Niles 11-29-12 by Bugle, Sentinel & Enterprise Newspapers

INSIDE

SPORTS Alviti tabbed football player of the year Page 11

NEWS Niles Taste celebrates local diversity

Page 3

Our Village, Our News

www.nilesbugle.com

NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Vol. 57 No. 8

Skokie company distances itself from fatal hit-and-run By Alex V. Hernandez Staff Reporter

Photo courtesy of Cook County Sheriff’s Office

Kristian Hernandez

Niles wins award from EPA

A Skokie-based private ambulance company released a press release Nov. 12 distancing itself from the fatal hit-and-run crash involving a now former employee that killed a Park Ridge man in Des Plaines Nov. 5. Kristian Hernandez, 36, of the 8200 block of Knox Avenue, Skokie, was charged with intentionally leaving the scene

of an accident and the failure to report an accident resulting in a death, a Class I felony. He appeared in bond court Friday, Nov. 9, where bail was set at $100,000. Cook County Sheriff’s Police said they were notified of the accident by a bicyclist who discovered the body of 53-yearold Park Ridge resident Ronald Bougan on Nov. 5. The body was in a grassy area adjacent to Touhy Avenue near Axehead Lake.

Soon, authorities learned a man had taken his black Dodge Challenger to a repair shop in Skokie, and that the car had damage that matched what police were looking for. This led police to arrest Hernandez on Nov. 7. Cook County Sherriff’s Police said Hernandez has an extensive criminal record that included a violation of an order See HIT-AND-RUN, page 5

Santa celebrates Festival of Trees By Alex V. Hernandez Staff Reporter

The Village of Niles was recognized by both the U.S. EPA and Chicago Wilderness with their 2012 Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards for the community’s efforts to create the Niles Community Rain Garden. “Recognition such as this means two important things for this sustainable project,” said Assistant Village Manager Steven Vinezeano. “First and foremost, it is a big pat-on-the back for all those community volunteers and sponsors who believed in the project and its message. Second, it establishes the Niles Community Rain Garden as a legitimate and sound environmental/stormwater case study for all of us to learn from and enjoy.”

Riding a red fire truck decorated by the Niles Fire Department, Santa rode into town Nov. 17 as part of this year’s Festival of Trees giving program. As Santa lighted the trees in the competition, kids received goody bags, candy canes, movie posters, cookies and refreshments. Parents received Golf Mill savings booklets containing more than 48 mall coupons. People who donate food are allowed to vote for their favorite decorated tree, with each non-perishable food item delivered to the Customer Service Center counting as one vote.All food donations will be donated to the Maine Township Food Pantry. “Golf Mill Shopping Center is energized to see this program become an annual tradition. The friendly competition brings organizations together this year to support the Maine Township Food Pantry” said Monika Kalicki, Golf Mill Director of Marketing. The tree that gets the most votes will win a trophy and a $100 Sears gift card. Shoppers can track the progress of donations on

See EPA AWARD, page 3

See SANTA, page 2

By Alex V. Hernandez Staff Reporter

Sheriff’s Department spokesman Frank Bilecki said Bougan’s injuries were consistent with those of being struck by a car Once the body was discovered, police said, detectives began to canvass auto body shops in the area to locate a vehicle that sustained damage consistent with the accident. Additionally, police said pieces of the vehicle recovered at the scene also were being examined to determine the type of vehicle involved.

Photo courtesy of Golf Mill Shopping Center

Santa greets kids and parents as he attended the annual Festival of Trees giving program on Nov. 17.

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

News SANTA Continued from page 1

Photo courtesy of Golf Mill Shopping Center

Santa waves to crowd from the back of a NIles Fire Department fire truck.

Golf Mill’s Facebook. For every five likes an individual picture of a tree receives on Facebook, one vote will be applied to that tree’s tally. The competing trees will be next to the JCPenney through Dec. 16. “Kids dressed in elf hats waited outside this year as the fire trucks pulled up,” Kalicki said.“The crowd was so excited. The crowd was led inside to see the 11 decorated trees light up with help from Santa as he pressed a giant button (to light the trees).” Some of the trees competing were decorated by the Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Parents & Teachers Association of Ignacy J Paderewski Polish School, Gordon Food Service Market Place, Niles Fire Department, Niles Police Department, Maine Township, Edward Jones, Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Niles Public Library, Saint John Lutheran Church, and Ross Dress for Less.

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

International flavor

Niles Taste celebrates local diversity

By Alex V. Hernandez Staff Reporter

Good food and friendship at the 8th annual International Taste of Niles Nov. 18 at White Eagle Banquets helped celebrate diversity and fill some tummies. Chefs from Niles restaurants were busy cooking their signature dishes for the fundraising event that benefitted the Niles Sister Cities Organization, which promotes positive relationships with Sister Cities: Pisa, Italy; Nafplion, Greece; Leixlip, Ireland; and Limanowa, Poland. George Van Geem, Village Manager and Sister Cities Chairman, said this year they

EPA AWARD Continued from page 1 The Niles Community Rain Garden can trace its roots back to June of 2008 when the village, which has a history of flooding, partnered with Coca-Cola Bottling Company to work on the project. Chicago Wilderness officials said the Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards recognize sites that are exemplary in the use of native landscaping, ecosystem restoration and protection, and/ or conservation design. These practices create and protect habitat for a variety of native plant and animal species, and result in important environmental benefits for both people and nature.

opened the event to more of the Niles community by inviting Korean and Eastern European restaurants as well. “We’re trying to celebrate our total diversity,” Van Geem said. Van Geem said the Taste usually collects about $4,500 or more to support the Niles Sister Cities, and funds can be used to help Niles students pay for a trip to Italy, for example, to experience a student exchange. The event features culture and cuisine from local restaurants, representing more than eight countries around the globe. Additionally, live musicians, dancers and other entertainment that reflect the culture and history of

the Niles Sister Cities in Italy, Greece, Ireland and Poland also performed. Also a full cash bar, prize raffles and a 50/50 raffle were also part of the event while kids were be able to enjoy activities in the children’s area. Each year the event, hosted at the Niles Trustee Andrew Przybylo’s White Eagle Banquet Hall, brings in about 350 to 400 people and offers food from about 10 different local restaurants. This year’s Taste had food from Amici Ristorante. Graziano’s Brick Oven Pizza, Howard Street Inn, Kappy’s Restaurant, Lone Tree Manor, Moher Public House, Mykonos Restaurant, Play Book Sports Bar, Tony’s Finer Food, White

Chicago Wilderness said the award was granted to Niles because the community’s “commitment to your site…[is] to be commended. Through this restoration project, you have enhanced and protected biodiverSity through native vegetation that provides important habitat for birds and butterflies. Your rain garden contributes to sustainable storm water management and is a valuable educational resource for the community.” In May Coca-Cola, hosted an event at Culver School to show Niles residents how rain barrels can help save money and protect homes from flood damage. Additionally, experts at the event educated attendees on how to create a rain gardens in their yard. These rain gardens can reduce

flooding in homes. Vinezeano has helped lead efforts to create and develop the Niles Community Rain Garden on Touhy and a second rain garden is being planned on Culver School grounds. “A rain barrel can reduce your water bill, let you water your garden and wash your car,” said Katie Busch, a Coca Cola spokesperson. To learn more, visit www. vniles.com and a community open house Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Niles Library District to review the Village of Niles “draft” Environmental Action Plan being developed in cooperation with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. ahernandez@buglenewspapers.com

Eagle Banquets and Woori Village. The Niles Fire Department also served homemade chili, while donuts were donated by the Niles Police Department. “It’s to support a cause,” said Ken Hoffman, owner of Howard Street Inn. “It’s good for Niles.” Hoffman has participated in the Taste for five years. He said members of the banquet staff always work hard to prepare their popular barbecued meatballs for the event. In addition to supporting a good cause, the Taste also helps to make the community aware of what restaurants exist in their neighborhood. ahernandez@buglenewspapers.com

Police Blotter

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

The following items were compiled from the official reports of the Morton Grove, Niles, and Park Ridge Police Departments. Appearing in the police blotter does not constitute a finding of guilt, only a court of law can make that determination.

Niles Oscar A. Montesinos, 19, of 8939 Robin Drive, Des Plaines, and Jesus M. Terrazas, 23, 8915 Robin Drive, Des Plaines, were arrested at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 15 in the 8200 block of Cumberland Street and charged with mob action for their part in a small fight. A 15-year-old female also was taken into custody and faces juvenile charges for mob action, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and criminal damage to state property. Robert Nyarko, 20, 8892 Jody Lane, Niles, was arrested at 11:15 a.m. Nov. 14 at Golf Mill Center and charged with theft. Bhautikkumar D. Kapadia, 30, 7541 Kedvale, Skokie, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the 7000 block of Touhy and charged with failure to provide information from a crash. Michelle C. Gross, 19, of 2631 S. Indiana, Chicago, was arrested at 3:40 p.m. Nov. 15 at Golf Mill Center on a charge of theft. Karl M. Robertson, 62, of 8041 Octavia, Niles, was arrested at 5:42 p.m. Nov. 18 and charged

with Driving Influence.

Under

the

Sandra I. Calvillo, 23, of 10404 Michael Todd, Glenview, was arrested at 8:37 a.m. Nov. 17 in the 7000 block of Touhy and charged with having no valid driver’s license, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. Karina Merlos, 18, 4481 N. Keokuk, Chicago, was arrested at 3:34 a.m. Nov. 17 in the 7200 block of Milwaukee and charged with Driving Under the Influence (cannabis) and for having no valid driver’s license. Sharri M. Delk, 30, of 2266 Masters, Round Lake Beach, was arrested at 1:16 a.m. Nov. 17 in the 9000 block of Milwaukee and charged with Driving Under the Influence. Lee J. Lee, 21, of 2432 Palazzo, Buffalo Grove, was arrested at 10:56 p.m. Nov. 17 in the 9300 block of Milwaukee and charged with Driving Under the Influence. Christian R. Mendez, 22, of 1094 Everette, Des Plaines, was arrested at 12:10 a.m. Nov. 16 in the 1400 block of Minor and charged on a warrant for with retail theft.

Richardo L.Acosta, 40, of 3325 Ardmore, Chicago, was arrested at 1 a.m. Nov.20 at Touhy and Central and charged with Driving Under the Influence. Mary A. Zeia, 33, of 1 Washington, Glenview, was arrested at 1:25 a.m. Nov. 19 at that address and charged with in and charged with criminal damage to property and knowingly damaging property. Michael G. Robertson, 31, of 8142 Oak Lane, Niles, was arrested at 3:09 p.m. Nov. 18 in the 8100 block of Oak Lane and charged with a Violation of Bond/Family Member. On Nov.16, he had been charged with aggravated domestic battery. James Nikols, 18, of 1535 N. Milwaukee, Glenview, was arrested at 1:47 p.m. Nov. 17 at Golf Mill Center and charged with a Violation of an Order of Protection and Retail Theft. Brittany N. Stenberg, 25, of 737 S. Edison, South Bend, Ind., was arrested at 12:58 a.m. Nov. 21 in the 8400 block of Dempster and charged with driving on a suspended license. John T. Podloski, no age or address given, was arrested at

5:48 p.m. Nov. 20 at Keeney and Wisner, and charged with Driving Under the Influence.

River Street, Des Plaines, and charged with speeding over 30 mph.

Park Ridge

Morton Grove

Raul Mora, 32, of the 600 block of Pickwick Court, Mt. Prospect, was arrested at 11:49 p.m. Nov. 19 at Touhy and Dee and charged with Speeding and No Valid Driver’s License. A 13-year-old female from Park Ridge was arrested at 4:10 p.m. Nov.20 in the 200 block of South Vine Street and charged with Harassment Through Electronic Means. Kevin, Maloney, 20, of the 100 block of Glenlake, Park Ridge, was arrested at 2:24 a.m. Nov. 22 and charged with violating Zero Tolerance. Erick Bautista-Hernandez, 27, of the 8800 block of North Cumberland, Niles, was arrested at 11:58 p.m. Nov. 23 at Dempster and Greenwood and charged with having No Valid Driver’s License. Brendan Maigler, 19 of the 100 block of Michael John, Park Ridge, was arrested at 11:40 p.m. Nov. 24 at River Road and

David E. Welker, 59, Norridge, was stopped Nov. 15 for traffic violations and found to be driving with a suspended driver’s license. Court date is scheduled for Nov. 30. Jesus E. Arellano-Parra, 33, Wheeling, concealed men’s underwear in his jacket and exited a store in the 7200 block of Dempster on Nov. 15 without paying for the items. Offender was issued a village ordinance citation for theft. Samuel H. Kim, 28, Des Plaines, left the scene after being involved in a property damage collision Nov. 16 on Dempster and Waukegan. Court date is scheduled for Nov. 13. Antonio Diaz, 33, Chicago, concealed two impact sockets in the box of another item and exited a store in the 6300 block of Oakton without paying for the sockets on Nov. 18. Court date is scheduled for Jan. 3.

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Husband arrested for tossing coffee at wife By Alex V. Hernandez Staff Reporter

A 31-year-old Niles man was charged with aggravated domestic battery Nov. 16 for allegedly tossing hot coffee at his wife. Niles police responded to an alleged incident between Michael G. Robertson and his wife on Nov. 16. According to Roberson’s wife she was running late to drop off her son at day care by 8 a.m. In order to drop the child off on time she called her mother-in-law for assistance. According to the police report by the time her mother-in-law arrived, her son had fallen down and sustained a puffy bloody lip. It was then that police say that Robertson allegedly came down the stairs from the home and began yelling at his wife because she woke up late that morning. The police report also says that Robertson began making instant coffee with water that was boiling on the stove. According to police Robertson’s wife said, “you have no room to talk, you can barely get up at 8,” to which

HIT-AND-RUN Continued from page 1 of protection, domestic battery with bodily harm and possession of a stolen vehicle. Despite this, he was working for Skokie based MedEx Ambulance as an EMT. MedEx officials released a statement: “The incident occurred on the employee’s day off and did not involve any MedEx vehicle,” said MedEx Ambulance corporate

Robertson allegedly responded by swearing and then tossing the contents of his cup, hot coffee, onto the right side of his wife’s body. Police say Robertson’s wife left the residence and her child in her husband’s care to seek medical assistance for her burns, but not before her husband apologized for the incident. According to the police report Mrs. Robertson had second-degree burns on the right side of her body. Not long after treatment Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Tamela Eleby approved one count of aggravated domestic battery against Robertson. Then a few days later on Nov. 18, Robertson appeared in the First District Cook County Court, at 2600 S. California Ave., to appear in bond court for alleged aggravated domestic battery arrest. The court issued Robertson a $20,000 bond under the condition that he was to have no communication with the his wife and no contact her in their home in Niles. Then later that day Mrs. Robertson alerted police to a call from her husband asking

counsel Frank Nagorka in a press release. “MedEx utilizes two nationally recognized firms that report all national, state and county level criminal convictions. Multiple background checks were conducted through two independent firms and the background checks revealed no convictions.” Nagorka added that Illinois law prohibits employers from using arrest records in making employment decisions. Additionally, Nagorka publically said that due to

her why he couldn’t just come home and stay with her. Mrs. Robertson told police that the phone call friendly and that Robertson did not attempt to threaten her. According to police Mrs. Robertson also then alerted police to two voice mails left by her husband’s father. According to police, the first voicemail had Robertson’s father demanding that Mrs. Robertson get out of the house she shares with her husband as he was selling the property. The second voicemail has Robertson’s father allegedly ordering her to not to go home because Robertson would be staying at her residence all night. Additionally, the message also said that Robertson intended to change the locks on the property. Mrs. Robertson played these messages for police and when officers went to the home they placed Robertson into custody for violating the conditions of his arrest bond. His next court date is Nov. 30 in the Skokie branch of the Cook County court system. ahernandez@buglenewspapers.com

MedEx’s policy related to employee confidentiality, MedEx cannot comment on any employee’s history or status with the company when asked if Hernandez had ever been in trouble with the company for his actions in the past.

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

ONGOING 9 Annual Community Food Drive. The Village of Niles & Niles Fire Department announce the official kickoff to the 9th annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve/Village of Niles Toys for Tots Drive & Community Food Drive. Niles locations will be collecting non-perishable food items benefiting Niles Family Services and new toy donations during regular business hours beginning November 5 thru December 16, 2012. For more information, call 847-588-6800. th

TOPS. 5-7 p.m. every Monday at the Niles Park District Howard Leisure Center, 6676 W. Howard Street, Niles. This not-for-profit weight loss organization meets every Monday. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Sandie at 847-691-7122. FISH Seeking Volunteers. Due to the economy, FISH is experiencing over a 40 percent rise in ridership. It is straining both the volunteer service level and budget. Since 1971, FISH volunteers have been serving Park Ridge and Maine Township residents by providing free rides to medical appointments. To continue to provide a high level of service to all residents of Maine Township, FISH needs volunteers. Can you spare four hours per month to drive neighbors to medical appointments? To volunteer, call Ed Oken, President, 847 696-0761. Meet US Rep Schakowsky’s Representative. 9 a.m. to noon at the Park Ridge Library.A member of U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky’s Evanston office will be at the library every Wednesday morning to answer your questions about government, health care, retirement issues, immigration visas, and anything else related to federal benefits. For more information, contact Ann Limjoco at 847-328-3409. Stroke Club. 3-4:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Center for Advanced Care, Room 1220, 1700 Luther Lane, Park Ridge. This is a free program for stroke victims and survivors (plus a guest). Free parking is available in the attached parking garage. For more information contact Meg Potterfield, 847-723-4765 or Dorene Wlodarski, 847-2962470.

TOPS Club. 8:30-10 a.m. every Tuesday at the Feldman Rec Center, 8800 W. Kathy Lane, Niles. Lose weight with TOPS:Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Everyone is welcome. Call Dorene Wlodarski, 847-2962470 or Lenore Lunquist, 847729-2530 for more information.

NOVEMBER 29 Job Seeker Workshop. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. This workshop focuses on effective techniques to find jobs in today’s market. For further details go to www. illinoisworknet.com . Reg. req. Be Money Smart! 6:30 to 8 at the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St., Niles. Learn the best sites for seniors and money, retirement and financial planning, consumer protection, and more. This walk-in session highlights our Smart Solution$ site for unbiased information to help you make informed decisions and plan your financial future. Come in anytime during this session. Staff will work with you individually to walk you through areas of personal interest.

NOVEMBER 30 Des Plaines Annual Holiday Lighting event. Friday afternoon and evening in Metropolitan Square,downtown Des Plaines, behind the Des Plaines Theater, between Lee Street and Pearson Avenue. Enjoy free entertainment and goodies as Des Plaines Mayor Martin J. Moylan and local officials welcome the holiday season by pulling a giant switch lighting up the city’s downtown.

DECEMBER 1 Movin’ and Groovin’. 10 to 11 a.m. at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. An active class that includes music, dancing, musical instruments, and more! Registration required. For more information, call 847929-5122. Book Page Wreath. 10 a.m. at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. Shari Pontillo will show you how to make a festive, elegant, recycled, and simple-to-do wreath from the pages of a book – literally! Please bring white craft glue and/or a glue stick. All other materials

Calendar will be provided. Registration limited to 20, age 12 and up. For more information, call 847929-5122.

DECEMBER 2 Concert: The Best of Spider Saloff. 2 p.m. at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. Spider returns to MGPL with a fantastic repertoire of contemporary and popular music, original songs from her own musical, The Roar of the Butterfly, and her sensational tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. For more information, call 847-9295122. Annual Holiday Open House. 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St., Niles. Join us for a Holiday themed performance by the popular Legacy Girls followed by refreshments.

DECEMBER 3 Toy Drive. The Women’s Physician Group at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Advocate Children’s HospitalPark Ridge is hosting a toy drive to benefit the Advocate Children’s Hospital Child Life Department. The toy drive will occur Monday December 3 from 6:30am-6pm at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, 1775 Dempster St. Park Ridge, IL 60068. Unwrapped, new toys for children of all ages are needed.Toys will be distributed throughout the holiday season and into the coming year. For more information, call 847-7238510. Teen Book Discussion: Hate List. 7 to 8 p.m. at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. Sixteen-year-old Valerie, whose boyfriend Nick committed a school shooting at the end of their junior year, struggles to cope with integrating herself back into high school life, unsure herself whether she was a hero or a villain. For more information, call 847-929-5122.

DECEMBER 4 Math Club (Grades 3-6). Do you think math is scary? It doesn’t have to be! Come to Math Club for tricks, tips, and activities to help make math awesome. Fantastic Fibonacci Sequence: Explore this amazing number pattern in math, nature, and art. Registration required. For more information, call 847-929-5122.

Teen Library Council (TLC) Meeting. 7 to 8 p.m. at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. Do you have great ideas for the Library? Want to get involved and earn volunteer service hours? Come to the Teen Library Council meeting! All teens are welcome. For more information, call 847-9295122.

DECEMBER 5 Recommended Reads. Join us at the North Shore Senior Center of Morton Grove, 6140 Dempster Street for monthly book talks. Bring your Library card; books will be available for checkout. To register, call the Senior Center at 847-470-5223. Recommended Reads,Wed.,Dec. 5, 1 pm: Looking to add some of the year’s best books to your reading list? Learn about 2012’s great books and discover what to read next. Don’t forget to bring your library card! Books will be available for check out. For more information, call 847929-5122.

DECEMBER 7 Holiday Craft Fair. 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Park Ridge Presbyterian Church, 1300 W. Crescent Ave. Free Admission to Craft Fair and carriage ride, dinner & Santa. Delicious Pasta Dinner and Dessert. 15 minute Horse Drawn Carriage Ride. Visit with Santa. Shop at the Boutique. Tickets $15.00 (adults) $10 (children under 12). For more information please call Nancy Buckely 847318-1008. Author Talk: Building the Canal to Save Chicago. 7 p.m. at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. Richard Lanyon, former Executive Director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, discusses the history and creation of the Sanitary District of Chicago and the building of the 28-mile canal, river improvement, and many bridges that reversed the Chicago River’s flow. Learn how critical this canal system remains to the city and its future. Books will be available for sale following the presentation. For more information, call 847-9295122.

DECEMBER 8 LEGOLAND Discovery Center Presents: Tall Towers Jr Workshop (Ages 3-5). 1 to 2 p.m. at

the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. Children will build LEGO towers of various shapes, colors and patterns and have lots of LEGO fun! Registration required. For more information, call 847929-5122. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Presents: Race Car Workshop (Grades 1-6). 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. Your young engineer will build a series of LEGO racecars and will race them on a special track, collect data and measure how fast their creations went in comparison to the other cars. Registration required. For more information, call 847-9295122.

DECEMBER 9 Holiday Concert: Jutta and the Hi-Dukes. 2 p.m. at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. For all ages. Jutta and the Hi-Dukes return to MGPL by popular demand - with a special program of ethnic holiday music. Enjoy an eclectic world music program that includes a Greek Christmas song, a Bosnian Chanukah song, a Scandinavian Julenisse song, and many more. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 847-929-5122.

DECEMBER 10 Pages. Chat about fresh, popular reads! Pages meets monthly at the Barnes & Noble, 5405 Touhy Ave., in Skokie. Join us for a discussion of Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys on Mon., Dec. 10, 7 p.m. In 1941, Lina and her family are pulled from their Lithuanian home and sent to Siberia, where her father is sentenced to death in a prison camp while she fights for her life. For more information, call 847-929-5122.

DECEMBER 11 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Orientation. 2 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. Presented by National Able Network. Registration is required by National Able Network; to register, go to www.worknetncc.com or call 847-448-8649. For more information, call 847-9295122.

Forum Letter to the Editor

Arrested development Of course, no discussion during the election campaign about the 10-12 percent budget item in the state’s budget that is the prison system...that stays “fat” by sending inner-city males and females with drug offenses to keep the state of Illinois as the major employer in Illinois. This is a woeful situation the State prisons. No thanks to a pattern began in Governor Thompson’s “reign of terror,” which has increased both the number of prisons and the length of sentences, and a greater portion of our fellow citizens now have to suffer not only years in prison for being “druggies”but get little treatment in-prison or upon release. Others are denied mental health care, and thousands of children go to school worried about their moms and dads in prison.

What to do? The first step in reform is this: mandatory training for legislators. It’s a profession that needs skills and knowledge upgrading. Send all lawmakers to spend one full week at the nearest State prison to their home. Kind of like Spring Training. They spend our money and keep adding to our taxes, they hire more prison guards each year at an average pay of $45,000 annually while our aged parents struggle to buy medicines. If they are not going to let judges decide the proper punishment for offenses, an insult to many well qualified judicial professionals, then I say, lock “em up for a week! Phillip Racette, Niles, IL

What’s on your mind? You are invited to use the Forum page of The Bugle to express your opinions about matters that affect our community. E-mail your letter to managing editor at sweditor@ buglenewspapers.com. For more information, call (815) 4362431. Opinions printed on this page, whether in Letters to the Editor or in columns or cartoons, are the opinions of the writer and not necessarily of this newspaper, its publishers, editor or employees. Only editorials reflect the views of the newspaper.

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Guest Columnist

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Fixing healthcare the wrong way After the Fourth of July parade in Niles, there’s a picnic where a free lunch is served. It is gone in about 10 minutes or so. If you come at the 11th minute, it doesn’t matter that the hotdogs are free. There aren’t any, and you get zero hotdog for free. Of course as adults we know that nothing is free. The major fault in the “free care” under Obamacare is that it causes more problems than it fixes. You cannot violate economic reality with a law, just like you couldn’t pass a law ordering gravity to stop pulling us down. You cannot add 38 million people who pay nothing for their “free” care and expect prices not to rise. Massachusetts is already suffering under Romneycare, the mini-me of Obamacare. The national state average for health care spending is 25 percent, while in Massachusetts, it is 40 percent - so much for cost containment. Uncompensated hospital care increased at triple the old rate. Insurance premiums are now among the highest in the U.S. The shortage of Primary Care Physicians is so bad that it

takes a year to see one, according to the John Glenn Institute of Public Service and Policy.This shortage is made worse by a little-known provision buried in the Affordable Care Act which blocks doctors from opening new hospitals or expanding hospitals they already own and as everyone knows the less the competition, the higher the prices. The third-party payer system is the major cause of exploding U.S. heath care costs because A buys goods or services from B that are paid for by C. Because insurance companies or the government pick up most of the health care cost a patient doesn’t have an incentive to seek out the best value. It’s the same way the government pays $7,600 for a coffee brewer and $430 for a $7 hammer. It is also how a $5,000 surgery costs insurance $30,000 and bankrupts patients and their

Illustrated Opinions

families. Fixing health care is simple:You have to increase competition and restore the normal and natural consumer incentive to shop around. The solution doesn’t demand more government, but less. The federal government could allow competition through the Commerce Clause by letting medical professionals practice across state lines, publish a price menu (could you imagine a restaurant without prices?) and eliminate restrictions on the building of new medical facilities. Just these few simple, honestly cost free solutions would create more competition and lower medical prices for everyone, even the government and the poor. One bright spot is a gift from the state of Iowa. Their motto is Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain. Iowa Sen. Grassley inserted a line in Obamacare that forces our elected leaders into the same type of insurance we get. If things are miserable for them, perhaps we’ll get the change we really need. I surely hope so.

Schools

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Niles West journalism students recognized Niles West High School student Gabby Abesamis, a Niles West news editor, received first place in the National Scholastic Press Association’s (NSPA) Story of the Year competition (Diversity category). She received her award on November 18 at the NSPA fall convention held in San Antonio. Abesamis’s story,“Bryan Taico, Not Just the Kid with the UGGs,” was published in April 2013 and named a finalist in the Story of the Year contest in September.

In explaining why they selected Abesamis’s story, the judges commented, “The reporter did a masterful job of telling the story of one teen’s coming out through simple, clear writing backed up by solid multi-source reporting. The variety of interviews and the timely news peg elevated this story beyond many of the other compelling entries that contained just one source. This is a model of good journalism for student journalists and adults alike to emulate.”

The Story of the Year award is considered the highest individual honor a publications student can receive at the national level. To read the winning article, please go to: http://www. nileswestnews.org/features/ bryan-taico-not-just-the-kid-withthe-uggs/

Niles West news receives gold medalist critique a

Niles West News received Gold Medalist critique,

the highest honor, from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). Niles West News received a score of 946 out of 1,000 points. The staff also received All Columbia ratings in both Visual and Verbal categories. Medalist critiques are offered to help student print or online media improve their final product. Each year, student magazines,newspapers or online media are invited to submit their work to adviser-judges at

the CSPA. The judge analyzes strengths and weaknesses and provides suggestions. Gold Medalists are given total scores from 800 to 1,000 points; Silver Medalists, from 600 through 799 points and Bronze Medalists, 599 points and below.All Columbian Honors are given within a section when the total reaches 95% or more of the possible points. Evelyn Lauer, Certified Journalism Educator, is the Niles West News Adviser.

Niles West students Niles North Spanish students receive awards at poetry contest attend national DECA conference

Seventeen Niles North High School students recently competed in the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) Poetry Contest hosted by Niles North on Nov. 10.Approximately 10 schools from the Chicagoland area participated. The following North students

recited a memorized poem in Spanish: Emi Kanda, Becca Rabizadeh and Anna Bergson, Level 2, First Place; Bushra Amiwala and Amy Zamy, Level 2, Second Place; Komal Khoja, Sarah Stauber, Jaquelyn Shannon and Madison Kartcheske, Level 3, First Place; Hiral Parikh and Aysha Riaz, Level

3, Second Place; Sabir Ahmed, Level 4, First Place; and Molly Hampton, Level 4,Third Place. The following North students gave an extemporaneous threeminute speech in Spanish: Maggie Kreisheh and Nathan Selinger, Level 5, First Place; and Mariya Amiwala and Regina Roberg, Level 5, Second Place.

Niles North presents the magic in relationships in ‘Almost, Maine’ Travel to the out-of-the-way town of Almost, Maine, where the icy cold of the northern region illuminates the crucial moments in relationships.Several characters face a moment of choice, and the audience is treated to moments of magic underneath the Northern Lights. Performances are at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7 and 8 at Niles North High School in the Drama Performance Center at 9800 N. Lawler, Skokie. Reserve tickets by calling the Box Office at 847-626-2122. Tickets are $10. A free community performance will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6. The cast of “Almost, Maine” includes: Prologue: David Gilbert as Pete and Camille Paskind as Ginette.

Her Heart: Noah Zeidman as Man and Athanasia Giannetos as Woman. Sad and Glad: Glenn Weissman as Jimmy, Nina Roy as Sandrine and Sarah Alkyer as Waitress. This Hurts: Christopher Khoshaba as Steve and Robin Wallace as Mervalyn Getting It Back: Ryan Loach as Lendall and Erin Rourke as Gayle They Fell: Sebastijan Torgus as Randy and Evan Sturt as Chad Where It Went: Martin Wiviott as Phil and Emma Decker as Marci Story of Hope: Alex Hammond as Man and Carissa Yau as Hope Seeing the Thing: Justin Shannon as Dave and Danielle Kropveld as Rhonda The technical staff/crew:

Timothy Ortmann, Director; Annaliisa Ahlman, Tech Director; Teresa Ripley, Costume Designer; Barbara Reeder, Lighting Designer; Anita Scanlon and Linda Room, Costume Assistants; Lauryn Schmelzer, Stage Manager; Amy Hagedorn, Assistant Director; Eugene Hyun, Assistant Stage Manager; Camille Paskind, Dramaturg; Jaquelyn Shannon, Shop Manager; Sabina Dzelilovic, Assistant Technical Director; Allegra Rosenberg, Properties Manager; Erin Rourke, Sound Engineer; Nathan Selinger, Assistant Lighting Designer; Anne Zavell and Stephanie Persaud, Production Assistants; Natalie Aleman,Master Electrician;Maddie Martin, Costume Mistress and Julia Melnick, House Manager.

Fifteen Niles West DECA students attended the third annual DECA Innovations in Entrepreneurship National Conference held in Chicago recently. More than 320 students from across the country attended the conference, taking part in workshops in the areas of opportunity recognition, financing, marketing, social entrepreneurship and sustainable entrepreneurship. One activity at the conference is the Idea Challenge. DECA teams are given a scenarios and must deliver a five-minute presentation on that scenario to entrepreneurs,and business executives. This year’s challenge was to take a plastic grocery bag and create a new use for it while creating the most value possible. Students were evaluated on the following criteria: new use and value, innovation, creativity and critical thinking, feasible and sustainable idea, creative presentation, challenge assumptions about the item and ability to work effectively as a team. For the second year in a row,

a Niles West team earned a spot in the final Idea Competition Challenge Round. Out of 50 teams, Niles West was one of four teams chosen to present their idea to the entire conference. Niles West DECA students Amir Durkovic, Aid Idrizovic, Stephen Kim and Yakub Pirzada came up with the idea to recycle the plastic grocery bags into school supply kits for elementary school children. For each supply kit ordered, their company would donate a kit to an underprivileged student. Bags would be collected at local schools in order to get students involved. The team researched their idea by interviewing an expert with 40 plus years of experience in the packaging design industry to determine the feasibility and reality of their idea. Two other Niles West teams also competed at the DECA Idea Competition. Team 2: Jessie Amgalanjargal, Jessica Daczo, Michelle Marrougi, Joe Matuschka, Gaby Meheux and Brandon Moy. Team 3: Valya Borisova, Lois Le, Tezen Matthew, Faheem Qadir and Zayna Usman.

taKe 5 C ro s s w o rd P u z z l e

Across

Down

1 Name thought to mean “father of many” 8 Like Rubens 15 Song title words after “The future’s not ours to see” 16 Novel genre 17 20th-century Riyadh-born ruler 18 Axes to grind 19 1966Candlestick Park highlight 21 Pier gp. 22 Correct 23 “I give up!” 24 Inclement weather sounds 26 Early L.A. Times publisher Harrison Gray _ 28 Acronymous gun 29 Old Turkish leader 31 “The Curse of Capistrano” hero 33 Small missions? 34 Baseball glove

part 36 Theoretical extreme 37 Health facility 40 Not at all active 42 Mainline? 44 Ride 47 Stiff 49 Close call 50 They’re involved in joints 52 Old pol. divisions 54 Emmy-winning NFL analyst Collinsworth 55 Subject of an annual contest held in Brooklyn 58 Suppress 59 Ambushed 61 “1984” superstate 62 Son of Aaron 63 Arrival time for the fashionably late? 64 Diminishes

1 EPA stat 2 Aptly named soda brand 3 Circulation measure 4 Charge 5 Wave makeup 6 “Any fool can make __”: Thoreau 7 Squeaked by 8 Small part 9 Wikipedia’s globe, e.g. 10 Correct 11 Nick of “Heartbreakers” 12 Move from the edge 13 “The Odds Against Me” autobiographer John 14 1956 Moses player 20 __ bath 21 __ facto 25 Shortened, in a way 27 Certain Eur. miss 30 Old Nair alternative 32 Density symbols, in physics

35 Military bigwig 37 Daydream 38 Sartre, for one 39 They may be brown or pale 40 Not stacked 41 Rear 43 Pops since 1905 44 Final stage, as of a career 45 Memorial tablet 46 How batters must bat 48 Gardening gadget 51 Hot stuff 53 Old 56 CBS maritime drama 57 Hair treatments 60 J et al.

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

H o ro s c o p e s Pace yourself. There’s nothing you can do today that you can’t do tomorrow. Take advantage of a day off by recharging your batteries for the coming week. Good manners are contagious so be on your best behavior.

If you’re afraid of rotten apples, don’t go to the barrel, pick them from the tree. Sticking to the same antiquated routines may simply result in repeating past mistakes. Try to come up with fresh and original ideas this week.

All work and no play isn’t much fun. Explore your inner child using imagination and taking flights of fancy. Focus on activities you enjoy rather than work. Important decisions should be postponed until later this week.

Don’t take it personally. If you read between the lines and search for insults, you’re likely to find them. Take the chip off your shoulder and try to make the best of every situation in the week ahead.

Don’t be your own worst critic. You shouldn’t torture yourself over shortcomings when you possess so many strengths. Do what you do best in the week ahead instead of trying to do what you can’t.

Every rose has thorns. Don’t let appearances fool you, just because everything appears rosy on the surface doesn’t mean that there aren’t unforeseen pitfalls lurking around the corner. Remain on guard this week.

Go ahead, make your day. Resolve to be selfish by doing whatever brings you the most enjoyment in the week to come. Your time is usually rationed by your schedule, but you can create your own time slots.

Expect the unexpected. Leave a bit of wiggle room in your schedule to account for unforeseen surprises in the week ahead. It would be to your benefit to make a point of finishing whatever you begin.

Take a break. Spend some time away from that big project you’ve been working on and you’ll be amazed at the fresh perspective you receive. Save decisionmaking until later in the week.

Beware the green-eyed monster. Don’t envy another’s success, especially when their gain benefits you as well. Allow everyone time in the limelight and wish them well this week. Your turn will come soon.

Make your choice count. Don’t just flip a coin when faced with a crucial decision. Take the time to do your homework and figure out which option is best. Business will be the top priority this week.

Fog clouds the path ahead this week. There are many variables that are obscured regarding a new endeavor. It may be better to wait until events unfold and you have more facts, before starting anything new.

Tribune Media Services 2012

Sudoku

J umble

Previous puzzle ’s answers

Previous puzzle ’s answers Jumbles: •MOURN •WRATH •COUPLE •RENDER

Answer:

When the campers got caught in a heavy cloudburst, it felt like -- A “DROWN” POUR

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Bugle Kids

INSIDE: Boys basketball teams feature experience, page 15; Joliet West wins own tournament in Game of the Week, page 16

www.nilesbugle.com

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Alviti throws, runs to the top By Mike Sandrolini Sports Reporter

“Matt Al-vi-ti … Matt Al-vi-ti.” This chant from the Maine South student section could be heard at regular intervals not only at every home game during Matt Alviti’s stellar senior season, but throughout the brilliant three-year career of the Hawks’ quarterback. “You hear them, and it’s awesome to know that the whole school is behind you,” said Alviti, the Voyager Media 2012 Football Player of the Year. “It’s a great honor,” said Alviti regarding being named Player of the Year. “I had a great career at Maine South playing in a great system. The coaches put me in a great situation and I had great teammates. I can’t get this award without my teammates as well as the coaching staff.” Alviti threw for 2,740 yards this season—completing 68 percent of his attempts—with 28 touchdown passes and only five interceptions. He also was a threat on the ground, rushing for 843 yards and 19 touchdowns. Alviti’s versatility will fit him well as he takes his talents next fall to Northwestern University, a great place for multi-dimensional quarterbacks. “I think the sky’s the limit for him (at Northwestern) with the offense they run,”said Maine South head coach David Inserra. “They do an incredible job of pulling the best out of the quarterbacks they have. He has the arm strength, the athletic ability and the toughness to play that position.” “I think I’ll be able to succeed well in their offensive system,” Alviti added.“That’s one of the big reasons I picked Northwestern.” Alviti took over as the starting QB his sophomore year and helped guide Maine South to the

Class 8A state championship— winning 12 consecutive contests after the team had lost its first two games of the year. The Hawks then rattled off another 10 in a row during Alviti’s junior season in 2011 before falling in the second round of the playoffs (10-1 overall). This season, the Hawks (11-1) won 11 straight and advanced to the quarterfinals. All told, Maine South compiled a 33-4 record with Alviti under center. But Alviti’s career numbers are even more noteworthy. He finishes with 9,746 total yards, ranking him fourth unofficially in IHSA history. He’s also fifth all-time in passing yardage (7,788) and passes completed (538), and is tied for ninth with 78 career TD passes. “What he’s done just in sheer numbers is phenomenal,” Inserra said.“Leading the team to the state championship as a sophomore, he was definitely the leader of that team. He did everything he could to duplicate that feat his junior and senior years.” The rest of the members of the Voyager Media All-Area Football Team are:

A.J. APIQUIAN Senior linebacker from Plainfield Central led the team with 65 tackles, 11.5 for loss, with two sacks.

AARON BAILEY Despite missing nearly five games with injury, the University of Illinois-bound Bolingbrook quarterback posted 1,091 yards of total offense and 16 total touchdowns. The 2011 Voyager Media Player of the year, his coach John Ivlow calls Bailey “The See ALL-AREA, page 13

Mike Sandrolini/Bugle Staff

Matt Alviti threw for 2,740 and ran for 843 yards for Maine South. He is the Voyager Media Football Player of the Year.

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Sports ALL-AREA Continued from page 11 best player in state.”

CALEB BAILEY Bailey, a linebacker for Romeoville, led the team with 104 tackles and also spent some time on offense, gaining 288 yards with three scores on just 42 carries.

NICK BARGIONE C h r i s James was quick to give credit to the Notre Dame’s offensive line throughout the season for his success, and Bargione was one of those linemen who helped spring James for long gains. Bargione started the 2011 season at tackle before moving to guard this year. He also saw plenty of action in the defensive line in 2012. “You always need someone

on the offensive line to captain things, take charge and direct traffic, and Nick kind of did that,” said Notre Dame coach Mike Hennessey. “With Chris’ stats, you have to have guys up front that are doing a tremendous job. All five guys did a tremendous job for us.”

JACK BENEVENTI Sophomore quarterback burst onto the scene this season, completing 181 of 303 passes for 2,318 yards and 20 TDs. After only one season, he is 700 yards and four TDs shy of the school record. “As a sophomore he stepped up and had some spectacular games for us,” said Benet coach Pat New.“He is only going to get better the next two years.”

HERB BETANCOURT Betancourt was one of the Notre Dame’s leaders on defense. His prowess for making big plays helped lift Notre Dame to the Class 6A quarterfinals this season—the Dons’ best postseason finish since 1997. “He took and ownership and

leadership on the defensive end,” said Hennessy. “He’s an excellent athlete, and has very good overall speed. Because of that, we were able to put him in a lot of different situations to make him effective, and therefore, make our defense effective.”

J. B. BUTLER No matter who was in the backfield this season, JCA moved the ball on the ground to the tune of 3,682 yards, a lot of them coming behind Butler. He also posted 20 tackles as a part-time defensive lineman.

VONTAE DIGGS Downers North junior had 56 tackles, 16 for losses and six sacks. “He will be a Division-I prospect if he put some meat on for next year,” North coach John Wander said. “He has big play potential every snap he is in the game.”

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

BRYCE DOUGLAS A powerful defensive tackle, the Illinois recruit was a three-year starter and was the defensive MVP in the Southwest Prairie Conference for Plainfield Central. Douglas tallied 48 tackles, 12 for a loss, with 3.5 sacks, one interception and a forced fumble.

JORDAN ELLINGWOOD The senior finished his career as the second leading career rusher in Plainfield Central history. This year he tallied 1,066 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.

JACK EURITT Senior broke the school’s record for receptions in a season, catching 55 passes for 850 yards and 10 touchdowns. “He is a terrific athlete and set the school record for receptions,” New said. “He made some huge plays for us this year.”

BRETT FOX The three-year starter for

Plainfield North spent time on both sides of the ball at linebacker and tight end. He had 94 tackles on defense with 2.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, and had six catches for 92 yards and three touchdowns.

CLIFTON GARRETT The Plainfield South junior linebacker totaled 107 tackles on the season, 10.5 for a loss, and a fumble return for a touchdown. He also contributed four touchdowns on offense. He is being recruited by several top college football programs across the country.

TY ISAAC In a school that has produced great high school running backs, the USC-bound Isaac passed them all, posting 5,315 yards in his JCA career. Despite battling nagging injuries from the first game of the season this year, Isaac still rushed for 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns.

See ALL-AREA, page 13

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

ALL-AREA Continued from page 13

ZACK JACKOVICH The junior defensive back posted 66 tackles this season and was third on the team with 35 solo tackles. A Johnny-on-thespot player most of the season, Jackovich posted a team-best seven interceptions.

CHRIS JAMES James, who led Notre Dame in rushing as a sophomore, took his game to the next level, and then some, during his junior season. James’ combination of power, quickness and speed enabled him to pile up 2,089 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground, while adding 252 yards and three scores receiving. “Chris did a great job getting himself prepared for this season,

getting bigger, faster, stronger, adapting and maturing,” said Hennessey. “He had a better sense and better vision for holes, and better anticipation.”

BLAKE KING The Northwestern-bound offensive lineman, King was the catalyst for everything Minooka did offensively this season, being able to block for the run or pass. “Blake was a solid player for us all year,” said Minooka coach Paul Forsythe.“Obviously, he was someone who we tried to run behind whenever we could.”

TYLER LANCASTER Plainfield East center was the main man up front for the Bengals. “He is a Northwestern commit on the offensive line,” East coach Mike Romeli said. He had 16 tackles 5 tackles for loss and was very dominant.”

PAT MALONEY When Maine South coach David Inserra talks about Maloney, two words come to mind - pure

Sports leadership. “Both vocally and physically,” Inserra added. “He truly was the emotional and verbal leader on this team.He always brought everyone together. He’s like a second coach on the field.” The 6-3, 275-pound Ball State signee, named CSL South Lineman of the Year, is a twotime all-CSL South pick and had 34 pancake blocks. “Ball State is getting a winner, just way he handles himself and way he plays,” Inserra said.

aggressive and changes direction really well,” said Inserra.“He’s our leader on defense and we had a pretty solid defense. We battled a lot of injuries, and he’s been the one consistent guy all year (defensively).”

NOAH MEYER

CORBETT OUGHTON

Meyer, the co-CSL South Defensive Player of the Year, was a mainstay on a Hawks’ defense that helped lift Maine South to consecutive undefeated regular seasons. He compiled a teamhigh 83 tackles, including 19 tackles-for-loss. “He’s extremely

A non-starter at the beginning of the season, the Minooka senior proved he earned the job and started at defensive back the last seven games of the season and ended up with a team-best six interceptions.

PORTER ONTKO Two-way player for 11-2 Benet, Ontko carried the ball for 967 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, while catching 34 passes for 349 yards and one score. On the defensive side, was a fixture in the defensive backfield and had one interception for a touchdown.

KURT PALANDECH Senior quarterback and defensive back was team MVP for Plainfield North. He had

684 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while throwing for 981 yards and had 12 touchdown passes. He also had three interceptions on defense.

JAY ROBERTS A senior from Plainfield North, Roberts has gone over 1,000 yards rushing each of the past two years, gaining 1,238 this year, with 13 touchdowns.

KOREY ROGERS Do-everything senior for Joliet West, Rogers was a running back, receiver and played quarterback in the Wildcat. He posted 525 rushing yards, 396 receiving yards and eight TDs.

BRANDON SALTER A senior running back/ linebacker from Downers North, Salter led team with 802 rushing yards and six touchdowns for Class 7A quarterfinalist. Also had a defensive touchdown. See ALL-AREA, page 15

Sports

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Dons, Hawks, Wolves boast experience schedule this season. They were to host defending Class 4A champion Simeon this coming Sunday, but that won’t happen due to a scheduling conflict involving Simeon. However, the Dons will face Morgan Park, another highly touted Chicago Public League team, that day. Later in the year, the Dons clash with CPS schools such as Orr, Leo and Crane and ESCC rivals Benet and Marist. “We have our hands full,” Les said,“but we have an experienced team and they’re looking forward to the challenge.”

The Dons (20-9 in 2011-12) lost an inside presence from last year’s team after 6-8 Jon Johnson transferred to St. Joseph, but the addition of 5-9 senior point guard Jake Maestranzi, a transfer from South Elgin, is already paying dividends. Maestranzi led the Dons with 16 points, which included four treys,

in their season-opening 64-45 win against Lane Tech. He also had seven steals as Notre Dame shut down Evanston, 48-29. Maestranzi adds to an already deep backcourt rotation that includes returnees Donte Stephenson (point guard), clutch-shooting Matt Mooney and Justin Halloran, giving head coach Tom Les multiple options. Mooney will be playing next year at Air Force, and Halloran has several Division II offers on the table. “We’ve got two really good point guards, and I’m fortunate enough that I have two of them,” Les said. “Both are experienced and very good players. I’m going to play both of them at the same time quite a bit. Both are good defensively and I expect them to create some havoc.” Then there’s athletic 6-3 shooting guard Duante Stephens, a junior who averaged 11 points and seven rebounds last winter, and already has a scholarship offer from Miami of Ohio. Stephens also is drawing interest from Illinois, DePaul and Northwestern, among others. “He’s a very talented athlete, physically mature,” Les said. “He needs to work on his game-skill development, but as far as a raw athlete, he’s awfully talented.” Eddie Serrano, a 6-3 senior, adds experience inside and is a reliable eight- to 10-points-per-game scorer. The Dons face a challenging

ALL-AREA

1,012 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season for Bolingbrook.

Continued from page 14

JAMES WILLIAMS

180-pound Williams, named CSL South coDefensive Player of the Year, recorded 119 total tackles and 12

By Mike Sandrolini Sports Reporter

Three area boys basketball teams—Notre Dame, Maine South and Niles West—couldn’t have asked for better starts to their 201213 seasons. Each went undefeated en route to winning Thanksgiving tournament championships last week. The Dons, ranked among the top 20 teams in the Chicago area by two metropolitan newspapers, are buoyed by four returning starters and seven seniors. Maine South, which got hot the second half of last season and advanced to the sectional semifinals, also has the core of its lineup back. The Wolves, who struggled through a 7-19 campaign last season, also have four returning starters. Maine East, meanwhile, looks to improve from its 4-20 season during 2011-12. Here’s a look at each of the four clubs:

NOTRE DAME

OMAR STOVER Senior running back carried the ball a team-best 112 times for

Niles West advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2004 this fall, and Williams is a big reason why. The 6-foot,

MAINE SOUTH The Hawks caught fire after the first of the year, went 12-3 to finish the season and won a regional title before bowing to Niles North in sectional play.CoachTony Lavorato is hoping his squad can challenge defending champion Waukegan and bring a CSL South title back to Maine South—something that’s never happened since the Hawks moved into the South from the North 13 years ago. “What makes it difficult is you’ve got 10 games,” said Lavorato, in his 10th year.“You have to maintain a high level playing different styles. We have to defend, be efficient, take care of the ball and we have to rebound. The conference is wide open; anybody would be silly to say they’re a front-runner. You have to take all your home

games and steal three on the road, and hopefully that’ll get it done.” John Solari, 6-4 and a threeyear starter for the Hawks, again anchors the team. He averaged nearly 15 points and six rebounds last season. Danny Quinn, a 6-5 senior who led the team in blocked shots a year ago, will be counted on for additional scoring. Guard Frank Dounis (6-2 senior) is, like Quinn, a returning starter. Meanwhile, returning guards Andrew Palucki (6-2 junior)—“He’s going to have a nice year,” Lavorato said—and Caleb deMaringny (6-1 sophomore) have made their presence known in the early going this season. Seniors Henrik Weber (6-4) and Dennis Ramirez (6-1), and 6-7 sophomore George Sargeant, give the Hawks added varsity experience up front. “I like our nucleus,”Lavorato said. “Chemistry is big; championship teams have chemistry, and we need to establish our chemistry and move forward.”

NILES WEST The Wolves got hot towards the end of the 2011-12 season, winning four of their last six matchups and falling by just three points to New Trier in the regionals. That momentum from last year obviously has carried over into the new season. “We did a lot of good things at end of year,” said Wolves coach tackles-for-loss. He also is a twotime all-CSL South selection. “James plays with a passion and motor that I have not seen in my years of coaching,” said Niles West coach Scott Baum. “He has a knack for being around the football and is a model for being a true student-athlete.”

Bob Williams.“Our goals are higher than last year, that’s for sure. If we work to be our best each night out we’ll be successful.” Niles West has a nice combination of experience both up front and in the backcourt, with senior guard Joe Younan and junior guard Ahmad Gibson, 6-4 senior center Mohammed Qureshi and 6-3 forward David McCoy. All are returning starters. Senior forward Alex Darville (6-3) saw plenty of action last season, and Williams said senior guard Alfredo Gonzalez “had a great offseason and is doing well for us.” Junior guard Romeo Magloire led the team in scoring in two of its first three games.

MAINE EAST Dave Genis begins his third year as head coach with two returning starters: 6-4 sophomore Ezeke Omeke (11 points, nine rebounds per game last year) and 6-1 Evan Nazzal, both forwards. They’ll be joined up front by 6-3 senior Adrian Skorka. The Demons’ top guards figure to be senior Urchit Chokshi and sophomore Abby George. Skorka, Chokshi and George all are returning varsity letterwinners. Others returning with varsity experience are seniors Simon Bazaile, Cedelson Rene and Jobin Mathew, and junior Justin Brooks. mike@buglenewspapers.com

EMILE WISDOM All conference defensive player for Bolingbrook posted a teamhigh 81 tackles and 11 tackles for loss. He also led the team with six sacks. Mark Gregory and Scott Taylor also contributed

56 16

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

www.buglenewspapers.com/basketball

Joliet West wins own tourney By Mark Gregory Sports Reporter

Heading into the 2012 season, Joliet West and Bolingbrook were already picked to be at or near the top of the class in the SouthWest Suburban Conference. After their battle Nov. 24 in the title game of the, that was only solidified. West won the game 63-56 in their first time in the title game of its own invite. West rode the hot hand of senior guard Morris Dunnigan, who tallied 13 of his game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter, en route to being tabbed MVP of the tournament. “Morris Dunnigan is a great high school basketball player,’’ said Joliet West coach Luke Yaklich.“He has worked so hard to come back from the ACL injury his sophomore year and finally, he’s back to 100 percent. I am super proud of Morris. He put us on his back and led us to the win. When he plays well, we are always going to play well, that is just the pressure of being the best player.” “This means a whole lot,” Dunnigan said of the win. “We have never had a chance to play in this first place game, so it is important. We came to play. We have players that have been on varsity for three and four years, so we have experience this year.” The game was a battle from the beginning, as the teams were tied 15-15 after the opening quarter and were knotted at 2828 at halftime. West held a slim 41-40 after three quarters before pulling ahead late. “This tournament was won in the first two weeks of our practice,”Yaklich said.“There is a reason we put the guys through so much early on.” Senior Carl Tyrell added 17 points for West, although he was not at full strength. “Carl Tyrell had the flu tonight and he was out there playing at 70 percent,”Yaklich said. Bolingbrook (3-1) was led

BOYS BOWLING 1. Romeoville 2. Plainfield Central 3. Lockport 4. Minooka 5. Bolingbrook 6. Joliet West 7. Plainfield North

GIRLS BOWLING 1. Lockport 2. Minooka 3. Joliet West 4. Plainfield East 5. Plainfield North 6. Plainfield Central 7. Downers South

BOYS BASKETBALL 1. Benet 2. Joliet West 3. Notre Dame 4. Bolingbrook 5. Downers South 6. Minooka 7. Niles West

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Mark Gregory/Bugle Staff

Morris Dunnigan was tournament MVP of the Joliet West Tournament.

by All-Tournament selectees Kendall Guyton, who posted 20 points and Ben Moore (16). “This is only one battle of three against Bolingbrook,’’ Yaklich said. “They have a great team, Rob does a great job with them. I think out seniors played well and their guys just didn’t have it. It’s going to be a different game the next two. This is a precursor to two more great games.” What the win did give West is

confidence. “It means a lot that we already played one of the top teams in our conference,” Dunnigan said. To get to the final game, Joliet West defeated Thornridge 68-49 behind 19 points from Dunnigan. West also defeated Plainfield South 78-49. Dunnigan led the way with 19 points,while Brandon McCullum added 15. McCullum was also named to the All-Tournament

1. Bolingbrook 2. Maine South 3. Plainfield East 4. Romeoville 5. Benet 6. JCA 7. Plainfield North

WRESTLING team. “I have been coaching for 14 years and B Mac is the toughest player I have coached,” Yaklich said.“He was up sophomore year and was defensive player of the year. He was defensive player of the year last year and is well on his way this year. He is the most mentally and physically tough kid I have ever coached. He is a fighter and it takes a lot to bring him down.” mark@buglenewspapers.com

1. Lockport 2. Minooka 3. Notre Dame 4. Plainfield Central 5. Downers North 6. Joliet West 7. Downers South Rankings are compiled by Mark Gregory and Scott Taylor.

fancy. Focus on activities you enjoy rather than work. Important decisions should be postponed until later this week.

eNtertaiNmeNt

Take the chip off your shoulder and try to make the best of every situation in the week ahead.

Every rose has thorns.

THE BUGLE 2012 Don’tNOVEMBER let appearances 29, fool you, just

David Geffen ‘Invented’ and dazzling on PBS because everything appears rosy on the surface doesn’t mean that there aren’t unforeseen pitfalls lurking around the corner. Remain on guard this week.

Across By Liz Smith Tribune Services part 1 NameMedia thought

betters.Down He discovered and adored On the other hand, maybe notGo ahead, make your Expect the unexpected. Resolve to be selfish by doing Leave a bit of wiggle room in your singer-songwriter Laura Nyro and for president 1 EPA stat 35 Military bigwig - maybe he’ll run day. whatever brings you the most enjoyment in the schedule to account for unforeseen surprises in namedhis sodamaster-minding 37 Daydream to mean “father 36 Theoretical this2 Aptly launched himself!) week to come. Your time is usually rationed by your the week ahead. It would be to your benefit to make a brand 38 Sartre, for one of many” extreme “The Medici of rock ‘n’ roll!” of careers. He was always “for” the I have omitted here many 3 Circulation 39 They may be schedule, but you can create your own time slots. point of finishing whatever you begin. 8 Like Rubens 37 Health facility Because I was taking a few notes artist against the company. And that musicians we have served up, measure brown or pale 15 Song title words 40 Not at all active 4 Charge 40 Not stacked in the Theatre paid off, except in a few instances playing and talking (I have afterdark “The at the Paris 42 Mainline? 5 Wave makeup 41 Rear watching Geffen,” when it didn’t emotionally and included Bob Dylan, Yoko Ono,Take a break. Spend future’s“Inventing not ours David 44 Ride Beware the green-eyed 6 “Any fool can 43 Pops since 1905 to see” Stiff of the Geffen became super successfully the Youngbloods, Jackson some time away from that big project monster. Don’t envy another’s success, I don’t know exactly 47 which Browne make __”: Thoreau 44 Final stage, as of 16 Novel genre (or Genii) 49 Close call you’ve been on and you’ll be amazed especially when their gain benefits you as many geniuses speaking controversial and feared.a career and Joni Mitchell) Addworking to this, 7 Squeaked by 17 20th-century 50 They’re at the fresh perspective you receive. Save decisionwell. Allow everyone time in the limelight and wish 8 Small part 45 Memorial tablet onscreen about David Geffen, said I won’t kill the suspense by Geffen’s “discovery” of Tom Riyadh-born involved making until later in the week. them well this week. Your turn will come soon. 9 Wikipedia’s globe, How batters this,ruler but at the party in afterward describing everything46Geffen did Cruise and the hit of hits movie joints e.g. must bat in18 Axes the toelegant La52 Grenouille on 10 hisCorrect ladder to success; suffice it “Risky Business.” His devotion to grind Old pol. 48 Gardening 19 1966Candlestick divisions 11 Nick of restaurant, Mike Nichols rose to say it features Crosby,gadget Stills and theater, which grew through his Make your choice Fog clouds the path highlightit as 54one Emmy-winning Hot stuff and Park repeated of his Nash,“Heartbreakers” the Eagles, his51 18-month admiration of the count. late Don’t Michael just flip a coin when faced ahead this week. There are many 12 Move from the 53 Old 21 Pier gp. NFL analyst own favorite quotes ofCollinsworth the night. love affair Guns and Bennett, the with Broadway movie Take the time to do a crucial decision. variables that are obscured regarding a new edge with Cher, the 56 CBS maritime 22 Correct That partup!” of the documentary saga, through thedrama creation “Dreamgirls” experience, your homework and figureand out which option is best. endeavor. It may be better to wait until events unfold 13 “The Odds 23 “I give 55 Subject of an Roses Against Me” 57 Hair treatments ongoingBusiness will coming be the topout priority and you have more facts, before starting anything simply covered the “how potent and Electra Records - Geffen’s as this week. 24 Inclement annual contest of Asylum autobiographer 60 J et al. new. weather sounds held in Brooklyn cheap music” part of Geffen’s life. on toJohn his experiences at Warner gay, and his devotion plus millions Tribune Media Services 2012 26 Early L.A. Times 58 Suppress The film goes on to show us the Bros., where he ended up buying donated to the AIDS cause. 14 1956 Moses publisher 59 Ambushed player premium truth-telling executive the mansion that the late Jack If perhaps you think we Harrison Gray _ 61 “1984” 20 __ bath of28 show business, Hollywood’s Warner had built. (He hadn’t read observers on the fringe of this Acronymous superstate 21 __ facto verygun first business billionaire, and about the moguls 1 percent entertainment world 62 Son of Aaron 25 Shortened, in a of Hollywood 29 Old 63 Arrival how heTurkish became a figment oftime his for for nothing!) shouldn’t be going to parties way the fashionably The 27 Certain miss or less treads ownleader imagination. film Eur. more like the one held after at La 31 “The Curse of late? 30 Old Nair This two-hour fi lm on the life softly on the disrupted friendship Grenouille - well, the rich, social Capistrano” hero 64 Diminishes alternative of33Geffen will be shown on PBS and32partnership between Geffen and effective also have to live.This Density symbols, Small missions? in physics in34the “American Ross, but as we know, room full of what hasn’t curdled Baseball glove Masters” series and Steve on Nov. 20. And, forever after, it in the end the young executive in the cream de la cream has will become part of the first-rate Geffen overcame the free- given and established enormous lexicon of director-producer charities. Show business produces P r e v i o u s p uwheeling z z l e ’ s Ross. answers Susan Lacy’s oeuvre. (She has This documentary proves that multimillionaires who are much already given two decades to PBS two hours is hardly long enough more generous than any other and covered Leonard Bernstein, to cover the exploits of Geffen group. (I’ll just cite two who were Lionel Hahn/Abaca Press Martha Graham, Julia Child, Judy who eventually surprised the there, Geffen and Marlo Thomas.) Garland, Billie Holiday, Charlie world by becoming the creator, I won’t insult you by saying, Director Mike Nichols. Chaplin, Norman Mailer, Johnny with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey “everybody who was anybody Carson, Lucille Ball, George Katzenberg, of a new studio was there.” But partymaker Peggy She didn’t indicate any of this to Balanchine, Jasper Johns and John named DreamWorks. Siegal produced a bonanza of VIP begin to worry a tiny bit. I predict P rthe e v ihelp o u s of p uCharles z z l e ’ s the answ ers Lennon. I can’t even begin to What’s wonderful is that today names with talented Ms. Lacy might me. I am just using my 47 percent name them all.) Geffen is still young, fresh-looking, Masson, who owns La Grenouille, escape the public TV rat race for intuition.I liked my own encounter So, David Geffen, a slim little kid confident, attractive and yet ever the absolute last of the best of a more conventional, high-profile, with the auspicious subject, David who escaped Brooklyn to fulfill the same - a hard bargainer,smarter the inheritance handed down by moneymaking type of film. I think Geffen. I said to him:“David, I have his dream in Hollywood, becomes than everyone else, realistic and Henri Soule, the man who made she is ready for a feature movie known you for many years. I didn’t a maestro of the rock generation dreamlike in combo, exerting his French food so American. So employing unusual talents. (Her know you were so important!” He P r e v i o u slaughed p u z z l and e ’ s answered: a n s w e r s“Oh, yes, after starting as an agent. “What unending care for friends and his everyone ate great things and sat films look absolutely marvelous!) does an agent do?” he asked, at implacable will against his foes. with someone fascinating - I, with She’d be ready for the trials, too, of you did!” Jumbles: first. (The Clintons are given a little of the down-to-earth Susan Lacy and a commercial feature using actors •MOURN •WRATH •COUPLE •RENDER “Nothing,” came the reply. So this up-and-down treatment in her husband, landscape architect and artists because that’s what (E-mail Liz Smith at MES3838@aol. he ended up at William Morris, the documentary, but I am betting Mark Razum. she is doing anyway - Answer: showing us com.) When the campers got caught in a heavy cloudburst, it (c)2012 TRIBUNE MEDIA learning to read letters upside when push comes to shove in If I were PBS’s genial and the greats in all their make-believe felt like -- A “DROWN” POUR SERVICES, INC. down from the desks of his 2016, he’ll be back in their corner. effective head, Neal Shapiro, I’d madness.

Sudoku

TOP POP ALBUMS November 11 through November 17 TITLE

Red Now 44 Merry Christmas R.E.D Music From Another Dimension

Night Train Babel Dreams and Nightmares good kid: m.A.A.d city Miracle

TOP DVD RENTALS November 11 through November 17

TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS November 11 through November 17 ARTIST

Taylor Swift Various artists Baby Ne-Yo Aerosmith Jason Aldean Mumford & Sons Meek Mill Kendrick Lamar Third Day

TITLE

Red Night Train On This Winter’s Night Tornado Cheers, It’s Christmas Christmas with Scotty McCreery

Hope on the Rocks Tailgates & Tanlines Chief Blown Away

J umble

ARTIST

Taylor Swift Jason Aldean Lady Antebellum Little Big Town Blake Shelton Scotty McCreery Toby Keith Luke Bryan Eric Church Carrie Underwood

TITLE

LABEL

Marvel’s The Avengers Marvel’s The Avengers The Amazing Spider-Man Sony Pictures Dark Shadows Warner Bros. Madagascar 3 Paramount Pictures Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer 20th Century Fox The Expendables 2 Lionsgate The Cabin in the Woods Lionsgate Brave Walt Disney Pictures Prometheus 20th Century Fox Rock of Ages Warner Bros.

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Business & Real Estate

Avoid the ‘fight to be right’ to get results Q. I’m an avid reader of this column and am puzzled by why you so often recommend telling coworkers they are right in an argument. I think the truth is important. I always speak my mind. Do I have to pick between making my point and being effective at work? A. Yes, being right and being effective are mutually exclusive choices. When you fight to be right, you guarantee the other person is now at risk of being wrong. Most normal people will then engage in a power struggle with you that will not end in you getting what you want. Clients are always telling me how enlightening it is to find out they are not the only person on the planet who is emotionally insecure at times. Many people don’t realize that everyone in their workplace is walking around wanting to avoid ever

feeling they are inadequate or bad. W e accidentally trigger these fears in our coworkers when we insist on being right. Unfortunately, most of your coworkers identify being right with being good and adequate. Thus, they will fight to the death to be right. If you understand this dynamic, you will become a black belt at workplace politics. You will probably be the only one in your workplace who can emotionally afford to be wrong ... and then get what you want. Most people around you will actually give away what they originally wanted if you will just let them be right. I’ve had executive coaching

clients who have spent years arguing with me about why it is necessary for them to be right. Then one day, they allow the other person to be right and quickly get what they want. Realize there is a long, long checkout line at work of people who will do just about anything to be right. Consider whether you’d rather be in an area with no line with people who can tolerate being wrong and effective. An excellent phrase to practice when a coworker wants to make you wrong is,“You may be right.” You’ll then be able to return to negotiating the outcome you desire because you allowed your coworker to win the power struggle for self-esteem. If you find it nearly impossible to let coworkers win right/wrong arguments, ask yourself what you hope to gain by winning? Anytime you get to be right,

you’ll still face the insecurity of being wrong in the future. Ask yourself what your long-term benefit is by winning one selfesteem power struggle. Now ask yourself what your long-term gain is when you let others be right and consistently get the result you prefer? Who do you figure has the most power and influence at work, the person who is right or the person who gets results? Yes, you’ll have to give up the emotional dessert of immediate satisfaction when you win an argument. However, as time goes by and you accumulate result over result, being right might seem much less delicious.

The last word(s) Q. I have a job I love and I am paid well. I listen to friends who complain about their jobs. Is it cheating to be making good

money to be paid to do what you enjoy? A. No, we do our best work at an activity that feels like adult play. Enjoying our work puts us in a state of creativity and passion for excellence - and that is exactly what others want to pay us for!

(Daneen Skube, Ph.D., executive coach, trainer, therapist and speaker, also appears as the FOX Channel’s “Workplace Guru” each Monday morning. She’s the author of “Interpersonal Edge: Breakthrough Tools for Talking to Anyone, Anywhere, About Anything” (Hay House, 2006). You can contact Dr. Skube at www. interpersonaledge.com or 1420 NW Gilman Blvd., #2845, Issaquah, WA 98027. Sorry, no personal replies.)

Letting them in on the secret Dear Dave, I’m in a very fortunate position when it comes to my finances. I’m 25, and I make $50,000 a year. I’m also completely debt-free. In your opinion, when is it appropriate to let someone you’re dating know about your financial situation? Anonymous Dear Anonymous, Wow, you are in a great position for someone so young. I’m not sure how you got there, but it certainly wasn’t by being dumb or

immature. I think it’s only natural in a dating situation to reveal more about oneself as time passes and the relationship gets deeper and more serious. In my mind, people who start throwing around financial information on a first date are either extremely superficial or just plain weird. But after you’ve been dating a while, and definitely before you’re engaged, you should know everything about the other person.There should be complete disclosure. That’s called intimacy. There’s no room for skeletons in the closet when it comes to a healthy relationship. Just take your time and make sure you’re both committed to being open and honest about things. Then, as the relationship progresses, the depth of intimacy and the depth of information will progress in all areas of your lives. —Dave See DAVE SAYS, page 23

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Senior Style

Retire Smart: Lessons from Sandy By Jill Schlesinger Tribune Media Services

As the East Coast recovers and rebuilds after Superstorm Sandy, it is important to heed some hard lessons. The most important of which is clear: if you’re in the path of such a storm, you need to follow official warnings and evacuation instructions. Many residents in the northeast ignored evacuation orders for Sandy. This type of stubbornness not only puts you at risk, but it also puts first responders in harm’s way. Some older folks didn’t want to leave, which makes it more important for younger relatives, friends and neighbors to encourage and assist them. It’s also important to create and communicate emergency plans among family members. What are the procedures that your family will follow? Where will everyone meet,and how will you stay in touch? Who will be responsible for older relatives, and what are the contingency

Niles Senior Center November/December Naturally Active All programs require advanced registration. For a detailed description of programs & activities or to ask about membership or registration requirements, call the Niles Senior Center at 847-588-8420 Individuals must be a registered member of the Niles Senior Center to receive the member price. Non members are invited to participate in

plans for a prolonged power outage? If you live in a place where storms frequently knock out your electricity, you may want to consider purchasing a generator. Michael Goodman, CPA/PFS, CFP, of Wealthstream Advisors says “if a generator is affixed and connected to your home, versus one that is on wheels and can be rolled away, the cost can be used to increase the cost basis of a home when you sell it.” The time to review and become familiar with the terms and details of your homeowner’s and auto insurance policies is not in the aftermath of a severe event, but before it occurs. Many flood victims find out quickly that most standard homeowners’ policies cover structural and water damage only in limited circumstances, like when a tree falls and knocks a hole in a roof or breaks a window and allows rain to fall inside. Most policies don’t cover damages that result from rising water unless the

homeowner lives in a designated flood zone and has purchased insurance through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program. There is a safety net available for those who experience flood damage but whose policies do not cover the damage: Residents living in declared disaster areas could be eligible for federal assistance. To apply online, go to www.disasterassistance. gov; apply via smartphone at http://m.fema.gov; and to apply by phone, call 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities. If you know a storm is coming and that you could be affected, it’s smart to take prestorm pictures or video. Once the damage has occurred, take another set of photos before you move anything. You should then make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value and receipts, if possible. Don’t make permanent repairs until

the insurance company has inspected the property and you have agreed on the cost of repairs. However, you should inform the insurance company if you need to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your property. Remember that all settlement offers from insurance companies can be negotiated, so don’t go nuts when you first review the adjuster’s written assessment. Adjusters should account for regional differences in the cost of materials and contractors, but if they don’t, you can make a case for a higher amount. For that reason, it is imperative not to cash or deposit the first check from the insurance company until you review the full report and agree with all items and costs. Some red flags include omissions of damaged items, partial or incomplete measurements, and low-ball contractors’ costs. If you see a problem, return the first check and request that the adjuster revise the report. Then request

a check from the insurance company for the correct cost of the damage. If you run into a brick wall with your insurance company, you will have to create a paper trail. In addition to calling, register all complaints in writing. It will help to be courteous and specific about the problem when you document it. Be sure to ask for a resolution within a reasonable time frame. If problems persist, contact your state’s insurance commissioner. Keep working the process - it can take patience and persistence, but ultimately, you have to be your own advocate.

programs at the non-member price. For more information about membership and programs, contact the Senior Center.

in aiding memory, balance, cardiovascular, and overall well-being. Enjoy line dance, fitness, & friendship. November 13-December 4, 1:00-2:00pm. $10M/$15NM.

Connection. The afternoon will include both table raffles and door prizes. There is reserved seating for this event so be sure to pick up your table reservation form. Everyone should fill out a form even if you are coming alone. No more than ten people can be seated at a table. Friday, December 7, 11:15am-3:00pm, $30M/$35NM.

join us for an exquisite brunch and a special performance by Maureen Christine singing your favorite holiday classics. Monday, December 17, 9:0011:00am, $9M/$12NM.

Issues in the News – Thursdays - 9:30-11:30AM This dynamic, refreshing class is led by long time leader of this program, Arlene Golub. This group is filled with folks from all walks of life, retired or not, who want to keep abreast of a broad spectrum of what is occurring locally and worldwide. Issues for discussion are brought up by class participants, and everyone’s opinion is valued. Please call the NSC at 847-5888420 for more information. Line Dance Join others who love to dance, no partner needed. Enjoy easy-to-learn advanced dance patterns in Country, Ballroom, Top 40, Latin, Swing, and more! Studies show group or line dancing is beneficial

Supermarket Bingo & Lunch Join us for an afternoon of food, fun and Bingo. Entrance fee: fresh, new grocery store items due as you check in and WALK IN to play (to ensure freshness). If we have left over goods, they will go to the Niles food pantry. Lunch includes a croissant sandwich, chips and dessert. Wednesday, December 19, 12:00-2:00pm. $4/$6NM. Annual Holiday Party presented by Men’s Club. Join us at the White Eagle, 6839 Milwaukee, Niles as we kick off the Holiday Season with a spectacular afternoon of dining and entertainment. Lunch will feature a delicious family-style meal followed by the music of the Brighton Park

Dreidel Tournament & Hanukkah Party We’ve added a very special treat this year – live music. The day begins with a rousing dreidel tournament with prizes, followed by a delicious lunch, and wrapping it all up will be the Jeff and Janis Duo, singing your favorite Hanukkah songs as well as some classic and contemporary holiday songs. Tuesday,December 11,10:30am1:30pm, $12M/$17NM. Holiday Brunch Holiday season is in full swing, and we would like you to

(Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is the Editorat-Large for www.CBSMoneyWatch. com. She covers the economy, markets, investing or anything else with a dollar sign on her podcast and blog, Jill on Money, as well as on television and radio. She welcomes comments and questions at askjill@moneywatch. com.)

A Noon-Year Celebration Join us as we celebrate the beginning of the New Year with an elegant lunch including salad, chicken parmesan, vesuvio potatoes, steamed vegetables and dessert. Entertainment will be followed by Chicago’s own Peter Oprisko, and his 4 piece band, a premiere interpreter of treasured traditional adult Pop, Jass, and Tin Pan Alley standards. We will end the afternoon with a traditional New Years champagne toast. Thursday, January 3, 12:002:30pm $15M/$20NM. Holiday Greeting Cards for Homebound Ho, Ho, Ho! We have it on See SENIOR, page 22

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Ballroom dancers join entertainment lineup at 2013 Senior Expo The talents of Norm and Heidi Lucky, award winning ballroom dancers who have appeared in more than 200 shows in the Chicagoland area as well as the Lawrence Welk Resort in Branson, Mo., will be showcased at the seventh annual Maine Streamers “Swing into Spring” Senior Expo scheduled for April 19. Designed to link seniors who need services with vendors who provide them, the event will be held at Golf Mill Shopping Center. Swing into Spring is projected to attract approximately 1,600 visitors, 55 years old and up, who are interested in a wide variety of products and services.

Other entertainment includes Denny Diamond and the Family Jewels, a family trio that performs the music of Neil Diamond—as well as other famous artists— including Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, joins the expanded variety of exhibits, programming, and entertainment that will be part of the event which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Product demonstrations, raffles, giveaways, and contests will also be part of the day. The popular Early Bird Bingo hosted by Highway Commissioner Robert Provenzano will start at 9 a.m. “Each year, our Senior Expo becomes more successful,” said

Carol Teschky, Supervisor of Maine Township. “We are thrilled that MaineStreamers continue to offer this valuable community event and we greatly appreciate the cooperation of the fine folks at Golf Mill.”According to Teschky, the MaineStreamers staff is preparing to host an enthusiastic and record crowd of area seniors and their families. For more information about this event, call 847-297-2510 or visit the Maine Township website at www.mainetownship.com. Potential exhibitors may sign up for a spot on a first come, first served basis by calling the Expo Office at 847-720-4495.

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

SENIOR

this program, or seek additional information, call 847.470.5223 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Continued from page 20 very good authority that Santa (being a senior himself) hangs out at the NSC very regularly. In fact, he has enlisted the help of the NSC staff to collect his letters from the seniors in Niles who may be unable to go out (to the mall to see him), so that he may send them a card of holiday wishes!! If you are or know of a homebound Niles senior who would like to receive a non-denominational holiday card from the jolly ol’ fat man himself, please call the NSC at 847-588-8420 or stop by to let us know the name and address of the person. Due to Santa’s busy schedule, we need to the names and addresses received no later than 5 pm Friday, December 7th. Got the Dot? – It Could Save Your Life! Assist first responders with the information they need. Become part of the Illinois Dot Program. The Illinois Dot Program is a statewide initiative designed to provide vital medical information on vehicle drivers and passengers. Information contained on the medical card can assist first responders in the“Golden Hour” immediately following a serious crash. This can very well mean the difference between life and death. For more information, please contact the Niles Senior Center (847 588-8420).

North Shore Senior Center DNA Testing: Solving History’s Mysteries Tuesday, December 4, 2012 from 1 – 2 p.m. Did Jesse James survive assassination and die of old age? Have the remains of a worldchanging astronomer been lost to history? Is there a lost tribe of Israel living in South Africa? Has a famous MIA serviceman missing for 50 years finally been identified? History detectives and DNA testing provide surprising answers on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 from 1 – 2 p.m. Fees are $8 member; $10 non-member. To register for

Lunch & Bingo! Wednesdays, from 10 a.m to 12:30 p.m. Enjoy an exciting game of Bingo, a tasty lunch and great company! Every Wednesday, Bingo begins at 10:30 am followed at 11:30am by lunch catered by a different local restaurant each week. Come early for coffee and conversation! Registration required (so we can order your food). Fee includes lunch. Bingo cards $.50 each. Watch the bulletin board for the menu! Please note, no Lunch and Bingo on November 21. To register for this program, or seek additional information, call 847.470.5223 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteer Drivers Needed! North Shore Senior Center’s Escorted Transportation Service (ETS) relies on volunteers to provide rides for ambulatory seniors to/from medical and dental appointments. Volunteer drivers use their own cars and have great flexibility; they can accept or decline any request for transportation. To learn more about this important and rewarding role, please contact Maura Rogan, Director of Volunteer Services and Community Engagement, at 847.784.6052 or mrogan@nssc. org.

Park Ridge Senior Center If bridge is of interest there are several opportunities to enjoy the game. Groups meet on Friday mornings, Sunday afternoons, and Couple’s Bridge meets the first Thursday of the month. Call the Center at 847692-3597 for more information or to be put in tough with one of the group moderators. Membership dues for the 2012-2013 year are being accepted. The dues are: single - $45 resident/$63 non-resident and a Couple (must reside in the same household) $68 resident/$97 non-resident. And attention to current members … bring in a new member and receive a $5 gift card !!!! Ask

the front desk for more details. Jo Buck continues her exercise classes at 9 am and 10:30 am Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This class covers a variety of movements including stretching, strength training and floor exercise. Give it a try!!! The first class is free. After that it is $2 each time you come Following are number of ongoing activities at the Center: Woodcarvers meet Thursdays at 9am…a FREE activity: Gamers, 1-4:30pm on Fridays play dominos, hand and foot, scrabble for rummikube … also FREE. Ceramics students meet Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:30am to noon and work on projects of their choice. There is a charge of only $7 per class. Pinochle players meet the second Monday, Third Thursday and every Saturday of the month at 1pm. Table tennis players start play at 1pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All abilities are welcome for this free activity. Bocce ball players gather just north of the Center at 10am Wednesday mornings. Ken Hewelt is bocce master and can explain how the game is played. Two free seminars for planned in December. At 2pm on Tuesday, December 4, Dr, Sean Finnegan will present a 30-minute seminar on Natural Solutions to Headache Pain. Research has shown that headaches generate 80 million doctor visits, over $50 billion in medical bills and $4 billion in over-the-counter medications. In this seminar learn the common causes of headaches;, alternative solutions to headaches and migraines, the different types of headaches and how Chiropractics can play a role in headache and migraine solutions. Then at 11am on Thursday, December 6, The Health Care Forum will bring health education to the community. Topics will address a variety of health issues, Medicare scams, new Medicaid changes, health screenings, how to prepare for your next doctor’s appointment, brain health and ideas on how to navigate through the health care process. A Holiday Lights Trolley Tour takes place from 6:30-8:30pm on Thursday, December 6. The tour kicks off the holiday season with an entertaining two hour

Obituary Daniel J. O’Connor Daniel J. O’Connor, age 58, passed away suddenly. Loving husband of Patricia, nee Sowa; beloved son of Jeanette and (the late Thomas); son-in-law of Lorraine (the late Mitchell) Sowa; dearest brother of Terry (Deb) O’Connor, Tom O’Connor and Diane (Bob) Zimmerman; wonderful

Charles F. Ugel Charles F. Ugel, beloved husband of Rose nee Landini; loving father of Karen Nickerson, Kenneth(Christine), Charles, Robert, and Michael (Summer) Ugel; devoted grandfather of Aimee and Eric Nickerson, and Kenneth, Courtney, Caitlyn and Giana Ugel; great grandpa of Rachelle; dear brother of Mildred (Ray) Andrea and

narrated tour aboard a famous Chicago Trolley. The festive lights and enchanting sights of wintertime in Chicago, the Magnificent Mile, State Street and Macy’ Holiday Windows, Daley Plaza and the 40-foot tree, Buckingham Fountain and Navy Pier’s Winter Wonderfest are all included. Special stops will be made at the Christkinglmarket and the Hershey Chocolate Store. The cost is $28 for members and $35 for nonmembers so register quickly. The holiday parties at the Park Ridge Senior Center have been scheduled already. The Center’s annual holiday party is scheduled to begin at 12:30 pm on Friday, December 7. This year the party will be held at the Snuggery in Edison Park, 6733 N. Olmstead, Chicago. The menu includes bruschetta, breadsticks with garlic butter, Caesar salad, penne with marinara, chicken limone, and Italian sausage and roasted peppers. There will be a raffle and the winner of the handmade quilt will be made. Cost is $28 for members and $35 for non-members. There will be a very special guest you will not want to miss. The Men’s Club holiday party takes place beginning at 12:30pm on Tuesday, December

brother-in-law, uncle and friend of many. Dan will be missed by all, including his feline friends. Visitation was Monday Nov. 12 from 3 p.m. till 9 p.m. at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. Funeral was Tuesday Nov. 13 at 9:15 a.m. to St. Juliana Church for Mass at 10 a.m. For info please call 847-966-7302.

the late Henry; fond uncle of many. Visitation was at the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home 7812 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Niles on Thursday Nov. 15 from 3 to 9 p.m. Funeral was Friday Nov. 16 10:15 a.m. to St. John Brebeuf Church mass11 a.m. Memorials to Rainbow Hospice 1515 Bishop Court, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 or American Heart Association Paysphere Circle Chicago, IL 60674.

11. A delicious lunch will be provided by Inglenook. Entertainment will include the Chorus and the Uketones. Members would pay only $15 and non-members $17. The regular monthly luncheon will be Monday, December 17. Doors open at 12:30pm. The luncheon menu consists of herb roasted chicken, rice pilaf, tossed salad and dessert. Entertainment will be provided by a premiere interpreter of treasured traditional adult pop, jazz, and holiday classics, Chicago-based Peter Oprisko. Cost to members will be $16 and $20 for non-members. The Women’s Club Holiday Party starts at 12:30 on Wednesday, December 12 at Chambers Seafood Grill & Chop House in Niles. The menu is your choice of ribs and shrimp or chicken marsala. Heather Braoudakis will entertain with wonderful classics like White Christmas, Silent Night, Winter Wonderland and more. Members pay $25 and nonmembers$30. Have you ever thought of tap dancing!!! This is a fun way of exercising. The class is at 12:30 Tuesdays with a fee of $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers.

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Leg weakness may be hereditary despite family history Tribune Media Services

Dear Mayo Clinic: My nephew has been diagnosed with spastic paraparesis. He was told it is hereditary, but we can find no trace of it on either side of the family. I’d appreciate any information you could give about the treatment and prognosis of this disease. Answer: Spastic paraparesis comprises dozens of different types of disorders that can be inherited in several ways. Therefore, it is possible to have hereditary spastic paraparesis even if you cannot find a family history of the disease. In addition, although many causes are hereditary and result from defective genes, some forms of spastic paraparesis are not related to gene defects. Symptoms of hereditary spastic paraparesis, including weakness of the legs, are due to deterioration of nerves in the spinal cord that control the leg muscles. The process of nerve deterioration cannot be reversed, but an individual’s life expectancy usually is not affected by the disease.Typically,

DAVE SAYS Continued from page 1

What’s the worst that can happen? Dear Dave, My wife and I want to do a livein/flip real estate purchase. The idea is to buy a fixer-upper and rent out the basement to help with the mortgage payments. What do you think about the idea? Brian Dear Brian, I love real estate.I’ve flipped a few houses too. But the particulars of the deal make me a little nervous. In a situation like this you need to do a basic business analysis. You’ve got to have a plan and figure out the worst case scenario. Part of this is determining whether or not you can survive if things fall apart. In this case, the worst case is that you can’t get a renter and the house doesn’t sell. It puts your family in jeopardy if this happens, so to me it’s not an option. Honestly, I think you’ve got house fever right now. The possibility I just mentioned isn’t

hereditary spastic paraparesis progresses very slowly, and the changes it causes in a person’s body are gradual and subtle. Over time, however, it can result in difficulty walking. Many people who have hereditary spastic paraparesis eventually may require a cane, a walker or a wheelchair. In rare cases called complicated hereditary spastic paraparesis, people can have other symptoms along with leg weakness and stiffness. Those symptoms may include difficulty with memory and thinking and additional nerve problems such as peripheral neuropathy. In many cases, diagnosing hereditary spastic paraparesis is not a straightforward process. Diagnosis may be based, in part, on a family history of the disease. But if a person’s family medical history does not include cases of spastic paraparesis, as in your nephew’s situation, then it is important to proceed with genetic testing in an effort to confirm the disease. Currently, approximately 32 genetic defects are suspected

or known to cause hereditary spastic paraparesis, and researchers believe there could be more. Of the genetic defects now identified as being associated with hereditary spastic paraparesis, only about 11 can be detected using clinically available DNA testing. If a person has a mutation in any of those genes, genetic testing can confirm a diagnosis. However, in a case where the genetic test is negative, but symptoms point to hereditary spastic paraparesis, the disease still cannot be excluded as a possibility. To make it even more complicated, some causes of spastic paraparesis are not related to genetic defects, including some rare viral infections and multiple sclerosis. After other conditions that could be the underlying cause of the symptoms have been ruled out, a person may be diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraparesis based on symptoms and neurologic findings alone. Because there’s no way to slow or stop progression of this

a rare occurrence. Lots of people have had the same idea, with the best of intentions, and still end up in a big mess. But if you and your wife are willing to accept the possibility of things not working out like you planned—and the fact that you might have to take additional jobs for an unknown period of time just to make ends meet—then it might be a play. Me? I don’t like putting myself into skinof-my-teeth positions intentionally. When I wore a younger man’s clothes, I was willing to do stuff and ignore the risk involved.Going

broke years ago knocked that out of me in a hurry.Any deal that runs the risk of leaving you bankrupt, or the victim of a foreclosure, just isn’t worth it! —Dave * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He’s authored four New York Times bestselling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover and EntreLeadership. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 5 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.

disease, treatment of hereditary spastic paraparesis focuses on controlling the symptoms. Muscle relaxants and other medications can help relieve leg tightness and stiffness. Physical therapy is also a very important part of treatment. Stretching, exercises and other physical therapy techniques specifically designed for people with spastic paraparesis can help improve a person’s mobility and fitness, increase leg strength and reduce leg stiffness. If hereditary spastic paraparesis progresses to the point that a person needs help walking, a physical therapist can offer advice regarding assistive devices. The long-term outlook for people with hereditary spastic paraparesis varies quite a bit from person to person. Some people eventually lose their ability to walk, while others have only mild symptoms that

can be successfully managed with physical therapy and medication. Your nephew should work closely with his doctor to monitor his condition over time and create a treatment plan that best fits his situation. - Ralitza Gavrilova, M.D., Medical Genetics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

(Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to medicaledge(AT SIGN) mayo.edu , or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For more information, visit www. mayoclinic.org.)

THE BUGLE NOVEMBER 29, 2012