Southgate in The Glen

Upgrades for The Glen’s Glenview National 9 Golf Course

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Construction is under way for Glenview National 9’s new clubhouse and paddle tennis courts.

Glenview National 9, The Glen’s beautiful nine-hole public course, is getting a big face lift.  The course itself has always been in tip top shape, due in large part to an agreement with The Glen Club for ongoing maintenance.  The Glen Club is a semi-private 18 hole championship course across the street.  It is one of the finest courses anywhere (designed by Tom Fazio), and is a frequent stop on the PGA’s Nationwide Tour.  Glenview National 9 will soon be home to a new 2600 sq ft clubhouse at a cost to the Village of Glenview of $2,200,000.  Work has begun, and it is scheduled to be completed in the spring.  The new clubhouse will also feature four paddle tennis courts.  The village believes that this may be the only publicly owned golf course and paddle tennis facility in the United States.

Residents of The Glen are very excited about these upgrades to Glenview National 9.  The course is already very popular, hosting over 20,000 rounds of golf annually!  And convenient…it’s located IN The Glen, just across the street from the stunning Tower Crossing townhomes and Pulte Homes’ new development, Regency at The Glen.  It is also within close walking distance from the beautiful Cambridge neighborhood.  Other Glen neighborhoods are but a few minutes drive from Glenview National 9 such as Southgate, Landings at The Glen, Patriot Commons, Chapel Crossing, and Glen Shore.

For more information about Glenview National 9 and other Glenview-based courses to to www.golfglenview.com.  Better yet, stop by Glen Town Center in the heart of the Glen for lunch or shopping, and stroll over to the course to take a first hand look.

Improving Consumer Confidence Boosting Housing Sales

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Southgate is experiencing a much improved year in terms of housing sales, just as we are seeing across the country, in Chicagoland’s North Shore, and throughout the other neighborhoods in The Glen.  Certainly low housing inventory, low interest rates and pent up demand are factors.

Another huge factor is the improved financial health of American families.  In particular family net worth has been on the rise as the stock market more than doubled since the low point of the Dow at 6,443 in March of 2009.  Modest improvement in home values has also impacted family financial health.  According to some economists, the combination of dramatically improving equity markets and improving home values has increased net worth to within 5% of the peak prior to the Great Recession.

The result of improving family financial health is growing confidence in the future.   The Conference Board tracks consumer confidence monthly.  After examining its September poll Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at the Conference Board, said this:

Consumers feel more positive in their assessment of current condition, in particular the job market, and considerably more optimistic about the short-term outlook for business conditions, employment and their financial situation.

Confidence in the future translates into housing purchase decisions; and this is a huge driver of housing’s rebound.  There is evidence of this in Southgate where twice as many homes have sold in the first three quarters of 2012 as compared with all of 2011.  With three more months to go, it is likely that Southgate will experience its best sales year since 2007.

Von Maur Anchors Glen Town Center Shopping

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Von Maur in the center of Glen Town Center

Glen Town Center in THE GLEN, Glenview Illinois, is a jewel for area shopping and dining.  With 26 stores, shops and boutiques – and 16 restaurants (including The Glen Club‘s beautiful restaurant) – it is a destination venue beyond comparison in the Chicago area.

Anchoring Glen Town Center’s retail offerings is Von Maur, an upscale clothier for men, women, and children.  In addition to offering top of the line clothing brands, Von Maur sells shoes, handbags, accessories, jewelry, beauty and fragrance products, gifts, and collectibles.  Von Maur is a regional retail powerhouse with 27 stores throughout 10 Midwestern states (plus Georgia).  It has been in business well over 100 years, and it shows.  What really sets Von Maur apart from many upscale retailers is the shopping experience.  Upon entering the store one hears music.  That’s not unique…but in this case it is.  Our Von Maur here in The Glen has a pianist playing live music on a beautiful, black grand piano.  My husband and I have actually visited Von Maur just to hear the lovely music!  I should also point out that gift wrapping and shipping is free!

Von Maur is on Tower Drive (our “Main Street”), only steps away from my Tower Crossing row home.  It is also walking distance from other Glen neighborhoods such as Southgate, Cambridge, Landings, Chapel Crossing and Patriot Commons.  On either side of Von Maur are Dick’s Sporting Goods and Pascal Pour Elle spa.  And it’s steps away from our very own movie theater, Regal Glen 10.

We’re spoiled here in The Glen.  And we love it!

 

Attea Middle School – More Than Meets the Eye

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Last week my son started sixth grade at Attea Middle School right here in The Glen.  And when I say “right here” I mean that it’s smack dab in the middle of our wonderful Glen community.  It resides adjacent to Gallery Park and Lake Glenview.  It is across the street from two of our wonderful neighborhoods, Chapel Crossing (single family detached homes) and Tower Crossing (luxury row homes).  It is also walking distance from the Southgate, Landings, Cambridge, Patriot Commons and Regency neighborhoods.

Like many schools on the North Shore, Attea is thought of as an excellent school.  But what sets it apart is its rich offerings of voluntary activities for kids with all kinds of interests.  There are music clubs such as the Flute/Clarinet Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Band (in addition to the regular curriculum of vocal choir, band and orchestra).  My goodness, Attea even has a Ukulele Club.  Yes, you read that correctly…a ukulele club!

There are endless sports opportunities.  Intramural flag football, golf, fitness & conditioning, basketball, volleyball, softball, badminton,  and soccer are open to all Attea students.   The Art Club, Drama Club, and Set Design Club are available for students with creative interests.  And for those with more academic interests Attea kids can join Science Olympiad, Fantasy Math, Peer Tutoring, and Computer Programming clubs.  Other volunteer organizations include Builders Club, Green Club, and even…my son’s favorite…the LEGO Club.  Whatever a student’s interest, there is a club to enjoy!

Wildfire…the hottest restaurant in The Glen

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This Wildfire restaurant is walking distance from homes in The Glen

August 8th was my anniversary, and my husband took me to Wildfire Restaurant here in The Glen.  Wildfire is hugely popular, and for good reason.  The food is delicious, the service outstanding, and the ambiance upscale yet comfortable.  Plus, it’s walking distance from many homes in The Glen’s Southgate and Chapel Crossing neighborhoods!

Wildfire is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, the brain child of founder Rich Melman.  If you’re a Chicago area resident you know all about Lettuce Entertain You and its many outstanding eateries including Tru, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Shaw’s Crab House, and the venerable Everest (where I had my first date with my husband!)  Wildfire captures the spirit of a 1940s supper club with period photos and Sinatra big band as background.  The menu is steaks, chops, and seafood prepared in wood-fired ovens and spit roasters.

A lot of people in The Glen – including my husband – enjoy the many special events sponsored by Wildfire.  Along with his neighborhood pals they have regularly attended wine (and beer) tastings with special food items paired with each beverage.  It’s a real boys’ night out!  There are even events for kids.  My son and a buddy have made pizza and pastries, working side-by-side with Wildfire chefs.

Wildfire is one of 17 restaurants in The Glen.  Our many excellent eateries span a range from hoagies to 20 ounce prime rib dinners.  It’s one of the special things about living here!