Results tagged “berwyn”

       

Authorities discovered an artifact find worthy of Indiana Jones. But rather than a cave or an ancient temple, this collection was found in a house in Berwyn. Over 3,500 artifacts - including terracotta figurines, letters from popes, and a handwritten manuscript by Benito Mussolini - were discovered at the home of John Sisto when he died over two years ago. And now, after an extensive investigation, federal authorities have determined that around 1,600 of the artifacts - valued at between $5 million and $10 million - had been stolen in Italy and shipped to the U.S. to be sold. FBI spokesman Ross Rice said the stolen artifacts will be returned to Italy and added no criminal charges related to theft, transportation or possession of stolen artifacts would be filed against the Sisto family by U.S. authorities. Since the items were shipped out of Italy in violation of that nation's Cultural Property Laws, charges related to those violations rests with Italian authorities. The other 2,000 artifacts - which were of indeterminate origin - were returned to the Sisto family. According to the Tribune's report:

Berwyn sure is cooking! Remember those billboards that portrayed the Chicago suburb as a hip alternative to Chicago? This year the City of Berwyn has partnered with Artspace Projects, a national nonprofit arts organization to study the space needs of artists in the Berwyn and neighboring Chicago metropolitan communities. As part of this study, Artspace Projects has developed a brief, 10 minute survey to assist in the development of affordable live/work space for artists in Berwyn.

Mayoral and municipal primaries are being held in some Chicago 'burbs today. Don't forget to vote if you live in Cicero, Berwyn, Calumet City, Waukegan, North Chicago, Elgin and Dolton. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Among those caught up in Operation Golden Seal from the Chicago area are a Junior ROTC instructor for Chicago Public Schools and five current or former Berwyn police officers. While purchasing a fake diploma isn't illegal, it is against the law to use said fake diploma for a raise and advancement, which is just what the ROTC instructor did: he used a fake Masters and PhD from "St. Regis University" to receive a raise from the school district in 2003. Some of the retired police officers also parlayed the fake diplomas into a pay raise, though the two officers still currently with the department did not. The instructor is currently on leave for an unrelated matter while none of the police officers were disciplined because they agreed to dismiss their degree claims. None of those involved have officially been charged with anything. Yet.

Hold off on the mourning, all ye Spindle fans who continue to lament the loss of their beloved public art and pigeon poop collector. Could the citizenry of Berwyn get a new Spindle back in the parking lot instead of a Walgreens? Or, what the hell - how about on top of the Walgreens? The Tribune reports that the ownership of the mall is "open to spending an estimated $300,000 to create a new Spindle."

Grassroots activism lost to corporate America last night when the 50-foot Berwyn “Spindle,” an eight-car kobob, was dismantled under the cover of darkness. Cermak Plaza’s pop icon was taken down with a crane to make room for a proposed Walgreens.

The 50-foot tall Berwyn Spindle is up for auction on e-Bay. There are no bids yet for the sculpture made of eight ‘70s and ‘80s era cars, which lists for $50,000, plus $100,000 shipping costs. The sculpture, commissioned by Cermak Plaza Associates, is probably most popular for its appearance in the 1992 movie Wayne’s World.