Shimko makes the move from Queen of Peace to St. Laurence to coach girls basketball: SPORTS
REPORTER
THE Volume LVIII, No. 2
Serving Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Oak Lawn, Palos Hills and Worth
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Thursday, March 23, 2017
Students get close shaves to help kids with cancer By Kelly White
The students at Most Holy Redeemer Elementary School once again shed their hair for a good cause. The 8th annual St. Baldrick’s event was held Friday afternoon in Briody Hall, which is the gymnasium for the school at 3650 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with the aim of raising funds to help find cures for children with cancer. Volunteers, sponsored by family, friends and employers, shave their heads in solidarity with children who typically lose their hair during cancer treatment. “I’m shaving my head so kids with cancer don’t have to fight alone,” said Matthew
“I want to raise awareness for cancer because
my grandma fought cancer for many years of her life.” — Fifth-grader Brendan Enright Hynes, 9, a third-grade student. Matthew joined 60 other students who were brave enough to shave their heads bald, including fifth-grader Brendan Enright, 10, who reported being happy to participate in an event that draws attention to a cause everyone can relate to. He stressed that cancer can target anyone, including those we love. “I want to raise awareness for cancer because my grandma fought cancer for
many years of her life,” he said. The school raised over $9,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The amount of money raised by students continues to rise annually, according to school officials. “Celebrating St. Baldrick’s Day is a longstanding tradition at Most Holy Redeemer School,” said Nancy Harmening, principal of Most Holy Redeemer School. “Our school’s mission is to be active, caring and energized members of our community.
“St. Baldrick’s Day offers our students, faculty and staff the opportunity to show our solidarity for those deep in the fight against cancer and our hope that one day we can celebrate the discovery of a cure. Furthermore, the event encourages students to embrace Irish heritage and celebrate the unique community of the South Side of Chicago.” Parents of the students have organized the St. Baldrick’s event at Most Holy Redeemer since 2009. This year the lead organizer was Colleen Maloney. She worked alongside other parents, including Terry and Corinne Doran, Katie Lyons and Jennifer McClorey, during the planning process and implementation of
Photo by Kelly White
Shane Lyons, 7, smiles as his hair is cut during the St. Baldrick’s Day See BALDRICK’S, Page 9 event Friday.
APRIL 4 LOCAL ELECTIONS
Chicago Ridge candidates spar on video gaming Term limits also are a divisive issue By Dermot Connolly
Shepard students take Polar Plunge
Photo courtesy of Bob McParland
Students from Shepard High School show off their “super powers” by taking the Polar Plunge in frigid Leisure Lake in Joliet to raise money for Illinois Special Olympics. Story and more photos on Page 4.
ARAB AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC CLUB FORUM
Kennedy vows to bring diversity to Illinois government By Ray Hanania Gubernatorial candidate Christopher Kennedy vowed Sunday at an annual Democratic candidate’s banquet to bring diversity back to the state of Illinois and include American Arabs if he is elected governor. Kennedy was the keynote political speaker at the event hosted by the Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) that drew the attendance of more than 50 elected officials and officeholders in local municipal, county, state and federal government. A theme of the evening was championing the rights of American Arabs and including American Arabs in local, county, state and federal government, as well as opposing national policies restricting the rights of immigrants. “Immigrants are our neighbors, our friends. They are the architects of our famous buildings and they enrich our daily lives. Immigrants are the very fabric of our society, just as I am and just as all of you are. Immigrants are American. We shouldn’t stop them from becoming Americans,” Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, told the more than 400 attendees at the Belvedere Chateau in Palos Hills. “When we welcome new people into our
“ Immigrants are the very fabric of our society, just as I am and just as all of you are. ... We shouldn’t stop them from becoming Americans.”
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ner. Some other mayors in attendance were Gerald Bennett, of Palos Hills, and Mike Howley (Hickory Hills), Dan McLaughlin (Orland Park), David Seaman (Tinley Park) and Steve Landek (Bridgeview), who is also the Democratic state senator from the 12th District. The keynote speaker was Jim Zogby, the president of the Arab American Institute based on Washington D.C. Zogby served on the platform committee for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), who urged Arabs to become involved in local politics, to vote and to be inclusive. See FORUM, Page 10
See CHICAGO RIDGE, Page 9
Worth candidates address questions from residents By Sharon Filkins
— Christopher Kennedy
lives and into our country, we encourage new ideas and new ways of looking at old problems.” Kennedy told Americans that the experience of his grandmother, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, taught her family the lessons of prejudice that Irish Catholics faced when she was a little girl. “She described the signs hung above the back service doors of the restaurants that said N-I-N-A, ‘No Irish Need Apply’,” Kennedy recalled noting that though she was the mother of an American president, she was the daughter of Irish immigrants. Attending the event were Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury and Worth Mayor Mary Wer-
The six candidates running for three trustee seats in the April 4 election in Chicago Ridge batted a few accusations around while fielding questions from residents during a March 15 forum. The Chicago Ridge-Worth Chamber of Commerce hosted the event in the Chicago Ridge Village Hall, with Vice President Christopher Lisek asking questions submitted by audience members. Much of the discussion focused on the importance of attracting new businesses, as well as contentious issues such as pension spikes, and outside campaign influences. The three trustee candidates on the Results Now ticket led by mayoral candidate Fran Coglianese are incumbents Bruce Quintos and Amanda Cardin, and newcomer Scott Schaal, a retired Chicago Ridge police officer now handling security at Palos Hospital.
Quintos retired from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police as field operations commander in 2003, the day before he was elected to the village board. Cardin, running for her second and, she said, last term, works with children with special needs, and the Professional Development Advisory Council. Facing off against them were current Village Treasurer Deb Pyznarski and Ed Kowalski, both running informally with incumbent Mayor Chuck Tokar on the Taxpayers First slate. Independent Lisel Kwartnik, a grant administrator with the Chicago Association for Research and Education in Science, is also running Besides being village treasurer, Pyznarski is senior general manager of Lincoln Property Co., while Kowalski is business development manager of ServPro in Evergreen Park. Pyznarski’s husband, Rob, is the Chicago Ridge
Worth Mayor Mary Werner and her opponent, Randy Keller, discussed a variety of issues during a candidates forum held March 14 at the Worth Park District Terrace Centre. Keller had served as mayor of Worth from 2009 to 2013. Werner defeated him in 2013. Worth Village Clerk Bonnie Price also was present at the forum. She has been the clerk since 2001 and has served under three different mayors. She is a Certified Municipal Clerk and is running unopposed for a fifth term in the Tuesday, April 4 election. Sponsored by the Chicago Ridge/Worth Chamber of Commerce, the event was designed for residents of Worth to have the opportunity to hear why the candidates were running and why they should be elected. A second
goal of the program was also to provide residents with the opportunity to submit questions to the candidates. Over 100 people gathered for the event. Up for re-election as trustees are incumbents Tedd Muersch, Jr., elected in 2013 and now seeking a second term, and Richard Dziedzic, who has served since 2009 and is seeking a third term. Trustee Colleen McElory chose not to run in the April 4 election. Vying for the open position are candidates Brad Urban and Bahira Karim, both longtime Worth residents. Chamber officials who were on hand for the forum were Bill Ritter, president; Christopher Lesik, the vice president who served as the facilitator of the forum; Ann Walsh, secretary; and directors Colleen Ritter, Kathy Jean and See WORTH, Page 9
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2 The Reporter
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Oak Lawn traffic stop results in four arrests for weapons possession
Free workshop at Marist is designed to help adolescents ‘navigate life’s transitions’ A workshop for parents and the community will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 in the RedHawk Theater at Marist High School, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago. Counselor Holly Cox and social worker Cathaleen Novak will present “Teaching Adolescents How to Successfully Navigate Life’s Transitions and Become SelfAdvocates.” The program is free. Following the workshop, Joel Penton, a five-year football player for The Ohio State University and now one of the nation’s leading youth motivational speakers, will be on hand. Penton made a high energy presentation to Marist students in February about the power of positive choices and rising above peer pressure. His talk was part of Marist’s Guidance Department’s multifac-
eted program for the meant to challenge and inspire students. “What Do You Stand For?” represents a school wide effort to promote integrity, resourcefulness, compassion, and resilience, as students reflect and act on the values they stand for in life. The program is holistic in its approach to student life, with not only the Guidance Department, but campus ministry, student activities, athletics, and academic departments participating in events and programming throughout the year. As with all efforts at Marist, it will take place within the scope of the school’s Catholic faith. “We wanted to develop a program to inspire our students to continually examine their values and model those values in everyday life,” explained Novak.
Submitted photo
Motivational speaker Joel Penton interacts with freshman and sophomore students during his presentation last month at Marist High School. His visit, along with two upcoming parent workshops, was a part of the school’s multifaceted “What Do You Stand For? ” program aimed at helping students grow in compassion, resilience, integrity, and resourcefulness.
Oak Lawn man is jailed on felony drug and weapons possession charges An Oak Lawn man remains in Cook County Jail this week facing felony drug and weapons possession charges after he fled a traffic stop conducted by undercover Oak Lawn police and was arrested at his home in the village. Erick J. Bixler, 29, was arrested by police at his home in the 9000 block of South Court on March 14, according to police. Police said they witnessed him commit a traffic violation in the area of 91st Street and Meade Avenue at 6:22 p.m., and then flee when they tried to pull him over. They said he committed several traffic violations while attempting to elude them. After the pursuing officers obtained the driver’s address and ended the chase, while other officers went to the address and waited for him to arrive. After he was taken into custody, police said he was found to be in possession of a firearm and a box of ammunition. Police
determined that he also had an outstanding warrant related to a previous charge of driving under the influence. They said a large amount of marijuana, equipment used to grow marijuana, and hundreds of rounds of assault rifle ammunition were recovered after search warrants were conducted on his detached garage and storage unit at another location. Bixler faces felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, possession with intent to deliver over 2,000 grams of cannabis, and possession of more than 2,000 grams of cannabis, as well as misdemeanor driving with a suspended license. He was also cited for speeding, eight counts of disregarding a stop sign, and failure to yield turning left. According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, he is being held in Cook County Jail in lieu of $35,000 bail, with his next court date scheduled for April 24.
Correction Chicago Ridge mayoral candidate Fran Coglianese was misquoted in an article about a recent candidates’ forum that appeared in the March 16 issue of The Reporter. She said she opposes making the mayor’s office a part-time position and hiring a village manager due to the costs involved. She is also against the mayor being budget director, but said state statute does allow him or her to be local liquor commissioner. The Reporter regrets the errors.
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Chicago Ridge DUI charge
Cynthia Savarise, 61, of the 8800 block of South Mozart Avenue, Evergreen Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 1:20 a.m. last Thursday at 107th Street and Oak Park Avenue. Police said her vehicle went off the road and onto railroad tracks. They said she registered a .227 blood-alcohol count on a breath test. She was also cited for driving without insurance and improper lane usage. She is due in court on May 27.
Suspended licenses • Juan Valtierra, 32, of the 6400 block of South Troy Avenue, Chicago, was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at 96th Street and Ridgeland Avenue. Police said he was also cited for driving without insurance. He is due in court on May 12. • Ejia Wahdani, 27, of the 8100 block of West 87th Street, Hickory Hills, was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 10:55 p.m. Sunday at 95th Street and Ridgeland Avenue. Police said he was also cited for driving without insurance. He is due in court on May 12. • Ignas Zaremba, 25, of the 10800 block of South 76th Avenue, in Worth, was charged with driving on a suspended license following 2:32 a.m. March 13 at 111th Street and Central Avenue. Police said he was also cited for driving without insurance and one headlight. He is due in court on March 21.
Dwayne Jones, 20, of the 7200 block of South Harding Avenue, Chicago, was charged
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weapon, as well as misdemeanor possession of ammunition without a firearm owner ID card, possession of stolen property, several traffic citations, and one citation for possession of cannabis. Dean was held on $20,000 bond for the gun charge. Reginald Williams, 21, also of Hazel Crest, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on a traffic offense, while Kwamaine Tarver, 22, of Richton Park, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a drug offense. Tarver and Anthony Sheko, 20, of Country Club Hills, were also charged with obstructing identification for providing false names. The fifth person in the car was released without charges.
POLICE REPORTS
Criminal trespassing P040036 P040036 02/04 02/04
An Oak Lawn traffic stop resulted in four arrests, including one for felony weapons possession, in the 4600 block of West 95th Street at 7:56 p.m. Friday. Police said an alert officer pulled over the car and spoke to the five occupants after seeing the vehicle committing several traffic violations while traveling east. While speaking with the driver of the vehicle, the officer reported smelling cannabis inside the vehicle. He said the driver, identified as Marquis Dean, 21, of Hazel Crest, then admitted to carrying cannabis. A stolen, loaded .40 caliber handgun was also found under a mat in the car, police said. Dean was charged with felony aggravated unlicensed use of a
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with criminal trespassing to property at 5:45 p.m. Saturday in Chicago Ridge Mall. Police said he caused a disturbance in the mall, and was charged after he refused requests by police and security guards to leave. He is due in court on May 12.
Evergreen Park Battery off nse
Kevin M. Kennedy, 32, of Orland Park, was charged with battery following a fight with another man that occurred at 11:30 p.m. March 13 at Tavern in the Green, 3422 W. 95th St. Police said he hit the other man in the face.
Retail theft Craig C. Jackson, 64, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft at Walmart, 2500 W. 95th St., at 5:15 p.m. March 13. Police said he took radios and other electronic equipment worth $266. • Henry L. West Jr., 34, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft at 7:30 p.m. March 15 at Walmart, 2500 W. 95th St. Police said he took curtains worth $34.08.
Deceptive practices Dion Lewis, 50, of South Holland, faces felony deceptive practices following his arrest at 1:30 p.m. March 13 at Menards, 9100 S. Western Ave. Police said he was in possession of a fraudulent driver’s license and credit cards, which he tried to use to purchase merchandise worth $12,000. They said he was stopped before the transaction was completed.
Criminal trespassing Craig C. Jackson, 64, of Chicago, was charged with criminal trespassing following an incident outside Sam’s Club, 9400 S. Western Ave., at 3:20 p.m. March 14. Police said he was bothering customers and refused to leave the property. They said he was also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia,
including a metal pipe and other items used to ingest drugs.
Hickory Hills Drug possession
Kyle B. Grikmanis, 24, of the 9200 block of South 86th Court, Hickory Hills, was charged with possession of methamphetamines after police responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle found him in his car at 4:42 a.m. Friday, in the 9100 block of Hawthorn Drive. Police said he was carrying a methamphetamine pill, a glass pipe and other drug paraphernalia, for which he was also cited. He was held for a bond hearing.
Oak Lawn DUI charges
• Eduardo Garcia-Quinones, of Chicago, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 11:59 p.m. March 10 at 95th Street and Lacrosse Avenue. Police said he registered a .215 blood-alcohol count on a breath test. He was also cited for improper lane usage, improper turn, no proof of insurance, and illegal transportation of alcohol. Garcia-Quinones is due in court on March 28. • Taron M. Delaney, 25, of Chicago, was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs following a traffic stop at 1:25 a.m. March 3 at Southwest Highway and 52nd Avenue. Police said he was also cited for aggravated speeding of 63 mph in a 30 mph zone, disobeying a red light, improper lane usage, no driver’s license, and illegal transportation of alcohol. Police said an open bottle of cognac was in the car. He was held for a bond hearing. • Mario A. Mockus, 23, of Oak Lawn, was charged with DUI following a traffic stop at Cicero Avenue and Oak Center Drive at
2:15 a.m. March 10. Police said he registered a .129 blood-alcohol count on a breath test. He was also cited for aggravated speeding of 61 mph in a 35 mph zone, improper signaling, no proof of insurance, and failure to notify the secretary of state’s office of a change of address. He is due in court on March 28. • Anthony M. Dandrea, 25, of Palos Park, was charged with DUI following a traffic stop at 115th Street and Central Avenue at 7:38 p.m. March 12. Police said he was also cited for disobeying a traffic signal, improper lane usage, and speeding. He is due in court on March 28. • Orland Delvon Lewis, 36, of Chicago, was charged with DUI at 1:52 a.m. March 13 in the 10400 block of South Pulaski. Police said he registered a .105 blood-alcohol count on a breath test. He was also cited for speeding and illegal lane usage. He is due in court on March 28. • David T. Zaker, 37, of Bridgeview, was charged with DUI following a traffic stop at 12:18 a.m. March 12 at 95th Street and Rutherford Avenue. Police said he was also cited for speeding, improper lane usage, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Police said 11 ounces of marijuana and a glass pipe were found in the car. He is due in court on March 28.
Retail theft Alexis B. Kelly, 33, and Charles A. Dunnigan, 21, both of Chicago, were charged with retail theft following incidents at Kmart, 4101 W. 95th St., and Jewel-Osco, 9424 S. Pulaski Road, on March 12. Police said they left Kmart at 3:55 p.m. with infant formula and baby clothes in a tote bag taken from the store. They were stopped outside and the items were recovered but the couple fled the scene on foot. However, police said they were recognized and picked up shortly afterward outside the Jewel-Osco across the street with diapers and liquor allegedly taken from that store. Police said the merchandise totaled more than $225 in value. They are due in court on April 12.
Palos Hills Check fraud
Police responded to a forgery complaint at Pinto Construction, 7225 W. 105th St., at 2 p.m. March 13. They were told that several fraudulent checks using the company’s bank account information were allegedly cashed, totaling more than $8,000.
Purse stolen A purse was reported stolen from the Valley Inn, 8300 W. 107th St., at 11 p.m. last Thursday. The victim said that while she was playing the video gaming machines, her purse was taken from a nearby chair.
Lawn ornament stolen
A blue gazing ball and stand were reported stolen from a yard in Cour Leroux at 11 a.m. Monday.
Dumpster fi e
A dumpster fire caused minor damage to a surrounding fence in the area of 100th Street and South Hill Terrace about 5:30 a.m. Monday. Police who reported to the scene said the fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported. Police reports are provided by law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
The Reporter
Chuck Berry’s music was out of this world
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e live in a world of hyperbole, thanks in large part to reality TV and social media. Someone is said to be the king of this or the queen of that. When these titles are so easily thrown around they have little meaning. The late Michael Jackson was a great singer and an outstanding performer. He was referred to as the “King of Pop.” I’m not sure what that actually means. The late Elizabeth Taylor, of all people, came up with that moniker. Sometimes well-intentioned titles are just meaningless. Referring to Frank Sinatra as the “Chairman of the Board” has a nice ring to it. The Rolling Stones were once probably the “World’s Greatest Rock ’n’ Roll Band’ on some nights. Benny Goodman was known as the “King of Swing.” Joe I don’t recall specific titles given to Chuck Boyle Berry, who died at the age of 90 Saturday afternoon just outside St. Louis. I’ve seen a reference to him this week as the “Father of Rock ’n’ Roll.” I don’t know if he was or not. But if not, then who was? Elvis Presley was always known as the “King” due to his emergence in the early days of rock ’n’ roll. Presley was the answer to some record executives’ dreams. When so-called “race music” began popping up on radio stations in the early 1950s, managers and executives wondered if they could find a white man who sounded black and moved around the stage as opposed to just singing into a microphone. They felt such a performer could draw a large audience of white teens. Presley was the answer to that dream. I don’t know if Elvis was the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll,” but he put the music on the map, especially after his TV performances on “Milton Berle” and “The Ed Sullivan Show” in the mid-1950s. The way I look at it is the King is just a part of Presley’s title. His early performances shocked more conservative tastes. Elvis was a southern boy who grew up on country, blues and gospel music. He was performing that way long before his TV performances. But Berry was unique. I recall when I was a teen, a couple of friends of mine were arguing over who was better, Chuck Berry or Little Richard. The latter was a flamboyant piano player and singer who was noted for his outrageous look long before David Bowie and Prince. Little Richard, whose real name is Richard Penniman, was never short on confidence. He would scream to anyone who would listen that he was the actual “King of Rock.” But when the question of Little Richard’s royalty was posed to The Who’s Pete Townshend years later, he looked at the reporter with contempt. In his mind, Little Richard was all hype. Chuck Berry was the real deal. Berry may not be the king or greatest this or greatest that. But if you examine his long career, he was an integral part of American music of the 20th century. In several documentaries I’ve watched on Berry, he said he was able to see some country singers at a local theater in St. Louis. He was heavily influenced by county music chord progressions that he brought to his own band at the age of 15. The guitar was his instrument of choice and his early influences were country and swing music. Many of his hit records of the 1950s — inlcuding “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Back in the USA” and “Sweet Little Sixteen” — had country influences in those distinctive guitar riffs backed by a rolling drum beat. But it wasn’t until Chicago and Chess Records when he recorded a re-worked country song called “Maybelline” that Berry’s career took off. While Presley obviously was the major attraction who popularized rock, Berry poured out hits he arranged and wrote that white teens could also identify with. Young white audiences could identify with his songs about fast cars and girls. Berry will not be mentioned with the level of reverence and love like some other performers were when they died. Three jail sentences have something to do with that. His third offense was when he was accused of secretly filming women in the bathroom of his restaurant. Berry could be cantankerous and moody. But all those complexities resulted in some memorable music. NASA compiled 27 songs on a “Golden Record” that includes photographs and other artifacts and attached it to the Voyage 1 spacecraft launched in 1977 to explore the outer depths of the solar system. Only one rock song appears on that list. The song is not by Little Richard, or Elvis, The Beatles, the Stones or The Who. The song that’s now floating in interstellar space is “Johnny B. Goode.” If there is any intelligent life out there, maybe they will learn those guitar licks and do the duck walk. Joe Boyle is the editor of The Reporter. He can be reached at thereporter@comcast.net.
Burke sponsors legislation to provide relief to Illinois working-class families State Rep. Kelly Burke (D36th) is sponsoring legislation to assist working-class families save more money that she said will double the value of the Earned Income Tax Credit. “It’s vital we do more to help hardworking families keep more of their own money,” Burke said. “Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit will also provide a tremendous boost to local businesses and help create jobs.” Burke is sponsoring House Bill 2475, which she said would double the value of the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit over the course of five years, raising the value of the credit by 2 percent every year. Each 2 percent increase would put an estimated $44 million back in working families’ pockets. Additionally, the U.S. Conference of Mayors indicates that every $1 returned to taxpayers through the Earned Income Tax Credit generates between $1.50 and $2 in economic activity, helping local businesses grow. “I am disappointed in Gov.
Rauner’s proposed budget that slashes critical funding for social services and higher education, while allowing corporations to continue to use loopholes to avoid paying taxes,” Burke said. “The only way we will create a stronger and more prosperous Illinois is by investing in education, expanding tax credits for small businesses, and lowering the tax burden on families who need it most.”
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St. Patricia honors fi st responders A St. Patricia student hands out gifts to members of the police and fire departments during an all-school Mass honoring first responders. The Rev. Marc Pasciak, pastor of St. Patricia Parish, and Jamie Nowinski, principal of St. Patricia School in Hickory Hills, said this annual Mass is a special event. The St. Patricia faculty and students prepared special gifts for the first responders to remember the day together at the school.
CHICAGO RIDGE BOARD MEETING
Village faces potential lawsuit over former trucking terminal By Dermot Connolly
The Chicago Ridge Board of Trustees learned at its meeting on Tuesday that the village is facing a lawsuit that will likely stall any development of the former Yellow Freight property at 10301 S. Harlem Ave. now owned by Crown Enterprises. The impending lawsuit came to light toward the end of an otherwise mundane committee meeting, as the board went over agenda items prior to voting on them. Under new business, Trustee Sally Durkin had requested a discussion regarding Crown Enterprises. When asked about it, she said a man who identified himself as local counsel for the company had contacted her Friday and asked for time at the meeting for a company official to address the board about unspecified issues. Durkin said she had not met the person, who turned out to be Michael Samhat, president of Crown Enterprises, but was told he was in the audience. Village attorney Michael Stillman cautioned against speaking to him because a lawsuit was pending. “I was asked yesterday if I could accept service of process (of a lawsuit) but I could not. Only the mayor or village president can accept service,” Stillman said. “I would never advise a client to meet with the other party in a lawsuit,” Stilllman stressed. As of Tuesday night, Mayor Chuck Tokar had not been served with the legal papers, but he agreed with Stillman’s advice
not to speak to Samhat. However, at the request of several trustees, the board met briefly with him in executive session after the meeting. “I just wanted to introduce myself to the board,” Samhat said after leaving the meeting. He declined to confirm any details of the sale, but it is public knowledge that Crown Enterprises, a Warren, Mich.-based real estate development group, purchased the 75-acre property for $10 million from Chippewa Motor Freight Inc. “Even though we have different plans for that site than they do, we want to be good neighbors,” Samhat said. The former trucking terminal is part of the 105-acre TIF zone that the board rezoned in January to regional mixed-use. The regional mixed-use designation permits various types of development, including entertainment, retail, and residential, but it can no longer be a trucking terminal. The rezoning was done about the time the property was sold, which likely led to the lawsuit. According to its website, Crown Enterprises specializes in developing “major transportation facility development projects at company-owned sites throughout the United States” — just what the village wanted to avoid by rezoning the property. Tokar and several trustees said they want to attract restaurants, entertainment venues and even residential development. Stillman wouldn’t comment on the meeting with Samhat, but he questioned Samhat’s timing for wanting to introduce himself just as a lawsuit was being filed.
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4 The Reporter
Our Neighborhood
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Shepard principal, teachers, students take Polar Plunge for ISO As the gate opened, students and staff members from Shepard High School ran to the starting line of the Polar Plunge. They were all intent on going in first.
Dressed colorfully, many as superheroes, they laughed and held hands before racing into — and quickly out of — frigid Leisure Lake in Joliet. Despite the discomfort, all went home warm in
Principal Greg Walder (from left) and teachers Scott Richardson and Ashley Lythberg lead the volunteers from Shepard High School in the Polar Plunge. S
the knowledge that they’d raised a lot of money for Illinois Special Olympics. Sparked by a promise from Shepard Principal Greg Walder — he would brave the chill if his
Students from Shepard High School exit Leisure Lake after taking the Polar Plunge.
Palos Hills targets dozens of roads for repairs By Michael Gilbert Nearly three dozen roads in Palos Hills are slated for improvements this summer as part of the city’s 2017 Crack Sealing Program. Ald. Mark Brachman (2nd Ward) unveiled the list of 34 streets to be included in this year’s project during the committee of the whole meeting March 16. Brachman, who serves as chairman of the city council’s public works/water and sewer committee, said Palos Hills has budgeted $80,000 for the crack sealing and expects the project to be bid in late April. Public Works Commissioner Dave Weakley said the project would likely be completed “over a couple of days in August.” “I like to have dry weather when doing crack sealing, so I’d anticipate August,” Weakley said of the projected start date. “It’s a very fast project to complete.” A few of the larger stretches in this year’s list are 82nd Court from 103rd to 107th streets; Aspen Drive from 103rd Street to Vail Drive; and 80th Court from 104th to 107th streets. “(The public works department uses) a rating system of one through five, with one being a street we want to include in next year’s project and five being a street five years out — it’s all based on the condition of the roads,” Weakley said. Crack sealing involves the closing of cracks in pavement with a rubber-based tar substance. This action is designed as a cost-efficient way to prolong a street’s life
and prevent additional cracking, potholes or a major pavement breakdown that would require the resurfacing or reconstructing of the road. “Crack sealing is a very good preservation tool,” Weakley said. “It extends the life of the road significantly.” Crack sealing is especially important in Illinois, Weakley said, because of the fluctuating winter temperatures. “It’s all about keeping water out of the roads,” Weakley said of the purpose of crack sealing. “Winter is the enemy because water gets into cracks in the pavement and then it freezes and thaws a few times and you end up with a major crack. The freezing and thawing is very detrimental to the road’s lifecycle.” Weakley noted that although the city spent an additional $8,000 last year and completed crack sealing on more roads, he was still able to include every roadway he deemed necessary in this year’s program. “I got everything I wanted,” Weakley said when asked if there were any roads left off the crack sealing project because of a lack of available funds. “There were clearly more roads receiving work last year, but this lines up with the multi-year cycle of crack sealing roads.” The project does not figure to present much of an inconvenience to drivers, Weakley said. “There will only be temporary closures and that will only be for a matter of minutes,” he said. “There won’t be long (delays).”
school exceeded $5,000 in donations — the Shepard community closed strong in their first year. Through the efforts of students and faculty at Shepard, they raised more than $7,000.
In other news, Ald. AJ Pasek (3rd Ward) told the council he would like Palos Hills and Hickory Hills to work on a reciprocal program for residents of Palos Hills to be able to use the splash pad in the neighboring municipality at the price rate for Hickory Hills residents. The splash pad, which is located at 8047 W. 91st St. in Kasey Meadow Park, recently underwent a renovation that included a new concrete surface. Pasek said a Palos Hills resident suggested the reciprocal program for the splash pad, and the veteran alderman thought it was a good idea since Palos already offers Hickory Hills the resident rate for memberships at the Palos Hills Golf Club. Pasek asked Palos Hills Resource & Recreation Department Commissioner Kristin Violante to contact the Hickory Hills Park Department to see if the reduced rate could be established. “It probably boils down to about 10 families (from Palos Hills) that would use the splash pad, but it’d be a nice benefit for them and save them a little bit of money,” Pasek said. Violante said after the meeting she was optimistic a deal could be established for Palos Hills residents to receive the Hickory Hills rate. “More and more park districts and recreational departments are offering reciprocal agreements because it benefits everybody,” Violante said. “It’d be nice for (Palos Hills) residents so I’ll contact Hickory Hills and see if it can be done.”
Photos courtesy of Bob McParland
Oak Lawn Arts Commission seeks local artists for ‘Pop-Up’ exhibition The Oak Lawn Arts Commission is seeking local artists who would like to sell their works at the first “Pop-Up” Art Exhibition, which will run from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, April 21 through April 23, in the main lobby of Art Clay World, 4535 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn. Applications are now being accepted via email from Oak Lawn artists and members of surrounding communities. Artists must be at least 18 years of age and all artwork must be for sale. There is no cost to participate. However, the Oak Lawn Arts Commission will retain 10 percent of the price of any piece sold. In addition, all submissions will be juried by the Oak Lawn Arts Commission and ribbons and a cash prize for best of show will be awarded. Artists may submit up to three pieces for consideration. Accepted artists will be contacted following the application deadline. For complete details about the requirements and submission procedure, visit the Village of Oak Lawn website (www. oaklawn-il.gov). Under the Residents tab, select Oak Lawn Arts Commission. Applications will be accepted
until Friday, April 14. Artwork is being sought in the following categories: Fine Art (oil paint, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, pen and ink); Jewelry (hand-made with no kits, using conventional or unconventional materials, gemstones, pearls and/or natural objects); Sculpture (including miniatures, but no 3-D machine printing allowed); Metalwork functional and non-functional (hand-worked, e.g. repousse, chasing, welding, etc.); and Mixed media (using more than one material as a major part of the piece). This three-day exhibition will be open to the public, so art lovers who wish to view or purchase creations made by local talent are encouraged to attend the event. A family hours event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 22. An adults-only artists’ reception and awards presentation will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on April 22. The evening will include wine and hors d’oeuvres. The last day of the exhibition will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 23. More information can be obtained by emailing Jackie@ artclayworld.com.
Men will ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ at SXU The Third Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 29 on the campus of St. Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago. Male students, faculty and staff will be walking in high heels alongside St. Xavier in an effort to get the community talking about tropics including gender relations and sexual assault. The event is free. Anyone interested in participating should meet in the SXU Diner Atrium at 11 a.m. During last year’s event, a group of women
and other supporters lined up in rows to clap and congratulate the participants at the near the end of their walk. The men immediately take off their heels to change into some more comfortable shoes. Although this is a light-hearted event, the event is a reminder that women are victims of sexual assault. April is Sexual Awareness Month. For more information or to sign up to participate, contact Samantha Maher-Sheahan, associate dean of students, (773) 298-3122.
Compiled by Joe Boyle
News and events from our archives Oak Lawn: no interest in federal funding for youth programs • 50 years ago
From the March 23, 1967 issue The story: The Oak Lawn Village Board voted unanimously last week not to send a telegram expressing interest in the federally supervised neighborhood corps program. Robert M. Saunders, a representative of the West Cook County Office of Economic Opportunity, spoke before the board to seek approval for the employment of young people by the village for the summer months. Trustee Leonard Cole said it has been the policy of the board not to seek federal aid. Saunders asked the board to send a telegram so that Oak Lawn could be eligible for the federal funds. Trustee Edward Roche moved not to send the telegram.
Palos Township trustee avoids embarrassing situation • 25 years ago
From the March 19, 1992 issue The story: A Palos Township trustee defused a potentially embarrassing situation when he agreed to voluntarily return an unauthorized $75 reimbursement at the board’s meeting last month. Trustee William Petrick was put on the defensive when he was accused of receiving payment for a Jan. 30 township meeting that he did not attend. Under township law, trustees are eligible to receive a $75 payment for every meeting they attend. Petrick said he missed the meeting because of an emergency, but showed up at the township hall earlier in the day to approve payment of bills and do some additional work. The quote: “Well, if it’s not legal, I’ll return it. That’s all,” Petrick said.
Worth firefighter finds baby at rear of fire station • 10 years ago
From the March 22, 2007 issue The story: While heading to his parked car behind the Worth fire station entrance Monday night, firefighter James Allison heard a baby crying. Allison decided to finish physical fitness training at the station and was retrieving items from his parked car. While making a second trip to his car, Allison heard a noise and went to the rear of the station. There he saw a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket in a carrier, according to Worth Fire Chief David Hopkins. Fire stations are considered “safe havens” under the Illinois Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act., said Hopkins. The quote: “It is better than finding the infant in a dumpster or alone in field somewhere,” said Hopkins.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
The Reporter
Worth candidates address the issues
Early Voting has begun for the April 4 election
The mayoral and trustee candidates forum in Worth drew a large crowd last week. Taking part in the forum were (from left) Randy Keller, candidate for mayor; Christopher Lesik, facilitator at the forum; Village Clerk Bonnie Price and Mayor Mary Werner. Photo by Sharon L. Filkins
Local mayoral candidates stress diversity, applaud efforts of local Arab business leaders By Sharon L. Filkins Mayoral candidates from Chicago Ridge, Oak Lawn and Worth hailed the efforts of local Arab business leaders and discussed the implications of the Trump administration’s propose travel ban during a forum held March 15 at the Al Nahada Community Center and Banquet Hall in Worth. Sponsored by AMVOTE PAC, an Americans Middle East Voters Alliance, the event drew about 100 people and brought together the mayoral candidates, as well as trustee candidates from Palos Hills and Worth. A candidate for the library board for the Green Hills Library, which serves Palos Hills and Hickory Hills, also was in attendance. Candidates attending were Worth Mayor Mary Werner, her opponent, former Worth Mayor Randy Keller; Chicago Ridge Mayor Chuck Tokar and Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury. Bonnie Price, running unopposed for the position of Village Clerk in Worth, was also present. Trustee candidates attending were Worth incumbent Rich Dziedzic, who is seeking a third term, and Bahria Karim, who is running for an open position after Worth Trustee Colleen McElroy chose not to run in the April 4 election. Mervate Moham, an attorney who graduated from Loyola University and John Marshall Law School, is running for alderman of the 5th Ward in Palos Hills. Moham is a 20-year resident of Palos Hills. Aami Muhamnad, also a Loyola graduate, was present as a candidate for a position as board trustee for the Green Hills Library. Community activist Bassem KaWar stated there is a lot of fear in the community due
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to the recent proposed immigration ban. He asked the candidates if they would be willing to work to make their villages welcome to anyone regardless of race or nationality. “Would you encourage the passage of ordinances or resolutions to make this a reality?” KaWar asked. He added it would go a long way to relieve the xenophobia many residents are displaying. “We have recently had a large influx of Polish residents and we have also welcomed Arab-American businesses,” said Werner. “We haven’t had any negative issues in this regard.” “As a trustee, I don’t know what is going to be mandated federally regarding illegal immigrants, but personally, I believe everyone should be welcome in Worth,” said Dziedzic. “We need to open our eyes. We are a diverse community.” Keller disagreed with Werner’s statement, stating that there is an issue in Worth. He said that while he was campaigning doorto-door, a Worth resident asked him why he was running with the Arabs, a reference to Karim. He told the resident that he was 100 percent in support of Karim and that her campaign sign was displayed in his yard. “We need to stop this kind of thinking,” Keller said. He said if he was elected he would do his best to get a “Welcome Proclamation” done. Tokar stated that he had recently had the pleasure of meeting the Palestinian minister and he was impressed with his message about the need for people to live peaceably with each other. “All nationalities are basically the same, wanting the same things, peace, good homes, etc. We need to sit down with each other,
eat together and talk,” Tokar said. “We need to get to know each other.” Bury said her community is comprised of large Latino, Irish, Middle Eastern and African-American populations. “We work at bringing our people together to share our cultures. I always encourage everyone to get involved in our government process. Equality on boards and commissions is very important,” she said. Oak Lawn Trustee Terry Vorderer (4th) participated in the forum. His opponent in the election, John Koss, was not present. Vorderer said he was there to support Bury, who is opposed by Oak Lawn Trustee Bob Streit (3rd). Vorderer, a retired member of the Oak Lawn Police Department, said he admires the hard work and ethics of the Arab community. “I am thrilled that their community has woke up to the power of the vote. Vote and continue in the America process,” Vorderer said. Library board candidate Muhamnad said he felt a responsibility to help the minorities be more knowledge about the phobia they are experiencing due to recent government action. Leading the March 15 meeting was Abder Ghouleh, chairman of the Endorsement Committee with AMVOTE. The co-chair was Izeddin Awaidah. The mission of AMVOTEPAC is to expand the influence of American Citizens of Middle Eastern ancestry, whether Arab, Muslim or Christian, through support of candidates who show a commitment to equal community opportunities in business, employment, government, education and civil rights without regard to race, color creed, and ethnicity.
Early Voting began Monday at 52 sites throughout suburban Cook County and downtown Chicago for the April 4 Consolidated Election. Voters in more than 120 municipalities and 140 school districts will take part in the election. More than 2,100 ballots have been cast throughout Suburban Cook County as of 2 p.m. Monday. Suburban Cook County voters can find a list of the Early Voting locations and their hours at cookcountyclerk.com/EarlyVoting. The sites include 51 in suburban Cook County, as well as the Cook County Clerk’s downtown Chicago office. More than 2,500 candidates countywide are running for office in the Consolidated Election, for offices that include mayor, village clerk, school board member, highway commissioner, township trustee, park and library district board member. Voters will also face ballot questions that include term limits on local offices, minimum wage increases, and bond issues. Suburban Cook County voters can vote early at any one of the 51 Early Voting sites throughout suburban Cook County, in addi-
Th e
tion to the clerk’s main office at 69 W. Washington St., Chicago. All Early Voting sites are open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including the five suburban courthouses. A handful of sites are open until 7 p.m. on select days. Voters should check the clerk’s website for hours and locations. Cook County Clerk David Orr encourages voters to take advantage of Mail Voting. Any registered voter can request a mail ballot, until March 30. Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, April 4. Cook County residents who missed the voter registration deadline for this election can still register at any of the Early Voting sites. During this grace period, voters not yet registered must provide two forms of identification – one with current address – to register, and they must vote in person at the time that they register. A government-issued photo ID is not required to vote early. Suburban Cook County voters can find a list of the Early Voting locations and their hours at cookcountyclerk.com/EarlyVoting. Early Voting ends on Monday, April 3.
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6 The Reporter
COMMENTARY
THE
Thursday, March 23, 2017
REPORTER
An Independent Newspaper Published Weekly Founded March 16, 1960
Ray Hanania
We have plenty of reasons to vote
American Arabs deserve respect
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T
his is a reminder that it’s that time of the season again. And no, we are not writing about spring, which arrived Monday. We are pointing out that residents who may have opinions on what has taken place over the past year can have their voices heard. The election is on Tuesday, April 4. We have heard time and time again since the November election about how the system works, or does not work, according to some people’s point of view. But one way you can be heard in this country is to cast a vote. We bring up the presidential election because for the second time in 16 years a candidate won the election without capturing the popular vote. However, President Trump, as did George W. Bush in 2000, won the Electoral College. First, we will get this out of the way: We oppose any thought of abolishing the Electoral College. It provides an opportunity for all states an equal chance to elect the next president. Without an Electoral College, candidates would visit and campaign in only the wealthiest states with the largest populations. With the Electoral College, voters have an equal say from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania to Michigan and to Ohio. Without it, candidates would spend most of their time in California and New York. But we will write about the Electoral College another time. We have another election in less than two weeks. We will not be choosing another president. However, we believe the stakes are still pretty high. Voters will decide if they want to retain their mayor (or village president) or vote in a new one. Several village trustee races will be decided on April 4. Several library board positions will be decided. That may not seem like a big deal to some residents, but it is. The initial idea of getting your voices heard begins at the local level. We can learn plenty from our local officials who have to work on budgets and encourage development in our communities. For people who think they are never heard, getting involved in local issues can make them more aware. They will learn about local government and begin to share ideas. And in turn, these same people will learn about the politics in Springfield and in Washington, D.C. But it all begins at the local level. We all don’t have to become community activists. But we can make better decisions on who should serve us and why we are voting for them. We also don’t want to hear that you have no time to vote. Now more than ever it is more convenient to vote. Early Voting began on Monday at 52 sites throughout suburban Cook County and downtown Chicago. According to Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office, more than 2,100 ballots were cast as of 2 p.m. on Monday. Suburban Cook County voters can find a list of the Early Voting locations and their hours at cookcountyclerk.com/EarlyVoting. Early Voting ends on Monday, April 3. The full list of candidates, referenda, and write-in candidates can be found under the 2017 Elections section of cookcountyclerk.com. So, residents have plenty of opportunities to vote before Election Day. It is our hope that residents will go out and vote early or on April 4. The tired phrase that your vote does not count is wrong. As mentioned earlier, your vote does indeed count. If the presidential election has accomplished one thing, it has encouraged more people to get involved and engaged. That can only bode well for the future. And we encourage our readers to look through this paper this week and next. In this week’s edition, we have candidates from Chicago Ridge and Worth speaking out on issues during several forums. In our final edition before the election, we will focus on some more local races. It is our hope that you will go out and vote. Don’t be taken for granted. Learn about the issues and stay engaged.
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INSIDE THE FIRST AMENDMENT
Yes, free speech has its pitfalls By Lata Nott You may think you love the First Amendment. You may get misty-eyed just thinking about it. It calls to mind Woodward and Bernstein unraveling the Watergate scandal, Dr. King leading the March on Washington, Voltaire proclaiming, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” (Voltaire didn’t actually say that, but he probably wouldn’t mind that you think he did.) But sooner or later, you will come across something that will make you wonder just what’s so great about freedom of speech. It could be a campus speaker arguing that Hitler might have been onto something. Or a protester burning an American flag. Or your neighbor’s teenage son, who just bought a drone on Amazon and is now using it to take pictures of your front yard. You will not disavow the First Amendment (because you love it, of course). You will squarely place the blame on those idiots who are clearly misinterpreting what it means, who think that free speech is somehow a free pass to be a total jerk. They’re the problem, you tell yourself. The First Amendment, when applied properly, is great. Maybe it’s time for us to come to terms with the truth: While everybody loves the First Amendment in theory, nobody’s all that fond of it in practice. Consider the massive popularity of partisan media, and, as The Wall Street Journal’s “Blue Feed, Red Feed” project has shown, the complete lack of overlap between liberal and conservative Facebook feeds. We love speakers and media outlets that articulate the thoughts that we were already thinking. We can barely tolerate the ones that contradict our world view. As Nat Hentoff argued in his book, “Free Speech For Me But Not For Thee,” most of us struggle with the desire to relentlessly censor one another. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes understood this back in 1919: “Persecution for the expression of opinions seems to me perfectly logical. If you...want a certain result with all your heart, you naturally express your wishes in law, and sweep away all opposition.” Of course, he followed this with an instruction to resist this natural urge, and to think of speech as a marketplace where all ideas should be allowed to compete so that the best ideas can emerge victorious. It’s nice to think about a bustling marketplace of ideas, but it might be a little tough to hold that cheery picture in your
mind when you think about, say, the First Amendment right to sell dog-fighting videos, or to hold up a “Thank God for dead soldiers” banner outside a military funeral. When you picture a marketplace, you can’t help but assess the value of the goods for sale. Do we really have to make space for the vendors selling rotten fruit, or that candy that contains trace amounts of lead? Hate speech may be protected by the First Amendment, but what benefit do we actually derive from it? How much did Milo Yiannopoulos’s controversial campus visits contribute to intelligent debate when his speeches primarily revolved around publicly ridiculing audience members and basking in his own outrageousness? If the point of free speech is to encourage that intellectual marketplace, to make us a better society, why should we care about defending speech that we find intellectually worthless? But there’s another way to look at the First Amendment. Maybe we shouldn’t think about free expression in terms of value. Free speech isn’t always valuable, no matter how loosely you define that word. Sometimes it’s hurtful, or nonsensical, or idiotic. What’s important is that free expression rights are always indivisible. Remember: The First Amendment protects your speech from government censorship. It’s meant to keep the power to decide what’s valuable expression and what isn’t out of the hands of public officials. You are not in competition with the people who disagree with you. In the real conflict, all of us are on the same side: How much control over speech do we want to cede to the people in power? In other words: Your rights are my rights. This is true even if I hate you. Nevertheless, I have to stand up for your rights to speak, to publish, to protest, even if I think your opinions are junk and you are wrong about everything. Not just in service of a lofty ideal, but also out of my own self-interest. The same holds true for you, for all of us. You may advocate for hate speech policies that will silence bigots, but once they’re passed, these same laws can be used to silence you. You may support laws that are intended to restrict and neuter public protests, but you will find yourself without many options when it comes time to stand up for a cause that you believe in. You don’t have to love the First Amendment. Just acknowledge that we all need it. Lata Nott is executive director of the First Amendment Center of the Newseum Institute. Contact her via email at lnott@newseum.org. Follow her on Twitter at @LataNott.
GUEST COMMENTARY
A letter to the taxpayers of Alsip Mayor Kitching has chosen to criticize the actions of the Village Trustees, whereas he is the problem with the finances of the Village. While the Mayor is the chief administrative officer, it is the right of the Board of Trustees to determine the number of employees, determine the compensation and benefits of those employees, and to approve contracts and agreements. Otherwise, the Mayor would have unlimited power and bankrupt the Village, just as Mayor Kitching has done. The only check and balance that the taxpayers have on a tax-and-spend Mayor is the Board of Trustees. Their most important duty is to budget and expend moneys of the Village and prevent wasting tax dollars. That duty cannot be abdicated to the Mayor, as otherwise it is one-man rule and why elect a Board of Trustees? The political favoritism of the Mayor is blatant and rampant. It needs to be stopped. There are too many no-bid contracts and too many political expenditures that need to be prevented by the Board of Trustees. Mayor Kitching has never cooperated with the Trustees and does whatever he wants. Mayor Kitching has not attended a Finance Committee meeting in the past 6 years, and yet he blames the Village Trustees for the inept management of the Village finances. He does not attend the Finance Committee meetings because he does not want the Trustees to control the spending of your tax dollars. Mayor Kitching has cost this Village millions of dollars in his “financial schemes” including: • Signing 220 checks totaling $6.8 million from a Water Bond, without Board approval. Over $3,000,000 was paid to contractors from Missouri for engineering and painting of the water tower & fire hydrants. This spending of Alsip Taxpayers money
in Missouri ignores our local economy in Alsip. Even worse the engineer that Kitching hired from Missouri was not licensed in the State of Illinois and charged much more than the Village engineer. • Locking a gate behind Condesa del Mar to limit access to the industrial area, then hiding the litigation bills that tally $350,000 from the Trustees. This case is not over and it is going to cost us taxpayers even more. • Wasting $1,600,000 on JAWA to secure a new water source in Indiana. Although the Village Board demanded that Alsip withdraw, Mayor Kitching went ahead and wasted the taxpayer money. In the end, the financial adviser for JAWA was found guilty of fraud by the SEC and no one made any money except political favorites, at your expense. • Kitching’s sexual harassment of the Village Treasurer which was settled with your taxpayer money. There are many more examples, yet can anyone stand to read more? The current Board of Trustees has been forced into a dysfunctional relationship with Mayor Kitching. Kitching’s ideas that were never discussed at a Finance Committee meeting include reducing the police department by one half, closing a fire station, and selling the Heritage Apartments. The Mayor has hired three Finance Directors during the time that the Mayor never attended a Finance Committee meeting. There is no doubt that the Village needs a new Mayor who will cooperate with the elected Board of Trustees and work to the benefit of the taxpayers of the Village. Mayor Kitching has no one to blame but himself for the financial problems which face the Village of Alsip. — Village of Alsip Trustee John Ryan, candidate for Mayor
here was a time when the discrimination in this country against Arab Americans was far worse than it is today. After being honorably discharged for my service in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War in 1975, the FBI opened a two-year investigation into my activities asserting that I was engaged in “terrorism.” The report they produced concluded I wasn’t a terrorist at all and only wanted to help American Arabs become more involved in American society. In 1984, Democratic Presidential Candidate Walter Mondale made a public display of returning $5,000 he received from five donors because they were Arab American. It wasn’t the first time. Michael Dukakis refused the endorsement of American Arabs in 1988. And Hillary Clinton, running for Senator in New York, returned money from an American Arab Muslim group. It wasn’t a good time to be an American Arab. Yet in the midst of all that, Palos Hills activist Samir Khalil co-founded the Arab American Democratic Club to encourage Arabs to register to vote, to vote, and to educate local and regional elected officials to better understand who we were as a community. The AADC hosted an event that drew more than 400 Arab American voters, but no elected officials had the courage to attend the banquet. Things have changed a bit. This past Sunday, the same organization attracted more than 400 attendees and nearly 50 of them were elected officials. It was remarkable to see the change. Many people still don’t understand who American Arabs are. As a political writer, I was asked to provide closing remarks at Sunday’s event, which featured mayors from two dozen municipalities, a dozen officials from Cook County, several Chicago aldermen, a few state legislators, one congressman and the leading candidate for Illinois Governor — Christopher Kennedy, son of the former U.S. Attorney General and New York’s U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy. My comments were simple but direct. American elected officials should not be afraid of the four-letter word, “Arab.” They need to recognize that Arabs are American. We served this country in the military. We pay our taxes. We work hard to support of families. We are engaged at almost every level of private business, although we are not very engaged in local government. We are often excluded from government, as well as from the ranks of the major news media. Sadly, American Arabs are excluded from our society at almost every level. We have no holiday to honor or ethnicity. We don’t have a day, a week or a month that anyone recognizes any more. We have few appointments to local, county and state government offices. We have very few members writing for the major newspapers or working for television or radio. That has to change. I argued, “We can’t ask others to do for us, what we as an Arab American community can’t do for ourselves first.” In other words, Arab Americans need to get their acts together, too. We have to overcome our own challenges and end the divisions and rivalries that keep our community apart. We still need to become more involved in our society. We can do that by supporting our schools, volunteering to help our youth and our senior citizens. In other words, we need to participate in American society not just as Arabs, but as Americans, too. We also have to learn to give up the “all or nothing” mentality that has held many Arab Americans and the Arab World back. We need to look at candidates and recognize that while we might not agree with every position or view they have, we might agree with most of them, and that is enough to justify our support. Much of the discrimination Arabs experience is not the result of racism, but really the result of people who just don’t know who we are. As Arab Americans, we haven’t done a good job telling other Americans about who we are. We have to tell them our story. We need to show Americans that we are just like them: proud immigrants who are proud to be American, too. I am proud to be an American. Who knows, maybe one day we might even have a parade down State Street. We might have our own sitcom on television, our own radio show on Sirius XM, or maybe an Arab American will be elected to higher office. That’s what America is about. That’s the dream that drives our hope and one day will make America an even better country than it already is. Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author and former Chicago City Hall reporter. Email him at rghanania@gmail. com.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
The Reporter
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Evergreen Park seeks block grant funds for sewer project By Sharon L. Filkins The Evergreen Park Board of Trustees approved a resolution Monday night to seek $160,000 through the annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program sponsored by Cook County. The funds will be used for the village’s sewer lining project. Following the unanimous vote, Mayor James Sexton quipped, “If we get $160,000 from the county, I will be one happy man.” Also approved were applications for two businesses: Lazul Healing Spa, offering spa services and product sales, at
3830 W. 95th St., Suite 103; and Five Below, a retail store for items $5 or less, at 9680 S. Western Ave. (located in the new Plaza development at 95th and Western Avenue). With the approval of Five Below, Sexton commented that the Plaza project is going along on schedule. “At this rate, all will be completed in 2017,” he said. Trustee Carol Kyle asked if it would be completed before Christmas and Sexton answered that it will be done long before Christmas. A request from Public Works Director Bill Lorenz to go out for bids on the demolition of a building at 8841
S. California Ave. was granted. The property was recently purchased by the village and will be prepared for future development. Before the building is demolished, it will be used for training sessions by the village’s fire department and SWAT team. Sexton said the property has been vacant for many, many years and has become a real “eyesore” in the village. “Residents won’t have to look at this mess much longer,” he said. The meeting concluded on a happy note as Sexton honored Tony Yukich, the long-time resident and public servant, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. He was born in Chicago on March 17, 1917.
“I am declaring him as “Mr. Evergreen Park,” said Sexton, who often refers to Yukich as his political “Godfather,” a mentor and a friend. Sexton said Yukich has been present in the village’s council chambers for 60 years. “He has served with three mayors, Harry Klein, Anthony Vaccaro and myself. He ran Vaccaro’s campaigns for 30 years and in this year’s campaign he is my honorary campaign manager.” In 2001, the village feted him by naming one of the largest parks in the community in honor of him and his wife, Fran, who died in 2000. The 20-acre property, now known as Yukich Field,
Oak Lawn woman welcomes two children into her life
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oom for two! According to the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), Linda Panico’s Oak Lawn condo has just enough square footage to accommodate raising two children. Living unwed and childfree, Linda found herself longing for motherhood. So she took the reins of fate and signed up for the Foster to Adoption Illinois program. Her journey began in May of 2012 and came to fruition Feb. 15, 2017. On that day, a 4-year-old miniature Cinderella I’ll refer to as Baby E officially became Linda’s daughter. Valentine’s Day was working overtime! The outpouring of Claudia love for this child is so great it sends Parker shivers through my spine. Hearing about Baby E’s adoption day was ear candy. Over 30 family and friends commuted to the Chicago Loop and packed a Daley Center courtroom for the official news. For those unable to squeeze their rump in the 15-passenger van rented for the day, they trailed by the carloads. There were two professional photographers on hand to capture the exuberance in and outside of the Daley Center. Between the adoption day selfie frame, ‘it’s official’ poster and custom-made matching T-shirts, there was plenty of posing going on. The T-shirts, which read “It’s Official. I’m a Panico!” included a photo of Baby E with her adoption date. They were worn by a fleet of people. “In total, 125 family and friends wore the T-shirts on her adoption day,” said Linda. “The people that couldn’t physically be with us texted pictures of themselves wearing the shirts. It was overwhelming. I received several hundred congratulatory messages.” Linda said she even provided T-shirts for the presiding judge, her attorney and the state’s attorney. She and nearly all of her associates seemed to be celebrating Baby E. After all, as written on her sign, she had been in foster care 1,385 days. But Feb. 15, 2017 wasn’t one of them. Linda said the foster care process went faster than expected. After passing an FBI background check and 27 hours of parenting classes, she was granted a foster care license from Springfield. She was told it
Submitted photo
Linda Panico embraces her daughter, once known as “Baby E.”
could take up to six months before a child came into her home. Nonetheless, Baby E was placed in her arms within the same month of receiving her license. Linda reminisced what it felt like when she and 13-month-old Baby E first met. “She was barely awake. They handed her to me with the clothes on her back and one diaper,” said Linda. “They said, ‘Here she is — she’s yours.’ And just like that, they walked away.” How ironic. In similar fashion, that’s exactly what happens to mothers who give birth. We’re given this little lump of joy and sent home from the hospital after watching a couple of hours of parenting videos. Yet, somehow, we all seem to manage. Love leads the way. Unlike the foster care process, an adoption process can be lengthy and stressful with “hope uncertainties” on both sides. While the adoptive parent or parents hope for an opportunity into parenthood, the biological parent or parents hope they won’t live to regret their decision to relinquish the baby. For some parents, unfortunate circumstances lead them into that direction. It was a Chicago police officer by the name of Officer Diaz who suspected the then 13-month-old Baby E needed to be removed from her mother’s custody. Her biological baby brother, whom we will call “T,” made his way into the Panico residence much sooner than 13 months. He was seven
days old. Little brother T, now 2, and Baby E are said to be happily inseparable. Baby E and her little brother T, whose adoption is still in process, are incredibly lucky. They have a biological mother who loved them enough to allow them to be loved and cared for by someone else. That takes great courage, and I applaud her for giving these precious children the gift of a life with Linda Panico. An emotional and teary Linda expressed compassion around the situation that brought these two special people into her life. She’s merciful, protective and selective when she speaks, choosing to be considerate of everyone involved. She’s doing what good mothers do; we protect each other and refrain from judging. She’s only spoken of their biological mother with empathy. “I’m grateful to her, I don’t want my gain to be her loss,” Linda said. “I include her in their lives. We talk on the phone. I send emails and share pictures.” Parenting isn’t easy, it takes daily sacrifice and a willing heart to learn, give and teach. Some people simply aren’t equipped to be parents. They do not possess the skill nor do they desire to learn what’s essential to providing the nurturing, safe care children need. Adoption for their children becomes just as crucial as those who are orphans. When Linda’s children are older and mature enough to understand, she’s prepared to provide the details of how a single, white female became the mother of two half African American and half Honduras children. “I was asked if I had a race preference,” said Linda. “Race doesn’t matter to me. Race was never a question. They’ve been loved and accepted by me and my entire family from the very beginning.” Linda said being a mom is going well. She said she’s labored through a few challenges the children have experienced while adjusting to their new environment. Yet, she’s done it with a smile — some days a few tears, and a sense of humor. Honey — that’s all of us. Welcome to motherhood! Linda Panico’s condo may only have room for two, but she has the capacity in her heart to house a Hilton. If you’d like to learn more about the Foster to Adoption program visit.http://www. adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/ how-to-adopt-and-foster/state-information/ illinois
Claudia Parker is an author, photographer and a reporter. Her columns appear every second and fourth Thursday of each month. She can be reached at AuthorClaudiaParker@yahoo.com.
Crisis Center offering training course in dealing with domestic violence A 40-hour course for training to deal with the domestic violence is being offered by The Crisis Center for South Suburbia. The session can be completed with the full 40 hours of training, or can be taken 20 hours online and 20 hours in person. To obtain the full 40 hours of in-person training, residents must attend five weeks on both Tuesdays and Saturdays. The Tuesday sessions fulfill 20 hours online and 20 hours in-person curriculum requirements. The 20 hours online must be fulfilled through ILCADV.org. The program will begin on Saturday, April 1 at the Crisis Center for South Suburbia in Tinley Park. Sessions take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays for a five-week period. Participants must attend all sessions to earn the 40hour training certificate. The cost for the program is $200. Discounts are available with a six-month commitment. Some topics within this course may be sensitive to survivors of domestic violence. Individuals considering volunteering at the Crisis Center are encouraged to participate, as well as professionals who work with victims of domestic violence. After completion of the 40-hour DV training, participants will be allowed to do “client-based” volunteering (working hotline,
childcare, or court advocacy) at the Crisis Center. Additionally, participants will be able to apply to complete 150 hours of direct client services in order to sit for the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional examination. Some of the topics covered during this training include: the various definitions of domestic violence, myths and realities of abuse, types of abuse, direct service issues, safety planning, abuser profiling, teen dating, the cycle of violence, and legal issues related to domestic violence. Crisis Center’s licensed professionals will give participants an inside look into how to properly address a victim or abuser and how to face issues within the workplace. This is a course open to any individual interested in becoming educated on domestic violence. To enroll in the program, contact Karen Leluga, at (708) 429-7255, ext. 134, or email kleluga@crisisctr.org To obtain additional information about the program, contact Tonya Schassburger, director of Residential and Transitional Services, at (708) 429-7255, ext. 115, or email tschassburger@ crisisctr.org Visit www.crisisctr.org for more information on the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, ways to support its mission, and the services it provides.
is located at 8900 S. Kedzie Avenue. It includes two ball fields, three soccer/ football fields, a walking trail, ponds, two concession stands and the Daniel A. Capuano ice rink. Yukich still attends each board meeting, sitting on the front row with his long-time, devoted companion, Virginia Wrobel, where he is greeted by a steady stream of board members, staff and residents. On Saturday, March 18, more than 150 people gathered at Palermo’s restaurant in Oak Lawn to celebrate his birthday. At the event, Sexton presented a village proclamation to Yukich for his many years of service to Evergreen Park.
DEATH NOTICES Kenneth Acker Kenneth J. Acker, 44, a Worth resident, died March 16 at Palos Hospital. Mr. Acker was employed for many years at Continental Nissan and as a pawn broker at the Worth Pawn Shop. He was an avid bowler and rolled four “300” games. Mr. Acker was known by relatives as a “warm, generous, kind, loving spirit who will be missed by all who knew him.” Survivors include his parents, Josephine and Eric Acker; sister, Sara Miller; brother, Dennis Acker; companion, Jennifer Printy; many nieces and nephews; and many relatives. Services were Tuesday from the Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home to Our Lady of the Ridge Funeral Home. Interment followed at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
John Kamper John E. Kamper, 67, a Worth resident, died Sunday in Joliet Hospice Care. Mr. Kamper was a carpet layer and carpenter. He was a member of the Chicago District Council of Carpenters Local 1185. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen (nee Dugan); sons, John E. Jr. and Michael; stepson, Charles Berglund; sister, Mary Lou Loewe; brother, Kenneth Kamper; and many nieces and nephews. Services are at 9:15 a.m. today (Thursday, March 23) from Schmaedeke Funeral Home, 10701 S. Harlem Ave., Worth, to Our Lady of the Ridge Church, 10820 S. Oxford Ave. Chicago Ridge, for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Michael Monaco Michael J. “Mickey Monaco Sr., 79, a former Palos Hills resident, died March 14 at Palos Hospital. Mr. Monaco, who had been living in Lady Lake, Fla., was employed in the transportation industry. He was a member for many years with the Teamsters Local Union 705. He also served as PONY Baseball North Zone director. Survivors include a daughter, Charlene Doering; sons, Anthony and Michael J. Jr.; sister, Barbara Gannon; and six grandchildren. Services were Friday from Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home to Sacred Heart Church. Entombment took place at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
Funeral Directory Palos-Gaidas FUNERAL HOME
708-974-4410 FUNERAL HOME David Gaidas, Jr. Director
11028 Southwest Highway Palos Hills, IL 60465
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8 The Reporter
CONSUMER NEWS
COMINGS & GOINGS
Help protect older adults from financial abuse
Smallcakes is set to open in Orland
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nother specialty baker is coming this week to Orland Park when Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery holds its soft opening on Saturday in the Orland Park Crossing shopping center. For owner Matt Hackney, making the move after 10 years as a commercial banker to cupcake baker was not as hard as it might seem. “I always wanted to Bob open my own business,” Bong he said. “I gained a lot of experience helping others and about a year ago I started looking for the right business. “I like to cook and bake recreationally, so a cupcake shop wasn’t that big a reach.” Smallcakes starts with what Hackney calls “jumbo-sized premium cupcakes” fresh-baked daily in about 15 flavors every day along with specialty flavors that change daily. “They are very high-quality cupcakes.” In addition, the shop will have ice cream, ice cream infused cupcake, minicakes and Italian-style hot chocolate. There will even be pupcakes so the family dog can get a treat. Coffee will be added to the menu shortly, Hackney said. Customers can stay on top of changes and cupcake flavors at the shop’s Facebook page, Smallcakes: A Cupcakery & Creamery - Orland Park. The store at 14225 S. 95th Avenue will have tables for customers inside and weather-permitting outside. The company was founded by Jeff Martin in 2008 with 10 flavors and now has more than 250 locations worldwide. There are eight stores open in Illinois with two coming. Orland shop will be the first in the south suburbs. The Orland store will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Hackney said a grand opening will take place sometime in early April.
Ciao closing in Palos Hills Ciao Ristorante in Palos Hills has announced it will be closing its doors for the final time on April 2. The restaurant at 10296 S. 78th Avenue announced on Facebook it would be
Photo by Bob Bong
Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery will open Saturday in the Orland Park Crossing shopping center.
“closing our doors to regular dining the last week of March.” The restaurant also urged customers to use gift cards and gift certificates before it closed. Calls for comment were not returned.
Bon A Pit changing again The Bon A Pit barbecue restaurant at 12200 S. Harlem in Palos Heights is undergoing yet another metamorphosis. About eight years ago, the restaurant was called Willoughby’s before it changed into Bon A Pit. Bon A Pit closed on March 5 and thanked customers for their support. The owners also announced that the restaurant would be closed for about a month as it segued from barbecue to Greek cuisine. There was no reason given for the closure or transition. A message on the Bon A Pit Facebook page said gift cards to Bon A Pit would be honored at the new restaurant. A sign on the door said it would be renamed Kefi Greek Cuisine & Bar and was now hiring for all positions from dishwashers to bartenders.
Chicago Ridge Mall adds charging stations Two free charging stations for electric cars, powered by Volta, have been installed in the parking lot of the west entrance of Aldi at Chicago Ridge Mall. “We’re seeing more and more of our diners, guests and shoppers driving electric cars, and we’re thrilled to be able to provide them with free charging stations,” Steven Yee, Chicago Ridge Mall general manager, said in a release. “Volta is the largest, free, electric-car charging network
in the United States and our installation of two Volta charging stations is another way of thanking our shoppers and visitors.” Based in San Francisco, Volta operates more than 100 free electric-car charging stations in five cities. Volta sets up free charging stations at retail centers at no costs to the hosts.
Primal Cut Steakhouse to open Primal Cut Steakhouse, which has been remodeling the former El Coco Mio at 17344 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park, has announced on Facebook that barring last-minute setbacks it plans to open Saturday morning. On its Facebook page, Primal Cut said it would be a casual-attire restaurant and would feature aged steaks that it would cut and age in-house. Before it became El Coco Mio, the same site had been home to Casablanca’s Steakhouse and Bogart’s Charhouse. Hours are expected to be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Eurofresh closing in Tinley Park Eurofresh Market, which carried a large selection of ethnic foods and supplies, will be closing at the end of March at 16000 S. Harlem Ave. in the Park Center Plaza in Tinley Park. The store opened about a decade ago after taking over the space from Cub Foods. If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.
BEST OF THE WINE GUY
Good habits — and bad — affect generations
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n the animal kingdom, of all fish, fowl, mammals and millions of different species of insects, there is but one creature that cooks food. Yes, human beings are the only beings on Earth that cook their food. This is an outstanding fact considering how many species call our planet home. We know insects and dogs aren’t too fussy, but some creatures wouldn’t even eat cooked food if you gave it to them. The lesson here is that after the human race was born into the world, it had no means of cooking until it invented fire. We may not have eaten meat until then. As humans began to think about what to do with fire they started catching small animals such as rabbits and squirrels, and began cooking them. How wonderful this must have tasted. Think about how good that perfectly grilled or broiled sirloin tastes after you haven’t had it in a while, and imagine how good fresh meat would taste grilled for the very first time. As the years went on, early man began cooking more and more of his food – and so began the downfall of
Thursday, March 23, 2017
human health. Thousands of years have since gone past, bringing us to modern civilization. If we could compare our digestive system to our earliest, planteating ancestors there would be a vast difference. The appendix, considered today to be a vestigial organ, was once necessary to help break down the cellulose ingested in a high-plant diet. When salt and sugar were discovered, we began using these instead of spice, herbs and plants to season our food. Today, they are used excessively to the point of contributing to serious health problems. People who have fallen into the habit of using them exces-
sively find it very difficult to change these habits. They don’t take the time to educate themselves about biology, proper nutrition and the effects of food, both good and bad. They instead rely on the latest report of a study they read about on the internet, but don’t know any better than to believe what they read. As a result, health in society as a whole breaks down and illnesses begin to take hold. Heart disease and diabetes become daily parts of the lives of a majority of the population. Some think of it as “just the way things are” but that is certainly not the case. A healthy society does not have the prevalence of these diseases unless people are doing things wrong. Human ingenuity has invented many man-made foods, thus adding to the poor health syndrome. Other diseases set in as well – arthritis, cancer, obesity – and doctors’ offices and clinics and hospitals become clogged with patients paying many billions of dollars every year for services, treatment and pharmaceuticals. Ill health drains society of more than just the average lifespan.
But finally, people are realizing that better health comes from eating better food. We have started replacing bad dietary habits with good ones. People in this country who didn’t know what an avocado was 10 years ago are now eating them every day. As we form better habits, our children learn to form good habits. The effect is generational and we as a society begin getting healthier, happier and more productive. Live well, eat well and drink well. Take care of your bodies and the bodies of the ones you love. It is never too late to change your habits, and begin moving forward instead of back in terms of well-being and longevity. Have a glass of wine, and toast to good times, good friends and good health! Anthony Scarano is not a doctor. He is an Evergreen Park resident, winemaker and certified naturopath. Suggestions in this space are his opinions based on years of independent study and personal experience. Wine should be consumed in moderation. Overindulgence may be harmful to your health.
inancial exApart from watching out for the above ploitation costs signs of trouble, what older Americans billions of dollars per else can you do to help year, according to sevguard your parents eral sources, including from fraudsters? the National Council For starters, urge on Aging. If you have your parents — repeatedly, if necessary — to older parents, could never give out perthey be vulnerable to Scott financial scams and Johnson sonal information over the phone or online. rip-off artists? And, if Scammers have gotten so, what can you do to quite clever at impersonathelp protect them? ing legitimate businesses or Unfortunately, it is possible organizations – for example, for anyone to become a victim. For a variety of reasons, unless you are looking closely older adults may be easier tarat the email, you might think gets than younger people. And the logo of a bank or another that is why, when interacting company is being accurately with your parents, you should depicted. Again, though, look for these warning signs: reputable businesses typically • Suspicious new relationdon’t send messages that are ships: If your parent mentions demanding, threatening or othsomething about a new friend, erwise employing some type a romantic partner or some of extreme language. Also, stress to your parents type of caregiver who seems that they should never wire to have taken a great interest money to a random account. in your parent’s financial situation, you may have reason to Plus, remind them about the be suspicious. Do not be afraid truth of “no risk” offers: Any to ask some questions. financial offer that sounds too • Multiple checks written good to be true is just that to same person or entity: If — untrue. Every legitimate you think your parents may investment carries both risks be making questionable finan- and rewards. cial moves, ask to see their Here’s another suggestion: checkbook. If you see several Older adults who have debt checks written to an unfamilproblems may be especially iar person or business, you vulnerable to offers that claim might be viewing evidence of to “clear up” all their debts. a financial scam. If so, you But there’s no quick fix to will want to intercede before this problem, and any caller your parents get victimized who claims otherwise is likely again. being deceitful. Encourage • Changing power of atyour parents to discuss their torney or beneficiaries: If debt situation with an honest, your parents suddenly decide professional debt counselor or to name someone new as their a financial advisor. “agent” (the person responsible Finally, if your parents don’t for carrying out a power of already work with a trusted, attorney), you may need to qualified financial professional, investigate. And the same is introduce them to one. true if your parents change Your parents worked hard the beneficiary designation on all their lives. Do what you their investment accounts or can to help them enjoy their insurance policies. “golden years” in dignity. • Unusual urgency to make Scott Johnson, CFP, is a an investment: If you learn financial advisor with Edward that your parents want to make some type of investment Jones, 8146 W. 111th St., Palos Hills, (708) 974-1965. Edward “immediately,” you should be concerned. No reputable finan- Jones does not provide legal advice. This article was writcial professional would ever ten by Edward Jones for use pressure them — or anyone by your local Edward Jones else — to “act now” on an financial advisor. investment.
Mortgage Rates Around the Area First Midwest Bank (as of March 20) 30-year fi ed
RATES 4.250
APR 4.285
POINTS 0
15-year fi ed
3.500
3.555
0
30-year fi ed Jumbo
4.250
4.291
0
United Trust Bank (as of March 20) 30-year fi ed
RATES 4.250
APR 4.213
POINTS 0
15-year fi ed
3.500
3.488
0
10-year fi ed
3.375
3.383
0
Prospect Federal (as of March 20) 30-year fi ed
RATES 4.250
APR 4.296
POINTS .25
20-year fi ed
4.000
4.062
.25
15-year fi ed
3.500
3.562
.25
All rates subject to change daily. Equal opportunity lenders.
AREA PROPERTY TRANSFERS Following are the property transfers in the area, according to the latest report, as received from the Cook County Recorder of Deeds Office. The Reporter Newspaper does not attempt to correct errors made by that office.
Chicago Ridge Rodriguez Francisco to Coppage Jerome H, 6444 102nd Pl, $190,000; Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr to Midlothian & Cicero LLC, 10131 S Ridgeland Ave, $275,000; Kowalski Susan to Saleh Kassem Abdulrab, 10622 Parkside Ave, Unit #304, $76,000; Brueck Daniel J to Karalius Rimvydas, 9708 S Nottingham Ave, Unit #3C, $40,000.
Evergreen Park Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr to Gray Daniel P, 9830 S Central Park Ave, $255,000; Gleason Patrick to Schnura James R, 9935 S Spaulding Ave, $184,000; Barry William P to Rivas Edgar, 10117 S Albany Ave, $164,000; Bank NY Mellon to Saleh Muatassim M, 8846 S California Ave, $13,000.
Oak Lawn Lubinski Renatta L to Vega Jonathan, 10800 S Cook Ave, $397,500; Walsh Andrew B to Vaclav William X, 9609 Robertson Ave, $200,000; Bonn Linda M to Kuczaj Krzysztof, 6540 W 94th Pl, Unit #65402C, $54,000; Masoud Frauk to Oregel Ernesto, 10710 Central Ave, Unit #3E, $95,000; Kent Robert J to Garcia Hector, 4701 98th St, $340,000; Majid Mohammad to Campos Carlos, 9900 Massasoit Ave, $234,000; Hutchinson Daniel to Cusack Brian, 4609 106th Pl, $260,000; Cerny Richard J Extr to Dobrowolski Christopher E, 9530 W Shore Dr, $175,000;
Marino Alicia to Banks Maurice, 10320 Central Ave, Unit #304, $87,000; Ama Prop Inv LLC to K & E Inv Grp Inc, 6656 W 88th Pl, $105,000; Keane Michael A to Hasanieh Mohammad R, 9716 Kilbourn Ave, $240,000; Harder Donna M Tr to Cisneros Araceli, 10440 Lacrosse Ave, $250,000; Standard B&T Co Tr to Reichert James D, 8851 Natoma Ave, $247,000; Grandview Cap LLC to Turner Brandyse, 5425 99th Pl, $183,500; Campbell E Richard Admn to Aguinaga Kathleen M, 4129 98th St, Unit #38&38G, $85,000; Daley John J to Davis-Miller Tamika L, 9322 53rd Ave, $255,000; Judicial Sales Corp to Ama Prop Investments LLC, 6656 W 88th Pl, $96,000; Spizzirri Charles Anthony Tr to Kniutsen Eric J, 6251 91st Pl, $204,000; Kadzik Eric to Arons Garrett H, 10360 S Parkside Ave, Unit #A310360, $89,000.
Palos Hills
Schillaci Leonard C to Abdelkader Ramzi, 11200 S Helena Dr, $490,000; Marco Janice L Tr to Thornton Katie, 11131 Cottonwood Dr, Unit #10C, $150,000; Centeno Cruz Tr to Meyer Jeanette, 8144 W 98th St, $80,000; Pituch Kamil to Glod Marta, 8728 W 103rd St, $229,500; Tylka Wayne E Tr to Sloan Leah, 11305 Sycamore Ln, Unit #65A, $125,000; Salata Harry to Doniec Lillanna M, 10420 S Alta Dr, $255,000; Baxter Thomas J to Fulgencio Christopher Ruben, 11109 S 84th Ave, Unit #111093B, $88,000.
Worth
Wells Fargo Bk to Lagiglia Brian J, 7212 W 114th Pl, $71,500; N Holdings LLC to Madsen William, 6617 W 115th St, $205,000; Wells Fargo Bk to Mozdzen Stanley, 6725 W 112th St, $120,000; Villanueva Salvador to Losos Michael F, 11231 S Worth Ave, $135,000.
The Reporter
Thursday, March 23, 2017
WHATIZIT?
Photo by Joe Boyle
The clue for this week’s Whatizit photo (above) is: Book worthy. Send your responses with your name and hometown by noon Monday to thereporter@comcast.net. We had several responses to last week’s photo quiz, but none of our readers were able to come up with the correct answer. We would have just accepted the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights. The photo is actually at the top of the Waterfall Gardens, where the water flows over the rocks and into Lake Katherine. This was a little more difficult because we focused on the body of water. Lake Shore Park and the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge Center, both in Oak Lawn, were two responses. An estimated 100,000 people come to Lake Katherine each year to hike, jog, walk their dogs or enjoy the beauty of the gardens and the abundant opportunities to see wildlife.
SUDOKU
Answers on Page 12
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Baldrick’s Continued from Page 1
the successful fundraiser. From 2009 to 2015, the event was organized by parent Ellen Reddington, and in 2016, Terry Doran took the reins. “This event allows all of the Most Holy Redeemer students to reflect on serious childhood illness and know that their efforts really can help others,” Maloney said. Head shaving was done by professionals who volunteered from local salons. Students were able to enjoy Italian ice that was donated to the school. Students also had the option to dress in green for the day
to represent the cause with a St. Baldrick’s T-shirt. Students were also able to spend the afternoon celebrating the Irish heritage with a band called “The Shamrocks,” featuring Bob O’Malley, father of three Most Holy Redeemer students, including third-grader Grace O’Malley, who joined him during the band’s performance. Sixth-grader Moira McKee and her father, Matt, also played the bagpipes at the event. “Whether they are shaving their head or just wearing a St. Baldrick’s T-shirt, the students at our school are contributing to a cure,” Maloney said.
Chicago Ridge Continued from Page 1
chief of police, and she said she would recuse herself from votes involving her husband’s job. While all six candidates agreed that bringing new businesses and their tax revenue is important to the village, the Results Now team wants to focus on businesses without video gaming. “Chicago Ridge is a great place to live and grow, but many people I have spoken to are concerned about the number of vacant storefronts and vacant lots,” said Kwartnik. Pyznarski and Kowalski said the opposition to video gaming on the village board has resulted in lost revenue when several prospective businesses were turned away because they wanted gaming. She said that preventing it could pose a problem when trying to attract restaurants and entertainment to the vacant Yellow Freight property on Harlem. “What I am against is the gambling cafes. The more we have, the more they change the look of the village,” said Cardin. “We also need to build public-private partnerships in order to turn some of the apartments in the village into senior housing.” The Results Now slate support term limits, which perhaps could be decided by referendum. Cardin said a second term would be her last, and Schaal said he isn’t thinking beyond the first term yet. Quintos, who is running in his fifth election, said this would be his last campaign. His first term was for two years, followed by three four-year terms. “We already have term limits, called elec-
Worth
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ACROSS 1 Protests by not taking any courses? 6 Floorboard hardware item 10 Cloaks 15 Top dog 16 Western city with an annual balloon race 17 She slugged a sheriff in “Selma” 18 Pick up 19 Big story 20 With 13-Down, “Unfaithful” Oscar nominee 21 Waits on hand and foot 23 “Pity” 25 Proof letters 26 Not much power 27 “Never Cry Wolf” author Farley __ 29 “__ tree falls ... “ 30 Signifi ant period 31 __ moment 34 Capital near Las Vegas 41 Popular software for gamers 42 Variety show on which “The Honeymooners” began as a skit 43 Buddy 44 Former court gp. 45 Big name in outdoor gear 46 Pope John Paul II’s given name 48 “Ready for business” sign 52 Toon that debuted in the 1954 cartoon “Devil May Hare” 55 “Hyde Park on Hudson” subj. 56 Peak 57 Hardly warm 59 Comet competitor 61 Secretary of war under Teddy 62 Language that gives us “mako” 63 Accept 64 Tears down, in 65-Across 65 North Sea county 66 Inspected 67 Decorative pitchers
DOWN 1 Gandolfini’s TV wife 2 “Yond Cassius has __ and hungry look”
3 Sudden rush 4 Obeyed a fishing regulation 5 Marin County seat 6 Football’s Favre 7 Tow job, for short 8 Singer DiFranco 9 BBC hero since 1963 10 Screwdriver part 11 Commercial prefix with Pen 12 Big oil exporter 13 See 20-Across 14 Lose 22 It may be swiped at work 24 Lowland amphibian 27 1980s attorney general 28 Attorney’s specialty 32 Simple greeting 33 Big name in PCs 34 Ink __ 35 Actor Driver of “Girls” 36 Salmon choice 37 Involved 38 Athlete known as “The King of Clay” 39 Absent 40 Logical operators 47 Pin, say 48 Rejected 49 Self-confi ence 50 Wild blue yonder 51 City across the Rhine from Düsseldorf 52 Hardly boundary-pushing 53 “Poor me!” 54 Places with exhibits 56 Cod relative 58 Mt. Hood setting 60 Colorful flier
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Jean Braun. They gathered written questions from the audience, and after reviewing them, selected 10 directed to all the candidates. Several questions were directed only to Werner and Keller. The first question for the mayoral candidates was: “What can you do better than your opponent?” The question opened the door for Keller to hammer home his accusations that Werner was not communicating well with the people with her plans to eliminate a printed newsletter mailed to residents. “I have heard from many residents that they miss the newsletter I had initiated, ‘It’s Worth Reading.’ It included stories about our residents and our businesses,” Keller said. Werner countered that residents receive informational inserts with their water bills and that the village has updated and improved its website and Facebook pages to provide information to residents. “Additionally, we have an open door policy at the Village Hall. Residents are encouraged to stop by and visit with me, or our Village Clerk Bonnie Price, to ask about anything they are concerned about,” Werner said. Questions presented to all the candidates ranged from qualifications to serve and their opinion on term limits and Home Rule. As for qualifications to serve, Dziedzic, who owns a retail store, said that a business sense is needed in order to deal with prospective businesses and what their needs are. “I have that because I own my own business and I can apply that knowledge in my position as a trustee.” Dziedzic oversees the Building, Licensing and Ordinances for the village. “As for term limits, I don’t think they are necessary for our village. If residents don’t think we are doing our jobs they won’t vote for us again. It is pretty simple,” he said. Muersch cited his experience in financial advising and family experience in running a restaurant as qualifications to serve. He oversees the Water’s Edge Golf Course, which has recently hired both a general manager and a food and beverage manager. “We are doing exceedingly well in revitalizing the golf course and I look forward to seeing it become a valuable amenity in our village,” Muersch said. Regarding term limits, Muersch said he agreed with Dziedzic. “State-wide, they are needed,
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Photo by Kelly White
Most Holy Redeemer students (from left) Liam Lyons, 13, and Sean Maloney, 13, volunteered to have their heads shaved at the annual St. Baldrick’s Day event.
tions,” said Pyznarski. Kowalski said term limits are “a buzzword” used without putting thought into how it would work. Kwartnik noted that term limits would have prevented the late Eugene Siegel from accomplishing as much as he did as mayor for 34 years. Schaal said he was the whistleblower on the employee pension spikes, which came to a head in 2010 when Police Chief Tim Baldermann and Deputy Chief Dennis Kapelinski retired. Under a 2005 village ordinance that offered police administrators a buyout, they were given a 20 percent salary increase on their last day to boost their pensions. Pension spikes are no longer allowed and the pensions were recalculated following an Illinois Appellate Court ruling in 2015. But the issue was raised in the campaign, in part because Pyznarski was the treasurer at the time. When she was asked at the forum why she signed village documents related to the police officials’ pensions, she said it was done “under duress.” She explained that she felt pressured by the police officials, since her husband was an officer at the time, and thought both their jobs may be on the line. Quintos was the only current trustee in office at the time, and was criticized for his vote approving the spikes. He said he regrets that vote, but felt the pension board received bad advice from the law firm of Odelson and Sterk during that period. The issue came to the forefront again when Tokar appointed Burt Odelson as village attorney, against the will of five trustees, including Quintos, Cardin and Coglianese. Although Odelson & Sterk settled a claim
but I don’t think they are necessary in Worth. Residents decide if we are doing our job satisfactorily.” Karim is a 27- year resident of Worth who has raised five children in the village and has been employed for 19 years at Worth School. She serves as a translator for the Worth Police Department and bases her qualifications to serve as trustee on her years of volunteer work for the village. She has volunteered many years for Worth Days, worked on the Mosaic Project and helped plan the Centennial Celebration. She also worked on the Banner Program, encouraging businesses to purchase the banners to advertise their business. Karim acknowledges that Worth is a diverse community
about the issue, Tokar pointed out that Illinois Department of Insurance has found the firm did nothing wrong. A ruling is thought to be imminent on a lawsuit filed by Tokar against the trustees to determine whether the mayor has the authority to appoint the attorney without board approval. The alleged involvement of Cook County Commissioner Ed Moody in the Results Now campaign was also questioned at the forum. All the candidates were asked if Moody, who lives in Chicago Ridge, was contributing to their campaign. Kowalski and Pyznarski asserted that Moody visited their neighbors, and pressured them to post Results Now signs rather than their own. “This is a great place. It always has been. Chicago Ridge is not a ward of Chicago,” said Kowalski, referring to Moody’s ties to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-22nd). Moody, who is stepping down as Worth Township Highway Commissioner, grew up in Madigan’s 13th Ward base in Chicago. Kowalski described himself as “a commonsense person” without political ties or allegiance to anyone. “I don’t believe in pitting neighbor against neighbor.” “He supports our campaign. I don’t see anything wrong with that,” said Schaal about Moody. “He is not affiliated with us but he does support us.” Cardin said Moody is her neighbor, and having a Cook County commissioner in the village could helpful. “I am friends with Ed. I haven’t taken any funds from Ed. He is a friend to all of us,” said Quintos.
and has seen many changes, but she is dedicated to encouraging people to become more involved with their community. Her opponent, Urban, is a lifelong resident of Worth who attended Worth schools. He has coached baseball, been a Scoutmaster, and is an officer at MarrsMeyer American Legion Post, where he initiated the Thanksgiving and Christmas Days with Navy recruits from Great Lakes. He is a member of the Worth Lions Club, where he helps prepare and disperse gift baskets to the needy at Thanksgiving and Christmas. He is retired after a 30-year career as an operating engineer and now wants to dedicate his time and energy to Worth. He said as a trustee, he would be
available to meet with prospective businesses. Urban said he did not think term limits were necessary on a local level. “If a trustee is not doing his job, residents will vote him out. We are your neighbors. What affects you, affects us,” Urban said. At the end of the evening, several residents, who declined to give their names, complained that their questions had not been selected and that the questions had been slanted favoring one or more of the candidates. In response, Bill Ritter explained that the staff had used three criterions in selecting the questions that would be asked. “We eliminated duplicate questions, we did not use any that were personal attacks or were not pertinent to the election.”
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“As immigrants, we help America to be smarter, stronger and better,” said Zogby who reminded the audience that it wasn’t too long ago that American politicians who return money rather than accept donations from American Arabs to avoid be associated with a community engulfed in controversy. “We bring a lot to this process,” Zogby said. “We are Americans. We have contributed to this society and continue to contribute to this country.” Cong. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) also attended the event, along with Palos Committeeman Robert
Thursday, March 23, 2017 Maloney, Oak Lawn Trustee Bob Streit (3rd), who is a candidate for mayor; Paul Geller, candidate for alderman in Palos Hills; and Safaa Zarzour, candidate for Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 Board. Samir Khalil, executive director of the AADC, said the group is proud that so many government officials attended the brunch. “Arab Americans are actively engaged in our society and communities. We pay our taxes. We have served in the military to defend this country. We have our homes, families and businesses in these communities. It’s important that our elected officials recognize our needs along with the needs of others,” Khalil said.
Richard AP Spanish students analyze art in gallery setting On its face, the details — décor, mood lighting, hors d’oeuvres and wine glasses (actually juice glasses) — could fool one into thinking the assignment had been planned just for fun. But Richards High School teacher Alexis Morford had vision in creating the project. Students chose a painting, analyzed its artistic and cultural meanings, and then discussed all they had learned, in Spanish, Submitted photo with her and classmates. “AP Spanish Language and Richards High School teacher Alexis Morford appears with her AP Spanish Culture is all about making Language and Culture students in the “art gallery.”
connections to between cultures. By giving students some choice in the art work they chose I was hoping (to create) more interest,” she said. The class involves much more than just language proficiency. “They have to be knowledgeable about anything from food and art to global and environmental issues. I hope that by doing projects like this that they will feel more prepared to reference Latin American and Spanish cultures on the AP exam,” Morford said.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
CHICAGO RIDGE Free bingo for seniors The Chicago Ridge Park District offers free bingo for seniors the first and second Tuesday of each month at the Frontier Fieldhouse, 9807 S. Sayre Ave., Chicago Ridge. Winners will receive money for winning games. Coffee and doughnuts are also provided. The next bingo dates are April 4 and 11. More information can be obtained by calling (708) 423-3959.
Families can have ‘Breakfast with the Bunny’
“Breakfast with the Bunny” will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 8 at the Freedom Activity Center, 6252 W. Birmingham Ave., Chicago Ridge. The menu includes pancakes, bacon, sausage, juice and coffee. Kids will play games and receive a small gift. The Easter Bunny will take time with everyone so families should bring a camera. This is a family event and everyone must be registered. The registration fee is $7 and is for residents only. The registration deadline is Monday, April 3. More information can be obtained by calling (708) 636-4900.
An Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Frontier Fieldhouse An Easter Egg Hunt will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8 at the Frontier Fieldhouse and Activity Center, 9807 S. Sayre Ave., Chicago Ridge. Blow-ups will be at the event, which will include face painting, a bonnet contest, balloon twisting and a visit from the Easter Bunny. This is a free event for Chicago Ridge residents only. Visitors should bring an ID. More information can be obtained by calling (708) 423-3959.
HICKORY HILLS
Hickory Hills Park District to witness Chinese acrobatics The Hickory Hills Park District has scheduled a trip for the whole family to the theatrical world of Chinese acrobatics on Sunday, March 26 at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. Transportation departs from Krueger Park, 9100 S. 88th Ave., Hickory Hills, at 1 p.m. The registration fee is $55 for adults and $44 for children under 16 years of age. More information can be obtained by calling (708) 598-1233.
OAK LAWN
Oak Lawn film group will view, discuss ‘Still Alice’ CineVerse, the Oak Lawn Park District’s weekly film discussion group open to anyone age 17 and older, will screen and discuss the 2014 movie “Still Alice” from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 29 at the Oak View Community Center,
4625 W. 110th St., Oak Lawn. Members should check the building signage for the correct room number. More information can be obtained by calling (708) 529-9028 or visit cineversegroup.blogspot.com.
Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Stony Creek Golf Course The Oak Lawn Park District will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt for a variety of age groups on Saturday, April 8 at the Stony Creek Golf Course, 5850 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn. The registration fee is $6 for residents and $12 for non-residents. Two egg hunts for ages 2 to 8 are available from either 10 to 11 a.m. or 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Kids will search for the eggs, take part in a craft project, and visit with the Easter Bunny. The Oak Lawn Park District will take photos of children with the Easter Bunny. The photos will be available to be viewed at www.olparks.com. Registration for the event will continue through Friday, March 31. Pre-registration is required to attend this event. Children should arrive at the beginning of the event. No rain date will be offered. More information can be obtained by calling (708) 857-2200.
Trinity Night will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church
Trivia Night will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, April 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 9701 S. Brandt Ave., Oak Lawn. The entry fee is $5 per person. Food will be available for purchase and will include hot dogs, snacks, beer, wine, pop and water. More information can be obtained by calling the church office, (708) 422-0193.
Oak Lawn Park District Egg Hunt goes to the dogs The Oak Lawn Park District is holding a new Easter Egg Hunt for dogs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at Bailey’s Crossing Dog Park, 9910 S. Melvina Ave., Oak Lawn. A variety of vendors will be on hand that will include prizes, doggie contests (including a best costume contest) and other activities. A leash requirement will be enforced for pet owners. Donations of dog toys, food and other treats will be collected for local animal shelters. Pre-registration is required by Friday, March 24 by using code 316301-01. The fee is $5 per household. More information can be obtained by calling (708) 857-2200 or visit www.olparks.com.
Oak Lawn Park District to host ‘EGGcellent Open Gym’ The Oak Lawn Park District will hold the “EGGcellent Open Gym” to be held Saturday, April 8 at the Racquet, Fitness and Gymnastics Center, 10444 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn. The day will include special Easter activities for children who will have the
opportunity to explore the gymnastics gym and work off some of that extra energy by crawling, jumping, climbing and swinging around indoors. Children can meet the Easter Bunny and do an Easter craft. Each child will receive a goodie-bag with healthy snacks in it. The fee is $10 per child. Time and ages are from 9 to 10 a.m. for ages 1 to 5; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for ages 4 to 8; 1 to 2 p.m. for all ages; or 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. for all ages. Parents are required to stay with their children during the event. More information can be obtained by calling (708) 857-2215.
Easter Bunny, Easter Roll to take place at Village Green The Village of Oak Lawn is holding its annual Easter Egg Roll on the Village Green, 94th Street and Oak Park Avenue, on Saturday, April 8. Three Easter Egg Rolls are planned for children ages preschool through fourth grade at 11:30 a.m., noon and 12:30 p.m. A special appearance by the Easter Bunny, who will greet children in the Village Gazebo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is also planned. Parent or guardians are encouraged to bring their cameras. No pre-registration is required.
PALOS HILLS Breakfast with Bunny and Easter Egg Hunt The City of Palos Hills Resource and Recreation Center will be hosting their annual Breakfast with the Bunny from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Saturday, April 8 at the Palos Hills Community Center, 8455 W. 103rd St. An Easter Egg Hunt will follow at 11:30 a.m. The cost for the breakfast is $8 per adult and $10 per child. The department will also be holding a flashlight egg hunt for kids ages 12 and older on Friday, April 7. The cost is $5 per child. Pre-registration is required for both programs. For further information about these two programs, contact the City of Palos Hills Resource and Recreation Department at (708) 430-4500.
WORTH
Worth Park District plans trip to see ‘Charlotte’s Web’ The Worth Park District is planning a trip to see the play “Charlotte’s Web” Sunday, April 2 at the North Central College Performing Arts Centre in Naperville. The bus is scheduled to leave the Worth Park District Terrace Centre, 11500 S. Beloit Ave., at 1:30 p.m. with a scheduled return at 5:30 p.m. The registration fee is $20 for residents and $30 for nonresidents. The fee includes transportation to and from North Central College and
admission. Charlotte’s Web, a play by Joseph Robinette, is based on E.B. White’s story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. For more information on Charlotte’s Web and other Worth Park District programs and services, call (708) 448-7080 or visit the park district’s website at www.worthparkdistrict.org
Little Ballers Basketball Little Ballers Basketball for boys and girls ages 4 to 6 will be held from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Mondays, March 21 through April 25, at the Worth Park District Terrace Centre, 11500 S. Beloit Ave. The kids will learn basics of basketball in this fundamentals program. Each participant will learn the basics of dribbling, passing, shooting, and offense and defense. An award and a treat at the end of each session will be included. The registration fee is $25 for residents and $35 non-resident. For more information on Little Ballers Basketball and other Worth Park District programs and services, call (708) 448-7080 or visit the park district’s website at www.worthparkdistrict.org.
‘Lunch with Bunny’
“Lunch with Bunny” will be held for kids from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at the Worth Terrace Centre, 11500 S. Beloit Ave. Young guests can join the Easter Bunny for lunch. Music, inflatables and an opportunity to get a picture with the Bunny will be included. The fee is $8 for youths ages 2 to 12 and $10 for ages 13 and up. The registration deadline is Friday, March 24. For more information on Lunch with Bunny and other Worth Park District programs and services, call (708) 4487080 or visit the park district’s website at www.worthparkdistrict.org.
Mom and son can attend ball The Mother-Son Ball will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 28 at the Worth Park District Terrace Centre, 11500 S. Beloit Ave. This is a night out for moms and their sons. Appetizers will be available, and a DJ will provide the music. A photo will be taken of moms and sons to remember the evening. All ages are welcome. The registration fee is $30 for residents and $40 for non-resident couples. The fee is $10 for each additional resident boy and $15 for each additional non-resident boy. For more information on the Mother Son Ball and other Worth Park District programs and services, call (708) 4487080 or visit the park district’s website at www.worthparkdistrict.org.
‘Twilight Eggstravaganza’ A twilight egg hunt for children ages 7 to 12 will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Children ages 7 to 12 can take part in a twilight egg hunt from 6 to 8 p.m.
Friday, April 7 at the Worth Park District Terrace Centre, 11500 S. Beloit Ave. Surprises and candy will be hidden inside of eggs that will be scattered around the Terrace Centre. Participants should bring working batteries and a bag to collect the eggs. Pizza and a drink will be provided after the hunt. Children who attend RAS (Recreation After School) will be taken to the event. The registration fee is $12 for residents and $20 for non-residents. For more information on Twilight Eggstravaganza and other Worth Park District programs and services, call (708) 448-7080 or visit the park district’s website at www.worthparkdistrict.org.
Play games, share cards at Pokemon Party A Pokemon Party will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 17 at the Worth Park District Terrace Centre, 11500 S. Beloit Ave. Pokemon is back in style and there will be plenty of games and crafts to be made at the party. A snack will go along with the activities. Participants can bring Pokemon cards or any other Pokemon item that can be shared with the group. The registration fee is $10 for residents and $12 for non-residents. More information on the Pokemon Party and other Worth Park District programs can be obtained by calling (708) 448-7080 or visit www.worthparkdistrict.org
Lunch with the Easter Bunny Youth can have Lunch with the Easter Bunny from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at the Worth Park District Terrace Centre, 11500 S. Beloit Ave. Along with the lunch, music will be provided and inflatables will be available for the kids. The youths will also have an opportunity to have picture taken with the Easter Bunny. The fee is $8 for kids ages 2 to 12 and $10 for ages 13 and up. The registration deadline is Friday, March 24. More information can be obtained by calling (708) 448-7080 or visit www. worthparkdistrict.org.
Lunch Story Craft Mania Lunch Story Craft Mania will be held for children ages 3 to 5 at the Worth Park District Terrace Centre, 11500 S. Beloit Ave. The sessions will held from noon to 12:45 p.m. Wednesdays beginning March 29. Children will listen to stories and will make a craft. Children will explore different stories, discussing them, and making a related project. The registration fee is $20 for residents and $25 for non-residents. For more information on Lunch Story Craft Mania and other Worth Park District programs and services, call (708) 448-7080 or visit the park district’s website at www.worthparkdistrict.org.
Palos Hills Rec Dept. will host Spring Break Camp in April The City of Palos Hills Resource and Recreation Department will be hosting a Spring Break Camp Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 7, at the Palos Hills Community Center, 8455 W. 103rd St. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is for kids 6 to 12 years old. Before and after camp care options are available. For more information, call the Palos Hills Community Center at (708) 430-4500 The department will be hosting a Health Expo on Saturday, April 22 at the Community Center. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and will end at 1 p.m. Local health organizations will be on hand to provide information about their services. Free and low cost screenings will also be available. For more information, call Sandy DeMoor at the Community Center, (708) 430-4500.
SCHOOL NEWS
Thursday, March 23, 2017
The Reporter
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Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Chicago Christian High School DECA students received Illinois state medals at a recent competition. The students are (front row, from left) Dan Ferrusquia, Connor McGraw, Joey Mavrogiannis, Mark Schaaf, Jordan Dryfhout, Orland Park; Ellie Gallman, Emily Damstra, Orland Park; Abby Haan, Palos Heights; Leah Kuipers, Orland Park; (back row, from left) Danny Litton, Hickory Hills; Brian Conley, Jeff Mayberry, Trent Riemersma, Matt Wolterink, Mark Kamp Orland Park; Jill VanDyk and Alyssa Rumbuc, Palos Heights.
Chicago Christian earns medals at DECA competition Chicago Christian High School DECA (Distributive Education Club of America) students competed last weekend and received Illinois state medals in the competition. Five students from Chicago Christian High School advanced to the DECA National Competition, which will be held on April 26
through April 29 in Anaheim. The students who advanced included Alyssa Rumbuc and Abby Haan, of Palos Heights, with their Business Innovation Plan; Matt Wolterink and Trent Riemersma with their Business Innovation Plan; and Joey Mavrogiannis, who qualified in two events, Entrepreneurship Promotion Plan and Personal Financial Literacy.
Shepard band members receive conference honors Eleven students at Shepard High School were recently selected to the South Suburban Conference Honors Band. Students and their instruments included Khalil Harper, percussion; Jocelyn Jamieson, clarinet; Jacob Kalabich, baritone saxophone; Megan Karas, French horn;
Patty Medina, flute; and Julian Ortiz, euphonium. The honored Shepard band members also included Isabel Plasencia-Contra, bass clarinet; Rebecca Ruger, tenor saxophone; Nick Smeraldo, trombone; Ryan Smith-Lesniak, trombone; and Meghan Travis, French horn. Submitted photo
Pictured at right are the students from Shepard High School who were named to the South Suburban Conference Honors Band.
District 123 student raises $1,000 to aid homeless Brenden Sheedy could hardly make his way through the halls at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School as he collected donations for “Almost Home,” a local nonprofit that helps the homeless in the community “It feels good to know so many kids are supporting me and want to help out,” Sheedy said. The idea to raise funds during the school day came about through a Global Studies assign-
LEGAL NOTICE F17010048 FITH IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT, CHANCERY DIVISION Fifth Third Mortgage Company Plaintiff, vs. James R. Sautkus aka James Sautkus; The Lawn View Villas Condominium Association; Fifth Third Mortgage Company; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants Defendants. CASE NO. 17 CH 1460 10422 South Pulaski Road, Unit 207C Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453 Walker Calendar 57
ment: what is one problem we face, and how can you fix it? For Sheedy, that issue was hunger. “I just thought about how easy it is for me to get food and how I never go hungry and realized that isn’t the case for every kid so I wanted to make it easier for them,” he said. From there Sheedy turned his idea into reality, taking donations during passing periods and lunch to raise money for Chick-fil-A gift cards to donate to Almost
LEGAL NOTICE WEISS MCCLELLAND LLC (Firm ID: 56284) Attorneys 105 W. Adams, Suite 1850 Chicago, Illinois 60603 STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF Cook, ss – IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. THOMAS D. MELANIPHY, THE FORESTVIEW CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS-TENANTS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, et. al., Defendants, Case No. 17 CH 310. The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you:
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given you, James R. Sautkus aka James Sautkus, and UNKNOWN OWNERS and NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, defendants in the above entitled cause, that suit has been commenced against you and other defendants in the Circuit Court for the Judicial Circuit by said plaintiff praying for the foreclosure of a certain mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to wit: UNIT 207-C IN THE LAWN VIEW VILLAS CONDOMINIUM AS DELINEATED ON SURVEY OF THE EAST HALF OF LOT 23 (EXCEPT THE WEST 49.50 FEET AND EXCEPT THE EAST 17 FEET IN LONGWOOD ACRES, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER AND THE EAST HALF OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER AND THE WEST HALF OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 15, TOWNSHIP 37 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN HEREAFTER REFERRED TO AS PARCEL, WHICH SURVEY IS ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT “A” TO DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM MADE BY MARQUETTE NATIONAL BANK AS TRUSTEE UNDER TRUST NO. 3888 RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF DEEDS OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AS DOCUMENT NO. 20672588 TOGETHER WITH AN UNDIVIDED 1.815 PERCENT INTEREST IN SAID PARCEL EXCEPTING FROM SAID PARCEL ALL THE PROPERTY AND SPACE COMPRISING ALL THE UNITS THEREOF AS DEFINED AND SET FORTH IN SAID DECLARATION AND SURVEY IN ALL COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. P.I.N.: 24-15-204-099-1047 Said property is commonly known as 10422 South Pulaski Road, Unit 207C, Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453, and which said mortgage(s) was/ were made by James R. Sautkus and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds as Document Number 1234215007 and for other relief; that Summons was duly issued out of the above Court against you as provided by law and that said suit is now pending. NOW THEREFORE, unless you, the said above named defendants, file your answer to the complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Court at Cook County on or before APRIL 10, 2017 a default may be taken against you at any time after that date and a Judgment entered in accordance with the prayer of said complaint. This communication is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Steven C. Lindberg ANSELMO LINDBERG OLIVER LLC 1771 W. Diehl Rd., Ste 120, Naperville, IL 60563-4947 630-453-6960 | 866-402-8661 | 630-428-4620 (fax) Attorney No. Cook 58852, DuPage 293191, Kane 031-26104, Peoria 1794, Winnebago 3802, IL 03126232 foreclosure@ALOLawGroup.com THIS LAW FIRM IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR.
THOMAS D. MELANIPHY, UNKNOWN OWNERS-TENANTS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS , defendants in the above entitled suit has been commenced in the IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION, by the said plaintiff against you and other defendants, praying for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to-wit: UNIT NO. 304 AND GARAGE UNIT NO. G-11 IN THE FORESTVIEW CONDOMINIUM, AS DELINEATED ON A SURVEY OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE: THAT PART OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 37 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT IN THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION, AT THE CENTER OF KEAN AVENUE, WHICH IS 53.17 FEET EAST OF THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID NORTHEAST 1/4; THENCE EAST ON SAID NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION, 230.11 FEET; THENCE SOUTH AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION, 246.4 FEET; THENCE WEST PARALLEL TO SAID NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION, 272.37 FEET TO SAID CENTER LINE OF KEAN AVENUE; THENCE NORTHERLY 250.01 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING (EXCEPT THE NORTH 50 FEET TAKEN FOR HIGHWAY, AND EXCEPT THE WESTERLY 33 FEET TAKEN FOR HIGHWAY); WHICH SURVEY IS ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT “A” TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NO. 87060204, TOGETHER WITH THEIR UNDIVIDED PERCENTAGE INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PIN: 23-22-200-060-1012 and 23-22200-060-1023. Commonly known as: 11111 South Kean Avenue, Unit 304, Palos Hills, IL 60465, and which said Mortgage was made by THOMAS D. MELANIPHY, as Mortgagor(s) to Marquette Bank, as Mortgagee, and recorded as document number 1026533015, and the present owner(s) of the property being THOMAS D. MELANIPHY, and for other relief: that summons was duly issued out of said Court against you as provided by law, and that the said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said above named defendants, file your answer to the Complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appearance therein, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION, Richard J Daley Center, 50 W. Washington, Room 802, Chicago, IL 60602 on or before APRIL 10, 2017 default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a Judgment entered in accordance with the prayer of said Complaint. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Last known addresses: Defendant Address: 11111 South Kean Avenue, Unit 304, Palos Hills, IL 60465
Home. To make the good cause even more fun for students, grade levels were pitted against each other to see who could raise the most money in a week. In the end, the eighth-graders came out on top raising the most for the non-profit. Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School as a whole was able to donate $500 in Chick-fil-A gift cards to Almost Home, and an additional $500 in cash for the organization do pay for other needs.
LEGAL NOTICE F17010153 PNC IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT, CHANCERY DIVISION Wintrust Mortgage Plaintiff, vs. Angelika Chwalek; Pine Falls Estates Townhome Homeowners’ Association; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants Defendants. CASE NO. 17 CH 1862 10108 South Roberts Road, Unit 3S, Palos Hills, Illinois 60465 Sullivan Calendar 60 NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given you, Pine Falls Estates Townhome Homeowners’ Association and UNKNOWN OWNERS and NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, defendants in the above entitled cause, that suit has been commenced against you and other defendants in the Circuit Court for the Judicial Circuit by said plaintiff praying for the foreclosure of a certain mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to wit: PARCEL 1: THE WEST 22.14 FEET OF THE EAST 92.36 FEET OF THE SOUTH 72.19 FEET OF LOT 1 IN FRANKLIN DELUGACH’S 103 STREET MANOR, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 11, TOWNSHIP 37 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PARCEL 2: AN EASEMENT FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS ACROSS THE COMMON AREA DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: THE EAST 26.50 FEET OF THE NORTH 71.13 FEET, THE SOUTH 34.74 FEET OF THE NORTH 105.60 FEET AND THE EAST 26.35 FEET OF THE SOUTH 72.19 FEET OF LOT 1 AFORESAID. P.I.N.: 23-11-408-033-0000; Said property is commonly known as 10108 South Roberts Road, Unit 3S, Palos Hills, Illinois 60465, and which said mortgage(s) was/were made by Angelika Chwalek and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds as Document Number 1331904034 and for other relief; that Summons was duly issued out of the above Court against you as provided by law and that said suit is now pending. NOW THEREFORE, unless you, the said above named defendants, file your answer to the complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Court at Cook County on or before APRIL 10,2017 a default may be taken against you at any time after that date and a Judgment entered in accordance with the prayer of said complaint. This communication is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Steven C. Lindberg ANSELMO LINDBERG OLIVER LLC 1771 W. Diehl Rd., Ste 120, Naperville, IL 60563-4947 630-453-6960 | 866-402-8661 | 630-428-4620 (fax) Attorney No. Cook 58852, DuPage 293191, Kane 031-26104, Peoria 1794, Winnebago 3802, IL 03126232 foreclosure@ALOLawGroup.com THIS LAW FIRM IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR.17
Oak Lawn Community High School students (from left) Aleksandra Stoch, Ben Buikys and Gina Snyder captured first placed in the first “Shark Tank” competition sponsored by Moraine Valley Community College.
Oak Lawn High team snags 1st place in ‘Shark Tank’-type competition Students from Oak Lawn Community High School’s honors accounting and marketing classes recently took first place in a regional competition similar to the TV program, “Shark Tank.” Sponsored by Moraine Area Career Systems and Moraine Valley, students were asked to create a product or service and present it to a panel of judges, or investors, to convince them of the value of their product. Students had to prove that the product could work in the market, include a financial analysis of money needed for start-up and profit, and show balance sheet and income statements for the business. Oak Lawn High students Aleksandra Stoch, Ben Buikys and Gina Snyder competed against Reavis, Stagg, Shepard and Evergreen Park High School on March 10 and placed first. The product was titled “Buddy
Bracelets” and designed for preschool and elementary teachers. It is intended to make a field trip experience less stressful for the chaperone and teacher. The bracelets come in a pack of 10 for the students and one leader bracelet for the teacher. The GPS tracking device allows the teacher to know the exact location of all students at all times. Also, graphic design teacher Dan Kenny’s engineering student Dan Duran designed and produced the prototype of the product. The students took the prototype with them to the competition so the judges had something tangible. “I am so proud of the students. Not only was their product an innovative and smart idea, but the judges, who are business professionals with MBAs, were ready to invest,” said Amy Campbell, the accounting and marketing teacher.
LIBRARY HAPPENINGS
EVERGREEN PARK
Library partners with Lincoln Center for free screenings Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S. Troy, in partnership with the Lincoln Center, is bringing free screenings to the library on Tuesday, March 28. The series offers screenings of previously live performances from Lincoln Center’s digital content collection. More information can be obtained by calling (708) 422-8522.
Actors perform American history with humor Stories will be told in an unusual and humorous way about American history for children and their caregivers beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 31 at the Evergreen Park Library, 9400 S. Troy. This Chicago troupe provides laughs with storytelling about the country’s origins by using their bodies, voices and (pantomimed) cannons. Seven actors recreate the entire American fight for independence.
OAK LAWN
Discussion on how to search for jobs Bob Schlacks, human resources expert from AT&T, will be available to discuss any employmentrelated questions or concerns from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave. One-on-one resume review or mock interview sessions are available. Call the Adult Services Desk to reserve an individual 20-minute consultation. For more information about this and other adult programs, call (708) 422-4990 or visit www.olpl.org.
Request for book sale donations
Patrons can donate “gently used” books, magazines, CDs and videos to the Friends of the Oak Lawn Library’s Ongoing Book Sale at the Oak Lawn Public Library. Due to space limitations, the Friends will not accept Readers Digest Condensed Books, encyclopedias and older text books. The donation drop-off area is near the library’s Cook Avenue entrance. Interested parties may fill out a short form at the Customer Services Desk to receive a tax letter by mail that acknowledges their donation. The Friends Ongoing Book Sale provides an ever-changing variety of books, magazines and other forms of media at bargain prices. Hardcover books cost 50 cents each, paperbacks are 25 cents and magazines cost 10 cents each. Audio visual items are priced as indicated. Funds collected from the book sale support library programming and purchases that are beyond their regular budget.
Volunteers are needed to work in the Friends bookstore The Friends of the Oak Lawn Library is accepting applications for bookstore volunteers, which consists of sorting book donations and stocking the store at the library. One four-hour shift per week is required. Volunteer forms are available at the Customer Services Desk on the first floor of the library. For more information, call Carole Onwiler at (708) 422-8646.
PALOS HILLS Library hosts free Family Movie Time
The free Family Movie Time will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 24 at the Green Hills Library, 8611 W. 103rd St., Palos Hills. Enjoy a free movie, popcorn, and juice with the family. All ages are
welcome. Register online at greenhillslibrary.org.
Tech Club will meet at library The Tech Club will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 28 at the Green Hills Library. Children in grades three through eight can tinker with technology and robotics. They will also experiment with Makey Makeys, Squishy Circuits, the Mbot robot and more. Registration is limited to 25. Register online at greenhillslibrary.org.
Book club will discuss ‘Lucky Boy’ The Green Hills Library Book Club will meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29 at Xando Cafe, 8729 W. 95th St., Hickory Hills. Members will discuss “Lucky Boy” by Shanthi Sekeran. Copies of the book will be available at the circulation desk before the meeting for GHPLD cardholders. Register online at greenhillslibrary.org.
Fun book discussion
A fun book discussion with Miss Natalie will be held for kids ages 10 to 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 29 at the Green Hills Library. Snacks will be provided. Copies of the book will be available at the Youth Services Desk. Register online at greenhillslibrary.org.
Bouquet workshop A bouquet workshop will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 30 at the Green Hills Library. Participants will have an opportunity to make mini bouquets. This event is for adults only. Register online at greenhillslibrary.org.
Reptiles will visit library The Cosley Zoo Reptiles will visit the Green Hills Library at 6 p.m. Monday, April 3. Guests will have the opportunity to see some reptiles while learning facts and fictional accounts about the creatures. Children of all ages and caregivers are welcome. Register online at the greenhillslibrary.org.
Lego Club will meet The Lego Club will gather for their next session at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 at the Green Hills Library. Staff members will supply the Legos and the kids will supply the imagination and building skills. This session is for children in kindergarten through the fifth grade. Register online at greenhillslibrary.org.
Play tabletop games Tabletop games will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 5 at the Green Hills Library. Visitors can bring in their favorite board games like Sushi Go or Munchkin! The session is for ages 8 and up. Dice is not required. Register online at greenhillslibrary.org.
Online privacy is examined A session on online privacy will be explored at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 5 at the Green Hills Library. This program is for patrons who are worried about information being collected by internet companies and advertisers as they browse online. Guests will learn how to browse safely and keep private information hidden. The class is for adults only. Register online at greenhillslibrary.org.
‘April in Paris’ cabaret Guests will listen to cabaret music at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 6 at the Green Hills Library. “April in Paris” with Claudia Hommel will provide the cabaret music. With her accordion accompanist, she will transport visitors to Paris through her cabaret show. Her repertoire includes French and American songs celebrating Paris. Hommel will encourage guests to dance. This event is for adults only. Register online at greenhillslibrary.org.
12 The Reporter
SCHOOL NEWS
Thursday, March 23, 2017
All-American Eagles contest winners selected The winners of Bill Lipinski’s All-American Eagles Program essay contest for sixth-, seventhand eighth-graders who wrote on the topic “Who Was the Greatest President and Why?” have been selected. Awards will be given to the first-, second- and third-place finishers for each grade. In addition, a cash prize of $200 will be given to the eighth grade student who finished first and $100 for the seventh-grader who came in first. In April, a date, place and time still has to be determined for the first- and second-place winners in each grade of the essay contest who will participate in a history quiz. Cash award prizes will be given to the first- ($500), second($250) and third-place ($100) winners of the history quiz. A lone student who finishes the history quiz will receive an additional cash award prize of $500 toward Submitted photo
Sixth-graders at St. Germaine School in Oak Lawn are using different strategies through “Blended Learning,” rotating through a series of stations that enrich the usual textbook content.
St. Germaine sixth-graders receive ‘Blended Learning’ Sixth-grade students at St. Germaine School in Oak Lawn have been studying the civilization of ancient Greece, but were receiving lessons in a different way. Teachers at St. Germaine are beginning to implement learning strategies that is referred to as “Blended Learning.” Students often rotate through a series of learning stations that enrich the usual textbook content. The six-graders created an “ABC” book
of important vocabulary, people and places from ancient Greece. They decoded messages written using ancient Greek letters, read several informational articles on a website called “Read Works Digital,” and met with Katie Hinkelmann, the sixth grade teacher. The students then were arranged in small groups to discuss their findings. What could have been a series of “dry” lectures based on textbook information expanded to include information that students
discovered on websites, photos, maps, and other resources. The students enjoyed their work — and participated every minute of the class, according to school officials. Teachers in all classes at St. Germaine are adding website resources, practice and extension activities that students can explore both at school and at home. At St. Germaine, students in the fifth through eighth grade are using Chromebook to lead the learning at home and at school.
the school they attend. The essay winners for the sixth grade resulted in a tie for third place between Armstrong Esquival, of St. Bruno Elementary School; and Myles Maloney, of St. Cajetan. Placing second was Piotr Nowobilski, of St. Albert the Great. The first-place winner among the sixth-graders was Payteja Topor, of Mark Twain. The seventh-grade winners were Patrick Carney, St. Cajetan, third place; Anna Janczy, St. Patricia, second place; and Gabrielle Belanski, St. Symphorosa, first place. Robby Pustulska, of SS Cyril and Methodius, was the eighth grade champion. Placing second among the eighth-graders was Giselle Gonzales, St. Bruno; and in third was Jessica Groark, St. Barbara. For more information, contact Bart Frost at BillLipinski@hotmail.com.
Student at Glen Oaks School advances in math competition Piotr Zawislan, a fifth-grade student at Glen Oaks School in Hickory Hills, will compete in a national math competition next month in Chicago after defeating nearly 50,000 students from 43 states. Students from across the country competed in the prestigious MathCON event by taking online assessments in algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis, number systems and pre-calculus. MathCON is an academic competition hosted each year in Chicago by Concept Schools. Created in 2008 as a Midwest competition with 125 participants, MathCON
has grown into a national event. The company’s goal is to encourage more students in science, technology, engineering and math outside the classroom and encourage more students to enter the STEM fields, which are currently some of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. In addition to the finals testing, students at this year’s competition will enjoy a math comedy show, a pizza party with other participants, and have the chance to play an assortment of STEMrelated games. Finals will be held on April 22 at the University of IllinoisChicago.
Submitted photo
Fine Arts Shadow Day
A Fine Arts Shadow Day was held March 2 at Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights. Students were able to observe fine arts classes including theater, band, choir and art. The day featured a pizza lunch that included presentations from faculty and staff, and a special presentation from the Chicago Christian High School IMPROV Team. Pictured in the photo above are the shadow day guests for the day.
www.TokarForMayor.com
Election Day is Tuesday, April 4th
Mayor Chuck Tokar and the TaxPayers First Party’s Independent Team have the proven Experience and Leadership to continue to lead Chicago Ridge
Shedding hair for a cause
Submitted photo
A St. Baldrick’s event to fight childhood cancer was held last Thursday night at Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights. Thirty students and five faculty members either shaved their heads or donated several inches of hair to help raise over $11,000. Tony Domanik (above), a Chicago Christian High School teacher, volunteered to have his head shaved during the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser.
District 123 honors peforming arts
Tokar, Kowalski & Pyznarski - Good for Chicago Ridge With more than 100 years of combined Chicago Ridge residency, Chuck Tokar, Ed Kowalski, and Deb Pyznarski bring experienced leadership that our residents can trust. In the past four years alone, Chicago Ridge residents have enjoyed: • • • • • • •
4 Years of Balanced Budgets including $23.7 Million 2017 Budget Reopened Fire Station No. 1 and sharing the cost of a mutual Fire Chief More than $3.4 million in street resurfacing, curb and water main improvements $1.25 Million in Grants to Non-Profits from Ridgefest Celebration since 1989 Increased Police presence at Chicago Ridge Mall New Business Development & Redevelopment AA- Bond Rating, among the tops in Illinois and surrounding communities
Paid for by Citizens for Chuck Tokar
EXPERIENCE LEADERSHIP TRUST
The annual State of the District 123 Dinner attracted 350 attendees at the recent event, including businesses, dignitaries and community members to showcase the district’s performing and fine arts programs. A presentation was held by Doug Harris, the CEO of the Kaleidoscope Group, a fullservice diversity and inclusion consulting firm in Chicago. The group has assisted organizations with managing culture change and creating inclusion for over 30 years. “The State of the District Dinner is our annual event to connect with the entire Oak LawnHometown community. Through a rich dialogue designed to engage
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participants and gather feedback we hope to build trust and enrich perspectives of all District 123 partners and community members. The aim of our event is to provide a more direct outreach opportunity by expanding face to face and meaningful two way engagement,” said Paul J. Enderle, Ed.D., superintendent of District 123. Guests were treated to performances from District 123 choirs, The Wizard of Oz cast, ukulele music students, dance team performances and artwork done by students. In his speech, Harris stressed the importance of reaching across the table, to others with different views, in an effort to expand knowledge.
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SPORTS The Regional News • The Reporter
Thursday, March 23, 2017 5, 2015
Vorva,Sports SportsEditor Editor••sports@regionalpublishing.com sports@regionalpublishing.com KenJeff Karrson,
Southwest • Section 2, Page 1 1 Southwest • Section 2, Page
If it’s any consolation... Moraine Valley drops first game in national tournament By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
Moraine Valley Community College’s women’s basketball team’s quest for a national championship was dashed Tuesday, but the Cyclones can still bring some hardware back home. The Cyclones will still be hanging around Harrison, Ark., for a few days as they compete in the consolation round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Championship tournament after dropping a 77-71 first-round decision to Kalamazoo Valley at Pioneer Pavilion. The 10th-seeded Cyclones (16-18) are scheduled
to play Lackawanna (Pa.) (19-11) at 9 a.m. today, Thursday in the first round of the consolation bracket. Lackawanna suffered a 72-44 defeat to No. 2 Johnson County. Seventh-seeded Kalamazoo (29-3) raced out to a 25-12 lead Tuesday after the first quarter. Moraine was able to close the gap to 51-48 after three quarters but could not pull it out. As for most of the games in the past two seasons, the Cyclones were led by Mother McAuley graduate and Evergreen Park native Erin Drynan and Andrew graduate Michelle Borgen. Drynan scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and notched two blocked shots and two steals. Bor-
gen had 23 points and seven rebounds. Diamond Dortch and Krista Brill each had eight points. The team stats were nearly identical in shooting percentage (Moraine was 39.7 percent to Kalamazoo’s 38.2), free-throw shooting (Moraine had a 64.7-65.4 percent advantage) and rebounds (Kalamazoo had a 44-43 advantage). But the Cyclones were guilty of 26 turnovers, which led to 21 Kalamazoo points. This was the first time the Cyclones qualified for nationals since 1989. Even before the first basketball was bounced this See MORAINE, Page 3
Photo courtesy of Moraine Valley
Moraine Valley’s Michelle Borgen tries to get a shot off during her team’s 77-71 first-round loss to Kalamazoo Valley in the NJCAA Division II Championship tournament on Tuesday.
ST. LAURENCE NAMES FIRST GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH
Shimko hire makes for a Peace-ful transition
RJ Collins is pictured during his Shepard football days (left) and as a singer on the rise (right).
By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
It looks like most of the old gang is going to be back. Just across the street and in different uniforms. When Queen of Peace announced in January it was going to close, many players from its record-setting basketball team — as well as members of the student population in general — were sad and worried about where they would end up next year. In February, when next-door neighbor St. Laurence in Burbank made the shocking announcement it was going to go coed, people just assumed that coach George Shimko and his players would end up there and all would be well. It looks like that may indeed be the case. Shimko was hired on March 15 as the school’s girls varsity basketball coach, and he said that many of his returning players on this year’s 28-win Queen of Peace varsity team and a majority of players on the sophomore team will be enrolling at the school as well. The coach said he is grateful for the opportunity to build up a new program. “It’s exciting to come in and try to build a quality program that matches the things they have already done athletically,” Shimko said. “The Vikings have a pretty rich tradition on the athletic side with baseball and football and basketball, and to be able to come into the program from scratch is really, really exciting to me.’’ And it doesn’t hurt that when he blows his first whistle at his first practice in the summer, there will be a lot of familiar faces around. Shinko’s son, Alex, will continue to be his assistant. The elder Shimko plans to ask his other assistants to make the trek across the street. He added that so far varsity players Kelly Mason, Ashley Murphy, Erin Foley, Brooke Vida and Ashley Kevin told him they were coming to St. Laurence. He said several lower-level players also plan on attending St. Laurence. “We have a pretty good group of those who are coming over,” Shimko said. “Some of them saw me in the hallway after I got the job and said ‘Yay! Yay!’ They were excited.’’ Shimko is glad that some his players will be able to get through their senior year without too much angst. “I’m happy for the juniors because I was really worried about them,” Shimko said. “It’s difficult to acclimate yourself to a new program when you are a senior. Now they have the opportunity and they chose the opportunity to stay together, so that will be nice for them.’ Shimko said St. Laurence will replace Queen of Peace in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference White division. The team will have summer workouts and play in See SHIMKO, Page 3
Photo by Jeff Vorva
George Shimko was named the first girls basketball coach in St. Laurence history.
Photo by Jeff Vorva
Photo by Erin Kay
From scoring TDs to Alicia Keys Recent Shepard grad gained ground on ‘The Voice’ By Jeff Vorva • Sports Editor
S
hepard football coach Dominic Passolano and superstar singer Alicia Keys do not seem to have a lot in common. But now they both have a strong bond: coaching RJ Collins.
Collins graduated from Shepard last year After the song was over, Keys gushed, and the 18-year-old’s career has taken an odd “Wow…what voice is that?” Lambert quickly but wonderful twist, as he advanced past the said, “That’s the winning voice right there.’’ blind round on the NBC TV show “The Voice,’’ Collins appeared star-struck when interwhich aired on March 13. The Calumet Park naacting with Keys. tive selected Keys to be his coach even though “You just said my name — aw,” he said after she called him CJ. fellow judge Adam Lambert showed the most “I’m waiting for magic,” Keys said. “I’ve interest and predicted, “You could win ‘The been waiting to feel something and your Voice.’ ’’ soul comes through in this music in a way That didn’t happen, as it was revealed Tuesthat’s really, really evident. I want to push day that Collins was bumped off in the second you, too, because there is more greatness round by teammate Chris Blue. inside of you. There is obviously no limit to But Passolano, who used Collins as a running you. And if you would like me to say your back in 2014 and 2015, was still proud of his RJ Collins name a few more times, then you just come former player. and join my team.’’ “It goes without saying that we are extremely Then when she said, “We need beautiful proud of the way RJ represented himself on the black men on my team…,’’ he interrupted show,” the coach said. “RJ was always a posiand said, “Did you just call me beautiful? I’m tive, hard-working kid for us. He was detersorry, Adam…’’ mined as a player to be an all-conference runAnd that was it for Lambert. ning back and help get his team in the playoffs, All horsing around aside, Collins said which he was able to accomplish. he was inspired to audition for the show in “So it comes as no surprise when you watch memory of his brother, Randy, who was fa‘The Voice’ and see a guy who is a positive intally shot by Riverdale police a few days befluence and is determined to achieve his dreams fore Christmas in 2009. and goals.’’ Collins made a cameo appearance at his Collins belted out Justin Bieber’s “Purpose.’’ Palos Heights alma mater on March 10 as The blind round features four judges/coaches he sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” at an with their backs to the singer. If they like what they hear, they hit their button and their chair turns around to face assembly. Even as a football player, Collins showed he could be a quick the performer. Seven words into the song, Lambert pounded his button. About wit after games. The Astros beat Argo 41-0 to stay alive for a playoff berth dura minute and 15 seconds into the tune, Keys got on board and hit her button, much to the chagrin of Lambert, who buried his head ing his senior season, and Collins had 83 yards on eight carries, including a 59-yard run to open the scoring. into his right arm. “I just saw the light,” he said of the big play. “It said, ‘Come Oddly enough, the other two judges — Gwen Stefani and Blake here, R.J.’” Shelton — did not turn around to face the music. I saw the light? Hmmm. Maybe the next time he is on TV he But all you need is one judge in your corner to will tackle some Hank Williams. advance, and Collins had two.
There is more greatness inside of you. There is obviously no limit to you. ’’ ‘‘ — Alicia Keys (left), responding to RJ Collins’ performance on “The Voice”’
2
Section 2 Thursday, March 23, 2017
The Regional News - The Reporter
CHICAGO FIRE ANALYSIS
FOCUS ON AREA COLLEGES
Beatdown vs. expansion team is tough to swallow
SXU enjoys award-winning efforts By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
Ouch. This one hurt. The Chicago Fire, puffed up from salvaging a 1-1 tie to open the season at Columbus and a 2-0 home-opening victory over Real Salt Lake, went Photos by Jeff Vorva to Atlanta on Saturday and stunk up the joint. The Fire coach Veljko Paunovic had plenty to applaud with result was a 4-0 loss to Atlanta United FC in front his team the first two weeks, but he suffered one of of an announced crowd of 45,922 at Bobby Dodd the worst defeats in his young tenure on Saturday Stadium. with a 4-0 loss to expansion team Atlanta. Now, a 4-0 spanking would be humiliating against any opponent, even an elite team in Major three games. The Fire was able to put together an impressive League Soccer. But this came against an expansion team that first half after the red card, shutting out Atlanta for the final 34 minutes. But damage was already had just two games under its belt. done in the fourth minute when Time will tell if Atlanta (2-1a shot went off of defender 0 with 11 goals in three matchWORST POUNDINGS Brendan Vincent’s foot for an es) is the real deal or not. If so, own goal. FOR PAUNO a lot of veteran general managIt didn’t look likely that 10 ers are going to be scratching their heads wondering how a The worst Chicago losses in the Veljko men were going to stop a highoctane offense in the second team can build a power from Paunovic era: Saturday: 4-0 to Atlanta half, and they didn’t. scratch while their teams are “For us, this was a hard lesAug. 27, 2016: 6-2 to D.C. United scratching for respectability. son that we learned and we have That includes the Fire and Sept. 23, 2016: 4-1 to NYC FC general manager Nelson Ro- Oct. 1, 2016: 3-0 to Columbus Crew to fix a lot of things,” Fire coach Veljko Paunovic said. “But I driguez. Rodriguez spent time also want to appreciate the efand money this offseason to build a team that is supposed to be vastly im- fort and hard work that all of our team had.’’ The Fire returns to action April 1 for a home proved over the past two seasons, when the Fire game with Montreal. had the worst record in the league. The team has a long time to try to fix this. For two weeks, things looked good for the Fire. “It’s tough when you don’t get a result,” Fire The team was even named the MSL Team of the midfielder Juninho said. “It’s hard to say someWeek after salting away Salt Lake. And it’s not right to freak out over the third game of the sea- thing, but we had a system to start, we tried to score on the counter but their team was better toson. But, again, this came against an expansion team day. We lost a guy in the beginning of the game and it made everything complicated. But you have that had just two games under its belt. One could argue that the Fire deserves some to move on, you have to adjust on what we did bad slack because it played this game with only 10 in this game and move on to the next one. “This is our third game of the season and we men most of the way after Johan Kappelhof received a red card for clipping Josef Martinez in played against a good team. They have their systhe 11th minute. It’s debatable whether a yellow or tem and their different mission and style so we’re getting to know them for the first time. Our exred card should have been issued. But, ultimately, the Fire defender put his team perience was not the best, but we have to fix a lot of things. Our coaches will talk to us throughout in a bad spot. Martinez may have been denied a goal in the these two weeks. “We won’t have a game because of the FIFA 11th minute, but he scored against the Chicago 10 in the 60th and 82nd minutes of the game and set break, but it’s going to help us to take this time to the MLS record for scoring five goals in his first put everything in place.”
CHICAGO FIRE NOTEBOOK
Fire signs German superstar Schweinsteiger By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor
The Chicago Fire signed one of the biggest names to ever don a Fire uniform on Monday when they inked German and Manchester United star Bastian Schweinsteiger to a one-year contract worth a reported $4.5 million. There is also a mutual option for 2018. “This is a very big day for our club,’’ Fire General Manager Nelson Rodriguez said. “And I believe it’s big for Major League Soccer by acquiring one of our sport’s great champions. It’s not often you can add a player not just of Bastian’s pedigree but also one who represents our values. “This is a historic moment for our club.’’ Mixing the 32-year-old scoring threat into a roster that already features David Accam, Juninho, Michael de Leeuw, Dax McCarty and Nemanja Nikolic gives the Fire some offensive firepower. The team averaged just 1.1 goals per match in the 2015 and 2016 campaigns. The MLS has an off week this week and Rodriguez said it’s possible Schweinsteiger could make his Fire debut April 1 at Toyota Park. The new Fire star is ready to help make the team elite again. “Through my conversations with Nelson and (coach Veljko Paunovic), I’m convinced by the club’s vision and philosophy and I want to help
them with this project,’’ Schweinsteiger said. Schweinsteiger has 24 goals in 121 international matches for Germany, had 70 goals and 103 assists in 535 first team games and has been a part of 23 major domestic and international cups — more than any previous player entering their first season in MLS.
Dax on U.S. men’s team
Fire midfielder Dax McCarty has been selected by U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bruce Arena to the 24-man roster for the World Cup Qualifying matches against Honduras and Panama. McCarty was scheduled to report to San Jose, Calif. on Sunday for training and practice. The USA-Honduras match will take place at 9:30 p.m. Friday at Avaya Stadium in San Jose followed by a battle with Panama Tuesday in Panama City. McCarty, who most recently took part in the USA’s annual January Camp, received his first senior cap as a sub on Nov. 14, 2009 in an international friendly with Slovakia and has since made six total appearances for the men’s national team.
Dallas game moved The Fire’s home match against FC Dallas will now take place at Toyota Park at 7:30 p.m. May 25. The match was originally scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 31.
FOCUS ON HIGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SPORTS
Shepard prepares for outdoors by winning SSC meet Shepard’s boys track team won the South Suburban Red Indoor Conference championship. First-place winners were Nieko Carter, Tyrese Smith, Elijah Butler, Chammar Thompson, Kevin Callahan, Brian Hauser, Caleb Washington, Delvin Humphrey and Mike Kaczmarczyk. Butler was voted meet MVP for taking three first-place finishes: 55 dash, 200 dash and 4x160 relay.
Palos Park offers softball league Palos Park is offering a 14inch coed softball league. This non-competitive league will consist of an eight-game regular season schedule, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. Each team is required to have four female and five male players on the field at all times. Rosters are limited to 18 players. The fee is $500 per team. Games will be played in the evenings at Centennial Park located at 12216 S. Will Cook Rd. on Wednesdays from April 12 to May 31. The registration deadline is March 31. For additional
Submitted photo
Shepard’s track team recently won the South Suburban Red indoor conference meet.
information, call 708-671-3760.
Sandburg creates athletic hall of fame Carl Sandburg High School created an Athletic Hall of Fame to recognize and honor Eagle athletes, coaches, and supporters who have excelled in their respective sports or coaching and supporting roles. School officials invite members of the community to nominate former athletes, coaches, and supporters who should be considered. Nomination forms can be found on the Carl Sand-
burg High School website, http:// sandburg.d230.org, under the Athletics tab. All nominations should be submitted electronically and must be submitted no later than May 1. A selection committee made up of nine individuals will meet to vote on each nominee at the end of May and the first class of inductees will be notified in June. The inaugural class of inductees will be recognized at a ceremony at the school on Nov. 3. — We welcome community news at sports@regionalpublishing.com
Award after award… Just about every day last week St. Xavier University’s athletic department picked up recognition for its athletes both on and off the court. Start with the women’s basketball team, which finished second in the nation in NAIA Division II on March 14. Right after the championship game in Sioux City, junior Kara Krolicki was named the Player of the Year. Later in the week, she was named to the All-America first team while senior guard Mikayla Leyden was named to the third team and junior center Brittany Collins was named as honorable mention. It is the first time since 201011 that SXU had three players recognized on the NAIA AllAmerica teams and only the third time in program history. Krolicki finished the season ranked No. 2 in the NAIA in scoring per game (21.5 points per game). She also led the nation in three-pointers made (140) and ranked fourth in the NAIA in three-point field goal Krolicki percentage (.473). was named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Player of the Year as well this year after leading the league in scoring and threepointers made. She becomes the first Saint Xavier basketball player (men’s or women’s) to claim the NAIA’s top individual honor. Leyden finished the season ranked No. 2 in the NAIA in total assists (231) and broke a national tournament record for most assists (44) that had stood since 1995. Collins ranked No. 2 in the nation in field goal percentage this season. Then the academic awards came flooding in and six Cougars were named to the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes junior guard Tomei team: Ball, Collins, Krolicki, junior guard Casey McMahon (an Orland Park native who went to Stagg), senior forward Sami Pawlak and senior forward Sarah Vozel. In order to be nominated, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved junior academic status. “As proud as I am about all of the accomplishments that we had as a team this season on the basketball court, I’m just as excited about what these young women have been able to achieve in the classroom,” said Saint Xavier women’s basketball coach Bob Hallberg. “First and foremost, our players are here to get an education and our student-athletes exemplify that philosophy. To have nearly half of your roster recognized as Scholar-Athletes is truly a great honor.” On the men’s side, junior guard Quinn Niego earned a spot on the 2016-17 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball AllAmerica Honorable Mention team Niego led the NAIA in freethrow percentage this season at .933 and also ranked sixth in the CCAC and 42nd in the NAIA in scoring averaging 18.6 points per game. Four players were named Scholar-Athletes — senior guard Kyle Huppe, senior power forward Kody Kleinrichert, senior point guard Lucas Daurer and Niego. “These four young men are extremely hard working and strive for excellence in everything that they do, so it does not surprise me in the least to see them honored by the NAIA for their academic achievements,” said SXU men’s basketball coach Tom O’Malley. “They have been tremendous leaders for our program and I have no doubts that they will all be very successful in whatever they decide to pursue after college.” An award for a spring sport also found its way to SXU as freshman Amanda Ruskowsky was named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball Player of the Week. Ruskowsky hit .459 with two grand slams among her three home runs and 13 runs batted in in 10 games for the Cougars. She hit safely in nine of the 10 contests with multiple-hit games on six occasions.
Moraine Valley Cross country: SXU was not alone in collecting awards. The Cyclones recently found out they have a few coming
Photo by St. Xavier University
St. Xavier’s Kara Krolicki, left, was named NAIA Division II Player of the Year and was on the All-America first team while Brittany Collins, right, was named honorable mention to the All-America team.
Photo by Jeff Vorva
Mikayla Leyden of SXU was named third-team All-America.
their way. The men finished the fall semester with the second highest National Junior College Athletic Association GPA in the nation — 3.836 — and the women finished with the third highest —3.90. Only 20 women’s and 17 men’s teams earned this honor. Sixteen Cyclones were named individual Scholar AllAmericans earning at least a 3.5 GPA: Hannah Funk (Sandburg), Lydia Limas (Andrew), Yuliana Olivares (Reavis), Stephanie Majewski (Reavis), Fiona Agapito (Oak Lawn), Theresa Orr (Argo), Weronika Staszel (Reavis), Sarah McCann (Marist), Fabiola Castillo (Argo), Ilse Caballero (Sandburg), and for the men, Jeremy Morgan (Tinley Park), Alec Altman (Sandburg), Christian Delgado (Argo), Mark Harris (Lincoln-Way North), Rej Bedini (Albania), and Ronaldo Wallace (Thornridge). This is the highest the teams have ever finished and is the most individuals Moraine Valley has had named Scholar AllAmericans. Women’s soccer: NJCAA Region IV Player of the Year, Dalila Alcala, of the Cyclones signed to Saint Xavier. For two years, Alcala was a key player in the Cyclones’ success, helping her team win Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and Region IV championships as well as compete at the national championships two consecutive years. She started both years at center back and played nearly every minute. This past season she was captain and led the defense, holding region opponents to just two goals in two years. One of her two goals this year was the game-winner in the region championship that sent the team to nationals. Alcala also is a two-time All-Region and AllConference first-team player. “I’m very proud and happy for Dalila. She was great for us, and she will be great for Saint Xavier. Dalila is a fantastic student, player, teammate, and leader with a great attitude,” said Moraine Valley head Coach Al Palar. “I’m excited to watch her and the Cougars play next year. I wish her nothing but the best.” “Dalila is a big signing for us. Losing two key senior defenders, she will step in right
away and take charge of the back line for us. Her versatility will help us. We can use her on the field in different positions as well,” said Saint Xavier head Coach Evan Strehlau. “We are very excited to sign her. She is coming from a well-coached program, so she will be ready to go on day one.”
Trinity Christian College Women’s basketball: The Trolls were not shut out when it came to awards. Juniors Celina Wanta and Lauren Stokes were named to the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Conference North Central All-Region Team and Bethany Jansma received honorable mention status. For the season this trio led the team in scoring and was key to the team’s improved overall record at 16-16 and appearance in postseason play. Wanta was the top scorer and rebounder for the team with 12.2 points and 5.6 steals per game. In addition Wanta and Stokes earned Scholar-Athlete honors. Wanta was named to the NAIA, NCCAA, and CCAC scholarathlete lists while Stokes was a CCAC Scholar-Athlete. Also earning academic honors were senior Samantha Andringa for the NAIA, NCCAA, and CCAC, junior Katie Moran on the NCCAA and CCAC lists and senior Molly Toepper as a CCAC Scholar-Athlete. Men’s basketball: Jordan Perry was named CCAC AllConference Honorable Mention and to the NCCAA North Central All-Region team. For the season Perry led the team in scoring and rebounding with 20.0 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game. He posted a .529 field goal percentage and with his 559 points for the season and amassed his 1,000th career point at Trinity. Garnering NCCAA North Central All-Region Honorable Mention status was senior Trey Johnson. Earning NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors were juniors Ben Brinks and Zach Fitch. Also on the NCCAA Scholar-Athlete list were juniors Aaron Johnson and Matt Dail and sophomore Aaron Haan. Those five, along with sophomore Ben Andringa, were also on the CCAC Scholar-Team list.
The Regional News - The Reporter
Thursday, March 23, 2017 Section 2
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Coyne and teammates seek more coin and threaten boycott F ood for thought for those who aren’t very hungry: Every time I’ve seen Kendall Coyne, she was smiling. The Palos Heights native, Sandburg graduate and hockey legend who won a silver medal in Olympic play in 2014 is a great example of an athlete who loves what she is doing and seems to love using her celebrity status to talk to grade school and high school kids about staying positive. If she has had any frustrations in her career — and JEFF VORVA let’s face it, she’s human so bound to happen — she Making the that’s never let on publicly. Extra Point But now, Coyne and her USA Hockey teammates are in the middle of a controversy that is serious — serious enough where they have threatened to boycott the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships that are set to take place March in Plymouth, Mich., over money. The players do not feel they are being paid enough for all the hours of practice they put in. USA Hockey is reportedly looking for a new group of players to replace Coyne and her 22 teammates in Plymouth. Left wing Hilary Knight is doing the heavy lifting when it comes to speaking for the team but last week Coyne showed her support by tweeting: “US WNT will not play in 2017 World Championship due to stalled negotiations over fair wages and support from USA Hockey.’’ She then added #BeBoldForChange. Earlier this week, the players and USA Hockey were supposed to meet. As of this paper’s deadline, there was no news on a settlement. The players are seeking a four-year contract with compensation during non-Olympic periods. If USA Hockey decides to play hardball and
Shimko
Continued from Page 1 a league at Shepard and a shootout at Marian Catholic. The schedule is not finalized, but Shimko is hoping to have the Vikings open the season in November at Oak Lawn and participate in a Thanksgiving Tournament in Beecher, as well as a holiday tournament at Guerin Prep. St. Laurence athletic director Tim Chandler said this hire was historic since it was the naming of the school’s first girls coach. “We are very excited to welcome George, whose extensive basketball background and great reputation of developing student-athletes makes him a great culture fit for St. Laurence,” Chandler said. “He did a tremendous job in turning around the program at Queen of Peace, and I look forward to working with him as he builds a successful program at St. Laurence.” Shimko has been a basketball staple in this area for years, running the George Shimko Basketball School in Oak Lawn. Four seasons ago, he took over the Queen of Peace program and his team suffered what looked like a season in which it wouldn’t win a game. But the Pride pulled off two late-season wins to finish 2-28. Since then the team progressed and put together 19- and 28-win seasons and a pair of Class 3A Regional titles the past two campaigns. The Pride also won a league title in the GCAC this season. Despite all of his accolades and the fact that this position seemed like a perfect fit, Shimko and St. Laurence took nothing for granted. This was not a case in which the Vikings brass said, “Here you go, George — you have the job.’’ “It was a long interview process,’’ Shimko said. “The first interview, I met with five people and I was fortunate to be invited back for a second interview. There were a long series of questions and answers. “It was thorough. It was a job interview and I approached it as a job interview. I came prepared. I gave everyone a package of information for all of them to learn about me and what my plan was going to be. I didn’t look at it as the fact I was at Queen of Peace, I was going to automatically be at St. Laurence.’’ But now that he will be there starting in the summer… “I look forward to being a Viking. It’s going to be fun,’’ he said.
bozo, yelling and screaming in joy and pumping everyone up. Perhaps to outsiders it may seem a little like he’s acting like a goofball, but for those who know him, this is pure Fitz. The Sandburg graduate fell in love with Northwestern when he played football for the Wildcats and he is super pumped when good things happen to the school. It’s kind of cool to see that. I can’t imagine any other college football coach in the country that would lead a crowd in cheers at a basketball game.
Never said this before…
Photo by Jeff Vorva
Kendall Coyne, shown at a Sandburg rally after winning a silver medal in 2014, and her USA Hockey teammates are talking about boycotting a world championship event.
holds this possible boycott against the current team in the future, that could spell trouble for Coyne and her teammates. Not to be overdramatic, but is this the last we see of Kendall Coyne in a USA uniform? I hope not. Hopefully egos will be put aside and some meaningful negotiations will take place.
The Fitz blitz Orland Park native and Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald had a ton of fun cheering on the Wildcats’ men’s basketball team in its historic two-game run in the NCAA Tournament. It’s the first time the team ever made it to the big dance. During the Wildcats’ opening-round game against Vanderbilt on Thursday, Fitzgerald actually went down on the floor and led cheers in front on an NU section. He was also shown on social media in the Wildcats locker room going
I have used all of these words in a sentence before, but not in this order: The other day I was listening to Northwestern’s men’s basketball team playing in the NCAA Tournament on the radio and during a commercial I switched to listen to the defending World Series champion Cubs.
Coming up Just a few things coming up in our friendly sports section… Thanks to St. Xavier University’s women’s basketball team’s deep run in the NAIA Division II Tournament and Moraine Valley qualifying for the National Junior College Athletic Association, we had to put a few things on hold. Unless some giant-size news busts wide open in the next few weeks, we are looking at running a look at spring sports next Thursday, March 30. On April 6, we will announce our athletes of the year in boys swimming and boys and girls bowling. On April 13, we will announce our athletes of the year in boys and girls basketball and wrestling. Also on April 6, Jim Kirby’s hunting column will run — we have gotten some good feedback from his March column. And on April 13, Tim Cronin will debut as a golf columnist. He will mostly cover the local scene but will also have some thoughts on the national scene as well.
Photo courtesy of Northwestern University
NU football coach Pat Fitzgerald was wild and enthusiastic during the Wildcats’ historic men’s basketball run in the NCAA Tournament.
This is how the high school baseball season started… The Illinois High School Association baseball and softball seasons opened on March 13 but some snow hit the area early in the week and fields, such as this one at Richards High School, were unplayable. A few games were played later in the week after the snow melted. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Moraine
Continued from Page 1 season, coach Delwyn Jones had a good feeling about this team. The dynamic duo of Drynan and Borgen and their ability to dominate inside, had the coach thinking big. “I really feel that there’s no way we can’t go to nationals as long as we stay healthy,” Jones said during the preseason. “This team is just flat-out good.’’ On the court, they proved him right as the Cyclones won 31 of 33 games with their only losses coming to Triton (69-67) and Kankakee (83-74) and ran the table in the Skyway Conference. But late in the season, the NJCAA ordered the
forfeiture of 15 games for using ineligible players and the Cyclones were given a 4-8 mark in the conference and entered the nationals with a 16-17 record. Jones called them “very minor infractions” and there was no intent to cheat. He also said that the team was able to get through the disappointment of being stripped those victories and made it to the nationals. “They have fought and have never given up,” Jones said. “We feel the world is against us and tried to take away some things we felt we earned legitimately.’’ The area has one other connection in the tournament. Evergreen Park’s Megan Pfister, a 5-foot-9 sophomore, is playing for Kankakee Community College, which had a first-round game on Wednesday night.
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Photo by Jeff Vorva
Queen of Peace coach George Shimko said several of his players will be joining him at St. Laurence next season.
Photo courtesy of Moraine Valley Community College
Moraine Valley assistant coach Sean Mackey talks with the players on Tuesday. The Cyclones were beaten in the first round of the NJCAA Division II Championship tournament.
ANY SIZE ORDER MONDAY – WEDNESDAY
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Section 2 Thursday, March 23, 2017
The Regional News - The Reporter
Warm welcome on a cool day for national runner-up SXU
The bus carrying the St. Xavier University women’s basketball team pulls into campus on March 15, one day after the Cougars finished second in the nation in NAIA Division II play.
Less than 24 hours after losing to Marian (Ind.) in the NAIA Division II National Championship game, SXU women’s basketball player emerge from their bus and are greeted by cheers from dozens of fans at the Chicago campus.
Dozens of fans welcomed the Cougars during an impromptu homecoming for the women’s basketball team.
THROUGH THE YEARS AT THE NATIONALS St. Xavier University’s women’s basketball team has gone to the NAIA Division II National Championship tournament 15 straight years. Here is a look at how the Cougars have fared:
Year W-L End result 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
0-1 0-1 0-1 1-1 1-1 0-1 1-1 2-1 0-1 1-1 1-1 0-1 2-1 1-1 4-1
Lost to Montana Western in debut Lost to Vanguard in sophomore eff rt Lost to Point Loma Nazarene by 19 First national win came against Carroll Second split in a row Lost a three-point heartbreaker to Lubbock Christian Ousted by four points by Oklahoma City First year of multiple wins but lost by four to Azusa Pacifi Lost to Shawnee State Eliminated after a four-point loss to Westmont Blew out St. Thomas before 13-point loss to St. Francis (Ind.) Lost by 25 to College of the Ozarks Got revenge with seven-point win over College of the Ozarks Stunned by Goshen in the second round Finished second in the nation
Photos by Jeff Vorva Oak Lawn’s Bob Hallberg, the only women’s basketball coach in SXU history, shows the national runnerup trophy off to the crowd.
SXU student assistant coach Maloree Johnson, a former player for the Cougars, shows off the trophy her team won at the NAIA Division II National Championship.
SXU football coach Mike Feminis, the only coach in school history to win a national title as his football team won in 2011, talks with women’s basketball coach/athletic director Bob Hallberg during the Cougars’ homecoming.
SXU junior Kara Krolicki, the NAIA Division II Player of the Year, thanks the crowd for its support during the season. Hugs were the norm after the Cougars returned home from their nine-day trip to Sioux City, Iowa, for the NAIA nationals.
The Regional News - The Reporter
448-6161
For Sale
For Sale
For Sale
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
WELLS FARGO BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE, FOR CARRINGTON MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-NC4 ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES Plaintiff, -v.MICHAEL HOLDEN, ANGELA BOROWSKI, HOUSEHOLD FINANCE CORPORATION III, CITY OF CHICAGO, MIDLAND FUNDING LLC, CHASE BANK USA, N. A Defendants
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 Plaintiff, -v.DANIEL CAGALA AKA DANIEL J. CAGALA AKA DANIEL J. CAGALA JR., CAROLYN CAGALA AKA CAROLYN D. CAGALA, VILLAGE OF OAK LAWN, STACEY VALLARTA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION GREEN TREE SERVICING LLC Plaintiff, -v.SIE KHALIL Defendants 12 CH 39434 10619 SOUTH TOD DRIVE 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 March 10, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 26, 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 10619 SOUTH TOD DRIVE, PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 Property Index No. 23-13-113-006-0000. The real estate is improved with a red brick split level single family home; two car attached garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information: Visit our website at service.atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5 pm. PIERCE & ASSOCIATES, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300, CHICAGO, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 476-5500. Please refer to file number 12339. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. PIERCE & ASSOCIATES One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300 CHICAGO, IL 60602 (312) 476-5500 E-Mail: pleadings@pierceservices.com Attorney File No. 12339 Attorney Code. 60489 Case Number: 12 CH 39434 TJSC#: 36-12989 I713562
15 CH 3521 10635 LOMBARD AVENUE Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 23, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 24, 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 10635 LOMBARD AVENUE, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 Property Index No. 24-17-122-010-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $254,816.57. 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.
5
Thursday, March 23, 2017 Section 2
16 CH 11326 10721 LAWLER AVENUE Oak Lawn, IL 60453 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 12, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 1, 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 10721 LAWLER AVENUE, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 Property Index No. 24-16-417-007-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $217,238.53. 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, or a 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 and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). In accordance with 735 ILCS 5/15-1507(c)(1)(h-1) and (h-2), 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(5), and 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1), you are hereby notified that the purchaser of the property, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and legal fees required by subsections (g)(1) and (g)(4) of section 9 and the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of section 18.5 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act.
If this property is a condominium unit, or a 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 and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). In accordance with 735 ILCS 5/15-1507(c)(1)(h-1) and (h-2), 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(5), and 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1), you are hereby notified that the purchaser of the property, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and legal fees required by subsections (g)(1) and (g)(4) of section 9 and the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of section 18.5 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act.
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.
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.
You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.
For information, contact the sales department, ANSELMO LINDBERG OLIVER LLC, 1771 W. Diehl Road, Suite 120, NAPERVILLE, IL 60563, (630) 453-6960 For bidding instructions, visit www.fal-illinois.com. Please refer to file number F14100121.
For information, contact the sales department, ANSELMO LINDBERG OLIVER LLC, 1771 W. Diehl Road, Suite 120, NAPERVILLE, IL 60563, (630) 453-6960 For bidding instructions, visit www.fal-illinois.com. Please refer to file number F16070135.
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.
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.
ANSELMO LINDBERG OLIVER LLC 1771 W. Diehl Road, Suite 120 NAPERVILLE, IL 60563 (630) 453-6960 E-Mail: foreclosurenotice@fal-illinois.com Attorney File No. F14100121 Attorney ARDC No. 3126232 Attorney Code. 58852 Case Number: 15 CH 3521 TJSC#: 37-1038
ANSELMO LINDBERG OLIVER LLC 1771 W. Diehl Road, Suite 120 NAPERVILLE, IL 60563 (630) 453-6960 E-Mail: foreclosurenotice@fal-illinois.com Attorney File No. F16070135 Attorney ARDC No. 3126232 Attorney Code. 58852 Case Number: 16 CH 11326 TJSC#: 37-680
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.
NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.
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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION TAYLOR, BEAN & WHITAKER MORTGAGE CORP. Plaintiff, -v.DONALD A. TIETZ, PAMELA D. TIETZ, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., CAPITAL ONE BANK (USA), N.A., MALLARD LANDINGS HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION Defendants 15 CH 013551 16810 HIGHBUSH ROAD ORLAND PARK, IL 60467 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 27, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 1, 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 16810 HIGHBUSH ROAD, ORLAND PARK, IL 60467 Property Index No. 27-29-211-007, Property Index No. (27-29-201-010 underlying). The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-15-14568. 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. I717051
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST Plaintiff, -v.BRYAN J. DAHLSTROM, TERRY A. DAHLSTROM, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 15 CH 005413 8707 S. 81ST COURT HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 31, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 2, 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 8707 S. 81ST COURT, HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 Property Index No. 23-02-205-020-0000. The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-15-05165. 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. I717058
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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All Real Estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination.� Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1 (800) 669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is: 1 (800) 927-9275.
6
Section 2 Thursday, March 23, 2017
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Thursday, March 23, 2017
O&A MOVIE REVIEW
‘Beauty and the Beast’ works, but film takes no giant leaps The new “Beauty and the Beast” attempts, strangely, to be both different and absolutely the same as the animated Disney classic of the same name from 1991 directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise. Almost all of the original film is in this remake, but director Bill Condon — armed with screenwriters Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos — has added scenes of unnecessary backstory and a few too many ill-timed attempts at humor. Disney music legends Alan Menken and Tim Rice have also been brought on to add songs to the score originally composed by Menken and the late Howard Ashmore. These new songs are incompatible both in style and quality next to the classics once again on display. However, when Condon and crew aren’t trying to add to the story, it works just fine. Condon has directed this film with such arresting visual intensity and playfulness that it’s hard not to get caught up in the magic, despite the unnecessary additions. Emma Watson plays Belle, the beautiful bookworm heroine of this “tale old as time”. She pines for adventure outside of her insular village where knowledge is frowned upon, especially if it is in regard to women, and she’s the object of unwanted affection by the town narcissist Gaston (Luke Evans). Belle, however, finds herself the prisoner of a monster when her father (Kevin Kline) stumbles upon his enchanted castle filled with talking appliances. The Beast (Dan Stevens) wants to take him as a prisoner for trespassing. Belle, being kind and loving, requests to take her father’s place. Thus begins a journey into unconventional romance. Stevens works as the Beast. His voice, both when speaking and singing, exudes authority and austerity. The CGI rendering of the Beast at times is spotty, but mostly effective. Watson in a general sense is fine, but struggles
VARIETY
BRIAN LAUGHRAN here and there. Her singing voice is thin and sounds as though it has been digitally manipulated. And what this Belle possesses in intelligence and agency, she lacks in pluck and fire. Evans is the real standout of the cast. His interpretation of Gaston begins as funny and cartoonish, but then twists into pure villainy. Evans also possesses one of the strongest singing voices in the cast. His scenes with Josh Gad’s LeFou — Gaston’s sniveling crony — are among some of the best character work in the film. The voice actors of the servants-turned-appliances run the gamut. Ian McKellen and Ewan McGregor ably lead the pack as the grumpy clock Cogsworth and suave candelabra Lumiere, respectively. Emma Thompson, playing the matronly tea kettle Mrs. Potts, may not possess the singing chops of the original Angela Lansbury, but she owns the character in a different, entertaining way. However, I found the voices of Audra McDonald and Stanley Tucci rather campy and obnoxious as a dresser and harpsichord that were once married. Still, I’m giving the film a modest recommendation for its great visuals and working as a generally fun time at the movies. Despite having been here before, there’s still a little old school Disney magic floating around. RATING: C
Southwest • Section 2, Page 7
BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS Abstract art class set for McCord
An abstract art workshop is set for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center, 9602 West Creek Road, Palos Park. “This is truly exciting, as this is the first time abstract art will be taught in a classroom setting at McCord,” officials noted in a press release. “It is an open invitation to explore ways to think outside of the box by using color, found objects and informal techniques to create abstract art.” The public is invited, and space is limited. Registration is $115 for members of McCord and $125 for non-members. For more information or to make a reservation, call (708) 671-0648.
Show tunes concert set for Trinity
The Southwest Symphony Orchestra, in concert with Grande Prairie Chorale and the Moraine Chorale, will present an afternoon of Rodgers and Hammerstein favorites at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26 in the Ozinga Auditorium at Trinity Christian College, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights. Reserved “artist’s circle” tickets range in price from $26 for adults to $6 for students. “Open seating” tickets are priced slightly lower. Children age 12 and under are admitted at no charge. Tickets will be available at the door. They may be reserved at Will Call by calling (708) 802-0686. Tickets are also available online at southwestsymphony.com or via phone at 1-800-838-3006. Perhaps the most famous musical theater songwriting team in U.S. history, Rodgers and Hammerstein are best known for their work on “Oklahoma!”, “South Pacific,” “The King and I” and The Sound of Music,” among others.
The Center sets event slate
The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, is offering several events in the days ahead. For more information, or to register for a program, call (708) 361-3650. • “Womantalk!” is set for 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 28. Womantalk! is a nurturing and supportive discussion group, focusing on the months in Sarah Ban Breathnach’s “Simple Abundance” book, or any Brian Laughran’s movie reviews will appear the other inspirational resources that attendees would second and fourth Thursdays of every month. like to bring to share. The focus is on learning to live authentically, joyfully, simply, gracefully and gratefully, according to a publicity blurb. Participants are asked to call ahead to confirm attendance. • “Luncheon: Between Two Comets: The Life Of Mark Twain” is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 28. Writer Mark Twain lived his life between the Halley’s Comets of 1835 and
1910. During that time, he penned some of the most beloved and controversial literature of the 19th century. Local actor Terry Lynch will portray Twain, discussing his life, writings and constant struggle to be accepted by society and to support his family with his work. Luncheon cost is $22, and reservations must be made in advance. • “Mommy & Me Art: Spring Painting Workshop” is expected to run from 11 a.. to noon Wednesday, March 29. Instructor Karen Signore will read a spring-themed story to start the class. Participants will have a choice of working on their own small painting on canvas or completing a larger canvas together, and to experiment with paint by mixing new colors and finger painting techniques. Workshop fee is $11 per person. The class is designed for mothers or grandmothers with children ages 3-6, but the instructor is open to family members of all ages attending “Mommy and Me.”
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 in the week ahead. For more information on activities, call (708) 532-0500. • “The Voice Night with open mic” starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24. Students will be able to sign up for a fusion of “The Voice,” and “Name That Tune.” Free food samples will be provided by TruGurt. This is a “high school after hours night. Grade school students must leave by 10:30 p.m., but high school students are invited to stay until midnight. • “SAT Prep w/C2” is for high school students and runs from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, Students will learn about the SAT and some secret strategies to help them do their best on the test. • “Start Your Summer Garden w/Priscilla” is set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 29. Plenty of tips for growing a beautifully-plentiful garden will be offered. • “What it’s Like to Be a Police Officer” is scheduled for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 29. Alsip police officers will show students what it’s like to serve and protect a community. • “Paint & Distress Furniture w/Evilena’s Red Dresser” runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 30. Students will learn the “how to” tips and give a plain piece of furniture a new look. • “Movie Trivia & Brain Busters Night” is set for 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 31, Students are invited to play movie trivia and brain games at The Bridge. Free food samples will be provided by White Castle.
OMARR’S WEEKLY ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST By Jeraldine Saunders
Scott Kirkland/PictureGroup/Sipa USA/TNS
The cast of “This is Us” includes Chris Sullivan, Ron Cephas Jones, Mandy Moore, Susan Kelechi Watson, Justin Hartley, Chrissy Metz, Sterling K. Brown and Milo Ventimiglia at the 2016 PaleyFest Fall TV Previews on September 13, 2016 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Behind the scenes of ‘This Is Us’ emotional memorial episode By Debra Birnbaum It had been raining for a week straight in Los Angeles, but the skies cleared on the late January day that the cast and crew of “This Is Us” assembled on the streets of Hancock Park to shoot William’s memorial. The Pearson clan — Randall (Sterling K. Brown), Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson), and their daughters; Kate (Chrissy Metz) and boyfriend Toby (Chris Sullivan); Kate (Mandy Moore) and husband Miguel (Jon Huertas); and Kevin (Justin Hartley) — all donned colorful party hats for their walk in memory of William (Ron Cephas Jones), whose strolls through the neighborhood had become part of his daily routine. The “fun-eral,” as Randall had dubbed it, was all part of the girls’ plan to honor their grandfather, who’d left them in charge of planning his memorial. Though the skies stayed clear, the waterworks started when mother and son finally make up, as Rebecca apologizes with a lengthy, heartbreaking speech explaining why she’d kept the secret of William’s existence from Randall for so long. “What if he
started using again and broke your heart? What if he tried to take you back?” she tells him. “It was selfish and wrong and I want you to know that I am just so deeply sorry that you didn’t have more time with him. That I kept you from having more time with him.” Take after take, Moore delivers the monologue with deep emotion — breaking down in tears. There’s not a dry eye on the set — or in the high-tech van that’s serving as a makeshift video village. KJ Steinberg, who wrote the episode with Vera Herbert, is wiping away a flood of tears, though Herbert is surprisingly a bit more impassive. “You’re heartless,” cracks Steinberg. “How did you not cry?” The show’s makeup artist is fretting about the state of Moore’s prosthetics, which turn the 32-year-old actress into a sixtysomething grandmother. “This is when we discover that crying is the perfect makeup remover,” she says. “Don’t go in any tighter,” she cautions Yasu Tanida, the director of photography. Meanwhile on the set, Brown is experimenting with different reactions to Moore’s speech. He starts out stoically, but by the end, the
tears are pouring down. “(Director) Wendey (Stanzler) wanted a more emotional take,” he tells Variety. “My thinking was that so much has happened I wanted (the forgiveness) to be more earned. Today of all days love is what is needed. There’s room for some mercy. Have it build to that.” The take with his tears is, naturally, what made the final cut. Brown says the reconciliation will be a lasting one. “I think they’re back,” he says. “He’s a mama’s boy. He adores his mother. I expect them to be thick as thieves going forward.” But it was a long time in coming, he adds. “It’s interesting because the reconciliation was going to happen at Christmas,” he says. “And (showrunner) Dan (Fogelman) said he felt like it was too easy, too short. I felt like there’s a lot of history that can’t be reconciled in one day. So I knew that it was coming before the end of the season. I knew it was time. Every time I was out, people would ask me, what’s going to happen with Randall and Rebecca? And I’d say, I think it’s going to be OK.”
ARIES (March 21-April 19): As the first week of spring unfolds your fancies may turn to thoughts of love. You might be inspired by the first daffodil peeking out of the ground or wallow in a mire of unrealistic ideas. Avoid conversational mix-ups. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Plotting and planning might be on your mind in the week ahead. Harness your vivid imagination and put it to the test. You may be energized to make money but could just as easily find ways to spend it. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Fuzzy thinking is not the same thing as fuzzy logic. In the week ahead be sure to communicate clearly and avoid becoming bogged down in details. Your physical energy levels are high, so tackle odd jobs. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Too many friends can spoil the broth. You can never have too many well-wishers in your corner, but your time might be eaten up by texting and email messages in the week to come. Avoid extravagant purchases. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The more the merrier is fine until you want some rest. In the week to come your contact with numerous people might help you realize how necessary it is for you to have a special someone as the center of your life. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Keep your money in your pocket. You may be attracted to something or someone that is not worthy of your attention as this week unfolds. Focus on learning how to perform physical tasks or pursue constructive ideas. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You are never too old to learn new tricks. You could join a group that shares your interests or widens your scope. There may be a few times in the week ahead when you think the truth has been stretched too far. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): During the week to come it might seem that the more money you make the more you must spend. Your participation in group activities might cost more than you expect. Find ways to apply wisdom to your finances.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You might end up running in circles as this week unfolds. Put a puzzling problem on the back burner and concentrate on getting caught up with a backlog of essential tasks around the home and office. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t pretend to be someone you aren’t. You might think you can get away with hiding your past or your faults but it will seem silly in hindsight. In the week ahead ask friends to help you achieve your goals.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You may feel it necessary to defend yourself from unwarranted criticism concerning the way you handle your possessions or bank account. You may be challenged in the week ahead to handle a tight schedule. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Win the wrestling match with your conscience. Someone might be more successful than you, but that does not diminish your innate gifts. Brief feelings of inadequacy may undermine your confidence this week.
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The Regional News • The Reporter
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Southwest • Section 2, Page 8
WOLFGANG PUCK’S KITCHEN
A perfect pear: Late-harvest pears and dried fruit make a spring dessert By Wolfgang Puck As spring arrives, there are so many good reasons for food lovers everywhere to rejoice. Yet, often, the last thing you want to do when the days are suddenly longer, brighter and warmer is to spend time in the kitchen when you have fun things waiting to be done outside, from playing with your family and friends to going for a walk to working in your garden. My favorite activity right now, not surprisingly, is to visit the farmers’ market to see what wonderful produce the season has to offer. And one of the items I enjoy the most right now is a fruit that many people associate with just autumn and winter: pears. Yes, the plump, juicy, sweet and aromatic tree fruit most often graces out tables during the holidays. But you can still find some excellent varieties for sale well into springtime, particularly elongated, brown-skinned Bosc pears, with their good, strong pear flavor and an almost crunchy texture that makes them an excellent candidate for cooking as well as eating raw. You’ll also find both green-skinned and red-skinned Anjou pears, which are plumper in shape, with a firm texture and a flavor that ranges from bright
and almost lemony for the green variety to the slightly spicier red ones. That’s why I’d like to share one of my favorite simple recipes featuring pears. This home-style compote highlights the fruit’s distinctive character by briefly cooking it with tart dried cherries, fruity German- or Austrian-style white wine, a little lemon juice and a fresh vanilla bean. The recipe takes almost no time for you to prepare. All you have to do is spend a few minutes quartering, peeling and coring the pears, and then combine them with the other ingredients to marinate for an hour while you go do something else. Lastly, you cook the pears for just 15 minutes before letting them cool to room temperature for serving. Simplicity also rules in the way you serve them. Just spoon a few pear quarters, cherries and the cooking juices into serving bowls, garnish with mint, and you’re ready to enjoy a treat that tastes as fresh as springtime — and would make a perfect addition to your holiday table for Easter or Passover. You’ll also notice, by the way, that the recipe doesn’t include even a spoonful of added sugar. That’s because the pears and the wine in which they are briefly poached provide enough sweet-
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:
“LION”: Recently nominated for six Oscars including best picture, this affecting, fact-inspired drama follows the journey of Saroo, who — as a youngster (played by Sunny Pawar) — is separated from his family in India, then is taken in and raised by an Australian couple (Oscar nominee Nicole Kidman and David Wenham). Still haunted by his heritage a quartercentury later (and portrayed at that point by Dev Patel, also Academy Award-nominated), he uses the then-nascent Google Earth to find his biological family. Rooney Mara also appears in the moving tale as the central character’s girlfriend. DVD extras: deleted scenes; photo gallery; music video. **** (PG-13: AS) (Also on Bluray and On Demand) “SING”: The proceedings are musical, indeed, in a world of animals as the title of this enjoyable computer-animation tale infers. Against a soundtrack of very familiar tunes, Matthew McConaughey leads an all-star voice cast as a koala who owns a theater, but it faces closure unless the needed funds are raised through a vocal competition he stages. The finalists include a pig (voice of Reese Witherspoon), a mouse (voice of Seth MacFarlane), a porcupine (voice of Scarlett Johansson) and a gorilla (voice of Taron Egerton, “Kingsman: The Secret Service”). John C. Reilly, Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”), Jennifer Hudson, Rhea Perlman and several “Saturday Night Live” veterans — Laraine Newman, Jay Pharoah and Leslie Jones — also are heard. The film’s writer-director, Garth Jennings, voices a senior-citizen iguana. *** (PG: AS) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “LIVE BY NIGHT”: Ben Affleck turns director again with this period drama that pays heed to the Boston area where he was raised, the setting of a post-World War I story he adapted from a Dennis Lehane novel, and in which he also stars as a military veteran on the wrong side of the law — to the obvious displeasure of his father (Brendan Gleeson), the city’s deputy police superintendent. As much as he’s against the establishment, there are criminal elements the felon refuses to work for or with, eventually prompting him to take his illegal activities to Florida ... where he finds that you can run, but you can’t hide. The impressive cast also includes Elle Fanning, Chris Messina, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper and Clark Gregg (“Marvel’s Agents
of S.H.I.E.L.D.”). DVD extras: deleted scenes. *** (R: AS, N, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “MISS SLOANE”: Jessica Chastain does a fine job playing both strong and vulnerable in director John Madden’s (“Shakespeare in Love”) drama about a Washington, D.C., lobbyist whose own past could influence her approach to a controversial issue ... namely, background checks for gun owners. Political and corporate intrigue come into play big-time, with Chastain’s alter ego Elizabeth Sloane at the center of various interests’ agendas. The excellent supporting cast includes Sam Waterston, John Lithgow, Mark Strong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alison Pill (“The Newsroom”) and Dylan Baker. DVD extra: “making-of” documentary. *** (R: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “MASTER OF NONE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON”: Aziz Ansari’s seriocomic, widely acclaimed Netflix series comes to home video, with the star and co-creator playing a New York-based actor trying to survive life’s turns personally and professionally. Among his concerns are his heritage and what he owes his parents, his struggles to overcome being stereotyped, and his budding — and easily derailed — romance with a music publicist (Noel Wells). The co-writer of virtually all of the episodes (along with fellow show creator Alan Yang), Ansari also directed a couple of them. *** (Not rated: AS, P)
COMING SOON:
“FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM” (March 28): The J.K. Rowling story casts Eddie Redmayne as a “magizoolgist” who loses several of his fantastic beasts in mid-1920s New York. (PG-13: V) “A MONSTER CALLS” (March 28): A troubled youngster (Lewis MacDougall) with an ill mother finds a very unexpected ally in a tree monster. (PG-13: AS) “20TH CENTURY WOMEN” (March 28): Annette Bening plays a woman who recruits others to help raise her son in the late 1970s; Greta Gerwig and Elle Fanning also star. (R: AS, N, P) “WHY HIM?” (March 28): A conservative man (Bryan Cranston) is unsettled by his daughter’s choice of boyfriend (James Franco). (R: AS, P) “OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY” (April 4): Workers refuse to let their branch’s pending closure wreck their holiday bash; Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman and T.J. Miller star. (R: AS, N, P) FAMILY-VIEWING GUIDE KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence.
ness on their own, making this an especially healthy dessert to enjoy at just around the time you might be thinking about fitting into your swimsuit. After all, we’re only three months away! PEAR AND DRIED SOUR CHERRY COMPOTE Serves 8 to 10 • 8 large firm, but ripe Bosc or Anjou pears, peeled • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 cup (250 mL) dried sour cherries • 1/2 vanilla bean • 2 cups (500 mL) fruity, aromatic white wine such as gewurztraminer or riesling • 8 to 10 small sprigs fresh mint With a small, sharp knife, cut each pear lengthwise in half, and then remove the stem and core. Cut the halves in two and put the quarters in a medium mixing bowl. Drizzle the lemon juice and toss well to coat the pears. Loosely arrange the pear quarters in a single layer in a nonreactive 12-inch (30-cm) skillet. Scatter in the dried cherries. With the small, sharp knife, cut
Dreamstime.com
Green Anjou pears have a firm texture and a bright, almost lemony flavor.
the piece of vanilla bean lengthwise in half. With the back edge of the knife blade, carefully scrape the tiny vanilla seeds from the middle of each half. Put the seeds and the bean halves in the pan with the pears. Pour the wine over the pears, cover the skillet, and leave the pears at room temperature to
marinate for about 1 hour. Leaving the pears covered, transfer the skillet to the stove over medium heat. When the wine is almost at a boil, reduce the heat to very low and cook until the pears are barely tender enough to be pierced easily with the tip of a sharp knife, about 15 minutes
depending on ripeness. Transfer the pears and their liquid from the skillet to a heatproof bowl and leave to cool. Serve at room temperature, arranging 3 or 4 pear quarters in each serving bowl and then spooning the cherries and sauce over the pears. Garnish each serving with a mint sprig.
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