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Orland Park 10-year-old leaves Hall of Famer Thome impressed

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

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Serving Palos, Orland and Worth townships and neighboring communities

77th Year, NO. 7 • 2 Sections

PALOS TOWNSHIP

Activists ramp up protests at board meetings ‘Comm. Morrison, take a stand against hate’

By Anthony Caciopo Regional News Editor

Juan Orozco and his son, Marco, barrel down the sledding hill at Centennial Park in Orland Park.

Photos by Anthony Caciopo

Local residents dig big snowfall

By Anthony Caciopo Regional News Editor

It just wouldn’t stop snowing.

For more than 24 hours last Friday and Saturday, snow fell… and fell…and fell.

True, it wouldn’t add up to the blockbuster totals of 21 inches in two days during the 1979 Chicago blizzard, or the 23 inches over two days in Chicago’s notorious 1967 blizzard. But at 13 inches officially in the greater Palos area on Friday and Saturday, with another one to three inches on Sunday, it made for a lot of headaches.

And some fun, too, especially at the Centennial Park sledding hill in Orland Park.

“We’re loving it,” said Juan Orozco after he and his son Marco, 4, barreled down the hill together on separate sleds.

“We love the snow as long as we don’t have to clean it. We’re having a great time,” he said.

The snow began steadily falling during the morning on Friday and it wasn’t until Saturday morning that it stopped—with local variations, of course. And the whole snow event actually began about 6 p.m. on Thursday, with some on-off periods until Friday morning when snowfall began in earnest.

It resulted in school closings and even cancellation of the soldout Daddy-Daughter Dance Friday night at the Palos Heights Parks and Recreation Center.

Trudging through near-whiteout conditions on Friday, Pat and Kathy Durkin of Palos Heights were on a mission.

“We went to put our paczki order in at Doughs Guys,” said Kathy cheerfully as she and her husband paused on 123rd Street near Richard Avenue, heading west.

Paczkis, a round, cream-filled Polish pastry pronounced PONCHkey, are a traditional favorite on Fat Tuesday. Like in previous years, Doughs Guys Bakery at 12248 S. Harlem Ave. would be packed with paczki lovers come Tuesday, but on Friday, well, all the Durkins could do was make their way through the falling

At the Palos Township Board of Trustees meeting Monday night, a workshop broke out.

Minutes before the meeting began, Muhammad Sankari of the Arab American Action Network stood up to launch what he called the “Envisioning a Better Palos Workshop” and he carried it on right through the Board of Trustees meeting as it was held a mere 10 feet behind him.

The workshop culminated with raised voices demanding Cook County Republican Chairman Sean Morrison to exert pressure to force the resignation of contro-

versial Trustee Sharon Brannigan.

“We’re all gathered here because of hate speech and because of the bigotry that has come from the Palos Township trustees, especially Trustee Sharon Brannigan,” said Sankari.

Brannigan has been under fire since summer, 2017 for her social media posts many claim were racist toward Muslims. The posts have been removed. Brannigan has apologized but the apology has been considered insincere and “too little, too late” by protestors who crowd the monthly Board of Trustees meeting at Palos Township headquarters, 10802 S. Roberts See ACTIVISTS, Page 2

Seek runners with hearts and ‘soles’ for helping others Race participants can contribute to charity

By Dermot Connolly Staff Writer Palos Heights resident Casey Mills was still working with his plowequipped Honda ATV after 9 p.m. Friday, earning money clearing people’s driveways. More snow would accumulate the following day.

snow, a round trip of one-and-three-quarter miles by their estimate.

“Driving was out of the question,” said Kathy. “We didn’t want to risk it.”

“We like our paczkis,” said Pat, “and we need the exercise, too.”

In Palos Park the following day, with at least 13 inches of snow on the ground and a break before anything new came blowing in, Bob Ellsworth walked his dog, Hannah, on 118th Street near 83rd Avenue.

“It was huge,” he said of the total snowfall, the most the area has seen since 2015. Ellsworth’s two adult sons came over to See SNOWFALL, Page 2

While many people registering for the 11th Annual Southwest Half Marathon and 10K Run/Walk on May 6 do it for the challenge, the Southwest Special Recreation Association would like some to do it for charity as well.

Staff from Alsip-based SWSRA, which provides recreation programs for area residents with disabilities or special needs, have been on the volunteer organizing committee helping put together the races since founders Mel Diab and Jeff Prestinario started the tradition more than a decade ago. While

CNB Bank and Palos Health are chief sponsors of the half marathon and 10K, SWSRA sponsors the Run, Walk or Roll that is held along with the longer races. The half-mile event is open to people of all ages with physical or mental disabilities.

In exchange for all their help, a portion of the profits from the races are donated to SWSRA, which helps people with disabilities. The non-profit organization also receives funds donated by charity runners.

“This is one of our biggest fundraisers every year,” said Paula Marr of SWSRA, who is hoping See RUNNERS, Page 2

THE COYNES IN KOREA

Getting stranded, Kendall’s goal mark early part of this adventure Southwest Regional Publishing correspondent Kevin Coyne, along with his family of seven, traveled from Chicago to South Korea to watch his sister, Kendall Coyne, compete in ice hockey and experience all the Olympics and South Korea has to offer for over two weeks. Here is the first of three columns: PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — The Olympics started with a bang, and the Coyne family is here to experience everything there is to offer in South Korea.

We departed O’Hare Airport on

KEVIN COYNE Feb. 7 and arrived at Seoul Incheon Airport on Friday morning. After traveling through time, we completely missed a day, My brother, Jake, 23, and I ended up in a taxi where we did our best to get a feel for the Korean culture and how much they knew about American and British cul-

ture. Our taxi driver, Jinn-Soo, said he loved rock music, specifically Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, and Mick Jagger. When asked about music, he mentioned the lead singers’ names as opposed to the bands they played in, but we knew that he had good taste in classic rock music.

We enjoyed a wide range of Korean dining in one filling and satisfying meal after over 14 hours on a cramped airplane. The meal started with a creamy soup followed by noodles complemented with fresh vegetables and other Korean novelties.

After we enjoyed the noodles, we started to enjoy real Korean culture: the meat.

After the third dish of beef, chicken and pork, we got to the final dish — Korean steak. We used scissors to cut the plump and juicy steak and add some of the veggies from one of the several plates on our table.

Opening Ceremonies Getting ready for the opening ceremonies included a lot of warm clothing. We got ready to endure the bitter cold and hellish wind See COYNES, Page 2

Photo by Kevin Coyne

Palos Heights native Kendall Coyne, in white uniform, scored a goal against Finland.

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2 Thursday, February 15, 2018

Palos Park officials laud efforts to battle snowstorm

By Michael Gilbert Correspondent

Palos Park officials Monday made a point to commend the efforts of the village’s public works department following a three-day winter storm that dumped more than 15 inches of snow in the town.

With the exception of a brief period of time Saturday afternoon, public works had been out around the clock since early Thursday afternoon when the department began pretreating the streets in anticipation of the storm later that evening.

“The guys did a fantastic job,” Public Works Commissioner Nicole Milovich-Walters said. “They are so hardworking and dedicated and they do a really good job especially with some of our winding roads. It’s not always a straight shot so they do a really nice job getting it open for people to drive safely.

Mayor John Mahoney also took a moment Monday to praise the public works department.

“I want to thank our public works and our public safety department for a lot of overtime and a lot of extra work this weekend,” Mahoney said. “By all accounts it was a job very, very well done.

“With a small staff like what we have and an event like this it really stretches resources and people are working very hard. I just want to make sure we are recognizing them for that and their effort.”

Public Works Director Mike Sibrava said he had not tallied exactly how many staff hours were spent dealing with the storm but estimated each member of his eight-man crew was working 12 to 16 hours per day.

Although there was no additional snowfall Monday, Sibrava

Runners Continued from Page 1 to attract more charity runners this year. Last year, eight runners raised money for the organization.

“All we ask is that people bring in a minimum of $100 in pledges,” said Marr recently. “That is because we give all the charity runners a goody bag with a t-shirt, snacks and other items.” This is in addition to another goody bag which all participants receive along with their registration numbers the day before the event.

She said that Kailey Green, a Chicago resident, has raised more than $5,000 for SWSRA since she began competing in the 10K as a charity runner in 2015.

“Kailey actually won, as the fastest woman in the 10K in 2016,” Marr noted.

“We’re so appreciative of all the donations we receive, from the event and the charity runners. Every dollar we get means we’re able to provide more scholarships and services to the people we serve,” said Marr.

In addition to the charity runners, volunteers also accompany participants in the Run, Walk or Roll.

“As long as I am involved, SWSRA will be a part of this.

From the beginning, we wanted to make sure this event was welcoming to everyone in the community,” promised Diab at a recent meeting of the organizing

Coynes Continued from Page 1 supplied by the mountains at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium.

The temperature reached a low of 17 degrees.

The stadium was at its maximum capacity of 39,000, along with the largest athlete pool of 2,900 representing 92 different countries.

After the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic torch, most fans left the stadium, which was a terrible mistake. The grand finale, or encore, included a massive fireworks display. We spent nearly three hours in the stadium, but the final 15 minutes of the show made braving the cold worthwhile.

Immediately following the ceremonies, we were herded to the buses that were supposed to take spectators to the main KTX station in Jinbu. Unbeknownst to us, the bus driver had other plans, which included leaving us in a desolate, empty parking lot in the freezing cold.

Luckily, one of the volunteers spoke to an incoming bus driver who went out of his way to take a group of tired, cold and unruly Americans to the main train station after waiting 30 minutes for some sort of assistance.

Once we arrived at the KTX or KROL station, we learned that the only way to get a taxi in South

said his team was busy leveling the snow piles at intersections to improve sight lines for drivers.

“We try to not pile snow more than three feet high but with the magnitude of this storm and with how fast it came down we had piles as high as five or six feet,” he said. “Today we were trying to knock down those piles so if a driver pulled out they could see.”

Sibrava said he was unaware of the storm being responsible for any vehicle accidents despite it being the largest snowfall in the area since 2015. A weather event roughly a week earlier that brought freezing rain to the area did cause a few minor accidents, he said.

This winter the village has used around 400 tons of road salt, which is approximately half of its supply, he said. With winter winding down and still an ample supply of salt available, Sibrava did not believe the village would need to purchase more.

“We had some leftover from last year and with only another month left of [winter] weather we should be fine,” he said.

Clearing the sidewalk on 123rd Street from 86th Avenue to the Metra station was on the public works’ agenda for Tuesday, Sibrava said. The state has jurisdiction of that stretch of roadway and the trucks push snow onto the sidewalk when they plow.

“If we can’t keep up with the state and their plowing it builds up on the sidewalk,” Sibrava said.

“We were out plowing this whole weekend so we never really had a chance to clean it.”

In an effort to assist firefighters and emergency medical staff, Police Commissioner Dan Polk asked residents to clear a threefoot space around the fire hydrant closest to their home. committee volunteers.

“I really appreciate programs like SWSRA,” agreed Prestinario, who has a nephew with Down syndrome.

“SWSRA and programs like it do a lot of good for people with mental and physical difficulties.

It gives them opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have, and they enjoy the games like everyone else,” he said.

Prestinario pointed out that while SWSRA currently is the main charity receiving funds from the Southwest Half Marathon and 10K, that is only because of a downturn in participants over the last few years. Diab said registration for the races is down about 10 percent over what they would like to see at this time, but they are expecting the numbers to rise as the weather warms up.

Since 2008, the Southwest Half Marathon has raised more than $200,000 for charities, which have included American Cancer Society for Prostate Cancer and Research, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Garden in Palos Heights A fourth race, the Kids’ Dash, which was added last year for the 10th anniversary to draw more families, proved very popular and will be returning this year. Kids’ Dash is a free event for children up to 11 years of age. Boys and girls run races of varying lengths, depending on age groups. EveryKorea is by waiting in a long line outside of a train station or by asking a business owner to call on your behalf.

We took the next best option: taking a long two-mile walk home.

Stranded again!

On day two, we spent hours watching snowboarders fly hundreds of feet above our heads. The twisting, spinning, and flipping was a mouth-dropping sight. We even witnessed a Swedish athlete take a blow that rendered him unconscious.

We stopped by a small coffee shop about 100 feet from our home to get lunch. We asked the business owner to call a taxi to take us over to the venue. We struggled to communicate with the gentleman, but it appeared that he knew exactly what we were asking him.

We spent 15 minutes going back and forth before the Korean gentleman gestured for us to follow him.

He removed his apron and began to get in his car. He then said in broken English “no taxi” and “I take you,” which was enough for us to understand.

The ride was only 10 minutes, and we attempted to pay the man 20,000 won ($20 USD) but he refused. We will make it a point to eat every meal at his establishment in an attempt to pay him back for the ride.

We attended the short-track

“It’s a short job that can save precious minutes for firefighters if there’s an emergency,” Polk said.

In other news, the council unanimously approved a resolution endorsing the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ Greenest Region Compact 2.

This pledge, which is an update to the original Greenest Region Compact adopted by the Mayors Caucus in 2007, is designed to serve as a guide for communities to assess their current environmental sustainability efforts and develop new goals to address.

The initiative lists sustainability goals in the following areas: climate, economic development, energy, land, leadership, mobility, municipal operations, sustainable communities, waste and recycling, and water.

An example of a climate goal is “to reduce greenhouse gas emissions” while one of the mobility goals is to “support safe and effective active transportation,” according the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus website. All goals are aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents and protecting and stewarding the environment.

Mahoney said Palos Park’s current sustainability efforts and programs match many of the goals outlined in the compact. Endorsing the compact could introduce the village to grant opportunities in the future, he noted.

“It helps our chances of getting all types of environmental grants,” Mahoney said. “It’s one of the steps to take in connection with applying for grants from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.”

Several municipalities including Alsip, Homer Glen, Oak Brook and Brookfield have already endorsed the Greenest Region Compact.

Supplied photo

Kailey Green of Chicago, seen here being applauded by SWSRA Run, Walk or Roll athletes, has raised more than $5,000 for Southwest Special Recreation Association since 2015 as a charity runner in the Southwest Half Marathon and 10K. She also won the 10K in 2016.

one gets a medal.

“Even though it was chaotic, it was fun to see the enthusiasm,” said Diab.

More information and registration for all of the races is available on the website, www. southwesthalfmarathon.com. Anyone interested in being a charity runner is asked to register on the event website and then contact SWSRA at (708) 389-9423. More information about being a charity runner is also available at www. swsra.com.

“I would suggest that anyone planning to collect donations should open a GoFundMe account,” said Marr. “It just makes everything a lot easier for them.” speedskating event, watching nearly 15 races. However, we spent hours in the freezing cold attempting to catch a taxi. This is now the second night we went through this song and dance.

After the first hour elapsed, we needed to get out of the freezing cold. We also did not dress warm enough to be sitting outside for hours on end. We ended up taking a bus 30 minutes away from our destination to get a taxi from one of the KTX stations.

We again had no luck getting a taxi once we got to the station and again made the two- to three-mile walk back home in the bitter cold.

A goal for Kendall On day three, we spent a few hours singing, having fun and talking about the coming game against Finland. At the end of the tailgate, a Chicago news station dropped by to join the fun. It was great to talk with other Olympic families and the individuals who spent the past few days capturing all the great stories from around South Korea.

With five seconds left in the first period, Finland popped the only goal of the period. But the United States won that opener, 3-1, and Kendall scored one of the goals. After the game we were able to see Kendall along with her teammates and the other Olympic family members.

The Regional News

Snowfall Continued from Page 1 clear the snow at his house.

“They’re good guys,” he said.

A nearly vacant parking lot at Lake Katherine Nature Center had one sign of life Saturday morning as Chicago Ridge residents buckled on snowshoes and began hoofing their way through the powder.

“This is the second year of my hip replacement and it hasn’t been snowy enough,” said Joanne Haversat, “so this is the first time I’m snowshoeing with it.”

“We love this weather,” said her husband, Harold. The couple said they enjoy walking at Lake Katherine in the summer and biking along the Cal-Sag Trail.

Elsewhere in Palos and Orland, public works and public safety officials watched the mounting snow with pragmatism.

Palos Fire Protection District Chief Jim Graben urged residents to keep local fire hydrants clear.

“We’re very fortunate to have four-wheel-drive ambulances to make it to our residents in time of need,” said James Graben, chief of the Palos Fire Protection District.

Curving, often inclined village streets are part of Palos Park’s appeal, but can make for dangerous situations during snowfall.

“Please ‘adopt’ a fire hydrant in front of your home or on your block,” he said from his firehouse office at 8815 W. 123rd St. “Help us help you. We can get to your house now that the streets have been plowed,” he said. “The village has done a great job. But if there’s a fire, how much time does it take for a fireman to have to shovel out a hydrant before they can get water to your house?”

Graben asked residents to shovel a path from the street to the hydrant, and then to shovel all around the hydrant three feet in all directions, if possible. Captain Chip Adams urged homeowners to be sure their mailbox address is visible.

Palos Park Chief of Police Joe Miller said “The timing of the snow(s) day time/rush hours compounded the impact on traffic and motorists in the heavy snowfall. This made it more difficult and challenging for the plows navigating the rush hours’ traffic volume.

“It was inspiring to see the many people willing to lend a hand and help someone stuck in the snow or alerting us to check

Photo by Anthony Caciopo

Bob Ellsworth and his faithful companion, Hannah, take a walk Saturday morning in Palos Park.

on a homebound neighbor,” said the chief, who used social media including Twitter to send out advisories throughout the storm.

Miller described the time period as an “All-hands-on-deck week. Our staff at times was going from call to call and directing traffic for prolonged periods of time, but they were prepared and deliberate in their handling of the nature and volume of the calls. By Sunday night we were all exhausted,” he said.

In Palos Heights, one almost got away while it snowed. A big one, at that.

“We had numerous assists and minor accidents related to the weather,” said Deputy Chief William Czajkowski of the Palos Heights Police Department.

“One of the more unusual incidents was a semi-truck that caught fire in the 6300 block of College Drive,” he said. “The driver jumped from the truck with his dog and failed to stop the truck.

(It) continued travelling and finally rolled to a stop.”

Czajkowski said the unmanned truck made it about a block before coming to a halt.

“Besides that, we had extra officers on duty and we were committed to service of the community and making sure everyone made it home safely,” he said.

A report from the Palos Heights Public Works Department included a tally, Thursday night through Sunday, of 104 regular hours; 308.5 overtime hours; 90 tons of road salt used with six dump truck plows, eight pickup trucks with plows and two tractor loaders.

“Like any snowstorm, it has its challenges,” said Chief Tim Sarhage of the Palos Heights Fire Protection District. “Luckily, we didn’t have any major incident.

“The good thing about that snow is that it wasn’t accompanied by high winds or some of the other conditions that make it worse on us,” he said. “We didn’t have as much drifting as we’ve had in the past.”

Orland Park officials sent out a Code Red Message at 4 p.m. last Thursday to 22,000+ subscribers.

Information also was posted to social media and on the village’s website.

“Our Public Works Department and Parks and Grounds Department conducted pre-event planning meetings and worked virtually around the clock throughout the event, clearing snow from roads and village buildings,” said John Keating, assistant village manager.

The Code Red Message included a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service as well as information about parking restrictions on village streets, details about delayed garbage and recycling pickups, a request to clear around hydrants and the location of the village’s primary warming center, the Orland Park Police Department at 151st Street and Ravinia Avenue.

But all the preparation, safety and execution was probably far from the mind of Brian Gabel as he and his four-year-old-daughter, Paige, enjoyed the sledding hill at Orland’s Centennial Park.

“I didn’t get to work Friday,” he said. “I made it to the gas station and I went back home. Then I proceeded to shovel all day, three times.

“OK, here we go,” Gabel said as he and his daughter headed up the hill for another trip down the hard-packed snow.

But this time, Paige had an idea.

“I want to slide all by myself,” she told her dad.

Activists Continued from Page 1 Rd., Palos Hills.

With the assistance of Husam Marajda, a member of the Campaign to Take on Hate who began the evening’s presentation, Sankari encouraged the meeting attendees to call out their ideas, which were documented on a portable presentation board next to him.

“Let’s start with this: What effect does hate speech and bigotry have on our community?” he asked.

Let’s start listing ‘em.”

“It affects the self-esteem of our youth,” said a woman in the crowd. “It makes them feel like they don’t belong.”

“Hang on for a second, please,” said Herb Schumann as he tried to prepare the room for the Board meeting to officially begin.

“We’re going to start the meeting pretty soon, or we’re not going to start the meeting,” said Schumann. “You’re going to have your own meeting?”

Sankari continued his presentation without pausing.

“It encourages acts of violence,” he said, amplifying a voice from the crowd. “And it justifies those acts of violence,” he said, on behalf of another meeting attendee.

“What other negative effects do we see?” Sankari asked.

“It demonizes us,” someone in the audience said.

As Township Supervisor Colleen Schumann prepared to call the meeting to order, Sankari said “We’ll pause for the Pledge of Allegiance and then we’ll get right back into it. This is a community meeting and this is a community space.

“Clearly, the Palos trustees are more interested in propping up bigots and people who want to marginalize our community, than they are trying to address the real issues.”

“I wonder why,” said an attendee. “Where’s Sean Morrison?” she asked, referring to the Cook County Commissioner of the 17th District and the Cook County Republican Chairman. Some say he should be exerting his influence to pressure Brannigan into resigning.

The crowd paused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, with voices rising at the end “With liberty and justice for all.”

With the official meeting underway, the sound volume in the room was considerably amplified as Board members used a microphone to speak while the meeting

Photo by Anthony Caciopo

Back-to-back, Muhammad Sankari (left) and Herb Schumann have opposing roles at Monday’s Palos Township Board of Trustees meeting. Sankari, of the Arab American Action Network, led a “workshop” in front of 40+ attendees while Schumann, the husband of Township Supervisor Colleen Schumann, worked in the capacity of facilitator to ensure the Board meeting took place.

Trustee Sharon Brannigan is visible (far right) documenting the scene with her cellphone camera. Seated next to her is Trustee Richard Riley.

attendees talked in elevated voices.

In less than eight minutes, Supv.

Schumann adjourned the meeting following completion of the agenda and left the room with her fellow Board members, including Trustee Brannigan.

“We all just saw the actions of the trustees that are supposed to represent us,” said Sankari about the Board’s departure. “This is why we returned tonight, and this is why we will continue to return every single meeting. This is our township, this is our community and the stakes are high for us.”

Bassem Kawar, national coordinator for the National Network of Arab American Communities, called out Sean Morrison, referring to the Cook County Republican Chairman’s recent Tweet about gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives.

Ives opposes Gov. Bruce Rauner, whom Morrison has endorsed.

As Ives was about to launch a television ad earlier this month, criticizing Rauner by using controversial depictions of people and their supposed political stances, Morrison tweeted “This is absolutely disgusting and unacceptable, racially bigoted and demeaning offensive attack ad. Another reason Jeanne Ives is unelectable in an Illinois general election. Ask what those elected officials who endorse her think??”

Kawar said “He (Morrison) was very vocal and public about his disappointment with Ives, and the bigoted, racist ad that she put out.

But he’s been ignoring this issue in his own district for the past seven months.

With a backdrop of signs pro-

claiming, “I love my Muslim neighbors” and “Why isn’t Sean Morrison doing something about all these racists?” Kawar said “Call Sean Morrison. This is shameful.

He has to condemn Sharon Brannigan the same way he condemned Jeanne Ives, and he should speak out about Arthur Jones, the Nazi who is running in the 3rd congressional district.

“Sean Morrison must address these issues,” said Kawar, who supplied the crowd with telephone numbers to Morrison’s offices.

“Call him three times a day, four times a day. We’re asking for something simple. The same way you were vocal for political gain because your buddy (Rauner) is being challenged. You need to take your community seriously.”

“We need Sean Morrison to take a public stand against hate and bigotry in his own backyard,” said Sankari, who led the workshop.

“Have him take a stand against the bigotry at this table, the bigotry from Palos Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan.”

“We’re going to escalate this protest,” said Kawar. “There will be actions between the (monthly) meetings because we see how this township deals with their constituents.”

The Regional News attempted unsuccessfully to reach Commissioner Morrison Tuesday for comment. The commissioner replied via telephone Wednesday morning, only minutes before press time, and arrangements are being made for a conversation about the issue in the coming days.

The Regional News

Thursday, February 15, 2018

New Orland Park commission will guide board on technology issues ‘Smart city’ will have better services for residents at lower cost

By Dermot Connolly Staff Writer

The Orland Park Village Board last week unanimously approved the creation of a technology commission and the elimination of three inactive advisory commissions.

This is the latest step in the board’s efforts to streamline the advisory commission system, which began about eight months ago at the request of Mayor Keith Pekau. The lengthy and ongoing process included a workshop in October that the mayor thought unnecessary, and moves on his part that were not well-received by several of the six trustees.

But the two sides seem to have settled many of their differences.

The changes made at the village board meeting on Feb. 5 were all approved unanimously, with none of the arguing that had become commonplace at previous meetings when the issue came up.

The new seven-member technology board made up of residents yet to be chosen will guide the village board on aspects of technology implementation and management, planning, information sharing and ways to promote scientific endeavors and research facilities within the village.

“Orland Park is in the midst of a technology revolution by enabling residents to interact electronically, dispatching crews electronically, analyzing the data over time to increase efficiency at all levels,” said Pekau in a statement. “The expectation is that residents will

value the electronic capabilities and businesses will see the investment and want to be a part of our evolution as a ‘smart city.’”

Pekau asked the trustees at the Feb. 5 meeting to submit to him any names of people they would like to see on the volunteer commission, noting that he had a few names in mind. He will choose the members with the advice and consent of the trustees.

The mayor also asked that the openings for the positions be advertised on the village website, www.orlandpark.org.

The commission will review, evaluate and identify present and future technology advances to develop and implement a strategic technology plan for the village. It will also be responsible for preparing an annual report for the board, offering a comprehensive and current review of Orland Park’s technology management and implementation activities.

“This is about better, more responsive services for our residents at a lower cost,” said Trustee Jim Dodge, chair of the village’s Technology, Innovation and Performance Committee. “I’ve been a proponent of these types of investments for a long time and I’m very happy that the board is supportive.”

“The village has a great chief technology officer (Frank Florentine) and this advisory board will help us make sure that we are taking full advantage of private sector knowledge and insights on best-in-class technologies,” Dodge said.

The group will also review and evaluate ways to advance the village’s technological capabilities and will recommend amendments to the village code and/or land development code to eliminate im-

pediments affecting technological strategies in village operations.

“An example of what we’re working on is if you take a picture of something with your smartphone that needs attention—a pothole or a broken swing in a park—it will go into our work order management system,” Dodge explained. “You will be notified of the status and the village board and village manager will get hard metrics on how well we are serving residents in a timely manner.

It’s better for all of us if we have village staff in the field doing their jobs instead of dealing with paperwork in the office.”

The commission will also be responsible for making the public aware of advances in science and technology that may be of interest to village residents and businesses.

“To be most effective, the village needs outside perspectives from residents to help make our smart city vision a reality,” Pekau said.

The three commissions the board folded because they met so infrequently were the Senior Citizens Advisory Board, Traffic and Parking Advisory Board, and the Community Relations Commission.

The mayor said he contacted as many members as possible to explain the decision, so they weren’t “blind-sided.”

“I did speak to the majority of these board members. They were very gracious. While some thought there was some utility in the commissions, they understood what we are doing.”

He said one member of the Traffic Advisory Board was appointed to the Pension Board, because he had the needed skills.

He described the Traffic Advisory Board as the most active of

the three, but said most of its tasks are now handled by the police department.

The Community Relations Commission was originally created to deal with accessibility issues following passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act more than 20 years ago. But Karie Friling, the director of development, explained at a previous meeting that all new developments must be ADA-compatible, and issues are dealt with by village staff and village board committees.

The board also amended the municipal code relating to the Veterans Commission, to better reflect the type of work the panel does.

“This is all part of the ongoing process that we have been going through for the past eight months or so,” said the mayor.

“I want to thank Trustee Dan Calandriello for working with me on this,” said the mayor. The two officials had not always agreed on how best to review the commission system.

“I appreciate the process. I enjoyed working with the mayor on this. We’re learning what we were doing well, and not so well.

We’ve been chugging along but making progress. The workshop in October was very helpful,” said Calandriello.

People interested in applying for the voluntary position on the Technology Commission may send letters of interest with current resumes to Village President Keith Pekau, Village of Orland Park, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, IL 60462.

Cite CSO Heffernan for lifesaving actions

Community Service Officer Jeffrey Heffernan of the Palos Heights Police Department was recognized by Mayor Bob Straz and the City Council Feb. 6 during a ceremony in which the mayor presented him with a Lifesaver Award.

According to official reports, Heffernan responded to a radio call Jan. 12 of an infant choking at a home in the 12400 block of South 73rd Court. Upon arrival, he found the caller performing CPR on the infant. Heffernan immediately took over, performing CPR until arrival of fire department personnel.

“Your quick response and your calm and professional conduct were critical to bridging the time before the child could be treated by medical professionals, and helped to ease the anxiety of family members present,” said Straz.

“Your actions are indicative of your diligence, expertise and attention to duty, and are a credit not only to yourself but the entire Palos Heights Police Department,” the mayor said. “Congratulations on your outstanding work.”

POLICE BLOTTER: ORLAND PARK Retail theft Conas J. Smiley, 49, of Richton Park, was charged with retail theft at 3:25 p.m. Jan. 11, at Home Depot, 7300 W. 159th St. Police said he was stopped outside the store after he ran out with a paint sprayer and drill set worth $628 in total. Court information was not available.

Daniel C. Jevyak, 51, of Hammond, Ind., was charged with felony retail theft at 7:18 p.m. Jan. 17, at Sears in Orland Square Mall.

Police said he was seen leaving the store with a cart full of unbagged merchandise, which he threw into a vehicle before getting in on the passenger side. Police said the 33 items of clothing and shoes were worth $1,219.92. Police also said Jevyak was on parole and had 12 convictions for larceny and two for burglary. The driver, Nichole M. Sincan, 35, of Portage, Ill., was charged with possession of stolen property. She was held awaiting extradition on an outstanding warrant from Lake County, Ind., for auto theft. Jevyak was held for a bond hearing.

Robert A. Kawczynski, 46, of Bloomington, Ill., and Robert G. Maynard, 50, of Alsip, were charged with retail theft at Kohl’s in Orland Square Mall at 5:29 p.m.

Jan. 12. Police said they each took a box of of cookware, each worth $249, and Kawczynski paid for his and Maynard walked out without paying. They then allegedly placed the items in a car, and returned to the store with the receipt. The two were apprehended after they selected a third box of the same

cookware and returned it for cash, pretending it had been purchased, said police. They were both due in court on Wednesday.

Luz E. Palomar, 50, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft at JCPenney in Orland Square Mall at 5:55 p.m. Jan. 13. Police said she left the store with a bag containing 13 assorted items of clothing worth a total of $538, which she was allegedly seen removing from hangers. She was due in court on Wednesday.

DUI Emilio Salgado, 39, of Chicago, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol at 9:08 p.m. Jan. 13, in the 9500 block of West 151st Street. Police said he appeared to fall asleep at the wheel at a red light, and failed field sobriety tests. He was also cited for disregarding a traffic control device, and illegal transportation of liquor. He was due in court on Feb. 1.

Hit and run Felipe Correa De Paul, 40, of Orland Park, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident in the 9000 block of West 151st Street at 5:08 p.m. Jan. 15. Police said he drove away after side-swiping one vehicle in traffic, and hit several other cars as he sped away. When he was found at his home, he was also cited for failure to provide information, driving too fast for conditions and failure to notify police of an accident. He is due in court on March 13.

POLICE BLOTTER: PALOS PARK Possession of cannabis Alice M. Popovich, 52, of Plainfield, was issued local adjudication citations for possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop at 10:10 p.m. Feb. 6, in the 12300 block of South Will Cook Road. Police said she was stopped for swerving between lanes, and two grams of cannabis and a pipe with drug residue were found in the vehicle.

She is due at a hearing in Palos Park Village Hall on March 7.

Possession of drug paraphernalia Joseph J. Gleeson IV, 27, of Orland Park, was issued a local adjudication citation for possession of drug paraphernalia following a

traffic stop at 2:54 a.m. Feb. 3, at Southwest Highway and Route 83.

Police said a wooden “one-hitter” box used to smoke cannabis was found in the car. He was also issued a written warning for making a left turn at a red light. He is due at a hearing in the Palos Park Village Hall on March 7.

Expired registration Nathaniel A. Dantone, 21, of Oak Lawn, was issued a local adjudication citation for expired registration following a traffic stop at 4:51 p.m. Feb. 1, in the 9500 block of West 131st Street. Police said he was also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia because a pipe with cannabis residue was found in the car. He is due at a hearing in village hall on March 7.

POLICE BLOTTER: PALOS HEIGHTS Photo by Anthony Caciopo

Community Service Officer Jeff ey Heffernan accepts a Lifesaver Award from Palos Heights Mayor Bob Straz during recognition Feb. 6 at the City Council meeting.

At far left, applauding Heffernan’s actions, is Ald. Alan Fulkerson of the 3rd Ward.

Candidates to showcase Arab American breakfast event More than a dozen Democratic candidates vying for contested races in the March 20 Illinois primary election have confirmed their appearances at the annual Candidate’s Breakfast hosted by the state’s largest Arab American political organization.

The Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) will host candidates running for a wide range of offices from congress to governor at the breakfast to be held Sunday, Feb. 18 beginning at 10 a.m. at Niko’s Banquets, 7600 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview.

AADC Executive Director Samir Khalil said that Arab American voting is expected to reach its highest level of involvement in the election. According to Khalil, more than 550 people have confirmed their attendance for the breakfast banquet.

“Arab Americans are an important voting block but in the past they have been taken for granted,”

3

Khalil said.

“That has changed. Over the last few years, more and more Arab Americans have registered to vote and are expressing their preferences in local elections,” he said.

Khalil said that the majority of Arabs in the Chicagoland area are Democratic, noting some do vote Republican.

“The Arab American Democratic Club is the strongest and most active voice of Chicagoland’s Arab American voters. This year, through candidate’s forums we hosted in which all of the candidates were invited to speak to our community, the community has come together to make several key endorsements in the upcoming election,” Khalil said.

“The AADC has enthusiastically endorsed Christopher Kennedy for governor. We invited all of the candidates to speak to us but Kennedy’s platform, his expres-

sion of concern for the interests of Arab Americans, has resonated with our community,” said Khalil.

Khalil said the group approached all of the candidates but only J.B. Pritzker declined to appear before the group.

“We wanted to address our concerns, as we did with Kennedy and others but Pritzker refused,” Khalil said.

“We understand. But we believe that Kennedy’s commitment to support for the rights of Arab Americans moving forward is critical. And, his promise to keep his door open to our community to discuss all of our concerns is something that is extremely important to our community,” he said.

There are approximately 450,000 Arab Americans living in the six-county Chicagoland region with an estimated 80,000 Arab Americans who are registered to vote in Cook County, mainly in the greater southwest suburbs.

Among candidates confirmed to attend the AADC Candidate Brunch are: Christopher Kennedy (Illinois governor), Patrick Quinn (Illinois attorney general), Jesus Garcia (4th congressional district), Congressman Dan Lipinski (3rd congressional district), Congressman Danny Davis (7th congressional district), Marie Newman (3rd congressional district) and Debra Shore (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District).

Also attending will be several judges and candidates for judicial office.

The keynote speaker of the event is Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute and a longtime Democratic Party activist, delegate and presidential adviser. Detroit comedian Amer Zahr will entertain. Closing remarks will be present by newspaper political columnist and former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania.

DUI Joshua A. Reyna, 24, of Palos Heights, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after police said he drove his vehicle into a ditch at 1:04 a.m.

Saturday, in the 6700 block of West 127th Street. Police said he registered above the legal limit of .08 blood-alcohol count on a breath test. He is due in court on March 15.

Stanislaw B. Jarzabek, 39, of Chicago, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol at 7:42 p.m. Saturday, in the 6400 block of Route 83. Police said he was also cited for driving with a revoked license, no insurance, and improper lane usage. He is due in court on Feb. 28.

Suspended license Yunus M. Hussein, 22, of Bridgeview, was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 4:30 p.m. Feb.

11, in the 12600 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he was also cited for driving without insurance and having expired registration. He is due in court on Feb. 28.

Christina Raptis, 18, of Orland Hills, was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 9:45 a.m. Monday, in the 12400 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said she was also cited for improper lane usage.

She is due in court on Feb. 28.

Public intoxication Pedro Balderas, 41, of Palos Park, was issued a local ordinance violation for public intoxication following an incident in the 12800 block of South Harlem Avenue at 10:39 a.m. Monday. Police said he was visibly intoxicated and took two bottles of liquor from Jewel-Osco. The bottles were recovered when he was stopped outside, police said. He is due at a hearing in City Hall on March 15.

OPINION

4 Thursday, February 15, 2018

The Regional News

Numbers are not good for Rauner A recent statewide poll taken for Sen. Daniel Biss’ gubernatorial campaign showed Gov. Bruce Rauner is much less liked by Illinois voters than his fellow Republican, President Donald Trump.

The poll also found that the under-funded Democrat Biss actually does slightly better in a head-to-head match with Gov. Rauner than does the presumed frontrunner, billionaire JB Pritzker.

The Public Policy Polling survey does have one problematic issue, so let’s get to that right up front. Some 76 percent of respondents were reached on landline phones (that’s too high for polls these days because so many people only use mobile phones) while 24 percent were “interviewed over the internet.” But this problem doesn’t totally disqualify it, so let’s go ahead and talk about it.

According to the poll, 37 percent of Illinois voters have a favorable opinion of President Trump and 58 percent gave him an unfavorable rating while five percent were unsure. That seems about the expected number, considering national polls. The poll of 866 Illinois voters Feb. 5-6 and has a margin of error of 3.3 percent.

What is somewhat unexpected is only 26 percent of Illinoisans have a favorable impression of Gov. Rauner, while a whopping 63 percent have an unfavorable view of the state leader.

Whew.

That’s just spectacularly lousy for a governor who isn’t under criminal investigation.

Rauner is forging ahead with his reelection campaign by dumping a fortune into TV ads slamming JB Pritzker by tying him to convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Combine that with Biss’ own TV ads attacking Pritzker and it might be no surprise that Pritzker’s favorable rating is also “upside down.”

According to the poll, just 33 percent of Illinoisans have a favorable view of Pritzker while a plurality of 42 percent has an unfavorable view of the man. A quarter of voters were still unsure, but yikes, man. The dude has spent more than $40 million on his campaign, so you’d think he’d be doing better. But fewer Illinoisans have a favorable opinion of Pritzker than… President Trump.

OK, he’s not nearly as disliked as Trump, but still.

The Biss campaign didn’t release its candidate’s own favorable ratings or any data on the other top tier contender, Chris Kennedy. But its poll found Biss leading Gov. Rauner 47-30 in a headto-head matchup, with 23 percent saying they were unsure.

Pritzker also led Rauner, but by slightly less than Biss’ 17-point margin. According to the poll, Pritzker is ahead of Rauner by 13 points, 48-35, with 17 percent unsure.

Whether 13 points or 17 points, a win is a win. But there are growing concerns among Democrats that Rauner’s ads will continue to deflate Pritzker’s numbers through November. Then again, Biss doesn’t have Pritzker’s billionaire cash; and aside from Pritzker’s 15-second ads targeting him, nobody has yet “put him on blast,” as the kids say, so we don’t know how he’d survive an all-out assault like the one Pritzker is enduring.

Pritzker’s favorable rating among his fellow Democrats was a somewhat tepid 52 percent, while his unfavorable rating was 22 percent and 26 percent are undecided, despite the fact that the guy has spent tens of millions over many months to woo those particular voters. Racial crosstabs were not released.

“This confirms what we’ve known all along: voters prefer a middle-class governor in Daniel Biss rather than having to choose between billionaires Pritzker and Rauner,” said Biss campaign manager Abby Witt via press release. “Despite Pritzker outspending Daniel 20-to-1 on TV ads, Daniel continues to build momentum and is the strongest candidate to beat Bruce Rauner.”

The poll found that Rauner’s favorability rating among Republicans is much narrower than a poll released last month, which might be good news for his primary opponent, State Rep. Jeanne Ives.

A poll taken by We Ask America in mid-January had Rauner’s favorables at 65 percent and his unfavorables at 25 percent. But the new PPP poll found that just 49 percent of Republicans now have a favorable view of Rauner versus 43 percent with an unfavorable view. That’s far less than President Trump’s score of 73 percent favorable among Republican voters and a mere 19 percent unfavorable.

Among voters who said they voted for President Trump, the new PPP found that 92 percent still view him favorably, while just four percent have an unfavorable view of the president. Among those same Trump voters, however, 54 percent view Gov. Rauner favorably, while 36 view Rauner unfavorably and nine percent say they’re unsure. That’s obviously not a great sign.

Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.

RICH MILLER

Snow isn’t only thing making the week rough We had a lot of snow this past week. So what? This is the Midwest, Chicagoland.

We can handle snow.

What’s worse than the snow, lately, is politics.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has been slamming J.B. Pritzker with campaign ads featuring FBI wire-tapped conversations he had with now-jailed Gov. Rod Blagojevich in which Pritzker said many unflattering things about African Americans. Pritzker’s words are undermining his campaign for governor in the March 20 Democratic primary.

I figured Rauner believes Pritzker is the stronger of the two leading Democratic candidates he will face November 8, over Christopher Kennedy. So, the thinking goes, Rauner is trying to hurt Pritzker now rather than saving the ads for the November 8 general election.

But that only contributes to the mounting evidence that Rauner is not very bright when it comes to politics. The real threat is Kennedy, who I think is going to beat Pritzker. Some pundits assert the “Kennedy” name means nothing, but to seniors and baby boomers — the largest voting bloc in primary elections — the Kennedy name means everything.

Rauner should have left Pritzker alone, slamming him only if he beats Kennedy on March 20. If Rauner faces-off with Kennedy, Kennedy is going to win, despite some of the far leftwing extremists who are dragging his candidacy down.

There is nothing to think about in the race for Cook County Board President.

Toni Preckwinkle’s sweetened beverage tax was so repulsive to county residents that her strongest backers flipped on her faster

RAY HANANIA than hamburger patties on a Smashburger grill.

Preckwinkle had to break a tie to get the repulsive one-cent per-ounce tax on soda and other sweetened beverages with only eight commissioners on her side. Seven of those commissioners got so much backlash from constituents, their support of Preckwinkle’s tax didn’t last a month after it started.

Constituents in the districts of her supporters began pounding their elected officials, not just on the Cook County Board but in almost every office. It made it easy for Preckwinkle’s arch-foe Republican County Commissioner Sean Morrison (17th District) to put together 16 votes to repeal it.

Preckwinkle is being challenged by former Chicago Alderman Bob Fioretti, who ran against Mayor Rahm Emanuel four years ago. Had Fioretti won the backing of the anti-Emanuel groups then, rather than Jesus Garcia — who seems to be a candidate never satisfied with the elected office he holds — Fioretti would have beaten Emanuel.

Fioretti has a strong chance of unseating Preckwinkle on March 20 because the pain of the oppressive sweetened beverage tax is still so fresh and raw.

Finally, back to the nauseating drum beat of the anti-Trump haters. Everything that President Donald Trump is attacked for, his predecessors did, too, but no one says anything about that.

Who led the fight against illegal immigration before Trump? Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Yet they look like they were saviors to the illegal immigration movement.

It’s the same with sexual harassment accusations. Hollywood Actress Barbra Streisand this week attacked Trump, claiming he doesn’t defend women who have been sexually harassed by men. Trump argued accusations should not decide anyone’s fate. Everyone should be considered innocent until proven guilty. Proven guilty in court, not by the biased mainstream news media, or the “Fake News” as Trump accurately calls it.

I didn’t hear Streisand or any of the Democratic women who lashed out at Trump this week mention the name of Juanita Broaddrick, who was raped by Bill Clinton. He faced no consequences for it. In fact, Broaddrick, a rape victim, is chastised by the same women who are attacking Trump.

Broaddrick published a new book this week, “You’d Better Put Some Ice On It,” the last words Clinton supposedly said after allegedly raping Broaddrick, who was bleeding from her lip.

And you think snow is the problem?

Ray Hanania is an award winning columnist, author and former Chicago City Hall reporter. Email him through his website at www.TheDailyHookah.com.

READERS WRITE Silence over Trustee Brannigan’s remarks may harm us all

The following is Pastor Martin Niemoller’s famous quote about the silence that accompanied the persecution of the Jews by the Nazi regime prior to, and during, World War II. Neimoller’s statement reads, in full: “First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—BeOwned and operated by Southwest Regional Publishing Co. cause I was not a Jew. Mark Hornung, Chief Operating Officer Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak The Business Side The News Side for me.”

Donna Brown, Sales Director Anthony Caciopo, Editor My letter is a personMonica Cotter, Finance Director Dermot Connolly, Reporter al response to the ongoing Mike Russell, Production Director Jeff Vorva, Sports Editor Bonnie Hesik, Pre-press Manager Lauren Ziemann, Art Director controversy surrounding Palos Chuck Ingwersen, Designer Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan’s openly IslamophoSouthwest Regional Publishing bic Facebook posts regarding, 12243 S. Harlem Ave. in her words, the large number Palos Heights, IL 60463 of illegal Muslim immigrants Phone: (708) 448-4000 flooding into Palos Township Fax: (708) 448-4012 schools.

Website: www.theregionalnews.com These comments were framed email: TheRegional@comcast.net

by Brannigan and some of her supporters as an exercise in free Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. speech, but this type of speech Deadlines is designed solely to promote Editorial: Noon, Saturday • Advertising: 5 p.m., Monday division and fear. Brannigan Subscription rates: Local, delivered by mail, $49 a year in advance. Out-of-State, $58 posted it on Facebook to ensure a year. Single copies, $1. Postmaster: Send address changes to THE REGIONAL NEWS, that many would read it and 12243 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights, IL 60463 and additional post offices. understand her position. One The Regional News cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material. USPS media opinion piece even went 419-260 Periodical postage paid at Palos Heights, IL 60463 and additional post offices. so far as to claim, with no hint Entered as periodical mail at the Post Office at Palos Heights, IL, 60643 and of irony, that Brannigan was additional post offices under the Act of March 3, 1879. the actual victim here of being bullied by the very people she © Entire contents copyright 2015 Southwest Regional Publishing had attacked.

Th s newspaper is dedicated to the memory of After her comments caused those who gave their lives to protect America’s an uproar in the community, freedom of the press, whenever and however it she refused to retract them or may be threatened. to even admit that her claims

were totally untrue. Instead, she issued a vague statement claiming to regret that her words caused a controversy. A classic non-apologetic apology.

And since the initial Facebook post, the Palos Township Board of Trustees meetings have been the (scene) of numerous protests and citizen complaints. In the face of these protests, Brannigan has refused to step down, and the Township Board, by their complete refusal to take action against her, has essentially shown both implicit support for Brannigan and an unspoken endorsement of her brand of hatred.

One thing that has not so far been noted in all of the coverage of this matter is that Brannigan’s Islamophobia echoes numerous earlier episodes of Muslim hatred that occurred in Palos Township in the not too distant past.

In 2000, there was much controversy when it was proposed to put a mosque in a vacant building in Palos Heights. Many local residents opposed putting a mosque in that vacant building, claiming that a mosque would alter the essentially residential nature of the neighborhood and cause local traffic and noise issues.

It is ironic because a Christian church had previously occupied that building.

In 2004, there was a similar outcry when it was proposed to build a mosque in Frankfort.

The same issues were raised, the same fears appealed to, but the mosque was built and the objections were subsequently revealed to have been groundless.

In 2016 there was again a controversy, in Palos Park this time, when it was proposed to locate a mosque in a vacant

building. The same objections were raised in Palos Park as were earlier raised in Palos Heights. Again, in a second, truly massive dose of irony, the vacant building in question was previously a Christian church.

On a personal note, I am a 44-year union activist and a member of Southsiders for Peace, a social justice group. Some might ask why I even write about these issues.

To those people, I refer back to the initial Niemoller quote, and the philosophy behind it.

We are all linked as Americans. What hurts my Muslim brothers and sisters hurts me, and hurts all of us, because injustice and hatred must be acknowledged and opposed no matter what group is the current target of the hatred. If we do not protest this type of hateful conduct, it will become normalized by our own inaction. We do not have the option of keeping silent if we claim to believe in liberty and justice for all.

We must choose a side in this and I am confident that the majority of American citizens will agree that this type of conduct is unacceptable, and is in stark contrast to the closing words of the Pledge of Allegiance, which talks of “liberty and justice for all.”

Bill Beaulieu Oak Lawn

Palos communities step up to fight cancer in kids and teens 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 the Treasure Chest. During this past December, one local church, one business, several organizations and families 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 13,000 children and teens monthly at 52 children’s cancer treatment centers in 19 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: Chicago Horned Frogs Hockey, St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church and Toastmasters Club, all located in Palos Heights; Lux 131 Salon, O’Malley and Bochniak Family Toy Drive and Sterling Family Toy Drive; all located 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. For more information about the work we do, please visit treasurechest.org or call (708) 687-TOYS (8697).

Sincerely and with gratitude, Colleen M. Kisel Founder and CEO Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation Orland Park

BUSINESS

The Regional News

COMINGS & GOINGS

Thursday, February 15, 2018

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Photo by Bob Bong

Buona Beef will open Feb. 28 at its latest location in Flossmoor.

Buona Beef to open in Flossmoor Berwyn-based Buona Beef will open its latest location later this month in an outlot next to the Meier supermarket in Flossmoor.

Buona announced that it will open its 22nd location on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 19801 S. Crawford Ave. To celebrate, family owned Buona will give a free Italian beef sandwich to anyone who is in line at the Crawford Avenue location before 10 a.m. on Feb. 28.

In addition, more than 1,500 prizes will be given away from opening day through the weekend, including free Italian beef for a year.

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, the restaurant will host a beef-eating contest that will pit athletes from Homewood-Flossmoor High School against each other to win a catered party.

“We’re thrilled to join the Flossmoor community,” second-generation owner, Joe Buonavolanto Jr. said in a release. “We think its residents will enjoy our family’s flavorful Italian beef. We make it ‘old school,’ spiced just right and free of additives and preservatives.”

Buona will also donate the food from 12 training sessions the week prior to the opening to South Suburban Family Services for local families in need.

The fast-casual chain serves old-school Chicago classics, including their signature Italian beef, Italian sausage, beef and sausage combo, meatball and pepper and egg sandwiches, alongside pizzas, salads and more. The menu also features Chicago-style hot dogs and seasonal shakes, sandwiches and other items.

The new restaurant offers dinein, carry out and delivery services.

The restaurant also offers catering services that include ready-made sandwiches, heat-and-eat options and platters of Italian favorites such as mostaccioli and lemon chicken.

The new restaurant will seat 130 people year-round with additional outdoor seating in the warmer months.

Founder Joe Buonavolanto Sr. took a second mortgage on his home in order to open the company’s first restaurant in Berwyn in 1981. Today, Buona is the official Italian Beef of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox, and is proudly served at Wrigley and Guaranteed Rate fields, as well as at all home Chicago Bears football games.

Hours will be daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For information, call 708-9917300. You can visit them at Buona. com and at Buona-Flossmoor on Facebook.

County gives tax incentives to three businesses Cook County Commissioners recently approved proposals from

BOB BONG President Toni Preckwinkle’s Bureau of Economic Development that will provide tax incentives to three south suburban businesses.

The incentives, which will either create new or save existing jobs, were approved for two businesses in Bridgeview and one in Dolton.

The incentives should support the creation of an estimated five new private sector full-time jobs, retain an estimated 87 full-time jobs and support 30 construction jobs.

PRH Trucking Inc., 8711 S. 77th Avenue in Bridgeview, a full-service trucking/cross docking/short-term warehouse operation, received a Class 6b incentive.

The company is expanding and relocating to the subject property it will own.

The project will create three fulltime jobs, retain 40 full-time jobs and support 10 construction jobs.

Rex Carton, 7400 Richards in Bridgeview, also received a Class 6b incentive. The company plans to lease the property for its facility.

Rex is one of the largest corrugated cardboard converter companies in the Chicagoland area.

The project is expected to retain 36 full-time jobs and support 10 construction jobs.

Sibley Animal Hospital, 15022 Lincoln Ave. in Dolton, received a Class 8 incentive. The hospital will be relocating and expanding and opening the Dolton Stray Animal Program.

The project will create two full-time jobs, retain 11 jobs and support 10 construction jobs.

May’s Lounge opens in Hickory Hills May’s Lounge defied the storm last Friday to hold the grand opening of its fourth video gaming location at 7612 W. 95th St. in Hickory Hills. The lounge opened in January.

May’s serves gourmet tapasstyle dishes along with craft beer from local breweries, organic wine from family owned wineries and small batch coffees.

Hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Saturday and from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.

Other locations are in Lake Zurich, Niles and Berwyn. Additional locations are planned for Burbank, Carpentersville, Streamwood, Wheeling, Elgin and Oswego.

For information on May’s in Hickory Hills, call 708-529-0131.

The Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly membership meeting from 7:45 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 at Bridge Teen Center, 15555 S. 71st Court, Orland Park.

For details, call the chamber office at (708) 349-2972.

Palos Area Chamber welcomes Earth Mineral Art Gallery A ribbon-cutting and wine reception will be held at 5 p.m. Feb. 22 at the recently opened Earth Mineral Art Gallery inside Noral Jewelers, 12227 S. Harlem Ave.,

Palos Heights.

The gallery was featured in The Regional News on Dec. 7, 2017 as part of a pre-grand opening artists’ reception. Wearable art, functional art and art strictly for display, all made of minerals in many stunning colors, shapes and textures are available for sale at Earth.

The Palos Area Chamber of Commerce event on Feb. 22 will run from 4 to 8 p.m. and will include the chamber’s regular Business After Hours mixer. All are welcome to attend.

More information about the event and the gallery can be obtained by calling Noral Jewelers at (708) 361-0700.

Matthew Van Howe Edward Jones

financial advisor who can help you identify and quantify your goals, define your risk tolerance, and track changes in your family situation — and who can then use this information to help guide the investment manager’s choices.

Beyond this basic structure, managed accounts can vary greatly in terms of administration, reporting, fees and minimum balance.

So, assuming you meet the requirements for a managed account, should you consider one?

There’s really no one right answer for everyone. But three factors to consider are cost, control and confidence.

• Cost – Different managed accounts may have different pay-

ment arrangements. However, it’s common for a money manger to be paid based on a percentage of assets under management. So, if your manager’s fee is 1% and your portfolio contains $100,000, the manager earns $1,000 per year, but if the value of your portfolio rises to $200,000, the manager earns $2,000. Because the manager has a personal stake in the portfolio’s success, this arrangement could work to your advantage. Be aware, though, that other fees may be associated with your account.

• Control – With any managed account, you will give up some, or perhaps all, of your power to make buy-and-sell decisions. If you have built a large portfolio, and you’re busy with work and family, you may like the idea of delegating these decisions. And, as mentioned above, you can still oversee the “big picture” by either working through a financial advisor or, at the least, having your goals, risk tolerance and investment preferences dictate a

money manager’s decisions. But you will have to decide for yourself how comfortable you are in ceding control of your portfolio’s day-to-day transactions.

• Confidence – It’s essential that you feel confident in a managed account’s ability to help you meet your goals. And the various elements of a managed account may well give you that assurance. For example, some managed accounts include automatic rebalancing of assets, which, among other things, can help you achieve tax efficiency. Other features of a managed account — such as the experience and track record of the manager — also may bolster your confidence.

Ultimately, you’ll need to weigh all factors before deciding whether a managed account is right for you. In any case, it’s an option worth considering.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Deadline extended to apply for senior tax exemptions Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios has extended the deadline for the Senior Citizen Exemption and Senior Freeze Exemption renewal applications and new applications for Tax Year 2017.

The extended application deadline is March 2, 2018. Any application postmarked by Friday, March 2 will be on time. The original deadline was February 7.

More than 270,000 applications were mailed in early January to seniors who received the exemptions last year. The Senior Exemption application is part of a booklet that also contains the separate, income-based Senior Freeze Exemption application.

Assessor Berrios conceived and helped pass legislation increasing savings from all exemptions, said his office in a news release.

The legislation became law for Tax Year 2017.

Tax Year 2017 taxes are billed and mailed in 2018. Savings appear as deductions on second-installment property tax bills which will be issued this summer.

The assessor has again stressed the importance of returning the applications in a timely manner.

“I extended the deadline so all seniors have extra time to return their applications to ensure they

receive the expanded exemption savings this year,” Berrios said.

“It is also important to remember that under Illinois law, seniors are required to reapply annually for both the Senior and Senior Freeze Exemptions.”

To qualify for the Senior Citizen Exemption for Tax Year 2017, the property owner must have: • been born prior to or in the year 1952 • owned the property, or have had a lease or contract which makes them responsible for the real estate taxes, and • used the property as a principal place of residence.

The new law will increase savings this year for the Senior Exemption from $5,000 to $8,000 in Equalized Assessed Value (EAV), said Berrios. It is important to note that the exemption amount is not the dollar amount by which a tax bill is reduced.

EAV is the partial value of a property to which tax rates are applied; it is this figure on which a tax bill is calculated. The Assessor does not set tax rates.

The savings for a Senior Citizen Exemption is calculated by multiplying the exemption savings of 8,000 by the local tax rate. ​To qualify for the Senior

Freeze Exemption for Tax Year 2017, taxpayers must have: • been born prior to or in the year 1952 • have had a total household income of $65,000 or less for [income] Tax Year 2016 • owned the property or had a legal, equitable or leasehold interest in the property on January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017, • used the property as a principal place of residence as of January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017, and • been responsible for the payment of 2016 and 2017 property taxes.

The new law expands eligibility by increasing allowable total household income to $65,000, from the previous limit of $55,000. There is also a new minimum $2,000 EAV deduction for the Senior Freeze, which will help offset increases in assessed value and help ensure that more seniors benefit from the Senior Exemption.

“If you don’t qualify for the Senior Freeze Exemption because you exceed the income level, this does not mean you will not be eligible for the Senior Exemption,” Berrios said.

“The Senior Exemption has no income restrictions and I’m concerned that seniors might discard

the entire booklet and not receive the Senior Exemption savings to which they are entitled,” he said.

Seniors receiving the Senior Citizen Exemption automatically receive the Homeowner Exemption. Seniors receiving the Senior Freeze Exemption automatically receive both the Homeowner and Senior Citizen Exemptions.

Eligible seniors, who have never applied for the Senior and/or Senior Freeze Exemptions in the past, may visit the Assessor’s web site at www.cookcountyassessor. com and download an application or contact the Assessor’s Office at (312) 443-7550 and request a form be mailed.

Applications for the Homeowner Exemption and additional exemptions administered by the Assessor’s Office will also be made available online.

“One of the top concerns I hear through our Community Outreach Program is that seniors are struggling to make ends meet,” Berrios said. “I will continue to work for greater tax relief for seniors to ensure they can stay in their homes without worrying about the affordability of their property taxes.”

MVCC offers commercial driver’s license program Moraine Valley Community College is launching its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) certification program. The college’s two distinct offerings, CDL Basic and CDL Plus, are being offered in partnership with Professional Truck Driving School.

CDL Basic is a nine-week program that provides standard CDL training and certification. The cost is $4,100. The 12-week CDL Plus program, which costs $4,600, includes the CDL Basic content as

well as tanker, hazardous material and double/triple endorsements.

CDL Basic and CDL Plus classes start every month.

Unique to Moraine Valley’s CDL program is the inclusion of an eight-hour supply chain industry overview that highlights the basic principles of transportation, logistics and supply chain management.

Upon completion, students will understand the role transportation plays in economic vitality and have a better understanding of supply

chain and distribution processes.

“Obtaining a commercial driver’s license opens the door to a career in the supply chain field,” said Steve Pappageorge, executive director of Corporate, Community and Continuing Education at Moraine Valley. “There is an acute nationwide shortage of drivers.

Transportation companies are offering sign-on incentives and highly competitive compensation plans to attract quality individuals. Area companies have immediate hiring

needs, and Moraine Valley can train people to fill them.”

Persons considering a career in the truck driving industry can learn more about Moraine Valley’s CDL programs at open houses at 6 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 22 and Thursday, March 15 in Building M, Room M201 at the college’s main campus, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.

More information is available at morainevalley.edu/cdl or by calling (708) 974-5735.

Smith Crossing sets workshop on preparing a home for sale

Home-selling season this year features a market offering a sellers’ advantage due to pent up demand, according to Frank Guajardo, executive director of Smith Crossing, a life plan community in Orland Park. But even under ideal conditions, selling a home still involves plenty of preparation.

“Moving a household when you’re in your thirties is chalIf you see a new business in lenging, but for people age 65 or town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

CHAMBER CORNER Orland Chamber will meet

As an investor, you’ll face many decisions over the years.

How much should you invest?

Where should you put your money? When is it time to sell some investments and use the proceeds to buy others? Some people enjoy making these choices themselves — but not everyone. Consequently, the type of investor you are will influence your thinking about whether to open a managed account.

As its name suggests, a managed account — sometimes known as an “advisory” account — essentially is a portfolio of stocks, bonds and other investments chosen by a professional investment manager who makes the buy and sell decisions. Typically, each managed account has an investment objective based on your goals, and you may have some voice in investment choices — for example, you may be able to request that the manager avoid certain investments. Or, you might still work with a personal

more, planning to downsize and getting their homes ready to market can seem like a daunting task,” Guajardo said.

Yet, while Wexler moving may be stressful for people who have lived for decades in the same home,

Mortgage Rates Around the Area

First Midwest Bank (as of February 12)

30-year fi ed 15-year fi ed 30-year fi ed Jumbo

RATES 4.500 3.875 4.240

APR 4.545 3.930 4.295

POINTS 0 0 0

30-year fi ed 15-year fi ed 10-year fi ed

RATES 4.500 3.990 3.990

APR 4.521 4.027 4.043

POINTS 0 0 0

30-year fi ed 20-year fi ed 15-year fi ed

RATES 4.250 4.000 3.625

APR 4.366 4.158 3.826

POINTS 0 0 0

30-year fi ed 20-year fi ed 15-year fi ed

RATES 4.5 4.25 3.875

APR 4.585 4.365 4.010

POINTS 0 0 0

United Trust Bank (as of February 12)

Prospect Savings Bank (as of February 13)

CNB Bank & Trust, N.A. (as of February 12)

All rates subject to change daily. Equal opportunity lenders.

the consequences of not moving can be worse, he added. “Many older adults who don’t downsize find themselves living in isolation or in an unsafe home which has become too much of a burden to maintain.”

To make the process of relocating easier for people considering a move to Smith Crossing, Guajardo is hosting a workshop on how to prepare a home for sale. Ron

Wexler, president of The Wexler Group with Keller Williams Preferred Realty of Orland Park, will conduct a free presentation starting at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 at Smith Crossing, 10501 Emilie Lane, Orland Park.

For more information, contact Carol Hausmann at (708) 3262300.

Residential Loans Made Easy Financing the home of your dreams should be a pain-free process. We’re here to walk you through every step!

We offer the following programs for residential mortgages: • Fixed Rate Loans • Adjustable Rate Loans

• Balloon Loans • Interest Only Loans

Contact John Hyland, President; Kenneth Shapiro; or Robert Hoholik today!

12330 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights, IL 60463 (708) 728-9900 • Fax (708) 728-9270 • UTBHome.com

6 Thursday, February 15, 2018

The Regional News

DEATH NOTICES Ann C. Breitbarth Ann C. Breitbarth (nee Rusthoven), 87, died Feb. 6 at Palos Community Hospital.

Mrs. Breitbarth worked in

farming. She was self-employed.

Mrs. Breithbarth is survived by her daughters, Diane Skistimas, Darlene Steffgen, Debra Santangelo and Donna Souther; brothers, Daniel Rusthoven and Jerry

Rusthoven; three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Services were last Saturday at Colonial Chapel in Orland Park.

Interment took place at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.

PICK OF THE LITTER

Staff keeps clinic open during the big snow JOHN FLEMING DVM • Prairie StateVet.com Dear Readers, I’m sorry I missed all of the snow last week. The snow is one of the things I like about living up north.

We left for Captiva on Saturday and heard from our staff the next day that a big snowstorm had hit.

Like good troopers they shoveled and shoveled and kept the clinic open all week. They saw some really sick pets, God bless ‘em.

I was worried about those young ladies driving into the clinic to do their jobs.

Even as late as the night before we came home we weren’t sure we were going to get there. We saw that many flights into Midway Airport were cancelled. Good fortune was with us and we left on time at 6:15 p.m. The flight was smooth but the landing was hard and fast and the thruster brakes were enormously loud. I told the steward to let the pilot know that Captain Fleming said, “great job on the landing” but I think he didn’t.

This Sunday morning, we did a lot of shoveling.

It was not all fun and games in Florida last week. We had it rough ourselves. Each day we had to decide whether to go the beach or to the pool. The pool was about 85 degrees and gave the optical illusion when looking over the top of the water that it continued as the ocean into the horizon.

We also had to decide each afternoon whether or not to go to The Bean for coffee down the island into Sanibel. Late in the day we faced another hard decision about dinner; was it to be Doc Ford’s or The Green Flash? Randy Wayne Wright is an author who writes about old Florida using Doc Ford as the main character. His books are engaging and I would recommend you start off with “The Heat Islands” and then move on to “The Man Who Invented Florida.”

You will laugh your butt off. After reading the first one Connie said she now understands me better.

Back when Connie and I were in Gainesville in the ‘70s we would sit sometimes on the student green by the Reitz student union building.

Periodically this guy with his guitar would be there playing, trying to draw a small group of listeners. He was just starting his career and he was pretty good. That was Jimmy Buffet.

Adjacent to the green was Lake

An extensive remodeling at Sheehy Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st St. in Orland Park, provides even warmer and more comfortable accommodations for families, loved ones and friends.

Supplied photo

This pelican is in a dive to catch a fish in ine Sound, Florida.

Alice. Dark water, lots of palm trees. The young guys would often walk their dogs there trying to start up a conversation with the girls.

Once in a while one of them would let their dog get too close to the edge of the lake and a gator would snatch ‘em. This was especially true of the smaller dogs. At the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge one evening before sunset Connie and I were walking a trail among the mangroves and spotted a gator that was about 10-feet long.

I explained to her that we couldn’t outrun him and to get up a tree if he came after us. I told her that you can’t stop a gator from closing his jaws but once closed you can hold them closed. The muscles for opening their mouths are very weak. I told her that if he tried to grab her that she should wrap her legs around him and hold his mouth closed until I could get there to help her. Growing up in Florida as a redneck I naturally learned about these things.

While we were down there I came across an article that said that feeding milk to dogs should be prohibited. I don’t know where they got that idea. Maybe they still believe that feeding milk to dogs will give them worms!

Every morning when I get up to get some coffee, being as quiet as a mouse, my dogs, who are pretending to be asleep, instantly appear in the kitchen when they hear the refrigerator door open.

They know they are going to each get a tablespoonful of Half & Half in their bowls. During holidays, they look forward to a squirt of canned whipped cream instead.

I’ve been doing this for 20 years and haven’t killed one yet. Plus, with most meals they get a little dollop of four percent cottage cheese mixed into their food.

Also, while we were down there I was talking to a man whose dog is urinating in the house a lot. His dog is 16 years old and part of the problem may just be senility.

His vet hasn’t done much for him

and the guy puts diapers on the dog. He really loves the dog and has no intention of putting him to sleep for this reason. When I asked if his vet had tried some estrogen replacement therapy (for sloppy bladders) he told me that this option had not been offered.

Old female dogs often get a hormone-responsive incontinence and several therapies can help. The newer veterinary school graduates use Proin, which is the brand name for phenylpropanolamine (the active ingredient in the old weight loss product called Dexatrim). I don’t like the side effects of this drug in dogs and I still reach for pure estrogen replacement tabs or liquid. Proin has to be given twice daily and the estrogen usually works when given once weekly. I hope the guy asks his vet about these options.

We had quite a bit of avocado to eat last week, mostly in salads but also as guacamole. The same article that said that milk is bad for dogs also told dog owners not to give their dog avocados since it will kill them. This “Death by Avocado” rumor may be true for birds but not for dogs and cats.

The pit of an avocado, however, can cause an obstruction in a dog’s intestines which could kill him or her but anyone who throws their dog a whole avocado to eat is a moron. The flesh is fine. It is high in oil, however, and may upset a dog that is prone to pancreatitis.

I hope all of you have a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your cabinet for use when a vet wants to make you dog vomit immediately at home. Also keep the Animal Poison Control number handy on your fridge: 888-426-4435. You will need your credit card to pay for the call. Next week we’ll mention something about marijuana.

be open for a session with caregivers able to ask about sundowning, the disease’s progress and what certain behaviors mean. To reserve a place, call (773) 474-7300.

Light refreshments will be served before the meetings end at 7:30 p.m.

Smith Senior Living, a not-forprofit organization serving older adults, sponsors two life-plan communities. It provides independent living residences and apartments for assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing care.

istration. For details, call (708) 598-2441.

Heart screenings provided by Little Company of Mary Hospital will be offered from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Cholesterol and blood-sugar tests will be available from 8:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 26.

Hearing screenings are set for 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 27.

An arthritis seminar starts at 10 a.m. Feb. 28.

“Only the young can afford to hold on to an old grudge.” --Doc Ford

HEALTH BEAT Caregivers of elderly invited to Smith Crossing Two life-plan communities, Smith Crossing and Smith Village, are inviting caregivers in the area to attend free memory care support groups in March.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, Smith Crossing, 10501 Emilie Lane in Orland Park. will host an open discussion led by social services director Amy Majcina and resident service director Amie Swim.

People who attend are encouraged to ask questions about the onset, diagnosis and care of dementia sufferers. To reserve a seat, call 708-326-2300.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, Smith Village, 2320 W. 113th Place in Chicago, also will have an open topic discussion, according to memory support coordinator Diane Morgan. The floor will

Palos Twp. offers health services Several events sponsored by the Palos Township Health Service are coming up at township headquarters, 10802 S. Roberts Road.

Some of the services are provided for a fee; others are free of charge. All require advance reg-

LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF PALOS PARK PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, IL has scheduled a public hearing on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Kaptur Administrative Center, 8999 W. 123rd St., Palos Park, IL to consider the following: ZBA 2018 - 01: An application has been filed by Indalecio and Patricia Olvera requesting a variance from the requirements of Chapter 1268.02 (f) Side Yards of the Village Code to permit the construction of a new single family residence with a setback of 33.5 feet rather than the required 50 feet from 90th Street on the property commonly known as 8920 W. 125th Street in Palos Park, IL. The site is legally described as follows: LOT 1 IN CHRISTIANO CONSOLIDATION, BEING A PLAT OF CONSOLIDATION OF LOTS 9, 10, 11, AND THE WEST 15 FEET OF LOT 12 IN BLOCK 3 IN MONSON AND COMPANY’S 3RD PALOS PARK SUBDIVISION, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 27, TOWNSHIP 37 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS PIN: 23-27-409-026-0000 All are welcome to review the applications for relief and to send correspondence, attend the public hearing, submit evidence, and testify at the public hearing. For further information, please contact the Community Development Director, Lauren Pruss at 708-671-3731 or lpruss@palospark.org.

Respectfully submitted by: Marie Arrigoni, Village Clerk

Robert J. Sheehy and Sons Funeral Home: over 100 years of experience in third generation Submitted by Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home The Sheehy family has been providing a “Century of Service” caring for families in their time of need. Bob and Jim (only decedents that own and operate a funeral home) continue the tradition that was started in a storefront at 76th and Halsted by their Grandfather, Roger Sheehy. Little did the founder know it would be the first of six funeral homes owned and operated by his sons Roger, Jack, Bob, and grandsons Bob and Jim. Currently there are five licensed Funeral Directors at Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home. Along with Bob and Jim are Bill Kiley, John Sullivan and Mike LaRocque. Collectively, they have 86 years of experience in the industry.

We instruct our Funeral Directors to understand when a family suffers a loss it may be the most difficult time to endure in their lifetime. Our job is to make sure each family has the opportunity to grieve properly and not have to worry about the details they have entrusted us to carry out.

We stress the importance of being a good listener; each family will have different emotions when it comes time for the arrangement.

A good Funeral Director has to recognize this and adjust accordingly. Some families want to take their time and discuss every detail, others are more direct and want to move along, and our job is to be prepared to answer each question and deliver on all requests. We want our Directors to treat each family as if it was their own, to go out of their way to make this difficult time easier to manage.

There are many factors that come into play when a family decides which funeral home they will select: reputation, service, location, cost, and facilities to name a few. Families are concerned with costs, which is why we provide many options. One-day viewing, morning-only visitation, off-site visitation, and cremations with memorial services are just a few options to consider. It is not important to us what type of funeral a family chooses; what is imperative is value received. Families often acknowledge their appreciation with unsolicited letters and cards, and most contain the same comments; care, compassion and attention to detail.

In every industry, change is a constant, and the funeral industry is no different. Technology has empowered people with knowl-

LEGAL NOTICE

edge that wasn’t readily available years ago. For the consumer, the internet is a valuable tool but not all the information and options are provided. The funeral director has a responsibility to decipher the information so each family will select the items that fit their needs. Costs for funeral homes continue to go up just as in any other industry. It is our responsibility to control costs, provide affordable options, and continue to maintain the quality of service.

As owners, our goal is to provide a comfortable setting, much like a home. Over the past eight months, we have done a complete redecorating including new furnishings, painting, carpeting and amenities in order to provide a contemporary setting in which families can be comfortable and proud. Updating the décor and the technology in our locations along with the quality of service are just two examples which provide added value.

Electronic Kiosks for registering visitors is a new feature which is very popular. After the visitation, the family is provided

a register book with typed names and addresses. Also, thank-you envelopes are self-addressed which make this process easier for the family when sending out acknowledgements. At no cost to the family we produce a DVD comprised of pictures highlighting the deceased’s most treasured moments.

This DVD becomes a keepsake for the family to be viewed at any time in the future. A flat-screen TV is prominently displayed when visitors enter the funeral home. A photo of the deceased is easily seen along with the information for chapel location and service information.

On average, less than 13% of businesses make it to the third generation. We know how fortunate we are to be able to continue this proud tradition. We are committed to honor the memory of our Father, Grandfather, and Uncles by continuing to serve each family with class, compassion, and care which has been a trademark of the “Sheehy” name for 105 years.

The Regional News

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Palos Park couple will renew vows marking 32nd anniversary Patricia and Michael Bailey will renew their marriage commitment this coming Sunday, Feb. 18 in the Wayside Chapel at The Center, 12700 Southwest Hwy. in Palos Park.

The Baileys, who reside in Palos Park, met in 1985 at the former Stuart Anderson’s Cattle Company restaurant in Chicago Ridge, now the site of a Chik-fil-A. Patricia, or Patt as many know her, is a freelance contributor to The Regional News and she penned a heartfelt recollection of how they met and a glimpse back at their lives together.

“Michael was the only guy dancing in a suit, and he was dancing by himself,” she said of that first meeting at the restaurant.

“I was with a group of friends and I asked Michael to dance. We danced that night for three hours.”

Patt and Michael met two days later for a drink “and the rest is history,” she said. A year later, in 1986, it was the second marriage for each of these two Geminis.

“Michael had been married to a Pat and my first husband married a Pat after we got divorced,” said Patt.

“That’s lots of Pats,” she said with a smile.

Michael and Patricia were married at the Como Inn in Chicago and their parents stood up for them.

“When the reception was over, everyone stepped outside into a blizzard,” she said. “And that place is gone, too.”

Raised on the South Side of Chicago, the Baileys lived in the Beverly neighborhood for nine months following their marriage and moved into their Palos Park home in November, 1986.

“Our home was built the year I was born,” said Patt. “An omen?

We were the second residents. Dr. Valentine and his wife were the first owners. Zay Smith was the architect.”

Michael and Patt do not have any children, but when they moved into their Palos Park home, she said, they had some occasional mice.

“This prompted Michael to tell me that we should get a cat or two,” she said.

Their first two cats were Anna and Gudrun from an auto shop

Patricia and Michael Bailey

in Beverly followed by Nadja, a cat that Patricia rescued from Hackney’s parking lot. All were calicos. Nadja was also a Manx, short tail.

Those cats were followed by Nia, Christian and Satine. This trio was all from Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge. Today, Michael and Patt share their home with their cats, Violet and Sedona—sometimes called Mr. Sedona due to a case of mistaken gender upon adoption.

Sedona was pictured in his loving owner’s arms on the front page of the Feb. 1, 2018 edition of The Regional News.

The couple got into gardening when they were already in the house for eight years.

“We were talked into being on the Palos Park Garden Walk,” Patt recalled. In 1998, they joined the Palos Heights Garden Club and Patricia became an officer.

“That’s when we really started getting into hostas,” she said. Michael and Patt have purchased almost 300 varieties of hostas and she keeps an updated hosta list that is also in the glove box of her car.

The Baileys have also held garden walks for the Palos Heights Garden Club and the Northern

Illinois Hosta Society.

Michael decided to get back to his musical roots and take up the bass guitar and upright bass. He is currently in the Chicago Kingsnakes Band and has played throughout Chicagoland and Northern Indiana, as well as at local Palos-area events.

Patricia retired from the Chicago Board of Education in 2007 and currently works part time at WellBeingMD in Palos Heights for Dr. John Principe. She maintains the websites and Facebook pages for the Palos Heights Woman’s Club and Palos Park Woman’s Club, as well as the Palos Heights Garden Club. She is an accomplished photographer who has contributed many pictures over the years to The Regional News.

Patt and Michael enjoy outdoor entertaining, Qigong, going to gong meditations “and buying way too many books,” she said.

Sunday’s celebration and renewal of marriage commitments will begin at 4:30 p.m. inside the Wayside Chapel with Vespers Service followed by a candlelight dinner at the lodge. Participants will then return to the chapel for the Renewal of Wedding Vows ceremony.

7

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Emperor of Russia 5. Abounding in rocks 11. Increase in speed 14. Music app 15. Not nice 18. Tables (Span.)

19. Decomposes 21. __ student: learns healing 23. Nursemaid 24. Joke-teller 28. Male parent 29. Group of countries (abbr.)

30. “Rambling Rose” actor Lukas 32. Midway between south and southwest 33. Cartoon Network (abbr.)

35. Peacock network 36. Principal ethnic group of China 39. Made of fermented honey and water 41. Exclamation of surprise 42. Evaluates skill or knowledge 44. Stage in ecological succession 46. Ethnic group of SE Asia 47. Not small 49. A cat is one 52. Broken piece 56. French president 58. Artist’s workroom 60. Ability to apply knowledge and skills 62. Visually stunning 63. Ancient region south of Dead Sea DOWN 1. Used to pour beer 2. Con game 3. Skin disorder 4. Communists (slang) 5. Subjects to hostility 6. A major division of geolog-

ical time 7. Hitting statistic (abbr.)

8. British thermal unit 9. Influe tial envoy to Woodrow Wilson 10. Fits on neck of animal 12. Fertile soil 13. Type of battery 16. Khoikhoin peoples 17. Consist of two parts 20. Small group of trees 22. Execute or perform 25. Millihenry 26. 007’s creator 27. Associated with esoteric doctrine 29. Electronic countermeasures 31. Schenectady County Airport 34. No (Scottish)

36. Position of leadership 37. Statement 38. Raccoons belong to this genus 40. One who diagnoses 43. True mosses 45. Blood type 48. Albanian 50. Emergency response notific tion system 51. College reservists 53. Away from wind 54. Tough outer layer 55. Art __, around 1920 57. Born of 58. The greatest of all time 59. Georgia rockers 61. Natural logarithm (Answers on page 8)

SUDOKU

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill eac row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figu e out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

(Answers on page 8)

CLUB ACTIVITIES Toastmasters will compete

Photo by Sue Jankowski

Palos women hear guest speaker discuss hunger, poverty

The guest speaker at the monthly Palos Heights Women’s Club (PHWC) was Beth Gunzel, Community Engagement Coordinator from Heifer International. Heifer International is a charity organization that works to eliminate hunger and poverty. Gunzel explained that one billion people do not have enough food to eat every day. Heifer International focuses on equipping, developing and training small farmers to increase their income.

That, along with education on how to raise and grow livestock, is part of what the organization brings to them, she said. The goal is to reduce hunger and increase income. Dan West, founder of Heifer International, said that people need “more than a cup (of milk), but a cow.” Nancy Mitchel, president of the PHWC; Beth Gunzel of Heifer Internations and Marilyn Herndobbler at a recent club meeting.

Toastmasters of Palos Heights will hold their inaugural International Speech & Table Topics Contest at 6:05 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Ave. At approximately the same time, Toastmasters from 16,400 clubs in more than 142 countries will vie to ultimately compete in the International finals, which will be held this year in Chicago.

Contestants for the International Speech Contest will present a prepared speech that must be thematic in nature (opening, body, and close), not a monologue (series of one-liners).

Table Topics contestants are given a speech topic as they approach the lectern. The contestant must then deliver a two-minute unprepared speech on that topic, ideally with a clear beginning, body and conclusion.

The Palos Heights club’s events take place on first and third Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Palos Heights Public Library.

Guests and prospective members are welcome. For more information, call (708) 480-2112.

Visit Palos Hts. Winter Farmers Market Feb. 17 The Palos Heights Indoor Farmers Market season continues this Saturday, February 17th at the Palos Heights Recreation Department. The market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon in the Orchard Room of the Parks and Recreation Department, 6601 W 127th Street.

The market is offering a wide variety of delicious, fresh-baked bakery items from Rustic Knead Bakery in Lemont, Sweet Pea Gluten Free Bakery, Eating Well and Etalaya’s Exotic Mandel Broit.

Our farmer vendors offer a wide variety of apples and cider, syrup, local honey, garlic, winter root vegetables, including carrots, red, white and sweet potatoes, winter squashes, rutabaga, popcorn and a large variety of jams.

Our other vendors will be selling meats, salmon and other fish, cranberry sauces and healthy Mediterranean bars, organic teas, and healthy olive oils and vinegars. Hot tamales are available at Aracely’s, and delicious hot or

frozen veggie patties and health breakfast bars are available at Eating Well. Beautiful jewelry is available at Rita Schultz’s Day Dreamers Jewelry, or wonderful naturally scented vegan and olive oil soaps make great gifts.

The Palos Heights Library will also be at the market with information of upcoming winter programs and classes for children and adults.

Congratulations to Sharon Speedwell, winner of the January 20th Farmers Market gift certificate raffle! A $5 Farmers Market gift certificate raffle will be held at the end of each market! All attendees are welcome to enter. Canned food items will be accepted for area food panties at all indoor winter markets.

Palos Heights Farmers Market gift certificates will be for sale.

They make great gifts, to help your family and friends eat fantastic healthy farm fresh foods. They are sold for $5 each, and can be used at both the winter and upcoming

summer farmers markets.

LINK cards are accepted at the market. Stop by the City Table to start the process.

Applications for the 2018 Summer Community Tent dates are currently being accepted. Applications will be available at the City Table. In addition, applications can be found at www.palosheights.org under the events section, or by calling 708-361-1800.

The market would like to thank this year’s Palos Heights Farmers Market Sponsors. They include Dr. John Principe, M.D. of WellBeing MD Center for Life; Palos Health; The Private Bank; CNB Bank and Trust; United Trust Bank; City of Palos Heights Mayor Bob Straz; Running for Kicks; Golden Shoes and Camille’s Confections.

Additional information about the market can be found by visiting www.palosheights.org, emailing farmersmarket@palosheights.org, calling (708) 361-1800, or via Facebook on the Palos Heights Farmers Market page.

Swallow Cliff DAR to honor students The Swallow Cliff Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Ave., Palos Heights.

Focus of the meeting is the annual Youth Awards Program to recognize the winners of the DAR Good Citizens contest for outstanding high school students.

The NSDAR is a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to preserving American history, securing America’s future through better education and promoting patriotism.

Membership in the DAR is an opportunity to honor one’s lineage and heritage as a descendant of a patriot of the American Revolution. Prospective members and guests from all south and southwest suburbs are welcome to attend. For further information, email the chapter at swallowcliffdar@gmail.com.

WHATIZIT?

Photo by Joe Boyle

The clue for this week’s Whatizit photo (above) is: On track.

Send your responses with your name and hometown by noon Monday to thereporter@comcast.net.

Last week’s quiz answer what a lesson in history. Ron Wagenhofer, a resident of Palos Park, knew it was the John Humphrey House, located at 9830 W. 144th Place in Orland Park.

The house was the home of Illinois state Sen. John H. Humphrey (1838-1914). A plaque is present in front of the house providing a lot of information about Humphrey, who became active in local politics and served as an Orland Township supervisor, village treasurer, and later as Orland Park’s first mayor. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1880 and 1884. He advanced to the Illinois Senate in 1886, serving until 1910. The house, built in 1881, is the second oldest in Orland Park. It was donated to the Orland Historical Society in 1987 and was placed on the National Register in 2005.

8 Thursday, February 15, 2018

The Regional News

It’s bound to be ‘chili’ in Palos Park Saturday Answers

Sudoku

Puzzle on Page 7

Chili lovers will gather in Palos Park this coming Saturday, Feb. 17 to participate in the village’s annual “It’s Chili in The Park” event at the Recreation Center, 8901 W. 123rd St. More than 100 chili lovers are again anticipated to get together for tastes from 15-20 chili chefs.

Last year’s event drew cooks from as far away as Oxford, Wisconsin and Seymour, Indiana.

The cooks take part to compete for points and prizes that are part of a national competition run by

the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI). Charitable donations are a function of the funds raised by CASI. And the visitors go for…well, the chili.

At last year’s event, which had the added good fortune of 70-degree weather, attendees were lined up to get inside the main room at the rec center where the competition was held.

“People are already here at 12:30 and we try to hold them off until 1:15 (the start of the event)

as best we can,” said Barb Maziarek, Palos Park finance director.

Some visitors to the 2017 event didn’t have the opportunity to make all the rounds because barely more than a half-hour after opening, a few of the chefs had already run out of their wares.

There will be a $5 entry fee for the public. Chili chefs will begin arriving at 7 a.m. and cooking kicks off at 10 a.m. Doors to the public officially open at 1:15 p.m.

Live music will be provided by Dave Gaidas and Mitch Mayer.

Puzzle on Page 7

Magician Gary Kantor will be on hand. The event is sponsored by Republic Bank.

Judges are needed for the competition. Check-in time for judges will be 1:00 p.m. More information on judging procedures, as well as the event in general, can be found at www.palospark.org.

Scroll down to Special Events on the left side of the page and click “It’s Chili In the Park.”

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Richard and Pat Maziarka of Palos Heights pose Tuesday with smiles for a Paczki Day/pre-Valentine’s Day photo at Doughs Guys Bakery, 12248 S. Harlem Ave. Pronounced PONCH-key, the baked Polish treats are a staple of Fat Tuesday, the last day before the start of Lent in the Catholic tradition. Doughs Guys offered 23 varieties for pre-order and walk-up sales. The Maziarkas headed into the bakery with other delicacies in mind and were delighted that paczkis were still available for purchase.

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Offer kindergarten zone in Palos Park The Village of Palos Park Recreation and Parks Department offers an afternoon “kindergarten kids zone” for students attending Palos School District 118’s morning kindergarten classes.

Classes begin the week of Feb. 26 with two- to five-day options, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.

Call (708) 671-3760 for more

information.

The Kids Zone program components include, but are not limited to, large motor skill activities (indoor and out), cultural arts, reading time, group games, free play, nature study and quiet time table activities while instilling the values of friendship, sharing and leadership.

You are invited Join us Thursday, February 22nd from 4-8 p.m.

Palos Heights Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Wine Reception

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SPORTS The Regional News • The Reporter

91-POINT SWING FOR TRINITY CHRISTIAN After losing by 70 points in December, TCC’s women win by 21 over Olivet Nazarene. Page 2

Ken Karrson, Sports Editor • sports@regionalpublishing.com Jeff Vorva, Sports Editor • sports@regionalpublishing.com

SNOW DOESN’T POSTPONE WINNING Oak Lawn takes care of business a day after its boys hoops game was postponed. Page 3

Southwest Section Southwest • Section•2, Page 1 2, Page 1

Thursday, February 15,2015 2018 Thursday, March 5,

Still grappling with history Richards’ Palumbo siblings lead 16 area wrestlers to state meet

By Jeff Vorva

The Palumbos lead a group of 16 area wrestlers to the state meet, which begins today, Thursday, Mia and Rocco Palumbo didn’t and runs through Saturday at the let the pressure of sectional action State Farm Center in Champaign. get in the way of making history. Brother Rice is bringing the bigThe two Richards High gest contingent with four School wrestlers became wrestlers, including secthe second brother/sister tional champions Hassan combo to qualify for Johnson (120 pounds), the Illinois High School STATEMENT Dominic Murphy (160) GAMES Association Individual and Myles Ruffin (285).

Wrestling State Finals Richards coach Nick in the same year when Grabarek said before Mia, a freshman, won the the postseason began 106-pound championship that Mia Palumbo could and Rocco, a sophomore, win a regional, sectional finished second at 145 at the Class and state title, and now she is 2A Hinsdale South Sectional on four matches away from that. She Saturday in Darien. beat three sectional opponents by a Mia also became the first female combined score of 24-0 to improve to win a conference, regional and her record to 28-3. sectional title in the same year.

And she is picking up a bigger She is the second freshman female following with every victory. to qualify for state and is one of “It was crazy with everyone four females to advance this far. cheering for me at the end,” she Caitlyn Chase of Glenbard North said. “People have been supportqualified in 2005 and lost in her ing me throughout.’’ only match at state. Carbondale’s She makes her state debut Ally Ragan qualified in 2007 as a against Springfield’s Kaeden Kifreshman and lost her only state nison (35-9). The other wrestlers match. Dunbar senior Quiovany in the field have records ranging Santos also qualified on Saturday from 42-1 (Crystal Lake South’s by winning the Class 1A Hope Christian Olsen) to 27-16 (St. Academy Sectional at 106 mak- Rita’s Noel Rosales, whom she ing Palumbo and Santos the first beat twice in the postseason). females to ever win a sectional.

Mia said she watched the final Palumbo could become the first See WRESTLING, Page 3 female to win a match at state.

Sports Editor

Above: Richards’ Mia Palumbo, shown tying up Lindblom’s Steven Ross in sectional action on Saturday, is the second female freshman in history to qualify for the IHSA state finals. Right: Richards’ sophomore Rocco Palumbo, battling Rich East’s Jalen Terry at the Class 2A Hinsdale South Sectional, is a part of the second brother/sister duo to qualify for the IHSA state wrestling finals.

AREA WRESTLING STARS HEAD TO CHAMPAIGN A list of state wrestling qualifiers from the area: CLASS 3A Stagg: Domenic Zaccone (120 pounds), Peter Radev (160) and Ahmed Suleiman (170) Sandburg: Pat Nolan (132) and Mike Amedeo (220) Marist: Michael Leveille (106) and Jacob Dado (138)

Photos by Jeff Vorva

CLASS 2A Brother Rice: Hassan Johnson (120)*, Dominic Murphy (160)*, Paul Gliva (170) and Myles Ruffin (285)* Richards: Mia Polumbo (106)*, Rocco Polumbo (145) and Marquis Hall (285) St. Laurence: Mike Archer (113), Mike Rodriguez (126) * — Sectional champion

Thome says Orland Park youth will be ‘one heck of a hitter’

A picture of determination Sandburg gymnast qualifies for state using same layout that caused injury

O

rland Park 10-year-old hand, analyzing the local leftAidan McGovern never handed kid’s swing on national met baseball legend Jim television as a part of the “MLB Thome.

Tonight’’ program.

McGovern’s parents, Tim “My mouth opened in amazeand Jeanine, clothed Aidan in a ment and I was like, ‘Wow,’ ’’ Thome White Sox jersey Aidan said. when he was younger.

The mouth-opening Aidan knew who segment lasted a little Thome was — espemore than a minute. cially on Jan. 24, when “I actually really like the former slugger who this,” Thome said after spent 2006-09 with the watching McGovern’s White Sox, was voted into first cut. “There is rebaseball’s Hall of Fame. ally not much here to But there was never a JEFF VORVA critique.’’ connection between the Making the But Thome did critwo…until Jan. 30. tique. Because, well, McGovern, a fifth grad- Extra Point that’s his job. er at St. Michael School, “I think the one thing was at his grandparents’ house I would be careful is…let’s watch after school. his leg kick,’’ Thome said. “To At about 5:25 p.m. on George me, interestingly, the leg kick is and Barbara Winistorfer‘s big- getting him loaded. But I would screen television set tuned to just smoothen that out just a the MLB Network, there was touch. You don’t have to raise a video of Aidan taking some the leg kick so high.’’ swings at the Bo Jackson Elite Thome, also a lefty, took his Sports dome in Lockport from bat and went into a hitting stance a few days prior. in front of the video screen of And there was Thome in the McGovern swinging away. studio with a black bat in his “The leg kick will actually get

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Supplied photo

Orland Park’s Aidan McGovern, 10, had his swing critiqued by Jim Thome on national television.

you started but the leg kick should actually flow with how you are striding and keep the front part of your foot kind of smooth to the ground,’’ the Hall of Famer said.

Then, Thome’s bat served as See VORVA, Page 2

A Tsukahara layout laid up sophomore gymnast Taylor Talley for a little while.

She tried the more daring move on Jan. 20 during the vault event at York High School and it didn’t work out Photos by Jeff Vorva too well and she spent some time on crutches. Sandburg/Stagg’s Taylor TalThe Sandburg/Stagg ley takes pictures of some coop athlete came of her teammates after the Sectional on Feb. back for Illinois High Sandburg 5. She is heading to state in School Association the vault event this weekend. regional action nine days later at Oswego and hit the vault with a safer pike maneuver and finished second with a 9.350 score.

When it came to the Sandburg STATEMENT GAMES Sectional on Feb. 5, Talley was determined to try that Tsukahara layout on the vault again.

This time she didn’t need crutches after she landed. She nailed it with

Sophomore Sandburg/Stagg gymnast Maddie Giglio performs on the balance beam during sectional action and qualified for state in four events.

a 9.500 to win her first sectional championship and is heading to the state finals, which will be held Friday and Saturday at Palatine High School.

She will be joined by teammate Maddie Giglio, See GYMNASTICS, Page 3

2

Section 2 Thursday, February 15, 2018

The Regional News - The Reporter

FOCUS ON AREA COLLEGES

Big snowfall isn’t all bad for outdoor folks

TCC hangs 91-point swing on Olivet

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

For those who thought they saw it all in sports…

Trinity Christian’s women’s basketball team knocked off NAIA Division II’s 13th-ranked Olivet Nazarene 94-73 in Bourbonnais on Saturday in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference game.

This was the second time the two schools played this season and Olivet whipped the Trolls 118-48 on Dec. 1 in Palos Heights, so this represented a 91-point swing between games.

The Trolls (14-14, 10-8) trailed 43-42 at halftime on Saturday and went on a tear in the second half.

Olivet (19-8, 16-2) averaged 101.8 points per game heading into Saturday’s game and the Trolls held the Tigers to just 30 points in the second half.

Ally Giampapa had 18 points and eight assists to lead TCC while Breanna Toppen and Lauren Stokes each had 17 points.

Moraine Valley Men’s basketball: Sophomore guard Deshawn Wilson put on a show, scoring 42 points, but the former Zion-Benton star’s effort couldn’t put Moraine Valley Community College over the hump

A

in a 75-71 loss to Morton, to snap a seven-game winning streak of Feb. 6.

Wilson added five assists and four steals while Cortez King added 16 points and six rebounds.

The team also signed 6-foot-5 St. Laurence forward Zion Fortune.

“Zion can take smaller guys inside and bring bigger guys outside. He will be a match-up nightmare for other teams,” said Moraine Valley assistant men’s basketball coach Roosevelt Green.

St. Xavier University

Women’s basketball: SXU qualified for the NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship tournament for the 16th year in a row after berating Indiana- South Bend, 96-53, to clinch at least a share of first in the CCAC on Saturday.

Brittany Collins had 22 points for the Cougars (24-2 overall, 18-0 in the league) while Kara Krolicki added 21 points, nine steals and eight assists.

The Cougars are 14-15 in national tournament play but last year finished 4-1 and finished second in the nation. They are currently ranked fourth in the nation.

On Feb. 7, sophomore Chanel Fanter became the fourth player in program history to record a triple-

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Sophomore Breanna Toppen had a big hand in Trinity Christian College’s 91-point turnaround against Oliver Nazarene on Saturday.

double with 17 points, 10 assists and 10 blocked shots in a 97-68 win over Roosevelt.

Men’s basketball: The Cougars knocked off the 24th-ranked team in the nation, Roosevelt, 73-58, on Feb. 7 as Quinn Niego scored 25 points Jack Brody had 11 points and nine rebounds.

Sports Editor

The second football signing period opened Feb. 7 and players from the area joined players from other sports in signing letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers in college.

A look at some of the area schools signings and signees:

St. Laurence

Football players Jerry Carey (Concordia, Wisconsin), James Buchanan (Upper Iowa), A.J. Andrews (Wayne State), Ed Pierson (Northern Michigan), Brendan Cavanaugh (University of WisconsinWhitewater), Christian Booker (Indianapolis), Tori Clinton (Indianapolis), Donte Bronson (Northern State) signed letters of intent.

Soccer player Gilberto Arreola (Dominican University) and girls volleyball player Veronica Vida (Benedictine) also made their choices official, Clinton and Arreola were Regional/Reporter Players of the Year in their respective sports in the fall.

Stagg Ally Mussallem signed a soccer letter to play at Purdue University. She will join her sister, Hannah, who will be a senior at the school in the fall.

Stagg soccer player Grace Javaras (Wisconsin Parkside), Maja Persa (Fort Hayes State) and Angelina Kosmas (Illinois Wesleyan) also signed.

Football players John Murphy (Carthage), Eddie Schullo (St. Ambrose), Ricky Kwak (Marian University) made their choices official.

Marist

Safari Club protects changes HQ

Football players Denny Meehan (Dayton), Tommy Greene (Indiana), Tom Gillen (St. Ambrose) and Joe Green (St. Ambrose) signed up to their respective schools.

On Feb. 1, the board of directors of Safari Club International changed its headquarters designation from Tucson, Arizona to Washington D.C. The purpose of the move is to focus and intensify SCI’s efforts on all forms of advocacy to protect the freedom to hunt, in coordination with other organizations.

The decision was made during SCI’s 46th Annual Hunter’s Convention. The convention is an extraordinary global gathering of the SCI family and hunting world.

In all, 1,100 exhibitors from all over the world showed their hunting opportunities and gear to more than 20,000 attendees.

There were seminars on hunting techniques, ethics, legal issues and a host of other topics.

There were side meetings with government delegations from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, China and Kazakhstan, to name some. There were evening events featuring fundraising auctions to support the work of SCI and its sister organization, the SCI Foundation that puts more than $3.5 Million on the ground annually for wildlife conservation, anti-poaching, education and humanitarian efforts related to hunting.

Quarterback Kyle Neputy participated in a signing ceremony for Cornell University. Ivy League schools do not give out athletic scholarships but athletes are allowed to participate in ceremonies.

Sandburg

Chicago Christian

Knights quarterback Henry Light, who played both offense and defense, signed to play at Lake Forest College.

St. Xavier University Football coach Mike Feminis welcomed 13 recruits, including four from Indiana.

“The Chicago area has and will always be our main focus, and we certainly landed some outstanding players right from our own backyard,” added Feminis. “But we also got an All-State receiver and a huge O-lineman from one of the top Catholic programs in Indianapolis, as well as a couple more kids from Indiana schools that we had not tapped

Photo by Jeff Vorva

St. Laurence running star Tori Clinton is heading to play for the University of Indianapolis next season.

into until this year.”

The Cougars signed linebacker Brayden Bauer (Riley High School) and defensive lineman Jaden Chandler (McCutcheon), along with a pair of high school teammates in offensive lineman Dominic Clouse and wideout Jacob Luedeman (Roncali) from Indiana.

Note: If we missed any recent signings, please let us know at sports@regionalpublishing.com

FOCUS ON AREA SPORTS

Eagles aim for best girls bowling finish in team history individual for state with a 1,264.

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

For the fifth time in school history and the first time since 2013, Sandburg’s girls bowling team qualified for the Illinois High School Association State Bowling Tournament.

And the Eagles are looking for the best finish in school history when the meet opens Friday at the Cherry Bowl in Rockford.

The Eagles made it to the second round of state action only once in their four attempts when they finished 10th in the state in their debut in 2007.

They finished 15th in 2008, 16th in 2012 and 21st in 2013.

One of the top bowlers in Sandburg history, Emily Schrader, will close her high school career at state this weekend and rolled a 1,363 six-game series at the Bolingbrook Sectional Saturday at the Brunswick Zone in Woodridge, good for second place overall.

That helped the Eagles finish third with a 5,581 to qualify for state. SouthWest Suburban Conference Blue opponent Lockport won with 5,991. Fellow District 230 squad Andrew finished fourth with 5,530 and will join the Eagles in Rockford.

Sandburg sophomore Vanesa Perez added an 1,103, junior Jill Richmond rolled a 1,069, junior Alyssa Novak had a 1,057 and junior Katie Colbert tossed a 989.

This is Schrader’s fourth appearance at state and first with her full team. She finished 69th in the state as a freshman, 10th as sophomore and 25th last season.

Richards sophomore Mia Jones qualified as an

All-SCC cheerleading team

The South Suburban Conference announced its all-conference cheerleading team.

Shepard was represented by Skylar McGrath, Jenny Hernandez, Marissa Sokdowski, Katie Justin while Evergreen Park’s Andre Sykes, Sean Wilkerson, Catherine Schaffratz, Richards’ Magen Levy, Taudrea Kerby and Oak Lawn’s Alexia McGlynn and Corrine Oldham also made the team.

Oak Lawn dedicates baseball game to classmate

Oak Lawn’s baseball team will dedicate its May 3 game against Tinley Park to senior classmate Lena Rayas, who is battling Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

The baseball team will sell jerseys for the occasion with all proceeds benefitting the Rayas family.

Jerseys are $20 each and are on sale through the baseball program or by emailing head baseball coach William Gerny at wgerny@olchs.org.

In recent years, the baseball program has dedicated games to Tommy Clifton (son of baseball coach Brian Clifton), Connor Lowry (nephew of Oak Lawn English teacher Jenn Jepsen), Tim Sidlow (Former English teacher at the school), and Kenadie and Declan Haubenreiser (niece and nephew of teacher Janet Meyers).

Shooters girls tryouts The Southside Shooters will host tryouts for its girls spring season on Tuesday and Feb. 22 at

Stagg High School in Palos Hills. Players in third through seventh grade will try out at 6:30 p.m. and eighth graders through juniors in high school try out at 7:30 p.m. For more information contact Gary Ferguson at 630-935-1150 or ssshootersbball@ aol.com or visit www.southsideshootersbball.com.

Hampton to guest at Brother Rice Sports Night Brother Rice is hosting a Sports night at 6 p.m.

March 3 at the school’s Carmody Center. Dan Hampton will be the guest speaker. Tickets, which include dinner drinks and raffle starter tickets, are $60. For more information, contact Mike McShane at 773-429-4343 or visit brotherrice.org.

Oak Lawn Baseball/Softball registration

Oak Lawn’s Baseball and Softball League is accepting registration for the coming season for players age 4 to 18. For more information, visit oaklawnbaseball.com.

Shooters boys tryouts The Southside Shooters boys basketball organization will be holding tryouts for the spring season March 5 at the Moraine Valley Community College G Building, 9000 College Parkway, Palos Hills.

Fifth and sixth graders will try out from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. while seventh and eighth graders will try out from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The season will feature approximately 22 games with shootouts and league play.

For more information, contact Bill Finn at 708508-0170 or at finn@morainevalley.edu.

CHICAGO FIRE NOTES

Fire hoping for the best with signing of Serbian midfielder

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Which Aleksandar Katai did the Chicago Fire sign last week?

Will it be the player who managed just three goals and four assists Deportivo Alaves in 23 matches last season?

Or will it be the guy who scored 21 goals in the Serbian SuperLiga in 2015-16?

Fire officials are banking on the latter after signing the midfielder on loan with an option to purchase

Vorva

Continued from Page 1 a makeshift pointer when he pointed it right at the image of McGovern as the young man prepared to take another hack.

“The other thing I liked…and this is important. Watch on contact — watch his head. He lands his front foot and (after Thome had the tape stopped) look at his head. Look at his eyes. Really, really good swing. This kid is going to be one heck of a hitter, for sure.’’

Bass completes deal The years of speculation and rumors have come to an end. Bass Pro Shops completed their purchase of Cabela’s.

The $4-billion acquisition has been years in the making, so we expect the process to go very smoothly. As of now, no stores will be closing and things should remain mostly the same for shoppers with some noticeable improvements.

What’s less certain is the fate of 2,000 or so of employees at Cabela’s Sydney, Nebraska headquarters. Bass Pro officials stated they expected to move operations to Missouri, but they may keep some employees in Nebraska, according to the Great Lakes Basin Report.

Area athletes make signature moves

By Jeff Vorva

s I sit here writing this column, I can’t help but take note of the many inches of snow that have fallen with more on the way, making this area a winter wonderland for some.

I was thinking about what the big snowfall means to different folks.

To some it means shoveling, snow blowing or plowing.

To others it offers the opportunity to enjoy the moOUTDOORS ment — ice fishing, buildWITH ing a snowman or woman, JIM KIRBY an old fashioned snowball fight, cross-country or downhill skiing, sledding and tobogganing.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the Cook County Forest Preserve District re-configured the Swallow Cliff toboggan slides to include the gate house and longer runs?

his contract outright to extend his Major League Soccer contract.

“Aleksandar should make our attack more diversified,” said Fire president and general manager Nelson Rodríguez. “He has the ability to turn a game on a single play whether it be off the dribble, with a pass or cross or even on set pieces. His desire to triumph should also fit well in our locker room.”

“I am excited to join my new teammates and for the opportunity to work with Veljko Paunovic and the rest of the coaching staff,” said the 27-year-old Katai. “We will do everything to win a champion-

Jim McGovern originally shot the video to show Aidan’s hitting coach, Tyler Thompson, so that Thompson could give it a critique. Days later, Jim saw a Tweet on Twitter from MLB asking for videos of kids swinging or pitching with the chance that a Hall of Famer might critique it.

Jim already had the video so…

“I never really thought they would use it,” Jim said. “But I figured, what the heck? I sent it in and that was a day before it aired. They sent us a message on Twitter to watch ‘MLB Tonight.’ ”

ship for the city and our supporters, and I can’t wait to score in front of our fans.”

No score The Fire and Philadelphia played to a scoreless draw in a preseason battle Thursday at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Fla. Fire goalies Richard Sanchez and Stefan Cleveland record the team’s seconds straight shutout of the preseason.

Former Fire star David Accam played 62 minutes for the Union.

Jim wasn’t able to watch it live as he was coming home from work in Chicago.

But he saw a DVR replay of it and the show was repeated at 10 p.m.

The family got to watch that version.

“Ten is past my bedtime,” Aidan said.

“But my parents let me stay up that night.’’

Between 6 and 10 p.m., Jim went to work on his phone.

“I think I texted everybody I know,” Jim said.

Included in a large group of the McGovern inner circle who watched Aidan swing on TV was his other grandfa-

Huge gun rights victory Apparently fearing a devastating loss that could crush arbitrary concealed carry laws in a handful of states, the District of Columbia has declined to appeal its loss of a conceal carry case that struck down its “needs-based” permit requirement, the Second Amendment Foundation learned.

The SAF case is Wrenn v. District of Columbia. A three-judge panel struck down the city’s “good cause” requirement as unconstitutional.

The court declined a request for a panel review, according to Great Lakes Basin Report.

SAF founder Alan M. Gottlieb said, “Let’s face it, anti-gunners are determined to cling their dogma of public disarmament rather than admit that their resistance to common sense conceal carry reform amounts to nothing more than stubborn denial. These people simply do not want to enter the 21st Century. They refuse to accept the Supreme Court ruling that the Second Amendment protects and affirms an individual right to not only keep arms, but to bear them as the founders understood.’’

Green Bay packs musky in waters Efforts to establish a self-sustaining population of spotted musky in Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan waters got a boost this fall when 7,000 musky fingerlings averaging 17 inches were stocked into the Fox River, Lake Winnebago and three inland lakes.

The stocked fish were hatched from eggs collected from Michigan waters were spotted musky are still found. These stockings have helped create a popular fishery in Green Bay with anglers reeling in many 50-plus inch fish.

The ultimate goal of the project creating a self-sustaining population has been elusive.

Department of Natural Resources staff have worked in recent years to diversify the genetic pool in hopes of seeing better natural reproduction. This is good news for Chicago-area anglers who fish the Green Bay area and its tributaries.

Think about it “If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.” — Will Rogers, circa 1930.

Jim Kirby’s column appears every first and third Thursday of the month. E-mail him at Kirbyoutdoors@sbcglobal.net.

ther, Jerry McGovern, a Palos Heights alderman.

Aidan, however, was sick and didn’t get to go to school for a few days after it aired so he didn’t get the celebrity big-shot treatment there, but Jim said plenty of St. Michael parents saw it and commented on the family Facebook page.

Aidan said he started his career with the Orland Youth Association when he was four and when he was eight, he joined the Lincoln-Way Prospects. He has a couple of Florida trips under his

belt for baseball and lists the White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers as his favorite teams and Clayton Kershaw and Josh Donaldson as his favorite players.

McGovern’s baseball future remains to be seen. But two things are for sure.

First, not many 10-year-olds are shown on the MLB Network.

Second, during a week in which there are piles of snow on the ground and cold temperatures, it’s great to have a nice warm baseball story to break things up.

The Regional News - The Reporter

Thursday, February 15, 2018 Section 2

3

AREA HOOPS AT A GLANCE BOYS

W-L STREAK NEXT

16-9 Brother Rice Chicago Christian 13-10 Evergreen Park 10-13 Marist 22-4 Oak Lawn 17-6 Richards 10-13 Sandburg 15-8 Shepard 15-7 St. Laurence 17-8 Stagg 9-14

W1 W1 W1 L1 W7 W3 L2 L1 W1 W1

at St. Francis, Fri. hosts Ridgewood, Fri.; vs. Minonk Fieldcrest in Class 2A El Paso-Gridley Regional, Tues. at Reavis, Fri. at St. Patrick, Fri.; hosts Marian Central Catholic, Wed. at Eisenhower, Fri. at Shepard, Fri. hosts Lockport, Fri.; hosts Homewood-Flossmoor, Tues. hosts Richards, Fri.; hosts Manteno, Tues. at Providence, Fri.; hosts Urban Prep, Tues. hosts Lincoln-Way East, Fri., at Lockport, Tues.

* Records through Sunday, Feb. 11; compiled by Randy Whalen

GIRLS

W-L STREAK Chicago Christian 11-16 L1 Evergreen Park 24-3 W5 Marist 21-6 L1 Mother McAuley 22-7 W2 Oak Lawn 17-9 L1 Richards 19-7 W2 Sandburg 10-17 W1 Shepard 6-21 L6 St. Laurence 14-13 L1 Stagg 15-11 W1

NEXT Season over. at Class 3A Brooks Regional at Class 4A Bloom Township, Regional at Class 4A Sandburg Regional at Class 4A T.F. North Regional at Class 4A Bloom Township Regional hosts Class 4A Sandburg Regional at Class 4A Lincoln-Way East Regional hosts Class 3A St. Laurence Regional at Class 4A Lincoln-Way East Regional

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Marist’s girls basketball team is gunning for its 12th regional title in the 16-year history of the program.

* Records through Sunday, Feb. 11; compiled by Randy Whalen

FOCUS ON BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL

Saturday special: Oak Lawn topples Shepard in key SSC game

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Moving Friday night’s game to late Saturday afternoon didn’t throw off Oak Lawn in its quest to try to win its first boys basketball conference title since 1983.

The game, like many in the Chicago area, was moved because of a snowstorm. But the Spartans still were able to put up an impressive 60-45 victory over Shepard in a huge South Suburban Conference Red battle in Oak Lawn.

Sophomore Sami Osmani led the Spartans with 19 points while his senior brother, Adem, had 14 points and 12 rebounds and Trey Ward added 14 points.

Heading into this week’s action Oak Lawn and Richards each had 7-3 marks in the conference and Shepard was 7-4. Oak Lawn was scheduled to host Reavis (4-5 in the league) Tuesday night and visit Eisenhower (1-8) Friday night and visit Argo (0-10) on Feb. 23.

Shepard, which was led by Chris Harrison’s 13 points on Saturday, hosts Richards on Friday night in a game that can help

Wrestling

Continued from Page 1 night of the state tournament from the stands last year.

“It was fun to watch, but it’s better to be out there on the mat,” she said.

Her goal, like her coach’s goal, is a state title.

“No matter who steps on the line, I’ll give it 110 percent — even if they are ranked higher than me,” she said. “Anything can happen in any match so you have to go out there and compete.’’

Rocco was on a roll in sectional action when he blanked Rich East’s Jalen Terry, 10-0

Eisenhower. They had a road game scheduled last Friday night against Lincoln-Way East but that game was postponed due to the snowy conditions and moved to Feb. 22.

the Spartans out.

Marist’s repeat is in jeopardy Marist’s chance to win the East Suburban Catholic Conference for the second straight year took a hit on Saturday with a 54-49 loss to St. Viator in Arlington Heights.

St. Viator junior Trey Calvin scored 13 of his 26 points in the third quarter to keep his team on top of the ESCC mountain with a 7-0 mark while Marist fell to 5-2 with two more league games on the schedule, including Friday night’s game at St. Patrick.

Morgan Taylor had 13 points for Marist against Viator.

While many conference games throughout the Chicago area were postponed until Saturday because of the weather, this game was actually scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

CC heads to El Paso The Illinois High School Association announced its seeds for Class 1A and 2A boys basketball last week and Chicago Christian drew the third seed in the 10-team Class 2A Clifton Central Sectional sub-sectional.

Lisle and Westmont picked up the top two seeds.

The Knights open play at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the El Paso-Gridley Regional against fifth-seeded Minonk Fieldcrest.

Class 3A and 4A seeds are scheduled to be announced today, Thursday.

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Welcome back

Sandburg hosts Lockport in a SouthWest Suburban Blue contest in Orland Park.

The Eagles were on the road for six games since a home contest in the quarterfinals and topped Nazareth’s Alex Carrillo in the semifinals, 6-2. But he was pinned

by Thornton Fractional North’s Bilal Bailey in the finals. Rocco brings in a 29-4 record into his second state appeance. Two of his losses were to Bailey, a sophomore who has not lost to an Illinois opponent this season.

“I’ll pull around and get him one time hopefully,” Rocco said.

“Making it back to state is exciting. When we wrestled in the (Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation) I never made it to state the same time Mia did so it’s nice to be together.’’

Brother Rice coaches are hoping for big things from the Crusaders’ First-year Sandburg wrestling coach Clinton Polz will take two wrestlers to state this weekend and the Eagles will compete in the team dual sectional on Tuesday.

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Sophomore Sami Osmani, shown in a game earlier in the season, scored 19 points Saturday against Shepard to keep Oak Lawn’s chances of a rare conference championship alive.

Some great records By the time this week ends, there might not be a lot of girls teams left in the postseason.

But the area had some pretty gaudy records during the regular season.

Evergreen Park led the pack with a 24-3 record. Marist was 21-6 and Mother McAuley was 22-7 and both teams played strong schedules. Richards finished 19-7 during the regular season and Oak Lawn finished 17-9. Stagg cooled off toward the end of the season but put up an impressive 15-11 mark heading into regional play.

Three Marist girls named all-conference

Marist senior Ally Corcoran, junior Abby Callahan and freshman Sydney Affolter were named to the all-East Suburban Catholic Conference team. The RedHawks this week are gunning for their 12th regional title in the 16-year history of the program.

CC 3-point shooters advance

Chicago Christian was eliminated in the first round of the Class 2A girls regionals but Cheyenne Slager and Beth Regnerus advanced to the sectional round of the IHSA’s 3-point shooting contest.

against Tinley Park on Jan. 16.

In that span, they went 3-3

including wins over LincolnWay West, Plainfield South and

contingent.

Johnson, who was second in the state at 120, pinned his first two opponents at Hinsdale South and earned a 7-2 decision over Lemont’s Kyle Schickel to win the sectional title. He improved to 31-6.

Murphy beat Rich East’s Michael Terry, in just 28 seconds in the sectional title match and takes a 35-9 mark into the state finals.

Ruffin, who finished third in the state last year at 285, pinned his first two sectional opponents and beat Richards’ Marquis Hall, 10-4,

in the finals to improve to 35-3.

Other area grapplers who didn’t win sectional championships who could still make a lot of noise in Champaign are Stagg’s Domenic Zaccone (120 pounds, who finished second in the state at 113 last year), Marist’s Jacob Dado (138, who took fourth at 120), and Sandburg’s Pat Nolan (132, fifth at 120).

Sectional dual team wrestling takes place on Tuesday and Sandburg faces Marmion at 6 p.m. at Supplied photo Downers Grove South. The winBrother Rice is bringing four wrestlers to state: left to right, Paul Gliva, ner goes to the state finals.

Dominic Murphy, Hassan Johnson and Myles Ruffin.

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Continued from Page 1 who tied for first in the all-around (37.000), tied for first on the balance beam (9.325), finished second on the vault (9.350) and took second in the floor exercise (9.325).

“Our team put everything we had into this meet and I just wanted to go for it,” Talley said after the sectional.

This will be Talley’s first trip to state as a competitor. Last year she went as a spectator. There was a long layoff between the sectional and the state finals and she didn’t plan on dwelling on state too much.

“Usually nerves don’t hit me until there are about two minutes before my turn,” she said. “And it doesn’t really feel real until it happens. I should be OK.’’ Gilgio will be busy with her

four events. Last year, she made her state debut and finished ninth in the floor exercise (9.375) and 28th in the all-around (35.150).

“I’m hoping to be a lot more confident than I was last year,” she said. “I’m not going to go in as nervous. I’ll try my hardest again and hope I can place higher and do a lot better than I did last year.’’

Sandburg/Stagg finished fourth in sectional action with 136.425 points. Lincoln-Way’s coop team won the meet with 143.275.

The team was without Stagg senior Maddy Roe, who suffered a season-ending right fibula injury after a pre-meet double-full layout attempt in December.

Roe finished seventh in the state last year in the all-around and seventh on the balance beam and ninth on the bars. She plans on attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for academics and gymnastics.

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Section 2 Thursday, February 15, 2018

The Regional News - The Reporter

Scenes from sectional gymnastics and wrestling

Sandburg/Stagg co-op sophomore Maddie Giglio tends to her foot after a painful landing on the balance beam in sectional action.

Sandburg’s Jimmy Ferguson and Wheaton-Warrenville South’s Hunter Edwards are a tangle of arms and legs during the 120-pound preliminaries at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional on Saturday.

Sandburg/ Stagg co-op freshman Helen Wheeler dismounts off the balance beam during Sandburg’s girls gymnastics sectional on Feb. 5.

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Brother Rice’s Dominic Murphy (bottom) gets ready to flip over Back of the Yards’ Carl McNickles during the Class 2A Hinsdale South Sectional. Murphy was one of three sectional champions for the Crusaders.

Somewhere in the middle of this mob is Sandburg-Stagg’s Taylor Talley after her performance on the uneven parallel bars event at the Sandburg Sectional.

Sandurg’s Dominic Iannantone smiles as he has the upper hand in a preliminary match against Reavis’s Jack McDonald at the Hinsdale Central Sectional.

Oak Lawn’s Mike Kass (on knees) has his hands full against Thornwood’s Brandon Wynn at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional.

St. Laurence’s Sean Burns (right) battles Richards’ Marty Cosgrove in sectional action in Darien on Saturday.

The Regional News - The Reporter

The Reporter Newspapers Call 448-6161 Deadline 5 p.m. Monday Hours M-F 9 to 5 Houses For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWMBS, INC., CHL MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH TRUST 2005-22, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH TRUST 2005-22, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-22 Plaintiff, vs.

JANE BLANKSHAIN; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; CEDAR CROSSING III Defendants, 16 CH 2969 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, March 6, 2018 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. 27-02-201-079-0000.

Commonly known as 13701 Trafalgar Court, Orland Park, IL 60462.

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) 2205611. 17-030504 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3074643

Houses For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division.

Fifth Third Mortgage Company Plaintiff, vs.

Alan M. Dudnick; First Secure Bank and Trust Company f/k/a Family Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee under the provisions of a Trust Agreement dated April 16, 2007 and known as trust number 12-933; Palos View Condominium Association; First Secure Bank and Trust Company f/k/a Family Bank and Trust Company; Unknown Tenants; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants Defendants, Case # 17CH746 Sheriff’s # 170287 F17050187FT FITH 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 March 27th, 2018, 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: 10511 South Roberts Road, Unit 2A, Palos Hills, Illinois 60465 P.I.N: 23-13-103-033-1005; 23-13-103-033-1044 Improvements: This property consists of a Residential Condominium.

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.

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 1771 W. Diehl Road, Suite 120 Naperville, IL 60563-4947 Phone: 630-453-6960 Fax: 630-428-4620 Attorney #: Cook 58852, DuPage 293191, Kane 031-26104, Winnebago 3802, IL 03126232 sales@alolawgroup.com

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.

Thursday,February 15, 2018 Section 2

Get Fast Action

Very Low Cost

The Regional News Call 448-4000 Deadline 5 p.m. Monday Hours M-F 9 to 5

Real Estate Property Listings

Houses For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.DANNY KATEEB, STATE OF ILLINOIS - DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE Defendants 16 CH 016474 16787 91ST 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 March 22, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 7, 2018, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 16787 91ST AVENUE, ORLAND HILLS, IL 60487 Property Index No. 27-27-206-015-0000.

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. 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 14-16-16007.

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. 14-16-16007 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 16 CH 016474 TJSC#: 38-933 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.

I3076057

Houses For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.NANCY M. LEMPERA A/KA NANCY MAE LEMPERA, THOMAS J. LEMPERA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 16 CH 7404 8037 LINDER AVENUE BURBANK, IL 60459 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 4, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 20, 2018, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8037 LINDER AVENUE, BURBANK, IL 60459 Property Index No. 19-33-116-013-0000.

The real estate is improved with a single family home with no garage.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. 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 5pm.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 416-5500. Please refer to file number 256176.

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.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 416-5500 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 256176 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 16 CH 7404 TJSC#: 37-11162

HAVE A HOUSE FOR SALE? PLACE YOUR AD TODAY! CALL 448-4000 OR 448-6161

Houses For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON; Plaintiff, vs.

MARK J. HOLDA, ET AL; Defendants, REPUBLIC BANK OF CHICAGO; Counter-Plaintiff, vs.

MARK J. HOLDA AKA MARK HOLDA AKA MARK J. HOLDA; LYDIA MICHELLE HOLDA FKA LYDIA ROJAS AKA LYDIA MICHELLE HOLDA; HOLDA ENTERPRISES, INC.; FIRST MIDWEST BANK, SUCCESSOR

BY MERGER TO PALOS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE UNDER TRUST AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 13, 2000 AND KNOWN AS TRUST NUMBER 1-5000; LOMA VISTA NURSERY; CHRYSLER FINANCIAL SERVICES AMERICAS LLC DBA CHRYSLER FINANCIAL FKA DAIMLERCHRYSLER FINANCIAL SERVICES AMERICA, LLC; STATE OF ILLINOIS; CAPITAL ONE BANK, (USA), N.A., CITY OF PALOS HEIGHTS; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY; UNKNOWN BENEFICIARIES OF TRUST AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 13, 2000 AND KNOWN AS TRUST NUMBER 1-5000; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Counter-Defendants 12 CH 8082 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, March 9, 2018, 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: P.I.N. 24-31-107-010-0000.

Commonly known as 6833 West 127st Street, Palos Heights, IL 60463.

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. THE SALE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO GENERAL TAXES, SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AND TO A PRIOR RECORDED FIRST MORTGAGE. 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 Mr. Brandon R. Freud at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Ruff, Freud, Breems and Nelson, Ltd., 200 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601.

(312) 263-3890.

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3075066

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.

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Houses For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MOREQUITY, INC Plaintiff, -v.ANDRZEJ KULIKOWSKI, RENETA KULIKOWSKI, PNC BANK, N.A. S/I/I TO MIDAMERICA BANK, FSB Defendants 13 CH 5764 8115 WEST 90TH 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 May 26, 2015, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 23, 2018, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8115 WEST 90TH STREET, HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 Property Index No. 23-02-209-027-0000.

The real estate is improved with a two story, single family home with an attached garage.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. 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 5pm.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 416-5500. Please refer to file number 11143.

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.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 416-5500 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 11143 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 13 CH 5764 TJSC#: 38-706 I3075111

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 Rent 2 Bedroom Heated Apt Vicinity of Midway Orange Line - Appliances Laundry Facilities - Parking 1 Year Lease - No Pets One Month Security Deposit 708-599-6037 Houses For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC DBA MR. COOPER; Plaintiff, vs.

KERRY VINKLER; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.; MATTHEW VINKLER; Defendants, 17 CH 12477 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, March 5, 2018 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. 23-02-313-012-0000.

Commonly known as 9260 South 86th Avenue, Hickory Hills, IL 60457.

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) 2205611. 17-030301 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3074640

6

Section 2 Thursday, February 15, 2018

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OUT & ABOUT Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond

The Regional News • The Reporter

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Southwest • Section 2, Page 7

Warm up with stew on cold winter nights Hearty meals are best on cold nights, when food can provide a warming effect after coming in from the cold outdoors. This recipe for “Boeuf Bourguignon” from Jill Lightner’s “Edible Seattle: The Cookbook” (Sterling Epicure) is sure to provide such an effect.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON Serves 6 generously • 2 pounds beef shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces (see note) • 1 onion, cut into large dice • 2 carrots, cut into large dice • 2 stalks celery, cut into large dice

• 2 dried bay leaves • 4 sprigs fresh thyme • 7 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley • 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns • 1 bottle red wine • Salt • Freshly ground black pepper

• 1 tablespoon canola oil • 1/4 pound slab bacon, cut into large dice • 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 4 cups beef stock • 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into large dice • 1 pound pearl onions, blanched and peeled • 1 pound button mushrooms, diced 1. Put the beef chunks in a large bowl and add the onion, carrots and celery. In a piece of cheesecloth, tie together a bouquet of garni of the bay leaves, thyme, parsley, and peppercorns and add to the bowl. Pour in the bottle of wine. Cover and let marinate in

the refrigerator overnight, stirring the mixture once or twice over the course of the evening.

2. The next day, remove the meat from the marinade and dry the pieces in a shallow pan lined with several layers of paper towels. Remove the vegetables and reserve them separately, along with the bouquet garni. Reserve the wine. Season the beef with salt and pepper.

3. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the canola oil. Add the bacon and cook until browned and the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pot and set aside.

In single-layer batches, brown the beef chunks on all sides, then set aside. Brown the reserved onions, carrots and celery, about 10 minutes. Add additional canola oil

to the pot if there is not enough bacon fat to brown all of the beef and vegetables.

4. Return the beef to the pot with the vegetables and add 3 tablespoons of the butter. Sprinkle with the flour and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes. Add the reserved wine and deglaze the pot, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom. Add the bacon and stock and bring to a boil. Skim off the scum that rises to the top; once the scum is removed, add the bouquet garni. Simmer, covered, over medium-low heat until the beef is very tender, about 11/2 hours. Remove the bouquet garni.

5. Toward the end of the beef’s cooking time, bring the potatoes to a boil in a separate saucepan covered generously with salted water. Cook until tender, about

15 minutes.

6. In a medium sauté pan, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the pearl onions and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the onions and cook until both onions and mushrooms are golden brown, about 5 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

7. Serve the stew in bowls, garnished with the pearl onions, mushrooms and potatoes.

Note: When shopping for beef, you won’t find a cut labeled “beef shoulder” — what you want is either a chuck roast of some sort or, from a bit lower on the shoulder, a cut labeled either “arm roast” or “round bone roast.”

OUT & ABOUT Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond

The Regional News • The Reporter

Left: Terry Lynch as Benjamin Franklin. Right: The Pottery for Kids class.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Japan, Iceland are the focus of MVCC art exhibition

Supplied photo

The Center to host ‘Benjamin Franklin’ The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, has announced a slate of activities for the days ahead.

For more information or to register for a program, call (708) 361-3650.

• Beginning Collage will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon on six Monday mornings beginning Feb. 19. Instructor April Schabes will have beginning and intermediate students experiment with color and composition to create mixed-media collages. The class fee is $120.

• A luncheon will feature Terry Lynch as Benjamin Franklin from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20. Center favorite and local actor Lynch will share some of Benjamin Franklin’s lore and wisdom. A man for all ages, inventor, statesman and founding father, Franklin seemed to do it all. Franklin reminisces about his political life, writing and scientific inventions. This program will address the question about how this founding father has changed the

way people live their lives today.

Luncheons cost $22 and advance reservations are necessary.

• Painting Mandala Rocks is the theme of this class being held from noon to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20. Instructor Robin Neumann will help participants learn a fun and easy method for painting on rocks using dotting tools. Neumann will show how to make a variety of simple strokes that can be combined to make beautiful mandalas on beach pebbles. All supplies will be provided. The workshop fee is $22 plus a $3 materials fee.

• Advanced Collage will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon six Wednesdays beginning Feb. 21.

Instructor April Schabes will have students continue on their journey into the world of collage. Schabes will have projects planned, experimenting with papers, paints, images and text. This class is only for students who have studied with Schabes before. The class fee is $120.

• Quilting is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. for six Wednesdays be-

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS Invite senior crooners to American Idol-style contest Singers age 55 and older are invited to compete in Orland Township’s annual Senior American Idol contest.

Auditions are set for Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the Township Office, 14807 S. Ravinia, Orland Park.

Check-in begins at 5:45 p.m., with auditions starting at 6 p.m.

Each contestant will sing a 2-3 minute segment of a song of their choice, a cappella, for a panel of judges. At the end of the evening, the top 16 contestants will be selected to compete at the finals in May. “Our seniors have such talent and a zest for life that this event is always an entertaining, energy packed evening,” said Supervisor Paul O’Grady. “I always look forward to the showcase of talent.”

To register or learn more information, contact Orland Township at (708) 403-4222.

McCord hosts family painting night Winter Wonderland Family Night is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 at McCord Gallery & Cultural Center, 9602 W. Creek Road, Palos Park.

Parents and children are invited to visit art stations and learn art techniques and then dine on pizza.

Participants will paint a wintry scene, led by instructor Marlo Steinke.

The fee is $75 for every McCord member and guest; $85 for nonmembers. Each additional person will be charged $25.

For details, call (708) 671-0648.

Crisis Center sets annual gala The public is invited to the Crisis Center for South Suburbia’s annual gala, set for 6 to 11 p.m Saturday, March 3 at the Hilton DoubleTree Chicago-Alsip.

Reservations can be made online at crisisctr.org/events/gala.

The gala, sponsored by Exelon, will be a “Night on the Red Carpet” to showcase the positive impact of the Crisis Center and to raise critical funds to continue providing emergency shelter and other essential services to victims of domestic violence.

The evening, priced at $100 per ticket, includes cocktails, a fourcourse dinner, mobile bidding on auction items, dancing to live entertainment by The Jimmy O and

Rhonda Lee Duo, raffles and more.

Live-auction items include four tickets and a limousine ride to a Justin Timberlake concert, a Disney trip, a Chicago stay-cation, and other vacation packages.

Silent auction items will be up for bid through online bidding. Guests at the event, and supporters at home alike, are invited to use their cell phones and devices to bid in real time on silent auction items and increase their chances of winning an array of items from toys to weekend getaways and sporting events.

The link to register for the silent auction is 2018CCSS.gesture.com.

For reservations, sponsorship opportunities and additional information, contact Kerri Twietmeyer at (708) 429-7255, ext. 136.

The Crisis Center for South Suburbia’s mission is to provide emergency shelter and other essential services for individuals and families victimized by domestic violence, and to address the societal issues that contribute to domestic violence.

Bridge Teen Center to celebrate Winter Olympics The Bridge Teen Center, 15555 S. 71st Ct., Orland Park, offers several free events for teens in seventh through 12th grade.

For more information, call (708) 532-0500.

• Bridge Winter Olympics and Rep Team USA with Danger Scene will be hosted from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16. Students will celebrate the Winter Olympics and participate in the Bridge’s very own Winter Olympic games. Danger Scene, an electronic band, will provide live music. There will be free donuts and coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts.

• Harmonica with MG Bailey will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19. Students will learn to play a tune on the harmonica with the One-Man-Band, Matt Bailey.

• Study Hacks will be presented from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20. Students will discover secret strategies to study more effectively, improve memory and prepare for tests and quizzes.

Mini Clay Pots will be made from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. Students will mold, score and build small pots using oven-bake polymer clay and incorporating unique textures, colors and designs.

Understanding Hidden Medical Conditions will be discussed from

Southwest • Section 2, Page 8

ginning Feb. 21. Instructor Denise Dulzo asks participants to bring their own sewing machine and choice of fabrics. Students will learn to design a project, cut fabrics, piece them together, add batting and backing and stitch it all together to create a baby quilt, wall hanging or other pieced fabric project. The class fee is $100.

Students must purchase fabrics and batting before the first class. A list of required fabrics and supplies is available in the office.

Pottery for Kids is set from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for four Thursdays beginning Feb. 22. Instructor Liz Credio will moderate this class in which students will learn the process of creating ceramic art.

Students will learn the how to make such things as pottery and sculptures. Credio will have several projects planned, as well as allowing time for experimentation.

This class is open to children in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The class fee is $51 plus a $14 materials fee.

Paintings inspired by artist Ellen Holtzblatt’s trips to Japan and Iceland are shown in the “Between Earth and Sky” exhibition running through March 9 in the Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.

The Chicago resident’s exhibition features paintings that explore physical being and spirituality with attention to light and ability to convey motion within her landscapes and scenes. She began painting landscapes through her memory of visiting the Orkney Islands in Scotland 30 years ago.

“The islands are isolated, sparsely populated by humans, and a fierce and beautiful earth and sea. They represent a stark contrast with my busy and noisy city life. Ultimately, the islands have become the place where I live in my imagination,” Holtzblatt said.

Holtzblatt’s work has been featured in one-person exhibitions throughout the Chicago area,

Supplied photo

Artist Ellen Holtzblatt’s “Under the Sun” is among her work that calls attention to light to convey motion within her landscapes.

including a Woman’s History Month exhibition in Chicago, “From Birth to Memory” at the Josef Glimer Gallery in Chicago; “Under the Sun: Landscape as Allegory” at the Chicago Public Library; and “A Passing Day: Land and Light” at the Fermilab Art Gallery in Batavia.

Her group exhibitions have been seen across the United States, and in Jerusalem and Berlin. In addition, numerous art selections have been featured in various

publications. ​ The Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery provides an opportunity to view locally and nationally recognized artists. Exhibits in the gallery are free to the public and available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, as well as during most performances in the Fine and Performing Arts Center.

For more information, call Rachel McDermott, Art Gallery coordinator, at (708) 608-4231.

estrings for the next few weeks.

Financial discipline now will pay dividends later.

seem to be falling out of sync with a close friend. There will be ample opportunities to rekindle the relationship. Right now you may need a breather.

HOROSCOPES ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Keep your eyes on the prize, Aries. Hard work is the key to success, and your hard work will be rewarded in time. This may be a week of transition, so be ready to jump if necessary.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 There is strength in numbers if you align yourself with the right team, Taurus. Collaboration is the name of the game this week.

Jockey for your position, but share the work.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, if you are approaching an emotional overload, you will need to schedule time to decompress. Find an activity that relaxes 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. you and delve into that to clear 21. Students will gain knowledge your head. and compassion for those living CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 with diabetes, learning how to Cancer, you are the eternal provide support for others living optimist this week. As a result, with medical conditions. you may not be able to accurately Advanced Writing: Creating He- assess all situations. Ask a friend roic Characters will be held from for advice before making any big 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. decisions.

Students will discuss what makes characters the heroes in stories and LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 practice developing a protagonist Leo, even if you have been relathat is strong and connects with tively good at managing money, you may need to tighten the pursreaders.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Contradictions should not surprise you this week, Virgo. Focus on fixing as much as you can while you have an opportunity to do so.

It’s a big job.

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, you make friends easily, and this week your social circle figures to expand even further.

Embrace this opportunity and enjoy beginning a new relationship.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, some of your most innovative ideas may be met with lukewarm responses. Do not let this derail your plans. You just need to be a little more persuasive.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/ Dec 21 You are very good at giving others credit, Sagittarius. But this week people may be singing your praises. It’s fine to be modest about it, but don’t downplay your contributions.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, do not fear if you

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, a romantic relationship can be taken to a new level when buried desires come to the surface. Give yourself plenty of time to pursue these feelings.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, this is a week when you want to double-check everything that you do. Be sure to dot every “I” and cross every “T.” Details matter.

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