Lake Forest Woman's Rug Company Gives Afghan Women Hope

Connie Duckworth's rug company, Arzu, means "hope" in Dari.

Lake Forest resident Connie Duckworth, who started her own rug company after retiring as Goldman Sachs' first female trading partner, was recently featured on WGN News for her efforts to alleviate poverty in an Afghanistan village. Duckworth, a member of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, employs Afghan women to make rugs for her company Arzu, which means "hope" in Dari. Arzu, according to its website, "helps Afghan women weavers and their families break the cycle of poverty by providing them steady income and access to education and healthcare by sourcing and selling the rugs they weave." Through Arzu, Afghan women earn fair labor wages while weaving hand-knotted rugs at home. Arzu also provides the women with literacy classes and operates …

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Lake Forest/Lake Bluff: A Look at Metra Stops, Income Levels

Lake Forest ranks 11th according to Crain's tracking of household income in the zip codes of Metra train stations.

A look at income levels in suburban towns with Metra stops provides a glimpse at the disparity in wealth throughout the area, according to a map by Crain's Chicago Business Journal.  Among all Chicago and suburban Metra stops, Lake Forest ranked as the 11th highest income with an average income of $133,383, while Lake Bluff ranked as the 35th highest income with an average income of $101,858, according to Crain's. Neighboring Deerfield ranked 14th with an average income of $126,943, while Highland Park ranked 18th with an average income of $114,680. Lake Forest residents are in the top 10 percent for the highest incomes, while Lake Bluff residents have 10.1 to 30 percent of the highest incomes, according to the map.  The Metra station that…

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Former Wal-Mart Exec Selling Lake Forest Mansion

The eight-bedroom mansion is listed by Coldwell Banker for nearly $6 million.

A Lake Forest mansion built in 1894 and owned by a trust whose beneficiary is a former Wal-Mart executive is on the market for nearly $6 million, reports ChicagoRealEstateDaily.com. Coldwell Banker lists the 10,000 square-foot, eight-bedroom home at 100 Pembrook Drive for $5.95 million. The home was purchased by Jane Thompson, former president of Wal-Mart's financial services unit, and her husband, Stephen, for $2.3 million in 1994, according to ChicagoRealEstateDaily.com. The home features a state-of-the-art deGiulio kitchen, a library, seven fireplaces, a billiard room, media room, lap-size pool and a pool house, according to the listing.

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Monthly Community Forums Continue at Gorton

The Community Forums are designed to give residents an informal opportunity to get involved in complex community issues.

 The information below comes from the city of Lake Forest. Residents are invited to attend Community Forums hosted by The City of Lake Forest.  The Forums take place monthly at Gorton Community Center on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. The Community Forums are designed to give residents an informal opportunity to:   Discussion will be led by an Alderman on a topic identified in the recently-adopted Strategic Plan for 2013-2018.    On Thursday, May 16, Mike Adelman, Fourth Ward Alderman, and a panel of experts will lead a conversation about “Native Plantings.”  In recent years there has been a heightened awareness over the importance and benefits of creating ecologically-friendly yards, gardens and public spaces.  Communities are …

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Video: The Appeal of Lake Forest

Coldwell Banker posted this video on YouTube to reflect what it's like to live in Lake Forest.

Ah, the beauty of Lake Forest and all it has to offer from lakefront views to upscale shopping to historic architecture, as presented in this YouTube video from Coldwell Banker. Tell Us: What do you enjoy most about living in Lake Forest? Share your enthusiasm and favorite spots in the comments.

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Home Sale Prices Down in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff

In 2012, Lake Forest homes sold for 16.7 percent less than they did in 2011, Chicago Magazine reports.

Home sale prices in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff have dropped, according to a recent Chicago Magazine article. The article profiled what homes cost in several suburbs and Chicago neighborhoods. Though home sale prices are down in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, prices are up in neighboring Deerfield, Highland Park and Northbrook. The magazine’s data shows the median sale price for a Lake Forest home in 2012 was $700,000, down 16.7 percent from 2011, and 28 percent since 2006. There were 240 home sales last year in Lake Forest, with homes staying on the market an average of 240 days, the magazine reports. The median sale price for a Lake Bluff home in 2012 was $406,000, down 5.3 percent from 2011, and 33.9 percent since 2006. There were 112 Lake …

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Hourly Forecast for Lake Forest-Lake Bluff

Find out what to expect for weather in the hours ahead.

Lake Forest School to Host Chicago Bears Youth Football Camp

Learn to play the Chicago Bears way at this no-contact football instruction camp for youths 6 to 14 years old. The camp will be held June 17-21 at Deer Path Middle School in Lake Forest.

With former Chicago Bears like Macey Brooks, Allan Ellis, Kris Haines, Al Harris, Jim Morrissey and Mickey Pruitt providing support, Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps will return this summer 19 locations, including a camp at Deer Path Middle School in Lake Forest. The camp will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 17-21. Register now for the early bird cost of $359. Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps provide non-contact instruction to kids from ages 6 to 14 years old. With professional coaches and Chicago Bears Heroes, kids learn to run, throw, catch, defend and compete the Bears way. All programs provide football non-contact instruction, athletic skill development, fitness and agility training. "It’s football—designed by the Chicago Bears and …

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Lake Forest Boy Scout Troop 46 Kicks Off 'Yard and Garden Fundraiser March 2

It's that time again. Lake Forest Boy Scout Troop 46 will begin selling yard and garden products on Saturday, March 2, for its annual fund-raising campaign. The fundraiser extends through April.

The Lake Forest Boy Scout Troop 46, chartered by First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, kicks off its 17th annual fund-raising campaign on Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. Watch for the Scouts out in the community. The fundraiser runs throughout March and April. Our fine young men will be in full uniform canvassing Lake Forest and Lake Bluff as they reach out to friends, neighbors, and family. We’re once again offering “Yard and Garden” products featuring quality flowers, plants, and delivered bulk mulch. Donations are also accepted. Pick-up and delivery day for flowers and plants will be on Saturday May. Delivered bulk mulch is available per customer arrangements. The money earned by this fundraiser supports a full year of the …

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