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THE REGIONAL NEWS Named best small weekly in Illinois five times by the Illinois Press Association
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Serving Palos, Orland and Worth townships and neighboring communities
76th Year, NO. 22 • 3 Sections
Rauner calls for property tax freeze Governor meets Orland couple By Anthony Caciopo Regional News Editor
Property tax relief was the focus of a backyard press conference Friday in Orland Park that brought the governor, the mayor and the news media together with a frustrated local couple. Homeowner Andrea “Andi” Borucke held up a tax bill she and her husband, Ken, pay for their house and property on Seminole Court.
“I always thought retirement meant enjoying the time we have left, not continuing to work (to pay taxes),” she said as TV cameras rolled.”To supplement our income, Ken has taken on a job as a substitute teacher.” Gov. Bruce Rauner and Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau flanked the Borucke couple as Andi explained her dissatisfaction with a taxation situation she considers burdensome. “The current system doesn’t work and hurts working families like ours that have done everything right,” she said. “We go to work, we pay our bills and we provide for our families. We keep paying
more and more taxes but see little in return.” Rauner took hold of the tax bill as Borucke held it aloft and said “This is what we need to reduce right here,” he said. “These taxes are too high.” Not unpredictably, Rauner blamed Illinois Democrats, led by House Speaker Michael Madigan, “Budget Clock” for blocking a property tax freeze which the governor wants as a passing a tax hike with no lasting precondition to an agreement on property tax relief.” Not so, said State Sen. Steven the state budget. “We cannot have the General Landek (D-11) who explains in Assembly pass a massive tax on a column on Page 4 of today’s income and sales and not provide Regional News that what Rauner property tax relief that is true and lasting,” he said. “They ended up See PROPERTY TAX, Page 3
Photos by Anthony Caciopo
Homeowner Andrea Borucke and Gov. Bruce Rauner display her tax bill at a news conference held last week protesting Illinois property taxes. To the couple’s right is Mayor Keith Pekau. The governor’s appearance was marked by a visit of the “budget clock” from a political rival, citing 695 days without a state budget.
Queen of Peace closes its doors High school hosts its final graduation By Dermot Connolly Staff Writer
The final commencement exercises ever at Queen of Peace High School are now a memory, a bittersweet experience as tears mixed with cheers. The Catholic school for girls, at 7659 S. Linder Ave. in Burbank since the Sinsinawa Dominican order of nuns founded it in 1963, closed its doors permanently last Friday due to financial hardship. In its long history the school drew its enrollment from many Southwest Chicago neighborhoods and Southwest suburbs. This year’s commencement was
especially meaningful for the 80 young women in the Class of 2017. Many graduates admitted shedding tears at the ceremony, but the mood was celebratory in at the reception afterward in the cafeteria, as the graduates with diplomas in hand posed for photos with family and friends. The senior class chose Principal Catherine Klod as their graduation speaker. Salutatorians Natalie Jurek and Katie Cerven, and Patricia Fox, who was co-Woman of the Year with Jurek, also spoke before valedictorian Kelly Fitzgerald of Chicago Ridge. Calling them “a hard act to follow,” Fitzgerald said being named valedictorian “the greatest honor I’ve ever received.” See QUEEN OF PEACE, Page 2
Photos by Anthony Caciopo
Members of American Legion Post 111, based in Orland Park, took part in two Memorial Day ceremonies Monday. The first was at Christ Lutheran Cemetery; the second at the Village Green. Walking in formation following their volley of rifle shots at the cemetery were Honor Guard (from front) Gregory Bowling, Pat Rafferty, Ralph Bechtold, Thomas Bakota, Jerry Junkas, David Kemp and a seventh member (obscured).
Memorial Day calls to mind ultimate sacrifices By Anthony Caciopo Regional News Editor
From car dealers to mattress stores to signage on a drinking establishment spotted last year here in the southwest suburbs, Memorial Day is often associated with commerce. Memorial Day sale! Memorial Day closeout! Memorial Day special: Bud Lite, $1.50. Yes, even beer promotions. “It’s the American way,” said David Kemp, Honor Guard member of American Legion Post 111 in Orland Park. “Business is business. I try not to concentrate on it. I have a different meaning for Memorial Day.” Indeed, not all references to Memorial Day involve crass commercialization. More benignly, the holiday has come to symbolize the start of summer—a time of cookouts and leisure. But for the men and women who serve or have served in the military, as well as friends, loved ones and others who are aware of the day’s significance, at least part of the holiday was spent in solemn remembrance. This past Memorial Day, with mild temperatures and a clear blue sky, a dozen members of Post 111 gathered at Christ Lutheran Cemetery on 82nd Avenue near 147th Street to honor those who gave their lives for the country. Upon their early arrival at the cemetery, the conversation was casual among the men and the camaraderie flowed. A visitor was invited to examine seven M1A rifles that would be used later in a ceremonial discharge of 21 shots. Spectators, numbering almost 100, began arriving with lawn chairs. Flags of all five branches of the military flew in the breeze. Soon, however, the serious business at See MEMORIAL DAY, Page 2
Good days, good Knights It was a huge holiday weekend for the Chicago Christian athletic program. Senior Ben Friesen of Orland Park (left photo) became the first Knight since 1993 to win an Illinois High School Association track championship when he won the Class 1A 400 meter run Saturday in Charleston. He also took fourth in the long jump. The Knights baseball team (top photo) jumped and ran seconds after beating Timothy Christian, 7-0, Monday to win the Class 2A Benedictine Supersectional in Lisle and to qualify for the state finals. It’s the first time in school history the Knights (39-1) advanced that far and will take on St. Joseph Ogden at 3 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals at Dozer Park in Peoria. For more, see Sports.
Thomas Chambers of American Legion Post 111 played “Taps” at Christ Lutheran Cemetery on 82nd Avenue, where 77 veterans are buried. For a look at Memorial Day ceremonies in Palos Heights and Palos Park, see Page 2.
Photos by Jeff Vorva
Rain or Shine Saturday, June 17, 2017 6:00AM-2:00PM Lake Sedgewick, Orland Park 15600 West Ave., Orland Park Part of Illinois FREE Fishing Day’s Weekend NO Fishing license needed for this event for Adult or Child.
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2 Thursday, June 1, 2017
The Regional News
POLICE BLOTTER: PALOS PARK Cannabis possession Cameron C. Farmer, 19, of Orland Park, was charged with one count of possession of cannabis following a traffic stop in the 12700 block of Southwest Highway at 11:15 p.m. May 17. Police said he was also issued a
written warning for speeding. He is due at a hearing at Palos Park Village Hall on June 7.
Suspended license Nathan Reid, 36, of Tinley Park was charged with driving with a suspended license following a
two-vehicle accident at 8:17 a.m. in the 12000 block of South 80th Avenue last Thursday. No injuries were reported. Police said Reid was also cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving a car with expired registration. He is due in court June 12.
POLICE BLOTTER: ORLAND PARK Two charged talking on phones while driving
Personal thanks on Memorial Day
Photo by Dermot Connolly
World War II veterans Jim Matela (left) of Hickory Hills and Rich Olund of Palos Park join Palos Heights resident Kathy Lovitt for a photo during her annual Memorial Day celebration held Friday at McDonald’s, 11050 Southwest Highway, in Palos Hills. Lovitt is holding a collage memorializing her father, Clifford Lovitt, who was a World War II fighter pilot involved in Operation Halyard in German-occupied Serbia.
Orland Park police charged Jordan N. Copack, 22, of Orland Park, with using an electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle, as well as driving on a revoked license, after police stopped her car in the 15800 block of South LaGrange Road at 3:42 p.m. May 3. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and Copack was scheduled to appear in court in Bridgeview last Friday. Tinley Park resident Andrew Harrison, 21, was charged with using an electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia, after police curbed his car in the 15400 block of South Harlem Avenue at 8:43 p.m. May 7. Police said they found
a smoking pipe and a cannabis grinder in the vehicle. Harrison is due at a hearing at the Orland Park Civic Center on June 13.
Charge New York pair with identity theft Police charged Yaniel D. Estrella, 27, of Bronx, N.Y. with identity theft after he allegedly used the personal information of a 20-yearold Miami, Fla. man to purchase two iPhones from the Apple Store in Orland Square Mall at 6:58 p.m. May 3. Also charged with identity theft was Estrella’s companion, Eduardo A. Santos-Cruz, 23, of New York City, who reportedly tried to purchase an iPhone using another person’s information. A third person with them, Sandro Fernandez, 34, of Yonkers, N.Y., was charged with possession
of stolen property after he was found to be carrying six iPhones obtained fraudulently, according to the police report. Their rented SUV was towed and impounded. Fernandez was released on bond. Estrella and Santos-Cruz were due at bond hearings on May 4.
Swiped groceries from Mariano’s, police say Orland Park resident Marwan I. Khouri, 58, was charged with retail theft after he allegedly stole assorted groceries from Mariano’s, 9504 W. 142nd St., at 8:40 p.m. May 3. Acting on license-plate information provided by Mariano’s employees, police apprehended Khouri at his home and recovered the groceries, according to the police report. He is due in court in Bridgeview on June 15.
POLICE BLOTTER: PALOS HEIGHTS Suspended license Dennis Sangster, 25, of Bolingbrook, was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 9:10 a.m. Friday, in the 6200 block of West Route 83. Police said he was also cited for suspended registration, driving without insurance and driving without a seatbelt. He is due in court on July 14. Michael J. McComb, 30, of Palos Heights, was charged with driving with a suspended driver’s license following a traffic stop at 1:08 a.m. Saturday, in the 6200 block of West Route 83. Police said he was also cited for having expired registration. He is due in court on June 14. Ahmed S. Darmoony, 26, of
Queen of Peace Continued from Page 1
Residents of Palos Heights and Palos Park marked Memorial Day with individual ceremonies Monday. Members of the Orland-Palos Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2604 (top photo) march toward their positions for a “Firing Squad Salute” outside Palos Heights City Hall, 7607 West College Drive. Emily Urban (left) recited the Gettysburg Address from memory. At Oak Hill Cemetery in Palos Park Gale Shafer (upper right photo, at left) and Eles Miller, both of the Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution Swallow Cliff Chapter, explain the significance of the wreath of flowers they will place next to the Veterans Monument at the cemetery. Palos Township Highway Commissioner Gene Adams (right photo, at left) embraces Orland-Palos VFW Post 2604 member and Korean War veteran Fritz Mulhausen after the ceremony. Photos by Dermot Connolly (top and left) and by Michael Gilbert (bottom and right).
Memorial Day Continued from Page 1
hand would begin. Following pre-service music provided by the Christ Lutheran Choir, Raymond M. Rohlfs, senior administrative pastor opened with an invocation and prayer. “Our president and Congress have proclaimed this Memorial Day to be a day of prayer for permanent peace,” said Rohlfs, as he began the ceremony and welcomed the attendees. “We remember that freedom is not free and we honor the departed and fallen in securing our peace as we gather for this memorial time of commemoration and prayer.” Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day (for the practice of decorating graves with flowers) was established in the 1860s as an annual, national holiday to remember people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. It differs from Veterans Day, which is a day to honor the service of all military veterans. In tight formation, the Post 111 Color Guard marched forward and
posted flags of the United States and of the American Legion. Pastor Rohlfs read the names of 77 military veterans who are buried at Christ Lutheran Cemetery. A short time later, seven riflemen with the Post 111 Honor Guard each fired three shots in unison, providing what the public commonly refers to as a 21-gun salute. Thomas Chambers of Post 111 played the haunting, mournful melody of “Taps” on a bugle. The Pledge of Allegiance, the Star-Spangled Banner, hymns, a gospel lesson, prayers and a benediction took place at various points in the ceremony. The colors were retired and the attendees headed back to their vehicles, or in some cases, walked among the gravestones. The men of Post 111 would eventually move on to another ceremony later in the day at the Orland Park Village Green, were a much larger crowd awaited. The smaller ceremony in the cemetery that morning, however, also had a large impact. “My brother was killed in Vietnam, and whenever I go through one of these ceremonies—espe-
cially when I hear ‘Taps’—I get choked up,” said Honor Guard Captain John Schaddelee. His brother, William Donald Schaddlee, had only 14 days left on his second tour of duty with the Army when he was killed. Ralph Bechtold, also with the Post 111 Honor Guard, spent 27 years with the U.S. Navy beginning with active duty in 1950 and ending with the reserves in 1976. While he stood in the cemetery, and later at the Orland Park Village Green, Bechtold said he is “very even-tempered about the ceremonies themselves. Being a corpsman and working in hospitals as a civilian, I’ve been around death and dying and it doesn’t really affect me. “What comes to mind all the time are parents and family members,” Bechtold said. “I remember during World War II all the Gold Star families, the people that I knew, it touches my inner being. “Alone, in the quiet time, these thoughts about the ones who aren’t here anymore, who enlisted at my own age—19—some kids were 17 when they got in. I remember them. It brings a tear to my eye.”
“I want to do all of you justice (with this speech), especially since we are the last graduating class from Queen of Peace High School, and I am the last valedictorian to speak on this stage.” “In my mind, writing this speech meant saying “Goodbye”, and I wanted to put that off for as long as I could. I wasn’t ready. I’m still not ready. But that is what life’s all about, isn’t it? Our whole lives can change in one single moment. As exciting as that thought may be, it’s also kind of terrifying. Everything we know is about to change.” Both she and Katie Cerven are among the Queen of Peace students experiencing a school closing for the second time, having come from Mount Assisi Academy in Lemont when that school closed three years ago, following their freshman year. “Mount Assisi closing was one of the hardest things I’ve had to face, but it was also one of the best things that’s ever happened to me because here I am, standing before you today. When faced with a major change, we often feel as if though our world is ending. In some ways it is. Graduating high school is an end, yes, but it’s also a new beginning. This chapter of our lives is over, but not the whole book. We’re just getting started,” said Fitzgerald. “We’ve seen the best of times together and the worst of times. We’ve made memories that will last a lifetime in these very halls. We’ve also endured the loss of friends and family members. We’ve seen our friends and classmates struggle with issues that no 17- or 18-year- old should face. We’ve been forced to grow up in a lot of ways. These moments are not what define us, though. Our ability to overcome these tragedies are what define us.” “This is not just a school, and we are no average class,” she continued. “On Jan. 24, 2017, we received the news that our beloved school was closing. There’s a common saying that goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone”, which is true. “Every day I got to school and I went through the motions, never taking the time to appreciate all that I had. I knew we would be graduating this year, but when I found out the news I was so upset because we were supposed to leave the school, the school wasn’t supposed to leave us. But it’s not. Regardless of what happens to the building, your legacy remains the same. You were here. You walked
Tinley Park, was charged with driving with a suspended driver’s license following a traffic stop at 3:32 a.m. Sunday, in the 13400 block of South Ridgeland Avenue. Police said he was also cited for having only one headlight. He is due in court on July 14.
June 14.
Illegal alcohol consumption
Vandalism reports
Christopher J. McGuire, 19, of Oak Forest, was issued a local ordinance violation for possession and consumption of alcohol by a minor following a traffic stop at 12:50 a.m. Sunday, in the 13400 block of South Ridgeland Avenue. Police said he failed field sobriety tests. He was also cited for driving without insurance and not wearing a seatbelt. He is due in court on
Someone knocked over and shattered a clay landscaping pot in front of a home in the 12200 block of South Harold Avenue at 11:30 p.m. Sunday, police were told. Several windows on a building in the 12600 block of South Ridgeland Avenue were shot and damaged by BB gun pellets sometime within the last month, police said.
these halls,” said Fizgerald. “You spent four years of your life changing and learning and making mistakes and growing. We all grew up here. None of us are the same as we were four years ago. The thought of not having this place to come back to breaks my heart, but as so many have said, Queen of Peace is not a building. It’s you,” she said. “It’s the values that have been instilled in you. It’s your teachers and the faculty and staff. It’s the smiling faces. It’s the memories you’ve made. All of us sitting in this room are Queen of Peace. Home is not a building. We are your home, and we will be here to come back to no matter what.” She advised her classmates to think for themselves. “You should absolutely value other people’s opinions, but this is your life… How other people see you is nothing in comparison to how you see yourself. I’m sorry that’s really cheesy, but it’s true. I am valedictorian of this class, which has been the greatest honor of my life, but I don’t want to be a doctor or lawyer or thousands of dollars in debt. I’m not going to Harvard or Yale. I’m going to Moraine Valley Community College to study theater,” she revealed. “I know there are good times ahead. I know that there will be tough times, too. We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we react. Thanks to Queen of Peace, I trust that we all have the ability to go forward and create our own path to follow…I started high school shy and anxious, but now, I’m ready for whatever life throws my way. And for the times that I can’t handle what life throws at me, I have a community of sisters to fall back on.” “Don’t waste a single moment, and no matter what people tell you, you can change the world. Your ideas and beliefs matter. Your voice deserves to be heard, and when the world doesn’t listen, then shout. Ask any of the teachers, they know how loud we can be.
She ended with a quote from St. Catherine of Siena, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” Opha Mulrenin was there to see her neighbor, Athena Zoller, graduate. “It was kind of sad,” she said, but she had high praise for Fitzgerald. “As a retired Chicago Public Schools teacher, I have been to a lot of these, and heard a lot of speeches. But hers really was the best,” she said. “The ceremony was sad. I am going to miss this school,” said Cerven afterward. Katie Spencer agreed that the closing is sad. “But it’s kind of a relief, that we finished everything,” she said with a smile. She is looking forward to studying civil engineering and Spanish at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the fall. “She got a great education here. Some of these teachers are unbelievable,” said her father, Bryan Spencer. “It is a shame that it is closing. If they just had 15 more students it might have stayed open.” “It is bittersweet. I’m sad about it closing. Queen of Peace really is a great school,” said Arianna Jones who is going on to North Central College. “It’s a very good school. We are very sad to see it close,” said parent Bridget Carey of Burbank, who was in the Pride Shop with her daughter, Mikayla, and her classmate, Isslee Lee. The girls will be at different schools now. Mikayla is among some 148 Queen of Peace students moving to St. Laurence High School next door, which is welcoming Queen of Peace students before becoming fully co-ed in the coming years. Lee is going to Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights. “I was in tears listening to (Fitzgerald). I tilted my head back to stop the tears and my hat fell off,” said graduate Alejandra Zavala. “But that is how life is,” she said, looking forward to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale now.
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Hit-and-run accident Police said an unknown vehicle struck the rear bumper of a vehicle left parked and unattended in the 6400 block of West 127th Street at 11:30 a.m. last Thursday.
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The Regional News
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Lipinski act to aid flyers In the wake of the recent intolerable treatment of a United Airlines passenger and other unacceptable incidents on commercial flights, U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-3rd) is introducing the Airline Consumer Protection Act. The bill requires airlines to provide better service, accommodations, and guarantees of timely arrival for all airline passengers. “Flying commercial airlines has become an all-too-often unpleasant experience,” Lipinski said. “While United and other airlines recently have taken some laudable steps to improve their treatment of passengers, we must do more to provide the flying public with greater protections and service guarantees. When flights are overbooked, computer systems crash, or other problems occur where the airline is at fault, passengers are left with little recourse and few options to get to their destination. This bill would make the overall flying experience less worrisome, and would result in greater certainty for passengers arriving at their destinations in a timely manner and how they will be treated when there are delays.” The main provisions of the Airline Consumer Protection Act are: • First, mandatory procedures for airlines to follow to accommodate passengers on another air-
line’s flight should their scheduled flight be delayed for reasons within the airline’s control. If the delay exceeds four hours and the airline cannot rebook the passenger on their airline, they must seek flights on another airline to get the passenger to their destination, a process called “interlining.” Some airlines already do this, but it is not universally used by all commercial airlines and some will only do it if a passenger makes a special request. • Second, in the case of significant delays that are the fault of the airline, the ACPA would require airlines to provide meal vouchers, and—for overnight delays—hotel accommodations or cash equivalents. This provision would also stipulate that airlines assure access to restrooms and medical support should passengers be delayed in nighttime, diminished-service settings. • Third, as we have witnessed multiple times in recent years, the failure of an airline’s computer system can bring down their entire national network and render passengers across the nation stuck at airports for prolonged delays until the computer networks are restored. Over the last two years, network disruptions have occurred no less than 35 times, stranding millions.
In order to spur airlines to solve the problem regarding network disruption delays, the ACPA takes several steps: • Requires each airline to submit a plan to the FAA detailing how they will manage their passengers in the case of network failure and their efforts to assure redundancy and resilience of their networks to prevent any failures or disruptions from occurring. • Requires a Government Accountability Office audit of airline computer networks and an examination of the most common causes of failures or disruptions. • Establishes a government-industry working group to create best practices for the management of airline computer networks and disruption/failure mitigation and response. Finally, the ACPA includes language from a bill Lipinski introduced last Congress that prevents airlines from charging a fee to change flights if an aircraft’s bathroom isn’t working. “Airlines move millions of Americans daily in a safe fashion and mostly on time, but problems continue to occur. The measures of the ACPA — if enacted into law — will help protect airline passengers and hopefully give them more peace of mind as they travel,” Lipinski said.
Photo by Anthony Caciopo
Harlem Ave. crash leaves no one injured, police say
A two-vehicle crash that occurred about noon on Friday caused a considerable traffic backup but resulted in no injuries in the 12100 block of South Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights, police said. Palos Heights Deputy Chief William Czajkowski Jr. said one vehicle heading east was attempting to cross 121st Street at Harlem when it collided with another vehicle traveling south on Harlem. “The damage to the cars was significant and both had to be towed from the scene,” said Czajkowski. He said ambulances were called, but both drivers declined treatment, saying they were not injured. No citations were issued to either driver, Czajkowski said.
Village limits outdoor water usage The Village of Orland Park’s Water Conservation Program is in effect year-round, limiting outdoor water usage to between 7 and 11 a.m. and 7 and 11 p.m. From May 15 through Sept. 15, outdoor water usage is further restricted to the odd/even address system. Outdoor water usage— lawn sprinkling, washing cars, watering flowers, etc.—is limited according to the address of the building, both business and residential. Homes and businesses with ad-
dresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8, may sprinkle between 7 and 11 a.m. or 7 and 11 p.m. on even-numbered days only. Homes and businesses with addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 may sprinkle between 7 and 11 a.m. and 7 and 11 p.m. on odd-numbered days only. Regulated outdoor water use includes, but is not limited to all lawn and garden sprinkling by hose-fed sprinklers or underground irrigation systems for residential and commercial properties, all
non-commercial car washing, residential pool maintenance and other similar uses. According to the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Services, lawns are equipped for hot, dry conditions. Instead of wilting and dying like many plants, they simply go dormant if they’ve been established for a year.
Photo by Anthony Caciopo
Classic Car Event preparation hits the road
A couple of really “special” people, Bonnie and Bob Starzyk of Palos Heights pose with their 1956 Buick Special, one of several vintage Buicks they own. Bob and co-chairman John Handley are currently preparing for the 14th annual Classic Car Event that will be held on Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights on July 20. Bob can be reached for more information at (708) 334-4848.
Orland Grassland named as ‘Important Bird Area’ Orland Grassland was recently designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the National Audubon Society. The site is already protected as part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County as a Land and Water Reserve and is considered one of the top ten sites in Illinois where birders can spot the inconspicuous Henslow’s Sparrow. Orland Grassland—located near 167th and LaGrange Road, joins a global effort of Birdlife International and the National Audubon Society to identify, conserve and monitor a network of sites that provide essential habitat for bird populations. Orland has achieved the recognition due to the documented abundance of breeding Henslow’s Sparrows, as well as providing habitat for other bird species. “Orland provides critical breeding habitat for several Illinois bird species in the greatest need of conservation,” said Nat Miller, Director of Conservation for Audubon Great Lakes. The Illinois’ Important Bird Area Technical Committee also noted the remarkable diversity of bird species present throughout the year, and was particularly impressed that species richness is consistently improving along with the increased size and overall ecological integrity of the site. “Recognition like this is only
The National Alliance for Caregiving reports that 29 percent of the U.S. population, or 65 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year. They also report that these caregivers spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one. PLOWS Council on Aging can assist family caregivers in benefit-
Property Tax Continued from Page 1
calls a tax hike by Democrats is, in fact, a vital spending plan that includes $3 billion in spending cuts in addition to $5.5 billion in added tax revenue. According to Landek, the plan is necessary because of the state’s mountainous debt of $14.5 billion in unpaid bills, estimated to grow by $11 million each day and may total as much as $30 billion by the end of Rauner’s term as governor if he does not sign a budget. “If we continue to let this bill backlog grow exponentially, that $5 billion tax increase will be just a fraction of the revenue needed to get us out of this mess,” he said in his column. On the day of the news conference, illustrating the gulf between Democrats and Republicans on matters of state financing was an appearance by a costumed
ing from respite services. Respite service creates some free time for the caregiver by providing temporary care for the family member. Those caring for an individual older than 60 who depends on them for every day needs and need a break in the caregiving routine, respite can give them an occasional reprieve. Respite can be provided in the home, at an adult day care service facility, or in a long term care facility. For more information, call PLOWS at (708) 361-0219. character nicknamed the “budget clock.” It walked in front of the Borucke home holding a sign with the numbers 695, indicating the number of days the state has been without a budget. Cameras clicked and cellphones videoed the “clock” as it stood beside the driveway and waved at the black Ford Expedition carrying Rauner. As he exited the vehicle on the opposite side of the character, the governor made no acknowledgement of seeing it, which reportedly is being financed by Democratic gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker. In her backyard, Andi said she and her husband have considered options to reduce their tax burden. The couple has lived in Orland Park for 42 years. “We’ve looked at downsizing to a townhouse but it saves us barely anything on our property taxes,” she said. “We even thought about moving to Indiana but at this time we’ve chosen to stay in our home.”
possible when we have joint effort from numerous organizations working toward the same goal,” said Arnold Randall, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. “The Orland Grassland Volunteers, in coordination with the Forest Preserves as well as other partner agencies, have been able to make a remarkable impact on this land through various restoration efforts, such as clearing invasive brush and planting native species.” Henslow’s Sparrow, a small migratory songbird, faced an uncertain future as grasslands gave way to agriculture across the Midwest through the late 20th century. With an annual average rate of population decline close to eight percent for nearly 30 years, Henslow’s appeared on a path towards extinction. “The rapid decline of Henslow’s Sparrow was halted in the mid90s largely thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program, which compensates farmers who restore grasslands on their lands,” said Jim Herkert, Executive Director of the Illinois Audubon Society. “However, the continued loss of grasslands and invasion of woody brush remain a threat to Henslow’s breeding habitat.” According to Miller, “It all starts with stewardship and there is an incredible array of people working to
save these threatened grasslands. Most impressive are the dozens of dedicated volunteer stewards who commit their weekends, days off, even all of their retirement working to restore native prairies. There is no better example of this than at Orland.” “We could not be more pleased and honored with this designation,” said Pat Hayes, volunteer Site Steward for Orland Grassland. “Our volunteers worked very hard over the past 15 years, nurturing this habitat back to vibrant good health and monitoring and collecting bird data to support the nomination application criteria. Particular thanks go to Mike McNamee’s undaunting bird monitoring over the past two years, Marnie Baker’s efforts crunching decades of data for the application process, and to Jeanne Muellner Stacey and Suzanne Koglin for their outstanding leadership for the Orland Grassland Grand Birding Event for 10 years.” Those interested in visiting Orland Grassland for guided hikes are invited to attend a free community event beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, June 3. During the event, attendees can join a bird walk at 7 a.m., as well as hikes going out at 9 and 10:30 a.m. A formal dedication ceremony will be planned for later this fall.
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4 Thursday, June 1, 2017
Senate budget a necessary step to advance certainty, stability, reform Last week, I voted for stability, predictability and certainty for the state of Illinois. I voted for a budget, because for two years Illinois has lacked one, plunging us deeper in debt by $11 million each day. In those two years, millions have lost access to social services, state colleges have entered “junk bond” status, and the state has become a laughingstock, all because of the obstinacy of personalities too big for the offices they hold. Because of this, Illinois sits on the precipice of $14.5 billion in unpaid bills that could increase to $30 billion by the end of Gov. Rauner’s term if he doesn’t sign a budget. That alone could set our economy back decades. With this problem in mind, Senate Democrats passed a spending plan that includes $3 billion in spending cuts and $5.5 billion in added tax revenue. As the saying goes, a stitch, in time, saves nine. If we continue to let this bill backlog grow exponentially, that $5 billion tax increase will be just a fraction of the revenue needed to get us out of this mess. That’s why we took responsible action to balance the budget and provide funding for programs that are on the verge of collapse because of our callous inactivity in Springfield. What we have accomplished is progress for a state that is on the brink of disaster, but you wouldn’t know it from the headlines that come across your social media feeds. So our recent progress bears repeating: We passed comprehensive P-12 education funding reform for the first time in over two decades, and approved a budget that invests $286 million new dollars in the formula. We invested in higher education, providing full-year funding for universities and community colleges. We invested in our students, allocating $364 million in funding for MAP grants that are necessary for low-income students to further their education. We also voted for several government reform proposals, including a two-year property tax freeze, procurement reform and responsible pension reform. In short, we laid the groundwork for a responsible, certain and stable path forward. All of these actions, which I supported, were results of months of bipartisan negotiation. Unfortunately, they received minimal Republican support because as we neared the finish line with just a week left of this legislative session, demands were continually changed. So we went it alone and responsibly moved the ball forward because inaction is no longer an option. Now, the governor and his partisan allies have rushed to their social media pages, filing press releases rich with rhetoric but void of solutions to our unprecedented problems. But the fact is our state is facing mountainous debt, and we can’t dig ourselves out of this hole with cuts alone. We have proposed a plan that is balanced and complete without including even a single penny more in spending than was requested by the governor in his budget proposal. The difference between the two is ours is balanced and the governor’s is $5 billion short. That’s not sustainable, and with a phony budget such as the one proposed by the governor, Illinois can’t get out of this mess. Think of all the services our state offers to you and your loved ones: Veteran and senior services, disability support, childcare services and countless others. Think of benefits these programs offer to Illinoisans, then understand that all of them disappear if we don’t have a budget. And that’s why I voted in support of stability and certainty for our state.
OPINION
The Regional News
STEVEN LANDEK
READERS WRITE Story about long-distance flag earns a reader’s medal Dear Editor, I wish to thank reporter Jessie Molloy for her story, “U.S. flag takes a medal in long-distance travel” featured in the May 18th Regional News. Through her words, she captured the excitement and beauty of the unique Olympic experience that my son, Michael Cappozzo, and I enjoyed during our trip to the Rio Olympics in 2016. Meeting bronze medalist Jenny Simpson,
By Jack Murray
Letters Policy
Chuck Ingwersen, Designer
Southwest Regional Publishing 12243 S. Harlem Ave. Palos Heights, IL 60463 Phone: (708) 448-4000 Fax: (708) 448-4012 Website: www.theregionalnews.com email: TheRegional@comcast.net Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Deadlines Editorial: Noon, Saturday • Advertising: 5 p.m., Monday Subscription rates: Local, delivered by mail, $48 a year in advance. Out-of-State, $58 a year. Single copies, $1. Postmaster: Send address changes to THE REGIONAL NEWS, 12243 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights, IL 60463 and additional post offices. The Regional News cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material. USPS 419-260 Periodical postage paid at Palos Heights, IL 60463 and additional post offices. Entered as periodical mail at the Post Office at Palos Heights, IL, 60643 and additional post offices under the Act of March 3, 1879. © Entire contents copyright 2015 Southwest Regional Publishing
This newspaper is dedicated to the memory of those who gave their lives to protect America’s freedom of the press, whenever and however it may be threatened.
Thanks for ‘Cop on Rooftop’ fundraising aid Dear Editor, The weather was cold and rainy, but hearts were warm and full of sun today. Palos Park Police are
grateful for the generosity of our local community. Officers collected over $3,000 for the Special Olympics! All proceeds have been accounted for, secured, and will be delivered to the Special Olympics staff who will present a check during the next special Olympics opening ceremonies. The smiles, handshakes, and thanks from the public were very comforting for me and our staff in a time where there is much discomfort in our profession. I couldn’t help but get choked
up when a three-year-old girl handed me a donation and said “thank you officer.” It reminds us of what really matters! We are also thankful for our community partners at our local Dunkin’ Donuts stores. The support they give us every year is appreciated, and it solidifies our partnerships in the community for the betterment of all who live or travel in Palos Park. Joe Miller Palos Park Chief of Police
National health care system is flawed and inefficient
Over the last few months as Congress was attempting to fix the problems with our national health care system, I was attempting to fix some medical problems of my own. During my frustrating encounters with 11 different doctors (most of whom were specialists), I received an enlightening education on the myriad of flaws with the current state of health care in the United States. The odyssey of fun with any doctor begins with the process of scheduling an appointment. After wading through an elaborate phone tree that never has the option I want, I press zero hoping to reach a human voice. Steven Landek is the state senator from the 11th Illinois Senate While trying to ignore the irritating hold Muzak, I eagerly District. He is also the mayor of the Village of Bridgeview. He await the possibility of actually also is Chairman of Southwest Community Publishing Co. speaking to someone. Unfortunately, 10 minutes pass before I finally hear a recorded message that someone will call me back. Invariably, that someone calls The Regional News encourages letters to the editor. me back when I am in the Local content is strongly suggested and will be given first bathroom, causing me to miss consideration. Letters must be signed and the name of the the call by seconds. Quickly, I writer will be published. Include your telephone number dial the phone number left on for verification purposes. Limit letters to no more than 350 my voicemail message only to words. We reserve the right to edit letters. encounter the same phone tree E-mail letters to: theregional@comcast.net again. Too tired to fight with a long, recorded message, I opt to try again the next day. The next day’s efforts are a bit more fruitful because I decide to carry my phone with me everywhere I go, including the bathroom. Success! A human voice informs me that they must review my insurance plan before I can schedule an appointment. Thankfully, I have good insurance, so I hear back Owned and operated by Southwest Regional Publishing Co. within a few hours, right before my next trip to the bathroom. Mark Hornung, Chief Operating Officer The first available appointment is four weeks away at 8 a.m. The Business Side The News Side Donna Brown, Sales Director Anthony Caciopo, Editor on a Saturday. Of course, I Monica Cotter, Finance Director Dermot Connolly, Reporter need to arrive 15 minutes early Debbie Perrewe, Classified Manager Jeff Vorva, Sports Editor to complete an entire ream of Mike Russell, Production Director Lauren Ziemann, Art Director paperwork. Rita Crosley, Pre-press Manager
learning of her amazing perseverance, giving her our American flag, resulting in her sending it back to Palos Heights...it was all there. Jessie, you nailed it! Sincerely, Suzanne Cappozzo Palos Heights
A trip to the doctor Upon arriving at the doctor’s office a half-hour early, I ponder how anyone could finish all this paperwork in 15 minutes. As I hand the completed forms to the receptionist, I observe a sign that reads, “If you are over 15 minutes late for your appointment, you must reschedule a new appointment on a different day.” Wishfully, I interpret this to mean the doctor will see me within 15 minutes, but of course that does not happen. So, I wait and wait until the nurse calls my name. The annoying children in the waiting room are a distraction to the TV droning a boring talk show in the background. A nurse finally calls me, leads me into an exam room, and asks me to change into a hospital gown that leaves my
backside almost entirely exposed. That’s when the real wait begins. And so do the worries. How am I going the pay for this? Will this hurt? What tests will the doctor order? Will I get out of here in time for my next doctor appointment? Finally, the doctor knocks, opens the door, and coldly asks “What are you coming in for?” After a long pause, I reply “Hmmm I don’t really know why I am here. My primary doctor referred me. I think it has something to do with some lab work I had done during a recent hospitalization.” Thankfully, my wife, who brought copies of the lab results, hands them to the doctor. The doctor writes notes about my symptoms as he occasionally insults my lack of medical knowledge. He doesn’t seem too clear about why I am even there to begin with. The appointment concludes with the doctor ordering some lab tests at the local hospital. He assures me his orders will be faxed to the hospital by the next day.
More phone-tree quicksand The next day, I call the scheduling office at the hospital only to hear another voicemail message saying they will call back within 24 hours. Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. After I leave one or two more messages, they finally call back. However, they inform me that they don’t have a doctor’s order on file to do the lab tests. Then they recommend that I call the doctor’s office to ask them to fax an order. Once again, I’m wading through a phone tree, only to get a voicemail message stating someone will call back. Now I have gotten a little smarter; I recently installed a cordless phone in the bathroom just in case, along with a pad of paper and a pencil. Remember, I told you previously I’m dealing with 11 doctors here. The doctor’s office finally calls me back and after arguing that I don’t need an order for that particular test, I insist the hospital says I do, so they reluctantly agree to fax one. The next morning at 8 a.m., it’s back to the labs. This time I have the ordering doctor’s phone number just in case. Miracles do happen — sometimes things go as planned. The order was received, and the lab tests were done quickly and easily. Weeks later, it’s back to the doctor’s exam room again (after another lengthy wait), the doctor reproaches me for not getting his ordered lab work done. After assuring him that I did, he leaves the exam room and returns 15 minutes later — with my lab results. Then he begins to discuss my case, but
quickly turns the subject to the prestigious people he studied under at medical school. My wife and I politely indulge his bragging, hoping he will soon reveal my lab results. Finally, he does. He tells me I won’t need a scary, invasive test because of the lab findings. This comes as a big relief, as I am highly phobic of certain medical procedures. Ultimately, he’s not too sure what’s wrong with me; he offers a few possible diagnoses, one of which is terminal with no treatment options. And, he prescribes a medication to add to the several I am already taking. Then it’s another trip to the pharmacy and a whopping charge for the prescription, which includes a long description of the medication’s awful side effects. This is quite unsettling because I’m not too sure how this medicine is supposed to help me in the first place. After months of doctor exams, lab tests and follow-up appointments, here are the typical fruits of my efforts. The doctor does nothing. The doctor prescribes a medication that does nothing. The doctor refers me to another specialist who does nothing. Worse than nothing, the doctor prescribes medicine with horrible side effects.
Trying an alternative Frustrated with the lack of results from seeing conventional doctors, my wife talks me into going to see a holistic doctor who specializes in something akin to Chinese herbal medicine. I reluctantly give it a try just to keep the peace and avoid an argument. Chinese herbal medicine? Now my wife has gone too far. She has pushed me into the world of totally weird. We sit not quite as long in this waiting room until an assistant takes us back for an exam. I stifle a laugh and roll my eyes when the holistic doctor pushes down on my arm to determine what types of herbal supplements I would need as my treatment. Glaring at my wife, I wonder what kind of quackery is this. Under my breath, I call him a “witch doctor” as I ponder how much this waste of time is going to cost. Then the witch doctor measures my so-called energy field. He calls over his assistant and they stretch their arms wide next to me. The first time he proclaims my energy field was four feet in front of me, two feet in back and nothing on my side. I don’t know what is funnier, this test or the one in which he pushed down on my arm. Fortunately, the witch doctor’s supplements aren’t too expen-
sive, and I take them only to prove to my wife how crazy all this is. However, after a week on the supplements, I notice that several of my symptoms have improved noticeably. Other people notice positive changes in me as well.
Partial relief, at last I hate to admit this to my wife or anyone else, but the supplements the witch doctor recommended as a result of his strange tests did more to improve my symptoms than any of the medications that all the other doctors prescribed — with no side effects. I return to the witch doctor with a little less skepticism, and ask him, “What is wrong with me?” Finally, a concrete diagnosis — I have too much stress! I wonder how much of this stress was simply the result of all this runaround with all these doctors. Based on my history of symptoms, my stress levels were so high that they were damaging my adrenal and pituitary glands for years. Finally, my body and brain just gave out. So, I started seeing a helpful counselor who taught me many strategies to reduce my stress, including tapping various points on my face — after the witch doctor, I am up for anything. She also tells me that I need to address painful stuff from my past and stop worrying so much. That’s a whole other story. Here are critical questions related to our national health care system. Why didn’t any of these 11 doctors tell me I had too much stress to begin with? Why did it take six months of doctor appointments, dozens of lab tests, hundreds of dollars of worthless prescriptions, thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket expenses, tens of thousands of dollars in insurance-paid expenses not to mention all the hours spent wading through phone trees and waiting in doctors’ offices? Perhaps this is a bit naïve, but maybe if our doctors spent a little more time listening to their patients, and a little less time prescribing tests and medications, our health care system would be far more effective and efficient. Maybe if our doctors’ offices utilized more personal contact and less automated communication, we would avoid unnecessary trips to doctors’ offices in the first place. And maybe, if we as patients were a little more open-minded to lifestyle changes and alternative medical practices, we all might be better off physically, emotionally and financially. Jack Murray is a former editor of The Regional News.
The Regional News
FINANCIAL FOCUS
BUSINESS
What does conservative investing mean to older investors? If you’re a certain age, or getting close to it, you might hear something like this: “Now that you’re older, you need to invest more conservatively.” But what exactly does this mean? For starters, it’s useful to understand that your investment preferences and needs will indeed change over time. When you’re first starting out in your career, and even for a long time afterward, you can afford to invest somewhat aggressively, in stocks and stock-based investments; because you have time to overcome the inevitable short-term market drops. At this stage of your life, your primary concern is growth — you want your portfolio to grow enough to provide you with the resources you’ll need to meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement. But when you finally do retire, and perhaps for a few years before that, your investment focus likely will have shifted from accumulation to preservation. And this certainly makes some sense. Even though you may spend two, or even three, decades in retirement, you actually have many shorter time frames for withdrawing money — that is, selling investments — from your retirement accounts, such as your 401(k) and IRA. In fact, you may be taking withdrawals every month — and you don’t want to be forced to sell investments when their price is down. Consequently, you’ll want a portfolio that’s less susceptible to market downturns. This means that you may need to reduce the percentage of stocks in your investment mix and increase your holdings in investments that have less growth potential but offer greater stability of principal, such as bonds. If you follow this formula, you will have become a more conservative investor. But this evolution — from aggressive to conservative — isn’t that simple, or at least it shouldn’t be. If, as mentioned above, you are retired for two or three decades, you will have to deal with inflation. And even at a relatively mild 3 percent annual inflation rate, your purchasing
Thursday, June 1, 2017
5
COMINGS & GOINGS
Jim Van Howe Edward Jones
power will decline by about half in just 25 years. This is a real threat to retirees, who, unlike active employees, can’t count on increases in earned income to overcome increasing costs of living. Given this reality, you will have to find your sources of rising income in your investment portfolio. One possibility: Dividend-paying stocks, some of which have increased their dividends for many years in a row. Still, like all stocks, these dividend payers can lose value from year to year, and they can also reduce, or even eliminate, dividends at any time. In other words, they aren’t risk-free — which brings us back to the question of how “conservative” of an investor you can really afford to be when you’re retired. In the final analysis, there’s no simple answer. On one hand, you probably shouldn’t be as aggressive an investor as you were when you were much younger and still working. On the other hand, if you were to primarily own certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasury securities, you might face the prospect of outliving your money. Ultimately, you’ll need to maintain a balanced portfolio that helps you control risk today while providing you with growth opportunities for tomorrow. Jim Van Howe is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Palos Heights. His office is at 7001 W. 127th St. He can be reached at 361-3400. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
Photo by Bob Bong
Aldi is planning to build a new store in the former EuroFresh Market at 16000 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park.
Aldi to open new store in Tinley Park Batavia-based Aldi, which announced an ambitious expansion and remodeling plan earlier this year, recently unveiled it plans to build a new supermarket in the former EuroFresh Market at 16000 S. Harlem Ave. in the Park Center Plaza in Tinley Park, which closed at the end of March. The chain already operates a store a couple of blocks south next to a Sam’s Club warehouse store, which would close once the new store opens. Aldi representatives did not return emails asking for comment on plans for the new store, which would be much larger than the existing store. A sign on the EuroFresh building said the new store was expected to open later this year. When EuroFresh announced in March it would be closing, a manager said Aldi was expected to take a portion of the space, but believed a second tenant would take the rest of the space. Aldi and EuroFresh did not respond to emails at that time about that report. In February, Aldi announced it would spend more than $3 billion to pay for land, facilities and equipment for 650 new stores in the U.S. by the end of 2018. That would bring the number of Aldi stores in the U.S. to about 2,000. In addition, the company said it would spend about $1.6 billion to remodel and expand more than 1,300 stores in the U.S. by 2020. In 2016, the company announced it would build a new 18,000-square-foot store at the former site of Joe & Frank’s Market at 5501 S. Harlem Ave. in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community. The company recently put out a
BOB BONG request for bids on that project with a projected price tag of $4 million. Once that store is open, which the company said was expected in the fourth quarter of this year, a nearby store at 5775 S. Archer Ave. would close.
Gateway Plaza proposed for Orland Park Orland Park officials are expected to consider plans next week for a new retail development at 143rd and LaGrange Road that would be called Gateway Plaza. The plaza would feature a one-story 10,500-square-foot building on the site of a former gas station in front of Marquette Bank. Plans call for a couple of restaurants and a retail store for the development. Plans are expected to be on the agenda at the June 5 village board meeting. The village’s Development Services Committee voted May 15 to recommend the project. Plans call for a City Barbecue and McAlister’s Deli to be two of three restaurants included in the project.
Darvin’s facade improvement underway Darvin Furniture announced last week that it had started construction on an extensive facade
renovation at its Orland Park store at 15400 S. LaGrange Road. The store, which was honored as the 2016 Illinois Retailer of the Year by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, also celebrated its 96th anniversary last year. The project, which will enhance the building’s exterior impact as well as the entryway and interior space for the retail showroom, is scheduled for completion in September.
Fontano’s Subs now open in Orland Park A popular sub chain founded in Chicago’s Little Italy community in 1960 has found its way to Orland Park. Fontano’s Subs opened earlier this month at 14482 S. LaGrange Road in the former beds For Kids furniture store and Free From Market food store. The sub shop will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 8. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Other locations are in Beverly, Hillside and Naperville.
Former Mokena restaurant becoming office building A building at 9301 W. 191st St. in Mokena that was once home to Angelino’s restaurant and Scrementi’s Italian restaurant is being converted into an office building. If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.
AREA PROPERTY TRANSFERS Local cops elevate themselves for Illinois Special Olympics Police officers from the communities in The Regional News’ coverage area took to the top of local Dunkin’ Donuts stores May 19 to raise funds for the Illinois Special Olympics. Rain was near-constant throughout the day and scattered lightning prompted officers at certain locations to head down to solid ground. Officers were on the roofs, on the ground and even inside the stores soliciting donations, depending upon the whims of Mother Nature. In Palos Heights (top photo), the team gathered with a banner as Ald. Gerry McGovern (on roof, at left), a retired 32-year officer with the Chicago Police Department, along with Palos Heights officer Mike Mathis wave to passersby. Behind the banner are Officer Kevin Apostal, Officer Todd Hutchinson, Officer Jim Nix, Community Service Officer Jeff Heffernan, Joe Kirkwood (Resident Volunteer), Officer Nicholas Belseth, Officer Tony Delaney and Cadet Commander Bridget Tolan. In Palos Park (middle photo), with occasional thunderclaps overhead, Community Service Officer Rebecca Buhs and Officer Derek Kacmarczyk got creative to persuade donations from customers in the drive-thru. With volunteers high above the street attracting the attention of motorists, Orland Park Trustee Mike Carroll (left) joined Orland Park Police Department Dispatcher Ron Kus, the department’s Special Olympics fundraising coordinator, on the ground to collect donations from customers. The total from all three departments was almost $15,000. Supplied photos
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 Wagner Charles E to Saldez George, 14931 Hale Dr, $182,000; Mcmahon Thomas A to Nierstheimer Jon R, 11556 Kiley Ln, $410,000; Spano Gary Lee to Losoya Robert D, 8918 Patty Ln, $325,000; Petrusevski Erica to Biro Janice, 7501 Willowood Ct, Unit #32, $146,000; Kominkiewicz Frank Tr to Werr Pamela, 15649 Wild Rose Ln, Unit #7, $153,500; Vancoevorden Harold to Goebel James B, 14453 Morningside Rd, $279,000; Osika Anne M to Alrub Muntaha, 15721 Lake Hills Ct, Unit #157212S, $190,000; Erickson Douglas R Tr to Duncan John D, 15414 Begonia Ave, Unit #31, $142,000; Roland Michael D to Al-Atabbe Mohammed, 15351 Wayford Ln, $260,000; Chilcutt Robert W to Zhan Xin, 14243 Meadowview Ct, $268,000; Fannie Mae to Gomez Roland, 15220 El Cameno Real Dr, $410,000; Hurta Janet to Pinnacle Bldg Corp, 15607 Calypso Dr, $230,000; Nelson Carole Tr to Vorderer Robert C, 14440 Morningside Rd, $250,000; Doman Brian to Sweiss Ghazi, 16800 Rainbow Cir, $470,000; Mcgary Paul A to Oflaherty Thomas M, 11901 Durnee Ln, $215,000; Moesch Kathryn to Magiera Mariusz, 15606 117th Ave, $310,000; Moss Sewer & Water Inc to Boehm David J, 15018 Huntington Ct, $170,000; M&T Bk to Rysiewicz Kathy, 8419 Flamingo Cir, $265,500; Mrotek David to Mcneillis William, 15332 Heather Ct, $253,000;
Buscemi Dominick Tr to Setaro Pietro Trust, 15249 Catalina Dr, Unit #152491, $115,000; First Midwest Bk Tr to Shaw Steven, 10445 San Luis Ln, $248,500; Rizza Annette to Jones Vykinta, 15703 Lake Hills Ct, Unit #157032S, $181,000; Manikowski Ken to Superczynski Kara, 15334 Treetop Dr, Unit #605, $96,500. Palos Heights First Midwest Bk Tr to Fecht Robert Jr, 6835 W Edgewood Rd, $260,000; Richard Frederick V III to Thel-
en Donald A Tr, 12812 S Mobile Ave, $200,000; Fundich George A to Blake Robert H, 3 Shadow Creek Circle, $360,000. Palos Park Chicago Title Land Trust Co to Block Richard, 12323 Wolf Rd, $465,000; Pennymac Corp to Riley Daniel, 6 Mccord Trace, $300,000; Parr Matthew to Ihmoud Mohammad Y, 9807 Somerset Ln, $590,000; Capuano James J to Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr, 10400 W Bloomfield Dr, $326,000.
Mortgage Rates Around the Area First Midwest Bank (as of May 30) 30-year fixed 15-year fixed 30-year fixed Jumbo
RATES APR POINTS 4.000 4.035 0 3.250 3.305 0 4.000 4.045 0
30-year fixed 15-year fixed 10-year fixed
RATES APR POINTS 3.990 4.011 0 3.250 3.286 0 3.250 3.303 0
30-year fixed 20-year fixed 15-year fixed
RATES APR POINTS 3.875 3.988 .25 3.750 3.907 .25 3.125 3.323 .25
United Trust Bank (as of May 30)
Prospect Savings Bank (as of May 31)
All rates subject to change daily. Equal opportunity lenders.
N TT RRAT D IDSI SCCOOUUN ATEESS withoutdiscount discount service. without service.
It’s accident no accidentmore morepeople people trust Farm. It’s no trustState State Farm. Erik Nelson, Agent Agent Erik R RNelson, 10200S SRoberts Roberts Road Road 10200 Palos Hills, Palos Hills,ILIL60465-1539 60465-1539 Bus: Bus:708-430-7575 708-430-7575 erik.nelson.hr35@statefarm.com erik.nelson.hr35@statefarm.com
P040036 P040036 02/04 02/04
StateFarm Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company in NJ), Bloomington, IL State Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (Not in (Not NJ), Bloomington, IL
6 Thursday, June 1, 2017
The Regional News
Palos Park runner takes women’s DEATH NOTICES top spot at Lake Katherine 5K Carol W. Verhagen
Stephanie Ebert, 45, from Palos Park, won in the women’s category in the Break For the Lake 5K race May 21 at Lake Katherine. Her time was 24 minutes, 38 seconds. Ebert had tough competition in the race as a trio of teens aged 16 and under scooped the three top spots. Ian Barrow, 14, from Flossmoor was first over the line at the non-profit park’s annual 5K trail race with a time of 19:31. Second place in the male category went to Mike Reif, 15, from Oak Forest, with a time of 20:13. Zac Maher, 16, from Oak Forest, came third with a time of 21:19. Following Ebert across the finish line in the women’s category was Nicole Holstrom, 43, from Chicago, who took second place with a time of 26:07. Third place went to Karly Haseltine, 25, from Oak Lawn, with a time of 27:37. One-hundred four runners competed in the race, traversing a scenic route around Lake Katherine taking in lake, forest and prairie in mild and sunny conditions. “Sunday morning decided to cooperate, with the weather finally clearing and giving perfect conditions for our annual trail race,” said Lake Katherine Operations Manager Gareth Blakesley. “Runners were able to see Lake Katherine at its best as the rain prior to the race left everything lush and green. Even the swans on the lake appeared to be enjoying
Carol W. Verhagen (nee Fennema), 91, died May 17 in hospice care in Wauwatosa, Wisc. Mrs. Verhagen was a former resident of Orland Park. She was a retired administrative assistant for Evers Office Supply. Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl (Roy) Van Eck; son, Neal (Pam); sister, Joyce Jongsma; five grandchildren and nine
Photo by Jack Martin
Stephanie Ebert receives a first-place medal from Gareth Blakesley, operations manager at Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens.
the day.” Proceeds from the race will go toward children’s programs, ecological restoration and animal care at the non-profit nature center. Sponsors for the event included Bridgeview Auto Center, Chicagoland CPR, Julliani’s Pizza, MidAmerica Orthopedics, Nick’s
BBQ, Pass Health Foods, Primal Chiropractic, Running Excels, Nufarm Americas, Interdom LLC and Peace Village. Lake Katherine is located at 7402 W. Lake Katherine Dr., Palos Heights. More information can be obtained at www.lakekatherine. org or by calling (708) 361-1873.
of registration. The rules are: The exercises are specifically designed to help participants meet their summer fitness goals. The challenge will incorporate both cardio and strength training workouts. Weekly schedules will be available online and sent via email. Copies will also be available at the Shannon Center front desk. Participants are allowed to complete their exercises at their desired location (Shannon Center, outdoors, while on vacation, etc.) Participants are required to track progress online; all participants will be given a password upon
registration. Progress can be tracked online every Monday by 7 p.m. Participants must complete each week’s exercises to advance to the next week. Registration for “Step Up to Shape Up” begins is underway. Those interested can register in person at the Shannon Center front desk, or by email to Jennifer Quinlan at quinlan@sxu.edu. For more information on the fitness challenge program or schedule, please visit SXU’s website at www.sxu.edu, keyword: Shannon Center.
Palos Park Rec offers several activities The Palos Park Recreation and Parks Department is offering several activities in the days ahead at the Recreation Center, 8901 W. 123rd St. Early registration is encouraged. For details, call the department at (708) 671-3760. • Setting up and maintaining a chicken coop and a flock will be explored at an event that will run from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 10. The village’s ordinance on chickens will also be discussed. Fee ranges from $30-$36. • A four-week Tai Chi class for adults 55 years and older will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays, beginning June 9. The class promotes internal strength and energy through slow, soft and continuous movements. Tai Chi practice benefits an array of health conditions, most notably those relating to balance, circulation, and stress. Fee ranges from $42-$50. • A 10-session “Wednesday Walkers” club starts June 7 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The fee ranges from $10-$12 for adults 55 years and older. There will be no
Louis M. Wierenga
Services were yesterday for Palos Heights resident Louis M. Wierenga, who died last Friday in Lombard. Mr. Wierenga was a truck
driver for Waste Management. He is survived by his wife, Pamela (nee Martin); sons, Louis and Jeremy (Stephanie); daughter, Alexa (Brandon) Motto; mother, Grace; sisters, Anje, Marian, Arlene (Steve) and Margaret (Brian); brother, Harold (Sharon); three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Private interment followed yesterday’s services.
Lace up to run a 5K with the nuns
SXU holds six-week fitness challenge The “Step Up to Shape Up” fitness challenge will be back in session for the summer at Saint Xavier University (SXU), 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago. Each week, participants will complete assigned exercises in order to advance to the next week’s goals. The program has been held for 13 years and people of all fitness levels are invited to participate. The challenge is designed to be self-motivated for individuals and relies on the honor system. Upon completion, participants will receive a special “Step Up to Shape Up” t-shirt. The cost of the fitness challenge is $15 per person and can be paid at the time
great-grandchildren. Service were yesterday at Colonial Chapel in Orland Park. Interment took place at Fairmount-Willow Hills Cemetery.
session on July 5. Walking will take place on the Village Green (indoors if inclement weather). Those who sign up will receive a pedometer. The department also offers day trips for adults, including an “Agriculture in Naperville” tour set for 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 7. Participants will Come along visit the historic Naper Settlement, the Martin Mitchell Mansion and an agriculture exhibit. Registration deadline is June 1. Fees range from $15-$18 (meal not included). Bus leaves from the Recreation Center. A trip to the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford is set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 15. The site includes garden beds, cascading waterfalls and koi ponds. There is a visitors’ center and benches for resting around the garden. After the visit to the garden, participants will have lunch at a nearby Japanese steak restaurant. Lunch includes soup or salad, Hibachi vegetables, steamed rice and an entrée from
Funeral Directory
a selected list, followed by dessert and coffee. Cocktails and soft drinks are available for purchase. Registration deadline is June 2. Fee of $62 includes lunch and round-trip bus transportation.
The School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King and the Mount Assisi Alumnae are hosting their annual Run With the Nuns 5K on Sunday, June 4th at 8 a.m. Runners and walkers are welcome to attend. Run With the Nuns is a race through the natural hills and picturesque scenery of Mount Assisi and the Mount Assisi Convent in Lemont, 1360 Main Street. The challenging all-terrain course features a variety of surfaces from asphalt to grass. All participants will receive a medal and short-sleeve dry-fit shirt. Children 12 and under are welcome to walk or run with a parent. For those interested but unable to make the June 4 event, the sisters and alumnae have a “virtual race” option allowing participants to choose the time and place to walk or run a 5K. “The sisters will miss you,” said event organizers, “but you will be there with us in spirit and you can still get some great gifts.” The virtual 5k can be done on a favorite running path, while on
Supplied photo
Sister Gabriella Tomas (from left), Sister Cindy Drozd and Sandy Maloy— along with Buddy the dog—take part in last year’s Run With the Nuns 5K in Lemont. This year’s event, open to the public, will take place June 4.
vacation, or around your neighborhood. It can be done on June 4 during the real-time race in Lemont or another day and time that can be chosen between
now and June 30. More information can be obtained at www.runwiththenuns. com or by calling Carrie Peters 630-257-7844, ext. 223.
com/vitalice. In the event of an emergency, first responders can use the Vital Schmaedeke Funeral Home of ICE app to retrieve the user’s viWorth is making a potentially tal information. This information life-saving app-Vital ICE-availcan then be easily taken on the able for free to download in the community as a way of showing ambulance to the hospital, or sent their gratitude for those who allow directly to the hospital from the the funeral home to serve them. Vital ICE app, where ER staff Schmaedeke Funeral Home can further access this critical believes they have recognized a information. Remember, time is very unique opportunity to assist of the essence when saving lives. local first responders through marketing initiative that could help Children’s immunizations save lives. The funeral home asks available June 6 that community members downOrland Township is hosting load the Vital ICE (In Case of Emergency) app into their smart its monthly immunization clinic phones and enter in the code 7903. from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June The app is available from either 6 at the township building, 14807 the Apple App Store or Google S. Ravinia. Orland Township is still serving children with All Play. The funeral home asks that Kids’ state insurance. Free vaccines are available to users who download the app to fill in the information so that they township children 18 and under. are prepared in case of an emer- Some eligibility restrictions apgency. This app is available to ply. Non-residential children who the entire community, regardless meet the eligibility guidelines are of age. Questions about the app welcome. For children residing can be answered at vitalboards. outside of the township’s bound-
aries, a $20 administration fee per vaccine will be charged (not applicable to those with Medicaid). An up-to-date shot record is mandatory to receive any vaccine, and children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Children’s vaccines that are available include DTaP, DTaP-Hep B-IPV, DTaP-IPV-Hib, DTaP- IPV, Hep A, Hep B, Hep B-Hib, HPV, Meningococcal, Meningococcal B, MMR, IPV, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus, Tdap and Varicella. Adult vaccines for residents and non-residents are available including HPV, Pneumococcal, Tuberculosis, Tdap, Hep A-Hep B, MMR, Varicella and Shingles. Immunizations can be easily forgotten, but with school requirements, international travel and the rapidity in which illness is spread, it’s important for children and adults alike to receive immunizations. For additional clinic dates and adult immunization prices, visit orlandtownship.org.
HEALTH BEAT Funeral Home pays for life-saving app
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The Regional News
Thursday, June 1, 2017
7
CROSSWORD PUZZLE Across 1 Toddler coddlers 6 Office stock 10 Port container 14 What’s made “just in case” 15 Follow 16 Eclipse, to some 17 Overindulged oneself 19 It may sweep you off your feet 20 “Me too” 21 Sleeper’s malady 22 Communications feature since the 1870s 26 Breakfast choices 27 Spot for breakfast 28 El __ 29 They’re usually covered by grilles 33 __ out a living 34 “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” duettist 37 WWII battle site, for short 38 Just beginning to develop 40 Emailed a dupe to 41 Research ctr. 42 White of the eye 44 “Looks pretty good, huh?” 49 1945 meeting site 50 Stern with a bow 51 __ marker 52 Psychology subject ... and what’s contained in this puzzle’s circles 57 Rapper with the debut album “Trouble” 58 Porch torch type 59 Sun: Pref. 60 Common allergen 61 Right on an atlas 62 A bit off
Chicago Christian students help clean up pool Above: Kendall Edmond (right) and Zachary Bulthuis from Chicago Christian High School use blowers to clear light debris from the deck at the Palos Heights community pool recently as part of Kingdom Building Day in which 350 Chicago Christian students fanned out to 20 locations in various communities. Right: Daniel DeBlecourt heaves a shovelful of debris into a trash bin at the Palos Heights pool property. He was one of 12 students assigned to this location.
Down 1 Litter attention-getter 2 Hefted tool 3 Hood, for one: Abbr. 4 Like Radio City Music Hall 5 “The Daily Show” device
Photos by Anthony Caciopo
6 Where wee ones go 7 Waiting room read 8 Just out 9 Case, for instance: Abbr. 10 Ranch hand 11 Its website has a range finder 12 Divide into parts 13 Prep, at a pizza parlor 18 Mel and Ed with World Series rings 21 Not subject to, as suspicion 22 Fault product 23 More learned 24 Plains “Queen Wheat City” 25 Days long gone 26 Photo file format 29 Feel poorly 30 Tidy (up), facetiously 31 Dance provocatively 32 Pop
34 Cousin of “-ish” 35 __ many words 36 Pop’s Perry 39 Things on strings 40 Played-out sayings 42 Ratings unit 43 Ballroom dance 44 Longtime Rolling Stones bassist Bill 45 17-syllable work 46 Divvy up 47 Down and dirty noises 48 “Can you __ in a sentence?” 52 Relative of “-ian” 53 Actress Peeples 54 Kind 55 One of a rat’s pack? 56 Financial measure, with “the” (Answers on page 2)
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.
New library board members take oaths Newly elected board members of Orland Park Public Library, Dan McMillan, Nancy W. Healy and Elan Kleis took their oaths at Village Hall Monday night. McMillan, Healy and Kleis ran unopposed and will fill six-year terms on the Orland Park Public Library Board of Trustees. Healy and Kleis have served on the board before, and McMillan started his first term Monday night. McMillan took the seat of Denis Ryan, long time board member and former board vice-president. Ryan had chosen not to run again in the election earlier this year. The Orland Park Public Library had its first official board meeting with new member McMillan following taking the oath at Village Hall. Current members of the Library Board of Trustees include Board President Christian Barcelona, Board Vice-President Joanna M. Liotine Leafblad, Treasurer Diane Jennings, Secretary Elan Kleis, Trustee Nancy W. Healy and Trustee Dan McMillan.
(Answers on page 2)
Independence Junior High wins speech contest Supplied photo
Elan Kleis takes the oath of office, given by Village Clerk John Mehalek, to be sworn in as library board trustee for Orland Park Public Library at Village Hall.
One position on the board remains open. Former Trustee Catherine M. Lebert resigned earlier in the year. The position has been posted to residents of Orland Park. Residents of the Village of Orland Park, who are registered voters, may send a resume and letter of intent to Barcelona to be consid-
ered by the board for appointment. The Orland Park Public Library is located at 14921 S. Ravinia. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit orlandparklibrary.org.
nounced that their “Summer Story Times” run from June 12 to July 20. Story times help parents and caregivers develop a lifelong love of books and reading in children. The six basic skills of early literacy are touched upon, to varying degrees, in the programs: print motivation, letter knowledge, vocabulary, phonological awareness, narrative skills and print awareness. • Tiny Tots (birth to 23 months, with an adult) are set for Mondays at 10 and 11 a.m. • Terrific Twos (ages 24 to 35 months, with an adult) are held Tuesdays at 10 and 11 a.m. • Story Time (ages 3-kindergarten, without an adult) are scheduled for Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m. • The 1, 2, 3s (entering grades 1-3) are held Mondays at 1:30 p.m., June 12-July 17. • Tweens (entering grades 4 and 5) are set for Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m., June 13-July 18. • Teens (entering grades 6 and up) are scheduled for Thursdays at 1:30 p.m., June 15-July 20. Also, there are several clubs that meet weekly at the library, such as the Needle Club (for knitting and crocheting), Scrabble Club, Chess Club and Mah Jongg Cub. Members and interested patrons are asked to call ahead for times and dates. Additionally, officials have announced that the library will be closed the morning of Friday, June 2 for repairs. It will reopen at 1 p.m.
Activities ready at Palos Park Library
Independence Junior High School in Palos Heights won the South Suburban Junior High School Speech Conference at Richards High School in Oak Lawn. Standing up to bullying, questioning what is love, understanding mental health, and acknowledging the racial politics of the time were among the topics the Independence Junior High School Speech Team presented recently during the SSJHSC Speech Con-
ference. Top finishers and their topics include: • First place seventh grade poetry: Gordy Stroobosscher, “An Anthem for the Heart: A Program” • First runner-up seventh grade poetry: Elizabeth Lappano, “What is Love: A Program” • First runner-up seventh grade declamation: Elizabeth Lappano, “I Got 99 Problems and Cerebral Palsy is Just One” • First place eighth grade poet-
ry: Molly McDermott, “We Must Create: A Program” • First runner-up eighth grade declamation: Morgan Brock, “My Journey with Depression” Other competitors were fourth place seventh grade declamation Sabirah Taiwo, eighth grade third place poetry Haley Ohm, fifth place poetry eighth grade Madeline Short, fifth place declamation eighth grade Jasper Kitzmiller, and seventh place declamation eighth grade Francesca Serdar.
LIBRARY NOTES Several programs added at Palos Heights Library A slate of activities for the week ahead has been announced at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Ave. For more information or to register for a program, call (708) 448-1473. • “Introduction to iPads” is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 5. Learn the basics of using your iPad, including creating a passcode, keyboard basics, and how to use WiFi and Bluetooth. Bring your device. • “Nature by the Book: High Tide in Tucson by Barbara Kingsolver” begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7. Lake Katherine and the Palos Heights Public Library team up to bring a new nature-based panel book discussion to be held at the library. The book will be available at the front desk. • “Sell or Dwell: Home Curb Appeal Essentials” starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8. Join home staging and design expert Julea Joseph as she picks attendee’s home pictures and offers suggestions and tips on improving curb appeal. The interactive workshop is designed to help homeowners make their home exterior more desirable, whether selling or dwelling. Email a photo of your home to the library at palos.library@ phlibrary.org with the subject heading “Sell or Dwell” for a chance to be picked for Julea’s program. Library officials also have an-
A slate of activities for the first week of June has been announced at the Palos Park Public Library, 12330 S. Forest Glen Boulevard. For more information or to register for a program, call (708) 448-1530. • Palos Park Library Summer Reading Program is here. To celebrate the library is giving away free items to the first 100 participants, starting today. To sign-up, you must live in the Palos Park area and be a library cardholder. This year’s theme is nature, and the library will be hosting several events on the subject for adults and children. • “Native Plants and Local Natural Areas” begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5. The presentation is a slide show focusing on the Santa Fe Prairie in Hodgkins. It is home to more than 225 native species of plants, many of which cannot be found anywhere else only on prairies. • “Granny’s Intro to Crochet: Part 1” starts at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 8. Learn the basics of crocheting. This month’s project are winter mittens. The required tools will be provided, and all levels of expertise are welcome to join.
Orland Park Public Library sets activities A slate of activities for the week ahead has been announced at the Orland Park Public Library, 14921
S. Ravinia. For more information, call (708) 428-5100. • “Meet the Artist - Andrew Zydell” is set for 7 p.m. Friday, June 2. Calling nature his greatest influence, Zydell strives to capture the wonder of nature that surrounds us every day. “Pixels and Paintbrushes” is an artistic journey combining modern techniques of digital photography and editing with traditional ideals of canvas paintings, serving as a bridge between two different artistic mediums. • Summer Reading Challenge kick-off will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 3 from 11 a.m. All-ages activities will include Life-Sized Angry Birds at 11 a.m., Giant Jenga at 12:30 p.m., Tech Petting Zoo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., frozen yogurt with Trugurt at 12:30 p.m., touch-atruck from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Engineering Extravaganza! at 1 p.m. • Legomania begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 5. All ages (children ages 3 and under must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver) are invited to design an original creation using Legos. • “Summer of Design: Painting” is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 6 at 10 a.m. Adults are invited to create a simple painting to take home. All supplies provided. Space is limited. • A family dance party begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6. Children of all ages (with their parent or adult caregiver) are welcome to bunny hop, slide and twist the night away.
Photo by Joe Boyle
WHATIZIT?
The clue for this week’s Whatizit photo (above) is: 52nd Avenue. Send your responses with your name and hometown by noon Monday to thereporter@comcast.net. We had three readers who know last week’s photo quiz. D’Lorah Catizone, the Hickory Hills City Clerk, knew that the balcony that appears prominently in last week’s photo was part of the Hickory Hills Community Center, 7800 W. 89th Place. The building is the site for various meetings and most recently held the Hill Chamber of Commerce “State of the City” addresses for Hickory Hills and Palos Hills. Catizone, a resident of Hickory Hills since 1962, said she lives near the community center. Hickory Hills Ald. Tom McAvoy (3rd Ward) also had the right answer. He adds that the community center is available for rental for small group parties and events. The community center can be reached at (708) 237-4150. Palos Hills resident Donna Brehovsky also knew it was the community center.
LEGAL NOTICE
COMMUNITY NEWS
Summer fun starts at Palos Heights Farmers Market
Palos Christian Preschool, Library Story Hour, Rec Center and Face Painting at June 7 Market
pizza products and vegan patty wraps and salads. Frozen vegan patties and desserts 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 each, and are available for sale at the City Tent. This week, Dr. John Principe, MD of WellbeingMD Center for Life provides “Asparagus and Feta Fritters.” This and some previous years’ early springtime recipes will be available. Previous years’ recipes can be found at www.wellbeingmd.com or www.palosheights.org. Also, make sure to pick up a 2017 Frequent Shopper Card. Bring a canned food donation (fruit, vegetable or protein 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 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. 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 on 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 by calling 708-3611800. The Palos Heights Farmers Market also has a Facebook page.
Supplied photo
Enjoying themselves at the Public Arts Commission event are Terri Fewkes, Denise Hyker, Maria DeCaprio- Sunta, Peggy Nicorata, Celeste Kappel, Pat Sheppard, Rebecca Schiappa, Julie Schiappa and Sue Withers.
a piece of sculpture for the new entrance to the Palos Heights Recreation Center. The Public Arts Commission is researching various sculptors and is also collaborating with the Recreation Center on the design and installation of five new panels in the upper-level walking and fitness area. Donations are welcome. A do-
nation form is found in the latest issue of the recreation booklet. Checks can be mailed to Palos Heights City Hall, 7607 W. College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463. Checks should be made payable to the City of Palos Heights — Public Arts.
The Chicago Christian High School boys’ basketball program will host a Sports Cards, Toys, and Memorabilia Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24, in school’s gym, 12001 S. Oak Park, Palos Heights. Collectors are invited to purchase an 8-foot table for $25. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Concessions will also be available. For more information
Summer band camp presented in June The Southwest Community Concert Band is offering its 11th annual Summer Band Camp open to students entering middle school through ninth grade with at least one year of instructional playing experience. This year, the camp will be held
at the St. Francis of Assisi Religious Education Center on the Hill, 15050 S. Wolf Road, Orland Park. The camp will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 19-23. An all-adult staff will supervise the camp. On Friday, the campers will be provided with a pizza lunch. Band camp culminates with a closing camp finale concert at 7 p.m. Friday. For complete Summer Band Camp information, visit swcommunityband.com.
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‘Coco Chanel’ comes to Palos Heights Storyteller and actress Annette Baldwin brought the life of fashion icon Coco Chanel to life last month at an event hosted by the Palos Heights Public Arts Commission. Mona Lisa Boutique in Palos Heights and Biologie Boutique in Orland Park provided outfits for the spring fashion show. The event raised money for the purchase of
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Supplied photo
Nancy Mitchell (left), PHWC president, and Lucy Crocilla, PPWC president, pause for a photo with a “Free the Girls” bag.
LUNCH, DINNER AND MORE
Steaks, Fresh Seafood
Outdoor Patio Now Open
Palos Park Woman’s Club seeks new members
The Palos Park Woman’s Club held its annual installation luncheon recently at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club. More than 80 Palos-area women were in attendance, with some being installed or receiving awards for their years of service. The club recently paired up with the Palos Heights Woman’s Club to work together on the “Free the Girls” campaign, a “Bra Drive” providing economic opportunities to women who have suffered from sex trafficking. The bras will be sent to El Salvador, Mozambique and Uganda, where they will be sold to provide a sustainable living for the women.
The club will be hosting a prospective new members event at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 8 for all ladies interesting in developing friendships and having the opportunity to serve the community, all while having fun. The club meets on Thursday mornings from September through April at Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church, 12312 S. 88th Ave. Meetings consist of general business, an informative/entertaining program, and lunch to follow. Those interested in attending the “new members” event should contact Patricia Bailey at ppwcmembership@msn.com or (708) 448-8248.
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The best way to start a summer vacation is to come to the Palos Heights Farmers Market! The Community Tents will have plenty of children’s activities to make the start of summer fun! Palos Christian Preschool, 7059 W. 127th St. in Palos Heights, will be at the Community Tent from 7 to 10 a.m. Information about the school and upcoming fall classes will be available. Representatives from the school will be offering many fun activities for children, including stories, games and more. At 10 a.m. the Palos Heights Library will be at the tent, to present story hour. This week’s theme is “Build a Better World.” Information about upcoming library events, the “Build a Better World” summer reading programs for children and adults, and more will be available. The Palos Heights Recreation Department will be the guest of the second Community Tent. Stop by for information about all the summer programs and camps, and other upcoming events. Rec Department staff will have information about the Palos Heights Fitness Center, and the Palos pool. A pool pass raffle, good for 6 visits to the pool, will be held at 1 p.m. It is offered to all guests of the market. While the kids are having fun, make sure to get this week’s fresh-from-the-farm spring produce, fresh cut flowers, beautiful hanging baskets and flowers, perennial plants and more. Salmon and other fish straight from Alaska are available. Meat products, cheeses, eggs, breads and bakery items, peanuts, toasted cashews, olive oils, vinegar, salsas, pasta sauce, jelly, honey and maple syrup are available every week. Hot foods available include tamales,
The Regional News
COMMUNITY NOTES
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8 Thursday, June 1, 2017
SPORTS The Regional News • The Reporter
Sam the man Orland star Sam Travis makes it to the major leagues. Page 2
Ken Karrson, Sports Editor • sports@regionalpublishing.com Jeff Vorva, Sports Editor • sports@regionalpublishing.com
Blowout city
Evergreen Park’s baseball and softball teams outscore foes 35-1 in regionals. Page 3
Southwest Section Southwest • Section•2, Page 1 2, Page 1
Thursday, June5,1,2015 2017 Thursday, March
AREA TRACK ATHLETES STRONG ON STATE/NATIONAL LEVEL
Friesen, Willging in fast company By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
Ben Friesen had a long time to think about being on top of his track world — and trying to stay there. Ellie Willging had a long run to get to the top of her track world. Both runners from area schools were champions, as Willging, a junior from St. Xavier University, won the 10K race at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Alabama on Thursday night, and two days later Chicago Christian senior Ben Friesen won the Illinois High School Association state championship in the Class 1A 400-meter run at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Friesen, an Orland Park resident, was fifth in the state last year in the 400 and his sectional time of 50.84 seconds at Seneca High School was the sixth best time in the state. Also in the field was last year’s 400 champ, Kahlil Wassell of New Berlin. Friesen shocked some people when he had the top time in the preliminaries on Thursday with a :49.75. For 48 hours, he was the target. He had a lot of time to think about trying to stay on top, and he admitted there was “a lot of anxiety’’ going into the finals. Fortunately for Friesen, he and his
Photo by Jeff Vorva
Chicago Christian’s Ben Friesen won the state championship in the Class 1A 400meter race Saturday and his time of :48.65.6 would have won the Class 2A race and placed third in the 3A race.
teammates came back home on Friday and he was able to get his mind off the pressure by enjoying Chicago Christian’s prom at the Odyssey in Tinley Park. “That helped a lot,” Friesen said. “Before the prom, I prayed and talked to a bunch of people and got some good advice.’’ He didn’t get much sleep on Friday night and Saturday morning, he was able to divert his attention away from the 400 by competing in the state finals in the long jump, where he finished fourth in the state with a distance of 22
Supplied photo
Ellie Willging (No. 587) of St. Xavier University won the NAIA Division II National Championship in the 10K race and finished second in the 5K event.
feet. After the thrill of that accomplishment, he said he had a gap of close to four hours before the big race. “Waiting and thinking about it was extremely stressful,” he said. “I was
trying to get some sleep.’’ He said he got a little snooze under a tree outside of O’Brien Stadium. When it was finally race time, he broke loose and ran a :48.65.6 to become the first Knights champ since
Bob Warnke won the 200 meters in 1993. “I powered through in the last 100 crazy hard,” Friesen said. “I managed See TRACK, Page 3
It was a final show of Pride in the regionals
he final athletic event for soonto-be-closed Queen of Peace High School took place on Tuesday as the softball team dropped an 11-1 decision to powerhouse Nazareth Academy at the Nazareth Class 3A Sectional in LaGrange Park. Yes, there were the usual tears and miserable feelings that come with the end of an era like this. But one thing can’t be taken away from these players. Saturday. The Pride faced De La Salle in the Illinois High School Association regional finals at what turned out to be the last sporting event hosted at the Burbank school. All indications were that the crying and miserable feelings for the Pride would take place, oh, somewhere between 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., after the team lost to the Meteors. The Pride entered the game with a 9-20 record and was the fifth seed in the sectional. It had already lost to fourth-seeded De La Salle three times. On April 22, the Meteors beat the Pride, 11-4 and 8-7, in a doubleheader in Chicago. On May 12, De La Salle won 16-6 in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference tournament.
T
Above: Queen of Peace players celebrate a surprise regional title — its first since 2008. Right: The final score — literally. Queen of Peace’s softball team racked up a victory in the last sporting event hosted by the school, which is closing soon. Photos by Jeff Vorva
JEFF VORVA Making the Extra Point
So there was that… The Pride players also had to play in front of a third coach this season. Kelly Small was relieved of her duties in early May. “She’s a good kid, but I had to make some changes,” Pride Athletic Director George Shimko said without giving specifics. Assistant coach Stephanie Ruvalcaba took over the job but had a family event, and that caused JV coach Andy Schindel to take over the team on Saturday. So there was that… There was also the thought of this being their last game hanging over the players’ heads. But Peace came up with a stunning 10-3 victory over the Meteors. Instead of tears and misery, there was an unexpected regional trophy and a celebration.
It was the program’s sixth regional title and the first since 2008. And the Pride’s last. “What a way to go out,” Shimko said. “This was very memorable and everyone is going to love it,” said Amber Anderson, a senior who transferred to the school after her first school, Mt. Assisi, closed after her freshman year. “The last game here couldn’t have gone any better.’’ The Pride took a 7-0 lead and, despite a few anxious moments at the end of the game, got out of a few jams and won the title. “This was actually amazing,” Schindel said. “The girls were ready to play softball. We had a really good practice (Friday) and progressively we continued to get better. I couldn’t be happier with the way they came out and played and the way they decided to take over.” Losing three games to the Meteors was ancient history when the players stepped on their home field for the last time. “We didn’t think about the other games at all —– we knew we couldn’t come out with any negativity,” Anderson said. “We came out here knowing we could do it.’’ See VORVA, Page 3
CC baseball, Rice volleyball teams state their cases By Jeff Vorva
GOING TO STATE
Sports Editor
Chicago Christian’s baseball team and Bother Rice’s boys volleyball team both qualified for the Illinois High School Association state finals in their respective sports. But Chicago Christian and its gaudy 39-1 record will be the target when the Knights mix it up in the Class 2A baseball state semifinals, and some Brother Rice (30-9) players consider themselves an underdog in an eight-team volleyball field that features two-time defending state champion Glenbard West, Lake Park and Lincoln-Way East. Chicago Christian advanced to state for the first time in school history with a 7-0 victory over Timothy Christian on Monday at the Benedictine Supersectional. Orland Park’s John VanderWall threw seven innings of shutout ball and hit a three-run double, while Zach Frieling homered in the second inning to open the scoring. But it was a 4-3, 11-inning win over Herscher on Saturday in the Wilmington Sectional final that was a highlight of the weekend.
Here is a look at area teams’ first-round games at their respective state tournaments.
Baseball
Chicago Christian (39-1) vs. St. Joseph-Ogden (26-7), 3 p.m. Friday at Dozer Park, Peoria
Volleyball
Brother Rice (30-9) vs. Hinsdale Central (29-10), 4 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Estates High School
The Knights won seven straight regional titles and lost in the sectionals the first six times. They were eliminated by Herscher in 2012 (by a 3-2 score), 2015 (8-6) and 2016 (2-1). So when the Knights won the extra-inning thriller this year, thanks in part to Josh Hill scoring on a Matt McCarthy bunt, it was a huge gorilla off their backs. “We went way more nuts after that game than we did for this (supersectional) game,” Frieling said. “The game was back and forth. We were See STATE, Page 3
Photos by Jeff Vorva
Teammates in the dugout watch the flight of the ball of Chicago Christian’s Zach Frieling’s home run with anticipation Monday at the Benedictine Supersectional in Lisle.
Brother Rice 6-foot-6 middle hitter Joe Kenzinger was a force to help the Crusaders back to the state tournament for the first time since 2012.
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Section 2 Thursday, June 1, 2017
The Regional News - The Reporter
MLB rookie Travis receives hail from Sale By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
Orland Park’s Sam Travis has hit well at every level of baseball he has played at. Whether or not he will be a great Major League Baseball hitter remains to be seen, but he had an MLB debut on May 23 that he will remember for a long time. The first baseman, who played for Providence Catholic High School and Indiana University, had two hits and made a key catch of a line drive in Boston’s 9-4 comeback victory over Texas. Former White Sox ace Chris Sale, who is
now with the Red Sox, pitched the victory. Travis got Sale’s attention right away. “Everybody remembers their majorleague debut — good, bad, or indifferent, it’s special,” Sale told reporters. “It’s nice that he had a good one. He had some big hits for us, too. That shows a lot about him, too. He’s not very flashy. He’s strictly baseball. It’s fun to see a guy like that.” Sale was on the hook for a loss before Travis and his teammates rallied for a seven-run seventh inning. Travis’ boss also had plenty of good things to say about the kid.
“I don’t know if you’re going to do a whole lot better. He was good,” manager John Farrell told reporters. “He looks most comfortable in the batter’s box, I’ll tell you that. He was very much under control. A very solid night — certainly a memorable one for him and his family. It was great to see him in his first day contribute as he did.” Travis, 23, admitted he had a case of the jitters. “I was a little nervous in the first inning. I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t,” he said after the game. “After the first inning, I was good to go.”
Travis was drafted in the second round by Boston in 2014 and hit .301 in 278 minor league games and 1,060 at-bats before the call-up. An ACL injury and surgery in July 2016 slowed him down a little but he arrived at the highest level of the sport with plenty of optimism. He called the call-up “surreal.’’ “I would like to think I can hit but I’ll do whatever the team needs me to do when my name gets called,” Travis said. “I try not to think about (the injury) too much but this is awesome because it hasn’t been a full year since the surgery.’’
Travis
PRO SOCCER REPORT
STATE TENNIS
Niko and the King lead Fire to another big win
Wacnik a bright spot as area players struggle
By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
Niko and the King did it again. But their coach is looking for other guys to step up and score. Offensive powderkegs Nemanja Nikolic (a.k.a. Niko) and David Accam (a.k.a. King David) exploded with goals in the first nine minutes and the Chicago Fire scored a huge 2-1 victory over watered-down Dallas FC on Thursday at Toyota Park in Bridgeview. The Fire (7-3-3) matched last year’s win total, won four games in a row for the first time since September 2012, owns a 6-01 mark at home and is in second place in the Major Soccer League’s Eastern Conference. Nikolic was the league leader in goals (11) after the game, and Accam became the first Fire player ever to score in five straight games. But Fire coach Veljko Paunovic is concerned as the two stars have 18 goals while the rest of the team has mustered just five. “We are waiting for the other guys to show up and step up,” Paunovic said. But overall, the second-year coach is happy with the way things have gone, especially after going an MLS-worst 7-17-10 in his rookie campaign. “I think we are shaping our style in a way that we always wanted, we are becoming a mature team with a strong character and a strong team in terms of having a very good locker room,’’ he said. “The atmosphere was fantastic after
By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
CHICAGO FIRE AT ORLANDO CITY SC WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Sunday WHERE: Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, Fla. FIRE’S RECORD: 7-3-3 ORLANDO’S RECORD: 6-5-2 NOTEWORTHY: With 24 points, the Fire ties the 1998 and 2011 teams for best start in team history through 13 games. The Fire will be without midfielder Dax McCarty for the Orlando game and a home game against Atlanta on June 10 to play with the U.S. Men’s National team in advance of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
the game.’’ Dallas fell to 5-2-4. Because it had a game against Houston three days later, it rested a host of starters including Kellyn Acosta, Walker Zimmerman, Maxi Urruti and Hernan Grana. “Looking at their roster and their schedule, we expected rotations, (but) not so many,” Paunovic said. “But with so many rotations, what they achieved was they were fresher than we were. So that was very important after the first 30 minutes of the game where we dropped the intensity and our freshness and then in that moment what stepped up was our character, managing the game, finishing the first half well and then talking about the things that we had to in the locker room during the half time and then renewed energy coming back on the field.’’
Red Stars beat Courage again The Chicago Red Stars made
Photo by Jeff Vorva
Nemanja Nikolic (left) and David Accam hug after Accam’s goal against Dallas FC on Thursday night. The two have 18 of the Fire’s 23 goals this season.
a statement that they may be legitimate championship material when they beat the National Women’s Soccer Association’s defending champion and current leader North Carolina for the second straight week, 3-2, Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 2,618 at Toyota Park. Danielle Colaprico, Alyssa Mautz and Vanessa DiBernardo scored for the Red Stars (4-2-1), who are two points behind the Courage in the standings. Earlier in the week, the Red Stars signed 29-year-old international midfielder Yuki Nagasato, who has 58 career goals in international play and is a three-time FIFA Women’s World Cup player.
FOCUS ON THE WINDY CITY THUNDERBOLTS
Lefty pitcher Chigas has tough luck, goofy stats By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
Windy City left-handed relief pitcher became the first hurler in the Frontier League to lose three games when the Thunderbolts dropped a 5-3, 10-inning nightcap game to Normal in a doubleheader on May 24. But his ERA was a minuscule 1.92. Chigas, a Bridgeview resident who graduated from Oak Lawn Community High School, had some tough luck with the defense behind him, but the Frontier League also brought in a new rule for
FOCUS ON AREA COLLEGES
Moraine’s Martinez ties for 56th in national golf tourney By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
Moraine Valley sophomore Alec Martinez, who came to the school in the fall of 2015 with impressive baseball and basketball credentials and scant experience in competitive golf, finished tied for 56th in the National Junior College Association Division II National Golf Championships, which ended Friday at the Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz. Injuries helped keep Martinez off the basketball court and baseball diamond, which lured him into golf. He qualified for the nationals last fall. Martinez At times, the temperatures passed the 100-degree mark in Arizona, and Martinez finished with a four-round total of 310. His best round was a 75, which he carded on the second day. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Colin Troxlor won the individual title with a 282. Cross country: Jeremy Morgan and Hannah Funk just added another honor to their resumes as they were named to the 2016-17 College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Track & Field/Cross Country team. Both earned the designation in District 2 in the College Division, which includes colleges and universities from other two-year schools, the NAIA and Canada. This honor recognizes student-athletes around the country who have demonstrated excellence in their sport and in the classroom. The duo maintained a 4.0 GPA while accumulating a number of accomplishments this past season.
extra-inning games. The teams now play by international rules in which a runner is placed at second base before the inning begins. If that baserunner scores, it is an unearned run. Chigas was involved in two of those situations.
Coming up
The T-Bolts, which entered this week’s action with a 10-5 mark, will spend a lot of time on the road at Schaumburg, Evansville, River City and Gateway before finally returning home June 13-15 against Florence.
It appears that the first year of breaking up boys tennis into two classes did not do the area any favors. In the past, the pool of eligible players in the Illinois High School Association State Tournament was 128 singles players and 128 doubles teams. It featured varying levels of talent and there were some easy victories to be found in the opening round. Now that there are two pools, the Class 2A field features fewer players (64 singles players and 64 doubles teams) and better quality. The area paid the price with three singles players and three doubles teams combining to go 3-12 on Thursday and Friday. Stagg sophomore Kevin Wacnik, a runner-up to teammate Michal Wolan in sectional play, had the most area success as he went 2-2 and was able to make it to the second day of competition. Wacnik was the only area player to win a firstround match as he topped Normal Community West’s Matt Salm, 6-2, 7-5, before dropping a second-round decision to Maine South’s Danilo Kovacevic, 6-0, 6-1. The Charger sophomore, making his second trip to state, recovered to beat Hoffman Estates’ Andrew Milas, 6-4, 6-4, before bowing out in the consolation bracket’s third round, 6-1, 6-1, to Belleville East’s Max Skaer. Wolan, a two-time sectional champion who was 2-2 at state last year, ran into a buzzsaw in Plainfield Central’s DJ Colantone and lost 6-3, 6-0. Wolan recovered to beat Maine South’s Colin Wesselkamper 6-0, 6-3, but was stopped in
Photo by Jason Maholy
Stagg sophomore Kevin Wacnik, shown competing in sectional play, finished 2-2 at the state tournament and was the lone area player to compete in the second day of action.
the second consolation round by Naperville Central Joseph Li, by a score of 6-2, 6-1. Li also topped Marist sophomore Jeremiah Joyce, 6-0, 6-3. Joyce, making his state debut, dropped a 6-2, 6-1 decision to Joliet West’s Morgan Red in the first round of the consolation bracket. All three area doubles teams —Shepard’s Alex Kokoszka-Paul Milkus, Brother Rice’s Brenden Leibforth-Ryan Cunnea and Stagg’s Brian JaskiDomas Dargis — finished 0-2.
SECTIONAL SOCCER
Marist, Sandburg stopped in the Sweet 16 By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
Despite having home-field advantage, the Sweet 16 turned out sour for Marist’s and Sandburg’s girls soccer teams. Marist was beaten in its own Class 2A sectional, falling 2-1 to Lemont on Friday night. Sandburg was tripped up in its own Class 3A sectional, dropping a 1-0 decision to Lincoln-Way West on Saturday. Cara Donegan scored the lone goal with 35 minutes to play for the thirdseeded RedHawks (12-12-2). Amanda Rizzo and Ally Corcoran scored goals in a 2-0 sectional semifinal win over second-seeded Tinley Park on May 23 to advance to the finals. Sandburg fell to 14-6-1 and it was the second straight year it lost in the sectional finals. The third-seeded Eagles made it to the sectional final with a 2-0 upset over District 230 rival and second-seed Andrew on May 24. Kylie Hase and Paige Pappanastos scored for the Eagles and goalie Courtney Hiler racked up the shutout.
Photo by Jeff Vorva
Marist’s Amanda Rizzo tries to control the ball in a 2-0 victory over Tinley Park on May 23 in the sectional semifinal.
A million thrills on the Vermillion River T hey weren’t exactly class-5 rapids, but they were exciting enough to produce screams and everybody got wet. Recently, I enjoyed a rafting trip down the Vermillion River, just west of Starved Rock. With the recent recurring rainfalls, the Vermillion should be boiling now. OUTDOORS You folks who own caWITH JIM KIRBY noes and kayaks should really look into a run down the Vermillion. There are many put-in and take-out points along the river; it takes some research to plan a trip of your liking and durability. The key is to have enough vehicles to take you to the drop-off site and then pick you up at the take-out site. My trip was arranged through the Starved Rock Convention Center. If you don’t have a canoe or kayak, I suggest contacting Starved Rock representatives as to how to go about arranging a trip.
Shotgun shooting
The Orland Park Tallgrass Pheasants/Quail Forever Chapter is again inviting anyone who is new to shooting, to experience the joy of shotgun shooting. Participants will receive instruction from Cer-
tified Instructors. This is a free event. Food and beverages will be provided, so come out and have some fun. Anyone wanting to shoot must be present at the safety meeting which begins at 11 a.m. No one can shoot without having the release signed. The event will be limited to the first 25 who RSVP, so, reply by June 13 at PFTallgrass@ SBCGlobal.net. The event will be held at the Palos Sportsman’s Club, 24000 S. Harlem Ave. in nearby Frankfort.
The FPD has local lakes where you can fish from shore or rent a boat, canoe or kayak. When we were kids, we played hide-and-go-seek and kick-thecan. While the girls skipped rope and played hop-scotch while the boys played cops-and-robbers and the now politically incorrect cowboys-and-Indians. We also played marbles and using our pocket knives played mumbly peg. I wonder if the kids still play post office or spin-the-bottle?
Outdoors Calendar
No lie…it’s lilac time!
Reminder, perch fishing is closed on the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan until June 16. June 1: Woodchuck hunting and trapping season opens. June 1-30: Non-resident archery deer permit applications available. June 2-11: National Fishing and Boating Week. June 10-July 1: Residents may apply for first dove permits. June 10: National Get Outdoors Day.
Get the kids outdoors
Speaking about “getting outdoors,” now that the kids are out of school, let’s get them away from their digital devices and let them enjoy the great outdoors. Consider taking them camping. The Cook County Forest Preserve District offers some great camping options. How about taking them fishing?
When the lilacs are in bloom it’s a sure sign that the bass, bluegills and crappies are on the beds, and from past experience I know the white bass are running on the Wolf River near Fremont, Wisconsin and the Illinois River around Plum Island.
Let’s talk turkey
A preliminary harvest of 15,719 wild turkeys during the 2017 Spring Turkey Season compares with the statewide turkey harvest of 15,484 birds in 2016. Spring turkey hunting was open in 100 of the 102 counties. This was the first year the youth turkey season was open for two weekends statewide, rather than one weekend for the South Zone and one for the North Zone. “Weather always plays a big role in harvest numbers and 2017 was
no different,” said Luke Garver, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Wild Turkey manager. “For the first two-thirds of the season, harvest tends were well above average. The significant rain events we experienced across much of the state slowed harvest considerably. Despite a rainy end to the spring season, this year marked the third consecutive season of increased harvest total. Additionally, we were encouraged to see the youth season being the success it was.” My great-grandson, “RJ” Aardema, failed to get his turkey his first time out, but he told me, “It was a lot of fun and Papa, there’s always next year.” He’s beginning to understand what I mean when I say “on some of my best hunting trips, I never fired a shot and on memorable fishing trips, I never caught a fish.”
Free fi hing days
The Illinois Free Fishing Days for this season are June 16-19, during the Father’s Day weekend. If you haven’t fished before, this is a good time to try it, you may like it.
Think about it
“You cannot unsay a cruel word.” — Will Rogers, Circa 1935. E-mail Jim Kirby at kirbyoutdoors@sbcglobal.net. Jim’s column appears every first and third Thursday.
The Regional News - The Reporter
Thursday, June 1, 2017 Section 2
3
FOCUS ON REGIONAL SOFTBALL
Richards sings its way to sectional after stunning Sandburg By Jason Maholy
Correspondent Richards softball coach Julie Folliard said Katelyn Flahive has been an unsung hero for the Bulldogs in many games this season. The singing should be a little louder after Flahive’s performance on the mound and at the plate helped the seventh-seeded Bulldogs top second-seeded Sandburg 6-3 last Saturday in the championship game of the Class 4A Hinsdale Central Regional. It was Richards’ 14th regional title and fifth in the past seven years. The Bulldogs (19-12) were scheduled to take on Lyons in the Hinsdale South Sectional semifinals on Wednesday. The junior hurler worked her way out of trouble several times and went the distance. She helped her own cause with a three-run homer that broke open a tight contest. “It was a big game for me, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates behind me,” she said after the Bulldogs accepted their regional championship plaque. “They helped me a lot, and our offense was really good this game. I was just part of it.” Flahive spent much of the season struggling at the plate, but she said she felt things had been coming together lately. With two runners on and two outs in the top of the fourth inning, and the Bulldogs holding a 3-2 lead
Richards catcher Angele Abrand tags Sandburg’s Heather Vetter out at the plate in regional championship action.
over the Eagles, Flahive belted a rocket over the left-center field fence to give Richards a fourrun cushion. Katie Strache contributed a round-tripper of her own, a tworun shot that put the Bulldogs on the board and knotted the game at two in the top of the third, and Sidney Izzo had an RBI single later that inning to give Richards a lead it would never relinquish. “It was really fun, it was really exciting,” Strache said of her game-tying blast. “We came in believing we could beat them, and we did.”
Sandburg coach Jim Fabianski said the Eagles (23-12) simply ran into a team that played a better game than his squad. “(Richards) played a great game, they did a great job,” Fabianski said. “They made the pitches when they needed, they made the plays when they needed to make them, and they hit the ball. They got the timely hits when they needed them, they got the long ball when they needed it.” Two of the biggest plays were Sandburg baserunners being thrown out at home in the second and fifth innings — both
Photos by Jason Maholy
Richards teammates congratulate Karelyn Flahive after her three-run homer in an upset win over Sandburg.
times for the first out of the respective frames. In the case of the second inning, the Eagles loaded the bases with no outs and had already plated one run when Bulldogs catcher Angela Abrand played a carom off the backstop on a wild pitch and tossed to Flahive, who tagged a runner trying to score. In the fifth, with two runners on and no outs, Sandburg junior Heather Vetter tried to score on a base hit but was gunned down on a perfect throw from Richards center fielder Becky Wujcik. The Eagles would not score in the inning.
Marist rolls to regional title
In 2015, Marist won the Class 4A state softball title. In 2016, the RedHawks were stunned in regional play by Lyons. The RedHawks were not going to let that happen again as they won their own regional with a 15-0 victory over Argo on Saturday. Star pitcher Angela Zedek recorded the shutout. She allowed one hit and helped her cause with a two-run homer. It was the RedHawks’ 12th regional title and they improved to 22-7.
Sectional softball update: Marist advances Marist advanced to the Class 4A Hinsdale South Sectional championship on Tuesday with an 11-0 victory over Riverside-Brookfield and will play for the title at 11 a.m. Saturday against either Richards or Lyons Township.
FOCUS ON REGIONAL BASEBALL
Despite Mt. Carmel loss, St. Laurence sectional is loaded By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
Photo by Jeff Vorva
Evergreen Park’s Kenny Rickert dives into home plate to help the Mustangs baseball team beat Lindblom, 11-1, on Saturday.
Mustangs pound diamond foes 35-1 in regional play By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
There was a forfeit, a game played in a downpour and two games played in beautiful weather. And in the end, host Evergreen Park’s baseball and softball teams won Class 3A regional titles and battered their four opponents to the tune of 35-1 on a wet Wednesday and a sunny Saturday. The baseball team won its fourth title in five years. The Mustangs waited out the rain in the semifinals but that wasn’t the biggest problem. Its opponent, CVS, didn’t have enough players, and the Mustangs were awarded a 1-0 forfeit victory. On Saturday, the Mustangs knocked off Lindblom 11-1 as Pat Doran slammed a threerun homer in the victory. The Mustangs (14-15) were
scheduled to face Simeon on Wednesday at the St. Ignatius Sectional at Granderson Stadium at the University of Illinois-Chicago. The championship game is at 2 p.m. Saturday. The softball team played in the pouring rain and beat Hyde Park 13-0 Wednesday, then came back on Saturday and knocked out Hancock 20-0 in a four-inning game. Kelly Farmer pitched a perfect game, striking out five. Maddie Meisl scored three runs and drove in three, Audrey Fetcho scored four runs, Amanda Richter drove in four, Megan Pyles drove in two and Mattie Hughes scored a pair of runs. The Mustangs (22-10) were scheduled to play Lemont in the Nazareth Sectional on Wednesday. The title game is at 11 a.m. Saturday.
State
Continued from Page 1 an out away from winning earlier in the game and made an error. But we were never down in the game.’’ Knights coach Eric Brauer likes the makeup and experience of this team heading into Peoria. “We stay super calm and we stay very poised,” he said. “And we stay very loose. We don’t press. We don’t get tight. That is rooted in playing good teams all year. We have a ton of experience playing in tight games. I like the way we compete every day.’’ Pitching is always a key, and the Knights have two dangerous hurlers in VanderWall (13-0, 0.47 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 74 2-3 innings) and Dan Vos (11-1, 0.41 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 85 innings) at their disposal. St. Joseph is led by Colton Hale, who is hitting .404 with 17 doubles and 39 RBI and is 7-2 on the mound with an 0.58 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 72 innings. Orion (21-12 and a nine-game winning streak) and Teutopolis (29-6 and state champions in 2010 and 2011) are in the other semifinal game. The championship game is Saturday at 5 p.m.
Since the Illinois High School Association baseball pairings came out, it appeared the Class 4A St. Laurence Sectional would be a battle between four Chicago Catholic League South Blue teams. The league will have to settle for 75 percent. Reavis’ 5-4 shocker over fourth-seeded Mt. Carmel on Saturday at Mt. Carmel’s regional squashed those plans. But three other teams made it. Top-seeded St. Laurence won its seventh straight regional title but didn’t have an easy time of it with a 3-2 win over Riverside-Brookfield to capture the Oak Lawn Regional. Gage Olszak, Mike McCormick and winning pitcher Jimmy Burnette drove in runs for the Vikings (32-5). Second-seeded Brother Rice improved to 28-9 with a 5-0 victory over Harlan to win the De La Salle Regional. It’s the Crusaders’ second regional title in a row. Ryan Kutt struck out 13 for Brother Rice. Third-seeded St. Rita beat Lyons 5-0, with Steve Washilewski pitching the shutout. The Mustangs are playing with some extra incen-
tive as they are hoping for a huge finish in coach Mike Zunica’s final season. St. Laurence was slated to play Reavis in the Battle of Burbank on Wednesday, and Brother Rice is taking on St. Rita at 4 p.m. Thursday. The sectional championship is at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Sandburg gets shot at the streak
Sandburg won the Class 4A T.F. North Regional with a 5-3 victory over Lockport on Saturday thanks in part to the pitching of Kevin Lane, and that set the Eagles up to try to break the most amazing postseason streak in IHSA baseball history. Sandburg was scheduled to face Providence Catholic in the opening round of the HomewoodFlossmoor Sectional on Wednesday. Providence is the three-time defending Class 4A champ and entered the game having won 23 straight postseason games despite never being able to win a CCL Blue title. Stagg was the first area team to get a shot at the Celtics in the Andrew Regional semifinals on Thursday and carried a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning. But the Celtics scored runs in the sixth and seventh to stun the Chargers. “That’s what they do,” Chargers coach Matt O’Neill said.
Photo by Jeff Vorva
The Sandburg 4x800 relay team and its alternates get a run in last week before heading to state, where it finished in second place. Dylan Jacobs, left, also finished ninth in the 1600 run.
Track
Continued from Page 1 Photo by Jeff Vorva
Maddie Meisl uses fancy footwork before a hit in Evergreen Park’s 20-0 regional title victory over Hancock on Saturday.
Brother Rice reached the state volleyball tournament for the sixth time overall and the first time since 2012. Ryan Banky had 10 kills and middle hitter Joe Kenzinger added eight and was a blocking force against Sandburg, which had finished fourth in the state in 2015 and third last year. While the Crusaders have not played their firstround opponent, Hinsdale Central, this year, they did go up against Lake Park and Glenbard West. “We will not be scared of anyone — absolutely not,” Kenzinger said. “We played Lake Park strong. We played Glenbard West. We’ve already seen those guys and know what they are all about. We’re kind of the underdog but we’re playing great lately so people see them as the bad guys but we don’t fear them because we’ve been playing some great volleyball.’’ Ball State-bound Colin Ensalaco had 11 kills to lead Sandburg (26-11). He was a key player in the back row for the 2015 squad and a strong hitter for last year’s team. He was hoping to help lead the Eagles to a third straight Final Four appearance. “It’s a bit of a letdown, but we gave it all we could,” Ensalaco said. “I’m proud of the way everyone played. That team (Brother Rice) is going to go far in the tournament. They should take a (top four) trophy if not first or second. That’s a special team.’’
to pass (Wassell) with 50 left. It was crazy and intense. It was an emotional rollercoaster.’’ Friesen’s time would have won the Class 2A race and would have been third in Class 3A. Willging, who hails from Freeport, became the first athlete in SXU history to win a national title when she won the 5K indoor championship in March and last week won the 10K outdoor race in 36:28.78, at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Alabama — 14 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. “It was another truly amazing performance by Ellie,” said SXU women’s track and field coach Lisa Ebel. “She ran an extremely smart race and I could not be more proud of her.’’
Vorva
Continued from Page 1 Other members on the 13-member roster this season were Alex Demma, Ashley Lynch, Morgan Fitzgerald, Ni-
On Saturday, Willging finished second in the 5K to Jessa Perkinson of South Oregon. Willging finished with a 17:30.46. “She has proven herself to be one of the premier distance runners in the entire NAIA,’’ Ebel said. SXU’s Abel Hernandez, a senior from Alsip who attended Shepard, finished eighth in the nation in the 10K with a 32:10.38. He is the first SXU men’s track athlete to earn AllAmerican recognition during the outdoor season. Trinity Christian College’s Ashley Jourdan won All-American honors with a seventhplace finish in the 800 with a 2:14.64. On the high school level, in Class 3A, Sandburg’s 4x800 relay team of Alex Szymanski, Martin Skucas, Peter Demogerontas and Dylan Jacobs finished second in the state with a
7:45.75. It’s the sixth year in a row the Eagles finished in the top four in that event. Last year, the Eagles’ foursome of Jacobs, Sean and Chris Torpy and Tom Brennan set the state record with a 7:37.36. Jacobs, a junior, also took ninth in the 1600 with a 4:19.23 and Ayo Abiona claimed eighth in the long jump with a 22-6.75. Shepard’s Nieko Carter took 12th in the long jump with a 22-3 3/4. Brother Rice’s Jimmy Baker, who is involved in track and boys volleyball this spring, did not advance to the finals in the long jump or triple jump on Friday, but he made it back in time for the Crusaders’ two-set volleyball victory over St. Rita in the Reavis Sectional. In Class 2A, St. Laurence’s Lonnie Chambers was 11th in the discus throw with 150-4 and Alex Saunders took 12th in the triple jump with a 43-1 ½.
cole Rybolt, Genae Grabowski, Jovanna Martinuccci, Autumn Rizzo, Meagan Hecker, Kelly Tomaskovic, Kelly Walinski, Emilia Flores and Ashley Kevin. “They stepped up to the plate literally,” Schindel said. “They had some fun today. They had
a lot of fun and I’m very proud of them. I wasn’t necessarily nervous — anxious is a better word. I was prepared and they were prepared and came out and got the win today. “It’s definitely an experience I will never forget.’’
4
Section 2 Thursday, June 1, 2017
The Regional News - The Reporter
A gallery of postseason photos
Evergreen Park baseball players stand on their bench during Saturday’s regional championship win over Lindblom.
Marist hurler Angela Zedak delivers in a regional championship win over Argo on Saturday. Arms were flying on May 24 for Sandburg as soccer player Kylie Hase (left photo) celebrates a goal in a sectional victory over Andrew, and a few hours later, Eagles baseball player Andrew DeMatteo lifts his arms after scoring a run in a regional win over Crete-Monee.
Photos by Jeff Vorva
Jovanna Martinucci (bottom) is out at third base in the Pride’s 10-3 regional championship victory over De La Dalle Saturday in Burbank. It was the Pride’s final sporting event held at home as the school is closing. HomewoodFlossmoor boys volleyball coach Bob St. Leger returned to Marist on May 23 to coach for the first time since leaving the school in 2012 after serving six years and winning a state title in 2010. His team dropped a two-set regional semifinal decision to Oak Lawn.
Peotone outfielders Josh Brady (left) and Toby Bottoms collide on a Zach Frieling fly to keep a Chicago Christian rally going in the third inning of the Knights’ 12-2 victory May 22 in the regional championship. Marist sophomore Jerimiah Joyce gets ready to serve during his first state match in Buffalo Grove on Thursday.
Stagg baseball players anxiously watch the action in the bottom of the seventh against three-time defending Class 4A champion Providence. Providence scored in the bottom of the seventh and the Chargers suffered a 4-3 heartbreaking loss to the Celtics.
The Regional News - The Reporter
448-6161
Thursday, June 1, 2017 Section 2
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
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Section 2 Thursday, June 1, 2017
448-6161
The Regional News - The Reporter
Rummage Sale
Our Annual Event St. Andrew’s Anglican Church 18001 94th Ave. Tinley Park Saturday, June 3 Saturday, June 10 9 AM to 1 PM Always loads of clothing, jewelry, household items children’s things and baked goods. Fun to browse and buy. All proceeds go to World Wide Missionaries
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Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond
OUT & ABOUT
The Regional News • The Reporter
Thursday, June 1, 2017
BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS Summer activities planned at McCord
A number of activities have been announced by officials at the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center, 9602 W. Creek Road, Palos Park. For more information, or to register for a class, call (708) 761-0648. •Drawing or Painting the Costumed Model Workshop will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 and will be led by Liz Wall. Working with a costumed model will give artists the opportunity to focus on the gestural lines of the figure or a more realistic portrait rendering. Students may work in charcoal or any painting medium. Artists will spend time working on their drawings after the model session. The public is invited. Registration is $40 for members of McCord and $45 for non-members. The class will share the model fee. •Art and Soul, a workshop which allows participants a time out to escape the everyday, to nourish your mind, body and spirit, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 24. Carole Wilson will begin this workshop with guided imagery to quiet the mind and provide participants with deep relaxation and relief from stress. After a short break and light refreshments, several unique works of art will be created. No art experience is required, but a yoga mat and a small blanket or towel is needed. The public is invited. Registration is required and the fee is $45 for members of McCord and $50 for non-members. •Pastel Painting with Julie Skoda will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, June 14, 21, 28 and July 12. The class is open to beginners through advanced painters. Discussions will include shape, value and composition; under painting options, layering, and softening edges. A short exercise or demonstration will be done at the beginning of each class. Students are asked to bring a photo reference to paint from, or the instructor will provide
images along with optional still life setups. The instructor’s work can be viewed at julieskodafineart. com. Registration is required. The fee is $65 for members and $72.50 for non-members. •McCord’s Second Chance Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17. Donations for the sale are being accepted through Wednesday, June 7 and furniture will be accepted after Friday, June 9
The Center offers ‘farm fest’ and more
The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, has announced a slate of activities for the days ahead. For more information or to register for a program, call (708) 361-3650. • A “Farm Fest” is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 3, Horse rides, hayrides, crafts, animals, live music, games and grilled food are among the attractions on the 60 acres of the Children’s Farm. Garage sale, flea market and craft vendors will also feature their wares in tents on the lawn. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children from ages 2-12. Activities also have associated costs. • Communion Sunday will be held at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. June 4. On the first Sunday of each month (except December), Communion is offered at both Wayside Chapel services. Volunteers are needed setting up Communion, as well as helping to distribute it. If you are able and interested, contact Chris Hopkins at (708) 361-3650. All are welcome. The Wayside Chapel serves a non-alcoholic cup and gluten-free bread. • “Jazz in the Pines: A Concert by The Darlene Baresch Quartet” starts at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 4. The event is The Center’s 25th annual outdoor spring jazz concert—to be held on the stage in the pine woods on the north end of the farm. Concert-goers are
WOLFGANG PUCK’S KITCHEN encouraged to park at the farm and jump on the hayrack with a lawn chair, blanket and picnic basket (no alcohol). The Center will provide punch and cookies. There is no admission fee, and children are welcome. • “Essential Oils: What’s Bugging You?” will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 9. Instructor Liz Credio will show students how to make a non-toxic bug spray using essential oils to keep protected this summer. Workshop fee is $12.75 plus a $16 materials fee.
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. • “How to Start a Blog” runs from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7. Students will learn about blogging platforms, a domain name and branding for their new blogging sites. • “Make a Pattern in Illustrator with Lyndsey” will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8. Students will design a unique, repeating pattern in Adobe Illustrator. • “Go Karts and Games” (middle school students only) is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday, June 8. Students are invited to challenge a friend to go-karts, laser tag and more. • “DIY Beaded Wind Chime” will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 8. Students will create their own wind chime with glass beading. • Crazy Socks and Sandals Night is set for 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, June 9, Students are invited to come dressed in their craziest pair of socks and sandals. There will be a strobe-light air hockey tournament and a live performance by Double Identity and E-85. Free food samples will be provided by TruGurt.
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:
“BEFORE I FALL”: Zoey Deutch — a daughter of Lea Thompson (“Back to the Future”) and director Howard Deutch (“Pretty in Pink”) — is one of today’s busiest young actresses, and this somewhat supernatural drama based on Lauren Oliver’s novel has been one of the factors in making that so. She plays a car-accident victim who evidently has died, but she keeps experiencing the events of that tragic day over and over, each time learning more information about those in her life whom she thought she knew very well. Co-stars include Halston Sage, Logan Miller and Kian Lawley, but this clearly is a showcase for the talented Deutch, who makes the most of it. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) (Also on Bluray and On Demand) “COLLIDE”: Anthony Hopkins and Ben Kingsley clearly have more notable projects on their resumes — a lot of them, in fact — but there’s undeniable fun in watching the two Oscar winners square off in this adventure. Nicholas Hoult, alias Beast in the “X-Men” movies, plays a young man involved in European drug-dealing ... a pursuit that becomes more urgent when he needs money for the treatment of his ill girlfriend (Felicity Jones, in a role she filmed before becoming “Rogue One’s” heroine). Much of what unfolds feels familiar, but that Kingsley-Hopkins showdown is worth the price of admission - or, in this case, a rental. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “FIST FIGHT”: The title event is what could result at a school — and not between students, but two teachers — in this comedy. As their high school’s academic year draws to a close, one teacher (Charlie Day, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) is beset by a variety of concerns, including his expectant wife. His list of worries increases
by one when he causes the firing of a fellow faculty member (Ice Cube), a known tough guy whose challenge to be met in an afterschool fight quickly becomes a major, much-anticipated occasion for the school. Co-stars include Tracy Morgan, Jillian Bell (“22 Jump Street”), Dennis Haysbert and Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”). DVD extras: deleted scenes. *** (R: AS, N, P) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “HART TO HART: THE COMPLETE SERIES”: Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers had worked together earlier in an episode of “It Takes a Thief,” so their on-screen chemistry already was evident by the time they started this popular adventure series, created by best-selling novelist Sidney Sheldon and augmented by James Bond screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz, and produced by television veterans Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg (with Wagner also a producer of the show). The stars play wealthy and much-in-love spouses Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, who just can’t resist acting as amateur sleuths when mysteries fall in their path ... and that happened frequently enough for the series to have a five-season run, along with a set of TV-movie sequels. Veteran character actor Lionel Stander is a welcome presence as the Harts’ manservant Max, and as was typical of Spelling’s shows for ABC in the ‘70s and ‘80s, the roster of guest stars is a who’s-who of Hollywood at the time. DVD extras: “making-of” documentary; audio commentary on pilot episode by Wagner, Powers and Mankiewicz. *** (Not rated: AS, V) “THE SHACK”: Sam Worthington (“Avatar”) has the central role in this strongly spiritual drama, based on the same-named best seller, as a man grieving over the kidnapping and apparent death of his youngest daughter. He’s lured by a mysterious letter to the shack where she may have perished, and there, several purported representatives of the Deity make him come to terms with what has happened and what may yet come. Oscar winner Octavia Spencer is among those playing the allegedly heavenly emissaries; countrymusic star Tim McGraw, Radha Mitchell and Graham Greene also
Southwest • Section 2, Page 7
appear. DVD extras: five “makingof” featurettes; audio commentary by director Stuart Hazeldine; deleted scene. *** (PG-13: AS, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “VICTORIAN SLUM HOUSE”: The 19th-century challenges that were faced by families and individuals living in London’s East End are re-created in this five-episode PBS series, which puts modern participants to the test of existing under the same conditions - when having enough money for food and rent seemed next to impossible. The opening hour, “The 1860s,” considers how working in the rag trade and using outdoor bathrooms were among the basic aspects of survival then. Each of the following episodes covers a subsequent decade. *** (Not rated: AS)
COMING SOON:
“A CURE FOR WELLNESS” (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) “A UNITED KINGDOM” (June 6): The king of Botswana (David Oyewolo) risks his throne when he marries a British woman (Rosamund Pike) in the late 1940s. (PG-13: AS) “JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2” (June 13): The ex-assassin (Keanu Reeves) goes to Italy when another killer wants his own sister eliminated; Reeves’ “Matrix” colleague Laurence Fishburne costars. (R: AS, N, P, V) “THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE” (June 13): Will Arnett voices the title character as the Joker (voice of Zach Galifianakis) threatens Gotham City once again. (PG: AS) “TABLE 19” (June 13): Attending a wedding under strange circumstances, a woman (Anna Kendrick) trades stories with her reception tablemates. (PG-13: AS, P) “BILLY JACK: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION” (July 25): Even the pre-”Billy Jack” drama “Born Losers” is included in this set; Tom Laughlin plays the maverick hero. (PG: AS, P, V) FAMILY-VIEWING GUIDE KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence.
Dreamstime.com
The porterhouse has juicy tenderloin on one side and firmer filet on the other.
Get grilling! Follow these guidelines for the perfect steak By Wolfgang Puck Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of the summertime grilling season. With that in mind, I’d like to share my tips for getting the best results when grilling one of my favorite dishes: steak. All of my chefs at my CUT steakhouses (in Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, London, Bahrain, Singapore and New York City) follow these lessons. First and most important, find the best butcher shop in your area and get to know the people working there. You want butchers who hand-select their meat and help you choose the best cut. If you don’t start with good-quality, tender, flavorful meat, you and your guests won’t be happy with the results no matter how you cook it. Next, get to know your cuts of steak and varieties of beef available. The options are too many to detail here, but you can talk with your butcher about the relative merits of different choices, and you can read about them online. For example, I personally like to use dry-aged beef, which has a more concentrated flavor, for a rich, fatlaced bone-in rib-eye steak, also known by the French term cote de boeuf. Some people favor a boneless filet mignon, prized for its exceptional tenderness and juiciness, while others prefer a finertextured and slightly firmer New York strip steak, also known as top sirloin. For the best of both worlds, I often like to prepare large bone-in steaks like the porterhouse, also known as a T-bone, which has juicy tenderloin on one side of the bone and firmer filet on the other. Another key to great grilled steak is to let it come to room temperature before putting it on the fire, for even cooking. Then, just before it goes on the grill, I rub it with some olive oil to help
keep it moist, promote browning and prevent sticking; and I season it just before cooking, so the salt won’t have time to draw out the meat’s juices. I cook the meat just to the medium-rare stage, still deep pink in the middle; to me, doing this maximizes the flavor, texture and juiciness. And I always let the steak rest 10 minutes before cutting into it, allowing time for the meat’s fibers to reabsorb the hot, bubbling juices. Finally, I steer clear of complicated sauces. In the following recipe, for example, I simply spoon a little garlic-thyme butter over the meat just before serving, and sprinkle on a little fleur de sel, delicate little petals of sea salt you can find in well-stocked supermarkets. Please try this recipe for yourself, and you’ll enjoy great steak all summer long, whatever cut you choose. Happy grilling! GRILLED PORTERHOUSE STEAKS WITH GARLICTHYME BUTTER Serves 4 • 2 porterhouse steaks, each about 34 ounces (960 g) • 1/4 cup (60 mL) extra-virgin olive oil • 4 tablespoons kosher salt • 4 tablespoons coarsely cracked black peppercorns • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter • 8 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled • 6 sprigs fresh thyme • 2 tablespoons fleur de sel • Freshly ground black pepper Build a fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill for directheat cooking. Meanwhile, remove the steaks from the refrigerator, place them
on a platter or tray, and leave them to rest at room temperature for at least 25 minutes. When the grill is hot, if using charcoals, arrange the coals in an even bed and set the grill grid over the coals. Rub the steaks on both sides with the olive oil. Holding the salt about 10 inches (25 cm) above the steaks, season them evenly on both sides. Then, season them the same way with the cracked peppercorns. As soon as you have seasoned the steaks, place them on the cooking grid and grill until evenly, deeply browned, 10 to 12 minutes on each side for medium-rare; to give them a diamond-shaped pattern of grill marks, rotate them once a quarter turn halfway through the cooking time on each side. To test the meat for doneness, use an instant-read grilling thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest part not touching bone. The temperature should read about 145 F (63 C). As soon as the steaks are done, transfer them to a clean platter, cover with aluminum foil, and leave to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. While the steaks rest, in a saucepan on the cooler edge of the grill or a burner on the stovetop over medium heat, melt the butter with the garlic cloves and thyme. Remove from the heat, cover, and keep warm. Set aside. To carve the steaks, transfer them to a carving board. Use a sharp knife to cut the meat in a single piece from both sides of the bone. Then, perpendicular to the bone edge of each piece, cut it vertically into slices about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Evenly divide the meat from both sides of the steaks evenly among four heated serving plates. Spoon the garlic-thyme butter over the meat and sprinkle lightly but evenly with the fleur de sel and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.
OMARR’S WEEKLY ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST By Jeraldine Saunders ARIES (Mar 21-Apr. 19): If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Your emotions are likely to get the best of you in spirited discussions. Avoid confrontations in the week ahead. Try to enjoy the world as it is. Don’t worry what others think. TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): Agree to disagree. There’s little point in trying to get the last word in as you’re not going to change anyone’s opinion and they aren’t going to change yours. Build upon common interests rather than focusing on differences. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t try to swat a fly with a sledgehammer. There may be a tendency for you to make a minor problem out to be a bigger deal than it actually is. Keep your priorities in order and don’t act as if a minor setback is the end of the world. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Step back and count to 10. Take care when dealing with those who may get under your skin as you could be quick to lose your cool. If tried and true methods aren’t working for you, thinking outside the box could provide the answer. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Slow and steady wins the race. Not that you’re in a race, but pacing yourself and taking your time will yield a far better result that if you try to
rush. Others have come to rely on your efficiency and dependability, don’t let them down. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t believe everything that you hear. You may get showered with information today but not all of it is likely to be true. Do your own homework before using any facts and determine whether sources are valid or just blowing hot air. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22.): Actions speak louder than words. Others are likely to respond better to what you do rather than what you say as deeds will leave no questions about your sincerity. Get all the facts before making judgments or reaching conclusions. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Live and let live. There will always be people who see the world differently than you do so simply try to respect their opinions as you would have them respect your own. Adversity will be easy to overcome if you just keep your cool. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t get too big for your britches. Overconfidence could come back to haunt you as this week unfolds. You should always be prepared for even the slightest chance that you could fail and have a backup plan. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Expand your horizons. Reading up on a subject could provide valuable insights for business or life in general. Keep an open mind if a companion wants to try some-
thing different as the experience could be worthwhile. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. A knee-jerk reaction could land you right in the middle of a messy situation that would be best to avoid. Break up the monotony by doing something original this week. PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): Don’t let them drag you down to their level. Certain people may just be itching for a fight and you won’t need to do much to pull their trigger. Diffuse tense situations with humor or just walk away in the week ahead.
Rummage Sale Our Annual Event St. Andrew’s Anglican Church 18001 94th Ave. Tinley Park
Saturday, June 3 Saturday, June 10 9 AM to 1 PM Always loads of clothing, jewelry, household items children’s things and baked goods. Fun to browse and buy. All proceeds go to World Wide Missionaries
8 Section 2
Thursday, June 1, 2017
The Regional News • The Reporter
Smith Senior Living encourages wellness with music, drum circles Submitted by Smith Senior Living It’s almost 2:30 on a Tuesday afternoon in May at Smith Village in Chicago’s Beverly Morgan-Park neighborhood. Christine Magafas, a certified music therapist, places percussion instruments on or near chairs in the new Wellness Center’s fitness area. Within minutes, six residents of the life plan community file in and form a drum circle. After serving as a life enrichment coordinator at Smith Village in 2014, Magafas returned in 2017 to work at both Smith Village and Smith Crossing in Orland Park as a full-time music therapist. She uses recorded music and plays the guitar, violin and percussion instruments to help residents relax and reconnect with fond memories associated with the melodies of their lives. “The most gratifying part of my day is witnessing how music speaks for itself, reaching residents of Smith communities in profound ways and making their lives enjoyable,” she said. Magafas explains that drumming traditions can be found in cultures throughout the world and play important roles in celebration and worship. She starts the drumming session by using her hands to play a large cylindric drum from Africa, called a Tubano. Smith Village resident Maureen Lamas, a retired music teacher for Chicago Public Schools, begins patting a Djembe Jumba, a large goblet style drum also from Africa. Other residents play tambourines or use padded drum sticks to play buffalo drums and frame drums. Another participant plays a wooden rasp carved in the shape
of a cricket. Magafas instructs the group to follow her steady beat. For a good seven or eight minutes, the group sticks closely to her rhythm, which builds in speed and volume, then slows and quiets down. The buffalo and frame drums follow steadily, and the rasp punctuates the chorus with shredding noises that sound like insects. Lamas, however, adds her own creative flair with a few bongo-style vignettes. Between drumming progressions, some players switch up to larger buffalo drums, others trade drums for rasps or tambourines. For the last round, the group builds momentum like a speeding train, then slows to steady, slow, separate loud beats. Lamas, who moved to Smith Village from Chicago’s North Side in May of 2015, described the experience as “Invigorating.” Janis McHugh, who moved to Smith Village in 2007, said, “I definitely enjoy trying new things. This was interesting.” While playing, most of the drummers focused intently on the rhythms with their eyes closed. All said they felt relaxed afterward. But monthly drumming circles aren’t the only way Magafas reaches out to residents at Smith Village and Smith Crossing. She frequently uses recorded music to encourage residents in all lifestyle settings to relax to some of their favorite tunes. She also plays guitar and violin at meal times and happy hours. “Many of our residents prefer listening to music from specific eras and our life enrichment staff members respond by planning a variety of live entertainment onsite and trips to concerts. Christine,
Music therapist Christine Magafas uses percussion instruments like the Tubano, recorded music and other musical instruments to help Smith Crossing residents relax and connect with cherished memories and peaceful mindsets.
however, provides something more,” said Kevin McGee, president and CEO of Smith Senior Living. “Her purpose is to help residents think in new ways about music and to experience the connection between rhythms and melodies to peaceful mindsets as well as cherished memories.” Magafas earned a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from
Western Illinois University in 2012. She also plays the piano, mandolin, ukulele and autoharp.
About Smith Senior Living
Smith Senior Living, a not-forprofit organization serving older adults, sponsors Smith Village in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood and Smith Crossing in Orland Park. These are the only life plan communities located in the
Smith Village resident Maureen Lamas creates rhythms on a Djembe Jumba, a large goblet style drum originating from West Africa during a recent drumming circle session led by music therapist Christine Magafas.
Southwest sector of metropolitan Chicago. An innovative leader providing the finest services and care for seniors, Smith established its first community in 1924, on the same city block where Smith Village stands today. Both LPCs provide spacious independent living residences, and apartments for assisted living, as well as memory support and skilled nursing care. In addi-
tion, they offer short-term rehab programs for residents and others who have had surgery or a medical incident. For more information about how Smith Senior Living can help seniors enjoy their retirement, contact Smith Crossing at 708-326-2308 or SmithCrossing. org, and Smith Village at 773-4747303 or SmithVillage.org.
Experts warn against abuse, overuse of antibiotics By Jackson A. Thomas Severe acne. Bronchitis. Pink eye. If you’ve come down with anything more than the common cold, you’ve probably been prescribed an antibiotic. And it likely cured you. But almost nothing is foolproof when it comes to modern medicine. In February, the World Health Organization identified 12 types of bacteria that are “priorities” in urgent need of new antibiotics. It’s been a concern for quite some time as these bacteria are simply evolving and becoming immune to the drugs. People also continue to use them when they don’t really need to. “The less we expose people to antibiotics, the less there is going to be that risk for developing resistance in the first place,” says Dr. Thomas File, chair of the Infectious Disease Division at Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio.
Don’t add fuel to the fire
It’s important to understand when to take an antibiotic, which is for a bacterial infection, not for viruses such as the flu, common cold or a sore throat. “Antibiotics, like all drugs, have a number of side effects that can be bothersome or harmful,” says Dr. Kristen Nichols, a clinical pharmacist at Riley Children’s Health in Indianapolis who focuses on antibiotic resistance education. “In addition to killing the harmful bacteria, they also kill off the ‘friendly’ bacteria in your body. Without a bacterial infection, antibiotics are not good for us.” Dr. Saul Hymes, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital in New York, says it’s a “common misconception” that our bodies build up a tolerance and resistance to certain antibiotics. But that’s not the case. “The bacteria themselves are becoming resistant to antibiotics by simple evolution and natural selection,” Hymes says. “As bacteria grow, there will naturally be some that mutate to be resistant to antibiotics.” With each exposure, bacteria learn how to avoid the effects of the antibiotics to survive. “While some bacteria are killed off, the ones that mutate to be resistant to the antibiotic survive and replicate,” says Nichols, who also is on the Antibiotic Resistance Advisory Committee with the Indiana State Department of Health. Nichols and Hymes both emphasize avoiding antibiotics unless you absolutely need to take them. “Do not take antibiotics for a cold or for a cough unless you
are sure it is due to a bacteria,” Hymes says. “Even many bacterial infections like ear infections in children may get better without antibiotics.”
Back to the basics
The top three priorities on the WHO’s list classified as “critical” are linked to hospital-acquired infections. In the U.S., one in 25 hospital patients is estimated to have at least one hospital-acquired infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drug-resistant bacteria are estimated to cause 700,000 deaths each year, according to WHO. If no action is taken, bacteria are expected to kill 10 million people annually by 2050.
Hospitals and their staff can help lower the likelihood of patients acquiring these bacteria. “First and foremost, health care professionals in these settings
should adhere to good infection control principles — the most basic of which is frequent and thorough hand-washing,” File says. “It may sound simple, but it’s of crucial importance as many infections are transmitted from skin-to-skin contact.” In terms of staying on top of your own health, be cognizant of your role in infection control. “Respiratory etiquette, coughing into your sleeve or handkerchief, not your hand, and avoiding public places if you are sick,” File says. Nichols is hopeful that in the near future antibiotics will only be used when they’re clearly necessary. “But this will require effort from patients and prescribers,” she says.
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