organizations.  The event, held Saturday from noon till 5 p.m, is an opportunity for family and friends to participate in an afternoon of sun, fun, food and prizes. “We’re hoping to make this a really great community gathering,” said RNA board member Carolyn Cerf. This year’s block party (or The Bash as it’s being referred to) offers an array of activities and hot spots, including a treasure hunt revealing hidden neighborhood gems, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts. Local vendors will offer food and sidewalk sales on Roger Williams Avenue. The Bash is also holding…

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