You may know him as the Sixth Ward alderman in Des Plaines, and, more recently, as acting mayor, but many people are unaware Mark Walsten starred in one of the most popular television commercials of the 1990’s. Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten is seen here endorsing Liquid Plumber. Walsten worked as an actor on a variety of television and film productions during the 1980’s and 1990’s, he said, including extra roles in Code of Silence with Chuck Norris and Weird Science. Walsten, while not a union plumber, ran a remodeling business in the 1980’s, he said, and currently operates a home …
In a YouTube video which is simply titled, “SGI Meeting 2/23/13 Des Plaines IL – 1/1,” what appears to be a group of local musicians performs “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. Here’s the music video with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performing “I Won’t Back Down,” and here’s Johnny Cash playing a version of the hit. Sign up for Des Plaines Patch's free newsletter. Check out all the Des Plaines videos on YouTube. The last one was of a Des Plaines history book author.
The author of a new book chronicling Des Plaines history spoke about the work in a video published by the Des Plaines Public Library. David Whittingham, readers’ advisor at the Des Plaines library, in cooperation with the Des Plaines History Center authored Images of America: Des Plaines, released in November 2012, and celebrated at a release party in December. Whittingham, speaking at the historical Kinder House, said many people in Northern Illinois think of Des Plaines as being very similar to other suburbs, blending in. “But there’s a lot of very distinctive, special things to Des Plaines…
Three-dimensional, sparkling Santa Clauses, reindeer and snowmen take a temporary residence in the yards of Illinois residents during December, and add to one of the nation’s largest annual outdoor lighting displays. Admission is free; to enjoy, all that is required is a stroll around the block. But what if you can’t walk, or don’t want to walk, or you’re curled up on a couch with a mug of hot chocolate, your smartphone or computer, and you would rather click than walk. That’s where a small organization, K-3 Lights, approximately 76 miles south of Des Plaines, from Bourbonnais, IL, comes in. …
The annual Lady of Guadalupe celebration will take place at the shrine adjacent to the Maryville Academy campus in Des Plaines from Dec. 11 to Dec. 12. The feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12, is a holiday dear to the hearts of Mexican Catholics. Groups of worshippers from many Chicago churches walk to the shrine to take part in the celebration. Approximately 80,000 to 100,000 worshipers are expected to descend on the holy place in Des Plaines on Tuesday and Wednesday, the city stated in a Patch announcement, roadway closures are planned and traffic delays are expected. A procession …
Family, friends and faculty gathered in the auditorium at Maine West High School, 1755 S. Wolf Road, for the 2012 V-Show on Nov. 2, Nov. 3 and Nov. 4. Several videos from the performance were posted on YouTube including these three. The first shows a student named Stephanie playing “Nouvole Bianche” by Ludovico Einaudi on the piano. The second video shows students Rachel and Stephanie playing the song, “Collide,” and the third video is a series of clips from various performances in the show. Check out all the Des Plaines videos on YouTube. The last one was of a political debate at Des Plaines…
Candidates for the Illinois 55th State House District, which includes portions of Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Park Ridge and Rosemont, and candidates for the Illinois 28th State Senate District, which includes portions of Des Plaines, Roselle, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village and Rosemont, debated a range of issues including the state’s unfunded pension liability, taxes, the state budget, education, social program funding and more at Des Plaines City Hall, 1420 Miner St., on Oct. 24. Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan and Susan Sweeney, of Park Ridge, are running to represent the 55th House …
In his report to city council on Oct. 15, Des Plaines City Manager Michael Bartholomew told council members a video about the city’s partnership with Rivers Casino was debuted at the International City Managers Association conference he attended in Arizona last week. “It’s something we can use on into the future to talk about the good economic development things we’re doing in the city,” Bartholomew said. “I hope you all had an opportunity to look at it, and agree that it’s a pretty remarkable video.” Since opening in July 2011, Rivers Casino, 3000 S. River Road, has been the leading Illinois…
The Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St., posts short videos about the activities and events for the month on YouTube. In this video for October, Brodie Austin, of the Des Plaines library, speaks about programs for kids, teens and families that include an art exhibition called Des Arts, Halloween celebrations, a film screening and more. Do you know of a great Des Plaines related video on YouTube? Share it in the comments section below. Check out all the Des Plaines videos on YouTube. The last one was of a trick basketball shot at Seminole Park. Sign up for Des Plaines Patch's …
What’s a fun way to incorporate two sports in a trick shot? Youtube user Ajdin Ekic answers that question in this video of a basketball goal scored with some soccer footwork at Seminole Park, S. Scott and Sunset Drive in Des Plaines. Check out all the Des Plaines videos on YouTube. The last one was of the seniors police academy. Sign up for Des Plaines Patch's newsletter. Des Plaines Patch is on Facebook; click to like it.
The Citizens Police Academy will begin on Sept. 18, and will give participants an opportunity to learn about domestic violence, traffic stops, evidence collection and more. In the spring of this year, a police academy was held for seniors at the Frisbie Center in Des Plaines. This video, posted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in October 2011, shows a police academy for seniors last year. In the video, former Police Chief James Prandini, Officer Colin Johnson and Deputy Chief Mike Kozak are seen teaching seniors about law enforcement and how to be safe. The police academy …
The fourth annual Des Plaines Fall Fest is quickly approaching, and like every good suburban festival, cover bands will perform sets of hits for families, friends and neighbors. This year’s Fall Fest will feature two of the Chicago area’s most road-tested groups, ARRA on Friday night and Wedding Banned on Saturday night. To preview the musical talent featured at Fall Fest, here is a video of ARRA performing “Rock and Roll Band” by Boston, and a video of Wedding Banned performing “Brown-Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison. Earlier: What to do with old National Geographic magazines. Sign up for Des …
Tiki Terrace, 1591 Lee St. in Des Plaines, hosts a variety of shows including musical performances by the Chicago-based island music band, A Bunch of Coconuts. The ensemble recorded the classic from the 1920's, Ukulele Lady, at Tiki Terrace in 2009. A Bunch of Coconuts is scheduled to perform at Tiki Terrace next on Sept. 26, according to the band’s website. Earlier: Des Plaines resident gives Conan O’Brien directions to his home. Sign up for Des Plaines Patch's free daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox with news, information and more. Did you know Des Plaines Patch has a great Facebook …
A couple from Park Ridge invites Conan to visit their home when he’s in the Chicago area. When Conan attempts to politely say thank you, a Des Plaines resident interjects and hilarity ensues. Earlier: The Hunger Games will be featured for teens at the library this week. Click to sign up for our daily email with headlines, for free, sans spam. We’re on Facebook. If you haven’t yet, please like the Des Plaines Patch page. Des Plaines!
