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

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Serving Palos, Orland and Worth townships and neighboring communities

76th Year, NO. 16 • 2 Sections

Orland board makes personnel moves La Margo, Friling get new positions

By Dermot Connolly The Orland Park Village Board’s decision to name a new interim village manager at its meeting on Monday, the first since Mayor Dan McLaughlin’s much-talked-about election loss on April 4, was met with dis-

La Margo

Friling

appointment from his successor, Keith Pekau.

Following an hour-long executive session at the end of the

meeting, the board appointed Joe La Margo as interim village manager, replacing Police Chief Tim McCarthy. La Margo had been assistant village manager for the past two years. The board also accepted the resignation of McCarthy from the interim position, which he has held since Paul Grimes left last July for a similar position in McKinney, Texas.

“The chief is really anxious to get back to the police department full-time, especially because

there have been three or more retirements (in recent months),” said McLaughlin after the meeting. The board also approved a $10,000 stipend for McCarthy to compensate him for doing double-duty.

The search for a new village manager began when Grimes left, and Trustee Jim Dodge said “we were in advanced discussions with a candidate” before McLaughlin lost his bid for a seventh term to Pekau.

“We were ready to hire the person,” added McLaughlin. But with Pekau now scheduled to be sworn in on May 15, the decision was made to halt the search. It will begin again in May, allowing the new mayor to have input in the search process.

La Margo’s annual salary as interim village manager will be $160,000, the board announced.

“We looked around, and that salary figure is at the low end of what people were getting,” said

Trustee Dan Calandriello.

The board also appointed Karie Friling, currently the director of development services for the village, to serve in La Margo’s previous role as interim assistant village manager. Her annual salary will be $116,000.

McLaughlin said the plan is to have another staff member step into her director position, so Friling will not be doing both jobs.

See ORLAND, Page 2

No charges filed in alleged sexual misconduct case Chicago Christian HS investigation continues

By Dermot Connolly

Photo by Anthony Caciopo

Chatting with the chief

Chief Joe Miller of the Palos Park Police Department discusses public safety and other topics with visitors at a “Coffee With the Chief” roundtable he hosts on the last Friday of each month. Local residents are encouraged to drop in to share conversation and concerns with neighbors and the police.

Coffee is served along with pastries and occasionally pizza in a relaxed, information-sharing session. The meeting also includes COPS, Citizens on Patrol Service, the neighborhood watch group in Palos Park. “Scams, primarily on elderly people, seem to be never ending,” said Miller at a recent gathering. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Friday, April 28 at police headquarters, 8999 W. 123rd St. and all are welcome to attend.

‘Just one stupid selfish thing that I did’ Former cop and prisoner gives out stern warnings about making wrong choices

By Jeff Vorva Jason Casper knows he can’t bring Ahmad Shaban and Mohammed Shuaibi back to life.

He knows that there are some people who will carry hatred in their hearts and will never forgive him.

He is not trying to be a hero.

He is not making any excuses for what he did in the past.

But after serving more than 10 years in prison, Casper is hoping to get his message out to as many ears as he can about avoiding making bad choices.

Casper is a part of the In the Blink of an Eye program that current Orland Fire Protection District Chief Michael Schofield helped organize in 2009.

The group goes out a handful of times a year to talk to kids

and adults about making the right choices and what can happen when someone makes a bad choice. It has featured parents of kids who overdosed on heroin, as well as athletes and activists.

The group held a forum on March 29 at the McCook Athletic and Exposition facility and Casper, now in his mid-30s, talked to an audience about his terrible mistakes that he made in 2005.

“Not only can you ruin your life, you can ruin the lives of many other people,” he said.

Casper was a 24-year-old Chicago police officer, which was his dream job.

On Feb. 12, 2005, he was off duty and boozing it up and got into his car and drove through a red light at 159th Street and Harlem Avenue on the border of Orland Park and Tinley Park. He crashed into another car, killing teenagers

The investigation continues into allegations of sexual misconduct made against a teacher at Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights, but no charges have been filed. ’We have been working with Chicago Christian High School to identify and verify potential victims. After interviewing numerous parents, students and their attorneys, no parent, or adult student over 18, has agreed to cooperate,” said Palos Heights Deputy Police Chief David Delaney on Monday.

Southwest Chicago Christian Schools Superintendent Henry Doorn Jr., who oversees Chicago Christian and two affiliated elementary schools in Oak Lawn and Tinley Park, said last week that the administration notified police immediately after becoming aware of the allegations of “inappropriate sexual conduct” on April 1. The unidentified teacher was suspended indefinitely the following day.

Students and parents were notified on Monday, April 3.

There were reports that the teacher may have had sexual con-

tact or shared sexual content with as many as six students, but Doorn said last week that the school was not making public how the issue came to light.

When Delaney was asked this week to elaborate on how the allegations came to his attention, he said the department was notified that students may have “witnessed some (sexually suggestive) images” on a phone, that a third party had copied.

But he said that no one the police interviewed wants to press charges.

“If no one wants to say that a crime was committed, there is not much we can do,” he said, suggesting that any contact with the teacher which may have occurred involved students at least 18 years old.

“The investigation remains open. They can change their minds at any time,” he said.

Doorn, who could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, said last week that counselors were brought into the school and students who felt victimized were encouraged to talk to them and contact police.

Anyone with information about the case may call the Palos Heights police at 708-448-5060.

Heights treasurer Frank Oswald retires

By Anthony Caciopo Regional News Editor

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Jason Casper talks publicly about the bad decision he made in 2005 that took the life of two Sandburg teenagers. His mother, Tami O’Brien, looks on.

Shaban and Shuaibi, who both attended Sandburg High School.

Two others were injured.

Prosecutors said in court that

Casper’s blood alcohol count was .176 (which is more than double the legal limit) and that he was See DECISION, Page 2

The Palos Heights City Council said goodbye Tuesday night to Frank Oswald, who is retiring after 18 years as city treasurer.

“We take things like approachability and accessibility and personality and attitude for granted,” said Ald. Jeff Keys. “Frank always has a smile on his face. He’s always available for figuring things out, all the time. I’ve appreciated him so much.”

With his 18-month-old great-granddaughter, Zofia, cooing from her stroller after the meeting, Oswald told The Regional News “I’ll miss all the folks but it’s time.”

Oswald’s arrival as the Palos

Heights treasurer in 1999 was a markedly different era fiscally, said Ald. Alan Fulkerson of Ward 3.

“When I became chairman of the Finance Committee many years ago, I believe we were in the red,” Fulkerson said. “You were a great guide for me, helping me run that committee and bring this city back to the financial strength it has today.”

Aldermen Michael McGrogan (Ward 4) and Delores Kramarski (Ward 3) also offered public thanks during the meeting to Oswald, as did Mayor Bob Straz who read a congratulatory proclamation citing the city’s “Heartfelt appreciation for 18 years of outstanding leadership and dedicated service to See TREASURER, Page 2

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2 Thursday, April 20, 2017

The Regional News

Orland

Continued from Page 1 “We’re trying to keep some form of stability, and continuity in the interim. After May 15, we can resume the search for a permanent village manager. It could last three months or six months,” said Dodge.

But the changes didn’t go over too well with Pekau.

“I’m disappointed with the board actions. I shared my concerns with them,” said the mayor-elect, who attended the meeting. He would have liked to have been invited into the executive session also, as an observer.

“Given the fact that the voters have spoken, I thought no changes should have been made until after May 15.” He said that the candidate he suggested for interim assistant village manager met with only two trustees before this decision was made.

“I really think it is a reminder to the people of Orland Park that they need to stay involved,” said Pekau.

When asked if La Margo might end up being hired as village manager, McLaughlin said he would have to apply for the position to be considered. McLaughlin said that with La Margo’s background and experience working with Grimes and McCarthy as assistant village manager, he would be qualified.

Dodge said the person Pekau suggested is also welcome to re-apply. In fact, he said, because the whole process is starting over, he hoped anyone who applied or was considered previously could re-apply.

La Margo has served as Orland Park’s assistant village manager since 2015 and the village’s public information officer since 2012. He joined the village staff as deputy village clerk in 2006.

Prior to coming to Orland Park, La Margo was chief deputy director for the Illinois Secretary of State Department of Accounting Revenue. In the Secretary of State’s office, he also was deputy internal auditor and budget liaison to the chief of staff. Previously, he had been deputy director of the Cook County Clerk’s Department of Tax and Real Estate, and he was a budget analyst for the Cook County Bureau of Finance.

La Margo has a master’s degree in organizational leadership and public policy from Lewis University and a bachelor’s of business administration in economics from Loyola University.

“I am grateful for the board’s confidence and I look forward to keeping the daily operations of the village running smoothly as we all do our best to serve the Orland Park community. Karie and I have worked together for more than 10 years and we both bring decades of government experience to our

interim positions,” said LaMargo in a statement. He and his wife, Melissa, live in Orland Park, with their four children.

Prior to joining the village staff in 2006, Friling, who lives in Orland Park with her husband and four daughters, was economic development director for the city of Peoria. She held several management positions during her 12-year tenure there. As director of development for Orland Park, she is responsible for planning, engineering, building, code enforcement, health, transportation and economic development. Friling has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in public administration.

“I, too, am honored with the board’s confidence,” Friling said.

“Joe and I work well together and we are both passionate about Orland Park. We look forward to continuing to follow the board’s directives and doing our absolute best for all of Orland Park.”

Pekau said he is happy to now have a voice in deciding who the next village manager will be, but “I’m only one vote.” He said that generally, the transition between administrations has been going smoothly. He has been busy meeting with board members, department heads and other staff members since being elected.

“I have been open. And I think they have been open with me,” said Pekau.

Decision

Continued from Page 1

Supplied photos

Newest Palos Park police officer

Chief Joe Miller of the Palos Park Police Department reads a General Assembly Certificate of Recognition from State Rep. Fran Hurley (D-35th) welcoming Derek Kaczmarczyk, the department’s newest police officer. Following the presentation, fellow officer Bryan Spryne (center) good-naturedly shows Kaczmarczyk how to use handcuffs while Officer Matt Novak looks on.

POLICE BLOTTER: PALOS HEIGHTS DUI Carlos Chavez, 35, of Melrose Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 1:51 a.m. Sunday, in the 12000 block of South Harlem Avenue, said police, who reported that he was also cited for improper lane usage. He is due in court on May 8.

Alfred Smuskiewicz, 57, of Lockport, was charged with DUI at 4:18 a.m. Sunday, in the 12700 block of South Harlem Avenue, according to police. He was also cited for improper lane usage, said police. He is due in court on May 8.

Kyle Tietz, 27, of Palos Heights, was charged with DUI at 2:32 a.m. Monday, in the 6500 block of West 127th Street, police said.

According to police, he was also cited for driving without proof of insurance and improper lane usage. He is due in court on May 8.

Suspended license George Perez, 41, of Home-

wood, was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 11:29 p.m. April 11, in the 7300 block of West College Drive. Police said he was also cited for driving without insurance. He is due in court on April 28.

Rasheeda E. Johnson, 34, of Dolton, was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 10 a.m. April 12, in the 6400 block of West 135th Street. Police said she was also cited for having expired registration and no insurance. She is due in court on May 22.

Wayne B. Allen. 43, of Calumet City, was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 9:32 a.m. Sunday, in the 11800 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he was also cited for having expired registration. He is due in court on June 6.

Outstanding warrants Pamela Smith, 56, of Palos Heights, was arrested on an out-

standing warrant in the 13200 block of North Country Club Court at 4 p.m. April 11. Police said the warrant was for trespassing. She was held for a court appearance the following day.

Aaron Farley, 27, of Manteno, was arrested on an outstanding warrant following a traffic stop at 3:01 a.m. April 13, in the 13600 block of South Harlem Avenue.

Police said the warrant was discovered through a random registration check. He is due in court on May 16.

Criminal damage Lucas J. Morano, 20, of Palos Hills, was issued a local ordinance violation for criminal damage to property after police reported finding him spray-painting graffiti on a bridge in the 11500 block of Southwest Highway at 6:33 p.m. last Thursday. Police said they caught him after being called to the scene by a passerby. He is due at a hearing on May 8.

POLICE BLOTTER: ORLAND PARK Three charged with DUI Orland Park police charged William R. Goossens, 31, of Tinley Park, with DUI and driving while using an electronic communications device after they curbed his car in the 9300 block of West 159th Street at 1:24 a.m. April 1. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and Goossens is scheduled to appear in court in Bridgeview on May 11.

Tinley Park resident Robert E. Chillmon Jr. was charged with DUI, improper lane usage and operating an uninsured motor vehicle after his SUV was pulled over by police in the 16500 block of South Wolf Road at 12:21 a.m. March 12. The vehicle was towed and seized, and Chillmon is expected to appear in court in Bridgeview on Wednesday.

Chicago resident Marlil Razo, 31, was charged with DUI and improper lane usage after police curbed her SUV in the 9800 block of West 153rd Street at 7:08 p.m. March 24. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and Razo is set to appear in court in Bridgeview on May 11.

Accused of stealing Texan’s identity Police charged Chicago resident Byron E. Byrd, 24, with aggravated identity theft after he allegedly used a credit card belonging to a 75-year-old Missouri City, Texas man to try and purchase more than $5,500 in computer goods at the Apple Store in Orland Square Mall at 3:27 p.m. March 30. Police said Byrd that Byrd also was found to be in possession of the Texas man’s cell phone. Police also confiscated a forged Illinois driver’s license

and $1,952 in cash from Byrd’s pockets, according to the police report. Bond was set at $10,000, and Byrd is due in court in Bridgeview on May 1.

Car buyer forged credit app, police say Chicago resident Andrea M. Franklin, 25, was charged with forgery after she allegedly used falsified paystubs to acquire credit to buy a 2014 Ford Edge at Joe Rizza Ford, 8100 W. 159th St. The SUV was sold by the dealership on March 27. Four days later, the company’s finance manager called police to say the documents used on the credit application were forged. The vehicle’s purchase price was $14,400, and Franklin put up $2,000 cash, police were told.

Police advised the dealership to call Franklin and suggest that she bring the SUV in for engine service. She did and was arrested. Franklin was due at a bond hearing on April 1.

Man accused of driving off after hitting parked car Police charged Orland Park resident Santiago Lopez-Saquic, 41, with leaving the scene of an accident, driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle after the pickup truck he was driving allegedly hit an unoccupied parked car in the Walgreens parking lot at 14680 S. LaGrange Road at 9:09 p.m. March 14. Police said the truck hit the car—belonging to a 23-year-old Orland Park woman—and that Walgreens management was alerted to the situation by a customer who wrote down the truck’s license plate number. After tracing the plate and reviewing video surveillance footage at the store, police located Lopez-Saquic and arrested him. He was due in court in Bridgeview on April 10.

driving 80 mph when he was plowing through that intersection.

Relatives of the teenagers were irate and Cook County Sherriff’s police and their dogs were on hand during court appearances in case of incidents.

Casper pled guilty in late 2005 to a variety of charges. In January, 2006, Judge David Sterba sentenced Casper to 12 years in prison for aggravated driving under the influence and a concurrent five-year sentence for aggravated battery and said he was driving a “cruise missile capable of killing on contact.”

“You’re a person who’s led a good law-abiding life up until one disastrous moment,” Sterba added. “I recognize this is just a snapshot of your life, but it creates a horribly grim picture.”

Later, Sterba sliced off two years on the sentence at Casper’s request after Casper promised to give his life a purpose and to help others.

As a part of that promise, a nervous Casper took to the microphone in front of a small crowd at the McCook forum and hundreds of other who were watching a live stream.

“You can be a good person and make a bad decision and believe me, it’s terrible,” he said. “When you make this decision, you also screw up somebody else’s life.

I didn’t know…just one stupid, selfish thing I did…

“There is no excuse. Now there is Uber (a driving service that became popular in recent years).

If you are going to go out, be smart. I’m serious. Be responsible. Everyone has an iPhone, use it.’’

He opened a few eyes about

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Orland Fire Protection District Chief Michael Schofield has headed up the In the Blink of an Eye program since 2009.

drinking and driving even if there are no accidents and fatalities.

“The DUI costs alone are around eight-to-10 grand. Not a lot of people have that kind of money just to throw around. Don’t drink and drive…and don’t text and drive.’’

While Casper was locked up in various prisons across the state, his mother, Tami O’Brien, continued to live the horrific night over and over as she joined the In the Blink of an Eye and other groups and has told her story countless times, bringing in large photos of Casper as a kid and the damaged cars from that night.

This time she was able to introduce him to the crowd to speak.

She remembers a time when her family seemed like it was Public Enemy No. 1.

“We were on every news station and in all the newspapers,” she said. “People were in his face at the court house. He’s a very good person but made bad decisions.’’

Schofield started In the Blink

of an Eye as a warning to south suburban residents about the perils of heroin and it has turned into a program with several subject matters including texting and driving and athletes getting hooked on pain medication. His son, also named Michael, is an offensive lineman for the Denver Broncos and when he is in town he also speaks with the group.

Even though the heroin epidemic has worsened over the years and the elder Schofield feels like he is not making headway in that regard, he is pumped up about what the program has done since 2009. “(Cook Country Commissioner Sean Morrison) and I wrote a grant that gives all police officers in Cook County Narcan,’’ Schofield said. “The police are always the first ones there. Now they can give Narcan to someone overdosing on heroin and it reverses the effects of heroin and opioids. In the last six months, we’ve saved 30 people.’’

Treasurer

Continued from Page 1 the City of Palos Heights, and of giving back to the community.”

Ald. Jack Clifford of Ward 2 shared a personal memory of the outgoing treasurer when they were fellow member of the Palos Lions Club.

“We spent a lot of time chatting in those cold winter nights in the trailer on the (Christmas) tree lot,” said Clifford. “He was there every single minute. If a guy was missing, they’d call Frank up and he’d be there.

Oswald’s long record of volunteerism continues to this day. In addition to his service with the Lions, he was a member of the library board and is still active at Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens. Oswald also volunteers at Palos Community Hospital.

“We’ve built a lot of things in this town based on volunteers,” said the mayor. “You’re a prime example of this.”

In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, authorizations were made to pay or accept proposals totaling more than $300,000 for a variety of projects around the city, some in various stages of completion. The expenditures include a police department roofing project, city hall roofing project, replacement of 11 furnaces at the Recreation Center and the purchase of equipment for the Meyers Park renovation.

The council opened eight sealed

Photo by Anthony Caciopo

Retiring city treasurer Frank Oswald speaks at Tuesday night’s city council meeting as Mayor Bob Straz looks on.

bids for renovation of the boardroom where council meetings are held.

“This room hasn’t been remodeled in 40 years,” said Straz.

“We’re going to have to move the meetings during the summer.”

The bids have been forwarded to the Buildings and Grounds Committee for review.

The Regional News

Thursday, April 20, 2017

3

Lipinski vows fed action on airlines’ bumping

You buy a seat, you get a seat, congressman says

By Tim Hadac

In the wake of a United Airlines passenger being forcibly dragged from a jet at O’Hare International Airport earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) is vowing action that may end the practice of involuntary bumping.

The congressman, a senior member of the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he may help lead federal action to “require that when you buy a plane ticket, that you are guaranteed to be on that flight. Right now, you’re

not guaranteed to have a seat on that flight…you’re just guaranteed that the airline will get you to your destination at some time. I think that needs to change…so they would not be able to force anyone off a flight.”

Lipinski’s call to action was made in a conversation he had with The Regional News last Saturday at an outdoor Easter egg hunt at Hale Park on Chicago’s Southwest Side, as passenger jets roared overhead on the way to and from Midway Airport, just seven blocks east.

The congressman’s pledge to act comes in the wake of an April 9 incident that saw a ticketed passenger, 69-year-old Dr. David Dao of Kentucky, yanked from his seat

by Chicago Department of Aviation security staff and dragged off a United Airlines jet after he was

selected for involuntary removal.

He was one of four paying customers involuntarily bumped from the Chicago-to-Louisville flight because it was over the allowable limit of passengers. The other three left without incident.

The involuntary bumping occurred after no passengers accepted an offer of up to $800 in air-travel vouchers to give up their seats for four airline employees who were added at the last minute because they were needed to cover an unstaffed flight at another location.

Cell-phone video of the incident—which shows Dao dazed and bloodied after being dragged down an aisle--has shocked people around the world and triggered calls for air carriers to end involuntary bumping.

While Lipinski said that pas-

senger air carriers “appear to be learning” from the firestorm of negative publicity around the incident and have taken some steps to prevent future occurrences by increasing incentives to convince passengers to agree to be bumped from over-booked flights, he said it may not be enough. The congressman said it is likely that lawmakers will take stronger action through federal legislation—most likely the Federal Aviation Administration re-authorization bill, which his subcommittee will work on next month.

“No passenger should ever be put through what Dr. Dao was,” the congressman added. “It appears that the boarding system broke down at many levels, and I am continuing to receive updates from the U.S. Department of Transportation, United, and the

Chicago Department of Aviation about what occurred, what they are planning to do to prevent it from occurring again, and who will be held accountable. No passenger should be forced to give up a seat on a flight on which they purchased a ticket, much less dragged off a plane.”

Lipinski, who typically flies up to 90 times a year on commercial jets, told The Regional News that people “are very unhappy with their flying experience these days.

The airlines nickel and dime you for everything.”

Lipinski has pushed for changes in air carriers’ operating procedures in the past. Last year, he proposed legislation that would require airlines to refund baggage fees for passengers if their luggage is substantially delayed. It was adopted by the U.S. Department

of Transportation.

In 2015 he introduced legislation that would stop airlines from charging passengers a fee if they change flights because the bathrooms on their plane are out of order.

“I think it’s a shame where we’re at the point where the government has to step in to take care of these issues,” he continued. “The airlines really should be treating their passengers with more respect, but obviously aren’t. The flying experience has really gotten more difficult, more unpleasant—which is curious because the airlines are all making a lot of money these days. They need to be treating their passengers better.”

Orland officials: Artificial island will keep pond healthy

By Dermot Connolly A stormwater pond in Orland Park will soon be getting a floating, artificial island stocked with plants designed to consume excess nutrients that cause algae blooms and other problems.

The Orland Park Village Board approved the pilot program, with an estimated cost of $9,800, at the meeting on Monday. Installation in the Marley Boulevard South Pond is anticipated this year. If the island works as designed, the program will be expanded to other stormwater ponds in the village.

The 1.21-acre Marley Boulevard South Pond is located in a subdivision south of 179th Street near Wolf Road, The Public Works Committee had recommended approval of the pilot project following a presentation by Lindsay Birt, Ph.D., of Huff & Huff Inc., an environmental consulting firm in Oak Brook, at the April 3 committee meeting.

Birt explained during the presentation that the floating islands are fibrous polyester mats injected with polyester foam. Native aquatic vegetation is then planted on them, with roots that grow into

Spreading Easter cheer Four-hundred baskets of toys and treats were assembled at the Cardinal Bernardin Center of Immaculate Conception Church in Palos Heights for delivery before Easter Sunday. Adults and more than 30 students worked throughout the morning in shifts putting together the baskets destined for several charitable organizations, according to Julie Pietrzak who marked her 20th year of participation.

Taking part in the assembly are (above, from left) Cassidy Landers, Kiley Boreman and Conor Geigner. Lily King (right photo) brings the completed baskets to a staging area where they will be counted. A large part of the floor would eventually be covered with completed baskets.

of accessibility, high feasibility and layout. The scope of the pilot project includes design, installation with plants, performance monitoring, and educational signage and brochures. Several homes in the subdivision look out on the pond, which is surrounded by a walking path that leads to a similar retention pond.

Along with filtering the ponds and attracting wildlife, the floating islands are also beneficial because they don’t require any extra land and don’t decrease water-storage volume of the ponds. Fluctuating water volume won’t harm them, either, said Birt.

CATERING FOR ALL OCCASIONS!

New performing arts center at Richards moves forward Progress on the new performing arts center that will be built at Richards High School in Oak Lawn is well under way.

The arts center project was discussed briefly at the District 218 School Board meeting on April 10. The board rejected the original construction bids last month, after they came in several million dollars above the architects’ original estimates. The arts center is being redesigned with DLA Architects to bring the cost back down to the original budget.

The board hopes to re-bid the project soon.

Secretary Karen Burmeister and member Larry Harris also attended their last official board meeting this month, receiving clocks as gifts for their service. Burmeister has served the community high school district board for 10 years.

Harris joined the board in 2009.

Taking their new seats on the District 218 Community School Board will be William ‘Bill’ Christian and Cindy Bartczak.

The Cook County Board of Elections results showed that Christian won the election in Harris’ Sub-District 7 with 70.19 percent of the votes (1,891). Bartczak won unopposed in Burmeister’s Sub-District 2. Burmeister chose not to run for re-election.

Board members Randy Heuser

the water and remove oversaturation of nutrients found in fertilizer runoff.

“The excess nutrients cause algae blooms,” said Birt, referring primarily to nitrogen and phosphorus. She said algae blooms detract from the appearance of the ponds and are detrimental to the health of the ponds and the wildlife in them. But the floating islands have the opposite effect, attracting birds, reptiles and other wildlife that use them as nesting sites. Fish also find protection and food among the roots floating in the water.

She said Marley Boulevard South Pond was selected because

Serving the Area’s Finest Italian Cuisine

Photos by Anthony Caciopo

By Michelle Zalesny

Photo by Dermot Connolly

An floating island is scheduled to be constructed in Marley Boulevard South Pond near 179th Street and Wolf Road in the coming months. The island is designed to control algae bloom and improve water quality in general.

and Thomas Kosowski, president, were unopposed in the consolidated election.

“Apart from serving on this board, Mrs. Burmeister has volunteered much of her time as a member of the education committee,” said Superintendent Dr. Ty Harting. “She also was a trustee and the president of District 218 and the Friends of District 218 Foundation, where she helped raised thousands of dollars for college scholarships and future grants. Mr. Harris has been a lead member of the district facilities committee and has given an untold number of hours in making sure the district spends its money prudently so that our students, staff, and communities can have access to the finest high schools possible,” added Harting, who thanked them for their kindness and generosity.

After the board congratulated students and faculty who received awards that evening, Harris and Burmeister expressed their gratitude with deepest admiration for their community, students and fellow board members.

“I just wanted to thank the community for having elected me two times to serve in this position, the administration, the staff, and all the support you’ve given me to make my job a little easier and more successful,” said Harris. “I truly hope that the students of our

district use all the resources that we’ve provided. I also would like to wish my fellow board members all the success and remember that a well-educated student will become a good citizen and a great person.”

“I truly enjoyed serving the community, administration, staff, and students in this fine district,” said Burmeister. “We have some of the best students around with the biggest hearts and great potential to succeed. Whatever success means to them, it is my hope that this board, my successor, and future board (members) serve with honor and dignity to serve all of our students with the students’ best interest in mind.”

Kosowski also brought up new seat belt legislation being supported by Secretary of State Jesse White. House Bill 3377, sponsored by state Rep. Lou Lang (D-16th), would require three-point seat belts on school buses in Illinois. The bill passed the House Transportation Vehicles and Safety Committee and now moves to the full House of Representatives.

“Hopefully it will get moving along, maybe with a little help from the community,” said Harris, who has been an advocate for seat belts on school buses. “Call your rep up. Let them know what you think. There’s nothing better than a phone call. Let’s hope it passes.”

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4 Thursday, April 20, 2017

I don’t fish, but the idea reels me in Take it from someone who hasn’t cast a line into a body of water for at least 40 years.

I like fishing.

Well, let’s say I like the idea of fishing. I’ll qualify it further by saying there’s a particular type of fishing I like: catch-and-release style. The kind of fishing that when the tackle boxes are being packed away for the day, the deep-voiced announcer proclaims “No fish were harmed in the course of this pleasant morning.”

Generally speaking, fishing seems to be a calm activity.

It is quiet. People move slowly. They move deliberately. I don’t have those traits. Perhaps that’s why I’m drawn to the idea of fishing, even if I don’t want to get my hands dirty.

Sometimes, you’ve just gotta “be.” Be in nature. Be in the moment.

I went happily into that moment last Saturday at the Spring Fishing Derby held by the Palos Park Recreation & Parks Department. It was a fantastic morning with the low sun glinting off Papoose Lake on McCarthy Road, just west of LaGrange. Men, women and children arrived with fishing gear in hand. Those who didn’t have equipment were able to borrow the necessities, thanks to support from Bass Pro Shops, a retailer of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear.

The event was mostly for children, to be sure, but it certainly wasn’t limited to just kids. Elsewhere in today’s edition you’ll see pictures of kids having a good time at water’s edge. There’s a brief article about the derby winners in their respective age categories.

There was serious fishing taking place but there was some horsing around, too. Let’s face it—kids of certain ages don’t typically stay focused for too long on any one thing. In fact, the entire event ran for less than three hours. It was just enough time to catch a fish or three…just enough time to teach your daughter to cast…just enough time to get a balanced start to a busy weekend.

On the shore of Papoose Lake for those two hours, it all worked very well, even if some people had a right to be a bit frazzled.

Take LeeAnn Fisk, for instance.

Fisk is the director of the Recreation & Parks Department and, as the organizer of the fishing derby, was the go-to person on-site. As if she didn’t have enough responsibility on her plate that morning—about 100 anglers, a small team of staff she was managing, the official tally sheets, fairly frequent questions and requests for help—she was also handling knots. Lot and lots of knots.

“My husband would say to just cut it already,” she laughed as she methodically threaded her way through a tangled web of monofilament fishing line in order to get a derby participant going again.

Waiting for Fisk to work her magic was Pepsi Patterson who, without an operating fishing rod for herself or her children, was temporarily relegated to onlooker status. Patterson introduced me to her son, Tai and he, too, had a rat’s nest of knotted line on his hands.

At just about the furthest edge of shore from the event tent, Vince Bestrick and his son, Anthony, had staked out a spot almost alongside the road. It was a short hike over uneven ground and fallen tree limbs but the still water against the road bank must’ve seemed promising.

As Anthony gave some of the most vigorous casts I could imagine from a 13-year-old, Vince and I talked an easy, lakeside talk about the economy, politics and keeping kids focused on something positive.

“Hey, we’d better be careful or we won’t hear the horn” (signaling the end of the event), Bestrick told his son who reared back for one more cast…and then one more.

I got lucky passing by Frank Ristucci, 12, who had just reeled in an eight-inch bluegill. Up the embankment he walked to have his fish officially measured, and then it was back to the waterline to let his prize go.

For those who came away with a prize and for the majority who came away from Papoose Lake with just a good feeling, time on the water was time well-spent.

OPINION

The Regional News

ANTHONY CACIOPO

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Pro-Rauner media won’t give Pritzker a fair shake Democratic gubernatorial candidate J. B. Pritzker met with 30 mayors, legislators and township officials from Chicago and the southwest and west suburbs last week, something a candidate hoping to win office should be doing.

Not a fundraiser, the meeting provided Pritzker the opportunity to introduce himself and discuss the issues with officials who represent more than 750,000 Illinois residents.

Dan Mihalopoulos of the Sun-Times did a story on the meeting, but if you read it, you would have thought the gathering was a secret meeting undermining the U.S. Constitution. It was filled with petty personal attacks reflecting Republican Bruce Rauner’s petty politics.

Most mainstream journalists are thinskinned hypocrites. Their egos are bigger than their faked-up stories. They dish it out, but hate to be criticized. They can’t take it. So I expect Mihalopoulos will complain about this column.

In addition to writing my opinions each

RAY HANANIA week here and elsewhere, I also manage media relations for several government clients in the southwest suburbs. I’m not a reporter. I am an opinion columnist, with 40 years’ experience in government and politics.

When I write about a client, which is rare, I ALWAYS disclose it in my writings.

Not Mihalopoulos, who turned his column into an attack ad against Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Mihalopoulos left out that Rauner was a major owner of the Sun-Times, with a 10 percent stake in Wrapports LLC, the owner of the Chicago Sun-Times where Mihalopoulos is employed, until deciding to run for governor. Rauner reportedly sold

his stake in 2014.

Worse, Mihalopoulos didn’t mention that the Sun-Times, after abandoning political endorsements for three years, came out of retirement to endorse Rauner in 2014. Did it have anything to do with the $65 million Rauner spent on media advertising?

It is hypocritical when Mihalopoulos attacks one of my clients, Cicero President Larry Dominick, saying that if you wanted to run for office in Illinois, you probably wouldn’t want to woo Dominick or be seen with him. However, Mihalopoulos remains silent about his own “clients,” like Rauner.

Truth doesn’t do well at the Chicago Sun-Times, one of the most conflicted newspapers in the country. Not even a dead fish would want to be wrapped in that dying newspaper’s fading newsprint.

What Mihalopoulos doesn’t get, or will report, is that Dominick does more for Cicero than the Sun-Times has ever done for its own readers.

See HANANIA, Page 5

Washington needs to come together on infrastructure bill

By Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) This past November, Americans sent a clear message that they want Washington to do more to make the American economy work for the middle class. They know that American workers have been hurt by bad trade deals; they want these deals to be renegotiated and future deals to prioritize American workers, not multi-national corporations.

They see American manufacturing jobs declining not just because of automation, but because other countries are stealing these jobs through unfair trade practices while Washington does little to fight back.

Americans also know that there is a lot of work to be done fixing our broken infrastructure, especially our transportation system. In northeastern Illinois we have some of the worst congestion in the country, which means lost time, wasted gas, and more pollution. It also means that

conducting business is more expensive for local businesses who need to get products to customers quickly. Overall, it hurts our quality of life every day in many different ways.

President Trump has promised the American people a trillion dollar infrastructure bill.

He mentioned it the night of the election, during his Inaugural Address, and during his address to a Joint Session of Congress. But more than three months into Donald Trump’s presidency we have yet to see any concrete ideas put forward, much less a piece of legislation.

Congress stepped forward two years ago with a five year transportation infrastructure funding bill that I helped to write. As the only House Transportation Committee member from Illinois appointed to work out the final compromise on the bill known as the FAST Act, I helped make sure the bill increased funding for local road and transit projects by more than ten percent and addressed regional transportation priorities. While this bill

has been helpful, we all know from our daily experiences that more needs to be done. But will President Trump follow through on his promise and will Congress come together to get it done?

First we need a good plan.

The only plan that President Trump has put forward so far relies on tax breaks to spur private building. To some this looks more like a tax cut for big-money developers rather than an infrastructure plan.

The biggest problem is that it would only lead to the construction of tollroads and other projects that would produce a guaranteed return. This would mean that most of our infrastructure would continue to crumble, while those projects that did get done would cost more because they would include a profit for investors.

What we need is a real infrastructure plan that makes a public investment in our transportation system. It should include more than “shovel-ready projects” as has been suggested by the Trump Administration; this lesson

should have been learned from President Obama’s stimulus bill. We need to make longterm investments that transform our transportation system.

This investment will pay off for everyone with less time wasted on our roads, less fuel unnecessarily burned, a better public transit system, the direct creation of jobs, and a longterm boost to our economy.

These would be big payoffs for all Americans, especially the middle class.

There are many policies that President Trump is trying to implement that I strongly disagree with and I will continue to fight against them. But we should not let these disagreements stop us from working on issues that can help create jobs for middle-class families. Infrastructure investment should be an issue that we can all agree upon. Washington needs to remember the message Americans sent in November and come together on a real infrastructure bill that will boost the middle class.

READERS WRITE Orland Park did well with Mayor McLaughlin Editor, This letter is in response to Mr. Ray Hanania’s “opinion” article, which appeared in The Regional News on April 13, 2017.

I have lived in Orland Park for 21 of the 24 years that Dan McLaughlin was mayor. I did not flee from the 19th Ward and none of my neighbors did either, as Mr. Hanania intimated. My neighbors are a diverse group of citizens from other countries, other states, other suburbs and yes, of some parts of Chicago.

In these 21 years I never knew what party Dan McLaughlin was affiliated with because he never brought politics into any project. Orland Park has grown and developed into the best place that I have ever lived (from California to Chicago). If Orland Park was a soggy pig farm as Mr. Hanania stated, has he had the privilege to see what has been accomplished with Dan McLaughlin?

I have no idea how Mayor McLaughlin could find the time to do all he has done for Orland Park. He obviously gave many

more hours to this town than what would be considered “part time.”

It seems as though the time has come for those who shout the loudest and are nasty name-callers with no experience, and receive money from outsiders, to rule the day. A city the size of Orland Park needs a full-time mayor. We would have received what we paid for with Dan McLaughlin. We certainly were getting far more than we were paying.

Mr. Hanania, you should be so lucky to live in a city as well-run as Orland Park.

I hope the new mayor will have as much success as Dan McLaughlin.

— Ruth Hertko Orland Park

Put pressure on North Korean economy Editor: President Trump has pointed out the strong linkage between China and North Korea, and he correctly assumes China can influence North Korea’s weapons development program. We must work with China on resolving this situation, and also on the

Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea and the trade deficit imbalance.

At this juncture, the North Korean nuclear missile program is of primary concern. China can bring pressure on North Korea to stop its development of these weapons systems by reducing its trade with North Korea.

One area of trade that comes to mind is the large quantity of coal China imports from North Korea. It is estimated this amounts to 22 million tons per year, which is 40 percent of North Korea’s coal exports. A reduction in the importation of North Korean coal would significantly impact the North Korean economy, and could force it to change its position on arms development.

The U.S. has large quantities of coal available for mining which could be sold to China, if cost effective, to fill its coal importation needs. This would help our trade imbalance with China, boost our coal mining industry, and put our coal miners back to work.

— Donald Moskowitz Londonderry, N.H.

BUSINESS

The Regional News

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Be an ‘environmentally friendly’ investor On April 22, we observe Earth Day, a worldwide event focusing on protecting the environment. As a citizen of this planet, you may want to take part in Earth Day activities. And as an investor, you can learn some valuable lessons from the environmental movement.

Here are a few ideas to consider: • “Recycle” proven strategies. Over the past few decades, we have discovered ways of bringing new life to objects we would have previously thrown away. When you invest, you also don’t need to discard things you’ve used before — such as proven investment strategies. For example, one tried-andtrue technique is to simply purchase investments appropriate for your needs and risk tolerance, and then hold these investments until either your situation changes or the investments themselves are no longer the same as when you bought them. (To illustrate: You might have bought stock in a company whose products or services are not as competitive as they once were.)

• Avoid “toxic” investment moves. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, we have had some success in identifying and eliminating toxins in our air and water. You can also find — and avoid — “toxic” investment moves. One such move is chasing a “hot” stock. By the time you hear about this stock — from a friend, relative or even a television or internet commentator — it may already be cooling off. Even more importantly, it might not be suitable for your needs, either because it’s too risky or because you already own several similar stocks. “Hot” stocks aren’t so hot if they aren’t right for you.

• Reduce “excess” investments in your portfolio. Environmentalists stress the need for all of us to reduce our “footprint” on earth — that is, we can help improve the environment by owning less “stuff.” The same idea can also apply to investing.

If you took a close look at your portfolio, you might find investments that you’ve held for years but whose purpose is no longer clear to you. Some may even be duplicates, or near-duplicates, of other

The next luncheon meeting of the Palos Newcomers Club is set for Thursday, April 27 at Crystal Tree Country Club, 10700 W,

Hanania

Continued from Page 4 Under Dominick, street gang-related shootings and deaths dropped dramatically from 65 shootings and 14 deaths in 2004, the year before Cicero voters elected him. Last year, there were four shootings and one gang-related death.

It’s been like that for most of the 12 years Dominick has been president. The Sun-Times doesn’t report that.

Dominick’s Cicero offers unique programs providing jobs to the disabled, offering extensive services to senior citizens and overseeing a program to discourage gangs and increase community involvement.

Cicero absorbs more than half of Chicago’s water rate hikes, has held property tax increases to a few percent in the past 12 years, and has attracted 30 major new businesses including WalMart, Sonic and Menards.

Senior services are extensive. The town has a handyman program to paint, repair windows, shovel sidewalks and mow lawns. Free transportation is provided to seniors to and from doctors’ offices and grocery stores. The town also offers two-dozen free activity programs throughout the year.

Dominick built a regula-

COMINGS & GOINGS

Edward Jones

investments. You might be able to improve your financial picture by getting rid of this “clutter.” By selling investments you no longer need, you could use the proceeds to purchase new investments that may be far more effective in helping you meet your objectives.

• Plant “seeds” of opportunity. Many Earth Day lesson plans for students emphasize the value of planting gardens and trees. As an investor, you, too, need to look for ways to plant “seeds” of opportunity so that you can eventually harvest the results. Specifically, look for those investments that, like trees, can grow and prosper over years and decades. Of course, growth-oriented investments carry investment risk, including the possible loss of principal. Yet, to achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you will need some growth potential in your portfolio. You can reduce the level of risk by owning a mix of investments — including less aggressive vehicles, such as bonds — in your portfolio.

Each year, Earth Day comes and goes. But its messages have had a profound impact on generations of people interested in preserving our environment. And translating some of these lessons to the investment arena can have a powerful effect on your financial future.

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

Photo by Bob Bong

Darla’s Deli & Cafe recently opened in Tinley Park. Other locations are in Palos Hills and Manteno.

Darla’s Deli & Cafe opens new locations Together with the original Darla’s in Palos Hills, which opened in June, they are the latest venture for Durbin’s owner Tom McAuliffe.

The Darla’s in Tinley and Manteno are not your usual gaming cafes. Sure, they have video slot machines and offer complementary soft drinks, coffee and snacks, but these locations also serve up deli sandwiches and even Boar’s Head deli meat by the pound. By law, they also have a liquor license for beer and wine.

The new Tinley location at 6800 W. 183rd St. is open at 6 a.m.

Monday to Saturday and it closes at 10 p.m. Sunday hours are noon to 10 p.m.

The Manteno location is at 417 S. Locust St. and is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to midnight, from 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Manteno also has a banquet room for up to 70 people.

interact with mini therapy horses from Merciful Minis.

The collectibles sale features more than 20 area dealers displaying and selling. Items include uniforms, decorations, field gear, books, photos and other items from the Civil War to present.

Guests are encouraged to bring in military items for appraisal or to learn more about the item.

Families can meet PAWWS service dogs from 10 to 11 a.m. and Merciful Minis therapy horses from 11 to noon, both inside the Civic Center.

Outside the Civic Center located at the south parking lot, guests can see different military vehicles used during World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Area military service organizations attending the expo include

Vet Tech, Veterans Garage, American Legion Post 111, Orland-Palos VFW Post 2604, Will County Veterans Assistance Commission, Aishling Companion Home Care, PAWWS, Merciful Minis and the Orland Park Library.

The expo will have popcorn and refreshments available for purchase, and guests who bring in a copy of the expo flyer or release will receive free popcorn.

Those who may have military memorabilia items they no longer want can also donate the memorabilia to the village’s history museum.

For more information about the expo, or to donate unwanted military items to the village’s history museum, contact the Orland Park Veterans Commission at (708) 403-6115.

153rd St., Orland Park.

Cocktails are served at 11 a.m., with lunch at noon. Entertainment will be provided by Edizon Dayao, a keyboardist and vocalist. Guests are welcome to

attend.

Those who join the club do not have to live in the Palos area or Following are the property transbe a newcomer, club officials said. fers in the area, according to the For reservations or information, latest report, as received from the call Terry at (708) 448-6598.

Cook County Recorder of Deeds Office. The Regional News does not attempt to correct errors made Chicago. by that office.

They don’t want to stop the Orland Park killings. If they did, many of Weissenstein Joan V Tr to Pasia the hypocrites at the Sun-Times Erlinda C, 10949 New Mexico Ct, would be out of jobs.

Unit #163, $195,000; Biased reporters love to Aimone Maryann L Tr to Riley attack Madigan and suburban Lupe M, 7306 Evergreen Dr, Unit mayors like Dominick but de#51A, $115,000; fend their pals like our do-nothYoung James V Tr to Costa ing governor and former SunJames, 15363 Tulip Ct, $260,000; Times investor Bruce Rauner.

Nolan Jayne to Dovgin Blair,

14525 Maycliff Dr, $286,000; Ray Hanania is an award Maras Suzana to Munoz Alexwinning columnist, author is, 15622 Violet Ct, Unit #36, and former Chicago City Hall $161,000; reporter. Email him at rghanaTegtmeyer Evelyn to Hertzner nia@gmail.com.

Keenan R, 9000 W 140th St, Unit

CLUB ACTIVITIES Newcomers Club to meet for lunch

5

Jim Van Howe

Military Expo coming to Orland Park in May The Village of Orland Park Veterans Commission will host its first-ever Military Expo from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia.

Admission for the show is $5 for adults, $3 for veterans and seniors. Children under age 12 will be admitted free.

Vendors interested in participating either as a dealer or service organization can contact Veterans Commissioner Darryl Wertheim at (708) 254-7303.

The collectibles show will feature a variety of military items on display, with many available for purchase. The expo includes area vet support groups and organizations. Children will be able to meet service dogs from PAWWS (Paws Assisting Wounded WarriorS) and

Thursday, April 20, 2017

tion-sized (summer/winter) ice rink, skateboard park, dog park and animal shelter.

Mihalopoulos doesn’t think Cicero is worth a positive story, but publishes muddied-up rumors at the ethically challenged Sun-Times because mud sells at the Sun-Times. Truth doesn’t.

How do you defeat street gangs? In addition to a strong police department — Dominick rose to the rank of deputy police chief during his 20 years as a cop — you have to get homeowners out of their homes to become engaged in yearlong community programs and festivals.

Dominick launched “Parent Patrols” which has 250 volunteers who help students travel to and from schools, a strong deterrence to street gang influence.

If Mihalopoulos or the Chicago Sun-Times ever figured that out how to prevent gangbangers from murdering children in Chicago each week, the SunTimes wouldn’t have screaming headlines to run and would probably go out of business.

To the mainstream news media “if it bleeds it leads” is not just a slogan, it’s a revenue-generating system.

The newspaper thrives on the suffering of everyday people.

The newspaper profits from the record killings overwhelming

New gaming cafe and deli opens in Justice Lucky Penny’s gaming cafe and deli will hold its grand opening from 4-7 p.m. Friday in Justice at 8401 W. 79th St. in the former Zippy Mart. The ribbon cutting will take place at 5:30 p.m.

The cafe is already open and has five slot machines and sells beer and wine and includes a deli featuring Boar’s Head meats.

Lucky Penny’s is not the only local gaming cafe to serve deli meats and sandwiches.

Jersey Mike’s coming to Crestwood Mac Shimmon’s Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop empire is getting ready to expand again with a new location expected to open in June at 13426 S. Cicero Ave. in Crest-

BOB BONG wood.

Shimmon opened his 13th location in Oak Lawn in January.

He opened his first Jersey Mike’s in Orland Park in 2011 and now has additional south suburban locations in Frankfort, New Lenox and Palos Heights.

Hiring is now underway for the Crestwood store. If interested, applications are being taken at the Oak Lawn location at 4807 W. 95th St. The East Coast-chain started as a mom-and-pop sandwich shop in 1956 in Pleasant Point, N.J., on the New Jersey shore.

Coal-fire pizza coming to Orland Park Florida-based Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza is coming to Illinois with three locations including 14205 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park’s Orland Park Crossing shopping center.

It’s the former location of Bachrach, a men’s clothing store that moved across the parking lot into a new site last month.

“Chicago is a huge market for growth for Anthony’s,” said COO Chuck Locke in a release. “We’re bringing something completely different to the marketplace and feel that our coal fired concept will be embraced by new fans in the area, just like it has been in the Northeast and Southeast regions.”

Anthony’s cooks pizzas, chicken wings and pork ribs at 800 degrees in ovens fueled by coal.

The chain was founded in 2002 and has 60 company-owned loca-

tions. It is building Illinois stores in Orland Park, Kildeer and Vernon Hills and plans up to 20 additional locations over the next several years.

“My main focus has always been to create pizza that’s simultaneously unique and classic, and Chicago hasn’t seen pizza like ours yet,” said Anthony Bruno, a native New Yorker who founded the chain because he couldn’t find good pizza in Florida. “We’re excited to integrate ourselves in Chicago’s reputation as an epicenter for quality pizza, and to introduce Midwesterners to a new pizza experience that’s simply different than what they’re used to.

One of the reasons we set our sights on Chicago was because many Chicagoans travel to Florida and enjoy our coal fired specialties and now I’m excited to bring the ‘well done’ experience to them.”

Battery store closes Battery Giant, one of those stores that specialize in batteries for everything from hearing aids to motor vehicles, closed at the end of January at 15006 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park. The store opened in the summer of 2013.

Starbuck’s opens in Mokena A new Starbucks coffee shop is now open at 19180 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena. The shop is in a small retail center with a Chipotle restaurant. It includes a drivethrough lane.

Hours are Monday to Saturday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Sunday, it opens at 5:30 a.m.

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

AREA PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Mortgage Rates Around the Area First Midwest Bank (as of April 17)

30-year fixed 15-year fixed 30-year fixed Jumbo

RATES APR POINTS 4.000 4.035 0 3.250 3.305 0 4.000 4.045 0

30-year fixed 15-year fixed 10-year fixed

RATES APR POINTS 3.990 4.011 0 3.250 3.286 0 3.250 3.303 0

30-year fixed 20-year fixed 15-year fixed

RATES APR POINTS 4.250 4.296 .25 4.000 4.062 .25 3.500 3.562 .25

United Trust Bank (as of April 17)

#90001C, $76,000; First Midwest Bk Tr to Hilger David S, 11 Old Tamarack Ln, $521,000; Velada Anthony J to Fitzgibbon Edward S, 8564 Hemlock St, $200,000; Serna Rodolfo to Pineda Zenaida, 10936 W Colorado Ct, Unit #67, $168,500; Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr to Wagner James, 7505 157th St, $288,000; Buoscio Jack A to Zimmer Donna, 15702 Old Orchard Ct, Unit #157022S, $180,000; Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr to Braun Linda J, 15724 Orlan Brook Dr, Unit #192, $120,000; Largen Michaline M to Knerr

Timothy C, 15319 Aster St, Unit #97, $138,000; Coari Thomas J to Jozwik Jeanne, 11258 Melrose Ct, $325,000.

Palos Park Schroedle Peter John to Petrat Horst, 8 St. Moritz Dr, Unit #8102, $153,000; Barrett Michael S to Arrigo Richard V, 11727 Brookside Dr, Unit #1018, $240,000; Kiser Raleiigh C to Marquette Bk Tr, 8229 Knollwood Dr, $889,000; Standard B&T Co Tr to Cozad Kipp E, 12 Hillside Cir, $330,000; Standard B&T Co Tr to Glaubke Bernadette M Tr, 19 St. Moritz Dr, Unit #19102, $178,500.

Consumer Loans Made Easy United Trust Bank offers a wide variety of consumer loans to fit your needs!

Please contact one of our Loan Officers to discuss any of the following consumer products: • New and Used Car/Truck Loans • Certificate of Deposit Loans • Home Equity Loans Contact John Hyland, President; Kenneth Shapiro; or Robert Hoholik today!

Prospect Federal (as of April 17)

All rates subject to change daily. Equal opportunity lenders.

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

6 Thursday, April 20, 2017

The Regional News

DEATH NOTICES

Celebrate pastor’s ordination anniversary at Sts. Peter and Paul Church

William J. ‘Bill’ Loerop

Orland Park resident William J. “Bill” Loerop, 73, died April 12 at Presence St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee.

Mr. Loerop was a retired truck driver who worked for Vanderbilt

Flour for 35 years. He served in the Army from 1963 to 1969.

Mr. Loerop is survived by his wife, Betty L. (nee Voss); sons, Steven (Kellie), John (Tanya) and Scott (Danielle); brother, Henry (Maureen); sisters, Ruth (Don)

Huisenga and Joan (Eugene) Fennema; seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Services were Tuesday at Orland Park Christian Reformed Church followed by private burial at Chapel Hill Gardens South.

Rev. Vasyl Sendeha of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Palos Park, prepares Pascha last week, a traditional Easter bread with raisins that represents the sweetness of the Resurrection of Christ. Fr. Sendeha, pastor of the congregation, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his ordination this Sunday, known as St. Thomas Sunday, with a chicken and lamb roast at noon at the church, 8410 W. 131st St. Everyone is invited to attend. Noreen Neswick, outgoing church president, packages bags of frozen pierogi in preparation for buyers at the church’s monthly pierogi sale. An estimated 1,200 dozen pierogi are produced for each sale. That’s more than 15,000 individual dumplings. The most popular version, according to Fr. Sendeha, is potato.

Photos by Anthony Caciopo

Supplied photo

Jerry Tokars (kneeling, far right) and the 1976-’77 De La Salle High School basketball team he coached to third place in state.

Legendary basketball coach Jerry Tokars dies

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Orland health fair for seniors provides screenings, information

By Kelly White Orland Park residents Rose Marie and Thomas Stropoli like to remain healthy and active within their community.

The 80-year-old couple enjoys participating in senior citizen activities, walking, spending time outdoors and eating healthy. More than ever before, seniors like the Stropolis are working longer, trying new things and engaging in their communities. They’re taking charge, striving for wellness, focusing on independence and advocating for themselves and others.

To continue their healthy lifestyle, the couple joined 50 other seniors at a free health fair last Thursday afternoon at the Orland Township offices, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. The daylong fair featured valuable free health screenings and information provided by local senior service-related agencies, as well as refreshments, raffles and giveaways.

“We think it’s important to attend events like this,” said Rose Marie Stropoli. “It’s good to take advantage of all the services available.”

Other seniors agreed with Stropoli, including Bill Brady, 67, of Tinley Park.

“I had a heart attack two years ago, so it’s very important to me to be able to come out for blood pressure screenings whenever I can,” Brady said.

“Our local seniors’ well-being is very important to us,” Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady said. “Having this Senior Mini Health Fair has been very successful not only for the local seniors who come out and take part in the free health screenings but for all the vendors who give of their time which we appreciate very much.”

Free services available included total lipid profile testing by Orland Township, blood pressure screen-

Photo by Kelly White

Rose Marie Stropoli, 80 (above) of Orland Park, takes a total lipid and glucose test administered by Orland Township Health Services Clinic Nurse Coordinator, Sheila Raines, R.N., at the Orland Township free health fair last Thursday.

ings by the College of DuPage Nursing Program and hearing screenings by South Suburban Hearing Health Center, with shingles and pneumonia vaccinations from Orland Township available at a small cost.

The College of DuPage sent nursing students to help with the fair. South Suburban was contacted directly through the township, according to Caitlin McElroy, Health Services Coordinator for Orland Township.

“This health fair is a way we give back to our senior community, a group that is integral to our township. Keeping them healthy and informed is one of the main priorities of our Health Services Department,” McElroy said. “The fair is a really fun day for seniors where they can have health services completed on-site, speak with senior businesses in our community and socialize with other residents in the area.”

“I think it’s vital for senior citizens to keep up with their health,” Orland Township Health Services Clinic Nurse Coordinator, Sheila Raines, R.N., said. “This is a great

way to build rapport with the seniors in the community. Sometimes it’s hard for them to always call their doctors and this is a way to keep them informed.”

The event was held in conjunction with Older Americans month, led by the Administration for Community Living.

The fair did not end after the health assessments. Seniors were able to stock up on knowledge with information that was available through presentations from senior service-related industries and local area businesses in Orland Park and surrounding communities, including: Illinois Treasurer ICash Program, Costco, PLOWS Council on Aging, Right at Home, Nothin’ Bundt Cake, AD Medical/Diabetic Shoe, Platinum Home Health Care Inc., Orland Park Fire Department and Orland Park District Fire Advisory.

Also taking part were Premier Designs / Joyce Wisniowicz, Great American Bagel, Senior Solutions, Evergreen Senior Living, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions, Autumn Leaves and the Cook Co. Sheriff Department.

To some, he was a legendary coach who won more than 500 Illinois High School Association basketball games.

To others, he was even more important. On hot summer days, he was the guy who helped keep the Worth Jerry Tokars pool operating.

Oak Lawn’s Jerry Tokars, a man who was a Hall of Fame coach as well as a Worth park director and assistant director of the pool decades ago while he was coaching at the high school level, died Sunday at age 85. He had been hospitalized in recent weeks with heart problems, according to reports.

Funeral services will be held at 8:30 a.m. today, Thursday, beginning at Curley Funeral Home, 6116 W. 111th St. in Chicago Ridge, followed by 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Gerald Church, 9310 South 55th Court in Oak Lawn. Rev. Thomas J. Hurley will officiate.

topics, insurance, legal topics, estate planning, home care, travel, consumer products, government programs and more.

Special attractions include free health screenings and door prize drawings. Live entertainment will be presented at 11:30 a.m.

Free seminars for all attendees include: Transportation Alternatives For Seniors, which will be offered at 10 a.m., presented by Pace Suburban Bus and the Re-

gional Transportation Authority (RTA).

Understanding Medicare will take place at 11 a.m., presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.

Social Security Checkup is scheduled for noon, presented

by Humana MarketPoint.

Six Steps To Help Secure Your Retirement is slated for 1 p.m., presented by Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. No registration is required and

Albert “Moochie” Williams drilled a 20-footer at the buzzer to stun the Chargers, 59-58. “It was the most disappointing loss I ever had in basketball,” Thomas told Taylor Bell in the book “Sweet Charlie, Dike, Cazzie, and Bobby Joe.’’ “I’m not over it to this day.’’

Tokarz attended De La Salle High School, Xavier, Lewis University and Southwest Missouri State University. He coached a number of notable student-athletes including future mayor Richard M. Daley and all four Niego brothers — Charlie, Tom, Joe and Mark.

That quartet made national news when the four brothers were starters on Lewis University’s basketball team. They have children who are now excelling at the high school level.

He is in the Illinois Basketball Coaches and Catholic League Halls of Fame.

Tokars is survived by his wife, Katheryn; daughters, Carey (Tim) Ferrarell, Eileen (Jack) Tumpane and Anne (Bob) Kolpin; sons, Tim (Julie) and Jerry (Amaal), as well as stepchildren Kevin Kelly, Patsy Kelly, Kay (John) Denton and Robert (Eileen) Kelly.

HEALTH BEAT Bingo, cholesterol tests at Palos Township Bingo lovers are invited to play a few games at the headquarters of the Palos Township Health Service, 10802 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 4. Pre-registration is required, and more information may be obtained by calling (708) 598-2441.

Additionally, the Health Service will offer several types of cholesterol screenings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, May 15.

Prices start at $15 for Palos Township residents, $20 for others. For test and price details, phone (708) 598-2441.

Learn about dementia with demo in Orland Park A hands-on demonstration of what a person with dementia experiences, hosted by Aishling Companion Home Care, is set for Saturday, May 20 at Hope Covenant Church, 14401 S. West Ave., Orland Park.

Admission is free. Demonstrations, which last about 30 minutes, will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pre-registration is not required.

For details, call (708) 361-7845.

Active Senior Expo to be held April 26 in Oak Forest An event “Dedicated to inform, educate and entertain senior citizens” according to its organizers will be held on Wednesday, April 26 at Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St. in Oak Forest. Show hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Active Senior Expo will feature hundreds of products and services designed specifically for seniors.

Information will be available about health care, retirement communities, assisted living, financial

Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family members are asking for contributions for a scholarship fund to be established in his memory. For more information, call 708-422-2700.

Whether he was molding young men who enjoyed successful careers or coaching little kids and keeping the pool running, he was important to a lot of people.

Tokars was most known for his 22-year coaching tenure at De La Salle High School, where his team finished third in the state in Class AA in 1977. But he also coached at Richards, Leo and Moraine Valley Community College.

His three-year stint at Richards helped revitalize a program that had six straight losing seasons until he got there in 1987-88 and led them to records of 14-14, 21-6 and 17-10.

He was also an assistant at Chicago Christian and Evergreen Park. He was Moraine Valley’s head coach for a season and led the Cyclones to a 26-7 mark in 1997-98.

One of his biggest wins came in 1979 when De La Salle knocked off St. Joseph and Isiah Thomas in supersectional play. Bench player

regular admission to the event is $2. However, free admission coupons are widely available, according to event organizers and attendees can obtain a free admission coupon by visiting www.activeseniorexpo.net. Parking is free.

The presenting sponsor of Active Senior Expo is Chicagoland’s Senior News, which bills itself as “The premier news source for active adults age 50 and better.”

Selected “Finest Funeral Service”

Palos-Gaidas FUNERAL HOME 11028 Southwest Hwy. Palos Hills

708-974-4410

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The Regional News

Thursday, April 20, 2017

7

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Photo by Jessie Molloy

Mallory (from left), Morgan, Mia, Marisa, and Sandy of the Grutzius family perform for seniors at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Orland Hills. The quintet plays frequently at weddings and other events.

Orland Park family’s harp music is just heavenly

By Jessie Molloy As music filled the Parish Life Center at Elizabeth Seton Church, a visitor might have mistaken the experience for a scene from the “The Sound of Music.” Not only was the iconic tune “Edelweiss” from the film being played on a chorus of harp and violin, but the women playing it together in perfect harmony were all from one musically gifted family.

Sandy Grutzius and her four daughters: Mallory, 24; Morgan, 21; Marisa, 17; and Mia, 13, all play piano and harp and perform together as the group Heavenly Harps.

“I started playing piano during childhood and I taught the girls to play but they are the true musicians,” said Sandy, a registered nurse. In addition to harp and piano, Marisa plays the violin and Mia and Morgan play the flute.

Although it was their mother who interested the girls in music, it was the girls who took the initial interest in the harp.

“Our dad got mom a little Celtic lever harp for Christmas one year, but she really didn’t know how to play it or anything,” explained Morgan. “So eventually we started trying to play our piano music on it, because they’re very similar.

We started taking lessons a little later and that was it.”

Since taking up the harp Morgan and Mallory have both graduated from the Chicago Conservatory of music majoring in harp and piano, and flute for Morgan. Mia will be attending the conservatory next fall after she completes high school.

“My mom homeschooled all of us through high school,” said Morgan. “She took that on and it gave us the opportunity to all study and practice together.”

One whole room of the Grutzius’ Orland Park house is a private music studio dominated by two upright pianos and four harps.

Alongside the original Celtic harp are three large, ornately carved Lyon and Healy pedal harps which stand nearly six-feet high and weigh approximately 80 pounds each.

“We do have to save up our money when we decide we’re going to buy another instrument,” the girls explained, gesturing to the larger of the two harps they had brought to the Seton performance. “This one cost about $23,000.”

The sisters also explained that they’ve bought all the harps through Lyon and Healy, a world renowned harp maker located, conveniently, in downtown Chi-

cago and that doing so provided them with a great opportunity.

“We got to study for nine years under Lillian Lau, who is a principal harpist from Hong Kong.”

Lau has played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and teaches harp through the University of Chicago. After meeting Lau through Lyon and Healy, Mallory and Morgan auditioned to be taken on as her students and were accepted. After a while, Marisa and Mia were taken on as well.

“It was really great getting to work with her,” said Morgan.

“She’d come to our house sometimes and we’d get to work with her for hours.”

Music for healing, too Aside from their regular performances at weddings and private parties and the lessons which Sandy, Morgan, and Mallory give to more than 70 students, the three older girls and their mother have recently embarked on a new musical endeavor, music therapy.

“As a nurse a part of me thought it would have been nice if one of the girls had gone into the medical field, but they were all so involved in their music,” Sandy said. “So when I first heard about this possibility we started doing some research.”

Sandy, Mallory, Morgan and Marisa are all currently enrolled in Harps for Healing, a Clinical Musician Certification program.

“I had never really taken up harp that much until I started with this program,” Sandy said.

“I always stayed more with the piano, but I decided to work with the harp in the program so I could do it with the girls.”

Although the program is master’s level, Marisa tested into it as a special exception because of her skill with the harp.

“We looked at this and I said ‘this is for me,’” Sandy said. “It’s really amazing because music was considered a treatment in ancient times and it’s only recently come back on the scene. It doesn’t heal but it is a valid treatment option.”

Sandy says the program has been particularly interesting to her family as she is also the mother of three adopted sons with medical difficulties.

Sandy took in 11-year-old Michael, 5-year-old Marshall, and 4-year-old Mather as foster children when they were babies before fully adopting each of them. She was connected with them through her work as a nurse and still provides them all with special treatments at home.

Michael, who was in a coma when he first came into the sys-

tem and was expected to never walk or speak, now plays piano alongside his mother and older sisters, walks without trouble and communicates at a high school level.

“He’s really into playing movie music like the themes from “Star Wars” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” You’d never know he had a problem,” Morgan said with a laugh.

Marshall was the victim of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and has made significant progress under Sandy’s care, and Mather is one of only four people in the country with a rare form of hemophilia, according to Sandy.

“The issue with Mather is that he could bleed out from something as simple as a paper cut,” Marisa explained. “So he has to be really careful all the time and our mom gives him transfusions and things, but that doesn’t always stop him from running around like crazy.”

While the girls say their mother’s home care and variety of outside therapies are the reason for their brothers’ remarkable improvements, they also believe the boys’ constant exposure to their music, approximately 14 hours a day, may have been beneficial.

While the quintet performed at Seton for the parish senior group they played one of their therapeutic pieces meant to help listeners relax along with classics including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Moon River,” “Love Me Tender,” “What a Wonderful World,” and “All You Need is Love” which they played on combinations of harp, flute, and violin.

“Everyone always associates the harp with classical music, and there’s not a lot of sheet music available to us that isn’t classic, but we really like playing movie music and popular songs,” Morgan explained. “So we end up doing a lot of our own arranging.”

Marisa is able to listen to music and play it on the violin and between her and Morgan the girls have created arrangements of everything from Disney songs, to blockbuster movie scores, to classic rock anthems.

“We love playing wedding receptions because it lets us play more fun music,” Marisa said.

“We like playing stuff like “Stairway to Heaven” and The Beatles.

I can actually play electric guitar solos on my violin, but nobody ever expects that.”

It seems when it comes to the Grutzius family, however, nobody should be surprised when they hear the unexpected.

Trinity announces arts lineup A new slate of events has been announced by officials at Trinity Christian College, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights.

Admission is free to all events, unless otherwise noted. For details, call (708) 597-3000.

• The college’s spring play, “The Emperor of the Moon,” by Aphra Behn, will be presented.

The Theatre Program will give five performances of the classic comedy. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m on April 21, 22, 28 and 29; and 2:30 p.m. on April 30. General admission tickets are $10 each, $5 for students with ID and $7 for senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased by calling (708) 239-4537.

• The college’s spring instrumental concert is set for 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 22 in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium. It will showcase the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Professor Courtney Harris and the Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Professor Kevin Brown.

• A spring choral concert is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, April 23 in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium. Trinity’s Concert Choir, Gospel Choir and Honors Ensemble will perform in contemporary anthems, early American hymns, gospel songs, music by Brahms and Zambian folk music, along with a piece from “Les Miserables” and a Leadbelly song.

• A chamber music recital is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 in the Van Namen Recital Hall.

It will feature the brass quintet

under the direction of Professor Courtney Harris. New works by student composers Sierra Hernandez and Kelsie Thornell will be performed by the chamber ensemble under the direction of Professor Minkyoo Shin.

• Musichorale’s concert, “Our Director’s Final Cut,” will take place at 3:20 p.m. April 30 in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Visit musichorale.org for tickets and more information.

• The Southwest Symphony Orchestra will perform “Elizabeth Roe, Rachmaninoff, and Sibelius,” at 4 p.m. May 7 in Ozinga Chapel Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased at southwestsymphony.com

Across 1 Fraternal order member 4 Deposit 9 Candy shape 13 Pressure for payment 14 He became New York Philharmonic music director 30 years before Leonard 15 Part of ABC: Abbr.

16 Tension-easing activity 18 Butcher’s cut 19 Coffee cart item 20 Turf controllers 21 Durbeyfield daughter 22 It supposedly keeps the monster inside the closet 26 Tiebreakers, briefly 28 Turkish money 29 Host 31 Holistic healers’ observations 32 Day __ 35 Winery wood 36 Emphatic type ... or what the beginnings of the longest entries are?

38 Colorful carp 39 Turndowns 40 What Lot’s wife looked back at 41 Pastoral poem 43 Stat for a reliever 44 Nancy Drew’s beau 45 Jam site 50 Everymutt 53 WWII attacker 54 New Hampshire prep school town 56 Fanny 57 Baby blanket, perhaps 60 Subtle “Over here!”

61 Trojan hero 62 Japanese drama 63 Hardens 64 2012 title judge played

by Karl Urban

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29 Long stretch 30 “Little Red Book” author 31 Mayflower Compact signer 32 High jumps 33 Campaign pro 34 Catch a bug 37 Sweetheart 42 Clear, as a windshield 43 They may be false 45 Pats on the back, maybe 46 Really big 47 Brown 48 Cried in the cornfield 49 Work on in a bakery 51 Crusoe creator 52 Garden products brand 55 OBs and ENTs 57 Down 58 What’s-__-name 59 United (Answers on page 8)

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

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

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

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

(Answers on page 8)

Palos Park Rec Center to host Village Players The Palos Village Players will present the second play of their 76th season, “Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike,” by Ken Ludwig at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 5, 6, 12 and 13, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at the Palos Park Recreational Center, 8901 W. 123rd St. Vanya and Sonia are brother and sister still living in their old family home. Their movie star sister, Masha, who also happens to support them, arrives for an unexpected weekend visit with her young boyfriend, Spike. Throw in Cassandra, the not-so-psychic housekeeper, Nina, a young aspiring actress, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and it becomes a weekend of hilarious family drama and mayhem. The play is derived from the works of Anton Chekov.

The cast includes local actor Gina Burnett, of Orland Hills.

The cast also includes Len Wieslo, of Hickory Hills; Lisa Glatz, of Downers Grove; Lisa Giovenco Solomon, of Tinley Park; Gina Dunn, of Burbank; and, Vincent Ferry, of Tinley Park.

The play is directed by Bryan Riess, of Orland Park, Shelly Burnett, of Palos Heights is the assistant director, and the producer is Lindsay Latanski, of Palos Park.

Tickets are $18, $15 for students and seniors, and can be reserved by credit card online at palosvillageplayers.com, or by calling 1-877787-8497). Hackney’s Restaurant, 123rd and LaGrange Road, offers a discount of $5 for anyone attending a performance. Reservations are available at (708) 448-8300.

Season tickets are available online or at the box office for $50.

Photo by Joe Boyle

WHATIZIT? The clue for this week’s Whatizit photo (above) is: Different planet.

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

We had one correct answer this week. Steven Rosenbaum, of Oak Lawn, knew last week’s photo quiz was The David Johnston Community Center, 9400 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Lawn. The all-purpose building hosts meetings and is utilized primarily by members of Westside Baseball. Registration for Westside takes place there and the west end of the building serves as a food stand for the league.

The Westside Baseball fields surround the community center.

But the significant feature of the building is the person it is named after. David Alexander Johnson grew up in Oak Lawn and became a volcanologist with U.S. Geological Survey. He was studying the volcano from an observation point, which was considered relatively safe. However, he was killed when the volcano erupted on May 18, 1980. He provided the first report of the eruption before his death.

He was just 30 years old.

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8 Thursday, April 20, 2017

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Regional News

COMMUNITY NOTES

Volunteers to beautify Palos Park Palos Park’s 20th Annual Rid Litter Day is set for Saturday, April 22 and all village residents are invited to take part. Organizers say that over the years, Rid Litter Day volunteers have collected and disposed of about two tons of litter.

Those interested in volunteering are asked to gather at the Palos Park Recreation Center, 8901 W. 123rd St., by 9 a.m. Gloves and plastic trash bags will be available.

Student volunteers may use the day as service hours. For more information, call village hall at (708) 671-3700.

Center to host Spring Tea Ladies in stylish hats and other springtime fashions will be a part the 12th Annual Spring Tea, set for 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park. Organizers promise “a delightful afternoon in The Great Hall of The Main Lodge filled with delicious tea party fare, home-brewed tea from Lois’s garden at The Farm, elegant and wild hats, beautiful floral arrangements and actress Pat Hoffman presenting a tribute to the fancy hats and great works of ladies auxiliaries through the ages.” Tickets are $32 each, and reservations may be made by calling (708) 361-3650.

Ukrainian fest coming to Palos Park The public is welcome to Palos Fest Ukrainian Style, a celebration that starts at noon Sunday, June 25 at Nativity of BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church, 8530 W. 131st

St., Palos Park.

The event will include Ukrainian food, live music, Cossack competitions of skill, children’s games and more. For details, phone (708) 361-8876.

Seek sponsors, raffle items for golf outing The Disabled Patriot Fund asks individuals to mark their calendar for the 13th Annual Golf Outing taking place on Wednesday, June 28th at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park.

They are also looking for sponsors for this event. There are a variety of sponsorship levels available, including: • $100 - Hole Sponsor –with signage on the tee • $250 - Beverage Sponsor – which includes the business’ or individual’s name on all beverage carts • $500 - Lunch Sponsor – includes the business’ or individual’s name on two signs at both halfway houses • $1,000 - Dinner Sponsor – where an individual banner will be prominently displayed all day • $3,000 - Event Sponsor – will include a business’ or individual’s name on a large banner and a foursome.

Sponsors may keep their banners.

The group is also requesting donations of raffle items. Any type of donation is helpful. For more information about the raffle, contact Karen Peterson at xxkpeterson@yahoo.com.

For any questions on the golf outing, contact Dave Wagner at shetzle@aol.com or (708) 6463468.

PRESENTS Photos by Anthony Caciopo

Elizabeth Roe, Good fishin’ makes for a great day Rachmaninoff & Sibelius Warm temperatures and blue skies meant a pleasurable morning last Saturday on the shore of Papoose Lake at the Spring Fishing Derby of the Palos Park Recreation & Parks Department. Pictured clockwise from upper left is Anthony Bestrick, 13, of Orland Park, who puts some serious body English into his cast. LeeAnn Fisk, director of Parks & Recreation, helps Pepsi Patterson with her reel and line. Frank Ristucci, 12, of Palos Hills, has an eight-inch bluegill officially recorded by Paulius Brazdziunas, a building attendant with Recreation & Parks. The Polacek siblings Will, 6 and Claire 4, of Palos Heights find playing in the mud infinitely more appealing than fishing. Jimmy Sluis, 3, gets a helping hand from his dad, Jim. The derby was a catch-and-release event that attracted 104 registrants and was supported by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and Bass Pro Shops. See article below for winners’ names.

Palos Park fishing derby winners named Winners have been announced in The Spring Fishing Derby held last Saturday at Papoose Lake on McCarthy Road just west of LaGrange Road.

The catch-and-release event was organized by the Palo Park Recreation & Parks Department, in partnership with the Forest Pre-

serve of District of Cook County and Bass Pro Shop. The derby drew 104 anglers from 24 communities who registered to fish. The winners in each age category are: Six and under: First place was earned by Naithan Vagjar of Oak Lawn who caught a 9-inch bluegill. Second place was won

by Darraoh Doyle of Palos Park, who caught a 6.25-inch blue gill.

Seven to 11 years: First place, Kasper Poton from Orland Park,11.5-inch bass; second place, KC Payne from Calumet City, 11.25-inch bass.

Twelve to 16 years: First place, Lea Glynn from Orland Park, 12-

inch bass; second place, Peter Naylor from Lockport, 11.75inch bass.

Seventeen and Up: First place, Daniel Arrroya from Park Forest, 14-inch catfish; second place, Jerry Janicki from Worth, 13-inch bass.

month-long, newly launched, nationwide reading program celebrating diverse reading. Inspired by the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Gene Luen Yang, this program encourages young readers to read outside their comfort zone and challenges them to read: 1. A book about a character who doesn’t look or live like the reader, 2. A book about a topic the reader doesn’t know much about, and 3. A book in a format that the reader doesn’t normally read for fun.

Teen Scene Seashell Art Teens can decorate their own seashell with a poem, colored markers, magazine pictures, or whatever they choose at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 20. Registration is needed.

Week of the Young Child, Tasty Tuesday This fun, food-themed hour for children age 3 and older is about more than just cheese and crackers. Cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science and more. Library staff share healthy nutrition resources and healthy snack options for the little ones to sample at 10 a.m.

Tuesday, April 25. Registration is needed.

Week of the Young Child: Children’s Theatre of Western Springs Presents Storyville This family program will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 29.

The one-act production opens with a wise woman carrying a large book. She opens it and addresses the audience. While her stories are different, they all begin with “Once upon a time,” and end with characters living happily ever after. The problem is, all the

characters want to tell their stories at once! Audiences will enjoy seeing familiar characters onstage asking for crowd participation.

The program continues until the wise woman closes her book and says “The end.” Registration is needed for this event.

Getting Ready for Estate Planning This Money Smart Week program will be held at 11 a.m.

Saturday, April 22. Participants will learn to initiate the discussion about estate planning, how to take stock of possessions, determine an objective for their estate plans, and how to choose a professional to help build the estate plan.

Illinois State Treasurer’s I-Cash Program This Money Smart Week program will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 26. A representative from the Illinois State Treasurer’s I-Cash program will be available to assist patrons in connecting with unclaimed cash and other assets.

Google Drive Basics This computer instruction pro-

gram will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 27. Patrons can learn the many ways in which Google Drive can be used for uploading, organizing, and sharing files in the cloud. Basic computer skills and a Gmail account are needed.

Creating a Backyard Bird Oasis Individuals can join Mel Tracy, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27, as they discuss the different ways to attract the greatest variety of birds to the backyard, including orioles and hummingbirds. They will learn about various types of food, different ways to provide water, plants for natural cover, spaces for breeding and information on free bird walks and bird sits in the area.

Also, there are several clubs that meet weekly, such as the Needle Club (for knitting and crocheting), Scrabble Club and Mah Jongg Cub. Members and interested patrons are asked to call ahead for times and dates.

Answers

Sudoku

LIBRARY NOTES Orland library open during renovation The Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia, is open during flooring renovations, officials have announced.

The project, funding by $51,000 in state grant resources, will include replacement of the carpet in the lobby, main staircase and the Youth Services main corridor—with “sustainable flooring,” officials said.

Orland Park Public Library hosts two new events The Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia, is hosting two events that it has never held before. One is a concert and the other is a historical presentation.

The library’s Showcase in the Lobby presents Nikki Giblin and Steve Haberichter, a folk-blues duo, at 7 p.m. Friday, April 21.

Remembering the Holocaust, Jim Gibbons presents The Life Story of Anne Frank at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 25. Anne Frank was a young girl of faith, hope, relentless spirit and wisdom beyond her years.

For more information, call (708) 428-5205.

New programs added at Palos Heights Library A slate of activities for the week ahead has been announced at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Ave. For more information or to register for a program, call (708) 448-1473.

Reading Without Walls Challenge Patrons are invited to join this

Puzzle on Page 7

Puzzle on Page 7

Elizabeth Roe

Sunday, May 7, 2017 4:00 p.m.

Pastorale d’été Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Elizabeth Roe, piano Symphony No. 2

Honneger Rachmaninoff Sibelius

Trinity Christian College | Ozinga Chapel Auditorium 6601 West College Drive, Palos Heights, Illinois 60463

Adults $26 | Seniors (65+) $21 | Students $6 | Children 12 and under free Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door www.southwestsymphony.com 708-802-0686 | Like us on Facebook

This program is partially sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council

SPORTS The Regional News • The Reporter

Thursday,March April 20, 2017 Thursday, 5, 2015

Vorva,Sports SportsEditor Editor••sports@regionalpublishing.com sports@regionalpublishing.com KenJeff Karrson,

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

Might as well

JUMP! Brother Rice’s Baker making leaps of faith by competing on two spring teams a year after a serious injury

By Jason Maholy Correspondent

Brother Rice volleyball player Jimmy Baker entered the spring sports season with an eye on competing for a state title.

In the long jump. Perhaps the triple jump, too.

And he might as well go for the gold in the 200-meter dash and 4x200-meter relay.

Baker, a senior from Oak Lawn, is gunning for a spot in the Illinois High School Association boys state finals, while also being the best player on a volleyball team that has aspirations to make a deep post-season run. And he’s doing all of this with a leg that was seriously injured a year ago.

As a sophomore, Baker was named the 2015 Catholic League Player of the Year in volleyball, and last season he and the Crusaders were off to a good start when disaster struck.

As the 6-foot-2 outside hitter came down after making a kill, he landed on a teammate’s foot.

He suffered a fractured fibula and a seriously sprained ankle.

Baker remembers the moment well.

“I was watching the ball, and as I was coming down and landed I heard it crack — but it didn’t hit me until I was on the ground that my ankle was cracking,” he said. “It was pretty awful.”

The sprain was actually worse than the fracture, Baker said. But what was even more painful was being relegated to the role of an observer, helpless to assist a deep, talented team that had lofty goals but saw its season end at the sectional level.

“The week prior we had been playing really well, so we were enjoying the success of the season and were looking forward to the playoffs,” he said.

“Our team was really good. It was hard watching, knowing I

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Brother Rice’s Jimmy Baker reels off a jump serve (left photo) against Sandburg in volleyball and practices a long jump on Saturday. The senior is participating in both volleyball and track this season, a year after suffering serious leg injuries.

couldn’t help at all. All I could do is watch.’’

After intensive physical therapy, Baker was back on the court playing club ball within eight weeks. After the club sea-

son he had about three months to rest before the start of training for his senior season at Rice.

He came into his final high school campaign planning to leave it all on the court, but fig-

ured he might as well leave it all on the track too. He plays volleyball during the week, and on weekends in which he doesn’t have volleyball tournaments, he competes for the Crusaders’

track team in the long jump, triple jump, 200-meter dash and 4x200 relay.

“I always wanted to join See BAKER, Page 3

CHICAGO CHRISTIAN’S BASEBALL WIN STREAK INCREASES

Knights are 18-karat gold on the diamond

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Evergreen Park native Zach Rothstein, left, and Fontbonne teammate Tony Pitaro hit the ground during a match against Marian University in Wisconsin recently.

A lot of guts, very little glory Volleyball libero might be worst job in sports

T

his might be the worst job in sports.

OK, maybe rodeo clown and the poor people who have to clean up the huge brown apples at the horse racing track might have it worse. But it certainly is one of the least appreciated jobs.

It is being a libero on a volleyball team.

The job is to be a defensive specialist who can come and go into matches for an unlimited amount of time while not being allowed in the front row. It’s a job that requires a lot of guts with little glory in return. It gets little respect.

Here are my 10 reasons, in no particular order, why being a libero…well…sucks: • You have to wear a different uniform top. Already you are set apart from the other players.

• Because you are wearing a different uniform top, it’s easier for fans to spot your screw-ups.

• No one knows how to even pronounce the darn position. It’s supposed to be leebah-row, which kind of sounds like Figaro.

(I never thought I would get an opera reference into a volleyball column, but I digress.) Most people — including myself — call it a lib-bear-oh.

• And no matter how you pronounce it, it will never be as cool as “outside hitter” or “middle blocker.’’ In fact, I can’t think of a goofier name in a sport with a ball. Now, if we’re talking rowing…

• It’s been decades since liberos were added to volleyball, but to this day, I hear some fans saying, “Why is that girl (or guy) wearing a different color uniform?”

• You have to hit the floor hard — a lot.

That causes plenty of injuries, especially the wrists and ribs.

• When the ball gets past you, you look stupid.

• When you make the greatest diving play in your life, it is often forgotten quickly because play continues and one of two things will happen — your team will get the point or give up the point, and that’s

JEFF VORVA Making the Extra Point what the fans remember.

• There are no sexy statistics for a libero to get. No kills. No attacks. No blocks.

Digs-per-set is about as good as it gets and even that can’t tell you the difference between a very good libero and an excellent libero. It might just mean the other team is getting the ball past the blockers too much.

• Very few kids playing in the early stages of their career say, “Yep, I’m going to be a libero in volleyball!”

So, somebody has to do it.

And those who do it, love it.

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said Evergreen Park’s Zach Rothstein, a former Brother Rice standout who plays libero for NCAA Division III Fontbonne University in St. Louis. After the regular season, he was ranked fifth in the nation with 3.31 digs per set and was the No. 2 freshman in the country with that stat.

“When you play hard all year, it’s fun to get some credit,” he said. “But my main goal was 15-11 (the team’s won-loss mark — just the second winning season in program history).

“I love playing defense, so I love playing libero,’’ added Rothstein, who pronounces it lib-bear-oh. “But the only reason I am playing libero is because I am not tall enough (5-foot-11) to play front row. I feel like I’m the runt of the group.’’

When Rothstein arrived at Brother Rice, he was also playing for the Chi-Town Volleyball Club, and that’s when the seeds were planted that he was heading to the See VORVA, Page 3

Anyone who peeked at Chicago Christian’s baseball schedule before this season would not believe this, but the Knights’ winning streak turned 18 on Saturday.

The Knights beat Metro Suburban Conference foe Illiana Christian 4-1 in Palos Heights thanks in part to a bases-loaded triple by Tommy Moran in the sixth inning.

The Knights entered this week with an 18-0 mark.

Before people start questioning the schedule of one of the smallest schools in the area, consider this: The Knights’ streak includes wins over larger schools Shepard (1-0) and Stagg (12-4) plus a 4-0 victory over Lincoln-Way East.

East lost to one of the state’s elite teams, Brother Rice, 1-0 earlier in the season.

The Knights also won five games in the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and four were decided by one run.

“I had a lot of confidence in this team at the beginning of the year,”

CLOSE SHAVES Chicago Christian’s baseball team was 18-0 heading into this week and eight games were decided by three runs or less: March 16: beat Solorio 7-4 March 21: beat Shepard 1-0 March 25: beat Westchester Country Day (N.C.) 3-2 March 28: beat Marysville (Ohio) 2-1 March 30: beat Westerville Central (Ohio) 1-0 March 31: beat Nordonia (Ohio) 5-4 April 13: beat Fenton 3-0 April 15: beat Illiana Christian 4-1

Moran said. “I really felt we were going to have a good season and so far it’s been great. Our pitching has just been outstanding and we’ve been really good in all the other areas.’’

Knights coach Eric Brauer said the school-record winning streak is enjoyable but wasn’t expected.

“As players and coaches you never set out to win 18 straight,” he said. “We try to set ourselves up to win one game and to be ready

to compete every day. We want to win every day. Surprised? Sure.

So many things can go wrong in baseball that it’s hard to win that many.

“You don’t set out to do that, but you set out to try to win each game. What do you have to do that day to win, and we’ve done a good job with that.’’

Out of the 18 victories, eight have been decided by three runs or less.

“I love them,” Moran said of the thrillers. “But I love every game that we win.’’

“The best thing we’ve done is to stay calm and loose,” Brauer said.

“We have good senior leadership in that regard — guys who can really stay in the moment.’’

One of the top moments came during a hot Saturday afternoon, when Moran, a Brother Rice transfer and Orland Park resident, broke the game open.

For five innings, the score was 1-1 and both offenses were lamenting lost opportunities with runners See KNIGHTS, Page 3

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Chicago Christian’s Jeff Mayberry (left) and Dan Vos (right) celebrate a triple by teammate Tommy Moran on Saturday that helped give the Knights a 4-1 victory and an 18-0 record heading into this week’s action.

2

Section 2 Thursday, April 20, 2017

The Regional News - The Reporter

CHICAGO FIRE ANALYSIS

Fire has depth that is fit for a King

By Jeff Vorva

A

l and Sandie Sorenson of Palos Park recently teamed up with guide Gary Paris of Quitman, Texas, for a day of crappie and bass fishing on Lake Fork near Alba Texas.

The weather was cold and windy for this time of year, but fishing out of Gary’s 20-foot Express boat, they managed to limit out on both crappies and bass.

Gary rigged Al and Sandie up with a small pink jig tipped a live minnow fished in OUTDOORS with about 15 feet of water that WITH proved to be the right presenJIM KIRBY tation. Al intends to use this set-up when he and Sandie fish locally. This couple loves the outdoors and enjoy hunting and fishing together and with friends from the Palos area.

Sports Editor

This is how well things are going for the Chicago Fire…

David Accam, sometimes known as King David, has been the Fire’s leading scorer for the past two seasons — two seasons in which the team has finished with Major League Soccer’s worst record.

But the roster has turned over so much since the end of the 2016 campaign that when the speedy star from Ghana developed right hip pain days before Saturday’s match with the New England Revolution, he was removed from the starting lineup.

Although he came into the game in the 71st minute and quickly recorded an assist, the team has so much firepower and depth that Accam really wasn’t needed. Newcomers Bastian Schweinsteiger (a goal in the 45th minute) and Nemanja Nikolic (two goals in the second half) took care of business in the Fire’s 3-0 victory in front of an announced crowd of 16,914 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

New England’s over-aggression also played a role in the victory as Je-Vaughn Watson received a yellow card in the 21st minute and a mere six minutes later he picked up his second, forcing the Revolution (2-3-1) to play a man short for more than 60 minutes.

The Fire is off to a Chicago area code start with a 3-1-2 record and is 2-0-1 since signing Schweinsteiger, who has two goals and an assist in three matches.

“It is very important for us that we won,’’ Fire coach Veljko Paunovic said. “This is the first (two-victory streak) we’ve had in two years since I’ve been here, I’m very happy for that.

I’m also very happy we closed our home game streak with a win and three points. I think that everyone is doing their job.

Everyone is starting to understand how important the teamwork is.’’

Nikolic and the team celebrated early in the first half what appeared to be the first goal of the game but it was disallowed because he was offside. He got his chance later in the game and scored in the 47th and 73rd minutes. Accam and Schweinsteiger assisted on his second score.

“The most important thing is that the team plays good,” said Nikolic, who leads the squad with four goals. “Game by game, we’re getting better and better. We have an identity now and everybody so badly wants to play. The players behind me are in good form, so for me it’s also easier. They gave me a great ball today and I scored two goals.’’

Goalie Jorge Bava and the defense racked up another shutout.

All three victories this season against Real Salt Lake, the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew and New England came via shutout.

A terrific time in Texas: Palos Park couple brave cold weather to catch crappie, bass

Local fishing report

Here is a fishing report from Greg Katello from the Fishing Connection Bait and Tackle Shop in Tinley Park.

“High water is affecting the Illinois, Kankakee Rivers and local ponds and lakes,” he said. “Forest Preserve lakes are giving up good catches of crappies and bass. Shabbona Lake is that best bet for muskies and walleyes. Cooling lakes LaSalle and Braidwood are doing well on catfish. In fact, cats up to 60 pounds are being taken at LaSalle on cut-bait such as bluegills.”

For more information, call Katello at 708-532-1476.

BOW workshop coming in June Photo by Jeff Vorva

Fire star Nemanja Nikolic has four goals this season, including two on Saturday in a 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution.

Registration is open for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop on June 9-11 at the Lorado Taft Field Campus in Oregon, Ill. BOW workshops are designed to provide introductory instruction and experiences in many outdoor-related activities and skills. The cost per person is $230, which includes meals, lodging, four instructional classes, use of class materials/supplies, and transportation during the workshop and more.

Registration materials can be downloaded from the BOW webpage www.dnr.illinois.gov/registration/BOW, Register soon; there is a limit of 95 participants, and registration filled quickly last year.

Outdoors calendar April 21-26: Third spring shotgun or archery turkey season, north zone.

April 27-May 3: Fourth spring shotgun or archery turkey season, north zone.

April 27-May 4: Fifth spring shotgun or archery turkey season, south zone.

April 30: Deadline for the first lottery firearm and muzzleloader deer permit.

April 30: Smelt fishing season closes.

May 24: Palos Chapter Ducks Unlimited Dinner, Palos Country Club. The event features a sit-down dinner, open bar, live and silent auctions. For info call Ted Verdun at 630-878-7778.

June 16-19: Illinois Free Fishing Days (no license) during Father’s Day Weekend.

June 17: Palos Hills Free Fishing Derby at Pleasure Lake, 10801 Roberts Road, gto 10 a.m. to noon for ages 2 to 13, Stop by Community Center to register or 708-430-4500.

Campground hosts needed

Fire players celebrate the team’s third goal in a 3-0 win over New England.

“It’s one of the most important things in football — to keep a clean sheet,” Nikolic said. “Our defensive line played good. Game by game, we are very strong and solid in the defensive line. We work a lot in training on these things. If we don’t look at the Atlanta game (a 4-0 road loss March 18), when we played with 10 players and it was difficult to defend, all other games we have played we are organized very good in the defensive line.

“We need to keep doing this, because we can score every game, so if we make the clean sheet and we try to be better in this area, we can win a lot of games like this.”

The Fire hits the road for

Photo by Jeff Vorva

CHICAGO FIRE AT TORONTO FC WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 p.m., Friday at BMO Field, Toronto FIRE’S RECORD: 3-1-2 TORONTO’S RECORD: 1-1-4 NOTEWORTHY: Toronto outshot the Columbus Crew 19-11 on Saturday night but that didn’t mean much as the Eastern Conference-leading Crew won 2-1.

PAUNO’S POUNDINGS

The 2017 Illinois state park camping season is getting underway and there are campground host positions available at a number of parks starting between April 15 and May 1. Positions include free camping and require 35 hours per week (weekends required). For more information, visit Volunteer – Illinois.gov.

Camping reservations Make your reservations now for campsites and shelters for many IDNR sites for 2017. Reservations can be made online through the Reserve America website at www.reserveamerica.com using a Visa or MasterCard. For more information, visit http://dnr.state. il.us/lands/Landmgt/Programs/Camping/index.htm.

Think about it

It’s always good fishing just before you get there and just after you leave!

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

The biggest margin of victory in MLS matches in the Veljko Paunovic era: Aug. 20, 2016: Fire 3, Montreal 0 Sept. 3, 2016: Fire 3, Philadelphia 0 April 15, 2017: Fire 3, New England 0 March 11, 2017: Fire 2, Real Salt Lake 0

games against Toronto (Friday), the New York Red Bulls (April 29) and the Los Angeles Galaxy

Al and Sandie Sorenson, of Palos Park, display the fish the caught during their trip to Texas.

(May 6) before returning home May 13 for a match against Seattle.

Supplied photo

REAL MADRID ANNOUNCED FOR ALL-STAR GAME IN CHICAGO

Fire, MLS getting ready for ‘soccer holiday’

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Some all-star games are bigger than others, but the Major League Soccer All-Star game will likely generate more interest than any regular-season or postseason game the league has to offer.

Insiders estimate that 50 million people will watch this year’s game, in which the MSL All-Stars face Real Madrid on Aug. 2 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Chicago Fire is one of the main hosts of the event.

Saturday’s announcement of Real Madrid being the opponent had the Fire organization fired up.

“We are very, very excited, very excited about it,” Fire coach Veljko Paunovic said.

“All around the world, I think it’s going to be a soccer holiday.

“That’s a fantastic and very important event for the city, for the club and we are very grateful that we have this honor to play the MLS All-Star game against Real Madrid, one of the best teams in the world. For everyone in the city, I think that it’s a great opportunity to show how well we are prepared, how we can organize and how we can welcome everyone who is coming to watch the game and also we want to give all the fans around the world the opportunity to see a fantastic spectacle.’’

Paunovic will coach the All-Stars. As a player, he faced Real Madrid eight times and scored a goal in a 2-1 Atletico loss in 2004. But he also experienced a rare victory against the perennial powerhouse.

Some Fire players have ties with the MLS All-Star Game.

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Chicago Fire coach Veljko Paunovic calls the coming MLS All-Star game against Real Madrid in Chicago in August a “soccer holiday.’’

New Fire superstar Bastian Schweinsteiger played for FC Beyern Munich when that team lost 2-1 to the MLS in Portland, Ore. “I remember the 2014 All-Star Game quite well,” he said. “It’s something different; we don’t have it in Europe so I really enjoyed the match. It’s great for the city of Chicago to have a big team like Real Madrid at Soldier Field. Chicago is city of sport, and to have this kind of team in our city means

a lot.”

Three other Fire players have previous MLS All-Star Game experience.

Midfielders Juninho and Dax McCarty took part in the 2015 edition, a 2-1 win by the MLS All-Stars over Tottenham Hotspur at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

In his rookie season, Brandon Vincent was selected to the roster for the 2016 MLS All-Star Game against Arsenal at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.

Real Madrid claimed a record 32 La Liga championships and 11 UEFA Champions League titles, as well as capturing the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup on multiple occasions.

Under the direction of the legendary Zinedine Zidane, Los Blancos currently sit atop the La Liga standings and are in the quarterfinals of the 2016-2017 UEFA Champions League tournament. The club is home to internationally renowned stars such as fourtime Ballon d’Or recipient Cristiano Ronaldo, 27-year-old star Gareth Bale, and fourtime La Liga Best Defender Sergio Ramos.

This will mark the first time a team from Spain’s La Liga will appear in the MLS AllStar Game. The MLS All-Stars have previously faced clubs from the England’s Premier League, Germany’s Bundesliga, Italy’s Serie A, Mexico’s Liga MX and the Scottish Premier League, owning an 8-4-1 record against some of the world’s most decorated clubs.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m. May 4 via Ticketmaster.com.

For VIP fan packages, visit www.MLSsoccer.com/ASG.

HOUSTON 2, RED STARS 0

We’ve seen this before

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

The Chicago Red Stars opened the 2017 season the same way they opened the 2016 campaign — with a two-goal loss at Houston.

Last year they dropped a 3-1 decision to the Houston Dash to open the season and they still finished as one of the top four teams in the league. This year, they dropped a 2-0 contest to open the National Women’s Soccer League season at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Saturday.

Houston did not have one of the best players in the world, Carli Lloyd, available as she was loaned out to Manchester City. But Kaelia Ohai (15th minute) and Rachel Daly (80th minute) scored for the Dash, and the Houston defense kept the Red Stars from scoring even though Chicago had 12 shots on goal.

On roster stability alone, it

FC KANSAS CITY AT CHICAGO RED STARS WHEN: 3 p.m., Saturday WHERE: Toyota Park, Bridgeview RED STARS’ RECORD: 0-1-0 KANSAS CITY’S RECORD: 1-0-0 NOTEWORTHY: After winning the NWSL title two years in a row, in 2014 and 2015, KC finished sixth last year and did not qualify for the playoffs. KC’s Amy Rodriguez injured her left knee in a 2-0 victory over Boston on Sunday.

appeared the Red Stars could have had the advantage. Houston made several offseason changes while Chicago had 17 core players return including Christen Press (eight goals last year) and Sofia Huerta (seven).

“We’ve worked so hard to put the puzzle pieces together, and the timing is right for us,” said Red Stars returnee Samantha Johnson. “We have the pieces to win. We just have to execute.”

The Regional News - The Reporter

Thursday, April 20, 2017 Section 2

3

IHSA POSTSEASON ASSIGNMENTS

Unbeaten Chicago Christian is back in Class 2A

By Jeff Vorva

Nazareth Academy Sectional.

In Class 2A, Chicago Christian is in the 21-team Seneca Sectional and has been place in a subsectional with 11 other teams.

Sports Editor

Chicago Christian’s baseball team, which entered this week with an areabest 18-0 mark, is back in Class 2A. The Palos Heights school has 350 students enrolled, according to the Illinois High School Association, and since it’s a private school, it has been hit with a multiplier and its number is at 577.50. The baseball cutoff between Class 3A (where the Knights were placed last year) and 2A is 584.

“We made it by a couple of kids,” Knights coach Eric Brauer said. “In principle, it’s better we’re in 2A. At the same time, our guys will play anybody.

In the postseason we’ve been beaten in 2A and beaten in 3A. No matter what class you are in, it’s tough to face an opponent’s No. 1 pitcher. But with the size of our school, we should be 2A where we belong and hopefully we can make the best of it.’’

The IHSA recently released its postseason assignments and the Knights are in the 23-team Wilmington Sectional, placed in a sub-sectional with 10 other teams. The Knights will host a regional.

Regionals will begin in mid-May and seeding will come out in early May. In other baseball assignments, powerhouses Brother Rice and St. Laurence are both at the 21-team St. Lau-

Soccer

Sandburg is hosting a 17-team Class 3A sectional that also features Mother McAuley, Oak Lawn, Shepard and Stagg.

Marist is hosting a Class 2A sectional that also features Evergreen Park and Richards.

In Class 1A, Queen of Peace and Chicago Christian are in the 17-team Manteno Sectional.

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Chicago Christian’s baseball team is back in Class 2A after being bumped up to Class 3A last year.

rence Class 4A Sectional, which will also feature Oak Lawn, St. Rita, Mt. Carmel and Lyons, a team that knocked off Brother Rice the first game of the season.

Marist, Sandburg, Richards, Sandburg, Shepard and Stagg are in the 21team Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional along with three-time defending Class 4A champion Providence Catholic.

In Class 3A, Evergreen Park was placed in the 22-team St. Ignatius Sectional along with 21 public and private schools based in Chicago.

Softball The big news is that Sandburg will host a Class 4A supersectional that was previously hosted at Benedictine University in Lisle.

But if an area team hopes to get to state by winning in Orland Park, it will have to go through the tough Hinsdale South Sectional. Marist, Mother McAuley, Oak Lawn, Richards, Sandburg, Shepard and Stagg are all in that sectional.

In Class 3A, Queen of Peace and Evergreen Park will be at the 21-team

Boys track

Some schools from the area — including Marist and Oak Lawn — held signing day ceremonies.

At Marist, the biggest signing was Maryclare Leonard, who inked a letter of intent to run cross country and track at the University of Notre Dame.

Teammate Carlin McNulty (Oak Lawn) will continue at Loras College.

From the girls basketball team, Maggie Robertson (Orland Park) is heading to St. Mary’s (Minnesota).

In boys basketball, Bobby Hawkinson (Frankfort) plans to play at New York University.

In football, Liam Krammer (Palos Heights) will head to Illinois Wesleyan University.

The wrestling team’s Derrick Ashford (Chicago) is heading to the University of Dubuque.

The hockey team’s Joe Prkut (Palos Heights) and Andrew Reif (Palos Heights) are heading to Ferris State University.

In girls lacrosse, Leah Hood (Oak Lawn) is heading to Loras College.

In boys lacrosse, David O’Neil (Oak Forest), is going to Illinois Wesleyan University while teammate Matt Jones (Chicago) signed with St. Am-

brose University.

In boys cross country and track, Matt Wagner (Palos Heights) is heading to Illinois Wesleyan University.

In softball, Madison Franks (Chicago) will play for Loras College.

In girls volleyball, Megan Krasowski (Oak Lawn), will play University of Illinois at Springfield while Ryann Horkavy (Chicago) is heading to Spring Hill College.

In boys volleyball, Chris Omiecinski (Oak Lawn), will head to Loras College.

Lauren Vorva (Orland Park), a senior student who was not on the girls volleyball team but plays club volleyball for the Lemont-based Synergy, signed with St. Ambrose.

The Class 3A Reavis Sectional features Marist, Mother McAuley, Oak Lawn, Richards and Stagg. Shepard and Sandburg are heading to the Down-

Continued from Page 1 track, but I just figured I never could because of volleyball,” he said. “But I worked it out.

Senior year came around and I thought I might as well go for it.

It’s a lot of fun... I figure it out day to day, pretty much.”

Knights

Continued from Page 1 in scoring position.

With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, Moran fouled off three pitches before delivering a 350-plus-

The Richards co-op team joins Sandburg and Stagg at the LincolnWay Central Sectional while Mother McAuley is at the Lyons Sectional.

Badminton Oak Lawn, Shepard, Sandburg and Stagg are at the 23-team Hinsdale South Sectional.

The 11-team Des Plaines River Big Basin Marina Sectional features St. Laurence, Brother Rice, Marist, Sandburg and Stagg.

FOCUS ON AREA COLLEGE SPORTS

Borgen chooses school, joins Drynan as an all-American

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Supplied photos

Above: Marist student-athletes pose during a signing ceremony. Below: Oak Lawn student-athletes are heading to colleges all over the Midwest.

ner will head to Lincoln College.

In girls basketball, Danielle Quigley will continue at Carthage College while Miranda Garcia heads to Morton College.

In boys basketball, Rashad Johnson will continue at Aurora University In football, Anthony Masterson is heading to Saint Ambrose and Jabari Clark will attend

The eighth-grade boys volleyball team at St. Alexander School took first place in the Marist RedHawk Invite April 8 and 9.

Patrick Coogan was awarded the tournament MVP. Mary Beth Coogan and Colleen Murrihy coached the team to the championship. Team members also include Conor O’Mara, Thomas Murrihy, Sean Hynes, Andrew Odeh, Joey Marx and Matthew Madaras.

Baker

Sandburg, Stagg and the Shepard coop team are at the Lincoln-Way Central sectional.

Brother Rice is at the 11-team Lyons Sectional.

Bass fishing

Carthage College.

In boys soccer, Giovanni Barragan is heading to Calumet College teammates Mohammad Farraj and Sadiq will play at Moraine Valley.

In girls bowling, Stephanie Gasca signed up with St. Xavier University.

In girls volleyball, Alexa Lopez heads to Aurora University.

St. Alexander was red hot at RedHawk Invite

Oak Lawn Community High School’s baseball program will honor Declan and Kenadie Haubenreiser, children of Oak Lawn Community High School alumna Mary Haubenreiser, Class of 1979.

Mary lost her battle with breast cancer, and her twins are now being raised by their aunt, Janet Haubenreiser Meyers

Boys water polo

Girls track

FOCUS ON AREA COMMUNITY AND HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Oak Lawn honors Haubenreiser

The 28-team Reavis Sectional will feature St. Laurence, Brother Rice, Marist, Oak Lawn, Richards, Sandburg, Shepard and Stagg.

Girls water polo

Oak Lawn signees Oak Lawn Community High School also held a recent ceremony.

In girls cross country and track, Tasneem Jaber signed with St. Xavier University In boys cross country and track, Keven Arias also signed with SXU. In baseball, Brenden Butler will play at Upper Iowa University.

In boys volleyball, John Lind-

Boys volleyball

The Class 3A Lyons Sectional will feature Brother Rice, Oak Lawn and Richards.

The 16-team Lockport Sectional hosts Marist, Sandburg, Shepard and Stagg.

St. Laurence and Evergreen Park are at the Lisle Class 2A Sectional and Chicago Christian is at the Seneca Class 1A Sectional.

Schools dote on athletes who sign on dotted line From staff reports

ers Grove South Sectional.

In Class 2A, the 18-team Chicago University Sectional features Queen of Peace and Evergreen Park.

In Class 1A, Chicago Christian is at the 14-team Seneca Sectional.

St. Al’s eighthgrade volleyball team recently won a tournament at Marist.

Supplied photo

(Class of 1991), who is a current Instructional Technology coach.

The Spartans baseball program will recognize Declan and Kenadie on May when the team takes on Thornton Fractional North. Spartan baseball players will wear shirts honoring Mary at the game. Shirts are available to the community for $20 each and can be purchased through head coach Bill Gerny at wgerny@olchs.org.

Youth sizes are available (small through large) as well as adult (small trough 3 XL).

Smilin’ Clydes will be selling hot dogs, and former SSC Conference Player of the Year Boo Quillin (‘15), a fan favorite of Declan and Kenadie, will be on hand to catch the ceremonial first pitch.

Mary was a dedicated threesport athlete who cultivated a love of sports in her twins. Declan and

Kennedy have been surrounded

by Spartans all their lives. These 8-year-old twins grew up in a house right across the street from the varsity baseball field and their large Irish-American clan also consists of numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who graduated from Oak Lawn Community High School.

Baker’s brother, Pat, was a standout jumper at Rice nearly a decade ago.

“He was just a great athlete, and me being little, I would watch him and think, ‘I want to do that,’” he recalled.

Baker competed in the indoor track season, and at the Chicago Catholic League confer-

ence meet he placed fourth in the long jump (20 feet, 9 inches) and sixth in the triple jump (404.75).

“My vertical is pretty good, so I figured if I joined track I could do well,” he said. “I was kind of just hoping the coach would try to get me on the pole (vault).

“I’m trying to qualify for state, qualify for volleyball state, and win multiple state titles.”

He enrolled at the University of Tennessee and is going to try to walk on to the men’s track team although he could scotch those plans if he is accepted into the Coast Guard Academy.

foot triple to center field to bring home Dan Vos, Jeff Mayberry and Matthew McCarthy.

“I was looking for a pitch to hit,” Moran said. “As soon as I saw that pitch, I knew I had to hit it. I didn’t think it was going out (for a home run) but I knew I got a good piece of it.’’

“That was a very tough atbat,” Brauer said. “His twostrike hitting was fantastic. I think he might hit better with two strikes than he does with any other count.’’

Pitchers Tyler Edgar and John Vander Wall combined for the victory and Edgar tripled in

Zach Frieling with the first run of the game in the fourth inning.

The Knights were scheduled to play Timothy Christian Monday at home and Tuesday in Elmhurst, and they visit Riverside-Brookfield today (Thursday), so they could be looking at a 21-gun salute.

— We welcome community news at sports@regionalpublishing.com

Moraine Valley’s Michelle Borgen and Erin Dryan earned National Junior College Athletics Association all-America honors Monday with Borgen being selected to the first team and Drynan to the third team.

Last week, Borgen, a 6-foot sophomore from Andrew High School, announced she will attend Missouri Science and Technology, a Division II program that finished 1016 last season. She averaged 25.8 points per game and 10.7 rebounds for Moraine this past season, and she was No. 1 in the nation Photo by Jeff Vorva with 904 points.

All-American Michelle Borgen of MoDrynan, an Evergreen raine Valley chose to play basketball Park native who played for at Missouri S&T. Mother McAuley, led the nation with 192 blocks and na Wanta (400 hurdles) qualiaveraged 17.1 points, 13.5 re- fied for the National Christian bounds per game. She has not College Athletic Association announced a commitment to a nationals at the Benedicfour-year college yet. tine University meet over the Baseball: The Cyclones beat weekend.

Oakton 8-7 on April 12 in a game that started on March St. Xavier University 29, was delayed by weather, Women’s track: Former resumed on April 3 and was Mother McAuley standout Radelayed by weather and fi- chal Brooks had a personal best nally completed on the third time of 25.89 seconds in the try. Mike Santarelli scored the 200-meter dash in the Benewinning run and Al Sanchez dictine University meet over pitched the win. the weekend.

Softball: Moraine lost 11-9 Baseball: The Cougars to Sauk Valley and 3-2 to scored 38 runs and pounded Highland to close out the Free43 hits in a doubleheader port Tournament April 8. Sam sweep of Trinity International Owens had four hits and drove in four runs in the opener and University on Saturday, winMaddie Poole was the losing ning the first game 27-6 and pitcher and scored a run in the the nightcap 11-2. The Cougars (21-21 overall and 12-5 nightcap. in the CCAC after the sweep) had won seven straight and Trinity Christian Baseball: Trinity knocked scored 89 runs in the streak. off the top team in the Chicago- Ryan Pellack had eight hits in land Collegiate Athletic Confer- the doubleheader.

Women’s golf: Taylor ence 5-2 on Friday but dropped 5-4 and 14-2 decisions on Sat- Thompson (156) and Hannah urday to lose the three-game Cruz (161) finished first and series against the University of second, respectively, for the St. Francis. Luke Weston hit a Cougars in the Pilot Spring Invitational in South Bend, Ind. grand slam in the win.

Women’s track: Katie Mo- SXU finished second in the 10ran (100 meter dash) and Celi- team tournament.

Vorva

Continued from Page 1 back row.

“At first I said, ‘I don’t know — I kind of like hitting and blocking,’ ’’ he said. “Then I started seeing these kids with five or six inches on me jumping and I said, ‘OK, I can take this back-row position.’ ’’ Even though he is digging being one of the top diggers in the country, he said it’s not the best way to judge a libero.

“The stat I saw that shows a true libero is grading serve-receive,’’ he said. “You are graded on how well you pass. A three is perfect to the setter. I think the coaches had me a 2.3 or 2.4 average. Serve-receive is a huge part of a libero’s deal.

One kid could be crazy on de-

fense and you call him a good libero but if he can’t pass…I think serve-receive is one of the hardest things to do mentally.’’

Even though his body goes through nightly punishment in practice and in matches, he is looking forward to three more years of it at the St. Louis school.

“Over the years I’ve grown to know that you don’t get some of the respect that you deserve, but what it really comes down to is playing for your team,” Rothstein said.

“Liberos are not going to get all the glory in the world, but you still have to play to put your team in a position to win, even if it means people are not talking about your great plays.’’

4

Section 2 Thursday, April 20, 2017

The Regional News - The Reporter

Images from a pair of baseball battles

Jeff Mayberry dives safely into third base in Chicago Christian’s 4-1 victory over Illiana Christian.

Chicago Christian’s Josh Hill arches back on a high pitch for ball four against Illiana Christian.

Evergreen Park left-hander Zach Kupczyk deals against Richards on April 12 in an 11-4 loss in the South Suburban Red.

Chicago Christian’s Tommy Moran (left) gets a fist bump from coach Eric Brauer after Moran’s three-run triple helped give the Knights a 4-1 victory over Illiana Christian on Saturday.

Richards’ Angelo Smith laces one of his three hits in an 11-4 win over Evergreen Park on April 12 in Oak Lawn.

The Bulldogs put up big offensive numbers all week as they beat Tinley Park 15-4 and lost to Andrew 21-17 on Saturday.

Richards’ Kevin Gardner scores in an 11-4 win over Evergreen Park on April 12 in Oak Lawn as Mustangs catcher Josh Martinez waits for a throw.

Richards’ Ryan Weber fires a pitch against Evergreen Park on April 12.

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Tommy Moran cracks a three-run triple against Illiana Christian on Saturday to help his team to an 18-0 record.

The Regional News - The Reporter

448-6161

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

For Sale

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, WATERFALL OLYMPIC MASTER FUND GRANTAS TRUSTEE FOR ARGENT SECURITIES INC., OR TRUST, SERIES II S/I/I BYLINE BANK F/K/A ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFINORTH COMMUNITY BANK SUCCESSOR CATES, SERIES 2005-W4

BY MERGER WITH METROBANK SUCCES- Plaintiff, SOR BY MERGER WITH METROPOLITAN -v.BANK AND TRUST COMPANY NANCY DIAZ, PONCIANO ALVARADO, ARGENT

MORTGAGE COMPANY, LLC, UNKNOWN OWNPlaintiff, ERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants -v.- LAURMEG SERVICES, L.L.C., JOSEPH P. 15 CH 05896 9135 S. 87TH AVE Hickory Hills, IL 60457 DAVID, MARTIN VARASANEC, LOUIS MICELI, NOTICE OF SALE VILLAGE OF OAK LAWN, VILLAGE OF JUSPUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant TICE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 21, 2016, an agent for

Defendants The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on

May 25, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, 12 CH 38743 One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, 10114-16 S. PULASKI ROAD IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest Oak Lawn, IL 60453 bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: NOTICE OF SALE – COUNT I Commonly known as 9135 S. 87TH AVE, Hickory Hills, IL 60457 PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Property Index No. 23-02-312-004-0000. pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale The real estate is improved with a single family entered in the above cause on April 11, 2017, an residence. agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at The judgment amount was $345,061.30.

10:30 AM on May 17, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certiCorporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, fied funds at the close of the sale payable to The CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks highest bidder, as set forth below, the following will be accepted. The balance, including the Judidescribed real estate: cial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on Commonly known as 10114-16 S. PULASKI residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each ROAD, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified Property Index No. 24-10-413-050-0000. funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four The real estate is improved with a multi-family (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee residence. acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by cerjudgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the tified funds at the close of the sale payable to The residential real estate whose rights in and to the Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The will be accepted. The balance in certified funds/or subject property is subject to general real estate wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. taxes, special assessments, or special taxes No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the levied against said real estate and is offered for residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale without any representation as to quality or sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or othquantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and er lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to rights in and to the residential real estate arose confirmation by the court. prior to the sale. The subject property is subject Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purto general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and chaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will is offered for sale without any representation as to entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. quality or quantity of title and without recourse to The property will NOT be open for inspection Plaintiff and in “AS IS� condition. The sale is further and plaintiff makes no representation as to the subject to confirmation by the court. condition of the property. Prospective bidders Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the are admonished to check the court file to verify purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will all information. entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate If this property is a condominium unit, the purchasafter confirmation of the sale. er of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the The property will NOT be open for inspection and legal fees required by The Condominium Property plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this properof the property. Prospective bidders are admonty is a condominium unit which is part of a common ished to check the court file to verify all information. interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser the assessments required by The Condominium of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortProperty Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5 (g-1). gagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF is a condominium unit which is part of a common AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. the assessments required by The Condominium You will need a photo identification issued by a Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). government agency (driver’s license, passport, IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEetc.) in order to gain entry into our building and OWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF same identification for sales held at other county AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS conducts foreclosure sales.

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 223 WEST You will need a photo identification issued by a JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL 60606, government agency (driver’s license, passport, (312) 263-0003 Please refer to file number C14etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the 12785. foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE foreclosure sales.

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending For information, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: LATIMER LEVAY FYOCK, LLC, 55 W MONROE sales.

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection PracSUITE 1100, Chicago, IL 60603, (312) 422-8000 tices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is Please refer to file number 96000-74. deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION for that purpose.

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL I718841 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.

LATIMER LEVAY FYOCK, LLC 55 W MONROE SUITE 1100 Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 422-8000 E-Mail: Judicialsales@llflegal.com Attorney File No. 96000-74 Attorney Code. 06204378 Case Number: 12 CH 38743 TJSC#: 37-3484

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR DEUTSCHE ALT-A SECURITIES, INC. MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-1, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES Plaintiff, -v.MANAL KANAAN, MALIK KANAAN, LORENZ APPLIANCE, INC., STATE OF ILLINOIS, PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, L.L.C., DISCOVER BANK, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 15 CH 002926 8841 W. 100TH PLACE PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 17, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 5, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8841 W. 100TH PLACE, PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 Property Index No. 23-10-401-079-0000.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

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

For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-15-02450.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-15-02450 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 15 CH 002926 TJSC#: 37-3054 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.

I718828

We the People...

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.

Having a garage or yard sale?

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Call 448-4000 or 448-6161

5

Thursday, April 20, 2017 Section 2

...Have a RIGHT to Know!

There are elected officials who say it is more convenient to conduct business in secret, behind closed doors. But we say that in an open society, citizens expect and demand that their elected officials be accountable, both by holding open meetings and by having open records.

Our Freedom of Information Act was created to assure this open principle in government. It was not created for the media but for the people. It is “The People’s Act.� So when some school board member, city council member, state representative or whoever says what they do and why they do it are none of your business, say you are the people and you have a right to know!

It All Starts With Newspapers!

The Regional News The Reporter

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For Sale

For Sale

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.JOHN R. MANTHEY, SANDRA L. MANTHEY Defendants 13 CH 27266 8937 Fairway Dr. Orland Park, IL 60462 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 8, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 17, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8937 Fairway Dr., Orland Park, IL 60462 Property Index No. 27-10-213-004-0000.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $209,564.12.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

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

For information, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC, 111 East Main Street, DECATUR, IL 62523, (217) 422-1719 If the sale is not confirmed for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the purchase price paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.

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.

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.

I717715

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC Plaintiff, -v.MICHAEL LOISI A/K/A MICHAEL A. LOISI, LISA A. FRANCIS-LOISI Defendants 16 CH 6984 11984 SOUTH PINECREEK DRIVE Orland Park, IL 60467 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 23, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 5, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 11984 SOUTH PINECREEK DRIVE, Orland Park, IL 60467 Property Index No. 27-07-308-012-0000.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $252,436.18.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

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

For information, contact The sales clerk, SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL 60015, (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm. Please refer to file number 16-078528.

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.

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

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NEW as of 7/7/11 For Sale

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

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION 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 Monday, May 8, 2017, 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. 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. THE SALE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO GENERAL TAXES, SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AND TO A PRIOR RECORDED FIRST MORTGAGE. 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 I718700

HAVE A HOUSE FOR SALE? Call to place your ad today!

6

Section 2 Thursday, April 20, 2017

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Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond

OUT & ABOUT

The Regional News • The Reporter

Thursday, April 20, 2017

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS

LIZ SMITH

‘Feud’ continues to fuel memories of Joan and Bette

The Center sets event slate

The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, is offering several events in the days ahead. Many classes will be held outdoors, or in The Log Cabin Center for the Arts, part of The Center. For more information, or to register for a program, call (708) 361-3650.

• Participants are asked to gather at the Labyrinth at 9 a.m. on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22 to prayerfully reflect upon the ecological state of home planet Earth and perhaps discover ways to add to the health and vitality of all living beings. This walk will include prayer, ritual and a labyrinth walk.

• Card-making Workshop: Birthdays And Thank You Cards will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22. Instructor Lauria Vargas will help students create a collection of birthday and thank you cards to have on hand for special occasions. No experience needed as Vargas will show different ways to construct and embellish cards. Participants will create four to five cards within this workshop. The workshop fee is $17, plus a $5 materials fee. The workshop will be held in The Log Cabin at the Center for the Arts.

• Awake at The Center: A Day of Mindfulness Outdoors, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. This is an all-day retreat, being led by Dan and Sharon Morley. Participants will be invited to sit, walk, listen, share, hear and see the beauty and wonder that abounds all around.

Clothing and shoes appropriate for the weather are suggested, as the retreat will take place completely out of doors. The retreat fee is $50, which includes leadership, lunch and retreat supplies.

• Log Cabin Art for Kids is scheduled for six Saturday mornings beginning April 22. Children in kindergarten through second grade will meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m.; third- through eighth-graders will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Art Director Heather Young will demonstrate a world of art and nature for kids. Classes are held at the Log Cabin Center for the Arts studios and outdoors. Students will work on a variety of art projects such as painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery and more within each session. Each session ends with an art show. The class fee is $85, which includes all supplies.

• Calligraphy will be taught from 1 to 3 p.m. for six Mondays beginning April 24 in The Log Cabin Center for the Arts. Instructor Marge Boyd will instruct the class in lettering with a pen and also in learning unique calligraphy styles done with pencil and markers. Participants will also learn to construct a book with decorated pages and a favorite quote. The class fee is $100. A list of required supplies is available in the office.

• Zentangle Workshop is set from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday April 24 at The Log Cabin Center for the Arts. The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.

Instructor Valerie Reilly makes it simple to understand and easy to enjoy—even for those convinced that they are not artists.

The workshop fee is $17, plus a $5 materials fee.

• Silver Jewelry Class will be held on six Tuesdays beginning Tuesday April 25, 9 to 11 a.m. or 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Instructor Wendy Martin will teach participants to create beautiful pieces of sterling silver jewelry in The Log Cabin.

Students will create pendants, ear-

By Liz Smith

Supplied photo

Students working on their nature-themed creations at the Log Cabin Center.

rings, pins, bracelets, and more.

Beginning students learn to saw, file, solder and polish in their first introductory projects. Martin will help experienced students learn advanced techniques as they design their own jewelry projects.

Previous lapidary students may bring polished stones and learn to set them into silver. The class fee is $100. Students can expect to pay $40 to $50 in silver costs, to be paid directly to the instructor in class. Advance registration is required.

• Womantalk!, a nurturing and supportive discussion group, is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday April 25. The group will be focusing on Sarah Ban Breathnach’s “Simple Abundance” book, or any other inspirational resources that attendees would like to bring to share. The focus is on learning to live authentically, joyfully, simply, gracefully and gratefully. Participants are asked to call to confirm attendance.

• Papermaking: Handmade Stationery Workshop will show students how to make stationery, envelopes, sheet paper and note cards from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday April 26 in The Log Cabin. The instructor is Marilyn VandenBout. The workshop fee is $17, plus a $5 materials fee.

• Instructor Lois Shive will show students how to make an easy and beautiful wood-bottomed basket with a choice of colored trim during basket-making class from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for six Thursdays beginning April 27 in The Log Cabin. Participants will continue to learn techniques for weaving a variety of shapes and sizes of baskets. They will get to choose their own project in consultation with the instructor.

Students typically make two or three baskets over the six-week session. The class fee is $100 plus a $25 materials fee.

• Creative Art Journaling is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m.

Friday April 28, in The Log Cabin, where instructor April Schabes will help participants create a colorful artistic record of days, thoughts, and experiences through words, collages, photos, poems, magazine images, drawings and watercolor. The annual class fee for 2017 Creative Journaling is $110. For those joining in April, the price is $95 for the rest of the year.

Bridge Teen Center provides free events

The Bridge Teen Center, 15555 S. 71st Ct., Orland Park, is offering several free events for teens in seventh through 12th grade during the upcoming week. For more information, call (708) 532-0500.

• Students are invited to a giant game night featuring music

by DJ Zaitrix from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, April 21. Free food samples will be provided by Meijer. This is a High School After Hours night. High school students are invited to stay for extended hours from 10:30 p.m. until midnight.

• High school students will give back to the community from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. As part of project Give with the American Sewing Guild, students will sew tote bags that conveniently fit on a walker, so getting around is easier and more accessible for individuals with disabilities •Heather Dropski, LCPC, will be leading a Soul Cafe: Believe in Your Strengths, for girls only from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. Students will be empowered to use their strengths with confidence.

•Project Serve: Serve the Homeless invites middle-school students only to help those in need. The program will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 26. Students will help a local non-profit sort donated coats, sleeping bags and toiletries that will be given to the homeless.

•High school students are invited to taste Hershey’s Sweet Success from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, April 26. A team of young Hershey’s executives will be leading this program designed to help students learn how to find a job, fill out an application, dress appropriately and gain basic interview skills.

•Strategies to Stress Less invites students to explore the silent triggers of stress and learn how to intentionally combat them with new perspectives and actions from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 27.

•Students are invited to come to a night of creativity from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, April 28 during Art Studio Night. There will also be live music by Signal vs.

Sound and free food samples from Corner Bakery.

VIDEOVIEW BY JAY BOBBIN NOTICE: Ratings for each film begin with a ‘star’ rating — one star meaning ‘poor,’ four meaning ‘excellent’ — followed by the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and then by a family-viewing guide, the key for which appears below.

STARTING THIS WEEK:

“THE FOUNDER”: If you’ve ever had a Big Mac or a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, here’s the intriguing, true story of the man who ultimately got it into your hands. Michael Keaton plays Ray Kroc, who turned two siblings’ (John Carroll Lynch, Nick Offerman) restaurant concept into the iconic franchise McDonald’s

— his principal interest being in appropriating the brothers’ speedy system for preparing what commonly became known as “fast food.” John Lee Hancock (“The Blind Side”) directed the tale, which also features Laura Dern, Linda Cardellini and Patrick Wilson. DVD extras: five “making-of” documentaries; cast-andfilmmaker press conference. *** (PG-13: P) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “SPLIT”: Never one to shy away from eerie themes in his films, writer-director M. Night Shyamalan (“The Sixth Sense”) explores another in this melodrama about a man (James McAvoy) with multiple personalities who kidnaps several girls (Anya Tay-

Southwest • Section 2, Page 7

lor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, Jessica Sula). Betty Buckley (“Eight Is Enough”) plays his psychiatrist, who clearly has a big challenge in front of her ... as well as a real threat to her safety. Fans of Shyamalan’s work are advised to stay put until the very end for a surprise appearance that has definite relevance. DVD extras: three “making-of” documentaries; deleted scenes; alternate ending. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “SLEEPLESS”: Jamie Foxx returns to “action” mode in this thriller, inspired by a French film, about a deep-undercover policeman facing danger from all sides Continued on page 8

“Get out, Veda. Get your things out of this house right now before I throw them into the street and you with them. Get out before I kill you.”

As any movie maven worth his salt knows, that is the climactic moment in “Mildred Pierce” between Joan Crawford, as hardworking Mildred, and Ann Blyth, who plays one of the screen’s most vicious, ungrateful daughters. (Blyth strikes Crawford in the scene, a sharp, stunning slap that knocks Joan off her feet.

When Crawford rises, with one fluid movement, eyes ablaze, the essence of outrage, it’s one the actress’s great moments, ever.)

So, if you happen to be in Los Angeles on April 15, the Egyptian Theatre is showing a double bill of “Mildred” and, ta-da — “All About Eve.” The day before, on the 14th, you can get to see the two ladies double-billed again. Davis in 1952’s blatant and self-conscious “The Star” - Bette goes to town as a broken-down actress, who at one point takes her Oscar on a drunken joyride. (Davis nabbed a somewhat improbable Academy Award nod for this.) After intermission and more popcorn, settle down for Crawford in Nicholas Ray’s 1954 vividly colored western “Johnny Guitar.” This cult item showcases Joan looking comfy indeed in her tailored shirts, denim pants and six-shooter. (Onscreen and in real life, Crawford and the other rough woman in the film, Mercedes McCambridge, did not see eye to eye.)

The Crawford/Davis revival is more fallout from the TV series “Feud.” Last week’s episode attempted to squeeze in a lot of early feminist yearnings from several characters, unconvincingly.

But creator Ryan Murphy needed to do more research. In the scene where Crawford (Jessica Lange) abruptly dismisses the idea of a woman director, somebody should have remembered that Crawford actually made two films, “The Bride Wore Red” and “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” with the famous female director Dorothy Arzner. And Ida Lupino had carved out an excellent name for herself as a director of smart, low-budget films and lots of TV. (Lupino would go on to direct the hugely successful feature, “The Trouble with Angels.”)

“Feud” continues to be an entertaining mix of fact, fiction and exaggeration, but it does seem to be hyping interest in the work of Crawford and Davis, so ... it has value.

THIS N’ THAT: ....Speaking of the abovementioned Egyptian Theatre, they presented a Noir Film festival,

which recently ended. Among the famous movies screened was one that should be better known - although it is worshipped by cultists.

I do mean “Wicked Woman,” staring the great, lanky, femme fatale Beverly Michaels. Beverly never became a big star, but she was a vivid presence before her early retirement to a happy private life.

“Wicked Woman” is her lurid apogee as a wanton, but intriguingly exhausted-by-life woman, traveling from town to town, making trouble. You can find a fuzzy copy of “Wicked Woman” on YouTube, but I’m hoping that the showing at The Egyptian means it has been restored and perhaps TCM or Criterion will release “Wicked Woman,” in all its sordid blackand-white glory. ...BEST Bette. On Monday, April 17, three days before Bette Midler opens in “Hello, Dolly!” getTV will pay homage to The Divine One with a telecast of Midler’s very first TV special, 1977’s Emmy-winning “Bette Midler: Ol’ Red Hair Is Back.”

Also being shown - an episode of the “Cher” TV series, with Milder as a guest, along with Elton John!

Additionally, getTV will air a 1969 special “Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey: On Broadway.” (Bailey starred in the phenomenally successful all-black production of “Hello, Dolly!” She won a special Tony Away for her portrayal in 1968.)

More Bette: On May 19, at the annual Drama League Awards in New York, Miss M. will receive The Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater Award. This happens at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. For more info, Call 212-244-9494.

ENDTHOUGHT: Really?

Honestly? Kidding me? These are the only things that have come to mind in the wake of the ridiculous overreaction, and over-analysis of Kendall Jenner’s Pepsi ad. I caught it — with dramatic buildup from CNN’s drama-person deluxe, Don Lemon, Tuesday night.

I was braced for the worst. What did I see? Miss Jenner — who I wouldn’t recognize walking down the street, unless somebody was holding a sign with her name on it over her head.

She is seen drifting through a bunch of pristine, model-worthy protesters made up of various genders, colors, religions (a smiling woman in traditional Muslim garb is issue-placed, photographing the event.)

Kendall appears to be having some sort of internal activist struggle involving a blonde wig and her commitment to the cause — whatever the cause is.

Finally, holding a can of Pepsi, Miss Jenner approaches a sternlooking policeman, and hands him her soft drink. Happy protesters dance and cheer. The End.

The CNN panel was, of course, horror-struck. OMG — it was trivializing Black Lives Matter and other important protest groups.

Miss Kendall was not fit to place herself in such an ad. A pox on her, and Pepsi.

Well, I didn’t even think of Black Lives Matter, or any other particular group. It seemed very amorphous, insipid, hippie-ish, and it was an ad for soda! Since when is it new to trivialize, capitalize, sentimentalize or make money out of serious real-life situations?

Coke urged the world to sing and join hands. Was that an insult to those who wanted peace on Earth and general civility?

Was Natalie Portman ever the wife of a slain president? Was Bradley Cooper a military sniper? Was “The Flying Nun” and “Gidget” actress Sally Field ever a poor, gritty factory worker, for heaven’s sake?!

This is an absurd reaction to the perceived (not incorrect) superficiality of Miss Jenner’s image and her flamboyant family.

It is also fake outrage and hypersensitivity at its most annoying — like college students wanting “safe places” from opinions they don’t share.

This is a world where innocent women and children are the hohum collateral damage of battle in the Mideast; a world where hundreds of gay men are arrested, tortured and killed in Russia.

But Kendall Jenner and Pepsi are monsters. The ad has been pulled.

Apocalypse avoided.

Now, a commercial that does annoy me is the new Volkswagen spot. Here, a young couple are shown having sex in a variety of cars (we see the vehicle shaking, with fogged-up windows). Each time they do it they have another baby and get a bigger car. I think it ends with five children.

Not only is it a bit tasteless (can’t these people get a room?)

But it totally ignores the very real issue of Earth’s overpopulation, as well as cash-poor American states, such as Louisiana, New Mexico, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, etc. (Are the down-and-out residents of these states thinking, yeah, let’s get a brand-new car, every time we make a brand-new baby — no problem.) I’d love to know who — other than Volkswagen — is sponsoring this paean to endless, cheery, childbearing in a U.S. where middle-class families struggle to prosper, even with both parents working full time.

And the ad was surely conceived by a man. After multiple back-to-back births the woman still looks trim and energetic. The husband has grown some stylish facial hair.

Let’s see Don Lemon and CNN do a six-panel, 45-minute segment on that.

E-mail Liz Smith at MES3838@ aol.com.

OMARR’S WEEKLY ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST

By Jeraldine Saunders ARIES (Mar 21- Apr. 19): Grab the bull by the horns.

Your strong leadership abilities and quick-thinking can help turn difficult situations into something resoundingly positive this week.

Your charisma and confidence will attract others to join your cause.

TAURUS (Apr. 20- May 20): If you rest, you could rust. Flex those muscles by keeping busy and active or you may find yourself with little energy to face the week ahead. Accept invitations to get out and about as lounging about the house will do you little good.

GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Avoid pouring it on too thick. Being overly complimentary or polite could backfire as recipients may doubt your sincerity. No one will question your intentions if you demonstrate them through actions rather than words.

CANCER (June 21- July 22): Choose the path of least resistance.

There’s nothing to be gained by doing things the hard way so don’t hesitate to take short-cuts to get the job done. The simplest solutions are the ones that work best

in the week to come.

LEO (July 23- Aug. 22): Take everything in moderation. It may be a case of doing too much or not enough. The happy medium will make things work as this week unfolds. Don’t press the issue with relationship matters as you may meet resistance.

VIRGO (Aug. 23- Sept. 22): Rise to the challenge. It may take a bit of extra effort to overcome an obstacle this week but the satisfaction you get from completing a task will make it all well worth it.

Don’t back down if someone questions your integrity or principles.

LIBRA (Sept. 23- Oct. 22.): If you snooze, you lose. A wait and see approach will get you nowhere, the only way that you’ll make any progress this week is if you get out there and make things happen. Follow your instincts to make important decisions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23- Nov. 21): Play your pipes and others will follow. Those around you will be more than willing to let you take the lead no matter where you choose to take them. As you make progress this week, an old problem from the past may briefly

resurface.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): Read between the lines.

It may be difficult to understand a loved one’s intentions unless you delve beneath the front that they’re putting up. Be patient and talk things out without being overly pushy in the week ahead.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- Jan. 19): Get out and meet people.

Strike up conversations with new acquaintances to pave the way for future friendships in the week to come. Listening to how a loved one talks with others may shed some insight into their character.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- Feb. 18): You don’t have to give until it hurts. Efforts to please a loved one may have you stretching your budget rather thin, so keep things from getting out of hand this week.

Remember that the best things in life are free.

PISCES (Feb. 19- Mar. 20): If you want to get anything done do it yourself. Your agenda only matters to you so don’t rely on others to share your enthusiasm as the week unfolds. Matters involving family and close friends provide a welcome distraction.

Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond

OUT & ABOUT

The Regional News • The Reporter

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Southwest • Section 2, Page 8

VARIETY

Don Rickles, legendary insult comic, dies at 90

By Richard Natale Abrasive comic Don Rickles, the honorary Rat Pack member and celebrity roast guest whose career spanned six decades, has died. He was 90.

Rickles died Thursday, April 6 at his home in Los Angeles from kidney failure, his longtime publicist Paul Shefrin confirmed. He would have turned 91 on May 8.

Though he appeared in films and on television, Rickles’ mainstay was always nightclub performances, appearing in Las Vegas and elsewhere into his late 80s.

He also found late success as the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” films, which were exceptional box office performers, and popped up frequently on latenight talkshows.

Rickles’ career had its ups and downs as comedic tastes changed, and his curmudgeonly persona was sometimes out of kilter with audience tastes, but he survived long after many of his contemporaries had disappeared into retirement. And when he was hot, he was a potent club headliner, insulting his audience with his two key signature phrases “dummy” and “hockey puck.”

His attempts at series TV did

not succeed because of the astringency of Rickles’ personality.

His serious side, however, was occasionally put to good use in guest starring roles in episodic TV and the occasional dramatic role in movies such as his first, “Run Silent, Run Deep,” and Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film “Casino.”

Donald Jay Rickles was born in Manhattan and studied acting at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York after serving in the Navy during WWII. He began appearing in nightclubs during the ‘50s but didn’t really break through until his first appearance on “The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson” in 1965.

In the meantime, he worked in movies. After his debut in WWII submarine drama “Run Silent, Run Deep” (1958), he appeared in the Tony Curtis-Debbie Reynolds romantic comedy “The Rat Race” and various AIP beach movies with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon.

After the Carson appearance, he achieved headliner status in Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe, and he was frequently seen in the company of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack.

He took to the stage in the L.A. production of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple,” playing Felix. Later

VIDEOVIEW BY JAY BOBBIN Continued from page 7 after purporting to steal cocaine from a mobster (Scoot McNairy) — while actually working an Internal Affairs case with his partner (T.I.) to ferret out corrupt cops. The gangster’s henchmen then kidnap the detective’s son, with their boss threatening to harm the youngster and others unless the drugs are returned by the end of the night.

Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney, Gabrielle Union and David Harbour also are featured. *** (R: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “TEEN WOLF: SEASON 6, PART 1”: Horse-mounted Ghost Riders are big problems for Scott (Tyler Posey) and his friends as they enter the final phase of their high-school careers in this first half of the MTV melodrama’s most recent season, which encompassed several episodes directed by Russell Mulcahy (“Highlander”).

Anyone who sees the Riders has made a potentially fatal mistake, since that makes the viewer an immediate candidate for elimination — making Stiles (Dylan O’Brien) and everyone else who attended a certain party a target.

Holland Roden, Shelley Hennig and Linden Ashby also star. *** (Not rated: AS, P, V)

COMING SOON:

“CATFIGHT” (April 25):

College rivals (Anne Heche, Sandra Oh) find their mutual competitiveness hasn’t dissipated over the years. (Not rated: AS, P) “LA LA LAND” (April 25): The almost-Oscar winner for best picture took honors for Emma Stone and director Damien Chazelle, among others; Ryan Gosling also stars in the musical. (PG-13: AS, P) “UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS” (April 25): Selene (Kate Beckinsale) tries to navigate between Lycans and vampires, and also to protect her daughter. (R: AS, P, GV) “A DOG’S PURPOSE” (May 2): A canine’s multiple reincarnations lets him affect several owners; Britt Robertson and Dennis Quaid star. (PG: AS) “GOLD” (May 2): Matthew McConaughey stars in the factinspired story of a modern gold prospector who seeks his claim to riches in Indonesia; Bryce Dallas Howard also stars. (R: AS, N, P) “THE SPACE BETWEEN US” (May 16): A teenager (Asa Butterfield) who was born on Mars comes to Earth to rendezvous with an ally (Britt Robertson). (PG-13: AS, P) FAMILY-VIEWING GUIDE KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence.

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he took “The Don Rickles Show” on tour around the country. He also made more movies, including Carl Reiner’s “Enter Laughing” and WWII heist comedy “Kelly’s Heroes.”

His first try at a TV series, CBS’ “Kibbe Hates Finch” in 1965, never got beyond a pilot.

Variety series “The Don Rickles Show” lasted a single season in 1969-69, and his mid-’70s sitcom “C.P.O. Sharkey” lasted two. He co-hosted reality clip show “FoulUps, Bloops and Blunders” with Steve Lawrence for a single season in 1983-84 on ABC. His last attempt was Fox’s 1993 sitcom “Daddy Dearest” co-starring Richard Lewis, which quickly folded.

More successful were his guest starring appearances on TV in a variety of shows including comedies such as “Archie Bunker’s Place,” “The Lucy Show,” “F Troop” (in a recurring role as Bald Eagle), “Get Smart,” “Newhart” and, in 2011, “Hot in Cleveland.”

He also acquitted himself on TV dramas like “Medical Center” and “Chrysler Theater.” He guested on “The Single Guy” and “Murphy Brown” in the late ‘90s, appeared in a supporting role in 2004 telepic “The Wool Cap” and appeared as himself within a dream sequence

in a 2007 episode of CBS drama “The Unit.”

In January 2005, Rickles appeared with Bob Newhart, whom he considered his best friend, on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” the day after Johnny Carson’s death to reminisce about their many guest appearances on Carson’s show.

During the late ‘70s and a good part of the ‘80s, Rickles’ humor was out of fashion, and while he continued appearing at casinos, the luster of his star had faded.

Then, things turned around again, and a new generation of comedians that he had influenced came into favor. Rickles was once again in vogue.

Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times/TNS Rickles’ humor, while enjoyed Don Rickles on Nov. 6, 2007 in Beverly Hills, Calif. better in person, also landed on In May 2014 the funnyman was record with albums such as “Hel- he voiced the Frog character in lo Dummy!” and “Don Rickles the 2011 live action/animated hy- saluted by the likes of David Letbrid “Zookeeper,” starring Kevin terman, Jerry Seinfeld and Jon Speaks.”

Stewart in the Spike TV special In Scorsese’s 1995 film “Ca- James and Rosario Dawson.

The comedian’s memoir, “Rick- “One Night Only: An All-Star sino,” Rickles had a substantial role as a trusted cohort to Rob- les’ Book,” was published in 2007. Comedy Tribute to Don Rickles.”

Survivors include Rickles’ wife ert De Niro’s casino owner. And John Landis directed a documenthe “Toy Story” animated features tary on Rickles, “Mr. Warmth: of 52 years, Barbara; a daughter kept Rickles busy, voicing Mr. Po- The Don Rickles Project,” which and a son; and two grandchiltato Head in the 1995 original, the debuted on HBO the same year. dren. In lieu of flowers, the family 1999 sequel and the enormously For his performance in the docu- requests that donations be made successful third entry in 2010. He mentary, Rickles won an Emmy to the Larry Rickles Endowment reprised the role in a 2011 short for individual performance in a Fund at Children’s Hospital Los called “Hawaiian Vacation,” and variety or music program.

Angeles.

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