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

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Serving Palos, Orland and Worth townships and neighboring communities

76th Year, NO. 18 • 3 Sections

Retail occupancy in Palos Heights makes small gain

By Anthony Caciopo Regional News Editor

The retail occupancy rate in Palos Heights crept in a positive direction in 2016 over 2015, with 2017 “off to a good start” according to leaders of the city’s Business/Economic Advisory Committee.

A preliminary figure of one percent greater occupancy/one percent lower vacancy is being analyzed by the committee as part Photos by Steve Neuhaus of a forthcoming report which will Mayor Keith Pekau takes the oath of office, administered by best friend and Navy Captain Timothy M. Cole, during swearing-in ceremonies Monday at be submitted to the City Council Orland Park Village Hall. for input and review.

“The one percent reduction in

New Orland Park Mayor takes oath

Pekau seeks common ground

By Dermot Connolly Staff Writer

Orland Park’s 24 years under the leadership of Dan McLaughlin officially ended with the swearing-in of Mayor Keith Pekau at the Village Board meeting on Monday, where he stressed the need to find common ground for the benefit of the village after the “hard-fought campaign between two people who love Orland Park.”

“It is an awesome responsibility. I am up to the task. Much have been given to me, and much will be expected,” said Pekau. He was joined by his wife, Betty, and daughter, Amanda, as he was

sworn in by his best friend, Navy Captain Timothy M. Cole, who flew in from Washington, D.C. for the ceremony.

Pekau said when he and Cole first met in 1976 on the Orland Junior High School playground, they “challenged each other to a fight.” But they became best friends when they ended up in classes together at the school soon afterward.

“Our friendship embodies how people with differences can come together,” he said, comparing it to him joining a board full of McLaughlin allies. “First interactions don’t have to define your relationship.”

“We could not be more different,” he said, noting that as well as going to different high schools,

vacancy is going in the right direction,” said Committee Chairman Bob Grossart.

Palos Heights has approximately 1.5 million square feet of commercial floor area, according to the report, although not all is retail space. The 2016 occupancy rate for all commercial buildings was 89 percent.

“The principal focus of this report is retail,” said Community Development Coordinator Ken Busse. “Retail sales tax dollars generate income to help offset people’s property tax bills.”

See RETAIL, Page 2

Young leaders transform Palos Heights City Council for a day

By Anthony Caciopo Regional News Editor

A decades-old tradition once again brought new, young blood into the seat of governance in the City of Palos Heights, if only for a day.

The Palos Heights Woman’s Club awarded its annual essay contest winners recently in a competition that bestowed a dozen local students with ceremonial titles corresponding to actual positions New Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau shares a kiss with his wife, Betty, as on the council. The winners performed duties in a mock council See MAYOR, Page 2 their daughter Amanda looks on, following his swearing-in. meeting Tuesday in front of a packed meeting room at Palos

Heights City Hall.

“At first I was nervous, but I thought it was really cool to be the mayor, to sit in his chair and run the meeting,” said Leah Bylut.

“After I started going, it got easier and I got more confident.”

Visitors to the meeting witnessed a gathering with the same look and feel as the official council meetings, held the first and third Tuesdays of each month at city hall, 7601 W. College Dr. The mock council meeting including a call to order, roll call, consent agenda, reports from committees,

U.S. flag takes a medal in long-distance travel

See COUNCIL, Page 2

Sports signature of American Olympian

By Jessie Molloy There’s a well-traveled American flag on display in Palos Heights with more than 16,000 miles under its stars and stripes, a journey that went from a neighborhood hardware store here in town to South America, Europe and back home.

Running for Kicks, 7158 W. 127th St., is now the home of a piece of Olympic memorabilia with a local history.

Last summer Palos Heights resident Suzanne Cappozzo and her son Michael took a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to witness week two of the 2016 Olympic Games.

“My son works for Comcast and his wife, Kate, was working for NBC in Rio as part of the hospitality team for VIPs,” explained Cappozzo. “He wrote to the company management and got us special access passes. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and Michael surprised me with it as a special treat.”

Cappozzo had gotten surgery on her knee in March 2015. She said

as she was beginning her recovery Michael approached her with a surprise. “He said, ‘Mom, I’ve got an incentive for you to work extra-hard on your therapy and recovery: I want to take you to the Olympics in Rio next summer.’

My husband has taken our boys on special father-son trips before, so after a little while I didn’t feel so bad about leaving him behind,” she said.

Before embarking on their trip Cappozzo went to the Palos Heights Ace Hardware and bought a key accessory for any fan going to cheer on Team U.S.A. from the Olympic stands. It was an American flag.

On the night of Wednesday, Aug.17 Suzanne and Michael attended the track and field competitions at Olympic Stadium, one of four events in which they were able to secure tickets.

“It was an amazing experience,” she recalled. “We saw Usain Bolt run in a qualifier, we saw the javelin throw, which I’d never seen before, and we saw the U.S. Women’s Hurdles runners take gold,

U.S. Olympian Jenny Simpson (center) poses for a photo with Palos Heights resident Suzanne Cappozzo and her son, Michael Cappozzo shortly after Simpson won a bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro. The trio is wearing an American flag that eventually traveled three continents.

silver and bronze in one race.”

But before any of the races, the Cappozzos saw a medal ceremony.

On Tuesday night Jenny Simpson, a 29-year-old three-time Olympian from Colorado, became the first U.S. woman to medal in the

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1,500-meter run, taking the bronze with a time of 4 minutes, 10.53 seconds. On Wednesday she tearPhoto by Anthony Caciopo fully received her medal, a first for her despite several world, national Palos Heights Mayor Bob Straz applauds Leah Bylut who presided at a mock city council meeting Tuesday in the role of mayor. Bylut and 11 fellow

See FLAG, Page 2 students won an essay contest that earned them seats for a day as local government officials.

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

2 Thursday, May 18, 2017

The Regional News

POLICE BLOTTER: PALOS HEIGHTS DUI Manuel Ramirez, 40, of Palos Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol at 1:51 a.m. Sunday, in the 7300 block of West 127th Street. Police said he was cited for speeding and he failed field sobriety tests.

He is due in court on June 28.

Frank Knaperek, 19, of Palos Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 4:26 a.m. Sunday, in the 7200 block of West 127th Street. Police said he failed field sobriety tests. He was also cited for driving without insurance, speeding and expired registration, said police. He is due in court on June 28.

Brett M. Kantor, 21, of Tinley Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 3:33

Mayor

Continued from Page 1 and having different religions and musical tastes, “he went to the Navy, while I joined the Air Force.

But we have common values that span four decades.”

“Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle,” he said, quoting Thomas Jefferson.

“I am reaching out to our village board members in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. I am committed to working together to solve our problems and seek creative solutions. I ask you to do the same as we work to achieve our common goals in the village of Orland Park.”

Also sworn in were trustees James Dodge, Kathleen Fenton and Dan Calandriello, as well as Village Clerk John Mehalek, who were all re-elected on April 4. All four struck similar themes in their brief comments, about wanting to work together.

“I take great pride in what I have done on this board, and what we are going to do,” said Fenton.

“I have lived here my whole life,” said Calandriello, adding that he wants to keep Orland Park the same “safe and family-friendly place” for his nine-month-old daughter, Mia, and all the generations to come.

“It is time to come together.

a.m. Monday, in the 12200 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he failed field sobriety tests and was also cited for speeding.

He is due in court on June 28.

Ronald Hacker, 59, of Orland Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 11:36 p.m. May 12, in the 13100 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he failed field sobriety tests.

He was also cited for unlawful use of a data communication device and not wearing a seatbelt. He is due in court on June 28.

Ryan M. Harmon, 22, of Palos Heights, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 1:17 a.m. Monday, in the 12100 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he failed field sobriety tests and was also cited for speeding.

He is due in court on June 28.

We have a lot of work ahead of us,” said Trustee Patricia Gira.

The standing-room-only crowd included the officials’ families and friends, as well as a considerable number of residents who quietly expressed unhappiness with Pekau’s upset victory. His win was seen by many as a backlash against the board’s decision to make the mayor’s position fulltime with responsibilities for economic development and an annual salary of $150,000 for this term, an almost 300 percent increase from the former $40,000 part-time mayoral salary. It would have resulted in a big pension jump for McLaughlin, but Pekau said he won’t take any pension.

Rather than the salary, most complaints Monday were about pro-Pekau “robocalls” residents received on home phones and cellphones before the election.

More recent ones promoting the meeting on Monday were also blamed on him.

“They are breaking the law.

They have to identify who the call is coming from. Not only are they illegal but they are accusatory (about the board),” said Charles McShane, speaking during the public comment section of the meeting.

Pekau said he was not involved in the robocalls. “I only know about them because I got one my-

self. They didn’t even say the time of this meeting. If I was involved, I would have included that.”

Trustee Michael Carroll researched the issue after hearing complaints from residents about the robocalls. “We don’t know who is behind them, but I would advise anyone with concerns to contact the FCC,” said Carroll.

The new mayor wasn’t successful in winning over everyone at the meeting.

“I am highly skeptical of someone who was elected as a direct result of a $200,000 smear campaign,” said 20-year resident Dawn Friend, afterward. She was referring to a $200,000 donation given to Pekau by Dan Proft’s conservative political action committee.

“In spite of what he says, I do not trust that the new mayor of Orland Park truly represents my values or that he will lead the village in the right direction. I think it is critical, now, more than ever, that we carefully watch what our elected officials are doing,” she said.

“I still don’t like him,” said Nicole Giuffra-McQuaid. She received many robocalls, and criticized a $75 meet-and-greet fundraiser held for Pekau last week. “Why not build up some goodwill before doing something like that?” she wondered.

Suspended license Robert Hausmann, 41, of Oak Forest, was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 2:44 p.m. Sunday, in the 12000 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he was also cited for improper display of registration because his vehicle had no front license plate. He is due in court on June 6.

Outstanding warrant Christopher A. Hacker, 26, of Orland Park, was arrested on an outstanding Cook County warrant following a traffic stop at 12:48 a.m. last Thursday, in the 12900 block of South Ridgeland Avenue.

Police said he was also cited for an equipment violation. Court information was not available.

Photo by Anthony Caciopo

Winners of the Palos Heights Woman’s Club annual essay contest pose for a picture in city council chambers where they governed for a day. The winners are (from left): Weston Schwartz, Amanda Cinkus, Alaina Wolan, Leah Bylut, Brianna Mattson, Maria Musso, Thomas Murrihy, Matthew Madaras, Patrick Coogan and Thomas Wagner. Not pictured are Tatum Fry and Christopher Casey.

Palos Heights: priceless

By Leah Bylut,

Independence Jr. High School Palos Heights will always be a city that feels like home, which makes Palos priceless.

Palos Heights can be described as the perfect place to live for many reasons: schools, parks, local shops and a tight-knit community. However, Palos could be even better by creating bike lanes in the streets, fogging mosquitoes, creating a dog park and implementing a student advisory representative on the recreation board.

Driving around Palos Heights, one would probably notice a lot of kids roaming the streets on bike or by foot. I know I do.

This leaves children vulnerable to accidents. That’s why adding bike lanes to our streets would be beneficial as parents wouldn’t have to worry as much about the safety of their kids.

In the summer, everyone wants to be outside in the fresh air, but

Council

Continued from Page 1 docket numbers, bids and more.

“Finance, is there a report?

Public safety, is there a report?” asked “Mayor” Bylut as she called upon each “alderman” in turn to present his or her information.

One-by-one, the students delivered their reports to the council and the citizens present at the meeting. The students’ contributions were each punctuated with a formal closing of “That concludes my report, Madame Mayor.”

Bylut’s father, Donald, the actual 1st Ward alderman, explained how the students collectively acted as such a well-oiled machine.

Flag

Continued from Page 1 and college championship titles.

“When she ran in London she made it to the semi-final but didn’t qualify for the final,” Cappozzo explained. “Can you imagine that?

Four years of training and all that practice and you just miss the final? It’s tragic. Then one year before Rio she was in that same stadium running a practice race, which she didn’t finish because her shoe came off part-way through, so it was very moving watching her finally get her medal. I understand how she got so emotional.”

A few minutes after the medal ceremony, Michael noticed Simpson entering the stands to watch the events. She was joining friends and family members seated a few rows behind the Cappozzos.

“Michael said to me ‘Mom, look! That’s her, that’s Jenny Simpson coming in,’ so we of course went over to congratulate her.”

Suzanne and Michael took a picture with the bronze medalist and chatted with her briefly. They told her they were from Chicago and she told them about the incident where she’d lost her shoe.

“She said it was kind of a poetic thing,” Cappozzo said. “She told us ‘one year ago my shoe came off and I lost that race, right in the spot I was standing just now to get my medal.’”

Before the Cappozzos returned to their seats Michael made Simpson an offer.

“He said ‘You should take our flag,’” Suzanne said. “I was a little surprised, and she at first said no, but Michael insisted. He told her ‘this is your night, you shouldn’t leave this stadium without an American flag’.”

Simpson agreed, but on one condition, which she explained first to the Cappozzos and then again in a note she later sent to Running for Kicks.

“I promised that once I returned home I would sign and send the flag along to her local running store for the community to enjoy,” Simpson wrote.

The note arrived at Running for Kicks a few months later along with a photo, and the flag, which was inscribed with Simpson’s name and event information along with her personal mantra, “Be Brave.”

The note also explained the delay in sending the memento

PALOS HEIGHTS MAYOR FOR A DAY

the great amount of mosquitoes in Palos Heights draws many people inside. The number of mosquitoes can be reduced if the city fogs the mosquitoes every so often so residents can enjoy city events such as the Fourth of July parade and not be bugged.

Palos Heights would have even more to bark about if it adds a dog park. Many families in Palos Heights have best friends that are probably yearning to run free and wag their tails. Not only will the dogs drool over this idea, but it will also bring the community together.

Finally, Palos Heights needs to add a student advisory representative on the recreation board.

Kids know what kids like and having a student representative will help the Recreation Center get more business. The children will be interested in the activities and programs and sign up.

Realizing you have great schools, beautiful parks, local shops and a friendly communi-

ty: priceless. Thank you, Palos Heights.

Leah Bylut won an essay contest and was named Palos Heights Mayor For a Day, serving on May 16. Other contest winners are: Amanda Cinkus, Independence Jr. High, in the position of city clerk; Maria Musso, St. Alexander, city treasurer; Tatum Fry, Palos South, city attorney; Patrick Coogan, St. Alexander, 1st Ward alderman and Matthew Madaras, St. Alexander, 1st Ward alderman.

Also: Thomas Wagner, St. Alexander, 2nd Ward alderman; Thomas Murrihy, St. Alexander, 2nd Ward alderman; Weston Schwartz, Palos South Middle School, 3rd Ward alderman; Alaina Wolan, Palos South Middle School, 3rd Ward alderman; Christopher Casey, St. Alexander, 4th Ward alderman and Brianna Mattson, Palos South Middle School, 4th Ward alderman.

“The elected officials, plus the city attorney, were asked to create a couple of items, either prospective motions or informational items that the kids could read,” he said. “Mayor Straz met personally with Leah so they could go over the agenda, because she had the most to say.”

“I move to approve the Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Budget in the total amount of $25,636,403,” said Weston Schwartz in the role of Alan Fulkerson, the 3rd Ward alderman.

“Is there a second?” asked Mayor Bylut, who then asked City Clerk Amanda Cinkus to call the vote.

The meeting wound down with

the opportunity for citizens to address the council. Mayor Straz walked to the public podium, introduced himself, and thanked and congratulated the students for their achievement.

A motion was then entertained for the meeting to adjourn. The motion was seconded and the 2017 Mayor For a Day presentation concluded.

Following the meeting, Leah Bylut summed up her experience as mayor.

“I thought the politics, and how everything runs, was really interesting,” said Bylut, who will be attending Shepard High School next school year. “If I could, I would do it again.”

Retail

Continued from Page 1

Photo by Jessie Molloy

The autographed flag is now on display at Running for Kicks in Palos Heights.

along, stating “after celebrating with this flag in Rio it traveled on with me to Paris, Zurich, and New York City as I continued to race.” While in New York with it, Simpson also won the New York Road Runners Fifth Avenue Mile race.

The flag is now hanging over the register in Running for Kicks above the note and a picture of Simpson with the Cappozzos, taped to the counter.

“When she offered to send it to a Chicago running store, I immediately told her about Running for Kicks and she asked me to give her mom the address,” said Cappozzo.

Cappozzo, who has lived in Palos Heights with her husband Dean since 2000, is a former runner and still buys her shoes at Running for Kicks.

“It was a great surprise when Suzanne came in after the Olympics,” said Running for Kicks owner Mel Diab. “She showed me the video her son had taken of her asking Simpson to send the flag to us. I have that on our Facebook page now and the flag came in a few months later.”

While in Rio Suzanne and Michael saw four days of events.

In addition to the track and field competition, they also saw a night of beach volleyball and the gold medal matches for both men’s and women’s soccer.

While Cappozzo says she was happy to see Brazil win the gold in soccer and that it was incredible to be in the stands with the Brazilian crowd when it happened, she was most moved by the crowd at the track and field night.

“I love track and field,” she said.

“We were sitting there with other Americans and Jamaicans, and Dutch fans, and people from just all over the world, all cheering and enjoying the sport together.

It was amazing.”

“Track and field athletes are special,” Diab added. “All athletes are dedicated, but runners aren’t usually doing it for the money like some ball players. They’re doing it for themselves and for the love of the sport.”

If she stays healthy, Simpson plans on trying out for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Suzanne Cappozzo hopes she will be able to go and see her there.

The Business/Economic Advisory Committee held its monthly meeting Monday at City Hall, primarily to discuss the data that has been collected for a picture of the city’s retail occupancy/vacancy status through the 2016 calendar year, ending on Dec. 31, 2016.

Described by Grossart as a think tank, the committee has 10 defined goals, among them to help the city formulate a long-range economic plan and timetable.

At the start of the working-lunch meeting, Busse turned the floor over to Ben Andringa, an intern from Trinity Christian College. Andringa discussed his survey methods and walked members of the committee through a variety of preliminary statistics contained on charts and tables.

Busse produced a map of new establishments in town for 201617.

“We’ve got seven new or rebranded businesses,” he said.

“Rebranded, in our opinion, means retained because they’re not leaving.”

Two examples he cited of rebranded businesses are Kefi, an authentic Greek cuisine restaurant on the site of the old Bon-A-Pit at 12200 S. Harlem Ave. and Rooftop Tap at 12231 S. Harlem Ave. in the space of the former Sam Buca’s.

Highlander House, featuring Polish cuisine and Franklin Public House are two new establishments expected to open soon.

“I’d like to focus on the unique dining, “ said Busse, “promoting Harlem Avenue and the City of Palos Heights as a destination-oriented restaurant place. It’s not like going onto other arterial streets

Photo by Anthony Caciopo

Community Development Coordinator Ken Busse (right) discusses preliminary retail occupancy figures as intern Ben Andringa looks on.

where the major, national chains have their formulas.”

Mention was made during the meeting of an anticipated July groundbreaking at the Spectrum Retirement Communities site on

the northeast corner of Harlem and Route 83, as well as the imminent closing of the long-time Radio Shack store at 11901 S. Harlem Ave.

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The Regional News

Thursday, May 18, 2017

3

COMMUNITY NOTES ‘Break for the Lake’ race set at Lake Katherine Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the fifth annual “Break for the Lake” 5K race set for 8 a.m. Sunday, May 21 at Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights.

“Running at Lake Katherine is such a great way to see the entire 85 acres that we have here,” said operations manager Gareth Blakesley. “From prairie to woody ridges to lake edge, runners will

navigate asphalt, single track, woodchip and grass. Best of all they will give their health a boost in the process.”

The race entrance fee prior to the day is $25 for adults (15 years and older) and $15 for children under 14. Participants can sign up online at signmeup.com/118126.

Proceeds from the race will go toward children’s programs, ecological restoration and animal care at Lake Katherine. The trail racecourse is not suitable for dogs or strollers.

For more information, call (708) 361-1873.

Jonathan Beyer to headline concert An evening of opera, musical theater and other songs—featuring acclaimed baritone Jonathan Beyer— is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 2 at The Presbyterian Church in Orland Park, 13401 S. Wolf Road.

The concert will include guest soloist Amanda Crider, a Sandburg High School graduate.

Tickets are $20 and available weekdays in the church office.

For details, phone (708) 448-8142.

Serving the Area’s Finest Italian Cuisine Photo by Anthony Caciopo

Celebrating Mother’s Day at The Children’s Farm Mother’s Day was just ducky for Orland Park resident Leigh Walls at The Children’s Farm at The Center in Palos Park, where she went with her family to enjoy the beautiful day. Walls, Paul Kopec and daughter, Maddy, 6 enjoy an up-close look at a duckling at the farm, 12700 Southwest Hwy. Walls served with the U.S. Army as a medic in the Middle East and just completed her nursing degree, she said.

Palos Hts. farmers market opens season in near-perfect weather

By Anthony Caciopo Regional News Editor

Farmers need rain but people who buy and sell at farmers markets can be perfectly satisfied with sunny skies and not a cloud in sight.

Mother Nature helped kick off the new season of the Palos Heights Farmers Market last week with a great day to set up and shop. Although rain hit the area a short time after the market closed at 1 p.m., there were no worries about inclement weather during the event.

“This is the first time I’ve been and I love it,” said Tom Kocourek of Worth, who purchased pumpkin-Snickerdoodle bread and peanuts. “I’ve seen it (in past years) driving by. The weather today is gorgeous.”

Rich and Ellen Cullet of Burbank stopped at the Windy Hill Farms tent to order porterhouse steaks while a few steps away, Nancy Benck of the Pampered Chef offered her opinion on the annual, local attraction.

“I think it’s great,” she said. “It’s like being in your backyard with friends and neighbors.”

At this time of the year, spring vegetables are coming to the market along with a variety of herbs and flowers. Approximately 20 vendors were on hand last week selling canned goods, jarred products, fresh-baked items, kitchen tools and more. Dozens of people were onsite throughout the morning, some browsing, some making purchases, some pausing to chat with one another and even knosh on ready-to-eat items.

“It was a great start to the market season, with fantastic weather and beautiful flowers, plants and early season produce,” said Anne Girzadas, the Palos Heights Famers Market manager. “We’ve got many favorite vendors returning, and new vendors as well.”

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Mild temperatures and sunny skies undoubtedly encouraged attendance at the season’s opening last week of the Palos Heights Farmers Market, held each Wednesday.

Girzadas provides detailed, weekly updates in The Regional News about new developments and attractions taking place at the market, including new sellers and products. She points out that the Palos Farmers Market is one of only three south-suburban markets that accept LINK cards.

Again this year, canned donations are being accepted which will be delivered to United Methodist Church Food Pantry in Palos Heights. Fresh produce donations are also welcomed. Produce donations are destined for Operation Blessing in Alsip.

The market is positioned at a highly visible location in downtown Palos Heights, in the municipal lot at 12217 S. Harlem. The multiple, large white tents mark the location and are virtually impossible to miss. Parking is readily available behind the market, which is held every Wednesday, rain or shine, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“There’s a good turnout,” said Banck of the Pampered Chef, who returned to the market again this year. “There are regular customers, returning customers, local people.

There’s something here for everyone.”

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4 Thursday, May 18, 2017

A mother of a Mother’s Day I was standing in the lobby of Buca di Beppo Sunday with my wife and son as some two dozen unhappy people waited nearly an hour for dinner tables to open up.

The restaurant in Orland Park was jam-packed and reservations were running as much as 90 minutes late.

Women, with their families celebrating Mother’s Day were haranguing the poor young female hostess who did her best to maintain a smile, explaining as soon as tables opened, all would be seated.

“It’s muddah’s day, people” I wanted to yell, thinking of the popular song by Allan Sherman from back in the 1960s, “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah” who complains about having to sit through an uncomfortable camping trip only to end up happy.

Did you think the restaurants were going to be empty?

Despite the wait, we were all seated and we all had our dinners. Was there really a need for frustration?

After thinking of the passenger dragged off a United Airlines flight last month, I started to think about the entitlement our society enjoys these days. We expect things. When our expectations are not met, we get angry. We need to blame someone else.

I reminded one of the ladies berating the cashier that it was Mother’s Day. Who expects not to wait for a seat on Mother’s Day? “We’ll get there,” I reassured a lady, who calmed a bit and told the hostess, “Well, it’s not your fault. You’re doing your best.”

When I was young, we never went out for dinner on Mother’s Day. We stayed home and helped our mom around the house.

Dad pulled out the barbecue, saturated the pile of briquettes with charcoal lighter fluid and tossed in a match creating a large ball of fire that rose in the air.

Who wouldn’t wait to see that?

We clawed through the crisp chicken, hot dogs and, despite it being Mother’s Day, a large pot of grape leaves stuffed with lamb and rice that my mom insisted on making that morning, even if it was “her day.”

Is going out to dinner with “Mom” the lazy way to celebrate all that mothers do for us?

When we finally sat down and ordered our food, the glow from that evening’s expectations was gone.

Was that the best I could do? Take my wife to a stressed out, over-crowded restaurant, wait 90 minutes standing up by the cramped front lobby, and then, in the noise of the packed establishment after getting a table, quickly gobble up the Italian food?

The meal was gone in minutes. Mind you, I love Buca di Beppo. It’s not them. It’s all of us. But all that time and effort against all that we finally enjoyed just didn’t seem very balanced.

I did the routine all men do. I bought my wife flowers. My son and I made her coffee, just the way she likes it, when she got up.

We gave her funny cards from American Greetings that had words thought up by someone else. I also had my son write his mom a letter explaining all the things he is grateful for. All I do in life is write for a living, so I took a pass, of course.

I still wondered how many hundreds of thousands of husbands had gone out that week and given their wives the exact same Mother’s Day greeting card that I purchased for $6.99 for my wife?

Yet I think I am going to try and do something else next time.

Maybe a barbecue; again, dinner at home surrounded by the family instead of angry strangers so I can be paranoid and ask myself “What if I didn’t do enough?”

Hope you had a Happy Mother’s Day, ladies, from the unimaginative men many of us are!

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

OPINION

The Regional News

RAY HANANIA

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Some pols can take a joke, some can’t The thin-skinned, strong-arm Statehouse partisanship of the past two and a half years reached out and infected the Illinois Conference of Women Legislators’ annual fundraising gala last week.

COWL is a bipartisan organization which raises money every year to “assist mature women who wish to continue their undergraduate education,” according to its website. “The goal of the scholarship is to focus on deserving, qualified women whose educations were interrupted due to family concerns and economic problems,” the group says. Women who have shown “leadership promise through community service” are given preference.

Anyway, it’s a good organization and it’s one of two events that I never miss each year – the other one being the House vs.

Senate softball game. Both events allow legislators to do things together without partisan or leadership barriers. They help build relationships and trust. Plus, they’re both a lot of fun. And after two and a half years of watching politicians fight each other to a draw on a state budget and economic reforms, we all need the occasional good time.

Lately, COWL has also brought in professional comedians to set the mood. This year’s comedian was Patti Vasquez, who has her on show on Chicago’s WGN Radio and did an increasingly rare interview with House Speaker Michael J. Madigan last week.

The evening often has the feel of an old-time variety show staged by amateurs.

It’s not supposed to be perfect, and that can sometimes make things funnier. A legislator singing way off key would be unlistenable in another context, but at the COWL event it can be hilarious.

Some legislators have lots of talent. Rep.

RICH MILLER Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) stunned the audience with his exquisite piano playing abilities. That he chose to cover a Tom Waits song and sang it in Waits’ gravelly voiced style made his performance all that much better.

Rep. David Olsen (R-Downers Grove) is a cheery and bright young man who generally speaks softly and is of, shall we say, slight build. But he sang a full-throated, a capella version of “Illinois,” our state song.

Olsen mesmerized the audience.

Come to think of it, the men kind of stole the show last week.

COWL always stages some sketches and songs that are drenched in political satire.

Otherwise, what’s the point?

Rep. Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) plays guitar and sings and wrote a parody of Otis Redding’s universally famous “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” “I’m sittin’ here on the House Floor / Waitin’ for a budget deal that I can vote for / I’m sittin’ here on the House Floor / Wastin’ time.”

Martwick wrote several strong lyrics: “Sittin’ here resting my bones / ‘Cuz the lobbyists won’t leave me alone / 200 miles I’ve roamed / Just to make this seat my own.”

But I particularly enjoyed the break: “Looks like nothin’s gonna change / Everyone keeps on passin’ the blame / I can’t do what the Governor tells me to do / This state’s going down the drain.”

He got a big howl of approval for that one.

COWL also produced a dance routine this year to a song by R&B singer Cupid called “Cupid Shuffle.”

Legislators on stage were dressed in checkered, western-style shirts just like Gov. Bruce Rauner wears in his latest TV ads featuring him in a pristine workshop and talking about the Democrats’ “duct tape solutions.”

Some members held up large signs with “Do your job” written on them, which is a constant refrain of Rauner’s critics.

Some also carried signs featuring a large, menacing cartoon image of House Speaker Michael J. Madigan that was devised by the Madigan-hating Illinois Policy Institute.

Duct tape was supposed to be part of the routine, but the gimmick was scrapped at the last minute because the players didn’t have enough time to remove the tape and change between songs. So, they wound up with extra boxes of the stuff.

But a freshman Republican House member reportedly took a video of the skit during rehearsal last week and sent it to a member of her leadership team. Republican legislators told me later they were then yanked out of the dance and by showtime last week only Democrats performed during the routine.

Unreal.

Some people just don’t know how to laugh at themselves.

Let’s hope the softball game survives intact.

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

READERS WRITE Call for investigation into possible ties to Russia

Dear Editor: As a longtime independent voter who has voted on the candidates’ qualifications regardless of their party, my hope is, as a country, we can put aside partisan politics and demand an independent investigation into the Trump administration’s alleged ties to Russia, along with their far-reaching business arrangements.

Lining up as partisan voters we will create noise that will provide the desired distraction from a critical need for an inOwned and operated by Southwest Regional Publishing Co. dependent investigation simply leading to the truth.

Mark Hornung, Chief Operating Officer Our Attorney General, Jeff The Business Side The News Side Sessions, who has recused himDonna Brown, Sales Director Anthony Caciopo, Editor self in the past from the Trump Monica Cotter, Finance Director Dermot Connolly, Reporter administration investigation due Debbie Perrewe, Classified Manager Jeff Vorva, Sports Editor to his past ties, has cobbled a Mike Russell, Production Director Lauren Ziemann, Art Director very weak basis for FBI DirecRita Crosley, Pre-press Manager Chuck Ingwersen, Designer tor James Comey’s firing. Using Comey’s clumsy handling Southwest Regional Publishing of his July announcement of 12243 S. Harlem Ave. the Clinton email investigation Palos Heights, IL 60463 without seeking approval of his Phone: (708) 448-4000 Department of Justice superiors Fax: (708) 448-4012 is very curious at best.

Website: www.theregionalnews.com Why would our Republican email: TheRegional@comcast.net president and administration find Comey’s disregard for Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. proper communication to his Deadlines Democratic chain of comEditorial: Noon, Saturday • Advertising: 5 p.m., Monday mand 10 months ago a grievSubscription rates: Local, delivered by mail, $48 a year in advance. Out-of-State, $58 ous action worthy of terminaa year. Single copies, $1. Postmaster: Send address changes to THE REGIONAL NEWS, tion? Also interesting is four 12243 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights, IL 60463 and additional post offices. months later Trump praised The Regional News cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material. USPS Comey for his letter to con419-260 Periodical postage paid at Palos Heights, IL 60463 and additional post offices. gress announcing the reopening Entered as periodical mail at the Post Office at Palos Heights, IL, 60643 and of further investigation into her additional post offices under the Act of March 3, 1879. email trail, which certainly was a boon to Trump’s final days in © Entire contents copyright 2015 Southwest Regional Publishing his successful election.

This newspaper is dedicated to the memory of In short, the Trump adminthose who gave their lives to protect America’s istration’s case for terminating freedom of the press, whenever and however it our FBI director, who has may be threatened. repeatedly stated the FBI will

follow the leads to wherever the truth leads, is weak, a distraction and a classic “red herring.”

I’ve never been more concerned about our great country since the Nixon Watergate embarrassment.

As a country, let’s push politics aside and get to the truth!

— James Keough Palos Heights

Bagels, not volcanoes around trees Dear Editor: A gardening peeve of mine this time of year is how much mulch is placed around newly planted or existing trees when it’s not necessary. I’ve noticed this mishandling exists with landscapers and homeowners.

Homeowners may not know any better, yet landscapers should because it’s their line of work.

Please allow me to help you save your tree before it dies from this abuse. Mulch should be applied at a depth of 2-4 inches over the soil saucer at the perimeter of the planting hole. The depth of the mulch should taper down so that mulch just covers the soil surface but not cover the bark at the base of the tree. Planting basin rings should be leveled out after the first year.

Applying mulch properly is important to avoid future problems. The one practice to avoid when mulching trees is “volcano mulching” and you can see a lot of these examples already in our area. Volcano mulching occurs when excessive amounts of mulch are placed around the tree and up against the trunk making

the mulch look like a ‘volcano.’ This increases moisture around the trunk of the tree and can encourage rot and insect damage. It also provides a haven for rodents which can chew and feed the tree’s tender bark, and yes, the tree can die in time.

Therefore, when mulching around your tree think in terms of a ‘bagel.’ Create a well around the tree’s trunk and extend the mulch to the tree’s canopy based on the suggested depth noted above. Your tree will thank you for it by being able to provide the shade and beauty you want added to your home.

— Julie Pietrzak Palos Heights

Citizen support is special Dear Editor, A Chicago Police officer was shot last week. Kirkersville, Ohio Police Chief Steven Eric Disario was also shot—and killed—last week. This has been a wrenching reminder of the sacrifices they make for us.

Men and women of law enforcement selflessly run into harm’s way to save the lives of others. We sleep safely at night because men and women stand ready, on watch, to make sure those who would harm us are confronted. In confronting lawlessness we do not create a problem, we reveal a problem.

The outpouring of support (blue lights, blue ribbons and signs) from people living in and around Palos Park for the men and women of the Palos Park Police Department shows us how police/community interaction and communication serves us all.

We are given the task of protecting and serving the community, but the support and thanks PPPD gets from our customers, the community, particularly this time of year, is reinforcement to us that this is a special place to live, work and serve.

—Joe Miller Palos Park Chief of Police

Believes Russia has ‘invaded’ the White House Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn was fired from his position as National Security Advisor because he lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his contact with Russian officials concerning the sanctions on Russia.

Chief White House Advisor Steve Bannon has stated in the past he is an admirer of Lenin, the founder of Russian Communism.

Former FBI Director James Comey was ostensibly fired on May 9 because of poor performance, but this occurred when Comey was heading up the investigation into Trump’s campaign staff possibly colluding with Russian officials to impact the 2016 presidential election. Will Trump appoint a Russian sympathizer as the next FBI director?

On May 10, Trump met with two high level Russian officials at the White House, and barred the U.S. media from attending the meeting. However, the meeting was covered by TASS, the state-run media of Russia.

It appears the Russian invasion of the White House produced a liar and dictator as the leader of our country.

— Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, N.H.

BUSINESS

The Regional News

Thursday, May 18, 2017

5

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Is your portfolio ‘healthy’?

Radio Shack in Palos Heights closing

Photo by Anthony Caciopo

Rumors about the future of the Radio Shack in Palos Heights were confirmed this week by the appearance of a “store closing” banner in front of the shop at 11901 S. Harlem Ave. As recently as mid-March, the company had insisted to The Regional News that the local store was not among the ones targeted for closure. At its peak, there were almost 5,000 Radio Shack stores throughout the country. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February, 2015 and again earlier this year. The store’s final day is May 31.

COMINGS & GOINGS

Markella’s joins Hot Dog Hall of Fame

Another south suburban restaurant recently entered Vienna Beef’s Hot Dog Hall of Fame.

Markella’s Gyros, which opened in 1994 at 15500 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Forest, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in April.

The restaurant was opened by Robert and Miriam Sarantopulos who named it after their daughter, Markella.

“I have been taking orders since I was 10,” said Markella. “We all work there.”

The family-owned and operated eatery has become an iconic neighborhood favorite and is known for award-winning burgers, Vienna Beef hot dogs, Ditka “monster” 1/3 pound Polish sausages, and, of course, their gyros.

“We have dine-in, carry-out and drive-through,” said Markella.

In addition to the food, Markella’s also has free Wi-Fi, a TV and outdoor dining. The owners recently added five video slot machines.

They also are civic-minded and are active with Oak Forest Cheerleading, VFW Ladies Auxiliary and other community service projects. Markella’s helps sponsor Down in the Southland, which supports Down Syndrome children events.

“These are some of the reasons why Vienna Beef feels so strongly about acknowledging these deserving foodservice businesses,” the company said. “Therefore, it is with great pride that we thank and welcome Markella’s Gyros into the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame. From all of us at Vienna, we wish Robert, Miriam and Markella much continued success.”

Hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Markella’s joins a short list of south suburban restaurants in the Hall of Fame. Others include Burbank’s Dugout, Peppo’s in Palos Hills, Casciani’s Pizzeria in Hodgkins, Gold Coast Dogs at Midway Airport, and Little Joe’s Beef in Countryside.

You can find the complete list of Hall of Fame members at www. viennabeef.com.

Sprint to open 105 new stores in the Chicago area Sprint announced Monday it will hire 500 employees to staff more than 100 new stores in the Chicago area by 2018.

The company plans to open 105 Sprint and Boost Mobile stores in south suburban locations that include Oak Lawn and Summit.

BOB BONG “We knew we had to add more Sprint and Boost Mobile stores for both our postpaid and prepaid customers,” Jim Mills, Sprint president of Illinois and Wisconsin, said in a statement. “Chicagoans are seeing our network and customer care improvements.”

The wireless service company will also boost its Chicago regional network by offering customers the, Sprint Magic Box, a wireless small cell device that amplifies the network’s ability to download and upload data inside homes and businesses.

Jewel looks to acquire Strack & Van Til stores Jewel-Osco has submitted an offer of $100 million to buy 19 Strack & Van Til and Town & Country grocery stores in Indiana and “certain other assets” of Joliet-based Central Grocers, the companies said this week.

Jewel, a subsidiary of Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons, made the offer two weeks after Central Grocers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Central Grocers announced it would lay off hundreds of workers at its Joliet warehouse, sell up to 22 Strack locations and close nine Ultra discount stores including locations in Lansing, Crestwood, Wheaton, Joliet, Chicago Heights, Calumet Park and Forest Park.

The offer includes $70 million for the stores and $30 million for inventory.

Central Grocers, a cooperative that serves as a wholesaler for some 400 independent grocers in the Chicago area, is the parent company of Strack & Van Til and Ultra Foods stores in Indiana and Illinois.

Other bidders may also submit offers for the stores. A bankruptcy auction is set for June 26 Under terms of Jewel’s proposed purchase, Jewel has agreed to retain most employees in the 19 stores it plans to acquire.

County offers tax incentive to Bedford business Cook County commissioners last week approved three proposals from President Toni Preckwinkle’s Bureau of Economic Development that will provide tax incentives to businesses in Cook County.

The incentives, which will ei-

Mortgage Rates Around the Area First Midwest Bank (as of May 15)

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

RATES APR POINTS 4.125 4.160 0 3.250 3.305 0 4.000 4.045 0

United Trust Bank (as of May 15)

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

RATES APR POINTS 4.060 4.028 0 3.375 3.367 0 3.250 3.260 0

Prospect Savings Bank (as of May 16)

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

RATES APR POINTS 4.000 4.114 .25 3.875 4.032 .25 3.250 3.449 .25

All rates subject to change daily. Equal opportunity lenders.

ther create new or save existing jobs, were approved for Bedford Park, Elk Grove Village and Franklin Park.

As a result of redevelopment activities, these incentives should support the creation of an estimated 15 new private sector full-time jobs, retain an estimated 35 fulltime jobs and support 66 construction jobs.

“The companies receiving these incentives have demonstrated their commitment to our communities and residents,” Preckwinkle said in a release. “I’m pleased that we are able to use our tax incentive tools to either keep or expand businesses in Cook County.”

Chicago Pallet Service, 5133 W. 66th St., will sell a property it owns in either Elk Grove Village or Maywood and move manufacturing and recycling of pallets to the Bedford Park site. It will receive a Class 6b incentive and is expected to create 10 fulltime jobs, retain 15 full-time jobs and support 22 construction jobs.

Dugout to hold First Responders Appreciation Day The Dugout restaurant, 6300 W. 79th St. in Burbank, will hold a First Responders Appreciation Day for all military personnel, police officers and firefighters on Saturday, May 20.

Owner Mike DeStefano said first responders will eat free all day on Saturday.

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

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. If you can exercise regularly, you’ll help yourself feel better, control your weight and even reduce the chances of developing certain diseases.

But why not extend the concept of “fitness” to other areas of your life — such as your investment portfolio?

And to help maintain a healthy portfolio, you can draw on some of the same principles that apply to keeping your body in good shape.

Consider, for example, one of the things that happen when you exercise — namely, your body uses more oxygen. As an investor, you may need your portfolio to get “oxygen” in the form of infusions of new investment dollars. If you stop putting money into your portfolio, you’ll need to rely on your existing investments to grow enough to help you meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement. Could that happen? Maybe, but you will likely be better off by investing consistently, year after year. And by spreading your contributions over a period of decades, you don’t have to come up with large sums at any one time.

Another element important to exercise is the need to avoid injury. That’s why all sorts of athletes, both competitive and casual, stretch before they swing into action. Many of them also take other injury-avoidance steps, such as strengthening their “core” through abdominal work and increasing their flexibility through yoga. When you invest, you can be “injured” if your portfolio takes a hit during a market downturn. However, this type of injury will likely be much more severe if your portfolio is over-concentrated in just one asset class and the downturn primarily affects those exact assets. But if you own many different types of assets — stocks, bonds, government securities, and so on — you may reduce the impact of a downturn on your portfolio.

Keep in mind, though, that this type of diversification can’t guarantee profits or help you avoid all losses.

While exercise is essential to maintaining good

Jim Van Howe Edward Jones

health, it isn’t the only factor involved. You should also get regular checkups with a medical professional, who can run various tests to measure changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, heart function and other areas. To help ensure your portfolio is healthy, you also need to chart its progress over time. And that doesn’t just mean determining if you’re getting the growth you need, though that’s obviously of great interest to you. You also need to evaluate whether your portfolio has gotten out of balance, which can occur without your doing anything at all. To illustrate: If you start out with a certain percentage of one type of investment, such as stocks, and these stocks grow to a point where they now take up a bigger share of your portfolio, you may be taking on more risk than you had intended.

Consequently, you should review your portfolio at least once a year to evaluate both its performance and its balance. Once you’ve compared where you are today with where you were a year ago, you’ll be in a better position to make appropriate changes if needed.

Do what it takes to keep yourself physically fit — but also take steps to ensure your investment portfolio is in good shape. It’s vitally important to your future — and you can do the work without even breaking a sweat.

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.

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

Orland Park Mckittrick John J Tr to Johnson Theresa B, 11100 Prospect Pl, $270,000; First Midwest Bk Tr to Ayers Manfred, 17812 Bernard Dr, Unit #2D, $114,500; Lococo Charles D to Figueroa Juan, 8522 Walnut Ave, $225,000; HSBC Bk USA to SK Inv Grp LLC, 16532 Lee Ave, $253,500; Rivera Alicia to Gonzalez Daniel D, 9111 Carlisle Ln, $175,000; Fischer Real Estate Sales & Consult Inc to Pitts Kenneth A, 11260 Brook Crossing Dr, $220,000; Woodmar Rlty LLC to Deaquino Colette, 8528 Pine St, $320,000; Barton Daniel M Jr to V7 Corp, 17925 Alaska Ct, Unit #10, $150,000; Almaguer Maria to Tran Amy

Q, 9104 Orland Ct, $630,000; Pedersen Stanley to Huguelet Jeffrey C, 17219 Lakebrook Dr, $265,000; Vandebilt Mtg & Fin Inc to Alamreia Kamal, 10820 Somer Ln, $478,000; Omalley Timothy J Tr to Prime Prop Partners LLC, 13110 Southwest Hwy, $600,000; Korolenko Dawn C to Moreno Vicente J, 17533 Orland Woods Ln, $420,000; Lupa Lenore C Extr to Synowiecki Thomas J, 10938 Barbs Way, $227,000; Ondras Richard J to Koran William J, 17543 Coronado Dr, $356,000; Gillund Michael to Bakr Cody, 9132 Clairmont Ct, Unit #113, $150,000; Connolly Sandra M Trust to Watkins Nicholas J, 9216 Whitehall Ln, Unit #54B, $171,000; Reyes Jacob to Elsokary Aly Adel A, 8138 Collette Ct, $279,000; Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr to Kociolek Elizbieta, 14691 Spruce Creek Ln, $240,000; ERP Investments LLC to Panfil

James E Trust, 9052 W 144th Pl, Unit #5C, $182,000; Martinez Alfonso to Devon Bk, 15537 Whitehall Ln, Unit #48B, $164,000; Lewis Matthew to Kirby David J, 8720 169th St, $265,000.

Palos Heights Buivid Robert to Winters Milton Matthew, 7360 Palos Ave, $414,000; First Midwest Bk Tr to Strocchia Martin, 12825 S Winnebago Rd, $275,000; Grecek Thomas S Tr to Nemeh Iyhab, 12937 S Moody Ave, $311,000.

Palos Park Gustafson Henry T to Gustafson Mitchell J, 13201 Adsit Rd, $450,000; Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr to Tuskenis Elena V, 11950 Hobart St, $505,000; WJB Prop LLC to Krol Marcin S, 12924 S 82nd Ct, $171,000; Shillo Adam to Janosek Nolan Amanda A, 5 Brook Ln, $212,000.

6 Thursday, May 18, 2017

The Regional News

DEATH NOTICES King, Daniel A. Loving husband of Janet A. King (nee Hire) for 35 years.

Devoted father of Alexandra King and Elizabeth King.

Cherished son of George and the late Kathleen King.

Fond brother of Maribeth Conyne, Donna Spadoni, Timothy King, Denise Swanson, and Kathy King.

Dan was a mentor and teacher throughout his life, always willing to give his time and energy to help others succeed. He created a successful business from the ground up that will continue to thrive in his honor. His life was too short, and he will be missed every day. His legacy will be lived

Melissa Ann Swiercz

Photos by Anthony Caciopo

Runners support St. Alexander Above: Neighbor Doreen Durant hands water to runners outside the Wagner family home on 120th Street in Palos Heights during the fourth annual St. Alexander Raiders 5K Run/Walk on Thursday, May 11. Four children from the Wagner family attend St. Alexander School.

Below: Pat Doorhy, a St. Alexander parent, provides the go-power for preschooler Jackson Doorhy and future St. Alexander student Audrey Doorhy.

Behind Doorhy is daughter Emily, a first grader, along with Lisa Sterba, a St. Alexander alumni and supporter. Proceeds from the event totaled $25,000 and will benefit Phase 2 of the school’s STEM lab (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). Local businesses supporting the race with supplies were Diane’s Place and Running for Kicks. Approximately 350 people registered for the race.

LEGAL NOTICE

Funeral Directory Selected “Finest Funeral Service”

Palos-Gaidas FUNERAL HOME 11028 Southwest Hwy. Palos Hills

708-974-4410

www.palosgaidasfh.com

Melissa Ann Swiercz, who for 20 years worked at an Orland Park accounting firm, died May 5.

She was 59.

Mrs. Swiercz formerly lived in Oak Forest. She is survived by her husband Karl and son, Aaron. She was the office manager and bookkeeper at Kubiak

through his wife and daughters.

Visitation Wednesday 3-9 p.m.

Funeral Thursday 8:45 a.m. from the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st Street, Orland Park, IL to St. Michael Church, Mass 9:30 a.m.

Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, 5526 W. 134th South #510, Salt Lake City, UT 84096 or cholangiocarcinoma.org & Kubiak and on the company payroll until the day of her death, according to family.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. tomorrow, May 19 at Thornridge Funeral Home, 14318 S. LaGrange Rd., Orland Park. A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Inurnment will be held at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Lemont.

The Regional News

Thursday, May 18, 2017

FASHION CHAT

The musical-fashion experience CAROLINE FOREMAN Last week presented me with a dichotomy of musical events. Not only were these experiences vastly dissimilar audibly, their fashion styles were poles apart.

On Tuesday, May 9, I attended the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Brahms’ Symphonies No. 1 and 2, featuring musicians par excellence and their brilliant maestro Muti. As the musicians demonstrated their virtuosic skill, rendering my heart sore with the stupefying beauty of sound, they wore a strict uniform of black. The men typically wore white undershirts, but the entirety of the orchestra offered that monochromatic tradition, that distraction-free shade.

Adversely, on Thursday, May 11th, I attended the performance of The Black Angels at Thalia Hall in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.

Referencing both a Velvet Underground song and a statement by artist Edvard Munch with their name, the Black Angels formed in 2004 in Austin, Texas.

On Thursday, the imposing old theatre — raw and ragged with cracks in the walls and exposed bulbs lighting every balcony — came to life under the percussive whirr and swirling melodies of the neo-psychedelic rock band illuminated by flashing strobes and streaming prints setting the stage. Christian Bland, Alex Maas, Kyle Hunt, Stephanie Bailey, and Jake Garcia commanded the stage as artists sharing with their audience wild stories. With unruly hair and effortless styling, their fashion choices echoed their music; expressive, diverse, engaging and personal.

Ruminations on the stark contrast between the performances are rather interesting. We begin by

Photos courtesy of Caroline Foreman

Chicago Symphony Orchestra (top) and The Black Angels.

operationally defining The Black Angels as akin to greats of the psychedelic-style rock genre, such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd; and the CSO as akin to other renowned symphonies, like the London Symphony and Vienna Philharmonic. Now, do musical styles necessarily correspond with a visual style? Should visuals even play a role in the realm of musical performance?

The symphony’s fashion style could actually be defined as the traditional attempt at avoiding discernable style entirely, and instead harboring anonymity and sameness throughout the group of players. Writer and composer Peter Dickinson told TalkClassical.com, “The visual culture is dominating in ways that not long ago would have been regarded as unacceptable, for example projections in concerts. However, if the assumption is that you’ve always got to present music like television programmes, then we’re losing the essence of classical music. It is too richly complex to be used as wallpaper and subordinated to what is seen.” Meanwhile, violin-

If you haven’t discovered the Cal-Sag bike trail which connects Palos Heights, Palos Park and Lemont, or if you haven’t taken the bike out this year, use this excuse and have some fun as springtime brings out the beauty in and around the Palos area.

Doug Blount, president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Blount Realtors, is an avid cyclist and would like to acquaint those in surrounding towns with the Cal-Sag Trail which borders Palos Park immediately to the north.

“It’s such a great asset to Palos-area residents,” he said.

The Blount office has planned a casual Blount Realtors Cal-Sag Bike Ride & Raffle Sunday, May 21, with free registration from 11:30 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Blount office, 8100 W. 119th St., just across from the trail. Participants will receive their portion of the raffle ticket at that time.

Blount, along with Matt Nee, a broker at Blount Realtors, will guide cyclists to the trail and then head west to Sagawau, a distance of 7.2 miles. It’s an intriguing geological area where riders may rest and visit the Forest Preserve’s Sagawau Environmental Learning Center.

Cyclists, with Blount and Nee, will then head back to the Blount office where the winning raffle

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Across 1 Negotiated agreements 6 Coagulate 10 Cry of disbelief 14 Wake-up call alternative 15 Talk wildly 16 Dance that tells a story 17 Arm bones 18 Sign of things to come 19 Wild goat with recurved horns 20 Outgoing sort 23 Spews 24 Sets upright 28 Danger color 29 Body shop fig.

31 Feel remorse over 32 Chop (off) 33 Extra-earnest entreaty 36 Crate component 39 Multivolume ref. work 40 Common diagnosis for distracted kids: Abbr.

41 KP duty need 46 Back in time 47 Black __: spy doings 48 Critic Reed 49 Punching tool 52 Sales enticement 54 National park on the Maine coast 56 Clerical worker, facetiously 60 April honoree?

63 German automaker 64 Occupy, as one’s time 65 Bridges in Hollywood 66 TMZ twosome 67 Creepy 68 Vexes 69 Gather in the fields 70 Expression of disdain

ist Anne-Sophie Mutter, known as the first sexy fiddle-player, appears in strapless Dior gowns, saying, “Why not wear strapless gowns? I like the violin to be next to my skin.

The music is the most important thing.” Perhaps, the real issue here should be tradition versus comfort.

In psychedelic rock music, as in arguably most other genres, the visual elements in corresponding Down artwork and fashion style play a 1 Prince’s lookalike, in a Twain key role in the overall expression novel of the music. It seems the case 2 Assert without proof that the fashion element does not 3 Enjoyed a ride in a birchbark diminish the strength in musicality 4 Police stings, e.g. or virtuosity.

It may all come down to the question of music of higher complexity versus music crafted for the experience. This may be the necessary way by which to determine the ideal level of fashion-involvement in music. Regardless of the visual impact served up alongside audio performances, the depth with which music is encountered and appreciated is determined by intensely personal means.

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.

• “LEGO Builders-ages 4 and up” will run from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 21. You’re invited to make your LEGO mess at the library and build, build, build. No registration is required.

• The film “Queen of Katwe” will be shown at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21. Based on the true story of a Ugandan girl whose life changes forever when she discovers she has an amazing talent for chess, the 124-minutes movie is a “celebration of the human spirit,” according to a library publicity blurb.

• “How to Download Free Ebooks on OverDrive/Media on Demand” is scheduled to 2 p.m. Monday, May 22. Learn how to download free library eBooks and e-audiobooks to tablets, phones, or computers through the library’s primary eBook service, Media on Demand.

• “Pokemon & Shopkins Night” will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Mon-

37 Theater section 38 Get from __: make slow progress 42 Carryall bag 43 Outdoor 44 Spring 45 Reasons that may be flimsy or lame 49 Cling 50 Dog at a roast 51 Kitchen storage area 53 Top grade 55 Colorado skiing mecca 57 Baby-faced 58 Invention beginning 59 Like overcooked pasta 60 Justice Dept. agency 61 On top of, in an ode 62 Furniture wood

(Answers on page 3)

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 3)

SCHOOL NOTES Marist golf event to raise tuition aid

Doug Blount, president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blount Realtors, is shown at the entrance to the Cal Sag Trail. Blount Realtors are planning a Cal Sag Bike Ride & Raffle on May 21, Sunday, starting at their office at 11:30 a.m.

tickets will be selected. Light refreshments will be available. The anticipated return will be approximately 2:30 to 3 p.m.

More information can be obtained by calling 708-448-6100.

Marist High School will hold its 12th Annual Endowment Golf Classic on Friday, June 2.

The outing, sponsored by Beggars Pizza, will be held at Midlothian Country Club, 5000 W. 147th St. Check-in begins at 11 a.m. with lunch and the driving range available until 12:45 p.m. There will be a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

The cost is $300 per golfer and includes lunch, 18 holes of golf and dinner. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The event supports the school’s financial aid endowment. The event has raised more than $500,000 for students in need.

Interested alumni and friends of Marist can register at marist. net or call (773) 881.5377. Space is limited.

LIBRARY NOTES Several programs added at Palos Heights Library

5 Metal refinery 6 Edit for size, as a photo 7 __ duck 8 “Back to you,” in CBspeak 9 Stiffen in fear 10 Moan and groan 11 Center of activity 12 Draft pick 13 Price add-on 21 Latin 101 infinitive 22 Sports analyst Hershiser 25 Unlike Lady Godiva 26 Poppycock, to a Brit 27 Made tracks 30 Car roofs with removable panels 31 Golf’s __ Cup 33 Class-conscious gp.?

34 Golf ball support 35 Musical gift 36 Box for practice

Caroline Foreman is a fashion model, writer and critic.

Bike the Cal-Sag trail with local Realtor, enter raffle drawing

7

day, May 22. Pokemon and Shopkins fans can get together once a month to trade items, show off favorites and possibly win a new piece to add to your collection.

No registration is needed.

• “Finals Frenzy Study Nights (grades 6 and up)” will be held May 22-25. Need a quiet place to study for exams? The library will have treats and nightly giveaways to make studying more fun.

• “After School Club-grades 1-3” starts at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 24.Enjoy stories, activities, crafts and snacks based on popular books series. Registration is required.

• “Microsoft PowerPoint: Basics” begins at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 25. Learn how to use PowerPoint’s basic features to add and delete slides, change slide layouts, format text, select themes and add graphics to a presentation.

• The Defense of Bastogne will be the focus of a lecture delivered at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, by award-winning author and war historian Robert Mueller. He will describe the preceding events of the Battle of the Bulge. He will also discuss the division’s actions to defend the city’s perimeter, and the stirring assault by General George Patton’s Third Army.

Frankenstein exhibit coming to Orland library The Orland Park Public Library has announced that the National Library of Medicine’s latest traveling exhibition, “Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature” will appear at the library, 14921 S. Ravinia, from June 5 to July 14.

The six-banner traveling exhibition explores the birth of “Frankenstein,” the life of author Mary Shelley, the scientific search for the principle of life, and the transformation of the “monster” in popular culture.

This exhibit is accompanied by two events. “Mary Shelley: Monster and Medicine” will be held on June 13 at 7 p.m. in room 104 and cover the circumstances surrounding the writing of the book “Frankenstein.”

“Frankenstein –Defining the Monster” will be held on June 20 at 7 p.m. in room 104. In this presentation Heather Keenleyside, University of Chicago professor of English analyzes Mary Shelley’s work, “Frankenstein,” giving a unique lens of understanding to society and literature in the 1800s.

Those who wish to read “Frankenstein” before the exhibition can do so on the library’s new online

resource, Biblioboard. Biblioboard is a collection of eBooks that is available to any Illinois resident.

Working across all mobile and web platforms and offering unlimited multi-user access, this service’s content grows daily and features works from traditional publishers, historical archives and cultural institutions.

Biblioboard has a specific section called “Recovering the Classics” featuring public-domain classics from world literature with modern cover images.

For details, phone (708) 4285100.

Photo by Joe Boyle

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

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

Carol and Jerry Janicki, of Worth, knew the correct answer to last week’s photo quiz. The right answer was Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, 7402 Lake Katherine Drive, in Palos Heights. The 85-acre non-profit park includes woodlands, prairie, wetlands, gardens and a 10-acre lake.

Visitors come to the park to hike, jog, walk, walk their dogs, or just come by to enjoy nature. Lake Katherine also has canoes and kayaks to rent. A children’s play area is available at Lake Katherine, along with a children’s forest.

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Show ‘Hidden Figures’ at Palos Park Library The film “Hidden Figures” will be shown at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 at the Palos Park Public Library, 12330 S. Forest Glen Boulevard.

The Oscar-nominated film, based on a true story, tells the tale of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.

Snacks will be served at the screening. For details, phone (708) 448-1530.

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8 Thursday, May 18, 2017

The Regional News

Get ready for Memorial Day at the Palos Heights Farmers Market Cook County Health Systems, Quality Photo and Simple Treasures all at Community Tents Department of Public Health and more. South Suburban Community Health Centers are located in Oak Forest, Robbins and Ford Heights. Information about the “Go the Distance Cook County” initiative, and the CCHHS hospitals and health centers in general will be available. Giveaways will be available to those patrons who complete a very brief survey. More information about CCHHS can be found at www.cookcountyhhs.org Quality Photo, 12240 S. Harlem in Palos Heights, will also be a guest of the Community Tent.

Time to get your old photos and videos organized? Quality Photo can do that. Representatives will have information about their photo and video organization and digitalization. In addition, fun, personalized photo gifts and locally inspired wall art and gifts will be on display. Perfect for teacher, wedding or any gift you need!

Finally, Simple Treasure, 12306 S. Harlem in Palos Heights, will be a Community Tent guest. Come see Maureen’s beautiful jewelry creations, including earrings and necklaces. Other gift items are also available.

Make sure to stop by the City Tent. New for 2017, Palos Heights Farmers Market Gift Certificates are available for purchase. The certificates sell for $5.00 each, and are available for sale at the City Tent. This week, Dr. John Principe MD of WellbeingMD Center for Life provides the recipe “Asparagus with Capers and Lemon Crème Sunflower Sauce.” This and some previous years’ early springtime recipes will be available. Previous years’ recipes can be found at www.wellbeingmd.com, or palosheights.org. Also, make sure to pick up a 2017 Frequent Shopper Card. Bring a canned food donation (fruit, vegetable or pro-

CLUB ACTIVITIES Natural soil enhancement is garden club topic

Palos Newcomers set luncheon

Law enforcement officers across the state will “stake out” Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops to support Special Olympics Illinois on Friday, May 19, beginning at 5 a.m.

On that day, Palos Park Police will combine their May “Coffee with a Cop” with the Cop on a Rooftop at both Dunkin’ Donuts in the village: 11901 S. 80th Ave. and 13031 S. Lagrange Road.

Statewide, officers hope to top last year’s donation total of $672,000 as they head to 274 Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops to raise awareness and donations for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

Special Olympics athletes and their families and representatives from Chicago’s major sports teams are among the special guests who will join police officers and rise to the occasion to show their support.

In honor of the Special Olympics athletes and police officers participating in the rooftop event, Dunkin’ Donuts will donate $15,000 to the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run. In addition, each guest who visits a Cop on a Rooftop location that day and makes a donation to the Torch Run will receive a free donut coupon. Guests donating at least $10 will receive

a Law Enforcement Torch Run travel mug (while supplies last) and a coupon for free medium coffee. Other items, such as Torch Run T-shirts and raffle tickets, will be sold for various donation amounts. Additional activities will vary by Dunkin’ Donuts location.

Dunkin’ Donuts also has created a glazed red-and-white donut ring depicting Special Olympics Illinois colors. The donut, called “The Champion,” will be available at Dunkin’ Donuts locations in Chicago and suburbs on Friday, May 19.

SERVING OAK LAWN & SOUTHWEST SIDE FOR OVER 60 YEARS

Supplied photo

Kitchen, Bath & Building Products

Palos women enjoy luncheon

Luncheon and fashion show attendees included (from left): Rose Zubik, past president and newsletter editor; Nancy Mitchell, current president; Celeste Kappel, past president and parliamentarian; and Joanne Fernau, conservation chairman. Not pictured is Patricia Bailey, club webmaster.

Five board members of the Palos Heights Woman’s Club recently attended the Illinois Federation of Women’s Club Blue Ribbon Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Bolingbrook Country Club. More than 350 General Federation of Women’s Club members were in attendance. It was the 23rd time the event was held. The next event for the club is the annual flower sale to be held on Saturday, May 20th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the city parking lot at 12217 S. Harlem Ave. This is one of the club’s main Ways & Means projects.

The proceeds will be donated to several local charities and college scholarships for high school students from Shepard and Stagg High Schools.

Proceeds will also be used for a Returning Woman Scholarship to Moraine Valley Community College. Club members are already planning for Harvest in The Heights on Saturday, Sept. 23. Details will follow.

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The Tinley Moraine Genealogists are hosting “cemetery sleuth” Pat Biallas at a program set for Thursday, June 8 at the Tinley Park Public Library, 7851 W. Timber Drive.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the program starts 30 minutes later.

Biallas will cover what to expect, what not to expect and how to prepare for the unexpected when searching for ancestors in cemeteries. Cemetery etiquette, safety and how to work with the cemetery staff will be covered.

For details, phone (708) 5351863.

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‘Cemetery sleuthing’ workshop set

Supplied photos

OVER

The Palos Newcomers Club will hold its next luncheon meeting on Thursday, May 25 at Ridge Country Club, 10522 S. California, Chicago.

Cocktails will be served at 11 a.m. with lunch served at noon.

After a short business meeting, members and guests will be entertained by actress Leslie Goddard portraying Amelia Earhart.

For reservations, call Terry at (708) 448-6598.

This will be the last luncheon until the club starts again in September. The social organization meets regularly from September through December and from March to May on the fourth Thursday at local country clubs for lunch.

The members play canasta, do needlepoint and have a book club. Members do not have to be a newcomer or live in the Palos area to join.

Late last month, Trinity Christian College students held a day of service to the community. On Love Palos Day, teams of students fanned out across the community to assist residents with neighborhood projects. One team joined Navajo Hills residents Rick VanDyken and Bob Gaw, along with landscape expert Ed Dombrowski in cleaning out flower beds in preparation for May planting. Shown at the Route 83 entrance to Navajo Hills are residents Jim Pasquinelli and Jack, Sandy and Sarah Mudde. The flowers will be planted in mid-May.

S E R V I N G O A K L AW N & S O U T H W E S T S I D E F O R

The Palos Heights Garden Club will meet and hear from Ken Benson, a landscape architect who has been presenting to garden clubs since 1972, on Monday, May 22 at Lake Katherine Nature Center, 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights.

Fellowship starts at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Membership dues are being taken at $20/single and $35/couple. Guest fee is $5.

His topic is “Improving Your Soil the Natural Way.” Benson will explore some of the techniques used by his grandparents in the preparation of their flowerbeds, as well as their vegetable garden. Many of the natural old-time practices can be combined with some current ones to improve soil. Discussion of basic soil ingredients, solutions and amendments will be covered.

‘Love Palos’ effort beautifies city

SERVING OAK LAWN & SOUTHWEST SIDE FOR OVER 60 YEARS

Planning a barbecue over the Memorial Day holiday weekend? The Palos Market has all your protein needs covered, with beef, chicken, pork, sausages, salmon and vegan patties ready for the grill. Multiple varieties of barbecue sauces and peppers are available at Theresa’s Selections.

Don’t want to cook? Three different varieties of tamales and many pizza products are also available.

Early spring vegetables, and some very early hot house fruit continue to come into the market. Many of the spring fruits have a short season, so make sure to stock up on farm fresh spring produce while it is available. Other food products available include breads, bakery, pies, organic desserts, kettle corn, noodles, cheeses, eggs, butter, jams and local honey, peanuts and seasonings, cinnamon almonds and maple syrup products. Pick up everything you need for summer parties and picnics at Pampered Chef. Finally, our farmers have beautiful flowers and flowering plants, and Hiemenz Nursery has many flowering perennial plants and grasses.

Community Outreach Worker Alice Collins from the Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS) will represent the organization at the upcoming May 24th Farmers Market in the Community Tent. As one of the largest public health systems in the nation, caring for more than 300,000 patients each year, the CCHHS provides expert healthcare to the residents of Chicago and suburban Cook County regardless of their ability to pay. CCHHS is comprised of two Joint Commission-accredited hospitals; 15 community health centers; the Ruth M. Rothstein Core Center, a primary care center for patients with HIV and other infectious diseases; the Cook County

tein only) or donate fresh fruit or vegetables from the market, and double credit will be given to your Frequent Shopper Card. This year, the market is partnering with The Palos United Methodist Church Food Pantry at 12101 S, Harlem Ave. All canned donations will be brought to that location. All fresh produce donations will be donated to Operation Blessing in Alsip.

LINK cards are now accepted at the Palos Heights Farmers Market.

The Palos market is one of only three south-suburban farmers markets that accept LINK and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons.

Again this year, the “Palos Bucks” Double Value Matching Program will take place. Stop by the City Tent to start the process and for more information. The market is proud to announce that it is the recipient of a LINK UP Illinois USDA Grant, for the support of the promotion of the Palos Heights Farmers Market LINK program.

Representatives of the Palos Heights Beautification Committee will be available selling this year’s Classic Car Event Split the Pot raffle tickets. They make great Father’s Day card stuffers! The drawing will be Thursday, July 20 and the winner need not be present.

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

Additional information about the market can be found at www. palosheights.org, by emailing farmersmarket@palosheights.org or calling 708-361-1800. The Palos Heights Farmers Market also has a Facebook page.

SPORTS The Regional News • The Reporter

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

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

Thursday, May 5, 18,2015 2017 Thursday, March

EP, area track stars try to raise the bar

By Jeff Vorva

AREA SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS

Sports Editor

After a three-year break, Evergreen Park’s girls track and field team brought home its third sectional championship and will send 13 athletes to the Illinois High School Association state meet Friday and Saturday at O’Brien Field at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

EP easily won the University High Class 2A Sectional title with 158 points — 72 points ahead of runner-up University High on Thursday at Concordia University in River Forest.

Chicago Christian finished second in the Class 1A Seneca Sectional and qualified nine athletes to state. A handful of Class 3A athletes from the area will also head to Charleston.

Evergreen Park won Class 2A sectionals in 2012 and 2013, but in those two years did not score a point at the state meet. Since the state increased the state meet from two to three classes in 2009, the Mustangs have not put an athlete into the second day of competition.

They hope that can change this year with the army of athletes they will bring, including two-time sectional champion Lily Sader, a junior who won the

CLASS 3A

Shepard: Hayley Goebel, discus, 113-01

CLASS 2A

Evergreen Park • Lily Sader, 100 high hurdles (:16.33) and 300 low hurdles (:48.34) • Kayley Burke, 1600 (5:43.56) • Tiera Robinson-Jones, 200 (:25.30) • Deanna Stewart, shot (37-2 ½) • 4x800 relay (Grace Huneck, Burke, Lilly Gozum, Taylor Jones), 4:19.71.

• 4x400 relay (Tyra Pickett, Alexus Clark, Sader, Jones), 4:19.71.

CLASS 1A

Chicago Christian • Rylei Jackson, 100 (:12.57) and 200 (:26.94) • Jill VanDyk, high jump, 5-1 • 4x800 relay (April VanRyn, Allie Boss, Rebecca Falb, VanDyk), 9:57.72

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Evergreen Park sophomore Briana Parker took second in the high jump and helped her team to the only girls track sectional championship by an area team this year.

100-meter high hurdles (16.33 seconds) and 300 low hurdles (:48.34).

Other sectional champs were sophomore Kayley Burke in the 1600 (5:43.56), freshman

Tiera Robinson-Jones in the 200 (:25.30), senior Deanna Stewart in the shot put (37-2 ½), the 4x800 relay team of sophomore Grace Huneck, Burke, junior Lilly Gozum and sophomore

Taylor Jones (10:26.58) and the 4x400 relay team of sophomore Tyra Pickett, junior Alexus Clark, Sader and Jones (4:19.71).

Senior Meleah Tines took second in the long jump with a

16-0 effort, sophomore Briana Parker took second in the high jump (4-10), Lizzie O’Dwyer claimed second in the discus with an 84-0, and Gozum was a runner-up in the 800 (2:39.24)

Freshman Tia Walker took third in the 100 (:12.72), and the 4x200 relay team of Walker, Robinson Jones, Tines and sophomore Kayla Carpenter also qualified for state.

Chicago Christian claimed second in the Class 1A Seneca Sectional with 132 points — 44 points behind the hosts.

See TRACK, Page 3

Season on the Brink(man) Strus hopes he can help DePaul return to glory four decades after his mother’s Hall of Fame career

By Jason Maholy Correspondent

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Members of Mother McAuley’s water polo team rejoice at the final buzzer after gutting out a 7-6 victory over Lyons to win a sectional title.

‘Big-headed’ Macs back in Elite Eight sophomores. We had to make everyone’s head big.

You have to have a big head to play this game.

Not being cocky. You have to know what you are No seniors? doing. You have to have your head in the game.’’

No problem.

Last year the team finished fourth, and while The way Mother McAuley goalie MaryKate coach Vanessa Carroll might be in a great position McKendry sees it, as long as her senior-less team having so many players gaining state experience continues to have players with big heads, to set up a super season in 2018, she wants the team will be OK. her team to eye the top prize this weekend.

The Mighty Macs survived a wild 8-7 “We want it this year,” she said. “Many victory over Lyons to win the Lyons of these girls watched last year and wanted Sectional Saturday morning in Western to prove that they could do it, too. They did Springs and advance to the state’s Elite STATEMENT an amazing job.’’

Eight, which begins with a game against Paulina Correa, a Chicago West Lawn GAMES Lincoln-Way Central at 8:15 p.m. tonight, resident, scored four goals, including what Thursday, at Stevenson High School in turned out to be the game winner with 1 Lincolnshire. It’s the 13th time in school minute, 53 seconds left to break a 7-7 tie. history the team qualified for state and “I was so happy — I was like ‘yes!’ ’’ McAuley brought home 11 top-four troshe said. “That brought up our confidence. phies, including state championships in 2002, The other team was hungry but we were starv2003 and 2007. Last year, the Macs finished fourth ing.’’ and lost a host of seniors.

Correa scored the game’s first two goals and Jill Coming back to state is huge for a young team. Mueller added one to give the Macs a 3-0 lead two “It means a lot for the McAuley community,” minutes into the game. The Lions responded with McKendry said. “We have no seniors at all. The juniors had to be the leaders for the freshmen and See WATER POLO, Page 3

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Forty years after his mother, then known as Debbie Brinkman, began what would be a Hall of Fame volleyball career at DePaul University, Max Strus is planning to take the court for the first time as a member of the Blue Demons men’s basketball team later this year.

And he plans to do whatever is necessary to help bring winning basketball back to a program that, during his mom’s college years, was the toast of the town.

Strus, who grew up in Hickory Hills and was a standout player at Stagg High School, was the Regional/Reporter 2014 Boys Basketball Player of the Year and is finishing his first year at DePaul after transferring to the Chicago school from Division II Lewis University. After redshirting his junior season, per NCAA transfer rules, the 6-foot-6, 217-pound guard is excited to get back on the hardwood.

“I can’t wait,” Strus said. “I mean, it’s going to be different than the opponents we had at Lewis, but I’m ready to go to that next level and play against those high-level teams.”

Those teams will include fellow Big East members Villanova, Xavier, Butler and Marquette, just to name four of the seven conference squads that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season. DePaul finished the 2016-17 campaign 9-23, and were 2-16 in conference play, but Strus sees brighter days ahead for the Blue Demons “Obviously, we had a rough year last year,” he said. “Hopefully (those schools) can think about DePaul next year or the year after that. I want to leave a big mark at DePaul like I did at Lewis.”

Strus earned myriad accolades during his two years at Lewis, among them Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year, and being named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-American Team as a sophomore.

He averaged 20.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game as a sophomore, and that season set the Flyers’ single-game (52 points) and season (666 points) scoring marks.

Strus’ success made him confident he could play at a higher level, and Lewis granted him his request to be released from his scholarship. Pac12 power Oregon — which was coming off a run to the Elite Eight in the 2016 NCAA Tournament — and perennial Big East title contenders Xavier and Butler were among the schools that inquired about Strus’ services, but he chose to say close to home.

Photo by Jeff Vorva (above); supplied photo (below)

After starring at Stagg (above) and Division II Lewis University (below), Max Strus will wear a new uniform when he debuts at Division I DePaul this season after sitting out for a year.

The opportunity to be a big part of rebuilding a program was a major factor in Strus going to DePaul. He also built a strong relationship with Blue Demons assistant coach Fred Carter, who sold him on the program and head coach Dave Leitao. He also doesn’t mind that DePaul will begin playing in the fall at the new Wintrust Arena, which is under construction near McCormick Place.

“We’re trying to get back to where DePaul’s been in the past,” he said. “I really believed in them and they believed in me, and we want to turn this program around.”

See STRUS, Page 3

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2

Section 2 Thursday, May 18, 2017

The Regional News - The Reporter

Fire win was great, but confetti?

I

penalize the Chicago Fire for excessive celebration.

The Fire played great on Saturday night with a 4-1 victory over defending Major League Soccer champion Seattle at Toyota Park.

Chicago looked like an elite team in front of a sold-out announced crowd of 20,153 as well as a large TV audience on ESPN2.

After the game, the Fire players, as they usually do, went to the stands to thank their adoring fans for the support. It was a fine, happy moment.

And then, on the east side of the stadium, confetti fell.

Confetti?

Really?

Did the Fire just win an MLS championship? Did I miss something?

Making the Confetti?

Look, this was one of the Extra Point biggest wins in the Veljko Paunovic era, and general manager Nelson Rodriguez and the officials behind the scenes deserve a tip of the cap and pats on the back for turning a two-time last-place team into an exciting entity.

But let’s get real, here.

Confetti is for championships. Not for a team that won its fourth game out of 10. Not for a regularseason match in May. Not for a team that rolled over a team that came into the match with a 2-3-4 record.

Not for a team that earned three points to stay in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

If knocking off a defending champion deserves confetti, Major League Baseball teams would lose money with all the squads beating the Cubs.

You celebrate your baby’s first steps, not first burps.

You celebrate your kid’s graduation, not for surviving the 153rd day of school.

Personally, I think Fire officials should bring a Mack truck full of confetti on the road and let it loose the next time the team wins a road game, because that is much more of a rare accomplishment.

OK, enough about the mess they made on the field after the game; let’s talk about the mess the Fire players made of the Sounders on the field during the game.

T

JEFF VORVA

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Chicago Fire player Drew Connor jogs through the confetti after the Fire’s win over Seattle Saturday night. Sports editor/columnist Jeff Vorva questions a confetti celebration for a regular-season match against a defending MLS champ with a losing record.

After spending the first five minutes or so on the Fire’s side of the field, the boys decided that they could actually cross the line and kick the ball around on the north side of the field, too.

Nemanja Nikolic is building up a resume for being an MLS MVP candidate as he scored for the Fire on a penalty kick in the 25th minute, but that was negated three minutes late when Seattle’s Clint Dempsey returned the favor.

In the second half, David Accam, Luis Solignac and Nikolic scored in a 16-minute span and Seattle had no answer while the Fire defense and goalie Matt Lampson (making his second straight start of the year) played a clean second half.

“The team is growing, the team is growing,’’ Paunovic said and repeated. “The smiles are back in Bridgeview finally and it’s not only one game, this is the general feeling our team has inside the locker room and outside the locker room, when we are downtown in the city, wherever we are, we can feel there is a passion about the team’s expectations, positive expectations.

“The people can see good results, can see great games like today, can see the overall improve-

CHICAGO FIRE AT D.C. UNITED WHEN: 3 p.m., Saturday WHERE: RFK Stadium, Washington FIRE RECORD (as of Sunday): 4-3-3 D.C. UNITED RECORD: 3-5-2 NOTEWORTHY: The Fire, which was scheduled to play Colorado Wednesday night, looks for its first road victory on Saturday. D.C. United lost its last two matches at home, to Montreal and Philadelphia, by a combined score of 5-0.

ment of our team, depth and the mentality where the team now feels confident and are capable of managing difficult games against difficult opponents, champions like Seattle. So, I would say the mentality changed with the consistency in believing and working hard and addressing things, fixing things on a daily basis, and wins like today help our chance to build on top of the confidence and good things we did in the past.”

It was a big win for a franchise hoping to turn things around and it was a magical night.

But it didn’t deserve confetti.

PRO SOCCER NOTEBOOK

Not a surprise: Niko scores goals

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

In 2015, the Chicago Fire’s leading goal scorer was David Accam with 10.

Last year, he led the team with nine.

In just 10 matches in 2017, new Fire player Nemanja Nikolic already has eight goals in 10 games, including two in a 4-1 victory over defending Major League Soccer champion Seattle on Saturday night at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

This should be no surprise The 29-year-old Nikolic came to the Fire via transfer from Legia, Warsaw and signed as a Designated Player on Dec. 20.

Nikolic led the Ekstraklasa with 12 goals through the first half of their season in 2016. He added two assists in 19 matches and left with six goals in his final three regular-season matches, including a hat trick against Gornik Leczna two days before inking his deal with the Fire.

In 2015-16, he led the

Ekstraklasa with 28 goals, and was third in assists with 10.

Nikolic opened the season on a tear with five goals in the club’s first three games. He had 15 goals through the team’s first 12 games, and recorded seven multi-goal games during the campaign, helping Legia Warsaw to its 11th league title in club history.

In 2014-15, he led the Hungarian first division with 21 goals in 25 games.

“Yes, many times I have started like this — in Hungary and Poland,’’ he said after Saturday’s game. “For me, it’s not something new; for the people here, for the media, maybe it is. I have teammates that help me a lot day by day to improve my game, to adapt faster to the league.

They helped me score two goals, and I’m happy to win against the team that won the championship last year.’’

Red Stars tie Boston

In her first three seasons with the Chicago Red Stars, world-class player Christen

he Lunkers Unlimited Bass Fishing Club meets at the VFW Hall in Mokena and tries to hold fishing outings within a 200-mile radius on various bodies of water. The club is family oriented and members don’t have to own a boat.

The club is always looking for new members who must be 18 years or older. If you’re just getting into bass fishing, the club will help you get started. In OUTDOORS addition to fishing outings, the club has picWITH and raises funds JIM KIRBY nics for the Wounded Warriors organization.

For information on the club you can call Jim McCarthy at 708-807-1764 or go to www.lunkersunlimited.net.

The Lunkers hosted a recent successful tournament on Pool 13 of the Mississippi River. Steve Pearson was first with catches of 14 pounds, five ounces, followed

by Mark Urba (10 pounds, 5 ounces) and Jimmie Griffiths (9 pounds). Brian Frank caught the biggest fish at 3 pounds, 8 ounces.

Mushroom picking update

Apparently I’m not the only one who reads this column. I was called out for failing to mention in a May 4 column an important aspect of mushroom picking: I was told: “Do not pluck the mushroom. Cut it off at the stem as close to the ground as possible. This will allow it to grow back again. If possible, carry your mushrooms in a mesh bag and shake it as you’re walking. This spreads the spores for starting new mushroom patches.”

State-record crappie caught The previous Illinois record black crappie was caught in 1976 on Rend Lake.

More than 40 years later, on March 28, Ryan Povolish of Carbondale broke the record while fishing on Lake Kinkaid in Jackson County, in Southern Illinois. The fish was weighed in on a certified scale and authenticated by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources biologist at 4 pounds, 8.8 ounces. You can bet that this fish never made it to the frying pan, but will wind up hanging on Ryan’s wall! According to reports, he was trying to keep the fish alive and publicly display it in an aquarium.

Outdoor calendar

Photo by Jeff Vorva

The Fire’s Nemanja Nikolic is about to launch a first-half penalty kick to put his team on the board against Seattle on Saturday.

Press scored 24 goals in 37 games. But this year, she hit a rare dry spell in scoring as she was kept off the board four straight matches.

But that changed on Sunday. Her header in the 89th minute not only broke her scoreless streak but gave the Red Stars a dramatic 1-1 tie Sunday in front of an an-

nounced crowd of 1,827 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

Both Chicago and Boston, along with Sky Blue, headed into this week’s action with 2-2-1 marks, tied for fourth in the National Women’s Soccer League standings.

Boston grabbed the lead in the 69th minute on a goal from Rose Lavelle before

Press’s last-minute heroics.

The Red Stars, who have four goals in five matches, could use an offensive powderkeg such as Press to get hot. They have a 3 p.m. road game at NWSL-leading North Carolina (4-0-1) on Sunday and host the Courage at 3 p.m.

May 27 at Toyota Park in a rare back-to-back series.

FOCUS ON AREA COLLEGES

Moraine tennis stars have rough ride in nationals

By Jeff Vorva

College’s Essence Green and Agustina Grimolizzi.

Both Cyclones athletes qualified for the nationals in October.

Moraine Valley Community College sent a pair of women’s tennis players to the National Junior College Athletic Association nationals at the Reffkin Tennis Center in Tucson, Ariz., recently, but neither could come up with a victory.

In singles play, Alexis Kasper (a Reavis graduate) was beaten by Beth Owen of Jones County Junior College, 6-3, 6-0, and lost to Central Alabama’s Ashley Coots, 8-2, in the consolation round.

In doubles play, Kasper and Ana Karen Lagunas (Bremen) dropped an opening-round decision to Broward’s Konomi Shida and Kiah Turner, and dropped an 8-1 decision to North Central Texas

Trinity Christian College

Sports Editor

Hunker down and learn about the Lunkers

Women’s track: Ashley Jourdan earned AllAmerican honors after winning the 800-meter event in the National Christian College Athletic Association Championships over the weekend at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee Oklahoma. Jourdan set a school record with a time of 2 minutes, 12.81 seconds in the event.

St. Xavier University Baseball: The Cougars advanced to the championship of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic

Conference tournament for the second year in a row, but this year they could not pull off a championship.

The fifth-seeded Cougars dropped a 2-0 decision to third-seeded St. Ambrose on May 9 at Hoffer Field in Elgin.

Earlier in the day, SXU knocked off No. 7 St. Francis 8-4 to get into the title game as pitcher Tyler Hebel had a perfect game through six innings to record the win.

Senior center fielder Alex Neufeld and freshman catcher Matt Bunetta each had two RBI for SXU in the win.

The Cougars mustered just four hits against the Fighting Bees but couldn’t score and the Cougars finished the season 28-29.

May 18: Tonight, Fish Tales Fishing Club meeting, www.fishtalesfishingclub. com.

May 19: Endangered Species Day. May 20-26: National Safe Boating Week…”Let’s be careful out there, consider taking a boating safety course.” Go to: www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety.

May 24: Palos Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Dinner, Palos Country Club. Event includes open bar, a sit down dinner, silent and live auctions, raffles and chances to bid on guns and other sporting goods, For tickets and information call Jim Mayer at 708-557-1300. I have tickets and two seats available at my table if you are unfamiliar with DU.

Let’s register those boats The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reminds boat owners in Illinois to check their three-year boat registration decal and renew their registration if it expires on June 30.

Renewing boat registration can be done online through the IDNR website at www. dnr.illinois.gov or by calling 1-866-8673542.

Non-motorized watercraft including canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, or sail boards are no longer required to be title/registered in Illinois, unless the vessels have a motor or sail. Non-motorized watercraft owners are required to purchase an Illinois Water Usage Stamp for $6 per calendar year.

Think about it

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of Algebra.

E-mail Jim Kirby: kirbyoutdoors@sbcglobal.net.

Jim Kirby’s column runs every first and third Thursday each month.

FOCUS ON THE WINDY CITY THUNDERBOLTS

Wood has a three-hit game in T-Bolts’ lone victory

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

The Windy City Thunderbolts opened the season dropping two of their first three games to Washington, but local product Kyle Wood was strong in the victory.

Wood, an Orland Park resident who graduated from St. Laurence High School, belted three hits and drove in three runs in the T-Bolts’ 5-2 victory on Saturday night at Standard Bank Stadium.

Zac Westcott pitched the victory and gave up one hit in eight innings, retiring 13 of the final 14 hitters he faced.

The season opener didn’t go as well for Windy City. After scoring the first run of the game Friday, the T-Bolts gave up nine straight runs in a 9-1 loss.

Bridgeview native and former Oak Lawn Community High School star Chris Chigas was saddled with the loss, as he gave up three unearned runs in the sixth.

The Bolts also dropped Sunday’s game, 5-0.

Coming up The T-Bolts are on the road for three games at Washington and return home Tuesday through Thursday against Normal. Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games are at 10:35 a.m. and Thursday’s game is at 7:05 p.m.

The Thursday contest will be the first pro wrestling promotion of the season as Cody Rhodes takes on Abyss in a main event match after the game.

There will be other matches from Pro Wrestling Blitz on the card.

Photo by Warren Stidolph

Lunkers Unlimited’s Jim McCarthy of Palos Heights shows a nice largemouth bass taken during a recent tournament using a Zoom Brush Hog lure rigged Texas Style.

The Regional News - The Reporter

Thursday, May 18, 2017 Section 2

3

POSTSEASON BASEBALL

POSTSEASON SOFTBALL

Unpredictable playoffs are coming right up for area teams

Sandburg and Wood like the look of 2010 blueprint

By Randy Whalen Correspondent

By Jeff Vorva

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Sports Editor

The baseball seedings came out last week and St. Laurence was seeded No. 1 while Brother Rice was No. 2 in the St. Laurence Class 4A Sectional.

Oh, and the teams also played a couple of games last week and… you guessed it — they split. St. Laurence, which was ranked No. 1 in the state by the Prep Baseball Report website, beat Brother Rice 5-4 in Chicago on May 10. Rice returned the favor in Burbank by winning 6-1.

In the first game, Vikings pitcher Angel Sandoval fired the win with some clutch relief pitching from Gage Olszak. Olszak was a member of the Senior Little League World Series champion Clear Ridge squad last summer. Tommy Farrell drove in two runs for the Vikings.

In the rematch, Ryan Kutt drove in three runs for the Crusaders to help winning pitcher Shane Gorman, who improved to 7-0.

Brother Rice’s Ryan King tags out St. Laurence’s Matt Dombros in a game Thursday. St. Laurence is seeded first in its own Class 4A sectional and Brother Rice is second.

On Saturday, the Crusaders clinched the Chicago Catholic League Blue title for the second year in a row with a 15-11 victory over Mt. Carmel, while St. Laurence lost 10-5 to St. Rita.

So when the baseball postseason opens up in Class 3A and 4A on Monday, there is going to be a lot of unpredictability not only in this sectional, but in sectionals all across the state. The single-elimination format already makes this tricky to predict. Mandated pitch counts this year are going to reward teams with deep rotations… unless they run into a buzzsaw opposing pitcher early on.

But coaches from all over tried their best to come up with fair seeds, and this is what coaches from the area came up with:

Mt. Carmel are the top four seeds respectively. Any one of those four could win this sectional, but don’t forget that No. 5 Lyons knocked off Brother Rice the first game of the season in March. Oak Lawn is seeded 10th.

St. Laurence Sectional

Evergreen Park is seeded third in this Class 3A sectional behind Simeon and Solorio Academy.

St. Laurence, Brother Rice, St. Rita and

Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional Sandburg is seeded fourth, Richards sixth, Stagg ninth, Marist 12th and Shepard 14th in the Class 4A sectional.

Three-time defending champion Providence Catholic is seeded seventh. Could one of the local teams end that state-record reign?

Stagg has the first crack at it on May 25.

St. Ignatius Sectional

Marist hosts the most when it comes to spring sports

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Marist is not hosting every postseason event in the state next week. It just seems like it.

Athletic director Steve Smithers and his staff will be busy and likely praying that rain stays away as the Mt. Greenwood school will host a ton of postseason activities. A rundown: Monday: In baseball, Thornwood, seeded 21st, takes on 12thseeded Marist in the opening round of the T.F. North Regional at 4:30 p.m.

The school will also host a boys volleyball match between 15thseeded St. Laurence against 19th-seeded Goode STEM Academy at 6 p.m.

Tuesday: There will be a boys volleyball doubleheader as secondseeded Marist takes on the St. Laurence/Goode STEM winner at 5 p.m. and seventh-seeded Oak Lawn tangles with 10th-seeded Homewood-Flossmoor at 6 p.m. H-F is coached by former Marist coach Bob St. Leger, who helped lead the RedHawks to a state title in 2010.

Marist’s softball team, seeded first in the Hinsdale South Sectional, hosts Chicago Kelly or Proviso West in the regional semifinals at 4:30 p.m.

The Redhawks will also host two Class 2A soccer sectional matches as the Lemont Regional winner takes on the Rich East Regional champ at 5 p.m., while the Evergreen Park champ takes on the Brooks survivor at 7 p.m.

Wednesday: The boys volleyball regional title game takes place at 6 p.m.

Eighth-seeded Oak Lawn faces ninth-seeded Argo in softball at 4:30 p.m. in a regional semifinal.

Thursday: Nothing scheduled. How did that happen?

Photo by Jeff Vorva Friday: The girls soccer sectional championship gets rolling at 5 Marist and third baseman Alexis Rogers, earned the No. 1 seed in the Hinsdale South Sectional and will be among several teams participating in p.m.

Saturday: The softball regional title game is at 11 a.m. postseason action at the Mt. Greenwood school as it hosts regional play.

STATE/POSTSEASON ROUNDUP

Sandburg’s Ko finishes 1-2 at state badminton

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Sandburg senior Mia Ko, the lone area badminton player to qualify for the Illinois High School Association State Tournament, finished 1-2 and was eliminated after the second consolation round.

Ko opened play with a 21-14, 21-10 triumph over Maine South’s Liza Henn Friday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. But in the second round, Ko she fell to Hinsdale Central’s Cindy Tang, 21-8, 21-12.

She was eliminated by Naperville Central’s Melissa Chen, 21-10, 21-18.

Stevenson won the state title with 18.5 points and the Patriots’ Esther Shi won the singles title, while Neuqua Valley’s Joyce Chen-Shrinithi Venkatesan won the state doubles

championship.

Boys bass fishing state finals postponed The Illinois High School Association postponed the state finals for bass fishing. The finals were supposed to be held Friday and Saturday at Carlyle Lake in Carlyle, but it has been postponed indefinitely due to potentially dangerous water levels.

The IHSA Board of Directors made the decision to postpone the finals based upon discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who oversee Carlyle Lake. IHSA staff members also visited the lake to assess the situation.

The IHSA was forced to postpone the state final tournament in 2011 and 2013 when Southern Illinois was hit by a series of storms that produced high water levels. At that time, the tournament was held in early May, but was later moved back two weeks, in part to help with weather-related situations.

“This is a unique tournament with

Evergreen Park’s girls track team won the Class 2A University High Sectional title on Thursday.

Continued from Page 1 Strus’ mom, Brinkman, was at DePaul from 1977-81, and Blue Demons men’s basketball was in the late 1970s and early 1980s among the most popular and successful teams in Chicago.

Led by coach Ray Meyer and future NBA stars including Mark Aguirre and

Knights win their own soccer regional

Water polo

Continued from Page 1 with the next four to take a lead.

“It was a nice little cushion, but I told them they couldn’t get comfortable with three,” Carroll said. “You can’t get comfortable with 20. Anything can happen. I knew being up 3-0 wasn’t anything.’’

The lead ping-ponged a little until Correa’s final goal. The defense and McKendry held down Lyons (which averaged 18 goals in its first two postseason games).

Lincoln-Way Central is making its fourth state appearance and finished second in the state in 2012. The Knights beat Bremen, 18-7, Richards, 12-3, and Lincoln-Way East, 11-10, to

Hinsdale South Sectional Marist, which won Class 4A state titles in 2012 and 2015, drew the top seed while Sandburg was second, Mother McAuley third, Shepard fifth, Richards seventh, Oak Lawn eighth and Stagg 10th.

Nazareth Academy Sectional Evergreen Park, which opened this week with 19 victories, is seeded third behind Nazareth and Lemont while Queen of Peace drew the fifth seed. This is Queen of Peace’s final season as the school is scheduled to close in June.

Boys water polo Brother Rice and Sandburg reached their respective sectional final games but were beaten Saturday.

Brother Rice gave up six straight goals and lost to host Lyons, 18-6.

Patrick Murphy scored three goals for the Crusaders.

Sandburg led 3-2 against LincolnWay East at the Lincoln-Way Central Sectional but fell 6-4. It marked hallof-fame coach Jim Caliendo’s final game for Sandburg as he is retiring.

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Knights’ champs were senior Jill VanDyk in the high jump (5-1), junior Rylei Jackson in the 100 (:12.57) and 200 (:26.94), and the 4x800 relay team of April VanRyn, Allie Boss, Rebecca Falb and VanDyk (9:57.72).

Taking second were the 4x100 relay team of Jackson, Carissa Simon, Sara Cahill and Emily Woods (:52.70), VanRyn in the get out there and help your teammates,” he said. “It’s extremely difficult. After having a year like I had at Lewis and then coming here and having to sit out and watch games, and not being able to play…I had a hard time with it.”

But those days are over, Strus added, and he is now as focused as ever on improving every aspect of his game, and playing basketball again. While no one is looking for him to be any sort

Way East and Lockport recently and haven’t won a conference title since 2011, no area team can match what they have done in the postseason. The past 29 years have brought 26 regional titles, 17 sectional titles, nine state trophies and only one losing season for Sandburg.

In 2014, despite 15 regularseason losses, Sandburg was back in the state championship game, taking second. Last year, the Eagles reached the supersectional at Benedictine University but lost to Downers Grove South, 5-3.

In addition to Wood, there’s plenty of other firepower in the Sandburg lineup. Senior center fielder Sam Coffel, senior first baseman Nikki Horvath and junior left fielder Bri Johnson all have multi-homer games this season.

Here is a look at area softball seedings in Class 3A and 4A:

Mother McAuley’s Paulina Correa pumps her fists after scoring what turned out to be the winning goal in an 8-7 sectional title victory over Lyons.

Continued from Page 1

Terry Cummings, DePaul advanced to the Final Four in 1979 and earned Regional No. 1 seeds the following three seasons. Between 1976 and 1992, the Demons qualified for the NCAA Tournament 14 times; however, they have not had a winning season since 2007.

Strus admitted that being relegated to the role of observer as his team struggled last season was challenging.

“It’s hard to sit out when you want to

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Sandburg and slugger Ashley Wood hope to make it to the supersectional, which the school is hosting this year.

win their own sectional.

While the home crowd at Lyons was vocal, McKendry warns that the atmosphere at Stevenson will be ratcheted up.

“This is loud, but state is out-of-itsmind loud,’’ she said.

Chicago Christian knocked off Universal 4-1 Friday to win its own Class 1A girls soccer regional. It’s the sixth regional crown in eight seasons for the Knights.

The Knights were scheduled to face Joliet Catholic Academy Tuesday at the Manteno Sectional with the winner earning a spot in the sectional final, which takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

Track

Supplied photo

Strus

unique obstacles,” said IHSA Associate Executive Director and Bass Fishing Administrator Kurt Gibson. “Carlyle Lake has begun to release water to lower its levels, so we think we will have a new date scheduled soon.

We have navigated similar situations in the past and managed to conduct great state final tournaments. I have no doubt that will happen again in the coming weeks.”

Marist had a boat qualify for this year’s finals.

Being a superstitious guy, Sandburg softball coach Jim Fabianski didn’t want to be reminded that if his team wins another sectional title this season, they Eagles will play on their home field as they host a Class 4A supersectional June 5.

The last time Sandburg hosted a softball supersectional?

That was 2010. The Eagles won the Illinois High School Association Class 4A state championship.

So while Fabianski doesn’t want to mention that, his team is certainly aware of it.

“Yes, it’s going to be nice (if we get there),” Sandburg shortstop Ashley Wood said.

“Home-field advantage, that’s a big goal of ours.”

Wood, a junior, is one of the veteran players on this season’s Eagles squad. She made her mark when she secured the starting shortstop position as a freshman. As a sophomore she batted .439 with 19 doubles, eight homers and 32 RBI, while only striking out five times in 145 plate appearances. She also had a .964 fielding percentage and not many around have a stronger arm.

This season she’s belted four homers and has had numerous multi-hit games.

A huge influence on her has been her brothers. Her oldest brother, Kyle, recently opened his second season as first baseman/designated hitter for the Windy City ThunderBolts. He played baseball and graduated from Purdue and serves as an assistant coach at his high school alma mater, St. Laurence. Brad Wood, also a St. Laurence graduate, is currently a junior middle infielder in his third season starting at Northern Illinois University.

“They’re the ones that taught me the game,” Wood said of her brothers. “I learned a lot just by watching them. They always gave me tips and helped make me into a player.”

But Eagles fans need not worry. Wood said she is happy at Sandburg and has no plans to go to St. Laurence when the school opens to girls in the fall.

While the Eagles lost to SouthWest Suburban Conference Blue opponents Lincoln-

3200 (16:47), junior Brooklyn Seiber in the 100 high hurdles (:16.47) and 300 low hurdles (:49.92), VanDyk in the 800 (2:28.29), and the 4x400 relay team of Seiber, Boss, VanRyn, VanDyk (4:18.51).

VanRyn was third in the 1600 (5:29.86) In the Class 3A Reavis Sectional, senior Ashley Bryja took third in the 800 with a 2:18.21, and the 4x400 team of Bryja, Kelly Gallagher Ciara Nelligan and Colleen Flood took third

of savior, he doesn’t mind the pressure of being counted on to lead and carry a team.

“If I have to be ‘the guy,’ you know, I’ll be that guy, but everybody wants to be the guy, of course,” he said. “I just want to win — ultimately we all just want to win — so I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the team. Whether that’s defense, rebounding, scoring; whatever they want me to do, I’m going

with a 4:00.05 to qualify.

Stagg junior Allyson Mussallem took third in the 400 with a :58.81 to qualify.

At Downers Grove South, Shepard’s Hayley Goebel was a sectional champion in the discus with a 113-01 while teammate Kellie Callahan was second in the 1600 with a 5:07.88.

Sandburg’s 4x200 team of Chibueze Obia, Hannah Sullivan, Tina Siebenaler and Julia Gary took fifth with a 1:45.32 and made it to state.

to do to the best of my ability. I’m just looking forward to actually playing in a game this year and getting back on the court.”

Can he replicate what he did his sophomore year at Lewis?

“If I could do that again I’d be very happy,” he said. “I’m hoping I can keep playing like I did at Lewis, keep doing what I was doing and be that guy again.

So, we’ll see what happens.”

4

Section 2 Thursday, May 18, 2017

The Regional News - The Reporter

Some leftover images from an exciting May

Supplied photo

Shepard’s badminton team won the South Suburban Conference Red title and celebrated by posing on top of the bleachers at the school’s stadium.

Emotions have been riding high this month, as Brother Rice coach John McCarthy (left photo) argues a call on Thursday in a victory over St. Laurence, and Seattle Sounders goalie Stefan Frei (right photo) gives the referee an earful Saturday in his team’s loss to the Chicago Fire.

A rare sight: Cars fill the west parking lot at Toyota Park for a Chicago Fire game as the hosts beat defending MSL champ Seattle 4-1.

Patrick Flickinger of Burr Ridge picks up his 5-year-old daughter, Stella, after competing in the Southwest Half Marathon on May 7 in Palos Heights.

Flags were flying at the Fire game Saturday night — a rare sellout at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

Mother McAuley water polo goalie MaryKate McKendry looks for an open teammate Saturday in the Mighty Macs’ sectional title victory over Lyons.

Photos by Jeff Vorva except where noted

The Regional News - The Reporter

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Thursday, May 18, 2017 Section 2

For Sale

For Sale

For Sale

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (‘’FANNIE MAE’’), A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Plaintiff, -v.MARGUERITA D. GRZESZCZUK, 11273-77-81 ROBERTS ROAD CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION A/K/A 11273-77-81 ROBERTS ROAD MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 16 CH 13633 11281 S. ROBERTS ROAD, UNIT L 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 23, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 27, 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 11281 S. ROBERTS ROAD, UNIT L, Palos Hills, IL 60465 Property Index No. 23-24-100-122-1012 Vol. 152.

The real estate is improved with a condominium.

The judgment amount was $87,639.76.

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: JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 541-9710 Please refer to file number 16-4073.

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.

I718852

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR NRZ PASS-THROUGH TRUST V Plaintiff, -v.MICHAEL MITCHELL A/K/A J. MICHAEL MITCHELL,FELICIA HERNANDEZ, RICHARD MITCHELL, JULIE FOX, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DECEASED MORTGAGOR, JOSEPHINE MITCHELL A/K/A JOSEPHINE A. MITCHELL A/K/A JOSEPHINE ANN MITCHELL Defendants 14 CH 15723 8133 UXBRIDGE DRIVE 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 April 18, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 15, 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 8133 UXBRIDGE DRIVE, Orland Park, IL 60462 Property Index No. 27-02-411-004-0000.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

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

For information: Visit our website at service.atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5pm. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 416-5500.

Please refer to file number 255505.

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

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 416-5500 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 255505 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 14 CH 15723 TJSC#: 37-4436 I721686

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (FANNIE MAE); Plaintiff, vs.

MILAN POPOVIC; DOBRILA POPOVIC AKA DOBRILLA POPOVIC; CAPITAL ONE BANK (USA), N.A.; CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A.; HANMI BANK S/B/M UNITED CENTRAL BANK; LAS FUENTES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 15 CH 15103 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 23-10-209-013-1090.

Commonly known as 9086 Del Prado Drive, Unit 2E, Palos Hills, Illinois 60465.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g) (1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Anselmo Lindberg Oliver LLC, 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 605631890. (630) 453-6960. For Bidding instructions visit www.alolawgroup.com 24 hours prior to sale.

F15090223 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I720936

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34

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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All Real Estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination.� Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1 (800) 669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is: 1 (800) 927-9275.

6

Section 2 Thursday, May 18, 2017

448-6161

The Regional News - The Reporter

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Garage Sale

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Asphalt Paving

PALOS PINES COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Saturday, May 20th 8 AM to 4 PM Enter at 76th Ave. & 128th St. Or 131st & Cypress Ln. Palos Heights

2 Family Garage Sale 6204 W. 93rd Place Fri. & Sat. May 19th & 20th 9am-4pm Household items, clothes, shoes, furniture & more

Multi-Family Friday and Saturday May 19 and 20 9 AM to 3 PM Too much to list!

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LAWN MOWER & RIDING LAWN MOWERS, small engines, bicycles.

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

OUT & ABOUT

The Regional News • The Reporter

Thursday, May 18, 2017

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS 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.

• “Family Service Sunday” starts at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 21. Participants will gather outdoors behind the Lodge (on the west side of Southwest Highway) for the service.

• “Spirituality 101: Embracing an Alternative Orthodoxy: Richard Rohr on the Legacy of St. Francis” is set for Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. or Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m.. beginning May 23 and 25. From the DVD course description: “Fr. Richard will invite all to explore a Christian faith informed by contemplation, mysticism, justice and centuries of rich, Christian history. The topics to be discussed are: Atonement theology, Eco-Spirituality, The Cosmic Christ, Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxy and Mysticism over Moralism.” Registration is requested. Each class fee is $7.

• Actress/historian Leslie Goddard portrays suffragist Alice Paul at a luncheon set for noon to 2 p.m.

Tuesday May 23. Goddard has been portraying famous women in history for more than 10 years. In addition to both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in theater, she has a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and currently works

full-time as a historical interpreter and public speaker. For this luncheon, Leslie is going to take the audience back to the 1910s to meet Alice Paul, one of the most determined leaders of the fight to win suffrage for women.

Luncheon costs $22, and reservations are necessary.

• “Mommy & Me Art: Whimsical Character Tree Ornaments Wednesday” is set for 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 24. Instructor Karen Signore will help students use recycled cans, paint, beads, buttons and other creative materials to create a decoration to hang on a backyard tree or patio.

The class is designed for mothers or grandmothers with children ages 3-6, but the instructor is open to family members of all ages attending “Mommy and Me.” Workshop fee is $10 per person.

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.

• “Staff vs. Students Night and Mega Jump Rope Challenge” runs from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 19. Students are invited go head-to-head with their favorite staff, volunteers and interns and see if they can be tops in air hockey, pool, Connect 4 or other games throughout the night. There will also be a live performance by R&B artist Christal Luster and free

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:

“XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE’’: Fifteen years after he launched the franchise, Vin Diesel is reasonably fast and somewhat furious in this action sequel that finds the title spy using his extreme-sports skills again as an enemy faction starts manipulating military satellites for its own purposes. Samuel L. Jackson also returns as Cage’s handler, but particularly welcome are such colorful newcomers to the saga as Toni Collette, Ruby Rose (“Orange Is the New Black’’) and Nina Dobrev (“The Vampire Diaries’’). Donnie Yen also is effective as the chief villain, but the real stars of the movie are the stunt experts whose services are called upon frequently over the course of the story. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) (Also on Bluray and On Demand) “THE SPACE BETWEEN US’’: Sort of an intergalactic twist on “The Fault in Our Stars,’’ this young-adult drama gives sci-fi twists to familiar themes of the genre. Asa Butterfield, no stranger to screen fantasy (“Ender’s Game,’’ “Hugo’’), plays a young man born on Mars but longing to see Earth — especially so he can meet his pen pal (Britt Robertson, “Tomorrowland’’) from terra firma face-to-face. Once he gets his wish of making the trip and finding her, he goes on the lam with her, though doing so could endanger his life. Gary Oldman,

Carla Gugino and Janet Montgomery (“Salem’’) also appear in the tale. DVD extras: “making-of’’ documentary; audio commentary by director Peter Chelsom; deleted scenes, alternate ending. *** (PG13: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER’’: If this is indeed the final stand of the franchise, it goes out with a bang - and most of the typical trademarks of writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson. Milla Jovovich is back one more time as heroine Alice, the lone survivor of mankind’s all-out offensive against the undead in the preceding chapter, “Resident Evil: Retribution.’’ It’s up to her to make a last strike against the sinister Hive by doing so from within.

Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts and Iain Glen (“Game of Thrones’’) also are back from earlier installments, with Ruby Rose (having a big sequel week on home video) and Eoin Macken (“The Night Shift’’) joining the action here.

DVD extras: two “making-of’’ documentaries. *** (R: P, GV) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “THE KENNEDYS: AFTER CAMELOT’’: Recently televised by Reelz and based on J. Randy Taraborrelli’s book “After Camelot: A Personal History of the Kennedy Family — 1968 to the Present,’’ this sequel to the Emmy-winning drama “The Kennedys’’ examines events in the political family’s lives during the years indicated. Katie Holmes (who also shares directing credit with Jon Cassar here) reprises her portrayal of the widowed Jacqueline Kennedy, whose relationship with Aristotle Onassis (Alexander Siddig) gets major attention. Also considered: the fatal Chappaquiddick Island, Mass., car accident

VARIETY

WOLFGANG PUCK’S KITCHEN

Supplied photo

Leslie Goddard as Alice Paul.

food samples from White Castle.

• “High School Study Lounge with Snack Mix Station” will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24. Students are invited to make The Bridge their study spot on finals week. There will be energy-boosting snacks, tutors, whiteboards and study supplies available.

Dreamstime.com • “DIY Painted Flower Pots” Bake for about 25 minutes until the muffins are golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean. is a session set for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23. Students will paint a simple or intricate design on their favorite flowerpot.

• “Project Serve: Litter Pick” is set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, Students are invited to give back to The Bridge by helping keep the surrounding area free of trash and debris.

• “BBQ & Bros (guys only)” incredibly easy — maybe 10 to orange juice runs from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, By Wolfgang Puck 15 minutes total of measuring and • 2 large eggs, lightly May 25. Students are invited to beaten Everything I learned about good simple mixing, followed by less spend some time with just the guys • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla and enjoy an outdoor barbecue. home cooking I learned from my than half an hour of baking. Yet, extract mother and grandmother. Both the results are as delicious as you • 1 cup (250 mL) fresh of them ruled the kitchen of our might find in the brunch muffin blueberries, rinsed, family’s cottage in the town of basket of a fine restaurant. In fact, patted dry, any stems St. Veit in southern Austria, and years ago we used to serve this removed the meals that they produced with recipe to weekend brunch guests • 1 1/2 tablespoons grated involving Ted Kennedy (played by basic equipment and humble in- at Spago Las Vegas.

One thing I especially like about orange zest Matthew Perry, who also gets an gredients proved every day that executive-producer credit on the food cooked with a combination of this recipe as a Mother’s Day treat Set the oven rack on the center project, as does Holmes), and the knowledge, skill and love can be is that even a young child can plane-tragedy-ended marriage of delicious and nourishing beyond participate in making it — espe- level and preheat the oven to 350 cially stirring together the batter F (175 C). With nonstick cooking John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn compare.

Bessette (Brett Donahue, Erica There were so many lessons and spooning it into the muffin spray, spray the inside of the cups Cox). *** (Not rated: AS, P) they taught me. I learned the im- pan — with Dad’s supervision, of a 12-cup muffin pan with cups portance of always having staple of course. And a grownup, or a that are 2 3/4 inches (about 70 ingredients like flour, eggs, but- responsible older child, must su- mm) wide by 1 1/4 inches (about COMING SOON: ter, sugar, milk, oil, vinegar, root pervise working with the oven and 32 mm) deep. Set the pan aside.

“GET OUT’’ (May 23): Writ- vegetables and basic seasonings handling the hot pan and muffins.

Holding a flour sifter or a fineer-director Jordan Peele’s melo- on hand, ready to help prepare Once the muffins have cooled a meshed sieve over a bowl, sift drama puts twists in an interracial simple meals at a moment’s notice. bit, transfer them to a napkin-lined together the flour, baking soda, couple’s (Daniel Kaluuya, Allison I learned to use all my senses basket or a pretty plate, place on a salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set Williams) weekend getaway. (R: — sight, touch, sound, smell and tray, and bring them to Mom with the mixture aside.

AS, P, V) In a medium saucepan over especially taste — continually as I some fresh fruit and a cup of her “THE GREAT WALL’’ (May cook to ensure the results I want. I favorite morning beverage. It’s a medium-low heat, melt the but23): Matt Damon plays a merce- could go on and on. But most im- wonderful way to start learning the ter. Raise the heat to medium, add nary who’s among the warriors portant of all, they demonstrated lessons of good home cooking. the granulated and brown sugars, battling fearsome creatures at the every day that meals cooked with and stir with a wooden spoon Chinese structure. (PG-13: V) until blended. Remove the pan love will convey a message direct BLUEBERRY SPICE “LOGAN’’ (May 23): Hugh from your heart for the dearest from the heat. Stir in the orange MUFFINS Jackman has his last turn (appar- people in your life. juice, eggs and vanilla. Stir in the Makes 12 large muffins ently) as the “X-Men’’ character, flour mixture. Finally, fold in the That’s why I feel it’s imporwho gets his claws out again to tant to cook for your mother, blueberries and the orange zest.

• 2 cups (500 mL) allhelp a super-powered youngster the mother of your children or Spoon the batter evenly into purpose flour (Dafne Keen) evade villains. (R: the mother figure in your life on the prepared muffin cups, filling • 1 teaspoon baking soda AS, P, V) them almost to the top. Bake in Mother’s Day. Of course, what • 1/2 teaspoon salt “FIST FIGHT’’ (May 30): many people will make is a resthe preheated oven until the muf• 1/2 teaspoon ground After one teacher (Charlie Day) ervation at a restaurant. But even fins are golden brown and a cake cinnamon causes the firing of another (Ice the simplest little bit of cooking, tester, gently inserted into 1 or 2 • 1/8 teaspoon ground Cube), an after-school bout be- done to start the day wonderfully muffins, comes out clean, about nutmeg tween them is in the offing. (R: for Mom while she’s allowed a 25 minutes.

• 4 ounces (125 g), 1 AS, N, P) Remove the pan from the oven few extra minutes in bed, will stick, unsalted butter, “HART TO HART: THE make her special day all the more and leave the muffins to rest in cut into small pieces COMPLETE SERIES’’ (May memorable. the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, • 1/2 cup (125 mL) 30): The entire five-season run of So I’d like to suggest my recipe one muffin at a time and protecting granulated sugar the Robert Wagner-Stefanie Pow- for blueberry spice muffins. You’ll your hand with a clean kitchen • 1/2 cup (125 mL) ers mystery show is compiled in a find that it uses ingredients that towel, gently lift the muffins out packed dark brown new boxed set. (Not rated: AS, V) you’ll probably already have and transfer to a rack to cool. Serve sugar “A CURE FOR WELLNESS’’ available, and the preparation is warm or at room temperature.

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) (June 6): A company man (Dane DeHaan) heads for the Swiss Alps to retrieve his boss from a spa that isn’t what it seems. (R: AS, N, P, V) FAMILY-VIEWING GUIDE complished after the middle of wrong move at the wrong time.

KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nu- By Jeraldine Saunders SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22the week is past. dity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, Dec. 21): As this week unfolds LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Use ARIES (March 21-April 19): particularly graphic violence.

While you are busy barking up tortoise tactics to triumph at the remember to cross your “T”s and the wrong tree, you might ignore races. Remember that the tortoise dot your “I”s. You may need to all the other trees in the forest. beat the hare through sheer te- be more careful and more perfect Suspicions could get the worst of nacity. You may find that forc- than usual. There is a danger of you or you may be distracted by ing any key issue or initiating a being the subject of disapproval unrealistic goals in the upcoming confrontation can cause trouble or causing offense.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. in the week ahead. week.

19): If you tell it “like it is” you VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

22): TAURUS (April 20-May 20): may be considered a Wiz. Your Keep your friends close and enPractice being practical. In the fact checking methods and a high emies closer.

You could be in for week to come don’t take on extra an unwanted surprise in the week degree of accuracy may highlight duties or volunteer for more reahead if you ignore problems close your genius. Pursue friendships sponsibilities than you can handle. to home. A partner may give you rather than amorous hookups in You may have enough on your a head’s up about a beneficial fi- the week to come.

‘Once Upon a Time’ is indelible. plate to do properly without invit- nancial situation.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. She will always be a part of the LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): 18): Pay attention to criticisms. show and its heart and soul. That ing criticism.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Touch base with the most trust- Accept the necessity of a few said, just because Jennifer won’t Anchor your feet firmly on the worthy advisors. Ask for advice negatives as a positive step in be back every week doesn’t mean we won’t see our savior again.” ground and keep your head out on troubling matters before you your road to perfection. Be tolPrior to joining the series, Mor- of the clouds. You may not be make a move. You may find inspi- erant of other people’s opinions rison starred in the hit Fox medi- adept at business affairs and could ration right in your own backyard in the week to come and keep the cal drama “House” opposite Hugh easily be confused by unrealistic and grow closer to a friend in the lines of communication fully open.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Laurie, and has also appeared on strategies. Watch the clock and be week ahead.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): If it isn’t broken don’t fix it. In the “How I Met Your Mother” and on time this week.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): There is a time and place for week ahead your faulty intuitions the 2009 “Star Trek” reboot. She You only get past something if everything. A desire to be seen may tell you it is time for drasshared a message to fans on Instagram regarding her decision to you wait until the coast is clear. as dependable or a preoccupa- tic changes. Assess key situations You might run into a roadblock tion with popularity could be a at leisure and you will realize it exit the ABC series. or frustrations in the first half of prime motivating factor in the would be foolish to change what See TITLE, Page # the week. You will get more ac- week ahead. You risk making the is working well.

‘Once Upon a Time’ star Jennifer Morrison to exit series after 6 seasons

By Joe Otterson “Once Upon a Time” star Jennifer Morrison will exit the series at the conclusion of the current season, Variety has confirmed.

Morrison has been with the show since its launch, playing the role of Emma Swan in 134 episodes in total. Her exit comes as the ABC series is said to be a lock for another season. As Variety previously reported, offers have already been made to the writing staff, which will be tasked with taking the show in a new direction with

the loss of some original characters in Season 7.

“The past six years of collaborating with Jennifer as Emma Swan have been truly magical,” said series co-creators and showrunners Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis. “Watching her breathe life into Emma, she accomplished more than we could have dreamed possible — she gave life to a brandnew Disney Princess, filled with strength and intelligence and an incredible closet full of red leather jackets. We’ll miss seeing her every day, but her imprint upon

Southwest • Section 2, Page 7

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Thursday, May 18, 2017

Southwest • Section 2, Page 8

LIZ SMITH

RICK STEVES’ EUROPE

Glenn Close and Chita Rivera light up Manhattan in May!

By Liz Smith

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli, Rick Steves’ Europe

It’s easy to see why Neuschwanstein Castle, dramatically situated atop a hill in the Bavarian countryside, inspired Walt Disney.

A tale of two medieval castles

By Rick Steves When I was 18, I took my first independent trip to Europe. During that trip, I toured “Mad” King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany — a medieval castle dream. Then, just over the border in Austria, I found the Ehrenberg ruins — a medieval castle reality.

Decades later, I’m still enthralled by the striking contrast between these two castles — so close in distance (just 30 minutes by car) but offering worlds-apart experiences.

Neuschwanstein, the ultimate fairy tale castle, seems to be on every tourist’s list. In the foothills of the Alps, about a two-hour drive from Munich, it’s the most lavish of three extravagant castles belonging to Ludwig II, who ruled Bavaria for 22 years, until his death in 1886.

Rather than deal with politics in Munich, Ludwig retreated to the countryside. He lived at his family’s hunting palace, Hohenschwangau (another impressive castle that’s well worth visiting) while devoting himself to the Neuschwanstein’s construction nearby. Although Ludwig spent 17 years building Neuschwanstein, he lived in it only 172 days. Soon after he moved in, Ludwig was declared mentally unfit to rule Bavaria. Days later, he was found dead in a lake (it’s still debated whether he was murdered or committed suicide).

Ludwig was a true romantic living in a Romantic age. His best friends were artists, poets and composers, such as Richard Wagner. Longing for the natural beauty and emotion of an earlier time, he built his medieval fantasy on a hilltop not for defensive reasons, but because he liked the view.

His palace is wallpapered with misty medieval themes — brave knights, fair maidens and scenes from Wagnerian operas. But even as he strove to evoke medieval grandeur, he embraced Industrial Age technology. Neuschwanstein — only about as old as the Eiffel Tower — had electricity, running water and a telephone.

To visit the castle, travelers must buy tickets for the 30-minute guided tour. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially in summer, when long lines plague the castle and tickets can sell out.

A highlight of the tour is Ludwig’s extravagant throne room, based on the plan of a Byzantine church. A 1-ton chandelier in the shape of a Byzantine crown hangs above the exquisite mosaic floor consisting of 2 million stones — a visual encyclopedia of animals and plant life. Another memorable stop is the king’s Neo-Gothic bedroom, featuring an elaborately carved canopy bed topped with a forest of Gothic church spires, “Tristan and Isolde” wall paintings, and a personal chapel.

A great complement to the crowds and commercialism of Neuschwanstein is a hike up to the stark and brooding ruins of the Ehrenberg Castle ensemble, above the town of Reutte, Austria. Ehrenberg is an especially fine example of the countless castle ruins rotting away on hilltops all over Europe.

It offers lots of medieval wonder to anyone hardy enough to hike up to the top where, amid sword ferns and broken ramparts, you’re practically alone in your own private castle ruins in the Alps. It’s an excellent contrast to Ludwig’s touristy fantasy castle just down the road.

In Roman times, the Via Claudia — the road below Ehrenberg — was the main route between Italy and Germany. About 10,000 tons of precious salt passed through this valley each year, so locals built this complex of fortresses and castles to control traffic and levy tolls on all who passed. The complex consists of four parts from different periods: the old toll buildings on the valley floor; the 13th-century Ehrenberg Castle, built on the hilltop directly above the valley; Schlosskopf, a mightier 18th-century castle on a higher peak; and Fort Claudia, a smaller fortification across the valley.

When I first hiked up to the ruins, it was overgrown with trees and entirely desolate. Ehrenberg Castle crowned its mountain like

an ornery barnacle. The others were lost in a thick forest. I hiked up into the misty mountain of meaningless chunks of castle wall pinned down by Pixy Stix trees and mossy with sword ferns.

It inspired yet confused me.

Today, thanks to the work of local archaeologist Armin Walch, the hungry forest has been cut away, and the castle ensemble has been revealed and renovated. Hiking paths wind through the ruins, signs help orient visitors, and a recently built 1,300-foot-long pedestrian bridge hangs more than 300 feet above the valley floor, connecting Ehrenberg with Fort Claudia. An interactive, kid-friendly museum gives visitors the chance to try on a set of armor, lift replica weapons, and experience the limited vision knights had to put up with when wearing helmets.

It’s fun to balance the over-thetop opulence of Neuschwanstein Castle with the peaceful, ramshackle ruins of Ehrenberg. This mix of famous must-sees and intimate back-door sights - located within each other’s backyards - is, to me, what makes travel in Europe so special.

Rick Steves (www.ricksteves. com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.

“The practice of people owning other people is called slavery. The owned people are called slaves.

They have to work for the owners, doing whatever the owners ask them to do. In the past, many societies had slavery. Now almost all societies consider slavery to be wrong. They consider personal freedom to be a basic human right.”

That is the definition of slavery in the Britannica Encyclopedia for Kids.

Now I’m sure all my readers know the definition of slavery, and they don’t need to have it defined for them as if they were children.

But some people, some adults, still need help with history.

Just the other day, a very powerful man who works in our nation’s capital, wondered why the Civil War couldn’t be stopped. Couldn’t somebody have made a deal? Apparently nobody ever explained to this powerful man that the horror of slavery is what caused the Civil War, and no “deals” could be made on the trafficking, ownership and abuse of human beings. It seems simple enough, but we must not judge this man — who holds the fate of the world in his hands on a daily basis — too harshly. He is, after all, very busy praising dictators around the non-free world. He was impressed that one of them gained power so young — “a smart cookie” he called this man who likes to execute his enemies with massive machine guns. Or poison.

So, to not know American history, to not understand why something as horrible as the Civil War happened — we can’t expect busy adult men to know everything.

Thank goodness for the Encyclopedia Britannica for Kids.

You’re welcome, Mr. President.

THE LAST I heard, the current smash-hit revival of “Sunset Boulevard” is set to close on June 25 — unless there is another extension. I still hope to see this show, starring the great Glenn Close, before that date, or perhaps most excitingly, on that date. As thrilling as opening nights can be — we are still coming off the high of Bette Midler in “Hello, Dolly!” — closing nights can be even more thrilling.

But for fans of Miss Close, and we are legion, if you work fast, you can see the star, and her “Sunset” cast on May 22 at New York City’s Birdland (315 West 44th

Street). This will be a one-nightonly concert titled “Vintage Hollywood” — a musical celebration of the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals. It will be directed by Michael Patrick Walker.

Miss Close is not doing this just for the heck of it. “Vintage Hollywood” is a benefit for Bring Change 2 Mind, which works to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. In fact, this organization was co-founded in 2009 by Close’s family, after a sister and nephew were diagnosed with bipolar and schizoaffective disorders.

So, in all ways, this is an important evening in Manhattan; a good, glamorous and exciting deed in a naughty, needy world. For ticket info visit www.birdlandjazz.com, or call 212-581-3080.

BUT BEFORE you decide on whether or not you want to be a part of Glenn’s special night, why not consider 11 special nights with the one and only, legendary, iconic, words-always-fail-me Chita Rivera, as she returns to NYC’s Cafe Carlyle (May 9 through May 20). Chita received raves and SRO crowds last year at this spot, so she’s back, doing that voodoo that she does so well.

The excitement and humanity that Chita carries within her and conveys to her audience has only been burnished by time. She is an artist (and a human being) nonpareil. Speaking as we were above about great opening and closing nights, Chita’s for “The Visit,” a little over a year ago, remains in the top five most thrilling experiences I’ve ever had in a Broadway theater. I mean, just the ovations.

Then she performed!

For reservations call 212-7441600.

MOST OF you who read this space have followed for weeks our ongoing critique of Ryan Murphy’s “Feud: Bette and Joan.” It purported to tells the tale of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, working together in “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” and “Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte” (the latter film Crawford withdrew from after several weeks of shooting, replaced

by Olivia de Havilland.)

Susan Sarandon, who played Bette, and Mr. Murphy’s muse, Jessica Lange, as Joan, gave brilliant Emmy-worthy performances.

Still, right from the start, despite the fine work of the ladies, (not to mention Stanley Tucci as Jack Warner, Kathy Bates as Joan

Demi’s

Blondell and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Olivia de Havilland) the series couldn’t help but fall into inaccuracies, exaggerations and a rather grisly camp mentality. This was exemplified most vividly when Murphy set up a scene between Joan and her William Morris agents. It was staged almost exactly as was Faye Dunaway’s famous “Don’t f!@* with me, fellas” moment in “Mommie Dearest” with Crawford facing off with Pepsi-Cola execs. (Indeed, Jessica had to utter that profanity as she raged at her agents.) One has to assume Jessica Lange was unaware of this. She said she’d never seen the controversial “Mommie” and would never do so, in fact.

Her goal — and that of Mr. Murphy, supposedly — was to “rehabilitate” Crawford’s reputation and to show what both women had to contend with, in a Hollywood not kind to aging women. “Feud” certainly had its moments, and much was made of Crawford’s insecurities stemming from a terrible childhood, but the exploitation aspects seemed at times to overwhelm the “good intentions.”

Last week we received this note from Rick Gould, who writes the very smart movie blog, “Rick’s Real/Reel Life.” I’m going to give Mr. Gould the last word: “I watched ‘Feud’ with mixed feelings. What always amazes me about Ryan Murphy is how he can provide a genuinely moving scene one moment, followed by one that feels false and sensationalistic.

“The scenes with Joan’s increasingly lonely way of life were touching and ones that many of us with aging family could relate to,” said Gould. “But the opening scenes, depicting Joan bombed and bumbling around on the ‘Trog’ set, even trying on the Trog mask ... egads! Plus, didn’t producer Herman Cohen of ‘Trog’ and ‘Berserk’ debunk these myths? So, why show this if you claim to be ‘rehabilitating’ Crawford’s image?

“And the same with Bette,” he continued. “I do not believe she ever made the infamous ‘Crawford dead ... good’ quote. Did this come from Charles Pierce’s nightclub impersonation of Davis? Then it became a meme. Now it’s been depicted on ‘Feud.’

“And now accepted as truth.”

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

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VARIETY Continued from page 7 “As I reached the end of my 6 year contract on ONCE UPON A TIME, I was faced with a significant decision. ABC, Eddy Kitsis, and Adam Horowitz very generously invited me to continue as a series regular. After very careful consideration, I have decided that creatively and personally, it is time for me to move on,” she wrote.

“As I move on to other creative endeavors, I will continue to attend the fan conventions whenever my professional schedule allows,” she continued. “I always look forward meeting the fans. If ABC Network does in fact order a season 7, I have agreed to appear in one episode, and I will most certainly continue to watch ONCE UPON A TIME. The creativity of the show runners has always inspired me, and I cannot wait to see the ways that they continue to develop and reinvent the show.”

The series has seen a dramatic drop in live ratings over the course

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Jennifer Morrison attends the FOX Fall Eco-Casino Party in West Hollywood, California, September 24, 2007.

of its run, currently averaging a 1.0 rating in adults 18-49 and 3.2 million total viewers, down approximately thirty percent in both measures from Season 5.

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