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THE REGIONAL NEWS Named best small weekly in Illinois five times by the Illinois Press Association

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Serving Palos, Orland and Worth townships and neighboring communities

75th Year, NO. 3 • 3 Sections

Parcels annexed on way to Cog Hill

By Dermot Connolly Palos Park grew by about 280 acres last Friday with the annexation of the Gleneagles Country Club and Mid-Iron Golf Club, two of four properties whose owners have been seeking annexation for years.

The move took place quickly with a unanimous vote by the four village commissioners and Mayor John Mahoney. He explained at the packed special meeting of the Village Council meeting that the quick vote was needed to “make moot” efforts underway by outsiders to scuttle the plans.

Mahoney briefly reviewed the history of the issue, noting that discussions have been going on since 2009 with the owners of Gleneagles, Mid-Iron, and Cog Hill Country and Golf Club and Ludwig Farm. He pointed out that the McNulty, Jemsek and Ludwig families

submitted formal requests asking that Palos Park annex the four properties amounting to 1,446 acres west of the village in unincorporated Lemont Township.

See Editorial, Page 4 A sticking point had been that the properties, all located in the vicinity of McCarthy Road and Bell Road, were not contiguous to the Palos Park border.

But that stumbling block was overcome in October, when the Forest Preserve District of Cook Cook County allowed Palos Park to annex 152 acres of forest preserves southeast of the McCarty and Bell Road intersection, providing the needed link to Mid-Iron and the rest of the properties.

In exchange, Palos Park agreed to provide water and sewer to a Forest Preserve police station on the property,

as well as any future development.

Officials in neighboring Lemont protested the move toward annexation, asserting that the properties were located in Lemont Township, Palos Park had no right to annex them.

However, Mahoney said at the meeting that recent actions being taken to thwart the move were essentially trampling on the rights of the property owners to annex and develop their properties as they saw fit.

He said that on Dec. 11, eight property owners in the Sun Hill subdivision, located south of McCarthy Road and west of Bell Road, had filed a petition in Cook County Circuit Court seeking annexation to Lemont for about six acres of that property and 110 acres of Gleneagles, to the west.

A hearing was held on the issue See ANNEXATIONS, Page 2

Photo by Dermot Connolly

Gleneagles Golf Club, 13070 McCarthy Road, was annexed into Palos Park, along with Mid-Iron golf course in a special meeting by the Village Council last Friday.

PALOS PARK

Muslim organization owns former church

By Jack Murray

Regional News editor

any zone change from the village, so there is no legal reason for a public hearing of any of its plans.

Nor has the village received any request for construction changes to the building at this time.

It is unclear whether the building will be used as a mosque, which has strict and detailed requirements to be so considered under the tenants of the Muslim faith.

A telephone call made to the number listed online for the MAS-Chicago in Bridgeview seeking information for this story before this newspaper’s deadline on Tuesday reached a FAX machine signal.

A memory care provider organized, promoted and held a public meeting at the church last year to air its plans to build a memory care residential facility at the church site, but strong opposition expressed by residents at that meeting dissuaded the prospective buyer from going ahead with its purchase.

The heavily wooded former church site, which contains a large parking lot, is on the southwest corner of the intersection, across the street from a Shell gas station at the southeast corner and Palos Community Hospital at the northeast corner.

A Muslim-American organization has purchased the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Palos Park, a village official confirmed Monday.

The Muslim American Society of Chicago, based in Bridgeview, is listed as the new owner of the Palos Health and Fitness Center photo church building in a request for The Palos Health and Fitness Center, 15430 West Ave., in Orland Park will be closed on May 1, its director and Palos Community Hospital Vice President inspection for occupancy filed with of Community relations Tim Brosnan informed members in a letter this week. the Palos Park Building Department.

The church, at 12300 S. 80th Ave., and its grounds are zoned for use as a house of worship under a special-use permit that the village granted in 1960 to the church, which has since vacated the grounds and sold it. The church had operated the Christian Science reading room, a bookstore, in Palos

By Jack Murray Heights’ before it moved into the Regional News Editor church building.

Under the terms of the special Stunned members reacted this week to Palos Health and Fitness use permit granted by the village Center’s announcement that it will close on May 1 to make way for in 1960, the special use as a house a medical office building. of worship carries forward with A letter to fitness center members dated Jan. 15 signed by both the property and does not revert the fitness center’s director and Palos Community Hospital’s vice back to the original zoning, which president of planning and community relations informed them of was single-family residential, acthe planned shutdown of Palos Health and Fitness, 15430 West Ave. cording to Village Manager Rick Members can still use the facility until April 30.

Boehm, reached for information The decision is part of the hospital’s “recently announced plans to on Monday. redevelop and expand its south campus in Orland Park to include a The new owners are not seeking new medical office building and enhanced diagnostic and treatment services,” the letter states.

Photo by Dermot Connolly Palos Health and Fitness opened amid great fanfare more than 15 years ago as a state-of-the-art fitness adjunct to Palos Community “No other health club on the South Side has a warm water pool.”

Not since the sudden closing of Palos Bank and Trust after the Hospital, just south of the hospital’s Primary Care Center.

The fitness center is marketed as the only medically-integrated housing market crash has the loss of a beloved institution here caused fitness center in Orland Park and the surrounding area, “offering our such shock and sadness among loyal customers as the prospect of members a dynamic alternative to fitness and health maintenance.” losing Palos Health and Fitness.

“This was more than just a run-of-the-mill health club: This place In addition to cardio workout and weights equipment, an indoor track, sauna, steamrooms, whirlpool, spa and exercise classes, the represented community to many people and will be sorely missed,” 78,000 sq. ft. facility contains an indoor aquatic area that offers both a said John Fleming, MS, DVM, whose Prairie State veterinary clinic large lap pool of several lanes and smaller warm-water therapy pool. is located only blocks away from the fitness center he regularly visits The warm-water therapy pool will be sorely missed by seniors, for workouts and healthy meals in its Bella Café. those recovering from injuries and others who use it.

“They [will have] paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” Fleming “It is devastating news, not just for myself but for many other said of the planned demolition. members who depend upon the warm water therapy pool to help them See FITNESS CENTER, Page 2 The former First Church of Christ, Scientist, Palos Park. in their daily functioning,” said James Prendergast, of Palos Heights.

Hit by a ‘devastating’ loss Palos Health and Fitness Center informs members of its closing

Visit us on the web at www.theregionalnews.com • email: TheRegional@comcast.net • To advertise, call 708-448-4000

2 Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Regional News

President Obama presents optimistic tone for the future

Sandburg Music Boosters seek crafters and vendors

Supplied photo

The 27th annual Carl Sandburg Music Boosters Spring Craft Show will be held March 12 and 13 at Sandburg High School. The CSHS Music Boosters are seeking crafters/vendors to be a part of this year’s event. The cost for a two-day booth rental is $120 with a registration deadline of Friday, Feb. 12. This is an opportunity for crafters to showcase wares to a community of excited shoppers who are there to support the music program and students at Carl Sandburg High School. Sandburg High School is located at 13300 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park. For questions, email the craft show committee at springcraftshowcshs@gmail.com or call 671-4153.

Orland plans online town hall forum for residents to air opinions

By Dermot Connolly Orland Park residents will soon be able to participate in virtual town hall meetings, having their voices heard on local topics of interest without having to go to the Village Hall for meetings.

Following the Village Board giving the go-ahead to purchase the Peak Democracy’s Open Town Hall software platform at its meeting on Monday, the software will be installed on the village website, orlandpark.org.

Assistant Village Manager Joe La Margo said the next step will be coming up with questions of community interest that residents can weigh in on from virtually anywhere, using computers or smartphones with Internet access.

“Residents can look forward to seeing questions posted in the coming weeks,” he said. It was suggested at a committee meeting

Fitness center Continued from Page 1

Carol Trzcinski, of Orland Park, who takes her elderly mother to swim in the therapy pool, was also struck by the news. “What a shame, this is such beautiful facility,” she said. “There’s no other facility that even comes close in quality.”

A statement issued by Palos Community Hospital (PCH) on Monday said: “The difficult decision to close the fitness center is part of our work to identify and prioritize areas and services where we can make the most impact in delivering quality health care to the Southwest Suburbs...

We have also made arrangements for current members to transfer their membership to nearby fitness centers.”

The letter to members suggests they may transfer their Palos Health and Fitness memberships to either the village of Orland Park Sportsplex, which has no indoor swimming pool, or the Moraine Valley Community College Health, Fitness and Recreation Center. Another option close by is the privately owned Riviera Sports Center & Health Club in Orland Park.

“The closing of the fitness center comes as a result of our plans to the redevelop our Orland Park site,” the PCH statement continued. “The project will include the construction of a new medical office building and enhanced diagnostic and treatment services, while incorporating new access points, improved wayfinding and expanded parking. This was a difficult decision and one made after a thorough consideration of Palos’ role in meeting the broader health care needs of the community through improving access to quality medical care.”

James Prendergast hopes Palos Health Fitness and its therapy pool can somehow be saved. “Warm water therapy is vital for those suffering from arthritis, dystonia, fibromyalgia, spinal disorders, and

earlier this month where the issue of buying the Peak Democracy software was first discussed, that the first questions might be about issues such as the construction underway on LaGrange Avenue, which affect a lot of people.

Village Manager Paul Grimes said the software platform, described as a “civic engagement program,” would be ideal for Orland Park. The board agreed to allocate $7,000 for it.

“It is a relatively affluent community with residents who want to have their voices heard, but with families and jobs, they do not have the time to come to Village Board meetings,” Grimes said, looking around at all the empty seats in the audience.

Grimes explained that the “webbased program allows us a number of different ways to promote community engagement.”

On its website, www.peakdemocracy.com, the company surgical procedures of the back and knee,” he said. “The warm water therapeutic pool has given me and others a wonderful gift, a chance to live life more independently. It has allowed us to ease our physical pain, improve our mental and emotional well-being, and connect with others. This is the goal of any health facility, to improve the lives of those it serves.”

“Where are all us who depend upon the warm water therapeutic pool going to go now?” Prendergast asked. “On behalf of all those who use the warm water therapy pool, please try to help us.”

Trzcinski, too, further lamented losing the fitness center’s unique therapy pool, noting her mother, now 82, benefits significantly from using it during the five years she has been a member. “This is the only facility in the area that offers a therapy pool for people with arthritis and those recovering from joint replacement and other ailments. Exercise in the water is the only relief she gets. Over the years I have not only seen many seniors using the facility, but many disabled as well. They have outstanding trainers that are also physical therapists that are there to help. She even worked with a personal trainer to help strengthen her core. Palos Fitness center has helped her maintain some quality of life. I don’t know where we will go from here. Needless to say it is quite upsetting to her and our family” It is ironic to Trzcinski that the fitness center boasted that it had earned medical fitness facility certification a year ago February, named such by the Medical Fitness Association, “the country’s leading organization dedicated solely to medically integrated wellness and fitness facilities.” “This certification is a significant step forward in providing for the health of the entire community and to the individuals taking responsibility for their personal healthcare.” Palos Health and Fitness Center Director Erik Carpenter is quoted as saying on the center’s website.

based in Berkeley, Calif., claims to have worked with more than 100 government agencies across the United States and Canada to power over 1,500 online forums that have attracted over 200,000 online attendees. The company said its user satisfaction rating is over 95 percent.

In addition to monitoring forums for uncivil activity and reconciling problems, Open Town Hall provides a suite of real-time insight and reporting tools -- including geographic and demographic analysis. Open Town Hall also supports social media integration, multiple languages, and a range of mobile access on smart devices and simple texting devices.

The village manager also said that the format “allows the village to keep control (of the conversation).”

Peak Democracy states on its website that unlike with

“crowd-sourcing,” in which websites are managed voluntarily by users, Open Town Hall “allows governments to maintain control of the public engagement process, focus on feedback from constituents, keep the dialogue civil and legal, and also not overwhelm staff in ways that can frustrate residents.”

Responding to questions from Trustee James Dodge and other committee members about what the village plans to do with the information gathered from the forum, Grimes said the company will “coach us on how to pose questions, and will also help us mine the data in a concise way.”

In addition to monitoring forums for uncivil activity and reconciling problems, Open Town Hall provides a suite of real-time insight and reporting tools—including geographic and demographic analysis, according to the company’s website.

In his last year of his presidency, Barack Obama is not going to stroll quietly into the night like most lame ducks do. Not where there is a legacy to be established.

His opponents would prefer that he just go off somewhere and meditate. After all, while this is Obama’s final run through, it is also an election year. Obama’s legacy, like his predecessors, will be argued among historians for years to come. We will wait until the end of this year before providing our opinions.

We believe much more needs to be done. Whether Obama can direct the ship through turbulent waters remains to be seen. Even legislators who approve of his work are wary. It is an election year and some of those legislators are involved in borderline races.

They could be Democrats who are hanging on in red states.

They support the president but would prefer to remain behind the curtains. Obama is aware of this and is not calling for extra assistance. That’s the one great thing about being a lame duck: You have nothing to lose because you can’t lose. Obama no longer has the burden of campaigning. He can focus on issues that are important to him without repercussions.

Let’s be clear on this. Obama has his opposition. The majority of those opponents are Republicans. His opponents are consistent while not always being reasonable.

Obama was never going to reach these individuals. This is no longer the time to negotiate.

On the other hand, there are Republicans who are willing to discuss proposals and ideas with the president. However, they are reluctant to do so because of the complaints they would have to endure. The president is aware of that as well. This is just the political climate the president has to deal with.

He asked for help during his final State of the Union address on Jan. 12. His message was to provide everyone an opportunity to excel in this economy, how technology can help solve climate change issues, help assist in keeping other nations safe while not engaging in constant battles, and a more humane approach to politics.

That’s a tall order, of course.

Obama has his sights set high.

We don’t believe that the four is-

JOE BOYLE sues he raised will be dealt with extensively during the rest of his presidency. This is an election year and politicians are not going to wander far from their own issues to appease Obama. But even if some of those questions are given consideration during these campaigns, then that’s a moral victory.

Obama’s State of the Union did not focus on specific issues or provide details to some key issues.

He also realizes it is an election year and not much gets done. His appeal during his speech was to gain support from legislators and from citizens watching at home.

The theme of the speech was of optimism. That is a complete contrast from the large field of Republicans running for commander in chief who have painted his presidency as ineffective. They keep repeating the mantra that world is in chaos under Obama’s leadership.

Obama paints a different picture.

He looks at an improving economy and said that the United States is the greatest nation in the world.

Obama said that we have a lot to look forward to if we can work together.

We believe some of the issues Obama raised will be examined.

Of course, both sides of the aisle want to see advancements to provide opportunities for everyone.

We still have some legislators who believe that climate change is nonexistent. Our opinion is that they want to appeal to their constituents or the lobbyists who help raise money for their campaigns.

But there is more discussion about climate change. All anyone has to do is look at China and the pollution from coal and other pollutants that is smothering their cities as reason enough to take a long look at climate controls.

But providing more humility in politics? It has always been divisive. We would accept it if our leaders could take the time to listen to each other more. That would be an improvement.

Photo by Dermot Connolly

Palos Park resident Bob Walsh addresses the Palos Park Village Council at a special meeting last Friday. Listening to him are Commissioners Nicole Milovich-Walters (from left) and G. Darryl Reed and Mayor John Mahoney. Walsh expressed concern about the cost of providing water and sewer facilities to any future development, urging the Village Council to enact a policy requiring the new development rather than the village pay such costs.

Annexations

Continued from Page 1 last Thursday, and another was planned for Wednesday. But William Hennessy, an attorney for Gleneagles, and John Murphey, an attorney for Mid-Iron, said the hearing on Wednesday would be a formality, now that the annexation has taken place.

Mahoney referred to the petition as an act of “subterfuge”

by Lemont officials. He asserted at the meeting all the paperwork for the residents was handled by officials and employees of the village of Lemont.

The mayor said that the only response available to Palos Park and was to act quicker than planned to annex the two properties, because Lemont “The public hearing and review process is not being avoiding, only delayed (on the Mid-Iron and Gleneagles properties),” he said, assuring residents no de-

velopment plans would go ahead determine the costs involved with tending water and sewer can get without the necessary hearings. the annexing the four tracts of expensive,” said longtime resident The mayor added that hearings land, collectively now dubbed Glenn Martin, who was at the would also precede the annexation by the village as the Western meeting with his wife, Robbe, a of the remaining two properties, Annexation area. lifelong resident of the village.

Cog Hill and Ludwig Farm.

“It’s a good move for the vil“Welcome to Palos Park. We “I have no problem with (the lage, looking into the future. It don’t bite,” said resident and local annexation). What I do have a problem with is the cost of is incumbent upon Palos Park to historian Bob Bush, addressing providing facilities west of Bell make sure we have room to grow, any residents of the properties Road,” resident Bob Walsh told but also to consider the costs. Ex- who may be listening. the council. “That is a big deal.

There has got to be a policy by this council…stating that the costs will be borne by the new Puzzle on Page 9 Puzzle on Page 9 proper owners (rather than residents living within the existing boundaries). That is absolutely mandatory.”

“What you seem to want is a free hand, and I object to that,” said Walsh.

Mahoney stressed that hearings will be held before any development is done. He also pointed out that Houseal Lavigne Associates, a municipal consulting firm, has been hired to do a fiscal impact study in the coming months to

Answers

Sudoku

The Regional News

Thursday, January 21, 2016

3

Prostitute found guilty of killing teacher client A Cook County jury found an Ohio woman guilty of second-degree murder last Thursday in the stabbing death of a Brother Rice teacher at his Orland Park home.

A jury found Alisha Walker, 22, guilty of a lesser charge Walker in the stabbing death of Al Filan, 61, on Jan. 18, 2014.

Walker, a prostitute, claimed that Filan became angry and lunged at her with a kitchen wife. Toxicology reports revealed that Filan was intoxicated at the time of the incident, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

Filan was allegedly irritated when he said the woman with

Walker was not the same escort he had seen in an ad. He had taken the money back but Walker was not leaving without any cash. A jury debated for six hours Walker’s intent. The jury ultimately decided on the lesser charge after six hours. The other woman escort was not charged.

Prosecutors described Walker as a “master manipulator” who had serviced Filan on two other occasions. Filan was discovered after a well-being check was requested three days later. He was found battered and bloody on the kitchen floor. Prosecutors insisted that the damage to his heart, liver and kidney and spleen indicated that she attacked Filan.

The defense said the wounds were a result of an encounter in which Walker, a native of Akron, Ohio, had to defend herself.

Walker’s attorney, Patrick O’Byrne, said the verdict was a compromise, adding that “this is not victory or defeat. This is the end of a tragedy.”

Walker has drug and prostitution convictions. She could be sentenced to probation or for four to 20 years in prison.

Filan had taught at Brother Rice for 39 years. He also coached basketball and soccer at the school.

“I would like to commend the detectives of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, Orland Park Police Detectives, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’ Office for their tireless work investigating this complex murder investigation and bringing it to a successful prosecution and conclusion,” said Orland Park Police Commander John Keating.

Heights families will see cut Teacher allegedly too close in cost of seasonal pool pass Nonresidents, individuals will pay hike for comfort with schoolboy

By Jack Murray

By Dermot Connolly A 44-year-old Orland Park woman charged with indecent solicitation of a child and grooming remained in Cook County Jail this week following an appearance in Cook County Circuit Court last Friday.

Vianey ZaZavala vala, a charter school teacher, was being held on $50,000 bond after appearing before Cook County Judge James Brown at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.

The case involves an alleged relationship that she had with a boy she taught as a 12-yearold 7th- grader at UNO Soccer

Academy, a charter school located at 5050 S. Homan Ave., on the Southwest Side of Chicago.

Under state law, grooming is a class 4 felony. It refers to using computers or other online devices to solicit a minor.

From fall 2012 until 2014, the boy was a student at UNO Soccer Academy, which is a public school that is privately run by the UNO Charter School network.

Prosecutors said Zavala, a mother of two, was 40 when the boy, who was 12, was assigned to her seventh-grade classroom. She allegedly became very involved in his life, buying him clothes, taking him on family trips, and paying for his cellphone plan.

Witnesses reported seeing them holding hands and hugging, according to prosecutors. Zavala would allegedly pick him up from school and spend hours with him,

and texted and spoke with him often on the phone. The behavior continued until 2015, after the boy was no longer at the school.

Their relationship came to light in January 2015, when someone found what prosecutors called inappropriate videos and pictures of Zavala on his cellphone, as well as text messages from her.

The boy reportedly listed her in his contacts as his “baby queen,” according to published reports.

Zavala’s attorney, Jose Zamora, has been quoted as saying that Zavala has a master’s degree in education. He said she volunteers at her church, and teaches English as a second language classes Her next court date is set for Feb. 1.

If released, she would be required to be on electronic monitoring, prosecutors said.

Palos Heights residents will see new fees — some rising, some ebbing — to use the city’s public swimming pool this summer season.

The resident discounted family seasonal pool pass rate will be reduced from $215 to $194 after the City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to revise pool fees.

The new fees, with a few exceptions, match those proposed in an aquatics business plan completed by a consultant.

The city will hike the seasonal base fees paid by nonresidents for an individual pool pass from $105 to $155. The base family rate charged nonresidents will be raised from $235 to $276.

The discounted resident fee for an individual will rise from $95 to $109, and from $80 to $93 for seniors. Seniors can save big, however, and get a $20 early bird

discount for registering early; and $15 will be discounted for others until May 15.

The resident family seasonal pool pass rate is reduced from $215 to $194. The new fees match those proposed in an aquatics business plan completed by a consultant, with a few exceptions.

For those without a pool pass, the daily base rate charged per visit for nonresidents will rise from $8 to $10, while the daily rate charged residents is reduced from $8 to $6.

Other fee changes affect morning lap swim. Details will likely be posted in publications and the website of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Also Tuesday, Aldermen voted unanimously to close Route 83 from Harlem Avenue west to Route 171 on Sunday, May 1, from 4 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the Southwest Half Marathon and 10K Race. They also voted without

dissent to approve the request for the city to pay $22,211 toward the cost of the Half Marathon, a small increase from the $21, 670 cost to the city for last year’s big race.

Alderman Alan Fulkerson presided over Tuesday’s council meeting as acting mayor in the rare absence of Mayor Bob Straz.

Mayor Straz will give the annual State of the City Address at a luncheon to be held by the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 11:45 a.m., at Trinity Christian College. Tickets for the luncheon are $20 per person. For reservations or more information, call the Palos Area Chamber at 480-3025, or email info@palosareachamber.org.

Also Tuesday, the City Council voted unanimously to grant a liquor license to Casa San Juan restaurant at 13440 S. Ridgeland Ave., which plans to be open for lunch and dinner, serving Mexican, American and some Italian dishes.

Top 10 scams of the year listed by the Better Business Bureau The Top 10 Scams of 2015 impacting consumers range from taxes and credit cards to home improvement and computers.

Common to all of these scams reported to the BBB was the fact that theft is at the core of every one. Scammers wanted to steal either money or personal identity information. What varied was the way they attempted their thefts.

“Throughout the year, the BBB warns consumers and businesses of various scam attempts,” explains Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Now, when we compile all of these actions, it is shocking to see how this thievery targets virtually every aspect of how we live and do business.

We should realize scammers are nothing but thieves.”

The Top 10 Scams of 2015 are listed below: 1. Tax Scam: You receive a phone call from someone who says they are with the IRS. They claim you owe money in back taxes and will be arrested or face legal consequences if you do not pay (usually by wire or prepaid debit card). The caller ID is spoofed to appear to be a government agency or the police.

2. Tech Support Scam: You are contacted by “technicians” claiming to have detected a virus or security threat on your computer and, for a fee, can log in and correct the problem remotely.

These callers are actually hackers trying to steal money or sensitive computer passwords and/or damage computers with malicious software 3. Lottery/Sweepstakes/Prizes Scam: You receive a call, letter, or email claiming you’ve won some type of prize. It may involve a lottery or a sweepstakes. In order to receive the prize, you are instructed to send a fee to cover expenses associated with delivery, processing, or insurance. The prize is not real; you should never have to pay money to claim a prize you have won.

4. Advance Fee Loan Scam: While searching for loan information, you see an enticing ad and click through to the website. You fill out an application and soon receive an email or phone call advising that you are approved

for the loan, but you must first send a processing fee, security deposit or insurance. You pay the “fee,” but never see the loan.

5. Fake Check/Money Order Scam: This can happen any time someone is paying you for goods or services (even when you are selling something online). You receive a check in the mail that is larger than the amount owed, and you are asked to deposit the check and wire the difference.

The check is a fake and when it bounces, you’re out the money.

6. Debt Collection Scam: You receive a phone call from someone claiming that you have an unpaid debt. You are threatened with garnishments, lawsuits, even jail time if you don’t pay right now. The scammer will often use caller ID spoofing and pretend to be a government agency or law enforcement in order to further invoke fear.

7. Credit Card Scam: The scammer pretends to be from your bank or credit card issuer, and they claim that you are now eligible for a lower interest rate, or that they need to verify a recent transaction. The consumer provides the scammer with their credit card number and security code to “verify” their identity.

8. Home Improvement Scams: These can be as varied as the areas around your home that need fixing. Typically, the scammers are not established businesses in the area but still claim to be working on nearby homes. Often they attempt to have you pay a significant amount of money upfront. And then they never show up again as promised. You have lost the money and there’s no way to contact them.

9. Government Grant Scam: You receive a phone call, email, or letter informing you that you’ve qualified for a government grant.

In order to receive the grant, however, you are instructed to send money as a processing or delivery fee, usually by wire transfer or prepaid debit card.

10. Work from Home Scam: While looking for a job online, you answer an ad for making big bucks while working from home. The job may be stuffing envelopes, posting advertisements, or shipping packages. They often request an advance fee for their

information and materials but no real opportunity to make money exists. You could also have your identity stolen when you fill out the employment forms, or even end up handling stolen merchandise.

“These scams continue because they are successful enough to make it worthwhile for these thieves to keep trying to con people out of money,” says Bernas. “There is a science to scams, and it may surprise you to know that scammers use many of the same techniques as legitimate sales professionals.

The difference, of course, is that their “product” is illegal and could cost you a fortune.”

Here are the ways that scammers use to draw you in: Establishing a connection: The scammer builds rapport and a relationship with you. This can be face-to-face, online or by telephone. Rapport is particularly important in home improvement scams, investment scam and online romance scams.

Source credibility: Scammers use techniques to make themselves look legitimate, such as fake websites, social media posts, or hacked emails that come from a friend’s account. Most email phishing scams spoof real companies, and many scammers pretend to be a trusted business or government agency in order to add credibility.

Playing on emotions: Scammers rely on emotion to get you to make a quick decision before you have time to think about it. An emergency situation or a limited time offer is usually their methodology.

They count on emotional rather than rational decision-making.

Bernas noted despite these techniques that scammers use, consumers can protect themselves by remembering these basic steps: • Don’t be pressured into making fast decisions.

• Take time to research the organization. Check them out on bbb.org, search online, etc.

• Never provide your personal information (address, date-ofbirth, banking information, ID numbers) to people you do not know.

• Don’t click on links from unsolicited email or text messages.

• If you are unsure about a call or email that claims to be from your bank, utility company, etc.,

call the business directly using the number on your bill or credit card.

• Never send money by wire transfer or prepaid debit card to

someone you don’t know or haven’t met in person.

• Never send money for an emergency situation unless you

can verify the emergency.

For more information on scams, visit bbb.org/Chicago.

— The Better Business Bureau

4 Thursday, January 21, 2016

EDITORIAL

OPINION

The Regional News

Palos Park on right side of property rights

It says a great deal about Palos Park that the landowners of Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Gleneagles Country Club, MidIron golf course and Ludwig Farm are all so determined to be annexed into the village rather than into Lemont.

Why the mayor and village of Lemont think they should be able tell these landowners where to go seems to us to be an unconstitutional infringement of their rights to property. And we hope any court in the land would agree, otherwise where has freedom gone?

Ahead of schedule, the Palos Park Village Council voted unanimously at a special meeting held last Friday afternoon to approve the annexation of two of those four properties — the 232-acre Gleneagles site and the Mid-Iron property, which is about 46 acres.

The Village Council put those annexations on the fast track on the advice of its legal counsel in order to “make moot” Lemont’s legal challenges to annexation agreements between Palos Park and the four property owners, Mayor John Mahoney told the council before its members voted without dissent to annex Gleneagles and Mid-Iron.

Palos Park’s action was a defensive move to keep open the path to the end goal of annexing Cog Hill at a later date. That aim was placed into jeopardy by a rival petition for annexation into Lemont that would have blocked Palos Park’s direct access to Cog Hills, according to Mayor Mahoney, who put it this way: “Under the cover of the Christmas holidays when people were otherwise distracted, Lemont engaged in questionable tactics in filing a residents’ petition to thwart our annexation efforts.”

In Cook Country Circuit Court, attorneys for Palos Park and the property owners “were forced to challenge Lemont’s petition effort,” although Palos Park officials would have much preferred to avoid a legal battle, the mayor added.

The petition by eight Sun Hill subdivision residents “was nothing more than a subterfuge — a ruse — that Lemont manufactured to stop the Palos Park annexations,” Mahoney told the Village Council and packed council chambers last Friday.

In the Sun Hill case, Lemont’s attorney filed the petition notice and submitted the legal notice published in a newspaper; Lemont’s engineer executed the plat of annexation and a Lemont executive assistant was the notary public who notarized most of the petition’s signatures, Mayor Mahoney, who is an attorney by profession, stated the facts.

“This was nothing more than Lemont exploiting area residents to do what it knows it cannot do on its own under the law,” he charged.

Lemont apparently wanted to play some hardball to block Palos Park’s path to annex Cog Hill, despite its owners’ repeated desire to become a part of the village of Palos Park.

Some have questioned the legal costs involved in this recent litigation and any future costs that might arise in this battle of wills between Lemont and Palos Park. Mayor Mahoney acknowledged to this writer last Friday that it is impossible to estimate what those costs will be.

We think the end result will be well worth the costs of battle, however. Tough measures demanded fast action by Palos Park.

We are glad the village fought to preserve not only its rights to annexation, but the far more important rights of the landowners to dispose of the annexations of their property as they — and not the government of Lemont or any other — see fit.

Palos Park officials still plan to hold public hearings and awaits the results of a study it commissioned of the fiscal impact of the annexations of all four properties’ 1,446 acres in an, open deliberative process they planned all along before Lemont forced their hand.

We are confident the village will be transparent and open, taking taxpayers along every step of the way, in this effort that can only greatly enhance the village’s real estate tax base and prestige. We predict that the gains to be made by annexation will far outweigh any costs of delivering fresh water and other village services to the western annexation area.

The annexed lands would make Palos Park a real destination place in the Southwest Suburbs. And any new residential subdivisions created out of them would have the added cachet of the reflected glory of the original Palos Park, which is such a THE and truly unique location, Location, Location (as they REGIONAL NEWS THEdesirable REGIONAL NEWS say in the real estate biz) in which to live.

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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 it the memory of those who gave may be threatened. their lives to protect America’s free-

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-

READERS WRITE Amazed by the generosity shown Dear Editor, The mission of the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation is to provide comfort and distraction from painful procedures to children and teens who have been diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy, gift or gift card from a Treasure Chest. During this past

December, one local school and one organization hosted holiday toy drives which resulted in an enormous donation of toys.

Each year I am amazed by the fact that these organizations—all located within close proximity to our Orland Park headquarters—are able to provide enough toys to directly benefit more than 9,300 children and teens monthly at 49 children’s cancer treatment

centers in 17 states across the nation. As the Founder and CEO of the Treasure Chest Foundation, I would like to convey my personal thanks and deep sense of gratitude to the following organizations: Palos South Middle School and PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) in Palos Park.

On behalf of the children and teens who have been diagnosed

with cancer, the Treasure Chest Foundation Board of Directors and staff wish to thank the parents, students, staff and administration of our community schools along with the area businesses for their tremendous response. We truly feel blessed to have such support.

— Colleen M. Kisel, Founder and CEO Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation

Restore confidence and save Illinois Laurence Msall, the president of the Civic Federation, thinks that Illinois needs to tax senior retirement income in order to generate more revenues. Msall says a senior retirement tax could generate $2 billion in added state revenues.

That’s actually backwards thinking.

Here’s why.

Raising taxes to off-set the state’s financial problem is like throwing gasoline on a fire.

Does anyone think if we bring in $2 billion the problems will go away? No. We know most of that “added revenue” will be wasted.

Very quickly, the “new revenues” for this or any tax proposal will vanish into the state of Illinois’ financial sinkhole.

The problem with Illinois is poor management, and Bruce Rauner, a businessman knows that but doesn’t have the skills to correct it.

Illinois is a business. And businesses need customers. Illinois needs customers, too. When more Illinois residents have jobs, they have more money. And when people have more money, they spend more.

And that generates sales and business taxes. When businesses do well and employees have better paying jobs, the states they live in do better, too.

That doesn’t address the irresponsible actions of our state governors who have allowed pensions to increase to ridiculous levels. We have traded off our future promising outrageous pension benefits and

RAY HANANIA wages to union workers so the politicians could count on those union workers to vote for them as voting blocks.

So what do you do?

You have to restore public confidence in government. You have to create new jobs.

You have to make it easier for businesses to hire more people.

Because when people are happy, they spend money.

Yes, happiness is tied directly to spending money. The happier you are, the more you spend. The stronger consumer confidence, the more consumers spend.

The more consumers spend, the healthier our businesses. And the healthier our business, the money they pay in taxes. That’s how you increase taxes.

You don’t target the weakness wage earners in our society and propose making them pay more from what little they have.

How do I know all this? Well, I am an astute observer of the recklessness of human behavior.

Dangle $1.5 billion in front of their eyes and they start hallucinating and having impossible dreams. They spend more reck-

lessly and carelessly to buy lottery tickets at the expense of their other needs, like food, clothing, health and even education.

Make the public happy. Take the promise of riches that is the fundamental scam of the lottery system, and convert it into the promise of good services.

Make businesses do a better job. Force them to stop cutting back in the number of employees they hire to provide their services. So many businesses are shorthanded.

So many businesses are not paying their employees enough. Businesses sell junk instead of quality.

How many businesses back up their products? Very few. Most try to scam you by offering you a “warranty” at a price that is about 30 percent of the cost of the product you purchase. Telling me I need to buy a warranty for something I just bought tells me they don’t think their products are good.

Consumers need more confidence and more money. Give Illinois residents a tax break. Make Illinois provide better services.

Make businesses provide better services.

Make businesses hire more people and pay them better.

Watch the revenue come in as happy taxpayers go out and give government back that money through increased spending.

Think about it people!

Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and columnist. Email him at rghanania@gmail.com.

INSIDE THE FIRST AMENDMENT

Debate over ‘blue collar’ free speech, union dues

By Gene Policinski In the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment’s “blue collar” freedoms lead off all the rest.

Those five freedoms — religion, speech, press, assembly and petition — are what most Americans “go to work” with every day. We employ those core rights daily, from the comments we post fearlessly on the Web on virtually any subject, in the political and social associations we proclaim in every Facebook post, the office political debates we join in openly, and in the diversity of religious faiths that a majority of us still choose to adopt.

So it’s more than a bit ironic that the U.S. Supreme Court started off the new year with a case involving public employee union membership dues that is viewed by some as the greatest threat in 40 years to the everyday political power wielded for more than a century by these collective blue collar — and increasingly white collar — worker groups.

The immediate issue before

the court has to do with whether a public employee, non-union member still must pay a “fair share” of dues to the union that negotiates wages and benefits that all workers enjoy.

In a decision in 1977, the U.S. Supreme Court approved a system that recognizes such collective bargaining benefits accrue to all workers — but which permitted any individuals to avoid paying a portion of dues to be used for political activities, so that Democrats were not compelled to pay to subsidize campaign support for Republicans and vice versa.

The challenge the court heard on Jan. 11 was raised by 10 conservative California teachers who argued that even having to pay dues in support of collective bargaining against their will was a violation of their First Amendment free speech rights — advancing the idea that having the right to speak also must include the right not to speak.

While some say a decision in favor of the 10 teachers will have limited impact — noting some 25 states already forbid

such “agency” payments by all — others claim throwing out the current system would be an intended body blow to public sector unions using the First Amendment argument as a ruse.

The latter claim is bolstered by statistics about union membership. Nationwide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “in 2013 there were 14.5 million members in the U.S., compared with 17.7 million in 1983. In 2013, the percentage of workers belonging to a union was 11.3 percent, compared to 20.1 percent in 1983. The rate for the private sector was 6.7 percent and for the public sector 35.3 percent.”

The numbers also tilt higher for public sector unions in a number of states considered Democratic strongholds — which, advocates of the present system say, makes the challenge on free speech grounds even more suspect. Cutting public employee unions’ access to fees from all workers will weaken — if not destroy — such unions as a powerful political force, say critics of the Califor-

nia challenge.

A ruling to toss the current system would “weaken our ability at the bargaining table and on the job, [our ability] to advocate for us and for the community,” Stephen Mittons, a local president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, in Chicago, said in a Huffington Post report. “By decreasing the numbers even slightly, it does add to our vulnerability.”

Advocates for the status quo see a larger pattern: Court opinions that are positioned as upholding First Amendment values and free speech for all, but which in reality clear a path for the wealthiest speakers.

Most often cited is the court’s 2010 ruling, Citizens United, which removed most limits for corporations and unions to support political campaigns and candidates, and which in critics’ eyes opened a torrent of special interest spending supported by wealthy, mostly conservative, millionaires.

Continued on Page 5

The Regional News

Thursday, January 21, 2016

5

POLICE BLOTTER: ORLAND PARK Charged with DUI Orland Park police charged Anthony C. Castellana, 22, of Tinley Park, with DUI, unlawful stopping and operating a motor vehicle with expired registration after they encountered his car stopped on the road near 151st Street and Ravinia Avenue at 3:54 a.m. Jan. 1, police said. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and Castellana is scheduled to appear in court in Bridgeview on Feb. 10.

William J. White, 43, of Orland Park, was charged with DUI and improper lane usage after police found his SUV off the roadway in the 14000 block of South 82nd Avenue at 1:42 a.m. Jan. 2, police said. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and White is expected to appear in court in Bridgeview next Thursday.

Police charged Richard A. Fawkes Jr., 23, of Crestwood, with DUI, improper lane usage, making an improper turn at an intersection and disobeying a traffic control light after they stopped his car in the 14300 block of South John Humphrey Drive at 12:46 a.m. Jan. 3. The police report did not indicate a court date.

Orland Park resident Raymond I. Homolka, 59, was charged with DUI and improper lane usage after police found him slumped behind the wheel of his SUV after it had hit a tree near 135th Street and Southwest Highway at 12:29 a.m.

Dec. 23, police said. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and Homolka was set to appear in court in Bridgeview on Jan. 12.

Police charged Daniel Hernandez-Pedraza, 22, of Orland Park, with DUI, failure to yield to another vehicle, no proof of insurance and driving without a valid license after they curbed his SUV near 159th Street and La Grange Road at 12:32 a.m. Jan. 2. The vehicle

was towed and impounded, and Hernandez-Pedraza is due in court in Bridgeview today.

Pair charged with felony Fraud to buy gift cards Maurice L. Sutton II, 21, of Country Club Hills, and Raven D. Smith, 19, of Chicago Heights, were charged with felony use of account number with intent to defraud after they allegedly used a customer’s credit card information to purchase $5,000 in gift cards from their employer, a department store in Orland Square Mall, on Dec. 23.

Police said the crime came to light after the customer disputed the $5,000 charge and an investigation was launched by store security. Sutton and Smith were taken into custody several days later and were due at a bond hearing on Dec. 29.

Work van burglarized A man reported that someone broke into his work van, which was parked in the driveway of his home in the 16200 block of South Laurel Drive, and stole about $950 worth of assorted power and hand tools. The victim told police that the crime occurred between 5:30 p.m. Jan. 6 and 7:20 a.m. Jan. 7.

Man reports his identity was stolen A 38-year-old Orland Park man told police that someone used his personal identification information to open a Comcast cable account to a residence in Park Forest, as well as open a Sprint account and buy five iPhones worth a total of more than $5,500. Police said they are investigating.

Charged with drug possession Palos Heights resident Zach-

ary L. Patient, 24, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon after police curbed his car in the 15000 block of South Harlem Avenue shortly after 5:30 p.m. Jan. 5.

Police said they confiscated an unmarked pill bottle that contained crystal methamphetamine, and that a search of the vehicle yielded a set of brass knuckles. Patient also was cited for speeding, failure to signal a lane change, improper display of a license plate (tinted plastic covers) and improper display of a registration tag. The car was towed and impounded, and Patient was due at a bond hearing on Jan. 6.

Driver allegedly leaves crash scene, police say Orland Park resident James W. Brasher, 38, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to give aid or information and no proof of insurance. Acting on information provided by a motorist whose vehicle was involved in a two-vehicle crash in the 14300 block of South John Humphrey Drive at 1:38 a.m. Jan. 1, police went to Brasher’s home, questioned him about the incident and took him into custody, police said.

He is due in court in Bridgeview on Feb. 29.

Wallet stolen from shopper at Savers A woman reported to police that someone stole her wallet while she shopped at Savers, 15625 S. 94th Ave., at about 2:30 p.m.

Jan. 2. The victim said that her wallet was in her purse, which was in the shopping cart she was using. The brown-leather wallet contained $140 cash, as well as credit cards and personal identification cards, she added.

Rep. Hurley seeks grace period when renewing vehicle registration Photos courtesy Orland Fire Protection District

House fire displaces family in Orland Twp. A family was displaced by a small fire in their home last Friday morning on Oak Creek Court in unincorporated Orland Township.

The homeowner had repaired a water pipe that had frozen as a result of the recent cold weather.

He noticed some smoke in his house after he finished the repairs.

Orland Fire Protection Dis-

trict firefighters arrived to find smoke on all floors of the home and coming from the roof eaves and the floor area. The fire was controlled quickly but firefighters were on scene about an hour to assure the fire was out and had not extended further.

There was some structural fire damage in the wall and floor space

In response to the Illinois Secretary of State’s decision to stop mailing vehicle registration reminders as a result of Illinois’ budget impasse, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago is sponsoring legislation allowing a 30-day grace period after a registration expires before receiving a fine.

“Illinois families have become accustomed to annual reminders for their vehicle registration renewal, and without this public service, many drivers will face unnecessary fines,” Hurley said.

“This budget impasse shouldn’t hurt the residents that want to follow the law.”

Under current law, drivers who are late in renewing their vehicle registration are charged a $20 fine in addition to the registration fee.

New registration will not be granted until all fees and fines are paid.

Currently, only returning combat veterans are granted any grace period when renewing registration, but with this law everyone will be given a chance for a grace period.

Hurley’s proposed legislation would allow those renewing their registrations to send in the application and fee up to 30 days late without a fine if a reminder letter was not sent from the Secretary of State.

Supplied photo

in the area of the repair. The cause of the fire was not immediately identified.

Two people and a pet dog were home at the time of fire. There were no injuries, Orland Fire Chief Michael Schofield said.

— Orland Fire Protection District

Talking heads with Ed Ed McElroy, host of “The Ed McElroy Show,” recently interviewed Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White (right) and Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos, president of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

The show will air at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, on Comcast Channel 19.

McElroy is past national commander of Catholic War Veterans, U.S.A.

Beware income-tax season scams The IRS has announced that the start date for the 2016 Tax season was Tuesday. The IRS has begun accepting tax returns for 2015, both filed electronically and those filing paper returns. As the saying goes, two things are certain, death and taxes, but the Better Business Bureau warns there is a third-”Tax Scams”.

After reviewing both inquiries and complaints received in 2015, the BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois concluded that the IRS telephone tax scam was the number one scam. The most recent federal figures are from 2014 and they show, according to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 55,000 people filed IRS Scam complaints. That number is dwarfed by the figures from the U.S. Treasury where in the past two years more than 400,000 complaints were received. In addition, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) says 10,000 new scam calls are made every week.

“From January to December last year we saw a steady stream of calls about the IRS Scam, and there is absolutely no reason to think that won’t continue,” says Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Unfortunately, across our service area alone, we expect there will be thousands of consumers who will become victims

of this scam.”

Bernas points out, “Our concern is that consumers are prepared to act, if or when they get a call or an email, and especially what to do if they fall victim.”

The IRS predicts this year there will be 150 million individual returns filed. For scammers that number represents a fertile hunting ground. However, it is not difficult for consumers to protect themselves: • For calls - Hang up. The IRS does not contact taxpayers by phone to demand payment.

And would never ask that it be sent via wire transfer or pre-paid debit card.

• For emails - Delete it. Like calls the IRS will not send an email. All contact is via U.S. Post Office.

Bernas also notes, “Consumer should also understand the IRS doesn’t threaten people with arrest, revocation of their driver’s license or deportation. And, it doesn’t request payment of an outstanding bill without offering taxpayers the opportunity to appeal the bill.”

Tax-related identity theft is a major concern for both the IRS and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). Tax I.D. Theft occurs when someone uses your stolen Social Security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund.

Victims of tax I.D. Theft should follow these steps:

• If you receive a letter from the IRS saying two (or more) returns have been filed in your name or that your identity has been stolen, call the number in the letter immediately.

• Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a ‘fraud alert’ on your credit record.

• If you know or suspect you may be the victim of tax ID theft but haven’t received a letter, call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490.

• If your Illinois tax refund has been compromised; you should contact IDOR at 800 732-8866 and state that you have been a victim of ID theft.

IDOR has issued a notice that Illinois tax refunds will be delayed until March 1st to allow the agency time to make sure refunds go to the correct individuals.

Taxpayers who think they might owe current or back taxes to the IRS, they can check with them at 1-800-829-1040.

Consumers who become victims, by paying the scammer or providing information to them, need to act to protect themselves from further injury: • Contact the police, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov) and the Tax Inspector General (tigta. gov or phone 800-366 4484).

For more information on scams, visit bbb.org/chicago.

— The Better Business Bureau

“My first priority is working with anyone who will come to the table to solve this budget in our state, but while we continue to do that, it’s important working families aren’t punished when services they rely upon disappear,” Hurley said. “I encourage drivers to look at the registration stickers on their license plates and mark down their due date to prevent the hassle and extra cost.”

For more information on any state issue, contact Hurley’s constituent service office at 773-4458128 or repfranhurley@gmail. com.

INSIDE THE FIRST AMENDMENT Continued from Page 4 The apocalyptic view is that the pair of rulings will provide for more “speech” by those who can afford to pay, while lowering the chance that the funds supported by growing ranks public sector unions can offset such spending by companies or individuals.

One non-legislative or judicial First Amendment factor may be the relatively new — and unsettling of so much — presence of the Web, which can make a single voice or example during a political campaign shout out to the world, even as well-funded corporate or union Web campaigns fail to show results.

One mitigating factor for union advocates may be to recall that in the last presidential election season, despite billions spent by rich individuals, corporations and unions, a turning point may have been the viral posting of a surreptitious cell phone camera video of GOP nominee Mitt Romney criticizing “47 percent” of voters he termed irresponsible and overly dependent on government assistance.

Still, the concentration of

large public employee unions in larger, key electoral states like New York and California — and the extent to which such unions tilt to Democratic candidates — puts a political tinge to the expected court action. And even in a political atmosphere increasingly dependent on social media and Web-based appeals, money still speaks — in organizing voter turnout and in media campaign advertising.

A fair assessment of the 2016 campaign thus far is that much

is unexpected and non-traditional. We should know by the end of the court’s current term, in June, whether a big chunk of money still will “speak” in the same old way in the future.

Gene Policinski is chief operating officer of the Newseum Institute and senior vice president of the Institute’s First Amendment Center. He can be reached at gpolicinski@newseum.org. Follow him on Twitter: @genefac

6 Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Regional News

DEATH NOTICES

SENIOR NOTES Property tax help for eligible seniors PLOWS Council on Aging wants seniors, age 65 and older

by June 1, to know about an important State of Illinois program that allows qualified persons to defer up to $5,000 annually of the real estate taxes on their personal residence.

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. Deferred 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 based in Palos Heights assisting seniors living in Palos, Lemont, Orland and Worth townships.

Palos Heights Senior Club membership period open New members age 55 and over may join the Palos Heights Senior Club at its meetings during January and February. Members must have a Palos Heights address, including unincorporated areas.

Meetings are held at 1 p.m. on

the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Moraine Valley Community Church, 6300 W. 127th St. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. The first meeting is Jan. 13.

Dues are $20 a year. The club offers speakers, entertainment and day trips. Transportation to club meetings at the church is provided by the Palos Heights Recreation Department. Cost is $4 roundtrip.

For more information, call Edna at 448-7948.

Orland Twp. Joliet Mardi Gras trip Orland Township offers a trip to the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate in Joliet for a Mardi Gras party on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Lunch will include salad, warm rolls and butter, Louisiana Jambalaya over rice, with cornbread and paczki for dessert, with coffee or tea. Transportation will leave at 10 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are $90 for residents and $95 for non–residents.

After lunch, guests will enjoy music by a New Orleans-style brass band. For more information, call 403-4222.

Orland Township Myrtle Beach trip Orland Township offers seniors an early-spring trip to Myrtle Beach and Charleston, S.C. Tickets are on sale now for this bus tour, a weeklong trip. Trans-

portation will leave at 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 3, and will return on Saturday, April 9. Tickets are $585 for double occupancy and add an additional $180 for single occupancy. Cost includes motor coach transportation, six nights lodging including four consecutive nights in the Myrtle Beach area, 10 meals (six breakfasts and four dinners), three evening shows: Legends in Concert, Carolina Opry, and Alabama Theatre’s ‘One the Show.’

This trip also includes a guided tour of Charleston, a visit to Broadway at the Beach, and admission to the Brookgreen Gardens. Tickets are at the township office, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Call 403-4222 for more information.

Palos Park Rec. breakfast, beanbags and bingo event The Palos Park Recreation Center will offer a senior breakfast, bingo and bean bags tourney on Friday, Jan. 29, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., starting with a light breakfast of cinnamon rolls, coffee, juice and fresh fruit.

A beanbag tournament will follow in the gym. Bingo will run at the same time. Register in advance by calling or stopping in at the Recreation Center, 8901 W. 123rd St. in Palos Park. Fee is $8 residents; or $10 others.

HEALTH BEAT Orland Twp. monthly immunization clinic Orland Township will host its monthly immunization clinic on Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 5, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the township building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. Free vaccines are available to township children 18 and under.

Some eligibility restrictions apply. Non-residential children who meet the eligibility guidelines are welcome. For children residing outside of the township’s boundaries, a $20 administration fee per vaccine will be charged (does not apply to those with Medicaid/All Kids). An up-to-date shot record is mandatory to receive any vaccine, and children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Children’s vaccines that are available include DTaP, DTaPHep B-IPV, DTaP-IPV-Hib, DTaPIPV, Hep A, Hep B, Hep B-Hib, HPV, Meningococcal, MMR, IPV,

Pneumococcal, Rotavirus, Tdap and Varicella. Adult vaccines that are available include HPV, Pneumococcal, Hep A, Tuberculosis, Hep B, Tdap, IPV, Meningococcal, Hep A-Hep B, MMR, Typhoid, Varicella and Shingles.

For more clinic dates and adult immunization prices, visit www. orlandtwp.org.

Moraine Valley hosts medical presentation on stroke, brain aneurysms The Medical Education Series presentation on “Advances in Treatment of Stroke and Brain Aneurysms” will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10 at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.

The free presentation will be held in the Dorothy Menker Theater, in the Fine and Performing Art Center on the campus. The event is co-sponsored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Babak Jahromi is the presenter. He received medical training and completed his neurosurgical residence at the University of Toronto. During his residency, he studied cellular and molecular changes underlying cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. That led to a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

Jahromi also completed fellowships in neuroendovascular surgery at the University of Miami and the University of Buffalo.

He was recruited to establish the endovascular program at the University of Rochester, where he served as the surgical director of the URMC Comprehensive Stroke Center. Jahromi is chief of Cerebrovascular/Neurointerventional Surgery, a joint division of the Neurological Surgery and Radiology departments, at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

For more information, contact Mari Smith at (708) 608-4039 or Smithm@morainevalley.edu.

Gary A. Loizzo

Gary Alexander Loizzo, age 70, of Orland Park, passed away on Jan. 16, surrounded by his loving family after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Beloved husband to Diane. Proud father of his daughter Dawn (Howie) Knoebel, and sons: Todd (Heather), Vince (Gina) and Doug (Kelly).

Inspirational grandfather of his cherished grandchildren: Jake, Alex, Jack, Brooklyn, Ben, Gianna, Josette and Lilly. Preceded in death by Claudia, his parents Louis and Virginia Loizzo, and his sister Diane Halvorson. Dear son-in-law of Evelyn and the late William Jachna.

Mr. Loizzo was born in Chicago. A record producer, as well as the tour audio engineer for over 40 years, Gary also leaves behind his STYX family and many dear friends. Visitation was held Jan. 20 at Colonial Chapel, 15525 S. 73rd Ave., in Orland Park. Lying in state Thursday, Jan. 21, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 13350 S. LaGrange Rd., Orland

Park, from 10 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment Good Shepherd Cemetery, Orland Park.

Richard T. Mniszewski

Richard T. Mniszewski, age 87, of Orland Park, died Jan. 15 at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey. A Funeral Service was held on Jan. 17 at Thornridge Funeral Home in Orland Park, with the Rev. Ken Fleck officiating. Interment was held at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Orland Park.

Mr. Mniszewski is survived by his children, Debbie (John) Hansen, Sue (Luke Bertlin) Mniszewski, Kim (Joanne) Mniszewski and Laura (Tom Krull) Mniszewski-Krull; 8 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild. Preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn M. nee Lopacki. Mr. Mniszewski was a printer and former owner of Positive Printing. Arrangements were entrusted to Thornridge Funeral Home, Orland Park.

HOUSES OF WORSHIP Mass for Life A Mass for Life in support of the March for Life will be held at 7 p.m. this Friday at Our Lady of the Woods Church, 10731 W. 131st St. in Orland Park.

The Mass is sponsored by the Multi-parish Respect Life Ministries Of Our Lady of the Woods, St. Bernard, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Michael and Annunciation Byzantine Catholic churches.

C.L.E.W.S. Preschool open houses, signup CLEWS Preschool will hold open houses this Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Families of 3, 4, and 5-year-olds are invited to see the classroom and meet the staff to learn more about this unique program. C.L.E.W.S. Preschool offers small class sizes, where learning is developmentally appropriate, hands-on, fun, and incorporates individualized educational activities.

C.L.E.W.S. provides experiences that enrich each child’s cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual development with caring experienced teachers in a loving and nurturing Christian environment.

At the open house, applications and registration fees will be accepted. Placement will be confirmed as you register.

C.L.E.W.S. is located in the Christ Lutheran Church, 14700 S. 94th Ave., Orland Park. Questions?

Call 349-0171, Patti Bareither, Director. Website: clewspreschool.com

SIMPLE GIFTS Moraine Valley seeks formal dress donations Moraine Valley is collecting gently used special occasion and bridesmaid dresses, accessories for the community college’s Dream Come True Project.

The dresses will be given away

free of charge to local high school girls on Saturday, April 2, from 9 to 11 a.m., in Building S, Room 117, on the main campus, 9000 W. College Pkwy, Palos Hills.

Dresses of all styles and sizes that are in good condition will be accepted. Shoes, purses, jewelry, and other accessories also

will be accepted. Donations can be brought to the Multicultural Student Affairs Department in Room 201, on the second floor of Building S, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information about making a donation, call Nereida Perez at 974-5475.

STOCK UP ON GOOD HEALTH

Vitamin D can provide a boost to immune system

First, we learned Americans are far too low in Vitamin D. Doctors rarely tested patients for this exceptional hormone that has everything to do with boosting the immune system. Subsequent studies have shown 400 international units is a totally bare minimum.

The finding of the need for additional vitamin D may have been a key to far better health. That finding was followed by the finding that vitamin D is much more effective and synergistic when taken with vitamin K2 as well as with a healthy fat. NOTE: For those on blood thinners, Vitamin K2 is not recommended.

Thankfully, vitamin D is being studied across the board on a more aggressive level and its import to our overall health is being understood at a far more respectable level. Over the last several years, there were a number of scientific observations regarding vitamin D stores in average Americans. It seems even people who like to spend time in the sun are not creating enough vitamin D. Of course, colder climates provide the least access to vitamin D, for obvious reasons. However, the most recent observation was that the hours we are told to stay out of the sun, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. are the hours that provide the most benefits for creating and storing vitamin D within the body. It’s true, the sun damages skin during those hours, but a few minutes in the sun during those hours also provides more access to vitamin D stores, according to Dr. Joseph Mercola.

The key is to use your brain and don’t spend more than a few minutes in the sun. Additionally, sun block also blocks vitamin D absorption. However, if one must be in the sun for any extensive period, sun block is essential. Workers who spend hours in the sun should always use sunblock regardless.

Vitamin D is essential to the immune system in helping us avoid many diseases, in that, adequate vitamin D is essential to both physical and mental health. We have learned that even multiple sclerosis (MS) is seen more in the Midwest than in the South where the sun’s rays are more abundant for more months of the year.

An astonishing article that appeared in “Life Extension Magazine” recently, indicating that vitamin

DEE WOODS D has been discovered to assist in re-myelination in early stages of multiple sclerosis. MS is a disease where the myelin sheath is destroyed. They consider this to be very important, especially in the very early diagnosis of MS. Unfortunately, according to the authors, it doesn’t seem to work as well for those who have had the disease for extensive periods.

However, adequate vitamin D is essential to the immune system. In fact, we all need adequate stores.

Until recently, there was little interest in adding vitamin D testing to any blood work. I had to pay extra because my insurance company wouldn’t pay for that particular test. Today, some insurance companies do cover the test.

The information on Vitamin D and its importance to the immune system and our overall emotional health continues to grow. Generally speaking, our body needs all of our vitamins and minerals to function properly. Raw foods and supplementation with quality vitamins, along with a halt to sugar intake, can make a huge difference. While vitamin D alone isn’t the answer, it’s a huge step forward in solving the puzzle of maintaining good health.

I love sharing this information with readers, because oftentimes, it takes conventional medicine many years to catch up with these studies and then to implement and share the information with patients.

The wheels move slowly. Some physicians just don’t have the time to study the latest research.

Many merely take the word of the pharmaceutical salesman.

We need conventional medicine — but we also need alternative and complementary medicine. How beautiful it would be if they would work together.

Dee Woods is available to give presentations about alternative health treatments and healthy living.

She can be reached at deewoods10@icloud.com.

Supplied photo

Patrons play Scrabble and Chinese checkers at a previous board game night held at the Orland Park Public Library.

Orland Park library offers earlier board game night Orland Park Public Library is bringing back its well-attended event Board Game Night an hour early next time.

It will be held on Friday, Feb. 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., in Room 104 of the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave. There is no cost to come and play board games.

The library provides a spacious gaming area as well as a wide array of games, including classics like Clue, Monopoly, Chinese checkers and Scrabble, party games such as Apples to Apples and Mad

Gab, and strategy favorites such as Settlers of Catan and Power Grid. Attendees are encouraged to bring in their own favorites or to try something new from the library’s collection.

The Regional News

COMMUNITY NEWS

Thursday, January 21, 2016

7

Children’s Farm nature preschool and kindergarten registration opens

Registration for new students opens on Monday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m., for the 2016-17 school year at the Farm and Nature Discovery Preschool and Kindergarten at the Children’s Farm, 12700 Southwest Highway in Palos Park.

The school is a lively hands-on opportunity for children who love animals and nature, to become creative learners through experiences with the natural world of the woods, fields, farm, and animals that lie directly outside their classroom door.

School director Kristin Hale says the adventure-packed program includes creek walks, hayrides, hikes in the woods, animal care, and pony rides, as well as crafts, such as papermaking and

nature collages, plus a basic academic curriculum to prepare children for grade school.

The preschool and kindergarten is held in the farm’s Anderson Activity Center, which provides separate classrooms for 3- and early 4- year-old children, pre-kindergarten children, and kindergarten children. Both morning and afternoon sessions are offered for the preschool classes, either two or three days per week.

The five-day kindergarten program, which began in September 2014, is for children age 5 by Sept.

1. Spaces are limited. Parents interested in more information should contact preschool director Kristin Hale at 361-8933.

COMMUNITY NOTES Supplied photo

Dressed in traditional German clothing, Shepard High School teacher Jennifer Fischer talks with the crowd last year at “A Little Bit of Germany.” Shepard will host the event, just $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger, on Saturday, from 4 to 8 p.m.

McCord Gallery exhibit reception

(129th and La Grange Road) in Palos Park. For more, call 6710648 or see www.mccordgallery. org.

hensive plan to improve the business climate and aesthetic appeal of the city. Educational outreach for all ages is an integral element of each installation.

A commission member must be a resident of Palos Heights, be 18 years or older, and possess knowledge and experience related to the arts. Commissioners are appointed by the mayor and serve a term of three years.

Interested persons should send their resume to the attention of Mayor Robert Straz, City of Palos Heights, 7607 W. College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463, or email to mayor@palosheights.org

A reception for the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center’s Sandburg High School AP Student Exhibit will be held this Sunday, Heights seeks Public Arts commissioners from noon to 2 p.m.

This exhibit provides the opThe city of Palos Heights is portunity through Feb. 8 to view seeking individuals interested in a selection of work from the col- the arts/public art to serve on the lege portfolio of up-and-coming Public Arts Commission. artists in our community. Media The mission of the Public Arts includes drawing, painting, and Commission has been to implephotography. Meet and show your ment a citywide plan for the placeShepard High School in Palos Heights will host The fun includes entertainment by the folk band support for these aspiring artists ment of public art, which includes sculpture, murals and paintings.

“A Little Bit of Germany” to support its exchange Paloma from the Dankhaus German Cultural Center at the reception.

The McCord Gallery and Cul- The commission works in conprogram this Saturday, from 4 to 8 p.m. in Chicago. tural Center is at 9602 Creek Road junction with the city’s compreThe fundraiser, which features German food, a Next summer, teacher Jennifer Fischer and a group folk band, dancing, and imported goods for sale, of German Club students will visit students from has set new attendance records the past two years. Johann Wolfgang Goethe Gymnasium in GermerLast year, the event set a new attendance record sheim. During their trip, Shepard students will attend with more than 400 people attending.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children classes at Goethe (German schools feature a fullResidents should call 389-9423 Ages 12 years to adult. Fee is $12; age 12 and under. Ticket price includes a German year calendar), visit various cultural and historical South West Special Rec free autism support group at least 24 hours in advance to $40 for a family of four. Limited dinner of bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad, sites, and, in general, live as Germans. inform SWSRA that they plan to skis available on a first come first Goethe and Shepard students have visited one Bread, and coffee, water or cider. Dinner will be The South West Special Rec- attend the meeting. More informaserved basis. This event is supportserved from 4-7 pm. Soda and root beer will be another for more than 25 years. reation Association will host a — High School District 218 free support group for parents tion can be obtained by visiting ed by the Forest Preserves of Cook available for purchase. www.swsra.com.

County. Registration deadline is or guardians of individuals with Friday, Jan. 22. autism from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• Family Winter Celebration Outdoors with Palos Park Wednesday, Feb. 3 at the Apolwill be held Saturday, Feb. 6, lo Recreation Center, 12521 S. • Palos Park Recreation and at the Crawdad Slough, off 95th Kostner Ave., Alsip.

Parks will join Cross Country Parents or guardians are encour- Family Ski Day on Sunday, Jan. Street on Flavin Road. Ice skatCenter, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave., for site bird monitoring competition Orland Grassland ing, campfire and hot cocoa. If their quarterly meeting. and more. Prospective new mem- aged to talk and exchange ideas 24, at the Sagawau Environmental Volunteers with other adults whose child is Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th conditions are right, the group The agenda includes end-of- bers are welcome to attend. For The Orland Grassland Volunwill build snowmen and try the diagnosed with autism. This will St. teers will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, year bird data, Andrew High more information, visit www. be a parent led group.

Instruction begins at 11 a.m; snowball target challenge. Dress Jan. 26, at the Orland Park Civic School student shrubland project, orlandgrassland.org.

Due to the sensitive nature of hit the trails at 1:30 p.m. Warm for the weather. This event is from topics and discussions, parents or up in the lodge with hot cocoa. 1 to 4 p.m. and is open to all guardians are not recommended to Conditions: weather dependent. ages. Fee is $5 per person; $15 bring a child to this support group. If unable to ski, there will be a for a family of four. Registration Parents or guardians should be demonstration of cross country deadline is Feb 4.

To register, call 671-3760 or able to speak freely their concerns ski equipment and a winter ecolW. College Pkwy. in Palos Hills; without children present.

Trustees Association.

Heights School Dist. 128 ogy hike. Dress for the weather. visit palospark.org.

The selection committee will by phone at 974-2110 (TTY 711); preschool screenings consider factors such as outstand- or online at morainevalley.edu.

Palos Heights School District ing success and distinction in his/ 128 will conduct a screening for her chosen field, humanitarian serall children residing within district vice that has proven beneficial to Palos School Dist. 118 boundaries who are 3 to 5 years of society, and continued interest in kindergarten registration based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Orland library free movies age. The screening will be held and support of education and comPalos School District 118 2016 Hardy. Come to the library for a brief discussion, at Indian Hill School, 12800 S. munity colleges. A complete list of kindergarten registration for Palos Orland Park Public Library shows and rents movies and stay to watch the film. All participants will Austin Ave., on Wednesday, Jan. the award guidelines can be found East and West schools will take for free to patrons with a library card. be entered into a raffle to win a paperback copy 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Patrons can call the library at 428-5100 and reonline at communitycolleges.org/ place Feb. 1-5, from 9:15 a.m. to 3 of the book.

Areas of development assessed p.m. Information about procedures serve the movie to be picked up at its after- hours awardsummary.

• Hidden Star Wars – Saturday, Jan. 23, at 2 include speech and language, An online nomination form can and necessary documents can be lockers. The library locker room is open 24 hours a p.m. Discover the hidden stories and secrets behind gross motor skills, and visual/ be completed at morainevalley. found online at www.palos118.org day for patrons to pick up books, CDs, and movies. six Star Wars movies with film clips and amusing auditory strengths. A vision and edu/distinguishedalum. The form to begin the registration process, Patrons can go online to see if your favorite titles anecdotes from film presenter Steven Frenzel. Coshearing screening will also be also can be downloaded and which opens Jan. 20. Returning are available. Simply type them into the search box tumes welcomed. conducted. in the top right corner. If all of the library’s copies • Creative Coloring for Grownups – Sunday, Jan. Children will be screened by e-mailed or mailed to the ad- student registration will not begin are out for some reason, you can still reserve a copy.

24 at 2 p.m. Explore your creativity and let your a diagnostic team of district dresses on the form. Nominations until March 22.

The library also has Hoopla, allowing patrons to Contact your school office for inner artist reign in this stress-free and relaxing personnel under the direction must be submitted by 5 p.m., on more information: Palos West go to HooplaDigital.com any time from your smart hour of coloring designs from the popular coloring of District 128 Administration. Friday, Jan. 29.

For more information, email 448-6888, Palos East 448-1084. phone or tablet and rent movies, albums, books, and books for grown-ups. All materials will be supplied.

Contact the Student Services ofaudiobooks there. The library has recently increased Jessica Crotty at crotty@mo• Introduction to the Internet – Tuesday, Jan. 26 fice at 597-1285 to make an apits checkout limit on Hoopla. at 2 p.m. Find out how to access the Internet, how pointment or to request additional rainevalley.edu or call 974-5281. Brother High School The library also shows movies on its big screen information. Hours are 8:30 a.m. in the large meeting room, and will show “Jurassic to use it, how to search on it, and discover tips to host Trivia Night on internet security and privacy. Space is limited; to 3:30 p.m.

Moraine Valley The Brother Rice Alumni Moth- World” this Friday, at 6:30 p.m. The library is at please register for this course.

14921 S. Ravinia Ave. spring registration ers’ Club will host its Trivia Night • Microsoft Word: Headers and Footers – WednesChicago Christian High Moraine Valley Community at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the day, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. Add page numbers, dates, School Open House College registration is underway Brother Rice High School caf- Palos Heights library upcoming programs logos, titles, names and more to the top and bottom Chicago Christian High School for the spring 2016 semester, eteria, 10001 S. Pulaski Road, • Academy Award Contest – Palos Heights Public of pages automatically in Word. Basic Word skills will host an Open House on Thurs- which starts Jan. 19 with on-cam- Chicago.

Library patrons are encouraged to participate in required. Space is limited; please register for the The fee is $20 per person. Ta- the library’s Academy Awards Contest. Pick up course. day, Jan. 28, at 6:45 p.m., at the pus credit classes. Off-campus school, 12001 S. Oak Park Ave. credit classes and on-campus bles will have a maximum of 10 a contest ballot at the Public Services Desk and • The following clubs meet weekly at the Palos continuing education classes begin players who compete against other predict the Oscar winners for a chance to win a Heights Public Library: Needle Club – Tuesdays in Palos Heights.

Chicago Christian High School Jan. 25 while off-campus continu- tables for prizes. Participants can “Night Out at the Movies” basket. The contest from 10 a.m. to noon. Scrabble Club – Tuesdays is part of the Southwest Chica- ing education classes start Feb. 1. bring their own snacks. Pizza will will run through Feb. 27, and the winner will be from 1-3 p.m. Mah Jongg – Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m.

Moraine Valley offers classes be ordered later in the evening. announced on Feb. 29. go Christian School AssociaContact the library to register for these programs for those interested in transferring The event is for guests ages tion, serving Christian families • Book & Film Series – Today (Thursday), at 10 at 448-1473 or visit the library’s website at www. since 1900. Its vision is to be to four-year colleges or universi- 21 and over. Beer, wine and pop a.m. (w/subtitles); 2 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. The library will palosheightslibrary.org. The library is at 12501 a Christ-centered learning com- ties by earning associate’s degrees will be available for purchase. No show the 2015 film “Far from the Madding Crowd,” S. 71st Ave. munity intent on restoring God’s in Arts, Fine Arts or Science. Stu- outside liquor is allowed.

For more information and to world. The Open House will pro- dents also can choose from several career programs offered at the colpurchase tickets online or downvide an opportunity to meet the faculty and coaches and attend lege including Allied Health and load an order form, go to the a variety of sectionals cover- Nursing, Business and Computer Brother Rice website at http:// ing topics such as the school’s Sciences, Industrial Technology, brotherrice.org/brother-rice-highSTEM programs (the only Project and Public Service. The college school-trivia-night-2/.

PAWWS for Love Lead the Way STEM courses in also offers noncredit programs, fundraiser gala the area), tuition assistance and courses, workshops, and seminars. Incarnation School Some of the college’s courses co-curriculars.

Paws Assisting Wounded Waropen house Everyone is welcome; no need are offered in different formats riorS (PAWWS) will hold its fourth Incarnation School, 5705 W. annual PAWWS for Love Ball on to register. For more, contact Wil- to accommodate student needs, ma Persenaire at 388-7656 or visit making it easy for people to fit 127th St., Palos Heights, invites Sunday, Feb. 28, from noon to www.swchristian.org/admissions. college classes into their life. all interested families to attend 5 p.m., at Riviera Country Club, These flexible learning options their annual open house on Sun- 8801 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park. include evening, off-campus, one- day, Jan. 31, from 10:30 a.m.

The fun will include buffet dinMVCC Alumnus Award day-a-week, online, weekend, and to noon. There will be school ner, dessert table, DJ music by nominees sought short-term classes. tours and the chance to meet with Billy Dee, pipes and drums by A complete list of credit and faculty, staff and students. Incar- the Emerald Society, dancing, cash Graduates of Moraine Valley Community College who have noncredit classes can be found nation School, Where Faith and bar and a huge raffle. Tickets cost been successful in their industry in the spring 2016 class schedule Knowledge Meet, offers 3- and $45 before Feb. 1 and $65 after. or career are sought for the 2016 or online at morainevalley.edu. 4-year-old preschool through 8th Proceeds help PAWWS’s mission Registration is ongoing. Tuition grade academics, financial aid, an to train service dogs for wounded Distinguished Alumnus Award.

In addition to being named the is $116 per credit hour plus fees award-winning resource lab, ex- warriors. Tickets can be purchased college’s Distinguished Alumnus, and books. Students who have tended day care and multi child online at Pawws.org or send check the nominee will be submitted to applied to the college can register discounts. payable to PAWWS at 12332 S. For more information, call 385- Harlem Ave., Palos Heights, IL the statewide Distinguished Alum- in the Registration Office, located nus Award program sponsored by on campus in the Student Ser- 6250 or visit the website at www. 60463. For more information, call the Illinois Community College vices Center (Building S), 9000 incarnationcatholic.org.

Pam at 369-1981.

‘A Little Bit of Germany’ returns to Shepard High

RECREATION ROUNDUP

CLUB ACTIVITIES

SCHOOL NOTES

LIBRARY NOTES

BENEFITS & FUNDRAISERS

BUSINESS

8 Thursday, January 21, 2016

COMINGS & GOINGS

The Regional News

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Retirees need a ‘longevity strategy’

Photo by Bob Bong

Steamer’s Hot Dogs had re-opened in Homer Glen, at 25761 S. Bell Road, with a newly designed interior and updated menu.

‘New’ Steamer’s opens Steamer’s Hot Dogs re-opened in Homer Glen on Nov. 25, with a new look, new menu and new attitude, says manager Jason Callahan.

Callahan runs the restaurant at 15761 S. Bell Road for its owner, his mother, Sherri Roppo.

“We spent three months remodeling,” said Callahan. “The look has changed significantly.

We donated the booths to Habitat for Humanity and replaced them with tables and chairs and it really opened up the space. People ask if we added on when they come in.”

Also new is the floor and a granite counter. And the menu.

“People would come in while we were remodeling because they didn’t know Steamer’s had closed,” Callahan said. “I would ask them what was the one thing they would like to see changed.

Everyone said the same thing: The quality of the food. They all said the quality was slipping at the end.”

Callahan and his mom decided to use vendors with better quality food, such as all-beef hot dogs and Angus hamburgers.

“It was tough at first because we were using more expensive ingredients and it made the products more expensive,” Callahan said.

“That turned some people off. So we worked with our vendors to lower costs.

“As of Jan. 1 we have a revamped menu with cheaper prices on everything.”

As for attitude, “I’m making this as good a place as can be,” said Callahan, 36. “I’m hoping to retire from here.”

Toward that end, he recently introduced Home Run Inn pizza because people had asked about pizza.

“We don’t have the oven space to cook pizzas, but Home Run Inn comes in half-cooked and we can handle that.”

Steamer’s has seating for about 40 and has counter service. Callahan said he was working on delivery.

For more information, call Steamer’s at (708) 737-7477.

There is no website but Steamer’s has a Facebook page and is on Instagram.

Tinley Chamber welcomes gift shop The Tinley Park Chamber of

BOB BONG Commerce will welcome Mucci World gift shop to town with a ribbon cutting ceremony and Business After Hours on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 7913 W. 171st St. The event will run from 5-7 p.m. The store owner is Mary Mucci, who did not return calls.

Jimmy Jazz store opens A new Jimmy Jazz store is now open at Ford City Mall on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

The clothing store is located off of Center Court. It features clothing and accessories for the whole family.

The Secaucus, N.J.-based chain now has three stores in the south suburbs. It also operates at River Oaks Center in Calumet City and Chicago Ridge Mall and a store in North Riverside in the western suburbs.

The chain was started 25 years ago in Manhattan by James Khezrie. There are now more than 170 stores in the United States.

Euberah opens in Joliet A new Euberah store has opened at Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet near Cinemark and Earthbound Trading Co. The store is the company’s ninth in the Chicago area and the first in the south suburbs. There is also a location at Southlake Mall in northwest Indiana.

Euberah features fashion jewelry and accessories.

Bridge Teen Center to take over thrift center The Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park has a new mission in 2016.

The nonprofit operation, which serves teens from throughout the south suburbs and northwest Indiana, took over operations at the adjacent Bibles for Missions Thrift Center, 15605 S. 71st Court, as of Jan. 1.

The thrift store occupies four of the 10 units in the building

owned by The Bridge Teen Center.

Proceeds will support the center’s after-school programs for about 3,700 teens from 123 communities.

The Bibles for Missions Thrift Center has operated at the site for nearly 20 years. Proceeds had been used to benefit Bible League International, a nonprofit that provides bibles to the “under resourced” worldwide, among other services.

Another Tilted Kilt closes Just a few weeks after a Tilted Kilt pub closed without warning at Chicago Ridge Mall comes the abrupt closing of a Tilted Kilt at Southlake Mall in Hobart in northwest Indiana.

Tilted Kilt and a Jamba Juice both closed at the end of December at the mall.

A sign taped to the door at the Jamba Juice urged customers to visit the nearest location at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. The sign said the location was permanently closed.

In a release, Tilted Kilt said the Hobart location was owned by a franchisee who retired. The company didn’t say whether it might reopen in the future.

The Chicago Ridge location was torn down and is being replaced by a Miller’s Ale House.

Hotel chain buys Midway area parcel First Western Properties Inc. recently announced the sale of a three-acre property located near Midway Airport.

The property, which is located at 5301-5331 S. Cicero Ave., will feature a national hotel chain, along with a multilevel parking structure that will be used to service travelers and the Midway area. No names were announced as part of the deal.

The property is the second development near the airport sold

by First Western in the last three months.

First Western focuses on retail commercial real estate.

Construction is scheduled to start in the spring of 2016.

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

FASHION CHAT

Do not avoid the adage a ‘New Year, New You’ As we settle into the first month of this new year, some are settling into our so-called resolutions.

Whether you are striving to exercise more, eat better, redo the tile or nab a new and more fulfilling job, the prospect of turning over a new leaf and starting with a fresh, clean slate in your life is invigorating. You seize that inspiration and feel positive.

The same actions should be taken with your fashion style habits for the new year. Clean out the closet! Maybe you have accumulated clothing and accessories that are building up in your closet but not in your level of confidence or in a presentation of modern aesthetics. If a garment is dated or ill-fitting, give it away! This sojourn into a new year is also an ideal time to gather items for alterations or DIY projects. Collect items to revamp and wear come the springtime.

On a deeper level, now is the time to analyze your day-to-day presentation and assess your style goals.

Would a new haircut kick-start a fresh perspective on your style? Perhaps for this new year, you will finally end the unwarranted fear and actually find and enjoy a great jumpsuit. Maybe you want to be more daring, more expressive, more experimental, more ensemble-minded.

The start of the year is the opportune time to thoughtfully consolidate your wardrobe into hit pieces while simultaneously evaluating whether you have any glaring absences. Men, do you only have those mundane black and brown wingtips?

Do you give yourself the chance to expand your collection or liven up your work look? Would a

CAROLINE FOREMAN new, well-tailored suit modernize your neglected wardrobe? How about you add some cozy shawl collar cardigans into the mix? These are sleek yet cozy additions to complete outfits.

Ladies, do you lack that go-to power suit? Is your once fabulous LBD reading more like a funeral uniform? Have you harnessed the vast variety of denim on the runways recently? Have you a midcalf length pencil skirt? These can be integrated into a wide array of ensembles for dressing up or paring down. These are some of the sassy questions I proffer to you for 2016. Using these sorts of inquisitions, you will surely not regret musing, planning and taking action.

To finish, assess any basic upkeep that needs to be completed for your wardrobe. Finally take those garments you have set aside to a tailor and make them wearable for your body. Perhaps the integration of a quality steamer would streamline your mornings and maybe even change your outlook on fabric options. Embrace 2016 vigorously for a dreamily revamped wardrobe and freshened and confident outlook on your presentation.

Caroline Foreman is a fashion model, critique, writer and actress. She lives in Palos Park.

The late, great Yogi Berra supposedly said it: “The future ain’t what it used to be.” And the same could be said of retirement. Due to several factors, such as advances in health care, today’s retirees are living longer, more active lives than their predecessors. In fact, you could spend two, or even three, decades in retirement — which means you need a “longevity strategy.”

Such a strategy needs to be part of your overall retirement income strategy, but here are five key areas you’ll need to address: • Lifestyle – What do you plan to do during your retirement years? Travel the world? Stay close to home and pursue your hobbies? Volunteer? Open a small business or do some consulting? Your choice of lifestyle will probably affect every aspect of your longevity strategy.

• Income – Your biggest threat to an enjoyable retirement is the possibility of running out of money. This fear is apparently widespread; in a survey commissioned by Allianz, a life insurance company, more than 60% of respondents said they were more scared of outliving their assets than they were of dying. You need to create a retirement income strategy that incorporates, among other elements, a withdrawal rate that allows you to take money from your 401(k), IRA and other investment accounts in such a manner that you don’t run out. You’ll also need to answer other key questions, such as when to take Social Security — as you may know, the longer you wait, the bigger your monthly checks, until they “max out” at age 70.

• Housing – Once you retire, you may want to review your housing situation. If you’ve already paid off your mortgage, and you like your house, you may want to stay there. But if you’re thinking downsizing, or moving to a more favorable climate,

JIM VAN HOWE

Edward Jones Investments or even purchasing a vacation home, you need to calculate the costs and include them in your plans.

• Health care – As far as health care, consider these questions: What will the treatment of existing medical conditions cost over the long term? Do you know what costs Medicare will cover? Have you thought of how you might pay for a nursing home or other long-term care? This last item is especially important, because the annual average cost for a private room in a nursing home is more than $90,000, according to the 2015 Cost of Care Survey, produced by Genworth, a financial services company. A financial professional can suggest ways of meeting these long-term care costs.

• Caregiving – It’s possible, at least early in your retirement years, that you could still be a caregiver to aging parents. If so, you might need to factor in these costs to your financial strategy. Later on, you may need some caregiving yourself, such as that provided by a home health aide. So you’ll need to consider these potential expenses.

Your retirement years can be filled with activities and accomplishments. And you can get even more enjoyment from this time of life if you stick to an appropriate longevity strategy.

Jim Van Howe is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Palos Heights. His office is at 7001 W. 127th St. He can be reached at 361-3400.

AREA PROPERTY TRANSFERS Following are the property transfers in the area, according to the latest report, as received from the Cook County Recorder of Deeds Office. The Regional News does not attempt to correct errors made by that office.

Orland Park Slemp Zofia to Wojewoda Pawel S, 15451 Treetop Dr, Unit #3N, $103,000; Woodmar Rlty LLC to Flaherty Daniel III, 15134 Huntington Ct, $195,000; Tischler James R Tr to Vanwagner Scott C, 16420 Francis Ct, $176,000; Delaney Edward W III Tr to Bondi Mary Ann L, 17743 Washington Ct, Unit #255, $190,000; Truesdale Alex to Daghestani Aiman, 11434 Lake Brook Ct, $229,000; Guimont Patricia to Maguluri Sivakotireddy, 9231 Hartwood Ct, Unit #1102, $128,000; Schuetter Alta M to Brennan Patrick J, 15710 Liberty Ct, $250,000; Felinski Marek T to Felinski Matthew M, 15229 Hilltop Ave, $165,000; Budzyn Joseph E Tr to Durling Denis G, 15301 Hollywood Dr, $265,000; Capps Jennifer L to Marsan Thomas J Tr, 14530 Westwood Ave, $315,000; Goldfarb Alan J to Risser Marc A, 10900 Crystal Ridge Ct, $685,000; Valenti Rosemary Tr to Zabel Gerald C, 16308 Chickadee Cir, $300,000; Harbut Stanley to Joseph Signore Jr Trust, 15705 Tiffany Dr, $580,000; Marquette Const Co to Niewold William Tr, 15713 Sunset Ridge Ct, Unit #157131N, $115,000; Kelly William M Tr to Chicago Land Title Trust Company Tr, 17808 Rachel Ln, Unit #44,

$193,000.

Palos Heights Udani Felisa Tr to Blessing Jason, 12930 S Winnebago Rd, $305,000; Standard B&T Co HH Tr to Sekula Lukasz A, 13000 S 79th Ave, $265,000; Tobin Michael F to Heywood Mark S, 12122 S 72nd Ct, $150,000; Pacholski Eugenia to HP IL I LLC, 7600 W Carmichael Dr, $233,000; Standard B&T Co Tr to Brienzo

Benjamin, 12456 Mcvicker Ave, $260,000.

Palos Park Trasky Clarissa F Tr to Savaglio John J, 226 Whispering Lake Dr, $470,000; Casey Michael F to Rys Jessuca L, 12908 E Mill Dr, Unit #B2L9, $137,000; Boehlke Paul E to Carroll Kevin, 10440 Ridgewood Dr, $475,000; Pagni Marilyn E Tr to White Glenn, 9838 Terrace Ct, Unit #E1L2, $160,000.

Mortgage Rates Around the Area First Midwest Bank (as of Jan. 19)

30-year fixed

RATES APR POINTS 4.000 4.035 0

15-year fixed

3.375

3.470

0

30-year fixed Jumbo

4.000

4.045

0

United Trust Bank (as of Jan. 11)

30-year fixed

RATES APR POINTS 3.875 3.896 0

15-year fixed

3.250

3.286

0

10-year fixed

2.990

2.952

0

Prospect Federal (as of Jan. 11)

30-year fixed

RATES APR POINTS 4.000 4.047 .25

20-year fixed

3.750

3.814

.25

15-year fixed

3.375

3.438

.25

All rates subject to change daily. Equal opportunity lenders.

The Regional News

Thursday, January 21, 2016

PHOTO MEMORIES FROM THE REGIONAL ARCHIVE

9

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Across 1 Popular 6 Scale syllables 9 Drives away 14 Simple-living sect 15 Guitar attachment?

16 Pope John Paul II’s given name 17 Warm-water ray 18 Ziegfeld with follies 19 Donald Jr.’s mom 20 One of the deadly sins 21 What a flap may cover 22 Four-time Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama Series 23 Longtime Lehrer partner 26 __ spoon 29 Coniferous secretions 33 “The imperious __ breed monsters”: Shakespeare 34 New England food fish 36 Goes bad

69 Helps with the dishes

28 Morales of “La Bamba”

38 Edible pockets

70 Michaelmas mo.

30 Pupil controller 31 Having second thoughts

40 Sign before Virgo File photo from Jan. 19, 2006

10 Years Ago This Week

41 Canadian bottle size

Down

32 Took steps

42 Computer text code

1 Priest from the East

33 Bit of inspiration

43 Sturdy tree

2 Mogadishu-born model

35 Baha’i, e.g.: Abbr.

3 Wenceslaus, e.g.

37 Ships

Democracy at a touch: A man tests a touch-screen voting machine. Touch screens and optical-scan ballots will 44 Bond’s car starter? replace punch cards in suburban Cook County beginning with the March primary election. Cook County Clerk 45 Pi-sigma link David Orr unveiled the new touch-screen machines last Friday at a press gathering in Oak Brook.

4 Acapulco-to-Oaxaca direcci-n

39 Strength

46 “Life Is Good” rapper

5 Greg’s sitcom wife

41 Cake section

48 Pig’s digs

6 Series of biological stages

47 Composer Schoenberg

50 Lacking a mate

7 C.S. Lewis lion

49 Gets behind

51 Broadway songwriting team __ and Ebb

8 Shelf-restocking sources

52 “__ say!”: parental warning

53 Starts from scratch

10 “__ Nagila”

55 Urban centers, and what this puzzle’s circles represent 59 Start of a spell 61 Dome openings 62 Melville’s Billy 65 China neighbor 66 Fabric information spot 67 Ruse 68 1953 Caron film

File photo from Jan. 19, 2006

10 Years Ago This Week

9 RŽsumŽ essentials

54 Results of getting behind 56 Dueling memento

11 Unwritten 12 Chaplin granddaughter

57 Android media console brand

13 Diner side

58 1997 Fonda role

24 Animal in some of Aesop’s fables

59 The whole lot

25 Mil. roadside hazard

60 Chinese-born actress __ Ling 63 Fist bump

26 Teahouse hostess 27 Certain exterminator’s concern

64 Combo vaccine, for short

(Answers on page 2)

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.

Huskies from Adopt a Husky Inc. mush around the grounds of Lake Katherine Nature Center in Palos Heights at the previous year’s WinterFest. More Siberian huskies are scheduled for this year’s festival.

(Answers on page 2)

PICK OF THE LITTER

What to do when dogs have seizures Dear Dr. Fleming, My 6-year-old German shepherd, Sam, had a seizure a couple of days ago, and it was good that it only lasted about 30 seconds.

He was normal right away. Should we do anything?

Carol, Orland Park Dear Carol, You’re probably OK to do nothing at this point if this is the only one you have ever seen. I’d probably take my dog in to a vet for an exam but you decide.

There are a lot of causes of seizures in dogs which include such things as toxins, liver or kidney disease, electrolyte disorders, certain cancers that cause hyperviscosity of the blood such as multiple myeloma and polycythemia, certain infections, cancers, infarcts, and degenerative diseases such as leukodystrophies and spongy disorders.

In general practice we usually do a thorough physical exam and some basic blood work and stop at that since most people don’t desire to go through exhaustive diagnostics such as CT or MRI scans. These advanced tests are available however. Most often, we just end up saying that the pet has “epilepsy,” which means seizures of unknown origin.

In dogs we see definite genetic (inherited) seizures but rarely do so in cats. It is theorized that an imbalance in brain chemistry causes an excess of excitatory nerve impulses and a deficiency of inhibitory nerve impulses. Consequently, the brain is predisposed to excessive stimulation, which

JOHN FLEMING DVM • Prairie StateVet.com

results in the seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy is diagnosed more commonly in purebred dogs such as the German shepherd, Border collie, golden retriever and Labrador retriever, but can occur in any dog.

Affected dogs are typically 1 to 5 years of age when the seizures first began.

Animals with idiopathic epilepsy have recurrent seizures. Most last one to three minutes and can occur at any time day or night.

When I was a student our neurology professor, Dr. Cheryl Chrisman, told us that at some point in our careers we would probably see a dog that seizures, say, every third or fourth Friday night at midnight. Yeah, sure. Well, I have had a handful of dogs over the past 35 years that did have very specific times that a seizure would occur. Affected animals are normal between seizures and do not have any neurological abnormalities on physical exam.

Seizures can take several forms. The most common form is a generalized seizure in which the animal is unconscious and unresponsive. It may fall or lie down. The legs are often rigid or drawn up to the body. The limbs of some dogs have jerky or paddling movements. Chewing motions, salivation, urination or

Photo by Joe Boyle

WHATIZIT? We had a few readers who guessed this week’s Whatizit quiz photo correctly. For those of you who said it was Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills, well, you were right.

The exact answer is that it Building F, which is the Fine and Performing Art Center on the campus. Of course, we would accept Moraine Valley Community College. However, we did have several readers who guessed that it was Building F. Worth residents Jerry and Carol Janicki had the right answer and mentioned Building F. Evergreen Park resident Jan Merchantz also knew it was Moraine Valley.

Chicago Ridge residents Dan and Kathy Higgins knew it was Moraine Valley. Oak Lawn resident Jane Foley also knew it was Moraine Valley.

Perhaps this week’s Whatizit photo will pose a challenge, or maybe Supplied photo Meet Molly, a 2-year-old Cavalier from Palos Park. Molly helps Eugene keep not. Let us know what you think the photo is up above. The clue this week is: Shiny salute. score at the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno.

Send your guesses by noon Monday to thereporter@comcast.net, defecation may occur.

I have many clients who‘s dogs and be sure to include your name and hometown.

Treatment is unlikely to prevent have mild seizures more often all future seizures in most ani- than the new recommendations mals. Instead, treatment is aimed and are not on treatment and do at reducing the frequency, duration fine for years. Treatment in most and severity of the seizures. Con- cases is inexpensive, involves givtrol is not as important as it is in ing a pill twice daily and doesn’t people since dogs don’t have to require much maintenance blood go to work, drive a car or ride a monitoring. Euthanasia is rarely bike. New recommendations for justified except in the rare case when to start treating seizures of uncontrollable seizures. in dogs will be in print in 2016 Associate yourself with men of and will recommend treatment if good quality if you esteem your the dog has two seizures within own reputation for ‘tis better to a three- month period or if she be alone than in bad company. has three seizures in one year.

— George Washington

10 Thursday, January 21, 2016

2015 – A year of Progress My name is Amy Richards, publisher of The Regional News and The Reporter Newspaper, and I would like to welcome you to my twelfth annual report.

I want to start out by thanking every one of you, our readers, for your continued support over the past year. It’s been a great year here at Southwest Regional Publishing. We have made some very positive changes to the look and content of the paper. We have welcomed some amazing new staff members and expanded our newspaper publications.

We now publish a monthly Community Health section, which is a collaboration between this office and our sister publications based out of Summit. We look forward in 2016 to continue to add publications and services to the community. As we make these enhancements to our newspapers we will continue to stay true to our mission — To keep you, our reader, connected to the community through unbiased reporting of the news of our towns.

New Additions We were lucky to have gained some talented new staff members this year. As many of you know we have a fantastic new editor for The Reporter, Joe Boyle, who joined us in September. Joe served as editor of the Southwest News-Herald for 25 years. He previously was the assistant news editor and sports editor at the News-Herald. Joe lives in Oak Lawn with his wife, Margie; son, Sean, and daughter, Julia. We are thrilled to have him on board.

Dermot Connolly also joined the Regional and Reporter in April as a reporter. A 1991 graduate of Western Illinois University, his 20-year journalism career has been focused on community newspapers. Dermot started as a reporter for the Southwest News-Herald in 1992 and moved to Westchester County, N.Y., in 1995, where he worked for Gannett Suburban News, before returning to the Southwest News-Herald in 1998.

Dermot also worked for Business Insurance Magazine and most recently covered Oak Lawn for the Southwest News-Herald. Dermot lives in Oak Lawn and his experience in covering the southwest suburbs has been a wonderful resource for our newspapers.

Lauren Ziemann is The Regional’s new graphic designer. Lauren graduated from Ball State University. From there she worked as a page designer for Paxton Media Group at the Chronicle-Tribune in Marion, Ind. Lauren has been an invaluable addition to our staff working on ad design, page layout and publication design.

Mike Russell joined our pressroom in July. With more than 20 years in the newspaper industry, he has been a tremendous asset to our team. His experience includes Lead Press Operator and pressroom manager at Russell Publications and Vice President of Cornerstone Media.

Top News Stories of 2015 In Orland Park, University of Chicago Medicine broke ground on its $61 million four-story health-care facility at 143rd

Street and La Grange Road in September. The medical center is scheduled to open by early 2017.

Palos Heights and Palos Park celebrated the opening of the western leg of the Cal-Sag Trail in June. The completed bicycle trail will extend from Burnham at the Indiana border in the east to Lemont. Palos Heights also established the Harlem Avenue Overlay District. Its new zoning code will guide commercial and residential mixed-use development along the Harlem Avenue corridor from the Cal-Sag to Ishnala.

Palos Park annexed forest preserve land that puts the village closer to its goal this year of annexing Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Gleneagles Country Club and two other parcels. The owners of the four tracts of land, which total 1,400 acres in unincorporated Cook County, seek annexation into Palos Park.

The continued expansion of the Stony Creek Promenade TIF District was the highlight of the year for the village of Oak Lawn at 111th and Cicero Avenue. Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant opened to positive reviews last summer to provide another strong anchor to the project.

Owners of Cooper’s Hawk reported record crowds during the first week of operation. This was similar to the reception Mariano’s received the previous year in which they reported the largest opening day crowds among all their stores.

Chicago Ridge police, in conjunction with officials at the Chicago Ridge Mall, began a youth escort policy to reduce the number

of unsupervised teens hanging out at the shopping mall on weekend nights. After 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays, anyone under 17 years old is required to be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult. The adult can represent up to six teens.

The policy change occurred after a fight broke out in the food court over the Christmas holiday in 2014. Police said that rumors that shots were fired were false.

Since the policy was established last February, no major disturbances have been reported.

The top story in Evergreen Park was the demolition of The Plaza in October. The iconic mall was built in 1952 and became one of the first indoor malls in the nation in the 1960s. Sexton said it was a sad day because of The Plaza’s history at 95th and Western.

However, he looked forward to when the Evergreen Marketplace opens at the same location by the summer of 2017.

After a year of meetings to alleviate fears and misconceptions residents had, the Worth Village Board approved a medicinal marijuana dispensary to officially open in January. While there was originally some anger over the idea, a large crowd attended a town hall meeting in September. Residents asked a variety of questions but most of the comments were favorable. Worth Mayor Mary Werner said the facility at 11425 S. Harlem Ave. is a win-win situation.

In Palos Hills, Stagg High School student Bobby Sianis, 15, was attending his grandmother’s wake when his father, George Sianis, fell to the ground. Bobby

The Regional News

coached his mother through CPR and George survived the ordeal thanks to Bobby’s actions. Bobby later received the Citizens Hero Award from the Roberts Park Fire Protection District.

The Lexington House, an iconic banquet hall in Hickory Hills, closed after 45 years in the city on August 24. Mayor Howley said “The Lexington House put Hickory Hills on the map. It is an iconic landmark. It saddens me that it will be gone,’’

Awards The Reporter and Regional News won 11 journalism awards from the Illinois Press Association and the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association in 2015.

Former Reporter editor Jeff Vorva, now the Southwest Regional Publishing sports editor, earned five awards from NINA including first place honors for best headlines, best sports photo and best column writing in the non-daily division. He also won third-place in headline writing from the IPA. Regional News editor Jack Murray and designer Chuck Ingwersen were a part of a team that won first place from the IPA Best Single Page Design for the front page from Dec. 4, 2014 and earned third place from NINA for best design as three sections were judged.

Former Regional reporter Tim Hadac took second place for best general feature from NINA and honorable mention from IPA on a piece of Orland Park artwork that some residents thought was junk.

Amy Richards

Hadac is now the editor of the company’s Southwest News-Herald and Archer Journal News The company also won third place for best headline writing from NINA.

On a Personal Note My son Sullivan turned 3 this year. Time is certainly flying by!

He’s so much fun to be around and my husband and I are lucky to have some flexibility in our schedules to watch him grow up.

My parents, Charles and Gerri Richards, still live in Palos Heights and enjoy several summer visits to their home in Iron River, Wis.

Students selected to dean’s list at Moraine Valley Western Illinois students earn dean's list honors

Local students have been selected to the dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills.

Qualification for the Dean’s List is a semester grade point average of 3.50 to 3.749.

Chicago Ridge residents selected to the dean’s list are Neil Arold, Jacek Bak, Matthew Baranowski, Lauren Bauman, Bradon Becerra, Justinas Butkus, Henry Doan, Erika Eringis, Elise Fitzgerald, Victoria Gadawski, Aya Hamid, Mohammad Hussein, Jill Ismail, Joseph Jankun, Amanda Koehler, Marco Liera, Quieme Mezhoud, Paul Moskal, Matthew Pedraza, Cristen Rombakis, Olivia Ryan, Mohammad Tarek Safieh, Karolina Siek and Kathy Tito.

Evergreen Park residents earning dean’s list honors are Sarah Adams, Jordan Annang, Jose Avila, Joshua Carter, Steve Cherry, Rebecca Daly, Daniel Finn, Lauren Ford, Nicole Galsasso, Thomas Healy, Curt Holmes, Ashley Hoskins, Tina Hutchinson, Clare Keffer, Emma Kennedy, Michael Kobel, Jacklyn Kremposky, Irish Lamb, Joseph Letelt, Richard LItak, Ross Luchinski, Cristiana Mangum, Melissa Martinez, Jamie Mayhew, Elizabeth Neris, Bart Piet, Jason Prazuch, Gregory Putlak, Ashanti Reed, Aaron Roosien, Elizabeth Simon, Kathryn Skudnig and Hector Torres.

Hickory Hills residents earning honors are Luis Arias, Cristian Barraza, Shelly Brannigan, Sheamus Brennas, Karolina Czubernat, Jesus Garcia, Rocco Giannelli, Jasmin Guzman-Pineda, Marwah Hanieh, Sherean Khatib, Jacob Koulouris, Constantina Makris, Marissa Maola, Ashley Maranto, Lidia Marek, Melissa Misiaszek, Yessenia Nieto, Samantha Pratus, Daniel Rykala, Ahamed Saleh, Sebastian Stopka, Agnieszka Szudy, Jacob Wimmer, Siu Lung Wu, Christie Zamiar and Dominik Zarnowski.

Oak Lawn residents who were recipients of dean’s list honors are Caroline Abdelghani, Nilly Albeitoni, Yazan Awwad, Vernoica Avala, Michael Barrett, Alisha Callahan, Michael Cudzik, Hailey Czerwinski, Clarissa Dean, Rudy Didiengou, Samantha Dillon, Martin Duran, Joshua Ehrlicher, Evad Eid, Saleh Elayyan, Joseph Fay, Melina Ferraro, Garrett Fleming, Lauren Flores, Daniel Ford, Katelyn Gallagher, Kelsey Green, Roy Haase, Yunis Halim, Razan Hendi, Liliana Herrera, Hanin Hindi, Jessica Huirache, Shauna Innes, Alicia Jacklin, Ogenetsega Joseph, William Kamba, Justin Kapelinski, Gusan Kartoum, Hendi Khalil, Shelby Koehler, Joseph Korpitz, Elizabeth Kross, Ashley Labuda, Kamile Lazauskaite, Carlos Lopez, Humberto Lozano, Maciej Machai, Enad Masoud, Marzena MIchalik, Denis Mitchell, Shoroog Mohammad, Tiffany Morange, Sandra Morales, Timothy

Moran, Kristen Morrison, Michael Mullaney, Rafeef Mustafa, John Olson, Emily Opas, Monica Pacheco, Christopher Pardue, Ben Pinkston, Laurie Proczek-Paschke, Joseph Quirk, Eduardo Ramirez, Jamila Redditt, Luis Rivera, Ahmad Safi, Katarsyna Sagula, Ronnie Sahoury, Sabrine Saleh, Reem Salem, Viviana Sanchez, Carolyn Scannell, Kevin Scardina, Maeve Shannon, Natalie Skinner, Emily Sosnowski, William Stumpf, Katarzyna Szaflarski, Esther Vallejo, Sara Vickery, Jonathan Weidner, Jacob Williams, Lisa Wilson, Deving Xi, Xinru Xi, Elvon Yaber and Jennifer Zeller.

Orland Park resident show have earned dean’s list honors are Zachary Abusharif, Sara Al-Kurdi, Ramez Aladdin, Ayyah Ali, Alexander Altman, Karim Awwad, Karlee Beltran, Victoria Benson, Kelsey Bramwell, Brittany Brinda, Ashley Cappel, Carly Catalano, Kristin Chestnut, Eric Cocanig, Cody Cummins, Abbigale Davies, Thomas Davisson, Dempsey Deless, Haleema Demir, Tory Dewitt, Ethan Doe, Peter Doorn, Kristina Ekonomou, Noor Elayan, Waseem Elayyan, Jenna Elsouso, George Flamburis, Amaranda Garza, Shannon Gerry, Victoria Gibbons, Michele Grimberg, Stanley Grotkiewicz, Jacob Hyde, Natalie Jachymiak, Magdalena Jacymiak, Shannon Jaekel, Resul Jashari, Robert Jonas, Sam Kacerovckis, Sarah Karstens, Reneee Kelliher, Osama Kesbeh, Mohammed Khatib, Rebecca Kopping, Jessica Kubacka, Roselle Lagman, Diana Lang, Emile LIsauskaite, Kelly Lundgren, Justin Makilan, Nazar Maksymkly, Jimann Marou, Kayla Matergrano, Jennifer

McGinty, Jillian McGuire, Coley McGlynn, Julian Mercado, Badeeha Mizyed, Marc Monnier, Taylor Moreland, Sahar Muheisen, Kathleen Mulvey, Samantha Murphy, Hanna Murray, Shorok Musa, Nermeen Muza, Jennifer Nguy, Declan Nichols, Tyler O’Connell, Adam Odeh, Tess O’Toole, Alysssa Panzella, Ajay Patel, Stefanie Peloquin, Scott Prenta, Roman Prochorchuk, Mohammad Ramahi, Danile Rhodes, Jazmin Rodriguez, Peter Rodriguez, Brandon Rothman, Christine Ryan, Seree Salameh, Sandra Salameh, Isabella Scatena, Michael Schuch, Peter Shelbski, Jeremy Slager, Tamara Smith, Timothy Stanko, Thomas Swanson, Kimberly Tenorio, Michael Toolan, Raechel Verbiscar, Tonie Wasco, Ashely Watson, Kieran Willis, Taylor Wirth and Maram Zein.

Palos Heights residents earning dean’s list honors are Yuser Aranaout, Jacqueline Cronin, Patrick Early, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Cheyenne Gallai, Jay Guerro, Brianna Jorgensen, John Korbakes, Matthew Ladewig, Myah Lowry, Skyler Mackovitch, Andrew Meiron, Anh Thi Phuong Nguyen, Amy Quinlan, Daneil Sala, Donna Saraz, Nour Shaban, Rachel Stilp, Mateuz Szczech, Carolyn Toomey, Nicholas Walano, Elsie Walano, Robert White, Madelin Wise and Carolyn Yerkes.

Palos Hills residents earning dean’s list honors are Alexandra Abed, Rami Abuzir, Ida Al-Qaisi, Layla Alkhatib, Amanda Bell, Beata Bigos, Abraham Braig, Paluis Brazdziunas, Kristie Broadway, Joseanny Candelas, Brenda Canseco Alvarez, Jeffrey Carlson, Michael Cikowski Karlee Dewan,

Ryan Egan, Ma Felalquin, Andrew Gierut, Alexandra Guzman, Aiman Hussein, Effat Irsheid, Domagoia Jukic. Elizabeth Kopinski, Joanna Kucaba, Dennis Kuruklis, Conrad Lesiak, Kristen Maki, Shannon McNamara, Presley O’Neil, Wiktoria Paczkowska, Tanhaben Patel, Andrzej Popieluch, Jason Poplawsky, Jacob Puente, David Relstab, Kimberly Rojas, Jessica Rzab, Carley Sullian, Yuet Sing Tam, Ola Tomaszewski, Elias Tsapliaris, David Wesolowski, Jonathan Williams Amal Yassine and Kevin Zehr.

Palos Park residents earning dean’s list honors are Sarah Badar, Nuria Balovski, Roger Benda, Rachael Fent, Adrian Gonzalez, Courtney Jager, Konstandina Karahalios, Jeremy Lareau, Tesneem Ottman, Alyssa Pech, Divya Soni and Laura Sullivan.

Worth residents earning dean’s list honors are Sam Al Esaei, Gadallah Alawi, Mohammad Amara, Filipp Barnov, Patrick Broadway, Beth Danaher, Noah Dearth, Sheana Dlugopolski, Andrew Elabaza, Daijah Faust, Kimberly Heenan, Madeline Kachold, Cody Larson, Kevin Lockwood, Brian McMenamy, Taylor Milos, Elizabeth Nezda, Aleksandra Nowacka, Heather Peak, Abdallah Shouli, Ashly Skaley, Caroline Stark, Anthony Sunta, Ruby Toledo and Amirmasoud Valipourkarimi.

To receive this award, an undergraduate student must earn at least a 3.6 grade point average on a scale of 4.0, which equals an A in a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded courses; pass-fail hours are not counted (e.g., student teaching, internships).

A group of local students have been named to the 2015 fall dean’s list at Western Illinois University in Macomb.

Earning dean’s list honors were freshman Jessica Xiques, a resident of Chicago Ridge; junior Annie Gortowski, Evergreen Park; senior Brenna Smith, Evergreen Park; senior Alec Dineff, Hickory Hills; junior Joseph Michaels,

Hickory Hills; senior Amy Smith, Hickory Hills; and sophomore Paige Stulginskis, Hickory Hills.

The list of local dean’s list students includes freshman Jason Balzevic, Oak Lawn; freshman Thomas Rehfeld, Oak Lawn; senior Claire Jarrell, Orland Park; senior Victoria Kappel, Orland Park; senior Emily Ann Szott, Orland Park; senior Jessica Lynn Jirik, Orland Park; senior Karissa Kouchis, Orland Park; freshman Michelle Kulovitz, Orland Park; senior Jacob Vittori, Orland Park; junior Kamil Baldyga, Palos Hills; sophomore Nathaniel Schaub, Palos Hills; and freshman Konrad Turek, Palos Hills;

Candlelight bowl to benefit nonprofit group A candlelight bowl will be held to benefit Park Lawn from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Orland Bowl, 8601 W. 159th St., Orland Park.

Tickets are $30 per person and include four games of scotch doubles, shoe rental and food. Raffles will also be available. To register, visit www.parklawn.com. Regis-

tration must be made by Sunday, Jan. 24.

Founded in 1955, Park Lawn is a nonprofit organization which provides adult developmental training, vocational services, supported employment, residential services, and recreational activities to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

SPORTS The Regional News • The Reporter

Bowling ‘em over Sandburg’s Crowe leads area bowlers into sectional action. Page 2

Thursday, 21,2015 2016 Thursday,January March 5,

Jeff Sports Editor • sports@regionalpublishing.com

KenVorva, Karrson, Sports Editor • sports@regionalpublishing.com

We have a winner After an 0-18 start, Trinity Christian’s women’s team tastes victory. Page 4 Southwest• •Section Section2,2,Page Page11 Southwest

Marist makes a lot of noise vs. Rice

Win over rival lifts RedHawks’ record to 15-3

By Phil Arvia Correspondent

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Brother Rice sophomore Brendan Coughlan receives an earful of noise before inbounding the ball in front of the Marist student section Tuesday night.

Marist’s Chamar Hawkins tries to control the ball after a collision. He had 19 points, including two dunks, in the RedHawks’ 66-45 win over Brother Rice on Tuesday night.

The last 28 times they’ve met on the basketball court, Marist and Brother Rice have 14 wins each. But as of Tuesday, that was a particularly meaningless stat for RedHawks seniors Chamar Hawkins and Kevin Lerma.

Hawkins scored 19 points and Lerma had 12 points and a game-high seven rebounds to lead Marist to a 66-45 win over the visitors in front of a crowd estimated at 1,300.

“When I go to college, even when I get grown, I can look back and say I beat Rice my senior year,” Lerma said. “I beat ‘em [three] times.’’

Hawkins smiled wide as he pondered three varsity wins and one on the sophomore level over the Crusaders.

“It’s been a long time coming,” he said.

“I’ve never lost to Rice.”

The Crusaders (11-8), playing their fifth game in 12 days and losing their fourth in that stretch, were never closer than eight points after Marist (15-3) closed out the second quarter with a 9-2 run. Hawkins highlighted that burst with a rebound and coast-to-coast sprint for a dunk, a floater in the lane and a nifty look into the post to find former Brother Rice player Morgan Taylor (9 points) for a lay-in.

Maurice Commander added 14 points and David Daniels 10 for the balanced RedHawks, who went 26-of-47 (55 percent) from the floor for the evening.

“I’m really proud of our kids’ effort,” Marist coach Gene Nolan said. “We had seven turnovers for the night. We took care of the ball, we were efficient offensively.

“We got good looks and if we weren’t able to make those good looks, we got offensive rebounds.”

“That’s how we do it,” Hawkins said. “We have chemistry. We believe in what we do as teammates and brothers.”

The RedHawks were equally tough on the defensive end. Mike Shepski and Josh Niego, who entered the game averaging 15.3 and 14.8 points per game, respectively, were held to 11 and 7 on a combined 7-of-19 shooting. For the game, the Crusaders were 16-of-36 (44 percent) from the floor.

Offensively, we struggled, struggled, struggled — they guarded the heck out of Shepski and Niego, give them credit,” Rice coach Bobby Frasor said. “Defensively, we weren’t very good either.

“They out-hustled us, out-toughed us.

When you let them get second-chance points and rebounds, it’s going to be a tough night.”

Trailing by 10 at the half, Rice opened the third with a bucket to get within eight, but Hawkins capped a 7-0 run with a threepointer while falling to the floor in front of the RedHawks Rowdies cheering section in what may have been the signature moment of the evening.

“I don’t think it was the game itself,” Hawkins said. “It was the support of the fans — that was the big advantage to this game.”

Sandburg wrestlers looking for late reversal

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Sandburg’s wrestling team has been ranked first or second in the state in Class 3A by the Illinois Matmen website all season.

The last two weekends, however, the Eagles finished second to Class 2A power Mt. Carmel in the 27-team Cheesehead Invitational in Wisconsin on Jan. 9 and Saturday lost to No. 2 Oak Park, 34-17 and No. 3 Marmion, 30-29, in the Sandburg Duals.

For a team that made a state championship a top priority this year, the Eagles want to pull off a late reversal.

“We have a long road ahead of us,” Sandburg coach Eric Siebert said. “We have to get busy in practice. There are areas we need improvements on. We need to be tougher.

We need to get in better shape. We need to learn how to win some close matches. We underachieved in getting bonus points. It’s

‘

I think physically, we’re the best team in the state.

Mentally, we’re not there yet.

’

Sandburg wrestler Rudy Yates back to work for us.’’

Siebert wouldn’t use injuries to missing state-ranked wrestlers Robbie Percin (126 pounds) and Christian Robertson (138) as an excuse for the two losses.

“Everyone has injuries at this point,” he said. “Marmion did and so did Oak Park.

It’s a long hard season. You can’t say ‘oh, we needed this guy.’ It’s about the next guy up being able to put their foot on the line and being ready to compete.’’

The regionals begin Feb. 6 and team dual

sectionals take place Feb. 23 with the possibility of a Marmion/Sandburg rematch in the final 16, which doesn’t please Siebert, who pointed out that both teams are ranked in the top 20 in the nation according to the FloWrestling website and one won’t make it to the state finals.

A potential Sandburg/Oak Park rematch would be in the state championship match Feb. 27 in Bloomington.

Sandburg’s Louie Hayes (113), Rudy Yates (132) and Patrick Brucki (182) were able to go 2-0 against wrestlers from Marmion and Oak Park.

Yates, who had a career 153-3 mark after Saturday’s action, thinks that the team has enough time to recover.

“It’s all mental,” Yates said. “I think physically, we’re the best team in the state. MenPhoto by Jeff Vorva tally, we’re not there yet. We were there but Rudy Yates, ranked No. 1 in the state at 132 pounds, beats No. 4 Gabe after the Cheesehead…I don’t know what Townsell of Oak Park, 9-5 Saturday at the Sandburg Duals. Yates had a happened. We need to get it back.’’ career 153-3 mark after that bout.

2

Section 2 Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Regional News - The Reporter

Hey, mom and pop, learn the concept of commitment

B

oys and girls and (especially) moms and dads, let’s talk about the c-word.

No, not cancer or one of the worst expletives out there. I am talking about the word “commitment.’’

If you drive east on 111th, the street will turn into West Monterey and you will pass this big school with a tiny gym – Morgan Park.

For years, the Morgan Park/Simeon basketball game that was supposed to be at MP was moved elsewhere so that more people could watch it. The Mustangs’ gym supposedly holds just 250, but it is like the United Center compared to the even smaller gym they had my daughter’s freshman basketball team play in a few years ago.

But, I digress.

Well this year, the MP parents decided this wasn’t a good arrangement and decided to have their kids boycott the game because it wasn’t held in their bandbox. They held protests and made a big stink about it last week even though this game was scheduled months ahead of time. That’s when they should have been protesting.

So Morgan Park was nearly given a forfeit but the game is on ice and it’s unclear when – or if – it will take place.

Look, I have no problem with the parents protesting the want of a new gym, even though dollars to help the woeful public school education system in the city would be better use of the money.

JEFF VORVA

Making the Extra Point

I have no problem that they are mad at the world because they don’t get to host Simeon at home.

But play the damn game.

Their kids and their coaches made the commitment to the season. This wasn’t some surprise that just popped up. Fans and scouts planned on going to this game. Workers and security people had to be assigned to the event.

And these parents decided to just let the kids boycott because they can’t get their way.

This is the second time this season that interfering parents were sticking their noses in where it didn’t belong.

In the fall, Andrew’s volleyball team was involved in a tournament and the T-Bolts were in a consolation match on Saturday afternoon. It was getting late and it there was a big dance that night and these bonehead parents gathered up their daughters and left, leaving the other team and tournament organizers ticked off.

You get in sports and you make sacrifices.

It’s called commitment.

My kids have had games cancelled

because the other team forfeited and it’s frustrating. The kids are ready for a game. They are warming up, ready to play and the other team just leaves the tournament for no good reason other than they are mad they can’t win the championship so they are going home.

On the other hand, my son was playing for a team that was playing in a tournament in Mundelein, which is not close. The team got into a consolation situation where it would play just one game on Sunday.

The coach, who I respect, thought it was a stupid idea to go all the way to Mundelein just to play in one game after the long Saturday we all just had, so he told the tournament organizers well in advance the team wasn’t showing up so the other team wouldn’t be standing around waiting for a game that was never going to happen.

Was it a good idea? Well, we thought so at 10 p.m. on a Saturday night.

Was it the right thing to do?

Not at all. We were guilty of not honoring our commitment.

So, parents, I want you all to do one simple thing. Look at your son or daughter’s schedule before the season starts. If there is a problem, bring it to the coach’s attention then.

Then keep quiet.

Ultimate Spartan

This has been going on for three years, but since I am the rookie at this

FOCUS ON PRO SOCCER

Submitted photo

Peter Ruane was the Ultimate Spartan last year. Saturday, a new Ultimate Spartan will be crowned at Oak Lawn High School.

sports editing game, this is the first I’ve heard of it.

The Oak Lawn softball team is hosting the fourth Ultimate Spartan competition.

A group of senior male athletes will vie for the honor as they will compete in formal wear, beach wear, talent, interviews and audience appreciation.

And when it’s over, Steve Harvey will present the wrong guy a trophy.

OK, I made that last part up. It was a cheap joke but in these economic times, that’s all I can afford.

Anyway, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Liam Blake, Vinnie Caprio, Alexander Kenny, Miles O’Brien, Lucas Palacios, Jorge Ramirez, and David Ward will battle it out for the title in the Oak Lawn gym. Tickets are available at the school for $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

Judges will be teachers Lauren Klenn and Kate Mellone plus secretary Jill Malkowski.

For those scoring at home, past winners were Bobby Kametas, Kyle Kuzur, and Peter Ruane.

FOCUS ON WINTER SPORTS

Drafts, trades mark busy Plenty to Crowe about: week for Fire, Red Stars Five area bowling teams roll along to sectional

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Area pro soccer teams were busy in Baltimore.

The Chicago Fire added three players through the 2016 MLS SuperDraft Thursday in Baltimore, selecting Stanford University defender Brandon Vincent, University of North Carolina defender Jonathan Campbell and University of North Florida forward Alex Morrell.

The next day, the Red Stars were at it, drafting seven players.

The Fire headed into the SuperDraft with the first overall pick, which was used to select Wake Forest midfielder Jack Harrison.

The Fire traded him to New York City FC, acquiring cash and the No. 4 pick in the draft.

“The scenario that unfolded was one that we had discussed and arranged with NYCFC in advance and we feel very good about it,” said Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez. “I think the staff did a great job. We had an abundance of creative thinking in trying to find the pathway. Candidly, it ended up better than we had imagined.

Through the course of our deals today, we feel we picked up three really good young players that fit our values, and in the process amassed a nice account that will give us super opportunity in the international market.”

The Fire used the fourth pick on Vincent, who is currently with the U.S. Men’s National Team for its annual January training camp at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California. In his senior season, Vincent helped lead the Cardinal to the 2015 College Cup title and was named College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player for his efforts.

In 2015, the Santa Clarita, Calif. native was also named a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and Pac 12 Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year. Vincent started all 80 matches in which he appeared throughout his collegiate career and scored 13 goals and added three assists.

“Brandon is a young guy we interviewed who surprised us with his maturity,” said Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic. “That was one of the reasons we picked him. He still needs a lot of development and that’s my job. I’m very excited to work with him. I think we chose the right guys for our locker room, with our values and with good soccer potential.”

The Fire next acquired cash and the 15th overall selection in the SuperDraft from Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for Jones. Jones departs after one season with the Fire in which he scored one goal and added one assist in 28 MLS matches.

After more wheeling and dealing, the Fire selected University of North Carolina defender Campbell.

Over four years, Campbell started 73 of the 74 matches in which he appeared and scored three goals

By Anthony Nasella Correspondent

Photo by Casey Valentine/StanfordPhoto.com

Stanford’s Brandon Vincent (3) celebrates a goal during his college career.

Vincent was drafted by the Chicago Fire last week.

and tallied seven assists. A 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, Campbell was also named NSCAA First Team and First Team All-ACC in his senior season. In 2012 the Greensboro, N.C. native was named to College Soccer News’ All-Freshman First Team as the Tar Heels led the nation in shutout percentage and goals against average.

“We think Jonathan is a good player who could become a really good player,” said Rodriguez. “We loved our interview with him and he’s another one who understands the importance of hard work, comes from a great program at North Carolina. We believe Jonathan has the opportunity to contribute right away, but at the same time learn from Pauno and the center backs that we bring in.”

The Fire concluded by selecting forward Morrell from the University of North Florida. A 2015 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Tournament Team and First Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference honoree, Morrell scored 10 goals and tallied 19 assists in 63 games across four seasons.

“Alex is a dynamite athlete and a very intelligent soccer player,” said Rodriguez. “He can play multiple positions and that versatility is very important to us as we build our adaptable style of play.”

The final two rounds of the SuperDraft were scheduled for Tuesday, via conference call.

The Red Stars have added a great amount of depth to their

roster with seven draft picks in the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft, selecting Notre Dame defender Katie Naughton, DePaul defender Sarah Gorden, Kentucky midfielder Courtney Raetzman,Illinois forward Jannelle Flaws, Northern Colorado defender Adrienne Jordan, Missouri defender Candace Johnson and Arkansas forward Ashleigh Ellenwood.

The Red Stars entered the day with four picks, but came out with seven after a series of draft-day trades.

The Red Stars’ first selection came in the second round with the 19th overall pick, where Chicago chose Katie Naughton, a native of Elk Grove Village.

“Being drafted is just an indescribable feeling,” Naughton said.

“Being able to have the support of my family and friends by playing in Chicago is amazing. First year as a Red Stars pro is a huge new adventure, any up or downs I’ll have, I will be able to have my family and friends to lean on. I am ready to go. I have graduated from school. All my focus is on this next step and starting my professional career.”

DePaul’s Sarah Gorden (also from Elk Grove Village), Kentucky’’s Courtney Raetzman, the University of Illinois’ Jannelle Flaws, Northern Colorado’s Adrienne Jordan, Missouri’s Candace Johnson and Arkansas’s Ashleigh Ellenwood were also selected.

Five teams and eight area individuals advanced out of regional play and will mix it up Saturday to see who heads to the Illinois High School Association state bowling finals.

The Sandburg Sectional takes place at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Orland Bowl in Orland Park. The top six teams and 10 individuals who are not a part of a qualifying team earn a berth in the state tournament, which takes place Jan. 29-30 at St. Clair Bowl in O’Fallon.

Leading the regional pack in the area was Sandburg freshman Cameron Crowe, who rolled a 1,497 six-game series to win the individual championship at the Andrew Regional at Orland Bowl.

He helped Sandburg win the regional crown in the 12-team event. The Eagles took the title with a 6,583.

Crowe, a freshman who rolled a his firstever 300 at the SouthWest Suburban conference meet a week earlier, closed out Saturday’s regional with games of 298 and 265.

Also starring for the Eagles were Danny Griskell (1,346), Tommy Hayes (1,319), and Jack Kolpack (1,308).

Also advancing to the Sandburg Sectional was Shepard, which finished in fourth with a solid 6,183 – more than 300 pins ahead of fifth-place Tinley Park. Eric Walters led the Astros with a 1,383 series, followed by sophomore Trevor Lorek (1,261), sophomore Jake Yereks (1,240), and junior Jordan Noftz (1,229).

Advancing as individuals were Chicago Christian’s Matthew McCarthy (1,330) and Tom Hassel (1,199) plus Stagg’s Sean Murray (1,228) and Maxwel Downs (1,167). Chicago Christian finished sixth with 5,804 and Stagg placed eighth with 5,572 pins.

Over at the Brooks Regional at Skyway Lanes in Chicago, St. Laurence, Brother Rice and Evergreen Park all remained steady down the stretch, with the Vikings finishing second with 6,112 pins, the Crusaders third with 5,817, and the Mustangs fourth with 5,758.

Morgan Park took first with 6,167 and boasted the individual champion Jabari Johnson, who finished with 1,415 pins. Evergreen Park’s Sean Quinn finished second with 1,324, and St. Laurence’s Juan Escamil-

la finished third with 1,311.

EP received solid contributions from Isaiah Colon (1,179), Jacob Ottenfeld (1,118), Malik Cannon (1,117), and Zach McCormick (1,020).

“We put the top five boys out there from the season,” Evergreen Park coach Ron Pula said. “All week long we kept stressing the team concept, and they were all doing everything for the team. We worked at getting the focus off individual accomplishment. If the team goes, we all go.

“It took some doing to reinforce it during the day, but they caught onto it. I had two strong bowlers in every game and one struggling bowler, and we stayed consistent the entire day. We had one or two bowlers pulling us through all the day.”

Also contributing for St. Laurence was Tyler Balandes (1,207), Tom Doyle (1,207), and Manny Sanchez (1,202), and Matt Corona (1,185). Starring for Brother Rice were Jake Davies (1,254), Anthony Butler (1,219), and Nick Smith (1,205).

Advancing at individuals A.J Balich of Richards (1,271), Marist’s Nick Bigott (1,165) and Dan Kirby (1,142) and Mariano Gonzalez (1,126) of Oak Lawn. Richards placed fifth 5,615 pins, Oak Lawn sixth with 5,607 pins and Marist ninth with 5,105.

Sore-throated coaches

Pula said he had something in common with all the coaches, who were caught up in the excitement of Saturday’s action when he bowled with a couple of them in a Sunday morning league.

“I bowl with a coach from Brother Rice and Shepard, and we all had the same strained voice,” he said. “We all had sore throats. It was loud, exciting and some great completion.”

Dance sectionals stepping up

Several competitive dance teams will battle in the Andrew Sectional on Saturday.

In Class 3A, Marist, Sandburg and Stagg will compete as will Oak Lawn, Richards, and Shepard in Class 2A and Queen of Peace and Evergreen Park in 1A. Qualifiers go to state Jan. 29-30 at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington.

Since the state recognized competitive dancing in 2012-13, Sandburg placed sixth in 2012-13 and Stagg took eighth in 2013-14.

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY SPORTS

Sandburg will host Success in Sports program on Wednesday Bo Jackson’s Elite organization is putting on a Success in Sports presentation at 7 p.m.

Wednesday at Sandburg High School.

A panel will be available for questions and answers. The panel consists of: John Cangelosi: Owner of Cangelosi Baseball, and former major league player for 13 years. Member of World Series Champion Miami Marlins in 1997.

Pat Murphy: Milwaukee Brewers bench coach, a former MLB manager for the San Diego Padres. Former head coach at Arizona State University for 15 years and University of Notre Dame for seven seasons.

Has 1,000 career NCAA victories as a head coach and was the 1998 NCAA National Coach of the Year.

Jason Lane: An assistant coach for the Milwaukee Brewers and a former MLB

player both as an outfielder and as a pitcher.

Bob Lisanti: Cangelosi Baseball Hitting and Catching Instructor, and MLB Player representative for Ocatgon Sports. He played at the University of Notre Dame and professionally in the Chicago Cubs organization.

This forum will be beneficial for coaches — high school and travel.

PBO still offering registration

The 2016 Palos Baseball season still has opening and there is time to register.

Go to www.palosbaseball.org and click on the registration link on the registration tab.

Nearly 600 players annually participate in the league.

We welcome submissions from the community at sports@regionalpublishing.com

The Regional News - The Reporter

BASKETBALL

Thursday, January 21, 2016 Section 2

3

AREA HOOPS AT A GLANCE BOYS Brother Rice Chicago Christian Evergreen Park Marist Oak Lawn Richards Sandburg Shepard Stagg St. Laurence

Chicago Christian and Malik Parker hope to break a two-game losing streak at Wheaton Academy on Friday night.

W-L 11-8 14-4 6-12 15-3 6-12 9-9 7-8 2-14 10-5 7-10

Streak L2 L2 W1 W3 L1 W2 W1 L6 L1 W1

Next hosts Bishop McNamara, Fri.; hosts Richards, Tue. at Wheaton Academy, Fri.; at Oak Lawn, Tue. at Oak Lawn, Fri. hosts Nazareth, Fri;, at St. Rita, Tue. hosts Evergreen Park, Fri.; hosts Chicago Christian, Tue. hosts Eisenhower, Fri.; at Brother Rice, Tue. at Joliet West, Fri. hosts Argo, Fri. hosts Lincoln-Way East, Thur. hosts SF de Sales, Fri., vs. Von Steuben at Young, Sun., hosts ICCP, Tue.

* Records through Tuesday, Jan. 19

Photo by Jeff Vorva

GIRLS Chicago Christian Evergreen Park Marist Mother McAuley Oak Lawn Queen of Peace Richards Sandburg Shepard Stagg

4-14 10-11 14-7 12-9 8-16 17-7 12-4 9-13 0-20 2-17

L5 W1 L1 L1 L1 W4 W1 L4 L20 L3

hosts Ridgewood, Thur.; hosts Illiana Christian, Tue. at Argo, Jan. 29. hosts Christ the King, Sat.; hosts McAuley, Mon.; at Nazareth, Wed. at Queen of Peace, Sat.; at. Marist, Mon. hosts Argo, Fri. hosts Mother McAuley, Sat. at Reavis, Thur.; at Eisenhower, Tue. at Lincoln-Way East, Thur., at Boingbrook, Tue. hosts Eisenhower, Thur.; hosts Rich Central, Tue. at Lockport, Thur.; at Joliet West, Tue.

* Records through Tuesday, Jan. 19

FOCUS ON GIRLS BASKETBALL

H-F 59, STAGG 43

Loss to Vikings adds to Chargers’ pain

By Phil Arvia Correspondent

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Mother McAuley’s Caitlin Jandacek scored 22 points against Downers Grove North in the Subway Classic. The Mighty Macs will visit Queen of Peace on Saturday.

Expect surprises when rivals tangle in front of the archbishop

By Anthony Nasella Correspondent

Last January the Mother McAuley girls basketball team hosted a contest against Resurrection with a special guest — Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich – in the stands.

Not needing any divine intervention, the Mighty Macs came away from the game free of distraction and a 59-40 win.

On Saturday, McAuley will once again be playing a game with the archbishop present when the team travels to Queen of Peace at 3 p.m. in Burbank for a Girls Catholic Athletic Conference matchup against a Pride squad that is on the rise.

McAuley head coach Ashley Luke-Clanton and Pride head coach George Shimko are both excited about the unique opportunity – especially Shimko, who is looking forward to doing some extra special for the Archbishop, who is a basketball fan.

But the coach wouldn’t divulge the surprise.

“It’s going to be exciting to see how he responds to the gift we have for him in a little pre-game ceremony,” Shimko said. “The game is going to be a very unique experience not just for us but also for Mother McAuley.’’

Luke-Clanton said the experience will be fresh for quite a few players who are new the varsity team including four freshmen.

“A lot of kids this year weren’t with us last year, so this will definitely a new experience for them,” she said.

“Thankfully, we played really well last season. Hopefully, we’ll continue to be good at this and be comfortable out there.”

The Mighty Macs entered this week’s action with a 12-8 mark and Queen of Peace was 16-7.

McAuley earned a 12-point

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Abby Herman and Queen of Peace will host Mother McAuley in Burbank Saturday in a game that will feature Archbishop Blase Cupich (above right photo) in attendance.

win over St. Ignatius Jan. 12 before experiencing a 7652 setback against Trinity on Thursday. However, the Mighty Macs bounced back with a 56-51 win over Downers Grove North in the Subway Classic at Willowbrook High School on Saturday.

Caitlin Jandacek had 22 points and Tara O’Malley 15 points to lead the Macs against Downers Grove, while Kelly

Gallagher and Vanessa Gavin contained 6-foot-2 Penn State-bound Jaida Green, who scored 21 points but was 0-for8 in 3-point shooting “They really stifled her while still respecting the other four players on the floor,” Luke-Clanton said. “It was a nice defensive game for us.

We’ve gone through different defensive schemes to see which one fits us best. We’ve

landed in a nice half courtman-to-man switch. It was nice to see them starting to get to good at it.”

The Pride, meanwhile, won two games this past week — defeating De La Salle 61-41 on Thursday and Guerin College Prep 52-20 on Sunday.

Against the Meteors, Kara Shimko scored all of her 24 points in the second half to help the Pride overcome a 21-19 halftime deficit. Contributions from Jovanna Martinucci (17 points, 11 steals, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Ashley Lynch (13 points, 3 steals, 7 rebounds) also boosted the team.

“The girls had never been in an environment like De La Salle that was hostile in a good way,” Shimko admitted.

“I just tried to get the girls to calm down at half and just play good basketball. Kara was 0-for-12 in the first half, and she made every shot in the second half.’’

Shimko scored 12 and Ashley Murphy added 11 in the win over Guerin. Martinucci (7 points, 8 assists, 6 steals, 2 rebounds) provided additional depth.

John Daniels isn’t one to make excuses.

Three starters out with injuries?

“Ask me about anything but injuries,” the Stagg boys basketball coach said after his team fell 59-43 Friday at HomewoodFlossmoor.

A reserve who was supposed to step into the starting lineup for one of the injured out with the flu?

“The kids on the bench have to step up,” he said. “That’s why they’re there.”

H-F’s decided height advantage and a 30-21 rebounding edge?

“That wasn’t because of their size,” Daniels said. “That’s because we didn’t want to box out.”

Ah, but as to why the Chargers weren’t as willing as they should have been to mix it up in a battle of upper-echelon SouthWest Suburban Blue teams, Daniels was willing to make one concession.

Call it the Chicago Christian hangover.

“We had a terrible week of practice,” he said. “When you have bad practices, you go into a game flat … After the Chicago Christian game, people were walking around the hallways feeling sorry for us.”

Early in that Jan. 12 contest, Josh Strama, the Chargers’ leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, went out with what was at first feared to be a broken leg. However, pending the results of X-rays that were scheduled to be taken Monday, Strama was still holding out hope for the possibility of a high ankle sprain and a return in time for regional play.

“He’s a special kid,” Daniels said.

The irony is that the Chargers (11-5, 3-2) scored 51 second-half points to down a good Chicago Christian team, 76-71. They made five 3-pointers in their 27-point third quarter alone, compared to making just four for the game against the Vikings (10-4, 4-1).

“We shot (26) percent from the field in the first half,” Daniels

said. “In order to be successful in this gym, you’ve got to come out right.”

The Vikings, meanwhile, pounded the ball in to Tyler DeMartra, who had 12 of his game-high 18 points in the first half, and 10 in the first quarter.

DeMartra also had a game-high nine rebounds while Kendric Pryor, who is headed to the University of Wisconsin on a football scholarship, added 13 points.

The Vikings raced out to a 10-1 lead. After Stagg closed within 12-8, H-F finished off the first quarter with an 8-0 run and never let the Chargers closer than nine points the rest of the way.

H-F clamped down on Stagg’s leading scorer, John Contant, who entered the contest averaging more than 16 points per game but was limited to just two points against the Vikings. Besides Strama (14 ppg), the Chargers were also without senior Viktor Balchunas, who was lost with a torn ACL six games into the season; Jaswon Finley, who played in just two games before being sidelined with a leg issue; and Gus Komperda, who was to step in for Strama before being hit with a flu bug.

Sophomore guard Josh Blim ended up making his first varsity start and led the Chargers with 14 points, making 2-of-6 3-pointers, his only two-point attempt and all six of his free throws. Freshman Martin Macenis added eight points.

“That’s only one stat,” Daniels said. “The positive is Martin and Blim scored points. But the negative is Martin and Blim gave up points. The two of them need to learn how to play defense better if they want to keep getting minutes.”

Blim didn’t argue.

“I was definitely nervous,” he said. “Our defense, we did what we could. (Daniels) gave us all the stuff we needed, we just have to be better.

“My offensive game, I felt OK shooting it; but ball control, inbounding the ball, I struggled.

I’m not very happy with the way I controlled the ball. I’ve got to get better with ball security.”

No time to waste

Girls teams need to get their quality wins in as soon as they can.

Postseason seedings will be announced for Class 1A and 2A next Thursday and for Class 3A and 4A on Feb. 4.

Class 1A and 2A regionals begin Feb. 8 and 3A and 4A fire up on Feb. 15.

Photo by Phil Arvia

Josh Strama, Viktor Balchunas and Jaswon Finley were on the bench with injuries Friday night and Stagg lost a SouthWest Suburban Conference game.

4

COLLEGES

Section 2 Thursday, January 21, 2016

THE NEXT LEVEL

The Regional News - The Reporter

Travis helps Scorpions become champions in AFL

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Arizona Fall League manager Matt Quatraro told Baseball America Magazine that before the season began, he had a talk with his new team.

He said he asked the hitters on his Scottsdale Scorpions squad what makes them feel good after a game in which they don’t get two hits.

Sam Travis, an Orland Park native who graduated from Providence Catholic High School and is in the Boston Red Sox organization, piped up and said “Win the game.’’

That impressed Quatraro.

So did Travis’s hitting.

Scottsdale won the Arizona Fall League title and Travis hit .344 with

an on-base percentage of .394 and a slugging percentage of .505. He had a league-leading 10 doubles but had just one home run.

The story of Travis’s minor league career is that he Travis doesn’t hit a lot of home runs, despite impressive power.

“He just squares the ball up and has a kanck for finding the barrel and using the whole field,” Quatraro told Baseball America. “You’re probably going to be happy with his production even if it doesn’t revolve around home runs. I think his home run production will go up as he refines his zone a little bit.’’

In 2015, Travis hit .313/.378/.467 for Class A Salem and was promoted to Double-A Portland, where he hit .300/.384/.436 but on the season he combined for nine home runs for the two squads.

Boston scouts will evaluate if he is ready for a promotion to Triple-A or if he will continue to hone his skills on the Double-A level.

Szykowny honored

Former Loyola University Chicago and Richards track and field athlete Alison Szykowny was recognized during a Jan. 9 men’s basketball game against Missouri State, as she was named a United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association AllAmerican during the 2015 season.

During the outdoor season, Szykowny became the program’s third female AllAmerican and just the fourth in school history after she placed 24th in the discus at the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships. The Palos Heights native became the first Rambler to qualify for the national meet in the throwing events after a sixth-place finish at the NCAA West Preliminary Round.

Szykowny is a two-time conference champion in the discus, with her most recent title coming at the 2015 MVC Outdoor Championships. The recent graduate holds five school records, four of which were set last season.

At the Redbird Invitational last May, Szykowny broke the school record in all three events that she competed in, notching a first-place finish in the dis-

cus and runner-up finishes in both the hammer throw and shot put.

GSU athletes make honor rolls

Eighteen student-athletes, including two from the area, were named to the Governors State University fall semester athletic department honor roll.

These academic acknowledgements are given to athletes who earned a minimum GPA of 3.00 for the semester, with high honors going to those with at least a 3.50 GPA. From the area, Rachel Distor, a freshman basketball player from Orland Park, earned high honors.

In men’s cross country, Palos Hills junior Richard Gray made the honor roll.

FOCUS ON ST. XAVIER UNIVERSITY

SXU women expect tough test from Olivet

By Anthony Nasella Correspondent

Can’t hold those Tigers

With the St. Xavier women’s basketball team in the middle of a stretch of five straight games that includes four nationally-ranked opponents, head coach Bob Hallberg simplified it as a five-game season.

Dropping the first of those five games and its first of the year on Jan. 9 to St. Francis by 12 points, the Cougars (20-1, 10-1 in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference heading into this week’s action) bounced back this past week with a one-point win over St. Ambrose Jan. 13 and a 15-point win over No. 16 Purdue Calumet Saturday. The Cougars were ranked No. 1 in the nation before the USF loss and were tied with USF for second in the Jan. 12 poll.

Waiting for St. Xavier to end that five-game season at 1 p.m. Saturday in Kankakee will be a No. 10-ranked Olivet Nazarene University that is averaging 112 points a game and riding high on the accomplishment of a recent 116-97 victory over USF. Earlier in the season, Olivet rang up 122 points against St. Francis.

In the past three seasons, the Cougars have posted a 3-2 record against Olivet at an average advantage of 97-87. The Tigers (16-3) haven’t scored 100 points on St. Xavier since recording a 100-88 win in 2012-13.

“It’s definitely hard to prepare for a team with a style that you’re not used to playing against,” Hallberg said. “It’s an entirely different ballgame than you’ll play at any point of the year. Olivet’s tempo is different, you can’t call any plays because of the style of play.

“They’re trying to get you to shoot so that you run back the other way. Thankfully, we have some offensive resources to counter them with.”

For Olivet, their most proficient offensive player is senior Abbey Hengesbach, who leads the team with 21.8 points per game and 8.4 assists per contest and recently surpassed the 2,000 career-point mark.

“If Abbey is not the best player in the conference, she’s certainly one of the best,” Hallberg said. “She missed some games with a sprained wrist injury – including Olivet’s loss against St.

SXU’s women’s basketball team faces Olivet Nazarene Saturday, and the high-flying Tigers are averaging 112 points per game. They set the NAIA record of 108 points per game last season. Here are their top five explosions in what could be another record-setting in 2015-16:

SCORE 134-68 127-111 126-92 123-86 122-104

Opponent Governors State Purdue Calumet Trinity International University Roosevelt University of St. Francis

Date Dec.10 Nov.24 Jan. 16 Jan. 9 Nov. 4

Ambrose. She’s a great point guard who can definitely shoot.’’

In the Cougars’ 66-65 win over St. Ambrose, Kara Krolicki scored a team-high 23 points, including the final three points of the contest — splitting a pair of free throws and then getting a steal and converting the go-ahead lay-up on a fast break with just over a minute remaining to put St. Xavier up for good.

St. Xavier got off to another fast start going ahead 27-18 after the first quarter, but struggled down the stretch scoring just eight points in the final frame. Sophomore center Brittany Collins hit five of her six shot attempts for 12 points to go along with her seven rebounds.

In the 82-67 win over Purdue Calumet, Krolicki (23 points), Mikayla Layden (13 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, six steals), Caitlyn McMahon (12 points), Sarah Vozel (12 points), and Collins (11 points) all contributed for St. Xavier, which jumped out to an early 26-9 first quarter lead.

“We got out to a nice lead and held it,” Hallberg said. “Purdue Calumet made a little run at us, but we came back at them and built the lead back to double figures. We had balanced scoring a good effort.”

Motuzis red hot in win

Behind a game-high 26 points by sophomore guard Larry Motuzis (Darien/Hinsdale South), Saint Xavier University Men’s Basketball picked

Photo by Jeff Vorva

SXU’s Mikayla Leyden hopes to be smiling in Kankakee Saturday when the Cougars play Olivet Nazarene, which is averaging 112 points per game.

up a 78-62 victory over Purdue University-Calume in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon at the Shannon Center in Chicago. Motuzis shot 61.5 percent from the field (8-for-13), including six three pointers.

Saint Xavier (12-7 overall/9-2 CCAC) shot 51 percent (26-for-51) from the field, including a 53.8 percent (7-for-13) clip from beyond the arc in the first half, aiding the victory.

Sophomore guard Quinn Niego (Chicago/ Brother Rice) had 14 points, six rebounds and six assists. Senior forward Tony Core (Matteson/Tin-

FOCUS ON TRINITY CHRISTIAN

FOCUS ON MORAINE VALLEY

Finally, the thrill of victory Trinity’s women’s basketball team finally tasted victory in its 19th game of the season with an 87-63 non-conference home victory over Governors State on Saturday in Palos Heights.

The Trolls (1-18) led 22-10 after the first quarter and 40-23 at halftime.

On a three-pointer by Allie Paluchniak in the opening minute of the second half, the Trolls went ahead by 20 points. They kept the Jaguars at that distance for the rest of the third quarter. In the final 10 minutes the team increased its lead to 26 points and cruised to the 24-point win.

The Trolls ended the game with a .427 field goal percentage and a .740 free throw percentage. Governors State shot .343 percent from the floor and .696 percent from the line. Trinity had 51 rebounds and the Jaguars had 42.

Bethany Jansma scored 21 points to lead the Trolls. Celina Wanta had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds and had four assists and three steals. Paluchniak added 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Men suffer heartbreaking loss

While the women opened Saturday afternoon with a win, the men followed up with a 93-88 overtime loss to Governor’s State.

The Trolls had the lead with 4 minutes left in regulation when Governors State came back and tied the game at 79-79. In the overtime period Trinity was outscored 14-9 and fell to 5-13 overall.

The teams traded a couple of baskets in the opening minutes of the overtime period and were deadlocked at 83-83. Governors State gained the advantage with the next two baskets and held onto that lead through the remainder of the game.

For the game the Trolls shot .457 percent from the field and .750 percent from the line.

Governors State was .533 percent from the field and .724 percent from the line. The Trolls took control of the boards with 44 rebounds to

ley Park) scored nine points and grabbed a gamehigh seven rebounds for the Cougars.

SXU jumped out to a 28-9 lead 13 minutes into the game behind five three pointers, including two each from Niego and Motuzis. An 18-8 run by the Peregrines to close out the half cut the Cougars lead to nine, 36-27, going into the break. PurdueCalumet would cut the deficit to four, 40-36, three minutes into the second half and would keep the game close until a 22-6 run by Saint Xavier, highlighted by a Motuzis three pointer at the 5:56 mark, would help put the game away.

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Bethany Jansma (right) pictured in an earlier game this year, had 21 points to help give Trinity Christian College its first victory of the season after 18 straight losses.

the Jaguars’ 29. Every Trinity player on the floor scored and five players were in double figures. Aaron Johnson led the team with 15 points, all from beyond the arc. Jordan Perry had 13 points, Trey Johnson and Zack Austell added 12 each, and Austin Halcomb had 10.

Nari Garrett had 11 rebounds and Trey Johnson had 10. Ryan Tubbs had 10 assists.

Women’s track team has strong debut

If the results of the opening meet of the indoor season for the track and field teams is any indication of the rest of the year, it could be a

promising season.

At the Carthage College Private College Invitational in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Trolls came away with a handful of national qualifiers as well as many personal bests. Overall the women’s team finished in fourth of 11 schools and the men’s team was sixth out of 10 schools.

The women’s team had four individuals and one relay team achieve NCCAA national meet qualifying standards and one individual meet NAIA standards. Ashley Jourdan led the team with a first place finish in the mile with a time of 5 minutes, 10.58 second and she became the first NAIA national qualifier of the season for the women’s team. It was only one of two first-place finishes for the day as she also was a part of the winning 4 x 400 meter relay. Joining her in that relay was Anna Spotts, Megan DeWeerd, and Emily Dykstra and the team ran a 4:23.69.

Dykstra also placed in two other events in the meet with NCCAA qualifying marks in each of those events. She finished 2nd in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 9.11. She also grabbed 2nd place in the triple jump with a mark of 33-09.25.

Also gaining points in the triple jump was Erin Wessels who took 5th place. She jumped 33-04.00 and joined Dykstra as NCCAA qualifier in the event.

Daisy Geurink was a two-time NCCAA qualifier in the throwing events. She finished in fifth place in each the shot put and the weight throw.

The men’s team was led by a pair of veteran runners. Alex Clark finished in third place in the mile with a time of 4:33.45. Also taking a third place was Cody Velthuizen in the 3000 meter. He crossed the finish line at 9:36.48.

The two paired up with Luke Boss and Jason Nagelkirk in the 4 x 400 meter relay for a fourth-place finish. The group ran a 3:46.48.

Compiled by Jeff Vorva from submitted reports.

Cyclones blow out pair of opponents Moraine Valley Community College’s women’s basketball team won a pair of games last week and started things off on a big note with a 90-67 victory over Elgin Community College on Jan. 12 and two days later beat the College of Lake County 88-28.

Freshman Erin Drynan (Mother McAuley) scored 35 points in 27 minutes in the victory.

Moraine led just 37-32 at halftime but outscored Elgin 21-12 in the third to help put the game away. The Cyclones poured it on in the fourth scoreing 32 points.

Drynan also pulled down 15 rebounds with three blocks, maintaining her No. 1 rank in the NJCAA Division II for blocked shots (93). Michelle Borgen (Andrew) had 14 points, seven rebounds and seven blocked shots, adding to her 24 block total and #26 ranking. In her first game back from an injury, Kailey Foster (Joliet West) added nine points and three boards. Krista Brill (Oak Forest) broke out of a shooting ump, going 3-for-4 from beyond the 3-point line for nine points.

Against Lake County, the Cyclones were up 24-12 at the end of the first quarter. They nearly doubled that lead going into halftime (41-16) and continued to score the rest of the way.

Drynan led the way with 20 points. Dee Dee Shatat (Oak Lawn) had 18 points, including two 3-pointers. Borgen had 17 points, nine of those coming from free throws.

Men drop two

The Cyclones fell 95-85 to the Elgin on Jan. 12.

Four players scored in the double digits. David Gray (Oak Forest) led with 23 points, two rebounds and two assists. Luke Hook (Andrew) added 17 points, pulled down four rebounds and had two assists. Ermias Nega (Wakefield) had 14 points, three rebounds and three assists while Tommy Demogerontas (Sandburg) had 10 points with three boards.

The Cyclone defense struggled to make enough stops last Thursday in a 91-64 loss to the visiting College of Lake County squad. A couple of Cyclones made big nights including Ermias Nega (22 points, six rebounds, three assists) and Luke Hook (18 points, five rebounds).

Compiled by Jeff Vorva from submitted reports.

The Regional News - The Reporter

Thursday, January 21, 2016 Section 2

5

Images from a weekend of sports

Chicago Christian’s Anajuwon Spencer, left photo, checks to see if his last-second shot is good during Friday night’s game, a Metro Suburban East battle for first place game with Illiana Christian...

... and Spencer reacts in frustration after he finds out it didn’t connect in the Knights’ 58-56 loss in Palos Heights. Both teams have one loss in the conference.

Members of Chicago Christian’s student section dressed in summer wear Friday night but some were hot under the collar during a two-point loss to rival Illiana Christian.

Brother Rice sophomore players celebrate their 56-55 win over Mt. Carmel Friday night. The varsity, however, didn’t have as great of a time, as the Crusaders lost 67-56.

Mother McAuley’s Kelly Gallagher makes an inside move for a basket in Saturday’s 56-51 win over Downers Grove North in the Subway Classic at Willowbrook High School.

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Sandburg’s Louie Hayes, ranked second in the state, has the upper hand in a win over Oak Park-River Forest’s Robert Campos, ranked third, in a 113-pound match but Oak Park had the upper hand on the scoreboard with a 34-27 loss at the Sandburg Duals Saturday.

Sandburg’s Alex Hirschfield bends his arm back to try to control Oak Park’s Mike Ordonez in the 145-pound division. Ordonez, ranked fourth in the state, beat the unranked Hirschfield, 11-10.

6

Section 2 Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Regional News - The Reporter

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Section 2 Thursday, January 21, 2016

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.EDVARDAS SLUSNYS, JURGITA SLUSNYS, CITIZENS BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Defendants 14 CH 015842 9020 W. 92ND STREET 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 February 18, 2015, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 9, 2016, 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 9020 W. 92ND STREET, HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 Property Index No. 23-03-410-025. 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 14-1418353. 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. 14-14-18353 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 14 CH 015842 TJSC#: 36-6 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.

I681076

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK NA AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF BANC OF AMERICA ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2004-4; MORTGAGE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2004-4; Plaintiff, vs.

UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF JOSE J. NEVAREZ YOLANDA A. NEVAREZ; BROOK HILLS HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION; BROOK HILLS, PUD UNIT SIX HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION; CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANK OF ILLINOIS; PRAIRIE TRAIL CREDIT UNION; JOSE NEVAREZ, JR.; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF YOLANDA A. NEVAREZ, IF ANY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 10 CH 33517 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 Tuesday, February 23, 2016 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. 27-31-105-005-0000.

Commonly known as 11744 Cranna Court, Orland Park, IL 60467.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 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 Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455 W10-2893.

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I681643

The Regional News - The Reporter

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE OF MART LEGAL TITLE TRUST 2015-NPL1 Plaintiff, -v.ATG TRUST COMPANY, DEBRA A. NASON A/K/A DEBRA NASON A/K/A DEBBIE NASON, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA, RELIANCE ACCOUNTING, TAX & VALUATION SERVICES, LTD., TRUSTEES OF THE WILL COUNTY LOCAL 174 CARPENTERS PENSION TRUST FUND AND WILL COUNTY LOCAL 174 WELFARE FUND Defendants 10 CH 054636 15838 115TH COURT 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 September 2, 2015, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 11, 2016, 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 15838 115TH COURT, ORLAND PARK, IL 60467 Property Index No. 27-18-414-011.

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 14-1045020. 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 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-10-45020 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 10 CH 054636 TJSC#: 36-171 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.

I681600

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, vs.

ZILVINAS PADELEVICIUS; COMMERCIAL CREDIT GROUP INC.; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON - RECORD CLAIMANTS; INDIAN ROCK TRAIL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Defendants, 15 CH 7938 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 Wednesday, February 10, 2016 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: Commonly known as 16440 South 118th Place, Orland Park, IL 60467.

P.I.N. 27-19-303-017-0000.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 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 Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611.

15-004863 NOS INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I680807

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 hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free 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 DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR ARGENT SECURITIES INC., ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-W4 Plaintiff, -v.THOMAS SWEENEY A/K/A THOMAS M. SWEENEY, JR., MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CLEARVIEW CONDOMINIUM V ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF MARY K. SWEENEY, THOMAS M. SWEENEY III, DONALD A. SWEENEY, VICKY LYNN ULRICH, LINDA STEVENS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, RICHARD KUHN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR MARY K. SWEENEY (DECEASED) Defendants 15 CH 004072 7336 PARADISE LANE 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 19, 2015, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 22, 2016, 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 7336 PARADISE LANE, ORLAND PARK, IL 60462 Property Index No. 27-13-201-032-1008. 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. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. 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 14-1503170. 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 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-15-03170 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 15 CH 004072 TJSC#: 35-17454 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.

I681480

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NEW as of 7/7/11 For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.SHARON L. NAUDZIUNAS A/K/A SHARON LYNN NAUDZIUNAS Defendants 15 CH 4610 16809 90TH AVENUE 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 November 16, 2015, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 2, 2016, 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 16809 90TH AVENUE, ORLAND HILLS, IL 60487 Property Index No. 27-27-208-011-0000, Property Index No. 27-27-208-043-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family home; 2 car detached 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 PA1502014. 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 E-Mail: pleadings@pierceservices.com Attorney File No. PA1502014 Attorney Code. 91220 Case Number: 15 CH 4610 TJSC#: 35-16715 I682096

DO YOU HAVE A HOUSE FOR SALE? CALL TO PLACE YOUR AD TODAY! (708) 448-4000

For Sale

5 ACRES RT. 45 IN PEOTONE 600 ft. frontage x 400 ft. deep 40 ft. x 60 ft. pole barn CALL 815-450-0004

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION; Plaintiff, vs.

ANNA T. PERRUSO; ORLAN-BROOK CONDOMINIUM OWNER’S ASSOCIATION; RONALD L. BIESBOER; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ANNA T. PERRUSO IF ANY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANT Defendants, 15 CH 1314 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 Friday, February 5, 2016 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. 27-14-302-018-1063 & 27-14-302-018-1163.

Commonly known as 15733 Orlan Brook Drive, Unit 63, Orland Park, IL 60462.

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 Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603.

(312) 360-9455 - W15-0135.

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I680108

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-FF16, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FF16; Plaintiff, vs.

OSCAR VEGA; MARY ZIOLA; CITY OF PALOS HEIGHTS; FIRSTSECURE BANK AND TRUST CO. F / K / A FAMILY BANK AND TRUST CO.; FIRSTSECURE BANK AND TRUST CO. F/K/A FAMILY BANK AND TRUST CO. AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF A TRUST AGREEMENT DATED OCTOBER 3, 2006 AND KNOWN AS TRUST NUMBER 11-918; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF OSCAR VEGA, IF ANY; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF MARY ZIOLA, IF ANY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 12 CH 18925 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 Thursday, February 25, 2016 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. 24-31-109-021-0000.

Commonly known as 6904 West Edgewood Road, Palos Heights, IL 60463.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 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 Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455 W12-1541.

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I681659

GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS...

CALL TO PLACE YOUR AD IN THE SERVICE DIRECTORY !

(708) 448-4000

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FIRST MIDWEST BANK, AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION AS RECEIVER FOR PALOS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY; Plaintiff, vs.

THOMAS E. ADAMS; TANYA M. ADAMS AKA TANYA ADAMS; CITIBANK FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK AND UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 14 CH 11336 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Friday, February 26, 2016, at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: Commonly known as 14 Wild Cherry Lane, Palos Park, IL 60464.

P.I.N. 23-28-404-006-0000.

The mortgaged real estate is a single family residence.

If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: Bidders must present, at the time of sale, a cashier’s or certified check for 10% of the successful bid amount. The balance of the successful bid shall be paid within 24 hours, by similar funds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Ms. Erica N. Byrd at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Garfield & Merel, Ltd., 180 North Stetson Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601-6710.

(312) 288-0105.

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I681666

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION OCWEN LOAN SERVICING. LLC; Plaintiff, vs.

RYSZARD SICIARZ; SCENIC TREE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF RYSZARD SICIARZ, IF ANY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 14 CH 19611 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 Thursday, February 11, 2016 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. 23-11-302-003-1238.

Commonly known as 8429 West 101st Terrace Avenue, Unit 103, Palos Hills, IL 60465.

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 Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455 W14-2876.

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I680810

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division.

JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association Plaintiff, vs.

Ibrahim Aitiakouchene; Naima Aitiakouchene; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants Defendants, Case # 13CH960 Sheriff’s # 150498 F12120294 CHOH 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 17th, 2016, at 1pm in room LL06 of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction the following described premises and real estate mentioned in said Judgment: Common Address: 5131 West 90th Street, Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453 P.I.N: 24-04-217-011-0000 Improvements: This property consists of a Single Family Home.

Sale shall be under the following terms: payment of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the successful and highest bid to be paid to the Sheriff by cashier’s check or certified funds at the sale; and the full remaining balance to be paid to the Sheriff by cashier’s check or certified funds within twenty-four (24) hours after the sale.

If the sale is not confirmed for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale may be entitled at most only to a return of the purchase price paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the mortgagee’s attorney, or the court appointed selling officer.

Sale shall be subject to general taxes, special assessments.

Premise will NOT be open for inspection.

Firm Information: Plaintiff’s Attorney ANSELMO, LINDBERG OLIVER LLC Anthony Porto 1771 W. DIEHL., Ste 120 Naperville, IL 60566-7228 foreclosurenotice@fal-illinois.com 866-402-8661 fax 630-428-4620 For bidding instructions, visit www.fal-illinois.com 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.

8

Section 2 Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Regional News - The Reporter

Help Wanted

Drivers Wanted Markham, IL area

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE WANTED

• Kings Drivers are rewarded with TOP PAY and safety bonuses • Home nights & weekends • Weekly Pay / Direct Deposits • Paid medical benefits • 401 K • Vacation pay after 1 Year • Hazmat and Tanker endorsements a plus • Driver referral incentive pay • Late model equipment w/ great maintenance program • Good driving record and 2 years experience required

Kings Express Inc. is an asset-based company now operating over one hundred ten plus power units offering tremendous flexibility to provide our customers with transportation solutions.

To apply please call Al Struck at 630-293-9108 Ext 103/104 or email astruck@ kingsexp.com

Help Wanted

South Suburban law firm seeking full time

LITIGATION SECRETARY

with outstanding proofreading and organizational skills to do work for multiple attorneys.

Must have experience with transcribing and organizing pleadings, discovery and correspondence and must be proficient in Microsoft Office.

Knowledge of Federal and State court electronic filing systems required. Use of ProLaw a plus.

Please email resumes to: ffrazier@odelsonsterk.com

Southwest Regional Publishing and Southwest Community News Group is seeking an Advertising Sales Representative.

The Sales Representative will prospect and cold call in addition to maintaining established accounts.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL: • Have 2-5 years proven outside sales experience and customer retention • Be highly self-motivated, competitive and organized • Have the ability to hit the ground running • Have proven ability to close sales on a one to two call cycle WE ALSO LOOK FOR CANDIDATES TO DISPLAY: • Drive and Energy • The ability to succeed in a fast paced, deadline oriented environment • The ability to multi-task • An outgoing personality

Help Wanted

Kings Express is looking for some high quality character CDL-A drivers to join our team!!!!

PART TIME PRESSMAN

Experienced pressman needed to operate a Goss Community press part time.

20-30 hours per week.

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Please email resumes to

Amy Richards at arichards@regionalpublishing.com or call Southwest Regional Publishing at

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,, AS TRUSTEE UNDER POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 1, 2007 MASTR ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2007-HE1 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-HE1 Plaintiff, -v.JOHN R. MEYER, MARY M. MEYER Defendants 15 CH 010300 15118 HUNTINGTON COURT 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 September 30, 2015, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 10, 2016, 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 15118 HUNTINGTON COURT, ORLAND PARK, IL 60462 Property Index No. 27-16-108-004-0000.

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 14-15-03689.

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. 14-15-03689 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 15 CH 010300 TJSC#: 35-14749 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.

I680723

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST 2005-1 Plaintiff, -v.DANIEL P. MURPHY, COREY ANDREWS, MAUREEN ANDREWS, MIDLAND FUNDING LLC, CACH, LLC Defendants 14 CH 014272 13041 PUEBLO COURT 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 18, 2015, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 22, 2016, 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 13041 PUEBLO COURT, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL 60463 Property Index No. 23-36-217-012. 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 14-14-10146.

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. 14-14-10146 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 14 CH 014272 TJSC#: 35-17303 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.

I681399

HEALTHY EYES

WEAR SUNGLASSES

Every day that you’re outside, you’re exposed to dangerous, but invisible, ultraviolet (UV) sunlight. Left unprotected, prolonged exposure to UV radiation can seriously damage the eye, leading to cataracts, skin cancer around the eyelid and other eye disorders. Protecting your eyes is important to maintaining eye health now and in the future.

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.

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It’s the ofďŹ cial source of federal and state government information.

It can make you as all-knowing as the Wizard of Oz.

GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS...

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Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond

OUT & ABOUT

The Regional News • The Reporter

Thursday, January 21, 2016

PINTO’S POPCORN PICKS

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:

“STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON’’: Director F. Gary Gray (‘’Friday’’) scored a major hit with his dramatization of the formation and survival of the controversial hip-hop group N.W.A. The members — who included Dr. Dre (played by Corey Hawkins) and Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson Jr., son of the actual Ice Cube) — used their words to combat the oppression they felt from authorities in their area of California, making their mark not only locally, but also inspiring and motivating listeners around the world.

Many radio stations hesitated to air their lyrics, but they became huge successes anyway. Aldis Hodge (“Leverage’’) and Paul Giamatti also star. DVD extras: five “making-of’’ documentaries; audio commentary by Gray. **** (R and unrated versions: AS, N, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “THE INTERN’’: Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway make an engaging duo in this latest comedy from director Nancy Meyers (“It’s Complicated,’’ “Something’s Gotta Give,’’ “The Holiday’’). De Niro plays the unlikely “intern’’ of the title, a widower who tires of retirement and rejoins the work force by applying for a seniorcitizen program at a Web site run

by Hathaway’s character. Though she’s skeptical at first, he quickly becomes indispensable to her, not only in professional matters but also in advising her about her family life. Rene Russo, Andrew Rannells (“Girls’’), Adam DeVine (“Pitch Perfect’’) and Linda Lavin also appear, but the movie clearly belongs to its two top-billed stars.

DVD extras: three “making-of’’ documentaries. *** (PG-13: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “EVEREST’’: The title mountain poses the anticipated challenges to two groups of climbers

trying to conquer it in this drama, inspired by actual events in the mid-1990s ... and their ascent turns even more potentially lethal mountain when they end up in the midst of a fierce storm. The groups’ rivalry takes a back seat to bigger concerns of survival as they struggle to meet, and overcome, Mount Everest’s considerable threats. Jake Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Keira Knightley, Josh Brolin, Robin Wright, Sam Worthington and Emily Watson are among the film’s nominal stars, but the stunt players and cinematography team also deserve a huge amount of the credit. DVD extras: two “making-of’’ documentaries; audio commentary by director Baltasar Kormakur. *** (PG-13: P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS’’: Translating the dollline-inspired cartoon show into a live-action venture didn’t prove too successful, since this was one of the lowest-grossing movies from a major studio in 2015, but it still may work as a curio for those who already were “Jem’’ fans. Aubrey Peeples (“Nashville’’) plays the young woman who rockets to wide musical fame along with her sisters, only to find others getting in the way of her professional and personal happiness. The cast also includes Stefanie Scott (“Insidious: Chapter 3’’), Hayley Kiyoko (“CSI: Cyber’’), Juliette Lewis, Molly Ringwald and Ryan Guzman (“Heroes Reborn’’). Jimmy Fallon, Chris Pratt, Dwayne Johnson and Alicia Keys have cameos.

DVD extras: “making-of’’ documentary; audio commentary by director Jon M. Chu; outtakes; music video. ** (PG: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “STONEWALL’’: One of several recent dramas that have considered key points in the gayrights movement, this film marks a departure for producer-director Roland Emmerich, a specialist in big-budget adventures (“Independence Day,’’ “The Day After Tomorrow’’). Jeremy Irvine (“War Horse’’) stars as a young man whose friendships with LGBT youths lead to a major and controversial crusade in late-1960s New York. Written by Jon Robin Baitz (“The Slap’’), the movie also

includes Joey King, Matt Craven, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Ron Perlman in its strong cast. *** (R: AS, P, V) (Also on On Demand) “THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL’’: A young woman’s (Bel Powley) coming-of-age story unfolds in this drama, based on Phoebe Gloeckner’s novel and set in the San Francisco of the mind1970s. The heroine`s efforts to find her place in the world come to involve her mother’s (Kristen Wiig) boyfriend (Alexander Skarsgard, “True Blood’’), prompting her to grow up more quickly than expected. Debuting writer-director Marielle Heller also uses animated sequences in telling the tale. Christopher Meloni also appears. DVD extras: “making-of’’ documentary; audio commentary and Q&A session by Heller and cast members; deleted scenes. *** (R: AS, N. P) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is adapted from Mitchell Zuckoff’s 2014 nonfiction bestseller.

COMING SOON:

“BURNT’’ (Jan. 26): A troubled chef (Bradley Cooper) tries to redeem himself and return to the heights of his profession in London. (R: AS, P) “GOOSEBUMPS’’ (Jan. 26): Jack Black plays R.L. Stine — the author of the title book series — in a tale of a town overrun by the monsters he created. (PG: AS) “SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS: THE WALT DISNEY SIGNATURE COLLECTION’’ (Feb. 2): The classic animated feature launches a new series of enhanced releases. (Not rated) (Also on Blu-ray) “SUFFRAGETTE’’ (Feb. 2): The early stages of feminism in England are recalled in director Sarah Gavron’s drama; AnneMarie Duff and Carey Mulligan star. (R: AS, N, P, V) “BLACK MASS’’ (Feb. 16): Johnny Depp stars as Boston-mob figure James “Whitey’’ Bulger, an informant for an FBI agent and childhood friend (Joel Edgerton).

(R: AS, P, GV) “STEVE JOBS’’ (Feb. 16): Michael Fassbender portrays the Apple co-founder and CEO in director Danny Boyle and writer Aaron Sorkin’s drama. (R: AS, P) FAMILY-VIEWING GUIDE KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence.

Orland Veterans Commission to host Vietnam War movie nights The Orland Park Veterans Commission continues Orland Park’s observance of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War with its upcoming movie nights.

“The Green Berets” and “Good Morning, Vietnam” will be shown at two separate commission sponsored movie nights.

“Orland Park was named a community partner in the US Department of Defense’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War,” explained Mayor Dan McLaughlin. “We’ve hosted a number of Vietnam related events over the past year and the movie series is another way for us to thank the many Vietnam Veterans in the area.”

The 1968 movie, “The Green Berets,” starring John Wayne will be shown on Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Ave.

“The Veterans Commission invites all veterans to come to the Civic Center for our movie nights,” said Veterans Commission Secretary Tom Dubelbeis.

“This will be a nice night of fellowship as we gather to watch movies that remember the Vietnam era.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for both movie nights with the movies beginning at 7 p.m.

Robin Williams’ 1987 “Good Morning, Vietnam” will be shown on Monday, Feb. 29.

Popcorn, pizza and light refreshments will be served. The event is free and is open to all veterans and their families. Donations will be accepted and reservations should be made for everyone who wishes to attend.

For more information and to RSVP, call Dubelbeis at 403-6115, or email veterans@orlandpark.org.

OMARR’S WEEKLY ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST

By Jeraldine Saunders ARIES (March 21-April 19): You must play by the rules but you don’t need to make them.

Remain obedient and deferential to those in charge. In the week ahead you will have ample opportunities to flaunt your unique skills and talents.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t take good luck for granted as this week begins. Follow up on agreements and send a formal thank you if a helpful friend grants a favor. If you must make a crucial decision, take time to sleep on it first.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Turn on the lights. You may be in the dark about a situation or blind to the facts this week. Patiently researching the details will allow you to come to a successful solution. A relationship could prove disappointing.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put on a brave front as this week unfolds. Keep fears and doubts hidden as others may see these as weakness. Make your points clear to avoid misunderstanding. Your

Southwest • Section 2, Page 9

industry and take charge attitude are assets.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Even non-turtles know that slow and steady wins the race. Stick to your routines at work in the week to come and eventually you will get to the finish line. Do not be stingy if asked to make a donation to a charity.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The sky is the limit. Your good judgment shines with the big things this week, but may slip a bit with the small things. In your rush to make material success realities don’t offer casual assurances to bystanders.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Stick around your own home and make repairs, clean up, or get organized. There will be plenty of time in the week ahead to enjoy social events, entertainment or fun. Start the week off with a clean slate.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Adhere to the usual routines in the week ahead. Relationships may thrive due to a willingness to cooperate and someone may even bring you an opportunity.

However, do not volunteer to take

on new responsibilities.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take time for traditions and curtsey to conventions. You may be temporarily frustrated by what seems to be a lack of respect or appreciation. This discomfort will be washed away in the week to come.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Use your heart rather than your head. Logic may dictate a course of action but compassion and understanding will achieve the best result in the week to come.

Be sympathetic and aware of the needs of others.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): An indiscretion or exaggeration might place a barrier between you and a partner. Later this week you may have a chance to repair the damage. Your plans may include asking for help with a work related project.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Make a breakthrough in the week ahead. A fresh discovery or insight can alter your motivations or empower you to do better. You are more popular than usual but shouldn’t give your heart away until too quickly.

‘13 Hours’ captures frenzy but little else of Benghazi “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is yet another film that director Michael Bay has butchered. This is his cinematic celebration of six brave American security personnel on the ground in Benghazi, Libya on Sept. 11, 2012, when an attack by Islamic militants ended the lives of four Americans.

Adapted in a scattered manner from Mitchell Zuckoff’s 2014 nonfiction bestseller, the movie effectively captures the frenzy of the ambush but that’s about all it captures well.

The cynic can see this as an advertisement for a Mercedes-Benz SUV because the car always seems to be close by. It also always seems to be running well even through all the explosions and action going on around it. This film should be more than a really long car commercial, but with Bay directing we get the same old: commercialism and way over the top action.

For once the director of “The Transformers” franchise tries to evoke something meaningful instead of his traditional lack of substance escapism, which he fails miserably at. In the hands of the right director this could be the Benghazi equivalent of Ridley Scott’s “Black Hawk Down.”

TONY PINTO This movie wants to be a new “Black Hawk Down.” It just never reaches the standard that film set for nonfiction war movies. Where Scott’s movie feels genuine, this just feels artificial and devoid of necessary background which would make it more engaging to the viewer.

The film is based upon the experiences of six soldiers who are burdened with the task of securing a secret CIA base in Libya. All goes to ruin when U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens arrives in Benghazi and insists on staying at the very unsafe diplomatic compound during his visit. His safety gets even more tenuous when a once-secret meeting becomes a public affair, alerting everyone in the dangerously unstable region to the presence of Stevens. That leads to the attack on the diplomatic compound and the “13 Hours” that take place on Sept. 11, 2012.

A sense of nuance is something

that this film desperately needs.

The scenes void of action seem heavily forced and void of emotion in attempts to get immediate reaction from the audience.

The question could be asked, who is the audience for this film?

Liberals may write it off because it presents elements that have been highly disputed or flat-out denied, while conservatives may write it off because it doesn’t go far enough in tying Hillary Clinton to the events depicted.

Somewhere this film may have an audience with those who could care less about its inauthentic nature and the fact that it trivializes the events that took place. This film is going after the people who are looking for a rah-rah American soldier movie. Somewhere this film wants to make you proud to be American by showing a band of brothers being heroic.

Somewhere there is an interesting and poignant film to be made about the events in Benghazi, but “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is not that movie. Take this for the action movie about former American soldiers that it is, and it has its place among war movies.

Tony Pinto’s grade: C

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS THIS WEEK Womantalk Discussion

The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, will host its monthly Womantalk coffee hour and discussion on Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Led by MaryAnn Grzych, ladies are invited to join the discussion of Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach or other inspirational readings that participants wish to bring. There is no cost, but advance reservations are required. Call The Center at 361-3650.

Papermaking workshop

Artist Marilyn VandenBout of Evergreen Park will offer a Papermaking Workshop at The Log Cabin Center for the Arts on Wednesday, Jan. 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at 12700 Southwest Highway in Palos Park.

VandenBout helps students to make handmade papers for use as Valentines, stationery, or other creative projects.

The Papermaking Workshop costs $16, plus a $5 materials fee. Advance registration is required.

Call The Center at 361-3650.

The Bridge Teen Center programs

• Poker Night & High School After Hours - 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. this Friday. The Bridge Teen Center, 15555 S. 71st Court, Orland Park, will host a Poker Night with live music from singers/songwriters Tyler and Maria. The Bridge Teen Center will extend their hours (for High School After Hours) from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for high school students only. Free food samples will be provided by Bonefish Grill.

• #Skills: Apps to Make High School Easier - 4 to 5 p.m. Jan. 26, students will learn about apps that can help them stay organized, motivated, and more.

• Self Defense - 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26, will help prepare students to defend themselves from harm by teaching them the basics of self defense.

• National Chocolate Cake Day - 4 to 5 p.m.

Jan. 27, students will get the chance to enjoy a slice of chocolate cake while playing card games with other students.

• Project Serve: How to Be A Peer Tutor - 5 to 6 p.m. Jan. 27, will show students how to become a

helpful tutor. Community service hours will be given.

• Hand Lettering - 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 28, students will learn the basics of hand lettering from a local artist.

• Behind the Scenes: Creative Cakes - 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 28, a program with Creative Cakes to take students behind the scenes at this local bakery and cake decorating shop.

• #Skills: Card Tricks - 5 to 6 p.m. Jan. 28, will teach students how to do some cool card tricks.

• Magic Tricks & Illusions Night - 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Jan. 29, will host a Magic Tricks and Illusions Night with live music from singer/songwriter Jacob Jones. Free food samples will be provided by TCBY. These free events are for teens in 7th through 12th grade. For more information call 532-0500.

UPCOMING Valentine basketry workshop

The Log Cabin Center for the Arts, 12700 Southwest Highway in Palos Park, will offer a basketry workshop on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Basketry instructor Lois Shive will teach each student to make a beautiful wood-bottomed Valentine basket of woven reeds with red wooden hearts added as decorations. The workshop is appropriate for both beginning and experienced basketmakers.

The workshop costs $30 plus a $12 materials fee.

Registration is required. Students should bring a bag lunch. For further information, interested persons should call The Center at (708) 361-3650.

Family pottery for Valentines

A pottery class for families will be hosted at the Log Cabin Center for the Arts on Wednesdays, Feb. 3 and 10, from 6 to 7 p.m. The Log Cabin Art Center is located at 12700 Southwest Highway in Palos Park.

Instructor Heather Young invites families with children of any age to make heart-shaped dishes and charms on Feb. 3, and to come back to glaze their creations on Feb. 10.

The class fee is $20 per person and includes all supplies and two kiln firings. Reservations are required. Call The Center at 361-3650.

Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond

OUT & ABOUT

The Regional News • The Reporter

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Southwest • Section 2, Page 10

Orland’s annual Chili contest offers public tasting of samples Volunteer judges needed for Jan. 30 The village of Orland Park’s annual Chilly Willie Chili Challenge has been a winter favorite for nearly 20 years.

Sanctioned by the International Chili Society and the Chili Appreciation Society International, this year’s contest will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Ave. ICS and CASI members as well as local cooks are invited to join the competition.

An entry fee of $5 includes allyou-can-eat samples of red chili, green chili, and salsa beginning at 2 p.m. until the chili is gone.

“People who want to buy tasting cups to sample the chili should arrive as close to 2 p.m. as possible because this is a very popular event,” said Trustee Pat Gira, chair of the village’s Recreation and Parks Committee. “It’s amazing to see how many different types

of chili we have each year.”

Cook-off categories include chili, chili verde, salsa and homestyle. All chili must be cooked from scratch on-site on the day of Orland Park’s Chili Challenge.

Contestants are required to cook a minimum of two quarts of competition chili plus an additional gallon for the People’s Choice/ Public Tasting. Beans, macaroni, hominy or other similar ingredients are only permitted in the homestyle category.

“Each year, we hear about the great chili cooks in Orland Park,” Mayor Dan McLaughlin said. “It’s nice that the ICS opened its competition a few years ago, enabling local residents to compete with their homestyle recipes,” the mayor said.

Judging is based on aroma, consistency, color, taste and after taste.

Awards are presented to the top winners in each category.

An international champion will participate in Orland Park’s competition this year. James Burns, of Point, Texas, won the Terlingua

International Chili Competition.

Approximately 100 volunteer judges are needed. Any individual, age 18 and older, interested in volunteering to judge, should call 403-7275 or email his or her name and phone number to recreation@ orlandpark.org.

The winner of the ICS Competition at Orland Park will qualify to compete in the World Championship Chili Cook Off. The top winners in the CASI competition receive points to add to their totals qualifying cooks for the national competition held in Terlingua, Texas.

Cooks may compete in ICS traditional red, salsa, verde or homestyle and/or in CASI traditional red chili. Cooks must be active ICS members to compete in the ICS Competition. Contestants must be 18 years or older to compete.

Details are available by calling or visiting the Orland Park Recreation Department, 14600 S. Supplied photo Ravinia Ave., 403-7275.

Competitors in Orland Park’s Chili Challenge decorate their booths, with many coming from other states. Tom — Village of Orland Park Pardikes, of Plymouth, Mich., is a past winner of the village’s contest. It returns Jan. 30.

WOLFGANG PUCK’S KITCHEN

A lesson on scrambled eggs

By Wolfgang Puck

Supplied photo

Lois Lauer, program director of The Center in Palos Park, Linda Whittaker, and Lana Green sit on conservationist Sigurd Olsen’s Listening Point, on the edge of the million-acre Boundary Water Canoe Wilderness, which he helped to preserve. Along with Catherine Myers, the group spent a week canoeing through the wilds on the Minnesota-Canadian border lakes.

Luncheon at The Center will explore northwoods wilderness The work of northwoods conservationist Sigurd Olsen is the topic at a luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 26, from noon to 2 p.m., at The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, in Palos Park.

The Center program director Lois Lauer will talk about the life and work of Sigurd Olsen, who led the struggle to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness near Ely, Minn. The million-acre wilderness contains no roads or motorized traffic, not even outboard motors on boats.

Lauer recently visited Sigurd Olsen’s wilderness

sanctuary called “Listening Point,” which inspired much of his writing, before she took off with three other women for a weeklong canoe trip in the wilderness about which Olsen wrote so poetically.

Lauer will share photos and stories and read some of Olsen’s reflections about the spiritual value of wilderness and solitude for our souls.

The luncheon costs $20 per person and requires advance reservations. For more information, call The Center at 361-3650.

Chocolate tasting at Trinity

Supplied photo

Looking for somewhere to take your sweetie for Valentine’s Day? Love INC will host the second annual Chocolate Tasting at Trinity Christian College in the ARCC Building on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Trinity College is at 8801 College Drive in Palos Heights. This elegant affair includes live music, a silent auction, plus an array of fine chocolates for sampling. Business or elegant attire required. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

For more information, call 444-2013 or to order online go to tickethookups.com/chocolatetasting.

Just as New Year’s resolutions often inspire us to eat more healthily and exercise more often, so does January see many of us trying to live more economically. And one of the smartest ways to save money is to enjoy more meals cooked at home.

Yet, it sometimes seems to me as if the home kitchen can feel like a foreign territory to a number of people. Many in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s didn’t learn to cook from their mothers and grandmothers as generations before did. That is one of the big reasons why I’m launching my new online, all-video cooking school, WolfgangPuckCookingSchool.com, this month. (You can check it out now with a free 14-day trial.) I want cooks everywhere to discover, with me as their personal guide, how easy it can be to prepare delicious, beautiful food in their own homes.

You don’t have to start learning how to cook by attempting some sort of extravaganza for a big dinner party. Even everyday dishes can become a pleasure to prepare and eat once you know the right way to cook them. So let’s start with breakfast, and one of its most popular dishes: scrambled eggs.

(You’ll find a recipe lesson at my video cooking school!)

I’ve always thought that the best scrambled eggs are soft and creamy, with small curds that taste as moist and rich as thick custard.

Yet, too many people know scrambled eggs only by the dry lumps they’re served in old-fashioned diners. As you’ll learn in the following recipe, however, luscious scrambled eggs are simple to make if you use the medium-low heat, so they don’t dry out before they’re done; moisten and enrich them with a little cream (or milk), and stir them almost constantly, scraping the pan, so they cook evenly.

Perfectly cooked scrambled eggs can also become the basis for all sorts of variations. You can add ingredients to flavor them, such as the caramelized onions I cook in this recipe before adding the eggs, other sauteed vegetables, maybe some chopped ham or crumbled crispy bacon, or simply a sprinkling of grated cheese.

Of course, you can also serve scrambled eggs in more elaborate ways than just spooning them right onto a plate. I sometimes serve my eggs on top of some thinly sliced smoked salmon, or openfaced on toasted bagel halves.

(Or why not go all the way and put the smoked salmon on the toasted bagels before you pile on the eggs?)

Gain some confidence in your own kitchen by starting with some scrambled eggs for breakfast or brunch, and there’s no telling where it might lead. I wish you happy cooking throughout 2016!

Fotolia.com

Scrambled eggs are delicious on their own or atop a toasted bagel with smoked salmon.

CREAMY SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS Serves 4 • 3 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil or unsalted butter • 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) chopped yellow onion • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 10 large cage-free eggs • 1/4 cup (60 mL) heavy cream • 6 ounces (185 g) thinly sliced smoked salmon (optional) • 2 bagels, split and toasted (optional) • 4 sprigs fresh chervil or parsley, or chopped fresh chives (for garnish) Heat the olive oil or butter individually, or a half-and-half mixture of oil and butter, in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot enough to foam freely, or the butter begins to foam, add the onion. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Saute, stirring frequently

with a wooden spoon until the onion turns a deep golden brown, about 8 minutes.

While the onion is cooking, break the eggs into a mixing bowl.

Add the cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. With a fork or a whisk, beat until the egg mixture is thoroughly blended and slightly frothy.

Once the onion is caramelized, reduce the heat under the skillet to medium-low. Pour in the egg mixture. As the eggs begin to set, use a rubber spatula to scrape them from the edges of the skillet toward the center, forming soft, creamy curds while letting the still-liquid egg mixture flow toward the edges.

Remove the skillet from the heat and continue stirring and scraping the eggs until they are set to your liking. If you want them more done, return the pan to low heat and continue cooking and stirring.

Serve the eggs immediately.

If you like, spoon them on top of smoked salmon or on toasted bagel halves, or even on toasted bagels along with smoked salmon.

Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.

Beverly Environmental, LLC Landscape Architects & Contractors

• Snow & Ice Removal • Custom Hardscapes • Property Master Planning/ Phasing • Ponds & Water Features • Retaining Walls & Natural Stone • Landscapes Design • Garden Design & Lawn Maintenance • Free Estimates

Beverly Environmental, LLC

(708) 331-4911

www.beverlyenvironmental.com Spot