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THE REGIONA EGIONAL L NEWS Named best small weekly in Illinois five times by the Illinois Press Association

Thursday, January 8, 2015

74rd Year, NO. 2 • 3 Sections

Serving Palos, Orland and Worth townships and neighboring communities

Heights blames Rahm for latest steep water rate hike

By Tim Hadac Staff reporter

Palos Heights aldermen on Tuesday voted to increase water and sewer rates for the fourth year in a row to pass on price hikes that originated with the administration of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

The latest hike — 15 percent on water rates and 10 percent on sewer rates — was approved unanimously by the City

Council and is effective immediately.

In 2014, residential customers living in the city itself paid about $8.50 per thousand gallons of water, up from $2.99 in 2000.

Palos Heights increased water rates by 22 percent in 2012, and 15 percent each year after that.

“This is the last year of a four-year increase (due to the city of Chicago),” observed Alderman Jack Clifford (2nd Ward) in an attempt to clarify.

“At this time,” added Mayor Robert Straz, with a wry bit of humor directed at Chicago.

Water rate increases have been a source of frustration for years for Chicago’s suburban customers, but more so since Emanuel took office in 2011. A number of suburban mayors and others have chafed at the most recent hikes and accused Emanuel of gouging his neighbors to raise revenue for the cashstrapped city.

Palos Heights does provide discounted water rates for residents age 65 and older to soften the blow.

An explanation of the discount is not posted prominently on the city’s website (palosheights.org), but is found at the bottom of the “City Services” page. It reads, “Residents, of at least 65 years of age, living within the corporate limits of the city are eligible for a 25 percent reduction on their water bill portion only (not your sewer portion). A tax bill is

Orland Park’s U of C medical center project slowed by details

Ald. Key stays on the ballot

Staff reporter

See MEDICAL, Page 2

Supplied photo

Orland Park resident and business owner Nancy Gee, who recently authored a whimsical children’s book, “The Secret Drawer,” based on a real-life experience, accepts a Community Pride Award from Mayor Daniel McLaughlin at Monday night’s Village Board meeting. Gee was profiled by The Regional News in a story published Nov. 20.

See WATER, Page 2

PALOS HEIGHTS

By Tim Hadac Nearly eight months after Orland Park officials staged a special meeting to ink a new pact with the University of Chicago Medicine to construct a four-story, 120,000-square-foot, outpatient specialty medical facility at the northwest corner of 143rd Street and La Grange Road, the project is moving more slowly than anticipated.

U of C predictions about a fall groundbreaking never materialized, and village trustees on Monday night unanimously and without discussion approved an extension of the letter of intent, which will give the village and the health care giant until April to hammer out details.

After the meeting, village spokesman Joseph La Margo insisted that there are no snags with the highly touted project.

“Basically, there are some things that are going on with the development agreement that they’re still working on — design modifications or what have you that they’re kind of just still working out,” he said. “And so because the letter of intent is expiring, they want to make sure that everyone knows that it’s still happening, so they just did this as a kind of — I don’t want to use the word ‘precautionary’ — but just as a kind of standard operating procedure.”

“No problems, everything’s still going according to plan,” he added.

When asked about the project’s timeline,

required for proof of residency and proof of age.”  Also Tuesday, members of the council’s Planning and Zoning Committee unanimously approved plans by St. Mary Orthodox Church, 6330 W. 127th St., to erect a dome and cross as part of renovation and expansion. The committee’s endorsement was later given the green light by the full City Council.

Electoral board sustains candidacy vs. rival’s objection

By Tim Hadac Staff reporter

Photo by Tim Hadac

Aldermanic challenger Bill Moran (foreground) and Alderman Jeffrey M. Key (1st Ward) listen to deliberation by the three-man Palos Heights Electoral Board last week.

Palos Heights Alderman Jeffrey M. Key’s (1st Ward) re-election bid survived a petition challenge last week, but not before a rival candidate leveled a charge of “city hall shenanigans” at an electoral board hearing of his objection against Key’s candidacy.

Candidate Bill Moran made the accusation at a hearing of the city’s electoral board held Wednesday last week at City Hall.

Moran first criticized Deputy City Clerk Patricia Sheppard for notarizing Key’s statement of candidacy and nominating petitions, claiming it was a conflict of interest.

But Moran said his larger concern was the fact that Sheppard said she received Key’s petitions via mail on Dec. 9, six days before the first day that candidates were allowed to

file petitions, yet she did not return them to Key as required.

“They should have been mailed back, but they weren’t. Clearly a violation occurred,” Moran told the three-man electoral board consisting of Mayor Robert Straz, City Clerk Thomas Kantas, and Alderman Alan Fulkerson (3rd).

“That’s what really bothers me the most, that nobody followed any integrity here,” Moran said. “It’s just sad when somebody tries to pull the wool over your eyes…the only word that comes to my mind is ‘shenanigans.’”

Key defended his actions to the board.

“In no way, shape or form did I do anything to try to get an advantage or pull the wool over anyone’s eyes,” the incumbent said.

“The whole idea of filing and being here on Monday morning (Dec. 15) is because whoever files their papers first is going to have the top slot on the ballot, and the candidates’ guide was very clear, saying that if your filing papers were in the mail See KEY, Page 2

Two Orland library hopefuls kicked off April ballot

By Tim Hadac Staff reporter

Voters looking for a contested race and debate of the issues surrounding the Orland Park Public Library will apparently find none, after two of the four candidates were removed from the April 7 ballot on Monday by the village’s Electoral Board.

On a unanimous vote, Charles Jason Kaple and Salvatore LoMonaco were both found to be in violation of election regulations.

The three members of the board are Trustees James V. Dodge Jr. and Kathleen Fenton, and Clerk John C. Mehalek.

Dodge served as chairman, substituting for Mayor Daniel McLaughlin, who recused himself from the ex officio duty over his own concerns about impartiality.

The action leaves two candidates — Joanna Liotine Leafblad and Christian Barcelona — as the only two names on the ballot to fill two, six-year terms.

Incumbents Dan Drew and Beth Gierach decided against running.

Photo by Tim Hadac

Charles Jason Kaple listens as the Electoral Board of Orland Park decides to remove his name from the April 7 ballot, as rival candidate Joanna Liotine Leafblad — who objected to his petitions — watches.

Leafblad, an attorney, was the objector in both cases heard Monday night.

LoMonaco was ruled off the ballot because he failed to file his statement of

economic interests in a timely manner.

He acknowledged that he filed the statement late due to what he called an oversight, but asked that the board use

its discretionary powers to keep him on the ballot —calling his error “a little technicality over a piece of paperwork that doesn’t even apply to me.”

“I would think the Village Board would rather see the citizens of Orland Park decide whether I should be elected to the library board than striking me as a candidate over that type of technicality,” he said to the panel.

After deliberation and consultation with board attorney Jason A. Guisinger, board members told LoMonaco that they did not have the discretionary power to overrule or ignore state election law.

The objection to Kaple’s petitions centered around binding.

Election law states that nominating petitions be bound securely when they are submitted, to prevent tampering.

Kaple said his petitions were held together with a standard black document clip, which was at odds with what Deputy Clerk Joseph La Margo recalled.

Testifying under oath, La Margo said

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See LIBRARY, Page 2

2 Thursday, January 8, 2015

The Regional News

Celebrating on the morning of the Eve

Kathy Lovitt (left) of Palos Heights chats with Rich Olund, a World War II veteran, last Wednesday morning during a New Year’s Eve celebration at Cake and sparkling grape juice were the featured treats at the Palos Hills the McDonald’s in Palos Hills. Lovitt hosts several parties throughout the McDonald’s New Years Eve party, attended by several regular customers year at the restaurant, including Veteran’s Day. of the restaurant.

Terry Hollik (from left), Will Jaslowski, Kathy Lovitt, Dawn Donnell and Jeff Hunter, both of Oak Lawn, were just some of the morning regulars at the Palos Hills McDonalds to attend a New Years Eve party hosted by Lovitt.

Photos by Bob Rakow

Terry Hollik (left) and Will Jaslowski pose at a New Year’s Eve party at the Palos Hills McDonald’s.

Hollik and Jaslowski of Palos Hills wore their finest attire to the party.

New allegations surface against JRW Little League team

By Jeff Vorva and Bob Rakow Staff reporters

In mid-December, the Evergreen Park Athletic Association’s allegations that the Jackie Robinson West baseball team was using illegal players from out of its boundaries were met with relative indifference by Little League officials.

But it caused some people to do some digging, and more allegations are coming out about the team that took Chicago and the nation by storm in the summer.

The DNAinfo.com website recently reported that the JRW boundaries within the city were expanded without the blessing of some league presidents in District 4. That allowed JRW to pluck prime players off their rosters for the 2014 campaign. JRW made it to the nationals and won the United States championship.

DNAinfo reported that Little League rules say redistricting should “not overlap or encroach another chartered Little League’s boundaries.’’

Little League officials said the presidents of the affected charter signed off on the redistricting, but that’s being disputed.

DNAinfo cited a Rosemoor Little League official claiming that the new map was sent in without the permission of the presidents who represent Roseland, Rosemoor and South Side leagues.

“I can tell you 200 percent that we didn’t sign off on that map,” Rosemoor Vice Pres-

Library

Continued from Page 1 that while his memory was not entirely clear on the matter, he did recall Kaple submitting his petitions either with a standard paper clip or with no binding at all.

In any event, none of the methods described would have met election standards, which typically require that petitions have holes punched at uniform locations, and that two-pronged binder clasps are used to fasten the papers securely.

After he was ruled off the ballot, Kaple expressed disgust with the process.

“It’s legal, but it’s not fair,” he said.

Like LoMonaco, Kaple said he has no plans to appeal the decision to the Cook County Circuit Court system.

“You’d have to get lawyers involved, and there’s no point in that,” he said. “I mean, how far do you want to take this for something that’s essentially a trustee position? If I was running for mayor or something, maybe I’d have legal representation.”

Like LoMonaco, he criticized a village

Medical

Continued from Page 1 La Margo said, “I don’t know if we had a timeline. There was never any intent to have a fall groundbreaking.”

He added that a spring groundbreaking is likely.

Trustee James V. Dodge Jr. was more specific, saying after Monday night’s meeting that the village and University of Chicago Medicine are still looking at details like soil testing, running utility lines, and extending Jefferson Avenue north of 143rd Street.

The development is expected to include a pharmacy and a 580-space parking structure, according to a press release issued jointly by the village and the University of Chicago Medicine last spring.

ident Ricardo Coleman told he website.

Chris Janes, the spokesman for the EPAA which helped light this firestorm, said these new charges against the Jackie Robinson team are even more damning than the EPAA’s allegations of using players from out of district such as Homewood and South Holland.

“These latest allegations — which I really had nothing to do with — of usurping other league’s boundaries … that’s out of this world,” Janes said. “It’s scary that they could do that this easily. Four of the kids that were on this year’s championship team were using the addresses of the boundaries that were of South Side Little League Roseland and Rosemoor. They extended that boundary so they can get those four kids.

“There is no Little League district on the planet that will say, ‘We have too many kids, why don’t you take a big portion of my boundaries?’ No way. There is no rationalization for it. Jackie Robinson West has 530 kids participating. Why did they need a bigger boundary? They wanted those four kids.’’

It’s not unlike politicians drawing up new boundaries to help them and their political parties to prosper in a coming election.

“What’s it called? Gerrymandering?’’

Janes said with a laugh.

According to DNAinfo, Little League officials are looking into the map situation for 2015 but are likely not going to do anything about 2014.

Janes, the vice president of the EPAA, said he does not feel bad for sparking these

investigations.

“There’s no justification for them (JRW) to do this,” he said. “I don’t regret doing it at all.”

The EPAA accused JRW of cheating by violating residency rules when it put together the team that competed in the 2014 Little League World Series and won the U.S. title.

Jackie Robinson West’s success was the feel-good story of the summer as a team from Chicago’s South Side came together and rolled through the sectional and state playoffs before winning the U.S. title. JRW lost the title game to a team from Seoul, Korea.

The team enjoyed significant recognition when players and coaches returned to Chicago from Williamsport, Pa., including a downtown pep rally and appearances at both Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field.

Janes said the optimistic story about an urban youth baseball team advancing to the Little League Word Series despite numerous obstacles was the primary reason no one else wanted to expose the suspected cheating.

The EPAA insists that the team was not made up exclusively of boys from Chicago’s South Side. Rather, they were chosen travel teams that hail from nearby suburbs, Janes said. Jackie Robinson West officials deny the accusations.

Janes said that EPAA and officials from other neighboring leagues have long suspected that JRW “cherry picked” the best players from the region but the practice was not uncovered until the team’s 2014 championship run.

candidates guide for what he called ambiguity and a lack of continuity with state election law.

“All I asked is that the village clearly specify in their candidates guide…what is securely fastened and what is unsecurely fastened,” he added. “Just put it in the guide, and everyone will comply with that.”

Nodding at Leafblad, who was exchanging pleasantries with Orland School District 135 Vice President Michael Carroll, who himself is currently a candidate for village trustee, running on McLaughlin’s slate, Kaple made unspecified assertions about “people that have a certain agenda and are willing to do whatever it takes to have people rejected from the ballot or eliminated from running.

It denies choices to voters.”

“Well, lesson learned,” Kaple concluded.

“I was just doing my civic duty. I don’t have a horse in this race. I’ve always used the library, my kids love the library. I don’t have a political agenda.”

Leafblad said after the hearing that she “has an appreciation for being specific and following statutes” because she is an at-

torney, but that all candidates should share that attention to detail and that everyone has easy access to election rules and case law.

Like other candidates, she described herself as a strong supporter of the Orland Park Public Library.

“My family moved to Orland Park when I was in seventh grade,” she said. “My children have grown up in the library. I don’t mean to sound nerdy, but I’m a reader and I love the library—not just for the books and other materials it holds, but for its educational programming and all the opportunities it routinely offers to people of all ages.

Like other candidates, Leafblad gave a measured response regarding the library’s ongoing struggle with those who want to limit Internet access by blocking pornography and other websites that some find offensive.

“The Internet is boundless,” she said. “It would be nice if we could trust the public who utilizes our system in a manner that is fitting and proper; but if not, then it’s worth considering other options. I don’t think it’s useful to cause [library patrons] to be fearful of what could happen the library.”

The proposed mixed-use building is expected to employ more than 100 people and create more than 200 construction jobs. The project would also bring $61 million in private investment and 22,400 annual visits (from patients and others) to Orland Park’s downtown. The direct financial benefit to the village, through the terms of the letter of intent approved by the Village Board, is estimated to be $25.5 million, according to officials.

The medical center is expected to provide radiation oncology and orthopedics. It may include gastroenterology, cardiology, pediatrics and women’s health services, as well as surgical consulting, according to a fact sheet provided to the press. There would also be full diagnostic imaging capabil-

Key

Continued from Page 1

on the first day of filing, it would be considered the same as if you were here in person.

“On that particular day, I knew ahead of time I had a very important doctor’s appointment that I could not change under any circumstance, and I didn’t,” Key continued. “I had many people I could have gone to and had them be my agent that day and present the papers, but I kind of have this rule that when it comes to the aldermanship, I have not asked anyone to ever do anything for me. I had all my own papers signed.”

Key said he “never took a dime from anyone to buy signs and do all this other stuff, and present my own papers. For that reason, I chose to mail them, rather than having a friend or my wife or someone put the papers in…so I wasn’t doing any shenanigans or anything. I was at City Hall for a meeting, I asked our deputy clerk to (notarize) my papers.”

The alderman said that his lack of confidence in the U.S. Postal Service prompted him to mail his petitions immediately on Dec. 8.

“I wanted my petitions here, on the first day of filing, because then, in terms of the position of our names on the ballot, I would have equal footing and we could have a coin flip,” Key said. “So I was concerned about how do I ensure that my papers would get here on the first day of filing, and so for that reason, after I got my petitions notarized, I left City Hall after my meeting and I went right to the post office and I mailed them… I wrote on ‘Election Materials’ on the envelope. I honestly thought that when they got here, that those would just be put on someone’s desk and opened on the day of first filing.”

Key added that if there was “a procedural problem, if they were supposed to be mailed back to me and they weren’t, I shouldn’t be penalized for that.”

Sheppard spoke briefly at the hearing, recalling that when she received Key’s packet in the mail on Dec. 9, “I date-stamped it, I did not open it. It did say ‘Election Papers,’ and I did put it in my folder and left it there until the morning of Dec. 15. I was not aware — and this is the God’s

Photo by Tim Hadac

Palos Heights Deputy City Clerk Patricia Sheppard explains what she did when she received Key’s nominating petitions on Dec. 9.

truth — that I was required to mail these back to him if they were received prior to the 15th.

“Nowhere in the local officials’ guide does it mention that,” Sheppard added. “Had I known, I would have mailed them back, sent them back to him. I truly was not aware that I was required to do so.”

In the end, the board ruled that there was no conflict of interest in Sheppard notarizing candidates’ materials.

Further, Kantas said that the failure to mail back Key’s papers was not a violation of election law, as far as he was aware, but the board appeared to be in agreement that the inaction violated election guidelines.

“I think, equitably, the appropriate thing to do is grant the objection as far as the objection to the timeliness in filing, but then also, for equitable reasons, allow Mr. Key to remain on the ballot,” Fulkerson said near the end of the hearing. “If the city would have returned his nominating papers to him as the objector has said it failed to do, he would have been able to re-file within the five business-day window.”

Key will remain on the ballot, with his name under Moran’s. No other Palos Heights aldermanic races are contested on the April election ballot.

Photo by Tim Hadac

Feras Sweis of St. Mary Orthodox Church shows renovation plans to members of the Palos Heights City Council’s Planning & Zoning Committee Tuesday Night at City Hall.

Water

Continued from Page 1 The ambitious plans have been in the works for more than a year, according to architect and Parish Council member Feras Sweis, who added that full plans will be unveiled during the Jan. 17-18 visit to Palos Heights of His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America.

The church, built in 1968 to house Stone Church, was purchased by St. Mary Orthodox Church in 2012, which had been located in Alsip.  Planning & Zoning Committee members approved, on a 3-1 vote, plans to authorize a spe-

cial-use permit that would enable a law firm to set up shop in a vacant storefront in the 12200 block of South Harlem Avenue, in a strip designated for retail businesses.

Voting against the idea was Alderman Jeffrey Key (1st), who said that the move would be counterproductive to the city’s efforts to revive the long-struggling retail strip in the heart of Palos Heights’ downtown. Voting aye on the idea were Aldermen Jack Clifford (2nd), Alan Fulkerson (3rd) and Michael McGrogan (4th), who generally seemed to agree that the importance of bringing business life to the strip outweighed waiting for a retail revival that may or may not materialize.

Supplied photos

Members of the champion Orland Park Pioneers varsity cheerleading squad are all smiles as they pose with Mayor Daniel McLaughlin, shortly before receiving Community Pride Awards Monday night. The cheerleaders won the Southwest Cheerleading Coordinators League’s 2014 competition.

Orland Park Pioneers football players rub elbows with Mayor McLaughlin shortly before receiving Community Pride Awards at Monday night’s village board meeting. The squad was undefeated in its most recent season and captured the Southwest Midget Football League crown.

ity onsite for MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds and mammography.

The letter of intent that was

land--essentially the site of the old Orland Plaza Shopping Center.

Under the pact, the village will

extended on Monday calls for a lease-to-purchase agreement for about 3.48 acres of village-owned

lease the land to the University of Chicago Medicine, which will take ownership after 25 years.

The Regional News

Thursday, January 8, 2015

3

Heights PD alerts community to thefts from vehicles

By Tim Hadac Staff reporter

Palos Heights police are warning residents to take common-sense precautions after a string of at least eight burglaries involving vehicles struck residences in recent weeks.

The crimes occurred in the late evening to early-morning hours and have typically been to unlocked motor vehicles, according to a community alert issued Monday by the Police Department.

Westgate Valley was especially hard hit by the thefts. “The areas along Ridgeland Avenue from 127th Street to 135th Street have been targeted in

most incidents, but all residents are reminded to be vigilant,” police stated.

The string of burglaries began in the early-morning hours of Dec. 19, when three vehicles parked in the 13300 block of South Greenleaf Court were burglarized. Stolen were $100 cash, a tablet computer, and two pairs of designer sunglasses valued at $150 each.

The next crime in the string occurred overnight Dec. 22-23, when a thief stole $8 from a car parked in a garage in the 400 block of Shadow Creek Drive.

The victim, a 46-year-old woman, told police that the garage’s overhead door had been left open.

A day later, two other people — also

Orland Public Works offers reminders for snow and cold The Orland Park Public Works Department prepared for the winter blast Monday as the village issued seasonal reminders for residents to help get through snowy weather.

Snow fell Monday night and Tuesday morning, coupled with wind chills of 15 to 30 below zero.

Residents are asked to check on the well-being of neighbors who may be in need of help.

Parking on village streets is prohibited once 2 inches of snow fall. Parked vehicles must be kept off the street for 10 hours after it snows, enabling plowing crews to make clear passes.

Residents should never push shoveled snow into the street and always to the lawn or parkway.

“This is a huge problem every year,” said village Director of Infrastructure Maintenance John Ingram.

Orland Park’s other snow tips include keeping trash toters behind the curbline to prevent them from rolling into the street. Residents who are physically able are asked to clear a path to fire hydrants from the street, clearing a 3-foot perimeter around the hydrant so firefighters can access it quickly and easily in an emergency.

in the 400 block of Shadow Creek Drive — reported that their unlocked cars were rummaged through. A driver’s license was reported stolen.

The next crime occurred overnight Dec. 26-27, when $8 cash, a gift card, and glasses were stolen from an unlocked vehicle owned by a 71-year-old man and parked in the 100 block of Shadow Creek Drive.

Three days later, a 39-year-old woman told police that someone stole her purse from her unlocked vehicle, which was parked in the 12800 block of South Ridgeland Avenue. The crime was discovered at 5:30 p.m., according to the police report.

Other items taken in the crimes

include GPS units, MP3 players and more, according to police.

At Tuesday night’s meeting of the Palos Heights City Council, Alderman Jerry McGovern announced that an arrest has been made in connection with the recent string of burglaries from motor vehicles in the Westgate Valley area, but had no details on the suspect as of this newspaper’s deadline.

Police are asking city residents and their guests to take several steps to prevent vehicle burglaries: • Lock vehicle doors and windows.

• Set vehicle alarms.

• Do not leave valuables in vehicles, especially in plain view.

• Hide garage door openers, MP3

Happy Noon Year at Heights Recreation Center

docking stations, GPS mounts and similar devices.

• Report suspicious persons promptly by calling 911 and including a description of the person and location, especially people spotted walking down streets and peering into vehicles or trying door handles.

“Suburban communities that have historically thought of themselves as ‘safe’ and insulated from crime are often easy pickings for thieves, burglars and other petty criminals,” said Paul Rutherford of Cook County Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization that pays cash rewards for tips that result in the arrest and conviction of criminals.

Mayors protest sale of ‘inflammatory’ T-shirt at Richards D218 officials say sale wasn’t sanctioned

By Bob Rakow Staff reporter

Elle Enright (from left), Emily Ready, Maeve Enright and Niamh Enright ring in the New Year among more than 300 people who attended the Noon Year’s Eve celebration Wednesday last week at the Palos Heights Recreation Center. The recreation department enlisted the help of two sponsors for the daylight event for families. The Palos Area Chamber of Commerce provided the disc jockey, and 7-Eleven donated pizza. Beside music by the and games, guests enjoyed a bounce house and arts and crafts making party hats, noise makers and cereal necklaces. The countdown to noon led to a 1,000 balloon drop to end the festivities.

Retirement ends Klotz family’s 77 years of Orland Fire service

W

hen Orland Fire Protection District Lt. Gerald Klotz Jr. hung up his bunker gear for the last time on Dec. 30, it meant the end of an era. The third generation Orland firefighter is part of a long line dating back to 1937.

A lifelong resident of Orland Park, Klotz was the first baby born in the region in 1965. “There weren’t as many people living out here,” Klotz said chuckling. “I was the New Year baby for the region when I was born at Silver Cross on Jan. 2.”

“Serving Orland Fire has been a tradition in my family. All of my grandparents were involved with the department along with my dad, one of my uncles and my older sister,” Klotz said. “My paternal grandfather, Hank Klotz, joined the then Orland Park Volunteer Fire Department in 1937. My grandmothers, Bernadette Klotz and Eleanor Voss, were active in the Women’s Auxiliary.”

Hank Klotz was assigned badge No. One in 1937, and 46 years later his grandson was assigned badge No. 100 when he was hired full time in 1983.

Klotz’s maternal grandfather, Paul Voss, was a founding member of the Orland Fire Protection District when it was formed in 1969. Orland Fire Station No. 2, at 151st Street and 80th Avenue, is dedicated to Voss’s memory.

“The Orland Park Volunteer Fire Department broke off from the village of Orland Park in the late ‘60s and formed the Orland Fire Protection District,” Klotz explained. “My grandfather, Paul Voss, was one of the district’s first board members.”

Both of Klotz’s grandfathers worked their way through the ranks, serving as firefighters, officers, deputy chiefs and chiefs. Klotz’s father, Gerald Klotz Sr., was a longtime Orland firefighter, officer, deputy chief and served on the Orland Fire Protection Board of Trustees, most recently as board president in the early ‘90s. Klotz’s uncle, Richard Klotz, was on the department in the mid-1950s.

“I have great memories of going to the firehouse with my grandfather and my dad,” Gerald Klotz Jr. recalled. “We lived on Beacon Avenue and the firehouse was where the Old Village Hall still stands at 14415 S. Beacon. My grandparents lived across the street from us and when the fire alarm sounded, my dad and grandfather would run up the street to the firehouse to jump on the rig to respond.

That’s one of our favorite family stories — my dad throwing on his gear as he ran the half block to the firehouse.”

A white clapboard two story building at the current Beacon Avenue Old Village

The retirement of Orland Fire Protection District Lt. Gerald Klotz Jr. on Dec. 30 marked the end of a 77-year family history with Orland Fire. Klotz was the third generation of Orland firefighters in his family.

Hall site housed the village hall and fire department dating back to the early 1890s.The senior Klotz was part of the volunteer crew that built the current Old Village Hall in 1961. Orland Fire Station No.1, at 9790 West 151st St., opened in 1974 and village offices moved to the Ravinia Avenue Village Center in 1989.

Gerald Klotz Jr. began serving as a cadet for Orland Fire in 1980 and served as a paid-on-call/volunteer firefighter from 1983 to 1988. In January, 1988 he was hired as a full-time firefighter/paramedic and in August, 1993 was promoted to lieutenant. He has served as the gold shift lieutenant at Orland Fire Station No. 6, 17460 Wolf Road, for the last 15 years.

Klotz holds a number of certifications in fire service and management and is an alumnus of Sandburg High School.

“I’ve spent my entire life with Orland Fire and there have been many families who have been a part of the department since it formed in the early 1890s. I’m very proud that our family is a big part of that history,” Klotz said.

A highlight of Klotz’s career was his involvement with the local, state and national award winning CART/LAAP Committee (Combined Agencies to Reduce Trauma/Local Alcohol Awareness Program). “CART/LAAP was a cooperative effort between the fire district, the village and area hospitals to educate people on the life saving effects of safety belts and the life threatening effects of drunk driving,” Klotz explained.

Formed in the late 1980s, the group conducted student body presentations at area high schools with firsthand perspectives offered by victims of drunk driving. The collaboration also produced

the national award winning 30-minute docudrama, “Shattered Lives – Shattered Dreams,” with volunteers from a number of area emergency agencies.

“CART/LAAP was a great program spearheaded by Bill Bonnar, Sr. and Dave Kohlstedt. We were able to bring the firsthand experiences of first responders and drunk driving victims to young people, making them think about the choices they make,” said Klotz, who served as the group’s president in the early ‘90s.

Klotz’s civic involvement was recognized in 2013 when he was named to the High School District 230 Legacy Hall of Fame. Klotz has been involved in scouts for 20 years, helping with his daughter’s Girl Scout activities and serving as a Boy Scout den leader, cubmaster and scoutmaster. He is the founding scoutmaster of the national award winning Orland Park Boy Scout Troop 383.

He also coached girls’ softball, baseball and both boys’ and girls’ basketball for the Orland Youth Association. He served as a volunteer coach for the Tinley Park Bobcats Baseball and Orland Hills Wolves Football.

In May, 2010, the Orland Park Lions Club named him grand marshal of the Orland Days Parade, a salute to the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th Anniversary.

Klotz was chosen having been an Orland Park Boy Scout as a youth and a longtime Orland Park scout leader.

Klotz and his wife, Margie Owens-Klotz, have two children, Stephanie, 26 and Timothy, 15, a freshman at Providence Catholic High School.

Describing his plans for retirement, Klotz said, “We have a number of boys in Troop 383 who are well on their way to reaching Eagle Scout. I look forward to helping them achieve that goal. I also want to continue working and am looking at different options.”

Asked about the fourth generation, Klotz said, “Our Tim is just a freshman in high school so he has a ways to go before he looks at a career in fire service. Football is his passion right now but if he chooses fire service, he’ll want to be chief.”

Looking back on his 30-plus years of service, Klotz said, “I’ve met some great people. That’s one of the perks of being a part of a fire crew. They’re your second family and the firehouse camaraderie is second to none. That’s what I’ll miss the most.”

Two area mayors co-wrote a letter of protest when they found out “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirts were sold at Richards High School.

But the sale of the controversial T-shirts was never sanctioned at the Oak Lawn school, and the individual who recently attempted to hawk the controversial shirt in the school cafeteria during finals week was immediately escorted out of the building, District 218 officials said.

The unidentified individual, who is reportedly a Moraine Valley Community College student, might have sold two or three shirts before security removed him from the Oak Lawn school, said John Byrne, superintendent of Community High School District 218.

Byrne’s explanation of the incident came after he and Richards principal John Hallberg received a letter from Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury and Chicago Ridge Mayor Chuck Tokar protesting the sale of the shirt.

The slogan on the black T-shirt was inspired by the last words of Eric Garner, the New York man who died after a police officer put him in a chokehold.

Both Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James and Chicago Bulls player Derrick Rose have worn the T-shirt during pregame warmups, prompting members of high school basketball teams to do the same.

In many instances, however, school administrators or tournament officials have prevented teams from wearing the shirts.

District 218 officials have prevented district teams from wearing the shirt because of its inflammatory nature, Byrne said.

Bury and Tokar agreed that the shirt casts an anti-police message that could potentially put officers in danger and conveyed that message in a letter to Byrne and Hallberg.

“It has been brought to our attention that Richards High School has approved the sale of “I Can’t Breathe” shirts on its campus. As you may know, the slogan has become the rally cry of violent anti-police protests nationwide, including the outright assassination of two police officers in New York,” the mayors wrote.

“We are writing to express our outrage at this decision and feel that the sale of anti-police/ pro-violence T-shirts should not be condoned on the campus of any area school. Further, we feel the sale of these inflammatory t-shirts on Richards High School campus creates a climate that potentially can place our officers and communities in danger, and this is something we cannot be quiet about,” the letter said.

Byrne said a call from either mayor would have clarified the matter and obviated the need for a letter.

“I wish they would have just called me,” Byrne said.

He added that the school’s art department is working with students to create an alternate shirt that promotes unity. Byrne has not seen the final design for the shirt, he said. “We want this to be the kids’ idea.”

Rumors circulated last week that some of the individuals involved in the melee at Chicago Ridge Mall were wearing the shirt.

Tokar described the T-shirt as “inflammatory.”

“Let’s not fuel the fire,” Bury added.

Jordan Murray of Burbank Plans to earn his associate degree in Mechanical Design/Drafting Member of the Art Club

REGISTER NOW! Classes start Jan.12.

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4 Thursday, January 8, 2015

EDITORIAL

Lower taxes and gas prices: Wallets will be fatter in 2015

E

njoy the pay raise, but be careful about spending it all.

Readers of this newspaper and Illinois taxpayers everywhere will have significantly more spending money this year than last year, thanks to uncertain politics in Springfield and a dazzling decline in world energy prices.

A four-year, state income-tax increase expired last week, leaving a typical family of four with an income of $52,000 paying about $650 less in 2015 than in 2014, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue.

That’s almost $11 a week. Not bad.

Then, there are automobile expenses. As evidenced by the recent sale of $1.99 a gallon gas at Circle K in Bridgeview, local gas prices have plummeted nearly 50 percent since July 2014. For the average driver, that translates into almost $30 in savings each week.

Between lower taxes and lower energy prices, the average head of a household reading this newspaper could realize an extra $2,000 a year in spending money in 2015 versus 2014, simply because of state politics and global market forces.

That’s good news. Higher household incomes usually translate into greater demand for goods and services. And that usually leads to greater investment (and job opportunities) from business owners who are gaining confidence that increasing amounts of money will circulate in the local economy.

That is, if the reductions stick.

The drop in the tax rate means a steep decline in revenue for the state of Illinois. The state already faces a $2 billion deficit through the end of the fiscal year in June. The individual rate drops from 5 percent to 3.75 percent, while the corporate income tax rate declines from 7 percent to 5.25 percent.

Incoming Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has a formidable challenge if he’s to allow the surcharge to be reduced, as he favors. The architect of the increase — now vanquished Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn — campaigned on making the hike permanent, and the Democratic-controlled Legislature planned on it when it passed this year’s budget.

However, voters elected otherwise. They opted for Rauner, the Republican, and Democratic super majorities in the Legislature. Who says campaigns don’t matter?

During the campaign, Rauner said he would support tax changes to encourage business growth but also left the door wide open to increasing sales taxes. Leaders of the Democratic-controlled Legislature are saying little and giving the governor-elect a chance to produce a concrete plan. “He’s got to come to us,” one lawmaker told this newspaper.

Meantime, gas prices are a little easier to predict, but not much. Capital budgets from natural gas producers in the United States, the biggest drivers of lower energy prices, are being slashed by as much as 50 percent in 2015, suggesting lower energy prices for the remainder of the new year.

Meantime, oil producers, from Saudi Arabia to Russia, the real losers from plunging energy prices, have stated publicly that they do not expect prices to bounce back until 2016.

If this is true, and it probably is, readers of this newspaper can count on one-to-two years of $1,000-$2,000 per year in pay raises.

Enjoy, and don’t spend it all in one place. It won’t last forever.

Letters policy The Regional News encourages letters to the editor.

Letters must be signed and the name of the writer will be published. Include your address and telephone number for verification purposes. Limit letters to no more than 300 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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OPINION READERS WRITE

The Regional News

Walter’s Barn story celebrates family and community landmark Dear Editor: A special thanks to The Regional for seeing the value in our family event the Sunday before New Year’s. Covering a story at the last minute on a Sunday during the holiday week shows the paper’s commitment to our community. The visit by reporters was pleasant and rewarding and the pictures and story captured our day beautifully.

It’s neat to have family memories. It’s even better when the family is close and connected. It’s best when your family memories involve a weave of other people who have been blessed by your grandparents.

On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Witt family gathered at my grandparents’ “clubhouse” on 86th Avenue in Palos Park to celebrate our history. Turns out, “our” history belongs to lots of people!

My grandparents, Walter and Alma Witt were entrepreneurs of their day, opening a business in the late 1930s that provided horseback riding, hay and sleigh rides and dance parties. My grandparents threw themselves into the business, and were magnets to all kinds of folks. They were an oasis in the busy lives of many “city slickers” who came out to the “boondocks” for adventure, romance, a country get-away. They were a dream come true for novice and experienced horse owners looking for a place to board.

They were second parents to more kids than I could fathom. They were “the best summer job ever” to lots of strong and agile boys and girls who have unforgettable memories (not to mention a good start in life). They are the reason my parents met.

They built a life and a reputation for our family that make us proud. They valued and spent time with each of their kids, grandkids and the great-grands who were blessed to know them for a short while. They taught us morals and values and tied us together as a team. They led us by example into our church, our community and into a hard and strong work ethic.

The party on Dec. 28 brought together generations of family, extended family, neighbors and old barn friends. We looked at pictures, ate the staple hot dogs and hot chocolate, reminisced and reminisced and reminisced. Each person was caught at some point just looking around the room (which was cleared, cleaned and decorated for the occasion) with nostalgic eyes. The great grands ran around making their own memories for the future.

Ours was a farewell party. After Grandma died in 2012, the property was divided among the children and two of the lots were put up for sale. The bad news is that one of the lots is leaving Witt possession.

The good news is that it was sold to our dear friends, the Krivanics. Five Krivanic boys grew up two doors away. Grandma and Grandpa were second parents to these boys, and the boys held a special place in my grandparents’ hearts. Bill Krivanic continued to live next door into adulthood.

He told me that he envied the emotional

Walter Witt is shown in the 1940s at Walter’s Barn in Palos Park, a stable that served as a community gathering place for the horsy set.

and geographical closeness of the Witt clan.

His daughter will build a home where my grandparents gave us roots. Bill will live next to his grandchildren. Not all change is bad.

— Laura Witt

The end of an era Dear Editor: The family of Walter and Alma Witt wish to thank The Regional for chronicling the end of an era in our lives and for the Palos area. There are so many memories.

The property on 86th Avenue was purchased in March 1939. The horse barn was built and Walter started to rent horses to “city slickers,” or “cowboys” as he called them. Cost for an hour ride was 50 cents and climbed ever so slowly to $3.50. Hayrack and sleigh rides were added at a cost of $1 per person. Hot dogs, hot chocolate and coffee were prepared by Alma and Clara (Walter’s mom).

Dancing above the horse barn became popular (lights out at midnight) – both square dancing and dancing to the music of the time. When the teen club of Palos dissolved during World War II, Walter purchased their jukebox from the village of Palos Park, and it provided great entertainment for years above the barn and eventually in the clubhouse, too! In recent years, that jukebox was rescued from the basement of Walter and Alma by their grandson, Robert Witt. He had it restored it to its original beauty, and it now entertains guests in his Manhattan home. Partygoers came from the South Side of Chicago for the most part, and they thought they had

gone to the “boondocks.” Groups came from Morgan Park Junior College, Calumet High School, Don McNeil’s Breakfast Club, Stone Church, and more.

In the early 1950s, the dances were moved to the “clubhouse”, which was originally built in 1943-44 to house Walter’s machinery. Walter modified and finished the inside of the building and the “partying” continued. A new bubble jukebox replaced the original (which played 78 rpm records).

The “new one” played 45s. I, as a teenager, would go to the Blue Island record store with my mom (Alma) each week to buy the latest hits. Talk about a happy teenager!

The hayrack and sleigh rides were originally pulled by horses, and eventually by tractors. The sleigh rides traveled the forest trails and sometimes 86th Avenue. Back in the day there was more snow and it stayed on the roads. The hayrides traveled 86th Ave toward “North Palos” (Palos Hills) until the 86th Avenue canal bridge was closed. After the closing, Palos roads were used until Palos said “no more” and then the trails in the forest preserve until they said “no more”. At the end of the hayride era, the road along the canal was used. In the late 1970’s, lights came to the high school sports fields and hayrides were slowly replaced… Hay ride drivers included Art Schackow, Fred Froelke, Tom Martin, Fred Mulhausen, Tony Peterson, Bob Muscato, Ray Esche, sons Walter, Ronald and Robert, son-in-law Steve, grandson Gary.

Another big job was making hay, which was done by anyone who happened to be around. Hay for the horses was cut, baled, and packed into the hayshed. Very little hay was purchased until fields were lost to urban growth.

On the business side, hayride insurance also became increasingly expensive in the late 70’s. Now horses were Walter’s livelihood – both renting and boarding.

There were as many as 40 rental horses, and anywhere from 4 to 20 boarded horses.

This era lasted until 1989, when the stable closed.

Many young ladies from Palos Park spent time at the barn. They would clean, groom horses and guide trail rides just for the opportunity to be with and ride horses. I remember one Mom telling my dad (Walter) that he was the best babysitter ever because she could drop her daughter off at the barn, go shopping and come back knowing everything would be just fine! The Krivanic boys lived a block away from the barn and had their turn as barnboys. After they grew up, Walter’s grandchildren filled those jobs.

Now the best of this story. Work hard and you’d be treated to a black cow from Itzel’s or a homemade malt made with Itzel ice cream. There were also the outings to Riverview Park at the end of the hay season. These were the best days. But time goes on and changes come.

Part of the property is being sold to the daughter of Bill Krivanic. We welcome Trina and Mike to the block.

— The Witt Family

Grateful for the care shown at Palos Hospital’s ER When I was a full-time journalist, one of my responsibilities besides covering politics was to cover tragedy.

I covered dozens of fires in which families and children had been lost to the flames.

There were car accidents with grisly scenes of trauma and death, and even a few shootings.

It was tough, especially when I had to ask the families to talk about the family members, especially the children, who were lost. They were reluctant, but I explained this story might be their only remaining public memory to their child or loved one.

That was only a few times a year. I didn’t like to do it. I didn’t like to have to be there and share in the suffering that parents experienced when their kids were killed.

But imagine how much tougher it is to work in a hospital emergency room, dealing with death and tragedy every day, and several times a day.

I had a chance to see this frontline of care when I assisted an elderly woman who was having serious psychiatric problems, again, and needed her medicine. She was not an easy patient to get to the Emergency Room at Palos Hospital, where a team of medical professionals was ready to help her.

She was living in filth, barely eating. She is very poor. When she can get money, she

VIEW FINDER

RAY HANANIA spends it on cigarettes and a daily diet of Subway sandwiches, the cheapest-costing food she could find.

The emergency responders at Palos Hospital were so courteous, especially as the patient tried to face her fears. It’s not easy to sit on a gurney in an emergency room with your own problems, and listen to the screams and crying of others in adjacent treatment rooms.

It’s frightening. More tragic is to imagine the death that takes place, probably on a daily basis.

For someone with a long history of mental issues, and fighting homelessness, it has to be even more frightening not knowing what will happen, or to be imagining things that are even far worse.

Most of us have experienced a hospital emergency room. We have our own problems and we need help. Sitting there, sometimes you wonder if you are going to be leaving.

I watched as the doctors, nurses and medical staff at Palos Hospital’s emergency room were not only so professional but also so caring.

You could feel their genuine concern for the patient, whom they did not know. One of dozens they would see that day and every day.

How do they do it? How do they listen to the pain and suffering day in and day out and not be affected by it all?

I always asked myself if I could maintain my sanity covering fires, car accidents or the aftermath of violence on a daily basis as a reporter. Emergency responders at hospitals such as Palos have to do it all the time.

It was amazing to me.

Take a moment and give thanks to all fi rst responders who help us through our tragedies: police, fi refighters and the employees at emergency rooms at Palos Hospital and others, including Christ Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, Silver Cross Hospital and more.

Thanks to them, truly needy people not only receive the medicine and medical treatment they need, they also receive it in a respectful and caring manner.

I saw it first-hand. They have my respect.

Ray Hanania is an award-winning former Chicago City Hall reporter. Reach him with your stories at rghanania@gmail.com.

What do you do to stay warm during freezing cold weather?

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This newspaper is dedicated to the memory of those who gave their lives to protect America’s This newspaper is dedicated to freedom of the press, whenever and however the memory of those who gave their lives to protect America’s freeit may be threatened.

dom of the press, whenever and This newspaper newspaper dedicated This dedicated to to however it may beisthreatened. the memory memory of those who the who gave gave theirlives lives to protect America’s their to protect America’s free-

Ed Hennessy, Oak Lawn

John Kozak, Oak Forest

Georg Clifton, Oak Lawn

“I stay inside as much as I can.”

“Go ice fishing.”

“Dress warm and stay indoors. I’m retired so I don’t have to go anywhere.”

• Asked at the Oak Lawn Pavilion. Photos by Bob Rakow

Mike Pavlik, Oak Lawn “I got construction gloves from work and a hoodie. You can never get used to being in the cold weather.”

Jim Pubins, Burbank “I’m retired and in the house.”

The Regional News

Thursday, January 8, 2015

5

For 911 dispatch, Bury insists Norcomm was right way to go

By Bob Bong

Southwest News Publishing The deal for Norcomm to run Oak Lawn’s communications center is about to enter its second year and has so far saved the village an estimated $400,000.

The partnership got off to a rocky start with complaints from the then dispatchers about the change to a private company, and there has been continued criticism by some elected officials, notably Trustee Bob Streit, about problems with the new dispatchers.

Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury said the switch was necessary.

“We had to do something because we were so expensive as a dispatch center,” she said. “We had one dispatcher who was paid $213,000 and the average salary was more than $100,000. We were not competitive.

“We had municipalities that were threatening to leave because it was costing them so much to use our dispatch center.

“We made the move to keep the center in Oak Lawn,” she said in a recent interview. “It would have been a tragedy if we had to close this center. It represents a huge taxpayer investment.”

“We would have preferred to work with the former dispatchers.

They said ‘no,’” she said.

Mike Tillman, a vice president with Norcomm Public Safety Communications, said the move has been well received.

“Our dispatchers have proved to be very experienced,” he said. “We have had little to no complaints from the general public.”

Tillman said Norcomm hired five of the former dispatchers and three are still working in the center, which is still located at Oak Lawn Village Hall.

“Many of them declined to be interviewed,” he said. “Some did not meet our qualifications.”

He said dispatchers in Oak Lawn are now better trained than ever.

“All of them went through our training academy,” he said. “They then receive certifications that they did not receive previously.”

He said the training takes place at the backup communications center at the Oak Lawn Fire Department, which is also used for Advocate Christ Medical Center calls.

Bury downplayed much of the ongoing criticism surrounding the deal with Norcomm as politics.

“The criticism is heating up as the April elections approach,” she said. “It’s political opportunists inciting people to be fearful.”

She said Norcomm was selected because of its expertise with emergency communications.

Tillman said Norcomm was created in 1994 as Illinois’ first private 911 call center with a handshake between Superior Ambulance and the North Lake Fire Department.

In 2004, Norcomm added police dispatch duties and now handles calls for five police departments, 10 fire departments and one mutual aid service. The company staffs municipal call centers in Cicero and River Grove in addition to Oak Lawn.

Under the contract, Norcomm was paid $1.99 million for the first year and will be paid $2 million for the second year. The contract can be extended for three more years with payments of $2.1 million, $2.2 million and $2.3 million in the third, fourth and fifth years.

Either party can also cancel the agreement if 30 days of notice is given.

The village budgeted $3.3 million for the center last year and has budgeted $3.2 million for 2015.

Those budgets include costs for administrative salaries, equipment and software and other operational expenses, said Village Manager Larry Deetjen.

Norcomm has 16 full-time dispatchers and 10 part-time dispatchers assigned to the Oak Lawn communications center, which provides 911 service to police departments in Oak Lawn, Burbank,

New cyber law will help protect privacy from revenge porn posts A tragic local death first led Illinois Sen. Michael Hastings, a Tinley Park Democrat, to begin researching cyberbullying and ways to fight it.

In doing that research, Hastings learned of a heinous form of Internet intimidation known as “revenge porn” that slipped through antiquated loopholes in state law.

“Unfortunately, there are situations where a jilted lover who, in act of vengeance, distributes an image or video that was made in private,” explained Hastings. “And with the rise of social media, it is now easier than ever for those photos to be passed around like a dirty note in class causing extreme embarrassment and destroying reputations and lives.”

Hastings response was SB 1009, which seeks to deter such activity by making it a felony to share or otherwise distribute online sexually explicit videos and photos of another person without that person’s consent. The governor signed that legislation into law on Monday.

It takes effect on June 1, 2015.

In Illinois, it is already illegal to post identifying or graphic information of a minor, or an adult without consent, on a pornographic site. However, there had been no state law to prevent a former partner from posting or distributing explicit photos or videos that had been shared privately.

Hastings’ SB 1009 closes that loophole and makes violations a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in jail and a $25,000

fine. (See details below) Hastings said he was shocked at how frequently this abuse occurs. According to the End Revenge Porn campaign, one in 10 ex-partners threatens to post explicit photos and roughly 60 percent follow through. Women are overwhelmingly the target of such intimidation.

“It’s physiological abuse to the highest degree and is intended to humiliate, threaten and control the person,” Hastings said. “It can be extremely devastating to an unsuspecting victim. There are reported instances where the victims are forced to leave their job, change their name and even move to escape the barrage of unwanted harassment.

“It is my hope that this law will make people think twice and offer some protections,” he said.

This legislation comes in response to the recent phenomenon of posting “revenge porn” on the Internet. “Revenge porn” refers to the non-consensual distribution of sexually explicit photos or videos, which had been shared privately.

The name stems from the majority of reported situations in which people post sexually explicit photos or videos of former lovers on the Internet. This is often accompanied by personal identifying information and, at times, distributed to the former lover’s friends, family and coworkers. Some individuals and websites have even charged people to remove their own photos or videos from the Internet. This legislation also provides several

exemptions and allows the forfeiture of any property used in the commission of the crime.

SB1009 creates the Class 4 felony offense of “non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images”. This occurs when someone: 1. intentionally disseminates an image of another person: a. who is at least 18 years of age; b. who is identifiable from the image itself or information displayed in connection with the image; and c. who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed, in whole or in part; and 2. the person disseminating the image: a. obtains the image under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know or understand that the image was to remain private; and b. knows or should have known that the person in the image has not consented to the dissemination.

A Class 4 felony carries a penalty of 1 – 3 years imprisonment, up to 2.5 years probation and/or a fine of up to $25,000.

Finally, SB1009 provides that a person convicted of this offense is subject to forfeiture of any proceeds or property, including any interest in any businesses, acquired or maintained from the commission of this offense. To date, 15 states have passed laws criminalizing revenge porn.

— Sen. Michael Hastings

Palos Heights police charged Brandon J. Keller, 28, of Oak Forest, with DUI, aggravated speeding, and failure to signal a lane change after they curbed his vehicle in the 13500 block of South Harlem Avenue at 1:33 a.m. last Thursday. Police said his vehicle was traveling at 85 mph, 50 mph over the posted limit. Bond was set at $3,000, and Keller was given a court date of Feb. 24 in Bridgeview.

Anthony T. Malgioglio, 26, of Chicago Ridge, was charged with DUI and speeding after police stopped his vehicle in the 12900 block of South Harlem Avenue at 4 a.m. last Thursday. His vehicle was spotted traveling at 57 mph, 22 mph over the posted limit, according to the police report. Bond was set at $1,000, and Malgioglio is scheduled to appear in court in Bridgeview on Feb. 24.

Police charged Matthew E. Pawlak, 18, of Palos Heights, with DUI, possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper lane usage, and failure to use headlights when required. His vehicle was pulled over by police in the 11900 block of South Harlem Avenue at 7:42 p.m. Saturday. A search of the vehicle yielded a glass smoking pipe and several plastic bags containing cannabis, according to the police report, which also stated that Pawlak admitted smoking cannabis prior to driving.

Bond was set at $3,000, and Pawlak is due in court in Bridgeview on Feb. 5.

Charged with driving while license suspended

Sylvia Moreno, 45, of Burnham, was charged with driving on a suspended license after police conducted a random plate check and curbed her vehicle in the 7200 block of West 127th Street at 11:14 p.m. Saturday. Bond was set at $1,500, and Moreno is scheduled to appear in court in Bridgeview on Feb. 5.

Police charged Jose Calderon, 54, of Bolingbrook, with driving on a suspended license after police conducted a random plate check and stopped his vehicle in the 7100 block of West College Drive at 9:16 a.m. Dec. 30. Bond was set

Evergreen Park and Bridgeview.

It also handles its own fire calls and fire calls for Bedford Park and Central Stickney.

The private-public partnership between Oak Lawn and Norcomm may be the way of the future as

municipalities search for ways to save money on such services as emergency dispatching and firefighting.

In nearby McCook, New Lenox-based Kurtz Ambulance Service has taken over firefighting and

ambulance duties from the village fire department, which was disbanded in August.

North Riverside is also seeking to disband its fire department and turn the job over to a private company.

POLICE BLOTTER: ORLAND PARK Accused speeder charged with unlawful weapon use Orland Park police charged Sylvester Lofton Jr., 32, of Park Forest, with unlawful use of a weapon, speeding, driving on a suspended license, and no proof of insurance after they curbed his SUV in the 14300 block of South La Grange Road at 6:09 a.m. Dec. 17.

Police said they spotting the vehicle traveling at 49 mph, 14 mph over the posted limit. A search of the SUV yielded a loaded .40-caliber pistol and holster, according to the police report. Lofton has a valid FOID card, but did not have it with him when police stopped him, police said. He does not have a concealed carry license, according to the police report. His vehicle was towed and impounded, and Lofton is set to appear in court today in Bridgeview.

hicle was towed and impounded, and Turner was due in court in Bridgeview on Friday.

Drivers charged with DUI

Charged with possession

Police charged Robert M. Heinlein, 43, of Oak Forest, with DUI, driving on a suspended license, no proof of insurance, making an improper turn, and driving without headlights on when required. Police curbed his car in the 8000 block of West 159th Street at 8:27 p.m. Dec. 19. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and Heinlein was due at a bond hearing at 26th and California on Dec. 20.

Jeffrey C. Blachowicz, 29, of Orland Park, was charged with DUI, as well as improper lane usage at 1:18 p.m. Dec. 19. Police said they saw him driving erratically near Wolf Road and Hancock Street and followed his car to his home in the 16400 block of South Paw Paw Avenue. Once home, Blachowicz allegedly pulled into his garage and closed the overhead door before walking inside. Police said they knocked on the home’s front door and convinced his mother to get him to come outside. Blachowicz is due in court today in Bridgeview.

Sean M. Velkavrh, 27, of Oak Forest, was charged with possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper lane usage, and no light over the rear registration tag, after police stopped his car near 144th Street and Oakley Avenue at 12:42 a.m. Dec. 18. A search of the vehicle yielded a plastic container with cannabis inside, as well as a hitter box, according to the police report.

Velkavrh is scheduled to appear at a hearing at the Orland Park Civic Center on Tuesday.

Charged with driving while license suspended

Man charged with battery at Orland Square Police charged Christopher D. Jones, 37, of Matteson, with battery after he allegedly started beating a 40-year-old man at Orland Square Mall at 9:09 p.m. Dec. 16. The victim, a relative of Jones, told police the attack was unprovoked and a complete surprise, police said. Jones reportedly said he attacked the victim in retaliation for a similar attack on him by the victim and friends a few days earlier, according to the police report. Jones was given a court date of Jan. 26 in Bridgeview.

Police charged Coti A. Fudge Remaly, 20, of Orland Park, with driving on a suspended license, as well as operating a motor vehicle Woman charged with no front license plate, after they stopped with retail theft of bra at $1,500, and Calderon is set to appear in court his car near Creek Crossing Drive and Glenin Bridgeview on Feb. 24.

Kristina M. Ritter, 30, of Tinley Park, was view Drive at 7:42 a.m. Dec. 18. The vehicle Facunmdo Espinoza, 38, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft after she allegedly was towed and impounded, and Fudge Remcharged with driving on a suspended license, as stole a bra and a shaper, with a total value aly was set to appear in court in Bridgeview well as failure to wear a seatbelt, after police of about $153, from a department store in on Friday. curbed his vehicle in the 7500 block of West ColKhalif K. Karriem, 27, of East Hazel Crest, Orland Square Mall at 3:36 p.m. Dec. 16. lege Drive at 10:11 a.m. Dec. 29. Bond was set Ritter is scheduled to appear at a hearing on was charged with driving on a suspended at $1,500, and Espinoza was given a court date of license after he was involved in a two-vehicle Tuesday at the Orland Park Civic Center.

Feb. 5 in Bridgeview. crash near 151st Street and Police charged Andrea M. Browne, 23, of Alsip, Harlem Avenue at 8 a.m. Dec. with driving on a suspended license, no proof of 18. He was given a court date insurance, and failure to wear a seatbelt after they of Jan. 26 in Bridgeview. stopped her vehicle in the 12700 block of South Police charged Shalonda Harlem Avenue at 9:17 p.m. Friday. Bond was set S. Turner, 27, of Dixmoor, Attorney at Law at $1,500, and Browne is due in court in Bridwith driving on a suspended geview on Feb. 5. license, no proof of insurance, Edilberto Cardoza, 47, of Chicago, was charged no rear registration tag light, with driving on a suspended license, no proof of and operating a motor vehicle Consumer Fraud, Small Business Matters, Small Claims insurance, and operating a motor vehicle with an with a cracked front windEmployment Contract Negotiation, DUI, Traffic & more expired registration tag. His vehicle was pulled shield. Her car was pulled Consultation by appointment 9am-5pm M-F (708) 476-3208 over by police in the 11900 block of South Ridge- over by police in the 8400 land Avenue at 3:35 p.m. Saturday. Bond was set block of West 159th Street at at $2,000, and Cardoza is scheduled to appear in 5:55 a.m. Dec. 18. The vecourt in Bridgeview on Jan. 28.

Run 10-16-14 Police charged Markel K. Thomas, 20, of No * Chicago, with driving on a suspended license, no Money Both Papers Down proof of insurance, and driving without headlights when required, after his vehicle was curbed by police in the 6300 block of West 127th Street at 10:06 p.m. Dec. 31. Bond was set at $2,000, REPAIR and Thomas was given a court date of Jan. 28 in SERVICE Apples to Apples Bridgeview.

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SCHOOLS STUDENT NEWS

6 Thursday, January 8, 2015

SCHOOL NOTES Chicago Christian High to hold ‘Annie’ reunion The Chicago Christian High School Drama Department invites “Annie” alumni to a reunion on Saturday, Feb. 28.

All cast members from the 2004 “Annie” production are invited back to Chicago Christian that day for the current year production and a special reception. All “Annie” alumni are invited to either the matinee show from 2 to 4:30 p.m. or the show at 7 to 9:30 p.m. In between shows, a special reception will be held for both casts. Any 2004 “Annie” alumni will receive a complimentary ticket to this year’s production as well as an invite to the reception.

RSVP to Tim Schnyders at tschnyders@swchristian.org or call him at 388-7656.

Chicago Christian H.S. to host open house Chicago Christian High School will host an open house on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 6:45 p.m., at the school, 12001 S. Oak Park Ave. in Palos Heights.

Chicago Christian High School is part of the Southwest Chicago Christian School Association, serving Christian families since 1900.

Its vision is to be a Christ-centered learning community intent on restoring God’s world. The open house will provide an opportunity to meet the faculty and coaches and attend a variety of sectionals covering topics such as the school’s STEM programs, tuition assistance, and co-curriculars.

Everyone is welcome; no need to register for the event. For more information, contact Wilma Persenaire at 388-7656 or visit www. swchristian.org/admissions.

Chicago Christian High School to host alumni hoops game Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights will host an alumni basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 4 to 5 p.m.

The game will take place before the boys’ basketball games that evening. Any former Knight player interested in playing in the game, should contact Tim Schnyders at 388-7656 or email him at tschnyders@swchristian.org. “Come out for a great night of fun and fellowship,” he said..

Chicago Christian prom dress resale

The Regional News

Awareness, Network Security Design, Developmental Math, Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra • Saturday/Sunday—Fire Service Instructor II, Fire Fighting Tactics/Strategy II, Fire Service Leadership III and IV • Sunday—Basic Nurse Assistant Training, General Biology I, Basic Arc/Gas Welding I and II

Moraine Valley spring signup underway Moraine Valley Community College registration is underway for the spring 2015 semester, which starts Jan. 12 with on-campus credit classes. Off-campus credit classes and on-campus continuing education classes begin Jan. 20 while off-campus continuing education classes start Jan. 26.

Moraine Valley offers classes for those interested in transferring to four-year colleges or universities by earning associate’s degrees in Arts, Fine Arts or Science. Students also can choose from several career programs offered at the college including Allied Health and Nursing, Supplied photo Business and Computer Sciences, The varsity cheerleaders from Shepard High School won first place the weekend before last at the 10-team invitational hosted by Joliet West High School.

Industrial Technology, and Public The Shepard cheerleaders, coached by graduate Nicole Staehlin-Laricy, also won third place earlier this season at the Lincoln-Way North competition.

Service. The college also offers noncredit programs, courses, workshops, and seminars.

Some of the college’s courses are offered in different formats to accommodate student needs, making it easy for people to fit college classes into their life. These flexible learning options include evening, off-campus, one-day-a-week, online, weekend, and short-term classes.

A complete list of credit and noncredit classes can be found in the spring 2015 class schedule or online at morainevalley.edu. Registration is ongoing. Tuition is $114 per credit hour plus fees and books. Students who have applied to the college can register in the Registration Office, located on campus in the Student Services Center (Building S), 9000 W. College Pkwy. in Palos Hills; by phone at 974-2110 (TTY 711); or online at morainevalley.edu.

Heights Dist. 128 preschool screenings Palos Heights School District 128 will conduct a screening for all children residing within district boundaries who are 3 to 5 years old at Indian Hill School, 12800 S. Austin Ave., on Monday, Jan. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Areas of development assessed include speech and language, gross motor skills, and visual/auditory strengths. A vision and hearing screening will also be conducted.

Children will be screened by a diagnostic team of district personnel under the direction of District 128 Administration. Contact the Student Services office at 597-1285 to make an appointment or to request additional information.

Chicago Christian High School will host a prom and elegant dress resale on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the school, 12001 S. Oak Park Ave. in Palos Heights.

Shop for a prom or party dress, shoes and purses at discounted prices. For information on how to sell a dress at the sale or any oth- Prom and grad dress resale er information, send an email to: at Mother McAuley cchspromresale@gmail.com The Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School Mothers Club will Weekend classes at hold a graduation and prom dress Moraine Valley resale on Saturday, Jan. 17, from Are you looking for classes that 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the McAudon’t interfere with a hectic weekly ley Annex Community Room of schedule? Moraine Valley Commu- the school, at 3737 W. 99th St. in nity College offers weekend classes Chicago. Dresses and gloves will during the spring 2015 semester. be available for sale.

Classes are available to suit an inTo donate a graduation or prom dividual student’s needs, including: gown for the sale, dresses must be • Fridays only—Automotive dry-cleaned. Bridesmaids, party or Brake Systems, Electrical/Electron- short dresses will not be acceptic Systems II, Basic Nurse Assis- ed. Dresses may be dropped off tant Training, Human Anatomy and to the McAuley Main Office or Physiology I, General Biology I, MAC’s Ltd. during normal school Introductory Microbiology, Funda- business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 mentals of Chemistry, Composition p.m., through Jan. 14.

I and II, Speech Fundamentals, Sellers will collect 75 percent of Computer Graphics I, Introduction the selling price. The remaining 25 to Earth Science, Introduction to percent will benefit the Mother’s American Music, Human Anatomy Club fundraising efforts. Sellers and Physiology I and II, College: must complete an information Changes, Challenges, Choices, form and dress description form, Introduction to Marine Biology, which can be found on the McAuley Basic Service Procedures, Illinois website, www.mothermcauley.org. and Local History, Internet Basics Unsold dresses will be returned to Friday/Saturday/Sunday—Princi- sellers, unless otherwise indicated. ples of Micro-Economics, Principles Sellers will be notified on Monday, of Micro-Economics, Western Civ- Jan. 19, regarding the status of their ilization I, American History I, A item(s).

Healthy Lifestyle and You, First Aid, Shoppers can peruse the merAmerican National Government, chandise on Saturday, Jan. 17. Enter General Sociology, Introduction through Annex Door No. 11, located to Psychology directly to the left of the Auditorium • Friday/Saturday—Job Skills doors. Parking will be available in for Competitive Advantage, Cargo the west parking lot.

Security • Friday/Sunday—Introductory Microbiology • Saturdays only— College: Changes, Challenges, Choices, Digital Portfolio Development, Art Appreciation, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Introduction to Automotive Technology, Manual Transmission and Drivelines, Basic Nurse Assistant Training, General Biology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Fundamentals of Chemistry, Speech Fundamentals, Introduction to Earth Science, Emergency Medical Technician, Medical Terminology, HVAC Troubleshooting, Personal Computer Basics, Security

Supplied photo

Shepard High School’s varsity speech team took first place at the Santaburg-Oaklaus Invitational, co-hosted by Sandburg and Oak Lawn, last month.

The Astros have won six of the seven tournaments in which they’ve competed thus far. Shepard also won first place at tournaments hosted by Fremd, Downers Grove North, Huntley, Marian Catholic, and Neuqua Valley high schools. The following Shepard students placed at Santaburg: Champion, Paige Harkabus, Original Oratory. Runners up included Jada Scott, Oratorical Declamation; Nick Loquercio and Nick Martinez, Humorous Duet Acting; Nick Martinez, Humorous Interpretation; and, Riley McDermott, Poetry Reading. Kimberly Rinck took fourth place in Prose Reading and Leeana Skuby was fourth in Extemporaneous Speaking. Antonio Martinez took sixth in Dramatic Interpretation and Mike Reddy took sixth in Informative Speaking.

Augustana College in Rock Island has named the students who were named to the Dean’s List for the 2014 fall term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a gradepoint average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term. Local students on the dean’s list are: Quinn Foley, of Orland Park, a junior majoring in accounting and business administration-finance.

Scott Hansen, of Orland Park, a first-year student.

Ondrea Kramer, of Orland Park, a junior majoring in biology.

Stephanie Pereiro, of Orland Park, a junior majoring in history.

Margaret Richardson, of Palos Heights, a senior majoring in geography and anthropology. *** Two local Lewis University students presented research at the 24th annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium to peers, faculty and STEM professionals.

The event consisted of presentations and keynote address from cutting edge scientists and engineers.

Amy Mlynarski, of Palos Heights, and John Hodul, of Orland Park, were among the presenters from Lewis. Mlynarski, Meghan Nichol and Lisa Janes presented “Exploring the Chemical Mechanical Planarization Process of Diverse Substrates.” The research explored the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processes used to planarize a variety of substrates.

John Hodul and Zach Struzik presented “Nano-Templating and Mesoporous Adjustment of Silica Sol-Gel.” Nanotemplating is the encasement and removal of nanoparticles from a host of matrix material to control the resultant porosity in both physical and chemical properties. Hodul is also

Supplied photo

Palos School District 118 Young Inventors Challenge winners are Joseph Dajani, Kate Forden, Mikayla Hartunian, Nathan Colton, and Christos Restinas who competed at the 2014 Young Inventor Challenge (YIC) at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair on Nov. 22. Three sets of 118 students were victorious in several YIC categories. Palos East 5thgraders Mikayla Hartunian and Kate Forden won Best in Show in the junior category (10 and under) for their game Pingo Pongo. Their prize package included dinner with top game industry executives, a feature in Inventor’s Digest, and a trip to New York to present at the Toy of the Year Awards. Palos East 4th-graders Christos Restinas and Nathan Colton won the People’s Choice Award in the junior category for their game Zombie Hunters. Palos West had a winner as well: Fifth-grader Joseph Dajani won the People’s Choice Award in the senior category (11 and up) for his game Riddlattern. The Chcago Toy and Game Fair attracts more than 20,000 attendees each year and is open to kids ages 6–18 to exhibit their own original toy or game invention to top toy company executives.

Winners are selected by professionals from the United Inventors Association of America, the largest organization of professional inventors in the world. This year, there were 62 toy or game entries and approximately 80-100 student participants.

a part of the Scholars Academy. *** Rebecca Kuiper, of Palos Heights, will spend next semester on the SPICE (Studies Program in Contemporary Europe) program.

Kuiper is a Dordt College junior majoring in Spanish at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. She also has a minor in business administration. This semester, 35 Dordt students have chosen to participate in semester-long off-campus and

study abroad programs. They’re living, studying, and interning in Spain, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. *** The Lewis University Flight Team advanced to the national level competition for the sixth consecutive year by taking second place at the NIFA Regional 8 SAFECON competition.

Lewis took second overall and in flight and ground events with

the help of student Cody Marks, of Orland Park, who competed in Navigation (Pilot), Power Off, Short Field and Message Drop (Pilot). The regional event was held Oct. 28-Nov. 1 at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, with Lewis University as one of five universities competing. The other schools include Indiana State University, Purdue University, Quincy University and Southern Illinois University.

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COMMUNITY NEWS COMMUNITY NOTES

The Regional News

Heights Women Agatha Christie luncheon program Betsey Means from WomanLore will present “The Queen of Crime — Agatha Christie” at the Palos Heights Woman’s Club luncheon this Saturday, Jan. 10.

Famed mystery writer Agatha Christie had a career that spanned more than 50 years and her books have now sold into the billions.

The luncheon will be held at the Capri Restaurant at 12307 S. Harlem Ave., and will start at 11 a.m. with a short meeting, with lunch served at noon. The program will begin at 1 p.m. Guests are welcome to attend.

Supplied photo

The McCord Gallery and Cultural Center offers new sessions of art classes for children and adults that start next week.

McCord Gallery offers new sessions of art classes for children and adults Shake off cabin fever with a little creativity.

The winter session of art classes at the McCord Gallery & Cultural Center in Palos Park will begin next week. Oil Painting, Watercolor, Pastel, Colored Pencil Techniques, Art Clay Silver, and Portrait Painting are among the courses being offered.

• Have a New Year’s resolution to take care of your body, mind and spirit? Take advantage of the T’ai Chi Chih and Yoga classes that are also on the roster.

Instructor Liz Wall will be offering two classes for children: • Painting, Printmaking and Paper Mâché Tuesdays, Jan. 13 – March 3, (8 weeks), 4:30 – 6 p.m. $125/130. Students will have an opportunity to experiment with a variety of materials and projects.

Classic art fundamentals are introduced to challenge and encourage self-expression and creative thinking skills. All supplies included. Weekly drawing packets to take home for fun and practice.

• Draw, Paint and Sculpt – Session I: Jan. 14 – Feb. 4, (4 weeks), 4:30 – 6 p.m. $65/70 per session.

Students will learn a variety of art techniques depending on their level and interests. Special winter painting projects will make the season magical. Individual attention is given to each child. All supplies are included.

McCord Gallery & Cultural Center is at 9602 W. Creek Road (129th and LaGrange Road). For more information, call 671-0648 or visit www.mccordgallery.org.

LIBRARY NOTES Heights library upcoming programs • Featured Database/Product - Consumer Health Complete is the single-most comprehensive resource for consumer-oriented health content. It is designed to support the information needs of patients, and to foster an overall understanding of health-related topics.

CHC provides content covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.

• The following clubs meet at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Ave. No registration necessary.

• NEEDLE CLUB – Bring your projects to the Needle Club, and enjoy the company of others while working, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. New members always welcome.

• LUNCH BUNCH BOOK DISCUSSION – discuss “After the Prophet: The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam” by Lesley Hazleton on Monday, Jan. 12, at noon. Copies of the book are available at the library. Bring

your lunch; coffee or tea and a treat are provided.

• WINTER READING PROGRAM: CHILL OUT AND READ – Winter Reading is underway through Feb. 28. Stop by the Adult Services Desk to sign up and pick up the brochure. Participants will be entered into a prize drawing.

• THURSDAY @ THE MOVIES - The Library will show the film “Into the Storm” today. Showings will take place at 10 a.m. (with subtitles), 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

• FREE E-BOOKS FROM EREADILLINOIS – Natalie DeJonghe, E-book Trainer/Coordinator for the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) will be on-site on Saturday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to provide assistance and training for our newest e-book service. Bring your library card and device with you for assistance.

NOTE: eReadIllinois works with Apple and Android Tablets, Nooks, and the Kindle Fire. Other Kindle devices are not supported.

• TACKLING HOUSEHOLD PAPER CLUTTER – Beth Randall, Professional Organizer, will teach you how to cope with clutter on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m.

• CREATE YOUR OWN BLOG – Learn about blogs and start blogging on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. This class is recommended for those with intermediate knowledge of the Internet. NOTE: An active email account is required to participate in this class.

• MOOD FOODS – Community Nurse Educator Elise Farrell will discuss the Happiness Diet and wellness aspects of various foods on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m.

• DOWNLOAD BOOKS FOR FREE – Learn about the library’s primary ebook service, Media On Demand, as well as two supplementary services, eReadIllinois and Freading, on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

• GET THE FACTS ABOUT EBOLA – Three professors from the disciplines of microbiology, nursing, and political science will be here on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus.

For information on upcoming programs, visit our website at www.palosheightslibrary.org and view our online calendar. All programs are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Real estate broker classes at Moraine Enter the real estate market by learning to sell homes or get licensed to open a business at the Real Estate Training Center at Moraine Valley Community College. Broker and managing broker classes begin next week.

The Broker Pre-License Topics course provides instruction in real estate fundamentals. Topics include license law; real property; agency basics; seller and buyer relationships and counseling; local, state and federal laws affecting real estate; brokerage; marketing and advertising; market analysis and appraisal; financing; contracts; independent contractor and employee status; occupational disciplines; and business planning.

The 13-week course is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., beginning Jan. 13.The cost is $655.

The next course is Broker Pre-License Applied Principles/Interactive, which covers role play, and situational and case study examples. Topics

include listing presentation, buyer representation, agency disclosure, purchase agreements, handling offers, market analysis, fair housing, antitrust, and inspection/repair issues.

This three-week course is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., beginning April 28. The cost is $131.

Licensed real estate agents looking to open their own business after working with a managing broker for a year can enroll in the required managing broker courses to get certified.

The Managing Broker Pre-License Topics covers licensing, operations, handling of money, recruiting, brokerage support, transaction supervision, marketing and advertising, dispute resolution, company policies, disclosure issues, and industry issues. This five-week course is on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., beginning Jan. 26. The cost is $262.

Managing Broker Applied Management and Supervision/Interactive

covers role playing, and situational and case study examples. Topics include brokerage contract disputes, minimum service activities, team activities, commission disputes, dual agency disclosure problems, and escrow documents. Study problem-solving cases in a variety of topics such as short sales, foreclosure, clear title, confidentiality, ethics, and internet/social media. This three-week course is on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., beginning March 16. The cost is $131.

For additional information, call 974-5735. Register in person at the Registration Office, located in Building S, Room 125, on campus, 9000 W. College Pkwy., Palos Hills, by calling 974-2110 (TTY 711) or online at morainevalley.edu.

Candlelight bowl for Stagg scholarship fund Tickets should be bought by Jan. 15 for a candlelight bowl on Valentine’s Day to benefit the Stagg Community Organization’s scholarship fund.

Registration will begin at 9:30 p.m. before bowling starts at 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at Oak Forest Bowl, 15240 S. Cicero Ave. The $25 per person fee includes

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New members may join the Palos Heights Senior Club only at its meeting this month and next held at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays at Moraine Valley Church, 6300 W. 127th St. Only in January and February is membership open to join the senior club. Dues for the year are $20. Anyone 55 and older with a Palos Heights mailing address is welcome. Transportation if needed is available through the Palos Heights Recreation Department.

Cost is $4 roundtrip.

The first meetings of the new club year will be held Jan. 14 and 28. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Benefits of club membership include

Elim benefit concert A concert benefiting Elim Christian Services will be given at 4 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 11, on Elim’s campus, 13020 S. Central Ave. in Palos Heights.

The concert will feature professional musicians The Peg Mooney Singers performing music favorites such as “Circle of Life” (Lion King), “With a Little Help from My Friends”, “Hallelujah” (Shrek soundtrack version), and “Put a Little Love in Your Heart”.

The one-hour performance will also include a brief intermission, light refreshments, and a free will offering, with proceeds benefiting Elim Christian Services. Admission is free. For more information contact Laura Schnyders at 2936509, or lschnyders@elimcs.org.

two games of bowling, rental shoes, a buffet and desserts. Nonbowlers pay $15 per person. Cash bar, split-the-pot raffle and raffle baskets will be available. Teachers, staff, parents and the public are invited. Those who cannot attend may donate a raffle prize.

Buy tickets online at www. eventsnearhere.com/find-events/ OAK-FOREST/IL/Benefits-or-Fundraisers/Other/addetail/30291/Valentines-Day-Can-

dlelight-Bowl#.VIHvqb47bHh, or e-mail Vicki Sladowski at staggSCO@gmail.com.

SCO is open to parents, teachers and staff at Stagg High School, as well as the community. Its goal is to promote positive change at the school and support teachers and staff.

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SENIOR NOTES Grandparents raising grandchildren PLOWS support group PLOWS Council on Aging offers a six-session support group for grandparents raising grandchildren starting in January.

Each session will have a specific focus, including financial and legal assistance, building relationships, and caring for oneself along the way. Knowledgeable and experienced guest speakers will provide additional information and guidance.

The first session will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Palos Township office, 10802 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills.

PLOWS encourages all grandparents raising grandchildren to take advantage of this opportunity.

Call PLOWS to register for the sessions or with questions, 3610219.

Help to defer property taxes from PLOWS PLOWS Council on Aging would like seniors, age 65 and older by June 1, to know about a state program that allows qualified persons to defer up to $5,000 annually of the real estate taxes on their personal residence.

Many seniors living on fixed incomes find that the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program allows them the financial freedom to remain in their own home. De-

ferred taxes are repaid with low interest at the time the property is sold or following the taxpayer’s death.

Applications must be filed by March 1. PLOWS trained staff screens seniors for eligibility and assists with the application process at no cost. Call PLOWS Council on Aging at 361-0219 for more information. PLOWS is a non-profit agency assisting seniors living in Palos, Lemont, Orland and Worth townships.

Free CPR classes at Orland Township Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., will hold free CPR classes for seniors on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m.

The classes will be led by instructors from the Orland Fire Protection District, and certificates will be distributed upon completion. Additional classes, including health-care provider CPR, which includes a certification card, are also held monthly at the fire department’s Station 3. Dates and times are at www. orlandfire.org.

Registration is required. Call 403-4222.

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Shield your eyes (and your family’s eyes) from harmful UV rays.

Wear sunglasses with maximum UV protection.

For more information, visit www.thevisioncouncil.org/ consumers/sunglasses.

A public service message from The Vision Council.

Financing a home should be exciting and easy!

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Palos Heights Senior Club membership period now open

The Palos Heights Woman’s Club will next meet this Saturday, Tinley Moraine Jan. 10, at 11 a.m., at Capri RistoGenealogists rante, at 123rd Street and Harlem Avenue, Palos Heights.

The group will meet at 7 p.m.

Lunch will be served at about today (Thursday) at Tinley Park noon, followed by entertainment. Public Library, 7851 Timber Drive For more information or reserva- (80th Avenue and 180th Street). tions, call Kara at 361-0029.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., business meeting at 6:45. The program at 7 is on exploring the national arThe Southwest chives by speaker Kathy O’Leary.

Suburban WOW She will navigate the archives The Southwest Suburban WOW website and unravel this valuable group for widowed people will meet ancestry resource. at 7 p.m. this Friday at Zion LuFor information, visit the webtheran Church, 17100 S. 70th Ave. site tmgenealogists.org or email in Tinley Park. tinleymoraine@yahoo.com

It’s accident no accidentmore morepeople people trust It’s no trustState StateFarm.

Farm.

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Tickets cost $30 and must be day trips, informational speakers reserved by calling Kara or Janeen and live entertainment. Questions? at 361-0029 or 448-0112.

Call 448-7498.

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7

BENEFITS AND FUNDRAISERS

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Thursday, January 8, 2015

LOOK FOR AREA MORTGAGE RATES EVERY WEEK IN THE REGIONAL NEWS!

12330 S. Harlem Avenue | Palos Heights, IL 60463 ph 708/728-9900 | www.utbhome.com

8 Thursday, January 8, 2015

HEALTHY ANSWERS FOR LIFE

HEALTH & FITNESS

The Regional News

Help for high tryglicerides Q: My husband just got his cholesterol checked for the first time. His overall cholesterol was normal, but his triglycerides were high. Do you know of anything to help specifically with triglycerides?

A: Having elevated triglycerides with normal cholesterol numbers is a common occurrence.

High triglycerides are often a sign of eating more than the body needs at one time, and eating too much of the wrong foods – sugars, alcohol, and processed foods are the biggest culprits. Elevated triglyceride levels can also be caused by certain medications or medical problems like for example diabetes (though it’s likely your doctor would have tested for that).

Lifestyle changes can make a significant change when it comes to lowering cholesterol.

Losing weight, even small amounts, can impact triglyceride levels. Cutting out alcohol, sweets, and refined flours and grains (think anything “white”) will make a big difference. Exercising for 30 minutes per day has also been conclusively shown to lower triglycerides.

There are a number of supplements that can help with elevated triglycerides as well. The B vitamin niacin has been researched for lowering cholesterol. One study found that supplementation with niacin lowed LDL cholesterol by approximately 10 percent, triglycerides by 25 percent, and raised “good” HDL cholesterol by 15 percent to 30 percent. Niacin causes a “flush” however, which is a temporary warmth and redness of the skin.

This is caused by the effect niacin has to dilate the blood vessels. The effect usually lasts only 10 minutes or less. Some people find the flush is lessened when niacin is taken with food. Another idea is to start with small doses several times a day so your body becomes accustomed to it.

Fish oils, specifically those high in EPA and DHA (the beneficial parts of omega-3 fatty acids) have also been researched to reduce triglycerides and overall cholesterol. The brand Solgar has a

CAROLYN JOHNSON

PassHealthFoods.com

product called Omega 950, which is the highest amount of EPA and DHA per pill available anywhere. In addition to cholesterol, fish oil also helps with inflammation, mood, and brain function, so everyone would benefit adding some extra fish oil to their supplement regimen.

The supplement Sytrinol can also be helpful for lowering triglycerides. Sytrinol is a substance derived from citrus fruits. A recent study found after taking 300mg per day after 12 weeks the non-placebo group had a 30 percent drop in total cholesterol, 27 percent in LDL cholesterol, and a 34 percent drop in triglycerides. In addition, HDL levels increased by 4 percent, resulting in a significant 29 percent improvement in the LDL: HDL ratio.

Another study had the following results after just one month: total cholesterol was lowered by 25 percent, bad LDL cholesterol by 19 percent, and triglycerides by 24 percent.

C a r o l y n Johnson is one of the knowledgeable associates at Pass Health Foods at 7228 W. College Drive. Feel free to stop by the store for more information or advice.

This column makes no claims to diagnose, treat, prevent, mitigate, or cure diseases with any advice or products. Any health related information in this article is for educational purposes only. The ultimate responsibility for your choices and their effect on your health are yours and before applying any therapy or use of herbs, supplements, etc., you should consult your health care provider.

PICK OF THE LITTER

Suggested New Year’s resolutions for pet owners coming to the vet JOHN FLEMING

Photos courtesy Orland Fire Protection District

Close call for man rescued from depths

An Orland Park Fire Protection District crew, specially trained in underground rescue techniques, works to extricate a man who fell down an uncovered storm sewer shortly after 5:30 p.m. Dec. 27. The man, identified by authorities only as a South Suburban resident named Steve, fell 20 feet below ground as he walked along a grassy area next to a forest preserve just north of 151st Street and Harlem Avenue. The man suffered a broken leg in the fall and used his cell phone to dial 911 and guide OFPD rescuers to his exact location. OFPD Chief Ken Brucki said that without his cell phone, the man might not have survived the ordeal: There was no escape out of the deep hole and little chance his screams for help could be heard by passersby driving down that 45 mph-speed-limit stretch of Harlem Avenue with their windows rolled up against the cold and car stereos tuned on. The fire district released these photos of the extrication after The Regional’s deadline last week.

DVM • PrairieStateVet.com

Dear Readers, I came across some New Year’s resolutions for pet owners in the journal and added a couple of my own. Hope everyone has a great 2015!

As a pet owners who uses veterinary services: I will mute my annoying ring tone in the veterinarian’s office.

I will walk my dog before going to the veterinarian’s office.

I will feed my pet less food and treats so he or she will live longer.

I will not laugh when my pet tries to bite the veterinarian or his staff.

I will microchip my pet.

I will use the full-prescribed dose of medication.

I will keep a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide available for emergency use.

If a call to poison control is necessary I will not expect my vet clinic to pay the poison control consultation fee of $60 dollars.

If my dog is on chronic NSAID therapy I will have my dog’s liver function tested periodically.

I will not let my pet go day after day with painful infected teeth and gums.

I will bring my pet in for that tumor removal while the tumor is still small.

If I fail to bring my pet in for tumor removal while it is small and it quadruples or more in size I will not demand that my vet honor the surgery fee quote that was given back in 2012.

Supplied photo

Tracy helps with the examination of Tom’s new little Lab, Lexy.

I will not make an appointment for one pet and then bring two or three pets to be examined. I will respect the office visit time I have paid for.

If I bring extra unexpected pets I will not complain about the extra pet examination fee.

I will tell my kid who is sitting in the corner of the exam room, glued to a hand-held device, to turn off the annoying sounds and to come watch what is being done to his or her pet.

His last day places man in the same state as before he was born; not after Death has body or soul any more feeling than they had before birth.

—Pliny the Elder

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BUSINESS COMINGS GOINGS

The Regional News

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Section 1-A

Thursday, January 8, 2015

9

&

Fish house comes and Coco’s goes New contribution limits make 401(k) plans even more attractive BOB If you are interested in saving for retirement, here’s some good news: For 2015, the IRS has raised the maximum contribution limits for 401(k) plans from $17,500 to $18,000. And if you’re 50 or older, you can put in an extra $6,000, up from $5,500 in 2014.

These same limits also apply to 403(b) plans, for employees of public schools and nonprofit organizations, and to 457(b) plans, for employees of state and local governments and other governmental agencies, such as park boards and water districts. So, in other words, a lot of workers have gotten a “raise” in their ability to contribute to tax-advantaged retirement plans.

Although you may not think you will ever contribute the maximum amount to your retirement plan, you may still benefit from making small increases each year. Unfortunately, many people don’t do this.

In fact, approximately 30 percent of eligible workers don’t even participate in their employer’s 401(k)-type plan, according to the Employee Benefits Security Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor. And the median savings rate for these plans is just six percent of eligible income, with only 22 percent of employees contributing more than 10 percent of their pay, according to a recent report by Vanguard, an investment management company.

In any case, you do have some pretty strong motivations to put in as much as you can possibly afford. First of all, your 401(k) earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis, which means your money has more growth potential than it would if it were placed in an account on which you paid taxes every year.

Eventually, though, you will be taxed on your withdrawals, but by the time you start taking out money, presumably in retirement, you might be in a lower tax bracket.

But you can also get a more immediate tax-related benefit from contributing as much as you can to your 401(k). Consider this hypothetical example.

Suppose that you are in the 28 percent tax bracket.

For every dollar you earn, you must pay 28 cents in taxes (excluding state and other taxes), leav-

BUSINESS NOTES Food service sanitation certification Restaurant owners and managers can earn or renew their Illinois State Health Department Food Service Sanitation certification at Moraine Valley Community College this spring.

One-day classes are Mondays, Feb. 19, March 16 or April 20. Saturday classes are Jan. 31 or March 21. The class classes are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and cost $189.

The Food Service Sanitation class is eight hours including the exam given at the end of the session. A book is required and must be purchased prior to the class date. This course will need to be taken every five years for renewal.

Register online at morainevalley. edu or call 974-2110 (TTY 711). For more information, contact Corporate, Community and Continuing Education at 974-5735.

JIM VAN HOWE

Edward Jones Investments ing you 72 cents to spend as you choose. But if you put that same dollar into your 401(k), which is typically funded with pre-tax dollars, you will reduce your taxable income by one dollar — which means that if you did contribute the full $18,000, you’d save $5,040 in federal income taxes. Your particular tax situation will likely be impacted by other factors, but you’d have that $18,000 working for you in whatever investments you have chosen within your 401(k) plan. If you kept contributing the maximum each year, you will be giving yourself more potential for a sizable fund for your retirement years.

Even if you couldn’t afford to “max out” on your 401(k), you should, at the very least, contribute enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered. (A common match is 50 cents per dollar, up to six percent of your pay.) Your Human Resources department can tell you how much you need to contribute to get the greatest match, so if you haven’t had that conversation yet, don’t put it off.

As we’ve seen, investing in your 401(k) is a good retirement strategy — you get tax benefits and the chance to build retirement savings. And with the contribution limit increasing, you’ve got the chance for more savings in the future.

Jim Van Howe is a financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments, in Palos Heights. His office is at 7001 W. 127th St. He can be reached at 361-3400. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Mortgage Rates Around the Area

First Midwest Bank (as of Jan. 5) 30-year fixed 15-year fixed 30-year fixed Jumbo

RATES 4.000 3.250 4.250

APR 4.047 3.519 4.295

POINTS 0 0 0

APR 3.770 3.161 3.043

POINTS 0 0 0

APR 3.912 3.676 3.189

POINTS .25 .25 .25

United Trust Bank (as of Jan. 6) 30-year fixed 15-year fixed 10-year fixed

RATES 3.750 3.125 2.990

Prospect Federal (as of Jan. 5) 30-year fixed 20-year fixed 15-year fixed

RATES 3.875 3.625 3.125

All rates subject to change daily. Equal opportunity lenders.

In the immediate area, a fish house has come and a restaurant has gone.

Boston Fish House, which has been serving fish dinners and more for the last 28 years, moved recently from Alsip to 9736 S. Roberts Road in Palos Hills.

The fish house is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and carries a full line of seafood from shrimp to white fish to squid.

For information, visit its Facebook page or call 708529-3684.

On the other hand, the New Coco’s Restaurant, which opened earlier this year at 9505 S. Roberts Road in Hickory Hills, closed a couple of weeks ago when its owners were evicted by Cook County Sheriff’s Police.

The business phone number was disconnected and there was a green “no trespassing” sign taped on the door.

What’s the Buzz?

Air service to Branson from Midway Branson AirExpress operated by Buzz Airways announced it will be flying from Chicago’s Midway Airport to Branson, Mo., starting May 8.

The airline will operate a 30-seat Jetstream 41 aircraft.

One-way tickets, including taxes, can be purchased for an introductory rate of $149.

Flights are available for purchase now at flybranson. com or BransonAirExpress.com.

“We believe Chicago will be a strong market for us and we are pleased to bring this service to town,” stated Jeff Bourk, president of Branson AirExpress, in a release.

“It was disappointing to learn that Southwest Airlines discontinued their flights from Chicago to Branson earlier this year, but this will bring back nonstop service from Chicago and we are very excited about that.”

New life for pizzeria Joe’s Italian Villa Pizzeria, which was chased out of its longtime home in Bridgeview a year ago, has finally reopened in its new home in Palos Heights.

The restaurant reopened at 11 a.m. Dec. 29 at its new digs at 12207 S. Harlem Ave. in the former Papa’s Fresh Foods location.

The pizzeria’s owner, Frank Serio, had hoped to be open by Thanksgiving but these things often run into delays.

Joe’s can serve beer and wine to diners, but does not have a standalone bar.

The restaurant’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Joe’s will offer dine-in, delivery and carry-out service.

St. Vincent de Paul thrift store to open in Orland The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago was scheduled to open its new thrift store at 7010 W. 159th St. at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The store is relocating from Midlothian to a former Sears Hardware store that closed early last year.

“Anyone looking for good bargains and a way to give back to their community should look no further than the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store,” St. Vincent CEO James D. Lonergan said in a release. “Our Orland Park location will have a powerful impact not only on the people that we work with directly, but also on the larger community as a whole; offering a low-cost, high quality shopping experience as well as employment and volunteer opportunities.”

St. Vincent de Paul is a nonprofit organization. All of the proceeds from thrift store sales go directly back into the community to fund the St. Vincent de Paul food pantries and emergency voucher programs.

“Our thrift stores are self-sustaining enterprises and help us provide the basics for human dignity such as food, shelter, and clothing to thousands of people annually.

BONG

Photo by Bob Bong

A green eviction notice can be seen on the front door of the New Coco’s restaurant at 95th Street and Roberts Road in Hickory Hills.

We plan to build six more thrift stores over the next five years so we can better serve the growing number of people who come to us for help,” Lonergan said.

Gently used clothing, shoes, housewares, home décor, books, furniture and much more can be found at low prices in a clean and modern store. Store features include wide shopping aisles, pleasant lighting, and large department signage to help customers find what they need.

Orland Park thrift store hours will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The store is accepting item donations and seeking volunteers to help prepare the store for opening day.

If interested, call Thrift Stores Director Margaret Jones at 773-779-6700.

Donations can be brought to the drop-off area in the rear of the building. Do not leave items unattended.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago also operates thrift stores at 9321 S. Western Ave. in Chicago and 1125 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville.

Dania holds liquidation sale California-based Dania, a furniture chain with four locations in Illinois, is holding a liquidation sale ahead of what the retailer is calling a major rebranding in 2015.

The company plans to close all four Illinois stores, at 14830 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park, 1001 Skokie Blvd. in Northbrook, 515 W. Roosevelt in Lombard and 1621 S. Randall Road in Algonquin, early in January while the company rebrands itself.

What that rebranding would include remains unclear as calls for comment were not returned.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews. com and www.southlandsavvy.blogspot.com.

Supplied photo

Eagle watch on the Des Plaines People can search for American bald eagles wintering along the Des Plaines River during a self-guided “Eagle Watch on the River” tour on paved paths around the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 W. Walnut Lane. The program will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, through Friday, Jan. 16, and again on Wednesday, Jan. 28, through Friday, Jan. 30. Bring binoculars and a camera. Stop at the center to learn more about eagles as you sip on a free hot beverage. Dress for the weather.

Registration is not required for the free, all-ages program. For information, visit ReconnectWithNature.org

QUEEN of PEACE HIGH SCHOOL 7659 South Linder Avenue, Burbank, IL 60459

www.queenofpeacehs.org

We wish all the 8th grade girls taking the high school entrance exam on January 10th the best of luck!

10 Thursday, January 8, 2015

Section 1-A

The Regional News

It’s a Happy New Year for Worth’s Cook family

By Bob Rakow Staff reporter

There was a time when Josh and Alicia Cook wondered how everything could go so wrong.

“What did we do? Who did we make angry?” Alicia recalls thinking as her family faced one serious dilemma after another beginning in early 2012.

The Worth family’s world was shaken in February, 2012 when their son, Chase, now 16, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Two years later, his father, Josh, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma and was unable to work.

Josh does not smoke or chew tobacco, so the diagnosis came as quite a surprise. It also came as Alicia’s husband of 17 years was about to start a new job.

While Josh underwent chemo and radiation treatment after tumors were removed from his tongue and cheek, Alicia lost her job as a schoolteacher.

The past two years were clearly challenging ones for the Cooks.

They faced overwhelming financial struggles coupled with the anxiety that accompanies serious illnesses.

“It was a roller coaster of ‘Oh my gosh, what are we going to do now?’” Alicia said.

Still, the Cooks refused to buckle during trying times, and employed a one-day-at-a-time approach.

“Basically, it was ‘Today is Monday. What do we have to do to get through Monday,’” Alicia Cook said.

Alicia stood by Chase and later, Josh, 41, during their treatments at the University of Chicago Medical Center while at the same time taking care of her four other children: Zane, 14; Ariana, 12; Xavier, 9;

and Blake, 6.

“They felt distracted, but I’d like to say they handled really well,” she said of her children.

But this story has a happy ending that has the Cooks entering the New Year in a more hopeful place than they were three years ago.

Chase’s cancer is in remission, and Josh’s latest cancer scan was clear. He continues to gain his strength, and has a lead on new job when he’s ready to go back to work.

Alicia, meanwhile, is back in the classroom, teaching high school students in Cicero.

To top it all off, the Cooks won’t have to make a mortgage payment in 2015.

Instead, Gradient, a Minnesota-based financial services company, and its Gradient Gives Back Foundation, will foot the bill.

Alicia Cook found out about the foundation after meeting with a social worker at the University of Chicago Medical Center about assistance for families facing drastic illnesses.

“That started me looking,” said Alicia, who learned about the Gradient Gives Back Foundation via a web search.

As part of the application process, she chronicled the family’s struggles, and outlined all the Cooks had done to give back to the community despite their own obstacles.

“We give back and that’s what they ask about, and they were touched by all that,” Alicia said.

Many families have fundraisers when a serious illness strikes and causes financial hardships. Not the Cooks.

Instead, they continued to help others.

The boys mowed the lawns of

Photo by Jeff Vorva

The Cook family — Josh, Alicia, Chase, Zane, Ariana, Xavier and Blake — have the mortage of their Worth house paid for in 2015 thanks in part to their generosity and charity work during their own tough times in the past three years.

elderly relatives and neighbors.

Ariana accompanied her dad to chemo sessions.

Chase, while battling his own disease, organized a fundraiser at Worth Junior High with all the proceeds, going to cure it and the foundation his doctor started.

As part of the application process, Alicia went through a series of phone interviews with Gradient officials during the summer. In December, the family was invited to Mokena to meet with foundation representatives.

The Cooks were told they were one of five finalists for the annual award and the 30-minute, videotaped interview would help Gradient make a decision.

It was tough interview for Alicia.

“I started talking about Chase and my emotions came out and I started crying,” she recalled.

What the Cooks did not know during their December interview was that they had already been

chosen to receive the mortgage payment award.

“It was very exciting,” said Alicia, who said she knew something was up when WGN News cameras were on the scene along with some other photographers.

“It was kind of a dead giveaway with the news cameras,” she said.

The mortgage payments begin in January and for an entire year the Cooks can focus on regaining a financial foothold. Gone are the days when Alicia has to count every penny or decide which bill could be put off so another could be paid.

Josh is regaining his strength and his sense of taste, which he lost as a result of radiation treatment.

“He was able to enjoy Christmas dinner,” Alicia said.

It’s safe to say all of the Cooks enjoyed Christmas dinner.

And they hope that they will enjoy their outlook for 2015 even more.

others. A crossing guard, a school or church secretary, someone like that. And include a note of thanks, written in your own hand.

• If you are eligible to vote, register to vote and vote in every election. Ever wonder why some jurisdictions seem to get more attention than others? They produce votes—regularly and in huge numbers. Like 15,000 ballots, compared to 5,000 elsewhere. Also, cast an informed ballot. Know the issues and the candidates.

• Support your local police.

They can’t be everywhere, and they need extra sets of eyes and ears to keep them informed. If you see something, say something.

• Consider adopting a dog or cat from a local shelter. In addition to saving the life of an animal that might otherwise be killed, a good house pet can actually improve your physical and spiritual well-being.

• Attend and support local public events. Granted, it’s never

easy shoveling down Cub Scout pancakes, Boy Scout spaghetti, or potluck whatever—but these are the types of events, small as they are, that help build and strengthen our neighborhoods.

• Shop locally. The small businesses within a mile or two or your home pay local taxes, employ local men and women, and donate to local organizations like schools, churches, Little League, Scouting groups and more.

• Finally, resolve to smile, laugh and spread cheer among people you meet—whether you’ve known them all your life or whether you met them five minutes ago.

Some resolutions that just might change your world for the better

by Joan Hadac

Well, now that most of us have broken our New Year’s resolutions…

OK, kidding. Sort of.

It seems to me that most New Year’s resolutions involve personal behavior: lose weight, stop smoking, exercise regularly, etc.

But fewer resolutions involve social behavior—-that is, changing the way we act in our neighborhoods, city, state, nation and world.

With that in mind, here are 10 social resolutions I suggest all of us think about.

In 2015, resolve to: • Introduce yourself to six neighbors you currently do not know. By “six” I mean six households—-not the mom, dad, two kids, dog and cat living next door. By “introduce” I mean something more than a smile, wave or head nod. Invite them over to dinner—-or meet them at one of

your local restaurants, who could certainly use the business.

• Support your local newspaper, especially the one you are reading right now. Buy a gift subscription for your neighbors. Patronize the paper’s advertisers and let them know you saw their ad. Community newspapers are an important part of the local social fabric, and they offer something important that the downtown papers can’t possibly give. A community that loses its local paper is a community in decline.

• Live your faith. If you are a believer, support your local house of worship with more than lip service. Participate in services regularly and contribute your time, talents and treasure to give glory to God. • Send someone flowers or a fruit basket. Just once in 2015, send a gift to someone you have never sent a gift to before—-preferably someone taken for granted by

Joan Hadac is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in these pages. She is editor and publisher of swchicagopost.com, an online news service in Chicago’s Midway area. This column is adapted from one she wrote in 2011 for her “City Mom Chicago” blog.

DEATH NOTICES Linda M. Koehne

Linda M. Koehne, nee Janozik, 64, of Orland Park, died on Dec. 31.

Visitation was held at Colonial Chapel funeral home in Orland Park on Jan. 4. A funeral service was held at Christ Lutheran Church in Orland Park on Jan. 5. Interment was private.

Mrs. Koehne is survived by her son, Brian; her daughter, Kim Koontz; four grandchildren, her sisters, Joann Nagel and Barbara Foy; and her brother, Bob Janozik.

Mrs. Koehne was born in Chicago. She was an office manager at Southside Christian Services.

Bruno A. Potempa

Bruno A. Potempa, age 86, formerly of Palos Heights, died Jan. 2 at home. U.S. Army veteran. Beloved husband of Mary Ann (nee Kaminski). Devoted father of Donald (Michelle), Daryl (Daiva Ptasinskiene)

and Beverly (Christopher) Logan. Loving grandfather of four. Bruno was formerly very active with Hickory Hills Chamber of Commerce. Visitation was held Wednesday at the Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, in Palos Hills. Funeral Thursday 9 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Alexander Catholic Church in Palos Heights for 10 a.m. Mass.

Entombment Resurrection Cemetery.

Mr. Potempa was born in Chicago. He worked in the manufacturing industry; many years of service with 3M.

LEGAL IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT – CHANCERY DIVISION A&A DOLTON LLC Plaintiff, – v. – JOHN BOBAK, HELENA BOBAK, SHADOW RIDGE ESTATES HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION, INC., MCCANN INDUSTRIES, INC., THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, EKI WILLIAMS, PLLC, FOUR STAR FOODS, an Illinois Corporation, ANTHONY MARANO COMPANY, BOBAK SAUSAGE COMPANY, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2013 CH 23102 203 OAK TREE COURT Palos Park, IL 60464 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 25, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 5, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive – 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: LOT 22 IN SHADOW RIDGE ESTATES, BEING A SUBDIVISION IN THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 30, TOWNSHIP 37 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED FEBRUARY 27, 2004 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 0405839025, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 203 OAK TREE COURT, Palos Park, IL 60464 Property Index No. 2330-202-006-0000.

The real estate is improved with a vacant lot. The judgment amount was $763,274.19.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation.

No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said

real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in AS IS condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact Plaintiff s attorney: Law Office of Richard W. Rappold, 300 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 242-4967 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

Law Office of Richard W. Rappold 300 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 1700 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 242-4967 Case Number: 2013 CH 23102 TJSC#: 34-22096 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Church to hold annual prayer vigil vs. addiction, celebrating recovery Calvary Church in Orland Park will hold its fourth annual prayer vigil against the drug/alcohol epidemic on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The event is open to the public.

Joining the vigil will be pastors and priests from different congregations “uniting to help end this

social disease.” Information will be available for assistance in recovery from addictions. A Celebrate Recovery is held at 7 p.m. Mondays at Calvary Church.

“We are incorporating more worship into the ceremony this year,” the Rev. Ron Ovitt said

of the upcoming prayer vigil. “ We want to celebrate many of the changed lives that we have seen in the previous four years.

Hundreds have turned their lives around through spiritual based programs like Celebrate Recovery, Restoration Ministries, Pacific

Garden Mission, Morning Star and the ministry of Calvary Church. We want to thank God for what has happened and prepare ourselves for the new year of ministry.”

Calvary Church is at 16100 S. 104th Ave. For information, call 429-2200.

Share the Happy News! Engaged? Getting Married?

The Regional News invites couples or their parents to submit for publication engagement or wedding announcements. There is no charge for this service offered to community residents.

The announcements must be typed, double-spaced and sent with a photograph of the couple. JPEGs or high quality photographs are preferred.

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The Regional News

Section 1-A

PHOTO MEMORIES FROM THE REGIONAL ARCHIVE

Thursday, January 8, 2015

11

CROSSWORD PUZZLE "Little Ones"

40 Years Ago This Week

File photo from Jan. 9, 1975

A blanket of winter white: A big boost for winter sports enthusiasts, the snowfall spelled only a temporary nuisance for area drivers while providing a solid base for sports activities such as sledding, ice skating snowmobiling and ice fishing. Though the major snowstorm predicted by local weathermen last Thursday never materialized, enough snow fell in the Palos area to create a blanket of snowy white in areas like Saganashkee slough.

[Editor’s note: Picnic permits from the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for dates in 2015 went on sale starting last Friday. Permits must be obtained by groups of 25 or more. Permit sales are held at the Forest Preserves of Cook County General Headquarters building, at 536 N. Harlem Ave. in River Forest. For online purchases, visit www.fpdcc.com/permits.]

Across 1 Shark movie 5 Busters' grp.

8 Hardly tepid 14 Orchestra wind 15 J.F.K. abbr.

16 Native of Muskogee 17 Alaska town 18 "Crystal Silence" jazzman 20 One of Sinatra's exes 21 Actress Lisa 22 Music symbol 23 Lineman?

27 Moves fast 28 Miniskirt style 29 Instruction to an equestrian 31 Hawkeye State native 34 Squawk, e.g.

37 Suitors pitch it 38 "All Summer Long" singer, 2008 40 Complexion 41 Remaining 42 Constrictor 43 "What do you ___?"

44 Won ___ 45 Rorschach image 47 Pioneering multi-sport star 53 Witch's curse 54 Anticipate, as an arrival 55 Slightly twisted 56 Renowned chef 59 Perfume holder 60 Declare without proof 61 Progress too slowly 62 Herr Bismarck 63 Clam's cousin 64 Be positioned 65 "Stop pouring"

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Down 1 Bible book with a fish story 2 ___ suspicion 3 Femininity 4 Equal a bet 5 Sting elements 6 Start for -centric 7 Final word 8 Say "What?"

9 Legendary bird 10 Whatchamacallit 11 Energy giant that went bankrupt in 2001 12 Hair removal product 13 Refrain part 19 Egg box: Abbr.

21 First-round pass

24 25 26 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 38 39 43 44 45

Tiny parasite Auto-financing co.

One in an order Noah's number Spared item Wedding day phrase IV sites Job lot?

Exchanges words?

Pantyhose problem As of now Volume control Skye of TV Lo mein vessel Prepares for takeoff Four-hand amusement 46 Totally drunk

47 Chimes 48 "Camptown Races" syllable 49 Volunteer's cry 50 Part of a holy name 51 Give a grand speech 52 Snaggable fabric 53 Sitcom-streaming service 56 Flashy two-point basket 57 Get wrinkled?

58 Cartoon fan's keepsake 59 Oath

(Answers on page 12)

Sudoku Puzzle #3263-M

1 2 3

4 6 2

5 1 5 4

20 Years Ago This Week

8 9 3 7

File photo from Jan. 12, 1995

Moraine Valley Community College celebrated the first anniversary of its elegant Fine and Performing Arts Center Sunday night with a festival of theater, dining, ceremony and good conversation. Participating in the evening’s birthday cake candle-lighting ceremony were MVCC Foundation officials Dorothy and Egon Menker (from left), Melanie Griffith-Jones, Matthew Walsh and Rosemarie Lamb. [The larger of two theaters in the arts center is named the Dorothy Menker Theater after Mrs. Menker. The Menkers were generous benefactors endowing the arts center.]

7 3 6 2

6

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© 2009 Hometown Content

9

The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.

Each row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.

(Answers on page 12)

Medium

IMPRESSIONS

Tweets heap scorn at EP League Veep Some anonymous Twitter tweeter called Evergreen Park’s Chris Janes a “scumbag.”

That’s one of the nicer things that’s been said about him in recent weeks. He’s also been referred to online as a “sucky coach’’ a “tool” a “hater”, a “crybaby” a “loser” a “puke” and another word for a sex toy.

One critic said “I feel sorry for his mother for birthing this rat.’’

Oh, and one person wrote Janes is on his way to becoming “the most hated man in America.” Wow! Janes is a vice president and spokesman for the Evergreen Park Athletic Association and in mid – December his group provided documentation to the Little League organization that the beloved Jackie Robinson West team out of Chicago was using illegal players from out of the team’s boundaries.

Little League officials dismissed EP’s claims by saying the issue is “closed at this time” but now there are others digging into these allegations and now there are reports that league presidents within the district were unaware that JRW helped re-district the Chicago area to expand and allow them to pluck some star players from their leagues.

In some circles, EPAA officials are being portrayed as the bad guys and since Janes is the face of the organization on this matter, he also gets the bad guy treatment – big time. And since JRW is an all African-American team, his allegations have caused online arguments that show that there are still a few cavemen and cavewomen out there.

I had a chance last week to talk to him on the crunchy outfield grass at Norris Field — home of the EPAA — on an 18-degree day after shooting his photo. Janes said he knew what he was getting himself into, but said that he had no idea the magnitude of the negativity his group’s whistleblowing caused.

“There are so many different pieces to this that I probably underestimated how big of a deal it is,” he said. “I really thought people would be bigger than to bring the whole race thing into play. And it’s both sides of the fence. No side is more or less guilty than the other. I just wish people would stay

JEFF VORVA on point and realize what this really about.’’

He said he hasn’t see all the nastiness shoveled his way, but early in the process his inbox was getting toxic.

“I got a lot of e-mails when this first came out,” he said. “They told me I should be ashamed of myself. They said I was an idiot. They said I should resign. They said I wasn’t a good role model for kids. I haven’t seen too much of (online and social media criticism) and I’m glad because people can hide behind the anonymity of a screen name and the power of the keyboard.’’

Janes said the organization has heard about possible JRW cheating for years but after the team won the national championship and became America’s darlings, information spilled out that some of the players were from suburbs such as Homewood and South Holland.

After Janes and his group researched articles and rules, he volunteered to be the EPAA’s lone spokesman on the allegations and things blew up when the DNAinfo.com website wrote a huge story on his allegations and published it Dec. 16.

He was criticized for the timing of the story breaking.

“We took our time in gathering as many facts as we could,’’ Janes said. “We realized what the backlash could be and the most important, we wanted to make sure we weren’t wrong. That would be worse than anything. That’s why we stood behind this. Regardless of what anybody might say or what the ultimate decision is going to be, we feel we’re right and we will stand behind it all day.

“We feel that somebody cheated and we have enough evidence to prove that.”

He said that for the Little League “to gloss over this is frustrating” but there is a

glimmer of hope if some other organizations and league presidents begin to speak up.

I don’t think he should be taking as much heat as he has. People around the country who analyze this with an open mind realize that EPAA might have a point and it should be looked into.

As one of many parents whose kids have been recipients of beatdowns because of alleged cheating, I applaud the guy. He and his organization may not be viewed as heroes for this but I admire the way they have stepped up and gone about this.

When my son was playing in the seventh-grade AAU basketball circuit, there was a team that we had a hunch was using high school players. They would kick our teeth in and trash talk us to death. Oh, boy — you are berating up on kids three or four years younger than you. Tough guys.

One day, two or three coaches saw one of the team’s “seventh graders” driving to the tournament.

The coaches brought it to the attention to the AAU official on site and his reaction was “That doesn’t mean anything, I drove a truck when I was 8.’’

The kid should have been thrown out of the tournament or cited for underage driving.

I was more angry with the AAU clown’s reaction than I was the alleged cheating and I was pretty fired up about that, too.

I know that if that same team was on TV, newspapers and meeting President Obama and became America’s heroes, I would have probably thrown up.

As an aside, when our group played in eighth grade, the same team was missing those players and a couple of the “seventh graders” were listed as juniors on high school rosters.

Even though people say Janes is advocating JRW should be stripped of its trophy, he said that’s not the case.

“At the end of the day, I could care less if they lose a trophy or not — that doesn’t matter,’’ he said. “What matters is that someone is held accountable. These adults did this. This is wrong and it can’t go on.

That’s all I want to see. They can keep the trophy — the kids earned that on the field.’’

WHATIZIT? It was “Open Sesame” — as in “Sesame Street” for the WHATIZIT? wizards this week for those who guessed it was a close-up of Big Bird.

This particular Big Bird was found with his mouth open (maybe belching?) in front of Chicago Ridge’s Village Hall.

Oak Lawn’s Danny L. Veres was the beak-on of the wise as he was the first to guess correctly.

Others who spread their wings were Chicago Ridge’s Kathy Higgins and Dana Oswald, Worth’s Linda and Mike Martin, Theresa and George Rebersky, Donna Hirsch, Carol and Jerry Janicki and Chuck Paulinski, Oak Forest’s John Obler, Palos Heights’ Walter Mlynarski, Palos Hills’ Mike McKinney and the Friday Night Woman’s Poker and Ornithology Club of Oak Lawn, Orland Park and Oak Forest.

There was an incorrect guess of Garfield Goose and an incomplete guess of a bird’s beak.

THIS WEEK’S CLUE is that it’s a sign of a place that is huge on the left coast and it’s filled every time the shutterbug goes there.

Send those guesses by Monday night to thereporter@comcast.net with WHATIZIT in the subject line.

Give us your name and hometown as well.

12 Thursday, January 8, 2015

Section 1-A

The Regional News

2014: A year of big change In Orland Park, the village announced an agreement with the University of Chicago for the building of a medical center at 143rd Street and La Grange Road. It will be the second major development in Downtown Orland Park within the Main Street Triangle tax increment finance district since the completion of the Ninety7Fifty luxury apartment building. By year end, Orland Park businessman Allan Kustok was convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Anita, four years after he shot her in the face in the couple’s bed.

Chicago Ridge, along with neighboring Worth, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014. The village held various celebrations throughout the year, but also looked to the future by kicking off plans to redevelop the Yellow Freight terminal.

Plans to redevelop the Plaza remained in limbo throughout the year, but Evergreen Park Mayor Jim Sexton remained confident that a lifestyle center ultimately would be built on the site at 95th Street and Western Avenue. Just a few blocks away, construction of Mariano’s was completed, and the grocery store is set to open in February.

Tragedy struck in Palos Hills in October when a small plane crashed in a field near a residential area in the 10100 block of 86th Court. The crash claimed the lives of three physicians from Kansas.

Governor-elect Bruce Rauner made last-minute campaign stops in Hickory Hills in the Top News Stories of 2014 home stretch of both the primary Palos Heights voters overand general elections. On both whelmingly approved a $6.3 occasions, Rauner appeared million general obligation bond before hundreds of supporters at issue in a referendum question on the Nov. 4 ballot asking vot- the Lexington House, where he attacked his opponent, Gov. Pat ers whether the city should borrow the funds for the purpose of Quinn.

Two Little Company of Mary renovating the existing recreation nuns were killed Oct. 5 at the center, 6601 W. 127th St., and busiest intersection in Oak build an addition onto it. Work Lawn when a truck driven by to start the project is expected an elderly Chicago man veered early this year. Early in 2014, into the opposite lanes of traffic a daughter of Palos Heights, Kendall Coyne, brought home a and struck their car. The man, Edward Carthans, 81, later was silver medal she won as part of determined to have a blood the women’s hockey team USA in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, alcohol concentration more than twice the legal limit, officials Russia. said.

Palos Park’s year-long calAn American Legion memendar of events celebrating the ber won the Ace of Hearts village’s centennial, 1914-2014, climaxed with a parade and two- Jackpot on Pearl Harbor Day, day Autumn in the Park festival Dec. 7, at the American Legion Marrs-Meyer Post 991 in Worth. in September and culminated in The unidentified member, who December with the burial of a time capsule filled with artifacts does not belong to the Worth post, hit it lucky and walked buried for future generations, away with half of more than including the “Images of Palos Park” photographic history of the $287,000 generated over several weeks the jackpot was in play. village published at the start of the year.

My name is Amy Richards, publisher of The Regional News and The Reporter Newspaper, and I would like to welcome you to my 11th annual report.

I hope all of you have had a wonderful 2014 and a great kick off to 2015. Typically at this point I would talk about the financial picture of the year — our revenues and profit. However, this was a special year. As many of you know, in October the Richards family sold Regional Publishing to Southwest Community Newspaper Group. These few months since have been an exciting time at the office. Our presses hum away printing more and more publications and we have new staff members to collaborate with and share ideas. As we embrace these new opportunities we remain fully committed to our mission: To keep you, our reader, connected to the community through unbiased reporting of the news of our towns.

I am so pleased our readers have continued to value their subscriptions to The Regional News and The Reporter. I have received very positive feedback about the design changes to The Regional News and The Reporter. We welcome the opportunity to update the look and feel of both papers as we continue to produce truly local newspapers. I am very thankful for the support the members of this community have shown The Regional News and The Reporter Newspaper, and look forward to continuing to serve this community.

Answers

(Puzzle on page 11)

J O N A H

A B O V E

W O M A N H T R O W O O O D D

H J U A L M U

B E L L S

S E E

D E C B O N Y Y I E S T K I N O T O N A B E X I A C E G E S E L

E T H N O I D O D A H

A A D S I C K E T U N G M O W A R O C S E B I D R W A I I L D L A G L I E

R D E N O O N E C O R E D O T M A N O D N C R K H U W A N L O T I K S O T W R V I A O T T W H E

T R A

Y E T N Y L O N

Sudoku

(Puzzle on page 11)

Sudoku Solution #3263-M

9 7 3 6 1 8 5 8 7 4 3 6 9 2 4 1 2 5

6 2 8 1 9 7

7 3 9 5 4 2

© 2009 Hometown Content

4 1 5 8 6 3

5 4 6 2 7 9 3 1 8

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3 6 7 4 8 1 2 5 9

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8 9 1 7 2 5 6 4 3

Awards The Regional News won five awards for editorial excellence in 2014. This brings the total amount of awards on The Regional’s “Wall of Fame” to 697.

The Regional News and The Reporter were honored with first- and second-place awards respectively in the category of headline writing from both The Illinois Press Association and the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association this year. In both contests Ken Karrson took first place. The comment from the IPA judge was “This headline writer knows how to draw eyes to stories. Great job, very creative.’’

The Reporter editor Jeff Vorva won second place in headline writing in both contests.

The IPA judges comments were

“Great job writing headlines that make you want to read the story; particularly enjoyed ‘Doggone it.’ ’’ Ken Karrson also won two third place awards form Illinois Press Association. They were the categories of sports column and sports features. Jeff Vorva took home an honorable mention in the category of photo series as well.

Northern Illinos Newspaper Association honored Vorva with a third-place award in the category of original column. Tim Hadac also earned a third-place award for The Regional News in the category of spot news story.

A Look Ahead Right now most indicators predict that that we should see an economic upswing in the

year to come. Locally it is easy to see many new businesses opening and longstanding projects finally being developed.

Here at Southwest Regional Publishing we believe 2015 will bring that same growth and new development. In January we will begin publishing a new health and lifestyle publication that will be inserted into all of the Southwest Community Newspaper titles reaching 37,000 homes.

When asked why we print this report each year, the answer is simple. The success of our company, like few other businesses is dependent upon the support of the majority of the families in each of the communities we serve. You have placed your trust in us and we promise to bring you a comprehensive progress report each year.

Amy Richards

Sports S

The Regional News - The Reporter

Ken Karrson, Sports Editor

outhwest

sports@regionalpublishing.com

Thursday, January 8, 2015 Section 2 Page 1

IHSA football proposal sacked

By Jeff Vorva Reporter Editor We won’t be saying goodbye to Catholic League football.

We won’t be saying “see ya later’’ to the Southwest Suburban.

Nor will we be saying “so long’’ to the South Suburban.

The East Suburban Catholic and Metro Suburban are safe, too.

And it could stay that way for a while.

The Illinois High School Association on Tuesday announced that the general membership rejected Proposal 10 by a 395-212 count.

The proposal would have eliminated conference play and would have implemented a district system for the regular season based on enrollment and geography. If it passed, it would have been the most dramatic change to the high school football landscape in history and established conferences would have been axed including the Catholic League, which is 100 years strong.

So for the next couple of years, the football in the state is status quo.

The issues that surrounded the reason for the proposal, however, remain. Scheduling nightmares and constant changes among conferences and league are still abundant.

Schools creatively scheduling easy non-conference opponents in order to rack up victories to qualify for the postseason also has posed problems.

Tim O’Halloran, who runs the edgytim.com website covering IHSA football and recruiting and is also a football expert on Comcast SportsNet Chicago, wasn’t in favor of the proposal but thinks changes are needed.

“The coaches I talked to who were in favor of it are disappointed because they thought this was a viable solution,” he said. “But when they put this proposal out there and showed what it would look like, I think it scared the bejesus out of a lot of people.

“You saw where Joliet schools were in the same district as the St. Louis area. You had Mt. Carmel playing a bunch of Chicago Public League schools that are located near them. There was a lot of weird stuff out there that may have spooked some schools off. But the scheduling and conferences are still an issue.’’

It’s possible a modified and changed proposal could be up for votes in future years. One thing O’Halloran doesn’t want to see is

the playoff structure used by the state to the east of Illinois. Indiana allows all of its football teams into the postseason.

“I don’t even want to go there,” O’Halloran said. “It would alleviate some scheduling issues but we would become Indiana and in my book that would not be a good thing. Then you are just making a complete mockery of your playoff system. I know everyone is eligible for the postseason in basketball and baseball and all of the other sports, but football is different.

“It’s totally different and it should be handled that way.”

Some coaches, including St. Laurence’s Harold Blackmon, were hoping it wouldn’t pass.

“The Catholic League has been a staple of high school football for a very long time,” he said before the vote, which took place in December.

“To destroy that is very unfair.”

It’s one of the few proposals to make the ballot to get rejected.

Three of the six proposals on the IHSA ballot were not passed this year. The last time a proposal failed to pass was in 2008-09.

From 1999-200 through 201314, 133 out of 135 proposals were passed.

A summary of this year’s other proposals: Proposal 1 (passed 370-239): Allows the Board of Directors to approve international programs that do not appear on the list of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET), and thereby confer eligibility to students in those programs • Proposal 5 (passed 375-234): Removes the mid-summer “dead week” provision that was approved last year.

• Proposal 15 (passed 489-96): Moves the date of the first contest of the girls tennis season four days earlier, to Thursday of week 7.

• Proposal 17 (rejected 313-291): Would have removed the season limitation currently in place for Scholastic Bowl.

• Proposal 18 (rejected 305-299): Would have increased the contest limitation for Scholastic Bowl from 18 dates to 30 dates.

A total of 613 of 810 member schools (75.7 percent) participated in the amendment balloting, a significant increase from last year’s 57.3 percent. A new email voting procedure is credited with turning out the vote, yielding the second-highest percentage since 1997.

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Catholic League football, which features Brother Rice and St. Rita (shown in a game in 2014) will stay the same after an IHSA proposal to revamp its structure failed to pass.

The IHSA football structure will stay the same after a proposal to switch the regular season format from conferences to districts was rejected Tuesday.

HOLIDAY CHEER

Mustangs win second tournament of the season

By Anthony Nasella

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Nicole Larkin (left photo) and Megan Pfister were standouts for Evergreen Park in the Ag Science Tournament.

games that we’ve played all year,” Scaduto said. “Despite the slow According to Evergreen Park start, which has been a problem at girls head coach Bruce Scadu- times this season, the girls came to, the Mustangs’ 59-29 victory together and really played solid over Chicago Agricultural in the defense.’’

“Nicole and Megan were all over championship of the Ag Holiday Tournament on Dec.. 29 was one the place. We were hitting our of the team’s better played games outside shot, and everything was working for us in the rest of the of the season.

And the statement was legiti- game. The girls came together and mate despite the fact that Ever- played a real nice game.

The Mustangs, who went 3-0 green found itself behind 7-0 to at the tournament , didn’t expeopen the contest.

Once the Mustangs overcame rience slow starts in any of the their early funk, the team clamped victories, so Scaduto is hoping that hard down on defense, holding his team is working that bug out their opponent to six, eight and of its system.

“Sometimes we almost need a three points over the next three quarter while exploding offensive- quarter to get going,” he said. ly to capture their second title of “Against Chicago Ag, it was like the season. They also won the here we go again, but they decided Argo Thanksgiving Tournament to pick it up and turn it on in the second half of the first quarter. in November.

Nicole Larkin, who was named And from then on, they never let to the All-Tournament team, led up and did what they had to do.

They started out well in all the way with a team-high 18 points. Maddie Vojack added ten of the other games, so hopefully points. Also making big contribu- we’re getting the slow start out tions for Evergreen Park (13-4) of our system a little bit.”

In November, Evergreen Park were Megan Pfister (eight points, eight rebounds, 11 assists, four won the Argo Thanksgiving Toursteals) and LaShondra Johnson nament. With a second tourna(eight points, five steals).

(Continued on page 2) “That was one of the better

2 Section 2

Thursday, January 8, 2015

The Regional News - The Reporter

BARTOSH

Schools of hard crocks From Sept. 16, 2004 Collegiate athletes are owed an apology.

For a great many years, they’ve been the butt of jokes that attack their integrity as students. And certainly it’s true that hordes of so-called “student-athletes” at major universities do make a mockery of the first half of that description by enrolling in courses such as Car Washing 101, Fingernail Clipping 202 and Sleeping Until 3:03 p.m. in order to earn passing grades and re­tain athletic eligibility.

(Actually, a course in sleeping would be vital to an athlete’s well­being, as it gives him the neces­sary rest to be fresh enough to entertain 100,000 fans on Satur­day afternoon. Whether or not he can entertain one of his pro­ fessors on a Tuesday morning is none of our business.)

But all those parents of non-athletes who get huffy about scholarships being taken away from “deserving” young people who won’t have a professional sports career to eventually fall back on recently received a rude awakening. It turns out their own children have course options open to them that are eerily similar to the laughable ones which enable athletes to pretend they’re pur­suing a degree.

In the Aug. 30 edition of ESPN The Magazine, one page was devoted to the description of nine college courses being offered by reputable universities this fall. All had a sports flavor to them — and, most likely, a lot of sports folks occupying classroom space — but were legitimate, credit-earning endeavors.

(When I say “legitimate,” I am, of course, referring to the fact the classes themselves really exist. There is nothing legitimate about the content, unless one’s primary academic goal is to not care about creating academic goals.)

In case you haven’t seen this particular issue of ESPN

The Magazine, let me fill you in on some of the nuggets: At Michigan State, for example, a student can sign up for a three-credit course entitled “Intro to Turfgrass Management.” In­structor John Rogers will teach identification, establishment and management principles, and dis­cuss responses to various cultural practices.

In a quote that accompanied the course description, Rogers said that when he looks at a golf course, “the first thing I see is condition.

I’d call that being bit­ten by the turf bug.”

I’d call it being bitten by some parasite that’s gotten paunchy off Mr. Rogers’ gray matter. His is one neighborhood I’ll try to avoid visiting. *** Students at Central Michigan can participate in an “Intro to Fly Fishing” class, which is good for one credit and hundreds of snickers.

Instructor John Johnson says that his objective is to “make this course academically rigorous.” He doesn’t say how exactly he’ll accomplish that, but one guess is that Johnson will test his stu­dents to see if they can remem­ber all the ingredients contained in the can(s) of beer they’ve been holding in their hands for hours and periodically glancing at while waiting for something — any­thing — to pull on their line. That’s in addition to the yanking of their chain that Johnson did in convincing them this was a worthwhile course.

There is one potential bright spot, I suppose: By allowing stu­dents to actually fish local rivers during class time, Johnson is giving them the chance to catch their own food, thereby releasing them from the shackles of future cafeteria lunches.

So at least he’s improving students’ dietary well­being at the same time their parents are growing sick over seeing what Junior’s tuition money is financing. *** At Penn State, there is

a one-credit seminar called “Profes­sional Wrestling Industry 101.” Instructor David Parry doesn’t apologize for the class, saying that an introduction to college life “ought to mean studying some­thing useful. That’s why I teach pro wrestling.”

If I want to understand pro wrestling as an industry, I’d be better served by Vince McMahon. If I sought to learn more about it as an entertainment form, I’d look up “The Rock.” And if I desired a painful hold applied to my person, I’d ask for one of the WWE divas.

What I wouldn’t consider in any of the scenarios are sessions with a guy whose homework assignments consist of such things as watching “Monday Night Raw” on TV and making weekly visits to various wrestling-oriented Web sites.

Besides, the cost of brass knuckles, salt packets and steel folding chairs probably aren’t included in the course fee. *** There are several more strange classes found at vari­ ous American universities, rang­ing from Pharmacology in Sport (at East Carolina) and The History of Baseball in Ameri­can Culture (Kansas State) to Sociology of Sports (University of Washington) and a couple dealing with sports psychology at Tulsa and Anderson (Ind.) University.

My absolute favorite, though, is found at Florida Atlantic, where Don Torok will lead a class in walking.

Torok will instruct students in the best ways to find proper clothing and shoes and overcome psychological barriers to walking, such as what to do when you accidentally step in gum or doggie deposits during one of your strolls. Hopefully, you will have found the right shoes before that happens.

Better make that footwear some tall boots, because the world of higher learning is already busy shoveling plenty of fertilizer in our direction.

No hymn of praise for SXU shooting against Ave Maria

By Anthony Nasella The St. Xavier men’s basketball team attempted 19 more shots and pulled down 15 more rebounds than Ave Maria University Dec. 30.

But what did the Cougars in was a combination of erratic shooting from the floor, excessive turnovers and trouble from the free throw in the closing minutes with the game still close.

St. Xavier shot just 37 percent from the floor (22-for-60), committed 16 turnovers, and was just 2-for-7 from the free throw line in the final 2:30, which allowed Gyrenes to pull away for a 67-61 victory over the Cougars in Ave Maria, Fla. Freshman guard Larry Motuzis scored a team-leading 17 points, but No. 15 ranked St. Xavier had no answer for Ave Maria University senior guard Jelani Bonner, who scored 33 points on impressive 15-for-20 shooting from the floor.

“One bright spot of the game was definitely Mitch Uratchko (11 points, 12 rebounds),” Cougars Coach Tom O’Malley said. “Not only did he finish with a double-double, but he also held their leading scorer to four points. That was very good.

“It’s tough when you have 19 more shots and 15 more offensive rebounds and still lose the game. The unfortunate part about it was we were 7 for 27 from the three-point line, which is usually strength of ours. We missed five free throws in the last 2 ½ minutes, which allowed them to pretty much win the game.”

St. Xavier trailed for most of the game; but held a two-point edge (49-47), its largest of the night, with five minutes to play. Unfortunately for the Cougars, critical missed shots and turnovers down the stretch allowed Ave Maria to pull away in the final minutes.

In addition to Motuzis, senior guard Jack Krieger and junior forward Mitch Uratchko both scored in double figures. Krieger finished with 16 points, while Uratchko posted a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The Cougars got off to a slow start hitting just 37 percent (10for-27) of their first-half shot attempts, including just one of their 12 three-point tries (eight percent), en route to just 22 firsthalf points. The Gyrenes led 27-22 at the break and shot 56 percent (14-for-25) in the second half to complete the victory.

“It wasn’t as much of us losing the game but ourselves rather killing ourselves,” O’Malley said. “It’s one of those things that sometimes happen. We weren’t taking bad shots. And we missed five of seven free throws down the stretch.

That makes a big difference.

“We didn’t play poorly overall; we just didn’t shot the ball real well. We just need to work at shooting the ball better and shoring up our defense a little more.”

SXU women win As the St. Xavier women’s team prepares for the second half of its season in 2015, the team will be challenged with a breakneck pace of two games, coming against conference opponents, each week for the remainder of the regular season.

So the team took full advantage of a more relaxed holiday schedule over the past the week, and capped off 2014 with their second game with an offensive output of more than 100 points on Monday.

No. 4 ranked Cougars racked up a dominant 115-62 win over Concordia University (Mich.) Dec. 29 in the final day of the fourteam St. Xavier Christmas Classic at the Shannon Center in Chicago.

“I don’t think we have a break

in the season the rest of the way,” head coach Bob Hallberg said. “It will be midweek-weekend games the rest of the way. We have a couple of days off after the tournament but no breaks after that.”

The Cougars (13-2 overall) all 13 players on the roster score at least three points in the victory.

Following the game, senior forward Morgan Stuut was named to the four-member Christmas Classic All-Tournament Team.

“Everybody got the chance to play, and I was able to give the girls the minutes they deserved.

It was a nice game to have. We were just more talented than the other team; there’s really nothing more that can be said.”

Freshman guard Kara Krolicki led all scorers with 17 points for the Cougars, while Stuut finished with her 11th double-double of the season behind 15 points and game-high 12 rebounds. Freshman center Brittany Collins had 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench, while sophomore guard Sidney Prasse had 13 points and five assists.

Senior forward Margaret Wildner also scored in double figures Monday with 10 points to go along with her five rebounds and three blocked shots. The outcome was never in doubt as St. Xavier jumped out to a quick 12-3 lead and led by as many as 31 points late in the first half.

Up 58-33 at the half, the Cougars carried their momentum into the second half en route to their highest single-game scoring total of the season.

“We played a little musical chairs with the substitutes,” Hallberg said. “But it was a fun tournament. Morgan was named to the All-Tournament team, which was not surprising. We just need to keep the momentum going.”

Submitted photo

Evergreen Park’s girls basketball team won its second tournament of the season after taking the Ag Science School tournament to close out 2014. pionship of the Hillcrest Holiday Tournament on Dec. 29 but dropped a 59-26 to Lincoln-Way West in the SouthWest Suburban crossover on Saturday.

In the win over Oak Forest, Mia DiGiacomo scored a season-high 27 points, and Alex Abed added 16 for Stagg. The team led from the beginning to end and won its third game in a row. DiGiacomo, who added eight rebounds against the Bengals, was named to the all-tournament team. Abed added four assists.

Head Coach Bill Turner also singled out the performances of junior forwards Hayley Gartner and Michelle Rentuaskas.

“They played some key minutes for us, giving us a strong inside defensive presence and grabbing several key rebounds, in the contest,” Turner said.

“We were able to win another close game, despite misfiring on nine free throw attempts in the fourth quarter. We tried to keep the ball in the hands of our best free throw shooter (Alex Abed at 87 percent), who made 7 of 8 in the final minutes of the game.

“The girls’ have been playing a lot better as of late (winning four of five), which should give (Continued from page 1) them some confidence going into ment victory under its belt, Scathe new year and the second half duto is excited in the direction of the season. Improving and be the team is going. playing our best basketball come “We have a nice group who IHSA tourney time, is what we are working real hard,” he said, are striving for.”

“We’re enjoying every moment we Against Lincoln-Way, freshman can with what we have. We have Jaime Ryan had 11 points, four game coming up against Oak Forrebounds and pair of steals and est, Hillcrest and Bremen. We’re blocks for Stagg (4-11) and Mia getting back into conference play DiGiacomo added nine points to (2-2 record), hopefully we can go with 11 rebounds and pair make noise there. We have playof assists and steals. Stagg fell ers who can play.” behind 24-10 after eight minutes The two players who have been and 41-12 at halftime. especially playing well are the two “West played with a lot more who have been varsity players energy, enthusiasm, and effort since freshmen year – Larkin than we did,” Turner said. “They and Pfister. are a very good team, and you “Megan and Nicole have rehave to be ready to play and ally helped turn the program match their intensity, from the around,” Scaduto said. “They opening whistle. Once we fell keep practicing hard and getbehind early, it was going to be ting better.” difficult to make up any ground on them. We had too many breakStagg downs on defense with too many The Chargers finished 2014 turnovers.” with a 49-46 victory over Oak “Mia DiGiacomo continues to Forest in the Consolation Chamgive her team a consistent solid effort. You won’t find many players that work as hard as she does at the game. Mia has played well for us all season long, and Jamie is going to be an exciting player to watch for the next three-plus years.”

Marist The RedHawks captured a pair of wins -- defeating Morgan Park 55-49 in the third-place game of the Hillcrest Holiday Classic on Dec. 29 and 72-19 over Marian Central Catholic in the East Suburban Catholic on Saturday.

In the win over Morgan Park, Julia Ruzevich (15 points) and Katie Houbolt (12) led the way for Marist (12-4). Against Marian Central Catholic, Dajae Black scored 13 points and Bridget Bilek had nine.

Chicago Christian The Knights went 2-0 to close out the Lisle Holiday Cage Classic – a 50-37 win over Walther Lutheran on Monday and a 43-40 victory over Hinckley-Big Rock in the fifth place consolation contest on Tuesday.

Emily Lemmenses scored eight points to lead Chicago Christian past Walther Lutheran. She scored a team-high 16 points against Hinckley Big-Rock, and Leah Kamp added 13 points.

Sandburg Sam Youngwirth scored 27 points and Victoria Stavropoulos added 18 as Sandburg (13-4) defeated Bloom 70-59 to finish fifth at the Hillcrest Holiday Classic on Dec. 29.

Queen of Peace The Pride dropped a 64-39 decision to St. Ignatius in the GCAC Red on Saturday. Kara File photo by Jeff Vorva Shimko had a team-high 14 Sandburg’s Lauran O’Leary and Sandburg finished fifth at the points for host Queen of Peace (5-16, 0-4).

Hillcrest Tournament.

Mustangs

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File photo by Jeff Vorva

Marist’s Tehya Fortune and her teammates took third at the Hillcrest Tournament in late December.

The Regional News - The Reporter

Thursday, January 8, 2015 Section 2

3

Marist beats St. Laurence hundreds of miles away

By Anthony Nasella It’s a little more than 250 miles from Marist High School to Centralia High School and a similar distance from St. Laurence High School to Centralia High School.

It’s a long bus trip for both schools and interestingly enough, both made the trip to the Centralia Holiday Tournament and faced each other before making the trip back home The first time, the two teams met at St. Laurence earlier in the season and Marist coach Gene Nolan believes strongly in the theory that it’s hard to beat a good team twice.

Having already defeated St. Laurence in an early December contest, the RedHawks would find out if that theory would hold up when it faced off against the Vikings, again, in their final game of the Centralia Holiday Tournament on New Year’s Eve. Marist prevailed again as Jeremiah Ferguson scored 22 points, and Kevin Lerma recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds in the RedHawks’ 57-51

the team, were defensively was outstanding as well. All the kids gave a great effort.”

In the 56-52 loss to Champaign win over Laurence in the consoCentral on Dec. 29, to open up lation round.

The win allowed Marist (13- the tournament, Lerma scored 4) to go 2-2 at the prestigious 16 points and Chamar Hawtournament – bouncing back from kins had 14 points and seven losses to Champaign Central and rebounds.to lead Marist.

“The biggest disappointment Arlington of Tennessee to defeat both Raleigh-Egypt of Tennessee in that loss was more for the kids – that they were unable to adand the Vikings.

“We had a really good first vance to the winner’s bracket,” game at St. Laurence,” Nolan Nolan said. “We were actually up said. “To beat them once is a 11 points late in third quarter, challenge, and both teams played and they just outscored us down very hard again. We we’re for- the stretch. I tell the kids be tunate to make a few shots to great, late – and Champaign was gain some distance from them, great when it was late.”

Against Arlington (Tennessee), and we made some late free throws to preserve the win. To in a 67-52 defeat Dec. 30, The beat a good team twice is great RedHawks were led by Ferguson (15 points) and Hawkins (11 accomplishment.

“Ferguson was solid from the points).

“If we just could have converted foul line (10 of 12) against Laurence, and Lerma was especially some more shots, we could have helpful with seven offensive re- put ourselves in a better position bounds. I impress on the kids to have, at least, challenged for that we want two shots for every the win,” he said. “We could never possession, and Kevin gave us get closer than seven points.”

In a Dec. 31 win to set up the St. multiple possessions because of his effort on the glass He, and Laurence battle, the RedHawks

AT CENTRALIA

beat Raleigh-Egypt 59-35 Hawkins (seven rebounds), Ferguson and Malik Parker had 10 points each to spark Marist.

“I was proud of my kids’ effort on day three,” he said. “Offensively and defensively, we played very well. Good effort and execution, together, put yourself in a good position to succeed. That was the case against Raleigh.”

St. Laurence The Vikings (8-5) went 1-3 at the Centralia Holiday Tournament: Losing to Cahokia, Harlan and Marist and defeating Salem.

In a 60-35 defeat to Cahokia, Matt Gurgone provided 10 points and four rebounds for St. Laurence. The Vikings dropped a 5649 decision to Harlan despite a game-high 22-point scoring effort from Brett Risley.

St. Laurence bounced back with a 75-53 win over Salem. Quentin Forberg and Kevin Aderman scored 15 points each, and File photo by Jeff Vorva Christian Ferrer added 13 points for the Vikings. Against Marist, Marist’s Kevin Lerma, shown in an earlier season game against St. Forberg and Gurgone each scored Laurence in Burbank and his RedHawks beat the Vikings again – this time more than 250 miles away at the Centralia Tournament.

14 points.

Boys Basketball Roundup

Brother Rice bests hosts to take third at Luther North

By Anthony Nasella

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Stagg’s Jeff Goral, dribbling in a loss to Batavia in the Jack Tosh Tournament, had a huge overtime in a win over Glenbard East to help his team finish 2-2 in the fournament.

Chargers use Batavia loss as springboard to two wins

By Anthony Nasella Even though the Stagg boys’ basketball team dropped a decision to Batavia in the second game of the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic at York, coach John Daniels felt his team’s play in the second half gave a boost to the team’s confidence.

And that confidence was on full display for the rest of the tournament, as the Chargers followed up the setback with a thrilling 64-62 overtime victory over Glenbard East on Dec. 29 and kept rolling with a convincing 65-38 win over Timothy Christian in Jan. 30’s final contest.

The wins evened up Stagg’s output at 2-2 for the tournament and its overall record to 5-10.

“I’d like to go back and play some those teams we lost to earlier in the season,” Daniels said.

“We’re much improved team, and we’re very happy to have finished 2-2 in a very good tournament.

The Lyons loss (a 74-43 setback to open the tournament) was very frustrating, but the kids responded right away and finished the tournament strong.

“Even in the loss to Batavia, we talked after the game about how well I thought the kids had played in the second half, and I think that really helped their confidence. We came into the

AT YORK Glenbard East game, and the kids continued in that vein.”

Against Glenbard East, Jeff Goral (22 points, six rebounds) sank two free throws with two seconds left to boost Stagg in the consolation bracket. Josh Strama chipped in 12 points for the Chargers.

“Jeff Goral scored five of our seven points in overtime, which was big,” Daniels said. “Sterma really attacked the rim, and we scored about 12 points off of turnovers in the first half. We did a better job of boxing out.

Our seniors, especially, stepped up a played a great game.”

In the win over Timothy Christian, Goral and John Contant had 14 points each to lead Stagg in the consolation bracket. Strama and Joe Zaremba added 13 points apiece for the Chargers.

“The kids kept it going against Timothy Christian and did a nice job,” he said. “That was our best defensive performance of the season.”

Sandburg The Eagles (5-7) split their final two games at the Jack Tosh Tournament – defeating Nazareth 64-38 in the consolation quarter-

final and losing to Batavia 58-45 in the consolation semifinal.

In the win over Nazareth, Niko Kogionis scored 22 points and Peter Paxinos added 15 to pace Sandburg. Against Batavia, Tommy Demogerontas had 12 points and seven rebounds, and Paxinos chipped in with 11 points for the Eagles.

“We’re not too disappointed with a 2-2 effort,” Sandburg coach Todd Allen said. “Our biggest setback, though, was losing our guard Alec Martinez to a sprained knee against Nazareth. Hopefully, we won’t be without him for too long.”

Allen was especially pleased with the team’s unselfish and defensive intensity against Nazareth.

“We scored 44 points in the first half to their 18, and the kids passed the ball and shared the ball well,” Allen said. “We recorded 13 assists and kept the Nazareth players on their heels.

It was a good, quality win.”

Against Batavia, Sandburg trailed just 36-33 with five minutes left to play.

“Batavia shot well from the floor and 14 of 16 from the foul line,” he said. “We didn’t play or shoot poorly; they just made more plays and free throws down the stretch. We had the opportunity to win.”

the year and go into the new year with some momentum.”

Against Andrew, Ameen HusAfter dropping a hard onesein led the way with 22 points, point loss to Maine East in the and Jaylan Catledge tacked on semifinals of the Luther North 14 points, five steals and four Holiday Tournament on Dec.. rebounds for the Bulldogs. In 29, Brother Rice took care of the win over Manteno, Lucas business in the third-place the White had 14 points, and Catfollowing night. ledge added 12 points and eight And it came against the host rebounds for the Bulldogs. school to boot.

In both victories, Richards Behind a 21-point scoring efclosed to each game with a fort by Mike Shepski and 13-restrong fourth-quarter effort. bound effort by Joe Ruzevich, Also, Mamon was pleased with the Crusaders defeated Luther his team’s consistent play in North 57-53, improving their each victory record to 6-7 and making head “We talked about trying to coach Rick Harrigan hopeful be consistent,” he said. “In the that his youthful team is learnfirst two games, we wouldn’t ing on the run. finish up a quarter, play a full “After the loss to Maine quarter or a full 32 minutes; East, we responded well the we did that against Manteno next night, Harrigan said. “We and Andrew. We were also able flipped the script on our opto respond with some runs of ponent and had a good start our own, which is always a ourselves – going up 10-2. We good sign. played a tough game against File photo by Jeff Vorva “In the Andrew game, we Luther North. It’s their tournament and their home game, so Brother Rice sophomore Josh Niego were able to do what others it was a true road game for us. and his teammates shook off a had previously done to us: “We ended the tournament heartbreaking semifinal loss to finish That’s speeding the game up 3-1 and third place, which is third at the Luther North Tournament. and forcing turnovers. The kids did a good job of adjusting, and definitely a success. A lot of it worked out in our favor.”

11 points and 11 rebounds. things that were learning with Mamon was especially pleased “We started real slow and had this young team will hopefully serve them well in the second half no energy at the start of the with the aggressive efforts of Husgame,” he said. “They came out sein against Andrew, Catledge’s of the season.”

Harrigan was, to say the least, and took a lead on us, 18-4. We consistent play throughout the pleased with the specific play of finally woke up, battled back, and whole tournament and the takeShepski and Ruzevich – who were did some really good things. We charge attitude of White.

“Lucas was able to let his deboth All-Tournament selections. could just never get the lead. We “Shepski really stepped up for tied them a couple of times, but fense lead the offense with steals,” us and made some real tough we could never get over the hump. Mamom said. “We joke with Lushots,” he said. “And Joe Ruzevich The deficit would fall back to four cas because we call him the JYD, seems to continue to grab every or so. The bad start did us in.” which of course is (late professional wrestler) the Junkyard Dog. possible rebound for us. He always It’s good to see him sharing in Richards seems to get 12 to 15 rebounds a After his Bulldogs dropped the role offensively because he game, covering both ends of the court, because he’s strong, athlet- the first two games to open the usually doesn’t receive that kind ically conditioned and in shape.” Kankakee Holiday Tournament, of credit.

“When we were late in the game The long distance shooting of Bulldogs head coach Jevon Masophomore Josh Niego and fresh- mon was hoping for a strong finish against Andrew, Lucas said, ‘This is crunch time coach; we have to man Jay Kosakowski are also from his squad.

The first-year coach got just go.’ You have to love that type of contributing to the Crusaders’ that, as Richards defeated An- mentality and attitude.” success.

“Josh hit a couple of three’s for drew 59-51 to finish seventh in Evergreen Park us against Luther North,” Harri- the Maroon bracket on Monday The Mustangs dropped their gan said. “And Jay continues to and followed that with a victory come through with three-point over Manteno 51-35 in the fifth- final two games of the Immaculate baskets and blocked shots for us place consolation game on Dec. 30. Conception/Westmont Christmas “We’re very happy to salvage Tournament – losing to IC Prep in every game. The young guys are really stepping up and filling the tournament with a couple of 75-47 in the final round of pool good win and finish 2-2,” Manon play on Monday and a 55-44 setthe stat sheets for us.

“Hopefully, we can turn them said. “The guys got their stats back against Perspectives-MSA in into some more wins as we get up even on fourth day when it the third-place contest at Westback in our Chicago Catholic gets tiring. They didn’t let it mont on Dec. 30.

Against IC Prep, Tyler SorbelLeague schedule and moving get to them. We were able to toward the .500 column. That’s fight though the sluggishness lini recorded 17 points for Evand played a good final game. ergreen Park (5-7). Dan Smith the plan.”

In the 44-43 semifinal loss to We played well enough to win. had 10 points for Evergreen Park Maine East, Ruzevich contributed It was a good way to finish up against Perspectives-MSA.

Chicago Christian wins battle of Palos Heights in tourney

By Anthony Nasella After drawing three challenging opponents based far outside the Chicago south suburbs at the Romeoville Christmas Classic, Chicago Christian’s final opponent, Shepard, would give the Knights a chance to play neighboring school.

In the process, Chicago Christian also broke out of its threegame slide at Romeoville, exiting the tournament with a 63-48 win over the Astros in a battle of schools from Palos Heights.

Trevor Wolterink had 24 points and seven rebounds to pace Chicago Christian (6-8) in the consolation seventh-place game on Dec. 30. Daylon Washington added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Knights, whose other standout was Anajuwon Spencer (12 points, 10 rebounds).

“Our first three games were very tough draws for us,” Chicago Christian Coach Kevin Pittman

AT ROMEOVILLE said. “Our goal after losing the first two was to try to salvage the last two. We didn’t get achieved against Glenbard South (a 74-58 defeat), so we were finally able put some things together and, at least, get one win out of this tournament with the win over Shepard.”

“We learned a lot about our team at this tournament. It’s not always fun to lose and learn, but I think we learned that there were some things we needed to shore up to get better. We have to not let one part of game that’s struggling effect other parts of our game, too.”

On Dec. 29, against Glenbard South, Bradford Fitzpatrick and Spencer finished with 12 points apiece for Chicago Christian in the small school seventh-place game.

Kendrick Watson led the way with 17 points.

“Chicago Christian did a very good job against us,” Shepard coach Tony Chiuccariello said.

“They opened up the game really fast, shot the ball well and caused some turnovers with good defense. They blew us out of the gym early, and we made some mistakes.

“We did make a run in third quarter and battled back. We got a couple of steals and cut the deficit down to eight. Unfortunately, the deficit went back to 10 and then 11. We never could get back. They broke us up a couple of times. We did better in the third quarter and fourth, but we just dug too big of a hole.”

Watson scored 15 points as the Astros (3-10) dropped a close 59-53 decision to Argo in the large school seventh-place Shepard Against Chicago Christian, game.

“The Glenbard score was a little misleading,” Pittman said.

“We got down in that game right away 17-6 after the first quarter.

Then they outscored us 23-16 in the second quarter…down at halftime 40-22. When you dig yourself into a hole like that, it’s difficult to comeback. We talked at halftime, and I really challenged the kids to come out and do things a little better.

“They outscored us 21-16 in third, but we outscored them 20-13 in the fourth…who knows what could have happened if we put together a good first half?

I liked our effort in the fourth quarter…challenged them at halftime and play with a little more enthusiasm and effort and do things better. I think we did that, and I think that carried over into the Shepard game.”

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (FANNIE MAE), A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Plaintiff, -v.STOYCHO IVANOV AKA STOYCHO DOBROMIROV-IVANOV, DESISLAVA IVANOV, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., THE RIVIERA IN PALOS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Defendants 14 CH 08828 3 COUR MASSON UNIT 3 PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 3, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 4, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 3 COUR MASSON UNIT 3, PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 Property Index No. 2323-112-032-0000. The real estate is improved with a two story single family home; no garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.

No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information: Visit our website at service. atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5 pm.

PIERCE & ASSOCIATES, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300, CHICAGO, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 476-5500. Please refer to file number PA1404014. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. PIERCE & ASSOCIATES One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300 CHICAGO, IL 60602 (312) 476-5500 Attorney File No. PA1404014 Attorney Code. 91220 Case Number: 14 CH 08828 TJSC#: 34-19195 I638827

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.STEVEN L. BRYKCZYNSKI, FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY LLC, ARTHUR BOAT Defendants 10 CH 002937 16813 SHERIDANS TRAIL ORLAND PARK, IL 60467 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 31, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 2, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 16813 SHERIDANS TRAIL, ORLAND PARK, IL 60467 Property Index No. 27-29-113-006. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-13-27025. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 Attorney File No. 14-13-27025 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 10 CH 002937 TJSC#: 34-19796 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I639068

For Sale For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, I L L I N O I S COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., A S S E T BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-3 Plaintiff, v s .

REHAM ABUHAFETH AKA REHAM ELJABALI AKA R E H A M EL JABALI AKA REHAM ELJABAIL; MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC.; B A N K OF AMERICA, N.A.; HICKORY HILLS COURTS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AKA THE HICKORY HILLS COURTS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; U N K N O W N UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD C L A I M A N T S D e f e n d a n t s , 14 CH 11216 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, January 26, 2015 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 18-35-308-039-1002.

Commonly known as 8424 West 87th Street, Unit 1B, Hickory Hills, Illinois 60457.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney, Freedman Anselmo Lindberg LLC, 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563-1890. (630) 453-6960.

For Bidding instructions visit www.fal-illinois.com 24 hours prior to sale. F14040288 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I638916

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448-4002 Deadline 5 p.m. Monday Hours M-F 9 to 5 Sat. 9 to Noon

Property Listings

For Sale

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, I L L I N O I S C O U N T Y D E PA R TM E N T, CHANCERY DIVISION P H H M O R T G A G E C O R P O R AT I O N , P l a i n t i f f V . S A LVATO R E A .

A P R I L E , J R . A / K / A S A LVAT O R E A .

APRILE; VILLAGE SQUARE OF ORLAND UMBRELLA ASSOCIATION; CONDOMINIUMS OF VILLAGE SQUARE OF ORLAND CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION II; UNNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; UNKNOWN O C C U P A N T S , D e f e n d a n t s 14 CH 2033 Property Address: 15514 WESTMINSTER DRIVE U N I T 6 7 B O R L A N D PA R K , I L 6 0 4 6 2 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE C O N D O M I N I U M Shapiro Kreisman & Associates, LLC file # 14-070806 (It is advised that interested parties consult with their own attorneys before bidding at mortgage foreclosure s a l e s . ) PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered on November 10, 2014, Kallen Realty Services, Inc., as Selling Official will at 12:30 p.m. on February 12, 2015, at 205 W. Randolph Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real property: Commonly known as 15514 Westminster Drive, Unit 67B, Orland Park, IL 60462 Permanent Index No.: 27-15-301-028-1122 The mortgaged real estate is improved with a dwelling.

The property will NOT be open for inspection. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay such of the condominium association’s assessments and legal fees as are required by 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) a n d ( g ) ( 4 ) .

The judgment amount was $170,143.72. Sale terms for non-parties: 10% of successful bid immediately at conclusion of auction, balance by 12:30 p.m. the next business day, both by cashier’s checks; and no refunds.

The sale shall be subject to general real estate taxes, special taxes, special assessments, special taxes levied, and superior liens, if any. The property is offered “as is,” with no express or implied warranties and without any representation as to the quality of title or recourse to Plaintiff. Prospective bidders are admonished to review the court file to verify all information and to view auction rules at w w w . k a l l e n r s . c o m . For information: Sale Clerk, Shapiro Kreisman & Associates, LLC, Attorney # 42168, 2121 Waukegan Road, Suite 301, Bannockburn, Illinois 60015, (847) 291-1717, between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. weekdays on l y.

I635369

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All Real Estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are herby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD tollfree at 1 (800) 669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is: 1 (800) 927-9275.

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO CHASE HOME FINANCE, LLC Plaintiff, -v.JEROME F. SAULINSKI, THE FOREST RIDGE AT WESTGATE VALLEY ELITE HOMES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 10 CH 024099 13453 COVE COURT UNIT #52 PALOS HEIGHTS, IL 60463 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 20, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 22, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:Commonly known as 13453 COVE COURT UNIT #52, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL 60463 Property Index No. 24-32-300-063-1007, Property Index No. (24-32-300-057-1007 underlying). The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.

No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-10-04676. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 Attorney File No. 14-10-04676 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 10 CH 024099 TJSC#: 34-18804 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I638367

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division.

Citizens Financial Bank, Plaintiff, vs.

Wolf Properties, LLC, Fathi Abdallah, Ibtisam Abdallah, Hani F. Abdallah, Ali H. Kutom, Ghassan Abdallah, Unknown Owners, Unknown Occupants, Unknown Tenants, and Non-Record Claimants, D e f e n d a n t s .

13 CH 21751; Sheriff’s No. 140858-001F. Pursuant to a Judgment made and entered by said Court in the above entitled cause, Thomas J. Dart, Sheriff of Cook County, Illinois, will on February 2, 2015, at 1:00 P.M. in Room LL06 of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL, sell at public auction the following described premises and real estate mentioned in said Judgment: P.I.N.: 27-32-101-009-0000.Address: 17831-49 Wolf Road, Orland Park, IL 60467.Improvements: The Property is non-residential and consists of a commercial retail strip center.Sale shall be under the following terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds.Sale shall be subject to general taxes, special assessments, and prior first mortgages. Premises will NOT be open for inspection. For information: Bryan E. Jacobson, Chapman and Cutler LLP, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 111 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603, Tel. No. 312-845-3000.This is an attempt to collect a debt pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I637689

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WELLS FARGO BANK SOUTHWEST, N.A. FKA WACHOVIA MORTGAGE, FSB FKA WORLD SAVINGS BANK, FSB Plaintiff, -v.WILLIAM P. PALAIMA A/K/A WILLIAM PALAIMA, YORKSHIRE ESTATES CONDOMINIUMS ASSOCIATION Defendants 14 CH 10307 7955 WEST 90TH STREET UNIT 3B HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 3, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 27, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 7955 WEST 90TH STREET UNIT 3B, HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 Property Index No. 23-01-107-026-1024, Property Index No. 23-01-107-026-1046. The real estate is improved with a two story single family home; detached one car garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted.

The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information: Visit our website at service. atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5 pm.

PIERCE & ASSOCIATES, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300, CHICAGO, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 476-5500. Please refer to file number PA1404607. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. PIERCE & ASSOCIATES One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300 CHICAGO, IL 60602 (312) 476-5500 Attorney File No. PA1404607 Attorney Code. 91220 Case Number: 14 CH 10307 TJSC#: 34-17473 I638014

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(708) 903-9865 For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CITIMORTGAGE, INC. Plaintiff, -v.RAMON B. BELICANO JR., ANNA L. DAVID, BANK OF AMERICA AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO LASALLE BANK MIDWEST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, COLETTE HIGHLANDS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Defendants 12 CH 002563 15611 SCOTSGLEN ROAD ORLAND PARK, IL 60462 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 29, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 2, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 15611 SCOTSGLEN ROAD, ORLAND PARK, IL 60462 Property Index No. 27-17-406-011-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-14-10788. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 Attorney File No. 14-14-10788 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 12 CH 002563 TJSC#: 34-19772 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I639197

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.MICHAEL GONZALEZ, CYRENE MARIE GILBERT, BMO HARRIS BANK, N.A. F/K/A HARRIS N.A., TIMBERLINE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 13 CH 25170 9366 MEADOWVIEW DRIVE ORLAND HILLS, IL 60487 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 31, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 3, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 9366 MEADOWVIEW DRIVE, ORLAND HILLS, IL 60487 Property Index No. 27-22-112-029-1036. The real estate is improved with a two story townhouse with a one car attached garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information: Visit our website at service. atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5 pm.

PIERCE & ASSOCIATES, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300, CHICAGO, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 476-5500. Please refer to file number PA1313717. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. PIERCE & ASSOCIATES One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300 CHICAGO, IL 60602 (312) 476-5500 Attorney File No. PA1313717 Attorney Code. 91220 Case Number: 13 CH 25170 TJSC#: 34-19084 I638768

THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN THE CLASSIFIEDS!

6

Section 2

Thursday, January 8, 2015

The Regional News - The Reporter

Real Estate

The Reporter Newspapers

Property Listings

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, S/I/I TO NATIONAL CITY REAL ESTATE SERVICES, LLC, S/B/M TO NATIONAL CITY MORTGAGE, INC., F/K/A NATIONAL CITY MORTGAGE CO. Plaintiff, -v.ROSE PASTORE, EVERGREEN VIEW HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Defendants 13 CH 07854 14210 SOUTH 87TH AVENUE ORLAND PARK, IL 60462 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 4, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 5, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:Commonly known as 14210 SOUTH 87TH AVENUE, ORLAND PARK, IL 60462 Property Index No. 27-02-317005-0000. The real estate is improved with a two story single family home with a three car attached garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.

No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information: Visit our website at service. atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5 pm.

PIERCE & ASSOCIATES, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300, CHICAGO, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 476-5500. Please refer to file number PA1304979. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. PIERCE & ASSOCIATES One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300 CHICAGO, IL 60602 (312) 476-5500 Attorney File No. PA1304979 Attorney Code. 91220 Case Number: 13 CH 07854 TJSC#: 34-19336 I639315

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION BMO HARRIS BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.MICHAL KADLUB, JARMILA KADLUB A/K/A JARMILA KOVACIKOVA, PALOS PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 14 CH 010893 10571 PALOS PLACE UNIT #2B PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 25, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 4, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 10571 PALOS PLACE UNIT #2B, PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 Property Index No. 23-13-103-030-1034, Property Index No. 23-13-103-030-1064. The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted.

The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-14-12022. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 Attorney File No. 14-14-12022 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 14 CH 010893 TJSC#: 34-17546 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I639519

Call Debbie 448-6175 Deadline 5 p.m. Monday

For Sale

For Sale

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY Plaintiff, -v.CHICAGO TITLE LAND TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE UTA DTD 6/11/80 KNOWN AS TRUST NO. 5850, VICTOR LEVITSKI A/K/A VICTOR R. LEVITSKI, VALARIE A. BEHLING, DIANE V. KADEL, ROBERT T. MCELROY, EILEEN A. MCELROY, NANCY L. MCELROY, SOMERSET CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN BENEFICIARIES OF CHICAGO TITLE LAND TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE UTA DTD 6/11/80 KNOWN AS TRUST NO. 5850, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LORETTA MCELROY, IF ANY, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 13 CH 23031 12666 SOUTH LONDON LANE APT 1 PALOS HEIGHTS, IL 60463 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 3, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 4, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 12666 SOUTH LONDON LANE APT 1, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL 60463 Property Index No. 23-25-300-119-1009. The real estate is improved with a red, brick, condominium in multi unit building; attached garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information: Visit our website at service. atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5 pm.

PIERCE & ASSOCIATES, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300, CHICAGO, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 476-5500. Please refer to file number PA1313348. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. PIERCE & ASSOCIATES One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300 CHICAGO, IL 60602 (312) 476-5500 Attorney File No. PA1313348 Attorney Code. 91220 Case Number: 13 CH 23031 TJSC#: 34-19092 I638828

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION INTERBANK MORTGAGE COMPANY Plaintiff, -v.TADEUSZ SZWAJNOS, IZABELA SZWAJNOS, CITIBANK, N.A. S/I/I TO CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A. Defendants 12 CH 17271 8824 WEST 92ND PLACE HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 27, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 28, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:Commonly known as 8824 WEST 92ND PLACE, HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 Property Index No. 23-03-412091-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family home with an attached 2 car garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information: Visit our website at service. atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5 pm.

PIERCE & ASSOCIATES, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300, CHICAGO, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 476-5500. Please refer to file number PA1209222. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. PIERCE & ASSOCIATES One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300 CHICAGO, IL 60602 (312) 476-5500 Attorney File No. PA1209222 Attorney Code. 91220 Case Number: 12 CH 17271 TJSC#: 34-18808 I638396

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.LISA M. HOVEL, BERKSHIRE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 14 CH 010661 8901 S. ROBERTS ROAD UNIT #307 HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 30, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 3, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8901 S. ROBERTS ROAD UNIT #307, HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 Property Index No. 23-01-101-019-1029. The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-1408941. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 Attorney File No. 14-14-08941 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 14 CH 010661 TJSC#: 34-17883 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

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For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.JOANNA PRANICA, ANDRZEJ PRANICA A/K/A ANDREW PRANICA, THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWABS MASTER TRUST, REVOLVING HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSET BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2004-U, GREEN OAKS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 12 CH 040892 9954 S. 84TH TERRACE UNIT #309 PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 24, 2014, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 17, 2015, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 9954 S. 84TH TERRACE UNIT #309, PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 Property Index No. 23-11-301-006-1153 (23-11-301-005 underlying).

The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-12-23270. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 Attorney File No. 14-12-23270 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 12 CH 040892 TJSC#: 34-22028 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I639894

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11/26/08 11:57:33 AM

The Regional News - The Reporter

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Section 2

Out & About

7

Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond

A remarkable story that fails at execution The life and times of an Olympic athlete who survived 47 days in a raft and many months in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp is an extraordinary story.

It’s one that should make for a good movie. The problem here is we have this remarkable story that fails to get off the ground in the movie “Unbroken.”

Based on the 2010 best-seller of the same name by Laura Hillenbrand, this film tells the story of the late Louis Zamperini who died in July at the age of 97, just months before the release.

The film tells a story of a trouble-making kid raised by Italian immigrants who grows up to become an Olympic runner – a kid who thought he was a nobody until his brother pushed him into believing in himself. This kid from nothing becomes an inspiring figure when making it to the Olympics truly meant something.

The real meat of the movie comes after the Olympics as we see Zamperini as a soldier in WWII. His plane goes down, he struggles at sea waiting to be rescued, and then becomes a prisoner of war.

Supplied photo Some of the prisoner of war scenes can be hard to watch, while others seem to be exaggerated for the movie. There are almost too Spotlight Youth Theater students will present “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. many of these scenes where he’s brutally beaten, but they rein17, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at Stagg High School’s performing arts center, 8015 W. 111th St. in Palos Hills.

This show is packed with upbeat Broadway songs, funny comics, and the creative genius of Charles M. Schultz. Favorite Peanuts force the title of the movie. This characters include Lucy, Snoopy, Woodstock, and the entire gang. Tickets cost $9-12 in advance; $2 ,ore at the boor. Call 847-516-2298 is where the film takes off and grabs you. These scenes are the or visit www.spotlight.org film. They may not be accurate, but this is where the film feels genuine.

British actor Jack O’Connell stars as Zamperini and shines in the part. No matter how good he is, he can’t really make the movie

‘Charlie Brown’ musical coming to Stagg

Broaden Your Horizons

This Week Gardening class The seed catalogs have begun to arrive in the mail at The Center in Palos Park. January is the time to plan this summer’s garden, so the first in a series of Gardening 101 classes will be held this Sunday, Jan. 11, from 2 to 4 p.m., at The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway.

Lois Lauer will guide students through the basics of planning a successful herb and vegetable garden, including what can be grown, and where, when, and how it can be grown effectively, enjoyably and sustainably. Topics to be included in the class are space needs of each plant, which plants should be grown near each other, and which pants to start indoors, which to sow directly to the garden, and which to buy at a greenhouse.

Lauer says a well-planned garden can decrease your problems with weeds and insects, increase your soil’s fertility, and your chances of a successful experience next summer in the garden. The last half hour of class will include assistance with drawing out your personal garden plan for 2015.

Participants are asked to know approximately how large their garden is, or potentially might be, before coming to class, by pacing off the potential area and estimating the dimensions. Lauer grows a large vegetable and herb garden at the farm, and even a new fruit garden, and wants to share some of the joys and lessons she’s learned. See what’s grown in the farm garden on Lauer’s garden blog, http://childrensfarmgarden.blogspot.com/.

The Jan. 10 class fee is $15.

Reservations are required. Call The Center at 361-3650.

Spiritual Companionship Spiritual Companionship is available each Tuesday at The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway in Palos Park.

Spiritual Companion Kathy Fontaine guides a person in prayer, meditation, and dialogue.

Fontaine has been trained at the Institute of Spiritual Companionship in Chicago and is known to the Palos community as a spiritual growth leader and former kindergarten teacher. Fontaine calls spiritual companionship “holy listening.” The cost of Fontaine’s one-on-one service is $20 per hour, which she donates to The Center’s camp scholarship fund.

For more information about Spiritual Companionship appointments, call The Center at 361-3650.

Leafy green veggies luncheon program Leafy green vegetables is the topic of a luncheon program on Tuesday, Jan. 13, from noon to 2 p.m., at The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park.

Patty McPhillips will discuss the nutritional benefits of leafy greens in our diets. She will discuss the variety of greens available, how to cook them, juice them, eat them, and grow them in your yard, or maybe on your kitchen windowsill. McPhillips is a health coach and local organic farmer.

The program begins at noon, followed by the luncheon, which of course will include some delicious leafy green vegetables. The cost

is $18 per person, and requires advance reservations. For more information, call The Center at 361-3650.

Ageless Grace anti-aging class

Pinto’s Popcorn Picks by Tony Pinto

shine. It’s a decent movie but just not a great movie.

Directed by Angelina Jolie, this movie fails to show any sprit and leaves us wanting more. Is this a bad movie? Not in the slightest way. On the other hand, let’s not say this is a great movie. It doesn’t do anything terribly wrong, but doesn’t do anything spectacularly either.

At times this film can be a little slow moving. After his plane went down, Zamperini was stuck on a raft for 47 days, which is remarkable. The thing is we don’t need is what seems like 47 minutes of him stuck on a raft. The film just doesn’t know when to move along, which makes it way too long.

It’s an average war film that for the most part is just like any other war film. It spouts of the same old tired clichés like this one from his brother: ‘’A moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory.’’

One thing the film doesn’t do is touch too much on is his life after the war. This is both good and bad.

You will want to like this film because the story of his life is so extraordinary, there’s just one problem – this film is not. It’s moving, admirable, and occasionally exciting. It’s just missing something to make it truly inspiring and enjoyable.

—Tony Pinto’s grade: C

includes all supplies and two kiln firings. Registration is required.

Call The Center at 361-3650.

The Bridge Teen Center programs

Redecorate Your Room – 4:30 to 6 p.m. today (Thursday), The Bridge Teen Center, 15555 S. 71st Court, Orland Park, will host a program for students to come up with a plan to redesign their room.

Staff vs. Students Night with Continuum – 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Jan. 9, weekly “Friday Night Live” event with live music from Continuum and with free food from TCBY. Students may also participate in games and win prizes during a Staff vs. Students themed night.

Rise and Shine – 4 to 5 p.m. Jan. 13, a program to teach students how to pair healthy eating with stretching to start their morning off the right way.

Washer Necklaces – 5 to 6 p.m.

Jan. 13, teaches students to make their own necklace out of string and round washers.

Soul Cafe: Friendship – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14, a program to help students learn how to meet new people and experience true Family pottery owl friendship. sculptures class Boxing – 5 to 6 p.m. Jan. 14, A pottery class for families 21 and 28, a program to teach will be hosted at the Log Cabin students the basics of boxing.

Puppies with Purpose – 4:30 to Center for the Arts on Wednesdays, Jan. 14 and 21, 6:30 to 7:30 5:30 p.m. Jan. 15, learn about how p.m. The Log Cabin Art Center Illini Service Dogs train dogs to is at 12700 Southwest Highway help individuals with disabilities.

YouTube Videos – 5 to 6 p.m. in Palos Park.

Instructor heather Young in- Jan. 15, a program to view a vites families with children of any compilation of hilarious student age to make colorful ceramic owl videos. Students may stop by The sculptures for your home or yard Bridge to submit their video.

These free events are for teens on Jan. 14 and to come back to glaze their creations on Jan. 21. in 7th through 12th grade. For The class fee is $18 per person and more information call 532-0500.

An anti-aging Ageless Grace Movement class will begin Wednesday morning, Jan. 14, for six weeks, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park.

Taught by Theresa Suchy-McGraw, Ageless Grace engages participants in moving to music in a surprisingly energetic workout all while sitting in a chair. The Ageless Grace program can improve joint mobility, spinal flexibility coordination, cognitive function, balance, and confidence. It can be done by almost anyone of any age or ability. The exercises consist of movements that are natural and organic, so there’s no need to learn any special choreography. The movements are all set to peppy music and the class is designed to be fun. The Ageless Grace class is costs $45, and requires preregistration. Call 361-3650.

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8

Section 2

Thursday, January 8, 2015

The Regional News - The Reporter

Out & About

Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond

Top Pop Singles 1. Blank Space, Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records 2. Take Me to Church, Hozier, Columbia 3. Uptown Funk!, Mark Ronson, featuring Bruno Mars, Elektra 4. Lips Are Movin, Meghan Trainor, Epic 5. I’m Not the Only One, Sam Smith, Capitol Records

6. Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran, Atlantic 7. All About That Bass, Meghan Trainor, Epic 8. Animals, Maroon 5, Interscope 9. Love Me Harder, Ariana Grande & The Weeknd, Motown/ Universal 10. Shake It Off, Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records

Top Pop Albums 1. 2014 Forest Hills Drive, J. Cole, Roc Nation /Columbia Records 2. 1989, Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records 3. That’s Christmas to Me, Pentatonix, RCA 4. Greatest Hits: Decade#1, Carrie Underwood, Sony Music Nashville 5. Rock Or Bust, AC/DC,

Columbia 6. Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart? K. Michelle, Atlantic Urban 7. Four, One Direction, Columbia 8. In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith, Capitol Records (Universal) 9. X, Ed Sheeran, Atlantic 10. Man Against Machine, Garth Brooks, Sony Music Nashville

Top Country Albums 1. Greatest Hits: Decade#1, Carrie Underwood, Sony Music Nashville 2. Man Against Machine, Garth Brooks, Sony Music Nashville 3. Old Boots, New Dirt, Jason Aldean, Broken Bow 4. Anything Goes, Florida Georgia Line, Big Machine Records 5. Home for the Holidays, Darius Rucker, Universal Nashville

6. The Cowboy Rides Away: Live From AT&T Stadium, George Strait, Universal Nashville 7. Crash My Party, Luke Bryan, Capitol Nashville 8. BRINGING BACK THE SUNSHINE, Blake Shelton, Warner Bros.

9. Montevallo, Sam Hunt, MCA 10. Nashville: The Music Of, Season 3 : Volume 1, Soundtrack, Big Machine Records

Omarr’s Weekly Astrological Forecast

by Jeraldine Saunders

Submitted photo

Pastels class at Log Cabin Center A pastel painting class begins at The Log Cabin Center for the Arts, 12700 Southwest Highway in Palos Park, on Monday, Jan. 12, at 9 a.m. Instructor Susan Flanagan’s woodland pastel painting in progress is shown above. Both beginners and experienced painters may join. Students will develop their own individual styles as they paint using either their own photographs or still-life scenes provided by Flanagan. The class will focus on the principles of composition, shape, color, and value, as well as techniques for under painting and pastel applications. The six-week class costs $110. A list of required supplies for the six-week class is available at The Center office.

Registration is required. Call 361-3650.

Videoview

by Jay Bobbin (NOTICE: Ratings for each film begin with a ‘star’ rating — one star meaning ‘poor,’ four meaning ‘excellent’ — followed by the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and then by a family-viewing guide, the key for which appears below.)

STARTING THIS WEEK: “GET ON UP”: You can’t simply “get by” with playing dynamic music icon James Brown ... and Chadwick Boseman (“42”) is up to the challenge in director Tate Taylor’s (“The Help”) biographical drama. The script recalls the impoverished background of the performer who would become known as both “the Godfather of Soul” and “the hardest working man in show business,” explaining the aspects that would give Brown his professional drive. In the supporting cast, Taylor reunites “Help” stars Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, and adds Dan Aykroyd, Craig Robinson and Jill Scott. Mick Jagger was a producer of the film. DVD extras: four “making-of” documentaries; audio commentary by Taylor. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) (Also on Bluray) and On Demand) “BOYHOOD”: Named the best picture of 2014 by the New York Film Critics Circle and Sight and Sound – and also listed among last year’s top movies by other organizations and publications — writer-director Richard Linklater’s drama was filmed over 12 years. It traces a youngster’s (Ellar Coltrane) coming of age, with the script structured as a different vignette of his life for each year represented. It’s amazing to think that

the same cast (also with Ethan Hawke, of Linklater’s “Before Sunset” series, and Patricia Arquette as the most recognizable names and faces) committed to a project over that length of time; Linklater’s daughter Lorelei also is featured. *** (R: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray) “BLACK SAILS: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON”: Soon to start its second season, the Starz pirate saga casts Toby Stephens (“Die Another Day”) as the legendary Captain Flint, seen in the days before “Treasure Island” referenced him. He’s a major influence on a young crew addition named John Silver (Luke Arnold), who will grow up to be an iconic pirate himself. They defend New Providence Island, a sort of paradise of vice, against other captains. Hannah New also appears in the Michael Bay-produced series, but the members of the technical team also are “stars” when you consider none of the very effective shipboard footage actually was filmed at sea. DVD extras: six “making-of” documentaries. *** (Not rated: AS, V) (Also on Blu-ray) “LEFT BEHIND”: A remake of an earlier film, this drama makes a new run at bringing the best seller by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins to the screen.

Millions of people suddenly disappear from the world, leaving those who remain to carry on ... including a pilot (Nicolas Cage) who’s airborne with a jet from which many passengers vanish during the flight. Lea Thompson, Chad Michael Murray, Nicky Whelan, Cassi Thomson and “American

Idol” Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks also star for director Vic Armstrong, a veteran movie stunt man and stunt coordinator (“Raiders of the Lost Ark”). *** (PG-13: AS, V) (Also on Blu-ray) “NO GOOD DEED”: A woman (“Person of Interest” alum Taraji P. Henson) battles to protect herself and her children when a stranger (Idris Elba) proves more dangerous than he initially seems in this melodrama.

After she plays good Samaritan and tries to help him out of a supposed problem, he turns out to be an escaped convict who causes considerable terror for her family. Leslie Bibb and Henry Simmons also appear in the film, of which Henson and Elba also were executive producers. DVD extra: “making-of” documentary. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “GLEE: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON”: Though a tribute to the Beatles opens this round of the Fox series — which is about to launch its sixth and final round — a real-life tragedy that had a definite impact on the show is addressed soon afterward, as the young singers and “Mr. Schue” (Matthew Morrison) honor their comrade Finn (who was played by the late Cory Monteith). As the show splits its time between Ohio and the New York adventures of Rachel and Kurt (Lea Michele, Chris Colfer), the 100th episode also is included, with Kristin Chenoweth and Gwyneth Paltrow reprising their guest roles. Included as well is a story with Billy Joel’s music as the theme. DVD extras: three

“making-of” documentaries. *** (Not rated: AS, P) COMING SOON: “MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN” (Jan. 13): Teens and their parents deal with the Internet in director Jason Reitman’s comedy-drama; Adam Sandler and Jennifer Garner star. (R: AS, P) “A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES” (Jan. 13): A former cop turned private detective (Liam Neeson) becomes involved in a drug dealer’s (Dan Stevens) plight. (R: AS, N, P, V) “ANNABELLE” (Jan. 20): The spirit within a vintage doll makes things tough for the cultists who invade its new owners’ (Annabelle Wallis, John Gordon) home. (R: AS, P, V) “THE BOXTROLLS” (Jan. 20): An orphan tries to protect the trash collectors who raised him from an exterminator in this animated fantasy; Ben Kingsley and Tracy Morgan are in the voice cast. (PG: AS) “LUCY” (Jan. 20): A innocent (Scarlett Johansson) is transformed into a furious warrior by an untested drug in writer-director Luc Besson’s sci-fi-adventure; Morgan Freeman also stars. (R: AS, P, V) “ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY” (Feb. 10): As he turns 12, Alexander makes a wish that causes trouble (Ed Oxenbould) for his whole family; Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner also star. (PG: AS, P) FAMILY-VIEWING GUIDE KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You can be motivated to aim higher by participating in creative activities in the week ahead. Changing your attitudes can help you shift into high gear and achieve your goals.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Get off to a flying start. The upcoming week might give you plenty of opportunities to discuss plans for your family’s future. Vacations, or even a day trip, might figure prominently in talks.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the week ahead, you might resolve a financial situation to your satisfaction. It’s possible to clarify joint efforts and come to an understanding with a partner who has worthy worldly ambitions.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You start the week off with a Full Moon in your sign, moving the focus of your thoughts during the next several weeks to relationships. This is a good time to reassess your good and bad habits.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Romantic fantasies or get-rich-schemes could dominate your thoughts in the week ahead. If you apply your idealism to your work, and do the best job possible, you may earn a few gold stars next to your name.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): There’s no gag order on creative thinking in the week ahead. You might enjoy returning to childhood pastimes or become engrossed in moneymaking activities that display your resourcefulness.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You may find that your kindhearted inclinations and cheery attitude have little chance for expression during the first part of the week.

Save your pennies as though there will never be more.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your style may be cramped by formalities in the early part of the week. Since it might be difficult to have lighthearted fun, you might as well put your nose to the grindstone and work hard.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Financial security might be the subject of your fantasies as this week unfolds. Careful analysis will reveal which ideas are simply pipe dreams and which ones are worth embracing.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Your passion for success can be stirred by inspiring speakers and reading material in the week ahead. You may be brimming with creative ideas and have plenty of help from partners.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You may be exposed to revolutionary ideas that spur your creative thinking this week. Keep your guard up during the early part of the week when engaged in social activities.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You could sparkle and shine like a newly minted penny in the upcoming week. Your talents and skills may be in the spotlight at work, where you may be more popular than usual.

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