How cool is it that there is a college right here in Woodridge? Westwood College is hands-on.  They are focused on quality, career-focused programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills and credentials needed for their careers. They are known as a “career focused college." According to their website, Dean Gouin, chief operating officer, states that everything they do is focused on preparing students for the career path they have chosen, and they structure the programs to give them what they need to be successful on the job. Something else that's unique about Westwood -- every …

Radeke Custom Painting & Home Improvement, owned by Chuck Radeke, has been doing business for over 12 years.  You can hire the company for an array of custom paint jobs, such as exterior house painting (they’ll stain your cedar, paint your siding or trim your doors and windows); faux finishes to go with any patterns or color pallets; and inside carpentry jobs such as crown molding, new doors and trim.  But that’s not all! Need a mural in your child’s room?  Done.  Want stripes on your dining room walls? Yep. Want faux marble in your bathroom or around columns?  He can do that, too. What about…

Think the Woodridge Public Library just offers books, videos and magazines? Think again. The Woodridge Public Library first started in the basement of Village Hall in 1966.  In 1969, the library moved to a house on Forest Glen Parkway and opened with 553 books. By its third year, the library had more than 18,398 items in its circulation. The library opened in its current location in 1997, and it continues to add new services and formats such as DVDs, audiobooks, a Spanish language collection and wireless Internet access. In 2001, the library's circulation reached 500,000, and in during the …

*Santa Alert* You can skate with Santa this Saturday at Seven Bridges Ice Arena from 2 to 3 p.m. Keep an eye out for our "Santa Watch" graphic for other Santa sightings. --- With the frigid temperatures this week, I thought it would be a great time to tell you about all the places you can ice skate in Woodridge. Outdoors The Park District has several lakes that they allow residents to ice skate on for free.  Before you begin skating, don't forget to check whether the "Skating" or "No Skating" sign is up.  There needs to be at least six inches of solid ice across the entire lake for ice …

Did you know that Hollywood Blvd. Cinema in Woodridge was the first full-service, fully-integrated restaurant, bar and movie theater to open in the greater Chicagoland area? Opened in March 2003, Hollywood Blvd was the company's first Illinois location. The owners opened a similar theater in Indianapolis in 1991, but they closed it 15 years later to bring the concept to the Chicagoland area. The second location, Hollywood Palms, opened in Naperville in Sept. 2009. When you enter the theater, the first thing you do is purchase your tickets at the box office and enter the lobby. In a "…

"Owned and operated by the same family since 1974."  That's not something you hear every day, and it's just one reason I want to introduce you to Papa's Pizza Place in Woodridge, hidden in a strip mall on Janes Avenue. The 1970's flashback dining room, complete with wooden salad bowls, is just one of many pleasant surprises this pizza joint has. The old-fashioned thin crust pizza can be ordered with classic sausage and cheese. Or you go out on a limb and try Mama's Special, which includes cheese, sausage, onion, bacon and barbeque sauce. Owned and operated by Phil Palkowski, the first Papa'…

Before the leaves all fall and the weather turns nasty, why not get out with the family for a beautiful bike ride and enjoy the crisp fall air? Not sure where to ride that would be safe and easy to access?  Did you know the village of Woodridge offers 30 miles of off-road, asphalt-paved paths? That's right. Let me introduce to the Woodridge Bikeways System. The Woodridge bike paths allow riders to access businesses, schools, parks, forest preserves, municipal services, and shopping areas including Castaldo Park, Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park, Seven Bridges, Hawthorne Hill Woods and Town …

I'm sure you pass it all the time on Route 53 and think it's a place for builders. This is just one reason I want to introduce you to B & M Supply. The company started 65 years ago by brothers Bob and Marvin Sutker on the south side of Chicago at 59th Street and Ashland Avenue.  The business is now owned by Marvin's son Arnold, who moved B & M to Woodridge in 1995 to display the company's products in a large, 4,000 square-foot designer showroom.  This expanded showroom helps showcase their quality bathroom and kitchen products to consumers, builders and architectural designers. Their showroom…

Did you work out today?  As we've all been told, exercise improves physical well-being, reduces stress, anxiety and depression, enhances self-esteem, strengthens the heart and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure.  It has also been found to boost the immune system. With winter coming, don't we all need that? This week I want to introduce you to Edward Health & Fitness Center at Seven Bridges.  They offer much more than just exercise machines, free weights and classes.  Did you know with every paid membership you have access to registered dieticians and fitness experts?  These medical trained…

Welcome to the Wonders of Woodridge! I'm Suzanne Flynn, and it's my job to introduce you to some of the best but less-hyped spots in Woodridge. I live in Naperville now, but I lived in Woodridge for five years. I still send my son to preschool in Woodridge and I frequent the parks and shops in town several days a week.  Clara's Pasta di Casa is the first spot I'd like to introduce you to. First opened on
 March 13, 1987, this family-owned Italian restaurant brings fresh pasta and
 sauce to tables six days a week. Tucked in a small strip mall just north of Hobson on Route 53, Clara's may be …