Downers Grove 12-18-18

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EVENTS

Calendar Events Upcoming events in your area SEE PAGE 4

SPORTS

Mustangs rally South defeats North in boys battle SEE PAGE 6

BUSINESS Dave Says Make sure it’s a gift when accepting financial help from family SEE PAGE 7

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

SCHOOL NEWS >> DISTRICT 58

Foundation awards grants to support learning District 58 teachers recognized for ideas in the classroom

BY RYAN OSTRY Bugle Staff @RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com

The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 has awarded 18 teacher grants that support innovative learning and instruction in District 58 and align to the District’s curriculum and strategic goals.

The Education Foundation has offered this program since 2002 when it was founded.

This program helps teachers who have ideas to enhance education in their classrooms, but lack the financial resources to make their goal a reality.

“Teachers are able to apply to receive a grant with it being optional and the grants are due in September,” said Megan Hewitt, Community Relations Coordinator. “In October, the Education Foundation reviews all of the applications on a blind basis, shares the applications with the committee and from there they either decide to award the grants, award partial grants or not award the grants at all.”

The Foundation selects projects that show strong potential to impact instruction using innovative tools and/or techniques.

Project proposals must align

with the District’s curriculum goals and have measurable outcomes, among other requirements.

“I work very closely with the Education Foundation throughout the whole process and it’s always a huge pleasure to see which grants were awarded because our teachers have a lot of really great ideas for their classrooms,” Hewitt said.

“I’m really proud of the teachers for taking the initiative to apply for a grant, and really appreciate the Education Foundation to continue to support teachers and students here in District 58.”

2018-19 Education Foundation Grant Recipients: Catherine Boyce, Pierce Downer first grade teacher, received a grant to incorporate hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) centers into her science time. These new resources will help motivate students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Alison Brechtel and Matt Cunningham, Herrick Englishlanguage arts teachers, and Nicole Ferroli, Addie Kostellic and Kate Nickell, O’Neill English-language arts teachers, received grants that will enhance their classroom libraries with new, engaging and

popular books at a variety of reading levels to promote choice reading among students.

Maureen Bresnahan, El Sierra speech-language pathologist, received a grant to enhance student vocabulary and general concept knowledge through weekly language lessons within the classroom.

Caitlin Choinski, Henry Puffer and Highland social worker, received a grant to start a socialemotional learning preschool library with age-appropriate books that promote different social-emotional topics, such as coping skills, friendship and emotions.

Rose Cloud, band teacher at Hillcrest, El Sierra, Lester, Whittier, Highland, Pierce Downer, Herrick and O’Neill schools, received a grant that revitalizes the District’s jazz instruction. Her project will create an improvisation curriculum and provide the beginning materials to support student learning and performance in jazz band and new jazz workshops.

Michele Crowley, Highland and Herrick English learner teacher, will provide English learners with bilingual texts to use at home, with the goal of increasing parental involvement, literacy scores and social-emotional growth among English learners.

Karina DeLeón and Cynthia Rodriguez, the District’s kinder-

garten-through-third grade biliteracy teachers, received a Number Sense grant that will provide students with visual supports, such as counting bears and dice, to help them improve their math skills and become flexible mathematical thinkers.

Christina Diaz, the District’s fourth and fifth grade biliteracy teacher, received bilingual and Spanish mentor texts to model and teach reading comprehension strategies and writing skills.

Melissa Eckdahl, Christina Gamboa, Hayley O’Reilly and Michelle Schmidt, Kingsley resource teachers, fourth grade teacher and occupational therapist, received a grant to install HOVRs on a few desks and tables. A HOVR is an underdesk foot swing designed to let students move while seated. Research has shown that the HOVR can enhance student focus, productivity and health.

Janet Hecht and Eareen Yambao, O’Neill and Herrick music teachers, will start the “I-kulele, Ukulele, We-kulele” program, which will provide music students with ukuleles to inspire fun, educational and life-long music learning.

Katie Hurckes, District interventionist, received a grant that will fund a Family Math Night at Kingsley and El Sierra schools this spring.

Mary Loversky, El Sierra librar-

ian, and Angela Vahle, Highland librarian, each received a grant to purchase books that will support instructional units in the new Benchmark English-language arts curriculum resource.

Janette Richelia, Pierce Downer social worker, and Emma Grisamore and Grace Claussen, Pierce Downer kindergarten teachers, will use their grant to host a weekly social-emotional learning center time for kindergarteners, focusing on mindfulness, emotions, calming strategies, friendship, problemsolving and more.

Deborah Roach, O’Neill resource teacher, received a grant that provides high-interest, age-appropriate books for students who read below grade level. This will help students access books that interest them at their reading level.

Ericka Zagorski, Whittier sixth grade teacher, will use her grant to begin The Memory Project. This project invites students to help cultivate global kindness by creating portraits for children around the world who have faced substantial challenges, such as violence, war, extreme poverty, neglect and loss of parents.

Proceeds from the Education Foundation’s fundraisers—which include Oktoberfest, the spring concert, the Harlem Wizards game and the Green Apple program— cover the cost of the grants.

COMMUNITY >> SENIORS

Health aficionado offers advice for seasonal blues Director of Health Services at Senior Star living community. Anna Walters, has advice to those who are going through seasonal blues

BY RYAN OSTRY Bugle Staff @RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com

The holiday blues can affect seniors in ways that people don’t always recognize.

This is often a time when families get together and may notice changes in mom and/or dad.

Between sibling conflict or denial, and understanding how to bring up a sensitive conversation that won’t make mom or dad feel helpless, this can be a challenging time of year for all.

Senior Star living community

Director of Health Services, Anna Walters, has given advice to those who are feeling some sort of seasonal blues, depression or any other type of seasonal challenges.

“Holiday blues are very temporary usually before Thanksgiving that goes away after Christmas,” Walters said. “It’s sad, stressful and surprisingly more young adults have winter blues than older adults.”

With advice for seniors and their families to feel better during this time, Walters highly recommends to decrease stress by planning

ahead, be kind to yourself, be selective how you spend your time, see people you enjoy and remember that feeling down is temporary.

Something else that Walters stressed on was differentiating between seasonal blues and depression, and that there is a distinct difference in the two.

“About the older adults, it’s mainly about the grieving process,” Walters said. “A lot of them have outlived everybody in their family which makes them the last of their generation.”

One diagnosis Walters added was Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a condition of clinical major depression that occurs during winter months for two years in a

row.

For this specific diagnosis, Walters said treatment includes light therapy, medication, psychotherapy and vitamin D. With many seniors being immobilized due to health concerns and age, Walters said that staying active in someway is a huge key to reversing seasonal depression and blues.

“Seniors can identify what interests them and what they enjoy doing, telephone visits or learn how to skype and volunteering their time by making something for others,” Walters said.

Walters also added that navigating family conflict, communication and aging parents is a must for a healthier lifestyle.

“Accepting each others strengths and weaknesses,, realizing judgment is a barrier, knowing aging parents have the right to make decisions that value independence more than safety and adult children raised by the same parents have very different ideas of what is the best plan,” Walters said.

Establishing a connection with individuals to get to know them on a more humane level is vital for Walters and the staff at Senior Star living community, as she added that sometimes people just need someone to talk to with face-toface communication.

“Even before people move in, we try and learn as much as we possibly can about them,” Walters said.

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NEWS

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SCHOOL NEWS >> DISTRICT 58

D.58 celebrates Reflections participants 41 projects will advance to the regional Reflections competition

BY RYAN OSTRY Bugle Staff @RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 celebrated all students who participated in this year’s PTA Reflections competition during a ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at Herrick Middle School.

The District also announced the 39 students whose 41 project submissions will advance to the regional level of the competition.

PTA Reflections is a national art recognition program recognizing student’s art work of all kind.

This national program invites students from public schools across the country to submit art related projects to the year’s theme.

DuPage County to Host Human Services Grants Informational Meetings in January

DuPage County will host two informational meetings in January for local nonprofit organizations interested in applying for a grant through the Human Services Grant Fund (HSGF). The meetings will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 4 and 10:30 a.m. Jan. 10 in Room 3-500B of the DuPage County JTK Administration Building, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. Organizations must send a representative to one of the two mandatory meetings in order to apply for the grant.

DuPage created the Human Services Grant Fund to assist organizations that serve County residents in need. This year, the fund will distribute $900,000 to grant recipients.

The grants are available to organizations that help families achieve independence, ensure the protection of children and other vulnerable residents and maximize prevention opportunities to strengthen families’ well-being and stability. In the previous grant year, more than 76,856 people received assistance. The average grant

“This year’s theme is Hero’s Around Me,” said Megan Hewitt, Community Relations Coordinator. “All art submissions have to relate to a hero, or however a student perceives a hero.”

There are six total different categories of art a student can participate in — dance, film production, literature, music, photography and visual arts.

“Students create a work of art that fits one of those categories and matches the theme and then they submit it to their school,” Hewitt said. “One hundred and seven students participated, and of those 107 that participated, 39 will advance to the next level.”

The work of art done by the students accepted advance to the regional level, state level and then

award in 2018 was $16,700, with a minimum award of $3,757 and a maximum award of $44,000.

The Human Services Grant Fund is a web-based program. For access to the portal, attendance at one of the mandatory meetings is required. Information regarding eligibility guidelines and selection criteria will be presented at the meeting. For more information, please email at communitydev@ dupageco.org or call (630) 407-6600.

Appellate Court Affirms Conviction for Threat Directed at Illinois State Representative

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced today that the Second District Appellate Court of Illinois has affirmed the threatening a public official conviction of Stephen Bona, 55, formerly of Chicago, for threatening Illinois State Representative Jeanne Ives. On March 17, 2016, a jury found Bona guilty of two counts of Threatening a Public Official, a Class 3 Felony. On July 15, 2016, Judge George Bakalis sentenced Bona to two years of probation.

On March 22, 2013, Bona called the office of Representative Ives

ends on a national level.

“Two or three parents participate in the PTA program at a district level and it just depends on the school how many kids participate,” Hewitt said. “It’s all volunteer and it’s all up top the child how much work they want to put into their projects.”

Students who will advance to regionals are: FAIRMOUNT: Klara Paschall, Dance Katherine Susmarski, Literature HENRY PUFFER: Nathaniel Haubold, Film Riley Prince, Visual Arts HERRICK: Sarah Richtman, Literature/ Photo (Two projects advancing) Michaela Romero, Visual Arts HIGHLAND: Isadora Beening, Dance Sam Bennet, Literature Layla Elgrably, Film

and left a threatening message.

An investigation into the matter led to Bona who was charged with Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct. A second threatening phone call made to Ives’ office three days later prompted the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office to upgrade the charges to Felony Threatening a Public Official. In one of his messages Bona made several threatening statements directed at Representative Ives including “We know where you live”, “There’s no longer a ban on assault weapons” and “Think about that before you speak next time.”

In his appeal, Bona challenged the constitutionality of the law under which he was convicted as well as the sufficiency and admissibility of evidence presented against him. In its affirmation, the Appellate Court found that the statute under which Bona was convicted is constitutional and “is not constrained by the first amendment.” Regarding Bona’s claims against the evidence used against him at trial, the Appellate Court found that “based on the evidence, it was certainly reasonable for the jury to conclude … he intended to threaten Representative Ives.” The Appellate Court also found that Ives’ testimony, which Bona was questioning, “was much more probative than prejudicial” and that “the trial court did not abuse its discretion by permitting the testimony.”

“I would like to thank the Appellate Court for their extremely thorough

Ali Kline, Literature Maliya Mehta, Literature Paige Riesmeyer, Dance Hadley Riesmeyer, Dance Gia Shah, Dance Maahi Shah, Photography Jasmine Su, Visual Arts Ashley Warmbir, Music HILLCREST: Luke Hardman, Visual Arts Erin Sievert, Photography Jaxon Sydello, Visual Arts INDIAN TRAIL: Oren Knoper, Film Grace Lube, Literature Kym Young, Film LESTER: Audrey Anderson, Literature Sienna Chansey, Dance Hannah Esslinger, Film Elizabeth Harrington, Literature Iris Lerette, Photography Linnea Peckenpaugh, Photography

and detailed review of Mr. Bona’s claims,” Berlin said. “The Appellate Court saw through Mr. Bona’s attempt to hide behind the First Amendment to spew his alarming threats aimed at a sitting elected official. His vitriol crossed the line of free speech and was intended to intimidate Representative Ives. Our democracy demands that public officials must be allowed to do their work free from interference or fear of retaliation that threatens their safety or the safety of their family.

They are elected to do a job and my office will do everything within our power to ensure that these men and women will not be harassed by those who differ in opinion.”

Bond Set at $500,000 for Man Accused of Wheaton Vehicular Hijacking

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police William Murphy announced today that bond has been set for a man charged with forcibly stealing a woman’s car from a Wheaton shopping center.

Demarion Chambers, 22 (d.o.b. 9/12/1996) of Chicago, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Robert Miller set bond in the amount of $500,000 with 10% to apply.

It is alleged that on December 13, at approximately 9:07 p.m., Chambers approached an occupied vehicle parked outside the Target

Aryanna Rosales, Visual Arts O’NEILL: Ted Dulles, Literature Jacob Valadez, Dance PIERCE DOWNER: Payton Conway, Photography Maddie Fleener, Music Emelia Jaikovski, Dance Arya Komanduri, Visual Arts Dylan Nuttall, Photography WHITTIER: Leah Achilles, Film/Photography (Two projects advancing) Jade Leo Hathaway Miranda, Photography “We have a lot of kids who are very talented young artists that put their heart and souls into this,” Hewitt said. “It’s really cool to celebrate all these amazing kids at the award ceremonies seeing all of their hard work, dedication and exemplary reflection of the district come to fruition.”

store located on County Farm Road in Wheaton. It is alleged that Chambers repeatedly knocked on the window of the car and that the occupant of the car eventually opened the door at which time Chambers pulled the door open and threatened the occupant who then left the vehicle. It is alleged that Chambers entered the vehicle and fled the scene. It is further alleged that Chambers then drove to a Thornton’s gas station in West Chicago where he made two separate purchases using the victim’s credit card. An investigation conducted by the Wheaton Police Department led to Chambers who was taken into custody from a home in Chicago without incident.

“It is alleged that last night Mr. Chambers threatened a woman’s life before stealing her car,” Berlin said. “According to the FBI, a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States every 44 seconds.

That is an alarming statistic.

There are precautions you can take however, to minimize your chances of becoming a victim - be aware of your surroundings, park in a well-lit area and keep your doors locked and windows up.

Thankfully, the victim in this case did not resist and was not injured.

I would like to thank the Wheaton Police Department for their fine work on this case as well as the Chicago Police Department for their assistance. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Mandy Meindl for her efforts.”

FORUM

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The lost and the entitled

BY ROBERT C. KOEHLER TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY When I popped open the old laptop, the Geek Squad guy said maybe I should dust it off.

He slid a canister of Endust toward me. “Spray the cloth,” he said, “not the machine.”

I started choking on my sense of humiliation. This poor baby was covered with dust. How could I be so careless and lackadaisical toward the technology at the center of my life?

And I hadn’t even realized the extent of my indifferent maintenance until the computer crashed and I had to rush it to the tech doctor.

I had been in the process of writing a column. I was researching the Central American refugees recently teargassed as they struggled toward the U.S. border. They were fleeing the violence and hopelessness in their countries, traversing 1,000 miles or more on foot, often with small children in tow, to find ... something better.

I had wanted to reach into the core of this situation, reach into the barbed wire and tear gas canisters and the words of Donald Trump, who saw them as perfect scapegoats for the nation’s problems: the enemy of the moment, bedraggled, desperate and hungry. Terrorists, keep out! He would protect America from them.

Then my computer crashed and I realized I was just a guy alone in his cluttered, dusty study. Then I was a guy in his car, heading west on Pratt Boulevard to the closest Best Buy. I was thirsty. I stopped at a convenience

CALENDAR DECEMBER 19 Holiday Tea. Downers Grove Mu-

store and bought a bottle of water and - because I deserved it - a bag of Skittles.

I was still negotiating through hightech America, consuming gasoline and plastic, rubber and steel, to accomplish the goals of my ordinary day.

I was still - I slowly began to realize insulated from my own raw need and humanity. I wasn’t trudging into the bitter December afternoon on foot, feeling the wind scrape my face as I clutched my dust-coated 5-year-old, trying to reach a doctor. I had no hostile borders to cross, no armed hatred - no tear gas - to endure. I just wanted to get back online ASAP and continue writing about the wrongs of the world.

But the sense of insulation from what I wanted to write about wouldn’t go away. I was free of hunger and cold and able to get somewhere in a hurry, shrinking distance without effort in my dependable old Toyota (while listening, if I so chose, to a CD of Bob Dylan singing “Shelter From the Storm”).

What do I actually know beyond this safe, techno-convenient world, which allows me to write in comfort about the cruel wrongs beyond its borders?

Suddenly I thought about novelist Ariel Dorfman’s fleeting memory of George H.W. Bush. After Bush’s death, Dorfman wrote an essay about a brief encounter he once had with the 41st president. By random chance they were staying at the same hotel. And one day the novelist, from his balcony, happened to see Bush and his entourage walk past. At one point Bush snapped his fingers and the man be-

(Robert Koehler is an award-winning, Chicago-based journalist and nationally syndicated writer. His book, “Courage Grows Strong at the Wound,” is still available.

Contact him at koehlercw@gmail.com, visit his website at commonwonders.com or listen to him at Voices of Peace radio.)

U P CO M I N G E V E N TS I N YO U R A R E A brary.org.

seum, 831 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.

From 11 to 12:30 p.m., enjoy a delightful afternoon tea in the sitting room of the Blodgett House! Learn about Charles Blodgett’s wife Emma and other prominent women from the Downers Grove area during a private tour of the holiday decorated Victorian home. Tea and light snacks will be served following the tour. Advanced registration required.

DECEMBER 31 Rockin’ in the New Year. Join us 2-3

DECEMBER 19 Candy House Creations at Crest Hill Library. Decorate your very own candy

DECEMBER 31 Countdown to Noon Year at Crest Hill Library. We are celebrating Noon

house with graham crackers, icing, and all of the toppings from 1-3:30 p.m. This program is open to children of all ages.

Registration is required. Parents: While your child attends this program, check out the Last-Minute Gift Wrap program in Meeting Room A/B. Registration is required. Call Brittany Whyte at (815) 552-4290 or email bwhyte@whiteoakli-

hind him quickly stepped forward and handed him a tube of suntan lotion.

Bush lathered up his neck and arms.

They walked on.

That was it: a rich man’s show of entitlement. And I couldn’t separate myself from it. My crashed computer felt like the equivalent of a disobedient manservant, denying the master his suntan lotion the moment he wanted it, skewing his day into inconvenience.

Lurking behind these involuntary musings was a big “what if”: What if the world’s refugee crisis and poverty crisis were somehow shared, or sharable? What if every human being’s life on this planet stretched from security and comfort and control to utter homelessness - to hatred and tear gas and, ultimately, disposal?

What if Donald Trump (and every other U.S. president) could spend some time in his own crosshairs?

Or so I reflected on a disrupted, inconvenienced day: thoughts, awareness and dust in my computer void.

I offer these words with the hope that they can push beyond themselves: that we can hear our own fingers snap the next time we demand our entitlement of the moment; and that, as we gasp for breath while the tear gas dissipates, we can offer help and compassion to the orange-haired man next to us.

p.m. New Year’s Eve as we say goodbye to 2018 and ring in 2019 with an awesome party for kids of all ages. There will be games, crafts and snacks so come join us and have a rocking good time. Registration is encouraged. Call Jessica Smith at (815) 552-4210 or email jsmith@whiteoaklibrary.org.

Year with snacks and crafts, plus a special toast, complete with balloon drop. Dancing will follow. This program is intended for all ages.

Registration is required due to limited space. If you are not able to

attend, please inform us 24 hours in advance so we can offer your spot to someone else. No shows may be

waitlisted for future programs. Call Brittany Whyte at (815) 552-4290 or email bwhyte@whiteoaklibrary.org.

DECEMBER 31 Festival of Lights. Evenings daily at

The Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 East Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. 250,000 LED glimmering lights synchronized to 17 rotating songs on the 48-foot-tall holiday tree at 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 31 New Year’s Eve Countdown to Noon. Recreation Center, 4500

Belmont Rd., Downers Grove. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join us to ring in the New Year at noon. We’ll celebrate with party favors, DJ Coach Josh, a photo booth, face painting, snacks, a balloon drop at noon and more. Parents must stay and supervise their children. Children 2 years old and under are welcome to attend, but will be limited in activities being offered.

PAGE 5

GIRLS BASKETBALL

BLOCK

PARTY Big blocked shot by South’s Holly Lueken clinches crosstown win for Mustangs

BY DRAKE SKLEBA For the Bugle www.buglenewspapers.com

Around Downers Grove South High School, for many years to come, they will be talking about “The Block”.

Trailing the host Trojans of Downers Grove North, 36-34 with 2:55 left, in the 2018 edition of the Girls District 99 crosstown showdown, 6-foot, 1-inch Mustang senior Holly Lueken came up with the play of the game.

After Lueken had just scored to pull the Mustangs (8-3) within 36-34, Trojan senior Lauren Sebek (10 points) drove on Lueken hoping to draw Lueken’s fifth foul. Instead Sebek’s shot became the fifth blocked shot.

Lueken fired a pass to senior guard, Maggie Greco, who fired the ball to Mustang sophomore sharpshooter Meghan Stapleton in the right corner. Stapleton had buried three triples in the game and squared up for No. 4.

“The Shot” Swish. Stapleton’s fourth triple put South up 37-36 with 2:31 left.

“I have been practicing really hard on my shot,” Stapleton said. “It was all Maggie and Holly telling me the shots were going to fall. I was very confident tonight and it felt great to have my shots fall, to help us get this great win.”

Greco closed the scoring after she hauled down her fifth rebound on a Sebek miss and sprinted 75-feet right to the basket and laid the ball in to give South the 39-36 win.

“I grabbed the rebound and nobody picked me up, which allowed me a clear path to the basket,” Greco said. “I’m going to the basket. What a great week for us. We go 3-0 with huge. rivalry wins over Hinsdale South and now North,here tonight.

First time we have beat North in six years.”

For the Colgate-bound Lueken, it was all about her team.

“I switched on the block and then we got the ball to Meghan,” Lueken said. “Meghan is a great shooter and hit the huge shot for us. Maggie was coming off an ankle injury and it was amazing how well she played tonight.

“I had to play timid because of the four fouls. Even with the foul trouble, I had to go out and get the block. It’s always great to beat North.. First time we have beat them. since I have been here.”

For sixth-year Mustang head coach Lyndsie Long, Saturday’s victory was extra-special.

“This is my sixth season at South,” Long said. “This is my first District 99 showdown win.

SEE BLOCK | PAGE 6

PHOTO BY MATT EVANS/FOR THE BUGLE

Holly Lueken helps secure South’s win with a blocked shot in the final minutes of the crosstown battle.

TWITTER: For up -to-the-minute coverage of upcoming local sport events going on in your area, follow @VoyagerSport

6 SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

BOYS BASKETBALL

South wins on controversial call

BY DRAKE SKLEBA For the Bugle www.buglenewspapers.com

With 4 minutes, 29 seconds remaining in the game and Downers Grove South clinging to a 35-31 lead, Mustang senior Wes Hooker put on a free-throw shooting clinic over the next 90 seconds.

Hooker converted on three consecutive 1-and-1 situations and nailed six-straight free throws to extend the DGS (5-4) lead to 41-31 with 3:16 left and lead to an eventual 46-42 South win.

North senior Sama’j Henderson and Hooker (19 points, nine rebounds) would answer one another for a 43-33 Mustang lead with 2:33 left.

Trojan senior Collin Reed’s (15 points) old-fashioned threepoint play brought DGN within 43-36 with two minutes left. The Trojans turned the Mustangs over and when North senior Trey Boston (12 points) buried his fourth three of the game the Mustang lead was down to four at 43-39.

The play of the game was next.

Henderson resembled Chicago Bear defensive back Eddie Jackson when he intercepted a Mustang pass and streaked toward the basket. Henderson’s lay-up was blocked off the glass

by Hooker. The three officials called Hookers’ block legal and the Mustangs grabbed the rebound.

Downers Grove North, head coach Jim Thomas went ballistic on the no goal tending call and was assessed a technical foul.

Mustang senior Justin Eagins (13 points, five rebounds, one block) and Hooker nailed freethrows.to finish off the Trojans, for the win – the fourth-straight, District #99 Crosstown Classic victory, for the South boys.

Downers Grove North jumped out to a 14-4 first quarter lead, paced by Reed’s nine first-half points. The Trojans led 21-13 halftime lead.

BLOCK FROM PAGE 5 This is so sweet. I told them at halftime to play more team ball in the second half, which we did.

PHOTO BY MATT EVANS/FOR THE BUGLE

North’s Collin Reed goues up for a contested shot by South’s Komonte Brown-Poe in the battle of Downers Grove last weekend.

Led by Hooker and Eagins, the Mustangs blitzed the Trojans 19-3 in the third quarter. Hooker and Eagins each scored seven points as the Mustangs closed out the third quarter with a 14-0 run.

Hooker scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half was not totally focused at practice early in the week.

“Yeah I kind of lost my mind early in the week at practice,”

Hooker said.” Coach (Kris) Olson straightened me out and I played well today. When Justin and I get on a roll together we are very tough to contain. It feels great to beat North for four straight years.”

Eagins also had a huge second half scoring 11 of his 13 points, in the second half.

“On the 14-0 run, we had to close out the third quarter,” he said. “Wes and I were unstop-

pable. Wes was outstanding for us and had the huge block, on Henderson’s steal.”

Mustang senior Timmeon Gamble. chipped in with eight points for South “We played outstanding defense in the second half,” Olson said. “Wes and Justin were great offensively but the 19-3 third quarter was sparked by our defense. We hang our hats on our defense here at South.”

Holly had another great game and Maggie played outstanding, coming off an ankle injury.

Meghan Stapleton is outstanding. She hit four, three’s for us,

to win the game. She also played great defense. for us” For the North (7-4), who was coming off a huge win over Glenbard West Friday, the loss

was devastating.

Lueken finished the game with 15 points, seven rebounds, five blocked shots and three steals before fouling out.

BUSINESS + REAL ESTATE

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7

DAVE SAYS

Make sure it’s a gift when accepting financial help from family DEAR DAVE, I’m on Baby Step 4 of your plan.

I’m debt-free, and I’m currently putting lots of money toward retirement. Now, I want to go back to school and get an MBA. I could pay for school with cash, but that would delay buying a home. My parents have offered to help out financially, so do you think I should accept their offer?

ISAAC DEAR ISAAC, I don’t have a problem with this, if they’re doing well enough financially to afford it, and the help comes in the form of a gift. If they’re borrowing the money to make it happen, then the answer is “no.” If they want to loan you the money, the answer is “no.” A loan between family members, or even friends, isn’t help — it’s a trap for both parties.

But hey, if they’re in good enough shape to gift you some money to help with the MBA or a home, that would be an incredibly generous thing to do. I think it’s so cool when people work hard, make smart decisions and manage their money well to the point they can do things like this for others.

It sounds like you’re in a really good place, Isaac. Pay cash for school, and if you can’t buy a home outright when the time comes, make a down payment of at least 20 percent. That way, you’ll avoid having to pay private mortgage insurance!

—DAVE DEAR DAVE, I’m 45, married and we have a household income of around $85,000 a year. We have no debt, except for our home, and we owe about $70,000 on it. I recently stopped contributing to my 401(k) temporarily in an effort to help us build an emergency fund, but things are moving slowly. We also have $25,000 in stock. Should we cash out the stock and use the money for an emergency fund?

NATE DEAR NATE, Yes, that’s what I would do. Basically, your emergency fund is in stock right now. That’s not a good place to keep an emergency fund, because you never know when life will throw unexpected expenses your way or the stock market will go down. I would cash out that stock as soon as possible.

8

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